The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-07-12 00:00:00

Point s of th i jeal ni l . e:l°gical Opinion, or even of mere EcclesiaB - O il which different clergymen of the ° Piiii ol , B. ~'"it happen to entertain very widely different r 13.33 A oi.r, • cecaienge th ese if We were so inclined, we might safely 'ottir e are eBe openmouthed opponents to the proof Illeetieto_eatiiified that not one of the Kettle-drumles in o r anyt cds the smallest knowl e d ge u p on th e su bj ec t, i r e withng, M ore tha n t h e vaguest possible acquaint not 'lle m ere fact th at M r. M'Neile's. sentiments But tuchPre6Bel37 identical with those of Dr. Hook. the Poor driveller course , amusing enough as it would be if tot the rivellers were worth the waste of trouble, is 'Le one w h ich 4(4 way we are minded to adopt. We can t'htll.Bareellives IYegleindjgoyeon on the long line, and persuade . eith er t• the sport of salmon fishing, and we 'olli to „, line nor space to draw on the Liberal , suirrists of Liverpool into a theological discus ihot.,teel'i t 0 exhibit to the world their arrogance and 4t rion wo Tlie joke is not worth the candle. The t et ,. _IQ not pay for the powder and shot. " belief stherefor begin by admitting our entire con ey F es, -ill and 'Ali l l i cil that there exist within the pale of the Nip, i irch the widest differences of opinion, on 3,pteieii. of Doctrine and Discipline., those only ex batlieekri:ek have reference to the Cardinal points of P aith, and which therefore the tolerant kept+. . co mpromising wisdom of our noble Reformers the (41/lllanted in the Formularies and Standards of f eV ell, and the truthful and docile acquiescence let ceeeclill th, ff generations has resolutely maintained. ie e Vit a l • gar it , t , Points be assailed in any one, the seem tith,_ Nest p art . , let, 'kn ot tly s :. e il'ar, and an host . of armed champions h., ' ou r H e ri ng up on the right hand and on the CI4 Cab '°lY Church, and where is the Dissenter 4 it ,' , .' loeet eithe r of these champions in the field ? 4, aisidi ons arr ay h ~ and dastardly antagonist, he hopes Nly si t , e Righ Church and the Low Church (as he ih es th • k e lail ko. „,, era) in opposition to each other. Like %e n tLulin. ehausen, your puny Dissenter stands illy .'ie Alligator and the Lion, and if the Lion til aig et 3111 4 into the Alligator's mouth, he thinks he 134 off unhurttl ei ld th . ~ e pale of Rome—out of earshot of the tlfotri,„io-18---there must necessarily be differences gl, 1:1 11 P° 1 1 every subject which it has pleased gI Y Go e d dto leave wholly or partially unrevealed. j, ( tri ll , lillia, a superintending Providence—of an ps.„. Saviourot--of a Sanctifying Spirit—or the im ttz obi; r of a solemn ordinance, may be lirw' is th e Ap o Page of God's Word, or traced by his , tlll °Alv k i"lie heart, in characters so legible that they tgl tle, l A ' e mistaken by wilful obstinacy and purblind And ass . 4 itse tl, tiredly God has not left himself without '4a.bleck.uer enjoined man to believe what he has not t 'ritt et 1111 / 1 to learn. Whatever is essential is clearly ip„ Iltt eri all y ,1 (1 ,,, 1 , 11a y be surely read. On all these points -0 4 th "'Y the keenest -witted Dissenter to discover 11 1 , 4 e e h„ .. _ . , ofd 4 Piou s of the Church the shadow of a 44t Crenee. k tc 4l l ill in not not much more behind. Is there not tl:l.,oliejetial_'s condition which Infinite Wisdom has `d hest `.° mortal view, and which nevertheless is d 4 811b. speculations of L„ oo t Ject that can occupy the :rreedokancl. reverent mind ? And will these advocates OR sp,nlll, r th°llght and se n ti men t d e b ar t h e en ,•,,or eolilpa .: hough' - '?,, e reflectin g on t h ese so l emn su bj ects, i that rin beg one with another th e p assages o f God's a 4 to 44bl UP the qu es ti on i n h an d an d may ti sith isl i an opinion, or to elucidate the truth? 4 ' 0 ' 1 4 e Y will ~.., tki ro,.. _ . not forbid the question, will they insist , a i .,_ ‘allty in the answer ? Will they not suffer 'Al e ,7 1 to a ,. ' ' 0 it '''ve at his own conclusion, and if he l 'a ~ tl oherl -ela ;er' ear Y and reverently, and deny no re\ ,11 4 , Illaiii. l of hi s away any opposing passage in the t l / 4 , e11 e or th eil quiry, will they assume to say that diAo latit at one is in the wrong, and will tliiey , t . ;af elid u ele for the different weight of various 4 k 17 Wh ett ene e when addressed to different minds ? thesis likeYelir Liberal writers have adopted an ,r•iii this, fk 4114, is, the insufferable hollowness of O lltio, L.lliarlifest to th e meanest capacity ! 'll 4 8 iberality we hold to consist in this. Let ` '' i l P lke hilz, l f tl io kith . LI . e of the vital matters of the Chris -4e do et .‘ lion ascertain that there is uniformity L 'lot Per m ri . nee, which his conscience towards God n lit bi n). f t i,. oa ten' to leave in doubt. For the rest let 1+147 s ane fel ' to differ. Let him unite in the bonds t he k t ' v ery iz 1°11•41 iP for the same righteous purpose, Ne q arl (whatever his opinion) who worships k m od -4 'in the same faith, according to the same V ie ' L 't b et not one be of Paul and another of Pe‘, at a u \i,sle th e • °f Christ. Let not outward forms k ill ' -, ti, 4 vital essence. 3we ...._ . . 4 4 3 4 - maintain, is precisely what the Church ' 44 44 " the political Dissenter will not do. The i lt 1,,h. 4 1 th at • "li t i i 'eh in the Established form every doc htii:Pre,,ery e uent;al t o man ' s salvation has been it d ArtieleB4l, cheerfully and delightedly acquiesces 'trltilett is and Canon s of his Church. He will tAlLeAteatoPlace of worship because his Minister's ' r d 11,; Pro wl : hiB Own differ on the Interpretation of un , o, r . 4 1 L Pe% , i , (for instance) or the difficult question 4 ma, nal r • 1 .. oniti . eig n. He is thankful that Almighty 4 k lhi I PPed and Christ his Saviour is preached. t he b ee 4 in th e ~' l l - ttir rn , - general agreement, and is not careful lift, bi4'4tant differences. 'eti re enter On , ki th.. . The the other hand insists upon his ' t ati, s ' e iti dot -' Independent, for example, professes the tri ne . crt ver y , • b ut, although he is well aware 'telereeti 40etrines have been, are, and will be : fL '4 1: 1 4414 4 4 and systematically propagated by ,: by 411,, Ch._ urch, . than they ever were or ever "cAes th / unorganized body of Believers ; yet, 1 . e ehurcl 13. i , the ' r t it b ee 1 itterly, simply because he hates ', kl bit t , L , 4ll e some other of the external matters OilitliteriTetiatre oft precisely adapted to the whim jilt. I di t s his capricious taste. He insists r o Nt d ereti ce . tik ,° ti le .• and says he is a Liberal. He lib 4rvice and • li e ralk ~ ' )et he claims the privilege. kOkp,,, 4 tie of '' L 0 demand clamorously, is the cha m th e 1 h. )1,01; 'Toni halodern Liberal. To concede is l t , 83 Li this 's vocabulary. "/ am right ; you Will lan cabin " Think as I do, and t " , i h i' it ,„ a s at I N —4 13E, that P 4tly of tr. at many persons in Liverpool are t a ,eii,3 B Hook's opinions, —nor precisely 4 1 'At tk ' It 1/1 .. to th. az n k s for h a . y be that each sincere reflect tot, Is p,iv., 17/18e/f, - We, for instance, lay tr l tt• te 'eat to sit li ege in our own humble capacity, i l oti t4 4/ olir mv „ at the feet of gifted and able men, 5 4 4 Nel ei Ve g) atae:, nevertheless, the right of •judging Aph t , I ves t o he comparing for ourselves ; and know ]; Nest Ikas, thinkr.esponsible in our own persons for lit th at e cir the it no t right to shift the care, when c'4q er e . te,lha, sPonsibilit S fr o , be en y. ,o, according to the Ork '' tho e given us, we differ very widely 1 4 ) t Peculiar iLi t /v e t tl i e whi c h tenets (miscalled the Oxford i4„ ll la ti , 41 We 0, all never be found to detract from 1 (1 ) ,,,"e 444 °c ies or to underrate the services 44.,"'titi a stand ., 11 a e ti . he is to to the good cause N . 'gin e , . far elth ei . in in his important province at ' lll 4 L 5 th (10 We p ro f ess r 4, e ~ i ,s,e .. ourselves bound hand 11 No t , " X . Bile l3 .._cilxit ,, of our reverend towns ;llllotii 4 i ll th " r e are assured he is one of the ,2 1 .111 kltli • e or e who would seek to bind an ' f at; w e, b in th e ,i Ni ti • , ee aite w thraldom of this slavery. But , 1 ' o t ~g th e s e might return from his church, 1. tio nL ourid n ., , 04CI, Att, l ,„ "'tin, t , ens of some particular conclu -11;:eed te'' the Precise interpretation he might ' . ll' e thi B°4l e diffi ► Is tih „. ult light cult and disputed passage, , -...1 1 ,,,„ of his gifted git4l). r atio ,qued B , ."8 eloquence dispa '4o, '' he, uttr ti n p. rv ices, or detract from his untiring h. i t't h a ' hav e i 8 ,3 6 . z eal, any portion of that praise lo t : 11 iiii, v :_ reti on n in e , ,, lll Y earned ? If this be Liberal 'tti4;44,ll.4u th e m od ueed to rejoice that we have no i l , 4 tt of e l wh at i er n name of Liberal. We have , ili, i sattl. ae nti,.,_ s due to candour, and a generous t, • Oil that'.ents that l'e h 'le d y,„ oilier from our own. But o • Go es ,o. self . Are is i t , oot k n " styling Liberal should do \ (, 1 in of re °W what is important, and t' a u Ive 114 sPects there 'sit ' th er e ob sery grossly Latitudinarian , i t v 1 % ti t 'fo e i n ed) is to insist upon his dlbrer iity rt1a4,01004 others he is wholly destitute of rlielid 4 d lit , 40 t to think for himself, (which a Y,) 1 t i It. q arrei Alt t o tak h• • • , ar e with every, eup .18 opinion any - i 4, . ''''Y body else who does not !t t t Ju c k e l '' ttNot, of rhea `others , hit 'itiAt "N ti OY himself, Vt,,,tit.),',,t4 P4 a der-Z --- ----- and thinks Oet c Yilliit,!Zit i t i % e Yis t ,, , b aj t l t s the other day (having heard, 0 IN 4t e ile' il e Wit, ' 4 l ;sey ; 4„lcieVer having seen the : name (1 , 11 4 ,1 t e N, eO e 84.13. r: e , went on further to display ~'Pk,c'eta l le 11 1' E r , B e. T h . by praising Dr. Hook, at 4 n ri - t - t io il,L ,c o Ei st 5 t ,'t , a ..8.41. 411:.....s :.....utifie,ed. to show * his paltry coc i 'N 71, a qa( te - v g the cause of is utter ignoranc . e . in eN pi in } , litll r ev E re ,V of Liberalism by praising ilaye h i s Jolted k ' l'hap s the noodle merely Joia rr , a , .Y liistinct to the ultra-Tory ' Used + ~0 advocate. Ne actor if he can show that in some respects one clergyman is not precisely of the same opinion with another, he has proved the two men to be at variance. Thank God, this is not the genius of our liberal and tolerant church. Whoever thinks there must, or there can, be entire uniformity of opinion " tendit in Latium." Call himself what he will,—Liberal Socinian, Latitudina rian, he is wearing the weapons and fighting the battles of Rome. O'Connell, after having lavished his abuse and vi tuperation on every other class of Englishmen, has, at length, fallen foul of that estimable body the Wesleyan Methodists, to whom he has addressed a long, crafty, and most jesuitical epistle. We are not in the least surprised that the noble stand made by the Methodists in defence of the cause of scriptural education should have provoked the indignation of the wily demagogue. It is to the immortal credit of the followers of John Wesley that they have incurred the displeasure and secured the abuse of such a man as O'Connell. It would have been equally a matter of deep disgrace if they had entitled themselves to the degradation of his praise. As an attempt at argument O'Connell's letter is an utter failure. It is replete with low cunning, plausible sophistry, and confident assertion. As an attempt at a narration of historical facts, it is even a still more contemptible failure. No man possesses a higher talent than O'Connell for garbling and distorting history to suit his own purposes, on most occasions : but on the present, his utter disregard for even the semblance of truth is too transparently evident to mis lead the most cursory observer. It would be an utter waste of time to enter on a minute analysis of the trash contained in his letter. O'Connell is too well known among all classes of Englishmen for his reckless hardihood of assertion to render it possible for him to impose upon even the most ignorant and unreflecting. We are glad to find that the subject of Poulett Thompson's Bill " for the warehousing of foreign goods in inland towns" has been taken up with great interest upon 'Change. A petition, of which a copy will be found in our advertising columns, has been prepared in opposition to this very obnoxious bill. It lies for signature in the Exchange Newsroom, and as it will be sent off to-night, we trust that no time will be lost, by those who feel interest in the welfare of the "good old town," in appending their signatures. The refusal of a factious majority in the Town Council to take those interests under their protection, will, we have no doubt, cause a considerable accession of names to this petition. The conduct of the "liberals" in this mat ter is appreciated just as it deserves by all who have any regard for the prosperity of Liverpool. We are extremely happy to learn that it is in con templation to found in Liverpool an institution for the education of all classes, based upon such fundamental religious principles as must secure for it the cordial support and zealous co-operation of every denomina tion of Trinitarian Protestants. The proposition has received the warmest encouragement in the most wealthy and influential circles, and been hailed by all who have heard of it with the utmost enthusiasm and delight. Such an institution has long been wanted in the town, and, if well managed, will become a bond of union between the members of the Church of England and those Protestants who believe in a common creed. Whilst the artizan will be enabled to obtain at this in stitution solid information and instruction for himself and children, at a rate suited to his means, ample pro vision will likewise be made for the middle and upper classes upon the most reasonable terms. The most talented masters will he engaged in every department, and lecturers of the highest eminence procured; and, from the peculiar facilities and resources which will be possessed by the directors, it is not too much to expect that, in a comparatively short period, this institution will rank amongst the first collegiate establishments in the kingdom. We are confident that adequate funds will be forth coming to promote this great undertaking, the moment they are required. The inhabitants of this town have already manifested a laudable sympathy for their poorer brethren, in providing them with spacious school houses, in which their children may receive a sound Scriptural education, without the risk of becoming tainted with any fatal doctrines ; and they surely will not look on and permit the children of those in a higher sphere to imbibe latitudinarian opinions of a most dangerous tendency, when they have the means to prevent the evil by becoming the patrons and direc tors of their education themselves. Besides, if the projected institution be as well supported as we antici pate, the surplus income which must arise will in a few years become available in promoting Scriptural education amongst the poorer classes, if not for de fraying the entire expenses attendant upon the existing Church of England schools. We shall return to the subject, but trust, in the meantime, that what we have already said may pre pare our townsmen for the contemplated movement. We rejoice to find, from the Abstract of Marriages, drawn from the returns made to the office of the Re gistrar-General, that the people of England still conti nue to hold in the highest reverence the hallowed forms of the Established Church. Our predictions on this subject have been verified to the letter, as will abundantly appear from the comparative statement which we now lay before our readers. It appears that the total .number of marriages which had taken place last year throughout the United Kingdom was 111,481. Of this number 107,201 were solemnised according to the rites of the Church of England, whilst only 4,280 had taken place according to the provisions of the new Act The following is an analysis of the returns to which we have alluded : Marriages solemnised according to the rites of the Established Church : By license By special license 13,677 By banns By superintendent-registrar's certificate 493 Not stated by which of the foregoing forms 24,612 • Total 107,201 Marriages which had taken place not according to the rites of the Established Church : In registered places of worship 2,976 In superintendent-registrar's office Between Quakers . 76 Between Jews 135 Total.. 4,280 Of the 2,976 marriages which are stated to have taken place in registered places of worship, we feel quite convinced that two-thirds, at least, were solem nised according to the rites of the Romish Church. A bare inspection of the above numbers must satisfy every reflecting mind of the strong and ineradicable attachment of the British people to the admirable marriage-ritual of our venerated Church. By the packet-ship South America, Captain Bars tow, and the transit ship Hibernia, Captain Cobb, both of which arrived here on Tuesday, we have received files of the New York papers to the 1 gth ultimo, in clusive. The news from the "United States is not of much importance. The administration has been de feated in the Virginia election. This result was consi dered highly prejudicial to the prospects of Mr. Van Buren. It is said that the opposition will have a con siderable majority in the next congress. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Van Buren will be able to retain his seat in spite of an adverse majority. Among the candidates for the presidential chair are enumerated General Scott, General Harrison, and Mr. Clay. Mr. Wilder has written another letter to the New York papers, strongly asserting that the Bank of the United States had nothing whatever to do with the celebrated cotton circular, which has given rise to so much discussion. The greatest possible 'excitement is said to prevail in the territory of Tallahasse. The population have de termined to take the war into their own hands. Hun dreds of volunteers were offering their services to Governor Call, who was expected to take the field im mediately. The territorial government had offered a reward of 200 dollars for every Indian taken or killed. The question of postage reduction was exciting con siderable interest in the United States. A strong dis position prevailed in favour of the experiment. The news from Mexico is of the highest importance. The last advices received from Tampico, Metamoras, and Vera Cruz, teem with the darkest forbodings to that unhappy country, From every state arid depart ment accounts of treason and anarchy were pouring. The Mexican presidential chair is no sinecure at pre sent. Already the states of Guanaxuato, Janalisco, and San Luis de Potosi, have successfully resisted the mandates of Santa Anna. These states were organising a powerful army, that would render necessary the recal of all the forces under Bustamente and Arista, in order to prevent the total annihilation of centralism in the interior. The Morning Courier and Enquirer states that from the accounts received from Tampico, it is very evident that the town was on the point of falling into the hands of the forces of the government. From Canada there is no news of importance. The commercial news from New York still continues to be of an unfavourable character. The exchange on England has fallen, the rate for the packet having been 1091 to 109.15. We have, in another column, given the most im portant extracts from the New York papers. We have received a copy of the St. John's (N. B.) Weekly Chronicle of the 7th of June. It contains very little news. With respect to the prospects of the har vest, we have the following information :—" We have had heavy rains with very little intermission since last Tuesday. Creeks and other tributaries to the St. John have risen to an unusual height, doing much injury to the lumberers. Yesterday morning the boom on the Meduxnikick broke, when a large quantity of timber broke loose and went down stream; it will probably be a total loss. We have heard that the lower boom on the Restook has given way, and that upwards of 4,000 tons of timber had gone adrift. We fear that much injury will be done in the lower part of the country, in consequence of the great rise of water in the river. There was so little prospect of a high freshet this season, that we presume the farmers on the low lands were nearly done cropping. We shall be happy to find that our fears have not been realised." We subjoin a comparative statement of arrivals, tonnage, and passengers, at the port of Quebec,. to the 28th of May, inclusive, for the years 1838 and 1839 : Vessels arrived. 1838 341 1839 220 Tonnage. Passengers. 117,207 631 84,180 707 Less this year .. 121 33,027 more 76 CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS. The annual meeting of the Liverpool Church of England School Society was held on Tuesday, at the school-rooms, in Cornwallis-street, and the following report was adopted and ordered to be printed ____ The committee Of the Liverpool Church of England School Society present the third report of the society's proceedings, with continued thankfulness to Almighty God for the favour with which he has continued to bless it. The schools, they trust, are in a state of progressive im provement, and, although the committee cannot flatter them selves with the hope, that the instruction communicated to the children is such, at present, as is likely to produce that permanent religious and moral improvement which is the real object of popular education, still they hope, that much good effect, in this respect, must have been accomplished, and that by God's blessing more in future may be attained. The numbers in the South School are as follows : Boys Girls 240 Infants Total. B6l Last year the numbers reported were 1089. The decrease, therefore, seems to be considerable, but it is more seeming than real. The attendance, last year, was so irregular that the numbers reported were more nominal than real. This year the report is of the children actually in attendance. In the North School the numbers are : Boys 412 Girls. Infants Total 837 Last year the return was 912. There is, therefore, an ap parent decrease of 75, which is to be accounted for in the same way. Land for a central school, in Gill-street, has been pur chased, but the building has not yet been commenced, for the following reasons. The committee being of opinion that it would be desirable to combine a normal and model school for teachers, in the central establishment, commissioned the Rev. F. Barker to inspect Mr. Stow's school, at Glasgow, and on his report determined to build upon the Glasgow plan, in some situation where land was cheaper. As, however, an outlay would be required for this purpose much exceeding their means, they decided to apply to the Treasury for part of a grant of £lO,OOO, which was voted by parliament in 1835 for the purpose of normal schools. A memorial was sent, in January, to the Lords of the Treasury, with plans for the intended schools. No reply having been made, the application was repeated in March. The answer to this was, that the memorial was referred to the " Privy Council Edu cation Committee." This committee has not vouchsafed a reply, or returned the plans ; but it appears, by their public proceedings, that the Liverpool application is rejected. At the Diocesan Education Society is about to establish a normal school in Chester, the establishment of one in Liver pool may not be so necessary, and it may, perhaps, be advis able for the next committee to commence the central and model school on the land in Gill-street, unless it should be deemed expedient to build smaller schools near the intended new churches, or be found possible, as it is most evidently desirable, to found a more comprehensive central establish ment, combining education for the middling classes in the principles of the Established Church ; to the consideration of which very important subject the committee very earnestly solicit the attention of all who are interested in maintaining the perfect union of religious and secular instruction in the education of the people. The committee now feel called upon to publish their opinions respecting certain theories on the subject of educa tion, which are maintained in the present day, and oppositi on to which is stigmatised as bigotry. They believe, that educa tion, in its true and proper meaning, signifies the training of responsible beings to accomplish the purposes for which they were caused to exist by their Creator; that religion only re veals these purposes to man ; that Christianity is the only true religion ; and that an education which excludes or depreciates Christianity omits " the one thing needful," and, in the proper sense of the word, is no education at all. They main tain, therefore, that Christianity should be exalted to the highest place, and combined with the whole system of national education, as an essential element ; that it should be the principle by which the education of the people is guided, re gulated, and sanctified, otherwise it will entail a curse instead of a blessing. But, moreover, when they talk of Christianity, they mean Christianity according to some pecu liar system of doctrines. The mere introduction of the Bible into the school-room without any interpretation of its doctrines, to uneducated children, is, in their estimation, utterly inefficient. Again : of the different systems of doctrine extracted from the Bible, by different teachers, only one call be true. They believe that the system taught by the Church of England is true ; this, therefore, they feel bound to teach, and not any other. They do not judge others for teaching what they be lieve to be the truth, they only claim the same privilege for themselves. They think that neutrality in religion is im piety ; that religion without a creed " is no t th e re li g i on o f common sense," or of the church, or Gospel of Christ ; and that every denomination of Christians has a creed, and, what ever may be pretended, teaches according to that creed. When, therefore, they talk of Christian schools, they cannot approve of any distinctions between " general Christianity" and " special Christianity," " special religious instructions" and " peculiar doctrine instruction." As Christians are to be " a peculiar people," so Christianity is essentially " a peculiar" religion : a religion (so called) robbed of '• peculiar doctrinal instruction" is, in their estimation, not Christianity. They feel themselves bound, therefore, to teach, and cause to be taught, to the labouring classes committed to their charge, what they believe to be Christianity," leaving others to teach what they call " general Christianity," if they please. _ _ They furthermore protest against the introduction of dif ferent versions of the Bible, and different religious teachers, into the same schomt-room, a practice which, in their esti mation, must have the effect of introducing doubt, perplexity, and confusion into the youthful mind. The divisions of the Protestant world are the scoff of the Romanist and the in fidel, and a stumbling-block to pious minds ; and the para ding of these divisions, in the school-room, tends directly and immediately to the promotion of scepticism. If, during the time of " general religious instruction," the divinity of Christ is not to be hinted at for fear of offending one sect ; or if even the sacred name of Christ is to be omitted to spare the feelings of another ; and if, when the hour of " peculiar doctrinal instruction" arrives, the school is to be broken up into its controversial distinctions under its different contro versial teachers, nothing, in their opinion, can result but moral and religious disorganisation. Finally, the committee feel called upon to protest, on con stitutional as well as religious grounds, against a national education board, composed of ministers of state, excluding the bishops of the Established Church. They think that political men, acting under the continual stimulus of party politics, are unfit for the sole management of education, which is a work of religion. They protest against the pla cing any sum of money, without the concurrence of the uni teelegislature, at the disposal of a political board so consti tuted. Ministers of state, occupied with the cares and busi ness of state, can have no time for its management, and are not fitted by habit for its application. They fear, therefore, that it may be employed by inferior agents for partial pur poses, and that it will not promote any general national good. With every feeling of charity, then, towards those who dif fer from them conscientiously,—with every inclination to co operate with them in all works of charity, which relate to the temporal comforts of the labouring classes, they cannot co operate with them in education, which is a work of religion : with all due respect for the principles of others, they cannot compromise their own. Solemnly disclaiming any wish to interfere with the consciences of those who differ from them, they take leave to assert the independance of their own ; dis avowing every attempt to monopolise the education of dis senting communions, they feel it a duty to claim, and, by God's permission will, as far as possible, exercise, the ex clusive privilege of e d uca ti ng t h e poor children of their own communion. With this publication of their sentiments the committee resign their trust into the hands of the society at large ; ho ping that the religious people of England will not be tempted by the seducing spirit of the age into any laxity of principle, miscalled liberality ; or persuaded to compromise the unity of the Christian faith ; or to purchase peace by the sacrifice of truth. Among the numerous distinguished visitors who frequent our town at this season of the year, we observed a day or two ago, no less a personage than " the Mayor (?) of Man chester." An editor, of " spinning -top" or spinning " yarn" noto riety, may be seen any day, about noon, journeying towards Rodney-street, in a very singular mood. If his cranium be not over laden with the essential ingredients, the pockets of a long frock-coat seem admirably adapted for the purpose of conveying all that his bead ought to contain ; they are over crammed with newspapers, pamphlets, &c., of which some parts thereof generally hang out a considerable way, to the no small amusement of many in the throngest part of Church-street, or 80ld -street. At his time of life, he ought not to be over-burthened ; we would, therefore, recommend him in future to have his " devil" M livery, ready to carry such requisites in a " green bag," c l ose at his heels, as a nother mode of obtaining " honourable cbstinctlOn," as ho takes his porsgriPtions homewards, CORONER'S INQUESTS. • An inquest was held on Wednesday last, before P. F. , Curry, Esq., touching th e d ea th o f J ames Atherton, which took place a few days ago. More than ordinary interest was attached to this case, as it had been reported that the de • ceased had met his death by the ill-treatment of some of the police-force. The first witness examined was Christopher Smith, who said,—l am porter at the South Dispensary. On Saturday the 22d of June, I saw a great crowd in Bolton-street, Toxteth-park, amongst whom were two policemen and another man struggling together; the man was on the ground. They proceeded as far as Bedford street, and here he again began to resist the police-officers, and twice attempted to kick one of them. A third officer then came up, and put out his staff with his right arm to ward off a kick. Could not swear whether the policeman struck the deceased with his staff or not ; did not see him strike at all ; I was about a yard from him, and there did not appear to be a n y unnecessary violence. I knew the offi cer who held out his staff ; his number is 4) . The deceased again got up, and began a renewed struggle with the officers, but handcuffs were procured, and he was taken to Brick street Bridewell. When he arrived there he complained of his leg. Deceased was in drink at the time. Martha Atherton deposed,--I am a daughter of the de ceased. On the evening of Saturday fortnight I went into our house. I saw my father standing with his back to the fire, and holding my mother by the shoulders. I begged of him to sit down and be quiet, and he aimed a blow at me. I went to a neighbour's house. My mother came out after wards, and stood at the bottom of the entry ; and I saw him aim a blow at her. I then saw two police-officers coming down the street. They got hold of him, without any charge being made that I heard. Neither my mother nor I gave any charge to the officers. The officers, after they got hold of him, trailed him away up the street. They are now pre sent, and their numbers are 297 and 260. When they had got the deceased near to the top of the street, and when he was lying on his hack, one of the officers knelt upon him, grasped his throat with his hand, and nearly choked him. I screamed out for the officers to let the deceased get up, for they were choking him. When I told them, they struck me on the neck. The deceased afterwards got up, and ap peared to be in a great passion. They then took him to the top of the street, where two more officers joined them. I then saw one of the first two officers (260) strike him on the leg with his staff. I cannot tell which leg : it was across the legs. There was such a crowd I could not see if deceased was in the act of striking. I saw the officer lift up his staff to strike him. I did not see the deceased fall from the blow, but I saw him afterwards lying on the ground. By Mr. Maine and others.--I say him on his back in Par liament-street. The officers saw him strike my mother. I saw him struck on the leg through the crowd. They dragged him up the street by his hands. I saw the policeman stoop and strike my father. By the Coroner.—When the officers were taking deceased to bridewell, and were proceeding along Bedford-street, de ceased pulled up his trowsers and showed me his leg. I heard him say that his leg was broken, and he requested that a doctor might be sent for. I d on 't know how the officers car ried him from Bedford-street to Parliament-street ; but in the latter street I saw him on his back, and heard the de ceased ask my sister to go for a doctor, for his leg was broke. I did not take particular notice how they afterwards carried him to bridewell. By Mr. Maine and Jones.—l cannot say whether my fa ther's leg was uplifted at the time the policeman struck him. I did not see the deceased kick at the officers ; but he made great resistance. I did not see him make any blow. I heard my mother request them not to ill use him. Catherine and Sarah Atherton gave somewhat similar tes timony to the last witnesses. Robert Bradshaw, a youth sworn.—l am an apprentice to Smith, in Bolton-street. On the night in question, I was coming up Bolton-street, and saw two officers dragging the deceased up that street. The last police-officer who had come, and who is not one of the three now present, there struck the deceased a blow with his staff across the leg, and he fell immediately, and I heard him exclaim, " Oh ! my leg's broke." Just before the last blow was given, the police-officer said, " Damn him, let us take him off!"—and he fell. They took the deceased away. I saw him twice struck by two officers. By a Juror.—He was struck by a police-man, before he made a kick at a police-officer. Police-officer 297, put the staff to the deceased's mouth, and threatened to put it down his throat. Thomas Boothby, the keeper of Brick-street Bridewell, being sworn said, on Saturday fortnight last, the deceased was brought to Bridewell, and appeared to be drunk. He was carried up stairs by four officers, when discovered that his left leg was broken. I sent up to the Dispensary for a doctor. Mr. M`Lellan, the surgeon, came; and recom mended that deceased should he taken to the Infirmary. He was taken there about half an hour afterwards. Mr. Andrew M`Lellan sworn.—l am surgeon at the South Dispensary. I was sent for on Saturday fortnight to see the deceased in Brick-street Bridewell. I found he had received a fracture on the left leg, about the middle of the' tibia, or large bone. Just over the fracture there was a small round wound. There was opposite the fracture a depression on the soft side of the leg, so that it would take no injury by the removal. John Nottingham, being sworn, said—l am house surgeon of the infirmary. The deceased was brought there on Satur day the 22d of June. He had a bad fracture on the left leg. On the following Saturday, he was attacked with erisypalis. He died on the Bth inst. The immediate cause of his death was the erisypalis, which was consequent upon the fracture. The deceased, after his being brought to the infirmary, on my inquiry how the things had happened, said the police was determined to take him to bridewell, and that he was deter mined not to go there that night, and resisted them as much as he could. He afterwards expressed great regret at the way he had behaved. I did not consider his life in danger at the time he said this. All the witnesses present having now being examined, the coroner said that he considered it desirable in order to arrive at a satisfactory result, that the inquest should be adjourned to the following day, as there were several points on which information was yet required to complete the case. It was desirable that the jury should, if possible, have some further evidence as to the particular blow spoken of by the young man, as having broken the leg of the deceased. It was equally desirable that they should have distinct evidence that the officers were justified in the capture, which had not yet been shown. The police, it would be generally admitted were a fine body of men, but the case involved a serious charge against one or more of them, which, for the ends of justice, it was proper to investigate more fully before coming to a conclusion. The wife of the deceased, too, had not yet been examined ; and he considered that her testimony, as the case now stood, might be available. The youth and the daughter last examined, should also be again called, as well as any other witnesses who could be procured in the interim, whose testimony might serve to complete the chain of evi dence. Search was also to be made for the parties who re ported to officer 297 that the :deceased was maltreating his wife. The jury concurred with the coroner, and it was finally agreed that the inquest sho u ld s t an d a dj ourne d unt il ten o clock, the following morning, ADJOURNED INQUEST. Yesterday, at ten o'clock, the inquest was resumed. Robert Bradshaw, the youth, being sworn, saw the police officer now present, and whose number appears to be 250, is the man whom I saw strike the deceased across the legs, and exclaiming, at the same time—" D—n him, let us take him of!" Deceased, immediately after he fell from that blow, exclaimed—" Oh my leg is broken ?" lam quite sure No. 250 is the man, Henry Parkinson, Police -officer 297, sworn.—l was at Bolton-street. I went to the court, and heard a great alarm in a house there. I went away immediately for further as sistance, and returned with police-officer 260. I saw a crowd of women, who said that `• this drunken villain (pointing to the deceased) was murdering his wife." I saw deceased making a blow at his wife with all his vengeance, when I and a police-officer interposed to prevent any injury. I secured deceased. The wife of the deceased then said, " I have often made complaints to you; you see how he is using me; take him away. Upon that we took him away. Deceased resisted when we got him a short way; we proceeded a little further, and he again resisted, and made a kick at 260. I held him as forcibly as 1 could to prevent the kick. We proceeded a little further he again made a kick at police officer 260, and we were all three down together ; we then became exhausted, and each took hold of a shoulder and dragged him a few yards. His daughters then came up, when he became outrageous. Police-officer 41 came up after a little while, and the deceased fell, but I could not tell from what cause. Police-officer 250 then came up, and I can swear that Police-officer 250 did not strike, for he had no staff. I did not see any of the officers strike the deceased across the legs. We took deceased to Bridewell. I never heard deceased complain of his leg being broken until in Bridewell. The Coroner here said, that he entertained some doubt, whether it would be proper to examine the police-officers, one of whom was accused of having struck the blow, and the other three as having been aware that the leg of the deceased was broken; and he had, consequently, consulted with Mr. Rushton, and also some legal authorities, and that Mr. Rushton was of opinion, that the evidence of police officer 260 might be properly taken, and the jury might judge of it. Mr. Whitty said, that there was evidently a mistake in the identity of the officer, on the part of the boy Bradshaw. It was then agreed to hear the evidence of the officer, who was then called. Police-officer, No. 260, Robert Bowerbank. On the 22d June, the last witness, police-officer 297, came and informed me that there was a man killing his wife in Bolton-street. I accompanied him there. When we got there, there was a great crowd of people, chiefly women. I saw a woman stand ing at the foot of an entry there, whom I afterwards ascer tained to be the deceased's wife. I saw the deceased come down the entry and make a blow at her, with apparently great violence. Parkinson and I then laid hold of him, just as he was in the act of striking the blow. (Parkinson's evidence was then read to witness.) The wife of the deceased in sisted that we should take him to Bridewell. I remarked to her again, that it would be better for him to go home • but she said no, and again i ns i s t e d on me ta ki ng hi m to iride well. We proceeded to do so. He resisted, and used all the violence he possibly could. We held the deceased down, until police-officer 41, came up. Police-officer 41 took hold of the deceased, who was then standing up. The deceased swung himself round, and kicked me in the belly with some force, and was in the act of repeating the kick, when police officer 41, with his staff, struck the deceased a back-handed blow on the leg that was up-lifted to kick me. The deceased immediately fell, and exclaimed, almost directly, that his leg was broken. Police-officer 250, came up a minute or so afterwards. He had only a cane in his hand, with which he kept the crowd off. I told the other officers that I feared the deceased's leg was broken, as when he fell, I saw it turn round. We carried him about 100 yards, and then put him in a cart. The deceased was hand-cuffed after he fell, but he was quiet enough then. When we arrived at Bridewell, we ascertained that his leg was broken. I did not observe police-officer 41, many seconds before the blow was struck. I am positive no one but officer 41, struck the deceased a blow at the time he fell. A man named Smith, brought hand-cuffs, and put them on the deceased. Mr. Whitty said there was no further eivdence, unless that of Police-officer 41 were taken, who was ready to admit that he had struck the blow which caused the fracture of the leg of the deceased. This constable's evidence was not, however, taken. John Griffin Davies, inspector, was sworn, and said that he had struck the deceased with his staff, and broken his leg. The Coroner then read the whole of the evidence, and af terwards charged the jury, pointing out in a lucid and per spicuous manner the principal points of the evidence by which they were to be governed. The jury, he said, had a painful and arduous duty to perform, not only from the gravity of the case, but from the circumstance that the evidence was to a considerable extent contradictory. It became his duty to inform them that police-officers were under the peculiar pro tection of the law. If a police-officer were killed in the dis charge of his duty, the offence amounted in law to murder ; while in a similar affray as regarded another individual, it would be adjudged to be be only manslaughter. On the other hand, police-officers were not to exceed their powers in ap prehending any individual. There was a limit which they could not legally overstep, and they were not to be justified in using unnecessary violence. The jury had first, on the present occasion, to inquire into the death of the deceased, and next, who the parties were who caused it. They could entertain no doubt, after the evidence heard, but th a t th e de ceased died from the blow which broke his leg. The point was by whom that blow was inflicted. He had advised the adjournment of the inquest, in order to obtain the fullest in formation, and the jury would doubtless be satisfied that he had done so. Had they contented themselves with the evidence of yesterday, they world have doubtless come to the conclu. sion that police-officer 260 was the man who had given the fatal blow to the deceased. To-day they had heard evidence which went entirely to exculpate that officer; and that evi dence he had taken under the advice of Mr. Rushton. The boy Bradshaw, though he gave his evidence very clearly, was evidently mistaken as to the identity of the constable who struck the blow. The police-officer, who had been examined, stated that he saw the blow given by No. 41. The party being thus identified, the next question was—was he justified in striking it at all. To arrive at a proper conclusion on this point, they must first consider whether the caption of the deceased was legal or otherwise. He was clearly of opinion that the caption was strictly legal. The wife of the deceased herself said, that a blow was struck at her, which one of the officers prevented from taking effect, and that on being asked a second time if she would give the deceased in charge, she said that he must be taken if he would not behave himself. He was decidedly of opinion that in taking him the officers had done their duty. The next question was, since they had a right to apprehend him, whether they had used any unne cessary degree of violence. There had, it appeared, been a good deal of rough and tumble work in the street, while the deceased was being taken along. It appeared, too, that one of the officers had knelt upon his breast ; but this might have been necessary under the circumstances owing to his violence and resistance. It was sworn to that he swung round and kicked police-officer 260 with considerable violence ; that he afterwards attempted to kick him again, and that, while in the act of doi ng so , h e was struc k a back-handed blow (in tended to prevent the kick) by another police-officer, who came up to his assistance. Now, the police-officers had no right to use their staves violently, except in self-defence ; and this defence, in their case, comprehended the defence or protection of their fellow officers. If an officer were over-powered he should call for assistance, and not pro ceed to violence until the last extremity. If the jury were of opinion that there was no occasion for the violence used ; or in other words that a greater degree of violence was used than was necessary—then it would be their duty to bring in a verdict of manslaughter. If on the other hand they, considering that the deceased was a strong powerful man, and exceedingly violent in his conduct, and did not think that more force was used than the occasion required, they would bring in a verdict of justifiable homicide. He thought police-officer 250 should be acquitted : but if they thought he, too, had also struck the deceased unjustifiably they would include him in the verdict. He trusted they would dismiss from their minds every thing they might have heard but the evidence before them. The police, he need scarcely remind them, had their enemies. They were obnoxious, particularly to parties whose evil propensities they were ap pointed to restrain. As a body, he never saw a finer set of men, and he had visited most of the large towns throughout England. It might happen however, that amongst so large a body, some few might not, on occasions, conduct themselves as they ought to do. The caption was legal : the degree of violence was alone to be considered, and he did think that if too much violence were used by the officer it was from his zeal in the discharge of his duty. The jury then retired, and after an absence of about fifteen minutes returned with a verdict of " Manslaughter against police-officer, No. 41, William Edwards." The Coroner ' addressing the officer, said it was his painful duty to commit him; but he trusted that the judge, on his trial would take the same view of the case which he did, — that he had inflicted the blow from over zeal. The witnesses were told to appear this day (Friday), to be bound over to prosecute. The accused, can, we understand be bailed out on applica tion to the chief judge of the Court of Queen's Bench, who is virtute officii, the head Coroner of England. ACCIDENTAL DEATH FROM BEING RUN OVER. _ _ _ On Tuesday last an inquest was held on view of the body of Catherine Matthews, a girl of sixteen years of age. It appeared in evidence that the deceased, who lived with her parents in Roberts-place, Stewart-street, so far back as the 18th of April last, was walking along Oldhall-street with a child in her arms, when a shandry, with four persons in it, drawn by one horse, came up, at the corner of Rigby-street, making a sudden turn, by which the wheel struck her, knocked her down, and passed over her right leg, which was thereby fractured. The deceased was taken to the Northern Hos pital, and every attention was paid to her, but she lingered until the ith instant, when she expired. It appeared, from the testimony of several medical gentlemen, that had the friends of the deceased agreed to the advice given, that am putation should be resorted to, her life would, in all proba bility, have been saved. Verdict, " Accidental death.'' DEATH FROM STARVATION. On Tuesday, an inquest was held on view of the body of Maria Davies. The deceased lived in St. Andrew-street, with her husband. They did not live on good terms. On Sunday evening last, she went into the public-house kept by Mrs. Dodd, in Crabtree-lane, in company with two young men and a boy. The latter called for a quart of ale, and said, " mother pay,"—meaning the deceased, and she paid. The deceased was afterwards deserted by the young men, who said she was not their mother—and she appeared to be stu pefied and intoxicated. She was taken into the back yard, and placed with her back against a bench. It was afterwards discovered that she was in a dying state. A surgeon, Mr. Fell, was sent for, but she had expired before his arrival. Mr. Fell said he found the deceased dead, and had since made a post mortem examination. " I found (he stated) the inner membrane of the stomach and bowels inflamed, which had caused a severe diarrhma, which, coupled with the actual want of the necessaries of life, was the cause of death. I am quite satisfied the deceased died from the want of the common necessaries of life. The stomach and bowels were empty. The viscera were all healthy except the liver, which was slightly inflamed. The daughter of the deceased said her father was a cooper, and that the deceased had plenty to eat if she chose to take it. She added that her mother had lost a little money about a fornight ago, and had not since been right in her head. Her father, she said, had been confined to bed for twelve weeks, and was in a dying state.—Verdict, " Died from want of the common neces saries of life." .... "..., Air APOPLEXY. On Monday, an inquest was held in view of the body of Margaret Johnson, a woman of fifty-two years of age, wife of William Johnson, plasterer, St. Andrew-street. The deceased died suddenly on Saturday night, in a fit of apo plexy, brought on by excessive drinking.—Verdict accord ingly. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-WEDNESDAY. ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE. A somewhat froward-looking young woman, who was dressed in mourning, was placed at the bar, she having on the previous night, ben detected by a police officer in an at tempt to commit suicide, by throwing herself from George's Pierhead. The sister of the young woman attended, and gave a sad account of the conduct of the prisoner, whom she had taken to live with her, after the death of their mother. The girl was in the habit of stopping out until a very late hour, and it was in consequence of her and her husband having remonstrated with the girl on Sunday, for conduct of that kind, that she left the house, and made the attempt upon her life. The prisoner said her sister was " always going on with her," and told every body that she had been the death of her mother. On Sunday she was only out of the house about 20 minutes, and when she returned, her sister and brother-in law began to abuse her, the latter stating that she might go to the d—l if she liked. In consequence of that she left their house, and on Tuesday evening, being destitute of a home, she intended to have put an end to her life. The brother-in-law stated that he had had a great deal of trouble with the girl, but he was willing to take her back and try her again. The girl consented to return, and, having been reprimanded for her ungrateful conduct towards her sister, and advised to behave herself better for the future, she was discharged. ASSAULTS. Patrick Donelly was charged with having assaulted a man named Morris. The complainant stated that he was going up Moorfields on Tuesday night, when the prisoner, whom he had never seen in his life before, and who was drunk, came running up the street, and, without the slightest pro vocation, struck him, knocked him down, and then kicked him. The prisoner denied that he had lifted either hand or foot to the man ; but as evidence corroborative of the com plainant's statement was produced, Patrick was ordered to pay a fine of 10s. and costs ; in default of payment to be committed for eleven days. Patrick Duffey was convicted of having struck a man, named Peter Miller, a blow on the head with an axe. The wound inflicted was not very severe. The prisoner was or dered to pay ss. and costs ; in default of payment to be im prisoned five days. Edward M` Grady, a seaman, was fined 20s. and costs for having assaulted Wm Thompson, the second mate of the vessel in which he had been working. M`Grady knocked the man down, and then kicked him violenty in the mouth. William Rafferty, a master lumper, was fined 40s. and costs for having assaulted the captain of the barque Gazelle. STREET ROBBERY. Patrick Waterson was brought before the magistrates on the following charge : Henry Ainscough stated that he was a coal-dealer, and lived in Gildart's-gardens. On Tuesday afternoon he had been at a funeral, and had got a little liquor. About six o'clock in the evening he went into Marybone, and called upon his nephew, with whom he went into Rigby's public house at the corner of Milton-street, where each of them had a glass. On coming out, complainant stood talking to his nephew, when the prisoner came across from Banastre street, and said to Ainscough, " You drank my glass of ale this morning, in Rigby's house." The complainant denied the accusation, and said that he had not been in Rigby's house in the forenoon, which he could prove by reference to the landlord. He was going into the public-house, for the purpose of clearing himself from the charge, when his nephew pulled him back. The prisoner then sounded Ains cough's waistcoat pockets ; after which he thrust his hand into the complainant's trousers' pocket, and took thence some money. He (the prisoner) ran down Harrison-street, dropping some money as he went. The nephew pick up 31., which he immediately returned to his uncle. The com plainant stated that he missed Bs. He gave information of the robbery to police-officer No. 5. Policeman No. 5 said, that he knew the man from the description given of him by the complainant. He went in search of him, and eventually succeeded in apprehending him. The prisoner was committed to take his trial. YESTERDAY (THURSDAY). SMUGGLING TOBACCO. John Fawcett, a respectable young man, second mate of the Palmyra, was charged with having, on the sth instant, smuggled away from the said vessel about 131 b. of tobacco, which had not been duly entered at the Customs. He was taken the same evening by Blackburn, the police-officer, in Tithebarn-street, with the tobacco tied up in a handkerchief. Mr. Brooke, Mr. Wayman, and Mr. Brown appeared from the Customs and Warehouses, to support the information. Mr. Wardle defended the prisoner in a very ingenious man ner, but not with the best result. The young man was at length convicted in the penalty of £lOO for the offence, but at the same time with the best recommendations from the bench to advise in mitigation.—Several persons in attendance spoke highly as to the character of the prisoner, having known him for the last fourteen years, as honest, sober, and diligent. These traits will, we trust, materially assist the young man in his present dilemma. BIRMINGHAM AND DERBY JUNCTION RAILWAY.—It may be expected that this road will shortly be opened to the public, as the works are in a forward state, and the junction with the London and Birmingham railway, near the Hamp ton station, is nearly complete. A train of three beautiful locomotive engines and tenders, intended for this line, were brought by Mr. Grantham, of the respectable firm of Messrs. Mather, Dixon, and Co. of Liverpool, to this town on Thurs day last. These engines are on six wheels, and are a fine specimen of the perfection to which the science of engineering is now carried. They are similar in appearance to the well known engines the "Hornet," "Hawk,' and " Vulture," on the Grand Junction Railway, which were all made at the same extensive works.—Birmingham Journal. STATE OF BIRA.INGHAM.—Owing to the prudence of the of the police no further disturbance had taken place at Bir mingham up to Wednesdey evening. A requistion had been presented to Messrs. Attwood and Muntz, " for the purpose of uniting the working and middle classes, in order to carry out the great principles of the national petition," to which Mr. Attwood had sent a somewhat evasive reply. The re quisition had obtained 7,000 signatures in a very short time. It is stated that a meeting, at which Mr. Attwood and Mr. Muntz are to attend, will be held on Monday next. The injured policemen were doing well, and all was perfectly quiet. NORTHERN MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.—We perceive that a public meeting will be held on Monday evening next, at the North Corporation School, for the purpose of pro moting the formation of the proposed Northern Mechanics' Institution. Several influential gentlemen are expect to attend on the occagion,—See advertisement, PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE REDUCTION OF POSTAGE. Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, a numerous and highly respectable meeting of merchants, tradesmen, and other in habitants of the town, took pl ace at the Sessions-house, Chapel-street, in pursuance of notice issued by the Mayor, who had consented to call the same in accordance with a requisition signed by about sixty gentlemen, for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament in favour of Mr. Rowland Hill's plan for the reduction of postage." Amongst those present, were most of the requi sitionists—including mercantile gentlemen, opponents in po litics ; but on this question, happily, concurring in opinion. The following are the names attached to the requisition which was presented to the Mayor :—Adam Lodge, S. S. Gair, Thomas Todd, Joseph Greaves, John D. Thornley, Daniel Neilson, Henry Glynn, Christopher Hind Jones, Cannon, Miller & Co., P. Serjeantson, John Ashton Case, James Riley, jun., Michael Humble, Harold Littledale, R. B. Anderson, George Holt, William Wood, Jos. Hornby, Thomas Hibbert, George Loch, William Brown, Joseph Shipley, William Maury, Stanley Percival, Wiliam Wallace Currie, Nicholas Roskell, R. H. Blundell, Joseph Ridgway, S. Woods, jun., Richard Bryans, William Jackson, Edward Bayliffe, Henry Harrison, John B. Nelson, Robert Higgin, William Maxwell, John Cropper, jun., Horatio Nelson Hughes, E. Muegens, John Yates, Samuel Holme, Thomas Tobin, George W. Boyd, Robert Ledson, Samuel Bright, John Parker, W. H. Tayleur, W. B. Currie, Richard Withers, G. A. Tinley, C. G. Tattersall, William, Sharp, Charles Booth, Charles Tayleur, Thomas Addison, Henry Garston, Samuel Kearsley, A. Claude, William Earle, T. B. Barclay, Thomas Read. The - MAYOR, on taking the chair, said, that he. had called the meeting in compliance with a requisition numerously signed, by respectable and influential individuals, and that the object was to forward the plan, proposed to Parliament by Mr. Rowland Hill, for the reduction of the rates of post age. He would not take up the time of the meeting, which would be ably addressed by other gentlemen ; but he could not help expressing his great astonishment that a tax so impolitic, so hurtful to the commercial prosperity of the country ; a tax, too, more especially oppressive to the poorer classes of society, should have been suffered so long to exist. (Hear.) He considered the high rate of postage to be a powerful impediment to the spread of useful knowledge amongst the people. (Cheers.) As a profitable financial system, it had proved to be singularly injudicious and inope rative. The revenue derived from it had for years remained stationary, while all the other branches of finance had con tinued to improve. That a tax so impolitic, so injurious, both commercially and morally, should so long have been tolerated by the country—so long persisted in by successive administrations, was truly calculated to exite the wonder of an intelligent community. (Cheers.) The only argument, at all plausible, which the enemies of a reduction of postage had advanced, was that its abrogation would cause a defal cation in the revenue. But surely the commercial and moral prosperity of the country was paramount to this • and if a deficiency do arise, (which he-did not assume), the govern ment ought to substitute some othe r t ax , or rather to curtail all unnecessary expenditure, •by which a saving would, he believed, be affected more than equal to the anticipated de falcation. (Cheers.) He concluded by reading the requisi tion, and calling up the gentlemen who were to take part in the proceedings to bring forward their resolutions. Mr. W. BROWN said that, in supporting the object of the meeting, they were borne out by the irresistible appeal of the country at large. It was to be lamented that the govern ment should so long have persisted in imposing so high a rate, that it operated against the commercial and moral in terests of the country. No one who had read the evidence adduced, and the facts contained in Mr. Hill's pamphlet, could entertain a doubt of the impolitic and demoralising influence of this tax. He hoped the country would not cease to press the abrogation of this tax, until they succeeded in the object in view. Facility of correspondence was one of the most powerful instruments for the promotion of com merce, and the general spread of knowledge. It was, indeed, one of the greatest blessings that could be conferred upon the people ; for nothing could conduce more to their ad vancement in their several vocations, or their improvement in the moral and domestic relations of life, than a cheap and ready communication by correspondence. (Cheers.) It was the duty of a wise government, even admitting a supposed defalcation in the revenue to the amount stated, not to im pede the means of prosperity in a country such as England. It would be much better to remove this tax, and to increase some other tax or taxes to make good the deficiency —say, for instance, the tax on malt. The Chancellor of the Ex chequer had, in his proposition to the House of Commons on this subject, involved a pledge that the deficiency should be made good. He (Mr. B.) hoped he would not . persist in making this an immediate condition of the passing of the bill. The deficiency, if any, might easily be made up ; and he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would press his measure, and not forego a positive good for a prospective and contingent evil. (Cheers.) Mr. B rown, after adverting to the fundholders ' concluded by moving the first resolution, for which see the advertisement in another column. Mr. A. HODGSON said he had just been called upon to se cond the resolution, which he did with much pleasure, as he conceived the proposed reduced postage would be highly be neficial to the community. After the full statements already made, and the able manner in which Mr. Brown had met the principal objection, he could add but little to strengthen the arguments already adduced. Nothing could, he thought, be more unwise than to relinquish the measure merely because it might cause a defalcation in the revenue. If such a de falcation arose, the country ought, and, he doubted not, wil lingly would, supply it. The whole country, indeed, ought not only to supplicate, but to demand the desired change. They ought not to suffer a measure fraught with so many ad vantages to fall to the ground ; but if a deficiency arose, to supply it from another quarter. (Cheers.) Mr. THOMAS SMITH said, that the two gentlemen who had last spoken, had noticed only one obstacle to the measure. There were few who were more anxious than himself that the object in view should be obtained : but it was proper that those who had the power to remove the existing evil, should be shown in what manner the inconvenience of adopting the new measure could be obviated. A meeting had been held in London, on Monday last, of the principal paper manu facturers and stationers, on the subject of the reduced post age, and it was there represented, that in the event of the measure passing, the stamped letter paper would necessarily be manufactured by government, to the great injury and dis advantage of these parties. It was added, that an immense establishment would also have to be erected. Now, he pro posed as a remedy, not certainly novel, nor orignating with him, that government, in place of becoming paper manufac turers, should issue stamps, or franks, printed on large sheets, so that they might be cut out, and each affixed by a wafer to a letter to be transmitted by post. Five hundred of these stamps, similar to those on patent medicine bottles, might be printed on one large sheet, the size of a newspaper. This plan would also afford a check upon those employed to distribute or sell such stamps. He merely threw this out by way of suggestion. (Cheers.) The MAYOR said, that Mr. Smith's idea was well worthy of consideration, but did not amount to an amendment to the resolution. The resolution was then put from the chair, and was unanimously carried. Mr. SAMUEL HOLME rose amidst considerable cheering and said that having been one of the individuals who had signed the requisition to his worship to call that meeting, he did not for a moment hesitate to present himself before them, because he thought the object they sought to effect was one founded on principles of justice and equity. This was no party measure. (Loud cheers.) Had it been so, it was highly probable that neither himself nor many gentlemen whom he saw around him would have been present ; but he conceived that the present system was partial and unequal, and was a measure which all parties might and ought cordially to join to amend. (Cheers.) The objections he had heard to the measure of a penny postage were of a two-fold nature. First, that it would afford facility for the dissemination of those publications which were calculated to have an injurious ten dency, and to be detrimental to our public morals ; and se condly, because it would tend to decrease the public revenue. To the first of these objections he would reply that if an equal right was conceded to the friends of good order and benevo lence, both parties would have fair play, and he trusted that the wise and good would not be behind any in the dissemination of those principles of wisdom and virtue which they deemed important for the well-being of mankind. (Loud cheers.) He for one was not afraid of the ultimate victory of truth, for wherever truth had free scope, it was sure in the long run, in its right and its majesty, to be victorious. As to the defalca tion of the public revenue, he for one would tax luxuries as heavily as necessity required, but the necessaries of life as lightly as possible. The demands of the public exchequer must be complied with for the maintenance of our national honour and credit. Truth must be kept with the public cre ditor, whether he be the princely fundholder with his millions, or the humble artisan and the laborious domestic, who, on the [faith of our national honour and our national credit, in vested their weekly or monthly earnings in our savings' banks. (Long continued cheering.) But when he looked at the abuse, he did not say the use, of ardent spirits consumed in this country, although it did not exactly bear on the sub ject which that meeting had met to consider, he could not help directing their attention to one or two striking facts, to show that any defalcation in the revenue caused by the pass ing of the measure under contemplation, might be made up without injury to our national credit. At any rate, he felt satisfied that there was integrity and honesty enough in the land to consent to any other mode of making up an incidental deficiency caused by the adoption of a measure of such in calculable benefit. (Loud cheers.) In the year 1834, he found, from official returns, that the quantity of ardent spi rits consumed in London alone amounted to the incredible quantity of 6,698,579 gallons, and of this vast amount about three millions of money was expended on gin alone. (Hear, hear.) In a report made to the House of Commons in the same year, it is stated that the number of dram shops throughout the kingdom averages one to every twenty families ; and one of the witnesses stated to the com mittee, that in the city of Glasgow alone, the sum expended in intoxicating drinks was nearly equal to the whole amount expended in public institutions of charity and benevolence in the entire kingdom. (Hear.) Mr. Spring Rice said, in March 1836, " he had always thought and always said, that spirits was a fair article for taxation ; indeed, it had always been his conviction that a more fair article for taxation could not be found, and the limit was the fullest extent to which you could impose a duty without creating smuggling." (Hear.) Wiser heads than his would have to consider whether spirits would bear an addition taxation • but after the appal ling statements that were made in referring to the use of intoxicating spirits, and their dreadful effects, he thought that an additional impost upon them would assist in making up any defalcation in the revenue, caused by the reduction of postages. (Cheers.) He would mention also the use of quack medicines ; and it would scarcely be believed that it was calculated that not less than four millions were annually expended on these deleterious drugs. To return, however, to the subject more immediately under consideration. He would mention a fact. He had a considerable number of workmen, at a distance of 35 miles from Liverpool, and as it was neces sary for the conducting of his business, that an interchange of ideas should take place between himself and his manager at that place, the mere asking a question and receiving an answer was attended with an expense of fourteen-pence, at so short a distance. Was not this a shackle on trade ? (Hear, hear.) He would also revert to the effects of an exorbitant postage on the working classes. He had in his employment a considerable number of workmen from Scotland and other places, and it certainly was painful to him to see that the in terchange of sentiment between them and their relatives invariably cost them elevenpence, and sometimes a shilling— within a trifle of a twentieth part of their weekly earnings. (Cheers.) To tax a man to such an amount, considering his circumstances, and for such a purpose, was both unwise and unjust, and its unequal pressure was one reason why he ob jected to it. (Hear.) He hoped the Chancellor of the Ex- , chequer would make a virtue of necessity, and yield with a good grace what would inevitably be wrung from him if he refused—(long c on ti nue d cheers)—and he hoped also that he would yield the boon in a frank, open, and fearless manner, for it was one o f th e c h aracter i st i cs o f Englishmen to admire what is open, frank, and zealous, as it bears the impress of honesty upon it ; and, that he will not on this important subject render his legislation ridiculous by what he calls mo difications, nor by a sort of Siamese twinship, or affinity to his celebrated measure of superficial riches. (Laughter.) Until Lord Lichfield and the subalterns of the Post-office answered fully and cogently the statements and arguments put forth in the pamphlets of Mr. Rowland Hill and Mr. Ashurst, they will consult their own dignity by abstaining from any further opposition to so just, so necessary, and so equitable a measure. Mr. Holme then moved the second resolution, which will be found in our advertising columns, amidst loud cheering. Mr. SAMUEL GAIR briefly seconded the motion. Mr. W. RATRBONE said he had just had a resolution put into his hands, which he should have great pleasure in pro posing. It was to the effect, " that a petition he sent to th e Holin of Commons, preying that the plan of Mr, R. Hill should be adopted." After what had been so forcibly stated by Mr. Holme, and which he fully concurred, it would be little better than reiteration in him to offer any remarks. The measure proposed was a most important one, not only to the commercial world, but to the country at large. He noticed the evasions of postage caused by the present im politic system, and expressed his regret and astonishment that it had not been abrogated half a century ago. He particularly objected to it as it affected the . poorer classes of society, on whom its operation was in many instances absolutely cruel. (Cheers.) Many of them not having the mea ns o f p ay i ng h eavy p os t age were constrained to purchase a newspaper, in which they could write a word. to send abroad to their distant relatives, as the only token of their being in existence. In this respect the postage system was a disgr ace t o h uman i ty, and the age in wh i ch we live. With regard to the supposed reduction of the revenue, how did those who opposed the measure know that such would be the result. For himself, he believed that with a penny post age, ten letters would be sent for one new dispatch, and the consequence would be a great increase in the consumption of paper, which would probably make up the difference. There might be a defalcation the first year, but before the third, he believed all would be made good. (Cheers.) It was diffi cult for a man to say much on an occaion like the present ; for they were all he rejoiced to say unanimous. He could not, however, avoid giving his hearty concurrence to the ob jects of the meeting. He moved the resolution. (Cheers.) Mr. D. NEILSON seconded the motion. He stated that a most numerous meeting had been held yesterday, (Wed nesday,) in London, of the merchants, bankers, and other inhabitants, and that the petition in favour of Mr. Hill's plan had been signed on the spot by upwards of 1,000 indivi viduals. He begged to propose, that in order to save time, the petition should be signed by the Mayor on behalf of the meeting. (Cheers:) Mr. JAMES HARVEY said that if the government were a little more careful of the people's money, there would be no need to keep up the present rate of postages. But they had a general to every regiment ; and an admiral to every ship ; and had even lately voted a sum of £70,000 for the building of stables at Windsor. No wonder they have heavy postages to pay. He hoped the country would be unanimous on this question, and that the conservatives would assist his party, reformers, in obtaining the object they had in view. (Cheers.) The resolution was put and unanimously carried. A vote of thanks was then proposed by Mr. Holme to the Mayor for his attention to the requisition, and his conduct in the chair. This was seconded by Mr. Ledson, and was carried by acclamation. The meeting then dispersed. CRICKET.—On Wednesday last a match was played between the City and Garrison of Chester and the Liverpool Club, at the ground of the latter, on the Wavertree road. The fol lowing is the score : _ A / / ..." ..... ,/ , ...- Air . .ailli de .-, LIVERPOOL. First Innings. Second Innings. Dickson, bby Suter l9 bby Suter Withers, run out Garnett, bby Suter 3 run out Crooke, bby Suter Eaton, bby Massey 8 cby Cotton 2 Bucknill, bby Suter C. Ashton, cby Massey 6 bby Massey Bower, b by Massey T. Ashton, bby Massey 2 cby Cotton. ..... .. 0 Jones, not out Hughes, bby Suter 1 not out Byes . Wide balls 74 CHESTER. First Innings. Second Innings. Newman, cby Garnett Ince, not out 0 bby Eaton 9 Shakspeare, bby Garnett .... 4 cby Garnett Suter, cby Bucknill Cotton, bby Eaton 4B not 0ut....~ Stanley, b by Eaton. F. Potts, leg before wicket 7 Massey, cby Jones ' 49 H. Potts, stumped by Eaton 8 Porter, c by Hughes Byes Wide balls 1 We beg to direct the attention of our readers to the fol lowing extract of a letter addressed to Messrs. Rowland and Son, 20, Hatton-garden, London, (whose advertisement appears in another column.) It is dated Hamburg, February 15th, 1833 I have also the pleasure to inform you of another decided proof of the efficacy of your celebrated Macassar Oil. Dr. Roding, of this place, had a patient who was bald for eighteen years, and who had tried several arti cles for the recovery of his hair, but without effect, until he was advised by the doctor to make use of your Oil : after using three bottles, he entirely recovered it, and has now a much finer head of hair than formerly. Dr. R. felt so grati fied at its success, that he made a drawing of the recovered hair (magnified) which he herewith sends." —See advt. EFFECTS OF THE NEW POOR LAW.—At the Quarter Sessions of the peace held at Knutsford last week for the county of Chester, no less than 60 cases of bastardy were dis posed of. The accusation against the Rev. Joseph Stephens is that of attempting improper liberties with a sister of Mrs. Bronterre O'Brien, with whom he became acquainted in London.— Spectator. ' BOROUGH OF MARYLEBONE.—It is intended by the libe rals of St. Pancras to bring forward the Hon. Edward Bou verie, second son of the Earl of Radnor, as a candidate for the representation of this borough,—Standard. The Duke of Sutherland has been appointed Lord-Lieute nant of the county of Salop, in the room of the late Earl Powis, deceased. His Grace is the largest resident proprie tor in this county.—Ministerial Paper. A valedictory address was on Friday presented by the arch deacon and clergy of the archdeaconry and county of Lei cester to the Lord Bishop of Lincoln on the occasion of their separation from his lordship's diocese. The address had been signed by 223 clergymen. ABOLITION Flux rrs.—A disgusting case of marriage -amal gamation at Hagerstown, Maryland, between a sturdy negro, and a delicate, modest, well educated white girl(!) of that place, threw the town into commotion. The negro was car ried to gaol for safety, from whence he was delivered over to the mob, who inflicted 39 lashes upon his back, and sent him over the line into Pennsylyania.—New York Evening Star. THE HAY HARVEST has commenced in good earnest in the vicinity of our town ; much has already been stacked round Shrewsbury ; and the general average of the crop is excellent. The WHEAT and other GRAIN CROPS have a most promising appearance throughout the country.—Salop ian Journal. STREET PREACHING.—The Cambrian says, "The follow ing is an exact copy of a written notice intrusted to the town crier of Abergavenny on Thursday :—` This is to Informe the In Habitance Of this place that there will be A sarmond preached this Eying at 7 O'Clock by mrs Eleanor Harris, By the Old duke Castle street—mrs Harris is a lisend mis sionary.' " At Old Windsor, on Sunday night, during the thunder storm, there was a shower of ice. The pieces were of the shape, and some of them of the size, of a common hen egg. One of them, half an hour after it had fallen, weighed 15 pennyweights, and measured in the circumference of its length five inches and a half, and of its greatest breadth four inches. Each piece was transparent except at its centre, which was of the purest white. While falling they were il luminated by the lightning, and seemed like balls of fire. We are informed by one of our correspondents, that several of the delegates at Birmingham having heard that 27 warrants were out against members of the association, took fright and took coach for Coventry, and there published a furious address to their fellow citizens at the former place. It was evident from the conduct of these patriots, they must sooner or later have been sent to Coventry.--Hera/d. THE BISHOP OF LICHFIELD AND COVENTRY We are glad to learn that there is no foundation for the report of the death of the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. The right rev. prelate who is residing in town, has been dangerously ill for some time past, but within the last few days his health has , considerably improved. Sir Henry Halford and Mr. A. B. Chisholm, of Devonshire-street, are in daily attendance upon his lordship.—Herald. Mr. Thomas de Vear has written to the Morning Chronicle to say that the electors of Westminster " are greatly and justly dissatisfied with their present representatives, and that at the next election, whenever it may occur, candidates will be proposed who are unconnected with party, remote from extremes, and such as are calculated to restore Westninster to the high station she once occupied." GUNPOWDER ACCIDENT.-At the cutting at Sunninghill the labourers have for some time past encountered a vein of hardened clay, which has almost undergone a transformation to stone ; they have, therefore, adopted the plan of blasting to expedite the work. On Tuesday morning last a small barrel of gunpowder was brought to the shaft, and by some means, not yet clearly ascertained, the whole exploded, fright fully injuring five men, one of whom was raised in the air some distance, with the truck he sat on. Two of the men were removed to the hospital quite' deprived of sight at the time, and the three others were removed to their lodgings, considerably lacerated. The two hospital patients are going on favourably.—Reading Mercury. The Queen continues her equestrian exercise almost daily, in which she is always attended by Miss Quentin, the daugh ter of Sir George Quentin. This young lady, though holding no specific appointment in the royal household, might very properly be styled equestrian lady-in-waiting, as it is her duty to prepare and train the horses destined for her Majesty's own use, assist her Majesty in mounting and dismounting— in short, to perform•all the petits soins usually performed by attendant cavaliers on maidens of lesser degree. Miss Quen tin is a first-rate horsewoman, and has trained five horses for the special use of the Queen. She rides from Kew, every morning, to attend her Majesty.—Cheltenham Looker-on, - THE CROPS IN LONGRIDGR.—SeveraI experienced farmers in this neighbourhood, says our Longridge correspondent, agree in stating that the weather for the last two or three weeks has been most favourable to the wheat, and the crops generally ; they concur also in declaring that although the rain has done much good to the meadow and pasture grass, it is not quite so full as might have been expected; yet, con sidering the extremely meagre appearance it presented before the rains fell, it is a decent crop. The general fact is, that symptoms of a prosperous harvest are to be seen almost every where.—Preston Chronicle. PROLIFIC Ducß.—A cadger, at Forth, Camwath, has a fine lively duck that regularly lays two eggs at a time ; and what is of importance, the owner can breed such ducks at pleasure. He says, to :have the double-laying breed, you have simply to hatch one bird out of two eggs. We are told that working men in various establishments of the metropolis propose to devote a part of two days in the week, perhaps Tuesdays and Fridays, in holdingpublic meet ings, and taking every possible means to express very fully their sentiments on the late proceedings at Birmingham. They are to declare their confidence in the convention, and to take steps for filling up any vacancies which may be caused by the present members being arrested.—Sun. . - Last week the magistrates of Devonport caused three men to be apprehended for selling printed papers, purport ing to be an account of a Dreadful Riot at Birmingham, al leged have taken place on the Saturday previous. and that 500 persons had been killed. The bill was headed Birming ham Luminary office, Saturday, 12 at night. The whole of the statement was an entire fabrication. The offenders were committed to Bridewell for a fortnight.—Devonport Paper. IMPORTANT TO REPORTERS. - The schoolmaster of Climpy has at length completed his machine, called the " Speech Recorder." Its principle is to divide the mental and mechanical labour of speech reporting, but allowing both to go on at once, thereby doubling the speed of the most expert common reporter : consequently, a whole speech can be taken down by the time that the speaker is half through his harangue. The idea of this wonderful machine was taken from " Babbage on the Division of Labour." A HINT TO MILK AND WATER POLITICIANS.—" Don't move in the presidency" says one, " until after this elec tion." Very well. " Now don't say a word about the pre sidency until after the governor's election." Very well. " Now pray don't agitate the subject until after the spring election. Very well again. " Now do me the favour not to divide the whig party by even referring to th e p res id ency until after the November election." We presume the next that we shall hear from the gentry who are always pulling our coat tail will be " you may go the d—l, and nominate who you please for president, now that Van Buren is re elected.—,New York Morning Herald. A LITERAL. INTERPRETATION.—At an inquest held near Manchester, a few days ago, a witness when the oath was - • - administered to him to state the truth " touching the death of Daniel Cavanagh," said with gretl t s i mp li c i ty , " I did ,not touch biro, sir" 7' 4