The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-30 00:00:00

PURIFICATION OF WATER.

At the Polytechnic Society's adjourned meeting last
night, which is further reported elsewhe.e, Mr. DIGNAN,
of the Chronicle-office, read an interesting paper on the
filtering or purification of water, and its great advantages
in a sanatory point of view. Various schemes had been
devised from time to time to attain this desideratum.
The liquid generally issued from a considerable depth
from the surface, and in going down it passed through va-
rious soils, and to free it from the impurities thus accu-
mulated was the object of the new patent filter.
Many filters had been contrived, but all were liable to
objection. The new filter offered many advantages, and
the lecturer ably described its form and principle, which
he illustrated by figures. By this contrivance, the noxious
ingredients in the water was got rid of. The filter pre-
sented an unpassable barrier to carbonate of lime, mag-
nesia, &c., which rendered the water hard ; but was
especially effective where water had been kept in leaden
cisterns, or passed through leaden pipes, which pregnate
it with carbonate of lead, most inimicable to health.
This stone filter, in the opinion of Dr. Brett, would
separate this noxious ingredient. It also rendered the
water delightfully cool. The filter had been tested
by the Lords of the Admiralty, who have introduced it
into the ships of the Navy. The filter erected at Staf-
ford House for the Duchess of Sutherland, purified 1000
gallons of water daily, and has been four years in con-
stant and satisfactory operation. The invention has also
been introduced at Windsor Castle, and many of the
i
mansions of the nobility. One advantag9 is. the cylindric
shape of the filter, so that the impurities, instead of
clinging to the stone, as in other forms of filters, fall to
the bottom of the reservoir, and the tank only requires
cleansing out twice in the course of a few years.
The advantage of a self-ccting filter of this kind was
invaluable at sea. To the brewer, dyer, distiller, and
others, requiring a copious supply of pure water, it was
equally available and efficient. In fine, it was at once an
economical invention, applicable for culinary as well as
other purposes. This stone filter possessed useful and
sanatory advantages.
Mr. SPENCER, after a few remarks on the construction
of the filter, stated that he considered it the best that he
knew of.

BANKING ACT.—A Liverpool paper tells us that the
Commons committee have decided in favour of Sir 11.
Peel's Bank Act of 1844, by a majority of one. We fancy
that this must be an error—or that it reckons an absent
opponent of that act .as a voter. We believe that the
actual majority, present, was two: but three of the sup-
porters of the act were cabinet ministers! However, as
we have said, we trust that the evidence and report will let
us know these facts with certainty. The triumph, we i
must believe, is with the opponents of the Bank Act of
1844. For the government begsn by racking the com-
mittee with a proportion of two-thirds to one-third ; and
yet, when the vote is taken, out of 26 or 27 members—if
all had been preseat—there woull have been a majority of
no more than a single vote l—llerald of yesterday.
BARBAROUS MURDER OF Two MEN.—Between the
hours of ten and eleven o'clock on the night of Saturday,
a shocking murder was perpetrated in the town of Lurgan,
by a fellow naked Fitzpatrick. We learn that on that
day there had been a meeting of " Tommy Downshire's
men" at Shane-hill, from which eight of the party had
been returning, and having reached Lurgan they went
into a public-house, where they stopped a short time.
Upon coming out they were met by Fitzpatrick, who came
up to a man named Henderson, one of the party, and
asked for something to drink, which was refused. Some
few words ensued, when Fitzpatrick ran at Henderson,
and stabbed him through the heart with a butcher's knife,
which he had borrowed in the morning for the purpose of
skinning a horse. This stab was so desperate that the
unfortunate individual died immediately. At this time a
brother of the deceased ran up to the spot, in order to se-
parate them both, and not knowing what occurred, think-
ing that deceased was merely knocked down, he made use
of some expressions to Fitzpatrick (we ought to mention
that this Fitzpatrick is a very bad character, commonly
called a knacker,) whereupon the deadly knife was again
called into operation, and with almost instantaneous
effect—the second 19rother having been also stabbed, from
the effects of which he only lived till next morning.—
Armagh Guardian.

FLIGHT OF INTELLIGENCE.--The decision on the
" Derby"- race, which took place at Epsom on Wednes-
day, at three o'clock, was made known (through London)
on the Liverpool Exchange, at ten minutes past four;
earlier than some on the very margin of the race-course
would have l.eard
PHYSICAL VERSUS MORAL.—Whether the Physical
wants shculd be remedied ti:rouol the Moral, or the
Moral through the Physical, has been a question which
has occupied the attention of Philosophers and philan-
thropists for centuries. Without attempting to decide
the 'question, there can be no doubt that win n the Physi-
cal condition is impaired it demands the first attention.
For instance; a person whilst suffering from an acute at-
tack. of (tout would be unable to appreciate the sublimest
lessons of philosophy, even though enunciated by the
divine Plato. How much more welcome to the sufferer
would be a box of Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills, so
efficacious in eradicating this distressing malady.

GENERAL TRADE REPORT.
Monday Night.
A very general feeling of satisfaction hasbecn expressed
to-day on 'Change, in consequence of the determination
displayed by the Irish government, in carrying into effect
the sentence passed upon Mr. Mitchel, which may, doubt-,
less, be received as an earnest that the measure for the
security of her Majesty's crown and government, may be
looked upon in future as too serious a weapon in the hands
of the preservers of peace and order to be lightly or mis-
chievously tampered with. And the advices from Ham-
burgh, which annouce that dispatches have been forwarded
to General Wrangel to withdraw his forces from Jutland
with as little delay as possible, are of a nature calculated
to inspire us with a confident hope for a speedy reestab-
lishment of peace in the north of Europe, as this act will
at once put an end to the only instance in those parts of
intern .tional interference ; and one reason which is given
in the general brokers' circular, for the downward ten-
dency of the cotton market, i. e. the disorganized state of
affairs on the continent, will be partially removed. Consols
have ranged pretty nearly the same as last week, and
on Tuesday reached 84a. on Saturday were done at 84k
to k, and closed at 84k to.
We have no change whatever to report in SHARES to
day. The market during the week has been unusually
quiet, the business of each day having been very limited,
and without any fluctuation in prices. London .Stock
closes this evening 131 to 3; Midland, 104 to 6. A call
has depressed the London quarter shares to 11 2 pm.
The calls already advertised for June are £1,500,000.
Our CORN market has been steady since Friday for
every other article of the trade except Indian Corn and
Corn Meal, which are again both considerably dearer to-
day, holders asking rambling prices, owing to stocks here
and elsewhere being much reduced, and the demand for
Ireland still continuing on a most extensive scale. Our
importations of this article are also light, prices having.
until lately been proportionately low ; and allowing time
for the intelligence of the rise to operate upon shipments
from America, some weeks must elapse before the market
can be again fully supplied. Our arrivals from the 23rd up
to this day, have been—of Indian corn, 343 qrs. ; Indian
Meal, nil ; whilst we have exported to Ireland during the
same period, the large amount of 10,654 qrs. of Indian
Corn, and 5,647 barrels of Corn Meal. Our advices from
Waterford state that the consumption of Indian Corn very -
much exceeds the arrivals, and that prices have advanced
4s. per barrel ; stocks are getting low, and into few hands;
and, as the millers and dealers are still only buying from
hand to mouth, it is probable that higher terms will be
demanded, unless large supplies are brought in immedi-
ately. From Cork we have received similar accounts,
complaining of the exhausted state of the stocks, and the
smallness of the arrivals, the entries for the week not ex-
ceeding 4200 qrs. We may here allude to an experiment
about to be made by a gentleman from Wisconsin, on the
grounds belonging to Prince Albert, at Windsor, for the
production of Indian Corn in England, full particulars
of which are given elsewhere. He is confident of success,
and the result may be looked forward to as likely to effect
a change in the nature of the productions of the Bri-
tish agriculturist. Generally, the Wheat trade in Eng-
land is tolerably steady, and in Ireland a little in the ad-
vance. The weather is still favourable for the growing
crops, particularly in this district, the thunder this morn-
ing having propitiated a refreshing fall of rain, which was
repeated in the course of the day.
Since Thursday last there has been less desire shown
to purchase sugars. The few parcels that have been dis-
posed of realised steady prices. The sales comprise-
-200 hhds. West India, 500 bags Bengal, and 150 cases
Foreign kinds, besides a cargo of Pernams, the price of
which is not to transpire. Molasses continue to be in fair
request. Rum is rather more in demand, holders having
given way in prices. Rice is more sought after, and 1000
bags were sold at full prices ; there are several in-
quiries for the article for shipment to Ireland. In
Tea holders generally are firm : Congous of the
blackish leaf kinds are rather dearer, and fine is becoming
very scarce : other kinds are steady. Saltpetre,' from
the late reduction in price, is attracting more attention.
Nitrate is in fair demand, at 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d.—
Owing to the partial holiday this week in the London
markets, transactions have been rather limited ; but in
the value of produce there is scarcely any alteration, ex-
cept in one or two instances, in which a further slight ad-
vance has taken place.
THE CorroN MARKET for the last few days has dis- -
played great irregularity. On Tuesday it was much de-
pressed, but on Wednesday reached the lowest point. On
Thursday and Friday en improvement took place; but
prices of most descriptions had given way N. per lb. on
the week. There has been more animation both To-
DAY and Saturday, and although prices cannot be quoted
highee, yet every thing offering is more sileable at previ-
ous quotations; indeed very ordinary to middling qualities
of American arc not so easy to be bought as last week.
The import has been heavy, and will continue to be so for
several weeks with a fair wind from the west. Sales 6,000
bales, 500 only on speculation.
This week's transactions in the AMERICAN PROVI-
SION Trade have been somewhat limited in extent; and
although Lard still continues to attract most attention,
operations have been a little curtailed by importers
demanding higher prices. At Tuesday's public sale 384
tierces, 2716 barrels, and 910 kegs were offered, of which
295 tierces, 1809 barrels, and 753 kegs, were sold. Some
little improvement may be noted in the inferior descrip-
tions, in consequence of the better qualities being with-
drawn. Fine parcels of Beef are selling at late rates ;
but the value of ordinary is slightly depreciated. A slow
business doing in Pork. The same remark applies fo
Bacon, partly, however, in anticipation of the large sales
advertised for to-day. Fine New Hams, in salt, are
still wanted ; and Shoulders have realised. top quotations ;
old, of both articles, unsaleable. In Cheese we have
nothing new to report. Prices current are as follows :
Chee.,e—(duty paid)—Fine, 48s to 528 per cwt. ; middling,
43s to 465; ordinary, 33s to 425. Beef—U.S., (free)—Prime
mess, per tree. 30413.. 83s to 02s ed ; ordinary, Ws to 83s, old
60s to tBs; extra, India, family, &c., 97$ t 6 105 s; ditto, per
half-barrel, 30s to 35s;—mess, per barrel, 2001 b., 50s to 56s ;
ordinary, 40s to 4; s, out 36s to 40s ; prime, 34s to 365. Pork—.
(free)—Prime mess, per barrel, 20010., 55s to 70s, old 48s
to 5Cs •' prime, 40s to 455, old 35s to 408; mess, family mess, &c.,
52s to 60s, old 44s to 525. Bacon—(free)—Fastern, 50s to 54s ;
Western, I7s to 525; :::houlders,
.per cwt, 258 to 28s, old 22s to
265. Hams—dried, per cwt. (duty-paid), old 20s to 30s ; in salt
(free) 32s to 4Es; old 25s to 325. Lard (free)—Fine, in kegs
and barrels, per cwt, 42s to 45s ; good, in ditto ditto, 39s to 41s ;
ordinary to middling, 278 ed to 38s; inferior, and grease, 28s
to 355. Butfer—Grenf; (free) 40s to 455. Pilot Biscuit, per
cwt. (duty paid), 15s to 208.
There is a tolerable demand for the best brands of
Waterford and Carrick Burma, at prices this day
(landed in Liverpool) 90s. to 925. for the former, and 90s.
for the latter. Cork Dry, Thirds, 82s. • Bacon (landed),
Long Middles, free from bone, new, 565. to 603. ' - Short
M,ddles, new, 58s. to 60s. Fine Keg Lard, 545. to 565.
Advices from Waterford report a good supply of Butter,
with a decline in the market there of from 2s. to 4s. per
cwt.

The demand for Scotch Pig IRON during the past week
Las been very limited, but prices remain firm at 445. to
453., at Glasgow—cash.
There has been little or nothing done in the Wool,
Market this week, but as stocks are not exceedingly
large, there is not any material change in prices to report :
—lmports for the week—Foreign : From Oporto, 13;
America, 3 ; Venice, 5; Gibraltar, 21; Total, 42—Previ-
ously, 29,183.—Scotch 7;—Previously, 5,698: Total,
5,705.

Since our last report, there have been no wholesale
operation in the general TIMBER Trade, of any moment ;
there has been no arrival from British America, and only
two parcels of Pitch Pine from the United States, which
have not yet been sold. Of Colonial Woods, at the auc-
tion sales on Friday, some Quebec Yellow Pine was sold
at 141 d, and 75 Logs Miranochi Pine at 14d per foot ; 50
Logs Birch, at 14d per foot ; and 18 Logs of Quebec Oak,
at 191-d per foot. A parcel of St. John Hackmatack
Sleepers, 9 x 10 x 5, were sold at 3s 8d each ; and 577
Quebec, 9 x 9 x 41, at 2s 10$ each, with 5,538 Triangular
Sleepers, at 101 d to lld each. Two parcels of Archangel
Deals were sold at £l6 per standard ; 500 Railway Sleep-
ers, 9 x 10 x 5, at 3s 6tl; and 485 9 x 9 x 9,41 t 4s 5d each.
12 Logs Pilch Pine were sold at 24d, and 22 Logs, at 20Ld
per foot, and a few Planks, at 3-111 per foot of 2 inches.—
Of Furniture Woods, the sales consist of a cargo of Cuba
Mahogany, at from 4d to lid per for foot, or at 6d 21-32
purposes,foot;
45 r
Logsfoo
t average
Honduras; 3
Mahogany,
3d 5-16ths per foot • 41 Logs, better sizes and
.79ahaggLy at,
for sdSh7ipl6ptinlig s per
quality per Bathurst, at sdi 5-16ths per foot; and 39 logs
from the Spanish Main, of a similar quality to Honduras
wood, at 411 per foot, 92 logs Havana cedar at 4d 7-16ths
per foot ' • 88 planks Bahia rosewood at £7 6s per ton,
and 21 planks Rio zebra-wood at £5 His 8d per ton. 111
logs pencil cedar were sold at 141:1 to 18d per foot. 15.
tons of black ebony were sold at £9 per ton, and 35 piezes
of letter-wood at from lid to 34-d per lb—the other various
parcels did not find purchasers. Last Thursday, by auc-
tion, about 21 M. of Quebec standard Staves, were sold
peremptorily at from £3O to £3G per standard M., some
light W. 0. puncheon staves at £lO 10s, some red and
W. 0., middling quality, at £B, some ash puncheon at
£7 ss, some very inferior Nova Scotia ash at 555. and
some very light oak puncheon at £4 per M. A parcel of
United States wine pine at £l3, and another at £l2 per M.

The Bank returns for the week ending the 20th inst.
state the amount of notes in circulation at £18,095,400,
being a decrease of £2a1,870; and the stock of bullion in
both departments £13,379,219, showing an increase of
£289,613, when compared with the preceding return.
The suspension of the firm of Messrs. Roberts, Mit-
chell, and Co., in the East India trade, was announced
in London on Friday. The liabilities of the house are
stated at about £74,000, of which the amount of accept-
ances is only £16,000. The estimate of assets shows a
total of £85,000, but it is feared that this depends in a
great degree upon the fulfihnent of the anticipation ex—
pressed by Carr, Tagore, and Co. of Calcutta (from.
whose stoppage the present event has arisen), as to the
result of their liquidation.
The accounts of the Bank of France for the week ending
the 25th instant ere less unfavourable than those hitherto •
presented, although they do not show any very important
alterations.
Letters from Hamburgh of the 23d instant, mention,
that, owing to the increasing stagnation of business, em-
ployment or money becomes daily more difficult. Under
these circumstance; StOckS shouted a tendency to rise, but
at the same time the insecure state of Europe prevented.
any considerable investments. On the day preceding
these advices, tide Hamburgh contingent had marched to,
join the Pe-u sans in Schleswig, only, as it was expected
and hoped, Ttietly to march back again.
From St. Petersburgh the advices are to the 17th of
Nay. The rate of exchange was 3410. to 35kd. With
regard to the Fchleswig-Hulstein question, a general im-
pression prevailed that it would soon be brought to a
peel& termination.

The Belgian advices report the adoption by the Senate
of the laws connected with the manufacture of beetroot
sugar, and the general introduction of the warrant system.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dickens are at present on a Nita
at Seaforth-hall, the hospitable mansion of James Mus..
pratt, Esq.