The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-08-24 00:00:00

that the great majority of the people of England will similarly
detect and scout the shallow sophistries of that class of poli-
ticians who are industriously striving to make a handle of
the present unnatural position of the corn market, for the
ruinous purpose of pulling down the corn laws ! By the law,
as it now stands, justice is done to all parties—the English
farmer is protected from being undersold by the foreigner,
and the public are secured against an unreasonable and ex-
tortionate price. But if the corn laws were abolished, and
our own corn land were necessarily to go out of cultivation,
both these advantages would be lost—the farmer would be
ruined; and it is highly questionable whether the public would
be in the slightest degree benefitted by obtaining corn at a
reduced price, while the injury resulting from the blow struck
at British agriculture would be far more
,than a counter-
balance for any. possible, beneAt o:mined by the change._
Besides this, what would be the condition of England if war
should again break out? or it' famine should visit the corn-
growing countries on the Continent? We should leave the
anti-corn-law politicians to answer.—Maidstone Journal.
TEIGNAIOUTH,—The weather during the past week has
set in unusually fine and warns; the harvest in consequence
has commenced in and about this neighbourhood, and already
several fine crops of wheat have been cut.
THE CULTURE OF WHEAT.—'Three specimens of wheat
were gathered on Tuesday, from a field belonging to Mr.
John Whippet, Lower Brenton, Exminster. Of these, two
specimens were sown in the same field, on the same day ;
one of them is the old Devonshire Lammas wheat, and the
small bundle had 15 ears, which weighed one ounce, one
drachm, 12 grains, and measured in circumference seven
and a half inches. The other is called the Hecklin Wheat,
the seed for which was obtained by Messrs. J. Whippell, S.
Drew, G. Turner, and ii. Gibbings, from one of the upper
counties. The bundle of this contained 14 ears, which
weighed two-and-a-half ounces, one drachm, and one
scruple, and measured 101 inches in circumference. The
third specimen consisted of a bundle containing eight ears,
and is a species of wheat introduced into this neighbourhood
by Mr. T. Hussey, and named "The Conservative." The
number of ears not being equal, it is not intended to make a
comparison between them, but it may be mentioned that these
eight ears weighed one ounce, two scruples, eight grains, and
measured within an eighth of eight inches in circumference.
LINDSE Y.—The continued rains during the last month
have much retarded the progress of hay-making, a great quan-
tity is still in the field, and what has been got is much wea-
therrated, and of worst quality than of late years. For want
of sun, and through excess of wet, the harvest is likely to be
a late one; scarcely a field of oats is yet cut, although in a
few instances some are ripe enough to begin upon. The hay
crops have fallen heavy, so will the corn, Wheat is, upon
all rich strong soils and stiff fellows, a more productive crop
than last year; the ear is larger and better filled, and as it is
all standing up the yield will be large, and the quality bold
and fine. The light soils which have been reported thinly
planted, have' come large and strong into ear, and will yield
much better than at one period seemed likely, and the grain
being now full and bold, should mildew appear, the injury
will not be so great. The earliest cutting cannot commence
fora fortnight, and not then if heavy rains continue. Much
of the wheat is quite green and will not be ripe for at least a
month. Beans and peas have podded very full and still con-
tinue flowering; they will consequently be a full crop. Bar-
ley and oats are equally good, and not heavy enough to get
lodged, which is highly beneficial to the yield, as in a wet
time like time present, the weeds would go through the laid
places, and destroy the grain. On the whole, in this district,
we shall be considerably above an average upon the general
crop, and far approaching to abundance. The stack yards
will be full. Turnips were never better, scarcely a failure
anywhere; neither the fly nor black jack (though both have
remembered their visit) have been able to defeat the season,
which pushed the plants beyond their depredations; the
quantity of winter food must be great for both cattle and
sheep.—Boston Herald.
THE WEATHER.—The weather throughout the North, ha
been dry and seasonable, though far front warm, since Satur-
day last. The beneficial effects of this favo treble change are
already visible throughout the district; and a great propor-
tion of the hay crop has been secured. Where the ricks
were large and well secured very little injury has been sus-
tained; but the latter crops which could not be so well gdt up
are not in such good condition. In most cases the colour is
not so favourable as in ordinary years. The corn crops have
improved amazingly during the week, and although the har-
vest will necessaiily be a Very late one, it may be hoped that
it will be gathered in good condition.—Newcastle Journal.
A gentleman who has just returned from a tour through
the most important agricultural provinces of England, has
informed us that, in his opinion, the backwardness of the
crops has been considerably exaggerated in the accounts
hitherto published. In the course of a tour of 1789 miles,
he states that he found the crops everywhere abundant—in
the north of England, throughout the Midland counties, and
in the great corn-growing counties of Kent, Sussex, and
Surrey,—in the latter districts a crop equal to the present
has not been since 1826. On the road from Maidstone to
London he saw the reapers at work on the 28th of July; and
he was informed by a friend, that on the Monday following,
harvest had also begun in Surrey. and would be general in
that or the succeeding week. North of Sheffield only were
there complaints of the lateness of the crops, but none as to
their weight or quality. In Yorkshire they looked uncom-
monly well, though only tinging.—Glasgow Argus.
1? It ESTON.—In this neighbourhood, and especially as re-
gards the fine corn district, commonly known as the " Fylde
country," great anxiety has been felt. Perhaps there is no
part of England where there is finer wheat grown ; and
ordinarily the state of the crops in the Fylde is a tolerably
accurate index, in this respect, for the country at large.
From the concurrent testimony, however, of many intelligent
and highly respectable farmers resident in this district, we
are rejoiced to learn, that there is no great occasion for
despondency, and that a fair average yield, albeit very late
in reaping, may he calculated upon : to this account there
are some solitary exceptions, but these are merely exceptions,
and not of very great magnitude. In other descriptions of
grain than wheat, present appearances are very auspicious in
this vicinity. In some few cases, beans may perhaps be ex-
cepted from this description, as we are surry to learn that
some fields are suffering from the fly; and, as would be seen
by our quotations of the Preston market last week, the pro-
bable injury which may be sustained on this score has given
rise to some speculation. Barley and oats promise to be
decidedly above an average crop in the heavy and rich soils,
while in the thinner soils they will be less productive. We
think we may fairly deduce from the whole, that the great
and important blessing of a plentiful harvest will not this
year be, to any thing like a serious or alarming degree, with-
held from us.—Preston Chronicle.
THE CROPS.—The district surrounding Doncaster has
been blessed this week with weather far more favourable for

the ripening of the crops than was experienced during the
preceding, seven days The sky has been less gloomy, the
sun has shone forth with more warmth and brilliancy, and
the wind has had the effect of raising the corn which had
been partially beaten down, and of cleaning the plants by
waving them in undulations from side to side. The effects
produced are delightfully apparent. Under these more fa-
vourable circumstances, the prospects of a bountiful harvest
are brighter than last week. It is truly gratifying to see,
especially in those places were skill and good management
are the more apparent, the abundance with which the earth
teems. The only deficiency is in low and cold situations,
which, with the prevalence of much rain, have proved un-
genial to the growth of the crops, and even these have much
improved. During the present week, the weather has been,
perhaps, the finest that, under all circumstances, could have
been desired,—more favourable for a full development of the
plant, than a sudden change from wet and chill to hot and
scorching days.—Doncaster Gazette.
THE HARVEST.—The last few days of fine weather have
effected a wonderful improvement in the grain crops,especially
the wheat, and brought the hay-harvest nearly to a close. We
have this week had an opportunity of traversing an extensive
tract of theW est Riding on the Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield,
Rotherham, Doncaster, and Pontefract roads, and have seen
enough to convince us that the cry about a failing crop of
wheat is, taking all in all, unfounded. In many places, bar-
ley is nearly ripe; and the wheats are generally on the turn,
and will soon be ready for the sickle. The markets have re-
ceived a check.—Leeds Intelligeneer.
The reports from Ireland and Scotland are of an
equally favourable character : but it is needless to
multiply extracts.

We have often asserted that the price of corn regu-
ates the rate of wages. The following paragraph

corroborates our opinion :
We hear with pleasure that most of the opulent farmers in
this neighbourhood have determined to increase the wages of
the deserving labourers, in consequence of the rapid rise in
the price of bread; and we sincerely hope that so laudable an
example will be generally responded to throughout the coun-
try.—Reading Mercury.
It is a singular fact, in support of what we have

already asserted, that the alleged scarcity of grain is

attributed in Prussia to the very same cause that we
have assigned, as the following will serve to show :
"BERLIN, AUGUST 14.—1 n consequence of the high price
of corn, his Majesty, our truly paternal Sovereign, has or-
dered a report on the subject to be drawn up as soon as pos-
sible, in order that the poor may receive all practicable relief.
Our ministry is said to have resolved that the exportation of
our corn to foreign countries shall be prohibited this year.
It is, however, generally believed here the dearness of corn is to
be ascribed rather to speculators and jobbers than to a failure in
the crops, because in many places the corn now standing looks
well."

We are glad to find from the Morning Herald of
Tuesday, that the London market has undergone a
reaction. We conclude with the following extract
from that powerful anti-free-trade and anti-starvation
journal

" There has been a great change in the value of corn to-
day in Market-lane, particularly wheat, which, for good sam-
ples of English, has receded about 4s or 5s per quarter, whilst
bonded corn has been almost unsaleable at a reduction of 6s
per quarter, and there is apparently no doubt but that the
late large orders for foreign corn will, if the progress of the
harvest does not continue more favourable, seriously affect
that market, although it may turn for a while the scale of
duty which governs importation. Yet, notwithstanding the
alteration in the value of wheat this day, it is anticipated that
the late orders for corn will lead to extensive importations,
which, since they must be paid for in hard cash, under our
present free trade theories, will most undoubtedly lead to a
further reduction in the continental exchanges; and there is
not any doubt but that the manufacturing interests of this
country will sensibly feel the influence of a system at once
one-sided and destructive to the best interests of the British
empire."

THE " PRAY• CURSE-HER" AGITATION.—O'ConneII,
pursuing his selfish course of agitation, has just re•
vived the traitorous Catholic Association, under the
title of the "Precursor Society." The objects con-
templated by this new system of agitation are the
following—
!. Corporate reform.

2. An extension of the franchise equal to that which
is established in England and Scotland; to enable,
for instance, partners to vote in boroughs, &c.
3. To have 45 English boroughs disfranchised; or,
at least, as many as return that number of members to
parliament; and to give that number of additional
members to Ireland, so that they should have 150 re-
presentatives.

4. The extinction or new appropriation of tithes to

public purposes.

This is what is now termed " justice to Ireland."
The country is to be thoroughly agitated for one year
with a view to the attainment of these four ends. But
will the arch-demagogue succeed ? We should think
not. It is not a very probable matter that the British
Parliament will consent to disfranchise 45 English
boroughs for, the sake of placing so many additional
seats at the disposal of O'Connell, for a thousand gui-
neas each—"say a thousand guineas." As to the ex-
tinction of tithes, or a new appropriation of them to
public purposes, the thing is quite out of the question.
Three years ago the appropriation principle was as,

knowledged by the House 'of Commons. Now it is
even scouted in that august assembly as an insult to
the Protestant people of this realm. We all know by
this time what the insidious Jesuit means by the appli-
cation of the property of the established church in Ire-
land "to public purposes." It means neither more
nor less than the alienation of those revenues to the
maintenance of the Popish priests—the locust brood
who are now preying upon the very vitals of Ireland.

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—We beg to remind
our Conservative friends that unless all borough rates
are paid on or before the 31st of the present month,
no burgess will be allowed to vote at the ensuing
municipal election in November. We sincerely trust
that the ward committees are in active operation, and

that they will diligently look after the registration.
We also trust that candidates have been selected in
each of the wards on the Conservative interest. It is

ghly important that the Conservatives should take

the field as soon as possible, in order to render their
opposition to the Radical faction as effective as possi-
ble. We have very strong hopes as to the result of
the next election. The warehouse question has done
wonders in favour of the Conservatives.

STEAM INTERCOURSE BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND
AMERICA.—We understand that the spirited company
that sent out the Royal [Valiant to New York intend
that she should sail on her second trip across the
Atlantic on the 29th instant. Thus the City of Dub-

lin Steam Navigation Company have the credit of
opening the intercourse between this flourishing port
and the great emporium of the western world. The
excellent accommodations of their splendid vessel
—the skill and experience of her commanders—and the

liberal conduct of the company, cannot fail to render
the Royal William a favourite with the public. Long
may she continue to deserve the praise which has been
already so lavishly bestowed upon her.

ST. BaIDE'S NATIONAL SCHOOLS.—On Sunday next, two
sermons will be preached in St. Bride's Church, by the Rev.
Hugh Stowell, and collections made in aid of the funds of St.
Bride's Schools.

At a general meeting of the trustees of the Liverpool
Northern Hospital, held on Tuesday last, in Leeds-street,
Dr. James Carson, jun., was unanimously chosen as honorary
physician to that institution.
NEW SONG.—" Whilst fools to Venus bend the knee."—
This is a new and capital bacchanalian song, which, with
good fellowship and good wine, must prove exceedingly
effective.

Passengers per Dryope, Captain Robert Hamilton, from
Montreal and Quebec:—Rev. Mr. Maehar, Lady, and child,
Mrs. and Miss Cooper, Miss Logic, Miss Sauuderson, and
Captain Harris of 24th Regiment.
WINTER CoNcEnTs.---We are glad to find that our towns
are likely to meet with a rich treat in the succession o
winter concerts already announced to take place. We have
no doubt that they will be conducted with spirit.

Mlss VANDENHOFF'S BENEFIT.--We see that this
promising young actress has announced her benefit for this
evening. We heartily wish her a good house.

THE ASSIZES.—Two causes only remain on the list, which
will occupy part of to-day, and the present assizes will then
terminate. Thi3 wilt be the shortest assizes we have had
since they were held in Liverpool.
REGISTRATION.—Objections to persons whose names stand
on the overseers' lists, as entitled to vote for counties, must
be made in the form prescribed by the act, on or before the
24th August; and objections to borough voters, and claims
for boroughs, must also be made on or before that day.

MR. ST. MA URICR.—SINGING.—MT. St. Maurice, who has
just arrived here from Paris, is about to settle in this town,
as an instructor in singing and the French language. From
the little we have heard of him, we think he is well qualified
to teach the " divine science." We shall have an opportunity
of judging of his qualifications as a singer at Mr. Hatton's
concert, when he will make his first appearance in public.

LIVERPOOL TRADSNIEN'S CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.
—lt affords us much pleasure to be able to state, that Cress-
well Cresswell, Esq., one of the conservative members in
parliament for the borough of Liverpool, has consented to
meet the members of this association at the large room in the
York Hotel, this evening, when he will hold a friendly con-
versation with them on the business of the past session, and
the prospects of conservatism. There will, of course, be a
plentiful muster of the constituency to greet their repre-
sentative.

STuauss' CoNcEnT.--Mr. Strauss' exquisite band of mu-
sicians perform again this evening. Those who have not yet
heard them, have missed a high musical treat, and will be
losers by not taking advantage of the present opportunity
again afforded them, of hearing the most extraordinary and
beautiful musical performance ever heard. Some conceited
amateur musician, who signs himself Musicus, has affected to
run down this band, by asking with a sort of triumphant air,
if the various performers can be compared in excellence to
different eminent musicians in this country, on different in-
struments. Perhaps individually they. may not excel nor
even equal solo musicians on their various instruments, but
the wonder is, that all are excellent; and so many excellen-
cies united, form one exquisite whole.

THE AssizEs.—From what we hear, it is not improbable
that ere long Lancaster will recover a considerable share of
the assizes business. We understand that there are pro-
fessional men in Manchester who feel the inconvenience of
the present arrangements so great, that they meditate the
trying of their causes at Lancaster instead of Liverpool,
provided there is to be no adjournment to Manchester. The
Liverpool courts are exceedingly incommodious, and there
is no chance of new ones being provided; besides which, the
distance which council reside apart renders necessary con-
sultation very onerous. And then in a place where there
are so many objects of curiosity to attract strangers, it is
very difficult to keep witnesses together. The truth of this
latter observation has been fully borne out at the present
assizes by the number of causes struck from the list, by
reason of the non-attendance of witnesses.---Lancaster Ga-
zette.

SEWERAGE.—Numerous and urgent complaints have lately
reached us, concerning the manner in which the making of
the sewers is condncted in some parts of the town, and we
fear there is too much ground for the inputations which they
convey against the contractors. The bricklayers, it would
appear, are continually having their operations suspended
by the insufficiency of the number of labourers in making
the excavations. The excavation at the lower corner of St.
James's Church-yard, Upper Parliament-street, was com-
menced two or three months ago, and at the present time a
length of upwards of twenty
-yards below the upper corner is
incomplete. There are above sixty yards of brickwork un-
covered, the bricklayers having advanced as far as the ex-
cavation will permit. I❑ addition to this evident disregard
of the comfort of the inhabitants in the neighbourhood, the
sand is thrown into the street in so careless a manner, that
the rain forces its way through the coal gratings, and fre-
quently inundates the lower parts of the houses.—Mail.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND ATTEMPT AT MURDER.—On
Monday night last, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock,
one of the most barefaced highway robberies was committed
in the hundred of Wirral that has lately happened in these
parts. Mr. George Norman, a very respectable cattle dealer,
residing at Ilinderton, in the parish of Neston, was returning
home on horseback from some of the Welsh fairs; and when
near Badger's Rake Gate and Barton Lane End, on the
turnpike road from Chester to Parkgate, he was instan-
taneously attacked by a gang of seven or eight men,
knocked down, and dreadfully beaten. In the first in-
stance he was knocked on his face, so that he could not iden-
tify the assailants, and so maltreated about the head that for
several days he was almost unable to utter a word; in fact,
he was left for dead. His horse found its way home without
a rider; and, that circumstance having created an alarm, a
search was commenced, and Mr. Norman was found lying
near the place where he had been attacked, in a state of in-
sensibility. The ruffians had stolen from his person about
£96 in money, amongst which were one £5O, two £2O, and a
£5, all Bank of England notes. Mr. Norman is a remark-
ably active and stout man, and could have protected his own
life against any thing like moderate odds.
THAMES HAVEN DOCK AND RAILWAY.—It must be highly
gratifying to the subscribers and friends to this undertaking
to learn that the contract for the completion/of the works at
Shell Haven, at the mouth of the Thames, and now called
" Thames Haven," has been concluded. The advertisement
in our number of Friday, the 17th instant, and this day,
calls the attention of those more immediately-concerned in
the undertaking to the intention of the directors to provide a
steam.packet for themselves and the subscribers to visit the
works on the 29th instant. We have been assured, by a
gentleman who has taken an independent interest in this
object, as a work of art and commercial enterprise, that the
advantages to the port of London, by the establishment of
this maritime depot, and means of transit from the mouth of
the Thames, must be immense; whilst the whole line of
country on the Essex shore, cannot fail of being most mate-
rially benefitted in its agricultural interests and means of
' intercommunication with "the Great Metropolis." Another
most important object sought by government will be attained,
namely, that of a day communication between Ostend and
London, instead of the new line first designed for the govern-
ment packets and mail conveyance, via Feversham or Folk-
stone, and over an extended land carriage by railway. It
will be unsafe, if not impracticable, for the large class of
steamers now building to navigate the river; but the short
distance of fifty minutes or an hour's run to town from the
station at Thames Haven, where there will be spacious docks
and basins, will remove every objection to their use. Nearly
the whole of the continental railways will concentrate in
Belgium. The advantages of a direct communication with
the continent, via Ostend, are at once apparent; thus the
government is now fully disposed to establish this line. It is
the design of the company, we understand, ultimately, to
connect the Thames Haven with the Grand Junction and
Birmingham Railway, at the terminus at or near Euston-
square : by crossing the Essex marshes at Stratford, and
Proceeding by Lower Islington and Holloway to Camden
Town, to avoid all the bills, and at a distance of not more
than seven miles.

WALTON FARNIERS'BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.—The twenty
sixth anniversary of the Farmers Benevolent Society was ce
lebrated on Monday, the 13th instant, at the Black Horse
Walton. The members met at 10 o'clock in the morning
and proceeded to the vicarage, and thence to church. The
Rev. Mr. Moss read the morning service, and an appropriate
sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, from the 14th
chapter of Romans,7th verse—" None of us liveth to himself."
After which, a good and substantial dinner was provided by
the worthy hostess, Mrs. Stanley. Many of the gentlemen in
the neighbourhood honoured the society with their presence.
Michael Ashcroft, Esq., was in the chair. The healths of the
Queen, the Qtleen Dowager, and the rest of the Royal Family,
the Ladies, the Vicar of Walton, the Lord-Lieutenant of the
County, the Nobility and Gentry in the Neighbourhood, were
drank with due honours. Mr. Cooke, the secretary to the so-
ciety, then came forward, and discharged the pleasing duty
of presenting the society's respects and a silver cup, to their
long-tried friend George Wright, Esq., for the liberal and ge-
nerous disposition evinced by that gentleman on all occasions
to forward the interests of the society. Mr. Wright, in a short
but neat speech, returned his acknowledgments, and said that
the kindness shown to him could never be erased from his
heart. The day was spent with great harmony, and in the
evening the society walked in procession, with Mr. Jolliff's
beautiful band, to Mr. Wright's house, where, we believe, the
whole of the members drank the healths of Mr. and Mrs.
Wright out of the cup in some good ale. The band then
played "God save the Queen," and the members returned to
their club-house, when they soon afterwards separated. The
cup, which was manufactured by Messrs. H. and J. Daniel,
silversmiths, of Lord-street and the Crescent, Liverpool, was
richly chased, with appropriate devices, exhibited animals of
various descriptions, agricultural and other implements, and
bore Mr. Wright's initials, surmounted by his crest, and the
inscription, " Presented to George Wright, Esq., by the mem-
bers of the Walton Farmers' Benevolent Society, as a testi-
monial of their gratitude for the liberal kindness he has
evinced in promoting their welfare. August 10, A.D. 1838."