The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-08-29 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 29, 1843.

The session of 1843 has now concluded, leaving
as the result of the labours of Parliament a large
amount of legislation—some of it but half-consi-
dered, we fear,—whilst scarcely one great question
has been satisfactorily settled. Education, factory
regulation, Church Extension, with many other
measures remedial of the social condition of the peo-
ple, are left unprovided for. The pacification of
Ireland can scarcely be said to have been attempted.
An extensively-organised system of outrage in Wales
is left to baffle the efforts of a handful of military
for its suppression; and the causes, acknowledged
to be many, which have driven that proverbially
peaceable and loyal people into acts of almost rebel-
lion, are handed over to be discovered by the acute
vision of a Bow-street magistrate. And in what
state is Great Britain herself ? A widely-extended
conspiracy is directing the passions of the irritated
masses of the manufacturing districts to the de-
struction of the property of the landowner, as the
remedy for the existing distress of the community.
Turn-outs of labourers meet us on every side; and
are seized hold of with avidity as food for the
spread of the noxious principles of Chartism. Re-
peal of the Union is rearing its threatening front in
our large towns, wherever an Irish population is to
be found. In fact, to whatever quarter we turn
our eyes, the prospect is one, most unsatisfactory
and most deplorable.
As a set-off, indeed, against this complication of

evil and danger, we have the well-guaranteed
hope of an abundant harvest. The great staple
trades of the country, too, are manifestly improved;
and are affording profit to the merchant and the
manufacturer, and remunerative employment for a
great portion of the people. Our leading foreign
markets shew symptoms of returning activity, which
will further tend to promote the spread of prosperity
among, t our industrious classes. But for these re-
sults we have only in a trifling degree to thank the

efforts of Parliament. They are the natural recoil

of a state of prostration and lethargy in commercial
affairs, aided no doubt in part by the judicious le-
gislation of last year. That of the present year has
been inoperative to produce them ; and we view,
therefore, the close of the session with feelings of
bitter grief and disappointment—feelings which we
confidently believe are widely entertained by the
Conservative people, who hoped for better things
from the Conservative ministry of their choice.
We hoped for, in the policy of that ministry, a
bolder assertion of the great constitutional princi-
ples which they were raised to office for the purpose
of carrying out. We looked to see a firm stand
made by them for the maintenance of the Monarchy,
the Church, and the Constitution. We expected to
see sedition put down with firmness, in whatever
quarter of the empire and under whatever pretext
it raised its unsightly and menacing form. We
hoped that at length the sacred duty of a govern-
ment to take measures for the amelioration of the
social condition of the people would be recognised
and fully acted upon. But where is to be found
the realization of these hopes ? Alas, we have seen,
in its stead, timidity, vacillation of purpose, half-and-
half assertions of principle, concessions to oppo-
nents, and desertion of friends. The integrity of
the empire is threatened ; and a passage in a speech
from the throne is the reply to the threat! Immo-
rality and debasing ignorance are found to exist
amongst the children of the manufacturing popula-
tion; and the government withdraw the remedy
which they propose—a sound and scriptural edqca-
__,
ui le unurca of
England—frighted by the paper pellets, the manu-
factured petitions, and the brawling platform oratory
of mingled infidelity, dissent, and factious avarice.
The same children are worn down by long hours of
toil in the heated factory and loom-shop; and the

remedy is withheld, because the League blusters,
and a few selfish Conservatives refuse to resign pla-
cidly their property in the health and life of their
infant white slaves. 'Weak submission meets our
vision every where; and hence, amidst all the mass
of bills which have been hurried through Parlia-
ment at the close of the session, there is scarcely

one involving any Conservative principle, or over
which Conservatives can rejoice.

That the effect of this inauspicious state of things
has been most injurious to the Conservative cause
throughout the country we believe, and indeed have
reason to know. Men, lately the ardent and devoted
friends of the Constitution and of Conservative prin-
ciples, are now anxiously asking themselves—" Of
what avail our past struggles, and why struggle
still, when a Conservative ministry thus wantonly
and weakly throw away the strength which our
efforts have conferred upon them ?" And with too
great reason is the question asked! And most
fatal is the lukewarmness and apathy which the
impossibility of receiving a satisfactory answer is in-
ducing. Men no longer care to battle for the good
cause, when their energies lead to nothing, if not
worse than nothing ; and we venture to predict,
that the time is not very far distant when this feel-
ing will be practically and strikingly displayed.
Whilst upon this subject, we may, without any
great impropriety, direct our attention to a some-
what similar state of things, existing as the result of
Conservative administration of the local affairs of
our own town. For two years, now, Conservatism
has been in the ascendant in the Council; and be-
yond the settlement of the School question, where is
the evidence of Conservative government ? Of
wordy displays of Conservative zeal in debating we
have had quantum suff : and, indeed, a little more
than suffices moderate men like ourselves. But
when we come to an exam,ination of practical mea-
sures—to the doings of committees and other mat-
ters—we find little to praise, and much to dishearten.
Like the ministry of Sir Robert Peel, these bodies
have put in their claim for extreme liberality—exces-
sive honesty—ultra purism. They have entered upon
their duties with the determination of exhibiting to
the world the newest practical mode of effecting the
destruction of their own party ; and they are suc-
ceeding, to the admit ation of the entire community
and the especial delight of the Whig Radical fac-
tion. The men by whose zealous exertions a Con-
servative majority in the Council was secured, when
they see the liberality with which the patronage of
that body is distributed amongst their opponents,
whilst they themselves are discouraged and slighted,
are asking themselves why they are supporters of
Constitutional principles when Radicalism is the
obvious path to the patronage of a Conservative
Council, whilst loyalty is a bar to even just consi-
deration. The Conservative tradesmen, when he
sees committee after committee, in which some rabid
Radical still exercises authority, distributing the
majority of their favours amongst his Radical com-
petitors, is disposed to question whether his worldly
interests are not rather damaged than advanced by
the honesty of his political opinions. When they

see Radical organs chosen almost exclusively as the
medium of conveying to the public the advertise-
ments of the Council, to the exclusion of the faith-
ful supporters of loyalty and Constitutional prin-
ciples, men of all parties are disposed to doubt that
that body is a Conservative body at all, whi h acts
with such mistaken and suicidal liberality !
It is from no desire to advocate the principle of
exclusive dealing that we make these remarks, but
only from a conviction that the present policy of the
Council is damaging seriously the Conservative
strength in the borough. We detested the exclusive
spirit practised by the late Radical Council ; but we do
not see that, in members of a Conservative Council,
it is wise or right to carry their fear of being termed
favourers of their own party to an extent which in-
volves the committal of injustice towards those who
have deserved favour at their hands. A mistake so
great was never committed by their opponents when
in power ; and we fear that the approaching elections
in November will show that it has produced a
dangerous alienation of Conservative feeling through-
out the town. Indeed it is much to be doubted
whether the defeat, which the Conservative party
have sustained in the election in Toxteth-park dur-
ing the past week, is not " the straw thrown up,"
which shews the tendency of future events in our
political atmosphere.

We live indeed in changed times. Could any
Englishman over whom the grave has closed but
twenty, or even a dozen years, look back upon the
scene of his earthly toils and struggles, and mark
the altered position of his country and the changed
feelings of its people, he would start back amazed
to think that a revolution so vast could have been
accomplished, in a time so brief; and that a nation
could have looked on calmly, and even approvingly,
whilst its institutions, its honour, its security, and
its happiness, were being rapidly undermined and
threatened with utter annihilation. Men who min-
gle in the daily events of passing life mark not so
readily their tendency and their progress towards
any given consummation. An individual immersed
in the cares of the world forgets to mark his own
progress to the tomb. We see the child become
the man; the man in his vigour sink by degrees to
second childhood : but the changes strike us not
with that force which they would assume if we could
regard them with long intervals between. And thus
with the changes which occur in the position and
the temper of nations. The daily observer detects
them less vividly than one whose vision is with-
drawn for a time. The father who has Been his
child in infancy, and after long absence returns to
find him in the full vigour of manhood, is strikingly
reminded of the change which has taken place; and
he who left his country powerful, peaceful, and happy,
and returns to find it sunk in misery, and struggling
upon the verge of convulsion, would recoil with
dismay from the contemplation of that very state of
things which those who have aided in producing it
can scarcely believe to exist at all.

We ask of our readers to compare the temper of
the present times, and the position of their country
at the present hour, with its position a dozen years
ago. The monarchical institutions, the Church,
and the Constitution, were then fast rooted in the
hearts of the people. But are they so now ? Does
disaffection to the throne—does hatred to the Esta-
blished Religion of the empire—does republican
longing for the overthrow of the aristocracy of the
country—does contempt for law and order,—speak
now in whispered tones from the lips of the obscure
and vile only ? They do not. These feelings are
paraded now in open day by men of very different
standing and character to the Hunts and Cobbetts
of former times. They fall upon our ears from the
lips of peers and members of Parliament. They
are obtruded upon our observation by men eminent
in rank, possessed of wealth, and of something
which may even be called virtue. And to carry
them out into practice—to realise designs which
rn on
vnns,-..1.7
now on every side a host of wealth, of talent, and of
character, openly organised and actively exerting
itself in defiance of hostile public opinion and almost
of the law itself. No man in former days, above
the level of a tavern or a street orator, would have
been found to propose openly the confiscation of the
rents of the landowner, the sacrifice of our noble
colonies, the spoliation of our National Church, and
the abandonment of an entire people to ignorance
and unalleviated toil ; and yet we have now respect-
able and able men, moving conspicuously upon the
stage of the world, who hesitate at none of these,
which our fathers would have designated wicked
and dishonest measures.

But the most disastrous change of all, we fear, is
to be found in the temper of approbation with which
some are ready to view agitation for these objects,
and the feeling of apathy which leads others to ab-
stain from efforts to counteract its working. The
Conservative and loyal of the people of England look
on with folded hands whilst sedition stalks abroad
armed for the struggle which is to involve the ruin
of their country. The government of Great Britain
concedes step by step to the demands of disaffection
and disloyalty. The monarchical principle in our
Constitution is insidiously assailed ; and we throw a
sop in the path to feed the assailants. The destruc-
tion of the Church is openly demanded; and we
hesitate to assert her claims to just and efficient
protection. The landowner is threatened with con-
fiscation; and he is left to struggle unaided against
the rapacity of his enemies. The people—the masses
throughout the country—are being year by year de-
pressed lower in the scale of comfort ; and we give
them, instead of protective legislation, a new poor-
law system ; they are misled by mischievous and
infidel teaching, and we refuse to offer them an ex-
tension of the means of religious instruction, because
we dare nor boldly insist upon the claims of our
Church to be made the basis and the bulwark of the
people's happiness.

This is a disheartening state of things to contem-
plate ; for to what must it ultimately bring us ?
Unhesitatingly we maintain that it is, an that ra-
pidly too, bringing us towards a moral and social
revolution. Powerful as is Great Britain to contend
against all assaults from without—powerful as is her
army and navy, magnificent her empire, and mighty
her commerce—she is, in her internal position,
filled with the elements of weakness, decay, and ulti-
mate convulsion. An insidious poison has entered
into her once unequalled constitution ; and if the
working of that evil principle is not checked by a
prompt and a vigorous counter effort, we fear that it
will at no distant period be discovered that the re-
medy has passed away from our reach ; that the
evil is no longer susceptible of cure.

MR. R. R. R. MOORE, THE LEAGUER.-Mr.
Cobden, we think it was, who expatiated upon the
talent of this gentleman in " talking down the peo-
ple" ; but if a printed cor espondence which we
have now before us may be relied upon as correct,
Mr. Moore must from henceforth be understood to
possess another talent—that of making black into
white, fact into fiction and vice versa, in eminent
perfection.. The entire correspondence itself is too
long for our columns, in their present crowded
state ; but we give its purport, for the benefit of
those weak people who may possibly attend the
Amphitheatre to-morrow evening, to be " talked
down" by this voluble and veracious Irishman.
At a recent meeting of farmers, &c., held at

Huntingdon, the League, it may be remembered,
was worsted; and its most fluent and violent
spouter, Mr. Moore, lost for a time that amenity of
temper which distinguishes him. Amongst other
gentlemen by whom they were met on that occasion,
a Mr. Geo. G. Day, of St. Ive's, Huntingdonshire,
delivered an address replete with valuable facts, and
which told upon the audience with considerable ef-
fect. This speech Mr. Day published, and stated,
amongst other matters, in the " Introduction," that
on his quoting from Mr. Almack he was interrupted
by Mr. Moore (in the usual League style of cour-
tesy) shouting " THAT MAN" (Mr. Almack) " WAS
PAID TO TELL LIES " ! On reading this, Mr.
Moore forthwith addressed a letter to the Patriot
newspaper, in which he declared that "he never
?nude any such statement "—that Mr. Day " must
have known that he never did "—that Mr. Day "did
not even give the meeting to understand that there
was any such person as Mr. Almack "—that " he
himself did not know there was any such person" (!)
—and added, in large capitals, the further gratuitous
and insolent assertion, that " IT WAS A PURE IN-
VENTION OF MR. DAY'S OWN"! !

Now, then, for the evidence which fastens upon
the veracious Leaguer the charge of deliberately
eating his own words. We give it in the language
of Mr. Day himself:---

" The League lecturers had their own reporters there.
The Editor of the Hertford Reformer attended at their
request, and he reports that I read the title of Mr. Al-
mack's book, and that Mr. Moore replied, "That fel-
low was paid to invent lies." The reporters of the Hunt-
ingdon Independent Press, of the Cambridge Chronicle,
and of the Herts County Press, were all there, and ALL
report that I did give the name of Mr. Almack, and that
Mr. Moore did charge that highly respectable gentleman
with being a hireling writer of falsehood! The Rev.
Ed ward M uscutt—the very gentleman who wrote for Mr.
Cobden to attend at Huntingdon—was in the waggon with
Mr. Moore during the whole of the meeting. This gen-
tleman—opposed to me as he is on the subject of the
corn-laws, and as much as he likes party. he likes truth
better—has attested the correctness of my report. Mr.
Smith, a dissenting minister, was in another waggon,
and, though differing from me on the subject, also con-
firms my testimony. Mr. Croft, a dissenting minister,
who was close to the waggon in which I was speaking,
further 7onfirms it. And I could produce hundreds of
other persons who could attest the accuracy of my re-
port; but I will only add one more, the unsolicited testi-
mony of James Linton, Esq.,—known and esteemed by
all parties—a magistrate of the county, and chairman of
the St. Ives' Board of Guardians."

In corroboration of the correctness of the above, we
have furnished to us by Mr. Day the letters of these
gentlemen. _

We commend this subject to the consideration of
the Anti-Monopoly Association at their meeting on
Wednesday. Mr. Moore must throw some light
upon it, before he can expect to be listened to by
an intelligent and honest audi nce.

FATHER MATHEW AND THE BISHOP OF NOR-
WICH.—At a recent meeting held by "the apos-
tle" (!) of temperance at Stratford, on Sunday morn-
ing last, the reverend father announced that

" He was shortly going to Norwich, and he should
there be a guest of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of
that diocese, (!) who was most anxious to aid him in car-
rying out this great temperance movement."
When deans and prebendaries vote, at elections, for
church-hating Quakers, there is little wonder that a
bishop can entertain a popish friar. " Liberalism"
leads to strange anomalies I

FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.—The sum of £l3 Bs. was
collected at St. Clement' Cllurch, on Sunday, in aid of
this excellent institution, after a sermon by the Rev. F.
Parry, 8.D., the incumbent.
REV. HUGH WNEILE.—For the information of our
numerous correspondents and enquirers, we may state
that Mr. M`Neile is confidently expected to resume his
ministerial duties at St. Judes on Sunday next, after an
absence of a few weeks amongst his relatives in Ireland.

CHURCH PASTORAL AID SOCIETY.—On Sunday morn-
ing last, after an excellent and appropriate sermon by the
Rev. A. P. Irwine, Clerical Secretary for the north, the
sum of £54 was collected at St. Andrew's Church, in this
town, in aid of the funds of this admirable society which
confers on Liverpool such incalculable benefits.

FIRE IN TRANMERE.—About three o'clock on Friday
morning, two large hay ricks, the property of G. J.
Chamberlain, Esq., were discovered to be on fire, in a
field adjoining the Tranmere Hotel. Through the ex-
ertions of the fire police many tons of hay were saved,
and more would have been preserved but for the want of
water.

REV. W. FALLOON.—On Sunday last this rev. gentle-
man preached two extremely affecting and scriptural dis-
courses on resigning the curacy of St. Jude's for the in-
cumbency of St. John's, in this town, the duties of
which he commences to discharge on the first Sunday in
October. We are glad to hear that a numerous congre-
gation will be benefitted by the rev. gentleman's minis-
tration at the latter church, as we understand that every
sitting is already engaged. The district of St. John's
presents ample scope for the exercise of the zeal and per-
severance which Mr. Falloon possesses.
THE FLAMBEAU AND ERIN GO BRAGH.—We know
ilor lilt our As it has been insinuated, how-
ever, that something " befel " the Erin on her first
voyage, which was against her reputation as a vessel, we
shall only say that all that befel her (and the writer of this
was on board of her at the time) was that she was over-
taken by a hurricane on the dangerous west coast of
Ireland on that voyage, and that she weathered it to the
astonishment of practical seamen, and reached her port
in the Shannon in safety after it abated.
MORE CONSERVATIVE JOURNALS DEFUNCT!—,OR
Saturday last, the British Lion newspaper, which was
started to oppose the machinations of the Anti-Corn-Law
League, and which has ably and with spirit pursued its
arduous task, published its last number, after having sa-
crificed some hundreds of pounds in the vain effort to
rouse the agricultural community to a sense of the im-
portance of supporting that press which battles for their
welfare. Another valued contemporary, the Ulster Times,
which:reached its 1179th number on the same day, and
which has been a consistent and valued supporter of the
conservative cause, has been compelled to cease publish-
ing, in consequence, as the proprietor states, of inade-
quate support. It would be a curious speculation, by the
bye, to inquire how many conservative journals have been
driven from the field, since the conservative party, by their
exertions, assumed the reigns of power, and began to in-
dulge in the thought that they could stand without such
aid. We could easily point to the names of a dozen or
two, whose services will perhaps be missed some of these
days.

THE FUNDS—SATURDAY EVENING.—The English
stocks have recovered their firmness, Consols both for
money and the account rising to-day to 94} to There
were several purchases, which, though not individually
important, gave some activity to business. Bank Stock
was last quoted 182 to 3 ; Three per Cents. Reduced, 95
to ; Three-and-a-half per Cents. Reduced, 102 i to -I;
New Three-and-a-Half per Cents. Reduced, 1014 to 1018 ;
Long Annuities, 12 13-16 to ; India Bonds, 68s. to 695. ;
Indie Stock, 261 to 265 ; and Exchequer-bills, 58s. to 60s.
premium. The foreign market is rather firmer to-day, on
account of the improved tone of the home securities.
The last quotations are—Belgian, 104 to 5 ; Brazilian,
731 to 41 ; Colombian, 241 to ; Danish, 86 to 7 ; Dutch
Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 521 to 53k; Dutch Five per
Cents., 1011 to ; Mexican, to k' • Mexicrn, Deferred,
104 to 1 ; Portuguese, Converted, 42 to }-; Spanish, 181 i
to 19 ; and Spanish Three per Cents., 26 to 4.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH.—On Sunday last St.
Bartholomew's Church was re-opened, after having been
closed for some necessary alterations. We observed that,
in addition to the improvements of the interior, it has been
simply, yet tastefully, ornamented. Two appropriate ser-
mons were preached ; one in the morning by the Rev. W.
W. Ewbank, M.A., of St. George's, Everton ; and one in
the evening by the Rev. Dr. Byrth, rector of Wallasey.
The prayers in the morning were read by the Rev. G.
Dover, M.A., and in the evening by the Rev. Dr. Tatter-
shall. Collections were made to defray the expences in-
curred, and amounted to £34 9s.—S. S. Wesley, Esq. Mus.
Doc., on this occasion, presided at the organ with that
ability for which he is justly celebrated. We know that
his performances, particularly his voluntaries, afforded a
high gratification to persons of refined and critical taste
who were present. The morning services were Wesley's
in E, of which the Nicene Creed was especially admired ;
the anthem was Green's—" God is our hope and strength."
The evening services were Clarke's in E, and the anthem,
Handel's—" Thou didst not leave my soul in hell," fol-
lowed by the fine chorus—" Lift up your heads." We do
not wish to dismiss this notice without making mention of
the excellent manner in which the choir, assembled for
this occasion, went through their part. Their voices were
well sustained and mingled, and the responses made in a
suitable and devotional style.

ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS IN TOXTETR PARE.
The election of two commissioners (under the Toxteth
Park Paving and Sewerage Act) in the room of Mr.
Richard Brookes Yates, who declined to serve, and of Mr.
James Hall, deceased, took place on Saturday last at the
Public•office' St. James's-place. The conservative can-
didates were Mr. Henry Gorden Harbord and Mr. John
Payne; and those for the radical side Mr. Thomas Lloyd
and Mr. William Cotter. The supporters of the latter
had for many days, if not weeks, busily canvassed the
township, availing themselves of the grossest misrepresen.
tations relative to the increase of the rate rendered neces-
sary by the new and effectual sewerage required for the
health and comfort of the inhabitants, and the poor in
particular,—while, we lament to say, the conservatives,
(good easy men !) deeming themselves secure, showed an
apathy which they have now to regret ; but which will, we
trust, rouse them to active neasures against the enemy at
the November municipal election. The consequence
was, that the radicals took the lead from the commence-
ment of the voting, and maintained it, with some slight
fluctuations, up to the close, when the numbers were, be-
fore scrutiny, as follows :—For Mr. Harbord 145, Mr.
Payne 149; for Mr. Lloyd 295, Mr. Cotter 295. The
election passed off without the slightest disturbance ; and
the radicals, knowing the means by which they obtained
it, wisely abstained from any marked exhibition of
triumph.
•

TEMPERANCE PRINCIPLE VERSUS POPERY.

We have several times directed public attention to the
Popish character of the proceedings in this country of the
apostle of temperance—Father Matthew. Upon every
occasion on which he has recently administered the pledge,
and especially in the metropolis and its neighbourhood,
the feelings of Protestants have been offended by the dis
play of Popish insignia, banners inscribed to Saints, &c.,
and Popish practices,—genuflexions, imposition of hands,
with other priestly mummeries. At his elbow on every
occasion, has been an array of the Roman Catholic priest-
hood, chuckling, no doubt, to see the contented innocence
with which Protestants submitted to be guided into the
adoption of Popish forms, and to worship before the as-
sumed infallibility, and almost sanctity, of a Popish
apostle.
We are glad to see, from the subjoined correspondence,
the gentlemen in question have received a slight check—
a gentle rebuff—which is likely to operate as a hint to ab-
stain in future from similar proceedings. The Mr. Rotch,
whose name is appended to the second letter, is chairman
of the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, was a few years since
M.P. for Sudbury, and is at present in Liverpool, on cir
cult. We give the letters entire.

(Cory.)
Dunstable, Aug. 14, 1843.
B. Rotch, Esq., Furnival's Inn, London.
Dear Sir,—The Rev. Theobald Mathew has engaged to
visit Dunstable previous to his leaving England ; would
it be asking too much to request you to do us the favour
to preside on the occasion. I can safely say none would so
well satisfy the friends of the cause in this neighbourhood
as yourself. We feel it to be wrong in us to press it,
being aware your time is valuable; but if you could come
we should feel obliged.
I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully,
WILLIAM WILLIS.

(Copy.) On Circuit.
14, St. Ann-street, Liverpool, 20th Aug. 1843.
To William Willis, Esq., Dunstable.
Dear Sir,—Your letter has been forwarded to me here,
and in reply, 1 beg to say that could I see Father Mathew's
proceedings in furtherance of the great temperance cause,
stripped of their popish character, nothing would give me
greater pieasure than to accept of your invitation to pre-
side over the great meeting which I am informed you ex-
pect will assemble to greet that good man, and very
ardent and most successful advocate of temperance, on
his visit to Dunstable, but I should indeed be grieved to
see your magnificent Temperance Hall, of which I had
the hononr of laying the foundation-stone, and in which
on its opening, I after wards addressed you from its chair,
become the theatre of such scenes as have lately been
witnessed in our great metropolis and its suburbs, where,
independently of the absurdities (the public being suddenly
requested to kneel while the pledge was repeated;) in the
confusion and misconception of the moment, Protestant
children, and even Protestant adults, have been made in-
discriminately the objects of popish priestcraft. Father
Mathew's services are the unpaid and spontaneous ex-
ertions of a noble spirit striving to ameliorate the suffer-
ings of his fellow man, by teaching him the great christian
virtue. temperance, and like a good christian he gives the
strength of his own example to his brother that is weak.
Any attempt therefore to impose conditions on his visit
to Dunstable, would probably prove fruitless. 1 must,
therefore, as a Protestant. and an active leader of the
temperance movements in this country, endeavour to pre-
serve my consistency by declining to take the chair at
your meeting at Dunstable, unless I can be assured that
no priestcraft will be exercised by any one, on an occasion
whe❑ I should wish to see collected persons of every re-
ligious denomination, consistently uniting with God's
assistance to promote the great cause of true temperance,
which ample experience has now proved can only be ob-
tained effectually, (as far as human efforts are concerned)
by total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as a
beverage.
I am yours faithfully,
BENJAMIN BOTCH.

CAUTION.—On Friday several persons were brought by
summons to the Police-court, and fined for having their
chimneys on fire.
CRUELTY TO A HORSE.--A carter was brought before
Mr. Rushton, on Friday, on the information of a gentle-
man, for unmercifully lashing his horse in Richmond-
street. On examining the animal it was found that the
skin was all off under the collar, and that it must have
suffered such pain in dragging the cart that it could not
proceed. He was fined 40s. and costs.
BOWLING.—The Royal Windsor Bowling Green was,
ou yesterday week, the scene of considerable excitement.
A valuable silver cup was contested for by sixteen gentle-
men, and after the most spirited and beautiful play the
prize was borne away by Mr. W. H. Hayman. The
second prize (a splendid pair of bowls) was gallantly won
by Mr. Hutton. An elegant entertainment was after-
wards prepared by the worthy host, and we believe we
are correct in saying that " the evening's amusement
bore the morning's reflection."

CAUTION TO PAWNBROKERS.—OD Friday, Catherine
Evans, a little girl, was committed to gaol for a month
for stealing a string of coral beads from the neck of a
child. The prisoner, who was poorly clad, had pawned
the beads at the shop of Mr. Bond, Richmond-row, for
4s. Mr. Rushton strongly reprehended the receiving
from a wretched girl an article which it must have been
evident she could not have come honestly by, and ordered
the beads to be delivered up to the owner without the
pawnbroker receiving a farthing.
IMPORTANT TO ASSIGNEES.—In the case of T. M.
Whiteley, hatter, in St. George's Crescent, which was
heard on Tuesday, in the District Bankruptcy Court, a
statement was made to Mr. CommissionPr Skirr.r. 1-s fb.s
vi Toe-uunarupt had purcnasea
the whole of his stock, but that they were carrying on the
business, as averred, for the benefit of the creditors. The
commissioner said, that such transfers of interest were
contrary to the spirit of the act. By law, no assignee,
trustee, or executor, could in any wise be the purchaser
of effects devised or delegated to them for superintendence.
MR. WARD'S PAINTINGS.—We had yesterday the
pleasure of inspecting several of the splendid paintings
advertised for sale by Mr. Ward in another part of our
paper. There is not a picture among the whole collec-
tion, but from the peculiar accuracy of the drawing, the
beauty of design, and the richness and harmony of the
colouring, is at once established as amongst the first spe-
cimens of their respected artists. The " Medonna," by
Vandycke, is a splendid painting : the drawing is bold
and effective, and there is a sweetness in the whole pro-
duction that cannot fail to insure admiration. There are
also works from the pencils of Murillo, Claude, Single-
back, Richard Wilson, and many other eminent painters.
Mr. W. will give a guarantee that each painting is by its
reputed artist.

CHARGE OF RAPE.—On Thursday last, a car-driver,
named George Davies, was examined in the private room
of the Police-court, on a charge of raps on the person of
a girl named Charlotte Hussey. It appeared that, on the
previous Monday evening, he induced her to go into his
car, and drove her to the Zoological Gardens, and thence
to various public-houses, where he plied her with drink
until she became much intoxicated. While she was in
this state, he drove her to Albion-street, where he accom-
plished his purpose. The case so far was a heinous one,
but it came out that the complainant drank with him on
the following morning, so that her evidence was unavaila-
ble for his conviction had he been committed. On being
brought up in court, after the examination, Mr. Rushton
said his conduct had been atrocious, and it was to be la-
mented that, from the subsequent imprudence of his
victim, he could not be punished. He was then dis-
charged, with an intimation that he should be strictly
looked after.

LARCENY.—ILLEGAL APPROPRIATION OF UPWARDS
OF £9OO.—A good looking youth. about seventeen years
of age, named George Highfield Morton, was, on Satur-
day, placed before Mr. Rushton at the police-court, on a
charge of having gone off with upwards of £9OO of his
employers' money.—Josiah Taylor, cashier to Messrs.
Musgrave and Vance, brokers, in Exchange-buildings,
said that the prisoner had been in the service of the
company for about two years and a half. On the after-
noon of the 23rd instant, witness gave him eight £lOO
notes, two £5O notes, one £5 note, and £4 7s. in other
moneys,—in all £909 7s.—with instructions to pay to Mr.
Melhuish £354 75., to Messrs. Wood and Breddon £205,
and to Messrs, hittaker and Carter £350. Prisoner
went out of the office, and did not return. On the fol-
lowing morning, witness ascertained that he had not
made the several payments. Bills were printed describing
the money and the prisoner.—The cashiers of the three
firms named, stated that they had accounts with Messrs.
Musgrave and Co., and that the prisoner had not paid
them any of the money.—Police-constable Kehoe state,'
that, from information which he had received, he pro-
ceeded on Thursday afternoon to Chester, in search of
the prisoner, and on Friday morning found him at the
shop of. Mrs. De Silva. in. Watergate-street, in that town,
who keeps a genteel lodging-house. Witness sent for a
person who identified the prisoner. In the hand-bills,
the prisoner had been described as having the initials of
his name marked in Indian ink on the left band, between
the joints of his finger and thumb, and the witness on
apprehending him found his hand bleeding from an at-
tempt to obliterate the first letter. He brought him back
to Liverpool. The prisoner was remanded. Yesterday,
he was again brought up, and constable Kehoe further
deposed that on Saturday afternoon he was informed that
he was wanted at the bridewell. He went there, and saw
the prisoner, who said, " I am going to Chester with you,
to show you where the money is. We shall have to go
beyond the bridge, to the other side of the Dee, and the
money will be found in a hedge." Witness said that
they accordingly went to Chester together that day, and
that after passing the bridge, the prisoner, about six
o'clock in the evening, pointed out to him, at the bottom
of a hedge, or fence, a hole, and on searching in it witness
found a bag, in which there was a pocketbook. In the
book he found eight £lOO notes, one £5O note, seven
£lO notes, three £2O notes, and five sovereigns—making
in all £905. The prisoner, who wore a new suit of
clothes similar to those of a genteel apprentice in the
merchant seaman's service, told witness tnat he purchased
them in Oldhall-street, Paradise-street, and other places
in the town, which accounts for the residue of the money.
—The prisoner, on being asked for his defence, with the
usual caution, declined to say any thing. He was com-
mitted for trial. As some doubts have been expressed as
to the precise offence charged against him, with respect to
statutable law, we quote the following comprehensive
passage from " Roscoe's Criminal Evidence," from which
it appears that it is larceny :—" The chattels, money, or
valuable security embezzled by the prisoner, must be
such as has not come to the possession of his master; if
it has come to his possession, the offence is larceny, and
not embezzlement.