The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-02-26 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

--"wbo may have been two years at School and have
attained the age of 21"—is quite hardship enough on our
side of the channel; for all which we have to thank His
Majesty's present wise and patriotic ministry. So much
for Mr. Dan O'Connell, his modesty and his consistency.

THE MOVEMENT.—If we ask ourselves, what party in
the state is most elated in its spirits, and most sanguine
in its anticipations from the working of that which is
whether in derision or in sincerity, the reformed
Parliament, there can be but one answer which will sug-
gest itself, and that one points out as fulfilling the .con-
ditions of our question, the party of the movement.
They see not, indeed, all the subserviency on the part
of the government that they could wish. The ministers
are, at least, gentlemen.; and, perhaps, their . personal
disgust at the manners and demeanour of many of their
radical opponents is now—such is the position in which
we stand—to be contemplated, humanly speaking, as one
of the best safeguards of the constitution. There are
certain questions, not of very weighty or permanent im-
portance, which they maintain with decision against their
rude assailants. But on all questions most intimately
involving those great principles on which alone this
great country can stand, we lament to say, we strive in
vain to discover the evidences of that boldness and firm-
ness with which we were told ministers would defend the
substance of our institutions, as contradistinguished from
their abuses.

Take, for instance, the Irish Church Reform Bill. It
is obvious that it professes to aim at the abuses of the
church. For the sake of argument, we grant _it, but on
referring to the speech of that incomparable ploughman,
Lord Althorp, we find that he is, indeed, sufficiently
Ilkiy and explicit, where he explains what be means to
surrender, but very timid and hesitating, and unintelli-
gible where he comes athwart that. part of the question
which yespects the supposed intention of his Majesty's
cabinet to maintain the essence of the church establish-
ment. to the uttermost, against the insidious and deadly
foes who are now banded together to destroy it. Church
rates are to be abolished,—the bishoprics are. to be abo-
ilshed. Grammatical and plain enough. But where
shall we find the like categorical declarations as to the
solemn obligation of the government to maintain the
clergy in the use -of their property, and. to 'uphold the
twelve bishoprics which yet remain ? Alas ! when we
come to inquire what guarantees are to be given for the
support of Protestantism through the medium of an es-
tablishment, we are then met only by the cold and indif-
ferent consolation, that the question, whether the church
has a right to any part of its property, or whether Par-
liament may not, at its, pleasure, alienate the whole, is
riot involved in this bill ? "Be satisfied," is the answer,
"it will be time. enough for you' to inquire into our opi-
nion of our right,"when ?—" when we come, armed with
resistless power, to enforce it." We trust the advocates
of the church will.see, that it is a duty incumbent upon
them, ere it be yet too late, to procure the solemn re-
cognition, by Parliament, of the entire inviolability of
church property, i.e., its necessary appropriation to the
purposes of the Protestant established church.
We hear it surmised, that the increase in the value of
the bishops' lands in Ireland is intended to be,clevoted to
the maintenance of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ire-
land 1 May heaven mercifully avert such a catastrophe.

LIVERPOOL ELECTIONS AND MR. BENETT'S MOTION.
—The. audacious statements which have been put forward
in the House of Commoo by .Mr.. Peter. Rigby Wason,
relative to the Liverpool elections, have excited in this
place a feeling of indignation which may in the end teach
that gentleman to be somewhat. more wary of his words.
We should have treated these statements with the silent
contempt they deserve, were it not for the sake of those
who are unacquainted with the real facts of the case, and
who may, therefore, be led to suppose that there is some
truth in what has been so unblushingly stated. That bri-
bery has been practised at the recent election in Liver-
pool, we most solemnly deny. Mr. Wason may -state
what he chooses—he may state what he believes, or what
he does not believe; but we take leave to tell him; and
all who may have read the base and unfounded calum-
nies which have been circulated relative to Liverpool,
that no election in the United Kingdom of Great Bri-
tain and Ireland has been conducted upon principles
more pure, or free from bribery, than Lord Sandon's
elections for this borough. If it were not so, why have
not the libellers of our..town produced their proof?—
Why have they not petitioned against Lord Sandon's re-
turn?—Why have they not held up one single instance
in proof of their allegations ? It is because they cannot.
Mr. 'Thornely, in his address to the Electors after the
termination of the contest, said, " / am assured by my
frlends that cases of gross bribery can be substantiated."
We now call upon, Mr. Thornely, in then.arne of his in-
sulted fellow-townsmen—we call upon him in the narrxe-
of outraged truth. and honesty, to give up his authority
for such a charge.' If hd failS to' do o--vve leave our
frinds. to -draw their own touclusiens,

No sooner was it known in Liverpool that the petition
for the.distranchisement of the freemen had been pre-
sented; than a counter-petition Was set on foot, and
we shall be much deceived if, in the course of two days,
it does not receive more signatures than the disfranchise-
ment petition received in as many weeks. In the few
hours that it has already lain for signature. in the. Exchange
Newsroom, it has received above 450 signatures of the
most respectable merchants of this town, whilst the dis--
franchiernent petition did not, We believe, receive .in the
same place the signatures of more than
.20 pc 30; and,
we arc informed, that it was ultimately ridiculed out of
the room. What will Mr. Wason say to this ? He mu-st
agree with us, that at least nine-tenths of the merchants
of this town are as decidedly against the disfranchise-
ment of the freemen, as they were in favour of the elec-
tiOn of Lord Sandon.

We have looked at the debate which took place. on the
presentation of the petition by Mr. Benett, and we ask,
where was one of the representatives • of this .
.borough ?
Lord Sandon, supported by:Mr. r,GiadsiOne,•. boldly and
faithfully. 'defended the freetnen.from the calumnies.which

were cast upon them, whilst not one word was spoken by
Mr. Ewart. We trust the freemen will bear this in mind.

WE have great satisfaction in being enabled to state,
that the total number of signatures attached to the peti-
tion against the disfranchisement of the burgesses, up to
a late hour last night, amounted to nearly 4,000 names.
We call upon every friend to honesty and fair dealing,
upon every well-wisher to the best interests of Liverpool,
to lose no time in signing this petition, as the period is
short, and it must necessarily be sent up to London this
evening.

CHANCERY OF LANCASHIRE.—The Vice-Chancellor of the
Duchy will hold a court at Lancaster on the 22d of March.

THE DisFRANCHISEMEMT PETITIONS.- Should a Disfran-
chising Bill pass the Commons, it will be stopped in the Lords,
Who will, pursuant to the rules of the house, examine witnesses on
oath in support of such bill. The chance of the Freemen being
ultimately Disfranchised is, therefore, we are sorry to say, ex-
tremely doubtful. Albion, Monday, 25th February, 1&33.
[Query—Have the advocates of disfranchisement no evidence
which they, dare tender upon oath ? Or, are they afraid of not
being believed upon oath ?]

THE DISTRESSED . CLERGY OF IRELAND.—We have the
pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of the following liberal
donations, in addition to those advertised before :
Received at the Standard Office.
Wm. Potter, Esq. £lo 0 0
A. Acheson Dobbs, Esq.
We also acknowledge the undermentioned received from the
Rev. Wm. Dalton:—
Mr. Ward's Fainily
Miss Fielden
Mr. Reston 1 1 0
Poor Man
Mr. Simpson
Miss Simpson 1 0 0
Mr. Green
Mrs. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. W. Benson
A Mite 0 10 0
Mrs. Lee w
Mr. W. Pembertson 2 0 0
Mrs. Gurden
Miss Lloyd 1 0 0
•

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—We lately announced to our read-
ers that it was in contemplation to form a Zoological Garden in
this town ; and we are happy in being able to congratulate
them on the speedy completion of this undertaking, on a grand
and extensive scale: For this great addition to the lions of
Liverpool we are indebted to the spirit and enterprise of Mr.
Atkins, the proprietor of the splendid menagerie which has
been travelling the country for many years past, and which
will; of course, form the principal attraction of the intended,
gardens. An extensive .piece of land, situate in Rake-lane, a
few hundred yards beyond the Necropolis, on the West Derby
road, has been selected, as the site of the gardens, and it
would have been difficult, if not impossible, to find a place
more admirably suited to the purpose. Nature seems to have
done considerably more than fialf the business, and left to art
only the task of completing it to the best advantage. Some of
our readers may know it, under the name of Plumpton's Hol-
' low,—a place wuere multitudes of the lower orders have been
accustomed to resort for the enjoyment of prize fights, and
similar amusements. It is about 12 acres in extent, of which
considerably more than half consisis of a sort of irregular
natural amphitheatre, from 30 to 40 feet below the level of the
surrounding fields; the capabilities of which have been, or will be
turned to the best advantage, under . the superintendence of
Mr. Shepherd of the Botanic Garden, who is laying out the
grounds, and Messrs. Stuart and Foster, to whom the architec-
tural part of the undertaking has been committed. The grand
menagerie will be placed in the centre of the amphitheatre, at
the south eastern extremity. It will consist of a splendid
circular building, combining beauty of architectural appear-
ance, ample accommodations for the animals themselves,
and every facility for seeing them to the best advantage. At
the other extremity of the laud, a capacious, stable for the
stupendous elephant, which is one of the largest, finest, and
most sagacious ever seen in this country, is already nearly com-
pleted; lie will also be furnished with a paddock and pond to
bathe in,—an indulgence to which this noble animal is said to
be extremely
.partial when in a state of nature. Separate
houses, [mitt in the most tasteful style, for zebras, monkeys,
eagles, ostriches, beavers, otters, and other animals: ponds for
pelicans, and other aquatic birds and beasts ; a house for re-
freshments, and a pavilion for the musicians, will be inter-
spersed throughout the grounds, and the entrance from•Rake-
lane will be adorned by two handsome circular lodges. The
grounds will be intersected by walks 12 feet wide, and the whole
will be surrounded by a handsome. fence. The gardens will
be also embellished with trees, shrubs, and plants, of every
description suitable to the soil and situation. Several of these
have already been transplanted from the extensive nursery
grounds of Mr. Stirving, at Walton. The works are in a state
of considerable forwardness, and the gardens will probably be
opened about the end of May, or the beginning of June, under
the patronage of Lord Stanley.
STREET ROBBERY.—Peter Johnson was yesterday committed
for trial on a charge of. robbing George Gilt of his watch on the
highway. The prosecutor, who lives at Earl and Carter's oil-
mill, on the North Shore, went on Saturday night to see a friend,
with whom he staid very late. Between four and five o'clock on
Sunday morning, on his way home, he was met in Pool-lane by
the prisoner, who asked him what o'clock it was, and on his
taking out his watch to look at the time, the prisoner seized hold
of-the watch chain and attempted to get it from him. He asked
the prisoner it' he intended to rob him, and the latter said he did
not, and immediately let go the chain. But no sooner had the
prosecutor replaced the watch in his fob, than the prisoner made
a snatch at the chain, drew out the watch, and ran off with it
down Cable-street. The prosecutor pursued him, -call'ng out
" watch'!" and a watchman named heady, being, as his name
would imply, ou the alert, which watchmen are not at all times,
and seeing the parties runuing,joined in the chase, overtook the
prisoner in Paradise-street, and convev.ed him to Bridewell. He
then returned, and tracing the route wl.ileh the prisoner had taken
iu his flight, found the watch (identified by the prosecutor) in
Cable-street. The prisoner denied that he ever saw the watch.
DARING THlEF.—Robert Fitzgibbons was committed for trial.
for the impudent theft hereunder described. Elizabeth Parry,
servant in the family of Mr. Wieer, in Falkner-street, was
making. some purchases at the shop of Mr. Jackson, a confec-
tioner, in Berry-street, and while, tying up the things, laid her
purse containing four half-crowns, a shilling, and a pair of ear-
rings, on the counter. The prisoner entered the shop and asked
the price of an orange, and being answered by
.Miss Jackson,
went out without buying any thing, but returning in about a
minute afterwards, he snatched up the purse and ran off with it.
An alarm was immediately made, and a gentleman passing at
the time stoppedb the prisoner in Seel-street, witlithe purse in his
possession.

FIRES AND FIRE POLICE.—[" They manage these things
better in"—Manchester, it 'seems, according to the following
statement.]—An alarming "fire broke out about nine o'clock
on Wednesday night, in the workshop of Mr. Wood, piano-
forte manufacturer, next door to the Star Inn, Deansgate.
Mr. Rose was on the spot in a few minutes after the alarm was
given,. but at that time the room, Which is in the upper story of
the house, appeared to be filled with one solid mass of flame,
from the quantity of shavings and dry wood which it contained,
and the root' had caught fire. A messenger was immediately
despatched to the police-yard for a supply of water, which
speedily arrived, and two engines were got to work with so
much expedition, that the roof was saved and the fire extin-
guished without spreading further than the room in which it
originated. A gentleman, who saw the fire which destroyed so
much property in the Haymarket, Liverpool, onTuesday night,
and who happened to be at the Star Inn, when that at Mr.
Wood's broke out, was so much alarmed for the safety of the
inn, that he advised his fellow-travellers to shift their quarters
as Speedily as possible, as the appearance of the fire was ten-
fold more alarming 'than the Liverpool one, when it was first
discovered. He afterwards declared it to be his opinion, that
had a fire Occurred in Liverpool under the same circumstances,
and in a' situation so difficult of accesq, the inn. must have
been destroyed, as well as the buildings on the other side of
Mr. Wood's. We mention this merely to show how much bet-
ter these things are managed where the whole of the fire-police
is under, the control of one acknoWledged head, than where, as
iu Liverpool, there is no organised system•of operations, each
engine belonging to a separate company, and working as its
conductors may think proper, without regard. to what the others
may be about. Out neighbours in Liverpool might take a hint
from the Manchester establishment. 'lhe •property destroyed
by the fire .at. Mr. Wood's consisted chiefly of piano-fortes in
the course of manufacture, but considerable injury was done to
the furniture, in consequence of the.quantity of. water it was
found necessary to use. We have not heard the total amount
of the'loso.--,llaneheilor Courier.