The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-12-14 00:00:00

RAILWAY SuArtmromitna.s.—The Dublin Evening Mail
states that a trial took place in the Court of Queen's Bench,
Dublin, on Wednesday last, in which the Drogheda Railway
Company succeeded in obtaining a verdict against one of
their defaulting shareholders who declined paying up his in-
stalments in pursuance of the provisions contained in the act
of parliament under which the company is incorporated. The
value of this verdict consists, not so much in the amount of
the sum recovered, as that it puts an end to further litigation
in reference to the question raised by the issue, and decides
the class of cases similarly circumstanced.
EDUCATION.—The six English counties having the great-
est proportion of schools, are Cumberland, Durham, Middle-
sex, Northumberland, Rutland, and Westmorland ; in which
the schools are, one for every 727 inhabitants ; and the crimi-
nal offenders, one for every 1156 inhabitants. The six coun-
ties that have the smallest proportion of schools are, Chester,
Dorset, Hereford, Lancaster, Northampton, and Somerset ;
in which the schools are one for every 1540 inhabitants ; and
the criminal offenders, one for every 528 inhabitants. In
Essex, Gloucester, Hertford, Middlesex, Somerset, and War-
wick, we find one criminal offender, in the annual lists of
government, for every 449 inhabitants ; and only one school
for every 1069 inhabitants; on the other hand, in Cornwall,
Cumberland, Derby, Durham, Northumberland, and West-
morland, we have only one criminal to every 1309 inhabi-
tants ; while we have one school for every 839 inhabitants.
In other words, there are six counties in England that have
nearly three tithes the amount of crime found in six other
other counties ; and the counties with the least crime, have
one-fourth more schools than the counties in which crime
abounds.

ARE TITHES A GRIEVANCE?—Asa mere pecuniary burden t
especially as the law at present exists, tithes cannot press as
all upon Roman Catholic farmers ; it is really, as it alway_
has been, a portion of that which otherwise would be avail_
able to the landlord. The landlords are the bona fide tithe
payers, and if tithes were done away in reality, as well as in
name, they would alone be the gainers. The total amount of
tithe payable to the clergy of the Irish church amounts, in
round numbers, to about £300,000; of this the landlords in
fee, that are Roman Catholics, pay only obout £14,000, so
little grounds have they for asserting that the Established
Church is supported in whole, ore even chiefly, by the Roman
Catholics. Indeed, under the existing state of the law, the
tithe is already scarcely noticed by the majority of tenants.
In a short time, if left to themselves, the name of it will be
almost forgotten, and unless some strange revolution takes
place there cannot be any successful agitation in regard of it.
Some such measure as that which Lord Alvanley recommends
is the most likely means of producing such as unfortunate
result.—Lord Roden's Observations on Ireland.

" WHO SHALL DECIDE ?" &c.—At the meeting held at
Wakefield, to agree upon addresses to the Queen and Prince
Albert, on the birth of the Duke of Cornwall, a serious
difference arose between thetwo learned doctors, as to whether
or not there was any danger in childbirth, as the words of
the address expressed. Dr. C. Crowther declared there was
no danger in childbirth, and seriously objected and protested
against the foolish fear of that danger, which this address
was likely to spread. Mr. Stetter, on the other hand, who
prided himself on being the oldest practitioner in Wakefield,
and " on having had more to do with childbirths than any
other man in the town," staked his professional reputation
on the fact that there was danger, and sometimes very great
danger. In deference to the oldest practitioner, Dr. Caleb
Crowther waived his objection, and the words " great dan-
ger " were declared to be worthy of insertion, amid the pro-
longed cheers of the meeting.

INGENIOUS MODE OF ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY.-Of the
many cunning contrivances to escape from slavery, we think
the following is about the most shrewd we have heard yet.
Two slaves in a certain county of Virginia ran away with one
of their master's horses. Thef started very early in the
morning, in the following fashion :—One of the slaves fastened
a strong rope round the other's body, tied him to the saddle
and drove off. When met and qnestioned, the rider answered,
" That black rascal undertook to run away from massa. I've
caught him, and am taking him home, quick step. I guess
he won't be for running away again in a hurry, after massa's
had the cooking of him." This failed not to elicit warm ap-
probation, accompanied with hospitable offers of refreshment
for himself and his horse. When arrived at a convenient
place, the slaves exchanged places ; the rider submitting to
the rope in his turn, while the other performed his part to
admiration ; and like him, received assistance and praise for
his honest zeal in his master's service. Thus they journeyed
" in tye," till they reached Pennsylvania, when the rope was
no longer necessary. Thence they passed over into Canada.
—American Paper.

THE MASTER OUTWITTED.—At a ploughing match,
which recently took place at a village within six miles of
Chesterfield, the following amusing adventure occurred :—A
boy asked his master to allow him to attend it. " Oh, no,"
said the master, " I have plenty of work for you at home ;"
upon which the boy went quietly to work in his master's
field. In the course of a short time the master prepared
himself to attend the meeting, but thought it proper, on his
way, to call and see how the boy was getting on in the field.
As he did not plough exactly to his master's satisfaction, the
latter dismounted from his nag, threw the bridle over a gate,
and told the boy he would teach him to plough. He there-
fore commenced working and talking—supposing the boy
was behind, paying attention to all that he said ; but, on ar-
riving at the other end of the field, to his great surprise and
mortificationlie found the boy was gone, leaving his master
in charge of the animals. There was no other alternative for
him but to take them home, where he found the boy, in ap-
parent indifference to the business. The master severely re-
primanded him for his conduct, and once more set off to the
field of sport. The boy, however, again outwitted him, hav-
ing arrived there before his master, with his plough and
horses and having started as a competitor for the prize,
which he won. It is expected that the master will not hear
the last of the joke to the end of his days.
TAKING THE VEIL.—The Roman Catholics, when they
first broached the project of establishing a nunnery in the
suburbs of this Protestant metropolis, did so with their usual
cunning and circumspection. It was introduced to the public
under the innocent designation of " A Seminary for the
Education of Young Ladies," and any one who breathed a
whisper as to the real objects of the institution, was threatened
with a prosecution for libel. Gradually, however, has the
mask been dropped ; and now under the auspices of the am-
bitious lecturer in Broughton-street, Bishop Gillis, public
exhibitions of the ceremony of taking the veil are regularly
made, and the quasi boarding-school is proclaimed, in open
day, to be nothing more 'nor less than a Popish Nunnery.
One of these truly melancholy spectacles of knavery and
superstition, took place on Wednesday last, in the nunnery
alluded to, which is situated at the head of Bruntsfield Links,
before a select assembly of Papists and Protestants, the latter,
of course attracted by mere curiosity, to see how the interest-
ing drama would be conducted. We understand that there
were three orders of nuns consecrated, as it is impiously
termed, on this occasion. One young girl, evidently either
the dupe of priests, or of her own diseased fancies took the
first veil, which bound her to remain a close prisoner for
one year ; two took the second veil, and immured them-
selves for five years, and an interesting looking young lady
took the " vows" for life. On this last victim the chief
interest was centered—a mock funeral service was per-
formed, and having prostrated herself on the marble floor
of the chapel a pall was laid over her, and the bishop,
after much impressive palaver, consigned her to a living
death. The burial-rites occupied fully half an hour, during
which time this infatuated sacrifice lay prostrate upon the
cold ground. The feelings excited by the proceedings, on the
part of the protestants at least, must have been of the most
painful kind. How they could witness this auto da fe with-
out testifying their indignation and horror in a manner not
to be mistaken by the actors and agents, is certainly more
than we can imagine. In a moral and religious sense, after
such an exhibition, how can Christians pretend to look with
detestation upon or attempt to abolish the atrocities of
Juggernaut or the' Suttee ? Of course these proceedings are
as illegal as they are disgusting, and although the unhappy
victims, or rather blinned devotees, are deluded into the
belief that they are bound and may be compelled to submit
to the consequences of their infatuation ; it is in the power
of their families to rescue them from the unhallowed meshes
cast around them by the myrmidons of popery. What
renders such unnatural practices more odious is the fact that
the end of these pretended religious ceremonies is, that the
property of the victims passes into the hands of the priests,
who thus make religion a mere conduit for conveying into
their own pockets the means of those whom they dupe and
sacrifice at one and the same time.—Edinburgh Post.

CAVANAGH, THE " FASTING" IMPOSTOR.—This fellow
is not yet sufficiently recovered from the effects of his nine
or ten days' partial abstinence from food in Reading gaol to
undergo the exercise of the wheel ; nor has he yet been allowed
by the medical officers of the prison, in consequence of the
weak state of his stomach at present, to take animal food.
This " fasting " worthy, however, is allowed two pints of
pretty stiff gruel and four rounds of toast daily, with the ad-
dition, every alternate day, of a pint of soup. The whole of
these allowances he regularly- consumes, and with a capital
appetite into the bargain. Cavanagh admits that he managed
to gull the public pretty well outside the gaol ; but that as
soon as he got inside he expected to be bowled out. His
hopes were that if he could have managed to keep up the
deception for a week, the magistrates would have been im-
pressed with the belief that he was not an impostor, and have
therefore liberated him. Before he was detected, he was
generally found in his cell upon his knees, a posture he has
not since been once seen in. Tiernan, who acted as a sort
of showman to the " fasting" knave, and who is incarcerated
in the same prison, states that when the fellow exhibited him-
self in Dublin, as a miracle, he received as much as £2O and
sometimes £3O a-day, from the hundreds of visitors who
flocked to see him. It does not appear that Tiernan was
wholly in Cavanagh's confidence. He says he never saw him
eat while he was with bim ; but he always had his suspicions
that he did.

ENOUGII.—HOW many toil on, disquiet, and harass them-
selves, as if desperately struggling against poverty, at the
same time that they are surrounded with abundance !—have
not only enough, but more than enough—far more, in fact,
than they actually enjoy. Still they go on, worrying them-
selves incessantly in the endeavour to grasp at increase of
superfluity, as if under the influence of some fatal spell.
To the tasks of labour there are seasons of intermission,
but to the toils imposed by the vain endeavour to satisfy
imaginary wants, there are none ; it is like attempting to
fill the cup of the Daniades, or to destroy the fabled Hydra
by cutting off its head. For one wish of the kind that is
gratified, two others, at least, more desperately craving
still, start up in its stead. It would be better were we
more frequently to look at those below, and gaze at those
above us, than we now do. It is true, we often turn our
eyes in the first-mentioned direction, but then it is gene-
rally to look down with unpitying indifference or contempt
on those less favoured than ourselves—rather for the pur-
pose of indulging our pride and self-conceit, than with
feelings of gratitude at perceiving how much our worldly
portion exceeds our deserts, when compared with that of
numbers whose real merits may far exceed our own. The
praise of the envious is far less creditable then their censures •,
they praise only that which they surpass ; but that which
surpasses them they censure. To be happy in old age, it is
necessary that we accustom ourselves to objects that can
accompany the mind all the way through life, and that we
take the rest as good in their day. The mere man of pleasure
is miserable in old age ; and the mere drudge in business is
but little better; whereas, natural philosophy, mathematical
and mechanical sciences, are a continual source of tranquil
pleasure ; and, in spite of the gloomy forbodings, and of
superstition, the study of those things is the study of true
theology ; it teaches men to know and to admire the Creator,
for the principles of science are in the creation—are unchange-
able, and of Divine origin.

- •
attorney had not re-sealed his record. The action, however,
will come-on shortly, as Mr. Quintin Dielc, rejects anything
like compromise, and is resolved to defend. '
AFFLICTING OCCURRENCE.-011 Saturday, two carts of
Messrs. Milne and Co. were passing Crompton Fold, near
Oldham, when they were accidentally driven over a child of
three years of age, named Jane Seville, daughter of Mr. Jas.
Seville, of Crompton Fold ; the girl was so injured that she
died in a short time; the carter seemed much affected by the
affair. The coroner's inquest was held on Monday, at Jubilee
Inn, Crompton. Verdict, " Accidental death."
THE CENSUS AND THE LADlES.—According to the official
docuinent just published, detailing the total amount of the
population of Great Britain, we find that the ladies have the
advantage in point of number over their "lords" in every
English county except the following :—Derby, Hereford,
Lincoln, Monmouth, Rutland, and Stafford : in Westmore-
land the gentlemen are in a minority of one l—the number
being, males, 28,234, females 28,235. There are but two
counties in the whole of Scotland, namely, Dumbarton and
Linlithgow, in which the lads outnumber the lasses.
The county of Cornwall is so extensively undermined, that
churches and church-yards, mansion-houses and hostelries,
are many of them suspended over a yawning gulph, and in
danger of crushing the lives out of some scores of adventu-
rous miners. We read in the Cornwall Gazette of last week
the following " narrow escape" :—" On Tuesday, at Illogan,
as the wife of a labourer called Dunstone was crossing her
kitchen, the ground suddenly gave way, and she was left
suspended by her arms over a shaft, but fortunately was
rescued from her perilous situation without any injury."

RAISING OF THF. BLOCKADE OF THE COAST OF CANTA-
BRIA.—The following impoitant letter has been received by
the secretary at Lloyd's : _

" 37, Old Broad-street, Dec. 10

" Sir,—l have the honour.
toinform you that I have just
received a despatch from my government, in which 1 am
directed to apprise the commerce of this country that the
blockade of the coast of Cantabria is raised.

" I have the honour to be your obedient servant,
" JOSE MARIA BARRERO

" To Mr. W. Dobson, Secretary at Lloyd's."
ALL-TRIUMPHANT STEAM.—The Great Western fired her
signal of arrival in Kingroad (ten miles from Bristol, at the
mouth of the river), at half-past ten on Monday night, in 13
days only from New York. The reporter of The Times went
on board, and left her again with the despatches, in an open
boat, and in a gale of wind, before 11. He reached London
by the mail train at half-past five. The intelligence was
printed, and despatched again to Bristol by one of the regular
trains, and a copy of The Times was in the cabin of the Great
Western, in the roadsted, by 1 o'clock p.m. These are the
wonders of steam navigation, steam travelling, and steam
printing.—Mechanics' Magazine.
We are informed that lately an eminent shipbuilder of one
of the outports, upon reading the dimensions recorded as
those of the Ark, was so struck with the just proportions
that prevaded the whole plan of construction, and the
similitude that it bore to that in use at the present day, that
he applied himself to the formation of a model which would
explain at sight the character and capacity of the huge vessel
so well known in religious history; and, to exhibit how little
our largest ships vary from her admeasurement, a model of
the British Queen has also been constructed on the same
scale. In both these works of art the proportions are ob-
served to the greatest nicety. It is understood that the
models will be presented for exhibition by the ingenious
projector to some public institution in the metropolis.—
Shipping Gazette.
A gentleman from the city called at the Treasury yester-
day, where he gathered that as soon as parliament meets there
will be an inquiry into the exchequer-bill fraud ; but that
there is no intention to appoint any commission to decide
upon the case of the innocent holders of the forged bills.
This is anything but consolatory to the parties so situated,
for a parliamentary inquiry will be sure to occupy a very long
time, and then, for aught appears to the contrary, the point
elicited will be, rather how to prevent such frauds in future,
than any consideration for those who have been the sufferers
by them. Hence it is clear that nothing is to be expected,
either from the Treasury or from any voluntary assistance,
in the way of promoting compensation, when parliament
shall assemble, in which alone the proper remedy must lie.—
London Times of Saturday.
GRACE DARLING'S FATHER AGAIN. Early on the
morning of the 26th ult. the schooner Dart, Peter Clark,
master, of Litnekilns, from Aberdeen, with a cargo of pota-
toes, struck on the Nistone, near the outer Fern Islands.
The sea being high, the crew escaped in the boat, and landed
at the Longstone lighthouse. When the morning dawned it
was found that the vessel had disappeared. A schooner,
however, was observed in the offing, apparently under no
command, and it was concluded that she might be the Dart.
Darling, his son, and the crew immediately proceeded
towards her in Darling's boat, and got on board when she
was eight miles from the land, and six feet water in the hold.
Everything was done to save the ship and cargo. A flag OS
distress brought Mr. Thomas Smith and a crew from the
inner lighthouse ; and being thus strengthened, by great
exertions they were enabled to get the vessel into North
Sunderland the following night. Sbe has since been taken
to Berwick to repair.—Edinburgh paper.

DESPERATE FRACAS.—The Ten Towns' Messenger re-
ports proceedings before the Mayor of Shrewsbury, wherein
Dr. Mackenzie, the editor of the Salopian Journal, and
formerly of Liverpool, and Count Albizzi, a French teacher,
were the parties accused of a desperate fracas. The Salopian
Journal had given offence to the count by a severe critique
on the performances of a young lady at the Shrewsbury
Musical Festival. A violent paper war was carried on be-
tween them for some time, in which the most abusive
epithets were exchanged. At length the count waited on
the editor to exchange blows. Dr. Mackenzie was knocked
down, and the count, placing his foot on his fallen enemy,
commenced belabouring him with a stick. The editor then
drew forth a pistol, and threatened to shoot his assailant if
he did not liberate him, The pistol was fortunately wrenched
from his hand by a police-officer before any mischief was
done. The magistrates bound over both parties to keep the
peace.

THE LATE SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY'S WlLL.—This
truly great man has exhibited in the disposition of his pro-
perty all those beneficent principles which obtained for him
while living the warm friendship of a numerous and most
distinguished circle. Towards those who have been most
closely associated with him in his professional avocations he
has evinced a high-minded appreciation Of their talents and
services. To Mr. Allan Cunningham, who has for more
than 30 years officiated as his secretary and manager of his
financial department, he has bequeathed the sum of £2OOO,
with a proviso that Mr. Cunningham shall remain in the ex-
ercise of his duties until the close of the establishment. We
need scarcely add that Mr. Cunningham has long been
favourably known to the public as a literary man. To Mr.
Henry Weekes, who, for the last 15 years, has been his chief
artist, he has left £l,OOO, on condition that he will complete
the works in progress at the time of the testator's decease ;
a strong proof of the high estimation in which be held the
talents of this gentleman. Handsome legacies are left to the
executors, and Sir Francis not having any issue, the remain-
der of his ample fortune and property is left to Lady Chan-
trey for her life, and at her decease to be employed in the
promotion of the fine arts in such a manner as will form the
noblest and most imperishable monument to his fame.
POST LErrzus.—Extract from a return of the number of
chargeable letters which have passed through the London
General Post inwards and outwards, since the first general
reduction of postage, on the sth December, 1839, in periods
of four complete weeks each, and distinguishing, as regards
each period, the unpaid, paid, and stamped, and total number
of letters for the year immediately preceding the reduction.
Four weeks ending Jan. sth, 1839, (the year preceding the
reduction,) unpaid letters, 1,299,789 ; paid, 201,127 ; total,
1,500,916. Four weeks ending Dec. 7th, same year, un-
paid, 1,359,439; paid, 323,473; total, 1,682,912. Four weeks
ending Jan. 4th, 1840, (commencement of fourpenny uni-
versal rate,) unpaid, 1,566,434 ; paid, 2,505,847 ; total,
4,102,281. Four weeks ending Feb, Ist, 1840, (commence-
ment of penny rate,) unpaid, 787,139; paid, 2,217,127 ; total,
3,004,267. Four weeks ending April 25th, unpaid, 423,930 ;
paid, 2,980,970 ; total, 3,404,900. Four weeks ending May
23d, unpaid, 410,399 ; paid, 2,630,895 ; stamped, 419,984 ;
total, 3,461,278. Four weeks ending Dec. sth, 1840, un-
paid, 296,285 ; paid, 2,096,097 ; stamped, 1,992,219 ; total,
4,385,301. Four weeks ending Jan. 2d. 1841, unpaid, 333,433;
paid, 1,974,684; stamped, 2,047,120; total, 4,355,237. End-
ing Jan. 30th, unpaid, 370,080 ; paid, 2,204,919 •, stamped,
2,108,074; total, 4,683,073. From that time to June 19th,
up to which time the return was made, there was a steady
increase in all descriptions, unpaid, paid, and stamped.
Four weeks ending June 19th, 1841, unpaid, 485,986; paid,
2,340,379 ; stamped, 2,516,304 ; total, 5,342,669. •

It is said that Sir Robert Peel employs the present parlia-
mentary recess in making inquiries as to the prices, the rates
of wages, the condition of the labouring classes, and generally
the resources of the corn countries in Europe and Asia. It
is acknowledged that these inquiries, if properly made, are
likely to prove useful, which is an admission that they are
unnecessary to a perfect knowledge of the subject, and, as
such, they sufficiently justify the premier's refusal to im-
provise a repeal or modification of the corn laws, when
strongly urged to do so about two months ago ; the necessity
for these inquiries, too, even up to the present time, reflects
au unfavourable light upon the rash enterprise of the late
cabinet, made so long ago as the month of April, and if we
believe its authors—which, however, in candour, we own not
to be the case—determined upon twelve months ago. The
inquiry ascribed to Sir Robert Peel is perfectly in accordance
with the conscientious and prudent character of the states-
man to whose care the destinies of the empire are so happily
committed. Nearly thirty years ago the late Mr. Cobbett,
no complimentary critic, acknowledged that " Mr. Peel was
distinguished from every other politician of the time by the
care which he took always to make himself thoroughly ac-
quainted with facts." And whoever has watched the right
hon. Bart.'s course can scarcely have failed to observe that,
excelling as he does excel, all competitors in the qualities of
a public speaker, he excels them still more in a perfect
knowledge of the facts connected with every great question
that comes before parliament. This is the characteristic
which distinguishes Sir Robert from the great statesmen of
past ages, as well as from the greatest among its con-
temporaries. He has never in thirty years been caught
tripping, never found in a mis-statement, or even a mistake,
as to the matter of fact—this must be the fruit of extra.
ordinary sagacity, sound judgment, and immense labour,
stimulated by conscientious zeal—attributes of a statesman
scarcely enhanced in value by even Sir Robert Peel's elo-
quence. The research which the right hon. baronet is now
understood to be prosecuting must have results, the value of
which it is difficult to overrate, although we can easily enough
anticipate, from information already in our hands, what these
results will be.—Standard.

AURICULAR CONFESSION.-It has been recently pro-
claimed from the pulpit of St. Mary's, at Oxford, (says the
Morning Herald,) in a discourse preached and published by
the Rev. Professor Baden Powell, that the Popish ceremony
of auricular confession is notoriously administered by certain
Puseyite clergymen to their deluded devotees. This is a
grave accusation delivered by an eminent professor in the
face of the heads of houses and of the whole University. It
is such a charge as demands, in our opinion, the immediate
investigation of the Bishop of Oxford. If unfounded, this
preacher should be gravely admonished not to deal in such
rash and dangerous accusations against his brethren. If it
can be substantiated, the accuser and the accused should be
confronted with each other ; and if it can be brought home
to any clergymen resident officially in his lordship's diocese,
we hesitate not to assert, that however high in station, or
irreproachable in character, such a clerk should be forthwith
suspended from his spiritual functions, with an intimation
that for a second offence he would be at once and for ever
deprived of the power of exercising his clerical duties in the
diocese of Oxford. We have not noticed this circumstance
before, in the hope that some proper notice would have been
taken by the Ordinary ; but as two or three weeks have since
intervened, we deem it right to draw the attention of the
University and the public to this most important fact. It is
too plain that we have now arrived at the crisis which has been
so long expected. Either the cause of the reformation and
the doctrines of our reformers are to be upheld—or we are
to be silently passed over to the rites and ceremonies of Po-
pery. The case in question is the " arguinenturn cruces"
by which it must be decided. If the Puseyites are at liberty
to introduce the rite of auricular confession, they may also
introduce the mass, or any rite or ceremony of the Papists ;
and if a Protestant bishop, either from fear or favour, de-
clines to investigate a charge thus publicly brought by an
eminent professor, before the whole university, there is a
virtual end and abolition of the power and superintendence
of our episcopal bench. We say that this is the real truth
and bearing of the case ; and that silence will be viewed by
the Puseyites as equivalent to an official connivance in their
Popish propensities.