The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-12-04 00:00:00

MISCELLANEA

The cultivation of Calla Ethiopica as a hardy aquatic
is exciting some attention. It is, however, no novelty, as
we recollect to have seen it in great beauty, three or four
years since in a pond at Oxton, in the garden of the house
now occupied by Mr. Currie.
Limanthes as a Salad, Si-c.—The species of Limantlies
are of interest in gardens, chiefly for the decoration of
heavy damp places, where better flowers will not grow.
In such situations they all thrive and become ornamental,
retaining their freshness and flowering incessantly through
the whole summer. It may be a question whether they
would not be useful salads, as they all possess the agree-
able warmth of Tropseolums, without being quite so pun-
gent.—Jour. Hort. Soc.—Hort. Hag.
Flax Cotton.—An article in the Morning Herald, of
Oct., 22, 1849, states that it is not generally known, that
by robbing the fibre of flax of its gum, we get a fine
downy material like cotton, only somewhat stronger. The
strength of the flax is a little diminished by this process,
but still the fibre is superior to cotton, and it may be
passed through all the present cotton machinery in the
subsequent processes. This is interesting at a moment
when we are threatened with a scarce, and consequently
dear and inferior, supply of cotton ; and as much 11 ,x-stalk
is thrown away, both at home and in India—the plant
being cultivated for the seed—it follows we have here,
prima facie, a much less expensive raw material than
cotton.—Gardeners' and Farmers' Journal.
Bread Fruit Tree.—lt is well known that at the last
Chiswick Horticultural Show, were exhibited by Mr.
Iveson, gardener to her grace the Duchess Dowager of
Northumberland, at Syon, the following very rare ripe
tropical fruits, the produce of the stove there, viz., nut-
meg, chocolate, vanilla, allspice, cloves, gamboge (at least
one kind, Xanthochymus pictotius, Roxb.), and papaw;
and now we have the pleasure of being able to state that
the bread fruit (Artocarpus incisa) in the same conserva-
tory, is bearing its two kinds of flowers, and with every
prospect of the fruit setting—assuredly fof the first time
in Europe. We may here add, too, that a fine tree of
mango, in the great new stove of the Royal Gardens at
Kew, is at this moment ripening fourteen well-formed
fruit.—Hooker's Journal of Botany.
The real goodness of a soil consists principally, perhaps,
in the power it possesses of maintaining a certain degree
of moisture ; for without this the plant could have no
power of deriving nourishment from any aliment ; it
might be planted on a dunghill, but if this had no mois-
ture in it, no nutriment would be yielded ; but as long as
the soil possesses a moisture, either by its own constitu-
ent parts, or by means of a retentive substratum, vegeta-
tion goes on. Continue the moisture and increase the
aliment, and the plant will flourish in proportion ; but let
the moisture be denied by soil, substratum, or manure,
and vegetation ceases; for though certain plants will long
subsist by moisture obtained from the air, yet, generally
speaking, without a supply by the root they will languish
and fade.—Fartners, Journal.
Mr. River's account of the introduction of Rosa
lklanettii as a stock for budding.—" The history of the
Mancttii stock is as follows. Some 12 or 15 years since
a Signor Crivelli, of Como, attracted by an article in
Loudon's ' Gardeners' Magazine,' wrote to me, offering
to exchange some seedling Italian Roses for choice
named varieties. I sent him a small collection, and in
return received from him some seedling Roses; among
them were Rosa indica grandiflora and Rosa indica Ala-
nettii, two very small plants. These he described as
being hybrid China Roses, and most valuable Roses for
stocks in
.the dry climate of Italy. I soon found that
although so much alike in habit as scarcely to be distin-
guished, they differed most materially in this respect; the
former could only be propagated by layers, while of the
latter every cutting grew. I gradually increased my stock
of the latter, and now propagate from 40,000 to 50,000
annually. As with all new articles in gardening, I had to
buy some experience, for I found if I grew them in a rich
sod and budded them at the usual period, the buds rot-

3
liim

ted ; they appeared to be drowned in the sunr-abundanc3
of sap. At last I saw it vitas necessary to "Rant them in
poor soils, and bud them in September. I presume trio
stock has found favour in America, for last seasonl re-
ceived an order from one house for 20,000.—Thos. Rivers'.
--Gardeners' Chronicle.

OPERATIONS FOR THE

WEEK

- - -- -
Nothing can he added to our last calendar. Ventilation
on all fvourable occasions in the houses, and other rou-
tine operations in the open ground, such es digging,
trenching, manuring; and in the flower-garden, supply..
ing protecting materials where they are required ; must
form the principal employment of the gardener. Planting
of trees and shrubs may also be carried on in open weau
they.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

P.M.—Hoye belle has not, we believe, cowered in this
neighbourhood. We are, however, informed, onkood
authority, that the published figures of this charming
plant fall far short of the reality.
F.—We will give immediate attention to the glass ques-
tion ; we fully appreciate its importance, and have been
carefully watching for the result of some experiments
R. Sutton, Nottingham.—Please forward the ca
this year when you next send.
J. H. R.—No. 1 is Saxifrage eizoides, and No
Saxifrage intacta

LIVERPOOL AS IT IS,

No. 1.-THE COMMON LODGING-HOUSES

Having received many complaints of the depravity and
imposition carried on in common lodging-houses, of their
total disregard of the decencies of life, their injury to
society at large, and the heavy local burdens they entail,
and the subject having been brought prominently under
our notice last week, by an intelligent correspondent, we
have been at some pains to ascertain how far these com-
plaints were well grounded ; and through a channel on
which we can rely proceed to lay before our readers a few
facts, obtained by personal visits, so that they may judge
whether some means should not speedily be tried, and
before the severity of the weather forces into the town all
they stragglers to fill the workhouses and the unions, to
find a shelter for the winter. It ill becomes a nation like
this, whose missionaries are spread over the world, whose
shores are ever open to the oppressed, and whose ready
charity knows neither sect nor nation so that they be in
distress ; to suffer her own children to be nursed in infamy
and crime ; to see in her wealthiest towns poverty the
most dire, and filth the most disgusting, without making
a strong effort to alleviate the one and remove the other.
In many houses here neither the town mission nor Scrip-
ture reader enters. either because the inmates are ever
changing, or, which is more likely, because it seems a
hopeless task to assist destitution so complete, or vice so
hardened. It is utterly useless to attempt anything for
the suppression, of mendicancy, or the elevation of the
social and moral condition of the poorest class, until a
strict supervision be established over lodging-houses, not
as now, where one house is licensed and another not, and
the latter perhaps filled to suffocation. All who take in
wayfarers or casual lodgers should be made to keep a list
of such, how they earn a living, and how long with them.
We visited a street leading into Scotland-road, where
nearly every house is a lodging-house : the first inspected
showed five different parties taking their meals at the
same time ; and the success of their day's work was plainly
seen by the food before them,—the principal party had
beef-steaks and onions, with vegetables and tea,—another,

and these consisted of a man and woman with five chil-
dren, who shortly before had been singing through the
streets, partook of toast, eggs, and coffee—of the toast
and coffee there was an abundance, but the eggs seemed
limited to the elders ;—the others were less exclusive,—
cold meat and broken bread, with either tea or coffee, was
their evening fare; but certainly there was neither a want
of food nor fire; and hilarity and mirth reigned supreme.
In the same street we visited a house answering the double
purpose of brothel and lodging-house ' • it was a night of
riot and debauchery ; some successful fraud must have
been carried into effect. There might have been from
sixteen to twenty persons, of both sexes and all ages, and
not one, from the youngest to the oldest, sober ; some
making unearthly noises which they termed singing ;
others making equally futile attempts at dancing ; and
some, steeped in drink, rolling on the floor in all the
stages of inebriety and filth; altogether it was a scene
indicating the most swinish and brutal debauchery.
Further on the noise of drunken revelry burst on the ear,
and house after house resounded with brutal laughter or
ob

This was only one evening's inspection;
were all visited and carefully examined, which would cer-
tainly be a work of time and jeopardy, the results would
be so startling that most would be tempted to say such
things could not exist here, and might say, " I have had
ay, but knowing nothing of them
lthy and middle classes fancy
vagrant receives,

tions to-
." The

relieve(

but those from Whom the beggar gets his sup-
port are those much poorer than himself, for none really
know want, unless they have been taught by want. These
believing a piteous tale, knowing by sad experience the
scanty meal, the thin covering, fireless hearth, feel keenly,
and if it be their last penny often promptly relieve those
who laugh at the simplicity of their benefactors. The
state of the outcast, the confirmed beggar, and the lowest
of the population, is forcing itself on public notice, with
an impetus which sooner or later will burst all control.
History and experience agree that it is impossible for one
class of society to prosper fully and permanently whilst
others are in the most utter distress. The middle class
is gradually moving, through the heavy pressure on them,
into poverty ; the poorest are continually increasing, and
as surely undermining the whole fabric as that the citi-
zens, merchants, and corporate bodies of Liverpool have
themselves to blame for many of the heavy expenses of
the town, and that is too palpable to need demonstration.
How much common lodging-houses add to local taxation
is obvious from this fact. Here parties come to be con-
fined ; whilst in that state they are on the parish. Here
if the husband should fall ill, be in gaol, or, which is the
most likely of all, go away and leave them, the parish
must provide for the family ; and when it is known how
erratic are the lives of the Irish, the freemasonry that
exists between them, how ready they are to give every
information to each other, and that nine-tenths of the
lodging-houses here are kept by Irish, is it any wonder
we are over-run with them, or that once here it is almost
impossible to get rid of them ? That persons visiting their
localities give such vivid pictures of their poverty, dirt,
unwholesome dwellings, and the miserable shifts to which
they are put, is not to be wondered at, when it is seen
every day what numbers arrive, penniless, with scarcely a
covering, and trust to the humanity of individuals, the
chance of selling sand or chips, taking cotton or corn, as
the case may be, forasubsistence. Are we to provide houses,
work, and provisions, to welcome such a class to us, and to
let our English poor perish, whilst, alas, they are the
most neglected, for the reason that they keep their
sorrow to themselves, and bear with a fortitude, meriting
more consideration and sympathy, greater privations than
are shown by filthy dwellings, or straw beds. Many
English mechanics, out of work for weeks, have clean
houses, and are too high-minded to go to the parish,
whilst they suffer in silence, firmly and hopefully trusting
that better days will soon come. He goes out in the
morning to seek employment, and returns in theevening,
unsuccessful and weary, and finds, perhaps, little or no
food; no one has been to visit his destitution, for as
we judge by outward appearance, a clean house,
clean and tidy children, and wife, cannot be in distress,
especially if his foolish pride will rather permit him to
half starve himself, so that he may preserve his little fur-
niture ; and this man, because he complains not, asks from
the parish no assistance, may be much nearer starvation
than clamorous complaint or disgusting dirt,—the one
who ought to be an object that the wealthy should be
glad to assist, is passed by, and the other grovelling in
dirt and squalor, receives sympathy for his laziness
and cunning. Where is there one more worthy of as-
sistance than an honest, industrious man, eager for
work, but through the depression of trade, or other
causes, unable to obtain it, and who would rather starve
than either apply to the parish or beg ?

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE ROYAL MERSEY YACHT
CLUB.—On Wednesday evening the members of the
R.M.Y.C. dined together in their club rooms, Duke-
street, in commemoration of the close of the yachting
season for the year, which, on the whole, was highly
successful. There was a good attendance, though (owing
to the previous engagements of members elsewhere,) not
quite so numerous as on the same occasion last year.
The commodore, Thomas Littledale, Esq., presided ; Mr.
Fletcher, the cup-bearer, occupied the vice-chair, both
being supported by the principal officers of the club. The
dining-room was decorated with flags, and numerous
beautiful models of yachts, ships, marine views, charts,
&c. The dinner, dessert, and wines, (provided by Mr.
Fisk,) were all excellent, and included many rarefies.
The tables were enriched by many prize cups. A good
corps of glee singers were present, and enlivened the pro-
ceedings by appropriate songs. The toasts, as a matter
of course, commenced with " The Queen, the Patroness
of the Club," followed by the other branches of the
Royal Family, to all of which due honours were awarded.
The toast, "The Army and Navy" was ably responded to
by Lieut. Ward. Mr. Mold replied to " Prosperity to
the Town and Trade of Liverpool" in very happy terms,
exhibiting its rapid rise, within a comparatively short
period, from a fishing village, to the dignity of one of the
greatest emporiums of trade in the world. He alluded to
fhc energies of the inhabitants, and augured that the day
was not distant when she would become as high in the
Yachting as in the commercial world. The toast of " All
the Royal Yacht Clubs," was enthusiastically received,
and ably responded to by the hon. secretary. " The
absent Members" was also hailed with applause, with ex-
pressions of regret at their absence. The commodore, in
proposing " Success to the next Yachting Season," ex-
pressed a confidence that many new boats would join them,
and he wished them as much success as those that had pre-
ceded them. For himself, his own vessel had not been quite
so lucky in racing as he would wish ; but he had often had
the pleasure of meeting delightful company on board,
which compensated for all. (Hear.) The health of the
honorary secretary, Mr. Melling, was proposed by the
commodore, who highly complimented that gentleman for
his long continued and unwearied exertions in behalf of
the club. Mr. Melling modestly replied, stating that
any successful efforts of his were mainly due to the co-
operation and kindness of the many friends around him.
The health of the vice commodore, Captain Holt, (now in
Hull,) was received with much applause, and the expres-
sion of a hope that he would return, and resume his effi-
cient position in the club. Other toasts following, blended
with sentiment and song, the evening was spent in a truly
delightful manner. One of the main features of the pro..
ceedings was the commencement of a fund towards a
Grand Challenge Cup, for all Royal Yachts, and fifty
guineas were immediately subscribed in the room, a sum
which will no doubt be greatly enlarged at the next
monthly meeting.

China.

All goods to be alongside not later than Saturday, the 15th of
December, and will sail on the 17th, and any engagement to
that effect will be given.

For SHANGHAE,
1444 The fine Liverpool-built Ship ORIXA,
Wm. CHRISTIAN, Commander,
,11 .1, (Who is acquainted with the China Sea;)
A I at Lloyrlse; 362 tons ; coppered ; well-known in
the trade for her remarkably quick passages and invariably de-
livering her cargoes in the best possible order.—For terms, &c.
apply on board, in the Prince's Dock, or to

Al*
Lim 14
-

W. and J. TYRER.

east inZitts.

All goods to be alongside by the
For MADRAS, Direct
The fine Whitehaven-built Barque GUNGA,
Captain BRAITHWAITE ;
7 tons, and in all respects a superior

sth instant,

VE 1 in red ,
conveyance.—Apply to
COTESWORTH, WYNNE and LYNI

Filling up, and will sail in a few days, being warranted posi-
tively
,first vessel.
For BOMBAY,
/I.'" The fine fast sailing Ship FEROZEPORE,
, cat
Tkil Captain CHARLES GRANT;
(Who is well acquainted with the trade;)
A 1 at Lloyd's; 955 tons ; copper fastened and cop-
pered, and in all respects an eligible conveyance : loading in the
Prince's Dock.—Apply to
COTESWORTH, WYNNE and LYNE.

►,
11&l

Mitst

ihtes,

To sail on the 15th instant.
For ANTIGUA,
The DENISON,
WILLIAM KING, Commander

Apply to

C. W. and F. SHAND

--atatto.

Loading Berth South Side Waterloo Dock

THE " BLACK STAR" LINE OF PACKETS

LIVERPOOL TO NEW YORK

PACKET OF THE TENTH DECEMBER

ry,

The magnificent new Three Decker Packet-ship

EMPIRE STATE,

J. G. RUSSELL, Commander

1482 tons register, coppered and copper-fastened, ONLY OD.