The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-02 00:00:00

MR. BRINDLEY'S LECTURES ON SOCIALISM

We again call the attention of the Christian public to that
scandalous nuisance, under the name of the Socialist Hall of
Science, that has disgraced the town of Liverpool during the
last few months. Many probably are not aware that in this
place are taught, Sunday and week day, the most disgusting
as well as the most blasphemous doctrines that ever were
Spawned upon society. It is true that, in point of numbers,
they are truly contemptible, and have considerably declined
since the exposure of their system by Mr. Brindley, about
this time last year ; but still they do exist as a body, and the
building continues to be used fur the express purposes above
referred to. We cannot, therefore, but hail with satisfaction
that gentleman's second visit to us, knowing, as we do, the
great good that has resulted from his persevering opposition
in other towns ; and we cordially say with him, " Since the
force of public opinion has driven Socialism out of other
towns, let us now see whether the same result cannot be se-
cured in Liverpool." Let all rally round him, and hear for
themselves the abominable character of Socialism, as well as
the scandalous fraud that has been practised upon the con-
fiding operatives that have trusted these irresponsible gen-
tlemen with their money. Let it be fairly tried, and if it be
clearly proved against Socialism that murder, theft, or any
other crime is to be held unpunishable—that marriage should
be entirely abolished—that all religion should be swept away
—and that man is to prostrate his reason, and become, as
well as a licentious debauchee, an avowed ATHEIST--if; we
Say, these things be clearly established against the system,
let it ever after be held a disgrace in any man who shall
vountenance its advocates, or use, or encourage the using, of
that sink of pollution, the " Hall of Science." This will
bring them to their senses ; and this,too is but a fair le-
gitimate course. If they are determined to continue
to hold such principles, why they must hold them ; but
let them associate with others of the same polluted minds,
and not be allowed to fling around them their abominable
filth in decent society. We do not hesitate to say, that to
sit in company with a Socialist is a degradation to which no
respectable female ought to submit.
It had used to be remarked, let them alone and they will
die a natural death ; but this was tried for 13 years, and at
the end of that time they had increased to something like
100,000 in numbers, with a regularly organised executive and
legislative, and upwards of 70 organised branches in the prin-
cipal towns of the kingdom, managed by well paid mission-
aries ; now they do. not number one-third so many, and
many of the branches have entirely ceased to-act, in conse-
quence of Mr. 13rindley's having called public attention to
their proceedings. Beyond all doubt they are dying off
here, and we feel confident the present meetings will,not only
accelerate their fall, but give them their death-blow. Mr.
Brindley's lectures are of a very different order to those he
formerly delivered here, and, if we may judge from last
night's, in many respects highly philosophical and argumen-
tative, as well as having a sound, moral, and religious tone.
A more complete demonstration of the folly mild absurdity of
Socialism, as well as of man's free agency and the power of
conscience, could not well have been given than that last
night introduced, which throughout was loudly applauded.
Nor will those present readily forget his happy illustration of
what would be the effect of the " cannot help it" doctrine,
it universallypractised and fully carried out.

Mr. Brindley was interrupted once or twtce by questions
of the most irrelevant character, but no settled discussion
took place. The subjects announced for the lecture to-
morrow are the marriage system of the socialists, and the
practical-results flowing therefrom.

MEDITERRANEAN STEAMERS.—The Levant mail brings
the results of the first voyage of the Oriental steam-ship,
respecting which great inte-est has been excited. Although
this vessel had to steam against a strong head wind and heavy
sea across the Bay 'of Biscay, was further detained by a thick
fog off the coast of Portugal, and had a strong head wind
during the whole of the passage from Gibraltar to Malta, she
arrived at Malta on the 12th, within three hours of the time
appointed. The total time steaming from Falmouth to
Malta was
.236 hours. The steam-vessel from Marseilles,
carrying the Indian mail of the 4th instant, from England,
arrived at Malta a few hours afterwards. The Oriental was
detained at Malta by the orders of the port admiral, but
sailed on the 15th at two o'clock for Alexandria.
PAWNEROKING IN GLASGOW.—At the meeting of the
British Association, last week, Mr. Porter read a paper on
the evils arising from the system of pawnbroking in Ireland,
and showing the advantages of the establishment of a Monte
de Piete, on the principle of those institutions in Paris.
Since be came to Glasgow, through the kind assistance of
the Lord Provost and Captain Miller, lie had made himself
acquainted with the • system of " wee " or little pawns in
Glasgow, and he could assure the section that the evils aris-
ing from them were neither " wee " nor little. In order to
make himself acquainted with the extent of pledging in Ire-
'land, and the profits to the pawnbrokers, &c, he had at one
time 300 articles of his own in the pawn. He had no time, of
coni-se; to proceed in this way since he came to Glasgow ;
but, as in Ireland he visited the poor in the lanes, alleys, and
garrets, so in Glasgow he had gone through the wynds and
yentas, in order to see the actual condition of matters. In
almost every door there was a " wee " pawn-shop, and he was
astonished at the control which Captain Miller, who accom-
panied him, had over this class.- They received the captain
with kindness, and gave him every information. The result
of this inquiry was, that there were 400 of these receptacles
Within the police bounds, and 300 without ;in all 700. In
one there were 58,172 articles pawned in the course of a year.
ne money advanced was from " a bawbee " to one shilling,
average fourpence ; making, upon the whole, about half amillion of money borrowed in this way in all the pawn-shops.
The interest obtained was 4334 per cent., or, for £lOO lent,
there are £433 of interest obtained.