Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-29 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOLI MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1857.

this predicament. They have got into the
net of Sir Charles Barry, and struggle as
they may they cannot clear themselves of
its meshes. It must, however, be admitted that
they hear chains with very good temper, and al-
though occasionally an old and crusty member
may grumble when the estimates are under dis-
cussion, yet in the end they cannot help laughing,
as it is really ridiculous that the House of Commons
of the freest country in the world should he com-
pletely ruled by one individual, and that individual
their own paid agent. Like the Old man of the
Sea in Sinbad the Sailor, the more the House of
Commons kicks and plunges the firmer he holds on,
until at last the house, wearied out with its own
exertions, in sheer despair votes him the money he
wants for the coming year. In a financial point of
view there never was a greater failure than the
New Palace of Westminster. Originally the esti-
mate for the entire building was £250,000 ; this was
speedily increased until it amounted to £750,000,
and has been year by year augmenting until more
than £2,000,000 has been spent, and a prospect
of another £1,000,000 being required. But the
absurdity of the thing is that a considerable portion
of this money has been expended in remedying
defects of design and execution. For instance, '
when the new house was finished it was discovered
that if a call of the house were made, and every
member atended in his place, there would not be
accommodation for more than tie o-thirds. Again,
when the house met for the first time in the new
building, it was true they could see one another.
but as for hearing, that was out of the question. The
splendid ceiling, upon which such large sums had
been expended, had therefore to be taken off and
lowered several feet. Then came the question of
ventilation. Members were placed in the most
variable climate possible ; at one time inhaling hot
sulphureons air, and the next exposed to cold
draughts of wind, which compelled them to button
up their coats. A variety of plans were tried, the
architect finding fault with the professor of venti-
lation, and the professor laying the blame on the
architect. Committee after committee sat, and
after expending thousands upon thousands
it was found that good ventilation could be
obtained by simply adopting the old-fashioned
plan of opening some of the windows. A variety
of other mishaps might easily be related, but
they are so well known that it would be useless.
Successive Chief Commissioners of Works have
tried to curb Sir Charles Barry, but in vain. Lord
Carlisle, the Duke of Newcastle, the Duke of
Somerset, and L ord John Manners, attempted to
" bell the eat," but in vain. Sir Benjamin Hall,
the present Chief Commissioner, on entering office,
determined, according to his statement in the
House of Commons, to check the continued expen-
diture. Sir Charles Barry was plainly told, "It is
no use your coming to me with fresh designs ; I
will not look at them until the works already sane-
tioned by the House of Commons are completed.'
Sir Charles, although refuted, was not defeated,
and this year there is a vote asked for from
the house of £30,000 in excess, but teis will
not be granted until the fullest particulars are
given as to the purpose for which it is required.
But this is not all. The palace has been so long
in erecting, that, positively, the portion first built
is actually decaying before the last is finished. Sir
B. Hall fairly admitted, not only that the rust was
making its appearance generally through the gal-
vanised iron, but that the stone was crumbling
away. The defect of the galvanised iron might be
made good by substituting, although at an immense
additional cost, sheet lead, but nothing can he done
to save the stone from decaying. A variety of ex-
perimente have been tried, but it will be impos-
sible to judge of the effect for some years, and in
the interim the work of decay is rapidly • progress-
ing. One of the principal beanies of the struc-
ture was the sharpness with which the elaborate
ornaments ofthe building were executed. Not a single
piece of sculpture or carving in the entire building
but was rigidly inspected by Sir Charles Barry or '
his assistants, and if the slightest imperfection was
perceived, no matter whether it was on the top of
the Victoria Tower or in a dark vestibule, it was at
once removed. It is, therefore, very sad to con-
template the probability of so much labour and
expense being thrown away. Under any circum-
stances, however, it is quite clear that now, in
addition to the sums which will annually have to
be voted for the completion of the building, there
will also appear the significant item—" So many
thousands for the repair of the Houses of Parlia-
ment." It is, however, but justice to the architect
to state that he has been much hampered by
the House of Commons itself. There have been
committees of all kinds, and each in its turn has pro-
posed various alterations, which in many instances
have clashed with one another, and the unfortunate
architect has been obliged to follow the orders
given to him, whether in accordance with, or in
opposition to his own opinion. The case of the
Palace of Westminster should, however, teach a
useful lesson to the House of Commons. New
offices, at a large expense, are about to be erected.
In order that the House of Commons may not
make the same mistake, when once the plans are
decided upon, let the execution of them be com-
mitted to one individual, the Chief Commissioner
of Works, for instance, and make him responsible for
their due completion. If this is done, and there is
one simple and undivided authority, there may be
reasonable grounds for hoping that a repition of
the mistakes o the Palace at Westminster will
be avoided in the new buildings.—Obserter.

sometimes with very similar tastes. When a
traveller once visited the Rajah of Tanjore, he
found him reading—the Vedas ? No ! He found
him reading Shakspere. Well, the man who reads
Shakspere, and understands but a very small part
of him, is fit to be a member of parliament."
The Saturday Review sketches the House of
Commons on a supply night:—" The ministry
begin by trying to look cool and good-humoured,
with as much success as a landsman generally
achieves when he is going to be playfully shaved
with an iron hoop, and a bucket of tar water
on 'crossing the Line." But, as the evening
wears on, they give up the attempt. The bland
smile fades from the features of Wood; Mr. Lowe
perspires freely, and even the gentle Ramsdell
is betrayed into a retort. All feel the effect,
except Mr. Wilson who takes matters arithmeti-
cally, look upon his supporters only as inconstant
units of a constant quantity, and so contrives to keep
his temperature and his temper. Except the all-
suffering government, all the talent has fled from
the house ; all, that is to say, that the electors of
England, in their late mania for blood without the
brains, have mercifully spared to us. You will in
vain look for Graham or Russell, for Gladstone or
Pakington, on a supply night. It is the day of
small things; Sir Henry Willoughby is listened to
as a financier, and Mr. Bentinck as the leader
of a party. The Bores of Supply reign supreme,
and the graces of a metropolitan diction are
the order of the day ; the letter h " is put
under the table with the mace—most people sleep,
some snore, a few talk, nobody listens—and the
reporters sharpen their pencils with supreme
indifference, contemptuously regardless of the
piteous glances of some young half fledged bore,
not yet quite hardened, whom an exactink con-
stituency or a vaulting ambition have plunged into
a shorfless sea of bad grammar, and whose entreat_
ing eyes say, as plainly as eyes can speak, "Do,
do, mend my sentences for me." A tenant league
meeting in Ireland, convoked for the purpose of
adjusting the claims of rival editors, a Knights-
bridge vestry, entranced by the eloquence of Mr.
Westerton, are dignified and august bodies com-
pared to the House of Commons in supply."

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-SATURDAY.

GRA,,rING THE ANNUAL LICENSE TO THE

ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.

On Saturday fitret,....?!Sessions was held at the Police-
court,a Chapel-street, for the yurpoge of granting the annual
license to the above theatre. The magistrates on the
bench were Messrs. Stitt, Jeffery, W. It.athbone,
and Anderson ; and Mr. Copeland, the 19ssee of the
theatres, accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Efinaley, and
several other gentlemen, entered the couri shortly after
twelve o'clock.

When Mr. Hindley, in the usual form, applied for a
renewal of the license for the Amphitheatre for the ensuing
year,
Mr. W. RAMBO:fit, addressing Mr. Copeland, said
that there had been some very serious complaints made as
to the characters that frequented that house, and as to
the way they conducted themselves. He then called upon.
The CHIEF CONSTABLE to state the nature of the com-
plaints, and that officer stated that one part of the house,
the pit, was frequented by a great number of prostitutes,
who were permitted in the prJmenale, by the side of the
pit, and as many as 50, 60, 70, and even 80 had been seen
there. He suggested that that portion of the house should
be abolished, as he did not think such scenes would be
enacted there if it was open to the boxes, and he thought
it would add much to the character of the house.

Mr. RATIIBONE then quoted that portion of the license
which rendered the lessee liable to a penalty of £2O for
permitting prostitutes to assemble within the walls of the
theatre ; but, at the same time, stated that he did not
entertain any objections to theatrical amusements in
general, as they were important relaxations to the rich as
well as to the poor, but it was the imperative duty of the
bench to see that they were conducted according to law,
and in this case the lessee was liable to a penalty of £2O, for
permitting, or giving any encouragement to such characters
assembling.
Mr. CoPELAND here, evidently labouring under much
annoyance and excitement, addressing the bench; said that
he could not delegate the power of answering the charges
that had been brought against him to a solicitor, or any
other person, but would answer them himself, as it was a
personal question, and one that affected his character as a
gentleman and the father of a family, and he repelled, with
the utmost indignation, the accusation that had been made
against him.
Mr. RATHBONE exonerated the Chief Constable from any
blame, and stated that from the complaints that had been
made, the subject had been brought before the bench of
magistrates. and that he had brought it forward on his own
responsibility, the magistrates having concurred in his
views.

Mr. COPELAND had no doubt but that the magistrates
were fulfilling their duty, but, with all respect to the magis-
trates, be begged to say that he had had the management
of the Amphitheatre for thirteen years, and during that
time there had never been a single complaint against it.
When he first took the Amphitheatre he and they were all
aware, that it had not a character for respectability, but
since he had it, there had never been one complainit against
it. He was told that he was liable to a penalty of £2O, for
every improper character that was there. How was he to
know who were proper and who were improper characters
to be admitted. How was he to know who were prostitutes
and who were not. He would repel with scorn and indig-
nation the accusation, that he. the father of a family, and
a gentleman, permitted such characters, to his knowledge.
Mr. ANDERSON Said it was not the first complaint that
they had heard. They had been told that prostitutes were
in the habit of frequenting the Zoological G irdens to the
exclusion of respectable persons ; they immediatly
directed the attention of Mr. Atkins to it, and the result
had been, that he had made an alteratien, and there had
been no complaints since.
Mr. COPELAND said that he paid policemen for being at
the theatres, and he thought the police should be respon-
sible to the magistrates. He was willing to do all he
could to assist the police, whom he was willing to pay ; bat
he would not permit it to go forth to the world that he
sanctioned either prostitutes or thieves there.
Mr. RATUBONE said the bench did not accuse Mr. Cope-
land of it. It might be without his knowledge; but they
had, before granting the license, A right to ask Mr. Cope-
land to confer with the authorities to check, as far as
poF,ible, the evil that had been complained of.
Mr. COPELAND said he was quite willing to place the
matter in the hands of the police, but he did not feel,
after having the Theatre R )yal, and the Royal Amphi-
theatre, for so many yearn. and having raised the taste in
Liverpool, which he fancied ho had done, and placed it in
the proud position in which it then stood, he did feel that
be should bo disgracing himself in his position if he took
the lease again with the imputation upon him that he had
Permitted such an act as he had been accused of. _ _

Mr. RATABONE : Are you willing to co-operate with the
authorities? That is the question that should be answered
before the license is renewed. We do not want our time
oeltnpied by long speeches, to make a public display.
Mr. XEPPERY: Has there ever been any information laid
before the magistrates ? The Chief Constable : There
has.
Mr. COPELAND-said, it may be satisfactory to the magis-
trates, and to the police, that such accusations against him
were unfounded'; but there were some parties who were
opposed to theatrical amusements. He had been much
injured by one of the papers in the town—The- Liverpool
Mercury, The writer of Liverpool Life had written
articles against the theatre wheth were perfectly libellous.
He was perfectly willing to leave the subject in the hands
of the Chief Constable, and he could take what steps he
liked to prevent the admission of bad characters. 'the
police were in possession of information that he was not
nor could not be. He could not stand at the door of his
theatres and say ' let this man in, he is a proper, character :
do not let this man in, because he is an improper one.'
Or let this woman in and turn that one away. No, he would
not accept the lease under such terms.
Mr. ANDERSON : It has been suggested that the prome-
nade should be abolished—Could not that be done?
Mr. &femme]: : And would not the exclusion of such
charaeers tend to increase the respectability of the house?'
Mr. COPELAND explained that when he took the Amphi-
theatre it had been previously only a circus,—having a ring
for the centre. To make such a place adaptable for
dramatic performances, he had bean obliged to convert,
for the season, that ring into a pit, and in doing that
he had to enclose it, so as to confine the voices of
the actors on the stage. But he would not- have
the stigma attached to his character that such a " lobby,"
or, as it had been termed, "promenade," was the resort to
his knowledge of the characters that had been represented.
He would not have such a statement go forth to the public
without contradiction. He would say, with all doe res-
pect to the magistrates, that he was a gentleman, and the
father of` a family of five daughters, and he would not have
such a statement brought against him without stating that
he repelled it with all possible indignation and scorn, and
rather than have the lease renewed with such an imputs-
tion against him, he would not accept of it at all. He
would admit that he did feel very much excited, because he
had been taken by surprise, as after the many years he
had had the theatres he could never have thought that
such accusations could have been brought against him.
Had ho been served with notices that such would have
been the case, ha would have been prepared to meet it.
Mr. ANDERSON : There has been complaints, but the
magistrates have refrained from acting on them.
Mr. EINDLET then was about to explain to the bench the
great iniprovemen's that Mr. Copeland had made in the
theatrical world in Liverpool, by introducing the greatest
novelties, which the bench admitted. A long conversation
ensued, in the course of which Mr. Copelaud strongly
repudiated the idea that he had any knowledge, or that it
eves done with his sanction, that improper characters were
permitted in the house, and expressed his perfect willing-
ness to place the house under the control of the police; who
were at full Übe; ty to reject such characters from
coming in, and if they were in, he would be happy to have
them ejected and their money returned ; but he could not,
as the manager of the theetre, undertake to do such a
business, because he conceived it was the sole daty of the
police.
Mr. GARNETT then real the clause in the lease, from
which it appeared that the manager was liable to the
penalty for admitting such characters.
Mr. JEFFERY explains I this to Mr. Copeland, and after
some further conversation, in which it was understood
that Mr. Copeland expressed his -desire to comply in every
respect with the wishes of the authorities as to excluding
such characters, the Chief Constable wished to know
whether Mr. Copeland. would consent to assisting the
authorities in closing the promenade at the back of the
pit. •
Mr. COPELAND said that that mid not be done , and
-why should it ? In all the theatres on the continent there
was a place appropriate for persons to walk between the
pieces, and why should those who did right be debarred
from such a pleasure for tho sake of those few who, did
wrong. Indeed the lobby was so necessary, that he had,
at that every time, builders in the Theatre Reyel making a
similar one in thet eetablishment.
Ultimately the license WAS again renewed, the bench
repeatedly stating that no accusation had ever been made
against Mr. Copeland, as to his being aware that such
improper characters were permitted in his house, and Mr.
Copeland expressing the great pleasure that he should, .feel
in assisting the authorities and the police, in reforming
any abuses that might have ocearred in that establish-
ment.

PETTLEMWNT or THE DISPUTE BETWEEN NEW GRANADA:
AND GREAT BRITAIN.—The British Macintosh claim in
New Granada has been settled, and New Granada pays
560.000 dollars in paper, instead of cash. Diplomatic
intercourse between the two countries has been reamed,

BIRKENHEAD MODEL YACHT CLUB.

SECOND MATCH OF THE SEASON.

On Saturday the second match of the season, for boats
belonging to the Model Yacht Club, came off on the
Mersey. The day was most delightfully fine, but, unhap-
pily for the lovers of aquatic sports, only the faintest
breeze stirred the heavens. There was not more than
wind enough to give the yachts, with every yard of can-
vass which they could spread, steerage power, and at in-
tervals, when the breeze died away, it was almost a drifting
match. The course was the same as on former occasions ;
and there were two matches.

The first was for a silver cup, value £l5, the course being
from Woodside-basin round a flag-boat stationed off East-
ham, thence round a flag-boat stationed off the Dingle;
back round the Eastham flag boat, thence back round the
Dingle flag boat, returning direct to Woodside-ferry, pass-
ing between the shore and flag-boat moored on the south
side of the pier, leaving the last-mentioned flag-boat on the
starboard hand. All other marks and flag-boats to be left
on the port hand. Time : 1 & minutes up to five tons, and
one minute over. The following five boats started :
Name. Owner. Tons. Distinguishing Flag.
Elfin A. Whitworth...3 -1.. White, with red diamond.
Glide T. Wilkinson _7l_ White and red diagonal.
Charm James Poole Red and white.
Mayflower Geo. Harrison... 7_ ..Blue, white, and blue.

Snake ....T. Wilkinson and blue diagonal.
The start took place at 1.5637; and they rounded East.
ham in the following order :

If. M. S.
Charm ....
Snake,

Glide •
. 2 37 31
•
Mayflower .
. ....... ....9 .., 38 34
Elfin....
They rounded the Dingle in the same order, the time
being ;
Ch4rm,
Snake, 3 35 47
Glide,
Mayflower, • .
Elfin,
The Charm maintained the lead althrough; and they
reached the winning flag-boat as follows :
Charm,
Glide,
Snake,
Mayflower, 4 56 0
The time of the Elfin was lost, and the Charm was
decl4red the winner.

The second race was fur a silver cup, value five pounds,
for second class yachts, the course being from Woodside
Basin round a flag-boat stationed off .Hastham, thence
round a flag-boat stationed off the Dingle, returning direct
to Woodside Ferry—leaving all flag-boats as in first•class
match.

The following boats started :
Name. Owner. Tons. Distinguishing Flag.
Gadfly .. J. Watkins _ _ 1 White, red cross.

Hornet.. W. C. Wrenshall.. white, and blue.
_

2 White. and Blue.
Wasp . . 8. Bishop
The Wasp was declared the winner, beating the Hornet
by three minutes and twenty-three seconds.
Tho yachts were followed throughtut the race by one
of the Woodside steamers, which was filled with company.
It was. arranged that the presentation of the cups should
take place at the Canning. Hotel, Birkenhead, where the'
members were to dine in the evening.

THE BELGIAN FREE-TRADERS AND THE
LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL REFORM
ASSOCIATION.

The Economiste Beige, the organ of the Belgian Inter-
national Association for the reform of Customs' Duties,
published part of the second address of the Financial
Reform Association on the 20th instant, promising the
remainder in its next number. We translate the follow-
ing passages from the editorial introduction :--

-The system of fiscal duties which still 1 prevails in
England, although infinitely preferable to the prohibitive
system, for which it has been substituted, is still exposed
to weighty objections. It is, in fact, only a stage on the
road to commercial freedom. Thus it does not satisfy
the pure free-traders. They would go further—they
would go to the end ; and, therefore, they demand, frankly
and resolutely the complete suppression of Customs'
Duties. To attain this end they founded in 1848, a
Financial Reform Association, one of whose addresses, on
the subject of the Income-tax, we published on the Ist
of February, and whose second manifesto we re-produce
below. from this it will be seen that the association
demands the suppression of Customs' Duties, and Indirect
Taxes, and the substitution of a proportional tax on the
cdpitatised income of all members of the community, with
the exception of the indigent classes.
" This manifesto has been warmly attacked by the
Times ; but everybody knows that it is the habit of the
Times only to reflect the dominant opinion of the day;
and that, consequently, it is hostile to every idea which is
not sufficiently accepted by public opinion, sure to support
it whenever it becomes popular. Thus, it was, at first
violently opposed to Mr. Cobden, and the Anti-Corn-Law
League,. and afterwards declared, Kr. Cobden, declaring
the league to be decidedly a great fact. Let the
Financial Reform Association, in its turn, succeed in con-
verting public opinion, and the Times will no longer refuse
either its support or its praises. It is a liberal and
reforming journal of the eleventh hour only.
" One word more on the programme of the Liverpool
Financial Reform Association. We are convinced that the
authors of this programme are in the right ; we are as fully
persuaded as they are, that the suppression of customs-
duties and indirect taxes would be followed by immense
and wonderful progress ; but we do not believe that this
progress can be realised in our own country just at present.
We have not yet cleared the stage" of the protective regime,
be it remembered, and we find ourselves in presence of
an opinion hostile to any radical reform of our tariff. Now,
experience proves that, in matters of reform, we mast ever
calculate, above all, the state of opinion :—experience
proves that when opinion is outraged, at least in a free
country, it receies instead of advancing. This is the
reason why, in giving our full adhesion to the essentially
radical programme of the Liverpool Financial Reform
Association, we do not counsel its adoption is our own
country, where the essentially moderate programme of the
Customs' Reform Association appears to us to be alone in,
harmony with the present state of opinion, alone truly
practicable."

REDUCTION OF THB DANISH TARIFF. —A letter front
Copenhagen, of the 21st inst., state 3 that the Danish
government, in compliance with the wishes of several
foreign governments, and especially those of England and
France, has resolved to reduce the exorbitant import
duties (they are larger than in any other country of Eu-
rope) which it has heretofore imposed on cotton, woollen,
and silk fabrics, porcelain, glass, spirits, wines, hardware,
and other manufactured productions; and that it has for
that purpose nominated a commission, consisting of
merchants, manufacturers, and government functionaries,
to revise the tariffs.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LATE DOrGLAS JERROLD
The first of a series of entertainments of a diversified
character, set on foot by some literary men of eminence.
"in remembrance of the late Mr. Douglas Jerrold," was
held at the St. Martin's Hall on Saturday night. The
entertainment consisted of a miscellaneous concert.
Madame Clara Nevello sang (for the first time) a song by
Macfarren—" Little Dorrit's Love," The performance
gave the greatest satisfaction to a crowded and respectable
audience, and afforded to the friends of the deceased
writer, therefore, a gratifying proof of the estimation in
which his memory is held by the public.
A MILITARY SHOOTING MA7CH.-00. Wednesday, a
math took place at Chatham amongst the Royal Engi-
neers, with Lancaster Rifles: The whole of the men of the
corps who have gone through their course of training
(about 60 in number) in the first class, fired 10 rounds
each at the target, at 600 yards distance. The first ten
of them were afterwards selected to compete for prizes
by firing 10 rounds each, at 700 yards. The firing was
very good, some of the men hitting eight and nine times
t
corps
;2:—d
Duncanl s
Private
f,, prize,G r
e g Jorohan gold Lance-CorporalTThom,
om
ring
a
7i In hyea tr
dens r o
The
ndhes O
followingprizesyards, awned r
were
fivesi.o
na nbdy s
the
eh
et iumneasear
4th, Lance-Corporal Roddock, a silver pencil case. The
three met best shots received 2i. 6d. each, and the three •
time-piece
mae
rnent-iipor
,cede
a;mB3ei nrl
3rd,
oe:f
Privatet hwatche
last rec ived Is. 6d each, A considerable number of engi-
neer otheers, and officers from the garrison were present.
A Bisnop IN DIFFICULTIES.—At the monthly meeting
of the Society for the propagation of the gospel, held on
Tuesday, a letter was read from the Right Rev. Dr. -
MacDougall, Bishop
of Labuan, containing details of the
recent insurrection of the Chinese in Rarneo. He said—
" Our buildings are not burnt, but they are utterly plun-
dered and damaged,; 1,0001. would not cover my private
lossr besides all my ,teautiful church furniture, plate, vest-
ments, harmonium—all gone or smashed, I shall want a
schooner more than ever now; boats, will, I fear, for a
long time, be utterly unsafe. I live in a flannel shirt,
which is the chief part of my wardrobe, and for the want
of a razor I am fast turning into the likeness of an Eastern
bishop with a long beard. My dearest, wife has shown in
all a noble pattern of cool courage and spirited endurance.
throughout, but short commons, and ronghing it, are
telling sadly upon her and her children." Bishop
MacDougall, before taking holy orders, was a medical
man, and a practising surgeon in King's college
hospital.