The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-02-10 00:00:00

CHURCH OF ENGLAND INSTITUTION.

The first of a series of conversaziones was held at the
rooms of this Institution, 33, 80ld-street, on Thursday
evening last, when the Rev. T. W. Moeran gave a lecture
on the " Atmosphere," which elicited some interesting
remarks from the members generally. The lecturer com-
menced by observing that there were three books which
all ought to study, viz, the Book of Grace (the Bibles,
the Book of Experience, and the Book of Nature; and
that the world of Nature may be employed as a ladder to
climb to the world of Grace. He divided his subject as
follows :-1. Nature of the Atmosphere ; 2. Atmospheric
phenomena ; 3. Traces of design. 1. The Atmosphere,
at first supposed to he "a simple," was discovered by Dr.
Priestley. in 1774, to be a compound, and its parts are
oxygen (the source of hear and life), nitrogen (destructive
of heat and life). and carbonic acid gas, which is the
choke-damp of the mines. If the nitrogen were removed,
the world would be in flames, thus chewing how easily
God could destroy the world by fire as predicted. 2. The
Atmospheric phenomena noticed were the clouds, their
formation and height above the earth. The winds also,
their origin and velocity, varying from 5 to 100 miles an
hour, were discussed, and the permanent or trade- winds,
with Sir J. Herschell's theory ; the periodic, such as the
monsoon ; and the poisonous, as the sirocco, sirnoom, and
harmattan, were explained. The nature of falling stars,
the cause of meteoric stones, the mirage (with the strange
scene presented to the French in Egypt), were dwelt upon.
The refraction in the Polar Seas, and the incident by
which Captain Scoresby discovered his father's ship when
30 miles distant, were mentioned, and the " Spectre of
the Brocken" and other mountain optical illusions, were
lucidly treated. 3. Traces of design were shewn in the
gradual advance and retreat, of twilight, in the use of the
clouds, and from the principles of respiration ; in all of
which the wisdom, power, and love of God to His crea-
tures are clearly seen.

The Rev. G. W. WARR, of St. Saviour's, has kindly un-
dertaken to deliver the next lecture for this Institution in
the Concert Hall, on Monday evening next. The subject
will he " the practical claims which the Church of Eng-
land has on our affection and gratitude." Mr. Warr be-
ing intimately acquainted with the working of the Church
in the Colonies and at home, is well qualified to do ample
justice to a subject of the greatest interest and importance.

LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT.

THE WATCH COMMITTEE AND CHIEF

CONSTABLESHIP.

The Watch Committee held their usual meeting on
Saturday last, when, at the close of the ordinary business,
the memorial, (a copy of which appeared in our last num-
ber, (numerously signed, was presented, praying that Mr.
Bigham should not be appointed to the office of chief
onstable In the room of Mr. Dowling. A long discussion
took place relative to the retirement of Mr. Dowling and
appointment of Mr. Bigham, but it was admitted that
after the vote come to on the previous Wednesday by the
Council, the committee were not at liberty to take any
further steps until Mr. Dowling's resignation was laid
before them ; and, eventually, th' following resolution
was adopted :—That:the memorialists be informed that the
committee aro fully aware of the importance of securing
the services of the most efficient person to fill the office of
head constable, and of the responsibility attaching to this
committee in making such appointment ; and that the
committee will adopt such measures, by advertisement or
otherwise, as will enable all persons to submit their appli-
cations and testimonials, all of which will have the most
careful and impartial con sideration."