The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-11-05 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL JEALOUS OF BIRKENHEAD

The exposition which we gave last week of the increasing
financial resources of Liverpool, and t e accounts which
have since been given of toe growing prosperity of onr
noble Dock Estate, ought really to furnish matter suffi•
cient, in the minds of all reasoning men, to absolve us
from the trumpery charge of vievrincr,' w'th anything re-
sembling jealousy or fear, the projects of our neighbours
of Birkenhead. For all this. however, we may be excused
if we allow ourselves occasionally to smile at the absurd
vaunts which reach our ears with respect ta these prokets,
of which we give here a couple of specimens, extracted
from a letter of Mr. lierapath, addressed from Liverpool
to the R iilteay Magazine of last Saturday.

BIRKEVIISAD-SegccLATioNs.—The following may. I believe,
be depended on. One gentleman, in a small way, has cleared
.412 000 by !and spec ulations; anothe as;ured me he had cleared
413,001 in a fortnight ; a third boughfsome land, several years
for 4'3,000, and thought he did exceedingly well to sell it,
some years after, for 4'l ,0 0, hat his successor has actually re-
sold the same land, lately, for 489.000.

Now, is not such bra gadocio sufficient to tempt any
man, who is not possessed of lamblike meekness and the
gravity of a stoic, to retort upon the boasters or to expire
in a fit of laughter ? Might it not tempt one to remind
these fortunate speculators of a fact, which we su-pect
they know already, that " all is not gold which glitters;"
that debtor and creditor statements which look surprisingy
well, on paper, do not always wind up unite so well. It
would be wisdom in such men to keep their gains secret
until they are actually in hand. Puffery of this descrip-
tion is rarely the accompaniment of bona fide prosperity.
But let us proceed to extract No. 2.

BIRKENHEAD AND LIVERPOOL —Many will, doubtless, be the
lets and hindrances ~,irsenhe,d will have to encounter, but it is
and must continue to be a rising place. Whether that rising
will be to the prejudice of Liverpool is another matter. Few
think it will ; but many think that London will suffer by it. I
have heard tat London merchants have already prepared for
making Birkenhead their head-quarters. The Wallasey Pool is
a place which nature seems to have forme,' for docks. It is a
long narrow lake. of 159 acres of water, which, besides wharfs
and warehouses, refpfres little to render it one of the finest
floating docks upon one of the nobl st rivers in England, and in
the very heart of our manufactures. Birkenhead, therefore,
can hardly fail to rise. and rapidly; and it appears to me, that,
instead of Liverpool being jealous of its prosperity, it should re.
joice and foster it as it will he the means of concenerating on
this spot, more and more of the export and import trade of
England. If any parties should feel alarm it is London. Bristol,
[lune/4x. These places may suffer, but Liverpool hardly can.
This is almost too provocative of mirth to be withstood.
The London merchants "already prepared for making
Birkenhead their head guart,rs!' The Trinity House,
the new Royal Exchange, the Ea-t India House, Lloyd's
Coffee House, the Goldsmith's Company, and all the
other companies, migrating to Wallasey Poo! ! Why the
whole peninsula of Wirral will shortly become worth its
weight in gold!
Seriously this is sad stuff. The parties who have been
beguiling Mr. Herapath have much to answer for.

THE LIVERPOOL MERCURY v. THE MEMORY
OF THE LATE RICHARD RADCLIFFE, ESQ.

When, last week, in common with others of our brother
journalists, we had imposed upon us the task of paying
our humble tribute to the memory of the late town-clerk,
we certainly did not conceive that we were in danger of
drawing down upon ourselves, or upon them, the censure
of one individual in this community. We spoke of Mr.
Radcliffe's talents and manly honesty of character in terms
which our feelings, as well as our observation, dictated to
us as just and well warranted. We had, occasionally, had
to express our objections against some of his public acts
and opinions ; and we never hesitated to do so free!y, but
without acerbity. The hand of death, however, had just
sunk alike the public officer and the man in the lot of our
common humanity ; and we thought we could, at such a
moment, aff rd to sum up the excellencies of both, with-
out an imputation upon eur motives, or being compelled
to search with too prying a gN. z.e for frailties by which they
tn;ght have been obscured.

We erred, however, it would seem, in common with our
contemporaries, as the following rebuke, administered to
us by the editor of the Liverpool Mercury, and to which
we beg to direct the attention of our readers, will show :

" DEATH OF THE TOWN-CLERK.—It will be seen from our
obituary that Mr. Radcl ire, whose health had, for some time
past, been visibly dec.ining, departed this life on Friday night
last, at Leamington. The important offices he held under the
Corporation of this town. at a salary of .e2oofo a year. are now
vacant, and will probably be filled up on the 9th of November.
The deceased had the reputation, in the minds of many persons,
of being a sound and ready lawyer, and is described by some of
our contemporaries as being possessed of many excellent quali-
ties in all the relations of life —indeed, of all the virtues that can
adorn a human being. We are sorry that we should have been
compelled, by the indiscriminate and somewhat injudicious en-
logiums. confounding ill distinctions of thereat characteristics
of our fe low-men, which they have lavished on the memory of
Mr. Radelitre. to intimate. even thus vaguely, our dissent fr, m
their opinions. So far as private feelings are concerned, the
maxim de mortuis nil nisi bonum may be a good one, but for the
public good and the ge erat welfare of society, we must say that
we consider its c,unterpart, de mortuis nil nisi VERUM, infinit ly
preferable."

Um, the charity and trniability of heqrt (0 which
prompted this most uncalled-fir paragraph, we will not
trust ourselves to remark. Legit it speak for itself. We
are bound. however, to say a few w ,rds in yitriication of
our own cour=e in this matter ; and to enable us to do to,
we beg of the Akrcury to point to that portion of our
notice of the deceased against which he so strenuously
dissents." We do not conceive that i- is any part of
;he duty of the journalist to drag from the newly-closed
grave, and to holdup ,o the contemplation of the world,
the private trailtirs of any man. Ours Fliall never be the
hand thus wantonly and unnecessarily to lacerate the
gr,eving heart and flood the weeping eyes of the widow
and the fatherless. The Mercury thinks differently;
and, as the question is only one of taste, we leave him
to folio v his path, and shall keep to our own. But, so
far as regards the truth and justice of what we have writ-
ten of Dir. iinde!iiTe' we challenge him to show how we
have offended, and have little fefir of the result.

Nearly £26,000 has now been subscribed for the Man-
chester public walks and parks.
EMBEZZLEMENT.—On Tuesday, at one of !he Metro-
politan police-offices, a young man named Whitton was
chargt d, upon hi, own confession, will hav!ng embezeed
be 'property of a butter factor at Liverpool, in whose
service he had been as confidetilial clerk. He had gone
up to a pol c-man, and delivered himself into custody.
He was remanded for inquiry. When h, was again brought
up, a letter from Mr, Powell, of this town, (the gentle-
man who,:e money the prisoner had embezzled,) was read.
in which Mr. P. stated that he declined to prosecute, and
the young man was therefore discharged.
RIMIONISM IN LIVERPOOL.—At the meeting of the
Repeal Association, on Monday, Mr. M. O'Connell was
obliged to confess that ribbonism was " but too prevalent
in Liverpool, and Mancbester,under the names of Friendly
Brothers, Hibernian Societies," &c. Perhaps it is not
out of place to call the attention of the magistracy to this
lamentable avowal from one not likely to confess too
much as to the exittence and spread of this frightful con-
federacy amongst us, a participation with which, as Mr.
O'Connell added, " was criminal and dangerous, and
likely to bring those" guilty of it to Norfolk Island or
Van Dieman's Land.

LIVERPOOL GUANO MARXET.—During the past week,
several large parcels of lchaboe on the •pot are currently
reported to have changed hands at £6. That price has
been offered and reused for several cargoes deliverable in
January and February next; 100 tons have been taken
for export to Hamburg. A new feature in the market is
the receipt of orders from France for the vineyards there,
at limits, however, a shade belaw present prices. On
Thursday last, the cargo per Sphynx, in the hands of
Messrs. Priestley Griffith and Cox, and the cargo per
'l'antivy, in the hands of Air. Richardson Part, were both
offered at public auction; £5 15s. being the highest bid
for each, both shipme is were taken in by the selling
brokers at £6 ss. The cargo per " Aurora " held by Mr.
Vincent Wancstrocht, N,,rth John-street, is by far the
best yet imported from Ichaboe. It vet y much resem-
bles the Peruvian 'n colour and dryness and possesses,
accot ding to Mr. 11 uson's analysis 78 2.5 per cent. of rich,
available fertilising matter. The first contract was ef-
fected from the quay, on Thursday last, at £6 55., but
the bulk has gone into the bonded warehouse, originally
the station of a Customs locker, who was immeliately
compelled to quit his quitters, owing to the noxious efflu-
via threatening his health. It has just come out that
several crops manure d with guano have been utterly de-
stroyed in Scotland, and on tracing the affair it turns out
to have been imported from here, where the article was
artificially manufactured last year to a great extent from
sea sand, the refuse of hide cargoes, and all sorts of rub-
bish. From this it is evident how essential it is to have
it either out of the bonded stores, from the ship's side, or
from parties of the first standing, whose character is a
gust antee against all frauds.
SATURDAY EVENING CONCERTS.-00 Saturday even-
ing last, the first of the concerts for the winter, (with lite-
rary and other recreations,) for the working classes took
place at the Nelson-street Assembly-rooms, under the
patronage of his worship the mayor. The room, which is
admirably adapted for the purpose, whether as regards ac-
commodation for visitors, or facility for hearing, was well,
and, we may add, respectably attended, the body being
well filled with honest men and bonnie lasses of the indus-
trial order, and the reserved seats and gallery above, by a
concourse of well-dressed persons of both sexes, anxious
to partake and contribute to the general enjoyment. The
entertainment went off throughout with the greatest echit.
Miss Whitnall, Mr. Ryalls, Mr. Armstrong, and Mr.
Crank, kindly contributed their undouLted talents, as vo-
calists on the occasion ; and the excellent selection of
duette, glees, &c., was only equalled by the taste
and precision with which they were accomplished—many
of them being loudly encored. Where all was so good,
we shall not attempt to particularise, especially as we have
but little time to spare, and hope to hear the same talented
•bigers again, on a similar occasion. The mayor honoured
the meeting by his presence—having come from Aigburth
to countenance these rational recreations for the mechanic
and
his
wife
and children, at the close of their weekly
toil. lie was enthusiastically received, and more than
once addressed the meeting, in a facetious and agreeable
manner, dwelling on the advantages of such amusements
to all, in preference to the wasteful and demoralizing se-
ductions and iodulgenci,s of the tavern. Those present
were also addressed, at intervals, by Mr. W. Rathbone,
Mr. John Smith, and others, to a like effect. Mr. H. V.
Lewis presided at the piano, and favoured the company
with a solendil " Fantasia" on ' hat instrument. At the
close, thanks were heartily voted to Miss Whitnall—and
also, separately to the gentlemen vocalists, who bad so
handsomely come forward to gratify those present ; the
treat closed by " God save the Queen," as a grand finale—
and three hearty cheers for the mayor, who enjoyed the
concert to the end. The greatest order was preserved
throughout, and it is confidently hoped that other musical
individuals, as well as literary and scientific gentlemen,
will come forward to lend their aid on future occasions,
and thus realise for their less fortunate townsmen and
their " sweethearts and wives" the delights of " Saturday
%:
night a-shore.',

_.-.- •~

Nov. 5, 1844.

SPAIN.

The following important news has been received by ex-
press from this quarter.

" MADRID, Oct. 27.
" A fresh conspiracy has just been discovered. General
Narvaez was to have been assassinated at the gate of the
French Embassy, where he dined. General Prim was
arrested this morning. Other arrests were made last
night and this morning."

" BARCELONA, Oct. 27,
"At 8 o'clock this afternoon two assassins were ar-
rested at the moment they were about to attack the Baroll
de Meer, who was alighting from his can iage at the thea-
tre. They were rescued from the guard which was e,cort7
ing them to the Atarazinas by a mob, consisting of at
least 500 armed men.

" BARCELONA, OM 28.
" Four or five hundred persons, wearing red caps on
their heads, proceeded to the Rambla, and seized upon.
Alcade and his deputy, who were rescued by the Mosof of
the Foreign Legion. Ocher troops arrived,
rioters were dispersed. The Baron de Meer on loll"
the theatre proceeded along the Rambla. Forty person!
were arrested. Two officers and a gendarme were stabbed
with knives."

EARLY CLOSING OF ATTORNEYS' OFFICES.---
The
attorneys of Ormskirk commenced closing their offices at
seven o'clock in the evening, on Monday, the 28th uIL•
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.—We subjoin the return.P
the Municipal elections of a few of the ne'ghbourig
towns.. At Manchester thirteen Radicals and three, con:
servatives were returned : at Bolton seven conservativnej
and five radicals : at Lancaster four conservative° .del
two radicals at Wigan all conservatives, and on Fri
when the three radical aldermen go out the council
be wholly conservative : at Leeds three conservatives 50"

eight radicals : at Preston all conservatives.
GUNPOWDER PLOT.—This day is the annivertairrye`4__se..l
the happy deliverance of king James 1., and the
tales of England from the most traitorous and blooyff
tended massacre by gunpowder, and also of the 11:1;(
arrival of his majesty King William, foram delicee,eficaas
our church and Nation." We understand that In srig
fortuity with the requiren ents of the rubric. there Ana
be divine service this moriiing at St. Jude's Churcoeta the
in the evening at St. Simon's, Gloucester-street. u`'. Bey.
latter occasion a sermon will be preached by t7ope-
David James, in aid of the funds of the Protestem7
rative Association.
11 be
IRISFI SOCIETY.—A meeting of this society Y/14.1,.ta
held in Liverpool on Monday week, and more 1,,
twenty sermons will be preached in its behalf. on Stle";:
the 17th instant. We rejoice that such a society 11,1.!0b.,
ceived the promise of such support in Liverpool. Jr ject is to instruct the Irish-speaking population of ire
in the Scriptures in their own tongue, and alreadv
*/
been instrumental in teaching multitudes, many oi.the
are liv ng witnesses of the happy results of searching A
Scriptures, and making the sacred volume the standee
'
of doctrine and rule of life.
hos,
FAST SAILING..--Orl Tuesday'last, the new ftio.-- ter
George Canning, No. 7, recently launched by Mr. Pe
,_.t
Cato, Brunswick Dock, made her trial trip to test To
sailing qualities in competition with No. 12, hitherto thel
swiftest sailing boat of the fleet. The two boats leir at
Prince's Pier-head togethr. the wind blowing stroll:, fr')a
S.S.E., and proceeded up the Mersey to Rock FerrY.,ar„
from thence back and round the Crosby Light SZ
beating hack against the ebb tide and strong wind.
George Cawing 9
acquitted herself to admiration, hea,'lt
No. 12 in every point of sailing; and when she arria.-,
the George's Pier-head, No. 12 was a considerable "15,
tance behind. The George Canning is a beautiful sPees.
men of naval architecture, well finished, and refireed
great credit on her builder. Her appearance e51;30
universal admiration ; though a little out of trim, she
proved herself the fastest boat in the service.
THE ROYAL MERSEY YACHT CLUB.—The Secretal
of this flourishing Club has received separate and 9Peo.citao
warrants for upwards of twenty vessels belongim,the
members, authorising them, under the hand and se,il r
Lords of the Admiralty to carry the Blue Ensign of .b..-e
Majesty's Fleet, with the distinctive mark of the Clo,_
the Crown and Liver. We have now therefore a Clou'g
our own town, having the honour and privilege of Aces
the national flag, irrespective of any other yacht club. Ad
promptitude and condescension of the Lords of the 'a.
miralty in thus attending to the wishes of the Club,
veyed through their honorary secretary, affords a gr 3"
ing proof of their desire to encourage the fine sciences, of
building and sailing ; and if we may judge from the al'lrd
in which the matter has been taken up arid patroaizea
here and elsewhere, we may venture to say that they wid
have no cause to repent of the confidence they have l 1 Ice
in the members. The monthly meeting will take place
1
place thin evening, when a large number of additional
members have to be ballotted for, and about an eV3l
number are to be proposed.
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.—George Godwin, Esti'
F R.S., F.S.A., the Honorary Secretary to the London
Art Union, to whose energy and talent the public are
mainly indebted for the eminent success of that refine°
and refining s ciety, as well as its exemption from the
he
of the Lottery Act, is now delivering a h;ghl!"
successful course of lectures, upon the History of Archi-
tecture, at this institution. In his lectures of Tuesday
and Friday last, he has traced the progress of architecture.
from the earliest record of it in Genesis, to the period of
its most successful application by the ancient Greeks,
lustrating his remarks by a great number of beautiful
diagrams, representing the best specimens of the archi-
tecture of the ancient nations whose ruins are now eson%
Two lectures only remain undelivered, in which Mr.
Godwin proposes to consider the Homan, Byzantine,
arid Gothic archit.cture—summing up with a review of
the present state of architecture, and especially as it ap-
pears to exist in our town. We are glad to find Mr.
God win's audiences to be increasing, a sure sign of ap=
preciation ; arid we trust that it is not the last time
,ho
will honour us by his presence at this institution."'"
Arnongs' the audience on Friday we noticed the Hey. ll'
M`Neile and family, and several of our town-councillors
and aldermen.

i _ .4,-