The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-01-08 00:00:00

&Herat Aliatilanv.

It is stated that £lOO,OOO in gold is expected to arrive
from Russia in about a fortnight.—Times,
On Thursday, Brunswick Honse, situate on theWands-
worth road, London, was destroyed by fire. _ _

Frederick Grimwood, who had previously broken out of
Ipswich gaol, has made his escape from the gaol at Bury.

-
GAME FOR WORKHOUSES.—The Earl of Carlisle added
several fine hares to the repast of the inmates of the Mel-
ton union workhouse on Unristmas Day.

The British navy, which is victualled by rontraot, is at
this moment supplied from foreign, and not British pro-
duce.

A Stone barge, name not known, sank in the river at
Bristol on Tuesday. She was very deeply laden, and went
down in the swell caused by the Osprey steam . packet-
The Dean and Chapter of Durham have given £lOO to
the fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of the
South Shields pilots. The sum already subscribed
amounts to about £3,000.
At a court martial at Plymouth, on Tuesday, Lieutenant
Lowry, of Her Majesty's sloop Britomart, was found
guilty of intoxication and other unprofessional charges,
and sentenced to be dismissed the service.

From the Roman Catholic directory for this year, it
appears that there are now in England 674 chapels, 880
priests, 13 monasteries, 41 convents, 11 colleges, and 259
schools.

A testimonial has been presented by the operatives of
the Times establishment, to John Walter, Esq., expres-
sive of the high regard in which he is held by every mem-
ber of his establishment.

On Friday morning, Vernon, the Chartist, was released
from prison by her Majesty's command. It is understood
that the punishments of other misguided parties will also
be mitigated.

Lord Seaham, the son of the Marquis of Londonderry,
has met with a severe accident while shooting in Wyn-
yard Park. Some small shot struck his lordship's left
cye, of which he will lose the sight.
A Sherborne paper says, that the purchaser of the bed
on which Sarah Thomas murdered her mistress in Trench-
ard-street. Bristol, by a bidding of 2s. 6d., has disco-
vered £7OO stowed away in it.
AMERICAN CIDER.-A vessel, just arrived from New
York, has brought some barrels of cider, consigned as a
portion of her cargo. This is a very unusual importation
from the United States at this season of the year.
A Sunderland captain, who was lately in Russia, re-
ceived there a copy of the Sunderland Herald, but all the
articles relating to Hungary, Austria, or Russia, were cut
out by the authorities, and the amount of postage was
3s. 6d.

Several accidents have occurred on the ornamental
water in St. James's-park. Among the number who
were providentially saved was the well-known M. Soyer,
of the Reform Club, who, as a mark of gratitude, sent
ten guineas to the Royal Humane Society.

Messrs. Overerd, Glirney, and Co. bill-brokers, have
given notice to their customers of their having re-
duced the rats of interest upon money at call to one and a
half per cent.
An incendiary fire broke out on Thursday night, on the
farm of Mr. Stratton-of Manningford, near Hungerford.
Two extensive ricks, the produce of five acres of corn, a
large stable, besides other farm property, were entirely
consumed.

Among some skaters and sliders who were immersed by
the breaking of the ice on the ornamental water in one of
the London parks, on Monday last, was M. Soyer ; but
happily neither the distinghished chef de cuisine nor any
of the others sustained any serious harm.

At a meeting of the London dock proprietors held on
Tuesday, a dividend of £2 10s. for the half-year, free of
income tax, was proposed ; after which, and the appro-
priation of £15,000 to new works, there would be a balance
of £33,900.
SHIP-BUILDING AT SUNDERLAND.—There are now 93
new vessels on the stocks on the River Weare, and the
demand continues good for them. As a proof, out of 14
vessels now building upon the Sands at Monkwearmouth
Shore, all of them of large tonnage, 13 are sold.
Three men were killed in Glasgow, on Monday week,
by an explosion of gas. The gas escaped from the main
pipe in one of the streets, penetrated a large vault belong-
ing to a fishmonger, and on the three men entering the
cellar with a lighted candle, an explosion took place,
which resulted in their deaths.

A TALL or MYsTEur.—The following singular adver-
tisement appeared in the Times of Saturday :—" E. M. P.
—All is known, all is made right at the bank, and all is
forgiven ; only immediately communicate with and return
to your father, his arms are open to receive you. You
have nothing to fear; your brother still at home." 1:_,-
WRECK OF Two ENGLISH VESSELS.—A letter from
Fecamp of the 30th ult. announces the wreck on that
coast of the English brig Planet, of Whitby, and the
Anna Lucy, of London. The crew of the Planet were
saved ; the fate of the crew of the Anna Lucy is not
known.

FATALFIGHT.—On Saturday week, a man named Blane,
a labourer, residing at Delamere Forest, and another man
of the name of Bracegirdle, whose friends reside in or near
Northwich, had a quarrel in a beer-house, in Witton-
street, Northwich, and fought for some time ; when the
latter gave the other an unfortunate blow on the neck
which instantaneously deprived him of life.
BLACK SHOWER.—AIong various parts of the braes of
Angus and Mearns, we have heard of late that a black
substance has been noticed, and which, it is supposed, has
fallen from the heavens; so great, in some places, that it
could be shovelled up like a thin coating of snow from the
ground. The sheep had, in many cases, their fleeces quite
blackened by it.—Dundee Advertiser.

The Ipswich Express says that, on Christmas Day, as
S. Tillett, Esq., of Hill House, near Colchester, was in
the act of drawing a cork from a bottle, the neck broke,
and his left hand was so much lacerated, that he became
quite exhausted from the loss of blood. A surgeon suc-
ceeded in stopping the blood, but Mr. Tillett has been
since confined to his bed.
BURIAL CLUBS.—Most of the burial clubs in this
county have been broken up since the proceedings in
Tendring hundred showed the crimes they might instigate.
The system was to pay 6d. each on the death of a mem-
ber, and parties in this neighbourhood state they were
occasionally called on for 2s. at a time, and had paid con-
siderable sums in this way, all of which is of course lost
to them.—Chelmsford Chronicle.
SCIENTIFIC VISIT TO :ICELAND.—Dr. Daubeney, pro-
fessor of chemistry at Oxford, states, in the London
Guardian, that a steamer is to start rom Leith, about
two months before the next meeting of the British Asso-
ciation, for the purpose of carrying out a scientific expe-
dition to explore the geology of Iceland. It is arranged
that the voyagers shall return in time to communicate the
result of their observations and discoveries to the con-
gress in Edinburgh.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.—The. directors of the
Sheffield Banking Company have addressed a circular to
their shareholders, containing the following notice :—" In
pursuance of the powers given in the deed of settlement,
the directors of the Sheffield Banking Company. finding
that, in the present state of commercial and monetary
affairs, they cannot profitably employ so large a capital as
heretofore, have concluded to return to the shareholders
the sum of £lO per share."
THE SMALL TENANTRY OF SUTHERLAND.—We un-
derstand that the Duke of Sutherland has determined to
grant leases to all the industrious and deserving of his
small tenantry. This step has long been in contempla-
tion on the part of his grace and Mr. Loch, his commis-
sioner, who think that this course can now be adopted.
It will still more popularise the " good duke" among the
small tenants, and will, we trust, be found to benefit all
parties.—lnverness Courier.
AWFUL EVENT.—A fearful circumstance occurred, a
few days ago, at Unstone, near Dronfield. A tailor, of
the name of Garforth, formerly of Chesterfield, was
drinking at a public-house at that village, and, as had
been his custom, we are informed, for several years, when
in liquor, was mocking imbecile persons and such as had
the misfortune to present deformity in their appearance,
and whilst in the act of frightfully distorting his counte-
nance, he was struck with paralysis, and remains a most
hideous object.—Derbyshire Courier.
In the London Insolvent Court, on Friday. George
William Drummond Hay, late a Lieutenant in the Royal
Artillery, was remanded to prison for six calendar months,
in addition to two months of imprisonment already en-
dured, for " obtaining money on checks which he had no
right to give," for " most frightful extravagance," and
"utter recklessness" of living. The insolvent was now
twenty-two ; his debts had twice been paid by his friends,
and now amounted to £2,000 within the last eighteen
months.

CURIOUS DEATH.—On Thursday, at Hastings, a child
named Tapp, nine years of age, ate two (onions from a
bottle of pickles, and drank some!of the vinegar, which
shortly afterwards suffocated him. At the inquest the
surgeon stated that he had made a post-mortem examina-
tion of the body, and found it to contain some undigested
food, and about two ounces of vinegar (a wineglass full) ;
and he had no doubt that deceased died from suffocation,
in consequence of having got some of the vinegar in the

windpipe.
Lord Londonderry has notified to his tenantry that
until they have adopted the improved system of agricul-
ture that has been introduced, ' they have no right to call
upon him for a reduction of moderate rents, fixed at a pe-
riod when produce was lower than at present;' and that,
although prices have since greatly fluctuated, some years
being so high as to justify an increase of rent, yet none
was made, because ' a vacillating system of payment, suc-
cessive ups and downs, would be altogether inadmissible
on a great estate.'
TREASURE TROVE.—A short time ago, Mr. Joseph
Tunstall, of Bowes, Yorkshire, was engaged in opening
out some ground on his farm near that place,: when he
found what appeared to be a large oval ring, open at one
side; such as might be put round the wrist of a female.
A further search disclosed five more, of three different
sizes, and all have much the appearance of the letter G.
On being tested, they were pronounced to be pure gold.
The whole weigh nineteen ounces. _ _

Two BROTHERS DROWNED.—An accident occurred on
the ice near Cirencester, on Saturday, by which two of the
sons of Mr. Thomas Bowly, draper, lost their lives. Daniel
Bowly, aged about twelve years, was passing along the
ice, when it broke, and the youth sank into the water.
An elder brother, named Thomas, aged 14, on seeing his
brother sink, courageously rushed in after him, and in a
fruitless attempt to save his brother, he also sank, and
both were drowned. The father of the deceased was at
the time in London, but was expected to return that night.
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—On Thursday, the 27th
ult., a man named Henry Page, residing near Hastings,
Sussex, while shooting on Winchelsea marshes, accompa-
nied by a friend, named Kent, was accidentally shot
in the knee by a discharge from his companion's gun,
which was of such a dangerous character as to render am-
putation necessary. The shock which the nervous system
had endured appears to have been too great for the unfor-
tunate man, for, when least expected by his medical atten-
dants, he died on the morning of the following Tuesday.
Page was shortly to have been married to Kent's sister.

BURNING WATER INSTEAD OF LAMP OlL.—The New
York Sun has a letter from Worchester, Massachusetts,
in which the writer claims to have invented and put in
use an apparatus which separates the oxygen of which
water is composed, and produces gases for lights. This
is done at no other expense than that of the machinery,
as no material but water is used. The water is decom-

posed by a current of electricity, evolved by the appara-
tus ! The labour of five minutes, once in two hours in

the day, in winding up the machine, is all that is required
to produce 250 cubic feet of gas. The expense of the
machine is 300 doilars, and it can be carried by a man
under his arm. Such is the description of it. Time will

determine whether it is even so.
itonurt Hoon'e TOWN.- In Robin Hood's Town, near
Whitby, there dwells, or rather did dwell, two very old
women (sisters) of rather superstitious and eccentric de-
meanour. Their father was a "true British sailor," and
principally employed in the coal trade. Upwards of forty
years ago this good man brought home two coals of ex-
traordinary size, which were carefully deposited in an old
chest. This chest has since been kept locked, and its
contents carefully guarded with sacred vigilance. A fort-
night since one of these old women tied, and her last re-
quest was that when dead the old chest should be opened,
and one of the large coals taken to burn at her " wake,"
which was accordingly done. The other coal is yet safely
preserved, for the purpose of being burnt at the wake of
her sister.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.--Shortly before one o'clock on
Thursday morning, a fire, by which two persons nearly
lost their lives, broke out in the Ship in Distress Tavern,
Wardour-street, Soho, London. It seems that Mr.
Pearce, the landlord, after having closed for the night,
was filling a vat with gin, when the candle came into con-
tact with the spirit, which immediately ignited, and with
the rapidity of lightning fired other vats, and in a short
time the flames were rushing up the stairs and commu-
nicating to the rest of the house, Mr. Pearce havinz
barely time to alarm his barmaid, with whom he escaped
out of one of the windows. Notwithstanding the prompt
attendance of the engines, the flames were not extin-
guished until the whole of the valuable stock was con-
sumed.

LABOURERS IN SUSSEX.—The Epiphany Quarter Ses-
sions for the Eastern Division of the county were held at
Lewes on Tuesday. In charging the Grand Jury, the
Earl of Chichester (chairman of the sessions) called atten-
tion to the fact that of the 32 prisoners charged in the
calendar, 17, or more than half, were from Brighton ; the
remainder, 15, being the total of the commitments from
the agricultural districts of the county. He thought they
might therefore conclude that there was no great dearth of
employment. It was highly creditable to the farmers and
to the county to know that notwithstanding the great
pressure and difficulties, they had taken the wisest step for
their own interest as well as the community, in keeping
their labourers honest by affording them employment.
There was plenty of agricultural employment, if they had
capital to carry it out.

Lord John Scott has discharged his gamekeeper, and
has give his tenants notice that they are at liberty to kill
game on their respective farms. His lordship reserves the
woods and plantatious to himself, with a request that, as
he does not make a 4affic in game, his tenants will follow
his example. He particularly requests that foxes may be
preserved on his estate.
AFFECTING DEATH.—A melancholy event occurred in
the town of Builth, near Hereford, about a fortnight
since, entirely, though not directly, caused by that never-
failing source of direful accidents, the incautious use of
fire-arms. Mary Hushes, a respectable female servant
who had been two years in the service of two widow
ladies, was suddenly informed of the death of a sister at
Wimbledon, Surrey, who was shot accidentally by a
gentleman discharging a gun in the direction of a door
which the poor girl at the moment suddenly entered.
Although a cheerful young woman previously, Mary
Hughes never recovered the shoek, but falling into hys-
terical convulsions survived only a few days.
A LAWYER'S PROMISE.—At the late meeting of the
Yeovil Agricultural Society, all the professional gentle.
men present were called up in succession to speak. Mr.
George Hancock, although "not least," came "last."
and, after expressing his gratification that the gentlemen
of his profession should be so liked by the meeting, ob-
served, in reference to a remark which had previously
fallen from one of his professional brethren, as to the pro-
bability of the estates falling, by-and-by, into the hands
of the lawyers, that " he could assure them he should be
very glad when that time arrived (a laugh, and applause),
as he would then make a considerable reduction in all
their rents to meet the times. (This promise elicited
roars of laughter and cheering.)
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.—The concession signed by
Louis Napoleon and the Minister of the Interior, M.
Dufaure, granting to Messrs. J. Brett, Toche, and Co.,
the right to establish an electric telegraph line between
France and England, by a sub-marine communication,
has arrived. The company propose to establish, by means
of the electrio telegraph, an instant communication be-
tween the two countries. The patentee guarantees that
this telegraph shall, by the aid of a single wire, and of
two persons only, (the one stationed in France, and the
other in England,) be capable of printing, in clear Roman
type, (on paper,) 100 messages, of fifteen words each,
including addresses and signatures, all ready for delivery
in 100 consecutive minutes.

AVERAGE PRICES OF WHEAT.-The average annual
price of wheat, since 1838, has been as follows :- .
1. Od. per bushel
Bs. 10d. „ five years'
d. „ average,Bs.
a bushel.

1838..645. Id. per quarter, 8s
1839..705. 8d

1840..665. 4d
1841.. 645. 4d

1842.. 575. 8d
1843.. 50s. ld
1844.. 51s. 3d
1845.. 525. Od
1846.. 545. 8d

7s. la,
63. 3d,
6s. sd,
6s. 6d
6s. 10d,

PIP

I six years'

I. average,
6s. 9d.

1847.. 695. 9d. „
Ss. Bd. „ abushel.
" I
1848.. 50s. 6d. „ 6s. 9d. „ J
The average of the above eleven years is 595. 2d. the
quarter. The average of the first five years is 655. 7d. the
quarter, and of the last six years it is 545. Bd. the quarter.
DISTRESSED NEEDLEWOMEN.—The following docu-
ment, from the pen of the Earl Stanhope, has been received
by Mr. S. Herbert, in reply to an application to that no-
bleman to aid the project for the emigration of the dis-
tressed needlewomen of the metropolis :—" Sir,—l have
received your circular letter respecting the distressed
needlewomen, which, I think, ought to have been sent
exclusively to those who, in common with yourself, have
supported the system of free trade, which is the principal
cause of their destitution, and not to any of those who,
like myself, have strenuously opposed it, and are not re-
sponsible for its consequences. Tbere are innumerable
other victims of free trade, and in order to redress their
grievances it is indispensibly requisite to protect fully and
effectually every branch of British industry against the
competition of foreigners in the home market."
INTOLERANCE OF A ROMISH PRIEST.—A Jewish Rabbi
in the City of London who keeps an Irish servant, last
week, found out, to his great astonishment and grief, that
whole leaves had been torn out of his Hebrew Bibles,
and other books, and even out of his manuscript works,
among which there is one presented to him by the late
Duke of Sussex. On examining the servant, she openly
admitted that, having made confession to a Catholic priest
in London, and having stated to him that she lived with
a Jewish Rabbi who studied his Hebrew books day and
night, he advised her to destroy them ; and she therefore
tore out as many pages as she could, and lit the fire with
the obnoxious papers. Incredible as this story may
appear in a civilized country and age, it is nevertheless
true. The Rabbi has dismissed the servant; but the
matter will be further investigated, and perhaps the stupid
priest may be brought to his senses.—Jewish Chronicle.
NARROW ESCAPE OF A SURGEON AND HIS FAMILY.—
On Monday, while the ice in the Round Pond, in Ken-
sington-gardens, London, was described as being one and
a half inch in thickness, and there were about 1000 per-
sons upon it, Mr. J. Merriman, surgeon, 9, Kensington-
square, his son, his two eldest daughters, and two young
ladies of the name of White, also relatives, were proceed-
ing arm-in-arm across the ice, when it suddenly broke,
and the whole of the parties fell into eight feet of water,
and before they could be rescued one of the Misses White
went under the ice. Icemen Deze and Cook instantly
proceeded to the scene of the accident with breaker ladders
and the sledge. After considerable trouble the whole of
the persons, with the exception of Miss White, were extri-
cated, and' to rescue her the iceman was obliged to put
his arm under water as far as his shoulder, when be happily
succeeded in reaching her and pulling her out. She was
of course much exhausted.

OFFICIAL RETURNS OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.—
The official returns of the Board of Trade for the month
and the eleven months ending the sth instant, are pub-
lished. Increase in exports on the month, 375,900; and
on the year, 9,652,000. Metals, on the whole, shew an
increase, but not nearly as marked as that on textile goods.
Exports of hardware and cutlery were larger : and in glass
there was a slight increase. A large quantity of silt ma-
nufactures shipped. In quantity of coffee imported into
the United Kingdom there is an increase from 23,241,0001 b.
to 33,928,000 lb. There is a decrease in cotton yarn, but
an increase in rice, silk manufactures, sheep's wool, spi-
rits, foreign sugar, and tea. The imports, during the
eleven months, shew an increase in coffee, flax, silk manu-
factures, brandy, tallow, and sheep's wool ; in rum and
tobacco a falling off, and no great increase in wine. In
the shipping employed in foreign trade, entered inwards,
there is an increase during the eleven months of 582,800
tons ; and in those cleared outwards, during the same
period, of 451,800 tons. There is a slight falling off in the
coasting trade, owing no doubt to railway depression.
Mr. Barnum has addressed• a letter to the New York
Herald, correcting some mistakes as to the offer he has
made to Jenny Lind to cross the Atlantic. He writes—
" I understand and believe that Mr. Knowles, manager
of the Manchester Theatre, who engaged Jenny Lind to
sing in the provincial towns of Great Britain, paid £4OO
sterling per night. I understand, also, that it was no
unusual thing for Mr. Lumley, director of the Queen's
Opera in London, to receive £l,BOO to £2,000 sterling on
Jenny's nights. It is absurd, therefore, to suppose, that
I could expect to engage her two hnndred nights for
50,000 dollars—only 250 dollars per night. Now, the
truth is, I have offered her four times that amount per
night, besides paying the expenses from Stockholm, and
during her engagement of herself and her companion, a
financier (probably her father), and two servants, besides
placing a carriage always at her disposal, and paying every
description of expense attending the concerts or operas
in which she may sing ; and I have offered to place
£lO,OOO sterling in the hands of her banker in London,
to secure the fulfilment of my proposition."
As shocking a circumstance, says the Times, as ever
disgraced the administration of the Poor-law has just oc-
curred at Southampton. A wretched creature, one Eliza-
beth Biggs, far advanced in pregnancy, was starved to
death in the hands of the Poor-law officials of that town,
during the last days of last week. The details of the case
are so dreadful that, but for the solemnity of the investi-
gation by which they were brought to light, we should
almost hesitate to admit the possibility of their truth.
Upon whom the definite blame should be fixed is not yet
very clear. The coroner's jury who had heard all the
evidence, and who, by their verdict, appear to have been
inclined to discharge their duty in a conscientious spirit,
could not arrive at any certain conclusion upon the sub-
ject. Their verdict was to the effect that the miserable
woman had died from starvation, and exposure to the cold,
and want of the common necessaries of life. " There has
been," added the jury, " ereat and culpable neglect on
the part of some of the officers connected with the admi-
nistration of the Poor-law, at Southampton, in not receiv-
ing the deceased into the workhouse, and providing for
her proper lodging and nourishment on the nights of Fri-
day and Saturday of last week ; but it is not made clear
to us who aro the parties actually to blame." The reliev-
ing officer has been dismissed.
NARROW ERCAPE OF MADAME SONTAG AND PARTY.
—On the morning of Friday last, Madame Sontag and
party left Glasgow for Aberdeen, to attend the morning
concert on the following day. All went well until the
train reached Glammis, when a greater depth of snow was
experienced, and from thence to Lawrencekirk the speed
was materially retarded. At Middleton Bridge, about a
mile or a mile and a half further on, the engine ran into
a cutting filled with snow to the depth of six feet, and
then became completely immovable. At this time, five
in the afternoon, the blast was most fierce and cutting,
carrying the drift from the fields into the hollow of the
railway, and rapidly burying the carriages. The situa-
tion, as may be imagined, was anything but agreeable to
the passengers. A consultation having been held with
the guard and driver, Mr. Wood determined to leave the
train, and endeavour to reach Lawrencekirk on foot.
This, with the assistance of two guides, he happily ac-
complished, although the strength of the wind, and the
depth of the snow, brought them several times to a stand-
still. Aid having been procured, and a basket of provi-
sions being got ready, the parties again started for the
embedded train. The wind being now in their faces, the
task became more difficult, as well as dangerous, but by
avoiding the roads and taking through the fields, from
which the snow had been partially dislodged, the train
was once more reached at half-past seven. The question
was now whether it was possible to remove the ladies from
the carriages, and gain the summit of the cutting.
Madame Sontag, with undaunted energy, at once de-
termined to attempt it, and descended from the carriage.
The men were sent on before to make a track, when
Madame Sontag, after great exertion, and several falls,
reached the level ground. There the blast became quite
blinding ; but Madame Sontag having covered her head
with a cloak, was soon supported through the fields and
over the fences to the house of Mr. Wilson. a most hos-
pitable farmer, where, along with Count Rossi, Mr. F.
Lablache, Signor Calzolari, and Signor Piatti, she re-
mained all night. Mr. Wood, with some others of the
party, again faced the blast, and reached Laurencekirk in
safety, although much worn out. Between Drumlithie
and Middleton Bridge, there were five engines and four
trains all fast. Next morning the snow bad so com-
pletely filled the cutting as to bury the carriages. The
railway authorities are using every exertion to clear the
line.—Caledonian Mercury.

THE SCHISM AMONG THE WESLEYANS.—The Nao
tinghatn Journal states that the Wesleyan are no*
regularly divided into two sects, the matter in disput4
being the expulsion of the three ministers by the Con"
ference. At the meeting held in the Corn Exchange,
Lincoln, the lights were put out, and blows harder than
words were resorted to by way of arguloent. It is stated

by one of the sufferers that some of the " fair sex " were
quite as anxious to use their finger nails as their tonguesti

Fifty years ago a controversy was raised as to the proper
commencement of the century ; on one side it was con-
tended that the period commenced on the Ist of January,
1800, on the other it was argued that the first day must be
determined by the commencement of the notation, viz.,
January, 1801. Though upon the decision of this ques-
tion depends the other question, whether we have entered
the half century or not, we must leave it as it has lain for.
fifty years, still doubtful.

INCONGRUOUS BROTHERHOOD.—In Loch Shierclaig
there is a small island or rock, abounding with rock
pigeons, and frequented ay large flocks of aquatic birds.
A. very small crevice in this rock affords a home to three"
very incongruous companions—a hawk, a roek pigeon,
and an owlet—who have lived there in the greatest har—
mony for years. On this rock, last harvest, Kenneth.
APNair, gamekeeper, killed 24 hawks and a vast number
of seafowl in one day.—lnverness Courier.
QUARRY DRAINED BY A SYPHON.—A novelty in this
quarter has been introduced by Mr. Bayne who lately be-
came lessee of Siddy quarry*at Munlochy, Inverness-shire.
Its ample resources have hitherto been unavailable, from
the depth and quantity of water, which not only obstructed
the workings beyond a limited depth, but also prevented
the best quality of rock being obtained. To have drained.
off the water, either by pumping or gravitation, would
have entailed much expense. Availing himself of the
facilities afforded by the nature of the locality, Mr. Bayne
has succeeded, by the advice and assistance of Mr. Esson,
of the Inverness Gas and Water Company, in completely
carrying off the water by a syphon of large diameter, and•
about 200 yards in length, at something like one-sixth of •
the cost that would have been incurred by either of the
other two methods mentioned. " Jock," said one of the-
quarry-men, our maister's surely daft, he eanna think to
mak the water' run up the brae—it's against nature."
Jock's companion, has since, however, been disappointed'
—the quarry has now been emptied.—lnverness Adver—
tiser.

HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE RECTOR OF FALMOUTH.--
Early on yesterday morning week a schooner was observed
to be entangled on the coast between the Manacle
Rock and Pendinnis Castle. Later in the morning sh&
stranded directly under the cliff, above which is the
mansion of the Rev. W. J. Coope! the rector of Falmouth.-
She proved to be the Mary of Dartmouth, from the coast
of Africa, 105 days. Her crew were seven in number, of
whom two were blacks. They had been fourteen days
without any provisions, except an allowance of two table-
spoonfuls of flour daily, and it had been agreed to kill the
dog on board on Friday for sustenance, unless relieved.
The stranded schooner lay, the waves dashing over her at
each return, and the crew clinging to the leeside, making
earnest gestures for assistance. At length the expedient
was adopted of throwing the log line from the ship. Tha
rector, having a great knowledge of the footing on the
cliff, attempted to catch the line, for which purpose he
waded into the water some feet, and was nearly carried off
by a sea. To the log line a large rope was attached, and
to it a hemp cable. The end of the cable was fixed round
a bridge in Mr. Coope's walk. The first who ventured
and succeeded in reaching the shore was the mate. The
remainder of the crew were got on shore one by one in a
barrel, hung by a hank to a cable. As they landed they
were taken to the mansion of Mr. Coope, and treated
with great benevolence.

THE NEW HOUSE OF COMMONS,—The ceiling is
divided into eighteen compartments by moulded ribs,
each space being again subdivided into pannels. Over
the speaker's chair is the reporters' gallery, formed like
the other fittings, throughout of oak, and left of its
natural colour. There is a metal railing above the front
of the gallery. The traceried openings seen above the
speaker's chair will be filled in with open metal work, to-
screen a gallery to which ladies will be admitted. At the
bar end is a much larger gallery for strangers. The floor
of the house is of iron, perforated for the purpose of venti-
lation. The windows: will be filled with stained glass;.
but there are no coloured decorations. The length of the
chamber is 62 feet, the width 45 feet, and the height 45-
feet, nearly one-third less in length, therefore, than the
House of Lords, which has the same width and height,
and is a double cube. The Commons' lobby, south of
the bar, has a similarly-formed ceiling, in nine main divi-
sions. The connection of the Houses of Parliament with
Westminster-hall, by means of an enormous archway,
nearly the whole height of the hall, is formed, although
the steps are not yet constructed, and justifies our antici-
pations of its fine effect. This communicates with St.
Stephen's Gollery, the stone work of which is being
cleaned down. The groin vaulted roof of this gallery is a
fine piece of work. The restoration of the cloisters is
being proceeded with ; the beauty of the old work there is-
marvellous. From 300 to 400 men, in the whole, are at
present engaged on the building.—The Builder.
NOVEL STORY—A GOAT HUNT.—On the Ist instant,.
the echoes of " the beetling cliffs of Gamrie Head" were
waked up by the baying of dogs, the firing of guns, and
all the excitement of a regular hunt. From an early hour-
in the morning till nearly dusk, upwards of a score of
men might be seen scrambling along the rocks over-
hanging the seas, and every now and then a flash was
visible, as a gun went off with the muzzle pointed against
a group of horned and bearded quadrupeds, which scam-
pered about and capered from rock to rock at the dis-
charge of the firearms. The animals shot at were a herd
of goats, which inhabit the locality, and which, having
been allowed to run about for years on the almost inac-
cessible cliffs which there stem the tides of the Moray
Frith, on the scanty herbage of which they manage to-
feed, have become wild. The first pair, we believe, were
brought to the district some ten years ago, by Mr. For-
dyce, one of the tenants on the estate of Weitehills, and
being suffered to feed among the rocks, they have in-
creased to such a number, and have become so wild in
their habits, that they frequently make a descent during
the night upon the farms in the neighbourhood, corn--
mitting extensive ravages in the corn and turnip fields,
and making off to the fastnesses on being disturbed, or
on the approach of morning. Annoyed at the destruc-
tive nature of these visits, a party assembled on the morn-
ing above mentioned. The party mustered twelve guns,
and had several dogs, and, commencing operations about
ten o'clock in the forenoon, kept up the sport till four,
when it was found that they had brought down eight
goats. To any one acquainted with the locality, it is
scarcely necessary to say that the sport was of the most
exciting character. The party had not only to exhibit
the utmost watchfulness in order to come upon the ani-
mals, but they had to exercise the utmost care that they
themselves did not miss their footing, and thereby make
a plunge-bath of the Moray Frith, which washed the
rocks over which they clambered. Notwithstanding the
number killed on this occasion, the herd still remains in
great force ; and should any of our southern friends be
anxious for a day's sport, of a much more exciting nature
than grouse- shooting or deer-stalking, we think we may.
safely promise them a cordial welcome, unless, indeed, in
the interim, a bill be introduced and passed through the
legislature, declaring goats to be game, and ranking them
in the same category with " woodcocks, snipes, quails,
landrails, wild ducks, or conies."—Banffshire Journal.
THE PUBLISHING TRADE.—We (the Athenceum)
alluded some time since to the healthy condition of the
London publishing trade, and of the state of the book
market throughout the three kingdoms. What we ob-
served then has been more then confirmed by the result
of Mr. Murray's great annual trade sale at the Albion
Tavern, in Aldersgate street, during the present month--
Few of our readers are, perhaps, aware that it is the cus-
tom of the two great London houses, Murray's and Long-
mans', to put their books up to a kind of auction every
year ; that the sale is prefaced by a dinner, at which all
the booksellers of " credit" in London are invited to be
present; and that as soon as the cloth is removed, Mr.
Hodgson, the auctioneer, of Fleet-street, commences the
business of the day by offering the books seriatim, as in
the printed catalogue, to the attention of the guests.
The practice is not, as at other auctions, to knock the lot
down to the highest bidder, but to put the book up at
certain price below what is usually called " subscription
price," or, in other words, below the figure at which the
book can be obtained on any other occasion. It is also
the custom to put uplbooks, not ready for delivery, but
only nearly so ; and it is curious to watch the interest that
is felt throughout the room when a book of name is offered
for the first time. It is a matter of ancient and proper
deference_to the great houses to let "the Row" begin.

Thus, with a popular work, Longman will start with 350,
—Simpkin with the same number,—Whittaker with 250,
—Hamilton and Adams with the same number; till at
last it comes to " twenty-fives," and " fives,"—and at
times only " one." Not less interesting is it to behold
the eager way in which the numbers called out are placed.
promptly on paper by the several booksellers—or the

_
quick tradesman.like manner in which they cast up the
several totals, and look with mute astonishment one at
another at the greatness of the demand. Sales of this
description are limited to the two houses we have men-
tioned, and are always looked forward to with interest as-
affording an index of the approaching season. Mr. Mur-
ray's last sale was the best he has had since his father's
death ; he disposed of books on that day to the amount
of £19,000. Nor would this be wondered at when the
numbers sold are put together. For instance, the trade
took on that occasion 2,000 of Lord Campbell's " Chief
Justices," 5,000 volumes of " The Colonial. Library,"
1,400 of Layard's " Nineveh," 1,400 of Byron's Works
in one volume, 1,300 copies of Mr. Burrow's new work
" L'Avengro," 900 of the new edition of Mr. Cunning'
ham's " Hand Book for London," ;750 of Mr. Grote'6
" Greece," 750 of Mr. Curzon's " Levant," and 600 of
M. Guizot's new work. School-books sold in still greater
proportions : 5,000 Markham's " Histories, 4,000 " Little
Arthur's History of England," 2,000 Wordsworth'it
"Latin Grammar," 1,200 Somerville's " Geography,'
and even Mrs. Rundell, though thought to be antiquated,
maintained her reputation with her new dishes, and in her
Authors benefit as well as booksellers by a

new dress.
sale like this.

I-LEC VINCULA FEREMUS ?—To classify under one
head disorders the most incongruous and even opposite--
to disturb the timid and the nervous by false alarms—to
lull the really afflicted with false hopes—and to deceive
all by promises the most extravagant and absurd—as it is
the chief characteristic of the medical adventurer of the
present day, so it forms one of the most painful subjects
of contemplation that can present itself to the eye of
those who scan over the advertisements which crowd the
columns of the newspapers of our time. Among the
many medicines obtruding themselves upon our attention,
it is some relief, however, to find one at least which
(while its proprietor avoids those gross inconsistencies
that, with but very few exceptions, disfigure all others)
is sanctioned and employed by the most distinguished
practitioners, as well as the most eminent and enlizhtened

individuals of the age, who have honoured with their
favour and confidence the Compound Antihitious PilL9 of
Mr. Cockle, the &entleman above alluded to.