The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-31 00:00:00

riches of a community depend on the amount of the

mass of commodities which they possess,

to whic

the metallic

wealth will always bear but a small

proportion. The 'no

of the latter will only be beneficial in so far as it stimulates
.

rise of prices, whit

to produc-

tion, by adding the increased price to the ordinary rate
When the advance is complete, and prices again become sta-
tionary, this effect ceases. There can be a general rise of prices,
from abundance of the precious metals, and some commodities

of profit,

may, from various causes, rise in value with respect to the rest;
but a general rise of values is impossible, and the increased
quantity of gold or silver received for one commodity, must be
paid in the increased price of another. Those who produce
more than they consume, will find their wealth, measured by
the precious metals, increase; and those who consume more
than they produce, will find theirs gradually diminish. The
majority, who are both consumers and producers, will only
gain by the excess of their production over their consumption.
Debtors will gain by giving a smaller quantity of produce to
obtain the money necessary to discharge a debt contracted
before the rise of prices. Creditors will receive the same quan-
tity of gold which they lent, but it will command a smaller
quantity of commodities. The amount of the National Debt
will bear a smaller proportion to the money value of the mate-
rial wealth of the country ; and, as the interest of it forms the
largest portion of the public expenditure, the weight of taxation
will be so far lightened, but the Government, in its capacity of
a consumer, will pay more for commodities, and on that portion
of the public expenditure the burthen of taxation will be in-
creased. The receivers of dividends will find their command
of luxuries and necessaries less as prices rise ; and since a large
majority of fundholders are those whose dividends are less than
one hundred pounds per annum, the change will press heavily
on a numerous class. Tenant farmers who hold on lease at
money rents, will find themselves undereasier rents, requiring
for their discharge a smaller share of the produce than they
contemplated when they hired their farms ; and landlords whose
estates are let on lease will suffer, unless the rents shall have
been reserved in grain. Tenants at will, when their leases
expire, will find that they derive no benefit from the advanced
prices, because rents will have advanced in equal proportion."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sza,--If the above be t rue, what becomes of the statement of
the Free-Traders, that the "adoption of their policy has en-
hanced prices 7" California had only begun to pour her univer-
sal wealth into the lap of commerce at the above date. Since
then, Australian gold has found a market. Either the wealth of '
a country is in its own internal resources, or it is not. If
capable of improving argumentation, would you permit occa-
sional comments, from yours respectfully, ONE.
Tranmere, May 26, 1853.

—..1b,----

COMMERCIAL EDUCATION AND TRADE

MUSEUMS,

To the EDITOR of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sta,—l have read with much pleasure two letters addressed
to our worthy and enlightened Mayor, which appeared last
week in two or three of the Liverpool newspapers, the first by
the Rev. J. S. Howson, M.A., Principal of the Collegiate
Institation, and the second by Mr. Wm. Nichol, Secretary of
the Mechanics' Institution. Both of these letters are especially
interesting, because they manifest the progressive spirit of the
two great educational establishments of this town.

The subject taken up by these gentlemen is one of vast
importance to the future welfare of this country, depending as
it does so completely upon its commercial enterprise. Hitherto
we have had such vast advantages over our continental neigh-
bours from various causes, that it can scarcely be considered
arrogant to assume that we have enjoyed the especial favour of
Providence. Fortunately our energy, contrary to the usual
rule, has not decreased with our success, and every depart-
ment of British commerce indicates as large a share of activity,
enterprise, honour and stability, as ever it possessed.

One result has, however, been produced by our example--
other nations have been aroused, and wish not only to share in
the blessings arising from our increasing prosperity, but they
desire also to equal us and keep pace, if not surpass us, in the
friendly race for commercical superiority. This altogether
changes the -

character of the contest; industry, perseverance
and honesty, hitherto the chief elements of success, will now
be compelled to ally themselves with intellectual power ; mind
has now entered the arena, and on whichsoever side it pre-
ponderates, victory is certain.

The project for giving a real commercial education is entirely
new ;—it is true that we see "Commercial School " painted in
very legible characters on sundry sign-boards, and in con-
spicuous type in numberless advertisements, but the education
there given consists of the ordinary tuition in writing and
arithmetic, Pinnock's Geography, Mayor's Spelling Book, and
perhaps, if the master is acquainted with it, Blair's Preceptor.
Drilling boys to repeat certain portions of these antiquated
works has hitherto been the ordinary routine of commercial
education of the small private schools of this country; the
but they have not yet

larger establishments have clone better,
. _

learned the vast importance of a cultivated mind joined to
ordinary commercial qualifications; the consequence is, that,
however, ready commercial men may have been to avail them-
selves of scientific discoveries, they have only rarely made or
improved them, and the most useful and valuable have often
been the result of chance or the laborious workings of some
enthusiast. This has led to a series of desultory impulses
being given to commerce, which have lost fully half their
value from want of connexion and perfect development.
Liverpool has counted up the tonnage of her shipping, and
has exultingly proclaimed the fact, that her foreign commerce
is greater than that of any other port either in this or any other
kingdom ; either of this or any other time. In this, Liverpool
proclaims her duty also. She must not be satisfied with stand-
ing foremost in the van, but she must lead onward. Commerce
is her department of civilization, and she is bound to carry it
forward. Has she yet made the effort? She has erected noble
buildings,—the finest workhouse in the kingdom, for her
paupers, and the noblest assize hall in the world, for trying
her criminals ; but what has she done to increase the intelli-
gence of the world, or her own community? She has, in her
free library, collected a store of miscellaneous literature, and
has invited the uninstructed to come and feast upon its con-
tents, but has provided no guides to direct untrained minds in
the choice of their mental repast. She has furnished a museum
of birds for a commercial community, and expects it to work
wonders. But where are her schools of commerce and naviga-
tion? her museums of commercial products, and marine archi-
tecture and engineering ? If the last generation has been satis-
fied with knowing the market price only of the articles in which
they have dealt, that amount of knowledge will not suffice for
the future—men must be intelligent to be successful, for their
neighbours in foreign countries, have learned the value of

But to return to the letters of Messrs. Howson and Nichol.
lading the communication of the latter gentleman, I per-
ceived, or thought I perceived, a tone which somewhat lessened
the pleasure I otherwise felt in perusing it. It appeared to
others, as well as myself, to reproach Mr. Howson for having
come forward upon a subjeCt which the managers of the Me-
chanics' Institution had also considered; and almost implied
that the merit of originality did not belong to the Principal of
the Collegiate. Possibly no such thoughts entered the head
of Mr. Nichol when he was writing, and I am sure if they did,
they were not dictated by any unkindly ifeelings; but as the
letters are before the public, and may produce impressions
they were not designed to do, I beg through this letter to
assure Mr. Nichol that, so long back as 1850 the Rev. .1. S.
Howson has been in communication with me upon the subject
of forming a Museum of Commercial Products, with a view of
,•

i; the means of commercial education in the establish

To the EDITOR of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

If an importer of mahogany can save is. per balk by car-
rying on business in Liverpool, there, you may depend upon it,
he will go ; but, if he can effect such a saving in Birkenhead,
then he will remain : and in every other trade the same.
The continued feeling of hostility that appears to actuate
parties in these affairs, should be as much as possible put an
end to, by the voters electing disinterested men as commis-

sioners who have no particular interest to serve, or adverse
ITEM.

claims to protect.—Tours respectfully,
Birkenhead, 30th Map, 1553.

FOREIGN

NEWS.

FRANCE.—The tomb of Napoleon I. was opened to
the public on Monday, and an immense concourse assem-
bled on that and following days to inspect the tomb and
the numerous objects displayed in its vicinity. Among
these are the sword, hat, and decorations worn by the
deceased at Austerlitz.

On Tuesday Lord and Lady Cowley gave a splendid
entertainment at the British Embassy, in honour of ber
Majesty's birth day. The guests numbered more than
sixteen hundred, amongst whom were the whole of the
Diplomatic Corps, Ministers, and functionaries. Princess
Mathilde, Prince Lucien Bonaparte, and a large number
of British nobility were present.
In its sitting of Tuesday the Corps Legislatif has
adopted the bill which provides for the construction of a
line of telegraphs between France and Algiers by way of
Corsica and Sardinia. The numbers were—For the bill,
202 ; against it, 1.

A tefegraphiC despatch from Setif of the 18th instant
announces that the Governor-General has left that city at
the head of the army. The most magnificent weather
favoured the opening of the campaign.
The English Ambassador has during the last two or
three days had conferences with the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, and it is stated in the diplomatic circles that there
is a perfect understanding on the Turkish business be-
tween France, England, Austria, and Prussia. This is
perhaps why the Russian. Minister in Paris declares that
there is not the slightest probability of the peace of
Europe being disturbed on the Turkish question.
It has been explicitly announced to the French Govern-
ment, by the Austrian Minister, that Austria does not
intend to go further in the Swiss question than the
suspension of diplomatic relations. His Excellency has
shown documents to M. Dronin de Lhuys which prove
that this course was necessary on the part of the Austrian
Government. It is considered probable that'the media-
tion of France will be offered in the matter, and there is
no doubt that the offer will be willingly accepted.
It is now stated in political circles that the period of
the coronation is definitely fixed for the 10th September.
The Emperor and Empress purpose proceeding to the
baths in the Pyrenees at the end of July, where they are
expected to remain three weeks, If any unexpected
event, or any political difficulty, should recal the Emperor
to Paris, the Empress will remain without the Emperor
at the Eaux Bonne:, with a part of the court. But such
an event is not considered probable.

PORTUGAL.—The commercial battalion has been
dissolved in punishment for an insult offered to the King
on the occasion of the funeral of the Princess Amelia.
The body of the daughter of the Empress of Brazil,
conveyed by the Portuguese steamers Montrose and Don
Luis. arrived in the Tagus on the 11th, and was placed
in the royal vault in the Church of St. Vincente on the
following day.
The Orestes, bound to Australia, put into Lisbon a
month since, leaky, and foremast rotten : having refitted,
she was left loading. The wreck of a Dutch gelliot
was drifting about the coast in the neighbourhood of
Aveiro.

RUSSIA.— The St. Petersburg Journal contains the
following intelligence from the Caucasus :—On April the
Ist, the appearance of the expeditionary corps of Upper
Tchetchnia on the hill of Kazelama caused Schamyl to
send to that point some troops to prevent the Russians
from cutting down wood and making a road in the ditee-
tion of Datych. However, notwithstanding the repeated
attacks of the mountaineers, this work was terminated on
the 12,11. General Baron Wrewsky, haring thus attained
his object, evacuated the position which he had taken up
on the heights. His march towards Fortanga gave our
troops an opportunity of signalizing themselves in a com-
bat, as brilliant as it was obstinate, against the Tchet-
chenes and the Tawlines. The attacks of the enemy were
repeatedly repulsed with considerable loss. We had seven
killed and 83 wounded, of whom six are officers.
The cholera appears to be spreading in St. Petersburg.
On the 12th instant there were 50 new cases, 42 cures,
and 19 deaths. The number of cases under treatment was
433.

TURKEY.—The Moniteur states, in its non-official
part, that the French government has received news from
Constantinople to the 20th instant. The ambassadors of
France and England, and the ministers of Prussia and
Austria, had agreed to make a joint effort to effect a
reconciliation between the Divan and the Russian am-
bassador. Their attempts, however. were fruitless ; for
Prince Menschikoff insisted on obtaining the guarantee
for the immunities of the Greek Church. It was said
that the Prince proposed leaving Constantinople on the
21st of May. Another despatch, received by way of
Vienna. states that Prince Menschikoff left Constanti-
nople, for Odessa, on the 22nd of May. In spite of the
above news, (adds the Moniteur,) it is difficult to believe
that the suspension of diplomatic relations between Russia
and the Ottoman Porte will be followed up by hostilities.
On the one hand, we rely on the wisdom of the cabinet
of St. Petersburgh, and the assurances which that cabinet
has lately given to the Courts of Europe, and, ;on the
other, we are confirmed by international law, which does
not consider it as a case of war if a power refuses to
accede to a demand of concessions and advantages which
have not been stipulated in previous engagements.

INDIA.—We have advices by overland mail from Cal-
cutta to the 28th ult.

The news from Burmah extends to the 9th of April,
and is extremely unsatisfactory. Two days after the de-
parture of the reguler mail steamer from Rangoon the
Medusa arrived there from Moulmein with an urgent re-
quisition for more troops. The steam frigate Mozuffer
was immediately despatched to Calcutta, where she took
on board a wing of the 2d European Fusiliers, and imme-
diately returned. The other wing is to follow. Arrange..
ments have, it is said, been put in train for following up
these reinforcements by a still more numerous embarca-
tion of soldiers as soon as they can possibly be despatched.
The Mozuffer brought down a Rangoon Chronicle
Extra, in which it was stated, " that Beling had been
attacked and retaken by a large body of the King's troops,
who had cut up one small garrison there." One of the
secretaries to Government has written to the Calcutta
papers to state " that there are no grounds for this re-
port." The bazaars of Calcutta are, however, inundated
by reports of disasters in Burmah.
No particulars have yet transpired regarding General
Cheape s affair with Myah Thoon. This unwonted si-
lence has of course led to all sorts of unpleasant rumours.
The Englishtnan has heard that some of the native troops
—those whose bravery was most relied on—did not be-
have well. The Harkaru hears that the casualties have
been greater than was reported.
The first railway in Asia was opened at Bombay amid
a vast concourse of people and unprecedented rejoicings
on the 16th of April. The most notable event that ever
occurred in the East seemed to possess no claims on the
regards of the authorities ; the Governor, the Commander-
in-Chief, and the Bishop, with two of the Secretaries and
Presidency Staff, had gone to their summer quarters ; the
members of council present were silent. and it was re-
marked that the prayers or addresses, never omitted in
consecrating the colours of a regiment or laying the foun-
dation of a townhouse, were forgotten at the commence-
ment of the operations of the most wonderful structure
the East ever beheld.
There is no other news of pressing importance. The
Governor-General is still at Calcutta ; the Commander-
in-Chief still nowhere. Lord Dalhousie will start for
Assam some time next month or the following one.

CHINA.—A letter from Hong Kong of the 11th April
says, " We have but meagre accounts of the rebellion
from the North. The latest date from Shanghai is of the
28th ult., which gives no intelligence that can be depended
upon relating to the position of matters at Nankin. All

meat under his care, and I am perfectly aware that it has
been to him a matter of very anxious consideration. A Museum
of Raw Products was commenced several years since by Mr.
Howson, and has made considerable progress, and I have
been employed to give my humble assistance in lecturing upon
Economic Botany—so that it is no new matter at the Collegiate
any more than it is at the Mechanics' Schools. The fact of its
being thought worthy of consideration by both these educa-
tional establishments, is only a natural consequence of the
importance of the subject ; and it will be a gratification to
those who seek the benefits of such institutions, that the
Principals so fully appreciate the necessities of the times.—
Begging the favour of your inserting this letter, I am, Sir,
faithfully yours, THOS. C. ARCHER.

ELECTION OF BIRKENHEAD
COMMISSIONERS.

Si R,—May I be alhwed to occupy a space in your columns
with a few comments on the affairs now transpiring at Birken-
head. Amongst your numerous readers there are, doubtless,
some who feel a lively interest in the selection of commis-
sioners so* to take place in that township. The few com-
ments now offered are with a sincere desire to benefit all
parties interested ; and, having watched the progress of affairs
in that locality for the last 25 years, I am desirous to point out
to the ratepayers the most judicious course to be adopted in
the forthcoming election.

The great scheme for forming docks of Wallasey tPool has
been bisected with the formation of a Land and Warehouse
Company, and it appears that the supposed interests of that
body clash with the duty of the Dock Trustees. As it may be
taken for granted that a body of men, who have no individual
interest to serve, would not move in any way unless with an
intention to protect the public rights, the Dock Trustees have
a fair claim to be considered disinterested. The Land and
Warehouse Company having fixed itself as a parasite on the
original scheme, seems determined to prosecute its own pe-
culiar interest ; and, even admitting for arguments' sake that
the present antagonistic aspect be justifiable, yet the public
are morally bound to support their own representatives.
As Messrs. Laird, Carmichael, and others associated with
them, make no secret of their desire for office to shelter their
property, the ratepayers of Birkenhead will only be guarding
their own interests by declining to elect them. The tedious
statistical defence offered by Mr. Laird to the public on Satur-
day night last, is a clear proof of the improper position of
parties, or such an explanation would not have been needed ;
and the perversion of details then presented is patent to all
who are acquainted with the facts of the matter.
The fears felt by some of the voters that a considerable ma-
nufacturing interest may be jeopardised by the proceedings of
the Dock Trustees, are quite unfounded ; for gentlemen en-
gaged in business will always remain where their interests are
best and cheapest served, whether they be elected commis-
sioners or not.