The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-19 00:00:00

in issuing a treasury order, permitting it to be taken out of bond, for the purpose of being exported to the colonies. The effect of this order is justly described as tending to injure, if not eventually to destroy, the refining establishments of Jamaica, as well as to pre vent the planters from obtaining remunerating prices for their sugar; thus granting a direct encouragement to slave-grown sugar at the expense of the British colonists, and at the expense of freedom itself. The quantity of refined sugar imported into the island, from the 10th of December to the Ist of May, was estimated at about forty-three thousand pounds. The Governor had issued a circular to the local and stipendiary magistrates, requesting their consideration of a project for establishing in the island Courts of Reconciliation, for the adjustment of differences among the peasantry, to consist of a jury of peasants, presided over by a magistrate, on a similar principle to the court existing in Norway, under the same denomination, and which had been successfully imitated in Barbadoes. He had also issued to the same authorities an impor tant circular containing the opinions of the Attorney General in reference to the renting of tenements by labourers, which were calculated to produce a feeling of unanimity on the subject. We are glad to find that agricultural and immigra tion societies were in process of formation in several parishes in Jamaica. It is highly gratifying to find the planters thus determined to put their shoulders to the wheel, and to promote the re-colonization of the island. On this subject the papers before us contain several articles of a very interesting nature, which we may hereafter transfer to our columns. We are glad to find • that our humble, but zealous and sincere advocacy of the West India interest, is appreciated by the island press. Nothing can give us greater satisfaction than to find our efforts so energetically seconded by our brethren of the press across the Atlantic. We trust that our joint endeavours will be . produetive of lasting benefit to those invaluable colonies. The Jamaica Standard has taken up the question of immigration in good earnest. It says that the planters should not permit a single packet to leave the shores of the island without carrying home the most pressing solicitations for support, and calls upon the non-resident proprietary to•aid them in the measure, or they will soon own no thing but uncultivated wastes. We have received by the packet our files of the Gui ana Chronicle to the 29th of April, and of the Berbice Advertiser, to the 27th of April. These dates have been already anticipated by an arrival at Liverpool, bringing papers to the 28th of May. As we anticipated in our last, the progress of Lord Stanley's bill on Monday evening was opposed by all the strength which government could bring down to the house. It is, however, gratifying to observe how greatly the tone of the shabbiest of all shabby admin istrations was lowered on the occasion. The itnper-, tinence, the swagger and the self-sufficiency which usually mark the proceedings of their leader, Lord John Russell, were. exchanged for the pitiful whines of a beaten cur, as he yielded to the terms which, by the staunch and glorious array of members upon the con servative benches, he felt that it was in the power of Lord Stanley to dictate to him, and which we trust his lordship and the supporters of the measure will not allow to be in the slightest degree infringed upon. This evening, in accordance with the terms agreed to, the bill is to go into committee, Lord John Russell and the government pledging themselves "not to offer any obstruction to its fair discussion." This evening, then, we are to have the last pitched battle, the result of which will in all probability decide the fate of Lord Melbourne's administration ; for it is evident that a division in favour of the very first clause, which cuts off at one sweeping blow the entire rottenness of the present registers of Ireland, is in itself sufficient to prostrate utterly the monster power which insults Eng land, and alone sustains in office the basest party that ever misgoverned a nation. Let the first clause of the bill .be passed, which disfranchises the whole of the present Tom Cassidys, and leaves a new register to be made consisting of living men possessing bona fide claims to the franchise,—and no cunning, no shuffle, no trickery of Whig legislation can ever again erect so mountainous a mass of corruption. From the hints thrown out by the government press, We may pretty confidently assume that upon the ap proaching decision of the house depends one or two alternatives—the resignation of ministers, or a disso lution of the present House of Commons. If defeated upon the first clause, no subsequent tinkering—no amendments which a majority of the Commons are at all likely to sanction—can render this bill palatable to the whig-O'Connell faction. They cannot even re tard it without interrupting, at the same time, the entire public business of the country ; for, however much we deprecate any recourse to so extreme a mea sure, we are compelled to acknowledge that, in such a case, retaliation must and ought to be resorted to. The English Protestant majority of the House of Commons must not for ever be trampled upon by a Popish minority. Resignation, then, or dissolution, are the inevitable results of defeat. The fleshpots of office must be resigned, or the amiable, independent, and enlightened gentlemen, who either dip therein or live in hopes of luck, must be sent home to meet the scrutinising looks of their constituents, and some of them—alas, how many !—to return no more. Sad contemplation ! To which of these two courses, then, will the minis try resort ? Will they resign ? There is not such a word in the whit; vocabulary. They must dissolve, then ;—and what on earth can the Whig-O'Connell party gain by a dissolution ? England is sick of them, nauseates them, hates them : Scotland' loves them not : and Ireland, with all her manifold corruptions, with all the agitation of her turbulent priesthood, cannot effect more for them than she has already done. They can gain no strength in the House of Commons or in the country from a dissolution. They will, however, have by that course the benefit of one more election before the present corrupt system in Ireland is swept :away, which may enable them—not certainly to retain -office, for that is beyond hope, but—to retain by their :side a formidable opposition, which will give them Tower to obstruct and harass for a time any conserva tive administration which may be formed. By a dis solution they will also for a few more months be ena bled to pocket their salaries ; and Heaven knows that to some of the beggarly crew a quarter's wages is an object of no trifling importance. Our firm conviction, then, is, that a dissolution of parliament must occur during the present summer — perhaps even during the present month. Already the scouts of the treasury have been observed snuffing the air in sundry snug corners, on the look-out for con stituencies upon whom the secret-service funds may be successfully applied. Not one of the present mi nisters dare look in the face a large and independent constituency; and there are not a few of them who will be found, on the meeting of a new parliament, in want of that indispensable adjunct to office—a seat in the house. Let the constituencies of Great Britain, then, he watchful. Let good men and true he ready ; and, when any oily-faced fellow, who has a suspicious look and a fawning, glazing tongue, is observed feeling his way into the confidence of the electors of any borough, let the banner of conservatism be at once raised, and under its folds a host of honest and true hearted men assembled, whose very smile of confi dence shall be sufficient to drive to his kennel the piti ful slave, whose hungry longings for a meal shall have incited him to intrude his unclean person amongst men who loathe alike him and his masters. To the electors, of Liverpool we need say nothing. They are ready. Let other constituencies follow their noble example, and ENGLAND is HERSELF AGAIN ! Since the above remarks were in type, we have re- ceived the London Times of Thursday morning, and find that in despite of his pledge, plainly and distinctly uttered, and as plainly worded, that " most incom prehensible of all pigmies"—that quintessence of oneanness, the Colonial Secretary is compelled by the ;tyrant authority which rough-rides Lord Melbourne's administration, to eat his own words, and embark in a Fresh course of obstruction. The pledge given, that Lord Stanley's bill should to-night be allowed to go into committee for discussion upon its merits, is to be broken, deliberately and openly, in order we suppose that Great Britain should he able to form an idea of the depth of infamy to which a whig government will allow itself to be dragged by its insatiable love of corruption and public plunder. We quote the words of our contemporary, and he knows sufficiently of 'what a whig is capable. Alluding to the pledges of Lord John Russell and O'Connell, our contemporary remarks—. "We now present our readers with Mr. E. J, Stanley's view of the value of those respective pledges that the Irish Registration Bill should not be pervented from going into committee. We copy the Ministerial circular for to-mor row, literatim, verbatim, et interlineatim : " EARLY AND CERTAIN DIVISIONS. " Your attendance is most earnestly and most particu larly requested in the House of Commons on Friday next, on the motion for going into committee on Lord Stanley's Irish Registration Bill. " Tuesday, June 16.' " We find that there is to be an EARLY and CERTAIN division. Lord J. Russell says no ; but yes,' cries the whipper in—on such occasions by far the most trustworthy of the two. We find that there is to be a certain division on the question of doing into committee. 'There is,' says the whipper in, although the leader has said ' no.' Such, ye Conservatives, is the good faith which your enemies offer you—such the party truth and honour in which you and the country have to trust !" The anniversary of the glorious field of Waterloo, which took place yesterday, used a few years ago to be a day of proud interest to all classes of our country men. And still it is so. Still Englishmen can look back with a glow of satisfaction to that immortal fight in which the successful exertions of British valour gave freedom and peace to the world, and struck down at one blow a system of tyranny and aggression unparal leled, in the world's history, for its external splendour, and unapproached for its devastating and demoralizing effect. Yes : still that day will be a landmark in the ocean of the past—a point to which generations of Englishmen yet unborn will direct their eager gaze, whilst ranging the field of history ; for if ever the God of Peace could be supposed to mingle in mortal quar rel, like the fabled gods of old, surely on that day he sustained by his presence the squares of the British infantry, and protected in that last struggle the people which alone had stood forth to resist the universal do , minion of a military tyranny based upon an irreligious democracy. The return of each successive anniversary brings with it, however, feelings mournful as well as proud. Year by year the remnant of that gallant body of war riors who withstood unshaken the masses of the chi valry of France, becomes thinned by the hand of a more formidable enemy. Time has already blanched locks which on that day were swart as the raven's wing; and death is daily stilling with his cold touch hearts which on that day beat high in hope and youth The little bands of brethren which on every returning anniversary were wont to meet by the village alehouse bench, or in the more ostentatious and more modern inn, to " tell how fields were won ;" " To fight their battles o'er again, And thrice to slay the slain ;" are becoming less numerous and less joyous than they once were, and in some places have become extinct altogether. . Nor is this all—would that it were ! We should not grieve for them. They have had their day of glory and "they sleep well." But have those who remain no bitter thoughts which spring from a darker and more distressing source ? Alas, they have. They see daily and almost hourly the fruits of that glorious triumph,— the advantages for which they shed their blood in Por tugal, in Spain, in the fields of France, and amongst the swamps of America, yielded up tamely, basely and treacherously by an un-English faction. They see what the sword won, and what blood and treasure paid for, alienated by a protocol. They see the name and the fame of England become—how shall we confess it? —the laughter and the mockery of Europe, of that Europe whom her own arm freed from a grinding tyranny, and whose sons she alone enabled to call their own the very air which they breathed ! They see this degradation, and can they unmoved behold the return of a day which brings, with the memory of so much glory, the present and goading consciousness of sound disgrace ? They cannot. We are convinced that they do not. They are bowed down to the earth with shame for their degenerate country ; and account every drop of blood shed on that day, as shed in vain, whilst Eng land is content tamely to allow the fruits of victory to be snatched from her grasp. Let us hope, however, that a day of reckoning is at hand; that a time is com ing when the traitors who are, at this moment, selling their country, shall be treated as the coward who on that memorable thy would have deserted a British standard to preserve his own contemptible life. Eng land has endured much from Whig dishonesty and Whig treachery; but she will not endure that the blood of her brave sons, who on that day breathed out their lives for the cause of constitutional order and liberty, should be weighed against the paltry objects of Whig ambition, or distilled by the talisman of any foreign power into gold for the clutch of Whig speculation. For one part of the arrangements made by the com mittee who conducted the proceedings of the meeting of Wednesday last, at the Sessions-house, we are bound to thank those gentlemen whoever they were. Nothing could have been conceived in better taste than giving the moving of " The Address" to that distinguished, Christian patriot, the Rev. Hugh M'Neile. It was in deed a legitimate expression of the estimation in which the rev. gentleman is held by all that is really respect able in the town, of every party. Had only gentlemen been present, Mr. M'Neile would have been received like a gentleman, and his brief hut beautiful speech, which extracted unwilling plaudits even from his adver saries, would not have been interrupted. But the back part of the room was packed with a ferocious party of Radicals and Roman Catholics, and when the Mayor Called upon Mr. M'Neile to move the third resolution, the rev. gentleman was met by a most indecent and disgraceful storm of yells and hootings, mingled with savage gesticulations and cries of "No Jezebel !" Our contemporary, the Mercury, will doubtless blame Mr. M'Neile for the disturbance, but he will not probably notice the fact that before Mr. M'Neile had uttered a word, or done any thing more than stand up in com pliance with the arrangement of the committee and the call of the chairman, and consequently before even calumny herself had any opportunity of charging the disturbance upon him, we repeat and we desire to fasten attention upon the fact, that before he uttered a word, the liberality, the good manners, the respect for the Mayor, and the love of fair play, which so emin ently distinguish the Radical party, were exhibited as above described, with more of the characteristics of a menagerie of wild beasts, than an assembled company of Englishmen. The Mayor, however, succeeded in obtaining silence. Mr. M'Neile spoke ; and the savages who, we suppose, never heard a gentleman speak before, were astonished. The calm dignity and chastened fervour of the rev. gentleman's manner, combined with the beauty and simplicity of his language, operated as a spell upon them. For a few minutes the meeting was what it ought to be. Mr. M'Neile read and moved the adop tion of the address to her Majesty. For what followed we hold the Mayor to be highly reprehensible. He allowed party personalities, made more personal by the marked and taunting cheers of the radicals, to be uttered and persevered in, on the one side; while on the other he took advantage of a single expression from a gentleman when speaking to order, and very unfairly put that gentleman down. A most unwarrantable and malignant attempt was made, by cowardly insinuation, to connect Mr. M'- Neile's name with the atrocious crime of the assassin. An interpretation forged, forced, and unnatural, has been wilfully put upon certain expressions of the rev. gentleman by Popish adversaries, who felt that the true interpretation was scathing to their system. And then their own interpretation, as hateful to every feeling of the rev. gentleman's heart as it is congenial to theirs, has been made the ground of an accusation, which they who first advanced it, and all who have since repeated it, knew and know to be utterly, deliberately, and dia bolically false. The rev. gentleman commented on the history and character of " that woman Jezebel," the infamous wife 04' King Ahab of Israel. Lk called at tention to her idolatry in defiance of the divine com mandment, her reckless ambition aiming at its pur pose through perjury, her perfidy, and her systematic and persevering persecution of the faithful servants of God. And in harmony with many of the most distin guished divines of the reformed church, he applied those characteristics as illustrative of the Papal system, as that system stands developed in Papal books of au thority, and exhibited in the conduct of Papal leaders, both ecclesiastical and civil. This he did, and none of hie accusers have dared to grapple with his arguments, But when they say that he made or insinuated a comparison between that in famous woman, grown old in wickedness, and our young, innocent, gracious, and beloved QUEEN, they are guilty, we repeat, of wilful and gratuitous false hood. And now, in reviving the calumny, and placing it before the public in juxta-position with the fearful atrocity of the late attempt upon our Sovereign's life, they are doing their best—their wicked and charac teristic best—we may add, their puny, ineffectual best —to murder the reputation of a clergyman, whom they hate for his Christian principles, whom they fear for his commanding talents, and whom they envy for his unprecedented influence. At the meeting on Wednesday, Mr. John Taylor saiil— " Let those who were wise, and who thought themselves qualified to instruct the multitude, beware how they used any ambiguous language without proper explanations at the time it was uttered. (Cheers.) He was not for curbing a man's rhetoric in the course of his orations, or for holding him down to a nice expression; but let him explain, that lie might not cause another to do that against which he had a previous horror. (Cheers.) " This was received by the radical auditory as a clever hit at Mr. M‘Neile, and cheered accordingly : but where, we ask, and when, did that rev. gentleman use ambiguous language requiring explanation ? We defy Mr. Taylor, or any other of his slanderers, to quote the language. If his speech which was perverted into the Jezebel calumny be referred to, we will furnish the language for -the edification of Mr. Taylor, who, we will venture to affirm, never read the speech in his life. Mr. M'Neile, on the occasion referred to, said—(we quote from the Liverpool Courier, which contained a report of the meeting at Whitchurch)— " But, my lord, it is said that ministers of the Gospel should not intermeddle with things of this kind; that they should be ministers of peace, promoters of peace. We hear this on every side. All who arc anxious to get rid of our advocacy, because they feel they cannot answer our arguments—(cheers) —endeavour to put us down by professing vast concern about our spirituality. (A laugh.) Ministers of peace ! Where is this found, I would ask ? Where are we called ministers of peace? Not in the Scriptures. What a strange delusion is abroad! (Hear.) There is no such thing in the Bible. We are ambassadors for Christ. And what did Christ say ? ` Think you that I came to send peace on the earth ? I tell you nay, but rather a swore A sword ! Doubtless it is a sword. We possess, indeed, a peace the world knows nothing of. He said to his followers, ` Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' We have a peace within : but as to our ministry, it is a sword, and not peace. It cannot be peace, while the world is under the power of the Devil, who is the enemy of all righteousness. What peace, so long as that woman Jezebel lives? (Loud cheers.) It cannot be possible till peace comes in its proper Scriptural place : The wisdom that cometh from above is FIRST PURE, then peaceable.' (Cheers.) 'When the world shall be pure, then the ministers of the church will be men of peace. But while the world is corrupt, I sayony, lord, we are men of war. (Applause.) Our master has given us a sword. His ministry was a sword, pii!rcing through many hearts ; and the ministry of every faithful follower of his is a sword—a sword that comes in contact with the great abscess of man's corruption ; and there cannot be peace while there is this leaven of iniquity in the world. (Cheers.) While Popery stands revealed as you have heard it to-day, it is a dereliction of the highest duty of the minister of Christ, en trusted with the propagation of truth, to quiet himself, and fold his arms, and call his quiescence and indolence by the name of Christian charity and peace. (Cheers.) While the enemy is in the field it is a desertion of the standard. We are bound to be faithful soldiers as well as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ—(hear)—and what sort of a faithful soldier is he who runs away, and keeps himself in. the dark, behind the hedge, or in his well-secured parlour, while the enemy is in the field ? (Much cheering.) No : let us join as one man through the realm, and say, No peace with Rome.' Is there anything ambiguous here ? Anything that requires further explanation ? The high strain of the rev. gentleman may, indeed, be beyond the compre hension of men who never read their Bibles, and care nothing for divine truth ; but its meaning, its only possible meaning,' is quite clear to all who are capable of entering into the spirit of the apostles' language. " The .wisdom that is from above is FIRST PURE, then peaceable." Yet this is the passage which has been. tortured by Popish malice, and misrepresented in the Popish and radical press, as an excitement to murder the Queen. , No, no ; " that woman Jezebel" lives, not in the person of our beloved Sovereign, (whom God preserve !) but in the idolatry, perjury, perfidy, and persecution of Popery. This is the sting : the likeness is too complete to be tolerated, and hence the ingenuity and earnestness to cover it with lies. But ,the rev. gentleman has triumphed. Even Mr. O'Connell has been compelled to admit, in the House of Commons, that Mr. WNeile had made no reference, on the occasion in question, to the Queen, but to "the religion .(the apostacy we call it) of the first duke of England." At the meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Atkinson said— " In conclusion, he would say that such excitement and such language ought not to be tolerated, or else the language of commiseration afterwards came to something very like hypocrisy." This, too, was hailed by the papists and radicals as a hit at Mr. M‘Neile, but we are willing to give the speaker of it credit for a better aim, and to suppose that he alluded to what would really give point to the words—namely, Lord John Russell's speech in this town, and his subsequent treatment of the wretched chartists. We think that Mr. M‘Neile and his best friends have abundant reason to be satisfied with the result of the meeting on Wednesday, the atrocities of which must recoil on those who used them ; and we hope that, as the mover of the address, the rev. gentleman will be deputed from the town of which he is so distinguished an ornament, to present it at the foot of the Throne. EXHIBITIONSN AT ITU THTI E MECHANICS ITON. We were yesterday favoured with a private view of the collection of paintings, sculpture, antiquities, natural curiosi ties, &c, now on view at the Mechanics' Institution. We must confess that we are totally unable, from the cursory examination which we were enabled to bestow upon the great mass of curiosities brought together under the roof of the building, to give our readers anything like an adequate idea of the extent and rich variety of the exhibition. In subsequent numbers we trust we shall have opportunities for giving a more minute and dqtailed description of the various articles of vertu in the several apartments. For the present, we must content ourselves with a rapid glance at the more pro minent features of the exhibition. In the vestibule we were struck with some beautiful speci mens of mail armour, and several paintings of a very high order of merit. On ascending the grand staircase, at the eastern side of the building we recognised several portraits of individuals distinguished in the annals of the " good old town," many of which suggested very interesting associations. The first room that we entered, on the same side of the building, presented a large and curious collection of vases, implements of war, offensive and defensive, in use among savage nations, medallions, medals, musical instruments, &c. in bewildering variety. The second room is appropriated to architectural models, plans, and elevations, with several water-colour paintings, exquisitely finished. The third room is devoted to engravings after the leading artists of modern and ancient times. Some of the antique line engravings are exceedingly rare and beautiful. In this room also there are several water-colour paintings. The fourth we entered contained a splendid collection of natural curiosities, including stuffed birds, insects, fossils, corals, minerals, &c., with some ingenious wax preparations, showing the fructification of plants. The fifth room is occupied with statuary and paintings, most of them displaying considerable merit. The sixth room contains a collection of paintings of first rate character, too numerous to notice in detail ; in addition to which there are some unique and elaborate specimens of furniture, especially a sofa of German manufacture, which serves also for a sideboard, the workmanship of which is ex ceedingly beautiful. The seventh room contains a large collection of anatomical preparations, casts of heads, &c. The eighth room is appropriated to a portion of Dr. Raf fles's large collection of autographs, of the most eminent au thors, statesmen, warriors, &c., of all nations. This room, we venture to say, will be the most attractive in the exhibi tion. The ninth room contains another collection of natural curiosities, including some rare fossils, stuffed birds, insects, animals, &c., &c. The tenth room contains a number of well-executed draw ings, by the pupils in the various schools attached to the institution. Many of those which have emanated from the mechanics in the evening schools are highly creditable to their diligent study of the fine arts, and indieate considerable pro ficiency on the part of the students. The eleventh room contains specimens of the printing press, with other apparatus in use in the art of printing, book binding, &c. The twelfth room contains some exquisite specimens of upholstery, by Mr. Woods, of Bold-street, together with the machinery for fringe manufacture, in operation, &c. The thirteenth room has a display of various articles of furniture, especially carpeting and upholstery, by Messrs. Woolright and Chidson, of Bold-street. The theatre will be fitted up with microscopic apparatus, to be exhibited by the aid of the oxy-hydrogen gas. One of the rooms on the ground floor is filled with philo sophical apparatus of every description, together with models of steam-engines, locomotives, ships, &c. &C. In short, the whole exhibition is both splendid and unique. It would take many columns of our paper to give even a bare enumeration of the various objects on view. We recommend our readers to provide themselves with season tickets in order to be enabled to enjoy anything like a com plete view of the exhibition. Lieut. the Earl of Mulgrave, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, has been appointed Aid-de-Camp to Lieut.-General Sir R. D. Jackson, K.C.B. commanding the forces in Canada. THE LATE ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE HER MAJESTY. As soon as the rules of proceeding allowed, the mayor of this borough, JOSHUA WALMSLEY, Esq., convened a spe cial meeting of the members of the Town Council, for the purpose of presenting an address to her Majesty on the pre servation of her life from the treasonable attempts of the youth Oxford. The meeting was held in the Town-hall at eleven o'clock on Wednesday, and it was numerously at tended, nearly all the members now in Liverpool being pre sent. The MAYOR, having taken the chair, said he had called this special council for the purpose of giving the members an opportunity of expressing their abhorrence of the late atrocious attempt upon the life of our beloved Queen (hear, hear); and he was sure that in this, as well as in every other discussion of which her Majesty was the subject, there would not be the slightest appearance of party or political feeling. (Hear, hear.) All would agree in the sentiments of loyalty and respect towards our beloved Queen. (Hear, hear.) An address had been prepared, and Mr. Currie would favour the council by reading it. Mr. W. W. CURRIE then rose. In answer to the call of the mayor, he begged leave to say, that, in coming forward upon this occasion, he had only done that which every gen tleman in the council would have been happy to do, and that it was an occasion on which no gentleman could feel the slightest reluctance in corninz forward. He entirely ap proved of what had fallen from the mayor as to this being an occasion when there could be but one feeling—and that of the strongest nature—among them ; that it was most de sirable to avoid anything that should give rise to a difference of opinion, or anything that might disturb that unanimity of sentiment which he was sure would prevail. The address he was able to read had been drawn up by the Town clerk, and he thought the council would agree with him that that gentleman had very skilfully expressed the feelings of the council, and at the same time avoided anything that might be offensive. It was only rather more than four months since the council met t o congra t u l a t e her Majesty upon the auspicious event, which they hoped was the dawn of happy days to this country ; and they did not expect they should so soon again he called upon to express their feelings, especially upon such au occasion as the present. What the motives of the individual who had attempted the Queen's life were it was impossible to divine. No rational grounds could be as cribed for the attempt : it was for the Searcher of hearts to make them clear. Youthful as he (Oxford) was, he might have been acted upon by others, but he (Mr. Currie) did not for a moment wish to suggest any idea of this kind. To give an idea of the feelings that ought to prevail with reference to this wicked attempt, it was only necessary for us to picture to ourselves what would have been the condition of the coun try had the event taken place. (Hear.) The following was the address : " TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. " We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Liverpool, in Special Council assembled, hasten to offer to your Majesty and his Royal Highness, your illustrious Consort, at the pre sent moment, the renewed expression of our devoted loyalty and personal attachment. " In common with all our fellow-subjects we heard with astonishment, abhorrence; and indignation, of the late most atrocious attempt upon your Majesty's sacred life,—an at tempt designed to terminate a life so justly dear to your sub jects, and with the prolongation of which the best and most important interests of the realm are so closely interwoven. While we present to your Majesty our fervent congratu lations upon the gracious preservation of your Majesty from the dreadful consequences of this unhallowed attempt, we offer, at the same time, our humble thanks to Almighty God for having vouchsafed to your Majesty his merciful protection on this occasion. " 'We cannot but believe that the recent peril to which your Majesty has been exposed, will serve but the more to endear your Majesty to your faithful subjects ; and we trust that the universal manifestation of devoted attachment and loyalty; now called forth from every quarter of the British dominions, may be to your Majesty the source of grateful re flection and of lasting satisfaction. " We conclude this our most dutiful address with the ex pression of our sincere and earnest hope that the lives of your Majesty and your Royal Consort may long be spared, and attended with every domestic and social blessing, and that your Majesty's reign may be distinguished by general happiness and national prosperity." He begged to move that this address be sent for presentation to the Secretary of State for the Flume Department. No person would suppose that this council was anxious to avoid any thing that could appear respectful and right and proper ; but he thought it would at once occur that, having already shewn their loyalty and respect to her Majesty by the per sonal attendance of those who represented them—and con sidering that if the address were presented by the Secretary of State, it would spare her Majesty much fatigue—(hear, hear,)—upon an occasion when addresses were likely to be numerous, this course should be adopted. He was sure, if feelings of consideration and propriety were held in view, that course would be followed. He therefore begged to move, that the address of the town council of Liverpool be sent to the Marquis of Normanby, Secretary of State for the Home De partment, for presentation to her Majesty. (Hear.) Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE felt great satisfaction in having been permitted to second the proposition of Mr. Currie. He was aware how difficult it was at all times for him to express what he felt, yet there was something in a subject like this which made it a difficult task even for the most accomplished speakers. All must be impressed with feelings of gratitude for the great and providential escape which her Majesty had had; all must feel overcome with horror at the atrocity of the crime attempted against her life. It was his lot to be in town at the time when her Majesty was receiving the cheers of the people upon her return to the palace; and he must say that he almost heard the cheers with which her grateful subjects welcomed her safety. (Cheers.) He was glad to find that these feelings were not confined to London, and that the council of this borough were so prompt in ac knowledging their gratitude for her safety. We ought to be deeply grateful for it. With regard to the presentation of the address by the Secretary of State he fully concurred with Mr. Currie. Certainly it would be the best means of pre senting to her Majesty : and he was sure that there would be no feelings of disappointment by a deputation not going up for that-Turpose, and that the members for the borough ' would not think themselves neglected. With these observa tions he begged to second the motion. The MAYOR then put the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Alderman SHELL hoped he might not la! considered Presumptuous in rising to 'offer a suggestion for the consi deration of the council=-it was that an address be presented to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. (Hear.) Their object was to express their grief at the attempt made upon the lite of her Majesty, and their heartfelt satisfaction at her escape. Now no man who had thought upon such a subject could have the slightest doubt that the greatest gra tification they could bestow would be to show the greatest degree of respect to her Majesty's parent. That considera tion alone led him to propose that an address be also pre pared by the Town-clerk, and presented to her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent. Mr. WM. RATHBONE seconded the motion, and expressed his conviction that it would be carried unanimously. It could only be considered as a feeling of sympathy with the parent upon the preservation of her child, especially in the interesting circumstances in which that child was placed. (Hear.) The council were too apt upon many occasions to give a party colour to their proceedings; but this subject could not possibly be tinged with party feelings, (hear) for it was simply the offering of their sincere sympathy with a parent upon the safety of a child so dear to her, and so dear to the country. (Hear.) Mr. H. LAWRENCE suggested that the name of Prince Albert be included in the address to her Majesty. The MAYOR said it was, and he read the first sentence of the address to satisfy the council. Mr. H. LAWRENCE expressed his satisfaction. The council then separated. MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE. — The weekly meet ing of tie members of the Dock Committee was held yester day in the office, Custom-house. Mr. Barclay was appointed chairman. The following members were present :—Messrs. Dixon, Holmes, Thos. Holt, Barclay, Segar, Yates, Tobin, Horsfall, Smith, Martin, and Gladstone. The secretary read the proceedings of the last meeting, and they were con firmed. A number of accounts were ordered to be paid. The subcommittee on life boats reported that they had examined the model of a new life boat submitted by Mr. Richardson, and were of opinion, that it was not desirable to build one according to it. On the motion of Mr. Yates, second e d b y Mr. Horsfall, the thanks of the committee were, ordered to be given to Mr. Richardson, for the zeal and talent he had exhibited in the preparation of the model. The marine sur veyor reported that a Prussian brig, from Liverpool to Riga, with no pilot on board, was discovered in the channel in dis tress, at five a.m. on Monday, and that after the life boats from several of the stations had proceeded to and r en d ere d h e r assistance, she was towed into port by the Victoria steamer. Enquiry were ordered to be made who were the owners of the vessel and cargo, in order to call upon them for the repayment of the expenses incurred. On the recom mendation of the marine surveyor, an additional tel escope w as ordered for the telegragh station on Hilbre Island, to look on the North West Light - ship. A letter from the he ad constable was read, explanatory of the circumstances under which police constable Roberts attempted to save the unfor tunate man Smith, who was drowned in the Waterloo Dock, and, after a short conversation, the sum of £5 w as or d ere d to be presented to him as a reward for his intrepidity. The chairman then read a letter from Mr. Leathom, chairman of the committee, dated Morley's Hotel, London, June 17, re lative to the new dock bill now p endi ng before parliament. The letter stated, in substance , that the decision of the coal- . mittee was that the council should have an equality of mem bers in the committee; that on the appointment o f c h a i rman and the members of the committee, no determination had been arrived at, but that it was understood the veto was to remain undisturbed. The letter then stated that a confer ence had been held that morning with the opponents of the bill as to an arrangement to save expense, and that the op position might cease another meeting was to b e h e ld i n the afternoon, but it being doubtful whether an arrangement would be made, the chairman stated that he could not enlarge upon it.—The secretary then read a return by the treasurer of the amount expended in the prosecution of the bill, from December to the 15th of June : the amount was stated to be £2,592 2s. Bd.—Mr. Gladstone : That is the cash expended ? Mr. Horsfall: That is th e treasurer's returns whi c h was or- dered last week. The committee then separated. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT KNOWSLEY.-011 Monday morning, at an early hour, one of the servants of the Earl of Derby was found in his bed, in one of the offices attached to Knowsley-hall, with his throat cut in a most s h oc ki ng manner. The alarm of the inmates of the nobl e mans i on was, as might be expected , ve r y considerable, and the unfortunate man, or victim, as was apprehended , on being ques ti one d, was able to to say , tha t during the night two men, one of them short and the other tall, entered his bed-room by the window and demanded his money, Watch, &c., and on his refusal to comply with their request, they drew what he thought was a razor across his throat, and inflicted all but a fatal wound. At first his statement excited no doubt what ever of its truth, and inesangers were dispatched to Prescot and Liverpool for the police. Mr. Earl, however, on having search made, and the butler having further questioned him, were led to think that the act was that of the indi v id ua l hi m .' self, and not that of robbers or assassins. They were con firmed in this opinion by finding that no robbery had been committed, and that there were no trace s o f any one having entered the apartment. His watch and money were all safe, but one of his razors was missing. This was subsequently found covered with blood behind a c h es t i n t h e room, and upon its production the unfortunate man confessed that there was no truth in his first statement, but that the attempt on his life was made by h i mself. Ile has be en a we ll- con d ucte d man, but eccentric in his habits, and it is a great relief to the inmates of the hall that he has confessed the fact, for had he not done so, room would have been left for most distressing suggestions and reports. The unhappy man is attended by a surgeon from Prescot, but he is by no means out of danger.—Our Prescot correspondent has furnished us with the following particulars in reference to this distressing case :—" The Courier of to-day . contains an acc oun t o f the occurrence at Knowsley , and as far as I can learn the acount seems correct, except th at I believe it is now very probable that the man will recover. If, however, it should turn out otherwise, I will transm it y ou an account of the inquest. It is something remarkable that Mr. Hulme, (brother of the person in question) who is also a servant at Knowsley, cut his own throat some years ago ; but he recovered, and is still alive."] THE BAR.—The members of the Munster barhave adopted a resolution, expressive of their intention to wear their wigs and gowns on their circuit for the future. The height of the mountain Skiddaw in Cumberinnd, near Keswick, is 3,022 feet ; the number of miles t o wa lk to t h e top is five and a half. CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS. EXAMINATION OF THE INFANTS OF THE SOUTH SCHOOL. On Tuesday a public examination of the infant pupils at the South Church of England School, took place under the superintendence of the talented preceptor of that department. The examination took place in the infants' school-room, be- fore a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen. It is impos sible to do anything like justice to this interesting exhibition, which appealed to the sympathies through channels into which mere description cannot hope to penetrate. The mere sight of two hundred and fifty fine healthy children was pleas ing. But this was nothing to the contemplation of the bud ding minds of the " sweet little cherubs that sat smiling" on the platform. The dawning intelligence, the efforts of inci pient emulation—which is but another designation for " young ambition"—the first gleams of bright thought, like the " blushes" that " smile through heaven, " When May's sweet mornings break," all were there, rendering the scene one Of delightful interest. The preceptor and the female teachers who assist him have the little ones under admirable control, and all, apparently, less through fear than affection. They marched into the school stamping time with their little feet to a quick march which they were singing. One and all their taste for music seemed admirable, and Corporal Trim himself would have ,pronounced their drill perfect. The boys filed off to the right and the girls to the left, taking their places without the slightest confusion. They continued singing till the ex tremely little ones, the mere infants, tiny babes which could but just walk, had tottered into the school and taken their places. Even these small creatures were already beginning awkwardly to follow the example of the older ones, for it is a part of this system that we are all creatures of imitation, and its object is to make learning as delightful as any idle pastime would be. Before ,the business of the morning seriously commenced, the little ones here and there were dis playing the several propensities of children. Here a young urchin was tweaking his companion's nose, there a tiny maiden was twisting a lock of her neighbour's hair in paper; opposite these a bold boy was endeavouring to push his little friend down the platform, while others were sucking their thumbs, standing up, or lolling carelessly. A whistle from the master reduced them all to s ilence and strict attention; a _ . motion of his finger caused them to rise simultaneously to their feet ; and one and all then lifted up their voices and sung a hymn of praise. After this they sang to the air, " There's nae luck aboot the hoose," some original verses in praise of the Church of England Schools and their supporters. The master said, the usual mode of examination in the Scriptures had been by questioning the children. As the questions and answers in the case might be the result of close preparation, he should call upon the children to question him. The little ones were then encouraged to put questions, and the preceptor proceeded to examine them in the subjects to which each question gave rise. In the course of this part of the examination, they displayed a very intimate knowledge of the Old Testament. The only blunder that occurred was curious and somewhat amusing. The questions had led by a rather desultory course to the history of Saul. The master asked what the people said when they saw Saul. The an swer, simultaneously given, was—" The people gave a great shout, and cried " God save the Queen!"—" God save what !"—exclaimed the master. " God save tlr Queen," repeated the young ones. " How—the Queen !" said the master, with a look of surprise. The children immediately corrected themselves. The next exercise was as follows : A pretty little intelli gent looking lad, we believe his name is Lloyd, was placed at the table. The boys and girls on the platform were de sired to name a letter of the alphabet, and his duty was to give a text of scripture commencing with that letter. When ever he failed to do this, the little one that had given the letter stepped into his place, that is, providing the pro pounder of the puzzle were prepared to show his or her com petence, by furnishing the required text. The little boy ac quitted himself marvellously well in the face of innumerable difficulties, for the better-informed youngsters did all in their power to rob him of the distinction. One lad, whose name, we believe, is Harris, made a dead set at him, but he kept his place manfully. " B"— cr i e d one . " B e h o ld the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world !" " H"—said another. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, &c." " H," repeated Harris quickly. " Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and that getteth understanding. " Z"—re iterated the persevering Harris. " Zaccheus, make haste, &c." " R"—said another. " Remember now thy Creator .in the days of thy youth." " T"—was quickly again re peated. " The fool hath said in his heart there is no God, &c." " B"—exclaiuied . Harris, knowing this letter had been given before. "Be sure your sins will find you out. At length; however, the little fellow was conquered, for Har ris gave him a letter, and he could not find a text. Harris therefore took his place. The situation of the latter was now extremely difficult, for he was bound not to give any text that had been already given. However, he acquitted him self well. One of the infants, a very little fellow, began to weep, and wished to go home to his mammy. The master said, " I know how to quiet you, my little fellow." The ladies present looked greatly interested at this exclamation, thinking they were about to have a valuable secret for stilling unruly babes. The preceptor showed himself a true j u d ge of infant nature, for, taking a large bun from the table, he gave it to the sobbing little one, and his prognostication was immediately fulfilled. The little one. began to use his mouth for a totally different purpose. The other youngsters eyed the dainty gift wistfully, seeing which the master exclaimed, " now then, we'll do a little more business, and then we'll all eat together presently. Shall we.? '7 A joyful " Yes sir ! " from the w h o l e group , was the response. We mention these little incidents for the purpose of showing the good understanding that exists be tween the master and his tiny pupils, and to prove that the admirable state of discipline to which he has brought them is the result of kindness rather than coercion. Some of the small fry were by this time a little tired, and one or two of them evinced symptoms of drowsiness. The master judiciously aroused them by changing the theme en tirely. A song, which describes the mo v e men t s o f a c l oc k and the value,pf time, rather merrily, was sung to the tune of the woodpecker. As the little ones beat time throughout by a variety of characteristic motions, they entered into the spirit of the composition with the most delighted alacrity. A boy named Jones was exercised in scriptural geography, all the others following him, as he illustrated, by reference to the map, the questions that were put to him. The preceptor produced a small parcel, and announced that he had received a present. All the children were eager to know what it was. The parcel was opened and a miniature shoe-last was produced. The children laughed heartily When they saw. it. The master said, that Mr. Burroughs had told him, that the last which he used to illustrate the cordwainer's art was too clumsy, and he had accordingly sent an infant last as more proper for an infants' school. As the last was decorated with a piece of red ribbon, the children said, they thought Mr. Burroughs was a tory. A song, descriptive of the shoemakers' craft, was the next divertisewent. We have mentioned that all these songs are accompanied by descriptive motions. We noticed, with pleasure, that all these actions were of a nature to expand the chest, exercise the most important muscles, and improve the shape. As the lungs arc in action at the same time, these operations cannot fail to produce the most beneficial effects on the health of the children. Several interesting little girls, who were quite unable to speak plain, repeated, in succession, the pence-table, the time-table, the long measure-table, &c., the whole of the children afterwards singing the tables as songs, which were set to popular airs. The preceptor having shown the manner in which the children are classified, that business was commenced which the little ones deemed most important of the whole morn ing's proceedings. We allude to serving out the oranges and buns, of which a plentiful supply was distributed. A. hymn of thanksgiving was sung, and the children were de spatched delighted to their homes. ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS. Yesterday, according to annual custom, the children of the Blue-coat and other schools in connection with the Church of England, walked in prOcession through the prin cipal streets of the town, accompanied by the Mayor, Town clerk, and several other members of the corporation. They were headed by a number of the clergy and gentry of the town. Each school bore one or more neat little banners, with some appropriate inscription or device ; and after having gone round Nelson's monument, a number of the children were taken to St. Peter's Church, where, after prayers by the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, in his usual impressive style, a sermon was preached by the Rev. It. W. Evans, Rector of Tarvin, from Eph. 4c. 3 v. " Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."—A collection was made at the doors, which amounted to about £6O. The following is an account of the number of children in the schools con nected with the Established Church within the Parliamen tary boundary, on the day of the Anniversary, 18th June, 1840 : Daily. Infants. Sunday. Total. -6 SCHOOL. * Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls 6 * E 2 Blue Ct. Hspitl 250 100 250 100 350 • S Ch. of Eland 260 235 190 96 . 450 331 781 North Ditto .. 402 203 157 102 8 7 567 312 879 Welsh Charity 228 104 84 64 .. 312 168 480 St. James's .. 120 .. 8 .. 128 .. 128 St. Philip's . 9U .j l . . 19 10' 102 _ Hunter-street. 160 100 • . 160 10 260 Moor -fields .. 142 105 32!3 . 10 .. 184 142 326 St. Mark's.. 102 115 90; 65 40 50 232 231 462 St. Andrew's.. 82 11 85 64 24 21 191 201 392 St. Paul's.. 200 140 .. 210 154 410 294 704 St. Michael's.. 90 74 . .. 16 20 106 94 200 St. Luke's .. 96 90 4 . 0 20 10 10 146 120 266 St. Catherine's 117 100 80 64 6 8 203 17 37 5 St. Bride's ,195 16 107 51 12 ; 15 314 225 539 St. Matthias' 90 7 34 48 70 67 194 185 379 Christ Church 180 250 1021 125 .. 1148 282 523 805 Evrtn & Kdale 210 130 661 54 15 25 291 209 500 Mill-lane ... 39 4 26' 20 6 6 71 7 4 145 St. Sim on ' s . : I 6O GO 60 60 120 Edge-hill .... 10 . 5 5 50, 60 .. .. 155 110 265 St. Jude' s ... • 17 0 138 60 73 40 35 270 246 516 St. Augustine's 149 13C 65' 38 14 8 228 182 410 St.John-Bapt. 140 155 47 53 25 70 212 278 490 Workhouse .. 240 9 67 44 .. 307 134 441 - - - 3767 2 . 799 1382 1067 574 716 57234592 10315 TO THE CONSERVATIVES OF LIVERPOOL. GENTLEMEN,—It has always been a source of regret to the class of conservatives to which I belong—the tradesmen's body—that we are condemned week after week to have our characters, our principles, and our objects misrepresented by a base whig.radical press, which meets us at every turn, and whose libels we have no means of refuting. It is true we have conservative papers, conducted with talent, and pos sessing information infinitely superior to those of our oppo nents ; but from their very character, these papers find no circulation amongst that class of our fellow-townsmen, by whom low and scurrilous attacks upon private character, and fraudulent perversions of the principles of public men and measures, are the most greedily swallowed. The poison spreads into every alley and every pothouse throughout the town. It is vulgar and nasty, and therefore fitted for such localities. But the antidote, however powerful, rarely reaches the wound which has been created. We are oppos ing a rapier against the bludgeon of a ruffian, and fight at as great odds as a gentleman in ball-room costume meets when resenting_ an insult offered by a n i g ht man, f res h out of a " sough." • There must be some reasons for this great inequality in the respective power of Whig-radical and conservative press to serve their party. There must be some reason for the fact that whilst the one press—the whig-radical—thrives and laughs, the other can barely keep above water, and not always do that. The circulation of the whig press is much greater than that of the conservatives but why is this so ? Are conservatives so niggardly as to hesitate between the trifling expense of supporting a respectable and constitutional press, and allowing their opponents to libel and laugh at them with impunity ? Shame if they be so. The real reason of this inequality, I can believe, is, that the whig papers contain a greater quantity of advertising intelli gence than the conservative, and are, therefore, bought and read, from business necessity, by thousands of good conser vatives. To the conservative gentlemen of Liverpool this is not a creditable fact, because I know that a great portion of the property and trade of Liverpool is in the hands of the party to which they belong. Let these gentlemen advertise with their own party, and the conservative tradesmen of Li verpool will support their press, instead of one from which they reap nothing but insult and slander in return. The tradesmen and operative conservatives support you, gentle men of Liverpool, in your parliamentary and municipal struggles—support them, by giving them a powerful press ; we have already a talented one, to defend our characters from the attacks of our opponents.—l remain, gentlemen, respectfully, your obedient servant, A CONSERVATIVE TRADESMAN. LIVERPOOL PROTESTANT BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Yesterday the Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held at the George and Vulture Hotel, in Houghton-street, where the members and their friends dined together in cele bration of the event. The day chosen by a society consisting of constitutional men, who love their country and venerate her institutions, could not be more appropriate than the an niversary of an event which hurled a foreign tyrant from his fancied predominance, and " secured liberty to Europe—to the world peace." Apart, however, from political considerations, the object of this society is to provide for poor operative Protestants, by thoughtful providence, a fund to relieve their distresses in case of sickness, and to afford them relief when the winter of age shall have laid his frosty, though we hope kindly fin gers upon any of its members. This is only the -fourth anni versary of the Society. yet we are happy to add that, through the exertions of the officers, there is a surplus fund, properly secured, of nearly £300; and when we speak of the exertions of the officers, we must in justice add, that most of the suc cess of this excellent Society must be attributed to the exer tions of Mr. Rowlands, dentist, who has spared no pains, nor neglected any opportunity, of advancing the benevolent ob jects it has in view. No less gratifying must it be to the °pc naive Protestant to find, that when he resorts to a provident practice to provide for future wants, sonic of the leading men of this great community should show themselves ready to assist in the good cause—that the names of a Sandon and Cresswell, a Gladstone and Aspinall, a Horsfall and Sands, &c., &c., should be found in the list of its members. The room in which the members dined was fitted up in the most tasteful manner. Immediately behind the chairman, over whose head a canopy was erected, appeared a small neat flag, on which was emblazoned the almost imperishable motto of " England expects every man to do his duty," sur mounted on each side by the union jack,— " The flag which for a thousand years Braved the battle and the breeze." _ To the right appeared splendid portraits of the Queen, her Royal Consort, and the Rev. Hugh M•Neile, the great champion of Protestantism. On the left was a beautifully executed full length statue of the greatest hero of battles, the Duke of Wellington, in the goodly company of the immortal Pitt on one hand, and Sandou on the other, whilst near him were to be observed the veteran General Gascoyne. On the walls were banners with appropriate inscriptions, all bearing upon the great principles of Protestantism. In one place was to be observed the command of the great Ruler of the Universe—" Search the Scriptures"—whilst near it was the saying of our good old Sovereign, George III.—" I wish every poor child to lie taught to read the Bible." Across the centre was a festoon of laurel and other evergreens, and at the lower end of the room were tasteful flags, with con stitutional inscriptions. Having discussed the preliminaries, we must now proceed to the substantials, which consisted of the most profuse sup ply of everything the epicure could desire, and we should imagine that the most fastidious appetite might have found ample means for its gratification. On the whole, the getting up of the affair did great credit to the culinary skill of the worthy host of the George and Vulture, Mr. George. The president of the day was Mr. Rowlands, supported on his right by J. Cooper, Esq., and on his left by Robt. Rigby, Esq. Mr. T. Richardson occupied the vice -chair; and amongst those present we observed A. Byford, Esq., Watham, Esq., James Owen, Esq., R. Brookes, Esq., It.. Coleman, Esq., Oddie, Esq., &c. &c. The dinner was preceded and concluded by an efficient choir chanting " Praise the Lord," &c. On the cloth being removed, the following toasts were given : The PRESIDENT, in proposing the first toast, regretted that the office he held had not fallen into abler hands. He dared not trust his feelings to speak of the late diabolical attempt on the life of our beloved Queen, which,he sincerely thanked God, had no t b een successful. He should therefore give —The Queen (loud cheers): may she never forget the principles which seated her family on the throne of theEe realms. (Drank with 3 times 3 most hearty cheers.) Song—" God save the Queen." The '' PRESIDENT said he - ;; proud to propose the next toast, which was the health of no less a personage than the husband of our beloved monarch, Prince Albert. (immense cheers,) who, along with her, had escaped the hands of the assassin. (Drank with the usual honours.) The PRESIDENT next gave the health of the Queen Dow ager and the rest of the Royal family, which was drank with the most enthusiastic honours, and followed by the glee of " Hail, smiling morn." . _ The CHAIR MAN said he would next give the health of a body of men to whom we were mainly indebted for the health and prosperity we now enjoyed—he meant " The Bishops and Clergy of the Established Church."—Three times three. Glee—" Here's a health to old England the Queen and the Church." The PRESIDENT, after calling for a bumper and eulogising the Duke of Wellington, gave the health of his Grace and may he see many anniversaries of this great and glorious day. (Drank with most vehement applause.) Glee—" The Mighty Conqueror." The PRESIDENT next, after some appropriate remarks, gave " Protestant Ascendancy," which met with a warm reception. A GENTLEMAN present, on being called upon, responded to the toast. The PRESIDENT then gave the health of Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and the Conservative Members of the House of Commons. (Three times three.) Song.—" On Stanley, on." The next toast was the healths of the patrons, Lord San don and Cresswell Cresswell, Esq., and the Honorary Mem bers, which was received in the most enthusiastic manner. Mr. COOPER rose to respond, and was warmly received. He returned his sincere thanks for the honour they had done him. If there was one occasion more than another when it was peculiarly aratifying to respond to a sentiment or toast, it was iu the presence of men united together in one great benevolent work—the furtherance of the interests of their fellow-men ; and he only regretted that there was not a larger number of honorary members present at this meeting, to witness the enthusiasm that prevailed, and the unanimity which characterised their proceedings.— (Cheers.) He had no doubt that by a little exertion many might be added to the list of honorary members, who would be proud to dispense the wealth which Providence had blessed them with in so benevolent an object. He trusted that ere long the corporation of Liverpool would, like Wigan, contain a majority of Conservatives, who would not, as the present party had done, sacrifice the interests of this great town to a bantling of their own. (Loud chee rs .) Th e gent l eman con cluded by proposing the health of the Chairman. (Three times three.) The Chaiiinan.responded to the toast in appropriate terms. Then followed the toasts of Mr. • Jackson, who responded in an excellent speech—the Vice-president—the Stewards— the Secretary—the strangers who have honoured us this day with their presence, to which Mr. J. B. Taylor responded— the Conservative Press, &c. &c. In the course of the evening several letters were read from the honorary members, regretting that they could not be present on so interesting an occasion. Several honorary members were added to the list. THE WRECK OF THE SYLPHIDE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. In reply to two letters from Messrs. M'Arthur and Clarke, I beg to state that it is not true that it was six o'clock when I went to the wreck of the Sylphide. It is not true that I was' only one hour there. It is not true that I said I assisted in towing that vessel. It is true that 1 found three steamers at anchor doing no thing. It is true that Sherlock said he could have done better with one steamer and a couple of flats. It is true that I went in the Seacombe steamer. I am also certain that had Mr. Abbinett gone down the morning I went with his slinging apparatus and a couple of flats, she would have been towed up the following tide, for the water was perfectly smooth.—Yours respectfully, JOHN ASKEW. THE ARCHIMEDES. TUNE—" Through Erin's Isle." A sage of yore at Syracuse, Who dealt in mathematics, Invented a machine to pump Spring water to his attics ; A wondrous screw the water drew, By spiral revolution, And did the sage's thirst assuage, Or serve him with ablution. And daily they who came that way, The mighty screw when viewing, In cup and can all blessed the man, And drank success to screwing. Long ages fled, the sage was dead, May be the pump was rotten ; The good old screw, its maker too, Were well nigh both forgotten, When a youth who sprang from British blood, One night when he was dreaming, In fancy crossed the channel's flood With screws applied to steaming; And from his dream he took the scheme, And screwing now his creed is; So screw along became the song— Success to Archimedes! One fine spring morn, at early dawn, The youth—we couldn't find him ; He 'd gone afloat in a little boat, With his magic screw behind him ; «'e hailed him as we tacked about, To ask what he was doing ; Said he, " My mother knows I'm out," I'm only going screwing; And screw along shall be my song, And, if you doubt the plan, boys, Get up your steam and try the scheme, And catch me if you can, boys. We scanned his craft all fore and aft, We saw his genius clever; Three shouts - we gave along the wave, With—" May he screw for ever !" With steam and sail of no avail, 'We tried to catch him flying ; We tried till night, and so we might— We found 'twas no use trying. So screw along became the song, And screwing still the creed is ; In bumpers true we drink the screw, And England's Archimedes. His work is done—his laurel's won— And, sung through every nation, The name of Smith must be forthwith The wide world's admiration. Philosophy, with Vacant eye, Is lost in silent wonder; And theory says, " Really I I'm screw'd,.and I knock under." So screw along shall be the song, For screwing now the creed is; In bumpers true we drink the screw, And England's Archimedes. Then myriads flocked to see the ark That held the screw so tightly ; And Beauty came to bless the bark That crossed the wave so lightly ; And bright blue eyes lit up the decks, Afraid no more of losses, And screws were hung on ladies' necks, And worn instead of crosses. So screw along is still the song, And screwing now our creed is : With Europe's fame is wreathed the name Of England's Archimedes. .The children belonging to Hackin's-hey daily schools, hi connection with St. Paul's Church in this town, underwent the half-yearly examination in their knowledge of scripture and scriptural truths on Wednesday last. There were seve ral ladies present, and the parents of many of the children attended. The Rev..l. N. Peill conducted the examination, and addressed, at considerable length, the persons present on the chapters of the Bible repeated by the children : thus do the occasional examinations of these schools become in a manner opportunities for the religious improvement of the parents, as well as of the children. Upwards of 20,000 barrels of potatoes and 15,000 barrels of Foreign wheat have been imported into Wexford in the last two months. 'ME MAYOR'S GRAND EISTEEDrOD ENTER TAINMENT. Last evening the worshipful the mayor, Joshua Walmslei, Esq., as, in days of old, the princes and nobiemen of Wales used to do, gave a grand entertainment in the magnificent suite of rooms in the Town-hall, to the leading parties in this national celebration. Among those invited we noticed — The Mayor of Chester, the Clerk of Chester, the Clerk of Liverpool, Hon". Lloyd Iviostyn, Captain Denham, R.N., F.R.S., consulting marine surveyor, Rev. D. James. secre tary to. the Eisteddfod," Rev. H. Parry, Rev. Archdeacon Williams, Rev. E. Evans, Dr. Hughes, General Sir Love Parry, Rev. J. Jones, Rev. R. Davies, Rev. J. Jones, Rev. Rev. Bowstead, H. Hornby, Esq., Sir John Srlisbury, Rev. David Roberts, Thomas Dick Lauder, Samuel Sand bach, of Woodland; Rev. R. Williams, Mr. Cyrus Morrall, Mr. Shell, Rev. Henry Jones, Rev. T. Price, Mr. H. Holmes, &c., &c. There were harpers and minstrels present from both North and South Wales, which reminded ns of the days of yore, when, in the halls of Llewellyn and Glyndwr, they urged their heroes to war and to victory. The dinner was provided by Mr. Towers, of the Angel Hotel, in his usual style of excellence ; and to the great delight of the party, there was introduced, with a flourish from the trumpet by men in the olden Beefeaters dress, a baron of beef, according - to the old baNnical custom. Mr. Towers also provided in great abundance all the delicacies of the season. - Among the toasts were—' May the Welsh Language last till the end of the world."—" The Queen, Go! bless her." " Prince Albert—" The Mayor of Liverpool"—The Welsh Bishops and Bishop of Chester"" The Army, and the Duke of Wellington"—" The Navy," to which Captain Den ham ably replied. The following glees were sung by the parties named in most excellent style, and all of them were encored:— Glee—" Trowch y Ta.nt," arranged by Mr. Parry, sung by Mr. J. Thomas. and his pupils, Mr. Win. Morgan, Mrs. Ann Rees, and Miss Jane Watkins. Glee—" Sir Harri Ddu," arraned by J. Thomas , sung by Mr. Thomas, Mr. Wm. Morgan, Mrs. Ann Rees, and Miss Jane Watkins. " Hob y Deri," a Iluet, arranged by Parry, sung by Mr. Wrn. Morgan and Mrs. Ann Rees Mos Bich). Glee—" Serch Hudol," arranged by J. Thomas, and sung by him, Mr. Wm. Mogan, Mrs. An Rees, and Miss Jane Watkins. The meeting separated about twelve, after having spent a most delightful evening. CONTEMPORARY PRESS. RIBBONISM IN IRELAND, ENGLAND, AND SCOTLAND. (Prom the Standard.) We have copied from the Dublin Evening Mail a startling, but to us not surprising, account of the ar rest of fourteen ribbon delegates in the town of Balli namore, in the county of Leitrim. These include de legates front nine different counties in Ireland, one from Scotland, and one from England. This, we should suppose, is tolerable evidence of the existence of the conspiracy which has been so stoutly denied by the allies of the ribbonmen at the press. Perhaps we shall now be told that these four teen delegates are mere creations of the Standard's imagination, or hear some one of the thousand civil sneers with which our incredulous contemporaries have been in the habit of complimenting us. It will not, however, be so easy to sneer away the evidence furnished by these arrests although we have little doubt that mu c h o f th a t evidence will be sup pressed. Were the Irish government now to act ho nestly and vigorously, we are satisfied that they have the means of laying bare to the public the entire of the murderous and treasonable conspiracy which for years has•stained Ireland with blood, and endangers at this moment the peace, if not the existence. of the empire. We cannot, of course, pretend to say that the papers actually found with the arrested delegates disclose the entire plot; on the contrary, judging from the usual tactics on which the affairs of the conspiracy are ma naged, we are almost sure that they do not. The great secret of the policy of ribbonisrn is to keep each grade of the conspiracy in total ignorance of the superior machinery of the confederation. But at the same time we are satisfied that if Lord Ebrington's government chose to follow up with .sincerity and vigour the clue which the present discovery must have afforded them, they have it in their power to arrive at last at the know ledge of the mysterious head of this formidable orga nisation, and crush it for ever. • That they will do so we do not expect. The dis closures which would necessarily follow such an in quiry would be of all others the most inconvenient to ministers. Not only would they pronounce the se verest condemnation on their past Irish polio•, and rouse the honest indignation of the British people against its authors, but they might perhaps compro mise the personal safety of some whom ministers could not well spare. Our readers have not yet perhaps for gotten the affidavits which we published some years since in the Standard. We confess we look for a re- petition of the policy of suppression which has been always pursued by the Whigs in relation to this ribbon conspiracy—a policy never perhaps more acted in than the trial of Keenan. by the present Lord Plunkett in 1825. Justice obliges us to add that this policy could not have been persevered in if the conservatives had done their duty. We have the best reason to speak of the strange disinclination among men of all parties to in quire into this conspiracy. The disinclination is not new. There is the natural reluctance in the human mind to believe in the existence of such monstrous and wide-spread wickedness as the supposition of a general murderous confederacy involves; it requires, too, the effort of a strong mind to realise to itself the secret existence of a mysterious society of which no clear in dications appear on the external surface of society—no indications, at least, which it does not require close and cautious investigation to connect with the agency which produces them. The human mind is ever satisfied with the easiest and shortest account of any phenome non, and we need not say how much easier it is to re fer a murder, such as that of Lord Norbury, to the faithlessness of a servant than to the agency of a so ciety of murderers pervading the country. Whatever may he the cause, certain it is that in all countries and ages the greatest chance of the success of conspiracies has been found in this very indisposition of the gene rality of mankind to yield assent to even the strongest circumstantial evidence of their existence. The incredulity as to the Catiline conspiracy at Rome was the chief difficulty that Cicero had to en counter in crushing it. But for the sagacity and firmness of Cicero, but for his indifference to the sneers of the wise conservatives of his day, that incredulity would have left Rome, at the mercy of the conspirators. The very same incredulity in 1863 left the Castle of Dublin, in spite of repeated and disregarded warnings to the government, almost at the mercy of Emmet and his associates. While government were laughing at the men who warned them of the danger, while they were actually replying to these warnings by boasts of the tranquility of the country, the conspirators were butchering the. Chief Justice of Ireland within a few hundred yards of the spot where the incredulous Chief Secretary was denying the possibility of insur rection. The delay which was occasioned by their stopping to commit this murder gave time for the loyalists to rally and save the castle and the country. Of the existence of a formidable treasonable con spiracy, with ramifications in both countries, we should suppose no rational man can really doubt. We can only pity those whose wretched avocation obliges them to affect a doubt which they can scarcely feel. The ribbon conspiracy can no longer be disregarded. We believe the time is not far distant when it will make its presence fearfully known—it is not improbable that the delegates of the different counties which met at Ballinamore, were actually discussing, the propriety, or forming the plan of a general insurrection, an insur rection of which certainly•the loyalty of the Protestant people of Ireland would make short work—but at what expense of valuable life we dread to think. It Lord •Ebrington now does not exterminate this mur derous conspiracy, and if a sanguinary massacre break out, he will be in the sight of God and man responsible for the blood that will be shed—a responsibility the most fearful of all those that whig policy entails upon him. The spoliation of the Protestant church is bad enough ; so is the encouragement of traitors ; a con nivance at plans for the murder of loyalists is a step beyond them both, although a step in the same direc tion. " Sint sane quoniain ita se mores halient liberales ex sociorum fortunis ; sint misericordes in furibus wrarii ; sanguinem nostrum illis largiantur." The Sheridan brought the following passengers :—Mrs., Miss, and Mr. H. W. Moncure, Richmond, Virginia ; Mr., Miss, Miss C., Mr. A., and Mr. W. Van Rensselaer, Mrs. De Pcyster and two children, Mr. W. B. and Mr. A. C. - Binniger, Mr. S. J. Spence, Mr. S. L. Schrage, Mr. L. C. Motz, Mr. J. H. Hansler, and Mr. A. Graham, New York; Mr. H., Mrs. Mary, Miss, and Master J. H. Messchert, and Miss M. Griffith, Philadelphia ; Mr. and Miss Shirreff, London; Mr. Gidney and two children, Manchester; Mr. Richard Dickson, Norfolk, Virginia ; Mr. J. M'Cance, Belfast ; J.vlr. B. Blandy, Granville, Ohio ; Mr. J. D. Dutton and Mr. P. Wilson, Maryland. PROVIN CI AL MEDICAL SOCIETY.—The annual meeting of the members of this Society was held at the Legh Arms Hotel, Newton, yesterday. A reporter from the LIVERPOOL STANDARD applied for admission, with the view of serving the objects of the Association by publishing such parts of the proceedings as might be interesting to the public generallY• In reply, the Secretaries addressed a note to him, stating that a reporter had been specially engaged, who was responsible to the Society, and that, therefore, the services of any other reporter wc.re declined. ABOLITION OF TonTunt.—The surest sign of the progress of civilization is the abandonment of the barbarous practice of subjecting accused persons to " the torture," in order to compel them either to plead or confess ; and yet, in this age of refinement and intellect, how many, either by their igno rance or prejudices, impose on themselves prolonged and excruciating tortures of the worst kind. How many victims of Gout and Rheumatism endure sleepless nights, and days of agony, when by a timely recourse to Blair's Pills they Can insure relief from the most painful of maladies to which mortality is subject.—See Advt. A RUSSIAN TABLE D'HOTE.—Every dish at table was served in the Russian style—not less, 4 dare sav, than one hundred, and all peculiar to the country. To make the mat ter complete, la maitresse d'hotel, dressed in gold embroi dery and diamonds, sat at the head of the table, with her face, neck, and arms painted like a doll. This sort of paint ing is a national usage, and has been so ever since Russia was in existence. Our attendants, to the number of forty, were bearded men, dressed in yellow, purple, and parti-co loured shirts, tucked up at the wrists, so as to leave half of their arms naked, and without coats or waistcoats. There was a boy who played on the organ, and who, for the per mission to do so, paid the master of the tavern several hun dred rubles a-year, which shows how much the tavern WS' frequented, and how music here is consi dered a neceoarryo- o ur life. After coffee, a group of gip sies was brought f a s h m o u u s l e d m e r e , n a t n , ddwreistshedea ear-rings n_rigngolsdfobrimvecdadoefd vsahraioAuiss c onHoonwe the dancing figures of trcu a calling to one's recollecti on ,otleds. i i i :h(anc l es, beautifully they danced the Bohemian and Egyp ti neum 1-3,feinaire of the Princess Duehkorv. I