The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-05-07 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY.—The following extract
from the journals kept at the Eve and Ear Infirmary of
the operations perf irmed by Mr. Hugh nil' and the
other talented gerrlemen connected with the establish-
ment, shows the extensive us, fulness of this excellent
charity :—" On the Bth April last Mr. Neill operated on
nine persons for cataract, artificial pupil, Sec. ; and on the
16th of the same month upon three for cataract. On the
latter day eighty-tvio persons were also prescribed for and
received medicines."

CHEAP TRIP TO LONDON.—To those of our readers
who have not visited the modern Babylon, an opportunity
will present itself on the 18th and 20th instant, by which
they will be enabled to go to the metropolis of the world,
and gaze on its varied wonders, as the late contractor has
again entered into arrangements with the railway com-
panies to carry passengers there and back, for the par.
titulars of which we beg to refer to the advertisement.

THE LATE EXPLOSION OF GAS IN A DWELLING-
HOUSE.—We related a few weeks ago the particulars of
an extraordinary explosion of gas in a large (and then
luckily untenanted) dwelling-houe in Islington, corner of
Salisbury-street, which greatly shattered the building,
blew out several of the windows, overturned the door
steps, and did other damage. It was afterwards found
necessary to remove the greater part of the walls, and
have them rebuilt, which is just accomplished. The front
wall to Islington is rebuilt almost entirely from the &l-
iars. The back wall to the yard had to be similarly re-
newed, and the frontage to Salishury st,,,et (the largest
to about half the same proportionate extent. The attics
had to be nearly all rebuilt. The only parts that appear)
to have stood the shock were the lower angles or corners.
To effect the repairs, the floors and roof had to be sup-
ported with props all round; and the building, thus opened
out, presented the 'appearance of two large open galleries
or verandas, one over the other. The cost to the pro-
prietor must be very considerable, as the destruction
would not be made goad by the insurance office.

A FEMALE FOUND DEAD IN HER HOUSE.—Yesterday
an inquest was held before H. H. Statham, Esq.. deputy
borough coroner, on view of the body of Dinah Graf,
aged 23, wife of Leopold Graf, formerly warehouseman to
Messrs. Wilson and Dawson, and now interpreter to one
of the partners on the continent. Police constable,
Samuel Kirkpatrick, while on duty on Saturday after-
noon was informed by a female, that the shop kept by the
deceased had been closed from Friday night up to that
time, and that her mistress wished to see him. Witness
went with her, and she stated that he was wanted about a
woman who had been in the habit of drinking. Witaess
went to the shop, No. 2, Crown-street, and found the
doors and windows all fast. He went through Dr. Nigh-
tingall's house in Elizabeth -street behind, and succeeded-
in opening the back window and then the door. Dr.
Nightingall accompanied him into the house, and they
first found an infant sitting in a bed up stairs, crying, and
in a state as if it had not been seen for some time. They,
took the child to Dr. N's., where it was fed and attended to.
They afterwards found the deceased, lying on her back on
the floor of the cellar with her arms opened out, and her
legs on the stairs. She was quite dead and cold. She
had the handle of a jug in one hand and the remainder
scattered about. There was some blood at the back of her
head and on her shoulders. She was removed up stairs
and placed on the bed. The servant girl (before alluded
to) who lived in the neighbourhood, said that on Saturday
last, as the shop kept by the deceased had been closed all
dry, her mistress sent her for the police-officer, as she
was afraid something was the matter. Witness after-
wards saw deceased dead. She had last seen her alive on
Friday night, when she called at the shop fur bread, and
she then appeared to be in drink. Deceased had been ob-
served for some days frequently sending for drink to the
neighbouring public houses by girls and others passing.
Deceased was married about twelve months last Christ-
mas. Her husband went abroad about five weeks ago.
She was placed in the shop before be went. A servant
of Dr. Nightingall said deceased sent for her on Friday
night to put up the shop shutters. She went, and found.
her in quite a confused and stupified state. Anthony.
Bell, Joiner, said he knew deceased and her husband.'
At the request of her husband, a little girl of his, two-and-
a-half years old had been with the deceased since the hus-
hand went abroad. This was the child found in the house.
The witness had often seen deceased during the last eigh-
teen months, and had never seen her otherwise than sober,
and never saw her take any drink in the house. He had
called every week except last week. Mr. Nightingall,
surgeon, corroborated the officer's evidence as to ficding
the body. There was congealed blood about the bead,
which had come from the left ear. After an examination,
ha found no external wounds. The scalp at the base of
the skull behind was contused; upon reflecting the scalp,
he fonnd an immence quantity of extrascated blood, and a
fracture of the occiputal bone. There were also other
injuries of that part of the head ; and all those would pro-
duce instantaneous death. He afterwards found the liver
much diseased, no doubt the effect of ardent spirits. A
MI from the stairs to the flags below would produce the
effects stated. Verdict —" Died from the effects of the
wound, but bow that was received there was no evidence
to show"

SINGULAR CASE OF BIGAMY : A WIFE LIVING WITH
TWO HUSBANDS.—On Thursday last, Margaret M'Neal,,
with a child in her arms, was placed before Mr. Rushton,
when Mr. Dowling said the prisoner was charged with
bigamy under peculiar circumstances. She was living
with her husband about three years ago, and there was a
man lodging in the house at the same time. The man put
the banns up, and was married to the prisoner at St..
Nicholas' Church, she being already married. The wo-
roan still continued to live with her first husband, and the
second had also lived with them, as a lodger, ever since,
but the first marriage had only been disco% ered the day
before. Mr. Dowling said they had obtained a certificate
of the second marriage, but had not been able to find the
witnesses. Under these circumstances, the prisoner, who
slid she knew nothing at all about it, was remanded. It
is said that the prisoner was married to her first husband,
James M'Neal, about ten years ago, at the Old Church,
Manchester, and that, on the 10th April, 1843. she was
again married to Michael Devine, the lodger, at St.
Nicholas' Church, in this town. t both marriages she
gave her maiden name Margaret Hannah, and lately the
parties have resided together in Thompson-street, Tox-
teth-park. As it is somewhat singular that the second
marriage should have remained so longs secret, it may be
interesting to know how the fact was revealed. On Tues-
day morning the second husband gave the prisoner into
the custody of acting inspector Tuck for robbing him of
an I 0 U for £3, a coat and vest, and ss. 6d.'in money.
The officer, on investigating the case, found there were
no grounds for the charge of felony, but during the time
he was in the house where the money was deposited, pri-
soner snatched a paper out of Michael Devine's hand. On
sq doing a fight took place between the parties. Tuck
interfered, and took the paper from them. This turned
out to be the certificate of the second marriage. The pri-
soner then said, " 0, God, don't take that; it belongs to
him." The parties were then taken to Bridewell. On
the road thither Tuck met M'Neal, the first husband, and
having asked Wm whether the prisoner was his wife, he
answered in the affirmative, and thus the whole matter
was brought to light.—Yesterday the prisoner was again
placed at the bar, and some further evidence was again
brought forward, though not yet final. 'William M`Neal
said he was present at the marriage of his brother James
to the prisoner, at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, on
the 22d July, 1834, Her previous name was Margaret
Hannah. He produced a certificate of the marriage from
the registry. and said that the prisoner had had six chil-
dren, five of whom were alive. John Lovatt said he was
assistant to his uncle, registrar at St. Nicholas's Church,
in this town, and produced an extract from the registry,
to the effect that Michael Devine and Margaret Hannah
were there married, 10th April, 1843. John Madden.
the next witness, said that at the request of Devine, whom
he knew, he had attended the marriage, but he could not
swear to the person of the prisoner as being the woman.
Some other persons were present in the church at the
time, as there were other marriages, but he did not know
them. This was all the further evidence that could be
brought up, and Mr. Rushton said that some of the per-
sons married on the same day, or their friends who were
present, must be inquired for, and that in the meantime
the prisoner must be remanded. The probability appears
to be that the case will fall to the ground.

1
THE BRIDGEWATER AND THE OLD QUAY CANALS..
There has been much speculation of late respecting these
canals, and many surmises afloat, as to what Lord Francis
Egerton intends doing. One statement, which has gone
the round of the public press, is, that the Bridgewater-
Canal is to be drained dry, and then to be converted into
a railway between Runcorn and Manchester, and another,
that is to remain in its present state, and that the Old
Quay Canal is to be made navigable for ships drawing not
more than ten feet water, so that vessels might proceed
Thisfrom
ws eea
believedirect toto N
be
I a n ehes
impossible,t e r t o
di
as
ts ela g theire
Grand Junction
cargoes.
Railway passes over the Irwell at an insufficient elevation
for vessels of any considerable size to pass uder. Besides,
Manchester cannot be made a free port, though she
might have the advantage of bonding warehouses. The
most feasible and most likely project that we have heard of,
and it has come from a source supposed to know, is, that
the trustees of the Bridgewater Canal are waiting to see the
issue of the bill before Parliament for the construction of
docks at Wallasey Pool ; should that be granted, and on
the terms expected by the Birkenhead commissioners, the
trustees will themselves go to Parliament the next session
for power to extend the docks at Runcorn, along the
shore, and to join the Weaver Trust Canal at Weston
Point, so as to afford every accommodation for that im-
mense traffic now carried on in connexion with these two
canals, and which is expected to be much greater, as the
salt brought down the Weaver, and at present conveyed
to Liverpool for foreign shipment, will, it is affirmed,
ere long proceed to Hull by railway after navigating the
Bridgewater Canal to Manchester. Application will also
be made to make Runcorn an independent port, as by
far the greatest portion of foreign and coastwise merchan-
dise is brought direct to Runcorn, without the least ne-
cessity of calling at Liverpool, and thereby the desire pre-
vails of saviug the present charge of town dues, a grievance
much felt and justly complained of. We hope, before
long, to state something more positive on this great and
useful undertaking. The distance from the entrance of
the trustees' docks at Runcorn to Weston Point is rather
better than half a mile, and, with the exception of some
hundred yards, the land belongs to the trustees, by whom
a large sum has been offered frequently for this small
parcel, but without success ; hence arises the necessity of
applying to parliament; otherwise, we believe, all o
matters are available for the completion of the .. 5,.
....
It is also expected that when the river wall iseo lell..fts :-, ~/
to its proper boundary, it will assist matetiallcZ ,e12.1-nr c,
..
,:,. .
_,
the channel, so that, with the assistance of ded. ~...T,,,r1. ..„,.:
.., ~. ....
time, a communication may be kept up t
bt _werf 46.,,,,r, , ~.,.,•4(,L ri.
pool an -3 Runcorn by steam-boats, at any time:6 sp
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WAteraturr.

POETRY.

SWEET BUDS, YE ARE BURSTING.

The following beautiful s'anzas were written in the spring of
last year, by %Ir. ROBERT STORY, author of "The Isles are
Awake," a ,d several other stirring and animated pieces of
poetry. The author is a true son of genius. and was placed
in a humble lot; in this pretty effusion he describes the ne-
glect which he had experienced from those whom, he con-
ceived, should have extended to him their protection. We
are glad to say that Sir Robert Peel, some time ago, conferred
upon the author an appointment in one of the government
offices.

Sweet buds, ye are bursting profusely to sight,
Th earth is becoming one fairy domain
And the hearts of its thou• ands ~re touched with delight,
By your promise of spring and her beauties again.

But my heart yet, Oh no! I will welcome ye still,
Sweet heralds of joy—not to me or to mine:
For, talk of bright days to the world as ie will,
To us ye speak neither of bloom nor of shine.

No summer to me shall the summer restore.
But one comfortless desert all wintry and bare;
And hopeless, am; heartless, and nerveless, no more
I battle with fortune, or cope with despair.

Perchance too much heat in the advocate woke :
'Twas so ; for I am not, and cannot he. one
Who flings o'er his thoughts and opinions a cloak,
Stand'ng fair with all parties, but siding with none.

Yet I sung not for party, though Jr rtisan called;
But I silty, what I felt—wh,t each Briton should feel,
When anarchy threatened and peril appalled—
My my country ; my motive, her weal!

And for this lam crushed ! Yet I blame not the men,
Destructives, indignant at missing their end :
It is human to crush an oppon nt ; hut then
Is it i tso to shield and to succour a friend?

It is, and 'Mere godlii,e, and worthy of those
ho have gained the high tower of their hopes, to declare
That each step of the ladder by w.,ich they arose,
The lowest—the weakest—may challenge their care.

Vain hope ! The protection to principle due,
Some rebel may get ; but the patriot and bard
Shall die—bearing witness that loyalty true
Is its own—and is ever its only reward!

NOTICES.

The Library of Travel.

We have received Part I. of a neat and interesting work
under this title, being " A popular Description of Foreign
Countries, edited by Walter K. Kelly," and have been
much pleased with a hasty glance at its pages. It is ex-
ceedingly Nell, and, we may add, elegantly written, the
object of the editor being to supply the very gist and mar-
row of the best modern narratives of travel and adven-
ture, with reminiscences cf the past; and judging from the
specimen betore us, we should say that he deserves the
highest success. This part is occupied with Syria, and
mare especially Beyrout, being the commencement of
" Syria and the Holy Land." The appearance of the
country--the town—the varied and motley inhabitants,
and their equally varied and somewhat antagonist man-
ners and customs, are all interestingly described, with
Moving incidents interspersed, which impart to the whole
a peculiar degree of vivacity and entertainment. The
book, which is of very moderate price, is illustrated with
numerous well executed wood-cuts, of scenery, figures,
&c. In the prospectus forming the cover, the editor
states—

"Topography, archaeology, and all other matters that
come within the scope of a traveller's speculations, will
enter of course int•, the composition of our mosaic; but
they will be treated popularly, and always with reference
to the main purpose of the publication, which is to pre-
sent to the reader's imagination, not the bloodless ab-
stractions of science, but the living and breathing forms
of nature and of men. In a word, it will be our endea-
vour to picture foreign scenes, and those who dwell in
them, as they meet the eye of the visitor ; to reflect in our
pages the striking features of nature and of art in distant
lands—the peculiar, social, domestic, and personal habits
they display—the ways of thinking and acting of their
people, and all the pleasures and crossings, the perils and
adventures, the poetry, and romance, the whims, hu-
mours, and surprises incident to the traveller's career.''
An extract or two will be found elsewhere.