The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-07-08 00:00:00

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The LAW CLERIC begged distinctly to say that he was not TO THE EDITOR:OF TH.6
imputing to any member of the Road Committee anything lam surprised that the secretary of a society composer.
improper. He was only stating the prevalent feeling abroad perhaps of many real swindlers, that adulterate their own
in the township in order to cure it if possible. goods, give scant weight and short measure, should have
Mr. COLE complained of the charge being preferred against sought a criminal charge against me, an old and respectable
the committee generally. He had sat upon that committee merchant of Liverpool.
for two years, and he was satisfied they had laid out no more Never in my life did I steal a pennyworth, or make use of
money than was absolutely necessary. He denied the charge a false pretence, or break the commandments, as my accu-
altogether ; and if anything more had taken place he asked sers have done ; and had I been committed instead of dis-
for information.
charged, I know a jury would have returned a verdict of not
After some further discussion the subject ended by the guilty. However, as you hope to escape a libel action, and
LAw CLERK assuring the meeting that he intended no re- wish to do justice, I require you to publish this openly,
flection
rnittee. upon the individual members of the late Road Com- sending me, directed " merchant, Liverpool," half-a-dozen
The FINANCE COMMITTEE was then a free copies, and a £5 note fine to the Society for Promoting
ppointed as follows : Christianity amon the Jews, in whose conversion I take a
—the chairman, the deputy chairman, Messrs. Green, Ben- great interest. g
pidir
tham, Laird. Cole. Watson, Walker, and Stansfield.
übit
The evidence before the
The WATCH COMMITTEE was ne."- - as follows : I is, shews that I was not res the time of ordering the cask,
-3,1,1 ......tt, •--

appointe

—the chairman, the deputy chairman, Mess
Horner, Yym, Watson,Ptaynes, Kerr, and Gilbertson

Laycock,

ROAD ColuatiTTHE was constituted as follows :—the
Laird, John S

chairman, the deputy chairman, Messrs
Jackson, Fry, M'Nicol, Horner, and Walker
The MARKET COMMITTEE as follows :—the chairman, the
deputy chairman, Messrs. Laycock, Cole, Appleton, Prit-
chard, Ravenscroft, M`Nicol, and Stansfield.
The Ferry t,ommittee, as given above, having been moved

Mr. PARRIC.R inquired whether one of the representatives
of the corporation of Liverpool, which had a great interest
in the township of Birkenhead, should not be appointed a
member of the Ferry Committee. He had read over the
evidence given by Mr. Wm. Jackson before the committee
of the House of Commons, and he had been much gratified
with it ; but he hoped that those flattering prospects which
he then held out as to the ferry might be realised. Of course
it rested with the commissioners to appoint or not, just as
they thought proper, one of the representatives of the Li-
verpool town-council on this important committee. He
called it an important committee because it was a novel one,
and he really thought the corporation ought to be represented
in it. Mr. Parker then introduced a question as to the eligi-
bility of Mr. J. S. Jackson and Mr. W. Jackson, two com-
missioners, on the ground that they were directors of a public
company, having a contract with the township, a subject on
which considerable explanation took place. It appeared that
so long as the contract existed they did not take their seats
at the board, and that therefore they were eligible now..

Mr. Was. 'JACKSON was very glad this question had been
so fully discussed, because it gave him this opportunity of
stating that he had never taken his seat at that board till he
felt himself conscientiously qualified to do so. Mr. Parker
had asked a question, namely, whether the commissioners

_
did not think- it right that the corporation of Liverpool
should not be represented upon the Ferry Committee. He
(Mr. Wm. Jackson) most distinctly stated that the corpora-
tion of Liverpool was the very last interest which ought to
be represented, or to sit by their representative, upon that
Ferry Committee. It was held in all joint stock companies
that whilst any individual man could become a shareholder
in twenty companies, no man could become a director in two
companies where those companies were competing against
each other. What position would the commissioners be in
if they allowed the corporation of Liverpool to have a voice
in working their ferry, when the corporation belonged to
another ferry which was competing against that belonging to
the commissioners of Birkenhead ? Was it fair to ask such
a question ? Was it right, was it handsome, that the corpo-
ration of Liverpool should ask to be represented on that
committee when they were competing against it, and daily
taking from its receipts by the Birkenhead Ferry ? He con-
sidered it decidedly wrong, aril he should oppose the corpo-
ration of Liverpool being represented in any such a way.
There were other reasons for his opposition, but he thought
these were strong enough. He could mention several others,
but these would be sufficient. He had, however, no feeling
but that of good-will towards the corporation of Liverpool.
At the same time he should be prepared to give a satisfactory
account of the ferry—an account that would satisfy the
doubts of those who questioned its utility to the township
when the proper time arose.
Mr. J. S. JACKSON said he had never taken his seat at the
board until he could do so conscientiously.
Mr. PARKER then brought forward a complaint of bad
conduct oh the part of some servants of the ferry on the 30th
ult., which was referred to the Ferry Committee. •
The Ferry Committee, as given above, was then appointed.

THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS.
Mr. Was. JACKSON said, that as chairman of the commit-
tee appointed at the last meeting to investigate the accounts,
it became his duty to read their report. Mr. Jackson then
read the report, which stated, that the committee had care-
fully examined the books and the accounts of the commis-
sioners for the year commencing 25th May, 1841, and ending
24th May, 18.12 ; and they had much pleasure in stating that
whilst it was found difficult to form an accurate statement in
consequence of the peculiar way in which the books had been
kept, they had the satisfaction of reporting that all
the amounts received had been accounted for, and
vouchers produced for all the money paid. The
report then referred to several accounts produced, one
of which showed the receipts and expenditure for the past
year, and another, the capital account, which exhibited a
balance of £4033 I6s lid in favour of the township. Atten-
tion was then called to the amounts due for lighting and
watching; and the report concluded by recommending seve-
ral alterations in the internal arrangements of the office, with
the view of a better system being established. Mr. Jackson
concluded by stating that the report and accounts would lie-
on the table for public inspection.
The CHAIRMAN, on the part of the commissioners, paid a
high compliment to the zeal, diligence, care, and ability of
the committee, and thanked them for their trouble. ,
On the motion of Mr. WATSON, an abstract of the ac-
counts was ordered to be printed.

garbled and incorrect as it
in Liverpool, or near it, at
Ind that neither myself or

anyining illegal, more than any other merchants
who buy and sell, and pledge their cargoes to brokers.
To the religious world, whose opinion I alone value, I can
truly say my gracious God never forsook me for a moment :
He gave me a sign and the assurance of my liberation, and
those who are " born again " of water and the Spirit will
readily sympathise with their brother in Christ. It was in
faith of this, contrary to the advice of the clerk, I took away
my bundle of clothes to the court, sure of my freedom !
My fellow-prisoners, to whom I preached, can bear testi-
mony to my cheerful resignation in the hour of calamity ;
the chaplain to my attendance, the governor to my unshaken
fortitude, and the head jailor will long remember him, who
reminded him to escape from a pit in which there was no
water, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched
—a prison, where the devil and his angels are the turnkeys,
and shall keep them fast for ever and ever !
_ _

As a Christian, I forgive all my enemies, and pray for my
slanderers,—overlooking, as I do, the human instruments,
and confessing the loving correction of my Heavenly Father,
for playing the fool and erring exceedingly in getting so much
into debt; and let him that owes his neighbour neither a
pound or a groat, cast the first stone at

T. P. GILMORI

[We have given insertion to the above letter, scarcely certain
whether the writer is a madman, or a most incompre-
hensibly immodest personage as ever we met with. The
" religious world " will no doubt be gratified with the wri-
ter's statement of his comfortable feelings, under a charge
which would excite jar different sensations in the minds
of ordinary men.

We have one recommendation to offer to the writer.
His epistolary talents have been a little unproductive of
late, and a new style may possibly be required; but the
threatening-letter style, we can assure him, will not an-
swer. So far as regards the threat of an action for libel
directed against ourselves, we can only say, that we are
ready to comply with his demand for six copies of our pa-
per, upon bring paid for them ; and that when we have
•4 five pounds" to give to the Society for Propagating
Christianity amongst the Jews, or to any other chai itable
institution, we shall most certainly not attempt to trans-
mit it through the hands of Thomas Parr Gilmore " -
chant, Liverpool."—En. L. S.l ,

PROCESSIONS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

" So there is not to be a Popish procession, after all !"
And why should there be ? -Tame, indeed, and unworthy
utterly of Old England, were the loyalists of Liverpool, were
they to suffer themselves to be browbeaten, overcrowed, and
pushed out of the streets, if a wretched knot of insolent ra-
dicals and Papists were permitted to keep " the crown of the
causeway."

If processions are to be allowed, surely loyal-hearted Pro-
testants have at least as much right to form them, and walk
the streets of the " good old town," as a banded set of fac-
tious and rebel Papists, with their treasonous mottoes flying
in the face of open day, to the insult of a very great majority,
say nearly three-fourths, of the inhabitants of Liverpool
good and true. ca

- Now I ask any rat-thinking man, would not the loyal
Orange sentiment of " The Queen, God bless her," have
read quite as well, flying over a flag-staff, as the rebellious
Popish motto, " Repeal of the Union" ? Would not a re-
presentation of the victorious Wellington look to the full as
well as the head of the notorious rebel Sarsfield, that has
been carried through your streets, to the insulting of your
townsmen, year after year, on St. Patrick's Day ?

So PapiSt's were to'walic, but Protestants were to be for-
bidden ! Truly, they were trying it on gallantly at Liver-
pool ! Verily, their Popish plot was nobly laid!! Long
hare I been aware that a Papist, merely because he is a sub-
ject of the Pope, considers himself a Protestant's better;
and their preposterous insolence on the present occasion
fully proves that they believe so.

INCREASE OF THE TOWNSHIP

Mr. WILLIAM JACKSON said, it would perhaps be some
sort of gratification to the commissioners to know the extent
to which the township of Birkenhead had increased. He
had been at some trouble to arrive at the facts, and; having
done so, he would lay them before the meeting. In the year
1823, the rack rental of the township of Birkenhead
amounted to £3lOl ; in 1833, it had increased to £6962 ; and
in 1841, only 8 years after, it had increased to the enor-
mous sum of £42,563 ! (Hear.) In 1811, the population
was 105 only; in 1842, it had increased 98 per cent.; in 1831,
it had increased 2400 per cent. ; and in 1841, it had increased
7700 per cent.! (Hear, hear.) He had further the satis-

ltiuly rejoice that the Protestants of Liverpool, and all
who in loyalty of sentiment coincide with them, have not
suffered a " tyrant minority " of priestridden men thus in-
sultingly to ride the high horse, and rule the roast over them.
It has been the general custom of Popery, to gain every
movement by threats of disturbance, and of shedding Pro-
testant blood. By this plan was the so-called Emancipation
Act gained ; by this have they accomplished much ; and here
we have had them again playing their old game of threaten-
ing disturbance, and blood-shedding, if they had not all their
own way.

d notwithstanding

the false allegations against the. Road Committee for an
expenditure which ought not to be laid to their charge, the
rates of Birkenhead, including the pours' rates, and so on,
were only ls. 9d., whilst those of their neighbours of Liver-
pool -to
were 3s. 3d.

PRICES AT THE FERRI'

There has been a great deal said of late years about " jus-
tice to Ireland " ; and right and fitting it was, that the loyal
Orangemen of Liverpool had the spirit to see to it, that for
once there should be " justice to England "—justice to the
Protestant inhabitants of Liverpool justice to themselves.
And who is there that does not unite in feelings of rejoicing
with them, and with the great majority of your town, that
they have acted with becoming spirit, and compelled Old
Rome to furl up her rebel rags and traitorous banners, and
made her, for once, glad to sit down content with fair equa-
lity. NO SURRENDER.
Prescot, 7th July, 1842.

Mr. PTA!, in a letter to the chairman,. complained of the
contract prices charged for children under 12 years of age.
The letter was referred to the Ferry Committee. The com-
missioners then separated.

THEATRE-ROYAL

A variety of amusing farces, dramas, and after pieces have
been performed during the week ; but the attendance has not
been so full as might have been expected from the attractions
offered. That the taste for the drama in this town is at a
somewhat low ebb, we cannot but admit. It will be worth
while to look into the causes of this absence of support to
what used to be one of the most popular of all public amuse-
ments. We once heard a man about to assign several rea-
sons for the non-performance of certain matters in which he
was concerned " First of all," said he, " there was a want
of money." "That is quite enough," remarked his listener,
" you need go no further." Perhaps in giving one of the
reasons for the theatre not being filled every night may be
ascribed the want of money, and the reader may say, go
no further ;" but yet we feel disposed to do so. We have
noticed the absence of numbers of those leading familes in
the town from the boxes, who were wont to grace them with
their presenee. This class have become tee-total drama ab-
stainers. Late dinner hours, the facilities of travelling, and
the progress of music in private families, are amongst many
of the causes that have induced the frequenters of the dress
circle to turn their faces any where but towards Williamson-
square. For the frequenters of the pit—scarcity of money,
the confinement in shops and offices, the attractions of the
public-houses—greatly enhanced by the late hours and long
confinements,—the charms of the Cheshire shore and the free
air ; but above all, the pestilential singing-houses, where
" vocal harmony " and pints of beer may be had in any
quantity. These singing-houses also influence the gallery ;
although the great harm is done to this part of the house by
the authorities permitting penny theatres to be opened in all
parts of the town. As to the singing-houses, we heard, in
passing one, the other evening, a young woman singing who
possessed a sweet voice, good execution and taste, such
as, in other times, would have commanded a tolerable en-
gagement at almost any theatre. Fancy the attraction to a
man of vulgar and low habits there must be in thus being
able to hear such singing while tippling his beer, or sipping
his whiskey-toddy ! Bad times may be the winding up of
this catalogue of causes ; and although the proprietors of
the Theatre-Royal may wince at being told the fact, and
managers may set their faces against the proceeding, " but to
this conclusion must we come at last :" the rent of the
theatre must be very considerably lowered, and the prices of
admission 'brought down. The prices are now what they
used to be in the good times when money was abundant.
Now that it is scarce—and what little we have even, in gold,
will not pass current—and all things are lowered, a suitable
reduction must be made in theatrical rents and prices. We
are not advocates for cheap things—far from it : high prices,
high wages. The cheap and nasty system has been one of
the causes of our present distress ; and those who, unlike
the anti-corn-law agitators, look beyond their noses, know
it. But people must be induced by cheapness to visit a
theatre, as they are now induced to make purchases by the
temptation of price.
We have said that many light and amusing farces have
been performed during the week, principally written by Mr.
Selby, who, as author and actor, has made a decidedly good
impression on the Liverpool playgoers. His drama of " Ask
no Questions " gave Mr. Baker an opportunity of showing
his ability as Old Matthias. In Bernard's excellent and
humourous farce of " His Last Legs," Mr. Russell person-
ated O'Callaghan. It was extremely amusing. He pre-
sented us with a clever portrait of a reckless, broken down,
but light-hearted, Irishman; one who, having seen better
days, still, clings to the hope of a chance turning up. We
have seen many such Irishmen ; and from the applause
indulged in by the audience, it seemed as if the truth of the
sketch was, generally admitted. At the close of the farce, on
appealing to the audience " epilogetically," he received three
distinct rounds of applause. We consider his O'Callaghan as
very artistically done. His imitation of the animal magnetizers
was warmly taken up and recognized by the audience. Mr.
Nantz played Charles Rivers with spirit, and Mr. Cooke as
Dr. Banks, Mr. Vivash as Old Rivers, and Mrs. Barton,
as Julia, acted extremely well. On Wednesday Mr. Selby
took his benefit. The entertainments were a complete
" 011 a Podrida," an act out of one drama, and an act out of
another, with three farces to make up the sum "Mille" of the
whole—all remarkable for their absurdity and mirth-ex-
citing qualities, although not worth much as matters of re-
membrance. Mr. W. J. Hammond, Mrs. Clarke, and Mr.
Selby, greatly exerted themselves to amuse. The farce of
" Behind the Scenes" went off well, and is a happy bur-
lesque upon affairs hid from public gaze : the airs of the first
tragedy lady—the vulgarity of the first tragedian—the dic-
tatorial habits of the manager—the conceit of the danseuses;
the hopes of the aspirant. and the follies of the hangers-on
after actresses, are all admirably hit off. Mr. J. Russell in-
troduced the song of the " Widow Malone," from " Charles
O'Malley ;" he sang it with considerable humour and point,
the audience caught at it at once, and enthusiastically and
eagerly encored it ; in fact, the song was hardly concluded
before the wish for its repetition was expressed. We may
observe that Mr. Russell's dress was as purely Irish as any,
thing we ever saw : any one who may have noticed the spe-
cimens of the finest pisantry on our quays and in our streets,
must have been struck with the uniqueness of the costume.
The " Widdy Malone " shows Mr. Russell's versatile
talents as a singer—he is equally at home in grave or gay—a
quality rarely combined. We may observe that Mr. Russell
takes his benefit to-night, when an attractive bill is put
forth, in dramas that have rarely been played here. .‘ Do-
minique the Deserted;" "An Hour of Table-talk," in
which several charming songs will be introduced; and
" Rory O'More," and the " Widdy Malone" is worth all
the n'vney• The dissolving views are very beautiful, they
have been exhibited every night, anti have been much ap-
plauded.

THE FIRE AT BERMONDSF.Y.—The total amount of pro-
perty destroyed by this conflagration is estimated at £lB,OOO.
The loses sustained by the various insurance-offices by this
sad calamity are as follow :—British Fire-office, £6,000;
Phoenix, £4,300 ; Sun, £2.500 ' • Royal Exchange, X 1,500;
Globe, £500; Guardian, £500; Union, £500; and County,
£3OO.

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LIVERPOOL STAN