The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-03-05 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL EASTERN DISPENSARY.

The committee of the Eastern Dispensary have satisfaction
in informing the friends of this institution, and the public
generally, that they have taken the house No. 17, Islington,
corner of Christian-street, which they propose opening for
the relief of the sick poor inhabiting the district comprised
within the following boundaries, viz., from Everton, Ros-
common-street, Great Homer-street, Great Nelson-street
North, Scotland-road, Byrom-street, Old Haymarket, St.
John's-lane, Lime-street, Renshaw-street, Leece-street,
Myrtle-street, to Edge-hill.
In undertaking the management of a third dispensary, the
committee are fully aware that they have, and will have,
great difficulties to overcome, arising from many causes over
which they have no control • but satisfied in their own minds
that they are instituting a Charity greatiy needed in this dis-
trict of the town, they are prepared, willingly and cheerfully,
to continue the labour imposed upon them, trusting, in the
end, not only to have accorded to them the approval and sup-
port of the public, but also the approval of their own consci-
ences. Of the difficulties which the committee have had al-
ready to encounter, not the least has been the report which
has prevailed that this charity has originated in party or po-
litical spirit, to which may be added, also, sectarian spirit.
To this the committee would simply say, that if the public of
this large and increasing town would consider for a moment
the nature and objects...of dispensaries, embracing, as they do,
classes of all political creeds, persons of all religious persua-
sions, and objects removed from party spirit of every kind,
and having in view solely medical relief to the destitute of all
persuasions, the committee will at once be acquitted of this
most absurd charge.
It has also been told to them that the Eastern Dispensary
has been hastily established for the purpose of opposing the
already existing dispensaries, and that the funds of these
charities will suffer materially from a third institution. In
answer to the first of these assertions, the committee at once
unequivocally and decidedly disclaim all such opposition, be-
lieving most sincerely that the North and South Dispensa-
ries are as effective in their operations as they can be, con-
sidering the enormous extent of district comprised within
their boundaries ; hut, in admitting the well-working of these
charities, and in giving the committee and officers all the
meed of praise due to them for their willingness and alacrity
in perfbrming their respective duties, it cannot be denied that
two dispensaries are quite inadequate to the wants of the sick
poor of the town.
This has been known to many of the inhabitants of the
eastern district of the town, who take a real interest in the
well being of the poor, for some time past, and more than two
years have now elapsed since the want of a third dispensary
was first mooted. With regard to the fear which has been
expressed that this institution will materially affect the funds
of the present dispensaries, the committee are firmly of
opinion that sufficient support will be meeded to all. It is
well known that the charitable institutions of Liverpool have
never yet been impeded in their work of good from the want
of support, and in the case of dispensaries, it is fair to sup-
pose that an increased number of subscribers will be found
ready and willing to aid such institutions, when they find the
objects coming under the jurisdiction of each separate dis-
pensary are resident in their own immediate neighbourhood.
The local interest the charitable have in the welfare and well-
doing of their poor neighbours will effect this desirable end.
In appearing, then, to the public, and in particular to the
residents of the eastern parts of the town, for assistance, the
committee feel confident that such will be cheerfully granted
them and having disclaimed earnestly and sincerely all wish
or intention of opposing other charities of a similar nature,
and begging it to be distinctly understood that their motive
in establishing a third dispensary has its origin solely in the
conviction that such is wanted, they would wish to offer a
few remarks on the plans which they have laid out for the
proper performance of the work entrusted to their manage-
ment. It has already been stated that the sphere of their
operations will be confined to a limited district—the one
planned out they believe will be sufficiently large for the
execution of the duties incumbent upon the medical officers.
It is intended that these shall, with the exception of one
house surgeon, be entirely honorary officers : that they shall
visit at their own houses, as well as at the dispensary, all
patients coming within the province of the institution ; thus
giving to the poor the desirable satisfaction that their wants
in sickness are attended to by gentlemen in whom their snore
wealthy brethren have the same confidence. It is hoped
that this plan will tend to remove the strong prejudice inhe-
rent in the minds of many of the poor against dispensaries,
rather suffering, and allowing their children and families to
suffer many days under illnesses of a serious kind, which
many are in the habit of doing, than applying at once for
relief; and what is more, it is hoped that many infections
and contagious diseases will be stayed in their progress by
the knowledge of this class of medical officers, and the
facility they will have of actually acquiring certain knowledge
of the wants and conditions of the poor, consequent upon
their limited district. The duties of the house-surgeon will
be confined to the general management of the house, surgery,
and the being always expected to be on the premises in case
of accident or sudden sickness, which cases he will promptly
visit, and report immediately to the honorary surgeon of the
district. It is also evident to the committee, that, indepen-
dent of the advantage they will derive from the medical ser-
vices of honorary officers, great moral good will be effected.
It is well known that the clergy, visitors for the District Pro-
vident Society, and others who are in the praiseworthy habit
of visiting the poor in their respective districts, are, much
thwarted in their wishes to relieve the sufferings and ne-
cessities of their sick brethren by not knowing the medical
attendants ; consequently their benevolent intentions with
regard to such are often rendered nugatory by their ignorance
whether such condiments as they would feel disposed to send
them are desirable or not. This will be obviated on the plan
the committee have adopted, as it is believed the medical
officers will always act in conjunction with those benevolent
persons, and thus the committee will have the great satisfac-
tion of knowing that the spiritual, medical, and bodily com-
forts of the poor in their district will be, as far as practica-
ble, attended to.
These and many other advantages the committee believe
will be afforded from the establishment of this dispensary ;
and, in concluding their address, they would, on their own
behalf, beg to state that no zeal, assiduity, or attention shall
be wanting to carry these designs into effective operation.
It will be their study and wish to elect officers deserving of
public confidence—they will by strict attention superintend
and watch over the general interests of the institution, and
in every way within their power attend to the suggestions
and wishes of the subscribers. They have only the welfare
of their sick brethren at heart, and trust confidently to others
to assist them in promoting the welfare of this dispensary.
Published by order of the Committee,
G. R. WOODWARD, Hon. Sec.

A fine new ship, of 300 tons, purchased by Messrs. Ferris,
Butler, and Co., of Liverpool, and named the "Ferris," was
launched from Messrs. Hilhouse and Co's yard on Thursday
morning.—Bristol Mirror.
THE TRANSATLANTIC STEAM-SHIPS.—The Great West-
ern, which left Bristol on the 28th Jan., would, no doubt,
reach New York about the middle of February. She would
leave on her return passage, on the 23d of the Month. She
may, therefore, be expected to reach Bristol early in the next
week. The steam-ship Liverpool, which left the Mersey nine
days after the Great Western left the Avon, would reach New
York about the 25th ult., and may be expected back about
the beginning of next month.
THEATRE ROYAL. MANCHESTER.—Mr. Clarke, the res-
pected manager of the the Theatre-royal, took his benefit on
Monday last, at the Manchester Theatre. The house was
crowded in every part. The receipts yielded a greater sum
than any house since 1821: they amounted to £253. Mr.
Power, who commenced an engagement on that night, has
been playing during the week. The Liverpool Theatre opens
—we understand—on Monday, the Ist of April.

SMUGGLED BRANDY.—On Friday, Isabella Brew WAS
convicted in the mitigated penalty of £25, for having in her
house between five and six pints of French brandy. She
said she had it given her by her Lather from his sea stock.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT, AT CABBAGE-HALL.-011 Mon-
last an accident of a very frightful nature occurred to a girl,
seven years of age, named Hayes, at a quarry, near Cabbage-
hall belonging to Christopher Itawdon, Esp. It appears, tbat
she had been amusing herself by running upon a piece of
square timber, which reached close to the edge of the stone
quarry, and having lost her footing, was precipitated into the
abyss below. On examination, it was found, that her head
was literally bruised to a jelly, and a portion of her brain pro-
truded from a large opening immediately above the right ear;
but notwithstanding the apparent hopelessness of the case,
the little sufferer is still living at this date.
THE MARQUIS OF WATERFORD.—Some of our readers
may have seen the farce of the Irish Lion, recently presented
at the Liver Theatre. The Irish poet, at a little watering-
place, could not have been a greater lion than the Marquis
of Waterford has been at the port of Liverpool. He has
been, in truth, the " Irish Lion" of the week ; yet, though
it was rumoured, that he was prowling about, we cannot hear
that any one has seen him. He has either kept himself in-
visible or has curbed his ferocity, and chosen to behave, while
amongst us, with as much tameness as if he had been sub-
jected to the pacificatory powers of Van Amburg. Hence,
under this lamb-like demeanour, the lion has not been recog-
nised. Many have been the inquiries after him, people of all
classes having evinced, at least, as much curiosity to see him
as to witness the steeple-chase. The ladies, filled with ad-
miration of his daring exploits in the disturbance of peace-
ful villages, have been every where on the look out, to catch
a glimpse of the hero of a hundred street rows. " None
but the brave deserve the fair," and the fair have a disposition
to reward with their smiles all who have won fame, whether
in tented field or street brawl. But it is not merely the fair
and meek-eyed daughters of England that have been warmed
, .
into admiration by the illustrious margins , we have heard
merchants, and manufacturers, and tradesmen, and chimney-
sweeps eagerly inquiring for the distinguished nobleman who
sheds so much lustre over his order. The police-officers,
notwithstanding their natural antipathy to disorderly cha-
racters, have exhibited great curiosity to see one who hag
made himself so famous for his valiant attacks on the guar-
dians of the peace. Brawls have, of course, disturbed our
streets during the races, and the officers, on the qui wive for
a sight of their arch enemy, have looked with suspicious re-
verence on every well-dressed individual who seemed to be
behaving sufficiently like a blackguard to be mistaken for a
marquis. If the individuals were as " drunk as a lord" why
the resemblance was more decided ; and the officers, fearful
of cracking a right honourable skull, or uncorking the noble
claret of a long ancestral line, have held their sticks sus-
pended in the air, but forborne to strike. The doors of the
Waterloo, where it was presumed the marquis was lodged,
were besieged by multitudes of Irish labourers and beggars,
armed with letters, petitions, and recommendations, all the
bearers claiming kith and kin with his lordship, because they
came from Waterford !-4Th ion.

_ 4\i„
. •
' ": •
MEETING TO FORWARD THE (API,
EDUCATION PETITION OF THE A ;i/
PROTESTANTS TO THE COMMON CO .

A meeting for the above purpose was held last night at the
large room of the York Hotel, in pursuance of public adver-
tisement, in which persons friendly to Scriptural Education
were invited to attend, and it was announced that the Rev.
Hugh M`Neile would occupy the chair. The attendance was
very numerous, including many of the first respectability,
and the arrangements made to prevent confusion in the
signing of the petition were highly creditable to the parties
upon whom they devolved.
The arrival of the Chairman in the room was hailed by
the most marked approbation ; and this was repeated when
he took his place on the platform. He opened the business
of the evening in a brief but most appropriate and solemn
prayer, having peculiar reference to the Scriptural education
of the children of the poor.
The REY. CHAIRMAN then said, that the only object of
the present meeting was to give to as large a portion of the
community as possible an opportunity of signing a petition
addreised to 'the Town Council of this borough, on the
subject of the Scriptural education of the children of
the operative Protestants at the sckools of that body. The
petition had already been signed a considerable num-
ber of the working classes, and he trusted that it would
that night receive the signatures of many more. Those
who had already signed it were parties who pursued humble
avocations, and entertained religious feelings and opinions,
which rendered it necessary that they should send their chil-
dren to schools where they could be enabled to read, and to
hear read the Holy Scriptures every day. He hoped the
Common Council would treat the petition with that kindly
consideration to which it was justly intitled ; and he was,
therefore, the more desirous that as many as possible should
sign it. To forward this purpose, he had been called to the
chair at this meeting, and he was truly glad that no previous
engagement had precluded his attendance. (Cheers.) He was
proud, indeed, to take his station amongst the operatives of
the town on such an occasion, as he had himself long
been "an operative in the same cause." (Loud cheers.)
Without further preface he should call upon an individual
present, Mr. Robert M`Lean, to read the petition, who had
withdrawn his children from the schools, and had them now
placed at a Protestant school connected with the Established
Church. (Cheers.)
Mr. M'LEAN, an operative, then stepped forward and
read the petition—(which, as it appeared in our paper of the
26th ult., and was at the meeting quoted in clauses by the
Rev. Chairman in his subsequent address, we do riot here
repeat.) Mr. kl`Lean said, that as a poor man, who had to
work hard for has bread, and had a family : he was highly
favourable to the petition. He had three children, and he
would sooner keep them at home, and endeavour to teach
them himself, by taking off a part of his time of rest for that
purpose than send them to a school where they would not have
the benefit of Scriptural education. He had sent them to
St. Luke's, where they were making great advancement. The
yonngest was two years of age and the oldest seven, and he
was glad to say that the latter had already obtained several
prizes. (Hear.) He hoped all who heard him and had
families, would follow his example, by teaching their children
at as early an age as possible the Word of God. As he valued
the truth himself, and believed that he knew it, so he hoped
all would assist in this good cause. The Word of God was
truth, and they who denied it uttered what was false. He
moved that the petition be adopted and signed.
The motion was seconded by Mr. CHARLES HENTON,
and, being put from the chair, was declared to be unanimously
carried.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN then said that so far as signing of
the petition was concerned, it might be said that the business
of the meeting was almost finished, and that all that had to
be done was to affix to it their names. But he thought, a
few observations upon it might be acceptable, to show the
propriety of the sentiments it contained. The rev. gentle-
man then proceeded to comment upon the petition at consi-
derable length. They began by addressing the municipal
body in a respectful manner ; for they ought properly to
respect those who constitute their local government, They
next said, they felt anxious beyond their powers of expres-
sion, upon the subject of the education of their children ;
and he trusted they really all had that honest and sincere de-
sire for their Scriptural education. To be anxious in this point
was the first step towards success. They said, secondly,
that they were unable to send their children to expensive
schools, and had, therefore, gratefully availed themselves of
the Corporation schools, and others, where they were not
required to make large payments. And he would say, it was
a gratifying characteristic of a Christian country, that means
were provided by the wealthy to furnish education for the
children of the poor classes. But that ought to be a proper
education. They had all heard how feelingly the first speaker
had said, on this subject, what sacrifices he would make
rather than his children should not have a Scriptural educa-
tion. They then proceeded to say, that three years ago they
were compelled to withdraw their children from the Corpo-
ration school, in consequence of the new system introduced.
And he would remark, that it would be inconsistent in any fa-
ther to sign the petition who had not withdrawn his children,
or'who had not a conscious conviction that the system pur-
sued was wrong. The late plan was to enlarge the whole'of
the schools, upon the system adopted, indeed, in Ire-
land, which excluded conscientious protestants from
availing themselves of them. The council said, indeed, that
those who liked the bible might have it ; but they provided
nothing but the Irish extracts in place of the unmutilated
Word of God. They (the meeting) could not submit to this
dissecting board, at which the scriptures were cut up; a sys-
tem which, in fact, promulgated falsehood for truth. Tiler
did not require the Catholics to he taught in their (Protestant)
way ; and why should it be asked of them to be taught as
Catholics ? The next clause of the petition was peculiarly
modest. It stated that they did not presume to argue tde
great question involved in change of system. But he hoped
they would not hinder him from arguing it. (Cheers.) They
added that they could not leave their children in schools from
the regular business of which the reading and explaining of
the Bible were excluded. Many anonymous letters had been
written on this subject, and much wit had been expended in
them ; but the whole amounted to this, that if there were 90
Catholic children and 10 Protestants, the 90 would follow
their own way, and the 10 could only read the Scriptures one
short hour in that day. A little alteration had indeed been
made in the plan, but not such as to justify them in sending
back their children. They next said that at that time they
found refuge in the new Church of England schools,
but that these were now filled to excess, and that
they had heard the council was about to build addi-
tional schools, from the benefits of which they would be ex-
, eluded. He had heard that the plan was to build sixteen
new schools, one in each ward ; and they were making
inquiry into the state of education in the town with a view
to keep on the old system. Then came the prayer of the
petition, to the effect that in building the additional schools'
should be scriptural schools, these already built being suffi-
cient as non-scriptural schools. On the fairness of this
request, as a matter of justice and impartiality, the reverend
gentleman argued at some length. He then quoted the
following passage from a pamphlet entitled " A Defence of.
the System adopted in the Corporation Schools, by Thomas
Blackburn," one of the Common Council, to the following'
effect :

" We are of course reasoning now in relation to schools
supported by publiC charity. The legal right of individuals
and associated bodies to institute schools on such plans as
they approve, and to invite attendance on them to not dis-
pute. The case, however, is widely different with Govern-
ments, whether general or local. They have no right to em-
ploy funds in which all are interested for the benefit of a
part."
The principle they contend for was precisely that set forth
in this extract. The Council might say this request was un-
reasonable. Why did they not tell the Catholics so? They,
however, held the objections of the Catholics to be conscien-
tious ; but tbose of the Protestants they had denounced as
factious. The scruples of the former were respected ; those
of the latter contemned. He hoped, however, this petition
would be met in a proper and fair spirit. This petition would
nail them to the resolution to obtain scriptural education,
and the country would hammer them to it. (Cheers.) The
Council must be taught that the Protestants should enjoy
their fair proportion of the fund for education. The rev.
gentleman, in furtherance of his argument, read the follow-
extract from a letter written by himself on the subject
some time ago :

" Suppose the ministers did not choose or had not time to
attend, what have you done as patrons to secure religious
instruction in the schools ? Suppose such regulations
adopted as to exclude some ministers :.suppose the whole
Bible read, which would exclude the Roman Catholic priests,
then what have you done to secure religious instruction for
the Roman Catholic children ? Or, suppose the Bible not
read, which would exclude true Christian ministers, then
what have you done to secure religious instruction for the
Protestant children? If you say it is uncharitable and un-
christian in Protestant ministers to allow the absence of the
whole Bible during school hours to keep them away : we re-
ply, it is, at least, equally uncharitable and unchristian in
Roman Catholic ministers to allow the presence of the whole
Bible during school hours to keep them away. If you say
the Roman Catholics have a conscience in this matter : we
reply, so have we. If you say, you were bound to change
the original arrangement of the schools for their sakes: we
reply, you are equally bound to change the present arrange-
ment for our sakes. The schools are now as exclusively Ro-
man Catholic as they were exclusively Protestant. Your
avowed object was to have schools which should not be C3t-
elusive, but it is an object absolutely unattainable. if-you
pay attention to the conscientious scruples of Roman Catho-
lics against whole Bible reading, and refuse to pay similar
attention to the conscientious scruples of Protestants against
the want of whole Bible reading: then you not only cease to
give that high preference to the Word of God to which it is
entitled from every man ; but, also, even upon your own
principles, you confessedly cease to be impartial representa-
tives of the population of the town,—impartial guardians of
the public purse."
He would recommend that the petition should be signed and
sent to the Council to-morrow (this day), as there was a
meeting of that body on the following day. They had not,
he believed, expressed anything disrespectful to the Council,
and if he had, in what he had uttered they would surely not
visit it upon their heads. The Council owed a respectful con-
sideration of a petition so calmly and constitutionally' ex-
pressed by so large and valuable a portion of the popuia.
tion. He concluded an able address and appeal to his
auditory, by expressing a hope that the Council would
enable him—as the petition would be presented through
him as their chairman—to convey to them in a few days,
a favourable reply. In that case they will have achieved
a glorious advantage for themselves and their children.
Should it unhappily be otherwise, he should present it to
them without comment, and they, he trusted, would receive
it with that meekness with which it became them to meet any
calamity that might befal them. (Loud cheers.)
At the request of the Chairman the meeting Was closed
with the doxology.
A great number of signatures were afterwards obtained to
the petition, and the meeting separated.

ALARMING AND DESTRUCTIVE FlRE.—Last night, abont
twenty minutes before ten, a fire broke out in the premises
occupied by Mr. Kneeshaw, flour-dealer, Blundell-edurt,
Fenwick-street, and which from the confined situation of
the buildings, being up a narrow court, and surrounded
by lofty buildings on all sides, caused very considerable
alarm for some time lest the conflagration might become
fearfully extensive. Happily, however, such were the im-
mediate exertions of the police and firemen, headed by Mr.
Whitty, this apprehension was not realised, and the de-
structioniscomparatively limited. The " West of England" '
and the " Liverpool" were first on the ground, followed by No.
1. Some water was at first obtained by carts, and a short time
elapsed before a supply could be obtained from the mains.
When the pipes however were laid, the quantity was abun-
dant, and the firemen plied with great effect, About a quarter
after ten the whble of the warehouse, which is four stories high,
was in a blaze, and the appearance from the court was terrific.
The three engines were, however, effectually played; and
though several indications of resuscitation occurred, it was
finally subdued as far as any danger to other buildings was
conceived by 11 o'clock. The property belongs to Mr. Jo-
seph Thompson, and the whole interior of the premises was
consumed with the contents. The stock consisted of flour,
oatmeal, and ship-bread, and it is remarable that at several
periods portions of these appeared to explode and fly off in
showers of sparks resembling fireworks.
SPANISH ETIQUiTTE.—The etiquette of the Spanish court
was the most severe in Europe. One of their kings even fell
a victim to it. Philip 111., being newly recovered from a
dangerous malady, was sitting near a chimney in which was
so large a fire of wood that he was almost stifled, Etiquette
did not permit him to rise nor a common domestic to enter.
At length the Marquis de Pobar,. chamberlain, came ill, but
etiquette forbade his interference, and the Duke of Usseda,
master of the household was sent for. He was gone out ;
and the flame increased, while the king bore it patiently,
rather than violate his dignity. But his blood was so heated'
that next morning an erysipelas of the head appeared, and a
relapse of the fever soon carried him off.