The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-13 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD.

Stu.,—Our attention has been called to the following letter,
which appears in the Mail of this day :--
" TO TILE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL MAIL.
" Srn,—We perceive, by a subscription list inserted in this
day's Courier, that the directors of the Isle of Man Steam-
packet Company paid to Captain Clegg the sum of £lO, and
that the several sums have been disposed of accordingly. If
such be the case, and the money subscribed really, and, no
doubt, fairly and equally divided, according to the rank and
station of each on board the " Huddersfield," Captain Clegg
and his brave crew are minus the sum of £2O, as we paid,
on behalf of the Isle of Man Steam-packet Company, the
sum of £3O, for which we hold a receipt. By inserting this
communication you will oblige your's, &c.
" MOORE SZCHRISTIAN.
" Redcross-street, Nov. 11, 1840."
We may, perhaps, be permitted to remark, that it would
have been well had Messrs. Moore and Christian informed
themselves of the facts of the case before they came before
the public, with a charge or insinuation such as that contain-
ed in their letter. The statement that Captain Clegg and
the crew of the Huddersfield are " minus the sum of £20,"
is altogether untrue. The following is the letter which we
received from the Isle of Man, in accordance with which the
sum of £2O was paid to Captain Clegg, and the sum of £lO
distributed amongst the crew : _ _

" /ate Man, 4th February, 1840.
" Messrs. C. HORSFALL and SON.
" GENTLEMEN ,—I am instructed by the directors of the
Isle Man Steam-packet Company to inform you, that at the
half-yearly meeting of the company, held on Tuesday last,
28th ultimo, the sum of £2O was awarded to Captain Clegg,
of the ship Huddersfield, and £lO to his crew, in testimony
of their estimation of his recent meritorious services, and
that, in accordance therewith, I forwarded a letter to him on
Friday last ; but regret to say that he had sailed on the morn-
ing of its arrival at Liverpool ; and in consequence the direc-
tors intimate that such sum has been placed to the credit of
Captain Clegg in the books of the company. I am, gentle-
men, your obedient servant,
(Signed) " EDVV. MOORE, Agent."
By the insertion of the foregoing you will oblige your obe-
dient servants, CHA. HORSFALL & SON.
12th November, 1840.

ELECTION OF PROVOST OF EDINBURGH.--The unpre-
cedentedlykeen contest for the provostship, which has agitated
the metropolis of Scotland for several weeks, terminated
on Tuesday, in a decided victory of the church party. The
only candidates proposed was the late provost, Sir James
Forrest, a ministerialist and non-intrusion churchman, and
Mr. Adam Black, a ministerialist and voluntary. The two
parties in the church of Scotland, on the great question of
non-intrusion, united in favour of the former, while the
dissenters, and a few churchmen of liberal principles, sup-
ported the latter. When the vote was taken, Sir James was
elected by a majority of 17 against 14 ; two councillors, both
of whom are churchmen, and one conservative declining to
vote. The violence of a section of the whig-party threatens
to lead to a serious division in their ranks, many who have
hitherto acted with them being disgusted with the illiberality
their proceedings have displayed.
NEW CHURCH AT BIRKENHEAD.—It Will be remem-
bered, that a few weeks since we gave a detailed description
of the handsome building which has been recently erected at
Woodside, for the purposes of divine worship. The bazaar
which was held some short time back, to increase the funds
appropriated to the erection of the church was, we believe,
through the exertions of the committee, and the liberality of
the gentry in the neighbourhood, eminently successful; and
we are glad to say that the church, being now prepared, will
be opened this morning, when a sermon will be preached by
the Rev. F. Ould. The building is dediCated to the Holy
Trinity. We anticipate many benefits to the district from
the well-known piety, ministerial faithfulness, and persever-
ing assiduity of the incumbent, the Rev. J. Baylee.
GYMNASTICS.—We beg to call the attention of our readers
to Monsieur Huguenin's advertisement, and we take leave
to subjoin the following observations :—The day of our birth
introduces us into the midst of dangers, of living beings, of
events; we feel them incessantly, as long as we exist, and it
is not in our power to escape them ; it behoves us, therefore,
to learn to resist them. For this, strength and firmness of
body and mind are necessary. As not our welfare merely,
but our very existence here depends on these qualities, they
are undoubtedly the most important that man can possess.
Man was created in his present situation by the Deity him-
self ; and can it be supposed, that he should not possess
from nature the capacity for a stability necessary
him in it? Every thing that destroys this to maintain
capacity is called
enervation ; what is it that enervates us ? It is softening
sensuality, usually called by the gentle name of refined
manner, which overruns the soil of Europe with oriental
luxuriance.

Colonel Gawler, the Governor of South Australia, whose
lavish expenditure has brought so much embarrassment on
that colony, has been recalled ; and Captain Grey has been
appointed as his. successor. Captain Grey is favourably
known to the public as an intelligent and enterprising dis-
coverer in Australia; and by all accounts he is in every re-
spect fitted for his new office.

" THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN."
Painted by Edward Prentis, engraved by Scott, and pub-
lished by Ackernzann and Co., London, and
Linnecar, 5, Ranelagh-street, Liverpool.

Perhaps there never was a painting more expressive of
domestic affliction and trial than this, or one that came
more home to the heart. It tells its own tale : at a glance
we discover a history. In a lofty chamber we find a family
group assembled, every face bearing a different expression,
yet all indicative of the subject. Upon one knee, on the
floor, with his head deeply buried in his hands, we find the
figure of a young man, apparently overwhelmed with grief
and remorse, the stick beside him indicating that he has
walked to that home which perhaps he left in less humble
manner. In an arm-chair is'seated the attenuated form of
his mother, stretching forth her arms as if anxious to em-
brace him. Near her stands the father, averting his face,
which bears strong marks of contempt and anger. From
his dress and appearance we may suppose him to be a mem-
ber of the sacred profession. With one arm fondly entwined
round his, in an attitude full of the most intense interest,
we perceive the sister entreating for her brother's pardon.
Her sweet countenance is full of maidenly beauty and rare
expression : modesty, gentleness, and love are all legible in
the lineaments of her face ; in them are blended the pliancy
of the mother and the firmness of the father. She appears
to urge her suit with the most•pressing earnestness, yet in a
respectful mode, highly becoming in a daughter pleading for
a much-loved, but misled brother. This charming creature
cannot fail to be admired by all who look upon her—by all
who have hearts to feel, and minds to appreciate that which
is beautiful and good. She is a gem, such as is found to
adorn many an English home. At the door of the apart-
ment, with her hand upon the lock, we find the old nurse,
gazing on the group with the most intense anxiety. Her
favourite's pardon would soon be granted if left to her dis-
cretion. Her look of aged affection is delightfully expressed.
The artist has charmingly introduced the tninutice of the
picture. .The piano is open, as if quitted by the dear girl
at the moment of her brother's appearance, her fingers hav-
ing just quitted the keys, and her voice having but just
stopped breathing the simple ballad of " Home, sweet
home," which appears by the open book to -have been the
object of her attention. This is a pleasant thought of the
artist, as it speaks at once as to the singer's simple habits
and her unpretending accomplishments. The sun, darting
his rays through the window, lights up the room, giving
warmth to the picture. On the wall, suspended between two
large pictures, is an empty frame, in which doubtless hung
the prodigal's portrait.

This picture is an admirable composition, rich in thought
and true to nature, while the execution of the engraving is
exquisite. ' The " Prodigal Son" ought to be put into every
portfolio, and hung in every house in the kingdom. It
really " points a moral," and would " adorn a tale."
The following lines, from the pen of Mr. James Stone-
house, convey an idea of the fervency of the sister's en-
treaty :

THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN.
TO ILLUSTRATE -THE PICTURE, BY EDWARD PRENTIS,
NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF ROBERT NAPIHR, ESQ.,
GLASGOW.

Dear Father, do not turn away—
In deep distress my brother kneels;
Though he hath sinned, within his breast
Repentance now he truly feels.
Oh! father, He who died for all—
Whose blood was shed that we might live—
Exclaimed amidst his cruel foes,
• " They know not what they do : forgive."
He hides his face, with conscious shame
He cannot meet your angry eye—
Oh ! would you seek to know his thoughts,
His tears, his bitter tears reply.
He may have mixed in folly's train,
And mingled with the light and wild,
And revelled in a thoughtless throng ' •
But still, oh! still, he is your child.
Father, recal that happy time
When, striving wisdom to convey
You taught our little knees to bend,
And our young guileless lips to pray ;
You bid us then let not yon Sun,
That streams upon us pure and bright,
Go down upon our wrath, but let
Our auger die, as fades the light.
Oh ! bear that precept now in mind,
Let kindness to his faults be shown ;
Or how can we at judgment-day
E'er ask forgiveness for our own?
May I not bid my brother rise,
And say from mind the past you blot ?
Oh ! place him in your heart once more,
And be his wand'rings all forgot.
A flush is on my mother's face,
A look of hope, a ray of joy;
Her arms are stretch'd to press again
To her fond heart her truant boy.
Though his disgrace, his sin and shame
May blight her health—her spirit chill,
Nature's sweet voice can ne'er be hushed,
Through all she dotes upon him still. .
ee where old nurse, with tearful eye,
Half smiling stands beside the door—
The faithful creature, bold in love,
Has dared to welcome him once more.
Dear father, let me bid him rise—
Oh! gaze not thus with looks so stern;
With prayer your daughter clings to beg
You'll bless the Prodigal's Return.
Nov. 6, 1840. JAMES STONE HOUSE.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HIGH-STEWARDSHIP.

CAMBRIDGE, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—This being the
first day appointed for taking the poll, the doors of the
Senate-house were thrown open► at 9 o'clock. From a much
earlier hour numerous carriages and coaches continued to
arrive with the supporters of each candidate, and amid all the
bustle usually attendant on a contested election it was inte-
resting to observe, as the time of polling approached, the
vast concourse of members of the Senate in their academic
costume congregated from all parts, many who from their
years had evidently long left the University, yet still taking
as lively an interest in the contest as their younger brethren.
STATE OF THE POLL THE FIRST DAY.
10 O'CLOCK.
Lyndhurst
Lyttelton: .
Lyndhurst
Lyttelton. .
Lyndhurst
Ly ttelton..
Lyndhurst
Lyttelton

48
11 O'CLOCK.
•
115
12 O'CLOCK.
199
151
1 o'CLocK.
217
187
2 O'CLOCK.

Lyndhurst
Lyttelton..

273
"14

3 O'CLOCK.

Lyndhurst .
Lyttelton...