The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-03-04 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

ALTCAR SCHOOLS, &c.—We have learned, with great plea-
sure, that the Earl of Sefton has recently built two excellent
schools at Altcar, to be used as Sunday and day schools, and
that his lordship has also, unasked, assisted the parishioners
to repair and improve their church,

Her Majesty's packet Medusa picked up the crew of the
Adeiphi, a Welsh sloop, laden with slates from Beaumaris,
which foundered in sight of the Medusa, during her passage
to Dublin.

CONVEYANCE OF THE Mmt.s.—The estimates for the
contract packet service amount, for the years 1842-3, to
£421,929, being an increase of £188,590 over those of the
previous year. This arises chiefly from' the contract for the
conveyance of mails to the West Indies, which is taken at
£240,00. There is an addition also of £20,000 for the con-
veyance of mails by steam from Liverpool to Halifax and
Boston and Quebec; the total mount for thatbeing £BO,OOO.
The following are the other principal contrapts :—For con-
veying the mails from London to Rotterdam and Mnillinrg,
£17,000 ; to Gibraltar and the intermediate places, £29,600;
Alexandria, £34,000 ; and from Liverpool to Kingston, Ire-
land, £9,000.

FIGHTING TAILORS.—On Tuesday last, at the Police-
court, Samuel Barnett and Michael Hannan, two respectable
looking young men, were called, and they presented them-
selves before the bench. They had been out on bail.—The
police-officer on duty in Oldhall-street stated, that on the
preceding day he found the prisoners fighting in Oldhall-
street,,—Mr. Rushton: What are you ?—Barnett and Han-
nan : We are tailors, sir.—Mr. Rushton : Oh ! I know : a
number of you tailors bare been fighting for twelve months
past.--Barnett : It was a piivato quarrel, sir, which we
thought we would settle amicably, sir, by fight4ig it out, when
the officer interrupted us. All differences amongst us 4ro
now settled, sir, and if you.will look over this, we shall never
fight any more.—Mr. Rushton : I have had great trouble
with you men, and now I am determined to put a stop to
these disgraceful proceedings. The public are not to be an-
noyed by your absurd quarrels. You must each pay a fine
of 40s and costs, or be imprisoned one month ; and the next
time you so offend I will make you find bail.
-

SINGULAR OCCURRENCE AT A (...7ENTLEU4N'S HOUSE IN
RODNEY-STREET.—WhiIe the family were sitting at dinner,
on Sunday evening, they were suddenly greatly alarmed at
seeing a large volume of fire bursting into the room, and im-
mediately afterwards they perceived a large bird flapping its
wings in the midst of the flames. It appears that a pigeon
must, by some accident, have got into the top of the chimney,
and, in its passage down to the grate, collected a great quan-
tity of soot, which suddenly igniting (for there was a good fire
burning at the time), caused an explosion, and tweed a large
column of fire into the room, which extended nearly to the
table. It was very fortunate no one was sitting on that side,
or serious consequences might have ensued. The lady of the
house had herself a most providential escape ; for, not feel-
ing quite well, she left her seat, and stood for some time be-
fore the fire. and she had scarcely returned one minute to the
table before the accident happened. It is frightful to con-
template the awful situation she would have been in, enve-
loped in such a body of flames, without the slightest warning.
The family were obliged to leave the room directly, and every
thing on the table was completely spoiled. The poor bird
was alive when taken out of the grate, but every particle of
its feathers was burnt off. The reflection of the flame was
seen by the servants who were sitting in the kitchen below,
the window shutter not being closed.
THE LoNg LOST PRESIDENT.—II iS supposed, form
the following extract from the log book of the brig Poul-
try, Capt. James Moult, of Baltimore, that the hull of this
long lost steamer has at last been seen. " July 21, 11 a.m.,
lat. 40 '2l N., long. 39 17 W., from New York for SMyrna,
passed a large piece of wreck, sixty feet long, thirty or forty
wide, and looked like the broadside of a steam-boat. It ap-
peared to be part of the main-channels, having four dead
eves, with turned mouldings, and long flat iron straps. Her
hull was black, with a broad wide streak, and large painted
black ports. There was a bight of a hawser over a piece of
wood, apparently part of the guards." The ill-fated Presi-
dent was seen both here and in Liverpool by the chief mate
of the Poultney, and he unhesitatingly says that the wreck
passed was part of that steam-ship. Every thing about the
wrek plainly showed, from their great size and manufacture,
that they belonged not to any merchant vessel or man-of-war,
but to a large steamer. We think as the mate does on this
point, and believe the wreck seen to have been that of the
unfortunate, ill-starred President.—New York Herald, Feb.
Sth.—[lt will be seen from our United States intelligence
that the stern boat and some other things belonging to this
ill-fated vessel have been picked up,]
ST. DAVID'S DAY.—The loyal inhabitants of the princi-
pality celebrated the anniversary of their patron saint with
their usual enthusiasm. The proceedings were commenced
by a sermon at St. David's Church, on Sunday last, by the
Rev. John Jones, M.A., of St. Andrew's Church, for the
benefit of the Welch schools in this town. On Tuesday,
early in the morning, the interesting subjects of the charity
and their parents showed the value they had of the advan-
tages of a scriptural education, by congregating at the doors
of the different school-rooms to witness the proceedings.
At a quarter before eleven, the directors and friends of the
schools, accompanied by the members of the Ancient Britons'
Friendly Society, with their handsome flags, and some highly
respectable members of the Cambrian Friendly Society, and
the St. David's Friendly Society, went in procession, with
the children of the schools, to St. David's Church. We
were greatly delighted with the cleanly and orderly be-
haviour of the children, which reflected great credit on the
superintendents, the visiters, and instructors of the schools.
The services in church were wholly in the Ancient British
language ; the prayers were read in a distinct and impressive
manner by the Rev. Robert Davies, M.A., the minister of
St. David's Church, and a most excellent, energetic, and
valuable sermon was delivered by the Reverend Henry Jones,
M.A., vicar of Northop, Flintshire, who took for his text,
Luke 13th chapter, 6th, 7th, Bth, and 9th verses. The sub-
ject was the parable of the fruitless fig tree, which the Rev.
gentleman ably and impressively applied to the object of the
day's proceedings. After the service, the directors, their
friends, and the subscribers to the schools, returned in pro-
cession with the children to the large school-room, when an
examination of the scholars took place, which was conducted
by the Rev. Robert Davies. The satisfaction derived from
the acquirements of the children was very marked. James
Aspinall, Esq., the president for the year, occupied the chair.
At the close of the examination, Thomas Jones, one of the
senior boys, delivered an appropriate speech, expressive of
the gratitude of the children for the benefits they derived
from a scriptural education. After the business of the day
was concluded, the directors and friends of the charity par.
took of a cold collation, to which they were admitted by
ticket. The arrangements were under the superintendence
of Mr. Edwards, of the Wellington-rooms, and were con-
ducted with very great taste. During the refreshments,
several loyal and appropriate toasts were given ; and when the
toast of the day, " Albert, Prince of Wales," was given, a
select number of the girls of the school were introduced, who
sung an appropriate hymn. Several interesting speeches
were delivered, and after spending a most agreeable after-
the company separated, highly gratified with the whole
proceedings of the day.

NEW PATENTa.—Amoygst the patents sealed last month
is one of Mr. C. W. Williams, of this town, for certain im-
provements in the making and moulding cf bricks, artificial
fuel, and other substances. One to H. F. Broadwood, Esq.
of London, for an improvement in that part of a piano-forte
harpsichord, or other the like instrument commonly called
the name board; and one to Adderley Willcocks Sleigh,
K.T.S., of Manchester, captain in her most faithful majesty's
service, for a certain method or certain methods of effecting
and forming sheltered floating harbours of safety, by the em-
ployment of certain buoyant sea barriers, applicable thereto,
and which said improvements are also applicable to and
useful for the formation of breakwaters, floating bridges,
lighthouses, and beacons ; the 'protection of pier-heads, em-
bankments, and for other similar purposes.

PRESCRIBING DRUGGISTS.—ANOTHER CHILD KILLED
BY AN OVER DOSE OF NARCOTIC POISON.—On Monday
an inquest was held before P. F. Curry, Esq., coroner for
this borough, on view of the body of Emma Cain, an infant
of three months old. Jane Cain, wife of Matthew Cain, and
mother of the deceased, said, they lived in Gillon-place,
Duckenfield-street. On Thursday last the deceased was not
very well, and had been so for a week, her bowels being a
little disordered ; and she went to the shop of Mr. O'Gor-
than, a druggist, in Brownlow-hill, and asked for a penny-
worth of paregoric, which he gave her. She asked him what
quantity she should give, and told him the child's age. He
said she might give her ten drops, or from that to twenty.
She gave her about half a tea-spoonful, which she put into a
cup. She did not drop it, but poured it out. Next day the
deceased did not appear to be any better, and remained so up
to Saturday night, when she gave her the remainder of the
paregoric, and she fell asleep, She slept a little more than
an hour, and when she awoke she gave her the breast. She
fell asleep again, and about eight the same night witness ob-
served a change in the deceased, and became alarmed, and
took her to Mr. King, who keeps a druggist's shop in Brown-
low-hill, who gave her some medicine, but she gradually got
worse until seven o'clock on Sunday morning, when she died.
Mr. Burrows was called to the deceased, and remained with
her about three hours before she died, and used such means
to recover her as he considered proper, but without avail.
The deceased was a healthy child.—Mr. John Burrows, sur-

peon, said he was called to- deceased on Sunday morning, and
found her labouring under stertorous breathing, and evidently
suffering from some narcotic. He used every means to re-
store her, but without avail, and she died the same morning,
he had no doubt from the effects of narcotic. He considered
twenty drops of narcotic too strong for a child of the age of
the deceased, but did not think that quantity would produce
death. He thought a large dose must have been given.—
Thomas Dobson Walker, an apprentice to Mr. O'Gorman,
said he had been about two years and a half with him. He
remembered the mother coming to the shop, and asking
for a pennyworth of paregoric. Miss O'Gorman served
her. ' The paregoric was put into a cup. He was asked
what quantity was to be given to the child, and he
told her from ten to twenty drops. There was about
two drachms given to her.—The Coroner, in addressing
_the jury, said it was a lamentable fact that a great num-
ber of children lost their lives by druggists taking upon

themselves to prescribe for them. 'lf chlfdren were ill, as
in this case, with griping, it would be well for mothers in
the first instance to give them a little castor oil, and, if that
had not the desired effect, to call in a medical man. If they
had not the means of paying, they might readily find profes-
sional assistance gratuitously at one or other of the charities;
besides which, there were many private practitioners always
willing to give their aid to the necessitous, He knew of no
means of putting a stop to the praetlpp of dreggists prescri-
bing dangerous mediCines, but the efforts of the press in
cautioning them not to do so themselves or through their
servants. They had, indeed, no more right to do so than
any one present in that room. He then alluded to several
cases of fatality which load fallen within his jurisdiction, and
particularly to a recent one in which a person had called at a
Mr. Sheldon's, a druggist, and Mrs. Sheldon had prescribed
60 drops of laudamsm for a child ! Druggists were autho-
rised to sell medicines, but not to prescribe the quantity to
be given, which few of them understood, There could be
no doubt but death was in this instance caused by the admi-
nistration of a narcotic poison in too great quantities; but
the mother, whose act it was, was alone legally responsible,
and he could not see how the jury could meet the case other-
wise than by a verdict of " chance-medley" against her,
which he explained to be only a shade removed from " man-
slaughter."-ssThe jury, finding they had no power in this case
to inflict a penalty, returned a Fi3i4mt: acCOrtlitlgly of "chance
medley" against the mother, adding a presentment expressive
of their just indignation at the conduct of the druggist. One
of the jury said, that if the case could have been legally
brought home to the latter, he for one should have stood out
for a verdict of manslaughter against him.—Mr. Burrows
expressed a wish that something would be legislatively done
to put a stop to the practice, inasmuch as he and his profes-
sional brethren were frequently called on in the most painful
cases arising out of it, and generally.found their efforts to
restore the snfferers nnavailinss—The coroner concgrred
and, after he had addressed g tea'vtqw.44 to the be-
reaved mother, who had doubtless acted from ignorance, the
parties left the court.
SMUGGLING.—Thomas Boyer, an old man, was placed at
the bar of the' Police-court, on Tuesday, charged with having
conveyed certain cigars, &c., from the New York packet-
ship Sheridan. Police-officer No, 77, stated that the pris
Kilter was carrying the trunk produced in a eart from the
packet-ship Sheridan. He went to him, and asked him what
it contained. He replied that it contained clothes, and that
it had been passed by the Custom-house officer. He (the
police-officer) requested him to open it, but he refused, say-
ing it was all right, and pointing to the customs' mark on it.
There'were certain initials on it indicating that it had been
passed by the tidewaiter on board, bot he (the officer) was
not satisfied, and he requested that the trunk might be
opened for his inspection, The custom-house officer came
from the ship and told him that he must be satisfied, for it
was all right. The steward of the Sheridan also told him the
same; but he told them in return that he would not be satis-
fied unless the box were opened for him to examine the con-
tents. This was refused, upon which he took the box into
his custody, and conveyed it to the police station, where it
was opened by Mr. Superintendent Quick. John Bellingo-
ley, the tidewaiter who had spoken to the officer, said when
he examined the trunk it contained only a few articles of
wearing apparel. Mr. tiplf said the trunk when:}
found to contain l 0 bs. of cigars, 11 bOttles Or Brandy,
and three parcels of tea. The captain of the Sheridan said
the steward had absconded. He had never seen the cigars
before. The brandy and tea had probably been stolen from
the stores. Mr. Rushton remanded both the prisoner and
the custom-house officer until this day, (Friday,) to enable
him to lay the evidence before the Board of Customs.
CnAssciss OF EistpazLEssENT.—James Brown, a respecta-
ble-looking young man, was placed before Mr. Rushton, on
Saturday last, charged with having embezzled certain moneys
belonging to Mr. Timothy Gibbins, nail manufacturer. It
appeared, from the evidence, that the prisoner was a clerk in
the service of Mr, gibbing, and that he had eellected from
Messrs. Garnett and Libby. whq 4eqlt with gibbins,
two sums amounting to .4:27 35. Od!, and from Messrs.
Troughton and Lyon £24. Mr. Wardle, who appeared for
the prisoner, asked Mr. Gibbins if steps had not beenrtaken
to compromise the matter. Mr. Gibbins replied, " No;"
but he had received a latter from the prisoner. Mr. War-
die : " Produce that letter." Mr. Gibbins handed a letter to
the magistrate, saying it contained an admission of the crime.
Mr. Wardle : "In consequence of that letter did you not
communicate with your attorney ?" Mr. Gibbins: "No,
not till after." Mr. Wardle : " Was it not arranged that
you were to have a mortgage on certain property of his in
Cheshire?" Mr. Gibbins " No." Mr. Wardle: " Re-
collect that I have a gentleman by me who was present in the
Attorney's office when the arrangement was made. Was
there no arrangement made fora mortgage?" Mr. Gibbins :
"No." Mr. 'Wardle . Was not a copy of a will left with
your attorney for the purpose of satisfying him as to the title
to the property ?" Mr. Gibbins : " Yes : it remains there
still." Mr. Wardle: "And was the will left for the
purpose of proving the title to the property ?" Mr. Gibbins :
" I am not aware." Mr. Wardle : " What was the sum
which he was to pay you ?" Mr. Gibbons : " One hundred
and twenty pounds. Mr. Wardle : " Was that all ?" Mr.
.Gibbins : " Yes." Mr. Wardle : " Why, sir, is the sum not
named in the letter? pid yop pot ask for £135
Gibbins : " Yes ; but—" Mr. Rushton : You have a right
to explain anything you think proper." Mr. Gibbins : " The
officer and I were put to certain expenses in going to Green-
ock and Glasgow to endeavour to find the prisoner, and I
charged these expenses." Mr. Wardle : " You required
£l2O from the prisoner to satisfy you for the money which
you said he held, and the remainder for expenses." ` Mr.
gibbins " Yes." Mr. Rushton : " Did you claim for the
whole as a debt ?" Mr. Gibbins " N 0.,, Mr. Rushton :
"In what shape did you claim this money ?" Mr. Gibbins:
" His wife called frequently at my office, and begged that I
would not proceed. I told her that I could do nothing in it ;
that I was determined to prosecute him. She called so many
times, and his mother called also, that, at last, I told them
to go to my attorney, and see if they could say something
satisfactory." Mr. Rushton : " Was the application an
offer of money, and a request for forgiveness ?" Mr. Gib-
bins : " Yes!' Mr. Rushton : " And ycti referred them to
the attorney ?" Mr. Gibbins : "Yes.' Mr. Rushton :
" And did anything further take place ?', " No." Mr.
Rushton : " How came the will in possession of your attor-
ney ?" Mr. Gibbins : " They had consulted with him."
Mr. Rushton : " In consequence of what took-place at his
office, had you consented to the mortgage?" Mr. Gibbins :
" Not myself." Mr. Rushton : " Had you authorized your
attorney to do so." Mr. Gibbins : "Yes." Mr. Rushton
ordered the prisoner to be discharged, exhorting him to be
careful as to his future conduct, as Le had escaped merely
through the course adopted by Mr. Gibbins.
AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINE FOR MARCH.—If No. 1. had
a brilliant start, the present Number will ensure this new
Periodical a triumphant march. There is in it every element
of success and long life. Mr. Ainsworth's story of the
" Miser's Daughter" will, perhaps, become more universally
attractive than any of his already popular romances. These
chapters bring new characters in scenes of astonishing vivid-
ness and power, which Cruikshank has illustrated with un-
exampled effect. The Abbey-Cloister scene is very fine, and
the other steel engraving teems with character. Another
distinguished novelist, Mr. G. P. R. James, has opened in
this work a Romance of the Reign of King John, called
'"The Fight of the Fiddlers ;" it will rank with the most
popular of his fictions. But what shall we say to the ac-
count of Strawberry Hill, which occupies many pages, and
boasts Ten Illustrations? Happy Horace Walpole! Al-
though his far-famed retreat be doomed to the hammer, and
will speedily disappear, be mast look down with delight upon
this delineation of its riches, beauties, and wonders. All
must read this, whether they visit the scene or not. This
Number is rich in varieties, from its Proverbial Philosophy,
by Mr. M. F. Tupper, to the broad farce of the Virginny
Pirate, by Uncle Sam. Captain Medwin has an amusing
Chapter on Beards ; Mr. W. F. Ainsworth, a startling ad-
venture on the Banks of the Euphrates ; Miss Pardoe, a
whimsical contest relative to a Sofa at Sea; Mr. Oilier, a
curious story of a Gravedigger. There are verses by Laman
Blanchard, C.S., John Oxenford, and others. At the Li-
brary Table we hear discussions on Music, the Theatres, and
the genius of Tony Johannot. The Lady's Page is aptly
followed by the " Gentleman's Tiger," who, as drawn by
Cruikshank, must become a prodigious favourite. The
Number is first-rate in all respects.
A GANG OF PICKPOCKETS.—At the police-office on Tues-
day last, five ill-looking fellows, who gave their names Wm.
Thompson, James Lynch, George Thomas, Thomas Rawson,
and Joseph Jackson, were placed at the bar, charged with
having picked the pocket of Mary Orme. Mrs. Orme
stated, that about half-past six o'clock she was passing along
Oldhall-street from the house of a friend whom she had
been visiting, when a young man passed her, and told her to
take care, for she was well watched. She 'did not under-
stand what was meant, and took no notice of what was said,
She observed, however, that there were several men about.
Shortly afterwards another came to her, and told her that
her pocket was picked. She felt in her pocket, and missed
her purse, containing a sovereign and a half, some silver,
and a ring set with crystals. She had seen the prisoner
Lynch push past her. She knew him because he was pock-
marked, and he wore a black and red handkerchief. Wm.
Thomas, tailor, stated that he saw the complainant and
another lady passing along Oldhall-street. His attention
was attracted by several men, eight or ten, who pressed be-
hind her in a cluster. He saw the pock-marked man (Lynch)
lift up the corner of her shawl. He (witness) passed her
and told her she was watched, and he then fell behind.
Lynch also fell behind, and asked him what he was looking
at. He did not choose to answer, but went away to look
for a policeman.
lie saw Lynch put his hand into the com-
plainant's pocket, and the others clustered round him so as
to cover him. He could swear to the prisoner, George
Thomas, as being one of the number. Police-officer
Maguire apprehended the prisoner; he knew them to be
desperate thieves. Lynch and Thomas were committed for
trial, and the others were liberated with an admonition from
Mr. Rushton, either to amend their ways or leave Liverpool,
as the eyes of the officers were upon them.

Mr, Leigh, the mayor of Liverpool, who is already reported
to be the richest commoner in England, has, during the last
month, received an accession of fortune under the will of
some old lady, who lived somewhere at the south end of that
town.—Morairay Herald.—[We believe the lady here alluded
to is Miss Banister, of Upper Parliament-street, who died
very recently.]

INTERMENT OF THE DEAD.-011 Wednesday week,
petition was presented to the House of Commons, by Mr.
A. Walker, on the subject of interments in large towns, and
praying the House to appoint a committee, for the purpose of
instituting a full, and searching inquiry, into the condition of
the burial places of the United kingdom. Such committee
has been' appointed to sit on Wednesday. Mr Walker is well
known to have taken a long, and- deep interest in this sub-
ject, and to have written upon it several effective works,
some of which have appeaed in our columns.
REFUSALS TO TAKE AN OATH.—The practice of refusing
to be sworn in a court of justice is now becoming extremely
common, and reluctant witnesses appear to think that they
have nothing more to do than object to take an oath, and
their difficulty is overcome. We are glad to see, however,
that these gentlemen do not always escape as they readily
appear to wish. On Tuesday, a witness at the police-court,
in this town, refused to be sworn, though he gave way after
an admonition from Mr. Rushton. He stated that he at-
tended the Mariners' Church, and that according to the in-
struction which he there received, he could not conscienti-
ously take an oath. This, we apprehend, must be a mistake,
and we are rather inclined to the belief that the place of wor-
ship which the witness has been in the habit of attending
will prove to be the Floating Chapel. At the Hertford as-
sizes at present holding, two witnesses were very summarily
committed to prison by Mr. Baron Gurney for refusing to be
sworn before the grand jury. They were unable to offer an
reason for their refusal, and the learned judge, therefore,
acted most judiciously in making an example of era.

FEMALE POLITICIANS.— A very proper Reproof to. tho•
LADIES of the Anti-Corn Law League.—Two of these fair
and free traders received a very suitable reproof, upon hawk,
ing their petitions for signature, a few days back, The lads
of a house, in 'Windsor-street, upon being asked to sign
the petition, replied, " Will you step in, ladies, and wait un-
til I run up stairs." Upon returning down. with a pair of
breeches in.each hand, she replied, " Perhaps, ladies, these
may be useful to you in your perambulations, and while you
are putting them on I will take into consideration the pro,
priety of signing the petition."
SIR HOWARD DOUGLAS.—The Edinburgh S'londard,
one of the leading Scottish papers, thus speaks of the address
of Sir H. Douglas on Mr. Villiers's motion for a total repeal
of the corn-laws. Our contemporary only alludes to the
speeches on Thursday evening, the closing night of the de-
bate :—" The first speech of any importance was that of Sir
" Howard Douglas, the member for Liverpool, who on this
"occasion proved himself not only possessed of great stores
" of knowledge, but to be well acquainted with the sort of
"speech which would tell in parliament., Sir Howard di-
" rected his chief attention to the doctrine of reciprocity,
"which he exposed with consummate ability. The corn-
" law repealers insist that other countries would follow our
"example in taking off restrictive or protective duties, and
" yet the fact stares them in the face, that although we admit

" American cotton, the Yankees almost exclude our mann-

" factured goods from their market, Sir Howard Douglas
" has proved himself a speaker of great taot and ability, and
" will prove a valuablo addition to the conservative ranks."

FNLoNv.-,,At the Police-court yesterday, a man named
Charles Young, was brought to the bar, on a charge of steal..
ing a quantity of rope. William Barton, a police cnosttahlo,
stated that about half-past seven o'clock on Wednesda)t
evening be was on duty in Kitchen-streets.when ha was 10,-.
formed that three men were going saspioocisly along the
street with ropes. He pursued theca, and found a coil of
rope in Kitchen-street. Hp then went up a passage in that
street, and found tba prisoner with three other coils. as
asked him where be was going, and he replied that lie was
going home. He next inquired where he had 244 the co'ils,
and he said a man had given them to him Zia parry, but on,
being further questioned, he said he cctuiii 110 tel who the
man was. Yesterday morning w4ness discovered the owner.
Mr. Whitely, captain of the brig cherub, lying in tha,
Queen's Dock; cold one of the owners of that vessel, scud
that on Wednesday afternoon he had the rope coiled up, and
placed in Mr. Russell's yard, bottom of Kitchen-street ; and
that be saw it there about three o'clock same afternewan‘ The
prisoner said that a man had salted him to carry the coils for
him. He was ectramitted for trial.
EXCeLLENT MUSTARD.—This is an article which is rarely
met with in a state to give satisfactian. We have used that,
however, prepared by Messrs. Hope and Wheeler, of this
town, and advertised in another column. The quality of
this is most superior, and after what we hays been in the
habit of using, it is gratifying to meet with that which does
not deceive the palate. The pecnliar flavour of the gennine
Durham is preserved; whilst several 2l2iectionable feattm•esof

that powder arc not met with here. We recommend 011 whq
are aruciOu§ to try the pure unadulterated seed to Panke an

experiment 'of t)lii

HALIFAX STEAMERS,--71,70 of the tinlifax steamships
the Britannia and Caledonia, havn isc.en this week put into
the Queen's Graving 13104, We observe the vessels belong-
ing to this line Andeigo frequent inspection there, that no.
thing may be left undone that may contribute to safety,
Our nautical readers will be gratified by a look at tho Cale.
donian's bottom, as she now lies dry. We understand that
not a shadow of straining or twisting is to be seen, it is
matter of considerable interest among shipbuilders and othcor
judges that these steamers, @Tat as is their length, show
less straining tba.n any other class of shipping that has done
hard worii,

TItE4TRE ROVAL.—Mr. Thorburne, whose first appear-
ance at this theatre we noticed in our last, reappeared last
night as logo, to Mr. Brooke's Othello. His third per-
formance will be to-night, when his benefit will take place.
From the very promising appearance of the box sheet there
is no doubt that the house will be well and fashionably at,
tended. The play selected is " The Wife," in which Mr,
Thorburne peronates St. Pierre: we append the following ays,
posite remarks from a contemporary, quite agreeing with him
Benefits were originally designed as opportunities for tUo
public to testify tbeir appreOation of the merits of the can-
didates for their favour, and as Mr. Thorburne, like the
younger Vandenboff, is a gentleman of respectability and
education, who has left one of the learned professions for
another were taste and learning are the chief requisites to
success, on the supposition that the British people are dis-
criminative and generous, and will not be slow to reward the
adventurer of talent and character. He is moreover a towns-
man, who is held in general esteem by all to whom he is known,
and we trust that on this occasion he will be encouraged to
persevere in the arduous profession which he has adopted, and
stimulated to improvement. He has thrown physic to tbp
dogs, staked his life upon the cast, and we hope the hazard
of the die will be in his favour,

EXAMINATIO OF tSIIIPMASTERS.—A bill is now before
parliament, Under charge of Captain Fitzroy, m..p. for Dur-
ham, which has for its object the examination of masters
and Mates, and a certification by qualified persons of their
fitness for their duties before they are allowed to enter on
them. The business of examination is proposed to be done
by boards of examinators, one of which boards will sit at the
following ports—London, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle,
Hull, Dublin, Leith, and Glasgow—and to consist of three,
or (in London) four experienced seamen, who will be exami-
ners, a secretary (in London) and a clerk, or a clerk only ; of
which examiners aforesaid one shall have commanded a ves-
sel, or vessels in the merchant service, at least seven years,
and shall have been in the Pacific and Indian oceans—ano-
ther shall have been at least seven years in the coasting trade
of Great Britain. and shall have commanded a vessel or ves-
sels, in the merchant service, at least seven years—another of
the said examiners shall have commanded a steam vessel or
steam-vessels, at least three years, and also shall have been
four years at sea in a sailing vessel or vessels, and another—,
who shall be the principal examiner=shall have a competent
knowledge of theoretical as well as practical navigation, and
shall have been at least seven years. Power is given to the
Trinity House to reject any member elected in the foregoing
ports, by the shipowners, as an examinator, The 14th clause
gives the power to the Trinity House to appoint and alter at
their own will and pleasure the nature and the examinations in
" seamanship, navigation, and general professional know,
ledge." The remuneration to he given to examiners is as
follows :—To the principal examiner, £4OO per annum ; first
London examiner, £3OO ; second, £250; third, £250 ; se-
cretary, £500; clerk, £l5O. At Liverpool and Glasgow
respectively ;—To the first examiner, £250 per annum ;
second, £l5O ; third, £l5O ; clerk, £lOO, And at the other
five boards respectively, namely, Bristol, Newcastle, Hull,
Leith, and Dublin i—To the first examiner, £2OO per annum ;
second, £100; third, £100; clerk, £BO.
COMMITMENT FOIL AN INTENT TO COMMIT FELONY.—
Yesterday, at the Police-court, a man named James Owens
was placed before Mr. Rushton under the following circum-
stances. Ann Saville stated that she was in the service of
Mr. Thomas Lake, who keeps the Commercial Tavern, Can-
ning-place ; and that on Wednesday evening, between eight
and nine o'clock, while she was returning down stairs from
the upper rooms of the house with a lighted candle, she went
into bed-room No. 9, and there found the prisoner, lying
between some boxes there deposited. She asked what he
was doing there, and received no answer. She immediately
closed the room door, and called Mr. Lake, who, with others,
came up, and the prisoner was secured. Mr. Lake said that
he found the prisoner there when lie was called up ; that the
door of the room was not kept locked; and that nothing ap-
peared to be amiss with the locks and drawers. Police-officer
George M`Kenzie said he was called in, and, on finding the
prisoner in the room, took him to Bridewell. The prisoner
was there searched by Mr. George Greaves, who found upon
him ten skeleton keys, a picklock, and a putty knife, which
he produced. Yesterday morning he went to the house,
tried the locks, and found that he could lock and unlock
three of the rooms with the keys. The prisoner said in his
defence that he had neither damaged nor removed anything.
He was committed for trial at the sessions.

CURIOUS CASE RELATIVE TO THE DETENTION OF A
SHIP'S REGISTER AND OTHER DOCUMENTS. -At the
Police-court on Wednesday, Capt. Wyles, of the brig Mary,
appeared, by summons, before Mi. Rushton, to answer the
complaint of the owner of the vessel, Mr. Morrison, rope-
manufacturer and ship-chandler. The latter stated that the
captain detained, and refused to deliver up the register of
the ship, and other documents, and called upon the magi-
strate to compel him to produce them. The defendant
stated that he had navigated the vessel out-to Lisbon and
home ; that his claim for wages (amounting to about £l6),
was refused by Mr. Morrison, and that he had retained thp
papers as a security for the liquidation of his claim. He vilui
prepared to produce the papers on his demand being satisfied.
Mr. Rushton said that any person wilfully detaining a vessel's
register from the owners was liable to be fined £lOO, or,
in default of payment of that penalty, to be imprisoned for
six months. He did not, however, wish to construe the act
so strictly in this case, wherein a claim for wages was pre-
ferred, as to leave the defendant in such a condition as might
render it difficult for him to prosecute that claim; and he
accordingly postponed the further hearing of the case until
yesterday, on the documents being laid before him, he
should be enabled to judge of the validity of the captain's
claim. The parties accordingly again appeared in court yes-
terday. The owner of the vessel said that all the documents
he required had not yet been rendered.; he had received
only two accounts of disbursements for the vessel at Lisbon,
and wanted vouchers for the whole expenditure : the register
was also still detained. The defendant said that he had
handed over to Mr. Morrison all the vouchers which he had
received, and all that were necessary to be produced for so
short a voyage. He had also submitted his books, in which
all particulars were stated ; and it was not his fault if Mr.
Morrison had declined to copy them. Some conversation
then took place relative to the carpenters' bill, which the
captain said he had paid out of a sum of £lB he had received
at Lisbon. Mr. Morrison said he had certainly received a
book made up by the captain, but he knew that several of
the accounts in it were overcharged. He called the .nate of
the vessel, who said that only sixteen pounds of sugar was
received on board, and it appeared that forty pounds were
charged for by the captain. The latter did not 'cross-ques-
tion this witness, but protested that the accounts were
correct, and that the contrary was not proved. Mr. Rush-
ton said, that feeling the hardship of the defendant's case,
with reference to his wages, he had postponed the final heart
ing of the case; and without entering into it further, he
must now convict the defendant in the penalty stated, or, in
defult, put him into gaol, unless he gave up the register,
which he recommended he should do, so that a settlement
might be come to between the parties. The defendant might
sue for his wages if he thought proper, for with regard to the
captain's, he (Mr. R.) had no jurisdiction in such matters,
The defendant finding that he would otherwise be taken into
custody, delivered up the register, vehemently remarking
to the complainant, " It will do him no good ! I am robbed!
I am the third captain he has robbed in the same way!"
Mr. Rushton said he must sue for his wages. The defen-
dant said it would be of no use to sue such a man, and left
the court,

We regret to announce that Charles Birch, Esq., one of
the magistrates of this county, died at - his residence on
Wednesday last. Mr. Birch was much esteemed in his offi-
cial capacity, as well as in private life ; and his unexpected
demise is deeply lamented.

CALISTHENICS. —This elegant and necessary accom-
plishment, with dancing, is taught most excellently by Mr.
Harwood. His style is easy and graceful, and those who
place themselves under his care cannot fail to become profi-
cient.

DISTRESS IN PAISLEY.—Mr. Anderson, the statuist,
has very considerately and kindly determined to appropriate
two days' receipts of his exhibition of statuary to the use of
the weavers of Paisley. It is a most praiseworthy design of
this clever man, and we hope Englishmen and Scots will
crowd his room throughout the day. The admission is only
one penny, but larger sums,will be duly accounted for. We
believe many thousands have visited this exhibition during
the past week. Monday and Tuesday next are fixed upon.
LIVER THEATRE.—We refer to the portion of our paper
where we insert the theatrical announcements. It will
there be seen that the very civil and polite box bookkeeper of
the Liver, Mr. Fogg; takes his benefit this evening. He
deserves to have a good house, for he is most assiduous in
endeavouring to please the frequenters of this theatre. To
ladies he is always especially polite.