The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-14 00:00:00

PRESBYTERY OF GLASGOW.

CHARGES AGAINST THE REV. DIR. THOM, OF LIVERPOOL.
Wednesday the Presbytery of Glaygow proceeded to con-
sider the charges brought by several of the Elders, &c. of
the Scotch or St. Andrew's Church, Liverpool, against the
Rev. David now, their Minister, accusing him of indus-
triously spreading, by his discourses from the pulpit, un-
sound and heretical doctrines--errors very gross, and
striking at the vitals of religion, and which were pertina-
ciously adhered to by him, notwithstanding earnest en-
treaties to the contrary.
This case came on before the last Presbytery; but in
order that Mr. Thom might be enahled to bring proof to
disprove the assertion,s and parties concerned appear at the
bar, proceedings were delayed to this meeting. The Rev.
Mr. Thom defended himself at some length ; he con-
tended that he had supported the interests of the Church
of Scotland ; that the persecution against him owed its
origin to an individual he had worsted in an immaterial
point in the Session. He contended that the charges
were all either irrelevant, gross and abominable false-
hoods, or mispresentations of doctrines actually preached.
Thus, either his meaning had been misrepresented, or con-
elusions drawn from- it which the premises would not bear.
Some particular expressions used might strike a person's
mind, and yet the absolute denial of it might escape his
memory. Thus there was the greatest danger of taking
isolated expressions for making charges., He concluded by
observing, that he was opposed by only a minority of the
proprietors. Of a congregation of 80 proprietors, only .tln
were against him, and 35 of the congregation—only a six-
teenth part of it. 53 attached were the people to him,
that his opponents for fourteen months dare not call a
meeting of the proprietors. He confidently left his cue
with them, implicitly relying that they would come to a
decision consonant to the word of God, and to the beat in-
terests of his Church. (Applause.)
Several of the Presbytery conaidered the explanation
quite satisfactory, and wished Mr. Thom to be gently est-
horted and sent home to his flock.
It was then agreed, that a Committee be appointed next
day to make further inquiry into the case, and to examine
witnesses in the manner best calculated to arrive at the
truth ; and also, if necessary, that a Stib-Committee
should be appointed, either in England or in Scotland, to
take evidence and report to the Presbytery.

Hon. Major-General Harris removes ftom Athlone to
Pontefract, to relieve Sir John Byng, as Commander of
this district.
A Mechanics Institution has been established at Bolton.
On Thursday etening last, at Sir Henry Lambert, Bart.
was returning to the Ranger's Lodge from Woodstock,
where lie had dined with Lord Churchill, at the mess of
the regiment, his horse suddenly took fright, and ran
away. The reins broke, to that Sir Henry was enable to
atop the spirited animal, which rsn the gig against the
corner of Blenheim Lodge Gate, and upset rt. Sir Henry
and his serWant were thrown out with great violence, and
the Baronet was taken up senseless, but we are happy to
hear that no bones were broken, and that he is likely to
recover from the effects of the accident. Ilia face was
severely cut. The servant was not seriously injured.—
Word Paper.
'nil. REV, CHARLES ABRAHAM Muuttsity.—This
individual, who, it will be recollected, was apprehended at
Gravesend, and was examined in Lambeth-street Police-
office, London, a few weeks since, on a charge of stealing
various articles of wearing apparel, from the dwelling-house
of Mr. Robert Hill, of Milburn-place, North Shields, was
finally examined before Sanderson Ilderton, and William
Wright, Esqrs. at the justice-room, North Shields, on
Tuesday last, and fully committed for trial at the ensuing
assizes for the county of Northumberland. The prisoner,
during the examination, which lasted upwards of two
hours, did not seem the least discomposed. When asked
if he had any thing to say, he stated that he had to com-
plain of a great prejudice that had been excited against
him by statements which had appeared in the London and
provincial newspapers, and he trusted the Magistrates
would prevent, if possible, the evidence taken that day
from being published, so that he might have as impartial
Chronicle.

_ _ -

. .- ;
~~

__llaulticht by MIL;
ftrageaur spinet the de-
li a small btan,alane•
semi
defalsiost.l ose_
made
dies Allem team
4 notice according to
defendant pleaded the
1 agreement that the
t pon these points
It was intended to be
such as had forfeited
he terms stipulated in
quarter's salary. Of course
subject, but if defendant's
defence, be should be
plaintiff, proved that the
mother's establishment,
salary was to be
..e school. She also
school' at midsummer,
ne vacation without any
Pery came to her mother
'• she then took away the
they returned, eia
back that her head
. 1/. 16s. 311. being
defendant for a bill
. receipt for which
swiant's wife was at
satisfied, and would take
`w did. she would cer-
Terry replied she
her. Ills motive
iat was the sum for
who was the person
. case had not been
b her son and daughter,
Nought it would receive
- should be able to pro-
ith Mrs. Whitmore,
was, that his three
guineas) a.year each,
Add be at liberty to
Awing been required
.rit. Newport and Mrs.
children. and he found
tee, stY much al, that he
es. Saggers,who had mho
consequence of a lett*
• child, saying, ski
. a days, for which she
During their stay, she
on going on, and there
told, that the plaintiff
strong ale and a
1; and that whets
that the parades
to continued such
children may be
t she ilia. and al_
much so to her-

attif,--nd do all stir Could, she could not part-with her ale and
brandy. The troth was, the children were totally neglected,
while their mistress indulged her drinking and went so bed.
lf, therefore, there was any agreement for a quarter's notice to
be given before taking the children away ; yet that agreement
implied that there was an equivalent to be given on the part
Of the plaintiff; namely—to take proper care of and educate writ
the children ; and if that was broken on her part, from her
lisle of ale and brandy, the law would not give her the be-.
nett of the contract on the other side. The children were re.
moved because they were very ill andeorrupted, and no attention
whatever paid either to their. moral or mental improvement.
Henry Thompson, militant in Mr. Terry's shop, proved that
reras sent by the defendant to the plaintiff under address to
etherton. That the plaintiff gave directions that those goods
were to be' placed to her account, but that owing to some alter-
cations alit had had-with Mr. Wetherton, she was not to be charged
with any for that person in future.
Mrs. Whitmore stated, that she formerly kept the school at
Little Hampton, now kept by the plaintiff. She took the children
of Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Saggers, and Itirs. Cart, at 16 guineas a year
each, and no quarter's notice was to be required from than. She
communicated this to the plaintiff, and also told Mr. Terry that
she 114 done so. The agreement was in writing.
Cw.wc-examined.--She made an express agreement that the
quarter's notice was to be excluded—it was in writing. She had
Lad • law suit with the plaintiff' much to her cost.
The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said, the agreement, if in writing,
must be produced.
On her examination, this witness was so inaudible that his Lord-
ski?, after repeatedly asking her to condescend to speak out, ob-
served, " If you would speak only at you speak when you are
drinking tea to the Lady who sits opposite to you, I should hear
yo 3 very well."
William IVetherton stated, that he was the writing master to the
esintiff .8
school. lie quitted her service after midsummer, 1824.
Tate school at that time was quite in a desolate state. Previous to
the midsummer holidays there were two teachers. They only
✓ayed about a week or ten days. No other teachers came in their
seed that he knew of. He applied to be employed again. He had
14 Opportunity of seeing and hearing how things were conducted,
died what passed. For a long time the children had no books er
pais. He kin,' the state of the school previous to Lady Day well;
Mere were many irregularities between that and midsummer. Mrs.
Newport seldom came into the school. The boys of the town used
=them, and play with the girls. The boys were of the lower
They were playing with the pupils of the school.
Hitt LORDSHIP.—Who are the pupils of the school; I do not
- understand these tine words, as you mean the girls ?
Witness.—Yes, My Lord. '
Cross-examined by Mr. TALTOURD.--He was the dancing
waster, the music master, and the writing master of the school.—
The boys were the playmates of the plaintiff's younger son.
The servant of the last witness stated she had seen the beds of the
pfilikrniff, which were very dirty; and so were the children's necks;
, *ley were bit with fleas. She had seen them at dinner ; they had
its bread. She had found plaintiff in bed at twelve o'clock in the
My, in a very bad state—drunk. She had seen two sailors dancing
in the school-room with the children. The pliintiff was not
PRIUM.
Cross-examined by Mr. Tatrotran—Fanny Newport was not
there, nor were any of those ladies (pointing to three beautiful girls
to the student's box) in the room at that time.
The parents of two or three other children were called, who proved
rat in consequence of the improper manner in which the plaintiff'
- lied conducted herself and her school, they hail been obliged to
tale their children away. One of these witnesses was a very face-
Obis sort of a gentleman, and gave his answers in a manner which
dillitad mudit laughter. Whenever he was asked what seemed to
HMI la be our important question, he assured the Counsel, upon
Mt Maur, that the fact was as he stated, anti that he was ready to
is his affidavit of it. He was stating nothing but facts, and
11isaki swear to what he said at any time. lie had seen the plaintiff
dila bee ale and brandy at luncheon time, but thought he never
enlitennested with her about it, because he considered it very un-
- be should do so to a woman in her own house, who had a
Is order what she pleased there. A little girl brought a
to her in his presence, which had a hole in it, big enough
t r heel in ; aye, she may have put her leg into it, it was
gm . (Much laughter.)
the
...... TALFOUID. called W. Willmot„ who stated, that he had
tZsist;:ittild at the plaintiff's school, by the recommendation of
t, whose childreh were asked whether they had plenty
Mllefeelleg thing, and they said, yes. His child was never so well in
beellfe, as when she was at the plaintiff's school. lie and his
wife were quite satisfied with the manner in which she was treated.
Mrs. Sarah Rose, and Mrs. Elizabeth Lawton, gave similar
Mman y.
Mist Mary Clarke, had been a scholar of the plaintiff's, and was
Always trea:cd well. The school was conducted in the same way
by the plaintiff, as it had been by Mrs. Whitmore. Their food
was good, and the plaintiff' was not in the habit of getting in.
ticketed to her knowledge.
Miss fit-try Ann Griffin boarded at the plaintiff's from August
to December, 11123. She had had good opportunity of seeing the
pi.ontirs conduct, an! had nesse been her otherwise than what
w perfectly correct.
Miss Elisabeth Griffin (a very handsome young lady) gave sl-
ender testimony. She had never seen the plaintiff affected with
hiligeduring the time she was at her house.
C01114(711 SERJESS T shortly observed upon the evidence
vit oureadiction to the defence, and said he should have liked
liesteree have seen theleachers put into the box, who would have
been batter able 10 speak to the conduct of the plaintiff than the
tour ladies who had just left it. The question was, whether the
Jury could, after the evidence that had been given, really entertain
vete/Mous doubt that these children were most scandalously treated.
Mr. TALFOORD then addressed the Jury in reply on the whole
'di the came. He dwelt with great force on the doubtful testimony
of Mr. Wethertoo, and appealed to the Jury, in a speech of con-
inderable ability, to relieve- his client from the cruel and ruinous
Ihiusutation that was attempted to be cast upon her by the too:me-
lon, feelings of parents, who who were apt to listen to the sugget-
Hoar of the most unprincipled of men when it referred to the treat-1
went of their cadges abeam from them, aided by the evidence of a
man who hail boo illasisdliy the plaintiff in his utmost need. and
wham he now turned spina because he could no longer profit by
her friendship.
The Leas Cate Streetellemessed up to the Jury, observ.'
bag, that the terms of the plaudit, le which the quarter's notice,
et queeter's pay, was stipulated far, ware very usual and very yea-
•oontable, as otherwise parents, without soy good grounds, but from
mere caprice, might take away their children et a time when it
*tight work great inconvenience to the teachers. If they believed
View terms not to have been dispensed with, either by a particular
'Ferment or by the improper conduct of the plaintiff, they would
te • e theirerdlet as far as respected that item fur the plaintiff, but
•' •hey considered the facts of the plaintiff's negligence and ill-
elannwient of the children to be proved that would certainly dis-
•=the defendant from the liability of paying the quarter, even
no express agreement have been made to that effect.
~' The Jwry enosuhed tagether shoat tan minutes, and then Iv-
nosed a •verdict for the full aussent of the debt claimed b.' the
*Wad, arudy lit. fa.

•
POINFINIPM/MegIIESSOINNIMMINEMINIMIong
• SIMPOIT w. YeBAT. •
Mr. TALIOViD stated, that this as an action b
liewpszt, who kept a school at Little Hampton,
lendmit, who wall a grocer residing In London, for
kw the beard, lodging, and education of three of his
Also fora charge of 114. Ifs: 3d., which the defene
'llitateelf liable to pay for having takes away his then
• the school without giving a quarter's previous noti
the terms apes which they were sent. The defend
E. .general line and a set off, and also a special agre
quarter's notice was to be dispensed with. Lpc
issue was joined. He had hard indeed that it wa
insinuated that the conduct of the plaintiff was such
all right on her part to claim the benefit 'of the terr
the agreement far $ qaareer's notice or a quarter's sa
he had nothing to my now upon that subject, but
Counsel should venture upon such a line of defence
prepared to meet and confute it.
Fanny Newport, the diughtez of the plaintiff, I
defendant had a copy of the terms of her mother'.
which stated, that a quarter's notice or a quarter's
paid on the tatting away of any scholar from the se
proved that the three Misses Perry were at school'
and that only two of them returned after the neat
notice having been given' and that Mn. Perry came
and after stmatning there five or six days, she the
other two children.
foss-examined.—The two children, when the
net to as a reason for their sister's not coming bat
was .1.
A son of the plaintiff's proved the balance of 1
tine on the school bill after settling with the def
rhich he had against his mother for grocery. the r
was produeed. He remembered when the defender
his mother's, and that she said she was not satisfied
• i l'er daughters away. His mother said if she did.
tainly make her pay the quarter, to which Mrs. 7
would not pay it, nor should any body make hi
charged her fifteen guineas a year, because that
which Mr. Whitmore had taken the children, whir
the plaintiff succeeded.
Mr. COll3lOll Stitt:MlNT observed that therm
proved by the servants of the plaintiff, but by her so
which made it certainly doubtful, and he thought
a very good answer from the evidence that he phonic
*ace. The agreement made by Mr. Terry with It
who kept the school before the plaintiff took it, war
children should be educated at 15 pounds (or gulne
and with the express stipulation that he should I
take them away without notice. Mr. Perry havint
to attend at the Assizes, on a trial between Mrs. Ni
Whitmore, he in his way called to see his chilotret
the youngest child in a very improper state, „err
took her home with him. Aln. Perry and Mrs. Sagge
a daughter at the school, went down in conseciut
which the latter person had received from her chi
was very unhappy, and stayed there five or six day
had introduced en Item in her bill of I/. Is. Durini
°heaved, that there was no regular instruction goin
were no assistants in the school. Ile was told, th
was frequently in the habit of drinking a pint oft
glaris of brandy in the morning for her luncheon
bet friends remonstrated with her, and observed, ti
would certainly 'take away their children, if she
a course, she replied;—it might be so ; the ch
neglected and the parents may not like it; but s
• though it was not agreeable to others, it was very r