The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-04 00:00:00

UNLIMITED or LIMITED LIABILITY.

A SPECIAL general meeting of the Liverpool Chamber of
Commerce was convened on Wednesday last, the object of
the meeting being to consider the annexed resolution,
adopted by the council of the Chamber :—" That this
council, having given full consideration to the report of
its sub-committee, hereby affirms the principle set forth,
viz., that the present law, in so far as it prohibits the
formation of partnership with limited liability, is unsound,
and that an alteration in this and other respects is urgently
required."
The meeting took place in the Cotton-salesroom, Ex-
change-buildings, and the chair was occupied by Thomas
Bouch, Esq., the president of the Chamber. The attend-
ance of members was large, and amongst other gentlemen
present we observed Mr. C. Robertson, Mr.. C. Holland,
Mr. F. Boult, Mr. C. E. Rawlins, jun., Mr. I. Cooke, Mr.
J. Hubback, Mr. C. M`lver, Mr. R. Shell, Mr. C. Bushell,
Mr. R. A. &Fie, Mr. J. Aikin, Mr. E. Heath, Mr. Shand,
Mr. J. Booker, Mr. A. H. Wylie, Mr. J. Stitt, &c., &c., &e.
After the minute in connexion with this subject, which
had been adopted at the annual general meeting, and the
above resolution of the committee had been read,
The CnAIEMAN, after stating that he considered the
Chamber would have been remiss in discharge of its duty
had it not taken up a question of so much importance,
gave a rapid review of the proceedings which from time
to time had taken place on it in the Chamber, until it
assumed the form in which it was then presented to the
meeting. The subject, he said, had been examined by the
council in every point of view. The resolution was adopted
by a majority of 12 to 8. In conclusion, he urged that
whatever difference of opinion might be expressed, he
hoped the discussion would be conducted with calmness
and good temper.
Mr. LAMB, in expressing his dissent from the conclusion
arrived at by the council, maintained that it would be
inexpedient, if not dangerous, to make any material altera-
tion in the existing law, under the operation of which this
country had attained a position of commercial honour,
success and importance which had never been equalled.
After alluding to the preference given to Liverpool over
United States insurance offices, in the former of which the
liability was unlimited, while in the latter it was restricted,
and having contrasted the French and English modes of
dealing with bills of exchange, he drew a conclusion
favourable to the English system as more secure. He
admitted that plausible arguments might be brought for-
ward in support of limited liability, still, taking the most
impartial view of the matter he could, he had arrived at
the conclusion that it would be dangerous to tamper with
the law as it at present exited. He concluded his remarks
by sabmitting the following resolution :—" That this
Chamber does not approve of the resolution of the council
of the Chamber now submitted, it being the opinion of
this Chamber that the present law of unlimited liability
of partnerships has proved highly beneficial to the com-
mtrcial credit of Great Britain, and should be maintained
in its general principles."
Mr. C. ROBERTSON moved the following amendment :
" That this chamber affirms the resolution of the council,
to this effeet, that the law of partnership, inasmuch as it
prohibits the formation of partnerships with unlimited
liability, is unsound, and that an alteration in this and
other respects is urgently required." He said the resolu-
tionof the council pronounced no opinion on the principle
of _limited liability either in condemnation or approval of
it. It merely affirmed that the law of 'partnership, be-
cause it prohibited something else, was wrong—not be-
cause it sanctioned unlimited liability, but because it
prohibited limited liability. All they contended for
was, that those who did not approve of unlimited liability
should be allowed to pursue a different course. As to the
question, of unlimited liability, he considered it resolved
itself rather into a matter of credit and character' than
otherwise, and he had never seen anybody express an opi-
nion thattlimited liability was abed thing in itself except
a writer in the Law Times, who told them that every
man holding a share in a limited liability company was a
rogue. (aughter.) He (the speaker) contended that, as
limited liability was applied to gas and mining companies
and to chartered'banks, there was no reason why it should
not be extended to commercial 'produce. The moment,
however, :they went so far it was declared to be mischie-
vous. He quoted the authority of Mr. J. S. Mill and Mr.
Sergeant,Byles, both of whom had expressed themselves in
favour of limited liability. He also read extracts of a
similar character from a report of the commissioners sent
to inquire into the industrial institutions of the United
States. Every company with limited liability would have
to declareits capital in a local register, to which every-
body wetild have full access; and means would be taken,
by addinr something to the title., by which everybody
• would knew whether the liability was 'limited or not.
With such means of publicitypersons would be enabled to
determine and to judge for themselves how far it would be
safe to gir..e• credit to such companies. In addition to that,
[ there would be a penalty for everyeirasion of the law—for
frauds, and for non-compliance with the terms of the law.
(Hear, hear.) These two precautions would meet the
whole of the case, and meet it very much better than any
now in existence.
Mr. LARITORT, after stating that lie had become a 'con-
vert to the principle of limited liablity, asked if those who
held opposite views were prepared to carry out their doc-
trine to itsmtmost limits ; if so, 'they should require the
Legislature,under •no circumstances whatever to allow
charters of limited liability. (" Hear, hear," and " No,
no.") He contended that, if it was a moral principle,
there shouldle no exception whatever; and if once they
begin to set expediency against right, he did not know
where it might end. If it was not far the principle of
limited liability they would all be travellinc, about and
carrying their -goods on pack-horses still, and, instead of
gas, they would' have the streets still lighted with farthing
candles. (Laughter.) After combating the argument
advanced by theeeditor of the Liverpool Times, that any
young man who bad an aptitude for busivess and a good
character might always obtailrmoney at five per cent., he
put it to the advocates of the opposite principle whether,
after all, there was any moral responsibility on the part of
one man to pay another man's debts ; that arias the ques-
tion involved in the argument for unlimiteMbility. He
seconded the amendment.
Mr. C. rlvisa replied to some of the renitteks of Mr.
Robertson. He was no more interested in the question of
limited or unlimited liability than any merchant in Liver-

pool.• As to the article in the Law Times toFtwbieh re-
ference had been made;it tlid represent his (Mr. Ni`lver's)
opinions, and that was his.reason for giving it to the pub-
lic in the form which he thought would obtain more atten-
tion than if sent anolkymoudy. it were true that the
chamber had been so equally Maiden, surely it was a small
matter, on a question so momentous, that there should
be aeair, distinct, and unmistakeable record of the opinion
of each individual member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. GILL repeated his suggestion as to the mode of
taking the votes, when
The jIIAIEMAN replied, that, in conformity with estab-
lished .usage in all debates, the ,tliscussion on the resolu-
tion and amendment must be completed before they could
enter upon a new subject.
Mr. A. H. WYLIE said he could speak as to the work-
ing of limited liability in the United States. One great
difference 'between this country and America was, that the
latter always profited by any panic that arose, and took
measures to prevent its recurrence. He spoke in high
terms of the banking system of New York, and followed
this up as most judicious, clear-sighted, and politic, by
contending that, as regarded giving credit, it was for any
man to refuse .sr deny giving credit who those, according
to his belief in the ability of the party whom he
trusted to pay„and his general character sad standing
in society. In conclusion. he argued that they were bound
to tarry out the principle of Sir Robert Peel's bill of
1844 to the fullest extent, by removing restrictions on
capital, and the only way they could do that was to affirm
the principle which the council had decided upon.
Mr. WILLIAM Fisitnu argued in favour of unlimited
liability, and contended that it would be injurious to alter
the law as it regarded the ordinary business transactions
of the country.
Mr. HOLLAND supported the resolution of the chamber,
and contended that an alteration of the present law was
absolutely necessary. There were many cases in which a
young man of energy and industry required the use of a
small sum of money to advance him in business when he
saw a good prospect before him, but the capitalist would
not advance it, because he was required, under the present
system of unlimited liability, to make himself responsible
beyond the amount of his loan, if he derived the profits of
partnership. As regarded the guarantee to the public,
they should look at a man's character and the amount of
capital he possessed, rather than to any other source, as a
security for whatever investment might be made. The
principle of limited liability, he considered, was the only
sound one, by which each member of an association could
advance in proportion to the risk he undertook, and as to
frauds, some of the grossest kind had taken place under
the present system; he need only refer to the Great.
North of. England Bank 'at Newcastle, where they had a
capital of £50,000, and their liabilities were £2,000,000.
The principle of unlimited liability gave no security in the
management of such undertakings, but rather the reverse ;
and of the two systems, the greatest frauds had been
practised in those companies where the unlimited system
prevailed. As regarded banks, those founded on the
limited liability system held quite as high a place as those
in which the opposite plan was adopted : in illustration he
cited the Bank of England, and the three Chartered Banks
in Scotland. In support of his views, he quoted an ex-
tract from a letter written by Mr. Carey, an American
writer, versed in the monetary and commercial system of
the States, where limited liability had been adopted.
The opinion of the writer was highly favourable as to the
soundness and usefulness of the plan, and alluded forcibly
to the desire which existed in the United States for the
removal of all laws which stood in the way of association.
After dwelling at some length upon the principle which
existed in the United States in the constitution of coin-
merciarbodies he contended that the principle of limited
liability might be carried out with equal facility and
safety in this country. He might mention that though
the system he contended for did not exist in England, it
was generally adopted in our colonies, and had been found
to work well. He thought it was high time that all such
restrictions and anomalies as those which existed in' this
country, in reference to associated bodies, should be
swept away, and on every ground he called upon them to'
support the resolution of the chamber.
Mr. KEATS argued that though the Glamorganshire
Bank antithe Marine Insurance Company, upon which
some stress had been laid by one of the speakers, were
conducted QA t4c principle et unlimited liability, the loss

ould have been far greater under that of limited ability.
As regarded young men getting into business, he thought
they laboured under no greater difficulties than those of
former generations, and industry and energy never failed
to be rewarded and encouraged. Though not desirous of
disparaging the United States, he still thought that the
commercial character of England stood higher, and they
should be'careful not to do anything which would lower
it. For these reasons he opposed the resolution come to
by the council of the chamber.
Mr. DIXON supported the resolution which had been
adopted by the Council, observing that if they only gave
a mercantile mau the free use of his capital, his activity
and energy would lead him to find out the most useful
mode of employing it, without assistance from the
legislature. After glancing at the operation of the law
of partnership as it was connected with the two principles
of limited and unlimited liability, and illustrating his
argumen.t with several suggested cases, he argued that if
partners agreed to enter into certain transactions, on the
conditions of limited liability, he saw no reason why
they should be prevented from
doing so.
At this stage of the discussion it was proposed by Mr.
3l'Fie that the meeting be adjourned until the following
day, which was agreed to, and the adjournment took
place accordingly, at a quarter past four.

Ou Thursday the adjourned discussion was resumed by
Mr. M`Fie, who advocated a partial limitation of liability
by way of a compromise.
Mr. POWLES contended that if they would allow limited
liability partnership en commandite, having a capital paid
up, and a manager unlimitedly liable, they would intro-
duce a new and most important element into the ecm-
merce of the country.
Mr. 'Rom said the argument adduced had failed com-
pletely to convince him of the desirableness of the pro-
posed change.
Mr. C. BUSHELL warned the commercial community
against being, Samson like, shorn of their strength by any
Delilah in the shape of limited liability ; let them not be
taunted with lowering the standard which had for years
existed, and under. which Great Britain had risen side by
side, in the contest with countries addicted to limited
liability, to the highest point that ariy nation had ever
achieved.
Mr. SHIEL moved that the meeting be adjourned to
that day six months.
Mr. Tons,—l second the motion.
Mr. AIKIN moved that the meeting be adjourned to
Saturday.
Mr. BAINES proposed a motion to the effect that the
meeting now decide that votes upon the question should
be taken, after the discussion, in such a manner as to
allow every member of the chamber to record his vote.
A noisy and desultory discussion ensued ; several ad-
dressing the chair at the same time. During the confusion
Mr. Arivicß said, there is no use in staying, the chairman
is not inclined to put the motion. (Cries of " Oh, oh !")
The CHAIRMAN declared he would vacate the chair un-
less he received an apology from Mr. M`lver.
Mr. SHELL withdrew his motion for adjournment to
that day six months; and after a long and desultory dis-
cussion, all present endeavouring to be heard at the same
time, the Chairman still declining to put Mr. Baines's
motion, the meeting adjourned to Saturday.

On Saturday the members of the Chamber again met in
the New-hall, Hackin's hey. Mr. Bouch, president, in the
chair. Mr. JOHN AIKIN made a long and able speech, in
defence of a system of limited liability. He defended,
warmly and earnestly, the action which had been taken by
the Council; and urged that such was the magnitude of
the question that it would be well to postpone any decision
until the members had more fully informed themselves
upon it, convinced, as he was, that a practical and safe
course of legislation upon the subject would result from
such a mode of proceeding.
After some observations from Mr. BusnaLL, in defence
of the line of argument which he had adopted on the pre-
vious day,
Mr. F. BOULT addressed the Chamber, and advocated
with much warmth, the adoption of limited liability.
Mr. LAMONT contended that the present law was an in-
terference with the rights of Englishmen ; that the adop-
tion of some liberal and wise course on the law of partner-
ship was demanded by the country ; that the Board of
Trade had no principle to guide it in granting charters ;
for, while it granted charters of limited liability to Messrs.
Gibbs, Bright, and Co., for the Great Britain Company,
and to a railway company between Southport and Liver-
pool, it refused to grant a charter to a transatlantic steam-
ship company with which he was connected, and which had
been compelled to find its resources in other ways.
Mr. TomLiNsoN said the general question resolved
itself into mammon against character ; and he was for
character. In his opinion, where there was no credit li-
mited liability might exist, but where credit was demanded,
and where there was risk, they must have unlimited
liabilities, except in cases of magnitude, which they would
not then discuss. He was strongly in favour of the
original motion.
Mr. HEATH defended the Council from the effect of the
last speaker's observations, and said that the advocates of
limited liability did not justify the evasion of debts; all
they contended for was that a partner en commandite did
not incur engagements at all beyond the amount of his
investment. He denied that there was abundant capital
in the country for all desirable commercial undertakings,
and as an instance of the mode in which small amounts
of capital at present unemployed might be brought into
active use under limited liability, he cited the last loan of
the Emperor Napoleon.
Mr. 31`IvEn. explained with regard to the distinct con-
tradiction which he had given the statement of Mr.
Robertson, on the first day, that the Collins' line of
steamers was a limited liability company. He did so on
the authority of Mr. Brown, who, eighteen months ago,
teia him that it was not limited. When he contradicted
Mr. Robinson he was met by the assertion that there was
a letter from Mr. W. Brown, stating that it was a limited
liability company. He wanted that letter to be read in toto.
After some slight discussion, the letter, which was ad-
dressed to Mr. Field, was read. In it Mr. Brown denied
that his firm had ever been directly or indirectly interested
in the profits of the Collins' line ; they were merely tlio
agents ; and he expressed his opinion that the power of
granting limited liability charters, though limited liability
might be admissable in certain cases, was, upon the whole,
injurious to both countries, (England and America).
This letter Mr. 31`IvEn deemed a triumphant vindica-
tion of Mr. Brown from the aspersions that for his own
interest he had been bolstering up a system on one side of
the Atlantic, the abolition of which he was advocating on
• the other. Mr. M`lver then proceeded to show that the
charter which had been applied for by Mr. Lamont was
' opposed by every mercantile association in Liverpool, and
that Mr. Lpmport was one of the parties who opposed its
being granted.
Mr. LAMFORT reminded the meeting that he had
changed his opinions on this subject, and the signing of
the petition to which Mr. river alluded, led to the con-
sideratiod of the subject which induced him to. alter his
opinion.
After a desultory conversation, the discussion of the
main question was brought to a close, and
The CHAIRMAN then intimated it was for the meeting
to decide how it should vote.
A very protracted discussion ensued, which was finally
ended by the adoption of an amendment submitted by Mr.
C. Holland, to the effect that the meeting divide on the
question, the decision not to be final, and a poll to be taken
within one month after the circulation of a report of the
discussion to the -members of the chamber; the amend-
ment of 3lr. RObertson having previously been carried by
a majority of 27 to 18, the Chairman declining to vote.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the pro-
, ceedings terminated.

EMBA MLLTION OF TROOPS.—The main body of the 88th
regiment (Connaught Rangers) will arrive this (Tuesday)
morning at the railway station, Tithebarn-street, from
Preston, about half-past nine o'clock. They will march to
the Landing-stage, where the tenders Satellite and Jackal
will be in readiness to receive them, and about eleven
o'clock they will be embarked on board the Niagara,
which will convey them to Malta. The advanced guard
with the heavy baggage embarked yesterday (Monday)
afternoon.

ACCIDENT.—On Thursday, during the absence of his
mother, James 11I`Cormack, a child fifteen months old, fell
into a panmug of hot water, and was suffocated.
ELECTION OF POOR-LAW GUARDIANS.--,MT. Richard
Shaw has been returned for Fazakerley, and Mr. R. W.
Kirkus for Little Crosby, no other candidates appearing.
These gentlemen, with Mr. Thomas Dean, are also nomi-
nated for Everton, and are opposed by Mr. Henry Edwards,
Mr. Wilson Ledger, and Mr. William M`Gee.
' I IVERPOOL MUSICAL UNION.—It is a matter for con-
gratulation that these musical professors are to give a
limited series of morning concerts, in the Music-hall,
Bold-street. The first of these takes place on Saturday
'morning next. The second will be given on Saturday
Week.

THE REv. A. G. Torn), late curate of St. 111ary's Church
Kirkdale, has been appointed curate of St. Peter's Church,
Everton, on the nomination of the Rev. S. B. Sutton, 8.A.,
incumbent. The Rev. gentleman preached his first sermon
on Sunday evening week.
REVD:IAA-HALL and the immediately surrounding pro-
perty was disposed of on Wednesday, by private treaty,
for £7,300, to Mr. Croft, soap-boiler, of Liverpool.—Lan-
caster Guardian.

UPPER COLLEGIATE • SCIFOOL.—M. Vittoz, formerly
Vice-Director of the Protestant Training School at Cour-
bevoie, near Paris, has been appointed teacher of modern
languages in the above school.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—The monthly meeting of the
council was held yesterday,—Thomas Pouch, Esq., presi-
dent, in the chair. After the routine business, the pro-
ceedings of the folloWing committees were read and
adopted, viz., communications, stamp duties, and commer-
cial law. Orders were given for printing and circulating
the report of the proceedings of the - general meetings on
the 29th and 30th ult., and Ist inst. Among the com-
munications were letters on the stamp duties, on foreign
bills of exchange, on steam communication with Australia,
and ou the secret bills of sale bill. The bills of exchange
bill was referred to the commercial law committee.
THE QUARTER'S REVENUE.—The quarterly returns of
the revenue will be made up to-morrow (Wednesday) night;
the sth of April, which closes the financial year, as it ends
the present quarter. It may be anticipated so far, as to
show an increase, as .conwared with the year ending sth
April, 1853, of full half-x-million• sterling. • There will be
an increase, both in customs and excise, for the year, in
the former of more than £lOO,OOO, and in the latter dbe-
tween £300,000 and £1.00,000. On the other hand, it is
probable thst stamps may show a decrease, though a
slight one. 'There may also possibly be a decrease in the
Property Tax, but, if so, it will not be to any great extent:
The Post-office will continue to show that steady increase
which has characterised the receipts of late. If, on the
quarter, the receipts are not so entirely satisfactory as on
the year, the decrease will not be so great as might have
been anticipated, when the reduction of duties in the last
session are taken into consideration. On the customs re-
turns for the quarter, as compared with the corresponding
quarter of last year, it is probable that there will be a con-
siderable decrease.. The reduction Of the tea duties alone
would account for this. The excise will equal, if not .ex-
ceed, the receipts of the quarter ending sth April, 1853.
The same may be said of the stamps. There will probably
be, also, a decrease in the Property Tax receipts in the
quarter, the proposed addition not having yet come into
operation. There will be, most likely, a slight increase in
the revenue from the Pot-office on the quarter,— Olisert.er.

LIVERPOOL BOROUGH SESSIONS.

Tint intermediate sessions.were opened yesterday, in the
Sheriff's Court, St. George's Hall, before Gilbert Hender-
son, Esq., Recorder.
The calendar contained the names of 59 prisoners, o
whom 53 were charged with felonies, and 6 with misde
meanours. Of these, 5 only could read and write well ; 27•
imperfectly ; 10 could only read; while 17 could neither
read nor write. The following are the most serious
offences :—John Isherwood, cotton dealer, George Mason,
freight clerk, and Charles Paul, porter, charged with
stealing twelve bales of cotton, the property of Washing-
ton Jackson, and others. Mary de la Hunt, no trade,
and Thomas Scot' labourer, with stealing 214,a diamond
ring, two gowns, and some property belonging to Mary
Clarke ; John Thompson, tailor, with stealing £l3, the
money of Thomas Wilkinson; David Evans, joiner, with
stealing a cash-box and £lOO, the property of William
Pitt ; George Leatherbarrow, carter, Mary Leonard,
and Francis Styles, with stealing a sack of flour, the pro-
perty of Charles Stoess, and another ; Robert Lee, office-
boy, with.stealing a bill of exchange, the property of his
master, Francis Reid; John Burns, clerk, with embez-
zling the several sums of £33 18s. 10d., £B6 Bs. 11d., and
£l5l Bs. 5d., the money of his employers, James Poole and.
another. The misdeameanours include three cases if
stabbing.

GRAND JURY.
Mr. John Locket, merchant, foreman,
Mr. Jno. Beckwith, broker,
Mr. Michael Bousfieid, broker,
Mr. Timothy Bourne, broker,
Mr. Lawrence Richard Bailey, average-adjuster,
Mr. Henry Braun, shin-owner,
Mr. John Higson, broker,
Mr. Charles Holland, merchant,
Mr. Charles Stanley Harris, wholesale stationer,
Mr. William Richard Keane, broker,
Mr. Jno. Miller, merchant,
Mr. Thomas Mather, corn-merchant,
Mr. Charles Wm. Newman, broker,
Mr. Edward Penbury Parry, wholesale grocer,
Mr. James Roper, sharebroker,
Mr. Jonathan Robinson, merchant,
Mr. Henry Royds, broker,
Mr. John Andrew Smith, merchant,
Mr. George Adams Tinley, sharebruker,
Mr. John Tyrer. agent,
Mr. Alexander Powell, hidefactor.
THE CHARGE.

The Petit Jury having been empanelled, and the
proclamation against vice and immorality having beenread,
The learned RECORDER proceeded to deliver his charge:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury, he said, we are assembled
here in consequence of the large courts being still occupied
by the business of the assizes ; but as the commission of
the learned judges does not require them to dispose
of the prisoners in the borough gaol, you are, therefore,
brought together, after the usual interval, to assist me
in performing that duty. There is a list of fifty-
nine prisoners for trial after a pericd of seven weeks;
and my experience satisfies me that that is a moderate
number; and having looked at the depositions, I may add
that the general character of the cases is very light. Per-
haps, if there is one offence which appears to be more com-
mon than usual, it is that of picking pockets. I think it
may be desirable for the authorities to be more strict
with cases of this nature. The law is not defective,
pocket- picking being punishable with three years'
penal sere itude ; and if the law is stringently applied,
the number of pick-pockets in the town might be
diminished. When I look to the vast, and, no doubt,
growing population of this town, and to the rapid exten-
sion of commerce within the last two or three years, it is
very satisfactory to find that it has not been accompanied
by a corresponding increase in crime. No doubt, this
is to be attributable in a great part to the efforts that have
been made, publicly and individually, for the improvement
of the people. When I see a church, or a library, or a
school, of whatever denomination of Christians it may be,
rising in the town, I look upon it as a very effectual
means of improvement, and of preventing crime ; and so,
when I see the inhabitants associating themselves, and
meeting for the purpose of discussing the most important
questions of commercial legislation with a degree of intel-
ligence which is highly creditable, and must be eminently
useful; and when I see institutions formed for the mutual
improvement of the lower ranks of society, I consider
them the precursors of that moral and intellectua
improvement rich must tend, in an important
degree, to check vice. And, I think, it is in some mea-
sure to that cause that we may attribute the fact, that
crime has not kept pace with the growing population of
the town. No doubt there are other things that have
exerted an influence to this end, not the least being the
general prcsperity of trade, which tends to satisfy the
wants of the people ; for many persons who, unable to
satisfy their physical wants, are driven to crime by desti-
tution. These circumstances have, no doubt, had their
share in the improved state of the town. At the same
time, much is also attributable to the growing efforts
which have been made towards the sanatory improve-
ment of the town, in cleansing and purifying the
streets and the dwellings of the inhabitants. When
a person sees, as I do, the influence of these causes,
he cannot but be highly gratified by the results of
these efforts. Perhaps this satisfactory state of things
may, in some degree, have influenced the authorities to
regard this as a favourable moment for a contemplated
change in reference to the police, namely, to discontinue
the practice of the police carrying sticks. We know
perfectly well that the duty of a policeman is not only a
difficult but a dangerous one. They are frequently in
danger, and sometimes even their lives are sacrificed.
Though there is every disposition on the part of the
authorities to give them adequate protection, they are also
exceedingly desirous that their duties should be discharged
with all possible forbearance and moderation. They have,
therefore, been cautious in adopting the suggestions to dis-
continue these means of protection; but it is intended, I
believe, to make the experiment in some districts; and the
very experiment ought, I think, to convince all how desirous
the authorities are that every moderation which is con-
sistent with the due protection of the public, and the
police themselves, should be exercised in the discharge of
their duty. I hope it will tend to increase the good feel-
ing towards the pollee, and t 7 give them that support in
the discharge of their duty which will be found more
useful and efficacious than any weapon they can carry. I
don't think it necessary to make any remarks upon the
cases before you, because I am sure your intelligence will
enable you to deal with them.
The grand jury were then dismissed to their duties, and
in a few minutes afterwards the trials were proceeded
with.

LkRGE HOTEL.—There is an hotel in New Jersey, on
the sea shore, occupying three sides of a square, witb a
total frontage of 1,318 feet (just a quarter of a mile). It
has a mile and a half of verandah, and accommodates
3,800 persons.

FAST LEGISLATION.—Just previous to the adjourn-
ment of the U. S. Senate, the bill for appropriating three
millions of dollars for the construction of six steam-
frigates, was taken up, and our telegraph report say's,
" was passed in less than one minute !"—American paper.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.—The native population are
melting away like snow before a summer's sun. From
the limited returns that have been collected, we infer that
the population does not exceed 70,000 souls on all the
islands, a diminution of 10,000 since the census in
January, 1849.

Ms. H. DRUMMOND, alluding to Prussia in the House
of Commons, lait week, said it was " a country that had
no morality, except that of despising the institution of
marriage. He had read of a man playing a rubber of
whist at Berlin, with three ladies, each of whom had once
the happiness of being his wife."
STATISTICS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.--.All interest-
ing parliamentary paper has just been printed for the first
time (to be continued annually) of the statistics of the
United Kingdom from 1840 to 1853. The statistics relate
to the revenue and 'expenditure ; imports, exports ; tran-
shipment; shipping; excise; prices and sales of corn;
coinage; savings banks ; Bank of England ; and the po-
pulation. The document extends to 27 folio pages, and
contains a great mass of figures, having been prepared by
the statistical department of the Board of Trade. In the
year 1853 the surplus of revenue was £3,255,505, being
the largest excess for ten years. The nett amount of the
several branches of the revenue of the United Kingdom
paid into the Exchequer was £54,430,344. The expendi-
ture out of the revenue paid in the same year was
£51,174,839. In 1853 the taxes repealed or reduced
amounted to £3,247,474, and the estimated amount im-
posed was £3,356,383. At the end of the last year the
balances in the Exchequer were £4,485,230. The capital
of the National Debt last year was £770,923,001. The
quantity of raw cotton imported last year was 895,266,780
lbs., and of wool, 111,396,445 lbs. The total declared
value of British and Irish produce exported last year was
£93,357,306. Last year the number of vessels built and
registered was 798, a 203,171 tons. The number cf
vessels belonging to the United Kingdom last year, ex-
clusive of river steamers, was 18,208, of 3,730,087 toner,
and the men employed, exclusive of masters, was 172,525.
The coinage in the year was 12,664,125. The births iii
the year were 612,311, and deaths 421,775, and the
marriages 162,135. The total paupers relieved were
818,315, and the emigrants numbered 328,807.
THE KING OF Paussia met with a slight accident on
the 22nd instant, at Charlottenburg, Whilst walking in
the Palace garden, at night, he struck his face against a
projecting branch of a tree, and hurt the skin beneath the
left eye. The casualty produced a low fever, and it was
found proper to issue bulletins of his Majesty's state of
health, which are here appended in condensed form
25th. Erysipelas (rose) commences spreading from the
wound, accompanied by febrile symptoms." "26th. The
King has had a gocd night, and slept well. Tice wound
suppurates favourably: the rose has not spread further,
and the fever has passed off." " 27th. The King slept
calmly the whole night. State of 'wound satisfactory,
although the rose has spread further downwards towards
the throat. The fever has entirely disapDeared."
NOTICE TO MARINER-S.—The probable existence of an
island, or shoal, in lat. 50 50 S., lon. 77 30 E., and the
somewhat unusual prevalence of N. and N.E. winds in,
that latitude, the course of great circle sailing to Australia.
—Captain Inglis, of the iron ship Gauntlet, of Liverpool,
left Gravesend on the 4th of September, and on the 211 t
was in lat. 14 N., lon. 27 W. thence to the Line, with
light winds and calms. He crossed the Line on the 7t
of October, and past the Cape on the Ist of November,
in
w storms
in lat. 48 S., and passed Karugolen's Island on the 11th,
in lat. 53 S. He here encountered continual snwoinds. In
for a fortnight, accompanied by N. and N.E.
the-water suddenly becoming of a /nutty -111)1) °a""
~,, wit a very short
he has no doubt but that he pass shoal or island, as
lat. 50 50, lon. 77 30, he passed over a bank of sh_Lalecw,aatnerl
dithsetawnacteerofbsecaommeehpitehrefeer bot, in consequence
hitherto
perfectly smooth di
c
Captain Inglis was unable to
of the heavy fall of snow,
observationsas he otherwise would
make such minute island, was observed by the
have done. This shoal, or __ y
the captain, who
as well
crew and passengers,
the discovery he had made. Oh-
called them to witness
to the S.E. off the shoal, he
water ran
serving the blue
f r one hour, going 13 knots, and
steered away direct S. o. t
blue water. Captainlnglis -ddenly o
then dropt,-- su
all. navigators running from E
strongly recommends
to Bug.
great circle, keep a look out
laud to this Port, on a
this latitude., Re had from this
when they arrive in,
point to Melbourne, a very tedious p4SSage, encountering
N.E. winds. The captain appeal'
to reconiniend 'this
'course from England, but at th would advise
masters to have their vessels efffeiently manned, an ad-
vantage which, unfortunately, he does not appear to have
been possessed of,—Afelbourne Argus.

t 74. *at -

THE BALTIC FLEET SEA3fAN'S

SONG.

AoAts the F ag of England waves on the Baltic Sea—
Again we have before our guns a stately enemy—
Oh, for an hour of Nelson to send the thunder home!
To break their line of battle thro', and tell them Britain's come !

Yet, cheer ye up, my messmates—we doubt not there will be,
Now that the foe's before us, a man as good as he ;
The hour will make a Nelson and a Vari2;nard* still to lead—
It is the hour that makes the man and makes the gallant deed.

We sail not as oppressors—we combat with tl3e strong;
And England is again at sea that she may right the wrong.
War is not of our seeking, but when to war we must,
To Him who rules the batrip we bow our heads in trust.

Vain glory is a bubble; our glory is His cause—
Our glory is our freedom, our happy homes, and laws.
To share His boon with othel-a—to the rescue of the weak,
For this we leave our ports behind and with our broadsides
speak.

Hurrah, then, for our noble Fleet ! once more we are at sea,
Hurrah, for merry England and another victcry !

* Nelson's ship at the Nile.

REVIEWS OF BOOKS.

The Bible in the Counting-house : a Cou;•se of
lectures to Merchants. By the Rev. H. A.

Boardman, D.D. London : Thomas Bosworth,

The object of this work is practical. It is di-
rected to the reformation of an evil, the existence
of which, we fear, cannot be denied, and the fatal
results of which, we are equally afraid, admit,
likewise, of no contradiction. The lectures are
intended to show the compatibility of true religion
with ordinary affairs, and to bring Scripture truth to
bear on the principles and pursuits of ordinary
mercantile life. The discourses were compiled and
delivered in America, and they of course have
special reference to the state of mercantile and
counting-house religion in that country ; neverthe-
less, they will be found to embrace much that is
needed, and that is practicable in this country, as
well as among our transatlantic brothers. In an
introductory essay, by the Rev. R. Bickersteth,
we find the following general truths, well ex-
pressed, that we make no apology for 'noting
them :

There can be no more dangerous delusi u than to
allow of one sort of conscience in private, and .mother in
public; to have one standard of morality by which to
regulate the conduct at home, and a far lower standard of
morality for the mart of commerce, the board-room, or
the counting-house.

Yet this Janus-faced morality unquestionably
exists, and it is against it, and all its concomitants
and phases, that these lectures are directed. It is
not denied that among the merchants of this
country many bright examples might be pointed
out of the very course of life which it is the object
of the lecturer to recommend ; but it is equally
vain to disguise the sad truth that there are many
—very many—who " allow of one standard of
morality by which to regulate the'conduct at home,
and a far lower standard of morality for the mart
of commerce."

To follow the reverend and able lecturer through
all his course would be to unfold a complete system
of social ethics, illustrated, in many instances, by
antithetical example. This our space forbids us to
attempt, and we can only make space for one or
two extracts. The first is illustrative of how an
over intensity of mercantile pursuits tends to
deaden the social sympathies, and render man little
better than a merely mercantile machine ; the
illustration may be called

HOME RESULTS OF sucussrrL MERCANTILE PURSUITS.

Another of their visions was a quiet and elegant home,
with ample leisure for the training of their children and
the fruition of domestic comfort. During their few years
of business, their houses have been to them rather like
taverns, where they have taken their meals and lodgings,
than their homes. When ostensibly there, it has been
their physical presence merely, their thoughts have been
on 'Change or at the Board of Brokers, with a cottage
speculation at Liverpool, or a laud speculation in Illinois,
or a flour speculation at San Francisco. As to educating
their children, they have indeed transferred them to a
larger house, and thrown around them the glare of luxury,
but the whole responsibility of forming their principles
has been left to other hands. This hard necessity has
now passed away, and they will hasten back (so they
think) to their firesides as a bird to its nest.
But home, somehow, is not what they expected to find
it. They dispensed with it so long, that it ceased to be
essential to them. The master passion which consumed
their early literary tastes, made sad inroads upon their
domestic affections. They learn, to their surprise, that
going abroad, which has ceased to be a necessity, has be-
come a matter of choice, and that the financiers and traf-
fickers of the town are better company than that around
their own hearth.
Their children they can instruct in the mysteries of
trade and finance, in the most lucrative kinds of traffic,
and the best investments ; but they would be at some loss
how to imbue them with enlarged views of their relations
and duties, and to inspire them with those pure principles
and exalted aims which are alone worthy of an intelligent
and accountable race of creatures. In one aspect, they
may have done more to educate them than they were
aware of. A family of children accustomed to hear money
made the standing theme of conversation, the gauge and
measure of all other values, will be likely either to inherit
the father's covetousness, or to plunge into the vortex of
fashionable frivolity. And in the latter case, he may find
it as hopeless to bring them hack to the simple tastes and
habits which preceded his first successful speculation, as
he would to reduce a forest of giant oaks to a nursery.
Another duty which has been all along assigned to this
golden era, is, preparation for death and eternity. But
the same incapacity or indisposition waits upon them in
this office as in the others. They discover that there are
other obstacles between their souls and heaven, than "the
claims of business." They have "made haste to be rich"
and they must bear the consequences. 'A career of specu-
lation has a peculiar tendency to make men both selfish
and proud, not to speak of its searing the conscience and
multiplying the cords which bind them to the world. And
where covetousness and inordinate self-esteem join toge-
ther in taking possession of a man, he is about as well
fortified against religion as any character to be met with
in society. " With God all things are possible," and such
men are sometimes changed into humble and liberal
Christians. But it is, unhappily, no fancy sketch which
the poet has drawn of gold and its worshippers, who

—" on its altar sacrificed ease, peace
Truth, faith, integrity ; good conscience,
Love, charity, benevolence, and all
The sweet and tender sympathies of life ;
And, to complete the horrid, murderous rite,
And signalize their folly, offered up
Their souls and an eternity of bliss,
To gain them—what ? an hour of dreaming joy,
A feverish hour, that hastened to be done
And ended in the bitterness of woe."
The beat side of this picture is not very promising. If
such are the common is.nes of a career of successful spe-
culation, what are its opposite issues ? It would be use-
less to portray in its details the collapse which usually
follows one of these eras of commercial bewilderment.
Our author deals hard blows at that " morality
of the counting-house," or retail counter, which
enables its owner to represent his wares as different
and better than they really are, illustrating it by
sudden and unexpected transference to the domestic
hearth, where a scion of the family, to his father's
horror, palms upon his friends a narrative of family
matters, and a description of household arrange-
ments, framed upon the shop or counting-house
model, in which everything is exaggerated and
misrepresented, The illustration is telling, and
cleverly worked out. He treats, also, with much
practical good sense, on the various relations
which exist between employers and employed, and
clearly points out the duties of each to the other,
to themselves, and to society. In inculcating the
duties of charity, he is eloquent in its praises, yet
he mixes his persuasions with injunctions to pru-
dence and judgment. This leads him to a con-
sideration of avarice and its stealthy and resistless
encroachments on success. His remarks on this
subject are forcible and just, and may be styled