The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-11 00:00:00

IRON SHIPS BUILT AT LIVERPOOL

Deeply interested as we are in the progress of navigation,
whether by steam or sail, by wooden or by iron vessels, we
rejoice tor state that the greatest success has hitherto at-
tended two fine iron ships, built by our talented townsman,
Mr. John Laird, whose works are in North Birkenhead.
The Phlegethon, intended for sea and river service, and
upwards of 500 tons burthen, was launched on the 30th of
May last. She carried two long guns on pivots, one at the
bow and another at the stern. She is calculated either to
sail or to steam, her paddle-wheels being so contrived that
they can be thrown out of gear when it is required to put her
under canvas only. Her engines are by Messrs. Forrester
and Co. of this town. This vessel is reported as having
called at the Cape de Verde Islands for coal. She ran from
Madeira to those islands in less than six days, (the distance
is about 1,050 miles,) and consumed only 30 tons of coal, the
greater part of the run having been made under canvas
alone, thus proving, by making an average of 175 miles a
day, what may be accomplished by combining steam and
sailing qualities in one vessel.
The iron war-steamer Nemesis, of still larger dimensions,
built by the same gentleman, has, we learn by the India mail,
arrived at Cape de Galle, all well. Her destination is supposed
to be some part of the coast of China, where, should the war
be prolonged, she will prove of great service, from her length,
her light draught of water, and her being fitted with two long
32-pounder guns. The Nemesis is the first iron steamer
that has rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived in
India.

This vessel is so admirably described in an article in the
United Service Journal of May last, by Mr. Augustin F. B.
Creuze, of her Majesty's Dock-yard, Portsmouth—a gentle-
man of the highest standing as a naval architect—that we
make no apology for submitting his description of the struc-
ture and dimensions of the vessel, with the omission of some
subsequent details that would be interesting only to scien-
tific individuals. The article is "On the Nemesis private
armed Steamer, and the comparative efficiency of iron-built
and timber-built ships." We quote the commencement of
the article, the whole of which is well worthy of perusal :
" Most persons (says Mr. Creuze) who take any interest
in naval affairs, will have observed, for some years past, oc-
casional notices in the newspapers of boats and vessels built
of iron. It appears to be very probable that this material
may eventually supersede timber in the construction of
boats, barges, steam, and the smaller class of sailing vessels;
and therefore any information as to the manlier of building
such craft or their qualities; and the comparative increase
either of safety or danger by the substitution of iron for
timber, must be worthy of notice. The Nemesis, a steam-
vessel of nearly 700 tons burden, and built wholly of iron,
has been lately docked at her Majesty's yard at Portsmouth,
for the purpose of having damages repaired which she sus-
tained by striking on a rock off Scilly, in thick weather,
when on her passage from Liverpool to Odessa. This af-
forded a most favourable opportunity for obtaining consider-
able insight into the details of an iron vessel, while the
courteous anxiety displayed by the gentleman who built her,
Mr. Laird, of the Birkenhead Iron works, at Liverpool, and
by the officer, Mr. Hall, a master in the Royal Navy, who
commands her, to give every information that was in their
power, removed all the difficulties that generally attend
such a task. The following particulars, as far as facts are
concerned, may therefore be relied on as correct. The di-
mensions of the Nemesis are as follow :

Length between the perpendicular
Length over all
Length from stein to taffrail
Breadth
Depth
Burthen in tons (old measurement)
The keel plate was laid in August of last year; the vessel
was launched in November ' • her engines put on board, and
she herself tried, in December; and finally, she was ready
for sea by the middle of January.

165 feet
181 „
173 „

, -
The vessel is built almost entirely of iron ; the exceptions
being the plank shear or gunwale, which is of oak, four inches
thick and ten inches broad, brought upon and secured to a
plank shear or gunwale of Angle iron ; tbejtal, the deck,
which is of three-inch fir, and four beams under the deck,
nine inches square. These are forward, and support the car-
rick bitts, paul bitts. and the foremast gun. The remainder
of the beams, with the exception of the paddle beams, which
are of oak, twelve-inch sided, and fourteen-inch moulded, are
of iron. The knee of the head, the rudder, the paddle boxes,
and a light berthing above the gunwale, about 2 feet 8 inches
high, are of wood. The seamings and fittings upon deck
are generally of wood, although for that purpose more iron
is used in the Nemesis than in timber-built vessels. The
cabins and fittings for the officers, passengers, and crew, are
of wood, and are very neat and handsome.
The mean launching draught of water, with masts, yards,
rigging, anchor, cable, and the cabin fittings in a forward
state, was, according to the information afforded by Mr.
Laird, 2 feet 41 inches. The mean load draught, with twelve
days full supply of coals, water' and provisions for a crew of
forty men for four months, and three years ship's stores of
all sorts, with duplicate and extra machinery, is also stated
to have been six feet.

The engines were made at Liverpool, by Messrs. Forrester
and Co. The diameter of the cylinder is 44 inches, and the
length of the stroke 4 feet. The estimate in horse power for
the engines is 120. The framings, or supports, for the en-
gines, are of wrought iron. It is usual to have them of cast
iron. The greater strength of wrought iron enables them to
be made of much less size and weight, and their appearance
is also necessarily lighter. The boilers may be worked
either separately or together. The paddle wheels are 17 feet
6 inches diameter to the inner edge of the rim. The floats,
which are 16 in number, are 6 feet 9 inches long, and 141
inches broad. The paddle shaft is 78 feet abaft the fore end
of the water line. The vessel carries two 32-pounder medium
guns, one forward and the other aft, on pivot carriages, to
fire over all. And it is this which constitutes one of the chief
points of interest in the Nemesis. The guns are reported to
have been fired several times, with an extra charge of powder,
and double shotted. The concussion has left no visible traces
on the vessel, and the experiment, as far as it has yet been
carried, certainly does not militate against the adoption of
iron in the construction of ships of war."
Mr. Creuze next describes minutely the spars of the vessel,
and then proceeds to the method adopted of connecting the
various parts of the hull, showing that by peculiar and inge-
nious contrivances, the builder had arrived at the grand desi-
deratum of strength combined with comparative lightness.
" The sheets of iron which form the planking' are gene-
rally about 8 feet long, and 2 feet 6 inches broad. The whole
of the fastenings are of a superior description. The curved
seams and the buts of both clinker and curved strokes are
secured by bringing the edges of the plates in contact, and
rivetting each edge to a strip of plate-iron, lying onand lining
the inside of the joint. The seams are caulked by closing
the edges of the two plates together with blows of a c,,ld
chisel. The whole of the rivets are flush on the outside of
the vessel. The keel-plates are 7-16ths of an inch in thick-
ness. The clinker-worked plates covering the bottom of the
vessel, are 3-Bths of an inch in thickness, and the curve-
worked plates, covering the top sides, are from 5-16ths to 4-
of an inch in thickness. The iron work is first painted with
several coats of red lead, and then varnished with a patent
varnish. This covering to the iron did not appear to be at all
disturbed on any part of the bottom, excepting where it was
rubbed off by the rocks on which she had grounded. There
are some peculiarities in the build of the vessel. The whole
internal space is separated into seven water-tight compart-
ments by six iron athwartships bulkheads. A leak which
may spring in any part of the bottom can, therefore, only
affect that compartment between the bulkheads of which it
happens. Thus the damage caused by the rock on which she
struck, admitted four feet of water into the compartment in
which it occurred before the leak could be stopped, but there
was none in any other part of the vessel. There is a small
hand-pump fitted to each department, the pipe of which leads
into the hollow of the keel plate. Large pumps are not ne-
cessary, as the compartment can only fill to the level of the
external water; or, if the leak be greater than the discharge
of the pump, may remain filled until a part is reached."
It was found that the damage sustained by the Nemesis
was very trifling, though she was running, when she struck,
at the rate of nearly nine knots an hour. It was proved by
the split made by the pointed rock, that the injury, in such
case, affects the part struck only, for the rivets round it held
as tight as before. The damage was readily and easily re-
paired. Mr. Creuze expresses a light opinion of iron as a
material for vessels not of very large size. He says, " The
question of the durability of iron vessels, of their little liabi-
lity to accident, and of the ease with which damage done to
them may be repaired, appearsto be very clearly proved from
the experience which has already been obtained on these
points ; and this is no little, for there are boats built by Mr.
Laird in both North and South America—in all parts of
India, and on the Euphrates and the Indus--in Egypt, on
the Nile, and in the Mediterranean—on the Vistula, on the
Shannon, and on the Thames. One of these boats, the
Savannah, has been constantly at work for these last six
years, without any repair, which is a great test, if we con-
sider the frequent caulkings required to preserve a timber-
built ship." The material is equally applicable to sailing
vessels, which may be made of any model.
Mr. Creuze concludes by some able remarks on the effect
of the iron on the compass, with the means of counteracting
it ;—but we must refer to the article itself, as our notice has
extended beyond our intended limits.

To the account of the Phlegethon and Nemesis we may
add, that the iron vessels, also built by Mr. Laird, for the
government expedition up the Niger, have been tried on the
river, and have given the greatest satisfaction. They will
be ready for sea in a few days, when we shall furnish an ac-
count of their build and equipments, together with some
particulars of the intended plan of operations.

11TH LIGHT DRAGOONS.—The 14th Light Dragoons wil
shortly be embarked for India, where cavalry regiments are
much wanted. The 3d and 4th Light Dragoons, the ISth
Hussars, and the 16th Lancers are the only mounted corps
belonging to the Queen's service at present on duty in that
extensive territory, and one of these regiments (the 4th Dra-
goons) is to return home. The 14th Light Dragoons have
had a very long tour of home duty, not having been out of
the mother country since their return from America (where
they were employed but a few months), in the
United Service Gazette. year 1815.

Her Majesty's service has lost a most valuable officer in
Colonel Oglander, C. 8., of the 26th (Cameronian) regiment,
whose death is mentioned as having taken place on the 23d
of Juno last, on board of one of the vessels forming the ex-
pedition to Chusan, while on the voyage thither from Macao.
The late Colonel Oglander had seen a great deal of service,
and had commanded the 26th regiment for 23 years.

PUBLIC PARKS IN LIVERPOOL

Last evening an extraordinary general meeting of
members of the Liverpool Guardian Society was held in
large room of the Adelphi Hotel, for the purpose of cot
dering the propriety of memorializing the Town Council
favour of public walks or parks, for the recreation of the
habitants. The meeting was very numerously attended.
Mr. GEORGE SUMNER, president of the society,. havi
taken the chair, after a few appropriate introductory remarks
proceeded to say that no doubt could exist in the mind e
any reflecting individual, connected with Liverpool, of th
necessity for public walks and parks being provided for th
recreation of the inhabitants. If we looked at the enormou
population immured in cellars, courts, and garrets, we shoulu
there find the most ample proofs of the necessity for some
places of recreation. Not only were the places he had men.
tioned filled with disease and filth, but they actually invited
them, the population so immured having nothing to attract
them from their homes. After the labours of the day, they
spent the hours which should be passed in rational recreatior
sitting in their polluted houses, breathing a contaminated at.
mosphere ; and there was no public place open to them, even
if they felt inclined to go, for they were now forbidden from
those which had been once given to them. The great in-
crease of the town had precluded them from the enjoyment
of recreation and amusements in those places. The places
once eligible for the purpose were now built upon. The poor
man must therefore either go down to the pier, or across the
water, at some expense : but even there he must confine
himself to the road, for on one side as well as on the other
he beheld the silent monitor of the owner—" if you come
here you shall be prosecuted as the law directs." It there-
fore became a question of great importance, and one which
for some months had attracted the attention of the Town
Council, namely, the propriety of establishing some place for
the recreation and amusement of the inhabitants. Its hav-
ing been brought before the committee of the Guardian So-
ciety was caused by the present situation of the parks' com-
mittee of the council. The meeting was aware that the subject
had, some months ago, obtained the attention of the council,
and a committee was appointed for the furtherance of the
object. That committee proceeded to obtain the necessary
information until the late municipal election, after which a
part of it was removed, and other members substituted. It
appeared that some members of the committee were very
lukewarm upon the subject, whilst those who were desirous
of carrying it out had not the power to act. Whilst upon
the one hand some thought there would be nothing for them
to do this year, others with different impressions thought they
should be pretty well occupied. Those gentlemen, who were
desirous of carrying the thing out, desired to have the aid
and assistance of the inhabitants.. To call a general meeting
of the inhabitants was out of the province of this society, but
the subject having been discussed in the committee, a
vote was unanimously carried, that a public meeting of the
members of this society should be convened, in order to take
their sense upon the subject. This brought him to the pre-
sent position of the society ; and it would now be for them to
consider, whether they would give their assistance to the
Parks Cominittee by a demonstration of their feeling. The
meeting would be aware that the -society now maintained a
very important position in the town ; it was greatly aug-
mented in numbers; in composed a nucleus of the trading
classes of this community. Not only were the members nu-
merous, but he trusted they were respectable from the banker
or merchant, down to the humblest tradesman, and he had
no doubt, in a great measure, that they were the class most
deeply interested in the proposed measure. As tradesmen
they had long felt the want of such places as a park or public
walks. Spaces of land fit for the purpose were still left, but
they were valuable ; however, they would be brought before
the town-council by the Parks Commiltee, and it would be
for them to determine upon the precise site. It was the bu-
siness of the meeting to give its feeling upon the subject to
the Parks Committee, knowing that they, as a society form-
ing a respectable, intelligent, and influential part of the com-
munity, were desirous that these parks or places should be
obtained for the recreation of the inhabitants. He trusted
that as other parts of the kingdom had been favoured with
such places, and as there was a general feeling throughout
the town in favour of them, some.individuals will be ready to
to come forward like Mr. Strutt of Derby, and assist in giv-
ing to Liverpool an establishment so conducive to the health
and to the recreation of the inhabitants.
The SECRETARY read the minutes of the proceedings of
several meetings of the committee upon the subject of parks,
also their correspondence with Mr. Sandbach and with Mr.
Slaney, M.P.
Mr. FERGUSON said he had been requested to move the
first resolution, which was to the effect that the members of
this society, in common with the majority of the inhabitants
of Liverpool, have long experienced the want of open spaces
for parks, for the promotion of the health of the inhabitants.
This was a question in which they, as tradesmen, were most
deeply interested. No class of men required so much as they
did public parks or open spaces, in which they might take
exercise and recreation—in which they might breathe the
fresh air, of which they were in a measure deprived whilst
pursuing their occupations, especially as they lived in the
midst of a dense population, surrounded by the most conta-
minating ingredients, and breathing the most unwholesome
air. He would state, as a fact known to many, if not to all
of them, that it had been proved that in Liverpool fewer
tradesmen reached old age than in any other town in the
kingdom. The coincidence was worth their notice, that in no
other town in the kingdom, Manchester excepted, were the
inhabitants so badly off for public walks as we were. We
required them for our families and our children, and, might
he not say, for our assistants anour serants? (Hear,
hear.) For, did we not know that exercisev and recreation
gave health and spirits, without which they could not per-
form their duties as they ought. But with regard to our-
selves, tradesmen had to encounter many difficulties in
rearing their children. Many were obliged, at a very
great expense, to send their children to live in the
country, a step which they would have no occasion
to take if we had public walks in the town, where they
might play their favourite games. How many parents
were obliged to keep their children within doors, rather
than allow them to run in the streets? Where, indeed,
could they send them ? Would they send them to the pier-
head ? Why, that was no place for them, Would they send
them to the cemetery ? Why, that was no place for them.
That was a place to make very suitable reflections upon
death ; but no sensible man would send his children to romp
about in a burying ground. In fact, in Liverpool, with a
population approaching three hundred thousand souls, there
was neither park, open space, nor public walk. He was
anxious to'ealf attention to -irfew lants,-ahtl he ShOurcl-ShOw
the meeting the difference—how much more advantage the
persons residing in rural districts possessed over those living
in towns. By comparing the bills of mortality with Dr.
Cowan's statistics, Alison on population, and the parlia-
mentary reports, it appeared that the mortally of different
kinds, in years when there was no epidemic, there died in the
rural districts one out of 51, in small villages one in 45, in
middling towns one in 31, in large towns, taking the average,
one in-28, which was nearly double the figures given in the
rural districts. (Hear.) Now, as to the mortality amongst
children, he was sorry to inform the meeting that the morta-
lity amongst children in Liverpool was truly frightful. Ac-
cording to the report of the registrar-general, published by
authority of the parliament, it appeared that in Liverpool
one half of all the children born died before they arrived at
four years of age; from the age of 4 to 10 they died in the
same proportion. This called, for serious consideration.
(Hear.) Another thing frequently happened in tradesmen's
families. He alluded to the practice, of servants taking their
employers' children to the dwellings of their friends and ac-
quaintances. A servant was sent out by her mistress in
charge of the infant, and as there were no public walks, she
was directed to walk in the street. Here was the advantage
of having public walks for servants ; they could sit down and
rest themselves. There being none, however, they went to
the dwelling of a friend, perhaps a cellar or some close
room, in which rages a malignant fever, or the atmosphere is
infected with disease. The consequence was that the child
died ; father and mother mourned its loss ; and no one
knew how disease had got into the house. He repeated that
this was a frequent occurrence, and he had no doubt that
there were gentlemen- present who could give facts similar to
this. About ten days ago he met a young girl, about 14 years
of age, suffering from disease, caught when she was an infant
by being placed upon the bed of some diseased person in
some cellar. It appeared, according to parliamentary re-
turns, that we had 40,000 persons in Liverpool living in 7,862
cellars. The number of close courts was 2,400, and there
were living in them no fewer than 86,000 persons. The re-
port was very voluminous and exceedingly interesting, and
he would request them to read it. They would be astonished,
and well they might, to find so many of our fellow-country..
men living in the midst of want and in the midst of abomina-
tions too offensive to mention. They knew that the filthiest
habits induced the filthiest vices. The fact was, that Liver-
pool was the most unhealthy town in the kingdom. It had
been proved to be so by the registrar-general's reports. Was
it owing to climate? Certainly not. Was it owing to the
situation of Liverpool ? No ! for it was admirably adapted
for health as well as for commerce. It was from the
want of sanatory regulations ; though, taking all these
things into consideration, we must be thankful for being in
such a healthy climate ; for storms and tempests which par-
ticularly purified the atmosphere, and preserved us from
greater evils than at present exist. In these reports there
were frequent allusions made to the vast expenses of sup-
porting dispensaries, hospitals, and infirmaries. We were
now frequently called upon to contribute our funds towards
the support of those institutions. But if we remove the
cause of disease—if we improve the moral condition of the
people, the necessity for supporting such institutions will
cease. It would, however, be absurd to say that public
parks or walks were the only remedy for existing evils.
They were not. But he knew that the interests of all
classes were inseparably joined, and a benefit conferred upon
one was conferred upon all. It was a fact, that the longer
they delayed the greater would be the difficulty. This ar-
gument applied to the purchase of land for this purpose ;
therefore, it proved that at the present time, when there was
a disposition on the part of the Town-council to assist them,
they as tradesmen should come forward and assist that ob-
ject. After a few further observations, Mr. Ferguson con-
cluded by moving the first resolution.
Mr. TURNER seconded the resolution. All the servants
of tradesmen, he observed, were connected more or less with
the poorer inhabitants of the town. Even their shop boys
were children belonging to parents living in situations where
they were liable to disease. Mr. Turner here mentioned
two facts which confirmed this statement, and he urged that
they showed the necessity that the society should interfere.
They came into contact with their servants daily and hourly,
whilst merchants, and other rich persons, came in contact
with them in another way. This would show them how
very liable they were to take contagious diseases, which, it
had been proved, never left Liverpool for years.
Mr. DODGSON said that in his opinion the society could
not take up this matter, as he apprehended it was contrary
to their rules to interfere except for the protection of trade.
The SECRETARY referred to the rules, and found that Mr.
Dodgson's objection did not apply. •
The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried,
only two hands being held up against it.
Mr. JEFFREYS, in a very able address, in which he took
a review of the whole question of the public parks, and their
effects upon the health of the inhabitants, moved the second
resolution, as follows :—" That this society is of opinion
that the state of the great majority amongst the inhabitants
of Liverpool, as compared with other large towns, is such as
to awaken our :deepest sympathy, and excite serious appre-
hensions for the future."
Mr. PRINGLE seconded the resolution in a very masterly
speech.
The resolution was then put and carried, there being only
one dissentient.
Mr. HASTINGS, vice-president of the society, moved the
next resolution, which expressed the satisfaction with which
the secretary had heard that a public park was now contem-
plated, and authorising an urgent memorial to be sent to the
town council in favour of the same.
Mr. URQUHART having seconded the motion, it was car-
ried

The memorial to the town council was also adopted.
After a few observations from Mr. Stout, Mr. Ferguson,
Mr. Turner, and Mr. Jeffreys, the remaining resolutions were
moved and seconded by Mr. Radley, Mr. Whitley, Mr.
Hutton, and Mr. G. Walker, the meeting then separated.

It is said to be in contemplation to create the province of
New Brunswick into an independent episcopal see.—Globe
(Ministerial paper.)
- -

LACONIC DISPATCH.-The following dispatch from Com-
modore Napier, announcing the taking of Sidon, almost ri-
vals the brevity and terseness of Cwsar's celebrated phrase
—" Veni, vidi, vici."--Jt was written on a small scrap of
paper, in the following words :—" Dear Sir, I have taken
Sidon and 2,000 prisoners. lam very tired and very hun-
gry.—Yours, &c, C. Napier."
CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.-15th October, 1815, Napoleon
landed at St. Helena ; 15th October, 1840, his body was
embarked for Europe, after a lapse of twenty-five years.

CORRESPONDENCE,

MEDICAL REFORM

IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BRITISH

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AT EXETER HALL

(From our own Correspondent.)
The subject of a reform in the administration of the various
medical corporations throughout the kingdom, has for many

years occupied the attention of the respectable portion of the

profession. For the attainment of this object, together with
an amendment of the laws—by the evasion or inefficiency of
which the community has been inundated by a race of quacks,
and the public health endangered by the administering of
medicines by incompetent persons,—the British Medical As-
sociation was originally formed, about four years ago, and
has since that period directed its labours.

The parliamentary committee, which sat lately to investi-
gate this subject, has resulted in the preparation of two dif-
ferent bills—the one by its chairman, Mr. Warburton, and
the other by Mr. Hawes—both of which are proposed to be
introduced in the House of Commons during the approaching
session. Neither of these measures, however, finds favour
with the profession generally,—Mr. Warburton's being the
most distasteful :—and on Wednesday the Council of the
British Medical Association met at Exeter Hall to draw up
the substance and, discuss the clauses of another bill, to be
introduced by Mr. Wakley, which shall embrace fully the
views of the great portion of the medical body and may be
termed " the bill of the profession."
As the meeting was, of course, from its nature, not open
to the public, we cannot at present give a detailed statement
of the proceedings. We may, however, venture to state what
are the general features of the bill resolved upon ; and hope
to be able, on an early occasion, to furnish our readers with
an abstract of its provisions.

The bill proposes, in the first place, to unite all the legally
qualified members of the medical profession into one faculty
or body, which shall consist of three divisions or colleges—
one for England and Wales, to be situated in London, one
for Scotland in Edinburgh, and one for Ireland in Dublin.
These three bodies are there to be empowered to elect a
council or senate to manage the business of the faculty in
each division ; and a general council, composed of members
chosen out of the three divisional councils, are to regulate
the qualifications, admission into and government of the pro-
fession, subject to the approval of the Home Office and the
Lord Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench. No future can-
didates are to be licensed to practise, unless, in addition to
the examination prescribed by the present medical corpora-
tions, they have passed through an examination and had their
qualifications tested by a board elected under regulations
agreed to by the general senate ; the present regular practi-
tioners being recognised, however, as entitled to enjoy all
the privileges of those to be creat-under the new system.
The bill then proceeds to sep a entirely the practise of
medicine from the business of a druggist. Apothecaries duly
licensed may not dispense medicines or sell drugs, except
prescribed by themselves, unless in rural districts ; and even
then, by special permission from the senates. In considera-
tion of this sacrifice of emolument, by a portion of the medi-
cal profession, the druggist is forbidden to prescribe or advise
in medical cases, under a penalty recoverable by summary
process before two magistrates. To ensure that all persons
practising the business of a_ druggist shall be possessed of

competent information to fulfil his with due regard to
the safety of the public, it is provided that all persons pro-
posing to exercise that calling shall undergo a suitable exa-
mination as to their knowledge of chemistry and pharmacy,
before a board appointed by the general senate, and receive a
license accordingly. Assistants to druggists must also be
similarly tested as to their competency.
To protect the public against imposition by the profession
generally, a system of registration, to be renewed yearly, is
provided ' • and that no person may assume a denomination as
a medical practitioner, to which he is not legally entitled, a
power of conviction before one or more magistrates, and the
punishment of imprisonment for each offence, is declared

against parties found guilty of thus practising illegally.
That a measure, of which this is a brief and necessarily an
imperfect abstract, would, with some few modifications
perhaps, be of infinite advantage to the profession, there can
be no question. Besides, the public safety requires a mea-
sure of this description. We dare say that some of its pro-
visions will be distasteful to a few. The druggist, who with

a smattering of medical knowledge, undertakes to cure all
ailments " which flesh is heir to ;" and who possesses his
little circle of admirers in every village or in every street,
will kick up his heels no doubt at this fancied invasion of his
privileges. But in its general features the bill will be of in-
calculable value even to him. The medical practitioner and
the compounder of medicines ought, in the nature of their
respective professions, to be brethren. The one has no right
to usurp the business of the other ; and if the man of drugs
throws aside his little recipes and abates a little of his old
world wisdom, the man of prescriptions will no doubt be in-
duced to lay by his mortar and put away his gailipots. The
most important feature of the bill, however, is the protection
which it is calculated to afford the public against the present
abounding quackery in the medical art. The number of lives
sacrificed by the injudicious use of the nostrums of these kill
or cure gentry is sufficiently appalling, if we take merely the
evidence furnished by the various coroners' inquests through-
out the country ; but are these in reality one hundredth part
of the victims who are yearly dying " slow deaths" under the
mistaken treatment of these ignorant and wicked pretenders?
We fear they are not.

THE MERCURY AND THE PROTESTANT

ALMANACK.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SlR,—May. I again crave a corner in your paper to thank
the Editor of the Mercury also, for his kind notice of my
Almanack, and to inform him that I alone am responsible
for whatever has appeared in it, and that I could not have
wished for a higher commendation of its usefulness, than to

have it described' as a mischievous publication by our Mer-
curial friend. Let the Editor of the Mercury give all his
valuable assistance and profound research to his papist
friends, and I defy him to publish such an historical list of
atrocious facts as those recorded against the papists. Nay,
further, I defy him to find any case of martyrdom for con-
science sake of papists, by Protestants. I vrcrutdnooor den,-
that Protestants have committed crimes, and crimes which

the present generation would not attempt to justify. But I
call upon the most bigotted Romanist in Liverpool to prove
that the Protestants have ever committed a crime, even the
slightest, which they have cast a medal to commemorate, as
his present Holiness of Rome has done within the last 12

months. No, sir, it is time to look out, and to have in mind
the back and the thumb screws, when the present Pope can
recast a medal to commemorate so vile and bloody a mas-
sacre ; and when a papist barrister in our own town has,
within the last few weeks, publicly advocated a legislative
enactment to abridge the liberty of speech. lam not sur-
prised that the Editor of the Mercury cannot reconcile it to
his conscience, how any honest man can keep alive the me-
mory of such events ; and the reason is so apparent that I
need scarcely explain. I never held in high estimation a
radical's notion of honesty ; but with what force must these
remarks of the Mercury's recoil upon my brother bigot, his
holiness the Pope, who has, as I have before stated, recast
the medal in commemoration of the St. Bartholomew
slaughter of Protestants, so lately as December last year :
and on this subject our " esteemed contemporaries" maintain
a dignified silence. I should just apologise to my friend of
the Mercury for not adopting his kind suggestion respecting
a conservative no-popery-tide-table ; but the fact is, the
conservative tide-table, published by corporation authority
on the Ist November, was so satisfactory in its results that I
did not wish to interfere with it. Although the popish saints
were not left out of the same, as suggested by our friend,
most of the radical oracles have disappeared from the list ;
and tills is so satisfactory that I am willing to wait patiently
for other improvements.

I beg to remain, sir, your obedient servant,

_
JOSEPH CRISP.
I sent to the Editor of the Mercury a copy of the Alma-
nack ; but as he had mislaid it, I am obliged to my friend
Jessie for kindly attracting his notice to it.

THE QUEEN v. QUAYLE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SIRS I understand the defendant's attorney is Mr. Har-
vey, and if so, it is somewhat surprising Mr. Quayle should
continue to retain his seat, as Mr. Harvey so readily aban-
doned his, after the decision of the court in London ; but
perhaps he still resists, for time's sake, as I am informed,
that if through any circumstances the case is not heard at
the nest March assizes, it is necessarily postponed until the
August assizes, and then no final decision can be come to
until the following November term, by which time be will
have been in the council two years out of the three.
The boast of purity and honour does not come well from
the reformers, as we have already had two instances in Liver-
pool of their seats in the council being successfully disputed,
while we have no instance of a conservative usurping the
rights of others by taking possession of place belonging to
another; and if ever a conservative election should be dis-
puted, I hope he will not be so indecent as to sit and vote in
the council pendente lite.

The coincidence between Mr. Quayle and that of Mr.
Harvey is remarkable—both sit and vote in the council twelve
months before their case is heard in the Queen's Bench—
both take the Attorney-General for counsel—both raise
technical objections, thereby trying to prevent the case being
fairly heard. The objections of both are quickly over-ruled
by the court. Both set up a defence which is no answer to
the question in dispute. In both cases the court think it
unnecessary to hear Sir William Follett in reply, and in both
cases the court make the rule absolute ; but here the simi-
larity ends; for, in the one case Mr. Harvey very wisely
gives up the dispute and retires from the council, but in the
other Mr. Quayle very tenaciously holds his seat • but I
almost think it is something like a person, through the aid of
his attorney, postpouing a cause until the assizes, for the
benefit of the time he thereby gains to pay the money, and
most likely at the nearer approach of March we shall find
Mr. Quayle crying out peccavi.—Yours,

A LOOKER-ON

[We hope our correspondent's concluding surmise tray be
correct, but it will be something new to wring from a radical
a confession of guilt, though he may be compelled practically
to acknowledge his error.]—En. L. S.

THE FLYING STATIONERS' NUISANCE

TO THE

' EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SIR,-It has for some time been a matter of surprise to
me that so many paper criers, or what some call " flying
stationers," have been and are now allowed to infest the
streets of Liverpool, and shout out for sale the most immoral
songs and profligate lies with impunity.
Only a few days past some of these idle and low vagabonds
were crying papers describing a person who holds an official
situation in this town as guilty of the most vile conduct ;
and the day previous to the arrival of the steam-ship Presi-
dent the same parties were bawling out " The loss of that
fine vessel with all hands on board," which, you may judge,
was the cause of much pain and unhappiness to those who had
friends or relatives on board that ship. One instance I know
of a female who suffered so much from the shock that she is
not yet recovered. The placards which they exhibited, too,
about Mr. Hart and Mrs. Gordon were disgraceful ; and the
improper language they made use of in recommending the
sale of the particulars of that transaction was truly disgusting.
It is high time a check should be put to such degrading
and immoral proceedings ; by allowing these fellows to follow
their calling the authorities are encouraging the very worst
of characters, who are too lazy to work, and of countenancing
the printer, who, I am given to understand, is the keeper of
a shaving shop.

Trusting these remarks will meet the eye of those who are
in power, and have the means to order the nuisance to be
corrected, I am, your obedient Servant,
A. LOVER OF GOOD ORDER.

Whitechapel,

,-_...„.....i5p,..,.-..-.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD,

beg leave to trouble you to insert in your paper of
to-morrow, the full particulars and truth relating to my
sudden dismissal from my situation, as Master of the
" Liver" Buoy _tender for neglect of duty, as stated by the
public prints. I am not aware of any neglect of duty I have
committed to cause my dismissal without ever having a
hearing. On the evening of November 28th, 1840, Mr.
Lord requested me to call at his lodgings on the following
morning at 7, a.m. • I turned out in the morning, about a
quarter past six ; being then quite dark, I considered it
better for me to go down to the dock to see how the weather
was before I called upon him ; while I was there I heard the

hutch clock strike seven; then I proceeded as fast as I
could to Mr. Lord's lodgings, when I arrived there I found
he was gone. I went immediately back to the cutter -
by the time I got down they were hauling the vessel
dock, when Mr. Lord told me that he had to get other men
to do my duty. I answered him, that I never wanted any
man to do my duty, for I was quite time enough down to
haul the vessel to the Pier-head before high water, and have
every thing ready in time for sea, for after we got to the
Pier, we laid one hour and twenty minutes before sailing ; so
I did not consider I had neglected my duty in any way, ex-
cept it was that of not being at Mr. Lord's house at the
time, and that was not exactly my duty, for that is a mes-
senger's duty. The next thing named that I was incompe-
tent. That charge lat once deny, for I can bring forward
testimonials of character and ability that will at once quash
that. I have been in command of that tender for nearly two
years, and have gone out and in this port at all hours of the
night and in all sorts of weather, and she never received any
damage whatever through any mismanagement or incompe-
tency, as they have stated, during the time I was in com-
mand of her. I have frequently, after they had employed
steamers to take out buoys, been obliged to go after to -

them in their proper places when the weather per
which my logs will prove. I declare the above tc

out of

tted, of

......
statement, which led to my dismissal, without a minute
notice. I have a large family to provide for, and I a

anxious to vindicate my character

By inserting the above in your paper you will much obl
your humble servant, JOHN WILLIAMS
Liverpool, Dec. 7, 1840.

MR. SMITH AND THE BOROUGH MAGISTRATES

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVER)

SlR,—Does it not appear somewhat surprising, that the
same magistrates who were so significantly dumb when
charged by Mr. Bushell with subscribing funds which were
devoted to carry out the illegal objects of an illegal society,
should be so extremely sensitive, when, in the report of an
electioneering speech, they are mildly rebuked for conduct of
which the public still entertain their own opinion, notwith-
standing that the parties have been so honourably self-
acquitted.—Yours, &c.

CENSOR

pec._9lh,lB4o

[Such conduct would appear surprising from those whose
principles were unknown to us, but there is an inseparable
connection between whiggism and inconsistency.]—En. L. S.

Among the melancholy results of the late banking fan
was the case of two young people about to be married, w
respective parents had each agreed to advance £5OO
their children up in business, but not having quite done i
arc now prevented fora while, or perhaps altogether, fulfillin,
such a very agreeable duty, for one kept cash at Wright's
and the other at Hammersley's.
THE WEATHER IN IRELAND—THE STORM.—On Sun-
day night we were visited by a most terrific storm. The wind
in the early part of the evening began to blow from the south
with considerable force. Towards midnight it became tre-
mendously violent—amounting to a hurricane. It continued
in this state the whole night, blowing off the slates from the
different houses in the neighbourhood of our office. The rain
began to fall yesterday about twelve o'clock, and shortly after
the gale subsided. We have not heard of any houses having
fallen, or the loss of life or property as yet; but it is very
much to be dreaded that some melancholy accidents must
have happened at sea. We hope and trust our fears are
groundless.—Limerick Reporter.
The oldest existing version of the Old and New Testament
is in the Vatican, written in the fourth or fifth century, and
published in 1587. The next in age is in the Alexandrian
MSS. in the British Museum, presented to Charles I. by the
Greek patriarch, and said to be copied by Thecla, an Egyp-
tian lady of the fourth century. The New Testament part
was published in 1786.
ROYAL SELF-POSSESSION.—Daring the first interview that
Prince Albert had with the Queen, immediately after her
Majesty's accouchement, his Royal Highness, with great
delicacy of feeling, expressed a fear lest the nation might ex-
perience some disappointment when it should become known
that the royal infant was not a prince. Her Majesty, not-
withstanding the necessary exhaustion under which she must
have laboured, replied with great naivete, " Never mind,
Albert; the next shall be a boy!"—Morning Post.
We are glad to hear, that Messrs. H. and J. Johnston and

.
Co., who lately suspended payments, have issued a circular
to their creditors, stating that they will be prepared, on
Saturday next, to pay a second instalment of 10s. in the
pound, and thus liquidate in full all outstanding claims against
them. Afterwards the firm will continue their business upon
the old footing. The business of Wright and Co., the bank-
ers, has been taken up by the London Joint-stock Bank, and
it will he conducted by two of the partners in Wright's house,
Messrs. Jerningham and Robinson, as joint managers, on the
old premises in Henrietta-street. All the other rumours of
an unpleasant nature have died away again.—Globe.
The eminent house of Fox and Co., wire-drawers, of Bir-
mingham, stopped payment on Wednesday. Their liabilities
are said to exceed £130,000 ; but it is hoped eventually there
will be 20s. in the pound for all the creditors. By this un-
looked-for event upwards of five hundred pair of hands will
be thrown out of employment in Birmingham alone, besides
a great number in Wales.— Worcester Herald.

The Globe of last night contradicts the " rumour" of a
fatal accident which it was the first to disseminate, in the
following terms :—" We are glad to learn that there is no
truth in the statement of a fatal accident having occurred
on the Birmingham and Gloucester Railroad, and that the
authority on which it was rumoured was not the guard of
one of the Cheltenham coaches. We cannot too strongly
deprecate the propagation of these rumours, at a time when
the public mind is so sensitive on the subject of railway ac-
cidents." The "sensitiveness" of the Globe is extremely
praiseworthy.—Morning Herald.

REPORTED TREATY WITH SPAIN.
have published, perhaps not with the best intention,
British Government is about to conclude a corn
treaty with Spain. Though the report is in no way off
nor can it be inferred that any disadvantas..
try would follow the execution of such a compact, SL.—,
cordance with truth, we are authorised to declare that r
question of the kind is under consideration between t+
governments, nor would the regency ent
stipulations with any country whatove,
the constitutional Mentalities, and employing
which might secure a result useful for the interests of Sp,
and conformable to public opinion—the only course vc+
a law can become a reality.-111adrid Gazette.

—Some periodic

to either cou

gency enter into cot

NOTTINGIIAM

MORE ATTEMPTED POISONING AT
Wednesday evening, a stocking-maker, named Samuel Erg
land, aged 41, living in what is called Rose's-barracks, in
Maiden-lane, returned home after his work, and found that
his wife had gone out, leaving the key with a neighbour ; he
warmed for his supper some mutton broth that had been left
from dinner, and soon after eating it he felt a burning pain
at his stomach ; he drank some hot water, and •
good deal, and on looking in the basin he saw a semment
that looked whitish and felt gritty. His neighbours fetched
medical aid from the dispensary, and it was ascertained that
a quantity of arsenic had been mixed with the broth. For
some time he was considered to be in extreme danger ; the
wife did not return home that night, but came back the next
forenoon, and was soon afterwards given into custody. She
had frequently before remained out all night, and she is seve-
ral years younger than the husband. On exami—
considerable quantity of arsenic was found in the sauce
in which the broth had been warmed.—Chesterfie' -
Derbyshire Courier.

vomited a

WILL OF THE LATE JAMES WOOD, ESQ.—A dec.
this most important and protracted case may now be reas
ably expected in the course, perhaps, of a fortnight, as t,
appeal on the part of the executors against the decision
the Prerogative Court must, in a few days, come before th
Privy Council. Should the executors succeed in reversin
Sir Herbert Jenner's judgment, they will then become th
joint possessors of Mr. Wood's great wealth under the will
the validity of which they are now attempting to establish
The executors are, Sir Matthew Wood, Bart., Mr. John
Surman, Mr. Jacob Osborne, and the representatives of th
late Mr. John Chadborn. Should the decision be adverse t
these parties, the next of kin, Mrs. Goodlake and Mr. Hit
chins, will probably inherit it. There is still another ques
tion—namely, the validity of the codicil, so mysterious'
brought to light. Could that document be substantiated
this city would be benefited to a most important extent, an
several individuals, relatives and acquaintances of deceaseC
would acquire large legacies.—Gloucester Journal.

sum iii

Some foolish Scotch chartists have actually started an a:
tation for the insane project of a repeal of the Scottish Unio
This is more visionary than even the wretched O'Conuel
mad scheme. We suppose we shall hear by and by of t
Welsh people demanding a repeal of their union. and nv
as example is contagious, the chartists of the north and
of England, requiring the division of the country into
rate states, as in the days of the Saxon Heptarchy.
ERROR IN BOILING EGGS.—A. lady, having for
mornings had reason to complain of the state in w
eggs were boiled to breakfast, had more than one
the servant to be more careful, and to boil th-
glass. One morning, when there was every •
lieve that this had been neglected, the sere-
to receive a scolding for her negligence.
not boiled with the glass, Mary ?" "So they we.
but the glass flew a' to pieces whenever the pan cam' a .
said the poor girl, who had too literally obeyed btr L
tress's instructions.—Dundee Constitutional.
BIVOUAC IN THE DESERT.—Assuredly ours was a v

it was called in

bivouac. In every direction the watch-fires shot their vivid
gleames athwart the dark figures that flitted ever and anon
between the eye and them. Groups of Turkish and Egyr
tian soldiers, mingled with the Bedouins clad in the flow:
garb and turbans of their tribe, formed rings around
various fires ; at most of which some one was busy in recd'
ing his various exploits during the day, whils.
eyes and animated gestures rendered him the
much interest to us as to his auditors.
sharp sound of a rifle was heard from the distant
fired, perhaps, in the drunken wantonness of victory
skulking fugitive ; whilst at times, high above the
of the war-steeds and the tumult of an extensive E
went, rose the " Ullah-ullah-hee!" or wail of the t
nate captives, shrill and clear, like the " keen" of ;1
funeral in the mountains, and anon dying on the night
that floated the ill-omened sound off, far into the deset
by one these sounds were stilled, and a solitary sentry
paced by each fire. The wail of the captives had sub
the steeds no longer neighed ; and all was at last bus
the profound of night's silent bosom.—From Fraser'
tine for December.

OccasiC

LEADING ARTICLE.—We remember hearing Lord Lynd-
hurst state at a public dinner that it was only those
tried to write leading articles who knew the difficult
ducing any that would be read. Lord Lyndhurst
most every other prominent public man, has doubt
ventured in this field ; and if his great talen

path, who can travel itwithout sometimes halting
cording to the general opinion, nothing is easier ti
off, currente calamo, a newspaper article or a pot
Those who think this. have either never tried it, o

of pro-

blindly partial to their own bantlings. Every ouen
the story of that American gentleman who conceived
that, in his then present circumstances, the plan of
a popular preacher was the best that he could ad
careers arc more inviting, and our friend from t
built himself a log conventicle, and reared in the
a very lofty and respectable pulpit. The day of
rived, and his new building was crowded.
more successful. He climbed his pulpit, and
first time, it suggested itself to him that it was p,
man not to be quite au fait at an extemporaneot.
He kept his congregation in anxious suspense fol
long minute. He cleared his throat, and got three ti
the middle of an opening sentence ; but finding the €
prise was desperate, he at last addressed hit
ditors thus :---" If any one of you down ther
the easiest thing in the world to preach, let him just co
here and try." So say we as to the less grave task of p
cal instruction. But the newspaper writer is worse off
this gentleman was, for he had a multitude of texts open
him; and the vices of mankind afforded him an infinite va
riety of subjects for instructive exhortation. He was not
compelled to be new, or smart, or eloquent; lie was not
obliged to interest or excite. His auditors were before him,
and they were bound to listen. Not so the unhappy pur-
bveeyoervetor tehmeaprzbliweitatypr
ptuitnegfeon, arzumentative, interesting,
and, pabulum. He must
and, alas! his subjects also must be ever new. If any one
thinks this easy, let him see the listless contempt with which
papers are just now taken up, glanced at for a moment, and
thrown down upon the table. If anyone thinks it a common
capacity, let him look at the dulness of some papers, even
when topics are frequent, and let him mark the uninterest-
ing dreariness of even the best of our journals at this dull pe-
riod of the year.—Atlas

Nothing cou

thinks that it's

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