The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-27 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDAR!).

THE FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The annual meeting of the friends and supporters of
this excellent institution was held yesterday afternoon, at
the fine new asylum in Myrtle-street. Owing to the cold
and stormy weather the attendance was but slender,
though highly respectable ; and the statements made were
of so gratifying a nature as fully to make up for such
deficiency in the minds of all who had the pleasure to be
present.
A handsome lithographic drawing of the building, as it
appeared on " the opening day," the 2d November last,
with the procession in the fore-ground, was exhibited. It
is in the vignette style, and is highly creditable to the
artist, Mr. Isaacs, of Castle-street.
Mr. JOSHUA EDWARDS was called to the chair, and
the Rev. JAMES NORTH opened the meeting with prayer.
The CH AIRMAN then said that he regretted exceedingly
to inform them that their worthy President, James
Aspinall, Esq., was prevented from attending the meeting
by indisposition. Under other circumstances, it would
have been gratifying to him (the chairman) to preside that
day, it being the first anniversary meeting since the open-
ing of the noble edifice in which they were then assembled.
It afforded him much pleasure to congratulate them on
the result of their benevolent exertions in behalf of their
excellent charity ; for it was a highly gratifying circum-
stance to be enabled to state that the building was now
entirely paid for,—thanks to their active committee, and
especially to their indefatigable treasurer, Mr. Harmood
Banner, whose exertions could not be too highly appre-
ciated. (Hear.) He (the chairman) sincerely hoped that
that gentleman might long enjoy the blessing of health,
and thus be enabled to continue those benevolent exertions
in which his heart was so warmly engaged. Sixty-one chil-
dren had been admitted into the asylum, and thus rescued
from destitution. They had been clothed, fed, and instructed
at a cost rather under £lO per annum each. Doubtless
by the end of another year the number would be consi-
derably increased. It could not, he added, be too gene-
rally known that children deprived of both parents, and
born within a distance of 7 miles from the Liverpool
Exchange, were eligible for admission; this, of course,
included the Cheshire side of the river. (Hear.) He
concluded by calling on Mr. Banner to read
THE REPORT,
which commenced by stating that the Asylum was com-
menced on a small scale in 1840, in a private dwelling-
house, when nineteen children were admitted. In 1841
an increase took place in the numbers, and in 1842 the
house became full to overflow, when the erection of an
institution was determined upon. The succeeding year
(1843) witnessed both the laying of the foundation stone
and the completion of the building; Robertson Gladstone,
Esq. as Mayor, having laid the first stone in Feb. in that
rear, and being also present at the opening of the building
on the second of ,November following. The Report then
alluded to the gratifying support which the institution has
received, and to the paternal care and substantial exer-
tions of our revered diocesan, who has twice appealed to
the public on behalf of the female orphans ; the collec-
tions on those occasions producing the sum of £224 4s. 6d.
The thanks of the trustees are also given to the clergy for their
advocacy of the claims of the Institution. The church
collections to the present time, exclusive of the two before
mentioned, have amounted to £845 12s. Id. The trustees,
with becoming Christian humility, acknowledge them-
selves as merely the instruments of the Giver of all Good.
The report concluded as follows :
" With regard to the state of our funds the report we
have to make is gratifying. To begin an Institution in
debt, or to get it into debt, is by some considered benefi-
cial, as forming a strong ground of appeal for assistance.
Indeed, many have been the occasions when the public
have nobly stepped forward under such emergency. But,
to be out of debt, and to keep so, appears a more enviable
condition, and this, it may be confidently hoped, will be
the condition of this institution. What is yet deficient
for all requirements may be fairly calculated upon from
promised sermons, not
.vet preached, and further dona-
tions. The cost of the building is paid. Some furnish-
ings and other extras have yet to be provided for, to the
amount of a few hundred pounds.
"We may now look for a larger family. Forty-eight
children were transferred from the house in Upper Stan-

hope-street, and there are now sixty in the asylum, which
is capable of accommodating one hundred and fifty. Un-
der the good management of the same able matron and
teacher it is pleasing to report that the children are blest
with health, and continue to make satisfactory improve-
ment.
" The Asylum may now be extensively made known
without the risk of rejecting any eligible applicants. Each
guardian of the institution is entitled to the privilege of
recommending children for admission. Information may
be obtained on application to the matron, the members of
the committee, or the treasurer, who will be happy to
afford assistance whenever required.
" Supported as the institution has been by the truly
Christian benevolence which has hitherto been extended

to it, the committees cannot doubt that, as the number of
its inmates increase, subscriptions for its maintenance will
increase also. Therefore, to have it occupied by its full
compliment must be the wish entertained by all who have
seen it thus far in operation, and who feel desirous that
its benefits should be made available, as fully as possible,
throughout the circle of the seven miles which constitutes
its boundary."

The TREASURER read, as an appendix to the report, a
statement of the accounts, which fully bore out the
financial facts stated in the former document—shewing a
final small balance (the house and all within it being paid
for) of £l2 ss. 9d.
The CHAIRMAN here stated that he had that moment
received a note from the Mayor, regretting his inability
to attend that day.
The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS then rose to move the
passing and printing of the report. He had great pleasure
in doing so, as it was a document that must be highly
gratifying to all present. He heartily wished he could
point out any other charity in the town that could produce
such, but he feared he could not. He had learned since

he entered the room that the present annual subscriptions
were between £BOO and £9OO, and that the asylum would
accommodate 150 orphans. The cost of each might be
taken at £lO a head, including the whole expenses of the
institution. He reverted to the accounts in order to re-
commend continued exertions on the part of the com-
mittee. The past was gratifying, but the future might be
different. He would suppose the house to be filled, which
it probably would ere long be. Nearly double the amount
He
of their present income would then be required.
hoped, therefore, that the statement made would not in-
duce
institution any
got
It
good dt o
o
into
plight,
with it relaxed in
their efforts. He could furnish one
happenedpartparties
s connected that
instance—" The Ladies' Charity,"—an excellent one.
g often
theee
Some years ago, when he and others were dividing an
amount collected in the churches for the charities,'the
funds of that institution were flourishing for the time,
and the parties said they did not want it. He advised
them to receive it, to meet contingencies, and that other-
wise it might operate against them out of doors. Now
that charity from the calls upon it was in debt. (Hear.)
Another instance was in the Blind Asylum, which it was
supposed would be endowed by the collections of its
church, but donations being thus devoted from it, it was
now £2OOO in debt. He hoped, therefore, they would
not relax in their endeavours to improve the funds. If
they did relax they might soon become poor enough.
The excellent report read rendered it unnecessary for
him to say more. He hoped that they would attain the
full object of their wishes, and moved that the report be
received and printed.
Mr. SEMPLE seconded the resolution, and it was
carried unanimously.
The TREASURER submitted a motion involving a change
in one of the original rules—which vested the election of
the medical officers in the guardians. As this was in-
convenient, he proposed they should hereafter be ap-
pointed by the Gentlemen's Committee.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM seconded the motion, and it was
carried.

Mr. BROWN proposed the thanks of the meeting to the
Right Rev. the Diocesan and the Clergy who had so ably
and successfully advocated the interests of the institution.
Mr. DixoN seconded the motion, and it was passed.
The Rev. Mr. FERWOOD, after congratulating the
meeting on the institution being out of debt, moved
thanks to Mrs. Jeffreys, the Lady Patroness, and to James
Aspinall, Esq., the President. This was seconded and
carried.

Mr. CARTER moved thanks to Mr. Arthur, the sur-
geon, and Mr. Lloyd, the druggist. Seconded and
carried.
The TREASURER then proposed lists respectivelyof the
ladies' and the gentlemen's committees for the ensuing
year, which were seconded by Mr. Howard in a feeling
address, and passed.
Mr. WINCH, after some remarks on the rise of the in-
stitution at once from infancy to maturity—through,
mainly, the unwearied exertions of the tre isurer—proposed
the thanks of the meeting to that gentleman for his effi-
cient services, with the expression of a wish that he should
remain in office. This was seconded by all in the room.
Mr. BANNER said he had always experienced much
kindness from all who were connected with the institu-
tion, and should be very happy to continue his services.
(Cheers.)

The orphans (who were in a room opening from one
end into that in which the meeting was held, and who
were neatly dressed in black, with white caps and aprons)
then sang the 23d Psalm, and the meeting, which was
graced by the presence of a number of ladies, then se-
parated.

REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY OF DERRY.--The
unexpected announcement that Sir Robert I3atesou in-
tended to propose another son as a candidate for the county
Of Derry, has induced Captain Peel Dawson, in deference
to the feelings of the afflicted family, to withdraw his pre-
tensions.

TOTAL Loss OF THE Ti' LBERFELDT STEAMER.--In_
formation has been received of the total loss of the Dutch
steamer Elberfeldt, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of
Thursday, when about 25 miles east of the North Fore.
land. The vessel was built at Blackwall about three
years since, expressly for the Rotterdam and Manheim
trade. She was proceeding here for the purpose of being
overhauled, and, if necessary, undergoing repair. Capt.
R. Stranack, of the General Steam Navigation Com-
pany's steamer Giraffe, one of the most experieneeadbcoovrnei
wanders in the Rotterdam trade, was requested to oring
her over, and, although his charge has been so unfortu-
nate, no blame is attached to him. He had to contend
against a heavy gale and sea. When off the place
mentioned she was struck by a heavy sea, and went down
almost instantaneously. The crew, consisting of 14 men,
bad only time sufficient to throw their boat overboard,'
and only two men were enabled to get into before she went
down. Providentially, they were enabled to rescue nine
others, but two stokers and the cook were unfortunately
drowned, most probably drawn down into the vortex,
There were no passengers on board. The survivors,
after having been in boat for about three hours, in the
constant expectation of suffering from a calamity they
had just escaped, were picked up by a Dutch galliot.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTION SOIREE.

The annual soiree of the members and subscribers of
the Mechonics' Institution was held last night. Imme-
diately on the doors being opened the theatre was
crowded, but all confusio❑ was avoided by having the
seats numbered in accordance with the several tickets.
The organ has been newly painted a deep blue colour, and
beautifully relieved with gold—giving a complete finish to
that part of the the theatre. Stubbs' baud was
placed in the hall during the entrance, and in the
Museum afterwards, and played many lively airs.
The company was very numerous—there being, probably,
nearly 2,000 present, including many of the elite of our
townsmen who patronize the institution, and bevies of
elegantly-dressed ladies.
Shortly after seven o'clock, CHARLES DICKENS, Esq.,
who, it had been announced, would take the chair, entered
with several gentlemen. supporters of the institution ; and,
amidst great applause, addressed the meeting. He al-
luded to the spirit with which the institution had been
carried on, tracing, in that bold graphic style so pro-
minently displayed in his works, its rise and progress.
He called the attention of the meeting to the halls stored
with everthing conclusive to science; to its management,
and its endowments; and more particularly to the estab-
lishment of the girls' school, commending greatly the
object of the committee. It was a new and striking
chapter in the history of education, and one that would
be the means of producing great good. It disposed him
to say with the immortal Burns—
" Her 'prentice han' she tried on man,
And then she made the lasses, 0 !"
He then appealed to those within its walls to continue
their support, and to those without to become members ;
and, after recounting the benefits of such institutions,
concluded by quoting from the works of a celebrated
poet—
" Howe'er they be, it seems to me *
'Tis only noble to be good ;
True hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood."
The CHAIRMAN then announced Mr. Ryalls, who sang
most sweetly one of his favourite songs, which was fol-
lowed by Miss Christiana Weller's performances on the
pianoforte, which were listened to with the most marked
attention, and elicited tremendous applause. The intro-
duction of this lady to the company, and of Mr. Weller
to the author of the Pickwick Papers, caused considera-
ble merriment.

Mr. JOHN SMITH then addressed the meeting in a
neat and appropriate manner ; and was followed by Mr.
James Russell, who gave several striking selections from
his " Sketches," introducing a Mi. Downcast and his
laughing friend—the former always laughing over his
misery, the latter always crying over his joy ; and con-
cluded by giving a scene in an Irish theatre, and singing,
in excellent style, " Widow Malone."
Miss Whitnall then sang " Why chime the bells so
merrily," and was much applauded.
The company then betook themselves to the upper
rooms, visiting the various apartments devoted to the
different studies of the pupils. The passages were much
crowded ; but the great scramble was to the refreshment
room in the picture gallery on the east side. Here cakes,
jellies, sandwiches, pies, fruits, British wines, l"monade,
&c., were abundantly provided, and the guests did ample
justice to the good things before them.
The assemblage afterwards returned to the theatre—
Mr. DICKENS again occupying the chair.
Dr. THoRBUKN addressed the meeting at considerable
length, enlarging on the progress of the institution, and
the improvements within its walls. He paid a high
compliment to Mr. Dickens as a writer, and implored a
blessing on the girl's school which was about to be at-
tached to the institution. He was received with great ap-
plause.
The CHAIRMAN then agaiu facetiously introduced Miss
Weller to the audience, and that talented young lady
played a piece introducing airs of " Rule Britannia,"
" Ap Sherkin," and " St. Patrick's Day," which was
splendidly performed.
Mr. RYALLS then sang " A life on the ocean wave," in
such a manner as to elicit an encore, and much applause
on its repetition. Miss Weller accompanied him on the
piano.
The chair was then vacated by Mr. Dickens, and taken
by Mr. Councillor Fawcett.
Mr. HonesON, the secretary, introduced a vote of
thanks to Mr. Dickens in a very eloquent and classical
address, throughout which he was listened to with great
attention and frequently applauded. He expressed, in
strongly laudatory terms, the admiration generally enter-
tained throughout the world of the works of "Box," and
the gratitude of the committee for his visit to their esta-
blishment. He alluded particularly to, the educational
tendency of that author's works, and concluded by stating
that the committee proposed to enrol his name as an
honorary member, so that he might be entitled to all the
privileges of the institution.
The motion was carried amidst tumultuous applause.
Mr. DICKENS returned thanks in a brief and felicitous
manner. He stated that he would make his own children
members when they were old enough. With allusion to
what had been stated that he had thrown " heart" into
his works, he said that he feared his future writings
would partake less of that quality. He had lost much of
his heart on first entering the meeting in that room ; he
had lost still more amidst the bright-eyed ladies in the
refreshment room ; and since he had again been in tl.e
theatre, all the remnant he had left had gone into the
piano. (This delicate compliment to Miss Weller was
received with thunders of aprlause.
Great part of the company then went to the ball rooms
which bad been preprred up stairs, and kept up the merry
dance until a late hours,

ADDRESS TO CHARLES DICKENS. ESQ., WRITTEN AT
THE REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEEAT A VERY SHORT
NOTICE.

While thus assembling here to night, in learning's spacious
hall,
Not from our lips alone, dear Boz, the words of welcome fall ;
Could we but show our heart's deep thoughts—lay kindly feel-
ing bare,
Thou mightst behold how rich in truth the welcome springeth

there.
Deep is the debt we owe to thee, in common with mankind,
For all thy sweet imaginings—creations of thy mind ;
Some bringing back the thoughts of yore—to age's silvery

time;
While others, beacon-like, to youth point out the woes of crime.
No ribald wit, on thy bright page, e'er shocks the gentle ear;
No scornful jest's indulged by thee, at things the good revere;
But Grace and Mirth go hand in hand, and, as we gaily smile,
We must admit that golden words are taught us all the while.
The bed of sickness thou hast cheered—through thee the hours

flew.
Where could grief find a resting place amongst the Pickwick

crew ? _ _
That honesty will meet reward, by " Twist's" career is seen ;
Virtue is shewn in mirror fair—while Vice meets satire keen.
What art is thine ! the honest tar hath flung thy book aside,
And sought in vain some apt excuse, for tears he- fain would
hide ;
By forest fire, far in the West, fast bound as by a spell,
Unconscious breathes the woodsman rough a sigh for little
" Nell."
Here are the seeds of wisdom sown at but little cost,
A fitting place for thee to meet thy friends—a mighty host;
For while proud halls like these arise, where youth is taught to
think,
The wretched race of "Squeers" must starve, and in oblivion
sink.

In precepts stern the moralist will truths to man declare,
But teach with such a rugged voice, that nought wakes but

despair ; _
But thou, young Sage, canst lead the way with such a jocund

tone,
That flowers of Hope spring gaily up where flourished Vice

alone.
They twined, of old, the garland round the conquerer's shining
sword,
But now we o'er the PEN suspend a wleath, by one accord.
If then one bay of brighter hue shines forth from glory's tree,
Dear Boz, that laurel we assign, with grateful hearts, to thee.

MR. WAGHORN.—This intrepid and enterprising indi-
vidualovho has rendered such signal services to individuals
and the nation by his exertions to facilitate the communi-
cation with India, paid a hasty visit to Liverpool on
Tuesday, remaining only twelve hours, when he set out
again for London. Dlr. Waghorn, we understand, may
shortly be expected here again, to explain the forthcoming
improvements in the overland route to India, which, we
believe, will be found highly satisfactory to the merchants.
GIMBLE'S COGNAC BRANDY.—Few, if any, of the
connoisseurs in brandy can decide whether this or the
foreign-manufactured spirit possesses the greatest medi-
cine! property. In flavour it is excellent, and its strength
is fully equal to French. We are not ourselves great
judges, but we should say,__ from the samples we have
seen, and from the great difference in price between this I
and foreign brandy, that its use must shortly become
general. Mr. Groves, of School-lane, is agent for this
town.—See Advertisement. (

THE LATE SIR FRANCIS BURDETT.—The London
Times of January 27, 1844, says—" We know, for a fact,
that on the Bth October, 1843, Sir F. Burdett placed
himself under the professional care of an hydropathist.
He was confidently assured that if he adopted 'the water
cure' he would have no returmii the Gout." It is also,
in the same statement, obser‘ed that—" Early in Decem-
ber following, he had a ,t4turn of his old enemy." A
lamentable instance has also recently occurred, by the
death of the Marquis dt Hastings, in the prime of life,
by Gout having attacked the heart. Thus we find that
two eminent persotis have ",gone to that bourne from
whence no traveller returns, '4 through a want of know-
ledge as to the effective treatment of Gout. It appears
unfortunate Wit in the former case a supposed remedy
should have been adopted, and in the latter that a most
effective medicine, of more than twenty years experience,
had not been administered ; namely, BLAIR'S GOUT AND
RHEUMATIC PILLS, which not only speedily relieves the
paroxism, but prevents the disease attacking any vital
organ.
SMUGGLING CASES.—At the police court, yesterday,
instancesevera l. parties w. e
Brooke,re brought
ssolicitor
beforeici
to
r forM r .
the Rushton,cnsto
m ats theon
charges of smuggling tobacco. Two men, named Dixon
and Wilber were first brought up. A quantity of foreign
mannfactured tobacco (24 lb.) was found in Dixon's chest,
in the ship " Roscoe" from New York ; 29 lb. was also
found in a box. The case was not sufficiently brought
home to Dixon and he was discharged. Against Wilber
the evidence was stronger, and he was remanded.—Four
men, Morrison, Topper, Williams, and Barker, were next
charged with having been found with quantities of caven-
dish (in all 48 lb.) concealed on their persons. They had
come as seamen by the " Cambridge," from New York.
They were all remanded till the pleasure of the Lord
Commissioners in London should be known.--A female,
named Susan Kenna, wife of a seaman in the same ship,
was fined 205., or seven days, for having in her possession
a small quantity of the same article, with which she was
leaving the quay.—Another man, a carter, who bad been
employed to cart some luggage from the Cambridge, was
also charged with having 21 lb. of tobacco and 21b of tea,
concealed amongst the hay and bran in his horse bag.
It did not, however, satisfactorily appear that lie had him-
self put it there, and he was discharged.