The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-21 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN A SHIPMASTER AND A
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF TILE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SIR,—In a dialogue under the above title, which appeared
in the STANDARD of Friday, and which I have perused
with much attention, there is nothing to be found but what
ie strictly true, and commanding the attention of every one
connected with the maritime welfare of our country. The

case might have been made stronger, but could not he pt
more justly or forcibly. There is, however, an omission
and that arises, I feel certain, from its being an exact tray

;eript of a viva:vare convel:satiol

which aid not brir

the carpet the Mates' Association. This, then, it b
me to MI up, as " acting manager " of the Mate
tion ; and believe me

is a pleasant duty, becau

omission must have arisen from forgetfulness., inasmuch
the Mates' Association is deeply indebted to the Shipmuste

Association, for kindness sad liberality, and individual as-
sistance on the part of the members, at much personal sa-
crifice on their parts ; for most nobly and kindly have they
come forward to assist their junior (but oh, bow important !)
officers. I wish, sir, I was empowered to name individuals ;
but, alas ! lam not. There is, however, one whom, being
in a public situation, I shall. take the liberty of noticing,
whether it pleases him or not—for, being a public officer, he
has no right to find fault—and that is Mr. Moss, master of

the rooms of the Shipmasters' Association. The labour,
time, and attention he has devoted to our association, is only
commensurable with his well.known worth and wishesl for
the prosperity of all that should be dear to the heart of ever
Brit, tf - -amen. ""

.on, v►z., the weltare of its .. That it is the ardent
wish of all connected with the sea is evident from the inquiry,
at the end of the dialogue, respecting the Sailors' Home.
But how is that to flourish—that is, to be of any Christian
utility—without the mates ? How much more forcibly would
the value oldie Shipmasters' Association have been put, had
its advocate said this :—" Perhaps, dear sir, you are not
aware that we are doing our utmost to secure the firm esta-
blishment of a Mates' Association, that has recently been
brought forward ; this will enable us to have mates on whom
we can place the utmost reliance." " Why, what a bed of
roses you will all be on then ! "

I could say, sir,- a great deal more; but. expecting shortly
to have to lecture on the society, and being well aware of the
kind feeling of the Shipmasters' association, I shall do no
further than subscribe myself your obedient servant,
B. W. TRACEY, Lieut. R.N.,
Acting Manager of the Mates' Association.

THE LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES

TO EDITOR .01% THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

8111,—A meeting being appointed for the purpose of re-
lieving the depressed funds of the Dispensaries, patronised,
and to be presided over, by the Mayor, upon Friday next,
I hope that a few remarks upon the subject may not be
considered as quite out of place, from one who has worked
hard, studied, and watched, the progress and proceedings of
the medical institutions of Liverpool for now nearly forty
years. No one, I think, can doubt the usefulness and extent
of the Dispensaries in this town ; and with the exception of
Manchester, I believe the numbers attended by the medical
officers is not equalled by any similar establishment under
the direction of one committee, throughout the whole of her
Majesty's dominions, in which may be included the metro-
polis it,elf. It cannot, therefore, be a matter of much sur-
prise that these institutions should labour under pecuniary
embarrassment, as has always been the case once in about
every five, seven, or ten years. And why is it so ? for it is
evident that there is no waist of charitable feeling amongst
our mercantile community, and there ought not to be any
want either of pecuniary means ; although, I believe, that
experience has proved beyond the possibility of doubt, that
not only the dispensaries, but almost every charitable insti-
tution in the town, has been mainly supported by those who
can least afford it. Some of those (fur I will not say all)
who have been most successful in mercantile affairs, are so
much absorbed in their extensive concerns that, it is much to
be feared, they consider the subjects of charity unworthy of
their attention. Unfortunately, it happens that, although
there is no charity in the town which does more extensive
and real good, at so small a cost, us the relief which the
dispensaries afford, to those who are afflicted with poverty
and disease, it is painful to acknowledge that their high stand-
ing is not in the same proportion appreciated.

The first consideration of the committees ought to be, and.
I believe is, the relief of the poor overwhelmed with dis-
tressing poverty and dire disease; but there is a second con-
sideration, which comes so close upon the well-being of the
medical institutions, that I trust I shall not be considered as
inimical to such establishments, nor offensive to my medical
brethren, if I venture to point out the advantage it would be
to both, if all the medical officers were more or less remu-
nerated for their services, by which, I am confident, the poor
would be better attended, arid the standing of medical men
would be heightened.
At present 50,000 patients are annually prescribed for at
the north and south dispensaries, by which there must be
either one of two evils ; viz., if the medical officer is both
zealous and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, the
probability is, that he is compelled to neglect his private pro-
fessional interests, in such a manner as to lay the foundation
for irremediable anxiety so long as he lives. If, on the con-
trary, he neglects his duties, his professional character is
probably injured, and, what is of more consequence :;:•) the
community, the objects and designs of the institution are not
carried out.

The great anxiety which medical men evince for being ap-
pointed to public institutions, leads to a very natural infer-
e ice, that there are advantages to be derived from them un-
known to the public, and which medical men will not dis-
close ; and, no doubt, the opportunity of witnessing a great
variety of cases and practice is very considerable ; but as this
must entirely depend upon the use which each individual
makes of it, it is no criterion of superiority ; for I am one of
those who think that twenty cases closely, diligently, and
scientifically watched, are more advantageous to the prac-
titioner and the patient, than one hundred visited and at-
tended superficially. Now, as this subject will sooner or
later become an object of parliamentary investigation and
arrangement, I am anxious that Liverpool should be one of
the foremost in testing its practicability.
I would, therefore, urgently suggest that there should be
no honorary officers attached to any medical establishment
in Liverpool, and that the fees paid to those so called, by
pupils, should belong to the funds of the institution, and be-
come a part and parcel of its permanent resources.
I should also suggest that no physician or surgeon should
ever be appointed to any hospital or dispensary unless he
will consent to become at least a clinical teacher, if not some-
t lung more, and that the services of all medical officers should
be limited to 7, 10, or 15 years, agreeable to their own wishes
and prospects for private professional confidence ; for beyond
which period he either injures himself, the profession, or the
objects of the institution.
By this modification in the constitution of medical chari-
ties, the wants of the sick poor would be provided for, more
rigid attendance would be secured, and much anxiety, if not
mortification, would be avoided in the young medical asp'r •
ant, and, in addition to which, the more independent and
wealthy part of the community would secure for themselves
medical practitioners well grounded, both by claims and pre-
tensions, for the confidence of those who may honour them
by their preference.

These remark:. are brought forward from the purest mo-
tives, both towards my medical brethren in this locality, the
medical profession in general, and, at the same time, of pre-
serving permanent advantages, in future, for every class of
those who require medical assistance, from the humblest in-
dividual to the most exalted in society ; and if I should fail
in making any impression, I shall not regret having made the
attempt.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
Liverpool, Sept. 20, 1841. MEDICUS.
[We insert our correspondent's letter without implying an
assent to his propositions, as we are not sufficiently acquainted
with the practical working of the institution to be able to
offer an opinion upon them. We hope, however, that, at
the meeting on Friday, some arrangements will be entered
into, for the purpose of extending the operations of the cha-
rity, as well as placing it upon a permanently established
basis.]

THE DISPENSARIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

SIR,—I observe with great pain that the governors of the
Dispensaries have avowed their intention (unless enabled to
continue as at present by the liberality of the public), to cur-
tail the usefulness of the charity, in consequence of want of
funds. Nov;, sir, permit me to suggest to the members of
the Festival Choral Society that if they would come forward
and perform an oratorio or performance of sacred music, a
very large sum might be raised, and be the means of reliev-
ing the charity in question from its difficulties. I think that
every performer of music in Liverpool would give his gra-
tuitous services, and join in assisting a charity, the benefits
of which are so well known. If the Choral Society will lend
their aid, and the use of one of the churches is permitted by
the bishop, (say St. Mark's, in Duke-street,) the expense
would be trifling.
Mr: Clarke Kould, I verily believe, announce a night's
performance for the same laudable purpose, at the Theatre
Royal.
The Committee of the Exhibition of Modern Artists would
perhaps set over one day's receipts—and the proprietors
of other exhibitions in the town might also be induced to co-
operate in the good work. If with heart and hand the mat-
ter is taken up, success is certain.

PHILANTHROPIST

DEPENDING ON ONE'S WITS.—We have heard that a
journeyman tailor,. who left this neighbourhood on tramp a
trick. Being " hard
fatigued, he rested hisup,"
short time ago, played off
and was ruminat the following not very creditable
from tailor's as the phrase goes, and rather
of the field, and in
Fancying,inarms upon a gate leading to a corn-
field,, when a body of Irishmen came up'
thetheact of
that he was
the owner
looking at the crop to see if it
were ready for the hook, they at once asked for " the job."
The tailor hesitated for a moment, as if in deep thought, and.
then gave a half negative. The hesitation of the tailor
caused the poor Irishmen to renew their entreaties. and at
last the tailor said he had an objection to Irishmen, having
employed some last year that did not do their work properly.
The reapers assured " his honour" that they would behave.
" dacently" and do the work as it ought to be; but his ho-
nour was not disposed to trust them, unless they would de-
posit a certain sum in his hands. The poor fellows raised
several pounds. the fruits of their industry, which they
placed in his honour's hands, receiving in return orders to
commence cutting the wheat on the following morning. We
are sorry to add, the tailor who practised the dece, t•
1, ton got
m,ry.
clear away with his booty before the " mistake" was a
disco-
vered. He may yet receive his deserts.—Derby me
CAVTIOX TO NEWSPAPER READERS.—Some svn•lldlers in,
London are now practising the stale trick advertising in
the country newspapers that they supply newspapers at re-
duced prices for " Cash in advance," but the cash being ad-
vanced, the papers never follow.

poFULATION LANCASH lat.—We uuder:,tand that
the population of Lancashire, by census just completed, is
1,600,431; in IS3I it amounted to. 1,336,834. Increase
263,591/.