The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-07-18 00:00:00

marks, have

me prevailed in naval and scientific circle

an allegt— on the part of governrne,,
treatment of the claims of Captain CARPENTER, for effect•
ing improvements in the screw-propellers of steam-vessels
employed in the royal navy. Every body was led to un-
derstand that the gallant captain had done something
considerable in the way of improving that implement of

, however, whose faith in government
liberality is great, maintaining that his services and in-
genuity had been well rewarded ; others, less confiding-
expressing grave doubts upon the subject: Tbc

propulsion, some

8,
general

public, knowing that its busine.o, _
confined to paying for alleged benefits, and strong .._
knowledge that £20,000 had, a considerable time since,
been voted, and of course paid, as rewards for these very
improvements, rested content that their lucky inventor
was snugly enjoying his otium cum dignitate, and that
all was right. The speech of Lord LYNDHUSIST, in the
House of Peers, on Monday night, awakened some, and
the morning papers of the following day aroused the rest
of the community to a sense of the discreditable way in
which the claims of parties in respect to this subject have
been met. From that expose, the public has been made
at that, although its representatives may vote, and it-
s( - a large sum in way of pecuniary reward
. .

stances,. is
the

I may pay,

.nere is not only no certainty that the reward will reach
the man who deserves it, but, what is infinitely worse,
there is no certainty that the administrative body to which
it is entrusted will take any steps to insure his receiving
it. The facts, as they were stated by Lord LYNDIIIIRST,
and they were virtually admitted by the Earl of ABER-
DEEN, were as follow :—So long ago as 1810, Captain
CARPENTER obtained a patent for his improvements on

screw-propeller

T was adOpted

after repeated trials, his pro
ps belonging to the royal navy
cs of the Admiralty for his im•

satisfactx

,peller was

the nay

and, in fact

used under sanction 'of the board of Admiralty. The
£20,000 voted by parliament was expressly as compensa-
tion to the patentee of the screw-propellers used in HER
NUJ Egrr's ships. So far, the matter appears plain to the
meanest capacity. The patentee of the 'in-openers used is
to be compensated; no propeller is used but Captain C.s..u-
rmicrzit's, and that is patented. He himself is absent on
foreign service, and absence, that foe so fatal to success,
baffles his hopes and frustrates his success. Nay, more,
as in numerous other matters of affection, it is taken ad-

antage of to transfer the favours of.the Admiralty to

tiler woof

A. patent screw-propeller

ever fitted or furnished any screw-propellers to HER
avy, or, if they did, they must have been
,cted under Captain CARPENTER'S patent,
ward, claims the prize, and, with the assistance of
_ rde, bags the money. The gallant captain has his
laim presented, and is coolly told by their lordships
hP ennmensation has been awarded, an

steps f

gated the dut

)ut
)m the gentle-
that they should

tleman to whom they had d
really very sorry for Captain CA.RPENTE
1p him. They took guarante,
trusted the mon(

to whom the

Captain
tribunals

iteil from all consequences ; and such being
annot interfere or afford any redress, but
-sr TER can have recourse to the competent

avigating

ables, t

ow hill

ack next time
could not b

Captain CA

it
adopted by Lord ABERDEEN or
, II • r•

nost UnS:

a manner

,tional

distinction men who render service to their country
overnment sends its inventive benefactors on doubt
nd protracted experimental missions, and, while 8(

,
engaged, distribute their rewards among men who have
no claim to them, taking care only that they shall not
themselves be held liable in restitution. Who would not,
under such temptation, benefit his country !

The parliamentary session, it is now clearly seen, will

it come to a conclusion so early as was at one time

cipated, although I see small reason for believing that the
time I mentioned last week as that likely for the breaking
up will not be pretty near the truth. I hinted last week,
also, the prevalence of a rumour that, prior to the s!.ssioi'!

nation, a resume of its " sayin

Lis and doings'

shed up and presented for the delectation of ministers
amusement of the house, and the information of the
. Some little idea of the•staple of such a "dainty
ay be gathered from the masterly philippic delivered
DISRAELI on Thursday night. Well and skilfully
the demand of the caustic member for Bucks, to
d with a catalogue of the legislative exploits of
The derisive cheers and explosions of laughter
in the ministerial ears, as their tormentor

sire to

now " if we h&

been at war, w

conquests we had achieved ; or if at peace, what beneficial
arrangements or what advantageous legislation had been
accomplished," were well-earned tributes to his able
management of irony. The felicitous ridicule with which
he asserted Lord Joss. RUSSELL'S weakness consisted in
overstating his case; and his fatality in that of being
always beset by difficulties, which it seemed to be the
business of his life merely to evade, and never to conquer

was irresistible

made the

g with adniiring plaudits. The miserable attempt
ing, in the to quo que style assumed by Lord J.
ssELL, created no sympathy in his favour. His trail-
c, explanation—defence it could not be called—of the
_otives which dictated to him the course he felt con-
strained to pursue in reference to his Reform Bill, and the
Aber measures which he had unnaturally assisted in
smothering, or recklessly abandoned at the promptings of
a disunited coalition, was tedious, flat, and ineffective.
It formed a fit introduction to the ad mi:ericordiam appeal
with which the noble PRESIDENT of the CouNcrL be-
st to try conclusions with him in a
oble lord's own selection—a vote of want of
in the government. Never was opportunity
re adroitly seized than this was by Mr. DISRAELI to
1 the leader of the government forces that sixteen or
rhteen adverse majorities upon important questions
,uld have been held by any other than the present
ministration as unquestionable proof of want of con-
ence. Well did he, also, apply the precedent of Lord
__IRINGTON'S motion, pledging the House of Commons
to a vote of confidence in that government of which Lord
Join; Russ-ELL had himself been a member, and invite
his lordship to try the same course now. The master-

is antag

The vaticinator

force of the conchali

it would be indeed difficult to surpass in stinging eloquence
or damaging effect. " When," said Mr. DISBAELI, as a
wind-up, " the present coalition government was formed,
I was asked how long it would last, and I replied until
the political reputation of every member of it, as a public
man. is irretrievably ruined."

The conduct of the war, the alleged interference of
a, and the still more than simply equivocal conduct

f that power in reference to the position of the bellige-
ent parties, afford ample scope for free, if not latitudi-
iarian, discussion among those politicians whose natural
r assumed business it is to scrutinise diplomatic arrange-
(lents, and estimate warlike movements and hostile opera-
ions. A few brief days ago, and the dreamy believers in
he Utopia of Austrian fidelity were loud in their hymns
f joy at the decided attitude assumed by the youthful
epresentative of the House of Hapsburg, whose energy
was extolled, whose judgment was eulogised, whose
bravery and disinterestedness were the theme of their
unmitigated laudation. We were told by those seers, who
evidently made " the wish the father to the thought," that,
with such powerful aid as he would bring into play, the
Russian hordes would be scattered like chaff before the
wind. The Russian force was in full retreat, and he was
following fast, and so he seemed to be; but the Russians
halted and faced about at Bucharest, in consequence of
their rear being threatened by the advancing Turkish
army, and what did the armament of FRANCIS JOSEPH
do ? Why, follow up their advantage, and press onwards,
of course ! No such thing ! The instant the retreating
Russians halt, the advancing and wonder-working
Austrians pa'ftse. The Austrian steamers plying on the
Danube are fired upon by the Cossacks, but this provokes
no hostile demonstration on the part of the " stern and
resolute" young Emperor. He who so short a time since
was so prompt to "occupy" is not now prepared to fight.
He who was to aid the Turks and defend their territory
v finds that his own frontier is unguarded, and his
ons more menaced than even'those of Turkey. His
ike his army, have now changed their tactics;
s position is a critical one, and that allowances
inst be made for him. Amen, say I, with all my heart;
but why did those gentlemen not descry the critical nature
of his position, and bespeak allowance for him and it
before ? The effect of his and their interference has been
to foster the lnkewarmness of spirit which is more than
suspected to retardthe resolutions of our cabinet, andto damp
that ardour by which the national feeling was compelling
our reluctant Ministers to simulate an alacrity they did not
participate in. Much precious time has been lost to us,
and an equal amount of equally valuable time has boon
gained to Russia, while we have been temporising to se-
' cure the co-operation of a power whose concurrence events
haves nrnvorl fn ha of nn value r and hnt for waiting nn

they say

Varna in a few days' longer time than they took to reach
Gallipoli. Loud, and deservedly loud, are the censures
pronounced by well-informed and thinking men on these
misdirected efforts, and respecting the lost time occasioned
by such short-sighted policy. Most of these parties enter-
tain rather more than mere suspicion of the honesty of the
Austrian professions, from the commencement of this mis-
understanding ; and they maintain that, in the whole course
of her proceedings, the Court of Vienna has been covertly
playing the game of Russia. Judging from appearances,
the mode of conducting war by a Coalition Cabinet,—and
a newly-created ministry of war, entailing on the country
an additional annual outlay of £17,300,—is to send out
powerful armaments, under the command of able officers,
to seek opportunities and devise means for bringing the
war to a satisfactory conclusion, or at least of striking a
decisive blow ; the opportunity secured and the means
discovered, they must then, it seems, send home for in-
structions as to whether the opportunity shall be embraced
and the blow struck or not ; while the home rulers are
busy in the intricacies of diplomatic negotiation. In the
meantime the season for military and naval action is ra-
pidly
passing away, the relations of the belligerents are
changing, and no blow has been struck. The time has
been, when the English people were ridiculed for the ple-
nitude of their diplomatic expeditions, compared with the
meagreness of their martial preparations ; when, on the
continent, it was customary for wits to speak of the Eng-
lish contingent as consisting of half-a-dozen ambassadors
and ten barrels of herrings. Surely the ministry of "all
the talents," with such large available means at their dis-
posal, are not ambitious of reviving the contumelious
sarcasm. Their war movements are tardy and expressive
of indecision and wavering counsels—inaction abroad re-
sults from uncertainty at home--paralysis of the extremities
proceeds from deficient energy in the administrative de-
partments. Their professed administrative power is
neutralised by divided opinion, and everything seems con-
verging to a break-up. Rats are said to leave a doomed
ship ; the Sydenham Palace directory have wooed and won
the chef de cuisine from the culinary paradise of the
Reform Club ; and everything indicates an impending
catastrophe little less awful than that which befel the
hidalgo who tore his breeches as if heaven and earth
were coming together !

That the EMPEROR of the FRENCH is a bold and ener-
getic man, many circumstances long ago revealed to the
eyes of the wondering nations ; that he is actuated by
higher motives than those which animate the mere
usurper, or are to be traced in the career of the ordinary
parvenu and upstart, every day is producing fresh proofs.
The energy and apparent good faith with which he has
recently laboured to uphold the integrity of Europe, and
aid in restraining the inordinate and dangerous ambition
of Russia, have gained for him " golden opinions from all
sorts of men." He now feels so secure in the good graces
of his fickle subjects, that he ventures abroad with little
or no preparation to secure personal safety ; and so lately
as Tuesday last he drove along the Boulevards in an open
carriage without escort of any kind, and accompanied

only by a single attendant ' • this was on his route to
Boulogne to view the embarkation of his troops for the
Baltic. Prior to their embarkation he addressed the
soldiers, alluding in marked terms to the singular and
gratifying fact that the French army was to be floated to
its northern destination in English vessels. His recep-
tion was, at every point, most enthusiastic and flattering.
As he passed over the bridge to enter the town at Bou-
logne, an English collier, which was discharging, had her
yards manned, and gave the EMPEROR an English wel-
come in right English style, a mark of popular favour with
which His Majesty seemed greatly pleased. The English
residents at this town were loud and hearty in their de-
monstrations of delight. While attending to such "mighty
matters of state," Louis NAPOLEON finds time or makes
occasion to cultivate the arts of peace, and is a liberal
patron of literary men and artists. Like his great name-
sake and prototype, he is desirous of having artistic
records of those scenes and events which in the present
war are likely to redound to the martial glory of France,
and with this view has despatched M. TIORA.CE VERNET, the
celebrated painter, to the East. The artist has already
arrived at Constantinople, charged with a commission to
make sketches. Our own countryman. Mr. Pentic PARR,
a rising and highly talented young sculptor, has been sent
for to Paris, and is honoured with a commission to exe-
cute the bust of the EMPEROR. Mr. PA.Bit is a Scotch-
man, and has, in his own country, given numerous proofs
of his eminent ability.

The Committee of the House of Commons appointed to
examine into the subject of licensing public-houses, beer-
shops, theatres, and other places of entertainment, has made
its report ; it recommends inter alia that the Crystal
Palace, the National Gallery, and the British Museum
should be open to the public on Sundays during certain
hours, exclusive of those set apart for public worship.
The report and its recommendations are viewed with very
different feelings by different sections of the community,
and before the recommendations are adopted by the legis-
lature, if they ever should be, much discussion and no
small amount of feeling will be displayed.
At the Royal Italian Opera, at Covent-'
',ow
of " Otello " - —rowed v'''•

arden,t

_ .;ra
has been produced with a, charming and
caste, so strong indeed that many eminent
say it is the best which has ever been witnessed in
lon, and the heads of most of the musical dilettanti
With Madame VIARDOT as Des-
as Elmiro, TAMBERLIK as Otello, and
.ag the inanities of the operatic fag° into
ne idea of the general effect may readily be

lemona, LA.BLAC

---____
irances, and draws crowds of zealous and wondering
The concerts of the week have been numerous,
,g the disruption of the London season,
been well attended.

and, notwithstanding

rn the whole

COMMERCIAL 4• MONETARY

NET'S,

N:

THE Funds during the week experienced a gra-
dual but continuous decline, attributable in some
measure to the absence of demand for stock, and
apprehensions as to the effect of the unsettled
weather upon the approaching harvest. On
Saturday, however, the weather was all that could
be wished, and the Funds rose considerably, the
advance being also experienced, though to a less
degree, in the Share market. Money for commer-
cial purposes has been in fair demand. but no
alteration has taken place in the Bank rate of
discount. The country Banks have, however,
reduced the rate half per cent., and lower rates
have also prevailed among the discount houses.
The Bank returns of Friday show a decrease in
the stock of bullion to the extent of £194,391,
but this is more likely owing to the few recent
arrivals of gold, and the payment of the dividends,
rather than to any great demand from the Conti-
nent. The most striking feature, however, is the
very large increase in Government Securities,
amounting to more than two millions and a half,
evidently arising from the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer borrowing money on Deficiency Bills to
meet the dividends. There is also a large increase
in "other deposits," caused probably by the
receipt of the dividends.
In the Cotton manufacturing districts trade
generally has been very dull, buyers withholding
their purchases for a time. Some of this is no
doubt the reaction which usually follows a more
than ordinary activity, and the uncertainty which
has prevailed with reference to the growing crops
has also operated in the same direction. As stocks,
however, are short,. there is no appearance of any
anxiety to sell. The Wool trade has shown no
improvement, and the gloom which prevails has
been rendered worse by several failures caused by
the long-continued decline in the value of stock.
The Lace trade is also very dull, but the Hosiery
has shown a better feeling, and hopes are enter-
tained of still further improvement.
It is not unusual to speculate upon the probable
results of the American Cotton crop, as an element
by which to estimate the state of the market here.
Recent circumstances have, however, shown the
futility of relying upon any comparison with
former years, as other elements, irrespective of
quantity, have had a powerful influence upon
Liverpool prices. The last two or three years the
American crop was unprecedentedly large, and yet
prices were well maintained, owing to the great
demand, not only in this country, but on the Con-
tinent, and also by the American manufacturers.
This year the crop is not so large by at least ten
per cent., nor is the quality generally so good,
and yet prices have declined on all qualities, but
particularly on middling and lower ones. This is
owing to the warlike operations in the East, and
the uncertainty which prevailed as to their effect,
not only upon the extent of our exports, but also
upon the Money-market. The alarm as to the
former cause is now pretty well set at rest, and the
latter will not, as far as present appearances justify
an opinion, be so injurious as was at one time
imagined. There is also the apprehension as to
the continued high price of Corn from the unset-
tled weather affecting the growing crops, but as
the harvest has proved abundant in the south of
Europe, and the reports of our own crops are highly
favourable, the fears which prevailed have been
considerably allayed, and we may count, with
reasonable confidence, upon an improvement in our
market. It is true that stocks are nominally
great, but the bulk consists of the lower qualities
not adapted to our ordinary manufactures, but for
these inferior kinds a new demand has arisen by
their conversion into cordage and canvas for ship-
ping ; and as a check has been put upon the supply
of hemp from Russia, this new material may enter
largely into consumption, and rapidly diminish the
present apparently large stock.
There are reports of some failures in the mer-
cantile world, but, considering the _ enormous

amount of commercial transactions and the con-
fusion always created by a change from peace to
war, the losses have not been to any great extent,
nor is there any reason to anticipate difficulties in
prospect, as the rate of discount has no doubt seen
its highest, the demands for railway construction
are comparatively trifling, and the changes are all
for the better.
Considerable interest is of course manifested as
to the prospects of the coming harvest, and it is
gratifying to state that reports generally are of a
favourable character. Much will, of course, depend
upon the weather, which has assumed a more
settled appearance, and should nothing occur to
injure what has already reached maturity, the
Wheat crop, it is believed, will be a full average
one. The prevalence of this opinion is evident
in the general decline at the various Corn markets,
although holders are reluctant to sacrifice their
stocks as long as a chance remains of the farmers'
prospects being blighted. We cannot, however,
anticipate any very great reduction in value, as the
consumption is very large, and will be still further
augmented as business improves and employment
in the manufacturing districts becomes more
general.
The East India and China Association have just
published their comparative statement of the
number of ships, British and foreign, with their
aggregate tonnage, entered inward and cleared
outward from and to places within the limits of
the East India Company's charter, from the Ist of
January to the 30th of June in the years 1853 and
1854. According to the statistics of vessels
entered inward, the port of London shows an
increase of 75, with 31,916 tonnage, the difference

between 365 vessels and 205,186—tonnage in 1853
and 440 vessels and 237,102 tonnage in 1854.
Liverpool exhibits an increase of three vessels with
161 tonnage, the arrivals in the former period
having been 129 vessels with 77,319 tonnage,
against in the latter 132 vessels with 77,480 ton-
nage. The total increase presented is 89 vessels
with 38,878 tonnage, the difference between 548
vessels with 301,608 tonnage, and 637 vessels with
340,486 tonnage. The statistics of vessels cleared
outward present unfavourable results, owing to the
diminished activity of the trade to Australia as
compared with the corresponding period of last
year. In the case of the port of London a decrease
is exhibited of 93 vessels with 19,657 tonnage, the
difference between 472 vessels with 218,864 ton-
nage in 1853 and 379 vessels with 199,207 tonnage
in 1854. The return for Liverpool shows a de-
crease of 68 vessels with 123 tonnage, the depar-
tures in the former period having been 262 vessels
with 134,895 tonnage, and in the latter 194 vessels
with 134,772 tonnage. The net decrease is 189
vessels with 21,815 tonnage, the difference between
831 vessels with 387,991 tonnage in 1853 and 642
vessels with 366,176 tonnage in 1854. The depar-
tures for Australia, Cape of Good Hope, China,
Singapore, Calcutta, and Bombay exhibit the

principal falling off.
The return from the Bank of England for the
week ending the Bth of July gives the following
results, when compared with the previous week :
Public deposits ... 24,948,822; Increase £366,376
Other deposits ... 12,571,329; Increase 1,451,986
Rest ... 3,265,820; Increase 36,029
On the other side of the account—
Government securities £12.977,237; Increase £2,644,442
Other securities ... 15,920,198; Increase 830,203
Notes unemployed ... 6,777,420; Decrease 607,785
The amount of notes in circulation is £20,521,240,
being an increase of £422,460; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £14,021,207, show-
ing a decrease of £194,391,when compared with the
preceding return.