The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-30 00:00:00

of 29,000. The attention of the trade still conti-
nues to be directed to the public sales in London,
which are progressing steadily, without any mate-
rial change ; the low Wools commenced on the 22d
inst., and have gone off so far at about the expec-
tations of the trade ; East India, which command
a fair show of competition, sold at about previous
ruling rates, while Barbary, Turkey, Egyptian,
and other Mediterranean descriptions were neg-
lected, and prices not coming up to the owners
ideas, were nearly all withdrawn.—lmports for
the week, 1,999 bales, viz.: 93 East India ; 342
Buenos Ayres • 89 Mediterranean Ports ; 256 Por-
tugal ; 1,180 *est Coast of America ; 28 Irish ;
and 11 Coastwise.

THE -MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY.—Amonz the candidates
for one of the three chairs, that of natural science, in the
university of Melbourne, now about to be established, we
understand our talented fellow-townsman, Dr. Thomson, is
one. Of the scientific and literary claims possessed by
Dr. Thomson, for filling such a situation, it might be
deemed presumptuous should we venture an opinion,
although we have no reason to disguise our judgment as
to his general qualifications in those respects. Other and
more competent authorities will, no doubt, bear willing
and efficient testimony to his literary and scientific attain-
ments ; these, however, he has put favourably before the
world in several publications, conspicuous among which is
an able elucidation of meteorological science, besides
numerous contributions to scientific journals of eminence.
What falls more legitimately within our own sphere, is to
speak of him as a gentleman and fellow-citizen. To his
courteousness, affability, and good feeling, all who enjoy
the pleasure of his acquaintance will bear ready and strong
testimony. The facilities he possesses for communicating
in a pleasing manner the stores of varied information he
has acquired, have been often remarked. As the appoint-
ment above alluded to has become an object of ambition to
Dr. Thomson, we, in common with his numerous friends,
sincerely wish him success • although ix that success
Liverpool will be deprived Of an eminently useful and
talented citizen.

BIRKENHEAD AND TRANALERE FERRY.— Yesterday,
an arrangement was entered into by Messrs. Willoughby
with the crews of their boats, who struck on Sunday,
and the working of the ferry is resumed this day (Tuesday).
BODY OF A MAN FOUND IN TUE RIVER.-011 Saturday
afternoon, about four o'clock, the captain of the flat Black
Diamond found the body of a man floating in the river,
nearly opposite to Birkenhead ferry. The body, which
appeared to have lain long in the water, was much de-
composed.
THE DEAD BODY of a female child, whose parents were
unknown, was found in a German lodging-house, in St.
Anne-street, on Friday. At the inquest, on Saturday,
Mr. Kemp, surgeon, deposed that death had resulted from
pneumonia, caused by measles.
FIRE.—On Saturday a fire was discovered, at an early
hour, on the premises of Mr. Simpson, baker, &c., Great
Howard-street. Information was immediately conveyed
to the fire-stations, and the brigade being speedily in
attendance, the fire was subdued before much damage had
been occasioned.

THE LOCAL PENSIONERS went through six days' drill
last week, at the militia parade-ground, Everton, and on
Saturday, about noon, they marched to the Exchange
flags, played " God save the Queen," and gave three
cheers, after which they marched back to Everton, and
were dismissed until called up again.
BOOTLE CRICKET CLUB.—The opening match for the
season of this club was played with the Walton club, on
the Bootle ground, on Saturday last. In the second in-
nings the Waltonians declared themselves beaten, and
gave up the game. The day was fine, the company nu-
merous, and the greatest unanimity prevailed. The num-
bers were, Bootle, first innings 77; second innings, 118.
Walton, first innings 35; second innings, 4.
ACCIDENTS.—On Saturday a German boy, Erdman
Birktholz by name, fell down some steps at the Emigrants'
Home, Moorfields, and sustained a compound fracture of
the skull.—On Sunday lago Fahar, a seaman on board
the ship Aeril, in the Trafalgar Dock, fell down the hold,
and received a severe scalp wound and contusions about
the body. Both cases were conveyed to the Northern
Hospital.
SHOCKING RESULTS OF INTEMPERANCE.—On Friday,
Jane Hibbert, aged 44, died suddenly, at her husband's
house, Birkett-street, Soho. On the following day her
husband and two neighbours, a man and woman, repaired
to the Coroner's-court to report the case; but they were
all so drunk, being scarcely able to stand, that Mr. Curry
was obliged to dismiss them, after taking the man's name
and address, until he was iu a more fit state to give
evidence on so solemn a subject.
SUDDEN DEATH.—On Sunday evening Mr. Thomas
Joseph, a commercial traveller, aged 54, residing in 78,
Seel-street, dropped down in his bed-room, and died almost
immediately. It appears that Mr. Joseph, who had for
some time been troubled with a difficulty in breathing,
particularly when making any exertion, went up stairs,
along with Mrs. Joseph, about ten o'clock, to go to bed.
When entering the bed-room, he seemed to be suddenly
taken in a fit, and, laying hold of the bed-post, called for
some water. He shortly after relinquished his grasp, and
almost instantly expired.
DEPARTURES FOR AUSTRALIA.—On Wednesday, the
Ocean Chief, Captain Tobin, belonging to Messrs. James
Baines and Co.'s " Black Ball Line," took her departure
for Melbourne with 326 passengers, and a ship-letter mail,
being the fourth vessel despatched by that firm within
two months, each of which have had a full complement of
passengers engaged some weeks before her departure.
The fine ship Bloomer. Captain Allan, one of Messrs.
Gibba,Bright, andeo.'s " Eagle Line," sailed for Melbounre
on Friday morning, with a full complement of passengers,
and cargo. She took out 282 passengers, 19 of them first-
class, and a ship-letter mail. The Bloomer's berths were
all taken a fortnight previous to her sailing.
WIGAN MAY FAIR.—On Wednesday last, the holding
of the annual Charter fair, known as the Rector's Fair,
was commenced, arid, in conformity with ancient usage, a
procession, consisting of the Rev. H. J. Gunning, rector
and lord of the manor of Wigan, the mayor, several mem-
bers of the corporation, and other gentlemen, walked the
boundaries of it at twelve o'clock, preceded by a band, and
the halberd, mace, and sword bearers of the corporation.
The fair was proclaimed in front of the Moot Hall. After-
wards, the gentlemen forming the procession partook of a
dinner, provided at the Victoria Hotel, Wallgate, by the
rector. Several toasts, including the health of the lord
of the manor, and the mayor and corporation, were drunk
—Manchester Guardian.

DEATH FROM DEINRING.—A man, advanced in years,
named Matthew Bridson, a cooper by trade, was observed
on Sunday afternoon sitting on some steps in Marl-
borough-street, and was seen by a woman to roll off the
steps. He died almost immediately. It appears the de-
ceased, who lodged in Tenterden-street,was much addicted
to drinking, and had returned to his lodgings about one
o'clock on Sunday morning in a state of intoxication. He
had gone out again before his landlady's family were up,
and had been drinking throughout the day.
VILE INGRITITUDE.—A Portuguese youth, who gave
his name as James Ruebins, was charged at the
Police-court, yesterday, by Mrs. Mary Graham, who keeps a
lodging-house in : Hurst-street, with stealing several
articles of wearing apparel, and some small valuables.
From the evidence of Mrs. Graham, it appeared that the
prisoner, a fortnight ago, had come to her house in a
destitute state, and in bad health. Commiserating his
condition, she afforded him shelter and support, and even
obtained medical attendance for him; in return for which
he repaid her by plundering her house of everything he
could lay his hands on. The prisoner did not deny the
accusation, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for one
month.
ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF A. MARINE STOTLEDEALER.—
Yesterday a man named John M'Clarty, a marine store-
dealer in Marlborough-street, was brought up at the
police-court, charged with having in his possession a
considerable quantity of copper nails,. which he could not
account satisfactorily for the possession of, and the pur-
chase of which he had not entered in his book, as required
by the act of parliament. It appeared that suspicions as
to the fairness of M'Clarty's dealings had been on several
occasions entertained by the police authorities, but he had
always previously evaded detection. He was ordered to
nay a fine nf and
uepiived of his licence.
TnE AECTIC.—This United States mail steamship was
surveyed in the Huskisson Graving-dock, on Wednesday,
when it was ascertained that the planking had been torn
to the extent of about seventy feet along the bottom of the
hull, from forwards towards aft, and that six of the fut-
tocks were so strained as to necessitate their being
replaced with new ones. In other respects she was not
injured. She was ready for sea before the close of the
week, and was enabled to take her departure for New York
on Sunday. She took out eighty-eight passengers, forty-
six of whom were on board when she met with her mishap,
and who had, preferred waiting until she was again ready
for sea to having their passage-money returned.
GRATIFYING TESTIMONIAL.—Captain S. T. Downes, of
the screw steam-ship Rattler, being about to leave that
vessel and take command of another, he has been pre-
sented, by the officers, engineers, and crew of the Rattler,
with an elegant silver basket, which was accompanied by
the annexed gratifying address :—" Understanding you
are about to leave the s.s. Rattler, we, the undersigned,
highly appreciating your conduct as a commander, and
your unvarying solicitude at all times for the comfort of
those under you, beg your acceptance of the accompany-
ing small present, as a token of our esteem for you as a
man and master.—Wishing you all happiness and pros-
perity, we remain, dear sir, your ever obliged and grate-
ful servants, The Officers, Engineers, and Crew of the s.s.
Rattler. At sea, 27th May,1851."
WontAit POUND DuowNED.—Yesterday morning, a
woman, named Elizabeth Graham, 80 years of age, was
found dead, with. her head and body inverted in a water
barrel, and her feet out. She had resided in Green-
street, off Crown-street, and was the mother of the late
Mr. Graham, market-looker. Ann Atherton, who lived
in the same house, saw the deceased comfortable in her
bed the preceding night about ten o'clock, and on going to
her bed-room in the morning between seven and eight
o'clock, was surprised at not finding her there. She im-
mediately went down Stahl to the front cellar, and found
deceased in the manner stated. A small step-ladder stood
against the wall near the barrel, and the supposition is
that, having got on the ladder, the deceased either fell or
had thrown herself head foremost into the barrel, which
was about three feet deep, and had eighteen inches of
water in it.

•• ---
RIOT, AND VIOLENT ASSAULT ON THE HEAD-CON-
STABLE.-011 Sunday evening, about half-past eight
o'clock, as two police officers were engaged in removing a
man who was intoxicated and creating a disturbance in
Simpson-street, at its junction with Brick-street, a mob,
which had gathered round, interfered to rescue the pri-
soner, and commenced an indiscriminate attack on the
officers, who, having no means of defence, were in a fair
way of being overpowered, when Captain Greig, who hap-
pened to be passing at the time, interfered. He was
mstantly assailed on all sides, knocked down, kicked and
maltreated severely. After considerable exertion, he was
rescued from the mob and conveyed home. He was cut on
the forehead, and injured in various ways. Three
men, named Hugh Roan, Patrick Coleman, and James
Loftus, were taken into custody, and yesterday morning
they were brought before Mr, Mansfield, the stipendiary
magistrate, on the charge of having been engaged in per,
petrating the outrage. The evidence not being oom,
pleted, the prisoners were remanded till this day.