The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-07-25 00:00:00

EMIGRATION TRADE OF LIVERPOOL

ALTHOUGH the emigration trade to Austra-
lia has been largely enjoyed by this port, it
cannot be denied but that London possesses a
much greater proportion than ought fairly to be
the case, considering the great disparity in geo-
graphical position, the one involving the dangerous
navigation of the English Channel, while the other
is almost the nearest English port to the Atlantic
Ocean. The difference is observable iu the num-
ber of ships cleared outwards, but is still more
striking in those entered inwards, many ships
which have left this port for Australia returning
with their cargoes to London. In the latter case,
the disadvantage to shippers is )32tich greater, be-

an ins.

cause Liverpool must present a far more convenient
market for Australian wool, which is chiefly con-
sumed in Yorkshire, than the port of London, to

which the greater part of the supply is consigned,
in spite of the inconveniences which must neces-
sarily attach to its subsequent transmission. It
would appear, therefore, that there must be some
cause in operation which enables London to main-
tain that preponderance which might fairly be-
long to this port, and it must be a question of
importance to those interested in the trade of
Liverpool that her advantages in most respects
should be properly appreciated, particularly with
regard to a branch of trade which is rapidly in-
creasing in magnitude. With reference to the
size and quality of vessels, London has none to
compare with those belonging to Liverpool lines,
and, since the first voyage of the Marco Polo,
their reputation has been world-wide, while the
enterprise of our shipowners has shown a spirit of
emulation which appears to be satisfied with no
limit of perfection. It is said, however, that Lon-
don shipowners pay more attention than do those
of Liverpool to the appointments of their vessels
in those numerous accessories which contribute to
the comfort and enjoyment of passengers ; that
their officers are gentlemen in .education and man-
ners, whereas many of the Liverpool captains are
more skilful navigators, in some instances pro-
moted from before the mast, and, though capable
in all respects 'to handle a ship in a womanlike
manner, by no means fitted to preside over chief-
cabin passengers. It is also said that the dietary
is more amply provided, both in quantity and
quality, in London 'ships, and the accommodation
for passengers more complete of its kind, whereas
too many of the Tiverpool ships have been hastily
fitted up to convey as large a number as possible
without sufficient care being taken for individual
comfort, a provision indispensable for so long a
voyage. We -do not repeat these charges from
any conviction of their trtith, but rather 'to show
that such prejudices do exist, and which have, no
doubt, originated in the 'reports which were pub-
lished some time since °of the sufferings Of Irish
emigrants from Liverpool to America, and one or
two instances of emigrant ships from 'this port to
Australia on the first rush to the -gold diggings,
before the wants of The trade were properly under-
stood. It cannot, however, be too widely known
to all who intend to share in 'the advantages
-oitered by the colony of Australia, that London has
nothing to rival the magriificerit vessels belonging
to the Liverpool lines, either in speed or -safety ;

and now that the trade has been established on a
settled basis, the accommodations for passengers
are equally superior. This is proved in the length
of time occupied by the Liverpool ships when com-
pared with those from London,-and the satisfaction'
given to emigrants is also shown in the numerous
testimonials • which have been. presented by pas-
sengers to Liverpool captains on their arrival:in
Australia. With reference to the wool trade,
which is every year becoming of more importance,
it is a question for merchants ; but' no doubt much
of the prsference given to London is owing to the
shippers of gold preferring that port as the 'direct
market, and the shippers of wool availing them-
selves of the same conveyance. Something, also,
may be owing to the mercantile connexions of
London, houses, who seem'to have entered' into the
Australian business with great spirit. It is, how-
ever, -.a fair subject for -commercial.-rivalry; and,
considering the relative positions of the two ports,
Liverpool ought not to le behind-hand in securing
for herself a much larger -share of the traffic.

THE REVOLUTION IN SPAIN,

WHEN the intelligence was first received that

'rection had broken out in Spain, rwe
ventured to predict that" it would prove ,of serious
consequence to the Government, notwithstanding
the reports from Madrid that it was almost sup-
pressed and would speedily be extinguished. It
'was impossible to believe that a government which
comprised within itself- the worst and most revolt-
ing features of tyranny, superstition, and profligacy,
could-continue to exist, -when once the standard of
rebellion to such -authority had been raised, and
subsequent events have fully justified the correct-
ness of, our conclusions. ,The revolt, as it -retired
from Madrid, spread rapidly from town to town,
throughout Spain, until :it returned with . con-
centrated 'bitterness on the, capital, and the victory
was complete. Endurance had been pushed to
the edge of forbearance, and the reaction has :beau
a fearful-retribution for accumulated crimes. The
Court presented a scene of disgusting profligacy
in its most hideous deformity, unrelieved by one
redeeming qnality ; and should it result in -tile
utter degradation of the infamous CHRISTINA and
her abandoned daughter, Spain mill be well quit of
the incumbranceruotwithstanding there appears no
alternative but the horrors of, civil war, with rival
generals contending for the supremacy. Since the
death of FERDINAND, his widow, CHRISTINA, has
been absorbing all.the 'available. resources of Spain,
in .order to gratify her insatiate -avarice ; and every
species of peculation and robbery .hts been per-
petrated in order'to: nerease her gains. The time,

however, has at 'length arrived for restitution—her
palace has been sacked,;—and later telegrhphic
accounts state that her person has been seized at
San Sebastian, as she was within a few leagues of
making her escape over the frontier. Row she
may be treated is yet to'be seen. She should, of
course, be made to disgorge her .enormous plunder;
and it is a general opinion that no amount of
punishment inflicted on her could exceed a just
measure .of retribution for the immease amount of
suffering which her infamous conduct has inflicted
upon Spain. .

In .the present state of affairs, it is -impossible to
speculate with any reasonable degreeof probability
upon the futuro, For the interests of Spain, it
would be far letter to banish the spurious Mee
represented by 013IIISTINA and her children ; but
the difficulty presents itself in finding a successor,
since DON CARLOS and his son, who have the only
legitimate claim, would perpetuate the worst
features of Romish superstition, and fail to secure
that popularity which is indispensable to successful
monarchy. Under these circumstances, therefore,
it may be that ISABELLA will be allowed to con-
tinue as the nominal Sovereign under the dictation
of one or more of the successful generals ; and if
no restraint be placed upon her peculifir habits of
life, she may care little for the change. The pros-
pect is, however, a sorry one for the country; and
if the Great Powers were not engaged in their
more momentous quarrel, the future settlement of
the Government of Spain might form a subject
for European diplomacy.

THE FAITSSETT COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES, AND
THE Bum= AssocwrioN.--This interesting collection,
of which, since the refusal of the trustees of the British
Museum to purchase it for that establishment, so much
has been said, will form a feature in the exhibitions of the
approaching meeting of the British Association at Liver-
pool. Mr. Joseph Mayer, of that town, who purchased
the collection, had liberally yielded to the wishes of the
Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, to exhibit it
publicly at Liverpool in the month of June last ; and Mr.
Thomas Wright bad acceded to the request of the society
that he should read a popular lecture on the occasion,
explaining the character of the objects composing the
collection, the manner of their discovery, and their bear-
ing upon history. An alteration has since been made in
the arrangements, and it is now proposed to exhibit the
collection to the British Association. The town and the
Historic Society will invite the Association to a grand
soiree, on one of the evenings during the meeting in Sep-
tember ; at which the Faussett Collection, with other
national antiquities, more or less illustrative of it, will be
assembled, and at which Mr. Wright will deliver his lec-
ture. This exhibition brought together and arranged
under the direction of Mr. Mayer, will be considered as
belonging to the ethnological section of the Association.—
Illuetrated London Aeuv.

Tilt LIVERPOOL STANDARD,