The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-01 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER

PHILHARMONIC HALL.
GRAND SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT.
lENDELSSOHN'S WALPURGIS NIGHT.
THIS EVENING (TUESDAY), Nov. IsT.
CHARTER LEFORE EIGHT. [See AIM.]

Riberpoot

FR0.31 OUR LONDON C9RRE,PONDENT.

MONI,It MORNING.
A FEE words will di,-.1) osc,‘ of the Eastern question this
week. There seems to be no doubt that there has been a
"set-to" between the Russian and the Turk, near the fort
of Isaktchi, on the right bank of the Danube. In
Downing-street, on Saturday night, it was stated that
hostilities had ceased. These few words embrace all that

can be said—profitably—on the subject.
Some not uninteresting gossip has been held, within the
last two or three days, on the same subject, at two very
different places—the University Club-house, where, if you
have a brother-in-law a clergyman, as I have, you are safe
for pullet and cream—the other place the office of Mr.
Timms, the Solicitor to the Income Tax Commission ers.
T. himself is as good a creature as his very obnoxious po-
sition will allow him to be ; in short, his " bark is worse
than his bite," which is a great blessing to those who get
behind in the payment of their income tax. Not that I
want to propitiate T. ; my " withers are unwrung." Pay
your taxes-e-not from any love of the thing —the moment
they are due : it saves worry ; for paid, in the long run,
they must be. T.'s clerks are shrewd fellows, in the snug
part of Somerset-house. Our friends in the University
Club are, for the most part, quiet gentlemen from the
classic banks of the Isis and the Cam. The subject has
been the " verdant" letter of Dr. CANTWELL, called the
" Bishop of Meath" by Roman Catholics, and the still
more verdant and sappy" opinion of POLLARD URQU-
HART, M.P., on CANTWELL'S income tax non-liability.
Some bibliopoles of the club, more versed in Greek and the
writings of the primitive fathers than the construction,
misconstruction, appreciation, signification, and so forth
of an act of parliament, think the government has got in a
" fix," a " cleft stick." So do not the boys at Somerset-
house I The first words in the income tax schedule served
on the Rev. J. CANTWELL—" Bishop of Meath," as he
allows himself to be addressed when seated in his frowsy
library chair—are -
- Income? from the Trade of ------
Carried on by me at
From the Profession of ---
Exercised by me at
From the Employment or Vocation of —."
The first is answered thus :—" An Irish priest." The
others follow in the same manlier. Here is no infraction
of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, "The Bishop" is entered
in the Government books as the Rev. J. CANTWELL, Meath,
Ireland, by which he has been served. There cannot be a
mistake here. Nor does the Government stop to enquire
whether Lichen M.D., P.Q.R., et S.P.Q.R., with hid curi-
ouly-made and daintily.mounted carriage, piebalds, and
, is a real M.D. under the wing of that great stomach
curator, Dr. Paurs, President of the Physicians • • ' College
.
No ; the legal adviser of the Income Tax Commissioners
says—", Lichen,ichen, what's your income ?" " Doo Dousand,"
—do I believe von This suits Lichen's purpose ; it
looks well to be rated so high Lichen pays as a regular
practitioner. It is very soft for r J. CANTWELL to affect
to lay the flattering unction to his soul, thus—" the
only income which I receive is derived from the title of
the Bishop of Meath, which the government official in his
notice does not recognise." Of course not. Then Mr.
POLLARD URQUHART. M.P., seeing the lion in the way,
confesses that be is " unable to propound any solution of
the difficulty, and, indeed, I think it would require a very
wise man to do so." The Rev. J. CANTWELL is rated the
Rev. J. CANTWELL, and pays " as sick," mid he knows it
He is not so " verdant " by half as he would have POLLARD
URQUIIART imagine.
Whether diploraaticinterference is a means of procuring
religious tolerance and equality in countries deprived of
that essential element of true civilisation, and one which
should be resorted to in preference to the moral influence
of good example, and the gradual dissemination of
liberal sentiments, is a question which would appear to be
still very imperfectly understood. The incidents which
led to the imprisonment of Miss CUNNINGHAME, in Tus-
cany, under the operation of an absurd law, are still
fresh in the minds of the public of this country, as are
also the circumstances of her release. It is not long since
I communicated to you the endeavours—the successful
endeavours, too—which were made in this country to in-
terest the government in her behalf; and connecting the
fact of her release with the representations that were
made by our own government to that of Tuscany, it would
not be straining them too much to infer that these pro-
ceedings occupy, with respect to each other, the relation
of cause and effect. To most persons, on the first blush
of reflection, it might appear desirable that this should
be so. National pride is gratified at the paramount power
we exercise abroad and we are able to boast of forcing
toleration on unwilling and bigoted princes. On cooler
reflection, however we must feel a higher degree of satis-
faction in the consciousness that these silly abuses of
power are spontaneously corrected by those from whom
they emanated. I am induced to suggest this considera-
tion, in consequence of the answers returned by Lord
CLARENDON, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to a depu-
tation of the Evangelical Alliance, who waited upon his
lordship, chiefly to direct, his attention to persecutions at
present raging in Sweden, under the auspices of the
Lutheran Church established in that country ; and took
occasion to thank his lordship for his prompt and efficient
exertions on behalf of Miss CITNNINGHAME. In the ad-
dress of Sir CULLING EARDLET, the desire was mani-
fested to ascertain the fact, that the liberation of Miss
CUNNINGRANIE was due to the interference of our govern-
ment, as it was not supposed that Lord CLARENDON'S
despatch could have reached in time to, procure her libera-
tion on the day on which it took place. This doubt was
confirmed by his lordship,who said that the despatch came
too late ; but that the view of the British Government was,
nevertheless, communicated to the GRAND DUKE. His
lordship added, that he had great reason to doubt whether
the incarceration of MissCUNNINGIIAME was instigated by
theGRAND DUKE ;but, however that might be, his minister
bad rendered Mr. SCA.RLETT every assistance in his power,
in the furtherance of his wishes, and Miss CUNNINGIIIME
herself admitted, that, apart from her imprisonment, she
had no harsh treatment to complain of. But, as to the
main point, Lord CLARENDON emphatically said that he
was quite unable to declare what were the motives that
had weighed with the GRAND DUKE in liberating her.
Upon the whole, therofore, much as we may deplore the
existence of such a harsh and absurd law, its exercise ap-
pears to have been of the most mitigated
character ; and,
taken in conjunction with the fact that that law, however
harsh or absurd, had been broken, the conduct of the
Tuscan Government appears under a more favourable
aspect. The persecutions in Sweden were described by
Dr. STELNE, upon the authority of the branch of the
Alliance in Sweden, and certain ladies in that country
were the subject of the oppression complained of. It
seems that the substance of the coercionof is this :—Certain
members of the Lutheran Church hold religions meetings
among themselves, which are illegal unless headed by the
pastor of the district, within the church, and in canonical
hours. The violation of this law is visited by fine and
imprisonment, bread and water diet, exile for three or five
years, and for a third offence transportation. A Baptist
and a Roman Catholic had suffered a sentence of transpor-
tation for life. As regards the Baptists, whose creed is
that baptism can only take place upon a personal confes-
sion of faith, they refuse to take their children to the
font, and so the police come and take them away from
their mothers' arms. They are then baptized, and the
Parents fined for not doing so voluntarily. Their goods
are confiscated, and a cow is sometimes sold to defray the
expenses of the baptism and seizure. Marriage cannot be
contracted without a certificate of good character being
produced by each party from the clergyman of the dis-
trict. These cases of oppression had recently increased
very considerably in number, and in one village no fewer
than sixty peasants had been fined 30s. each, a consider-
able sum for peasantry worse off than our own. The
object of the deputation was to know whether it was com-
petent to the Alliance to present a petition to the Swedish
Diet now about to assemble and, if so, whether the Govern-
ment would take it up. Lord CLARENDON undertook to
make inquiries, and to assist the deputation if he could.
He was glad there was an authority to refer to, as he had
been some time before entrusted with petitions complain-
ing of oppressions in Denmark, Hanover, and Wurtem-
berg, which turned out to be quite unfounded.
Another great man has passed away from among us ;
made great by himself—still keeping in mind the beautiful
words of SRAKSPERE—

"There's a divinity doth shape our ends,
Rough hew them as we may."
Somewhere about the beginning of thepresent century there
was a Young man in Lonon, by name WILLIAM BETHAII,
of good name and family; his father was rector of a parish
in the apple county of Hereford, descended from the
BETIIAMS of Betham, in another beautiful county of Eng-
land—the Lake one—Westmoreland. WILLIE BETTIA.II
was located in London—doing nothing—could do nothing
—yes—one thing. A friend mentioned his name to another
friend, who could push the unemployed lad on a little in
the way of finding work. The twain called at BETITAM'S
humble, though high abode—first floor down the chimney
it may have been, as rough city wits characterise the attic.
Never mind. " What can you do, young man ?" " Don't
know;" half a dozen questions individualised were put, the
lad answered frankly in the negative. There was a slip of
paper before the youth. What's that ?" He was amusing
himself, he said; the scrap had drawn on it a nice bit of
fleraulderie,-11 gentleman's study, but when one is given
!,00 much to it, it is as bad as chess for swallowing time.
Tempus edax rerum"—stuff ! Many a fine week's lite-
rary work has been spoilt by one game at chess. Shade of
Lady BLESSINGTON, you may be cognisant of the fact !
tieraulderie—llike to give the French—is that science
teaching how to blazon, or explain, all that belongs to coats
of alms public ceremonies, and so forth ; as also how to
marshal them properly. The patron looked at the sketch,
knew something of the science himself, and what was
better, knew a friend in that droll house of motley, not far
tom Doctors' Commons—the Herald's Office. He chewed
he scrap ; it was liked ; the men of the escocheon and
tabard wanted somebody of the sort, who could do the like.
The lad BETITAII was engaged, and, after the lapse of half
it_cellturY, died Ulster-King-at-Arms of all Ireland;
Keeper Attendant on the glorious order of St. Patrick ;
.11'!ePer of the Records in the Castle of Dublin—which dare
Cy be published for many a long year—yea, the boy I
thee_ s° described, died on last Wednesday morning ;—in
ct of shaving, I am told, he dropped down, and in-
ty.,,expired.
irkArltr!i, Strike Home" is the title of one of the most
/41.1441,1,1ri1zg compositions ever put together, or sung by
at tTz• Poor HENRY PURCELL, the author thereof,
,IXauluieearly Shall 37 years—fatal, apparently, to
i itj 11,414,,na• I name two? MOZART and BEL-
Iltu"l_7RY PURCELL'S " Strike" is not the one I
loos Ze'! latelynice• The papers have been teeming with
at the p7'c'eikes of bakers, butchers, and—oh, me !
linters, 'I reports—blackguards •; strikes of car-
d' Ila
lame/law, "coy funvforsri, and coal miners too, the last
strikes of y per cent, more for our " black
e fore •—strikes of smiths and snobs ;
Curious Maul' 'armtio!lr- ear4rs, of masons and milliners,
bat of all the strikes in this striking

world, the last is most noteable—most pitiable. I refer to
the strike of the barbers of the metropolis. These be
divided into several classes ; two or three of them altogether
original. They are naturalists, fond of the nurtnre andadmo-
nition of birds; others are botanists, a study in some sort
connected with the food of birds ; all are politicians, chiefly
radical, but, if a real treat is required, it is to be found at the
dramatic barber's establishment,; he's the lad for gossip
some such you find in the neighbourhood of all t heat res, easily
distinguishable by the droll display of all sorts of wigs in
the window, the black scrag for Jack Sheppard, the
carrotty for the countryman, the full-bottomed for
Peachum and Lockitt, rather looking up at present, the
gray wiry one, bald all the way back for the senator, going
out since BROOKE went to Liverpool, and so on. No
trade in the metropolis presents such a contrast as do next
door neighbours among the barbers' brotherhood. The
Parisian artist, redolent of a thousand perfumes (mille-
fleurs) without asking you a question, cuts your hair ac-
cording to his own view of your contour • if you happen
to wear your hat jauntily, a little on side, as some silly
young men venture to do, the whim is humoured by the
artist, who will not touch a hair on the "off side." For
such a crop half-a-crown is the fee. Next door or oppo-
site you have a poor Irishman trying his hand—nothing
new—at "cutting and reaping."—Shave for a ha'penny;
hair cut for a penny. A lot of little better than the
latter had a meeting the other night, at which methought
they lamented rather lugubriously their degraded posi-
tion : (sic said all of them) ; they had taken the QUEEN'S
lieges by the nose from five in the morning till midnight,
sometimes all Sunday ; the tariff likewise was much below
the mark of respectability and remuneration. Well, they
resolved, and rationally resolved, upon a small advance, a
mere fractional part of a penny upon the price of their
labours. It is the smallest strike on record. They com-
plain much of ladies' maids and valets • in these the
British barber has himself to blame ; the goose and the
golden eggs.—lf a barber must needs take five guineas for
teaching a valet to curl, he can't expect to have the
custom.

Of literary chit-chat there is but little. Cheap re-
prints of once dear books, in the shape of Railway reading,
seem to be the popular move at present. Scores of
Standard Works are thus being transformed by, and with
the consent of, the authors—for a consideration, of course.
ALBERT SMITH has just returned to town, after another
visit to Chamounix, where he has 'been showing his Mont
Blanc at the foot of " the real original." BABINGTON
M.A.CAULAY, the historian, has also returned to town,
from the same locality. I never saw the right hon.
gentleman look healthier. CHARLES DICKENS is now on
a walking excursion through Italy, sustaining health, and
picking up facts for future use. Sir ROBERT PEEL seems
determined to out-do Lord Jorriv MANNERS and the Earl
of CARLISLE in lecturing; he rode in a steeple-chase the
other day, not far from your neighbourhood, and delivered
a capital lecture in the evening.

COMMERCIAL 4. MONETARY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.

THE chief drawback to the restoration of confi-
dende in monetary and commercial affairs appears
to be the protracted settlement of affairs in the
East, which have operated in a considerable de-
gree to produce that inaction in trade which gene-
rally prevails. The weekly returns of the Bank
of England again show a decrease in the stock of
Bullion to the extent of £311,168. This may be
attributed to the continued payment of the divi-
dends, as shown by the decrease in the Public
Deposits, which amounted to £797,814. Money
has, however, been comparatively easy for com-
mercial purposes, and though discounts have ruled
high for long dates, for short bills money has been
abundant. There has been a rumour of the in-
tention of the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
to fund Exchequer Bills to the amount of four
millions, but the report is not generally credited,
nor is the market favourable for such an operation,
though something of this kind may be practicable
a short time hence.

TO-DAY the Money Market was more than ordi-
narily buoyant, Consols having reached 944, which
is a higher rate than they have been at for a long
time past. This is partly owing to the large re-
ceipts of bullion by the Argo and the Arabia, and
also to more pacific accounts received from the East.
There is a general absence of speculation in
commercial transactions, with perhaps the single
exception of Wheat and Flour, the prices of which
have been raised above the average for many
years past. As the public feel a greater interest
in the fluctuations of this market than any other,
it might be as well to look at the probable causes
which have led to this advance, and the prospects
for the future. On the one side are the diminished
productions of our own country ; the failure of the
harvest in many parts of Europe ; the increased
demand which prevailed a short time since, owing
to general employment and higher wages ; and
the apprehension of a failure in supplies from the
Black Sea. All these causes have operated in one
direction, but there are circumstances which may
tend in an exactly opposite direction. In the first
place, the production of Wheat in this country has
been considerably under-estimated, owing to the
short supply of English Wheat at country markets,
a circumstance to be attributed to the unwilling-
ness of farmers to sell so long as there is a pros-
pect of obtaining higher prices. Again, the con-
sumption of Wheat in this country has been much
over-rated, by extravagant calculations, founded
on incorrect data, and the demand will be con-
siderably lessened by the great number of manu-
facturing operatives out on strike. Another reason
for anticipating a reaction is the immense stock of
foreign breadstuffs in this country, larger, we be-
lieve, than at any previous period ; and, then,
there are the difficulties in the Money market, and
the high rates of discount, which must shortly
have the effect of compelling many large holders
to realise, and thereby to glut the markets. In
addition to all these, there are the enormous sur-
plus productions of Canada and the United States,
which will speedily find their way to this country,
when freights are easier, from the disengagement
of vessels from 'other trades. We have seen the
height of commercial prosperity for some time,
and though the fall may not be so great as at pre-
vious periods, when we had no rich colony to fall
back upon, we may confidently predict a reaction
from that unjustifiable spirit of speculation which
has recently prevailed in the Corn market.
The return from the Bank of England for the
week ending the 22nd of Oct., gives the following
results, when compared with the previous week
:
Public deposits ... £2,903,045; Decrease £797,814
Other deposits ... 12,390,653; Decrease 273,573
Rest ... ... 3,170,823; Increase 9,662
On the other side of the accounts—
Government securities £11,319,072; Decrease£l36,oB9
Other securities ... 17,254,452; Decrease 170,637
Notes unemployed ... 5,213,810; Increase 201,320
The amount of notes in circulation is £23,145,145,
being an increase of £522,240; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £14,960,206, showing
a decrease of £311,268, when compared with the
preceding return.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.
Notes issued ... £28,358,955 Governmt. Debt £11,015,100
Other Securities 2,984,900
Gold coin & bu11'n.14,358,955
Silver bullion ...

£28,358,9551

BANKING Dl
Prop. Capital ... £14,553,000
Rest ... ... 3,170,823
Public Deposits 2,903,045
Other Deposits 12,390,653
7-day & other bills 1,371,064

£28,358,955

been inactive, there being an evident indisposition
to purchase beyond immediate requirements. This
is owing to various causes which operate in the
same direction—the number of operatives out on
strike in the manufacturinc, districts, the high
price of bread, the unsettled state of affairs in the
East, and the difficulties in the money market.
Taking these into consideration, the sales have
been to a fair extent, and prices.are without altera-
tion. TO-DAY, the Arabia brought news of a de-
cline in prices on the other side, but it had very
little effect here, the difference now existing not
being in favour of importers. The sales amounted
to 6,000 bales, including about 1,000 taken on
speculation and for export. The market closed
heavily without alteration in prices. The follow-
ing are the comparative quotations :

New Orleans, middling
fair
Uplands, middling

1852. 1853,
6fd.
bid. 64d.
6d. 51d.
60. Gad.

I SALES. IMPORTS.
DESCRIPTION. PRICES. Week Previ- Week This STOCK
ending ously ending v —•
Oct. 28 this yr. Oct. 281 `e"r* Oct. 2S
--
Sea Island l2 ® 29' 240 17170
Stained , . 1510 5406' 491583. ....
Boweds 33 63 7680 0 410230 419800
Mobile 4 63 3370 256160 920683 '• • •
New Orleans. 33 83 12610 857350 1 •• • • I !. •
Pernams, &c. 63 8 630 60200 1056 51262! 12450
Bahia, &c. 63 63 630 44890 809, 298331 13070
Maranham 63 73 1020 37200 349) 30529 20890
Detnerara,&c . 660 30 535 520
Egyptian 53 93 3970, 109100 3295 97557 89120
Coin. 5 9 130 10770 17 7032 3550
Surat 123 43 6370 203540 78811 264653 167210
Madras .. ; . 3630
Bengal — , 4620 ....! 5910, 2840
36550'2019050 21984 1899627 729450

WooL.—The attention of the trade has this
week been occupied with the public sales of colo-
nial wools, now progressing in London, and those
of low foreign wools, which commenced on the
26th and closed on the 28th ultimo, when 6,405
bales were offered for public competition, viz. :-
4,687 bales East India ; 334 Turkey ; 434 Peru-
vian, Chili, and Egyptian ; 787 Alpaca and Austra-
lian, nearly all damaged ; and 163 sundries. We
had scarcely an average attendance of the trade,
which is generally the case when sales are brought
on here during the progress of those in London ;
and the result was far from satisfactory to im-
porters. In East India a decline from last sale
prices of Pid. per lb. on middle and low yellow and
grey ; while first-class whites and yellows, which
were not so plentiful, only averaging a decline
of A-d. to id. ; part withdrawn. Peruvian also
shared in the reduction, to the extent of 11d. per
lb. as well as Egyptian, first-class selling at 111 d.
to Did., being ld. per lb. below the last sale prices.
For Turkey there was no bidding, consequently the
whole was withdrawn. This reduction was not
looked for to such an extent, but considering the
disturbed state of foreign politics, and the present
high price of grain, combined with the high rate.
at which money is ruling, and the large stock of
these descriptions of wool offering here and in Lon-
don, any other result could scarcely be expected.
English and Irish very dull of sale, and in the ab-
sence of any transactions to report, prices may be
considered nominal. The London sales are ave-
raging a decline of 2d. per lb., notwithstanding the
10,000 bales withdrawn.

Messrs. W. GREA3IE and Co., in their circular
referring to the decline at the public sales, say :
"So considerable a reduction was not to have been
looked for from the present position of the Blanket Trade,
bat taking into consideration the quantity forced on the
market at so unfavourable an opportunity, (in face of the
large sales of these Wools advertised to take place in
London next week,) it may be considered rather as a proof
of the healthy state of the trade that they were cleared off
without a further reduction in prices."
Messrs. J. ROBINSON and. Co., in their monthly
circular, remark :
" The consumption appears to be curtailed in the
Worsted trade only, which is almost altogether confined
to long Wools; this being the case and the majority of the
consumers having orders to employ them until the close
of the year, their stocks not being heavy, leads us to the
conclusion that prices will ere long rally again, as present
rates will prevent orders being sent for imports, and
countermand the supply from all parts.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS,

YESTERDAY.

A SPECIAL meeting of the Council, for winding up the
business of the municipal year, was held yesterday morn-
ing, at ten o'clock, in the Town Hall—Samuel Hohne,
Esq., the mayor, presiding. There was a full attendance.

ELECTION OF AN ALDERMAN.

The minutes of the 1.. t meeting having been read.
The first business taken was " the appointment of a fit
person, either from the Councillors, or from the persons
qualified to be Councillors, to fill the vacancy in the office
of Alderman, occasioned by the death of John Holmes,
Esq., and to continue in office so long as the said John
Holmes would have continued in office, viz., until the Sth
day of November, 1853."
The MAYoR said—Gentlemen, it is somewhat painful
to me that, at the last Council of which I shall have the
honour of presiding, it is my melancholy duty to announce
to you officially the decease of a very valuable member of
this, Council. You will anticipate me in saying that I
allude to Mr. Alderman John Holmes, the alderman for
St. Paul's Ward. The assiduity, the kindness of heart,
the courtesy of manner, and the undeviating rectitude and
attention to the business of the Council, which was paid
by the deceased alderman, are well known and appreciated
by you all ; and I have understood from his most intimate
friends that a short time before his death he expressed his
intention of not again presenting himself for re-election ;
" for," he said, nearly fifty years I have devoted almost
one-half my time to the business of the public, and I think
it is now time for me to, retire." I am sure, gentlemen,
that Mr. Holmes will carry to the grave the respect of
every man of this community ; and the melaulholy duty
now devolves upon you of electing a successor to the vener-
able gentleman who has been so suddenly removed from
us, amidst the regrets and respect of every gentleman in
this great town. (Applause.)
The TOWN-CLERK then read the clause in the Act of
Parliament, prescribing the mode of election, which is, by
each gentleman writing his name, and the name of the
party for whom he wishes to vote, on a slip of paper, to be
handed in to the Mayor.
Mr. HUGE( HORNBY said, before they proceeded to fill
up the voting papers, he might be allowed to express, on
his own behalf, and he was sure those of the Council, the
feelings they entertained in respect to the occurrence which
had taken place, and which rendered it necessary for them
to proceed to the election of an alderman. After the
eloquent tribute which the Mayor had paid to their de-
ceased friend, it was impossible for him to do more than
express his entire concurrence in all that had been said.
He might, however, observe, in addition to the Mayor's
remarks, that Mr. Holmes, during the long period that
he had served the public half-a-century—enjoyed the
rare felicity of having acted during that time without
having made any enemies in this great town. (Hear, hear.)
During the whole of that period, gentlemen of whatever
shade of opinion, not only those who agreed with him in
political opinions, but also those opposed to him, were his
friends. For his own part, he had been associated with
Mr. Holmes for several years now, in the management of
the financial concerns of the Corporation, and he could
not but express the great regret he felt at ils loss. Before
he (Mr. Hornby) sat down, he should take an unusual
course, but he believed neither an illegal nor unconstitu-
tional one, in proposing a gentleman to replace Mr. Holmes
as alderman.

Mr. GODFREY said he thought that was not according
to order : no gentleman could propose an alderman.
The MAYOR said, Yes, it had been done on former occa-
sions, and he believed it was right, if they chose, for any
gentleman to speak on the subject.
Mr. HORNET said they had onlyone alderman to appoint,
therefore he thought it fit and proper that they should ex-
press their sentiments, that they might elect a worthy suc-
cessor ;—(applause)—and he thought when-he proposed to
the Council that the gentleman who now fills the civic
chair—(hear, hear,)—should replace Mr. Holmes, they
would agree with him that he could not have proposed a
more fitting person for the office. He thought they were
all agreed as to the manner in which our present chief
magistrate had filled the chair during the past year.
Nothing could exceed the courtesy with which, on all oc-
casions, he had treated the members of the Council ; the
hospitality he had exercised in this great community,—
hospitality extended to all, both to his friends and his
opponents,—and the unwearied diligence and energy with
which he had discharged all the duties devolving upon
him. He thought they could not appoint a more fitting
successor to Mr. John Holmes than our present Mayor,
and therefore he begged to move that he be supported by
the Council. It would be a great satisfaction, he was
sure, not only to themselves, but the community in
general, if he were unanimously elected.
ALDERMAN COOPER would ask Mr. HORNET if there
had not been a caucus meeting on Saturday, respecting
the appointment of aldermen ?
The MAYOR—We cannot interfere with that. _

Mr. WRER said it-;;Tall—extraordinary---iact, though
none respected the MAYOR more than he did, that those
who proposed him could not get one of their own party,
and therefore they had had recourse to him. He said it
was not becoming in those gentlemen. It became the
Council not to be gulled by the party, who, at the caucus
meeting, tried first. Mr. HORNBY, then Mr. HOLT, and
then Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE ; and because they
could not carry them, they caine forward with a fine
speech to try and get the civic magistrate voted into the
office. If any body had come forward and proposed any
one else they would have been likely to have carried,
what would have become of the civic magistrate ? (Cries
of "order.")
Mr. HORNBY could only say, for his own part, that he
had proposed the Mayor, believing that a more fitting
person to fill the office could not be found in the Council,
and for no other reason ; and more than that, in voting
for an Alderman, he looked to no party whatever. He
was quite as ready to support a Tory as a Whig, provided
he thought him a fitting person to fill the office.
Mr. W. J. HoitsFALL.—Did Mr. Hornby propose the
Mayor in the caucus meeting ?
The MAYOR.—We cannot interfere with any caucus
meeting here.
Mr. TOULMIN said—Mr. Mayor : Notwithstanding your
high character, both public and private, and the golden
opinions you have won from every party, from the manner
in which you have discharged the duties of your high
office,—it is somewhat painful to me to rise and propose
the name of another gentleman lu opposition to youself;

but I have to propose the name of a gentleman well known
to us all, and well respected by the majority of the mem-
bers of this Council,—that is, Mr. Thomas Bold. (Ap-
plause.) And, if necessary, I would appeal to Mr. Turner
to speak to his qualifications for the duties of either a
municipal office, or as a member of the Committee of the
Dock Trust. I beg to propose Mr. Thomas Bold. (Applause.)
Mr. CHARLES TURNER said as Mr. Toulmin had re-
ferred to him, he could say that he had worked with Mr.
Thomas Bold on the Dock Committee, and he would not
say he was the most useful,• but he would say he was one
of the most useful members of the Dock Committee they
had ever had • and he was quite sure that the Dock Com-
mittee and the town lost a most valuable man when they
lost Mr. Bold's services in the Dock Committee. (Hear.)
Alderman J. H. TURNER said he was one of those Who
thought Mr. Bold would make an efficient member, for he
knew that he was so when on the Dock Committee. At
the same time he thought the chief-magistrate was the
first person they should think of. When he first heard of
Mr: Holmes's death, he had expressed to the Mayor a hope
that he would allow his name to be put in nomination.
He had not attended any caucus meeting, and, therefore,
he was unbiassed and unprejudiced.
Alderman PROCTER said the election of the retiring
Mayor as Alderman was not the course always pursued.
He had voted for Mr. Littledale last year, but the majority
had not thought wise to elect him.

Mr. Bioniit said, if this were merely a personal matter
between two individuals, it might be allowed to pass quietly
on their parts ; but as it involved a great principle, and
one embodied in the municipal act, clearly defined in
words, it was not wise in them, honest or manly, it was
not courageous on their part to sit still without giving a
reason for their votes. He was surprised at the attempt
made by a gentleman who had been engaged as a can-
vasser to stop the discussion. Persons could vote for the
mayor not only as admirers of his public conduct, but they
could vote for him because it was to uphold a principle in-
volved in the municipal act. But charges had been brought
against them that they would not have brought his
name forward if at some caucus meeting the choice had
not fallen on another party. Did Mr. Bold know
the disgraceful traffic attempted to be made with his
name—did he know the persons employed, or who
had taken upon themselves the disreputable office of
going to various members of the Council (at least he
spoke for himself as one of them), and offering them the
withdrawal of opposition in one ward, and that another
gentleman should walk over—(Confusion.) Mr. Buck-
master, a gentleman connected with a political body in
the town, came to him distinctly and offered to with-
draw the opposition to. Mr. Woodruff in Scotland Ward, if
he would vote for Mr. Bold ; —nay, more, if he would
promise to vote against Mr. Thomson next year,—
The 31.tron,—I think you had better confine yourself
to the subject before us. It is not exactly right to have a
discussion ; but, as it has been so. on former occasions, I
did not wish to stop it.
Mr. BIGFIA.M said, he thought ivhen he entered that
room that the numerous attendance might be for the pur-
pose of joining in the compliment which would be paid to
the Mayor, that being the last time of his sitting in the
chair ; but he could not give them that credit, when he
knew that a drum-head court martial had been held to
get them there to carry out a certain object. Now, he had
not one word to say against Mr. Thos. Bold as a public man ;
no doubt he would make a valuable member of the Council,
and if he had-taken the course laid down by the Municipal
Act, and gone before the constituency of some ward for
election, he had no doubt that his great knowledge might
be beneficial to the town at large. But having been so
recently ejected from his situation on the Dock Commit-
tee, where there had been so marked a feeling on the part
of the most influential portion of the town, the dock rate-
payers, he could not help thinking that it was unseemly in
that Council and unwise to pitchfork him in there, in
opposition to one who had been so frequently before the
town, and who had presided over the Council. But there
was more belonging to this than a breach of prineiple : it
was carrying out a dastardly spirit of revenge engendered
at the recent Parliamentary election ; all parties were not
only abusing the privileges which they hold in putting
him in there in opposition to the wishes of the ratepayers,
but they thought that, at the same time, they would
wreak their revenge upon a person who offered himself as
a candidate for this great borough. The object was not to
put one in, but to turn the other out. Not one word could
be said against the Mayor as a fit and proper person.
He (Mr. Bigham) must confess he would rather have
had one who entertained political opinions like his own,
but he should not allow political opinions so far to influ-
ence him as to vote for one person who was not as equally
fitted for the office as another. Although they might now
be defeated by a combination of influences, united for an
imvroper purpose, and which disgraced the town in the
estimation of all honourable men, he only wished that
they had a rule similar to that in the House of Lords, that
he might enter his protest against their prostituting their
privileges for the base purpose of carrying out political
partisanship or personal revenge.
Mr. GODFREY said Mr. Bigham had been speaking
largely about combination. He wondered whether in the
election of Mr. Dover and Mr. J. H. Turner, in which Mr.
Bigham was concerned, the same principle did not apply.
(Hear, hear.) At the caucus meeting the party had first
nominated three gentlemen, all of whom declined, and
now they sought to upset the other party by naming the
mayor. It is not, said Mr. Godfrey, through any respect
or love for you, Mr. Mayor. (Laughter.) Now Mr. Big-
ham should do as he would be done by. He was now con-
demning what he himself had done twelve months ago. He
thought he should act honestly and not make a long
speech. (Laughter and applause.)
The votes were then taken, after an intimation by the
MA.von that they were not bound to the gentlemen who
had been named, but might vote for any party upon the
burgess roll. The result of the voting was that Mr. Bold
was elected by a majority OI 311 'CO Is.
The following is an analysis of the division :
For Mr. Bold.—Messrs. Stewart, Procter, W. J.
Horsfall, Mellor, Godfrey, Tyrer, J. B. Lloyd, Clayton,
Lawrence, Tobin, Chilton, Littledale, Robinson, Moly-
um, Halhead, J. N. Wood, J. M. Wood, Raymond
Houghton, John Gladstone, jun., Cooper, Jeffreys, Hen-
derson, M`Nicholl, Bennett, Toulmin, Anderson, Aked,
Wagstaffe, Charles Turner, and the Mayor.
For Mr. Samuel Holme.—Messrs. Harmood Banner,
M`Guffie, Beckwith, Gregson, Holt, Bradley, Bigham,
Fleming, Preston, Johnson, Moss, Brancker, Avison.
J. H. Turner, John Nicholson, Langsdale,: Pict,on, and
Hornby.
Mr. Bold was soon afterwards introduced by Mr. Toul-
min, and took his seat near the head of the room. After
he had sat for a little while,
Alderman PSOCTER rose (humorously, we believe) to
a point of order, and inquired whether Mr. Bold had made
the proper declaration as an alderman ?
Mr. Totrx.3zix said the Town-clerk had gone for the
books, and would be back in two minutes.

he had alluded to it. While on this subject, he must say
that the special committee must extend their inquiries, or
else it would be necessary for some member to move for a
special committee ;—for it was not confined to the bricks.
He understood that the robbery had commenced with the
excavation of the building, and had gone up to the slates.
Mr. HORNEY suggested that was not desirable. All
that, they were well aware of. If those statements were
made, it only put the parties on their guard.
Mr. BIGIII3I would say no more, except that he had
good information that this was not confined to the new
gaol, but extended to another public work ; and that from
the foundation the works shOuld be re-measured. Nothing
could satisfy the Council unless the committee employed
some respectable surveyor from another town, however
respectable the surveyors here might be,—timber, bricks,
excavation, slates, everything connected with the building ;
and then disclosures would be made which he was quite
sure would astonish them. _ _ .

Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE agreed with Mr. Bigham's
suggestion as to the accounts, and thought they ought to
have a complete statement of every yard of property they
possessed in every street of Liverpool—of every tenancy, so
that they might refer to it, that they might know what
assets they really had, and they might then be able to
judge whether, in cases of sale, they were deriving profit
on prices ; or whether, on the other hand, tenants were
paying their rents with regularity, and whether those pay-
ments were an adequate remuneration for the respective
premises they held. It was so he should deal with his
own affairs, and he did not think it was an unhealthy prin-
ciple to apply to the Corporation. As to the other matter
referred to, he thought it was the duty of members, on
getting such information, to conceal nothing, but lay it at
once before the proper authorities.
Mr. Toirnmni asked whether any official surveyor had
been nominated to go over the building?
Mr. HORNBY said, previous to the communication
which Mr. Bigham had received, and which had led to the
inquiry, suspicion had arisen in his mind of the surveyor,
so long ago, he thought, as in April last. Mr. Culshaw
had been appointed to measure the whole of the building,
perfectly independent both of the contractors and the
brickmaker.

Mr. GODFREL—They cannot measure the foundations.
Mr. HOENBY said it was a difficult operation, and would
occupy a considerable time. Mr. Hornby then justified
the present mode of making out the accounts, which had
been followed for the last fifty years, and said that Mr.
Bighorn was wrong in supposing that the cost of St.
George's-hall and the new gaol was paid out of the bo-
rough fund : it was met byborrowed money. Mr. Bighorn's
remarks at the last council had done harm, and the party
who was making depositions as to the bricks, had in conse-
quence refused to give them more information.
Mr. BIGIEIM asked if Mr. Culshaw had been appointed
previous to his putting the letter he received into the
hands of the committee?

The TOWS-CLERK answered in the negative.
Mr. STEWART stated, as a matter of practical experience
in such things, that they could not expect to have the
result of the measurement and a report on the matter for
two months yet.
Mr. BIG-MAIL—Was there any suspicion in the breast
of the surveyor about the robbery perpetrated at the Wal-
lasey embankment ?
Mr. TOULMIY asked if the measurement taken by Mr.
Culshaw was wholly irrespective of the contractors ?
Mr. HoaNBY believed it was. No payments had yet
been made for the building except on account, and there
was a sum of £16,000 due, of which the committee refused
to make any payment till the whole building was com-
pleted.
The M Aron did not like to interfere, but hoped, as a
member of the committee, that they would not continue
that discussion. (Hear.) The matter would be rigidly
investigated to the bottom, and he pledged himself, if he
was returned to the Council, that nothing would be left
undone to probe it to the uttermost. (Applause.) It was
their object to bring to justice the parties who had been
guilty of that misconduct. He advised the Council at
present not to furnish weapons to those who had to defend
themselves. _

The remaining proceedings of the Finance Committee
were then confirmed. .

THE WATCH COMMITTEE: ESTABLISHMENT OF A
SUPERANNUATION FUND.

The proceedings of the Watch, Lighting, Fire Police,
and Fire Prevention Committees, comprised a recommen-
dation to apply to parliament for power to establish a
police superannuation fund.
Mr. TOBIN, at some length, moved the confirmation of
the proceedings. He was anxious that the Council should
express its opinion as to the establishment of the proposed
superannuation fund. The object was to grant a superan-
nuated allowance to officers hurt or worn out in the ser-
vice ; and also to those who had served a period of 15
years, except under peculiar circumstances. The modelsof
raising the fund would be by a small weekly contribution
(about 6d.) from the men themselves, added to other
sources of revenue which the Legislature had decreed
should be applied to such purposes. If an officer should
leave the service before he would be entitled to the fund,
or be dismissed, the benefit would then cease. Numerous
objections were urged against this, and some thought that
the men should be allowed to withdraw under such cir-
cumstances the money which they might have paid in.
To this Mr. Tobin, at some length, replied. Those already
in the force were in favour of such a condition, and those
who entered afterwards could plead no hardship, as they
would be made acquainted with it on entering. It was,
besides, a useful check upon the officers by giving them
something to look forward to ; and the principle was no
novelty, for it was adopted in the Merchant Seamen's
Fund, 1852, the Genet al Borough Police Act, the Civil
Service Fund, the Treasury, Customs, and Post-office
departments, in the Zletxonolitan and Ilifk.nrhester Po-
lice Acts, the East India Comp.ay's Service, various
benefit societies, and in railway companies that prin-
ciple pervaded them all. The object was to check the
fluctuations occurring in the force. From 1836 to the
present time 5000 men had entered the force here, or from
250 to 300 annually. When it was considered that one
experienced officer was worth two inexperienced ones, it
would be seen that anything done to keep the experienced
officers would be a saving to the town,

Mr. GREGSON seconded the resolution.
Mr. R. GLADSTONE asked whether the fund would be
self-supporting, or the borough fund might be called on ?
Alderman J. BRAMLEY MOORE opposed the motion,
and thought that if the men left, their payments should
not be lost to them. The principle with regard to govern-
ment officers was an exceeding hardship, and there were
instances of men serving for twenty years who lost the
whole of it.

Alderman PARKER moved that that part of the pro-
ceedings be not confirmed; but there was no seconder.
Mr. LIARMOOD BANNER thought it would be a most
valuable measure, as did also
Alderman BENNETT, who thought that the men would
have a pride in making the fund self-supporting.
Mr. BIGIIAN expressed fears that this would not be the
case, and intimated that both the London and the Man-
chester police funds were on an unsound basis.
Mr. TOBIN replied, and stated that the source of re-
venue to which he had referred, by which the fund would
be augmented, was the sale of old police clothing, &c.
The proceedings were then confirmed.

THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE : WIDENING OP PABK-

LINE, &C.

The proceedings of the Improvement Committee com-
prised a recommendation to apply to parliament for
powers to improve the west side of Park-lane, between
Canning-place and Liver-street.
The MAYOR intimated that he had received a letter from
Mr. John Tipping, suggesting that an old house at the
corner of Drury-lane, and the old Ropery should be in-
cluded in the Improvement Act, as it would be a great
convenience to have it removed.

Mr. GLA.DBTONE said it was an unseemly edifice, and
had been the cause of serious accidents to man and horse.
Referred to the committee.

Alderman BENNETT, in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings, said the whole matter was now in a forward
state, and a draft of the bill would be brought before the
Council early in November. There was opposition to
only one of the improvements, that suggested by Mr.
Jeffreys at the last Council. The committee proposed
widening Park-lanefrom Canning-place up to Liver-street.
This would be a great accommodation, and could be done
at small expense.
Alderman J. H. TURNER asked what the cost of the
improvements in Park-lane would be ?
Alderman BENNETT said between £3OOO and £4OOO.

MT. BECzwmr.—ln addition to the value of the pro-
perty we already hold.
Alderman TURNER thought the improvement of Church-
street was most important.
Alderman COOPER, on behalf of the residents of the
south end of the town, said they had received the proposi-
tion to widen Park-lane with thanks, and no part wanted
alteration more. He regretted they could only take it as
far as the church ; it ought to extend to the railway-sta-
tion in Crosby-street, to and from which there was great
traffic with lorries, &c. He was satisfied that if that
could be done it would be a great relief to Church-street,
and the central parts of the town.
Mr. Tnomsorr said it was fully intended to carry out
the further widening of Park-lane so soon as the other
improvements were completed.
Mr. JEFFREYS was glad the suggestion he had thrown
out had been successful. He thought the Council had
marked their opinion strongly by the small minority
against it.
Mr. CHARLES TURNER said there was no part of Liver-
pool where widening would be more beneficial.
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE could not suppose that
any member of that Council could get up and say that the
widening of Park-lane was of greater importance than
Church-street. He supposed that the traffic in Church-
street was as five to one in Park-lane,—aye, ten to one.
He begged to move, as an amendment, that the proposed
improvement in Park-lane be struck out of the bill.
Mr. BECKWITH seconded the amendment.
Mr. NicnoLn strenuously supported the proposed
improvement. The traffic might not be so great as
Church-street, but it was of a more obstructive character.
He thought Park-lane ought to be widened up to the
railway.
Mr. CHARLES TURNER said Park-lane was the shortest
road from the Town-hall to the south end of the town ; it
was nearly a quarter of a mile nearer than to go along
Great George's-street, and the reason that the traffic along
Church-street was so great was that all the other outlets
north and south were choked up. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. PICTON thought the discussion proved that the
committee had wisely taken the middle course. He added
that it would be a vastly increased improvement if the
arches under the Custom-house could be widened for cabs,
not for carts or waggons. He knew no improvement that
would be greater. (Applause.)
After a few words from Mr. R. C. GARDNER, Mr. Glad-
stone's amendment was then put, and lost by a majority
of 31 to 5. The minority were Messrs. Holden, Gladstone,
Hodson, Beckwith, and Langsdale.
The proceedings of the Courts of Law, Markets, Educa-
tion, Gaol, and Town-hall Establishment Committees,
which contained no entries of special interest, were then
read and confirmed. It appears that the average atten-
dance of pupils at the North Corporation-school is 1,03],
and at the South 1,107.
The minutes of the Markets' Committee comprised a
bye-law to prevent obstructions in public thoroughfares,
by the exposure of articles for sale ; but as this required
confirmation by two-thirds of the whole Council 04), and
there were only 33 members present, it stands over for the
neat meeting.