The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-11-19 00:00:00

TOWN EDITION.

IRISH SOCIETY.

The Liverpool st-:rvices in connection with the Irish

_ .
Society, the object of which is the promotion of the edu
cation of the native Irish through the medium cf their
own language, commenced on Sunday. During that day
sermons in aid of the funds were preached in the churches
which will be hereafter named, along with the amount of
their several collections : we are glad to say that the con-
gregations were large and liberal. A deputation attended
from Ireland, consisting of the Rev. Edward Nixon,
rector of Castleton, county of Meath ; the Rev. William
Pennefather, incumbent of Mellifont ; and the Rev.
Daniel Foley, Irish Scholar, Trinity College, Dublin, and
curate cf Dunhill.

Last night a public meeting of the members and friends
of the Society was held in the Royal Amphitheatre,
which we never saw filled by a more crowded or attentive
auditory. Every part of the house was crowded to
excess, and the greatest interest was manifested though-
out the entire proceedings. We observed the following
every and gentry upon the platform :—Rees. H. M'Neile,
Edward Nixon, Wm. Pennefather, Daniel Foley, Dr.
Tattershell, W. W. Ewbauk, W. Butler, W. R. Hart,
Thos. Dwyer, J. R. Connor, C. J. Hamilton, Henry Car-
penter, Fred. Parry, Fred. Barker, C. W. Lawrence, W.
M. Falloon, J. Cordeaux, S. Fenton, H. Hampton, D.
D. Stewart, H. H. Higgins, W. Maynard, G. A. Warner,
D. Anderson, W. Rawson, P. Crawford, R. S. Bur bury,
J. Jackson, G. F. Greene, Joseph Baylee, B. Morgan,
Finlay, F. Ould, A. B. Marshall, Gibbons.—
Messrs. Wm. Jones, Thos. Forsyth, Charles Cotesworth,
Geo. Langtry, Thos. Crowder, John Eden, Keeling,
(Runcorn,) John Howard, Lord Bangor, Thos. Porter.
Chas. 'Townley, Edwd. Glazebrook, It. W. Preston,
Jas. Parker.
The Rev. 11. CARPENTER moved that the chair be taken
by the Rev. Hugh NeNeile, in the unavoidable absence
of Mr. Adam Hodgson, who had been announced to pre-
side. The motion was carried by acclamation.
Mr. M`NEILE having taken the chair, explained the
cause of Mr. Hodgson's absence, from whom he read a
letter; after which he called upon the Rev. Mr. Carpenter
to supplicate the divine blessing upon the proceedings.
Prayer having been offered, the rev. chairman addressed
the meeting. They were convened together upon the
present occasion, in aid of the objects and operations of
what was truly and emphatically called " The Irish So-
ciety." The objects of that society was briefly stated in
its extended name, upon the title pages of its reports—
" The Irish Society, for promoting the education of the
native Irish through the medium of their own language."
They would observe the distinction made here was, as
though they were Irish they were not natives. What was
intended by the native Irish, was not all the people who
were natives of Ireland, but those who spoke the language
of that country, and those who required to have the lan-
guage spoken to them in order that they might receive
instruction by what was said to them. The class so re-
quiring the use of the Irish language might be divided
into three parties : first, those who knew no Language but
the Irish in any degree ; second, those who knew a little
English, just enough to ask for what they wanted ; and
third, those who knew more English, but still not enough
to receive any instructions through the medium of the
English language. The number altogether, inclusive of
the three classes now described, amounted to almost three
millions, somewhat more than half a million of the first
class, who knew not a word of any language except Irish,
and two millions and a half ranging in different degrees of
knowledge of English, composed the remainder ; but
those among them, who knew most of the English
language, did not know enough to receive any abstract or
moral teaching through it. To this large body of our
fellow-subjects no effort was made in the way of education
but by this society,if we excepted one or two local bodies,
such as that marvellous mission of the Rev. Mr. Nangle
in the island of Achill. (Cheers.) Fur the instruction
of that large body of the people of Ireland, England, in
her public capacity, was doing, and had done, nothing.
The government had done nothing. Not one shilling of
the tens of thousands of pounds voted by parliament for
education in Ireland was used through the medium of the
Irish Society ; therefore there was a mass of the popula-
tion, amounting to nearly three millions of people,
left, without the slightest attempt upon the part of
the government of the United Kingdom to give
them any information to raise their minds from
the most degrading ignorance. (Hear, hear.) There
was no attempt made at any literary instruction for this
people. There might be some difficulty in the way of the
government, constituted as it was, aiming to give them
religious instruction ; but there was no attempt even at
giving them literary instruction. Where were our phi-
lanthropists and our reformers, the men of movement, the
men of lie, who wish to send education through the
world ? Where were they in their intercourse with these
three millions of Irishmen? (Hear.) No attempt to
print books of education, books of figures, books of any
of the branches of natural handicraft, whereby their
minds might be raised from their present degraded state,
had been made either by the government or by the philo-
sophical ladies in the United Kingdom ! (Hear.) Three
millions of Irishmen were thus left—to what? Why to
be told just what the priest chose to tell them. (Hear.
hear.) He would not take upon himself to say what thole
gentlemen told them. He knew, indeed, something of
what they were pledged by oath to teach all their people ;
he knew something of what was contained in the councils
of their church, which they said was infallible ; he knew
what, if they were honest men and true churchmen, ac-
cording to their views, they were bound to teach those
people. 11e could not, to be sure, say whether they taught
these things or not ; he knew not how much of truth they
might teach the people, Le knew not how much of treason
they might teach the people; but he knew that thesethree
millions of people were left to the mercies of these men,
and that no officer of her Majesty's government knew
what the mass of the population were taught. Was it any
wonder, then, that so large a mass of the Irish people, so
neglected, should, being numerous, and being neglected,
prove to be dangerous? (Hear.) They gave physical
weight to the will, however arbitrary, of the priesthood ;
to the agitation, however pernicious, of the demagogue.
(Loud cheers.) He did not say this as finding fault with
the population ; he protested lie thought it their misfor-
fortune, not their fault; for how were they to know b( t
ter when those who did know better had taken no pains to
teach them better? (Hear, hear.) It was, then, upon
their behalf that they were associated in this society.
Nothing could be done for them but through the medium
of their own language; it was impossible to get at their
minds through any other medium, as it would be impossi-
ble to get at the minds of the meeting through any other
medium than English. The rev. gentleman illustrated
this position by reciting two or three lines from Homer ;
following which, after observing that this matter of lan-
guage was a very interesting subject, he shewed that
if we addressed the native Irish in the English language
. they were " barbarians" to us, and we were " barbarians"
to them. Nothing could be done for them except through
their own tongue. And this, he thought, laid an obliga-
tion upon us, for to waom should these poor people look
but to us. If the meeting said, as they might naturally,
" Surely the government of the country ought to do
something for so large a mass of the population," he
agreed with them ; but he thought he could tell them a
part of the cause that had prevented any such attempt.
There had been a feeling concerning the Irish language
that it was a barbarous tongue, and the sooner it was done
away with the better ; and in order to do away with the
Irish language, the plan adopted by the most thinking
people and government of England had been not to teach
the people any other! (Hear, hear.) This society then
set to work in this way. It got the people, grown as well
as old, to the schools. The schools were not the like the
schools we knew here, where a hundred children went
every day in the week. In the schools connected with
this society the greater number of the people were adults;
the whole number amounted to 17,301, of whom 12,035
were adults. The schools were kept not in fine school
houses, built with cut stone, but where they might, in
cow-houses, pig-houses, and in cabins that were not much
better; under a tree, where they had a tree, upon the sea
shore, under the banks of a turf bog—any where, where
they could assemble to read portions of the Irish Bible.
(Hear.) It might occur to some to ask " How can teach-
ers be got for these people?"—for it would be a strange
thing to have schools where the teachers did not know the
language of the people, or the people that of the teachers.
Why, they had found some people in Ireland able to teach
Irish, and willing to teach it, members of the Roman Ca-
tholic Church ; they were willing to teach the poor to read
the Bible. They were paid according to the proficiency of
the pupils. Inspectors were sent round periodically to
examine into the proficiency of the pupils, and according
to the number of the pupils, and the proficiency they had
made, were the gratuities or salaries of the teachers.
So that although the teaching was in a very desultory way,
there was value given for all the money given by the
Society. (Hear.) The readers cost, according to the
last report, £ll per year each, their salaries varying ac-
cording to circumstances from £5 to £3O. Here the rev.
gentleman read from the report a statement of the num-
ber of the schools in actual operation. Having put the
meeting in possession of the objects of the Society, he
should call upon his friends to state the details ; but be-
fore doing so he would remind the meeting that a consi-
derable expense had been incurred by assembling them in
that place. The rev, gentleman concluded by an urgent
and affectionate appeal to the Christian liberality.
The Rev. H. CARPENTER then read the report, of which
the following is an abstract :
The report stated that Ireland contained a population of above
two millions who speak the Irish language. Many of these are so
totally ignorant of any other tongue, that thisis the only possible
medium through which they can receive the saving truths of
Christ's Gospel ; while to the rest it is a vehicle of communication
so much more ready and intelligible, and one to which they are so
enthusiastically attached, that practically speaking the Irish lan-
guage is the only avenue by which their heart can be reached,, and
their affections moved. This ardent love for their mother tongue
caused it to be said long ago, in Ireland, " if you would p!ead for
your life, plead in Irish," Now if this language would engage Irish
sympathies. in one case, it was reasonable Li expect that it might en-
gage them in another. Accordingly, " The Irish Society," after his
example who became all things to all men, that he might by all
means save some, resolved to plead in Irish for' the Gospel of Christ
and for the salvation of souls. And, blessed be the God of all
mercy and grace, their labour has not
.beets in vain in the Lord.
Hundreds of thousands have, through this society, become devout
students of the Irish Scriptures, and many of. them. have been made
wise unto salvation,
through !.aitthhav't
ncls in Christ Jesus, Some
have died in peace, rejoicing Saviour whose love they first
Others are monuments, of
learned in the Irish Scriptures.
by thvelinrg blameless
the efficac,y of Christ's Gospel, exhibiting,.
that this Gospel is to them, what it is to all who
.reallyl)veh,‘tehe
tite work of instructing the na-
power of God unto salvation. In
in addition to some cleri_
tive Irish, this society at present emp s
cal assistants, 47 scripture readers,
adults, were examined
and 797 Irish teachers. Last
year, more than 17,000 Irish s,holars, chiefly.t,
and approved by the inspectors of society
com-
mencement it has been instrumental in puttin y andio circulation
1-; of scripture to
n
the Irish language, Bibles or Testaments, its
ci
• society not
the number of 138,199 copies. Now whenolyrebrellect that from the
period of the Reformation up to the institution of
.this
more than 1750 Irish Bibles or Testaments were circulated iu Ire

land, during those 300 years, are we surprised that scriptural know-
ledge should have made such little pregress in that country, or that
the hearts of those who love the Bible should now be touched with
an earnest desire to supply this lack of service, and to attempt in
some degree to discharge that debt of love which they owe, for
Christ's sake, to the people of that land?
The Report then affectionately appealed for support from all who
love the Lord, or who wish to teach the Irish speaking population of
Ireland those blessed truths which alone can make them happy in
time and for eternity. " The Irish Society" is a religious society—
it mingles not in the angry strifes of them nof this world—it walks
in a higher and more heavenly region, seeking blessings from God,
and seeking to convey blessings to man—
" Like some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm ;
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
The Rev. F. PARRY moved the first resolution, to the
effect that the success which had hitherto attended the
efforts of the Society, called for the deepest gratitude, and
furnished an encouragement to its friends to proceed
more zealously in this work of faith and labour of love.
The CHAIRMAN, before calling upon the seconder of
the resolution, said he had received two notices in favour
of a project, which he would take the opportunity of sub-
mitting to the meeting now, in order that the deputation
might give their opinion upon it. The proposal which
he took the liberty of suggesting from the pulpit, yester-
day, was one, he thought, highly calculated to be of use
in Ireland ; it was that the Pilgrim's Progress should be
published in the Irish. tongue. (Hear, hear.) It had
never yet been put into that language. In one of those
notes the writer expressed very high approval of the
object, and inclosed £lO to be applied in furtherance of
it. In the other note the writer said if the proposition
was repeated at the next meeting, he should be delighted
to contribute towards so noble a project. His name and
sum would be given then. He hoped the deputation
would give their judgment in favour of the place, and that
a separate fund would be formed for that purpose, to
which all present would contribute.
The Rev. EDWARD NIXON, rector of Castleton, county
of Meath, one ~f the deputation, seconded the resolution.
The project to which the chairman had referred, must, he
said, be accepted entirely distinct from the Irish Society.
The Irish Society bad but one object in view; but he
could not imagine any person who had ever read the Pil-
grims Progress, (and he spoke from his own exverience,)
that could hesitate to contribute to support a project that
would put that valuable book into the hands of his Irish
speaking fellow countrymen ; therefore he for one, would
give to it the advantage of every aid in his power. The
reverend gentleman then at great length explained the
principles of the society, its modes of operation, and the
success it had met with, illustrating these points in a
most felicitous manner by admirably told anecdotes. In
the course of his remarks he expressed his conviction that
most of the evils that affected Ireland arose from one
doctrine, which was especially drilled into the minds of
children from their birth, namely that noProtestant could
be saved, but that all must be damned because they were
Protestants. He traced the evil consequences of this
principle in the opposition which this society bad to con-
tend with ; but he was convinced that the bible, which it
taught, would in the end bear down all opposition.
The CHAIRMAN said the collection would now be made.
The expense of holding the meeting in that building was
£4O, besides which there were other charges of half as
much again, so that unless £6O were supplied there would
be a loss. (Hear.)—After the collection had been made,
the Chairman stated that a Roman Catholic gentleman
had recently subscribed £2O to the society ; and he also
read a note enclosing a sovereign from some person who
had intended to devote that sum to the purchase of a
Polyglott Bible, but who said that for the sake of such a
cause he would be content with those he had.
The Rev. Dr. TATTERSHALL moved the second reso-
lution, which declared the cordial approbation of the
meeting 'of the principles on which the Irish Society car-
ried on its labours, and that it peculiarly deserved sup-
port from the prominent place it gave to the sacred scrip-
tures in all its proceedings.
The Rev. DANIEL FOLEY seconded the resolution in
a speech of much length and animation, the most part of
which was occupied by a detail of the unhappy effects of
popery in Ireland. The resolution was carried unani-
mously, with applause.
Mr. THOMAS FORSYTH moved the appointment of a
committee and other officers for Liverpool.
The Rev. WM. PENNEFATHER seconded the motion.
He mentioned that there had lately been established in
connection with the society an Orphan Asylum, which
was located at Kingston, for the children of those teachers
who had fallen victims to persecution. He related one or
two instances of the benefit which had resulted from this
new institution ; and he regarded it as furnishing a strong
additional claim upon the liberality of the public.
The CHAIRMAN here announced that there had been a
marvellous accuracy in the answer of the meeting to his
appeal. He asked them for £6O; the return was £63 ss.
(Loud cheers.)
The Doxology " Praise God from whom all blessings
flow" was then sang, and the proceedings terminated at
half-past ten o'clock.
The following is a list of the church collections, and the
amounts, on Sunday last :
-

. -
At Aigburth, after sermon preached by Mr. Cordeaux-- £l5 0 0
St. Bride's, .—...—.. Al' N elle --. 80 1 0
Christ Church —, ..".. Ditto -----.. 50 0 0
St. David's —. Ditto —...... 15 4 0
St. Clement's ...... —. Nixon ~........... 10 4 0
St. James Byrth----. 15 0 0
St. John's— Falloon 24 10 0
St. Jude's-- Ould 61 3 2
Mariners' Church—. ..... Foley--- 6 6 0
St. Michael's Carpenter— 7 0 0
St. Saviour's Hunt-- 15 16 0
St. Simon's Foley -......—.... 7 5 6
St. Thomas, Seaforth Pennefuther 30 0 0
St. Thomas, Toxteth Park—. Butler --- 0 2 8
Wallasey —. Tattershall 18 15 0
Wavertree ~... ...,.. limit --....." 211 6
West Derby ...." ~„ Hampton... 15 15 0

X 383 13 10
Collection at the Meeting in the Royal Amphitheatre 63 .5 0

Total £1,16 18 10
St. Simon's collection is exclusive of £6 Bs., which is to be ap-
propriated to the Achit Mission.

LONDON NEWS OF YESTERDAY.

MARK-LANE CORN EXCHANGE.

Since this day se'ennight only moderate supplies of all grain
have been received up to our market, while the general quality,
owing to the prevailing damp weather, has proved very inferior.
Fresh up, the receipts of Wheat of home produce, coastwise as
well as by land carriage and sample, were small ; yet the sup-
ply on offer was quite adequate to meet the wants of the
dealers.
The finest parcels of both red and white commanded a steady
inquiry, at prices fully equal to those obtained on Monday last;
but all other kinds were a dull sale, and previous rates were with
difficulty supported. However, a fair clearance was effected.
Holders of free Foreign Wheat were very firm. This circumstance
prevented more business from being transacted, yet the rates ob-
tained were quite equal to those of last week. Corn under luck was
very heavy but not cheaper.
The sh ,w of Barley was tolerably good. The best descrip-
tions so d freely at full prices. In other kinds exceedingly lit-
tle was doing. Although the supply of Malt was but limited,
the Malt trade ruled heavy, and previous rates were barely sup-
ported. The arrivals of Oats from Ireland being on the in-
crease, the Oat trade was not so active as last week, yet the
quotations were quite as high as on Monday last. Beans and
Peas were in good demand at lull currencies. In Flour very
little was doing.
CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE.
Wheat, Essex and Kent. s. d. s d.

Red 4O 0 -- 48 0
White 6O 0 —65 0
Norfolk and Lincoln, red
White
Irish, red
White
Rye, old 29 0 33 0
New - 38 0
Barley, Grinding 2B 0 32 0
Malting
valier 35 0 38 0
Che
Malt, Suffolk and Norfolk 56 0 1,2 0
5) 0 54 0
Brown
56 0 62 0
Kingstm and Ware
•
Chevalier -
Oats, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, feed 23 0
Potatoe -
Youghall and Cork, black
Cork, white
Scotch, feed
Beans, tick 3O 0 35 0
Pigeons
Pease, Grey
Maple
White - 39 0
Boilers 37 0 39 0
Flour, town made
Suffolk '4 0 38 0
Stockton and Norfolk 33 0 36 0

FOREIGN GRAIN AND FLOUR IN BOND.

Wheat, Dantzie
Hamburg
Barley
Oats, new
Feed
Beans
Peas


... 48 0 -56 0
... 36 0 - 40 0
... 30 0 -33 0
... 14 0 - 18 0
... 14 0 - 16 0
... 20 0 -26 0
... 23 0-27 0

American
Baltic

23 0 - 25 0
22 0 -23 0

SMITHFIELD CATTLE MARKET.

For the time of the year we had a full average supply of
beast, as to numbers, 'out its general quality was very inferior.
Complaints continue to reach us almost daily respecting the
shortness of winter keep, owing to which the graziers are com-
pelled to use a much larger quantity of artificial food titan has
been almost ever known. During he past week, the imposts of
foreign stock have been good ; they have amounted, for Lon-
don and the outports, to 156 Beasts and 28 Sheep, in, for the
most part, fair condition. The above, added to the previous
arrivals, form the annexed totals for the present year :
Beasts, from January 1 to November 3,709 head.
Sheep -- 1,022
We had on offer 47 Beasts, and 3.5 Sheep, all for Rotterdam The
whole were disposed of, at about previous rates. The arrival of
Beasts from the northern grazing districts consisted of 1,050 Short-
horns. Those from the eastern counties comprised 300 Scots and
Home_breds; from the western and midland districts 500 Herefords,
Devons, Runts, Cc.
From other parts of England 400 of various breeds; from
Scotland 190 horned and polled Scots; the remainder of the
supply being derived from the neighbourhood of the metropolis.
The supply of sheep was somewhat less than that exhibited last
week; nevertheless the Mutton trade was heavy. The Veal
trade was unusually heavy, the very highest quotation not
exceeding 4s. per 81bs. In Pigs very little business was trans-
acted, at late rates.
Per Bibs. to sink the offal.

s. d. s. d.' s. d. s. d.
Inferior Beasts.... 2 4 2 6 Second quality do. 3 0— 3 6
Second quality do. a 8— 2 10 Coarse do. 3 8— 3 10
Prime large Oxen. 3 0— 3 8 SouthdownWethers 3 I" 4 0
Prime Scots, &c... 3 10— 4 0 Do. out of the wool
Coarse Calves .... 3 0— 3 6', Large Hi gs
Small do.
Suckling do. each.; 8 0-32 0 Qr. old Pigs, each 16 o—,o 0
Inferior Sheep 2 6 2 10 Lambs

SUPPLY AT MARKET.
Beasts, 3,609.... Sheep, 27,890.... Calves, g 1.... Pigs, 470.

YESTERDAY'S LONDON SHARE MARKET.
Railway Shares were rather firmer, where business has
been dune. Birmingham and Gloucester were last sold at
99, Bristol and Gloucester 36, Bristol and Exeter 70,

Churnet Val!ey 411, Direct Northern 2, Great W. stern
140, Halves 868, Birmingl am 2191, Brighton 478, South
Western 75, London and York 3, Midland 107, South
Eastern 378, York and North Midland 102. Boulogne
and Amiens 41, Orleans and Vierzon 9L Orleans and
Bourdeaux 41, Paris and Orleans 39k, Paris and Rouen
388.

Tha REV. SIDNEY SMITH.—Mr. Smith has teen
seriously indisposed for some weeks, and faint hopes have
been entertainvd of his recovery.
The distillery, in London, announced elswhere as
having been seized by the excise, is that of Messrs. Smith,
of Whitechapel. The firm have been in the habit of pay.
ing between £300,000 and 4100,000 annually to Govern-
ment. The buildings are estimated at £160,000, and if
the Exchequer recover the penalties for which the firm is
prosecuted the whole will revert to the Crown.