The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-04-12 00:00:00

to recore t )r of Rea ', 5 g e jail r speC a , c ket, 00 • 03 0. the ir i t o to J e/P- 09 cheq a yet 4 ta tion, Lit gi" ,her toge— tbe t4 kwing wt , 1n..'0:0 • vnitol i o t eief ue l toup o pel bis xec ted he o'7o* ket: intiffl ► 1 log t 11 1 L ag t he m ot end th. r e eso ll ‘ t ftet the o a tts ce r e f, it to" 0 . KO ° opt; to' es rill la b e 'ver tti don•) V. 11° . er• 410 stole" „di ucksto 0.) v OO ra.na. ovit rd A., i s f l o t kp ri" roclailltv cter' ,he 1 40. jean ,u : aPpesis°! \ char 'c°c e of Jacob, and holding out the hand of Esau. of „Pi 3 like th ese were never made against the Duke the ly_ellington, and t h ose who served with and under They could not be alleged: the Whigs did rut; because they dared not, say them. Such transpa thle falsehoods would have defeated their own end ; ‘l , o _ ° ,Ye'l of the gullible and much misguided people this `` , e have been opened by such glaring absurdity as We leave it to that people now to say what amountote of fraud and folly, of base servility to courtly shat of subservience to anti-English factions— de de pth. of falsehood,. what extremity of political t e gra at L iat inn and mora l turpitude—it would be unjust ate t o the ministers of Queen Victoria, the lo ver ' b eaves 8 of of liberty, the fri e nd s o f t h e peop l e, t h e advo theo nt ,truth, the tried supp or t ers an d re f ormers o f y ish c onst i tution ! 16171.4 the flood tid e of popular opinion rose. against Nli' 4 ministry i n t h e autumn of 1830, and not ritiieB,wept b e f ore it the impediments which haggard al d f had th rown into its channel to obstruct its natural e it, e course, but bid fair for a while to break down trillhiriettlieinnattlzkins and involve everything around it in ruin and confusion. And shall public who h a` , not raise its angry waters now against men sNp a „ ve e mPloyld worse means to compass infinitely r Shall we tear down a noble ruin, th:tem nth all the sacredness of national antiquity, il lay have broader windows and a clearer sun !' it ery °nin- L And shall we sit patiently by, and observe the h ands that levelled with the dust that consecrated ttr utt L al ling in its place a huge, unsightly, ill-con • 'th e ,: he oP—shapel ess an d purpose l ess, except f or o f f raud and villainy, t o be the a bode o f Z a nd robb ers ? Owe, Rho struck the lion down,—shall we 4rthe Wolf homage ? Preferring lowly gaze F or l : ervile k nees to tyrants ? Prove before ye praise !" tthey4Y should the people of England, so exasperated !Pa kt bes o patient now ? Is it because treachery th e en ?—because pretended virtue mitigates ete ° "ltY of. detected vice ?—b ecause th e l o udness of pr Perfo:i°ll compensates for the utter destitution of theh ea atic e ? — because hope deferred never maketh Doiat eti n Sick,?—nor promises broken, hopes disap ntellthe and faith perjured,. exasperate wrath, and tilevia tU mult of th e t rou bl e d sou l ? If th es e be ti O4 "41' cir cumstances, mild must be the indign a the 414 most d ov e-li ke the d i spos i t i ons, with which ik; l e of Engl an d w ill regar d t h e wretc h e d Whigs l'ot e : the r deceivers of th e peo pl e , th e i r d a y s are de hitt to field- preaching, their nights occupied in rob 'oll' eilli;relles; and th e pi e ty o f their fanatical dis tiete' given as evidence to character, when con -Ikt the bar o f pu b l i c j ust i ce for h e i nous sacrilege. hi lal 2Y rnan re fl ect upon the crisis of 1830,l et telierh eM ber the ch arges o f p o liti ca l corruptcorruptionn d oelaimin g p a t r i o t s aga i ns t th e t ory ministry, and h:e,t him think on the Greys, and the Mintos, Ott dunketts.—let the army list and the navy list, ev etl —tt ell of judges and the bench of bishops,—let he Poi *here room for jobbing existed, or could ki tti all • o d '"e ; e c ontrived,—let the whole history of whig Ivith L th 4tr ation be remembered, and set in contrast Th e - l t Quixotic exclamation of honest Lord Althorp, Pe il a Y B of Patronage are numbered." If the peo bee:.e 1- 'ngland are not exasperated now, it must be Public honesty has been so scouted by the that th at men are sceptical of its very existence : or 1, 11 e na me na me Reortner' hallows this corruption, gut end C hastisement c loth therefore hide his head." t he eh; P e ople of E ng l an d d oes no t' s l u mber in this, 111 1t 1 ,1, °f 1839. P u bli c indignation is not loud, -1) . A whip clamour makes a great noise. t tY . exiting kettle-drummer echoes it on his drum artl,:.S. 'Meetings are held, and advertised. Pla tort ate" 'Meetings and every dishonest expedient re 4pproht°, f or magnifying the liberal demonstration. pe a , ef igiate to such an outcry was the saying of the t h) 4 1 Quaker to the braggart drummer—" Friend, ettlAty44l i, a type of thee : it soundeth because it is ta ttlp It is not the nature of conservatism to be 4 4 4 ` and uproario us . Conservatism in Devonshire Il kiii rt i 7 7° l as the grave ,—b u t Mr. Buck had his 480. %t it - silent,—but the silence of Oxford was elo- I tYtahi,, P r event Mr. Erlrs elevation to the bench. ill silent,—b ut C amp b e ll o f C ra i g i e w ill k now t i t e' e til ne,' that conservative Ayrshire has been busy they talk courts. Let that dissolution .that : at the R e f orm Cl u b rea lly take place, and, ni eret oh rd Howick in Northumberland to paltry Pal -44441 popular constituency at Tiverton, the tak eii 8 Will le arn t h at conservat i ve s il ence must not b e tila t i 8 f or consent in whiggery. There is many a voice 1 04 1401, °t1 1Y heard in sighs over the disgrace of our 14 h country, or in prayers for her deliverance °t it el:P r esent disgraceful bondage,—that will speak Peril th -1. 1 and l ou dl y enoug h , w h en t h e lib era l s s h a ll Oc el i on e i: existence upon the sorry chances of a new Ltt th hi, :ern look about them. To your tents, 0 Israel! kaih7:!,°hred that Lo r d J o hn had fi x ed upon St. 14 4 I C ue ' B as his m i n i s t er i a l Z oar . B u t th e sun w as \ Ve 'upon Johnny when he entered his Zoar ! 15 11" 4 11 t honestly say we wish any better fortune k pi tt Ll,at numb er l ess h os t o f whit, an d ra di ca l, an d h tti , atPirEttits who . are standing outside the palace- Pi tt,: d lvait hig for such Morsels as the Favourite is ' lO l4 t ° throw th em. W e te ll th ese gent l emen , ,1 t6eir wit h all sincerity, that the sooner they secure l ittle t i res the better for themselves. They have but O l trie now to lose. With this advice, and with "rally n e st (left-handed) benediction, we most cor °Rl them farewell. th titig t e Present period, when war in the east is a con eo?rnot only p oss ibl e b ut extreme l y probable, it is Inl Portance that we should be able to form a `ttis t ,„• eatintate of the actual state and position of I)si ve - ' hi ref erence to our Indian possessions and the % Ile L t 3 ja allianc e w i t h us, an d o f t h e f ac ili t i es w h ic h of '-'44el3es for carrying her long-cherished schemes ndisement into execution. th t e ll b izidiv idual existi ng h as thrown mor e li g ht u p on 41 0 b:i e ct of Russian aggressions than Mr. Urquhart, 41 40i -44 itir nished u s , i n hi s various publications, with N eter e tY of stati s ti ca l d eta il s o f t h e most startling ch a ill 0 1 , ten ding to ill ustrate t h e grasp i ng po li cy pursue d successive emperors of that country. Of these ails w shall fre quen tl y h ave occas i on to ava il our tow 'hile we shall endeavour to rouse our country '4l ir d ,, a "Ilse of th e d angers w i t h w hi c h t h e commer ]p 0 -4eB t B of G reat Britain are surrounded. t he va : cl er that o ur rea d ers may the b etter apprec i ate territorial acquisitions which Russia has made, lt keth ce ssion of wholesale robberies, we shall lay be 1, peromparative view of her population and 'lt „ Reaj periods of her existence as a formida- SliZ re the time of Peter the First Russia was an in -IPower. At hi s access i on, i n 1689, the po- S,00(;11 nf ( ; 11 n fthe w h ole of the Muscovite empire was I t is and this was sprea d over a l arge sur f ace. 7sl, th e t° be tak en i nto cons i derat i on that, at this pe ke 140 e great mass of Peter's subjects were sunk in iiikar L a bject b ar b ar i sm—ignorant of the arts of ci- N e a nd unac qua i nte d w i th the discipline of war. had e r est of Europe, with some trifling excep rnade gr eat a d vances in the knowledge of t tarld. tact ies, Russia was without the semblance of ` -tb fite t ;: s g ar mY• Peter the Great, however, who had "Y the experience which he gained in other kt.). foreB, Perceived the necessity of organising a mili i?osklekcei and of bringing the wandering hordes of e 8 tinder some established control. He, it must ts.. Mom t he a edged, first laid down the plans for the fu ,Niattgrandisement of the empire, by a system of ' t tteh t l 4 and encroachment which have been so con * 1 / 4 % 1' upon by his successors. i t% • tne death of Peter the First the population cf 111144 increased in an astonishing ratio—not absolute k, b, successive additions of territory. At the t k • cit l f ° Catherine the Second, in 1762, the popu it Rite sk o limed to 25,000,000. At her death, in 1796, ip noted t 1825, 36,000,000. At the death of Alexander, A it amounted h : cve h to 58,00Cr,000. t aken l _ aNe a lready stated, the vast increase which t t tn 'Place in the population of Russia has not ti t iee t i . ""g to natural causes. It has arisen from the , inve additionsf , made to the empire by a system of 1:C44 13414der• Thus the acquisitions of Russia w ede P":l ri gtl o ,- are greater than what remains of that 4 , 141 4 t h ey a cquisition s from Poland . . a • re , nearly P hs t 9 "'Man empire. Her acquisitions from -484411 Tian are no of greater extent than the --• nillii°ns, exclusive of the Rhenish pro :1 winces. Her acquisitions from Persia are equal in extent to England. Her acquisitions from Turkey in Asia are nearly equal in dimensions to the whole of the smaller states of Germany. Her acquisitions in Tar tary have an area not inferior to that of Turkey in Europe, Greece, Italy, and Spain. In fine, the terri torial acquisitions she has made within the last sixty four years are equal in extent and importance to the whole empire she had in Europe before that time. Such is the gigantic empire whose aggressions in the East are a cause of just alarm to Great Britain ! The Russian frontier has been advanced towards Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Vienna, and Paris, about 700 miles —towards Constantinople, about 500 miles—towards Stockholm, about 630—and towards Teheran, about 1000 miles. We have given these brief statistical details as a pre liminary to more extended remarks illustrative of the encroaching policy of Russia, especially in reference to our East India possessions. The effects of this policy are becoming daily more evident and striking. Russia has her spies and emissaries in every country. The province of these men, who are generally selected on account of their astuteness and political sagacity, is, to embroil other nations in war, that she may profit by their quarrels. There can be very little doubt that the rebellion in Canada, and the more recent disturbances on the frontier of New Brunswick, have been instigated and fomented by the autocrat, throUgh the agency of his political missionaries. It is, therefore, necessary that Englishmen should be on their guard against the ma chinations of this despotic power. 'By the packet-ship Westchester, which arrived here on Wednesday, we have received New York papers to the 15th ultimo. The most important extracts from these tapers will be found in another column. It ap pears that Sir John Harvey was concentrating his forces upon the frontier, and making the most exten sive and energetic preparations for a contest with Maine. Sir John Colbourne had foi:warded despatches to Sir John Harvey, placing five regiments of the line at his disposal. The British forces were assembling at Madawaska, and the Americans at the Aroostook, both on the disputed territory. Sir John Harvey was about to take possession of Mars Hill, and to erect fortifica tions there. This hill is situated at the north-west angle of Nova Scotia. Her Majesty's ship Crocodile, Captain Stewart, had arrived at St. John's, N. 8., from Halifax, with 190 men of the 69th regiment, and 6 officers, under the command of Major Brookes, who were to proceed to Fredericton. The Numa, with the remainder of the regiment, was daily expected to arrive there. We learn that a strong feeling of excitement.pre vailed at Bangor and the neighbourhood, on receipt of the official documents of Congress on the subject of the boundary question ; but a correspondent of the Courier and Inguit-er expresses his opinion that there will be no blood shed, notwithstanding the preparations on both sides. His opinion does not appear to be war ranted by the fact that large quantities of arms and ammunition, as well as of provisions, continue to be sent to the army from the arsenals of the United States. Orders were received at Bangor to furnish a supply of provisions for 5000 men, for three months ; so that it appears that the government of Maine does not think of any sudden disbandment of her troops. The money market at New York was in a very ex cited and unsettled state, and influenced by the slightest intelligence bearing on the state of matters in the east. The Pennsylvania Savings' Bank, and the Southwark Savings' Bank, of Philadelphia, are reported to have stopped payment. The Detroit City Bank has given notice that it will suspend specie payments for sixty days. The Michigan State Bank has also come to the same resolution. The tendency to decline in Stocks appears to be on the increase at New York. The United States Bank stock were made at 114. The Westchester encountered very rough weather on her homeward voyage. On the 24th, in lat. 43, long. 53, during very thick weather, she fell in with an ice berg, which carried away her bowsprit, and obliged Captain Ferris to throw overboard 200 bales of cotton and 500 chests of tea, in order to lighten her. Three of the crew were killed by the masses of ice which fell upon the vessel, and one was severely hurt. There were 17 steerage and 3 cabin passengers, who a'l had to work at the pumps day and night until the vessel was relieved. Intelligence has been received from Vera Cruz, by Her Majesty's ship Racehorse, to the 10th of March, announcing that a treaty of peace had been concluded, through the mediation of Mr. Pakenham, between France and Mexico. It is stated that the terms are highly honourable to Mexico, and that there remains little doubt that they will be approved of by congress. Mexico is to pay 600,000 dollars, in three drafts on the Custom-house, at two, four, and six months, and the expressions under this head, that caused so much offence at Jalapa, are omitted. France does not insist on the retail trade. The restitution of the prizes made by France, and indemnifications for losses during the war on both sides, are left to the arbitration of England. The Mexicans are at liberty to make a treaty of com merce with France. whenever they think fit, and no terms are stipulated for it. The castle, with its artillery, (less 12 guns taken from the French by the Spaniards many years since,) is to be delivered up immediately upon the agreement being ratified by the congress. The French will be allowed to raturn, and to enjoy the pri vileges of the most favoured nation. An armistice for fifteen days, (twelve being allowed for the ratification by congress,) will allow vessels to discharge their cargos immediately, which they will commence doing as soon as the custom-house is properly re-established. These "are the principal conditions introduced into the treaty. Immediately on receipt of the ratification from congress, the French are to evacuate the fort San Juan de Ulloa, and withdraw all their forces. It is to be hoped that the honour of Great Britain has not been in any degree compromised by the negociations which have taken place. From the preceding terms it appears that France has accepted much much less than she originally demanded. The right of retail trade, a stipulation of a very oppess ive character, has been entirely abandoned. Thus has terminated this silly quarrel. It might, however, have been much sooner settled, if our government had, months ago, sent out an accredited minister, with a sufficient naval force, to add weight to his mediation. We are glad that this frivolous impediment to British commerce has, at length, been removed. We have been favoured with copies of the St. Chris topher Gazette to the Bth of February inclusive. One of these papers contains a letter from an intelligent " West India Planter," in which there are several re marks, illustrative of the present condition and future prospects of the West Indies, which are deserving of attention. He states that he is paying taxes to the amount of £2OO a-year for an estate, whereon no labour has been performed for several months, although it is Within three miles from the sea-beach, now considered a favourable locality. Among various • suggestions which he offers, he states that it would be advantage ous to have a steamer plying between the West Indies and New York, to convey letters to England in the least possible time. We very much question whether any time would be gained by this plan ; though it certainly would be highly desirable to have a line of steam-packets plying directly from England to the West Indies. The voyage both ways might be accom plished at an average of eighteen or twenty days. In stances are on record of her Majesty's packets accom plishing the distance from St. Thomas to Falmouth in twenty-six days. The writer of the letter to which we have alluded strongly insists upon the policy of reducing the duty on sugar to 16s. per cwt., and that on rum to ss. per gallon—a recommendation which, we venture to say, it would be no more than an act of bare justice to com ply with. He says, in conclusion, that it has often occurred to him that a limited number of convicts from England might, with advantage, be sent out .to the West Indies, especially to Jamaica, to make good roads, to drain all the marshy grounds, and open the dense masses of forests in low grounds, where un healthy vapours are generated, and thus in time make Jamaica, and the other West India Islands, as healthy as any part of the world. A correspondent of the St. Christopher Advertiser states that " he expresses the opinion of every respect able inhabitant of the Virgin Islands, when he says that the present peaceful and happy state of affairs in Tortola, is more to be attributed to the patient, endu ring, and well-meant exertions of the Wesleyan mis sionaries, than to any administration of the govern ment"—a tribute which, we ate confident, is well merited by that exemplary body of Christians. HoW are the mighty fallen ! Four years ago a pub lic dinner was given by the leading reformers of Liver pool, in the area of the Corn Market, which was hired for the occasion, at an expence, we believe, of £5O. These worthy and patriotic individuals invited Mr. Daniel O'Connell as the guest to whom they wished, by this splendid repast, to pay every honour. 'rickets were plentifully given away, in order to swell the num bers of those who were to pay court to the great agitator. Accordingly, about a thousand attended, some to laugh at the absurdities of the " distinguished guest," and others to ltsten with admiration to his treasonable harangues. If .our memory be not treacherous, we think that the great feed in the Corn Market was given at a period when the Whig ministers had brought things to a crisis similar to the present. At all events, we know that the tickets for the dinner were rated at a guinea each—that the viands were excellent—the wines choice—and that the company had some slight preten sions to respectability. The principal table was graced by a sprinkling of members of parliament, and by the members of the secret conclave at the Angel Hotel. Our friend Joshua was there, delighting the motley audience with his flowery rhetoric ; and, if we are not deceived, the mendicant agitator was honoured for once with a seat in the carriage of our friend the late mayor on his way to the dinner. O'Connell boasted that this " great dinner" afforded a powerful demonstration in favour of his allies, the Whig ministers, on the part of the opulent town of Liverpool. But how are the tables changed ! On Saturday next O'Connell dines, by invitation of the Liverpool Pre cursors, at the Queen's Theatre—a place capable of holding some three hundred persons, if properly crammed.- But it may, perhaps, be said that the com pany will be more select than on the former occasion. This is not very probable when we reflect that the tickets may be obtained for four shillings. Oh ! what a falling off is here ! Dropping at once from the Corn Market, with its Whig aristocracy, to the Queen's Theatre, with its strong odour of plebeian filthiness—from a guinea with seed-cake and champagne, to four shillings with a crust of bread and small beer ! Reformers of Liverpool ! call ye this backing your friend—the very best friend you have in the world ? Is this a proper tribute of re spect to the man on whose breath the very existence of the Whig ministry depends ? But to be serious. We heartily rejoice that O'Con nell is to be exclusively feasted by the " Precursors of Liverpool." " Birds of a feather flock together," is an adage not more trite than true. It is meet that re bels should invite a rebel to partake of their hospitality. But who are the " Precursors of Liverpool ?" We protest that we never heard of such a body before. We fancied that Liverpool was too loyal a place to harbour such traitors. We shall, therefore, narrowly scrutinize the names of those who may be present at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday. It is right that our fellow-towns men shbuld know who these " Precursors" are, that they may avoid them as dangerous conspirators—as enemies to the throne—as intolerant persecutors of the Protestant faith and its professors. We can form a tolerably shrewd guess as to the class of persons composing the " Precursors' Society." Our readers will remember the blood-thirsty ruffians who attacked the conservative voters at the last election, and in many cases endangered their lives. • Their yells and imprecations will not he soon forgotten, especially when echoed, as they will be, by those who will grace the tables at the Queen's Theatre. We rejoice •to find, from the half-yearly report of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway, which will be found in another column, that this undertaking is rapidly and successfully proceeding towards comple tion, and that there is a prospect of having the whole line opened early in 1840. This line of railway pro mises to be one of the most profitable in the kingdom. The traffic and travelling between this town and Ches ter is very considerable, and greatly on the increase. This is evident from the fact, alluded to in the course of our report, that the tolls between the Ferries and Chester have been let for £5OO more this year than they were last year; whilst those from Chester to Wrexham have let for £2OO more. But the most gratifying circumstance in connexion with the proceedings at the meeting on Wednesday last was, the announcement that a company is in course of formation for constructing an " Extension Railway from Chester to Rhuabon." We feel quite confident, from our knowledge of the country through which this railway will pass, and of the vast resources which it pos sesses,, that this extension will most materially increase the traffic, and, therefore, enhance the value of the Birkenhead and Chester line. From the statements made by Mr. Stephenson, we understand that the cost of constructing the Chester and Rhuabon Extension Railway will be about the same as that of the Birken head and Chester, which is considerably below the average cost of the railways already completed. Among the advantages to be derived from the con struction of the Chester and Rhuabon Railway, we would primarily dwell upon the facilities which it will offer for bringing the mineral produce of that part of Wales through which it passes to the Liverpool mar ket. The district surrounding the proposed terminus of this railway (about two or three miles beyond Rhu abon) abounds with coal of the very best quality— the best that can be obtained for the purpose of mak ing coke. This coal, of which there is an exhaustless supply, might be delivered on the banks of the Mersey for less than l ls. per ton—a price which is consider ably less than tbat of any other coal, of the same qua lity, now introduced for consumption into Liverpool. It may be added that this coal, owing to its superior quality, will be in great demand for steam-fuel. But coal is not the only article in which this part of Wales abounds. There are excellent slate quarries in the vi cinity of Llandegle, which are now scarcely worth working, owing to the great expense of land carriage, but which would be immediately rendered of great value by the proximity of a railway. But the most important commodity which would be brought by this railway is the iron, which is manufactured in large quantities in the neighbourhood of Brymbo, Minera, and Rhosllanerchrugog. The present cost of carriage of the article, per canal to Chester, is Bs. per ton. Mr. Stephenson calculates that it might be brought by railway to Chester at a cost of about 2s. 6d. per ton, which will appear reasonable when we state that the canal is 56 miles in length, and that the proposed rail way will be only 15 miles. It is right also to mention, that the opening of the line of railway from Birkenhead to Rhuabon. would bring an immense quantity of agricultural produce, as well as of live stock, to the Liverpool and Manchester markets. The horticultural produce would also con stitute no mean item in the calculation of goods to be conveyed by this line. But, perhaps, the most profitable department on this line would be that of the passengers. The proposed extension would convey passengers into one of the most romantic districts of Wales in less than three hours. This inducement would cause an amazing in flux of strangers into the Principality, which would, of course, prove a source of great profit to the two corn panies. LIVER THEATRE. — Master B. Grossmith takes his bene fit on Monday evening next. From the extraordinary suc cess he has met with in Liverpool, and the delight which he has afforded to the many hundreds who have visited the Li ver since his arrival, we predict the house will be crowded to the roof. In addition to his numerous new attractions for the night, a young lady, of standard celebrity in the mu sical world as a pianist, has volunteered her professional as sistance. A treat of the first order may therefore be antici pated. RHEUMATISM. —We feel pleasure and satisfaction in referring to a pill, prepared by Dr. Barker of this city, for the cure of this most 'extraordinary disease—Rheumatism. It is consistent with our own knowledge, that several per sons with whom we are acquainted have been cured after all other remedies had failed. This is a truth, " and why should not a useful truth be told ?" Nor is this notice inserted at the request of the respectable gentleman who made this most important discovery in medicine, or of the vendors of these pills, but of our own accord. We refer to our paper of last week for a certificate from a highly respectable gentleman, a landed proprietor in Stirlingshire, as to their virtue in re moving gout, and we have recorded in another column a convincing case from a gentleman in England. Those afflicted with either maladies should at least give them a " fair trial."—Edinburgh Weekly Journal, June, 1838. A CANDID ADMISSION.—The Sun of Monday has the following significant statement. We cannot but admire, in this instance at least, the candour of the editor in making such a declaration. "We have been a little struck at perusing the lucubrations of some of contemporaries, to find some elaborate calculations - of what the toties will gain by turning out the whigs, while not one word is said of what the country will gain. We, however, pretend to be of the party of the country." TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY. yesterday, at twelve o'clock, a meeting of this society was held -at St. Luke's SChoob:room,. Cropper-street, and was very respectably though not numerously attended. Amongst those present were a considerable number of ladies. The Rev. Mr. Bates, Assistant Minister of St. Bride's Church, was called to the chair, and opened the meeting by an appro priate prayer. The CHAIRMAN then stated that the meeting had originated in the circumstance of its being known that his rev. friend then present (Mr. Thelwall) would pass through the town on his way to Ireland, it was thought desirable not to let the op portunity pass without inviting him to express his opinions of the objects and progress of the parent society. He (the Chairman) regretted that owing to the shortness of the notice and other circumstances, the attendance was not so numerous as it doubtless would otherwise have been, and concluded by introducing his rev. friend to the meeting. The Rev. A. S. THELWALL, M.A., Secretary of the Pa rent Society, in London, th en came f orwar d. lie lamented that his brother, the Rev. G. Washington Philips, who had been expected to attend, and who had written that, if possi ble, he would be in Liverpool last night, had not yet arrived, being, as it appeared, delayed by some unforeseen circum stance ; thus showing how often the most sanguine expecta tions may be defeated by events over which man had no con trol, and how much all ought in every undertaking to put their trust and dependence on God. He then proceeded to call the attention of the meeting first to the principles upon which the society was founded ; and, secondly, to increased exertions required from every one belonging to it, in order to the wider distribution of the_ pure word of God in this and other countries. With regard to the doctrines upon which they stood, these, though few and simple, were capable of great variety of application and of great extension. They were based on those principles of Christian union to be found in the Bible ; on the recognition of the glorious doctrine of the Trinity as revealed in that sacred volume. All who were received as members of their society must believe and confess the eternal truths necessary' to salvation. There might be differences amongst true Christians on some points, and these differences were to be lamented ; but they agreed in great principles, and it had truly been said, that the points on which they agreed were much greater than those on which they disagreed. The reverend gentleman then proceeded, at considerable length to point out, those parts of scriptural doctrines the reception of which he considered as essential to salvation; those that were important, but not absolutely essential; and those which might be considered as indifferent, and which might be left to the consideration of individuals. The reverend gentleman proceeded to illus trate his position by several quotations from the New Testa ment,' enjoining the necessity for salvation of a belief in the trinity. On that doctrine the society acted, conjointly with the .sacred injunction to love thei r b re th ren , an d we l come them into their union. To such it society nothing could be more delightful than the circulation of the word of God ; and no one could deny that much remained to be done 'in this good work. Let them but circulate what was the proportion of the circulation of the Bible in the population, and this fact would be apparent. Even if all the Bibles ever printed since the glorious reformation were yet extant, a 'twofold quantity would be required for an adequate supply. Even in this comparatively favoured land, there were thousands, and even millions, without the word of God. In these districts the want was very great, for the population had greatly increased of late years. When he first knew Liverpool, and he was not yet an old man, it was much smaller than now : he might safely say it had increased three or four fold. A wide field was, therefore, open for their benevolent exertions in the distribution of the Scriptures ; for, independent 'of the in creased population, Bibles' were soon worn out. He should illustrate this by stating, that a friend of his in Buckingham shire had, at a recent meeting, shewn him two Bibles, one of his own, and one belonging to a poor man, a neighbour. The former had been purchased new eight or ten years be fore, and had been taken as much care of as a book could be that was in pretty frequent use : the other had been bought five years before, and both were almost useless, particularly that of the poor man, which, from use amongst children and others, had been so transposed and defective, that a particu lat passage could scarcely have been found. . The work of the society required, therefore, to be assiduous and conti nuous, in order to provide a regular and constant supply of the Scriptures in this favoured country alone. Even in this town, it would be found by an enquiry by visitors from street to street, that there were thousands of families wholly unsup plied. Besides the distribution of the sacred volume, the society had especially directed their exertion to supplying faithful translations. Out of all the many versions that had hitherto appeared, there were only three, he might almost, indeed, say only two, our own authorised version, published in 1611, and the Dutch translation, published in 1637, which could be considered as standard translations. There were others, some of thein from the Vulgate, but none such as a truly christian society would put it into the - hands of any one as the word of God, they were so loose and paraphrastic, so enlarged here, and so contracted' there. The Vulgtite, itself, was very unequal,. though in some passages an effort was made at pure translation ; but as a whole, compared with the original, the difference in many points was surprising. He next noticed some slight discrepancies between portions of the bible and the prayer-book. arising from defective translation, and, pie also referred to some passages, which, from the same, would appear to sanction - transubstantiation, and other fatal doctrines of the Roman Catholic; Church. He repeated, that on this account the society were especially careful to put into the hands of their brethren, a faithful translation of the sacred volume,—that in place of mislead ing them, it might be " a lamp unto their feet,' and a light unto their path." Time would not permit him to explain the transactions of the society, but in a short time a publi cation would be put forth explanatory of their views and operations. He called upon all those who valued the word of God to come forward and assist in the work of distributing it, and especially to aid them by their pr a yers.—(Applause.) The Rev. Mr. M'CoNKey then addressed the meeting at some length, and with much eloquence, in behalf of the so ciety. He said the Christian Society was much indebted to the British and Foreign Bible Society, for 'their exertion's in the distribution of the scriptures ; but the present society had separated from them, because they did not sufficiently, as it appeared to them, rely for success Upon their prayers to Almighty God. The Society did indeed sing a psalm ; but this he considered rather a compromise of prayer than an open supplication to the throne of grace. The present Soci ety had resolved to begin their labours, to carry them on, and to conclude them, in the humble spirit of prayer. He . . stated that the society was by no means exclusive, but liberal and extensive in its principles, and not dependant on Church government, but upon what was superior,—on the creed of the apostles. He concluded by an affecting account of a visit he had that morning, made to a poor' female on her death bed, who had since died, and who was destitute of the Word of God, or of any one that could read it. He added, that there were thousands of the poor equally destitute of the necessaries of life as well as of the means of salvation ; and concluded by imploring them to come forward in the good cause, iplacing their dependance for success upon the blessings of God. The CHAIRMAN said, that after the statements they had heard, it became them to consider what was to be done, and'- he should state what plan the society had chalked out. They purposed to engage a visitor, qualified from his piety and ex perience, to visit the poor in their abodes, and to urge them to the necessity of reading the word of God. Their funds were, however, inadequate to the demands upon them. The present society, indeed, had liberally awarded them £25 out of their funds towards the work,lbut this was insufficient. He hoped, however, he need but make this known to them to se cure their own aid and that of their friends, and he humbly trusted the Lord would crown their efforts with success.— (Hear, hear.) The ineeting, after singing a hymn, then separated. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SALFORD. MANCHESTER, WEDNESDAY.-A most destructive fire occurred this morning at the Adelphi print works, Salford, in the occupation of Messrs. Gisborne, Wilson, and Co., calico printers. This establishment is one of the largest of its kind in the kingdom. It consists of three buildings, which are bounded on one side by drying sheds of the height of one story, and on the other by the lodge and entrance to the works. Each of these buildings were filled with patent print ing machines, colours, and immense quantities of calicoes and other cloth. . _ _ About two o'clock this morning Messrs. Gisborne and Wil son's private watchman discovered that something had taken fire in the lowest floor of the centre building, which is four stories high and ten in length. On examination he found that a quantity of calicoes were on fire; but, instead of giv ing an alarm, ..he attempted to extinguish the flames himself, by throwing upon them what water was at hand. Owing to the extremely combustible nature of the materials, the flames rapidly gained upon him, and then he found himself compel led to raise an alarm. Some of the workmen who live near were on the.spot almost immediately, and one of the men was sent to the Salford and another to the Manchester fire-engine station for assistance. About half-past three two engines, the Lion and the Dolphin, had arrived from the Salford sta tion, and one, the Niagara, from the Manchester station ; but before they could be put into play it was evident that that part of the premises where the fire originated must be aban doned. The attention of the conductors, Messrs. Horsley and Rose, was`therefore directed to preventing the flames reaching the main printing-room on the south end, and the large drying-room ever the steam-engine on the north end. With the assistance of a small engine sent from Messrs. Ash ton's works, the south building was saved with no more de struction than the communication between the two, and one or two window frames. On the other side, however, the engines produced but little effect ; and all that was saved was a portion of the drying-room containing one machine and two or three thousand pieces of calico. We should mention, that about a quarter of an hour before either the Salford or the Manchester engines had arrived, all the four floors had been burnt through, that the roof had fallen in with a tremendous crash, and that no less than eight printing machines hud been destroyed, so uncommonly rapid had been the devastation. Indeed, it was only by the most severe exertion that the flames were confined to the building where they broke out. It was ten o'clock before the fire was totally extinguished ; and about eleven the front wall gave way, and fell, very fortunately, inwards: Had it fallen the other way, it would have increased the damage several thou sand pounds, besides endangering life. Two firemen were hurt, but neither of them very seriously. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.-THIIRSDAT. Messrs. Wilson were on the spot immediately after the alarm was given, superintending and giVing the necessary di rections to the firemen, workmen, and police, who had re paired to the premises to render their assistance. The works are insured in the York and London. Fire Insurance Offees, and the estimated damage is under £12,000. There are about 600 hands employed in the mills, but we are happy to state that very few of these will be thrown out of employ, as Messrs. Gisborne and Wilson can find employment for them, at their other establishments. The origin of the fire is entirely unknown. When the hands left off their work at 11 o'clock on Tuesday night all was safe, and when the over looker went round the works all the lights and fires were carefully extinguished. There is a flue in the room where the fire was supposed to have originated, which, it is conjec tured, must have been over-heated. The works are very extensive; and have been in operation about 12 or 14 years. SPLENDID COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS.—We were yes terdayilermitted to view the splendid collection of paintings, at the Exhibition Rooms, Post Office Place; the property of the late William Earle, Esq., which will be sold by M essrs. T. Winstanley and Sons, on Wednesday and Thursday next. The collection is unique in its character, most of the paint ings being by the great masters. We shall give a more de tailed notice on Tuesday next. SALFORD ELECTION.—Wc are happy to learn that Mr. Garnett's return as representative for the borough of Salford at the next election is now plaeed beyond all doubt. It will be remembered the honorable gentleman only lost his election by one, since which period the conservrtives have been using the most praiseworthy exertions which will be attended with the gratifying result we have just announced. THE LATE MURDEROUS ATTACK AT MANCHESTER.— Whittaker, who recently committed the brutal outrage on his wife, was again brought up at the New Bailey on Wed nesday ast, when the surgeon stated that the prisoner's wife was still in a very precarious condition, nor could he venture to give any opinion as to the result—she was much worse than last week. Mr. Maude said the prisoner must be again remanded until next Wednesday. The court was crowded to excess, and the prisoner seemed the most unconcerned person in the assembly. On enquiring at the infirmary last night we learned that the poor unfortunate woman remained in the same state. The greatest and most humane attention is paid to the case but we believe her ultimate recovery is evtremely doubtful, NATIONAL EDUCATION IN CONNEXION WITH THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. PUBLIC MEETING AT WIGAN. Pursant to advertisement, a meeting of the friends of the system of national education in connexion with the Estab lished Church, as propounded by the diocesan boards, was held yesterday in the Assembly-room of the Royal Hotel, Wigan. One o'clock was the hour axed upon for the com mencement of the proceedings, but previous to that time the spacious room was densely filled by the ladies and gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood. On the platform there were the Earl of Balcarres, the Hon. and Rev. H. Powys, the Rev. J. J. Hornby (rector of Winwick), the Rev. Thos. Bayne, the Rev. Augustus Campbell, the Rev. Roger Carus Wilson, the Rev. J. Paley, the Rev. H. J. Gunning (rector of Wigan), the Rev. J. H. Brown, A.M., T.C.D., (Haigh,) the Rev.J. Glazebrook, John Whitley, Esq., Alexander Ha liburton, Esq., &c. &c. About half-past one o'clock, on the motion of the Earl of Balcarres, seconded bv the Rev. S. Glazebrook, the Rev. H. J. GUNNING was called to the chair. The meeting having been opened with prayer, The Rev. CHAIRMAN rose and said—Ladies and Gentle men—l have frequently had the honour conferred upon me of being called upon by you to preSide over your public meet ings, but I do not remember, at any time to have occupied the position on so important an occasion as the present, for I will confidently ask you what subject of greater importance can we be called upon to discuss than that which relates to the right education of the people—not the education which is desired, and given to fit men for the purposes of life—an education which is given without any regard to God, but an education which refers, and directs the mind to eternity, and makes men true, and faithful servants of the Lord . Jesus. The necessity of improving, and extending the present sys tem of education is too evident to require proof, for it is, alas ! too true, that the vast majority of the people, are devoid of the least religious or moral culture, and when we consider the increasing population of the manufacturing districts — when we remember, the gross and lamentable state of igno rance in which they are placed—when we call to mind the want of commercial schools in the country—when we consider the spirit of inquiry that is abroad—the march of intelligence, and the aspect 6f the times, we must be convinced of the ne cessity that exists for meeting the wants of the people. As far as its means admitted, the National Society has done it's part, and I am sure we are under great obligations to it for the benefits it has been the means of conferring upon the country, but great as was its usefulness, and well as its merits are appreciated by the country, yet we must all be aware, that the systeni under which it is conducted is capa ble of great improvement, and that the range of instruction it professed to communicate, is also capable of extension. The National Society was not unmindful of the duties it owed to the people, and without any unfriendly feeling, but being aware that it had resources entrusted to it for the purpose of diffusing education amongst the people, a correspondence on the subject was opened between it and the heads of the church, the result of which was the proposal of a plan to improve and extend the system of education. Hence arose the necessity for calling publicmeetings lathe different dioceses throughout the country. In our own diocese the first meeting was, as a matter of course, held in Chester, and it was followed by a meeting at Warrington. Resolutions, in recommen dation of the system were proposed, and a committee, was appointed to carry the resolutions into effect; and it was therefore considered desirable to call meetings in the large towns of the diocese, with a view to induce the laity to co-operate with the clergy in forwarding their ob jects. One of the means suggested for the improvement and extension of education, is the establishment of training schools in each diocese, from which well-educated, well principled, pious young men could be procured as occasion might require, and be sent to different parts of the diocese, to undertake the important duties of schoolmasters in the commercial schools of the count ry. This is a matter of great importance, for the services of schoolmasters and school mistresses, it must be arinttted, are most essential for• the proper carrying out of the system of education we propose to adopt. They must, therefore, undergo a course of in struction and study that will fit them for the important duties they will be called upon to undertake: Another feature, and a very important one, in the system, is, the appointment of clerical inspedtots. These gentlernen will periodically inspect the schools in the country ; for the purpose of bring ing them into union with the National Society ; but not, as has been alleged, with a view of curiously prying into the system they choose to adopt—not with the intention of med dling or interfering with them, but to give the managers of them the benefit of our experience and knowledge, with such advice and suggestions as their establishments may call far. If they unite with the national schools, the introduction of them will be hailed with satisfaction by all, and the result will be the diffusion of a right education among the working classes of the country. No pains are spared for the educa tion of the higher orders of society; they have the advan tages of the many public schools in which the nation abounds ; they have the universities to resort to ;—but it is a remarkable circumstance, that while these opportunities are afforded to these two extreme classes—the poor on one hand and the rich in the other, no provision has been made for the education of the middle classes. (Loud cheers.) I say that Christianity requires that we should look to the proper edu cation of all classes, and not confine our exertions to one class alone. It has, therefore, been proposed to establish commercial schools in the diocese, so that the sons of far mers, and tradesmen may receive a sound, and useful educa tion, in order to qualify them for the performance of the important duties they may in after life be called upon to fulfil. I believe, I have laid before you the leading features of the system of education we propose, and will now leave it to other gentlemen who are better acquainted with the details of the plan, to plead the cause of the society before you ; but, before I sit down, I may be permitted to observe, that as we know full well, our enemies are on the alert, and it is the duty of all friends of the Established Church to come for ward, and join heartily, and cordially to proinote her interests. While I profess with sincerity, a feeling of the most perfect charity to all, yet I feel myself compelled to say, that I can not give my sanction to any system of education, that is not connected with, and based on, the principles and formidaries of the Established Church. The rev. gentleman then called upon the honorary secretary of the society to propose the first resolution. The Hon. and Rev. H. POWYS accordingly rose and pro ceeded to .say, that in proposing the yesolution confided to him, he would, as the official organ of the society, be obliged to entet into many an interesting detail, but, before he pro ceeded, he begged permission to indulge for a moment in some personal feelings. He appeared before them on the present occasion with feeling of at once a pleasing and me lancholy interest. In coming to Wigan as the official organ of the Association, he felt much pleasure in rendering assis tance to his Reverend friend in the chair, the rector of the parish, because he well knew that his personal character, and active exertions in this district to promote at all times the cause of christian education, met with their cordial approba tion. Yet he felt another interest of rather a melancholy caste, for none felt more deeply than he did, the loss of a friend of his, who was one of the most ardent advocates in the cause of education, (the Rev. Mr. Jones.) The resolution which he had to propose, comprized many topics, so many that he hardly dare venture to make a promise, as to the time he should occupy them, lest he should be tempted to 'exceed it ; for, if he were to speak on all the questions it suggested, he could not say where he was likely to stop. The resolution was as follows : " That this meeting, acknowledging the necessity of a more comprehensive system of education connected with the established church, to meet the pressing wants of the work ing and middle classes of society, approves of the scheme now proposed by the diocesan board of education, as a most wise, liberal, and enlightened plan, based as is upon the Holy Scriptures." There never was such a text to take a sermon from, and, in approaching it he knew not how to set about commenting upon it in as concise a manner as he, and he was sure they, would de sire. The first leading propositions of it was that the meeting acknowledged the necessity of a more comprehensive system of national education—many old heads, he was well aware, thought that they had gone too far in diffusing education. In order to induce them to adopt the resolution, which the meeting would do, not because the ch a ir man submitted it to them, but from their own personal conviction, he would endeavour to show them the mode they proposed for the ex tension and improvement of the national system of educa tion. He would first place the question before them on the ground of christian obligation, of christian duty. For his part, he could not forget that it was his duty as a christian minister to exert himself in the cause of education, and he felt bound to call upon all professing christians to aid him in extending education in proportion to the numbers of the christian flock, by which he meant the members of the Catholic Church, which comprehended the whole christian world. He could not forget that the head of that church has preached to all the world—permit little children to come unto me, and that he not only desired to feed his sheep, but also his lambs, by which was meant the younger members of the Christian Church. As the flock extends, so did their and his duty ex tend, and as their duties extended, and their means limited in proportion to such extent, he was, in consequence, forced to call upon them to assist him in bringing home, and restoring to the fold, the lost lambs of Christ's Church, so that all the children of every professing sect of Christians might be brought into the one fold, under the one shepherd, Jesus Christ the Lord. While, however, he thus enforced the obligation, they were all under to co-operate with him in this undertaking, he was prepared to stoop from that high ground he maintained, and to accommodate him self to the spirit of the times—he was ready to take a lower ground, and to convince them of the imperative necessity they were placed under of advancing the education of the people. He held in his hand a work entitled—" A Report on the State of Public Instruction in Prussia," by Miss Austin. In the excellent preface to that work, enforcing the necessity of havihg a system of national education, the writer used some eloquent arguments which he adopted to the fullest extent. The hon. and rev. gentleman here read a long extract from the book, and then proceeded to observe,—that at the present time it wag impossible to arrest the progress of education, and lie who would endeavour to throw obstacles in its way, would assist rather than impede its onward course—a man might as well now rush into the midst of a torrent, and desire it to cease flowing. The current of education is now irresistible—it bears with it, no doubt, masses of filth and corruption, but it was their duty—it was the duty of every sincere Christian, to endeavour to remove this filth and cor ruption,'and purify the streams at its fountain head. There was auotherground upon which he contended for a more compre hensive system of education, and that was the palpable defici ency that existed in the present system. From considerations of philosophy they should support the association, on this ground —be again referred to the work already quoted by him—in order to show the social disadvantages that followed an imperfect and vicious system of education. He next adverted to the evils that resulted from having men employed to communi cate instruction to youth, who were totally unqualified for the duties, both as regards mental culture, and a facility, or rather dexterity, in imparting knowledge. He censured the conduct of those politicians, and theorists, and philosophers, who under-rated the advantages of education, by holding out to the people no higher obj ects o f i n t e ll ec t u al acquirements than what would tend merely to their temporal benefit, and thereby inducing them to step out of the situations they were destined to fill, allured by specious and delusive promises of advantage, rather than remain good and obedient citizens, in, their proper spheres of life. A few days ago, he was addres sing a meeting on the subject of education, and having stated that, as limited educatiOn prevailed crime extended; an in dividual contradicted him, and said he could not prove the assertion. He (Mr. P.) had not the 'documents about him, at the present moment, but he said he would take the first opportunity of giving the person a conclusive answer, for he felt bound to do so, as his conduct in reference to this question was pretty closely canvassed. Since he arrived in Wigan, he requested his friend the chairman to procure for him Blackwood's Magaine for February last, in which the question of secular edncation was comprehensively discussed. The writer of the article went at length into many minute statistical details on the subject of crime, from which it ap peared that during the last 30 years the progress of crime in England has increased five fold—in Ireland five and a half fold, and in Scotland it had increased thirty fold. Thus it appeared that Scotland—owing perhaps to the increase of her manufactures during that period—had increased thirty fold. Of the 3,053 criminals which the said writer states were con fined in Scotland in the year 1836, there were 639 uneducated, and 2,360 educated. A result of a similar description appears in the English criminal returns—of criminals unable to read at all, there were 7,083, able to read imperfectly 10,983, able to read well 2,215, of superior instruction 191, of instruction of an ordinary description 562.—With respect to London the same proportion of educated and uneducated criminals pre vailed ; The criminals educated, amounted in 1836, to 5,194, whereas the uneducated were only 2383. If then, these state ments be correct, and they were from parliamentary returns, they prove that the amount of crime increases in proportion to the increase of manufactures, which congregate together large numbers of people, who are, generally speaking, taught. to read and write, and who receive no religious education nor any kind of instruction that would tend to reform their hearts and minds. He would read another portion of the review, lest some should go away, and say that the speaker had made out the very contrary o f , what he wished to prove, namely, the advantages of education. They would say that he had succeeded in showing that education, so far from di minishing, had increased crime. The writer, who is indefa tigable in his inquiries, observes, that one thing is very curi ous with respect to the bent of mind of those who have been taught to read. He examined lately the theories of those who argued that if the people were taught to read, they would betake themselves to the study of the works of such writers as Bacon, Locke, &c., and thus compensate for the excesses that others of the same class in life would be guilty of. .But on searehing the libraries they were in the habit of using, so far from finding in them valuable and useful works, capable of elevating the mind and improving the heart, nothing was to be seen on the shelves of it but the fashionable novels and useless trash of the day. The honourable and reve rend gentleman then read several extracts from the works of M. Cousins, which, he said, went to prove the accuracy of the remark, that " a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." That writer stated it to be his opinion that there could be no good popular schools, where Christianity was wanting, and that it is indispensably necessary to have them superintended by the clergy, as the high ground of christian duty, and as to the low ground, of acceding to and giving a proper direction to the popular demand for education he hoped they had been convinced, and now acknowledged that all were imperatively called upon to aid in the promotion of this nationatsystem. The next:clause of the resoluti on was , th a t e d uca ti on ought to be in connection with the Established Church. He be lieved it was not necessary to tell them that to a church' which had descended to them pure from the Apostles; - the education of the people was particularly entrusted, and he would therefore pass over this point, as none amongst them, he was sure, would dispute it, and would proceed to consider another portion of the resolutions which referred-to. the ne cessity that existed of meeting the pressing wants of the working and middle classes on the subject of religious educa cation. Need he do more than allude to the extreme wants or the middle and working classes on this subject, which all must admit. By the middle ciasses he meant trades=people; farmers, and others , who, he would admit, had been hitherto neglected by the church, until theit education had been altogether severed from any communion with the church. As he had already mentioned, the rich have their schools in connection with the church—they have their Eaton, their Harrow, their Winchester, their Rugby, and the Universities also, in which the connection is superin tended by the clergy of the Established Church,—the poor, also, have their endowed schools, their national schools, and other institutions, which are supported by the bounty of the rich, and are under the guidance of christian pastors ; but the middle classes have been left to themselves, and'they, (the clergy) had also deserted them. This was_ a great mis take, and the result of it, he regretted to say, was most la mentable. If any of these were present, let them not think the clergy were , lukewarm' With regard to them : it was .not because they did not feel an interest in what concerned the well-being of the middle casses they did not come forward ; far from it—no men could have a more lively interest in the subject than the clergy—this nation was called by foreigners, a nation of shopkeepers, and for himself, he was delighted at the great influence they enjoyed; but in reference to the question of education, he thought he could explain satisfac torily the reason why the middle classes and the clergy of the Established Church had not heretofore co-operated. He believed that the middle ciasses looked upon the schools for the education of youth, in the principles of the Church of England, as eleemosynary establishnmedts, and that the clergy interfered merely with a view to get the education of the of the people into their hands. This was a mistake practi cally and theoretically. The hon. and rev. gentleman then related a circumstance that came to his knowledge while in Edinburgh. He stated that the children of the most influ ential and respectable people in Scotland were called upon by the clergymen from the pulpit, regulary every Sabbath, after divine service, to remain to receive instruction in the prin ciples of the Christian religion, and he trusted that ere long the same system would be adopted in the country, for the advantages to be derived from thus catechizing the youth of the country would be incalculable to them in after life, when, buffetted by the atheist, the Deist, or the infidel, they will be able to give a reason " for the hope that is in them." As to the working classes ; was it not lamentable to contemplate the defective state of their education—for instance, look at the deplorable state of the country at the present moment, in the manufacturing districts—all were in a state of alarm— there was apprehension of great disturbance—secret societies it is said exist, the people are arming themselves with pikes ; and it is admitted, that unless a stop be put to this state of things, it will inevitably lead to a convulsion. Were the people to be blamed ? No, they are ignorant of their Christian duties, and are in consequence preyed upon by clever, insidious demagogues. How were they to op pose the machinations of these demagogues. They could not, of course, become chartists—(laughter)—but they could arm themselves ; and they would do so in the spirit of Chris tian faith and with Christian weapons. And if the poor man were properly instructed—if he was told that he was bound to submit to the ordinances of man because they are the or dinances of. God—that all rulers are appointed from God, and those who oppose thenr are evil doers, if they were so taught they would submit to the ordinances of man, con vinced of the truth of that awful declaration—" that he who resists the ordinances of man resists the ordinances of God, and will receive damnation." Having dwelt thus far on the general subject of education, and stated sufficient reasons - for the adoption of the first part of the resolution, he would now. assume his character of official secretary, and proceed to give the details of the scheme of diocesan education, which they were met to confirm. The hon. and rev. gentleman then pro ceeded to lay before the meeting the plan, as frequently ex plained by him and repeated at length in this paper-on former occasions. He concluded by proposing the resolution. The Rev. Mr. PALEY seconded the resolution, and pur sued the same line of argu men t as th e rev . gentleman who preceded him. The resolution was then unanimously adopted. The Rev. Mr. HORNBY proposed the second resolution.— He said, he was forestalled in his sentiments by his reverend friend, (Mr. Powys,) as to the loss of a faithful servant of Christ, who had done much amongst them in .the cause of education. In those sentiment of his friend, he cordially joined, for he recollected, that while he laboured as an assistant hi his (Mr. H.'s) parish, he produced great benefits, the fruits of which were still experienced. He then con gratulated the rev. chairman on his appearance amongst them, and said that he uttered these sentiments with sincerity. He then proceeded to consider the resolution entrusted to him. It was as follows : " That this meeting approves of the establishment of dio cesan and deanery boards of education in union with the National Society, and views with much satisfaction the sim ple and comprehensive terms of that union,. viz.: „ " 1. Adoption of the authorised formularies of the church. " 2. Reception of the diocesan inspectors. " 3. Clerical superintendence. " 4. An engagement to make regular statistic returns." That resolution was obviously a resolution that pledged the meeting to support a system of combined unity from the high est to the lowest rank in the county, in the furtherance of j this plan of education—a system that ranges from the high est dignitaries of the church, through the deanery boards, down to the humblest of the clergy of the country. These schools are tolbe submitted to the clerical snptrintendence of the'parish—they are to be visited by inspectors who will be care fully appointed, whose interest and duty it will be to perform what is assigned to them properly, and to give satisfaction to the public. The terms ofthe resolution are simple and complete— and it sets forththat this experiment will be conducted by the heads, and under the superintendence of a church that is justly called Catholic—it requires the observance of unity, in essentials, of uniformity in prescribed circumstantials, and of liberty in all things harmonising with essentials, and not opposed to• prescribed circumstantials. The terms are en larged, complete, definite; strict, but liberal (cheers.) The rev. gent. gave an eloquent eulogium on the constitution, and and discipline of the !Church of England, and vindicated her titles to Catholicity and Apostolicity, in opposition to the Romish Church, that, without any foundation, arrogated to herself these distinctive characteristics of the true Church of Christ. The Church of England was equally re moved from the Church of Rome, and from the Pro testant families that have successively separated from her. The Church of Rome is more than Catholic, while Pro testantism on the Continent is less than Catholic. He formerly adds the modern corruptions of Popery—the latter has dropped adherence to the (concurrent voice of church authority, episcopcl ordination, and apostolic succes sion. The Church of England retains all three. The rev, gentleman then read a long extract from a work published in 1816, which denounced in vehement language the conduct of the House of Commons towards the Established Church, and said that his friend who would succeed him, would speak to those parts of the resolution that he omitted to comment The Rev. THOMAS BAYNE seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. The Rev. ROGER CARUS WILSON moved, and the Rev. AUGUSTUS CAMPBELL seconded the next resolution. JOIIN LORD, Esq. moved, and THOS. WooocooK, Esq. seconded, the next resolution. Thanks were then Toted to the chairman, and the meeting separated. HALF-YEARLY MEETING OF THE CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY COMPANY. On Wednesday last the half-yearly meeting of the share holders in this company was held at the Clarendon-rooms, at one o'clock. W. Dixon, Esq., the chairman of the direc tors, in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in calling upon the Secretary to read the reports, congratulated the shareholders on the promptitude with which the respective calls had been met. Unless this had been the case,. the works could not have proceeded so satisfactorily as they had done. The SECRETARY then proceeded to read the following REPORT. The directors have, on this occasion, little else to report than that the works, after having experienced some delay from the contractors for the Morton portion of the line, are now proceeding with vigour. , The joint report of Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Dixon is appended to this report, and will disclose the .state of the works in detail. In the financial department the directors can only congra-' tulate the subscribers on the promptitude with which the calls have been answered, as it not only affords the means •of accelerating the completion of the works, but strengthens public confidence in the stability of the undertaking. The directors refer to the annexed accounts, as exhibiting the total receipts and payments of the company from the': commencement to the twenty-eighth of February last. •• Pursuant to the _powers conferred upon the directors' byt the last general meeting, satisfactory arrangements havebeenz: entered into to place the Woodside Ferry under the control of this company. It may not be known to the main body of proprietors, that. a line has been surveyed, and plans deposited, and parlia mentary notices given, for constructing a railway between', Ruabon and Chester ; a line which, from the general support it has received on the part of the landowners, and from its vast importance to the coal and iron districts of Wales, in establishing a communication with Liverpool, is sure to be , sanctioned by parliament. As it is intended to form a junc tion with the Chester and Birkenhead Railway at Chester, the resulting advantages are too obvious to demand any further comment. The directors, anticipating that the business of the board may be much increased as the period of opening the line draws nigh, beg to suggest that the number of directors be now increased to eleven—a number allowed by the act of parliament. Nine were before chosen, of whom one re spectable gentleman, William Cross, Esq., of Chester, has resigned. Two directors, Mr. Wm. Wardell, of Chester, and Mr. Hamilton, of Liverpool, are, by ballot, the retiring directors of the present year. The retiring directors are eligible for re-election ; but in dependently of the two annual vacancies being so supplied, three other directors, if the suggestion now submitted to the proprietory be approved of, must be elected. This report, the directors feel, ought not to conclude with out expressing their obligations to Mr. Stephenson, the engineer, for his attention to the/ interests of the company, and to Mr. Dixon, the resident engineer, for his indefatigable zeal and constant watchfulness in the service of the company. . (Signed) WILLIAM DIXON, Chairman. The SECRETARY then read the report of the engineers, showing the progress of the works on the line, which we subjoin. .ENGINEERS' REPORT. To the Directors of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway. Gentlemen,—ln compliance with your instructions to pre hare a report of the works for the half-y ear ly mee ti ng , we ave gone over the line, and now beg leave to lay before you the following statement of work done, and yet to be done, which will exhibit the state of affairs in the engineering de partment, _ The Bebbington contract commences at Grange-lane, and. extends to near the turnpike-road leading from New Ferry to Nestoii, being a distance of two miles and 32 oh ins, and was let to Messrs. Bowers, Murray, and BrOwnbill. The earth work comprised in this contract amounted to 233,000 cubic yards, being an average 0f.105,575 cubic yards per mile. Of this quantity there has 'already been executed about 82,000 cubic yards, leaving yet to be done 171,000 cubic yards. The contractors are now removing about 3,500 cubic yards per week, at which rate it would require 48 weeks to corn- . plete the work. This would be within the time stipulated ; but as the days lengthen, the rate of progresS here named will be . considerably increased. The brickwork and masonry, in bridges culverts, and stone walls, in this contr ac t, amounted ' to 8,527 cubic yards. of ,which about 4,000 yards are now fi n i s h e d, and a consider able quantity of stone on- the grotind for the remainder. 700 yards linear Y a rd s of permanent way, (single road,) have been laid . down, and about 1,500 linear yards ballOsted, ready' for laying ; the rails, chains, and sleepers for which are already on the ground. A considerable portion of the stone wail, and post and rail fencing is erected. • There are 300 men and 17 horses employed on this part of the line. Bromborough 4nd Eastham contract commences at the end of the last, and extends to Plumyard Brook, being a distance of 3 miles and 37 chains; was let to Messrs. Bowers and Co., the same individuals as have the preceding contract. The earthwork comprised in this contract amounted to 288,000 cubic yards, being an average of about 83,032 per mile. There have been already executed 116,000 cubic yards ' leaving to, be done 172,000._ _ The present rate of progress being about 6,000 cubic yards per week, it will at that rate require only 28 or 29 Weeks to complete this work. . _ Tile brickwcirk and masonry, in bridges, culverts, &c., amounted to about 15,000 cubic yards, of which about 8;000 have been completed. . . _ 3,000 linear yards of permanent way (single road) have been laid, and 6,000 linear yards more ballasted ready for laying down ; the rails for which, with the chairs, sleepers, &c., are provided and on the ground. Post and rail fences are erected. throughout nearly the whole of this contract. There are 220 men and 41 horses employed on this portion of the line. The work on these two contracts has been carried on in a very satisfactory manner, and,, with the exception of a few culverts to drain, bridge approaches that reqmrcd lowering, not comprised in the original specification, nothing has arisen to lead us to anticipate any considerable increased expendi ture for extra works or delay in:the execut*. The Sutton contract commences at Pluenjard Brook, and extends to near Salter's-lane (the southern extremity of Ledshani township), being a distance of 3 miles and 17 chains ; was let to Messrs. Henry and Clements.. The earthwork comprised, in this„ contract ,amounted to 209,500 cubic yard's; being an average of 65,200 cubic yards per mile. There have been executed 117,500, leayil.ig yet to do 92,009. • 29,000 yards of this quantity have to, be . laid out in spoil banks, and 63,000 yards require waggoning to Plumjard em bankment ; and although this part of the work has not been yet commenced, with moderate measures on the part, of the' contractors no difficulty exists as to the practicability of ex ecnting it within the time stipulated. The masonry ,and brickwork in this contract amount to 4,339 cubic yards, of which only 500 cubic yards have yet been completed, considerable delay having arisen in opening new quarries and waiting for new bricks ; but the 'amount being so small, it may all be accomplished during the ensuing summer, with due diligence and exertion on the part of, the contractors. There are about 130 men and 18 horses employed in this district. The Moston and Chester contract, extending from the termination of the preceding, near Salters-lane, to Brook street, Chester, being a distance of 5 miles and 39 chains. The earthwork comprised in this contract was calculated at 450,000 cubic yards, being an average of. 81,900 cubic yards per mile. There have been executed )00,000 cubic' yards, leaving yet to be done 350,000 yards. The brickwork and masonry, in bridges, culverts, &c.,l3,sooctibic yarcts - : The quantity executed up to this time, 2000 cubic yards, leaving 11,500 yards. This contract contains the greatest quantity of une", - .ecuted work. It was let, last August, to contractors, who did no t prosecute the work in a satisfactory manner. After remain ing- in their hands about six months, to prevent farther delay, we were, with your sanction, obliged -to enter noon the works ourselves, and are now carrying it on by smaller, or subcontracts, the company providing wa,„cro'ofts, rails, and suitable materials, a liberal supply of, which, 'and laving a complete control over the works and workmen; will enable us to push the work during the ensuing ,summer ;, and, should the season prove moderately favourable;; . % - e have reason to expect' that this part of the line may begot ready by May, 1840,',without occurring much additional expense. There are 447,mcn awl 22 horses,einploseclon this division. RECAPITULATIOti. Lengtis in Contract es-1 Earth- Name of Contract. ; mp.es and timate ,for , work parts. I earthwork. : executed, Cubic yds, Bebbington . . '2 4OO Brornboro'&Easthm 3 462 Sutton Moston & Chester 5 457 ,!Cubic yards. Cubic yds 253,090 82,000 288,000 116,000 209,500 117,500 450,000 100,000 Earthwork ' still to be 'one, letThic yds. 171,000 172,000 92,000 350,000 Total . . . . 14 561 I . 1,200,500 ' 415,500 i 785,000 Average of Earthwork-82,400 cubic yards per mile. Masonry Masonry Masonry , per contract. executed. mill to do. • cub. yds. cub. yds. cub. yds. Bebbington Contract .. . 8,527 - 4,000 4,527 Bromboro' 15,000 8,000 7,000 Sutton - . 500 3,839 Moston 13,500 .:,600 11,500 . . Total . , 41,366 l 14,500 - • 26,866 Total number a Men employed, Do. of Horses do. , We are, Gentlemen, . Your obedient servants, (Signed) . • . .10EN DIXON. Birkenhead, April 6,1839. Receipts and Disbursements of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway Company, to 28th February, 15:39. RECEIPTS: Amount received on account of calls Amount received for interest . 141 13 . 10 Amount received on mortgage £1*470 , 13;40 DISBURSEMENTS. Dill, Law expenses, expenses of witnesses, convey-i. ,- AotioN arming, stamps, &c. 5,0651 5 ,4m1, Parliamentary agents, including parliamentary and counsel's fees -4;061i .12 1 f Engineering, surveying, and staking out line • - 5,81814 ' 1 Deputation and travelling expenses and diree . tion Office expenses, advertising, stationery, prnit- .! • . _ ing, acid salaries Furniture in treasurer's and engineer's office. Land and compentation Works under contract Iron rails, &c. &c..... Woodside Ferry Company Balance in bankers' hands Balance in treasurer's hands 804 7 2 145 16 8 50,655 7 7 26,929 15 7 14,565 1 2 24,850 0 0 4058 0 10 43 13 5-- 4,101 14 -3 £138,470 13 10 Liverpool, 28th February, 1839. • (Signed) J. JAMES, Treasurer. Audited April 6, 1839.—.T0xx BEwc.nr. Mr. JOHN JONES moved that the:report ,be''adopted and printed. It gave him great satisfaction to hear• of the satis factory progress which had been made with -the works, and had no doubt that they would be cotnpleted , ‘vithin the.stiou lated time. 'He was also glad to hear of , the progpect oean ° extension railway to Rhuabon;whieh WouldmOdoubt, greatly add to the profits of the Chaster and ,Birkenhead line.' lie could speak with confidence on ViiS subject, as he 'wits.' Well acquainted with tlici*nertd atat'bther rcsources otthat part of Wales. ' . • • • Mr. J. S. J . Aciso:' seconded the resolution, 431iieh was' carried unanimously. Mr. JOSEPH WHITE moved that Mr. Wardell: and M. Hamilton be elected as directors for the ensuing year; y MAxwtr.r., seconded the mOtion, unanimously. . *it! lo noiPmq,.‘ .. . The CHAIRMAN observed that there Weße'fill*bteit let' , e i ll: m3J • f . rectors to be appointed. It' Woultli i pitliiip§:, l7 fititite"'t 6vi business of the meeting, if he ild'ormed tlienfthittthi%kiyliTB. tlemeii, who had bzen colysiiilted by the.'ll.4e6totSllllll o eD'r'F'' pressed their willingness to accept the aplcEitathieEgnirail.: ff tinned by the shareholders.. 'l'lle v, - e_Occii6khebiThifted 3 ,ol,"' were - Mr. Thomas Booth, llir. RI EA-afttiri).ll.s'l4lkAkTi.` Fosbery. •aci.i.s 44 07 tx.li . ' ° Mr. UNIACKE lEOVej that tiiel 4tolii'', ottit€Qen:f)e, a i i- pointed as Directors. 01 - i 1:to ;11.1sq zic..4.,. , - Mr. E: EI.-lAR sci-onded th . e'inilabit,dviiileltliVits.tni MOUSIV agreed to. ':1: ~. .1 , 1-_ , 01,,,. r:triwo , , , : : J. The IVaS very glad tnlimr the.re'idarks of Mr. Jones,'respecting the extensive railway tb It'bitaboti: Perlia:.s Mr. Uniacke could give them . 'smile fuithef . inftizthiation c,i the subject. ' ' , , J oni J . nupkin L. 1, :. • Mr. UNIA,w(E said that the iiiii4liithik4n34l4 of `t;,'..,, highest inzipgrAoiee. The citergitth'iiiii*ay iviiiii. 'ettir6o,h an exeellenecOni andirofi'cli.4,trfetr , Tileilif :Ow: Iyi',' tlikt the ppenhig, 9f, the ..iiCbpi,ol fif' IC le i sigat .. , cleektr the great •Ipart''for ;Shippin.,..oqal.''llie RI al 'l-6 - id fl:r travellers into Chester Wh.'s: in the:!. ' ' -exf: the ea tension railway.. The , coal frorn‘itiO'i ei Wdthood 'of 0 -4 - 1 Rii:4op, whip)) d pk4, of a verp su rtipiu Att.. Could be bichight 'to 13irk'dfilead at a. -- bOkt 'lei 51 1:1g.. .per ton. L,,XlFproposed.li9,e,x,!as i ,,therefoit i n 4 ' fist im portance to the ('hegter atilf Birkenheitif t r. He h aa Aiad interviews with the I\larvi.s of lyestmi/Is*:td/id severali oth6eraiideaine . rS'oli 'the Mit,' aid thee 'ciiirres*:d3theinselves as Wa9ll.?r,, , n„fpyour of the.s,elinie. It wa.,4, 4 tifobffble that Lo opPoslp.j 4 mliAld be otfeFed i 'at4e'hill for ' conittiieth--• t hi s • line.. • ; . nl i ne l"ii t itANr betged to remark; in illustra.tion of the. „„ .., HA . bilged to . more this iNglue of the Chester. and. Birkenhead line, that the tolls be ,tylen Chester andllie ferries had . been let f0r'4 . 5 1 30 , ; y,far than last. The tolls also between Chester and - Wrexham , had incre,aseci f t4ipyp .4.00 over the preceding. , . .‘,,...,F.,, , 44 ,,cm,50gp1i0rated this statement, and be t .t.46. to oat t ' c r : . l o 744*. e4Rl. IR 41w extension line, .that it would cause' "' vgreat influx of travelers into ViTales, especially of ladies, ,its terminus was in one- of the• most .romantic and ph,- 4itsfifie; 4,9f l thil , l t oty. t 2s tod Mr ,ice ~ ,V S'r , P gritgoN . remarked that the cord - from V ie ip A gU ... R , '>~l god of ,liiiabon was' extremely well adiipted for maki 'ng,, Ae. ' Tli'rt, - er . ths, 'therefore, a probability that the Liverir4l a:Lid ylNPiiehe'sfer and Grand Junction Com panies wouldbe stiPplied from that source. Mr. JOHN JONES inquire:i wriether it would he an expen siveline to Rimabon. Mr. GEO. StEptit!".s;ox said it would not be more expen sive than the Chester and Birkenhead line. The SECRETARY said that he'believed the present distance from Chester to the neighbourhood of Rhuabon, per canal, was 56 miles, whereas the proposed; extension line world, only 15 miles. .1 w -4 , In answer to a question,from a shareholder, Mr. UNIAACKE stated that the Company had not,,yoheßn brought out, owing to the recent; sMte o of,the ,money and other causes, but that. • amangemeuta.,,,v,pre in,progreo for brinsing it before the pliblie at e Mr. GEORGE STEPItENSQS;wcprois(I4 ltig-AvAlviettict Ghat the proposed extension litie..would. pay, dimistvii4 9f / or per cent., if the only. article coaNNYQ4) !Jew, Acticovitll out taking any other article into cpusideratton f oi txllovang, any thing for passengers. After a vote of thanks to tot., merb u clan tnah,wr jcp s able ly con_ anti i nei l s duct in the chair, the meeting, respectably attended, broke up a little atter tv,:o We understand that three line-of-battle ship:l are., ordered for commission—one at Portsmouth, another,,at .Plymonth, and the third at Sheerness.. The oftieers , nomina.ted to com mand them • are Captains soup Stewart, and Sir Humphrey , Senhouse,,. :We rjoice to perceive that the Admiralty have been forced thus far to defer to public opinion. .It may not have been observed, but they have, moreover, retained shipsni commission,wlaich r but.. for the `.` tory outcry" which • has. chafed them so much, would have been paid off long since.—United Service. Ga zette.