The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-06 00:00:00

LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH-STREET. Mr. J. L. HATTON'S BENEFIT. RAYMON. MR. E. BROWN , THE CELEBRATED FLAUTIST. TLAST NIGH?' BUT ONE of JACK SHEPPARD. HIS present FRIDAY, M arc h 6th, 1840, will b e per formed the favourite Drama, called the PET OF THE PETTICOATS ; On, THE CONVENT OF ST. ELM. Paul Mrs. Raymond Chevalier St. Pierre, Mr. Higgie Col. Belair, Mr. Barton Capt. Cannonade, Mr. F. Gardner, in which he will sing Job M" LET THE TOAST BE DEAR 1V0111AN." onsieur Zephyr .. .. Mr. C. F. Marshall Convent Gardener, a s originally act by him in London) .. .. Mr. Tilbur After which , R OP I 7 OCALANDINS N TRum T rTA L MUSIC. Duet—Piano-forte and'Flute, Mr. J. L. Hatton and Mr. E. Brown. Song—Mr. F. Gardner,—" The Death of Nelson." Song Mr. J. F. Hatton—" Largo al Factotum." From Rossini's Opera of " II Barbiere di Viglia." Misses Thomassin & Lidia will dance a favourite PAS DE DEUX Madlle. Chevallier her favourite Dance of Cupid. Mr. • Mum;rall will dance his celebrated Sailor's Hornpipe. The whole to conclude with the celebrated Historical Drama of JACK SHEPPARD, THE HOUSEBREAKER OF 1703.- Owen Wood, Mr. Tilbui y • Jack Sheppard, Mrs. Barton. Joe Blueskin, 'Mr. J. 1,. Hatton, In which character he will sing " The Jolly Nose," " Now Farewell, my .Rowry Towries," and the Chorus " Nix my Dolly, Pals, fake away." Ticket s and places for the Boxes may be had of Mr. J. L. HATTON, at Mrs. Hughes's, Clayton-square; and of Mr. BRIZZE, at the Box-office, from Eleven till Three o'Clock. LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH-STREET. MRS. BENEFIT, ON MONDAY NEXT the RAYMOND' 9 S th, and TUESDAY, the 10th March instant. GREATEST NOVELTY OF THE SEAON. TWO NEW DRAMAS. / First Nights of the Representation of a NeaE , Adaptation, expressly arranged for this Theatre .entitled THE FATALATAL, SECRU ! which will i nc l u d e the entice strengWof the Company. First Nights of a New Drama, in One Act, Translated from the French of Mons. Scribe, by Mrs. Raymond, entitled MY UNCLE'S WILL! LAST TWO NIGHTS OF Mr. J. L. HATTON. First Appearance at this Theatre of • Mr. BLANCHARD, the Popular Pantomimist. First ppearance Six Years of Mr. CONEY A AND HIS these CELEBRATED DOGS. Air. RAYMOND'S SIXTH APPEARANCE THIS SEASON. The Favourite Melo-Drama, called THE FOREST OF BONDY. The extraordinary Feats of the celebrated Dog Dragon, the same splendid A n i mal who saved the Life of a Child, of Ten Years of Age, in the month of July last, in the Ser pentine River. Mr. Raymond, Mr. Tilbury, M r . C. F. Marshall, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Barton, Miss Baldie, in the Opening Drama for the first time. The Evening's Entertainments will commence with a New Adaptation of a Popular Drama, in Three Acts, arranged expressly for this Theatre, entitled • THE FATAL SECRET; Or, False Nobility. Mr. Patrick Fitzpatrick Mr. Raymond. Sir William 'Wrangle Mr. Tilbury. Miss Wra ng l e Mrs. Raymond. After which Mr. J. L. HArroN will Sing the favourite Italian Buffo Sow?, , Accompanied by himself on the Piano-forte, Largo Al Factotum, from the Opera of 11 Barbiere di Seviglia. 'lr. F. Gardner will Sing, " What will a' the Lads do ?" Composed by Mr. Alexander Lee, Accompanied by himself on the Piano-forte. J. L. HATTON will sing the Comic Anatomy Song. '' „ '"sses TnomAssiN and LIDIA will Dance the admired Follie Dance, arranged for them from the Opera of Gustavus 111. CHEVALLIER will Dance a favourite Pas Seul. To which will be added, for the first time at this Theatre, a new Dramatic Sketch, in One Act, translated from the French, by Mrs. Raymond, for this occasion, entitled MY UNCLE'S WILL ; Or,.a Wayer for Love. Mons. D'Egville, (a rich old Bachelor, and Guardian to Erntoeline,) Mr. Tilbury ; Emmeline de Beaulieu, (a young I%'idow,) Mrs. Raymond. After which, Mademoiselle Chevallier will Dance an Admired Pas Seul. Mr AA • ..A.IJNGALL Will appear in hi s J OCKY H O RNPIPE, and ,„ MT. SMITH Will Dance a Ne w GROTESQUE DANCE. 1 :0 conclude with the celebrated Melo-drama, not acted here these Six Years, entitled THE FOREST OF BONDY; Or, the Dog of Montargii. Captain Aubri, Mr. Blanchard ; Laundry, (as acted by him at several of the London Theatres,) Mr. Coney ; Dra gon, by the Dog Hector; Ursula, Miss Baldie. In the course of the Drama, A GRAND MILITARY DIVERTISEMENT, In which Misses Thoinassin and Lidia will appear. Tickets and places for the Boxes ma be had of Mr. Bitieza, at the Box-office, from Eleven till y Three, and at the usual places. Boxes, 3s ; Pit, 2s ; Gallery, 6d. Se con d Price at Half-past Eight. Boxes, 2s ; Pit, Is. No Second Price to the Gallery. Doors to be Open at Half-past Six o'Clock, performance to commence at Seven precisely. ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE OF ARTS, GRAND NIGHT PHIS EVENING, (F RIDAY,) for the BENEFIT of .1 Mr. WIDDICOMB, RIDING AI ASTEp., and Mr. BULLOCK, CLOWN, with new Scenery, Dresses, and all the acquirements, as produced by Mr. Ducrow, at the Roy a l Am phitheatre, London, the Hi s t or i ca l Eques'tilan Spectacle of CHEVY CHASE! on, THE BATTLE OF OTTERRNE. The Spectacle will be followed bl PUCROW'S Classic Scenes of the Circle and Extraordirtia6- Feats ; the whole terminating with the Asiatic Melo-Drama of the TARTAR PRINCE. On MONDAY next, the 9th instant, and the last week of Performing, will be given a new series o f Cl ass i ca l N ove l t i es, for the B ene fit o f Mr. DUCROW. Mr. Ducrow respectfully informs the Nobility and Public, that the Amphitheatre will close on the 14th of March ; therefore, any persons having claims on him or his establish ment, are requested to send the same in immediately. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Our 41 Literaty Notices" are unavoidably postponed until • Tuesday. Several communications have been received, the insertion of Which a press of local matter compels us reluctantly to defer. tbt Ethrrpool &tanbarb. FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 6, 1840. Lord Lyndhurst, with his accustomed ability, intro- ' duced into the House of Lords, on Monday evening last, a petition respecting the commercial arrangements of this country with Sicily, particularly with reference to the sulphur trade carried on with that country. This subject is one of very great importance to the mercan tile interests of Great Britain, as well as to a large class of our manufacturers. The losses which have already been sustained in the sulphur trade have been enor mous ; and we think that those who have been the sufferers are justly entitled to compensation. The im- Ports of sulphur into this country have very consider ably increased within the last few years. The disco veries which have been made in chemical science have rendered this article of very great importance in several °f our principal manufactures. The demand for it has, co nsequently, been steadily on the increase. In the course of eleven years, which preceded the year 1837, • th e importation of sulphur had increased eleven-fold. The import in 1826 only amounted to 4,000 tons ; and I t, 18 37 it had increased to the amount of 44 , 000 tons, 'Nearly the whole of this article has been heretofore P ro cured from Sicily, in which island it is exceedingly an undant and easily obtained. In 1816 a commercial treaty was concluded between this country and Sicily, w hich provided that ample protection should be afforded to British subjects and British property—that British subjects should be allowed, without let or hindrance, to dispose of their property at their own free will—that they should be treated, in all respects, as subjects of the most favoured nation—and that no duty, tax, or impost should be levied on their property, beyond those which were levied from subjects of the most favoured nation. These were the principal stipulations of that treaty. Relying upon that treaty, and upon the good faith of the Sicilian government, the mer chants of this country had embarked considerable property in carrying on the sulphur trade of Sicily. Mines were opened, and machinery was established, at a very great expense, for the purpose of increasing the supply of the commodity, and to extend the trade. Up to the year 1838 this trade had been carried on advantageously to all parties concerned, as well as to the manufacturers of this country. In 1838, however. the Sicilian Government, in violation of the treaty of 1816, granted a monopoly of the sulphur trade to a company of French adventurers, under the firm of Taycard.and Company. The exclusive privileges thus conferred upon this Company, enabled them to restrict the owners of the mines to the production of such annual quantity each of sulphur as would have the effect of keeping down stocks and enhancing prices. These high prices were of no advantage whatever to the proprietors of the mines, as they were compelled to furnish the sulphur to the monopolists at a certain fixed and unvarying rate of price. The limitation of the quantity exported caused an enormous rise in the prices, entirely at the expense of British interests. This monopoly involved a direct infraction of the sti pulations of the treaty of 1816, by which British subjects were to be allowed to dispose of their property ." without let or hindrance." British subjects were i:,:-.4[l , na longer placed on the same footing as " those of the • klid _Afloat favoured nation." They were compelled to pay tk fV 7 a , tax which rendered cOmpetition ruinous. The mono polists had the entire controul of the sulphur market, C c „ d what , price . e_ they pleased, provided only that one -thi r d of the profit front the-exam of export above the stipulated amount should •he paid to the Sicilian Government. This stipulation will, perhaps, afford some clue to the motives which induced the Sicilian Government to grant this monopoly. It is true that the proprietors of the sulphur mines might, instead of selling to the contractors, at the price limited by the contract, export for their own benefit, and at their own risk : but this could not be done without paying a duty amounting nearly to the first cost of the article, and twice as high as that at which the contractors had a right to export the article. This is another infringe ment of the treaty, which expressly states that "British subjects should pay no duties or imports on their pro perty other than those which were paid by the mast favoured nation." There is another circumstance connected with this monopoly which ought to be stated. After the regular custom of trade, the British proprietors had entered into contracts for the supply of sulphur to be delivered at future periods, in quantities and at prices agreed upon before the monopoly came into operation. As Lord Lyndhurst observed, "the establishment of the mono poly was announced by proclamation on the Ist of July, to come into operation on the Ist of August, leaving only the interval of one month. The conse quence was an immediate increase in the price of the article. All those British merchants, therefore, who had entered into contracts to furnish sulphur at a cer tain, price, found that it had risen to such an extent that to complete them would be to involve themselves in inevitable • ruin." The consequence was, that 24 British ships which had arrived for the purpose of loading with sulphur for this country, were obliged to return without their cargoes. The sulphur trade, as far as this country is con cerned, has thus been effectually stopped. The price of sulphur in England is now double what it was at the end of 1837. The manufacturers have been driven to all sorts of expedients in order to procure cheaper substitutes. A higher price has been necessarily fixed upon those articles in the manufacture of which sul phur is used, and thus the public at large have become sufferers. Lord Melbourne did not dispute any of the facts brought forward by Lord Lyndhurst. He admitted the existence of those . grievances of which the British merchants complained. He confessed that gross in justice had been inflicted upon British subjects, and that the express terms of a treaty made on their behalf had been flagrantly violated. The truth is, that our imbecile and incapable Government have acted in this matter exactly in the same way as they done in all other instances in which the interests of British mer chants have been sacrificed by foreign powers. In stead of sending six line-of-battle ships to Naples, which, as Lord Lyndhurst . remarked, would have settled the matter in a fortnight, they have contented themselves with the ridiculous, because futile, expe dient of entering into " negotiations." The only negociation that should have been resorted to was by means of our artillery. Remonstrances, from such a Government as that with which Great Britain has been so long afflicted, are uniformly treated with contempt. In spite of these " negotiations," which have been car ried on for a period of eighteen months, "the monopoly still subsists—the losses of British subjects still con tinue—the trade is still interrupted"—and nothing effectual has yet been done to remove the grievances which so loudly call for redress. Such is the way in which the mercantile interests of Great Britain are now protected ! Wherever we look, whether to Sicily, to the coast of Africa, to Mexico, to Buenos Ayres, or to any other part of the world, the commerce of Great Britain is left to the tender mercies of other nations, to whose jealous interference it is rapidly falling a sacrifice. When can the merchants of England cease to feel grateful to the present paternal Administration ? Lord Ashley has succeeded in obtaining the appoint ment of a select committee of the House of Commons to inquire into the operation of the act for the regula of mills and factories, We have had justice done to the negro slaves of the British Colonies : let us hope that Lord Ashley will succeed in obtaining justice for the white slaves of England. We have no doubt that evidence will be adduced before the committee which will astonish those who are not acquainted with the condition of the manufacturing population of our large towns. The cruelties practised towards children of a tender age in our factories are far more revolting than anything recorded in the history of Negro Slavery. The aggregate, indeed, of suffering, within the walls of these prison-houses of Mammon will, in many cases, be found to exceed the miseries endured by any other class of labourers on the face of the earth. This is evident from the broken-down, emaciated appearance, and pre mature decay of those who are engaged in our manu factories. The principal cause of these sufferings is to be found in the long hours during which the children in our factories are compelled to labour. It is fearful to contemplate the consequences which habitually re sult from this exhausting system. The prostration of strength which it produces brings on the decrepitude of age at a period when the operative ought to be flourishing in the bloom and vigour of manhood. The Perthshire election commenced yesterday, with every prospect of success to the Conservative candi date, Mr. Home Drummond. The opposition which this gentleman has to contend with is, certainly, of the most formidably character; yet we feel confident that the struggle will terminate in his victorious return. The government influence arrayed against him is al most unprecedented. The only case which we can call to mind, in which the Ministry seem to have taken an equal degree of interest, was the election for New ark, which resulted in the return of the Solicitor- General. Mr. Fox Manic has been despatched to Perthshire with a carte blanche to draw upon the Treasury at discretion. But if Mr. Home Drummond had no other opposition than that of Government and its myrmidons his return would be demonstrably cer tain. Unfortunately a few pig-headed individuals, who have made the question of non-intrusion their hobby, have determined to support Mr. Stewart, the Whig candidate, in opposition to their avowed convic tions and sentiments as Conservatives. Such conduct appears to us utterly inconsistent in men who profess attachment to the Established Church of Scotland, though it is quite characteristic of the voluntary fac tion. This day the Rev. Hugh M‘Neile will deliver, in London, his first lecture on the Church of England. The deservedly high character and great eloquence of the reverend gentleman—the critical aspect of the times —and the overwhelming importance of the subject, conspire to render these lectures exceedingly attractive. We have no doubt that ample publicity will be given to the series, and that extensive good will result from their dissemination throughout the kingdom. The time has come when the members of the Church of England must he roused from their lethargic indiffe rence. Popery is intriguing for the ascendancy in every direction—Dissent is assuming a threatening at titude, and multiplying its expedients for overthrowing the Church—and infidelity, in its most revolting shape, is, like a rampant lion, " seeking whom it may devour." At this crisis we know of no one better qualified than the Rev. Hugh Nl`Neile to raise the voice of warning. The following is the " syllabus" of Mr. M`Neile's lectures : " LECTURE I.— INTRODUCTION.--Only Divine: truth will bear the scrutiny of these times —To be maintained and ex tended, our Church must be shown to be not only useful but Sourrunta—Means estimated with reference to the end in view—Scriptund meatlizlgs of ' the Church,' four ; the Church mystical, testimony of Hooker ; the Church visible, Dr. Wardlaw's argument on this point examined; the Church local, ' tell it to the Church ;'—the Church collective—Epis copal constitution of the Church —The comprehensively scriptural aspect of the Church of England. " LECTURR APPoinblnent Vul succession of the Ministers of the Church—The Apostolical commission—The power of the keyn, what? The puactice of the Apostles ap pealed to for a decision—ln what sense St. John xx. 23, may be used in the ordination of Ministers—Departure from Apostolical doctrine —Completion, meantime, of the inspired canon—Predicted apostacy of the Church—Promised preser vation of the Church in truth and holiness—Harmony of these—The grace of GOD magnified in the arrangement. " LECTURE 3.—The Church possessed of Instrumentality which reaches to Rulers as well as subjects—Responsibility of Rulers with reference to such instrumentality —The in strumentality of the Church of England with reference to the end in view—Unrestricted use of the Bible—The vulgar tongue in w orship—Liturgical forms of prayer and praise— Commemorations of scriptural facts—Connection with the State; such connexion not a matter of choice; inevitable from the nature of the case—The question is, what character shall it be ; of well.regulated union securing mutual liberty ? or of usurpation:and prostration, leading to tyranny on the one side, and slavery on the other ? " LECTURE 4.—Connection with the State—Political so ciety an ordinance of God ; the Sovereign, a creature—The Christian Church an ordinance of God; The Bishop, a sub ject—The Bible a common standard for both—lnevitable consequence of a disregard of that standard by either—Scrip tural duty of the civil Ruler—The reiterated assertion of Dissenters, that the Scripture nowhere countenances com pulsory payments for religious services, answered from Scripture—No coercion of a Dissenter's conscience involved —Further excellence of our ecclesiastical instrumentality in matters where Scripture does not prescribe 7 —Article xxxiv. —Tradition, if not completely subject to, will effectually make void, the Word of God. " LECTURE s.—Practical efficiency of the Church hin dered by limitation in extent—The joint operation of the Church in its present dimensions, and of the Voluntary Sys tem, wholly inadequate under existing circumstances. Proof in the actual state of the country—Root of the whole evil, want of real confidence in Revelation—English gentlemen appealed to—Vain to expect unanimity in the mode—Right to proceed notwithstanding—Half measures useless and dan gerous—lf more be not done, too much has been done al ready—in doing more, parochial subdivision indispensable ; and if thoroughly accomplished, effectual as far as human means can be. " LECTURE 6.—Practical efficiency of the Church hin dered by defects in the working—False friendship to at tempt to hide real faults—Unfair advantage taken of candour, no good reason against its excercise—True temper of Chris tian reproof—Some defects in the working of our national Church enumerated, and remedies suggested—Concluding appeal: the inseparable connection between religion and politics, mind and body, cause and effect—Exceeding urgency of this subject—The prosperity, the peace, the free Institu tions, the missionary usefulßess of the country, as well as the salvation of immortal souls, all at stake." We perceive, from our report of the Council pro ceedings of Wednesday last, that Mr. Bright, a liberal of the first water; has given notice that he will, at the next monthly meeting of the " collective wisdom" of the Town-hall, " move that the Council memorialise the House of Commons on the subject of their privi leges, which be thought were as essentially necessary to it as the air we breathe." In other words, this sa pient councillor deems it to be " essentially necessary" that the House of Commons. should have the privilege of setting aside the decision of a court of law, tramp- ling upon the verdict of a jury, imprisoning the swan administrators of justice, superseding by a vote of the House the statute law of the land, and exercising a tyrannical and irresponsible controul over the liberty of the subject. Such are the immunities which Mr. Bright is disposed to claim for the House of Com mons. That these are his notions of privilege is evi dent from the earnest manner in which he deprecates the introduction of Lord John Russell's bill " for de fining the privileges of the House of Commons." Mr. Bright calls this " a dangerous thing," and says that it would be equivalent to " going to the House of Lords to ask them to let the House of Commons have the privileges to which they have a prescriptive right." A'prescriptive right, indeed ! Where did this "bright" genius of a Councillor ascertain that the House of Commons had a prescriptive right to the arbitrary pri vileges which the " tyrant majority" have been latterly claiming ? Did the people ever confer such monstrous and unconstitutional privileges upon the House of Commons ? Have these privileges ever been recog nised by the co-ordinate branch of the legislature ? Are they not entirely self-assumed ? Are they not also contrary to the spirit as well as the letter of the Con stitution ? The House of Commons has no greater prescriptive right to imprison the Sheriffs of Middle sex, Mr. Howard, or his clerks, than the Common Council of Liverpool has to imprison us for calling in question the wisdom or veracity of Mr. Bright, or any other member of the " tyrant majority" in our local mock-Parliament. Mr. Bright has displayed a great degree of sensi tiveness lest " Lord John Russell should descend from the high position which he had previously taken." We should say that Lord John Russell, by introducing a bill to define the privileges of the House of Commons, which bill must be submitted to the consideration and obtain the sanction of the House of Lords, before it can become a law, has only sunk still deeper in the mire of degradation. The House of Commons, in this matter of privilege, has been floundering from one difficulty to another, until, at length, it has involved it self in a labyrinth from which there is no escape but through the assistance of the House of Lords. Lord John Russell is fairly stuck between the horns of a di lemma, from which the House of Lords can alone res cue him. :Mr. Bright, however, would keep him fixed in his present awkward and humiliating position. Mr. Bright's notice of motion is perfectly in keeping with the practice of the liberals, ever since they have obtained the ascendancy, however contrary it may be to their professed principles. These liberals, among whom Mr. Bright is determined not to be a "flower born to bloom unseen," have ever been the loudest and most vociferous clamourers for " liberty." This used to be the burden of all their flaming orations at the hus-' tings, and in the assemblages of the " great un washed." Loud and long were their boasts that their advent to power would prove the happy prelude to a second golden age of " liberty and equality." Mag nificent were their promises of future national happi ness and prosperity. But how have their professions been reduced to practice, their promises realised, and their predictions fulfilled ? They have proved, as libe rals and democrats have proved in every age of the world, that, while "liberty" and " freedom" were the watchwords on their banners, griping and sordid am bition, treachery, and tyranny, were deeply and indeli bly engraven on their hearts. They have proved the most arbitrary despots that ever swayed the destinies of this country. Witness their fiendish alacrity in "grinding the faces of the poor," and confining them within the gloomy precincts of their " bastiles," for the hitherto unheard of crime of poverty. Witness their arbitrary and oppressive, partial and bigoted con duct in the House of Commons, as well as in the Mu nicipal Councils of the country. By the way, what does Mr. Bright mean by " me morialising" the House of Commons ? Is he not aware that, according to the standing orders of that assembly, nothing but a "humble petition" can be re ceived. Perhaps Mr. Bright has yet to learn the dif ference between a petition and a memorial. NO POPERY ON VOLUNTARY CHURCH PRIN- CIPLES. Our readers will recollect that, in a late number of•the Standard, we expressed some curiosity to know how what is vulgarly called the " No-Popery cry" could be raised on the principles of those wise theologians who are for propa gating religion solely by voluntary efforts. In order to be informed on this point, we attended, on Tuesday night, a lecture delivered in Crescent Chapel, Everton, by the Rev. Andrew Marshall, a preacher in the Scotch Secession who has travelled from Kirkintilloch for the purpose of aid ing in the crusade which is so assiduously directed against the existence of the Church of England. The chapel was tolerably well filled. Amongst the congregation we ecog nised several members of the council, " too obscure, as the reverend preacher said of certain divines supposed to have great regard fot the Oxford tracts , "to be named. There were also some of the servants of the corporation present; so that it might not be very wide of the fact to assert, that Mr. Marshall's irruption into Liverpool was made under the especial patronage of the majority of that august body. .Be that as it may, it must be admitted that the roluntarzous gentlemen stumbled upon a fluent advocate on this occasion, —one who, with apparently about an equal amount of cha rity, has quite as much art and tact in the management of the controversy as all the rest of his associates. Mr. Mar shall, in this respect not imitating Mr. Kelly, selected as his text the Ist verse of the 3rd chapter of 2nd Timothy. In an exordium of considerable length, h!, asserted the horrors of Popery, and the rapidity with which it was at this moment spreading in England and Scotland, at the same time making and taking every opportunity to thrust in a blow at the Na tional Establishment. This done, he announced the ques tion for considerat'on as given above, and said there were only two modes of dealing with Popery, and that it was for Protestants to determine which to adopt. One method was by reason, and the other by force ; one the application of the voluntary, and the other of the compulsory principle. It was his business to shew which of the two was entitled to preference. As to the compulsory system it was impracti cable ; if practicable, 'it would not be right ; and it would have a direct and inevitable tendency to disturb the peace of society, and, under the present circumstances of the British em pi r e, would quickly i nvolve it in civil strife. If the con trary plan were adopted, Popery would be stripped of its t er rors, and i t would be a matter of justice due to Catholics and all other sects ; but then the Established Church must be abolished, for, strange to say, Popery derived all its power from that institution. The whole of this part of the dis course was occupied with reasons of the most flimsy and unsatisfactory character why there should be no Establi s h e d Church, the fact being studiously kept out of view th a t it presents the only sure barrier against the intolerance of any sect. In the last part of his lecture Mr. Marshall addressed churchmen and dissenters, exhorting the former to abandon the principles of their faith, and the latter to maintain them, all for the sake of brother l y l ove and universal concord. Now, whilst we have not the slightest objection to allow the Church of England to stand or fall by the test of the Holy Scriptures, we must express our conviction that it has not been reserved for Mr. iVlarshall to be infallible in all things. His talent for a specious and well-sounding argu ment we readily admit; but it is impossible for the same compliment to be paid to his judgment. We perceive that on Wednes day evening he preached on a similar topic in Dr. Jack's Chapel, in Manchester, when most probably he treated the visitors in that conventicle to a second edition of the Crescent polemics. The motion for closing the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway has been negatived by 1147 votes. A VISIT TO MESSRS. FAWCETT, PRESTON, AND CO.'S MANUFACTORY OF STEAM ENGINES, MILL WORKS, CANNON, &c. It has frequently and truly been remarked that many per sons, who take an interest in what is great, novel, beautiful ; or ingenious in arts or manufactures, travel to distant parts of their own country, and even to foreign lands, to gratify their taste or curiosity, --ignorant or regardless of the proba ble fact that their own town presents objects and establish ments equally or more worthy of their inspection and ad miration in the several branches of human skill and industry. Many, indeed, have lived all their lives in towns containing splendid specimens of architecture, numerous productions of science- and art, mechanical and other large establishments evidencing the advancement of the age, which, from mere inertion, they have never seen. How many thousands of our own inhabitants have never visited the unequalled and easily accessible suite of rooms in the Town-hall! Thousands residing in Chester have never entered the walls of its Castle, or inspected its Armoury. Thousands, too, in our manu facturing towns have never witnessed what may truly be called the wonders of a cotton mill. In the metropolis, thou sands, though with ample opportunities through life, knew little or nothing beyond the immediate locality in which they were born, and cannot even boast that they have heard the sound of their footsteps in the magnificent interior of St. Paul's Cathedral; and the Tower and the National Museums are known but to comparatively few. This indifference to what is noble, remarkable, or instruc tive, is to be lamented on more than one account. It retards the cultivation of the public taste, 'and deprives Genius and Ingenuity of those stimulants to useful exertion which would otherwise be operative, as well as of those wholesome re straints, when they are roused to action, which would lead them to abandon fanciful theories and unprofitable pursuits. We may adduce as corroborative of this view of the' question, that many clever mechanics and tyros in science have—in lack of what they would have learned by a spirit of extended observation and inquiry —busied and perplexed themselves fruitlessly for years, in endeavouring to perfect some inven ticn or improvement in arts or mechanics, which, was either impracticable, or had 'probably already been attained by means or contrivances far more simple and effective than those contemplated, even had these new speculators realized the summit of their hopes. In works of art, on the other hand, how much time might not be saved by aspirants who rely solely on their own originality, did they view and study the productions of the celebrated masters who had preceded them ! We would not be understood as wishing to discourage the efforts of men of inventive powers. All we contend is, that by a knowledge of what leas already been accomplished, they might take their stand oii the vantage ground which genius has already attained, and direct their energies, in all their freshness, to new and ennobling achievements. These remarks are suggested by a visit to the extensive establishment of Messrs. Fawcett, Preston, & Co., which, though comparatively little known to the mass of our towns men, we have no hesitation in pronouncing—in its magni tude, in the science and ingenuity displayed in its several departments, and in the productions which it sendsforth to every part of the world—one of the most interesting to the mechanical inquirer, and one of the most important as affect ing the progressive commercial interests of mankind. We take blame to ourselves , that we have not visited it before, but shall endeavour to make the amends, by supplying some account of the works, which, though inadequate to convey a perfect idea of the whole, will, we trust, be perused with some interest by -that part of the mechanical community who have not seen them, and by those in particular who appre ciate our advancement in steam navigation. The object of the establishment is principally the con struction of marine and other steam engines, mill machinery, pieces of ordnance, and other heavy articles of the foundry and the forge, which here pass front their rudest state, through the various requisite processes, until they are turned out bright and perfect from the hands of the finishers. The magnitude of the works may be estimated from the facts, that the premises stand upon an area of many hundred yards ; that that space, nearly covered by lofty buildings, is found incommodiously small; and that the number of workmen employed in the various departments considerably exceeds seven hundred. The writer of this was a few days ago po litely permitted to view the works, and was furnished with such information as the shortness of his visit would allow, by one of the partners, as well as by an attendant. We shall now notice the several departments under their respective heads, and shall conclude with some particulars of the fine marine engines now in a state of forwardness. FOUNDING AND BORING OF CANNON. On entering the yard the attention of visitor is arrested by the great number of cannons of various sizes and calibres, from swivels and half-pounders to thirty-t w o p oun d ers , ranged on the ground, or peeping, in carriages, with iior tentous aspect, from door -ways, entrances, and corner •. The larger guns are of various fashions, some being cast fro the plain models used in the French navy, others from those of the Dutch, and others (the handsomest to our thinking) of the more decorative form approved in England. In cast ing these guns (all solid), what is called " a head" is cast along with them, at the muzzle end, having the appearance of a plug or long tompion. This, which is cut off before the boring is commenced, is for the purpose of resting the piece at that end, while it is exteriorly cleaned off and polished. At the breach, too, an additional square piece of the metal is cast oh, by which the gun is turned by machinery while it is being bored, the borer being stationary in the operation. When outwardly cleaned and finished (with the exception of drilling the touch-hole and fixing the lock), the gun is placed horizontally, and secured so as to turn without vibratory mo tion. The machinery is then applied, an d th e gun turns rather slowly, advancing with an even pressure upon the large steel boring instrument, and continually discharging the metal which it cuts out. The gun has to be bored two or three times, according to its calibre, and when the opera tion is completed the bore is as bright and true as that of a fowling piece. The touch-hole is afterwards drilled out with great nicety, as are the boles, in raised portions of the breach for the fixing of the flint lock, which has now in gunnery almost superceded the use of the match. Several guns are bored daily and simultaneously, to meet the demand at home and abroad, and a large " assortment" is kept constantly ou hand to supply those governments and individuals who are bent on" mischief" oron self-defence. Amongst the pieces of ordnance now in preparation or finished at the works are :- 26 thirty-two pounders, for a French house. 20 twenty-four pounders—another French order. 4 twelve pounders, for the same. THE FOUNDRY. This part of, the works differs from most other foundries only in the immense weight of the castings, which, from the size of the building and the number of blast furnaces, cranes, &c. may be turned out. Single pieces of twenty tons each might be accomplished, if required. The operation is in teresting-, but is too generally known to require detail. The article to be cast is moulded.(in sand) from wood, and en closed within iron frame-work, a hole being left for the entrance of the metal. The metal (cast iron) is thrown, in broken pieces, mixed with coals, into a large cylindrical furnace, the blast thrown into which, by machinery, with great force, makes a roaring noise, and soon brings the whole to a white heat. The metal, as it melts, sinks to the bottom. When all is ready, a perforation is made with the point of an iron rod, through a sort of doorway at the bottom, which at that point is stopped up by fire clay. The boiling metal im mediately rushes out in liquid white fire, and is received in pots with three long horizontal iron handles, two at one side, like those of a handbarrow, and one at the other. By these it is carried by three or four men, according to its weight ; and if the casting or castings be comparatively small, the metal is poured at once from this into the moulds, the pot being turned by the men holding the two handles. If, how ever, the casting be large, the smaller pots full of liquid metal are discharged into a cauldron of sufficient size, and this, fro n its great weight, is hoisted by a crane and placed over the casting, where it is discharged, in a careful manner, of its contents. The air, forced out of the sand by the metal, frequently makes a loud explosion, (as we witn esse d on Monday ;) and when the intense heat of the hissing iron perforates the outer portions of the same, blue and sulpureous looking flame issues from the sides in all directions. When the metal is sufficiently cooled the frame-work is removed, and the castings taken out. Here may be cast any article, from a lath nail to a steam-engine cylinder, weighing from ten to fifteen tons. THE WORKING-ENGINE ON THE WORKS. On the east of the yard, on each side of which are the extensive buildings, is the larger engine, of thirty-six horse power, which works the greater part of the machi nery used in the different rooms, in the several operations of turning, planing, drilling, and otherwise "torturing" the obdurate but conquerable metal that falls under the cruel hands of the workmen. This engine is of the old-fashioned principle, with an immense wooden beam, secured with iron, and a large fly-wheel. It is however, most effective, communicated by cog-wheels and shafts with the several rooms, in which the power is applied to the lathes, &c. by drums and shafts. There are also other engines, but of considerably less power. THE SMITHY. This is one of the most extensive portions of the establish ment. It comprises two large buildings thrown into one ; and a great number of workmen are constantly employed. There is an avenue of anvils, and the constant hammering, the blowing of their fires, together with the dusky visages of the athletic workmen, remind one of the description of the abode of the Cyclops. Here, however, " bolts" are " forged," of which neither " Jove " nor his armourer " 'Vulcan" could have conceived any notion. All the iron work for the steam engines is here made, with the exception of the very heavy paddle-shafts, which are brought in the rough from the Mersey Forge. THE PLANING-MACHINE ROOM. _ In this room are valuable and elaborately -contrived ma chines for the planing or levelling of large plates, or other pieces of iron or brass, so as to give them a smooth, true, and polished surface. The article or piece to be planed is securely fixed by screw-bolts &c., to an h or i zon t a l i ron table, perforated with holes for the insertion of the bolts from beneath it in any required point, to suit the size or form of the article. This table, when put in motion, travels backwards and forwards with its load on two iron rails, or parallel slides. Over the centre is perpendicularly fixed what is called the " planing tool," an instrument made of steel, somewhat in the form of a hook, with the point so inclined as to present itself towards the surface of the metal to he planed, as it approaches it on the table, so as, when all is adjusted, to plough or plane it in narrow streaks or sha vings as it passes under it. The extremity of the tool is about half an inch to three-quarters in breadth, and being of a round form at the under side, and ground or bevelled on the upper, presents a sort of point. If a plate of iron is to be planed, the operation commences on the outer edge, and each movement backwards and forwards of the table places it in such a position under the tool, that another small pa rallel cut is made throughout its whole length. The tool, in ordinary machines of this kind, is fixed so that it cuts only in one direction, as the plate is drawn against its edge or point, which is raised to allow of the backward motion of the plate. A new patent has, however, been obtained for a griat improvement in this respect by Mr. Whitworth, of Manchester ' • and se veral of his m ac hi nes are on M essrs . Fawcett and Co.'s premises. In these, by a peculiarly beautiful contrivance, the cutting instrument, the moment the plate passes unde r it, " jumps" up a little in the box or case to which it is attached, and instantly " turns about" in the opposite direction, and commences cutting away, so that both backwards and forwards the operation goes on without loss of time. The workmen very quaintly and appropriately call this new planing-tool " Jim Crow." A workman at tends to each of the machines, and when the piece to be cut is fixed with great exactness on the moving table, by a spirit level, he has nothing to do but to watch that it remain so, and that the machinery work evenly and correctly. Where a very smooth surface is required, the operation of planing is repeated, and two plates thus finished will be so truly level, that they will adhere together. It should be added, that so perfect are these machines, that in addition to pla ning horizontally, they may be so adjusted as to plane per pendicularly, or at any given angle. THE TURNING ROOMS. In several of the rooms, both beaten and cast iron of all possible dimensions are turned, with astonishing facility and correctness, on what are called slide lathes. In one of these, we saw the paddle shafts for the President under the opera tion. Each of these weighed, when they came from the forge, about 10 tons, a nd they will be but slightly reduced in weight by turning. In the same room large piston and other rods were being turned. While the shaft or rod is resolved, the cutting instrument, fixed to a slide, on which it is slowly and evenly carried along, performs its operation with wonderful precision, frequently cutting a large and continuous shaving of thirty or forty feet in length (as may be), apparently as if it were lead, and which, curling up, forms a curious and per fect worm or screw. From the great pressure of the tool, one of the edges of this screw is frequently split into regular teeth like those of a fine comb, but shorter. The tool, when it has gone from end to end of a shaft or rod, is, by a simple adjustment, made to travel back again, and the operation is continned till the whole is of the required diameter, and per fectly bright and polished. Another interesting operation in this department is the turning and polishing of circular pieces of machinery, whether dished or flat. The tops or lids of the cylinders of large engines are the principal, and some idea may be formed of the advancement of this art, by an inspec tion of the cylinder tops of the "President," which are as bright as mirrors, and are 80 inches in diameter Water constantly dropping on the cutting tool from a small pipe is all' the " oil" used either in planing or turning. THE FITTING-UP SHOPS. There are several rooms in which the " fitters-up" are em ployed. These finish the smaller brass and iron work of the engines, and have turning lathes, and all manner of hand tools. In the building of an engine, they hold the same re lation to the foundry and the forge, that the clock and watch maker (properly "finisher") does to the establishment that supplies him with his wheels and other works in the rough. THE MODEL OR PATTERN MAKERS' ROOMS Are extensive, and many first-rate workmen are employed, the greatest exactness being required, otherwise the castings would be unavailable. The timber used is almost wholly well-seasoned deal. Many of the patterns are complicated and beautiful, a great deal of taste being displayed in the mouldings and other decorations, where such can be appro priately introduced. The models are all finished and polished in the best possible manner. THE MODEL ROOMS These are in a lofty part of one of the buildings, and are well worthy of a visit. In one of them we were fairly lost, amidst many hundreds of bevelled, cog, and other mill wheels, of all possible sizes (few alike), and piled up to the very roof. Many of these are, we learned, for the purpose of supplying foreign orders. Here, too, are a variety of engine bed plates, paddle•wheel centres, patterns for water and other wheels, &c. &c., all made with mathematical accuracy. In another room were an immense number of models of great guns, as adopted, in outward fashion, by the English, the French, the Dutch, and others. The models of beams for marine engines, of all sizes, were here piled ; also of lonic fluted pillars for their frames. The models from which the beams, &c., of the Royal William, and many others, were cast, are here deposited, as are th ose o f th e l arger en gines in the yard below. The collection of patterns of all descriptions is indeed great and excellent, and must have cost an immense sum of money. THE ENGINES NOW IN COURSE OF COM- PLETION. The following engines are now in hand at the works, and the three largest nearly completed :- 1 pair of 540 horse-power, for the " President." 1 do. 420 do. the " United States." 1 do. 450 do. a French man-of-war steam- frigate. 1 do. 300 do. "H. 'M. S. Medina." 1 do. 50 do. the " Calcutta Steam-tug."* 1 do. 45 do. a Government tender.f 1 single engine of 60 horse-power, for Australia 1 do: 50 dO. for a French house. THE PRESIDENT'S ENGINES. These are the most remarkable for their size, and are re ally a stupendous piece of workmanship. They are already fixed up, and strike the visiter with astonishment. The castings, and all the workmanship are of the first descrip tion, and the architectural design of the frame-work or pillars is highly ornamental, without any sacrifice to the re quisite strength..., As probably the most suitable to attain this desideratum, the Gothic style has been adopted. The massy clustered pillars are surmounted by the pointed and moulded arch to correspond. The diagonal stays and their open work are in keeping; and such is the height and im. posing effect of the whole, that visitors have generally re marked that it strikingly resembled a handsome Gothic chapel. The bean's are beautiful castings, as are the cylin ders, and both of immense size and weight. The polished iron and brass work is superb, and tile whole furnishes a gratifying proof of at once the enterprise and the ingenuity of the men of England. The following are some interesting statistics of this stupendous piece of machinery ; Diameter of cylinder: BO inches. Stroke of engine Weight of cylinders . Valve cases, from Beams (four in number) upwards of 5 tons each. Condensers, about Gothic pillars, 4 pairs, each , Diagonal stays, 4 in number, each Main or paddle shaft Two eduction pipes, each Boilers, each Bed plates (2) each in one casting l5 tons. The whole engines and boilers with the water, will weigh about 510 tons. The hoisting tackle used in setting up these engines is well worthy of notice. On the principals or lower beams of the roof, which are of extraordinary strength, railways are fixed, upon which traverse scaffolds, railed round, and each carrying a powerful winch. On these scaffolds are also rail ways, at right angles with those on the beams, so that, by moving the scaffolds and the winches, any spot in the build ing may be attained directly perpendicular to the article to be hoisted, which by other movements can be lowered to any given site. - THE ENGINES FOR THE " UNITED STATES." These are precisely similar in construction to those of " The President," differing only in being a little smaller. No detailed notice of them is therefore required. The cylinders are 73i inches diameter, and the power is the same as that of " The Great Western"—namely, 420. They are erected in the same shed or building containing those of " The Presi dent," and have been equally admired. THE "111EDINA.'S" ENGINES. These are of 300 horse-power, and, though different in the style of the casting, are also got up in the best manner. The whole three pairs of engines will be ready simulta neously, for shipment; but, unluckily, the want of proper shears to hoist in the machinery and boilers, (there being but one pair,) at the Canning Dock, and a crane at the Trafalgar, one or other of the vessels will have to await her turn. The pair of 45 horse-power engines, for the Admiralty, are also in a forward state ; as are most of the others before enumerated. Such is a sketch of the works at Messrs. Fawcett & Co.'s establishment. We do not remember to have enjoyed a greater treat than in visiting it, and it was with considerable reluctance that, having other engagements, we could not prolong our stay on the premises, and examine some other departments. The whole is a world of mechanism within itself ; and though it send forth huge and deadly weapons of war, it also produces maritime machinery calculated to ex tend civilization, and to promote the amicable commercial intercourse, and mutual wealth and happiness, of nations sc.arcelrknown to each other but by name. * Now building in India. 1- To run, it is said, between Dover and Calais We are requested to state that the United States steam ship will be launched on Saturday next, at half-past twelve o'clock, and not on Friday, as reported in the Courier. MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.—It affords us sincere gratification to announce that the number of signatures to the petition against any further grant of public money for the support of the Popish College of Maynooth exceeds 9,000, being above double the number it received last year. Our fellow Pro testants have now only a few days to affix their names to this important petition. THE " CHESHIRE HUNT." —The splendid painting of the " Cheshire Hunt," by Calvert, is now on viewat Mr. Lacey's, 80ld -street. This admirable work of art is well worth inspec tion. It has elicited the unqualified admiration of all who have seen it. The portraits of the leading nobility and gentry of Cheshire are beautifully executed, and are considered very faithful likenesses. We recommend an early visit to Mr. Lacey's rooms.—See Advt. THE ISLE OF MAN STANDARD.—We have received a pro spectus of a new journal, to be started in the Isle of Man, on " independent and constitutional principles," and to be called " The Isle of Man Standard." We rejoice to find conservative newspapers thus multiplying on every hand. It is a favourable sign of the times. We wish this new com petitor every success. LECTURES ON ORGANIZATION.—Dr. Southwood Smith has announced his intention to deliver, at the Medical Insti tution, Mount Pleasant, a course of lectures on organization and life. The first lecture will be delivered on Tuesday morn ing next.. We have no doubt, from the attractive nature of the subjcctaud the high character of Dr. Smith, that a nu merous audience will be attracted. THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.—This evening, Mr. Wid dicomb, the Riding• Master, and Mr. Bullock, the Clown, will take their benefit at this attractive theatre. On Mon day next, Mr. Ducrow will take his benefit, when a new series of classical novelties will be introduced. Our towns men will have but few more opportunities of witnessing the splendid performances at the Amphitheatre, as Mr. Ducrow has announced that it will close for the season on the 14th instant. r „, WATERLOO COURSING MEETING, WEDNESDAY.— The attendance was very numerous and respectable, and the running very splendid. Waterloo Cup, first ties:—Empress beat Skyrocket—Lady beat Streamer—Mutineer beat Cruis keen—Fingal beat Tippoo—Emperor beat Helmsman—Dart beat Skimmer—Mango beat Maiden Queen—lsabella beat Clayton Lass—Countess beat M arqu i s —B usy beat 0 yes ! 0 yes ! 0 yes !—Violet beat Kenwigs—Executrix beat Fly— Earwig beat Hylax—Twist beat Magic—Touchstone beat Skylark—and Mr. Ball's Rose beat Ambassador (late Selim.) The following were the winners of the Second ties :—Lady, Fingal, Emperor, Isabella, Countess, Executrix, Earwig, and Rose. Waterloo Purse, first ties:—Enterprise beat Victory—Martha beat Bendigo—Major beat Brenda—Castle Carey beat Tschort—Rector beat Kenneth—Rebecca beat Hempseed—Sandy beat Mealman—Mat beat My Lord. The remaining ties will he run this day. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ANNUAL BALL.—The annual ball in behalf of the funds of the Liverpool Licensed Victuall ers' Society, took place on Tuesday evening last, at the Queen's Theatre, Ch r i st i an-street. No event connected with this respectable body ever created more interest, or passed off with such eclat, as the ball on Tuesday. Under the auspices of the stewards and trustees, the arrangements were admira bly made, and it is gratifying to record a circumstance which has afforded satisfaction and delight to all the members of a community having charitable objects in view. Amongst the company we noticed James Aspinall, Esq. James Branckcr, Esq. Robert Woodward, Esq. John Bent, Esq. James Law rence, Esq. Thomas Johnson, Esq. &c. &c. PLATE GLASS.--A general meeting of the shareholders of the Manchester and Liverpool Plate Glass Company was held on Friday last, at the works, Sutton, near St. Helen's. These extensive works are now in full operation, and the shareholders were gratified by viewing the various processes of the manufacture. Six large plates of glass were cast in a surprisingly short space of time, and, apparently, w ith great skill; indeed, the competition f the new and old companies seems likely to lead to considerable improvements in the pro duction of this beautiful commodity. Upon this occasion, amongst a great number of very large plates of glass, there was shown one plate of a size that, we understand, has been rarely equalled in this or any other country; it was thirteen feet long by eight feet wide, and apparently free from im perfections. LONDON HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.—A public meeting in re ference to this society is advertised in another column. We do not know of a more useful institution. Its object is to establish and maintain scriptural schools, and to circulate the scriptures in Ireland ; and, in these respects, it has so far been eminently successful. We believe that its operations arc mainly carried on in the Irish language, the benighted peasantry of the sister isle being willing to listen to, and profit from, instruction conveye d i n their vernacular tongue, out obstinately bent on rejecting it if laid before them in the language of the Sassenach. LIVER THEATRE.—The performances at this theatre during the week have been more attractive than usual, and have drawn excellent houses. The performance of the first piece entitled "A Maiden's fame or a Legend of Lisbon" — a drama of higher character than has usually been produced at this theatre —enabled us to give credit to the company generally for greater powers than they have hitherto been thought to possess. Mr. Raymond in the interlude of " Bailiffs and Blunders" has kept the house in a roar of laughter. This gentleman in his peculiar characters,4hesse cond to no Irish com e di an — no t even t o P ower . Jack bard seems still t o d raw . W e o b serve , h owever , i‘l j tya i t ia it tt i o v n i irl , not be repeated after this wee k. By the bye • the will ‘• haveß lu e a s bumperki n, ' takes H h e i s w eli n e befitthis deserves e it v . ening, and we trust ha owing s , io d in , especially at the ' s s called DISTRESS AMONGor attention ri i t s o the alarming l prevalent among the poor, many of hu . m t a r t e ie ss c w o correspondent o i s n d n e o n w t , I n become empty, has caused winds, want. s p o r u o t t l r i a e o t n e d d of frostthe a to n w d n tiw ar e c o n a t c i t i u nr a i e p c o r . f i s e h a i s o t g e r f l from to which, our docks have neeampyoy meat. Are there no funds hundreds to be thrown outoof done to alleviate the present-sbP s ? Something must be speedil y aggravated sufferings of the left to re-open pneed the shelter and clothing as much as they d o f oo d . p poor, w GRIND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE. Yesterday, the Grand National Steeple Chase, which for some months has created intense interest in the sporting world, took place at Aintree. The race last year, comme morated as it has been by a series of well engraved plates, which luny be seen at most of the sporting houses in the county , was very popular, and several events connected.with it will long be remembered. From, we may say an earlyhour, enthusiastic stragglers were seen in pedestrian humility, making their way towards the scene of action, many of them, relieving themselves for the day, from the turmoils and trammels of city life, and anticipating a day's enjoyment and freedom on the turf. The day was ex ceedingly tine ; nothing, indeed, could exceed the beauty of the weather. Over night there had been a frost, sufficient to form a coat of thin ice upon the ponds. The sky was, however, cloudless ; and the sun, which at this advanced period of the spring begins to assume his ascendancy, shone out refulgently ; and though the air, there being a slight breeze from the eastward, was rather chilly in the shade, those who kept, like brother Jonathan, " going ahead," soon became warm and exhilarated. The country, consider ing the leafless season of the year. had no appearance of bleakness ; but on the contrary gave indication, that with the first change of wind, the' vegetable world will rapidly burst out into verdure and• beauty. The road which, ex cepting near the town, is macadamized, was as dry and dusty as in June, and the pedestrians found the centre generally more agreeable than the foot-walks, which are in some parts broken or roughly paved. Towards noon, vehicles of all descriptions began to roll along, loaded with passengers. Shandries, spring carts, and other machines, were at first conspicuous; as the day ad vanced, carriages of a higher order, from the car and omni bus to the gig ; the curricle, and finally the coach and four. At twelve o'clock the course was comparatively thinly at tended, end a feeling prevailed, from the then nakedness of the grand strand and the minor stands, that the races would not be very numerously attended. Minute after minute, however, served to dissipate this apprehension. The whole line of road from Liverpool to the ground had become the bed of a continuous stream of pedestrians, and of riders borne on wheels or on horseback. The concourse rapidly thickened in front of the stands, and soon afterwards at the several points in the course marked out where the most difficult leaps were to be taken by the riders for the prize. Eventually the Grand Stand, Mr. Parr's lofty stand, and many of the others, became crowded with spectators, notwithstanding the fact that, unlike a common race round the course, they could see comparatively little of the sport, the ground marked out receding from them to the east, in an oval form. To the credit of the county and town magistrates, gambling was almost entirely banished from the course. A few simple games, and " lucky lottery bags," the adventure to each not exceeding a penny, took the place of the ruinous hazard and rouge et noir tables of former years. We saw but one " thimblerigger," and he was at the far end of the course; he had but a small piece of square board, which, while he sat on the grass he placed upon his knees, and besought the ad venturers to stake their money. Few, however, gave coun tenance to the impostor, and he seemed to be in continual terror of detection by the police. The booths, immediately before and after the " chase," were thronged to repletion. Some of them were so beset with thirsty customers, that there was " no admittance" even " on business," and parties who were successful enough to obtain a glass of anything could scarcely find room to raise it to their lips. A great number of vehicles of all descriptions were on the ground, and many hundreds of horsemen. The " Sefton Arms," at the entrance, was thronged throughout the day ; and the east front became a regular stand for oinnibusses, coaches, and cars, which kept plying to and from the town during the whole of the day. The appearance of the course, and the ground marked out for the contest, became exceedingly animated towards two o'clock. The flags outside of which the riders in the race had to run, and which were, for the most, red, with a St. George's cross, were plainly distinguishable from any point within the circuit thus described ; and at all the principal leaps the curious continued to congregate, until they formed long, dense, and black masses. On the off side of the course, where the first two leaps were to be taken, on each side the lane, the spectators in the higher field formed a conti- nuous line of upwards of a quarter of a mile in length. At the other dangerous points to the eastward, and particu larly at the railing and hedge and ditch, where Capt. Beecher fell last year, and at the brook near the canal, vast numbers had also assembled. The whole of the interior of the course was also enlivened by carriages, horsemen, and pedestrians. THE STEEPLE=CHASE COURSE The distance to be run was between four and five miles — say about four miles and a half. The ground to be travelled over differed very little from that of last year's " chase" ; for it was indispensible that a view of the race should be obtained from the stands (the centre of equestrian business); and the fields to the eastward, confined northward by the canal, were alone available. The starting point was from the south bend of the course, not far from the stables. The first leap was into the lane on the east. over an iron rail of 3 feet 5 inches in height. The lane is about 11 yards in width. The next leap is diagonally across, and the highest of the whole. It consists of a ditch, a cop, and a hedge. The height, to clear the hedge is 7 feet 11 incises. The adjoining field is one half ploughed, and the other half stubble. And we may here re mark, that a much greater surface of ploughed land was to be run over this year than last. The next or third leap was over a ditch, hedge, and cop, the base or horizontal line to clear which was 10 feet. A soft harrowed field was then to be gone through. The fourth leap was of a ditch, &c. base of all 16 feet, al lowing for clearance. _ _ The fifth leap was similar to the last, but not so great. After passing a small field, an easy leap led to a rough ploughed field of considerable length. The sixth leap was one of the most difficulty—a rail, and ditch of considerable depth. To clear all, horsemen estimate that a span must be made the base of which would be 20 feet 5 inches. The course next sharply rounds the corner of a meadow, where a leap (No. 7) of considerable height must be made, but of no great danger. The rise is 6 feet against a cop and broken hedge, and the affair is accomplished in a " general scramble" up stairs. Nothing important occurs until close to the canal, and just on the turn to go home. Here the leap (say No. 8) is one of great extent, and of considerable danger. It consists of first a cop and rail, of 4 ft. Gin. in height together; and next a pent-up brook or sheet of water, three teet deep. The base to be spanned in this leap was not less than nine teen feet. The ground on the alighting side is lower than on the side from which the leap is taken. Here last year, one of the horses dislocated its neck. We must remark, however, that this, and all the other great leaps were reduced to a small degree, by the narrowing of ditches, the lowering of railings, &c. The next (No. 9) was also difficult. It consisted of a ditch, with a. rail on the other side of it, the ditch to be leaped first. The base, to clear all, is 13 feet. This is a for midable obstacle; the rail being on the landing side. Here last year, one of the horses fell, and died on the spot. Alter an unimportant leap, we come to the two lane leaps (No. 10), at the canal bridge. The first is 4 feet in height, over a rail and broken hedge ; the second (the lane only in tervening) over a clipped hedge, of about 5 feet in height. The horses are then in the ground on which the race course is staked out, and the only remaining leap (No. 11) is over the dry stone wall nearly opposite the Grand Stand, the height of which varied from 4 feet 6 in. to 4 feet 10 in. The horse in the inner part of the course would here have the ad vantage. _ _ _ THE RACE. Shortly after three o'clock, the duties of weighing having been completed, the following horses made their appearance on the course as competitors for the prize : A SWEEPSTAKES of 20 sous. each, 5 forfeit, with 150 sovs. added, for horses of all denominations, carrying 12 stone each. A winner of four Steeple Chases in 1839 to carry 51b extra ; of five, 71b extra. The second horse to have 30 soya. out of the stake, and the third horse to save his stake. No rider to go through any gateway, or more than 100 yards along any road or footpath. Any of the horses en tered for this race going over any of the leaps in the Steeple Chase Course before the race. to be disqualified. Riders to weigh before starting, for their own security. The winner to pay 10 Sovs for expenses. Mr. Ehnore's Lottery (Mason) blue Mr. W. A. Rose's Spolasco (Owner) black Lord Macdonald's The Nun (Powell) blue and.white stripe Mr. Villebois's Jerry (Bretherton) - tartan Lord Waterford's The Sea (Owner) light blue Columbine (Won) dark blue Mr. Justice's Hasty (Rig) yellow, and silk sleeves Mr. Barry's Arthur (M`Donough) green Mr. Power's Valentine (Owner) lilac Lord Howth's The Augean (Christian) light blue Mr. T. Whittaker's Cruickshank (Grey) scarlet Sir Edward Mostyn's Seventy Four (Oliver) scarlet Mr. T. H. Wakefield's Weathercock (Barker) blue, wh. stripe ._.. The Sea carried 31b: extra The word having been given, the horses started off tolera bly well together. Lottery contrived to get the lead, fol lowed by all the others in animated style. On passing the iron rail Lottery was still the first, the others close on his heels at a slapping pace. All of them leaped the rail easily. The hedge and cop on the other side was also overcome pretty smartly. In crossing a wheat-field some distance below, Lottery, as some said from being held in, and others from want of bottom, lost the lead. The Sea and Lottery leaped No. 7 together, followed closely by Spolasco. Cruickshank was the next, and, having accomplished the leap, he fell upon his knees. Weathercock, rode by Barker, was within a few feet of him, and succeeded in clearing the fence, but came in contact with Cruickshank, who had not recovered his feet. The force of this unfortunate collision threw Barker over the head of Weathercock (who was also thrown down) upon his back, and the horse not only fell, but tramp led, upon him. He was found with his neck doubled, as it were, upon his chest. Mr. Whitty, who fortunate ly was present, immediately took him up, and perceiving he was in a lifeless state, called for medical assistance. At this moment there were no symptoms whatever of anima tion. Dr. Collins of Norton-street, and Mr. John Davies of Islington, were a few yards distant, and they proceeded, with most praiseworthy promptitude, to render all the assist ance in their power to the unfortunate man. Dr. Collins inquired from the spectators if any of them had any spirits ; it happened that aperson had some, and they were administered. He was then removed to the house of Mr. Curry, a farmer, about 150 yards distant; when there it was found there were not the slightest manifestations of pulsation. However by the continued application of mustard plasters and other re , medies of a suitable nature, symptoms of reaction even tually set in. Before our reporter left the course he called at Mr. Curry's house where he saw Mr. Collins, by whom he was informed that although brain fever had commenced, his opinion was the patient would ul timately recover. Barker, we understand, is a young man 24 years of age, of very line appearance. To return to the race. After some unimportant leaps, the horses a rrived at the brook, No. 8. Columbine and Arthur were first to take the leap. The Sea (Lord Waterford) came next, followed by the Nun, hastily. Arthur fell on alighting, and rolled upon his rider, who, however, speedily recovered hi mself and went on, much ' bemired. Jerry was the seventh, and Seventy four last. The next leaps were accomplished by all the horses without anything that calls for observation. On turning the angle and entering the training course, th e view from the grand stand of the horses coming up for the grand teazer of the stone wall near the winning p os t was most interesting. Every eye was intensely bent on the competing animals. Excitement was at its pitch as they neared the wa ll, which, by-the-w ay, w as crue ll y too high. The height of it, as will be seen, was variable, the end nearest the grand stand being th e most for midable. Valentine and Lottery reached it at the same moment, but in consequence of the latter not rising sufficiently soon, he breasted it, and fell at the other side ; Valentine cleared it in a beautiful manner. Whilst Lot tery was in the act of rising, Columbine and the Nun came up almost close together, and leaping the wall in the same place, jumped upon Lottery, and the whole fell together. Won, the ride r of Columbine, attempted to extricate himself, and as h e was in the act, Seventy four came up, and taking the wall in the same place, jumped upon the other horses, and catching Won by a kind of oblique blow, knocked him into the middle of the course, where he lay, with his face to the ground. motionless, and stretched out as if he had been killed dead. A general cry of horror was raised at this spectacle, especially as all the other riders who had been thrown were more or less hurt. Won was taken up in a state of insensibility and carried into the we'.'hing house, where he was attended by Dr. TboAurne. The rest of the horses leaped the wall pretty well. Dr. Thor burne having succeeded in restoring animation to Won, found that he had been severely struck upon the hack part of the right shoulder, and was seriously bruised upon the head. Indeed it was only through the protection afforded by tha' shoulder bone that the spine had escaped. We ascertained before leaving the course, that through Dr. Thorburne's skill and attention, Won may be expected to recover rapidly. Powell's leg was hurt, and the others received mere contu sions, some of which, however, were of an ugly character. In the second round, the ditch (No. 7) was cleverly passed, At the brook, another horse fell, and kicked out, but with out injuring the rider, who remounted. Seventy-four did not come up again. At the Canal Bridge. in leaping the clipped hedge, Spolasco fell, and his rider was slightly stunned, but remounted with assistance, and rode on. On entering the usual race course, it was visible that the poor animals were much distressed. After a smart running they passed the winning chair, in the following order, Jerry being in advance several lengths : Mr. Villebois's Jerry Mr. Barry's Arthur Mr. Power's Valentine The others nowhere. The race was considered, by every one competent to form an opinion, to have been run unprecedentedly quick. Before starting the odds were 5 to 2 agst The Nun ; 4 to 1 agst Lottery ; 5 to 1 agst Seventy-four ; 8 to 1 agst Arthur; 15 to 1 agst CruickshAnks ; 16 to 1 agst Jerry ; but after the accident at the wall, the figures were : Arthur against the field even betting. After Arthur fell at the drain Jerry was backed against the field even. A HURDLE SWEEPSTAKES of ten sovs. each, with thirty says. added. Two miles. The winner of the Great Steeple Chase to carry 51b extra.' Mr Vever ns Rust .. . .. • • • • • • (Brown) 1 Mr Ainsworth's Defence .. (Bretherton) 2 Mr Godwin's The Duenna (Npwman 3 Mr W. H. Hornby's The Lady Mr Ainsworth ns Caleb .. BRETHERTON 1 WDONOUGH 2 OWNER 3 (Powell) 4 (Dawson) 0 Lottery did not start for this race. The bettiAg was as follows :-6 to 4 against Rust, 2 to 1 against the Duenna, 4to 1 against Defence, 6to 1 against the Lady. There were two hurdles on the usual course, but they were which may be called teazers. The nags got off pretty well, Caleb taking the lead, and improving it till he was in advance of his com petitors from a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards. On arriving at the first hurdle, however, he refused to take it, nor could all Dawson's art supply him with the necessary courage. In the mean time the others came up, leaped the hurdle beautifully, and poor Caleb returned to his stables. A good race followed. All the horses leaped the second hurdle in capital style, and a smart contest took place, Rust winning by about two lengths. Thus terminated the day's sport. Marred as it unques tionably was by untoward and painful accidents, it must be taken as having given every possible satisfaction to all who feel interested in such means of amusement. Jerry, the winner of this arduous race, was once the pro perty of the present owner of Lottery, who sold him about a year and a h a lf -ago to Lord Suffield. About two years ago he beat old Vivian, and others ; he was, however, last year beaten by Sir William, at the Melton Steeple Chase, on which occasion M`Donough rode the winner. IkIEETING IN THE MUSIC HALL, TO PETITION AGAINST CHURCH EXTENSION. Yesterday, at noon, pursuant-to notice by placard, a meet ing was held at the Music Hall, Bold-street, for the purpose of petitioning the legislature against church extension. When we entered the hall, and saw assembled a very numerous au dience, we were struck with amazement, and feared that the demon of misrule had obtained an ascendancy in the public mind far greater than, as we afterwards discovered, it really had. We heard the triumphant shouts of a dominant party —we saw hats waving in the air—but, strange to say, turn ing to the platform, we saw chagrin depicted in the counten ances of the individuals there congregated. What did this w mean ? Our query as soon answered. Three cheers for church extension rent the air. Three enthusiastic cheers for M`Neile followed ; as many for Bradshaw and others; un til, unable longer to contain their disappointment and indig nation, the prime movers of the anti-church-extension party began to show a great degree of restlessness. Mr. R.athbone threatened to use his prerogative as a magistrate, and call in the posse comitalus. A voice here intimated to the worthy gentleman that this mode of proceeding was not one likely to change the opinions of those present, the majority of whom were evidently against the gen tlemen on the platform. It having been moved and seconded that Mr. Blackburn should take the chair, a voice from the body of the meeting proposed Mr. Clarke. Mr. Rathbone, doubtless afraid to take the sense of the meeting on the subject, opposed this on the ground that the meeting was called for specific purposes, and that no one had any business there who did not agree with the principles on which it was called. Mr. BLACKBURN, having taken the chair, said a few words, to the effect that the opponents of Church Extension never disturbed meetings held in support of it. The meeting professed to be admirers of Mr. M•Neile. (Loud cheers for Mr. M`Neile, and a feeble attempt at a groan.) At this moment, Mr. WHATHAM, having obtained per mission from the Chairman to address the meeting, came forward, and was feceived with loud plaudits. he spoke as follows :—" Gentlemen, I am exceedingly sorry to push my self forward in a position anything but congenial to my feel ings. But I think,—and my friends must hear me calmly, though my sentiments may perhaps not be agreeable to their feelings,—that ; as the advertisement calling this meeting in vited those only who were favourable to its objects, we are merely on sufferance here, and should by no means disturb the proceedings. You profess yourselves admirers of Mr. M`Neile. I believe you. But Mr. M`Neile would not ap prove of your conduct on the present occasion. Let these meetings be undisturbed—their object will be futile—We shall ultimately gain our ends, but by honest, straightfor ward, and manly means. In conclusion, I beg that those who do not choose to leave the room with me, will offer no further opposition." Three cheers were given for Mr. What ham, Sir Robert Peel, and others, when the majority of the meeting dispersed, leaving a scanty group to listen to the eloquence with which they were about to be enlightened. The business of the meeting was about to proceed, when the CHAradwita , stated that another gentleman (whose name did not transpire) wished to address his friends, if any re mained. The gentleman then came forward, and spoke to the following effect:—He was no friend of the meeting, but had come to hear what arguments would be urged against Church Extension. He had not come with the intention of disturbing the meeting. It had been said that persons had been sent to create a disturbance. He denied it. Mr. WlSTeile would not stoop to such low, mean, and base means as sending people to a public meeting to oppose it. Mr. WlSTeile was ready to argue calmly. He was not afraid of discussion, or of bearing the arguments of opponents ; and if they advanced anything erroneous and unscriptural that day, there were other times for exposing their fallacy. (Cheers.) The meeting now proceeded to business. We can give but a slight sketch of its proceedings. We regret to say, that there was more acrimony and bitter enmity expressed by the dissenting ministers against their Christian brethren, than was consistent with a true religious feeling, or with their own professions. The following is a brief abstract of what took place : Tire CHMEMA.N commenced by intimating that he was unfit to occupy the chair, but that the cause was so good that it wanted no adventitious aid. He bothered the meeting by some curious notions of equality ; told them they had all the truth, reason, and argument on their own side ; and con cluded by calling upon the Rev. W. KELLY to address the meeting. That gentleman rose to propose the first resolu tion, the tenor of which is so palpably absurd, that we de cline inserting it in our columns. Of a piece with the reso lution were the arguments of the reverend gentleman. He got involved in the question of church -rates, and contended that the step between the obstinate refusal to pay church rates and subsequent imprisonment was little less than that between imprisonmentaud immolation at the stake ! Haring given the meeting this specimen of the fertility of his imagi nation, he concluded by moving the first resolution. JAMES BRANCKER, Esq., in seconding the resolution, ran from the church to the corn-laws, and concluded with some moonshine about free trade. The resolution was then carried. The Rev. Mr. THOI4 rose to propose the second resolution, to the effect that a parliamentary grant for the building of churches would be unjust. CHARLES ROBERTSON, Esq., in seconding the resolution, said that religious belief %vas nd generis, and that legislative enactments were mischievous ! and concluded an evidently cut-and-dried speech against the parliamentary grant, by saying that he did not expect churchmen to overcome their " prejudices" and make common cause with them ; but that he would " tear off the mask and shew the monster in his native hideousnesss !" They were not going to yield up their rights to " intolerant faction," and their voice, although drowned by the clamour of " wassailers," would soon ring the " death-knell of every barrier to civil and religious liberty !" The Rev. Mr. MARSHALL said, that he had fought the battle of Church Extension in Scotland, and won it for the tine? He supported the resolution, which was carried. JAMES MULLENED X, Esq., proposed the third resolution— against church-rates. Mr. WYLIE seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr. RossoN favoured the meeting with an account of the Church revenues ; talked a great deal about Ireland and her martyred Church ! and concluded by moving the fourth re solution, in which the ecclesiastical courts met with their share of abuse. Mr. OLIVER JONES entered into a tirade against eccle siastical and diocesan courts, and seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr. RATHBONE then rose to move the adoption of a peti tion, deprecating any parliamentary grant or allowance for building of churches, protesting against church-rates ; abus ing the ecclesiastical courts; and concluded by praying the House to refuse any grant from the treasury for the purpose of building churches : also praying for the removal of church rates; the abolition of criminal jurisdiction in the ecclesias tical courts; and the immediate liberation of Thorogood, and other persons imprisoned for church-rates.'! The Rev. Mr. PARKER, a Catholic priest, ran back to the period antecedent to the reign of Henry VIII. ; Myatd the hatred of Englishmen, the words of Pr. 1)q12., .to church rates and tithes ; and concluded by seconding the motion, which was carried. The CHAIRMAN then said.the business of the meeting was closed, and it accordingly dispersed. APPoiszmENT.—The Rev. Peter Browne, A. 8., some time Curate of Oswaldwisle, has been presented by the Rev., Fielding Ould, to the Curacy of Christ Church, Liverpool. We perceive that Mr. David Hughes has been appointed master of the Lyceum News Room, in the place of Mr. J. G. Jones, who has received the appointment of secretary to the Collegiate Institution. SHIP LauscH. — To-roorrow, will be launched from the building yard of Messrs. Robert Clarke and Sons, a fine handsome ship, burthen 410 tons, for L. J. Hutton, Esq., of this town, and intended for the East India trade, for which she is admirably adapted. She is to be commanded by Captain Gibb. NEW SEED POTATO.—In the year 1837, Mr. Hannay, Dalquhaitn ' received from a friend residing in the State of ' Venezuela South America, a small quantity of native seed, about one-fourth of a bushel. His friend stated, that the potato was scarcely eatable at the place where he procured the seed, but that he thought our climate and soil would bring them about to be a very useful kind. When Mr. Hannay got them, they were about the size of potato plumbs, but they have increased in size each succeeding year, and are now as large as the most useful of other kinds. They grow very luxuriant in show, and when in bloom present one aplendid cover of pink blossom. Mr. M`Diarmid, of the Dumfries Courier, remarked, that he could compare them to nothing in appearance but one extended bed of roses. The seed must be all cut, and planted at least ten inches apart, as they are so prolific, they would not attain to the size if plan tett nearer. Mr. Hannay would recommend them to be planted by the middle of April, as they are a late kind. The produce last year was from 30 to 35 bolls per acre, and if they had been heavily manured, there is no doubt but that they would have reached 40 bolls, as many people who got a small_ quantit from him last year, had a produce at that rate. We under stand it was on account of the failure of the other kinds, tha , Mr. Hannay was induced to send to the original country o the potato fora change of seed, and the Prince Regent potat• appears to meet his most sanguine expectations,---Jiallowa, Register. WOMEN OF HONORURU.—I have repeatetlly -sopa worn n with hair of two, and, in some instances, of three distin, colours. Deep black and chestnut brown, not piowiscuousi mingled througho u t, b ut l y i ng i n sep a rate raasses;`:•and in th r are instances of which I have spoken, they-'ere black brown, and a kind of ash colour, giving to the head a mos singular appearance. I had supposed that this parti-colorec character of the hair was the elect of art, but :was soon 11. formed to the contrary, and perceived that by the native : themselves it was considered a deformity.—Town ! Thend , , Sporting Excursions in the Pocky 11I9i aoSa. 1 i ;.• I ,~. ~~ , •