Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-19 00:00:00

ANTI-INCOME TAX ASSOCIATION, The monthly meeting of the committee was held last evening, Mr. York in the chair. There were also present Mr. Inman, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Rigby, Mr. Lathbury, Mr. Paterson, solicitor, and Mr. Neilson. Mr. Lathbury, the honorary treasurer, reported that additional members had been enrolled since their last meeting, and he was proud to inform them that he had received intelligence from friends of his, that branch associations would have been formed both at Manchester and Birmingham, but it was considered unnecessary, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood pleged to the abolition of the income tax in 1860. Admitting this to be true, still h e wo uld much rather have w itnessed some spirited demonstration on their part. It would have materially assisted them in the struggle for the overthrow of this obnoxious tax, and would have given to the parent institution that support and tone to which it was so justly entitled. Although the opponents of the present Government were doing all they could do to persuade the public that _this vexatious impost would never be repealed, and that the present Chancellor of the Exchequer never intended it, he (Mr. Lathbury) differed with the detractors of that distinguished man, and reposed every confidence in the sound and anti-democratie administration of which the Earl of Derby was the talented leader. He would never doubt their keeping faith with the country on this impor tant question, until the future had revealed to them that that confidence was destroyed. it was the only true way by which they could form a just opinion, and the result ere very hug, flying on electrical wings, would be kn own throughout the farthest recesses of the British empire. Of course he might be mistaken in the exalted opinion which he enter tained of the present Chancellor of the Exchequer ; but at the present moment he could not help feeling that the descendant of the author of " Curiosities of Literature " could not be guilty of that faithlessness which had un fortunately marked the career of so many public men with - • and disgrace. The annually irritating annoyance ignominy of this obnoxious tax, with its marked injustice, had long been felt by the overworked and heavily-taxed people of England ; and he cherished the hope that it was reserved for the present Government to extinguish it for ever, and prove to their fellow countrymen that their integrity was, as it ever had been, unimpeachable. They could have no better proof of the Government's desire to exercise a wise economy in the distribution of those vast sums entrusted to their care than was to be found in the naval estimates which have been submitted to the country by the Right Hon. Sir J. Paking ton. It was to that arm of the service that England must direct all her mighty energies, and let them look to the very moderate sum asked for the ensuing year, £9,813,181, being only £961,860 in excess of the former year, and he would ask them whether they had a truly Conservative administra tion or otherwise ? The First Lord of the Admiralty bad wisely told them their true position, that the continental powers knew well the strength and bearing of the British navy, and that no better system could have been devised by the wit of man tobring our naval supremacy into contempt than was exhibited in the tardy manning of our fleets—some vessels of war lying 130 days, and others 110 days before they could receive their complement of men. Was there not a great moral in this sad picture ? He (Mr. Lathbury) thought there was, and a fearfully grove one to contemplate. But, he would ask, could it be wondered at on reflection ? Warriors, like themselves, were but men ; and when they read from a Parliamentary paper that in the year 1857, there were 1,087 men flogged in the royal navy, and the number of lashes inflicted 35,847, and in the five years ending 1857 there were 5,823 men and boys flogged in her Majesty's ships, on whom 187,779 lashes were inflicted, could they feel astonished at the deep-rooted disgust which the brave and hardy tar had naturally felt for a system so brutal ? Or was it to be wondered at that their ships could not be manned by those daring sons of Neptune ? Certainly not. Well, indeed, might it be remarked by a London journal—" That when such, facts fall under our notice, we are surprised, not that the fleet does not get men, but that the men do not desert in a Wdy, as they had done before. " Instead of treating these brave fellows like dogs—men on whom old England must depend in her hour of peril---let their ocean home be made much happier, let the degrading lash be abolished, their pay augmented, and all useless expenditure and extravagance at home be curtailed to meet the just re quirements of those on whom the country's safety so much depended---their world-renowned sailors and soldiers. Mr. Lathbury concluded by giving them the most heart-stirring and justly-merited compliment that he had ever heard paid to the British tar. It was from the touching pen of that classic historian, Sir Archibald Alison. It was, indeed, affectingly true, Sir Archibald says : " The world had never seen such a body of seamen as those of Eng land during the: revolutionary war. Dauntless to their enemies, yet submissive to their chiefs ; brave in action, yet cool in danger ; impetuous in assault, yet patient in defence ; capable of the utmost efforts of patriotic devotion, yet attentive to the most minute parts of naval discipline submissive to orders equally when facing the muzzles of an enemy's broadside, or .braving the storms of the northern ocean ; capable of enduring alike the vertical rays of the torrid zone or the frozen severity of an arctic winter ; cherishing amidst the irregularities of naval life the warmth of domestic affection ; and nursing amidst the solitude of the waves the ennobling sentiments of re ligions duly. By such virtues, not a transient, but an enduring fabric is formed. It is by such fortitude that a lasting impression on human affairs is produced." Mr. Neilson reported that since the last meeting he had been kindly furnished by our respected member, T. B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P., with copies of the evidence before the committee of the House of Commons in 1852 on the mode of assessing and collecting the property and income tax, and whether any other mode of levying the same, so as to render the tax more equitable, can be adopted. These blue books were now valuable as a source of reference, and as affording abundant evident of the hopeless ness of the task of ever placing the principle on an equitable basis, so as to affect equally all classes of the community. With regard to Mr. Kerr's case, as reported last month, their solicitors had promptly brought that question to a satisfactory conclusion, from which the pub lic would see the advantage the members enjoyed in having their rights protected against the present law system ; and in this 'instance it was well that the saddle was put on the right horse, so that the collectors would be more alive to their duty for the future. The apology is as follows : " Liverpool, Feb. 16, 1859.—Mr. Kerr,—Sir, in respect of the distress made by me upon yonr house in Upper Stanhope street for income tax, I beg, as a condition on settling the matter between us, to state that I am sorry that in exercise of my duty I should have given you so much just cause of complaint. I beg to state that the difference and annoyance was created by my not having been informed by Mr. Collector Owens that you had paid the amount. Had I been informed by him of this circumstance the distress should never have been made ; but to avoid any, proceedings I am willing to pay to you £5 14s 6d for repayment of the amount distrained, with the expenses incurred b y you.—JOHN LONGWORTH!' ft might not be out of place (continued Mr. Neilson), to show that the carrying out of free trade measures under the late Sir Robert Peel's act of 1842 has tended far more to the benefit of commerce and manufacture than to the class who are dependent upon fixed incomes for their support. In proof of this it may be stated that when Sir Robert reimposed the tax he laid down these threefold propositions, viz.: —First, Of meeting the existing deficiency in the revenue, and of restoring the finances. Second, With a view to the relief of commerce. Third, With a view to cheapen the cost of subsistence, as some com pensation for the new tax which he imposed. During the nine years from 1842 to 1850, the entire amount of taxes remitted was £10,251,294, which are thus devis able: - Custom duties, £8,218,958; excise duties, chiefly glass and bricks, 1, 431,280 ; stamps, £598.056 ; total, £10,251,294. Now, in reviewing the list of articles reduced or repealed altogether, so as to ascertain what amount of compensation has been afforded to the most numerous con tributors to the income and property taxes by way of cheapeninng the cost of their subsistence, or as a quid pro quo for their share of bearing this inequitable imposition, it may be stated that from this source of information sugar, butter, and cheese are enumerated as the items which enter alone into the cost of living, whilst bread, until the com mercial revulsion in 1857, was kept up at a price every way against the consumer ; and butcher's meat, which was t o be obtained for something like 4d. per pound, has all along raaged at nearly double that amount ; and, consequently, the commercial and manufacture, along with the wholesale dealers in every branch of trade, have derived from the act of 1842 colossal fortunes, whilst the o: her classes are in a much worse position, finan cialy considered, by the operati on of the same act. The question may aga i n 1 )3 retorted by parties with fixed incomes against the class who are now most clamerous for financial borne reforms, that as a body they have not an equal portion of the burden during the last 17 vears. whilst the evidence taken before the committee of the House Com mons only shows that all kinds of evasions have beenorf to with a view to shirk their responsibility. esAn o therred example worth noticing turned up, in the House of Commons on Friday evening, when the question of compensation to the late proctors of the ecclesiastical courts, • `V under review. This amount last y ear was 1 . 3 estimated at £250,000 a year, and yet, when the claims were looked into, it was found that the proctors had estimated their incomes on a different principle to_ that which they had returned as in income t ax , and, consequently, the amou nt stands now at £130,000 year ; and vet it was stated by Mr. Salisbury that Mr. Raikes was se much surprised at the largeness of the sum awarded him, that he appropriated £l,lOO a year to pur poses of charity connected with the Chu rc h of England in the diocese of Chester; a sum of £B,OOO a ye ar had also been allow e d to Mr. Moore, the registrar. S o much, then, for the kind of questionable morality which pervades all classes where con science is the only rule by which a test can be obtained ; whilst, as regards the class of taxpayers with fixed incomes, the stern necessity of the act imposes upon all corporate and public bodies the obligation of deducting the full pound of flesh from each income as it falls due, and in many an instance this has actually deprived the parties of the means of supporting their families. Some conversation followed, during which Mr. Lathbury stated that he had received a letter from Butler Cole, Esq., of Kirkland Hall, Lancashire, stating that he intended presentinc , the society with a donation the next time he visited ' Liverpool, and which he' (Mr. Lathbury) acknowledged with much pleasure. The question, of urging the objects of the association more prominently on the attention of the pub lic was also brought under consideration, and it was resolved that this should be done by advertising extensively in the local papers. The treasurer and secretary were instructed to take the necessary measures for carrying out the views of the meeting. Thanks were voted to the chairman, and also to the solicitor, Mr. Paterson, after which the meeting separated. —Mercury, March 15. MODEL LODGING-HOUSES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—From the impartial character of your paper, I take the liberty of requesting the insertion of this letter on the system of some model lodging-houses in this kingdom. As these houses are established by some persons of religious character and great influence, and pro fessedly to bett er th e con diti on o f the working classes they may be looked on with a greater degree of liberty in the inquiry, particularly as they are public institutions, and the subject may be safely handled, as no individual house is marked out in the body of this letter. Circumstances and position have enabled me to glean much information on this subject, and the con clusion that I have arrived at is, that where the charge or rent is higher or even equal to that charged by industrious rent paying inhabitants, that it is not a fair competition to use charitably subscribed funds to lesson the lawful calling of humbler persons who have large families to support, and in large towns, large taxes to pay. These Models, in several places, charge as high as 2s. 6d per week, a sum which the artizan can pro cure lodgings and attendance even in Liverpool, where house rent is so very high, and I have got this moment before me a Liverpool paper where two lodgers are offered lodgings and attendance at 2s each per week. Again, if these " Models" charge less than the average rents of lodgings, they do a decided injury to the struggling householder, who have to face the landlord's, collector, and the tax gatherer's call. Now, sir, I should be glad should some abler pen take up this sullied ; but, until such time as this may take place, I will venture my own opinion and experience in and on the subject. The founders of some " Models " express most charitable intentions : supply a couple of cheap news papers, and a few books for the reading-room generally attached, and their establishments are extensively published, to induce the unsettled to a " Bachelor's home." Thither flock many persons previously indebted—no questions are asked—the out-cast, the unemployed, and the thread-bare artist, and though last not least, the poor and aged scholar and gentleman, a heterogenious mass ; these are all fellow companions in one position, all breathing the same atmosphere, and under a superintendent who lords it with arbitrary sway, and enforcing obedience to rules, printed only in his dictatorial imagination. I have known an instance of one of these lodgers who was ordered to bed as he leant his head on a table to sleep : this man was caught from behind, and when he said he would do as he liked, he and the chair were dragged to the ground towards the door, when the superin tendent used every effort to pitch him headlong down a flight of stone-steps into the street. The man was one of the quietest in the establishment. I shall not go further into the petty tyranny of - these superintendents, whose children are generally left as an annoyance to the inmates. I have known two persons in this town who lodged in a private house, at- 2s. each per week ; they had feather beds, clean white towels every morning, gas, and attendance, white table linen, books in abun dance, the young lady of the house accomplished, speaking French and playing on the piano. These lodgers had sofas in the back and front parlours, and agreeable society. Now for a parallel page. I have also known them' two to go to a "model" where they considered they were treated on prison discipline, locked up on entering their dormitories, snubbed like children, washing in common in a back kitchen with some coarse towels, sent to bed at eleven o'clock precisely, routed up at nine a.m., sleeping on cotton mattresses and iron bedsteads, eating from unclothed tables, and cooking for themselves, &c. These parallel pages speak for themselves ; who would hesitate on a choice ? There is no credit given in these houses ; no, not a single night's lodging, though you paid pounds before, and to such a stringency has this been adopted that the death of one man has been attributed to his being turned out of bed of a frosty night, and thrown on the streets. Now, in the private lodging-house you meet with female kindness, the old lady commisserates at times youi critical position, and indulges you for a time ; but the Ftrict rule of the " Model" steward, not to give credit or to lend money is held in rigid tenison, though I have known a house steward to borrow money of his lodgers, I find I have digressed from my subject, and, perhaps, have taken an uncharitable view ; for I have heard that in many models the inmate is allowed his Sunday bed free—this is the case at Leeds, where the low sum of is 6d per week is only charged, and where there is every comfort— baths, &c. If there were such a thing as charity in such institutions, I would suggest it should be a " Model " for females, and if anything like the practice of locking up dormitories be tolerable, the custom might be tolerated in their case. Suck an institution would be a blessing indeed ; and the establishment of such a one as that in Carrick-street, Glasgow, at the low charge of is per week, is, and indeed must prove, a blessing. Sir, should the reception of this unpolished pro duction be acknowledged in your really independent journal, you will much oblige your obedient servant, 117 Bedford-street, Toxteth-park. GEo. HILL. BRIGHT ! AND " THE " BUTTERNIAN ! (Air—" Villikins and his Dinah.") Oh ! 'tis of a famed merchant who in Liverpool does dwell, Who supply folks with Butter who want it to sell ; His name it is Kelly, you scarce need be told, Whose Butter is worth all your silver and gold. Singin'—Butter-li—Butter-li—Butter-li-day. As Kelly was weighing out Butter one day, In walks REFORM BRIGHT, and to him did say, Come leave }out shop Kelly, and with me away, And I'll find you a place with no work and good pay. Singin'—Butter-li—Butter-li—Butter-li-day. Oh ! no, my brave BRIGHT, that wont suit my mind, " For to" cut my " old place" I do not feel inclined, So to you the good pay I will gladly make o'er, To serve England with Butter a year or two more. Singin'—Butter-h—Butter-li—Butter-11-day That's a good noble Kelly - then John Bright replied, You're a " Brick," my "old buck," and not to be bribed; So, in order your Butter to put to the test, Send me weekly, henceforward a ton of your best. Siughf—Butter-li—Butter-li—Butter-li-day, MORAL. Now all you who want butter, you know where to buy it, So never don't by no means be persuaded to "shy" it And as all want full value for their "tin," and quite right, Think of Kelly the Butterman, and Reformer John Bright. APPALLING CATASTROPHE AT SHIELDS.— A most appall ing. catastrophe has occurred in North Shields. The Waterworks Company have arranged for a supply of water from a spring in South Preston New Pit ; and on Tuesday night Mr. T. Wilson, foreman to Messrs. Heppell and Landells, engine builders, and Mr. T. Proctor, foreman to the waterworks, descended to the pit in a cage to arrange about the requisite machinery, for pumping the water. J. Herdman, the banksman at the pit mouth, had forgotten that the cage had gone down with them, and while talking to some cartmen pushed a tub to the top of the shaft. He then saw the cage was not there, and tried to prevent the tub from falling into the pit by holding on, but it overmastered him, and he and it were precipitated to the bottom. They fell upon Mr. Wilson, and killed him on the spot. The tub also struck Mr. Proctor, breaking his thighs and otherwise injuring him, and he is not expected to recover. Herdman's back was broken by the fall, and he died shortly after the accident. THE NORTHER, TIMES, SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1859 A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE WORKING CLASSES. ADDRESSED' TO THE WORKING CLASSES THEMSELVES PART FOURTH. CHAPTER FIRST. THE ELIZABETHAN ERA -THE RIGHT OF THE POOR TO BE MAINTAINED CONSIDERED-EFFECT OF THE POOR-LAWS ON THE CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSES. I now approach an important era in the History of the Working Classes—namely, the Elizabethan one ; and amongst the principal events which first strike our notice in that Queen's reign, in connection with our subject, is the law which was passed to enforce a compulsory maintenance of the poor. (1.) It is not my intention to enter into the whole of the details concerning this important political question; but having adverted, in the SECOND part of this History, to the origin and introduction of the poor, I may take occasion here to observe briefly on their right to be maintained. It is clear, on arguing on such a question as this, that we must seek for its solution, either from the laws of nature, or the institutions of society. Perhaps I shall best make myself understood to my readers when I say that the land is unquestionably the people's in their aggregate capacity, and that every one has a natural right to live thereon. But, then, on the other hand, in a state of society, 'man's natural claims are merged in civil immunities, and the rights of each person are prescribed by the laws. In a state of natural liberty, every individual may claim the right to do what he likes, or what he can ; his right, in fact, to the enjoyment of this female or that piece of land is only limited by his power to defend his pretensions against all other claimants. But in civil society it is entirely different, the natural rights of mere force have been superseded by the rights of property, of marriage, and personal se curity. " The great ends of life," says Mr. Wade, in his Political Philosophy, " are freedom, security, and sustenance ; in a state of nature, these are all imper fectly guaranteed. The sayage is neither free nor secure ; he is the slave of every member of his tribe stronger than himself, and may be sacrificed to his lust, his anger, or revenge. Sustenance, under which is included food, clothing, and lodging, is not less precarious than freedom and security. The rights of property not being recognised, no one cau possess anything which he can call his own; if he cultivates a plot of ground, he cannot be sure he will be allowed to reap the produce ; if, by superior toil and ability in hunting and fishing, he lays up a stock of provisions, he cannot be certain he will not be compelled to share them with a stranger ; where things are in common, spoliation is no robbery,—it is only partnership : hence there can be no industry, no provision for the future ; the gratification of immediate wants is -the sole object of exertion, and anything beyond this is an unprofitable, because it is an unsafe, accumulation." The establishment of civil rights entirely super sedes the operation of the natural rights which pre viously governed the relation of individuals. The right of revenge, of the strong to oppose the weak, and of all those powers which are supposed to apper tain to the wild justice of nature, are abrogated by the institution of society. (2.) The law is then supreme arbiter; it may be a bad law, but while it continues unrepealed it is the sole rule, the only , tribunal of resort to establish a claim, or redress an injury. _ _ _ It is evident from this, therefore, that the rights of the poor cannot be determined by reference to the natural state of man, which has long since ceased, but by reference to existing social institutions. Let us ask ourselves the question, then, what are the social rights of the poor ? It is clear that if a man has not the means of sus tenance, and society will not relieve him, he must starve. But the question is— Will he starve ? Most certainly not. Self-preservation will be more im perative with him than respect for civil institutions. If he cannot live in society, he will have ceased to have an interest in its existence the social compact will, in respect to him, be dissolved. He will be left to his natural resources of force, fraud, or circumvention ; and to such an outcast mendicity, or theft, with its penal conse quences, would be a less evil than death by hunger. But rather than be reduced to this extremity, in which he has a paramount interest in the violation of the laws, it became expedient that a legal provision should be established for his relief ; and to this though a pauper may have no claim as a matter of right, and except as guaranteed to him by the law, yet society concedes it to him as a lesser evil adopted for its own conservation. The poor rate is in fact nothing more than the purchase money of personal freedom—the price paid by the community for the emancipation of all its members from personal bondage. 'While the feudal system continued, the poor were unknown as . a body; beggars and vagrants there were, seek ing casual relief from conventual and other bodies, but there was no national poor —they only began when villainage was abolished, and villains acquired the rights of freemen without the habits of industry and forethought, which their new condition required, and which it became necessary to supply the place of by a parish assessment for their relief or support.. On the question of the administration of these laws, namely, as to whether a parish is bound to relieve or find employment for all able-bodied persons who are willing, but are unable to procure work, it is not my intention to enter into its discussion. I may simply record the circumstance that, in Glasgow, two or three years ago, in a case of this kind being tried before Sheriff Allison, he gave his decision in favour of the claimants. The operation of our poor-laws may be a great (1.) Some writers have fallen into the error of supposing that a compulsory poor rate was imposed as a compensation or substitute for any loss the poor sustained at the Reformation. It should be remembered, however, that the celebrated Act of 1601 was not passed till seventy years after the dissolution of the Monasteries, and was intended to meet the overwhelming evil of vagabondage and mendicity which proceeded much more from the abolition of vassalage than the suppression of the religions houses. (2.) "Society," says Paine, Rights of Man, "is pro duced by our wants, and Government by our wickedness. The former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices." This is an ingenious distinction ; but it would have been more correct to say that society is produced by the wants of man, and government by the wants of society. Man would be helpless and miserable without the cp-operation of his fellow creatures, and society could not subsist without laws and their ministers for its regulation and government. . (3.) In 1696 we learn from King's statement that there were 1,330,000 beggars in England, so that the vagrancy and mendicancy of present day are not new horrors arising out of civilisation and the manufacturing system, but have only been too fully exemplified in former days. evil existing amongst us, but, without them, the bulk of society would remain in a state of hopeless and irreclaimable misery. And misery, we well know,ls incompatible with moral and intellectual culture ; it is incompatible with personal and proprietary secu rity; it is incompatible with public liberty and freedom of discussion. " A mass of social wretchedness," remarks Mr. Wade, "would always form the pabulum of sedition; it would always form the combustible mass which the arts of the demagogue could kindle into the flames of discontent and agitation. Hence, in place of public opinion, a barrier of force and delusion—of standing armies—of well-paid ecclesiastics, and sine cure placemen would be necessary to shield the ruling few against the ignorant and destitute many." It has been urged by certain writers, that the poor laws have tended to degrade and demoralise the working classes. But such persons have evidently put forth their statements without either inquiry or reflection. It has been the abuse, I apprehend, not the principle of the poor laws which has degraded the working classes. Surely it can be no disgrace to receive what the law allows. If it be disgraceful to take what no services have earned, have not the poor, the rich, and noble, and the spiritual likewise to keep them in countenance ? Degraded as a pau per may be, he is at least an improvement on the beggar ; and we all know that mendicity is the only alternative in place of pauperism. The proba bility is, that had poor laws been introduced into Ireland years ago, we would not have found her in the state she is in at present. It is true that many of her calamities may be traced to faction, misgovernment, and degrading superstition ; but it can scarcely be supposed that her landholders and priesthood would have suffered, nay, encouraged, her population to increase at such a fearful rate—to multiply in filth and rags—had the indigent, those who could neither obtain employment or food, had a legal claim on their estates and income ? Most unquestionably not ; they would have been incapable of such recklessness, such suicidal infatuation. Other writers again, condemning the existence of poor-rates have put forth this objection—that people work from necessity not choice ; and that it follows if there be any fund to which they can i esort without labour, it will always be resorted to. But this, after all, is still arguing against the use from the abuse. If a fund intended for a good purpose be perverted to a bad one, the fault is to be traceable to those having the management of it. The idle and dissolute will always live on the industrious and deserving if they can ; but this is the fault of individuals or of society if they succeed. The poor-rate was intended for the distressed ; if it is wasted by those to whom is intrusted its istribution, the opprobrium rests with them. The worthless members of society will not labour if they can escape from it—they never have been known to do so. If they can live by standing at the corners of streets and touching their hats to passers by, by holding up a box of matches, or by exposing children to the inclemency of the weather, and by these unworthy means appealing to . the sympathies of those who may chance to behold them ; if such vagrant artifices, I say, are successful, the community are alone to blame, not the principle. It is only by the exertions of the wealthy, operating through the instrumentality of the poor-laws, that any great improvement in the condition of the labouring classes can be effected. The poor are'too depressed, and too inert, to make any voluntary efforts for bettering their lot. In all ages, and in all countries, indeed, we find they remain stationary, unless acted upon by the upper strata of society. In England, it may be said that the course of social improvement has rather been downwards. Villainage, as I have shown, was not abolished by the serfs, but chiefly by the inter ference of the rich and educated clergy. The foun dations of civil liberty, and constitutional government likewise, were not laid by the oppressed burghers of cities and towns, but by the feudal barons of the age of MAdisrA CHARTA. In like manner, it is chiefly by the example, and almost coercive interference of the opulent and intelligent, that the state of the poor in our own day can be alleviated. The middle classes suffer from their vices and their misery, and have, by the exaction of an assessment for their relief, a direct interest in inculcating in them right principles of conduct, and thus a duty imposed upon them by justice and humanity is further enforced by the excellence of a civil institution. I shall Conclude these observations with a quotation from the work of an able and experienced writer on this subject, who, in speaking in his essay of Practical Hints on the Poor, says : . . . " The poor are not wholly to blame for their vices Without instruction in the principles which influence their condition, without example of economy, order and forethought in their early years, they have not an opportunity to become in after life anything more than children in understanding, and it not unfrequently happens that the most kind and generous hearts among them are those least gifted with the saving virtues by which the miseries of future penury and want may be averted. They are the orphans of society, to whom every indulgence compatible with their own welfare should be extended. If they • have been ignorant of their duties, the rich have neglected theirs. How can it be supposed the labouring man doomed to unceasing toil, can discover those hidden causes of poverty, which for thousands of years escaped even the scrutiny of the philosopher. It is not parish officers, clergymen, and magistrates only, to whom the weal of the poor ought to be confided ; upon every employer of work-people is imposed a solemn duty, next to that he owes his own family, to learn himself, and explain to these dependent upon him, the origin of social distress arising from bad habits, excess of population, change of the seasons, and periodical vicissitudes of trades." It is only in this manner, I would add, that popu lar education can be made universal, and knowledge really useful disseminated through the , community. [These articles being Copyright, the Author reserves to himself the privilege of further publication or trans lation.] FOR the attainment of habits of pu nc t ua lity—f or th e regulation of the usual routine of business and every-day life — for the Morning's timely arousement, and the Evening's sufficient repose —and for other and innumerable purposes of convenience, necessity, and pleasure, much in reality depends on the judicious selection of a Timekeeper; and even the character of a young man has. been known to be much influenced by the quality of his Watch— the possessor of an accurate timekeeper becoming ambitious to emulate its excel ence, and thus gradually requiring habits remark able for punctuality. THOMAS BUTT AND Co., WATCH AND CLOCK MANUFACTURERS, 71, ST. JAMES'S-STREET, LIVERPOOL, AND 102, CHESTER-STREET, BIRKENHEAD. The Timekeepers, so wellknown for accurate performance, can only be obtained at the above Establishments. COMMENCEMENT OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WATCH AND CLOCK CLUB. THE Public are respectfully informed that the Twenty- Fifth Watch and Clock Club is now commencing, at 71, St. James's-street. One of the most striking characteristics of the age we live in is the growing business habits developing themselves among all classes of the people. Every one who has any pre tensions to improvement—wishes to rise in society, or even to fulfil with eclat the common engagements as private individuals, must have the means of ascertaining the correct time ; hence the great demand in a commercial town like Liverpool for good clocks and watches. As one means of satisfying this demand, Thos. BOTT and Co. have instituted their Watch and Clock Clubs, by joining which persons may obtain first-rate articles at the lowest cash price, and pay for the same by easy weekly instalments, upon per fectly safe and equitable principles. The plan, summed up in a few words, is, the following : —T. B. & Co. undertake to provide good patent lever watches, capped and jewelled, with maintaining power to make them go while winding up, hard enamelled dials with seconds, double-bottom cases, in every respect good and ser viceable articles, each of which is warranted for £5. Now, if eaeh person wanting a lever watch were to put by individually 2s per week, each person would be fifty weeks, or nearly twelve months, before he or she could purchase a watch ; but, by joining together in a club, there may be sufficient to pay for one every week. We will say there are fifty members-2s from each makes a fund of £5 each week, just sufficient for a watch; consequently a watch can be had at the lowest cash price every week during the fifty nights the club continues. Each night it is determined by ballot who shall have the watch. The person winning the first night gets a bondsman, has his watch, and of course his name not put in again, but goes on paying 2a each week during the fifty weeks. The second week all the other names are put in, and some one else gets one, and so it goes on until all axe supplied. it will be seen, by this method, that the person who may be so unlucky as to be the last, only pays for it before he has it, the same as he would have done had he not joined. Members may pay as much more as they like, or pay up at any time. Clocks or Jewellery can be had in the same manner, and articles 'of higher value by paying the difference. Thus a £lO gold watch would be 4s per week, a £l2 lOs ditto Is per week, a Ll 5 ditto 6s per week, or in that proportion according to the amount. The management of the club is entirely in the hands of the members. . Any further information may be had by applying at 71, St. James's street, where a great variety of watches and clocks may be seen as specimens of work, or 102, Chester-street, Birkenhead. Be areful you apply at the right shop. Beware of Imitators. COPES PACKET TOBACCOS, Manufactured by a patent process, which preserves the natural flavour of the Leaf. GOLDEN SHAG, VIRGINIA BIRD EYE, LATAKIA, HAVANA, CUT CAVENDISH, IN SIXPENNY LXADFOIL PAOZZTS, Bearing the Signature of COPE BROTHERS and CO., Can be had at the Tobacconists in town and country; or wholesale t the Factory, LORD NELSON-STREET. Vnbii.c Amnon:ants. ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. GREAT CHARLOTTE-STREET. Proprietor Mr. W. R. COPELAND. ger CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT of MADAME CELESTE, The Management has great pleasure in announcing that, in con . sequence of the great success that has already attended Mad. CELESTE'S Engagement, she has been RE-ENGAGED for TWELVE NIGHTS more in order to afford the opportunity of producing the great Drama, written expressly for her, by John Oxenford, Esq., entitled THE LAST HOPE. THIS EVENING (SATURDAY), the 19th instant, The very popular Drama of THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST. Cynthia... . (as originally performed by her) ..... Madame Celeste, her second appearance in that character in Liverpool. To conclude with THE .CHILD OF THE WRECK. Maurice (a Dumb 80y)........ Madame Celeste. On Monday next, GREEN BUSHES. Miami Madame Celeste. And THE FRENCH SPY. Victoire de Meria .............Madame Celeste ! Henri St. Aime Hemet On Tuesday,--By desire, THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. The Mysterious Stranger .....Madame Celeste ! Cartouche, a wild French boy.. Madame Celeste ! ! Italian Prima Donna Madame Celeste ! ! ! Polish Princess Madame Celeste ! ! ! ! Young French Officer Madame Celeste ! ! ! ! And A SISTER'S SACRIFICE. Genevieve. . On Wednesday,—J. B. Buckstone's Drama of THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST. Cynthia And ST. MARY'S EVE. Madeline .her original character).. Madame Celeste. On Thursday, THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. The Mysterious Stranger .....Madame Celeste ! Cartouche, a wild French boy. Madame Celeste ! ! Italian Prima Donna ......... Madame Celeste ! ! ! Polish Princess ................Madame Celeste ! ! ! Young French Officer Madame Celeste ! 1 1 ! ! And ST. MARY'S EVE. Madeline On Friday, will be produced, a new Drama, by John Oxenford, Esq., (with new scenery, &c.,) and entitled THE LAST HOPE. Marie.. (her original character) Madame Celeste. With other Entertainments. On Saturday,—A variety of Entertainments, in which Madame Celeste will appear. Doors opened at Half-past Six, and the Performances commenc , at Seven o'clock precisely. Admission :—Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Side Boxes, 2s. ed. ; Pit, Is. 6d. Gallery, 6d. Second Price—Dress Boxes 2s. ; Side Boxes, Is. 6d. Pit, Is, _ The Box-office is open from Ten to Three for securing Seats in the Dress Circle and taking Private Boxes, which may be had under the direction of Mr. Geo. Weston. ST. GEORGE'S HALL PERFORMANCE ON THE GRAND ORGAN, BY MR. W. T. BEST, THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, 19th MARCH, 1859. PROGRAMME. Allegretto and Adagio, from the Symphony to the " Hymn of Praise." Reminiscences of the " Stabat Mater" :—lncluding • the Quartett " Quando corpus ;" the Air " Pro Rossixi. peccatis ;" the Cavatina, " Fac ut portera ;" and the Air, " Cujus animam." Tema Con Variazioni (Op. 34.) . ..... . ... Small.. Overture—" Alessandro Stradella." ........ FLOTOW. TO COMMENCE AT THREE O'CLOCK. THE CONCERT LASTS ONE HOUR. ADMISSION, SIXPENCE. THE PARISIAN GALLERY OF ANATOMY, which contains upwards of 500 Models of the Human Frame is now OPEN, in the NEW HALL, 29, PARADISE STREET, LIVERPOOL. POPULAR LECTURES ARE DELIVERED EVERY HOUR Open daily for Gentlemen from Ten a.m. till Ten p.m., excepting Tuesday and Friday afternoons, when Ladies only are admitted `n.m Two till Five o'clock. Admission to hear the Lectures and see the Models—Gentlemen, 'ls ; Working Classes, 6d. None but Adults are admitted. EXTRAORDINARY ATTRACTION! TO-NIGHT.—ADMISSION FREE. VOCAL DEPARTMENT. Miss. E. STUART, Scottish Vocalist. Miss M. STANLEY, Serio-comic vocalist. Miss R. HENRI, Soprano vocalist. The BLACK PICCO (a real negro) ; and GUS GRANT, • The greatest Comic Singer of the day, INSTRUMENTAL DEPARMENT. Mr. EDWARDS, Ist Violin. Mr. A. SMITH, 2nd Violin. Mr. BLAMPHIN, Harp. Mr. YOUNG, Grand Piano-forte. Gentlemen only admitted. EVANS, UPPER DAWSON-STREET (from Covent Garden, London), close to the Lower Box Entrance of the Theatre Royal. Suppers after the Theatres, as in town. STAR COMMERCIAL HOTEL & CONCERT ROOMS, WILLIAMSON-SQUARE, LIVERPOOL, (Opposite the Theatre Royal.) PROPRIETOR MR. M. BRMIAM. ENTIRE CHANGE OF COMPANY.—Engagement of Miss LIZZY HATTON, her first appearance. Re-engagement of Miss SHELTON, the popular ballad singer, for a limited number of nights. Engagement of Miss MARGARET KIRBY, whose senti mental and serio-comic singing in Glasgow and Belfast has created quite a furore. Immense success of Mr. It. HARLAND, the celebrated tenore. Engagement of Mr. HARRY JINNINGS, the first comic vocalist of the day, his first appearance in Liver pool.. During each evening Mr. ALEXANDER will perform selections from the most pOpular operas, on Collard and Collard's Patent Grand Piano-forte. Violin, Mr. SIMMONS, (late of Evans's). Commencing every evening at Half-past Seven. ADMISSION FREE. Chops, Steaks, Kidneys, &c., as in town. Manager, Mr. J. SIMMONS. N.B.—The Commercial department is quite separate from the Concert Rooms. Bed and Breakfast, 2s. 6d. London, Liverpool, and Manchester daily papers. American Bowling Alleys. N AYLOR'S VINE HOTEL CONCERT HALL, GREAT CHARLOTTE-STREET. a The Hall where Laughter holds its sides. Engagement of HERR SUZMAN, The great German Sifileur. Great success of MR. AND MRS. BIRCH, In their Comic Sketches of Life and Character. Also, MISS POLLY BIRCH, The wonderful Vocalist and Danseuse. M R. TOM B E N N E T T, The unrivalled Comique. MISS TANCRED, The favourite Sentimental and Comic Vocalist. WINES, SPIRITS, &c. ADMISSION FREE. PARTHENON CONCERT HALL, GREAT CHARLOTTE-STREET, LIVERPOOL. Proprietor MR. J. G. STOLL. NEW COMPANY. Continued success of MADAME LAURANZA, And her Celebrated Troupe of Artistes, Who will appear Every Evening during the week, in their truthful delineations of CLAS SIC S TAT UARY, Or living representations of HISTORY, SCULPTURE, AND DRAMATIC TABLEAUX. Immense success of JIM MUNDY, The greatest Irish Delineator of the Age. Immense success of Mr. BLANCHARD and Mr. and Mrs. WILSON, Duologuists and Comic Singers, Who as Duetists stand unrivalled in their mirth-provoking, side splitting, seasonable, unreasonable, and never-to-be-forgotten Illustration of " THE DROLL PHASES OF LIFE." Miss ANNIE VILLIERS, The pleasing Characteristic Vocalist. Mr. T. KILNER, The celebrated Baritone Vocalist. Doors open at Six o'clock, Concert to commence at Half-past Admission : —Body of the Hall, 3d. ; Upper Hall, 6d. KNIFE CLEANERS, THE BEST AND CHEAPEST. c ROWDEN AND GARROD'S PATENT INDIA RUBBER KNIFE BOARDS, are the only genuine ones. So d at is 6d each, and upwards, in all the first-class Ironmongers' shops in Liverpool. Manufactory—FALcox-sQuAnk, London, E.C. Mr' Spurious articles of a similar kind being in the market, it is necessary to observe that the names of Crowden and Garrod are on the boards, or you may het are counterfeits. 78my14 Worthless im-itation. All others JJENGLER'S GRAND CIRQU' ' ! DALE-STREET, LIVERPOOL. - LAST NIGHT BUT TEN POSITIVELY: OPEN EVERY EVENING AT SEVEN. A. brilliant routine of Performance nightly up to the CLOSE 0. SEASON, which will positively terminate on Friday, April ist• tbe egr Three more Representations of the Gorgeous Legendary tacle of ST. OE ORGE AND TILE DRAGON, This present Satutday, the 19th instant, the last Day Perforraa ne f. but One; in the Evening, the Grand Performance, co ncludinD with ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. On Monday next, the 21st instant, and during the Week, Entertainments will be varied nightly by the First Troupe in World !! ! - - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, being positively the me last Representations of ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON, eat' As produced by Ducrow. Magnificent Dresses , new Appoints' tto and Properties, upon which artistes have been employed for past two months. St. George ....... John Milton Hengler. The Champion Knights ..Messrs. Powell, Russelli, Clarke, Co °l ' e ' Hogeni, and Wild. The Enchantress. . . Mrs. Beacham. Princess Satra of Egypt.. ..Mrs C. Hengler. King of Egypt ........ Tom of Coventry (a Tinker, afterwards Squire to St. Georg e) Mr. Frowde. SycorrEe.. If any testimony had been required to prove our last Aeer assertion, that the above Spectacle was the most magnific ent P er duction ofi the season, it would be the immense applause and or great success that has attended each representation during , past six nights. The Proprietor, on this account, is in duce. oontinue it for three nights longer. till Mr. ARTHUR BARNES, the Champion Vaulter , is tained, and elicits unmitigated applause from every beholder. _„0 The Brothers CHARLES and STEPHEN ETHAIR will ort, in their unmatched Gymnastic Exhibitions. These young ar ti : t be have, for the past four years, been successfully employed P o i; principal Continental Cirques, and will, no doubt, be equally received by an English audience. $O . air The SCENES IN THE ARENA are varied nightly,i ported as they are by the largest and most talented comPO' the kingdom. et id The different representations will be enlivened by the Dre- 0 0 1 and Witticisms of those renowned Jesters, Messrs. FROWDSo, JACKSON, assisted by the Parisian Grotesques, BOUTHIL 8188, and ORIEL. PRICES OF ADMISSION. Stalls, or Reserved Seats Boxes 2s o u,' Second Seats, Pit, or Promenade Gallery Half-price for Children under twelve years of age, to Stalls, - and Second Seats. Second Price at Nine o'clock to Boxes and Stalls only. Equestrian Directors—Mr. Felix Revolti and Mr. Wild. Acting M anager, Mr. Charles Bishop. tO l " Proprietor and Director Mr. CHAS. HEI CIGARS " TWENTY PER CENT. LESS" THAN THE USUAL PP' JAMES STEEL AND C O., 78, DUKE-STREET, LIVERPOOL. J. S. and Co. holding the patent for the United Kingdom, and the only house in the trade allowed to MANUFACTURE CIGARS BY MACHIND.- can therefore supply dealers with the various Brands at " TWENTY PER CENT. LESS" than the prices usually charged. TERMS —CASH. - X0 IF you Dine in Town, try the PALATINE Dx' ROOMS, 25, CABLE-STREET. THE NORTHERN DAILY TIDE PRICE ONE PENNY , ~ May always be had from the undermentioned News ABe lits t : Mr. Feeney, 43, Jordan-st. T. W. Hall, 37, Dale",,s tr f i fer 6l4 Mr, J. Wilkins. Conway-st. T. Coyne, 159 , Great 00,reet. J. Phillips, 52, Market-st.,B'head. John Pugh, Titheba rn t Charles Duck, 279, Scotland-road. Mr. Ewen, Bootle Vill - i;41 1 ,? N rfol• tr eet' 93, Gt. Homer-st. Mrs. Ralston, 14, 0 0 J. Hemingway, Athol-street. Geo. Meyrick, Hanoc e ". o . John Bathgate, 192, Park-lane. W. R. Knipe, St. Jarne,,. ,a E. Thomas, 105, Brownlow-hill. Mr. Shearson, Park-row, Mr. Ormandy, Rose-vale. Mr. Harris, BrunswinE4.ll. Peter Benson, 341, Scotland-road. Mr. Westmore, West 't. Ellen Pritchard, 89, Kirkdale-rd. Mr. Kearney, Dale -stree Mary Mercer, 8, Saver-street. Messrs. Smith & Son , et sts L. Duff, Victoria-road, Seacombe. • Lime-st re 0 1 0 4 Mr. Riley, Tobin-st., Egremont. Ditto, Tithebarn- 6 t t ' re e' t Miss Harrison, 1, Greenland-st. Mr. Davies, Christ ian ' s Mrs. Owen, 43, St. James-srreet. Whitechapel. T. Todhunter,l97, Chester-street, Mr. J. Shepherd, Scotlbov. Birkenhead. Wilimer & Smith, 32, t o , ol, Mr. Kirby, 54, Tithebarn-street. Mr. Woollard, Castle-sojaLeei Mrs. Martin, 107, Gt.-Homer-st. Mr. Vaughan, Brown, l° oe- 4 40t. Mr. Whitney, 184, Falkner-street. Mr. Gresson, South kc e et Mrs. Barberry, 8, Byrom-street. Mr. Lea, Exchange,oan." Mr. Potter, 114, Gt. Homer-st. Mrs. Mount-Pn o tow Miss Thornton, 29, Park-lane. Mrs. trice, Moxlnt-P.O, W. Carlisle, 207, Vauxhall-road. Mr. Hughes, Park' r° tree t :k Mr. Barstow, 56, Myrtle-street. Mr. Keet, St. James -, 4 170t 1 ' Mr. Reynolds, 36, Myrtle-street. Mr. Keet, Great G 001.5004, Wm. Backhouse, 51, Whittle-st. Arthur Doren, 102. Sc Mrs. Edwards. Gt. Howard-st. P. Dougherty, 3, Fri' gZ''l34, DUKE-S TILE E T, LIVER' DIRECTLY OPPOSITE BERRY-STREET, 0 :4 , Igar 33, LUDGATE-HILL, }LOS ° XllO, REGENT-STREET, Are the Dental Establishments of MESSRS. GABRI ,1 ) The Old Established. Dentists. 1111"ftis P Who continue to supply their improved SHADE-, a ro - die TEETH, with flexible Gums and Palate, vatic,' fro' or without springs, wires, or any operation, anu, eg oin s ,4 flexibility of the agent employed, pressure upon t e ' ren d he remaining teeth is entirely obviated ; sttunps a r ar e 0 . be sound and useful in mastication ; the materials , et cs; D o best quality, the workmanship of the first orde r, oto supplied at half the usual charge, by Messrs. • g to are manufacturers of every speciality apPert'w profession. ESTABLISHED 1804. or" . e r O SS. It, GABRIEL'S TREATISE ON THE LOSS ,;,,st io Fully explains the syst em , ma y b e h a d on aPP'''' sent on receipt of stamped e nvelope w" , 4 ... AMERICAN' MINERAL TEETO , Irr Col o The best in Europe, warranted to retain the from 3s. 6d. per tooth. Sets, B 4 45., DECAYED TEETH , Gol4 Effectually stopped with the White Enaine,' n ' a tilar, , ,k Succedanium, prevents further decay and k" otly a r MESSRS. GABRIEL'S PREPARED NY rIT -- -T T E O- tile PERCHA ENAMEL, for stopping DECAYE D lare 6 tot'A tii TOOTHACHE. This valuable stopping is Pas the cavity when perfectly soft, and becomes hard tbe dee 6(1• itself ten minutes after insertion, and renders, r i c e l s. member sound and useful in mastication. ." per Box, directions enclosed. Sold by all Chemists in town and country; t rend Or can be had direct from the inventors,.,tat stamps. Observe their name on eaeh Box, none is genuine. p0V( 1) 00 14 MESSRS. GABRIEL'S ROYAL TOOTII, s , For Preserving and Cleani ng the Teeth and u n l a ,:er b o by all Chemists in t own an d coun try, at ls. 60. „art , MESSRS. GABRIEL'S NEWLY INVE., ll ., o 'nicT Tf r ENAMEL for STOPPING DECAYED r glac"'Oir which renders them sound and does not turnip the be had on•application, or through any Chet dom. Price ss. per box, with directions forae . Pr ion- MEssas. GABRIE L have int ro duced into anc eesat°l s -, THE ELECTRO-GALVANIC PBOCerstioa for the painless extraction of Teeth,' an d all °P connected with DENTAL SURGERY.' a i and OP MESSRS. GABRIEL are in attendancelltiliroPer'it' be cousulted on the Loss of Teeth an d Thts -- f appertaining to Dentistry, at their establishole - i , 0 0 tar - t 34, DUKE-STREET, LI DIRECTLY OPPOSITE BEREY-STILEO.' p pi' • rr.33, LUDGATE-HILL,anO J. ts gq3 -110 , REGENT-STREET, / otode s-. strictolloocu, Consultations free of expense, & chage s nours of attendance from tent to se'len ____—..........•••.'''''"'''."'"'....-- ti e ter, by 1,1 MARRIAGE . man che,i l o. 4o _4l l, hurcb, bro' iffe'" On the 17th Inst., at the Harpurhey C n don, to s te Rev. Edward Badcock, 8.A., of Batterse,,lf.cerpool,iottclle of the bride, Thomas Skinner, M.D., of 1 alio'' , ' eldest daughter of Henry Hilton, Esq., °' Kara berl and of Fairgirth, Kirkcudbrightshire, 'Scotian• • ft° gr• DEATIL , h i s age , On the 17th instant, in the 80th year oi o i.wiell• Feverall Beestow, of E ver t on , formerly of IC tad PRINTED and PUBLISHED by CIIAELES fro u P .00 t , -r in Oxford-street, Liverpool, an d now of If P• ablislo o p Aigburth-road, in the Extra-parochial PILIsi at his General Printing and Stationer/ SoutbJohn-street, Liverpoo. Saturday, l Marsh 19, 1859. iDENTAI 7 , SURGE.RY.I, 68, RENSIIA.W-STREET. EHOWARD AND CO. , . • , el OFFICE AND SHIP CABIN FURNISTID' A large stock of ~445 Tables, Desks, Chairs, &c., made of dry well - season ed Ti' Always on hand. An Inspection is invited.! -- -- . 0 ' GEORGE T lIRN v AUCTIONEER AIM ESTATE AGENT, Sr i OFFICES--34, CHURCH-STREET, LnrEß.roo; o o l %o Sales of Household Furniture, Stock, Machinery, &c.r.olti?,ir on moderate charges, and the proceeds guaranteed. 'A, made. Rents Rents collected. Executorship papers arranged. r oe Houses, Properties, and Trades to be Sold or Let._____. , 0 01 1 . D i d lIELLEWELL'S, 1 VULCANIZED - r p, 4 , 2& 3, QUADRANT, RUBBER Foot, Deliv e , t fl , c , LIME-STREET, Airpump 'VALVES, Patent STE M us,' 53, CASTLE-STREET. INGS, including Crickmers It "--e