The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-04-16 00:00:00

NEW CHURCH RATE

Mr. BIRKETT said the next subject for the consideration
of the vestry was, the rate for the ensuing year. It would
require 2d. in the pound to complete the church, and to pay
the usual charges ; but he did not apprehend that after this
year there would be any more rates proposed.
A long and desultory conversation followed about the re-
pairs necessary to be effected in the chancel, and it ended in
Mr. Birkett undertaking to get them completed as soon as
posedble, to the satisfaction of the parish. He should obtaln
a new organ by public subscription.
Mr. ROSKELL moved that a rate of 2d. in the pound be
granted.
Mr. MOON seconded the motion.
The CHAIRMAN in putting it, decided it to have been car-
ried unanimously.
A LEYPAYER.-Mr. Hardy, where are your friends?
Mr. HARDY.—They have all forsaken rae. (Laughter.)
OLD GAS COMPANY'S BILL.

Mr. 131RKETT ►mentioned that the Old Gas Company, in
their bill now before parliament, proposed to introduce their
mains into this township, and he suggested the propriety of
the parish petitioning for a special clause to he inserted in it
requiring the directors of the company to repair the roads,
which they might have to take up, efficiently. No general
clause had hitherto been found effectual to accomplish the
purpose. As the bill was now before the Lords no time was
to be lost, and if a petition were entrusted to the Marquis of
Salisbury, who was a complete man of business, and took
great interest in the affairs of the parish, he thought the ob-
ject would be attained.
A short conversation followed between Mr. Birkett, Mr.
Roskell, Mr. Moon, Mr. Cartwright, and Mr. Andrew, which
terminated in a resolution, unanimously adopted, empower-
ing the churchwardens to petition the House of Lords on
behalf of the parish.
RINGERS' BILLS, &C.
The bills of the ringers, singers, and the organist during
the period when the church was closed for repairs were next
submitted, and after some discussion ordered to be paid.
The ringers also claimed £7 7s. for ringing 18 days after the
death of the late King, and the accession of her present Ma-
jesty. There was some squabbling about this demand, but
eventually it was ordered to be paid. A bill of £2 7s. 5d.,
presented by Thomas Hall, sadler, for repairing the parish
hearse, was also ordered to be paid, but conditionally, if the
board of guardians should refuse.

RURAL POLICE.
Mr. CARTWRIGHT said, if the vestry would entertain the
subject, he wished to bring before the leypayers the great
expense of the rural police. It appeared, from various pe-
titions presented from different townships, that the rural
police cost them an amount equal to their poor's rate ! This
was, of course, a great grievance with them, particularly as
the . police were very ineffective ; in short, the objects for
which the piilice were established were not only not answered,
but the expense was enormous. The system had been
adopted in this county, and the magistrates having once
sanctioned it had no power to revoke it ; and as it was both
expensive and inefficient, he begged to move, "That the
churchwardens, in the name of the parish, petition the House
of Commons against the rural police in the county of Lan-
caster, such police being not only ineffective, but causing an
expense to the different townships equal to the poor's rate."
Mr. HENDERSON seconded the motion.

Mr. JOHN FORMBY did not think the police any more in-
efficient than was absolutely unavoidable in the constitution
of a new body. With regard to the expense, he knew nothing
about that : he considered it a difficult and nice question to
solve; but the police must not be pronounced inefficient.
Mr. BIRKETT said that about the cost, there could be no
mistake. In Walton, 10d. in the pound upon the rack rent
was paid to the poor ; this year, consequent upon the intro-
duction of the rural police, they had had to pay another Gd.,
snaking 16d. instead of 10d. There could not, therefore, be
any mistake as to the expense.
A LAY PAYER asked whether the county rate was previously
paid out of the 10d. ?
Mr. BIRKETT replied that it was : and repeated that the
Gd. had been added upon the introduction of the police.
Mr. CARTWRIGHT asked how it was possible that a few
men parading a large township could be said to be efficient?
He thought the old fashion system vastly more effective.
Mr. MOON.-1 think's° too. .

Mr. ZwucnENll ART said he never saw a policeman in the
parish, and he could not understand how a few men widely
distributed could afford the requisite protection.
Mr. MOON.—For half the cost we could have twice the
protection.
The motion was then put and carried.
PARISH PEWS.

Mr. GANDY moved that the word " parish" be painted on
all the pews in the church belonging to the parish.

Mr. PORMBY seconded the motion

A long discussion followed respecting the pews. It wsa
terminated eventually by Mr. Birkett promising that Mr.
Gandy's wishes should be complied with.

DIVERTING A CHURCH PATH

Mr. HENDERSON stated that a path in an adjoining field
and leading to the church had been diverted by Mr. Musker,
and he wished the vestry to take some measures concerning
it, as it might, were this proceeding allowed, be stopped up
altogether in a year or two.
MUSKER was called in, and he stated that he had im-
proved the road by the variation, although it was 14 yards
longer than the old path. It was done for the sake of con-
venience to the public, and every body must admit that it
was a great improvement. He had not the slightest inten-
tion of closing it, and at the close of the season he would re-
new the old path.
A minute was entered on the books to this effect.
The thanks of the vestry were then voted to the retiring
churchwardens, and the chairman and the meeting separated.

MAIIOMEDAN TRADITIONS.—The Mahomedans have a
holy stone called llagiar Alasnad, which is of a cubical form.
They entertain a great veneration for this stone, calling it
" the Pearl of Paradise," which by its brightness formerly
gave light to all the territory of Mecca; but the sins of man-
kind deprived it of its brilliancy, and changed its colour to
black. Their traditions of the place where it is fixed as a
sacred talisman are curious. Adam and Eve, according to
their creed, were separated after their transgression. Adam
was conducted by the spirit of God into Arabia, and advanced
as far as Mecca. His footsteps diffused on all sides abun-
dance and fertility. His figure was enchanting; his stature
lofty ; his complexion brown ; hig hair thick , long, and curled ;
and he then wore a beard and mustachios. After a separa-
tion of one hundred years, he rejoined Eve on Mount Ara-
faith, near Mecca, an event which gave name to the mount,
and signifies the Place of Remembrance.—Fremasorts'
Quarterly Review for April.

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF 4!
NEW cllUßcti AT ROCK FERRY.

On Wednesday the foundation of a new church, connected
with the establishment, was laid on an appropriate site in the
Park at Rock Perry. Although very little publicity had been

given to the intended event, (it being the object of the par-
ties mainly intetested to commence the good work of erecting

a sanctuary commensurate to the wants of a rapidly increas-

ing population), the attendance, principally of inhibitants of
the locality, was numerous and most respectable, and the

solemn ceremony, as well as the religous service that pre-

ceded it, passed off in a manner that will leave a lasting and
pleasing impression on the minds of all who were present.
The day, though with a somewhat chilly north wind, was
on the whole cheerful and propitious. The company, includ-
ing a great number of ladies, attended divine service at 11
o'clock at the small but neat temporary church at the
junction of the lane with the Chester road. It is calcu-

lated to accommodate about 250 persons, and was nearly
filled. The prayers of the day were read most emphatically

. _
by the Rev. T. H. Redhead, who will officiate as minister
of the new church. The sermon was preached by the
Rev. R. M. Fielding, the highly respected Rector of Beb-
bington, and was so exceedingly impressive and appropriate
that we regret much our inability to give it entire.
The rev. preacher took his text from St. Mark xvi. 15.:
" And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature."
The reverend gentleman first alluded to the command in
the text as obligatory upon our church in its missionary
character, and then pointed out the duty it involved towards
those at home in the following forcible manner :
" We are assembled on this day to do that honour which.
is usually paid to all great undertakings, and of that nature
our present undertaking most eminently is, since it is no
other than to lay the foundation stone of a building, near
this spot, intended to be consecrated to the honour of God—
a temple in which he may be worshipped according to the
ritual, discipline, and doctrines of our venerable and apostolic
church—a visible habitation in which the minister and his
people may meet at appointed seasons and advance the cause
of godliness, the one prepared to preach the gospel with all
boldness and sincerity to every individual creature of his
flock, the other to hear and receive the preached word, with
all devotedness, humility, and ready attention. And that a
work like this is intimately connected with the command in
our text, and will ultimately tend to advance God's gospel
kingdom upon earth, we'cannot doubt, when we call to mind
the declaration of St. Paul on this subject—" How then shall
they call upon him, in whom they have not believed ? and
how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard,
and how shall they hear without a preacher ?" And how
(we may.further ask) shall one preach without a sanctuary ?
As then our blessed Lord, when he had:finished the great
ministry he undertook on earth, left not the perpetuation of
his divine instructions to the mere feeling of piety and regard
for the souls of others, which he has infused into the hearts
of his followers, but founded an order of men, united in a
firm and holy society, of which he is the invisible head, who
should be the depositaries on earth of his truth, and should
be commissioned to keep it pure for ever and spread its bene-

fits over the face of the whole earth. So did tbose pastors
and teachers originate
_a mode by which the objects of their

divine Master could be best effected, the growth of Christianity
be encouraged and spiritual instruction be brought within
the reach of every creature; they set apart particular places
for the public worship of Almighty God, where the word
might be openly preached and the way of salvation be laid
open to poor as well as rich. They took advantage of the
zeal and piety of the early converts to Christianity to build
churches on a scale of splendour and magnificence worthy so
high a cause, and inculcated it as the first of duties that all

their people should assemble themselves together there to
perform the ordinances of religion. We could point, indeed,
to many a noble and beautiful structure in our own country,
raised by our forefathers, and which continue to this day

lasting monuments of what they have done in former times
for th glory of God—speaking evidences of the estimation
in which they held the worship of the Highest in his holy
temple ; and though we of this age cannot hope to vie in the
beauty of our buildings with those that have gone before us,
yet we may emulate their zeal, liberality, and devotional spirit
in providing church accommodation for a growing population
in our respective neighbourhoods, we may at least use our
best endeavours to give every member of our Christian com-
munion the power of worshipping God under the roof of
mother church, instead of leaving them the excuse, if not the
absolute necessity of joining the ranks of dissent, to obtain
the outward forms of religion at all. We may dispense those

. .
benefits, of which the providence of God made us the pos-
sessors; we may put those of our brethren, who might other-
wise be destitute of the knowledge of salvation through Jesus
Christ, in a way to receive this knowledge ; and so doing
best promote their happiness and give the surest evidence of
the faith that is in ourselves. And, my brethren, I cannot
but feel, that as St. Paul spoke of a brother whose praise was
in the gospel, so may I be permitted to extol the incipient
undertaking of the founders of the new church about to be
erected in this portion of my parish, as a work calculated to
supply the spiritual wants of an increasing congregation, to
secure to them the ordinances of religion in their best and
purest form, and continue to them the services and known
energies of their own selected minister—one whose zeal they
have witnessed, and whose pains-taking anxiety for their ad-

, -
vancement in grace and godliness they cannot but have ap-
proved. If, then, we may truly believe that love for God and
his holy religion, and care for the souls of others as well as
their own, were the exciting motives that led pious Chris-
tians in other days to join together and liberally provide the
means of public worship, we could not ascribe inferior mo-
tives to the many subscribers who have handsomely and
largely come forward to raise the funds necessary to build
and endow a church in this district. May the rising struc-
ture prosper in their hands; may its architectural character
be found worthy of its destined use and creditable to their
taste ; may they long live to enjoy the privileges and partake
of the services which shall therein be offered ; and may a dou-

ble portion of the blessings of the united prayers of a church-
loving and religious community alight on their heads."
After service a procession was formed, the children of the
schools connected with the church, consisting of about 120
of each sex, taking the lead. The clergy followed, and after
them the committee, a number of gentlemen forming the
rear. They proceeded a short distance down the road lead-
ing to the ferry, and diverging to the right, soon reached the
site of the building, a well chosen elevated spot, near the west
side of an extensive piece of ground, sloping towards the
river, which is known as the Rock Park, and which on the
east and north and south sides is already skirted by hand-
some villas and cottages. The ground for a considerable
extent round the intended edifice was railed in, enclosing,
we understand, the space to be_ appropriated as a cemetery.

This large plot of ground, with truly Christian liberality,
by R. V. Barton, Esquire, who himself resides at the Rock.
The walls of the church were already raised to a height suffi-
cient to show its plan and extent. The block to be depo-
sited as the corner stone of the new temple was attached by
a teaglc to two lofty poles, and the clergy, the committee,
and others, more immediately interested, congregated round
it. Amongst them we observed the following :
Reverends R. M. Fielden, Rector, T. F. Redhead, Bick-
mare, Holmes, Clementson, Maynard, and Fearon ; Messrs.
J. Nelson Wood, Wm. Chamley, H. Hutchinson, D. Can-
non, K. Dowie. J. T. Raynes, Henry Cram, Henry Barton,
I. Needham, James Ackers, E. B. Lyon, D. Cram, H.
Brown, W. Walker, R. Gorst, William Bird, William Daw-
son, H. J. Amey, Kemp, Milliarn Forbes, William Dawson,
jun., St. George, Edwd. Cram, Tyson, Edgar, Inman, Steel,
and Peil.

Many ladies also graced the assemblage by their presence,
and we observed a large number of individuals in the humbler
walks of life, who appeared to take a warm interest in the
proceedings.
The usual preparations being made, and the mortar spread,
a glass jar, hermetically sealed, and containing some news-
papers of the day, &c., was deposited, so as to remain below
the stone, by J. Nelson Wood, Esq.
The Rev. RECTOR then briefly and appropriately addressed
the byestanders. He said they had already opened the im-
posing business of the day, by prayer and thanksgiving to
Almighty God, in a temporary tabernacle, and were now met
to lay the foundation-stone of another place of worship more
worthy of His service, and calculated to meet the religious
necessities of the population of the neighbourhood, which was,
under Providence, rapidly increasing. The church was to be
called " St. Peter's, of the Rock Ferry i" and he could not
help commending the name chosen as one which was singu-
larly applicable to a sanctuary on that spot, for the name
" Peter" signified " a rock," and it was written in the sacred
volume, that when our blessed Lord gave Peter charge over
his flock, he said unto him, " Thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I shall build my church, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
Mr. J. NELSON Wool), on presenting to the rector the
glass case containing the coins of the realm, a newspaper of
the day (the Liverpool Courier), and the names of the sub-
scribers to the church, &c., said :—" Rev. Sir,—as chairman
of the committee, it is my pleasing duty to place in your
hands this glass case, to be deposited by you in the founda-
tion stone of the church this day to be commenced building,
and to be dedicated to St. Peter ,• and I trust that the bless-
ing of Almighty God will attend the good work now begun,
during its progress, and, when completed, that He will also
bless all those who may minister and worship therein, both
in time and eternity." Mr. W. then read the following :
" This church to be denominated the Church of St. Peter,
and dedicated to the public worship of Almighty God, in ac-
cordance to the doctrines, precepts, and promises of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, and in conformity to the creeds,
articles, and homilies of the Church of England, was com-
menced on Wednesday, the 14th of April, in the year of our
Lord 1841, on which day the foundation-stone was laid, by
the Rev. R. M. Fielden, M.A. Rector of the parish. The
ground on which it was erected was the free gift of R. W.
Barton, Esq., who, with the following, are appointed the
first trustees, namely, the Lord Bishop of Chester, William
Robinson, Harry Jenkins, and John Nelson Wood. The
Rev. Thomas F. Redhead, 8.A., Incumbent. J. Nelson
Wood and Anthony Nichol, Churchwardens. Hurst and
Moffat. Architects. Wm. and John Walker, Builders."
The Rev. Mr. BICKMORE then offered up a prayer for the
occasion, which left a deep impression on the audience.

The Rev. RECTOR then took the trowel, and the stone
being lowered and squared, was deposited in its final resting

place.
The Rev. T. F. REDHEAD then addressed the Rev. Rector
in a highly complimentary strain, in reference to his zeal and
highly successful labours as a clergyman, since he had entered
upon his labours in that part of the country. He trusted
that the respected pastor of Bebbington would long live to
look upon its ivy-mantled spire, and long dispense the bless-
ings of a pure religion amidst a grateful body of ehristians,
and that the church they. were about to erect would prove to
him a worthy auxiliary. For himself he hoped to find grace
to be enabled to be the right arm of his (the rector's) mi-
nistry. When he (the rector) first happily came amongst
them, most of the buildings in the immediate locality were
built of brick, and many of them covered with humble thatch :
now they saw around them numerous splendid mansions,
and every thing indicated improvement and prosperity. He
felt assured that he but expressed the feelings of all who
heard him, when he expressed the gratification he and they
mutually felt in witnessing the laying of that stone by the
hand of their beloved rector; he hoped it would please God
to preserve his health for many years, and trusted that at
the completion of the work that they had that day so auspi-
ciously commenced, he would again be present to give them
his blessing, and to commend the church to the parishioners
in an opening sermon.
The 100th psalm was then sung, and the company left the
ground.
The church, which is to be built solely by subscription, is
to be in the Norman style of architecture, and of good free.
stone. The design somewhat resembles that of Trinity
Church, at Birkenhead. There will be a handsome spire,
rising sixty-eight feet above the roof, and the whole will
form a handsome object in that part of Cheshire, and will
be conspicuous from the river, arid from the opposite Lan-
cashire shore. The builders, Messrs, Walker, of Birken-
head, will no doubt do justice to the design of the architect,
which is appropriate, and exceedingly pretty—considering
the amount of funds to which it is limited. The Church
will contain about 760 sittings, and will be so constructed
that when the wants of the population require it, a spacious
gallery may be added for additional accommodation.
After the ceremony, a party of the clergy, the committee,
and their friends, to the number of upwards of twenty, re,
paired to the Rock Ferry
.Hotel, where they sat down to an
excellent collation and wines, provided by the worthy and
obliging host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs, Icing, The utmost
attention was paid to the guests, who passed a few convivial
hours in the most agreeable manner. A number of loyal and
other toasts, appropriate to the occasion, were drunk, and
many of them were responded to in eloquent terms, expres-
sive of feelings that were enthusiastipalfy entertained by all
who were present.
The children of the schools, after the ceremony was con-
chided, received each, at the bar of the betel, a bun and an
orange.
Flags wore hoisted during the day on the castellated little

building at the pier gate, at the hotel, and round the site of
the intended church. We may add, that on the east and
north sides of the ground, which comprises about a statute
acre, there are several trees of considerable growth, and in
rows, which will be, a priori, appropriate and decorative.
The occasion gave rise to a holiday at the Rock, which is
one of the most delightful and salubrious retreats within a
short distance of this great emporium of commerce ; and the
completion of the structure is looked forward to as a new and
important advantage to the residents, and an additional
inducement to others to seek health and retirement in that
rapidly-improving locality. Within little more than twelve
months from eighteen to twenty villas and houses have been
added to the number before built, and a still greater accession
is anticipated in the current year.

TRADESMEN'S CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.

On Tuesday evening, the members of this association held
their second quarterly meeting in the large room adjoining
the York Hotel. The place was crowded to excess in cones
sequence of its having been announced that Mr. Cresswell
and Mr. Wilkins were to be present. On entering the room
Mr. Cresswell was warmly greeted ; Mr. Wilkins was una-
voidably absent.

Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH, Jun., president of the associa-
tion, having taken the chair, commenced the proceedings by
stating that at the last quarterly meeting at which he pre-
sided addresses were voted to her Majesty the Queen and
Prince Albert, congratulating them on the birth of a princess.
Since then answers had been received, which he would take
the liberty of reading to the meeting. The first was from the
Marquis of Normanby, and was as tollows

Whitehall, March 1, 1841

" Sir,—l have had the honour to lay before the Queen the
loyal and dutiful address, on the occasion of the birth of the
Princess Royal, from the members of the Liverpool Trades-
men's Conservative Association, and I have to inform you
that the same was very graciously received by her Majesty.—
I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,

" N ORPIAN BY

" Mr. Alexander Smith, President."
The next was from Colonel Anson. It ran thus :
" Buckingham Palace, Feb. 21,1841.
" Sir,—l have this day had the honour to lay before Prince
Albert the congratulatory address from the members of the

Liverpool Tradesmen's Conservative Association, upon her
Majesty's safe delivery of a Princess, and I am commanded
by the Prince to convey to you, and all who concurred in this
address, the expression of his Royal Highness's sincere
thanks, for the gratifying sentiments it contained.—l have
the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

" G. E. ANSON.
" Mr. Alexander Smith, Jun., President of the Association."
The chairmen then said he believed the princess was going
on well; that she was likely to be an ornament to the Bri-
tish nation ; and that all the accounts received of her were
very satisfactory. The members were met together that
evening at their second quarterly meeting, at which they had
the happiness to have one of their excellent representatives,
Mr. Cresswell, present. (Loud applause.) He (the chair-
man) had no doubt of the sincere good feelings which per-
vaded the whole of the meeting on behalf of their friend, Mr.
Cresswell, but he trusted they would recollect that that gen-

tleman had been engaged in very arduous duties recently,
and that his eminent services had been in requisition every
day throughout the protracted assizes. Consequently .he
hoped they would make every allowance for him, and re-
member that it was no easy matter for a man to be engaged

phySically and mentally during the long period in which Mr.
Cresswell had been engaged, without suffering in some de-

gree from the exertions he had been called on to make use of.
(Hear, hear.) He was sure it afforded Mr. Cresswell as
much satisfaction to meet the association as it could possibly
afford the association to meet him. (Cheers.) The nume-
rous meeting which he (the chairman) had the pleasure of
seeing there that evening was a proof to Mr. Cresswell, if
any were wanted, of their undiminished confidence in him,
and of their anxious desire to show him the esteem and affec-

tion in which they held him. (Renewed cheers.) There
could be no doubt but that conservative principles were.ex:

tending in Liverpool. (Hear, hear.) Since he last had
the pleasure of meeting the association, an abortive at-
tempt had been made by their opponents to return a mem-
ber to council for St. Anne's Ward. The result of that
election, however, bad been the return of another conserva-
tive to the Town-council of Liverpool, a very worthy and a
very excellent man, and one whom he (the chairman) was
sure would do his duty in the council as conscientiously
and as zealously as any person iu it. (Great cheering.)
He believed the successful candidate, who had been a staunch
supporter of the conservative cause so long as he had known
him, and that was for a good many years, was known to most
of the association. (Hear, hear.) He thought the result of
that election must show their opponents that the conservative
cause was steadily and firmly advancing in the town of Liver-
pool, and that when next November comes round the con-
servatives would find themselves where they ought to be—
namely, in a majority and not in a minority of the Town-
council. (Cheers.) He (the chairman) regretted that their
friend, Mr. Aspinall, who presided at their last meeting, was
not present that evening. An engagement out of town had
prevented him from being present, otherwise he would have
been able to report to the association of the successful issue
attending the application made from the inhabitants of Liver-
pool with respect to the introduction of the poor-law into
the town. He (the chairman) hoped that the poor-law would
be averted, and that the people of Liverpool would go on as
hitherto, managing their affairs themselves, without the in-
terference of London commissioners. (Hear, hear.) From
all he could learn there was every probability of this being
the case, and he was sure the excellent services of Mr. Cress-
well and Lord Sandon would not be wanting to further the
views which emanated from the meeting held on the subject
in Liverpool. At that meeting a petition had been most nu-
merously signed, which certainly ought to have weight, and
he had no doubt it would have weight. He did not know
that it was necessary for him to trespass longer on their time.
Certain resolutions would be proposed for their adoption,
which he had seen, and he bad no doubt but they would meet
with the unanimous approbation of the meeting at large.
(Cheers.)
Mr. RICHARD DAWSON proposed the first resolution. He
said he had been called upon on the present occasion to pro-
pose a resolution to the meeting which he hoped they would
receive in the manner it deserved. When they considered
the situation in which the town was placed, having two such
noble representatives, they should remember that Liverpool
was the envy of every conservative town in England.
(Cheers.) It was utterly impossible for anything to ex-
ceed the energy of Lord Sandon and Mr. Cresswell, in sup-
port of the constitutional principles of the country, as well
as the interests of the town at large, and he hoped they
would long be blessed with them. (Cheers.) He, therefore,
begged to propose a vote of thanks to Lord Sandon and Mr.
Cresswell, for the'eminent services they had rendered.
Mr. PEACOCK seconded the motion, and it was carried.

Mr. CRESSWELI. then rose. The learned gentleman was
received with immense cheering, which having subsided, he
spoke as follows :—lf I could for half an hour borrow the
lungs of one of my worthy friends who has been cheering
just below, nothing would give me greater satisfaction than
to enter at some length into a statement of the view I take of
public affairs at present; but I am sorry to say that my ex-
cellent friend in the chair has not exaggerated to you the in-
convenience I am suffering from fatigue and indisposition at
this moment. Indeed I can assure you that nothing less
than the pleasure of meeting a large body of my constittz,
ents would have brought me from my sofa this evening.
Perhaps you will readily believe me when I tell you, that I
have throughout this day been struggling with great debility
and loss of voice, and that I did not leave the the court above
half an hour before I came into this room. (Hear, hear.)
But to come and receive a renewal of the assurance that I have
by no means forfeited your esteem, that you still think inc
worthy of being associated with your noble and excellent re-
presentative Lord Sandon (applause), and that I may be en-
abled to convey to him the welcome tidings of how you have
received him and me—he in memory, and me in person this
evening, with acclamations and renewed assurances of un-
flinching and unwavering support, is an ample inducement to
me to make an effort to come and meet you. (Cheers.) It
has pleased my hon. friend who proposed this resolution, to
speak of the services of Lord Sandon and myself on behalf of
the Conservative cause, and consequently of the consti-
tutional cause, for I believe them to be identical. (Loud
cheers.) Although our voices may at times be weak, depend
upon it, gentlemen, our votes at least will never be wanted.
(Applause.) And if upon my return to town, when the battle
of the constitution shall be renewed, I should not have re-
gained my voice, at least I will pledge myself that my vote
shall be given for the good cause. (Cheers.) We have not
as yet, during the present session, had any variety of battle in
the constitutional cause, but one most fearful inroad has been
made upon the constitution, as established even by the reform
bill. (Hear, hear.) It was always predicted by Sir Robert
Peel—for whom probably you and I have some respect—
' (hear, hear)—and whom we are willing to give credit for
some degree of political sagacity and foresight, that the mi-
nisters themselves who brought in that measure would be the
first to be dissatisfied with it, and try to change it, and that
ere long too. (Cheers.) And, accordingly, having enjoyed
their temporary triumph, when all the world went mad upon
the subject, they found, as soon as the people had opportunity
for reflection, and repented of the mischief into which they
had been hurried, and that they would no longer support that
precious ministry who had given them the reform bill ; they
tried to introduce a new one, not, indeed, so much for this
country as for Ireland—(cheers) ;—and in answer to Lord
Stanley's bill, which was for carrying out honestly and fairly
the law as by the present ministers established in the nation,
they tried to overturn that law altogether (Hear, hear.)
They tried to establish a new system for the registration of
voters in Ireland, a new constituency—(hear) ;—and I would
ask any man of common sense, whatever be his station, how-
ever moderate his education, if we are to go on changing our
laws from year to year, what does he anticipate the constitution
will be, under which he is to live five years hence? If you
are to alter and increase the constituency so as to meet the
varying views of politicians from year to year, does it not
become manifest to you at once they will never stop short
ultimately of universal suffrage and vote by ballot? (Cheers.)
If they have one in Ireland, of course we must have it in
England too. (Hear.) Gentlemen, though i do not pro-
mise you to lift up my voice against such proceedings, for it
may desert me; at least I hope my integrity never will, and that
1 shall ever give my vote in opposition to them. (Applause.)
The next matter which has been referred to as a subject of
interest to you to-night, is the question of the administration
of the poor law in this town ; and a more important question
can hardly be taken into consideration, because when you
consider the immense mass of labouring population in this
town, that many of them come from across the water, and
have no settlement here, and who, if not provided for by the
overseers here, must be sent home again, let us see in what
position you will be in if the new poor law were enforced here
as in other places. I do not mean to proclaim myself an op-
ponent of that law, because in many places, I believe, it has
worked well, and for the good of the country. That I will
maintain though it may be unpopular to do so; but I do
think that in large towns, especially with such a population
as you have in Liverpool, it would be monstrous ; and I shall
have great satisfaction in opposing, with my noble colleague,
the introduction of that law into Liverpool. (Loud cheers.)
I have been making some inquiries about it here, and I am
told that if it were introduced and rigidly enforced, in order
to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, when occasionally they
are thrown out of employment, as you could not relieve them
out of the house, you would be obliged to build a work-
house capable of containing from 8000 to 10,000 inmates.
(Hear, hear.) We may be told we must have a uniform sys-
tem. What was the'reason of that? how could you justify
that? It may be very well to have a general law throughout
the land, but you must have exceptions. What physician
would prescribe the same physic for all maladies? . You
might as well say that every man should take Morrison's
pills, (Cheers and laughter.) In each place you must act
according to circumstances. Let there be a general law, but
reasonable exceptions from it, and I will vote strenuously to
get Liverpool, and every place under the same circumstances,
exempted from it. (Applause.) I believe no one ever yet
heard a complaint of the manner in which the poor laws have
been administered here. I am told that in this respect you
set a pattern to the whole kingdom : the poor are most bene-
volently taken care of, and at the same time the ratepayer is
perfectly protected. I can conceive nothing better than that,
and therefore I shall certainly assist most strenuously in op-
posing the introduction of this law into this town. (Loud
cheers.) Forgive me, gentlemen, if I do not enter into other
topics. Allow me to thank you for the renewed assurances
you have given me of icindiless apd support. I shall be most
proud to receive your support whenever we have to go to
another election, though I do not think ministers will ven-
tnre upon one this year; but whenever they do, I shall be
which the hen, gentleman resumed his seat.)
proud to stand forward to fight your battles again. (Loud
ch;r. c
eirs,dAUnrisnog
N said he had been requested to move the re,
solution he held in his hand. It was expected that the gen-
tleman named in it, whose ability and eloquence were well
known to the meeting, would ht)Ve been present—he alluded

to Mr. Wilkins. (Loud cheers.) And it fLs the wish of
the society to express to him their grateful thanks for the
exertions he made on their behalf- at the last municipal re-
gistration. (Hear, hear.) On that occasion it had been
attempted by their opponents to palm upon the registry a
large body of persons whose rates were paid by the Protector
Society. Mr. Wilkins had, however, attended for several
days, and the consequence was that that body of persons
had been prevented from being placed on the list, and that
the town had to fall back upon the sound registry of the
preceding year, to which might be attributed, in a great de-
gree, the success that followed. He had great pleasure,
therefore, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilkins.
(Loud cheers.)

Mr. PARKER, the newly-elected member for St. Anne's
Ward, said he had been requested, since he entered the room,
to second the resolution which they had just heard read.
(Hear, bear.) He thought they bad great cause to be thank-
ful to Mr. Wilkins for his indefatigable exertions at the last
registration, because they had gained victories under that
registration which would terrify their enemies at all future
contests. (Cheers.) They had often beard from their op-
ponents that the rallying point with them had been " the
people" ; hut he (Mr. Parker), as a conservative of the
country, had cause to reiterate that word, and say " the
people—the people." (Loud cheers.) Who are the friends
of the people ? It was now evident, not only in this little
community, but from one end of the country to the other,
that the friends of the people were the conservatives of the
land. (Hear, hear, and renewed cheers.) He stood before
them as a tradesman, closely connected with the people, and
he was satisfied that if the latter united with the merchants
and aristocracy of the country, Eneland would have a cable
formed with which she might be triumphant against every
blast. (Cheers.) They had also heard much of annual par-
liaments and vote by ballot, and in their own community
they had one of those things carried out, because they had
annual parliaments in Liverpool and annual elections.
Let them, then, look back for the last four years and see how
that system had worked. When first it had been commenced,
four conservatives were returned to the Town-council ; but
what progress had been made since that time ? (Hear, hear.)
And here he would observe, that the battle they were fight-
ing was not a momentary one, and that theirs were tha steady
and the sound principles which pervaded the country at large.
(Cheers.) He had now to inform them that there were no
fewer than twenty-nine conservatives in the council,—(re-
newed cheers,)—and that by the voice of the people he had
the honour to stand before them that evening as the repre-
sentative of St. Anne's ward. (Great applause.) It was not
to any burst of political feeling he attributed the victory they
had recently achieved, but it was owing to the steady action
of principle and conviction brought home to men's minds,
that they would no longer be deceived by trickery. (Hear,
hear.) They heard little at present of " vote by ballot,"
" annual parliaments," or " the people," but now their op-
ponents had a fresh rallying cry : it was " the laws." No
longer ago than the day preceding, they bad their walls
placarded with the big loaf and the little one, and a meeting
convened in Clayton-square, at which no less a man than Sir
Joshua Walmsley presided. (Laughter, and hisses.) if ever
there was a subject upon which the people were deceived it
was that of the corn-laws. (Hear, hear.) He would not
enter into that question at present, though it was one that
rested in a nutshell ; but if the corn-laws were repealed the
granaries at the other side of the water would be placed at
the mercy of our continental neighbours, and instead of a
thriving population we should become a starving one. (Hear,
and cheers.) He was sorry for detaining them so long, after
the excellent speech they had heard from their noble and dis-
tinguished representative. To that gentleman and his col-
league they owed a thbt of gratitude, and by a long pull, a
strong pull, and a pUll altogether, they would place them
both in parliament again when the opportunity presented it-
self. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. PROCTOR proposed the thanks of the association to
Mr. James Aspinall, for his unwearied exertions on behalf of
those sound constitutional principles for the protection and
dissemination of which that association had been more espe-
cially formed. In doing so, he said that if he were in want
of a subject on which to ground the resolution, he was sure
the meeting which he had the honour to address would coin-
cide with him in thinking that a more worthy subject, or a
more weighty subject than Mr. Aspinall—(a laugh)—could
not be met with in the town of Liverpool; and when he
spoke of his weight, lie did not mean his avoirdupois weight,
but his moral weight. (Hear and cheers.) He was sure
they would agree with him in saying that Mr. Aspinall's
weight among them was appreciated to the full extent, be-
cause, if they looked at his exertions on behalf of the trading
community of Liverpool, he was certain those shopkeepers,
as well as every other person interested in the prosperity of
the town must have felt and seen his exertions. if they came
to the carpenters and porters about the dock quays, he was
sure those persons would agree with him in thinking that
Mr. Aspinall had exerted for them an influence far beyond
what could be expected from him. (Hear and cheers.) If
they cane to the poor man who had to receive his support
from the parish, he, too, would admit that Mr. Aspinall's
exertions had never been wanted, nor had he absented him-
self from giving his support to the vestry of Liverpool in fa-
vour of the poor and the distressed. (Renewed cheers.)
Mr. HARBOR!) seconded the motion, and it was unani-
mously carried.

Mr. CRESSWELL then rose and said he had been waiting
until their excellent chairman had got through the business
of the evening, in order that he might, before they separated,
take the opportunity of proposing a vote of thanks to him for
his conduct in the chair that evening. (Hear, hear.) 'While
he was on the subject of proposing a vote of thanks to him,
ha was quite sure they would all agree in thinking, that there
was no more zealous, consistent, firm, constant or staunch
supporter of the conservative cause in Liverpool than was
Mr. Smith. (Hear, and cheers.) And he (Mr. Cresswell)
begged to acknowledge from himself, not only as a member
of the borough, and as a member of that association, but as
a grateful friend, the many kindnesses he had received from
that gentleman. He, therefore, begged to propose a vote of
thanks to him as their chairman. (Cheers.)

Mr. TINNE seconded the motion. It was carried by ac-
clamation.

The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, that he had, on more
occasions than one, felt it his duty to thank the association
for the kindness and attention they had paid to him. He
had substantial proofs of it in having been returned a
member of the town-council by his neighbours in the ward in
which he resided. (Cheers.) He had, from his infancy, he
might say, been brought up in conservative principles. From
them he had never swerved, and he did not suppose that any
thing would induce him so to do ; the older he grew, the
firmer he became attached to them. (Cheers.) He felt in-
finitely obliged to his friend, Mr. Cresswell, for the kind
manner in which he had introduced the inoti-,n to their no-
tice ; he felt pride iu having been Obe of Mr. Cresswell's
supporters, and he could assure him and the meeting that it
would ever be his pride and pleasure to continue to support
him as he had hitherto done. (Great applause.) he was
quite sensible of Mr. Cresswell's services to the town of Li-
verpool he was very sensible of his talents; he respected
them, and he esteemed him ; and he trusted his connexion
with the borough would long continue to subsist. (Hear,
hear.) He begged again to return them his sincere thanks.
The meeting then separated.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

A special meeting of the Town Council was held on Wed-
nesday in the council chamber, Town-hall.

LETTER FROM THE PACHA OF EGYPT.

The MAYOR said that a memorial had been sent from the
merchants, &c. of this port to the Pacha of Egypt, returning
thanks to the Pacha for permitting the mails from India to
pass through his dominions. This letter was transmitted
through Messrs. Briggs and Co. and an answer had been sent
through the same parties. The Mayor then read the reply
of the Pacha as follows :

[Translation.]

" Gentlemen—His flightless the Viceroy has ordered the
undersigned to communicate to the Mayor, Bankers, Mer-
chants, and other inhabitants of the town of Liverpool, that
their address has reached him.

" The sentiments expressed in that address are highly gra-
tifying to his highness, who accepts the good wishes thus
conveyed to him, and will always exert himself for their
realisation.

`• Mercantile interests and travellers in the countries under
the rule of his highness will always enjoy that effectual pro.
tection which is the type of civilisation in all nations—and in
strictly adhering to his system of civilisation, even in periods
of the greatest difficclty, when his intentions were unknown,
his highness has been faithful to his principles, and has given
to his officers and to the people under his government, a les-
son that will bind them always in more friendly ties to the
enlightened people of other nations, for their mutual welfare.

. . .
" Amidst the regrets which his highness sometimes expe-
riences at being unable to realise all the good he meditates,
Providence grants him occasionally sonic consolation which
comes as a soothing balm, and of this nature is the address
of the mayor, hankers, merchants, and other inhabitants of
Liverpool. The undersigned is charged to express the great
satisfaction that it has given to his highness, and to convey
to them his thanks.

---
" The undersigned has the honour to subscribe himself,
gentlemen, your most obedient and most bumble servant,
(Signed) " BGGHOS YOUSSOUFF."