The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-08-13 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANbARD.

would have ventured to appear before them in the charac-
ter of a lecturer from his own choice; because he knew his
great defects, as a foreigner, in conveying his sentiments
in a language which he spoke so indifferently ; but yet,
with all these deficiencies, he responded to the solicita-
tions of the enlightened directors of that noble institu-
tion, to embody his own practical experience us a teacher
of gymnastics, in a course of three lectures, with a view
of pointing out to parents, and teachers of youth, the
great advantages which a system of physical education
would confer on the rising generation, by making them
better enabled to pursue their studies, with greater zeal
and with less difficulties to contend with, which too many
have in consequence of the total neglect of their being
physically trained. He then proceeded to observe—" As
to the origin of gymnastics, it may be truly said that they
prevailed in every country in which the progress of per.
nicious luxury had not deprived the people of power and
inclination for manly and athletic occupations. This de-
fect is an evil, however, which history teaches us invaria-
bly cures itself. When nations, by excess of idleness,
debauchery, and dissipation, become enervated in body
as in mind, they experience precisely the same treatment
as individuals do under like circumstances : they are over-
thrown and destroyed by the resolute and robust. Action
—action of mind and body—is the law of our being, and
without it we finally sink and perish. By this compen-
sating principle the world is unceasingly replenished, and
withered and fruitless branches of society are perpetually
cut off. Idleness and debility, whether moral or physical,
thus bring their destruction. Races of men are capable
of being perfected by judicious training, just like other
living things ; and it is not too much to say, that every
individual of our species might by it become symmetrical,
vigorous, and alert. Gymnastic exercise should constitute
an important item in this training. No education, in
fact, is complete without its introduction; and without
bodily exercise, of which gymnastics is the science, no
one, young or old, need expect to maintain his health and
strength. Every one is aware of the extraordinary atten-
tion which the Greeks and Romans paid to gymnastics—
the former particularly. They made it a part of the daily
concerns of life ; and physicians, lawgivers, priests, and
philosophers, considered the science of giving vigour and
beauty to the body not less important than filling the
mind with notions of truth, virtue, and strength. Bodily
exercise was recognised by the most illustrious men of
those early days, as eminently calculated to preserve
health and avert disease. Every physician knows its in.
estimable utility, and the proverb of Mens sana in cor-
pore sano' is as old as observation itself. Hippocrates,
Galen, and Plato are long and earnest in their encomiums
on gymnastic exercises ; and, putting aside the authority
of those venerable names, the limits of a lecture would
not permit to cite everything which might be collected
from ancient authorities in favour of it. If the opinion
of these great men, then, whom we so justly look up to,
be founded on nature and observation, as in truth it is,
then it is most incumbent on us to act up to the precepts
which they have laid down. The different exertions which
people are daily in the habit of making, without having
always any particular object in view, are seldom benefi.
cial, except to a part of the body; and although by bene-
fiting a part we benefit all, yet it is infinitely better to go
through a regular routine. which will prove useful to
every part of the body in due succession, and thus pro-
duce a frame of the greatest strength and' capability.
Gymnastic exercise enables us to do this in the best pos-
sible manner; for it takes into account every muscle,
joint, and function in the body, and provides for the well-
being and perfection of all. Hunting, riding, walking,
are beneficial in their way; but to some they are incon-
venient or expensive, while many cannot afford the time.
In the gymnasium, however, every one can, at any mo-
ment he pleases, in any weather, take exercise to any ex-
tent he may require ; and if time be an object, he can
take as much in an hour, or even less, as would in any
other manner occupy a great deal of time. The best
education leads to the best capacity for supporting the
joys and the sorrows of life. To support requires force;
and that this cannot be imbibed from the spirit of our
present effeminate mode of education, which weakens and
softens cur feelings, is self-evident. If, therefore, we
would approximate the best education, we must gradually
abandon this spirit. Not that we must abjure learning
and civilization, and with them genuine moral sentiments,
but only follow those ancient principles which lead to
form and sustain the manly character by exercise and
well-managed hardening, instead of curtailing our natural
strength and greatness of mind. It is inconceivable how,
in the long series of ages during which an acquaintance
with ancient Greece and Rome has been cultivated, the
excellent principles of physical education pursued in those
countries, and of course the accounts of their gymnastic
exercise, have been read and re-read in every school and
every study, without anything being introduced from
them into the education of the day. But men too fre-
quently read words only, not ideas. If the improvement
of the mind ought to be our constant aim, and the mind
cannot accomplish anything of worth and importance
without the aid of the body, assuredly it is incumbent on
us to promote the health grid dexterity of the body, that
it may be capable of serving the mind, and assisting, in-
stead of impeding, its operations. For this reason Plato,
in Pythagoras,' calls him a cripple who, cultivating his
mind alone, suffers his body to languish through sloth
and inactivity."
Some of M. Huguenin's pupils afterwards went through
a variety of gymnastic exercises, which they performed
greatly to the satisfaction of the auditory. An apology,
however, was tendered for the very incomplete state of
the apparatus, which prevented them going through more
than a mere outline of the course, and the lecturer ex-
pressed his intention of being better prepared for the next
lecture.
His lectures were resumed on Friday, to an increased
audience, who seemed much gratified at the great care
which M. Huguenin has evidently taken in bringing his
system before the public. After briefly returning thanks
for the kind attention of the audience on a former even-
ing, the lecturer went on to explain, more in detail, the
objects and effects of the various exercises gone through
by his advanced pupils, and the adaptation of his appara-
tus for calling into action and strengthening the different
muscles of the body. This portion of M. Huguenin's
remarks, although by far the most practically interesting
and valuable, we can scarcely convey to our readers by a
mere report. By the audience it was highly appreciated;
and the illustration of the successful results of the system
apffuoprildse—dmbyosttheatihnitertoieduacntidonacotfive
through a number of feats of muscular rounds of
now complete apparatus—elicitedfrequent
ap-
plause.
are sure they be pleased with
will
lessor's exertions..ria• a course of six lectures will be com-
menced
and o n
scholar, t h e
James British
Montgomery,Poets, ly
Ej
sugs justly-celebrated
reportel ebra t eodf
saenllviewS, and we
which we hope to have the pleasure of giving our friends,
whom we cannot refrain from earnestly inviting to go and
avail themselves of this great and rare opportunity of lis-
tening to one of our first living poets.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SALTED BRANDY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

I believe that the impression is very prevalent that
salted brandy is not found to be so efficacious as it was
supposed to be when it created so great a sensation, be-
cause nothing has lately been published on the subject;
but should such an impression prevail, I can assure you
that it is a very erroneous one, for scarcely a week passes
in which instances of the efficacy of this remarkable me-
dicine do not come under my notice. My opinion of its
virtues is not only unaltered but is higher than when I
wrote my pamphlet to recommend it. In support of the
above observations I beg to be allowed, through your
widely circulating paper, to state one of the many cases
of cure by means of salted brandy, which have come un-
der my notice since the publication alluded to, in testimony
of its extraordinary effects.
A girl, about eighteen years of age, residing in this dis-
trict, suffered last Christmas from a rheumatic fever,
which was followed by St. Vitus's dance ; and when the
latter complaint had left her, she lost the use of her left
arm and eye, and the rest of that side of the body gave in-
dications of being about to become equally helpless. The
paralysis of the arm and eye took place in the latter end
of February, and continued, though hydropathy had been,
partially tried, till the end of May, when the patient ap-
plied to me for means to enable her to procure wine and
strengthening food. I told her that I would endeavour
to procure her the latter, but that instead of wine, I would
give her salted brandy, upon which announcement I un-
derstood her to say that she had been medically directed
not to take anything salt, or ardent spirits. 1 said that
salted provisions. which I imagined were the things inter-
dicted, might be injurious, but that I was certain that
salted brandy could do her no harm, and that I would
take upon me the responsibility of administering it in her
case. I consequently caused her to take it internally, and
to apply it as an embrocation to the paralyzed arm and to
that side of the body. In the course of a fortnight the
arm was restored to activity ; and in another week she re-
covered the use of her eye, and she is now efficiently em-
ployed in the service of a washerwoman here; but five
weeks from the period of he& having begun to take the
salted brandy had not elapserere she was able for active
employment.
Hoping that the foregoing statement may prove en-
couraging and beneficial to poor sufferers,
I remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL FENTON.
TVavertree,Bth August, 1844.

LOCAL NEWS.

BIRKENHEAD Dom( TRUSTEES.-At the first meet-
ing, under the new Birkenhead Dock Act, for the election
of Dock Trustees. Mr. William Jackson was elected
chairman of the meeting, and the whole of the commis-
sioners were selected as trustees. Those present took
the necessary declaration, and the proceedings terminated.

SUDDEN DEATH.—An awful instance of the uncertainty
of life occurred at Oxton, on Sunday week. John James,
Esq., of Oxton Hall, attended church is the afternoon,
apparently in his usual health. On the way home he was
taken unwell, and very shortly after his arrival at home
was a corpse. The deceased was formerly treasurer to
the Birkenhead and Chester Railway Company.
We have much pleasure in calling the attention of our
readers to the announcement, in another column, of a
second edition of the Rev. G. Fisk's " Tour in the Holy
Land." The eloquent sermons preached in this town by
that eminent divine, on the late missionary anniversary,
are, doubtless,
states fresh in the remembrance of readers.
tes that no less than 2000 copios avo been
edufabof in about eight months, a satisfactory proof that
the pueapusroelogium of the reviews have not been overdrawn.
CAUTION TO HOUSEKEEPERS.—A few days ago a most
audacious imposition was practised at a gentleman's house
in Edge-lane, in the following manner :—A man rang at
the door, pretending to come from Mr. Tate, the grocer;
he had no coat on ; his shirt sleeves were rolled up above
his elbows, and with a great affectation of haste, he anx-
iously inquired whether Mr. Tate's lad had not just left
a loaf of sugar there along with some other groceries. On
being answered in the affirmative, he said that the loaf
which had been left was the wrong one, that he must take
it back, as it was to go off by the coach that afternoon to
Bootle, and that the right one would be sent up by his
master. The servant, believing the story to be true, gave
up the loaf, and the right one not coming to hand, inquiry
was made at the shop, when the story was found to be all
a hoax.
- -

MILK PUNCH ROYAL 15 at any season of the year a
healthy and invigorating beverage, but in weather like this,
in the heat of summer, it is beyond description. The very
name Milk Punch Royal carries with it the idea of some-
thing delicious; but, however capacious may be the ima-
rgiienbantieosna,
off e
iwt c
flavour
na v
ocuo nr.c e
It is
atl
are
bdeevl iecraacgye
ay
pe tp
rfullness andd
patronised by royalty, and yet its limited price brings it
within the reach of almost exery individual. The city of
Chichester has long been famed for this liquor, and the
improvement in its flavour, by the addition of a little
American ice, promises to make it equally acknowledged
in Liverpool. Some have described it as the Nectari of
Jupiter, some as Madeira, some as Champagne, but we
have discovered what it really is—it is inimitable. The
agent for Liverpool is Mr. J. Haram, of Chapel-street,
whose advertisement will be found in another column.
WARRINGTON BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The ordinary
weekly meeting of this board was held, as usual, on
Wednesday last, at the Workhouse; ten guardians were
present, and Mr. Kerfoot, the chairman, presided. From
the returns, it appeared that the number of cases re-
lieved in the town, during the previous week, by Mr.
Cruikshank, was 457, and the amount expended £52 7s. ;
of this sum £37 10s. 3d. was in money, and £l4 17s. 9d.
in kind. In the corresponding week of last year, the
number of cases relieved was 436, and the amount of ex-
pense £5B 14s. 10d. In the rural disiricts, the number
of cases relieved, by Mr. Owen, was 472, and the amount
expended £4B 10s. Id., of which £42 lls. 6d. was in
money, and the balance in kind. The number of in-
mates in the workhouse, at Newton, was 60, and in the
one at Warrington 79. Total in both, 139. Balance in
treasurer's hands, due to the union, £645 Bs. 3d. The
business transacted was not of sufficient public importance
to require notice.
A FEMALE BURNT TO DEATH.—An inquisition was
held on Monday before Mr. Curry, the borough coroner,
on view of the body of Jane Hughes. John Adamson,
a labourer, residing at 69 Great Howard-street, said that
deceased was servant in the house. A few minutes before
twelve o'clock on Saturday night last, deceased was up
stairs in her own room, when be heard a noise which be
at first thought proceeded from the next house. He went
up stairs, and found the deceased standing on the landing
of the first flight, all on fire. He tried to put it out by
tearing off her clothes, but could not ; and he then car-
ried her down stairs to the outer steps and called for
help. Mr. George Wade, manager of the oil mills, in
Oil-street, and who lived next door, came up, and suc-
ceeded in extinguishing the flames. She was severely
burnt all over her body, and was sent to the hospital,
where she died in a few hours after, from the injuries she
had received. The Jury returned a verdict to that effect,
with the addition that how or in what manner her clothes
caught fire, there was no evidence to show.
DEATH BY DROWNING.—On Sunday afternoon week,
Wm. Mattbie, a fine young seaman, aged eighteen years,
son of Mr. John Matthie, and nephew of Mr. Hugh Mat-
thie, was walking along the beach between Tranmere and
Rock Ferry, with his father, mother, and a young ship-
mate, when tempted by the fineness of the weather and
the appearance of the water, he proposed to bathe. As he
was unable to swim his mother felt very unwilling that he
should do so, but he promised to be very careful not to
get beyond his depth. Shortly after entering the water,
he slipped into one of the boles, of which there are many
on the shore, and was drowned in sight of his parents and
companion who were unable to render him any assistance.
The body having been recovered, an inquest was held at
Mrs. Fernyhough's Inn, Tranmere, on Tuesday morning,
when a verdict was returned in accordance with the cir-
cumstances, The frequency of such accidents near this
spot (this being the fifth, we believe, within eighteen
months) induced the jury to present a memorial to the
overseers, calling on the proper authorities to adopt some
means in order to prevent a recurrence of similar fatal ca-
tastrophes.
DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.— Present, Messrs.
Moore, (in the chair,) Nicol, Barclay, Holt, Trotman,
Bailey, Rovden, Tobin, Bold, Shand, Sandbach, Holmes,
Aikin, Middleton, Kendall, and Evans.—From the mi-
nutes which were read, it appeared the committee had of-
fered, on condition that the Harrington Dock Company
would give up the control of their property to the trustees,
to pay one-third of the purchase money in cash, and the
remainder in bonds payable in seven years, and bearing
interest at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum.—The tender
of Messrs. Cowle. Jones, and Marsden, being the best
offer for the old metal of the dock-yard, was accepted.—
A temporary building, as an office for the dock master,
was ordered to be placed on the west side of the entrance
between the Canning and the Salthouse docks.—The erec-
tion of a public clock on the quay at the Clarence dock
basin was postponed till the plans for the northern docks
are agreed upon.—The shed on the east quay of the Cla-
rence dock was ordered to be proceeded with according
to the plans submitted, and not being a subject for fur-
ther consideration.—The annual report of the surveyor on
the progress and state of the dock works was submitted
and ordered to be printed.—The Chairman said a diffi-
culty arose in getting the evidence given on the Liverpool
Dock Bill in the House of Lords, in consequence of no
sufficient reason being shown for its publication ; it was,
however, now printing for the use of the trustees, but
could not be obtained for the use of the public generally.
The sub-committee for the marine department submitted a
report recommending that the dock trustees should pay the
steam tug company 400 guineas a year, and seventy-five
guineas for each service, on condition that one of the first-
class steamers belonging to the company should always be
ready, with steam up, to take the life-boat in tow, and pro-
ceed to vessels in distress, for the purpose of saving life.
—After some conversation the consideration of the sub-
ject was postponed, in order that the chairman might
consult with the chairman of the Finance Committee, with
the view of inducing the Council to bear one half of the
expense.—lt was reported that the Marine Surveyor was
about to take a survey of the channels on a plan pro-
posed by Mr. Hartley.—The marine department Sub-
couramitte reported that they had inspected the line of
telegraphs from Holyhead to Hilbre Island, and found all
in good working order.—A letter from William Wood,
master of the flat Charles, was referred to the Harbour
Master's Sub-committee.—Three dock-gatemen for the
Canning half-tide dock were appointed, and the committee
adjourned.

WINSPEAR'S INGENIOUS NEW MODE OF REEFING
TOPSAILS.—We several months ago noticed at some
length an invention, by our townsman, Mr. Winspear, of
Waterloo-road, for the greater facility of reefing the top-
sails of ships. From an examination of the apparatus, we
had then occasion to commend it strongly to the inspec-
tion of shipmasters, and we are glad to find that it has
since, as the Yankees would say, been getting "pretty
considerably ahead," on its intrinsic merits.: The yard is
the same as that at present used. In front of it, and pa-
rallel with it, but lower than its centre, is a wooden roller,
through the middle of which runs a strong iron rod. This
rod, or spindle, is secured with eye-bolts at each end, so
as to allow of the roller being turned. The roller is also
supported, at different points, by iron crooks or S's, the
shanks fixed in the yard ; and these, where the roller rests
upon them, form rather more than a semicircle, inverted.
They are sufficiently large in the arc or circle to receive
and support the roller with great part of the sail upon it,
(as in close-reefing,) and are covered with leather to pre-
vent chafing of the canvas. At each end of the roller
there is a small iron barrel or reel, round which there is a
coil of chain reaching to the middle of the yard, and
thence, by blocks, to the deck. As we have before stated,
if a reef is required the yard is lowered, and by clapping
on to a tackle attached to the lower ends of each of the
two chains, the whole spindle alongside the yard is easily
turned by a few hands, and the sail taken up or reefed to
any required extent—half a reef, three-fourths, a whole
reef, or two or three reefs. The sail we saw in operation
(that of a large schooner) was readily reefed by only one
man, who pulled down a chain with each hand with the
simple purchase of a single block and fall: and we should
think a very large topsail might be reefed by four men,
two to each tackle. The iron rollers, at the extremities,
on which the chains work are proposed to be 8 to 9 inches
long, and about 3 inches diameter, in a vessel of about
400 tons burthen. From the gradual widening of the sail
towards the lower yard, the bolt ropes do not ride over
each other in reefing, and the whole apparatus is so snug,
that though additional to the usual topsail-yard, it pre-
sents no eyesore, the roller being scarcely observable at a
moderate distance. One considerable advantage appears
to be, that as there is a space between the main roller and
the yard, the sail splits itself to a considerable extent
through this opening at the top when the yard is lowered
for reefing, and thus facilitates the operation. The inven-
tion has already been applied to several vessels from this
port, and has, we learn, given the greatest satisfaction.
Several distinguished naval officers have given their testi-
mony in its behalf, and amongst others the gallant Ad-
miral Napier, whose only objection was that it would
render the seamen lazy, as they might order the ship lads,
when a reef was required, to hand them down the ropes,
so that they might shorten sail while lying in their berths !
As the whole apparatus may be practically seen at the
inventor's yard, we recommend captains to satisfy them-
selves by an early inspection.

MEETING OF THE BIRKENHEAD COMNIISSIONERS.—
On Tuesday the usual mor,thlv meeting took place at the
Town-hall, Birkenhead, J. D. Case, Esq.' in the chair.
The improvement committee recommended that the roads
in the park should be immediately proceeded with, and
that tenders be advertised for in the London, Liverpool,
and Birmingham papers for completing the paling. &c.,—
agreed to. In reply to Mr. J. S. Jackson, Mr. Watson,
of the health committee, said that he had no doubt the
slaughter-houses would be completed this year. The
market committee recommended additional ventilation in
the new market, and the communications respecting the
building were satisfactory. The ferry committee reported
continued improvement in the receipts of the Woodside
Ferry. Mr. J. S. Jackson intimated that a weighing-
machine had been placed near the shore, and suggested
that carts plying for hire should be registered and licensed,
under the cognizance of the township, in the manner of
hackney coaches. Several handsome plans of villas
and mansions in the park were submitted by the improve-
ment committee. The board adjourned to the 2Gth inst.
PAVING AND SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS.—At the
usual weekly meeting of this beard on Thursday, the
following gentlemen were present :—Messrs. J. Holmes.
(in the chair,) Hope, Leyland, Plumpton, Birkett,
Cooper, Procter, Ackers, Kaye, Kilshaw, Wood, Whitty,
Gladstone, and J. Lawrence. The Law-clerk's charges
for the half year, amounting to £253 16s. 6d., and includ-
ing the expenses of deputations, &c., upon the Dock and
Water Bill were produced, and laid upon the table for the
inspection of the Commissioners.—A letter was read from
Mr. Franklin, the Corporation Surveyor, submitting a
plan for the further extension of the width of Lime-street
from Elliot-street southward, at the expense of the Cor-
poration. The alteration was approved of.—The new law
for regulating inhabited cellars, having rendered alter-
ations in the cellar entrances nezessary, the Commit-
tee, with the view of ascertaining what powers they had to
grant accommodation to the owners of property, had a
case submitted to counsel by their Law-clerk. The
counsel, in his opinion, said the question whether en-
croachments on the foot-walk in particular cases were
nuisances, would depend on the circumstance of the case.
If the space taken up left a sufficient breadth of foot-way,
then he thought it could not be considered as a nuisance.
The proper course for the commissioners to pursue would
be to set out, in all the old streets and the new, a line on the
foot-walk, so as to make them of uniform width, and no
indulgence should be granted by the Commissioners that
would at all interfere with the convenience of the public.
After considerable discussion the District Surveyors were
directed to furnish the board with the width of the streets
and foot. paths in the town, in order that the width to be
allowed might be fixed. Mr. Barke, of the Wellington
Hotel, appeared before the board to complain of the state
of the sewers in Dale-street. He produced several articles
of silver, which, although cleaned the day before, had
now the appearance of brass, in consequence of the ob-
noxious steam and gaseous matter which escaped from the
sewer openings. The Surveyor of the District was or-
dered to put down stench traps, and to report next week
as to the cause of the nuisance. Tenders for the works at
the Kensington reservoir, were ordered to be advertised
for, and the board adjourned.