The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-10-05 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

to the granting of liberty to import grain cargoes,
'becoming carriers to our shores from every port in
Europe. The supporters of the principle of our
Navigation Laws will not, in the coming discussion
of the great question involved in those laws, have
to remark upon unsupported opinions merely. We
have already the assurance that the foreigner can
and will carry upon lower terms than the British
shipowner can afford to do ; and the conclusion is
irresistible that in any competition with him the
maritime supremacy of the nation must be perilled,
and, indeed, forfeited altogether.
We are of course not aware what steps are in
preparation to avert this evil. Whether our ship-
ping interests are about placing themselves in a
posture of defence, or whether they are resigned to
let matters take their course, and, as is too usual, to
indulge in the luxury of complaint after the mis-
chief has been consummated. We should ourselves
humbly suggest the necessity of the more common
sense mode being adopted, and advise our ship-
owners not to wait until they are themselves at-
tacked, but, on the contrary, to strike the first blow.
We may be wrong in anticipating that the suspen-
sion of the Navigation Laws will be prolonged after
the period originally fixed upon—the Ist of No-
vember. It will be well, however, for the owners
of British tonnage to protest at once, lest such a
course should be in the contemplation of Govern-
ment. At all events, the features which are at pre-
sent being developed in the carrying trade, and the
preponderance which European shipping is ac-
quiring in that trade, should be well noted, and the
result ready to be presented to Parliament so soon
as it is proposed to remodel the Navigation Laws,
which we firmly believe will be at a very early period
of the coming session of Parliament.

WE are informed from a quarter, upon whose
authority we have the greatest reliance, that go-
vernment has at length been driven to a sense of
the necessity of some decisive action to arrest the
progress of the havoc, which the state of the Money
Market is at present creating in commercial circles.
A meeting of the Cabinet we understand was held
on Saturday evening, the result of which was ex-
pected to be the granting of a pro tempore autho-
rization to the Bank of England, to increase its cir-
culation of notes beyond the amount provided for
by the Bank Charter Act, the Government under-
taking, immediately on the assembling of Parlia-
ment, to introduce a bill to protect the Bank in
taking this course. We trust that we shall be
found correct in this anticipation, for it is abun-
dantly clear that unless some step is taken
promptly, the commerce of the country must
shortly be brought into a state of complete
paralysis.

MONEY MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE.

SATURDAY NIGHT.
The anxiety in the city has been chiefly manifested in
the Stock Exchange, where rapid fluctuations have again
taken place. Consols for money opened at 841 toil, being
a slight decline from the closing price of yesterday, under-
went a fall to 84, and finally rallied to 84/. For the
account the range was from 841 to 841, and the closing
price was 841. Bank Stock left off 193 to 196 ; and
India Stock 223 to 228. In India Bonds and Exchequer
Bills, the peculiar state of the money-market was most
apparent, the former having been done at 225. to 15s. dis.,
and the latter having been freely sold at 10s. dis. , Money
up to the period for the payment of the dividends, com-
manded from 6to 7 per cent. The Foreign Funds have
attracted little attention this afternoon, and prices con-
tinue very depressed. The actual transactions comprised
Brazilian Five per Cent. new Bonds, at 77 ; Granada, at
17 ; Portuguese Four per Cents., at 23 ; Spanish Five per
Cents., at 19 ; Passive, at 41; the Three per Cents., at
28 ; Dutch Two-and-a-half per Cents., at 521 ; and the
Four per Cents., Certificates, at 83. Notwithstanding
the apprehensions which prevailed, the day has, on the
whole, passed off satisfactorily. In London no failures of
any importance have occurred, the only stoppage actually
announced having been that of a small, although very
respectable firm, Messrs. Boyds and Thomas, whose
trade was with the island of Ceylon, where their capital is
understood to be locked up.

(From last night's Express.)
Monday, Half-past One.—Consols were donethis morn-
ing for the account, at an improvement of k per cent., the
earlier quotation being 80 to /. There has since been
considerable fluctuations, bargains having been done at
the lower value of 841 to 1, which was, in fact, worse by
4 per cent., or nearly so, as there had been buyers at 84*.
Since this they have rallied to the price marked in the
first instance, but the probability is that the market will
remain in a variable state to the close. The much ap-
prehended 4th of the month the general commercialpay -day
on acceptances has now arrived, and no one can say of what
mischief it may be productive. As yet we have heard of but
one additional failure, and this.cannot be considered a case
of much importance. Thehouse has been in default before.
The Exchequer Bill market has exhibited increased weak-
ness. Business was reported in the course of the forenoon
at 20s. discount (sellers), and the price now marked is 255.
to 20s. discount. The requirements of the merchants,
and the measures of the Bank, had fully prepared us for a
material depreciation of this branch of the public debt,
but scarcely one equal to that which has occurred. From
the influence of the causes alluded to, money stock has
been done at 11 per cent. below the opening value, it
having been at one time 84/, while now it might be pur-
chased at 831. Securities of all descriptions are, at the
moment at which we write, as flat as possible, the ten-
dency of Consols for time being still downward.
The Bank are said to be realising the unredeemed stock
held by the institution in deposit for advances, the parties
pledging it being unable to make it up.
Brokers usually found acting for the Scotch banks are,
however, also sellers of stock for money upon a large scale.
Quarter before Two.—Consols have declined to 841 for
the account, and 83i for money. Exchequer Bills have
become unsaleable, and are now nominally quoted 30s. to
20s. dis.

Three o'clock.—We may now state that the house
above referred to, as having suspended payment, is that
of Messrs. Rougement Brothers. We do this with much
less hesitation, inasmuch as the sole object of the firm is
that of avoiding a most unreasonable sacrifice of property,
their assets being equal to 60s. in the pound. It is, in
other words, purely a case of expediency, and nothing in
the nature fan absolute failure.
The funds have revived a little. The arrival in the
town of the Chancellor of the Exchequer has had some
effect, as his purpose is doubtless to see if measures of
relief cannot be devised. Consols, 84 to I for money,
and 841 to k for account. Exchequer Bills, 20s. discount.
The country bills are said to have been but very indif-
ferently provided for at the leading banking houses.
It is understood that a Cabinet Council has been sum-
moned
for to-morrow.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BIRKENHEAD
DOCK COMMISSIONERS.

Yesterday morning, a special meeting of the Birkenhead
Dock Commissioners was held at the Dock office in Ar-
gyle-street, for the purpose " of considering the propri-
ety of authorising the commissioners to enter into such
negociation as they may think judicious, with a view to
transferring the Birkenhead Dock Trust to parties to be
named, upon such conditions as will secure the interests
of Birkenhead and the public generally."
The meeting was fully attended, there being present
Messrs. Pike, Hind, J. H. Greene, W. Laird, Bentham,
C. Watson, Fox, Horner, W. Cole, H. J. Nicholls, Bry-
ans, Pritchard, Thompson, Potter, Barbour, and Gil-
bertson. _

Mr. IsticnoLLs moved that Mr. Green, as deputy chair-
man, take the chair in the absence of Mr. Mallaby, who
was prevented from attending by indisposition. Mr. Green,
however, declined, and Mr. Potter was called upon to
preside.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that
he regretted the absence of Mr. Mallaby, both on his own
account, and in consequence of circumstances which had
occurred since their last meeting. The question they had
to consider involving important financial considerations,
he was of opinion that it was not desirable for reporters to
be present, and he therefore moved that they withdraw.
The motion having been seconded,
Mr. W. LAIRD stated that he was sorry to have to pro-
pose an amendment to the Chairman's motion. He was
not aware that the details of any negotiations had to be
considered, and they had not to enter into the financial
question. The chief business seemed to him to be the
naming of parties who should carry on the trust. He
moved, as an amendment, that the reporters do not with-
draw.

The CHAIRMAN.—Their business was not only to name
parties for the future, but they had also to consider what
might possibly occur by any arrangements made.
Mr. THOMPSON said, as the meeting was called merely
to receive an overture, they might listen to such overture
without the reporters withdrawing.
Mr. GREEN.—They would be much fettered in the dis-
cussion, if the reporters were allowed to be present.
The CHAIRMAN.—WeII, the qu,istion is in the hands
of the board. My opinion, however, is that we cannot
enter into the subject in that comprehensive manner which
is desirable, if the reporters remain. Should the subject
go to the public at present it may have a prejudicial effect
on our negotiations.
After some further discussion on the subject, the Chair-
man put the motion that the reporters withdraw, which
was carried.

We understand that the meeting sat for upwards of two
hours, during which several propositions in connexion with
the important subject were discussed, including the ap-
pointment of a committee to carry out the objects of the
meeting. Several names were mentioned, including Mr.
John Laird, and others, and resolutions moved accord-
ingly, but ultimately Messrs. William Jackson, M.P.,
Joseph Mallabv, and William Potter, were, on the motion
of Mr. C. A. Watson, appointed a committee to negociate
for the transfer of the docks. We have not heard autho-
ritatively the names of the parties to whom the docks are
likely to be transferred, the Commissioners keeping them
at present from the public, but it is generally believed to
be the Liverpool Dock Committee ; indeed we may say
that there is no doubt of the fact, as several of the bond-
holders and one or two of the commissioners have had in-
terviews with the Chairman of the Dock Committee on
the subject. A short time however, will no doubt put us
in full possession of all the circumstances connected with
the transfer.

SMUGGLING WHISKEY.-At the Police-court, yester-
day, a woman, named Jane Cummins, was charged with
having smuggled from a vessel, at George's Dock, three
bladders, containing 34- gallons of whisky. The case was
proved, and Mr. Rushton said the prisoner had rendered
herself liable to a penalty of £lOO, which he had the power
to mitigate only to £25, which she must pay, or be impri-
soned for three months. _ _ _ _ _

INQUEST.—An inquest was held yesterday before Mr
Curry, on view of the body of. Eliza Nodin. Deceased,
who was 22 years of age, lodged in Milton-street. She
was in the habit of drinking. About a fortnight ago she
complained of her throat being sore, and from that time
mostly kept her bed. On Friday night she got out of bed
lay down on the floor, where she soon afterwards expired.
Mr. Woods, surgeon, who made a post mortem examina-
tion, found the cause of death to be disease of the lungs,
the result of natural causes.—Verdict accordingly.
UTTERING BASE HALF-CROWNS.—At the police-court
yesterday, a man named Hugh Dalton, was charged with
having uttered a base half-crown to Mr. Greenall, publi-
can, Vernon-street. He had called on two occasions, and
in the first instance offered a shilling, but this was not
identified.—John Collins was also charged with passing a
base half-crown, on Saturday night last, to Mr. J. Francis,
publican. Neither of the prisoners were before known to
the police, and there being but one utterance in each case,
and the prisoners stating respectively that they did not
know the money was bad, both of them were necessarily
discharged.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS.—We perceive that on
Sunday next two sermons will be preached in St.
Michael's Church, in behalf of these excellent schools
which need all the assistance which can by possibility be
extended to them. They are, it is well known, entirely
dependent on public subscription for support, and there-
fore, we may urgently solicit every friend of scriptural
education to aid them by a donation. We have not col-
lections on their behalf in as many churches as we ought
to have, and therefore when an appeal is made for their
relief it ought to be liberally responded to. We need only
observe, in addition, that the sermons will be preached
by the Rev. W. Pollock and the Rev. Fielding Ould.
A POLICE-OFFICER SUSPENDED.—Yesterday, at the
Police-court, police-officer Shaw (92) brought a respect-
able man, a carter, before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of
being concerned in a disturbance with other parties, and
in an assault made upon him (the officer) in Oriel-street.
It appeared, however, that.the prisoner was not the right
man, that he was not in the street at all, and that the offi-
cer, moreover, had on previous occasions spoken to the
prisoner in an improper manner relative to some evidence
given by him (the prisoner) in a case recently before Mr.
Rushton, from which it might be inferred that the officer
owed the accused some ill-will. Mr. Rushton and his
brother magistrate agreed that the case required further
investigation, and suspended the officer in the meantime.
The accused produced a good character from his em-
ployers over a lengthened period.
ASSAULTS ON POLICE OFFlCERS.—Yesterday, several
complaints were lodged by police-officers against riotous
parties who had grievously and wantonly assaulted them,
when in the execution of their duty. Two men, named
Taylor and Robinson, were charged with a violent assault
on Police-officer 84. Taylor had recently been in gaol
for a similar offence ; and the assault was so violent that
had it not been for two gentlemen, who witnessed it and
ran to the rescue, the officer might have been killed.
Robinson was fined 50s. and costs, and Taylor was fined
£5, or two months, and required to find sureties to keep
the peace, or be further imprisoned for two months.—Two
young men, Perry and Carter, for an assault on another
Police-officer, were each fined £5, or be imprisoned for
two months.—Peter Carron was found carrying a lady's
luggage from the Clarence Dock, whilst in a state of in-
toxication, and being stopped by Police-officer W. Walker,
struck that officer. He was fined £5, or to be imprisoned
for two months.
COMMITMENTS, Yesterday, before Mr, Rushton, a
boy named James Montgomery, was charged with stealing
a bag full of ropes from a vessel, and having before been
convicted he was sent to gaol for 3 months.—Sarah Jones
was charged with breaking into and robbing the house of
Mr. Felton, a letter-press printer, at Kensington. Mrs.
Felton said that on Saturday afternoon she locked up the
house, having occasion to go out, and on her returning
found that some lucifer matches had been removed and
lighted. A police-officer saw the prisoner break a pane
of glass in a back window, and having himself effected an
entrance by another window, found the prisoner in the
cellar, with several articles upon or about her ready for
removal ; amongst them two coats, a muffler, a tea-caddy,
&c., in all of the value of £l3. Some of the articles were
found upon her when she was searched at the police sta-
tion. The prisoner had struck a light in the house. She
was committed for trial at the sessions.—Sarah Jones for
stealing a quantity of wearing apparel was also committed
for trial.
THE WEATHER.—Sinee our last publication, the weather
has been fine for the season, and most propitious for
gathering and securing under cover whatever remained
out, of grain, on cold bottoms or elevated lands, as well
as for getting in potatoes, a considerable quantity of which
are yet out. We have had a succession of " gray days,"
with a light and rather chilly breeze (especially in the
morning) from the south-east, which, .coming immediately
after the equinox, is considered by many of the " weather-
wise " as indicative of an open moist winter. On this
last point we shall not, however, venture to speculate, in
a climate so proverbially fickle and precarious. Turnips
still look well, in these districts, and after-grasses are also
for the most part above an average crop, on lands that
have been well treated. The potatoes seem, in many
localities, to have considerably improved ; or, in other
words, to have apparently recovered, to a considerable
extent, from the disease. At all events they have cer-
tainly not, taking the average, become worse within the
last few weeks, and there is no scarcity of good qualities
in our domestic markets for the table. The weather is
also favourable for ploughing. Wheat has already been
sown pretty extensively, and we have seen some fine
fields laid down in Italian rye-grass, which is beginning to
cover the ground with a mantle of lively green.
SMUGGLING TOBACCO.—There were no fewer than
eleven persons, seamen, charged yesterday, at the police-
court, with smuggling tobacco on board the respective
vessels to which they belonged. We learn that several
revenue officers have been sent down to this port from.
London, as a detective force, and that they are extremely
apt and active in their vocation.—Henry Pompere, and
Framze Villa (foreigners), were charged with having
tobacco in papers concealed under a chest, on board the
Joseph, in the Brunswick Dock. The first (who had Bth.
weight concealed) was remanded, after being heard through
an interpreter, until the pleasure of the board in London
is known as to the proceedings to be taken against him.
The other (for a small quantity) was fined 605., or one
month's imprisonment.—John Darcey, and John Roberts,
for being found with 14th. of tobacco in their possession on
board ship, were fined 20s. each, or to be imprisoned for
seven days.—Another, Philip Buss, was similarly fined.--
Six prisoners were then brought urt Charged with smug-
gling (by concealment) board the ship Eugene, from
Ostend, lying in the Queep.'s Dock, various quantities of
foreign manufactured
They were examiP: tobacco, weighing. in all 118tbb.
ed through a Flemish interpreter.
Three of them ',ere discharged, there being no decisive
evidence a !inst them. Against the others, namely,
Adams, ga Louis
arlos Arnot, and Romanus Nayscole, the charge
-Was ',;roved, and they were remanded until instructions
k Cof;pecting them be received from head quarters.

EXHIBITION OF THE LIVERPOOL ACADEMY

FOURTH NOTICE.

No. 126. Scene from " Taming of the Shrew." Au-
gustus Egg.
" Bianca. Construe them.
" Lucentio. Hacibat, as I told you before,—Simois, I am
Lucentio —hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,—Sigeia tellus,
disguised thus to get your love,—hic steterat, and that Lucen-
tio that comes a-wooing,—Priami, is my man Tranio,—regia,
bearing my port,—celsa, senis, that we might beguile the old
pantaloon.

" Hortensio. Madam, my instrument 's in tune. (Return-
ing.)

"Bianca. Let 's hear. (Hortensio plays.) 0 -fie, the treble
jars."—Act 111. Scene 1.
_ _

There is some fine painting in this picture, and much
mastery displayed in surmounting some of the greatest
difficulties of the art. In particular, we may point to the
skill with which primitive colours are brought out to
contrast in the dresses of the three figures. The dresses
in themselves are exquisitely painted, especially the rich
robe of Bianca and the scarlet dress of Lucentio. The
light from the painted window in the background is well
thrown in, and produces a pleasing effect ; and the finish
throughout is perfect. In particular, the faultless draw-
ing of the hands of the guitar-player, and of the left hand
of Lucentio, might afford a study to some of the artists
in this and other exhibitions, by many of whom these
points are treated with too much slovenliness.
No. 175. " A Vision of Happiness." E. V. Rippin-
gale.—We do not like this picture, although it contains
many excellencies of painting. It is more like a vision of
uproarious and bacchanalian revelry than of happiness.
The sky is unnaturally red, and the landscape in parts
very stiff. _ _ . .

No. 291. " The Hour of Execution : an incident in
Winchester Gaol, August 20th, 1827." G. E. Hicks.—
This is a disagreeable subject, treated very possibly as it
occurred, but one which very few, beyond those possessed
of the morbid love of the horrific which draws men to
seek the scenes of the press-room, or to gloat upon " last
dying speeches," would choose to contemplate. The im-
penitent prisoner is a ruffian of the first water, coarse in
character, and without a redeeming feature. The other
figure is more human. The chaplain in the centre, with
his book apparently dropping from his hands, is some-
what too sleepy looking, although he seems impressed
with a sense of the awful scene in which he is an actor.
The gaoler and turnkey are very unfavourable specimens
of their class, the former displaying stolid indifference,
and the latter something in character between the idiotic
and the ruffianly. It is a pity that an artist possessing,
like Mr. Hicks, undeniable ability, should throw it
away in the delineation of subjects in which so few can
sympathise. The painter's, like the poet's and the ro-
mance writer's, art should be devoted to raise the stan-
dard of taste, and to elevate our feelings. This is not
effected by continually obtruding upon us human nature
in its basest form, whether as triumphing in guilt, or
undergoing its penalty.
"A City Dinner." R. Hannah.—We believe this is only
the second year in which the productions of Mr. Hannah
have been contributed to our exhibition ; and we should
certainly wish to see more of them. The little picture
with the above paragraph is a very meritorious one. The
dinner in question is a crust of bread moistened with a
draught of the pure element from a city water plug, and
is full of character and talent. The colouring may per-
haps be excepted against.
95. " Counting the Flock : Evening." D. Car.—This
is very inferior. Where the artist ever saw such sheep as
he has depicted we are at a loss to know, unless he has
found them in some of the collections in the boxes of
toys sold as resemblances of Noah's Ark in our toy-
shops. The background of the picture is very faulty. In
fact, the whole is not at all creditable to the artist.
201. "An Autumn Morning." C. Barber.—Consi-
dering that this gentleman is president of the academy,
this picture is beneath his pretensions to a mastery of his
art. The cows introduced are little better than Mr. Cox's
sheep.
No. 354. "Morton before Claverhouse at Tillietudlem.
Old Mortality, Chap. 1, 13th." W. L. Wiudus.—This
painting is by one of the most promising of our local
artists, and is characterised by undeniable talent. The
scene depicted is that in which Morton is brought as a
prisoner, handcuffed, into the presence of " Claverhouse,"
and the inmates of the Tillietudlem, with whom he is
domiciled. In the selection of a study for the figure of
Morton, the artist has been rather unfortunate, although
it is well painted, and, considering the effect produced by
the action of the hands being restrained, it is not ungrace-
ful. This fault, however, if fault it be, is amply redeemed
in the execution of the other figures in the picture. The
old lady, who is so devoted an admirer of Claverhouse, is
quite a study. The character of Malor Bellenden is
also happily caught, as is that of the imperturbable, and
not very lovable Claverhouse himself. Edith Bellenden
is also a fine character. The whole scene is well con-
ceived ; and establishes the artist as one of the most
promising members of his profession.
366. " Gynwyd Mill, on the Trystion, Merionethshire."
J. W. Oakes.—This picture is also the work of a native
artist, and is very meritorious. Of course it has faults,
one of which is the adoption. preceptible throughout the
composition, of the worst features of the style of Pyne.
In parts, too, the meaning of the artist is not quite fully
brought out. It is clever, however ; and considering the
short time that Mr. Oakes has been enabled to devote
himself to the higher walks of his profession, we may
augur for him a leading place amongst our local artists.