The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-12-28 00:00:00

INQUESTS.

DEATH OF AN OLD MAN FROM STARVATION.—An in-
quest was held before the coroner, on Saturday, touching
the death of Peter Talbot, a man eighty years of age, who
resided in a house in Nelson's-court, Gladstone-street. Mary
Kendrick, a next door neighbour of the deceased, deposed
that the old man lived by himself. He had been rather un-
well lately, and his daughters occasionally went to visit him.
On Wednesday last, witness went into the house to see the
deceased; both daughters were then present. On Thursday
morning she again went to see him ; and in the evening,
when one of the daughters was in the house, she again called
in for the same purpose. The daughter said that her father
was then asleep, but that she would call in Mrs. K. when he
awoke. On Friday a dispensary surgeon called at the house
of the witness, and said that it was a very great shame that a
man like Talbot should be locked up, and no one in the
house to give him a drink of water. The door was ascer-
tained to be fast; and the neighbours, thinking it a very singu-
lar thing, got a key which would unlock the door, and went in
—The old man was found dead, and laid out. Witness saw
the daughters on Friday evening, and, at the request of the
surgeon, told them that they must either give information of
their father's death to the beadle or coroner. They said that
they neither cared for the coroner nor the doctor—that the
deceased was their own father, and that they could do as they
liked with him, and that he had not been neglected.—hlr.
Grant, surgeon, proved that he had been attending the de-
ceased in consequence of a bruise which he bad received
from a fall. He (witness) saw Talbot last on Wednesday
evening, when he did not consider him in danger. On Fri-
day, when he called, the door was locked. He went again
the same evening, and then ascertained that the old man
was dead. He could not tell what was the cause of death, as
there was nothing in the case to lead him to suppose he
would die so soon, or at all from any thing that was the matter
with him when witness last saw him alive The inquest was
in consequence adjourned until Monday, to allow time for a
post mortem examination of the body. Mr. Grant then said,
" I have made a post mortem examination of the body of the
deceased, in the presence of Dr. Vose and another surgeon.
The brain, liver, lungs, and all the other v scera were quite
healthy. There was not anything in the stomach, and lam
quite satisfied that the deceased died from want of the com-
mon necessaries of life. The stomach was healthy ; and it
was evident that he had not had anything of a solid nature
for several hours before death. For his time of life, the de-
ceased was a particularly muscular and healthy man. There
was a slight contusion on the hip, but of no consequence."
Alice Talbot, a daughter of the deceased, said that she had
not lived with her father for the last thirty years. She had
not called upon the old man for several weeks, as he worked
in hlr. Lunt's soapery in the night-time, and she did not
wish to disturb him by calling upon him in the day-time
She was never aware that he was in want of anything•
Having heard that he was unwell, she went on the Wednes-•
day to see him, and staid with him until ten at night. She gave
him some tea, a bun, and part of an apple. The next day
she went again, and he then appeared much the same. She
went out to try to get him admitted into the Infirmary, and
soon after her return he appeared to be dying. He expired
at four o'clock in the afternoon. She then went for her sis-
ter•, and they laid him out. The deceased said that he had 15
sovereigns and a half in a drawer in a chest down stairs;
but they could not find the money anywhere. They found
20s. in one of his drawers. She did not tell the neighbours
of her father's death, as she was afraid of their taking things
out of the house. The jury returned a verdict to the follow-
ing effect, " that the deceased died through want of the
common necessaries of life."
CHILD BURNT TO DEATH.—Within the net week there
have been four inquests held on the bodies of persons who
have been burnt to death. On Monday an inquest was held
'on a daughter of Mr. Curtis, plumber, of Renshaw-street.
The child was six years of age. On Friday evening her
clothes caught fire, and she was so severely burnt that she
died on Sunday night.—Verdict, accidental death.
FATAL ACCIDENT.—An inquest was held on Monday, re-
specting the death of a labouring man named Edwd. G'Don-
nell, who was in the employ of Mr. Threlfall, brewer, Crosbie-
street. On the 3d instant, O'Donnell, with others, was en-
gaged in taking out ale from the cellar. The men were
hoisting it out by means of a crane. The deceased was at the
handle. A cask had been raised, and on a person outside
calling out, as usual, "lower," O'Donnell, instead of doing
so, let go the handle, which, in its revolution, struck him
upon the temple. The wound was a very dangerous one.
Erysipelas came on, and spread over the whole of the body,
terminating in the mortification of the right arm, which caused
the death of the man. A. verdict of accidental death was re-
turned by the jury.
DEATH OF A CARPENTER.—On Wednesday last an in-
quest was held touching the death of Edward Watkinson, a
carpenter, in the employ of Messrs. Wilson, ship-builders.
About five or six weeks ago, the deceased was engaged ma-
king a stage to work upon, at the cutwater of a vessel that was
being built in the yard. He drove in one nail into the bearer,
and he then took off the rope that it was slung by. As soon
as he had taken off the rope, he stood upon the bearer, the
nail came out, and the deceased fell to the ground, from a
height of about 25 feet. He was severely injured by the fall,
and was taken to the Northern Hospital. His left arm was
severely lacerated; the bones were dislocated; and the ar-
tery was torn across; and amputation was considered neces-
sary. The man, however, died on Monday, from the shock
which his constitution had received from the accident. Ver-
dict, " Accidental Death."

Tuesday being Christmas-day, the Worshipful the Mayor
presented the debtors confined in the Borough Gaol with a
good substantial dinner. Each person had an allowance of
2 lbs. of bread, 2 lbs. of beef, 2 lbs. of potatoes, and a quart
of ale. The prisoners on the criminal side also partook of
the Mayor's bounty, in a plentiful supply of bread, beef, and
potatoes.
- - -

CutriA.—Extract of a letter received by Mr. Court from
the agents for Lloyd's at China, dated 29th July, 1838:
" Her Britannic Majesty's superintendent of trade, Captain
Elliot, returned to Canton, and hoisted his flag on the 27th
instant; but it is understood his stay will be only for a few
days, having come on special business, probably to serve as
an organ of communication between the government and
Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, who remains outside."
Lord and Lady Skelmersdale are seeing company at La-
tham House, Ormskirk, during the week.
The mess of the g-Ith have just purchased a costly set of
plate to the tune of £3,(x10.—Limerick Chronicle.

Lord and Lady Delamere intend giving a series of theatri-
cal fetes and bal masq .es, at Vale Royal, their seat in
Cheshire, the second week in the ensuing month.
The Earl of Stamford and Warrington is displaying the
same old English hospitality as has been usual during the
last quarter of a century, at Dunham Hall, in Cheshire, and
Enville Hall, i❑ Staffordshire.
Mr. W. Egerton, M. P., and Lady Charlotte Egerton are
en!ertaining a party at 'Patton Park, Cheshire.
Lord Cantilupe had a severe fall whilst hunting with Lord
Suffield's hounds last week, by which his collar-bone was
broken. Sir David Baird has also been seriously injured by
a fall in bunting.
PRICE or POTATOES.—The material reduction in the
price of potatoes at Liverpool, and generally throughout
England, has had a corresponding effect on the potato mar-
ket of Douglas, where they have already fallen to is. the
boll, or 32d. a stone, and are expected to be still lower, from
the large stocks remaining in the bands of farmers.—Manx
Liberal.

ISLE OF MAN.—Douglas market continues to be abund-
antly supplied with fish by the trawl boats, but the most sale-
able portion of their captures is invariably shipped for Li-
verpool by the steam-packet,. while the consumers here are
kindly allowed the refuse, which the forestallers take care to
enhance much above its real value. —Ma'kr Liberal.
GERMAN MINES.—The mining company of the Grand
Duchy of Baden has recently discovered several veins of t °-
bait and silver. The produce of the cobalt has been so con-
siderable, that the company h,is been induced to establish on
the spot a fabric of small, which article, by its quantity and
excellent quality, becomes now the object of a lucrative
commerce.

The erection of an immense range of batteries, in the shape
of a half-moon, is contemplated by government at the en-
trance of the Thames and Medway, on the isles of Grain ;nit
Sheppy. This will include Sheerness dock-yard, which is
now quite unprotected ! The estimated expense is nearly a
million and a half.

GOUT AND RHEUMATISM,—We beg to refer our readers to
Dr. Barker's advertisement, in which they will perceive that
a cure for Gout and Rheumatism, discovered and prepared
by him, has proved wonderfully successful. We, from our
own personal knowledge, can vouch for its efficacy, and we
would recommend it to all persons labouring under these
painful complaints."—Edinburgh Mservtr, January 28, 1834.

•
OLIVE OlL.—The merchants, importers, and dealers in-
terested in the trade of olive oil, in Liverpool. have addressed
a memorial to the Right Hon. Charles Poulett Thomson,
presidentof her Majesty's board of trade—" Respectfully re-
presenting the hardship and inconvenience to which they
have long been subjected, by the continuance of the differ-
ential duty of four guineas per tun on the oil imported into
the kingdom from the dominions of the King of the Two Si-
cities. This difference of duty operates, they say, equally to
the disadvantage of the manufacturer as to the various in-
terests which the memorialists represent, by causing him to
use an article of inferior quality, or to pay an additional
price for oil of the best quality, either imported direct, or ob-
tained circuitously at an enhanced value, and frequently
with false certificates. The liberal policy pursued with re-
spect to some other branches of commercial imposts, on
which, during successive years, reductions of duties have
been made, as well as the insignificant sum raised from the
present existing duties upon olive oil, appear to the memo-
rialists to call for an equalization, at least, of the duty on
olive oil; but they are of opinion that little or no diminution
of revenue would be occasioned by a general reduction of
duty, at this particular period, would tend greatly to increase
the consumption of olive oil, since the articles of tallow,
palm oil, and cocoa-nut oil, are now, and seem likely to con-
tinue, at unusually high relative value ; and they therefore
conclude that a great benefit would be conferred on our
woollen manufacturers and others, by furnishing them with
the cheaper substitute of olive oil, for a variety of uses. They,

'
-
therefore earnestly pray that the board of trade will recom-
mend to her Majesty's government either to equalize the
duty on the oil which may hereafter be imported from the
kingdom of the Two Sicilies, or that a considerable reduc-
tion may be made of the duty of all olive oils without dis-
tinction."

COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT WALLSEND.—It is OUT painful
duty this week to record one of those fatal colliery explosions
which too frequently occur in the mines of this district, and
which are not only attended with such serious consequences
to human life, but so suddenly throw so many families into
a state of utter destitution and distress. The pit at which
this accident occurred is the G Church Pit, Wallsend, and
the same which exploded about three years and a half ago,
when 101 lives were lost. The explosion took place on Wed-
nesday, about half-past eight o'clock, the time when the
"night shift" was on, in the seam so well known as the
"Bensham Seam;" and we regret to add that the whole of
the men, eleven in number, perished. The accident was
not known for some time after by those engaged at the bank
-of the pit, the report of the explosion not havinglbeen heard,
and the fire .being confined in the pit; it being first dis-
covered by the lamp-keepers of the B pit, about a mile dis-
tant, from the foul air coming with great force upon the fur-
nace. The alarm was then given to the C pit, which is close
adjoining, when it was immediately made known to those at
the pit which had fired. Several of the sinkers, with great
readiness, volunteered their services to go down to the aid of
their unfortunate fellow-workmen, but after pdoceeding a
little way were obliged to return, in consequence of the attei-
damp. After a short time, however, another attempt was
made, when they succeeded in finding four of the bodies,
which were dreadfully burnt and mutilated; but up to the
time our reporter left, no more bodies had been brought to
the bank. It is remarkable that out of a number of horses
down the pit, only one was killed. Previous to the time of
the accident, the pit was never considered to be in a better
or safer condition in the " broken ;" and it is conjectured,
at present, that the explosion must have been occasioned by
one of the Davy lamps having gone wrong, or fallen down,
as two had been found much bulged and broken.—Newcastle
paper.
TERRIBLE STEAM-BOAT DISASTER.—The steamer 'Fiber,
which arrived on Tuesday morning from Louisville, reports
that she passed the wreck of the steam-boat Gen. Brown, at
St. Helena, where the hitter had collapsed a flue. The cap-
tain, pilot, one of the engineers, and thirty other persons on
board the Gen. Brown, lost their lives by this calamity. The
following comprises the list of killed, as far as was ascer-
tained when the Tiber passed. Killed—the captain and se-
vesal of the crew, and the following passengers:—Messrs.
C. Libley, D. L. Davis, N. A Miller, George Dr. Price, 1-1;
M. Blanchard, E. Hubbard, Johnson, J. K. Gartliv.aiie,
T. D. Lewis, Keane, T. D. Levey, and one other, name
unknown.

Th. Tiber also repotts the steamer Comanche to

be sunk below Salt. River, and the Oa, rdhard aground at
Cumberland Island.--Ainbrican payer,

THE VICEROY'S DREAM;
Or, The CANADIAN GOVERNMENT " WIDE AWAKE.'
YORK, BELLERBY ; LONDON, WHITTAKER AND CO.,
LEEDS, CROSS AND HARRISON.

This is, as the title-page informs us, "A Mono-Dramatico
Political Poem," by " Lynch Lawdon Sharpe," and the con-
tents bear out the promise. The characters are the Lord
High Commissioner; Gibbon and Turtle, gentlemen in wait-
ing on his Viceroysbip; Splash, a domesticartist ; Apparitions
of Lords Biougham and Melbourne; Physician, Delegates.
and others; Servants, 4-c. The scene is laid in the 'Vice-regal
residence in Quebec; time, the arrival of the indemnity act,
and the disallowance of the (in)•famous ordinances.
We extract the opening and closing scenes; and it will be
seen tialilikaelethar,-tr kuse v e Ire-may—ba.—lstramalained wi&b

his poetical vein all the tact of a practised writer.

SCENE I.

Ante-Chamber to the Viceroy's Sleeping Apartment, in the
Vice-regal Residence.—Time--Midnight.
TURTLE and GIBBON discovered playing at dominoes.
GIBBON. See, how you lay that piece amiss!
TURTLE. Amiss?—
'Tis double cirque and cirque-deuce joined to that.
GIB. True ! but observe the mimic line we draw,
To represent the ramparts of Quebec.
Thus far our game did trace the walls, which stretch,
With devious angles, right athwart the neck
Of this peninsula :—but now you break
The rule of fortification and defence,
By laying down your pieces like a child,
Who plays for pastime merely, caring naught,
For bastion, angle, flank, or battery,
And anxious only to play out the play.
TURT. Why, so would I.
Gin. Not thus are we enjoined
To waste our sport : his Excellency bids,
That, as we wile an hour away in play,
We make the game subservient to some profit,
Blending the useful with the pleasant; and
As iEsop learned to moralize at taws,
We likewise make our duties here a sport,
Acquiring knowledge of the colony,
Whereof we know so little; Shame upon us!
If to the mother country we return
As ignorant as we came. I wish t' acquire
A general knowledge of the strength and state
Of our defences here, in case a row,
Despite the Viceroy's potent ordinances,
Arise next winter in the colony.
Hence, do you see ?—in games of dominoes
I seek the science which I lack the most.
Some uses of stone walls I know; but this,—
The art of keeping men outside the wall,—
Is new to my unpractised intellect.
Why, Turty, you're asleep!
TURT.
On a new project for an ordinance
Gin. Your scheme to hang or banish traitors first,
And try them after, if convenient,
Bespoke true genius, such as well befits
The shrewd adviser of a despot bound
B_y no restraint of mean and vulgar law.
What new device is hatching in your brain ?
TURT. A simple plan,—yet popular, I ween.
How many wretched couples, man and wife,—
Say rather, mutual torments,—groan beneath
The inexorable bondage of a yoke
Themselves imposed;—conventional crimes !
Dost take me, Gibbs,!—Let the Viceroy give
A proclamation to the effect that all
Who wish may be released from marriage vows ;
An Amnesty, in short, of wedlock.
G re. Ah!
TE;RT. A sweet oblivion of the past, a plain
Legal non-recognition of a union
To either party grown distasteful, or
For one more luring scorned. This cannot fail
To please the multitude; and scandal's mouth
Will be stopped, and conscience rendered free;
Nor taunts, nor sharp compunctious visitings-
-What was that sound?
GIB. His Excellency's snore!
I know it well, Sir, and well pleased I hear;
For 'tis the signal sends us both to bed.
So long as doth the noble Viceroy wake,
Our duty keeps us here : but when he sleeps
And Morpheus winds his Lordship's nasal trombone
With deep sonorous note, our watch is done.—[about to retire.l
Good night!—be sure don't blow the candle out,
But use the extinguisher: for should the stench
Steal through the keyhole and assail the nose
Viceregal, 'tis an incense will incense
His delicate organ with a sense of fury,
And rouse him, though he slept as sound a sleep
As fifty of Glenelg's condensed in one. [Exit.[
TuRT, masinsily)—Y es, yes!—the marriage ordinance is
the thing!
'Twill serve a double purpose; first to win
The popular applause I vile humbug!), for
It cannot but be zratetul to the crowd
Of luckless Benedicts to be again
Free as their will to mate as pleases best :
But chiefly, that it will obliterate
Odious distinctions, doth it like me well.
tE 5
0, we must have this custom well reformed !
,rExit.]

Nay, I but mused

SCENE V.—THE PRESENCE HALL.
A Throne and Three Banners respectively inscribed with
the letters P.P.C.—P.D.A.—and D. 1.0.
GIBBON and DELEGATES discovered in conversation.
GIBS. His Excellency comes! prepared you see
For travelling :—be sure you speak the speech
As I propounded it; and stand aside
In deferential order as I taught. ( The Delegates arrange
litemselves on each side of the Throne.)
Enter V icEuot. and TURTLE; SERVANTS following with
trunks, carpet-bags, band-boxes, and various packages: his
Excellency st inc/.1 in front of the Throne.
ISt DELEGATE. May't please your Lordship,—we are
Sorry that you are off so soon.
i OMNES. Indeed we are!
Ist DEL. The rumour met us as we hither came,
i Like cries of " Fire :" repeated through the town,
t
Spreading alarm, and breaking ope in haste
The copious water-plugs of all our eyes, Vent Omnes.]
Yet scarce believed we, till assembled here
Those symbols of leave-taking we beheld. [points to the
banner.]
V tcE. Agh! who has been so busy with our grief,
..
To blaze it thus before the general eye?
TERT. My Lord, I am dumb-foundered at the sight,
And ne'er till now perceived the sad intent
Of those initials valedictory
But know the meaning I designed; for this [points to P.P.C.]
Reads "Patria., Populi Custos"
V ICE. [sharply.] Gaoler? Eh ?
TORT. No, —G itardian, Sire! And this [points to P.D.A.I
1 " Prtesidium,
Decus, Auxilium :—and " D. 1.0."
Is pregnant with a twin significance;—
"Durham Imperio Opifer."—or tisus
Read "Inataurator Orbis!" [Uproarious cheers from the
Delegates.]
l' Vice. [valde commotus.] Good, my friends!
l'is true I would have been all this, and more,
If more were needed and permitted. Nay!
I had not shrunk to take the world in hand,
If that my country called me thereunto.
I did assume the D'overnment of these
The Provinces of North America,
With predetermination to provide for all
Future prosperity and welfare; and,
Naught doubting', in three little months have I
Restored—such as it is—tranquillity:
Substantial justice—though it was not ',Aw—
-1 have administered; and now was I
Upon the point to promulgate such laws
As would the Natives have astonished quite,
And saved the British interests—and our own.
i In this I trust, most useful course, a branch
0' th' British Parliament bath INTERFERED;
(I need not tell you 'twas impertinent!)
'rle responsible advisers of the Crown,
In such a meddling interference have
Deemed right to acquiesce: so 1 resign
That POWER which now is into WEAKNESS turned,
AOd rendered totally inadequate
To th' grave emergency that called it forth. [Groans from
the Delegates.]
'Twas not surprising that Lord Brougham, and those
Who act with him, should try to mar my schemes.
But, Sirs, I've been put down and sacrificed,
Yea! by my FitiENDS!—by those who should have stood
In my defence against mine enemies. [weeps.]
For Ministers, in persecution's hour,
'Twas duty to support me, NOT TO JOIN
MY BITTER FOES IN STRIKING AT MY HEAD.
(Shouts of the populace 'without, cries of "Durham !"
" Vire le Gouverneur !"—" Down with the House of Lords !"
--" Vive milord Brum !"—" Victoria for ever !"—"Sacre
bleu!" —" Huzzah for England;"—" Vive la Nation Cana-
dienne !"—A window being thrown open, the VICEROY pro-
' eeeds to address the PEOPLE.)
My friends and ever loyal Colonists !
I I'm off !—for all my acts are d—d,—decreed
i By the whole British Senate, and confessed
By William Lamb, to be illegal : aye !
And ['in insulted with indemnities.
l Yet nothing disrespectful do I mean
To either Ministers or House of Lords.
But you have been so kind, I can't withhold,
From gentlemen like you, the honest truth,
Secure that, in your well tried loyalty
! And warm attachment to the British Crown, [cries without
" Vive la Liberte !"]
You never will abuse my confidence.
I came not hither unassured—the Queen
Did delegate to me despotic power :
And much I deemed it would conduce to good,
My free unfettered Will should stand for law,—
For sound substantial policy, my Fiat.
For what could mean my sounding titles less—
' " Governor-General," " High Commissioner,"
" Dictator," and the Lord knows what beside—
, What less could all these mean than despot power ?
Yet when I "tried it on," it would not fit. [lionical cheers
from the 14 ench mob.]
My expectations have been disappointed
Most painfully ; for woful ignorance rules
At home, where to incessant criticism
My most minute details have been exposed,
My powers by system all depreciated.—[Cries without, " Vive
milor de Brummagem ?"]
Then the State Prisoners troubled me: not mine
Of such canaille to have the odious care :
But I resolved to make short work of them.
Judicial process would have vexed afresh
The public mind, have shown the sympathy
Of multitudes with bold rebellion,
And given assurance of impunity
For guilt political; the disaffect
Seeing the leaders free, xculd look on them
As innocent victims to vindictive charge, [':'leers from the
French 74.]
And false imprisonment. These mischiefs I •
Was bound t' avert, and would have dune it too ;
But 1 was thwarted : mischief light on them
Whose acts permit the traitors to return
And raise another row ! Not mine the fault : [Cries without,
" Vise la liberre !" I
Not I encourage fresh r,bellion, no'
But if it comes,—it comes : I wash my hands
Of what ensues: I've striven to cement
British connexion: loose it now who will. [Cries, " Vive le
ci!oyen Lamhtnn !"]
I've gained approval of th' United States
(A gratifying compliment ! ) ; I have
The plaudits of Inv conscience and of you. [Cheers and
groans in:ermi.rezl.l
Britain alone condemns what ail commend.
Observe, 1 say it not—l do not say,
That Britain is unworthy now
Of your allegiance ;—no : I sau it not.
The Queen's Arivisers any: the Senate all
ti Are honourable men ; yea, all, all most—
,. Most honourable men ! —but me and you
They've treated vileiy.—Yet I tell you this,
Neer from the Mother Country separate !
" The anchor's weighed, or I would tell ye more." [con.
fused hubbub and cheers. CURTAIN FALLS.]

The followit%; advert serne.nt having appeared in the daily
papers. " Foi:ND—Tho 'sig. and gown of a barrister un-
known," the place of reference was next day blocked up with
applicants answet-inz the description.—Comic Almanac.
Southey, the poet laureate, is to be married next June to a
literary lady of considerable eminence, but the poet's junior
by more than twenty years. The two daughters of Dr.
Southey, both highly accomplished, are, it is said, to be
married shortly.

'~

.