The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-07 00:00:00

Yours, &c.,

CRITO

RAND SAILING.—The ship Constantine, Captain Winsor,
which left the bar of New Orleans on the Ist December, ar-
rived at this port on Friday morning, after a passage of 33
days. She had strong westerly winds until near the Channel,
when she encountered the prevailing easterly gales. The
Constantine ran 3255 miles in 15 successive days, averaging
217 miles per day ; a very extraordinary run for so many days
successive.

THE TRADE TO THE RIVER PLATE.

We have great pleasure in laying the following do-
cuments before our readers :

TO THE RIGHT HON. VISCOUNT PALMERSTON,

IILR MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, &C. &C. &C.
_ _

The Memorial of the undersigned British Merchants
and Shipowners, and others interested in the
trade to the River Plate, respectfully sets forth,
That their trade with Buenos Ayres has been completely
suspended, during a period of nearly two years, by the block-
ade of that port by a French squadron, which has already
caused them very great loss, and threatens by its continuance
to be most ruinous to British interests.
That a very large amount of British capital is invested in
this trade, which is one of great importance to British com-
mercial and manufacturing industry ; and that the amount of
British capital now locked up in Buenos Ayres is not less
than from a million to a million and a halt' sterling.
That the amount is chiefly invested in the produce of the
country, which, from its perishable nature, has undergone,
and is undergoing, great deterioration, and that the expense
of preserving the same from entire destruction is estimated
at not less than £20,000 monthly.
That a further large amount of British capital, invested in
British manufactures, estimated at not less than one million
sterling, has been interrupted in its transit from Great Britain
to Buenos Ayres, and the greater part deposited for many
months in NI onte Video, thereby incurring a very heavy loss
consequent on lapse of time, deterioration of quality from in-
sufficient means of storage, and heavy expenses, besides loss
of interest ; and that the said goods are quite unsuitable in
their character and assortments for any other market.

That your memorialists had hitherto been buoyed up with
the hope, that the mediation and interference of her Ma-
jesty's government would have been effectual in terminating
the blockade in question, by negociation or otherwise, but
they now fear, from the latest intelligence, that they must •
abandon such hopes, all negociation having hitherto proved
fruitless ; and the proceedings of the French, in the River
Plate, having assumed a more decided character of a deter-
mination not only to enforce the blockade in the most rigor-
ous and vexatious manner, but to aim at a permanent occu-
pation of territory, which compromises the independence of
the States adjoining the River Plate, and threatens the com-
plete extinction of British trade in that important river.
That your Memorialists feel convinced, that any procrasti-
nation in the settlement of this question increases the
difficulty of a satisfactory arrangement, and that to allow
the French to pursue, unchecked, a system of warfare
against the independence of these States, by underhand in-
trigues, and open interference in the internal disputes of
these new States, and by openly assisting with an armed
force on land any partisan whom they can engage in their
cause, is fraught with imminent danger to the independence
of those States, and to British interests.
That as a proof of this it is only necessary to advert to
the recent attack upon and capture of the Island of Martin
Garcia by a French force, under the French flag, though
avowedly as the allies of some native partisan. And it is the
painful duty of your Memorialists now to state, that a
French armed force did, on the 19th day of September, land
at Monte Video, and proceeded to entrench themselves and
to occupy that town, under colour of being the allies of the
then President of the State, but in reality to take part in the
civil war by which his authority was threatened.
That your Memorialists respectfully submit, that should
the validity of such a pretext for the occupation of the terri-
tory of Monte Video be admitted, it is evident that it may
be used to retain possession of Monte Video, so long as the
French may support any partisan of theirs in the nominal
government of that place. And that to allow European
nations to interfere in the civil broils of that country, and,
under the name of allies, to occupy the strongholds, is a
most palpable outrage on their independence, and a violation
of all international law.
That your memorialists are deeply apprehensive for the
safety of the very large amount of British property, now
lying at Monte Video, in consequence of this occupation by
a French ~arrison, seeing that in case the town is besieged
by the national party inimical to the French, and taken by
assault, it may be treated us belonging to an enemy, and sub-
jected to plunder; and your memorialists may, in such case,
have no claim or redress from the government of the coun-
try for the property in the stores of the nominal government,
which, as already said, cannot be less than £1,000,000, and
therefore, they must entreat your lordship will take such
steps as may be necessary to afford suitnble protection to
that property, by directing an adequate force to be sent to
the Plato, to guard and watch over the interests of the sub-
jects of Great Britain.
That your memorialists are led to believe, when the treaty
of peace was made between the Emperor of Brazil and the
United Provinces of the River Plate, in 1828, that the in-
terference and presence of her Britannic Majesty's then
government as mediator in that treaty, did guarantee the due
observance of that clause in the said treaty, by which the
contracting parties stipulated for the complete independence
of the state of Monte Video, and the free and unobstructed
navigation of the waters of the said state, and they would
beg respectfully to call the attention of your lordships to that
part of the said treaty. And they humbly submit, that such
independence of Monte Video, and the navigation of its
waters, are now virtually at an end, through the French oc-
cupation of the said town and port.
Your lordship's memorialists have further to state, that two
American vessels entered one of the ports of the blockaded
state, with cargoes which they discharged, re-loaded and
again sailed, when they were taken possession of and carried
to Monte Video, where the American Commodore interfered,
insisted upon the vessels and cargoes being given up, and
both vessels awl their cargoes were given up accordingly.
With these facts before them, your lordship's memorialists
are most anxious to he informed, what prospect there may
be of a termination to this most prejudicial and destructive
interruption to their trade, and would most respectfully ask,
" If any ne;;ociations are now pending with the French and
Buenos Avrean Governments, and what are likely to be the
results of such negociations, if any are so pending : ' but if all
negociations are broken off, and that the only hope of a re-
newal of commercial intercourse with Buenos Ayres, rests
upon the dilatory proceedings by blockade, or upon the un-
certainty of such military operations as the French have
adopted.
Your lordship's memorialists would then strongly, but re-
spectfully urge, that every influence be used with the French
governments, to inducepermission to be given to British'sub-
jects to bring away from Buenos Ayres such property as shall
be satisfactorily proved belongs to them ; but, should this
reasonable request be refused, it will be evident that the ob-
ject of the French is covertly, and under the shield of inter-
national law, to harass and annoy British merchants and ship-
owners, injure and distress British manufacturers, curtail
British commerce, depress British energy, and generally to
ruin British interests ; and convinced as your lordship's toe,
morialists will then be of the ground that exists for making
these, allegations, strengthened as they are by many occur-
rences of recent date of unprovoked insult on the part of the
French, in various parts of the world, your lordship's memo-
. rialists would then earnestly entreat, that the subject of the
present memorial may be laid before your lordship's honour-
able colleagues in office, whose wisdom, they confidently
hope, will devise such measures as will be supported, in case
of need, by the British parliament and the British people,
which shall put an effectual stop to a course of proceeding
by the French, in the River Plate, which is vitally injurious
to British subjects engaged in that trade, and which, if not
timely arrested, threaten the permanent occupation of both
Monte Video and Buenos Ayres, whereby British commerce
in these ports would be annihilated, British subjects ruined,
L and British interests and British confidence become the sa-
-1 crifice to French intrigue, French injustice, and French
ambition.
And your lordship's memorialists will ever pray.

REPORT OF THE DEPUTATION.
Liverpool, 10th December, 1839.
On Saturday, the 7th instant, Lord Palmerston received
your deputation to a conference.
Your deputation, accompanied by Mr. Cresswell, M.P.,
urged strongly on his lordship the various points touched on
in your memorial ; more especially your deputation pressed
on his lordship's attention and consideration the following
points :—First, that her Majesty's government should use
their influence with that of France, in order, if possible, to
obtain for the subjects of Great Britain permission to send
vessels in ballast into Buenos Ayres, and bring away the
property now there belonging to British subjects. To this
his lordship replied by reading an opinion by the law-officer
of the crown, that it would be inexpedient for her Majesty's
government to ask such a boon. Your deputation then urged
on his lordship their opinion that the law-officer had taken
a false view of the subject, and which, on explanation by your
deputation, his lordship appeared to think he had ; and then
stated to your deputation, that if they would state in writing
on what grounds they conceived such an application could
justly be made, he would again submit the subject to the
consideration of the law-officer of the crown, and, if he
thought the government could with propriety make the
application, it should be done ; but that in all such matters
as that of blockade, the government are obliged to be guided
by the opinion of the law-officers of the crown. The depu-
tation did in consequence draw up ,the following statement,
and sent it to Mr. Cresswell, who has promised to present it
to Lord Palmerston, with a note, as to the legal bearing of
the question, from himself:—
" London, 9111 December, 1839.
" My Lord,—The deputation who on Saturday last bad
the honour of presenting to your lordship a memorial from
merchants, shipowners, and others, of Liverpool, interested
in the trade to the River Plate, praying, among other mat-
ters, that the influence of her Majesty's government might
be used to induce the government of France to grant per-
mission to British subjects to bring away such property as
belongs to them, would now, in support of that prayer, fur-
ther observe,—
" That the produce now existing at Buenos Ayres either
did so exist at the time the blockade of that port was so de-
clared, or has since been received in exchange for manufac-
tured goods which, at the period of the blockade, were held
by British houses.
" That the French admiral commanding the blockading
squadron did allow a certain time for neutral subjects to
carry away their property, and, at their request, granted an
extension of such time ; hut, owing to the few vessels then

in the port, and none -being allowed to enter, a very sma
proportion of such property was, or could be, carried away.
" That, in now asking permission for vessels to enter
Buenos Ayres in ballast to bring away produce, they are not
deviating from the principle upon which a certain time was
originally granted, but merely asking the renewal or exten-
sion of the same principle over a larger space of time,
whereby the injury to neutrals may be diminished : and it
may here be observed, that during the blockade of Mexico,
British subjects were permitted to carry away bullion, the
almost only return from that country for manufactures ;
whilst the application of the same principle to the trade of
Buenos Ayres would justify a permission being given to
bring away hides, hair, &c., such articles being the only
returns from Buenos Ayres.
" That, if permission were now to be granted to British
subjects to bring away their property from Buenos Ayres, it
is maintained that, so far from causing any delay in the at-
tainment of the objects sought by France through the means
of blockade, it would, on the contrary, accelerate it ; for, so
long as a large amount of neutral properey remains at Buenos
Ayres, the Governor Rosas is buoyed up with a firm convic-
tion that neutral nations, and especially Great Britain, will,
for the interest of their own subjects, use their influence with
France to effect a reconciliation upon terms favourable for
Buenos Ayres ; but once permit their property to be brought
away, and the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres would thereby
be deprived of the receipt of almost £20,000 monthly for
storage, labour, &C., in preserving such produce ; which, in
the present state of Buenos Ayres, would be so much felt as
to strengthen the disposition whieh there exists for the re-
establishment of peace with France.
In again bringing this subject under your lordship's
notice, the gentlemen forming the deputation have the ho-
nour to subscribe themselves, with the greatest respect, your
lordship's most obliged and most humble servants,
(Signed) " GEORGE BELEY.
" A. C. DUNLOP.
to the question of your deputation as to whether
" JAMES TYREA."
any negotiations reply
yiations were going on or not between this govern-
ment and that of France on the subject of the blockade, his
lordship stated that there are such negotiations going on,
but at the same time said, that as the result of these negoci-
ations depended on other parties than his own government,
he could not form any decided opinion as to the likelihood
ight lead
unfavourable, and thereby
of the result of these negotiations ; that while be would not
like
hold to you to enter into
operations
cause you
to blame him, at the same time he would not say
w outich might
ghhtotpuersn a
outsm
what might discourage your entering into such operations as
such
might turn out profitable ; and that, having so premised it,
he might however say, he did think that now there was more
chance of a speedy arrangement than he had hitherto seen.

In reply to your deputation's request that more naval force
might be sent to the Plata for the protection of British in-
terests there, his lordship said that the admiralty had given
orders in November for the British commodore at Rio to
proceed from that with a frigate to Monte Video; and his
lordship assured your deputation also that the French go-
vernnaent had sent out a new agent authorised to treat re-
gardinw the subjects in dispute (Admiral Duportail), and
that her Majesty's government had sent Mr. Mandeville
instructions to do all in his power to assist in the arrange-
ment of the differences.

Your deputation~ have to express their sense of the kind
and'careful attention which was given to the objects of your
memotial by Mr. Cresswell, who devoted considerable time
and trouble to make himself master of- the subject, so as to
enable him to lay it forcibly before Lord Palmerston, which
,he certainly did.
Your deputation have also to acknowledge the assistance
they received from Mr. W. P. Robertson, who accompanied
them to Lord Palmerston.

Liverpool, 26th December, 1839.
Your deputation have now to inform you, that a final
answer has been received from Lord Palmerston, dated the
21st instant, wherein his lordship states. " that he has re-
ferred to the proper law-officers of the crown our letter of
the 9th instant ; but as, by the general law of nations, ves-
sels are not allowed to come out of a blockaded port with
cargo unless such cargo was on board before the commence-
ment of the blockade, his lordship is of opinion that her
Majesty's government is not entitled to make the proposed
application, and that such application, if made, might furnish
an inconvenient .precedent against Great Britain at a future
time of war."

Your deputation have thus done everything in their power,
and have only to regret that the result is not more satisfac-
tory.

THE LIVER THEATRE.—The engagement of Mrs. Way-
lett terminates on Friday next, when we perceive she will
take her benefit. There is no vocalist on the stage who sur-
passes Mrs. Waylett in ballad singing, and as an actress she
possesses superior claims. We beg the attention of our read-
ers to the advertisement.

SERMON TO TILE Jaws.—We understand that a sermon will
be preached at St. Simon's Church, Sir Thomas's Buildings,
on• Friday evening next, by the Rev. H. S. Joseph, after
which there will be /I public baptism of one of the Jewish
brethren. The sermon will, we believe, be especially addressed
to " the Children of the House of Israel."

BAZAAR FOR Sr. SAVIOUR'S CIIURCH.—We perceive that
a bazaar, iu aid of the funds for erecting St. Saviour's Church,
Falkner-Street, Windsor, will be held in the Savings' Bank,
Bold-street, this day and the two following days. This ba-
zaar is held under the distinguishedpatronage of her Majesty
the Queen Dowager, Lady Frances Sandon, Lady Skelmers-
dale, Lady Anne Wilbraham, the Hon. Mrs. Bootle Wil-
braham, Viscountess Canning, Mrs. Wilson Patten, Mrs.
Hugh Hornby and Mrs. Sherbourne. We understand that
a great number of very curious and costly articles have been
contributed for the occasion; and we earnestly hope that the
sales will prove as productive as the bazaar will be attractive.
DEATH OF GEORGE IRLAM, ESQ.—It is our painful task
to announce the death of Mr. Irlam, of the long-established.
firm (in the West India trade) of Barton, Irlam and Higgin-
son, of this town and Barbadoes. The event took place, as
we learn, at an early hour on Sunday morning, after a very
short illness, an attack of gout having reached the stomach.
Mr. Irlam was highly respected, both as a merchant and a
private gentleman ; and being a member of the Dock Com-
mittee, ,the vessels in the port, in respect to his memory,
yesterday hoisted their colours half-mast high. The deceas-
ed, who was in the prime of life, had the misfortune to lose
his lady only a few weeks ago.
ALARMING FIRE AT BIRKENHEAD.—Yesterday, about
noon, a fire of a very alarming description broke out in some
stables at the rear of the houses in Front Chester-street, the
property of Mr. Davis, livery-stable keeper. It appears that a
stove had recently been erected in the workshop of a tailor
adjoining, which heated the bricks of the party-wall to such a
degree as to set fire to the hay deposited in the lofts, when,
but for the very prompt rssistance rendered by Mr. Palmer,
the special high constable for the Hundred of Wirral, and his
assistants, the whole range of buildings forming Front Ches-
ter-street, must have been destroyed. The engine belonging
to the Norwich Union Fire Office was speedily on the spot,
and under the able superintendence of Mr. Palmer, was so
effectually used, that, in a short time the devouring element
was subdued, and the damage confined entirely to the premi-
ses of Mr. Davis, which are, together with the stock, greatly
damaged. Much praise is due to the whole of the neigh.
hours in procuring water. We are informed the stock and
premises are insured to the amount of the loss sustained.
THE " LIVERPOOL" STEAM-SHIP.—NO tidings of this
long-expected vessel have yet reached us, and as the last
advices from New York are dated the sth ult., the anxiety for
her arrival and that of the packet-ship Independence con-
tinues hourly to increase. The President's Message, and
the general mercantile news from the States are looked for
with as great avidity as was the news from British America
during the insurrectionary movements in our colonies there.
A rumour has found its way into the London papers, that
the Liverpool would not sail from New York until the 20th.
For this there is, we believe, no foundation; but had she even
been detained until that day, she might he expected here
daily. The weather has been more severe in the channel
than on shore for some days. The Hercules, steamer, from
Cork, and William Penn, steamer, from 'Waterford, both of
which arrived on Sunday night, experienced severe gales from
the S.E. The Stephen Whitney, from New York, is also
due, as well as the Liverpool and the Independence.

LIVERPOOL BEEF-STEAK CLU B.—The encouragement
held out to the musical profession, by the prizes given an-
nually for the best glees by this excellent club, has this year
brought forth twenty-two compositions, most of them
written with considerable talent. The successful competi-
tors were,---Mr. G. Holden, our talented townsman, organist
of St. George's Church, who obtained the first prize, a gold
medal, for a glee for three equal voices; and Mr. Chinne,
'organist of St. Thomas's Church, the second prize of C2O,
for a•quartett, with pianoforte accompaniment. The prizes
were apportioned on Saturday evening last, at the Adelphi
llotel, the glees being sung by members of the Apollo Catch
and Glee Club; whose performance fully maintained the
celebrity of this long-standing glee club. During the even-
ing the Father of, the Apollo Club was presented with a
beautifully-embossed silver snuff-box, w ith the following
inscription, which- speaks for itself, and requires no further
eulogy :—" Presented to Thomas Holden, Father of the
Apollo Club, by the members of the Liverpool Beef-steak
Club, as a small token of their respect and esteem.—Jan. 4,
1840."

INnuicsT.--Yeaterday, an inquest was held before P. F.
Curry, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of Peter MlLellan.
'Richard Lloyd said—" I em a watchman at the dock-yard in
Trentham-street. The deceased, whose name was "Peter
M'Lellan, was
_, a watchman there also. My station is at the
gate in Trentham-strect, and the deceased was stationed at

file bottom of the yard,' near the river. We both went on
duty at six o'clock last night. The deceased was then well
and merry. Ile remained with use about a quarter of an
hour, and then went away. There is a wooden cot at each
end of the yard for us to go in. About twelve o'clock last
night I went to the bottom of the yard, and saw the deceased
sitting in his cot, apparently asleep. I shook him, and said,
" Peter, are you asleep ?" The deceased gave me no answer,
and I then put my hand on one side, and lifted him up, and
found him quite helpless. I thought the deceased was in a
fit, and I laid him down in the time-office, and went and
called a police-officer, and we laid the deceased before the
fire, and the officer went for a surgeon, and I remained with
the deceased. The last time 1 saw him alive was when he
left me at six o'clock last night." John Teggison being
sworn, said—he was called by the last witness at the hour
stated, and foung the deceased as described by him. They
placed him before the fire, and witness went for a surgeon,
who came with him and bled the deceased, who was warm
when he (witness) first saw him. The inquest was then ad-
journed to this day, in order that apost mortem examination
may take place.
TUE IMPROVED PATENT OLMSTED AIR STOVE.—We
have had great pleasure in inspecting a number of elegant
specimens of this stove, the invention Professor Olmsted,
of Yale College, in North America, where they have been
been most successfully brought into use. So highly has the
invention been appreciated in America, that Joint Stock
Companies have been established to extend amongst the
general community the comfort and convenience they dif-
fuse wherever applied. They are adapted for the effectual
warming with pure air, every kind of building or apartment,
from the spacious church to the family parlour. These
stoves are also, from the neatness of their construction,
highly ornamental. They are of two forms, the double pillar
or treble pillar stove, each pillar being circular, a few inches
apart from each other, and connected by a small flue or short
length of stove pipe. In one of the pillars, (which are of
polished malleable iron) is the furnace, which is so con-
structed that all danger of accident from fire is abated, and
no ashes can escape, The other pillar, in a double pillar
stove, or the other two in a treble one, are " radiators"
through a casing or lining, in which the hot air passes from
the furnace, and is radiated in all directions; while through
a wide aperture or open pipe, forming the interior of the eas•
ing, or concentric cylinder, and open to the ground below, as
well as above, the cold air in the chamber or building where
the stove may be situated, is drawn up, heated in its passage,
and finally diffused throughout the apartment. In the treble
pillar stove, the centre pillar forms the furnace, and the
two others " radiators." An even temperature may be kept
up, and the consumption of fuel is very small. A constant,
equal, and healthy temperature may, without the slightest
danger, be kept up by these stoves, even in a sleeping apart-
ment in the night. They may be obtained of any size, so
as to heat small or large rooms or buildings, all that is requi-
site to determine it, being to supply the number of cubic
feet to be warmed. They may be fitted either with ascending
or descending flues. The sole agents for Liverpool are
Messrs. Betteley and Higgs, of 41, South Castle-street,
where an extensive stock of them may be seen, and one of
them in full operation.
THE ROYAL CORONATION Picamaz.—We understand
that the splendid engraving from the magnificent Picture of
the Coronation, painted by George Hayter, Esq., her Ma-
jesty's historical and portrait painter, will be on view after
to-morrow, at the establishment of Mr. W. Burland, in
Church-street. The London Journals speak in the highest
possible terms of this authentic memorial of the most in-
teresting event in her Majesty's reign.—See advertisement.
" BRIM? MANUAL OP PRACTICAL PIETY,"—We have
just perused a little volume, entitled, " A Brief Manual of
Practical Piety," pu'lislied by L. and G. Seeley, London,
which has been submitted to our inspection—and so satisfied
are we that this little book really is what the title sets forth,
that we cordially. recommend it to the heads of families, as a
valuable addition to the various helps already offered to
Christians, young or old, in their warfare against the world,
the flesh, and the devil. To use the words of a clergyman
of this town, " the advices given are brief but comprehen-
sive, the portions of scripture wisely chosen, and the selec-
tions of sacred poetry peculiarly appropriate ; in a word, the
little book shows the author to be a man of much taste, kind-
ness of heart, and Christian experience."
MISS WHITNALL'S CONCERT.—Miss Whitnall's annual
concert, which took place in the Templars' Hall, on Friday
evening, was attended by a numerous and highly respectable
auditory. The Mayor's and several leading families were
present. Miss Whitnall, Mr. Templeton, and the other
vocalists sang admirably, and Mr. Brown, if we may so
speak, surpassed himself upon that delightful instrument,
the flute, Mr. Ga' ayes, the pianist, did not, from some
cause, appear, and by way of compensating for his absence,
Mr. Templeton sang " Black Eyed Susan„" which was
loudly applauded. The entire performance went off exceed-
ingly well, and the manner in which the. auditory manifested
their opinion of it, must have been highly gratifying to the
feelings of Miss Whitnalj,
Tup GREAT Sroltat.---This day is the anniversai 5, of the
great storm, of 1839, by which so much devastation was
caused, not only on the coast adjoining Liverpool, but in
Manchester and many other inland towns. The loss of life
was terrific. In the shape of shipwrecks and accidents, no
greater desolation has occurred in these islands during the
present generation. From our report of the Sessions it will
be seen that the Recorder alluded to the storm, and also to
the valuable charity which it was the means of establishing
in this town. Whilst upon this subject, we may take the
opportunity of recommending that institution to the ma.,
pathy and support of our fellow-townsmen and the public.
MINISTERIAL SCREMING.—The opinion
gains
ground
that parliament will be dissolved shortly afterthe marriage
of her majesty, and that the ministry will take advantage
of
the enthusiasm caused by that event to make an appeal to
the country. It is also stated that the repeal of the corn
laws and the ballot will be thrown out as " tubs to the
whale," and that under the combined influences of these
'moral and elevated motives, the Whigs will risk their last
chance upon a general election.—Olargoll. Courier.

DREADFUL FIRE IN PETER-STREET, AND
LOSS OF LIFE.

Yesterday morning, about half-past one o'clock, an alarm
of fire proceeded from the house No. 20, in Peter-street, a
street leading northward from Whitechapel. Many of the
neighbours speedily rose from their beds, and found the mid-
dle portion of the house, particularly at the back, to be on
tire, and the flames rapidly gaining a fearful ascendancy.
Every possible exertion was made to assist the inmates, all
of whom slept up stairs; and the fire-police and engines,
under the able superintendence of Mr. Whitt, were soon
brought to the ground, and were effectively employed in sub-
duing the fire; but we regret to say that out of nine indivi-
duals, one (an old man) lost his life, at an early part of the
conflagration, and several other persons were seriously in-
jured, in escaping from the flames, by dropping from the
middle and also the upper window into the street.

As the particulars that transpired at the inquest related
exclusively to the death of the'deceased, we have visited the
spot, and`obtained some additional information relative to
the fire, and the destitute condition to which it has reduced
the survivors, whose case has already excited much commi-
seration amongst the humble neighbours, and is, it appears
to us, worthy of the humane consideration of a benevolent
public.
The house is of the small cottage description, of three sto-
ries in height, and two rooms in each flat. It is tenanted
by a poor aged widow, named Elizabeth Lee, whose principal
support was in letting several of the rooms to lodgers. There
lived in the house at the time a young man and woman,
James and Jane Lee, the son and daughter of the tenant ;
George Moss, a tailor, his wife and two children, who inha-
bited the front room on the first floor; Robert Gooch, a
young man, who, with James Lee, slept in one of the attics;
and George Hodgson, the deceased, also a tailor, who occu-
pied the back room on the first floor; making, with Mrs.
Lee, nine in all. Mrs. Lee and her daughter slept in the
attic over the deceased's room. The former and the deceas-
ed were the last who were up in the house, and went up
stairs together, to go to their beds, about half-past cloven
o'clock on the previous night (Sunday), the landlady, Mrs.
Lee, giving the deceased a light. In what manner the fire
originated cannot be ascertained ; but the probability is that
the deceased, who was somewhat infirm, (he being 78 years
of age,) had, by leaving the candle burning, or some
other means, ignited the bed curtains, or some combustible
matter in the room, and that he was suffocated and burnt
before he could, in his confusion and terror, make his escape.
George Moss, who slept in the next room with his family,
was first awakened by a strong smell of fire and a smothering
smoke, and when he opened the door, he saw the deceased's
room on fire. and the door nearly burnt away. He gave the
alarm, and Mrs. Lee and her daughter escaped down stairs
in almost a state of nudity. He did not see the deceased,
who, it is probable, was at the time either suffocated or in a
state of insensibility. His first care was, if possible, to secure
the safety of his family, and as the stairs were now burning
fiercely, his only resource was to open the window of his own
room, facing the street, and successively to drop from it his
wife, his two children, and finally himself. The wife and
children were but slightly injured ; but the poor mat himself,
who appears to be in a very feeble state of health, was so
much bruised, that he could with difficulty walk to the coro-
ner's office. The two lodgers in the front attic, James Lee
and Robert Gooch, were still more unfortunate. Finding no
means of escape by the narrow stairs, which was now partly
burnt away, they had no alternative but to drop from the
window of their room in the third story, upon the flagged
footwalk below ; and both were so severely injured, that
they were shortly afterwards conveyed to the Infir-
mary. Lee had his ancles and feet much hurt from the
fall ; and Gooch sustained a dreadful wound in the head,
from which he may not easily recover. The most kind and
humane attention was paid to them by Mr. \Vhitty, whose
active and considerate conduct throughout is spoken of by
all present as being beyond all praise. He was on the spot
amongst the first when the alarm was given, and remained
until all was done that could be accomplished at the time for
the sufferers. Mr. Inspector Morley was also very active.
The other officers and firemen, too, exerted themselves to the
utmost. The neighbours lent all the aid they could ; their
cry before the escape of poor Moss's family being still
" Save the poor woman ! Save the children!' One man,
named Byrne, ascended by a ladder to the top window, in
hopes of saving the deceased, and did not relinquish his en-
deavours until his hair was singed by the flames.
Two engines were brought up, and one of them was almost
immediately put in play. The other was also soon in ready-
ness, and though the four upper rooms and the staircase were
on fire, and the back of the premises, where the flames were
thimost intense, difficult of access, the conflagration was en-
tirely subdued in about three-quarters of an hour. The in-
terior of the house, after dawn, presented a scene of wreck
and demolition that could only have been slightly increased
by the falling in of the roof. The lower apartments are
flagged, and the floors were covered with fallen rubbish,
pieces of charred timber, remnants of burnt clothing, &c.,
all in a state of humidity from the water necessarily injected
by the engines. There were numerous holes burnt in the
floor above the back apartment, through which the greater
portion of this accumulation had fallen. The smell of burn-
ing was exceedingly strong. The damage to the house is,
that the two upper back rooms are burnt out with the excep-
tion of small portions of the floors, the beams of which in the
attic are completely charred. The upper staircase and the
two front rooms are also partially burnt, and the bedding,
clothing, &c., of the inmates completely destroyed.
The most lamentable portion of the narrative remains. In

the back bedroom of the first floor (which was so much
burnt that the jury could only ascend a few at a time), lay,
amongst the rubbish, charcoal, and tinder caused by the
combustion, the remains of the unfortunate deceased,
through whose culpable carelessness or infirmity the acci-
dent had taken place. The spectacle was one which we have
no desire to dwell upon, and a few words will suffice in no-
ticing it. The deceased was literally burnt to a cinder. What
remained of a rather stout and corpulent man was little more
than a mere skeleton, in an imperfect state, and in a reclining
position, with the face portion upwards. The right side of
the skull was burnt off, and a portion of the brain was seen.
The ribs were visible ; the bones of the thighs and legs ex-
posed, and apparently calcined by the fire; and what adhered
to the skeleton generally was reduced to dark and unshapely
lumps. The bedstead, within about two yards of the de-
ceased, was so consumed that only a small portion of the
stocks and posts remained, reduced to slender rods of char-
coal.

The jury having viewed the body, the sight of which ex-
cited the most painful feelings, they returned to the Inquest-
room, in Orrell's-court, when the following evidence was
given before Mr. Curry :
Elizabeth Lee; being sworn, said—l am a widow, and keep
a lodging-house, No. 20, Peter's-street. The deceased,
whose name was George Hodgson, lodged with me. He was
78 years old. The deceased was a tailor, and used frequently
to work in his bed-room. He had lodged with me for eleven
years back. Yesterday evening the deceased went to bed
about half-past eleven o'clock. He was quite sober at the
time. We both went up stairs to bed at .the same time.
About half-past one o'clock this morning I was awakened by
the cries of tire. I got up immediately, and went into the
street. I used to sleep in the room over the deceased's bed-
room. On coming down stairs, after the cry of fire, I ob-
served the room where the deceased slept all on fire. I did
not see the deceased, nor did 1 observe the bed, as it was
placed in the corner of the room. Several people endea-
voured to go into the house, for the purpose of saving the
deceased, but they were not able to get in for fire and smoke.
The deceased was a little infirm, but was able to go about
very well. A fire had been burning all day in the room
where the deceased slept, but it had gone out before we went
to bed, and I gave the deceased a light as I went up stairs.
George Moss said—l am a tailor, and lodge in the house
of the last witness. I occupy the front room on the first
floor, and the geeeased occupied the back room on the same
floor, and which is close to mine. Last night, about half-
past eight o'clock, my wife and I went to bed. The deceased
was not then in the house. About half-past one o'clock this
morning I was awoke by a strong smell of fire. The room
was full of smoke. I immediately got up, and, on opening
the door, I found the room where the deceased slept was on
tire, and the door nearly burnt away. I opened the window
of my room, and threw the children out into the street. I
alarmed the first witness, and she got up, and I shouted out
" fire" as loud as I could. I did not observe the deceased
or any one else in the room. The fire-engines came, and
the tire was put out in about three-quarters of an hour.
The last time I saw the deceased alive was yesterday morn-
ing. I have seen the remains of the body in the room since,
but they are so much burnt that it is impossible to recognize
them. I have no doubt that the body is that of the deceased.
This being all the evidence adduced, the Coroner stated,
as the body could not be recognized, though the last witness
had stated his belief that it was that of George Hodson—no
other person inhabiting the room—the only verdict they
could return would be to the effect, that, the house had taken
fire, and was burnt, and the deceased along with it, but how
or in what manner the fire had originated there was no eyi,
deuce to show.
The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO MINERS.—A most splendid disco-
very has, within the last few days, been made in the mining
district near Mold, by a company chiefly composed of Liver-
pool gentlemen, from which they have every prospect of not
only regaining the heavy outlay which they have been at,
but of realising enormous profits; the oldest miners in the
neighbourhood- feeling confident that it will fully equal Pot
Hole or Maes Safn, the ore, already obtained, being of the
finest quality.

VULCAN LODGE ON ASSOCIATED SMITIIS.—The National
Associated Smiths of the Vulcan Lodge, Liverpool, held
their annual festival on New-Year's day, at the long room
of Mrs. Cunningham, Grapes Inn, Great Charlotte-street,
when, after the cloth was removed, an appropriate address
was delivered by the chairman, with suitable remarks on the
rise and progress of the society, principally alluding to the
good moral conduct displayed by the members, and conclu-
ding with a wish to have the principles of the society more
universally extended. After the address, several toasts were
given, with songs, Dancing commenced, and was kept
up with great spirit until a late hour, when the whole com-
pany separated highly delighted with the evening's entertain-
inent.

PROGRESS OF THE Cnuncit.--Among the many cheering
signs of the times, which are almost daily presenting them-
selves to our notice, there are none more remarkable than
the increasing love in the people of this country for our ex-
cellent church establishment ; and we have much satisfaction
in recording an instance of this description in our own imme-
diate neighbourhood. The delightful village of Wavertree is
too well known to the inhabitants of the " good old town"
to need our aid in description. We, therefore, without fur-
ther ceremony, mention the propitious manner in which the
new year commenced in that village, by the opening of a
chapel for the service of the Church of England.or the
success of this undertaking the natives are indebted to the
persevering zeal of the Rev. William Badnall, their resident
minister. The want of church accommodation had for some
time been felt; and to supply this want, the rev. gentleman
took, and fitted up, on his own responsibility, the chapel
lately occupied by the Wesleyan Methodists, but now con-
verted, by license from the Bishop of Chester, into a church.
When this circumstance became known to the villagers, the
seats and sittings were eagerly sought after, and before the
chapel was finished, every sitting was taken by the industri-
ous poor, and had there been more than double the present
number, they would not have met the anxious demand. The
lower part of the chapel is let in single sittings, at 2s. each
per year, and the gallery in pews, not one of which remain
unlet. This is very satisfactory, end clearly proves, that if
increased accommodation is supplied, the result must be fa-
vourable to our truly scriptural church. On Wednesday
sermons were preached in the morning by the Rev. Mr.
Stafford, An din
d n the evening by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, from
Cliildwell. After both sermons collections were made in aid
of the church, to the amount of 427 10s. 21d. Although
this .sum may be considered handsome by those who know
n
the congregation to be composed of individuals who obtain
their living by manual labour, it is very far short of the sum
wanted to clear their minister from his responsibilities
his
that account. We may therefore venture to hope, that
more wealthy hearers will not forget that they
mercantile
these
ap p
wy children,
eicfl
saodohtnrr
gacensenhota,
st,
character,
im-
portant duty to discharge, and will, to utsee
aerv.ces the
phrase, " hold him harmless." between the '
partook of a
boys of the National Church of England s
udding, given to
ail. an im-
haqdForne supply of roast beef and pollu.mfbis day will long
them by the SubScribers to the school. This
parents must
1 it'ai'lriltsyh "that
accountagrokoedd
in their scriptural
be remembered by
find that their best friends ono
toeecsreu,
education, which is of the soundest
will to man" which ancient custom_
the language of the Rev. Mr. Wilson
for this period of the year.
better than by
the congregation, said, " May the'
who, when addressing
with
excellent minister health to see his
Almighty bless your
dwith success, and ma he
using
labours crowns . _ .
Jesus,, y reap, in your de-
d in Christ a plentiful reward."
votedness to Go ~