The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-12-28 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAN, DECEMBER 28, 1852.

sensible of his condition as an immortal being ; and 1
though the affection of relatives might do much to alle-
viate physical suffering, it could do little to compensate
for the loss of faculties so important to human existence.
But if this affliction was of so poignant a character in or-
dinary life, its misery was considerably aggravated when
linked, as is too often the case, to poverty ; and it is
therefore that institutions for the education of the deaf
and dumb may he considered of the most truly philanthro-
pic character out of the many which shed a never-fading
lustre upon our age and nation. By the continued aid of
scientific skill, unwearied patience, and great persever-
ance, the means have been discovered of appealing
through the eye of the sufferer to his dormant faculties,
and of rendering him not only capable of receiving but of
imparting instruction ; and science was never applied to

a nobler end than when she was thus exerted in the cause
of suffering humanity. Let any one of us endeavour to
conceive the idea of our condition if deprived of the
senses of hearing and speech, and our imagination would
fall far short of the utter blank which our minds would
present ; and this inadequacy of appreciation may possibly
account for the long delay which took place before the
important town of Liverpool provided a public institution
for the relief of this calamity.

It was in the year 1825, through the philanthropic exer-
tions of Mr. WILLIAM COMER, that the Liverpool School
for the Deaf and Dumb was established, and the best
proof of its utility is afforded by the fact that since that
time nearly three hundred children have received the
blessings of education by which they have been enabled,
under the blessing of Providence, to provide partially or

wholly for their own subsistence, and, by means of writing
and by intelligible signs, to communicate freely with their
fellow-creatures. In the first year of its establishment
twenty-five children were admitted, and since that time
numbers varying from five to twenty have been admitted
each year into the Institution. During the whole of this
time the School has had to depend for its support upon
the voluntary contributions of the benevolent, in the form
of annual subscriptions, donations, and legacies, and the
payment for board and lodging made by such parents of
pupils as are not quite in indigent circumstances; but
until within a very recent period the School has had no
endowment fund to fall back upon, in case of any decrease
in the annual support, and now the amount invested is
but a very small sum to provide against contingencies.

In the year 1839 additional exertions were made to
raise a Building Fund for the purposes of the Charity,
and an appropriate and commodious structure was erected
in Oxford-street East, upon a portion of the old Botanic
Garden, which was specially granted by the Corporation
of Liverpool for the purpose. The exterior presents a
very neat appearance, the entrance being approached by a
flight of steps lying back from the main street. On the
basement story are the kitchens, scullery, laundry, lava-
tory, and play-grounds for the children when the weather
is wet ; while the capacious yard behind is divided for the
children of opposite sexes, with conveniences for gymnas-
tic exercises. The floor above the basement is entered
from the front, and on each side are the apartments of
the Superintendent, Mr. Davin BUXTON, who was una-
nimously elected to that responsible situation in July,

1851, on the resignation of Mr. RHE'ID, having previously
filled the effice of Principal Assistant in the Asylum for
the Deaf and Dumb in the Old Kent-road, near London.
At the back, on the same floor, is the spacious school-
room, fitted up with desks, at which the pupils write on
ruled slates, and the proficiency which many of them dis-
play is truly wonderful, questions written on their slates
being answered by them readily and correctly. Specimens
of objects in ordinary use are kept for the instruction of
the pupils, and once or twice during the summer they are
permitted to visit the Zoological Gardens, in order to
assist in their acquiring a knowledge of animals. Several
of the pupils learn drawing, and it is an interesting fact
that their constant reliance upon the hand and eye, in
making known their wants, tends to give them a facility
for acquiring proficiency in this delightful art. Indeed,
several of them display a taste and skill in drawing which
may prove of eminent service to them in their future
career. The school is open for the inspection of visitors
every Tuesday, and all who take an interest in the deve-
lopment of the human faculties would do well to avail
themselves of the opportunity. They will see much to
excite their admiration in the regularity which pervades
the conduct of this silent school, and the facile manner
in which the faculties of which the pupils are deprived
appear to be compensated by the training of their other
faculties. There are young faces beaming with intelli-
gence, and though they can neither hear you nor speak to
you, the fingers to the initiated, and the slate to others.
will soon show that they understand, and have virtually
zuzL Lair clicia Loom n0a;,4;... It is a pecullarlty wan-

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCRIPTURE i
READERS' SOCIETY.

IT was stated by Our LORD Himself, during His residence
here on earth, that " The poor had the gospel preached
to them ;" and in these days of ours, when Christianity
has existed nearly 2,000 years, and has been popularized
throughout the world, the principle should be true to a
wider extent. Unfortunately, however, we can only
assert it with modifications. The message is certainly
delivered to all ; the clergyman has the care of all the
souls in his parish or district ; there is no scriptural limit
restricting or prohibiting any grade of the population,
and an increasing number of our churches are open to all
who may choose to worship. Yet there are thousands of
the poor who know nothing of any form of christianity,
who can scarcely be called infidels, or unbelievers, inas-
much as they are simply non-believers, who do not take
the trouble to think on the subject. Whoever considers
the number of these people who exist in our large towns,
the contamination of bad example, arising from their
crowding and close intercourse, and the mortality which
sweeps them away at a low average of human life, the
members of the Church of Christ must feel that a heavy
responsibility rests upon them.
There are few countries of the world in which the wants
of the poor, in one sense, are better attended to than in
our own. The law provides food for the hungry and
destitute, and a home for the houseless pauper. We have
hospitals for the sick and wounded ; dispensaries for the
infirm at their own houses ; numerous schools for the
education of the young, and some reformatory institutions
for the recovery of the depraved. There are societies for
feeding and for clothing, and one valuable institution col-
lects the redundant pence from the humble poor, so as
gently to force them to habits of prudence and economy.
We have church societies too, which provide—some, ad-
ditional church accommodation—and others, additional
clergy ; but all of these proceed on an assumption which is
unfortunately not quite true in fact, that the people are
ready and disposed to take advantage of these benevolent

provisions. It is true of christianity as it is true of educa-
tion or of any other good thing, that a man must know
something of it before he can thoroughly appreciate it.
He who is an outcast, therefore, would of himself be an
outcast still ; the lost sheep must be sought ; they will
not come to the fold of themselves. When a man has
received a religious education in early youth, the old
channels of feeling may be easily opened, however deep
the degradation into which he has sunk in after years,
but when his whole life has been " without God in the
world," good principles and good habits must be im-
planted even in this ungenial soil.
The Church of England Scripture Readers' Society has
been in practical existence only one year, yet the results
upon our degraded population have exceeded the ex-
pectation of its most sanguine friends. The agent is, in
fact, a missionary, who is sent to labour among the hea-
then in a Christian land. He tells to some of them the
gospel facts, or the moral lessons of the Epistles, for the
first time ; to others he gives a consistency and connexion
in their thoughts of religion, arranging the disjecta mem -
bra which they may have gleaned at a few occasional ser-
Meeting them on their own worldly level, his
intercourse is less authoritative, it is true, than that of a
clergyman ; but it is all the more unreserved, and often
more practical and searching. One great advantage of it
is, that the people can be classified, and the clergyman,
knowing his men, can effect a much larger amount of good
by the same expenditure of time and effort.
The natural results have followed in several parts of the
town. It should be stated, however, that the labours of
the Readers are confined to the parish of Liverpool, with
one single exception, which is in the borough, but on the
borders of the parish. The agents are under the super-
intendence of a clergyman, whose labours are restricted
to this duty. There is thus uniformity, harmony, and
system in the various parts of the town. In some of the
worst portions of the town a marked change is visible,
even in the short space of twelve months. The grosser
immoralities are abandoned ; people are more attentive to
the external decencies and proprieties of life ; there is a
growing attachment to personal religion and public wor-
ship ; and the visits of the Readers are looked forward to
with interest. One important feature of the system is,
that the clerical superintendent is at the same time a
schoolmaster, or rather a theological and moral professor.
The whole of the agents or Readers meet with him once a
week, or more frequently if necessary, to be instructed,
not only in intellectual and religious subjects, but also in
reference to the practical discharge of their duties. They
are trained systematically to meet the cavils of the prac-
tical infidel on the one hand, or the superstition. Ro.
=atm. oil Lue other; out, at the same time, their labours
are not of an aggressive character, but addressed mainly
to the lost sheep of our English Church. Many Roman
Catholics, however, have been led to think of the errors
of their system; and the examination of the Readers at the
schools in Cornwallis-street is a weekly fact of extreme
interest, both to Protestants and Romanists in the
I southern part of the town.

It is little to say of such a society that we heartily
wish it God speed. We recommend it earnestly to the
benevolent and affluent of the town, whose good wishes
for their poorer brethren cannot be carried out by their
personal efforts, but which, with reasonable assistance,
may be more than realised by the Liverpool Church of
England Scripture Readers' Society.

FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

Louis Napoleon, during the past week, paid a visit to
Compiegne, where all the members of the diplomatic
corps, who had presented their new credentials, were in-
vited to partake of the imperial festivities. He reviewed
the national guard, and the company of firemen of Creil,
and visited the operatives of the Creil manufactory. The
Emperor entered Compiegne about three o'clock on Sun-
day afternoon. Instantly 101 guns fired a salute. On
alighting he was received by the Mayor with an address.
The " ladies of the Halle" next advanced, and presented
a very handsome basket of rare flowers. Louis Napoleon
received it very graciously, and paid some compliments to
those who offered it. The Emperor then mounted on
horseback and gave the signal for the cortege to move on.
The band of the 7th Chasseurs, playing the well-known
airs, led the way at the head of the regiment. Half a
squadron of mounted gendarmerie followed, and then
Louis Napoleon, in advance, as usual, of his staff, but
preceded by about a dozen peasants in blouses, whose
shouts and eccentric gesticulations appeared to amuse
him. On reaching the Hotel de Ville he was met by a
deputation from the young ladies of Compiegne. They
also presented him with a handsome basket of flowers.
On arriving at the Church of St. Jacques, the Emperor
found the Bishop of Beauvais, accompanied by his clergy,
also with an address. He then proceeded to the palace,
in front of which crowds bad already assembled. After a
short time the troops were dismissed to their quarters,
and the crowds dispersed.
A grand ball will be given at the theatre. All the
public buildings. and the greater number of the private
houses were illuminated.
The second number of the Bulletin des Lois of the
Empire publishes a decree, dated December 9, opening to
the Minister of the interior from the Budget of 1852 an
extraordinary credit of 600,000 f. applicable to the payment
of a part of the expenses caused by the arrests after the
events of December, 1851. _ _

The Emperor ho.s pardoned a great number of persons
in the army condemned by the courts-martial. Out of
488 persons undergoing imprisonment, 443 have obtained
the remission of the remainder of their punishment, and
45 a reduction.

The Algiers papers announce that the ceremony of pro-
claiming the Empire took place at Algiers on the 12th.
The solemnity was announced at sunrise by a salvo of 21
guns from the little isle of the Marine, and repeated from
the battery of the port. At the same moment the vessels
in the harbour were dressed out with flags.
A dreadful storm occurred on Friday week which did
great damage. Among other injuries it shattered the spire
of the Church of Ladies ; and one of the stones thrown
down fell upon the roof of a house belonging to the
Marquis de Bridieu, at least 50 yards from the base of the
tower. One of several persons who were sitting near a
window in the act of writing was carried by the action of
the electricity two yards from his chair. This person ex-
perienced violent pains in his legs and arms during twe
hours, and a strong taste of salt in his mouth.
On the 6th instant the inhabitants of Saint Geours-de-
Marenne, in the Landes, saw with terror a globe of fire
traversing the sky, and leaving a train of fire after it,
which shone vividly, notwithstanding the brightness of
the sun. A violent noise was then heard, and all fire dis-
appeared. It is supposed that this phenomenon is
connected with the falling of an " aerolithe."
The Moniteur of Friday last published a decree naming
the Emperor's uncle, Prince Jerome Bonaparte, successor
to the throne in default of legitimate or adopted heirs.
The members of the Imperial family are to be called
French princes, and at the age of 18 they are to become
members of the Council of State.
The Senatus- consultum has been adopted by 64 votes
to 7. According to the modifications of the Constitution,
the Emperor will preside in the Senate. The treaties of
commerce modifying tariffs will have the force of law by
simple promulgation. Important public works may be
authorised by Imperial decree. The Budget of Expendi-
ture is to be voted by ministries, and the form of oath is
modified.

Abd-el-Kader sailed from Marseilles on the 21st inst.,
on board the steam frigate Labrador.

SPAIN.

THE NEW CABINET.—The resignation of the old
cabinet has been accepted. and the appointment of the
following ministers have been officially announced :
" General Roncali, Count of Alcoy, President of the
Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs ; General Lara,
Senator of the Kingdom, Minister of War ; M. Frederick
Vahey, former Deputy, Minister of Justice; M. Gabriel
de Aristizabal Reutt, Director General of the Debt of the
State, Minister of Finance; Gen. Rafael de Aristegui,
Count of Mirasol, Senator of the Kingdom, Minister of
Marine, and charged ad interim with the Department of
Public Works ; M. Alejandro Llorente, former Deputy
Minister of the Interior. All these decrees are counter-
signed by the Count of Alcoy.

The seizure of the three Madrid journals, the Epoca,
the Diorio Espanol, and the Herald°, by order of the
local authority, for having published the address of the
Opposition to the electors, and the seizure of the docu-
ment itself after having been allowed to circulate freely in
the public places and cafés of the capital for some time,
would show that the repressive and reactionary spirit
which characterised the last cabinet is still to be found in
some degree with the present.
The Queen of Spain has issued a decree declaring that
all merchandise coming into Spain in Spanish bottoms
from Gibraltar, Portugal, Algeria, and the ports between
the Gironde. inclusively, and the, Bidassoa, and from the
frontier limit between Spain and France to Marseilles
inclusively, shall only pay the duties fixed by the customs'
tariff for the native flag. By the decree of July 9, 1841,
which is now revoked, merchandise from the points
enumerated was subject to an increased rate of duty.
MM. Bravo Murillo and Bordiu have left Madrid for
Bordeaux.

M. Peteira del Villar has been appointed Director of
;he Treasury.

The new Governor of Madrid had not been nominated
at the date of the last despatches.

ITALY.

ROME.—The Pope, some authorities assure us, has
actually promised to go to France and assist at the coro-
nation, provided the French Government will agree to
abandon the " organic articles" of the Concordat. A.
curious bargain, if true. According to others, the prudent
dignitary is to follow the example of Pius VII., and leave
his abdication in the hands of the Cardinals by way of a
precaution against the possible danger of being subjected
to improper pressure. The Times correspondent says that
the majority of the Cardinals continue adverse to the
journey, and this feeling is encouraged by the counsels of
the Austrian Diplomacy ; the Pope himself is not hostile,
and he as well as the Cardinals are anxious to profit by
the ambition of Louis Napoleon, and to secure advan-
tages for the Church.

SARDINLA..—The Sardinian Government had contracted
for the construction of a screw frigate in England, for the
sum of 2,214,000 f. It was M. Cavour, who, during his
journey to Scotland, signed the contract with a ship-
builder at Newcastle.

ANTE RICA

ARRIVAL OF THE BALTIC

By the United States mail steam-ship Baltic, which
arrived in the Mersey on Friday a little before half-oast
nine p.m., we have advices from New York to the 12th
instant.

The Balt!c was detained on account of thick weather,
and did not leave Staten Island until nine o'clock a.m. on
Sunday, the 12th instant. During the passage she
experienced boisterous weather, and for three days and
nights had to contend against one of the most awful hur-
ricanes ever experienced on the Atlantic. Her run here
occupied about twelve days nine hours and a half—a very
creditable performance under such adverse circumstances.
She brings sixty passengers, including Mr. H. T. Tucker-
man, bearer of despatches to the United States Legation
at London. She also brings 250,000 dollars on freight.
The Niagara steamer arrived at Halifax on the 10th
instant. Congress had adjourned until Monday, the 13th
instant.

By the steamer Philadelphia there is later news from
California. There has been a dreadful fire at Sacramento
city, burning forty blocks of houses, and leaving nine-
tenths of the population houseless. The loss is estimated
at 10,000,000 dollars. The State Capitol was saved. The
Democratic State Journal office was destroyed, also the
State Hospital—the patients in which suffered dreadfully.
During the nine days which had elapsed since the occur-
rence of the fire and the departure of the steamer,
350 buildings had been restored. The San Francisco
fire broke out on the 4th of November. Thirty build-
ings were destroyed. Loss estimated at 150,000 dollars.
The State election resulted as follows :—Senate, 6 Demo-
crats and 7 Whigs; House, 41 Democrats and 19 Whigs,
with three districts to hear from. Large numbers of
Chinese were returning home, and emigration was small.
There are ten days' later news from Mexico. The
defeat of General Blanco by the French Count Raousset
Doulbon is confirmed, and the Count has proclaimed
Sonora independent and annexed to France.
The steamer Cleopatra has been burnt on the Black
River, in New Orleans.