The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-10-06 00:00:00

FINANCIAL SUMMARY OF THE WEEK.

INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE STAFFORD-
SHIRE POTTERIES.

(From the Staffordshire Advertiser.)
When Dr. Platt wrote his famous " Natural History
of Staffordshire," in the sixteenth century, he noticed the
part of the country now known as the Potteries principally
for the manufacture of butter-pots—long course earthern
vessels, something like brass-work crucibles,—in which
farmers packed their butter for distant markets. We may
fairly conclude from this circumstance, that the finer de-
scriptions of earthenware were not then made in the
county. At a later period, the manufacture of black, red,
and yellow wares, from native clays, began, and the more
extensive trade thus commenced was further increased by
the introduction of the white clays of Devonshire and
Cornwall; until, about the middle of the last century, the
genius and enterprise of several eminent potters had ele-
vated a rude manufacture into an elegant art, becoming
also an important tributary to the sources of natural
wealth. The district then consisted of a number of scat-
tered villages—we might almost say hamlets—extending
nearly ten miles from north to south, but very thinly
populated, and destitute of public buildings, markets, and,
if we except the old parish churches of Stoke-upon-Trent
and Burslem, without even places of worship. Streets
there were none, and scarcely a turnpike road—for the
great highway ran through the neighbouring borough of
Newcastle-under-Lyme, and there the inhabitants seemed
disposed to keep it, for they actually petitioned parliament
against the opening of a road from Cliff Bank to She ton,
becaut.e it would enable persons to go from Stoke to Bur-
slem without going through Newcastle ! Printed copies
of this petition Lre still in existence. The fact was, that
Newcastle being well supplied with inns, shops, markets,
and all the conveniences of a respectable old town, was a
sort of metropolis to the neighbourhood, and its inha-
bitants naturally viewed with some little jealousy improve-
ments which seemed likely to make it less the centre of
attraction, or threatened to interfere with the stream of
custom from the Potteries which was enriching its trades-
men.
Up to this time, the conveyance of goods to and from
the Potteries was on the back of pack-horses. Even the
lumbering waegon, which then formed the principal means
of transit between distant places, had not been intro-
duced, on account of the narrowness and steepness of the
reads. The want of some better means of conveyance
for articles so heavy and bulky as potters' materials and
manufactured goods, was sensibly felt, and the attention
of persons, locally interested, was directed to the advan-
tages of canal navigation, then being developed by the
enterprise of the Duke of Bridgwater, aided by the ski :I
of Brindley, the engineer. The Trent and Mersey canal
was projected, and in 1776, the " first sod " was cut by
the celebrated Wedgwood. Sanguine as may have been
the expectations of the promoters of the undertaking,
they were speedily more than realised. Parliament did
not then limit the amount of profit to shareholders in
public works, and so great was the traffic on the canal,
that the proprietors were for many years able to divide
something like cent. per cent. on the capital. The advan-
tage to the public was equally great. Trade extended
rapidly, and villages grew up into busy towns, which
have gone on increasing till the aggregate amount of their
population is near upon 100,000—nearly all engaged in
oaanufacturing, editing, or trading pursuits. Thus, from
a place of little note, the Potteries have risen, in less
than a century, to great national impertance. The two
solitary places of worship have increased to about sixty
churches and chapels, several of them calculated to ac-
commodate from 2,000 to 3,000 persons. Day and Sunday
schools exist in abundance. There are six public mar-
kets, held twice a week, and so well frequented that the
tolls of one of them (let forty years ago for about £3O
per annum) are now estimated at upwards of £1,500.
Handsome town-halls have been erected for the conve-
nience of each township. The streets are lined with hand-
some shops; gas gives its cheerful light by night; there
are news-rooms, mechanics' institutes, libraries, literary
institutions, schools of design, savings' banks, and a well-
supported public hospital. A stipendiary magistrate ad-
ministers justice daily, taking the different towns in
rotation. And perhaps not the least of the advantages
possessed, the district is constituted a Parliamentary bo-
rough by the Reform-bill, and sends two members to the
legislature. How few of these things could have been
imagined, when, eighty years ago, the " first sod" of the
canal was turned in Etruria valley !
One would have thought, that with the experience of
the advantages derivable from improved modes of convey-
ance, the dawn of the railway era, in the opening of tha
Manchester and Liverpool line, would have been
eagerly hailed by the inhabitants of the Potteries ;
and so it was, with admiration ! but nothing more.
It never seemed to enter men's minds that a rail-
way might become available to this district.
The Grand Junction Company, after other schemes had
failed,' made various offers of accommodation. First
they proposed what is called the T line from Whitmore,
which was rejected. Then there was the Crescent line
from Crewe, through the Potteries to Stafford. which was
also rejected, and it became evident that nothing less than
a main line would give satisfaction. This brings us
to the close of 1814, when, at public meetings, called
through the instrumentality of Aldermar! Copeland (one
of the Borough Members,) and Mr. liidgwayt various
plans were mooted, for direct communication with Man-
chester, Liverpool, and the new Port of Birkenhead. Tne
Grand Junction Company also again proposed its
Branches ; but the idea of them was scouted, though there
was a strong disposition in some influential quarters to
leave the matter with the Grand Junction on certain con-
ditions, the stipulation, that they should make the line, to
be pointed out by engineers, mutually employed, as being
the best the nature of the country would admit of. After
much negotiation, it was found that the Grand Junction
Company would not acquiesce in anything likely to im-
itair the value of their own main line; and public spirit
being now aroused, and 'the notice of capitalists drawn to
the subject, it was at length determined to form an inde-
pendent company, of which John Lewis Ricardo, Esq.,
the other borough member, became the chairman. No
sooner did the nrospectns appear than the project met
with an almost unanimous support, and as much anxiety
was manifested for allotments of shares, as there had
been previous indifference to a particieation in such un-
dertakings. Our readers are aware of the formidable
opposition, and the number of rival schemes which im-
mediately appeared. For the way in which opposition
was disarmed by skilful negotiation, rivals converted into
allies by amalgamation, and bubble schemes exploded,
until finally the sanction of parliament was gained for the
" North Staffordshire Company," we must refer to what
has appeared from time to time in the public papers.

The local companies (pensioners) are called out for
drill and exercise for four days, commencing on Tuesday,
the 13th instant.
MESSRS. LUCAS'S ESTATILISHMEN'T, GREAT CHAR.
LOTTE-STREET.—Amongst the improvements effected by
priv Ate enterprize in our:town, we have seen few of so
unique adescription as an addition recently made by Messrs.
Lucas and Co., to their well-known extensive Horse and
Carriage Repository, Great Charlotte-street. Many of
our readers have doubtless walked through the splendid
carriage room, which during the Trice week is appropriated
to the reception of the leading turf men, and has been
used frequently as a dining room for the members of the
Liverpool Agricultural Society. Under this room Messrs.
Lucas have lately constructed capacious stabling, calcu-
lated to accommodate, in separate stalls and boxes, from
42 to 50 horses, and at a pinch at least 70. The entrance
is down a platform from the yard. The stable itself is
floored with asphaltum, excellently drained, and is the
airiest and best ventilated apartment we ever entered.
The stalls, of decry elegant construcion, run up each side
of the stable, with very neat cast iron racks and mangers,
and channels to carry off at once the liquid manure from
each. Down the centre is a row of boxes, railed round
and of very neat construction, affording to the horses oc-
cupying them plenty both of standing and breathing space.
The supply of water in abundance is introduced into the
stable ; and, in fact, the accommodation for the conve-
nience of grooming, &c., is complete. The construc-
tion of the stalls and boxes is upon a plan which allows
of the whole stable being converted, at not more than an
hour's notice, into a splendid and commodious carriage
repository, the stalls being unshipped easily and falling
on hinges like gates against the wall, while the interior
division of the boxes are removed with equal facility.
The improvement reflects credit both upon the enterprise
of Messrs Lucas and the ability of the architect employed
by them.
Mr. LOVES' POLYPHONIC ENTERTAINMENYS.—OH
Friday and Monday evenings next, this unique mimic and
ventriloquist will give historical lectures upon the .occult
powers of the human voice, at the Royal Assembly
Rooms, St. George-street. In addition to his ventrilo-
quism, Mi. Love is full of power as an illustrator of
human oddity.; and altogether his nights are well worth
a few hours of the time of people not employed in very
extraordinarily engrossing avocations.
RBI Tar IN KERRY.—The Kerry Evening Post says :
—" The good work goes on bravely in this county.
The landlords of Kerry ate discharging nobly the duties
of their high position. To relieve the distress of their
destitute fellow-countrymen, they are taxing their pro-
perties velh a liberal—we might almost say ruinous—
hand. A half-barony in this county, (North Dunker-
ron,) valued at £6;000 per annum, taxes itself with
£l2,ooo—the fourth of the Government grant for all Ire-
land. Already have we announced the granting by the
magistrates and cesspayers of £20,000 at Cahirciveen, for
the barony of Iveragh ; and of £12,000 in the north half-
barony of Dunkerron. We have this day to add to that
list £22,000 granted on Wednesday last in Listowel, for
Irragbticonnor ; and £30,000 on Thursday, at O'Dorney,
for Clanmanrice.
THE NAVAL RETIREMENT.—III the scheme promul-
gated on the 31st of August by the present Board of
Admiralty, it was intimated that officers not in Eu-
rope, who might be desirous of accepting the retire-
ment, would not be excluded in consequence of their
letters not reaching England before the Ist inst., as
a reasonable time would be allowed for such appli-
cations. Although the number fixed as the retired
list (200) has, we believe, within a very few, been com-
pleted, the Board, acting with becoming good faitb, have
extended the period during which officers may intimate
their desire of accepting the retirement to the let of Nov. ;
the retired pay commencing from the Ist of October, as
originally intended. The scheme includes officers of 50
years of age, who from wounds or ill health are able
of service. We connot help thinking the terms and
this extension of time most liberal on the part of the pre-
sent Board of Admiralty, and we trust those for whom it
is designed will avail themselves of an arrangement so ho-
nourable to them and doubly beneficial, as it will enable a
younger, and not less de i servng set of men to be brought
forward our naval service
A Frenchman who recently published a book advocating
the exclusive adoption of a vegetable diet. thinks that all
the cowardices, infamies, treasons, robberies, cruelties,
murders, assassinations, corruptions, crimes; and other
abominations that we have committed, and are daily com-
mitting, have been owing, and arp owing, to nothing else
than our love of meat.

CONDITION OF THE PEASANTRY.

(From Yesterday's Times.)

On Thursday, an inquiry was instituted at Ryme, Dor-
setshire. into the truth of the statements made in the
Times, by the Hon. and Rev. G. Osborne, as to the condi-
tion of the labourers in that county.
What Mr. Osborne had stated in his letter to the
Times was substantially proved. The employers, how-
ever, appear to claim a seat of triumph, as if the result
was not at all against them. This is important. The
yeomen of Ryme are quite satisfied with the exposef. They
consider themselves not a bit worse than their neighbburs
—if anything, rather more liberal. Ryme, therefore, may
be set down as a favourable, or at least fair. specimen of
Dorsetshire ; and unless the proprietors and occupiers of
the county come forward to protest against the inference,
we may assume that their labourers live under the very
same regime that is here disclosed. As the agricultural
oligarchy of Ryme is so satisfied with the evidence,
we shall be acting fairly by all parties if we quote it.
On the subject of wages there appears to be a great
consent of testimony. Till this year, when a railroad
raised the market 7s. all the year round, with a little
more at harvest, was considered enough for a full-grown
man at Ryme. WILLIAM BARTLETT had no more than.
7s. and cider at harvest. His eldest son, two-and-twenty,
was so fortunate for a time as to get Bs., the usual rate
for single men being only 6s. This was last spring, and
he is now off to the railroad. Previous to that at the
axe of 16. he had 2s. 611. a-week, and neither of the sons
had 3s. a-week till they were 17. Another labourer,
'WILLIAM BUGLER, was born and bred in the place, and
had worked for his employer a dozen years, in and out,
doing any kind of work. For 24 days in the summer
he had 9s. a-week, besides cider, but, he continues, " the
rest of the year I hare 7s. a-week. That has been the
usual amount of wages here ; we have not had more that
I recollect." He proceeds to explain the difficulty of
rising a shilling or two above this hungry average by
" tut-work." His two.sons, 17 and 14, each has the
nominal income of 2s. 6c1., with considerable deductions
for lost time when work cannot be found for them.
HENRY SIMS says,—
" The regular price of labour given in this parish for
years past has been seven shillings a week. 1 worked
for Mr. Brake for that sum all through the summer and
harvest of last year, but liquor was allowed me. This
spring the wages were raised to Bs., and this harvest I
made 9s. by tut-work. I had seven children living when
I worked for 7s. a week, and in the summer of last year I
had only one day's tut.work at mowing. My eldest son
is 15 ; be works for Mr. Genge, the farmer and carpenter,
at 2s. 6d. a week. My next son is ten ;he works for Mr.
Brake, at Is. 3d. a week."
Agrippa Gill, nearly 23, says that before June in this
year his wages were never more than ss. a week, except
when he was at tut-work out of his regular employ. Two
young men at 17, threshed oats by the measure, and got 3s.
a week. The same evidence is given by all. It is remark-
able that 10s. is the verg highest wages mentioned in the
whole proceedings, whatever the work, whoever the
master. It appears to be the acme of a Dorsetshire
labourer's ambition. if for two or three months in the
year, by being up eatly and late, and taxing his sinews to
the utmost, he can get 10s. a week, he is a prosperous
man, and the envy of the parish.
But, as our readers are probably aware by this time,
these magnificent 75., and 6s , and 2s. 6d. are not to be
set down as net income. They are not given solely, or
even chiefly, in money, but also in goods ; and what those
goods shall be does not entirely depend on the labourer's
fancy. A labourer with five children says, that "he
sometimes takes as little as £2 in a whole year in money,
taking the rest of his earnings in goods." The employers
keep shop either with or without disguise, and the la-
bourers must deal with them. We say " must," but
that is questioned ; so let us see. In the first vlace, the
labourers are generally in debt, that is, if they are
honest men. " I have not very often been out of
debt at the shop," says one of the witnesses ; " I
don't think any working men about here are, if
" they can be trusted." Everybody will see what an ele-
ment of necessity there is in that poverty which keeps the
labourer always in arrest. As for the degree of compul-
sion there is to take goods in lieu of money, that is rather
a question of terms than of fact. Whether it be called
compulsion, or constraint, or persuasion, or expectation,
the fact is the same, and appears to be very thoroughly
apprehended and felt by the labourers of Ryme. For our
own part, we should be exceedingly sorry to find ourselves
under the same persuasion to do anything we do not like
to do as these labourers are under to take their wages in'
" goods." But they shall describe this peculiar degree
of persuasion. William Bugler says—
" We are not obliged to take our wages in goods, but
certainly we are expected to do it.
" Mr. Brake.--;-Oh. no, no ; you don't understand ; are
you compelled to take goods?
" Mr. Osborne.—No, lily last question was, are you
expected to take part in goods?
• Witness.—Yes ; Mr. Brake expects us to take come
in goods. In times past lam sure I have given offence
when I did not take some out in goods, and if I did not,
there was nothing for me to do. I have been told by Mr.
Brake that if I did not take some of my wages in goods,
there would be no employment for me. I would sooner
have the ready money, it I could, and lay it out the
cheapest way."
Another witness mentions an agreement with a shop-
keeper farmer to do some draining, and take half the pay
in meat. When pay-day came, there was not money
enough to be found, so the deficiency was made up by in-
creasing the proportion of meat. Again—
" Charles Bugler examined.—Mr. Rasdon, the farmer,
sent to me a year ago to do some thatching for him, but
told me ' He should not pay me in money, for Brake did
not pay his men in money. and he should not ; it mGde a
d—d deal of difference, paying all in money, to what it
was when it was taken out in goods; it made more than
ls. week difference. I took the job ; it came to 7s. I
bad one cheese of him that was not weight by a quarter
of a pound. I have three young children."

AN EXECUTION IN FRANCE.—John Petry, a waiter at
a coffee-house, at St. Ouen, was convicted a month ago
of the murder of his mistress, under circumstances of pe-
culiar atrocity. He was executed last week, at the Bar-
riere St. Jacques. He retained the same revolting indif-
ference which be evinced ever since the committal of his
crime ; and when ascending the steps of the scaffold, he
stopped for a moment, and coolly called out in German
to an acquaintance in the crowd, and asked him whether
his (Petrv's) uncle was present, Almost the entire com-
mune of St. Ouen was present at the execution.
INCAUTION WITH FIRE-ARMS.—One of those acci-
dents of frequent occurrence from the incautious use of
fire-arms, occurred last week to the Rev. Mr. Thompson,
of Llanfechan, Montgomeryshire. The reverend gentle-
man was out shooting, and as he was drawing his gun
through a hedge, with the muzzle towards him, it went
off, and shattered his right arm, which it was found ne-
cessary to amputate above the elbow. A Cork paper re-
lates another melancholy occurrence of the same kind,
which proved fatal to Mr. W. Hallaran, eldest son of the
rector of Magourney, in that county :—" The young gen-
tleman, leaning on the muzzle of his gun, the butt-end
resting on the ground, and at that moment his dog was
observed whisking his tail and pawing, the consequence of
which was the discharge of the fowling-piece, the contents
of which entered his left breast, perforating the lung of
that side obliquely, and passing out under the collar bone,
lodged beneath the under jaw, at the base of the brain.
He was removed to his father's residence, where he shortly
afterwards expired."
THE SALT TRADE—ENGLAND, INDIA, AND FRANCE.
—The exorbitant duty imposed upon salt by the French
Government, which may be bond fide called the royal mono-
poliserof this important article, not only so requisite for the
salubrity of every class of the population, but also to the
great manufacturers of cotton and linen fabrics, the agricul-
tnralists in the improvement of their lands, and the curers
of meat and fish, who annually consume to a very great ex-
tent, so as to allow them to compete with foreign nations
in bringing their productions with advantage to market.
Session after session the question has been brought for-
ward in the Chamber of Deputies, and petitions after pe-
titions, presented by the liberal members, praying for its
total repeal, or at least a great reduction in the duty.
which is so prejudicial to the progress of the industry of the
country. Promises have been repeatedly made, but in vain,
by the Ministers of Commerce and Finance, that the sub-
ject was under the serious consideration of the government;
but as yet no measure has been brought forward by
them in the Chambers, to alter the oppression so much
complained of, and so vital to the well-being of the nation.
The lion may slumber for a time, but if tortured will arise
with greater vigour. Seeing that petitions have had but
little avail, M. Auguste Demesnay, the deputy for the de-
partment of the Doubs, has addressed a very spirited
letter to the thfrerent Paris journals in which he states—
" That he has laid before the President of the Chamber of
Deputies a proposition for the reduction of twenty
centimes or twopence per kilogramme 1,2 lbs.) on the
present duty imposed upon salt. During the last
session, the hon. deputy M. Gay-Lusac, in his re-
port presented to the Chamber of Peers, on the
19th of June last, stated 'that the dearness of salt was
the chief cause of the extensive injury inflicted on the pro-
' gross of agriculture ; that it was the means of creating the
most painful privations to the labouring and poorer classes
of the population, and its reduction would not cnly be a
general benefit to the nation at large, but would create a
large developement in consumption.' These are facts
that could not be denied ; and however disagreeable free
trade and the reduction of duty might be to monopolists,
France, like England, will sooner or later enjoy those be-
nefits that a wise government is in duty bound to bestow
upon the industry and welfare of the nation it governs, and
that particularly after above 30 years of general peace."
The value of salt, " free on board ship," at Liverpool, is
15s. ; the tax on salt in India is £8 3s. 6d. per ton ; the
retail price in the interior about 21d. per lb. ; the con-
snrnption estimated, even by "the Indian Government:'
at 12lbs. per head, or say half that of England ; the
average number comprising one family, five persons ; and
the rate of wages, in many parts of the interior, only
£1 I6s. a-year, on which the wretched ryot has to feed
and clothe himself, arid also buy salt ! This is one of the
most obnoxiaus duties inflicted by the Company upon
English produce ; and it is to be hoped that, ere lone,
after the important meeting that recently was risid
at Northwicb, of cur white salt manufacturers, the
monopolisers of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta, wal
take the subject into their consideration, and the so/vris
of Leadenhall.street will, before many overland mails
arrive, issue their wise—and, we must say, liberal and
just—decree, if not repealing it, at least granting a great
reduction on its importation—it being proved that the
authorities cannot produce a sufficient quantity to meet
the demand of so requisite an article in one or .
Our salt
the hottest
and most changeable climates in the globe.
trade with Hong Kong and China is rapidly on the in-
crease; and all that our salt manufacturers of Cheshire
desire is, that they may Lave the opportunity of developing
their industry by a moderate import duty into the Oit'2eT-
ent ports 91 114410,...-111insug Journal.

(From the Britannia.)
SATURDAY.—Tbere has been considerable fluetuatiow
in the price of Consols this week, and the market has
exhibited that feverish disposition which very slight cir-
cumstances have an effect upon, one way or the other.
Consols for Money have fluctuated between '951 and
and for the account in proportion.
Although the state of Spanish affairs is not regarded
very seriously, yet the uncertainty that hangs over them
has a prejudicial effect in preventing that feeling of secu-
rity which would give more firmness to the market. The
knowledge that formal protests had been delivered to the
Cabinets both of Spain and France, has had some influ-
ence on the mind of speculators, who surmise that
the matter will not rest there, and that our government
has gone too far to quietly withdraw its Opposition without
insisting on some stipulations or conditions that may em-
barrass the relations between the two countries. Spanisk
Stock it is believed, will rise with the completion of the
marriage of the Infanta, for though the nation, by the
alliance, may be politically degraded, the probability is,
that it will be commercially and provincially improved by
a closer connection with its powerful neighbour. But the
entente cordiale between France and England will almost
certainly be disturbed, and some time may elapse before
the intercourse between them is placed on the same
friendly feeling as during the late administration.
The gloomy accounts from Ireland, and the rise of
prices in Mark-lane, have had some depressing influence,
though there seems no reason whatever to apprehend any
real scarcity, as extensive importations continue to arrive,
and the Government Stores in Ireland are known to be
amply furnished.

The Railway calls have been heavy this week, annuity
to upwards of one million and a half, but we do not hear
of any pressure for money in consequence. The transac-
tions have been very quietly managed, and prices have not
given way.

Consols, which closed last week at 95+ to t- per cent.
for present transfer, and 95t to it- for account, advanced
on Monday per cent., and the market generally wore a
firmer aspect. But, on Tuesday, though prices at open-
ing were firm, a disposition was manifested to sell, and
Consols fell tack to I per cert. Towards the close they
again recovered, the last quotations being 9.4 to 1 -10tk
for money, and 951 to for account. Wednesday was a
quiet day, though prices receded one-eighth ; and at that
decline they continued throughout Thursday. Yesterday,
they again fell back, Consols for money doing at 96i to
and for the account 95+ to I.
We note Exche-quer Bills a little higher. They were
done yesterday at 15s. to 18s. India bonds have been
done at 258. In Foreign Securities the busine,s has
been extremely limited. Spanish Stock has advanced,
and was yesterday done; Three per Cents at 37i to
and the Fives at 264 f,r account. Portuguese Bonds are
42; Dutch Two-and-a- Halves, 591 ; Mexico, 25.
in the Share Marke- we continue to notice that absence
of speculation which has for some time past characterised
dealings there. The London and Blackwall have been
materially influenced by the connexion with the London
and Birmingham, both this week and last. They were
yesterday inquired after and done at 9 prem. The market
has been, though so dull, steady; when prospects are
clearer as to the apprehended scarcity, we make little
doubt that we shall have to record a gradual rise in good
descriptions of stock.
Yesterday, the accounts from the Continent were of a
somewhat alarming tendency. Scarcity was eNter felt or
apprehended, and arrangements were entered into for ex-
portations of grain. We may speedily, however, expect
extensive supplies from America, and from Odessa.
By the Gazette of last night we see that the prices for
the week were 535. Id., and, as the tendency at Mark-lane
was still upwards yesterday, we may expect that the lowest
point of duty, 45., will soon prevail. Bs. is the present
figure. The importations from abroad for the last week,
recorded in the Gazette, amounted to 41,409 quarters of
wheat, and 13,000 quarters of oats. The supplies of Indian
corn amounted only to 2,464. quarters.
A report prevails that Lord John Russell will take the
responsibility of suspending the present system of corn
duties. We doubt the truth of this, because it is ex-
tremely improbable that were they removed, supplies
would come in any faster. The limit to them is the
scanty stocks on band, and the difficulty in procuring
shipping, and thst limit would still exist, though all duties.
were to be temporarily abolished.

WATER SUPPLY.

(From the Liverpool Heaqh of Towns' Advocate for

October.)

Although we have already stated our views on this most
important subject, we are very desirous at the presea
time of keeping public attention alive to some points, is
regard to the projected increase of our water supply,
which, if overlooked or neglected, will leave the vast mass
of our fellow townsmen liable to evils similar in character
to those which now press so heavily upon them. No plan
of water supply must be submitted to by the public, which
does not ensure certain indispensable conditions.
FIRST.—We must have soft water. All hard waters
are expensive, both for domestic consumption and manu-
-I,cturing purposes. This hardness arises from the pre-
sence of earthy and saline substances, which decompoie
and destroy a certain quantity of soap in washing, and
occasion a larger consumption of that article than neces-
sary. It has been proved that the water which supplies
Aberdeen contains only one grain per gallon of bat dness;
while that of Manchester has fourteen grains. The water
at present supplied to Liverpool contains rather more ;
but we may assume the hardness at fourteen grains per
gallon. Now Dr. Playfair has shewn that water with
fourteen grains per gallon destroys and renders useless a
quantity of the soap used for washing purposes, equal in
value to 16s. Bd. a year to a family of five individuals.
If we assume the present population of Liverpool at.
330,000, and suppose there were a supply of water of the
same quality now used, adequate to the wants of that
population, there would be an extra expense of no less
than £55,000 a year to the town, in addition to the wear
and tear of clothes. Water, however, could not be ob-
tained quite pure, but if it could be had with a hardness
of two degrees a gallon, which we believe to be quite pos-
sible, a saving would be effected to the town of nearly
£50,000 a year; and this without taking into account the
saving accruing in manufactories, steam boilers, breweries,
&c. It is a low estimate, therefore, to state the hard
water tax of Liverpool at £50,000 a year, every farthing
of which is actually thrown away, without any return
whatever. Now this sum represents a capital of one
million and a quarter sterling, at 4 per cent., which
might be laid out in obtaining a supply of soft water,
without adding one farthing to the present water rental
of the town. We must therefore have no additional
supply of hard water.
SecoND.—We must go beyond the new red sandstone
formation for our supply. All the water of the new red
sandstone is bard. and contans in addition a quantity of
sulphate of lime (plaster of Paris), in solution. Now it
has been shewn, in a communication lately made by M.
Dupasquier to the French Academy of Sciences, that all
waters containing sulphate of lime in solution are injurious
to health, and are to be avoided; and we have thus a very
strong argument for obtaining our supply from some other
formation, which does not yield that ingredient.
THIRD.—We must have an ample supply. In order to
meet every necessity for domestic uses, flushing the sewers,
washing and watering streets, supplying the shipping,
steam-engines, manufactories, &c., there ought to be a
command of water even greater than is proposed for
Glasgow. We want at least twenty millions of gallons
per day, and as much more as we can get, in order to
provide for the great prospective increase of the popula-
tion. The contemplated daily supply of thirty millions
of gallons would therefore not be too much. Let it not
be forgotten that the present supply of Rome is about
250 gallons per diem to each inhabitant; and that the
citizens of New York have spent twelve millions of
dollars on their magnificent works.
FOURTH.—The intermittent plan of supply must 'is
longer be tolerated. It is a clumsy and inefficient, as
well as a very expensive method, and should be abolished
everywhere. It would be discreditable to the engineering
character of the country to submit to its continuance.
We can never expect to realize all the benefits of water
as a sanatary agent, till every street and house has a con-
stant supply, day and night, at high pressure, and all
water cisterns are removed out of the way.

ANNALS OF THE POOR.—Mr. Wokley held an inquest
at Chelsea last Saturday, on the body of a female infant
three months old, the child of very poor parents named
Frith. The father is a man of good character, who
struggled bard to support his wife and two children, but
sickness came upon him, and he was unable to work
constantly. Little by little, the family sunk down to the
lowest state of destitution, and when the child on whom
the inquest was held was born, the mother was too weak
to afford it sustenance from her breast. They tried to feed
it as they best could, but it sickened and died, most pro-
hAily through want of proper nourishment. About three
weeks before the infant's death, Frith was himself laid up
with quinsey ; and his wife applied to the parish for relief,
which was offered them on condition that they should go
into the workhouse, but the man declined to do so " as it
would break up his little home that was dear to him."
They lived during his illness by pawning their clothes and
moveables, the usual recourse of persons so situated.
When they appeared before the corner on Saturday, they
were frighfnlly emaciated, and the woman's intellect ap-
peared to have been affected by want of food. Mr.
Bush, the relieving officer, when asked by the coroner
why he refused relief, said be bad done all he could for
them. He offered them the workhouse, and they re-
fused it ;he acted strictly by the law. The coroner
doubted whether Mr. Bush's interpretation of the
law was correct, and assumed, that as the man was
sick he was bound to relieve their family. Mr. Keene,
the medical officer, stated that the man looked very thin
and miserable when be was suffering under the quinsey.
He did not order him nourishing food, as a man with a
quinsey could not swallow. On a former occasion he had
ordered nourishing food, and that order had not been at-
tended to. A verdict of " natural death" was returned
with respect to the child, and the coroner andjusticykenoeu,s
curred in censuring the relieving officer of the parish for
not providing for the wants of the family, when
observe,
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was in their house.
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Nirt• JACOB'S ENTERTAINMENTS.—This redoutabla
Wizard commenced his feats of sleight-of-hard, or
magic, or whatever else the spectator may call them, last
night, in the Theatre-Royal, Williamson-aquare. Cer-
tainly be is a surprising "genius,—one such as we.nerer
saw before : clumsy tricks are not his forte. He is the
Afognus Apollo of hie art ; unequalled as a.magictan, cud
More amusing than any other of his profession.