The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-07-25 00:00:00

ancient borough of John O'Gaunt. "On this occasion,"
says Mr. Hall, " the business is carried on with equally
as much spirit and opposition as any election in the
country. Deputations wait on individuals most likely to
become candidates ; committee meetings take place ; ban-
ners are suspended from the windows of the various rooms ;
in short, every preliminary relative to an election is gone
through. 'Hustings are erected purposely in the yard ' •
, and some days previous to the nomination, the'Castle
pump, which stands in the centre of the yard, is plenti-
fully bedecked with addresses, squibs, &c., Some of
the addresses, we are told, are written with talent of the
highest order, and would do honour to an occasion of the
sort under any circumstance, in any borough or county
in the kingdom.
_ _

In the instance of nomination, speeches of an hour's
duration are not unfrequently made by the respective can-
didates to parliamentary honours for this very ancient bo-
rough ; these speeches, often most eloquently delivered,
are listened to by the constituency with all the gravity or
derision becoming the occasion. Questions are put to
the candidates in the usual form ; the answers to which
are greeted, as the case may be, either with cheers or
groans.

We are told the hustings, on the day of election, pre-
sent a very animated appearance.
There may be seen the returning officer, town-clerk,
poll-clerks, proposers and seconders ; reporters, com-
mittee-men, together with a host of friends and admirers
of the various candidates ; in some instances, the latter
amount to half a score ; indeed there has been known a
dozen candidates. On the last election there were four ;
two conservatives, and two holding liberal principles. We
are informed the conservatives were returned in 1842, as
is generally the case ; and, from what we can learn,
liberals have in no instance had the honour of a majority
of tire suffrages of the constituency of the borough of John
O'Gaunt. .

The day of election is one of much bustle and anima-
tion ; even bribery is very frequent ; the value or amount
being generally from half a gallon of ale to a leg of mutton ;
the latter bribe being most in vogue.
This day is generally carried on with so much spirit,
that it is not unfrequently found necessary, for the better
preservation of the peace of the borough, to adjourn the
poll. This occurred at the last election, when the poll
was adjourned two hours. To such a height is party
spirit carried, that the excellent governor of the castle
permits the various officers on the debtors' side of the
gaol to vote, when the numbers are nearly even.
At the close of the poll last year, the numbers were as
follow .---

Tories
Liberals . ..
Giving a majority to the tories of 63."

--.41.--

SECOND EDITION.

Standard-office, Three o'clock

COTTON MARKET-THIS DAY.

A fair enquiry for Cotton to-day, and about 2000 bales
have been sold, all to the trade ; speculators are " on the
look out," but don't find Cotton to their mind ;
though the market is quiet, there is a very firm and steady
feeling pervading it.

LIVERPOOL CORN EXCHANGE, THIS DAY.

<From Messrs. R. Makin & Sons' Circular.)

The arrivalshere during the week consist of 3,105 qrs.
of Wheat, a moderate quantity of Malt, Beans, and Flour,
oastwise and from Ireland, with a very limited supply of
;ther articles thence ; the fresh imports from abroad com-
,,
wising merely 1103 qrs. of Pease, 60 sacks Oatmeal
and 4963 Barrels of Flour from Canada.
The last week closed with heavy rain and cold wind,
followed by showers early on Sunday, since when the
weather has been more favourable, and to-day it is fine
and warm with a promising appearance; which, notwith-
standing the general rise in prices throughout the country,
and the further advance in London yesterday, has pro
duced a decided check to all active proceedings in Whea,
at this day's market, and although very prime qualitie
of foreign rather exceeded the rates of Friday, other
descriptions hardly maintained the advance then stated
and with more desire on the part of holders to effect
sales, the trade for this grain concluded heavily.
Flour was also taken off sparingly, and barely suppod
ted the improved terms noted in our report of Friday.
Barley, of which there is still very little here was fully
as dear as last week. Malt realized a slight amendment
in price; and Beans as well as Pease remained steady.

ARRIVALS OF CORN.
From the 18th to the 24th July, 1843, inclusive,

DESCRIPTIONS. IRE- COAST- I CANADA' PO-
LAND. i WISE. I REIGN

Wheat .. Ors. 1623 1482
Marlcy faro 15 14L1
Malt . Qrs. 59 2835
Oats Qrs. 954 784
Rye Qrs.
Beans Qrs. 236 660
Pease Qrs.
ShelledßarleyQrs.
Indian Corn. Qrs.
Rapeseed Qrs.
Oatmeal .. Loads 3309
Flour. .... Sacks' 4258
Dittcl Br's.
Int Runcorn—Wheat, qrs. ; Pease, qrs. ; Oatmeal,

EXPORT.—Foreign. Beans, qrs. ; Oats, 50 qrs. ; Flour,
1210 brls.—lreland. Wheat, 488 qrs. : Barley, qrs ; Indian
Corn, qrs. ; Flour, sacks 10 brls.—Coastwise. Wheat,
337 brls. ; Oats, 24 qrs. ; Pease, qrs, ; Oatmeal, 2 Ids, ;
Flour, 187 sacks 565 barrels.

Average prices of Grain, for the week ending July 15, 1843
Wheat 51s. 2ci. Barley 20s. Od. I Oats 19s. Sd. f Rye 31s. lld

2gs. 6d. 1 Pease.. 3-25.-ici

Aggregate average of the six weeks.
Wheat 4gs 7d I Barley 27s 11d I Oats Igs Id. I Rye 31s 4d

Beans.:29i. ed. 1 l'ease..3ls. 0-ci

Duty on Foreign Grain, &c. this week. M 1
Wheat 20s0d 1 Barley gs Od 1 Oats .. . 7s Od 1 Rye.. 10s. 6d.
Beans Ils 6d 1 Pease.. lOs 64 1 Ind. Corn Os Od 1 Flour 12.00
Ditto from British Colonies out of Europe.
Wheat.. ss. Od. 1 Barley.. 2s. 6d. 1 Oats .. 2s. Od. I Rye.. 3s. Ott.
Beans 38. od 1 Pease 2s. Od. I Indian Corn Os. Od. 1 Flour 38 Od
Liverpool Averages, week ending July 18, 1843
Wheat. Barley.; Oats. Beans. Pease.
Qrs... 193 29 t 1261 69
rices 495. 10d. 255. 10d. 18s. 7d. 335. 4d. Os. od.

TOE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

BARGAINING.—The habit of making what are called
" cheap bargains," don not appear to me worthy of being
classed under this head; because the principle of economy
would inspire a wish to pay an equitable and fair price for
a good article, rather than a low price for a poor one ; and
in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, articles offered for
sate as being remarkably cheap, are of very inferior qual-
ity. But, above all things to be guarded against in ma-
king bargains, is that of taking advantage of the poor.
It is a cruel system carried on by the world, and one
against which woman with her boasted kindness of heart,
ought especially to set her face—that of first ascertaining
the position, or degree, of necessity of the party we deal
with, and then offering a price accordingly. Yet, how
often do we hear the expression—" I get it done so well,
and so cheaply ; for, poor things, they are in such distress,
they are glad to do it any price 1" And a pitiful sight it
is to see the plain work, and tine work too, that is done
upon such terms. A pitiful thinz it is to think of the
number of hours which must have been spent, perhaps in
the endurance of hunger and cold, before the scanty pit-
tance was earned; and to compare this with the golden
sums so willingly expended at some fashionable miliner's,
where, because the lady of the house is not in want, the
kind purchaser would be sorry to insult her feelings by
offering less.—Mrs. Ellis's Wives of England.
EMPLOYMENT OF ELEPHANTS IN WARFARE.—To
render the elephants more terrible in battle, they were
not only partially covered with red cloth—a colour which
was supposed to excite their rage; but the forehead, and
more particularly the ears, which the animal raised and
flapped in his passion, were also painted either white, blue,
or red,--the latter colour more particularly, as being more
terrific, as well as for the reason just given. Plumes of
feathers, small flags, and bells were attached, both to
raise the fury of the animal and to inspire the enemy with
greater fear. Sometimes they were covered with plates
of steel to protect them from missiles and from sword
Flits. Those on the medals which were struck by Cresar
in consequence of his victory at Thapsus, are thus de-
picted, as are those also on the medals of the Julian
family. The tusks, too, were commonly tipped with
steel ; while the breast plates with which the elephants
were protected, were furnished with long sharp projections,
to render the charge upon the opposing troops more
effectual and deadly. To the trunks of some, swords and
scimitars were ad pted, which the animal had been taught
to use with considerable address : the Sultan Acbar is
said to have had many of these sword-bearing elephants
in his army. To increase its violence to the greatest
possible degree, or rather perhaps to overcome its natural
timidity,—for notwithstanding its use in warfare, the
elephant, as we have before observed, is a timid animal,
—intoxicating drinks or stimulating drugs were given to
excite its fury in the day of battle. In India a fermented
liquor extracted from rice was employed for this purpose;
in Ceylon, opium was used ; and in Europe, wine in which
spices and aromatic herbs had been infused. "And to
the end that they might provoke the elephants to fight,
they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries."
—1 Maccabees, ch. 6, ver. 34.—Foreign and Colonial
Quarterly Review.
A SCENE OF HORROR.—I went with two soldiers of
the 18th down a street to the right, to a large house, which
I concluded belonged to a Tartar of consequence : we
burst the door open and entered. Never shall I forget
the sight of misery that there met our view. After we
had forced our way over piles of furniture, placed to bar-
ricade the door, we entered an open court strewed with
rich stuffs and covered with clotted blood ; and upon the
steps leading to the " hall of ancestors" there were two
bodies of youthful Tartars, cold and stiff, much alike, ap-
parently brothers. Having gained the threshold of their
abode, they had died where they had fallen, from the loss
of blood. Stepping over these bodies, we entered the
ball, and met, face to face, three women seated, a mother
and two daughters ; and at their feet lay two bodies of
elderly men, with their throats cut from ear to ear, their
senseless heads resting upon the feet of their relations.
To the right were two young girls, beautiful and delicate,
crouching over, and endeavouring to conceal, a living sol-
dier. I stopped, horror-struck at what I saw. I must
have betrayed my feelings by my countenance, as I stood
spell-bound to the spot. The expression of cold unutter-
able despair depicted on the mother's face changed to the
violent workings of scorn and hate, which at last burst
forth in a paroxysm of invective, afterwards in floods of
tears, which apparently, if anything could, relieved her.
She came close to me, and seized me by the arm, and with
clenched teeth and depdly frown pointed to the bodies—
to her daughters—to her yet splendid house, and to her-
self; then stepped back a pace, and with firmly-closed
hands, and in a hoarse and husky voice, I could see by
her gestures spoke of her misery—of her hate, and, I
doubt not, of revenge. It was a scene that none could
bear long; consolation was useless; expostulation from
me vain. I attempted by signs to explain, offered her
my services, but was spurned. I endeavoured to make
her comprehend that, however great her present misery,
it might be in her unprotected state a hundred fold in-
creased ; that if she would place herself under my guidance,
I would pass her through the city gates in safety into the
open country, where, doubtless, she would meet many
of the fugitives; but the poor woman would not listen
to me ; the whole family were by this time in loud
lamentation ; so all that remained for me to do was
to prevent the soldiers bayoneting the man, who, since
our entrance, had attempted to escape.—Closing events in
China.

Loss OF MAJOR BOYD'S AND CAPTAIN ANDERSON'S
CHILDREN IN THE RETREAT FROM CABOOL.—It was
about this period of our melancholy adventures that Major
Boyd and Captain Anderson heard of the loss of their
children ; the major's youngest, a boy, and the captain's
eldest, a girl. These poor babes (for so they may be
called—the eldest was not five years old) had been placed
in camel-panniers; the boy with his mother, Mrs. Boyd,
on one side; and the girl, under charge of Mrs. Main-
waring, on the other. Mrs. Mainwaring, notwithstanding
she had an infant of her own in her arms, generously vo-
lunteered the charitable office, seeing that Mrs. Anderson
had two other children to take care of, the youngest
scarcely a week old. The above little party were all on
the same camel in the middle of the pass ; the beast was
shot, and lay down, leaving its helpless freight a stationary
mark for the bullets of the Affghans. Shortly a Hin-
doostanee sowar took Mrs. Boyd on his horse, and car-
ried her safe through the pass. The other lady, the kind
hearted Mrs. Mainwaring, was nearly sharing a more
wretched fate; she had just contrived to dismount with
her own infant from the fallen camel, when an Affghan
horseman rode up to her, and threatening her with his
sword, desired her to give him the shawl with which she
was clothed ; while she was urging some vain remon-
strance, a grenadier sepoy of the 54th contrived to force
his way to her rescue ; which he effected by discharging
the contents of his musket into the body of the Affghan.
Leaving little Boyd and Anderson to their fate, he then
gave his arm to his fair protege, and with the gallantry of
a cavalier of olden time, supported her failing steps to
near the exit from the pass; here, poor fellow! he was
fated to end his career, and he fell by a bullet from one of
the stone breastworks. It now became the chance of a
spirited young fellow, a private in the 44th, to afford aid,
which he did by giving one arm to the lady's assistance,
and bearing in the other the infant she had herself until
now carried. Thus, as evening was closing in, did this
little party reach the halting-ground. A weak and deli-
cate woman, used to all the comforts and luxuries of ci-
vilised life, having walked a distance of five or six miles,
the whole way through snow more than ankle-deep ; in
many places sinking to the knees through the thin coating
of ice that covered the stream flowing through the pass ;
forcing her way through the shoals of camp followers, all
equally eager to get clear of the mouth of the pass, (to so
many, in truth, the jaws of death,) and for more than
half the distance carrying in her arms a child of ten weeks
old. Still, hers was a happy case compared to that of
others ; she had surmounted her difficulties, and could
press her infant to her bosom. But how was it with Mrs.
Boyd and Mrs. Anderson? They had now to learn, that
in the confusion and hurry of saving the ladies, their
children had been left to the tender mercies of the ruth-
less Affghans. Who could guess what would be the fate
of these poor babes ! Happy, surely, would their parents
have been, could they have been assured that the sword
had ended their miseries : but to fancy them living to be-
come the slaves of Affghans ! Who shall venture to de-
pict their anguish ?-7 he English Captives at Cabool, in
Bentley's Miscellany for July.