The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-28 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICES.

Observations on the Clime, Soil, and Productions of British
Guiana, and on the Advantages of Emigration to, and
Colonising the Interior of that Country. By John Han-
cock, M. D., London : Fraser.
This is an admirable work on a most important subject.
The author is eminently qualified for the task which he has
undertaken, having sojourned from the year 1804 to 1828.
inclusive, in South America, and chiefly in British Guiana,
where he followed his professional pursuits. His account of
the botany of the country is extremely copious and interest-
ing. For the purpose of making himself acquainted with
its medicinal plants, and with the peculiar practices followed
with great success by the inland tribes, in the cure of dis-
eases, he frequently visited the interior by the rivers Esse-
quibo, Demerara, Pomeroon, Orinoco, &c.; and the result
of his investigations is of the highest importance. In addi-
tion to the medical department of this work, we are furnished
with some valuable and appropriate remarks on the soil, and
advantages of cultivation in the interior—the vegetable pro-
ductions of the country—it 4 animals—its geology—its cli-
mate, and diseases—the condition and prospects of the black
population, &c. &c.

The Illustrated Shakspere, revised from the best Authori-
ties. With Annotations, and Introductory Remarks on
the Plays, by many distinguished writers. Part 11. Lon-
don : Robert Tyas.

We have not bad an opportunity of noticing this work
for some time, owing to the non-receipt of several of the
preceding numbers. The number before us contains "Troi-
lus and Cressida," the illustrations to which arc beautifully
and elaborately executed. This work, whether• we consider
the beauty of its typography—the number and exquisite
finish of its wood engravings—or the intrinsic merit of its
annotations—reflects the highest credit on the spirited pub-
lisher. No library can be considered as complete until it is
furnished with a copy of this splendid and unique edition of
the works of " Avon's immortal bard." The encourage-
ment afforded to such works is a favourable symptom of the
literary taste of the day, which is evidently inclined to pa-
tronise the best standard works of the old English writers.

Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland. Parts 67,
68, 69, and 70. Edinburgh : John Sutherland, 1840.
We are glad that we have been furnished with an oppor-
tunity of renewing our notice of this excellent series of his-
torical, traditionary, and imaginative tales. The materials
out of which these amusing and instructive narratives are
formed appear to be inexhaustible. The tales in the num-
bers before us are as attractive as any which have preceded
them, and will serve to beguile the evening hours of many a
weary cottager, while they are, at the same time, calculated
to gratify the taste of a more aristocratical class of readers.
In compiling these tales, every word or sentiment of an ob-
jectionable character is scrupulously rejected. This alone
entitles them to our warmest recommendation.

Grant's London Journal. Part 2. London : Geo. Berger.
This is a very agreeable and instructive miscellany, con-
ducted by the author of " Random Recollections of the
Lords and Commons, " and numerous other works which
have attained a considerable degree of popularity. It is
published in weekly numbers and monthly parts, and at a
price which places it within the reach of every class of
readers. Nothing but a large circulation can possibly com-
pensate the spirited publisher of this periodical ; and this we
hope the intrinsic merits of its articles will secure for it.
Its sketches of character form one of its most attractive
features. The number before us contains an excellent series
of articles on " The Errors and Evils of Socialism," the
perusal of which is calculated to effect much good.

Master Humphrey's Clock. By Boz. Nos. 1,2, 3, .1.
London: Chapman and Hall.

This new work, from the graphic pen of the gifted and
popular author of the " Pickwick Papers," is likely to attain
as large a circulation as any of its predecessors. Indeed,
the mode of publication places it within the reach of a class
of readers who could scarcely avail themselves of any of Mr.
Dickens's previous works. Master Humphrey's clock
promises to furnish us with many legendary tales of absorb-
ing interest. The illustrations, by Cattermole and Browne,
are admirably executed.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH-SATURDAY:

STOCKDALE V. HANSARD.

Mr. Wightman moved for a rule to stay the proceedings in
this case, under the authority of the statute 3d Vic. entitled
" An Act to protect Persons employed in Publishing Papers
by the order and under the authority of the Houses of Par-
liament ;" by which it was enacted that, upon giving a party
24 hours' notice of his intention, and producing a certificate
of the Speaker of the house that the paper relative to which
the action was commenced was published by the order of the
house, the judge should immediately stay the proceedings,
which should be immediately at an end. The learned coun-
sel then produced affidavits showing the state of the pro-
ceedings and also the certificate of the Speaker, certifying
that the papers complained of were published by the order
and under the authority of the house of Commons ; and the
learned counsel then moved that the proceedings should he
stayed and be at an end.
Mr. Platt said he was instructed to show cause in the first
instance. . .

Lord Denman was not sure the court ought to hear him ;
but perhaps it would be better to do so.
Mr. PLATT observed that his friend's doctrine, that it was
not necessary to produce the declaration in the cause was a
very dangerous one. There was nothing to satisfy the court
that the Speaker of the House of Commons had ever seen
the declaration in the cause. There was nothing now before
the court but the parchment subscribed by the Speaker. The
certificate should state that the declaration had been seen by
the Speaker, and that it related to matter the publication of
which had been authorised by the House of Commons. But
as the case at present stood, there was nothing to show that
the Speaker was cognisant of the matter for which the action
was brought.

Lord DENacAN said the act was imperative, and it had
been complied with, as the Speaker had certified that the ac-
tion was in respect of a publication issued by order of the
House of Commons. The rule must therefore be made ab-
solute.

Mr. WIGHTMAN said there was another similar applica•
tion relative to a case in Hertfordshire.
Rule absolute.

MANcnEsTEn.—A fierce trial of political strength has
just taken place at Manchester, between two great contend-
ing parties, on the election of churchwardens. The whigs
were led on by Mr. Cobden, of corn-law notoriety ; the
conservatives by Mr. Geo. Clark, a strenuous defender of
his order. A poll was demanded, and on the close of the
second day (Friday) the conservatives had 1,958 of a ma-
jority. It was expected the shabbies would take the hint,
and retire from the contest. The people of this great manu-
facturing town have discovered that while the whigs have
been amusing them with visions of liberty and free trade,
the comforts, and even the necessaries of life, have been fast
deserting their cottages. Mr. Clarke's list, 7,558; Mr.
Cobden's list 5,600.

BILL OF MCFRTALITY.—The general bill of mortality in
the parish of Liverpool,
pu
for the year 1839, has just been bs
hed, from which it
,appears that the number of births and
fi
baptisms is, males 4,766, females 4,736; total 9,502. Burials
females 2,494 ; total 5,265. Marriages 3,188, f
males 2,771,
which 252 were celebrated ac Catholic chapels, 10 at the
Scotch Churches, Oldham-street and Rodney-street, 3 at the
Scotch Secession Church, Alount-pleasant, 5 at the Baptist's
Chapel, Lime-street, 2 at the Welsh Baptists' Chapel, Great
Crosshall-street, 3 at Great George-street Chapel, 6 at the
Welsh Independents' Chapel, Great Crosshall-street, 2 at
the Universalist? Chapel, Bold-street, 4 at the Friends'
Meeting-house, 3 at the Unitarian Chapels, Paradise-street
and Renshaw-street, 5 at the Jews' Synagogue, and 150
.at
the Superintendent Registrars' Office. This bill shows an
increase in baptisms of 651, in burials 398, in marriages 295.
The following is a list of the ages of the deceased :
"Under 2 Years .... 1955 Between 50 and 60 316
Between 2 and 5 797 60 and 70 ...... 287
'5 and 10 265 • 70 and 80...... 211
10 and 20 222 80 and 90...... 85
• 20 and 30 362 90 and 100...... 12
30 and 40 407 • 100 and upwards.. 2
40 and 50 344 ---

Total .... 5,26.
In the vicinity of Liverpool, including Everton, Edge-hill,
Low-hill, Toxteth-park, and Kirkdale; the number of bap-
tisms is,—males 489, females 300 ; total 989. Burials,—
males 1,415, females 1,418 ; total 2,833. Marriages 279.

LONDON AND LIVERPOOL TRADE.—A return published
by the House of Commons gives the number of vessels and
their tonnage cleared out from the ports of London and Liv-
erpool in the years 1838 and 1839 respectively for the South
Australian ports, South Sea fisheries, and the ports on the
western coasts of South America round Cape Horn.—Prom
London, in 1838, there had cleared for Sidney 78 vessels,
with an amount of 39,960 tonnage ; and in 1839, 89 vessels,
with an amount of 38,681 tonnage. In 1889, for port Philip
7 vessels, with .an amount of 2243 tonnage. In 1838, for
South Australia 25 vessels, with an amount of 10,660 tonnage
and in 1839, 27 vessels, with an amount of 12,761 tonnage.
In 1838, for Swan river 3 vessels, with an amount of 882 ton-
nage ; and in 1839, 4 vessels. with an amount of 1082 ton-
nage. .In 1838, for Hobart Town 24 vessels, with an amount
of 7959 tonnage ; and in 1839, 23 vessels, with an amount of
7879 tonnage. In 1838, for Launceston 12 vessels, with an
amount of 3107- tonnage ; and 1839, 11 vessels, with an
amount of 2855 tonnage. In 1839, for New Zealand 7 vessels,
with an amount of 3315 tonnage. In 1838, for, the South
Sea fisheries, 21 vessels, with an amount of 654 tonnage ;
and in 1839, 20 vessels, with an amount of 7526 tonnage. In
1838, for Chili, 5 vessels, with an amount of 11108 tonnage ;
and in 1839, 17 vessels with an amount of 3552 tonnage. In
1838, for Peru, 13 vessels, with an amount of 3131 tonnage;
and in 1839, 21 vessels, with an amount of 4524 tonnage,
Prom Liverpool, in 1838, there had cleared for Sidney 17
vessels, with an amount of 7352 tonnage; and in 1839, 18
vessels, with an amount of 7500 tonnage. In 1839, for Port
Philip 2 vessels, with an amount of 487 tonnage. In 1838,
for South Australia, two vessels with 1082 tonnage ; and in
1839, four vessels, with an amount of 1791 tonnage, In
1839. for Swan River, one vessel, with an amount of 113
tonnage. In 1838, for Hobart Town, five vessels, with an
amount of 1532 tonnage ; and in 1839, four vessels, with an
amount of 1212 tonnage. In 1839, for Lanceston, ono ves-
sel, with an amount of 243 tonnage. In 1858, for Chili, 14
vessels, with an amount of 2397 tonnage ; and in 1839, 95
vessels,.with an amount of 7187 tonnage. In 1838, for Pert,
12 vessels, with an amount of 2931 tonnage ; and in 1839, 19
-Tassels, with au amount of 4133 tonnage.