The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

rity of a French journal, L' Ordre et la Liberte, published
at Caen ; whether an ironical statement, or a sober decla-
ration of fact, your correspondent sayeth not. Here it is :
—" We are happy to announce that Lord JOHN RUSSELL
intends to make a handsome present to the church of a
neighbouring district. Lord JOHN RUSSELL is of Norman
origin ; and his family possessed, previous to the conquest
of England, the seignory of Rosel. The parish priest
wrote last year to his lordship, to request him to partici-
pate in a subscription for the purpose of purchasing a bell
for his church. M. DE CAUMONT, director of the Society
for the Preservation of French Monuments, forwarded the
letter to London, with a few lines of recommendation.
Lord J. Russian lost no time in replying, and informed
the cure that he would be too happy to place at his disposal
the sum necessary to purchase the bell, which is to weigh
1,200 lbs." Surely, as the great dramatist says, "It is
the very error of the moon" which leads to such extraor-
dinary results as that above noticed; and yet another, of
equally unaccountable origin, is now recorded of a rich
merchant, named HOLPOED, who resided for many years
in the Regent's Park, and who, dying the other day, be-
queathed his large fortune to the PRINCE OP WALES.
Of course, every man has a right to do as he likes with
his own, and on that principle no one has a right to ques-
tion the propriety of either of the acts referred to ; but, as
they are so unique, it is considered by many, and by your
correspondent among the rest, that they form marking
points in the occurrences of the day.
Conspicuous in the list of anticipated events, two at the
present moment occupy much of the general attention ;
connected, as they both are, with the personal conveni-
ence and enjoyment of HER MAJESTY. The first of these
is the intended Royal visit to the Emperor and Empress
of the French, at Paris, which it is expected will be paid
about the middle of next month. Orders have been
transmitted to Portsmouth to have the Royal yacht
Victoria and Albert ready by the 10th of May, on which
day it is expected that HER MAJESTY, her Royal Consort,
and their family, will embark for the French capital.
What a theme for the gossipping old ladies of both sexes !
The QUEEN of England visiting a parvenu Emperor and
his comparatively lowly bride! The other event I refer
to is the opening of the Crystal Palace, at Sydenham,
which is to take place late next month. The ceremonial
on the occasion will be of an imposing character, and is
to be participated in by HER MAJESTY and PRINCE
ALBERT. An earlier day had been intended for the
opening, but, following the prevalent example set by
the workmen in other quarters, the artizans employed at
this national erection " struck," ostensibly for an advance
of wages, in reality, as the affair turned out, that they
might have a drinking bout, which they indulged in
freely till the exchequer became exhausted, and the
commissariat was reduced to the lowest ebb. Starvation
having brought them to their senses, the work was re-
sumed, and the fabric is now nearly completed. Neither
the day for opening, nor the precise ceremonial to be
observed on the occasion, have, as yet, been fixed on ; but
no exertion within reach of the resources at command of
the directors, and they are extensive, will be spared to
render the event an imposing one, and worthy of the
occasion and the undertaking.
At no period of the year are the gaieties appertaining
peculiarly to London, and partaking but little of a cos-
mopolitan character, so signally displayed as during the
Easter holidays. The opening spring, green with un-
folding leaf-buds, and laden with the odours of early
flowers, present to the natives of Cockneydom charms of
resistless potency, and, eagerly availing themselves of
every means of locomotion which all-powerful London
places readily within reach, they scamper off in endless
swarms to every scene where rustic pleasures present
their fascinations. When a beggar is set on horseback,
an adage gives significant intimation as to the probable
termination of his journey ; when an emancipated Lon-
doner is placed in the same exciting position, proverbial
lore and practical wisdom are alike at fault in predicting
the conclusion of his career, as to time, place, or circum-
stances. The adventures of Join( GILPIN form but a
very fragmentary episode in the chapter of accidents
which beset the equestrian displays of Cockney life, as
these are set forth with picturesque fidelity in the nume-
rous narratives by which "Life in London" is illustrated.
During the festive period which is just closing, all the
usual appliances were brought into vivid requisition.
London must out of town by horse, 'bus, and rail, steamer
and wherry; and gay groups of every grade and fancy
might be met with all round the outskirts of the mighty
modern Babylon, mostly, to their credit, be it said, im-
bued with high good humour; and if some of them were
not very refined as to the style of their frolics, or very
fastidious as to the mode of their display, still the agree-
able spectacle presented by numerous happy faces did
much to reconcile the moralist, and enlist the sympathies
of the philanthropist, in its contemplation.
According to ancient usage, the purveyors of theatrical
entertainments and musical displays were all agog, and,
during the week, have been keeping Easter pleasantly.
Old Drury has come forth in opera with a giant's power.
As prima donna, Madame CARADORI lent its performances
and its company a great lift; her efforts were well
seconded by Madlle. SEDLATZEK, and both were ably
supported by Herr FORMES, the opera being the favourite
one of " Norma." This is an attempt to popularise
opera by giving first-class musical performances at the
ordinary theatre charges. The attendance has been good,
and the performances excellent ; the band and the vocal-
ists being first-class, and both exerting themselves. At
the Haymarket, BUCKSTONE has added a golden • tint to
the thick foliage of his laurels, in the shape of another of
PLA.NCHE'S clever revises. It is entitled, "Mr. Buck-
stone's Journey round the Globe in Leicester-square," and
contains representations of and allusions to all the sub-
jects of " town talk " which at present abound. The
claims of the Princess's on the attention of the holiday
playgoers are sustained by Mr. C. Kmarr, in a re-adapta-
tion of the old materials of GoETHE'S " Faust." It is
called Faust and Marguerite, and is very beautifully
put upon the stage, Mr. KEAN himself playing Mephis-
tophiles, which he does effectively and well. The scenery
and other spectacle departments of this drama are admi-
rably got up. The personal and pecuniary troubles of
poor MATHEWS have been sufficient to prevent the pro-
duction at the Lyceum of Easter novelty, where the
public generally expected and were gratified with the
most pleasing of them all. At the Adelphi, the Easter
piece was capital, representing the " overland journey to
Constantinople, as effected by Lord BATEMAN, with inter-
esting particulars of the fair Sophia." It is from the pen
of Mr. Baouaii, a gentleman connected with the London
press.

The Easter holidays are now completed. London—busy
London— has resumed her face and her garments of
labour, to be again interrupted on Wednesday next. On
that day, her population, in common with Britons all over
the empire, will join in humble and solemn supplication
to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for a blessing
on the national exertions in the arduous struggle in which
we are now engaged. On the following day the delibe-
rations of both the Houses of Parliament will be resumed,
although little probability exists of much progress being
made with public business during the present week.

COJfMERCIAL 4. MONETARY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.

THE hopes and fears excited by the various
opinions and reports concerning the war have been
the prevailing influence on monetary transactions ;
and yet, so steady has been the price of public
securities, that the extreme fluctuation during the
week has not exceeded one per cent. Some little
excitement was created on Friday, by a proposal of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to issue six mil-
lions of Exchequer Bonds, to bear 31 per cent.
interest, and to be redeemable, one-third in four
years, another in five years, and the remainder in
six years. Exchequer Bills are expected to be
offered in exchange for the bonds, but cash will
be received by paying one shilling per cent. extra.
Tenders are to be sent in until the 2d of May, and
he instalments are to be made ten per cent. out
the Bth of May, thirty per cent. on the 9th of
June, twenty per cent. on the 11th of July, twenty
per cent. on the Bth of September, and the remain-
mg twenty per cent. on the 17th of October. The
interest is to be payable half-yearly on the Bth of
November and the Bth of May. The first effect
of this announcement was a depression in the
funds, but they speedily raffled. The returns of
the Bank of England show another diminution in
_ .

the stock of bullion to the extent of £629,726
This may appear large after the recent large ar
rivals of gold; but it affords no grounds for
serious apprehensions, when it is remembered that
the dividends have been in course of payment, and
that large consignments of specie have been re-
ceived since the account was made up.
There are evident signs of improvement in
business in the Cotton manufacturing districts, and
prices have advanced not only upon goods for the
India and China markets, but also for home con-
sumption. This improvement is also evident in
Yarns, as well as in wholly manufactured goods ;
so that the prospects for the future are consider-
ably brightening. In the Woollen manufacturing
districts there is not the same activity manifest,
and the price of Yarns is unremunerative for
spinners ; but the recent fine weather has helped
to inspire confidence for the future. The Lace
and Hosiery trades are slightly better, without
any change in prices.
According to the statistics of vessels entered
inward, Liverpool exhibits an increase.
of 10
vessels and 7,814 tonnage, the arrivals the for-
mer period having been 63 vessels, with 39,01'5
tonnage, and, in the latter, 53 vessels, with 31,281
tonnage. The port of London shows an increase
of 35 vessels and 18,734 tonnage, the difference
between 187 vessels with 97,595 tonnage in 1854,
and 152 vessels with 78,861 tonnage in 1853.
Bristol figures for an increase of 3 vessels and
3,166 tonnage, the difference between 16 vessels,
with 7,118 tonnage, in 1854, and 13 vessels with
3,952 tonnage in 1853. The return for the Clyde
presents an increase of 8 vessels and 4,141 tonnac,e,
the arrivals in the former period having been 24
vessels, with 10,052 tonnage, and in the latter 16
vessels, with 5,911 tonnage. The total increase
exhibited is 55 vessels and 33,490 tonnage, the
difference between 290 vessels, with 153,860,ton-
nage, and 235 vessels, with 120,370 tonnage. The
principal arrivals have been from Madras, Bombay,
Ceylon, Singapore, Mauritius, New South Wales,
Philippine Islands, and the Cape of Good Hope.
The statistics of vessels cleared outward show a
general decrease. Liverpool figures for a decrease
of 43 vessels and 13,341 tonnage, the departures
in the former period having been 73 vessels, with
46,068 tonnage, and in the latter, 116 vessels, with
56,409 tonnage, In the ease of the port of London