The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-07 00:00:00

5-6, which we are
eristics of the year 1848-9,

1 year 1

I:the year of "extra-

The spirits of
ly been inflated

s of a

w materials

rt e d largely, and

the consumption of our population was at the
maximum, every branch of industry being fully
employed. It is true that in the latter part of the
year we had the first visitation of the potato disease
in Ireland ; but we are- told by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer that this adverse circumstance did
not tell upon the state of the revenue till after the
*July quarter. in which the receipts were very large.
In the year 1845-6, moreover, it will be remem-

surplus of income
over expenditure, amounting to three millions ster-

bered ti

ling, which enabled him, .'after re-imposing the
property and income tax, to give a further stimulus
to importation and to consumption by the
repeal of an additional number of duties, which
pressed upon the industry of the country, by en-

Lancing the cost of the raw materials of manufac-
ture, and also the cost of subsistence of the people.
We cannot discern the slightest ground for the
assumption of government that the coming year
may be fairly measured in revenue productiveness

with the year referred to. We are it this moment

suffering from recent ex(
+l,. 1

ssive importations of some
foreign production ; and

an increased consemption as will be required to
take off our surplus stocks and give new life to
our foreign trade. Our tea trade—a large revenue
producing trade—has been notoriously a losing one
for the last three years ; and the receipts from this
source may be set down at something approaching
to a million sterling less than in 1845-6. The
prospect of a large timber trade is not very pro-
mising, situated as almost every branch of industry

is at the present moment; arid the same doubts
hang over our prospects, with respect to several
other articles, which contribute largely to our cus-

toms revenue

It is very questionable, too, whether any revival
of commercial and industrial activity can be antici-
pated within the next twelve months, sufficient to
restore to our population their ordinary ability to
consume either imported produce or excisable arti-
cles. The most favourable accounts of the cotton

crop of the present year do not warrant us in in-
dulging in the hope of a supply sufficient to employ
fully our manufacturing population ; and it must
be borne in mind that, with a deficiency of the
means of paying the foreigner in manufactures, w e
cannot import without producing derangement in
our monetary affairs. There is no prospect either,
of a very signal increase in the number of those
employed in railway formation for some time to
coine,—a fact which, connected with further short
time working in the manufacturing districts, must
tell severely not only upon our Customs but the
Excise as well. We feel assured, moreover, that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer overrates the pro-
ductiveness of other important branches of the
revenue, viz., stamps, taxes, and income tax, from
which he calculates upon an aggregate amount of
£16,690,000. It will be found, we fear, that de.
creased commercial activity and retrenchment forced
upon all classes of the community, will combine to
disappoint his expectations from these sources.
" Of 'course, wettive no wish-to stand forward as
alarinists, or'to destroy the confidence of the com-
munity in the natural elasticity of the country's

resources. But we cannot withhold the expression
of our honest opinion, when we are impressed, after
mature consideration, with a conviction, that the
nation is being misled, and that its position is
painted too much in couleur de rose. Of course,
our opinion will pass current only for what it is
worth. But so long as even a doubt can be raised
as to the correctness of a Minister's calculations,
we hold it to be sheer folly to be satisfied with
meeting an admitted deficiency by borrowing from
accidental exchequer balances, and most dangerous
to delay for an hour the duty of entering upon a
full apd detailed examination of our actual position,
with a view, if practicable, to place the revenue of
the country upon a more solid and certain founda-
tion,—one less likely to be affected by the constantly
changing circumstances of our foreign and internal
commerce and industry. We must, however,
reserve our remarks upon this part of the subject
for another article.

SUDDEN AND LAMENTED DEATH OF AN

ESTEEMED TOWNSMAN

We regret to announce the sudden demise of Mr. Elijah
Harrison, under circumstances of peculiarly melancholy
The deceased had been for many years a mer-
chant of Liverpool, and in that character, as well as in
private life,—such were his Christian deportment and ex-
tensive benevolence,—was universally respected. He had
recently left his residence, at Chalcot, in Wiltshire, to
which he had retired, but from which (owing to old and
endearing associations,) he returned to this neighbourhood,
about twelve months ago, and occupied the house, in
Toxteth Park, (recently inhabited by Mr. C. H. Horsfall.)
His lady had for some time been seriously ill, and indeed
she is not yet entirely convalescent. On the 25th ult.
deceased visited his beloved partner in her chamber. and,
while talking with her complained of a slight pain in his
chest. He retired to another apartment, hoping that a
brief repose would relieve him from a little languor, of
which he had also spoken. Shortly afterwards, some
letters were read to him by his niece, while he reclined in
bed. Whilst this was being done, as if by a singular pre-
sentiment of his approaching dissolution, he made a re-
mark to her as to his strong feeling of the inefficacy of a
death bed repentance, and then he complained of
the pain rising to his throat, and affecting his

interest

ireatbing, and instantly his head fell and he swooned
sway. One of the male servants of the establishment
ushed out for medical assistance, and happening to meet
fr. James Lawrence, (formerly Mayor,) and his lady, ex-

pressed his opinion that his master was in a fit. Mr.
and Mrs. Lawrence hastened to the house, and Mrs.
Harrison, hearing of her husband's dangerous illness,
was, on her urgent importunities, assisted from her
bed into his room to see him. The two ladies
reached his bedside only in time to witness his de-
parture from this world of sorrows. Mr. Harrison was
61 years of age, and the immediate cause of his death is
stated to have been defective operation in the region of the
He bad no family and was interred at St. Michael's,
Park. He has left a name behind untarnished as
h merchant, and more than ordinarily emblazoned
haracter as a man. He was always usefully em-
hiring his residence here as an active honorary
If several of our religious and charitable societies,
rything he did and said reflected the deep seated
religious principles which guided him continually.

The Woodside ferry committee have decided on con-
tinuing the present plan of running the steamers.
The Corporation entered into possession of the water-
works on Wednesday.
On Monday, a child, five years old, named Robt. Reed,
living in St. Andrew-street, was burnt to death whilst
left with some other children.

Gilmour is now trying his hand as a trader at Ramsey,
Isle of Man, under the firm of " Trowsdale and Co." or-

is from Liverpool

PARK
ent Coi

It is understood that the Improve-
mittee and the Finance Committee are to con-

to the eomple

:ions in t