The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-05-25 00:00:00

COLLIERY ACCIDENTS

SOME of the ablest engineers that the country
has produced are those which have been connected
with mines, for every difficulty which is encountered
on the surface is met with in an exaggerated degree
in the operations under ground. Also, some of
the most appalling accidents with which the feelings
of humanity are excited have taken place in mines,
for danger is multiplied also. We rarely hear of so
many lives being lost in a mine as in the wreck of
a steam-ship : accidents of the former kind come
with greater suddenness and with greater frequency.
Even those who escape, escape often only with the
life; the record of the occurrence is written in the
mutilated limbs which make the sufferers pensioners
for life on public charity.
But a few days have passed since a fearful acci-
dent occurred in Carmarthensbire at a coal-mine,
where by the sudden irruption of water no fewer
than twenty-six human beings lost their lives. In
the dead of night the roar of water was heard, a
sound more terrible than that of breakers is to
mariners; and of all the poor fellows who struggled
for life, one can say like Job's messengers, " I only
am escaped alone to tell thee." The public had
not recovered from the surprise and sorrow into
which they had been thrown by this melancholy
accident, when another accident still more fearful
and fatal occurred in our own neighbourhood, at
' the Arley coal-mine near Wigan. The general
result may be stated at thirty-three dead and five
dying. Thus sixty-four human beings, the greater
proportion of them married men with families
dependent on them, have been hurried into eternity
whilst engaged in the pursuits of their honest in-
dustry. It is not expected that in the former case
the bodies can be recovered from the shroud of
mud and water in which they are enveloped, and
in the latter those which have been recovered are so
mutilated as to be hardly recognizable.
It is an astonishing fact that men who are sur-

rounded with danger are proverbially incautious ;

THE IRISH EXILES.

MR. SMITH O'BRIEN and his fellow-labourers in
the work of rebellion are destined to herd sheep and
mend roads in Australia for some time to come.
A memorial, which contained a great array in the
way of signatures, was presented to the Earl of
EGLINTOUN on Monday; but his Excellency
returned to it a prompt and distinct refusal. It is
only an act of kindness to the parties interested to
speak plainly on such occasions ; and as for the
prayer of the memorial, it is difficult to imagine
what other reply could be returned. One of the
silliest insurrections which is anywhere recorded in
history was characteristically got up by the silliest
set of men ; some of the leaders in which regretted
that they had not assassinated the only man who
gave respectability to the movement, and whose
high sense of right and wrong would not allow
them to plunder the quiet people in whose names
they fought. When caught and convicted, they
affected to despise the Royal clemency ; and they
refused to seek the mercy which they did not merit,
knowing that it would be extended to them never-
theless. And after all the empty vaunting respecting
their power and importance, the numbers that they
could command at an hour's notice, and the multi-
tudes who were ready to die by their sides in
fighting against England and Protestantism, it is
pleaded that they are insignificant, that they could
do no injury, that the anger of a great nation
should be appeased, and so on. All this is literally
true, but it is not the whole truth. The very
nature of an apology, especially such as theirs
ought to be, is prospective rather than retrospective.
The past is cared for ; and, thanks to the strong
arm of the law, the union flag still floats from the
battlements of Dublin Castle. Their impotence has
been demonstrated ; but the only sorrow that they
have yet shown is sorrow that their schemes did
not succeed. Some have escaped ; others have
tried to do so ; and the sympathisers on this side
of the ocean have shown the greatest joy at vague
rumours, even though these involved a breach of
parole. Until, at least, a verbal promise is made
for the future, we believe that the well-meaning,
but not very clear-headed, people who signed the
memorial cannot come into court ; though there
could be no danger in the Government " of its own
mere motion" giving the exiles the whole range
of the colonies of the southern hemisphere.
They might then associate with Frenchmen at the
Mauritius. join the Caffres at the Waterkloof, dig
for nuggets in Victoria land, or become farmers in
New Zealand.

VISIT OF THE CANDIDATES TO LIVER-
POOL.—MR. CARDWELL'S IRISH ALLIES
ORGANISING FOR "THE STRUGGLE."
MR. FORBES MACKENZIE will arrive in Liver-
pool on Saturday next, and will probably remain
here the greater portion of the following week, and
during his stay address his friends in such places
as may be determined upon. Mr. MACKENZIE,
we understand, will be the guest of Mr.
JOHN Moss,, of Otterspool, during his stay.
Mr. CARDWELL'S arrival is fixed for this day
week, the Ist of'June, when, no doubt, he will
take similar opportunities of addressing the electors.
We have much pleasure in informing our Conser-
vative friends that the canvass progresses favourably
for the good old cause; and that the return of
Messrs. MACKENZIE and TURNER is assured, if
energy and perseverance are used by their friends.
Last night two important meetings were held; one
of the body of sail makers, and another of the free-
men of Vauxhall and Scotland Wards, in the Car-
penters' Hall. Both meetings were very nume-
rously attended; and the proceedings were most
enthusiastic.

With respect to Mesrs. CARDWELL and EWART,
a searching enquiry will have to be made of them,
when they make their appearance before the elec-
tors, respecting a most disgraceful fact which trans-
pired at the freemen's meeting last night. On our
reporter proceeding towards Bond-street, he observed
the Irish population in the neighbourhood of Mary-
bone and the low streets surrounding " Holy Cross"
--as the Romanists have christened their new
chapel—in an unusual ferment ; and in Bispham-
street, opposite the School-house, an expectant
mob was gathered, reading a green placard,
the most conspicuous line in which was " the strug-
gle." It was announced in the Carpenters'-hall that
a young man was to be introduced by the Rev. Father
NOBLE to the audience of Irish Roman Catholics
assembled in the school-room in question, to
lecture upon the subject of " the struggle" in
behalf of Rome. This young man, up to a
week previous, had had the teaching of a hundred
Protestant children belonging to the congregation of
one of the most faithful Protestant ministers of
this town ! He now boasts that, whilst Jesuitically
feigning to be Protestant, he had become acquainted
with the organization of the Conservative party,
and was prepared to do good service for the Roman
Catholic candidates, Messrs. Cardwell and Ewart.
Are these gentlemen aware of the degradation which
they are drawing down upon themselves by an
alliance with a party capable of such despicable
proceedings, and evidently willing to enlist the
fiercest passions of their blinded followers in their
support? We ask of Messrs. CARDWELL and
EWART this question ; and we trust that their

and the fact is only to be explained on the principle
of undue familiarity with it. Every one who is
acquainted with mining knows how difficult it is
to persuade the men to make use of the Davy or
Safety Lamp ; and those familiar with the sea know
the deeds of reckless daring performed by sailors,
very few of whom ever learn to swim. In cases of
the former kind, Government should step in with
some stringent regulations to protect the many
from the carelessness or recklessness of the few.
Where one man can destroy his own life, the law
says it will not permit suicide ; and where one can
destroy a score along with his own, it is highly
proper and absolutely necessary that stringent
precautions should be used. Casualties will, of
course, occur, against which no human foresight
could guard ; but when we see the comparative
safety which is ensured by extreme caution at
gunpowder factories, we have strong hopes that
something might he done to diminish the risk
with miners.

INTOLERANCE OF THE CHURCH OF
ROME.

FERDINAND the Catholic was called by Spanish writers
" Gov's scourge upon the Moors ;" and there are a few
Protestant champions in our own day who are equally
unwearied in their assaults upon the errors of the Romish
system. Dr. M'NEILE is one of these, in our own
locality ; he shows!his regard for the persons of his reli-
gious opponents by his efforts to expose and purify their
principles. A lecture is announced to be delivered by
him on the 7th of June, in the Amphitheatre, in which
he proposes to demonstrate that intolerance is inherent
ential to, the whole system. There are many
easy-minded Protestants who fraternise with the slippery
Mr. CARDWELL and his party, from a coincidence in the
principle of what is called " Free Trade

in, and es

But the

respectable supporters will insist upon an answer.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, LONDON.

THE Society of Antiquaries, which had a sort of existence
since 1572, and which was revived in 1707, was incorpo-
rated by Royal Charter in 1751. It is the only chartered
body of Antiquaries in the United Kingdom ; as the
Royal Irish Academy is of a mixed character, and the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, though now seventy
years old, has never been incorporated. That the Society
of Antiquaries in England has done much to preserve our
national monuments, and to promote the study of Anti-
quity, is unquestionable, during a continuous existence of
nearly a century and a half ; but it has done little indeed
compared with its responsibility and means. It has al-
ways been the first of the Literary Societies, as the Royal
Society has always been the first of the Scientific ones ;
it has invariably comprehended the foremost men of the
age, both in England and on the Continent ; and its
transactions, " The Archseologia," form a complete body
of historical materials. In 1807 the annual payment of
each of its fellows was raised from £2 2s. to £4 4s. ;
while it was not till nearly twenty years after that the
Royal Society raised its annual payments from two gui-
neas and a half to four pounds. The Antiquaries' Society,
therefore, has exacted the largest payments, and for the
longest period of time ; yet the sleepy manner in which it
was conducted till lately was matter of universal remark.
Of two Secretaries, who were both paid high salaries, it
used to be said that the one could not read, and the other
could not write ; and the sum of £3OO was repeatedly
voted to one of the Secretaries, for making out an Index,
which any active man would have done for ten guineas.
The known inefficiency of the Society, with all these pay-
ments, led to the formation of several smaller Societies to
do its work, and especially of the Archaeological Institute
and Association, the joint subscriptions to which amount
to £l5OO per annum.
In 1847 the Auditors drew attention to the state of the

finances, :lad latterly it has been apparent that the junior
Societies ran away not only with the members and funds,
but with the intellect on which the Society calculated ; so
that the President and Council have proposed to the So-
ciety a thorough measure of reform, to be decided on
Thursday evening next. They propose that the Society

forget that there are religious as well as
pies bound up in the contest; and it is therefore very
desirable that they should be present to hear what will be
advanced for their especial benefit. Let the arguments

political princi-

receive the weight to which they are entitled, no more ;
this is all we ask. Dr. M'NEILE proposes to prove that
those who abet the designs of Rome under the plausible
but deceptive plea of " Religious Liberty," are acting
either in " ignorance or hypocrisy."

revert to its former rate of subscription, viz., £2 25., and
that the entrance fee be reduced from eight to five gui-
neas ; giving to any former Fellow, who may have resigned,
the option of rejoining the Society without entrance fee.
Mr. Pettigrew announces an amendment, which is prac-
tically that matters remain in static quo ; but it is to be

;turn to

ake of literature, that the recomme

e carried

- -
The unhappy divisions which have arise

Association and the Institute would then be
both being merged in the maternal Society ;

and those who have been contending on behalf of Archie- GRAND CRICKET MATCH, YESTERDAY.
ology, some of them with great spirit, but often in small
and isolated associations, would then present one united
front in struggling for the cause of literature and anti-
quity. From this town alone, between £3O and £4O per
annum is paid to Antiquarian Societies in the metropolis,
the half of which, judiciously spent, would produce more
benefit than the whole does

MEETING OF FREEMEN IN THE
CARPENTERS' HALL LAST NIGHT.

A numerous meeting of the freemen of Vauxhall and
Scotland wards was held last night at the Carpenters'-
hall, Bond-street, Mr. Alderman Parker in the chair. On
the platform we observed Mr. Peacock, Mr. R. Clay. Mr.
J. Burroughs, Mr. H. Kirby, Mr. Wells, Mr. Taylor,
Mr. R. Blundell, &c.
Mr. Alderman PARKER said that, having been called
upon by a deputation of the freemen of Liverpool, he had
gladly agreed to take the chair on this occasion, confident
the freemen were impressed with the same feelings of
that loyalty which he himself held, and that they were never
more determined to return two men holding their own
principles than on this occasion. Their opponents
and the Manchester school had raised the cry of the big
loaf; and from this it might be supposed that they were
the friends of the poor ; yet at this moment the children
of the poor were compelled to be placed under the care of
Government officers to prevent their being oppressed by
these Manchester men. From what he himself knew of
the canvass, he was satisfied that their candidates would
be placed at the head of the poll. He concluded by
announcing that next week Mr. Forbes Mackenzie would
be amongst them. (Cheers.)
Mr. CLARKE moved the resolution, " That Wm. F.
Mackenzie and Charles Turner, Esqs., are entitled to our
support, that we will give them our votes, and best exer-
tions, and we call upon our brother freemen in other
wards to assist in returning representatives who will de-
fend the rights of freemen, and support the best interests
of our native land." The speaker energetically called
upon the meeting to support the present Government, as
the true friends by whom the working men, who requir. d
labour and money, would be supported ; and exposed the
selfishness of the wealthy manufacturer, who sought only
for cheap labour and cheapness for himself. The speaker
quoted several declarations from the Free-traders, urging
that cheap bread should be had at any cost, and contrasted
these with the opinion of Mr. Huskisson, that cheap bread
was only a good when drawn from British sol. If
Adam Smith in favour of the home trade, as more valu.
able than foreign trade ' • & Dr. Chalmers on the subject of
Free-trade; and contended that every Protestant elector
ought to respect the opinion of that respected man, now
dead. The speaker continued an eloonent address, by
calling upon the Freemen of Liverpool to support with a
united effort the Conservative candidates, Messrs.
Mackenzie and Turner. (Loud and long-continued
cheers.) He proceeded to mention a fact, which he de-
plored in shame, that, because they bad this and some other
meetings to-night, the Roman Catholics were holding one
in another part of the town, which they called " The Strug-
gle," and that meeting was to be addressed by ayoung man,
brought there by Mr. Noble, the priest, who, up to within
the past week was the teacher of a hundred Sunday school
children belonging to one of our Protestant churches.
(Murmurs and sensation.) This was the mode in which
Mr. Cardwell and Mr. Ewart were organising the Papists
to procure their return. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. WATSON seconded the resolution in a brief but
forcible and most appropriate speech, which we regret
that our space and the late hour prevents us from reporting.
Mr. ROLSTON moved the second resolution, condemning
the policy of the repeal of the Navigation-laws.

Mr. WATSON seconded the resolution.
A vote of thanks was moved to the Chairman, who
briefly returned thanks, and the meeting separated.

BANKRUPTCY COI,TRT, YESTERDAY.

IN RE JOSEPH HULL.—This bankrupt came up for
his last examination, before Mr. Commissioner Perry.
Mr. Simon appeared for the assignees and Mr. J. Yates,
jun. for the bankrupt, who was examined at very great
length as to the state of his affairs. It appeared that his
liabilities were £3844 14s. 2d., and his assets £192 15s. 6d.,
but of the latter, with the exception of £l3, all was ex.
pectations from his late father's estate. The examination
was adjourned for a week to give the bankrupt an oppor-
tunity of explaining an account between himself and
Messrs. Gardner and Co. of Preston, for work done to
his mill.

" Who shall say that the days of chivalry are gone by? If
we have not, as of old, gay tournaments, in which re-
nowned knights- errant tilted each other to theirhearts' con-
tent, for the promotion of true prowess, and the edification
of assembled multitudes, still we have the renowned "feats
of arms," (aye; and of legs, too !) in out more peaceful
contests, now-a-days. If we have not our knights of the
White Feather, or knights of the Sable Plume, as in the
days of the seven champions, we have still as mighty
champions in another line, and who, instead of ar-
mour, encase themselves in leather, who carry
for their weapons, not lances, but cricket bats,
and who perform deeds as incredible and astonishing as
the valorous heroes of old l" Such were the thoughts,
expressed aloud, of a romantic friend of ours, whom we
found wending • his way to the Prince's-park, at
an early hour yesterday forenoon; but as they were,
doubtless, not intended for the public ear, we
forbear to mention his name. However, as Sairey
Gamp, or Betsey Prig, or some other worthy female,
whom we cannot call to mind just at present,
used to say—" Them's our sentiments, all over," and
expressed so much more poetically than we could have done
it ourselves, that we immediately took notes of them as
they fell from the speaker's lips, and here present the
rapsody in full, for our readers' benefit. The cause of
our friend's journey, and, very probably, also of his ejacu-
lation, was that eleven cricketers of All England were
going to try their skill in this matchless game against
double that number selected from the clubs of Liver-
pool, including two professional bowlers given from
those who are known as All England-men' to aid
the Liverpudlians in their contest against the picked Inert
of the country. It is now about four years since the
All England-men visited this town, on which occasion the
whole of the necessarily great expense attending their
coming had to he borne by the " Liverpool Club" alone.
It happened to be wet weather on the days selected for
playing,—the attendance was scanty, and the match had
to be left unfinished, which so disheartened the lovers of
cricket here, that there was not sufficient spirit left among
them to raise fundsenough to bring " theeleven" here again
—at least, forsome time after. Since then, however, cricket
has progressed more rapidly in this part of the country;

LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.