The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-26 00:00:00

MERCANTILE MARINERS' HOME AND
HOSPITAL.

(From the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette)
It is not often that we have a subject to handle so full of
gratification to our readers and ourselves as the one which
has this day been brought before us. We allude to a circular
we have seen accompanying a design for the erection of an
institution for aged, decayed, or otherwise helpless merchant
seamen, with collateral objects, of protecting-those who are
in employment from crimps and " land sharks," and con-
stituting the whole, not a matter of charity, but a matter of
property—a home and an hospital—a savings' bank and an
insurance office—a right and a refuge for merchant seamen
for ever.

In the circular sketching this magnificent project, the in-
tended institution is denominated " A Second Greenwich
Hospital ;" suggesting the notion that it is proposed to be for
the merchant service what Greenwich Hospital has been and
is for the King's service. We do not altogether approve of
this comparison. The asylum of Greenwich is entirely elee-
mosynary, whereas that of the merchant seamen is to be suf-
ficiently proprietary to enable its inmates to feel the consci-
ous pride of having partly worked out their own comforts,
to the exclusion of those whose imprudence or profligacy has
disabled them from so doing. Moreover, Greenwich Hospi-
tal is in no way contributory to the other scarcely less excel-
lent feature, of protecting the seamen from the Jew and Gen-
tile scoundrels who lie in wait for them at every turn.
As we perceive that the circular very modestly invites cri-
ticism, and solicits suggestions from friends to its benevolent
and patriotic objects, we make these remarks in limine, being
satisfied that under whatever name it may be called, or to
whatever institution compared, the great national results that
will naturally flow from it, and the support which all parties
in the state will be likely to give it, are calculated to insure
for it that success which it so eminently deserves.
We do not know who the parties are to whom reference is
made as having signified their approbation of the scheme,
neither can we offer an opinion as to the plan of raising the
capital for the building by the sale of terminable annuities.
But no doubt the latter will be well considered before it be
acted upon ; and as to the former—agreeing as we do with
Lord Bacon, that " measures without men are dead images"—
we hope soon to see such names advertised as will give the
world assurance of success.

We mean no reflection upon the names attached to the cir-
cular—on the contrary, we happen to know that the gentle-
man signing it has never failed in the public undertakings in
which he has been engaged; and we anticipate that in this—
the greatest and the best—all that ardent energy and un-
tiring perseverance can effect will he effected.
The following is extracted from the circular :

" PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS OF THE MERCANTILE
MARINERS' HOME AND HOSPITAL. TO I3E ERECTED AND
PROVIDED FOR IN THE FIRST INSTANCE BY A CAPITAL OF
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS, SUSCEPTIBLE OF A
PERPETUAL INCREASE BOTH BY PROPRIETORS AND Do-
Notts, OWNERS, AND SAILORS.—The great leading objects
of this national undertaking are, to provide a second Green-
wich Hospital for seamen not in the royal service—to erect a
species of insurance in life against age, illness, or accident—
to offer an inducement, unparalleled in any other country, to
our commercial mariners not to be tempted to enter into the
service of America or other States, where no such provision
is, or can be made—and, in an especial degree, to cultivate
habits of prudence in those who hitherto have been prover-
bially imprudent, by offering them for a very small portion
of those earnings (generally sacrificed to intemperance or to
trickery) a noble institution, food, clothing, and lodging, of
an adequate income to enjoy each; and the whole conferred,
not as a matter of charity, but as a matter of property, being
at once `The seaman's refuge and right.'
" All these things are of easy accomplishment. The sailor,
should he live to be fifty years of age, and have paid his
quota of the insurance, may calculate on receiving at least
ten times the value of the amount he has paid ; partly by the
accumulations of compound interest—partly by the deaths of
those who pay but do not live to enjoy—partly by the joint
subscriptions of owners and merchants—partly by the contri-
butions of the patriotic and philanthropic, many of whom are
ardently disposed to assist this institution—and generally
from the nationality of its character and objects.
" In addition to these sources of income and objects of
utility, it is contemplated to add to the profits, and at the
same time protect the mercantile seamen from those whom
he most emphatically and most, truly calls land sharks,' by
uniting the benefits of a saving bank and a loan institution
to the other, and more important features of the plan.
" It is proposed that a large proportion of the original ca-
pital shall be devoted to the erection of the building upon
some site near the Thames, and that the whole of the pro-
prietary capital, amounting to £500,000 shall be raised by the
sale of terminable annuities for sixty years, at seven per cent.
per annum interest, redeemable at the market price, when
above par, by the trustees of the institution at their option;
and when the whole are redeemed, or have expired, the en-
tire property to belong to British mercantile mariners, and
their successors, as a home and an hospital for ever.
" It will be necessary in the construction of the building
to divide it into classes ; hence, under the sanction and super-
intendence of the ablest and the best practical men, all dis-
orders will be avoided, and station and position in society
will be preserved to meet the views, as well as to secure the
comforts, of the occupants.
" Parliament will be applied to for an act, or the govern-
ment for a royal charter to limit the responsibility of those
who may take shares as proprietors. Of course, bequests,
donations, or annual subscriptions, create no risk, and hence
require no protection—the latter it is hoped will furnish a
very large, and constantly increasing proportion of the funds
of the institution, which, in addition to the small payments
by the sailors themselves, who shall in all cases have a lati-
tude of at least two years to make up their deficiencies, will
in time dispense with the necessity of proprietorship altoge-
ther. In 1900, if not before, the institution will belong to
the nation.

" These general views are thrown out for consideration and
advice. The only grand principle which can never be de-
parted from is, a home and its comforts for aged, decayed, or
disabled seamen not otherwise provided for. With thankful-
ness will any suggestion be received, and with cheerfulness
adopted to alter and amend any part of the plan. Already
individuals of distinction have expressed their determination
to support the object by every means in their power. When
a sufficient number to form a general committee have signi-
fied their adhesion to that object without being expected to
adhere to the plan as sketched out, they will be called to-
gether, and asked to elect a council or board of management
from among themselves of qualified members."

ECCLESIASTICAL AND UNIVERSITY
INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Oxford Herald.)
THE REV. J. BLACKWELL, B.A

In the Herald of the 30th ult. we announced the death of
the Rev. J. Blackwell, B.A. of Jesus College. We have
since been favoured with the following account of the de-
ceased by a gentleman in this University :—ln 1823, Mr.
Blackwell was presented to the Rectory of Manerdivy, by
Lord Brougham, then Lord High Chancellor of England.
The living was given him without any application on the part
of Mr. Blackwell. His lordship, ever ready to patronize
men distinguished for their talents, having heard of Mr.
Blackwell's fame as a Welsh scholar, and also of his being an
able, eloquent, and powerful preacher, was delighted in
having it in his power to confer this benefice upon him. On
receiving the presentation, Mr. Blackwell wrote an excellent
letter of thanks to Lord Brougham, with which his lord-
ship was so pleased that he used frequently to speak of
it among his friends with rapture of delight. Few
could excel Mr. Blackwell as a letter-writer; and it was
no wonder that shortly after writing to Lord Brougham.
his lordship fixed upon him, and afterwards engaged him, to
undertake the editorship of the Cylchgrawn, a Magazine,
on the plan of the " Penny Magazine," published by the
Society for diffusing useful knowledge. The Cylchgrawn
was conducted with great ability ; and it will remain a lasting
monument of Mr. Blackwell's great command of the Welsh
language. His translations from the English are perfect
models worthy of being imitated. They contain the purest
Welsh ; and in them is not lost the spirit and vigour of the
originals. In no modern publication is to be found language
superior as to elegance of style or purity of diction. There
is, it must be confessed, about his style of writing some kind
of witchery that captivates the reader ; a something that
pleases and delights him beyond the power of almost any
other writer of the present day to do the like. Having
formed a clear and correct idea himself, Mr. Blackwell could
convey the same to others in words the most simple, choice,
and appropriate that could be found. His sentences flow
like a strong majestic stream, carrying the reader along with
delightful pleasure. Not only did Mr. Blackwell succeed as a
prose writer, but also as a poet. His national air to the tune
Ar hydy nos; and his elegy on Bishop Heber are master-
pieces; and if some kind and patrotic friend would but un-
dertake to collect his poetical pieces together, with a selection
from his many prose compositions and publish them, he
would not only be paying a just tribute to his memory, but
also be conferring a lasting obligation on all lovers of Welsh
Literature. Mr. Blackwell was afflicted with long illness,
first occasioned by too close an application to the Cylchgrawn,
which, in addition to his parochial duties, gave him no time
for recreation. Under his heavy afflictions, however. he ex-
pressed perfect submission to the will of Heaven, and evinced
throughout great christian resignation.