The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-05-11 00:00:00

could become Pro-

iestants, without being driven to the poo
Many, however, who were unable to assist
a large scale, might give donations, which Mr
would at any time be happy to recei-

house

t on such

Minton
With

regard to the spiritual svorlc; the Irish Society have
stationed in the district, 3 missionary clergymen, 1 lay
agent, 9 scripture readers (in addition to 3 furnished from
other sources), 4 assistant readers, 1 inspector of Irish

schools, and 11 Irish teachers. There is a scriptural
school in Canpamore, another in Paliasgreen, and three
in Doon. Two or three more will soon be added in the
latter parish. Mr. Minton had examined most of these
schools, and found their general intelligence and know-
ledge of Scripture such as could be equalled in few Eng-
lish schools. Dr. Newman or Dr. Cahill would soon
look very foolish, if they got into argument with some of
those boys. In order to test the accuracy of the alleged
number of converts, Mr. Minton determined to investigate
the case of one parish. In the parish of Cappamore they
claimed 130. including the children of convert parents un-
der 14 years old ; none above that age being counted, un-
less they publicly profess themselves to be such. He
therefore asked a woman to take him into every house
where there were any converts ; and taking a minute ac-
count from the lips of the inmates, he found in the village
of Cappamore alone-75 above, and 42 below, the age of
fourteen; leaving only 13 for all the rest of the parish,
which he had not time to visit. From the information he
received, the estimated numbers were evidently below the
reality. He had also an opportunity of addressing, and
catechising, 250 adult converts, in the open air, at Doon
glebe, on Sunday evening, as well as smaller numbers in
other places. From them he gleaned much information
about the feelings of the people generatly, their own suf-
ferings, and the character and conduct of the priests.
Father O'Dwyer had never recovered from the effects
of his discomfiture by Messrs. Atkinson and Darby ;
and from a letter lately received by Mr. Minton,
the challenge last sent him seems likely to give
the finishing touch to his influence at Doon. Se-
veral persons left him on the former occasion, and ac-
cording to the testimony of one of them " all his people
were very angry with him. and said there would be a
power of converts ris by it." .On the Monday morning,
when he ought to have started for Liverpool, several of
them walked miles to different railway stations, to see
whether he went or not. And now the whole village is in
the greatest state of excitement to learn whether he dare,
or dare not, attempt to prove his own priesthood ; on which
claim, of course, all his power and influence over them de-
pends. It was a curious coincidence, that at the very
moment when Mr. Minton was knocking at Mr. O'Dwyer's
door, the scripture-reader, whose salary is paid by St.
Silas's congregation, was just gaining admittance into the
first house which had ever opened its door to a reader in the
village of Peon. The ice being thus broken, he hoped
the work would progress, and that St. Silas's congre:
ration would hear interesting reports from time to time
of their reader's success in that hitherto exclusively
Popish spot.
After some further anecdotes, illustrative of manners
and customs, especially priestly manners and customs, in
that neighbourhood, the lecturer concluded by urging his
audience to contribute liberally to the Peon agri.
cultural employment fund ; to become subscribers, and
still more, collectors for the Irish Society, which was
doing such a glorious work ; and to entreat their
respective clergymen to establish, resuscitate, or stimulate,
branch societies in their congregations. Mr: Minton,
who has lately undertaken the secretaryship of the Liver.
pool Auxiliary, or his curate. the Rev. W. H. Duck, 19,
West Derby-street, who is the Irish Society's agent in
Liverpool, will at any time gladly assist in promoting such
an object.
The lecture, which occupied nearly two hours in deli-
very, was frequently and enthusiastically applauded.
Thanks were voted to the Rev. gentleman and to the
chairman, after which the meeting separated.

LIVERPOOL LITERARY AND DRAMATIC

SOCIETY.

The first annual dinner of this society was held at the
Brunswick Hotel, Hanover-street, on Thursday evening.
Mr. R. Crompton, the president, was in the chair, and
Mr. T. W. Hughes was Tice-chairman. About thirty
gentlemen partook of too entertainment, which was fur-
nished in a style reflecting the highest credit on Mr.
'Whiteman.

After the cloth had been removed, the Chairman pro•

posed the health of " the Queen" which was drunk with
befitting honours, and followed by singing " God
save the Queen." The toast of Prince Albert and the rest
of the Royal Family, followed ; after which the president
gave the Patrons of the Amateur Performances, the Mayor
and the Free Public Library and Museum Committee.
(Applause.) He alluded in laudatory terms to the efforts
of the free library committee in providing for the use of
all the means of improving their minds, by establishing a
noble and well furnished library,—where books shall be,
to rich and poor alike, unsold and free. The toast was
enthusiastically received.

Mr. J. M. NIGHTINGALE, in proposing " Success to
the Literary and Dramatic Society," alluded to the kind
manner in which the public had seconded their efforts,
and hoped that the success they had met with would sti-
mulate them to go on improving, so that if on any future
occasion their services were required for the benefit of
their townsmen, they would be able to give satisfactory
evidence that their time had been carefully spent, and
whatever talents they possessed judiciously cultivated.
(Applause.) In conclusion, he trusted that any measure
of public approbation which had been awarded to them
would not render them vainglorious, but induce them
quietly and unostentatiously to strive and merit future
eulogy.

Mr. C. MILLWARD responded, and proposed the next
toast, " Literature and the Drama."
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The health of Mr. P. G.
Lloyds, the conductor of the amateur performance."
Mr. G. GRIST gave " The authors of the original pro-
ductions of the amateur performance."
Mr. J. H. NIGHTINGALE proposed " The Managing
Committee," whom he eulogised for the excellent manner
in which they had performed their duties.

_ .
Mr. J. L. JENKINS gave " The health of the chairman."
The " health of the Vice- chairman" was proposed
by Mr. R. CROMPTON, and the " Honorary Members" by
Mr. R. W. ROWLEY, in the absence of Mr. Barry Sullivan.
Mr. P. G. LLOYDS responded.
TheVICK.CHAIRMAN gave " The Officers of the Society."
Mr. 0. T. TAPE, the honorary secretary, in responding
to the toast, said that the proceeds of the late amateur
performance for the benefit of the free public library
amounted to £34 15s. 9d., after payment of expenses,
which included £5O for the use of the theatre, and the
remainder for printing, advertising., &c. The total re.
ceipts were £123. This included £5 from the mayor, for
a box, 10s. from Mr. J. A. Ficton, chairman of the library
and museum committee, £1 from " A Friend," £5 from
Mr. W. R. Copeland, and £2 2s. from Mr. Whiternan, of
the Brunswick. Hotel, who also allowed the gratuitous use
of a room for rehearsals and meetings.
Mr. ARMOND proposed the " Ladies."
Mr. W. H. PEAT rose with much pleasure to acknow-
ledge the compliment conferred upon the ladies; but,
before doing so, would call attention to the benefits which
gentlemen were likely to derive from becoming members
of the Liverpool Literary and Dramatic Society. They
would acquire correct taste, a just and graceful deport-
ment and behaviour, a true and forcible elocution, which
were nowhere, that he knew of, so well cultivated as on
the stage. From the stage much was to be learnt,—the
mischiefs and horrors that must result from vice, the hap-
piness and blessings which crown a regular course of vir-
tue. The sight of a hero bleeding in the cause of his
country would inspire them with courage, and the mis-
fortunes of the brave, the innocent, and the virtuous,
would teach them to feel and to weep ; and to society it
was of no small consequence to humanise the mini of
man, and to render his heart tender and susceptible of
these impressions, since it would be a mighty curb to
wild ambition and lawless power. (Applause.) As the
church is the school for religion and piety, so would well
regulated dramatic societies, under due encouragement
and proper management, become the schools for morality
and virtue. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he trusted
that by the diffusion of proper principles and good man-
ners among their members ; by discarding:from their plays
whatever was personal or indecent, or whatever tended to
corrupt the heart, that they might in course of time attain
to such a position that even the greatest literary man of
the present age would esteem it an honour to be a mem-
ber of the e' ,ud cheers.)

ty. (I

gave " the health of Mr. White-
le society were deeply in-

The VICE-CHAIRMAN
man, their host," to whom ti
debted for many kindnesses.

This toast wa.
responded to. Sot

-Irunk s

acknowledg