The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-03-17 00:00:00

Ithett the Cora

stiotxtr 740 tt.ttiii

dettntion is Admitted

aa'Camia

been in Canton early in December.
" I mention to you that the censure of the Plenipotentiary
Is merited by the merchants, who, in smuggling opium and
all other kinds of goods at Whampoa and at Canton, have
outraged all former precedents, and created much distrust
in the minds of the Chinese authorities. Few of the ves-
sels now pay port charges, although the consignees no doubt
Pay it, and the whole course of the proceedings in the Can-
ton river has been and is a disgrace to civilization.
" It is admitted that, in direct contravention of the Ph
potiary's authority, ships have been despatched
the new consular ports.
" At Canton business has not been interrupted
as Commissioner Elepoo arrives, Sir H. Pott
teed thither

secretly to

s soon

r will pro-

" The Chinese Government has bought some foreign
vessels, and is going to build some on European models for
War purposes. They want much some steamers, and will
pay for them long prices. It was intimated to them, that if
the treaty was amicably arranged, it was not unlikely the
Queen would preseut the Emperor with a fully equipped war
steamer. Were there a dozen steamers here adapted to coast
and river navigation, the Chinese would, I have no doubt,
take them."

It is seldom that the country derives any material
benefit or any great access of information from those
obstructive motions, in either house of parliament,
with which the opposition party are so much ena-
moured. We did hope, however, for something in the
Shape of information, at least, from the debate in the
House of Lords on Tuesday night, upon the motion of
Lord Monteagle. Unlike the other branch of the le-
gislature, that house does ordinarily confine itself to the
Subject before it, instead of wavering into party and
personal contentions ; and we, therefore, hoped on
Tuesday night to see some light thrown upon a sub-
ject of deep interest at the present moment to every
class of the community. We have been disappointed,
however, in part perhaps by the discursive and ram-
bling
speech of the noble lord by whom the motion was
introduced, and perhaps in a great measure from the
absence, through indisposition, of the President of the
Board of Trade (Lord Ripon), in whose department
the question lay.
The motion of Lord Monteagle was for the appoint-
ment of a select committee of the house to enquire into
the
practical working of the corn-law measure passed
last year. The appointment of such a committee was,
of course, out of the question ; and was very properly
refused, as tending still further to unsettle the public
111 ind upon a topic already quite sufficiently agitated.
*till, had the legitimate question proposed—as to the
working of the present law—been ever approached, the
Public must have been placed in possession of many
valuable facts, and might have been able to arrive at
something calculated to point out the probable future
direction of legislation upon this subject. It was not
so, however for the worthy ex-Whig Chancellor, in-
stead of confining himself to the working of the pre-
sent, law—instead of comparing its working with that
ll'. °jell preceded it, or a fixed duty—entered, instead,
Into the wide question of the comparative merits of the
Principles of sliding scales and a fixed duty, and thus,
in effect, heaped up all the imperfections and evil re-
sults, real and alleged, of past laws upon the head of
the present imperfectly tried law. His statistics, his
arguments his facts were all such, and such only, as
might fairly have been introduced into any prepared
peech of the last or the preceding session. They left
the existing law untouched, or, whilst affecting to im•
Pugu its merits and demonstrate the propriety of pro-
ceeding, to a fixed duty, only established, in fact, the
foregone
conclusion, that the act of 1828 and preceding
acts had worked disadvantageously.
This it is plain is not the question most interesting
8t T
the present moment, and to which discussion and
the,i watchful attention of impartial men may fairly be
ttirrected- Sir Robert Peel has distinctly told the coun-
tt"and reasonably so, too—that he is not disposed
e: enter upon further legislation upon the subject of the
411-lalv, until the modified principle contained in the
acre-law,
last session shall have received a fair trial. Has
it`
sue this ? We maintain not. A committee, had
efrch been appointed, could have reported only the
ee•
ts of its introduction ; and those effects even must
vu: taken to have been influenced in part, and indeed
t_erY Materially, by the state of the trade previous to its
lting brought into operation. Vast losses, it is alleged,
b.. truly alleged, have been sustained since its passing
nearly every party engaged in the importation of
eOJ
Prices have fallen much below the limits pre-
the d as likely to be established by it. Then, again,
Introduction of foreign wheat, under the new law,
of i :een very similar to its introduction under the act
year,2B---viz., a simultaneous introduction of nearly a
hoportation in one month, and that the month
kit• utaervd eat• But how greatly have these, which are ad-
by evils, been precipitated or at least aggravated,
aod"..e pre-existing state of the law on the one hand,
other ahexperience of the working of the change on the
debate and ? Upon these fair subjects of enquiry the
ductedliPon Lord Monteagle's motion, legitimately con-
e • might have thrown important light ; but en-
Airy
to teak " not his lordship's object so much as it was
tiee
_re a demonstration in behalf of the pet proposi-
pur,: the
ex-Whig administration; and for all useful
5.8,re8,3 therefore, the debate itself was perfectly worth-
tahA., 1-" e Public could have gathered all which it es-
„ 'ned f
J ear precedr°intn anY
corn-law debate of last year or the
A fair g.
the and dispassionate inquiry into the operation of
of ,
leg ext_u'o42 Will, we apprehend, establish the follow-
tiea to'n ating circumstances to be applied in opposi-
first ~htile charges brought against that act. In the
losses 3 the importer, it is said, has suffered heavy
b ade under its operation. But, we contend, he bought
" th •
hebaieo
o e Honression that he bought under the appre-
too, f a deficient harvest ; he bought part of his
lawareid
et uncertainty as to what would be the corn-
that
ed,:rrei
oeu upon ; he bought under the impression
and
.4ru bination could still work up the averages ;
Of
et:addition to these circumstances, and as a cause
loss Me
of them, he bought in a dear market. The
at, a °f the importer are not therefore to be wondered
' and the
his 443_, less so when we see the manner in which
of two
117.18. were pressed into consumption. Upwards
withit,lll°lls of quarters of foreign corn paid duty
many i 'le space of a few weeks—a duty too which, in
hence in,Btances, compelled the holder to realize—and
.ue
fall Pressure upon the market, and the conse-
the pre_ In prices; but does this, occurring during
referre.rot Year, and under the pe,aliar circumstances
otherin
to, warrant us in supposing that it will occur,
Years, when the operation of the law is better
At known4l „w
e think not.
niibe__,, events, before the existing law is condemned
Axed
da'u or before it can fairly be compared with a
have bt,' the question ought to be asked, what would
'hind en the operation of a fixed duty, introduced,
to at the time, and under the existing circumstances,
whip fettlythe present scale was introduced ? It is mani-
-11148 nast. to Sir Robert Peel's measure to place it,
-iust
Mt, imperfect operation and most unfavourable
tio4; 'la scales against a fixed duty, whose opera-
,s tat._
twatian:u upon trust—upon merely theoretical spe-
glaec,
what
in its most perfect operation ; for only
ink), a gE the Working of such a duty, passed at
ihs would have been. In the first place, the
-41 porter core,either had bought, or must have bought, his
be introduced at its first coming into opera-
Pr in dear market. Then, there must have been a
attecr :tone to realize his stocks before prices retrogaded,
not sequently losses must have ensued, equal, if
ereate
‘4veer r' than those complained of. In addition,
subside 8° soon as the demand in foreign markets
h (fed,
,11log, witt mustwe have had fresh importations, conti-
neer, " au already overstocked home market and
th_..aragSiercil esUrription, until there was no longer left
roir,h of Profit. What, under such circumstances,
Aeis have been the price of wheat now ? Let us see.
lainort,
-re, of white wheat, of superior quality,
he Baltic
ue duty-p
Quid at t, took place a few weeks ago, and was
Itioiggdo2oB beand the
aid price of 565. per quarter, the duty
na g imperial average throughout the
areabout 48s. The wheat in question, we
i), Norrned
the f by the Mark-lane Express, was bought
he °reign market at 325. per quarter, four shillings
Ing all
that was allowed for freight and charges.
ad,jd-shitxv shillings, therefore, was the price in Eng-
Perat• - 'tee; and suppose a fixed duty of Bs. in
-4°4,44
tnto 8* Would have been the price at which it
__ have been sold to the miller. Taking its quality
I'l h_.eeconsideration
kr t, e this would have given an, averageb.
,4 the
Pro he British farmer of about 365. 6d.. eing
Let
ttPer portion of 5,5.,
0 at which it was sold, to 445.
Itet. a. reader draw
tuguifieant fact. his own conclusions from this

Vi tot Vy th 4. f d
ecztl4tow League, of the too ttpotz fond of tracts tind
other paper missiles, with which that body is deluging
the agricultural districts of the country, in the expecta-
tion, no doubt, of converting from the error of their
ways those very benighted people, the farmers of
Great Britain. One of the tracts in question has just
come under our observation ; and really—if this be a
fair specimen of the " tons" of argumentation spoken
of, and we presume it is—we know not that the money
of the various foolish people, whose shillings and half-
crowns have furnished the paper and printing, could
be expended much more harmlessly, although perhaps
they might have had for it a little more honesty and
truth. Ignorant and stupid, indeed, must be our agri-
cultural brethren, if they are to be duped by this
come-and-be-killed style of pamphleteering; and we
venture to predict that many a fifty-thousand-pound
fund will be expended—provided it be spent upon such
preposterous rubbish as this in our hands—before the
League will convert by them a hundred men, whose
opinions are worth a straw, upon the corn-law ques-
tion, or any other question.

The production to which we refer is entitled " Dia-
logue on the Corn-laws, between a gentleman and a
farmer ;" and we are informed on the title-page--and
of course the information is

" true, as truth has ever been of late"—

that it " took place, nearly verbatim, on board a steam-
boat, between a gentleman and a farmer." As may be
expected, the so-called dialogue is a sadly one-sided
affair, the " gentleman" monopolising—as your free-
trader is rather apt to do—nearly the whole of the talk,
whilst the " farmer" is only allowed, with honest
Dogberry, to " write himself down an ass" at each
break in his companion's wind.
The first drift of the "gentleman" is to persuade
" Farmer Stupid" that the position of the British agri-
culturist possesses a great advantage over that of the
foreigner (a home market for his produce), and two
advantages over that of the manufacturer. The ad-
vantage over the foreigner is that the latter has " 10s.
15s. or 20s. per quarter" to pay as freight, &c., before
he can sell his corn in the British market; whilst the
native grower " adds this sum to the price of his corn
at the time he sells it, although he has been at neither
cost nor trouble in the matter." The worthy and
wonderstruck son of the soil professes that this "never
struck him so before," and no wonder ! The poor
fellow must be amazed to find that the produce of his
last year's crop has made him lOs., 155., or 20s. per
quarter richer than he ought to have been ! Then,
over the manufacturer, he has the advantage of
charging him this much more than the proper value of
his commodity, whilst the latter must pay it over
again before he can get the commodity of the foreigner;
—hence the advantage of the farmer is two .1 If
the corn of the foreigner could be brought to him
without carriage, he world pay for it, say 365. ; but as
he has 10s. to pay for carriage, he opines that English
Hodge is twenty shillings into pocket, and not ten
only, when he gets for his article 465. ! This is the
twofold advantage.

In a similarly sophistical style the " gentleman"
humbugs Farmer Stupid upon the subject of tithes,
poor-rates, land-tax, highway-rates, and taxation in
general, until at length the poor fellow, evidently quite
out-talked, is driven to confess that "he thought he
was more burthened than he appears to be"—a happy
thing if his ingenious enlightener could persuade away
the burthens from the backs of some other people ;
—but the climax of the dialogue is that in which the
Leaguer propounds his mode of benefitting the agri-
cultural community by a total and immediate repeal of
protection. We shall give a portion of this in the lan-
guage of the dialogue itself.

Gentleman.—Let us next turn our eye upon the Polish
husbandman, clad in his dress of sheep skins. He grows
corn sufficient for his wants, and would be glad to exchange
it for the cottons of the Manchester weaver ; each is ready
to supply the needs of the other to their mutual advantage;
but again the cupidity of the Corn Law interferes with its
protecting duty, and both are brought to a stand still.
Wide prospects are sometimes seen through small openings.
Reverse the picture, and suppose these men at liberty to ex-
change the products of their respective industry, an impulse
would immediately be given to foreign agriculture, distant
markets would be opened to our manufacturers, commerce
would increase, and all would participate in the general
benefit.

Farmer.—l am afraid not the farmer; his prices would
fall, and his trade would be ruined.
Gentleman,—lf so, it only proves the unsound and artifi-
cial position in which he stands, and which wants a remedy.
The natural result of the change would be this ; the demand
for foreign corn would enhance its price ; the price would
auament the value of land abroad ; an improved system of
culture would be introduced, better implements be required,
more labourers wanted, and higher wages paid ; these, an d
other concomitant circumstances, so far from tending to
lower our home prices of corn, would carry the foreiyn price
up. And when to this we add the new demand for our ma-
nufactures, with the consequent stimulus that would be given
to British industry, instead of the thousands and tens of
thousands now emigrating for want of employ, and the nu-
merous manufacturing establishments formed and forming,
in self defence, in nearly all the European states, we should
be glad of our population at home at fair wages, and these
would form so many additional customers to the British far-
mer, and again INCREASE rather than diminish both the
price and consumption of his corn !
Now we rather imagine that if Farmer Stupid had
been possessed of any more intellect than a plough-
handle, he would have said to his flippant instructor,
" Sir, you prove too much, and amongst other things
you prove the existence of a feeling of self-interest,
which so high-minded a philosopher ought not to be
influenced by. You say that the first result of free
trade would be a benefit to the foreigner. It would
augment the value of land abroad ; and again, it would
carry the foreign price (of corn) up ! Very kind of
you this ; but then you hope that every shilling placed
in the pockets of the foreigner—every benefit derived
by him from your measures—is ultimately and imme-
diately to come home to you ! Here, sir, you ought to
have stopped ; for if you tell me that the price of
home-grown corn is to be INCREASED, rather than
diminished,—that an unlimited duty-free supply—an
immensely increased supply—will produce INCREASED
PRICES, you are guilty, in the first place, of a fraud
upon the people, whom you have gulled with the cry
of " Cheap Bread," and, in the next, of the most
glaring folly ever propounded by a man possessed of
reasoning powers !"
But it was not necessary for the farmer to say a
word ; for our " gentleman" proceeds to declare, as
plainly as words can declare, the fallacy of his own
promises of increased prices, and increased agricul-
tural prosperity, as the result of repeal. In reply to a
request from the farmer for, at the least, a " gradual
repeal," he says no ; for then " the landlord will put
off the adjustment of rent from year to year, and in
the end, probably, throw the whole of the loss, if there
be any, upon the tenant." But, on the contrary, if
the corn-law were immediately abolished, there would
be an instant adjustment of rents all over the kiugdom,"
with the adoption of the system of corn rents, im-
proved tillage, and we know not what besides. The
" instant adjustment," in question, would of course be
a measure perfectly practicable (!)—no less, in fact,
than the termination, by a universal scramble, or a
legislative robbery, of leases and every other engage-
ment under which the property of the kingdom is
held ; and this, whilst the very measure, which is to
call for such adjustment, is one which the league as-
sures us will INCREASE the price of wheat, and add to
the prosperity of the cultivator !
Enough of this paltry tract of the league. We crave
pardon of our readers for stooping to expose such con-
temptible trash, and can only urge, in apology, that it
is given to the world under the sanction of men who
must know the grossness of its falsehoods, and yet, so
knowing, are not ashamed to gather fools around their
cause by its utterance. This motive, too, we have for
bestowing a few words upon the document in ques-
tion. We wish to urge upon the few people amongst
the leaguers of our own town, who realty think upon
the question which they are agitating, the propriety of
reading the appeals circulated by that body, which, we
venture to say, will be found to contain perversions,
both of fact and of argument, which, as honest men,
they ought not to be seen countenancing. Will any of
our readers—will the league itself—favour us with a
complete set of their publications ? We shall make a
fair use of them.

INSCRIPTION ON AN OLD CHURCH BELL IN DURHAM:
" To call the folks to Church in time,
I chime;
When mirth and pleasure's on the wing,
I ring -
And when the body leaver the coil],
I toll."

AttOCA.t fahr,o

, .. • -, ..t.,
EX A KIIIAORDINY I'ASSAGt....ThC pacitg ship Inge-'
Pendence, Captain Nye, arrived at New York on the 27th
ult. after a remarkably quick run from Liverpool of fifteen
days. •

FASHIONABLE ARRIVALS.—Lord and La.ly Walh:court
and tawny arrived in this town during the past week, and
are staying with Dr. Ileatheote, Mount-pleasant. The Hon.
Misses Blake are also of the party.

THE INCOME TAX IN LIVERPOOL.—The assessment on
property and income in this town is said to be upwards of
41,000,000, and the sum to he levied on the inhabitants will,
therefore, be about £120,000.
CHESS.—The second game at chess played by correspond-
ence between the cluhs of Armagh and this town has resulted
in a draw. The first game being won by Liverpool, and the
second drawn, the match is determined in favour of our
town, and the experience of the great trouble attending games
by corresponce has, we understand, decided the committee
of the Liverpool club never to undertake another.
ATHE GREAT WESTERN.—Wc find we were in error in
stating that this vessel would leave New York for this port
on Saturday last, our authority for which was a Bristol paper.
The steamer was fixed to leave New York on the 16th inst.
(yesterday,) and if she makes an average run across the At-
lantic, she may be expected here on or about the 29th. She
had not, however, arrived at New York on the 28th tut., but
was expected every tide.
CONCERTS.—We beg to refer our readers to the adver-
tising columns, where are announced four classical chamber
concerts, by the Messrs. Herrman, of this town, who will be
assisted by Mr. J. Lidel Herrman, from Dublin, and other
talented artistes, vocal and instrumental. Our musical
friends will dp well to lose no time in entering the lists as
subscribers, for, we feel assured, they have a rich treat in
store.

ROBBERY BY SWEEPS AT LISCARD. - Two persons,
named John Farrall, (a boy,) and his master, John Jones,
were yesterday committed, by Henry Winch, Esq., to Ches-
ter Castle, on a charge of stealing a silver and a wooden snuff-
box from the house of Mr. John Simpson, at Liscard. The
prisoners were engaged to sweep the chimnies of Mr. Simp-
son, and, shortly after their departure, the boxes were missed,
one of which was afterwards found in the house of Jones.

WHO WILL CLAIM THEM ?—The morning after Valen-
tine's Day two letters were delivered from the Post-office,
Warrington, to the letter carrier. One was addressed to
" The ugliest woman," and the other to " The prettiest
girl," in Penketh. The postman must have found himself
in " a fix." He wisely returned them, affirming that there
were none of the former, and that as to the latter, there were
so many he did not know which of them the valentine ought
properly to be delivered.
DUBUFE'S ADAM AND EVE—Now that these pictures are
becoming well-known crowds of visitors are hourly inspect-
ing them. Public taste appears divided as to their excellence,
some giving the palm to the Temptation," others to the
" Expulsion." From the low price at which the season
tickets have been fixed, those who go once generally avail
themselves of the opportunity of paying the additional shil-
ling for the season admission. It appears by the slate at the
door that upwards of 3000 persons passed through the rooms
last week.

PENMANSHIP, &c.—ln another column will be found an
advertisement of Mr. Thompson, the celebrated instructor
in writing, short-hand, and arithmetic. Mr. Thompson's
system is a most excellent one, as thousands who have re-
ceived instructions from him can testify. Those who at
present have but a limited acquaintance with the useful arts
Mr. Thompson professes, and are desirous of obtaining a
ready and perfect knowledge of them, will do well to avail
themselves of the services of so able a teacher.

MISS FANNY TERNAN'S BENEFIT.—This pretty and ta-
lented little child will have a benefit at the Theatre Royal,
on Wednesday evening next. The entertainments selected
are, the comedy of " Every One has his Fault," the filth act
of Shakspeare's tragedy of " Richard the Third," and the
" Young Actress." Since the days of Clara Fisher, Miss
Poole (when she was "little,") and Master Burke, there has
not been a child of so much promise and talent upon the
English boards. It may be said truly of Fanny Tertian that
" she can snatch a grace beyond the reach of art."

PERSONAL COMFORT.—The present season being that in
which the utilities and grateful effects of " ROWLAND'S
KALYDOR" become equally apparent with that of summer,
we strenuously recommend it to those persons who suffer
from the baneful effects of inclement weather on a tender
and delicate skin. Its extraordinary efficacy in allaying all
irratibility and tendency to inflammation of the skin, is no
less esteemed than are its peculiar virtues in enhancing the
beauty of the complexion; and as a toilet appendage, is of
unquestionable safety, efficacy, and of unrivalled elegance.—
See advt.

The fine packet-ship Hottinger, which sailed from this port
for New York on the 17th January, went ashore on the after-
noon of the 26th ult. as she was entering the harbour of New
York. The Hottinger, it will be remembered, first set sail
from Liverpool on the 12th of January, in company with the
packet-ship North America, but put back on the 14th, owing
to the severe gale of td.e 13th. The chief mate was so severely
injured in that gale that Captain Bursley was compelled Co
perform double duty during the voyage. He took a pilot on
board as he neared New York, and went to bed exhausted.
The ship struck two hours afterwards. About a thousand
bags of salt, and a large quantity of tin were thrown over-
board to lighten her, after which, with the assistance of a
steamer, she was got off in a perfectly sound condition.
PORTRAITS IN CHALK.—We were favoured, a few days
days ago, with an inspection of some portraits, drawn in
chalk, by Mr. Gordon, an artist of first-rate talents, who has
taken up his residence in this town. He produces, by means
of black and white crayons, of various shades and depths,
the effect of a mezzotint, imparting to the he-is, arms, and
face the fleshy appearance of life. In the imitation of silk
or satin he is also very successful, as well as in representing
gauze, lace, and other transparent fabrics. This style is new,
and has many recommendations, two sittings of half an
hour being only necessary, a pleasing and good effect is pro-
duced, and the expense trifling. Mr. Garnett, Mr. Hugh
Neil, Mr. Bushell, and other gentlemen of the town have had
sittings, and the likenesses taken are decidedly successful.
Mr. Gordon will, doubtless, when known to the lovers of
art, have his hands full of business.

STOPPAGE OF CARS.—Mr. Gough, of the Woodside Ho-
tel, appeared yesterday before the magistrates at Birkenhead
Town-hall, to complain of Henry Booth, and Henry
Lawton, the owners of cars, for allowing their cars to stand
in the public highway, at Woodside Ferry, a longer period
than was necessary for the loading and unloading of the same,
whereby, under the Birkenhead Improvement Act, they had
incurred penalties of 40s. each. Mr. Williams, solicitor,
who appeared for Mr. Gough, stated that the complainant
had no wish to press the charge against the defendants, but
simply to ascot= whether they bad a right to occupy the
stand, for if they had he would send cars also ; but being of
opinion it was contrary to law, be had no course left but to
summon the parties. The magistrates, after a long consul-
tation, expressed their opinion that, as the law at present
stood, the,defendants had no right to allow their cars to
stand at the Ferry. There was, however, a clause in the bill
before parliament which would enable the magistrates to fix
coach stands. The case, however, was dismissed, on the
payment of costs.
MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.—At the weekly
meeting of the Dock Committee, held yesterday, the follow-
ing members were present :—Messrs. Sands, Holmes, Moly-
neux, Nicol, Bulley, Tobin, Shand, Smith, Holt, Aikin,
Middleton, and Evans. The sub-committee for the depart-
ments of Works and the Marine Surveyor had no report to
present. The Harbour Masters' sub-committee reported
that in the case referred to them by the last meeting, the
master of George's Dock, whose conduct was impugned, did
not appear to have been blameable. The allowance to John
Probert, late a dock gateman, of 15s. per week, was ordered
to be continued for three months longer. Two letters were
read from the Solicitor, reporting that the bill for regulating
the mode of admeasurement of foreign vessels had been
allowed to pass the committee on standing orders, on condi-
tion that notices of it be inserted in the Gazette, and in the
local papers. He hoped it would pass the House of Com-
mons before the Easter recess. [The notice will be found
advertised in another column of the Liverpool Standard.]
Mr. E. G. Deane, solicitor to the Commissioners for Paving
and Sewering, submitted copies of the bill now being applied
for by that body for obtaining a better supply of water for
the prevention and extinguishing of fires. After some con-
versation it was understood that the committee decided
they had no objection to the clauses. Mr. Cook, super-
intendent of the pilots, submitted a specimen of Carr's life
buoy, with the view of their being adopted in preference to
the cone buoys. now in use at the different dock-gates,
stages, and slips. The communication was ordered to be
acknowledged. Some financial business was then transacted
and the meeting separated.

- -
MEETING OF MAGISTRATES. —THE HIBERNIAN SO-
CIETIES.—An adjourned meeting of the magistrates was
held in the Town-hall yesterday, at two o'clock, on the sub-
ject of the procession of the Hibernian societies, this day,
the anniversary of St. Patrick. The following magistrates
were present :—The Mayor (chairman), John Holmes, E.
Rushton, W. Earle, C. Turner, C. S. Parker, H. Hornby,
R. E. Harvey, A. Hodgson, E. Evans, T. Booth, W. Potter,
R. Houghton, W. Rathbone, C. Rawdon, R. Benn, T.
Sands, and G. Grant. The Mayor said he had the pleasure
of informing the magistrates that he had that morning re-
ceived a communication stating that it was the intention of
the Hibernian societies to abandon all idea of their annual
procession on the 17th instant. A placard had been for-
warded to him announcing this intention ; and a communi-
cation had been made to him, by Mr. Rushton, conveying to
him a copy of the resolution. The Town-clerk then read a
letter to the Mayor from the Rev. Wm. Parker, in which the
rev. gentleman announced, as the result of a successful ap-
peal to them on Wednesday night, that the Hibernian societies
would not walk, and enclosing a copy of a placard which was
to be posted by twelve o'clock. The Town-clerk next read
the copy of a placard issued by the magistrates, which ap-
pears in our advertising columns, in which they acknowledged
the resolution of the Hibernian societies, their approval of
it, and their earnest hope that all parties would unite in the
preservation of the peace. A short discussion took place,
in the course of which Mr. Rushton entered into an ex-
planation of the law. Eventually the placard was agreed to
as it originally stood; and the Mayor was requested to ac-
knowledge Mr. Parker's communication, and their high
sense of his exertions on this occasion. The meeting then
separated.

Miss STorr's CONCRRT.—The fourth annual concert
given by Miss Stott took place on Tuesday evening last, at
the Royal Assembly Rooms, Great George-street, and, we
are glad to say, was attended by a most numerous and fa-
shionable audience, who testified their approbation of the
performances by repeated plaudits throughout the evening.
The opening pieces were well executed, by a part of good
performers. The trio, " Night's lingering shades, by Miss
Leach, Mr. Armstrong, and Miss M. Swain, was exceed-
ingly well sung. Their voices well amalgamated, and the
accompaniment was played in Mr. George Holden 's usual
admirable manner. The song, "The ray of hope," by Miss
Stott (with a clarionet obligato by Mr. Stubbs) was a bold
but successful effort on the part of that lady. The song was
arranged by Bishop, for one of the first-rate vocalists of the
day, and, as such, is one to which it is difficult for any singer,
not of superior attainments and practice. to do entire justice,
particularly the cadence, in which there is too much same-
ness and prolongation, and which, if shortened, would be
more easily accomplished both by the singer and the player.
Miss Scott evinced some timidity in encountering it, but got
through it in a manner highly creditable to her talents. Of
Mr. Stubbs's obligato accompaniment it is high praise to
state that the subdued tones of his clarionet blended so
sweetly with the lady's voice that it was scarcely possible to
dististinguish the one from the other; and the solo parts ex-
hibited good taste and great precision of execution. "Oh !
Thou whose power" was well sung by Mr. Lewis—himself
the composer. The concerto (piano-forte), by Miss Mat-
thews, evinced a command of the instrument, which, with
increased confidence and practice, will probably ripen into
true excellence. It was received with much applause.
" The pearly deep," by Mrs. Armstrong, was finely sung—
evincing great compass of voice. Thi‘elitsrsioN4l`.oshwtailni listen
dtesnuitl
go.
the Nightingale," by Miss Leach, Mrs. Armstrong, and
Miss Stott was splendidly sung.
" Sandy and Jenny" in a highly pleasing manner,
warmly encored. The instrumental introduction to aith was
se-
cond part was well performed—by Mr. J. Z. Herrmann,
G. Eyton, Mr. Eyton, Mr. C. Herrmann, and Mr .C.
avies.
Miss Stott and. Miss M. Swain sung a duet (not, -we- believe,
in the bill) with great sweetness, and were loudly encored.
Mr. Armstrong .'s " Molly laivn," a serio-comic ballad, was
given with considerable quaintness of style. We have nots
room to notice the other performances, which were respec-
table, and some of them fine; and may conclude by stating
that the concert as a whole went off with great eclat.

,Cittv M. 4,041/

V 1 546444$ 000124
SdvertHn% calatntli tritrt the /salad for this cCerDcritictil and
gratifying treat ia no-tv fixed upon. The days will be then ai
their longest span and the season is usually devoted to agreea-
ble relaxation ; and, of course, it is useless to say one word
as to the fund of amusing and instructive variety in store for
the company at the end of their pleasant journey. The gen-
tlemen who have entered into the necessary arrangements
with the railway companies, offer to parties who intend to
avail themselves of such a cheap trip to the great metropolis
the option of five or eight days absence from home, thus, as
far as pm,sible. meeting the convenienceof the public. Though,
we believe, no reasonable complaint could be raised against
the management adopted on a similar occasion last yeat, yet,
of course, several minor matters incidental to the comfort of
the passengers (the want of which was not then anticipated)
can now be and are provided for. An opportunity is al,o
offered of contracing for their " keep " during their residence
in the city.

THE FUNDS: WEDNESDAY EVENING.—The chief tran-
saction in the English funds to-day was a purchase by a
leading broker of £170,000. New Three-and-a-Half per
Cents. at 102—a price he has previously paid for similar
investments. At that quotation the market was firm. Con-
sols for money and the account closed 96i to 97; Exchequer-
bills, 725. to 745. premium; India Bonds, 765. premium.
Among the jobbers in the foreign market the arrangement
for the settlement of the six weeks' account was the object
of special attention. There will be, it is expected, a more
than ordinary qu;;ntity of speculative dealings to settle, con-
sidering the turn affairs have taken in respect to this class of
business within the last few weeks. The Spanish market
has again been favourably influenced by operations for the
rise, and with the abundance of money, which, for the ac-
commodation of parties in this department of the house, is
at the moderate rate of from 3 to 5 per cent., there appears a
probability of the continuance of some activity. As far as
the progress of the account is yet known, difficulty in its
final adjustment is not in the least apprehended. Mexican
was the only security exhibiting a heavy price, and that seems
to have been occasioned by a doubt of the payment of the
dividend due next month. The advertisement announcing it
should have been published to-day ; but it was not, and hence
arises the fear. Spanish Actives left off 22k to g ; Ditto
New, 301 to k; Portuguese Converted, 401 to 14; Mexican,
30-s to k; Ditto Deferred, 81 to 9; Dutch Two-and-a-Half
per Cents., 561 to ; Ditto Five per Cents., 1011 to 132;
Danish, 86k to 871 ; Colombian, 26k to -1; Brazilian, 80 to
81; and Belgian, 104 to 105.

THEATRE-ROYAL.—A drama, produced during the last
season at the Haymarket, called Grandfather Whitehead,
was represented here, on Monday, for the occasion of Mrs.
Clarke's benefit, and has been repeated every night since.
It fs one of domestic character, and possesses deeply pathetic
and interesting situations. The characters are such as we
meet with in everyday life. Mr. William Farren's Grand-
father Whitehead is a masterpiece of acting, and, towards
the close of the drama, so highly did he work upon the feel-
ings of the audience, that, as for the ladies, not one was
without a handkerchief to her sweet eyes ; while the sterner
sex, " albeit unused to the meting mood," discovered that
they had very bad colds, and that their noses required blow-
ing with very great activity. Nor do we say this to their
discredit. Smiles may be false, but tears must be true; and,
if genuine ones were not shed on witnessing Mr. Farren's
Grandfather Whitehead, we may never trust our eyes again.
In fact, we pity that man who could sit unmoved to witness
a drama like this, or see without emotion the old man fond-
ling his little grandchildren, with the kindliness of one
whose end and aim is the happiness of all around him. It is
a most exquisite piece of acting, and makes a deep impres-
sion upon all. Miss Fanny Ternan played Edward Drayton
charmingly. This clever and pretty little child seems to enter
fully into the spirit and feeling of the scene. Mrs. Seymour's
Louisa was graceful, natural, and replete with feeling. Mr.
W. J. Hammond personated Bob Lincoln, the lawyer's
clerk, with spirit and considerable humour and drollery.
Mr. Addison's Driver was also good. Mr. Stuart, as Lang-
ley, showed the evil effects of badly acquired wealth and the
unhappiness that awaits the evil doer and ingrate. His act-
ing in the last scene was very effective. His falling at the
old man's feet was well conceived. Grandfather Whitehead
is one of the most interesting dramas we have seen for some
time, and cannot fail to please. To-night Mr. Browne takes
his benefit. He has a strong bill.
INQUESTS BEFORE THE BOROUGH CORONER.—On Wed-
nesday an inquest was held on view of the body of Sarah
Ann Worthington, a little girl who lived with her parents in
St. Andrew-street. On Sunday night the deceased was
washing some potatoes near the fire in a nighbour's cellar,
when another girl told her to take care of the fire, to
which she replied, " Do you think I have not better sense
than to burn myself." In a short time, however, it was
observed that her clothes had caught fire. Her companion
ran into the street for assistance, and deceased followed her.
Several persons went up and endeavoured to extinguish the
fire, which, however, they could not do until nearly all her
clothes were burnt off, and she was severely injured all over
her body and face. One man, in assisting, had his hands
much scorched. She was immediately sent to the infirmary,
where she was carefully attended, but died on Tuesday. One
of the witnesses, a young man, who was present, stated that
police-officer No. 469 was in the street when the girl ran
out, and refused to throw his coat over her, otherwise her
life might have been spared. It appeared, however, from
subsequent testimony adduced, that this was not the fact,
and that on the contrary, he rendered every possible assist-
ance. There was, therefore no imputation on his character.
The jury returned a verdict of "accidental death."—Same
day, on the body of Antonio Drcluet, a seaman on board the
American ship Michigan, lying in the river. The vessel ar-
rived on Monday from New Orleans. About twenty-five
days ago, deceased complained of a pain in his chest, but was
able to do his work during the whole passage. On Tuesday
morning he was observed to fall suddenly, and was found to be
insensible. Volatile salts was applied to his nose, but he ex-
pired in a few minutes. Mr. Dunn, surgeon, made a post
mortem examination, and ascertained that the deceased had
died from a rupture of an aneurism of the aorta, the result
of natural disease. Verdict accordingly.—Same day, on
view of the body of Ann Williams, who lived in Heath-st.
Deceased, who was 63 years old, had complained of asthma,
and died suddenly on Monday night. Mr. Carr, surgeon,
gave his opinion that death was produced by disease of the
heart, producing effusion into the lungs. Verdict accordingly.
—Same day, on view of the body of William Jones, aged 44,
who resided in Eccles-street. He bad had a severe cold and
cough, and died suddenly on Monday night. 'Verdict, "Died
from natural causes."—Yesterday, the 16th, on view of the
body of David Leary, an infant living with his mother in
Banastre-street. It appeared that deceased had been acci-
dentaly overlain. Verdict, " Chance medley."—Same day,
on view of the body of Susanna Davies, who was between
60 and 70
years of age, and lived in Thornton-street. On
the 24th of December last, she fell in Great Howard-street,
while rather intoxicated, and sustained a compound fracture
of the left leg. She was sent to the Northern Hospital, but
gradually declined and died yesterday morning. Verdict,
" Died from the injuries, but in what manner received there
was no evidence.''.—Same day, on view of the body of Bridget
M`Kenna, aged 55. Deceased, with her husband and others,
purposed to emigrate to America. Yesterday morning she
went down to the ship Columbia, lying in the Waterloo
Dock, and, while between decks, fell down a hatchway which
had been left open to take in cargo, and where there was not
sufficient light for a stranger to see it. When picked up from
the kelson, her head was dreadfully smashed, blood was flow-
ing from her mouth, nose, and ears, and she almost immedi-
ately expired. The jury have not yet returned their verdict.

o!ralMlM.uamEmn=womm.wlamMOVl.O...:

THE TORPEDO.—GLOW-WORM.— M. Zantedeschi has
confirmed the experiments of M. Matteucci on the torpedo :
he thinks that the nerves come from the dilatation of the
medulla oblongata, which forms the fourth lobe with the grey
matter covering it.—Mr. Morren has found phosphorus in
glow-worms, as well as a system of prisms or transparent
lenses above the luminous matter.
LEGALITY OF ART UNIONS.-A short time ago, Sir Ed-
ward Sugden, the present High Chancellor of Ireland, was
at the Royal Irish Institution, examining some pictures about
to he sold by auction. Mr. Stewart Blacker, the honorary
secretary to the Irish Art Union, being in the rooms at the
same time, spoke to him relative to the assumed Illegally of
art unions, when Sir Edward stated his opinion that the laws
which have been referred to did not in any way apply to such
societies. Mr. Blacker having expressed his gratification at
hearing this, Sir Edward said, " If von like I will give you
that opinion in writing," and, taking a pen, wrote an order
on the Royal Bank to pay the Art Union three guineas an-
nually until further notice ; thus gi ring his opinion in the
most satisfactory manner by joining the society.
- • • •

- - _
Another painful illustration of the danger of retaining in
houses loaded fire-arms occurred in the vicinity of Fraser-
burgh, upon the evening of Tuesday last. Two brothers
named Carr, and respectively aged about eight and fourteen
years, in the temporary absence of their parents, proceeded
to take down for amusement a gun from the beams on which
it rested. In a few minutes, however, the children, fearful
of detection, hastily attempted to replace it; in so endea-
vouring the piece unluckily went off, and the contents lodging
in the head of the younger child, launched the poor little
fellow into eternity. Wofully unexpected was the sight
which met the unhappy parents' gaze, one child weeping and
the other dead. It is but justice to remark, that the father
had previously attempted to discharge the gun, but without
elect.—Aberdeen Banner.

PROCESSION OF TILE POOR.—On Tuesday there was a
procession of miserable-looking people—men, women, arid
children—along the principal streets of this city, carrying
banners, &c. The chief part of the persons composing the
cavalcade were very worthless, " neler-do-weel " characters
—of that there was no doubt; but still the hardship of their
lot, which was strongly impressed on their meagre counte-
nances and half-clothed persons, excited a good deal of sym-
pathy. We have seen the day when the carrying of such
flags and insignia would have amounted almost to treason.
On the board borne by the women, (who had also a black
flag,) there was inscribed, " Bread or Death." On another
" And is our Glorious Constitution come to this ?" We
cannot say that the appearance of these poor people occa-
sioned any alarm to the citizens, but this might result from
the fact that the Superintendent of Police followed in their
wake, to take care that they committed no violence. We
understand these people propose to continue their procession
every day, but we hope they will be prevented by some mea-
sort of relief.—Glasgow paper.
REMOVAL OF NUNAUGOTEII.—On Tuesday, at three
o'clock, this wretched criminal was removed from Newgate
to Bethlehem Hospital. The warrant for his transmission,
signed by the Secretary of State, was received by Mr. Cope,
the governor of the prison, at an early hour in the day. and
on its arrival that gentleman at once made arrangements for
the removal of the culprit under his own superintendence.
M`Naughten received with evident satisfaction the intimation
that he was about to leave Newgate, and walked with a quick
firm step to the outer prison gate, where a hackney cabriolet
was in waiting to receive him. Mr. Cope alone accompanied
the prisoner, and on arriving at the hospital handed him over
to the custody of the governor. He was immediately con-
veyed to that portion of the building on the southern side
appropriated to the reception of criminal lunatics, where an
apartment had been prepared for him. The following brief
particulars of the demeanour of M`Naughten since his in-
carceration will be read with interest at the present moment :
On his committal he was placed in the cell previously occu-
pied by several of the more notorious criminals of late years,
a commodious apartment on the ground-floor of the prison.
He was constantly watched by two turnkeys, who were re-
lieved every twelve hours, and with these individuals the
on, and manifested
wretched man at all times entered into conversation with
of their duty the
considerable alacrity. He frequently made inquiries as to
appears to have
question. His
gthreeaptolaintixciaeltymowvielemnenints Ntvihiei chwere g.oii)performanceg
y interesting, fre-
quently eantttewmbpetnedemtioveervsialdige
cir: 1i il s i
thisv er i
subjectn r the
impressed all those who were brought into contact with him,
, and then only in the
with a belief that his mind was affected. His conversation
; but it is a curious
his solicitor only two or three
circumstance, that on one occasion
lf
q ue generallyntl
y
on
mechanicalto have b been e
snubeeotenrteism extremely
confinement, and would some-
timesy did he allude to the
himself,
eeforwards for half an hour
most fearful
unconcernedcri me committed
manner.mit ted b y
lie appeared to have no anxiety
taismteos. hiisiedewfeansciem,
paantdimsitawof
together. He slept remarkably well,. generally retiring about
pace his cell backwards
ten o'clock, and seldom waking during the night. Since his
acquittal he has been visited by his father, but no other
relative has seen him. He attended divine service in the
prison chapel twice on Sunday, last, and took part in the
prayers with great apparent feeling n
not be generally known that the number of criminal lunatics
at present confined in Bethlehem exceeds sixta
d propriety. It may
y, The visiting
privilege, allowed to friends of the inmates generally, is also
extended to those of the criminal lunatics, who are permitted
to see their relatives twice a month ; but it is currently re-
ported that some more stringent rules than those hitherto in
force will be immediately applied to this class of persons.

ilit POLITteIeIIC

INTERESTINCi COUMUNICATION ON THE IMPROVEMENTS

OF LIVERPOOL

The general monthly meeting of this society took place on
Wednesday evening, in the Lecture Room of the Royal In-
stitution. Mr. GRANTH AM, the president, in the chair•
The attendance was very numerous—the room, and even the
eatrances, being crowded. The chairman was supported,
on his right, by his Worship the Mayor ; on his left by Mr.
Wm. Fawcett; and we observed, amongst the strangers and
members present, the Rev. R. Davies, Rev. T. Dsyer, r.
W. Earle, Mr. T. Blackburne, Mr. S. Holme, Mr. C.
Boutflower, Mr. Priestley, Mr., Shepherd, Mr. Joshua Ed-
wards, Mr. Dover, Mr. Currie, Mr. R. Rigby, Mr. Rosson,
Mr. C. W. Williams, Mr. Holt, Mr. Win. Dauson, Mr.
Alderman Bullet, and many others of our distinguished

townsmen.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the evening-,
explained, for the information of the visitors present, the
nature and objects of the society, in furtherance of whicn he
read an extract, showing that it sought the encouragement of
science, arts, inventions, and practical improvements. He
congratulated those present on the numerous attendance of
members and friends, and particularly on the presence of
the Mayor, who, by coming amongst them, did credit to

his high office, and, by his encouragement, conferred a
benefit upon the society, for which they could not but feel
grateful. The society was open to the contributions of all
parties, and, on the present occasion, they were fortunate in
having a gentleman who would favour them with a paper on
a subject which could not fail to be highly interesting to all
who were present. That gentleman—Mr. Holme—was at
once a scientific and a practical man, and be doubted not
they would derive both pleasure and instruction from his
observations. He concluded by calling upon Mr. Holme for
his promised communication
ON THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS OF LIVERPOOL.

Mr. SAMUEL HOLME then came forward, and was re-
ceived with very great applause. He said,
On ordinary occasions, it might be expected that at a
meeting of the Polytechnic Society, the paper for the even-
ing should comprise an illustration of some mechanical dis-
covery, or a new adaptation of those scientific triumphs
which are now in existence, and which are exercising such
an important influence on the comfort and the destiny of the
great family of man. But it is one of the advantages of such
a society as this, that it brings mind into collision with wind
—that as fire kindles fire, so does intellect brighten intellect,
and the corruscatious of intelligence and of thought cast a

light upon distant and more remote objects, and, as the gloom
is penetrated, fresh objects are discerned, and ideas are eli-
cited which, but for the gleams thrown out, would have re-
mained in obscurity, or have lain dormant in the mind.
Here, the man of commerce and the man of science,—he who
is engaged in the honourable pursuit of mechanical industry
and be whose learned leisure enables him to dive deeply into
literature and study,—the mechanic, who earns his bread by

. . _
his daily labour, and by the exercise of the mysteries of his
craft,—all can meet together on common ground ; and the
active and vigorous character of the commercial and trading
community can be inseparably united with the graces and
the accomplishments which distinguish the man of literature
and of science, and both will be benefitted by being brought
into juxtaposition with each other.
Here the mine of science may be opened, here the great
deep of profound thought may be safely embarked upon. It
is a voyage of discovery, unconnected with selfishness ; and
the freight which we adventure, and the commodities which
we receive, are intended for general distribution, and for ge-
neral benefit. Here we can escape, for a time, from the tur-
moil of business. Here men of different opinions and senti-
ments may meet on neutral ground, and, escaping from those
perplexing questions which at present agitate society, can
join together in harmony and in concord in furthering those
views which are inseparably connected with our prosperity
as a nation, with our success as individuals, and which kin-
dle a spirit of friendship and esteem amongst many who
might otherwise be enstranged from each each other by dif-
ferences of opinion on subjects which are not permitted here
to he discussed. _ _ _

Having benefitted by the scientific inquiries of those who
have preceded me, it has occurred to me that, on an occasion
like the present, when we are honoured by the presence of
our Chief Magistrate, who takes a laudable interest in every
subject where the prosperity of our town is concerned, and
who, in connexion with his family, has assisted in ❑o slight
degree to stamp this town with commercial importance, that
it would neither be out of place on this occasion, nor incon-
sistent with the objects of the society if 1 brought before it a
subject of local importance, possessing a more general charac-
ter, and divested of those technicalities which more or less
attach themselves to every subject of a purely scientific cha-
racter, and which, it must be confessed, are not fraught with
deep interest to many whose general avocations do not bring
them into collision with mechanical science, or who have not
pursued those particular subjects which it is the proximate
object of this association to elucidate and to engender. I
will, therefore, with your permission, direct your attention
to a subject of general as well as local interest, assuming that
every one who hears me is anxious not only for the commer-
cial prosperity of this great port, but is desirous of witnessing
her progressive march in those improvements, both of con-
venience and of taste, which should always accompany suc-
cessful efforts, and which can only be accomplished by an
outlay of capital directed by architectural and engineering
skill, and fostered by that enlarged spirit which existed
amongst the commercial princes of Italy, and which have
rendered their cities the admiration of travellers, and the
models from which the man of taste may draw the most im-
portant instruction. Permit me, however, to make a few
general remarks arising from the consideration of the subject
which I propose, namely, a sketch of our public improve-
ments and the best mode of rendering them effective.

There never was a period in the history of the world when
so many facilities existed for carrying out vast and magnifi-
cent designs; nor probably did there ever live such a num-
ber of men capable, not only of conceiving, but also of exe-
cuting, works of surpassing greatness and splendour. We
view the great works of antiquity through the vista of 2,000
years ; our feelings are excited at the moss-covered ruin,
grey with the touch of ages, and consecrated by the recol-
lections and the charms cast around them by the events of
nations, now only matters of history. We view their mighty
fragments with awe and wonder, and they are rendered sa-
cred by those feelings of reverence which are the fruits of
our early impressions: and far be it from me to condemn
those feelings of respect for the mighty dead, which muse
arise in the breast of every reflectinc; mind, whether he wan-
ders amidst the magnificent ruins of Petra, surveys the loft)
Pyramids which are as durable as when they were erected—
whether he gazes with admiration at the simple proportions
and severe majesty of the Parthenon and the Temples of
Paestum, or views the more modern, but not less interesting
and gigantic, ruins of the Colosseum. These things connect
us with nations and individuals which have long ceased to
exist : and if I ever enjoyed serious and delightful, but reflec-
tive moments, it was when in silence, and with no companion
but the moon, I have wandered amidst the ruins of the Foro
Romano, and pictured to myself the mighty transactions
which have rendered so celebrated that wonderful spot. For
grandeur of architectural design, for just proportion and bar-
'irony of parts, I cheerfully and willingly award the meed of
praise to our illustrious ancestors; but having made this ad-
mission, and endeavouring to divest my mind of those feelings
with which we view the great works of antiquity, I must
claim for the engineering skill and the architectural talent of
this country the praise due to it :—and if, in future ages, by
the operation of those events which have rendered the an-
cient empires matters of history, the public works of Great
Britain shall fall into decay, I doubt not but posterity will
look with equal wonder on the ruins of many of the public
edifices of this country, and they will excite feelings of admi-
ration, such as those which now attract the traveller, when
he gazes on the ruins in Egypt, in Syria, and in Athens, or
on those which connect us with the glories of imperial Rome.
Let us take a few examples. The bridge which spanned the
Tiber, and was rendered immortal by the exploits of Hora-
tius Codes, is surpassed both in grandeur and in beauty by
those which have been recently erected across the Thames.
The ancient bridge, which by one arch spanned the Danube,
was not to be compared with that light and airy, yet stable
and graceful structure, thrown across the Menai by our own
illustrious Telford. The Pharos of Alexandria will fluid its
equal in the well tried erection of Smeaton on the Rock of
Eddystone. No ancient port of which we read, could show
a work so grand or so gigantic as the Breakwater of Ply-
mouth. The Cathedrals of St. Paul's and York Minster
will not suffer by comparison with many of the edifices of
old ; and our new Houses of Parliament will vie with many
ancient erections, of which the ruins exist at the present
time. The lofty viaducts which carry our railways across
towns and rivers; the Tunnel which has given to the inha-
bitants of London a road beneath the Thames—the Chain-
piers at Brighton and other places, and the embankments
and cuttings of our railroads, all these wonderful works, are
so many proofs of engineering skill, which have become so
common of late that they cease to excite surprise. But we
roust riot forget the mighty power of the steam-engine. No
Archimedes of old could conquer the winds and the waves,
could bid defiance to the storm, and with artificial wings
transport navies across the ocean, and annihilating distance,
make the inhabitants of another hemisphere what Divine
Providence intended they should be, viz.. our neigh-
bours. No man was found who could transport one
thousand persons with their travelling equipments thirty
miles an hour, who had the enterprise to penetrate the womb
of the mountain, carry roads across the deepest valley, who
could overcome the almost insuperable obstacles of nature by
bringing the elements themselves into subjection, and making
those elements subservient to the wants and wishes of man-
kind ; and who, by this mighty agent, could destroy the na-
tural boundaries of nations and assimilate in one, by ex-
tended intercourse, the whole family of man. True it is,
that we have benefitted by the inventions, the works, and in-
genuity of our forefathers; and true it is, that, by the com-
parative beneficence of the governments of the present age,
mechanical inventions are fostered and encouraged, and a
freer scope is given to the architect, the engineer, and the
mechanic, to carry out the promptings of intellectual skill,
than was afforded during the times of old, when vast stand-
ing armies of barbarian soldiers were employed during times
of peace in erecting national structures, or even at a later
period, when men of enlarged mind, like Galileo, were cast
into prison as necromancers, for eliciting those simple prin-
ciples, which are now understood by the humblest mechanic.
But, notwithstanding the facilities afforded at. the present
time, notwithstanding the abundance of materials which geo-
logy and chemistry have made known to us, notwithstanding
the comparative advantages of transit by the canal and the
railroad, and the ease with which the largest mass can be raised
from the ground, can be fashioned and shaped, and poised in the
air; notwithstanding the engineering and architectural talent
with which our country absolutely overflows; yet, anoma-
lous as it may appear, many of our public works would be
wrongly designated if they were called public improvements,
and in too many instances the man of science and of taste has
to regret that he cannot dwell upon them with unmixed plea-
sure. How is this ? Is it for lack of national enterprize ? I
answer no ! Our national enterprize discovers new countries.
We establish mercantile settlements in barbarous regions.
We trade, we colonise, we carry cizilization with us ; and the
savage, who started at the report of a musket, ceases to
wonder at the mechanism of the steam-boat. During the
last century, India, Southern Africa, Australia, and the.
thousand islands of the Polynesian Archipelago have yielded
to that spirit of national enterprise, which penetrates every
clime, surmounts every difficulty, which draws out the pro-
ductions of every country, and converts them into sources of
national wealth ; which creates artificial wants among people
who were strangers, not only to luxuries but to comfors ;
and the looms of Manchester and of Leeds, and the forges
of Birmingham and of Sheffield are called hit° active opera-
tion to supply their new-born wants. Is it for want of na-
tional means? That cannot be. Sixty millions of money
have been raised within a very few years wherewith to con-
struct railroads alone. Many millions a year are paid for the
duty on ardent spirits. The plate possessed by the inhabi-
tants of Great Britain is said to be worth nearly two hun-
hundred millions sterling; and the produce of the soil
is estimated at more than 250 millions annually. No country
possesses such a number of individual capitalists; none,
whose various institutions are so richly endowed ; nor does
any nation possess such available facilities for promoting
works of public improvement. The whole island abounds
with stone, with clay, with lime, with coal, and with iron,
distributed and diffused in a remarkable manner, and
it is
highly probable that in a very short time Great Britain w
ill
present the appearance of one great family, and the Orkney's
be only a few hours' distance from Cornwall.
Is it for want of public spirit? I should libel our country
if I was so unwise or so unjust as to hazard the assertion.
Let a scheme be propounded in which it can be shown that
there is reasonable hope of a good return or investment, and
unlimited capital will be found to supply means of oarry-

Abe aLy zirAsify flit Mot
ample meana for the protection of or trade, or for uphold-
ing the natiouai honour. What; then, is the cause? lam
compelled to attribute it to our want of national taste, and
to that unfortunate love of cheapness which is unhappily
characteristic of the present age, and which places the un-
educated and the unskilful on a par with the accomplished
architect and the scientific engineer ; which generates a love
for quantity without reference to quality; which looks at
per centage but forgets ability ; which chains down the
faculties of the intellec!ual, and too frequently reduces
mind to the level of matter.
This principle, if principle it can be called, prevades all or-
ders, and is becoming more and more developed in the national
T. ~c,o,ues the specious name of public cotupeti-
' nut- free institutions. It

tion, and is one of the corollaries o

is in the nature of things that the greatest advantages, both
physically and intellectually, have their corresponding draw-
backs, and the very freedom we enjoy has a tendency to fos-
ter that feeling which is a kin to selfishness ; and it gives birth
to opinions, which, however admirable in their general effects,
have an unfavourable tendency on the development of indi-
vidual skill and enterprise. In this respect, however, I la-
ment it not. Better for us it is to enjoy our public liberty
than to exist as Russian serfs, though privileged to gaze on
the splendid edifices which adorn the banks of the Neva—
better to dwell amidst our national blessings and privileges
than to witness the stately grandeur of other countries, at the
expense of those civil and religious rights which we all so
dearly prize. But why should national taste decay in pro-
portion to the advance of public liberty ? The nation surely
need not to be told that judgment and taste are not the extra-
vagant commodities which men take them for, because it is
too generally the case, that it is the absence of these qualities
that is ultimately found to be expensive and unsatisfactory,
because present cheapness and insufficiency is incompatible
with permanence and stability. Present and immediate return,
and a carelessness of future expenditure, arising out of speedy
dilapidation or decay, is one of the evils of the present time.
Men build for themselves, and not for posterity ; and one
might suppose that the present generation had seriously set
themselves to answer the question of the Irish senator,
" What has posterity done for us ?" As it is with indivi-
duals, so it is with nations and localities : the same ideas
prevail, and pervade, in these days of competition, all our
public improvements. And yet we need not to be told, that
the cheaper the commodity purchased, the more evanescent
and unsatisfactory it will be tound in the end.

These general ;marks would, if pursued, lead me into a
wide field, and would be beyond the limits which I have
prescribed for myself in this paper. It would also he a se-
rious encroachment on your time ; and I must therefore
condense my subject, and ask your further attention, while
I direct myself more immediately to our own locality. I
freely confess to you, that, as a Liverpool man, I am jealous
for the honour of our town. I desire to see it second to
none ; and while with you I rejoice in its extended com-
merce and its growing importance, inits benevolent institu-
tious and in its local advantages, I am anxious that its beauty
should keep pace with its extension and its prosperity.
Let us for a moment glance at our local advantages. Li-
verpool is nearly in the centre of the empire. She is
seated as the only navigable river between the Severn and
the Clyde. Six millions of our population are supplied
with
foreign produce through her portal, and a great portion of our
staple produce is exported through her. Our cotton ma-
manufacture, our salt, a large proportion of our woollens,
our pottery, and our hardware ; the silks of Macclesfield,
and the varied productions of our looms; these are generally
exported through Liverpool, and give employment to our
shipbuilders, our sailtuakers, anchor-smiths, ropers, and the
many thousands who form the bulk of our population.
Within a circuit of forty miles from the Exchange of Man-
chester, a much greater population is found than within the
same circuit round the Exchange of the Metropolis. Our
public revenues exceed that of many of the German princi-
palities ; and our dock rates (which is the best proof of our
general prosperity) exhibit a steady increase, the surplus
being available for continued improvements. Aud yet, I
would ask you, with all the advantages which we possess,
whether our local improvements have been commensurate
with our local importance? We have not one street in the
town which exhibits any pretension to beauty—not one grand
and striking place to present to the stranger with pleasure or
with pride. This circumstance may be easily explained.
Our town, although of quick, has still been of gradual,
growth ; and our ancestors were in the habit of having their
offices, their warehouses, and their dwellings contiguous to
each other, the custom being derived from the Flemings, who
at this day adopt the same plan. A heterogeneous character
was thus given fo the town. Hence we see the workshop and
the dwelling, the warehouse and the mansion, in juxtaposition
and a diversity of character, and a difference of elevation was
thereby produced. A proof of this may be afforded by the
building in which wenow are assembled. This was the mansion
of a Liverpool merchant. The western wing was his counting-
house, and the whole is overshadowed by an unsightly ware-
house, in which his sugar and his runs were stored. Our
ancestors engaged in commerce did not probably anticipate
the future extent and importance of the town. Meanwhile
the soil became subdivided, and passed into a multitude of
holdings. No general plan was devised for laying out what
were then the suburbs, but which have since become the cen-
tre of the town. Every man laid out a street through his
land as it pleased his own fancy ; and that street being cut up
and sold in distinct lots, every purchaser adopted the same
plan ; and thus we see in our principal streets a hundred
different styles, a diversity of height, and a barbarity of de-
sign, which it is now too late to rectify. Improvement acts
have done much to widen many of our thoroughfares, but
little attention has been paid to the architectural character
of the new structures which have been raised. Let us take
a few instances. The first great improvement was that of
Castle-street; and yet we find our chaste and elegant Town-
hall not standing in the centre of the street. Here was an
opportunity for a splendid display. Here was a noble front-
age, and a bitting approach might have been made to our great
public mart. Had the architect who designed the beautiful
dome of the Town-hall been employed then, instead of the
plain surface and the mere perforated brick walls which we
now see, we should probably have had the clustering colon-
nade, the splendid capital, the projecting cornice, and the
lofty and graceful and perforated parapet, blended in all the
harmony of architectural skill.

('[be rernainder of Alr. Hohne's address and the subsequent
proceedings in our next.)