The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-02-23 00:00:00

KEELE)

But even
Only

We mean sound and secular principles only

there, good Sirs, you are most grossly mistaken

think of the secular independence of " Michael Cas-
sidy"—with his £5 domicile cut out of the turf bog—
rated, indeed, but paying no rates whatever to the poor,
the parson, or any body else—a character so admirably
and so truly described by Mr. M`Neile, with his usual
felicity, of illustration, in his speech at the Amphitheatre
on Friday. Michael Cassidy may stand as the repre-
sentative of the family; and we ask, can there he a
more rank or heedless assertion, than to say that the
taking into the electoral body of a multitude of that
class would be to convert the whole into a "sound
coustituency ?" Why, apart from all religious con-
siderations, and viewed merely and purely as a temporal
and political concern, there never was anything more
absurd and monstrous than to say that a provision of
this sort would impart soundness to the constituency of
Ireland.

But we cannot consent to exclude the other view of
the matter for the accommodation merely of Liberals.
We should like to know, if a £lO qualification be not
high enough to exclude the serviles of the priesthood,
how the letting down of the standard to a £5 rating
will he likely to mend the matter. Why, the conse-
quence of so altering the franchise would Just be, to put
the returns of every popish town and comfy in Ire-
land into the hands of the Popish priests—to overbear
the Protestant gentry and electors so completely that
nowhere would their voices be heard or their influence
be felt ; and that the power of the worst enemies of
our church and institutions. would be most seriously
augmented within the very citadel of the constitution.
But what care the Liberals of Clayton-square for all
this ? They declare their utter ignorance or indifference
on the subject in the following terms. The penultimate
paragraph of their petition stands thus :
" That as the law now exists it is obvious that the people
of Ireland have not a sufficiently extensive right of voting at
elections, and that it is dangerous as well as unjust to with-
hold from the Irish people rights which they ought to enjoy
in common with ourselves. We know no good reason why
the representation of- Ireland should not be as extensive in
all respects as our own."

There is a jumble in this paragraph which would very
much remind us of an "Irish stew," but that the slew
is a good dish, and we cannot say so much for this"li-
terary composition. We are told that it is unjust to
withhold from the Irish—" rights which they ought to
enjoy in,cornmon with ourselves ;" but as we have no
£5 household franchise, how can it be unjust to with-
hold from the Irish rights that we do not possess our-
selves ? Is it not rather 'unjust to ask us to concede to

them rights that we do not claim—rights that we are
satisfied to dispense with on our own part ? But
worse again, it is sought to dragoon us into this con-
cession. It is " dangerous" as well as unjust—say
these petitioners, to refuse the boon enveloped in Lord
Morpeth's bill. Now we will leave it to any jury com-
posed equally of English and Irish, and a proportion
of Scotchmen—if this be not what is vulgarly called
bullying ? But let the gentlemen of Clayton-square
compose themselves. Their sense of the " dangerous',
we cannot agree to adopt exactly as ours ; and sure
we are, that neither will the people of England allow
it currency as theirs. In a word, we venture to assure
them that if they have nothing better than bullying to
rely upon, it won't do.

But again, we are told in this most ridiculous hash-
up petition, and in this very identical most curiously
peppered and mixed of all paragraphs, that the people
of Ireland have not " a su,fficiently extensive right of
voting 'at elections." Sufficiently extensive—for what
purpose ?we should be glad to know. If they mean
not sufficiently extensive to overbear us altogether—
not sufficiently extensive to satisfy the Popish priest-
hood—we grant it may be so ; but for every other pur-
pose we say that it is quite sufficiently extensive, and
perhaps with the latitude allowed for polling dead men,
and other trifling advantages enjoyed under the exist-
ing registration system, a little too much so.
But we come at length to a close with this gem of
petition,—a splinter, we doubt not, in some way from
the first "gem of the sea" itself—and this nonpareil
of paragraphs :—" We know no good reason," say the
Irishmen, "why the representation of Ireland should not
be extensive in all respects as our own." And being
thus ignorant, they certainly come forward with consi-
derable advantage to petition stoutly
in favour of Lord
Morpeth's bill.

It is quite manifest that the petition is the concoc-
tion of Papists; the last sentence we have quoted,
clearly proves it; but we end as we began by once
more expressing our sense of shame and grief at Eng-
lish Protestants attaching their signatures to such an
instrument, and forwarding the designs of a party who
avow that the dismemberment of the empire is their
ultimate object, and who, in the meantime, threaten us
.with a rebellion if they are not placed, not on a footing
of equality with, but of decided superiority over their
Protestant fellow-subjects.

The Radicals, had a turn-out yesterday in Clayton-
square, and so shy an affair we have not seen attempted
for some time in Liverpool. What need they had to
expose their delicate persons to the cold air in this still
wintry season---(and many of these poor Radicals are
pthisicky fellows, with most weak hams, and church-
yard coughs)--what need they had, we say, of the
square, when a small tavern room could have easily
accommodated the whole company, we really cannot
imagine, unless they wished to give further proof to
the whole World, (what for our part we should have
freely granted without), that in Liverpool they compose
but a very small and select few. There might have
been in the nook where the assembled audience looked
up at the orators on the balcony—somewhere about
300 persons—not more than we have often seen col-
lected to witness the amusing performances of Punch
and Judy; but of these we venture to say, that not
even one-half were Radicals, but good Conservatives
who came to laugh at old Williams and Rathbone
squeaking, and screaming like a frog with a quinsei,—
and view the contortions, generally, of all the talents'
in the. shape of Radicalism that Liverpool can boast of.
The failure yesterday was altogether pitiable. The
square gave back the hoarse voices of the orators with
a hollow sound, (for it was almost empty), that must
have appalled them. The very cheers were dolorolis
•

But worst of all was the oratory. Each man stood up
to speak of the bill; but 10, and behold, of nothing
could he think or speak but the Rev. Hugh M`Neile !
Alas, alas, the spear of Ithuriel seemed to have passed
through and through every one of them, and to have
so wounded them in some vital part, that instead of,

oratorising to excite and animate the mind of their fel•
lows, they did nothing but howl and abuse to ease the

-Inf.ts of their own

—the "giants of Clayton=
quare ?" Henceforth rather let us call them pigmies,

And be these our giant

denizens of Lilliput,*anthropophagi, or any thing at all
'—to which they have forfeited all right

but "giants"

and title whatsoever

There is no man who knows better how to estimate

the contemptible slanders, the spleen, spite, and slaver
of the Duffy's and others of the square than the Rev.
_ _

Hugh WNeile, and therefore we do not feel the slight-
est apprehension that such despicable means will turn

him from his course, or deprive. our cause of his ines-

timable services

Such unanimity in yelping is a

proof of the power that has produced it—and for the

rest, the censure of some men, all the world allows, is

But we gladly avail ourselves of
this opportunity to declare that all that is respectable,

the highest praise,

intelligent, and truly estimable in Liverpool, are proud
of the gifted, the eloquent, the pious, and the fearlessly
zealous Minister of St. Jude's, and regard the day as

fortunate in which he was induced to become a resi-

The attacks of such orators and such politicians
as we have heard yesterday in the balcony corner, will

pass b

M`Neile as the idle wind

The storm

that rives the lesser trees of the forest, but consolidates
and roots more firmly the noble oak. This we know;
but at the same time we would not have others think
so lightly of the matter. To be thus used—is in fact
to be prosecuted, and to suffer in a good cause; and
the more vilely a good man is thus treated, the more

he is entitled to the sympathies, and the more he should
be endeared to the feelings and affections of all the
good. The Conservatives of Liverpool, will make it
appear, we trust, that the foul tongues of the quadrate
Radicals have produced no effect upon their mind, ex-

cept to make them estimate and appreciate more

highly than ever

the uncompromising character, and

the admirable services rendered to the cause of truth,

both religious and political, and of. genuine Christian

benevolence by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile,

LOCAL NEWS.

BIRKENHEAD FAlR.—This fair will be held to-day ; and
it is to be hoped that the farmers of Cheshire and Lancashire
will support it by every means in their power. Very good
prices may be anticipated,for all sorts of produce.
STEALING FROM A SHOP.—Yesterday, at the Police-court,
John Hood and George Howell were charged with having
stolen a roll of cloth from a shop in Great Charlotte-street.
One of the prisoners admitted the theft, and both were com-
mitted to the sessions.

THE NORTHERN BAR.—No less than eight of the judges
who now adorn the bench were members of the northern bar,
viz. :—ln the Queen's Bench—Sir J. Patteson, Sir J. Wile
hams, and Mr. Wightman • in the Common Pleas—Sir N.
C. Tyndal, Chief Justice, dnd Sir Thomas Coltman ; in the
Exchequer—Lord Abinger, Chief Baron, and Sir E.. H.
Alderson and Sir James Parke.

WRITING AND BOOKKEEPING.—The advertisement of
Mr. Thompson, who, to great practical experience in the art
of teaching, unites the advantage of having an excellent and
systematic mode of instruction, will be found in another
column, and to it we beg to direct the attention of all who
desire an able and gentlemanly tutor in writing and book-
keeping.

An association has recently been formed in Manchester,
for the purpose of erecting ten additional churches in that
town and Salford. Lord Francis Egerton, and six other
individuals, have each contributed the munificent sum of
one thousand pounds, and we are glad to see that the praise-
worthy objects of the society are likely to be carried out, for
the list already exhibits along array of names, with the most
liberal donations attached.

Gratifying as the termination of the late elections have
been at Walsall, Canterbury, and Reigate, as a conservative
triumph, it is more gratifying still to know that it has been
the means of introducing into Parliament, gentlemen who
will soon be distinguished by th'eir usefulness as members.
Mr. Gladstone's name is a sufficient guarantee for his pos-
sessing all that is high in principle and talent, and Lord
Eastnor not only received the highest honours that could be
conferred upon him by the University of Oxford, but was
beloved and respected by all his contemporaries as one who
is sure to support the hereditary talent of the family.
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, EVERTON.—The Reverend W.
Withers Ewbanlt was, on Saturday last, appointed to the In-
cumbency of Everton Church, vacant by the translation of
the Rev. R. P. Buddicom to to principalship of St. Bees
College. Mr. Ewbank obtained a majority of 39 votes
over the other candidates, who were eight in number. He
is the author of " A Translation of Bishop Jewel's Apology
(or the Church of England," and was, prior to his present
appointment, vicar of Grindon, in Durham, and evening lec-
turer of Stockton-on-Tees.

LORD STANLEY'S BILL.-L-The petition in favour of this
bill was presented last night by Lord Sandon, our noble re-
presentative. It contained the signatures and addresses of
27,661 persons, irrespective of many sheets which evidently
contained fictitious names, and, in all probability, were for-
warded by some dishonest radicals, but their fraudulent at-
tempt has not succeeded. We are informedthat at a certain
public-house, not a hundred miles from Clarence Dock, five
or six men were occupied the whole of Saturday night affixing
signatures to sheets in favour of Lord Morpethfs bill as fast
as they could write, but we can assure the gentry who are
implicated iii such a proceedure, that their trick will be ex-
posed in the House of Commons, and, with all their in-
genuity, they will fail in procuring such a petition as that
forwarded by the Protestants of Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL FISH COMPANY.-At a special r
the shareholders in this undertaking, held at the Clarendon-
rooms, on Friday week, the directors, after enumerating their
various losses, to the amount of £1155, for salmon fisheries,
cod expeditions, &c., besides £1057 during the current half
year, it was finally resolved to appoint a committee of five
gentlemen to • act with the directors, to take stock, . and
average the price of the boats, and to make a report of the
same to an adjourned meeting, to be held in August next, at
which meeting, should it
,appear that the concern was still
losing money, then it was unanimously agreed to dissove the
company. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Thomas
Ritson, the auditor, for his able financial statement, and for
the ability he has shown in exposing the deficiency of the
company's funds. Much disapprobation was displayed at
the meeting at the alleged mismanagement of the directors
and the servants of the company.
GA mbLING IN A PUBLIC-HOUSE' ON THE SABBATH.—
On Friday, at the Police-office, a person named Fowler, who
keeps a public-house in Rupert-street, and is, we believef a
noted pedestrian, was brought before Mr. Rushton, on a
charge of permitting gambling in his house on the Sabbath.
It appeared that on Sunday, the 7th instant,_ two persons
named Crane, came in the afternoon, and after getting some
drink, introduced cards, with which they began to play, at
which time there were five or six persons in the house. The
landlord did not countenance their proceedings, and when
he became acquainted with their object, desired them to de-
sist. Before taking their departure, the strangers made an
effort to obtain money from the company, and failing, threat-
ened to lay an information against the publican unless he
induced them to forego it by a bribe. He refused, and they
brought the case before the magistrate. After hearing the
evidence, Mr. Rushton dismissed the case, cautioning the
publican to be more guarded in future, and intimating his
belief that the object of the informers was to get money.
One of the party protested against this insinuation, and
wished to be heard in reply, but Mr. Rushton declined, and
ordered him out of ,court.

eeting of

DINNER TO CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF MR. GLAD-
STONE, M.P.—A public dinner was given on Wednesday
evening at the New Inn, Walsall, to celebrate the return of
Mr. Gladstone, the conservative member for that borough.
There were•about 150 electors present, together with a num-
ber of influential conservative gentlemen residing in the
neighbourhood. The chair was filled by John James, Esq.
The dinner was supplied by Mr. Kilner, the spirited propri-
etor of the New Inn. The health of Mr. Gladstone was re
'ceived in the most enthusiastic manner. The hon. gentle-
man was prevented by his parliamentary duties from being
present. It appears by a letter received from London, al-
though the fact has not been noticed in the public papers,
that a hole and corner petition has been got up, and was pre-
sented'on Monday night, against the return of Mr. 'Glad-
stone. The petition purports to be signed by one "Joseph
Higgins," (the late• delegate to the convention,) and alleges
" bribery and treating" against Mr. G. or his agents. The
anti-corn-law mongers will not, however, contest the point,
unless, as they have whispered, " the government bear them
harmless" as to the expenses which the proceedings in a peti-
tion against t\e'return of a member of parliament involves.
The petition against Mr. Gladstone's return is indeed a

forlorn hope.
BLUE COAT BROTHERLY SOCIETy.—The members of
this society celebrated their third anniversary by a public
dinner at the Adelphi Hotel, on Thursday evening, Mr.
Forster, the highly respected master of the Blue Coat Hos-
pital, and president of the society, in the chair. About se-
venty members were present, besides the Rev. Rector BrOoks,
A. Swainson, Edward Gibbon, Josh. Langton, James Aspi-
nall, Edmund Molyneux, Edward Moon, and King Ellison,
Esqrs. The dinner was provided in Mr. Radley's best style,
and gave the highest satisfaction. The health of the Queen,
Prince Albert;-the Princess Royal, the Queen Dowager and
the rest of the Royal Family, and the Church, having been
drunk, Rector Brooks, in a most appropriate and affectionate
address, congratulated the members on the prosperity of the
society—on the benefits they were conferring on their younger
brethren, and urged upon them the importance of a sincere
and firm attachment to the principles in which they had been
educated, as most likely to afford them comfort in this world
under every trial and difficulty, and prepare them for the full
enjoyment of the world to come. Mr. Irwin, the secretary,
addressed the meeting with great good feeling, and strongly
impressed upon the members the nature of the duties they had
undertaken in visiting the boys apprenticed from the insti-
tution ; pointing out the consequences attached to those
guilty of neglecting duties so simple yet so important.
Mr. Aspinall and Mr. Langton addressed the meeting on
behalf of the trustees of the Blue Coat Hospital ; the lat-
ter gentleman concluding by proposing the health of Mr.
Forster, passing a well-merited eulogium on his character,
and the services he had rendered to the institution, over
which he had presided with so much credit to himself for so
many years. Mr. Forster briefly returned thanks, and assured
the meeting that it had always been his most anxious wish to
do his duty as far as his health and strength would permit,
and trusted that whilst he remained where he then was, he
he should continue to merit their approbation. An appro-
priate address to the trustees was read by a junior member
of the society, and the health of Mr. Gray, the treasurer,
who, we regret, was unable to reply to the toast from indis-
position. The secretary and vice-presidents having been
duly given, the rector said ire had a most pleasing duty to
perform in proposing the health of Mrs. Foster: hitherto
they had only complimented one sex, but they all knew how
much they were indebted to the female character, not only
for most of the happiness which they enjoyed, but also for
the education which they were the means of cornnaufficatino..
Mrs. Foster had been most indefatigable—having caug&
something of her husband's spirit ; she had rendered great
service in the cause of education, and, in every relation of
life, was well deserving their respect and gratitude. Mr.
Foster, on acknowledging the compliment, said be need not
state to the meeting, for most of them had experienced Mrs.
Foster's kindness, how; much she was devoted to the institu-
tion, and in promoting the comfort and happiness of its in-
mates. The meeting was also addressed by Mr. Molyneux,
Mr. Moon, and Mr. Ellison. In the course of the evening
letters were read from several gentlemen, who had intended
being present, apologising for their absence, and a donation
of £lO was announced from Wilfred Troutbeck, Esq., ano-
ther of £5 from Thomas Brown, Esq., £5 from illiam
Potter, Esq., and £2 from King Ellison, Esq.

LIFER THEATILE."." Aladdin" has been tell got op here.
The house last night was very full.
Miss WIIITNALeS CONCERT.—This' concert last evening
was numerously and most fashionably attended. From the
lateness of the hour at which the performances terminated,
we are unable to devote any space to a notice.

AN IMPUDENT THIEF.—A boy was yesterday placed be-
fore Mr. Rushton, at the Police-court, charged with having
in his possession a quantity of stolen property, and among
other articles were two pair of policemen's trowsers, and se-
veral bills descriptive of stolen property. He was remanded
till this day.

THEATRE ROYAL.—Van Amburgh and his lions are well
worth seeing; and, as he is about to leave this country, no
time should be lost in visiting the theatre: Some capital
farces have been performed, in whiCh Baker, Bail's, and Mrs.
Clarke, have kept the audiences in good humour and spirits.
We perceive by the bills that many favourites are engaged
to appear during the season. Amongst them Charles Kean,
Yates, Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Elton, Miss Huddart, Wieland,
Paul Bedford, and Macready.

THEFT FROM A Snor.--7James Kelly and John Clinton
were placed before Mr. Rushton, on Saturday, charged with
hiving stolen nine pounds of coffee, the property of Mr. S.
Jones, grocer, 8, Ray-street. Mr. Jones placed the coffee,
which was in a bag, marked with his name, on a shelf in hls
shop, on Monday last. On Friday morning he missed it.
Shortly after six o'clock on Thursday night, Inspector An-
ders and Constable James Ainsworth saw the two prisoners
and another man. Kelly had something tied up in a hand-
kerchief, and, as the suspicions of the officers were excited,
they watched the prisoners into Bachelor-street, where Kelly
threw something into a. privy. This turned out to be the
coffee stolen from Mr. Jones. The two prisoneri were taken
into custody and were committed for trial.

SHOP-BREAKING.—A boy, apparently about 14 years of
age, and of respectable appearance, was charged yesterday,
at the Police-court, with having broken info the shop of Mr.
Medder, Strand street, on the evening of Saturday last.
The officer then on duty in Redcross-street stated, that about
nine o'clock on Sunday morning he saw the prisoner with a
bundle of clothes, tied in a handkerchief, on his arm, which,
on seeing him, be threw down, and ran away. He was,
however, shortly afterwards taken into custody. It appeared
from the evidence of Mr. Medder, that the lock of the shop
had been picked ; that the articles now produced were a
portion of a number of articles that had been stolen. Their
value was about £35. This juvenile offender had been nine
times committed, and four times discharged, and had only
left the prison on Saturday, after being confined for three
months. He was committed to the sessions.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.—A special meeting of the
Town Council was held, in,the Council-chamber, Town-hall,
on, Saturday last; at .eleyen;.o'clock, for:the purpose of em-
powering the Watch Committee to take the necessary pre-
lithinary measures for laying the usual watch-rate. The

rtion, by Sir Joshua Walmsk
?hatch Committee be empowered to take the ne-
lugs preparatory to the Council laying a watch
rate on the parish of Liverpool, the townships of Everton and
Kirkdale, and the parts of the township of West Derby and
the extra-parochial place of Toxteth-park which are within
the borough, and that the Mayor be authorised to cause the
common seal to be affixed to the necessary warrants in the
course of such proceedings." The meeting only lasted a
quarter of an hour.

following
" Thattl

y, was agreed to

cessary proceedi

Fine.—On Friday, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, a
dangerous fire broke out in the counting-house of Messrs.
Henry Moore and Co., on the premises of the late Ralph
Peters, Rumford-street. As the office is situated in the.
rear of the building, the fire had extended to the apartments
below, and the cotton warehouse above, before it was dis-
covered ; but, as the engines arrived promptly on the spot,
Mr. Hewitt got them instantly into play, and, there being
an abundant supply of water, by a relay of engines from the
dsck, the flames were quickly subdued. In consequence of
this fire, a dispute has arisen between the firemen employed
by private companies, and the fire-police, as to who have a
right to command. The dispute which is, we understand, to
be heard before Mr. Rushton, this day, are out of the fol-
lowing circumstance. On the alarm of the fire being given,
Mulholland, a fireman, succeeded in getting second to the
ground, and fixed his hose to the water-pipe, and what he
fancied to be an advantageous situation, and had played on
the fire some time, when he was commanded by inspector
M'llonald, to move to a situation be fancied much inferior
to the one at which his engine was placed. Muliholland
refused to move, and an assault took place, in which we are
given to understand the later party Caine off second best.
There has long been a jealousy existing between the private
and the public servants, which this occurrence will probably
terminate.

ATTEMPTING TO PASS COUNTERFEIT SHlLLlNGS.—Eli-
zabeth Disley, a woman of disorderly conduct, was charged
yesterday, at the Police-court, with having attempted to pass
a number of counterfeit shillings. From the evidence ad-
duced, it appeared that the prisoner called at the house of
Mr. Williams, publican, and having called for something to
drink, tendered in payment a shilling, which he said was not
worth a farthing. She then took up the shilling, and pre-
sented another, which he remarked was equally bad. The
prisoner then threw a quantity on the counter, all of which
were counterfeit, and exclaimed, " Take them all." Mr.
Williams gave her into custody, and on her person was found
ss. 6d. in good,' and 4s. in bad money. The prisoner, in de-
fence, said that she was drunk, and had got a half sovereign
changed, she fancied by a man who sold nuts. Mr. Rushton
said the case must be decided upon by the legal advice of the
IVlint, and ordered the prisoner to be remanded until th
should be advised of the cas
VIOLENT

ASSAULT.—John. Williams appeared before
Messrs. Rushtori and Rathbone, on Saturday, charged by
William Saddler with having violently assaulted him. Both
the parties are pilots, and they belong to the same boat. It
appeared that, on a.recent cruise of thp vessel, Williams was
absent from his duty, on an alleged plea of illness, when
Saddler had to take his watch, of which he complained, pro-
bably, with some bitterness. This came to the ears of Wil-
liams, in what form did not appear : but in consequence, he
went to the boat, which was lying off the 'Waterloo Dock,
and accused Saddler of having stated that he had shammed
illness, in order to escape his duty. 'Williams followed up the
accusation by striking Saddler a terrific blow, which, accord-
ing to the account of the latter, burst his eye all to pieces,
and caused the blood to fly across the cabin. He repeated
the assault, and the sight of the eye, we understand, is corn -
pletely destroyed. The prisoner was ordered to find bail,
himself in £5O, and two sureties in £3O each, for his appear-
ance, to answer the charge at the Sessions ; 48 hours' no-
tice to be given of the bail.

DUBLIN PROTESTANT ORPHAN SOEIETY.—Last evening
a crowded meeting was held in the School-room underneath
St. Jude's Church, for the purpose of affording to a deputa-
tion from the Dublin Protestant Orphan Society, consisting
of the Rev. T. Gregg and the Rev. Mr. Prior, an opportunity
of explaining the objects of that excellent institution. The
Rev. W. Falloon was called to the chair. Mr. Gregg, in his
address, stated that the charity was founded in 1828, with
very small means, and that it had from year to year after-
wards risen in usefulness and funds, till it had now dependent
upon it 282 orphans, with an income, derived from subscrip-
tions, of rather more than £2OOO. Still vastly more. good
could be effected if the funds were adequate. The society
took the orphans at any period of infancy aad kept them till•
they were nine years of age; and by their system of placing
them in the hands of respectable farmers, recommended. by
the clergyman of his parish, and subject to the visits of the
society's inspectors, the cost of their maintenance was no
more than £3 lOs per annum, or is 4d per week. Five shil-
lings a-year additional was paid for their "learning." He
assured the meeting that this system was found to answer
admirably—that the children were excellently fed, and en-
joyed the best health. The society did not allow any of their
charge to be educated aecording to the system of the Irish
Board of,Education ; and from one parish where it had been
introduced they had withdrawn their orphans. The rev.
gentleman detailed many other interesting facts, which •we
have not space to notice; but we must not omit to state that
he strongly impressed upon the meeting that this was a strictly
Protestant institution. Mr. Prior next addressed the meet-
ing in an eloquent speech ; and at the close of the proceedings
an auxiliary society was formed for the district of St. Jude's.
We understand that the deputation will hold meetings—this
evening, (Tuesday,) in the School-room belonging to the
Church at Birkenhead, and on Thursday, in Christ Church
School-room.

RELIEF OF THE Poon.—A liberal distribution of soup,
coal, potatoes, and bread has been made amongst the poor in
Birkenhead ; and great praise is due to the committee who
have, for upwards of six weeks, relieved more than 300
families, amounting to 1,290 individuals. In addition to
£l3 collected at Trinity-church, and £5 ss. at the Wesleyan
chapel, the handsome sum of £36 14s. Ild. was collected on
Sunday morning last, at St. Mary's church, after a most im-
pressive discourse by the Rev. A. Knox. The Rev. John
Gardner also delivered a most eloquent appeal to his congre-
gation at the Scotch kirk, on Sunday, when the liberal sum
of £lO ls. 4d. was collected. James Radley, Esq., of Bid-
stone-hall, very kindly sent the committee a load of potatoes ;
and Mr. J. Eastwood, chemist, and a few friends, in one
hour, collected the. handsome sum of £ll ss. 6d. This
generosity has enabled the committee to continue their
bounty during the past week ; and as there is every appear-
ance of the frost leaving us for this winter, we sincerely hope
there may be abundance of employment for the labouring
classes, and that they may not feel the loss of the disconti-
nuance of the charity.

CORONER'S INQUESTS.—An inquest was held yesterday,
before P. F. Curry, Esq., coroner, touching the death of
Martha Allen, wife of Joseph Allen, millwright. It ap-
peared from the evidence, that the deceased was frequently
in the habit of getting intoxicated, and on Saturday after-
noon she was seen in that state by her husband, who left her,
and proceeded in the evening to make his markets as usual.
He was knocked up about five on Sunday morning, when he
found his wife in an upright position, in the entrance to the
coal-vault, of the house where she resided; she was down in
the vault as far as her breast, and was, when discovered,
lifeless. She usually entered the house through the coal-
vault. The verdict was in accordance with these facts.—
Another inquest was yesterday held on the body of a person
who gave his name to one of the witnesses as Moses Ivison,
and stated that he was a druggist, and lived at Keighley.
The deceased, a little before two o'clock on Sunday after-
noon, at the railway station, was asking for a respectable
public-house, when he was directed by one of the witnesses
to Mrs. Gilmer's, where he was taken, and had two glasses
of brandy, into the second of which he poured the contents
of a small bottle, which he took from his pocket. He after-
wards went to the pierhead with the same witness, and sailed
up the river as far as the King's Dock, when all at once he
became very heavy and sleepy, and being removed from the
boat, was taken in a car to Duncan-street Bridewell, but as
his face was turning quite blue, he was taken to the Infir-
mary. The bottle which the deceased took from his pocket
could not be found. He shortly afterwards died in the In-
firmary..

POPERY IN .LANCASHIRE.—Some facts have come to our
knowledge which are creating no little sensation among the
children of mother church in this county. It appears that
certain priests of spiritual w'll-snaking notoriety have of late
been getting wills out of old women as well as old men. A
case of this sort has recently happened at the Willows, near
Kirkham. We have not heard that Bishop Brown has thought
proper to interfere for the removal of these offenders, but
we are told that he has been sharply taking to task an unfor-
tunate priest for making an affidavit in a certain will cause,
and in favor of the plaintiffs, who have had the courage to
come forward in the face of their country to claim their patri-
monial estates left by a weak, priest-ridden old man to his
father confessor—he, the said confessor, being, according to
Lord Abinger's decision, " the confidential manager of his
temporal affairs.—Lancaster Gazette.

STRANGE ALLIANCES.—A short time since, at St. James's
aunt. Church, Poole, a father married his son's wife's au 11e
son married his father's wife's sister. Consequently one son
is brother-in-law to his father, and the father
is brother-in-
law
to his son. The other son is nephew andson-
in-law to
his father's wife, and his wife is niece and dau
~hter-in-law
to her husband's father, niece and sister-in-law to her hus-
band's brother, and niece and sister-in law to
her husband's
brother's wife.
It would be difficult to find a parallel in-
stance of such intricate relationship. These
the Spring Rices, seem disposed to keep parties, like
their tender pas-
sions confined to their own families.
THE LATE MYSTERIOUS Da ...
discover.
DISAPPEARANCE.—HIGH
Lou,E FRIDAY.—The exertions of
high constable of Cheshire, to Mr. Harper,.the special
.. Ann Simpson, the
young woman who so suddenly
Hewitt's farm, have at length been disappeared from Mr.
About three o'clock yesterday attended with success.
afternoon, the body of the un-
fortunate girl was found imbedded in the land of a marl pit
close to. the farm yard, and this morning is morning the body of a new-
born infant was discovered floating on the surface of the
water. Mr. Hollins, the c
eleven o'clock to-morrow 'untY coroner, has appointed
—Manchester Courier, (this day) for holding.the mquest.
Saturday.

MEDICAL REFORM

'rom our London Corespondent.)

lay night the Medical Reform Bill, brought forward

Mr. Hawes, was withdrawn, on account (as that gentle-

man informed the house) of the opposition with which it was
threatened by the chemists and druggists. We are happy,
however,. in being able to announce, that another bill will be
immediately introduced by the profession ; and we' think

there is little doubt that the glaring abuses of the present
systeinso far, at least, as, the public safety is concerned—

will be remedied during the present session

It is difficult to imagine any substantial.grounds on which

as a body, can justify their hostility to the
principle of the clauses affecting them contained in Mr.
Hawes's bill. We are very far from wishing to see any un-

the druggist

just and oppressive restrictions imposed upon this or any
other class of tradesmen. We readily admit the claims upon
our consideration, on the score of respectability and charac-
ter, of the druggists as a body ; but we cannot, at the same
time, lose sight of the same claims advanced on the part of
the medical profession. There is no country in Europe, we
believe, where the qualifications of medical men generally
are of a higher order than in Great Britain ; and whilst we

impose upon them a strict and an expensive course of study
and examination, before we admit them to the privilege of
practising, it is a little unjust if we do not at the same time

rd them

,otne just protection in the exercise of their

calling

Pit present they possess no such protection:. It is
notorious that one-half of the practice which the duly quali-
fied medical man would otherwise enjoy, is thrown into the
hands of unskilful quacks, to the injury of the profession,
and, as late examples have sufficiently proved, to the strious

danger of the pnbl

We are firmly convinced that, by the respectable portion
of the dispensing druggists, the clauses complained of in
Mr. Hawes' bill, and which will most certainly be included
in the measure about to be introduced by the Medical Reform
Association, would be found in operation to be highly advan-
tageous. A great number of our practitioners have been
driven, by their position under the present system, not only
to open shops as druggists, but, where this. is not the case,
in every instance to make up their own medicines in pre-
ference to furnishing a prescription to their patients. Let

alousy which at present exists between the practitioner
le druggist be done away with, and both parties confine

themselves to their own department, and we confidently pre-
dict that few medical men will then be induced to keep their
own drugs, and a mutually beneficial connexion will be
formed between parties who are now in an antagonist po-
sition with each other.