The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-05 00:00:00

aid in rmopagatingtfiese views, by int

tns of in-

cessant attacks upon public opinion through the press
and by the exertions of hired lecturers, a combination
under the title of the "Anti-Corn-Law. League"

sprung into existence

Of the, parties who constitute this body we need say
little more than that they belong to the utilitarian creed
in politics, and are a busy, meddling set of small peo-
ple, of whom Mr. Richard Cobden, of Manchester, is
the alpha and omega. It is this body, however, or
league, which, by a kind of retributive justice, seems
destined to worry poor Lord Melbourne out of Down-
ing-street, By the retirement of Mr. Finch from the

representation of Walsall a temporary vacancy was
made in the Whig phalanx ; but it was conceived that

the return of a gentleman of similar principles, in the
person of Mr. Lyttleton, was a matter of easy accom-
plishment. Accordingly that gentleman duly pre-

sented himself, and made, we were assured, a very sa-

tisfactory impression upon the electors of Walsall.
But the electors, it seems, were not the parties to be
consulted in the choice of a representative. This
mushroom creation of ministerial dishonesty must first

tisfied that the candidate was thoroughly grounded
in the Anti-Corn-Law catechism ; and accordingly a

deputation, composed of three members of the league,
Messrs. Rawson, Acland, (an itinerant agitator,) and
Mr. Archibald Prentice, proceeded to Walsall to school
the young gentleman. Mr. Lyttleton, however, does
not appear to have passed a satisfactory examination ;
and having received an intimation that he was likely to
be opposed in the attainment his object by the in-
fluence of " the L9ague," he very prudently resigned
his pretensions, leaving Mr. Gladstone, a Conservative
of the right sort, in the field unopposed.

Whether this result of their interference was calcu-
lated upon by the three worthy free traders, we cannot
with certainty tell ; but this much we do know, that to
Lord Melbourne's ministry at the present moment it is
rather an unfortunate contretemps. The " liberals' of
Walsall themselves do not seem too well satisfied with
their position, and will scarcely, we fear, be able to find
a sufficiently accomplished and accommodating candi-
date within the short space of time which is allowed
them to make their selection. Whig-Radical genius
now-a-days is not plentiful as blackberries ;" and when
they had got a passable specimen, in the person of Mr.
Lyttleton, they ought to have been contented. We
suppose, however, that now they must put up with any-
thing that is offered them—with Bowring the quack,
or with that very ordinary personage—Mr. J. B. Smith,
of Manchester. But, in any case, Walsall is lost to
Lord Melbourne and to Whiggery. Opposed or un-
opposed, Mr. Gladstone's return has been reduced to
a moral Certainty ; and the illustrious individual now
at the head of her majesty's government will have the
consolation of reflecting, in his approaching retirement
to a private station, that the officious meddling 'of the
Anti-Corn-Law League has wonderfully hastened for-
ward that unfortunate consummation.

LOCAL NEWS,

COURT OF PASSAGE.—The court ofessage for the trial
of causes, within the borough of Liverpool, is appointed to
be held in the Nisi Prius Court, on Thursday next, before
the mayor and Charles Crompton, Esq., assessor. There is
one demurrer for trial; forty issues ; and four writs of trial,
total 45.

BOROUGH MAGISTRACY.-At •the borough sessions yes-
terday, Thomas Sands, Esq. was sworn in a magistrate of
the borough of Liverpool. Sir Joshua Walmsley also took
the oaths as a borough magistrate. By the terms of the
municipal act, Sir Joshua was in the commission for tht
year after the expiration of his mayoralty ; but, on the me-
morial of the Town Council, both he and Mr. Sands were
permanently placed in the commission by the home secre-
tary.

SOUTHPORT.—We underitand that it is in contemplation
to establish public markets in this place, the want of which is
a great inconvenience to the inhabitants. A meeting of a
number of the most influential residents has already been
held on the subject, when resolutions in favour of the mea-
sure were unanimously adopted, and directed to be presented
to Sir Hesketh Fleetwood, Bart., and Sir Henry Bold Hough-
ton, Bart., the lords of the manor, requesting their co-opera-
tion in the attainment of this important object, which we
have no doubt will be readily obtained.
DELICATE AND HONOURABLE PATRONAGE OF SCIENCE.
—We have learned that Lord Francis Egerton, on being
given to understand, that, by purchasing the original draw-
ings of M. Agassiz's great work, his " Poiss•bms Possilles,"
he would enable that distinguished naturalist to extend his
researches, has offered to give him £5OO for them, and to
leave them with him at Neufchatel as long as he requires
them. This liberal and truly noble act entitles his lordship
to the gratitude of all the friends of science.—Scotsman
AN UNCOURTEOUS SCAVENGEIt—CAuTioz,
bert Neilson appeared before Mr. Rushton and Mr. Hu
Hornby, on Saturday, to complain against a scavenger. It
appeared that Mr. Neilson, who has been somewhat lame for
a considerable timc'past, was crossing a portion cf the street
which the prisoner and another man were sweeping and scrap-
ing. The prisoner, who saw him earning, not only impeded
his passage, but, when he attempted to get over the dirt in
the best manner he was able, lifted the scraper, over which,
as we understood, Mr. Neilson endeavoured to stride, and
caught his foot. Mr. Neilson was thrown down, with con-
siderable violence, in the dirt, and as he arose, he saw that
the prisoner was laughing at him. The prisoner and his com-
panion gave a very unsatisfactory account of the transaction,
and the offender was ordered to pay a tine .of 20s and costs,
or to be committed for fourteen days.

-Mr. R

INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATING YOUNG LADIES.—We
have heard that it is intended to open in January next, in
Birkenhead, a seminary founded upon the plan of the metro-
politan institutions, which have proved so highly advantar
geous and successful in the education of young ladies. The
course of instruction will combine the English language and
experimental:philosophy, the continental languages, music,
dancing, &c. ; and in perusing the circular just issued, we
see the most eminent masters of the present day are engaged
in the various sciences to be taught in the institution. If
we only take a glance at the numbers of highly-respectablefa-
milies resident in Birkenhead and its vicinity, and consider
the immense advantages that will accrue to every family, both
as it regards economy and domestic comfort, by having their
children educated under their own eye, surely this is a matter
worthy of consideration. We think there cannot be a doubt,
but that the gentlemen who are about to open the institution,
will meet with the most generous support.
THE LIVER THEATRE.—The indisposition under which
Mrs. Waylett has been labouring has prevented her appear-
ance since Wednesday, Mrs. Gordon having taken the cha-
racter of Fanny Trunnion, in " Blue Jackets," and Mrs.
Barton that of Mrs. Maitland, in " Fashionable Arrivals."
Mrs. Gordon played the part admirably. Her archness,
vivacity, and playfulness was delightful, while her swagger on
board ship was most amusing. Mrs. Barton. as Bodkin,
played very well; Mr. Tilbury's Admiral Trunnion was a
fine specimen of an old seaman. We have seldom seen a
more lively or more spirited drama than " Blue Jackets,"
although slight in plot it is full of fun. The interlude of
" Fashionable Arrivals" introduces the whole talent of the
comitany. The plot turns upon the attempts made by a
well-meaning old bachelor baronet, to reconcile to each
other a party of his married friends. Some amusing scenes
take place with Mr. Raymond and Mrs. Gordon' as Mr.
and Mrs. O'Brien; Mr. Higgie and Mrs. Barton, as Mr. and
Mrs. Maitland ; Mr. Tilbury as the baronet, Mr. Marshall
as Nix; and, last and not least amusing, Mrs. Raymond as
Mrs. Mode. Such an array of talent cannot be shown on
any stage out of London as appear at the close of the curtain
in this piece. Mrs. Waylett having recovered, reappeared
last evening to delight the audience with her sweet voice.
This evening " The Spanish Princess," " London Larks,"
and " One o'Clock." The first drama is the capital farce
in which Liston, as Pedrigo Potts, "was wont to set the
audience in a roar."

HAMILTON-SQUARE ACADEMY, BIRKENHE AD.—At the
half-yearly distribution of prizes in the Rev. P. Ross's
academy, Hamilton-square, Birkenhead, immediately before
the Christmas recess, the following young gentlemen were
the successful competitors :—FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AND GENERAL LITERATURE :-ISt or HigheSt Glass, Jos.
Bell Richardson, Birkenhead : 2nd Class, Thomas James
Brown, Kingston, Jamaica : 3rd Class, William Ross, Li-
verpool : 4th Class (English Reading, &c.) Benjamin Hamm,
Holt Hill : sth Class (do.) George Wallace, Knutsford.—
FOR LATIN :-Ist Class, John M. Green, Manchester : 2nd
Class, William Wallace, Knutsford : 3rd Class, George Day,
Newton : 4th Class, William Ross, Liverpool.—Fox GREEK :
—Jos. B. Richardson.—Fon FRENCH:-Ist CIaSS, Jos. B.
Richardson : 2nd Class, Frederick Charles Hamilton, Dub-
lin : 3rd Class, P. R. Macmahon, Enniscorthy, and John J.
Stitt, Liverpool.—FOß GERMAN :—John M. Green.—FOß
ARITHMETIC, GEOMETRY, &C. :—lst Class, Charles Green,
Manchester, and John Walker, Birkenhead,' equal: 2nd
Class, F. C. Hamilton.—Fon WRITING :—John Walker,
and Jos. B. Richardson.

A JUVENILE DESPERADO.—Thos. Goulding, a lad aged
about fourteen, the chief characteristic of whose countenance
was a terrific obliquity of vision, was placed at the bar of
the Police-court, on Saturday, charged with having picked a
gentleman's pocket. Mr. William Donald stated that about
half-past six o'clock on Friday evening, he was standing at
the door of the Amphitheatre, when he felt an indication
that some one was making free with his coat pocket. He
turned quickly round, and saw the prisoner handing his
(prosecutor's) silk handkerchief to a companion. He seized
them both, but they struggled with such violence that one
of them escaped. The pnsoner he held fast and pulled
towards the market, but the lad, having probably admired
the exploits of Jack Sheppard, determined not to be cap-
tured so easily if he could prevent it. In order to induce
Mr. Donald to relinquish his hold, he made several fierce
stabs at him with a knife. Mr. Donald parried' the thrusts
with his right hand, which was twice severely wounded. As
the young ruffian repeated his thrusts, Mr. Donald relaxed
his grasp, and the prisoner darted off into the market, pur-
sued by the complainant, who again caught him, and gave
him into the custody of market-constable Bowes. The pri-
soner, on being asked if he had anything to offer in his de-
fence, said, impudently, if the court would examine the
gentleman's hand they would find only one wound on it,
and that was inflicted by the other lad. The prisoner was
committed for trial.
IMPORTANT TO BENEFIT SOCIETIES.—SeveraI officers of
the Queen Victoria benefit society appeared at the police-
office on Friday, to answer a summons obtained against them
by. James Hackett, a member of the society, to show cause
why they withheld ten shillings, being the amount of two
weeks' sick money due to him.—Mr. Davenport, attorney,
who appeared for Hacket, said lie had the authority of the
medical, officer of the society to show that Hacket was a sub-
ject who ought to receive relief from the funds of the society,
being 'through sickness altogether incapable to work.--One
of the officers of the society, in 'answer to the charge, said
that the reason Hacket's sick money had been stopped was,
that it was the rule of the club, at the end of the year, to di-
vide the funds of the society, and that each person again en-
tering should pay half a crown. At a late meeting the funds
had been thus divided, and Hacket had not paid his re-eii.
trance money: consequently, he was not entitled to relief.—
Mr. Rushton examined a copy of the rules of the society, and
not finding any thing to. empower the officers and members
to act in the manner they bad done, ordered Hacket's money
to be paid, saying that the members were not empowered to
frame by-laws repugnant to the general rules of the society.