Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-18 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE-YE 3TERDAY. LIVERPOOL. BEFOILE M. DIXOS. DISHONEST —Thomas Potter, a carter in the employment Hof Mr. John Davis. cartowner, of Lightbody-street, was brought up by detective officer Kennedy. on a charge of having stolen a quantity of property belonging to his employer. Mr. Bluok defenJed the prisoner, who was charged more for giving the other men a warning. than for ;he value of toe property. The officer, in searching the 'louse of the prisoner, got a variety of property, and mongst it a sack belonging to Messrs. Soh der, that had 'leen stolen. The prosecutor, in reply to Mr. Bluck, said t man was very eobsr and steady, and he was sorry he was obligel to proceed egsinst him; but done so to warn others. The prisoner was reman Ournace--A young woman, named Mary Anne Thomp ion, was charged with being concerned in the following outrage :—Martha Harold, who keeps a to aging house at 45, Peilew-street, said a knock was heard at the door the previous night, and cn her son opening it, the prison ;r, with another woman and a man, asked to see her. She earns to the door, with a candle in her hand, when the throe persons rushed on her and knocked her down, tore off her gown, ran off with the citirt, an'i also Si. that she had in her pocket. She never saw the prisoner before. The prisoner was followed and caught. The other persons -got away. The prisoner was sent to jail for one month. USING A WRSNG CERTIFICATE.—John Connell, a sailor, was charged by Superintendent Murphy, of the Sailor's liome, with having used a certifcc e belonging to a sailor named John Green. Mr. Tpaiall prosecuted for the Board of Trade. The prisoner went to the Home the previous day, and produced the certificate of John Green, representing himself to be that person, but, on being questioned by Mr. Murphy, he airnitted he was not, and that he got the certificate in order to procure a ship on it. He was fined £2O, or in default of payment, throe months' imprisonment. ROBBERY BY A SERV,INr.—Eliza Holden and Margaret Pilkington, were brought up by detective officer Horn, on a charge of having stolen a gold watch, value £2O. from Mrs. Dauber, of 17prer Beau-stre e t. The facts of the case were these :—Some time ago, one of the prisoners lived as servant with Mrs. Dauber, and on the 1.51 Oct., she called to pay a complimentary visit to her former mistress, about an increase in the family. Soon after she went away, the gold watch was missed, and, as no other person could have taken it, of course she was suspected. On the ltl'h Octcher, both prisoners sold the watch to a publican named John Woodfall, in Warrington, for £6. The arrest of the prisoners, on the present charge, took place in consequence of their being in custody at War rington, on another charge. The case being fully proved, both prisoners were committed for trial. Tun " SLY AGE IRISH !"—George Huddlestone, a resident of Thurlow- street, was charged with having bitten the greater part of the left side of the face off John Kersley, his father-in-law. The complainant is an old man, and seemed to have suffered much. His daughter is married to the prisoner, and from the evidence of the wife, her father, and other persons, it appeared that the prisoner was in the habit of ill treating his wife in the most brutal mann-r, when she could not give him money to procure drink. They reside tcgethor, and on Wednesday night the prisoner came home drunk and demanded money from his wife. She could not supply him, when he commenced beating her. The father interfered, when the prisoner knocked him down on a sofa, got his knee on his chest and com menced biting him on the jaw, until he nearly tore all the flesh off it This was proved by several witnesses, and it appeared the injuries on ti,e old man were serious. In reply to the charge, the prisoner addressed the Magistrate and said, " That old blackguard is only a savage Irishman, and his daughter is just the same—a savage." Alsgis trate : Ani what are you.pray? Prisoner : I'm an Englishman. Magistrate: And you are one of the • greatest savages I ever heard of; this is a shocking affair—commit the prisoner for trial. Ho was accordingly committee. SEVEN LEAGUE BOOTS.—A fellow, named John Cunning ham, was charged with being found in the garden of Mr. Smith, Davonshire•roud, at half past eleven o'clock on the previous night, with no good intent. The case being proved, the prisoner, in reply to what brought him there at that time of the night, said he was crossing the country in a direct line, and he walked through gardens and every where else, independent of any stop by walls or houses: He walked over the wall of the gar:en (lowest height, six feet,) with as much facility as if there was no wall at all there, and he was proceeding on his way %%hen he was arrested. He was remanded. [Perhaps the seven-league boots, which he evidently must be po;sosied of,will enable him to walk out of the gaol ] BEFORT4 MESSRS. CROSTHWAITF, AND ItOMILLY. Faacas.---Jonas Cohen, the son- in-law of Mr. Lazarus, and manager of his house of business in Paradise-street, summoned Henry Aaron for having threatened him, and for using abasive language, Mr. Cobb was for the defendant. Complainant was standing at his shop door, when the defendant came up and gave him a polite invitation to box him. This being refused, he abused him very much, and wound up a string of epithets such as no disciple of Chesterfield would tolerate, by telling him to "send his old father into the back office whilst he (complainant) would be engaged in the operation of robbing the till." This and a variety of like language and abuse formed the foundation of the complaint. Mr. Cobb caused some fun in cross-examina tion, and got out a trifle of revelations about £l7 10:. and a law suit and the Insolvent Court, and divers other matters, not, however, at all affecting the complainant in any way. Some witnesses were examined, when the Bench ordered the defendant to pay a fine of £1 and costs, which ha did and left the court exclaiming loudly against what he called the dish•siz-shon of the court, which he repudiated altogether as tut-English. COUNTY COURT-YZSTERDAY. BEFORE J. K. BLAIR, ESQ., JUDGE. HARTING'S V. BUCIDIAEITEIL—IN 51g3IORIAM OF THE TURNER AND MACKENZIE ELECTION OF 1852 —This was an action brought by Me. John Hsstings, cf Lord-street, saddler, to recover £2O from Mr. Buckmaster, well known in Liverpool as the secretary of the Censtitutional Associ ation. Mr. Paterson appeared for the plaintiff, and Me. Bremner for the defendant. The plaintiff stated that on the 4th of July, 1852, Mr. Buckmaster called upon him and requested him to make a number of leather straps and sockets. Plaintiff had never seen Mr. Buckmaster before, and, therefore, would not at first make the articles on his order. Mr. Buckmaster called three times, and the thir I time brought with him a gentleman name) Jones, whom plaintiff knew, to introduce him. Plaintiff then agreed to make the articlee, and Mr. Buckmaster gave him his address in writing, The goods were delivered on the sth of July, 1852. They consisted of one hundred leather belts, with straps and sockets, at 4s each, which was the price agreed on, amounting in all to £2O. Plaintiff sent in his account every half year since to Mr. Buckmaster, and frequently saw him and asked him for the ameunt, but the defendant always pet him off, and the amount was still unpaid. Cross examined by Mr. Bremner : I did not get tha order in writing. I knew what the articles were for; they were belts to go round the shoulders of men, with sockets and straps to carry flag-staves. It was explained to me at the time what they were intended for. Mr. Bremner : Well, 1852 is a long time ago, and you may therefore tell us now what they were for. His Honour: They were for carrying flags at an election. I suppose? The plaintiff : Yes, sir. They were for carrying flags in a procession at Mackenzie and Turner's election in 1852. Mr. Bremner : You have been a public man in St. Peter's Ward for many years, and yet you ray upon reflection, that you never knew Mr. Buckmaster, or heard his name before July, 1852 ? Plaintiff: I do. I have no doubt that I was given to understand at the time that the flags were to be carried in Mackenzie and Turner's procession. I did not know that Mr. Buckmaster was acting as secretary of that election committee. I never tent any bill for . theEe goods debited to the committee of Mackenzie and Turner's election. I never sent any account de bited to the Constitutional Association. The words " Constitutional Association." are entered in my book in one place, bat only to guide ms in directing to Mr. Buckmaster. Mr. Bremner submitte las a proposition if law, whether an agent, manifestly acting as an agent, was liable for any order given by him for his principles. whoeo names are known and published. His Honour: Accord ing to his evidence, if unshaken, there is no doubt that Mr. Buckmaster ordered the things in his own name, gave his own name for them, and did not say anything about the Constitutional Association at all. If that is se, Mr. Backmaster is prima facie liable. There can be no doubt upon that point at all. Mr. Bremner : Except that the plaintiff knew there was going to be an election, and there was also to be a procession, and know that the goods were being ordered to be used in the procession. It must have been patent to his mind, that Mr. Buckmaster could not have been ordering the goods for himself. His Honour did not think the plaintiff was suppose I to know all the private arrangements between Mr. Buckmeeter and the persona connected with the azsociaticn. Mr. Bremner offered, if it would assist the case, to put Mr. Buckmaster into the box, to prove that he was then acting as secretary to the committee, on whoSe behalf he had expended he (Mr. Buckmaster) was afraid to say how much money. His Honour did not think that would relieve him from liability, unless it could be proved that he had informed the plaintiff, it was in that capacity he ordered the articles. A ye diet was given for the plaintiff accordingly. THE N ORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1857. AN IRISH CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquest of an extraordinary nature was held at Ballyiamesduff, on Saturday, the sth inst., before Dr. M. Fedeen, of Cootchill, coroner, on the body of a woman named Margaret Cusack (wife of a respectable shopkeeper in town), who, it was alleged, died suddenly the previous evening. A jury of fifteen respectable and ieitelligent men was sworn. After the nsua i. preliminaries hal been gone through, and the body viewed, the jury retired to Mr Smitta's tavern to hear what eri hence would be produced, aad return their verdict accordingly. Mr. Patrick Cusack, husband of the deceased, was first witness examined. After the usual caution had been given himhe said : Deceased was my wife ;"she was the mother of five children, and about 36 years old ; sha was ie bad health for the last three years or more; during the last year she was considered worse, having frequent attacks of vomiting of blood, and complaining of a soreness in her side, tied a great palpatation of the heart ; on Monday last she be came much worse and continued so until Friday evening, when she died. Ca Wednesday evening Pat Smith, is " bone-setter" by repute, came into my shop to buy some articles ; he inquired for my wife's health ; I told him she was very bad, and asked him to see her ; he did so, and said he would get half a glass of (I think) spirits of salts, and give her a drop of it in a "dandy of punch" which he did ; on the following day I gave her a few drops inure in the same manner, and repeat-d it three or fiur times before her death ; I think it we's about six drops at etch time I gave her, she appeared to get much relief from it ; she got no other medicine ; and about five o'clock the next morning she had her bed dressed, and whilst sitting on a chair beside the bed she gat very bed ; I was called up to the room, and in about ten minutes she died; I think it was at dr. Williamson's he got the spirits of salts. Mr. Williamson was sent for, and being sworn, slid, he had sever sold it—it was not sold in his shop, nor could it be kept there without his knowledge. At this stage of the investigation DAtor Coote, the medical officer entered the room, and said, "Oh Mr. Coroner, the woman lies got no such t'ing as spirits of salts, nor any poisonous mediciee—l belLve she got some spirits of rti•re, which is an excellant medicine, and I am cure ciuld have done her no harm in her sicknesi." Pat Cusa7k : Yes, s'r, that was the medicine shs got turely, but I was so confused I mstoek the name. Pat Smith, who, it w.s alleged, give the medicine, was now ex:imine4. His evidence was an exact repetition of Cusach's, except as to the name of the medicine, which he said was spirits of nitre. Doctor Coote sail hi examined the body of deceased, which was very emaciated ; thire were no external mark., nor anything to indicate bad treatment ; is satisfied she died from natural causes alone. Coroner : Well, zenqemen, that leaves your duty an ca - iy one. You 'Qin find that she died from "natural causes." Mr. Daffy : If you please, Mr. Coroner, wo will give our own verdict. I'm sure the jury are of opinion there was no necessity far an inqu's ,. . Coroner: I don't care k hat you think ; I will have things my own way, or I wil! lock you up till I starve yon. M-. Murphy : Yon have no right, sir, to endeavour to intimidate us in that wanner. Why were we summoned here if you are to dictate to us ? You have insulted the jury. Coroner : I never knew a more factious set of psople than is here. (fhis ex ;r.-.ssion caused great uproar among the jury, members stindin. - ; up to resent it.) Coroacr : It is a fret that nineteen out of every twnty men in Ireland have their ;hands raised against the law, and the gcv,Amment know this, and are anxious to take advantage of the smallest matter to bind them down. Afr. Merphy : That is not the fact, sir, and besides it is whcliy irrevelant. Three—fourth's of tin army now shed ding their b!ood in India in defance of "law and order " are, I regret to say, Irishmen. It is our misfortune tg be too submissive to the English-made law. Mr. Duffy : Yon are but wasting our time and your own by these unseemly dialogues—you have a right to apolrgise for and retract your expres:ions. We arc neither a " factio.," nor disposed to be factious ; we will think for ourselves. Coroner: I will retract nothing. Any observations I made had reference only to Mr. Duffy; and (addressing tha police constable) never summou him on a jury before me. Mr. D : I suppose lam not slave enough to subnti to your dictation. Several jurors said they would not sit there any longer to hear sylch language; frami the coroner and request hit to retire, which he did. After consulting for a few moments they unanimously agreed to " find" that the deceased died from natural causes, and that there was no occasion whatever for an inquest, and describing the con duct of the coroner es insulting and derogatory. The coroter on entering refus2d to take the verdict, and again said he would lock them up till next morning if they would not give him a proper verdict. It (he said) I was now beginning the inquest, I would hava the body_ opened to sh - rw you what I could do, and what power I have. Mr. Brdth : You dare not, sir, if you had not the sanction of the medical officer and the jury, nor without evidence of same unnatural cilwie. Coroner : Oh, you have not enough of inquests here ; if you had more, i would teach you what to do, and (ad dressing the constab'e) get up more inquests here, you have not half enough of them. The Coroner then retired and the jury having again consulted, agreed to wri e on the printed form, " That tho died from natural causes," but appended by way cf resolution : 'That we, the jury, empanelled before the vroner, Dr.litFadden, to investigate the cause of the death of Margaret Cusack, of this town, are of opinion that the holding an inquest was wholly unnecessary ; that the conduct of the coroner was most insulting and un gentlemanlike, applying the epithet faction 'to them. and using threats which, to them, appeared derogatory and mist imnreper.—Signed at Bsllyjamesduff, the sth day of Deeirnber, 1857, icr self a d fellows, " PHILLIP REILLY, Foreman." childhood. .You have been imprisoned twice before—once for two months, and once for three months. I shall now send you for three months, with hard labour, and rest assured that your next offence will be followed by penal servitude. The prisoner, who wore an air of sullen melancholy, and who was attired in a half-sailor costume, was then again locked up. THE CRISIS AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTIIERN TIMES. Sir,—The publication of the Bank Returns from 1845 to 1857, in theNoeTHERN TIMES of the 17th ult., furnishes most valuable information, as, at a glance, it is seen that the directors made money cheap at home and forced it abroad, until, in 1817, they found the exodus of the bullion beyond their control. A similar coarse was pursued up to 1856 and 1857, and the results must be the same every ten ysars unless they are compelled by law to retain the bullion at not less than fifteen millions. Of course this would reduce the dividends to the proprietors, but it would effectually allay any undue commer cial expansion, and prevent a money panic; this point has never been dwelt upon in connection with the repeal of the Usury Laws and the Bank Act of 1844. So explain my meaning I will, by way of illustration, revert to the modes of payment in our home trades ; take, for instance, cotton— cash in ten days or banker's bill at three months. Before the repeal of the Usury Laws, money was always under 5 per cent. ; hence the custom was to pay in cash, deducting interest at 5 per cent., the legal rate of interest ; but in 1837, 1847, and now again its 1557, it will be well to remind Lord Over stone that we are again made familiar with the drafts of Manchester banks on their London agents at three months, for which the Liverpool merchant is shaved at the rate of 10 per cent. and a bank coinnission. Now, when the Usury Laws were repealed, the legal rate became the current rate of the Bank of England, whether 2rper cent. or 8 per cent., and the payments should have been, for all produce sold to middle men or consumers direct, cash in 14 days less three months' interest at Bank of England rate. At present the merchant has not only to meet his own bills, but to run the risk of endorsing bankers' paper, doubling his floating liabilities. No member of Parliament ever alluded to the action of the bank screw on what Lord Overatone himself must admit should be considered paper as good as gold, and far more convenient; but to convert Jones, Loyd, and Co. on Jones, ,Loyd, and Co , at three months, could not for one week be discounted at all, and only since at from 10 to 12 per cent. Our merchants should, therefore, alter the terms of contract in their sales' notes, and our Legislature should compel all mortgagers of ships to be liable for the tradesmen's bills for stores supplied. This would stop much mischief, and bring the payments to cash, or, if in bills, there would be the security of the ship-freight.—Yours, ONE OF 1819. Birkenhead, December 17th, 1857. THE CURRENCY. EXAMINATION OF SHIPMASTERS. LETTER 11. REV. J. K. GLAZEBROOK IN REPLY TO REV. JOHN MACNAUGHT. A CHAPTER FROM THE ROMANCE OF CRIME. At the Mansion House, London, on Tuesday, a young man, who gave his age as 24 and his name as Richard John -8(.11, but who was said to be the son of a cl e rgyma n an d brother of a baronet, w as brought before the Lord Mayor, charged with stealing a bag, value 25., from a shop door in Gracechurch-street, Evidence as to the robbery having been given, he was aiilied in the usual way what he had to say. Prisoner: I admit I am guilty, but I really do not know how I came to do it, for I am not in the habit of getting my living in this way, I aF3ure you. The Mayor : You lock like a sailor ; have you been to sea? Prisoner : Yes. Lord Mayor : Where did you come from last ? Prisoner : I came last from Australia, in the Argo. Lord Mayor : When was that ? Prisoner : I think it was last May. Lord Mayor : List May ! th at is a long while ago. What have you been doing since ? Prisoner : I have been living on some money of my own. Lord Mly.)r : Where did you get it ? Prisoner : It was left me by my father. L-.:rd Mayor : How much was it ? Prisoner : My father left me £6OO, I believe, but I only got -..E120. I was swindled out of the rest. Mr. Goodman (chief clerk): But your father's not dead What did the chaplain tell you when you were at Hollo way ? Prisons: (ccnfusedly): I don't know. He told me a good many things ; but I have always been told that my father is dead. Lord Mayor : How long has he baen deal ? Prisoner : I don't know. I did not live with him. I left him when very young, and lived with my mother. Lord Mayor : But your father was a clsrgynaan, was he not ? Prisoner (hesitatingly): I believe he was, but I cannot recollect, sir. Lord Mayor : I have reason to believe thathe is not dead. Prisoner : Yes, ho is dead, or, at least, I have always been taught to believe so. A. gentleman in court here stepped forward and said, " Yes, my lard, his father is dead, he has been so for 15 or 1G years."] Lord Mayor : Then you know something about the prisoner ? 'Witness : Yes, my lord, I communicated with the chief clerk about him when he was here bafue. Lord Mayor : flow long age is that ? Prisoner : About four months, I think. Mr. Goodman : Ha was here for stealing a pocket-book. Lord Mayer : And was his father a clergyman ? Witness : Yes, my lord, a clergyman and a baronet. (Sensation.) Lord Mayor : See seta, a condition you now stand in, a man connected as you are, and well educated. I can' understand it. Prisoner (despondingly) : No, my lord, I can't under_ stand myself how it is that I do such things. The Lord Mayor : Well I shall remand you till to morrow ; and perhaps you eir (addressing the gentleman will had iuterpcsed), will give me a call to-morrow, early. The gentleman said he should be happy to do so, and the prisoner was taken below. The gentleman then went to speak to the Lord Mayor a few minute, after which the prisoner was brought back, and again placed at the bar. Lord Mayor : I know OoNv all about you, and I find that you have had plenty of money dating the last month, but that you have been a disgrace to your family•eiuce your TO TII EDITOR Or THE NORTHERN TIMES. Water-lane, Tower -street, London, December 16th, 1857. Sir,—.' Take care of the notes, and the gold will take care of itself," is the motto of the Bank Charter Act of 1844. Take care of the gold, and the notes will take care of themselves, must be the motto of the amended one ; for, granted, that gold in the shape of the pound sterling, is intrinsically the best standard of value—and that notes whiJh pro mise to pay these pounds sterling, from £5, and upwards, to the bearer, on demand, furnish our Government with the most convenient form of legal tender, in which, to defray the public expen diture—it surely follows, from these premises, that our Government are bound to keep in deposit at the Bank of England, in London, Liverpool, and elsewhere, a minimum reserve of gold coin and bullion, so as to prevent their legal tender notes from suffering any depreciation, by reason of the lessening of the metallic reserve on which they are founded. Now, this depreciation cannot be prevented, nor this reserve maintained, say, at a minimum of ten million pounds, unless our Govern ment are prepared to give more for gold than the price fixed for it in these our present description of legal tender notes. The public must allow their Government to issue, in exchange for gold, legal tender notes of another description, but of the same current values and denominations as our present ones, in short notes, made payable in pounds sterling, not to the bearer, but to the public exchequer, on demand. In this way alone can gold bo purchased at its market price, and the required reserve of it reli giously maintained. T. F. THE ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—Allow me to request you to correct a clerical error in your otherwise excellent report of the meeting on Wednesday last. The numbers voting were, eighteen in favour of Mr. Horner's amendment, and twelve against, giving a majority of six in its favour—your report makes it appear that there were only six to vote against it. Your readers should understand that the original motion was rejected on a purely technical ground, and that no one present ventured to utter one word in defence of the Academy ; nor is this to be wondered at, when we see the Ac ademy is quite unable to defend itself.—Yours, &c. ONE WHO WAS AT THE MEETING. PLEA FOR AN EXTRA HOLIDAY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—May I beg leave to suggest, to the mer chants &c., of Liverpool, through the medium of your valuable paper, that, as trade generally is very slack, they might take the opportunity of letting their employees enjoy Saturday the 26th December, as a holiday, as well as Christmas day, thus en abling them to visit any of their friends who may he living at a distance. Hoping this will meet the favourable consideration of the merchants, shop keepers, &c, , ,of this town.—l remain, yours, &c. Liverpool, December 19, 1857. W. K. B. BANKRUPTCY COURT.-YESTERDAY. BEFORE MR. COMMIS3IONER STEVENSON. In re DANIEL Durrox.—This was the certificate meet ing. Mr. Evans appeared for the assignees, and examined the bankrupt as to the cause of his insolvency, which the bankrupt attributed to continuous losses on a vessel pur chased by him some twelve months before his bankruptcy The Commissioner reserved judgment until Saturday. In re T. R. HYDE.—The bankrupt was a clothier, in Chester. This was the last examination meeting. Mr. \Veson appeared for the assignees. The balance-sheet not having been filed in due time, the examination was adjourned to the 24th instant. In re WOOD AND TARRANT.—The bankrupts, cotton brokers, of Liverpool, came up on their last examination. Mr. C. Pemberton, on their behalf, asked for an adjourn ment for three weeks, to enable them to file their accounts. Mr. Squarey, for the assignees, objected, on the ground that the bankrupts had had already sufficient time to do so. Eventually His Honour adjourned the sitting to the Bth of January. SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO MR. WIDDICOMII —On Tuesday, night, shortly before the conclusion of the performances at the Surrey Theatre, the audience was somewhat alarmed in consequence of the following accident to Mr. Widdi comb, the well-known and popular comedian at this place of public entertainment, whilst the company were enacting the farce called " Wellington Tiggs," and whilst the audience were screaming with laughter, their mirth was suddenly stopped. Mr. Widdicomb, who took the part of the hero of the piece, was concealed behind a screen, and one part of his perfo-mance is to throw down the screen whea ha is attacked by Miss E. Webster, who is dressed as an officer. Erafortunately just as Mr. Widdicomb had laid hold of the corner of the screen to throw it down, Miss Webster, by some mistake, instead of striking the screen with the sword, struck the hand of the hero of the farce with such violence as to cut through the nail of the middle finger, laying it bare to the bone. Excessive hemorrhage followed, and Mr. Widdicomb becoming ex ceedingly faint, he found itimpossibe to proceed farther the performance, and the audience were informed of that fact. A surgeon was at once sent for, who dressed the wound, and after some time Mr. Widdicomb was en abled to go home with his haialins,sling. TO TIM EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—ln my letter in your paper Nov. 20, I gave a quotation from Dr. Arnold, in which he says, " As for the Unitarian interpretations of St. Paul and St. John, they are really such monerasities of extravagance, that, to any used to the critical study of the ancient writers, they appear too bad to have been ever entertained in earnest," "so impossible is it to doubt what St John meant in so many passages of his Gospel, and what St. Paul meant in so many passages of his Epistles." Mr. M. claims Dr. Arnold as his " Patron Saint," and as a learned matt and acknowledged scholar, few would hesitate to yield to his opinion as to the correctness of a translation of the New Testament. Dr. Arnold then has decided the question as to the literal meaning of Scripture in favour of Trinitarian Doctrines. Now, Ido not at all misre present Mr. M. when I say that he believes, and obstinately maintains, that God has given man the right to reject, the t undoubted meaning of Scripture. The Trinitarian, on the contrary, says, with the great Chillingworth, " Propose to me anything out of this book, and enquire whether I be lieve it or no, and seem it never so incomprehensible to Human Reason, I will subscribe it with hand and heart, knowing no demonstration can be stronger than this, God hath said so, therefore it is true." Now, Sir, which is the most reasonable, and in accer lance with tree philosophy, to yield submissively to the des.larations of infinite wisdom in matters of pure revelation, and beyond our experience, such as the nature of the Divine essence, and believe the fact, only becsuse God has asserted it; or, on the contrary, to reject the doctrines of God's word because they cannot be fatly comprehend() l as to their mode, by the feeble reason of a finite creature ? It must be evident to all, that in the words quoted,—" No demonstration can be stronger than this, God hath said it, therefore it is true." Now, in order to avoid the force of this indisputable maxim, we learn from Dr. Arnold, that " wherever Unitarianism has existed, together with any knowledge of criticism or philosophy, as in Germany, it has at once bean assumed that the Apostles were not infallible, and that they overrated the dignity of Christ's person." And this is exactly the course which Mr. M. has taken. He and his friends " fool it to be totally impossible to believe there is any kind of infallibility in the sacred volume ;" and this includes, not only the history, but also the " religion and theology." This is neither more nor less than an open declaration of infidelity in its proper sense ; for, if infidelity is a disbelief of the genuine doctrines of Christianity—in order, however, to protect himself from the well-deserved odium attaching to such a declaration, he quotes the opinions of several eminent men, such as Bishop Hinds, Archbishop Whateley, &c.—it is natural to expect, that no honest and honour able mind would parade these great names before us, unless they gave a sanction to that opinion which peculiarly distinguishes Mr. M.'s views on Inspiration, viz., the infallibility of the sacred writers, not only in " points of history or natural philosophy, but also in religion and theology." The opinions of Bishop Hinds, and Archbishop Whateley may be held, without endangering, much less denying, the peculiar doctrines of Christianity. So far, however, from it being a fact, that these two great men give any sanceon to Mr. Macnaught's infidel denial of Scriptural Infallibility on Religion, they, both of them, on the contrary, condemn it. Archbishop Whateley thus declares his total disagreement with such an opinion as Mr. M. holds :—" If we reject, as false, any part of the religion which he (an Apostle) professes himself divinely sent to teach, we cannot consistently believe but that his preten s sions are either an imposture or a delusion, and that he is wholly unworthy of credit." The strongly expressed opinion of the Archbishop is that to question the infallibility of the sacred writers in matters of religion, as Mr. M. does question it, is undoubted infidelity, or disbelief of the doctrines of Christianity. Mr. M.'s delusion on this point is so strong, so firmly does he believe the lies of infidelity, that he does not hesitate to question the force of this conclusion, drawn by that acute logician, Archbishop Whateley. Mr. M. says, "We do not see the force of the last part of the Archbishop's asser tion." The denial of so evident a conclusion gives very great reason to fear that Mr. M. is "given up to strong delusion to believe a lie." Time and specs will not allow us to examine the opinions of other eminent men quoted by Mr. M. They appe ,r,' however, to be very far from sanctioning the infidelity of his views. At p. 45 of Mr. M.'s book, he plainly acknowledges his condemnation by Dr. Hinds and others. " Well, then, "he says, "itis on this solemn question (the infallibility of Holy Writ in its religious teaching) that, in the interests of truth, which we believe to be identical with the interests of Christianity, we are about to ,join issue with Dr. Hinds and his friends." Let Trinitarians then remember that they have Dr. Hinds and his friends on their side in favour of the infallibility of the sacred writers in religion and theology. They have Dr, Hampden—they have the Bishop of Llande,ff—the Bishop of Manchester—they have Archbiship Whately, and we may well ask who have they not, of any reput 'Aloe, against the infidel opinions of Mr, Macnanght ? But, sir, it seems that he who was on our side against the " monstrosities" of Unitarian criticism, is now become our adversary on the question of the Infalli bility of Scriptur.. Mr. M., in his letter, November 20, says that Dr. Arnold, in speaking of Coleridge's "Letters on Inspiration," utters thes.l ominous words :—" They are well fitted to break ground in the approaches to that momentous question, which involves in it so great a shock to existing nations—the greatest, probably, that has ever been given since the discovery of the falsehood of the doctrine of the Pope's infallibility." Now, sir, if Dr. Arnold stood equally high as an authority in theology as he unquestionably stands pro-eminent in scholarship, we might suppose him to be well acquainted with what were and are " existing notions" on the Inspiration of Scrip. ture. But this is far, vary far, from being the case. The Rev. E. Bickersteth, in a letter to his son, said :—" Dr. Arnold's ignorance in theology is really great, with all hi s claims to study and knowledge, and this has begot a rashness and presumption of judgment, full of conceit and imagined superiority, and seeking to put down those who differ from him, whether Puseyites or Evangelicals, by harsh words, such as priestcraft, fanatics, men of narrow minds, B.bliolaters, and the like. The acquirements of sixty years, instead of his limited studies, would never justify such railings, and so he was left to fill into infi lelity about Daniel, and into many rash speculations about Church and State." The great theological acquirements, and the eminent and holy character, of the late Rev. Edward Bickersteth, gave great weight and authority to hie low estimate of Dr. Arnold as a theologian. A somewhat similar estimate is given in the Christian Observer, of August, 1853. Of the great hierophant himself (Dr. Arnold) it was said —" Ile wakes every morning with the impression that everything is an open question." The supercilious pedantry and intoxicated vanity of our modern critics and theologians, remind one of the comedian's atpo eaTZ xat TrEptVovri., TOY nXtcv " I tread the air, and scrutinise the sun." How different the language and habitual sentiment of the profound Bishop Butler—" He knows absolutely nothing, who does not know that in religion we are all children." How different, I would observe, in passing, is this humble estimate of man's reason from the proud, presump'uoue, and unphilo sophical notion of those who would elevate it above Scripture, and make it " the supreme rule of faith." Which of the two shall we believe—Mr. M. or the profound Bishop Butler ? Having seen how low Dr. Arnol I ranks as a theologian, wo cannot attribute any weight whatever to his sanction Of poor Coleridge's opinions on Inspiration, which he thought would give a great shock to " existing opinions." Dr. Ar nold, evidently not knowing what the existing opinions on In- spiretior ware, gave credit to,Coleridge'e description of them. In vol. 6, of the Journal of Sacred Literature, there ie a translation of Thaluck, on inspiration ; and at page 360, where Thaluck quotes from Coleridge, there is a note by the translator, "Discriminating readers," he says, "will see that Coleridge here assumes the existence of opinions which nowhere prevails. The abettors of the theory of Caloviue himself, would not hold that all the speeches contained in the Bible, such as those of the friends of Job here referred to, were given forth by their original authors, by inspire tion of God ; but simply that their recorders recorded them by that inspiration. So with respect of Stephen's mistake in Acts vii. 2 " I would remark, in passing , however, that this supposed mistake of Stephen has been explained by Turretin, and others. Now, sir, I ask confidently, what shall we think of Cole ridge and Dr. Arnold on the " existing notions of inspira tion," and the great shock that they were to sustain ? What can we think but that Coleridge, being an oPitil a eater, mistook the chimeras of his over-excited brains for realities, and that Dr. Arnold had not sufficient knowledge of the facts of the case to prevent him believing the w aking dreams of his friend to be unquestionable truths. It is , howeve", to be especially remarked, what is the result which Dr. Arnold expected from the destruction of hie friend's chimera. It was the higher exalting, and " the more sure establishing of Christian Truth." Dr. Arnol d very truly agrees, that the speeches of Job's friends were not inspired, and yet he may be very far from denying the inspiration and infallibility of sacred writer• in their religious teachings. Mr. M. has adduced 1 10 proof that Dr. Arnold would not agree with the opinion of Archbishop Whately and Dr. Hinds on this point. Dr. Arnold's anticipation that Christian Truth would be established, is a proof that he regarded Revelation, aid not Rationalism, as the source of Sacred Truth. According to the spirit of Dr. Arnold's expressions, " Christian Truth- - the Scriptures—are the supreme Rule of Faith, and not Human Reason." We would, then, entitle Coleridge s e " Letters on Inspiration," not Confessions of an Enquiring Spirit, but " Confessions of an Opium Eater." So much, then, for Vie authorities on the question of the Infallibility of Scripture ; and it will be evident that gr. M. receives no support whatever from them in favour of his infidel opinion on the question. If they fail him—se he cannot deny they do fail him—in sanctioning by destroying the infallibility of " the Religion and Theology of the Scriptures," they are of no use to him whatever' for this is the fundamental principle of his irrational scheme. The foundations failing, the building falls. Ili . Patron Saint, Dr. Arnold, tells him that Unitarian son' timents connot be proved from the Bible, except 199 incredible " monstrosities of criticism." In attempting O f establish the Unitarian principle of the supremacy Reason as the Rule of Faith, Mr. M. gives us a specimen of the "monstrosities of criticism" in the Socinian school' He says (Dec. 8)—" I find that 2 Cor. iii., 6, Pawl rejoices in being an able minister of the Ne /r . Testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit for the letter killeth, brit the Spirit giveth life." " 134 thoroughly," says Mr. M., " does St. Paul exalt the reve lation of spirit and reason over a revelation of letter or written record," &a. Now, we may well doubt whether so ridiculous a gloss as this be seriously meant. In Dr Arnold's words,..it "appears too bad to have been ever enter' tamed in earnest." It is an arbitrary gloss, made withou t the slightest reference to the scope of the Apostle's reasoning' and to the context. This is a specimen of the Socinian $ l4 I have before mentioned, of " extracting any given meaning out of any given words. In the 7ch and 81 verses of thi. very chapter, it is seen that St Paul is contrasting the old and the new dispensations, and showing the superior glori of the Christian dispensation. There is not the slightes t countenance given to the notion, that by the letter is mean t the New Testament Scriptures ; and the word " spirit" in the 17th verse, expressly defined to be " the Lore " Now the Lord is that spirit," says the Apoitle. W e who are called Bibliolaters endeavour, in humble deper dance on the teaching of the Spirit of Truth, to ascertain the " mind of the Spirit," by attending to the scope of the argument, the grammatical construction of the Pa s9s g a under consideration, to the context and to parallel pessegel' and we thus guard ourselves against the thousand arbitrerY meanings which a mere rationalist would impose upon the Word of God; and when we have thus ascertaiued wile S we believe to be the " mind of the Spirit," we yield Or unfeigned assent to it as a fact and as truth, even in instances where that truth is beyond our fall cernPre' hension. The method, in the instances which Mr. M. has followed; in giving a meaning to St. Paul's expressions in this eaa e t is rather a play upon words than a critical interpretati o n It is such an interpretation, as requires no knowledge .° languages, no examination of the argument, and exhibit! a total disregard of the context. The words " spirit" an? ci 0 letter" were, off-hand as it were, taken to mean a ala n mind and a book ; and the passage thus perverted by as arbitrary gloss, adduced as a scriptural proof of " a l sovereignty of a law, engraven on the mind and reason oe man, over a law written on paper." In thi, way, scripizie may be, and is, perverted so as to prove anything. ) I°ll ' m indeed, are they to be pitied, who are compelled to lista: to teaching of this character. Infinitely better would it 1 , 9 to study God's Holy Word without rote or commen t, / 7 dependance upon the promised assistance of the Spirit o 0 Truth, than to listen to the wild imaginings of one 1 113°Ile only rule of interpretation, is a preconceived system, 01 :f t ill regulated fancy. What else can possibly be the ell e ' of constant attacks upon the infallibility of the theologi and religion of the Bible, but to spread the ravag es c) , infidelity ? What can indulging in arbitrary interpvetscr tions of scripture effect, but the spread of a tholleslinf heretical opinions ? Is it time that the sacred ho urs s ' a the Sabbath should be spent, in the service of 61 0 is the father of lies ; and is it thas, that they who o° ,ll believe and trust in Him, whose "blood cleanseth from ? sin," 1 John i. 7, should be sent away in doubt and desP sll J K. GLAzensoo' Lower Darwen, December 15, 1857. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. SIR,—" Ourselves, on the other side of the water," as I recently heard a British Shipmaster designate the Americans, are, by comparison, a standing proof that, however necessary in England we may consider examinations, when properly managed, an injudicious one is a serious evil, and positively depreciates the standard to which all would, like the Americans, aim, if left to their own mere reputation ; for the self-respect to which I alluded in my last letter, would have the effect of encouraging self-teaching. It is said, that a man, who is his own lawyer, has a fool for his client. Never can it b 3 said, that a man, who is his own tutor, has a dunce for his pupil. J. self-taught man is a well-taught man, and more especially in navigation. Compare the fallacy of the present mere "certificate " with the satisfaction a commander derives from the consciousness of a fair and proper groundwork, and we at once divide the class of Shipmasters into two parts, separated by a very wide gulf ; the one part, at peace with themselves and well prepered for emergency; the other, (although men of equ tl respectability and natural talent) sunk into an abyss of apathetic indifference, but wanting only the encouragement which may accidentally have benefited their more fortunate brethren. My object is to hold forth encour agement to every sailor. lam about to show him that advance is much more easy than he imagines. I am scarcely about to advise an increase in his work ; a certain standard has been settled by lye, or rather i❑ justice, perhaps, to legislation, I should say that defects which through years have been creeping into our system of nautical teaching, were not touched upon, nor amended, by the Mercantile Shipping Aet ; the sin (if any) of the authorities is rather that of omission, than of commission, although had they merely, from ignorance or indifference, aseed on the supposition that existing ovils would, in active practice, find counteractiag advantages, all might have gradually wrought more smoothly, but it, unfortunately, happens that, as regards the examination of Shipmasters, positive defects have been allowed to supplant positive qualifications. Experience and servitude are made secondary in importance to bookwork, to mere superficial " cramming," which too often produces a lasting nausea. Bookwork, from being improperly handled by soma examiners, is made to defeat its ow❑ ends. It should be remembered that those who go up for examination are, as a body, and as regards training, ignorant of all principles which should nerve a man for a fair and open testing of his mental powers. Hence, a proper forbear ance is wisdom. I have heard many a promising but disappointed sailor-youth denouncing, not so much his injudicious examiner, but head quarters—the Board of trade itself—as the cause of all their sorrows, while a not-to• be.mistaken and notorious pomposity of manner (often amounting to insult), and an assumption of excessive intelligence and vast superiority of acquirement, and power of devisieg canning questions, bearing remotely en a sailor's work, rather than any positive malignity, caused the rejection of many a youth who might have failed to bring out his results to the accuracy of a second or two. I would tell these hair-splitting gentlemen, and (I could contest the point with them by name if necessary) that it is• a fearful thing to throw a wet blanket on the shoulders of an ardont aspiring sailor, by needlessly checking him in his early career—at his first step ! I can appreciate accuracy as well as themselves, but surely it is straining a gnat and swallowing "rum-puncheons" when we reject principles altogether, and pursue an unfortunate "second," (which is never of importance on shipboard,) until we weary and disgust the unfortunate tyro. Barely some better test of qualification, in an examiner himself, is called for. I would suggest that due attention to temper and manner be a part of his qualification ; and that, as good men be selected for the outports as we have in London, Liverpool, or Southampton. As things are, a man is supposed to be competent to command a ship if he can answer certain questions on certain set subjects. Whether these answers result frees an inwrought knowledge, or are the mere stripping of a few " unattached " ideas from, the mind, which have been pitchforked thither out of an " epitome " or a treatise on navigation, for use on this specific occasion, the examiner has no authority to enquire. Now the real efficiency of a Shipmaster rests on two principal supports, viz., mathematical acquirement and seamanship; all other things yield to these in importance . But, it will be convenient if we first dispose of the question of " seamanship," and afterwards analyse examinations in mathematics. I have formed opinions; founded en no ordinary experience in my earlier days—in the perils of the sea, in their worst features, and believe let the indiscribable tact and decision, and presence of mind, which accident only, and positive sense of present danger call forth, cannot be tested by mere examination at a desk in a quiet room on shore. And yet we must admit that the advantages which result from experience are the greatest qualifications a commander can possess. Our legislators, however, seem to have overlooked this circumstance ; for, at present, any one who is a mere landsman in feeling, bat who may have been borne on a ship's books for a certain time, could easily "qualify" for a certificate, and what is more, might attain the same standing, in the eyes of the law, as a veteran of forty years' 'servitude. This would seem an injustice, yet the 'Merchant Shipping Act positively (though unintentionally) excludes from command some of the best and most valuable (because most experienced) of our Shipmasters, and for this reason, viz.,—the very self respect which proceeds from conscious superiorty and which increases the, importance and value of them to the merchant service, will not allow them after, say twenty, thirty, or forty years' creditable service, to sit " like schoolboys " at the desk of an exernieer, who is too often in himself his inferior in every species of nautical knowledge ! Nor can we blame those veterans, when w e bear of their having been entrusted with troop ships and emigrants, and even with the honour of the British flag, as well as the credit of our merchant princes ; and what is more, the competency, loyalty and fidelity of these men have, in many instances, been acknowledged by their employers and by Government itself ! I ask then should the Mercantile Marine Act have pronounced these men, in the face of all these considerations, to have become suddexly incompetent? If it be really necessary to test commanders by examin atioe (and as far as nautical astronomy is concerned this cannot be doubted), let us do it effectually. But some changes are called for. I have to propose a complete system, as far as mathematics are concerned ; but 'now can we test for seamanship ? To do this, an examiner ought to take his candidate to sea, put him in command in a gale—in a storm—a hurricane—or a cyclone ;" watch his countenance while he splits his sails—or while his ship springs a sudddeu leak ; or his ship is thrown on her beam ends, carries away her tiller chains, or while he sweeps, Sec., the deck with an Atlantic wave ; to command him to went ship under adverse circumstances—unship her rudder—cut away her masts—tries him at riding on a menacing and apparently inevitable lee-shore. Under these circumstance; I say, let him watch for the cool steady eye—the undaunted self-command—the happy expedient—the unflinching se'f-devotion and courage—the firm and manly and appropriate order, and then let him pronounce confidently upon the fitness or unfitness for command ! The above would be a test, but one that cannot be exacted, nor in commanders of a certain standard can it be necessary, for all who are accustomed to the sea will know that the experience of every old commander furnishes to his memory many scenes and situations to which I have called attention, and few there are who have never passed some of these ordeals. Surely then we might be content to let these sturdy " hearts of oak " continue to wear their leaves, and bear their "Accorns" (we may need them) sheltered from the keen and cutting land breezes of the lew, which are blighting, and destroying those whom the storms and tempests of the sea, from the excitement of healthy professional agitation, could only the more deeply root and invigorate. Let experience then assert its claims.—Yours,&c., S. hi. THE MACNAUGHT CONTROVERSY• TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TRIES. think the majority of year readers will se with me when I protest against the ridiculous intrusion I ) / narrow minded bigots into this important A nd d eeP ti interesting controversy. I refer especially to the att eu f e , of your correspondent Wynne, to pin himself, as it sc i ;,y upon the garments of his betters, and bring his 0 12° 4 11 5 - 0 , before the public, by fastening himself upon 3 1 ' 0- naught's popularity. Perhaps your ambitious bird pondent is aware that Mr. Glazebrook is getting th e Ic i t s• of the argument, but I do not think matters will 1:41 . 4 or proved on that side by Mr. Wynne's interferen;'ily. that Mr. Glazebrook covets the assistance of his Il e° a nd If Mr. Wynne has never read the fable of Ths °X ,. 4 tile Frog" I would recommend it to his i ni medist e v ,% t ri e r , S tion, especially so far as relates to the Frog respectfully, pool-41 Everton, ec. 17, 57. I enclose my D card from lB Which you will learn tI,A 1 not engaged in the controversy. A despatch from St. Petersburg, dtted Decembs'aero.ll— an important victory over the Circass A i ali v pia; The John Bull sailed for Hauaburgh on Wrecia' l ' silver valued at £22 000. - rd in tO The mail steamer Magdalene will take ou t .£l l9, vv- Brazil. raVti r • The Recorderahip of Poole is conferred on 111 r. Alejor . BRE ACH Cooke OF MIRRIACE CONTRACT AT R the Circuit Court of Bedford county, Virg,;ll..io'oo doll Elmira W. Wingfield obtained a ve rdict o c° toot. damages from Wm. Stein for breach of marrilgc Abous The lady is about thirty-four and th e g(ntlemanforEger ,eighty. This was the second trial of the case ; farmer Jury having given a verdict of 650 dots for the p which was set aside on motion of the defendant. can Paper. Tiles, Alt th e ~„ II gib ed ' , Tiber 4 0„ mina vItEsS „,. 1T.13 To b, 'the ! —___ A./s1 4 0Ro , p atim 31 Ti 130 /11, °Pent; CLL The fluctio l 34, 4 hair ati