The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-25 00:00:00

to abide

It is a sheer and unqualified falsehood to allege that
the Diocesan Society " compliments exploded Popery
(by the way, what is exploded Popery ?) by the adop-
tion of-her most hated maxims ;" or that it " confirms
the doctrines of abhorred Socialism by admitting, in-
ferentially, that there is no security for the Church of
England but in the regulated circumstances' of a
Diocesan School." The avowed object of the Diocesan
Society is, not the safety of the Established Church,
but the promotion of the temporal and spiritual welfare
of the rising generation.

It is equally false to say that the Diocesan Society
"pronounces truth embodied in science, arts, and let-
ters, as inimical to religion." The Society "pro-
nounces" no such thing. It simply seeks to make the
knowledge of the arts and sciences subordinate and
auxiliary to the sublime truths of revelation. Nearly
the Whole of the speeches delivered at the Amphithea-
tre bear upon this point. Will the editor of the Albion
have the hardihood to assert that religion should be
placed in abeyance to the arts and sciences ?
It is false, again, to assert that the clergymen who
spoke at the Diocesan Meeting " did religion the
grievous wrong of representing her in danger from
knowledge, however acquired." Knowledge, per se,
can never be a source of danger to religion. It may,
however, be dangerous to the souls of men. Nay, we
do not hesitate to say, that knowledge, unsanctified by
association with religious principle, has frequently
proved a curse rather than a blessing. To deny this
assertion implies an inexcusable degree of ignorance of
constantly recurring facts.

Though religion is in no danger from the spread of
knowledge, we feel assured that superstition may be
in some danger from its diffusion ; but not to the
extent which the Albion seems to take for granted,
or else we should not see so many instances of gro-
velling superstition even among the most distinguished
scholars and profound philosophers.

The Albion attains the climax of falsehood and ab-
surdity when it asserts that the members of the Dio-
cesan Society "fear knowledge as knowledge." It
would be just as correct to say that they fear food as
food. The Society is expressly organised for the dif-
fusion of "knowledge as knowledge ;" first of all, for
the inculcation of religious truth, and, secondarily, for
the spread of scientific and general knowledge. These
praiseworthy objects we trust it will successfully pro-
secute in spite of the miserable rant of such writers as
the editor of the Albion. No man, who has the hap-
Piness of his fellow-creatures at heart, can hesitate to
wish the Society " God speed " in an enterprise so
worthy of Christian philanthropists. Let the members
continue to pursue the "even tenour of their way" in
spite of all opposition, and they will soon enjoy the
reward of their labour in the increased happiness of
their fellow-men.

Scarcely a day passes over our heads without pre-
senting some new proof of the progress of conservative
principles among the various classes of this great com-
munity; and it is with no little pride that we can refer
to Liverpool as occupying the first place as regards the
number and strength of its constitutional associations.
Of these, few have rendered themselves more useful
than the Operative Protestant Association. This so-
ciety is composed chiefly of the Protestant democracy
of the town, among whom will be found a great body
of the most faithful and zealous friends of our glorious
constitution in church and state. We rejoice to find
that this association is soon to derive an important ac-
cession to its strength, by the formation of a branch
among the shipwrights in Toxteth-park. The Rev.
Hugh NPNeile, as will be seen from the advertisement,
has consented to become the president of the associa-
tion, and a public meeting will be held at the Amphi-
theatre, on Monday next, for its formation. We have
inuoeadnos fubot that the proposed association will afford the
amply refuting the assertions of the radical
press as to the defection of the old freemen from the
ranks of the conservatives. The shipwrights have
raised a standard around which thousands will rally in
defence of the time-hallowed institutions of Old
England.

TRIAL OF MADAME LAFFIRGF.—The trial of Madame
Laffarge was resumed on the 19th. M. 13ac made his reply
to the Advocate-General. The President afterwards made
his charge to the jury, who then retired, and after an absence
of three quarters of an hour returned into court, and the
foreman delivered the followinz verdict—" guilty, with ex-
,tenuatinil circumstances." The President then ordered
-34!iclame Laffarge to be brought forward. She, however, had
faulted, and was in such a state as to render her reappear-
ance impossible. The President, therefore, pronounced the
sentence in her absence—hard labour for life and exposure in
the pillory. Madame Laffarge remains in a dangerous state.

List of passengers in the ship Independence, of Belfast,
Captain
John M'Cappin, master, from Quebec in 25 days,
arrived here on Thursday, the 10th instant.—Lieut. Todd,
80th:regt., Lieut. Daniel and servants, SSth regt. Rey. John
and Mrs. Radcliff and servants, Dr. Hartwell, Mr. Sical
Staff, Mr. Terron. The passengers have presented the fol-
t"mg complimentary letter to Captain M'Cappin
w
he undersigned passengers by the ship Independence, cannot
take leave of her commander, Captain John M`Cappin,
shout ex
pressing our high sense of the kind and liberal
attention exercised towards us, as well as the able and sea-
manlike conduct evinced by him during the voyage from
Quebec to Liverpool, occupying twenty-five days.
JOHN RADCLIFF, Clerk.
W. T. TODD, Lieut. 85th Regiment.
J. L. HARTWELL, Assistan-Surgeon to the Forces.
LIEUT. DANIEL, 88th Regt.
Liverpooj, Sept. 12, 18-10.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve of Mr.
James Leigh as consul at Liverpool for the Emperor of All
the Russias.

CUES IRE.—King's Regiment of Cheshire Yeomanry Ca-
Riclunond, gent., to be lieutenant, vice Williams,
resigned; S. Raingill, gent., to be cornet.
DEATH By POlSON.—Elizabeth Dumlerie, the wife of one
of the musicians at a theatre in Manchester, destroyed herself
on Thursday by taking poison.
BIRKENHEAD FAlRS.—These fairs have, we understand,
t)e,en
found a great convenience to farmers and dealers gene-
rallY ; and we would remind them, that the next fair for cat-
tle, cheese, &c., will be held on Thnrsday, the Bth of next
month.

The Rev. Hugh M'Neile, we perceive, is announced to
Preach at Great Crosby, on Wednesday next, when a collec-
tion will be made towards defraying the expense of enlarging
the church. There will, no doubt, be a large, and we may
Lope it will be found a liberal, auditory.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ROYAL INSTITUTION.—The prize
In Botany (lecturer, Dr. Dickinson) for the summer season
of this year, was awarded to Mr. John Holliday, pupil of Mr.
Ellis Jones, surgeon, and that in Forensic Medicine (lec-
turers, Dr. Duncan and Dr. Malins) to Mr. John Dowling,
late pupil of Mr. Jeffrey, surgeon.
CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY.—This line was
opened on Tuesday last, when the first train started from the
station at halt-past ten o'clock. Several of the directors and
their friends occupied four first-class carriages, and four
second-class were filled by respectable individuals. This
train returned to Birkenhead at two o'clock, and at four a
train consisting of eight first, and the same number of second
.class carriages, left Birkenhead for Chester. It was drawn
by two engines, and left the station amidst the firing of cannon
and huzzas of the multitude assembled. This railway opened
for the general conveyance of passengers and goods on Wed-
nesday.

SECOND TRIAL-TRIP OF THE " GREAT LIVERPOOL"—
Con Wednesday, the Great Liverpool made a second short
trip, for the purpose of testing the effect of some slight alter-
ation in the bridges of the flues, and also of the properties of
a, quality of coal different from that used on the former occa-
*loo. The morning was very unpropitious, as far as regarded
the pleasures of an aquatic excursion, the rain falling heavily
fo showers, accompanied by a chilly breeze, the sky being
',trust with dense clouds, and the haze so thick as to close
oat the view of objects at any considerable distance. Very
few visitors were, consequently, on board, but those few were
much gratified, notwithstanding the state of the weather. At
/Hoe o'clock the ship was got out of the Coburg Dock, and
!t six minutes after that hour passed St. Nicholas's Church.
There was abundance of steam, and the engines made through-
out from 16 to 161 revolutions per minute, indicating a speed
of 114 to 12 knots. Numbers of outward-hound vessels were
Inaking their way down the river with a briskish fair wind
from the S.S.E. ; and, to avoid them, it was requisite to
make several slight deviations from the direct course of the
*hip down the Victoria Channel. At 9h. 41m. she passed
the Crosby Light-ship, and at 10h. the Victoria Light-ship—
one hour precisely from the Coburg Dock. The breeze
freshened as she left the land, and the bell on the Bell Buoy
,‘,`'.lt3 heard us she passed. We may state, for the informa-
-900 of our readers who arc not seamen, that on this buoy is
inscribed "Victoria Channel. S.E. by E. 1 E."--the course
be steered to Liverpool from that point. At 10h. 10m.
.`,"e vessel rounded the N.W. Light-ship, having accomplished
pe distance (about 21 miles) in one hour and forty minutes
opposite George's Pier, without the aid of sail, but, of
course, aided by the tide, though not greatly, as she started
(Hi the top of it. On the return she had a strong tide to stem,
Particularly from the Victoria Light. ship home. A fleet of
'vessels were now seen sailing out by the Rock Channel. and
I",4hy large ships and steamers passed close to the vessel. At
1
Lb. 25m. she reached the Victoria Light-ship, and atter-
_Wards passed several heavy vessels at anchor, waiting for the
upcoming tide, or making preparations to be towed up by
toga that were alongside of them. The tide was here run-
hurl ,
h 6 probably at not less than between five and six knots an
„"r• 12h. 26m. she was abreast of the Rock Lighthouse,
d .at 12h. 53m. opposite St. Nicholas's Church ; thus
1-rl
lu4klog the whole distance of upwards of forty miles in three
otp curs and forty-seven minutes. At three minutes after one
ukek she cast anchor opposite the Coburg Dock. Captain
Vigledue, his officers, and the visitors on board (amongst
Which the Was a lady), then sat down to an excellent dinner, at
the health of the liberal proprietors of, and " great"
abscess to, the Great Liverpool, was not forgotten. We
.tlecessfu
'tad say
l: in ebnclusion, that the experiment was highly

HYACINTHS.—We beg to refer to the advertisements of
Dutch bulbs which appear in our columns to-day—this being
the proper season for setting these beautiful flowers, we re-
commend attention to them.
AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE.—We understand that there is
not, this year, a single objection, on either side, lodged
against the list of burgesses for the borough of Preston. After
the municipal reform act came into operation the radicals ob-
tained the ascendancy in the Town-council. Their proceed-
ings, however, gave such general dissatisfaction that they
were, one after another, turned out of office, until, last year,
the whole of the councillors were conservatives. The pro-
ceedings of the latter have been so much approved of, that
the electors are almost unanimously in favour of their re-
election. This circumstance accounts for the agreement be-
tween both parties to waive all objections to the list of voters.
ALLEGED STOPPAGE OP THE INDIAN MAILS.—The fol-
lowing extract from a letter received by a mercantile firm in
Liverpool was on Wednesday posted in the Exchange News
Room :—" London, Sept. 22.—We have called at the India
House, and ascertained that there was no truth as to the
mails from hence of the 4th August being stopped by the
Pasha, at least they have not received any account to this
effect from Egypt ; we were, however, told that they had re-
ceived a communication from the Admiralty that Sir R.
Stopford had informed Sir John Lewis, at Malta, that all
letters reaching the Syrian coast, after September 5, would

be detained, so that there is every probability that the mails

which left this, via Falmouth and Marseilles, at the com-
mencement of this month, would be kept at Malta, unless
some great change had taken place in the interior."

PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES DURING THE SESSION, 1840.
—W. E. Painter, Strand, London.—All conservatives, and
indeed all who wish for a readable Parliamentary History of
England, should be grateful to Mr. Painter for this publica-
tion. We have from time to time, during the progress of
the session, noticed in their detached form the speeches
which now form this valuable volume. The individual por-
tions of the work are so printed, that each speech can be pro-
cured separately for threepence, or sent in a stamped enve-
lope, post-free, to any part of the kingdom for fourpence,
previously remitted. Should a conservative candidate, at the
period of a general election, feel desirous of enlightening his
constituents on any great question of the previous session, he
can procure and spread, at the easiest rate, and in the most
unmixed form, the authentic record of the important speeches
in the debate. Mr. Painter was the first to supply the means
of securing this most important advantage, and richly does
he deserve a generous recompense from conservative hands,
which we trust he will receive by a very extended sale of this
volume. The idea of diffusing information on all the great
topics of conservative interest originated in the publication
of a single speech, in a form more compact than that of the
daily press, and of that speech thousands of copies were ra-
pidly spread over the country. The poor, but zealous con-
servative (would that the zeal and honesty of many a con-
servative in humble life were imitated by some of their
leaders in Parliament) sent his fourpenny-piece from a dis-
tance, and received his copy free by return of post; the cler-
gyman—(the subject was the church)—procured his hundred
copies for twenty shillings ; and long lists of the names of
persons in their respective districts most likely to profit by
the perusal were sent to the publisher, as he informs us, from
the influential and the wealthy, and thus an immense num-
ber of copies were rapidly and cheaply spread over the whole
kingdom. This has been the case, we are happy to learn,
with every individual speech since published ; and the ap-
pearance of the work in parts, at one shilling each, supplied
by all respectable booksellers in town and country, has in-
duced the registry of a great number of subscribers among
operative conservatives, voters in agricultural districts and
tradesmen in towns. The volume, now completed—very
conveniently commenced with the speech from the throne on
the opening of Parliament, and concluded with her Majesty's
farewell to her faithful Lords and Commons—is a record of
the greatest value ; and we hope the public patronage will
enable this truly conservative publisher to continue his useful
labours. A partial summary of the contents of this volume
will demonstrate its importance :—Want of Confidence in
Ministers, Progress of Socialism, Provisional Grant for
Prince Albert, Financial State of the Country, The Irish
Registration, Corn Laws, Imprisonment of the Sheriffs, War
in China, Church Rates, Church of Scotland Benefices,
Church Extension, Ecclesiastical Revenues and Duties, &c.
&c. We may add, as an agreeable accessary, that the volume
is handsomely done up in cloth, with the royal arms embla-
zoned on the cover, lending it a most official aspect."—

Conservative Journal, August 29.
INQuEsr.—On Monday last, an inquest was held before
P. F. Curry, Esq., coroner, on view of the body of a male
child which was conveyed to the cemetery in a bandbox, and
was about to buried there by three suspicious looking per-
sons. Five witnesses were examined. The evidence of the
surgeon. Brereton Nightingale, Esq., was that it was a full-
grown child, and that in his opinion it was still-born ; but
from the circumstance of the umblical cord not being tied, he
thought the mother had not proper assistance during deli-
very.—Verdict, that the child was still-born. Three inquests
were held before the coroner on Wednesday. The first was
on view of the body of a female child, one month old, named
Ellen Fraser, who lived with its mother in Finney-lane, lead-
ing out of Atherton-street. The evidence of three witnesses
examined was, that its mother was in the habit of shaking
and slapping her violently, but the evidence of the surgeon
(Mr. George Woods) was, that lie made a post mortem ex-
amination of the body, assisted by Mr. Chalmers, and that
they both agreed in opinion, from the internal and external
appearances, that the death of the child arose from natural
causes. Verdict—died by the visitation of God. The second
was held on view of the body of Elizabeth Whiteley, aged 45
years, who resided in Porter-place. The evidence of surgeon
Edward Slatter, was, that he made a post mortem examina-
tion of the body, and found the brain very much congested,
there was considerable aisease of the right auricle of the
heart, and a quantity of water in the pericardium, Verdict
—died by the visitation of God. The third and last was on
view of the body of William Morris,!aged 23 years, who kept
a lace-shop in Byrom-street. The evidence of surgeon John
Taylor was, that the deceased laboured for a long time before
his death under disease of the blood-vessels, and was of a de-
licate constitution. Verdict—died by the visitation of God.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE—UNFOUNDED CHARGE A GAIIIST
A GALLANT OFFICER OF THE " PRESIDENT" STEAM-SHIP,
r. Charles Duncan, the second officer of the President
steam-ship, appeared before P. F. Curry, Esq., coroner for
this town and district, yesterday, on a charge, or, rather, a
supposition of having been accessory to the death of an in-
dividual, who was drowned in the Coburg Dock, though,
strange to say, the same gentleman has, by his recent adven-
turousnfionwinr,iinaniwpdoanigse
fireman, named
testimonials of which he is
conduct, been the means of saving several individuals
eryhsts,foarrifi
Turnbullon Monday
Hedges,
bnightelo. last,ging
to the steam-ship Acadia, lying alongside of the President
steam-ship, (which was next to the quay,) in the Coburg
Dock, fell, by some accident, from the wall into the dock.
Mr. C. Duncan, Mr. George Duncan, his brother, and ano-
dic young gentleman, who had gone on board of the Presi-
dent to Mr. Duncan's room a few minutes before, were
coming on shore, when a splash was heard, and the alarm
was given that a man was in the water. Mr. Duncan, on
hearing his cries for help, immediately stripped off his coat
and waistcoat, and, atter using an encouraging expression to
the deceased, was in the act of jumping in to save him, when
he was remonstrated with on the danger of the attempt, and,
at the same time, seized forcibly by the shipkeeper of the
President, Owen Owens, a very powerful man, who, as the
deceased had then disappeared, made a remark to the
effect that any endeavour he or any one else could make
would be in vain. He also similarly restrained Mr. Duncan,
jun., who had pulled off his upper clothing to leap in and
assist his brother. The deceased was not afterwards seen
until his body was found about twenty minutes after the
accident. The deceased, it appeared, had previously been
with a friend in Stanhope-street. Two women were near the
spot at the time. One of them, the wife of a master of a
flat, in the dock, and who was waiting for her husband to go
on board, saw, (no doubt indistinctly,) the struggle between
Mr. Duncan and the ship-keeper, swore to the effect that
Mr. D. had hold of the deceased in a struggle on the quay,
and that on letting go his arm, he staggered. into the dnck,T.
without being struck or pushed. The evidence of this wit-
ness on cross-examination went, however, to shew that she
was a person of weak comprehension, and entirely mis-
taken as to the identity of any of the parties or their
precise number,—for she pointed out the clerk of
Mr. Wardle, (the solicitor employed by Mr. Duncan,)
as one of the individuals present on the quay She
told a similar untruth as regarded the number of the parties
present. On the other hand, it was distinctly proved by se-
veral witnesses, including the custom-house officers, the ship-
keeper, and others, that the accident happened before Mr.
Duncan left the ship. and that he was the only person who
(afterwards joined by his brother) offered to save his life.
The inquest at which these facts were elicited, took place
yesterday. The jury were much struck with the appearance
of the ship-keeper, Owens, whose dress much resembled
that of the deceased—a circumstance that had doubtless mis-
led the female witness, yet spewed in a serious light the pre-
carious and uncertain nature of midnight as well as of cir-
cumstantial evidence. The struggling she had seen was evi-
dently between the ship-keeper and Mr. Owens. The coro-
ner's jury brought in a verdict of " accidental death," not
only acquitting Mr. Duncan of the grave charge that was igno-
rantly fastened upon him, but afterwards individually shaking
him by the hand, as a brave British seaman, who, in place of at-
tempting to destroy, had tried to save the life of the deceased.
Mr. Duncan is known to the writer of this hasty paragraph,
whose testimony is not here needed of that gentleman's gal-
lantry and humanity. Mr. Duncan rendered great assist-
ance in 1828 in saving the crews of two brigs in Holyhead
bay, in acknowledgment of which lie holds complimentary
letters. In company with Mr. M'Cormac, of the " Liver-
pool," now the " Great Liverpool." he in January lsat
saved the life of a man who had fallen overboard in the At-
lantic in a heavy gale, On the 21st of July last, nearly at
midnight, he jumped overboard in Kingstown harbour from
the President Steam Ship, Captain Payrer, to which he yet
belongs, and saved two men from a watery grave, The
writer of this was on board of the President, and a witness
of the fact—a handsome testimonial of which—a large silver
snuff-box—presented by the officers and passengers of the
ship—with a suitable inscription, was the result. We should
add that the police officers on duty at the Coburg Dock gave
their testimony on the inquest with great accuracy and
propriety.

MEETING OF THE PROTESTANT OPERATIVE SOCIETY,
TO ADOPT AN ADDRESS OF SYMPATHY TO THE REV• HUGH
STOWELL.—On Tuesday evening last, a meeting of the Pro-
testant Operative Society was held in St. Mark's spacious
school-room, for the purpose of adopting an address of sym-
pathy to the Rev. Hugh Stowell, in consequence of the recent
defeat sustained by that eloquent and indefatigable champion
of the established church, in the action for libel commenced
and carried on against him by Priest Hearne. For a consi-
derable period before the proceedings were commenced, the
building was crowded to excess by several hundreds, among
whom we noticed a large number of respectable females, all
of whom evinced the deepest possible interest in the object
for which the meeting was convened. The Rev. Mr. Mar-
shall took the chair, and the meeting
was eloquently ad-
dressed by that rev. gentleman, Mr.Whatham, Mr. Hanton,
Mr. Radcliffe, the Rev. W. Falloon, Mr. Watson, and Mr.
Williams. The following address to the Rev. Hugh Stowell
was unanimously adopted :—" Rev. Sir,—We, the members
and friends of the Liverpool Operative Protestant Associa-
tion, in public meeting assembled, desire to express our
Christian sympathy with you, and to assure you that the late
legal proceedings carried on against you by the popish party
only endear you more to our affectionate regards, and call
forth our earnest prayers to Almighty God that you may be
enabled to go forth in the strength of your Divine Master,
in spite of all the malice of the enemies of true and undefiled
religion, fearlessly and boldly to expose the false doctrines
and superstitious practices of the apostate church of Rome.
The testimony of yourself, sir, and those others, champions
of protestantisin, who have stood forth with you in defence
of our religion and liberties, have been too deeply felt not to
call forth the opposition of the popish party; and we have
no doubt whatever, that the late attack was intended as the
first attempt to put down free discussion, by means of which
the light of the reformation first dawned upon this land.
But we feel assured that the attempt will be in vain ; that
thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow-countrymen
will arise with righteous indignation, and demand as their
undoubted birthright, free discussion, free inquiry, and a
freely circulated Bible ; and that the resuit will be, that po-
pery and superstition will flee away like owls and bats before
the rising sun. We would, therefore, respectfully encourage
you to persevere in spite of all opposition ; to be steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for-
asmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.' " The meeting then separated, after having first
given three cheers for Mr. Stowell,:three for church exten-
sion, and three for scriptural education. It was announced
at the close of the proceedings, that a meeting of the Fisher-
men's Branch of the Protestant Association would be held
at the Amphitheatre on Monday evening next, at which the
Rev. Hugh M'Neile is to take the ehair.