The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-06-25 00:00:00

FETE CHAMPETRE AT BIRKENHEAD.

Yesterday evening, a splendid Fete Champetre took place
at Mr. Willoughby's Tea-Gardens, Birkenhead Hotel ; Mr,
James, the pyrotechnic artist, of this town, having been
engaged for the occasion,—a gentleman who, it will be re-
membered, was peculiarly successful in his exhibition on the
Chester Race-course, on occasion of the coronation of her
present Majesty. Preparations were made for the accom-
modation of the public by the erection of temporary seats
on the ground, in addition to the numerous alcoves. Flags
were displayed during the day from various parts of the
grounds, and towards evening a large concourse of re-
spectable visitors congregated on and near the grounds,
including many persons from both sides of the Mersey.
The quay and the adjacent roads were crowded ; and the shore
below the tea gardens was tenanted by hundreds of boys and
girls who here gained the nearest point of approach to the
fire-works. Flags were hung out in every direction ; and a
band in the gardens occasionally played favourite airs.
The river scenery was beautiful and interesting. A gentle
breeze prevailed from the westward, and while some vessels
glided gently along under sail, others shot past them by the
force of steam. Owing to the recent numerous arrivals,
many vessels lay at anchor opposite, besides the govern-
ment and other steamers, and the back ground was
formed by the shores of Lancashire, and (by the cur-
vature of the river towards Runcorn) of Cheshire, to
the south east, richly wooded; and presenting a peculiar
freshness of verdure by the late rains. The fire-works were
arranged round the lower extremity of the ground, close to
the sea wall, so as to be viewed from all parts of the green.
They were attached to framework of considerable height from
the ground, and were of a complicated and extensive nature.
About a quarter past eight, the ground had become crowded ;
and a Montgolfier balloon was set off and rose beautifully. It
took an E.S.E. direction, and in a few minutes was lost to
view. The fire-works soon afterwards commenced, by a display
of rockets, of various kinds—some of them variegated. A feu-
de-joie was also fired as loud as from a cannon. The larger
fire-works were seven or eight in number, and consisted of
a variety of complicated and prolonged representations,
exceedingly brilliant and well managed. Amongst them
were a beautiful diamond piece commencing with wheels,
giving various lights ; a travelling wheel ; Maltese cross, be-
ginning with a rainbow wheel, metamorphosed into an amber
cross, and thence into a Roman cross ; a Saxon piece very
complicated, and a Royal Star piece, with numerous diamond
lights—the whole varying in a beautiful manner to other
forms and devices, which we cannot particularize. The
whole concluded with a grand marine piece, representing
an arch supported by two columns, and surmounted by a
crown, with the globe in the centre. This piece was
of considerable magnitude, and, as well as those that
preceded it, elicited much applause. Between each of
the main pieces numerous excellent and brilliant rockets
were discharged. The company enjoyed themselves until
nearly eleven o'clock, when those parties who belonged to
Liverpool embarked by the steam-boats in attendance, and
the Cheshire visitors retired to their abodes in the neighbour-
hood, all much gratified by the evening's entertainment.

SOCIETY FOR RECLAIMING UNFORTUNATE
FEMALES.

Our readers are aware that a society under this title has
lately been established in Liverpool. We have just received
a copy of the first report of the committee ; and while every
one must highly approve of the:object of the society, it is gra-
tifying to learn that its success has been considerable. We
extract from the report the following curious account of the
circumstances which led to the formation of this very laudable
association :

" One evening in January, 1838, a woman "in the attire
of an harlot," accosted a gentleman in the street, when he
spoke to her on the wretchedness of her life, exhorted her to
repentance, and invited her to the house of God. She com-
plied with the invitation, was deeply convinced of the sin un-
der sermon, and at the conclusion of the service expressed a
strong desire to seek the path of virtue, from which she had
so lamentably wandered. The following day steps were taken
to place her in the Penitentiary, but without success, she
being thought too old for 'that institution. A lodging was
therefore obtained for her, and a trifling sum allowed for her
subsistence, by a few persons to whom her case had been
made known, which they proposed to continue until she should
be able to provide for herself. In the course of a fortnight,
the news of her reformation having reached the ears of some
of her companions in sin, they were induced to go to the
same place of worship, where the word preached had pro-
duced an effect so salutary on her mind ; and three of the
number were similarly impressed, resolved to forsake their
wickedness, and 'to flee from the warth to come.' Appli-
cation was made to the Penitentiary fur their admittance, but
that institution, being full, could not receive them. Tem-
porary lodgings were obtained for them also. It being now
ascertained that many ' on the streets' would readily accept
an offer of escape from their sin and misery, the idea of form-
ing a Society suggested itself which should employ a few pious
persons (who kindly volunteered their services) to visit those
parts of the town frequented by the females in question, to
seek them out, and to expostulate with them on the danger
of their forbidden courses, with a view of leading them to re-
pentance and amendment of life : and as the plan of provi-
ding cheap lodgings in religious families for those who desired
to forsake their wickedness had been suggested by provi-
dential occurrences, it was thought best to continue it. A
Society was accordingly formed, the public kindly responded
to the appeals it made for support, and the Divine blessing
has greatly succeeded its operations.
" During the year, the Society has had under its care 200
females ; 67 of whom left or were dismissed for improper
conduct before they had been with the society a month, 45
before they had been three months, and 16 before they had
been six months ; making a total of 128 who have either vo-
luntarily left the Society, or forfeited its protection by inat-
tention to its rules. Of the remaining number, 2 have died
in the possession of Christian consolation, 18 have been re-
stored to their friends, and 32 have been placed in situations
to provide honestly for themselves ; making a total of 52 who
have been saved from crime and wretchedness by means of
the Society's exertions during its first year. The remaining
20 are still at the Society's lodgings."
Then follow several very interesting extracts from the se-
cretary's journal, containing brief sketches of a few of the
females reclaimed by the society. The report then proceeds :
" A few months since, a room was engaged by the com-
mittee at three shillings per week, in which the women are
kept at work during the day, under the care of a pious Ma-
tron, a measure which is likely to promote the objects of the
Institution. The Society pays for the board and lodging of
each of the females under its care, three shillings and sixpence
per week, and appropriates one half of their earnings to pro-
vide them with clothing, as the most of them, on coming to
the Society, are very destitute of necessary and suitable ap-
parel.
The committee thinking that information as to the causes
which lead so many females from the path of virtue, might
possibly suggest some preventive measure, require that cer-
tain questions be asked every female taken under the soci-
ety's care, and her answers placed on record in a schedule
prepared for that purpose. The information elicited by these
questions, both as to the causes and effects of prostitution is
very important, but not sufficiently matured to be made
public.
We are further told that the agents of the society have,
during the year, expostulated with not fewer than 2000 un-
fortunate females, warning them of their danger, and exhort-
ing them to repentance. They have also spoken to several
keepers of brothels, with the view of inducing them to aban-
don their disgraceful calling. The committee think that the
manifest decrease of prostitutes in this town, a decrease which
has been officially noticed, may probably be, to some extent,
owing to the society's exertions. It appears however that,
according to the lowest calculation, not less than £3OOO is
expended in support of prostitution in this town alone, while
probably not more than £2O per week is contributed for the
rescue of its wretched victims.

The ladies' committee have appended a short, but very gra-
tifying report, and we are glad to see that a number of dona-
tions and annual subscriptions have already been obtained.
The receipts for the past year have been £339, and the ex-
penditure about the same amount. We need hardly add that
we recommend the society to the warmest support of the
public.—Chronicle.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TA'TTERSALL'S-THURSDAY.

Although many of the principals were present, the business
done was so trifling as to call for no remarks whatever. The
following were the prices at the close of a very dull afternoon

GOODWOOD STAKES.

15 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Morella (tk)
20 to 1 „ Mr. Meiklam's Wee Willie
20 to 1 „ Mr. F. Craven's Barnacles
20 to 1 „ Lord Eglinton's St. Martin (tk)
20 to 1 „ Lord Eglinton's St. Andrew (tk)
22 to 1 „ Duke of Richmond's Hooghley (tk) •
6to 1 „ Wee Willie, Barnacles, and St. Martin (tk)

•
GOODWOOD CUP.
5 to 1 agst Mr. Ferguson's Harkaway (tk)
5i to 1 „ Mr. F. Craven's Deception (tk)
6to 1 „ Lord Westrriinster's Richard Roe (tk)
16 to 1 „ Mr. St. Paul's Galewood (tk)
ST. LEGER.

9 to 1 agst The Duke of Cleveland's Commodore (tk)
15 to 1 „ Colonel Cradock's The Provost (tk)
15 to 1 „ Major Yarburgh's Charles the Twelfth (tk)
17 to 1 „ Lord Westminster's The Lord Mayor (tk)

MANCHESTER.—FRIDAY EVENING.
Without " turning to Cocker," we find it pretty consider-
ably clear that the finger of time has absolutely brought us
the approaching twilight of the longest.day of 1839. Well,
thanks to the ' unforeseen hand," the balmy
j breeze of sum-
mer weather has been yesterday and this day joined by show-
ers, adding freshness to the land, and giving to the husband-
man, and indeed to all classes, from the owner of the princely
baronial hall down to the poorest of our fellow-creatures,
the pleasing hope that the harvest will be one to dash away
the cup of fear, and place " the land we live in" in a brighter
form than it was looked upon to hold a week or so ago. Yet,
though in a " sporting article," it is our great, our fond de-
sire to see " one boundless blush" of summer make captive
a really " golden harvest," dejection, likewise, banished from
the poor man's fire-side, and the most wealthy lord and com-
moner rejoice, that, " with verdure clad," the land of—" My
father's and mine" has, with its growing strength, sent forth
the vivifying rays of a good winter. Adieu, then, to this
probably unlooked for introductory writing ; and away, ye
heroes of the race, we carry on our " gray goose quill" to the
LIVERPOOL CUP,
the Buxton one having, for the second time, been added to
the sideboard of the worthy London alderman, we find several
changes a feature in " the doings" since Friday evening.
Our " note-book" lies before us, and we will take a leaf or
two out, just to show our sporting friends how "runs the
world away."

At the extreme of last week Toothill and Heron were both
brought forth in a very dashing manner, each being backed
for upwards of 2000 at from 25 to 29 to 1, and since the pen-
chant has been so great that is not to be got. Previous to
giving the prices,on the Liverpool Cup, we may observe, that
The Buxton Meeting" passed over extremely well. The
order on the course was very good, and the weather, after a
very beautiful shower on Wednesday evening, all that could
be wished for ; indeed it was one splendid show of " the
boundless blush" of summer. The carriages on the ground
were a feature in the meeting agreeable to the eye ; and al-
though we did not catch the " four-in-hand " of Mr. Trafford,
we observed a few of that order which might be considered
complimentary to the meeting. Looking round in the circle
of visitors, our eye caught Lord F. Fitzclarence, Lord A.
Fitzclarence, Lord Newburgh, Captain White, E. Buckley,
Esq., W. Lacey, Esq., —Bootham, Esq., Goodwin, Esq.,
Mr. Haycock, Mr. Robinson, Mr. MaDonough, Mr. Petty-
jean, with a very capital muster of sporting gentlemen from
Manchester. The ordinary was first rate, held on Wednes-
day, at the St. Ann s Hotel. Every thing which good cater-
ing could furnish was there and then present. The venison
and the dessert attractive to a very great degree ; the wines
good ; and we sum up by stating the meeting to have passed
over extremely well. The odds :

TIIE LIVERPOOL CUP.
10 to 1 agst Cardinal Puff.
12 to 1 „ Heron.
13 to 1 „ Toothill.
13 to 1 „ Lanercost.
17 to 1 „ King Cole.
20 to 1 „ Compensation, or any other.
Heron and Toothill were in great force at the opening of
the week, and backed for a great stake. The field agamit
Puff was backed for a score, at half.past one yesterday,' at 10
to 1, by a Liverpool gent. He would have "gory) p."—
* mobster acumen