The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-01-19 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL APOLLO GLEE CLUB.

This celebrated knicietv held its forty-second anniversary yes-
terday evening, at Mr. (loiden's, Richmond-row. About forty
gentlemen, some of them the Lest patrons of music in this town,
partook of all eicellent dinner, and during the evening enjoyed
one of the highest musical treats; indeed, the style in which the
glees were executed could not, by possibility be excelled.. Mr.
G. Holden presided at the piano-forte: his accompaniment
of "'l'he G'ee" is too well known and appreciated to require
any eulogtu:n from us. The chair was admirably filled by Mr.
the father of the club, and he was ably supported by
Mr Gillow and Mr. Snowball, as vice-presidenti. For the gra-
tification of our musical readers, we subjoin the bill of fare on
this occasion:—

Grace before meat—" Praise the Lord."
Grace after meat—" Non nohis Domine."
The Queen—National Anthem—arranged by Novell°.
The Queen Dowager, and the rest of the Royal Family.—
Glee, " Beauties, have you seen ?"—Evan;.
The Army and Navy.—Glee, " Some of my heroes are low."
—Stevens..

Prosperity and Perpetuity to the Apollo Glee Club.—Madri-
gal, "This pleasante monthe of Maie. '—Beale.
Thomas Holden, president and father of the Apollo Glee Club.
—Glee, " When winds breathe soft."— Webbe
The Liverpool Glee " 0, strike the harp in
praise."— Stereos.
George Holden, and the English Composers of the present
day.—Prize Glee, "Smiling Mirth."—G, Holden.
The Liverpool pea Steak Club.—" Hail! great Apollo."
Hargreaves.
Sir G. Smart and the Honorary Members of the Apollo Club.
—Glee, " The Squirrel."—Sir G. Smart.
The memory of the deceased Members of the Apollo Club.—
Glee, " In the hall I lay."—Dickens.
The Vice-presidents.—Round, " La mia Dorabella."—Mozart.

PASSENGER BROKERS

TO LIEUTENANT LOWE, R.N.

• Stn,—lt is really time that the mist which has so long ob-
scured the perception of the public, should he dispersed, and
that the passenger brokers of Liverpool should be viewed in a
proper light, instead of being beheld through ;he fallacious re-
presentations of newspaper reports, and the unmerited odium
which you have endeavoured to cast upon them. T hey have
been, since the commencement of your dynasty in Liverpool,
a most persecuted people; public indignation has been invoked
against them; the most frivolous complaints have been magni-
fied into cases of enormous delinquency, and the brokers have
now only the alteinative to die under the lash, or to stand for-
ward in their own defence as honest men,—as the inhabitants
of a free country, courting an inquiry into their conduct, not
shrinking from it, demanding investigation as the only legiti-
mate means of reinoviog the foulest' assertions and the most
opprobrious epithets that were ever heaped on commercial men
in the second commercial port in the world. , •
I have lately read in the newspapers a statement purporting
to come from you, wherein an abstract is given of the number
of passengers that have emigrated from this nort, &c. I shall
not dispute the accuracy of the first part of your statement
respecting, the number of emigrants, but I shall state that you
owe your information to the kindness of those very men whom
you are daily endeavouring to malign in the most unworthy
manner. You are indebted to them for furnishing you with the
number of passengers by each vessel; for more than two-thirds
of the passenger-ships have not their full complement on board,
consequently the tonnage cannot enable you to obtain that in-
formation which can only be had at the office of the passenger
brokers. Then, with regard to your authority to demand such
information, yon have none whatever. If lain rightly informed,
Lord Stanley, when he was colonial secretary, appointed you to
the situation which you now hold. But his lordship, in doing
so, acted on his own responsibility, as he can show no authority
for taking the liberty to make such an appointment; and if he
had no authority fur appointing you, then your authority falls
to the ground as a matter of course. But the emigrant agents
have not treated you as they might have done; they have be-
haved towards you with a degree of civility and courtesy which
your conduct towards them never warranted nor ever deserved.
They have afforded you information, and every facility fur ob-
taining information, in return for which you have domineered
over them in the most hauhgty manner. In their behaviour to-
wards you, they have acted with mildness, condescension, and
respect, but not with that cringing, abject submission which
your seem to expect.
You state that in' 1837 there were 3760 complaints lodged at
your office. Will you have the goodness to inform the public
how many of these complaints were either very frivolous or
utterly groundless ? You state that you obtained redress for
894, and it is •highly probable that out of the 3760 complaints,
the 894 were the only ones that needed any redress. You are
no more ignorant of these frivolous complaints than I am, and
Sou are well aware that more titan nine tenths of the well-
grounded complaints originate with feilows who are lurking
about the docks, and not with the respectable passenger brokers,
,who despise the villany that is so wantonly and so unjustly im-
puted to them. Yet you are never heard to denounce the real
actors in such cases; for these ate the very men through whose
agency your office is filled with complaints, and you know that
only for them you Would have no business to attend to in your
office, and consequently no opportunity of appearing a very
useful man in the eyes of those who know nothing to the con-
trary, and who are content to believe the exparle reports that
appear in the pages of newspapers. In how many cases
could you trace the frauds upon passengers to the true source?
but this would not answer the purpose of vilify ing the passenger
brokers, who are doomed to be the victims of public indigna-
tion.

You state that in a period of about four years and eight
months, Noll wrested from passenger brokers the sum of
£523. Is. 8-1-d. and restored it to poor persons emigrating from
this port—at least, you state it was done through the instrumen-
tality of your office. Now, averaging six passenger brokers
during that period, it follows that you have recovered from each
house, between £lB. and £l9. per annum; in other words,
taking the average passage as low as £3. you have got back the
passage money of about six persons. Really this is monstrous
work, and it shows' that we must be a very delinquent set of
people, since six persons annually out of so many thousands
have had their money returned ! But you state that redress
could not be obtained for the rest, "owing to the ineffective
state of the Passenger Act." That act was amended very
lately, and was expected to be such as would fully answer the
purpose for which it was intended. But, I tell you, that, as
lung as the passengers are such people as we, to oursorrow, find
them to be, it will be in vain to have one Act of Parliament after
another, creating fresh changes, and throwing obstacles not
only in our way, but actually injuring the very people for whom
you profess to have so parental a regard. If the trade be
shackled, the consequence is that it falls upon the poor emi-
grant, who is thereby compelled to pay a higher price for his
passage. If ships are obliged to take less passengers, if greater
and additional restrictions are to be placed on the trade, the
amount of charter will be augmented, and the emigrants will
lie necessitated to pay a higher fare. This will he the inevitable
consequence. So muck for your friendly feeling to the
passengers ! But the legislature will, no doubt, hear two
sides of an argument. I do most positively believe that
the minds of the magistrates have been prejudiced against
us—that their opinions, their decisions, have been wafted and
wavered, and, I am sorry to say, dragged ihto the wrong chan-
nel by the specious representations of some of the cases which
aou have brought against us. This is an honest man's charac-
ter forced upon the world in the most unfavourable point of
view. Newspaper iepurtsare headed "CHEATINGEMIGRANTS,"
or " Friaun ueoN ErainiraNTs," till the town teems with the
idea that we are all a pack of swindlers, for whom Botany Bay
is too good an asylum.
It appears, further, that in a period of about four years and
eight months, you recovered altogether £523. Is. Etiri ; though
in oce single year (I 837) you obtained redress for 894! Truly
this redress that you have obtained has been a most transcendant
show of victory. I.3nt this, you willtell the public, is all owing "to
the ineffective state of the Passenger Act. This may be very
palatable for those who know no better; but for us who know
the law as well as you do, such statements pass for what we know
to lie their true value.
I must now call attention to the following paragraph, which
appeared in the Standard newspaper of this town, and which
was appended to your statement in that paper:
" It will be seen, by reference to the above table, that the ap-
pointment of Lieut. Lowe, as Government Emigration Agent,
at this port, has, notwithstanding the great difficulties with
which he has had to contend, been attended with beneficial re-
sults. There is no doubt, however, that a much greater benefit
would accrue, if individuals who are about to emigrate, would
apply to him in the first instance. Preventiou is proverbially
better than cure; and if the proper course were in the first in-
stance taken, we might soon see an end put to a system of swin-
dling which is a disgrace to our community."
Without alluding to the swindling department of the above
paragraph, I beg to say, that it would be most injudicious to
apply to you "in the first instance." All men have their par-
tiality and their prejudices; and you, like other men, are sub-'
ject to the same imperfections • and, therefore, it would be very
unfair and very unjust to enable you to recommend all passen-
gers to one favoured house. Such a system of despotism (if it
were the law) might suit a despotic country, but is net conge-
nial with the laws or the institutions of the British realm.

We have, in our unfortunate business, to deal with the very
worst of characters—with the offscourings of the human race—
with robbers, runaways, villains of all sorts and descriptions,
for whom the voice of public sympathy is invoked ; but there is
no commiseration for us, if we lose two or three hundred
pounds by a ship. Not at all! This would not suit your busi-
ness in Union-street. We are lo be held up to the world as
swindlers! nothing less than.downright "SWINDLERS!" Swind-
ling whom? Men than that ate qualified to swindle us, after
having perhaps swindled more acute people than we are. But
the true statement of the case is.. that we are and must be expos-
ed as common swindlers; and all this must be made manifest,
in order that you may appear a most useful man. In truth, I
pity the man who attempts to rise to eminence by such meaes.
There is a great difference in passengers. Some are more re-
spectable than others; but the bulk of them corresponds with
the above unfavourable picture. It is well known to us that
most of them will call God to witness the basest falsehoods, and
that they will be guilty of dark, unhallowed perjury for the sake
of a few shillings. Yet public sympathy must 'be awakened for
them !-but none for us! How often does it happen, that an
emigrant swears he has barely what will pay his passage, and
the same night he gets into bad company, and comes next morn-
ing to lament his loss of ten, twenty, or thirty sovereigns. One
day a passenger called his Maker to witness, that he had not
enough to pay his hospital money; and after he was told we
would he content to lose the dollar 14 went immediately to a
public-house and changed a sovereign for a glass of whisky. But
it appears they deserve all sympathy, and we deserve none !
Our character is precious to us, however lightly you may look
upon it, and we shall endeavour to preserve it untarnished
from your unworthy aspersions.
A PASSENGER BROKER.
P.S.—As our business has been libelled by being called " a
system of swindling that. is a disgrace to our community,•" I
hereby challenge you to produce a single case of direct swind-
ling, to name the persons who were swindled, where they enga-
ged their passage, and who were the actors or abettors in the
crime.

1 have only one cause of regret in writing this letter, viz., that
it makes von appear to be a man of greater importance than
you are; for any man in Liverpool can show an aggrieved pas-
senger the road to the police•court. Perhaps it may be said,
am only " breaking a fly on the wheel."

MR. PEMBERTON'S CONCERT.—We perceive that Mr: Pem-
berton takes his annual concert this evening at the Templar's
Hall, Great George-street. He has putout a most attractive
syllabus. All the principal local perfortners of the town are
engaged. and all the best vocalists, with the valuable addition
of Miss Leach.

THE Soci, EsiAI3I.ISIII'ANT.—We are glad to find that the
truly benevolent plan of serving the poor with soup has been
revived in LiVerpool. The inclemency of the season, which has
thrown great
,rt um her of lahourersout of employ, renders such
an e4tablishment Peculiatly- necessary. ' We hope that the
customary lihera!ity of the public of Liverpool will be evinced
by augmented subscriptions to this desirable object.
The Marquii of Anglesey has made a liberal distribution of
food and clothing to the poor on his estates in the Isle of An-
glesey, and also at Beautlesert:

MEETING or JUSTICES.-COURT OF QUARTER

SESSIONS.

On Tues lay, at 12 o'clock, a court of Quarter Sessions of the
Justices of the borough was he'd tor the regul &on of the gaol
and House of Correction. The justices present were the Mayor,
Mr. John Holmes, Mr. R,oskeil, Mr. Bircht Mr. A. Hodgson,
Mr. Ripley, Mr. Theodore Rathbone, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Hugh
Hornby, Mr. Rawdon, Mr. Earle, and Mr. Bolton.

The MAYOR, on the entrance of reporters, stated that th'e.
sessional business would be first gone through, which was open
to the public; after which the magistrates would resolve into a
committee, which was not a session but private.
Mr. RADCLIFFE, the Town Clerk, and Clerk of the Peace,
then read the report of the visiting justices. The visiting jus-
tices found that they were required to make a report in writing,
every quarter under the following heads: first, the state and
condition of the prisoners ; secondly, what repairs and alte-
rations, if any, are required; and thirdly, the state and condi-
tion of the prison. The Town Clerk then read "the report
of Wm. Bacheldor, keeper of the Common Gaol," which cer-
tified that the rules and regulations laid down for the govern-
ment of the prison had been duly complied with. The report
then set forth the number of prisoners, male and female, the
nature of their offences, and the term of their imprisonment.
In conclusion the report stated that from the great increase of
female transports and this class of criminals, the governor bad
been under the necessity of removing this class of prisoners to
a ward by themselves, which was calculated to be productive of
beneficial results, in preventing old offenders from contami-
nating those who were imprisoned under a first conviction.
The report called the attention of the justices to the necessity
of an immediate alteration in the cook-house and wash:house:
The building itself was inadequate to the cooking required,
and was so low, that the people employed there were from
morning till night enveloped in steam, and in consequence,
several of them had been placed under the care of the surgeon.
The wash-house was so limited as nut to be capable of getting
through the washing.
The Town Clerk stated that the alterations in the cook-house
and wash-house could not be proceeded with till after the next
quarterly council. The former report of the justices to the
council had been read and approved, but by law it could not
be determined on till the next session, or the next quarterly
council.
Mr. BIRCH—CouId not these alterations be recommended
previously? and are we not now waiting for the confirmation of
Lord John Russell, on that report ?. . .

The MAYOR said they had determined to go on with the alter-
ations unless they were objected to.
The TOWN-CLERk said the course observed had been that
certain alterations were recommended as proper, and were
taken into consideration at the quarterly councils, subject to
the approbation of the Secretary of State. Lord John Russell
had suggested that there should be a new gaol, and so the pro-
ceedings rested. It was then determined to report iu favour of
the alterations before proposed, subject to some corrections,
with a view to the council proceeding with those alterations
according to law. They had accordingly been made to the-last
council, but the rule of law of the gaol act ordered that a report
of sessions, when brought before the council, should be received
atone sessions or council and confirmed at another.

The Gaoler's report was then ordered to lie on the table.
The MAYOR then said that the next report was the chaplain's.
The TOWN-crEett then proceeded to read the report of the
Rev. George Stokes, officiating minister. In conformity with
the regular cottons, he had great pleasure in making the report,
with respect.. to, the Borough ,Gaol. Since the last report,
divine service bid regularly been performed in the chapel, two
full services on the Sundays and prayers on the Tuesdays and
Fridays. He thought daily prayers would be extremely useful.
A plan of this kind, had been introduced; t Kirkdale, and be
hoped that a similar plan *mild be introduced into the Borough
Gaol. He once more impressed the necessity Of forming a
library in the gaol to be under the commitl of the chaplain.
A plan of this kind had been 'adopted at Kirkdale Gaol, and
had been found very useful by the chaplain. He thought that
five pounds would purchase a great many religious and moral
works in sheets, and they might be bound in the prison at a very
slight cost. A library thus formed would be of great use to the
chaplain, and of great benefit to the prisoners. Yet they must
not be too sanguine; to make bad men good was no easy task.
By this system it had been found, in Coldbath-fields prison,
that good in individual instances (and amongst hardened
offenders) had been the result. The effect, however, in the
great majority of instances, did not reach beyond the walls.
Short imprisonments he.had found to be decidedly injurious. It
appeared to him to be desirable to do away with these imprison-
ments altogether. In the meatititne, it was a question of the
utmost importance that the prisoners should be usefully employ-
ed. The more he saw of the prisons the more thoroughly. was he
convinced that their want of moral and religious instruction and
their ignorance, was the great source of crime. He had lately,
by the advice of Captain Williams, examined a great many
prisoners as to the cause of their committingcrimes, and he had
generally found it to arise from the want of moral and religious
education, and the bad example of their parents, aided by
drunkenness and bad company. Some bad pleaded absolute
want, but not many : if there were less ignorance, he was con-
fident there would be less want. He had great pleasure in as-
suring the justices, that the use of good books had produced
much good effect during the last sessior., and he had been much
pleased with Hie conduct of many of the prisoners. A new organ
had been erected in the chapel, and had been a good improve-
ment in the service. He wished to draw attention to another
alteration. Many of the prisoners were sentenced by the Re-
corder to pass much of their tithe in solitary confinement, and
owing to the terms of their sentence they could not attend
chapel. It was proposed to elect a number of seats in the
chapel, so constructed that these prisoners would be able only
to see the governor and the clergyman, and not to see each
salter. He concluded the report with thanking the justices for
fittingup a room for the personal accommodation of the chaplain.
Mr. 11A suppose the magistrates are aware, that the
new organ is not put up at the expense of the council, it is put
up by subscription amongst the magistrates.
'l'he MA YOR.—The only two points that appear for considera-
tion, are the library, and the alteration in the seats.
Mr. ADAM. HODGSON thought that the suggestion of the
chaplain was a very good one; he could not see any objection to
the library, the amount was so trifling. With regard to the
seats, it appeared to him to be rather au extraordinary circum-
stance, that those persons who had to be transported, or were
sentenced to solitary confinement, had to lie excluded from any
place of public worship. He should hardly think that it was
in the contemplation of the recorder. He thought it the most
desirable thing that could be, that these persons should attend
divine service, separated if necessary. He would, therefore
move, that books be provided as pointed out, and that the
means be forthwith afforded to enable the attendance of these
persons at divine worship. He could never believe that solitary
confinement without attendance on divine worship could pro-
duce that good which it ought to do.
The motion was seconded.
Mr. HARVEY thought as they had not appointed a chaplain,
and as Mr. Stokes merely held his office pro tem, that they had
better adjourn the question of the books.
Mr. HonnsoN said the library must be useful whoever was
the chaplain. He could not see the desirableness of delay.
Was not the appointment of a chaplain part of the business to
come under that day's consideration ?
The MAYoll.—Perhaps, Mr. Hodgson would modify his mo-
tion, and approve the report of the chaplain.
Mr. HoncsoN had no objection.
The report was then approved, and left to the sub-commitiee
to carry into execution.

The MAYOR satd, the clerk of the peace had requested him
to state, that the sentence of solitary confinement would not
allow the prisoners to attend places of worship.
Mr. liounsoN.—Unless the recorder ordered some qualifi-
cat ion.

The TOWN•CLERK said the recorder had only power to sen-
tence to solitary confinement, he could not qualify.
The• MAYOR said the next subject was the Surgeon's report.
The TowN•CLERK then proceeded to read the Surgeon's re-
_ _

• The MAYOR inquired if the Justices would wish the daily re-
ports to be read ? They would take up much time, and they
had been looked over by the jail committee.
Mr. El A RV EY said he had been at the jail the day before, and
there certainly was no infectious disease there.
The Towis-cLEart said by the 4th of Geo. IV. c 64, sec. 3,
it was ordered that every surgeon appointed to a jilt should
visit every person and report thereon; and further keelia jour-
nal, and enter ahy observations which might occur; and such
journal should he kept and produced before the justices at quar-
ter sessions, and be signed by the same as having been before
them produced. The 17th rule of the same act was that the sur-
geon should examine every prisoner.
A M AGISTR ATE.—A certain form was recommended by Cap-
tain Williams; has he complied with that form?
The. M A YOR.—Yes.

Mr. BIRCH said the act required that there should be an ac-
count of the state of the health of the prisoners. Now, such an
account as was entered in the surgeon's journal was not within
the meaning of the act of parliament. The journal fur several
days was entered "Ditto" under several general heads.
it was then moved and carried that this journal was not kept
incompliance with the act of parliament, and it was requested
that it he in future so kept in compliance.
The TowN-CLERK then read a report of the visiting justices
on several complaints relating to the conduct of some of the
prisoners for being disorderly in the pi icon. Much of this was
to be attributed to the insufficient attendance of officers, their
number not being adequate for the duties required. It was,
therefore recommended' that au additional officer for each ward
be appointed. _

.• - -
Mr. HARVEY did not know why that report should he read
that day, as it was not customary to read the reports of the visit-
ing magistrates. His object in wishing an additional officer to
each ward to be appointed was, that an officer's eye might always
be on the prisoners, to prevent those. frequent punishments
which were necessary in order to keep the jail in order.
The MA You was sorry Mr. Heywood was not present, as he
recollected that it was Mr. Heywood who had wished this to be
carried into effect, and himself and other magistrates bad con-
curred in it. Without additional assistance it was impossible
for-the jails to be kept properly. He had been told by one of
the task mistresses that it was impossible to keep the jail in
order without it.

Mr. HUGH HORNBT wished to know what additional number
of turnkeys would be required?
Mr. H A HVEY.—Only one at present.
The M ',you said it was the opinion of the bench that this
alteration should be made; it would be better if some magis-
trate would move "that it is the opinion of this bench that the
sub-committee be requested . to take the necessary steps for
making this appointment."
Mr. HUGH HORNBY.—Have not the visiting justices power
to make this appointment? •
The ToWN•CLEHK.—Thev have the power subject to being
laid before the council, and being approved.
The recommendations for the alterations in the prison were
then confirmed.

The sessions were then adjourned to Monday, the sth of Feb-
ruary, at twelve o'clock, and the magistrates resolved themselves
into committee.

A patent is about to be taken out for warming rooms by means
of unslackeu lime inclosed in copper or iron balls.
A wag, on hearing that there were no less than five millions
and a half of holes bored ►n the floor of the House of Cou►tnons,
exclaimed, " well, they have made a riddle of the hon. house at
last."

Dr. O'Callaghan, one of the leaders of the Canadian rebels,
is from Mallow, in the county of Cork, where his father carried
on the baking business. He was bred an apothecary, and his
only brother was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church:—
Limerick Standard.

The Sovereign, transport; Lieutenant Naih, agent, is ordered
to fit with all haste, and take in provisions for 200 men; wkom
she will embark at Cork, most probably to augment the troops
in the West Indies, weakened by the regiment which the Corn-
wallis will convey to Halifax.
•
•M&D Doc.—lt is not mita' to hear much of mad.dogs at this
season of the year„and during such weather as that which now
prevails; but, on Sunday morning last, great alarm and eoniu-
sion was caused in the neighbourhood of Urntstou and Flixton
by a dog, apparently in a rabid state,. which ran from one farm-
house to another, and hit a considerable number of other dogs,
as well as two or three persons; amongst whom was a female
servant of Mr. Stephenson. of Urmston. The dug was finally
killed near Flittort:—Manchester Guardian.

;-.7 .~,~.:

:..~

MEETING OF RATE PAYERS AT BIRKENHEAD.

Yesterday a meeting of the Rate-payers of Birkenhead was
held at the parish church, Birkenhead, at 2 o'clock, convened
by the following notice:—" A vestry meeting of the Rate-
payers of Birkenhead will be held in the parish church thereof,.
on Thursday, the 18th day of January instant, at '2 o'clock in:
the afternoon, for the purpose of considering a draft act of par-
liament, prepared pursuant to the resolution of the last vestry
meeting. And notice is hereby further given, that the said
draft now lies at the police office of the said township for the
inspection of the Rate-payers. Signed John Eastwood, Thos.
Boydell Colborne."

It was moved by. Mr. CAsE, and seconded 14 Mr. PLATT,
that Mr. It. Russell, the Church-warden take the chair.
Mr. MALLABY, Solicitor, then read the requisition calling
the trieeting, and the rote of the last vestry appointing a com-
mittee, and Mr. Case as. chairman.

Mr. CASE reported the proceedings of the committee, which
bad ended in the: drawing up of the draft of a bill to be laid
before parliament, empowering• the township to borrow a sum
of £6OOO, a debt.to that amount -having been very nearly in-
curred. By tlie present act the commissioners were bound
immediately to commence repavnient of the debt,,and for this
purpose they had already levied a rate of Is. 6d. 'iii the pound
on the tenants on the rack rent. • The new bill progosed to ex-
tend the time for payment, whereby the burden would be re-
moved from the present tenant, and the rate instead of being
Is 6d. would at most be 6d: No frirther sum to be borrowed
than to pay off this present delit-riit bout the consent of the ma-
jority of the whole of the presect commissioners, a part of
whom were annually elected. He concluded with moving the
adupti ,n of the draft of the bill 'which they hid prepared for
the better regulation of the township. '
Mr. APPLETON rose to oppose the motion, end- spoke at great
length. He contended that the general object of the bill was
unnecessary; that nu fault could be found with the present
commissioners, and that they had not the power of levying a
rate of Is. 6d. io the pound on the rack rent. He contended
that parliament would not extent the time of payment of the
present money; and that instead of the projected bill lessening,
it would only increase the rates. He contended that the new bill
was only concocted for the benefit of the landowners, and largo
proprietors, to enable them to pave,
_ and sewer their own
streets at the expense of the tenants. He concluded with mov-
ing an amendment " !nat the bill be read this day seven years."
Mr. SHARP seconded the amendment.
Mr. JACKSON gave an epitome of the act; and described what
Were its intentions. The bill did not give the power of lending
a single farthing to the landoviners, and whatever money the
landlord might owe to the parish, if paid by the tenant, might
be deducted by him according to the practice of Liverpool, and
•
elsewhere.

Mr. Ma ',Lahr contended in reply to Mr. Appleton, that the
commissioners had the power of laying the rate of Is. 6d. in the.
pound on the rack rent. By the present att. the possession of
1.:1000 worth of property qualified a persoh fdr eortmtitiloner,
whether he paid rates or not. He would ask whether a bOdy of
commissioners so constituted, was capable of sympathising with
the wishes and feelings of the township? They wanted that no
man should be a commissioner who was not a rate•payer. The
present commissioners had it in their power to continue this tax
of Is. 6d. in the poune. for ever if they liked. Mr. Appleton
had stated that £14,000 would be required for sewerage; he
contended that this was incorrect. He contended that though
the bill might appear to bear immediately on the landlord, it
would be to his ultimate benefit, and would relieve the present
tenants. It was the interest of every shopkeeper to do everything
they could to enlarge the community; if it got known that the
township was heavily taxed, it would drive inhabitants
away; it - ought therefore to be stringent on shopkeepers
to support the hill, which tended to keep the taxes down. Un-.
less this act was passed to enable them to get money, the town-
ship would be known as a heavily taxed town. He contended,'
that the debt would be put off by the bill to an indefinite period.
and they would only have the interest to pay. He denied, that
he advocated this measure for his own interest. As for the pal-
try sum that would be paid to him for watching the bill through
Parliament, there were gentlemen enough present who knew
that it was to him insignificant and contemptible. What he
lociked to was, the prospective benefit of the township. Mr.
Sharp an t Mr. Appleton were both members of the committee
which had assented to the bill, and he appealed to any one, whe-
ther it was not a disgrace to assent to that measure in the com-
mittee, and then in a private meeting to propose to get up an
opposition to it ? If any of them had a feeling of independence,
they would retaliate with scorn on such conduct. (Great con-
fusion, amidst which—)
Mr. APPLETON rose, but did not speak.
Mr. SHARP (with great heat)—Allow me to state—(Great
confusion and interruption, amidst which a dog who was in the
aisle set up a hind "bow wow wow, bow wow.")
A PARISHIONER.—One at once, gentlemen, if you please.
(Laughter.) ,
Mr. M A I. L ABY.—It is, recorded that the assent embraced tbe
wholeof the meeting, and Mr. Appleton was one of the meeting.
Mr. APPLETON.—My attending that meeting did not prevent
my atteading this. Mr. Mallithy has overturned the whole
driff of my arguments. (Laughter, and "so he has." I stated
that the taxation would be required to five per, cent. As to
sewering, 1 said it in words, sir, that the tenants vropld not have
to *pay the sewerage. I come here freely,to, weak mY mind.
Mr. MALI,ABY had no doubt Mr. Appletoh did, net intend to
make any mis-statement. There was one remark be wished to
make about the elective body. It was stated that,the commis
sionets were to be elected.under Sturges Boiirne's Act. This
bill had no such proposition. It was determined that the fran-
chise should rest with the £lO rate-payers, as they were most
calculated to look after the general interests. . 4.
Mr. SHARP said, when he was in the committee there was a
clause which passed the committee which was now withdrawn.
He should wish to know the reason.

Mr. M A LLA By said the reason was that it was Considered that
the franchise would be better in the £lO householders than
under Sturges Bourne's act. • Perhaps Mr. Sharp might have
assented to that, thinking it might cause opposition afterwards.
It was not anticipated that there would be any opposition.
Mr. SHARP would propose that a clause should be inserted—
that Sturges Bourne's bill should never be acted on.
Mr. MA L LAB Y did not think they could get a bill ()abet kind
passed. That act never could be acted on under this act.
Mr. SHARP said there would be some hole for the large rate 4
payers to creep out at. (Confusion.)
A RATE•PAYRR.—WiII you allow n,e—
•Another RATE-PAYRR.—Mr. Chairman—

A third RATE-PAYER —One at (inst. (Confusion.)
Mr. SHARP at length made himself heard. A gentleman had
guaranteed the.rate-payers that the cost of going to parliament
with the bill should not exceed £5OO. Had Mr., Mallaby got
the guarantee 1. .
Mr. Ma hr.ani.—flo, I have not. Your observation does
not apply to me but to others. 1 have stated that the cost would
be £5OO or £550 to get the act through parliament if there was
no opposition. I repeat that I will be bound by the result. •
Mr. JACKSON.-1 have no objection to guarantee if there is
no opposition.
Several Rate-payers.--There will be an opposition.
The CHAIRMAN then put the amendment. th,.se for and
against it dividing to different sides of the cliut&h, ashen, at
length, the tellers appointed gave in the numbers, 51 on each
side. The Chairman then gave his casting vote in favour of
the motion.

Mr. Su A RP then demanded a poll, and it was arranged, that
the poll should be open an hour that afternoon ; 'to open again
this morning at ten, and dose at four in the afternoon : the vot-
ing to be under Sturges Bourne's act.

GREAT FIRE AT ST. PETERSBURGH-DESTRUC

TION OF THE WINTER PALACE.

ST. PETERSBURG H, DEC. 30.—The imperial winter palace,
the residence of our Sovereigns, which was built by Count
Rastrelli, at the beginning of the reign of the Empress Eliza-
beth, and consequently near a century old, has been destroyed
by fire which broke out suddenly in the inietior of the building
at a late hour last night, and spread with such rapidity and fury
that it defeated all our efforts made to arrest its progress, which
were directed by his imperial Majesty in person, but were ex-
tremely difficult from the severe cold, the thermometer being
at 22 degrees by Reaumur's thermometer below the freezing
point, or2B degrees below zero of Farenheit.) It has not yet
been possible to ascertain the original cause of this calamity
which has befallen our beloved Monarch just on his returd
from a long and fatiguing journey to this residence of his tinces-
tors. The fire is still burning, and at the moment of my Writing,
that part of the palace is in lames which vontains‘the apart-
ments of the Emperor, the Empress, and his august family,
which is opposite the Admiralty and the Boulevards. Immedi-
ately on the breaking out of tbe fire the imperial family retired
to the palace of her imperial Majesty. The imperial hermi-
tage, that repository of the rarest and most costly treasures of
art, the loss of which would be irreparable, is, at present, wholly
untouched, and it is hoped, with the Divine assistance, that it
will be preserved, and, perhaps, also the side next to the million.
For this week past the winter has been very severe, the cold,
has been 42 deg. Reautnur, but the communication with the in-
terior is very difficult for want of snow.

The Earl of Shrewsbury has transmitted his usual donation
for the purpose of purchasing coals to be given to the Indus-
ttious poor of the parish of B,,mpton ; and on Friday, the 22nd
ult., it was distributed to upwards of 100 families.
DEATH OF EARL Er.norr.-7We regret to announce the death
of the above venerable nohleman„which took place at his resi-
dence, No. 1, Hamilton-place. Piicediliv. on Saturday after-
noon, at four o'clock, in the 87th year of his age. We believe
his lordship was attacked with no particular complaint, but
sunk under gradual decay of nature. His lordship was at 4
tended during his illness by his daughter, Lady Frances ¶3ankes,
the wife of Mr.. Bankes, of Corfe Castle, who since her separa-
tion from her husband has resided with her venerable parent.
Lind Eldun hai left two daughters, Lady Fiances Banks and
Lady Eliiabeth Upton, the wife of Mr. Upton, the architect,
and will ne.Succeeded in the title by his grandson, Lord Viscount
Encombe, Who is now in his 27th year, and who came to town
from Shirley House, near Croydon, to attend on his noble grand-
father during, his last moments. Lord Eldor, with the exception
of Lord Lynedoch, was the most aged member in the House of
Peers.

. ,
ANOTHER STORY Of THE QUEEN, AS TRVII AS ANY OP THE
ttasT.—Two things were under prohibitiffla in the Duchess of
Kent's establishment—the tines and green tea. It is said that
the Queen, immediately on returning from her irst council, ad-
dressed an attendant thus-'--"Te-day's Maas and a cup of green
tea!"

LoNnivrrv.—The annual (linnet was lately given %y Mr.
Lansdown, of the White Horse Inn, Cricklade, to twenty-foot
of the olden poor men of that town, whose united ages amount..
ed to 1827 years.

INCENDIARTSM IN WIT.TS.—A ire, supposed to be the work
of an incendiary, took place on Wednesday night week, a
Chiverell, on ,a small farts in the oecupation of Mi. Thorned
Chapman. , A wheat rick, containing about 15 sacks, was en-
tirely destroyed.
•
A melancholy accident occurred on Tuesday to Mr. Henry
Penny, jun., of Yeovil. While out amusing himself with his
gun, tin getting over a hedge, he gave it tii.a boy to hold, and
while in the act of retaking. iti•vihenon the other side, with the
muzzle pointed towards himself,, the trigger, which was socked,
caught in a bramble, and the gun exploded, lodging its con-
tents in the head of Mr. Penny, by which accident be was
instantlj killed.
tt
A,
PATki AND WELLS DIOCESAN CHURCH BIJILDTISTI SSOCT-
ATION.—This association was formed on the 11th_ of August;.
1137, and has already contributed towards providing in the
Diocese 6417 additional sittings, of which 4668 are to be free
and unappropriated for ever.
We consider it necessary to state, that the nninbei of men
intended fur Canada, as announced by the United Service Ga.:
tette of Saturday, is incorrect, inasmuch as our contemporary
states the entire to be only 3,900; whereas the troops at present
under orders, including the artillery, amount to nearly 7,000
rank and file.--Times.

Countless flocks of birds, having the appeartinCi of flelafares
in the distance, passed over the north-eastern parts of the tnetro
polis, in a southerly direction, et the end of lait week. SO
numerous Were these winged fugitives from the black north,
that they darkened the air like a cloud, and their transit oceu-
pied several minutes. The weather-wise consider the circh&
stance d :tare prognostic of a severe sod protratt6B *Mt Of-71
Aleirn ileftll#: