o'clock and one. The spectacle thus afforded was unique in its kind; three hundred workmen, spread over an extent of five acres, in some places fifty feet below the observer, were displayed to view by the flickering glare of countless torches. The result of the construction of this dock was most important. New streams of commerce were directed to the port, because new markets were opened; besides, they furnished employment for a larger number of industrious persons,—and the " poor decayed town of Liverpool" raised its head, and claimed to rank with the great commercial ports of Tyre, Sidon, Carthage, Venice, Antwerp, and, in our own country, with Bristol, and even with London, the great emporium of the merchandize of the world. "Thus did fair Commerce found the chosen place, And wealth, and arts, and plenty spread around." Other circumstances must now be glanced at. Francis Egerton, having projected an extensive plan of canal navigation, on coming into possession of his title and fortune, as duke of Bridgewater, proceeded to the execution of part of his design. In 1758-9, he obtained power for the construction of his first canal, which commenced at Worsley, seven miles from Manchester, and united with the Mersey at Runcorn, where barges from Liverpool enter. This was accordingly finished, and the annual amount of tonnage arriving by the canals of the duke, the Manchester Old Quay, the Weaver and Sankey navigation, amounted in 1825 to about 1,000,000 tons. The dock of the duke of Bridgewater, called in honour of its constructor, was intended solely for the use of his flats. This dock is small, but elegantly constructed. It has a range of storehouses upon an arch, under which vessels may enter and have their cargoes moved up to the proper warehouses above. In 1796, the Queen's Dock was excavated, which closes the lists of the older docks, and up to which time the cost of construction amounted to 120,000. The Prince's Dock is the largest of all, and was completed in 1821, at an expense of 461,0597-more than half of which was expended in wages to the men employed in excavating—exclusive of the land, which is valued at 100,000l. It has an area of 54,000 square yards, and a length of quay-space of 1,613 yards. The dock and its quays are enclosed by brickwalls, having gates on the north, south, and east. Between the western wall and the river is the East Marine-parade, which is 700 yards long and eleven yards broad, and protected on the side next to the water by a stone wall, three feet in height, forming a delightful promenade when the tide is in. The Clarence Docks, named in honour of king William, were first opened in September, 1830, and are furnished with works of the most durable, and sometimes handsome, kind. A lofty and spacious shed extends the entire length of the eastern side, and the whole of these works is surrounded by a strong and lofty wall. Most of the docks are intended for the use of, and are visited by, particular classes of ships. Thus the Brunswick Dock is for vessels laden with timber from America; the Queen's, for West Indian, Baltic, and Dutch vessels; the Coburg, for the large class of sea-going steamers; the King's, for the tobacco vessels from the West Indies and North America; and the Prince's Dock, the most magnificent of all, for ships from India and China, and for the largest class of American vessels. Each one is differently arranged, with a view to the accommodation of the class of vessels for which it is intended; and, in some cases, accommodation is furnished on one quay for unloading a particular kind of cargo, and on the other side for loading for the return voyage. The cast-iron posts situated around the basins, with which to secure the vessels, reminded an intelligent foreigner of the manner in which his countrymen, in their promenades at Bremen, jump over the entanglement of ropes by which the quays are traversed, in order to fasten the vessel to the trees on the opposite side, certainly presenting a remarkable custom. warehouses surrounding the basins are worthy of notice; and situated around the quays are sheds, under which the merchandize can be immediately removed on leaving the vessel, and from which it can be packed in the wagons that are to carry it away. These sheds have side walls, consisting either of wooden boards or of canvass, stretched on iron rollers; and, being movable, can be put out of the way when the weather is favourable, or they can be The restored to their places should a heavy rain come on, converting them at once into closely protected warehouses. The difference in the situation of the houses here and in London, leads to a difference in discharging and loading ships; in the latter case it is performed by the servants of the different dock companies, and in the former by persons who undertake the employment, called "lumpers." These individuals have a number of followers, chiefly Irishmen, and they engage to load or discharge a vessel for a specified sum, according to the nature and amount of the cargo, the lumper being master and superintendent, and paying his men day wages, though sometimes it is a joint concern. The expense of the removal of goods is about sixpence per ton each time they are changed; though the hire of labourers for loading is not charged to the ship, but paid by the owners of the goods. Every precaution is made to prevent the accumulation of mud in the docks; that which is unavoidably admitted is removed by the application of the steam-dredging machines; while strict regulations, enforced by a vigilant police force, are estab-vious to the landing of the imports, being lished to maintain good order, and to prevent both fire and depredations. The docks may be said generally to be the property of the public; they are constructed with money borrowed on the security of the rates levied, those rates being pledged by act of parliament for the payment of interest in the first place, and of the principal in the second. to augment the commerce of Liverpool. In 1803, an act was passed for allowing goods imported from foreign countries to be warehoused without payment of duty in the port of London; and in 1805, the privilege extended to such of the other outports as choose to avail themselves of its privileges. The merchants of Liverpool were not slow in comprehending the advantages thus offered, and this city soon became the second bonding depôt in the kingdom. The number of warehouses and vaults for bonded goods are very considerable, and there are a number of yards for bonded timber, as well as ample granaries under the government key for foreign corn. The tobacco warehouse is a building of immense size, covering with its area three acres and a half of ground, and the estimated value of bonded property in this port is nearly two millions sterling, though there is considerable alteration at particular periods. Merchandize of various descriptions, the produce of every clime, is warehoused in these buildings, and consequently the duty, which was formerly paid in cash pre The trade with the sister island has become of late years of great importance to this port, for Ireland might, until very recently, be denominated the granary and storehouse of Lancashire. This county, distinguished as it is by its manufacturing and commercial prosperity, has never ranked very high as an agricultural district; and even if it had, no degree of skill could ever have rendered so limited an extent of country adequate to the support of a population of upwards of a million of inhabitants. For many years the thickly-peopled manufacturing districts of this country have been supported by the produce of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on the one hand, and of Ireland on the other; the imports from the latter only, in 1833, amounting to more than eight millions sterling, and the increase since that period has been enormous. The warehousing or bonding system has tended very essentially suspended under this system till the merchandize is taken out of bond for consumption, the merchant is enabled to carry on trade with less capital than was formerly required, and foreigners are induced to deposit their cargoes in Great Britain till an opportunity is presented for sale, whether in this country or elsewhere. By this improved arrangement of our fiscal department, the shipping interest is greatly augmented. The importance of Liverpool as a commercial town, is not easily conceived. In 1834, its exports were considered to amount to 19,700,000l., and its imports to 15,000,000, which increased to about 40,000,000l. in its aggregate amount in in 1844. The mercantile marine belonging to this port is inferior only to that of London, there having belonged, on the 31st of December, 1842, 1,256 sailing vessels, of the aggregate burden of 338,458 tons, manned by about 15,000 seamen; of these, 125 vessels, of the burden of 4,042 tons, were under fifty each. There also belonged to Liverpool, 46 steamers of the aggregate burden of 5,000 tons. These, however, have increased to an immense extent, and some of the finest steamers in the world sail from the port of Liverpool. The commercial bustle, the forests of masts, the splendid harbour, and the docks, form a spectacle unequalled in the world with the exception of London, and in some respects, even the docks of the metropolis are inferior to those of Liverpool. In London, for instance, when docks were thought of, it was impossible to move away half a town, so the new works had to make way for the old ones; but in Liverpool, a convenient site was made from the first for the docks, and the custom-house, the exchange, and the counting-houses of the merchants, were grouped round them. In London, when a merchant wishes to transmit an order to his ship in the docks, he has frequently to send his clerk a considerable distance, perhaps part of the way by railroad; while in Liverpool, a merchant might almost make himself heard in the docks, out of his counting-house window. The whole length of the river side at Liverpool is occupied with harbour works, including an extent of more than two and a half English miles, and a breadth of from 250 to 500 yards. Basins are cut in the rock, and then lined with solid masonry, around which admirable quays are constructed. There are entrance docks and canals, provided with various kinds of locks, and crossed by handsome iron bridges or by wooden pathways. If the Mersey is visited at low water, a lofty sea wall will be observed along the whole extent of the river side, while the basins behind appear filled with ships. The quays crowded with busy workmen, engaged in loading and unloading merchandize, with the imposing warehouses, and the not inelegant residences of the officers of the docks, complete the scene. The unrivalled advantages possessed by Liverpool over the other western ports of the empire are worthy of notice. Placed at the mouth of a deep and navigable river, easy of access to those acquainted with the navigation of the port, and affording safe anchorage to commercial vessels of every size, it was admirably adapted, even before the formation of its docks, to attract ships visiting the north-western coast of England. Since the decline of the port of Chester, it has become, however, not only the best, but the only outlet and inlet of the commerce of the northern and central counties which is directed to the western coast. To the south, the mountainous districts of Wales cut off the central counties of England from the sea, and give a northern direction to all their commercial intercourse with the western coast; while to the north extends a long line of shore, without a single harbour accessible to ships of considerable size. It is not only the port of south Lancashire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, but of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and even of Warwickshire. Thus the foreign trade of these districts is concentrated here, and the manufacturing skill, mining wealth, and general industry supplies the rest. Through the port of Liverpool are poured into the interior the raw materials of our manufactures, and all the various commodities which minister to the wants and wishes of a wealthy and highly civilized people; while through the same medium every quarter of the globe is supplied with those products of British ingenuity which render England the workshop of the world. Contemplating the commercial prosperity of Great Britain, of which Liverpool possesses so important a share, it appears of stupendous proportions. Not a breeze that fans the cheek, not a wind that blows from any point of the hemisphere, but is made available for some of our richlyladen barks in their progress to the destined haven. The heats of summer and the destructive blasts of winter are but materials for our use, and Britain's commercial power influences to an immense extent every quarter of the civilized world. It is this that has made princes of our merchants, and has raised England to the position she enjoys among the nations of the globe. That her power may be as just and benignant as it is extensive, must be the sincerest wish of every philanthropic mind! LETTERS OF REV. JOHN NEWTON. F. AN interesting volume has lately been published, consisting of one hundred and twenty-nine original letters, from the Rev. J. Newton to the Rev. W. Bull, of Newport Pagnell. The following are two of them : My dear friend,-I have been witness to a great and important revolution this morning, which took place while the greatest part of the world was asleep. Like many state revolutions, its first beginnings were almost undiscernible; but the progress, though gradual, was steady, and the event decisive. A while ago, darkness reigned. Had a man then dropped for the first time into our world, he might have thought himself banished into a hopeless dungeon. How could he expect light to rise out of such a state? And when he saw the first glimmering of dawn in the east, how could he promise himself that it was the forerunner of such a glorious sun as has since risen? With what wonder would such a newcomer observe the bounds of his view enlarging, and the distinctness of objects increasing, from one minute to another; and how well content would he be to part with the twinklings of the stars, when he had the broad day all around him in exchange! I cannot say this revolution is extraordinary, because it happens every morning; but surely it is astonishing, or rather it would be so, if man was not astonishingly stupid. Such strangers once were we. Darkness, gross darkness, covered us: how confined were our views! and even the things which were within our reach we could not distinguish. Little did we then think what a glorious day we were appointed to see what an unbounded prospect would, ere long, open before us. We knew not that there was a Sun of righteousness, and that he would dawn and rise and shine upon our hearts. And as the idea of what we see now was hidden from us, so at present we are almost equally at a loss how to form any conception of the stronger light and brighter prospects which we wait and hope for. Comparatively we are in the dark still at the most we have but a dim twilight, and see nothing clearly; but it is the dawn of immortality, and a sure presage and earnest of glory. Thus, at times, it seems a darkness that may be felt broods over your natural spirits. But when the Day-star arises upon your heart, you see and rejoice in his light-you have days as well as nights; and, after a few more vicissitudes, you will take your flight to the regions of everlasting light, where your sun will go down no more. Happy you, and happy me, if I shall meet you there, as I trust I shall. How shall we love, and sing, and wonder, and praise the Saviour's name! Last Sunday, a young man died here of extreme old age at twenty-five. He laboured hard to ruin a good constitution, and unhappily succeeded, yet amused himself with the hopes of recovery almost to the last. We have a sad knot of such poor creatures in this place, who labour to stifle each other's convictions, and to ruin themselves and associates, soul and body. How industriously is Satan served! I was formerly one of his most active under-tempters. Not content with running the broad way myself, I was indefatigable in enticing others; and had my influence been equal to my wishes, I would have carried all the human race with me. And doubtless some have perished, to whose destruction I was greatly instrumental, by tempting them to sin, and by poisoning and hardening them with principles of infidelity; and yet I was spared! When I think of the most with whom I spent my unhappy days of ignorance, I am ready to say, I only am escaped alive to tell thee. Surely I have not half the activity and zeal in the service of Him who snatched me as a brand from the burning, that I had in the service of his enemy. Then the whole stream of my endeavours and affections went one way: now my best desires are continually crossed, counteracted, and spoiled, by the sin which dwelleth in me. Then the tide of a corrupt nature bore me along: now I have to strive and swim against it. The Lord cut me short of opportunities, and placed me where I could do but little mischief; but had my abilities and occasions been equal to my heart, I should have been a Voltaire and a Tiberius in one character a monster of profaneness and licentiousness. to grace how great a debtor!" A common drunkard or profligate, is a petty sinner to what I was. I had the ambition of a Cæsar or an Alexander, and wanted to rank in wickedness among the foremost of the human race. When you have read this, praise the Lord for his mercy to the chief of sinners, and pray that I may have grace to be faithful. But I have rambled. I meant to tell you, that on Sunday afternoon, I preached from "Why will ye die ?" Ezek. xxxiii. 10, 11. I endeavoured to show poor sinners, that if they died it was because they would, and if they would they must. I was much affected; for a time I could hardly speak for weeping, and some wept with me. "Oh From some, alas! I can no more draw a tear or a relenting thought than from a millstone. You bid me either write or come. Come, I cannot; and therefore I obey you in the alternative. Partly, because it is my bounden duty to obey Mr. Bull; and partly to coax you out of a letter, which will be very acceptable, especially if it be a good long one. The Lord has watched over us night and day since you were here, and we are in health and peace. We join in love to you and Mrs. Bull. Come and see us as soon and as often as you can, and always think of me, and pray for me, as your very affectionate friend and brother, JOHN NEWTON. Olney, 27th October, '78. My dear friend,-I could have wished for a more favourable account of your complaint, but you are in the Lord's hand-in the hand of him who loves you better than I do, better than you can love yourself. He will therefore order all things concerning you, and give you strength according to your day. This great Physician can support and heal, when other physicians are found to be of no value. I am waiting with suspense for a further account of the fleets. You will hear sooner than we. If the news prove unfavourable, it will come soon enough to us all. Now perhaps is the crisis, or perhaps before now the blow is struck. My soul, wait thou only upon God; he directs the storm, and he can hush it into a calm. He loves his people, and numbers the hairs of their head. Whatever may be his purpose towards the nation, he says to his own people, it shall be well with them. Here I was interrupted by a visit from Mrs. Foster; she has just left us, and I am just going to the great house,* * What is called the great house, was an ancient mansion, then unoccupied, and now pulled down, in which Mr. Newton rented a room, where meetings were held for prayer, and exposition of the word of God. In this room my father sometimes preached for Mr. Newton. I have by me a list of names, in the hand-writing of the author of these letters, of the persons who engaged in prayer; and it is interesting to observe among them the frequent recurrence of the name of the poet Cowper, from the year when he came to reside at Olney, to the year 1773, when a dark cloud came over his mind, and peculiar views of himself unhappily prevented him from entering a place of worship to the end of his days. So strictly conscientious was this interesting man, that I have frequently seen him sit down at table when others have risen to implore a blessing, and take his knife and fork in hand, to signify, I presume, that he had "no right to pray." "Prove to me" (he writes, in a letter to my father) "that I have a right to pray, and I will pray without ceasing, even in the belly of this hell, compared with which Jonah's was a palace, a temple of the living God."-Southey's "Cowper," vol. iv. p. 235. Two of the "Olney Hymns," "On opening a place for social prayer," one composed by Mr. Newton, and the other by Mr. Cowper, were most probably used when this room was first set apart for this purpose.-See "Olney Hymns," book ii. hymns 43, 44.-The following names occur in the paper above referred to:-Raban, Cowper, Kaye, Samples, R. Stamford, J. Harris Chater, Hull Clifton, Percy, B. Nind, Halward, Jones (curate of Clifton,) Trinder (Northampton.)-ED. BOATSWAIN BILLINGS; OR, SCENES ON THE OCEAN. THE wide-spread world of waters is heaving to and fro; dolphins are sporting in the waves; a lonely albatross is winnowing his way above the bounding billows, and a distant sail to the south is seen on the horizon. We call the ocean green, but it is blended with all huesgreen, blue, slate-colour, silvery white, ebon black, glittering like gold, and sometimes of all colours at the same moment, as the light, the sunshine, the clouds, and other causes, affect it. At one time the sun blazes on the billows, and at another the dark clouds fling their inky shadows on the deep. Now the sea, is calm, now adorned with narrow ledges of snowy white foam, now rushing on ward in huge curling ridges, and now heaving wildly in fearful commotion, headstrong, mountainous, boundless, grand, magnificent, awful, and sublime. The mighty voice of ocean is like the wallowing of a river and the windroar of a forest, sometimes low and sometimes loud, but ever fitful, restless, incessant, and eternal. "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts," Psa. civ. 24, 25. How dread the frown on ocean's angry brow! How great, how dread, O God! how infinite art thou! The The good ship Mary Anne is lying at anchor, all right and tight from keel to sky-scraper, and from stem to stern. Look at her masts, sails, and rigging, and at the fine build of her bows! master is a true sailor, though the mate is hardly to be trusted. The crew are bold fellows, but the best seaman board is Billings the boatswain. Billings can reef, rig, and steer with any one, and every yard, sail, block, brace, and rope'send in the Mary Anne is an old acquaintance to him. He has joy in his on |