The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-14 00:00:00

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THEATRE ROYAL.
Williamson-square.
MISS CUSHMAN will appear at this Theatre To-morrow
(THURSDAY) the 15th instant; in the character of
BIANCA, in Millman's Tragedy of "Fazio," being engaged
for that night only. Last Four Nights of MISS
FITZPATRICK, whose successful debut in London, and
subsequent tour in the United States, have distinguished her
as one of the principal artistes in Comedy.—Talc EVENING
(Wednesday), the 14th instant, THE WONDER!
Donna Violante; Miss Fitzpatrick. To conclude with
FORTUNE'S FROLIC.—MR. BARRY SULLIVAN,
who is engaged for FIVE NIGHTS ONLY, will make his first
appearance on MONDAY next, 19th instant.—Admission :
Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 25.; Gallery, Is.—
Doors open at half-past six. Performances commence at
seven o'clock precisely.—The Box Office is open from Ten
till Three o'clock daily, for securing Seats and taking
Private boxes, under the direction of Mr. T. Shuttleworth.
—Children in arms will not be admitted.

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Sole Lessee, Hr. W. R. Copeland, 15, Great Charlotte-stree
IMMENSE SUCCESS OF
PABLO FANQUE'S COMPANY!

GRAND ROUTINE or EQUESTRIAN NOVELTIES,
Tan EVENING (Wednesday), December 14th. Third night
of the New, Grand Ballet entitled MARGO SCIARRO ; or,
THE BRIGAND QUEEN OF THE ABRUZZI. Great
Success of the TRAINED PONY & MONKEY. Enthusiastic
reception of MADAME ANTONIA.— Doors open at' a
quarter to seven o'clock, and the Performance to com-
mence at half-past seven.—Prices of Admission : Dress Circle,
35.; Side Boxes, 2s. 6c1.; Pit, Is. 6d. ; Stalls, is. 6d. ; Gallery,
6d. Second Price—Dress Circle, 2s. ; Side Boxes, ls. 6d. ;
Pit; ls. ; no second price to Gallery or Stalls. Second Price,
to Boxes and Pit, at nine o'clock.

ROYAL ADELPHI THEATRE,
Christian Street, Islington.

-
THIS EVENING (Wednesday), December 14th, for the
BENEFIT of MISS AUGUSTA CLIFTON, the Perform-
ances will commence with YELT, THE MILLER'S DOG.
To be followed by a Drama of intense interest, entitled
THE BRIGAND'S RETREAT. To conclude with ALICE
GRAY.—In preparation, the Magnificent New Comic
Pantomime, which will be produced during the Christmas
Holidays, with Gorgeous New Scenery by Messrs. Matthews
and Ramsden, Machinery by Mr. Atkins, and Appointments
by Mr. Gibbs' entitled. THE VALE OF GEMS ; or,
HARLEQUIN AND SINBAD THE SAILOR, AND THE
FAIRY or CORAL GROT. Sinbad, the sailor, Miss Carre,
from the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, Harlequin, Mr. C.
Brown. Pantaloon, Mr. Jackson. Columbine, Miss E.
Gibbs. Clown, Herr Teesale. Sprite, Signor Sylvani.—
Centre Boxes, 25.; Side Boxes, ls. ; Pit. 6d.; Gallery, 3d.

ROYAL PARK THEATRE.
Parliament Street, near St. James's Market.
Tim EVENING (Wednesday), Dec. 14th, for the BENEFIT
of MR. J. HIE LTON—DAMON AND PYTHIAS. After
which, the Nautical Drama of SPREES ALONG SHORE.
To conclude with THE BROKEN HE A R T.—On
THURSDAY, A VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENTS.—
On FRIDAY Evening' Dec. 16th, for the BENEFIT of Mr.
W. R. WALDRON (Stage Manager), will be presented
a New Romantic Drama, entitled THE FIELD OF
DEATH; or, THE FORTY FOOTSTEPS. Francis
Vere, Miss Marriott. The Laughable Interlude of THE
IRISH LION. Tim Moor, Mr. W. R. Waldron. To
conclude with THE LIFE OF A MECHANIC.—In
Rehearsal, the New Grand Local Christmas Pantomime
ORMSHEAD THE GREAT ; or, HARLEQUIN AND
JENNY JONES, AND THE FLOWER OF SNOWDON.
Columbine, Mademoiselle Rose; Harlequin, Sig. Guarrino ;
Pantaloon, Mr. P. Anderson ; Inimitable Clown, Mr. J.
Appleby.— Doors open at half-past six, commence at seven
o'clock.—Admission, Private Boxes, 25.; Boxes, ls.; Pit, 6d.;
Gallery, 3d.
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HIGH WATER IN THE MERSEY.
THIS DAY—Morning, 10h. 32m .... Afternoon, 10h. 47m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 18

THE telegraphic intelligence received from the
East yesterday is highly important. If true it
proves two great facts. First, that secret diplo-

macy has led to a most ,sanguinary conflict : and
secondly, that if the Turks were beaten at all,
they fought with sufficient gallantry to win for
them the warmest sympathy and admiration of
every free and justice loving people. In the re
ported defeat of the Turks at Sinope, it is said
that the Ottomans lost thirteen ships, while the
Turkish version of the affair received yesterday
informs us that the Russians lost two ships of
the line, three frigates, and two steam boats.
The dispatch also states the latter force con-
sisted of twelve frigates, a brig, five steam-boats,
and six ships of the line. Successfully to resist
such an overwhelming force as this, was impossi-
ble; but the fact of a Turkish convoy having
engaged so formidable an armament, and having
destroyed no less than seven'ships is an event in
naval warfare that will not be readily forgotten.
But Europe is not seeking bloody exploits, or
military renown. Civilisation invokes peace and
good-will among all nations. Rational liberty
will not hear of the triumphant march of des-
potism. If the Turks were no better than the rab-
ble of Amoy, or Canton, England should blush
at suffering an attempt to be made to exterminate
them without mercy. In all cases such as the
present every court and every cabinet has its views
and feelings. NICHOLAS is personally known to
every one in St. James's, from the Prince down to
the green grocer. Long visits and short accounts
are kingly qualities which command considerable
popularity in these days, and by these means the
Royal Family of Russia have won the golden
opinions of the soft-headed people of the West
End. To outrage the susceptibilities of the CZAR
would be to do dishonour to British hospitality !
Nothing short of such quirks and quibbles could
have sanctioned for one moment the invasion of
the Turkish territory by so dangerous an enemy to
civil and religious liberty as the AUTOCRAT of Rus-
sia. From the first moment his troops crossed the
Pruth the full scope of his designs were made
known to the cabinet and people of this country,
and those who do not resist cruelty and injustice
stand charged with the full guilt of its commission,
and when we think of the fearful carnage that
Sinope must have witnessed in a naval conflict in
which twenty ships are said to have been destroyed,
we do not envy those their reflections who might
have saved humanity from such an amount of
death and bloodshed.

The Turks, in resisting the inroads of the CZAR
upon their soil, are doing no more than we should
do under similar circumstances, and the European
cabinet that does not recognise this right and
sustain it, tacitly admit the right of agres-
sive invasion, against which we have been ex-
pending millions in the way of " military de-
fences." At one period our suspicions as to
the part England was prepared to take in this
most nefarious war, gave place to a belief that Rus-
sia would be given to understand, in the most dis-
tinct terms, that if she openly violated the laws of
humanity, and wantonly shed the blood of an un-
offending people, that she would be prostrated, and
her sceptre wrenched from the grasp of a vile
despot, the principle of whose existence depends
on the accomplishment of the most savage deeds
of blood.

England at one time could boast of statesmen
who were capable of giving expression to such sen-
timents, and who were equal to the accomplishment
of so grand a design in any case where the cir-
cumstances favoured the furtherance of the profes-
sions of their lives, as well as those of their
constituents. But now the most successful poli-
tician is the man who professes, while he defeats,
the popular views and feelings of this country.
Long experience in the working of this system
has produced much apathy and disgust in the pub
lic mind of Great Britain; but we have never read
history rightly, if we have not discovered that pas
siveness produced by such questionable means,
has. been met by a reaction which swept away
the cloud which darkened the path of the liberal
cause, and left all moderation exposed to the most
violent popular indignation.
The very nature of the Turco-Russian war has
enlisted the moral feeling of all classes in favour
of the unoffending Turks ; while the political
character and consequences of the contest are
viewed by all interests as one which presents
a golden opportunity for the rulers of Europe,
to show the world that a war of aggression shall
henceforth be impossible. But instead of doing
this with a bold hand and open heart, we have a
volume of secret notes flying from court to court—
telegraphs publishing unintelligible reports—se-
cret dispatches, disclosing just enough to give the
public a relish for the forthcoming falsehood—
secret diplomacy measuring silence by the Scotch
acre—while Lord ABERDEEN is winking at the
Muscovy ducks in St. James's park.

But what order of administration of public
affairs is this ? Is it government at all, that leaves
the most vital interests of the Empire exposed to
all the losses and dangers of a long protracted
season of doubt ? In Paris, the public excitement
produced by the reported defeat of the Turkish
naval force, is fast approaching a climax. We
have already warned our readers of the dangers to
be apprehended from such a defeat ; and we again
repeat that Europe is not in a temper to be trifled
with by mere ambitious Autocrats. France cannot
wait for a long string of accidents to decide her
course. The first must, in all probability be seized
as a safeguard against the consequences of a
second shock ; and once France takes the field,
Europe may be said to be in a blaze ; when
England's consolation will be—she had an imbe
cile old gentleman for a minister, and enjoyed a
degree of passiveness equal to her destruction
The London organ of the Foreign-office gives us
the following information, which we think suffi-
cient in itself to show what we may expect for the
unhappy Turks at the hands of their savage
invaders. " The Emperor of Russia does not
" demand more now than he did three months ago,
" but he will take nothing less ; . and by the
" arrangement that has been come to with Austria,
" all idea of assisting the Turks in annulling the
" treaties with Russia, which existed before the
" present war, is abandoned. The Turks will,
therefore, have gained nothing by their resist-
" ante—they will have impoverished their finances,
" have lost a portion of their navy, have sacrificed
" lives for conquests in Asia, which they must
" surrender, and the Emperor of Russia will be very
" magnanimous if he does not, under the influence of
a the protecting Powers, compel them to pay largely
" for the inconvenience to which he has been put by
their obstinacy." London is the home of political
toadies ; and the Metropolis is the hot-bed of
political double dealing. Let the North be the anti.
dote to their iniquity and the real friend of the
sufferer in this case.

SOCIETY is beginning to take new views of its
social relations and responsibilities. Even the
poor outcast who has fallen a victim to man's lust
and deceit, is regarded more favourably than here-
tofore. That horrible conventional law which
banished the fallen female from the pale of human
sympathy, has somewhat relaxed, and men begin
to look less disdainfully than they have been wont
upon the unfortunate objects of their own wicked-
ness and putidity. Prostitution is the great curse

of our country. No vigorous attempt has yet been
made to remedy it. A false and foolish delicacy
has hitherto kept philanthropists and political
economists from investigating its cause thoroughly.
Parliament has done little or nothing in the matter,
and the result is .what should be expected under
such circumstances—the extensive spread of an
evil, the consequences of which it would be impos-
sible to describe. True, a few isolated Magdalene
Asylums .have been established in London, and
other places, but such has been their internal
government, that fallen girls who may contemplate
a return to virtue, would, for the most part, prefer
entering the felon's gaol ! A severe and gloomy
system of discipline—shaving or cutting the hair
closely—darkening the windows—and low, very
low, diet—besides perpetual incarceration—are not
the very best encouragements for virtuous resolu-
tion ; to say nothing of the natural and injurious
reaction which such a sudden course 'of life must
invariably produce. No girls of any education or
gentility would enter such domiciles at any sacrifice;
and even the lowest class of prostitutes, for whom
they are better adapied, must find them, Heaven
knows ! insupportable enough.
A movement has taken place in connection with
one branch of the Church of England, which is
likely to be productive of great benefit, and which
has our warmest sympathy. A meeting of the friends
of the House of Mercy, for Clewer, was held last
week, at the lodge of the Provost of Eton, at which
the PROVOST, the Bishop of OXFORD, the Bishop of
GRAHAMSTOWN, the Hon. and Rev. B. LIDDELL, the
Hon. and Rev. C. A. HARRIS, and other eminent
clergymen and gentlemen, took an active and
earnest part. This Institution, it appears, was
suggested by the Church Penitentiary Society—
which includes in its committee of management
twelve bishops. From the statements made on
that occasion, it would appear that the Institution
at Clewer is in a most prosperous condition; and
that five branch establishments are in contempla-
tion—two of which are already in existence—viz.
at Wantage, Norwich, Leeds, Dover, and ' Som-
erset.

The objects of these Houses of Mercy are two-
fold. First, to furnish asylums for such pious
ladies as might desire to live in sisterhood seques-
tered from the world, in order to devote themselves
to works of charity and usefulness. Secondly, to
afford shelter and succour to penitent females,
who have wandered from the path of rectitude ; as,
according to the Bishop of OXFORD, " pure-minded
women are not contaminated by intercourse with
the fallen !"—a noble discovery, which should long
since have been made. Hear this, oye virtuous
wives and daughters of England ! and endeavour
to act upon its beautiful suggestions. The institu-
tion at Clewer is to be enlarged, and accommodation
afforded for eighty inmates. Besides, a general
classification of the penitents is to be adopted for
the more perfect and easy accomplishment of their
complete redemption.

The public mind has never once thought of
turning its investigations to this quarter; although
it is productive of much greater evils to our social
system than any other influence whatever. Clergy-
men have refrained from breathing a syllable on
the matter, lest, forsooth ! the minds of their
respective flocks should be demoralised thereby.
Philanthropy has never yet sought the right way
to reclaim those yielding victims of man's depravity
—" more sinned against than sinning "—whilst
haughty Phariseism, with contemptuous sneer,
has turned up its nose, rolled its goggle eyes, and
passed by on the other side—thanking Goy, the
while, that it was holier than others ! The perfect
indifference which has prevailed on the subject
of female prostitution, even in the highest
quarters, may be gathered from the sentiments
that lately fell from the PROVOST of Eton and his
clerical brothers. The former observed, that since
he turned his attention to the subject,—about
four years since,—new and obvious truths forced
themselves upon his attention ; and he confessed
that " these Vnfortunate women should not be
regarded with disgust !" and "that there were
men who look down with contempt on the
victims of their own wickedness." Another
observes: " that women are misled through abuse
of the very feeling by which their restoration
is to be worked." And the Bishop of OXFORD
has been led to believe, that " woman falls
more frequently through weakness of character
than obstinate purpose." There remains much
more to be learnt on this subject than those digni-
taries imagine. However, they are improving and
increasing their knowledge; and we accept their
present confessions as an instalment out of what
is yet to come. Society has been supine and cri-
minally indifferent to the most vital of questions—
one, in fine, which involves the social happiness
and physical condition of the commonwealth; and
that neglect has brought its own peculiar and
merited chastisement. We need not visit our
Lock Hospitals to see with what tenacity and se-
verity violated nature acts as her own NEMESIS.
Everywhere are perceptible the fruits of this tree
of Death !

Has it ever struck the Governors of Magdalene
Asylums that it would be much .better to stop the
supply of fallen women, than to set about reclaim-
ing the lost? Would it not be better to erect
establishments for destitute or friendless young
women, of whom there are thousands in London,
and other large towns, and thereby prevent the
increase of female delinquency, than to clumsily
set about reforming those upon whom society has
perpetrated its horrible work ? EDWARD GIBBON
WAKEFIELD most pathetically tells of a girl sitting
despairing and forlorn before the gates of an insti-
tution at which in hopeless sorrow and helpless
poverty she had applied for shelter. She would not,
however, be admitted. The answer she received
was that she was not quald ! And this a
Magdalene Asylum. 'Positively !
In Liverpool prostitution abounds to an alarm-
ing extent. The most disgraceful scenes
are perpetrated in the open streets, and no
police are by to prevent such outrages upon public
decency. Early in
.the evening, women of the
most degraded class, perambulate the docks, and
prowl at the corner of James's-street, without
either shawl or bonnet, inclement though' 'the
season be. Whilst a walk through Whitechapel—
if it can be safely accomplished—would be enough
to convince the most sceptical, of the fearful
extent to which drunkenness, debaueheiy, and
profanity are carried in this town. ' Tis fully time
that some energetic measures should be adopted—
if not to remedy these evils, at least to preserve
the semblance of morality—by attention to exter-
nal decency What are the Clergy doing? Surely,
here is a missionary field, large enough for their
exertions ! We admit it is much easier, and more
respectable, to inculcate moral precepts to a well-
dressed and attentive. congregation, in a beautiful
church and from a cushioned pulpit, than to, go
into the highways and seek the " lost sheep, " in
order to reclaim them. But, why should they do
the one, and leave the other undone ? That is for
themselves to answer.

RAILWAY LEVELLING IN AMERICA.—Of the Illinois cen-
tral railway, 700 miles have been levelled within a year,
and 113 are in full operation.

FOUNDING A ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL
AT SHREWSBURY.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

On Monday last, at two o'clock, the foundation stone of a
new• Roman Catholic cathedral was laid at Shrewsbury, by
the Right Rev. Dr. Brown, assisted by about 30 clergymen,
amongst whom were several canons of the Roman church.
There was a respectable a ssemby of persons collected to
witness the ceremony, which in the Roman Catholic church
and according to their ritual, is one of great solemnity.
The ground chosen for the site of this church, is situate at
the north side of the town, and overlooks the Severn. The
situation is handsome. The present Earl of Shrewsbury,
who only attained his majority on Sunday last, has given
the handsome sum of £15,000 for the erection of the
edifice. It was at first contemplated by the young nobleman
to be present at the laying of the " corner stone," on the
anniversary of his birthday, but from unavoidable causes his
lordship was unable to be present.
The church was designed by the late Mr. Pugin, and the
architect is the son of that gentleman. The length of the
building will be 153 feet in the clear, and 134 interiorly,
over 50 feet in breadth and about 68 feet high. It will con-
sist of nave,nisles and chancels, with side tower and baptistry.
It willbe ahandsome edifice in the full decorated style, or what
is known as "middle pointed." It must be very ornamental
to the town. At the hour appointed for the ceremony, a
procession of the bishop and priests, preceded by torches and
a large cross, arrived at the place where the stone was to be
deposited. The ceremony then commenced by prayers, at a
certain portion of which the bishop blessed the stone and
crossed it with a silver trowel. He then proceeded to address
the assembly, quoting the description given in the Old
Testament of the laying of the foundation stone of the temple
after the restoration of the Jews : "And when the masons
had laid the foundation stone of the temple, the priests and
LeviteF,and the people who were assembled together, shouted
with a great shout, and gave thanks to the Lord of Hosts,
who had enabled them to rebuild the temple, for his mercy
endureth for ever." On this he founded his observations
to the people, showing how solemnly the church had
always regarded the ceremony of blessing the first stone of
a house designed for the worship of God. He concluded an
interesting discourse by invoking all to join with him
in beseeching God to bless the work. The church is
to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The bishop
then proceeded with the ceremony, the remainder
of which consists in the procession round the site,
taking possession of it in the name of the Lord, whilst
prayers. are chaunted. On the return of the procession to
the spot where the stone was to be set, the litany was sung,
and the remaining prayers having been said, the stone was
deposited in its place, the mortar being placed on with the
same silver trowel as was before used in the crossing. The
" blessing" followed, and the procession reformed and re-
tired, singing the Te Deuna. The only inscription on the
stone is " 1853," with four crosses, one on each corner. At
f)ur o'clock about 60 persons, amongst whom were the
Roman Catholic priests and some ladies, sat down to an ele-
gant-entertainment, which was laid out in the best style, at
the "ZV hite Lion" Hotel. The Right 'Rev. Dr. Browne
occupied the chair, and the Rev. Mr. Tobyn, the Roman
Catholic clergyman of the town, was in the vice-chair, Sir
Edward Smyth, Bart., and his family were present, and
several clergy, and other Roman Catholic gentlemen from
Liverpool, also attended. When the cloth was removed, the
bishop rose to propose the health of the Earl of Shrewsbury.
He said he did not like speech-making on an occasion like
the present, but he could not let an opportunity of a solemn
yet a joyous nature pass, without saying a few words in re-
ference to the party who had been the cause of their
assembling so happily as they had that day. (Hear, hear.)
The name he was about to mention was an illustrious one,
and if he did nothing more than mention it, he was sure it
would be received with affectionate enthusiasm. (cheers)
That name was ancient and illustrious in the senate, illus-
trious in the country, illustrious and chivalrous in the battle,
where it ever was victorious. (Loud applanse) Glorious,
illustrious and victorious as that name had ever been, there
was one thing which added still a greater lustre to it than
all the achievements in the senate or on the well-fought
battle ground, and that was, through ages of persecution, the
name had never fallen away from the Catholic faith, and the
church of God. (Loud and prolonged applause.) What Tal-
bot, Earl of Shrewsbury had done 800 years ago, the same
had been done that day by the present Earl. (Renewed
cheering.) The Bishop then went into detail respecting the
several Earls of Shrewsbury, and stated that the Abbey
Church in the town was founded by one of them, an ances-
tor of the present Earl ; so that the present church was not
the first founded and endowed by an Earl of Shrewsbury.
The first act, of his lordship on coming into his extensive
estates, was one that would for ever endear him to the church
and to the people—that was the founding of a church for the
honour and glory of God and the salvation of man, this
noble act was in accordance with the principles of the vene-
rated family, the brightest gem in whose coronet was that
they never forgot the honour due to God, nor ever swerved
from the ancient faith of their forefathers. (Cheers) After
some further observations, he gave long life, health and
happiness to Bertram 17th Earl of Shrewsbury. The toast•
was received with great applause. The assembly shortly
after separated.