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

MR. BRINDLEY'S LECTURES ON SOCIALISM

• We again call the attention of the Christian public to that
scandalous nuisance, under the name of the Socialist Ilall of
Science, that has disgraced the town of Liverpool during the
last few months. Many probably are not aware that in this
Place are taught, Sunday and week day, the most disgusting
4,* well as the most blasphemous doctrines that ever were
uPawned upon society. It is true that, in point of numbers,
they are truly contemptible, and have considerably declined
since the exposure of their system by Mr. Brindley, about
this time last year; but still they do exist as a body, and the
building continues to be used fur the express purposes above
referred to. We cannot, therefore, but hail with satisfaction
that gentleman's second visit to us, knowing, as we do, the
great good that has resulted from his persevering opposition
in other towns ; and we cordially say with him, " Since the
force of public opinion has driven Socialism out of other
towns, let us now see whether the same result cannot be se-
cured in Liverpool." Let all rally round him, and hear for
themselves the abominable character of Socialism, as well as
,the scandalous fraud that has been practised upon the con-
uding operatives that have trusted these irresponsible gen-
tle Men with their money. Let it be fairly tried, and if it be
clearly proved against Socialism that murder, theft, or any
other crime is to be held unpunishable—that marriage should
be entirely abolished—that all religion should be swept away
--7sand..that man is to prostrate his reason, and become, as
well as a licentious debauchee, an avowed ATHEIST—if, we
"3', these things be clearly established against the system,
let it ever after be held a disgrace in any man who shall
countenance its advocates, or use, or encourage the using, of.
that sink of pollution, the " Hall of Science." This will
bring them to their senses ; and this too is but a fair le-
gitimate course. If they are determined to continue
to hold such principles, why they must hold them ; but
let them associate with others of the sane pollnited Minds,
and not be allowed to flinc, around them their abominable
filth in decent society. We do not hesitate to say, that to
'it in company with a Socialist is a degradation to which no
respectable female ought to submit.
It had used to be remarked, let them alone and they will
die a natural death ; but this was tried for 13 years and at
the end of that time they had increased to something like
100,000 in numbers, with a regularly organised executive and
legislative, and upwards of 70 organised branches in the prin-
cipal towns of the kingdom, managed by well paid mission-
aries ; now they do not number one-third so many, and
many of the branches have entirely ceased to act, in conse-
quence of Mr. Brindley's having called public attention to
their proceedings. Beyond all doubt they are dying off
here, and we feel confident the present meetings will not only
accelerate their fall, but give them their death-blow. Mr.
Brindley's lectures are of a very different order to those lie
formerly delivered here, and, if we may judge from last
night's, in many respects highly philosophical and argumen-
tative, as well as having a sound, moral, and religious tone.
A more complete demonstration of the folly and absurdity of
Socialism, as well as of man's free agency and the power of
conscience, could not well have been given than that last
night introduced, which throughout was loudly applauded.
Nor will those present readily forget his happy illustration of
what would be the effect of the " cannot help it" doctrine,
it universally practised and fully carried out.
Mr. Brindley was interrupted once or twice by questions
of the most irrelevant character, but no settled discussions
took place. The subjects announced for the lecture to-
morrow are the marriage system of the socialists, and the
practical results flowing therefrom.

MEDITERRANEAN STEAMERS.—The Levant mail brings
the results of the first voyage of the Oriental steam-ship,
respecting which great inte-est has been excited. Although
this vessel had to steam against a strong head wind and heavy
sea across the Bay of Biscay, was further detained by a thick
fog off the coast of Portugal, and had a strong head wind
during the whole of the passage from Gibraltar to Malta, she
arrived at Malta on the 12th, within three hours of the time
appointed. The total time steaming from Falmouth to
Malta was 236 hours. The steam-vessel from Marseilles,
carrying the Indian mail of the 4th instant, from England,
arrived at Malta a few hours afterwards. The Oriental was
detained at Malta by the orders of the port admiral, but
sailed on the 15th at two o'clock for Alexandria.

GLASGOW.—At the meeting of the
British Association, last week, Mr. Porter read a paper on
the evils arising from the system of pawnbroking in Ireland,
and showing the advantages of the establishment of a Monte
de Plate, on the principle of those institutions in Paris.
Since he came to Glasgow, through the kind assistance of
the Lord Provost and. Captain Miller, he had made himself
ii,...cquainted with the. system of " wee " or little pawns in
arid he could assure the section that the evils aris-
ing from them were neither " wee nor little. In order to
make himself acquainted with the extent of pledging in Ire-
4,anilland the prdtits to the pawnbrokers, &c, he had at one
Lime 300 articles of his own in the pawn. He had no time, of
course, to proceed in this way since he came to Glasgow ;
but, as in Ireland he visited the poor in the lanes, alleys, and
garrets, so in Glasgow he had gone through the wynds and
venals in order to see the actual condition of matters. In
'almost every door there was a ".wee " pawn -shop, and he was
Actoidelvd.at the control which Captain Miller, who acconi-
Paitied him, had over this class. They received the captain
with kindness, and gave him every information. The result
cf,this inquiry was, that there were 400 of these receptacles
within the police bounds, and 300 without ;in all 700. In
One'
there were 58,172 articles pawned in the course of a year.
•1110 Money advanced was from " a bawbee " to one
average fourpence—' making, upon the whole, about hall 'a
millon of money borrowed in this way in all the pawn-shops.
e interest obtained was 4334 per cent., or, for £lOO lent,
there are £433 of interest obtained.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Yesterday, the annual shew of live stock, implements of
husbandry, roots, seeds, &c., took place in the Old Infirmary
Yard ; and was succeeded by a grand dinner at Mr. Lucas's
Repository, Great Charlotte-street. The shew on this, as on
former occasions, excited very great and deserved interest,—
the objects of the Society to promote the interests of agri-
culture, by every available scientific, experimental, and me-
chanical appliance, having evidently caused a generous com-
petition amongst the agricultural community, which has
resulted in the most beneficial improvements in the culture
of the land and the breeding of stock throughout the district.
The following arc some of the particulars.