The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-01-21 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

RlNGS.—Rings appear to have been given away for-
merly at weddings. In Wood's Athenae Oxonienses, vol.
p. 280, we read in the account of the famous philosopher
of Queen Elizabeth's d,:ys, Edward Kelly :—" Kelly, who
was °per ly profuse beyond the modest limits of a sober
philsopher, did give away in gold-wire rings (or rings.
twisted with three gold wires), at the marriage of one of
his maid servants, to the value of £4000." This was in
1589, at Trebona.

BAD TASTE IN DRESS.-01 all the follies that can
be fairly placed to the charge of the human race. and
Heaven knows they are as thick as gnats in a summer
sunbeam, none can be laid t more people's doors than
the fickleness and vagaries of the judgment in adorning,
to say nothing of covering, man's ower scaffolding, the

_ The chief quarrel to be picked with man for his
dressing propensities is on the ground that he not only
hides and disfigures the fair proportions bestowed on him
by his Maker, but that he, ever and anon, lo',ds himself
with such masses of useless incongruities that the very
end and object of his care are stultified. Instead of mak-
ing himself smart, pretty, becoming, beautiful, or any
other word that you can find in the dandy's dictionary, he
frequently succeeds in making himself positively ugly,
frightful, in the pure abstract sense of the term, or detes-
table, in the lingo of the Stultzean tribe, and relapses, as
a Frenchman would say, from civisin to brutism :—Ah '
quel animal que rhomme !—B'ackwood's Magazine
A

__ departing generation, who disputed so fiercely about
the late Queen Caroline, may read in the diary of the late
Earl of Nlalmesbury, (just published,) how truly the ho-
roscope and destiny of the ill-fated Princess were read by
the Earl, when intrusted with instructions to demand her
hand in marriage with the Prince of Wales. At the first
interview between the Prince and Princess, the " finest
gentleman in Europe" lifted the Princess up from her
kneeling position, said barely one word to her, and then
retiring to a distant part of the apartment, called for a
glass of brandy, as if the sight of his future wife had made
him sick. She, on her part, said, " I find the Prince very
fat, and not at all so good-looking a's his portrait !" Af-
terwards, the Prince pointedly reproached Lord Malmes-
bury for not writing to him from Brunswick, representing
his wife's child-like defects of character. The envoy's
reply, that these were not his instructions, will be pro-
nounced satisfactory to the ciuntry, as it accords with
each readers' own sense of the duties of an English noble-
man sent on such a mission. It is to be regretted that so
shrewd a judge of character as the Earl of Malmesbury
was not entrusted with some discretion by Geo. 111., to
whose positive and limited instructions no small share of
the misery resulting from this unhappy union is fairly
chargeable.

LARGE CHESTS.—Hones that are round or " barrel-
chested," are invariably more muscular and enduring
than those of the opposite kind : scientific sportsmen are,
in a great measure, guid. d in their opinion of a horse's
racing qualifications, by his girth just behind the shoul-
ders : by this test, a well-known jockey foretold the re-
putation and prowess of the celebrated racer " Plenipo-
tntiary," almost from the period of his birth. Cattle-
dealers and butchers, in like manner, judge by the chests
and shoulders of cows and pigs, what amount of fat they
are likely to gain in the process of feeding. All animals
that have large lungs are remarkable for the vigour of
their appetite, and for the facility with which they appro-
priate their nutriment; such animals will feed upon the
coarsest hay and straw, whilst their less fortunately con-
structed companions are fattened by no kind of food.
An amusing anecdote is related of a simpleton, who, in
trying to sell his horse, told the intended purchaser that
" the animal's eating was a mere nothing." This intel-
ligence would, contrary to intention, have sufficed to ruin
the prospect of sale, but that the buyer, with a rare dis-
crimination, inferred from the capacity of the horse's
chest that the capacity of his appetite had been unwit-
tingly misstated. He bought him on the hazard of an
opinion, and had no reason to repent himself of his judg-
ment.—Medical Times.

BEDOUINS AT THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, AT EASTER.—
It is' almost too much to expect that so many ministers of
peace can assemble without finding some occasion for
strife, and in that year a tribe of wild Bedouins became
the subject of discord. These men, it seems, led an Arab
life in some of the desert tracts bordering on the neigh-
bourhood of Jerusalem, but were not connected with any
of the great ruling tribes. Some whim, or notion of
policy, had induced them to embrace Christianity ; but
they were grossly ignorant of the rudiments of their
adopted faith, and, having no priests with them in the
desert, they had as little knowledge of religious ceremo-
nies as of religion itself ; they were not even cap.lble of
conducting themselves in a place of worship si ith ordinary
decorum, but would interrupt the service with scanda-
lous cries and warlike shouts. Such is the account the
Latins give of them, but I have never heard the other side
of the question. '1 hese wild fellows, notwithstanding
their entire ignorance of all religion, are yet claimed by
the Greeks, not only its proselytes who have embraced
Christianity generally, but as converts to their particular
doctrines and practice of their Church. The people thus
alleged to have concurred in the great schism of the
Eastern empire, are never, I believe, within the walls of
a church, or even of any building at all, except upon this
occasion of Easter; and as they -then never fail to find a
row of some kind going on by the side of the sepulchre,
they fancy, it seems, that the ceremonies there enacted
are funeral games, of a martial character, held in honour
of a deceased chiefblo—and that a christian festival is a
peculiar kind of battle, fought between walls, and with-
out cavalry.—Ed'hen.

ORIGIN OF DR. BELL'S SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.—
Things were in this state (viz., a state of warfare between
Dr. Bell and the masters of the Madras Orphan School,
of which he was superintendent,) " when, happening in
one of his morning rides to pass by a Malabar school, he
observed the children seated on the ground and writing
with their fingers on sand, which had for that purpose
been strewn before them. He hastened home, repeating
to himself as he went, 'Eureka, I have discovered it;'
and gave immediate orders to the usher of the lowest
classes to teach the alphabet in the same manner, with this
difference only from the Malabar mode, that the sand
was strewn upon a board. These orders were either dis-
regarded, or so carelessly executed, as if they were not
thought worth regarding; and after frequent admonitions
and repeated trials made, without either expectation or
wish of succeeding, the u-her at last declared it was im-
possible to teach the boys in that way. If he had acted
on this occasion in good will and with merely common
ability, Dr. Bell might never have cried 'Eureka' a se-
cond time. But he was not a man to be turned from his
purpose by the obstinacy of others, nor to be baffled in it
by their incapacity. Baffled, however, he was now sensi-
ble that he must be if he deptnded for the execution of
his plans on the will and ability of those over whose minds
he had no command. He bethought himself of employing
a boy, on whose obedience, disposition, and cleverness he
could rely, and giving him charge of the alphabet class.
The lad's name was John Frisken; he was the son of a
private soldier, had learned his letters in the asylum, and
was then about eight years old. Dr. Bell laid the strong-
est injunctions upon him to follow his instructions, say-
ing, he should look to him for the success of the simple
and easy method which was to be pursued, and hold him
responsible for it. What the usher had pronounced to be
impossible this lad succeeded in effecting without any
difficulty. The alphabet was now as much better taught
as, till then, it had been worse than any other part of the
boys' studies; and Frisken, in consequence, was appoint-
ed permanent teacher of that class. Though Dr. Bell did
not immediately perceive the whole importance of the
successful experiment, he proceeded in the course into
which be had been, as it were, compelled. What Frisken
had accomplished with the alphabet class might, in like
manner, he done with those next in order by boys select-
el, as he had been, for their aptitude to learn anit
Accordingly, he appointed boys as assistant teachers to
some of the lower classes, &c. Tls same improvement

was now manifested in those classes as had taken place in
teaching the alphabet. The experiment which, from ne-
cessity, had been tried at first with one class, was syste-
maticPilly extended to all the others in progression.—Life
of Dr. Bell, just published.

COMMERCE

AND MANUFACTURES

LETTER
FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

The following letter, dated the 11th instant, has been
addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the clergy
and laity of his province. We may remark, that this let-
ter cannot be that addressed by the Archbishop to the
Bishop of Exeter, and which worked so marked a change
in the mandates of the latter prelate, as the Archbishop's
letter is dated Lambeth Palace, January 11th, whilst
the Bishop's is dated Bishopstowe, Jan. Bth. The dif-
ference in the dates is material.

" For a considerable time past my attention has been
anxiously turned to the division in the Church, occasioned
by differences of opinion with respect to the intention of
certain rubrical directions in the Liturgy, and diversities
of practice in the performance of Divine service. These
questions, relating to matters in themselves indiffi rent,
but deriving importance from their connexion with the
maintenance :I uniformity and order in the solemn minis-
trations of the Church, are rendered difficult by the am-
biguity of the rubrics in some instances, and in all by the
doubts which may arise as to the weight which should be
allowed to general usage when it varies from the written
law. It is partly on these accounts, and partly from un-
certainty with respect to the extent of the powers com-
mitted to the Archbishop of the province, in the pre-
face to the Book of Common Prayer, for the resolution of
doubts in regard to the contested points that I have not
felt myself justified in expressing an authoritative opinion
upon questions occasionally submitted to me on these
subjects. I was, indeed, willing to hope that these con-
troversies, like many of much greater importance which
have for a season disquieted the Church, would be suf-
fered to die away of themselves, when the arguments on
each side had been thoroughly sifted, from the good sense
of the parties engaged in them, and the general conviction
of their unprofitableness. But having been disappointed
in this expectation, and considering the tendency of con-
tinued agitation to weaken the sacred bonds of affection
which ought to unite the clergy and laity as members of
one body in Christ, I hold it a duty to come to:ward, in
the hope of allaying animosities, and putting a stop to
dissensions, which are shown by experience to be not only
unedifying but mischievous. With this view, I would call
your attention to a few considerations, which, with per-
sons who are desirous of peace, will, I trust, have their
due weight.
" It has long been observed that, in the performance of
Divine service in the generality of our parochial churches,
there has been a deviation in certain particulars, from
the express directions of the rubric, and that, in some
cases, a difference in respect to the sense of the rubric has
led to a diversity in practice. In regard to such points, in
themselves non-essential, the most conscientious clergy-
men have felt themselves justified in treading in the steps
of their predecessors; and hence the irregularity (for all
departure from rule is irregular,) which seems, in some
instances at least, to have existed from the beginning, be-
came inveterate. There have, I apprehend, at all times
been clergymen who have been distressed by this incons's-
tency ; and of late years it has been regarded by many
excellent men as irreconcileable with the obligations which
they took upon themselves on their admission into holy
orders. Under the influence of these scruples, they
thought it right to adhere as closely as possible to the let-
ter of the rubric in their ministration ; while others of
their brethren, not less conscientious, have been deter-
mined by considerations, in their estimation of great
weight, to follow the usage which they found established
in their respective churches. Under these circumstances
a diversity of practice has arisen, which is not only incon-
sistent with the principle of uniformity maintained by the
Church, but is sometimes associated in the minds of the
people with peculiarities of doctrine, and gives birth to
suspicions and jealousies destructive of the confidence
which should always subsist between the flock and their
pastor. To prevent the increase of an evil which might
terminate in actual schisms was confessedly most desira-
ble; and the most effectual mode of accomplishing the ob-
ject, it has been thought, would be found in general con-
formity to the rubric. Universal concurrence in this easy
and obvious regulation would have combined the several
advantages of securing compliance with the law of the
Church and the land, of putting :I stop to unau'horised in-
novations, and of excluding party distinctions, in their
character decidedly unchristian, from the public worship
of God ; and I cannot but regret that measures which,
with a view to these good purposes, have been recom-
mended by high authorities, should not have been re-
ceived with unanimous acquiescence, as the means of re-
storing order and peace, without any departure from the
principles of the Church, or offence to the most scrupu-
lous conscience.
" At the same time, I am sensible that those who ob-
ject have much to allege in their justification. If the I
written law is against them, they plead an opposite usage,
in parochial churches at least, reaching back, perhaps, to
the time when the intention of the lawgiver was best un-
derstood, superseding its literal sense, and dt termining its
real meaning; they appeal to the general consent of
bishops, clergy, and laity, implied in the absence of any
effectual interference during so long a period ; they object
to the sudden revival of rules, which in their opinion are
obsolete, and still more to their rigid enforcement after so
long a term of abeyance. In fairness to them, we must
allow that this dislike of alterations in the manner of wor-
ship to which they have been accustomed from their in.
fancy, proceeding as it does from attachment to the ordi- i
nances of the Church, ought not to be visited with un-
kindly censure; and we can hardly be surprised at any !
change being regarded with suspicion when so many at- I
tempts have been made to introduce innovations which
are really objectionable, and tend, as far as they go, to al-
ter the character of our Church. It must also be granted
that the intention of the Church is not always clearly dis- I
coverable from the language of the rubric, nor determina-
ble with absolute certainty from the records of eat ly prac- I
tice. In such cases it may with some show of reason be
said, that, as the eminent men to whom the several revi-
sions of the Liturgy were successively entrusted, did not
see the necessity of giving directions so precise as to en-
sure a rigid conformity in every particular, we may be
contented to acquiesce in slight deviations from rule, sug-
gested by convenience, and sanctioned by long usage.
" Now, whatever may be the force of the arguments on
either side, a difference of opinion will, probably, always
exist in regard to the contested points. But all parties
will concur in regarding these points as of far less import-
ance than Vie maintenance of that mutual confidence
which, next to support from above, forms the main strength
of the Church, producing the harmonious cooperation of
its several members, and disposing the people to look up
with reverence to their pastor as their spiritual instructor
and guide. In whatever degree, or by whatever means,
the tie of affection is loosened, a proportionate diminution
will follow of that moral influence on which the efficiency
of the clergyman's teaching will always depend.
" The case, then, if fairly considered with reference to
the existing dissentions, and the results to be expected
from their continuance, will show the necessity of mutual
forbearance to the peace and the honour, I may even say
to the safety, of the Church. The laity, it may be hoped,
will see the propriety of respecting the consciences of such
of the clergy as have held themselves bound to strict com-
pliance with the express direction of the rubric, without
regard to former disuse ; and the clergy will perceive the
expediency of not pressing too harshly, or abruptly, the
observance of laws which, having by themselves and their
predecessors been long suffered to sleep, have now the ap-
pearance of novelty. lam fully alive to the importance
of uniformity in the celebration of Divine service ; but I
think it would be purchased too dearly at the expense of
lasting divisions, a consequence which, I trust, will be
averted by a suspension of the existing disputes. My
hope of such an adjustment is grounded on the wisdom,
temper, and piety, which are engaged on both sides of the
enestion. A settlement which would have the sanction of
the law is at the present moment irepossiote ; and, were it
possible, could hardly be attempted with hope of success,
till the subsisting excitement has been allayed by time and
reflection. But till that time shall arrive, our regard to
the spiritual interests of our brethren ought surely to put
a stop to contentions, which, besides the offence against
charity, engage much time and ability which might be in-
finitely better applied, and which can afford pleasure to
those only who bear to our Church. The matters
in controversy, considered in themselves, are not of vital
importance ; the services in our churches has in general
been conducted in conformity to the apostle's direction,
with order and decency, and whether performed with exact
regard to the letter of the rubric, or with the variations
established by general usage, will still be decent end or-
derly. I therefore entreat you to consider whether the
peace of the Church should be hazarded by prolonging an
unprofitable controversy, at a time more especially when
her energies are directed with such hope of success to the
promotion of religion and morals, and when the clergy
and laity are zealously engaged in united exertions for the
erection and endowment of churches and schools, and for
other pious and beneficial objects, in almost every part of
I the country.

" What.l would most earnestly recommend for the pre-
sent, is the discountenance of any proceedings, in tither
direction, on the controverted questions. In churches
where alterations have been introduced with general ac-
quiescence, let things remain as they are ; in those which
retain the lesS accurate usage, let no risk of division be
incurred by any attempt at change until some final ar-
rangement can be made with the sanction of the proper
authorities. In the case of churches where agitation pre-
vails, and nothing has been definitely settled, it is not pos-
sible to lay down any general rule which may be applica-
ble to all circumstances. But is it too much to hope that

those who are zealous for the honour of God, and the good
of His Church, will show by the temporary surrender of
their private opinions, that they are equally zealous in the
cause of peace and charity ?
On the particular questions which disquiet the pub-
lic mind, I think it unadvisable to pronounce an opinion.
Upon careful examination, I have found reason to think
that some of these questions are more difficult of solution
than is commonly imagined, and that the meaning which
occurs at first sight is not always the most correct. And
the general question, in respect of what should be con-
ceded to usage in controlling or mollifying the written law
seems to me to be open to much doubt. But if I were
ever so fully persuaded in my own mind, I should be un-
willing, for reasons already ass.gned, to pronounce a judg-
ment which, not having legal authority, might be accepted
by some and disregarded by others, and might thus in-
crease the confusion which it was designed to remedy.
For similar reasons I have not thought it expedient to
call the bishops of my province together at this time,
though it will be my desire, as well as my duty, to seek
their advice and assistance when a fit opportunity presents
itself. I am, however, fully assured of their general con-
currence in deprecating the continuance of discussions,
which will undoubtedly multiply strife and contention, but
which, in the present posture of things, can lead to no be-
neficial result.

" In order to guard against misapprehension I think it
proper to state, that all I have here said is strictly confined
to the rubrical questions which have occasioned the pre-
sent agitation. All change in the performance of the ser-
vice, affecting the doctriao of the Church, by alteration,
addition, or omission., I regard with unqualified disappro-
bation. I may fo,?ther remark, that the Clanger to thy

Church would be great, if clergymen, not having due re-
spect either to episcopal authority or established usage,
should interpret the rubric for themselves, should intro-
duce or curtail ceremonies at pleasure, or make Divine
service in any way the means of expressing their own
theological opinions or party views. In respect to the ri-
tual, the preface to the Book of Common Prayer directs
all persons having doubts, or diversely taking anything in
the performance of the Church service, to resort to the
bishop of the diocese for the resolution of such doubts, and
the appeasing of diversities. Had due attention been paid
from the first to this salutary rule, the Church might per-
haps have been saved from much of the dissension which
at various times has divided her members, and grieved
and perplexed her rulers; and which, if not speedily
checked, may again cause a serious disturbance of her
peace. Considering the course I have suggested as offer-
ing the only immediate means of averting such a calamity,
and at the same time preparing the way for a final arrange-
ment at a convenient season, I earnestly recommend its
adoption, in the hope that, through the blessing of God,
it may lay the foundation of lasting peace ; " and to this
end"—(l borrow the words of a learned and pious ritual-
ist)—" to this end may the God of Peace give us all meek
hearts, quiet spirits, and devout affectious, and free us
from all prejudice, that we may have full churches, fre-
quent prayers. and fervent charity ; that, uniting in our
prayers here, we may all join in His praises hereafter, for
he sake of Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.