The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-12-04 00:00:00

RESPONDENT.

MONDAY MORNING.
THE past week has been one of which the occurrence of
stirringly popular events has not been the leading character-
istic. The Cabinet riddle has been so far read out that all the
unoccupied seats have at last received incumbents. The clever,
though crotchety, Duke of ARGYLL having formally under-
taken the surveillance and management of the Post-office, has
handed over the Privy Seal to Wade-keeping of"the'Earl of
11-innowßY, who, in return, has given place to Mr. BAINES,
as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and Lord STANLEY,
of Alderley, withont (materially changing hii position in the
Ministry, has received a seat in the Cabinet. So far, then, the
Cabinet hand has been completed, the only new card added by
the new deal being Mr. LABOUCHERE. The constitution of
the Ministry is, on all hands, admittedly a sickly one; and
even-the Most arduous supporters of Lord PALMERSTON'S Ad-
ministration content themselves with limiting their expression
of confidence in its efficiency to a somewhat hesitating inter-
rogatory as to what his lordship could have done better, in the
circumstances. These parties, feeling the entire weight of the
ministerial responsibility in its merely personal sense, com-
pletely ignore all consideration of the circumstances which
placed Lord PALMERSTON not only in the position of Premier,
but which induced him to set aside the co-operation of Lord
DERBY, and the Conservative party, in forming an adminis-
trtaion which would have secured the confidence of the coun-
try, by arraying in its service the talent, as well as the repu-
tation, of its leading statesmen. The self-willed and short-
sighted leader of the heterogeneous band made his election of
colleagues in the face of the strongest practical admonition-
Every step towards consummating the arrangements which
he --had only half planned has involved him in accu-
mulating difficulties. The ill-assorted band, of which he
hailed himself the chief, were jumbled and pegged toge-
ther with some care, but no adhesive quality, and the first
jolt of the machine threw the whole bevy into disorder.
C'est le premier pas qui coute, our worthy allies tell us in
a proverb applicable to the ordinary affairs of life, the first
hitch in the PALMERSTON Cabinet seems to be of that
enduring cast which will make its effects adhere to the body
so long as two joints of it remain together. By the recently
completed arrangements, the chairs around the Cabinet table
have all received occupants, but every one feels painfully that
the public departments have not, therefore, received compe-
tent administrative heads. Tame dulness is the predominating
characteristic of the Ministry. Lord PALMERSTON himself,
with scarcely another exception, is the only one who pos-
sesses the capability of placing even a common subject clearly
before the legislature and the country, and it is generally,
admitted that, as at present constituted, the House of Com-
mons cannot be guided by such ability as the Cabinet can
bodst of. In these circumstances, the parties who ingeniously
employ themselves in spinning ropes of sand find ministerial
safety in a dissolution of Parliament; and that appears, at
present, to be the panacea depended on for relieving the dead-
lock achieved through administrative incapacity. That it
will be speedily resorted to, seems an article of popular faith
at the present moment. How it will benefit the floundering
mediocres Rho aspire to govern this great country, is by no
means so clear. The able men of all parties are well-known,
and they are already in Parliament. A new election is less
likely to change their views than to confirm their convictions,
and they are admittedly hostile to the pretensions of the 'men
who are ranged under the banner of Lord PALMERSTON.
The want of debating talent is felt and acknowledged to be
a weak point of the present Administration—a greater defect
is known to be the absence of statesman-like views, and ad-
ministrative ability. How anew election is to supply them with
any of those missing qualities, is a difficulty which, no doubt, has
occupied the attention of the noble Premier, but whether he
sees his way through it or not, seems locked up in that limbo of
human vanities, the bosom of a checkmated and ambitious leader,
who cannot procure a decent following. The experiment
it seems to be generally admitted is about to be tried._ It is
at least, under the present circumstances of the case, a kill or
cure remedy. If successful in mitigating the urgent circum-
stances of the Ministerial malady; the nerveless and emaciated
patient may drag on a hopeless and helpless existence for a‘
brief space longer; if unsuccessful in affording even such tem-
porary relief, the veteran prize-fighter of the political ring
must retire to Broadlands, and henceforward content himself
with that kind of view of politics which is said to confer
enchantment on the landscape. This latter alternative is the
one most currently believed in well-informed circles as likely
to ensue, and in contemplation of it all parties are busy in
their preparations.
While domestic politics have occupied a large share of public
attention in the metropolis and elsewhere, during the past
week, they have not so exclusively formed the subject of dis-
cuss;ee as to shut out the consideration of other fnnirc Ott
the contrary, much interest has been manifested on several
other matters, which, under 4 other circumstances, are not
generally lopked on as of such absorbing interest. Conspicuous
among those events which have demanded and received public
interest have been the arrival and reception of the King of
SARDINIA, who landed on our shores on Friday morning, and
shortly after noon made his advent in the metropolis, from
Dover, whence he had proceeded by railway. At the station
he was met with the courtesy and consideration befitting his
exalted rank, and the noble spirit he has evinced. in joining
the-Weitern Alliance in their endeavours to restrain within
due bounds the restless and dangerous ambition of Russia..
He was met by Prince ALBERT and the civic authorities in
state. On emerging from the railway, and in his progress
through that portion of London which he had to traverse in
passing to the station of the Great Western Railway,he was re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic plaudits by the vast assem-
blages who lined the road, and occupied every point whence even
atolerable view of the cortege could be obtained. His reception
by the British people was in all respects worthy of the occasion,
and the distinguished recipient of the honour, In VICTOR
EMMiNtrEL, who, for the first time,visited our island on. Friday
last,the people beheld, not merely the spirited monarch, who,at
a critical moment, espoused the cause which they are deeply
committed to, but in him they also saw one on whom the eyes
of his own countrymen were fixed as the champion. of liberal
opinions and constitutional government before they hailed him
as their sovereign—one who, with a firm hand, and an en-
lightened mind, repelled the blighting influence which
jesuitry and priestly domination had established-among his
countrymen. His career, though brief, has not been undis-
tinguished ; and in military exploits he has already proved
himself a skilful and valiant leader, having commanded a
division of the Piedmontese army in the celebrated Lombard
campaign, in which capacity he did his duty with great gal-
lantry and prudence. In his visit to our gracious (41,LERN he
is accompanied by two of his leading statesmen--the Counts
AZEGLIO and CA-VOUR, the first an able advocate for true
liberty, which, with his pen, he disseminated a knowledge and
appreciation of, and subsequently, with his sword, vindicated
in the field.

If Friday was rendered remarkable by the reception
accorded to the KING of SARDINIA, Thursday was made
more Memorable still by a meeting held in Willis's Rooms,
for the purpose of originating au hospital in.honour, and to
be under the superintendence, of Miss .Npaixxiscar.n. The
chair of this interesting meeting was occupied by his Royal
Highness the DUKE of CAMBRIDGE, who acquitted himself
right royally on the occasion. The chief speakers, besides the
royal chairman, were the MARQUIS of LANSDOWNE, Sir W..
HEATHCOTE. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON,. Lord STANLEY, and
the DUKE of ARGYLL. The addresses-delivered were gene.
rally of a practical order, in which business took the
lead :of rhetoric, to the manifest, advantage of the
purpose for which the meeting, was convened. As
was to have been expected in such an assemblage, the disinter-
ested zeal and intelligent benevolence of Miss NIGHTINGALE
were the theme of every speaker, and each vied with his pre-
decessor in bestowing on her au acknowledgment of the
general gratitude. Details of the, project 'were wisely avoided
in the meeting, its general purpose being confined to a recog-
nition of the principle of Miss NIGILTII'VGA.LE'S great merits,
and the desire to commemorate these iu a memorial which
shall be pleasing to her azd,useful to the community to whose.
well-being she has so sedulously devoted her time, her mar-
gies, and her wonderful tact and benevolence. One object of
the proposed institution,is understood to bathe establishment
of a training school for nurses, who by their initiatory educa-
tion shall be fitted to supply the places so often and so detri-
mentally occupied by the Mrs. GA up family of harpies. The
meeting was numerously attended by a brilliant and highly
influential assembly, and the subscription which was by it
recommended to be opened has started under such favourable
aaspices as to afford fair- ground of hope for its entire success.
Towards, the conclusion of the year it not unfrequently
happens that the judges in our criminal courts see fit, as it
were, to,revi6/ some principle of our criminal jurisprudence,
and, as also sometimes happens, to deliver themselves of singu-
lar dicta in reference to the principles reviewed. One of these
has just occurred in the case of JOSEPH BERRIDGE, who was
convicted on his own confession of an attempt to shoot the
Rev. Mr. BRowx, at Leatheringstone. BERRIDGE and the
clergyman, it appears, had, some twenty years ago, been on
terms of great intimacy. BERRIDGE has since then married,
and become the father of several childsen, and he has become
the victim of a delusion that the Rev. Mr. BROWN is the
father of those children, although it also appears that
that gentleman had hardly ever seen Mrs. BERRIDGE.
Under the delusive impression referred to, BERRIDGE
wrote several threatening letters to Mr. BRowN, and
ultimately he resolved to shoot him in his pulpit, inti.
mating to Mr. BROWN his intention of so doing. In
proof that he meant to do what he threatened, he entered the
church provided with balls and percussion caps, and likewise

kNIMMININNINIIMM

9~

with a bag, which be had brought from his inn in mistake for
his own, which latter was, on examination, found to contain a
loaded Minie pistol. This induced the Reverend Gentleman
to have the dangerous delusionist placed under restraint, and,
as already stated, he pleaded guilty to the charge, when his
counsel admitted that .there was not the slightest ground for
the delusion under which the prisoner laboured. The prisoner
himself expressed a different opinion from that stated by his
counsel, therebY showing that his delusion still existed. The
judge; lioivever; Mr.* jiiitke EELS, appears- to think he' knows
theicase better than either of them ; for after remarking that he
seemed rational on every other subject, exhorted him to exert
himself to overcome the miserable delusion whichhe
was labouring. With this exhortation be dismissed BERRIDGE
on securities that he would be surrendered for sentence in the
event of making any other attempt to injure the Rev. Mr.
BROWN, or even threaten to do so. Small consolation this,
truly, to Mr. Bnowsr, who is thus merely assured that he is
not to be threatened any more, and that if any mischief is
meant towards him, it will manifest itself without warning.
Another instance of judicial singularity has just been afforded
by Mr. Justice.COLERIDGE, in the case of Lieutenant AUSTEN,
the dismissed Governor of Birmingham Gaol, who was con-
victed of various acts of cruelty to EDWARD ANDREWS, a
prisoner, which terminated in the latter committing suicide.
Several other suicides had also, it appeared, resulted from the
cruel system of discipline pursued by AUSTEN. In passing
sentence, Mr. Justice COLERIDGE, ipse facto ignoring the
conviction of the jury, said, "If the defendant had
erred, he had erred by the excess of his zeal in carrying
out the discipline of the prison," and he sentenced
him to be imprisoned for three months. If he had erred,
says the judge, it was through excess of zeal. The jury,
leaving the question of mere error out of view, pronounced
him guilty; but the judge considered it was "excess of zeal"
which led to his error. Excess of zeal pointed the sword for
the massacre of St. Bartholomew—excess of zeal kindred the
fires in Smithfield—excess of zeal is the apology set up for the
tortures of the inquisition. None of these, however, so far
as is yet known, have been so fortunate as to have Mr. Justice
COLERIDGE for their apologist.
Among the literary events of the week, the chief...has been
the advent of Dickens' tale of "Little Dorrit," the first
number of which has just been issued. Of course it is fin-
' possible to tell or even guess the quality or purport of a tale,
in twenty parts, from a glance at the first one. So far as can
be judged, however, from the small means afforded, the story
promises to be fertile in incident and rich in character.
Several of the scenes sketched are hit off with Dickens' usual
felicity of delineation, of which the following may not prove
unacceptable to your readers. Its title may be put as
" The English in Quarantine."—" No more of yesterday's
howling, over younder, to-day, sir ; is there I have heard
none.'—' Then you may be sure there is none. When these
people howl, they howl to be heard.'—' Most people do, I
suppose.'—' Ah ! But these people are always howling,
Never happy otherwise.'—' Do you mean the Marseilles
people ?'—' I mean the French people. They're always at
it. As to Marseilles, we all know what Marseilles is. It
sent the most insurrectionary tune into the world that was
ever composed. It couldn't exist without allonging and mar-
shongiug to something or other—victory or death, or blazes,
or something.' The speaker, with a whimsical good humour
upon him all the time,,looked over the parapet wall with the
greatest disparagement of Marseilles ; and taking up a deter-
rained position, by putting his hands in his pockets, and rattling
his money at it, apostrophised it with a short laugh. Allong
and marshong, indeed. It would be more creditable to you,
I think, to let other people along and marshong about their
lawful business, instead of shutting 'em, up in quarantine!'
Tiresome enough,' said the other. But we shall be out to-
day.'—' Out to-day !' repeated the first, ' It's almost an aggra-
vation of the enormity, that we shall be out to-day. Out !
What havAe ever been in for ?'—' For no very strong reason
I must say. But as we come from the East, and as the East
is the country of the splague—'—' The plague! repeated the
other. 'That's my grievance.. I have had the plague continually
ever since I have been here. lam like a sane man shut up
in a madhouse; I can't stand the suspicion of the thing. I
came here as well as ever I was in my life, but to suspect me
of the plague is to give me the plague. And I have had it-

and I have got it.'—` You bear it very well, Mr. Meagles,

said the second speaker smiling.` No. If you knew the real

state of the ease, that's the last observation you would think

of making. I have been waking up, night after night, and
saying, now I have got it, now it has developed itself, now I

am in for it, now these fellows are making out. their case

for their precautions. Why,, I'd as soon have a• spit put
through me, and be stuck upon, a card in ar. collection

of beetles, as lead the life I have been leading, here?—
' Well, Mr. 3leagles, say no more about it, now it's- over,

urgeu a eneerrui remunne voice. Over ! ' repeated_ Mr. ffie-a'-
gles,. who appeared (though without any ill-nature) to be in
that peculiar state of mind in which the last word .spoken by
any body else is a new injury.. 'Over and why should Limy
no more about it because it's over!' It was Mrs. Meagles
who had spoken. to Mr. Meagles and Mrs. Meagles-was, like
Mr. Meagles, comely and, healthy, with a pleasant English

face which. had been looking at hoMely things for five-and-
fifty years or more, , and shone with a bright reflection of
them. `There!. Never mind, Father,.never mind V said Mrs.
_ _ _

Meagles. For goodness sake content yourself with Pet?—
' With Pet ? ' repeated. Mr. Meagles in his injured vein.. Pet,
however, being close behind him,louched him on the shoul-

der, and Mr. Meagles immediately forgave Marseilles from
the bottom of his heart. Pet was about twenty. A fair girl
with rich brown hair hanging, free in natural ringlets.. A
lovely girl, with,s frank facc3 and wonderful eyes ; so large, so
soft, so bright, set. to such perfection in her kind:-good head.
She was round and. fresh and dimpled and spoilt,. and there
was in Pet an air of timidity- and dependance which was the

best weakness in the worid,..audga;e her the ()ay crowning

charm a girl.so pretty and-pleasant could have bean without.

Now,. I ask. you,! said Mr. Meagles in the blandest confi-