The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-17 00:00:00

I cannot consent to place intellectual acquirements above religious education. I cannot degrade the latter to secure the former : and I ask, is secular education so valuable to an immortal as well as an intellectual being, that we can afford to throw over b oar d or cast into the shale, the knowledge of Him in whom we live, and move, and have our being, and who directs every pulsation of our uncertain frame ? (Cheers.) Let me direct your attention to an extract from a dissenting Publication which a rev, gentleman has just handed me, and you will then see whether the charge may not be retorted Upon dissent. (Here Mr. Holme read an article from the Eclectic Review, complaining th a t a ll th e upp e r c l asses . a ll l earne d an d scientific bodies and nearly all professional men, had or were se ceding f rom the ranks of dissent, that dissenting publications w erelanguishingtot want ofsupport,and with difficulty existed) Mr. Ould has spoken of the Unitarian creed not being cal culated for the' Odor man. Some years ago, when passing through Kidderminster, I was anxious to see Baxter's pulpit, .11qt only because of its antiquity, but because of the associa tions which were identified with it. I found, on inquiry, that it had been removed to the vestry of what was called the new chapel; and, having been, gratified by the sight of it, I asked my conductor, the sexton, whether the chapel had a good congregation ? " Pretty good, sir," was his reply ; and with much naivete, added, " It is very respectable, sir ; very, indeed. We have h ar dly an y p oor peop l e at a ll." Oh , t h en ! I said, this is a Unitarian chapel I suppose ? His reply was in the. affirmative. (Hear.) So that the descendants of Baxter's congregation have slidden down into Unitarianism, and few poor peopl e are f oun d i n i t . B u t some di ssent i ng congll, regatio ns make a better move. When the late Dr. a name I desire to pronounce with the highest respect, f or Dr. WAR would have been an ornament to any church, when he was removed to Manchester, such was the difficulty of procuring a successor to that elegant and cultivated mind, one that could give satisfaction to all parties in Macclesfield, where he had ministered, that to put an end to the existing differences of opinion, and to allay the jealousies that unfor . pthately prevailed, it was at last proposed that the chapel should be converted into a chu rc h, an d the nomination of a minister he vested in the bi s h o p o f th e diocese. This was accordingly done; and the minister, appointed by his lordship soon col lected, amongst the members of the establishment, as much money, or ne ar ly so , ' as pa id o ff t h e d e b t w hi c h h ung over the chap e l, an d i t i s now• be long i ng to the establishment, and i I ts Pulpit is filled by an able active minister of the church. allude to the present St. George's Church, in Macclesfield. (Loud cheering.) And I was yesterday told, at St. Helen's, that there is in that town a large dissenting chapel almost deserted by the congregation, because the minister will not give up his pulpit in compliance with their wishes, and they are thus attempting to starve him out. (Cheers and laugh ter.) I mention these things to show that crying abuses exist amongst dissenters, and that Many of their most respectable members acknowledge and lament it. (Hear.) Sir, thy, Church of England. must awake from its lethargy, and be no longer deterred from carrying the war into our oPponent's camp. She must become aggressive against the Principles of dissent and Popery now so strangely united— against such heterogeneous mixtures as we lately saw in this room. If she remains much longer quieScent, she will, as an establishment, fall. (Hear, hear.) I hope, however, that the legislature will be compelled to provide for the spiritual destitution that exists : and seeing before me so many of the working classes, and knowing well the privations to which so of them are exposed by th e fl uc t ua tio n s of t ra d e , I ro ust say that those who would dep r i v e the working man of the comforts :which religion gives, cannot be his friends. (Hear.) The brightest jewel in the monarch's crown is the Established Church, based as it is on Protestant principles - ,7 (e lleers)—and I hope ere long to see its base extended 'in Proportion to the spiritual destitution that exists, till not a 'look in the land shall be without its church : with a pious, active, resident minister, who shall liv.e amongst his people, their sorrows. (Loud cheering.) I hope the blessing of God may rest on the association now formed by the young men of thi s town to. defend our church; and I recommend them to study well her history, particularly Milner, that they ma ybe able to rebut th e argumen t s b roug ht aga i ns t esta h is hments. And to th e c l erg y I wou ld say : i n y our h an d s , s tirn aillY speaking, the d es ti n i es o f E ng l an d are placed. e‘ Your faces as flints against the infidel opinion that all Creeds are alike; and that the legislature, in its official ca- Pacity, may alike endow truth and error. You will be sup- Ported by the laitY—(tremendous cheers)—and you will s ave or country. To the working classes, I say, join this good owork, preserve your church establishment, so that w e ma y eAibit one unbroken front, and that Liverpool may still, as ;.h . e has often done, give a tone to the country which shall be L et t by those Who have the power to remedy the mischief they have already caused. Mr. Holum ratired amidst the loudest a pplause. T he CHAIRM AN th en p u t th e reso l ut i on, an d i t was una nimously carried. ti The R ev. A. M ` CoNKIE moved the adoption of the peti- O, which he read at length ; and the motion havin4 been seconded by Mr. W. P. LEETE, it was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to th e C HAIRMAN was t h en carr i e d on aJ th e_ motion o f M r. J . GRIFFITHS, seconded by the Rev. D. assEs ; and the meetin g separated about a quarter to 11 o'clock. THEATRE-ROYAL, LIVERPOOL T HE Public i s respect f u ll y i nformed, that this ESTA BLISHMENT WILL'OPEN FOIL THE SEASON, On MONDAY NEXT, MARCH 23d, 1840, and that Miss ELLEN TREE, Of the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden, who is engaged FORA LIMITED NUMBER OF NIGHTS will make her appearance on that Evening, when will be per formed, for the first time here, the highly-successful Play, written by James Sheridan Knowles, Esq., called The Play w ill b e produced with New Scenery, Dresses, and: Decorations. The Scenery by Mr. Johnson and Assistants: The Dresses by Mr. Coombe, Mrs. Half,: and Assistants. The Mechanical department under the direction of Mr. Wil more. The Properties by Mr. M'Crum. - • The Duke of Corinthia, Mr. Gray ; Prince Frederick, Mr. Lynne ' • Ulric, Mr. Chapli n ; Si r I tupert, Mr. W. Howard ; Conrad, Mr.:W. H. Bland;. Huon, Mr. Stuart ; 'The Coun tess of Epperistein, (as originally perf orme d b y h er, th i s sea son, at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden, Miss Ellen Tree ;. Catherine, Mrs. Tellet ; Christina, Miss Barrett. To conclude with' the Farce, written by J. B. Buckstone, Esq., called SECOND THOUGHTS. Mr. Sudden, Mr: Bake r; J a bb er , M r . W . H oward ; Cecil, M. H. Bland ; Mrs. Trapper, M rs . Cl ar k e ; C e l est i na, Iss Cleaver; Isidora, Mrs. W. H. Bl a nd ; M a tild a , M rs . Tell e t . . L ower Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. 6d. ; Pit, 2s. 6d. ; —allo "s,' Doors to be opened at Halt-past Six, arid the p trfortnatiCe to'commence at Seven. LThe Box-office will be open on MONDAY morning, the 23d nestant, when Places in the Lower Boxes may be taken, from n until Three o'Clock. . . A limited n um b er o f S u b scr i p ti on Ti c k e t s f or th e See son , not transferable, nor admissible at Benefits, to be Sold. Ap plication to be made at the Box-office. LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH-STREET. LAST WEEK OF THE SEASON BUT THREE. •• Under the Direction of Mr. Raymond. Ler TWO NEW DRAMAS. Six • Nights of Messrs: CONEY and BLANCHARD . ... and their Splendid DOGS. Mr. and Mrs. RAYMOND. THIS present TUESDAY EVENING, the 17th, WED NESDAY, the 18th, and THURSDAY, the 19th, the turtertaintnents will commence with a New and Popular th a _ ill at never acted here, as performed with the most en lisiastie approbation in London, called THE FREEBOOTERS; • OR, THE ROYAL CAPTIVE. ..-.. .. Lord Darnley Mr. Higgie. - - Edward •Burnette.: (with a Song) Mr. F. Gardner. Sandy M`Serew.... Mr. C. F. Marshall. Will Elliot Mr. Barton. Aftr‘vvhich Messrs. CONEY and BLANCHARD w ill g ive their Classical Illustration of the splendid AfterOßK THE ANCIENT MASTERS. which, Misses TI or and LIDIA will appear in a Ma new admired Irish Medley Dance ! • 'r f ; diddle, CHEVALLIER will Dance an admired Pas .Suel. - w hich will be added (first time these two years) the - , laughable Interlude, called THE BOLD DRAGOON. Lieutenant Fitzpatrick O'Leary Mr. Raymond. 4. .,. 42c Sir Anthony Firebr a nd • M r . Tilb ury . M.. v Mrs. Raymond. I SSeSTH OMASSIN and LIDIA will Dance the Passe Russe. 1 . , L Wile. CHEVALLIER her popular Swiss Wsltz. .. whole to conclude with (fort he first time) the New Drama, entitled . - THE FOULAH SLAVE ; _ _ . In Or, The Rogs "of the Plantation, the astonishing and well-trained Dogs Hector and Bruin will appear. (the Foulah Slave).. 0 Antoine Bernard Mr. Blanchard. n PRIDAY next, the 20th instant, a Variety of Entertain ments, for . the BENEFIT of Messrs.- CONEY and IIL AN ' THARD, and Last Night but one of thei r appear 4,t!ce. 'ficketti and places for the Boxes may be had of Mr. 1 41; zL, at the Box-office, from Eleven till Three, and at the OpTac l pl aces. B oxes, 3s ; Pit, 2s ; Gallery, Gd. Second eat Half-p as t Ei g ht. B oxes, 2s •, Pit, ls. No- Second 0 , t. ),C. 0ck; eto the Gallery. Doors to be Open at Flalf-past Six performance to commence at Seven precisely. Cato. WAR WITH CHINA. 'e are prevented presenting our readers, with the MAP of the .River Canton, with the S TANDARD to-day, corwe4uence. of being unable to procure some addi tional information which we were wishful to supply. In another column will be found a brief description of the Empire of China and its principal city, and on FRIDAY we shalt add- an account of the more in teresting portion of the country accompanied with the 'gar, which ought to have appeared TO-DAY. ebt - ZtherPool &tanbarb. TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 17, 1840. By the overland India mail, letters and papers have V een received from Bombay to the 31st of January. :the, news brought by this arrival, especially in refe rence to our relations with China, is of a very impor tant character. The question of peace or war, how evel', appears to be as unsettled as ever. Up to the (l ate of the last advices there had been no actual re newal of hostilities, either on the part of the British c)r. the Chinese. G overnor Li n, i n a proc l amat i on, ( !ated th e 2 6 t h o f N ovember, declares that unless Bri tish traderS consented, before the 6th of December, to ;_, I gn the same b on d as that signed by the master of the 4 "ms Coutts, the trade would finally be put an end ti ' o , even under neutr a l fl ags . P r i vate l etters s t a t e t h at 2 •Govertunent at Pekin had disappro ve d of the con -411 Il ef , :l)f Chief Commissioner Lin towards the British 91:intendent Capt a i n • Elli ot , an d t h e English mer . and that that Whets of the Celestial Empire had ( i -e l_to exercise the functi ons w hi c h h e was spec i a ll y t i e r : e giltAd to superintend at C an t on . The proclaina "tiriidlich we have alluded is said to have been e-44de ‘vithout,authority. It is described as a parting of malice against the English. Sh ou ld th ese -InesOntations prOve correct, it is probable that the ea es ent serio us dis pu t e w ith Chi na may yet be adju.st '4 Without having recourse to extremities; should an amicable arrangement appear consistent with the main tenance of our national honour. It is said that several English ships had been trading at Canton under Dutch colours. The Thomas Coutts had been permitted to discharge her cargo. Much business had been done through the medium of neutral ships. Matters are said to have been approaching a pacific end when Captain Elliot issued a specific order, forbidding the British shipping to enter the port. The Canton Press of Nov. 30 says that there was very little hope, indeed, of an amicable arrangement of the existing differences, and furnishes a translation of Governor Lin's proclamation as the ground upon which it rests its apprehensions. It then demands how the Chinese GoVernment could enforce the cessation of the trade as long as,the merchants of Canton are so deeply indebted to the English ? The debts owing by insol vent Hong merchants are said to amount to four and a half millions of dollars—the value of the opium sur rendered is said to be equal to ten millions—and the losses for demurrage, &c., may amount to a few mil lions more; so that the Chinese, before they can claim the very questionable right of exclusion, which they have attempted to put in force, must satisfy English demands for seventeen or eighteen millions of dollars, without reckoning the expense which they will be put to in enforcing payment. The Bengal Hurhara of Jan. 18 states that Captain Elliot had issued an order to the senior officer of her Majesty's ships to obstruct the further entrance of Bri tish shipping within the Bocca Tigris, if necessary, 'by force. This order is dated Nov. 20. The Canton Press of December 14 says that a great number of junks had been ordered from Fuhkeen to strengthen the Chinese naval force at the Bogue, and possibly to commit aggressions on the Tungkoo fleet. The shipping had not yet been molested, though some mandarins had destroyed the grog-shops erected by the Chinese on shore : mandarin boats had also chased the bumb-boats, without, however, capturing any, they taking shelter in the midst of the English fleet. The same joumal says that an alarm had been spread, on the previous Monday, that a number of Chinese troops had landed in different parts of the inner har bour from Tsinshan, and it was said that they came to drive off Captain Elliot and Smith, who had that morn ing landed there. The firm opposition of the authori ties of Macao had the desired effect, and the Chinese troops left the town again the same evening. Her Majesty's ships Volage, and Hyacinth remained quietly at anchor at Tungkoo. Advices from Canton represent the market for im ports as being in a languid state. Exchange on Lon don was quoted at 4s. lid. for bills 'under credit, and 4s. 10d., with local endorsements, though in barter 4s. 9d. was still given. Accounts brought by the Red Rover (to Bombay, we presume) state that the Emperor had deprived the High Commissioner Lin of two steps of official rank, as a mark of displeasure for not having sooner settled the difference with the English; and that a new High CommisSioner had been appointed to inquire into his proceedings. It is stated that cotton vas transhipped at Hongkong to Canton in American vessels, at the enormous freight of Vs dollars per bale. 'From this it is pretty evident that Brother Jonathan is likely to reap a rich harvest from the present dispute. A private letter, dated Tungkoo Bay, Dec. 14, says that " every circumstance combined to give credibility to the current report of the Chinese authorities being in the highest degree disquieted and perplexed, and that they would, no doubt, be too happy could they devise some mode of settlement that would merely save ap pearances. But matters had become so embroiled that an early accommodation was by no means probable." The Bombay Courier of Jan. 25 states that the dis pute between the British and Chinese governments had assumed a greater degree of interest in India, in con sequence of the Governor-General (Lord Auckland) having received from her Majesty's Ministers full pow ers to carry on war or negotiations with the Chinese, as the advantages of India may best require. The Courier also says that " articles had appeared in diffe rent journals on the mode of assailing China. Some opine that it would be useful to attack it first by land, by marching 100,000 from Hindoostan through Ca boul, and across the desert; towards that part of the Great Wall which is within 100 miles of Pekin; or, secondly, by land and sea simultaneously, by sending 50,000 men and a large fleet from Europe. Both those measures are impracticable, on account of the enormous expense to which they would give rise, We seek redress—not conquest." Instead. of these projects of invasion, the Courier suggests the blockade of the coast of China, and the seizure of some of the adjacent islands. At the same time, it strongly deprecates the idea of a " little war," which, however momentarily successful, might do incalculable mischief, by teaching the art of modern, warfare to the most populous nation on the face of the earth, and instructing them how to beat ourselves. In the present circumstances it is, therefore, our interest as well as our dtity to make a sudden, strong, and lasting impression. The Bombay Gazette of January 29 says that the " reports in Calcutta and elsqwhere about the in tentions of the Governor-General had been confirmed." It adds that Lord Auckland had determined that a large amount of shipping should be immediately taken up for the conveyance of troops to China, and that, in addition to the land forces about to be transported to the Celestial Empire, the co-operation of all the vessels of war in the Eastern seas should he given towards the reduction of the pride of the Chinese. These vessels were—the Volage, 28 guns—the Haycinth, 18 guns—the Cruiser, 18 guns—the Wellesley, 74 guns— the Conway, 28 guns—the Alligator, 28 guns—the Childers, 18 guns—the Larne, 18 guns—the Algerine, 10 guns—and the Druid, 44 guns, the last of which, commanded by Lord Churchill, was under orders to proceed to China direct. This is rather a respectable force, and one perfectly well qualified, it is said, with the addition of seven other vessels expected from England, to put a quietus to the annoying interference of the Chinese. The Bombay Gazette mentions the island of Sapata as about to be taken possession of by 'our troops. It is situated about 100 miles from the coast of Cochin China, and is admirably adapted for the purposes of a maritime depot, from which troops can be conveyed to any point upon which their services may be required. The command of the naval force, it is stated by the same paper, will devolve upon Capt. Sir J. J. Bremer Gordon, K.C.8., of her Majesty's ship Alligator. Three regiments were to leave Calcutta, two Queen's and one native ; but a larger force was to leave Madras. The Bombay Courier of Jan. 31 mentions among the rumours which were prevalent, respecting the pro ceedings of Lord Auckland, that his lordship was going in person to China. Another says that eight regiments were to be sent, as the 14,000 tons of shipping would allow—four from Bengal, two from Madras, and two from Bombay. The same journal remarks that the Governor- General had issued orders that no ships were to be cleared out for China. This measure was construed into a declaration of war. The Bombay Times states that the Chinese are making vigorous preparations for a contest. The last accounts from Macao say that the Governor of Macao, at the head of a number of troops, had inspected the forts, and ordered a double supply of ammunition to be sent to each. Numbers of Chinese troops had landed at Macao. The position and prospects of comm erc i a l a ff a i rs at Bombay are described as exceedingly unfavourable. It was quite impossible to effect any sales of English merchandise, unless at a ruinous sacrifice. The cause of this distresging state of affairs was th e ex i st i ng scarcity of money, owing partly to the di m i n i s h ed supplies of the precious metals from China, b u t principally to the withdrawal from circulation of the large sums which were lying unproductive in the Government treasury. The Bombay Courier of January 28 states that recent accounts from Caboul conveyed the information that her Majesty's 13th Regiment of light infantry was suffering greatly from ill health, owing to the men's own im prudence in the abuse of spirituous liquors. The rumours of the advance of the Russians on.Khiva were still rife at Cabal. Sir John Keane (now Lord Keane) had arrived at Lahore, at which place he only remained three days. The newly-conquered country was per fectly tranquil. It is larger in extent than France and Belgium together. • • Lord Keane was on his return; by the Indus river, to Bombay. The Bengal army was going back to that Presidency, and those regiments of the Bombay army, whicn could be spared from the newly acquired provinces, were on the return to Bombay. We have received a copy of the St. John's (N. B.) Chronicle of the 31st of January. It brings us a full report of the address of his Excellency the Governor on the opening of the legislature, which took place on the 28th of January. This document is of consider able length, and possesses a more than ordinary share of interest, on account of the protracted dispute con cerning the Maine boundary. After congratulating the legislature on their anxious desire and firm deter mination •to remain in indissoluble connexion with " that glorious country, their parent state," under the shadow of whose protecting power they felt themselves " in the enjoyment of a degree of rational liberty which has probably never been attained under any other than than British institutions," he proceeds to enumerate those questions which would be submitted to their consideration. He speaks most favourably of the ac. tual condition of the province, and states that "its trade, and, consequently, its revenues and financial affairs, are flourishing beyond any former period." The una voidable increase in the expenditure of the past year, owing to the proceedings of a neighbouring state, had happily been met by a corresponding increase in the revenue, and every demand upon the provincial trea sury, arising from the emergency, had been fully met by the surplus revenue of the year. The prod uc t o f the harvest had been extremely satisfactory, and left the agricultural interest without any groimd of com plaint. The Governor then proceeds to recommend the early attention of the legislature to the improvement of the great roads in the province —to the extension of the coast and harbour fisheries—to the construction of a canal to connect the Bay of Fundy with the Gulph of St. Lawrence—to the improvement of the prisons of the province —and to the encouragement of the agri cultural interest, upon, which, he says, " the ultimate prosperity of New Brunswick appears to depend, in a far higher degree than either upon its timber or its mi neral treasures, valuable and apparently exhaustless as are the latter." In connection with the subject of agriculture, he requests the attention of the legislature to a communication which had been addressed to him by the North American Colonial Association of Ire land " (and of London), who professed themselves desirous of acquiring land in the province, and of co operating with its legislature and its government in the introduction into it of a valuable class of settlers, under fixed and well considered regulations, and upon receiv- ing from the province such reasonable aid and encou ragement as it may be disposed to offer in promotion of this most important object. He states, that he " cannot too strongly recommend this proposition, and the subject of immigration generally, to the serious and favourable consideration of the legislature, feeling that by no other measure can the prosperity of the pro vince be more certainly and rapidly advanced, than by the judicious outlay of capital in the introduction of a respectable class of emigrants." The Governor then adverts to the training of five thousand of the frontier militia, as a preparation against any emergency that might eventually arise, and con cludes by expressing a hope that the boundary ques tion may be speedily, amicably, and finally adjusted. There is no other news of importance in the paper before us. Several fires had recently occurred at St. John's, and great complaints are made of the insuffi. ciency of the police. The Chronicle says, " Almos nightly we are informed of misdemeanours being com mitted in our streets against either persons or property, and yet no effectual check is applied to those disgrace ful proceedings." It is an undeniable fact that our West India Colo nies, which are among the most valuable appendages to the British crown, are rapidly declining in prospe rity,—that the staple exports from these colonies are decreasing annually in amount,—and that there is every prospect of ultimate ruin staring the planters in the face; and yet Lord John Riissell and his associates seem determined to withhold from the West Indies the only remedy which can be applied to the present state of things—the privilege of free immigration. It ap pears, from our parliamentary report, that there is no hope held out by Government that the immigration or dinances for British Guiana will be conceded. Under these circumstances we trust that some independent member of Parliament will shortly introduce the sub ject before the House of Counnons in the shape of a substantive motion. Surely, the salvation from utter ruin of our West India colonies is of far greater portance than the multitude of paltry and frivolous questions which have hitherto engaged the attention of the House since the commencement of the session. " Our attention has been directed" to some remarks which appeared in " a contemporary print" of Saturday, and which would " seem to convey an imputation" against the LIVERPOOL STANDARD, that we " acted unfairly" towards " the Worshipful the Mayor" in commenting upon the proceedings at• the Sessions house on Thursday last, when "the Conservative body assembled to record their dissatisfaction with the pro posed measure of Government respecting the Irish Municipal Corporations." Our contemporary accuses us of having (by implication at least) charged the Mayor with partiality. We did no such thing. We cordially respond to our contemporary's declaration " that his Worship's demeanour from the commence ment of the meeting to the close, was perfectly in dependent and impartial, and entirely free (the tautology is not our own) from any symptoms of partisanship." His Worship's conduct might merit this encomium, and still have us at liberty " to find fault with his decision." We presume that " the contemporary print" of Saturday last is not prepared to maintain that the Mayor is infallible, and therefore incapable of committing an error of judgment. A few Conservatives who were present at the meeting may believe the Mayor's decision " to have been just and proper;" but we feel assured that the great majority will agree with us in thinking otherwise. Our belief must not, however, be construed into a charge of partisanship against the Mayor. We believe that he acted fairly to the best of his judgment. We did not hold his Worship " responsible for the composition of the meeting," nor for " the introduction of parties to the meeting by the private entrance," as our contemporary would seem to insinuate. Still less do we hold his Worship responsible for the turbulent and scandalous proceedings of the rabble Irish who took posession of the further part of the room. To a gentleman of Mr. Walmsley's refined feelings such conduct as that which we animadverted upon on Friday must have been annoying in the extreme. He must have felt heartily ashamed. of his party. It must have been anything but a source of satisfaction to him to reflect that his promotion to the civic chair had been, in any degree, owing to the assistance of the ruffians in whose favour he was compelled to decide. Having thus exonerated ourselves from the very i r grave charge brought against us, we may well disregard the sneering remark that we " paid but a poor com pliment to the judgment and integrity of the gentlemen who moved, seconded, and supported the vote of thanks to the Mayor." We entertain for those gentlemen the highest possible respect. We believe them to be staunch and uncompromising enemies to Popish en croachments in every shape, and sterling friends to the glorious constitution of our country. Their conduct on Thursday showed them to be above the mean jealousies of party spirit. There is one more remark in the article which has drawn forth these observations which we cannot pass by in silence. The " contemporary print" of Satur day says-- . --" It is by such inconsiderate, unwise, and improper advocacy of the Conservative cause that the worst injuries have been inflicted upon the party who are most' anxious, earnest, and energetic in their en deavours to promote its success." As far as we can make any sense of this passage it " seems to convey" -an imputation that we indulged in language too strong for the occasion, while denouncing the atrocious pro ceedings of the Popish party in the .Sessions-house. Such an accusation is somewhat out of place in the columns of our contemporary, than whom few are greater proficients in the " vulgar tongue." May we be permitted to say that the namby-pamby, -compli mentary style in which our contemporary has alluded to the proceedings of Thursday has sadly disappointed .his admirers, who made up their mind to enjoy, on Saturday morning, a slashing article against the whole kit of Papists and Reformers who figured at both end of the Session-house? One gentleman, in putting the paper out of his hands, could not avoid exclaiming— " Humph ! this smells very strongly of the—mahogany table." We do not profess to understand the allusion, and we should not have said anything on the subject, if our contemporary had not commenced the attack, and provoked this rejoinder. •\ l Te have this day furnished a full and accurate re port of the proceedings at the meeting held at the Music-hall on Friday evening last, on the all-important subject of church extension. The several speeches will be read with great interest : they afford a full and con clusive answer to the frivolous and groundless objec tions of the Voluntary Church Association agitators. Each of the speakers on Friday last based the cause of church extension on the incontrovertible evidence of facts and statistical details; and from this rock that sacred cause cannot be removed by all the malignant rage, gross misrepresentations, and shallow sophistries of the triple band of Papists, Infidels, and political Dissenters. It was our intention to have offered some extended remarks on the topics discussed at the meeting of Fri day last, but we find that our limited space will not permit us to do so. The question of church extension, however, is one on which we shall frequently have to dilate prior to the introduction of Sir R. Inglis's mo tion. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. GREAT NORTH OF ENGLAND RAILWAY. HALF-YEARLY- GENERAL MEETING. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held at the company's offices at Darlington, on Tuesday the 3rd instant ; Thomas Meynell, jun., Esq., in the chair. There was a numerous attendance of proprietors. The report (which was read by Capt. O'Brien, the secre tary) congratulated the proprietors on the improving appear ance of the share Hit. The energetic resolutions passed at the last half-yearly general meeting, and at the special gene ral meeting, had been carried out with firmness and modera tion, and the directors were enabled to show as their result a' considerable diminution in the number of shares in arrear. They had allowed time to meet the calls on all occasions where it appeared that enforcing the whole payment at once would produce serious inconvenience; but against those who had set the company at defiance the necessary legal proceed ings to enforce payment were then being taken. the meantime they congratulated the company upon the exten sive demand for the shares, and their steady advance in price. • The report proceeded to state that the most material works between Darlington and York were nearly executed. Some delay on three of the contracts had occurred, owing to the inability of the contractors to complete their engagements; but these works were now being carried on under the super intendence of the engineer, and the lost time was expected to be to a considerable extent recovered. Under these circumstances, the directors were enabled to express their confidence that the line would be opened be tween Darlington and York—a distance of 45 miles—in the month of October next. Previously to this period the rail ways south of York would be in full operation, and there would then be an unbroken railway communication between London and York, the traffic of which would be ready at once to come upon this line to Darlington. The supply of coals from the "county of Durham to the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire was estimated at 200,000 tons per annum, and a large influx of passengers might also be ex pected at the point of junction with the Stockton and Dar lington Railway, upon which it was stated that 1400 passen gers per day had been carried in the month of August last. Bearing in mind the straightness of the line from Darling ton to York, its favourable gradients, and the moderate rate at which it would be worked, the directors could not refrain from congratulating the proprietors upon the approach of a period when its great advantages would be manifested. It had been the object of the directors to complete in the first instance the line between Darlington and York, but they still contemplated proceeding with the line northwards so soon as their finances would permit. The directors concluded by stating that the whole of their materials, and a sufficient number of passenger and tiler ehandize locomotive engines had been contracted for, and would be delivered previous to the time fixed for opening the From the general statement of the company's receipts and expenditure to 31st Dec. 1839, it appeared that the total re . £372,233 5 2 68,659 16 8 ceipts were Liabilities outstanding Total That the disbursements to the same period amounted to £433,900 12 2 Leaving a balance inland of 6,992 9 8 i 0,893 1 10 A discussion then ensued upon a motion introduced by Mr. France, a London shareholder, respecting the proceed ings adopted to compel payment of calls in arrear. It ap peared that Mr. France, along with others, had been induced to take shares in the undertaking, and to sign the parlia- Mentary,dceds of the company, but had sold his shares pre vious to the passing of the Act. When the scrip was re quired to be exchanged for the sealed certificates, a notice was issued by the law clerk of the company, requesting holders of scrip to send in their names for registration, in de fault of which they were informed that the original share holders would be registered as the proprietors of such shares In reply to this notice, a communication was made by Mr. France to the secretary, stating that he had sold his shares, and renouncing his title to them, in favour of any other per *son who might present the scrip for registration, to which communication no reply was made, and for two years, although several calls for money hat: been made, Mr. France never received circulars (according to the general practice of rail way companies) of such calls having been made, and con cluded that his shares had been duly registered in the name of some other party. He therefore moved a resolution, that himself and other individuals similarly situated should be absolved from liability, by their shares being forfeited, ac cording to the original views of the directors. It was urged by Mr. Oxley, one of the directors, in reply, that the directors had strictly followed the act of parliament and consulted the interests of the undertaking in the course they had pursued. He assured the meeting that call circulars had been issued to every shareholder. Mr. France, however, denied having received one. In addition this mode of intima ting to the shareholders their continued liability, Mr. Ox ley explained to the meeting that in January, 1838, a circular was issued to every shareholder, containing a list of all the shareholders, including those original holders whose shares, not having been legally transferred, were still held liable to the company. This circular, it was contended, must at any rate, have convinced Mr. France and his friends that their liability still remained, and yet no notice had at the time been taken of it. Immediately, however, that the directors found it necessary to press the original shareholders for calls, they were beset with letters from the Stock Exchange urging them to forego pressing their claims, and they, there fore, resorted to the alternative of forfeiting the shares, sub ject to the approbation of a general meeting of the proprietors. This declaration of forfeiture was not, however, confirmed, and the directors were compelled again to adopt compulsory means to enforce payment. An amendment was moved in favour of the course pur sued by the directors, and carried,—only two hands being held up against it. The retiring directors were then re-elected, and after voting hanks to the chairman, the meeting separated. MANCHESTER AND LEEDS RAILWAY.-HALF- YEARLY MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of the above company was held at the offices, Clowes's-buildings, Hunt's Bank, on Thurs day last at noon, and was numerously attended by the pro prietors. Henry Houldsworth, Esq., the chairman of the board, presided. The report, which was read by the deputy chairman, Wm. Entwistle, Esq., congratulated the proprietors upon the for ward state of the works. The majority of the contracts, notwithstanding the wetness of the season, were in a satis factory state, and will be completed before the close of the present year, and relying upon the engineers' report, the directors were enabled to announce that the expectations which they had formerly held out " of opening the entire line to the public in all 1840," is placed beyond all reasona ble doubt. The Summit tunnel was expected to be com pleted by the end of November. The expenditure during the half year, ended 31st Dec., had been £534 12s 6d, which had been met by money received on account of calls, by loans on mortgage of tolls, and by loans accepted by the directors in anticipation of calls, for the repayment of which a sufficient portion of the calls remaining to be (made, is specifically appropriated ; so that whatever may be the amount of loans so accepted on the directors' bonds, an equal amount will always remain uncalled for, upon the shares held by the proprietors, and only be eventually called up, when such bonds shall become due. These loans are accepted for periods of two to five years, to the amount of £195,000 ; and should the proprietors concur in the views of the directors, they will continue to receive money on similar terms, the effect of which will be to disperse future calls over a lengthened period, leaving however to the proprietors the option of paying such calls in advance, and receiving interest at 5 per cent. By pursuing the course which they have adopted, the di rectors have been enabled to fulfil the ;expectations held out in their last report of " not making any calls before the month of February or March." They consider it right, hoivever, to announce to make, before the opening of the entire line, three further calls of £5 each, upon both the old and new shares, the amount of which, together with the loans which they expect to receive during the present year, " they fully believe will enable them to complete the present contracts, and to provide a sufficient stock of engines, car riages, and waggons, for working the whole line." This appears to them an object of great importance, considering the extent of business which will at once come upon the line on its being opened, as at that period the North Midland, York and North Midland, Hull and Selby, and Great North of England Railways, will be in full working; and a conti nuous railway communication will thus be formed between Manchester and the port of Hull on the eastward, and northward to the town of Darlington. The partial opening to Littleborough had always been viewed by the directors as a valuable means of having an effi cient establishment for conducting the business of the com pany, but they had not looked for any material profit to be derived from it. It is gratifying, however, to them to an nounce, that the receipts up to the 3lst December exceeded the cost of working that portion by the sum of £9,239 7s. Bd., and that looking to the gross receipts, or to the cost of work ing, which is under 50 per cent, the results may be advan tageously compared with the experience of other companies under aimilar circumstances. The conveyance of goods upon the line was only commenced upon the second of this month, and it is the intention of the company to throw that branch of their traffic open•to public competition, and not them selves to undertake the duties of general carriers. The directors have satisfaction in repeating their convic tion, that the total cost of the main line, including stations, engines, carriages, waggons, &c., will not exceed the esti mates furnished at the last half-yearly meeting, and at the same time assuring the proprietors, that strict attention to economy, so far as is consistent with solidity of construction, would characterize their future proceedings. The directors regret that a misunderstandinghas arisen be tween themselves and the Liverpool and Manchester Com pany, which has impeded the progress of the junction line to be formed by the two companies, and for which a joint act of parliament has been already obtained. The latter company (it appeared from minutes of their board which were read to the meeting) are dissatisfied with the estimates of traffic fur nished them by the Manchester and Leeds Company, and are now disposed to retract from their share in forming this communication, preferring to make a junction, which shall include the • Manchester and Birmingham, and Manchester and Sheffield Lines, upon the southern side of Manchester. Acting upon the faith of their original understanding with the Liverpool Company, the directors had proceeded to pur chase a considerable portion of the land required for the con templated junction at Hant's Bank. The advantages of this line have lately been increased by a resolution of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company to make the latter river na vigable to Hant's Bank, and the directors do not, under these circumstances, feel disposed to allow their present powers to expire unex ercised, but will endeavour to lay before the pro prietors at a general meeting such reasons as will justify them in pursuing their present scheme, even independently of the Liverpool Company, should they conclude to abandon the junction altogether. The directors announce the formation of a benevolent society for the relief of their sick or disabled servants, and recommend the contribution of a small sum by the company to form a guarantee fund. They have to regret the resigna tion of three of their board, viz., their late chairman, James Wood, Esq., James - Heald and John Burton, Esqrs., arising from the views held by them on the question of Sunday travelling. The places of these gentlemen had been filled by Mr. Entwistle, the present deputy chairman, John Har greaves, Esq., and James Hatton, Esq. We regret that we cannot give even an outline of the engineers's report. We may, however, refer to it in our next, as well as to a very valuable table of the traffic which has been furnished with the report. From the statement of receipts and expenditure it ap peared that the total receipts for the half year were £577,082 Bs. 6d. ; and the disbursements (including £21,537 ls. sd. paid for land and building for the junction line) £534,134 12s. 6d. ; leaving a balance unexpended on the 31st December last of £42,947 16s. By the revenue account from the opening of the line, July 4 to December 31, 1839, it appeared that the total receipts of the six months, from passengers, parcels, &c., were £17,908 Ils. ld. ; and that the disbursements were £8,669 3s. sd. ; leaving a ba lance in hand on the 31st December last of £9,239 7s. Bd. The meeting was addressed by the chairman in a long and able speech explaining the views of the directors on the merits of the proposed junction line, and after re-electing the retiring directors and passing the necessary resolution, separated. WEEKLY RETURNS OF RA' (Prom the Railway 111 I LWAY TRAFFIC. ragazinej NAME. Passen- 1 Cash. P.mile P.mile Passeng. gers. pr.wk.'p. day. per day. --; L. L. £. Birmingham 11016 98 14 South Western.... 2263 39 51 Great Western .... 2404 78-1 114 Grand Junction .. 6829 70.} 10 Newcastle &Carlisle 1 1625 27 4 Greenwich 26224 913 2394 ) 34 3746 Manchester &Leeds 11304 685 501 73; 1615 Croydon.. York &N. Midland 1498 317 22 3 214 Midland Counties.. 3259 303 19+ 3 466 Glasgow & Ayr.... 1498+ 56 54 1 220 Eastern Counties.. 4732 ' 676 • SHIP LAUNCH.-011 Thursday next, the 19th inst., at eleven o'clock, will be launched from the yard of Messrs. Humble and Milcrest, in Trentham-street, west side of Salthouse-dock, a splendid ship of 600 - ions burthen, to be called the " Martha Ridgway." She belongs to John Ridgway, Esq., of this town, a nd i s i n t en d e d f or the East India trade. She has been built under the inspection of Captain Finlay Cooke, and for beauty of model and work manship cannot be surpassed. We would recommend an early visit to her by those who wish to see a handsome ship. AccIDENT.—On Friday morning, at a quarter before four o'clock, a seaman named William Hall, of the ship Scotland, lying in the Prince's-dock, who was in liquor, accidently fell from the stage into the water, while crossing to his vessel. Police-officer No. 499 (Shahan) heard the plunge, and, after giving the alarm, ran to the spot with the grapnel and rope. On the grapnel being thrown to the man he seized it and was supported on the surface of the water until custom-house officer griffin was lowered with a rope. Griffin succeeded in bringing the seaman almost to the margin of the quay, but being unable to retain his hold, was obliged to let go. After again falling into the water, the man seized the rope attached to the grapnel, and was ultimately hauled upon the quay, and conveyed to the British Queen receiving -house, and a hot bath applied. He is now quite out of danger, PASTORAL AID SOCIETY.—A monthly meeting of the committee of the Church Pastoral Aid Society was held on the sth of March, when 12 additional grants were voted. The society now aids 260 incumbents, having an aggregate popu lation of 1,943,753 souls, or each on an average 7475 souls, while the average amount of their incomes is only £164. 126 of these incumbents are without parsonage houses. The grants are to provide stipends for 274 clergymen and 36 lay assistants, at a charge to the society, when all the appoint ments shall be made by the incumbents, of £24,244 per annum. 179 clerymen and 31 lay assistants are now at their important labours, supported by the society of a charge of £15,639 per annum. THE ASSlZES. — Although Mr. Justice Erskine sat in the Crown Court at York from eight o'clock in the morning till a late hour at night, on four of the seven days that the as sizes have been held, and although he had been assisted on one day by Mr. Starkie, Q. C.; up to yesterday only 44 pri soners had been disposed of out of 123 in the calendar and 32 out on bail. It is, therefore, morally certain that the business cannot be got through before Thursday next, the Commission day at Lancaster; and there is, in consequence, some expectation that the Lancaster Assizes will be post poned till after those at Liverpool, but nothing certain was known at York last night.—Leeds Intelligencer. - -- - GARNETT V. SOWLER.—Mr. Garnett, of the Manchester Guardian, has applied to one of the judges, but whether successfully has not transpired, to remove the venue in this case from Liverpool to Lancaster, on the ground that, in the opinion of the plaintiff, the public mind in this district is too much prejudiced to have the case decided with impartiality. PROPOSED NEW MARKET.—We find that an address to the Common Council, relative to the building of a market on the site of the old Custom-house. instead of altering the present market in Cleveland-square, is in course o f s i gna t ure , and has been ve r y numerous ly signed by the most respectable part of the inhabitants of that neighbourhood. LIVERPOOL WATCH RATE BILL.—BREVIATE OF THE BILL.—The object of this bill is to enable the municipal cor poration of Liverpool to make good the deficiency of the pre sent watch rate out of the borough fund. The watch rate which, under the municipal corporation act (6 Will. IV., C. 76, sec. 2) the town council are empowered to levy, is stated in the preamble to be greatly insufficient to defray the expenses of the maintenance and establishment of the day and night police of the borough ; and the borough fund, after the demands'upon it, is stated to be fully sufficient to make good the deficiency. The 'bill accordingly empowers the council, if they in their discretion think fit, but not other wise, to apply any part of the surplus of the borough fund, after answering the purposes to which it is made liable by the municipal corporation act, in payment of such part of the expense of maintaining a day and night police as the the watch rate authorized by the municipal act may be sufficient to satisfy. And it authorises the council to abstain, so long as they.think fit, from levying a rate under the powers of the act of last session, for more equally assessing watch rates (2 and 3 Vict., c. 28.) THE BLUE COAT HOSPITAL.—From the annual report of the Blue Coat Hospital we learn, that the in come o f t h e year has been sufficient to meet he expenditure, notwith standing that the expenses exceed any former year, owing to the high price of provisions and the extra repairs required in consequence of the injury the building sustained from the storm in the early part of last year. There are 350 children in the schools, boarded and educated at an expense of from £lO to £lB per child. We cannot sufficiently extol the management of this institution, nor estimate too highly the benefits it confers upon the objects of its care : and we sin cerely trust, its friends will not relax in their efforts to per petuate its efficiency. For one hundred and thirty-two years it has, silently and unostentatiously, been diffusing the blessings of a sound religious and moral education to a class of children, chiefly orphans, but all especially objects of public bounty ; and its fruits are before the public in in numerable instances of individuals becoming eminent in the various walks of society. The charity appeals with resist less force to the feelings of every father of a family : for in a community where the fluctuations of trade and commerce change the position of the people so frequently, and some times so unexpectedly, who can tell how soon his helpless and innocent offspring may not be grateful for protection in this asylum of religion and virtue? INSOLVENT COURT AT LANCASTER.—This court was opened at Lancaster on Tuesday last, before Thomas Barton Bowen, Esq., at which court 107 insolvents applied for their discharge, of which number 34 had received notice of oppo sition, and six discharged from plaintili;3 prior to their hear ing.r Co unse l present—Messrs. Venables; Bateman, has Alo land, Jam es , M on k , and Sturgeon. Nothing particular occurred, and th e cour t i s likel y to term i na t e , it a not a tia turday ev en i ng , certa i n l y i n goo d t i me on M d ay. The following are th e mos t i n t erest i ng particulars a which have o been disclosed during the sitting :—ln the case of James Gent, the le arne d comm i ss i on er censured in the cond uc t o f an a tt orne y residing,a discharge (who is a i n severe e who r te r h i a n d s forwarded to the gaoler this insolventa very short time previous very poor man with a large family) before the court. He concluded to the man being exceedingly harsh and . his observations h b y ro s u g a g li n t l a a r t a is c i e n i g ul. the Th w e 'h c o a le se t o r f anl o a h et n io l n ‘.sh as . Ash worth, household furniture a few months who was a publican Manchester, and had disposed of his stock-in-trade and d. before his arrest, for remanded sum ex f ee o rm sixteen calendar £300; e wa d s a r heard n months, o - Thursday, and was having expended the whole of this large sum in gambling _and horse-racing.----Preston Pilot. ..... "08082800. 000000 ggg 2 g°°"PPPPPB: Pppppp . . . THE LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY GRAND PLOUGHING MATCH, NEAR AINTREE, Yesterday, the ploughing match, which, owing to the frost, had been postponed from the 27th of last month, " came off" at the appointed ground, and gave great satisfaction to the numerous parties who witnessed the exhibition of strength and skill—that, of all others, the most blameless, the most praiseworthy —of man and horse in the expert turning of the soil, to render it fit for the reception of the seed, the produce of which is " the staff of life.' Although the ploughing match has been long postponed, the interest excited continued to increase towards the finally appointed day, and the result proied that the community at large, and those engaged in agriculture in particular, are awake to the tact th at w h atever the legislature may hitherto have done, or whatever they may contemplate, as regards the trade in corn, the country, high as prices are, has every thing to hope for from an improved system of cultivation, and were the objects of the Liverpool Agricultural Society fully carried out, we need be in no dread of the want of an ade quate supply of food for our population, without throwing ourselves upon the costly bounty of other countries, in sea sons of a short return. The ground fixed upon was in an extensive field, belonging to the Earl of Sefton, and on the " Stand Park" Farm, oc cupied by Mr. John Garner. The field is on a low ground, about three-fourths of a mile westward from the Sefton Arms (at the entrance to the race-course). At an early hour many individuals interested in agricultural pursuits gathered to the spot, and the agricultural labourers were also nume rous. Towards noon, the lane leading from the inn to the ground became pretty thickly sprinkled with individuals hurrying to the scene of contest; and in a short time the precincts of the " course" presented a most animated ap pearance, each side of the quadrangle —and particularly the two sides forming the termini of the furrows to be ploughed —being crowded by a dense mass of spectators. It appeared at one time, during the height of the contest, that not fewer than 2,000 individuals were present. Constables were sta tioned on the ground, but so great was the anxiety to wit ness the contest, that some difficulty arose in preventing parties from trespassin g on th e l an d mar k ed out. Such ' , however, were the exertions of Mr. Connell, an active mem ber of the society, that no .serious inconvenience was sus tained, and all went off with the utmost harmony and good feeling. The day was line, though cloudy during the con test ;• and the ground, from the previous rain, was in prime order. Amongst the company present on the ground were lowing :—Earl of Sefton, Rigby, Esq., John Fi Esq., Richard Earle, Esq., Z. Sillar, M. D., W. E. Esq., C. D.- Lowndes, Esq., Augustine Woodward, John Pearson, Esq., John Aspinall, Esq., Wm. W Jun. Esq„ R. .Unsworth, Esq., Adam Ashton, Es Lynn, Esq., George Harriott, Esq., and Wm. Skirvirn —The following is the entry of the " Running Ploug, the fol• 'ormby, Hall, , Esq., Tebster, sq., W. ,7„ Esq. t\D teD CO ND N.' 00 . 4 .--ic...“?--ocoi—cAc-,s.ez C.O t`J ET ▪ c-o-vc.-4 , -.r. , !•r1,4• 0 • ".I..ci ' my '•0 w•••'''' 0. 4 ,1= . 5.5 • .S•< p t Z .7. 4 .• 3 O. E 0 g.•' cn.d ri) uv 0 1 , • P..n. • Zn ;- 7E14 : 5 0 c c rA-22r 8 : : " • • ° z 0 F s „, az a 0 • c-t. CD , , e ;.4 -•• —. "4 o '67, 4 rz C 6 5•; , ,E• e l 0 K4 S 7 tr..- 10 cc , 03 Ki.o P.:::1?-. •• • Ei •• • •-< • • •5 . ;7. • t.•• • • , •4 • ... 7;• ........ • • • . • 77' . Sla rivr. c-0-3 " p.t o_ o 0 0 . A; 0 =;.' ,PD ,s g g g EV ff, 451 --?) .•? , :. 1 .) 5 re , 4 F. c l ;I g c ","" ;•-• g r, 0.9 o z :2•rii, • !,2 4 = • a s'LB <-,P , • tr z • P••• • a , ( 9, : . ; . 3 . . tcf) ,77 . ,4 .cf?cf ) .wwmt,Citicn t=tVwCt:: 0 El 50 z 0o o 0 0 0 cia cm, 07; 7"7 CA CR CR 0 G OOGG z ?°-- co co co co co a, co co cr . P ... P ..... co t t ir Fr 5 z z 4 toHii Pci n. • n "°. ,t- .tvtvtv tv tv c. 4 c 4 t.. tv tv ~.p.. .:, c. 4 tv cA cz cv tv :.., . - - - 7 . ,t" ''c 8 = I • 4 20 0 ...... S' ••••-o . cs , A C'D .4-. P.. c:::. C, CAD CP 14. 1,, ' 6 0..1 I—a NJ. 0 . 4 I Cr.Cn 4.•0 0, '4.4 --• Ca 0.2 0 0 •—. O N 0 cz The start took. place at about half-past nine o'clock. The ground, (parLef a large field ,that had been in grass,) was nearly level, and the soil was oue of the best, considering its condition, which could passihly have been chosen. It was of a light, peaty nature, and so compacted by the recent moisture that it was easily cut up, by a well driven plough, and showed the work done to advantage. The scene during. the heat of the trial, and indeed until its cl ose , was exceed ingly animated, and never was a poor field so tortured and cut up by sinwltaneous teams,—albeit the peculiar neatness and precision of the cutting instruments atoned for the cruelty. The almost green sward was immediately resolved into the black loam, but in such beautiful, straight, and uni form ridges, that the transition conveyed a pleasing impression of improvement. The plots ploughed reminded us of the upturning of a long-neglected garden again formed into onion beds. The arrival of company during the day brought an acces sion of venders of all sorts of " field" commodities, in the shape of gingerbread, ginge-beer, Ormskirk gingerbread, oranges, segars, &c. Covered carts and other conveyances were also on the ground, the huts of which supplied the thirsty lieges with draughts of " the nut-brown ale." After the ploughing, some difficulty arose in clearing the field of the collected multitude, so as to admit the judges to view the ploughed land without interruption. Mr. Cannell, by strenuous and polite exertions, at length succeeded in ob taining a clear field, and the assembled hundreds held their way towards the hotel. The greatest pains and anxiety ap peared to be taken by the judges, in investigating the respec tive claims of the candid a t es , andi many of the company as sembled at the inn had, their homes being distant, dined be fore their return. The dinner, provided by Mr. Forshaw, of the Sefton Arms Hotel, was all that could be wished—consisting ap propriately of the best animal and vegetable productions of our own soil—than which none are more savoury or nu tricious. • JoRN FORMBY, Esq. ably occupied the chair. On the removal Hof the cloth, after about seventy gentlemen had partaken of the substantials, the Chairman proposed suc cessively " The Queen and her Royal Consort Prince Albert"—" The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal Family"—and " The Army and Navy," all of which were heartily received. During the intervals between the toasts, the Chairman called for the several successful ploughmen of the day, and distributed to each his respective prize. The fine manly ap pearance and homely remarks of these sturdy English yeomen, excited great interest amongst the company. The Prizes were awarded as follows :- Ist, No. 12, Earl of Derby 2d, 17, Mr. J. Garner 3d, 19, C. Scarisbrick, Esq. 4th, 16, William Webster, jun., Esq. sth, 3, Mrs. Tyrer. For the names of the ploughmen, &c,, see the foregoing table. The next toast was " The Earl of Derby," which was re ceived with great applause. The CHAIRMAN remarked, that his lordship's health had so much improved, that he contemplated a journey to Lon don. Drunk with three times three. Lord Stanley's health was next drunk with equal honours. The CHAIRMAN passed a high culogium on his lordship's character, as a man and as a peculiar friend of the society. both pecuniary and otherwise. They could not, indeed, do without him. (Great applause.) The health of the Earl of Sefton (on whose ground the match took place) was then drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. Hall responded to the toast,—rema r ki ng , i n e l oquent terms, on his lordship's devotion to the interests of agricul ture, and his good wishes to the Liverpool Agricultural So ciety. The principle pursued by that nobleman was and ever would be, " live and let live." (Ch eers. ) , Amongst the subsequent toasts were " The Liverpool Agricultural Society, and prosperity to it,"—ably responded to by Mr. Ashcroft ; and " The Three Judges,"l—responded to by Mr. Baxter, who proposed " God speed the plough." (Great cheering.) "The successful competitors" was most ably responded to by Mr. Garner. The health of Mr. Led ger, the active and intelligent Secretary of the Society, was drunk with great applause. Mr. L. returned thanks in a very eloquent and feeling manner. Dr. Siller, of Rainford, ably replied on his health being given. " The Mayor and Corporation of Liverpool were not forgotten ; the company separated highly pleased with the proceedings of the day. In conclusion, the ploughing, with one or two exceptions, showed a decided improvement upon what has been exhibited in former years in this county. The ploughs, with the ex ception of two, were all iron, or Scotch ploughs; and the system of our northern neighbours was proved to be supe rior. The result cannot fail to be highly and nationally beneficial, and every one who witnessed the contest would exclaim with us, " Success to the Liverpool Agricultural Association." MODEL OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.—This extra ordinary and beautiful work of art is now on view at the Ly ere= Lecture Room, Bold-street. it gives a faithful repre sentation of the exact position occupied by every regiment on the field of Waterloo, on the memorable 18th of June, when Wellington consummated his brilliant career of victories by the overthrow of Napoleon. The face of the country, with all the objects, buildings, trees, roads, together with the troops, horse and foot, artillery, &c. are faithfully represent ed. The whole is seen to great advantage by the aid of the Catoptric Light. We understand that this model is on sale. —See Adz t. THEFT BY A SERVANT. — Yesterday John Irving and Henry Brown were placed at the bar of the Police court, under the following circumstances Inspector Poole stated, that about seven o'clock on Saturday evening h e was sent for to the house of Dr. Marshall, in Duke-street, in conse quence of some silver table-spoons having been stolen. He found that Brown had been engaged as errand_boy there, but had left the service suddenly on Wednesday nd that on Thursday two spoons were miss e d. H e went to house of the prisoner's sister in Cropper-street, and there found him. On charging him with the felony, his sister said to him, " I know you are guilty, because you were out l a te e n Thursday night." The prisoner then confessed he h a d t a ke n them, and sold them a t a shop in Paradise-street, kept by a parson named M‘ Greg, for 18s. Inspector Poole went there, and, with some trouble, obtained an entrance, when he found the two spoo ns. It appeared that the other prisoner had bought them f rom B rown, but had made' no entry of the transaction. On Sunday Dr. Marshall sent for Poole again, and stated that a silver tea-spoon and a book had been missed. He went again to M`Greg's shop, and found the spoon in the window; M`Greg refused to tell what he had given for it, but said he should smart for what he had done on Saturday night.—Mr. Yates, who appeared for Irving, said he was a very illiterate man—that when he bought the spoon he had asked the lad whether he had come by it ho nestly, and looked over a file to see if they had any informa tion of such property having been stolen. He called a wit ness, Who made a statement to this effect.—After some re marks from Mr. Rushton relative to M`Greg's part in the transaction, Irving was discharged, and Brown committed for trial at the next sessions. LANCASTER AND LIVERPOOL ASSIZES. Notice is hereby given, that in consequence of the press of business at York, the judges will not open the commissions for holding the assizes at Lancaster until Friday, the 20th day of March instant, (instead of Thursday, the 19th,) nor at Liverpool until Wednesday, the 25th day of March instant, (instead of Tuesday, the 24th,) and all persons concerned are to regulate their attendance accordingly. And, Notice is also hereby given, to the prosecutors and defendants in all indictments for misdemeanour, found at the last Liverpool Assizes, and now remaining for trial, and to their respective attorn eys an d witnesses. that no proceed ings will be had upon any such indictments until Saturday, the 28th day of March instant, when the defendants will be severally called upon to plead, at the sitting of the court. A subsequent day will be appointed for their respective trials, and in the meantime the attendance of witnesses on either side will not be required. It. W. HOPKINS, Clerk of the Crown for the County Palatine 'of Lancaster. The jury process will be issued on the days mentioned in the Prothonatry's Circular of the 20th of February last. Preston, Marehl3th, 1840. NOURISHMENT FOR INVALIDS AND OTHERS requiring sustenance where the tone of •the digestive organs will not admit of ordinary meals, has long arrested the attention of E. and T. Taylor, who have succeeded in introducing a com bination of the choicest viands into the form of Concentrated Meat Lozenges, the delicate and nutritious qualities of which will invigorate the biliary functions, and restore the alimen tary canals to their natural vigour, whether the disorganiza tion proceeds from indigestion or other distressing causes. They are extremely portable, and may be had recourse to with perfect success whenever the system requires sustenance, and will eventually renovate the appetite to its original healthy state, by merely dissolving them in the mouth as occasion prompts. The price is only ls. and 2s. per box, but none are genuine without the name of E. and T. Taylor, 17, 'Lower Holborn, London, on the label.—See adrt. MR. SHERIFF • EVANS.—We are informed that this gen tleman who has so long been kept in confinement by a "tyrant majority " of the House of Commons, for doing what he was bound on oath to perform, is expected in-Liverpool to-mor row. WO uld it not be advisable to take advantage of this gentleman's brief sojourn amongst us, for the purpose of pre smiting him with an address expressive of public sympathy with him under his cruel incaceration ? The stay of the honorable gentleman will necessarily be very limited, and no time should therefore he lost. TESTIMONIAL. OF RESPECT. Yesterday week several friends of Mr. Daniel Stubbs, the able and talented leader of the orchestra at the Liver Theatre, sat down to an excellent dinner at the Brunswick Hotel. In the course of the even ing, there was presented to Mr. Stubbs a very handsome sil ver snuff box, bearing the following inscription :—" Presented to Mr. Daniel Stubbs, by the members of the Liver Theatre orchestra, as a token of respect for his talent and urbanity of manner as their leader.—Liverpool, March, 1840." LAuNcn.—On Thursday next will be launched, from the building yard of Messrs. P. Chaloner, Sons, and Co., Baffin street, a fine new vessel, for John Cropper, Esq., intended for the St. Vincent trade. FATAL ACCIDENT.—About five o'clock, on Friday after noon, a girl, about eight years of age, named Sarah Griffiths, daughter of William Griffiths, No. 40, Pellew-street, met her death in consequence of being run over by a car, in Ranelagn street. It appears that the car•, No. 85, the property of John Lyon, Fraser -street, had been standing, without a driver, in Great Orford -street ; the horse took fright and galloped. down Brownlow-hill into Ranelagh-street, where the acci dent occurred. At the bottom of Ranelaghstreet the car came in contact with some building materials, and upset, and the horse secured. Dr. Bradshaw was sent for, and was of opinion that the life of the girl was in jeopardy. She was removed to Mr. Lloyd's public-house, Renshaw-street, and died soon afterwards. CASE OF DISTRESS.-It will be recollected, that in January last, the house, No. 20, Peter-street, in this - town, was destroyed by fire. So rapid was the conflagration, that an old man, who lodged in the house, lost his life, and was literally burnt to a cinder. The person who occupied the house was a poor widow of the name of Elizabeth Leigh ; her third son had a narrow escape of rds life, he was, how ever, so severely injured, that he had to be removed to the Infirmary. It appears that she has been a widow many years, had resided in the house about 19 . years, and had maintained herself by letttng her rooms to lodgers; by this Visitation she has not only lost a home, but has been de prived of the mea n s o f ma i nta i n i ng herself, by the entire loss of her furniture. A few persons, to afford her the m eans of support, have commenced a subscription. Amongst the subscribers are the following gentlemen :—J. ViTalmsley, Esq., Mayor; Mr. Whitty, the superintendent of the po lice ; Mr. Knapper ; and Mr. \Valthew, one of the overseers of the parish.—From a Correpondent.—LContributions on on behalf of this unfortunate widow will be received at the Standard office.] THEATRE ROYAL.--- , -The season at the Theatre Royal com mences on Monday next, and we have no doubt that in the general merits of the company, in the pieces to be produced, and in the leading talent to be engaged, the high character of the management will be preserved. The announcement of the opening has in it nothing of the spirit - of puffery, but it reveals something that will interest the lovers of the drama, and the admirers of dramatic literature, in the engagement of Miss Ellen Tree, and the production of Sheridan Knowles's delightful play of Love. More than this need not be said. Amongst the company we still find Mr. Stuart, Mr. Baker, Mr. Gray, Mr. W. Howard, Mr. Chaplin, and Mr. W. H. Bland ; and it gives us satisfaction to find that Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Tellet, Mrs. W. H. Bland, and Miss Cleaver, are also there to give their valuable aid. LIVER DMA rnE.—The engagement of Messrs. Coney and Blanchard and their dogs is approaching to an end, so that those who are fond of such exhibitions should lose no time. Last evening the interlude of The Bold Dragoon was per 'formed, in which the acting of Mrs. Raymond, Mr. Ray mond, and Mr. Tilbery, excited roars of laughter. We beg to direct attention to the advertisement. THE CORN LAws.—We understand that petitions to both Houses of Parliament, for a moderate reduction in the duty on foreign corn, adhering to the principle of the present corn laws, are lying for immediate signature at the Lower Ex change, Lycmum, and Tradesmen's News Rooms. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—OD the afternoon of Thursday last a servant girl, in the family of a druggist in Scotland road, went into her master's shop, and drank a quantity of laudanum, with the intent of destroying herself. She was immediately taken to the Northern Hospital, where the usual means were employed with success. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Thursday afternoon last, about four o'clock, as Mr. Edward V aug h an, a c l erk in the service of Mr. Fletcher, merchant, of Dale-street, was passing along Rumford-place, he was observed suddenly to stagger, and place his hand against the wall for 'support. His arms and legs then seemed to fail - him, and he fell on his side. He was taken up, placed in a cab, and, at his own request, car ried to the house of Mrs. Wright, in Temple-court, where he was in the habit of dining. A Burgeon was sent for, but the messenger had not been gone many minutes when Mr. Vaughan died. A post mortem examination was made by Mr. Cripps, who found that the deceased had died from ossi fication of the valves of the heart, which must have been going on some years. The deceased was forty-one years of age, and has left a widow and five children utterly destitute. We hear that a subscription has been commenced for their relief. STEALING A FIRKIN OF BUTTER.—A labouring man, named William Cardwell, was charged at the police-court yesterday with having stolen a firkin of butter, the property of Mr. Tyrer. It appeared that on Friday afternoon some men were loading a boat 011 the Leeds' and Liverpool canal with butter firkins for Mr. Tyrer, and that the prisoner as sisted although he had not been engaged to do so. The boat having been loaded, Jas. Allerton, one of the men, in going home by the canal side saw the prisoner carrying a firkin of butter away, and he gave information to - a clerk of the canal company, who caused the butter to be detained, and even tually the prisoner to be apprehended in Worfield-street. The prisoner's answer to the charge of theft was, that he had been engaged by a man whom he did not know, to carry the firkins into Vauxhall-road. He was committed to the ses sions. AN IMPOSTOR DETECTED.—Yesterday Mr. T. B. Horsfall appeared at the Police Court, before Mr. Rushton, the sitting magistrate, against an able-bodied man who called himself James Wilson. Mr. Horsfall stated, that on Satur day the prisoner called at his office, in the character of a shipwrecked sailor, and requested pecuniary relief. His story was that he had sailed from London for America in the Susannah on the 14th January last, that the vessel was lost on the 17th, but that he had been picked up by the Alfred, from Hull, and carried into that port on the 16th. of February. On enquiry, however, at the Underwriters' Rooms, it was ascertained that there was not a particle of truth in this nar rative, and the prisoner was consequently given into charge as an impostor.—The prisoner, being called upon by Mr. Rushton, said Mr. Horsfall had, misunderstood him. The Susannah was wrecked on the 17th of January, 1839, and he was a passenger, and not a sailor in her, but Mr. Horsfall had given him no ti me t o ma k e hi s statement. He had gone to Mr. Horsfall's, not to beg, but to apply for employment, but was told to sit down, when he was seized by a police officer.—Mr. Rushton, wishing to be satisfied whether a ves sel called the Susannah had been wrecked in January, 1339, directed Mr. Court, the Secretary to the Underwriters' As sociation, to be sent for. On Mr. Court's arrival. he said that information of all disasters at sea, in all parts of the world, was received at the Underwriter's Room's, and regu larly entered in books kept for the purpose; and that, on referring to the books, he found no entry of a vessel called the Susannah having been lost ,in January, 1839, from London to America. -- The prisoner : 1 did not say she was lost, but only that the vessel was severely in jured.—Mr. Rushton : From that contradiction of your former statement, I have not the slightest doubt that you are an impostor, going about the country gathering contribu tions from humane people under false pretences. I shall commit you for one month.—The prisoner was then removed. At a meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce held on Thursday last, it was resolved with only two dissen tients, that the chamber do petition for a total repeal of the corn laws. Damascus.—After a laborious ascent of the steep moun tains, the plains of Damascus suddenly opened upon our view, and we paused in astonishment to gaze on the beaute ous sight. It was like a garden of Paradise, filled with plenty and luxuriance, whilst the city itself, surrounded with more than two hundred villages, appeared to be imbedded in orchards, and watered by several branches of the great river. The richness of the culture, the beauty of the foliage, the proud city rearing her minarets conspicuous in the plain, and the villages peeping out of their verdant lurking-places, exhi bit a tout ensemble which is rarely equalled on this terrestrial ball.—lllacbrair's 111i5sionary Travels. THE LAKE OF NICARAGUA.—JUNCTION OF THE ATLAN TIC WITH THE PACIFIC.—The lake of Nicaragua is situated in the province of that name, at a distance of about 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, with which it communicates by the river St. Juan. The river is now considered the most advantageous and most practicable point for establishing a connection between the two oceans. It is believed to be na vigable for vessels of three or four feet draught from its port to the lake ; and for vessels of twice that depth, as far as the point where the falls commence, which are the great difficulty to be surmounted. The surface of the lake, according to a Spanish engineer who executed a survey in 1781, is 46 feet above the level of the Pacific ; its depth, about fifteen fathoms. The distance from that sea to the south-western extremity of the lake of Leon, which communicates, as before stated, with that of Nicaragua, is, by the report of the said engineer, fifteen geographical miles, and the intervening land is said to be sufficiently level to admit the opening of a canal that should unite those lakes with the Pacific. Should the grand work of uniting the waters of the two oceans he undertaken and accomplished, a revolution would be caused in the,com mercial world, attended with results in the highest degree beneficial to the inhabitants of both hemispheres. This part of the contin en t wou ld b ecome the great th or o ug hfare of na tions ; and Ce n t ra l A mer i ca would at once rise to an impor tance, both commercial and political, which otherwise she never can att a i n . Proposals for opening this c ommunication were made by a company o f E ng li s h merc h an t s i n 1534. The following vear similar proposals were made by some mer chants of the United Stat a e appear, that any specific was given neither t o caset subject does i t made by the Dutch, which position to the same effect was by the government of the country. Subsequently, a pro was admitted, and t s ienti ß on ut F% the King of the Netherlands was to be stockholder to the amount of one-half of the .capital that might be invested. But, from whatever cause, this plan also fell through, and matters remain in the same state as before. Montgomery's Narrative of a Journey to Guatemala. 1-i. , F E. 0 n tt cn t. 21 .3 CZ , -C '6" w = ac a " Ct 0 0 " =-21 ~r -- ; ?5 1$