The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-10-03 00:00:00

EVENING, OCTOBER 2

LONDO2C—No important chang,
Consols closed 951 I for Account.
North Western, 1021- ; Great Western, 72*; Lancashire
and Yorkshire, 721 ; Caledonians, 62
3:1 -3/4- pm. On 'Change, Coffee firm
Native, at 455. Tea wanted : Ordinary Cot
Fair business in Rice. Tallow, fair sale
635. 9d. to 84a. on the spot. In Pig Is
Scotch, 82s. (3d. cash

Railways : L(

es 1,000 bagi:
gon, lld
New P.Y.Q.

THE

W A R

Plats, MOSDAY MonwlNG.—The Moniteur co'
the news of the victory at Alma, and
telegraphic despatch announcing the fall of Se
but does not vouch for its accurac

ALMA,

Sad as wind

He hat

WW!!M!

day acqu
maritime

s lone,

)HS F. WALLER

REVIEWS OF BOOKS

growing

By a iliol€
,nd Co.

d wit

London

groups of islands

within or in close

more particularly that
ich Islands, fromllay to

in the eyes Of

the British. Ott

nations
also are becoming equally alive to their value, and
in this competing appreciation the Americans hold
a conspicuous place. That these groups find great
favour in the eyes of American statesmen, admits
' --nistanees have, of late

of little d

spirit.
Haole
evidence
" Americ

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strong intuitiv(

re that he is an

and or

whose organ of

iension of danger,
ide. _ He has speci-

rived from posses-

and argues sfrongl3
ing curiously enough

e Americans

their inhabitants will

p9rist

The treats

uestowed by them on the
aborigines of their own territories speaks in forcible
as well as forbidding terms ap-a3n.4- --
Our Ir

a proposit

mann(

ted to

Or Wm}

Lade 1

f natural

so monstrous

a variety of real

and is profuse

follow him- throe

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apital, Honolulu.
vay of spreading
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ast of H,

ranch int,
hundred n
justice to
programu
mon Seth

is pres

t possessors cannot make the most of it, !BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR TII E
and consequently should give place to those who ADVANCEMENT' OF SCIENCE.
can ; if, in addition to this, they can show that,

_ , ---..----
instead of improving, the country is actually retro- THE MEETING IN LIVERPOOL.
grading, an irresistible plea is in their estimation Ix our last number we gave an outline of the proceed-
made out for " annexing it to the mighty republic. ings in the various sections, distinguishing such as, from
In the instance before us, the "stranger" finds their general interest or local importance, seemed deserv-
many American arguments for the Sandwich ing of more particular attention. On Tuesday, the busi-
Islands being taken under the care of an improvininc,nratnif d
Aheonslectansvinwasbbusluegshst to ai close,sac transact on
ne
tionsss
country ; and after hinting that America is the Wednesday'. The meeting, on the whole, has been a most
real Simon Pure in all such cases, he tells us that successful one—the 'papers read, and the discussions
the policy of England is as " hellish" as that of which took place on some of them, being of a highly in-
Russia. teresting character. The soirees and lectures, too, have
been attended by brilliant as well as overflowing audiences;
of Russia from the foundation of the and the accommodation for these, and also for the sec-
' 7- to the close of the Hunga- tions, has been of the most convenient and ample character

5v Rourick, to

War. By Alphonse Rubbe and Jonatlian
Duncan, B.A. London : H. Ingram and Co.
At a period like the present, when the aggres-
sive policy and subtle as well as obstinate designs
of the Russian court confer upon its movements
it rarely bestowed upon the feelings and
gs of action of a barbarous people, a history
at empire from its first establishment becomes
a matter of much interest, and of unusual import-
ance. The work before us is chiefly a translation
of Rabbe's systematic work ; but besides trans-
lating it, Mr. Duncan has added separate and ex-
plicit treatises on the fundamental principles which
form the distinguishing characteristics of Russian
internal government, including the subject of
Serfdom and Land Tenure ; the Church ; the
Nobility ; Trade, and the Laws. Mr. Duncan
makes the following observations on

an int

THE MINERAL PRODUCTS OP RUSSIA

Russia is rich in metals,—in platinum, in iron, copper,
lead, zinc, and pewter; and the official lists state that, at
the fair of Nijni Novogorod in 1842, the value of native
metals amounted to 7,700,000 silver roubles. The govern-
ments of Tomsk, Perm, Vologda, Viatka, and Orenburg
are the richest in iron and copper. Poland also produces
iron, but Finland has none. Lead is found in the govern-
ment of Perm and in the mines of Nertschink, which also
yield mercury. Zinc is obtained in Finland, and abund-
antly in Poland. The official tables consulted by Kose-
garten, from whom most of these details are taken, show
that, in 1844, Russia imported 4,600,000 pounds of salt,
although there are abundant saline lakes in the Crimea,
in the Nogais Steppes, in Bessarabia, and in the govern-
ment of Irkeusk

c., and a very
This school

The government of Perm has saline
saltpetre is found in Bessarabia ; asphalte and
a the government of Orenburg ; and naphtha in

ghbonrhood of Bakon. Central-Russia is without
stone ; but the governments of Perm and Olonetz possess
granite and marble, and granite is abundant in Finland.
Perm yields jasper and loadstone, and, as well as Irkousk,

an

is rich in precious stones, amethysts, aga
monde. In southern Russia, and even in some provinces
of central Russia, where wood is wanting, peat is of great
value, and that article is furnished by the governments of
Toula, Kalonga, and Kharkoff, and up to the Dnieper.
It has also been found in Siberia.

Besides the articles enumerated in the above
list, gold is found in great quantities in the Ural
Mountains, among the sands of the mountain
streams, and in mines ; and lapis lazuli is also
found in considerable quantities in the same region.
The total annual value of the raw produce of the
Russian soil, Mr. Duncan tells us, is computed at
2,093,500,000 silver roubles, which, he also informs
us, is beneath the real value.

The volume before us is the first of a series
which, from the prestige of its name, must be dear
toihe reading public. It is the first volume of

rom the

Of the political resources of Russia the two
volumes before us do not convey a very alarming
idea. The vast extent of territory, and the sparse-
ness of its population, constituting insuperable
barriers to combined or energetic military move-
ments of great magnitude. Upon the past history
of Russia much information will be found in Mr.
Duncan's volumes, among which a considerable
amount of new light is thrown upon the personal
history and political influence of Peter the Great,
in which that potentate is brought considerably
nearer to the dimensions of ordinary mortals, than,
following the romantic and fabulous narrative of
Voltaire, it has hitherto been customary to regard
him. These volumes are illustrated by two well-
xecuted maps of the Russian territories, and they
nbellished by numerous spiritedly-executed
4'ncips.

Hungarian Sketches in Peace and War. By
Moritz Jokai. Edinburgh : T. Constable and Co.

Constable's -Miscellany," a title which, in the
olden day, when cheap literature was less a fashion
than good literature, acquired and deserved an
honourable name and position in the estimate of a
discerning public. The new series proposes to be
a miscellany of Foreign Literature, which, in the
language of the prospectus, " will be made as varied
as possible, that there may be something in it to
suit the tastes of all who seek instruction or
healthful recreation for the mind,—and its range
will therefore be as extensive as the field of litera-
ture itself; while, at the same time, it shall be the
endeavour of all its editors to select, for the most
part, works of general or universal interest." It
is, of course, impossible to judge by one of the
volumes how far the intentions above expressed
are to be carried out ; it is quite safe, and also
gratifying to know, however, that the specimen
produced is in strict accordance with the profes-
sions issued. In the first volume we have eleven
sketches of Hungarian life and manners, executed
with tact and discernment ; they are generally
lively and suggestive, and may be taken as fair
specimens of Hungarian literature. The sketches
are possessed of great liveliness, are executed with
ease and vigour, and in the writings of M. Jokai
—their clear blue 1 the

loot twe
Lean. Cont

'knthon's Cis

ance of
the latt

science.
On Tuesday, in Section A., that devoted to mechanical
and physical science, the proceedings, though varied and
interesting, were not of a sufficiently general importance
to call for particular attention. The chief topics of local
interest being confined to some observations elicited by
Mr. Osier, of the Liverpool Observatory, from Professor
Philips, who congratulated the British Association upon
the double triumph they had gained at this meeting at
Liverpool. It was at the last meeting here that Mr. Osier
brought forward his first idea of the anemometer. Now,
on coming back, they found the instrument in such com-
plete working order, that, during the whole time it has
been in use (since 1837), not more than nine hours had
passed in which the state of the wind could not be accu-
rately ascertained ; and, secondly, it was at the same
meeting the erection of the Liverpool Observatory was
suggested. Now, on their return, they find it in such a
useful condition that it is not too much to, say, as an insti-
tution for the observation and registration of atmospheric
phenomena, it is second to none in the worlds placed as it
is under the direction of such a gentleman as Mr. Hart-
nup, so ably assisted by Mr. Osier.
In Section 8., Chemical Science, papers were read 'On
the re-cutting of the Koh-i-noor Diamond," "-On, the
influence of the Hot-blast in Cast-iron," andi on various•
other subjects connected with the busineseof the section.
Section C., devoted to Geology, was occupied to some
extent by an interesting paper, read and contributed by
Leonard Horner, Esq., F.R.S., " Discovery of Microscopic.
Shells in the Lower Silurian Rocks." Other papers were-
also read ; but the business of the section was not con-
cluded till the following day, when, after communications-
being read by Professor Forbes, Mr. T. Knipe;. and Mr..
Charlesworth, Dr. John Irvine Whitty read a paper "On
Anthracite Coal." Dr. Whitty mentions the discovery of
a large bed of anthracite coal, four feet in thickness, in
the county of Cavan, which he was appointed to.examine ;
in a locality where fuel can with difficulty be obtained for
burning lime, so requisite in all slate countries, and, more-
over, in the Grauwacke or Silurian rock formation,. where
the appearance of coal has been hitherto an anomaly
almost unknown to geologists, with the exception of that
described by Professor Harkness in. Scotland, which• Dr.
Whitty supposes, from the strike of the rocks,_ may, be a
continuation of the same vein through the counties of
Down, Armagh, and Monaghan:. The coal,. analysed,
presents the following constituents :

,siderable deg

with strang
visited these

who ha`

aise of their n
les. and

eader is agreeably familiarised with the man-
ners and habits of life which prevail among the
Hungarians. If the Miscellany be carried out in
the same style and spirit as that in which it has
been begun, it will speedily become a great, as it
will be a valuable, public favourite. The volume is
very handsomely and tastefully got up, and it is
published at a cheap rate.

watches
denizenf
the bale

Ike Museum of Science and Art. Edited by Dr,
Lardner. London : Walton and Maberly.

This interesting popular repertory of science has
now reached its third volume, and continues to
deserve the general favour with which it has been
received. The subjects are treated of with an easy
comprehensiveness ; it is well printed, and is
copiously embellished by illustrative engravings.

stly be termed the Eden of
I saw it, I had heard
warmest admiration,
d the usual

scattered

A Shilling Cookery for the People. By Alexis
Soyer. London : G. Routledge and Co.
To deeply-studied practical knowledge of his
subject, M. Soyer adds the glowing fancy of the
romancist and the recondite skill of the artist, and
combines both with the vivacity of the enthusiast.
In this little treatise, which is eminently calculated
to be popularly useful, the author introduces each
separate style and department of cookery by a
generalised essay on the uses and nature of the
instruments chiefly employed in its processes.
This enables him to give general instructions in a
pleasing and easily-remembered form ; after which
he proceeds, seriatim, with the different varieties
of dishes prepared through the instrumentality of
those culinary implements. The book is cheap
and really useful.

THE MERCANTILE MARINE ACT.—A charge of habitual
drunkenness having been preferred against Thomas Burt,
late master of the Hyndford, an investigation has been in-
stituted by the Local Marine Board of Glasgow, under the
provisions of the Mercantile Marine Act, and that board
having found him guilty of the above charge, the Board
of Trade have determined to cancel his certificate.
EAGER FOR TUE FRAY.—In a letter from one of the 79th
Highlanders, published in the Kelso Chronicle, the writer
says, " I earnestly wish we were somewhere out of this ;
for I believe there is neither luck nor grace in this country.
Our men have grown so wicked at the delay, that you can
scarcely hear a pleasant word going. Warhawk' with the
Russians, if they can get at them. I believe plenty will
throw down their &docks and fist' them."

PROOF OH CONVICTIONS TO BE GIVEN IN CIVIL CASES.
—Under the new Common Law Procedure Act, a witness
in any cause may be questioned as to whether he has been
convicted of any felony or misdemeanour, and if he denies
the fact or refuses to answer, the opposite party may prove
the conviction and put in a certificate, which, upon proof
of the identity of the person, is to be evidence of the con-
viction, without proof of the official character of the person
signing it.

10,000 te(

Fain OF NisuzGonou.—Accounts from Nishegorod,
in Russia, state that the fair of that place was well fre-
quented this season, both by buyers and sellers, Russians
and foreigners. The tea brought from China by the Russian
caravans sold well. In one week the quantity of goods
sold represented the sum of 8,000,000 francs, and in the
same short space of time merchandise to the amount of
17,000,000 of francs was forwarded into the interor of the
empire.

IMMEDIATE CHANGES are to be effected in the ad-
ministration of the office of Judge Advocate. The scandal
of a military tribunal, where the Judge Advocate occupies
no position, where the military jury are without the assis-
tance which the judge affords in civil appeals, and where
the commanding officer appears as a prosecutor when he
is most frequently a party directly implicated in the trial,
is to be pnt an end to. Competent judicial authority will
be provided, and a public prosecutor will be appointed.
MATERIAL Eon PAPER.—A Detroit journal states that
llent paper can be made from a weed which grows
caneously all over the northern states, and known
11y by the name of Whitetop. Though possessed of
Idy fibre, it still becomes entirely a perfect pulp
ordinary bleaching and beating operation.
hate that a fine article of smooth, strong,
-an be manufactured from it at about ten
-saner made from rags. The ad-
-. so great that no animal
ordinary printing

77.64
4.35
18.01
T0ta1......... 100.4)0
It contains no bitumen, but a far greater proportion of
carbon (as Professor Harkness subsequently observed),
than any fuel of the same class hitherto known,. even the
celebrated Boghead coal, and is therefore invaluable for
furnaces, steara•engines, Vic. The mode which Dr. Whitty
proposed for working the mine was entered into; in con-
clusion heremarked that owing to the convolutions of the
system in which this coal exists, the lowest, and conse-
quently the most contorted, of all the stratified rocks, it
most probably re-appears at the surface in other localities
which he suggested, and that the discovery of this-valua-
ble substance in a formation where it was supposed least
likely to exist, ought to stimulate to increased exertions
in the examination of the country, as many minerals
undoubtedly exist unknown to the proprietors of the soil,
which might be otherwise rendered a fruitful source of
commerce.—Professor Harkness expressed his concurrence
in the opinion that the coal discovered by Dr. Whitty is a
continuation of that described by him in Scotland, and Dr.
Griffith corroborated the statements generally put forward.
—Sir R. I. Murchison and Professor Harkness concluded
the business of the section.

‘
Carbon
Water .
Ash ....

In the Zoological and Botanical section (Di) a paper was
read " On the Fauna of Liverpool," on which Dr. Lankes-
ter offered a few observations relative to the advantages
which would accrue from the establishment of a practical
museum of economical botany; and also alluded to the
necessity for posting up the books at the Botanic Gardens.
Several other papers were read, and the business of the
section was brought to a close.

In section E (Geography and Ethnology), on Tuesday,
Mr. T. Wright, M.A., read a long paper " On the Early
Ethnology of Britain." It was followed by a discussion
in which several gentlemen took part ;: after which Mr.
Kennedy, F.E.S., read a paper "On the last Tribes of
Israel." Mr. Kennedy's paper was followed by one from.
Mr. Joseph Brooks Yates, "On the Estuary of the River
Mersey, and the Hazardous and Uncertain Approaches
to the Port of Liverpool." He said, of all the sea-ports
visited by the commissioners, none stood more in need of
judicious management than that of Liverpool. It was
well said that a hostile fleet would encounter more danger
from the tortuous entrance to the River Mersey than the
inhabitants would from a bombardment. By referring to
the maps, they would find the channel intercepted by
several sandbanks, some dry at low water, between which
were several channels of various depths. In stormy-
weather nature works upon a grand scale, in changing.
these huge banks, and altering their directions and di
mensions in a short space. of time. In vain may Liver-
pool boast of the enterprise of her merchants, her five
miles of docks, that she has. the trade of one-half of the
world, and point with pride. to her palatial edifices, if by
any mismanagement upon, the part of her Dock Com-
mittee, or other responsible persons, her magnificent
estuary should become blocked up, or even its navigation
much more impeded. The Mersey was rather an incon
siderable stream until it arrived within thirteen miles of
Liverpool, where, joined, by the River Weaver, it assumes
the character of a broad estuary. The tides affect it 25.
miles np the river, an far as Warrington. The bed of the
river is red sand And day, with a few patches: of gravel
and sandstone rock.. Its channel becomes charged, with
the earthy matter and sand, which it brings down. in
great quantities. Opposite the town large deposits. are•
made by the sewers, which empty themselves partly into
the docks and partly into the river. At the last meeting
of the British Association in Liverpool, 1837, Captain
Denham, then Marine Surveyor for this port, gauged
some river water, and he found 29 cubic inches of debris
in a cubic yard on the flow of the tide, and 3,3 inches in
the ebb. The accumulation, therefore, of this debris
in a year would amount to 35,000 cubic yards, which is
equivalent to a layer of mud on the river's bed of 21
inches thick, one third of which is carried away by the
next flood. They need not wonder at fresh banks being
thrown up and the soundings continually altering. His-
torical tests informed them of several most important
changes in the currents within the last 150 years. The
earliest known survey was by Grenville Collins, in 1683.
He represents one channel only, " the worse channel,"
five fathoms deep, as safe. He describes ships aground
before Liverpool when the tide was out. William 111.
sailed from Hoylake when he went to Ireland, and Gren-
ville Collins acted a pilot. The tide at this time rose up
to St. Nicholas Church, now 300 yards away. A chart
was published in 1813 by George Thomas, another by
Captain Denham, in 1837, and a most excellent one in
1853, by Lieut. W. Lord. The tides do not rise so high
now towards Warrington as formerly. The river opposite
the landing-stage was formerly 1,200 yards wide ; now it
is 900 yards. An increase of deposit has, in the same period,
taken place outside the estuary, in the northern and
western approaches. It was highly necessary to modify
these deposits, as well as for the health of the town that
the sewers should empty themselves more outside the
town, to the north. Mr. Yates severely criticised and
condemned the policy which led to the filling up the best
dock, and building the Custom House upon the site ; as
also the encroaching on the river in making new cloaks.
The latter course, he contended, left the debris to accu-
mulate quicker in a narrower space, and thus more rapidly
tended to choke the river's mouth. The water area had
been diminished by .1A)0 acres ; and the banks in some
parts, Egremont, &c., were being washed away. The
Birkenhead Docks had the injurious tendency he com-
plained of; and, if the proposed docks northward were
erected, another immense area that serves to receive
debris and soil would be taken away, and thus leave the
banks still more exposed to be filled up. He advised that
docks be carried inland. With regard to a three-mile
breakwater, proposed by Mr. George Rennie, he thought
it impracticable, as it would cost £12,000,000. Besides,
there was no rocky foundation there. Mr. Yates concluded
his valuable paper, by saying that merchants must trust
to a beneficent Providence to avert the impending evils.

The Rev. C. G. NICOLAY read a communication from
Mr. George Rennie, F.R.S., recommending a gigantic
breakwater to be made from the banks up to near the
Rock Lighthouse, to improve the entrance, by narrowing
the current, and thus increasing the ebb and flow, the
more effectually to scour the river, and also to protect the
shipping in the north docks. Considerable discussion en-
sued upon this suggestion. Mr. Yates, Adml. Grenfell, and
Mr. Webster considered it impracticable. The Earl of
Harrowby and Sir R. I. Murchison considered it worthy
of the nation, as a national project, and they resolved to
draw up some resolution, to induce the inhabitants of
Liverpool to discuss and examine the important proposi-
tion, which sought to improve and preserve their noble
estuary.
Section P. (Statistics) was for a long period occupied with
the reading of a paper by Dr. Hume, entitled " Additional
IFacts respecting the Education of the Poor in Liverpool."

extent

gum, w:
flied to
That ;al

bark

anufacturing

Conspic

ruanula<

education of the Poor in this town was very defi----,
that the AWQIIIIII9dAti9II for 25,000 mere children was re•

nt, and

'BUITISH AS S 0 C lAT I 0 N FOR TII E quired. There were 30,000 persons in Liverpool rated at Steamers and Clipper Ships, and their: Fe3criptive EG
ADVANCEMENT. OF SCIENCE. £l2 a-year, who ought to contribute something for educa- Measurement." Having traced the pro4s ,33 of ship-
tional purposes, whereas not more than 2,000 subscribed, building in Liverpool, and the character ',unlit
-----4.----
or one-fifteenth. A rate of 6d. in the pound would suffice which visit its port, from the bluff-bowed and i.l t: f .',( FRANCS
THE MEETING IN LIVERPOOL.
for what was required, and the perfect equity of the plan the famed "liners" of the present day, he proceed c I 1, was totally
Ix our last number we gave an outline of the proceed- seemed to be unanswerable, for nothing could be more un- point out their defects and the improvement which he the progra
ings in the various sections, distinguishing such as, from satisfactory than the present state of affairs. A protracted would introduce into them. Mr. Henderson illustrated employmei
their general interest or local importance, seemed deserv- discussion ensued, which ended in the section passing a his arguments by a reference to the most celebrated drove to tl
ing of more particular attention. On Tuesday, the busi- vote of thanks to Dr. Hume. This paper was followed clipper mail steam-ships which now sail the waters, and other man
ness in most of the sections was brought to a close, sec- by the reading of papers on "The reformation of contrasted their relative speed, tonnage, length and firemen, it
tions C, E, and G only having business to transact on Juvenile Offenders ;" on "The Decimalization of the Tariff," breadth, and other qualities, He then referred to the officers of
Wednesday. The meeting, on the whole, has been a most on " Gold Digging," and on " The Causes of Fluctuations new ship, or rather "Modern Ark," being built by Mr. Paris is a t
successful one—the .papers read, and the discussions in the Herring Fisheries," after which the business of the Scott Russell, of London, and expressed it as his opinion to the inhs
' which took place on some of them, being of a highly in- section was closed. that her huge size would he an effectual bar to her com- hitherto at
teresting character. The soirees and lectures, too, have Section G., devoted to Mechanical Science, had its atten- bining all the requisite qualities of an ocean steamer.— preventing
been attended by brilliant as well as overflowing audiences;Papers were then read "On Railway Signals ;on Railway You canno
tion first occupied by Colonel Chesney, who brought up a
confidence
and the accommodation for these, and also for the sec-Carriages and the application of Breaks to them," and report on lifeboats, according to an arrangement made at
tions, has been of the most convenient and ample character. "On an Iron Floating Graving-dock ;" after which au at any hou
,To those it is only necessary to add, that popular en- the last meeting of the association at Hull. Col. Chesney '
In Lon& elaborate and long paper was read by Mr. Prosser, C.E., stated that there had been for many years swell-organized
Ithusiasm has been greatly and warmly enlisted on behalf
New York, "On the use of Surcharged Steam, particularly Interior, "
of the Association and its objects. This is abundantly system of lifeboats in Liverpool, by which 1,329 lives had
in reference to some experiments which were made pre- the superir
proved by the accession of members, not fewer than two been saved since 1830, and 312 vessels rescued, which would
vious to its introduction into the American steamer supernume
thousand tickets having been disposed of in Liverpool, probably give 60,000 tons, and, taken at £lO a ton, would
Arctic, with some remarks on the great advantages pos- 4,761, or f
among which were six hundred ladies' tickets. The funds give an amount of £600,000 property saved by that means.
sessed by steam over every other medium, and suggestions the Parisia
of the Association have thus received an augmentation of Prizes were awarded by the Duke of Northumberland, aEf
for an improved application of it to Ocean Steamers,"
which closed the business of the section. than doubl
about £2,000, being a much larger sum than has been First Lord of the Admiralty, but as yet no life-boat had
some magn
added to them for several years past, and greatly exceed- been invented which satisfactorily' answered the requisite
the fact till
purposes.
1 THE RAY SOCIETY. 5,600,000 fr
ing that of last year. On the southern coast of England there were.
I
only fifteen life-boats. On the eastern coast there were ,
Consequent-on the increased amount of income, the forty-nine, and the western thirty-three. On the eastern i
Association has been enabled to award more liberal peen-Immediately after the closing of Section D, the eleventh the annual
niary assistance to scientific purposes, the aggregate sum coast of Scotland' six, and on the western coast two. In
the Hebrides and Shetland Islands there were none. On annual general meeting of the Ray Society, established for the second
the publication of works on natural history, was held in Boulogne,
devoted to these objects this year being £750, against
£250 similarly appropriated last year. Of the hospitality, the eastern coast of Ireland there were five, and on the
western coast none, The number of casualties during the the great hall. Sir Charles Lyell occupied the chair. The civilians, fr
Secretary (Dr. Lankester) read the report of the council, parts
.of tl
kindness, and liberality, evinced by all parties towards the
scientific strangers who have honoured Liverpool with last four years, in ships, had been 1,238, varying from total
shipwreck to slight collision. Of these 204 ships had left enumerating the works the society had in course of pub- attacking t
lication. It appeared that the members of the society had forces. Th
their presence during the last ten days, they, one and all,
whom we have met, speak in terms of warm admiration. ourports and were never heard. of again, 517 were driven on
shore and their cargoes totally or partially lost ; 2,285 cases 1 during the year increased from 709 to 723. There was an ought to do
arrear of £920 due to the society in subscriptions. The and both hi
They are equally earnest in expressing their satisfactionamount received during the year, including £532 2s. sub, his Chasse
with the various appliances for facilitating the commerce of collision occurred, by which vessels were driven into port
scriptions, was. £6061 7s. Ild., and the amount expended Schramm s
of this great emporium, and, as may be seen from our re- in a sinkingstate. 2,295 vessels were wrecked; 883 foundered;
679 abandoned 'by their crews • 87' burned by accident; was £530105. 10d., leaving in the hands of the treasurer At last the
port, have devoted no small amount of consideration to£7s 17s. Rev. Professor Henshaw moved the adoption of yards of ea
and 51 damaged by ice. The ca' sualties of steam vessels
objects directly connected with navigation; such as ship- the report, which was carried unanimously. Votes of from the ni
building, the correction of errors in compasses, particularly d "' g the same period were 103 driven ashore but floated
again, 146 cases of collision had occurred at sea, 17 wrecks, thanks to the president, council, and officers, and to the person full)
those on board iron ships ;on life-boats, and, though last 30 foundered, 15 burned, 2 abandoned by the crew chairman, were adopted, and after appointing the council Ressis..-
not least, on the approaches to the port of Liverpool. for the ensuing year, the meeting- separated. Austrian, .
The meeting for 1855 has been fixed to take place in 1 capsized, 1 lost and never heard of, and 7 returned,
into Dort in a sinking state. The losses were chiefly MONUMENT' TO SIR ISAAC NEWTON. guard, undf
Glasgow, under the presidency of his Grace the Duke of . has left St among the smaller vessels of about 100 toes: The annual
Argyll, in which city, as in Liverpool, the peculiar pur- On Wednesday, at twelve o'clock, a general meeting of proceeding
loss of life averaged about 1,250 ; the gross number re-
suits of the people will afford to the Association the meanssubscribers to the monument about to. be erected to the
turned for the last four ears bein 4 290. The tonnage be confirm(
of giving practical value to the theoretical teachings of taking an ay give memory of Sir Isaac Newton, was- held in St. George's the troops c
science. Hall. The chair was occupied by the Earl of Harrowbv
crap of 250 tons, would IIOO,O- tons',
which at an' estimate of £lO a ton would give.ten millions - ' PEMSSIAN
On Tuesday, in Section A. that devoted to mechanical The amount subscribed prior to this meeting was £1,300.
sterling. Col. Chesney then proceeded to notice the several D. t
and physical science, the proeeedings, though varied andßesolutions were adopted! iir furtherance of the scheme, ie Inm
I interesting, were not of a sufficiently general importance experimentsmadf nnto time in the lifeboats,
and after a vote of thanks to the Earl of Harrowby, the requiredl iro
to call for particular attention. The chief topics of local until heFri'iredaet the tublulaer lifeboat, invented by Mr.
meeting broke up. . discussion:
.., I 1 A. l• •A l • Henry Radian-am' n of 141prionpth and aff-prwards,sneresa.

experiments made from time to time in the lifeboats,
until he arrived` at the tubular lifeboat, invented by Mr.
Henry Richardson, of Merioneth, and afterwards' success-
fully adopted in, 1848 by his son, Mr. Henry' Thomas
Richardson. Cot Chesney appealed to the experience of
Mr. Fairbairn to say whether iron boats were not dura-
ble. Col. Chesney urged that the attention of GOvern-
ment should be directed towards the lifeboat question;
and that some centralized and extensive means should be
adopted for the preservation of life from shipwreck. Since-
every British seaman. contributed from his small pay-
something annually towards this purpose, he had a right
to expect that the funds so-raised should be turned to this-
account. The momentotte, question of efficient lifeboats•
could only be safely dealt with after the most sufficient=
consideration, attended by tliemost extensive experiments:,
The present coast-guard establishment would form a great
portion of the crews required for a lifeboat force, and a=
small reward would induce • the poor fishermen of the
coasts to undertake their share of the duty, who were
always found ready to expose. their lives to save others
without any reward. A brief conversation succeeded,
which was followed by an interesting paper by Dr.
Scoresby " Upon the principles- and measures by which
safety in the navigation of iron ships might reasonably
be looked for." In the course of 'his paper, Dr. Scoresby
observed that since the first promulgation of these views
at the-British Association in OxfOrd, in 1847, he had to
contend with either the denial or non-reception of them
from the principal body of scientific men engaged in the
consideration of compass adjustment and compass action
in iron ships. But it was now most gratifying to find,
from the paper of Mr. Archibald Smith, a gentleman emi-
nent as a mathematician, and having all the records of her
Majesty'irships, as to compasses, at command, that every
essential-principle for which he contended, as to the prin-
ciples which affect the development, - destruction, and
changes in the magnetism of iron ships, is admitted and
supported:- These principles, so supported by Mr. Smith,
might be thus enumerated :-1. That the magnetism of
iron ships, in its action on the compass, may be repre-
sented by awertical and a horizontal iron 'or magnetic bar
swinging round a compass; a mode of illustration which
he (Dr. S.Y had adopted some years ago, and described in
lectures, asgvell as in his publication, of-1851. 2. That
changes in the magnetic distribution and compass action
in iron airs, which he predicted, do take-plice. 3. That
the changes take place in a ship's magnetism by change of
magnetic latitude, a fact inferred from the Admiralty ob-
servations which his (Dr. Scoreby's) experiments satisfac-
torily- elucidated as a necessary correspondence of the
resistance in iron to change in regard to the denomination
of retentive-magnetism. 4. That there are influences in
a ship, derived from the varieties of form and position
(relatively to the compass) of particular masses of iron,
which may art as natural correctives. 5. That the plan
of correcting the duration of iron ships by fixed magnets
(unless in fixed places or limited voyages) is unsafe, and in
going to southern regions ag-gravates the error. 6. That the
twisting of the iron materialsof a ship willtend; especially in
ships recently launched, to alter the magnetic action on the
compass. 7: That it requires time to effect the changesin a
ship's magnetic distribution, which, ultimately, may in re-
gions distant from the place of buildingbe effected. Andthe
whole of the -results plainly go to the establishment of a
proposition, of the accuracy of which he has long endea-
voured to convince those interested in the navigation of
iron ships, that the magnetism of such ships is, in all its
qualities, changeable; the most enduring, or apparently
fixed, being of a description changeable- under severe
straining and- mechanical violence, which he has denomi-
nated retentive magnetism. No large changes may be
expected under the following circumstances In iron
ships long hi -use, and ordinarily pursuing the same voyage,
because extreme distribution gets shaken down, as it were,
into a medium or average state. 2. Great changes do not
take place in-the retentive magnetism (by far the greatest
portion) in-latitudes not farther south than-the Mediter-
ranean, because, 3, in ships trading in the Channels, or
east and west to America, the liability to • new or unex-
pected' changes greatly diminishes. In such cases, an
intelligent captain, observing the changes, duration,
alteration; and allowances may generally run-with great-
confidence, Experience will establish the effect of circum-
stances in this case. He suggested :--1: A standard
azimuth compass to be placed on a high pedestal, where
(on the Admiralty plan) a position of small duration may
be-found: 2. A compass at mast-head he-believed best of
all for reference, by which the great body of error will be
demonstrated. 3. The wheel-compass required for ships
engaged in the home-trade, or traversing mainly parallels
oflatitude not southward of the Mediterranean, if adjusted'
with magnets and pieces of iron, may-not be then unsafe,
where reference may always be had to , the standard for
verification. 4. No standard compass in great distances.
5-. Care-in selection of compasses, talave ample directive,
force. His improvements had trebled the directive force,-,
weight for weight, of the compasses used in the navy up.
to 1883 or 184 A 6. Captains must be made to take-
observations for verifying their compasses by azimuth
compasses, stars, positions of land—a subject for exami-
nation. 7. Captains should have-a special knowledge -for
the charge of iron ships, for here; in addition to the ordi-
nary dangers of navigation. is a new source of error and
misguidance, as to which, it is most important, he should
never be thrown off his guard. 8. He should be supplied
with rules of caution.
Mr. GRANTHAM said, it wonld•strike at the root of one
of the greatest improvements of .modern times, if • the im-
pression should prevail to a great extent, that iron steam
vessels were dangerous. These views became-much more
dangerous in the hands of their learned friend; Dr. Scores-
by, because of his well known experience and ability.
They all understood, and admitted to a great extent, that
there was an immense amount of local attraction disturbing
the compasses in iron ships ; but he (Mr. Grantham) con-
tended that this was corrected, and from his own experience
of upwards of twenty years, he declared that the impression
left upon the minds of many which a few solitary cases
brought under their notice did leave, was altogether an
erroneous one.—(Heari hear.) The instances of the Tay-
leur, and of the Birkenhead, had been alluded to ; but he
would ask the gentlemen who spoke of these cases to in-
vestigate with equal care the instance of every wooden ship
which ever went ashore upon the Irish coast, or fancying
itself in the Mersey, found itself in the Solway Firth, and
they would find that the losses of these vessels every year
far exceed the proportionate amount of the losses of iron
ships. (Hear.) The experiment which Dr. Scoresby
spoke of was well understood, but was not at all parallel
to the case of an iron ship. A bar of iron would have its
polarity entirely changed by being placed in a peculiar
position, and struck with a hammer ; but an iron ship was
not a single bar, or a single plate of iron, and it should
receive blows from some mighty instrument, while in a
peculiar position, to make the case analogous. He also
spoke of a bar when bent losing its polarity ; but an iron
steam-ship was not bent and twisted by the sea, if so, every
plate would open, and the ship would founder. He had
examined the Tayleur himself, by the direction of the Ad-
miralty, and his belief was that that vessel was not lost
through an error of the compass. He believed no captain,
knowing the channel, would venture to beat for three or
four days together in stormy weather without using a lead.
(Hear, hear.) Yet it was proved that Captain Noble did
neglect this precaution. When the ship got into danger the
cause of her going against the rocks was very simple. She
was not very well trimmed, and her canvas did not stay
well. When the captain saw the island it seemed at a
distance, and was said by some of the passengers to be
six miles off—he tried to stay the ship, but she would not
stay ; he tried to wear her, but she would not wear. She
drifted towards the rock, entirely lost her steering power,
and went broadside on to it. As to the loss of the Bir-
kenhead, did no ship ever before run upon the point of a
reef by cutting it too fine ? (Hear, hear.) He wished to
caution mercantile gentlemen not to allow themselves to
be too much influenced by particular and striking cases,
such as had been alluded to in elucidation of the subject,
but to look at the whole question ; look at the masses of
iron ships which were being built, and which had been
working for years and years, and then say whether the
combined information, to be derived from all these which
were properly managed, did at all bear out the influences
drawn by the statement which had, unfortunately he
thought, been so carefully and so elaborately made.
(Hear, hear, and applause.)

Mr. Towson contended that in all iron ships there was
a variation in the compass. No one was more convinced
than he that the existence of our mercantile superiority
must rest upon the progress of iron ships, yet that pro-
gress could be only established upon a proper basis, by
guarding them against dangers ; and so far from iron
ships being brought into disrepute by this means, it would
only establish them upon a firmer foundation. (Hear,
hear.) _ _

A 'conversation ensued, in which Captain Wenny,
Captain Henderson, Captain Dryden, and Mr. Archibald
Smith took part, and Admiral BRECHT expressed his
opinion that the best precaution would be always having
an azimuth compass on board, and making daily a very
frequent observation
The rex

SECOND SOIREE LT" ST: GEORGES HALL.

- :r of the business was adjourned until next
day, when, the section having met, a very valuable paper
was read by AZTDAE7 lig;iDg4so-, Zsci,, "On Ocean

The second soiree, givens by the association .was held in
St. George's Flail on Tuesday evening. It wass more bril-
liant and successful even than. the previous one. The
scientific experiments were• conducted in the• great hall,
which was filled by the company, large•numbers of whom
congregated also iu the galleries and orchestra, whence
the best view could be obtained, of the experiments with
the electric light, and of the magnified photographs of the
moon. The appearance of the-liall, when illuminated by
the electric light, was singularly- beautiful,. the delicate
traceries and tints of the ceiling being most effectively
developed, The models exhibited included Mr. Gran-
tham's proposed high-level railway; and models,- con-
tiibuted by Mr. Laird, of the South American Steam
Company's screw-steamer Imperador, the Russian steam
gun-boat Pruth, built in 1844, the Countess of Ellesmere,
the Manx Fairy, and the Ellan Vannin: Various-other
models of ships and machines were • exhibited, and they
attracted deserved attention. IThon the table in the
centre of the hall were a number of stereoscopes, on the
most improved method, contributed by Mr. T. R. Wif.
bums, of Regent-street, London. Mr: Keith, of Castle,
street, also contributed several excellent photographio.
Collections of birds, illustrated books, shells,

specimens
fet

engravings, &c., were profusely,seattered through-
out, the hall. The photographs of the moon were- ex-
hibited at ten o'clock, the pictures-•being displayed with
remarkable effect, by means of the.oxyhydrogen appara-
tus, upon an immense sheet; the disc •being 40 feet in.
diameter. These views have been taken by Mr. Hartnup,
of the Liverpool Observatory, (who has been eminently
successful in his task,) and enlarged; under the direction
of the-Liverpool Photographic Society:
Professor PHILLIPS proposed a vote of thanks to Mi.
Hartunp, and to the Secretary of the Photographic So-
ciety.. Both votes were carried by- acclamation, and the
company separated.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE. On Sunday week the Boulogne theatre
was totally destroyed by fire, thus materially abridging
the programme of public amusements, and throwing out of
employment at least a hundred persons. The Emperor
drove to the scene of destruction, and was as active as any
other man there in forwarding the water buckets to the
firemen, in which service he was zealously aided by the
officers of his staff.—The organization of a new police in
Paris is a matter of personal, rather than political, moment
to the inhabitants and visitors of that city. The system
hitherto at work has not been remarkably successful in
preventing outrages, by night, against person or property.
You cannot walk the streets of Paris by night, with such
confidence as you would feel in almost any part of London
at any hour. The Emperor has been struck by this fact.
" In London," says the Report by the Minister of the
Interior, " the police-constables alone, without reckoning
the superintendents, the inspectors, the serjeants, and the
supernumeraries, the number of whom varies, amount to
4,764, or five times more than the effective strength of
the Parisian police for a population which is not more
than double that of Paris." Accordingly, a reform of
some magnitude is recommended, as may be judged from
the fact that the estimated expense of the new measure is
5,600,000 fr. a-year, instead of 1,535,000 fr., which was
the annual cost of the old establishment..—On Wednesday
the second petite guerre took place a few miles from
Boulogne, and was witnessed by a large concourse of
civilians, from that town as well art from Paris and other
parts of the country. The Einperor commanded the
attacking troops, and General Schramm led the opposing
forces. The proceedings commenced as a regular battle
ought to do. Neither party knew the other's position,
and both had to feel their way. The Emperor threw out
his Chasseurs to obtain information, and General
Schramm sent forward his cavalry with a similar object.
At last the opposing party came within eight or nine
yards of each other, and began a general' attack, but
from the nature of the ground it was,impossible for any
person fully to appreciate the manoeuvres:
RUSSIAk..—k letter from Kalisch of the. 21st, in the
Austrian Lloyd, says :—" The second division of the
guard, under the command of Lieut.-Generali Ofrosimoff,
has left St. Petersburg, and, it is confidently stated, is
proceeding towards- the kingdom of Poland.- If this news
be confirmed', Russia eviOntly intends to undertakewith
the troops of Poland a winter campaign."
PrZiSSIA,—A Prussian note has been presented to the
Diet, promising a moral support to the four guarantees'
required from' Russia, but urging a postponement of any
discussion: The•Mng left Potsdam at six o'clock;on the'
morning: of the 26th, for Silesia, to inspect personally the-
damage anti destruction eaused by the late disastrous,
floods. It it, not known when his Majesty will returia-
ROME.—The Cardinal:Vies)? has just published an edict,
in which, after attributing the cholera to the sins of the'
Romans, Re directs that the-finger of St. Peter, the-arrn
of St. Roc, the 'heart of Sir Charles, and other relics, shall'
be exposed tb the adoration g the faithful, in order to
avert the wrath-of the• Almighty.

BevAniA.—ACCounts from leiunich, of Sept. 23, are as
follows :—" The 'cholera, has broken out over the whole of
Bavaria, but as- an • epidemic only in Upper Bavaria and.
Schwaben, two Alitricts intimately connected by means of
the South-Northitailway, Twenty victims full daily in
Munich itself."'

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.

By the Britishand North American Royal mail steam-
ship Africa, Capt. Harrison, which: arrived on Sunday
morning, we have 'intelligence from New York to the
20th ult., forty-eight passengers, and 134,122 dols.
The Africa proceeded to sea at %* p.m., on the 20th,
and shortly afterward passed a' French frigate and cor-
vette being towed into 'New York; and at 12 35 p.m., on
the 24th, observed'a large screw-steamer on shore at ape
Race, which proved 'to be the City of Philadelphia.
The Canadian Company's screw-steamer Ottawa, Capt.
Atkins, arrived henee at Quebec, on tlsAk 18th ult. The
Ottawa averaged 270 miles per day for' the first four days,
after which she experienced very heavy gales from the west.

The United Sfates ,steam-ship'Atlantic, Capt. West,
arrived at New Yorki from Liverpool, cn the 19th ult., at
7:30 a.m. The American Fur Company's post at Fort
Laramie had been attacked and destroyed by the Sioux
Indians.

The number of deaths from yellow fever .at Savannah,
for the seven days ending the 12th ult, _numbered 134.
For the week ending-the 9th, the deaths ab New Orleans
frOm yellow fever were .125 ; remaining under treat-
ment, 755.

It was reported flint the U.S. frigate Independence was
about to be despatched to Greytown. Late -advices from
Enrope had been received at New York; ,via Quebec,
taken out by the Ottawa.

According to the Washington correspondent of the
New York Herald; the Secretary of State had received
a mild communication from the Earl of Clarendon on the
subject of the Greytown bombardment.
Mt. Marcy had 'sent a long despatch to the French
ftrdvernment about M.' Dillon, the French consul at San
Francisco. It was very severe on the consul's conduct.
The Secretary of the Treasury had addressed a letter to
Collector Redfield, instructing him that the Tariff-laws
were in force, as before the passage of the Reciprocity
Treaty, until the British Colonies shall' have legislated
in accordance with the terms of the treaty.

From . Quebec we .have scarcely any intelligence. A
dnel.' was to have - taken place between the Hon. Mr.
Cameron, postmaster-general, and one ,of the defeated
candidates -at the last election, but something interfered
and prevented it. _ . .

From Mexico we have advices to the Bth., The coloni-
zation from France to Mexico was proceeding rapidly.
Four vessels had: either already arrived or were imme-
diately expected at Vera Cruz with immigrants from
Havre. A body of Spanish troops had arrived at Vera
Cruz, and 2,000 fiNiiss were daily expected. A decree of
the 18th ult. suppresses thirteen active squadrons of the
army.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW Yonx, 20th September,

Mousy.—There is, on the whole,, rather more activity
in the general markets, though tradia, cannot be said to be
at all active. On the contrary, business of nearly all kinds
continues unsatisfactory, as compared with last year this
time. The money market is abundantly supplied with
capital, but, with an active demand; there is no change in
rates. We quote loans on call 7 per eent., and prime short
paper 12 per cent. The business in Foreign Exchange has
not been large, bills not being plenty, and prices in gene-
ral close very firmly. We quote bills on London, 91 WE)
per cent. prem. ; Paris, &c., f.5.1* to f. 5.111 60 days, sant
f.5.07i to f.a.064 short sight. Bremen, 78k to 78k.

CoTro3N—The market opened firm on Saturday, and
although the demand has since been moderate, the buoy-
ancy continued until yesterday, when the receipts of later
and less favourable accounts from Europe, per Atlantic;
caused some irregularity. The sales are estimated at 2,6 V),
bales, the market closing in favour of the purchaser.
The steak continues very light; and, as there is but little,
business. doing, our quotations are nominal. We quote:
NEW YORK CLASUFICATION. N. Orleans

Uplands. Florida. Mobile." B.ijiexaT4
Ordinary • 7i 7s 72.. , .72
Middling ...
Middling fair .102 102 1O 102
Fair, .lOl 101 11 , 11l
EXPORT FROM ".2.4.n is UNITED STATES.
Since Ist September, 1853
Same time, 1852 2,539,111, ',,
Export from Ist to 15th ,Sept., 1854, 11,000 ; 1853, 18,091.

.from W. P. Wrighes,Oircular, of &Wernher. 20.
The improvement in Liverpool, together with, somewhat
less favourable accounts. of the growing- grop, not only
checked the downward tendency of this market, but
caused an increased demand and a reaction in price. to the
extent of 4c. to c. par lb., on the quotations a, week ago.
The sales since the I,lth inst. to last evening,, amount to
6,000 bales, of which .the greater part, ha.s..been for export
to Liverpool, with a fair amount for domestic consumers.
Holders are firm, but buyers operate .with caution, and
there is an entire absence of speculativeleeling,
DRY GOODS.—During the past weak; trade has been
quite active, andlthe importers have. een busy, although
prices have beeu,very low, yet it is, a. consolation to say
no lower than they were three weeks since. The accounts
from the interior,are better ; the late ,rains have improved
matters considerably. Taken in connection with the last
news from Europe. a better feeling, may to said to exist
in commercial. circles.