The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-07-08 00:00:00

SELECTIONS.

HAPPY ACCIDENTS.—We owe the origin of astronomy
to wandering Chaldean astrologers; the origin of che-
mistry to cheating alchymists ; the origin of the elder
mathematics is like the origin of modern architecture, lost
in fabulous ages ; the modern mathematics are traceable
to half-civilised Arabs ; the fall of an apple suggested
Newton's sublime theory ; the steam-engine was at first a
plaything; and the science to which we owe the wonders
of the " electric telegraph" was suggested in our own age
by the convulsions of a fish preparing for a priest's dinner.

RISE OF NOBLE FAMILIES.—The family of Osborne
(Duke of Leeds) dates its rise from a young apprentice of
that name, who was a silversmith, and who saved his
master's only daughter from drowning ; a service re-
warded by her hand and fortune. The Normanbies de-
scend from a blacksmith named Phipps, who realised a
fortune by his discoveries. The Herberts owe their title
of Earls of Montgomery to a predecessor in the reign of
James 1., who took a horsewhipping from one Ramsay
without resenting it. The king was so delighted that he
made the patient Philip Herbert, Knight, Baron, Viscount
and Earl of Montgomery, all in one day.

SHAKING HANDS.—As a means of defence, the Eng-
lishman uses the clenched fist, and not the dagger, as the
Spaniards and It lians. They consider this as a more
manly, noble, and, as being more at hand when wanted,
a more efficient tower. But for friendship, as its most
heartfelt expression, the worthiest, manliest, and sincerest
sign of feeling they give the open hand. To us, indeed,
this English hand-shaking, when immoderate, as it some-
times is, has a somewhat comical effect. But it has its
bright side also. For in this custom, hearty, strong, and
sometimes rough, we see expressed the deep fraternal
sympathy of these great nations. Bodily union, as far as
the junction of the ten fingers can effect it, is a beautiful
symbol of that of the soul, and almost all nations have
adopted two bands clasped together as the emblem of
mutual brotherhood and aid. There is a language, silent
indeed, but ever variously expressive, in this custom.
Think but upon its degrees ; the pressure ; tne grasp ; the
hands held ; twisted within each other, given, or shaken ;
all, from woman's soft, gentle touch, which seems to lin-
ger as a feeling, to man's nervous, strong retention. For
example, the bishop's, or pastoral's shake. This is pro-
longed, and indicative of inward feeling, as though it
would say. "And you are also one of my fold." Such a
greeting, if the pastor be a man of God, and we impressed
by religious feeling, has a happier influence than a two
hours' discourse. And when we pray—when in the still-
ness of the soul, with no disturbing passion in our mind,
do we not fold our hands together as the sign that we are
in charity with all, and that reconciled, passionless, in
christian union with men, we bow before the shrine of the
Most High ? Mark those who, unacquainted with each
other, or possibly estranged, offer the hand as a mere act
of outward courtesy. How restrained is their action ;
how motionless, unfeeling, insensible ; like oil upon water
one hand rests within another; how readily they depart,
each glad to escape from this hypocritical communion.
On the contrary, when long-tried friends, who have been
separated for 3ears, again meet, with what haste and
warmth of feeling do they not grasp the hand ; how short,
but hearty, is their salutation. " Well met." They seem
riveted together as the links of a chain, true and insepara-
ble, with hearts for any fate. And when we bid " Fare-
well," does not our band rest folded with another's, mo-
tionless, yet thrilling with gentlest touch ; for sorrow and
affliction have a soft restraining feeling which refuses to
yield the hand, so often clasped in love, until the last
moment of separation.—Kohl's English Sketches.

LORD LYNDHURST'S ORATORY.-If by good fortune
your visit to the house should have happened on a night
' ' man has resolved to speak, the
is oratory still more encbain your
• g your pre-conceived opinion of
Nature seems to have organised
public orator, as one of those
magical influence of intelligence
mpathy from heart to heart and mind to mind.
.e stirring and dangerous times,
not ministers and measures,
ave stood forward as one of the
.s. As it is, contemplating him
ere of party, and under the dis-
advantages of that too close proximity which breeds con-
tempt, he realises much, if not all, we expect from an
n-like music, deep and
zit modulation for one
assions or the feelings,

When this remarka

physical attributes

attention while contirmin

his mental supremac

him for his destiny as

singled out to convey th
and

Had he been born in more
when lives and empires.

were at stak

'd's intell
tt

ual hero

arid atm

and capab

ies of his hearers, but

rather to

ent, their

s dignified in the extreme
red by tt

le, temp

sessed, cool, impressive,
level of his own mind,
'c'er descends from his

ain applause by

passions. When he
te compels them, by

yr, to his o

• ~
and does not become

he rest of our public

an orator,

when in

osition. Then, he
1(1 a powerful one

a condescension—a

ties of political strife, not an assault
and pursued for the pleasure and ex-

dhurst rising in his

of the

oppositior

med the staple of his
a very different man

robe moderator of

idulging in indolent
!Ie pure dictates of

of the whole country,
,es of a party. At all
splayed a rare union of

very self-denying for so

t as his triumphs have been as
Ine under the impression that

—Fraser,

DANGER OF ATTEMPTING TO ARGUE WITH ROMAN

minds, and who court free con-
iish to inform themselves, or peradven-
ght and information; for there is no lack
__'gent men with whom they may ex-
their thoughts—well trained, well skilled, picked
,nen, to whom no weapon of offence or defence
To shade with doubt the proud persuasion, to
Qensitive conscience, to make their
~1f the prejudice of a misin-
cunning to do. Their know-
ad of what will most surely and
it acquired in the schools, nor even
'an life, but in the exercise of the
lissecting-room of the confes-
'a where they cannot shake,
'annot wound. Different
'tly. Moreover, what-
acording to a system.

nue of our numerous travellers who

ion, who

ture to impar

of superior and intell

and chosen

infuse troubl
opposey'sfai,

th seem to I
s they

foioned mind ; t
ledge of
pawed'

y move it

pastoral fu
- Tl-

men t

ever th
Th

do, they do

—oned among them.
.y good fellow, who would
never known any graver employ-
ment than that of " eating, drinking, and being merry."
There is your lean, anxious-eyed priest, who is by way of
being struck with some good or plausible points of Pro-
testantism, and who slides you into an argument, where
can, as if by accident, make
is the antiquarian, who oc-
awe, as be leads his intended
ctures and inscriptions, the
monuments, and mouldering bones of the early martyrs,
and allows him to discover the exact likeness of the Ro-
mush ritual and customs, &c. &c., with those of the purest
and most unquestioned era of Christian history. There is
the simpering, sentimental Mary-worshipper for the sen-
timental; for the severe and the self-accusing are the re-
-Pry desirable degree of austerity. In short,
of man, for every form and condition
"R is the plausible and inviting ap-
'—qt for every fish ; and your
'-as man, presuming the

t and at
and burl

he knows

you sen

I fancy he

very charact

of the I-
pliance:

of God,
berty wig

!d matter,
f intellect

ess of spirit, nay, rather by what help
ron for herself that truth and right li-
ons, ventures to plunge into what he
o and friendly discussion, naked and
with the very man whom he is least

....._, ....,.,..ctigiLtell the !lands of
Wounded, we say.—a maimed and crippled Protestant,— a government desirous to do well; and they can, with
henceforward neither one thing nor another; a far worse God's blessing, maintain themselves and their cause,
citizen, and a far unhappier man than if he had become should the purposes of administration be evil. Earnestly
fairly a sound and downright Papist. He fancies himself we entreat the Protestant aristocracy to unite;—their all
engaged in a friendly discussion. Simple man ! Does is at stake—and he who values any sordid advantage—
he suppose that the Romanist will suffer his religion to present ease, personal favour, patronage, money—elsove
pi
implead itself at the bar of human reason? Does he ex-
his
pect him to argue and reargue for it Of what value to interestlan duties, his country's good, and his own abiding
, deserves ruin, , .id invites it. To the aristocracy
that church is a man convinced by arguments. Is not we have nothing more to say—our counsel has been re-
such persuasion entirely at the mercy of the next rea- spectfully and franl:lv tendered—hut we have a concluding
Boner? Is not that exaltation of the human intellect the word to the PrWs—ant body at large. They are not to
very radical sin of the Reformation? Moreover, if an consider their e:ate hopeless, because a British cabinet is
honest and real discussion be allowed, how shall it be ignorant of than. merits, and an Irish aristocracy, (which
conducted? A whole metaphysical system must be un- we sincerely hope it will not,) declines to occupy the post
learned by the Englishman, and another learned, before of honour and power among them, or at their head.
T issue can be joined. Shall John Locke and Sir Thomas he Protestant democracy in Ireland, if moderate and
Aquinas be used as homogenous, and those hope to meet resolved, patient, and prepared, will be found amply
who have reached intellectual manhood under such oppo-
strong for their own protection ; nor will they be left
site training ? Let any one who supposes ss, read the first without prudent counsellors, or without leaders in whom
they may repose a well-grounded confidence. There is
fifty pages of Muhler's Symbolik, and then perceive how
the most fundamental and elementary points of considers-
nut a district in Ireland in which Protestants have not
tion are unavoidably seen of different form and colour, ac-
advisers, by whose counsels they can be safely guided—if
cording to the metaphysical system, under the influence
they will only be steadfast to obey the law in its spirit
of which they are contemplated. If ever the Anglican and letter, and thus be protected from the imputation,
t
and the Romanist are to meet, it must be in a region that they are provoking the revolutionary movements,
against which they are but making themselves ready.
deeper than that of their distinctive confessions ; it must
be on the ground of a creed of facts, not of ideas and doc-
Let the processes by which they are brought into close
trines. But the truth is, nu bond fide discussion is in-
union be peaceful and unostentatious—let the purposes to
tended on
which they devote their strength in union, be such as
friend. The Anglican need not take the trouble of un- shall be held legitimate and necessary—let the funds they
the side of your conversable but sagacious
learning his metaphysics. If he do not strike his flag and gather be honestly kept, and prudently applied—let there
be no waste of resources in idle display—no vaunting, no
silence all his guns, he can never satisfy the Romanist.
He must prostrate himself not as a constrained, but as a menace—nothing, in short, prohibited by law, divine or
voluntary captive. He must prostrate intellect, will, and human—let there be the quiet confidence of men united,
sense itself. The absolute mastership and authority of resolved, religious—men who pray and give thanks for
the blessings of peace—while ready, should the storm
the church must be his first and saving idea. All other
ideas and beliefs must found themselves upon that. The arise, to gird themselves, and stand forth in the power of
canon of Scripture, the interpretation of Scripture, the the God of battles—let the Protestants, though but in
doctrines of it, the ordinances and rites, with their mean-
companies of the smallest numerical amount, unite in
ing and nature, he must receive as they are prescribed, de-
this spirit throughout Ireland ; the sympathies arising
out of community of faith, interest, danger, will, to a
termined, and graciously imparted to him by the Church.
His reception must not be arrived at as a result of the great extent, supersede the necessity of a formal affilia-
tion, and cause every little union in the land to feel itself
operations of his understanding. He must accept them
with gratitude, as the good gifts which God's steward, the a living member of a great Protestant body. This is our
Church, gives to him, for informing his highest reason.— deliberate advice and opinion. If the Irish gentry of the
The Spiritual Perils of British Travellers, in Fraser's
highest rank abdicate their proper post, let not the peo-
Magazine. , ple be deserted—because their appointed guardians are I