The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-07-22 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, JULY Q 2, 1851.

THE LIVERPOOL PILOTS.—On Wednesday last, the
annual dinner of the Liverpool Pilots was held at the
Pine-apple Hotel, Park-road. The room was tastefully
decorated with evergreens. Mr. Stubbs's band was in
attendance, and played several national airs during din-
ner, which was served up in a style that reflected great
credit upon the worthy host. The chair was taken by
Mr. Hugh Jones, and the vice-chair by Mr. R. Taggart.
The usual loyal toasts being disposed of, the chairman
proposed the healths of Mr. John Leece and Mr. T.
Hampson, who briefly responded to the compliment.
The Chairman then gave "The Master Pilots of Liver-
pool," which was feelingly responded to by Mr. Joseph
Williams, the senior master present. Shortly afterwards,
the members withdrew to the grounds to amuse them-
selves with various sports, and at an early hour the party
broke up.
SIR J. FRANKLIN'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION. The
Mayor of Liverpool has received from the Secretary of
the Admiralty the following reply to a petition praying
that a vessel might be sent in search of Sir John
Franklin :—" Admiralty, 14th July, 1851. Sir,—l am
commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to acquaint you that they have received and have had under
consideration the memorial signed by you and certain of
the merchants and inhabitants of the city of Liverpool,
recommeeding that a steam-vessel should be immediately
despatched to the Arctic seas to explore Jones' Sound, in
search of Sir John Franklin and his party. My lords
fully appreciate the humane motives which have induced
the merchants and inhabitants of Liverpool to bring this
subject again before the Board of Admiralty ; but feeling
that every exertion for the general object in view has been
made, they are of opinion that they cannot comply with
this request consistently with their sense of public duty
and the responsibility in which farther expeditions would
involve them.—l am, sir, your most obedient humble
servant, J. PARKER.—To the Mayor of Liverpool."
FIRE.—On Tuesday night, about twelve o'clock, a fire
broke out in Bath-street, which for a while assumed a
threatening aspect. It took place in a warehouse occu-
pied by Mr. Hill, ship chandler, and being full of com-
bustible materials, and also in close proximity to those
warehouses which suffered so severely in the great Lan-
celot's-hey fire, lively apprehensions were entertained as
to the fate of other property. The fire was discovered by
a boy who was passing, and who gave information to the
police, a large body of whom were soon on the ground,
with fire-engines and other appliances, under able super-
intendence. After a considerable quantity of water had
been thrown into the warehouse, the flames were sub-
dued. Some of the property was removed into the street,
and placed in the custody of the police. The damage is
estimated at about £2OO, which we understand is covered
by an insurance in the Globe-office. Mr. Hewitt, while
in the discharge of his arduous duties, received a severe
blow on the face from a bucket, which was thrown down
from the burning premises ; but the injury is not of a
serious character.
EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT IN CHURCH-STREET.—
On Friday morning, about nine o'clock, a very singular
occurrence took place in Church-street, in this to nn. A
cab, belonging to Messrs. Cott and Higgs, of the Grecian
Hotel, was standing on the rank at the top of Bold-street,
when, as is alleged, the horse took fright at a dog, and
dashed down Bold-street at a fearful pace, with the driver
and a boy on the box, and, in spite of every effort of the
cabman to restrain him, the horse rushed through the
splendid plate glass front of Messrs. Maculloch and Co.,
drapers, 75, Church-street, tearing away one of the iron
pillars that supported the shop front, and shivering to
fragments the large panes on both sides of the door-way.
The damage cannot be less than £l5O, the loss of which
will, we understand, be borne by the owners of the horse,
which is so much injured that it is supposed he must be
destroyed. On the previous night, the man who usually
drove the horse gave up his situation, on the ground that
it was impossible to control the animal, which had never
been properly broken in ; the man who was on the box
at the time had only been out with him about half an
hour when the catastrophe occurred. Both the driver
and the boy who was with him had a very narrow escape,
as also had some spectators, who were looking into the
shop a moment or two previously.
MR. CARDWELL, THE OPERATIVE MILLERS, AND
CORN PORTERS.—A petition to both houses of parliament
received, last week, the signatures of about 200 working
men connected with the corn trade of this port. They
pray the legislature, " if it be consistent with the general
prosperity of the country. so to regulate the laws for the
admission of foreign grain, that wheat may be imported
in preference to flour." The members selected to pre-
sent the petition were, Lord Ellesmere in the House of
Lords, and Mr. Cardwell in the Commons. A reply has
been received from Mr. Cardwell, stating his willingness
to present the petition ; but the honourable member adds:
"The quantity of flour lately imported from France has
been very considerable; and of that importation some of
the causes may be permanent, while some, perhaps, are
temporary. I cannot but regret any inconvenience which
any of my constituents may sustain in consequence of it;
yet t cannot encourage you to believe that any duty will
be imposed by parliament for the purpose of limiting that
trade. The recent free trade policy has increased the em-
ployment, and therefore the wages of the people, while it
has diminished the price of the articles they want. To
reverse that policy would be to diminish employment, and
to enhance prices, and, therefore, doubly to interfere with
the just rights and true interest of those who live by
labour."

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.—The Mayor held a court
in the Sessions-house on Friday last, when the following
parties were fined for using deficient weights and mea-
sures .—Richard Garry, provision-dealer, Bronte-street ;
Bridget Foote, provision-dealer, St. Andrew-street ; Jas.
Porter, grocer, Copperas-hill; James Rawlinson, green-
grocer; Thomas Bann, marine-store dealer, St. Andrew-
street; Charles'Frederick Carnes, general merchant, Gray-
son-street; James Scotson, provision-dealer, South-street,
Park ; John Atkinson, publican, Harrington-street ; Jane
Mother, green-grocer, Park-road ; Henry Worthington,
publican, Sefton-street; John Crombie, beerhouse-keeper,
Potteries; James Tomkinson, beerseller, Potteries; Thos.
Davies, provision-dealer, Edmund-street. Park ; Ellen
Pines, publican, Queen Anne-street; Jchn Green, flour-
dealer, Windsor-street ; John Crowther, butcher, Pitt-
street ; Thomas Beckwith, hide-merchant ; Lawrence
Livesey, publican, Vauxhall-road; Priestley, Griffith, and
Cox, merchants; Patrick Doran, marine-store dealer,
'Blundell-street ; Michael Mydon, gooseberry hawker ;
Thomas Myers, gooseberry hawker ; Joseph Woodhead,
confectioner, Charlotte-street; John Oldfield, Queen-
square, baker; Thomas Lovett, eating-house keeper,
Dawson-street; Joseph Sorton, butcher, Park-lane; Jno.
Williams, gooseberry hawker; Henry Miller, coal-dealer,
Frederick-street ; Thomas Brother, fish-dealer ; James
Gainer, grocer, Sumner-street ; Robert Williams, grocer,
Vauxhall-road ; Catherine Lennan, potato-dealer, Chisen-
hale-street ; Henry Moss, grocer, Great Howard-street ;
James O'Brien, marine-store dealer, Great Howard-street;
.Job Walton, milk-dealer, Headley-street ; Thos. Cowling,
potato-dealer, Denbigh-street; Mary O'Neill, milk-
dealer, Headley-street; Thomas Spencer, potato-dealer,
Park ; James Fellows, groZ•er, Preston-street ; Wm. Potts,
grocer, Vauxhall-road ; Arthur Loowick, grocer, Derby-
road.; Richard Bowman, tobacconist, Highfield-street;
Thomas Charnley, marine-store dealer, Moorfield-street ;
Mary Ann Hawkins, provision-dealer ' • Henry Lawrey,
pea-seller, Quay-street; Thomas Lloyd, provision-dealer,
Vauxhall-road ; John Grant, potato-dealer, Vauxhall-
road ; Mary Jones, marine-store dealer, Marybone.
FATAL RESULTS OF THE LATE RIOTS.—We regret to
state that two deaths have resulted from the disturbances
during the Orange procession. On Wednesday night,
John Malley, the unfortunate man who was shot in Scot-
land-road on Monday afternoon, whilst engaged in a riot
with some Irishmen, died in the Northern Hospital. The
circumstances under which Malley was shot were as fol-
lows I—About half-past three o'clock, Malley and several
other dock labourers, according to the statement of the
police, commenced an attack upon some Orangemen in
Scotland-road, near to the Wheatsheaf public-house. A
considerable body of police was stationed in the neigh-
bourhood, and they immediately proceeded to quell the
disturbance. On the arrival of the police both parties
ran away, and just at this juncture a shot was :fired in the
crowd, and almost immediately after Malley was found
lying in the street unable to move. He stated he was
shot, and the police took him at once to the Rosehill
Dispensary, where it was ascertained the ball had entered
the fleshy part of the thigh. He had received likewise
some severe contusions about the head. He was subse-
quently conveyed to the Northern Hospital, where, as
we have before stated, he died on Wednesday night. A
large carving knife was found in Malley's possession, but
it appears he did not offer to use this. Shortly before his
death, Malley made the following statement to his wife,
who visited him before his death :—" When we got to
Scotland-road, to the place where the Orange Club was
held, some men came out and struck me on the back with
a brick. This man had a stick in his hand, which I took
from him. The row then began, and I ran away : and as
I was going I was shot in the back." The inquest on the
body is appointed for this day, at ten o'clock. A post-
mortem examination was made on Friday at the hospital,
when a bullet was extracted.—On Wednesday night a
man named Jones, living in a court in Penrhyn-street,
died from injuries received by being stabbed the night
previous. It appears that on Tuesday night the wife of a
police-officer named Greene (124) was assaulted by two
or three men near his own house in Penrhyn-street.
Greene, on hearing the screams of his wife, ran out, and
in the attempt to protect her was stabbed in several places
by one of the villains. Jones, who was a neighbour of
Greene, then came up to render assistance to Greene, and
while so engaged he also received several dangerous stabs
in various parts of the body, of which he died on Wed-
nesday evening. Greene is seriously wounded, but he is
expected to recover. The only reason that can be assigned
for the outrage on Greene's wife is, that Greene was sup-
posed to have taken some part against the rioters on the
day of the Orange procession. One of the three men
concerned in the outrage (Patrick Shea!) is now in cus-
tody ; but the others have not been apprehended. The
inquest in this case has also been adjourned till to-day.
We are glad to learn that the two policemen. Jackson
and Green, are in a fair way of recovery.—FUNEßAL
OF THE Vie-rms.—The two unfortunate men, Malley and
Jones, the former of whom died in the Northern Hospital
on Wednesday evening, from a gunshot wound, and the
latter at his own house, in Penrhyn-street, from being
stabbed in the breast, were committed to their last rest-
ing-place on Sunday. Malley, who was an Irish Roman
Catholic, was buried at St. Patrick's Chapel, Park-road.
His corpse was followed to the grave by an immense con-
course of people, who seem to have regarded the man as
a martyr to their cause. Jones was burie4 in St. John's
Churchyard. The funeral was attended by fits deceased's
relatives only. The " boys" who had paid the last ho-
nours to their deceased comrade Malley, in the cowe of
the evening, hecame very unruly gape employment
to the poliofoim.ve hours.

DINNER AT THE TOWN-RAL.—The Wiyor enter-
tained a select party, on Thursday eVeang, at the Town-
hall—the guests being specially invited to meet Mr.
Mansfield, the stipendiary magistrate. There were more
than twenty magistrates present, seven of whom had
passed the civic chair ; and, in addition, the Rev. Mr.
Ewbank, the Rev. Mr. Grant, Colonel Falconer, Captain
Greig, Isle. Samuel Holme, Mr. Rankin, the town-clerk.
the clerk of the peace. Mr. Wybergh, the magistrates'
clerk, the coroner, Mr. Dowling, the Governor of the
Borough Gaol, &c., &c. The dinner was supplied by Mr.
Lynn.

THE ASSIZES.—The assizes will commence in Liverpool
on Wednesday, the 13th August. The records in causes
to be tried here, and at issue on or before Tuesday, the
29; h instant, should be ordered on that• day. The last
day for making up issues in time. for trial will be Monday,
the 4th of August, on which day the records must be
ordered. Eight exclusive days' notice of trial must be
given for the next assizes, in causes at issue in time for
trial at the last assizes. The jury process for the trial
causes here, will be issued on Wednesday morning, the
13th August. Rule day before the assizes Thursday, the
17th instant; rule day after the assizes, Thursday, the
11th of September. In pursuance of the rule of court of
March assizes, 1845, the causes will be watered in the
following order :-Ist list, Salford Hundred; 2nd list,
West Derby Hundred, or elsewhere. The entry of clauses
will close at Liverpool at twelve o'clock at noon. on
Thursday, the 14th of August. The causes in the 2nd
list will not be called on for trial before Saturday the 16th
August.

DEATH FROM SUFFOCATION.—On Wednesday, an
aged female, named Jane Coventry, died at her residence
in HighfielLstreet, supposed to be from suffocation. It
appears that, early on Thursday morning, a boy, living in
Highfield-street, saw smoke issuing from the deceased's
house. An alarm was immediately given, and the
deceased came to the window. She was advised to leave
the building immediately, but instead of doing so went to
fetch her pocket, which contained money. As she did
not make her appearance, the door was broken open, and
the deceased was extricated with great difficulty, almost
suffocated with smoke. She was taken to a neighbour's
house, and on the application of suitable remedies revived.
She afterwards wished to be taken to her own house, but
her friends objected to her removal.• Ultimately, how-
ever, her request was complied with, and she was con-
veyed there. • On Wednesday morning, as the deceased
did not make her appearance, some neighbours broke
open the door, and found her in a dying state. She sur-
vived only a short time afterwards.
MANSLAUGHTER.—On Tuesday an inquest was held
before H. H. Statham, Esq., the deputy-coroner, on view
of the body of Ellen Galvin, residing in Saltney-street. It
appeared that a man named Richard Roberts, a dock
labourer, living in No. 50 Court, New Brick-street, was
in the habit of visiting a disreputable house in Duke's-
place, Saltney-street. His wife having heard of the infa-
mous proceeding, went with her daughter into the neigh-
bourhood on Saturday night week. A little after twelve
o'clock, she observed her husband come out of the house
in question. She threw a stone at him, and hit him upon
the back. Roberts became enraged, and picking up a
stone about 3 lbs. weight, out of the channel, threw it at
his wife. It missed her, but struck the deceased (who was
one of a number of women who bad gathered) on the back
of the head. She was raised in a state of insensibility,
carried home, and expired in about six hours. The jury
returned a verdict of " Manslaughter" against Roberts.
On Wednesday he was taken into custody, and committed
for trial under a coroner's warrant. _

THE NEW AMERICAN PACKET-SHIP GREAT WESTERN.
—Another addition to the New York liners arrived here
on Tuesday, and has taken up her berth in the Bramley-
Moore Dock. The Great Western belongs to the Black
Ball Line, and has been built by Webb, of New York.
Messrs. Baring Brothers are the consignees. She is a
three-decker. of most approved build, and substantial
structure; 1450 tons register, 230 feet in length, and
about 43 feet beam. Her passenger accommodations are
lofty and sire, and, when her list is complete, she can
carry 900 people on board. The fittings of the cabin and
first-class berths, of which there are twenty, are charac-
terised rather by comfort than splendour, the "walls" of
the cabin being grained oak, and the ceiling and interior
of the berths being painted white, with gilded mouldings.
The pantry, which branches off to the right on entering
the cabin, lacks nothing that a good larder ought to pos-
sess. Ninety passengers can be accommodated in the
second-class berths, which range aft beneath the cabin
and main deck. They are well appointed and ventilated.
The cabin is a poop cabin ; and on the deck above it is a
wheel-house, nicely backed off, and supplied with signal.
flags and every other requisite. In the centre of the deck
also is a detached wooden house, to be used as an hospital.
The other deck-houses are commodious, well arranged,
and of larger size than usual. The rigging of the Great
Western is of the most improved character, and she car-
ries double topsail-yards. Forward the lines of the vessel
are sharpish, and there is a good deal of the clipper about
her build altogether, though not so much as to interfere
with her usefulness in regard to the stowage of cargo.
Her stern is square, tastefully ornamented and gilded ;
the American eagle and crest occupying the centre of the
emblematical decorations. She is commanded by Capt.
Shearman, late of the Yorkshire, and is intended to sail
for New York on the Ist of August.

KIRKDALE MIDSUMMER SESSIONS.—The quarter
sessions commenced on Tuesday last. Present, the Ven.
Archdeacon Brooks (chairman). J. W. Harden, James
Lawrence, Wm. Allcard, James Powell, Z. Sillar, M.D.,
David Brornilow, S. H. Thompson, W. G. Unsworth,
J. S. T. Greene, A. Silvester, R. Theakstone, R. B.
Smith, James Bourne, Jobn A. Tinne, Gilbert Greenall,
M.P., J. Green, M.D., and T. B. Barclay, Esqrs. Mr.
J. Bourne took the oath as deputy-lieutenant of the
county. The rates laid for Cie next six months were,
Kirkcale, 2d. in the pound ; Ormskirk, lid. ; Present,
(police). lad. ; and Warrington, lid. The usual statis-
tical returns were submitted by Captain Woodford, the
chief of the county constabulary, and confirmed. There
was an increase of drunkenness in the county, but a de-
crease of crime generally. The Chairman complimented
the county police on the firmness and civility which they
uniformly displayed. A lengthy discusssion took place
upon the propriety of renewing a license to Havdock
Lodge Lunatic Asylum under present circumstances, the
recent proprietor, Mr. Coode, having failed, and the cre-
ditors being actually in possession of the house. Mr.
Lawrence, it was said, was acting manager at present, but
some of the magistrates were of opinion that he had,
notwithstanding, some connexion with Mr. and Miss
Cootie, and was not, as he represented himself to be, an
independent party. Mr. Harden moved that the applica-
tion for a license be granted for four months only, Mr.
Lrwrence being informed that, at the expiration of that
time, the renewal could only be granted on deeds being
deposited with the Clerk of the Peace, showing a perfect
discharge from Mr. and Miss Coode. An amendment,
however, on this, that no license be granted to Mr. Law-
rence, was carried. The court adjourned at four o'clock.
till Wednesday, when the criminal business was proceeded
with. The following gentlemen were sworn on the grand
jury :—Messrs. James Rowland Brandreth, West Derby,
foreman ; Charles Widdowes, Pennington ; Matthew
Jones, Liverpool ; Edward Banister, West Derby ; Rd.
Leather, Widness; John M'Clellan, Widness; John
Frederick Beck, Widness ; J. Rimmer, Whiston ; A.
Keys, Whiston ; R. Barton, Westleigh ; Henry Kenyon,
Westleigh ; Samuel Banks, Westleigh ; William Ander-
son, Westleigh ; William Hodgson, Pennington ; Thos.
Traverse Heyes, Pennington; John Bennett, Pennington ;
John Ingham, Liverpool ; James Hobbs, Liverpool ;
Thomas Warder, Lowton ; James Worsley, Lowton ;
James Kennedy, Lowton ; Thomas Kynaston, Lowton ;
George Harris, Lowton. The calendar showed the names
of only sixty-five prisoners, most of which were charged
with trivial offences.

BANKRUPTCY COURT.—IN RE WILLIAM ANDREWS.
—On Tuesday this bankrupt came bsfore Mr. Commis-
sioner Perry, on.an application for his certificate. The
bankrupt was formerly a commission merchant in this
town, and was in the habit of using accommodation paper,
which His Honour thought was a course of proceeding as
a trader which ought to be marked with censure. He con-
sidered the certificate ought to be suspended forsix months,
and then one of the third class. Protection was in the
meantime granted.---Tuomits EDWARDS' BANKRUPT-
CY.—This bankrupt came before the court on Thursday
last, the day appointed for the choice of assignees. It
will be recollected that, about a fortnight since, consider-
able resistance was made to Mr. Ayres, officer of the
Liverpool Bankruptcy Court, when taking possession of
the premises of the bankrupt, who was formerly a basket
maker in Roscoe-street, and sexton of St. Luke's Church,
in this town. On that occasion had it not been for the
forbearance of Mr. Ayres, there is little doubt that a
serious breach of the peace would have resulted, and, as
it was, the officer of the court was compelled to break
open the door of the building to gain an entrance. It
was thought by Mr. Dodge, solicitor, that the importance
of the case demanded immediate examination, and the
bankrupt was accordingly interrogated in a separate court
by that gentleman. The bankrupt refused to give direct
answers:to the questions put to him with respect to his
books, although told by Mr. Dodge that he would be
taken before the commissioner if lie persisted in his eva-
sions of the questions, and would very probably be sent
to Lancaster Castle. Edwards still declined to give a
definite reply, and Mr. Dodge then proceeded to the
court, where Mr. Commissioner Perry was sitting, and
stated that the bankrupt had produced a certain book,
which he said was the only one he had kept since he had
been in business, a period of eleven years and more. From
the first part of this hook several leaves bad been torn or
cut out, and a similar abstraction of several pages was
observable from the centre of the hook. The commis-
sioner, having asked the bankrupt if he was prepared to
answer the necessary questions which he could do by
reference to his books, if they were properly kept,
Edwards again referred to them, and retired to the private
court with Mr. Dodge. His answers were still deemed
so very unsatisfactory by Mr. Dodge, that lie deferred the
further pursuit of his inquiries until a future day, in order
that Edwards may be examined in the presence of the
commissioner.—lN RE:THOMAS WILLIAMS.--On Wed-
nesday, Mr. Commissioner Perry gave judgment in this
case. The bankrupt was formerly an innkeeper, and
curled on business at the Sandway Hotel, near Waverhem,
Cheahire. Several very lenethy investigations had taken
place into the bankrupt's affairs, and more particularly
with reference to certain bills, the names attached to
which bad, it was alleged, been used by the bankrupt
without the authority of the parties. The commissioner
reviewed the whole, and called attention to the more pro-
minent charges against the bankrupts—those of using the
names of persons to bills, and incurring debts without
the means of payment. He felt bound to inflict upon
the bankrupt such a punishment as would not only be
commensurate with the offence in his case, but act as a
wanring to others; certificate must be Witted
Altogether.

CORO.NF.RSHIP FOR THE HUNDRED OF WEST DERBY.
—The nomination of candidates for the vacant office of
coroner for West Derby, occasioned by the recent death
of the late Mr. John Hayes, took place on Friday last, at
the Court-house, Preston, before Thomas Percival, Esq.,
High Sheriff. Two gentlemen, Mr. Charles Edward
Driffield, deputy-coroner. and Mr. John Blundell entered
into a contest. Both gentlemen are attorneys, the former
practising at Present, and the latter in this town. The
proceedings partook of all the bustle and excitement of a
contested parliamentary election. Mr. Robert Townley
Parker, of Cuerden-hall, nominated- Alr. Blundell, and
Mr. Watts, of Charley seconded the motion. Mr. S.
Taylor, of Eccleston-Ball, proposed Mr. Driffield, se-
conded by Mr. Cunliffe, of Myerscough house. The Rev.
J. 0. Parr, Vicar of Preston, spoke in favour of Mr.
Driffield, and was replied to by Mr. John Rosson, of
Moore-hall. On the motion being put the show of hands
was decided:7 in favour of Mr. Driffield. On the motion
of Mr. Parker a poll was granted, and the voting shortly
afterwards commenced. At the close of the poll in the
evening both parties stood even, 675 each. On the fol-
lowing day an address was issued, stating that Mr. Blun-
dell had retired from the contest. The cause assigned for
this premature result is, that Mr. Blundell had at an early
stage of the contest polled his whole strength, while his
opponent had as it were only breathed himself.
SHIP ON FIRE.—The American ship " Lapland,"
Captain Simpson, just arrived at this port from New
Orleans, with a cargo of cotton, very narrowly escaped
total destruction by fire. On the 4th June, in lat. 26 31,
lon. 80, about 5 p.m., the day having been calm and
sultry, and Capt. Simpson having occasion to send into
the hold, ordered the scuttle in the cabin floor to be taken
off. This was no sooner done than smoke issued from
the hold in such dense volumes that in a few seconds the
cabin was filled. Captain Simpson immediately ordered
water to be handed down ; and in the meantime, in order
to obtain working room, he had the sail room cleared of
all the spare sails. The men then proceeded to break
out the cargo, in order to get at the seat of the fire. This
was no easy task, the smoke being suffocating. After
much difficulty they reached the fire, and found a bale of
cotton nearli burnt through. The fire buckets were.
handed down, and water was poured upon the burning
mass; the bale was then torn to pieces, and the still
smouldering cotton thrown overboard through the cabin
windows. All traces of fire being removed, and a strict.
watch kept on the hold in case of any re-appearance of
it. the ship proceeded on her voyage, and arrived here on
Wednesday. No conjecture as to the cause of the fire
can be formed, the scuttle not having been open for three
days previous to the occurrence. It is fortunate that it
was discovered so early, as a few hours longer would have
enabled the fire to attain such a head as would have ren-
dered the loss of the ship end cargo inevitable.
A VETERAN.—A man named James Clarke died in
Liverpool last week at the age of 106 years. His long life
had been a very chequered one. Ile was born in the
county of Down, in Ireland, and had been brought up as
a cooper. At 21 years of age he came to Liverpool, and
obtained employment. He continued in this occupation
many years, during which time he visited various parts of
the world, and became the hero of many daring exploits
on board privateers and other vessels during the war. On
one occasion he was highly complimented by the com-
mander of the Mary Anne privateer, for his conduct
during an engagement between that vessel/4nd two French
privateers, which, after a gallant fight of four hours and a
half, lowered their colours to the British flag. He was
afterwards taken prisoner in an engagement with the
French, and suffered a long imprisonment in that country.
At the close of the war be returned home and resumed his
occupation, having worked for many years of tire latter
portion of his life for a gentleman named Holdgraves.
He continued in this employment up to within three years
of his death ; and, from that time until his decease, his
master kindly allowed him ten shillings a-week. He re-
tained his faculties to the last, and only kept his bed for
a fortnight. He outlived seven of his children, one
daughter being now alive, who is 60 years of age, and re-
sided with her father in No. 7 Court, Watkinson-street.
VEGETARIAN BANQUET.-00 Friday night that class of
philosophers known as the Vegetarian Society celebrated
their fourth anniversary by a grand banquet at the Con-
cert-hall, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
About 330 guests sat down, the majority being strangers
from Manchester and elsewhere. A profusion of flowers
graced the tables ; and the hill of fare may perhaps be in-
teresting :—Savour! Dishes : Savoury pies, bread and
parsley fritters, mushroom pies, rice fritters.—Sweets :
Moulded ground rice, blanc-manee, moulded sago, cheese
cakes.—Fruits : Grapes, strawberries, cherries, and a
variety of preserved fruits. The mushroom pie, &c.,
having been discussed, James Simpson, Esq., a magis-
trate of the county, took the chair, supported by Mrs.
Simpson, Professor Mussey, of America, and a host of
vegetarian friends. Mr. Brotherton, M.P., who had been
expected, was unable to attend. After the Queen's
health had been drunk most loyally in aqua pura, the
chairman delivered a very lengthy address in advocacy of
this peculiar dietetic reform. He said the greatest philo-
sophers of antiquity were all vegetations. He denounced
the drinking usages of the country, which consigned to
the drunkard' grave 60,000 people annually. Three-
fourths of the people of the earth were consumers of
vegetable food, and the bone and muscle of the labouring
world were built bp, not on flesh, but of vegetarian diet.
The cholera had not carried off a single disciple of the
vegetarian school. After a glee, the chairman introduced
the Rev. Mr. Metcalfe. of America, who had carried out
the vegetarian practice for 42 years ; and had come 3,000
miles, principally, he believed, to be present at various
vegetarian demonstrations in this country. Mr. Metcalfe
and other gentlemen then addressed the meeting ; after
which the festival closed.

THE MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND.--The following
letter relative to the intended opposition to the Merchant
Seamen's Fund Bill has been received by Mr. J. Pember-
ton, a gentleman who has, for several years past, taken a
very prominent part in the matter :
Whitehall gardens, 14th July, 1851.
DEAR SIR,—I have just received your letter. It gives me
the first intimation which has reached me of any intention on
the part of any of my constituents to object to the Merchant
Seamen's Fund Bill. As regards that fund, two courses are
open. First, to leave the fund in each port to take its chance,
in which case early insolvency will overtake the majority; or,
second, to wind up the whole system : and this it is proposed
to do by this bill, and the Treasury and the House of Com-
mons have expressed their willingness to furnish the requisite
aid from the general resources of the country. Ido not think
it possible to take the intermediate ground of accepting aid
from the Consolidated Fund, without, at the same time, sur-
rendering nil the assets which the estate may possess. On re-
ferring to the actuary's report upon Liverpool you will find
after crediting us with assets .50,000, we are still reported to
be deficient x 25,000, to meet our engagements in full. I know
that the accuracy of this report is disputed ; not because the
figures are questioned, but because it is argued that the fund
is to be regarded as a charity only, and not as a benefit society,
and that such pensions only can, from time to time, be claimed
by the sailors, as the funds will. from time to time, enable the
trustees to bestow : still, this ground, if taken, must go to the
maintenance of the whole fund upon its r resent footing ; and
if it had been intended, on the part of Liverpool, to object to
the plan of winding it up, earlier measures ought to have been
taken in that sense. I sent the bill down the day it was printed.
and have remained until now under the impression that there
was no intention to oppose it. If any endeavour should taw
be made to induc., the House of Commons to retrace its steps,
and to abandon the bill, it could meet with no support, tile
measure having passed nearly through committee, and having
met with the general concurrence of all sides. I cannot, there-
fore, encourage you to engage in a contest in which I am sure
you would he unsuccessful ; and remain, dear sir, your very
faithful servant, Euw. CA RDWELL.
J Pemberton, Esq.

FATAL AFFRAN.—On Saturday morning a sanguinary
affray took place at Birch, near Manchester, between a
party of unionist brickmakers and the watchers at a brick-
croft, who had been placed on guard in anticipation of the
attack. The brick-croft belongs to Mr. James Farr, of
Rusholme, and is situated about a hundred yards south of
the new church at Birch. Mr. Farr is an object of aver-
sion to the unionists, in consequence of a turn•ont two
years ago of his men, since which time he has refused to
employ any one in connexion with the union. Some of
the unionist brickmakers attacked this croft last year, and
were tried at the Summer Assizes for the offence. On
Sunday week three men attacked his watchers, having stones
concealed in their stocking feet, with which they struck
and beat them badly. Having reason to believe the attack
would be repeated, he has had four men watching the
croft every night during the week, one of them having a
gun in his possession, and the others having a small can-
non loaded and pointed so as to sweep the flats of new
bricks, or those most easily damaged, transversely in the
direction of the road which it was expected that the
unionists would come, should they renew the attack in
any force About five minutes past twelve o'clock on
Saturday morning the unionists began to assemble in
great force on the north side of Birch Church, and, from
the signals, which were given by loud whistles, it appears
they came in three parties, and concentrated their forces
before crossing the wide and deep brook which separated
them from the brick-croft. They had to cross the brook
by a narrow foot-bridge, and the sullen and indistinct
murmur of voices rind the trampling of their feet gave
warning of their approach to the watchers. They ap-
proached the brick•croft at a quick run, and, after firing
several shots at a kiln where two of the watchers stood,
they rushed on to a flat of bricks and succeeded in de-
stroying 6,000 to 7,CCO, besides tumbling over whole walls
of new briclo, which bed been already dried. The
watchers say there mutt hate been at least a hundred of
them ;. and in the dead of night, when the moon was par-
tially .obscured, they appeared like a black cloud spread
over the further side of the croft. A gun was disaarged
at them, but apparently without Effect ; and a moment
after the cannon was also discharged. It was loaded with
five or six marbles and about a dczen slugs, and appeared
to tell heavily upon the ranks of the marauders, for num-
bers of them cried out and shrieked from rain, and the
whole body were panic-stricken and began to retreat.
They left, however, one of their number dead on the field,
the man having been shot under the left. car. Another
was carried on the shoulders of come of the retreating
body, and they sought to leave him in some new and un-
finished houses a few hundred yards distant; but a men
who watched the premises eluting the night interfered with
them, and compelled them to take their companion with
them under the threat of bringing the police upon them.
The man they carried was not dead, but appeared from
his cries to be in great agony. The county police, from
the different police-stations at Lonesight, Levenshulme,
Chorlton, and Didsbury, hearing the sound of fire-aims,
soon came up, hut not in time to apprehend tiny of the
unionists. The body of the man found dead on the brick-
field was carried to the Birch Villa Hotel, Rusholme, but,
up to Saturday night, had not been identified by name,
nor have any traces of his companions been discovered.
When found, he bad a large cavalry pistol lying under his
head, and in his,pockets were six pistol balls, a box full of
No. 4 shot, a paper of powder, and a quantity of caps.
Indeed, there is reason to suppose all the party were well
armed, for they dlscharged from twenty to twenty-five
shots at the watchens, but with only the effect of putting
p 1344 through the cog Piece of them.

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—On Thursday
evening, between eight and nine o'clock, a female was
observed in Queen-street carrying in her arms a young
child. Her careless manner, and the mode in which she
held the child, attracted the attention of several persons,
and she was desired to cover it up and take better care of
it. She soon afterwards threw the child down on some
steps and ran away. A police-officer was called, who, on
taking up the child, found it to be, as he supposed, in a
state of insensibility, and conveyed it to the Northern
Hospital ; but, on reaching the hospital, life was found to
be extinct. The supposition was, that the woman referred
to had destroyed her offspring, and an inquiry was made
with a view to her discovery. About half-past ten o'clock
a female was seen walking backwards and forwards on the
landing-stage, apparently in a very excited state, and in a
few minutes afterwards she plunged into the river. A
boat was procured, and the unfortunate woman rescued.
She was conveyed, in a state of insensibility, to the re-
ceiving-house, where, after the application of the usual
remedies, she partially recovered. She talked in the most
incoherent manner; and asked why she was not allowed

to drown herself? or if she could not have arsenic, which
would release her from her sufferings in this world ? She
said that she had murdered her child (alluding to the one
taken to the hospital), and had destroyed another previ-
ously in a dark passage. After being repeatedly ques-
tioned, the distracted woman stated her name to be Mary
Powell ; and this name corresponded with the name on a
pawn-ticket found upon her. Every attention was paid
to her at the receiving-house; hut she was not removed
until Friday morning. In the meantime, inquiries were-
being made with a view to her identification. It now ap-
pears that she was an inmate of the Workhouse, and had
been in the asylum there, but was discharged as cured two
months ago. She is the wife of a clerk in town, who is
said to have sadly ill-used her, and there is no doubt that
she strangled the child (a girl about five years of age)
carried to the Northern Hospital, for there is the mark of
a rope around its neck, and the appearance of the lips
and eyes indicate, too clearly, strangulation. She left the
Workhouse on Thursday with her two children, and little
doubt is felt that her statement is but too true, and that
both have perished. The body of the second child has
not yet been found ; the woman's statements varying as
to the precise spot where the deed was committed.