The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-02 00:00:00

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE CIIELTENEAK GREA.T.ERTIIBITION to be opened
on the Ist of June. Mr. R. Lambert, of Liverpool, has
provided for the occasion upwards of 20,000 feet of mar-
quees and tents.
SLA.vss IN RITSSIA--Of the fifty-three anti a-half mil-
lions of people *Lich Russia contained in 1842, not less
than 42,000,000 were slaves ; and of these 14000,000 were
slaves of the crown, or the Emperor!
A TRAIN ON FIRS.—The novel:and alarming sight of a
railway-train in flames might have-been seen between the
Middleton and Oldham stations on Friday se'nnight.
Two trucks of cotton at the back part of the train were
discovered by the engine-driver to 4)e• blazing furiously,
fanned by their rapid motion through the air. The train
was driven on to the Werneth station; where• the necessary
means were resorted to to extinguish it. The damage
was estimated at £lOO.

COITGIIING IN CHURCII.—A medical, Malt in the Leeds
Mercury says—" Repeated observation has convinced me
that a very large proportion of those. who, Sunday after
Sunday, disturb our congregations, by their coughs, are
not the subject of any diseased condition, but that their
coughing is either voluntary or is simply the result of
habit. The action, performed at first because it is agreeable,
by frequent repetition comes to be performedinvoluntarily
and almost insensibly to the individual",
BEES.—A few days ago the master of the national
school at Aspatria, Cumberland, was watching an early
swarm of bees, when all at once he was surrounded by the
whole swarm, which settled upon his head, face, and
shoulders. As any resistance might have provoked dis-
agreeable hostilities, he had the courage to stand perfectly
still ; and several expedients to draw off-the insects having
failed, he at length quietly backed himself into a corner
of the play-ground unexposed to the rays of the sun,
when the bees speedily began to take flight, and, in a few
minutes more, he was fairly released from his compulsory
confinement, without sustaining the slightest injury.
HUDSON'S BAY SETTLEMENTS, IN OREGON. The
Montreal Witness says We are informed that the
trading posts of the Hudson Bay Company in Oregon
would, in the event of a war, be exposed to the attacks of
Russian cruisers, of which there are a great number on
the Northern Pacific. There would probably, however,
soon be a British squadron on that coast also, and at any
rate mere trading posts would probably be respected on
both sides. Sitka, the chief town on the American coast,
is said to be pretty strongly defended.
DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE.—A catastrophe of a most
melancholy character occurred at Sandhurst, near this
city, on Thursday, by which the family of Mr. E. Wash-
bourne, solicitor, are thrown in the deepest distress. Mr.
Washbourne and his family had removed to the Base
about a week ago, intending to reside there during the
summer months. On Thursday one of his children,
Elizabeth, aged nearly five years, fell into a reservoir,
which had been opened by some masons for the purpose of
being cleansed, and though her mother, at the peril of her
own life, jumped into the water to attempt to rescue her,
her efforts were unavailing, and the child was drowned.—
Gloucester Chronicle.

HURRICANE IN SWEDEN.—A letter from Upsal, in
Sweden, of the 14th, states. that, on the previous day, the
neighbourhood of that town was visited by a tremendous
hurricane. In three of the communes 33 houses were
blown down, and the roofs of several others were carried
off and scattered in all directions. Some of the houses
were of wood, but others were strongly built of stone.
One immense building which stood alone fell from the
violence of the wind against it. It is feared that a great
number of lives are lost. At the date of the letter eleven
bodies had been already taken out of the ruins. The
hurricane came on very suddenly, lasted ten minutes, and
subsided quite as suddenly.
A FOREST ox FIRE.—A few days since, as a train of
waggons laden with merchandise was passing on the part
of the railway from Berlin to Hamburg, which runs along
the edge of the forest of Friesacker, a spark from the
locomotive set fire to the wood. A despatch was sent off
to Berlin by electric telegraph, and in a short time 20
firemen with engines arrived by the railway ; but, not-
withstanding all their efforts, the flames could not be got
under until 400 acres of the forest had been destroyed.
COLLODION GUN COTTON dissolved in ether forms a
varnish which sticks fast, dries quickly, is impermeable
to water, and impenetrable to air; it is called collodion,
and is much used in surgical cases. A gardener has just
discovered that it is of vast utility in producing plants and
shrubs from cuttings, On making the cutting the var-
nish is applied to the part cut, which immediately becomes
closed, or, so to speak, healed. The cutting is then planted
in the ordinary way. Out of twenty-six cuttings of hot-
house plants to which collodion was applied twenty-three
struck root, whereas out of the same number to which it
was not applied only twelve suceeded. With plants kept
in greenhouses and those in the open air even more satis-
factory results have been obtained. The collodion may
also be most advantageously employed in grafting.

AN ECCENTRIC ENGLISHMAN IN PARIS. Whilst
talking of our countrymen, it is perhaps not out of place
to mention that one of them, whose name I cannot yet
ascertain, has just distinguished, himself by an act of
singular eccentricity. He has built a house in the Quer-
tier Tivoli for the residence of himself, his wife, and eight
' children, which is the talk of all Paris. It is circular,
like the Halle aux Bl6s, and has neither door nor win-
dow externally. The approach to it is from the ground
on to the roof by means of a ladder, which is moved up
or down by machinery similar to that of a drawbridge.
There is only one floor, and that contains 18 apartments,
more or less small in dimensions, looking into the centre,
which is lighted from above by a glazed cupola. One
stove for all these rooms is in the middle, and in summer
its place is to be occupied by an exquisite parterre of
flowers. A circular balcony, open to all the apartments,
surrounds this space. The motive for this oddity is, of
coarse, only known to the author of it, but everybody can
see that two points are gained by it—immunity from the
taxes on doors and windows, and a perfect preventive
from any attempt at burglary.—Paris Correspondent of
the Morning Post.

INLAND NAVIGATION IN AUSTRALIA.—Some time
since we gave an account of the exploration of the river
Murray, in a small steamboat, by Captain Cadell, and
mentioned the captain's conviction that it would soon be-
come an important means of Australian communication.
The South Australian Register now tells us that this
river has already begun to be used as a highway for pas-
sengers between the Victoria diggings and Adelaide, and
gives an account of the voyage of a builder and his five
sons, who, after eight months' work at the Forest Creek
Diggings, resolved upon returning home to Adelaide, and
having, been by sea and overland before, now determined
Upon trying a trip down the Murray. When they reached
the banks of the river they cut timber, built a boat, and
dropped leisurely down the stream, reaching their desti-
nation, after plenty of pleasant shooting and fishing, in
ten days, and effecting a saving of £5O over the ordinary
expenses of the journey.

130 ST-OFFICE RETURNS.—According to the Parliament-
ary returns, there are in the United Kingdom 986 post-
offices and 6,612 receiving-houses for letters ; 1,810 of the
post-offices and receiving-houses are money-order offices.
The number of letters which pass through the post-office
department in the course of a year is nearly 400,000,000.
The number of miles which mails travel over railways in
a year, is about 7,000,000. The length of the English
ocean mail hues is 65,000 miles. The English ocean mail
packets traverse 1,600,000 miles annually. The number
of money orders issued yearly is 5,000,000. The number
of applications for missing letters during 12 months is
nearly 10,000. The nett revenue of the Post-office is now
above £1,000,000 a-year, and the cost of management
£1,400,000: the payment to railway companies for con-
veying mails is £330,000 a-year, and to steam-packet
companies £850,000. The amount of money orders issued
annually is nearly 10,000,000, and the yearly revenue
derived from commission on money orders is £BO,OOO. The
value of property contained in missing letters during 12
months is about £200,000.

ADULTERATION OF FOOD.--A very important meeting
of medical and other gentlemen has been recently held at
Birmingham, to consider the best means of preventing the
almost universal adulteration which prevails at the
present time in almost all articles of daily consumption.
Mr. Scholefield, M.P., presided ; and the statement made
by Mr. J. Postgate, lecturer on anatomy at Sydenham
College, Birmingham, contained a most appalling descrip-
tion of the manner in which every article of food is
adulterated wherever adulteration is possible. Indeed, it
would appear that, with the solitary exceptions of meat,
fish, and vegetables, the British public are in the habit of
consuming in their daily food the most pernicious prepa-
rations, and if there is any one thing which more than
another most pressingly requires the vigilant attention of
a paternal government, it is the systematic adulteration
which prevails in the wholesale and retail trade of every
article of food. By extending and thoroughly carrying
out the laws, which already prohibit the adulteration of
beer, tobacco, coffee, and similiar commodities, the preven-
tion of this crying evil might be easily effected. After
much discussion, the conference came to a resolution to
petition parliament to appoint examiners at the ports, and
enable the magistrates and town councils to appoint
public analysers in towns, and to provide by law that
fines be imposed, and that the county court adjudicate
between the manufacturer or wholesale dealer and the
retail tradesman in case of adulterated articles being sup-
plied, such court to have power to allow the retail trades-
man compensation for his loss, and to inflict a fine not
exceeding £5O.
_ _

A MATRIMONIAL SPECULATION. An Auvergnat,
named Poupillard, 24 years of age, and a cobbler by trade,
who has not long been in Paris, was possessed with a
burning desire to take unto himself a wife ; but being
extremely ugly and of excessive timidity, he feared to
address himself to any woman. He, however, consulted
his friends as to what he should do, and they, after
having gravely deliberated, told him that he ought to
station himself in some public place, and distribute to the
females who might pass a prospectus, setting forth his
name and address, and his desire to marry. The scheme
seemed to him a good one, and the friends solemnly as-
sured him that it could not possibly fail. At his request,
therefore, they drew up a prospectus, which was thus
conceived :—" Mademoiselle, If you wish to make my
acquaintance for marriage or otherwise, I am named
Fran2ois Rene Poupillard, a shoemaker by trade, 22 years
of age, and with about 300 f. savings ; I live at Rue Neuve
St. Victor 5, and am to be seen before six o'clock in the
morning and after nine o'clock in the evening." Pou-
pillard was delighted with this paper, and .having caused
several copies of it to be made, he went to the gate of the
Luxembourg garden and distributed them to every woman
who passed, who seemed to him likely to be matrimonially
inclined. Five days flew away, and, to his astonishment,
he received no reply. In the evening of the sixth day,
however, as he was returning honie, he was stopped in the
Rue St. Victor by a man. Are you Fran9ois Rene Pou-
pillard ?" said he. " Yes." " You are a shoemaker ?"
"Yes." " Twenty-two years of age ?" " Exactly."
And have saved up 300 f. ?" " About that sum." " And
you desire to marry ?" " That would give me the greatest
pleasure !" " Well, then, M. Poupillard, here is some-
thing to teach you not to propose to my wife !" And so
saying, the man began to cudgel poor Poupillard without
mercy. The victim roared for help, but the man con-
tinued to ply his cudgel until the guard arrived. and
arrested him. Last week the man was taken before the
Tribunal of Correctional Police to answer for the 'assault.
Poupillard told his pitiable tale, and demanded the severe
punishment of the aggressor. The Tribunal, however,
thinking that defendant had some excuse in the fact of
his wife having been insulted by the presentation of one
of PouPillard's ProsPec.tlVOst WIT condemned him to 25f.
be*

THE STATESMAN has arrivedtfrom, Port Phillip, whence
she sailed on the 26th of January,. with 10,300 ounces of
gold, valued at £41,200.
LEEDS.—The fast day was, strictly observed in Leeds.
All places of business were clasetA. and the transit by rail-
way' was the same as •on- Sunday.. There was divine
worship in all the churches; and the congregations were
fully as large as on Sunddys:
THE FAST DAY IN Lon-nom—On, Wednesday business
was very generally suspended.throughout the:whole of the
metropolis. The public uffiies w--ere dosed, the banks,
counting-houses, and shops4were shut, and the day was
observed with more strictness than Smelly is in general.
The streets in the early part of the day and afternoon
were more quiet and more -deserted, except for a short
time before and after the hours of divine service. At St.
Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and all the
churches, the special form of 'prayer was duly observed,
and sermons appropriate to -the occasion were preached.
After divine service a collection was made, and in most
cases in aid of the funds for -the• maintenance of soldiers'
wives and families.
11,7 THE COURT OF QUERN'a*BENCH, on Thursday, the
rule nisi for a new trial in the case of Abrezza v. Moysey,
in which a special jury at Guildhall gave the plaintiff a
verdict for £22 12s. 6d., was made•absolute. The plaintiff
was a foreigner, formerly a Romanist, who, on the faith
of her having become a Protestant, was engaged by the
defendant as governess in his Family, but dismissed, with-
out pay or notice, on his discovery, from her own avowals,
that she was a downright infidel.. Lord Campbell, in an-
nouncing the decision of the court, said the verdict ought
not to stand, because the young Lady had deceived the de-
fendant in declaring herself a Protestant, when, in fact,
she was not a believer in the Christian religion and the
divine mission of our Saviour:.

A RAILWAY TRAIN AT LEAI,PROG.--011 Saturday
night the goods train arrived late at the Exeter station,
and the delay was officially reported to have resulted from
the necessity of leaving a heavy-laden truck near the
Denton tunnel, while taking the other part of the train
into Newton. On returning, the policeman not being
there to give the proper signal; the engine and tender ran
into the truck, causing it to. jump into the air, and to
locate on the latter, to the great danger and affright of
the poor stoker, who did the solitary uninjured under-
neath. We have heard of wonderful vagaries both by
railway trains and by railway officials ; but, verily, this
beats all in the annals of railing, and it is so incredible,
that we can only offer it to.onr readers for what it is
worth.—Plymouth Mail.

CULTIVATION OF FLAX...-- The French government,
apprehending a deficiency of flax for the use of the spin-
ning-mills of the country, consequent on the stoppage of
the usual Baltic supplies, hns prohibited the exportation
of flax from the French territory. This circumstance
should have its weight with our farmers, and induce them
to increase the cultivation of flax during the present sea-
son, as there is every reason, to expect that prices will
range higher during the next twelve months.
A FATAL ACCIDENT occurred at Gloucester on Tuesday
last. The Rev. Mr. Claxton, vicar of Sandhurst, was driv-
ing through the streets, one his way to church, about
three miles out of the city, having an engagement to marry
a couple at elevedo'dock, when the horse ran away, and
jerked the servant, who was driving, out of the carriage.
The rev. gentleman having no controul over the animal,
and being alarmed at the speed at which he was travelling,
attempted to get out, and was thrown with great vio-
lence against the kerbstone. He was carried into a drug-
gist's shop, but was insensible. He lingered a few hours,
and expired on Tuesday night. -The servant was only
slightly hurt.
INSOLVENCY OF AN Ex-3l.P.—The list of insolvents to
be heard at Lincoln's-inn-fields on Thursday next, in-
cludes the name of Sackville Walker Lane Fox, commonly
called, known, sued, and committed and detained as
Sackville Lane Fox and as Sackville Walter. Lane Fox,
Esquire, also sued with one Sackville George Lane Fox,
formerly of 3, St. James's-square, in the county of Mid-
dlesex, member of parliament for Ipswich, in the county
of Suffolk, and afterwards for Beverley, in the county of
York, during part of the years 1846 and 1847, residing at
Marine Villa, Worthing, Sussex, and Belmont Terrace,
Scarborough, Yorkshire, still having the residence 3, St.
James's-square aforesaid, then for a short time of
Bologne and Paris, both in the empire of France, and
then and late of the Queen's Hotel, St. Martin's-le-Grand,
in the city of London, during the whole period gentleman,
in no profession, making bills of exchange and promissory
notes, payable at Messieurs Dixon and Company, bankers,
Chancery-lane, Holborn, Middlesex, and for short periods
residing at Ipswich aforesaid and Beverley, a prisoner in
the Queen's prison.
THE DEFENCES OF THE NORTH-EAST COAST.—The
In-
spector-general of the Ordnance Department has been cur -
veying the harbour mouth of the Tyne. The Sappers and
Miners have staked out ground for a powerful battery,
commandinc, the estuary of the Tyne and the line of coast.
It is stated that the coast from the Tyne to the Humber
will be immediately surveyed with a view to its defence.
The battery staked out in this garrison is about 40 feet
from the east and south walls, and will occupy a command-
ing altitude. Clifford's Fort, at the mouth of Shield's
Harbour, will also be put into a state of defence.

UNITED STATES NEW WAREHOUSING BILL.—The
principal features of the bill consist in the extension and
liberalising of the existing system. Similar guards and
checks exist in this as under the old law, but the time
for which goods may remain in bond, without the pay-
ment of duties, is extended to three years, instead of one.
It provides for cancelling warehouse bonds, and also re-
mitting duties paid on goods while in warehouse, should
the same be destroyed by fire or other casualty. It allows
general order or unclaimed goods to be received in private
bonded stores, and it fully authorises the establishment of
private bonded warehouses, and grants the merchant the
right to designate any existing warehouse in which to
bond his merchandise. Heretofore it was requisite to first
get the sanction of the collector before the merchant could
place his goods in his favourite warehouse, where all his
insurance and other interests were, and this assent was
too liable to be withheld by the collector or some of his
deputies. Any parties can establish a private warehouse,
by giving the proper securities. The merchant may also
have his own bonded store, under similar securities and
guards, in which to bond merchandise of his own importa-
tion exclusively. It directs that no more stores shall be
leased by the government as warehouses, and present
leases of stores to be cancelled on the shortest period of
termination of said leases. These are the main features
of the new bill.
THE Mix MEETINGS.—The anniversaries of the reli-
gious societies are commencing, and this week Exeter Hall
will be filled day by day, and even twice in a day. The
societies which meet there this week have an annual in-
come of about £400,000. The Wesleyan Missionary
Society yesterday morning, and that of the Church of
Scotland in the eveninc, ; the Church Missionary Society
to-day, both morning and evening ; the British and Foreign
Bible , Society to-morrow ; the London City Mission on
Thursday morning, and the Sunday School Union in the
evening; the Society for the Promotion of Christianity
among the VIE on Friday morning, and the Religious
Tract Society-1r the evening. Next week the Church
Pastoral-Aid Society has the hall on Tuesday, the Protes-
tant Association on Wednesday, and the London Mission-
ary Society (the Missionary Society, chiefly supported by
the Independents or Congregationalists) on Thursday.
These are regular appointments—meetings that are held at
Exeter Hall on these days year after year. Some societies
eschew that place of assembling. The Scripture Readers'
Association meet next Monday at Willis's Rooms, the Pro-
testant Alliance on the following Thursday, at Freemasons'
Hall. The British and Foreign School Society hold their
meeting in their school-room, in the Borough-road, 'next
Monday, and Lord John Russell is again to be their chair-
man. The National School SoCiety meet in their school-
room at Westminster, but not just yet. The Corporation
of the Sons of the Clergy have their annual service at St.
Paul's on Wednesday week. It is to be celebrated under
the dome, with a choir of 250, and the sermon is to be
be preached by the Primate this is their bicentenary, and
Prince Albert ;has signified his attention to attend at the
cathedral, and at the dinner at Merchant Tailors' Hall
afterwards. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
in Foreign Parts meet at Willis's rooms, but • not until
June; the Archbishop of Dublin preaches their annual
sermon at St. Paul's. There also the charity children as-
semble as usual, on the first Thursday in June ; the
preacher, the Bishop of Manchester. The list of meetings
increases year by year, and we have but indicated the chief
societies. The large incomes belong to the societies for
foreign missions, which have been established for fifty
years • but associations for home operations'are gaining
ground.

REMOVAL OF SPIRITS BY RAILWAY.—The following
order has been issued by the board of inland revenue,
establishing regulations for the removal of spirits from
Scotland to England by inland conveyance :—" It is or-
dered that the several officers of this revenue take notice,
for their information and guidance, of the following regu-
lations, under which only such removal of spirits can be
legally made :—Foreign or British spirits removing under
customs' bonds must be accompanied by an advice letter,
signed by a customs officer, containing a specification of
the packages, and the quantity and description of the
spirits, and the casks or packages must be addressed only
to the officer of customs at the port of destination. Spirits
upon which the full English duty has been paid may also
be removed from Scotland to England, as at present, by
inland carriage, and must be accompanied by a warehous-
ing permit, endorsed with a specification of the spirits and
a certificate that the full duty has been paid. In order
that the examination of spirits removed by inland car-
riage may be properly attended to, it is further ordered
that the collectors in whose collections railway termini
and goods stations are situate, immediately state what
arrangements it may be necessaay to make for the efficient
performance of this duty.- On the removal of spirits from
the customs' bonded premises the advice letter is to be
prepared by the officers in duplicate, one copy to accom-
pany the goods in the same manner as a permit, and the
other to be forwarded by post to the port of destination.

- -
THE STEAM FLEET OF GREAT BRITAIN.—The House
of Commons have printed "a return of the whole of the
registered steam-vessels of the United Kingdom, on the
Ist January, 1854, distinguishing vessels built of iron, and
g also vessels having screw-propellers, and givin the average
number of vessels and amount of tonnage.' From this
document it appears that the total number of steam-
vessels owned in the United Kingdom is 1,375' having a
registered tonnage of 248,623. Of these, 408 are regis-
tered in the port of London, and comprise most of the
large steamers which sail from Plymouth, Southampton,
and other southern ports.. The largest of these' teamers
is the Himalaya, iron screw of 3fioBtons, and the smallest,
the Boglios Bey, of 12 tons. The first vessel in the list is
the Malvina, registered on the 29th of May, 1825, the last,
the Halls, registered December 30th, 1853. The number
of steamers registered in Liverpool is only 124, and does
not include the Cunard steamers, and many others which
trade regularly to this port. The first vessel registered in
Liverpool was the Manchester, August 21,1826, owned by
D. Bellhouse, and the last the Collaroy, December 26,
1853, Mr. John Laird being the registered owner. The
largest vessel in the Liverpool list is the City of Man-
chester, iron screw, of 2,110 tons, and the smallest the
Glow-worm, of 20 tons. The whole of the Cunard
steamers, and many others which sail from Liverpool, are
in the Glasgow list, where 108 steamers are registered.
The first is the Alert. registered 4th July, 18,87, and the
last the Venus, 15th December, 1853. The largest vessel
registered in Glasgow is the Arabia, %393 tons, and the
smallest, the Splendid, is 45 tons. The total ntimbex of
screw-steamers is 154.

EMIG-RA 7 AUSTRALIA.

THE GREAT BRITAIN; ALBATROSS, AND
MERMAID:

THE screw steam-ship,Great Britain) belonging to the
"Great Britain and Eagle' Line of Australian Packets,"
which took her departure-hence. for Melbourne on Satur-
day; at noon; on her third voyage to. the gold regions,
under the most favourable• circumstances) was obliged to
put back when .off Holyhead. When it was known that
this fine ship was , her way up the river; considerable
apprehension was experienced, in, town and. about one
o'clock on Sunday a. large collection ofr spectator* was
assembled on the -Prince's Pierhentt rumour having stated
that she was alongside of that pier. Inquiry subsequently
established the fact that the shiplad put back and wasin
the Sloyne. Laterin the evening it was ascertained that
an accident had occurred to the screw-pipe of the vessel,
and, after a consultations which the captain had with the
engineer, it was resolved.to return at once to port, in order
to have the pipe properly and substantially repaired. This
course was considered the.most prudent and safe, as the
accident could not be remedied at sea.„ and at the com-
mencement of a long voyage it would not be proper to
proceed under the. circumstances. The- ship was accord-
ingly put back—a step in which all concurred. Theextent
of the injury cannot be-fully ascertained until the vessel
goes into dock. A, portion of the cargo. will have to
be removed, but it is- thought she will yet be ready to
proceed about the .10th. inst. However, nothing will be
left undone to facilitate. her quick despatch. The pas-
sengers speak in high . terms of the captain's conduct, and
the respectable owners-paid every attentionin their power
to the people on board.. It is to be hoped that the delay
will be short, and.that all will, be satisfactorily arranged
in a brief period. It was•fortunate, however, it did hap-
pen so soon, as, had. the noble ship been far at sea, the
consequences would.have-been far worse At the moment
it occurred there .was.a very heavy sea ntming,and. a great
swell in the channel The accident was much spoken of,
and the regret was general; but it is gratifying to know
that everything, (with, the oue exception) on board was
perfect.
The Great Britain had on board 37 passengers, of
a more respectable -class than are generally seen on board
emigrant-ships, between five and six hundred tons of fine
goods, upon which.the. highest rate of freight had been
paid, a heavy mail,. (seventy bags,) and one thousand tons
of anthracite coal,. two-thirds of which, if she had favour-
able weather, it isscalculated would suffice for her voyage
out. There were. 156 first-cabin passengers, of whom forty-
five were after saloon, forty-nine midship, and sixty-two
fore-saloon passengers. They are all of a highly respectable
class, and a large-quantity of specieis taken out by them.
Of the remainder, who were second-cabin passengers, one
hundred and sixty-eight were English, fifteen Scotch,
twenty Irish, and eighteen natives of other countries.
The Great Britain has received further conveniences and
comforts to,her already excellent arrangements. An im-
portant alteration has also been made in her yards, which
have been: considerably lengthened, to enable her toobtain
a greater-spread of canvas, of which she now carries more
than ever.. Considering that she goes direct to Melbourne
without any stoppage, and taking her last performance into
calculation, it may be anticipated that she will make the
voyage-out in less than sixty days.
She left her moorings in the Sloyne at 12 on Saturday,
and as she steamed slowly down the river ample opportu-
nity was afforded to the large concourse of people assem-
bled on the Landing-stage and piers to view her beautiful
proportions. She was low in the water, but in such excel-
lent trim that she presented an elegant appearance.
Though there was a less boisterous expression of feeling
than on the last occasion, there was no abatement of inte-
rest in the ship, or of the good wishes for her success.
By one o'clock she was off the Rock Light, and soon
after the smoke from her last gun had disappeared she was
out of sight.
The Great Britain goes out this time under the com-
mand of Captain Gray, her late respected chief officer.
Precisely at twelve o'clock, the fine ship Albatross, Capt.
Geves, also belonging to the " Eagle Line of Australian
packets," which had cleared on Thursday, sailed for Mel-
bourne on Saturday, with 349 passengers. She will be fol-
lowed by the Bloomer, Captain Allan, about the 23d of
May, for the same destination, and the Bella Islena, Capt.
Wilson, on the 26th of May, for Sydney. The Bloomer,
which has been but a short time on the berth, is already
half-filled. In the middle of the month of June a splendid
new clipper, the Bee, will be despatched. The vessels of
the Eagle line are all first class, but the Bee is said to be a
really magnificent ship, of 1,359 tons register, about to be
launched by Mr. Gilbert, the builder of the Eagle, so cele-
brated for her fast voyages.
The fine clipper-ship Mermaid, with 400 passengers on
board, went into the river on Wednesday morning, in a
complete state of preparation for the voyage to Melbourne.
Her arrangements throughout are of first-rate order, and
reflect great credit upon the owners of the " White Star"
line, Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson, who appear to have
used every exertion for the comfort of all on board. Al-
though carrying only seventy steerage passengers, the
lowest price for whom is £lB, she is filled to the extent of
her fittings-up, the saloons and chief cabin being occupied
by a superior class of passengers. The Mermaid cleared
on Saturday. She has an able commander in Capt. Devey,
and, from her fine model and the high reputation of her
builders, (who have proved their skill in the construction
of the Eagle, one of the fastest ships belonging to Messrs.
Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s line of packets,) she may be ' ex-
pected to make a very rapid passage. She sails to-day

TSB AUSTRALIAN" CLIPPER-SHIP

LIGHTNING.

Tins fine ship, built by the celebrated D. Mackay, of
Boston, U.S., is most elegant in her external proportions,
and combines great stowage-room with ample accommoda-
tion for passengers. Her poop-deck is full, and is 90 feet
in length, its outline being defined by a substantial ma-
hogany rail and balustrade. The after-cabin, which is
placed under the poop, is 34 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 7
feet high, and its furniture and fittings are designed and
executed in a style of sumptuous magnificence. The sides
are fitted up with a tasteful arrangement of polished
mahogany panellings, inlaid with fancy woods, and en-
riched by rosewood columns, with beautifully ornamented
capitals. The ceiling is white picked in with gold, and
the cornice is massive and rich without heaviness. The
carpet, settees, and sofas are covered in harmoniously-
coloured cheneille, and, as a whole, the effect is charming,
combining elegance and splendour with cheerfulness and
comfort. The state-rooms are in keeping with the beauty
of the saloon, cheerfulness and comfort being alsotheir chief
characteristics. The dining saloon is a very superb apart-
ment and of large dimensions ; it is 48 feet long, with an
average.width of 13 feet 6 inches, and is most tastefully
and beautifully fitted up.
The second cabin dining and lounging accommodation
is chiefly before the main hatchway, and is in every way
fitfed with the most scrupulous attention to safety, com-
fort, and convenience. The provision for ventilating,
deaning, and purifying the ship, in every department, is
most ample and judicious, nothing having been omitted
which experience -and a fastidious taste could suggest to
ensure the comfort of all on board.

On Thursday afternoon, upwards of two hundred
guests, invited by Messrs. James Baines and Co., assembled
on board the Lightning, and partook of the hospitality
of her spirited owners. The chair was occupied by Mr.
Mackay, of the firm of Baines and Co., and amongst the
company were J. B. Lloyd, Esq., Mayor, Mr. Charles
Turner, chairman of the Dock Committee, Mr. John
Bramley Moore, Mr. Charles Court, Mr. Arthur Holme,
Mr. Charles Mozley, Mr. Abraham Gartside, Mr. R. W.
Grinnell, Mr. A. S. Flynn, Mr. John S. De Wolf, Messrs.
Wylie, Wrighley, Newlands, Ely, Rickerby, Robinson,
Cowie, Holderness, Beesley; the Hon. John L. O'Sullivan
and the Hon. Mr. 3elmont, American ambassadors to the
court of Portugal and to the Hague ; Councillor Thompson ;
Capt. Barton, Capt. Williams, Capt. and Mrs. Beloe ; Rev.
John Evans, of St. Mary's, Grassendale ; Mr. Marsh, of
the firm of Train and Co. ; Capt. and Mrs. Schomberg ;
Mr. Boyd and Mr. Edwards ; Mr. and Mrs. Whitehouse,
of the Bank of England; Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Graves;
Dr. Lancaster, of the government emigration office; Mr.
and Mrs. Matthew ; Mr. and Mrs. Mann ; Dr. Atcherley ;
Mr. and Mrs. Towson, Mr. and Mrs. Giffen, &c., &c.
A band of musicians was stationed on the poop, and
added much to the pleasure of the occasion.
The:entertainment, which was characteristic of the well-
known liberality of the owners of this, the " Black Ball"
line, was most recherche. Mr. Lynn, of the Water-
loo Hotel, was the provider of the good things; and the
tables, which were ranged in parallel lines on the under-
deck, presented a gay and lively appearance, being crowded
with pleased guests.
After justice had beeti done to the eatables, which
business was prefaced by a grace from the Rev. J. Evans, of
Grassendale, Mr. Mackay was called upon to preside, and
"The Queen" was enthusiastically toasted by the chair-
man, and with equal zeal responded to. Next followed
" The President of the United States," to which Mr.
O'SniaavArr responded. After contrasting that peaceful
and joyous :meeting on board an American-built ship
with the bloody meetings which took place between the
two nations in the last war, the speaker again acknowledged
the kind and hearty reception of the toast, and sat down.
The CHAIRMAN, in appropriate terms, next proposed
" The Health of the Emperor of the French," and after-
wards that of "Prince Albert," both of whom were most
enthusiastically received. " The Bishop and Clergy of the
diocese," proposed by the chairman, was responded to by
the Rev. J. Evans.

The 611.4.. 111P7 then proposed "The Army and Navy,"
alluding to the present position of affairs in the East. ,
" Thank God," he said, " our soldiers have gone to fight in
a righteous cause—(hear, hear)—the cause of right against
might, and may the God of battles give them the victory.
(" Hear, hear," and cheers.) Captain Schomberg
responded.
" The health of the Mayor of Liverpool" was proposed
by the Chairman, who highly eulogised him, and remarked
that, in the event of a local regiment being formed, he
felt sure they would all be united and firm, and rally
round the civic banner. (Cheers.)
The Mexoa said he felt much obliged for the manner
in which his health had been proposed, and he was more
particularly gratified by the way in which the company
had received it. Looking at the importance of the emi-
gration trade, he thought that the Mayor of Liverpool, by
his presence on such an occasion, was maintaining that
friendly feeling, commercial and otherwise, which existed
between this country and America. Whatever differences
the present war might create in Europe, he trusted that
the good understanding which at present existed between
the United States and Great Britain would not suffer in
the least. (Cheers.) His worship concluded by proposing
" The health of the Owners of the Lightning, and pros-
perity to the vessel."
The CHAIRMAN begged to return his most sincere
thanks on behalf of himself and the other gentlemen in-
terested in that noble ship, for the enthusiastic manner in
which they had drunk to their success. It gave him the
greatest gratification to see so many smiling faces around

"The healthy of the Hon. J. S. O'Sullivan and the Hon.
Mr. Belmont., American Ambassadors," were next pro-
posed by the, CHAIRMAN, and duly responded to by each
of those ge;ntlemen.
The GrAA.IRMAN then proposed "The health of Donald
McKay., Esq., of Boston, the builder of the vessel."
Car. tain MgCsy replied on behalf of his brother, and in
conemsion proposed Success to the ' Black Ball' line of
PP-cket ships," coupled with the name of Captain Forbes.
Capt. F0141)133 made a brief response; and the healthy

of " Captain Schomberg and the emigration officers of
this port," and " Mr. Townson," having been proposed
and responded to,
The CHAIRMAN' proposed "The health of Mr. Charles
Turner," a gentleman who, he said, presided over one of
the most magnificent estates in England—the dock estate
of Liverpool. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CHARLES TURNER, in responding, said it was a
pleasure to him to find that the docks of Liverpool were.
appreciated not only by British merchants, but by those
foreign nations whose ships frequented this port. A.
great many of the docks were built to suit a smaller
class of vessels than now frequented this port ; but in.
their future arrangements he trusted that the dock com-
mittee would endeavour to provide such accommodation
as was requisite to meet the increased size of vessels. He
concluded by proposing " Success to the spirit of enterprise
which was shown by Messrs. Baines and Co., in intro-
ducing such a noble class of vessels into this port." (Cheers 4
Mr. JAMES BAINES responded. He would not attempt
to deny that, in establishing such a line as the " Black
Ball" line of packets, they had been somewhat actuated
by pecuniary considerations ; but there had been arm-
, ther object which they had in view, which was, by pro-
viding such a class of ships, commanded by such a class of
men, to secure the approbation of those who embarked in
them. (Hear, hear.) Until within the last few years.
London carried on the entire trade from England to Aus-
tralia, but if they would allow him he would give them a
few figures showing them the comparison between the
trade to Australia from London and from Liverpool. In.
1851 London sent out 224 ships, of 114,217 tons : during
the same year Liverpool sent out 32 ships, of 23,224 tons.
In 1852 London despatched 341 vessels, with a burthen of
186,289 tons ; and Liverpool, in the same period, despatched
128 ships, of 99,347 tons. The increase of the Liverpool
trade being 96 ships, and 76,142 tons, whereas the increase
of the trade from London was only 105 vessels, bearing a
burthen of 72,072 tons; the tonnage of the vessels, there-
fore, which sailed from London in that year, was less by
4,070 tons than the increase in the tonnage of the vessels
which departed from this port. The first quarter of the
present year showed a decrease in the trade both of Lon-
don and Liverpool as compared with the corresponding
quarter of last year. The present quarter, however,
showed better, 12,000 tons having been despatched this
month for Australia from Liverpool. In 1850, there were
on the berth in Liverpool only four ships, having a bur-
then of 2,948 tons. In the year afterwards there were
three ships, burthen 2716 tons ; but in the present year
there were 39 ships, of 36,721 tons burthen. By many
persons the American trade had been looked upon as
greater than the Australian trade, and probably they
would be scarcely prepared to believe him when he said
that there were at the present moment 4,008 tons more
transported to Australia than to America. If the greatest
attention, energy, and perseverance, could make the
"Black Ball" line of packets all that could be wished, it
would not be his fault if it was not so.
"The Press" and "The Ladies" having been proposed
and responded to, a vote of thanks to the chairman termi-
nated the proceedings.

CHARGE AGAINST A MEDICAL
PRACTITIONER.

A numerous meeting of the medical profession was held
on Friday evening, at the Medical-hall, Hope-street, Mr.
Bickersteth in the chair, to consider the subject of Dr.
Hibbert Taylor's recent retirement from the appointment
of honorary surgeon to the Eye and Ear Infirmary. From
a written statement of the case, read by Dr. Vose, it ap-
peared that Dr. Taylor had been summoned to attend a
meeting of the committee of the institution, and that there
a charge of having improperly examined some young fe-
male patients had been preferred against him, the charge
arising out of the fact that he had, in one case, examined
the breast, and at another time placed his hand (though
with the drawers intervening) on the stomach of a young-
female who came under his treatment for deafness, but
whom, however, he thought it necessary to examine not
merely as to the local affection, but also in the parts
named. In another case, when called upon to examine a
child, he deemed it necessary to test the condition of the
lungs, and in order to do this more effectually, he had
opened the dress and tapped the chest of a young female
who accompanied the child. These operations of Dr.
Taylor were, it seems, watched through the keyhole of the
room by the dispenser, Mr. Barrow, the matron, Mrs.
Tatlock, and the servant, and through their instrumenta-
lity, it would appear, the charge of indelicacy on the part
of Dr. Taylor was conveyed to the committee. Dr.
Taylor himself was so surprised at the nature of the
charge, and with the determined action which he under-
stood from one of his friends the committee intended to
take in the matter, that, in the excitement of the moment,
he was induced to send in his resignation. This, however,
on maturer reflection and after consultation with his
friends, he retracted, feeling conscious of no other motives
than those of purity and honour, and fearing lest his
resignation might be construed into an admission of his
guilt. He also forwarded to the committee the opinion of
several eminent medical gentlemen that, in the particular-
diseases which he was called upon to treat, the general
examination which he had adopted was expedient and ne-
cessary. The reply of the committee, however, was, that
they had accepted Dr. Taylor's resignation, and could not
reopen the question. So the matter stood, when Drs.
Formby, Vose, Dickenson, Turnbull, and Messrs. Bicker-
steth, Halton, Cooper, and Stubbs formally requested of
the committee that the case might be investigated. But
though a week had elapsed, no official notice had yet been
taken of the application, although private notes had been
received from the Mayor, and Messrs. James Holme,
Ormrod, Bennett, and Huddleston, stating that they had.
no objection to a re-opening. The committee, however,
taking no official action, and yesterday being the time
fixed for a successor to Mr. Taylor to be appointed, it was
determined to convene a meeting of the whole of the
medical profession, in order to pronounce an opinion upon
the conduct of Dr. Taylor.
Dr. FORMBY moved a resolution, exculpating Dr. Nib-
bert Taylor from any charge of moral or professional
impropriety. This was seconded by Mr. ITALToN, and.
carried with loud applause.
Mr. T. B. BLACKBUBNE protested against the conduct
of the committee—only six of whom, it seems, were
present ,when the charge was preferred—as unfair and
unjust. He moved a resolution to the effect that the
proceedings of the committee had been such as to deprive
Dr. Taylor of a fair and impartial trial.
Mr. MINBITIILL seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. BATTY moved a resolution, expressing the cordial
sympathy of the meeting with Dr. Taylor, whose character-
they held to be untarnished.

Mr. LONG seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
Dr. Domes moved a resolution, declaring that any
man accepting the appointment of successor to Dr. Taylor,
would, by thus expressing approval of his treatment, for-
feit the respect and confidence of his professional brethren.
Mr. MACINTYRE seconded the resolution.
Dr. NEVINS (assistant-surgeon to the Eye Infirmary),
who was heard with considerable impatience, stated that
he was a candidate for the situation, but that he had de-
clined to enter upon the canvass so long as there was a
chance of Dr. Taylor's resuming the appointment. That,
when Dr. Taylor sent in ins written resignation, he gave
him liberty to commence his canvass immediately, lest he
should be placed at a disadvantage compared with other
candidates, who would not be prevented from coming for-
ward on hearing of the vacancy by any delicacy towards a
colleague. He, however, delined to take any step for above
a fortnight. When the vacancy was publicly advertised,
and he had to decide between coming forward himself or
running the risk of some junior in the profession being
elected over his head, he then offered himself as a candi-
date, and for nearly three weeks pursued his canvass with-
out disapprobation from any quarter. Hearing, however,
that his conduct was commented upon, as trying to sup-
plant a colleague and succeed to his office, Dr, Taylor had
promised to send him a note which should entirely clear
him from any imputation of unprofessional or ungenerous
conduct towards him. Dr. Nevins's concluding observa-
tions, which referred to the examination in question, were
received with considerable interruption.
Dr. COLLINS defended the position of Dr. Nevins.
Dr. DIINDIS only wished the canvass to be suspended
until the re-investigation had taken place.
After some further discussion, the resolution was car-
ried, two only holding up their hands against it.
The meeting then closed with thanks to the chair.

We have received the fallowing letter from Dr. Nevins,
in reference to this subject :

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL BTAICDARD.

SIR,—I find from several of my friends that some of
my remarks at the recent meeting of the medical profes-
sion, in the case of Dr. Taylor, have been understood as
reflecting upon him in a manner which I never intended.
I designed simply to speak upon a general principle; and
I sincerely regret that my expressions should have been
open to the interpretation put upon them,—for I have
uniformly maintained, and even at the meeting itself, my
belief in his freedom from any unworthy motives ; a
belief which I still retain entirely unchanged, and desire
to express in the most unhesitating manner.—l am, Sir,
your obedient servant, J. BIRIEBECIE NEVINS.
April 30, 1854.

THE COMPASS WRONG.--In the report on the Tayleur
case the following passage occurs : This board would
call particular attention to the fact that numerous instances
have been brought under their consideration of compasses
having proved greatly in error on board of both wood and
iron ships while navigating the Irish channel, and which
deviation is not accounted for by any, theory at present."
This is strange enough, but other instances are quoted of
the like kind. On board of the Niagara, a wooden steam-
ship, a change of four dogrees occurred. The Teneriffe
changed her magnetism in coming home a point and a
half. Neither the principles of this important science, nor
the details of practice and of mechanical arrangement to
provide against deviations, are at all fixed. There can be
no reason for supposing that such irregularities are eon"
fined to the Irish channel. If there, no doubt the same
things occur at other portions of the earth's surface.
,
THE CLIPPER RED JACKET has not only ailed with
_
.
passengers, but many of her berths are at a premium.
She takes nothing less than £2O for the passage, yet we
___ ....,,,,.
are assured that, on Friday, £22 10s. was paid fora berth, I
from going
a int
good
the original owner of which was pdrerleladily be paid for
out, and we learn that £25
similar berths. She has vaesniw:rnaupl-vi dal yfejl edbertuhsp,
best saloon ; and her being .:?
liberal urveyors for the comfort of
and to her owners as . P
t is borne in mind that she has to
steamer,Th and with
ae
their passengers,
which is to sail after her.
rates, is the more creditable to her character as a fine ship,
succeeds the Red Jacket, is also rapidly
i which
noble vesse ,
Lightning,
filling IIP• r sum IN THE Cusiorm..—On Monday,
FATAL ..,OLLIi
e;mhepletedte
h Gazetteer sailed hence for New York,
jwiactkhetthewiiGe
same evening, off the Great Orm h d
es ea , she
and on the s .
Captawi!! Fnailirtbetol3s,ri.mtaoirron .
tact with the French brig Pere Grenet.,,boNid
came in con
from Santander to this port. The shock 9f tim-coltislon
such that three of the crew of the' retztekvvuel *.ere
was
thrown overboard and drowned. Both vessels _were _very
last week, the s P
much injured, the Gazetteer having her-bows severely tat-
tered and chafed, and losing her jibboom. The p Gra-
net was a complete wreck, and ou Tuesday was towed into
this port, and got into the north entrance.ol_th,AvAis.
you dock in a nuking conditions\ / ,-.7. - -.,._ - - ""