The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-21 00:00:00

Bistrirt 43,105.

The sufferings of the operatives in the Runcorn (Marries
have been very severe the whole winter. Business has
been almost at a stand-still there.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.—
The votes of SirJohnJervis on the income-tax have given
great dissatisfaction to his supporters in Chester.
The mining at the Kirton Tunnel was completed on
Tuesday, and that portion of the Manchester, Sheffield,
and Lincolnshire line between Grimsby and Gainsborough
is to be opened on the Ist of July next.

BURGLARY.—WiIIiam Nelson was on Tuesday week
committed to Kirkdale, for trial at the ensuing assizes,
charged with having feloniously shot at Mr. James Cot-
tam, with intent to murder him, and with also having
stolen a gun and other articles from his house, Crow-hall,
Broughton_ on the night of the 25th ultimo. _

VESSEL STRANDED'.---The schooner Branch, of Dunbar,
Peter Miller, master, bound from Leith to Liverpool,
laden with pig iron, railway sleepers, and twelve hogs-
heads of wine under bond, stranded on the Salthouse
bank off Lytham, on Sunday night last, through mista-
king Lytham lighthouse for the lightship cif Liverpool.
Very fortunately there were no lives lost. They are get-
ting the cargo out, but the vessel will become a wreck.—
Preston Pilot.

LOUIS PHILIPPE.-It is not improbable but that the
ex. King may come into this neighbourhood. He is, we
believe, in treaty for Duxbury Park, near Caorley.
will be recollected that the late Mr. Frank Hall Standish,
at his death, left many of his best pictures to Louis
Philippe, who, in return, made some exceedingly splendid'
presents to the present Mr. Standish, (the owner of
Duxbury.) We are quite sure he could not have a mare
retired or beautiful residence.

EMPLOTMENT IN MANCHESTER.—A comparison of
the last anti previous a eek, gives the following results :
One cotton mill, previously stopped, has gone upon full
time. There are 1,484 more operatives employed in the
cotton mills, working full time, who were previously
either working short time or altogether unemployed. Of
the total works included in the table, one previously
working full time, and one working short time, have stop-
ped. There are 2,117: more operatives working full time,
11,675 of whom were previously working short time, and
the remainder were out of employment altogether. The
return, therefore, is indicative of improvement.
STATE OF STOMPORT.—The condition of the factory
operatives in Stockport is not so bad as it was in Novem-
, ber last. At that period there were 68 mills in the borough,
employing 18,256 hands. Of this number 4,979 were
unable to obtain any employment in the factories; 6,598
were working three days, 1,670 four days, 1,850 five days,
1,569 fore and a half days, and the remaining 1,540 two
days and three days, in about equal' proportions. Mr.
Sadler's return shows that on Wednesday last, the num-
ber of operatives standing idle is only 3;781, so that 1,198
more are employed now than in November; working three
days, 2,192,,being a decrease of 4,396; four days, 3,926,
showing an increase of 2,259 ; five days, 1,850, being an
increase of 433 ; five and a half days, I,s69',being increased
employment-to 3,193 persons.
THE LANCASTER ELECTION.—We trust that the vir-
tual defeat of the Radical host will be converted into a
real one. In oui-last we intimated that a•careful canvass
of the poll bock had resulted in the discovery, that after
striking off bad votes on both sides, Mr. Stanley would
stand in a majority. Since then, we fitid that that ma-
jority has increased to nearer twenty, and, of course,
additional information is continually coming in. In point
of fact, Mr. Armstrong has been returned by the paupers
of Lancaster. The hon. member, we are told, is not
only a ballot man, but an advocate for an-extension of
the franchise ; and if ever it happens that he is called
upon to exercise his privilege as an M.P. on the question,
(not a likely thing, however,) he is in gratitude bound to
throw in a kind word for the pauper class, since but for
the votes of that portion of the Lancaster community,
he would have been left in a miserable minority on Thurs-
day week. He may be called the pauper's member during
the brief period he is likely to enjoy the honour of sitting
in parliament.—Lan ester Gazette.
THE REPEAL DEMONSTRATION IN MANCUESTER.—
The meeting on Friday was a very large one, the Free-
trade Hall being full in every part. Many of the repeal-
ers on the platform wore tri-coloured rosettes, of orange,
green, and white. A Mr. Dunn, an Irishman, presided.
The meeting was convened for St. Patrick's Day, "To
take into consideration the best means of accomplishing
the repeal of the legislative union berween Great Britain
and Ireland." Of eleven orators advertised to address
the meeting only three were present, viz., Messrs. Fergus
O'Connor, Mr. T. F. Meagher, and W. P. Roberts. A.
series of five resolutions were moved, seconded, and sup-
ported by English chartists and Irish repealers, who
" fraternised " by shaking hands before the meeting. The
chief speakers of the evening were Mr. O'Connor, Mr. T.
F. Meagher, and Mr. Michael Doheny, a barrister,—the
two latter a deputation from the repealers of Dublin. The
speeches generally were of the usual Irish character. An
address of congratulation to the French people was also
adopted, and after nearly four hours of haranguing, shout-
ing, and cheering, the proceedings terminated at eleven
o'clock, and the numerous assemblage (as exhorted by
several of the speakers) retired quietly to their homes.
THE SEASON AND CROPS.—In this district, the wea-
ther, during the whole of February, and in the early part
of the present month, has been exceedingly wet, scarcely
ever so much as a thorough dry day, with occasionally
boisterous winds. This being the case, the out-door la-
bour of the farmer has been very considerably retarded.
Still, however, the weather has been favourable for the
wheat crop, which genemlly looks well, being remarkably
healthy and vigorous ; although in some instances it may
be said to be too full of root, owing, no doubt, to the open
and mellow character of the winter. That valuable and
most useful esculent, the potatoe, which of late has been
so most mysteriously affected, has not yet entirely thrown
off the disease, there remaining still most remarkable
symptoms of decay in this neighbourhood. In some cases
half the produce is in a state of decomposition ; and in
others, the potatoes, where not disturbed or removed,
have put out sprouts of at least twenty-four inches in
length. But notwithstanding this soi.ewhat disheart-
ening picture, there certainly is an improvement as com-
pared with former years ; . so much so, that it is to be
noped farmers will have the pleasure of seeing their crops
of potatoes grown and prove restored to health and sound-
ness next year, which will be not only a benefit to them-
selves, but to mankind at large.—Preston Chronicle.
HIGHWAY RonnEs.v.—One of the most daring high-
way robberies and brutal assaults that ever disgraced the
annals of any country, was perpetrated on Tuesday night
last, upon the person of Mrs. Charlotte Maria Noble
Bateman, of Common-Head, widow. It appears that Mrs.
Bateman had been spending the day at the Abbey, Stave-
ley, with Mrs. Wilson,,the lady of J. H. Wilson, Esq., of
the Grange, Sussex, who is at present staying at the Ab-
bey, and remained there until 11 p.m., when she repaired
towards her own house, which is about 40 yards from the
Abbey ; when she got some distance up the road, a man
sprung out of a field, seized her by the arms, threw her
down upon the ground with great violence, and said,
" Now, your money or your life." Mrs. Bateman called
out loudly for help, but no one came to her assistance.
The villain then swore a great oath, saying, " If you do
not hold your noise I will draw my pistol and shoot you."
Mrs. Bateman got up from the ground, when he threw
her down again, still demanding money, when she gave
her purse and money, about Bs. in silver, to him. At this
time ho was kneeling upon her chest. After the ruffian
had got the lady's purse and money, he filled her mouth
with dirt, pulled her bonnet over her face to prevent her
screaming, and then dragged her into the field, at the gate
he came out of when first he attacked her. Here a great
struggle ensued ; the lady got up from the ground, when
he again threw her down with great violence, and caught
her head against the wall. Here the fellow pursued the
nefarious attempt, but Mrs. Bateman being a powerful
woman, resisted him, and at length, after a struggle which
lasted near half an hour, he left her. and she got home in
the best way she could, in almost an exhausted state.
Her clothes were in a most shameful condition, being co-
vered with dirt and mud. Mrs. Bateman is very much
injured in her face and various parts of her body. The man,
has been apprehended.—Lancaster Gazette.
THE SCOTCH CHURCH, ST. PETER'S SQUARE.—A few
years since a dispute arose as to whether this building
belonged to the free church (or the parties sympathizing
with that body) or to the established church of Scotland,
About a month ago, the question was argued in the Court
of Chancery, and on Wednesday last Vice-Chancellor
Knight Bruce decided in favour of the relators. In con-
sequence of this decision, Mr. Webster, solicitor, accom-
panied by Mr. John Shepherd, Mr. John Young, and
Captain Brown, went yesterday (Friday) to the session-
house of the church, and served' a notice ou the Rev.
Alexander Munro, and another on Joseph Gartside, the
beadle, requiring them to give up the keys of the building
to Mr. Shepherd. Mr. Munro refused to obey the order
of the notice until he had consulted his solicitor and other
parties concerned ; and asked for the delay of an hour
and a half or two hours for the purpose of deliberation.
The gentlemen then withdrew but returned within an hour
afterwards, while the minister and office-bearers were
discussing the matter. Mr. Hall, solicitor, being then
present, said he declined to accede to their request, as
the Vice-Chancellor had given no directions on the sub-
ject. Mr. Shepherd then took the key from the door of
the session-house, which, we understand, is the property
of Mr. Robert Barbour, and, by the aid of some men
who were outside, took possession of this part of the
building. Meanwhile a locksmith was sent to open one
of the front doors, which he effected by means of skeleton
keys, before any one in the vestry could do anything to
prevent it. As soon as the door was opened, Mr. Shep-
herd and several others entered, and took possession of
the church. Information having been sent to the Town-
hall that a disturbance might possibly occur, six policemen
were sent to the spot to preserve peace. Their services,
however, did not appear to be much needed, and accord-
ingly, most of them left, after having dispersed the people
congregated around the church door. In the course of the
afternoon, a telegraphic communication arrived from Lon-
don, stating that the Lord Chancellor had suspended the
order of the Vice, Chancellor, with respect to the building,
till an appeal, of which notice had been given, should be
beard. In consequence of this communication, the key of
the session house was returned. and the parties who had
taken possession of the church retired. The congrega-
tion will for the present meet for divine service at the
Mechanics' Institution.—Manchester Guardian.
WRlTlNG.—Continued testimonies pour into the high
ability of Mr. Thompson as a teacher of caligraphy. The
paraphrase, " Nature's great masterpiece is writing well,"
holding more senses than one ; and, certainly, were all
acquainted with the facility with which a good hand may
be acquired under a competent instructor, bad writers
would be rare. _ .

'rhe late Dir. Youatt, in one of his orations to the mem-
bers of the Veterinary College, observes--" That by the
improvements iu modern chemistry, the medical profession
are enabled successfully to treat diseases which were pre-
viously supposetLas not..within the reach .of ,medicine."
Thia truth has been manifested fOr'n-irn'y yeirs,. but in uo
instance of greater importance to mankind tbau by Oa
Aintevery d Mateo Qout and glammtic