The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-02 00:00:00

was upon Captain Mends's good word that they had at
last obtained the cadetship. Their first boy was sent up
last month, and he need not tell those who knew the
great pains which were taken in instructing the boys,
that he had passed a most successful examination as
second-best boy ; and in Saturday's paper he noticed
his appointment to her Majesty's ship Sanspareil. Here,
then, they had a direct proof of the services which Capt.
Mends had rendered to them, in breaking down the
barrier which existed between the two services, which
unmistakeably did exist, but he hoped would no longer
exist in Liverpool, as we had here convincing proofs
that the Admiralty had recognised the services of the
mercantile marine. They had had the pleasure of hav-
ing Captain Mends on the committee of the Conway,
and he was sure he would take away with him the
warmest interest in the success of that institution and
also irf tteir assodiatioh. (Applause:} At a meeting of
the Conway Committee on I'riday last, a tote of thanks
had been passed to him ; and in conclirsion Mt. Beatley
hoped that he would obtain still greater promotion in
the glorious service which he had joined.
Mr. CLINT, as deputy chairman of the Shipowners'
Assobiatiort, vial next called upon: In the first place,
he congratulated the chairman, and the association oter
which he so worthily presided, on its successful position.
He had heard the report with satisfaction, that twenty-
five members had lately joined, and that the association
now consists of 1,306 members. It was a flattering
thing that so many members of the Mercantile Marine
should be brought together in fellowship ; and he should
be glad, from His connection with the sister association,

the Shipoitnersi to heat from tide to time that they
anceeeded in tarrying mit the objects *Weil

hey contemplated. Mr. Clint directed special attention

to that clause in the Merchant Shipping Act which
gave large powers to captains to prevent boarding-house
keepers, crimps, and other parties from boarding vessels
on entering the river. Their object was to seduce the
men, and he believed that this practice was at the root
of many evils from which seamen suffered. The
Captain had great powers, fa he could hand such
parties °ter to the pollee alid lie, as Chairnian
of the Watch Committee could promise every do-4era-
tion. (Applause.) As to the school frigate Conway he
could testify to its success ; and he was struck with a
remark by the Dean of Ely at the distribution of prizes
last year that the boys educated in that vessel would
grow up with a certain esprit de corps. Next referring
to the leading event of the day's business, Mr. Clint
complimented Captain Mends on having broke down
that middle wall o€ partition Ithith existed between the
members of the Royal Navy and the merchant service.
He thought it a most happy circumstance, as by coming
together the members of the two services would mutually
improve each other. He was sure that in going to his

new appointment Captain Mends would carry with him
the good will and good wishes of every member of this
vast community.

Captain Mantis, in a speech of considerable length,
and which was most Cordially receii'ed, returned thanks
for the honour conferred Upon him. He said the simple
expression "I thank you" for the Very flattering com-
pliment paid hith, Would feebly econvey what he felt on
that occasion. He stood in that respect as the repre-
sentative of the service with which he was connected.
e had TPA been, as they were aware, a silver spoon
man. He was one of a very large family, and had not,
perhaps, the benefit of the education which the Conway
conferred on many ; but he persevertd. He was taught
the path of duty, and to look to honour and the acquire-
ment of an honourable position. To that, and the fact
of keeping the truth before him, he ascribed the success
which he had met with. Softie thirty-five years ago he
entered the naval service, and for thirty-tYro otit of that
time he had walked the plank. Including his college
career, there were only three years ih which he was
on shore. On his return from foreign service some
three or four years ago, having sought employment in
one of the district ships, he was appointed to the Liver-
pool station. He was told by his brother officers that
he would find it a difficult place—that there was a
feeling here against the service ; but he knew that he
should come amongst his countrymen, and felt that if
he did his duty, and acted impartially, he might give
satisfaction. This being so, he confessed that when he
first arrived in that model of good old architecture, the
Rastings, he was much surprised at the cordial and
loyal reception given to her by every craft in the river.
The pilot first was gratified at having to bring the first
large ship of War up the' Mersey ; and really her progress
against the tidal strewn Was so slow thafilit gave every
one time to convey a hearty expression of good-will.
The hospitalities of Liverpool were proVerbial; and the
author was hardly down before he received numerous
invitations, and his officers and himself were made
free of every club and to every circle in the com-
munity. The Underwriters' and all other rooms
were thrown open to them, and he felt powerless
to return the obligations which were heaped upon him.
He was cordially welcomed by that institution, which
had only then started. He felt that their object was in
common. Their idea was to raise the tone of the mer-

cantile marine, as his idea was equally to raise the tone
of his own service; and so they went on, acting and
re-acting, as had been so well remarked, for their
mutual improvement: He should have been unworthy
of their kindness had he not done what they had been
pleased to magnify ; but he felt utterly powerless to
mike a snitable return. Ite felt that that special insti-

tution, cf Of others, must raise the seamen of the
Country ; and fit, thotfght; by raising good officers,

they were doing that which would afford a good
and encouraging example to the men ; and they
all knew that, day by day, the seamen of this
country were degenerating. They were not what they
were. The God-fearing and God-serving men of past
times went abroad, and raised their country's reputation
to What it iss but of late years they had been leaning
upon history, and the tradition of the past. The sea-

men, so to speak, Were stink, He felt that this was the
institution to lift them oat of the mire, and make them

better men. With reference to the Conway, he felt that
that also was a link in the connection of the two services
which would help to improve both ; and he was sure
that no one could look at the success of the Conway
without satisfaction. Those who had seen the little
fellows, their nuttily bearing, spirit, and good temper,

could not but be gratified with what might yet be called
an infant institution, for he hoped to see a ship three
times her size. Liverpool had the satisfaction of
establishing the first mercantile marine college, and it
was gratifying to see the result. He thought when
the pupils grew up, the esprit de corps fostered by such
an establishment would tend to keep them from many
irregularities which they might otherwise commit. In
expressing his acknowledgment for the compliments
paid, he felt himself but as the representative of the
service with which he was connected, and he could assure
them that for his part nothing would be more delightful
to hint than to go hand-in-hand with his brothers of the
sea. Many a vessel actually ran away from a ship-of-
war, because a certain clause existed in the Mercantile
Shipping Act, and the very sight of the pennant induced
some villains to kick up a row with their captain, so that
they tight be taken off. Captain Young, of the late
Polar expedition, said be was chased for three days and
three nights by a ship-of-war, and it seemed that when
it came up it merely wanted him to carry home
their letters. lie hoped, however, that that clause would
be abolished, because the war vessels should be the first
to offer assistance to the mercantile marine. In his own
particular calling he had had the good fortune to meet a
great many distinguished men in the mercantile marine.

It waS the first time that he had been thrown into con-
tact with them, and he said the successful result of that
expedition which went to the Crimea was mainly owing
to captains of the merchant service, and it was to their
skill, ability, and experience, that they owed the manner
in which that magnificent expedition was conducted
which went to the Black Sea. The spirit of the men
was also admirable; they asked only such questions as,
Would they be pensioned in case they were wounded ;
or would their widows be provided for ? Capt. Mends
concluded by expressing the interest which he should
always feel in the merchant service of the country.

Mr. BROCKLEBANK moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman, highly eulogising Captain Mends for his
courtesy, and for the good which he had achieved during
his residence in this part of the country, and it was
impossible that they could part from him without
regret. (Hear, hear.) HQ felt quite confident that
feeling was shared in by every inhabitant of Liverpool
with whom he had come into social intercourse. He
then concluded by acknowledging the interest which
Captain Mends had always shown in the management
of the naval affairs of the country.
Mr. T. M. MacKAY secended the motion. While

speaking of Captain Mends, he observed that he had
had many interviews with him on the subject of the
regeneration of the merchant service, and a more
generous and warm-hearted man he had never met
with. (Applause.)
The motion was carried by acclamation, and the
meeting broke amidst loud and long-continued applause
for Captain Mends.

The Bishop of Chester has arrived at Chester Palace,
from London.
Mr. W. J. Fox, M.P. for Oldham, will retire before
the opening of the session.
On Monday evening an entertainment took place in
tha Girls' School, Knotty &sh, in which the Welsh
execution ral solos in firstrate
harper, Mr. Morris Played sev,:
style. We never liP,aid' the harp- play:. •rl with (*renter
that her
or sweetness. It is not surprising •
Majesty and . --n
other Royal personages should have Dt,_
so gratified When
very thheard Mr. Morris play. Mr. R.
evening with an account S. Harding
kindly filled up the intervals of the
the Welsh bards, minstrels,
and harps, and also sangut of several Welsh airs to English
frequent applause. Several of
menwhnifch
successful,w.-ords. In
andall he
receivedun deit undertook, Harding was most
believe, is
and
his songs were encored, amongst
I:iievniuliasr very
were "New
Year's Eve," " March of the
" Shy Robin." Tllis last song, we
lately published, but is sure to becaonmde
soon. The room was quite full •
the
audience were James Williams, Esq., of FirngG
Henry Worrall, Esq., and various members of the family
from Thingwell Hall. A cordial vote of thanks was-
passed to Mr. Harding and to Mr. Morris, who were
vehemently applauded; and a most delightful entertain-
ment was thus concluded.