The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-10-30 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

THE

tibtrpooi tatibarb.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1855

THE CHURCH AND 'HER FOES

WE are fast approaching the time when Parliament
will be again assembled for the despatch of business,
and be called upon to decide for or against proposals
involving the best interests of the Church and of the
State : but though the enemies of the former are
sufficiently active, we do not find that much is being
done by those who ought, and profess, to have her
welfare at heart. There are several indications which
convince us that the Church will, in the ensuing ses-
sion, be subjected to assaults of a more vigorous and
systematic character than any which she has yet
endured since the disastrous period when regicides
and schismatics were permitted, for a period, to pre-
vail against her. To mention but one : a club has
lately been established in the metropolis, known as
the Milton, for the very purpose of bringing together
the leading members of the various nonconformist
bodies, and to afford a basis for operations against
the Church. Verily " the children of this world are
in their generation wiser than the children of light."
Greater wisdom, skill, and perseverance, are mani-
fested by those, who have an evil end to accomplish,
than by those, whose business it ought to be to defeat
their machinations. On the one side we see unity of
purpose, and combination of resources.; and upon
the other mutual jealousy, and consequent disunion,
sufficient to bring ruin upon the best cause. We are
aware that very wide differences of opinion exist
between different members of the Church, and these
upon points closely connected with her faith and dis-
cipline. But what then ? are there no differences
between Dissenters ? Does the Wesleyan agree with
the Independent ? the Socinian with the Presbyterian ?
or the Baptist with either of them ? Can any two
Churchmen be found who differ so widely from each
other as the Quakers do from all the other Protestant
sects ? We trove not : and yet all these, agreeing in
one point, viz., the desirableness of overthrowing the
Church, have sufficient wisdom, notwithstanding their
differences, to combine their powers to effect it. If ever
they do effect it, we doubt not we shall see them, as in
the days of the Commonwealth, turning those powers
against each other, and amiably cutting the throats
of those whom they are unable to convert ; and then, it
may be, assisting to rebuild the demolished Church, as
the only possible refuge from such a state of arnachy
and confusion, But the combination against the
Church is not confined to those dissenters who are
commonly known as Protestants ; it includes also a
body who differ from them even more than they differ
from each other, we mean the Roman Catholics.
Here, indeed, is an apparent inconsistency. The Pro-
testant Dissenter objects to the Church upon the
ground, among others, that the Reformation did not
go far enough, and that, consequently, she retains
much, both in her doctrine and discipline, of a Popish
character or tendency. Even Prelacy, however
limited, is regarded by many as Popish ; and yet they
will unite with avowed Papists, whose ultimate object
must be to restore her to the Papal obedience.
Again, the Papists, if consistent, cannot but regard
the sects as sunk far deeper in heresy and schism than
the Church, simply because the Church has retained
much which they deem right, and which the sects
have rejected ; and yet are they willing to unite with
the sects against the Church. Here then, we say, is
an apparent inconsistency, but one from which, we
think, individual members of the Church would do
well to take a lesson. Inconsistency there may be ;
but, bearing in mind the object which they wish to
accomplish, there is true wisdom.
The fact is, that the Church is the great bnlwark
against them, one and all. It has stemmed, and still
stems, the 'progress of every ism": It hinders alike
the progress of dissenterism, which, if successful,
would eventually make every man his own God, and
his own Bible, and overspread the land with anarchy ;
and of Romanism, which would make the Pope our
God, and the priest our Bible, reducing us to the
position of mere animated machines; making a desert,
and falsely calling it peace. Against each of these the
Church protests, giving due weight to the principle of
authority, and, at the same time, proclaiming every
man's responsibility for the right use alike of the
natural gift of reason and of the supernatural gift of
revelation. And therefore it is that they seek her
overthrow ; and, bearing in mind that this is their
object, we repeat that they act wisely in combining
their forces. What would follow if their object were
accomplished, is another question; and they do well
to entertain but one question at a time. Each, no
doubt, would then seek the supremacy over the others ;
and we have a shrewd suspicion that Romanism, more
compact, better organised, and equally unscrupulous,
would quickly obtain it. _ _

But why should the Church act less wisely? How-
ever great may be the differences that exist among
her members, still they are one body. They are not,
like her foes, members of rival sects. And, more than
this, they all claim her to be upon their side, professing
to believe that that view of the truth which they teach
is the one which she proclaims, and would have her
children receive. Now, God forbid that we should
advocate indifferentism. We may deem a man ill-
informed, or ill-judging, and consequently erroneous
in his teaching ; but we should be sorry to see him
consenting, for any inducement, to withhold what he
believes, or to pretend not to believe it ; because the '
former course would prove him to be, in fact, indif-
ferent about the truth, whilst the latter would prove
him to be a false-hearted hypocrite. But nothing of
this kind is really necessary. The Church is threat-
ened ; and the one thing which her members have to
do is to unite in her defence. We take no account of
the few who profess to believe her wrong. Their po-
sition is a false one, and will continue to be so as long
as they remain within her pale ; but their numbers
are comparatively small, and the very inconsistency of
which they are guilty must deprive them of any
weight which they might otherwise possess. But we
do call upon all who, whatever their opinions may be,
profess to believe that they are identical with those of
the Church, to be up and doing, and to unite as one
man in the Church's defence.
Row far the enemies of the Church may proceed in
the ensuing session, we do not pretend to know; but
we take it for granted that they will renew the attack
against Church-rates, and these we regard as an out-
work of all the other property which the Church
possesses. The Upper House may, indeed, for a time
interpose between the Church and the Commons, but
cannot be expected to do so upon the same questions
year after year, unless supported from without. Only
let the members of the Church band together for the
one purpose, of protecting her, and all will be well.
But if, while her foes are active, her own sons continue
lukewarm and disunited, no earthly power can save
her.

TROUBLES OF AN IMPERIAL LANDLADY.—The Empress of
France, some time ago, purchased the Hotel Lauriston and its
dependencies in the Champs Elysees for her mother the Coun-
tess de Montijo, and her sister the Duchess de Alba. On the
ground belonging to them hotele are some buildings in which M. ,
Magnier, a brewer, and Geneste, of a diorama i
representing the )ombardmennt
it was
carry on business.
In the lease made to those persons,
receiving
stipulated. that they
the l.) beauty
soli"
..i:noaths' notice; 1
a notice I
should be obliged to leave on
and, as their premises destroy
shown notoditsipieospit
givetniactonottlell,
91o1;:i to do
to quit on the Ist of October was duly
rensi ent of 1
they did not leave, and have since But
so. Accordingly, an application was made
the Civil Tribunal, sitting in Chambers, in the
"H. M. Eugenie Marie de Guzman, Countess de Tetaine of
Empress of the French," to authorise the expulsion of Ma'.l,oineccr:
and Geneste, and to order the demolition of the buildings
Pre-
cupied by them. Those persons did not appear, and
sident decided that, in the event of their not leaving within
twenty-four hours, the Empress should be authorised to turn
.ile.lllout by force, to remove their effects, and to demolish the
buildings they occupy, all at their own expense.—Hominy
Post.

FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

MONDAY MORNING.

TICE past week has been a singular one ; and one fertile in
topics which move both:to mirth and to melancholy ; the in-
tensity of the symptoms in either case being greatly depen-
dent on the idiosyncracy of the party to whom appeal must be
made. A provoking rapacity for cash and a convulsive tighten-
ing of the purse-strings leading to an extraordinary elongation
of countenance on the one band, contrasts with a singularly..
jocose project-for COmPleting a tunnel between the English and
French coasts, beneath the straits of Dover. This gives jubi-
lant expression to a numerous class of individuals, who have,
for a long time, been doomed to " waste their sweetness on the
desert air," but who, under the name of "men of enterprise, "
are ever ready to embark in any undertaking which, by the
agency of " scrip," can be floated into the conflicting sea of
commercial speculation. Grave and stately bankers, hurled
from their place of pride and constrained to commence a new
career, in competition with that race of public benefactors,
who, in the classic language of BA.RRINGTON, or some other
" ill-fated victim of handcuffs and chains" on the " shores of
far distant Vandieman," sung of himself and his " co-mates
in exile," as

True patriots we—for be it understood,
We left our country for our country's good.

The blustering JovE of Printing-house-square, donning the
borrowed habiliments of PA.LLAS, and enacting, for a time, the
self-imposed character of a sage and a dictator, as was the
wont of the populace of ancient Rome to

side factions, and give out
Conjectural marriages; making parties strong,
And feebling such as stand not in its liking,
Below its cobbled shoes.
The ci-devant journalistic potentate of Jersey, rejoicing in the
somewhat musty title of " Roman Republican," and,under his
convenient marching appellative of Colonel PIA.NCIANI, claim-
ing to be a martyr to the Lynch-law of that land he and his
confreres have abused,—whose protection they have outraged
and forfeited. The blustering rhodoinontade of Sir CIitA.RLES
NA.PIER, who repeats for the fiftieth time " the story of his
wrongs," as he pours forth, in accents whose melifiuence might
rival the music of the " north wind," his claims to the sym-

pathy and suffrages of the Southwark Radicals. The "thou-
sand and one " cunningly-devised tales of modest worth, put
forth by candidates for the " sweet voices " of popular consti-
tuencies, as they contrast their "own weak merits" with the
flaming virtues of renegade Quakers, and, "heaven save the
mark," " philosophical Radicals." Such, and a hundred other
discordant concords have lent their charms and influence to
stamp the past as a week of no common order.
In the midst of a panic-stricken discouragement to even
legitimate enterprise, to revive a scheme which seemed
chimerical in the wild eddies of that speculative delu-
sion which ten years ago seized upon and made captive the
British population, is, to say the least of it, a bold stroke of
adaptive ingenuity. Yet such has been one of the notabilia
of the last few days. The project which has been revived, as
above alluded to, is one for executing a tunnel direct from
Dover to Cape Griz-Nez, on the French coast. This line, the
amazed public is kindly informed, is only 25 miles in length,
and as the deepest water in the channel is only some 60 yards
in depth, there are, of course, no engineering difficulties to
contend with. True, the length, 25 miles, divided into two,
gives some trifle of 12i miles on each side of the centre, from
which the debris will require to be removed, a distance which
is admitted to be a little inconvenient : but what will not
genius grapple with, and overcome ? The engineer, M. L.
FAVRE, who is, of course, one of the most distinguished
French engineers, proposes to sink wells, and through the
wells shafts, at convenient distances, throughout the Whole
length of the line, by the aid of which the tunnel can be
worked in sections of convenient extent. To one less familiar
with engineering works, on paper, than M. L. FAVEE, the idea
of sinking wells in the channel, and through their means ob-
taining access to and excavating galleries under the sea, may,
indeed, seem extravagant ; but who, with the mechanical
philosophy of LAPTITA. in his mind's eye, and the easy calcula-
tions of the French engineer before him, can do less than blush
confession of the most verdant ignorance, as he casts a retro-
spective glance at his own unbelief in the ease and facility with
which the whole affair may be -got over ? Tush I sceptic,—
what know you of engineering difficulties ? Is not the bed of
the channel formed, as M. L. FAVRE truly says, "of different
strata of earth, and of peculiar beds of stone ?" And among
these shall we not " meet a rock which will enable us to estab-
lish a tunnel of very great solidity ?" Of course we shall, and
must; for, as M. L. FAVRE informs all who take the trouble
of inquiring into his " mighty scheme," "the earth itself will
form a natural vault of freestone." Nor are these the only na-
tural features which offer themselves in mitigation of engi-
neering difficulties. The bottom of the sea itself is as politely
obedient to the requirements of the eminent engineer, as are
the rocks and earthen strata under it. "The bottom of the
sea descends," we are told, "by an easy declivity." Under all
the circumstances of the case, the perplexity to common mor-
tals is to discover how the phrase, "engineering difficulties,"
could, through any perversion of language, be applied to a pro-
ject, which, to use HAMLET'S simile, is obviously "as easy as
lying." If the physical obstacles to carrying out this notable
project be nil, the pecuniary considerations are even less. But,
as an engineer's report without calculations, as to ways and
means, might seem imperfect'to the unthinking, M. L. FAVEE
has taken care to get rid of the difficulty. He furnishes a
tidily-arranged table of the anticipated cost of construction,
which he sets down at 100,000,000 of francs, or, in English
phrase, at somewhere about four millions of pounds sterling ;
setting aside, out of this sum, 23,000,000 of francs for extraor-
dinary and unforeseen expenses. To the inquiring mind,
nothing connected with this project is so surprising as the re-
markable ease with which it can be carried out, unless, indeed,
we reflect upon the amazing cheapness of its construction.
This will appear the more readily, if we go into a slight com-
parison between it and a comparatively very trifling work of a
similar description, the Thames Tunnel. This, which is con-
siderably under one-third of a mile in length, cost the sum of
£614,000, which is at the rate of £1,842,000 per mile. The
FAVEE—why should it not be called the favourite ?—tunnel is
to be twenty-five miles in length, and, at the same rate of cost
as that beneath the Thames, would swallow up £44,050,000,
whereas it is only to cost about a tithe of that sum. What
an advantage, then, in securing the services of a distinguished
French engineer. The projector is also considerate in another
point of view : like the respectable dame in the nursery tale,
who counted her chickens before they were hatched, he makes
out by a tempting, because indisputable form of reasoning,
the certainty of a large return for the outlay—here again
having the advantage over the English work, which is under-
stood never to have yielded a sufficient return to pay for
necessary repairs.

Great and general interest has been excited among all
classes of the community in relation to the circumstances, posi-
tion, and ultimate result of the proceedings instituted against
the defaulting banking firm of PAUL, STRAITAN, and BATE,,
Those parties have for a considerable time been in custody
on a criminal charge of fraudulently disposing of securities
deposited with them by their customers, and applying the
proceeds to their own use. The unhappy men were arraigned
before the Central Criminal Court on Friday, the judges being
Mr. Justice WILLES, and Barons ALDERSON and MARTIN.
The trial lasted the whole of Friday, and was resumed on
Saturday morning. At the conclusion of the evidence, and
the reply of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL for the prosecu-
tion. The case was carefully summed up by Baron
ALDERSON, and the jury, after considerable deliberation,
returned a verdict of " guilty" 'against all three ; and
Baron ALDERSON, after a painfully-delivered address, sen-
tenced each of the prisoners to be transported for fourteen
years. The sentence took every one by surprise. The
prisoners had been indicted for a misdemeanour, and some-
how or other all the uninitiated, that is, all the unprofessional
world, laboured under an impression that a misdemeanour
was some trivial kind of offence, for which a light punishment
only could be accorded, and the magnitude of the sentence
being so much heavier than was generally expected, produced
a singular effect upon the public mind. The surprise put
every one on his metal in an endeavour- to realize the mean-
ing attached to the mysterious word " misdemeanour?'
Happy the wight who, under this perplexing belief, could lay
hands upon WARREN'S recent adaptation of Blackstone, for
therein he found it recorded, that " To obtain, for instance,
ten thousand pounds worth of goods or money, by the
grossest false pretence, is declared (by statute) a misde-
meanour only ; to steal a farthing, a felony. Similar
punishment, moreover, may be inflicted in both classes of
offence." The difficulty of comprehending the difference
between the two classes of offence is probably not much
reduced by the declaration that both are the• creatures of
statuary arrangement ; but a knowledge of the fact that both
classes of crime are liable to the same or very nearly the
same amount of punishment, is so far satisfactory ; and when
it is explained that a person convicted of felony in addition
to the punishment expressed in the sentence forfeits all his
goods and chattels to the Crown, while one convicted of
misdemeanour forfeits only his liberty or such other amount
of sacrifice as is actually expressed in the sentence, the ex-
planation becomes sufficiently explicit to satisfy every-day
enquiry. In accordance with this last explanation, it is plain
that, supposing the prisoners whose case is now under con-
sideration, had been possessed of property. that would not
have been forfeited.
This has been a painful case from first to last, and it has
occasioned a great deal of conflicting feeling among all ranks
of society. All the culprits were men of education, and
each of them, by his family connexions, his previously high
moral and religious character, and his fair outward demeanour,

was entitled to the world's esteem, so far as that can be ac-
corded to external appearances ; and in obedience to this con-
ventional mode of estimation they were each and collectively
treated with the deference due to probity of an exalted order,
and to that degree of
_general esteem which is freely bestowed
on men of deserved reputation. This feeling secured for
them a large amount of sympathy when they were considered
to have been overwhelmed by the advancing tide of pecuniary
embarrassment ; nor was it entirely withdrawn from them
even on the discovery of mal-practices which no amount of
pecuniary difficulty could excuse or even palliate. On the
contrary, it clung to them to the last, and it is a matter which
hardly admits of doubt that
_many well-meaning men would
gladly have seen any technical difficulty or legal loop-hole by
which escape could have been secured for them. Against this
feeling, however, there still arose the stern condemnation of
the virtuous and the good, which repudiates crime and abhors
rascality in whatever guise it may appear, reprobating it ail
the more severely for the false pretences by which its action
had been cloaked, and its objects secured for so long a period.
In the eyes of another class, the proceedings in regard to these
culprits assume a yet different aspect. To the apprehension
of those now referred to, every preceding indication of pro-
priety is an aggtavation of the alas ! too daring and altogether
inexcusable offence. Rank, social position, the indicated par-
tiality of friends, and the conjectured sympathy of intelligent
men ; nay, even the very forms with which national jealousy
has hedged in the liberty and cherished the presumed inno-
cence of merely accused individuals, are looked on as so many
cunningly-devised instruments by which justice is tampered
with, and the law perverted, for the purpose of screening influ-
ential delinquents from the just consequences of their crimes.
Each one of the classes referred to, and many whose peuliari-
ties of mental vision are not included in the instances glanced
at, will see in the condemnation of Sir JOHN DEIN PAUL and
his confederated partners that the influence of a good name
and the possession of a high social position, although of ines-
timable value when associated with the concomitants by which
alone they can obtain ready currency even among men of the
world, become in reality useless and worse than useless when
separated from that intrinsic virtue which alone can impart to
them vitality and sustained existence. The fall of these par-
ties is to be regretted, much less on their account than because
of the shock which through their means has been sustained
by that superiority of mental and religious character of which
they only feigned the possession.
"The times are out of joint," is an exclamation familiar to
the British public for nearly three centuries ; and if punning
were not considered a literary delinquency, it might with
great propriety be applied to the extraordibary and daily
augmenting vagaries which the "leading journal of Europe,"
as it delights to designate itself, persists in indulging itself
in. The extravagant impertinences which this termagant
SOLON has of late indulged in, would, from their whimsicality,
be highly amusing, were they not at the same time nearly
as dangerous as they are delusive. For a long time past its
favourite amusement has been the lecturing of statesmen,
and the special castigation of ministers of whatever capacity
or politics. More lately it has ranged over the blood-stained
fields of war, and has alternately. scolded and coaxed—praised
and vilified our officers and our army; and, without having a
crutch to shoulder, has most pertinaciously " showed how
fields are won." Again, betaking itself to the stormy deep,
it has been oracular and patronising to our fleets :and com-
manders—has alternately praised their capacity and evolutions,
and denounced their actions and endeavours. In all of these
extravaganzas there has been manifested but one leading
idea, and that idea has been the self-glorification of the Times.
In form, its proceedings have been systematic and methodical.
As a sort of general rule, it commences with a set laudation
of some unseen influence ; from this it veers round into
pompous reprobation, and then suddenly bursts out into a
torrent of wrath, and at last settles down into a sort of quasi
composure, by proving that its indignation has been stirred
by some worthless and trivial affair, which it was beneath the
dignity of man or demigod to interfere with. Every circum-
stance and every opinion—every public man and measure
has been alternately vilified and applauded in the veracious
columns of the Times. In this respect its ponderous and
pompous lucubrations have been sources of amusement to
many, who laughed at their assumption without in any degree
acknowledging their power. Within a brief space, however, its
pretentiousness has assumed a more alarming phase,dependent
for its value wholly on the absence or presence of one little
ingredient—that being the truth or falsehood of its
statements. All the world is aware of the rancorous
enmity it has for some time displayed towards General
SIMPSON, and the frequent torrents of invective it has- poured
out upon his conduct as Commander-in-chief of the British
Army in the Crimea. Some time ago the fierce cataract of
abuse was stayed. The wondering world is now informed
in thus directionentered r eisntulotedbeftrwomeeial
that
ka t
oh f e
barn c es s a
it
ni o
an n odf
sale scurrility
arrangement,
the Thunderer on the one hand and the squeezable British
Government on the other, the price of that thrifty negotiation
being the sacrifice of General SIMPSON. No words can put
the discreditable case so strongly as the bold and straight-
forward assertion of The Times. In allusion to the profligate

expenditure of its own theatrical thunder and pulverized rosin
lightning, it goes on to say—"At the first outbreak of na-
tional feeling the Government was alarmed. We were asked
to refrain from further comments on the untoward event,
and were assured that General Simpson would at once
yield to another the command he was clearly unfit to hold.
If not recalled, he would be advised in a friendly manner to
resign. He was an old and respected officer; and if not
capable of the highest command, might yet be allowed to re-
tire quietly. After such an appeal, we had no wish to hold •up
to odium any man who might be supposed to have done his
best, however disastrous the result. We have, therefore, for
more than a fortnight, abstained from any remarks on General
SIMPSON'S- conduct ." The language here is unequivocal, and
plain. The only question in relation to it which the public
have any interest in is, is it true ? Did Government request
the forbearance of The Times, and as the price of that for-
bearance agree to sacrifice its servant ? Did the valiant War
Ministry of Lord PA.LMER MN. volunteer the degradation of
its officer to propitiate the clamorous editor of an overbearing
newspaper ? If it did, like other ill-starred heroes of flagi-
tious romance, it seems to have entered into a short-sighted
bargain with the demon whose powerful aid it would secure.
The over-scrupulous demon finds a flaw in the execution of
the compact, and hurries off its victim to perdition. The
Times, impatient at some real or imaginary breach of the en-
gagement, divulges so much of the bargain as must stamp
with everlasting infamy the parties who could voluntarily
sacrifice their personal honour, and, huxter-like, dispose of
that which was not theirs—the reputation of their chosen and
trusted servant. If ministers did consent to so nefarious a
compromise between fear and duty, they entered. into the
compact with one who was sure to

---- crave the law,
The penalty and forfeit of the bond,

Having thus indirectly, as the Times says, seoured the
disgrace of General. SIMPSoN, it returns to the subject, and,
gloating over its own success, says on Tuesday. last, " We
confess it is with no little satisfaction that we learn, positively
for the last time, that General SIMPSON has-ceased to com-
mand the army in the Crimea. A month has- elapsed since
the details of General SIMPSON'S conduct reached this
country. We had no difficulty in making, up, our minds."
And again in the same essay, " We did not require a long
time to make up our minds on the subject,_ and, once having
made them up, we have seen no occasion for any change or
vacillation." Violent and self-opinioned individuals do not
generally take long to make up their minds, and flattered
tyrants rarely see occasion to change them ; yet it does not
thereforaollow that prompt decision is the only element of
wisdom, or that obstinate adherence to a-rashly-formed judg-
ment is thorough proof of rectitude-of purpose. Be the recai
of General. SIMPSON fixed or doubtful—be that event promoted,
or retarded by the blustering of the Times, a question of vital
interest to the nation has been broadly raised between it and
the Government which cannot be suffered to rest in its present
position. A journal which can coerce ministers and bargain
for the disgrace of a Generalissimo is too powerful an organ
to be trusted ; if successful in such projects it is impossible to
foretel to what point its self-appointed functions may direct
its course. We are all aware that besides being mighty in
slaughtering of cattle, Guz of Warwick was also great in the
making and unmaking of kings; if the typographic GUY of
modern days be permitted to slaughter the reputations of
brave soldiers and timid ministers of state, who will guarantee
that his next endeavour may not be directed to the overthrow
of a dynasty ?
While this mean and dangerous strife has been waged in
London against the reputation and success of the army in the
East, the exertions of the fleet and troops, and the judgment
of the much-vilified officers have been employed to good
purpose in different portions of the seat of war. Through
combined and multitudinous efforts, scattered over a widely.
diversified space, they have been successfully engaged in'
crippling the resources and destroying the prestige of the
enemy. For many years the Western world has been domi-
nated and threatened by the pretended military superiority of
Russia. The whole of Europe lent themselves as willing
dupes to the presumed greatness, power, and illimitable
resources of the Russian CZAR ; and the belief in his exhaust-
less command of money and of men, combined with the
.I.astness of his territory, lent countenance to the oppressive
illusion. One year of active hostilities has for ever dispelled
the cheat. His efforts have in no instance been crowned with
success. He has everywhere encountered defeat. While
strongly posted behind the almost impregnable fortress
of Sebastopol, the obdurate defence he was enabled to effect
went far to establish the belief which supineness on the one

hand, and bold assumption on the other, had tended to create,
and the myriad hordes of Russia were presumedto be invincible.
Driven from their fastness, and dispossessed of the means of
annoyance afforded by its vast arsenals, defeat and embarrass-
ment have hung upon their footsteps, and encountered their
proceedings on every hand. Russia herself has been shaken
out of her vain delusion. She can nolonger impose upon even her
ignorant serfs the belief that her " holy soil" is inviolable. It
has been invaded and wrested from her in various quarters. In
the Crimea there seems little reason to doubt that, before
the severity of winter sets in, she will have lost every inch
of her territory, and witnessed the destruction of that strong-
hold which it cost her so many years and so much treasure to
construct as a means to forward her schemes of aggression
upon the nations of Europe. Her army is there environed by
difficulties, and opposed at numerous points by the valiant
squadrons of a victorious foe, who is gradually drawing
closer the meshes of that net which already almost enclose the
dispirited soldiery of Russia. In Asia they have suffered
severe reverses, and are threatened with still greater. All
these, as they show a waning influence in Muscovite ascend-
ancy, indicate with nearly equal certainty the approaching
termination of the present hostilities, and afford good reason
for indulging the hope that ere long the humiliation of Russia
will be sufficiently complete to guarantee the peace of Europe
against interruption from her for many a long year to come.
In this belief the public is once more becoming buoyant
with peaceful hope. Other lights beside the lurid torch of
war begin to illuminate our horizon. Literature and Art
once more show their features irridescent with a brighter smile
than that which erst mournfully wreathed their countenances
while celebrating the heroic and victorious fall of deathless
heroes. Joy will once more wait upon their footsteps, and
strew flowers in the path of life ; but before this desirable end
has been accomplished no small amount of sorrow must yet
mingle its bitterness in the cup. Many an anxious heart will
yet be wrung by woe, and many a rosy cheek be blanched with
sorrow ere the fell demon of destruction evoked by heartless
and ruthless ambition shall be fully rebuked and exorcised.
Still there is room and ample room for hope that the worst has
been reached and passed, and that henceforward the progress
will be onward in the right direction.

THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

am somewhat surprised that the numerous interests
connected with the Birkenhead Docks have not yet joined in
an energetic remonstrance to the Dock Committee against the
proposal of Mr. Hartley to run the Birkenhead Docks dry. He
says the Liverpool Docks are run dry every two years. This
may be all very well, for if one dock be closed another is open,
and the trade of the port is uninterrupted ; but if the Birken-
head docks be closed, the trade may be diverted and perhaps
not be restored. There is only one approach to the Great
Float, through the Egerton and the Morpeth Docks. It may
be advisable that they should be cleaned, but the necessity is
not very urgent, and surely they might wait until the entrance
be made to the Great Float, so that no injury accrue to the trade,
which, however contemptible when compared with Liverpool,
is of no little importance to Birkenhead. Messrs. Holme and
Co., the timber brokers, have called attention to the subject in
their letter presented to the Dock Committee on Thursday,
and which I see by the report has been referred to the
Harbour Masters' Committee ; but their application should
be backed by the many other parties interested in the question,
particularly the coal trade of North Wales and the Railway
Companies. I join in the common feeling of admiration of
Mr. Hartley's great abilities as an engineer, of which there are
too many proofs to entertain any doubt. I have not a word to
suggest against his proposals. All that is requested is that
the carrying out of them should be deferred until, by the com-
pletion of the entrance from the Mersey to the Great Float,
the smaller docks may be cleansed, and the necessary repairs
effected without any injury or hindrance to the trade now
being carried on.—l am, Sir, A CHESHIRE-MA.IC.

MEMORIAL OF ARCHDEACON BROOKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Si Three weeks ago, the editor of the Liverpool Standard
allowed me to give publicity to my notion that no memorial of
our late Archdeacon would be more useful and appropriate
than the establishment of girls' schools for that important
part of the community which fills up the large space between
the rich and the poor. It seemed to me better that the influ-
ence of that excellent man should work among us still in a
living agency of good, than that he should stand silently in
St. George's Hall, or elsewhere, in cold marble or dead bronze.
But this question must be decided by his fellow-townsmen.
My letter was intended only as a suggestion, to be taken for
what it was worth. When I heard of the requisition to the
Mayor, I felt that my business was to sign it, and wait
patiently for the result. No practical steps whatever have
been taken towards the establishment of the memorial at
which I ventured to hint ; though I have received communi-
cations which show that such an institution would be welcomed
by those whom it would be intended to benefit, and heartily
promoted by men of influence and wealth.
I request the favour of the insertion of this letter, that no
one may be withheld from contributing largely to whatever
memorial is approved by the majority, through any idea that
a counter-movement- for a particular kind of memorial is- in,
course of agitation.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. S. HOWSON..
October 24, 1855.

LIFERPO,OL CHAMBER O,:F

COMMERCE.

THE requisition from a number of merchants and others-of
Liverpcol, on the subject of the present state of the monetary
system, was discussed by the Council of the Chamber on Mon-
day, and again on Tuesday, when the , resolutions which•
follow were then agreed to. Mr. Harold Littledale, who, in
the absence of Mr. Terr, represented the requisitionists,
attended at the Board-room of the Chamber on Wedmsday,
and, in handing over-the decision of the Council to-Mr..
Littledale,
Mr. HEATH said.—The Council having left it to my dis-
cretion to communicate-to the requisitionists the conclusion
to which they have come upon the memorial presented to
them, I thought it the -most convenient, as well as the-most
respectful, course to ask: you and as many of the requisition-
ists as chose to attend to meet me here, in order to aiford:me
an opportunity of conveying them to you personally.. The
memorial itself has met-with all that earnest attention. from
the Council which its- importance deserved, and although -it
has introduced a subject of painful interest, yet at the•same
time it is a source of some gratification to us, as affording,..so
marked a proof of the- utility of an association like the
Chamber, as well as strong evidence that the labours-of the
past seven years of its existence have been of a character
calculated to inspire-confidence-in the Chamber in the-minds
of the commercial community. The best proof I can gike you,
of the earnest and anxious- attention which the subject-has
received will be to state that our discussions have been pro-
longed over two days,-.--about three hours each. We thought
it right to limit our -consideration as much as possible to
the points raised in. the memorial itself, the language of
which is of a very general: nature,—no doubt intended .to .
be so. But our consideration of the subject was very much
assisted by—and, it is only due to Mr. Torr to say that the
requisitionists are-much obliged• to him for—the clear and
explicit, and temperate manner in which he supported and.
explained the views of the memorialists. I think, sir, ineed
not say more, personally for- myself, but I will now proceed,
to read to you the resolutions come to by the Council.
Mr. HEATH then read as- follows :
Chamber of. Commerce,. Liverpool, October 23,1855.
At a special meeting of the Council to consider a requisition.
on the subject of the present state of the monetary system,
Edwnrd Heath,..Esq., president, in the chair, it was -resolved
That although the.-Council see no reason for alarm in the
present state of the commercial position and the - general
resources of the country, yet they cannot coneeafrom them-
selves the fact that there- is a growing apprehensiOn in the.
public mind'.of approaching difficulties.
The Council, therefore,. think it necessary to communicate
to the requisitionists the following eonelasions,.at,which they
have arriitil :

That should the demands of a large war expenditure on the
one hand, and the food requirements of Western Europe on
the other, cause a continuance of the drain upon the available
banking capital, and. the stocks of bullion in. this country, the
Bank of; England may (despite the exercise .of the only cor-
rective. principle apparently in its power :- namely, that of
raising the rate of interest and restricting discounts) find its
banking, reserve of notes exhausted, while the issue depart-
ment, as in 1847, still retains a large stocknf bullion.
That the experience of 1847 clearly demonstrates that, in
the event of suck an assumed contingency, the Bank of Eng-
land, under the provisions of the act of 1844, is powerless to
afford any facilities to the commercial world, and. that (al-
though the originating causes may not be precisely parallel)
the same calamitous crisis as that of 1847 may again be wit-
nessed.
That as the public are now fully aware that the only possi-
ble mode of relief in such an asstuned state of affairs is the
interposition of_ government to suspend the operation of the
Bank. Act of 1844 ; the uncertainty as to the mode and the
time of such interposition is calculated to create apprehension
and to generate a want of confidence in the public mind.
That the prevailing apprehension on the part of the public,
arising from such a state of doubt and uncertainty, is in itself
mainly conducive to cause and hasten the advent of the crisis
which is so much dreaded. _ _ _ _ _ _ .

That it may, therefore, become the duty of this Chamber to
call upon government to anticipate and prevent any such
break-down of public confidence, by declaring, at an early
period, its readiness to assume the responsibility which is ex-
pected from it.
That, in order to make any such declaration practically use-
ful, it is requisite that it should not be deferred (as in 1847)
until, by the total lass of confidence, unnecessary suffering
and injury shall have been experienced.
That a standing committee be now appointed, to watch the
progress of events, and to intimate to the Council their opi-
nion when immediate action on the part of. this Chamber is
desirable. Extracted from the proceedings,
ROBERT TRONSON, Secretary.

Mr. HEATH added, that the standing committee, referred to
in the resolutions, had been appointed, and that it would meet
at such frequent intervals as the aspect of affairs might require.
Mr. LITTLEDA.LE, having received the resolutions, the pro-
ceedings closed.

MISS HIND, the victim of the assassins in Cavan, expired
on Tuesday night. Mr. Henry Grattan, a landlorit of Miss
Hind's, has issued a notice to his tenants residing in the
neighbourhood of the place where the murder was committed,
to the following effect :—" Whereas, I have long since forgiven
the tenants of those and other land rents due by them,
amounting to £l,OOO, I hereby give them notice that I shall
call for the arrears due these two years, to November next ;
and I shall insist on getting either the rent or the land ; and
as those people misunderstand the doctrines of the Tenant
League, I hereby call on the members of that body to use their
influence and assist in enforcing the rights of property and the
laws of the land that, in my instance, and that of this unfor-
tunate lady, have been, in the most unjust and illegal manner,
wilfully, wickedly, and barbarously perverted and outraged."
He had also offered a reward of £lOO for the capture of the
murderers.