The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-12-21 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

the bright beaming eyes of the Florentine ladies glisten-
ing and flashing with pleasure at the congratulations of
their friends for their skilful performance in the labour of
charity and love.
" Happy is England! I could be content
To see no other verdure than its own—
To feel no other breezes than are blown
Through its tall woods, with high romances blent ;
Yet do I sometimes feel a languishment
For skies Italian! And an inward groan
To gaze upon the Alps as on a throne,
And half forget what world or worldlinos meant.
Happy is England ! sweet her sons and daughters;
Enough their simple loveliness for me,
Enough their whitest arms in silence clinging:
Yet do I often warmly long to see
Beauties of deeper glance! and hear their singing,
And float with them about the summer waters."
Alas, poor John Keats ! these were thy aspirations ; and
thou wentest forth to fair Italia to experience the simple-
hearted kindnesses of the Italians, and to meet with a
premature death and an early grave in the strangers'
burial-field without the walls of Rome ! Rest, rest in
peace, perturbed spirit, rest !
- - - -

. .
While at Florence I consulted with one or two expe-
rienced gentleman as to the propriety and advantage of
sending for my Son that he might have the advantage of
the Italian schools of art, to copy in the rare galleries
which are so easy of access to strangers, from whatever
nation, country, or clime. After waiting eight anxious,
tedious days at Leghorn, he arrived safely, but from the
stormy weather had been detained two days at Genoa.
It blew and rained great guns and waterspouts almost,
but I finished my eight days suspense by hiring a boat,
and bringing him with me from the steamer. How very
different from this cordial, happy greeting, was my second
visit to Leghorn ; then it was to see poor Clevenger, the
sculptor, his wife, and three pretty children, on their way
back to America. That excellent Italian gentlemen and
teacher of Italian to the English, which language he
speaks like a native—Signor de Tivoli—was the careful
companion and guide to the ship, assisted by me and
Mr. Moyer. Poor Clevenger, the sculptor; he died only
eight days after his departure, and his body was con-
signed to the deep—another of the million instances of
blighted hope, blasted ambition, and too early mortal-
quenched aspirations after fame and artistic glory. His
worthy, good friend Power has long been plodding the
weary way to Fame, and consequent remuneration. He
must often in that studio have felt the truth of Beattie's
stanza—

gt XII, ran t huw lcgmrd it is to climb The steep
Where Fams's proud temple shines afar.
Ah, me! how many a soul sublime
Hath felt the influence of maliznant star."

But Power may rest his fame upon his " Eve," and "The
Slave"—two chef-d'ceuvres in sculptural art. Would to
God I were a rich merchant ! I think I would have a gal-
lery that should almost rival that of Richard Vaughan
Yates. Nor would I exclaim, with the rich Liverpool
banker, wnen offered an historical equestrian picture,
" What do I want with the pictor of a hos ; can't I if I
like see the hos himself." Did rich men but know ho.v
much real happiness a few pounds would confer upon a
young and industrious toiling artist, they would not so
often imitate rich corporate bodies who grudge a trivial
sum for a lasting work of art. Many works of art in
the galleries of Florence are from three to tour centuries
old. How many hundreds of thousands of persons have
derived pleasure and profit from the inspection of these
almost living lessons of pictorial art, which are nearly as
fresh now as when painted three hundred years since. How
many simple peasants, with their wives and children, have
I seen passing quietly but admiringly through the ever-
open galleries of Fbrence !

PUBLIC DINNER IN CELEBRATION OF THE
RETURN OF MR. MANN AND MR. JONES,
FOR NORTH AND SOUTH TOXTETH WARDS.

On Tuesday evening, the return to the Town Council
of Messrs. W. Mann and R. L. Jones was celebrated by
a dinner, at Mr. Robert Sykes's, Park-road. There was
a numerous and highly respectable attendance of Coun-
cillors and other gentlemen. Mr. W. J. HORSFALL was
chairman. The room was elegantly and appropriately
decorated. The President was supported on his right by
Councillors Mann, Parker, R. C. Gardner, also John
North, T. T. Glazebrook, and Jas. Sykes, Esqrs. ; and on
his left by Councillors R. L. Jones, G. H. Horsfall,
H. G. Harbord, and J. Derrington, Esq. In the ab-
sence of W. B. Jones, Esq., who was labouring under the
prevailing epidemic, Messrs. Harrison and Short acted as
vice-presidents. Amongst the company we noticed John
Vernon, Esq., Messrs. Thos. Parker, Josh. Harrison,
Jardine, Batten, G. H. Corless, J. Lewtas, W. Short,
J. Worrall Jones, John Sykes, T. Huntingdon, T. Inman,
J. Stalker, J. Croston (Hon. Sec.), &c. &c. &c. Notes
were received from Alderman Sands, J. B. Moore. Jas.
Lawrence, Robt. Rankin, J. Robertson, J. Sheppard,
Syers, and Wells, Esqrs., excusing their attendance
through indisposition or previous engagement.
After a sumptuous repast, the usual " royal " and
Conservative toasts were drunk, with all possible enthu-
siasm. Then followed, with equal spirit, " Lord Stanley
and the House of Lords ;" and, with a high eulogium,
" Lord George Bentinck and the Conservative members
of the House of Commons."

Mr. GLAZEBROOK, in rising to propose the health of
the members in whose honour the feast was given, was
brought to a pause by loud and repeated cheering. On
its subsiding, he expressed his grateful sense of the
honour done him in being invited to propose the toast.
Though not now connected with either of the Toxteth
Wards, he still remained their political friend. When
first associated with them, he had declared himself a
Conservative (of the old kchool), and so he remained. It
behoved them, however, to inquire what modern Conser-
vatism meant. In politics, as well as in commerce, the
stability of*men had to be put to the test. If they looked
minutely into the actions of many professing Conserva-
tives, they would find where they differed—they would
easily perceive that it was profession alone, and that from
practice they had no claim to the title. (Hear.) Amongst
the wreck of parties which recent events had caused, he
was glad to believe that in North and South Toxteth
Wards they had for their members real and consistent
Conservatives. (Hear.) One gentleman (Mr. Mann),

pies of Corservatism, had already been twice elected by
the burgesses of Toxteth ; and he (Mr. Glazebrook)
could not but attribute his signal success to the firm and

determined principles which he had ever

connexion with the ability and exertions which he had
ever displayed as a member of the Council. He felt as-
sured that his constituents would again elect him by a
triumphant majority, whenever he might again present
himself before them. (Hear, hear.) He proposed the
Conservative members for the two wards, Messrs. Mann
and Jones, which was received with unbounded applause.
Mr. MANN replied. After alluding to the remarksof Mr.
Glazebrook on true and real Conservatism, he said that
he had ever himself entertained those good old principles
of Toryism, which are distinct, and not to be misunder-
stood. (Cheers.) He felt grateful to them for their
kindness when he first appeared in the room three years
ago, and he had now occasion to be doubly so, when he
took the late contest into consideration. Since he had
been their representative he had, he might say. been able
to devote himself in some way or other to the public ser-
vice, but he had felt amply repaid by their repeated acts
of kindness and forbearance, and their confidence would
excite him to new exertions. He hoped to see their wor-
thy chairman tt.e future representative of the ward, and
that by firmly maintaining their principles, they would
show an example to the other wards of the town. He
thought the word conservative had no real or definite
meaning. Three years ago heir battle was fought under
the good old-fashioned term of " Toryism," but now
politics were split into numerous sections. They had
general conservatives. radical conservatives, tory conser-
vatives, and many other kinds of conservatives. He
thought, however, that they should tell the right hon.
bart. who had coined the term that they had sufficient
experience of its effects upon public men, and that they
were deter Mined to go back to that ancient Toryism which
they can understand, and separate themselves from the
dishonest and unmeaning influence of a system which has
well nigh destroyed the political character and reputation
of the country. (Cheers.) He was happy to say that an
endeavour was being made to form a " Constitutional
Association," the principles of which would meet with the
sympathy and support of all the real friends of the consti-
tution and the country. The following were its objects :
—" To uphold all the great interests of the empire,
whether in the United Kingdom or in the colonies. To
vindicate the tory principles of William Pitt and George
Car,n'ng,securing for commerce, agriculture, manufacture,

shipping and railways, due encouragement, thereby pro-
curing for the peasant, the artisan, the operative, and the
merchant seaman that fair reward for his labour whip h Eng-
lishmen have been used to enjoy. Toitdvocate the adop-
tion of a sound and equal system of taxation, which shall

combine the greatest return to the national exchequer
with the least pressure upon the English producer and
consumer. To promote national education based on re-
ligion, and to resist undue State interference with the
educational rights of tne Church. To uphold Church
principles, and defend the rights and liberties of the
Church, while respecting the just claims of all who dis-
sent from her communion. To promote the election of
members of parliament for the borough who will subscribe

form to its rules and regillationsin the prosecution of a

canvas. To promote
such members for the

all legal means the election of
Town Council as are members of

generally. ' To watch the registration, and protect those
entitled to the franchise from frivolous and vexatious ob-
jections." If they approved of these principles—(cries of

"we do.")—then they would join the association. The
subscription was intended to be fixed at £5, and down to
ss. annually : and he thought that if they could only
manage to obtain sixteen outposts, the chairman and offi-
cers of the ward committees to he ex officio members of
the general committee, they would not only be able to re-

turn sixteen men of their own principles to the Town
Council next year ; but, what was even of much greater
importance, they should also be able to recover for Liver-

lion, and wipe away the reproach which at present hangs
over her in being represented by a Radical on the one
hand. and an Anythingarian on the other. (Cheers.) He
concluded by proposing, after a warm encomium on the
character of that gentleman, the health of the chairman,
Mr. W. J. Horsfall, Esq., which was received with all
the honours.

Mr. JONES then replied to the toast. After expressing
his satisfaction at the confidence reposed in him, and stat-
ing that no exertion on his part should be wanting to de-
serve it, he said that both his services and his pocket
should be always at their command. They had all severely
felt the commercial crisis ; still he thought they were on
the eve of better times, and that future prosperity was
before them. He was always ready to support true To-
ryism. He would gladly subscribe towards the associa-
tion noticed by Mr. Mann. He could not help remarking
upon the glorious majority of thirty-five, which was glar-
ing on the banner behind him. It seemed, as it were,
indelibly fixed ; but he hoped that on the next occasion
they would return him by a majority of double the num-
ber. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN rose to reply to the lost toast. (Great
cheering.) He had ever a difficulty in making a speech
distressed. He thanked them for the compliment which
is no t
,ats
in tsriebj epertesoefn
ri;
shtauntccw, he
whaeswdaosulplye
wstahhbeejvneclltiledowfa paid him. If he had afforded any assistance to

the' good 'cause, he rejoiced in having done so, and he
might be well satisfied in having taken part in the election
of such gentlemen as their guests were. (Loud cheers.)

He proposed in complimentary terms the Mayor and
Town Council, coupled with the name of Mr. Parker.
Mr. PARKER said that he deeply felt the compliment.
The office of Town Councillor was now no sinecure, since
such an enormous weight of business had been placed in
their hands. He had had some experience, and he could
truly say that in the whole Council there were not two
better workers than Mr. Mann and Mr. Jones. It was
such gentlemen as those that were wanted to carry out
the labours belonging to the office of Councillor. He
wished some other wards had done as they had done in
the Park, and elected men of principle like their worthy
guests. He was sorry to say that several persons had
crept into the Council as Conservatives who had proved
themselves not worthy of the name. But the time had
arrived when true British principles, and our constitution,
in church and state, would have to be put to the test.
(Cheers.) In the Town Council, it had been said by some
that we wanted no politics ; but when he saw so many
traitors to their cause, and the church to which they pro-
fessed to belong, he was of a different opinion. (Cheers.)
With allusion to the rating clause in the New Dock Bill,
he paid a compliment to Mr. Mann, as its supporter in
the Dock Committee, and said he believed the Town
Council generally would support the sentiments expressed
at the meeting on the subject that day in St. Nicholas'
Church.

He proposed " The Town and Trade of Liverpool."
Mr. GARDNER acknowledged the toast in an animated
speech. He had on many occasions met the wealthy
landowners at their agricultural meetings, when they ap-
peared delighted to see commercial men join them, and he
congratulated them on that occasion, as he saw princely
merchants, such as Horsfalls, unanimously joining the
tradesmen to support the Church and State, which he
would do, with his influence as well as with his pocket,
like Mr. Jones.

_
The toast of " The Tory Electors of the Ward" was
replied to by Mr. Crotty in an eloquent and humourous
address. " The friends who had honoured the meeting
with their presence" was ably replied to by Mr. John
North.
Mr. PARKER proposed the health of Mr. G. H. Hors-
fall. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. HORSFALL replied in an able speech. He referred,
at some length, to the abilities of the two representatives
of Toxteth Wards present. He adverted to the com-
mercial gloom that had prevailed, and rejoiced that a
small meeting like that would tell their merchant princes,
in language which could not be mistaken, that their po-
litical credit must be preserved inviolate. (Cheers.) That
Ps members of a great community, they must remember
that the one was quite as necessary as the other. (Cheers.)
They had now no Pitt or Canning to guide them, though
they had undoubtedly clever men in Parliament, but few
of them worthy of their confidence. Strange to say, their
public men had by some extraordinary fatality mistaken
the phantom expediency for upright principles, It was,
then, their duty to tell their statesmen that if they would
manage the vessel of the state it must be upon principles
which had stood the test of ages, so that they might with
pride and confidence be really able to exclaim in the
language of the poet,
" This is our owns, our witive (Chum)

To the toast given by the Chairman of " The Vice-
President,"

Mr. Councillor HARBOR.D returned thanks in, on the
whole, a humorous speech; in the course of which he said
he looked on the glorious majority that had been obtained
at the recent municipal election in the Toxteth wards,
more in the light of a verdict of guilty, passed by the rate-
payers of Toxteth upon the incapables who had so grossly
mismanaged the affairs of the township tbr the list few
years. ( Shouts and expressions of approbation.) He re-
gretted that mere party politics had formed so prominent
a feature in the speeches which had been delivered that
evening. He thought there were other topics on which
all might agree with advantage to the public at large.
The great question of sanatory reform for instance.
Would any one tell him that typhus fever, cholera, or any
violent disease, stopped at the door of any man, whether
rich or poor, to inquire if he were W gig, Tory, or Radical
—Did not the great mower, D..ath, with his scythe, sweep
down all alike—Did the tax-gatherer recognise politics
when he demanded his money ? Why, then, should not
men, in matters purely local, endeavour to act in unison
for the public weal, rather than split straws about politi-
cal questions which could be better discussed at other
times, and in other places.
A number of other toasts were given and responded to,
and the entertainment was prolonged to a late hour, when
the assemblage separated, after enjoying a most agreeable
evening.