Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-05 00:00:00

TO THV EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.

SIR,—My attenticn has been called to an article in
this day's Courier in which my name appears as one of
four gentlemen who have addressed a letter to the Em-
peror of the French. I shall be very much obliged if
you will permit me to give the statement a most unquali-
fied contradiction, as until I saw the article in question
I was in total ignorance of the whole affair.—l am, &c.,
JAMES S. IRVING,
Of the firm of Irving, Son, and Jones.
Blackstock-street, Dec. 3, 1859.

THE GREAT MEETING OF SHIPOWNERS.

In reference to the important meeting of ship-
owners held in London n Tuesday last, the Durham
Advertiser says the subject is one deeply inter-
esting to every town and district of maritime
England, indeed to the whole realm, and may
thus far, at least, be pronounced upon, that our
universal maritime interests are enormously and
fearfully depressed. As to the cause of such
depression, the very petition to Parliament unan-
imously voted at the meeting acknowledges them
to be things "on which much difference of
opinion is known to exist in the public mind."
There seems, however, to have been little differ-
ence of opinion in the London Tavern, where the
chief resolutions—attributing every evil to one-
sidedness of free-trade, in the want of reciprOeity
—were carried by a majority of the whole meet-
ing, excepting one, a solitary champion, who
very barely escaped the vociferated sentence of
"Turn him out.' The solitary champion was
the hon. member for Sunderland—Mr. Lindsay.
It must be confessed that Mr. Lindsay is an
extremely unfortunate man, both as a senator and
a shipowner. In both capacities " the stars in
their courses fight against him." As a ship-
owner, if his own views are correct, he has all
the shipping world dead against him ; and, if in-
correct, he is fighting furiously against his own
interest. The grounds of difference between the
belligerents were thus briefly defined by the chair-
man, Mr. W. Crawford, M.P. whose own in-
t2nded motion for a parliamentary enquiry, last
s_'ssion, was superseded, it appears, by Mr. Lind-
say's. Mr. Crawford attributes the whole mari-
time depression to legal disqualifications and re-
quirements
; and Mr. Lindsay to the heavres-
• sure of fiscal burdens, passing tolls, Local charges,
light-dues, &c.,
We leave the combatants to their respective
weapons and tactics, only. observing that what
was so fiercely battled for in discussing the reso-
lutions, was utterly abandoned in the final peti-
tion, the petitioners "abstaining from any expres-
&on of opinion as to causes, and simply praying
for investigation." But the object, no doubt, was,
and very naturally, to give the said claim full
agitation out of Parliament before being mooted
within it. And it must be confessed that if Mr.
Lindsay charged stoutly upon the Reciprocity
ranks, with his statistics as to French and Span-
ish exports, they were met with corresponding
vigour.
With the delicate question of the hon. member
for Sunderland's foreign predilections, as indica-
ted by certain letters to his American friends,
and the extracts from which produced " loud
bursts of derisive cheers" from the meeting, we
will not meddle. They are choice bits for his
home acquaintances and Liberal constituents.
The attempt to revive, on its old grounds, the old
quarrel between Protectionist and yree-trader,
may very safely be left) to the good sense of the
country; and Just as safely, we trust, the great
subject of shipling_interest depression may be
left to OW ITisdom of Parliament.

THE NEW FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND

MUSEUM.

An interesting gathering of some of the principal
merchants and literati of our town took place on
Saturday evening, in the rooms of the Free Public
Library and Museum, Duke-street. The gentlemen
were convened by a circular, issued by the committee of
the Free Public Library and Museum, which explained
the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of consi-
dering the subject of the arrangement and fittings of
the new museum, and the reports which have been
presented. Tea and coffee, with the necessary sub-
stantials, wire provided in the large room of the library,
and on the various tables were displayed, in tempting
beauty, the rich and valuable pictorial,
and antique 'tomes belonging to the institution. The
refreshments having been cleared away, Mr. J. A. Picton,
the energetic chairman of the committee, was calledupon
to preside.; and amongst the other gentlemen who took
part in the proceedings we observed Messrs. W. Brown,
Dawson, Brockholes, Dr. Speer, Hartnnp, Alfred King,
Merton, 'George Holt, Estill, Towson, Dr. Macintyre,
Professor T. C. Archer, Rev. A. Ramsay, Nicol, Cariss,
A. Higginson, Weightman, Rev, Dr. Raffles, Dr. Col-
lingwood, J. Brierley, D. Buxton, J. T. Danson, F.
Howard, Audsley, Rev. Dr. Hume, Huggins, S. Martin,
Dr. Turnbull, Duckworth, Joseph Bonit, Rev. H.
Higgins, S. B. Jackson, J. Weightman, Dr. Dickinson,
Arderman Woodruff, Dr. Edwards, Dr. Nevins, Dr.
Lankestcr, &c., &c.
'The CIIAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that
the building erected by the munificence of the excellent
gentleman who was present amongst them (Mr. Brown) was
now approaching completion; and the committee of the
Library and Museum having only one object in view—
that of -rendering the institution the most useful in
every one of its departments for the 'inhabitants of this
great community that could possibly be made—had
thought it right not to rely on their own judgment,
being principally composed of men of business, and not
much accustomed to scientific pursuits. They had
thought it would answer the purpose better to get
the opinions of those gentlemen in the community
who were most conversant with science, art, and
literature—to consult together as to those, points
which _ required discussion—to consider in what
manner the building could best be laid out for the great
object for which it was intended. They had had very
elaborate and excellent reports from the officers of the

institution—Mr. Dalton on the subject of the library,
and Mr. Moore, the curator, on the subject of the
museum. They had also been favoured with reports
from the Rev. Dr. Hume and the Rev. Mr. Higgins;
and since the circular had been issued, requesting infor-
mation on the subject, several other reports had been
sent in which would be read to the meeting. He might
suggest that in reference to the library itself,t here need not
be so much discussion. The b nilding was originally intended
by Mr. Brown for the reception of the library. The
connection of the museum with that was a subsequent
thought, and it was erected by Mr. Brown with a dis-
tinct and definite understanding, that the museum was
in no way to encroach upon, or interfere with the space
that N;ould be required for the fall development of the
library in all its departments. (Hear, hear.) At
present the library contained about 26,000 volumes..
A certain space would be required for the aecomodation
of the present treasure of the library, and for. the use of
the public and students frequenting the rooms. But it
must be quite obvious that increasing as we were
at present, it would be unwise to commence
with less provision of space than would be re-
quired for 100,000 volumes. That would take
up nearly one-half of the building. The remaining
portion, the west hall, the rooms above it, the west wing
and the rooms above that, the basement below the west
wing, and the open area which was left blank and not
appropriated to any purpose—the whole of these were
adapted and applicable to the purposes of the museum.
He respectfully suggested that they should consider
first what department of science, art, natural history,
and so forth, were the most required by the wants of
the community—(hear, hear)—and what proportion of
space, the other things being equal, would it be desi-
rable to give to those respective departments. Then
these would to a certain extent interfere with the
actual existence of the collection they now possessed. The
Derby Museum, they were all aware was settled under
an Act of Parliament upon trustees, and it was entrusted
to the Cqrperation for the benefit of the population of Li-
verpool ; but they were not at liberty to deal with it as if
it was their own property. But he believed they would
be at liberty if it should be thought desirable, to classify
the Derby Museum along with other objects, or to keep
the collection separate. The great hall had been laid out
with a design that statuary, sculpture, and large objects
of interest convected with archaeology, architecture and

painting, might be there displayed to the best advantage.
It would be a large appartment surrounded with
an arcade; and they had already a number of
excellent casts from some of the finest models

of antique sculpture, which were deposited in St.
George's-hall till the new building was ready to receive
them. These would require accommodation in the first
instance, and being disposed of, then the remainder of
the building would be laid out in the way they thought
best. (Hear. hear.)

Additional reports were then read from Dr. Cuthbert-
Collingwood, Mr. Duckworth, Mr. R. A. Made, Mr.
Morton, Mr. Danson, and Dr. Inman.

The CHAIRMAN said there was a difference of opinion
as to whether the geological selection should be arranged
geologically, or the fossils merged into general natural
history specimens. There was also a difference of
opinion as to the extent the natural history depart-
ment should assume.

Mr. F. HOWARD suggested that much room might be
economised if, instead of the large objects themselves,
photographs of them were prepared, with a scale under-
neath the picture stating the diminution which had
been made from the natural size. - •
Mr. BROWN, who was received with warm applause,
next addressed the meeting. He apprehended that they
were there simply to hear the views of gentlemen on the
various advantages that would accrue from the mode in
which the museum might be appropriated, and the vari-
ous spEcimens allotted in the various cases, so as to con-
vey the greatest quantity of instruction to the masses
that a collection of that kind was capable of. (Hear,
hear.) He agreed with Dr. Inman that ninety-nine out
of every one hundred persons, who entered a museum,
merely walked through it to see a sight without
it making any valuable impression on their
minds ; and he, therefore, thought that the
museum certainly should be secondary to the
library in point of accommodation. (Hear, hear.)
He objected to laying out large sums of money
for the purchase of collections, as he felt sure
they would soon have as many specimens as they could
accommodate. With respect to to the library, they must
all be aware that, for one
who
d derived
derivedi any
kknnowileddge
from visiting a museum, a
from reading books; and their great object wasw knowledge
convey to the masses the greatest possible sum of know-
ledge at the least expense, and with the greatest facility.
(Hear, hear.)
Professor ARCHER advocated the establishment of
a department in the museum of the products which
commerce and art had to deal with. He also approved
of an industrial museum, and he was quite satisfied till
we had an industrial museum in Liverpool, we should
not have attempted to supply the great museum necessity
of the town. (Hear, hear.)
Dr. LANKESTER, in a lengthy address, spoke in favour
of dividing the museum into three branches—an edu-
cational museum; a museum of the natural products,

whether mineral, vegetable, or animal, whie:n. art ap-
plied itself to ; and a general natural history museum.
Dr. NEVINS thought the suggestion of, Dr. Inman
that a catalogue of• articles in the mriseum should be
provided a most admirable one ; arid one that would
give an interest to the student that, could not be over-
estimated. If such a book were published, there would
be so great a demand for it the the expense of printing
it would be more than repaid,

Mr.. J. T. .DANSON th'.iught the object which Mr.
William Brown had in -view—the establishment of a

great, free public lihrary-Lshould take precedence of
everything else. (Hear, hear.) He sincerely hoped
that the library would soon number 109,000 volumes.'
But then where were they to pnt the books ? He held
to the opinion that the library should be kept upon one
floor, and that the loWarifloor.
Mr. GEORGE HOLT was strongly impressed with the
opinion that Mr. BrOwu's (I,sire was to establish a grand
free public library for the people. "With regard to the
scientific arrangement of the museum he, suggested that
to carry out fully that part of the question would require
a building as large as that which was intended to con-
tain both the library and museum ; whilst for the
accommodation of art a St. George's-hall itself.
would be required.; and, although he had great esteem
for science and art, he believed the great motive in Mr.
Brown's mind in the erection of this great building was
the providing for the people -a great free library, and to
that intention he would give primary attention, at the
same time, taking care that the Derby Museum was
properly preserved and extended. He knew that the
committee, presided over as it was by Mr. ricton, and in
a position to receii-e the adVice of Mr. Brown, was able
to deal with the whole question. (Hear, hear.) It
could not be left in safer hands ; and, although it was

very considerate in that committee to invite them there
that evening, he thought they should, with perfect con-
fidence, return into the hands of that body of gentlemen
the arrangement and disposition 0 the property under
their charge. (Applause.)
The Rev. Dr. Humn said if he could get an illustrated
book, he preferred it ; but if not, he was glad of a book
without illustrations; and if the library and museum
could both be had, the one as the plate to the other, he
would be glad ; but if not, then the library was very
desirable, and to be considered first. In reference to
the character of the museum, he thought that as our
town museum was a general one, so it should be general
in its charaeter—not exelu.sively following the tastes of
one set ofpeople, but. endaavouring to meet the wishes
and wants of all as far as possible. He was strongly in
favour, of a geological collection separate from other
collections, and expressed a hope that many individuals,
who might cease to require or to care, for their own
private collections would hand them over to the public.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. B. JACXSON spoke in favour of a geological
collection distinct from other portions of the museum.
A gentleman, whose name we did not learn, suggested
that there should be one column composedof the various
stratical formations of the earth, for the benefit of the
geological student.
The Rev. Mr. HIGGINS said typical collections in
natural history were instructive. He would ask could
they be so in antiquities, or works of art, or economic
products ?

Dr. LANXnSTER replied that the space occupied by
these latter collections was comparatively so small that
they would not need to be selected. from.
No other gentleman being disposed, to address the

meeting,
The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the committee, ex-
pressed their thanki to the gentlemen present for their
attendance, and the valuable suggestions that had been
made. The committee were alive to the fact that they
could not hope to please everybody, but they desired to
say that theirs• was a singleness of purpose—to ad-
minister the affairs of the library and museum in the
best way possible for the public interest. (Cheers.)
Dr. Macintyre moved and Mr. George Holt seconded
a vote of thanks to the • chairman, which was agreedlo
with the utmost cordiality, and the meting broke up.