The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-10-22 00:00:00

INTENDED SAILORS' HOME.

It will no doubt he in the recollection of our readers
that for some years pas! the project of establishing a
sailors' home, for the dcm ciliary use, at a cheap rate, of
the less fortunate portion of our seamen, and their pro-
tection from the impositions practised upon them, has
been contemplated by our philanthropic townsmen; but
that, though the proposition was generally approved,
"several obstacles to its formation presented themselves,
amongst which not the least was the want of a suitable
scite, near the docks, for an adequate building. We have
now, however, the gratification to announce that the latter
difficulty, and others of minor amount, have. happily,
been removed ;—the Town Council having liberally grantd
a suitable piece of land ; and the plan proposed by the first
orieinatore,--•namely, the providing of poor seamen with

lodgings only.—having, on maturer consideration, been
extended, so as to embrace not only a comfortable home
and board for the hardy tars, but a registry, a savings
bank, a library, a school for apprentices, and the means
of moral, religious, and general instraction for all,—
addenda which will render the it.stitution not only more
useful in its operations, but stamp it with a degree of
respectability which could not otherwise be attained. We
further rejoice to state that a - public meeting, (as an-
nounced in another column,) called by the Mayor, and at
which his worship will preside. will take place on Friday
next, for the purpose of fortylrding the arrangements, and
at which we anticipate a fill attendance of our townsmen.
The Rev. Jonathan Brooks, Rev,. tlugh Messrs.
Gladstone. Bathbone, and many others; will advocate the
claims of " Poor Jack."

The temptations and frauds with which our gallant tars
in this town, es in other large ports. are beset on their
arrival from sea, are so notorious that it were almost
superfluous to endeavour to enumerate them. Naturally
of a generous and jovial disposition, their first resort,
after the fatigues of a long voyage, is almost invariably the
" grog-shop" ; where, in the excited ebullition of their
spirits, they are prone" to treat all around them, parting
Kith heir hard-got gains with a reckless prodigality
which has obtained them the reputation of " earning
their money like horses, and spending it like asses."
This haprovidt,nce is not, however, the greatest evil of
their position. Dissolute characters, of both sexes, em-
phatically denominated " men-hunters," are continurlly
lying in wait about the docks for their prey, and poor
sailors are marked out as their ready victims. Precisely in
proportion to the amount of Money poor Jack has in his
possession, (and which, over a glasq, he is readily induced
to show or to divulee,) is the amount of cunning and
dexterity employed by these wretches to secure it. He
is treated, or persuaded to drink at his own expense,
until his senses become bewildered; and every ingenuity
is exercised to strip him. Cheating slop-dealers, or their
scouts, arc at his heels from the moment the anchor is let
go in the river, or the ship got into dock. Goods of the
most worthless description are pressed upon him, at
extortionate prices ; but, perhaps, the crowning mischief
is the extortion of low lodging-house or paltry tavern •
keepers, who wile him to their immoral haunts, and spee-
dily relieve him, by inducements to lavish expenditure and
exorbitant charges, of his cash, after which the chances
are, that his decent clothing is pledged, and he is hurled
adrift ragged and penny!ess, deprived too of the means of
rem e ine his vocation...-for what captain will receive a man
who has not a proper stock. of apparel ? Add ro all this
the allurements of abandoned females, who often contrive
dexterously to rob the seaman of the whole earnings of
hie voyoge "at one fell swoop," and darting off, are
rarely seen again.
This proves proves Jack to be an inconsiderate character, no
doubt, but he ought not, therefore, be the too easy prey
of the vices of others; and the proposed institution ap-
pears to be well-calculated .to shield him from many of
the dangers by which he is beset, to induce him to be
more wary and circumspect: and, finally, to elevate him
in the scale of humanity, by implanting a proper degree
of self-pride, and moral feeling. The intention of the
founders is to make him a wiser and a better man, and to
throw around him the shield of protection, of which he
stands so greatly in need."
In addition to the other benefits of the proposed institu-
tion, and which wll, we presume, include the teaching of
the mathematical theory of navigation, we would suggest
that the use of the globes, and of the quadrant and sex-
atif.should he introduced, and that charts of the most fre-
quented seas and coasts should be provided. It may not,
too, be premature to suggest the gradual formation of a
Museum and Model Room, to which many of the men.
(who are in the habit of bringing home curiosities, and
disposing of them for a mere trifle) might be induced to
contribute, and this would soon form an interesting col-
lection. And we have known not a few poor• sailors who
are ingenious in making models of- vessels of.a new or
peculiar construction, from which practical improve-
ments in hulls, sails, &c., might possibly be derived.
Lectures on ship-building, and . on general navigation
might afterwards be superadded; and would he a source
of edification and entertainment during the win er nights,
keeping the inmates rationally engaged at " Home," in
place of squandering their money and their time in the
noisy tavern, or the low concert-rooms attached, where
thee are liable to fa 1 in o demoriizing associations.

That all our seamen who have no reel homes to resort
to, will, in the first. instance, take advantage of the insti-
tution we are not so sangui7:e as to expect ; for obdurate
habits in some and prejudices in others must be over-
come ; but it is to be hoped that if even a considerable
portion of the class become inma'es on its opening, others
will soon be induced to follow their example, and the cha-
racter of the whole will eventually become intellectually
elevated. Captains will always select the most intelligent
end Well-behaved seamen they can find, and no • one who
receives a certificate of good condu,t from the institution
wed long want a ship. 'And as to the individual advanta-
g,:,s, a' manor a -Oath 'who can keep a ship's course at sea
has chances of promotion that do do not fall to the lot of
those who have not that knowledge of their profession.
One instance in point will suffice. A feW years ago it was
reported in the New York papers, that a fine and value-
ably laden ship belonging to Salem, and which had lost
both captain and mate by sickness on a distant voyage,
was safely carried to her port of destination by a young
man of but eigteen years of age, one of the crew, who,
to his honour, though poor, had applied himself to the
study of navigation ; and he was duly appointed to the
command by -his employers.
We had prepared some other suggestions for adoption by
the founders of this excellent institution, but they will
keep until our next.

We are glad to have it in our power to announce tha
the late Mrs. Bury, of Moss-street, left by her will cer-
tain property the proceeds of which she directed to be di-
vided equally between four most excellent charities,
namely—The Church Pastoral Aid Society—The Infir-
mary—The Blue Coat Hospital—and the Strangers'
Friend Society ; and that in consequence each of these
Institutions has lately received the handsome sum of
£l2s,'duty free, through the hands of Mr. John Hicks
and Mr. Thomas Branch, the executors.
FARMING MACHINERY.—This being the age for im-
provement, our landed proprietors are determined if
possible to keep pace with our wealthy millocracy in the
improvement of machinery for every description of farin-
ing operations. In the neighbourhood of Llangollen, on
a farm held by a late townsman of our own, may be seen,
gorse and hay cutting, kibbling oats, brans, &c., &c., and
°burning, all in operation at the same time; or the thrash-
ing and winnowing of grain, and the straining of potatoes,
chaff, corn, &c., sufficient for the food of twenty cows and
six horses, for a day and night. In the first operations,
200 quarts of milk are churned in an hour, and as much
hay, gorse, and grain kibbled during ithe time of churn-
ing as will supply eight horses three days; and by the
latter, eighteen measures of grain thrashed and winnowed
ready for market.
IRON SHIP BUILDING COMPANY.—At thelast quarterly
meeting of the iron roasters in Staffordshire, it was pro-
posed by Mr. Thorneycroft that a Company should be
formed for the purpose of bringing Iron Sailing Ships
into more general use, to overcome the prejudice which at
present existed against them. Iron Steam Vessels were
thoroughly established and required no 'assistance, but in
consequence of several defective sailing vessels having
been built this branch had not made any progress. Mr.
Thorneycroft also recommended that the proposed Com-
pany should not themselves build the vessels but contract
with the existing builders to construct them from the
plans and under the superintendence of a first-rate En-
gineer. This proposition met with the warmest approba-
tion of the meeting, and Mr. Thorneycroft last week
' visited Liverpool for the purpose of ascertaining the state
of public opinion ; and, in company with Mr. Grantham,
waited on the Mayor, Mr. Robertson Gladstone, and
other influential men. He everywhere met with the
greatest encouragement to proceed with the undertaking.
It was also proposed that the same Company should, if
found necessary, adopt measures for insuring all Iron
Vessels built under the inspection of their Engineer.
The steam-ship Great Britain, aecording to the Bristol
Mirror, is to be released -from her long confinement on
the 26:h inst.
ADULTERATION OF BEER.—lt.is said that an extensive
increase of drugs used in the adulteration of beer has
taken place in an ale and porter brewery of considerable
standing, and that it will be heaid of at the next meeting
of the Commissioners of Excise.
PICTORIAL SueeLEtal:NT.—Our friends across the water have
stirred up the members of the broad sheet to accomplish wonders
which were never even contemplated before. Our neighbour of the
Mail has announced that he will present with his publication of
Saturday next a stamped pictorial supplemeut, representing viers
of the chief occurrences which will take place at Birkenhead to.
morrow. From the talented artists engaged by our contemporary
we expect to see very correct and graphic illustrations of the
animating scenes.
PAINTING. BY THE OLD MASTERS.—We lately visited Mr
Wilson's collection exhibiting at Lacey's rooms, and, as we pro-
mised in our last, proceed to notice what appeared to us most
choice and beauifol. The unfortunate Queen of France,
" Marie Antoine, by Greuze, is a lovely arid exquisitely
coloured picture, highly interesting historically and as a work
of art. " The Salutation cf the Virgin." by Luciri, is one of
those gorgeously coloured and wonderfully finished paintings,
that display I. perfectisu the grand characteristics of the Flo-
rentine school. The heads of the Angel anti Madonna are types
of ideal beauty. " The Hawking Patty, by Wouvernians, is a
charming composition, and remarkable for the argentine tone
so desirable in that master's works. Among the ' • landscapes,"
we particularly noticed a grand classical one by Hughtenburg,
and others of great merit by Salvator Rosa, Hobbenza, Ruysdael,
and Berghe2n. There are also some very fine " Holy Families"
by the great Italian painters, particularly one by Baroccio
which is remarkable for its sweet expression. The " Care
witnessingmm en
players." by Murillo, is a rich-toned specimen and full of
tocluiogrtuhhntairreryde.nus readersoarwTaltabhtbloeeoe
:cavoyaia
an-
cient
wi
cha-
racter. Las• ly, there is a picture by Roepel, which, for' beauty
1 and harmony of colour and the most extraordinary transparence
and finish, we have never seen equalled. Many others of the
hundred paintings on view deserve a special notice, but our
limits prevent our saying more than that we were highly gra-
tified
themselvesby t h the
f inspection,
thi s
opportunity and r recommend
Awn-GREASE HATS.—The use of these hats
mast-headur asero
of
ft hae
ship Courier
sstationed
joefteod.
jug general; and time has proved that they are all the ady
hv impervious
eeartdi
,sewm gallasey prnoenaoosl n. a cued
the them e
surrounding
r r
oto u n
dbt en
BtoißbKeEtaNkHeßnAfrro.—MEach
morrow will be presented with a lithographed view of Bit ken-
midway between Woodiide and Seacombe..
is BsupposedOF

Oct. 22, 1844

LIVERPOOL OCTOBER SESSIONS.

The October sessions of the pence for the borough of
Liverpool commenced in the Crown Court at the Sessions-
house, shortly after ten o'clock yesterday morning, before
GILBERT HENDERSON, Esq., Recorder. The calendar
contained the names of 116 prisoners for trials on charges
of felony, and seven for misdemeanours, making a total of
123: Of there only eight are recur: ed as being able to
read and write well, 41 can read and write imperfectly, 31
ran read imperfectly, while the very large proportion of
43 have never been taught either.

The following gentlemen were sworn the Grand Jury :
Robert Crosbie, Esq., of North John-street, merchant;
William Anthony, of Hope-street, timber-merchant;
Joseph Brice, of Bedford-street, corn-merchant;'
Samuel Beckwith, of Tower-garden, hide broker ;
James Brebner, of Water-street, merchant;
Robinson Duckworth, of Canning-street, merchant ;
Abraham Gartsitle, of North John-street, wool-
broker;
Edward Jones, of Exchange-buildings, merchant;
William Logan, of Bath-street, anchorsmith ;
Edward Langdale, of Shaw-street, timber-merchant;
John Woolfall ulleneux, of Brougham-terrace, rec-
tifier ;
William Maxwell, of Union-court, wine-merchant;
Thomas Mather, of Drury-lane, corn-merchant; '
John Mather, of Mount-pleasant, merchant;
John Pemberton, of Fenwick-street, merchant;
William Rotherham, of Exchange-street East, merchant ;
John Daniel, of Thornley, Hore-street, merchant;
Joseph Ridgway, of South Chapel-street, cotton-
broker;
Robert Taylor Woodward, of Irwell-street, merchant;
Isaac Worthington, of Percy-street, cotton-broker.
The Le :rned itsconosa, in deliver.ng his charge to the
Grand Jury, spoke as follows:—Gentlemen of the Grand Jury:
—lt appears from the del ositions before me that there are 123
prisoners to take their trials at this Court. It is satisfactory,
however, to observe that large as that number is, it is less than
the number of committals in the corresponding period of last
year, which amounted to 136. In disposing of these cases, gen-
tlemen, it must be our duty so to enforce the law as most effect-
ually to restrain and prevent the future commission of crime.
It is a reproach to the administration of justice when offences
go unpunished : it is a still deeper reproach to confound inno-
cence with guilt. Under these sentiments, gentlemen, you will
have to institute a preliminary investigation into every case:
you will call for the witnesses before you you will hear the
evidence : you weigh it and judge whether it is such as,
in the absence of defence, ought to wet rant a conviction of the
individual accused. Where you find it is of a satisfactory and
conclusive nature, it will be your duly to find the bill; but
where, in eny case, the evidence is not of that desetiption, that
does not bring home the charge to the party accused, it will be
your duty to stop at once all proceedings by throwing out the
bill. Gentlemen, the eases are in general of a slight and ordi-
nary character, and do not seem to require fro:: me any re-
marks for the guidance of gentlemen of such intelligence as I
have now the honour of addressing. There are some offences
however, the frequent recurrence of which seem to call for ex-
emplary punishment. I allude more particularly to the offences
of stealing from shops and stealing from the person, which you
will find constitute a large portion of the cases in the calendar.
I will take this opportunity of correcting a misapprehension
which, from applications made to me, I know to prevail, that
when a sentence of transportation is accompanied by a recom-
mendation to the Penetentlary, it is supposed that the convict
will not be sent out of this country. That, gentlemen, is a mis-
take. It is seldom, now, that a sentence of transportation is
not carried into effect by the sending of the party out of this
country. When the recommendation to a Pentitentiary is acted
upon, the Penitentiary is only the portal to a penal colony ; the
party must look forward to pass a long period, if not his whole
life, in toil and in labour in a distant country. It is, therefore,
gentlemen, always a sentence fearful to undergo, and which
always calls for great deliberation in imposing it. I mention
this because many parties are under the impression that it is
not always carried into effect by sending the convict out of the
country. Gentlemen, I shall not trouble you with any further
observations, or detain you from those duties which I am afraid
will occupy you some time.

The Jury then retired to their room ; and shortly
afterwards the trials commenced. The cases during the
entire day were of minor interest, and all of them have
been previously noticed in this paper.

COURT OF PASSAGE.-YESTERDAY.

The Court of Passage for the borough of Liverpool was
he'd yesterday, before Charles Crompton, Esq., assessor.
The cause list contained 57 issues ; but there were no writs
of trial from any of the superior courts. The cases were
principally for the recovery of small debts,—a few, how-
ever, involved considerable amounts,—in addition to which
there were several on promises, three cases of trespass,
and one on the case. Undefended causes were taken
first ; and of the others, the following are the most im-
portant that occurred during the day

RECOVERY OF AN- ATTORNEY'S BILL.
MASON V. GILLELAND.—TiIis was an action to recover
£32 14s. Od., for work and labour done by the plaintiff,
Mr. Mason, a solicitor in this town, for the defendant,
Robert Gilleland, who carries on the busines of a paviour.
The work was done in a professional capacity during 1843
and a portion of the present year. A verdict was returned
in favour of the plaintiff's claim.