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

CONVERTS TO POPERY.

(From the Record.)
The intelligence of the Rev. Mr. Penny's conversion to
Popery is confirmed, end we now state it as a fact that
Mr. Newman has written to the Rev. Isaac Williams (the
competitor with Mr.'Garbett for the Chair of Poetry) an-
nouncing that it is impossible for him to continue in so
fallen a Church as that of England. Mr. Williams, we
understand, wishes this to be known ; and he has, in con-
sequence, broken off all connexion with Mr. Newman, and
the Romish section of the party.
We are now, in all probability, on the verge of a con-
siderable secession from our venerable Establishment.
The fact, we believe to be that Mr. Newman would have
gone over to Rome a year ago, could he have carried Dr.
Pusey with him. But Dr. Pusey was not ready, and his
secession, without Dr. Posey, would have had compara-
tively little effect. From the intelligence we have re-
ceived, we think it probable that about thirty Masters of
Arts, in Oxford, will accompany Mr. Newman, if Dr.
Pusey secedes also; and we have heard it computed. hi
those well qualified to form a just opinion of the case, that
in Oxford, Cambridge, and over the country at large:
there will be, in all, about 100 of the Tractarians, who wilt
secede to their appropriate place within the bosom of
Rome, if Mr. Newman is accompanied by Dr. Pusey.
Such a consummation is most devoutly to be wished,
as it regards the highest interests of our. Church. This
perilous matter has too long lain at her very vitals, and
the extent of the evil arising from its continuance there,
it were impossible adequately to estimate. And besides
this, the secession will afford a new proof of the just issu?
of those principles which, amidst much contempt an
obloquy, we have been pointing at for many successive
years, and will, we trust, also introduce a more whole-
some fear in regard to them throughout the Church and
the country. Even as it regards the unhappy men who
apostatise it is to be desired. For in error, as in other
things, it is better to be honest than dishonest,—to act in
conformity with specified or understood obligations, thao
in opposition to them.
[Since the above was in type, a letter has been sent to
The Times, from Mr. Williams, denying that Mr. No"
man has written to him.—Mr. G. Tickell, of Balliol Col-
lege, who recently apostatised to popery whilst travelling
in Belgium, has written to The Times also, and sayS"
" Now that I have the blessing of being a Catholic, thl
result is perfect peace of mind and restored health ; an
my heartfelt wish is, that the many dear friends I have 'll
England may one day share the same blessings I ni
enjoy." Alas ! alas for poor fallen human nature that
men can thus be lead astray.]

SUICIDE OF MR. AND MRS. BARKER, AT
KILMARNOCK.

These unfortunate persons were old inhabitants of Bir:
mingbam. Mr. Joseph Barker was 61 years of age, 111t'
wife was somewhat younger. They resided, previous °
leaving Birmingham, at No. 54, Vittoria-street. A.lc:
Man-
chester,
bei London,
at don
one, Malta,time m
Barker was born at Preston, in Lancashire, from which
town he married for his second wife the partner of his ro-
mantic but melancholy exit. He had resided in
oanstdexsetevnersiavlely parts of
engaged in
thecbounstii:
ness as a foreign merchant. At the burning of Moscow
he estimated his loss at £500,000; from that time his,f°.."
tunes 'ere reversed. His first wife died on board a 'WV.
His only child, a son, on whose memory be appeared t°
dote, also died when 21 years of age. Six years ago he
entered the service of Mr. Samuel Kernpson, floor-cloth
manufacturer, Constitution•hill, where he remained as
chief clerk and traveller until May la, t, when
into partnership with Mr. James Archer,who bad also
been with Mr. Kempson, and
a, 0
ened in
the firm w P
Summer-latable-cloth ne, as James Archer and Co ,
ma-
nufacturers. In the arrangements there was nothing to
disturb the equanimity of his proverbially even temper.
He appeared on excellent terms with all around him ; and
when, two months ago, he left home, as he alleged to his
partner, on a visit to Manchester, there was nothing to
indicate the fearful resolve to which subsequent circum-
stances lead us to suppose he had made up his mind. _
On leaving their house they told the servant girl they
were going to see a relation at a distance, and should be
back in eight or nine days. When he parted from Mr.
Archer he shook hands heartily, saying, " God bless you,
he entered
Archer;" and it was observed by Mr. Archer that he
turned away and seemed affected. It was afterwards
found that he had, previous to his departure, called silt!
discharged every tradesman's bill against the firm. i 2
was supposed that he had about £4O on him when be left
Birmingham. In a pecuniary point of view there was
not, as we can ascertain, any embarrassment, and we hay.
met with no satisfactory solution to the mystery of their
self.destruction.
Mr. Barker was of most gentlemanly habits and man-
ners, nl
oevres ,i
ns ptehaoksien g
withfluently
s,,h whom
m thehe
languages; and of kindly disposition. creating regard and
French, and German
.
private life. Mrs. Barker wman of much amia-
bility and suavity of manner, highlyaccomplished, and a
Italian,
in business and in
proficient in music.
The gold watch found upon Mr. Barker was an old-
'
fashioned family relic, and the knife was a present from
a young and esteemed friend, in Mr. Kempson's emplor•
The description of the knife led to the identity of the un-
happy deceased. On seeing the London papers, Mr.
Archer sent his foreman over to Kilmarnock, to identify
the parties.

Captain Mc. Arthur, formerly commander of the
Princess Royal. Liverpool and Glasgow steamer, hal
been appointed harbour master at Fleetwood.

t`..