The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-04-17 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS.

COUNTERFEIT HALF-SOVEREIGNS. —The public would do
well to be on their guard in giving change for half-sovereigns,
as a set of persons are going about to shops and public-houses fur
the purpose of putting off a spurious coin purporting to be a half-
sovereign of the date of 1817, little inure than half the weight of
a good one: they are of a pale yellow, and when rubbed, show
white.
WANTON AND DIABOLIC kL CONDUCT.—It appears that re-
peated attempts have been made to cause frightful accidents on
the Leeds and Selby railway, by laying fir rails across the train-
road during the night, by which the carriages travelling on the
line might be thrown of their course. Happily the vigilance
of the servants of the company has prevented any mi,chief
from accruing from these malicious attempts.--York Chroni-
cle.
MANCHESTER AND SHEFFIELD RAILWAY.-011 Thursday
last M r. Geo. Hadfield, attorney, and law clerk to the Manchester
and Sheffield Railway Company, applied to Mr. Foster, at the
New Bailey, on behalf of that company, for a magistate's certi-
ficate, that the whole of the sum of £7U0,000, required by their
act of parliament, had been subscribed for. This having been
proved by Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Foster gave a certificate to that
effect. -

REDUCTION OF TI!►IE IN THE AC coRIES.—The difficulty
which exists in the market of reducing the enormous stocks on
hand of yarn and goods, has compelled several of our principal
manufacturers to reduce the hours of labour in their mills; and
this, we understand, is likely to become general throughout the
town, until a better trade relieves them from the pressure of the
present unexampled difficulty in disposing of their stocks.—
Stockport Advertiser.
PRESENCE OF M IND.—A lady, in the neighbourhood of Over
Daiwen, on Tuesday week, finding it impossible to escape from
a tow, which was furiously making towards her, had the com-
posure and presence of mind to takeoff her shawl, and when the
animal arrived, threw it open in its face. She passed on the left,
and bad not only the pleasure of walking safe out of the field,
but also, afterwards, to stand upon the bank, and see the animal
long puzzled to get rid of the new-invented " bluzz."—Bluck-
burn Standard.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—On Monday evening, about eleven
as Mr. Thos. Yates, of Longworth Farm, in Atherton, was re-
turning from Bolton market, with his cart, the horse took fright
at something on the road, and the cart was run over his body;
he was found lying on the road, near Chowbent, by a neighbour-
ing farmer, who immediately removed him home.—A surgeon
was called in, but to late to render any effectual assistance, as
he died in a few minutes.

DESTRUCTIVE FinE.—We regret to learn that a large new
factory, belonging to Mr.,Jacob Bright, of Rochdale, 57 yards
long. 20 yards broad, and five stories high, was entirely destroyed
by fire ou Tuesday, with the whole of the machinery, which was
new, and of the most valuable description. The tire broke out
about eight o'clock in the morning, and is understood to have
arisen from friction in one of the scotching machines. The loss
is supposed to amount to about £30,000. The building and ma-
chinery were insured, but to what extent we have not been able
to learn.

BONDED WAREHOUSES.—A meeting of the Bonded Ware-
houses' committee took place on Thursday morning, at the Tow u
Hall for the purpose of receiving a report from Mr. Gibb, of the
proceedings of the deputation which proceeded to London a few
days ago. Mr. Gibb stated that the deputation had waited upon
Mr. P. Thomson, who, to a certain extent, promised to further the
wishes of the people of Manchester, but further steps cannot be
taken in thematter until after the Easter recess. In the meantime
it is most desirable that the neighbouring towns should assist
us in the viay of petitioning the legislature.—Manchester Cou-
rier.

BUSTLE BXTRAORDINARY.-011 Monday evening a fancy
dress bull took place at the Odd Fellows' Elall, Barnsley, which
was numerously attended, and many of the characters were well
sustained. Oue of our correspondents writes that as a female
was proceeding to the hall along Peas-hill, dressed as an old
English housewife, she lost a tremendously large bustle, which
some jokers close by picked up, and on examining it was found
to contain the head of a sweeping brush, a quantity of deal shave-
ings, a pair of stockings stuffed with bran, and a bundle of Mar-
shall's fine tow, besides a variety of other articles !

PosT.OFFicts REFonru.—We understand that the committee
appointed in pursuance of the resolution passed at the late spe-
cial general meeting of the members of the Chamber of Com-
merce are at pres,-nt actively engaged in investigating the pro-
bable effects of Mr. Rowland Hill's plan of post-office reform
upon the correspondence of this town and neighbourhood, and
that some very valuable information upon the subject has already
been obtained. It is desirable that those parties who can furnish
any facts, either for or against Mr. Hill's plan, should do so
without delay.

THE GREAT DINNER OF THE OPERATIVE CONSERVATIVES
—Next week will be one of great importance to the conserva
tives of the borough of Manchester. It was ascertained seve
ral days ago that the New Corn Exchange would not be suffi-
ciently large to accommodate the vast number of people anxiou
to be present at the dinner of the operative conservatives on
Wednesday next, but there is not a larger room in the town
available for the purpose, and time would not allow of one
being built. No tickets are to be issued after to-day, and we
understand that all the arragements are in a state of forward-
ness.—Manchester Courier.

MURDER AT LINCOLN : ATTEMPT TO POISON A FAMILY.—
On Saturday week and Monday following au inquest was held
at Lincoln, before Mr. Hitchins, coroner, on the body of Mr
John 13iuce, a respectable butcher, who died shortly after taking
his breakfast: three members of the family were also taken ill
after their meal. It appeared, from the evidence, that the ap-
prentice of the deceased, named Samuel Kirby, had, out of re-
venge for being chastised by his master, and not suffered to go
out on. Sunday, in consequence of neglecting a lamb, which
had died, obtained arsenic, and put it in the kettle. The jury
returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against Kirby, and he was
committed.

CONSERVATISM IN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.—We are happy
to hear that the cause of conservatism is progressively advan-
cing in this borough, not only as regards the number of its
supporters, but in popularity also. In the course of the last six
nr.nths upwards of 121)0 gentlemen, tradesmen, and operatives
have enrolled themselves, the greater portion of whom are
electors, as members of the association. The committee of
management have taken eligible and commodious premises in
De er-street, (the most public one in the town,) for library,
committee, and reading-rooms, which they intend opening on
Monday evening next. It is confidently anticipated that the
conservative gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood will
take the earliest opportunity of affording the undertaking that
degree of permanent support of which the spirited enterprise is
'so highly deserving.—lllanchester Courier.

CONSERVATIVE FESTIVAL. IN HONOUR OF Was. GARNETT,
ESQ.—The preparations for this festival, which are on a scale
of superlative granduer and liberality, are now nearly com-
pleted A spacious hall, calculated to accommodate two
thousand persons at dinner, has been erected, and fitted up
with almost eastern magnificence, in a large garden, situate at
the bottom of Irwell-place, in the Crescent. In this building
the banquet will take place on Tuesday; on Thursday there
will be a tea party and ball ; and on the Thursday following a
dress ball, the proceeds of which will be given to the Salford and
Pendleton Dispensary. The chief guests at the dinner, i❑ ad-
dition to William Garnett, Esq., will be Lord Viscount Maid-
stone, Sir Francis Burdett, and Sir George Sinclair—all of
whom will be entertained at Lark Hill. The operative conser-
vative association will have a procession on Tuesday afternoon.
—Manchester Courier.

BLACK DEATH IN AMERICA.—II is with feelings of sincere
sorrow that I announce to you the presence of an enemy on our
western and southwestern borders far more dreadful than the
sword, far more fatal than the bullet; an enemy that hurries
man with a sudden and terrific agony into, the presence of his
Creator, without that grandeur and exciting magnificence of
war which robs the grisly king of more than half his terrors,
and renders the closing scene of mortal life, in the strife of ►he
battle-field, a scene of heroism, if not also a scene of honour
and of glory. I allude to pestilence in its direst form, though,
as yet, it has been exclusively confined to the Indians--a
doomed race! This mortal plague is said to be precisely the
same as the "Black Death," which raged so fatally in England
and in Europe some five or six centuries ago. IC attacks the
head and loins suddenly, and with dreadful pain; and, iu about
two hours, the victim falls a corpse. The body than swells
enormously, and turns instantly black. You will form some
idea of the fearful progress and havoc of death on the prairies,
when I tell you, that, within a few weeks, more than 33,000
savages died. Of a lodge of 1,600 tlandaus (a noble tribe)
only 35 remained alive; 10,600 Assineboius have died, and de-
serted wigwams, newly-made mounds, or putrifying corpses, at-
tended only by the croaking raven and the screaming eagle,
mark the mournful desolation of the Indian forests and prairies.
The crows and black-feet, so eminently described in Irving's
" Astoria" and " Rocky Mountains," have suffered dreadfully;
and more than one of the smaller tribes have been summoned,
man, woman, and papoose, to the tribunal of Manitoulin. the
Great Spirit, not one remaining to tell that ttwy were once a
nation of warriors! The disease is supposed to have origi-
nated from small-pox amongst the traders, and from them t•o
have communicated to the Indians, where it soon appeared in
the aggravated form of " The Black Death."—Philadelphia
Letter in the Chronicle.

MR. BOOTH, THE TRAGEDIAN.—This individual, incompany
with Mr. Flynn, the comedian, took passage a short time since,
in the steam-boat Neptune, from New York for Charleston.
During the voyage, Mr. Buoth, in a tit of insanity, juinpedover
board, and was fortunately rescued through the promptness and
decision of Captain Peimoyer. On his arrival at Charleston,
.he and Mr Flynn took lodgings at the Planter's Hotel. One
night, after leaVing the theatre, they returned to their lodg-
ings, both gentlemen' occupying the same room. Mr. Flynn
undressed himself and retired to bed, and soon fell asleep, but
was aroused between one and two o'clock, a.m., by receiving a
tremendous blow over the right eye. He sprang up in bed,
and discovered Mr. Booth in the act of aiming another blow at
him with one of the cast-iron fire dogs, taken from the fire-
place, alongside the bed, and with which the first wound had
been inflicted. Mr. F. endeavoured to avoid the blow, but re-
ceived it over his left eye with such force as broke the fire dog,
when he leaped from the bed and escaped from the room, Mr.
Booth in close pursuit, and endeavouring to inflict other
wounds. They finally grappled and fell, the Herculean strength.
of Mr. Booth, while labouring under the excitement of derange-
ment, giving► him the advantage. The calls of Mr. Flynn
finally brought assistance, and Mr. Booth was secured, but not
until .I.llr. Flynn bad received a number of severe wounds and.
bruises, none of which, we are happy to say, were of a danger.
ous character. Mr. Booth was placed under restraint, and
would doubtless be so kept until he recovered from his abeira-
Lion of tniud.

STEAM NAVIGATION.—On Thursday last, the sth instant,
an excursion was made by a number of scientific and nautical
gentlemen, to test the performance of the engines of the Wil-
berforce steam-ship, conctructed by Messrs. Hall, of Dartford,
and intended for the Hull and London trade. Among the party
were some of the most eminent, scientific, and practical pro-
fessors connected with the study of marine engines. The ves-
sel started from the East India docks on a trip to Gravesend, a
distance of 21 miles, which was accomplished in the short space
of time of one hour and 20 minutes, being at the rate of nearly
161 miles per hour. This extraordinary performance has,
however, been fully equalled by previous voyages of the vessel
to and front Hull, she having already made a passage from
Hull to Gravesend in the unprecedentedly short period of 191
hours. Strict observation was kept upon the actions of the
operative engineers by those gentlemen who were making ex-
periments on board. An indicator being attached to each cy-
linder, with other instruments to test the vacuum pressure of
steam temperature of water, &c., a result was obtained showing
the actual effect of the engines to amount to 95 per cent, above
their nominal power, their uniform speed being 22 revolutions
per minute with a 6-feet stroke and 24-feet wheels, having floats
each of the area of 21 superficial feet, which, together with the
scientific construction of the vessel, accounts for her superior
speed. In addition to the advantage arising to this vessel from
her superior machinery, the accommodation and comfort of the
passengers has been most studiously considered; the principal
salon (although we must admit it is not so gorgeously deco-
rated as the Great Western, for instance) is one of the most
spacious and comfortable we have witnessed. The sleeping
berths—a most important consideration in sea voyages-:.—are
managed with the same attention to the wants of the pas-
sengers.

THE INTENDED GRAND ENTERTAINMENT TO HER
MA-
JE'TY AT GOLDSMITHS' Ha 1.1.,--Toe most extensive prepara-
tions, on a scale of surpassing grandeur, have commenced at
Goldsmith's' Hall, in the city, for the entertainment of the
Queen, who has most graciously ronseuted to accept the invita-
tion of this, the richest company in the world. The festival is
arranged to take place at the latter end of May, when a mag-
nificent dress ball will be presented. it is proposed that, after-
wards, there shall be a banquet in the superb hall or dining-
room of the company, the great painted window of which is to
be illuminated from without by jets of gas light, and within the
noble suite of rooms are to be lighted with gas in glass so as to
produce the effect of momlight. The rarest flowers and exotics
will add to the decorations, and it is said a miniature lake con-
taining, gold and silver fishes will be a prominent, and novel
part of the spectacle. Vocal and instrumental performers of
first-rate talent are to be engaged. It is not generally known
that the carpet in the banqueting-room is valued at 1600
guineas, and that the chairs cost 41) guineas each.
A BAVARIAN SOMNAMIVULIST.—The German papers state,
that much sensation has been created in Munich by the ap-
pearance of somnambulist in the streets, who has been several
times saved from destruction by the public. She is a lady of
title, 28 years of age; and has received the best medical advice,
which has been ineffectual in preventing her nocturnal rambles.

On the 9th ult. eleven persons crossing Mount St. Bernard,
were overtaken by an avalanche. seven made their escape,
but four (Piedmontese) were completely overwhelmed. The
canons of the hospice, being informed of the accident, hastened
to the spot, and ere long succeeded in digging out the bodies of
two of the sufferers, and using every means for their recovery;
but all was in vain, life was irretrievably gone. Uureinitted
searches fur the remaniug twu were continued fur two days, but
without success.

THE FORCE OF CONSCIENCE.—We copy from a recent num-
ber of a London Journal the following advertisement
TION.—" A person who some years ago wished to evade a pro-
portion of the stamp duty on certain property, having, by the
grace of God, been convinced of the sin of so doing, is anxious
to make all reparation to government in her power, and there-
fore remits the inclosed sum of £3l 4s. 6d., being the full
amount of the former omission, and the lawful interest due on
the same." The above sum has been received at the stamp
office.—April 9, 1830.