The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-04-02 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS

WALSALL ELECTION.--It will be seen from our parlia-
mentary intelligence, that J. N. Gladstone, Esq., has beet
declared by the committee duly elected member for this bo-
rough.

MR. HARWOOD'S AcAD-4,4y.—Mr. Harwood's juvenile
ball took place on Tuesday evening, at the Templars' Hall.
The room was fashionably and very numerously attended,
and the utmost satisfaction and delight was expressed at the
proficiency displayed by the children. Indeed a prettier oi
more interesting sight we have not witnessed for some time.
The pupils do Mr. Harwood great credit, and the highest
encomiums may be passed upon him. Prizes were distri-
buted, which appeared
greatly to delight their gainers. We
perceive that the second quarter of this academy commences
to-morrow, and on Easter Monday the evening academy
closes with a ball.

THE BRAZILIAN TRADE.—We are glad to observe efforts
are making to obtain a more equitable adjustment of our
fiscal arrangements as regards the importation of Brazil
sugars and coffee into this country for home consumption.
Mr. John B. Moore and Mr. Sandars, from Liverpool, have
been deputed specially upon this subject, and have had in-
terviews with Lord Melbourne, Sir R. Peel, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, the President of the Board of Trade,
Lord Francis Egerton, and other influential members of
parliament, relating to this important and interesting topic.
It is fearful to contemplate that a trade of such magnitude,
and so important, as that carried on with Brazil, should be
jeopardised for the want of timely and just concessions to
bring the duties down to such a scale as to admit of those
products being aimitted for home consumption, which might
be done, and at the same time afford ample protection to our
colonial interests.—London Courier.

THE ASSIZES.-It is probable that the present assizes will
occupy more than the average time. There are several spe-
cial jury cases, though appointments have not as yet
been made in all. Acton v. Blundell stands for Wed-
nesday next, and Davidson v. Sir Thomas Stanley is
appointed for this morning. The latter is a case which ex•
cites great interest in this and the adjoining county of Ches-
ter. It is an action by the Commercial Bank, at Chester,
against Sir Thomas M. Stanley, Bart:, on certain bills of
exchange (to the amount of £7,000) drawn in the name of
Sir Thomas by a person named Blundell, who was formerly
his steward, and who was lately sentenced to transportation
for embezzling the property of his master. The question is,
whether Sir Thomas con be rendered liable upon these bills
by showing any authority in Blundell to use his name as
drawer. Sir John Campbell (the Attorney-General) attends
on a special retainer on behalf of the defendant. The case
of Davidson v. M`Gregor is fixed for to-morrow, and that
of Middleton v. Sherburne for Thursday-next. Higgins and
another v. Senior is fixed for hearing on Wednesday morn=
ing, and Jones v. Kean (a special jury case) for Monday next.
The trial .of Anderton, for the murder of John Colter, at
Standish, is fixed as the first case for this morning. The
Ashton murder is fixed for Monday morning, imless the
counsel for the prosecution object to the arrangement. Mr.
Hector, who has during the present week been committed
for rape, will be tried the first on Tuesday morning.

EXPOSING UNWHOLESOME MEAT FOR SALE.—Yesterday,
at the police-court, William Goulding, who keeps a standing
in St. John's market, was brought before the sitting magis-
trate, at the instance of George Holden, inspector of mar-
kets, for exposing for sale 54 lb. of veal that was unfit for
human food. The case being proved, Goulding was fined
10s. and costs.

THE INFIRMARY.—We have before us the ninety-second
report of .he above charity, in connexion with the Lock
Hospital and Lunatic Asylum, and we regret to learn from
it that the funde of this valuable institution are still inade-
quate to meet the demands upon it. After every exertion,
the treasurer has been compelled to borrow from the bank-
ers, to meet the Christmas bills, the sum of £359 16s. The
Infirmary expenses alone, we understand, amount to £6,000,
while the subscriptions realise only £3,050, the balance to be
made up from certai❑ sources.

DARING BURGLARY AND ATTEMPT AT MURDER.—On
the morning of Saturday, a daring, and, at the present day,
an almost unheard of burglary and attempt at murder was
committed at Mr. Thomas Shaw's farm, at Padgate, about
two miles from Warrington. Mr. Shaw and the servant-
man slept in one bed, in a chamber on the basement story,
and the housekeeper in the front room up stairs. On Friday
night they all retired to rest, after " making up" the windows
and doors. Shortly before one o'clock they were alarmed by
the barking of the dog inside the house, and the housekeeper
on looking out of the window saw four or five men armed,
and provided with two dark lanterns, similar to those used
by the police, standing outside. They forced open the house
door, and the dog instantly attacked them, but the animal
was soon overpowered. One of the gang then proceeded to
Mr. Shaw's sleeping-room ; directly he entered he was
bravely collared by Clare, and a struggle ensuing between
them, another of the gang struck Clare a heavy blow on the
head with a bludgeon, and he was soon forced to submit to
their mercy. The men had their faces concealed by some
dark covering, but the better to prevent detection, they com-
pelled Clare to get into bed and cover himself over with the
bed-clothes, one of them holding him by the throat until he
was nearly strangled. While this scene was performing
down stairs, the housekeeper opened the upstair window, and
called for assistance. She immediately afterwards received a
severe gun-shot wound on the forehead, and was told by one
of the gang outside that she would be killed if she did not
instantly desist. She then went down stairs, and after break-
ing some of the glass of the window, got outside the building.
She was instantly stopped and rudely attacked by one of the
robbers, who called out to his companions to murder her.
Happily, one relented, and her life was spared. She was,
however, made to force her way back, by the narrow space
in the broken window through which she had escaped from
the house. Four of the gang standing round Mr. Shaw's
bed, afterwards made him deliver up to them thirty-six sove-
reigns, a large silver watch, weighing nearly half a pound,
No. 204, " Simcock, Warrington," maker, and a bottle of
rum. They next very leisurely rummaged the old gentle-
man's papers, and after nailing up the back door, and leaving '
for a time one of the gang to guard the front door, took their
departure. They were in the house altogether for upwards
of an hour, and during that time talked together very freely.

SIR WILLIAM BURNETT'S PATENT FOR THE PRESER-
VATION OF TIMBER, CANVAS,. CORDAGE, &C.—lt is not,
perhaps, generally known, (at least in the north of England),
that Sir Wm. Burnett, physician general to the navy, after
having long directed his attention to the preservation of the
ships, sails, and cordage of the royal navy, discovered a che-
mical compound, which has been found, by repeated and se-
vere tests to be the most efficient for the object required.
This preparation will protect and preserve timber, cordage,
canvas, cotton and woollen, and similar substances from dry-
rot, mildew, moth, and premature decay, whether arising
from; damp, want of circulation of air, or exposure to wea-
ther or sea-water. It may also be remarked that it has a
powerful effect in preventing the oxydation of metals, when
in contact with the prepared timber. Salt water, in place of
neutralising, increases its efficiency ; canvas, cordage, cloth,
&c, derive a great increase of strength by being prepared with
it, and will resist combustion in proportion to the strength of
the solution used. The terms for granting licences to use
the preparation are extremely moderate, and many noblemen
and gentlemen, steam companies, and public boards have
availed themselves of the advantages of the patent. Mr.
Jackson, the secretary to the association for carrying the ob-
jects of the patent into effect, who haS recently visited Li-
verpool, yesterday politely showed us a number of specimens
of canvas, cordage, and woollen cloth, which had been pre-
pared according to the patent, and which, with counterparts
unprepared, had been exposed to the prolonged action of
damp, or had been immersed for months in water. One
piece of canvas half prepared and half not, and which had
been deposited for three months in a very damp cellar, in a
remarkable manner showed the preservative effects of the
preparation. The counter-part unprepared, was quite rotten
and discoloured. The other par, had retained its colour,
and was as strong as ever. Several other pieces were also
shown even more remarkably decayed where unprepared, and
entirely preserved where saturated with the compound. We
also noticed a piece of drugget, the prepared part of which,
after being long exposed to damp was quite fresh and strong,
while the other part had become rcduced to tinder and
fringes. A piece of prepared line or small rope was produced,
which, after being long deposited in a garden was as fresh as
ever : the unprepared counterpart placed along with it was
rotten and covered with fringe, as if it were dusted with
mustard. One of the most extraordinary effects of the pre-
paration is, that timber prepared with it not only resists dry-
rot, but when exposed to tire will not blaze. 'ln the timbers
of vessels, as well as of buildings, this must be a great advan-
tage in cases of tire. Two pieces of common lathwood were
produced, one impregnated with the solution, and the other
unprepared. They were put in the fire : the latter blazed up
and burned rapidly ; the other emitted neither smoke nor
flame, and was comparatively very slow in combustion. The
timber to be saturated does not require to be long seasoned,
as the solution has the effect of neutralising the sap, and giv-
ing strength and hardness to the fibre. The effect of the
preparation when applied to iron, in preventing corrosion, is
we are informed, equally extraordinary. A piece of iron,
prepared with the solution, suspended in water for many
months,•was found not to have oxydized or lost any percep-
tible weight. A similar piece, unprepared, and similarly im-
mersed, made a large deposit by corrosion, and lost much in
bulk.

THE NEW POOR-LAW.—A numerous and highly-respect.
able meeting of the inhabitants of Newton-in-Makerfield,
was held at the Horse and Jockey, on Thursday, the 25th
instant, for the purpose of petitioning the legislature against
this obnoxious law, when resolutions were passed, shewing—
that previous to the introduction of the new poor-law, the
poor of this township had been managed by a select vestry
and its own overseer, in times of great difficulty and distress,
with economy and satisfaction ; that the rate-payers are de-
graded, in not being allowed to manage their own parochial
affairs, and to have the control of their own funds ; that they
are at all times the best judges of the state of their bwn poor,
and the fittest to distribute relief to them ; that it is cruel in
casting the whale burden on the female to maintain her off-
spring, while the seducer of her innocence is allowed to es-
cape with impunity, and infanticide, it is to be feared, is
sometimes the dreadful consequence ; that there is not that
distinction made under the new law between the meritorious
poor and the idle and profligate which ought to exist ; that it
is attended with considerably mote expense, while the poor
are no better relieved ; that the system of centralisation is
abhorrent to their feelings as Englishmen ; that boards of
guardians are a powerless body, and only a piece of ma-
chinery in the hands of the poor-law commissioners, with
just power enough to sign orders upon the several overseers
for the payment of more money into the hands of the trea-
surer of the union ; that the continuance of the new poor-
law, and the power of the poor-law commissioners, is dan-
gerous, inasmuch as it will make people disaffected, it will
alienate and destroy all those best feelings which harmonise
society, and break asunder one great link in that chain which
unites the poor and the rich together; that the system of
centralisation which it aims at, when its machinery is com-
pleted, may become one of the most tremendous political en-
gines that man ever contemplated to look upon, and may, in
the hands of a wicked and profligate minister, be used to de-
stroy every valuable institution. In accordance with the '
above, petitions to both houses of Parliament were agreed
upon, the one to the Commons, to be forwarded to Lord
Francis Egerton ; and the other to the House of Lords, to
his Grace the Bishop of Exeter.—Also, at the same meeting,
resolutions condemnatory of the county constabulary were
unanimously passed, shewing—that it is the opinion of this
meeting that the rural police are uncalled for in this town-
ship, inasmuch as for a long period before their introduction
Newton was ever known to be peaceful and orderly.; that the
expense incurred by the establishment is a grievous tax upon
the industry of the inhabitants, and that it is with abhor-
rence they witness so many cases brought before the magis-
trates of a frivolous and vexatious nature—brought forward
by a body of men whose services are not required, and ob-
noxious to the community at large, because by their many
acts of paltry and unconstitutional interference with the
liberty of the subject they stand more in the light of common
informers than any other ; that it demands their most stre-
nuous exertions, by every legitimate power, to free the coun-.
try from an impost so burthensome and intolerable.
EMIGRATION.—There are now thirty vessels in the Lon.
don and St. Katharine docks fitting out to convey emigrants
to Sydney, Hobart Town, Canada, New York, and to the
infant colony of New Zealand, which are to sail during the
present month, and they will carry out in all about 50,000
passengers. The tide of emigration seems to be setting in
for New Zealand, and the ships bound to that colony take
out bricks as ballast, which fetch large prices in the colony.
One ship in the London dock contains 6,000 bricks, and
will, besides, take out the material of a house for one of the
officials lately appointed by government to manage affairs in
New Zealand. The house can be put together in twenty-four
hours. In a few months there will
.be many houses in the
Bay of Islands built of English bricks.

LITERARY NOTICES.

A Statistical Account of the County Palatine of Lancaster.
By Edwin Butterworth. London : Longman and Co. ;
Liverpool: Wareing Webb.
This work contains, within a comparatively small com-
pass, a large body of valuable, and, we add, interesting in-
formation, corrected from original as well as published
sources, and arranged in a clear and comprehensive manner,
and forming a book of reference that cannot fail to be equally
acceptable in the counting-house, the parlour, and the study.
The want of an accurate statistical knowledge by almost all
classes of the places in their own locality, is often lamentably
manifest, and forms indeed a grand omission in general
education. This account of Lancashire is admirably calcu-
lated to supply the deficiency. We learn, from the preface,
that the author was connected with Baines's well-known
history of the county, and being so engaged, peculiarly fitted
him for his present task. He states that---" solely actuated
by a wish to produce a correct hand-book of the topographi-
cal history of Lancashire, ancient and modern, the utmost
caution has been bestowed by the author in the use of the
stores of local information possessed by and accessible to
him. The writer having a personal knowledge of every
parish in the county, has been enabled by his investigation,
not only to ascertain the authenticity of previously published
information, but to acquire much additional matter, of gene-
ral interest to all who have a regard for county topography."
The work opens with an interesting " Statistical sketch of
Lancashire ;" and the towns, parishes, townships, villages,
&c., are afterwards described in alphabetical order, and ap-
parently with great care and accuracy.

Treatise on Physical Education, by Louis Huguenin

London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co

. .
The author of this pamphlet is a professor of gymnastics,
in Dublin, and argues his subject with an ardour and ability
that induces an assurance that, through the practice of those
manly exercises which he advocates, he has himself derived
much benefit, and personifies the 'fleas sane in corpore nano.
He fortifies his own views by adducing the opinions of many
distinguished writers, who have devoted their occasional at-
tention to the subject of physical education ; and the deduc-
tion he forms daily experience renders undeniable. The
book is divided into sections, in which the advantages of
strong bodily exercise, from youth even to the autumn of
life, in invigorating the body, strengthening the mind, ex-
pelling disease, and inducingcheerfulness and contentment.
We quote at random, as a specimen of our author's reason-
ing, the following passage on the consequences of the neglect
of bodily improvement :
The mischief that has been done in the course of some
centuries by this perverse mode of education, is inconceivable.
It has been the grand source of bodily inactivity, voluptuous
weakness, effeminacy, a multitude of diseases, and, in short,
an innumerable portion of our sufferings. If we infringe hu-
man laws, still the consequences of this infringement may be
prevented ; but if we disobey one of the supreme ordinances
of Nature, on which even the durability of our complicated
frame depends, we can neither shun nor diminish Its effects,
and our whole system will feel the shock. And surely the
ordinance, "In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread,"
is as much a law of nature as the addition, that the body
shall return to the dust from which it was made. What then
shall we say of a mode of education which forcibly impels us
to disobey this law, by rejecting from its plan the improve-
ments of our body with the habit of corporal exertion, and
leaving these important objects to blind chance ?
The great, and men of learning by profession, have hitherto
been too frequently brou:ht up to have minds stuffed with
knowledge in frail bodies—to be helpless creatures in human
form. Massy palaces have been erected on sandy founda-
tions, and in a few years the edifice has tumbled down, or
become incapable of the service expected from it. Had not
intellectual labour been placed to their account, as that la-
bour which nature, the Bible. and sound sense inculcate ;
had they been corporally, as well as mentally improved, men
of great learning would have been more healthy and vigorous,
of more generaCtalents, of ampler practical knowledge, more
happy in their domestic lives, more enterprising, and more
attached to their duties as men. " The man who is obser-
vant of his duty," says the worthy Ehlers, " must be a man
of courage :" and are such to be found among the weak and
infirm ? Rousseau's words—" Strength of body, and strength
of mind ; the reason of a sage, and the vigour of an athlete,"
may sound somewhat like exaggeration on account of the
ancient term employed, yet they exhibit the most perfect
model of man : and the highest refinement of the mind, with-
out improvement of the body, can never present anything
more than half a human being.
A mere extract. however, can furnish but a very imperfect
idea of the treatise as a whole, which we have no hesitation
'in recommending to the perusal of parents, guardians, and
all on whom devolves the important change of the moral and
physical education of youth. The author has a gymnasium
now open in Cook-street, in this town, under his immediate
superintendence.

The Protestant •Sentinel,

The tenth number of this cheap but valuable periodical
contains a history and description of the " scapular," with an
engraving of this piece of popish trumpery—along with other
original and selected articles, suitable to the design and cha-
racter of the publication. We are rejoiced to see this little
work sustaining the part it undertook at the commencement,
with steadiness and ability, and learn with satisfaction that
it bids fair to attain a circulation proportionate to its merits.
It is designed chiefly for the operative classes ; but it con-
tains an abundance of excellent matter, with which it would
be well if other classes would often refresh their memories.
If those who can afford it would make it their business to take
a number of copies of each publication, and distribute them
where they might calculate on their being acceptable, it would be
performing a work that would he doubly useful. We do not
expect that Dr. 13yrth, or other gentlemen who, like him,
may think that the " influence of Protestant Associations is
injurious," will do any thing of this kind, for the Protestant
Sentinel is published under the direction of the Liverpool
Protestant Association, and is probably a direct consequence
resulting from its existence ; but there are plenty of others
who, in defiance of such an unfortunate state of opinion, will
rejoice in the diffusion of sound Protestant principles, and in
an instrumentality for the purpose so unexceptionable and so
effective, as the Protestant Sentinel. The price, we must
add, is only one penny each number, and the office of publi-
cation is 38, Church-street.

LIVERPOOL SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION,

[The following report was prepared for our publication of
Tuesday, but in consequence of the pressure of assize and
other intelligence, we were unable to find room for its in-
sertion.l

Captain Hunt gave his second lecture at this Institution
on Friday evening last, to an audience most gratifyingly nu-
merous. W. Rowett, Esq., chairman of the committee, was
again called to the chair, which he filled with his usual
ability. The subject of this lecture were salvage and average,
and Captain Hunt handled them both in a masterly manner.
He commenced by explaining away the popular error that
all underwriters are members of Lloyd's, and by making
some strong observations against masters quitting their ves-
sels when wrecked, for the often abused purpose of entering
a "protest," thereby leaving the property he ought to pro
tect, to the tender mercies of wreckers, or the salvage laws.
Those laws, it appears by the lecturer's remarks, vary consi-
derably in their nature in different parts of the world. In
France and Holland the demand for salvage is ad valorem,
while in England it is governed more by the extent of the
exertions of the parties coming to the rescue. All her Ma-
jesty's ships are bound by law to render assistance to mer-
chant vessels in distress, under a penalty of £lOO ; but mer-
chant ships are bound to do so by no other laws than those
of humanity. Captain Hunt explained many other points
in the law of salvage, such as the circumstances under which
the Admiralty Court claims upon wrecks; the illegality of
passengers claiming salvage, although they may have contri-
buted by pumping or otherwise to the saving of a vessel ; the
power of salvers to keep possession until paid, &c. &c. He
then took up the subject of average, which appears to be a
most important question for a shipmaster's attention, in-
asmuch as the law or custom of general average, (for custom
is law to a great extent in England,) often runs in an oppo-
site direction to what would appear to be equity or common
sense ; moreover the act upon which a master claims salvage,
being committed at sea under trying circumstances, and be-
yond the reach of counsel or advice, it becomes doubly im-
perative upon him to study the subject thoroughly. The lec-
turer remarked that the law of general average is in its principle
and intention one of the wisest and most equitableof our mari-
time code, and that its introduction into our laws was so far
back as to be beyond record. For the information of our
non-nautical readers, we will just observe that general ave-
rage, in its simple and matured form, is a rate upon all the
adventure in a ship, to pay for any sacrifice made by the
commander of any part thereof to save the whole, the portion
sacrificed being rated with the rest. Captain Hunt, in his
usual comprehensive manner, shewed the difference in the
bye laws (if we may so term them) of different nations in
their administration of this law. In some countries every-
thing is rated, even down to passengers' luggage and the
sailors' wages. He also pointed out the difference between
cargo washed overboard and thrown overboard, and illus-
trated his remarks by the case of the Kilkenny steamer,
where the captain having thrown overboard a number of pigs
in a storm, his owner was proceeded against by the shipper
of the pigs, and compelled to pay their value. The owner,
in his turn, then commenced an action against the under-
writers, but failed because the court, having no laws to refer
to which applied particularly to steamers, fell back upon
those governing sailing vessels, which refuse compensation
for deck cargo thrown overboard, on the plea that it may be
prejudicial to the proper working of the vessel in rough wea-
ther, and therefore ought not to come within the law of ge-
neral average. In commenting upon this trial, Capt. Hunt
animadverted strongly upon the injustice of the verdict, and
upon the necessity of remodelling this part of the law to suit
steamers, which being worked upon a totally different prin-
ciple to sailing vessels, ought not to be governed by the same
rules. The underwriters also must have known that cattle
upon deck forms almost invariably a part of the cargo of
coasting steamers when they underwrote the Kilkenny.
Captain Hunt next introduced the knotty question of
average where masts are blown away or cut away, which
led ultimately to a very animated discussion between
the lecturer and his auditors. It would appear that
underwriters' law on this head does not go hand in hand
with equity, for if a ship is thrown upon her beam-ends, and
the master cuts away her masts, he can claim average for the
loss ; but if he has his masts blown overboard, and then cuts
them away, for precisely the same reason as in the former
case, viz., the safety of the hull and freight, he cannot claim
salvage ! We must confess that, although there may be a
distinction in this case, we cannot see a difference in point of
justice; and it appears to us to be incumbent upon under-
writers to put forth reasons for such a rule more at length
and convincing than what is to be found in Lorimer or
Stevens. Capt. Hunt passed some high encomiums upon
the works of these gentlemen, which he pronounced to be
admirable both in style and matter, but on that particular
head he conscientiously differed from Mr. Lorimer. The
opinions held by the lecturer appeared to he those of his au-
ditors generally, with the exception of Capt. Jacques, who
seemed to think, with Lorimer, that where masts had been
blown overboard the mischief was already done, and the
cutting away the rigging to release them was merely a conse-
quence of such mischief, and that, therefore, what the cap-
tain cut away, under such circumstances, was of no value.
Mr. Rowett replied, that although the masts were no fur-
ther available for that ship, they were still of value as masts
for a smaller vessel, and as such clearly entitled, in his opi-
nion, to claim average for their reduced value, if cut away
and lost. In this view we entirely concur, and we trust the
agitation of the subject on this occasion will lead to the mat-
ter being overhauled by the parties interested, and induce
Mr. Lorimer to explain more fully his opinions. Our space
will not allow us to touch upon the remaining numerous
points of Capt. Hunt's lecture, which was truly rich in know-
ledge and information; and we trust the worthy commander
will ere long give us another opportunity of listening to the

reAults of his- reAtarejl hit afitirsig Lw, and his reflection
thereon.

After the lecture a conversation took place, as to finding a
coadjutor for Capt. Hunt in the useful work he has so gene-
rously began ; and Mr. Purnell having been named as emi-
nently qualified to undertake the task, it was moved by
Capt. Hunt, seconded by Capt. Butler, and carried unani-
mously; " That Mr. Purnell be requested to favour the mem-
bers of the Shipmasters' Association with a lecture on nau-
tical astronomy."

PROTESTANT OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION IN
ST. JUDE'S SCHOOL ROOM.

A meeting took place in the above school-room on Tues-
day evening, to form a branch association for that district.
Although St. Jude's Church and Protestant Association are
thoroughly identified, there has not hitherto been an associ-
ation in connection with it, and it is part of the arrangements
of the Protestant Operative Association to divide the town
into 13 divisions, and to have active working associations in
each. These 13 branch meetings to hold quarterly meetings
so that a meeting will be held every Monday evening in some
part of the town.

The Rev. Hugh Al`Neile presided, and laid before the
meeting the plan of the above arrangements, and delivered
a most impressive address to the members present.
The first resolution was moved by Rev. R. DAVIES, in a
most powerful and energetic speech, in which he fully proved
the importance of such meetings.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. RADCLIFF.
The Rev. Dr. TATTERSHALL, in rising to propose the se-
cond resolution, said that he would not be guilty of what he
believed would be thought a work of supererogation,.namely,
that of using many words to assure the present meeting of
' his approbation of the Protestant Association. (Hear, hear.)
Tne part lie had been privileged to take on more public oc-
casions than the present would be more than sufficient for
such a purpose. He regarded popery as an evil both in a
political and in a religious point of view, the former being
the necessary consequence of the latter, inasmuch as error in
religion could not exist without producing its evil effect in
every department of life, whether public or private ; and he
thought the plans of the Protestant Association well calcu-
lated to expose those evils, and therefore to check their pro-
gress. The political evils of popery were many ; among the
chief of which were the divided allegiance of the subject,
which, let the advocates of that system say what they will,
must exist where two sovereigns are acknowledged ; and the
obstruction of the impartial administration of justice, arising
from the fact, that Roman catholics are taught, where the
interests of their church are concerned, to think lightly of
the obligation of an oath. (Cheers.) But the political evils
of popery were trifles compared with its religious evils : the
former were bounded by time, the latter extended their in-
fluence into eternity. A chief feature of the system was, that
it destroyed the free and gracious character of the gospel, by
interposing, and this under the specious pretence of humi-
lity, other mediators between the sinner and the Saviour ;
and taught that the Saviour required to he persuaded by
others, and was not ready of himself to receive returning
sinners into his favour. What an insult was this to be of-
fered to him who, if a sinner is enabled by grace to take one
step in returning to him, may well be said to take ten thou-
sand steps to meet the sinner ; yes, who came down from
Heaven to give his life a ransom for many. (Loud cheers.)
Protestantism was original Christianity—primitive Chris-
tianity—the Christianity of the New Testament, as it existed
antecedently to all the additions and corruptions of Rome.
He liked well the familiar question, which had been put in
reply to the objection often urged by Roman catholics in the
form of an inquiry—Where was your religion before Luther?
which rejoinder was—where was your face before it was
washed? He approved of this rejoinder for the very reason
that it was so familiar, so easy of apprehension, and so per-
fectly illustrative of the true nature of the case. (Hear,
hear.) Primitive Christianity, or Protestantism—the life-
giving truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ—might very well
be likened to a beautiful face—a face full of health and fresh-
ness—a face which knew not how to assume the expression
of anger—a face which could indeed express sorrow on ac-
count of rebellious sinners, and which beamed with joy and
gladness upon all who turned from the evil of their ways.
But this beautiful face popery had covered over with dirt—
with dirt so black as quite to hide its colour, and so thick as
in many places to render imperceptible the very form of its
features—and had changed it altogether into a dark, grim,
and ugly visage, incapable of any pleasing expression what-
ever. This dirt, however, our Reformers had washed away,
and presented primitive Christianity again in all its native
loveliness. Protestantism .was not indeed the original name
of Christianity—it has been adopted solely in consequence of
Christianity having been defiled and then restored ; but if
we are obliged to employ now any other name than that of
primitive Christianity, who is to blame? those who defiled
Christianity, or those who restored it? Perhaps I may
be asked, since I have said that popery has so completely
changed the features of Christianity, whether I think a Roman
catholic can be saved ? and I answer the question at
once—not by his popery : not by virtue of any of those
doctrines which the Church of Rome has heaped upou origi-
nal Christianity. All who are saved must be saved by those
heavenly truths which constitute the fair and beautiful face
of primitive Christianity, and cannot be saved by the errors
which constitute the thick and dirty incrustation which alone
is popery. He could believe—and he blessed God that he
could—that here:and there one and another conscience-sick-
ened and heart-broken sinner, who has in the distress and
anguish of his soul sought relief and ease, and sought it in
vain in the schemes and devices of popery—who has sought
the intercession of saints, but could obtain no relief—who
has sought priestly absolution, but could find no peace—who
has performed one penance and one austerity after another,
but could find no satisfaction, no rest of mind, no ease of
conscience—may in very agony have forced its way through
the popish incrustation—may have washed away the popish
pollution, even with his own tears—may thus have caught a
view of the beautiful face of the gospel salvation—may thus
have become in reality Protestants without being conscious
of it--and having through all the obstructions of popery made
its way to Christ, may in him have found that peace and se-
curity which he had sought in vain in all that belonged pe-
culiarly to the Romish system. He could believe this, he
said ; but still, what an evil must that system be which, in-
stead of bringing the sinner immediately to the Saviour,
interposed barriers in the way—hindrances which required to
be removed before the alarmed and burdened conscience
could obtain that relief, which it was the design of God, in
gracious revelation of his mercy, to afford. (Great appro-
bation.) For these reasons lie abhorred popery, and was
anxious, especially when that system appeared to be making
encroachments, that these encroachments should be resisted.
But he was also anxious that it should always be borne in
mind that our controversy was with principles, not with
men—that we abhor not Roman Catholics, not the men,
not their persons, hut the system of which they are the vic-
tims—that we love the persons themselves—that we are soli-
citous for their welfare, and the more so because we see them
to be the victims of a degrading and destructive system—and
means should, therefore, be employed to expose and arrest
the progress of that destructive system. Yet no means can
be allowable except such as are consistent with the utmost
alacrity in rendering every possible kindness to our Roman
Catholic neighbours and brethren—none except such as are
consistent with the desire on our part, were such a thing
possible, to clasp them to our bosoms and carry them in our
arms to heaven.—The Rev. Dr. sat down amidst loud cheer-

The resolution was seconded by Mr. TAYLOR.
Several other resolutions having been moved, the meeting
separated, after a concluding address from the Chairman.

DOCK COMMITTEE

A special meeting of the Dock Committee was held on
Wednesday to consider the dock bill, as approved by the
council.

• •
Sonie delay took place in consequence of the clauses, as
altered, not being clearly set forth, which obliged the chair-
man to send for the town-clerk, who shortly arrived and ex-
plained the alterations, and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Messrs. Mellor, Aikin, Middleton, Moon, Martin, and
Chapman thought the town-council had almost gone too far
in the way of concession to the warehouse proprietors, more
particularly in regard to the clause fining goods a month's
rent if not removed in 24 hours ; they thought a week's rent
sufficient, but as the compromise had been made, all parties
were in honour bound to adhere to the bargain, leaving it
open to the parliamentary committee to determine that point.
A long petition from the warehouse proprietors to parlia-
ment was read.

Mr. EVANS inquired of the town-clerk the reason of the
petition to parliament being so lengthened, and going into
matter that had been refuted over and over again.
The TOWN-CLERK replied that he understood it was a
friendly petition, and not one of a hostile nature, and that,
as for its verboseness, he could only account for it in the
usual way, viz., lawyers being paid two shillings a folio.
(Loud laughter.) _ _ _

M Mr. TOBIN moved and Mr. MIDDLETON seconded a mo-
tion to alter the nature of the dock trust, and, for the future,
to elect ten from the town-council and ten from the rate-
payers ' • the chairman to be elected by the town-council.
Mr. EVANS opposed it, as did Mr. AIKIN, Mr. SMITH,
and Mr. CHAPMAN, the latter observing that the dock so-
licitor had already given his opinion that such a recommen-
dation could not come from the committee or town-council,
but that the ratepayers might endeavour to get such a clause
inserted in the bill when before the parliamentarycommittec,
After some further conversation the meeting broke up.