The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-09-17 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

the consummate modesty of the gentleman who thus
sets his opinion, as to the power conveyed by this
clause of the act of Parliament, against the opinion
of three eminent lawyers ; but we may suggest to
him that the legislature could never have intended
any such power to be conveyed by it, without, in
effect, intending to render the Watch Committee a
nonentity. Two justices of the peace might be
foun 1, we dare say, stupid enough to " think" a man
" unfit for the discharge of his duty because he
squinted, or cultivated a more than usual quantity
of whisker. Another couple of sapient personages
might " think" the accomplishment of whistling a
necessary ingredient of fitness, whilst a third pair
might " think" it imperative that the policeman
should be learned in thieves' slang or high Dutch.
Surely such absurdity as this Interpretation of the
clause might give rise to could never be contemplated
by any sane legislative body; and we are bound,
therefore, to reject it as the conclusion of un-
learned commentators.
The Act of Parliament evidently referred in
the words " unfit for the discharge of his duty "
to some legal or bodily unfitness, on account of
which any two Justices might dismiss; and it re-
mains yet to be decided whether the fact of a man's
being a member of an Orange society constitutes
such legal unfitness. Counsel learned in the law
have declared that, in the absence of any prohibi-
tion by the Watch Committee, being an Orange-
man does not constitute legal unfitness ; and we
place more confidence in their opinion than in that
of Mr. Edward Rushton, supported through he be
by the corroborating opinion of the Mercury and
his new ally the Liverpool Courier.
That such a prohibition of Orangeism in the
force should form part of the regulations of the
Watch Committee, so as to enable the magistrates
to dismiss, the Courier makes an attempt—feeble in-
deed—to shew. " The most serious and frequent
disturbances in Liverpool," he says, " have arisen
out of the differences, religious and political, be-
tween the two classes with whom the Orange and
, Ribbon societies are respectively identified;" and
he proceeds to argue that " in case of an outbreak,
a police-officer who, in his private capacity, is in
friendly association with the rioters on either side,
cannot reasonably be depended upon for the vigo-
rous and effective discharge of his duty in restoring
peace and bringing the offenders to justice," We
must crave pardon for disputing the correctness
of this conclusion, so far at least as Orangemen
are concerned. The members of that body are
bound as individuals, independent of any obli-
gations which they may contract on entering the
police force, to cooperate with the authorities for
the preservation of the public peace. They are
prepared on all occasions strictly to perform
that duty. They have so performed it on all occa-
sions, and for having done so deserve anything but
the kind of treatment they are now receiving at the
hands of the magistracy.
And now, a word, and it shall be but a word, to
the Liverpool Mercury, who makes a rather clumsy
effort to be witty upon the subject. Our con-
temporary says, that the authorities, pro and con,
should have been stated thus :

The opinions of Mr. Ed- The opinions of Messrs.
ward Rushton and the Fitzroy Kelly, Cowl-
Parliament of Great ing, and Cardwell, and
Britain. the Editor of the Li-
verpool STANDARD.
We are really not aware that the Parliament of
Great Britain had ever pronounced any opinion
upon the subject, beyond what is conveyed in the
Act of Parliament itself. If our contemporary will
point it out to us, we will defer to such high
authority. If it only exists, however, as a bubble
of his own brain, the balance still preponderates
upon the side of the eminent lawyers consulted,
and Mr. Rushton kicks the beam.

THE FUNDS.—SATURDAY NIGHT.—The Consol-mar-
ket is steady, though the dealings of the day were unim-
portant. For money the final quotation was 991 to
and for the account, 99. Exchequer-bills closed 745.
to 765. premium ; and India Bonds, 945, to 965. premium.
Ira foreign securities there was not much alteration.
Prices, however, were generally firm, and Spanish main-
tains a steady position. The Five per Cents. closed 244
to +; and the Three per Cents., 314- to 354- ; Portuguese,
454 to 461 ; Peruvian, 244 to 251 ; Mexican, 354 to 36 ;
the Deferred, 15/ to 5; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per
Cents., 624- to ; the Five per Cents, 1001 to s ;
89 to 90; Colombian, 14 to ; Chilian, 102 to vat ;
Buenos Ayres, 34 to 36; Brazilian, 864 to 87/; and
Belgian, 103 to 104.
WEST INDIES.—The 'Royal Mail Steam Packet Com-
pany's ship Tay, Captain Hayden, arrived at Southamp-
ton on Saturday. The West India papers received by her
bring little news. They are almost entirely occupied by
reports of the debates in Parliament upon the Sugar Du-
ties Bill, which they still seem inclined to regard as ruin-
ous to the West India interests.
SINGULAR COINCIDENCE OF OPINION.—OUr contem-
poraries the Manchester Guardian and the Liverpool
Mercury, are just now engaged in an amicable exchange
of compliments, upon the subject of an allegedincon-
sistency, on the part of the former, in having expressed
an opinion upon the subject of the late monster trials
similar to that of a Conservative paper—the Caurzer.
This contest we, of course, leave them to fight cut with-
out interference. We may remark, however, that if the
alleged " coincidence" of opinion between the Guardian
and the Courier on this subject is curious, the coincidence
of sentiment, and argument too, between the Courier and
the Mercury upon the question at issue between the Jus-
tices and the Watch Committee is quite funny. It must
be admitted, however, that, in this case, the Mercury is
not the inconsistent party.
THE IRON TRADE—The Birmingham Herald says—
" The market for metal shows a reduction in the value of
British iron in the Clyde, and for cargoes in Wales,
which is ss. per ton below preceding rates.—Spelter
is
rather lower, 150 tons being reported to have been sold at
£2l per ton. East India tin is rather higher and in de-
mand, and quicksilver remains at 4s. 6d. per lb." The
Glasgow Herald on the iron trade of Scotland has the
following.—" The fluctuations which have taken place in
the price of Scottish pig-iron, as indicated by quotations
which have appeared in some newspapers within these few
months, are well calculated to excite curiosity regarding
the causes which produce them. In February the price
is quoted at 405., in June, 705., and a paragraph on the
trade, which appears in a Saturday paper, would have us
to believe that the maker's price is now 50s. and likely to
go lower, and that a large sale has been made at 40s. On
making inquiry, we find that maker's prices range from
555. to 605., and no trace can be found of the 40s. sale;
the party who is said to have made the sale denies all
knowledge of it. Misrepresentation such as this has, we
believe been resorted to by some speculators, from whose
operations the trade has always suffered to a considerable
extent; their hands are now clear of stock, and they want
to buy in again at a low figure. Such trickery, however,
we are glad to say, is rather too late of showing itself to
produce the desired effect, as at a meeting of iron-mas-
ters, held here on Wednesday last, measures were agreed
to which will cut off the facilities for speculation hereto.
fore unsuspectedly afforded by them to buyers of iron: and
to put down that system of reckless and unprincipled
gambling which has proved so injurious to the interests of
the trade.
SIR JAMES GRAHAM'S MEDICAL BILL.—On Satur-
day, a special general meeting of the members of the
Liverpool Medical Institution was held, for the purpose
of taking into consideration " a bill for the better regula-
tion of medical practice throughout the United Kingdom,"
introduced into the House of Commons by Sir James
Graham. Shortly after two o'clock the chair was taken
by Dr. Jeffreys, of Great George-square. Mr. George
Millett Davies, surgeon, of Great George-street, acted, as
usual, as secretary; and read the bill throughout to
the meeting ; whereupon a long and animated discussion
took place, in the course of which it appeared, that some
diversity of opinion prevails amongst the medical profes-
sion throughout the kingdom, as to the merits of the
proposed measure. It was eventually resolved to convene
a general meeting of the medical men of Liverpool, at an
early day, to be advertised in the public papers, with a
view to the adoption of such proceedings on the subject
as might be then considered advisable. Several en-
quiries were made as to the nature, ultimate bearing,
and mode of working out the various objects contem-
plated by the government measure. Unanimous expres-
sions of regret were made as to the double injury to so-
ciety likely to accrue from the legalizing of quackery in
every reprehensible shape in which it may be found now
or hereafter; first, an injury to the public at large, as
composed of multitudes of men and women whose other
callings in life render them unequal to the formation of a
sound judgment on matters touching their own good or
bad health ; secondly, an injury direct to that body of
men whose education, and devotion of mind, and whole
being are directed to the elucidation of the laws which
govern health, and every deviation from it, upon which
basis alone the true theory of cure, or even judicious alle-
viation of incurable suffering, can be built up—which
study requiring unintermitting research, and the practical
application of the knowledge thus acquired, absorbs the
whole man, and claims at the hands of the public a cor-
responding appreciation of the devotion which banishes
the medical practitioner from the walks of mercantile
speculation and gain, and gives him, therefore, a right to
proportionate protection from a paternal government. Such
protection, however reasonable and fair, is sought for only
ao far as to balance the legislative enactments grant-
ing protection, by penal award, against infringement of
the privileges of certain classes. Yet, by this bill, the
medical profession, whose duty ranges second only to the
clerical, and equal, if not superior, to the legal, inasmuch
as life and health are more precious than property, this
class was left unassisted by government to struggle with
the hydra-headed monster—quackery, in a combat where
duplicity and lying ignorance too often, in the urgency of
the desire for life, proves more than a match for truth and
conscientiousness. We cannot but express a hope that the
public voice will do this justice to itself, as well as to the
guardians of its dearest blessings—life and health—and
obtain in the senate-hoarse a respectful attention to the
firm, though loyal, remonstrances of the profession,
against a hasty legislation upon interests so vital to society.

INQUESTS BEFORE THE BOROUGH CORONER

YESTERDAY.

DEATH FROM APOPLEXT.-011 view of the body of
Thomas Harrison, aged 36. Deceased was a cow-keeper,
and resided in Hill-street, Copperas-hill. On Sunday
evening, he and his wife had been milking some of the
cows, after which, when be got into the house he suddenly
fell down and expired almost instantly. A surgeon was
sent for but found him quite dead. He had complained
for &few weeks before, end bad had three fits within the
previous 18 weeks. The surgeon, Mr. Craig, was of
opinion that he died of disease of the head. Verdict ac-
cordingly—natural causes.
FILINING.—On the body of Thomas Matthews, a
child one year and seven months old. Deceased had been
left, on Saturday night, in a room in Park-place, Blake-
street, while the mother went across the street. A lodger
in the interim heard the child screaming, and on going in
found deceasee on the fire-place with his clothes in flames.
He tore off the clothes, but the child was severely burnt,
and though he was dressed, on the speedy return of the
mother, by a surgeon, be died on Sunday afternoon.
There was a candle burning in the room but no fire in the
grate. Verdict—Death from burning, but how the fire
originated—no evidence.
SUICIDE UNDER DERANGEMENT.—On the body of
John Johnson, a seaman, aged 83, who had arrived in
lists country from Boston, Halifax, by the Acadia steam
mail-ship, with a view to be received as a pensioner in
the Greenwich Hospital, through a recommendation from
the admiral of the last-named port. Deceased had gone
to the office of Commander Bevis, R.N. (of the Dublin
mail packet-offices) on Saturday evening, and represented
his case, which the gallant officer kindly undertook to
represent by letter to the Admiralty. A Mr. Travaskiss,
a lodging-house keeper at the north end of the town hap-
pened to be present, and into his charge the old man was
put until a reply should be received. He appeared to be
quite grateful for the attention sl own him by Captain Be-
vis. Soon after reaching the boarding-house, he went
to bed in an attic room. At three o'clock in the morning,
and on Mr. Travaskiss going up stairs, he found the de-
ceased gone, the room window open and the glass broken.
The deceased was afterwards found lying, quite dead, near
the cellar steps. His body had hit the railing in the de-
scent, and broken it in three placer. Mr. Carney. M.D.
was called, but of na avail, The abdomen was injured by
the fall. The deceased was remarked to be quite sober,
but he was very deaf. Verdict—Destroyed himself dur-
ing temporary derangemeLt of mind. The height he fell
was 24 feet.
NATURAL DEATH.—On the body of John Hatton, of
St. Andrew's-street, labourer. On Sunday, his wife
called a female neighbour to take a pudding out of the
pot, and give him a bit of it. Deceased bad previously
laid down as if asleep. When the pudding was taken to
him he was found to be quite dead. He had for some
time been subject to fits. Mr. Hensman, surgeon, was
called, and, on an examination after death, found the fa-
tality to have arised from ossification of the heart. A
verdict to that effect was returned.
A FALL.—On the body of Thomas Staynes, labourer.
Deceased was employed working on board the barque
Lucinda, in the Victoria Dock, on Friday morning, aid
had gone between decks to open a port to admit light,
when he tumbled down the fore skuttle into the hold, and
was taken up insensible, and bleeding at the ears and
mouth. He wes taken to the Northern Hospital, where
he died the folio v'n t day, from a fracture of the skull.
Verdict—Accidental death, accordingly.
DEATIL BY BEING OVERRUN.—On the body of ThOF.
Jones, aged 7 years. The deceased was passing along the
bridge at George's Dock Gates, when a man, unknown,
met him and pushod him on one side, to pass himself.
From the push deceased fell under the near wheel of a
float that was passing, and which went over him. He
was taken to the Northernl Hospital, but died in a few
minutes. It was found that he had received a rupture of
the liver which was the cause of death.—Verdict,
" Chance Medley."

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL SOCIETY.—On Sun
day morning next the Rev. H. M'Neile will advocate the
claims of this excellent society in St. Jude's Church. We
hope the appeal will be liberally responded to.
REPORTED ARMING OF THE MAIL STEAM-PACKETS.
—The Manchester Guardian has the following paragraph :
—" The Liverpool papers state that the government have
directed a number of guns and a quantity of ammunition
to be forwarded to that port, for the use of the mail
steam-packets, which are built for the purpose of carry-
ing arms if required." We imagine our contemporary is
somewhat premature, from whatever " Liverpool papers"
he may have derived his report. It is quite true that these
boats were built so as to he capable of carrying arms if
required. There would be no need, however, of the
previous preparation here spoken of, as we could arm
them all here in twenty-four hours' notice.
COTTAGE PROPERTY.—We have been requested to give
insertion to the following clause, being the 67th of the
new Insolvent and Bankruptcy Act :—No landlord of any
tenement let at a weekly rent shall have any claim or lien
upon any goods taken in execution under the process of
any court of law for more than four weeks arrears of rent ;
and if such tenement shall be let for any other term less
than a year, the landlord shall not have any claim or lien
on such goods for more than the arrears of rent accruing
during four such terms or times of payment.
CATTERMOLE'S PICTURE OF THE FIRST REFORMERS
PRESENTING THEIR FAMOUS PROTEST AT THE DIET
OF SPIRES.—The admirers of the fine arts will be gratified
to learn that the splendid water colour painting, by Cat-
termole, of the above interesting historical subject, is now
on view fir a few days in Mr. Grundy's Gallery, in
Church-street. It is undoubtedly one of the finest and
most-important works of this highly-gifted artist, and the
subject is one which must ever be of the deepest interest,
as it represents the scene which was the origin of the
term " Protestant." This great event in the history of
our church, which occurred on the 19th April, 1529, is
fully described in the well-known works of Seckendorf
and Sleiden, and by the later writers, Mosheim, Millner,
Stebbing, Soames, &c., and may briefly be stated here.
Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, had protected
Luther, when this bold rerormer was excommunicated by
Leo X., and condemned by an edict of the imperial Diet
of Worms, held by the Emperor Charles V. in 1521, for
having published his 95th thesis against the abominable
traffic in Papal indulgences, then carried on in Germany
by John Tetzel, a dominican friar, and for having written
against other abuses and errors in the church. John
" the Constant," Frederick's brother, and successor in
the Saxon Electorate since 1525, adopted more decisive
measures ; he openly declared himself a follower of Lu-
ther, and ordered him to draw up a church liturgy in
German, with instructions for the clergy ; this on his own
authority he promulgated throughout his dominions.
His example was quickly followed by Philip Langrave of
Hesse-Cassel, by other German princes, and by several of
the free cities, which entered together into a confederacy
for mutual defence. Under these circumstances it
was resolved by the Diet held at Spires in 1526
kin the absence of the Emperor) that the princes
and other members of the German empire should be
at liberty to introduce such reforms in their churches
as in their consciences they might think necessary ; sub-
ject, notwithstanding, to the sanction of the Emperor,
until matters should be definitively settled by a general
oancil,the speedyconvocation of which was then urgently
demanded by all parties, the court of Rome excepted.
In consequence of this resolution, more of the princes and
cities of the empire introduced the reformation, declaring
themse'ves independent, both of the spiritual and tempo-
ral supremacy hitherto usurped by tin bishop of Rome.
Alarmed at these proceedings, Pope Clement VII. and
the Emperor, exerted themselves strenuously to check
the progress of the reformation; they summoned a second
Diet to be held at Spires in the spring of 1529, at which
all the chief princes and deputies were present. The as-
sembly was full and splendid, and the contest was carried
on between the opposite parties with considerable heat
and impatience. Ferdinand, brother to Charles V., and
four imperial commissioners, represented the Emperor,
then in Spain. By dint of numbers and intimidation,
they succeeded in rescinding the resolution of the former
Diet; remonstrances were vain, the princes in the mi-
nority were denied a hearing, and the Edict of Worms
was now considered to be in full force against them.
But the reformers had gained too much strength to be de-
terred or overawed by such proceedings; and on the 22d
of April, 1529, by the advice and assistance of Luther and
Melancthon, presented their solemn protest; which the
king at first refused, but was ultimately obliged to receive,
and the Diet compelled to enrol among its acts. This
picture includes' portraits of Luther, Melancthon, the
electors of Saxony, and other great leaders of the reforma-
tion, taken from authentic works by the old masters. A
very splendid engraving from it is now nearly completed
upon a large and important scale, the execution of this
plate has, we understand, occupied the engraver upwards
of four years. To those who are desirous of viewing
this interesting work of art, we recommend an early
visit to Mr. Grundy's Rooms, as we believe the dra wing
will only remain on view for a few days.
VICE-CHANCELLORSHIP OF OXFORD.—Dr. Wynter,
the present admirable Vice-Chancellor of the University
of Oxford, concludes his period of service next month,
when a successor in the government of the University
must be appointed. And it is anticipated that Dr. Symons,
the Warden of Wadham, will be recommended to convo-
cation by his Grace the Chancellor, to be then installed
in Dr. Wynter's room. The tractarians, however, are
determined to oppose the election of Dr. S. because he
was one of the six doctors to whom Dr. Pusey's sermon
was submitted, though of the part taken by Dr. S. indi-
vidually the public know nothing.
THE FLEET PAPERS.—These papers have been dis-
continued for the present, and Mr. Oastler, in the course
of a very sensible address on parting with his readers,
says—" Since my release from the Queen's Prison, I have
endeavoured to make arrangements for the continuance of
this, or the establishment of another, weekly communi-
cation with the public. Hitherto I have been unsuccess-
ful. Necessity has no law ; and so, without murmur-
ing, but not without regret, I must break a connexion en-
deared to me by many pleasing recollections. He who
orders all things for the best has evidently, for the pre-
sent, shut up my path. My duty is resignation to His
will. Though pained at the relinquishment of an em-
ployment so pleasing, I console myself under the convic-
tion, that, having done what I could,' it is my duty to
change this field of occupation for one, though in many
respects repugnent to my feelings, yet hopeful, because
evidently directed by the Hand Divine."
AMERICAN HAY.—Yesterday a quantity of American
hay, brought by the packet ship New York, was offered
for competition by auction, but no sale was effected. The
hay is much coarser end of a heavier quality than that
grown In this country.
BLACKBURN ARMS.—It will be seen by an advertise-
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cial and other travellers. The want of a good hotel in the
neighbourhood of the Park has long been felt, and is now
obviated.