Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-31 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCIf_ 31, 1859

SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS, LONDON.
The Gallery of British Artists, which was openett to the
public on Monday, contains on the whole, a better colfeetion
of pictures than usual. Of the eight hundred and twelty-
two pictures with which the walls are embellished, none
belong to the highest class ; but a large proportion of them
are interesting and really meritorious. As usual, the

" popular " artists repeat themselves; in many cases
we find the same landscapes, the same figures, and the
same faces, by the same artists who have been painting
those same faces, figures, and landscapes for any number
of years. At the same time, one or two of the artists
have ventured to depart from their own beaten track.
Among these we must first of all mention Mr. Hurlstone,
the president of the society, who contributes two large
paintings, illustrative of scenes from "Hamlet" and
" Othello." The scene from "Hamlet" is that in which
the Prince of Denmark, during his interview with his
mother, sees the ghost (" Save me and hover o'er me with
your wings," &c) The courageous and philosophic Hamlet
looks as scared as a little boy who for the first time in his
life sees a turnip spectre, with candles for eyes and an old
sheet for a shroud. Hamlet was not terrified, though
much impressed, on meeting the paternal ghost for the
first time, and at the moment chosen by the painter the hero•
had become as it were familiarised with the apparition.
The Queen is not queenly, nor can the picture be at all
commended as a pictorial reading of one of Shakspere's
greatest scenes. In Mr. Hurlstone's other large picture
we have an attempt to render the great scene between
Desdemona and Othello—" Give me your hand. This
hand is moist, my lady." Othello has a fine head, remind-
ing us of one of the venders of the re:mahout des Arahes in
the Rue 'Vivienne. His fair-haired wife is at the same
time lamentably deficient in capillary attraction, and it
appears to us that Desdemona, to have a poetical existence,
must be 'surpassingly beautiful. Why should Othello be
jealous, and how should the audience be affected by the
strangulation of Desdemona, if the complexion of the latter
be muddy and her hair on the red side of auburn ?
Another of the most important works in the exhibition,
judgin by the size of the pictures and the intention of the
artist, is The Confiscation of Sir Walter Raleigh's estate ;"
but the simple historic narrative appended to the title in
the catalogue tells the story far more effectively than the
picture can do. Nevertheless, it has been painted carefully ; '
and'there is some merit of conception in the face and figure
of Lady Raleigh.
Among the landscapes, in which the strength of the
exhibition lies, we must mention; first of all, an admirable
view of "Genoa from the New Terrace," by J. B. Pyne.
The spectator is supposed to be looking in a straight line,
along a parallel to the quay ; a large expanse of
water is painted, and the effect of distance is
admirably given. In the foreground the terrace is
crowded with picturesque groups, and the Gulf near
the landing-place is covered with gaily-painted
vessels. Mr. Pettit has sent a torrent-sculptured bed of the
Conway, North Wales, which is conscientiously and effec-
tively painted. " Springtime," by Vicat Pole, is a good
specimen of an English landscape, both as to subject
and execution. Let us also mention the "Heather Bells,"
a richly-coloured scene with figures, by Mr. E. G. Cobets.
Mr. H. G. Boddington, Mr. J. J. Wilson, and Mr. W. H.
Gosling exhibit landscapes of various kinds, and, for the
most part, of considerable merit; and Mr. West and Mr.
Tarrant contribute, among other things, combinations of
rocks, chasms, torrents, and storms. Of the numerous
pictures of country life, one of the most remarked,
if not the most remarkable, is Mr. Hill's " Wearied Shep-
herd." The attitude of the boy is full of repose, and there
is a peaceful, dreamy character about the whole picture;
but, to tell the truth, the youth resembles a shepherd
of real life about as much as Madame de Pompadour
in her powdered wig, her mouches, and her hoop, re-
sembled a shepherdess. The " Labourer's Rest" is dis-
tinguished by the carefully-drawn figure and expressive
face of the father of, the family. In Mr. Roberts' picture,
without a title, the little girl among the flowers, " with
childish glee herself arraying," is charmingly painted ; but,
in accordance with the fashion of the day, the details of the
picture are represented with such glaring distinctness, that
the attention is naturally distracted from the principal figure.
Mr. Deffitt Francis exhibits only one work, which is thus
described, or rather dated, in the catalogue : " Autumn—
Scotland—Evening." Thanks, however, to Mr. Francis'
true feeling for nature, neither of these explicative words
was necessary : the girl's type of face, no less than the
herbage which surrounds her, tells us that the scene is in
Scotland ; the fading light shows that the time is evening ;
and the whole picture is full of rich, mellow tints, which
belong only to autumn.

LITERATURE.

THE ECLECTIC : A Monthly Review and Miscellany.

London : Ward and Co., Paternoster-row.

WEST DERBY BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
The usual weekly meeting of this board was held yester-
day, Mr. Abrahams in the chair.. The other members
present were—Messrs. Woods, Pitrkin, Stone, ltoscoe,
Kirkus, Shaw, Medealf, Roberts, Reyes, and Mawdsley.
RETURNS,
The following cheques were grantea for out-door reilef
Mr. Potts. £125 ; Mr. Olney, £3B; r. Lythgoe, £2O.
; Total, DIM
Mr. Gough, the governor, reported that the number of
inmates in the establishment last week -was 650 ; admitted
since, 21 ; discharged, 20 ; dead, 1; ,remaining in the
house this week, 651, of whom 362 belong' to Toxteth-park.
Number in the coresponding week of last pnr, 696.
It was reported that the number of patients in the hos-
pital last week was 108; admitted since, 20; discharged,
7 ; dead; 2. -amber in the hospital thi.3 week, 119 ;
number in the corresponding week of last year, 124.
A letter was read from the Poor-law Board, sanctioning
the advance of salary to Mr. Joseph Masker, assistant over-
seer of the township of Bootle, from £7O to £lOO per annum
The Board suggested, in reference to a proposed gratuity
to Mr. Cutts; schoolmaster of the, workhouse, that i 3 would
be more satisfactory if the guardians wouli conaidir the
question of Mr. Cutts' salary, with a view to its augmenta-
tion—if it were proper to increase it—than that he should
receive so large a gratuity as that recommended.

CHARGE ASAINST A GUARDIAN FOR TAMPERING WITH-

Al* OFFICER.

Mr. Stone rose to a point of order. He said that thor
were aware that, last week, Thos. Cranage was appointed a
porter at the Workhouse, and he could not congratulate the
board, or the chairman, who gave the casting vote, on that
appointment. Ft appeared that he was elected for a
particular purpose—to carry out the views and wishes of one
member of the board, and,not more. And he was sure that
those who voted for him, did not intend to elect him as a
spy on the other officers. Their excellent Governer never
was known to abase his, authority over the other officers,
and this man having been a pauper, Mr. Gough was very
condsiderate and kind to him. But Mr. Thos. Smith
thought different, and he had no doubt, in his mind, that it
was to carry out his own views that he got the appointment
made—that he might induce the man to tell him everything
that happened in the Workhouse. But the man refused to
be made such an instrument of, and he had his (Cranage's)
sanction to read the following letter, which he received from
Mr. Smith :

" 43, West Derby-street. Friday Evening, March 25.

'' TO MR. THOMAS CRANAGE.

"Dear Sir, —Concerning the successful movement thus
far towards your appointment to the office of gate-keeper
and porter at the workhouse, I ought, it seems to me, to
have said a word or two to you on Wednesday last, when I
apprised you of your election by the guardians. I ought
then, perhaps, to have told you that until acceded to, or
confirmed, by the Poor-law Board, the appointment would
not be- complete ; and, in addition to that, I ought to have
suggested to you the propriety of your continuing to act
and to dress just as you have been doing, until such appoint-
ment shall-have been completed.
"After all, however, these suggestions may have been
quite unea'led for ; you, having from your own knowledge
of the case, thus prudently acted.. I am somewhat
desirous of knowing how you have been going
on since your election on Wednesday—how the master and
how Mr. Moore have acted towards you ? If you get out
that is, get leave of absence—between this and Wednesday,
perhaps you can spare a few minutes to call and tell me,
especially if any change have taken place in their treatment
of you.—l am, dear Thomas, yours, &c.
"THOMAS SMITH."
Mr. Stone continued to say, that if that board sanctioned
such proceedings, and delegated its power to one of its
members, he was inclined to think it would be stultify-
ing itself in its independence ; and before he quitted
that board, he would beg to state that he would be
no party to such proceedings. He would therefore
beg to move the following resolution : " That the
conduct of Mr. Thomas Smith, one of the members
of this board is highly reprehensible, for addressing
a note to the gatekeeper as to the treatment of the master
of the workhouse towards him, and also for having had
intercourse with the gatekeeper at his own private house, in
reference to the management of the workhouse, and this
board totally disapFoves of such private interference by
any member belonging thereto."
Mr. Kirkus seconded the motion, and said Mr. Stone had
so well brought the matter before them that it was unne-
cessary for him to say anything further.
Mr. Shaw said he would simply ask what there was in
the note reprehensible. He would ask any guardian round
that table to point to a sentence that could be condemned
by the board. Had there not letters passed between
guardians of the board and the master ? and was that not
as bad ? He could see nothing in the letter which the
board had a right to complain of.
Mr. Stone pointed to the latter portion of the letter as
most objectionable, and said, if Mr. Small had got any-
thing to complain of, he should bring it before the board
manfully, and not seek it from a poor pauper, who had just
been made a little better by himself.
ottilerdtsc4f•tife;llLurqs.,2wfay.ar tb_ latkit; cr about.
object. Mr. Smith went on Tuesday last into the bakery,
and took a loaf away with him, and threw down 2d. for it.
He had no doubt this was for some 'similar purpose.
Mr. Shaw moved, as an amendment, that the matter be
deferred for a week, in order to give Mr. Smith an oppor-
tunity of reply to the statements of Mr. Stone.
Mr. Mawdsley seconded the amendment.
Mr. Kirkus said, when lie recollected the speech that was
made by Mr. Smith, on the last day, with reference to this
being an important appointment, to get this man into the
place without advertising. Every resolution had been for
this very-Thomas Cranage. He was a man bred and born
for this particular duty (?). He (Mr, Kirkus) thought
there could be now no doubt about this being an important
appointment. Mr. Smith talked about the keys being in
the hands of the clique; but now he intended 'to have the
kcys.himself. Mr. Smith charged the board with buying
Kennedy off, and purloining the money of the ratepayers
for that purpose ; but the very moment he gets Cranage in,
he intended him: to be a spy, and to report all that occurred
to him.' lie could' quite understand this, and he was
astonished that Mr: Shaw did not. But there was nobody
so blind as those•who would not see, and he thought hei knew
why Mr. Shaw did not see it. With reference to the loaf,
he had got the 24-to be handed over to the treasurer
of the union. The loaf was really purloined, because the
baker had no power to sell the bread.
Mr. Parkin• said he was creditably informed that Mr.
Smith asked somebody if there was not another set of keys
to the house.
Mr. Roberts said, if 'he was not mistaken, Mr. Smith
offered the man. money.
The motion of Mr. Stone being put to the vote, there
I voted for it : Messrs. Woods; Kirkus, Roberts, Parkin,
Hayes, and Stone; against it : Messrs. Shaw, Roscoe,
Mawdsley, ITedealf.
The motion-was accordingly declared carried by a majority
of 7 to 4.

now- limn.- A , • 1_,..
heavy-laden Review, and the merely ephemeral monthly
magazine. Its main contents still are of the critical
character, and founded upon the most important scientific,
historical, and literary works of the day, while at the same
time it admits so considerable a number of contributions of
a lighter and more general nature as to suit that class of
popular readers with whom writings exclusively critical
have less interest. Notwithstanding the great and increas-
ing number of periodicals now in publication, there still
appears to us to be a wide and important opening left which
such a serial as the .Eclectic is qualified to fill. It is so
peculiar in its form as to have scarcely any rival in the field
it selects, and the character of its contents is such as to
render rivalry a hazardous task. The number for March
contains a well-assorted and well-varied series of articles.
It opens with a review of Mr. Mansel's lectures on the Limits
of Religious Thought. In a very able, and for such a sub-
ject singularly clear article, the reviewer upon the whole
eulogizes the ability, the close metaphysical examination,
and the earnest views of Mr. Mansel, but takes issue with
him upon at least one important point. Mr. Mansel adopts
and vindicates the belief sustained by a still more eminent
psychological explorer, Sir William Hamilton, as to the
nature of our conception of the infinite. Sir William
Hamilton and Mr. Mansel maintain that we can have
nothing beyond a negative conception of the infinite, while
they fully admit an irresistible belief in it. The reviewer,
on the other hand, sustains the doctrine that our conception
is positive, although, as a matter of course, incomplete.
It would be clearly beside the purpose, as well as out
of the limits, of such a notice as this, to enter
into any discussion of the question involved, but we cannot
help saying that we feel inclined to agree thoroughly with
the conclusion of the reviewer, although not in every
instance concurring with the reasons he adduces in support
of his belief. We think there is a plain and obvious dis-
tinction between our capacity to. form a conception of the
infinite which shall be in the strictest sense positive, and
the capability which is wholly beyond the stretch of human
reason to form a full comprehension of it, or what may pro-
perly be called an idea, using. that word in its original sense as
meaning an image in the mind. But it is nothing new, at
least in metaphysics, to distinguish between an irresistible
belief and a philosophical conception. It is not even new
in metaphysics to speak of a belief as being irresistible but
false. The apparent contradiction, therefore, which the
reviewer points out in the statement of Mr. Mansel is not
probably such a one as a keen metaphysician would find
much difficulty in reconciling. At the same time, we fully
agree in the, reviewer's conclusion, and are quite disposed to
believe with him that a confusion as to the acceptation each
claims for the word conception is the main cause of the.
difference of opinion. The most ordinary reader.
ddes not need to be told that a great part of
the discord of opinions upon psychological questions
arises- from .the• inevitable vagueness an looseness of
language, which is unable to find terms precisely correspond-
ing-to each shade of meaning, and to nothing else. The
second article in this number is entitle "The Times of
George the Third," apropos of the last series of the journals
of Horace Walpole, edited by Dr. Doran. The writer of
the article, which is animated and full of interest, defends
Horace Walpole against the contemptuous opinions
which Lord Macaulay and other writers express of the
intellect, the tastes, and the character of the
owner of Strawberry Hill, and author of the
" Castle of Otranto." " The Newspaper, Day and Night"
is an amusing description of the progress of a metropolitan
daily paper from the setting of its first column of copy
until the raw hour of the hallowing morning, when the
labours of its reporters, editors, sub-editors, and printers
have completed their task. The singular and only
recently observed defect, of vision which renders those
to whom it attaches incapable of distinguishing the
most glaringly contrasting colours is discussed in
a clever and interesting paper. The authoress of " Mary
Powell" contributes some additional chapters of her new
tale, "Town and Forest." This authoress is one of the
most deservedly favoured and popular of the present day,
and her very name lends attractions to a periodical. Much
of her bright, genial, and natural style will be recognised in
the few pages this number contains. Among the general con-
tents of the number,we may notice " London to Arranmore,"
"Law Reform," and an exceedingly well written review of the
Melanges Scientifiques et Literaires of M. Biot, the French
savant. Some brief notices of current literature conclude
the number, which is on the whole not inferior in ability,
and eyen in solidity, to many far more pretentious and.
costly periodicals of the critical class,

CONTRACTS.

The following- tenders were accepted for the supply of
stores until the 29th of September next : For mew-milk and
skim-milk, Mr. Mottram Elm ; buttermilk, Nancy Woods
and H. Itulm.o; groceries, Samuel Gooclacre ; soups, &c.,
J. W. Hohne ;: provisions, William Boltony Samuel Cottrell,
and James. Simpson.

COURT OF PROBATE Y --._ S'I"TIRDAY.
(Before Sir C. Cresswell, Judge. OrtiA,cery.)
Swrrirrur v. S WINFEN. —This was. a; cause of proving in
solemn form the will of the late Samuel Swinfen, pro-
pounded by the executrix, and opposed by the heir-at-law.
It was commenced in the old Prerogative court, and stood
over to abide by the result of the various proceedings in '
other tribunals. The ultimate: effect of those proceedings
was, as is well known, to establish the validity of the will.
Na opposition was offered tos.the present application to Ids.
lordship to pronounce for the• will; but a question was
raised as to the cost of the. proceedings in the Prerogative
and the Probate Courts, the executrix contending that the
heir-at-law ought to pay-his.own costs, and the heir-at-law
contending that, under the circumstances of the case, the
costs ought to be allowed out of the estate. The case was
heard on Wednesday last, and his Lordship gave judgment
this day, refusing the application for the payment of costs
out of the personal estate, agreeing with the Master of the
Rolls in his decision. in Chancery, and which would leave
the parties just where they were. The Court was occupied
in hearing a number of motions entirely of, a technical
character.

GUNPOWDER MILL EXPLOS/ON.
FIVE LIVES LOST.
At half-past ten yesterday morninz, an explosion took
place at 'Hounslow Powder Mills, belonging to Messrs.
Curtis, Harvey, and Co.;the report caused much conster-
nation in the neighbourhood of Twickenham, which is two
or three miles distant. Although so distant, the force. was
so great that it broke the windows in many houses near the
station. Two corning houses belonging to the mill estab-
lishment were blown up, causing the death of five individuals,
and seriously injuring another. The names of the killed
are—Thomas Album, John Compton, George Lewcock,
George Stout, and William Littlefoot.

An old man having sent some razors to be set with the
view of getting a more comfortable shave, sent a grandson
to bring them home. When he arrived with them the
grandsire accosted him thus :—" Tammy, do ye think
they'll shave now ?" " I dinna, ken," was the rejoinder
6, but the ane that I tried euttQd 4 quid think WRCI at n
wauk."—Porclvr „advertiser.