The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-09-02 00:00:00

TO MR. T. BLACKBURN.

Sin,—Yon say, in what you are pleased to call your " De-
fence of the System adopted in the Corporation Schools," that
the Church Catechism is " full of popery from beginning to end."
Now, sir, I can assure you that I detest popery from my very
soul, and, as I teach my little children the Church Catechism, I
shall be very glad if you will have the goodness to point out the
popery contained ia it. If you can do this to my satisfaction, I
candidly promise never to teach it again. But, sir, I think you
will find this no easy task; you will find that you have hazarded
an assertion which is incapable of proof—an assertion which
proves that you are equally ignorant of popery and of the Church
Catechism. I suspect that you have derived your knowledge of
it at second hand, and that you have condemned it without
examination. How you can reconcile this mode of dealing with
the subject with a sense of candour, honesty, and truth, it does
not concern me to inquire. Do you know, sir, that the
Ten Commandments form a conspicuous part of the Church
Catechism? Is there any popery in the Ten Commandments?
Bowing to images is one of the superstitions of popery; the se-
cond commandment condemns it, saving, "thou shalt not bow
down to them nor worship them." This is inserted in the cate-
chism certainly not for the purpose of inculcating the image-
worship of the Romish church. Again, the Lord's Prayer is
introduced into the Church Catechism. Is there, most sapient
councillor, any popery in the Lord's Prayer? Can you sup-
pose that our Lord taught his disciples popery? ()pen your
eves, sir, and see whither your rash bigotry is leading you.
Again, popery holds that there are seven sacraments; we teach
our children out of the Church. Catechism that' there are but
'two, for, in answer to thequestion, " How many sacraments hath
`Christ ordained in his church?" they are.taught to say, " Two
only, as generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, baptism
and the supper of the Lord." Popery, moreover, teaches that
in the mass " there is offered a true, proper, and propitiatory
Sacrifice fur the living and the dead." Does the Church Cate-
chism teach any such doctrine? Nothing of the kind. In an-
swer to the question, " Why was the sacrament of the Lord's
supper ordained?" we do not teach our children to say, with the
Church of Rome, that it was instituted as "a propitiatory sacri-
fice for the living and the dead;" but we teach them to say,
" for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of
Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby." Then
we ask them " What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's
supper ?" and they answer, "Bread and wine, which the Lord
hath commanded to be received." The Church of Rome teaches
that it is not bread and wine which is received, but "the body,
soul, and divinity of the Son of God." In the face of this you
can.say that "the Church Catechism is full of popery from be-
ginning to end," and tout "no conscientious dissenter could
consent that his children should commit it to memory, though
Roman catholics, I should think, could have no great objection
to it." What "conscientious dissenters" would do I cannot
tell, for I know many of them profess to have very tender con-
sciences; but sure I am that no conscientious Roman catholic
would consent to it; and, if you will not take my word for it,
I recommend you before you write again to consult Father Wil-
cock on the subject. But after all, sir, perhaps you may say,
‘• Does not the Church of England, in common with the Church
of Rome, require sponsors for each child that is brought within
her pale ?" and, as there is a recognition of these sponsors in
the Church Catechism, you may ask, " Am I not justified in
condemning it as full of popery ?" I think not, sir. The
Church of England, in common with the Church of Rome, does
require sponsors, and in this I think she has acted ssi2ely. The
Church of Rome has retained some good things from primnive
times, and this is one of them. Our reformers acted prudently
in selecting the good while they cast the bad away. I think the
same objection might with equal justice be brought against your
own system. Suppose your good friend Mr. Hope, who is, I
believe, a baptist, were to say to you, "Friend Blackburn, your
system of religion at Bethesda 'Chapel is full of.popery from
beginning to end." You would no doubt be surprised, and ex-
claim, " How so, how do you prove it?" His answer might be,
"Because you baptise infants in common with the Church of
Rome." 'Would you not think your friend very ignorant, as
well as very uncharitable, in thus charging you with popery ?
I think you would; and I candidly confess that I believe you to
be possessed of those unenviable attributes which you would
discover in your fellow.councillor, were he to apply the same
rule to yourself which you have followed in Judging of the
Church Catechism. am very sorry for you. I took you to be
a very different person.
I think, sir, you have acted a very unwise part in making
;our defence" the medium for insulting a faithful, devoted,
and uncompromising, minister of God's word, in sneering at the
-doctrine of Christ's personal reign, and in c:indemning the
the Lord
.open
.your „eyes.
Church Catechism as popery. May

and take away the entitity to the truth which kirks in
dour
heart! May He bring you to repent- of your contempt ofhis
holy word, and of your direct co-operation with the false teach-
ers of the Church of Rome !
Iu conclusion, I woußsrecommend you to read carefully the
catechism which you so recklessly condemn, and may you learn
from it "to keep your tongue from evil speaking, lying, and
slandering." I am not an admirer of anonymous letters; there-
&me I shall put my humble name to this, and subscribe myself,
your sincere well-wisher, . EDW. RATCLIFFE.
Liverpool, August 26th, 1836.

MEETING OF THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS,

On Wednesday. a meeting of the licensed victuallers was
held at the Queen's Theatre, convened by requisition of a atm-
her of their body. Large placards, were posted, calling the
meeting, and a good deal of excitement prevailed amongst the
publicans with regard to it. The meeting was convened for
two o'clock ; shortly after, about three hundred of the publicans
had assembled. The meeting, ostensibly, was called for dis-
cussing the various grievances under *filch the publicans la-
boured from the. recent harsh measures of the Magistrates.
Mr. LEWIS was called to the chair. On calling upon the re-
quisitionists who had convened the meeting to come forwards
and open the meeting by a statement of those grievances and of
some mode of remedying them, none of the requiiitionists could
be found. One or two, however, at length answered to their
names, butpaid they were not prepared with any Statement,
and that they had signed the requisition at the instigation of
others.
Mr. DANSON came forward, and in the course ofa lengthened
address, said he had been induced to sign the requisition under
knotion, which he had since believed to be not founded in fact,
that the magistrates were harshly disposed towards them. He
beliared that that harshness was only exhibited towards the un-
Worth', members,of their body. and, so far from its being detri-
mental, was calculated to be beneficial to them.
A good deal of .desultory discussion followed, some of the
meeting expressing, opinions that the unworthy members of
their body were deservedly fined, and others contending that
much injustice had been exhibited and innocent parties had
been fined.
Mr. DANSON said he had some important documents to read
to them, with their permission. to eorningforwards as he had
done, he had no motive but the good of their body. -He held
in his hand a document which Mi. Walmsley had entrusted
to him after a meeting of the watch committee. He told him he
was aware of the public meeting about to be held, and he was
anxious that the publicans should not go away With any wrong
impressions or misstatements, and for that purpose entrusted
him (thoeg'h not perhaps in perfect order) with the watch com-
mittee report. The moiety of the fines going to the policemen
had been a matter of opprobium against the town council.. But
it appeared that with them it. had been a subject of serious con-
sideration, and they had appointed a sub-coinmittee to take in-
to consideration the propriety of altering that law. Tire magis-
trates had two acts of parliament authorising the appropriation
of a moiety of the fines. He would read to them the ieport of
the watch committee which had been handed to him by Mr.
Walmsley.
Mr. ROBINSON thought it ought not to be read before the re-
porters, as it had not been confirmed by the town council, and
was premature.
The CHAIRM 'IN thought as it had been given, it had been
given to be made public.
Mr. DANSON then read the report of the sub-committee ap-
pointed on the 23d day of July, to take into consideration the
present mode of allowing the police one moiety of the penalties
arising from fines on informations. The watch committee had
given the subject their most ample consideration, and examin-
ed many persons with regard to it, and they agreed to the
following report. The committee found the clauses of the act
9th Geo. IV, c. 61, sec. 26, and the 4th and sth William IV,
gave magistrates the power of appointing a moiety of the
pe-
nalties, as circumstances might warrant. They were of opinion
that if they were to discontinue this, it would be against the
nAfare of the community and the efficiency of the police force.
In this view of the subject. the respectable part of tile licensed
victuallers had concurred. The committee were convinced
that the rulei followed by the police had produced a very salu-
tary ettret, many public-houses before disorderly being now
conducted. in a proper manner. The committee had to regret
that notwithstanding the efforts to pit these houses down, many
were still kept open for the resort of Rrostitutes and thieves.
The prretent mode did away with the system of bribing, many
publicans under the old system willingly paying double the
penalty to avoid coming before a magistrate and risk their
license. From evidence taken before the watch committee, it
was ascertained that upwards of £l,OOO per annum had been
received by the police from the publicans in this way. Where-
as the annexed statement showed that £3ll penalties had only
been received since the new police came into force, half of
which sum had been divided amongst the inspectors, and they
had to divide this sum with the men. It appeared that the
largest amount which had been received by any two'officers was
Only £l6 for forty-one inforinationa, and for this sum the officers
lost a great part of their time, which should be appropriated to
rest, and it could not be conceived that they were overpaid, the
amount they received only being about six or seven shillings on
an information. (Mr. Murdock-" A great deal too much.")
If it were proved that any officer received the smallest sum as a
bribe, he would be at once discharged. But should any portion
of the conviction be withdrawn from the reward, there was
reason to believe that regular informations by the police would
cease, and the publicans would he left to the common informer.
lie thought it reasonable, betore they sought for redress, that
they should show that the act in existence was wrong, and that
the grievances they talked of existed. It appeared from the state-
ment appended to the report that there hart becn3l6 informations
given within the period of the new police coining into operation,
187 of which had been against beer-sellers, considerably more
than one-half. The total amount of fines was £371, of which
the police had received £153 14s. 3d; and the proportion which
the publicans had paid was only £BO. It Jid not appear to him
that the act of parliament wanted altering, since they did not,
see any abuse by the police. Mr. Walmsley had told him that
he knew many publicans had been fined on very slight pretexts,
but they must remember that the system was new, and required
some time to get into proper working. They did not now allow
any such informations to be bratight forward. No private po-
liceman could lay an information ; none but an inspector with.
a witness,
Mr. Munoocic thought Mr. Whitty thould not have put forth
the statements which he had in the Albion that there were se;
public-houses supported by thieves and prostitutes. If they
were known to him, why were they not put down ? and why
were their licences renewed ?
Mr. DAMSON said it might he thought extraordinary that
these disreputable publicans should get their lieeneses renewed
without a word, whilst other nublicans, who kept respectable
houses, had been severely rebilked • hut the fact was, the police
were vvaiting for the result of the decision in the case of one of
these men; they had got their eye upon them, and they might
depend upon it they would be crushed as soon as they could be.
Mr. M moaner( conceived they were badly treated by the town
council. They put in men to do justice' between man and man,
and they found that, instead, they had their friends and fa-
vourites. One man, because he assisted to get two or three of
the councilmen elected, got a license granted directly, next door
to a publican who had opposed them. Many of the publicans
hail paid as much as £3OO for their houses with the licenses, and
he did not think it just for a magistrate to say, "because you
assisted me to get into the town council; I will get you a license
for an old cheese shop." It was depreciating the property o'
others.

Mr. DA NSON said, that the number of new licenses which had
been granted was a great deterioration of their property, and the
system might, in a very short time, become a great injury to
them. He thought they ought to memoralize the magistrates
on the s'ihject, and a committee should be formed for that pur-
pose. It would be much better if the magistrates would take the
licences from disreputable houses and transfer them to other
parts of the town, rather than grant new licenses. (Cheers.)
He would beg to propose that a committee be formed for the
purpose of taking this subject into consideration, and drawing
up a memorial to the magistrates upon it.
Mr. BICKERSTAFF seconded the motion.
Mr. BRIMEN moved, as an amendment, "that the existing
committee of the licensed victuallers be the committee with
power,lo.add to their number." ,
The amendment was carried. Mr. Gardner, of Dale-street,
Mr. Richmond, of Lime-street, and Mr. Dawson were then pro-
posed on the committee.

Mr. ROBINSON moved, "that it is the anxious wish of the
respectable licensed victuallers of Liverpool to preserve public
order, and promote the race of the town, and that they are
desirous to effect this wi' tout any unnecessary interference on
the part of the constabulary force."
Mr. LOBLEY seconded this.
Mr. M`CnlvE proposed, as an amendment, that the word
" respectable" should be left out, and " licensed victuallers"
only made use of. He did not like drawing any distinction.
Mr. DON ALDSON seconded this amendment.
This gave rise to considerable discussion. in the course of
which Mr. floorisort spoke against the distinctiot , and was
loudly applauded. He considered himself; according to the
wording of that resolution, one of those who were not respecta-
ble. He had been fined unjustly three times. Mr. Hodgson
then entered into the particulars of the informations laid against
him, which he had witnesses in the police court to disprove, but
the police who swore against him for the sake of the moiety of
the fine were belived before him and his witnesses. In onecase
he had called a policeman named Owen in to turn out some
disorderly persons who had come into his house, and he went
and laid an information against him. One of the policemen
who swore against him had been turned out of the old police
force by the late Mayor, James Aspinall, h
Es perjury in
open court, and another of them, who was believed before
witnesses, and was stated to have been 25 years in the police
force, was convicted a few years ago of stealing some rope from
the docks. Yet these men were believed before himself and his
witnesses, who were at least respectable.
tioAr
niw. were
C rtem% tdveE howould t
toe
awsitt withdraw
invidious hi a s tne
rnedrecetn, iotnifo
nt resort.
po portion
of the licensed victuallers.—The motion was then carried,
arred.
After some further discussion about the payment of the ex-
penses of the meeting, which it ices at length agreed should be
collected from the body of the pubrlisoleanys4wNhemnmt,leied ranezteoriilf
l
was sent round for signatures, .
thanks to the chairman, which was ,seconded by Mr. BitEN N; A N,
and acknowledged by Mr. LEWIS. The meeting then sepa-
rated,at live o'clock.

SPAIN'S PROPERTY —The Siecle has the fOl•
ME WEEN "'
March, ,, In February, April, and May, Queen Chris.
lowino.:— •
,-,in Paris received, on account of her majesty,
tina's bankers
about AK and in June and July she remitted to them
d,200 s lx „6W
)sumsf. more. These sus have been placed out in various
securities at five per cent. The queen has invested 800,000 r.
at Amsterdam since the commencement of the year. It is not
how much money has been placed by her at
appears that it is much more considerable than
thelkronoavEn precisely butve-tenineitl tyioued sums, and other remittances have been
made to Genoa and Naples. 'Phis it is that occasioned M.
Torlonia to say very lately, ' the Queen Regent or Spain has a
much larger income than Don Carlos has capital !"lhese re-
venues are derived from donations and endowments out of the
apanages of the crown, the annual amountof which were estima-
ted by the cortes, in 1823, at 74,000,000 rials, without reckoning
the grants to the royal family out of the public treasury, which
were 13,000,000 rials per annum." .....
li AND TR AVELLING.—The facilities for travelling in thenew
and old world are such, that the rapidity with which persons
may be conveyed to the most distant places is truly interesting;
as one instance out of the many, we notice the following ;—A
family sailed from Vera Cruz, in Mexico, on April 22, and ar-
rived at New York on May sth. On the same day they em-
barkedfor France, in the packet Vtica, which reached Havree
on the 27th May. They had time to transfer their effects to tn
Hambro' steam-boat, and without stopping
took
their
de-
parture again. On arriving at Hambro,'
route by the steamer Lubeck, and thence by
Mexico, byAhe
of June. Thus in 53 days, they passed f
into the capital of
Russia.
to St.Petersbro', where they, no doubtr,o,starar;ved on the I4ih
United States, France, and GermanY. th 4
4dyayci :Ili I:r convey-
Russia.
in a-worldcount
country,
c a
iNnian-rntyo Nfo.st tirr.—
hazarding LordLord Lyndhurst
the . assertion,
Lordship may be
,par-
doned aliens. His .
.and religion, the Irish were
th a t sustained
inbl
ood,
Wyse himself, admitting,
one—when find the Patriotic
memb 0
rt the
rvv mistake—if,tterford., it be
"the Iris/iKtuction" lit the
,
apsorite,:vwnerdet,etvhiee,fva.et, and treating of