The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-05-01 00:00:00

THE REV. HUGH M'NEILE.

Mr. Burnet is not more strikingly fitted for the champion-
ship of an uncompromising non-conformity, than is Mr.
M`Neile for the advocacy of Episcopalianism, in that great
controversy between voluntaryism and the Church. He
possesses in perfection all those qualities which are best cal-
culated for such defence—the ardour of devotedness which
nerves and inspires in a cause ; the lofty tone of moral feel-
ing which invests it with the dignity of principle; the skill
in intellectual warfare, which gives power to an advocate ;
the enlightened liberality of candour which conciliates foes;
the manly firmness of determination which inspires friends,
blended with all the fascinating attributes of oratory which
throw attraction round an argument.
Mr. M`Neile is a fine specimen of a finished ecclesiastical
orator. Nature has highly gifted him, and all her endow-
ments, whether physical or intellectual, have been heightened,
and enhanced by every art which science can supply, and
every finish which refinement can suggest. He is, so to
speak, a complete Church Knight-errant; every weapon of
his controversial combatantship keen, bright, and ready for
the Episcopalian chivalry. He breathes the very spirit of
that high-toned fervour and resolve, which we deem appro-
priate in the defender of what may be called our ancient ec-
clesiastical feudalism. With all the gallantry and all the
skill of the olden knighthood, he wields the weapons of his
intellectual warfare, and burns with an ardour, if not so mar-
tial, fully as heroic.
There is everything winning and prepossessing about Mr.
M`Neile. Dignity and amiability are alike expressed in the
finely chiselled features of his open florid countenance. His
demeanour and appearance are in no ordinary degree impos-
ing and prepossessing ; there is, indeed, a somewhat aristo-
cratic tone in his manner, subdued and tempered, however,
by a native kindness of disposition.
He is evidently a man of high culture and refinement. In
all he utters, whether in the matter or the manner, is evinced
tho most careful polish of which either is susceptible. Yet
his style is most simple—nay severe—strictly argumentative
—and, indeed, almost always exhibits close, connected,
chains of reasoning. His sentences, however, though un-
adorned, and even sometimes rigidly condensed, are neat,
lucid, often elegant in their construction, are powerfully ex-
pressive and admirable in the selection of the words em-
ployed, and their appropriation and harmonious arrangement.
His delivery perfectly corresponds with his style.' lit is dis-
tinct, clear, emphatic, and somewhat slow—an impressive
adaptation of modulation to the sense of the language used,
the sentences being usually formed ou one chaste, careful
rro-,del, and the periods marked (at all events for a time) by
measured pauses, givittg to each, nore weight and emphasis,
as if every one of them waited for its impression ere another
followed, and giving a kind of studied completeness to them
all. There is something strikingly—almost startingly—im-
pressive in the first tones of his voice—short, stern, iron in
their sound, each period falling separately, with sententious
brevity, from his lips. But it is a voice of great compass and
variety of tone, and as he proceeds, becomes susceptible of
every change and modulation—all exquisite in their harmony
—and sounding most expressively the appropriate music of
every flow of feeling and every character of sentiment. The
style, however, in the very, heart of a subject, never loses its
somewhat severe simplicity. It amplifies as the discourse ad-
vances, but never or rarely becomes imaginative, ornamental,
or figurative. He seems to aim,,at power more than splen-
dour, and clearness rather thanibrilliancy ; yet he is always
polished, finished, and refined) His simplicity is elegant—
his beauty is chastened. In, a word we might compare his
style to a plain yet polished Silver chain—the links gradually
enlarging,-and shining unadorned, and exhibiting no break or
flaw in their entire serief.
This idea of a chain, indeed, not inaptly indicates the cha-
racter of Mr. M`Neilefs argumentation. It is inductive—
closely connected— nontinuously progressive reasoning;
proposition after proposition linked together and leading on-
wards, step by step, along the line of demonstration. This
mode of argument is most pleasing and interesting to the
mind, especially when, as in Mr. M`Neile's case, it is joined
to a spirit of necessity, a fervour of conviction, which throws
an air of truthfulness over the whole, and gives the reasoning
the immense advantage of appearing the process by which
the reasoner himself had really arrived at belief, and not the
mere fabrication of A prepossessed and predetermined hypo-
thesis. To change the language, it is like taking the audience
through a series of mental experiments, instead of drawing
only on intellectual abstractions.

The spirit of frankness and sincerity—of earnestness and
honesty—which appears in Mr. Wlsleile, affords him a great
and triumphant power over an audience, with whom nothing
is more influential—that is, with those who comprehend it—
even in a mixed audience, of friends and opponents, than. the
resort of a sincere add ardent mind to all the patient research
of an inductive investigation, accompanied by a confidence
challenging scrutiny, and a manliness honourably avowing
every opinion, and frankly confessing every fault.

RAILWAY FROM ENGLAND TO SCOTLAND,

(From the Scottish Standard.)

The quiescence of the several parties who have been
engaged in . promoting the formation of a Railway com-
munication between Newcastle and Edinburgh, has given
rise, it would seem, to a very foolish notion, that her Ma-
jesty's Commissioners have decided upon a Western line, by
way of Lancaster and Carlisle,, as an extension of the
English Railways into Scotland—decided, too, without ever
examining the country from Newcastle to Edinburgh. We
find the following paragraph on this subject, in the Newcastle
Journal of Saturday last _ _ _

" RAILWAY TO SCOTLAND.-Our sanguine friends on
the west side of the island, seem to be quite'premature in
setting in their favour the decision of her Majesty's Com-
missioners, appointed to report upon the best lines of rail-
way between London and Edinburgh, &c. Numberless of
extravagent puffs appear in alMost every journal connected
with Lancaster, Preston, &c. ; but surely the intelligent
Commissioners will not dismiss the claims of this side the
island, so long denominated ' the Great North Road', with-
out some degree of consideration: So far, their labours
have been confined westward ; the, turn of the midland and
east line has to come, and then in all probability the end
aim of all the paragraphs will appear in their true light, as
nothing more than schemes for raising the wind ! Share-
holders must be kept in good humour, and capitalists will
not advance the required loan to finish the line from Preston
to Lancaster, unless there is a prospect of success. Time
will show how far the prOmoters of the west line are
deceiving the public and themselveS. Newcastle-upon-Tyne
is, and ever must be, the key to the north, but we and our
party should emulate the industry of our western friends,
and not allow its fair and legitimate claims to be passed
over in silence."

We quite agree with our respected contemporary, that
" Newcastle-Upon=Tyne is and ever must be•the key to the
North." But as well as this, we are convinced that the line
by Newcastle is so superior, in every respect, for a railway
communication from London to Edinburgh, that its claims
to preference over any line to be obtained by the West—
whether through Morecambe Bay, or over Shap Fell—can
lever be set aside.

Itia-NeryslToriiinie there will be a continuous line of rail-
ways from London to Newcastle—as far North as Darlington
—in fact, the line is already nearly completed, and will be
orened out in the course of the present summer ; and its
coatinuation to Newcastle is making rapid progress—so that
there will be little more than 100 miles to construct in this
direction, and that through a country presenting great facili-
ties for such a work, to effect an unbroken line of communi-
cation between London and Edinburgh ; whereas, in the
other direction, by the West, the line does not yet reach
Lancaster, which is upwards of 160 miles from Edinburgh,
with the country between Lancaster and Carlisle presenting
obstacles, in mountains and cliffs, which it will be impossible
to remove, except by an outlay of capital that would be ut-
terly ruinous.

Butwe agree, moreover, with our friend at Newcastle, that
" we and our party should emulate the industry of our west-
ern friends, and not allow its fair and legitimate claims (those
of the Newcastle and Edinburgh line) to be passed over in
silence." To say nothing of the importance of having a
railway communication with London opened out as shortly
as possible, the advantages of being connected by railway
with such a town as Newcastle, will be incalculable, and well
deserve the attention of the citizens of Edinburgh.

CHESTER RACES.-THE NEW STANDS.

" Come bustle now, bustle now, whose for the races."

OLD SONG.
•
" Coming events cast shadows before them ;" so the white-
washings of walls, the cleanings of windows, and the paint-
ings of houses, both inside and out, in all the " various
variety of colours" in this city, indicate the approach of the
races. Sure as the appearance of the swallow is the forerun-
ner of spring, so certain is the appearance of a ladder and a
painter busily employed upon the outside of a house, an in-
dication of . that epoch in our annals, " the races." We
believe that we,may safely congratulate our friends, both
sporting and otherwise, upon the prospects of the coming
time. Many improvements on the course are in contempla-
tion as to the arrangement of the tents, and public conve-
nience will be attended to: The Roodee, " that struggle
ground," is in fine order, and looks as verdant as possible.
The new stands that have been erected will be highly conve-
nient, and there is no doubt will be well attended. The large
covered stand is calculated to hold 1000 persons, while the
other two will hold an equal number. Beneath the stands
are four most commodious bars, refreshment rooms, and
booths. The length of these stands is 324 feet, and in
breadth 20 feet. The roof of the first stand is supported by
sixteen cast iron pillars ; the railing is also of iron, of a neat
pattern, and presents a light and elegant appearance. There
is a communication from the Walls as well as from the course,
so that no inconvenience can arise to the visitors. The cost
of these stands is estimated at £2250. The committee of
proprietors of these stands deserve the thanks of the com-
munity for the liberality they have evinced in offering a
handsome prize:to be run for, a plate of one hundred sove-
reigns value, in specie, to be added to a-sweepstakes of five
soya. each. The day of the entry to be the same as the other
plates. It is anticipated that the race will cause great excite-
ment, and that a capital entry will be .made. If this fine
weather will but continue, we may look forward to a thronged
city,—and " the course thronged with gazers," when
" Tim high mettled racer starts for the plate."
—Chester Gazette.

GLASGOW AND AYR RAILWAY.—The most active exer-
tions are making along the line. in order to effect the comple-
tion by the end of July. Betwixt Kilwinning, and DalrY, the
cutting and embanking is carred on during the night as well
as the day ; and the contractor for this lot, hitherto in the
most backward state, is proceeding with the greatest vigour
and success. Considerable progress htiq been made in over-
corninc, the difficulties of the so-called bottomless meadow,
which has required so much deposit in the embanking. The
most formidable part of it yet remaining extends to about 300
yards ; and it is singular to observe, that as the earth is
poured on the embankment, the surface on both sides is
heaved up to a considerable extent. As the workmen proceed,
they find each new piece of embankment to sink during the
night, which depression they have to restore, by fresh pour.
ings of surface material. Having once surmounted the obsta-
cle, their task will be comparatively easy, as the embankment
at this part of the line is only about three feet. The meadow
which lies betwixt Kilbirnie and Lochwinnoch Lochs, is sup-
posed to have been at one time also covered with water, but
it was not considered to have retained so mueh moisture as
to cause so much extra labour to make it properly.terra firnza,
otherwise some change could have been made on the line, by •
which it might have been avoided. The lodging-houses in
Kilwinr ing, Dairy, and I3eith, are crowded with labourers
employed on the railway, whose expenditure must be felt in a
considerable degree by those villages. The iron-works at
Dairy are in the progress of building, and appear to be T... 1
very extensive scale,--Kilmarnock Journal.

VESSELS ENTERED FOR LOADING.

(SINCE OW LAST PUBLICATION.)

EAST INDIES, GAPE OF GOOD HOPE, &c•
John O'Gaunt, J Robertson, 449 Manilla, Singapore and Chine;
J Gladstone & Co
Ann Laing, H Hudson, 392 Batavia and Sincapore, Bold & Starkey
Alan Ker, A M'Kechnie, 606 Bombay, linrie & Tomlinson
Hector, J Johnston, 392 Calcutta, W & J Tyver

LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES.

Number of new patients entered on the books of the Dispensaries
during the last week:—

Received advice and medicine at the Insti-
tution
Visited at their own houses and supplied
with medicine

North. South. Total

373 342 715

240 153 395

Total at each Dispensary

VISITORS.
North—Mr. W.F. Macgregor, Mr. J. H. Smith, and Mr. C. Booth.
South—Mr. Jordan, Mr. J. Wilkinson, and Rev. C. Morrall.
R. WEDGWOOD, Secretary.
Dispensaries' Office, 1, Fenwick-street, April 27, 1840.