The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-10 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE

TO THE HON. AND REV. BAPTIST NOEL
(No. 4.)

Liverpool, 9th September, 1841.
REVEREND SIR,—You state, on page 16 of your pam-
phlet, that Ireland is likewise overstocked with labourers.
I cannot admit this, for in that portion of the United King-
dom, out of 19,411,911 acres, there are 12,525,280 cultivated
acres, 2,500,000 acres UNCULTIVATED WASTES, CAPABLE
OF IMPROVEMENT, besides 2,416,664 acres barren and un-
profitable ; and I cannot conceive that a country is over-
stocked with labourers which has yet 6,916,660 acres—above
one-third of the country—uncultivated; particularly as it is
an ascertained fact, that nearly one-fourth of the country
yet uncultivated is capable of improvement. But to pass
on ; your tract abounds in such statements and assertions as
the following :—" Why were the average annual exports to
" the whole of Europe, in the year ending 1836, less in value
" by nearly twenty per cent., than they were in the five years
" that followed the war ? Because we would not allow the
" continent to pay for our goods with corn. Why have we
" been exporting large quantities of iron, steel, coals, &c.,
" to enable them to manufacture for themselves, &e. ?
" Because they could only pay for ours by their corn, and we
" would not permit them.' _

Now, sir, I think one case clearly stated and proved would
be worth a thousand assertions; and it is rather singular,
that this cannot be found throughout your treatise. Asser-
tions may be found in abundance, but progfs are things you
do not seem to indulge your renders with ; and although it is
an unfortunate fact, that many will believe all that is stated
by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, there are some who
would like to see each case cleared up before steaming on to
the next station. If you had kindly shown that the conti-
nent could supply us with all the corn we should require
from them, and at a lower price than we can grow it, and
also have proved that our commerce is restricted because we
do not barter for foreign corn, then your statements would
have been of some value ; and having proved this, I should
have been obliged to impose another and rather a heavy task
upon you. Taking a wide, expansive, and liberal view of
Christian philanthropy—a view suited to the present times
—why should we attempt to hinder, or retard the pro-
gress and improvement in foreign manufacturing? If
it is a good thing for us, it is a good thing for then: ;
and if it is good for them, it would be rather selfish of
us to put barriers in the way of our foreign neighbours
availing themselves of those advantages which we pos-
sess. Should not this wide view of Christian philan-
thropy make us desire to assist foreign countries in the im-
provement of their manufacturing interest, which we have
found so beneficial to ourselves ? I throw this out as a hint
for your future consideration. Your note at foot of page 19
has been so ably handled elsewhere, that I scarcely like to
touch upon it; but it merely requires quoting to shew its
absurdity :

" The trade in foreign corn would cause a demand for
English goods; hence a new demand for raw materials,
which would be paid for in goods. Hence a number of new
ships, and new demand for timber, which likewise would be
paid for in goods, and require more ships. All this fresh
employment would enable the artisans to consume more tea,
sugar, &c., which would be paid fur in more goods, and re-
quire more ships. Meanwhile there would be a demand for
new houses and warehouses, and therefore for more timber
and more ships. On all which accounts, the increase of
employment would be great to many classes."
PRODIGIOUS !
You appear to have come to the conclusion that it would
be a most desirable thing to turn corn lands into pasturage ;
but how this can be the case I am again at a loss to know,
for you do not here indulge your readers with any proof of
your position, although you do admit that pasturage will
require fewer labourers. If we require more corn, and corn-
growing employs more labourers than pasture lands, it seems
rather paradoxical that it should benefit the country to throw
land out of corn cultivation. That it would be beneficial to
cultivate our waste lands for pasturage, and so encourage the
farmer that he could turn more pasturage into corn lands, I
have no doubt; and this is, I think, borne out by reason
and common sense.
I must defer a few remarks upon your view of adding, to
the comforts of the poor, and providing employment for
their children, by an extension of our manufacturing inte-
rest, until my next ; but 1 think m_ y Lord Ashley would be
.better able to enlighten your mind on this subject.
I beg to remain, rev. sir.
Iol4c very obedient servant,

TO THE EDITOR Or THE Lirr ST.42IDARD.\
SIRS I beg to draw your attention to the disgraceful
manner in which the mail-cart men drive throtrt the
public streets ;—they go at a fearful pace, ynite heedless of
the public safety
Thursday

PEDESTRIAN

NUISANCES IN THE PUBLIC STREETS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SIR.—Is it not abominable that the public streets are to
be rendered almost impassible, in consequence of outrageous
and disgusting pictures being exposed to public view, to
attract attention to exhibitions ? What can the authorities
be about to permit such unseemly pictures as those hung
outside a house in Leigh-street ?—and why are not the police
ordered to compel silly people to " move on," who block up
the way while idly standing to gaze at those monstrosities?
The neighbours are sadly annoyed.—l remain, &e.,

A WHITECHAPEL RESIDENT.

0 0 ttrp.

SONNET ON ROMISII INFALLIBILITY

BY A CLERGYMAN IN LIVERPOOL

Rome boasts of her Infallibility,
And for her purpose quotes the Word of God,
And bids the world before the solemn nod
Of her decisions bend with lowly knee.
Where dwells the virtue? Lives it in the store
Of Pipal wisdom ? Some say " Yes." Or rather
In general Council, when each learned father
Has vented all his theologic lore?
Why, some say " Yes" to this. Some laugh to scorn
Beth Popeless Council and Pope Council-less :
But when the Council meets on solemn morn,
And holy Father Pope is there to bless,
Oh ! then Infallibility is born!
Is that the creed of Rome ? Why, some say " Yes.'