The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-12 00:00:00

LANCASHIRE FEMALE REFUGE.

THE annual meeting of the promoters of this institatieth
previously known as the Lancaster County Prison Refage. stai
held yesterday, at the Bible Society's Repository, Slater-etre"
Mr. T. B. Barclay in the chair. The object of the society 10 t°
provide for those females who, upon their discharge from
prison, are anxious to regain their lost position in societlr°
home, a reformatory, and ultimately the means of rest°.
ration to a life of honesty and usefulness. Amongst th:
present were Messrs. W. Rathbone, Adam Hodgson, 5'
Mansfield, Adam Gladstone, Gregsob, George Holt and see'
ral ladies. The following report was read by Mr. Gregeon

REPORT.
At a time when the subject of reformatory institutions_!
engaging so large a share of public attention, it is with i..„6"
regret the committee of the Lancaster County Prison ReM
are compelled to announce that the claims of that long-u;
institution are but little appreciated among the naniero
charities in this neighbourhood, although its principles.,
system as a reformatory are in accordance with the most
lightened views of the present day.
The object of the refuge is to afford a temporary home ta'
those females who, on their discharge from prison, are 011
to return to the paths of honest industry, but have no friea
to assist them, and too often have connexions bent on defeatillS
their good intentions. In such cases, what would become.!
these poor creatures in their first struggles against evil hob!!
and associations but for this house of mercy ? Whereas, nod
its door, on the recommendation of the chaplain of any of 1s:
county prisons, r
or of the Borough Gaol, is open to rec
them, and the best agencies—industrial, moral,
and religlo°
—are assiduously employed to promote their reformation. It
The institution is conducted on the domestic principl
presents the aspect of a well-regulated family, under
gentle, yet vigilant superintendence of the matron. Tile,
inmates are assembled every morning and evening for prge,'_,
and for reading the Holy Scriptures, and they have also tn.',
benefit of receiving religious instruction and kind exhortatio
from a committee of ladies who frequently visit the house. ,!.
Sunday they attend the neighbouring church, St. Maryt,e
Edge-hill, the incumbent of which, the Rev. F. M. Iler,i
kindly acts as honorary chaplain to the institution. Ding
the week, they are employed in various useful occupatl°_l,l
such as washing, sewing, and household work, and they ef,
carefully trained to habits of industry, obedience, and honesty'
When these qualifications appear to be permanently acquirer'
the utmost care is taken to provide the women with suitek,D'e
situations, in which they may be enabled to continue a cow'
so happy for themselves, and so beneficial to society.
The total number of inmates in the Refuge during they
1855 has been 34. Of these 18 have left, 9 having belie
placed in, service, one restored to her mother, and 8 left th
house at their own request, being discontented with its re:
straints. There remained, at the beginning of the preserlb
year, 16. Of the 9in service, 3 have disappointed the exPec:,
tations formed of them, but the rest are believed to be do'
well.

Although the institution possesses good accommodation fer
22 inmates, it has never had more than 16 at any one dole'
and the funds are utterly inadequate to meet even this OPT
diture, notwithstanding the strict economy of all the arrange,
ments, and the partly remunerative nature of the work ~
which the inmates are employed.
A painful crisis has at length arrived, and unless immediod
measures are adopted for placing its finances on a soup
foundation, this institution, which, though small and a Co(
in the eyes of men, has been favoured with many tokens '9,
the Divine blessing, must fall into hopeless embarrasstnell'
and ruin. But the committee feel themselves bound by the
highest motives to strain every nerve in order to avert
deplorable a result. They look with confidence to the well'
known liberality of various friends to enable them to dischat;
the present debt. Their real difficulty will be to raise the
permanent income of the institution, which has been much
reduced by the deaths of several of its oldest and best Menu"
to such an amount as will in future meet the annual expel'
diture. After all, they require no large sum for the purpe- ,
but quite the reverse ; and they hope and trust that the 500'
benevolent spirit which has recently led so many persons iD
this neighbourhood to establish a reformatory for boys, v7A
not refuse its generous aid to an institution of a kindm
character for the weaker sex, especially when that institutie°
has proved its value by the fruits of long experience.
With a view to the benefit of the Refuge, the committee
have undertaken a revision of the rules; in which they ballet
carefully adhered to the original design and principles, bee
have added such provisions as are usual in the rules of simd
institutions, and essential to their due and regular administer
tion. They now submit this revised code to the consideration
of the subscribers, hoping that it may commend itself to their
approval ; and the meeting will, in that case, be called upon t_o
appoint a committee for the ensuing year, accordine, to th!
new rules. The great benefit, however, which they anticipate
from the meeting is, that the public may be made better
acquainted with an institution which is silently but useful
labouring among us, and which is well entitled to the syniPr,
thy and liberal support of all who desire to advance a 10..1
interesting and important branch of the great work of saw'
reformation.
Mr. J. S. MANSFIELD moved the adoption of the report,'"
compliance with the desire of Mr. Barclay and Mr. Rathbone•
He apologised for knowing so little of the character and work'
ings of the institution, but remarked that a similar institir
tion, the Societe de Patronage, had been in existence for 1/
considerable time, with the most beneficial results, in Fran:
Its design, however, comprehended both sexes. A great d
of good had been done in Manchester, by Mr. Wright, thongP
he had been only able to deal with male convicts. High,'
eulogising the efforts of the ladies connected with the Liver:,
pool institution, Mr. Mansfield said that all England had he,er,
ringing with the praises of Florence Nightingale, but, in 01. P
opinion, it would be unjust to those ladies to place Mil
Nightingale's name above theirs ; fora wounaea spirit aeserve
sympathy as much as a wounded body, and unless it were
healed by kindness and sympathy, little hope could be enter'
tained of its recovering. It was most important in reforming
criminals of all kinds to restore the feelings of self-respect;
and, while alluding to this subject, Mr. Mansfield related an
anecdote, which had come within his own judicial experience,
of a poor wretched woman who, when rescued from destree'
tion, seemed astonished that any one should regard her with
feelings approaching to compassion and interest, and that the
strong arm of the law should interfere to protect her. Here
was evidently a sense of shame, which might be worked WO
and form the basis of reform.

Mr. GEORGE HOLT seconded the motion, observing that Plc
reformatories which were now proposed and in operation °vim
their existence, in a great degree, to the examples set by the
voluntary effort displayed by this and similar institutions.
A code of revised rules having been read by Mr. Gregson,
Mr. ADAM HODGSON moved their adoption, the motiol3
being seconded by Mr. ADAM GLADSTONE. Mr. Gladstone
also read the treasurer's account, which showed a balance
against the institution of £123 2s. 4d.
The appointment of a committee for the ensuing year 015
then made, after which

Mr. GREGSON moved a resolution, setting forth the strong
claims which the institution had upon the public, for geners.;
and hearty support. During his remarks, Mr. Gregson pointed
out that the institution, though humble, filled a peculiar
ground of its own, and that if it were abolished to-morroil
there would be felt a want which no other institution conk'
supply. He showed in what respect it differed, on the one
hand, from the Penitentiary, and on the other, from the Re'
formatory._

Mr. WV. RATunosn seconded the resolution, commentilA
upon the responsibility which, in all matters tending to
reform, rested with the female sex. As the ladies were, 0
would the men be. Mr. Rathbone concluded his speech V,
presenting a donation of £lO to the institution. His exan3lo
was followed by Mr. Adam Gladstone, £lO ; Mr. Gregso_ll,
£10; Mr. T. B. Barclay, £10; and Mrs. 1.0. Bold, £6. Nir'
Mansfield also announced his intention of subscribing to the
institution, and at once handed into the treasurer his sub'
scription.
Thanks to the ladies, the chairman, and the chaplain elooe4
the proceedings.

VEI3RUARY 12, 1856.]

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ZrrERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

TEX monthly meeting of this society was held last night at) 1
the Royal Institution, in Colquitt-street, Mr. Thomas Edwards,
of the Liverpool Gas Company, in the chair.
Mr. BoI7LT said he begged to introduce to the society a new
It'tiodical called The Engineer, which he considered would
prove of great value to practical men.
The SECRETARY (Mr. Salt) exhibited a small and convenient
1144 rattle for enabling the traveller or sportsman to obtain an
'Most instant supply of hot water.
to*. JAcirson. repeated the experiment of a former evening,
show that where a jet of gas, in which common air was
~,
4ed, was divided by platinum wire, the light was more in.
`lase than from a jet of pure gas not so divided.
801ne discussion took place as to the probable cause of this
4eProvement in the illuminating power of the gas.
The CHAIRMAN said that in all cases a low pressure enabled
gas burner to give more light than when subject to a high
by
and he thought it probable that the improved light
153' the application of the platinum wire was owing to the
utter supply of oxygen, and the consequent increase of com-
Nation.
Mr. ABRAHAM, Mr. BO LT, Mr. J. B. EDWARDS, and other
gentlemen offered some remarks upon the subject, the general
°Pinion being that the increased light was owing to the
akeility afforded by the wire for the passage of oxygen to the
name, So as to reader the combustion of the gas more com-
Dlete• The discovery has this advantage, that the consump-
g7l of gas might be economised by the admixture of atmos-
Poetic air.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that it would be advisable if Mr.
Jackson would test by experiment the comparative quantity
411(1 intensity of the heat with and without the wire, and also
tile comparative illuminating power according to the ordinary
tests.
In•answer to a question, Mr. JACKSON said that the size of
the Wire employed should depend on the size of the burner.
Thanks were voted to Mr. Jackson for bringing the subject
before the society, and the meeting shortly afterwards
SeParded.

A short time since Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, received
Wert; from the Lords of the Admiralty for the construction of
'Several gun-boats, to be built with the greatest celerity. He
itnillediately constructed two large sheds, capable of covering
e Workmen engaged in the building of four of these gun-
rata, and sufficiently lighted with gas to enable the work to
he carried on day and night. This 'has been done ; and yes-
terdaY'the first two of these boats were launched, about one
o'clock. The weather was threatening, and before the hour
filed on for the launch rain began to fall fast ; notwithstaud-
Wlaich a large concourse of people was assembled to witness
the-ioteresting ceremony. Both vessels had been built on the
aaille line, and both were launched from the same ways. The
ttt was named the "Beacon,"•thuceremony of naming being
Performed by Mrs. Bevis, wife of Captain Bevis, R.N., the Ad-
4livalty Transport Agent for Liverpool. The second was
'mimed the " Brave," by Miss Laird. These vessels are timber
'kilt, of great strength, and with a light draught or water.
Tll4, eY are screw steam vessels of -220 tons burthen each, and
'ne screw in each is worked by an engine of 60-horse power,
blade by Messrs. Penn and -Son, of London. They are*to be
tit ged as three-masted schooners, with fore and aft canvas,
acrd each is to be armed with two guns of the largest calibre.
The two launched yesterday had their engines on board, and
the screw-fans fitted.

Other•
two are so far advanced that they ready for
launching in a few days.' The framing and ribs of several
others are put together partially, and every meaps'is being
tiled to expedite the 'completion of the order. Besides these
-boats, Mr. Lairtilas also a contract for a number of iron
tilertar-boats, of great strength and a light draught of water.
Several of these are alsoin an advanced state of forwardness.

, Lamm' COLLEGE Livnarom.-By an advertisement'
it will be seen that a Ladies' Colle;re, on the same plan as
hose which have been carried on so successfully in London,
•r4niburgh, and 'Glasgow, is about to be opened in Black-
house, Hope-street.
WOMBWELL'S Ifinvacruars.-This famed collection of 'wild
and curious animals is on view, at the bottom of Shaw's Brow,
"ale-street. This numerous and valuable collection is parti-
arly rich in Eons, tigers, panthers, and leopards ; and in-
Fides also an extensive and varied aviary, and a large num-
ber of reptiles.
Tiu ,Orraniry, which holds its annual meeting
Thursday.next, at the Blue Coat Hospital, has now existed
for sixty years,(cluring which time it has extended its aid to
thousands of the suffering poor of our town, at periods when
assistance has 'been most needed. We 'trust that its funds
Will not be suffered to fail for want of the support of all who
are able to afford it.
ACTS 01, PARLIAMENT .-A return just made shows•that
the total number of acts passed last session amounted to 355,
of which 134-were public, 198 local and personal acts, and 23
Private acts. The number in 1854 was-388 ;in 1853, 399; in
1852, 278 ; in 1851,'278 ; and in 1850,4253. In 1845 it was
821; in 181,0, 297 : in 1830-31, 107; in 1825, 416 •, in 181445,
*ubi ; in 181344, 488 ; in 1812, 464 ; and in 1801, 386. In
1847 450 acts.were passed; and in 186, 570. These figures
Will give some idea of the average result of Parliamentary
sessions as far as the fruits of legislation are concerned.
A SARVIVIAN IN DIFFICULTIES.-Giovanni Burgh, ,who
stated he was an officer in the Sardinian army, was charged
before the pdlice-court, yesterday, with having stolen a ;pair
t3f boots from the shop of Mr. Preston, in Whitechapel, on
tsaturday. The prisoner went into the shop, and desiring to
be shown some boots, be contrived to conceal a pair and
alked off With them. The boots were immediately missed,
the prisoner was followed, and taken with the boots underihis
Coat. The prisoner, who was respectable in his appearance
and manner,-did not deny the offence, but said he hadhoen
educed to commit it by extreme distress, he having lost £lO,
418 all on his passage from America. He was remanded to
allowinquiries being made.
Curreen PASTORAL-AID SOCIETY.-We understand that
new plan is to be adopted at the anniversary meeting of
(41e Church Pastoral-Aid Society, on Monday evening next.
Each
member of the deputation will take up a distinct sub-
Jed as the ground of his address.. The Rev. E. Anriol will
take-" The 'moral and social condition of the great masses the
Chief cause of social and religions evils ;" the Rev. G. S. Ball
will take-" The adaptation of the lay-agency of the Church
pastoral-Aid Society to remedy these evils ;" and the Rev. J.
Titcomb will take-" Clerical pastoral work." Such a
division of labour can hardly fail both-to increase the interest
q the meeting and to shorten its duration.
CHAMBER.or CommEncz.-The first meeting of the council
toee the annual general meeting was held yesterday. Charles
-4011 and, Esq., was unanimously elected president ; John
Tor; Esq., vice-president ; and John Aikin, Esq., treasurer
for the ensuing year. The committees were re-appointed,
after which the resolution of the general meeting on the
Postal arrangements was read and referred to the postal com-
mittee. It was ordered that a representation be made to the
tioard of Trade on the subject of an earlier publication of
Periodical returns melating to trade and shipping. Among
the communications was a letter from the Birmingham Cham-
ber of Commerce on the income tax, referred to a special com-
toittee. The Partnership Amendment and Joint-Stock Corn-
Panies' Bills were referred to the committee on commercial
Ti EAwa OF ENGLAND.- From a return issued on
turday, it appears that the amount of Exchequer or Treasury
Ills purchased by the Bank of England, or on which any sums
mere lent for the public service during the past year 1855, was
£12,883,950, all of which was paid or discharged, with the ex-
ception of £997,448. The balance of sums remaining in the
k as unclaimed dividends amounted, on the sth of January,
,un
'56, to £136,380; on the 9th of October, 1855, to £96,501 ;
°ll,. the sth of Jannary, to £991,582 ; and on the
6th of July, to £96,286 ; and on the sth of April, 1855,
,1••0 £162,360. The remainder of the sum was advanced to
‘-/Overnment. The sum total of unclaimed dividends. mounted,
011 the sth of July last, to £1,008,571. During the year it
appears that the Chancellor of the Exchequer made several
aPplications to the bank for advances on Exchequer bills,
oamely :-On the 9th of March, for one of £1,000,000; on the
26th of March, for one of £1,500,000; on the 7th of April, for
°lle of £4000,000 ; on the 12th of July, for one of £1,000,000;
and on the 11th of October, for one of £1,000,000.
t. TILE ARMY IN THE CRIMEA. - The several regiments
!le army in the Crimea are distributed as follows
The I ; Division, Ist Brigade-7th and 23rd Fusileers,
'D.r6 ~ sad 34th Regiments, and the 2nd Battalion Rifle Bri-
gade ; 2nd Brigade-19th, 77th, 88th, 90th, and 97th Regi-
RFote ; two Batteries, E and Y, of Artillery. The First
.44-vision Brigade of Guards - 3rd Battalion of Genadier
rleds:lst Battalion Coldstreams, and Ist Battalion Scots
bisileer Guards : 2nd Brigade-The 9th, 13th, 31st, and 66th
Valente, and X Battery of Artillery. Second Division, Ist
gade-3rd (Buffs), 30th, 55th, and 95th Regiments ; 2nd
gade-41st, 47th, 49th, and 62nd Regiments; B and G
Batteries of Artillery. Third Division, Ist Brigade-4th,
n!t,ll, , 39th, and 50th Regiments ; 2nd Brigade-18th, 28th,
to and 44th Regiments ; E and W Batteries of Artillery.
sorth Division, Ist Brigade--17th, 20th, 21st, 57th, and
!lard Regiments ; 2nd Brigade-46th, 48tb, 68th, and Ist
441:attalion Rifle Brigade. Highland Division, Ist Brigade-
-2a6, 79th, 924 and 93rd Highlanders ; 2nd Brigade-let
2nd Battalions Ist Foot, 71st and 72nd Highlanders-
the former is at Yenikale ; A and H Batteries of Artillery.
-Val Artillery-11 Field Batteries, A, B, E, F, G, H, P, Q,
tw. X, Y ; two heavy brigades-J and V Batteries (Karanyi) ;
29° and a half Troops Horse Artillery (A I), (Karanyi) ; and
It., Companies Siege Train, 18 of which are at Balaklava
Lghts. Royal Engineers, Ist (Balaklava), 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
(c,'
,ebastopol), 7th, Bth, 9th, (Highland Division), 10th (Light
V,.l.vision), and 11th (Sebastopol), Companies of 'Sappers and
pliers. At Balaklava-18 Companies of Artillery and the
tflcl and 89th Regiments. The Cavalry are stationed at Scu
IT, the Ottoman Contingent are at Kertch., the Osmanl.
Regulars at Varna, the British German Legion at Kululeei

RYALLS' PIANO-FORTE AND MTJSIC.
• REPOSITORY,
28, HAMILTON-STREET,
(NEAR WOODSIDE FERRY')
BIRKEN HEAD.
tun, takes this opportunity of returning thanks to his
'elected customers, and hopes by keeping only a personallytll,tect Stock of Instruments of the First Class, combined with
ageauost Moderate Charges, to merit a continuance of the patron.
00 liberally bestowed on him.
Ilik"1,111„(1, Semi.grand, Cottage, Grand. Square, and Square
tarcu-FORTES, from the Manufactories of BroFeltoood,
C01)41,k
)41,k and Collard, Allison, Hopkinson, and other eminent London
gacOND. HAND PIANO-FORTES by Broadtoood, Collard
ivirgjard,at greatly Reduced Prices.
Nig"o-FORTES and HARMONIUMS for HIRE, by the
,ti. Month, or Year.
k..