The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-11-24 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANIMIII).

bitual robbers. We noticed last week a paragraph
in the Albion, calculated to annoy the late mayor,
Mr. Hodgson; which we showed to be a pure inven-
tion ; and, to-day, we have to show the utter want
of truth contained in a charge brought by the
Mercury against a member of the select vestry, and
to expose the miserable humiliations, to which the
indulgence of their propensity to vilify their poli-
tical opponents occasionally brings our contempo-
raries.

The illercury's charge was, that Mr. Horn, a re-
gistrar of births and deaths, was seen going up to
the poll in Abercromby Ward, with Mr. Hand, a
select vestryman; and the imputations conveyed
were, of course, improper intimidat,on on the part
of Mr. Hand, and truckling to authority on the
part of the registrar. Here is the Mercury's
defence :

The party who did conduct Mr. Joseph Horn to the
poll was once, vie are told, a member of the Select Vestry,
and was known only as such to our informant, who ho-
nestly and firmly, though it now appears erroneously, be-
lieved, and had so believed for some time, that his name
was Hand. His conviction at the moment the o'currence
took place, was strengthened by a party standing by. who
also believed that the person with Mr. Horn was Mr.
Hand. The error was as to the name ; and whatever
may be said by parties personally interested, the other
circumstances mentioned by this informant are strictly
correct as to persons and expressions. Having dis-
covered the error into which we were unconsciously and
unintentionally led, we hesitate not to acknowledge it,
and to give Mr. Hand, as he deserves, the benefit of this
explanation, regretting, at the same time, that he should
have suffered the least annoyance from the statement,
and that our informant should have been so grievously
mistaken as to the name. It is right, also, to mention,
that the paragraph which appeared in our last was written
by our informant in the full conviction of the identity of
Mr. Hand, and not by the editors of the Mercury, who
had previously, with the view of correcting any mistake,
called attention to the disclaimers made in reference to
this affair. _ . .

We have given the explanation at length, because
it clearly shows upon what very loose grounds a
party can be slandered by these prints, or an indivi-
dual be held up by name as a mark for public re-
probation. First, " the party who did conduct Mr.
Joseph Horn was once," the .41/ercury is told (!) "a
member of the Select Vestry, and was only knoun as
such" to the reporter, who always " believed" he
was Mr. Hand. It so happens, however, that the
gentleman who did accompany Mr. Horn to the
poll—whom the reporter only knew as a Select Ves-
tryman—never was a member of that body at all
But the reporter does not appear, at the time, to
have been very clear as to the identity of the party.
He " believed" it was Mr. Hand; and his belief
" was strengthened by reference to a party standing
by, who also believed." Surely, men ought to be
certain before they venture to bring charges im-
puting serious misconduct against an honourable
man. But the Mercury adds, in excuse, that the
error was only "as to the name"(!) Why, if we
chose to detail very circumstantially the commission
of a murder, or any other crime, and state that the
stipendiary magistrate, or Mercury himself, was the
criminal, would it be a mere error as to the name,
when it was afterwards shewn that John Tawell was
the criminal ? This was no mere error as to a
name. The error is one as to person and facts.
First, it was said that Mr. Hand did an improper
act, which it is proved he did not. Next, it is said
that some other person, who was once a Select Ves-
tryman, did an improper act. Now it is shewn that
no improper act whatever was done by any member
belonging to, or who had belonged to, the Select
Vestry. The charge is idle from first to last; and
the statement that the paragraph reiterating the
charge after its correctness had been distinctly dis-
claimed by respectable parties, was not written by
the editors of the Mercury, is ridiculous.
Having made the amende—such as it is—to Mr.
Hand, what does the Mercury intend to do with
respect to the charge against Mr. Horn ? Is a
respectable officer of the public to remain under the
stigma which that paper has attempted to cast upon
him, by holding him up as submitting, for con-
siderations of private interest, to act contrary to his
own convictions ? We suspect that no amende will
be made at all.

The Albion feels it necessary to inform its readers that
" there is no editress of the Albion." Can our contem-
porary of Lord-street say as much?
A deputation from Liverpool, on the subject of a re-
duction of the duty on tea, had an interview with Lord
John Russell, on Saturday, at his official residence in
Downing-street.
NORTH DISPENSARY.—Yesterday, the election of an
honorary surgeon to this dispensary took place, when Mr.
H. H. Radcliffe was elected. The numbers were, for
Mr. Radcliffe, 111, for Mr. Walton, 61.
The sermons preached by the Rev. Hugh M`Neile and
the Rev. Dr. Byrth, on occasion of the (Lath of the Rev.
Dr. Tattershall, have already reached a second edition.
Dr. Booth has also published a most excellent discourse
on the same subject, which we regret we only received
last nieht.

Trti TEA DUTIES.—The meeting at the Session's-
house, to-morrow, will be of the very greatest importance.
The Mayor will, of course, take the chair, and amongst
those who will take part in the proceedings will be Wm.
Brown, Esq., J. Bramley-Moore, Esq., Thomas Black-
borne, Esq., T. B. Horsfall, Esq., Hugh Hornby, Esq.,
Adam Hodgson, Esq., George Grant, Esq., Samuel
Holme, Esq., &c., &c.
SMUGGLING TOBACCO.—Yesterday, at the Police-
court, a man was convicted for illicit possession of 2671b5.
of leaf and foreign manufactured tobacco, the greater
portion of which was found, by Custom-house officers,
concealed in a pigstye and in the petty adjoining the pri-
soner's residence, in Crostou-street. It appeared that
the prisoner was implicated in the offence, and he was
fined £lOO, or to be imprisoned for six months.
NEW SCREW SCHOONER "DUBLIN."—This fine ves-
sel belonging to the Dublin and Liverpool Steam Ship
Company, and the first of their new line of screw vessels
to ply between this port and Dublin, arrived in the Trafal-
gar Dock early on Sunday morning, consigned to Messrs.
T. Martin, Burns, and Co., having made the run from
quay to quay, deducting a stoppage at the entrance of the
river, in consequence of the darkness and storm of Satur-
day n'ght, in less than 11 hours.
INTERESTING LECTURE.—We beg to call the attention
of our readers to an advertisement announcing a lecture
on natural scenery, by Mr. W. M. Fisher, which will be
delivered at the request of the incumbent and churchwar-
dens of St. Michael's Church, for the benefit of the
Church Missionary Association. Mr. Fisher has a very
happy method of interesting an audience, and no doubt
his lecture will abound with instructive matter. No time
should be lost in procuring tickets, as the justly-acquired
popularity of Mr. Fisher has already caused a great demand.
INCREASE OF PAUPERISM IN LIVERPOOL—We learn
that such is the increase of pauperism amongst us, and the
difficulty experienced in meeting the heavy demands made
upon the authorities, that the overseers of Toxteth-park
have forwarded circulars to the magistrates, requesting
them to grant them two sittings a week at the public of-
fices, during the ensuing three months, for the hearing of
the large number of summonses which will be required to
be issued against parties in arrear. The difficulty felt is
aggravated, and the necessity of prompt collection in-
creased by an order, now enforced by the auditor ap-
pointed by the Poor-law Commissioners, that the collec-
tion of poor-rates should in all cases be completed before
the expiration of the overseers' year of office.
LIVERPOOL BOARD OF EXAMINATION OF MASTERS

AND MATES.—On Tuesday last, the first examination
took place in this port, by the Board for the Examination
of Masters and Mates. Captain Charles Judkins, of the
steam-ship Cambria, one of the British and North Ameri-
can Steam Company's vessels, and Mr. John Thomas,
of Bangor, North Wales, both passed as duly qualified for,
first class certificates, and, in consideration of their being
so well versed in nautical astronomy and great circle sail-
ing, were entitled to be rated extras. It is to be hoped
that the prospect of passing this examination creditably,
will be the means of stimulating rising young men to pay
closer attention to both the practical and nautical part of
their business, and give them a fair opportunity of raising
themselves, and increasing the respectability of their pro-
fession, the furtherance of this object being the sole mo-
tive of the voluntary promoters of the Board.
THE SCOTCH CHURCH.—On Sunday last Dr. Cum-
ming, of London, preached three powerful sermons in the
Scotch Churches, connected with the establishment, in
Rodney-street and _ Oldham-street, and collections were

made in aid of the funds of the British Reformation So-

ciety. This association has been formed for the purpose
of distributing tracts, and appointing Scripture readers to
labour amongst the Roman Catholics, and we trust from
the energy with which our northern brethren prosecute
their business transactions they will, now being enlisted
into this good cause, zealously co-operate with the doctor
in his endeavours to enlighten their Romish brethren.
Dr. Cumming, in St. Andrew's Church Rodney-street,
in accordance with instructions from the Presbytery of

London, declared the church vacant, in consequence of
the resignation of the Rev. J. Tod Brown. Dr. Barr, of
St. Enoch's Church, Glaszow, so long, many of our
readers will remember in this town, in connexion with
Oldham-street Chapel, will preach at Rodney-street on
Sunday next.
INQUESTS YESTERDAY BEFORE TUB BOROUGH CO-
RONER.—On view of the body of a new-born male child,
found in a box close to the wall of St. George's Church,
Ever ton. Mr. Wood, surgeon, who had made a post-
mortem examinaticn, said that the child was still born.
Verdict accordingly.—On view of the body of Samuel
Metcalf, aged five years, who lived in Carlton-street. On
the 16th of last month deceased's clothes took fire, and he
was so much injured that he died on Saturday last in the
Northern Hospital. Verdict : Died from the injuries,
but how they originated there was no evidence to show.--
On view of the body of Garrett Farley, which was found
on Sunday morning on the sand-bank near the Waterloo
Dock Pier. It appeared that on Saturday night, about 11
o'clock, the steamer " Brien Boroihm" was lying along-
side the Clarence Dock Pier, and that the deceased, in
endeavouring to get on board of her, fell into the water.
A life buoy was thrown out to him, but he did not succeed
in getting hold of it, and sank in a few minutes afterwards.
Verdict—Accidental death.

THE SCREW STEAM-SHIP ANTELOPE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SIR, —As the voyage of the screw steam-ship " Ante-
lope," hence to Brazil, excites a good deal of attention,
we send you the letters of the Captain (H. H. O'Brien),
written at sea, and on his arrival at Pernambuco.
We are in possession of the logs, both of the ship and
engine ; but as they are too voluminous for publication,
we merely have to state, that on the second day after her
departure, the framing of the engines was found so defec-
tive, that for the remainder of the voyage it was thought
de-ir Ible to work the engines only half-speed.
During the ip y age the engines appear to have been
stopped right tiThes, in all about fifty hours. These de-
fects can very easily be remedied on her return, when we
feel c,,nfislent she will make her passage in 18 to 20 days.
Notwithstanding these drawbacks, H.M. Packet, which
sailed from Falmouth two days before her, and several
other ves-els from this port, had not arrived.
We are, respectfully. your obedient servants,
M`TEAR and HADFIELD.
Tower-chambers, 23d November, 1846.
[coPv.]
" Antelope, Oct. 2d, 1816.
" Lat. 6.30 N., long. 23 10 E.

" GENTLEMEN,—I beg to enclose copies of the log of
the ship and enine. The former fully comes up to my
expectations, having every opportunity of t?,stiog her in
various grades of weather, as you will see by her log. I
am happy to say that her masts stand well, and she bears
her canvas like a Trojan. I regret that I cannot speak so
well of the engine : so far it has been of little or no use to
us, at times barely keeping the drag of the screw from
impeding our way. You will see by my remarks made
both night and day, that while the machinery was right it
helped the ship inost remarkably in all weathers, as we
never foun 1 the ship overrunning the speed of the screw.
When going even up to eleven knots, the break, if some-
thing larger, would easily hold her.

" I found it not safe to disconnect the screw when blow-
ing bard, the ship not steering well, the backwater from
the screw leaving the rudder to work in vacancy. This
is not the case when working, as the screw then throws a
column of water on the rudder, making her steer like a boat
when blowing hard, as well as in smooth water. From
this you will see that with the four-threaded screw we
must never be without steam, but it is nay opinion that
with two threads we may dispense with steam frequently.
as I do not think it would interfere with the rudder so
much. Though it may have the same surface, still the
blades would not come so often abreast of the rudder.

" The Welsh coal answers remarkably well, but the
Liverpool, on the contrary, takes one ton in five more
than Jevons coal, which appears to be the best, having
much less smoke than Welsh.

" For further particulars I beg to refer you to the logs.
For the last two days we have had a strong S.S. W. wind,
a circumstance most uncommon in these latitudes. It
has already driven us three degrees to the eastward. In
conclusion I beg to say, every exertion has been made to
make our passage, and I have no hesitation in saying that,
when the machinery is in workinz order, the Antelope
will make her passage in eightee❑ days.
" I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant.
(signed) "H. H. O'BRIEN, Commander.
" Messrs. M`Tear and Hadfield."

" Oct. sth, 184

" GENTLEMEN,—Under the most disadvantageous cir-
cumstances, I ventured to put the Antelope head to wind
on Friday, it blowing a strong S.W. wind—l should say
a topgallant breeze, the engine showing no vacuam by the
barumeter or condenser, when she steamed 43 knots by
observation, much to the surprise of all on board. When
she will do this, with her machinery in its present con-
dition, what may we not expect when it is made all tight?
We fear the foot valve has given way, having stopped the
engine twice for some time to examine. She makes a dis-
tance, as you will find by her log, of 96 miles in twenty-
four hours, all sails furled, dead to windward. You will
see on the 6th that the guard of the escape-valve bent in
the after cylinder, the same one that gave way before.
Friday, 10th ; I expect to make the Picao Lighthouse,
at Pernambuco. at six o'clock this evening, making our
passage in twenty-six days twenty-three hours, from the
lightship off Liverpool. I shall endeavour to leave Per-
nambuco as soon as possible. I hope not to take coal
until we get to Bahia. All well on board. Allow me to
say all exertion shall be made to make a speedy passage
to Rio de Janeiro. As it is, if we had been bound there,
we could 11,%e accomplished it in thirty-one days.
" You will hear f►om me at Bahia.

" Saturday morning, anchored in the outer road of
Pernambuco last night, at eight o'clock. I find the
latest news from England is only up to the Ist of August,
pet Columbus. _

" Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
(Signad) " H. H. O'BRIEN, Commander,
" Messrs. M`Tear and Hadfield."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SIR,—We have this moment to hand (7 p.m.) letters
from Bahia, by her Majesty's packet, to the 15th October.
The Antelope arrived on the 12th, having made the run
from Pernambuco in 52 hours, and from Liverpool, in-
cluding stoppages, in 30 days. She sailed again the fol-
lowing morning for Rio Janeiro.
Your insertion of this, in addition to our former com-
munication of this morning, will oblige
Your obedient servants,
WTEAR and HADFIELD.
2, Tower-chambers, Monday, 7 p.m.