The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-05-25 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

At a meeting of the medical nrofeision in this town on
Tuesday it was resolved to petition in favour of IVlD..Wak-
ley's Medical Bill.

THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE PnEss.—The
usual weekly meeting of this body was held yesterday at
the Town-hall, at which the motion, of which notices had
been recently given by Mr. Higgins, for the admission of
reporters from the public press to the meetings of this
body, was brought under consideration. After a lengthy,
and we understand somewhat animated discussion, the
motion was negatived, on a division by a majority of six.
The numbers being for the motion seven ; against it
thirteen. However the mattter will, we believe, be
brought under the consideration of the Council, at the
next monthly meeting.

DrsriticT PROVIDENT SOCIETY.—The annual meeting
was held on Tuesday in the Savings Bank, 'Bold-street,
G. H. Lawrence, Esq., mayor, in the chair. The secre-
tary, R. L. Carr, Esq., read the report, from which it ap-
peared that relief had been granted to the large number
of 29,630. They comprised, of English, 9,447 ; Irish,
18,987 ; Welsh, 721; Scotch, 636 ; and 78 whose places
could not be ascertained ; and the cost of the provisions,
&c., with which they were supplied was £2,283 3s. ld.
The number in the year before was 8,102, and the cost
£435 17s. 6d. Since the accounts had been made out a
donation of £5O had been received from the Earl of Sefton,
in addition to £7O contributed by his lordship in January.
The Rev. W. Hesketh hoped that a more than common
circulation would be given to the report, possessing, as it
did, more than common importance. Mr. Payne proposd
the officers for the ensuing year, his worship the Mayor
being requested to accept the office of president. On the
proposal of Dr. Reynolds, it was agreed, that the annual
meeting, instead of being fixed for the third Tuesday in
May, should be held on such a day as the committee might
appoint.

DOCK COMMITTEE, THIIRSDAY.—The sub-committee
of works recommended that Mr. Richard Chaffers should
be appointed to take charge of the new landing stage.
Mr. Shand said the engagement was only made for three
months. Mr. Chaffers was of opinion that it would cost
not less than £l5OO a year to work the stage. Mr. Mann
said the present barges cost £6OO or £7OO a year each to
work. The temporary appointment was agreed to.—The
Warehouse Sub-committee reported that they had offered
to leave the question as to the sampling of the salt-
petre belonging: to Messrs. Grey and Co. to a barriser.
Messrs. Grey and Co. declined this, but had no objection
to leave it to a number of merchants. The Sub-commit-
tee said that, being advised a barrister was the proper
person to whom such a matter ought to be referred, they
could not accede to the proposition. Here the matter
rested. The Sub-committee reported that an antelope
was killed the Sunday previous, on board the Syria, in the
Albert Dock, by a dog belonging to one of the watchmen
employed there, and recommended that the demand of
£lB, less the value of the carcase, should be paid by the
committee. The Chairman said the antelope had been
sold to Mr. Atkins, of the Zoological Gardens, and would
have been removed on Saturday but the Customs inter-
fered. Mr. Horsfall questioned whether the Customs
could not be made liable. It was a specimen of natural
history, and they had no right to interfere. Mr. Hender-
son thought some inquiry might be made upon the sub-
ject. Mr. Sandbach did not think it reasonable that the
Dock Estate should be made answerable for such an acci-
dent. Mr. Shand wished to know whether the commit-
tee were legally liable, or whether the payment was a
voluntary act on their part ? The Chairman said Mr.
Worthington considered the committee were legally liable.
Mr. Aikin : Suppose the rats had destroyed the animal ?
He thought it a dangerous precedent. The amount was
ordered to be paid.

MEETING OF THE SELECT VESTRY.—Yesterday week,
the first of the weekly meetings of the Select Vestry was
held at the Parish-office. It was reported that Dr. Swift,
of Canning-street, had been appointed to discharge the
duties of the house. The Workhouse now contains 1526
persons. The children in the nursery are said not to be
in good health. The salaries of six of the relieving offi-
cers were advanced to £2ss. a-week for the present. Mr.
John Canning, jun., was appointed a district medical offi-
cer at £7O per annum, with 20s. a week for an assistant,
during Dr. Gee's illness. It was agreed that the sum of
£440 be paid to Mr. Lowndes. It was reported that the
hulk Akbar was admirably adapted for a fever hospital,
and that government had offered to send down two naval
medical officers, which offer was declined. It was reported
that there were 806 members of the house sick. "'here
were 952 children in the Industrial Schools, and 152
children in the Infirmary,—being a considerable increase
of the former numbers. Mr. Weightman, had reported
that two timber sheds as fever hospitals might be erected
near those now built in Mount-pleasant, and three on
the site of Islington Market. The cost of accommodating
1310 patients in this way would be £8,840. He added,
that the area in front of the old Workhouse would answer
as a site for the tents, which are daily expected from Lon-
don. The committee reported that as three medical men
would immediately be required—one to reside on board
the Akbar, and two to inspect the passengers daily arriv-
ing from Ireland, they had recommended Mr. Kilner, Mr.
M'Clelland, and Mr. Haverty to be appointed, with in-
structions to enter on their duties at once. They were
accordingly appointed. At the request of the Protestant
patients in Great Howard-street for a clergyman, the Rev.
Cecil Wray had been requested to attend to them. To a
question whether the rev, gentleman had attended to the
request, irwas replied that he had not as yet.—Mr. Rid-
ing said that there were now 500 to 600 cases of fever that
required immediate accommodation—the sufferers being
in their own wretched domiciles. The sheds were filled.
It was agreed that the two additional lazarettos should be
respectfully accepted from the government, and that the
admiralty be requested to grant two more. It was agreed
that the Mayor and Town Council be requested to fill up
the cellars that eduld not longer be legally inhabited. It
was furtherr-agreed that £l5O per annum be paid for the
new parish-offices in St. Anne-street, and that three
months' notice should terminate the tenancy. Mr. T.
H. Brancker and Mr. J. Rogers were elected members of
the Select Vestry, in the room of Mr. Chesney and Mr.
H. Molyneux, resigned. The Vestry then adjourned.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY

On Tuesday the second meeting of the Liverpool Auxi-
liary to this Society was held at the Amphitheatre. Adam

in the

The CHAIRMAN commenced the proceedings by re-
gretting the absence of the Chancellor, and by expressing
his hearty approval of the society, which, he said, was a
living, untainted witness of evangelical truth. In these
times of trouble and rebuke it was essentially necessary
that so valuable a society should be nobly sustained in
Liverpool and throughout the country. He then alluded
to the embarassments by which we are surrounded—to
the mo- ary

—.int. depression, and to the apprehended famine ;
and said that now we were made acquainted with the

that our trust ought, oe reposed in
man—but on the Most High. It was a question 44 serious
moment—whether we had used our prosperity in com-
merce, arts, and manufactures for the propagation of
it Christian truth

not to

He recommended the society to the
notice and consideration of the young men of the Church
of England ; and in conclusion he passed a glowing eulo-

glum upon the memory of the late Dr. Tatteishall,-thesa-
lient points of whose character were—simplicity of mind
and feeling.

The Rev. W. W. EWBANI read extracts from the un-
published report of the Parent Society,
_and mentioned,

that Air. Tuton had sent his annual thank-offering of £26
to the funds of the society.
The Rev. Mr. LAWRENCE moved the first resolution,
which alluded particularly to the great opening Chinanow
presented.
The Rev. HENRY POWELL, church missionary from
Ceylon, seconded it.

The CHAIRMAN said the next speaker would be the
Rev. Hugh M'lsleile.

Mr. EWBANK said the next speaker would be the Rev.
Dr. M'Neile. (Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN playfully hed that no reflection was
intended to be cast upon him for having called Mr.
M'Neile, the Rev. Hugh M'Neile. He had little rover-
teibiotelucbtgehehfefoom:rien,
4ahe_lweel
of
eield ssdai
inritkoleaivtm.
e,hreoeesridi;
honoured
,:talcoindtu, dorrie.,laaoolnigae:
name,
as ied
fnr,hdi
seeeonevldlao: shouldsnighoke.
nnßo ewtviont.
add, in
,rhbe isßheovp..
Di(:.Gmre,aNt
EcihLe.er,
washter.h)aile.
with or rising, g
loud
applause. applause. He proposed the next resolution, which was
one of thanks to God that the principles of the society
were unchanged. One of the fundamental principles of
the society was, confidence in divine truth as contained in
the scripture. It contended that the fundamentals. of
Christianity were plain and true.
_lnfluential Ten in the

state had no confidence In revea
tated to say that bowing down to images was wrong. It
was of all things necessary that a man should be sure of
his message. The saving fact of Christ's atonement was
to be preached ; and the more there was of confidence in
these fundamental principles of Christianity the more there
would be of missionary exertion. There would be more
of the young men of the land reared up and sent out to
preach the gospel. Missionaries were looked down upon.
They were supposed to be a rhapsodical set of beings. But
what was comparable to the work of Christian missiona-
ries ? It was the noblest, the most ..1.; ph man

saulaU UD 1U Wllll,ll Waaa
could be called, and compared with which everything else
sank into insignificance. This society, he contended, was
doing a great work for the Church of England. An at-
tempt had been made to make hers clergy-church—to se-
parate her from the sympathies of the people. (Applause.)
A popular element must be infused into her ; and this so-
ciety infused it and rallied thousands round the church.
If the people became infected with the prevailincr

opt axis va 11110Z/Vlltli y imeta, 1u Lue mutt znoshmen musl
know that if the Church of England be true, the Church
of Rome must be false, and that Romanists were idolaters.

kappiause.) True Protestantism was not a mere nega-
tion. There was a time coming when hereditary notions
about truth would not answer. All the seminaries in the
universe could not make a Christian; they might make
doctors of divinity, but they could not make a single
Christian. The Church Missionary Society was honest,
and faithful, for it believed that the heathen world, and
the Romish world, and the Mahommedan world, were in
the hands of " the wicked one." He commended the
Churchman's Penny Magazine to the notice of the pub-
lic, and said that that excellent publication had

llaU na.
tion of 110,000 a month. He said the attacks
ontarei the
Church had not ceased, for a Dissenting publication had
lately made a libellous attack upon her, and a reply had
been sent by Mr. Seely, and insertion to it as a whole had
been refused.

The Rev. Dr. BIRTH seconded the resolution in brief
but forcible terms.

The last resolution was moved by the Rev. I'IRLDIN%
OULD, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. DALLAS. It ex..
pressed regret that the annual subscriptions in Liverml
had fallen off.

19 tOtrirt 3eb3o.

The Manchester Board of Guardians are making ar-
rangements, by the appointment of additional relieving
officers, to meet the pressure of increased distress.
In the New County Court, Little Bolton, last week,
James Stott, gamekeeper to Henry Tempest, Esq., was
ordered to pay £lO to the owner of a Scotch terrier bitch,
which he had wantonly shot.
THE WARRINGTON JUNCTION STATION.—The new
and beautiful buildings at Warrington Junction were
opened last week. They arc in the medieval style, built
of beautiful stone,

RISE IN VALUE.—The market tolls, &c., of Manches-
ter, were, in 1570, purchased for £3OOO, by Mr. John Lacy,
of London ; sold by him in 1596 to Sir Oswald Mosley,
for £3,500, and by a descendant of the latter, the other
day, to the Manchester Corporation, for £200,000.
A meeting was summoned on Tuesday, at Manchester,
to petition against the corn-laws being allowed to come
again into even partial operation. The Mayor presided.
The chartists proposed and earned an amendment against
all mercantile monopoly whatever.
A splendid service of plate, valued at £5OO, was pre-
sented at the Cheshire Quarter Sessions, at Knutsford,
on Monday, to Trafford Trafford, Esq., chairman, who
has officiated in that capacity for twenty-seven years, and
has been a magistrate of the county for upwards of half a

century.
A SIGN OF THE TIMES.—We may state as a sign of the
present depressed times, that on Wednesday, a deputation
from the hands employed in a portion of the works of
Messrs. Horrockses, Miller and Co., at Preston, waited
upon the manager to request, as a favour, that they might
be permitted to work on Whitmonday—a day which in
that town, from time immemorial we may almost say, has
been dedicated wholly to festivity. The request, however;
could not conveniently be complied with. _

A MOST EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF INCENDIARISM
formed the subject for examination before the magistrates
of the Borough Court, Manchester, on Thursday. A girl
about fifteen years of age, named Maria Atkinson, was
charged with setting fire to the house of her master, on
Wednesday last, no less than six different times ! Mr.
John Bragg is a rope and packing-sheet manufacturer,
and also keeps the Crooked Billet, in Back Princess-street,
close by the soup kitchen. She declined to make any
statement, and was committed to the assizes for trial.
WARRINGTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—The newly-
created burgesses are now actively engaged in preparing
for the contest for town councillors in the different wards.
Great political excitement pre'ails. The friends for the
incorporation of the borough have held several meetings
and are canvassing the burgesses in favour of the Liberal
-candidates they have put in nomination for each ward ;
and the opponents of the incorporation of the borough (as
they are called) are holding meetings in the different
wards, and putting in nomination gentlemen of proved
" Conservative principles." Each party entertains san-
guine hopes of success. W. Beamont. Esq. is the return-
ing officer for the borough, and he has appointed the Ist
June next for the election.
TRAVELLING POST-OFFICE.—There is now on the Lan-
caster and Preston Railway a travelling post-office, the
beauty and workmanship of which are really charming.
It is of commodious size, claret coloured, and most ele-
gantly embellished with the royal arms, in full blazonry,
the royal cypher, richly gilt, the stars of the different or-
ders of knighthood, and altogether presenting an outward
appearance of dazzling brilliancy. Within is a large
apartment, entirely lined with mahogany, French polished,
having at a convenient part innumerable little deposito-
ries for the reception of letters, all inscribed on gold la-
bels, with the names of the various post towns. Four
lamps are suspended from the ceiling, .whilst at the sides
light is admitted by the spacious windows of plate glass,
shielded by crimson silk blinds, such as are used in private
carriages,

THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE MANCHESTER EX-
CHANGE has been commenced, and the foundation stone
ofthejnew erection was laid on Thursday morning, by James
Consterdine, Esq. By this enlargement the first floor of
the Exchange, which is now nearly double the size of the
same room in 1840, and contains 5,500 square feet, will
be increased to an area of 14,400 square feet. The new
portion of the building is erecting from designs by Alex.
Mills, Esq., architect, of Manchester, and the cost is esti
mated at £70,000. Mr. Consterdine, in his address on
laying the foundation stone, declared the intention of the
committee to spare no expense to render every business
facility in their power to the large commercial community
assembling within the building ; and said that arrange-
ments had already been entered into with the Electric
Telegraph Company for connecting the Exchange, by
means of that invention, with London on the one hand,
and with Edinburgh on the other ; and in fact with all the
great towns of the kingdom.
TRAGEDY EXTRAORDINARY.-At the Queen's Theatre,
Manchester, on Monday, the sock and buskin were laid
under peculiar contribution in the representation of King
Richard 111. Mr. Wyndham took a benefit, which, we
trust, proved really what it was hoped to be, and a quintet
of comic actors, including Messrs. Sloan and Wyndham,
undertook the novelty of strutting through the crook'd
back tyrant, one act of the tragedy being apportioned to
each actor. Of course so startling an announcement as
" five Richards being in the field" astonished " the gods,"
who, as the several tragedians appeared, scarcely knew
whether to laugh or to cry. At length the climax of the
tragic farce arrived, Mr. Sloan dashing upon the stage as
King Dick. In the midst of a very gravesoliloquy the

risible muscles of the audience were disturbed, and this
indecorous facial expression in the midst of a solemn
tragedy was quickly followed by a loud guffaw, which
Richard's philosophy could not scorn. Hastily stepping
to the front of the stage, and with his well-trained tragic
face he said,—" Ladies and gentlemen, pray don't think
we are playing comically, for I assure you we are playing
tragedy as earnestly as we can. You'll oblige us much if
you won't laugh !"rhe people again hardly knew whe-
ther to laugh or cry ; and in a few minutes afterwards the
curtain fell amidst peals of laughter.
THE PARISH OF MANCHESTER.—The result of the ne-
gociations pending between chapter and churchwardens,
on the subject of the ecclesiastical arrangements of the
parish of Manchester, have transpired. The main ques-
tion was whether or not the dignitaries of the Collegiate
Church should be resident in the parish. This point has
been so far conceded to the parishioners, that hereafter it
will be imperative on all canons to hold, together with
their stalls, one of the livings in the parish, within the
gift of the chapter, so that each shall perform duty in a
church, and reside in the parish. The chapter has also
agreed, that it is desirable that any surplus from the pro-
perty of the Chapter shall be exclusively devoted to the
spiritual wants of the town, and will use their influence to
secure such application. They have also offered to devote
one of its estates, the best situated for building purposes,
and whose proceeds will soon be great, to secure the ulti-
mate exemption of other churches in the parish from dues

to the mother church, and to endow the Poorer livings in
the gift of the chapter. Hereafter the Dean will receive
an annual income of £2OOO, and the four canons £lOOO

cessities of the parish: The Dean will be required to re-
side, according to the several acts, in the parish at least
8 months in the year, and the canons 9 months ; but a
contemporary says that arrangements ought to be made
through the ecclesiastical commissioners to secure the ex-
penditure of the church property of Manchester in the
parish, and that it is not certainthat the longer residence of
the Dean and Canons within it can be enforced, the penalty
being insufficient to exert obedience to the injunction.
Objections are also made to giving £lOOO each to the
canons, and also a living, the former being considered an
ample provision for them.
MEETING OF WARRINGTON POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
—On Thursday last, the Police Commissioners of the
township of Warrington held their monthly meeting in
the large room over the police station. Joseph Perrin,
Esq., was called to the chair.—The clerk to the commis-
sioners then read the minutes of the last meeting, which
were confirmed. He next read the report of the com-
mittee appointed out of the commissioners to confer with
the Warrington Gas Company, as to the conditions to be
agreed between them for transferring the powers vested
in the gas company to the corporation. It was moved
and seconded, and carried unanimously, that the report
be received, and entered on the minutes. A letter was
next read by the clerk, and which he stated he bad re-
ceived from the overseers previous to the last monthly
meeting, but there not being a sufficient number of com-
missioners present to form a quorum, the meeting was ad-
journed, and the consideration of the subject contained in
the letter was deferred. The overseers complained in
rather strong terms of the want of proper and in-
creased accommodation at the overseers' office • that
since the offices had been rented from the: com-
missioners, four years ago, there had been an in-
crease in the number of weekly paupers cases from 503
to upwards of 1000. That owing to this increase and
the great influx of Irish poor into the town, tl
trance into the office was crowded to excess

which not

only rendered it dangerous but impossible for the overseers
and other rate-payers to attend there on ordinary busi-
ness, and if the commissioners would afford them increased
accommodation, they would have no objection to pay an
increased rental. Several commissioners were of opinion
that the present offices were too small, and that at the
present time, when typhus and scarlet fever were spread..
ing to such an alarming extent in the town, imme-
diate steps ought to be taken to arrest its progress.
It was then moved and seconded and passed unani-
mously, that " the General Paupers' Committee " be,
and they are hereby appointed to take immediate steps
to remove the museum from the large room next to the
Overseers' Office, and that such increased accommo-
dation be provided for the overseers as the neces-
sities of-the case appear to require.—Mr. White then in-
quired Whether any and what measures were being taken
to remove nuisances, and tc. compel owners of small cot-

tOver

no steps
been taken by the Comnusioners other than to appoint
Nuisance Committee, which were the Highway Board
fbnt_ if nuisances existed, on the same hemnr,

MILL - uvpre-
sented to that committee, attention would, he had io
doubt, be paid to them.—Mr. White then expressed the
desirableness of the Commissioners issuing a placard, call_
ing on the owners of cottage property to whitewash them
and to remove all nuisances about their premises. The
matter after considerable discussion was referred to the
Nuisance Committee. Mr. Nicholson then said that he
had a complaint to make against some parties ; but as he
was not aware who were the committee that had given
cause for the complaint, he did not wish it to be under-
stood, in any remarks that he might make, that he was
personally alluding to any one present. He said he had
to complain of the removal, within the last nine months,
of a lamp from the corner of his premises, which lighted
up two streets, and had been placed there for many years
previously.—Mr. P. Rylands said he was chairman of the
Lamp Committee, but had no knowledge of any orders
having been given to remove the lamp in question.—Mr.
Nicholson, replied, and stated that, from what had fallen
from Mr. Rylands, it appeared that. the Lamp Committee
were inefficient, and had a most inefficient chairman.—
Mr, 31)$$ said he considered that the complaint made by

Mr. Nicholson was a very proper one ; that there appeared
a want of courtesy in the committee removing the lamp
without consulting Mr. Nicholson ; and he thought it
ought to be restored to its former situation.—A rather
recriminatory discussion followed between Messrs. Nichol-
son and Rylands, which was interrupted by the chairman
desiring the committee to inquire by whose direction the
lamp had been removed, and recommending that it be
fixed as before. The meeting was then adjourned, and
separated.

CORRESPONDENCE.

DR. BOWRING AND THE QUARANTINE

TO THE EDITOR 01? THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SIR,—It has afforded me no little amusement, that while the
merchants of Liverpool are agitating the fever question, and
using their best exertions to arrest the devastating progress of
pestilence, the hon. member for Bolton should be making the
best use of his parliamentary influence in endeavouring to
counteract those efforts, so requisite for the preservation of
the sanatory condition of the British empire, by seeking to
abrogate the quarantine regulations.
I will not for one moment deny the' inconvenience which
merchants must of necessity experience from delay in the
transmission of their goods, but where is the law to be found
unattended with inconvenience to some portion of the com-
munity? Will the Government submit to abandon church-
rates, because dissenters object to pay them ? Will the state
refuse support to the army and navy, for the protection of our
commerce and our country, because Quakers object to the
principle of war? If not, then I ask, upon what principle
shall it be urged that Government should abrogate laws for the
preservation of our health, because a few, and a few only, of
our merchants and cotton-spinners object to the trifling delay
arising from the detention of their goods on board the lazaret-
toes? I have said trifling delay ; because it is only on sus-
pected articles, such as cotton, wool, sponges, and others capa-
ble of harbouring contagion, and where vessels do not bring
clean bills of health, that any detention whatever occurs.
I apprehend the Government would do well to consider so
serious a question, before thy consent to withdraw their pre-
sent restrictions; for what would be the consequence if vessels
arriving; from ports infected with a contagious disorder were
allowed to enter our docks, land their produce, and thus carry
contagion to Manchester? What, I repeat, would be the con-
sequence if even one bale of cotton or wool, out of many thou-
sands, (which, from the closeness of the ships' holds, could
receive no advantage from ventilation,) were to convey the
plague or any other disorder into the thickly-populated dis-
tricts of Manchester, Leeds, or even Liverpool ? It is well
known that the chances of life are greatly in favour of the sol-
dier in the most sanguinary engagement, compared with those
who live in an unhealthy town. I hesitate not to say, that the
excitement of the populace would be such, that even the bon.
member himself would be as anxious to retrace his steps, as he
is unremitting in his exertions to repeal the existing laws ;
and should he live long enough to realise his expectations, I
venture to predict he will live to feel the taunts of thousands,
and the reproach of those feelings which now influence him in
seeking to deprive his fellow-countrymen of the only protec-
tion a judicious Government have afforded thern against the
invasion of foreign sickness.
It has been asserted that the 13'ague has never been known
to penetrate healthy countries through the medium of ships'
cargoes. I mention the plague, as it seems it has never oc-
curred to the hon. member that any other infectious disorder
might be imported, though I believe if any sickness greater
than usual should prevail in this or any other town, there
would be found those who would, and perhaps not without
cause, attribute it to the suspension of the quarantine regula-
tions.
I am supported in my belief that the inhabitants of Liver-
pool will resist the motion of Dr. Bowring, should he ever
carry the question so far, by the circumstance of the ship
Brutus, which occurred but a few years ago, when that ship
was obliged to return, after havin been for several days at sea,
owing to cholera breaking out onboard. The people of Liver-
pool were so horrified at the idea of the emigrants landing on
the quays, although the same disorder was raging in the town
at the time, that the authorities refused to admit them, and
compelled the ship to proceed to the quarantine station, where
they disembarked the sick on board the lazarettoes.
Permit me to ask the hon. gentleman if he entertains any
doubt as to the existence of contagion and infection in any
case? or if any change in the nature of the plague has been
observed, that will warrant him in asserting that no fear is to
be apprehended from their existence? If so, then I would ask
him to explain whence arose the plague which swept the streets
and desolated the city of London in the reign of Charles the
Second—Marseilles in 1820 (in reference to which, the Presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce a few weeks since uttered
these startling and significant words, "We do not forget the
cruel plague of 1820")—and Malta about the same period, or a
little after, where the disorder was traced to a shoemaker's
stall, conveyed there in some pieces of leather.
A melancholy instance of contagion occurred, not many
Years ago, to the relative of a gentleman with whom I am ac-
quainted, who, on his passage through the Dardanelles, called
at a shop in Constantinople, with his wife and a boy from the
ship, to purchase a few articles. The lady and gentleman were
a short time after seized with the plague, then the boy and
several of the ship's crew, who all died in consequence. There
are many such instances; and, in the face of these facts, can
any reasonable mind believe there is no fear to be apprehended
from contagion?
In consequence of the present unhealthy state of Liverpool,
the Consuls stationed here dare not withhold communicating
the fact to their different Governments, who will beyond
doubt apply the good old maxim, that " prevention is better
than cure," and compel our vessels to hoist the yellow flag on
entering their ports, and give them sixty days' quarantine. I
am moreover informed, that captains of Sicilian vessels are
fearful of having three months of it on their arrival out.
I shall not trouble you any further for the present, but am
of opinion that the journals of the day are not fulfilling their
dutyto themselves and to the public in general, by suppress-
ing any communication they may receive calculated to arouse
the inhabitants of our large commercial towns to a sense of
the danger which must inevitably follow, should the Govern-
ment of this country yield to the motion of the hon. member
for Bolton, and abandon the quarantine restrictions on vessels -
arriving from contagious countries.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Liverpool, May 21st, 1847. J. CAVE.

SUPPLY OF WATER

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Withotit incurring the charge of being a friend to joint
stock speculations of any description, yet I hope I may be per-
mitted to express my antagonism to the monstrous outlay and
the consequent charge on the inhabitants which the "
Riving-
ton" water scheme will necessarily impose, not only on the
present generation, but in perpetuity. To save this enormous
expense were worth a trial of some magnitude; but to save the
expense and realise a purer article than any that can be ob-
tained from a reservoir exposed above ground, when the trial
can be made for, comparatively, an old song, surely this is such
an appeal to the public spirit, and the patriotism of every man
in our local community, as cannot be resisted without an im-
peachment of the understanding* that idiotcy itself would not
brook. A cost of a million, Mr. Editor, for that which the
earth is yearning to yield to the tapster who shall sue for it by
a simple application to her over-gorged bowels, is enough to
stagger all belief in the assertion of that crippled state of our
finances, both public and private, which is now smiting every
heart with fear. Let any one, however unscientific, take a
suburban walk of four semicircular miles, north, east, and
south, from the Town-hall, see the struggle of the precious
fluid for egress through the fissures of rock even, and then say
if the expensive proposition of the Rivington Pike scheme can
be justified before a trial has been made to realise it at a less
cost.

Now what I would propose through your columns, Mr.
Editor, is a trial of the "Artesian Well," which is very likely
to succeed in Manchester, where it is now being made. Three
hundred yards may be bored for an expense of .ei,200, or .:,€4
per yard ; but suppose an extra hundred yards were required
to accomplish the desiderated blessing of adequate supply for
every purpose„ should a paltry sum of .t1,(300 deter from the

attempt? Well, if we are agreed thus far, could there be, ought
there to be, any difficulty in raising such an insignificant fund
by subscription even, among our townsmen for so noble a pur-
pose. Why, the Corporation itself ought to do it ; but if this
were too large a demand on its liberality, surely it would not
scruple to give a thousand, when the residue would be got from
the public in a month. But if both should fail, a public com-
pany might be formed, create 2000 shares at 20s. per share,
call itself the "Artesian Well Company," limit itself to that
process exclusively, and to an ouside profit of 20 per cent. on a
cost of £2,000, or not exceeding, say £5,000, should extra
boring be necessary, to be stimulated by probabilities of suc-
cess as they proceeded with the perforation.
Mr. Kyle, celebrated in Pope's immortal verse as the "Man
of Ross," conferred, at his own expense, the blessing of a sup-
ply of pure water on his lovely little village on the banks of the
Wye, receiving in return the blessings of his fellow parishioners ;
and shall the wealthy town of Liverpool want its" Men of Ross"
to do likewise? Why, Sir, a solitary shilling from each house-
holder would meet the exigency for the trial ; and where is
the individual, even though his own pump renders him inde-
pendent of the necessity, who would begrudge five to supply
both poor and rich with a first requisite of existence, the town
with a first essential of health, and all with the first necessary

of enjoyment and comfort, cleanliness, which is very appositely
said to be " next to godliness."

I throw out the hint, Mr. Editor, as worthy of all attention
from any and all who have heavy purses, abundant time, and
patriotism and love of kind, sufficient to attempt the realisation
of that self complaisant and exquisitely fine feeling of inward de-
light which could not fail to attend the accomplishment of so
gTeat a boon, and at so trifling a cost too. But if we have no
" Men of Ross" among us, why then let it be taken up as above
suggested, either by public subscription, or, if that fail, by a
small public company. It were better to be indebted to the
selfish principle of private gain than miss so great a good; but
better still to owe that good to the armor paeri‘e of some good
Samaritan, who would earn for himself a marble monument of
fame that would carry down his name and deed to the latest
posterity. I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your oblig

Scrvant

PUBLIC NUISANCES

TO THE EDITOR OF THE 41VERPOOL ST_INDARD.
" Shilling wise and Pound foolish," appears to be the motto
adopted by the Town Council of Liverpool ; they issue strict
orders that no cigar smoking be allowed on the Pierheads,
because one or two of their fair friends affect to dislike the
smell of tobacco, and pronounce the custom a public nuisance,
and if this is really a nuisance. nrav Mr Fditnr

we use sufficiently eßrf
street, and to-day in T

A. LORD-STREET TRA

sale of the coke. Mr. Smith, of the Windsor Iron
Foundry (Liverpool), spoke in favour of the new company.
A third company would cause a real not a sham competi-
tion, and the public would be better served.—The chair_
man, in addressing the learned counsel, desired to know
if a compromise could not be come to; that is, whether
the old companies could not make such a reduction in the
price of gas —a liberal and substantial reduction—as
would justify the committee in preventing the establish-
ment of a third company, and entailing the necessity of
breaking up the streets, laying down a third set of mains,
and occasioning various other annoyances and incon-
veniences to which it was unnecessary to allude more par-
ticularly. Unless this was done, the committee was pre-
pared to go on with the case, and to decide upon Mr.
Cox's plan, with which they had every reason to be satis-
fied, and to believe that perfectly responsible persons were
ready to carry it out in the manner that gentleman had
detailed. He (the chairman) had received a communica-
tion, purporting to be an offer on the part of the Dale-
street Company, but it did not satisfy the committee.
I The reduction must be liberal, otherwise the preamble of
the Guardian Company's Bill would be declared to be
proved, if the remaining evidence did not upset that al-
ready adduced. After repeating this advice several times
he gave the parties until twelve o'clock next day to make
a proposition, and if it were not such as the interests of the
public demanded, the case would be fully proceeded with.
On Friday the committee again sat. All the counsel
for the various parties were for the first time present.
The rooms were crowded to excess by the parties inter-
ested.—Mr. Slade, for the Liverpool Gas Company, read
his proposition, to the effect,—that their committee has
maturely considered their proposal of yesterday, that the
existing shareholders in the company should be allowed
to take the whole of the new capital at 7 per cent., with
the object of ascertaining whether they could prudently
take such a capital at a still lower rate of interest, and
they had concluded that they could not—especially front
the state of the money market, and the fact that the
per centage named was not sufficient to pay the dividends
on the present capital. They therefore urged their pro-
position of the day before on the further consideration of
the committee then sitting. To meet the wishes of the com-
mittee with regard to a modified plan of raising capital,
they proposed that to the new capital should be given
dividend of 71 per cent., and appropriating one-half of such
capital, and selling one-half, or appropriating one-third,
and selling two-thirds ; and these modes they respectfully
submitted to the committee ; that if the committee
thought the new shareholders ought not to have a pro-
spective advantage, but that all the new capital should be
sold by auction, they were prepared to accede to their
wishes, influenced in no small degree by the belief that it
would afford satisfaction to the Town Council, who rep-
resented a large body of consumers, and meet the object
of the petition against the bill.—Mr. Austin (for the
Corporation) said his clients would be satisfied with the
last portion of the proposition.—Mr. Sergeant Wranghatrt
proposed (for the Guardian Company,)-Ist, That each
company should have their bill, with power to raise
£lOO,OOO each, at 71 per cent. 2dly, That the capital to
be raised (of £2C0,000) be divided equally between the
Dale-street Company and the Guardian Gas Company.
Maximum interest on new capital to be 71 percent. Maxi-
mum
price, when the consumption arrives at 250 millions
to be 45., when 300 millions the maximum price be 3s Sd.
—Mr. Lace, chairman of the Corporation Company, said
that this would entail a loss to the public of 21 per cent.
—The room was cleared for about an hour, and when
opened, Mr. Wm. Brown came out and assured the
promoters of the Guardian Bill that nearly the whole
committee were completely against them, and that all he
and Mr. Brotherton could do, with any likelihood of prac-
tical good, was to propose that the Guardian Company
should have their expenses allowed. To this proposition
the Guardian Company were of course obliged to submit,
and accordingly withdrew their bill.—The chairman said
the committee would pass the preamble of the Old Com-
pany's Bill, on the understanding that the whole of the
new capital will be raised by auction ; that the £200,000
will be sold by auction, with the precautions necessary to
ensure the best possible price to the public; that the
maximum price of the gas be fixed at 4s. 6d., with a power
of revision by the recorder.—The committee then pro-
ceeded with the clauses of the.Dale.street Company's Bill.
—The decision come to created the most extraordinary
surprise amongst the audience, by whom it was most
distinctly understood that the chairman's suggestion of
the previous day, as to a decided reduction in the maximum
price of gas would be fully acted upon, especially as the
evidence in favour of the Guardian Company was on all
hands admitted to be founded on sound and conclusive
principles. •