The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-11-12 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

TOWN EDITION.

OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOLS
CONNECTED WITH
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, TOXTETH-PARK.

The schools were opened on Wednesday last, and though
the weather was unpropitious, the attendance of friends
was numerous. Shortly after twelve o'clock a number
of the influential members of the congregation assembled,
with their families. and several of the clergy, at the house
of the Rev. W. Hesketh, the incumbent; and about one
a procession of the children of the schools, followed by a
number of ladies and gentlemen, and headed by the band
of the Blue Coat School, moved towards the site of the
new schools, in Lark-lane. The buildings are arranged
in three divisions of nearly equal dimensions, under the
same roof, for boys, girls, and infants respectively ; and
have been most substantially built arid suitably furnished
by Mr. Edward Roberts, of Washington-street. When
the children had taken their places in the lower school-
room, the Rev. W. Hesketh opened the meeting with
prayer. which was followed by appropriate collects, and
concluded by a fervent and impressive prayer prepared
for the occasion. This service being brought to a close,
the children sang the Hundredth Psalm, and the Rev.
Chairman addressed the company to the following effect:
—He expressed his deep and cordial gratification at the
generous and prompt contributions already given in the
neighbourhood towards the erection of the schools, and
the speedy manner in which they had been applied, little
more than twelve months having elapsed since the build-
ing, (now completed for use,) was first contemplated.
Their high object in view, in prospective, was well known ;
their present object was not to establish schools where
none were before, but, in proportion to the enlargement
of the neighbourhood, to enlarge the previous school ac-
commodation, and, upon the solid and unerring principles
of divine appointment, to carry out those texts of Scrip-
ture inset ibed on the walls of the schools, and thereby to
mould the heart in obedience to their restraints and obli-
gations. This was the only system upon which God had
promised his blessing in his Holy Word—that children
being trained in his fear and love, might possess an eternal
inheritance. With respect to the infant school, the only
new branch proposed in their system, he would not delay
them, as he was pledged to bring the subject (more ap-
propriately) before them on Sunday next. He thanked
all present for their contributions, and requested them to
unite with him in a vote of thanks to their kind friend and
neighbour, Mr. Beckwith, who had proved himself not
only a liberal benefactor, but a skilful architect and able
superintendent. In conclusion, he addressed the children
in an earnest and affectionate manner, urging them to
early attendance, diligence, and good conduct.
The rev. gentleman then proceeded to award prizes of
books.to four of the children, two boys and two girls, who
had attended the school the ►ongest period with diligence
and punctuality. The national anthem, "Lord of Heaven
and earth, and ocean," was then sung by the children,
who then passed in order to the upper, or girls' school-
room, where a substantial dinner of roast beef and plum
pudding was provided for them, and where they were
speedily joined by numbers of the company, who seemed
to derive as much gratification from the inspection of the
scene as the children did in the enjoyment of it. Thus,
though not till nearly four o'clock, terminated the inter-
esting and important ceremony of opening the Saint Mi-
chael's School—a festival which will be long remembered
by all, both young and old, who were engaged in it.

MORE CRUEL EFFECTS OF THE NEW

POOR-LAW.

In the Times of Saturday last, we find recorded two
painful cases of suicide, arising, in all human probability,
from the rigour of this new, and, we fear not to add, un-
constitutional and unchristian law,—the victims (both re-
spectable in their stations) being driven to desperation by
dread of the Union Workhouse ! The first case was that
of an aged farm labourer, William Haynes, of Ruislip,
who had, through life, borne an irreproachable character
by all who knew or had employed him. An inquest was
held on view of the body, at Eastcot, in the parish of
Ruislip, on Thursday last, before Mr. Wakley, M.P., and
a jury of respectable farmers and inhabitants. The de-
ceased was nearly seventy years of age, and had a wife
nearly as old, to whom he was affectionately attatched.
He was found on the previous Sunday in a ditch, near the
cottage which he inhabited, dead, but not quite cold,—he
having cut his throat with a razor,—at first, it appears,
ineffectually, and afterwards enlarged the wound with a
penknife, so that he had bled to death. The razor was
found under his arm, covered with blood, and the pen-
knife was still sticking in the petforation. It was stated
that " he was a very good man, and had an aged wife ; also
that he had latterly been rather feeble and poorly ; that he
had subscribed to a benefit club for forty years, and had
for some Seeks received 6s. weekly from it, but that this
would in twelve months be reduced to 3s. a week for life,
but that the funds had become so much reduced by mal-
practices of the officers in charge of them, that it was pro-
bable the ty would be broken up, so that he would
receive nothing !" This disgraceful conduct of the par-
ties (upon which the coroner strongly remarked, expressing
his regret that the opulent inhabitants did not look after
those clubs) prayed upon his spirits, arid nearly broke his
heart, as be had long often denied himselfa Sunday's dinner
to meet his payments, in order to secure himself and aged
partner some little provision in old age and decrepitude.
lle had been attended latterly by a doctor, who directed
him to have half-a• pound of butcher's meat a-day ; and
be got, on that account, from the parish, an allowance,
not of the quantity prescribed, but only 31b. a-week, the
half-pound for Sunday (the poor man's holiday) being
omitted, "according to the custom there:" another ex-
ample of the considerate mercies of the new poor law
About seven weeks ago, the deceased called on Mr.
Jenkins, a retired London tradesman, who resided at
Eastcot, and occasionally employed him, consider-
ing him "an excellent person." Mr. J., seeing him
dejected, said to him, " Why have not you called
upon me lately ?" He replied, "I was going sir, but
didn't like—didn't like to impose on his good nature."
Witness told him not to be afraid of that; there should
always be something for him when he called. He thanked
witness, and said that he had been to several places to get
work, without succeedinz; and that be was afraid that he
and the old woman would be starved to death this winter;
and that lie should have perished of want this winter if
he (witness) had not relieved him. Witness said, " Well,
at all events, should it come to the worst, Sou could go
into the house," meaning the union workhouse ; to which
deceased sharply said, " No, I would rather starve to
death." He repeated this, and very firmly, and then
added, that as for the farmers, they were as bad off as the
workmen ; that there was plenty of work wanting to be
done, but no money to pay the men, and that the poor
farmers were eaten up by game, tithes, and taxes.
One of the jurymen here stated, that a farmer, not far
off, was obliged to pay a boy 3s. to keep the game off his
corn land. Several others of the jury remarked that the
game had become a dreadful evil against them.
The witness (in continuation) stated, that he again
advised, if deceased could not procure work, and the club
failed, that he should go into the union. " No," deceased
replied, " I would rather suffer a dozen deaths than go
there, and be separated from my poor old woman in our
old age." Witness did not doubt that deceased would
have destroyed himself last winter if he had not assisted
him, and that, from knowing him well, his habits and
his character, he firmly, and in his conscience, believed,
that it was his dread of ultimately being compelled to go
to the union-house that had caused him to commit suicide.
He had not the slightest doubt of it.
The coroner stated that, with the exception of the short
allowance of meat, the parish officers had administered
the law as it stood. There was no proof of insanity, but
after having paid so long to the club, hearing that the
funds were nearly exhausted, and dreading the workhouse,
he had adopted the dreadful alternative of putting a period
to his existence. The jury returned a verdict to the
effect, that he had destroyed himself, but that there was
no evidence to enable them to determine his state
of mind. Several of them stated that they had no
doubt but that finding the club about to break up, the
fear of being obliged to go into the Union-house
was the cause of the act.

The second case was disclosed at an inquest held
before the same coroner, on Friday last, on the body
of Mary Allaways, aged 63, a poor needlewoman,
whose body presented a dreadfully emaciated ap-
pearance. She was last seen alive by the landlady
of the house in which she lodged on Tuesday evening,
whe her manner appeared strange, and on going up
stairs she broke a piece of bread from a loaf she had with
her, and said, " Only taste it ; it is so very sweet."
Next day she was found in the bed quite dead. A cup
with some liquid was found near the window, and on the
table a letter, which stated that she was much troubled
in mind from being unable to procure work, and owing
seven weeks' rent. It further stated, that the only thing
in the world she possessed was a watch, which she im-
agined to be worth £lO. She bequeathed the proceeds of
its sale to liquidate her debts, and the remainder to go to-
wards her funeral; but if it did not raise sufficient for the
latter purpose, her body was to be sent to the workhouse
for interment by the parish. It then added her earnest
wish that she should have one friend to follow her to the
grave, and a hope that her poverty would not be made
known ; concluding with the words, " God bless you all ; I
am very much excited, and my pen is very bad." Deceased
was an extremely well-behaved woman, and had been well
educated. They always imagined she had some trifling
income that helped to support her, but since her death
they had found such was not the case, and that she sup-
ported herself by her needle. She had latterly appeared
very desponding, which she stated arose from her inabi-
lity to procure work and the poor wages she received for
it. She had once or twice adverted lately to the double
suicide at Kilmarnock, and said she would rather follow
that example than apply for relief. She had some friends,
who occasionally gave her food, but she seldom had any
other meals but breakfast and tea. The surgeoa said,
the body was wretchedly emaciated, and the deceased had
all the appearance of having been completely starved.
The coroner remarked, that this was an exceedingly pain-
ful case, and he feared he should have a great many more
similar cases whilst poverty was treated as a crime. It
was evident from the letter that she was a well-educated
and highminded woman, but it was wholly impossible for
them to judge of the misery she felt when she contem-
plated the degraded manner in which she would be treated
if she made her distresses known. The jury returned a
verdict, " That the deceased destroyed herself by taking
oxalic acid, but in what state of mind she was at the time
there was no evidence to show."

MRS. CLARKE'S BENEFIT.—It will be seen that Mrs.
Clarke takes her benefit at the Theatre-Royal, on Mon-
f.lay next.

AN AMMICAN EXPLANATION.--A shopkeeper in
New York, who pretended to sell his goods very low, made
a practice of telling the purchasers that he lost money be
every article he sold. " I wonder much," said one of his
customers, " that you continue in so bad a line of busi-
ness." •` Oh," replied the shopkeeper, " I couldn't
stand it, only I do so much of I'.

LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS.

The steam-ship Britannia sailed hence, on Tuesday,
for Halifax and Boston, with 45 passengers.

Mr. A. Willink, son of D. Willink, Esq., of this town,
and lately a pupil of the Royal Institution School, has
been elected a scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge.
The Rev. Moses Margo Nosh, (a converted Jew,) late of
this town, has been appointed to the living of Glasnevin,
by the Lord Bishop of Kildare.
The Recorder, Gilbert Henderson, Esq , has presented
the Sailors' Home with the munificent sum of one hun-
dred guineas.

The British and North American royal mail steamship
Acadia, Captain Harrison, which would leave Boston and
Halifax on the Ist and 3rd instant, may be looked for
about Thursday next.

DEATH BY SCALDING,-00 Tuesday, Lavinia Grogan,
aged 31 years, drank scalding tea from the mouth of a
teapot, which brought on an inflammation of the laryax,
from the effects of which she died.
DECREASE or CRIME.—On Wednesday last there was
only one person brought before Mr. Rushton for felony,
and the total number of prisoners in charge that day was
only 19 ; about half of them were beggars.
SINGULAR DEATH.—On Wednesday week Mrs. Chap-
man, of Alancliester, died from the effects of a scratch
on her hand inflicted a fortnight before. The part be-
came inflamed the day after and mortification ensued.
THE POLICE FORCE.—The temporary arrangements
for conducting the police are,—the town is divided into
north and south districts. Under Mr. Dowling, Mr.
Superintendent M`Donald has been appointed to the con-
trol of the north division, and Mr. Superintendent
Quick to the south division.

BEERSELLERS FINED ON FRIDAY.--Thomas Price,
Finch-street, £3 and costs ; George Thomas, Faulkner-
street, £3 and costs; James Lysaght, Portland-street,
£2 10s. and costs ; William Draper, London-road, £2
10s. and costs ; Thomas Kirkham, Upper Harrington-
street, £2 and costs ; William Jessott, Old Haymarket,
acquitted.

ROYAL ATIIOL CAKE.—Mr. Gibbons, London-road,
has introduced into Liverpool the above favourite cake,
which, since the Queen's visit to Scotland, has had the
word " royal" prefixed to it, from its frequent use at the
royal table We certainly think her Majesty no bad judge
in such matters; and, having tasted for ourselves, have
great pleasure in bearing testimony to its general excel-
lence, and recommend it to the patronage of our readers,
as well as the Edinburgh loaf bread—thy quality of which
cannot be surpassed.
STEALING A GOLD RING.—On Friday, Margaret John-
son was committed for stealing a gold ring, the property
of Jane Rainforth, 13, Peter-streer. Th , prisoner called
to see the prosrcutrix, and, after admiring her wedding
ring for some time, persuaded her to pull it off for a closer
inspection. As soon as the golden circlet was put into
the prisoner's hands, she ran away with it, and pawned
it some hours afterwards at Mr. Mason's shop. The
prisoner, in her defence, said she was drunk at the time,
and did not mean to keep the ring.

GUANO.—There are numerous arrivals at Cork and
Falmouth for orders, but, owing to eastern winds, only
two at this port. On the spot, sellers £5 12s. 61. to £5
155.; buyers £5 10s.: for positive delivery in the spring,
sellers £6. Peruvian is without change. There has,
latterly, been an imrnercantile system of puffing particu-
lar cargoes of this article, and statements have been made
calculated to mislead parties not intimate with it. Ex-
tensive adulteration is also spoken of. Purchasers, how-
ever, who place themselves in the hands of men of
character and standing have nothing to fear.

OBTAINING GOODS UNDER 'FALSE PRETENCES.—On
the 4th instan., a man, named Ralph Windle, went to the
shop of Thomas Trotter, tailor, 26, Sir Thomas's-build-
ings, and said that Mr. Ball had sent him for a pair of
trousers, and if they answered he would bring the money
for them. Trotter, knowing that Windle bad been in the
employ of Mr. Ball, green-grocer, Queen's-square, let
him have the trousers; but, on inquiry afterwards at Mr.
Ball's, found that the prisoner had left his service, and
that he had not sent him for the trousers. The prisoner
was apprehended some days after, and, on being brought
up on Friday at the Police-court, was committed for trial
at the sessions.

SALE OF THE MANORIAL RIGHTS OF BIRKENHEAD.
Wm. Jackson, Esq., has purchased from F. R. Frice,
Esq., of Bryn-y-Pys, the Lord of the Manor, a consider-
able portion of property, together• with the manorial
rights of Birkenhead and Claughton. Amongst the pro-
perty included in the purchase is St. Mary's Church, the
large and extensive premises known as Gleave's Hotel,
the Albion Hotel, and the house, lately the residence of
J. D. Case, Esq., near Woodside Ferry. The amount of
the purchase is about £150,000. Owing to business en-
gagements, Wm. Jackson, Esq., has taken a house in
Belgrave-square, London, where it is probable he may
remain for some time.
THEATRE ROYAL.-Mr. Charles Kean and his accom-
plished partner commenced an engagement at this theatre
on Monday last, and have been delighting our playgoers
with their performance of some of the best of our national
dramas. It would be almost a work of supererogation on
our part to attempt anything like a detailed notice of ac-
tors whose talents and styles are so well known and ap •
preciated. We may remark, however, upon the particu-
larly fine manner in which Mr. Kean played Hamlet on
Wednesday evening. It was a faultless representation,
and conveyed fully to those of the audience who can ap-
preciate the character, its peculiar beauties and intricacies.
The house on this evening was crowded to overflow except
in the dress circle.

EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT.—Yesterday, at the Po-
lice-court, a young man, named William Harrison. was
charged with this offence.—Mr. Charles Gibson, clerk to
Messrs. Musgrove and Vance, cotton-brokers, said that
he paid to the prisoner, on the 16th October, the sum of
£l3 Is. 7d., to be paid to his (the prisoner's) employer.—
Mr. M'Bride, merchant, said the prisoner had been in Ifs
employ, and was authorized to collect money, but required
to account for, or pay over, the same every day by three
o'clock. The sum stated (being payment of an account
produced) had not been accounted for by him.—Mr.
Dos ling stated that there were other sums, of a much
more serious amount, the embezzlement of which, he be-
lieved, could be traced to the prisoner, but these cases
would take some time sufficiently to investigate. The
prisoner was accordingly remanded, to give time for the
necessary evidence to be produced.

MORTALITY IN LIVERPOOL, &c.--In the official
quarterly table of the mortality in 150 districts of England,
ending 30th Sept., are the following particulars :—The
mortality in the districts of this town and West Derby,
on an average, was greater than the mean mortality, in
the same districts, in the same quarter, last year. In St.
Martin's district the number of deaths was above the
average,—cansomption, diarrhea, and inflammation of the
lungs and bowels having prevailed. In Great Howard-
street district the increased number of deaths was, as
comnared with the corresponding quarter last year, 88;
in Dale-street. 56; in St. Thomas's, 2; in Mount-pleasant,
23 less; in Islington, 20 more ; in St. George, below the
average. Small pox is mentioned as having prevailed
in some of the districts. In West Derby, the mortality
did not exceed the general average •, in Crosby, a decrease
6 deaths as compared with the June quarter; and in
Toxteth-park, an increase of 58, so compared,—typhus,
scarlatina, and measles having been prevalent. Some
particulars as to the general mortality of the country will
be found in a paragraph elsewhere.
BIRKENHEAD POLICE COURT,
Sanches, a beerseller, was fined 10s. and costs for per-
mitting gaming with cards.—John Jones was charged
with stealing the carcase of a sheep from the premises of
Thomas Beddocs, butcher, Bridge-end. He was shortly
afterwards taken with the meat on his shoulders, in Rus-
sell-street, and was committed for trial.—Sarah Barclay
was charged with stealing a £5 note from the coat pocket
of John Jones, a farmer, of Lower Bebbington, at home.
The complainant had been to Oxton's public-house there,
and on his return home went to bed. In the morning he
missed his money, and suspected the prisoner, who was
his servant. She admitted that she had removed the coat,
but had seen nothing of the money; and as it came oat
that he had at the public-house taken off his coat to play
at skittles, and the girl had hitherto borne a good clue ac-
ter, the case was dismissed.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGIIWAYS.—Mr. Aspinall called
the attention of the board to the disgraceful state in
which the gas companies left the macadam in the street
after opening tren: hes for the pipes, and after a long dis-
cussion a resolution was passed, directing the law clerk to
write to the companies, and request them to separate the
stones from the soil, to put in •the soil first, and if any
soil be left, to remove it after filling up the trenches.-
-Mr. Procter, in reference to the annual statement of
accounts, which will be submitted to the vestry, to be
held that day fortnight, said he found the enormoas sum
of £2,242153. 6d. for law charges.—Mr. Birkett—That
was for obt&ning the act. There were two acts—one for
the second borough rate,_ and the other for the water rate ;
and in consequence of the opposition of the water compa-
nies, the act cost nearly treble. Mr. Procter—l find the
rate collected is only £29,000, and that the law charges
amount to 8i per cent. on the rate. The chairman said
they had been as careful as they could be. Mr. Procter
said it was an enormous sum, and he would sooner not
have gone to Parliament at all than have expended public
money in that way. Mr. Birkett said it ought to have
been put under a different he::d. They all knew the dif-
ficulty there was in obtaining the act, but if it had cost
five times the money, it was cheaply got.
TILE NEW BANKRUPTCY COURTS.—The extensive
premises, situate in South John-street, at the corner of
Cable-street, a portion of which is to be appropriated as
Courts of Bankruptcy, are now nearly completed. The
courts will occupy the second floor of the building, that
in the north wing being intended for Mr. Commissioner
al
everyl
arrangement and
Phillips, and the other for Mr. Sergeant Ludlow. Each
room is about thirli
lighted with plate g
has been made for the convenience of the officers, and
ays sfeet windows,
square, n
dw e
other parties attending the courts, so as to facilitate the
discharge of the public business. Adjoining is a fire-
proof apartment for depositing records, and other valua-
ble documents, and advantage has been taken of every
modern improvement, with the view of giving the most
perfect security in that important department. The upper
part of the building is being fitted up in a suitable man-
ner, with all the requirements for offices, &c., which will
be let off for the purposes of general business, and under-
neath the court-rooms there will be a range of handsome
shops, one of which will be adopted to the purposes of a
restaurant. The front of the premises is cemented, to
resenahli stone, and is tastefully finished, a figure of jug-
tice placed, which occupies a niche in the centre, adding
much to the gereral effect. The work (which is under
the direction of Mess R. S. and J. Holme) will be com-
pleted very rhortly, when the courts will l.e immediately
ovupied.

INQUESTS BEFORE MR. CURRY, BOROUGH CORO.
NER.—Ork Saturday, on view of the body of William
Green, formerly an excise-officer. On Thursday night,
the deceased fell into the Clarence Dock ,and was drowned.
The body was not found until Friday night. Verdict—
" Accidental death."' Same day, on the body of Thomas
Walker, who resided in York Buildings, Dryden-street:
The deceased, who was of eccentric character, but of good
connexion, wes last seen alive on Thursday night. Not
making his appearance next day, his room was broken
open at ten at night, and be was found quite dead, with
his head on the grate, and his face a good deal burned, he
having, it is supposed, fallen. The surgeon who examined
the body gave it as his opinion that the cause of death
was water on the chest, and that it wa, probable
he s'.ied before he fell on the fire. Verdict accordingly.
Yesterday, on the body of a man unknown, which Was
picked up in the river by four boatmen on Sunday after-
noon. It was supposed that he was-one of the men
drowned by the collision of the steamer Iron Duke with
two boats some weeks ago ; but of this there was no cer-
tainty, as the flesh on the hands and face was so ..washed
off or decayed that recognition was scarcely posSible.
The verdict was to the effect that the deceased, who was
" unknown," was " found drowned."

CHILD bE3ERTION.—On Thursday evening, a male
child, apparently about a year old, was left at the door of
the convert, Mount Vernon. street. The infant was wel
clothed, and was wrapped up in a diaper table cloth.
There were marks of violence upon the body. A reward
of £5 has been offt red for the discovery of the unnatural
person who deserted the child. In consequence of a
public announcement of this circumstance, Margaret
Kelly, who resieed in cellar No. 47, Pitt-street, was ap-
prehended by Police-offirer Bray, No. 418, on Friday
night. The case was brought before Mr. Rushton on
Saturday. It appeared, from the evidence of Mrs.
O'Donnell, in whose cellar the prisoner lodged, that the
child produced in court was taken from home by the pri-
soner last Thursday week, and, on the latter returning to
her lodgings without it, she was interrogated respecting
it. when she stated that she had placed it out at nurse.
Witness satl that the blue cloth cap then worn by the child
was made by herself, and that the dress generally corres-
ponded with that she had seen worn by the child previous
to its being taken from the cellar. Patrick O'Donnell
informed Bray that he suspected the prisoner could give
some in'ormation about the child, as, from the descrip-
tion given in the advertisement, he had no doubt it be-
longed to her. The mother, on a question being put to
her by Mr. Rushton, said she could say nothing.
Police-offictr 327 proved the finding of the child 'and its
conveyance to the West Derby Union Workhouse on the
31st ult. The prisoner was committed for trial at the
sessions.

COWARDLY ASSAULT.—On Friday, at the Police-
court, Thomas Braden and George Holden were charged
with assaulting Lewis Marie, second mate of the Ameri-
can ship Berwick. The complainant stated that, about
half-past eight o'clock on Thursday night, he was going
on board the vessel, and when near the Victoria Dock
gate, a stone was thrown at him. It being very dark, be
did not see who threw it ; but immediately after the pri-
soners came up, one on either side, and knocked him
down, and beat him most seat rely. A man named Jones,
who was standing on the quay, heard the two men say,
" there goes the second mate," and tkcy went after him.
Another witness, who was unacquainted with all the par-
ties, confirmed the testimony of the mate. Mr. Rush-
ton said that of late there had been a number of most
disgraceful assaults committed, such as were not formerly
known in Liverpool, by American sailors. It was buta
few days ago since a gentleman, the captain of an Ameri-
can vessel, was murderously assaulted by one of his men
with a stone or bullet placed in the end of a stocking.
Providentially, however, in that case, Captain Woodhouse
had recovered from the injuries he received, and was able
yesterday to sail for America. In the case now before
him, the prisoners had attacked the mate without any al-
leged provocation, on a dark night, which gave them
ample opportunity to effect their foul purpose, and as-
saulted him in a most cowardly and brutal manner. He,
therefore, sentenced each of them to be fined £5 for the
assault, and to be imprisoned two months ; at the end of
that period they must find bail to keep the peace, two
sureties in £2O each, themselves in £4O, or in default
thereof to he imprisoned two months longer.
WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS.-9n Wednesday
evening last, a public meeting of the subscribers and
friends in the two Liverpool circuits was held in Bruns-
wick Chapel, Moss-street, on which occasion the Rev.
Thomas B. Freeman attended for the purpose of making
communications respecting the progress of missionary
operations on the Gold Coast and in the kingdom of
Ashanti. The meeting was very numerously attended,
and the. chair was taken, amid loud cheers, by the Mayor.
—The Rev. G. Osborn, of Manchester, proposed a vote
of thanksgiving to God forthe success of the society. This
was seconded by the Rev. W. C. Milne. M.A. missionary
from China, who explained the operations of the London
Society in that empire.—The Rev. T. B. Freeman follow-
ed in a long and deeply iroeresting address. lie had, he
said, taken the banner of the cross, and unfurled it in dis-
tant lands, amidst the perishing sons of men. One of the
most painful things that had arisen in his mind while tra-
velling there, was the comparison between the beauties of
nature, and the awful condition of the unfortunate natives.
In Ashanti, and other parts of Western Africa where he
had visited, the traveller passed through an almost unbro-
ken scene of the most wild and extraordinary luxuriance
—the poor native was the only growth that dwindled.
Nature triumphed in all her majesty and fertility, but man
was ignorant of the God that made him. Human sacrifi-
ces were of every day occurrence. In by-gone days, when
a monarch died, thousands were sacrificed ; when a chief-
tain, hundreds ; and when a subordinate, five to ten vie-
' tiros perished. The natives, on these horrid occasions,
became excited with ardent spirits, and danced furiously
round the bodies—proceeding from one degree of wretch-
edness and vice to a greater. They supposed it necessary
to send into the other world a certain number of slaves to
attend on their deceased friends. The effect of these
scenes led the natives to imbibe tastes so extraordinary
that their very instruments of music were decorated with
scull bones of human victims. Man not only on the one
hand murdered his brother, but sold him also into foreign
slavery ;—and they not only bowed down to idols, but they
worshipped the very reptiles that crawled over the face of
the earth. This was a specimen of the greater part of the
nations and triber of Arica. It was about ten years since
the first Wesleyan missionary had gone out to Cape Coast
Castle; and what wonders had they seen during the last
seven years. He had the happiness of reporting, that they
now occupied a district extending over 400 miles along
the western coast of Africa, and reaching 200 miles into
the interior. It contained 21 stations,and there were be-
tween 700 and 800 members in Society, and upwards of
500 children in the schools. There was an institution for
training native agents, with nine promising youths under-
going instruction, and between fifty and sixty native
agents were now actively employed in earning out the
views of the missionaries. There were a number of cha-
pels erected, in which the true God was worshipped, and
he rejoiced to say that on every hand they bad a most
pleasing and delightful prospect of still greater success.
The reverend gentleman enlarged on these topics. and sat
down amidst much applause. A collection was made at
the close, which amounted to the liberal sum of z.£265.
DOCK COMMITTEE.—Present, Messrs. Moore, Barclay,
Smith, Bulley, Evans, Bold, Boyden, Tobin, Kendall,
Sandbach, Moon, Aikin, Chilton, and Ripley.—The
tender of John Horrocks to erect 'the boundary wall
round the new docks was accepted.—A letter from the
Surveyor, complaining that police officers were never to
be found when required, was referred to the Harbour
Master's Sub-Committee,—One stage berth was appro-
priated for the Philadelphia line of packets in the Water-
loo Dock, es an experiment, for six months.—Brick huts
with stoves or grates, were ordered to be erected for the
pier-masters of George's and Prince's Docks.—Mr. C. S.
Middleton sent a letter stating that as he hail been elected
a member of the Council for Exchange Ward, he must
resign his seat in the Dock Committee as a member of the
rate-payers.—Mr. Evans: That is the first announce-
ment of the kind I have ever known.—The Chairman,after speaking in the highest terms of the manner in
which the treasurer, secretary, and marine surveyor
performed their important duties, stated that he consi-
dered them much under paid, and suggested that Mr.
Withers the treasurer should have a salary of £1,000; in- •
stead of A.:750 ; that the salary of Mr. Mason should be
instead of £4O ; and that Lieut. Lord should have
his salary increased from £5OO to £6OO. Mr. Evans ob-
jected to any advance being made, on the ground that
they were all sufficiently paid for their services, and
that were the situations vacant, they would get gentle-
men to perform them at even less salaries. He argued
also that if the duties of these officers had increased, the
proper way would be to give increased assistance. Mr.
Bulley said he was not aware that any such proposition
would have been made ; but his intention was before he
came into the room, to take that opportunity of express-
ing his sentiments as to the abilities of the secretary
and marine surveyor, and his opinion was, that
they could scarcely be over paid. Mr. Bulley
then returned thanks to his colleagues of the marine
surveyor's department for their uniform kindness
to him ; he also thanked the chairman and other mem-
bers for their courtesy, and added that his only regret in
leaving the Council and the Dock Committee, was that he
should be leaving the members of the marine department.
Mr. Barclay spoke in high terms of the treasurer and se-
cretary, and said he believed there would be great diffi-
culty in finding persons to fill their situations, provided
they were vacant. Mr. Aikin said he had great regerd for
these officers, and WR3 satisfied that they performed their
duties in a proper manner, but he was, at the same time,
convinced the salaries paid were ample. Air. Bold, se-
conded by Mr. Ripley, then proposed that the salary of
Mr. Withers should be increased to -£l.OOO. Upon
a division the numbers were seven and seven, and
of ccurse the motion w. s negatived for the day. The
voting was as follows :—For the increase, Messrs. Ken-
dall, Ripley, Chilton, Bold, Smith, Royden, and the
chairman. Against it, Messrs. Moon, Aikin, Barclay,
Evans, Tobin, Sandbach, and Bulley. In voting, some
of
gentlemen having stated that their only objection
was
Mr. Tobin, seconded
by Mr. Sandbach, proposed _that an addition of £lOO thteose the large amount of increase,
a-
yeare should be made to the treasurer's salary. This was
agreed to without a division, Mr. Evans only dissenting.
Air. Barclay, seconded -by Mr. Aikin, then moved -that the
secretary should have an increase cf £lOO. Mr. Ripley,
seconded by Mr. Bold, moved as an amendment that the
increase should be £l5O. On a division, the amendment
was carried, Messrs. Ail:in Barclay, Evans and Tobin.
being the only parties who voted age inst it. The salary
of Mr. Lord wes then increased from £5OO to £6OO, and
the committee adjourned.
Ruses.—lt will be seen by an advertise-
ment in another column, that these celebrated articles of
foot), for invalids and children, are now considerably
reduced in price. The titi..e of these buns but faintly
describes the'r usefulness, bat we feel assured that those
who have tried them will continue to use them. One
great advantage they possess is, that they arc particularly
adapted to parties going to sea, and will keep any length
of time.