The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-14 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

ROYAL INSTITUTION.
On Saturday last the Leone.' for-the Season commenced
at the Royal institution, in Albemarle Street, and we were
happy to observe that the audience were more numerous
than usnal. The utility of this Establishment has now
been confie med by such long experience, and the dis-
coveries which have emanated from it have been so
beneficial and honourable to the country, that it was
nit!) great pleasure we learnt from Profeseor Brande's in-
troduction. that the aspect of its affairs uas at the present
moment more promising and propitious thanit had been for
the last fonrteen years.—After describing the means that have
been success!ally adopted to oppose the difficulties with which
it was st one time surrounded—difficulties which, the Profes-
ser observed, some people bad busied themselves in exag-
gerating for the purpose of predicting a downfall, which
they endeavoured to hasten by their insinuations—he con-
cluded an eloquent eppeal in the following words :
Let me entreat you seriously and earnestly to
take up the eine of the Royal lnatitution. We are not
in a bankrupt state, nor upon the brink of dissolution,
nor shall we easily be brought to the one or the other ex-
cept by our own inattention and %npineness. Let me also
remind you of the nature of the instruction and informa-
tion which it is the object of the Institution to promul-
Or
te •of its intern', its dignity, anal importance—of its in-
dependence of fashion and the taste of the moment—of its
connection with the use, the permanence. and the pleasure
of intellectual arqnireinents. Let these things be considered,
and I feel convinced and satisfied that we shall not want the
support which is one due, nor those means which are re-
Tiired for the permanence of one establishment; but that,
on the contrary, we shall he enabled to add to our reputation.
to extend our usefulness, and multiply our course of
instruction ; and that the first sunshine of encouragement
w:.ich rte receive will dissipate the threatening clouds that
have lately hung about us, and permanently dissolve those
mists of discontent and opposition that leave darkened our
atmosphere, and which those who are not interested in our
welfare have vainly interpreted as the forerunners of our
end, and the consummation of their wishes."
aotmEN+llllm.•
MADRID, JAN. 29.—0 n Monday last took place the m-
ention of a male and female servant, for having robbed
their master. It was a day of indignation and sorrow, for
at least the female part of the population of this capital.
All the women were in tears on seeing a young and in te-
reseog looking girl going with firmness and resignation
to suffer the vile and disgusting punishment of the gibbet;
and which, as they did not fail to recollect, was abolished
by the Con aitutional Government. What a spectacle for
the inhabitants of a country who pride themselves upon a
chivalrous and almost devotional feeling towards the sex,
to see an able-bodied ruffian of an executioner get astride
upon the sleculders of a young female, writhing in the
agonies of death, anal with one of his horrid hands forcing
a handkerchief into her month, while with his heels he
struck her repeatedly, and violently on the sromach. Such
an atrocious and revolting sight is calculated to do more
injury to the cause of absolutism than the fusilading of a
whole village of Constitutionslists. When the man-servant
arrived at the gibbet, he gazed with the must intense and
aucuished attention upon the disfigured body of his unfor-
tunate wife (for, it is said, be was married to her the night
before the execution) and then sabinittesl himself to the
same dreadful fate. When he was turned off,a tremendons
rush took place amongst the crowd, without auy one
knowing the cause. Several persons were seriously injured.
The confection commenced at the moment when the cry
of Viva el Reg Absoluto was heard, which is now invaria-
hly sent forth at the death of unfortunate wretches, no
matter what their political opinion, or even if they have
none, as was the case in this instance.
Among other instances of the rapid improvement of Van
D:etnan's Land, which appear in the Hobart fawn Gazettes
uhich were yesterday received. is the projected establish-
ment of passage-vessels, constructed after the manner of
the Leith and Berwick smacks, to sail regularly between
Hobart Town and Sidney, fur the conveyance of passen-
gers. A company had been formed for this purpose at
Hobart-town, to which the sum of 2,5001, had been
subscribed. the whole amount required for the undertaking
being 6,0001. The Berwick, a passage-vessel for Van
Deetnan's Land, had brought out a supply of Merino, the
greater part of which arrived safe ; but of 24 head of
horned cattle, shipped on board the same vessel. the whuls
unfortunately perished. These cattle were of the approved
breed, and in consequence of the very serious loss sustained
as well to the colony as to the individuals concerned, a
legal investigation was likely to take place on the subject.
We are glad to perceive that proper protection is given to
the passengers on their voyage to this colony, by giving
them damages in the law courts in cases of neglect or ill-
-I,estment of the captain. Three actions for such conduct
were brought in the Lieutenant Governor's court against
the captain of the Berwick, in all of which verdicts were
riven for the plaintiffs.
New Solent WALRB.—A few nights ago a hyena tiger
was seen in the sheepfold of G. W. thinning, Esq. of Koa I
Hever. Four kangaroo dogs, which were thrown in upon
refused to fight ; and he had seized a lamb, when a
small terrier, of the Scotch breed, was put in, and instantly
seized the animal, and after a severe fight, to the astonish-
pant of all present, the terrier succeeded in killing his
advertary.—(Frons the Hobart-town Gazette, of Aug 2 )
it is determined to separate the Ooverumentt of Malta
of the lonian Islands. which were conjointly held by
ate late Sir 'rhomas Maitland. The former is to be given
lo the Marquis of Hastings, with a salary of 60001. a year ;
the latter to Sir Frederick Adam, with one of 49001. per
.a.num. The command of the forges in the Mediterranean
e ell mot be included, as heretofore, in the liovernusent of
Matta.—(Courier.)
Itappears, by an estimate which has been laid upon the
reel, of the House of Commons, that the nnusher of sea-
men to be raised for the present year will be 29.000. includ-
ing 9000 Royal Marines. This will be au increase in our
naval service of between 3 and 4000 men, as we stated
would be the case, two or three months ago. The extended
commercial relations which may be expected in South
America., and the necessity, occasioned by what has taken
place in our West Indian colonies. of augmenting our
fume in the Leeward Islands, are the only causes for this
increase.—(lbid.)
When the British troops went into garrison at Antwerp in
1515, they found the streets excessively dirty. To their com-
plsinte of the filthiness and unwholesomeness of the town, and
to their representations of the necessity of cleaning it, the Nis-
uktrates answered. with offended dignity, that •• the City of
Antwerp was clean." The British Commandant then ordered
ourseldiers to sweep the streets. and to pile up all the dirt
acidotic the houses of those Magistrates who with so much per-
tinacity maintained that the City of Antwerp was clean. The
mountainsof dirt collected by the soldiers in one morning
blocked up the windows, and it was with difficulty that the
Magistrates could get out of their doors. When they did,
tKiwever, they immediately bestirred themselves, convinced by
iture senses than one that the City of Antwerp was not clean ;
lied they afterwards took due care that thee streets should be
regularly swept.—Narratiee of a Residence in Belgium ix
18I&—[Is there not often occasion to bring the same evidence
home to the doors of some of the Commissieuers for cleansing
&c. the streets of London.]
A banking-firm, under the sounding title of the
Brighton Royal Bank," was opened in this town, some
nullities since, by a Mr. John Kinnear, who issued two
sorts of one-pound notes—one of which was made payable
in Norfolk-street, Loodoe, and the other at his house on
the Old Steyne. These notes, which were generally looked
upon with an eye of suspicion. were, for the most part,
• sent in for payment as fast as they were issued.—Some few
h undreds, however, were. we fear, in the bands of our fel-
la w.townsmen yesterday se'nnight, when Mr. Kinnear
vet 'used to pay his notes. any longer ; and we perceive his
11110 Iselin the list of bankrupts in Tuesday's Clazet:e. We
that the public will be on their guard against any
aim,„ lar attempts to impose upon their credulity.—(Brighton
'I? old.)

LIVERPOOL MECHANICS' AND APPRENTICES
LIBRARY.

(?ROM TIIR MECHANICS' WEEKLY JOURNAL.)
It is with pleasure we notice the formation of libraries, for
the creation of a taste in the labouring classes for useful read.
ing ; and therefore hail the occasion of saying that the inha.
bitants of Liverpool, the second town in the empire, held a
meeting on the 10th instant, for taking the library which has
been collected by the exertions of Mr. Egerton Smith, and
which amounted to about 1,300 volumes, under public protee•
tion and control, and Welting further donations and susscrip•
lions, in consequence of which meeting the library was ac•
cepted by the public, and transferred to the care of the mew
hers.
Tile terms of subscription which constitute a member will
appear very small, in comparison of those of the London li-
braries. A benefaction, as it is termed, of not less than two
guineas, either in money or in books, according to the valu-
ation of the committee, not of the donor, constitute a member,
we summit), for life, although this is not positively ex,iressed ;
as also a subscription of not less than four shillings a year.
Such Is the liberality of the members of this library, that
those mechanics and apprentices who are not members, but
who are desirous of partaking of its benefits, shall, for the
present, be furnished with books, on being nominated thereto
by members ; doubtless in the hope that, when they shall have
imbibed a taste for useful reading, and felt its benefit, they
will cheerfully contribute their support to the library.
What a striking contrast does this afford to the idiberality of
the London Mechanics' Institute ! How clearly does this
'View the mercenary spirit which acuated the original
promoters of that institution: standing, as it does, a soli-
tary instance of such illiberality, amongst the numerous
public societies of various kin Is in the metropolis; ail of
whom are desirous of the presence of visitors, and frank is
offering their treasures ; and the same liberality is to be
found in all public institutions in every town in England ;
even the private lecturers, are in almost every instance,
equally free in their admission.
The conihict of 31r. Egerton Smith, in laying the foun-
dation of this library, deserves the highest praise. He
collected books, and provided a room, until it had be-
come an institution of such magnitude and promise, that
he felt he ought no longer to continue the responsibility of
its management,—especially as he was connected with a
party in politics, and therefore niielit, by some zealots, be
considered as standing in the way of the progress of an in-
stitution which ought to be hept dear of any ilea of poli-
tical party spirit. With this view he had declined to ac-
cept the donation of several volumes of the Liverpool Mer.
cury, although bin own newspaper; as all works of pole-
mic theology esti politics were to he excluded.
Nor does the formalon of this library appear to he the
only instance of Mr. E. Smith's attention to the forming
of the minds of the labouring classes. Some years ago,
a boy came under his notice of an extraordinary mechanical
geuius,—he gave him the means of some little education,
and supplied him with a few books. Timis boy afterwards
went to America; and some time ago he received a letter
from hint, acknowledging the kind encouragement and
cultivation of his capacity, and acquainting him, that he
had arrived at such credit in his profession, that he was
building a carriage for the President of the United States.
It appears also, from the speeches made at the meeting,
that there are now four hundred young men, readers, in
Liverpool, and many more might have been added, if the
present extent of the library would have admitted them.
An objection bad been nisde to the donation of Egan's
Sporting Anecdotes, as improper for the library. This ap-
pears to us an attempt to check the free expansion of thought
amongst the members. That persons who introduced theo-
logical or political discussions in lectures and speeches made
to a society instituted for other purposes, should be subject to
sine for taking up the timeof the members, and obliging
those of a contrary opinion either to abstain from attendance,
or to hear important subjects discussed in a manner to
which their eats are unaccustomed, is highly proper. It
is ego illy proper that books of these kinds, or of mere
amusement, should not lie allowed to be received as part of
the subscription qualifying a person to be a member, or to
be purchased from the so iety's funds : —but as to free
gifts, we think any restriction whatever of the
subjects of the books is illiberal, and Contrary
to the practice of the public libraries in the
metropolis, or in the universities, as the possession of
them dues not enforce the cousideration of the subjects upon
the society, as is the case in public speeches. We are there.
fore extremely Sorry to observe these symptoms at the corn-
mencetnent of this library, as we have always understood
that the dissolution of the Surry Institution was chiefly
owing to dissentions as to the books which were to be in-
troduced. May this example be a warai og.

The Committee appointed by toe House of Commons, to
" inquire into the state of the laws and its consequences, re-
specting Artizans leaving the kingdom and residing abroad;
also respecting the exportation of Tools anti Machinery;
and of the Combination Laws," yesterday. at two o'clock,
met. for the first tins in one of the Committee-rooms of the
House of Commons. They named Mr. Hume to be Chair-
man. They resume their sittings this day as they have
leave to inert, notwithstanding any adjournment of the
House ; and then proceed to business, by ordering the at-
tendance of divers persons, and the presentation of sundry
papers.
MIRACULOUS Escape —About ten o'clock in the morn-
ing of Sunday last, while the Nith was rolling from bank
to brae. a little boy about seven years old, son of ►V. Ho-
tta% carter in Maxwelltown, haviag become giddy by
gazing too intensely on a foaming eddy, lost his balance
and tumbled ever the brow into the raging flood, nearly
opposite to Provost Shortridge's brewery. This eddy, or
tiny whirlpool, is formed by a buttress built several hun-
dred years ago, and scch was the force of the back cur-
rent, that the boy in the first instance was carried up the
stream as far as the last arch of the Old Bridge, where,
after more than one circumvolution, he was at length
caught by the main stream, and hurried rapidly down
the river. Alarmed by the cries of the boy's father, a num-
ber of spectators hastened to the spot, who deeming it im-
possible to render the smallest assistance, continued to
gaze on the scene of death, expecting every moment to see
the little sufferer dashed over the Canal, or suffocated
amidst the immense body of water that rushes with such
force through the gullet door. Such, in fact, was the
strength of the current that the boy did not well sink, and
it was observed that he constantly turned his eye in the di-
rection of the father, whose feelings it would be vain to at-
tempt to describe. And here while every arm was power-
less and every heart despairing, an intrepid youth of the
natneof ►V. Johusione,conceived that it was possible to res-
cue the poor child. The gullet door, as it is termed. is
opened and shut bra peculiar machine fixed on the river's
bank, with strong Iron chains extending to the edge of the
dam head, and by means of these the fearless youth con-
trived to warp himself down into the stream. His situation,
of course, was perilous in the extreme; yet by clinging
with one band and extending the other, be contrived to
seize bold of the half drowned child jest as he was
gliding into thi yawning chasm. Hut here a new
difficulty occurred,—to retreat was impossible,—to ad-
vance instant death. Other persons ventured a
little way on tie chains, but their efforts were altogether
useless, and before the ropes could be procured, Johnstone
had to support both his own and the boy's weight, for near-
ly a quarter of an hour. Hopes, however, were got at
length, by the judiciousness of which, both the poor child
and his brave deliverer were safely extricated, to the great
delight of the sympathising spectators. For a considerable
time the boy was insensible, but Hr. Spalding. surgeon,
happened to be present, and by his assistance, he was im-
mediately conveyed to a warm bed, and in a few boars
restored to the use of his faculties. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed on William Johnstone. Considering the
state of the river, the proximity of the Caul, the celerity
of his motions, and the risks he ran altogether, we firmly
I believe that a •deed of greater daring was never before
as maptedifar less successfully eseautel(DimsfriesCourier.

LONDON FEVER HOSPITAL
..-..gw--

Yesterday a meetintr of the Governors of the London
Fever Hospital took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, for
the porp,ise of receiving the 23.1 Annual Report of the
Committee.

J. L. MALLATT, Esq. Treasnrer, in the Chair.
The Report stated that in the veir 1823, the admissions
into the Hospital amounted to 366, of which number 283
hal been dismissed cured; 14 were dismissed as improper
objects • and 46 died. There were rem4ining in the
Hospital 23, and the total number of admissions since the
opening in 1802 amounted to 4781. For the four years
preceding 1822 the cases of fever were gradually dimi-
nished : the admissions being in the first year 608; in the
second 539 ;in the third 477 ; and in the fourth 323. An
average of 100 took place in 1822, for the number rose
to 246. 'Last year the number had declined to 399; so that
the Committee considered malignant infectious fever as
stationary for the last three years, so far as they could
judge from the Hospital records. The report was aloge-
tber very gritifying. It appeared however, that the funds
were inadequate to the extensive objects of the Institution.
and it was
.in consequence unanimously resolved, that it
should be referred to the General Committee to adopt
measures for increasing the resources of the Institution.
The Duke of Somerset was re-elected President for the
year ensuing, and the name of Lord Bexley was added to
the list of Vice-Presidents.