The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-01-01 00:00:00

THE WOOL TRADE

(From Messrs. Joseph Robinson and Co.'s Annual Circular
published to-day.)
Our last Annual Circular anticipated the dawn of a
more prosperous trade, than had been the lot of this
country to witness for some time previous ; for the famine
of one year, the continued revolutions and outbreaks of
another, and disaffection at home, had caused a prolonga-
tion of commercial distress, unrivalled in the annals of
nations, and which annihilated almost every spark of that
confidence so essential to the establishment of a sound

and substantial business : to some extent those hopeful
desires have been verified, as will be shewn in the few re-
marks, reviewing the past twelve months. The com-
mencement of the year, 1849, was characterized by un-
usual activity, both in this market, and throughout the
mnnanetilrinze lurgp avrnrt nraare mono rooeived

- -
immediate advance on the raw material; notwithstanding
this improvement in value, extensive purchases of Wool
were made for the Continent and the United States ;
matters progressed favourably until April, when the
blockade of the German ports, and unsettled appearances
abroad, limited the consumption in various portions of
the sphere of the artizan, and particularly the worsted
spinners. These indications were of such a threatening
aspect as to cause a complete panic ; many concluded that
a general European war would be the climax ; conse-
quently, what reliance had a short time before been felt
on the stability of commerce, then became entirely shaken ;
buyers were afraid to make purchases beyond present re-

The time for the English
ing, and, as the cloud of uncertainty
le, until the farmers had brought most of
t proved disastrous to them, be-
• ,

qu&ements, and prices recede'
clip was now appr
hovered over tra,
their fleeces to marl

1 cause manufacturers an. d staplers almc

,urchmed

ay of an illustra-

Council, as we know of

the dispOsal of tie Council can be more legitimately
plied to the general benefit of the inhabitants at large

.
ADDRESS OF THE LIVERPOOL TEA ASSOCIATION.—
This body have issued an address on the subject of the
tea duties, calling upon the public to support them in ob-
taining a reduction of this impolitic and unjust tax. It
being understood that government will have a surplus of
two millions at the end of the financial year, they consider
the season opportune to keep the government to their
promise of a reduction of the duties, which they propose
should be ls. per lb. They consider that the tea duty
is the most objectionable of all imposts, as being injurious
to all classes of society. It should, therefore, be the first
to be reduced. A moderate duty would be more produc-
tive to the revenue than the present duties, and it would
tend immeasurably to extend our commerce profitably
with China. The address enters into details proving this

position, ana concluaes oy calling upon &nu puutt, tAN
port the association in their endeavours to remove " th
fiscal folly, this commercial suicide, this social wrong."
THE GALE ON THE RIVER 1-2 The prophecied hig

and the hurrica

have not been experienced in this neighbourhood to the
extent expected ; but we, nevertheless, experienced, on
Thursday and Friday, a heavy sea, with a very strong
tide, which were severely felt by the passengers crossing
by our ferry steamers. The Egremont boats, on Thurs.

alfogeti

0 the Seacombe boat Thomas Wilson being the
Dilly one north of the Wallasey Pool which ventured to
gross, carrying. of course, in addition to her own passen-

.7 0
gers,7 those from Egremont and New Brighton. During
a portion of the day the was compelled to load and dis-
charge inside of the Birkenhead Dock wall, the strength
of the tide and the swell rendering it quite impossible for
her to approach the stage. This sweet little steamer and
Mr. Willoughby's Britannia were remarked as having

proved them"qeles during the day the best sea boats on
the river. The Woodside boats ran with tolerable regu-
larity.

CHRISTMAS PASTIME.—The Family Friend for January
contains a Prize Enigma, for the three most correct solu-
tions of which the Editor offers threerries—first, a Gold
Watch ; second, a Handsome Set
.91Books ; third, another
Set of Books. The same nun ifer contains the music and
words of a New Song and C rus, by Alexander Lee, Esq.,
" There's a Power can quer the Sword !" Also, a
Chinese Puzzle, found upon the pattern of the well-
known blue plate, oyhe willow-pattern, and co

instituting

a curious labyrinth' nd oracle for lovers. Also, Chess
Problems and Gaines, by the celebrated Herr Harrwitz ;
a carefully written article for Housewives, upon thp Food

of the month, with hve engriv

oints in

arious ‘1

nitwits ; together wi
Sketches, papers upon Science, Poetry, Etiquette, an
Good Breeding, Natural History of the Month, &c., &(
And, in addition to this mass of original Literature, Music,
&c., a beautiful Steel Plate, " Rustic Civility," which
would do credit to a much more costly work. The readers
of the Liverpool Standard may obtain this wonderful two-
pennyworth, by applying to Deighton and Laughton.
Church-street, Walmsley, Lord-street, Chegwin, Castle-
street, Webb, Castle-street, and other booksellers.

VV
THE COLLEGIATE NEW ORGAN.—The " opening" of
this splendid instrument took place on Thursday and
Saturday, when the performances of Mr. Smart gave the
greatest satisfaction. The manuals of the organ were in
a perfect condition, with the exception of some of the
reeds ; but the pedal organ only contained ono stop, the
great open diapason. When complete, the pedal organ
will possess seven, one of them of six ranks. The great
3rEart is unquestionably the finest in the town. Its diap-
firmness, roundness, mellowness, and
with. The swell
diminuendo of the
of three

richness of tone whic

L are rare

organ, although to CC, produces ti
most perfect C swell, arising from the adopt
boxes instead of one, an invention of the bui
the first time practically tested. When the great and
swell organs are combined and their full powers produced
we have not only brilliancy without screaminess but gran-
deur without noise. The choir organ is full of charming
solo stops, most beautifully voiced. Among these the
keraulophin, or kohl•flute is the most pleasing, exceeding
e same description that we have previously

every stop of ti

heard milts soft and reedy tone. The piccolo, Which was
tastefully introduced by Mr. Smart into " Hush, ye Pretty
Warbling Choir," the flute, and the claribella are charm-
ing stops, full without being coarse. Some of the reeds
are very creditable; but, as a whole, they must be made
to speak more quickly and with less roughness before
they can be said to be in a perfect condition, and this may
be done, as a reed stop takes more time than any other to
bring it into a satisfactory condition. The machinery
snd workmanship of this organ are most ingenious and ex-
cellent, and will well repay a visit or inspection. Indeed,
Mr. Jackson, the builder, will have cause to be proud of
his work when finished, and the directors of the Colle-
giate Institution will have every reason to be satisfied
with their noble instrument. The Al essiah. is to be per-
formed to-morrow evening, with Sir Henry. IL Bishop as
conductor, metropolitan vocalists as principals,, and. the
best singers in the town as the chorus.