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

COURTS OF LAW COMMITTEE.

It appeared from the proceedings of this committee
that M r. Elmes, ihe architecimpught for a further outlay
of £5OOO in improving and Nib ellishing the new assize
courts. 'lie committee recommended it to be made.

ogfavwehriic7 tsooLlot4ataynicm.:LligZolgnarthke
course of
were made respecting those who had not forseen the s
ne-
cessity of these alterations in the first instance.
Mr. STEWART said it was an unfortunate business al-
together. He saw that there would be continual calls for
money, and his opinion was that the whole thing had been
badly managed from first to last.
Mr. NORTH moved as an amendment that the proceed-
ings be confirmed, with the exception of that portion
which related to the expenditure of the £5OOO.
Mr. KILSUAW seconded the amendment, and upon a
division the numbers were—for it, 12 , against it, 12,
The MAYOR having given his casting vote against the
amendment, it was lost by a majority of one, and the
proceedings were confirmed.
The council adjourned, at twenty minutes to four
o'clock, to that day week, (to-morrow,) for the despatch
of the remaining business on the paper.

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.

LECTURES ON GYMNASTICS,

BY L. HUGUENIN, ESQ.
These lectures have been preceded by a very agreeable
performance by Mr. Mott on his newly-invented piano-
forte. One of them has the apparent combination of the
wind and stringed instruments, playing first as a finely-
toned grand piano, and afterwards imitating most of the
wind instruments, particularly the organ, French horn,
hautboy, violin, &c., with such correctness that the unprac-
tised ear would indeed fancy he was listening to a kind of
instrumental concert, each performing its part with per-
fect regularity. This invention of Mr. Mott's bids fair
to make as great a revolution in music, and the applica-
tion of science to the enunciation of sound, as modern
systems of travelling have effected in the ancient plan of
conveyance. The audience were highly delighted with
his playing, and regretted that he was labouring under the
effects of a severe cold, which preventel him fully ex-
plaining the principles on which these improvements are
founded. We trust that his visit to Liverpool will not
be unavailing, but that he will meet from our wealthy
townsmen that encouragement which his ingenious in-
vention so richly deserves.
M. Huguenin then commenced his introductory lecture,
and stated that he was sure no one would suppose that he

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 as 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 sans in cor-
pore nano' 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 iu 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 our 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 and 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
afforded by the introduction of a number of the lectuwreer.':
pupils—most athletic and active young mecrut,h
w o
with the
through a number of feats of muscular stren
and we would invite our friends to go
pn
loamwu
s.ceohmupglue
et en
Huguenin's
sp acroant
cu
lsu—d
ienl
gi c teecdt
ure frequentawnildl jbuerdoguen thisfdoesry oet
hnf anmpg.-,
we are sure they will be pleased with the Pro-
fessor's
a Britishm es
Montgomery,Poets, by the
E sci a
reportjustly-celebrated
of
ihlaera course of six lectures will be com-
menced
,
d
poet
eoleovtenas selves,
dar eoni
scholar,
cie.
hry evening wott
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 assnre 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. I 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 causedher 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 her having begun to take the
salted brandy had not elapsed ere 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.
Wavertree, Bth August, 1844.

POST-OFFICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.,

SIR,—If you think the insertion in your paper of the
following statement may have the effect, if not of correct-
ing an abuse, at least of preventing trouble and disap-
pointment, I shall feel obliged by your doing so.
On Friday afternoon last, I tendered a letter for France
at the usual receiving window at the Post-office, with ten.
pence, the customary postage for a single letter. After
the lapse of a few seconds, the letter.and the money were
returned to me, with the observation, " Too heavy—
fivepence more." Rather surprised, I refused the addi-
tional fivepence, and on the following morning took the
same letter to a receiving box
in my neighbourhood, re.
questing the young man to weigh it before he took it in ' •
and upon his doing so, the letter proved perfectly within
the weight, oz., the scale containing the letter quite
ascending. This circumstance will at once show the ne-
cessity of greater care in the officers at the Post-office,
and of a more exact adjustment of the scales throughout
the whole department.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
Edge-hill, Aug. 12, 1844. G. GUEST.