The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-10-19 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESIDAN, 00120 BER 19, 1852.

POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY.

STEALING " SHAKINGS."—Denis Miley, Joseph Bur-
ridge, and Charles Hughes, three rough-looking youths,
were charged by a police-officer with stealing a cart load
of old ropes, known in nautical language as " shak-
ings," from a vessel in the Victoria-dock. The cart was
stopped Ly the officer at the dock gates, when the pri-
soners, on being questioned, said they had got the ropes
from the Star of the West, but this was found to be
untrue. A witness saw Dailey and Hughes loading the
cart, but there was no direct evidence against Burridge,
who was consequently discharged. The other two pri-
soners were sent to prison for seven days each.
PICKING POCKETS.—Serjeant Russell, of the detective
force. charged three lads with picking pockets in Mill-
lane, on Saturday night. Their names were Samuel Mall,
Samuel Sloane, and James Doyle. The two first were
committed for seven days each, but the latter was dis-
charged.
ROBBERY BY AN ERRAND BOY.—James Carney was
charged by Wm. Brown, chemist, of London-road, with
stealing 6s. 10d. from the till, in his shop. Mr. Brown
said that the prisoner was employed by him as an errand-
boy, but was frequently left in charge of the shop, and so
had access to the till. He suspected that there was
something wrong going on, and, accordingly, on Friday
last, a quantity of marked money (fifteen shillings) was
put in the drawer. The prisoner was afterwards appre-
hended, and a portion of the marked money found on his
person. The prisoner was committed for two months.
ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.—Wm. Foster, John Williams,
and Wm. Nugent, were charged with assaulting John
Allan, and stealing his cap. Allan and two others were
going along Waterloo-road on Saturday night, when they
were attacked by the three prisoners. Police-officer 475
saw Nugent throw something into an entry, and a cap was
found, but it did not belong to the prosecutor. The
prisoners were each fined 20s„ or one month's imprison-
ment, for the assault.
A " CUTTING" JOKE.—James Lennon was sent to
prison for seven days for stealing a pocket knife, the pro-
perty of William O'Callaghan. The prosecutor keeps a
stand in the Goree Piazzas, and the prisoner when passing
took up the article and ran away. Prisoner in his defence
said he took the knife in joke only.
A HOLY RESTING PLACE.—An old withered Irish-

woman, named Ann Looney, was charged by the Sexton
of St. Martin's chapel with being concealed in one of the
pews on Saturday night. Prisoner in her defence said
she had walked from near Manchester on that day, and
being a stranger in town, and not knowing where to go,
she thought she might as well be in chapel as in a worse
place, and seeing people going in, she went in to. Fatigue,
however, overcame her religious zeal, and she fell asleep,
and did not awake till the sexton discovered her on going
his usual round before locking up. As there was no reason
to doubt her story, she was discharged with a caution.

THACICERAY'S

LECTURES.—The

lecture was delivered on Friday last at the PhilharmoniC
Hall, the authors treated of being Sterne and Goldsmith.
There was a numerous and fashionable attendance, and
Mr. Thackeray has created for himself a reputation as a
lecturer, which will ensure him larger audiences in Liver-
pool on any future occasion.
QUICK PASSAGE.—The packet ship " Anna," Capt.
Downward, one of the " Fox" line of Australian packets
which sailed from Liverpool on the 6th April last, arrived
at Adelaide on the 21st June, after a fine run out of 76
days. one of the ouickest voyages on record. From our

e Lear:

that the

" Africa" -belonging to the
berth, and their sailing qui
those of the " Anna.".

'ox" line are now on the
s are said to be equal to

OPENING OF THE LIVERPOOL PUBLIC
LIBRARY.

The official opening of this important and highly -useful
institution took place yesterday morning. Soon after ten
o'clock his Worship the Mayor, Thomas Littledale, Esq.,
a large body of the municipal authorities, and other dis-
tinguished gentlemen assembled at the Town-hall, and,
forming in procession, proceeded along Castle-street,
Lord-street, Church-street, Bold-street, and Slater-street
to the building at the corner of the latter place with D..ike-
street. His Worship entered the building about eleven
o'clock, accompanied by Wm. Brown, Esq., 1\1.P., Chas.
Turner, Esq., M.P., Thos. Thornely, Esq., M.P., J. A.
Picton, S. Holme, J. C. Ewart, J. Parker, P. F. Curry,
J. Pollock, (Judge of the County Court,) W. Statham, T.
Avison, it. Frodsham, R. V. Yates, H. Neill, Thomas
Fleming, J. Woodruff, Thos. Booth, (J.P.,) E. Bradley,
J. Bramley-Moore, Robt. Aked, J. Johnson, M. Gregson,
A. F. Hall, J. C. Fernihough, C. Ashlin, EQqrs.. &c., &c.,
Dr. M'lntyre, the Rev. Dr. Hume, the Rev. H. Hamp-
ton, Mr. C. Millward, President of the Liverpool Literary
and Dramatic Society, &c. A large and highly-respecta-
ble assemblage of ladies and gentlemen were also present.
The desirability of establishing a public library under
the provisions of the recent act was first brought under
the notice of the council by Mr. Picton, in April, 1850,
when he moved the appointment of a committee to in-
quire into the matter. The proposition was seconded by
Mr. T. Avison, and met with the approbation of the
Council. The committee appointed on that occasion sub-
sequently reported in favour of the plan, but the progress
of the scheme was retarded for a time in consequence of
the want of suitable premises, and from other adverse cir-
cumstances. In the following year, however, an impetus
was given to the development of the proposition by the
Earl of Derby signifying his willingness to give to the
town his collections in natural history provided a public
museum were united with the free library. The advan-
tages of such a munificent offer could not be lost • and
communication was consequently held with his lordship,
with a view of securing his choice collection for the town.
For this purpose the premises in Duke-street, formerly
known as the Union Newsroom, were purchased by
the Corporation, together with a piece of land adjoining,
upon which an extensive wing to the other building has
since been erected for the reception of the museum.
One important step adopted by the Council consisted in
the formation of an association, with power to raise funds
to be appropriated in the purchase of books. From this
association the Council have received £1389. 2s. 10d. The
library at present contains 10,000 volumes. Many valua-
ble books have been presented by the Liverpool Library,
the oldest literary institution in the town ; and the Dra-
matic Association have devoted the proceeds of a public
performance to the purchase of books. In the course of
the present year the committee intend to add 4,000 more
volumes to the library.

The library will be opened to the public from nine in
the morning to ten in the evening ; and the committee
have it in contemplation, at the earliest practical period,
to recommend to the Council the establishment of one or
more lending libraries.
The museum is not yet in a sufficiently complete state
to be thrown open to the public, but the work of classifi-
cation and arrangement is progressing rapidly, and it is
expected that this interesting collection will be ready for
public inspection in a week or two.
On the arrival of the procession at the Library, the
MAYOR and party walked round the room, after which his
worship proceeded to address the assembly. He said,
illustrious as the 18th of October used to be in the annals
of Liverpool, by the election of a gentleman to fill the
office now held by him, though that often embroiled the
town in a contest of sometimes a week's duration, it
would this year have a greater weight of glory attached to
it by the proceedings of that day. (Hear, hear.) Nor
did he think the day selected for the occasion altogether

inappropriate, though it was far more compatible with
the spirit of the age than the beginning of one of those

contested elections which had kept the-town in a state of
excitement, within his own memory, for a week together.
(Cheers.) It had been said, why establish a public
library, when so many are incapable of taking advantage
of it ? But was this really so ? Schools were now
established in all parts, where the advantages of
education were widely diffused, and where every one
had the opportunity of acquiring knowledge, which such
an Institution as that would be the means of increasing.
Suppose the case of an artisqn. It was now manifest that he
would make any sacrifice rather than his children should
remain uneducated or destitute of the means of acquiring
that knowledge which would be useful to them in after
life. (Hear, hear.) It now rested with the people them-
selves to avail themselves of the advantages set before
them. Reading itself was the means of getting at the
opinions and arguments of others, and good opinion and
and sound argument would at length prevail ; and
relying upon the fact that we have the greatest amount
of freedom, and ere governed by the most just laws,
we may rest assured that the knowledge here acquired
will counteract the arguments of those seditious and dan-
gerous pamphlets, whose only recommendation is their
cheapness. (Cheers.) He felt assured that that was but
the commencement of a very much larger establishment,
and he did hope that steps would be taken—indeed were
being taken—by the Town Council to establish a museum
and library attached, which will be a credit to the town,
and a very just and profitable investment of the funds of
the town. (Applause). His Worship concluded by call-
ing upon the chairman of the committee to address the

company.
Mr. J. A. PICTON rose, amid loud cheers. He said the
opening of this institution took place under circumstances
peculiarly propitious. The beautiful aspect of the day—
the assemblage of all parties and all denominations of
religionists, who took an interest in what would be for the
benefit and advantage of the town—and last, though not
least, the attendance of so many of the fairer half of the
community, all tended to add to the interest of the pro-
ceedings in which they were engaged. (Cheers.) The
duty devolved upon him of saying a few words on the
history and progress of the undertaking to the present
time, and the future intentions of its promoters. The
task would have been an agreeable one, were it not that
he felt inadequate to perform it as he could wish. As it
was, he threw himself upon the indulgence of those pre-
sent whilst he endeavoured briefly to state what had
already been accomplished, and next laid before them what
it was yet expected would be done. Public libraries are no
novelties. To say nothing of the large libraries which have
been handed down to us ever since the revival of learning
there havebeen large collections of books open to the student.
These libraries did to a certain extent answer the purpose
for which they were intended, but the spirit of the age now
required something more. The time has gone by when
learning is to be confined to the rich and affluent. There
is a craving for information—a thirst for knowledge on the
part of the public at large, and people will quench their
thirst at the fountain, but whether that fountain shall be
noxious or wholesome, poisonous or nutritious, depends
almost entirely on those who are to direct public opinion.
(Hear, hear.) It was to supply this want that they were
now moving. They however were not the first in the
field. The good work commenced at Salford, then War-
rington, and then the city of Manchester, which always did
things on the most magnificent scale, had recently opened
their free public library in the presence of some of the most
eminent men in every walk of literature and science.

He would next proceed to say a few words upon the
progress of the present work. The idea of establishing a
free public library was first broached a little more than
two years ago ; and everything has tended to rivet more
and more the attention of the public to the object. There
had been difficulties, no doubt, with which the committee
have had to contend. Prejudices had been raised, but
now, he was happy to say, they had the public entirely
on their side. The statistics of the institution were as
follows :—The building in which they were assembled
cost £2,500 ; the addition at the back for the purpose of
the museum was £1,200. At the time when the sub-
ject was first broached, an association was formed, of
which Mr. T. B. Horsfall was president, having
for its object the collection of books for the library.
Of this fund £1,389. 2s. 10d. had been paid for books. In
addition to this, they had received considerable donations
of books. The Liverpool Library, one of the oldest insti-
tutions in the town, having been established nearly a cen-
tury, had presented a valuable assortment of books,
amounting to about 2,000 volumes. They had also
received valuable donations from private individuals, and
the Literary and Dramatic Society had given the proceeds
of a performance which had not yet been received. The
expenses, including the cost of the building, the transfer
of the museum, &c., were £5,744. ss. 7d., which, includ-
ing a sum of £3OO remaining yet to be expended in the
purchase of books, made a total of £6,000 expended up to
the present time. Through the influence of the Corpora-
tion, an Act of Parliament was obtained, legalizing the
institution, and giving power to levy a rate not exceeding
one penny in the pound, for the purpose of supporting the
Library, the Derby Museum, and the Botanic Garden.
Whether it would be necessary to lay this rate on
or not, would depend upon the support those insti-
tutions received ; but he (Mr. Picton) felt sure that
it would be cheerfully paid by the public. (Cheers.)
Nay, more, their committee had been boring for
months. The spring is now unsealed, and the living
waters flow on unimpeded, and he hoped the fountain
may never become dry—that its healing streams may flow
forth to distant generations, and that countless thousands
may drink of it and find their minds refreshed. (Ap-
plause.) It too often happened that we who live in this
age took credit to ourselves for all the good that was
done; but this was just as bad as a railway passenger
taking credit to himself for the construction of the en-
gine. (Cheers and laughter.) It had been the fashion
to traduce the old Corporation, and some said why open
the Library on the 18th of October. What, it was
said, a library—a public library—if such had been done
in old Corporation times, even the scarlet breeches in the
Town-hall would have trembled at the result. (Cheers
and laughter.) But we have no reason to find fault with
the old Corporation. They did the work they had to do,
and they did it well. (Cheers.) They had the making of the
Corporate money—we have the more pleasing duty of ex-
pending it. They laid the foundation of the Corporation
estate, let us see that our calculations be equally sound and
good with the work they did. There was an old relic which
was placed on the tableof the Town Hall, after the banquets
which took place there, which referred to the completion
of the purchase of the Great Heath, the foundation of
the Corporate Estate. He referred to the old silver to-
bacco box, now turned into a snuff box. If they would
tarn to the excellent history of the town by Mr. Thomas
Baines, they would find that the occasion of the presenta-
tion of that box was one memorable in the annals of Liver-
pool. It was at the time when Lord Sefton, or probably
Lord Molyneux had got into a dilemma, and was obliged to
dispose of his right to the Great Heath, or the land beyond
the pool. They saw looming in the distance the future

prosperity or Liverpool, ana tneremre avauea Eue...ei,..
of the opportunity to make the purchase, and thus lay the
foundation of the great estate now in the possession of
the Corporation. Thus was laid the foundation of a
most noble and magnificent structure, which has been
handed down to us for our completion. The task is

optivinua 1:11 Gil LLG-4, VW ula••••••••••,“,
buildings worthy to decorate our city—tc
of heaven and the sea breezes of healyi

alleys and mur

was the thirst of the soul to be provided for, and that
could only be satisfied by draughts from the fountain of
pure wisdom. (Cheers.) The time, he hoped, was fast
approaching when, with the key of knowledge in their
hand, they would throw open its doors wide to all, when
every man may enter and commune with the great
spirits of the past—with Shakspeare and Milton,
Scott and Byron, Bacon and Newton—who will
here come at his bidding, and by whose labours
he will find his mind informed, and his time pass
pleasantly away. (Cheers.) Such studies being appre-
ciated, if they taught nothing else they would teach a
lesson of humanity, for the more a man knew the more he
would feel his own ignorance—the better they understood
their duties, the better would they be qualified to perform
them. (Applause.) But he did not wish to be under-
stood as inculcating the idea that knowledge alone was all
that was required. Religion with her benign and sacred
influences must come forward to give the crowning touch,
or all their labour would be vain. These efforts should
be the teaching of truth—truth would descend from the
great Creator of us all; and it was a fact, that the more the
mind was filled with truth of a secular nature, the better
would it be prepared for religious instruction. The ad-
vantage of such an Institution was to furnish men with
the means of improvement, and any one may in this
country obtain distinction in any class of society if he
is only fitted for it. (Cheers.) The speaker then
proceeded to notice the present position of the
building and the Institution generally. It was, he said,
commodious, light, cheerful, and comfortable. The only
fault it had was that it was too small. Its shelves had
already 10,000 volumes upon them, and there was money
in hand for the purchase of more. The Derby Museum
contained 17,800 specimens, being a few more than was to
be found in the British Museum. Many of these were
still in boxes, but the committee hoped shortly to have
them arrangdd for the inspection of the public. There
had also been presented to them several pictures, and he
trusted these would form the foundation for a gallery of
art, which would do credit to the town and elevate the
taste of the community. (Applause.) Well, it might be
said, if the building is too small, why not go for a larger.
This was a point not lightly to be decided on. In the first
place the site would have to be considered—a very large
sum of money would be required—and again, will the
public of Liverpool appreciate what we are doing for
them ? It is in vain we provide books if they will
not come to read—it is in vain we have a public
Museum if the public will not come to see it.
It was therefore deemed better to open upon a small
scale, to be increased if the public require it. But he
hoped better things of Liverpool, and that the time was
not far distant when the town would be as distinguished
for arts, sciences, and knowledge, as she is for commerce.
(Cheers.) A noble scheme had been propounded for
opening out large and magnificent thoroughfares. He
trusted nothing would prevent its being carried out.
Here he wished to remark that he did not know any
class so much interested in the improvement of the town
as the shopkeepers. If they could only make the town
attractive, and bring to it strangers from all quarters of
Europe and the globe, in a pecuniary point of view it will
be a great advantage to them. He could imagine a view
which probably would be realized before 1862. He could
imagine himself standing in Castle-street looking through
those two magnificent pillars of Hercules, the Bank
of England and the Union Bank. He could
suppose a gently sloping avenue, opening out the
south portico of St. George's Hall. Go a little
further and look from the Town-hall, and they
would see a light elongated bridge spanning the
hollow of the old pool, rising gradually up to the north
front of St. George's Hall. But you see something else.
What is that dome a little further northward, with the
statute of Science on the top—a fit companion to Bri-
tannia on the Town Hall ? " Why," says the inhabitant,
" that is the magnificent public library and museum.
(Loud cheers.) Every stranger goes to see the two great
Lions of Liverpool, St. George's Hall and the Public
Library and Museum, and it has now made Liverpool so
celebrated that we are going to have a university." Was
this too great to be realized ? They had only to will it,
and it would be done. (Applause.) Then, he said, let
Manchester look well to her laurels. It was not always
the greatest flourish of trumpets that caused the greatest
victory. Sometimes it happened that the last became
first. He trusted now they would go on and make Liver-
pool as celebrated for such institutions, as she is now for
greatness in other respects. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Picton
concluded by introducing W. Brown, Esq., M.P.
Mr. BROWN, who was received with loud cheers, said
he was taken completely by surprise ; nevertheless, he
would venture to say a few words on this interesting occa-
sion. The chairman of the committee had depicted what
he really believed would take place. He had also spoken
of the old corporation and what it had done for the town,
but he (Mr. Brown) would go back to some earlier period
of history, and say that Liverpool was much indebted to
the Corporation for having encouraged foreigners to come
to Liverpool to trade, and by whose influence it had now
become one of the first ports in the world. After alluding
to the nature of the studies to be pursued in the institution,
he proceeded to expatiate on the advantages of printing by
moveable types, first introduced into England by Caxton,
who was sent to Germany to learn the art by the then
Archbishop of Canterbury, and concluded with expressing
a hearty wish for the prosperity of the institution.
(Cheers.)

Mr. TURNER, M.P., next addressed the assembly.
When the enthusiastic cheering with which he was re-
ceived had subsided, he expressed his earnest wish for the
success of the institution—an institution in which he felt
the deepest interest, and to promote the success of which
he should devote all his energies, both in the council and
in parliament, whenever opportunity offered. He also
expressed the satisfaction be felt at being able to join
every class of his fellow townsmen at the opening of
such an institution, where all classes of religionists and
all parties mingled together in union and concord.
Mr. T. J. THORNLEY, M.P., also addressed the meet-
ing, recommending the establishment of a lending library
in connection with the institution.

The Rev. Dr. HUME being called upon, rose to address
the assembly, and was received with loud cheers. He
commenced by saying that he might adopt the apology of
previous speakers, that he had not received previous
notice ; but on a subject on which his heart had been
placed for years, he would be ashamed of himself if he
were not ready to speak in season or out of season. There
was not one in all that respectable and numerous assembly
who rejoiced more heartily than he did, at the progress
made this year ; but he hoped they would not regard the
proceedings as anything more than a step in the right
direction ; the mounting of the first round in the ladder
of intellectual progress. Liverpool has long since been
celebrated for her physical greatness, her extensive lines
of massive docks, and her valuable public buildings.
Long may she continue to be the glory of the ports of
western Europe—the Tyrus of modern times. But why
should not there be intellectual celebrity and advancement
too, for men have mental as well as bodily wants. To
bear any part in the founding or using of such a library
was at once a duty and a privilege ; but to read in it
was also a high gratification. His own greatest pleasures
had been those of his study, in burning the midnight oil.
There a man enjoyed the best society of his own or other
times, and could exchange thoughts and sympathies with
the mighty living or the mighty dead. He could travel
also over the whole world, and this was important at a
season of the year when excursions were suspended. He
could know France better than the Frenchman ; and
Ireland or the United States better than Patrick or brother
Jonathan. So also of history, philosophy, science, &c.,
as well as of geography or topography. Mr. Thornely
had made a graceful allusion to the subject of a lending
library, a subject to which he was happy to say that the
committee had already given their attention, and which
they would carry out as soon as possible. Without this,
much would be left undone ; for the very class whom it
is our wish to elevate could make least use of it, from their
occupation at their daily toils. If the mechanic, there-
fore, could not come to the library, let the books be
deposited on the table of his own cottage ; thisvvas bringing
Mahomet to the mountain. He hoped they would excuse
him proposing to some persons of limited experience, a
hint respecting how to read. Tens of thousands were too
discursive, and never thought of subject or system. They
had breadth enough in all conscience, but no depth.
They read books as one plays a game of chess, or takes a
glass of wine with a friend, merely to kill time or pass
the hour. without any idea of ultimate results. He would
rather see a man read on the principle of the South Sea
Islander, who plants a tree in the hope that himself and
children will eat of its fruit, and sit beneath its shade.
There is no selfishness in true intelligence ; and in this
respect it is like true religion. The man of learning is
not jealous; he would have all like himself; not that he
would sink to the lower level of others, but that he
would elevate them to his own. Dr. Hume mentioned
that so early as February, 184 S, he had spoken of the
necessity of founding a great public library in Liverpool;
but that he had no idea of seeing that suggestion so soon
realised. Since then, the battle of intelligence had been
begun, and fought, and won, at which they all cordially
rejoiced. (Applause.)
Mr. S. HOLME rose to propose a vote of thanks to the
Mayor, and in eloquent terms set forth the advantages of
the institution, more especially to the working men, who,
he trusted, would largely avail themselves of it.—(Cheers.)
Mr. POLLOCK (Judge of the County Court) seconded
the motion. He was there, by the confidence of others, in
a position in which it should be his duty to administer
the law, and to enforce order. The greatest security for
law and order was in the intelligence of the community,
and therefore he was not qut of place in being present at
the opening of an institution having for its object the
advancement of knowledge.—(Applause.)
The MAYOR briefly acknowledged the honour.
Mr. BROWN then proposed the thanks of the assem-
blage to Mr. Picton and the committee, which was
seconded by Mr. TURNER.
Mr. PicTos in acknowledging the compliment said, the
committee and himself would feel that the best thanks
they could receive would be to find that the institution
was appreciated, and that it became increasingly useful.
Three cheers were then given for the mayor and for the
committee, and the proceedings terminated.

HORRIBLE ATTEMPT AT BURRING. —A horrible attempt
at " burking," took place in the vicinity of Yarmouth, on
Thursday. The intended victim is a servant girl, named
Mary Ann Proudfoot, and the person suspected of the
atrocious attempt is acorn-porter, named Samuel Howth,
ptloaYsinog me moans close
n
who was in the same service as the unfortunategirl,
e
Townand
e
by whom she is pregnant. Between eight and nine
Batteryobny ,Tahnud r.
os
had
aa
giving y
vt evening,hinegir
attentionn sa ol am r
m e h osyas,h was made, when a
drawnrc
woman was found lying under the wall of the adjoining

mill. She was insensible, her face and head were hor:
ribly disfigured, and a plaster of pitch and tar fastened
under her chin, was covered over the front ❑art of her

dress showed that she had taken part in a severe st-ru
Recovering, she said, I am pregnant by Samuel Ho
I was to meet him by appointment at eight o'clock,

money he was to give a

immediately put a tar plaster over
tempted to stranele me with his Sure]

.t me v
ble."

ntly at

and bead

pipe, and div
dared he had

steel of Coat, cravat

%ucled.

le de-