The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-02-04 00:00:00

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' ROYALTY IN A COAL PlT.—Some months since two
ladies and a gentleman, Germans, applied to Mr. Laws,
the resident agent at Springwell Colliery, near Newcastle,
for permission to go down one of the pits and inspect the
method of working the coal. He very readily acquiesced
in their wishes, provided them with proper clothing for
their subterranean excyrsion, and descended the shaft
with them, and showed them through the streets and
alleys of his underground dominions. Having hospitably
entertained them at his house, he then dismissed them,
highly gratified with what they had seen. At Christmas
he was agreeably surprised by the receipt of a letter from
Count Groeben, chamberlain to the King of Prussia' re-
calling the circumstance to his recolle‘ tion, thanking him
for his polite attention, and informing him that he was
one of the distinguished visitors, and the others were the
Princess Leignitz, widow of his ate Majesty the K'ng of
Prussia, travelling incog. under the name of Countess
Wilkan, and a lady of her suite. The count further in-
formed Mr. Laws that her Majesty had sent two fruit
baskets of Bohemian glass as a present to his lady, as a
souvenir of their visit to Springwell.—Berwick Warder.

IRON SHIP BUILDING ON THE TYNE.—Some time ago
occasion was taken to point out the many advantages
of the Tyne for Iron Ship Building, and the certainty
that it would become the largest iron ship building port
in the world, and that this branch of business Would
shortly become as much one of the great staple trades of
the district as the coal or iron trade. Since that period,
one of the largest and most eminent firma in London,
Messrs. Miller, Ravenhill, and Co., have established an
iron ship-building yard here, and are now busy building
a magnificent screw steamer, and it is understood are
likely to have four more large steamers on hand before
long. Messrs. Coutts and Parkinson are now building
three more East Indiamen of the largest size, being about
one thousand tons each ; two of which are for eminent
ship-owners, who are fully convinced of the enormous
advantages possessed by iron ships over wooden ones in
point of strength, lightness, capacity, safety, speed,
durability, and economy, not only in the first cost, but
also in keeping them in repair; and what is more
striking and remarkable, is that these gentlemen are
Clyde ship-owners, a fact which speaks highly for the
science and workmanship of this establishment. Mr.
Toward has launched a great number of steam vessels for
the continental trade, and has only one difficulty to con-
tend with, and that is, to get the vessels built quick
enough to supply the demand. Mr. RobsOn, of Gates-
head, and Mr. Marshall, of Shields,- are also very full of
work ; indeed the prospects of this trade are such as bid
fair to more than realise our most sanguine expectations,
orders and enquiries flowing in from all quarters, and very
many from the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and other
parts of Europe.—Newcastle Journal.

GIGANTIC FOSSIL REMAINS.—Last week the labour-
ers employed in the brick yard of Mr. Thomas Johnson
at the north-eastern extremitittbf the Racecourse discove-
red several of the bones of a gigantic animal of the saurian
species. They consist of two maxillaries, numerous ver-
tebrx, the head of the humerus, and apparently part of
the paddle. There are besides, several casts in the clay
resembling an irregular cellular tissue, remarkably deep
and' perfect. They would seem to be the impressions of
the bossy surface of an extremely rugged skin. The most
perfect of the two jawbones is about two feet in length,
somewhat in the form of a spatular, the root branching
off into a fork. The other extremity is rounded off, but
with a small division in the centre. On either side the
jaw is a row of 34 sockets for the teeth, two or three of
which still remain in a broken state. The sockets are dis-
tinct from each other, and are about a quarter of an inch
apart. The extreme end of the jaw seems to have been
additionally armed with jutting-out teeth in the manner
of those of the rabbit. The width of the jaw at the ex-
tremity is about two inches, at the root between four and
five. What seems to have been the upper jaw is in a far
less perfect state than the other, both extremities being

Feb. 4,185 L

Enbentorol Altrbaniral Qtolitmn.

PATENT LAW REFORM.—The committee appointed
by the council of the Society of Arts held their ninth
meeting on Saturday. The following resolution was
agreed to by the committee with regrrd to the importa-
tion of inventions :—" That the importation of any
patented invention practised abroad shall not confer a
title of registration, except in the cases of the proprietors
or inventors, within twelve months from the date of the
foreign patent ; and that no invention of which the
patent has expired in any foreign country, or which has
been published fer a period of twelve months in any
foreign country, or which is in free public use in any
foreign country, shall be capably of being registered in
the United Kingdom."

THE EXHIBITION ASSISTANTS.-A number of sappers
and miners have arrived in London, and are to be quar-
tered in Kensington Palace. Their duty. will be to take
charge of different sections of the articles to be exhibited
in the Palace of Industry. Two hundred of the corps are
engaged, who receive from the commissioners two shil-
lings a day each. _ _ _

Mr. George Little, late of the firm of Brett anti Little,
is now preparing to take out patents for some highly-
important improvements in electric colloquial telegraphs.
If we are rightly informed, Mr. Little's discoveries are
somewhat wonderful.—Mining Journal.
WYLD'S GREAT GLOBE.—A building is about being
erected, chiefly of wood, iron, and glass, in the centre of
Leicester-square, for the erection of this extraordinary
globe.

QUESTIONABLE SAFETY OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE
STancreue.--Daring three of the weekly evening meet-
iegs of the Society of Civil Engineers, the mode of con-
struction of the building in Hyde-park for the Exhibition
of all Nations has been the topic of consideration. On the
first evening Mr. Digby Wyatt read a paper on the sub-
ject; on the second, a very animated discussion ensued,
Mr. Turner, who constructed the conservatory in Kew-
gardens, and who was one of the rejected competitors,
exhibited a very magnificent model of his design for an
Industrial Palace, and contended that the building was
insecure. This statement received an apparently satisfac-
tory answer from Mr. Paxton and Mr. Scott Russell. On
Tuesday last, however, the subject was again opened by
the Astronomer Royal, who expressed his opinion that
the building was not sufficiently secure, and his fears that
it would some day come tumbling about the ears of the
people like a pack of cards. This expression of opinion
from one who has ever been respected as a high authority
on' mechanical and physical subjects cannot be neglected.
Mr. Fox replied to the statements in a clear and simple
manner, and we are quite disposed to believe that the
fears of Professor Airy are groundless; but the Executive
dare not, for their own sake, shirk the question. They
must fairly and fully meet it; and, by competent judges,
the public must be satisfied that they may venture within.
the Crystal Palace, when it is laden with the world's in-
dustry, and the throngs of the world's visitors, without
fear of accident to life or limb.—Literary Gazette, of
Saturday.

PATENTS GRANTED.
Burgess, William, of Newgate-street, London, guttt
percha dealer, for " improvements in machinery for cut-
ting turnips'and other substances."
Clift, Samuel, of Bradford, manufacturing chemist, for
" improvements in the manufacture of potash, soda, and
glass." ,

Elliot, George, of St. Helens, Lancashire, chemist, for
" improvements in the manufacture of alkali."
Loradoux, Auguste, of Bedford-street, Strand, for
" certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for
raising water or other fluids." ' (Communication.)
Mead, Charles Roper, of Charlotte-cottages, Old Kent-
road, Surrey, mechanical engineer, for " improvements
"-” cutting turnips, carrots, mangold wurzelr
bles."

in apparatus f
and other vegeta

St. John John Ransom, of New York, in the United
States of America, for " improvements in the process of,
and apparatus for,-manufacturinz soap."
Sievier, Robert William, of Upper Holloway, Middle-
sex, gentleman, for " improvements in weaving and
printing or staining textile goods or fabrics."

INDEPENDENT ASSURANCE COMPANY.—THE Foul'
Joserns.—On Saturday, before his honour Master Till
'ley, the settlement of the list of contributories was pro-
ceeded with. Mr. Roxburgh, on the part of Mr: Hutton,
official manager, appeared to show cause why Mr. Joseph
Turnley, lighterman, should not be placed on the list
as having applied for thirty shares, and bad them allotted.
and paid the deposit, but had never signed the deed. Mr.
Joseph Turnley, solicitor, stated that the Joseph Tumid"
upon whom the summons had been served bad never ar
plied for shares, or had any thing to do with the company'
There were, in fact, four Joseph Turnleys, viz., Joseph
the son, Joseph the cousin, and Joseph the gradfather,
all lightermen. (Laughter.) The case was then adjourned,
for the production of the right Joseph.
THE SEAMENS' STRIKE.—At Tynemouth, on Mondatf
70 armed policemen took possession of the quay with
drawn cutlasses, in consequence of outrages on the Pa",
of the men upon a crew who had signed articles-at under'
wages. Order, however, was restored to the town in the
evening, and the policemen were withdrawn.- The mill'
tary were under arms at Tynemouth Castle, and ready at
a moment's notice. The mayor has written to the
Admiralty requesting them to send immediAtely a yrs?'
steamer down to protect the vessels in the harbour. The
clerks from the shipping-offices were obliged to go 0:
board the vessels ready for sea at Shields on Monday, and
get the men to sign articles there, as they refused to enter
the offices for the purpose. Freights were up at Is. 6A
a ton, and a number of others fixed their vessels for the
London market. A long memorial to the.' Board °`
Trade, relating to the shipping-offices received the sigl
tures of 2000 seamen and ship-carpenters on Monday an
Saturday, making above 4000 seafaring people'-beloogi?;, •
to the Tyne and Wear alone who have polled against ta_ ,
shipping-offices and regulations of the Board of Trade
their present form. A deputation from the united n.
of North and South Shields seamen have waited n 0,4,
the mayor of Tynemouth, and explained their grievant
to him. They say they want nothing but peace ece,
order, and affirm that the attacks on the shipping D'''; •
and the brig commerce were made without their cog °Di;
zance. Some of the shipowners in the north have give
the advanced wages, and more it is expected will fodoe
the example. Referring to Hull, the Herald, of Tho,l
day, says ;—" During the week the agitation has extended
to Hull, and a pretty general strike has taken place. 140
grievances complained of are a recent reduction of Rats,
and the operation of the shipping offices, the latter flio
pecially being looked upon with hatred. As far as t'be
port is concerned, the Mercantile Marine Act malbhe
regarded as the principal grievance complained of by 'at
men, for the wages here are notoriously higher tharY4
other ports." Altogether there are 6000 or 7000 meo.
strike.
APPREHENSION OF. MRS. SLOANE.—This was effe",tea
in the following manner :—Mr. Sloane was eeddest
missed from London, and accordingly Superinteno„,
Hodgson, and Daniel May, who was thoroughlP
quainted with Mrs. Sloane's person, started of to f4;65
logne, where they, found Mr. and Mrs. Sloane, and
_`,3,
Devaux, who were on the point of returning to EngisAij
to be in readiness, it is believed, to appear at the 1;1
Bailey next week. As they were walking from the statio
towards the pier at Boulogne crowds of people flooked
tAlirs.
espsoltoatnoe
tsheeattshheemm.
isSseodhergreatti
fwoaon on d
stghetrepidation.
eseendlt
the steps on to the vessel, and fell a considerable distant'
but fortunately received no material injury, as she
caught by the steward of the vessel, when near the d"heit
Superintendeni; Hodgson and Daniel May then tools
ora
places in the boat, and in a short time they arrived 5$ to
at Folkestone, where an immense crowd were waititlio
receive them. Mrs. Sloane left Mr. Sloane and ,
Devaux in the cabin, and was making her way-to the
sd
way station, inwardly congratulating herself that she 'Ol.
passed unrecognised, when the officers presented the r'
selves before her. She displayed a great amount of $OO
vousness, and when addressed by her name she beesoo
very much affected, and almost fainted away, With lee
difficulty she was conveyed to the railway, station, woe'
she was allowed to remain in a private waiting roorehege
til the departure of the express train, by which it had ',led
arranged she should proceed to London, and thus eacslo% I
the unpleasant and dangerous consequencestof procee'trie
through the streets, as the news had been sent by eked'
telegraph, and the London station was accordingly era le
ed during the whole of the early partuf the moeniato
expectation of her arrival. As soon as possible coo
Sloane was taken to Westminster (on Tuesday), °I het
Mr. Justice Erle was then presiding ;- the warrant for
committal was signed, and, although due notice had 'soli
given to her solicitors, Mrs. Sloane was not prepared,i
her required bail, and was therefore committed to,, ,hef
gate. She was dressed rather shabbily, and altoge
presented a most wretched appearance. eo
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.—On Tuesday last an leg°, el.'
was commenced before Mr. Badger, coroner for the Sled
field and Rotherham district, on the body of a manDsl;(l'
Joseph Firth, lying dead at the village of. Thurgotio
The deceased, who was a bachelor, was connected ',Of
the management of a colliery in the neighbourhood ?lite
place where the inquest was held, and for severa,vbeeo
immediately preceding Friday in last week lie haft, ;JO
out " on the spree," drinking at Barnsley, and on o'oo
morning, about two o'clock, he was found lyiPS ,reto,
footpath, about 100 yards from his own cottage.
005
colliers, who were going to their work, found hi s° ingt°
on their first seeing him asked him if he was not el
get up. He replied " Yes," but was unable to get Ile
himself. The men; took him into his own house anopi'
him, supposing he was only labouring urtler the 5.40°
fying effects of the liquor he had drunk. There virTers
one in the house at the time, but about an hour or;bl4
woman who lived next door to the deceased went if' bicil
house, having heard him fall out of the bed into I'4
the two men had put him, who then left for their w°,,DO
a neighbouring colliery. The woman asked Firth "00
was the matter with him, but all be said.in reply 0e
" Beer,," making signs as if he wanted some. She De 91)4
alarmed by the man's condition-, the more so its 144
observed a wound in his head, and a medical IDEr til
quickly procured, who did everything he could ti°
unfortunate sufferer, who, however, never;
died on Saturday morning. On a post martens e. the
nation being made, a small leaden bullet was fennel Tt:e4
head of the deceased. It had entered at the back
head, passed through the upper portion of the brais:le)
was lodged firmly against the left temple. The `
where the deceased was found was near a stone sti/e,:oc
it was at first supposed that ho had fallen down °"( L"
the stile and injured himself, but the discovery 0,01
bullet in his head revealed the true cause of the bro.°
fellow's death. He was about 43 years of age. M
is at present known, the last person with him "'o
brother, who says be saw him part of the way
Thursday night at 12 o'cicok, and then left him,
ing that though in liquor he was quite able to o`,it
way. From no report of firearms having been heed
the persons who live near the spot where the deceit° Ur
found, it was conjectured by some that an air guobe
been used. It does not appear that any money 1151:1
taken from the deceased. The inquest was adjourn"-