The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-30 00:00:00

DEATH OF SIR FRANCIS BURDETT.

This melancholy event took place on Tuesday last, at
the residence of Sir Francis, in London. The death of
Lady Burdett we announced some days ago, and her re-
mains were removed only on Monday morning for inter-
ment in the family vault in Wilts. Soon after her lady-
ship's death it became evident that a very serious impres-
sion had been made upon the feelings and strength of the
deceased baronet. On Monday be appeared much worse,
and on the morning of Tuesday, as already stated. he
breathed his last, in the presence of his son and the other
members of his family. He would, had he lived 48 hours
longer, have completed his 74th year. He was a man of
very ancient descent, the possessor of an old baronetcy,
the owner of a splendid fortune, the representative of a
great county, the head of an honourable family ; a man
most carefully educated, of considerable attainments, of
great natural endowments, of very popular talents, of gene-
rous feelings, whatever may be thought of his wisdom and
discretion, of dignified manners,
of winning address, in_
vested with almost every personal advantage and prompted
by the most benevolent impulses ; it can occasion there-
fore no surprise that he should have enjoyed a remarkable
degree of popularity. Sir Francis Burdett was born in
1770, and was educated at Westminster School— In 1793
he married Sophia, youngest daughter of Mr. Coutts, the
well known banker. In 1796 Sir Francis entered Parlia-
ment, being elected for Boroughbridge. In the following
year he succeeded his grandfather in the baronetcy.
About this period Sir Francis became an earnest reformer.
He contested Middlesex three times, but failed, or was
unseated. In 1807, Sir Francis first became a candidate

for Westminster, and was returned without one shilling
expense to himself. His popularity was immense. In
1810, Sir Francis was committed to the Tower, by a vote
of the ikon.. of Common., for ..Idrecaing a printed letter
to his constituents on the commitment of Mr. Gale Jones.
The vote was taken after a long and stormy debate, in the
course of which Mr. W. Wynn's celebrated defence of
the privileges of the House of Commons was delivered.
The Manchester massacre," in 1819, again brought Sir
F. Burdett before his constituents, to whom he addressed
a very strongly expressed letter on that unhappy affair.
For this he was prosecuted by the government, tried in
the king's Bench, found guilty, sentenced to pay a fine of
£2,000, and to be imprisoned for three months. In 1837
he ceased to be member for Westminster, and took his
place for North Wilts. The circumstances connected with
the loss of his seat for the former must be fresh in recol-
lection. He supported reform up to a certain point, and
said he would there take his stand. To proceed beyond
that would be revolution—not reform. On his return for
North Wiltshire he joined the conservative party, and
continued to support them till the close of last session.
REPRESFNTATION OF NOEtTli WILTS.—The death of
Sir F. Burdett occasions a vacancy in the representation
of North Wilts ; and a general hope is expressed through-
out the division that Mr. Sotheron will allow himself to
be put in nomination. A requisition will then be presented
lo Mr. Ludlow Bruges, to offer himself for Devizes. We
do not expect there would be any opposition either in
town or county. But whether there be opposition or not,
the conservatives hold both town and county secure.—
Devizes Gazette.

THE Do wAGF.R CouNTEss OF CI, A ut:.—The death of
the Dowager Lady Clare took place under the most awful
and distressing circumstances. On Tuesday afternoon,
her ladyship and her daughter, Lady Isabella Fitzgibbon,
were sitting by fire light, when the latter retired to dress
for dinner, and was absent about half an hour. On re-
turning to the drawing-room, her ladyship found that
lights had not been brought; as she entered she observed,
" 'Mamma, I have put on your favourite gown," and,
receiving no answer, again repeated it. adding, " Mam-
ma, why don't you answer me ?" Alas on approach-
ing the tire-place the unhappy daughter found her mother
extended on the hearthrug perfcctiy. lifeless. Iler lady-
ship's grief and amazement are indescribable—indeed,
the whole family are weighed down by this sad event.

Jan. 30, 1844,

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE'.

LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.

On Wednesday last, the half-yearly meeting of the
proprietors in the above railway, was held at the Cotton
Sales Rnom, Exchange-huildings. The chair was occu-
pied by Charles Lawrence, Esq., Chairman of the Board
of Directors. The report was read by Mr. Henry Booth,
the treasurer. It appeared that a considerable increase
had taken place in the general traffic on the railway during
the last half year, owing to a revival of trade and com-
merce, though its beneficial effects had been in some de-
gree neutralized by one of those unfortunate contests be-
tween the Railway Company and the Canal navigation,
causing a pecuniary loss to both parties; that hostile and
unprofitable rivalry had, however, been brought to a close
The extension line of railway at hunt's Bank, will, Ail;
expected, be open in April next, and the directors contem-
plate charging such advanced rates as will afford them a
reasonable return on the capital expended; they also felt
the importance of resting their chief claim for public
support on ample accommodation provided at a moderate
charge, and in the revisal of fares, on the completion of
the extension line, intended to keep that principle it
view. The opening of the new railway between Preston
and Bolton, in connection with the existing railway from
Bolton to Manchester, as stated in the last report, wall
followed by a severe contest for three months between the
competing companies, which terminated in an arrange-
ment on a principle of mutual concession, such es the
circumstances of the case appeared to warrant. The re-
port also stated, that though the rates on merchandise
had been reduced, owing to the opposition of rival con-
cerns, the increase of traffic, on the general revival of
trade, had, in some measure, compensated for that reduc-
tion. It appeared from the statement of accounts that
the receipts were ; coaching department, £69,467 2s. 4d.,
merchandise ditto, £48,412 2s. Ild. ' • coal ditto, £3,211.
19s. 3d. ; total £121,031 4s. 6d. The total expenses
were £57 642 10s. 2., leaving a balance or net profit of
£63,388 14s. 4d. for the half year ending December 31,
1843, out of which amount the directors recommended a
dividend of £5 per £lOO share, which, on 12,090 shares,
amounted to £60,450, leaving a balance of £2,938 14s.
4d., to be carried to the account for the next half year,-
the dividend, however, being chargeable with the income
tax.

The CHAIRMAN said be hoped the report met with their
approbation, and if any gentleman present wished to ask
any questions, he should be happy to answer them.
Mr. ARNAUD remarked, that with respect to the in-
crease of the rates on the opening of the extension line,
they ought to be as moderate as possible.
The CHAIRMAN wished it to be understood that they
were not going to make an exorbitant charge. but simply
to get a moderate remuneration for their outlay, which
would be to the amount of £200,000.

The report was then adopted., and it was agreed that
powers be given to the directors to carry into effect such
arrangements as may be necessary with the company of
proprietors of the Manchester, Bolton, and Bury Canal
Navigation and Railway, and that they (the directors) be
authorized to affix the seal of the company to such instru-
ments as might be necessary to carry that object into
effect.

The four retiring directors—Mr. Chas. Lawrence, Mr.
Hardman Earle, Mr. Thos. Sands, and Mr. John Crop-
per were then proposed for re-election.

Mr. ALSTON thought that the number of directors
might be reduced to twelve, which would be a saving of
expense to the shareholders. There were larger under-
takings with a smaller number of directors.
The CHAIRMAN conceived they had no power to alter
the number of directors, which was in accordance withr
the act of Parliament; and if they had, it was hardly
worth while, the expense being only trifling. He thought
the number not too great, as there was no line of railway,
when the amount of traffic was considered, that required
more looking after.
After some further remarks from Mr. D. HODGSON,
Mr. BLAIN, and one or two other gentlemen, the four
retiring directors were re-elected.

Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, the meet-
ing separated.

MANCHESTER AND BOLTON RAILWAY COMPANY,--
On Friday, a special general meeting of the company of
proprietors of the Manchester, Bolton, and Bury Canal
Navigation and Railway Company was held at the Cla-
rendon-rooms, in this town. James Brancker, Esq.,
the presided.receipts
al h en
dllt h
disbursements half-yearly
report
onthe
railwayread,and h
and alsot e
canal. for the half-year ending the 31st of December,
from which it appeared that the railway receipts had
amounted to £21,042 lls., and the disbursements to
£8,084 10s. Id., leaving the railway surplus £12,957 Os-
11d. The canal receipts had been £6,987 Os. 6.41., and
the disbursements £2,957 Bs. 101d.' leaving tke canal
surplus £1,029 Ils. Bd., which, added to the railway sur-
plus, and deducting £554 4s. 3d. for interest, rents, and
commission, left a net profit for the half-year of £11,432
Bs. 4d. To this was added £1,736 6s. 4d. for half-year's
dividend, and the balance from 30th June, making the
disposable net proceeds £13,168 14s. Bd. A dividend of
£2 per share would amount to £12,402, leaving on hand,
including the dividend on the 120 shares held by the
al4d si
v.
iBdde.n;d aonfd h2epceorma
hmairt
e-
reetl co,
tct
oeo emb
behad
na
company,
daccordingly
ooprfd
Wtresd6on the Ist of February. In
the course of the proceedings, the Chairman stated inci-
dentally that the committee had that morning borrowed
.£20,000 at; per cent. The agreement of the company
with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company,
giving the latter an interest in the line of the former, was
approved and confirmed p as was the agreement with the
Manchester, Bury, and Rossendale Railway Company
and the committee of management were authorised to
carry it into effect, and, for that purpose, to obtain par-
liamentary powers to raise any sum not exceeding
1:100,000. Thanks were then voted to the directors and
the chairman, and the meeting separated.
RAILWAY TO HUDDERSFIELD.—At a large and influ-
ential meeting of the inhabitants of Huddersfield, it was
resolved unanimously, " that the proposed branch line
from the Manchester and Leeds Railway, as laid dowr
by that company, is not calculated to benefit the town of
Huddersfield, but will be to its decided disadvantage."

RAILWAY ACTS.—The applications to parliament in
the approaching session for railway acts will be more
numerous than in any previous year since 1835. These
applications relate to lines extending six hundred miles in
length ; and so confident are the projectors of obtaining
their bills, that they have been eager to make contracts,
even before the bills are passed, and many of such con-
tracts have been entered into for the formation of rail-
ways, at an expense, including stations, of £lO,OOO per
mile. A large demand for iron and other railway mate-
rials must ensue.

STATISTICS OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC IN 1833.—An in-
teresting table, prepared from the returns of the past year,
appears in the Railwag lfagazine of Saturday. We have
not room for the table, but quote the following results :
"The number of passengers was 17,255,085 during the
past year, upon thirty railways : the total traffic receipts
upon forty-four railways for the year, being £4,827,655;
making an average earning of £3,076 per mile per annum,
which is at the late of £59 per mile per week. If we de-
duct 40 per cent., £1,931,062, from the total receipts, as
working expenses, we shall have, less the passenger duty
andgor ieriinmcoemnte(stapx7
£81,509, leaving the clear sum of cent. on passenger receipts), £179,662,
£2,635,462 to pay an average dividend per cent. of
£4 13s. 101 d. upon the actual amount of capital already
expended as per last reports, namely, £56,135,104 ; which,
of course, entirely excludes nominal eapital and preference
advantages. The traffic receipts for 1843 exceed those of
1842 by at least £470,000, showing an increased average
traffic of more than £9,000 per week in favour of 1843,
which is, perhaps, a promising argument of railway pro-
sperity, and may in some measure account for the great
desire the public have shown lately for railway invest-
ments, in consequence of which, and the state of the
money market, railway shares have risen to an astonish-
ing price."

RAILWAY ACClDENT.—Yesterday evening week, a man
named William Beaumont was killed on the Manchester
and Sheffield Railway, near Dukenfield. He was walking
on the tram-way, when he was knocked down by the
engine.

NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.—Since the Midland rail-
ways, headed by Mr. Hudson, have decided on supporting
the North British line, the share list has been rapidly
filled up. The proprietors and inhabitants of Hadding-
ton, who bad determined on opposing the passing of a
bill for incorporating the company, have agreed to with-
draw their opposition, an amicable arrangement having
been come to to that effect, on the assurance of the pro-
visional committee of the company to form abranch line
to Iladdington, simultaneously with the main line. At
the meeting
week,ma ereetean
agt of
ufe
itlattinwei
petition
ou
siEdinburghy.
parliamentC h a
inm Chamber
favourof Commerce, t

EDINBURGH, LEITH, AND NEWHAVEN RAILWAY...".
The general half-yearly meeting of the proprietors took
place in Edinburgh, yesterday week, when the bill for the
branch lines to Grakton and Leith was read and approved;
and the subscription to the preference shares being more
than sufficient to enable the directors to proceed to par-
liament for both lines, the same was unanimously agreed
to. The traffic of goods and passengers on the present
line is daily increasing; but, when the Edinburgh and
Glasgow and the North British Railways form their junc-
tion at the North-bridge, the terminus of the Edinburgh,
Leith, and Newhaven, and its branches, there is every
reason to expect that this railway will become a very
profitable undertaking,

INC UM BENTS AND ULTRA TES.—Shortly before the last
prorogation abstracts of the number and classes of non-
resident and resident incumbents, according to the dio-
cesan returns for the
Year 1841, were presented to the
House of Commons. The document relates to resident
and non-resident incumbents, to the value of benefices of
non-residents, to curates of non-residents, and to assist-
ant curates of residents. It appears that in the dioceses
comprised in the abstract there are 10,987 benefices.
The total number of resident incumbents is stated to be
6,699. In the non-resident list the number of exceptions
is 1,851, of which 401 are stated to be doing duty ; there
are licences to
965, of which 191 were doing duty, making
the non-resident list amount to 3,736. The number of
non-resident incumbents doing duty is stated to be 1,059-
In the second abstract, showing the net value of the bene-
fices on which the incumbents were non-resident, it seems
that returns were made to 3,757,
and no return was made
as to 1,457. The amounts are set forth in various co-
lumns. In the third abstract of the number of curates
to non-resident incumbents, it is stated that there are
2,711, of which 1077 reside in glebe-houses, and 503 in
the parishes; the different stipends are given. A further
return is made of the number and amount received by
curates to incumbents who reside on their benefices :
the number of curates is 2,032. of which 1,493 were 11.
reused.

GENERAL NI ISUELI.A.\ I.

The Marquis of Westminster has subscribed £5OO to the
National Education Society.
rIRATH OF Mr. HOBLER.—We regret to state that the
venerable Mr. Hobler, who was clerk to the Mansion-
house for 54 years, died on Tuesday. at his residence in
Queen's-row, Pentonville. He was in his 80th year.
Lord John Manners and others, members of the Young
England party, are about to establish a monastery at
Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, where there are the ruins
of an abbey capable of restoration.— Watchman.
The Globe mentions a confident report that the charter
of the Bank of England is about to be renewed by govern-
/tent, of which the Time* and Morning Herald speak in
terms of discredit.
It appears, from a parliamentary paper, that there is an
tacrease in the importation of sherry last wear of 4,217
butts; the importation being, in 1842, 25,096 butts, and
in the year just ended, 29,313.
Mr. Messenger, a farmer at Loughborough, who was in
custody some time ago, suspected of the murder of one of
his labourers, named James Garner, has been re-arrested
in consequence of some additional information being re-
ceived by the magistrates.
The intention which the daily papers for a time enter-
tained of raising the price of their journals from sd. to
6d. is abandoned ; the new proprietor of the Morning
herald, now only an earlier edition of the Standard, was
the recusant party.
INDIA Nxws.—On Wednesday a ballot was taken at
the East India House for the election of a director in the
room of William Stanley Clarke, Esq., deceased. At six
o'clock the glasses were closed and delivered to the scru-
tineers' who reported that the election had fallen on Major
James Oliphant.
Mr. Thomas Harper King, an Undergraduate of Exeter
College, Oxford, has joined the Church of Rome. This is
the second member of Exeter College who has turned Ro-
manist within the last six months, and the seventeenth
victim of Mr. Newman's efforts to unprotestantize the
Church of England.
NEW BELLS FOR YORK MINSTER.—III accordance
with the munificent bequest of the late Dr. Beckwith of
York, the Minster Restoration Committee have directed
an eminent bell founder (Mears, of London) to complete
a peal of twelve musical bells ; the tenor bell to be 53 cwt.,
in the grand key of C.
James Hargreave, Esq., of Leeds, has generously for-
warded through the Rev. John Bowers £l,OOO, to aid in
the great and pressing emergency of the Wesleyan Mis-
sionary Society's affairs. This is Mr. Hargreaves second
donation of £l,OOO towards the same object. The same
benevolent individual was a subscriber to the Centenary
fund of £l,OOO.
An extraordinary investigation has been going on before
the Magistrates at Wolverhampton, during the last few
days, relative to a revolting charge brought against one
Caroline Harris, a midwife, who it is alleged has been
keeping a house for the reception of pregnant females du-
ring the time of their confinement, and that for a pecuni-
ary consideration the children were destroyed by her. The
details of this case are of a horrible nature.
PRIVATE AND JOINT-STOCK BANKS.—By a parlia-
mentary paper of last session it appears that from the
year 1826 to 1842 there were registered no fewer than 9557
private banks and 985 joint-stock banks. From 1841 to
1842 the number of the former was 311, and of the latter
118. The Yorkshire District Bank had in January, 1842,
1000 partners, and the Manchester and Liverpool District
Bank 1113, the largest number at the period mentioned.
THE HADDOCK FISHERY--During the last two or
three months immense quantities of haddocks have been
caught off Peel, and our market during that period has
been daily supplied with unusual quantities of this excel-
lent fish. 'Within the last fortnight they have greatly in-
creased in size; and we yesterday saw several in our mar-
ket, h;
which, upon being put into the scale, weighed eight,
nine, and ten pounds each.—Mona's Herald.
ADVANCE OF COLLIERS' WAGES.—On Friday last,
the colliers in the employ of the Earl of Balcarres, re-
turned to their work at an advance of 2s. per score on the
getting of King coal and cannel in the High and Aspull
mines, and ls. per score on drifts, 6d. per score on pillars,
and ls. per yard for cutting, at the Arley mines. All the
other colliers in his lordship's employ have, we are in-
formed, received a proportionate advance of wages.
IRON STEAMERS FOR THE NAVY.—The Lords of the
Admiralty have ordered six iron steam-vessels to be built
by contract; they have accepted the tender of Messrs.
Napier, of Glasgow, for three with engines and boilers,
and Ditchbien and Mayer are to construct the like num-
ber with their engines and boilers. The engines are to be
ready_ and on board by the beginning of August. Nothing
definite is known as to the service for which they are
intended.
TURN-OUT OF COLLIERS.—The colliers employed at
the Poynton, Worth, arid Norbury collieries, near Stock-
port, turned out for an advance of wages on Saturday
evening last. For some weeks past a spirit of dissatis-
faction had been exhibited amongst them, and considera-
ble less coal than usual had been got, so that the " banks"
were empty. In consequence of this proceeding, several
cotton-mills in Stockport were obliged to stop for coals
on Wednesday.
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.—On Thursday afternoon a
child, named Joseph Bowden, four years old, sustained
the following shocking accident :—The poor little fellow
bad run out of the house, 6, William-street, Lisson-
grove, and began climbing up the wheel of a chaise just
at the moment the horse was started off ; the consequence
was his legs became entangled with the spokes of the
wheel, and before he could be released both legs were
fractured, and he was otherwise much injured.—Standard.
EXTRAORDINARY LONGEVITY.—George Wharton, the
oldest man in orkshire, who formerly lived at Laver-
ton, but who for some years has resided at Masham
Moor Heads, in firm North Riding of that county, died
on Monday last, having attained the patriarchal age of
112. years. Till within a few days of his death he re-
tained the use of most of his faculties, and the vivacity of
4,51 f hie mind
the sprightliness of his person, and the piety
bias in his will long be remembered by those who visited
pRt 1118 cot.
A.IneriCEEtSTVANISM EXTRAORDINARY.—J. Perry, the
tow alk j,l2,siljaek, who undertook at Ripon some time ago
'ioccessive miles, viz. 11 miles per hour, for a thousand
Tuesday in ours,
completed his arduous undertaking on
walked a ,°,l.ll'ng last, at nine o'clock. He afterwards
°f Enusi Slid a quarter extra, accompanied by a band
health at the
He appeared equally as stout and in as good
feat. NO the completion as at the commencement of the
tiOn to ,11.. Wager was depending, for he left his remunera-
,r_. e generosity of the public.
E TE 'll
week ra,, RADE, Jan. 22.—The deliveries of tea last
public
sales of 549,7751 b. There have been
this day of about 56,000 packages in progress since
week, and they terminated to-day. A moderate
Prrtion only has found buyers, but more sold towards
the clo
_ se on Friday viz., 6,300 out of 8,960 packages, and
?i, gather 28,000 packages have been disposed of. The
ebut ri o r qualiies of congou have averaged rather lower,
fine have risen. Green, best sorts, have been at full
rates generally. *
iEXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE.--During a violent
su nder-stortn, a fishing-boat beloring to Mt•dyell, in
the Shetland Islands, was struck b 4htning. The elec-
tric fluid came down the mast, whLtir
man ho
shivers,
and melted a watch in the pocket of a mit
close by the side of the mast, without injuring io znas sitting
Not
only was the man altogether unhurt, but his
clothesi. were
also uninjured ; and he was not aware of what hadtaken
place until on taking out his watch he found it all fused
into one mass.—Jameeon's Journal.
GREAT WEALTH.—Within this month have died Mr.
Milnes and Mr. Beswick, of flurnage, about two miles
from Rochdale, who, it is said, have left behind them
above £200.000. The first has bequeathed £150,000, two-
thirds of which goes to a nephew at Wardle, and the re-
mainder to distant relations. Mr. Beswick, whose age
person 9 toy ears,was buried on Thursday last, and is the
about three whore,
Mr.
Fildes, of Rochdale, left £60,000
years ago. These fortunes were made under
the corn law system, now so much decried by wealthy
manufacturers.
The agricultural movement is extending and increasing
so fast, that even the Morning Chronicle is obliged to
admit, that "it really appears to get on a little." At
Northampton, on Tuesday, nearly 1800 occupiers of land
met, and a large sum was subscribed in the rooms • which
it is expected will be made £6OOO for that county alone - The Duke of Buccleucb, a member of the Cabinet! osereit.
£lOO. On Wednesday, a meeting of more than 600 agri-
culturists was held at Warwick, and a large
subscription
entered into. Mr. Bolton King, formerly the whigean-
didate for Warwick, attended, and gave his support to the
movement.
ANTI-LEAGUE AGITATION.—A meeting was held at
Maidstone on Thursday, for the purpose of forming an
association of the West Kent farmers to resist by all con-
stitutional means the progress of the Anti-Corn Law
League. Lord Strangford, Sir E. Filmer, M.P., Mr. J.
S. Douglas, M.P., Sir J. Croft, Sir E. Dering, and a
large gathering of the gentlemen of the county, with about
200 tenant farmers, were present. Lord Strangford took
the chair. The resolutions, which were of the ordinary
character, were proposed arid received with every token
of enthusiasm, and not less than £6OO was collected in the
room.

LIEUTENANT MUNRO.—An accredited agent on the
Part of Lieut. Munro has been three or four times at the
Horse Guards, to know the feeling of the Commander-
Chief towards his principal, and the answer which he
has invariably received is, that when his present leave of
absence expires, his Grace will consider him as " absent
without leave," and remove him from the service alto-
gether ; an application for an extended leave of absence
was met with a blunt refusal. In this dilemma, then,
stands the accused duellist : he will either lose the price
of his commission, the regulation value being £1,600, or
have to take his chance of a trial.—Correspondent of the
liamPBAire Independent.—[Since this it is well known
that Lieut. Munro has been superseded.]
, _The supplement to Willich's Tithe Commutation Ta-
bles has just appeared, which gives the annual average
Prices of wheat, barley, and oats in England and Wales
~rnin 1790 to 1843. From the table thus given it appears
Pthat the highest price of wheat during that period was in
12, when it ruled at 1265. 6d. per quarter, and that the
40west price was in 1839, when it ruled at 395. 4d. per
Smarter. The following are the average prices of wheat,
barley, and oats for the last seven years :
Wheat. Barley.
s. d. a. d.
55 10 .. 30 4
64 7 .. 31 5
70 8 .. 39 6
66 4 .. 36 5
64 4 .. 32 10
57 3 27 6
50 1 .. 29 5

Oats.
s. d.

1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843

23 1
22 5
.. 25 11
•. 25 8
22 5
. , 19 3
„ 18 4