The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-08-28 00:00:00

produced for the purpose of explaining and extolling
the 'liberal plan of education.' They have esta-
blished the Central Society of Education, already al-
luded to, which embraces many members of Parlia-
ment and other public characters, and the publications
of which depreciate all descriptions of religious educa-
tion, and advocate the superiority of their own plan.
They have further laboured to instil -their views into
the public mind throughout England by popular lec-
tures and addresses at public meetings, and they have
elicited petitions—many of which, no doubt, have been
signed by persons little aware of the tendency of their
system, but which prove the progress that their doc-
trines are making in the country. They have there-
fore felt themselves, at length, sufficiently strong to
bring the question under the notice of both Houses of
Parliament in the present session. In the House of
Lords, a bill has been introduced by Lord Brougham,
Which embodies the principles of this system, and pro- •
poses its immediate establishment. In the House of
Commons Mr. Wyse has brought forward a motion,
which would introduce the system, by establishing
that which is one of its great features—a central board
of education nominated by Government. It must not
b eforgotten, that both these proposals, pernicious as
their obyious tendency is, have received the general
Iprobation,-expresed in Parliament, of persons now
high in office; and that Mr. Wyse's motion was de-
feated by a majority of four only, in a house consisting
of 144 members. It is impossible, therefore, to deny
that these views have made formidable progress, and
that, if we would prevent their adoption in this coun-
try, we must forthwith awaken the public attention to
their dangerous and anti-Christian character."
They then proceed to remark "that, if the tendency
of this system of education were properly understood,
it would receive no countenance from the majority of
the people. It would be found that, however anxious
they are that the means of instruction should be widely
extended, they would require that the education of the
poor should be based on religion , that it should corn
bine Christian instruction with useful knowledge;
and that Parliament should not impose on the mem-
bers of the Church of England, who are the great ma-
jority of the people, any system of education which
should not inculcate the doctrines of that church ; any,
in short, which should not harmonize in all. its parts
with the discipline and polity of that church and be
conducted under the superintending care of the paro-
chial clergy." •
We feel equally assured that it is only necessary
that the real objects and ulterior views of these " li-
beral" advocates of national education should become-
generally known, in order to be universally scouted
by the right-minded and moral people of England.
The advantages which have so long accrued from the
system of education carried on under the auspices of
the " National School Society," are too conspicuous
to be forgotten in the clamour of a few half-witted but
mischievous innovators, who want to remove the
" ancient landmarks " of our constitution, and to in•
troduce into our happy land the reign of civil anarchy.
The address of the " Lay Union" is, we fear,
incorrect in exculpating the " British and Foreign
School Society" from all participation in the schemes
of the " Central Society of Education." The com-
mittee of the " British and Foreign School Society"
(which is supported to a great extent by contributions
from members of the Church of England) have just
issued an address, which at once identifies them with
Mr. Wyse and his fellow-labourers. In this address
the committee have the modesty to make the following
" suggestions" :—" It has been suggested that great
advantage would result if these commissioners (the
' Commissioners for General Education') were brought,
in the disposal of the public funds, into immediate
correspondence with the individual or local committee
sustaining cleft separate school, instead of acting
through the agency of any society or societies. This
point seems well worthy of consideration; but„how-
ever this may be decided, the committee would sug-
gest-Ist. That (excepting titles extinct, subsequently
maintained under this the head) this board should not
interfere, in any war, with the religious instructions
imparted in any school. 2dly. That it should not im-
pose any terms or restrictions, except such as might
be necessary in order to secure the efficient teaching,
and an adequate share of secular education. 3dly.
That the Holy Scriptures should be read and taught
in all the schools, such instruction to form part of the
usual order of occupation, in this school, and to be•
communicated uy the sellOulumaici
dren of Catholics and Jews might, if their parents
required it, be absent at such time; and that the chil-
dren of Dissenters shall not be compelled to learn any
religious formulary or catechism to which their parents
objected."

Here we have a full development of the scheme
which has been so long entertained by the political
Dissenters. They wish to have an opportunity of
inspecting all the schools in connection with the
" National Society," that they may have the pleasure
of denouncing them as inefficient, and of recommend-
ing the withdrawal of the parliamentary grant for
their support. The next step will be the establish-
ment of schools on the principle of excluding all reli-
gious formularies and catechisms. A very modest
proposal, indeed, coming as it does from a class of
people who do not contribute one-fifth of the amount
of taxation in this country ! We may well exclaim,
" What next ? " If they proceed at this rate, we shall
soon find them demanding the entire control of our
Public schools and universities, and perhaps insisting
upon having our churches converted into lecturing-
roomh for the " diffusion of useful knowledge." We
are sorry to find that concession has been attended
with exactly the same result among both Papists and
Ipissentersa--it
.has only made them more clamorous
and unreasonable in their demands; more proud and
-Overbearing in their demeanour, more insulting and
rapacious in reference to the Established Church.
We must, therefore, stop short in the career of con-
eession. "No surrender" must be our motto in
c

r ! REGISTER ! ! REGISTER ! ! !—We reite-
late our advice to the Conservatives of Liverpool to
oge no time in placing their names on the list of mu-
ciPal Voters. Unless all borough-tales are paid
.on
or
before the 31st instant, no burgess will be qualified
t 11%'ote at the ensuing election in November. The
lueraisli as they call themselves, or the radicals and
:Publicans, as we are justified in denominating them,
Are up and stirring. They calculate upon the usual
sPatliyr and want of exertion of the conservatives. Let
them find, for once, that they have " reckoned with-
out
-their host." Conservatives of Liverpool ! let us
ire " a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altoge-
er," and the losses of previous elections may be re-
t l
tied in November. Let not the radical faction tri-
ljr,"Ph in a single ward. Remember, that out of the
ioxteen councillors who retire in November, thirteen
're nicknamed reformers. Return your old and tried
Ifriends once more into the Council, and send the sham
reformers "to the right about." It is of the greatest
ITY°llance that the conservatives should make a strong
effort at the next election, as eight of the-aldermen
'lit then have to " resign office." If we can succeed
rn supplying the vacancies. in each and all of the
=3—'4nd we see no obstacle in the way but the
e indifference too frequently manifested by the
"°n!iervatives—we shall then have a chance of seeing
few conservative aldermen in the council. But be
before we speculate upon the issue of the next mun
e'Pal election, let us make the registry safe.

11aVNHOOK'S SERMON BEFORE THE QUEEN.—We
given the whole of this sermon in another part
of
.enr present impression. We perceive that five
editions have Already been sold oft; and that the de-
Maud for this discourse continues unabated. We con-
fess that we see nothing whatever in the sermon itself
Minch could account for so large a demand. It is cer-
tainly a well-digested narrative of facts; but those
facts are already perfectly familiar to every one who
has made ecclesiastical history his study. The style is
also forcible and dignified ; but it does not strike us as
being particularly eloquent. We believe that the cir-
cumstance which has contributed to render this sermon
o very Popular, is, the rumour that Dr. Hook has
been forbidden to preach before the Queen. The Age
w," the first to propagate this report; but the Leeds
JAntelligeneer states that there is no foundation for it.
As . the Intelligencer is Published in Dr. Hook's own
parish, we
presume that the editor has been autho-
rised to contradict the report.
As to the intrinsic merits of the sermon itself we
have. no room to-day to enter into any minute exami-
nation. On Friday we shall give a careful and dis-

passionate analysis of this discourse. The time has,
at length, arrived. when it behoves the friends of the
Church of England to speak their minds with free.
dom. We have reason to apprehend that the tactics
of its jesuitical enemies have been altered wi.tht❑ the
last few years, and that the church is now in greater
danger from those who are ostensibly its warmest ad-
vocates, than from those who have proclaimed open
warfare against her.

THE STATE OF CRIME IN ENGLAND.-Why is crime
on the increase in England ? Why are our gaols
filled with criminals of the deepest dye--with mur-
derers ? Is there any assignable reason by which we
may account for the alarming increase of offences
against the person in this country ? We believe that
there is. It is owing, in a very great measure, to that
mawkish sensibility, which, while it pretends to shud-
der at the commission of crime, seeks to screen the
otrender from the consequences of his guilt. It has
become the .fashion of late years to declaim against
capital punishment, as " a relic of barbarous times :"
and the very fact of a culprit's being condemned to
undergo the last penalty of the law, however dark
and horrible may have been his crime—however des-
perate his character—seems to entitle him to the sym-
pathy and almost affectionate solicitude of a certain
class of influential persons, who forthwith proceed to
intercede on his behalf, and generally succeed in pro-
curing a commutation of his sentence. It is no exag-
geration to state, that popular indignation is more
frequently excited against the upright judge . who
condemns, than the diabolical villain whom lie dooms
to merited punishment. This is not the way to check
the growth of crime. It is like offering a boon upon
murder itself. Immunity from punishment is at the
root of the evil. This is not our solitary opinion.
Our intelligent contemporary of the Blackburn Stan-
dard has the following very apposite remarks on this
subject :—" We have observed, of late, in many cases,
and have deplored its frequency, that with some per-
sons the spectacle of a fellow convicted by a jury of
his countrymen, and condemned by the law of the
land, summonses up the most lively sympathy, and
urges them to regard the abandoned wretch more in
tne light of a martyr than a malefactor—more as a
conscientious victim,' than a ruffianly criminal. A
scoundrel who by his desperate villany reduces whole
families to starvation—rubs the orphan of its inherit-
ance—and throws his dupes or his infant wards out-
casts upon the world—is treated rvith remarkable
lenity. Hanging is considered not too good for him,
and his crime is attempted to be palliated either by
reports of the refined application of his booty, or of
the splendour of his dissipation. The fellow who,
slightly incensed, seizes a knife, and stabs his anta-
gonist to the heart, is celebrated in prose and verse
as ari injured son of passion, and the fault is rather
attributed to the selfish madness of the man who per-
mitted himself to be killed, than to the unreasonable
monster who slaughtered him. Humanity at once
spends its 'commiseration on the prisoner who is to
suffer for his crime, and withholds its pity for him who
has suffered for no evil doing. Eugene Aram is re-

presented as a romantic enthusiast who became an
assassin for science sake, and the female eye is taught
to be tearful at the moving Misfortunes of a brute mho
vilely abuses one of its sex. So mercy degenerates
into a maudlin and sometimes affected interest in the
Welfare of the base and barbarOus, and so law loses

half its influence by being represented as an instru-
ment of vengeance." This is the language of truth
and soberness. The effects of this false philanthropy
are but too apparent in every part of the country.
Look at the case of the ►•retch Samuel Kirkby, who
was indicted, at the last assizes at Lincoln, for the
murder of his master, whom he deliberately poisoned.
He was convicted on the clearest evidence, and he
afterwards confessed that he had long meant to mur-
der his master, but that his resolution had only been
postponed in consequence of the difficulty he found in
poisoning his master without injuring the rest of the
family. Here was a case of cold-blooded murder,
springing from malice aforethought. But what fol-
lowed ? He was condemned to be hung: but, in
conformity to the modern fashion, his sentence was
reversed by my Lord 'John Russell, and the brute was
snatched from the gallows to be conveyed to the hulks.
On his way tinough Lincoln, when he arrived at the
Green Man, "he called for• a cigar and a glass of
grog, with as much assurance as though he had been

tcrn"'Y r -4i,%eshed and arim---1
on his journey, and said that now Fits mad was—out of
the hemp he did not care for what might come."
Now, mark the consequences of this ill-timed and
unmerited. leniency. A few days ago, a boy, about
fifteen years of age, an apprentice of Mr. Hull,
wheelwright, Melbourne, attempted to poison his
master and mistress,by putting arsenic into the sugar
which they were abou# to use fvr breagast, and which
they actually put into their coffee, but the cream not
being added to it, they fortunately detected its pre-
sence from its colour. ', Then, again, look to the more
recent case in this town, as reported in our paper of
last week, when an attempt was made to poison a
whole family.

We might multiply instances: but with such facts
as these staring us in the face, we cannot help feeling
a great degree of surprise at the pertinacity with
which so highly respectable and thoroughly conserva•
tive a paper as the Morning Herald continues to de-,
claim against capital punishment. We fear that if its
doctrines were universally acted upon, we should soon
find the very bonds of society disruptured, and a
spirit of lawless ferocity engendered which would
render England a second Pandemonium.
Before we quit this subject, we must be allowed

once more to advert to the melancholy fact, that more
than one half of the criminal cases in England afford
the.strongest proof of the inseparable connectiou be-
tween Popery and crime, as cause and effect. - It will

scarcely hie denied that fully that proportion of the
worst cases, such as murder and manslaughter, are

cases in which Irish papiks are concerned. This is a
fearful item in our criminal statistics, when the re•
lati►•e numbers of the Irish and English are considered.
In estimating the moral influence of Popery in Ireland,
we must, take all these cases into account, as most of
the Irish that are found guilty of perpetrating the
horrible crime of murder in England, have been
educated under the care of the Maynooth moralists.
And yet some people are so blind as to see nu harm
in Popery !

THE THEATRE ROY AL.—A round of comedies are now
playing. Harley, the comedian, and Mr. F. Vining, are now
down. The houses keep pretty good.
Toe POLICE COURT.—Yesterday, at the police court, there
were 67 persons brought before the magistrates charged with
being drunk and disorderly, and 66 charged with felony, and
in all 13.3 persons taken into custody since Saturday.
THE ZOOLOGICAL GA RDENS.—There was another erup-
tion of Vesuvius last evening. The mountain is about to be
taken down, and will, we believe, cease after Thursday even-
ing next, when there is to be another exhibition, "eruciare
viscera cum gonitu "
POSTPONEMENT OF New BRIGHTON RACES.—Our sport-
ing readers on this and the other side of the Mersey will
learn with regret that these races, which have hitherto afforded
so much amusement to the pleasure-seeking portion of the
community, are unavoidably postponed for the present. This
disappointment has arisen in consequence of an opinion ex-
pressed by the magistrates of the northern division of the
county, to the effect, that as the stakes to he contended for
do not amount to £5O, the sum required by law, they should
not feel justified, in case of any breach of the peace being
committed, in interfering to protect the property of the par-
ties interested in the success of the meeting. The races,
consequently, are put off for the present year.
TRANSATLANTIC STEAM SHIP NAVIGATION.—We have
no small satisfaction in stating that the new Transatlantic
steam ship com,pany, have completed the purchase of Sir
John Tobnes splendid- steam vessel "the Liverpool," now
nearly completed, and by which a valuable accession of in-
terests has been effected,—and a great stimulus given to the
establishment of an adequate supply of first-rate steamers,
for the intercourse with New York from this port.—The
Company have also made a further charter of the "Royal
'—which vessel will sail on her second voyage to
New York, on the 20th of September, to be followed by the
Liverpool," on the 20th of October.. If Liverpool has
been last in the field, this amalgamation of interests will
guarantee the permanence of one of the first steam establish-
ments in the Kingdom, and one worthy of this great com-
mercial port.
FREEMASONS' AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.
—Being among the first to •hail and advocate this company
it gives us great pleasure to observe the eminent success with
which it has been attended. In fact, the principles on which
it is based only require to be investigated in order to be ap-
proved. It adds to the cardinal virtues of masonry " Faith,
Hope, and Charity," a fourth, perhaps of still greater im-
portance in human l►fe, viz., Prudence. The plan of giving
to the Provincial Grand Lodge of every district a tenth of
the profits realized in that district for the benevolent put poses
of masonry, is an admirable feature, and is calculated to make
each vie with the other in support of this association. Ma-
sonry will thus have a standing fund always available for its
objects, and like the banana tree of the Indies, every branch
from tae Grand Lodge may become a great trunk itself.
The plan, too, of giving the option of a provision for old age,
an increase of the policy, a diminution of the premium, or it
loan on the advances, though not original, is very judiciously
grafted on the previously advertised system,. while. the two
classes of the assured, one with all the profits Of its own class,
divided among themselves, and the other .at an extremely
low premium, with all the profits to the shareholders in addi-
tion to the guaranteed five per cent., is a feature quite new,
and likely to be very popular with both capitalists and per-
sons desiring to insure,

LIVERPOOL CONSERVATIVE TRADESMAN'S

ASSOCIATION.

On Friday evening last especial meeting of the members
of this association was called, for the purpose of inviting
Cresswell Cresswell, Esq., one of our talented representa-
tives, to meet the members of the association before he left

town, after the business of the assizes was concluded, his pro-
fessional labours thereat being over. The association met
in its usual meeting room—the large rolm of the York-hotel.
At eight o'clock the room was nearly filled, and Mr. Cooper
was called to the chair. The handsome banner of the asso-
ciation, with several union jacks and royal standards were
suspended over and about the platform.
The CHAIRMAN said that owing to the unfortunate indispo-
sition of Mr. Potter, and the unavoidable absence from home
of Mr. Wilkinson, it had fallen to his lot to preside on this
interesting and iriiportant occasion ; and however inadequate
he might be, on the score of ability, to the performance of
the duties which he had been selected to discharge, he trusted,
and indeed had no doubt, that he should receive the in-
dulgence and support of all present. In the first place, he
begged to remind them, and through them the conservatives
generally of the hot ough,. that the time had now arrived when
those gentlemen who wished to exercise their rights and pri-
vileges as free citizens were more particularly called upon to
take care that their names were properly imserted in the re-
gister for their municipal election. Ile exceedingly regretted
to observe, on looking over the parliamentary register, that
a great number of friends to the constitutional cause and the
Protestant religion would be prevented exercising the par-
liamentary franchise in the event of an election in the en-
suing year, by the non-payment of their rates; and as Thurs-
day last was the last day for the payment of rates to enable
them to be placed on the municipal list, he much feared the
occurrence of a similar omission, and gave this notice in order
that it might be avoided. Since the last time he had the
pleasure of meeting the members of their flourishing associa-
tion, by the exercise of some perseverance and by some little
exertion they bad been enabled to defeat the infamous prisons'
bill, (introduced by Lord John Russell to the House of Com-
mons,) and which bill, if it passed into a law, would have
involved the town in an expenditure of 1:200,(X/b. (Cheers.)
The object of his lordship was to try the effects of silent
system, 'and Liverpool being an opulent town he thought it
afforded an admirable opportunity for the experiment. Had
he succeeded the inhabitants would have au additional rate
inflicted upon them, to the amount, probably, of from eight-
pen.e to one shilling, or perhaps eighteenpence in the pound.
(Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") The people of Liverpool,
in this instance, as in many others, had reason to thank God
they had a House of Lords, for to their lordships, and them
alone, backed by reptesentations from this town, they were
indebted for the rejection of that shameful measure, (Cheers.)
He might here, with propriety, mention that a very numer-
ously- and respectably signed requisition had been sent to the
churchwardens from inhabitant householders, requesting them
to call a public meeting for the consideration of this proposed
enactment, in which not only the conservatives but the peo-
ple generally were so deeply interested. The churchwardens,
it appeared, submitted that requisiton to the vestry-clerk,
and that functionary gave it as his opinion that they could
have nothing to du with it. (Hear, hear.) lie (the chair-
man) thought that in a matter where the interest of the town
were so deeply concerned, it was their duty to have called the
inhabitants together to discuss the question; and he now
gave notice, that if no other person required an explanation
from the .churchwardens at the next Easter assembly, he
would take that duty upon himself. (Cheers.) When last
he alluded to this subject, he stated the extent of the powers
to make rules and regulations which the bill conferred, and
which gave the right of unlimited taxation to the Home Se-
ceretary—a power which ought not to be entrusted to any in-
dividual. It delegated the authority to build gaols to the
town-council, but the ministers, with true whig liberality,
took care that they would have all the patronage, though the
money was to come from the pockets of the people. (Hear.)
The chairman concluded by reading the observations of the
Marquis of Salisbury in the House of Peers, on the 7th ult.,
Which he contended bore out what he had stated, when moving
that the bill be read that day six months.
A number of new members were then proposed, seconded,
and admitted; and during the transaction of this part of the
business, Mr. Cresswell entered the room, accompanied by a
number •of gentlemen of high respectability. He was re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of regard.

. .
Mr. SANDS presented himself amidst much applause, and
said it was with extreme, reluctance and great diffidence that
he came forward to take part iu these meetings, not because
he did not feel deeply interested in their prosperity, and the
importance of their discussions, but because he was conscious
of being incompetent to do justice to the subject with which

he was on such occasions entrusted. The resolution now
placed in his hands fortunately required no preface—he need
not introduce it with any speech; and, indeed, it would be
bad taste in him were he to venture to infringe upon their
time, when it might be so much more worthily and instruc-
tively occupied in listening to an address front their respect-
ed member, who was in waiting to speak to them, Mr. Cress-
well. (Great cheering.) He might, in a few words, mention,
on the part of that gentleman, several important questions
which were brought before parliament in the past session,
with regard to which he had rendered the town considerable
service; but he need only refer to one, and that was the settle-
ment of the Danish claims. (Loud cheers.) Be would at
once read the resolution 'which he held in his hand, with per-
fect confidence that it would receive the general and imme-
diate adoption of the meeting :—‘6 That this association takes
the opportunity now afforded to them, of declaring their un-
qualified approbation of the parliamentary conduct of Lord
Viscount Sandon and Cresswell Cresswell, Esq., and acknow-
ledges, with gratitude, the zeal, energy, and the efficiency
with which they hare, on every occasion, promoted the local
interests of the borough of Liverpool." (Cheers.)
Sir T. Bir ANCKER observed that the merits of both the hon.
representatives for Liverpool were so well known to the
meeting that he was sure the resolution needed no speech
either from the mover or seconder. Ile should therefore
content himself with seconding the motion.
The CHAIRMAN said that as lie was in London some time,
on the deputation respecting the cottage question, be had an
opportunity of witnessing the usefulness of their honourable
members. The town was deeply indebted to them in many
respects, but more particularly- for their unwearied exertions
in opposing that unjust and partial measure.
The motion was carried by acclamation. The cheering
was renewed on Mr. Cresswell stepping forward to reply.
Mr. CuEsswELL having stood forwards, was received with
enthusiastic cheering and demonstrations of regard. Ile
said, Gentlemen, when I was informed that a meeting of this
admirable association—

[At this juncture some Reformer whose manners were evi-
dently in want of considerable reform, persisted in not
" hesitating." but shouting out his "dislike" of Tories,
order, church, Queen, and constitution, which resulted in a
te-cii-g_' g a 1:;II shE Aka' riuY
been carried into effect but for the intercession of the hon.
member.]
Something like order having again been restored, Mr.
Cresswell proceeded. If any member of the association has
an observation to make before I proceed to return thanks
to you for your great kindness, I shall be most happy that he
shall be permitted to do so now. (Cheers.)
The Reformer was here requested to stand up and " hint
his faults," and after much pressing, at length growled out—
I say Pain not competent; I have nothing to say. (Laughter.)
Quiet having been now restored,
•The Hon. Member proceeded.=--It is no easy matter for
any ordinary being to contend against a large body, and as
I have had some little call for my exertions already in the
course of the day, I appealed to the gentleman who seemed
disposed to address our meeting, in order that I might ob-
tain something like quiet, while endeavouring to return my
humble thanks to you for the honour you have just paid me.
(Cheers.) And I was about to state to you, when I heard
you were going to assemble this day, not at one of your or-
dinary meetings, but to gite me an opportunity of addressing
you, I felt deeply grateful to you for your kindness. For
as this was the great society that first invited me forward to
represent this town in parliament, so nothing could give me
greater pleasure than having an opportunit of meeting you
ere I take my •departure from Liverpool. And, gentlemen,
I do assure you most sincerely, when I entered this room to
night, I little expected to receive that unanimous mark of
your approbation with which you are pleased to honour me.
For however anxious I ens to labour for your benefit, and to
dischaige with fidelity the duties 1 have undertaken, it did not
appear to me that any poor service I have been able to render
vou was at all deserving of such a compliment as you have

been pleased to give me. The only claim to your approbation
I can have, is, I have endeavoured to do my duty. (Cheers.)
I have endeavoured to act on that principle which I told you
in the outset should ever govern my public career ;—that I
was nut going into parliament for any scheme of personal
vanity—for any ambitious project of my own—that I re-
ceived your trust as a matter of public duty, and, therefore,
the simple and straightforward discharge of my duty would
be the only object I had in view. (Loud cheers.) Gentle-
men, it is that same principle which has governed me in my
career in parliament, within the walls of the House of Com-
mons; for I ca❑ say, most sincerely, and I believe that
many of you can bear witness to the truth of it, that I have
never endeavoured to utter one word for the sake of gaining

the applause of my hearers, or for the vain motive of de•
siring to see it published in the newspapers of the following
day. (Great applause.) And, gentlemen, if I had departed
from that line I should have betrayed my duty to you, and
for this reason; any gentleman honoured by the election of
this great constituency,—made tne representative of this
great and flourishing town, must of necessity carry into the
House of Commons a certain degree of weight with hint.
He would be considered (at all events at first) as entitled to
the respect and attention of that House; anti I need hardly
point out to you how essential it is that your members should
retain that respect, in order when they have to discuss, as
advocates, your weighty interests, the respect of that House
may be maintained to them; and I know of no course that
any Member of Parliament can lake, more fatal to himself,
more injurious to his interests than to render himself promi-
nent by frequent discussions, by frequentlyubtruding himself
on the [louse, and by making himself what is commonlystermed
a "bore." (Laughter and cheers.) That, therefore, I have
cautiously avoided, and I trust I have thus far succeeded,
and that I have never had•occasion to advocate any of your
interests either in or out of that House where I have not re-
ceived that attention which is due to the representative of
this town. (Cheers.) • And you, gentlemen, have been
pleased to bear witness to the consequences of that course by
telling me I have not been an inefficient supporter of your,
interests. (Hear.) The course that has been taken in the
present session has certainly given us but little opportunity
of speaking of local matters; for although many questions
interesting to this town have been agitated for a time, none
of them have been brought fairly to the battle, but have been
postponed. But if the bill for making the owners of small
tenements pay rates that the owners of large properties are
not called on to pay, shall be again introduced—if another
attempt shall be made to subject the government of the pilot-
age of this poi t to a board in London, you will again find
your members ready there, in the House or out of it, to
fight the battles of their constituents. (Great cheering.)
But enough of these matters, which are personal to our-
selves. Let the take a short view of the proceedings in
parliament as to those subjects of more general interest,
which all were discussing at large before the last parliament.
I think I may congratulate you—we may congratulate each
other on this, that, after a long and laborious session, noinroad
has been made on the constitution, by its avowed or conceal-
ed enemies, or by both combined. Yes, gentlemen, we have
seen a ministry composed of what was well called "squeezable
materials" We have seen them acted on by Radical squeez-
ers—(continued laughter)—we have seen them wincing under
that operation ; but, on the other hand, being controlled by the
Conservative party in that house, our institutions have been
unimpaired. And although the friends and supporters of the
administration—although they, without 'Whom the ministry
could nut exist for an hour, are now endeavouring to excite
agitation bordering on rebellion in one portion of the empire,
I trust that the same firm front shown by the conservatives
previonsio the last election will be again shown by them,
and will produce the same subjects of congratulation. (Cheers)
Let me point out to you, gentlemen, a short description of
the session, written by the editor of a paper extremely clever
certainly, hut by no means favourable to the Conservative
party ; and if they pay this tribute to us, if they give us this
strength, surely we may be allowed to congratulate each
other. That paper [which we understood to be the Spectatorl
says —" The summary of parliamentary • performances and
omissions, recalling the manner in which each question had
been treated, suggests reflections on the state of parties anti
of public feeling. In an often-retriembered and once griev-
ously-vituperated paper of ours, now a twelvemonth old,"
and that was written about the time of the last election, when
conservatism triumphed here—(great applause)—" it was
predicted that the session which has just ended would exhibit
conservatism in the ascendant. We warned the reader that
there would be a government of tory principles and prac-
tice, whatever its professions may be; a government, of what-
decidedly conservative of the present ever men composed,
franchise—of the present plan of open voting under bribery
and intimidation—of the peerage as it is, and of the church
as it-is.' • The prediction has been but too completely veri-
fied." Gentlemen, I say the prediction has been gloriously

verified. (Cheers.) It has been happily verified. Yes,
gentlemen, thanks be to the admirable and talented leaders
of that party, the Conservatives have been kept most unani-
mously together; they have succeeded in repelling all at•
tacks on our parliamentary,franchise ; they have succeeded
in exposing the abominable " vote by ballot," which would
make Englishmen shrink from avowing- their own sentiments
—(much cheering)—which would make their lives a • lie.
They have succeeded in maintaining the church in all its in-
tegrity. (Cheers.) They have succeeded in maintaining
the independence of the peerage. And if our enemies, thus
admitting that we have succeeded, as at the outset we said
we trusted we should, in maintaining, by the assistance of the
British electors, the institutions of our country, seeing you
still animated by the same feeling as then, seeing you still
active, how can you doubt that others will be actuated by the
same spirit—that the same feeling will prevail throughout,
and that other Conservative constituencies will be actuated
by the same spirit of our own constituents. Desirous of act-
ing up to our principles, we shall continue with the same de-
termination, and, I trust, under God's providence, with the
same success, to maintain all the valuable institutions of our
country. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, are we to thank the ministers
for this? (" No !") What has been their career throughout
the session ? They had scarcely settled the revenue of our
gracious Queen before the disastrous news arrived, that in
Canada, the weakness of their government had encouraged
agitation, till it had ripened into rebellion; and almost the
first public act of the session was to suspend the constitution
of that country, and send out a Dictator to govein it. One of
the blessed fruits of " liberality"--(Laughter.) And how did the
session close? Why with a bill to indemnify that Dictator
for the excesses he had committed beyond the authority in-
vested in him by law.—(Cheers and laughter.) So much for
the love of liberality in these our ministers.—(Hear and
cheers.) But how have they dealt with other matters, with
tithes? with the church? Yes, gentlemen, after obtaining
office by a pledge on their part that they would deem no set-
tlement of the Irish church question satisfactory, that did not
involve the spoliation of the church property; in order to
keep the places so obtained, they abandon that principle, and
cast it out of their bill.—(Hear.) And, on the other hand,
the squeezers being applied to them, the enemies of the church
obtain not indeed the plunder, because that they could not
get, because we were too strong for them, but a civil speech
from the ministers—" we still think we ought to give you this,
but we cannot get it fouuu."—(Laughter.) And this is their
course ; they Meld to necessity ; they adopt such measures
as they are compelled to pass, and then, lest they should lose
their Radical supporters, they pledge themselves to let it pass.
They agreed to adopt measures they were forced to pass, lest
their rejection should compel them to leave office; and to gra-
tify the Radicals, they pledged themselves to plunder the
church the first practicable opportunity.—(Laughter.) And,
therefore, although we have succeeded in maintaining the
church as it was, according to the statement in this paper, no
thanks to the ministry; although it was by means of a
wi-
nisterial bill thiitahat result has been obtained. Gentlemen,
I will not proceed through the details of this session; I will
not detain you longer, because I shall ere long have au op-
portunity of addressing you in conjunction with my excellent,
esteemed; and valued colleague, Lord Sainion.— (Tremendous
cheering.) I say, gentlemen, that it is in the anticipation, in
conjunction with him at your approaching anniversary, of
again meeting you, and in the prospect of the future, that I
shall abstain from addressing you more at length now. But
before I lake leave of you, permit me to say of that noble and
excellent person, that as nothing could be more generous,
nothing more manly, nothing snore pleasing to me as his col-
league, than his conduct during his canvass here, so nothing
could be more kind and considerate than the attention I have
received from bins whilst instructing me in parliament prac-
tice, and assisting ins in parliamentary duties in which I was
a novice, and of necessity, ignorant before. 'Therefore, gentle-
men, if I have been able to serve you, if I have not been found
an inefficient representative, to the noble lord rather than to
me, your thanks ought to he given for his peculiar services.—
(Cheers.) l can only wish, gentlemen, that my situation
placed me independent in my circumstances as he is, that I
'could have more opportunity in attending to the calls' made
on him•by you. I can only say, that I have double pleasure
in. fighting your battles by his side, both on account of the
respect I feel for him, and the respect that he always carries
with him.—(Cheers.) For him and myself allow me to re-
turn you my hearty thanks, and till October to bid you
farewell.—(Great cheering.)
Mr. PUDSEY PA WSON having been proposed a member of
the association by his brother, Mr. Ricti Ann Da wsoN, and
unanimously elected, that gentleman was loudly called for,
and on presenting himself was touch cheered. He said that
he had peculiar satisfaction in acknowledging the honour
which the meeting had done him in electing him as a mem-
ber of the Tradesmen's Conservative Association of Liver-

pool. lie had warm feelings towards the town, which had
descended to him from a man who might have been known
to some of the older members, and whose name many of the
younger ones might remember. (A cry of " Old Pudsey,"
and a laugh.) He was proud to be admitted into an associ-
ation which exhibited so marked an approbation of the par-
liamentary conduct of his friend, Mr. Cresswell. It was
impossible for them to select more able men than Lord San-
don and that gentleman to represent this loyal, ancient, and
important borough. (Cheers.) He (Mr. D.) had carried
through life, to the present period, the recollection of days
which he had spent in Liverpool, and he trusted he should

continue to preserve those recollections, with those arising
out of the present meeting, to the latest period of his exist-
ence. Whilst they selected such representatives as Lord
Sandon and Mr. Cresswell, they could do no Wrong. He
begged to be allowed to .say, before he retired from the notice
of the meeting, that he was not skilled in the masonry, if so
it might be termed, of merchandise. (Laughter.) He was
an agriculturist, and had lived long enough in the country
to know that the landed interest was not to be despised—he
had lived to become acquainted, in the country where he had
the honour to reside, with many of the principal manufac-
turers, who had acknowledged that they derived their best
support from the aristocracy and the landed interest—they
were the best paymasters, they were certain, and their money
-was at home. (Cheers.) Again thanking the meeting for
the honour conferred upon him, he expressed a hope that the
association would prosper, and that they would long continue

to return Conservative members for Liverpool. (Cheers.)
Mr. BUSHELL had to propose a gentleman who was con-
nected with the literature of the country, and whom the
country had honoured. He would not keep the meeting in
impatience, but would propose the health of Dr. 111`Ginn.
(Roars of laughter.) He had made a lapses lingua, but it
was one which he would not retract or withdraw. He re-
peated that he wolald give the health of Dr. M‘Ginn, and
was sure that it would be gratifying to them to know that a
man of his talent was advocating their cause. There was
plenty of talent in the world, but it was not often they found
talent and principle-'combined, as in the case of the learned
doctor.

mi.. I ,t• !z.•
The question was put, and carried unanimously.
Dr. IVl'Grriw then stood forward. Ile said—Gentlemen,
I may truly commence with the hacknied commencement,
" unaccustomed as 1 aus to public speaking," for this is -posi-
tively the first speech I ever made in my life. But I have
been relieved from much of the difficulty of it by the pleas-
ing manner (laughter) in which it has been proposed by Mr.
Bushell. Ile gave the health of the gentleman who now
addresses you. y:.hue.n
hhaa, m
viebyeen long.accustomed to address fes-
tive meetings in all.manners of jocularities and mirth; and,
therefore,
gentlemen, was, that thereher:alstfinportVinogsetdo, dalrlinlkfeit nitiso.rr f r
(Con-
tinued laughter.) I certainly think lam very happy in the
o
name of my proposer. I shall not " hide my candle under
a bushell ;" but as all of you know a bushel! is a good mea-
sure all the world over, I hope that justice shall be given to
you, three strikes to the .bushell of the very best and strongest
conservatism that can be brewed in the county of Lancashire.
(Cheers.) 'When I came here first, I was told I was going
to make a speech. I was fainting under the oppression of
the native diffidence which belongs to my country—(loud
laughter)—till, I say, I was infinitely relieved by that agree-
able manner in which the first salutation of *Mr. Bu-shell
burst forth—and rescued me from all dread. And, therefore,
as my health has been toasted, I give the health of the con-
servatives of Lancashire, and long may they enjoy them-
selves in every possible way they can. (Loud cheers, and
laughter.)
Mr. SHEPHERD was loudly called for, and on coming for-
ward was heartil- cheered. He made some allusion to the
hedge podge system of the whig ministry, and, as an Irish
gentlemen, returned thanks to Mr. Cresswell fol• the inde-
pe,ndent, zealous, and manly manner in which he had met
the great agitator of his (Mr. S.'s) country in the House of
Commons. He had come down as the Roman of nld in.
integrity and manliness, and bearded the lion in his den.
Had he conducted himselfas O'Connell had frequently done,he
would never again have held up his head. Mr. O'Connell was
again wrong when be contradicted Lord Sandell, who said he
had formerly advocated the payment of the Roman Catholic
clergy by the state. He had declared in 1825, before a com-
mittee of the House of Commons that it would be an excel-
lent thing if they would pay the Roman Catholic clergy, and
bind them to the state as the Protestant clergy were. He
afterwards went up to the House of Lords, and on his solemn
oath said the project would be useful. On being questioned
as to the amount of salary which he thought they ought to
have, he stated £BOO per annum for a bishop, and £ 1500 for
an archbishop. In 1828 he wrote to the electors of Clare
county, that if they would elect hint he would advocate the
introduction of poor-laws into Ireland ;he afterwards changed
his views, and then urofessed to have been converted by a
pamphlet written by Dr. Doyle; now again we had him de-
erecaling poor-laws as injurious. There was no end to his
inconsistency. Mr. Shepherd then said he found the whigs
to be such an extraordinary set, that no one could express
himself decently on their actt, and theiefore he would read
what was said of them by a radical paper :—" Amongst the
signs of the tunes omening the public revolt, either induced
by whig incapacity or directed against whig misrule, we
_reckon the meeting at Manchester, held on Thursday,
August 16, 1838, on the so-called field of Peterloo, nut
the least significant. The multitude formed a procession,
and were led to the seen of action by a band playing the
Dead March in Saul.' The chairman, on assuming his

office, read the notices under which the meeting was assemb-
led, commencing with the fearful words, Meitoati DEMANDS
JUSTICE"; and the most inflammatory harangues were ut-
tered by Messrs. Benbow, Curran, Wheeler, and Vincent—
the latter of whom denounced, in the most energetic terms,
the reign of ' enlightened and philosophical whiggery,' under
which the country pines and languishes. 'ln 1830,' said he
the glorious French revolution took place. The French
people,• oppressed by their aristocracy, rose in arms, and
obtained a glorious and almost bloodless victory. (Cheers.)
But they were cheated and swindled by the French whigs—
(hear, hear)—just as you were swindled by the British whig
reform bill. (Loud cheers ) The French-revolution roused
the British nation into action. The leading whig aristocracy,
hungry for place and thirsty for power, taking advantage of
the general discontent of the people, raised the cry of reform,
and backed by your physical efforts, carried their ten-pound
reform bill. (Hear, hear.) What have we got by this bill?
Its first fruit was the Irish coertion bill—(groans)—hecause
the ministry were in some slight favour with the English -
radicals, and could do without King Dan and his tail—
(laughter.)—'But the eloquent gentleman is even yet more
explicit, and the public feeling has been still more unequivo-
cally expressed Now, mark me, men of Manchester,'
continues Mr. Vincent, there is a man of whom I cannot
speak with sufficient contempt—l mean the wretch who
moved a vote of thanks to the Manchester murderers—
, (groans), Lord Viscount Melbourne, the prime minister of
the present reformed government. (Hisses and groans.)
This wretch was the prime mover of the outrage committed
in Calthorpe-street. (Hear.) He belonged to the govern-
ment that. coerced Ireland, to the government that gave
English labourers the poor-law amendment bill, to the govern-
ment that increased the civil list beyond tore parallel, to the
government that coerced Canada. He and his government
have been guilty of every species of political villany. You
are the jury before which they are nowt °be tried—(t heers);
you know their actions—you have felt their conduct—what
say you? Are they guilty of treason to the people, or not
guilty? (Loud cries of "guilty," and cheering.) Each of
you who believe them to be guilty hold ,up your bands.
you
the whole assemblyiheld up their hands.) Your ver-
dict is unanimous. (Cheers.) Oh, my friends, how I wish
that I were empowered to deliver my verdict. (A cry of
"hang them".) "No, they are not worth hanging." (Cheers.)
(Every sentiment in the last ten lines was received in a simi-
lar manner.)
The CHAIRMAN. after the admission of some more new
members announced that the business of the evening was at
an end. Three times three cheers were then given for "San-
don and Cresswell," the county members, the conservatives
of South Lancashire, and the chairman.

The General Steam Navigation Company are about to
add to their fine fleet of steam ships and packets, forty-seven
in number, by the building of three more large steamers, the
keels of which have been laid down at the ship building
yards in the river. They are now in a forward state, and
will be launched and fitted up for the northern trade, Ant-
werp, Rotterdam, and flataburg, in the early part of neat
year.

LIVERPOOL ASSIZES.

NISI PRIUS COURT.-FRIDAY.
LIABILITY OF AUCTIONEERS.-VVOOD AND OTHERS ASSIG

NEES V. STAMP

' The plaintiffs, in this case, were the assignees of Edward
and John Mirfin, the former lately a general warehouseman
and dealer in Manchester, the latter in Leeds. The defen-

dant, Mr. Francis Stamp, is au auctioneer and commission
agent at Hull.
Mr. Cresswell, Mr. Cowling, and Mr. Watson for the
plaintiffs; Mr. Alexander, Mr. Wightman, and Mr. Martin
for the defence.

Mr. CRESSWELL stated the case to the general effect, that
Edward Mirfin, of Manchester, and John Mirfin, of Leeds,
had procured large quantities of goods from different manu-
facturers, which they had transmitted to Mr. Stamp, who had
sold them at a ruinous sacrifice. He should prove that the
goods had been obtained lavishly, and that in the course of
the circumstances Mr. Francis Stamp could not but have had
a knowledge that the transactions were unfair, and out of
the common and regular course of business. lie should fur-
ther prove that an act of bankruptcy had been committed by
Edward Mirfin in June, 1837; that he caused himself; early
in that month, to be denied to a person who called to present
a bill of exchange; that he went to Leeds, and left word with
his clerk to inform any, individual who might call upon him
that he had gone to Bakely, in Yorkshire; and that thus he
played at hide and seek from June to August, on the 7th of
which month he took refuge in the Isle of Man. He should
also show that on one occasion a quantity of goods were
sent to a Hull in a post-chaise, post haste, in a most gentle•
manlike style. The goods sent by Edward Mir•tin be should
prove amoubtcd "to £6OOO, and those by the other. to £9OOO.
I'he assignees now claimed £l5BO, or perhaps even a larger
sum, as the amount of goods sent to the defendant after the
first act of bankruptcy, which they would be very able to

prove.
Mr. Charles Cooper, solicitor, produced the document of
bankruptcy against Edward Mirfin, dated 2.5 th October, 1837.
The appointment of assignees took place on the 7th Novem-
ber, 1837.

It appeared that Mirfin had written to the defendant, and
transacted a portion of his business with him under •the as-
sumed name George Thomas. Mr. Cooper having pro-
duced the examination of the defendant before the commis-
sioner, was cross-examined touchin! the knowledge which
the defendant had of the Mirfins. ft appeared that the de-
fendant knew nothing of Mirfin in the first instance, and that
the transaction had taken place through the medium of a Mr.
Burnell, Mirfin's traveller.

James Booth stated that he entered the service of Edward
Mirfin; in January, 1837. He recollected that fustian goods
had come to Mirfin's possession from Messrs. Dawson and
Co., manufacturers, in June, 1837. The day after their ar-
rival they were sent to Mr, Stamp, at Hull. An inventory
was sent with them. They were not entered in any way but
as having "come iii." That was not the ordinary course of
doing busiuess. The witness further_ proved that goods bad
arrived at Edward Mirfin's warehouse from the following
manufacturers: from Messrs. Inglis and Jones, ou the 20th
June; from Messrs. Hall and Gordon on the 3hune; from
Messrs. Longworth and Son, on the 22d June; from Messrs.
Isaac Hodgson, (silks) on the 19th June; from Messrs. Ro-
berts, on the 21st June; from Messrs. Cooke and Woods,
the petitioning creditors, on the 3d July, to the amount of
£369 Ils. 2d., and from Mr. Dawson, on the 3d July, all of
which were on the day, or day but one after the arrival sent.
away to the defendant. Several assortments of prints, furs,
&c., the amount continually increasing, were proved by the
.witness to have been sent up to the end of July. The prices
at which Mr; Mirfin boughthis goods were low. The amount
sent front January to the end of July, was altogether about
£6OOO. From the very beginning of the time that he entered
Mirfin's service the creditors were pressing him for pay-
ments. On the Bth of June be remembered a person calling
with a bill of exchange for £lBB 19s. 6d. Mr. Mirtin was
not in, but when he came in witness told bun of the circum-
stance, and that the person was to call again the afternoon.
Mr. Mirfiu said if the person did call, he was to say that he
was not in. The individual, who was a clerk to a person of
whom Mirtin had bought goods, called again that afternoon.
Witness was with Mirfin when the boy brought word up that
a person wished to see him. Mirfin told him, if it were that
person, to 'say that he was not there. On the 9th July, Mir-
tin went away to Leeds,. but he told him ( witness) to say
that he had gone to Bakewell. He returned in about a fort-
night, but he did not go to the warehouse. He sent for wit-
ness, and asked if he had any money at the warehouse. Wit-
ness said no, but that Mr. Woodhouse had gone to Bakewell
to look for him. He laughed, and said if any one enquired
for him, it was not to be said he was in town, as he expected
to be arrested on a bill of Exchange. - The goods were ad-
dressed to Stamp by initials only.
qn his cross-examination by Mr. ALEXANDER, witness de-
posed that prices were generally low at that time, but if they
hail chosen to sell at a sacrifice of 25 per cent. they could
have sold easily at Manchester.
William llowbotton, a carrier's clerk proved the transmis-
sion through Messrs, Carver and Co., carriers, of a number
of cases, bales, and trusses of goods marked S. 11., which
it was understood by the manifeSt were consigned to Mr.
Stamp of Hull.
Benjamin Burrell stated, that be knew Edward Mirfin
and his brother. They formerly carried on business as John
Mirfiu and Sons. At the begining of last year, witness was
in the corn trade. He had been a draper and had known
Mirfin many years. In April last year, Edward Mirfin
made applications to him about going to Hull for him he
(Mirfin) having been taken so ill that he could not go him-
self. This was at Wakefield, where he (witness) resided.—

Mirfin pressed him to go to Hull to receive some money for
him to meet a Bill of Exchange which he had to advise of,
and gave him a letter addressed to Mr. Stamp. Witness
went and arrived at Hull at the latter end of April.
The letter from Edward Mirfin to Mr. Stamp sent by wit-
ness, was here put in and read. It was signed George
Thomas. It was to the effect that goods had been forwarded
to Mr. Stamp of Hull, the bearer had the invoice. The

bearer (Burrell) was des'eribed as a Mr. John Wilson, a per-
son acquainted with the transaction between the parties, and
one in whom the writer had implicit confidence. A hope
was expressed that better prices would be realised, and a
promise given that more goods would be forwarded.
The witness went on to state that Miran requested him not
to go in is own name on account of his former misfortunes.
Those misfortunes were that he had failed; that he had been
prosecuted at the York assizes, where he fell a victim to au
accusation in which his name was joined with those of seve-
ral others charged with conspiracy. He was included in a
verdict of guilty. When he went to
-Hull, therefore, in this

,usiness he took the name of John Wilson, at the instance of

Mirfin. He presented the letter to Mr. Stamp, and received
upwards of £3OO which he applied as directed. He after-
wards had to go several times to Hull. Mr. Stamp bad an
PtigfiAntit'at'd-tiithki-n'etilitl
Railed by the name of the
day, hesaw an individual whom he knew—a Mr. Wells—and
he said to Mr. Stamp, as that individual knew him he-thought
he had- better retire. Mr. Stamp desired him to walk into
the counting-house. .A journey or two after, Mr. Stamp
told him always to go through his house and not. to the business
department at all. If he saw people inspecting goods he went
up into a sitting-room. One day a Mr. Jones came, and on
his intimating to Mr. Stamp that that persdn knew him, the
latter told hint to walk up stairs. It was usual to put the
manufacturers marks on goods. In order that there might
be no tracing of the goods in question, Mr. Stamp had the
marks taken off and his -own private marks snbstituted. He
(Witness) and the warehouseman had assisted to do this.
He conceived the-amount of goods sent by Edward Mirfin
was about £OOO, and by the other brother, about £9OOO. On
the 7th July, Mr. Stamp presented a letter to witness at Hull,
and requested him to sign it.
The letter alluded to was put in and read. It was signed
John Wilson, and addressed to F. Stamp, and dated July,
1837. The letter was a sort of certificate from the person
whose signature it bore, that several lots of goods had been
sent to the defendant as the property of Mirfin, by an indi-
vidual who called himself their agent, and who had been
introduced as George Thomas. It further contained an ac-

knowledgment of advances on the goods to the amount of
£1520 7s. 10d., with a guarantee for the repayment of the,
same. On the same sheet was another note with the same
signature This note acknowledged the receipt of £10.5 2s. 7d.
for the use of Edward Mirlin.

Witness stated that he signed the notes as requested.
Some of the goods sold at a great sacrifice. Some cloths
which cost 12s. 6d. sold for Gs. 6d. The average loss on the
whole sales would be 40 per cent. On the 4th of September
he had a conversation with the defendant about some bills
which were to become due on the 4th of October. These
bills were Richard Mirfin's, who had. been callcdJohn Mirtin.
Edw. Mirlin was then out of the way. On his showing
Stamp the list of bills amounting to £2OOO, which were to
become due on the 4th of October, that he (Richard Mirfin)
was to let him have the goods down as early as possible, a
lot of Nottingham and Coventry goods, and he could sell
them. He (witness) saw Richard Mirfin in September at
his house. It was ten o'clock at night, and Mirfin said he
had a carriage load of goods'down the street. In consequence
of this interview• he went to Hull, and saw Stamp next
morning. He told the latter that Mirfin had sent him down
to ask if be (Stamp) would advance £l5OO, provided he sent
£l6OO worth of goods and two bills of exchange for £950.
They talked the matter over, and Stamp consented. Wit-
ness went on to say that he had called several' times during
the Saturday, and Mr. Stamp's young man, who was on a
journey, hail been advised that be was to go and accompany
the goods from Wakefield. When he called he was always

told that the goods had not arrived. At length he was told
by Mr. Stamp that he was to call on Monday morning, and
the money would be ready for him. He went on Monday
morning, and was told that the goods had arrived, but Mr.
Stamp had gone to London. The young man had brought
invoices, and he was asked to copy them. He asked why he
should copy them, as he had never done so before. It was
decided that the heads should be cut from them. Witness
produced a letter, which was put in and read. It was ad-
dressed to Mr. Stamp, and was an advice of a box of ribbons
which were to be addressed • " John Wilson, Coach-office,
Hull." In the October of last year, Mr. Stamp had become
acquainted with the real name of witness, when he (witness)
was a bankrupt at Wakefield. lie did not complain at all
of his having used the name of Wilson, nor express any
surprise thereat. He (witness) was after that indicted for
forgery, at the instance of the defendant, for having used the
name of Wilson in signing the letters. Ile surrendered im-
mediately when he heard of the prosecution, and was acquit-
ted.

Mr. ALEXANDER cross-examined the witness for upwards
of an hour and a quarter. It appeared that the witness had
on another occasion presented himself under an assumed
name. He was questioned severely as to whether he had not
represented himself as Abraham Gill to Messrs. Schofield
and Co., auctioneers, of Sheffield, hut, this he said he could
not remember that he had done. • It appeared that Mr. Stamp
charged 5 per cent. commission for selling the goods con-
signed to him, and that this included all the expenses of sale.
He (witness) believed he did not represent himself to Messrs.
Bardswell, of Sheffield, as George Thomas. To the best of
his knowledge he did not. On this point also the examina-
tion was severe. He did not represent himself as John Drain
to Mr. Stevenson, of Sheffield. He represented himself as
John Wilson to Mr. Sybbull, of Hull, when he called at the
bank there. Witness, in reply to the questions of the learned
counsel, confessed to having. been in business as a draper
many times in several places, and to having failed sundry
times. He had received large amounts of goods through the
Mirfins. It appeared, in the course of the cross-examina-
tion, that the witness, when convicted at York, was sentenced
to 18 months' imprisonment. Mt. Stamp regularly furnished
account sales of the goods consigned, and they were regu-
larly advertised. The examination of this witness occupied
altogether upwards of three hourS and a half.
The examinations of witnesses in the matter of Edward
Mirfin, a bankrupt, were put in, and the evidence of Mr.
Stamp was read. One part of it was to the effect that Man-
chester travellers were sometimes taken to his place by the
dealers of Hull to look over his stock, and that they could
see his private marks. That a Mr. Redhead, a traveller for
a Manchester house, had to point out marks which he said
he knew.
Mr. Booth produced the accounts of sales and invoiced
cost of the goods forwarded on the following dates, namely—
on the 6th of July, the invoice cost was £614 ss. 5d.; the
amount of sales, £517 4s. On the 14th and 15th of July;
invoice cost, £632 ss. 10d.; amount of sales £177 ss. 3d.
On the 10th of August; invoice cost, £3lO 7s. 101(1.; amount
of sales, £239 I ls.
Mr. Redhead stated that he was in the employ of Messrs.
Wood, Wales, and Kearsiey. He remembered being at Mr.
Stamp's rooms at Hull, and he said he knew the marks on
some goods there to be Mirfin's. He did not say he knew
them to be the marks of his employers..
Mr. ALEXANDER.—After speaking of the importance of
the case to his client, as it involved his character as having
been mixed up with the most foul and fraudulent transaction,
proceeded to comment energetically
.on the evidence. His
client, he said, was charged with having had a guilty know-
ledge of these fradulent transactions, and that he had only
stopped when he found himself a creditor. Yet, it was pro-
ved that he had continually made large advances on the
goods, that he only received £5 per cent. commission, which

included the expences, and that he only stopped when he dis-
covered the connection' with the Mirfins; when,.in fact, he
was a creditor, and, consequently, was apprehensive of danger.
Ills client pleaded that he had made his sales in the regular
way of his business, and so it appeared he had. He was a
man engaged in extensive transactions, and it was not to be
supposed that he would have endangered himself by allowing
such individuals as these to get into his debt if he had known
the reckless course which they were pursuing. He had
regularly transmitted the proceeds of those goods to the
Mirfins, and it would be a startling proposition to begin with,
that the proceeds of these goods which had already been dis-
tributed amongst one set of creditors should again be paid
by his client to be divided amongst another set. lie asked
them if they could believe the man upon whom the whole case
rested. The learned counsel here proceeded to remark upon
the manner and evidence of the witness alluded to. He (the
witness) had stated the loss on the goods to be £4O per cent:,
when it was proved that it was only £2O per cent.
His LORDSHIP said, as to the bankruptcy, the evidence was
complete. They had proof sufficient that Mirfin was a trader,
of a petitioning creditor's debt, and of an act of bankruptcy
The important question into which the case resolved itself was,
whether, in the language of the plea, the goods were really
received from time to time by the defendant in the way of
business, and that he so sold them without being aware that

they were sent to him as the profligate expedierits of indivi-
duals for fraud. This was the question which the jury had
to consider and decide upon. If an act of bankruptcy were
committed on the Bth or 9th of June, all the property from
that period was divested from the bankrupt and became that
of his assignees. But, so far as thedefendant was concerned,
all depended upon the jury being satisfied that he received
the goods and disposed of them in the way of business, with-
out knowledge of the irregular and imprOper conduct of those
Who sent them.

The Jury retired. In about ten minutes they returned, and
gave in a verdict for the defendant.

The case lasted from nine o'clock in the morning till six
in the afternoon.
WOOD AND OTHERS, ASSIGNEES, V. DUNCAN.

This action was brought by Messrs. Wood and Sellars, as
assignees of Geo. and W. Howarth, bankrupts, against Jas.
Duncan, to recoiwr the sum of £619 12s. 4d.

•
His LORDSHIP observed that the case turned merely upon
the adjustment of a multitude of minute items of accounts,
which were much more proper for settlement by a referee
than by a jury.
After some consultation amongst the learned counsel and
attorneys for plaintiff and defendant, it was agreed to refer
the case, subject to the award of Mr. Wightman.
This case concluded the business of the assizes.