The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-10-23 00:00:00

it was anticipated, would be directed against Oczakow,
on the oppesite shore of the estuary, thus completely
commanding the mouth of the Dnieper. Having se-
cured these points, Odessa presents itself invitingly to their
attack. At this famous depot there are six hundred maga-
zines of grain, and every day it is understood is adding to- the
stores of corn arriving from the interior. A successful attack
upon Odessa would place this vast accumulation of corn at the
disposal of the Allies. Such a mark is worth aiming at with
force and decision ; and once secured, the campaign of 1855
might indeed be closed with ',safety, as it would with honour,
to the Allied arms.
Important as the advantages gained by the conquest of
Sebastopol unquestionably are in an immediate military point
of view, it is not in that light, probably, that those advantages
are to be most clearly perceived. Exterior to the Crimea, and
far removed from Sebastopol, the moral influence of the con-
quest of that formidable fortress begins rapidly to make itself
apparent. It has already begun to act on the politics of
Europe. Nearly every country on the continent begins to
show a swinging round. Before the present war commenced,
the ear of all Europe was abused with the delusion that as a
military power Russia was impregnable. This consideration
held the timid aloof from our connexion. The protracted and
stubborn defence of Sebastopol gave countenance and currency
to the delusive notion of Russian invincibility. The fall of
that stronghold has dispelled the prestige. The German
States already indicate a more friendly feeling towards the
Allies; no overt acts have as yet evinced this feeling; such
speedy declaration would seem indecent ; but every one is
aware that straws thrown up indicate pretty surely how the
wind sets. The Prussian journals, ever most friendly towards
Russia, have changed their tone, and speak with res-
pect instead of with reviling of England and France'
The southern European States evince even more alacrity
than those of central Europe in recognizing that Russia
is vulnerable. The KING or NAPLES has become con-
siderably more
,amenable to reason than he was prior to
the Sth of last month. The affairs of Spain, too, in which a
considerable amount of Russian influence was believed to
mingle, have had "a change come o'er the spirit of their
dream," and the denounced ESPARTEEO and O'DonNELL are
now no longer the butts of court sneers. The fall of Sebas-
topol appears to have so shaken the political elements of the
small courts of Europe, as to insure new and altered com-
binations in the sympathies of those exceedingly sensitive
agglomerations of political wisdom. In a remarkable manner
has this been displayed in a rumour which reaches this country
via Berlin, to the effect that LEOPOLD, King of Belgium, for-
saking the game of fast and loose, and coquetting with both
parties, has donned the white robe, and assuming the palm
branch is to appear in the character of mediator between- the
contending parties. The channel through which this rumour
comes is open to grave suspicion. The character and ante-
cedents of the Belgian King render the rumour, if correct,
liable to even stronger challenge. His position as a European
Sovereign scarcely entitles him to the dignity of a volunteer
mediator; and if he is to fall back upon the Divine assurance
that "blessed is the peacemaker," his interference seems open
to the objection that it has been delayed till considerably past
the eleventh hour. A more serious ground of hesitation and
dislike to his interference, on the part of Britain, exists in the
fact that while he was, and still continues to be a pensioner on
the British bounty, he has not only delayed -the offer of his
good offices till they cannot benefit us, but actually till the
allies have gained such an advantage that the office of a medi-
ator is not required by them. In addition to this, be has
exhibited such a neutrality on one side, that his interference
must be regarded in' the light of a Russian advance which
would have been withheld if Russia had had the
best of the contention. To make this plain, it is
only necessary to bear in mind that the journal Le Nord,
the most violent of the pro-Russian journals, has been
published in his kingdom, and, if he is not belied, counte-
nanced by his patronage. Beyond this, it is well to keep in
view that nearly every warlike weapon wielded by Russians
has been of Belgium manufacture ! and yet he is- our
Sovereign's uncle. While those facts are patent and noto-
rious, what, it may be asked, is the connexion of LEOPOLD with
France and Britain ? A glance at his personal history tells-us
that more than forty years ago he applied for, and was refused,
the position of an aide-de-camp in the French service by the
first NAPOLEON. Not long after that it was his good fortune
to win and secure the affections of the heiress-presumptive to,
the British crown, the lamented Princess CHARLOTTE, whose'
husband he became. Consequent upon this marriage, he was
ensured a princely income, and at her death, in 18I7i the
widowed husband became the possessor of a pension of
430,000 per annum, paid out of the British taxes. Sixteen
years after the lamented death referred to, chiefly through
British influence, he became the King of Belgium, but still
remained the stipendiary of Britain which he continues to be,
since the time first referred to, having for his own personal
use received nearly two millions and a quarter of pounds
sterling of British money. Ygt this respectable potentate
only had has eyes opened by the fall of Sebastopol, and
gratitude impels him now, it seems, to save his friend, if
possible. Such, however, is the way of the world. Every
day's experience makes men more freely acquainted with
heroes who are

- ever strong
Upon the stronger side.
Mediators of this class have been familiar to the worrth from
a period long antecedent to the " march of intellect."

Among the singularities which have marked the past week's
singular history, none have been more amusing or amazing
than the wry faces and flaming wrath exhibited by the• Times.
Spoiled by success and rendered insolent by toleration, "like
a tall bully" the Times has been assailing all who come in its
way, if they refuse to bow the knee and worship its sublime
wisdom and impeccable virtue. Every one is aware. that
Donnybrook Fair and its pugilistic wonders &re no more;
but few may have expected to see the absurd pugnacity of that
great national display transferred to Printing-house-square.
Every one is familiar with the "tall bully" of that exhibition,
who, maddened by self-conceit and a large application of Dutch
courage, used to rush through the fair trailing Ea-tattered
coat after him, challenging any one or all to tread on its skirts
as a gage of desperate battle; and many will grieve to witness
in the freaks of the Times a repetition of that braggadocio's
bullying. Which of the two champions may be tke, better at
the use of the cudgel, is an open question ; which is the
greater adept in the shrew's vocabulary, admita-of no dis-
cussion. It is very ludicrous as well as somewhat melan-
choly to behold the journalistic JUPITER trailing_his party-
coloured garment through the mire, and daring any one to
tread on it ; yet " to such base uses has he come at last?' Last
week appears to have been the Donnybrook period of the
Times saturnalia, and throughout the whole week:it "has
kept up the spree." On Monday 'it stczmed, at the
Edinburgh Review. The venom it then spit forth might
under ordinary circumstances have cleared the stomach of an
ordinary scold, as a violent thunderstorm is understood to
clear the air ; but no, gathering up it metaphorical strength,
it once more charges its figurative gun, ana tbursts it on the.
unhappy Radical organ of political criticism. Wednesday.
saw its whole armoury of invective and vituperation conceit,
trated against its quondam friend and.; ci-devant valued
contributor, the Rev. SIDNIST Gonoormy- OSBORNE, the re-
doubtable S. G. 0. of the Times. Tuesday was a day especit
ally set apart for abuse of the,Scotch in, general, and of:Sir
ARCHIBALD ALISON in particular; Thursday. and Saturday
were the days devoted to the abuse of all corners ; so that the
whole week was expended in the urtdignified as well ati
un-
unseemly distribution of unanswered; defiance and the.foul-
mouthed exhibition of a privileged tongue, What could have
led to so varied and mild a tilting match ? Jealous vanity and
captious self-conceit. The unhappy, reviewer, while admitting
the potency of the new Jupiter's thunder, insinuated a doubt
as to the invariable wisdom of it application—he went further
—he ventured to suggest the danger proverbially admitted to
exist in allowing fools and children to play with edge tools
hence the atrabilarious grumbling and mild. danunciations of
the self-elected deity., Poor S. G. 0, in delivering an address
to those whom the Times flails " the temperate symposiasts of
Wilton," forgot to mention the surpassing virtues of the
Times, and that too while he even eulogised the bravery of
Russian soldiers, and, sinful man that he is, ventured to
suppose that they were possessed of human feelings, and were
actuated in some degree at least by human sympathies
and human motives. He did more—he glanced at the
hospitals at Scutari, and even incidentally alluded to Miss
NIGHTINGALE, but remained cruelly and significantly silent
upon the all-iiiportant subject of the Times—its special fund
--its violent vituperation of our Generals and our military
system—its erudite suggestions upon strategio tactics—and its
impartial criticism upon men and things, were utterly for-
gotten by the remorseless S. G. 0. Flesh and blood cannot
stand neglect so cruel—how could it be expected from a wind-
,nflated god ? Last and saddest of all, Sir ARCHIBALD

ALisox, and many of his countrimen, conceiving that the
victories gained in the Crimea were sufficient justification for
them to meet and in mutual gratulation celebrate the gallant
deeds of their gallant countrymen
By the festal cities' blaze.
Whilst the wine cup shines in light.

Now, somehow or other, the Times has never been pleased
with the Crimean victories, or Crimean conduct ; its position
in that arena from first to last has been that of a grumbler,
and above all things it cannot bear contradiction. At this
meeting,the rank and the talent,the genius and the'patriotism
of Scotland, assembled to do honour to the living and the dead,
through whose dangers, daring, and death, the victories had
been achieved. In his place at this banquet, Sif ARCHIBALD
ALISON, avoiding to some extent the cosmopolitan feeling
which the Times. so severely castigates in its beloved S. G. 0.,
, confined his observations and limited his panegyric to the

brave deeds of his countrymen. Determined that so great a
champion as Sir. ARCHIBALD should tread, accidentally or
otherwise, upon his soiled coat-skirts, the Donnybrook bully
strikes fiercely out at what he calls the " provincialism" of the
great historian, in alluding to those brave deeds which won
from our gallant Allies for the men who did them the signifi-
cant and proud appellation of "The Wall of Iron." This was
the pretence on which the Times grounded its attack, the real
casus belli being, as all the world knows, the fact that Sir
ARCHIBALD ALISON condemned the shallow criticism upon
militarimatters which, gleaned from the gossip of the mess-
table, the Times compounds into hebdomadal and sometimes
daily doses, and insists upon the public swallowing. The
thoughtful historian, calmly surveying the events Which have
arisen in the Crimea, ventures to differ from the dicta deli-
vered with oracular pomposity by the journalist ; the weight
carried with the objection, is too great to be overthrown—the
labouring JUPITER cannot displace the load, but like THEE,-
SITES he can jabber and call foul names.
At Drury-lane, CHARLES MATHEWS has made a decided
impression in the regular drama; eschewing vaudeville, in
which he used to occupy the largest space, if not entirely to
fill the picture, he now contents himself with taking his place
among his histrionic brethren, and that place he sustains, as
was to be expected, well. As Mr. Mopus, in " Married for
Money,". he sustains the character throughout, in all its various
phases, admirably. In one scene, where driven to desperation
by the tyranny of his wife, he seeks consolation in the bottle,
and becomes inebriated, his acting is most characteristic and
admirable, reminding the elder portion of the audience of the
palmy days of the stage, when CHARLES ICEmBLE or *Truant
MURRAY, in the character of Cassio, showed how a gentle-
man could deport himself when drunk. At the Haymarket
Miss BLANCHE PANE wins her way steadily and derservedly
in popular favour ; and she is well supported and played np to
by Miss SWANBOROUGH.

RELIGION ANTI ITS TEST

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STAND/kitty:

Sts,—There is one test by which, better than by any other,
the reality of our religious professions may be tried; and that
test is LOVE. I speak with reference to this world, not to.
the next; with reference to the judgment, or rather opinion,
which we form of each other, and without all reference to the
final judgment of Him who cannot err. Man may err, and
frequently does so, in the opinions which he forms of his fel-
low-men. However perfect the test which he applies, error
will arise from his unskilfulness in applying it;, and; as he
cannot search the heart and scan the secret motive, he may
not only be led on some occasions to condemn where condem-
nation is undeserved, but also on others to give credit for true
religious principle to those whO are in fact neither mere nor
less than canting hypocrites. Notwithstanding all this how-
ever, there are certain rules which we may safely apply-in a
general way ; and one of these is-, that real religion will over
manifest itself by deeds of charity or love. For this we have
the warrant of an inspired Apostle, of that Apostle who, more
than any of his brethren, appears to have been imbued with
the gentle and loving spirit of his Divine Master. The
Apostle declares the man who, hating his brother, yet pro-
fesses to love God, to be a liar. The language is strong; polite
society would pronounce it coarse; if it occurred anywhere else
but in the Bible. But coarse, orpolite, it is true; and eminently
necessary for these times. Of this rule, then, this test of true
religion, I would make a general application, not daring to con-
demn individuals, but not hesitating to assert that there must
be a vast amount of sham religion somewhere.
Liverpool bears the reputation, in other par of the king-
dom, of a religious town. I recollect many years, ago hearing
it characterised by an enthusiastic young lady, as " quite a
land of Goshen." And, not only does it bear the reputation,
but to a certain extent it makes profession of being so; as
witness its meetings for various religious and controver-
sial purposes. And yet, in spite of all this, poverty and suf-
fering in their various forms are very inadequately relieved.
Neither the spiritual nor the temporal wants of the masses
elicit from- the professors of religion those-acts of love which
form the only tangible evidence of the sincerity of their pro-
fessions. Let me not be misunderstood. I' do not intend to
assert that none are sincere, for, so far as this test of love is
concerned, there are not a few whose religion' I, have every
reason to believe- is "pure and undefiled," and these' by no
means the loudest in their professions. IVlrAt'l'd6 intend is
this,—that thereis-more profession of religion' than practice
of love; and, consequently, that there must be alarge amount
of insincerity somewhere:- In proof of my charge I. would
point to the various• ohariMble institutions, and especially at
this moment to the Infirmary. The history of each one is a
history of struggles to keepabove water; a history of begging
and dunning, of fancy-fairs-and bazaars, of charity-sermons and
public balls, and• all• the- other nineteenth-century expedients
for wheedling people- out of their money and making them
believe that they are' charitable. Many people endeavour' to
excuse themselves-to-their-own consciences for their neglect of
the poor, by urging their-liability to be imposed upon,:- andl
doubt not that many a- man of kindly feelings has bad those
feelings hardened, by discovering the roguery which had talc.
ceeded in exciting them. Ido not say that such ought t 6 be
the result ; and I: am quito awe that where true religion, exerts,
its influence, it will- not.. The discovery of imposition will:
make the charitable man more carefal, but will not convert
his -love towards the brethren into indifference. However,' I
have chosen to speak of the public institutions of the town;
because this excuse cannot be urged for- negiteting to support'
them. -Even these may be abused, but the chances that they.
will be so are very small. The disinclination on the part of
the poor to go into a hospital- of any kind; is itself a guarantee -
that they will not apply for relief unless- they need it ; to say,
nothing of the skill and care of those under whose marnge--
ment they are placed. And yet; in Liverpool,. such an institn4
tion as the infirmary is allowed to run Into debt, and languish.,
for want or funds: :and I mention thiskistitution, not because
it is the only one which is -insufficiently supported, but, be-
cause it happens at this moment to be appealing to the public,
for relief.

Times arebad,,it will be said ; and war4taxes3 combined witlf.
war-Prices,mxll. not permit,: people -to give as much as they
could wish.... A-good lexcuserrio ddubt,. in. the mouth of one
who has hitherto given .as-,much, •as, rigid: self clenial would
enable him_ to give. But the fact is,-that few ever deny them—
selves to give at all ; and most-of those whodb. give, do so of
their superfluity. The reply so 'often reeeived, "I cannon
afford it," does not mean, 2.have it not, but,. I have it not to,
spare ::in other words, if I give I rennet.. have all I want for.
myself, and. therefore I willinot give. Aa,for. the war, I knew-I
that it costs money ; and 1 ;fear that it will cost a vast deal',.l,
more yet before it is •finisiied. But whatrtbert ? It was not
only commenced with the ,fullcconcurrence.of the people in aIE
ranks, but was Galled for by them ; and,. now that they have -
got the Mir which they demanded, are they to expect God to
pay for it ? Undoubted*, they who endeavour to countet.,-H
balance their increased expenditure by diininisliing or wholly,
withdrawing their alms, do, so far. as intthent lies, endeavour .
to make Him pay for it.. And.this the3r would perceive, ifen.4,
they would recollect that.the poor are His. poor, and His spe.
cial representatives in earth.. The plain truth is, that the state.
of our public-charitable -institutions is a.idisgraee to the town„
and gives the lie to nine-tenths of the religious profession of,
which, e hear so muclt And if;this botrueias I heard a peat:
Mayorof Liverpool publicly assert some time ago, that all tha
charities.. in , the totent,are -tupportedi'by thirteen hundioede
indivichials, the disgrace is much deepen than at a first glancee,
appears,-,--I am, Sir, your's, ,Sre„ X., Y

PROPCSED • NEW- CHURCH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARI<ra•.

Sin,—The laudable efforts you make from time to tiimo..te I
rouse the attention, of. Churchmen to the, state of spitittial
destitution in which somany distriets of our populous town, is
suffered to continue, deserve the grateful acknowledgment of
altearnest and consistent members-of ow- communion-
I,am anxious .on. the present occasion to second your general
endeavours, by pointing to one district in partieuleye -where
nothing but the purest neglect can safer the' erection of a
new church to be longer. delayed., I aßucle to the thichly and
respectably-inhabited district a;ound the Zoological Gardens,
which has orJor one church (St. Chrysostom's) for the vast po-
pulation residing between St. George's, Evertor, anctEck,e-hill;
the great majority of whom are no doubt Church people.
The pressing want that exists of farther church. accommo-
dation is deinceistrated by the fact, that, (notwithstanding Mr.
Caine's figures, which are as._grossly inaccurate in this case as.
in that of'St. John's,) the church of St. Chrysostom is often
inconveniently crowded—that families wishing to engage pews.
therein have generally to :wait some months before they can,
be accommodated—and that seat-holders, though they, reach
the church before the service has commenced;, often find their-
sittingsoccupied by strangers.
There isnt present- plenty of vacant land at the: back
Wellington-terrace, West Derby-road, which would be a cen-
tr4and excellent situation for a new church;; but as.buibling
is going,on rapidly, in the neighbourhood; a site should be se-
cured without delay. In the United States, it is the custom;
when laying out a village, (from lucrative motives, if for
no other,) to mark out a site, and<often erect a small place of
worship, befoxeany other buildings am put up. Oh, that such
a custom, with, a. purer motive, existed; in England.
Toraise a, church in the locality I have indicated ought, it
seems to ree,.to require no other movement than, the forma-
tion of a. committee to collect subscriptions in the. district and
superintend the erection. I cannot suppose (hard times
thoughtheybe)thatthere could be anygreat difficultyin raising
a sufficient sum in so respectable a.neighbourhood.—l
yours„ respectfully, VOX.
West Derby-road, 20th Oct., 1565.

WHAT OUGHT THE DIRECTORS OF THE
BANK OF ENGLAND TO DO ?

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sin,—We are fast approaching another money crisis ; and,
if the government do not interfere, no man can tell the result.
The drain of bullion goes steadily on week by week ; and the
Bank of England goes steadily on raising the rate of dis-
counts. Where is this to stop? Is the commercial body of
this country to be laid prostrate, because the Emperor of
Russia (and the Emperor of France, in self-defence) is bent
upon drawing every sovereign from us he can obtain by
direct or indirect means ? He well knows his strength by so
doing, and our weakness. It is not a question with either
him or the Emperor of France of expense ; they must have
and will have it, so long as we adhere to our present monetary
laws. In other panics it was a matter of over-trading, and
consequent inflated prices of Produce and Manufactures. Now
it is nothing of the kind—Commerce is unusually sound.
It is a mere question of putting a stop to the
export of gold. And this is the question—what will
put a stop to it ?. No doubt there maybe and is
considerable difference of opinion on this point ; but in my
humble opinion it is not a question of 8, 10, or 12 per cent.
which will stop it. It is a political necessity both with the
Emperors of Russia and France to possess it, and the drain
will continue, and most likely increase. Is the commercial
body of this country to stand quietly by,. and be mulcted and
panic-stricken by the Jews and Bulhorusts, who are gloating