The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-07-30 00:00:00

PAVING AND SEWERAGE CONIAIISSIO'NERS.—The
weekly meeting of this board was held on Thursday. The
following members were present :—Messrs. J. Holmes,
(chairman,) Whitby, Fletcher, Guyton, Leyland, Ackers,
Wood, Kaye, Birkett, Hope, James Lawrence, Cooper,
and Crompton. The business transacted was of little in-
terest. An offer was made by a gentleman from Glass,,ow
to supply flags for the streets at the rate of 20s. per ton,
which were said to be mach superior to those now in use
for that purpose. After some conversation it was agreed
that a few should be ordered for the purpose of making
an experiment, to be laid down opposite the Town-hall.
—Two propositions were submitted by Mr. Weightman,
relative to the making of new sewers—one from Peach-
street to Cambridge-street, and the other in Falkner-
street, the present sewers in that neighbourhood not being
of sufficient depth. A portion of the expense would be
borne by owners of property in that neighbourhood, the
cost to the commissioners being about £6OO, The sub-
ject was referred for consideration next week, at which
time Mr. Weightman was requested to attend. A num-
ber of applications from various parties, respecting altera-
tions in property, requiring the sanction of the board,
was also referred to the next meeting as it was understood
that Mr. Deane (who was unavoidably absent) would then
be in a position to report. Some financial business was
then proceeded with, and the meeting shortly afterwards
adjourned.

FAILING OF A WARE HOUSE IN FORMBV-STREET.--
On Wednesday morning last, a serious accident, though
fortunately unattended by any loss of life, occurred in
Formby-street, the site of the great fire in the latter part
of the year 1842. Shortly after six o'clock in the morn-
ing, the south gable end of a fire-proof warehouse, be-
longing to Messrs, Reyner and Co.' situate in Formby-
street, suddenly gave way and fell with a tremendous
crash upon two sheds in Neptune-street, belonging to Mr.
M`Knight, the roofs of which were destroyed. It ap-
peared there were 10,000 bales of cotton in the warehouse
at the time of the accident, a considerable portion of which
was carried along with the wall into a soft of narrow pas-
sage which separates the buildings, by which it was com-
pletely choked up. The adjoining warehouse, which also
contains cotton, is in considerable danger, cracks being
visible in the wall. Efforts were, however, made to re-
move some of the contents to prevent further danger.
The warehouse is said to hale been built on the most
approved principle, being perfectly fire-proof, the sup-
ports, &c., being of iron. Various rumours are afloat as
to the cause of the accident, but as an inquiry and exami-
nation will, no doubt, take place, it would be premature
to indulge in any speculations. Had the accident occurred
only a few minutes later, the probability is that from
thirty to forty lives would' have been sacrificed, as the
men were waiting to enter the building by the door in
Formby. street, for the purpose of taking in cotton from
a vessel lying in the Prince's Dock, but, owing to the
warehouse-keeper being a few minutes later than usual
with the keys, they were providentially prevented from
doing so. •
FASHIONABLE. ARRIVALS AND D EPARTU RE S.—Du
ring the week there have been a number of fashionable
arrivals and departures. On Monday, his Excellency
Aali Effendi, the Turkish ambassador, and suite, accom-
panied by Mr. Zohrab, the Turkish consul-general,
arrived at the Adelphi Hotel; and in the course of the
day he. visited the docks, custom-house, and several other
public buildings. His Excellency left here on Tuesday
morning for Manchester. On Wednesday, his Grace the
Duke of Devonshire passed through the town en route
to his estates in Ireland. His Grace during his stay re-
mained at the Adelphi, and stopped a considerable time
to view the New Court-houses and St. George's-hall. The
Mayor waited on his Grace, and invited him to dine at the
Town-hall, an invitation which, udfortunately, it was im-
possible for the Duke to accept, as he had made all his
arrangements for leaving Liverpool by the seven p.m.
boat. We understand that his Grace, who is in the en-
joyment of excellent health, will, on reaching Dublin,
proceed immediately to Lismore Castle, in the county of
Waterford, one of the most picturesque of the ancient
fortresses of Ireland, romantically situated on the river
Blackwater. Here his Grace will be in the midst of his
extensive estates, which extend over a considerable por-
tion of the province of Munster, and embrace the towns
of Youghal, Bandon, Tallow, Dungarvan, &c. It is
said that the immediate object of his Grace's visit to Ire-
land on the present occasion is to make a considerable
reduction in his rents. On Thursday evenng, his Excel-
lency the new Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland arrived in
Liverpool by the half-past six o'clock mail train. After
stopping a short time at the Mersey Hotel, he embarked
on board her Majesty's steam-ship Merlin, and proceeded
to Dublin. His lordship was loudly cheered by a large
concourse of people collected at the George's Pier to
witness the embarkation. Commander Bevis conducted
his lordship on board.
WARRINGTON BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual
weekly meeting of this board was held at the workhouse,
on Wednesday last. From the returns, it appeared that
the number of cases in which rebel had been afforded
during the previous week, throughout the union, was 927,
of which 455 were in Warrington, and 472 in the rural
districts. In Warrington the amount expended was £42
13s. 10(1., of which £26. 13s. 7d. was in money, and £l6
3d. in kind. In the corresponding week last year the
number of cases in Warrington was 485, and the amount
expended £46. 12s. 11d. ; in the rural districts, the
amount of expense was £5O. 3s. 9d., of this sum £44. 9s.
9d. was in money, and £5. 14s. in kind : total expense
£92. 17s. 7d. The number of paupers in the Warrington
Workhouse was 81, and in the one at Newton GO; total
in both 141. Balance due from the union £25. Gs. 10d.
The subject of the house-surgeon of the dispensary being
appointed medical officer for this district of the union, in
the place of Mr. Okell, was again introduced by Mr.
West; he said, that as he found the medical men of the
town generally were opposed to the plan, he should with-
draw it, at the same time he wished to state that it was
only in accordance with what he considered to be his duty
that he originally brought it forward, and not from any
wish merely to remove the present officer. A long con-
versation ensued on the subject, in the course of which it
was suggested that a vote of confidence in Mr. Okell
should be passed by the board; it was, however, con-
sidered quite unnecessary, and the further discussion of
the subject was dropped. A letter on the subject of the
county rate was also read by the clerk from the guardians
of the West Derby union. On the motion of Mr. Broad-
hurst, seconded by Mr. Rylands, it was directed that the
clerk should acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and
state that the guardians would be glad to co-operate with
them in any measures they might consider it expedient to
adopt on the subject. Nothing further of importance was
transacted.

WIFE-HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY.—The llTakefie/d
Journal discloses a laughable courtship, through corre-
spondence, between two parties unknown to each other, in
which a wife-hunter, who it appears resides in Liverpool,
was for a considerable time humoured " to the top of his
bent," and finally left to brood over his folly, the whole
of the letters addressed to him by " the fair one," and
couched in the most appropriate, and, towards the close,
affectionate language, being fictitious. It appears that
some weeks ago an advertisement was inserted in the
Manchester Guardian, to the effect that the advertiser
was in want of a wife, and requesting all communications
to be addressed to the office of that paper. A gentleman
of Wakefield, who saw the announcement, fancied that it
emanated from some fortune-hunter, and wrote to the
specified address, pretending to be a lady of property, who
bad never been able to meet with one of the ruder sex on
whom she could fix her affections. She said that " the
man who would be able to tune her heart to love must be
able to discourse eloquently on literature, science, &c."
The bait took, and a few posts brought a letter, bearing
the Liverpool post-mark, and addressed " Miss Sophia
8., Post-office, Wakefield," in which the writer, after
quoting the above extract, says—" In this respect I am
happy to say our tastes assimilate, for truly the
wish to
of literature and research is that I always wish t
breathe. Yes, fair lady, with one of such congeniality of
sentiment I could, indeed, be happy—especially if her na-
tural temperament were somewhat like my own ; for I
must confess that the desire of possessing one on whom to
lavish all the warmest affections of my heart has ever
reigned paramount with me. I, like yourself, have never
yet loved—and probably from the very same reason, viz.—
that I have not been so fortunate as to meet with, one
whose heart beats in unison wirli my own, or one whose
mind soars above the light and superficial accomplishments
which are, alas ! generally considered the only necessarycescrih
of a lady's education." He then went on to
personal appearance, which, it appears, was not els
exagge-
rated, being really good. Other letters followed between
the parties. At first he wrote under an assumed name,
but afterwards gave his real name and address. The let-
ters breathed the most anxious hopes for the time when
they should have an interview. Hints were given as to
pecuniary affairs, but not prominently. Sophia B. (the
supposed lady's assumed name) wished some time for a
meeting in presence of her sister Matilda, but afterwards
at his solicitation withdrew this proviso. She wrote that
her guardian was strict, and appointed to meet him when
going to afternoon prayers at the parish church in Wake-
field, on the 25th instant. Each exchanged descriptions
of the dress they would wear. He wrote that he usually
wore sables, but on this occasion would wear a light co-
loured vest, and a rose or a book in his hand. He punc-
tually kept his appointment, and about twenty minutes to
three wended his way to the churchyard from his inn, ob-
served by a number of persons in the secret from the
windows of the hotels and shops commanding a view of
the cemetery, after walking about in which for twenty
minutes he left, looking somewhat disconsolate, and 'vs_
toned to the post-office, (as appointed should anythYng
prevent the lady from attending,) when a note awaited
him from Sophia, to the effect
,that she was detained by
a party visiting at her guardian s, but would join him as
early as possible, or if not send another letter by five
o'clock. He accordingly returned to the churchyard,
where he remained 15 minutes, and, again disappointed,
went to his inn. At five o'clock another letter was at ti
post-officr. for him, to the effect that the fair writer's
guardian had discovered all, but t that come what would
she would meet him at the appointed place at nine o'clock
next morning (Friday), and describing how wretched she I
was. It was expected he would find out the trick before
the hour appointed, but he did not, and again went to his
post at the time stated. He paraded about for some
time, much to the amusement of many who were in the
secret, and, then apparently much disappointed, walked
away, followed by a crowd who seemed to enjoy the
hoax.' The Wakefield paper says—" We would advise
him never again
to render himself liable to an exposure
by such silly conduct as advertising for a wife. He is
evidently a man of good education, and surely ought to
have known better;" and thus concludes—" No doubt,
'as long as he lives he will remember Miss Sophia B. and
his Wakefield excursion,—and could he have been intro-
duced to his " lady love," be would have found her a
good-natured and good-humoured lady, fond of a joke,
but fonder of integrity of purpose, and a proper manly
feeling and bearing." The editor of the same paper omits
out of kindness, and from thinking him sufficiently pu-
nished, both his name and address, as well as any allusion
to his private affairs.