The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-05-07 00:00:00

THE BROOK VILLA, FOR THE CURE OF INSANITY

Great expense and care have been bestowed on this extensive
and elegant building and the grounds that surround it, and
the result has been its complete adaptation to the purposes
for which it has been erected. It is situate near Green lane,
on, the West Derby-road, on rising ground, and presents a
pleasing and correct example of the Italian style of villa ar-
chitecture. A tower, of elegant proportions, and command-
ing extensive prospects, forms a principal feature in the
building, and adds greatly to its picturesque appearance. The
prison-like aspect, and the gloom, restraint, and severity,
which were formerly deemed necessary for establishments of
this nature, are happily contrasted by the cheerful and elegant
appearance of this building, where every suggestion of skill,
science, and humanity, has been adopted, to ensure to its in-
mates the comforts of their own homes, to remove—as far as
possible—the appearance of restraint, and to create those
cheerful ideas and emotions which are necessary for their re-
covery. There are few men more competent to discharge the
delicate and arduous task of conducting an establishment of
this nature, than its proprietor, Mr. Owen, the firmness and
benevolence of whose character, and professional skill and
knowledge, matured by long experience and successful prac-
tice, ensure that the advantages possesed by this establish-
ment will be made use of to their fullest extent.
THE NORTHWEST LIGHT-SHIP AND THE LATE HUH-
RICANE.—We are happy to have it in our power to disabuse
the public mind of an impression which has been one of in-
justice towards an individual who, it now turns out, has suf-
fered considerable wrong in the general estimation. It will
be fresh in the recollection of all belonging to the port, that,
on the morning after the great hurricane, the Northwest
Light-ship was found to have quitted her moorings. The
general and freely expressed opinion was, that the vessel had
slipped her cables and run into a place of safety. Many
angry expressions were vented, and there were some who
insisted upon placing the very worst construction upon the
circumstance. There were not wanting those who even
blamed the Dock Committee for the occurrence. The latter
body offered handsome rewards for the recovery of the lost
chains and anchors. One of these, it will be remembered,
was got up some time ago. It was an exceedingly massive
chain, and it was placed on one of the graving docks, that
any person who thought proper might examine it. If oua
memory serves us correctly, it was found to have parted a
few feet from the anchorage stock, in a place where no
human might or skill could possibly have severed it. Still, we
did not hear that any acknowledgment was made to Mr.
Jones, the master, of the wrong that had been done him.
On Wednesday last, as if to " make assurance doubly sure,"
the southwest anchor, with the broken chain attached to it,
was brought to Liverpool. The chain of this anchor also
proves for itself, that it broke through the fury of the hurri-
cane. Now, it must be very evident to all who will give a
moment of reflection to the si Di .ct, that, so far from de-
serving blame, Captain Jones .aerits high commendation
for his coolness, skill, and intrepidity in bringing so un-
wieldy a vessel safe into a haven, through so fearful a tem-
pest. The slightest miscalculation or mismanagement would
have caused the loss, not only of the vessel, but of her crew.
Captain Jones saved both, and we are informed, that he
displayed no ordinary skill or energy in accomplishing this
object. We trust, now that it has been proved, that injus-
tice has been done to the captain and crew of the Light-ship,
their case will have every consideration in the proper quar-
ter, as we consider it not the least praiseworthy part of
Captain Jones's conduct, that he has borne so patiently the
false aspersions that have been cast upon his character.—
Albion.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL
' OPERATIVE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.
A very numerous meeting of this Society was held last
evening in the spacious apartment, generally used as a Shoot-
ing Gallery, in the rere of the York Hotel, Williamsons'-
square. A few minutes past seven o'clock, JAMES PARKER,
Esq. was unanimously called upon to preside. On taking the
chair he briefly addressed the meeting, which, although being'
a half-yearly one, was also convened for the purpose of
petitioning Parliament to exclude Roman Catholics from the
legislature. Brother Protestants and friends, he said, it is
with great diffidence that I allow myself to be placed here,
and more especially, when I recollect that your society has
been favoured by having so distinguished a gentleman as Mr.
M`Neile as its chairman on former occasions—(cheers)—but
I trust you will give me due indulgence, and that you will all
pay attention to the different speakers who may address you ;
and as our object in assembling here this evening is to secure
the Protestant faith, and to protect our holy religion from
the assaults of popery and infidelity, I beg to call upon Mr.
Radcliffe to open the business of the meeting by prayer.
Mr. R. having complied with this request, the chairman
again claimed their indulgence, while he proceeded to state
the objects for which, independent of the regular business
of the society, they had been called upon to meet. The
Protestants of this country had been too long acting in the
defensive—they should now take higher ground, for the time
had arrived when it became necessary for them to assume an
offensive attitude. (Hear, hear.) They had been told by
many that the cry of " the church is in danger" was a mere
bug-bear, and undeserving of serious attention, but he
appealed to passing events, and he would confidently ask
any one who heard him, and reflected upon those events,
whether their beloved church was not now in imminent dan-
ger—the facts in proof of this assertion were too glaring to
admit of contradiction, and he would take leave to notice a
few of them which ought to be sufficient to bring conviction
to the mind of the most incredulous. He would, in the
first place, give an extract from a speech made at one of
those numerous associations, which are existing and daily
rising in the land, by means of Which infidelity is stalking
abroad and diffusing its baneful influence. He referred
to a speech delivered by Mr. Roebuck, who was President
of one of those societies, the fundamental principles of which
are equalization of all religious principles—that no sect had
any right to precedence, a preference of another, and that
any such preference or precedence was opposed to the
rights of man and the privilege of conscience. Mr.
Roebuck said, on one occasion, that " the Church of
England must be pulled down, the great moral nuisance
must be abated ; the golden temple must be demolished by
the democratic party in the State." He (Mr. P.) recollected
that before Catholic emancipation was granted, it was alleged
as an inducement or argument in favour of the concession of
that measure, that it would have the effect of converting the
Roman Catholics into loyal subjects ; and it was the persua-
sion of this effect being produced, that led that great and
illustrious man (the Duke of Wellington) to do an act—the
only act of his public life that he had occasion to regret. It
was also argued, that if the test and corporation acts were
abolished, the Dissenters would become the firmest props of
the Church. What has been the result with regard to both
Catholics and Dissenters ? Have the hopes of good, the an-
ticipations of an improved state of feeling towards the estab-
lished religion of the country, been realized? (Loud cries of
No, No.) They have, on the contrary, been grievously dis-
appointed, and the Catholics now boldly and openly de-
clared .that they would never rest satisfied until they had
accomplished the total downfall of the Protestant Church
in Ireland. Such was their undisguised avowal, not by
any means concealed, but boldly set forth in broad figures
and characters that could not be mistaken. What did
the Dissenters say ? They boldy declare that the Pro-
testant Church has no right to enjoy any predominance,
or is entitled to any favour or preference over any other
religious sect or denomination in Ireland ; but when he
stated that such were the sentiments of Dissenters, he
begged not to be understood as reflecting on all classes
of Dissenters, for he had great pleasure in excepting
from such censure the Wesleyan Methodists, who always
prided themselves on being within the pale of the church,—
and who, he was convinced, would always be found active
and vigilant at their posts, whenever the citadel of the Pro-
testant faith was in danger and required their support.
(Cheers.) He had also to refer to the principles adopted as
the foundation of another society, whose chief object was,
when established, to watch the progress of national educa-
tion. The founders of the society declared that if on the
subject of national education one false step was taken, all
would be lost—the battle was over, and defeat would be their
share. They were right on this point ; deprive the children
of this country of education which will not be based on reli-
gious principles, connected with the established religion,
and the end would be that the land would soon become a land
of Atheists, and events similar to what occurred in France
at the time of the revolution, would be witnessed here. They
would see the goddess of reason set up for their worship, in-
fidelity would disgrace, and inflict its curse upon our insti-
tutions, and all the calamities of the French revolution would
be re-enacted in this hitherto christian Protestant nation.
They were now similarly threatened, but for his own part he
apprehended not such disastrous consequences, when he wit-
nessed the spirit and enthusiasm that the meeting manifested,
and which he was sure pervaded every true Protestant bosom
throughout the length and breadth of the land. With re-
spect to education, he begged to mention that the number of
children educated in Dissenters' schools in Great Britain was,
according to the latest parliamentary returns, only 47 thou-
sand, exclusive of the children of Irish Catholics, while the
children of Protestants educated in Protestant schools, num-
bered no less than one million, five hundred and fifty-three
thousand. (Cheers.)ZWas this majority to be called a sect,
and treated with.no more favour, and receive no preference
over any other religious sect in the country? If such were
to be the case—if Protestant authority were to be done
away with, the glory of England would be gone for ever.
These societies declare that education—national education
is the field, on which the battle between monarchy and de-
mocracy is to be fought—for, if, said they, we once get in
the wedge, and are possessed of the lever of national educa-
tion, and deprive the clergymen of the Established Church
of their influence in regulating the education of the people,
then the battle is ended, and the victory is won. He read
an extract to a similar effect from a Yorkshire paper, as a
specimen of the views entertained by these philosophers, so
called, and which ought, he thought, to make all who he had
then the honour of addressing, or whom his words would
reach, active and zealous in support of the Protestantchurch.
He next called the attention of the meeting to the horribly
blasphemous placards that were circulated throughout the
town, containing expressions respecting the divinity of Christ,
and signed the Rev. J. Martineau—which were sufficient
to make the blood run cold in one's veins. If the projecte 1
government system of national education were carried into
effect, this clergyman, and others holding similar opinions,
would have the right to enter the schools in which our
children were educated, and inculcate there their detestable
principles. He again thanked the meeting for the honour
paid him in calling upon him to act as chairman, and re-
sumed his seat amidst much cheering.
Mr. WorrAm then came forward and proposed the adop-
tion of a petition against the admission of Papists to Parlia-
ment. He read the petition—which set forth the grounds of
objection to Roman Catholics being permitted to legislate, or
to take any part in legislating for a Protestant country ; and
he then proceeded with much ability, and at great length, to
state the arguments upon which he founded the petition.
It was often his lot to address public meetings, but he
never felt so embarrassed as on addressing the present meeting,
convened as it was for objects in which were involved the
honour of God and the interests of religion. He felt at the
same time, he was peculiarly honoured in being selected as
the first individual to give the alarm on this most important
subject, and which lie hoped would never cease to be given,
but would continue to be repeated, until they had gained
their object. He expressed his confidence that he would be
able to make out a case to justify their agitation of this ques-
tion, and in the first place he would state the motives which
actuated them in coming forward on the present occasion,
because he was aware that calumnies would he published
respecting them, lie knew how their motives and conduct
would be aspersed by the liberal press—that they would be cal-
led senseless bigots—prompted by feelings of blind intolerance,
and they would be misrepresented, and held up as objects
deserving the public reprobation: but they had calculated the
cost, and had weighed the value of such aspersions, and they
came there determined to pursue their object, unawed by
calumny, undeterred by misrepresentation. They would not
be diverted from its pursuit by the open abuse of enemies,
nor by the persuasion of those squeamish friends, who were
so well described by their reverend pastor last night, and
who wished them to be calm and soft—calm and soft, indeed,
in the honour of God,—no, they could not be so--this was a
question to encounter calumny in the promotion of which was
the performance of a virtuous act, and in which excess of
zeal was a merit. As to the motives which actuated them,
he denied that they were influenced by any feeling of
hostility to Roman Catholics, because they differed from
Protestants in religious opinions—that would be senseless
bigotry indeed, but it was because they :avowed and acted
upon principles which were inimical to, and destructive of,
the principles of the constitution of this country. They were
not opposed to popery on account of its spiritual enslave-
ment of the human mind, but because it ceased not, nor hesi-
tated to adopt any means to gain an end, when that end was
the exaltation of popery, and the extermination of the Pro-
testant religion. He did not expect that the petition he had
read would at once accomplish what they desired, but it was
well, he thought, to bekin the good work soon, and ultimately
they would prevail. He said he would consider the question
in three lights—first, the grounds on which catholic emancipa-
tion was demanded, and next, the two conditions upon which
it was conceded. The plea put forth for granting emancipation
was, that the principles, the offensive features of the Catholic re-
ligion had undergone a change, and in refutation of this, he re-
ferred to a letter of Dr. Thomson, which was read at a meeting
held in Edinburgh in the year 1829, before the time when eman-
cipation was granted. The doctor, who was a friend to
emancipation, maintained, that although Popery had not
changed her peculiar tenets, a change in her character and
accompaniments followed the preaching of her doctrines.
He (Mr. W.) denied this inference, and contended that
Popery was unchanged and unchangeable, and if they had
the power, they still evinced the will to prosecute and perse-
cute. Having proved that the plan was erroneous, he went
on to shew that the conditions upon which emancipation was
granted were not fulfilled, namely, that full and perfect
security was to be given to the Established Church, and
that the demands of the Roman Catholics would cease
and tranquillity be restored to Ireland. As to the violation of
the first condition, he quoted the oath sworn to by every
Roman Catholic Member of Parliament, and contrasted it
with their votes and speeches. He referred also to the dis-
regard they entertain for the obligations of an oath, when the
observance at all interfered with the predominance of Popery ;
and lie read a long article from the London Sun, which de-
clared that imposed oaths were mere babyism—that it was a
contemptible device of Sir Robert Peel for the protection of
the established church, and was unworthy of any sensible
man. He admitted that the attempt to support the church
by Catholic oaths was idle, when he recollected that they
could be dispensed with by the Pope, who was empowered to
declare an oath wild, as was shown in the parliamentary
returns which the Bishop of Exeter had obtained. He
animadverted also on a pamphlet recently published by
a Catholic member of parliament, who Jesuitically argued
that the oath was only obligatory on Catholics as individuals
out of doors, but did not at all bind them in their legislative
capacity. (Laughter.) As to the exorbitant demands of the
Catholics, they were more clamorous every day, and with
respect to the tranquillity of Ireland, he would merely refer
the meeting to the parliamentary returns of the state of crime
in that country. He concluded his address by an energetic
appeal to the Protestants of the empire, and besought them
to exert themselves in the cause of their God, their religion
and their country—he called upon them to raise one loud
and universal cry of no popery, throughout the land which
he trusted would be re-echoed from vale to vale, and from
bill to hill, so as strike terror in the hearts of slaves and
give support and encouragement to freemen—shaking the
Vatican with its thunders, and announcing the existence of
the ark of Protestantism amongst us as a pledge of God's
favour and affection.
Mr. M`lv oft seconded the resolution at considerable
length, and it was carried with acclamation.
Mr. RADCLIFFE next addressed the meeting. With the
exception of the Wesleyan Methodists he strongly censured
the dissenters of Liverpool for their apathy in resisting the
encroachments of Popery, and referred to the conduct of
one reverend doctor, who declined to announce from his
pulpit that petitions were in course of signature for discon-
tinuing, the grant to Maynooth College ; yet when a petition
for the abolition of Church-rates was in preparation, the
same reverend gentleman was most active in furthering its
presentation.
The CHAIRMAN then reminded the Society that the period
of their annual subscriptions had expired, and it was now
necessary to renew them. He proposed the sdmission of
several new members.
Thanks were given to the Chairman, and the meeting se-
parated. A collection was made at the door.

BIRKENHEAD PETTY SESSIONS--THURSDAY

'Before JOHN DEANE CASE, Esq., and Lieut.-Col. GLEGG.)

REFUSAL TO PAY CHURCH RATES

Several quakers residing in the township of Liscard, in
the parish of Wallasey, were summoned before the magi-
strates, by the churchwardens of the pariSh of Wallasey,
for having refused to pay church-rates. • Mr. Hubbard, soli-
citor, appeared on behalf of the churchwardens, and Mr..
Stone, solicitor, for a part of the defendants.
The names of the persons summoned were Henry Robson,
from whom was claimed the sum of 8s 7d.) Robt. Cooke,
4s 4d) John Bewley, (7s 81d) Thomas Hodgson, (4s 7Y)
ames Wilson, 3s 10d) and Mary Woode, (3s 10-111.)
Mr. Hubbard stated, that on the occasion of the late vio-
lent storm, on the 6th and 7th of January last, the parish
church of Wallasey was so much injured that pretty exten-
sive repairs became necessary. A special vestry meeting was
accordingly summoned for the 17th of January, of which
due notice had been given, and at that meeting a rate of 2d
in the pound was voted for the repair of the. church. The
payment of this rate had been refused by several quakers
residing in the parish, although the bill containing the pro-
portion which they had respectively to pay had been delivered,
and each had been personally 'Waited upon by one of the
churchwardens, for the purpose of demanding payment.
Several of the quakers stated that they were not in the habit
of paying church-rates. That statement was looked upon
as a refusal to pay.—Evidence to substantiate this statement
having been called,
_ _

Mr': Stone, on behalf of Robert Cooke, stated that as the
payment of church-rates was ref Used by his clients on con-
scientious grounds, they considered themselYes at liberty to
take advantage of whatever legal objections could be raised.
Mr. Stone then started two objections, which, if' stablished,
would, in his opinion, destroy the validity of the rate. The
first was, that the provisions of the act Ist Victoria had not
been complied with as respected the notice concerning the
meeting, which, he contended, should have been reduced
into writing, and posted on' the door of the parish church
immediately before or during divine service. Now; it had
been proved in evidence that the notice posted on the church
door, including the signatures of the Rev. Thomas Byrth,
the rector of the parish, and of the two churclthardens, was
a printed notice, and it had also been proved tl;at it had been
posted on the door of Wallasey church on Sunday, the 13th
of January, when no service was performed in that church ;
consequently the provisions' of the act had not been com-
plied with, and the rate was invalid.
Mr. Hubbard maintained that the objections were futile.
The act stated that " all notices which have heretofore been
given, shall be reduced into writing, and copies thereof,
either in writing or in print, or partly in writing and partly
in print, shall be pasted or posted on the door of the church."
That provision had been fully complied with, for it had been
proved that the original notice (which was all that was con-
templated by the act) had been " reduced into writing;" and
copies thereof had been posted up. As to the objection that
the notice should have been posted immediately before or
during the performance of divine service in 'Wallasey church,
he contended that the terms of the act could not, be consi-
dered as applying to a church which had been by an act of
providence rendered unfit for use. Besides a copy of the
notice had been posted on the evening of'-Sunday, the 13th
of January, on the door of the church of •Liseard, which
was in the parish of Wallasey, and that was a sufficient
compliance with the clause alluded to. - -
The magistrates had no hesitation in saying that the pro-
visions of the act had been fully complied with. .
They then made an order that payment should be made by
Mr. Cooke of the sum claimed, together with 7s. 6d. costs.
In the case of Mr. Bewley, Mr. Stone objected that his
client was not liable, inasmuch as no personal- demand had
been made upon him for the rate, the churchwarden, when
he called at the house of Mr. Bewley, having seen only that
gentleman's son. He referred to the case of Mr. Cros,sfield,

tried at Walton, in which this objection was held good.
Mr. Hubbard contended that all had been done which was
necessary. The words of the act were, that if any person,
after having been duly rated, should refuse or neglect to pay
the same. then the jurisdiction of the magistrate should take
place. If there had not been direct refusal, there had un-
doubtedly been neglect, for the rate had not yet been paid by
Mr. Bewley.
The magistrates overruled the objection of Mr. Stone, and
ordered the rate to be paid, with 6s. 6d- costs.
In all the other cases there was no defence. Orders for
payment were made.

BRUTAL ASSAULT.
James Wright, a stout fierce-looking ',labouring man, was
charged with having, on the afternoon .of Monday, near to
Tranmere Pool-bridge, assaulted a stone-getter, named John
Wright, whom he knocked down, and kicked about the body
until apparently he was tired. He then seemed inclined to
leave his victim, but he shortly afterwards commenced his
ferocious work again, and kicked the poor man violently about
the head, until he became insensible, and bled profusely from
the wounds inflicted. ,The complainant stated that he gave
no offence whatever to the prisoner ; but the latter stated that
he had been aggravated by the complainant, who had threat-
ened what he would do. .

The prisoner was asked whether he was a married man.
He replied, " Well, I may say that I am, for I have a wife
and family in Ireland."
Mr. Case observed that it was one of the most aggravated
cases of assault that had ever been brought before him. The
prisoner had taken advantage of the man not. seeing him; he
had struck at him from behind, knocked him down, and, not

satisfied with that, had resorted to the brutal mode of kick-
ing him with his foot. It was a mercy that the life of the
complainant had not been sacrificed; for the surgeon stated
that the prisoner's foot had inflicted a wound on the head an
inch and a half long, and bared the scalp.
The prisoner was fined £5 ; in default of payment to be
committed to the House of Correction for two months.
ASSAULTING A BOY.

Ebenezer Olive, a stout, country-looking youth, was charged
with having assaulted a boy named John Hughes. It ap-
peared that the lad was sitting on a wall near Monk's Ferry,
when the prisoner went up to him and attempted to push him
off. The boy, however, stuck to the wall with his hand:.
He subsequently came down, and took up a stone with the
intention of throwing it at Olive, when the latter got hold of
him by the head and legs, and threw him doWh with his face
against the pavement. HiS face was sadly. bruised.
The prisoner said that the boy bad called him names and
cursed him in a most shocking manner.
This statement was denied. The prisoner AN'as fined 10s.
and 10s. costs. He was allowed one week for "payment.