The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-30 00:00:00

SECRETS OF THE PRISOIi HOUSE.

When we referred, last week, to the circumstance
that, by an arbitrary interpretation of the rules of the
Poor Law Commissioners, the unfortunate paupers in
our workhouse are deprived of the opportunity- of learn-
ing anything of that world from which poverty has driven
them, we were little aware of the kind of authority to
which they were subjected. We were not aware that in
this conservative town, under a•conservative select vestry,
whose chairman is the senior rector of our parish, the
poor inmates of our workhouse are governed with a
despotism so harsh and unfeeling as it appears they are.
We were not aware that, under the present governor, it
is a crime in a pauper to have in his possession a con-
servative newspaper, even although it may have been
-upplied by the kindness of a friend, for a purpose bene-
ficial to the pauper himself.
It appears, however, that such is the case. Last
week, we are informed, a pauper in the workhouse was
discovered indulging in the atrocious gratification afforded
by a perusal of the Liverpool Standard. An old man he
was —one who had probably paid rates to the town in his
better days—one who had friends beyond the walls of
his workhouse prison, and thus an interest in the world
without, which it is only Christian charity to gratify.
But such gratification is not within the contemplation of
the representatives in our workhouse of the new poor law
philosophy. By them, poverty is regarded as A CRIME.
Paupers have no right to consider themselves citizens of
the world in which we live. They have no right to know
that a friend or a relation is dead, or that there is a
chance opened for their own re-establishment in the
world. Acting upon this harsh interpretation of the
laws, the paper in this poor man's hands was immedi-
ately taken from him—an inquiry instituted as to the
means by which it was brought within the walls—and
one of the paupers who refused to afford this information,
and perhaps could not afford it, ordered to be put upon
disorderly diet for twenty four hours.
Now, this, we submit, is not the kind of treatment to
which the ratepayers of the parish of Liverpool wish
their poor to be subjected. Already they have been
deprived of the privilege, formerly enjoyed by them, of
going out of the workhouse once a-week ; and it is a little
too bad that they should be deprived of the poor alterna-
tive which was left them of hearing of the world's pro-
ceedings through the columns of a respectable newspaper.
A workhouse was surely intended as an asylum for age
and poverty,. This rigour is fast converting it into a
gloomy prison-house.
It will, no doubt, be said that the exclusion of news-
papers is in accordance with the orders of the commis-
sioners, which direct the exclusion of all publications
having " an improper tendency, or likely to produce in-
subordination." The world, however, is pretty well
aware that this is a mere pretence. The object of this
rigorous and overstrained interpretation of the order in
question is to render existence within a workhouse more
intolerable ; and the same parties who evince this spirit
would not hesitate, had they the power, to forbid the
sun to shine upon, or the pure air of heaven to visit, the '
faded cheeks of their immured and heartworn fellow-be-
ings. Iris a wretched and unfeeling philosophy which
thus manifests itself; and we trust that its further de-
velopement will be checked by the select vestry.

LIVERPOOL CHARITABLE SOCIETY.—On Tuesday
evening an eloquent sermon was preached in St. Mark's
Church, by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, and a collection of
£47 10s. was made in aid of the funds of the above so-
ciety, which was established in 1822, for visiting and re-
lieving the sick and distressed poor of all religious deno-
mination, at their own dwellings. During the past twelve
months this admirable society relieved 2,900 cases, con-
taining upwards of 11,000 individuals.

THEATRE ROYAL, CHURCH-STREET.—MRS. RAY-
!dorms BENEFIT.—The performances at this theatre
during the past week have presented nothing upon which
we have not already commented ; but last night, for the
benefit of Mrs. Raymond, we were presented with a treat,
in the revival of the "The Merry Wives of Windsor,"
cast with all the strength of the company. In thee rowded
state of our columns to-day, it is impossible that we can
give any detailed notice of the piece. It will be repeated,
however, this evening, with other attractive performances,
for the benefit of the same lady ; and, whilst we recom-
mend all lovers of the legitimate drama to see and judge
for themselves, we must reserve our comments till next
week. The house. last night, we need not say, was cram-
med, and visitors to night, should therefore go early.
Miss WELLER'S SECOND CONCERT, AT THE ROYAL
ASSEMBLY-ROOMS.—The great success of Miss Weller's
first concert, and the inability of many parties to obtain
tickets on that occasion, made it imperative upon the fair
bendfiiciare to announce a second Soiree Musicale, which
accordingly took place on Thursday evening last, and was
well attended, the room being completely filled. The
programme differed materially from that of the former
soiree, the only compositions retained being the Fantasia
by Miss Weller, the grand Norma duett, and the ballad
of the " Old and New Year," sung by Miss Whitnall.
The audience appeared to relish Miss Weller's brilliant
Fantasia as highly as before, as also the Norma duett,
loudly applauding both. Miss Whitnall was in admirable
voice, sang the ballad with great taste, and was en-
cored. Mrs. Chatfield, wbo appeared to have recovered
from her temporary indisposition, sang with Miss Whit.
nall Mercadinte's &tett, " 0 vrce suave," very wee :
their voices harmonised delightfully. and produced a
charming and most pleasing effect. Mrs. Chatfield sang
".On the banks of Allan Water" with much feeling and
good taste, accompanying herself on the piano-forte, and
was encored. Mr. Ryalls was entrusted with one of Mr.
Lewis's songs, " Swiftly o'er the water glides," and was
encored. The concert went off extremely well, and ap-
peared to give satisfaction and pleasure to all present.

DEATH FROM THE FALLING OF A BALE OF COTTON.
—On Satuday, and by adjournment, yesterday, an inquest
was held before the Borough coroner, touching the death
of Isaac Croasdell. The deceased was a hoop merchant,
of Low-wood, near Ulverston. Samuel Carr, a porter,
said, that on Saturday morning about ten o'clock he was
engaged in sampling some bales of cotton in Mr. Wain-
wright's warehouse, in Wapping, which was going to
Stockport. A man named M`Manus had charge of the
break, and also put the sling on the bales. After some
bales had been weighed, witness assisted M`Manas in
slinging it, and said he thonght it secure. He then turned
his back
callckitosam outple thatanoth the bale had slipped erbale,ancl directly afutet ofrheard
m,mthe
rope. Witness went to the door of the room (No. 3,)
where they were, and saw a bale and deceased lying under
it, on the footpath. He went down and deceased was
picked up. He was not dead,. Out bleeding from his mouth.
He was taken to a public house, but did not speak after-
wards, and died in a short time. The rope did not break.
The cotton belonged to Mr. Richard Shaw, and the bale
weighed 2 cwt. 2 qrs. 261 b. and was worth £4 or £5.
M'Manus ran away, but was afterwards apprehended.
The deceased, it appeared, was passing with his son be-
tween the cart and the warehouse when the hale fell upon
him. His right leg was broken. Mr. Wainwright said
he had let the room to Messrs. Twiname and Co., and
furnished the ropes for taking in and delivering goods.
The rope was nearly new. The parties occupying rooms
furnished their own slings. The rope was afterwards
found to be sound and entire. M'Manus was in Mr.
Shaw's employ. A witness, Roberts, said that the bales
were not, he thought, slung in a proper manner at the
warehouse; door; they were raised on end and slung,
and ought to have been slung while lying flat. He saw
the cotton lowered, and he considered it in so dangerous a
manner that be told a police officer if they were not
stopped people passing would be killed. Another witness
saw the bale hanging out, saw it slipping from the noose,
and called out to M'Manus to hold on. He thought the
sling had slipped down the bale to the wrong end, and
that M`Mannus was not to blame. The deceased's son
was walking by his side when the bale fell, and, conse-
quently had a narrow escape. No surgeon was examined
to give evidence, the deceased being killed so suddenly.—
The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death, with a
deodaud of .£5 on the bale."

CALDWALL'S SELF-FLEETING WINDLASS AND PIM-
CHASE.—We were not a little surprised and gratified by
witnessing on Saturday, on board the new ship Joshua
Waddington, (in the Prince's Dock) the operation of this
admirable invention, which, whether as regards extraor-
dinary power in raising an anchor, or ease and safety in
fleeting it out, appears to us to be greatly superior to any
of the patent windlasses—and they are not a few—which
we had before seen. There are two purchases outside the
bit-heads, and also two near the centre of the barrel, be-
tween the two cables, though these are not necessary in
all vessels. The purchase in each consists of a powerful
leverage, formed by a strong knee or crank into which
long iron handles are shipped. To the upper part of the
knee is attached a click passing in a curve over a wheel
greater in diameter than the barrel of the windlass, and
with rounded teeth inclining forwards, so that when the
lever is lifted the click passes over several teeth, and
dropping, catches f►rm hold of any one of them. The
lever being then pushed down the wheel, and with it the
whole windlass is sent round with great force. In the
purchase, or upright part of the crank, there are four
holes, and by shifting the click end the power may be in-
creased, or • diminished. When in the lower hole one
man may lift as much weight as four men could do if it
were in the upper hole, but the latter would of course have
the advantage in speed. One man may lift with this pur-
chase a weight at the bows of the ship of twenty-one cwt.
This process is of course slower. Four men, when the
full length of the arm or crutch is put on, will tarn the
windlass right round once, with the same weight, in four
heaves of the lever. Of course when two or four levers
are employed, where men are to be had, the power is in-
creased to double or quadruple ratio. Another great ad-
vantage, however, of this windlass—aud perhaps the
greatest—is the fleeting apparatus attached to it, which on
being brought into operation will let down an anchor at
almost any speed ; and it may be slowed or checked, in
its descent, at any depth, by one man, without the least
jerking. The rims of the breaks clip round the outside of
the cog-wheels, in a very simple and efficient manner,
and with the slightest care any desired speed, (over-
hauling the chain out of the locker) may be attained, or
any required slowness. In addition to these advantages,
Mr. Caldwell has introduced an excellent patent deck
stopper and deck pipe. The nautical gentlemen who
have witnessed the trials on board the Joshua Wadding-
ton, have expressed their high approval of these inven-
tions, which have already been introduced in some of our
vessels of war. The inventor brings numerous testi-
monials from practical men ; but we are constrained, from
want of room at present, entering more into detail. The
patent windlass apparatus may be fitted to vessels having
the usual wooden windlasses,

MEETING AT THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION
LAST NIGHT.

A meeting of the friends of, and subscribers to this in-
stitution was held in the theatre of the building yesterd
evening, for the purpose of aiding the committee in the
establishment of a girls' school in connexion with the
institution. The Right Hon. the Earl of Sefton took the
chair amidst great cheering, and, rising, said that it was
not his intention to occupy the time of the meeting with
any remarks as to the object for which they had met;
and though he would yield to no person in a desire to pro-
mote that object, yet he knew his powers of eloquence
were inferior to hose who would enter into details, and lay
before the meeting an outline of the proceedings intended
to be pursued, by a series of resolutions, to which he
did not think he had any necessity to crave their at-
tention, as they were not there to promote any political
ascendancy—they were there to promote the good of the
community—(cheers.) The secretary would read a letter
from the Bishop of Norwich, after which an appeal
would be made to the hearts and common sense of the
audience, and a not less sensitive appeal to their pockets
—to which he felt assured they would respond in a man-
ner suited to their class. The secretary, Mr. Hodgson,
here read the letter from the Bishop of Norwich, in
which he approved in the strongest terms of the object of
the meeting, and lamented his inability to attend.
T. WISE, Esq., M.P., then rose to propose the first re-
solution, which applied to the establishment of the schools,
and the necessity of providing education for the female
portion of the community, and advtered in most glowing
and eloquent language, to the progress of the institution
since he had last (some years ago) had the pleasure of ad-
dressing an assembly in that building. He then ventured
to hope that but a few years would go by ere such insti-
tutions would be spread through the land : this he had
ventured to prophecy—and other institutions, not oppo-
nents, but imitations—not to throw objections in the way,
but to rival it in doing good, now existed. He alluded
to the cramped means formerly offered for attaining know-
ledge, which made education a manopoly, and its profes-
sors an aristocracy; arid in an affecting manner pictured
the utility, and the blessing, an educated woman was to
society, and to the influence women possessed over the
masculine portion of the community. He depicted the cha-
racter of the Eastern women, and the influence custom
produced on them, and illustrated the progress of educa-
tion through the women of the more civilized nations of
Rome and Greece, proving that the great object of educa-
tion in women was to produce a corresponding influence
on men, as mothers and as wives—for behind the greatest
characters of men was seen shining the radiating influence
of the mother. He then alluded in stronger language to
the depraved condition of the colliery and factory classes
designating them as in a state of heathen blindness and
crime, and concluding his most eloquent address, by ex-
horting to spare no exertion in forwarding an object that
would be of so much benefit in improving the moral con-
dition of a class who had as great a claim on society for
education as their more favoured brethren, the male por-
tion of the community. He retired, after speaking up-
wards of an hour, amidst great applause.
H. HORNBY, Esq., in a short address, seconded there-
solution ; after which

The SECRETARY read a luminous report of the corn-
mitte, which is about to be published, and which is cer-
tainly worthy of attention, as it treats the subject in a
most masterly manner. The report concludes by stating
that through the munificence of George Holt, Esq., the
committee had made arrangements for Blackburne House,
a building admirabiy adapted for the purpose proposed.
Dr. BLACKBURNE moved the adoption of the report,
which was seconded by Mr. BRANCKER, and carried una-
nimously.

Other resolutions were carried relative to the prelimi-
nary department of the establishment, and the meeting,
after voting thanks to the Chairman and Mr. Wise, sepa-
rated, all apparently highly delighted, and much interested
in the object for which it was called.

SURROGATE AT WEST DERBY.—The Rev. Thomas
Gardner, M.A.. the incumbent of St. Anne's Church,
has been appointed by the Chancellor of the Diocese one
of his surrogates for the granting of marriage licenses, the
probate of wills, &c.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.—We understand that the Rev.
Joshua Hughes, vicar of Abergwili, Carmarthenshire, who
is nearly related to the Rev. Wm. Hughes, of this town,
preached in the 'Welsh language, to a very numerous con-
gregation, at St. Paul's Church, last Sunday afternoon.
We hear, likewise, that the Bishop of St. David's, whose
palace is at Abergwili, performed the duties in Welsh at
Abergwili church, last Sunday, in the vicar's absence.
The inhabitants of the principality can now justly feel
proud in having the above learned prelate often officiating
in their own ancient language.
CHARGE OF CRUELTY AND ASSAULT AGAINST A.
CAPTAIN.—On Saturday afternoon, and by postpone-
ment yesterday, Mr. Rushton was engaged for many hours
in investigating a case in which an English captain (Peter
Petre) master of the barque Lydia, was charged with
having inflicted several dangerous wounds on several
pacts of the body of one of his seamen, Josiah Lawton,
a native of Massachussetts in the United States. The
defendant, for many years, held a commission in the
navy, and had ever since commanded merchant ships
out.of this port. Mr. Harden (barrister) appeared for
the defendant, and Mr. Owen (solicitor) for the com-
plainant. Mr. Owen briefly stated the facts, which in-
volved a charge of a very grave character. He then
called the complainant, who appeared with his fingers
bandaged, and both his hands suspended in a sling.
Complainant stated that on the evening of the 19th of
December, when on the passage from the Brazils, he re.
ceived orders from the mate to go aloft, and take in
the top-gallant studding sail yards. He went aloft but
could not accomplish the duty ordered, the heel lashing
of one of the booms being too fast for him. He came
tnDho
eot y,nio
mate
t ne dw thinkth
the
a et I
mate
aaa
dtr
er
down on deck for a marlin spike to unloose it. He
yhaapmp exclaimedea(ln
asked the mate if he could tell him where he could find
uwok
pnnoeou ,
awl
would
dwnn and
whether
tnthah
saideble
erori
wenfypaohl
spike in my pocket !" Complainant said " I don't
" I want none of your jaw." The captain then came
wetore
dnootsoa,lltoewlleincliz thoimcohte theushte
said " Tut, tut, I never heard the like before." Com-
plainantel-
m
lashing he could not send the boom down. The captain
go
aloft and complete his task. When complainant had
got partly up the rigging, the mate called to him to
learn what he said of him, and he repeated the
words. The captain thereupon cried, " You d—d
Yankee son of a —, come down here." He came
down, and the captain said, " The mate shall have you
slung up, and give you a severe flagging." The com-
plainant replied " the sooner the better," and the
captain immediately struck him two blows on the face.
The captain and mate then seized him. The former
dropped his hold and ordered two of the crew to take him
aft. They obeyed taking him aft as far as the mainmast.
The captain then went to the cabin and speedily returned
with a sword in his hand : he went up to the man (who
was held by the two) and struck him once or twice with
the sword in its scabbard ; but almost immediately after-
wards, complainant saw the sword naked. The captain
then cut at him with the sword, severely wounding him
on the arms, shoulders, head and hands—cutting at such
a rate that complainant cried out " for God's sake, spare
my life!" He, however, received two or three cuts more,
when he again cried for mercy, believing at the time that
he was bleeding to death. After the second appeal the
captain ceased to cut him any more. He then told the
captain he was bleeding to death. The captain in a
coarse manner said he did not believe be was bleeding at
all. The two men held him while the captain struck him
with the sword, it being very dark ; but when they found.
such a weapon was used they let him go. The complain-
ant afterwards asked the captain to dress his wounds.
He at first refused, but immediately afterwards seeing (ass
a light was brought,) he was bleeding copiously, he d
wounds washed, and dressed them. Complainant denied
that he ever struck the captain or the mate, though it
appeared that he had had " a gripe" or tussle with the
latter, and that they were both successively down under
some water casks. Several of the sailors on board cor-
roborated this testimony, and spoke to the dangerous
nature of the wounds. Kelly, a passenger on board,
dressed them daily, at the request of the captain on the
remainder of the voyage. Hr. Harris, of the Northern
Hospital, said complainant had been brought there the
day before, and described the wounds on the arms, &c.
Half of one of his little fingers had been cut off. The
wounds he considered to be at first dangerous to life,
and had evidently been inflicted with a sharp instrument
A sheathed sword could not have inflicted them, as they
were clean cut. Mr. Harding said, by instructions, that
a naked sword had not been used, and that the captain
had long born an excellent character. He called the
chief mate, who stated that on the coast of Brazil com-
plainant had, when near a dangerous shoal, steered the
ship from side to side, in order as complainant said.
" to have a row with the captain," and that at the
time of the affray he had struck the captain, and
knocked him down ; that he had also. during it,
attempted to " gouge" the mate. Another passen-
ger acid the captain's conduct was that of a gentleman,
and that he had not used undue violence.—Mr. Rushton
said that no doubt the complainant had been saucy ; that
he and the mate had had a previous grudge, but that the
conduct of the captain in using such a weapon was rash
and intolerable, and he must answer for it before a tri-
bunal of his country.—The Captain was admitted to bail
until yesterday, as (it was stated that he had some incul-
patory evidence to adduce,) himself in £5OO, and two sure-
ties in £250 each.—Yesterday the captain again appeared,
and Mr. Harden addressed Mr. Rushton at some length,
urging that the ends of justice would be satisfied by the
case being disposed of, by fine, in that court ; that the
captain had had great provocation ; had for a moment lost
temper, and done wrong, but that an arrangement forcom-
pensation might, he understood, be made with the com-
plainant. He added that he had some mitigatory testi-
mony, but when it was called it failed to satisfy Mr.
Rushton's mind, and after commenting on the over-
stretched exercise of the captain's legal powers in the
case, (though he himself had long known and respected
him,) he said that even if a compromise could be come to
with the complainant, the public interests and public jus-
tice must take precedence of private feelings, and he had
no resource but to send the case for adjudication in the
Central Criminal Court. As, however, some ;witnesses
were absent, who, it was stated, would throw some miti-
gation upon the conduct of the captain, he should not then
commit, but take the same recognizances for his appear-
ance to-morrow (this day) at two o'clock. The recogni-
zances were produced, the captain in £5OO, and two in
£250 each, and the defendant was liberated. Most of the
witnesses were also bound over to appear at London, the
complainant (who is an inmate of the Northern Hospital,)
in the sum of £loo.—[We have been requested to give
Capt. Petrie's most solemn denial that be used, during any
part of the affray, a naked sword. We have also received
a written explanation of the circumstances, which, if Capt.
do
Petre can substantiate on his trial, will go far in relieving
you
told
s 6°
yr"
hint from his serious position.)