The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-04-02 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STiODARIL

the society.- 'One of the objects of the association was to
establish a library, principally to consist of such works as
treat on subjects relating to trade and the sciences ; to
assist in the formation of classes for their study ; to pro-
vide the institution with those current publications which
may be considered most useful to its members ; and to
provide for the delivery of lectures on those subjects
deemed most interesting and instructive to the working
classes.—Mr. Sealey, in proposing the first resolution—to
the effect that the circumstances attending the dispute
with Messrs. Jones and Jump—called upon the joiners to
form themselves into a more compact body, to protect
themselves from masters who regarded their own interests
exclusively, without regard to those of their workpeople.
—Mr. Simpson seconded the motion, Mr. Rutherford
moved the second resolution in an energetic speech. He
would wish all of his fellow workmen to understand'that
knowledge and reason were the only weapons which would
carry them triumphant through the unholy war of gold
capital, which was threatening to grind to the earth the
only capital that God had given them,—namely, their
labour. The means they were about to adopt would have
the effect of encouraging a mutual interest between the
employer and the employed, as well as amongst the work-
men themselves. Many said machinery had injured
trade; but if the employers only possessed a little of that
mutual interest he had mentioned, or any sympathy for
their workmen, it mould be the very reverse to injurious ;
it ought, and would prove, a great benefit to all mankind.
This had been proved by the result in places where
machinery had been employed. He strongly urged the
workmen to come forward in support of the society, and
hoped their employers would not be last in the field.—Mr.
Atherton seconded the motion.—A number of other reso-
lutions were proposed and carried, and after agreeing that
each Monday evening should be devoted to receiving
subscriptions, the meeting separated.

PROPOSED MODEL OF THE DOCKS, AND
COMMERCIAL PORTION OF LIVERPOOL.

We have seen a finely-lithographed plan, elevation and
sections, of the proposed model of our docks and commer-
cial streets, designed by our townsman, Mr. John Gran-
tham, C.E., intended to be made by public subscription,
and to be sent to the Exhibition of Industry of all Nations,
1851. The idea appears to us to be admirable ; for though
it may be said that there is nothing new in producing a
miniatureof extensive works and buildings already formed;
such is the vast extent of our docks, in a continuous line
along the shore of the Mersey,• that (though they are ac-
tually more compact than any in the world) comparatively
few even of our townsmen are aware of their immense water
space, and excellence of construction for the accommoda-
tion of shipping. Indeed it would require a few days of
hard travel on foot to examine and appreciate these mag-

nificent, works, which are a source of -just and blarnele-ss
pride amongst our own community, End of wonder and
admiration amongst those strangers from other parts, who
can generally obtain only a cursory view of a portion of
them, and of the prodigious fleets of beautiful vessels from
every part of the world, by successions of which they are
constantly occupied. No view of them from the Mersey,
or the opposite Cheshire shore,—no picture, indeed, from
any, even the most favourable point, can convey anything
like an adequate idea of their adaptation and magnitude ;
and it is to the modeller alone that we must look for a
satisfactory development of the whole. We are glad,
therefore, that the idea of producing a model for the
Great National Exhibition has met with warm support,
for we think that if carried out it would redound to the
credit of the town, and vindicate her claim, even amongst
those of other localities, to rank at, at least, the second
commercial emporium in the world. All that is wanted
is a sufficient fund to carry out the design in its minute
details, and though the sum will be considerable, compa-
ratively small contributions from the mass of our mer-
chants and citizens would suffice; and we hope our
Common Council will take the initiative, and give the
work a start in patronage which will insure its success.
Certain we are that the model could not be in better
hands than those of Mr. Grantham, who has long been
conversant with our docks; and who has professionally
produced the models of some of the finest and fastest
of our mercantile steam marine.

The model is intended to embrace the whole of our
docks already completed, as well as those projected, in-
cluding those for the timber trade, &c., at the north end.
It is proposed that the model should be constructed on a
scale of eight feet to the mile, which will allow of dis-
tinctness and accuracy in each portion of the work, with-
out such diminution of the smaller objects, would
render them indistinct to the naked eye.

Besides the entire line of docks, the commercialportion
of the town will embrace to a large extent eastward, in-
cluding fac-similes of all the streets, public buildings.
warehouses and works, bounded by a line drawn about
north and south. In the centre of the line, on the east,
the model will also embrace within a semicircle extending
further eastward—the Lime-street Railway Station, the
new Court-houses, St. John's Market, and other princi-
pal objects in that central part of the town.
We understand that it is intended, should the model
be determined upon, to invite the architects and other
'-ntific and mechanical gentlemen in the town to supply
of build;-

ets of public buildings or other objects, made to. the
scale of the model, so that they may be appropriated on
their respective sites, in the general model, with refe-
rences to the names of the makers, so that they may re-
main as permanent specimens of their handiwork ; for it
is intended that the model, after the exhibition, shall be
the property of the Mayor, Corporation, and Burgesses,
and be deposited in St. George's-hall for public exhibition.

The model is to be enclosed within a handsome case of
elegant and classical architectural design,—as shown in
the drawing. In the centre of the west or river front, a
handsome portico is proposed, surmounted by a triangu-
lar pediment, enriched by a fac simile of the beautiful
figures on St. George's Hall, in alto relieve. The ends
also present corresponding porticos. The case is raised
from the ground—being supported from the ground by
figures of double or single elephants, forming, as it were,
a lower story. The model is thus elevated, and being
glazed all round, parties of low or of high stature may
obtain a distinct view of the whole. The cornicing, or
blocking at the top, is ornamented, over the columns or
pilasters, with figures of ships, ancient and modern. We
may add that it is intended to represent, by small models,
many hundreds of vessels of all kinds, in the docks and
in the river.

No doubt the public meeting which has been convened
on Thursday next will give a renewed impetus to this
undertaking.

DEPRESSED STATE OF TRADE-LAMENTABLE
CONDITION OF THE COTTON PORTERS.

We last week noticed the altered tone of the habitues
on 'Change—the violent reaction that had taken place,
and the total annihilation of the hopes and expectations
of the honest advocates of free trade. The bubble has
burst, spreading ruin and desolation around. We are in
possession of facts, as true as they are startling, to prove
that assertion, and at present will call the attention of our
readers to one portion of the evidence, viz. the present
condition of the cotton porters. We have not only con-
versed with several standing in the market-place, waiting
to be hired, but have visited their homes, and can vouch
for the accuracy of our statements, the destitution and
misery that pervade their dwellings, and the hopeless po-
sition in which they are placed. One most respectable
firm, who have employed from a hundred to a hundred
and fifty men, have at this moment not one; another, who
frequently employed even more, has some eight or ten ;
and it would not be too much to say that three-fourths of
the cotton porters are now thrown out of work. They
are, as a body, wholly unable to provide for a time of
stagnation like the present, their work being precarious,
for few can calculate on even a month's consecutive em-
employment. Three days in the week was a boon • and
the intervals since Christmas that they have not had one,
have not been few; their little articles of furniture have
either been sold or pledged, and melancholy indeed are
their cheerless homes. The recent prevalence of easterly
winds has no doubt had something to do with this state
of things, but it is not sufficient to account for the
entire calamity. We visited last week the house of
C—, near Great Homer-street, who now lies on a bed
of sickness; the appearance of the room denoted great
cleanliness, but of furniture there was scarcely a vestige.
One of the blankets had that very morning been pawned
for coals and bread. The man bore an excellent charac-
ter from his neighbours, for sobriety and industry ; and
the opinion of all was, that his illness was occasioned
through want of the necessaries of life ; too proud to
apply to the parish, he is gradually dying of starvation.
Another, named G—, living not far from him, with a
wife and three children, has done no work these six weeks;
and on asking him how he managed to exist, he pointed to
the empty room, and bitterly exclaimed, By the
loss of every homely camfort." The room was denuded
of every article of furniture, not even a blanket left this
inclement weather, and that his wife and children might
have a little more, he had been the whole day without
food. On being asked why he did not apply to the parish,
he sullenly replied he would perish first ; but, replied we,
what is to become of your family ? His answer was, that
death would be preferable to such absolute privation and
suffering. He was pressed down, crushed by the deepest
penury. Whilst writing this article, one, who #11••onell
the changes of fortune moved in a high sphere of society,
who served with credit abroad, but whom the vicissitudes
of life and adverse circumstances have compelled to work
as a common porter, called on us ; he also has a large
family, who, with himself, are wholly destitute. The
cases are so numerous, that to individualize is almost su-
perfluous. One more, and we have done. J. a steady
man, with one child, has had only three weeks' work since
November ; his house was respectably furnished, and him-
self and wife well clad, and comfortable. Now what a
change ; the child ill—the house nearly empty, for on
Saturday last, he shewed us the ticket he obtained on
pawning the last pillow; the feather bed had some time
been parted with, and few amongst the opulent know
how, by the labouring class, a feather bed is prized ; it is
their pride and boast; it is a step higher in the scale of
society, and a possesses' of one is considered a rising man :
it is the last thing with which he will part. The pillow
was kept as long as possible for the use of the child ; now
the floor is their bed, and a rug their covering. Porters
who have worked here for thirty years all agree in saying
that they never knew anything like the present time.
These cases we have seen and visited : how many more
are hidden, it is impossible to say, but their number is
legion.

The cotton porter is peculiarly placed : with few excep-
tions, he has no regular employer; he goes from firm to
firm, as he may be wanted ; waiting patiently on 'Change,
or near the merchants' offices, in all weathers, whole days
and weeks, trusting the arrival of the shipping, by which
his services may be required, and too often returning to
his home where nothing but famine and misery are to be
found. This is no highly coloured picture. The names.
elaracters, and residences of the parties are known. We
could name many others equally 'distressed, equally desi-
rous of work, bnt who, alas, can find none. Let our rea-
ders walk through the 'Change, docks, and streets of
Liverpool, and they will see what numbers are unem-
ployed ; enter into conversation with them, for they
number many intelligent men, and even scholars, amongst
them ; and judge whether our account of their misery be
not underrated. How some exist at all is a mystery to
many amongst themselves. These men now see their
folly in hugging Cobden and Co. The passing of that
iniquitous law saved, perhaps, a few agitators from bank-
ruptcy and disgrace, put thousands in their pockets, but
plunged their dupes in destruction. Bad as this state of
things is, we have not arrived at the worst—the crisis is
not yet come. The only class yet utterly ruined without
redemption is the farmer ; the landlord will follow ; trade,
like an expiring candle, may again emit a few flashes ;
merchants may for a brief time call themselves princes ;
but with such an overflowing flood of poverty, and its
concomitant, crime, flowing in on them, they will find
themselves utterly unable to stem the current, and will
be swept away, and in lieu of order, government and PRO-
TECTION, we shall have :anarchy, bloodshed, and con-
fusion ; for it is madness to suppose one part of the com-
munity is to fatten on the heart's-blood of the other.

A NUMEROUS SUCCESSION.— Mrs. Mary Woodhouse,
of Poulton, who died last week, at the age of 89, has left
the following offspring :—Seven sons and daughters, fifty-
nine grandsons and daughters, seventy-two great-grand-
children, one greet-great-grandchild ; total, 139.—Lan-
caster Guardian.

FATAL ACCIDENT.—The Yorkshire Gazette announces
the death, in his ninth year, of the only son of the Baron
and Baroness de Langen, and grandson of H. Preston,
Esq., of Moreby. The deceased was out upon his favour-
ite pony, near Ratcliffe Hall, Lancashire, attended by a
servant, when a party riding past at a furious rate caused
the pony to take fright ; the deceased was thrown off, and
his foot hanging in the stirrup he received such serious
injuries as to cause his immediate death.

Sagritulturat aiib Wortirulttiral

COLUMN

A rumour is afloat that it is intended to grant the public
some further privileges in the Liverpool Botanic Gardens.
We hear that it is contemplated to open the plant-houses
three days in the week, and the library every day but Sa-
turday and Sunday. Should this take place, it will indeed
be a boon, and, much as the contrary is anticipated, we
feel sure a great portion of the Liverpool' public will not
be slow to appreciate it. That there is a large number of
persons with a taste for strictly botanical pursuits, is a
fact which is much disputed by some ; but the fact of the
gardens being established by private enterprise is a satis-
factory proof, which is not invalidated by the fact that
those gentlemen were unable to continue their support of
the gardens. The existence of the taste, and of the indi-
viduals lovir- -rtainly proved by their com-

1g botany, was ce
mencement, and by the strenuous exertions made by the
late proprietors to maintain the gardens in a creditable
state.

We have also heard that mnch dissatisfaction is often
pressed in the

rown-hall i

with plants in flower for its decoration, and im-

crown out

urator is n

putations have been t
electing his duty in not attending to this matter better
We sincerely hope that all we have heard upon this mat-
ter, and it is not a little, is untrue; because,in the first place,
thepublicdoes not keep up theßotanic Gardens merely for
the delectation of its municipal officers; and it it were

otherwise, the paltry sum of £3O per annum, allowed for
the purchase of new plants and seeds, would not suffice to
keep up a display of shewy novelties at the Town-hall and
the Gardens. If such were the objects of the Liverpool
Botanic Gardens, a nursery foreman might be substituted

for a clever botanical curator, and the propagation of
merely showy plants be carried on. This might please
those totally ignorant of the real objects of a botanic gar-
den, but could not fail to be annoying to the intelligent
part of the community, who would prefer to see the legi-

tim ate character of the gardens maintained.
We can with sincerity bear testimony to the really ex-
cellent manner in which the Liverpool Botanic Garden is

kept, and we do so the more willingly because we often
hear complaints that it is not gay enough. Nothing can
be more unfair than this complaint, and it arises solely
from a mistaken idea of the nature of a botanic collection,
which is not for the purpose of bringing together the most
beautiful, but the most useful and interesting species.
The difficulties of maintaining a good botanical collection
are also much greater than most persons are aware of.
Many specimens are very difficult of cultivation, and re-
quire much attention, and after all are not plants of great
beauty, to repay the attention of the cultivator. In the
ordinary garden none but very gay plants need be placed
in the parterres; but in the botanical collection, the or-
namental and the inconspicuous must be placed, if possi-
ble, in juxtaposition.

_ .
We know most of the botanic gardens in the kingdom
and we are speaking advisedly when we say that we dc

small a space, which is so well kept, or upon which less
money is expended, and fewer hands employed. it is not
so ornamental as a gentleman's pleasure grounds ; hut it
certainly is more ornamental than most botanic garden
One thing tells much agnipst it—the flatne
tion, which is a dead level. '
would it be desirable in so sr

cannot be remedied,
a space; but it would

ity to lay out a sp
Gardens. which might be

a grand step for the mum(
park including the Botanic '
in the highest degree ornament

grand scale: the trees might be so arranged as to form
a fine arboretum, and the plants might be brought in
without the precise formality which is unavoidable in a
small garden like the present. We have taken this sub.
ject for two reasons, first, because we are glad to see that
the public are thought of in the deliberations of the
Garden Committee, and that one or more of its members

possesses some sound information upon what is wanted in
this direction, and secondly, because we have a high
opinion of the abilities and perseverance of the curator,
Mr. Shepherd, whom we do not like to see underrated.