The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-06 00:00:00

THE RECENT CASE OF FORGERY.

YESTERDA.Y, Mr. James Riley and Mr. J. S. Riley, were
brought before Mr. Mansfield, the Stipendiary Magistrate,
on a charge of having been accessory to the escape of
William M'Curtin, of the firm of Messrs. M'Curtin and
Riley, who stands charged with having forged and uttered
a bill or bills of exchange. Mr. Aspinall appeared for the
defence.

Mr. Clough, in stating the charge, said he laboured
under considerable disadvantage, as the solicitor for the
bank was not present, on whom dependance had been
placed, to some extent, for bringing the case forward.
The charge against the younger of the two rested on the
allegation, which he hoped he should be able to prove, that

ne had assisted in aiding the escape of Mr. M'Curtin, who
had passed a bill for £l,BlO, purporting to be accepted by
Sir David Roche, of Cork, and which had been returned,
with a letter stating his signature to be a forgery.
Mr. Aspinall wished it to be specifically stated what was
the charge against his clients, and by whom it was pre-
ferred, as he had reason to believe the bank repudiated it.
He apprehended the case was based on some of the illegal
proceedings of the Liverpool police, and his clients had
reason to complain of the course taken, as besides being
innccent of the charge laid against them, they were severe
pecuniary sufferers by the malpractices of the party they
were represented as aiding.
Sullivan, detective officer, said he was instructed, on the
17th of November, by Mr. Clough to make inquiries
relative to a forged bill for £1,840. issued by M'Curtin,
and, in pursuance of those instructions, he apprehended
the Messrs. Riley. It was on a charge of having aided
and abetted MCurtin to escape.
Mr. Aspinall here expressed a desire to see the charge-
book, as he was inclined to believe the charge was not so
entered.

Sullivan continued ; on the 20th of November, he went
to the offices of M'Curtin and Riley, and also to the house,
No. 80, Grove-street, in search of Mr. William M'Curtin,
'but was not able to find him. On the 22d, he went with
another officer to the house, were he saw the elder Mr.
Riley, and, having told him he was an officer of police,
took him into custody, telling him—
Mr. Clough here interposed, and said he had that in-
stant been informed by the lady, (Mrs, Macdonald) on
whose information the case had proceeded, that she had
mistaken Mr. Riley, junr., for Mr. M'Curtin, and he now
begged to withdraw the charge, as it had evidently pro-
ceeded on a misapprehension.
Mr. Aspinall, on the part of his clients, suggested the
necessity of some further inquiry, as on the part of the
Messrs. Riley he must say he did not believe the state-
ment. The police, he had reason to understand, had been
repudiated in their proceedings by all the parties most
interested in the case. Here was one of the superior
officers of the Liverpool police force authorising a course
of proceeding which was now abandoned as untenable.
The magistrate remarked, as the party bringing the
accusation had admitted it had proceeded on a mistaken
notion of identity, Messrs. Riley must be discharged, and
he thought without any prejudice to their respectability.
If under the advice of Mr. Aspinall, or any other party,
they chose to make a formal demand for him as a magis-
trate to inquire into the case, of course he should do it;
but, as there were other means open to them for procuring
redress, he thought it would be better they should not call
upon him.

Mr. Aspinall then said he had no wish to press any
complaint against Mr. Clough, whose proceedings he
believed to have been instigated by a desire to discharge
his public duty,
The case then dropped.

POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

•••••
night;TlLE
iTrual periodical meeting of this society was held last
IN a recent number of the Liverpool Standard, weHorner,
meetn president of the society, occupying the
took occasion, whilet glancing at the impolicy and wicked- chair. The. was numerously attendved.ad
terest of the varinuf discussions was animated. The business
edness edness of strikes,
:o show that the war waged against was commenced by
Mr. Scorr. who exhibited an ingeniousaa model of an im-
capital and capitalists was directed by a mischievous and isacrroev:,..ment in the mode of fixing regulating the fins of
unnatural spirit, in so far, at least, as that the race of ca
of
annaygve,cosfsebfinwghrecadily regulalleXnlCs.
possessed
elearta ;The propeller recommended Scotttc
pitalists had sprung from the industrious sons of toil. - to the working. peculiarity pitch
itsh
farther endeavoured to show that the exercise of We
igriaanggietmoeantti;eitaosar/c0 resistance i'nhjetrtl
also showendgio'fieheontaaand;mar
working
ilI.:col?' ot II
iaan dot;s durability., -
directed industry,combined with prudent self-tchontwroellul- proved principle as regards
and intelligence,is the way, and, we may add,
meA,lrrsMar.mSocott had concluded' tair,Ton sr Ns sevral
way, to convert labourers bowers into capitalists. Since then, we n the gAwlhßommtNwere Mr. Aldermaenr`l3
..,AWSON: ,aa(lthers, asked questions, andr
learn, with much regret, that the war, the unholy war of made remarks generally
Mr. Scott. approving of the plans suggested by
the employed against the employing classes, so far from Alr. SCOTT replied to the various questions, and satisfact
having yielded to the cruel lessons of self-inflicted misery, rily explained the allies which had been started. a-
mple CHAIRMAN then,
.n the name of the Society, thank
still continues, and, by. means of delusive names and shift- . Scott for the interesting suggestions he had brought uend-
tablished
ing devices, stretches its impoverishing influence over the der notice.
SiIIBALD then introduced to then Society an invention,
deluded victims of its false and destructive theories. The
bl7Dta,‘",:cheicaha:i means of communicatio
pvreea
ssvesanel however,s
movement has now,itsee assumed the mock-dignity notilieldervaetssseels and the shore, or between
Passing ea c 7
of what is to be termed amsLbour Parliament, which is Itlieleaslaluindeed to a previousa.inviennbtroinngpublic for
not, it is said, to interfere in any way with the action and h e admitted
complicated
or
functions of the present trades' unions and working men's cases of shipwreck The
combinations, but is to content itself with organizingpresentablei.'
byits simplicity, proposalniity, we:on one
which recommendedof emerec
compressible, geaxel!
lapobvoreurr initiooduss'uch a confederation as shall centralize the iflilierowsere, with a coir otifl3lloof•anat
3htiTwian into the water, would cwahrriiiell
lineia h
thei
yg
intelligence of the working masses, action ofrtohme windtle il the shom uncoiling
so directa hstrength as to turn them in aviaolnuider
such
scrna progressive revolutions.r
a gale pwpaaaraitlswcionugld only be useful ienx
bi
liena l
othersl
oloatndo
Vinipnwedreckhas twllienZ
of the labotureiinrg many against the emploYing few.
futility of such combinations has been practically thus rendered unavliitanbrie other;
aad :Leandsthvofulnicedohmamdn
demonstrated again and again : and if argument uncoil cgei in
line, litehtthwouind, which beingt testedsufficienta c a
its no
or the exampleth taught by experience could avail ' re,siofriet would work undef
any degree,thate working man must long ere this haten'glee satcati;olinthoefda
gentlemenoperatein a strongt one. itiagga weitnicdalirwould
Severaltmootrhtearrelaantqejl'etficiency
discovered such combinations have invariably
fren. omfotahoiss
ofi compared vfi%`iiiieesten,stre rocket
thralled and degraded him—have robbed him of theA
ecommunication.ap
explained that all of those meth
Dr. Slim were
dom of indivival udgment and action—and have ledee" d
him into a line of conductj by which he has '
gentlemen not
teective. in so far as they propelled their projeecxtvirleoesduasegdamhsist
earned only the wind, whereas by his process the gale itself was made to
r observationso pr iate
by
bitter disappointment and increased privation. ' The in- assist‘tr int theaogriaatioT
disapprobation. :if claeroegwaify
approval of auguration of this new parliament, it seems, took place
lately in Manchester, and on a Sunday ! The chiefacquainted with such subjects, as h •
dency practically
to
PA damage
nN Es
to
Luseexfpurleasaselvrtion in public esteem.
a ten••
gclirntceahraadi.., he said, often
directors of the movement were those birds of ill omen to Captain
be very valuable the working-man, Messrs. JAMES Wri,LrAms and ERNEST scheme, asoone likerhlyaborbdecrusseuiuclb.
with an uncoil-
an empty cask,tances as those
cJiopNallEys.The arguments of this worthy couple were prin- mrepdlattedhry
ieonociutl contemplated
se i
b a attached
id,shteociotn,lsli%d•oaeua
in,,::,
...___ _ . e ; but this pfr
confined to the enunciation of a principle declaring of "r
• - _ forward
l, be readily
e t
madewhich,hes

er irOari
Capt. BALLANaTslNaßmtemXplr,eerSaoefd"chilslePne
- -
the working-men entitled to a share of profits. The the views stated by Capt. Parnell. 'acquiescence in
Mr. RowETT,
fallacy of such an argument is at once evident, when we be happy to lend his aid in having the Pilot Committee, would
Dr. Sibbald's apparatus
consider that profits consist of the residue after paying fairly tested in the pilot service.•

,unveyed to Dr. Sibbald the thanks
the very valuable communication he had
and in doing so offered his congratulations to
on the great probability of his invention proving

now of tilos,

Ms. H

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, SACKVILL
STREET, EVERTOIV:

TEE interior decorations of this very handsome churck,
of which the Rev. S. B. Sutton is incumbent, have received
an important and'elegant addition by the fitting-up of the
beautiful chancel window with stained glass. The window
is about twenty-fire feet in height, by twelve feet in width,
and is divided into five bays or lights, united at the top by
tracery of a unique. and graceful character. The centre
light is filled in with a figure of St. Peter, the four evange—
lists occupying two of the lights at each side. • The figures
are appropriately draped, and the emblematic devices;
allotted to each of them is felicitously introduced at the
bottoin of the lights. The tracery is filled in with. the
conventional symbols of the Holy Trinity, and with angels,;
seraphim and cherubim. The general tone and balance o
colour can hardly be surpassed, the transparent depth of.
the blues and rubies, and the richly harmonious colouring-
of the draperies, will sustain comparison with the best
specimens of ancient art.

- The congregation. are entitled to high commendation.
for their spirited liberality, in so artistically decorating'
this substantial and noble specimen of church architecture-
, The architects, the Messrs. Hay, have also, eve understand;
contributed liberally towards the cost of this window; ani
the active and indefatigable conduct and aid of Mr. Sutton,
the respected incumbent, in accomplishing the undertak—
ing are beyond all praise. The artist, Mr. John Cairne3-,
of Glasgow, who has, executed the work, will add greatly
to his reputation, when it is compared with other windows
of a similar description.
A reredos, intended for reception of the Decalogue, the-
Belief, and the Lord's Prayer, has been fixed up to the.
eastern wall of the church. These inscriptions are in.
gold letters, in the Old English character, on a vermillica. t_
ground, upon polished plate glass, and promise to be not•
only an effective decoration, but the plan offers a very'
superior means of ensuring their permanent preservation-
This is a novel and valuable application of plate glass
suggested by the Messrs. Hay. We are sorry to learn
that two of those beautiful plates have been completely
destroyed in the course of their transit from Glasgow,.
which will occasion some delay in having the design fully
carried out.

LIVERPOOL COUNTY
YESTERDAY

COURT---••••

Before JOSEPH POLLOCK, Esq., Judge.)

TILE first December Court opened yesterday, before
Joseph Pollock, Esq., the judge, but the proceedings were.
totally devoid of interest.

FElun StrmsfoNSES.LOrders for committal for thirty
days to Lancaster Castle were granted against the follow-
ing parties :—John William Hopkins, for a debt of 14s. B*.L.
due to W. Simpson, of Manchester ; Edward Thomas, 15,
Westmoreland-place, Scotland-road, for a debt of 17s. 6d-
due to Alexander Sloan, of No. 71, Islington, draper;
Wm. Owen, 19, Llewellyn-street, for a debt of £6.148. S(L
due to Messrs. Dickins (the warrant not to issue for a
month) ; John Cookson, police-officer, at the suit of
Alexander Stuart, 85, draper, Islington, for £l. lls. 3d.
Timothy Hughes, coal-heaver, at the Coburg Dock;
for a debt of £1 ss. 3d. due to William Morgan,
1, Providence-street, Toxteth-park, rigger; Robert Jame-
son, blacksmith, Hornby-street, for 19s. due to Thomas
Witherington, 73, Limekiln-lane, grocer ; Samuel Morri4
shipwright, of 26, Ray-street, for £1 15s. sd. due to Henry
Quayle, Prussia-street, spirit-dealer, (warrant, not to issue
for a fortnight) : Richard Newby, 6, Morris's Cottages, Obi
Mill-road, Everton, watch-finisher, for I'2 4s. 6d. due to
Thomas Cain, tailor, of 77, Sir Thomas's-buildings ; Wm:
Harrison, book-keeper at the London and North Western.
Railway Company's station, Great Howard-street, for
£3 13s. sd. due to James Henry Pye, of 27, Saint Anne-
street, estate agent; George Sudlow, clerk, 15, Argyle-
street, for £1 ls. 6d. due Joseph Watson, of 127, White
chapel, hatter, (warrant not to issue before the 12th of
January.)

INSOLVENCY CASES.—The case of Isabella Wallace,
•
who should have come up for her final order, was adjourned.
till the next court.--Lawrence Holden came up on his ad-
journed examination. This, it may be remembered, was
a case in which it transpired, at the hearing, a fortnight,
ago, that Mr. Fazakerty, the late trade assignee, after the
dismissal of insolvent's petition, had obtained an order for
him to draw, on his own private account, the proceeds of au .
action, to be brought against one of the insolvents
debtors, and in which he had actually so received E 46
Mr. Aspinalt, barrister, appeared on Mr. Fazakerley's
behalf, and argued,. in opposition to the severe remarks
made by his Honour at the former hearing, that he
was justified in the course which he had adop-
ted. The insolvent was then himself examine,
when the judge expressed conviction from his evidence
that there• had been no corrupt arrangement made at the
time that Mr. Fazakerley was assignee ; but he expressed-
a strong opinion that there had been an error of judgment
on the part both of Mr. Fazakerley and of Mi. Toulmin, his
attorney, in making use of a process of the court for
compel the insolvent to give evidence in the action, which
it appeared had been brought, not for the good' of the
estate, but Mr. Fazakerley's own private benefit. After
this decision, Mr. Fazakerley stated that the money
which he had received should be at the disposal of the
court, but his Honour refused to make any suggestion
as to its application. As to the insolvent, who in-
his schedule had made Mr. Fazarkerley his debtor hi the
amount of £62105., he thought that a palpable fraud upon.
the court. His petition, therefore, was not a honest and
bona fide representation of his affairs, and he shoukt.
direct accordingly that it be dismissed.—John Turner
came upon his adjourned examination. Final order
granted.—Denis O'Sullivan, flour dealer, &c., appeared is
an adjourned audit, opposed on behalf of Messrs. Roberts
and Co., Royal Bank-buildings, and the case was still
further adjourned to the next court,-Robert Douglas ap-
peared on his first examination. Final order fixed for the
first January court.—Thomas Elliot, passage broker-
Petition dismissed.—Thomas M`Donald. Final order fixed
for the first January court.—Thomas H. Potter. Ad-
journed till the next court. —John Wagstaffe. Final order-
fixed for the second January court.—William Anderson..
Adjourned till the next court.
The court rose at half-past three o'clock.

THE HON. G. S. STAFFORD JERNINGLIA3I, now se-
cretary to the embassy at Paris, is appointed Her Majesty's;
Minister at Stockholm, in place of Sir Edmund Lyons
Bart., G.C.8., whojtas resigned, on his appointment to the
Second Command of the Mediterranean Squadron.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.-There were the unprecedented-
number of ten inquests held yesterday, before the coroner,
five. of them being children, whom their mothers had
negligently " overlain."-The first was on Peter Hum-
phries, a baker, in the employ of Mr. Ayes, steam-bread
manufactory, Strand-street. On the 21st of October,
whilst working some dough, deceased got his hand entan-
gled with the machine, by which it was severely lace-
rated. Lock jaw ultimately set in, and he died in the.
Southern Hospital.- On Margaret Jones, of Hornby-
street, who three weeks ago was severely scalded.-Onr
Peter Guy, residing with his daughter in Highfield-
street. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, and very deaf,
was taken by a little ,child to- a barber's shop in
Tithebarn-street. On leaving there, he had wandered Ink
Great Crosshall-street, where he was run :over. by a, car
and died from the injuries received last Thursday.-On
Thomas Parker, a fireman belonging to the steam-shirr
Africa. Whilst cleaning the machinery, as the vessel lay-
in the river outward bound, about three weeks ago, de-
ceased fell from the engine to the " bed," a height of about
twenty feet, receiving severe contusions of the head, of.
which he died on Saturday last.-The children overlain.
were George Tregelgas, whose parents reside in Frederick-
street ; Sarah Ann Green, the illegitimate daughter o 1
Ann Green, residing at 16, Preston-street ; Margaret
Battle, Fontenoy-street ; Isabella Higgins, Midgehal/-
street ; and James Woodward, whose parents reside in at.
cellar in St. James's-place.-An infant named Jane Lloyd,.
whose parents reside in No. 1 Court, Edmund-street, west.:
also found dead on its mother's breast.
PLUNDERING ON BOARD SHIP.-Joseph Weir and John!,
Row, the second and third mates of the American shire.
Franklin King, were on Thursday charged with plunder-
ing two seamen on their passage from New York to Liver-
pool. The vessel arrived at the Wellington dock on Mon-
day, and the prisoners were given in custody by the coin-
Plainants. The prisoner Row was charged by two youths,-
one of whom was named William McGowan, with stealing:
a coat and a pair of trousers, and Weir was charged by
another seaman with stealing a pair of boots, which werec
found in the prisoner's berth. It appeared that, immedi-
ately after leaving New York, the prisoners commenced ma
system of plundering and intimidation, and very few of".
the crew escaped their depredations. The three com-
plainants were robbed of nearly all the clothes they pos-
sessed, and during the passage they were afraid of making
any remonstrance. One of the complainants, who stated._
that he had followed the sea for twenty-five years, tent
years of which ha had served in the English navy, met
with an accident the second day after leaving America,,.
and during his confinement to his berth he was plundered
of all he had, except the clothes he wore ; in consequence~
of which he could not change his dress after having beem
exposed to wet. This complainant estimated his loss at
£lO. Upon the ship getting into dock, four of the crew-
lirhmicedh icaotita
ellhy leled,
ft theit
was s
ship, w!itphpofsoedur,
thebags baoondty pde
fotiurnboxretel
trofumttuhree,cotomspailail ninanEt4lisMhr.slhlansips.
In radept thethe youthsma
g
edto
is
trate, the elder complainant stated that his wages were
;518 a month, and said his reason for not sailine, in ars.
English ship was because he had lost his register ticket:.
Mr. Mansfield hoped the circumstance would be a warning-
to him, and said that shortly there would be no difficulty.
about register tickets, for the act rendering them neces-
sary had been very recently abolished. Weir was them
remanded for a week ; and the other prisoner was mu,-
mitted for two months. _ _

A NEW EDUCATIONAL SCHEME. ^ The Manchesten
Guardian, speaking of the recent proceedings at Burn
says :—" His lordship (the bishop) is sanguine enough to
encourage our hopes that 'in a few days another great
step towards this end will be accomplished, by the bring,—
ing forward of a new system, 'which secures to every per:.
son his right of conscience, and to every denomination'
the full integrity of the right of teaching the tenets a
their own persuasion to all who are willing to receive the
same; and which also allows those who are disposed to
frseesearscpuloaltiriis:asbetiliNiottvuyNerv:iiwsslciubllh
Such
schools
ease!
ol
conditions,
nthdo secularisehowever,
llv
es
actuallyt enunciatethem
i on their ownt
fulfilled, would 4
indeed, leave little to be desired ; but we own to grave.
anticipatedletha thntoter
.iticism that will be due to the scheme when formally-
propounded.---Since the above was in type we have learned.
or tw will only serve to whet
e nature of the new or modified
The visit to this city
• of the Derby
atmpttiteo

solve it

/acts which, howeve

the public curiosity as i.,
scheme to be shortly i
of Sir John Pflir;ll,34trn

°uncle(
Colonial Sea

have int

to connexion.—

et, the

Lord_ iiis*Topofulilancliestc

t Rev. the
that he lig

ictive ir.

en present
,fanchesten
t, which is-

said to I

a bill,

parliaanejltvAt'h;;

Sir John Pakington, and r.,*smo .11Prez
Joduced kob-friMiusa
of Commons by
house by the Bishop of Manchester ; the'7lsia:Nliig
each case confided to their care during its Deiilotis'imslagm
illnOngst the rocks and shoals of parliAn, 7;
en vrs progress.

SONG OF

......-.____....-

LIFE

CLOSE, old Companions, round my hearth—
This little harbour of the sea,
That beats around us from our birth—
And let I.:
If strong, we ft

r destiny

And breast the currents, brave the blast;

If weak, we float along the tide,
And, like the strongest, sink at 1

Onward thus, a

Floats our soul throng

life away

As the world whose dust we are

Drifts through

xes of night and

Great nature measured forth the hours

While di

n we lay in breathless trance,

And cast our pre-appointed powers

To shape themselves by circumstance

Yet gives she still, through day and dark,

Some joy to cheer, som

dream to bless

Man's true vocation's in the work

That yields the largest happiness

Gauge well your spirits' strength, and note
The space that suits it prosperously ;

Then launch your war-bark, or your boat,

On shallow stream or soundless sea.

A peaceful heart, in summer's breath

Float toward your rest, with pinions furled;
A daring soul, in love with death.
Storm through the waters of the world.

The spirit of the expanse around

Shapes all conditions to our weal ;

None miss the truths they cannot sound,

_
Or sigh for joys they cannot feel ;
Still moon-bright memory sways the years
That roll from life's declining shore,
_

And sorrow wings to purer spheres
The heart that earth consoles no more,

Come let us make our heaven of earth,
Ely living for bright truth alone;
Old books will crown our simple hearth
With pleasures put er than a throne.

Love, peace, and hope at least are ours,
While yet our bosoms breathe the day ;
And from the grave the guardian powers
Will light our souls, and lead the way.

—University Magazine for December

REVIEWS OF BOOKS.

.731ackwood's 31a.qctzili

Edinburgh

Blackwood

The number for December opens with a well-
written review on the report of the Parliamentary
Commission on the National Gallery. Much
difference of opinion has been expressed as to this
costly collection of pictures, and recommendations
have widely varied; but all appear to agree in con-
demnation not only of the very inefficient accom-
inodation of the present building, which occupies
what has been called the finest site in Europe, but
also of its management. "A Letter from the
Boulevards" gives some interesting particulars of
'what is doing in Paris in politics, in literature, in
'town improvements, theatres, &c. The third part
of " The Narcotics we indulge in" continues the
description of these extraordinary substances, and
their effects upon the human frame, taking for
illustration those that are less known and used
than those previously described. " A few more
words on University Reform" concludes this
subject, which was commenced in a previous
number. The conclusions arrived at by the writer
are—that the re,Pular

uuuege tuition is inetticient—
that the period required for the first degree is too
long—that to obtain admission into a desirable
college requires either private influence or applica-
tion made some years previously, or both—and
'that the cost of a college education is exorbitant.
For these practical remedies are suggested, with
due regard to the especial object of the univer-
sities, which is " the due supply of fit persons ,in
Church and State." " Rapping the Question : a
Tale of Modern Magic," is a humorous story, the
intention of which is obvious by its title. This is
followed by an article on " Real and Ideal Beauty,"
comprising a review of several works on the
subject, two of which are by Mr. D. R. Hay, who
has made some valuable contributions to the study
of the beautiful in " The natural principles of
beauty as developed in the human figure," and
4` The orthographic beauty of the Parthenon." A
new story is commenced under the title of " The
Quiet Heart," of which Part I. is given. The
scene is in Scotland, and the style is evidently that
of the author of " Katie Stewart," a recommenda-
tion which will ensure it many readers. The
magazine concludes with a few more remarks on
Russia and Turkey, with some particulars of their
comparative forces. ---

By Henry

Outlines of Universal History.
White, BA. Edinburgh : Oliver and Bob
The text-books in the various branches of elemen-
tary education which have, from time to time, for
a very long series of years, issued from the press of
Messrs. Oliver and Boyd, of Edinburgh, have
attained a high and well-deserved reputation.
They have been characterised by carefulness of
compilation and practical knowledge of the various
subjects the principles of which it was intended
in their pages to elucidate ; and the cheapness and
beauty with which they have been furnished to the
public have formed frequent and gratifying topics
of remark. In the very useful though necessarily
brief compendium before us, th 4 commendable
points of which we have spoken will be found judi-
ciously combined. The author, Mr. White, is a
practical teacher of great experience and much
Ingenuity. He is the author of numerous works
on various branches of elementary history ; and has
proved himself to be happy in condensing the less
important branches of his subject, while elimi-
nating its important features with perspicuity.
These -outlines of universal history will prove
eminently useful as a class manual, and they will
afford no mean degree of aid to those more advanced
in life, whose time for study is limited.

Jacob Abbott's Histories—Alfred the Great and
_Pyrrhus. London : Nathaniel Cooke.
The object of these histories—which, the author
tells us in his preface, are to consist of twenty-four
volumes—is topresent to the reader a succinct account
Hof the principal transactions which took place, and
of the chief events which, occurring in each reign,
became, as it were, marking features of the period.
It is part of the intention that twelve of the
volumes shall be devoted to ancient Kings, and
twelve to English Sovereigns--the two named at
the head of this notice occupying the first volume in
each of the series. Every reader possessed of the
slightest scholarly pretension is familiar with the
delightful biographical narratives contained in
Plutarch's Lives, and most of them have desired,
with earnest sincerity, that some modern Plutarch
would arise and do for the sages and heroes of the
latter time, what has been so faithfully and well
performed for their predecessors. The series now
under consideration attempts, in some degree, to
supply us with a substitute for that work, as well
as to continue, in an unbroken chain, our knowledge
of those who have flourished since Plutarch lived
and wrote. We could almost wish that Mr. Abbott,
contenting himself to, let well alone, had confined
Lis operations to the newer ground. We desire not
to institute comparisons between his achievements
and those of his great predecessor ; but, feeling
assured the ground was well occupied by the Greek .
narrator, we could have spared additional labour in
that field, at all events till the harvest of the newer
one had been more fully reaped.
The reign and history of Alfred form a subject of
just pride and honest exultation to every English-
man ; for it was at that time and under his spirited
and enlightened rule, that many of our most re-
vered and cherished institutions, eitherdirectly took
their rise, or had the ground prepared and the seed
sown,which subsequently germinated and grew, and
have beenworked into the foundations and bulwarks
of the British Constitution. Thepersonalprowess, sa-
gacity, and perseverance of Alfred, are still in Eng-
lish minds associated with the beau ideal of kingly
virtue ; and thousands are taught to lisp in adoring
strains the catalogue of his virtues, who never in
maturer years have the opportunity of knowing
the basis of his fame and popularity. This want
-will be sufficiently supplied for general purposes
by the volume before us ; indeed, the information
contained in it will be found adequate to the wants
of all, except those whose ample leisure, or peculiar
tastes, may lead them to a more minute study of
this :enticing theme. The narrative of Alfred's
reign is necessarily much occupied with details of
the rude warfare of the time ; but it is also agree-
ably diversified by the delineation of more peaceful
incidents. In the following brief lines we have, in
all probability, a description of
THE ORIGIN OF THE BRITISH NAVAL POWER.
thiAlts ong the other measures to which Alfred resorted in
tieme.rgency was the attempt to encounter the Danes
i,,T.thetr own element, by building and equipping a fleet
„„zi.T:,, :with which to proceed to sea, in order to meet
~h(lavyae_ k upon the water certain new bodies of invaders,
hand, on the way to join the Danes'already on the
atte e"ling, as rumour said, along the southern shore.
climeoi2nPting, to bud a naval power, the greatest
to hula alNyays is to provide seamen. It is much easier
fleet, frat.:lllPs than to train sailors. To man his little ,
could be to enlist such half-savage foreigners as
e 111,d uk the ports, and even pirates, as was said,
Pay, annti
ollueld to enter his service, promising them '
These attemptsP tr,i,der as they could take from the enemy.
Alfred to build and man a fleet are 1