The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-09-26 00:00:00

science, on Thursday

is well known in connection with Arctic explora-
tions, read a paper on the " Deviation of the Mag-
netic Needle, peculiar to Liverpool." In remarking,
on the planof swinging ships in the Mersey, in order

to adjust their compasses, he advised a persistence
in the practice, although he stated the locality was

ineligible, owing to the masses of iron deposited in

various parts on each

shore ; but he recommended

that the results should be verified by beacons to
be placed on the sandhills of Rockland, due north
and south, as well as on the magnetic meridian.

The subject was again brought before the same
section on Saturday, and was followed by an inter-
esting discussion, from which, no doubt, much
practical benefit will be experienced.—ln the

esting paper by A. G. FINDLAY, ESQ., on Arctic

and Antartic Currents, in connection with the ex-
pedition of Sir John Franklin, was read on
The writer gave various reasons for believing that
the two ships alleged to have been seen floating on
the ice at the north edge of Newfoundland, in April
1851, by the Renovation, were the missing ships of
Sir John Franklin, and he combatted the various ob-
jections to this opinion. In the subsequent discus-
sion, the Rev. Dr. SCORESBY concurred in the views
of the writer, but Admiral BEECHEY was of a con-
trary opinion. As to the probabilities of the missing
party being yet alive, the writer of the paper was
of opinion that hopes might still be entertained of
them. These papers, however, form but a small
portion of the many subjects of interest which have
been brought under discussion, and from which it
may be hoped more practical good will be elicited
than from the idle speculations on impracticable
theories which have too often been dignified with

the name of science.

i this important chancery
the seven lots of valuable property on Holt-
,re sold:on Tuesday, at the Woodside Hotel,
spirited competition, under the hammer of
Hodgson.
3ln. GEORG
was drowned on Thars

suit, five

{FORD V

MAXWELL, JUN., of Abercromby-square

day last, whil
rivers on his father's estate of Glenl

fishing in one Of
in Upper Gallov

He was about entering as a partner into the firm Of
W. A. and G. Maxwell and Co., of this town.

The BAIIIANA, South American

Mail St,

hence for the Brazils and River Plate, calling at Lisbon
Pernambuco, Madeira, and Rio de Janerio. She has

about ninety passengers, a large mail, and a conside-
- - - -

departure- under the new contract system. The com-
pany's new steam-ship Captain James Brown,

will take out the mails ou the 24th October. The
Brazileira, with dates from Rio Janeiro to the Bth instant,
may be looked for early next month.
EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN TELEGRAPII COMPANY.—
On Wednesday an adjourned extraordinary meeting of
this company was held at the London Tavern. The

meeting ftadleen convened to consider and ratify a pro-
visional agreement for the complete and entire union of
this company with the British Telegraph Company. The
subject had been discussed, and it was resolved that the
British Company should become the purchasers of the
entire property of the European and American Telegraph
Company for the sum of £130,000, on certain conditions.
It was therefore resolved that the directors be authorised
to carry out the agreement.
BANKRUPTCY COURT, YESTERDAY.—RC Mellor and
Eason. Yesterday, before Mr. Commissioner Perry,
Thomas Mellor and Samuel Eason, late merchants in this
town, came up on their last examination. Mr. Lowndes,
of the firm of Lowndes, Robinson, and Bateson, appeared
for the bankrupts, and Mr. Simon, barrister, instructed
by Mr. Haigh, appeared to oppose on behalf of the pe-
titioning creditor. Mr. Mellor was examined at great
length by Mr. Simon, who elicited from him that he
commenced buisiness with a capital of £l,OOO in cash,
and £3,000 in railway shares, his partner having no
capital. He disposed of the railway shares as he wanted
money, but being disposed of in this way they only
realised ',.£500 altogether. His personal and household
expenses from 1846 to 1849, he calculated, were about
£9,000. Ultimately the case was adjourned for further
hearing to Wednesday, the 11th of October.

LAUNCH OF TUB AUSTRALIAN STEAMSHIP PACIFIC.—
On Saturday, a fine paddle-wheel steamer, named the
Pacific by Miss Savage, was launched by Messrs. Scott,
Russell, and Co., of Minivan, under circumstances of
great interest,from her being entirely owned by a colonial
company, who expect that she will prove one of the
fastest vessels afloat. Her dimensions are :—length over
all 270 feet, ditto between perpendiculars 250 feet, breadth
32 feet, depth 24 feet, tonnage 1,200 tons. The engines are
oscillating, of 450 horse-power nominal,working up to more
than 1,000 effective horse-power. There are four indepen-
dent boilers, and the ship is propelled by feathering paddle-
wheels of enormous strength. It is expected that she will
realize a speed of at least sixteen miles an hour at sea,
under steam, without the aid of her sails. She has two
large decks for passengers, and a saloon more elegantly
decorated and finished than any similar one in this country.
The Pacific has been built for a few enterprizing persons
in Sydney and Melbourne, who, at the suggestion of
Capt. W. C. Thompson, have formed themselves into a
company called the Sydney and Melbourne Steam-packet
Company. This company have already purchased four
fine steamers to run between the above ports and Adelaide,
and they empowered Captain Thompson to build this
splendid steamer. The Pacific will proceed to Australia
under steam and sail. She will have accommodation for
100 first class passengers, and 300 second class, besides
several hundred tons of cargo. The launch was highly
successful, and was witnessed by a large number of people.
She is to be commanded by Captain W. C. Tliomptiron,
formerly of the Sarah Sands.