The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-26 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

THE LATE IYCENHIARY FIRES.-It will be seen from an
advertisement that the borough magistrates have offered a
reward of £lOO for the conviction of the offender or offenders
In these cases.

LORD SAN DON.-Our noble representative is now sojourn-
lug at Sandon Hall ; altd has been very active during the
present week in performing his magisterial duties in Stafford
and the neighbourhood.
The Rev. James North, M.A., incumbent of St. Cathe-
rine's, Abercromby-square, has been appointed a surrogate
of the Consistory Court of Chester, for granting probates of
wills, letters of administration, and marriage licenses, in this
diocess„ upon the resignation (on preferment, as stated in
the STANDARD of Tuesday,) of the Rev. T. S. Bowstead,
M.A.

THE STEAM-SHIP HINDOSTAN.—Amongst the passen-
gers who have engaged cabins for India in this steamer, a
minute description of which will be found elsewhere, and
which will start from Southampton on the 24th September
next, are the following :—Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, Miss
Ricketts, Lieut-Colonel Cock, C. 8., Captain and Mrs.
Moffat, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Brandreth, Mr. Campbell,
the Messrs. Fowles, Mr. Pearson, Mrs. Hudson, Lieut.
Verge, Mr. Pigon, Capt. Scott, Mrs. Russel, Mrs. and Miss
King, Col. and Mrs. Sargent, Mr. Reddie, Mrs. Dalrymple.
THE FUNDS.—WEDNESDAY EVENING.—The English
funds have remained firm to-day, but business only to a
limited extent has been transacted. Consols for money and
the account closed 92 to k ; Bank Stock, 169 to 170; Ex-
sl.,lecitler-bills, 495. to 51s. premium ; ditto, 2kd. issue, 51s, to
,738. premium ; India Stock, 250; to 2517-; 3 per Cent. Re-
"diced, 92i to ;3; per Cent. Reduced, 101 to ; New 3; per
Cents., 100} to ; Long Annuities, 12i ; and India Bonds,
345. to 365. premium. Foreign Stocks have not undergone
the slightest variation in price. Spanish Actives closed 20-k
to 21 ; ditto, New, 20k ; Dutch 2; per Cents., 521. to ; ' • ditto,
5 per Cents., 102 to ; Mexican, 334 to 361; Danish, 83 to
84 ; Colombian, 201 ; Belgian, 102 to 103 ; Brazilian, 65 to
66 ; Portuguese 5 per Cents., to 33'34 • ditto 3 per Cents.,
-
19i to 201.

COMPLAINT AGAINST A PAWNBROKEIL—Yesterday, a
pawnbroker, named Chas. Batten,' appeared, by summons,
before Mr. Rushton, answer a complaint of refusing to
produce a pledge w
a poor but he had received. The complainant,
said that she had last decent-looking
female, with a child in her arms,
for the sum of three shirr pledged with defendant a dress
last to redeem it, ings ; that she had called on Satur-
dayoffered a waistcoat in andfie did
not receive it ; that she was
defendant refused her antlyorffoedirt;ris.h.ich she refused ; and that
when the dress was called The defendant said that
he sent to the warehouse for
it, and when it was brought down placed it on the coun-
ter before the complainant, who neglected h
to take it up, and
it was taken away by the person who had Come for the waist-
coat, and who (as we understood him) in the same box.
He added, with great self-confidence, thatw it was entirely her
own fault. Mr. Rushton re-examined the
t into court, and
complainant, and
;and
itappeared
also a female witness, whom she had brought
who was in the pawn-shop at the time
them that the bundle containing the dress hadnot from
been given
to her, and that she never saw it herself, or saw
any one else
take it away. It further appeared (and was not denied by
the defendant) that 3s. had been lent on the article, and that
the complainant had, on callingfor it, paid not only
cipal, but ls. of interest. Only Is. 6d. had been lent the prin.
o: the
waistcoat. The complainant stated that the article
dress-piece, unmade and quite new, with the lining was
sister had bought it for her, and told her it had cost . isi a
Bs. Gd
and the lining Is. Gcl. The defendant produced the tickets'
for both articles, and still persisted in saying " It was all her
wo fault : she should have taken it up when it was handed
toc her." Mr. Rushton said—" What, sir, was it her own
fault that you charged her Is. interest on 35., or 33 percent.,
‘ hen the legal interest, out of which you have an immense
profit, is only 71d. up to the time? Here is a poor female
compelled toand pawn even an unmade article for her necessties,
you take advantate of her. You must pay the com-
plainant
he cost of the dress, and the summons, lls. ;
and," he continued, addressing the complainant, " you
must
go to the office below, and lodge an information against
this pawnbroker The defendant, for
interest."
taking an illegal amount of
ticket back, , when leaving the court, asked for the pawn-
it, stating but Mr. Rushton promptorily refused to restore
him. , that it would be made use of as evidence against

PREFERMENT.—The Rev. Mr. Moncrieff, curate of Dr.
Byrth, at Wallasey, and son of Lord Moncrieff, one of the
Judges of the Scottish Bench, has been promoted to the
rectory of Tattenhall, Cheshire, vacant by the promotion of
the Rev. Mr. Bird, who has been appointed incumbent of
St. Thomas', Birmingham, in the room of Dr. Marsh, re-
signed.

The Boston and Halifax steamer Columbia, Captain Jud-
kins, may be looked for on or before Sunday next. She will
bring New 'Y ork papers three days later than the Great
Western.

POLICE PRISONERS.—There were only 24 prisoners for
examination at the Police-court yesterday—a number which
has been without a parallel for a considerable time. There
are frequently upwards of 200 brought up in the course of a
day.

THE CONVICT BRADLEY.—No reprieve has yet arrived
for this unhappy man; and we have been informed, but not
upon authority, that his execution is expected to take place
to-morrow week. He is constantly atteaded by the Rev.
Peter Wilcox.

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S ADDRESS TO THE TEETOTALLERS
OF LIVERPOOL.—Last evening there was a crowded meeting
in the Socialists' Hall, Great Nelson-street, of the tee-
totallers of Liverpool, to hear an address from Mr. J. S.
Buckingham, the late member for Sheffield, who is passing
through this town on his way to Dublin. The place was
completely filled. Mr. Lawrence Heyworth was in the
chair. The address of Mr. Buckingham was a repetition
of his former speeches on total abstinence, being chiefly
composed of a description of the mode in which his attention
was first attracted to the subject, and of his subsequent history
in connection with it. His remarks elicited loud and general
applause, and at the close a vote of thanks was presented to
him.

FIRE AT SEACOMBE.—On Monday night last, a fire took
place at Seacombe through the carelessness of a servant,
which, but for its timely ditcovery, might have been of
serious consequence. On the evening in question, the
servant of Mr. L. T. Gaskill, who resides at West Seacombe
Terrace, Seacombe, left for a length of time a lighted candle
on the table in one of the top rooms, lying near which was a
newspaper, which, unfortunately, became ignited, and the
flames soon communicated to the cover on the table, and
this quickly set on fire the table itself, and the room pre-
sented a rather alarming appearance. A lady who happened
to be passing at the time, immediately alarmed those inside,
and fortunately by great exertion, the fire was quenched
without doing any material injury.
THE QUARTERLY TABLE OF MORTALITY.—The return
of the number of deaths registered in the spring quarter
of the present year exhibits some few facts which may prove
interesting and useful to the public. It is not necessary to
treat the subject in all its parts, as those who desire the whole
statistical details will, without doubt, refer to the return. We
shall, therefore, first look at the subject generally, and after-
wards glance at its local application. In the first place, then,
we observe, that the average number of deaths in the spring
quarter of the present year is much below that of the quarters
preceding, of the corresponding quarters and the average of
the season. Between the spring quarter and the last winter
quarter the difference is no less than 16.4 per cent, or one-sixth
part, while the diminution, on the average of the season, is 11
per cent. It is calculated that there was a probable reduction
in the average number of sick during the quarter, of about
35,552. In the metropolis the decrease of mortality is not so
marked as in some other places. In diseases of the epidemic
and contagious class there is a large decrease, not less than 785,
on the average of the four preceding spring quarters. In hoop-
ing cough there is a decrease, but it is not large, but in the
diseases of small-box, scarlatina, and typhus, the decrease
exhibited is excessive, while, in the deaths from measles,
there has been a large increase. Taking the diseases in
classes, a diminution is exhibited in the mortality from all
save diseases of the heart and blood-vessels, diseases of the
kidneys, diseases of the skin, and " dropsy, cancer, and
other diseases of uncertain seat." In some districts the.
average number of deaths was greater than the average of
the spring quarter in the same districts. Amongst these we
may mention West Derby, which, with a population of
88,652, exhibits a mortality, during the quarter, of 525,
against au average of 438 for the four preceding quarters.
There are other districts in which the average is less than
the usual average, amongst which, which are happy to name
Liverpool, which, with a population of 223,054, shows a
mortality of 1,621 for the quarter against an average of 1,757.
Manchester and Salford, with a population of 262,636, have
had in the quarter a mortality of 1,761 against an average of
2,137. The mean height of the barometer, during the spring
of this year, was 29,937 ; the mean height, during ten prece-
ding springs, was 29,876. The air was, therefore, on the
whole drier, the barometer being higher than usual. There
fell 3,034 inches of rain, while the average of ten preceding
springs was 4,027 inches. Rain, however, fell 32 days, while
on an average it falls but 30 days. The temperature of the
spring was 2,4 degrees above the average from 1831 to 1810,
inclusive.

CHARGE OF MURDER AGAINST A LIVERPOOL CAP-
TAIN.—On Saturday last, at the Thames Police-office,
London, Captain Partridge, master of the Jarrow, of Liver-
pool, was charged with the wilful murder of three Spanish
sailors on the high seas, between the coast of Africa and
Teneriffe. The prisoner was brought home in confinement
in her Majesty's steamer Alban, which arrived, on Friday, at
Woolwich from Teneriffe, where Captain Partridge had been
for some time detained by the Spanish authorities for non-
payment of a fine of £lOO for cruelty towards the seamen.
On being claimed by our government, the prisoner was given
up. The first witness was Joseph Fisher, who said, he went
out as boatswain in the Jarrow, and came home as mate. He
gave his evidence very reluctantly, but the magistrate pressed
and threatened him, saying, he was determined to get the
whole of the facts out of him. He then said, the ship was
bound from Africa to Liverpool, and soon after she sailed she
became very leaky, which compelled them to put into Prince's
Island, where they shipped four Spaniards as able seamen,
but who proved to be quite the reverse. They had been taken
out of a slaver by a man-of-war, and were all ill when they
came on board, but two of them particularly so. The first,
whom they called Humbry, was flogged because he could not
do his duty properly ; he died six weeks after he was first
beaten ; he was flogged repeatedly ; neither of the Spaniards
had a hammock ; they had small mats and rugs to lie upon ;
the day before he died witness found him in the scuppers and
pulled him out; lie supposed he had been sitting on some of
the spars, and by the rolling of the ship fell off. The second,
called Marianna, was continually flogged by the captain ; he
was beaten, thirty-six hours before he died, on the head
a double folding log-slate, the frame of which broke into a
dozen pieces ; the man's head was cut severely and bled pro-
fusely, but he was, nevertheless, kept on deck for two hours
till his time was up, and then he went to the pump ; he either
could not or would not pump, and the captain sent him into
the rigging fdr four hours and a half; when he left the rigging
he was insensible, and never moved afterwards. The third
man was called Rosanne. He was beaten as often as the
others ; he was flogged before he had been on board a dozen
hours, because he could not pump hard enough. This man
did not die until they reached Teneriffe. Witness had re-
peatedly seen the captain knock him down ; the man was
dirty, and he died through that and weakness and hard work.
When the ship performed quarantine, the man was mustered
with the others at the gangway, but nothing was said to the
doctor, who came alongside, about his being ill. All three
of the men went to the pumps when they could scarcely
stand. Witness had reported to the captain that one of the
Spaniards was too ill to come on deck, and was ordered to
rouse him, dead or alive.—The prisoner said he found the
Spaniard asleep at the helm, and therefore he gave him a
" slap " with the slate.—Richard Gerard, carpenter of the
ship, detailed a number of gross cruelties, and added, that
the Spaniards had less provisions than the other men. The
man who died at Teneriffe had his arm in a sling, owing to a
wound in the band he received from the captain. They had
shipped two Frenchmen at Liverpool : one ran away at Te-
neriffe, and the other di▪
sappeared from the ship one morn-
ing when on the coast of Africa. It was supposed he jumped
overboard, and he was thought to be out of his mind.—Other
witnesses deposed to the extreme cruelties practised towards
the Spaniards, and ultimately the magistrates remanded the
prisoner on the charge of murder, in order that he might
consult with his friends, and obtain professional advice, pre-
vious to his being commi▪ tted.

A CURIOUS STORY.—At the Police-court, on Tuesday,
Andrew Marks, a middle-aged man was charged before Mr.
Rushton with having solicited alms. It appeared that on
Monday evening the prisoner went into the shop of Mr.
Woodward, in Church-street, and stated that he was in the
most extreme distress, both of mind and body, and to do
him justice he feigned excessive grief admirably. His story,
however, was somewhat extravagant. He said he had four
children at home, three of whom had been severely burned,
while the fourth lay dangerously ill. He had a wife, and she
as well as himself was starving. Mr. Woodward, hearing a
story so distressful, naturally enough felt inclined to ame-
liorate such suffering, and he accordingly told the prisoner
that if he could bring any person to vouch for the accuracy
of his statements he would relieve him. "Oh yes !" said
the prisoner, " that I can do easily." He left the shop,
and in a few minutes returned with two fellows, who
declared that the whole story told to Mr. Woodward was
as true as gospel. Mr. Woodward, however, did not like
the looks of these fellows ; he thought they appeared a
couple of idle, dirty individuals, who were very likely to
be confederates in a trick for obtaining money. As he had,
in some measure, committed himself by a promise, he gave
the prisoner two-pence. The two companions, not knowing
what the principal actor had received, quitted the shop. The
prisoner eyed the copper, and then Mr. Woodward, with the
most supreme contempt, and exclaimed—" two-pence !-is
this all you can give to a man in my distressed state ? I
should have thought, after such a tale as I have told, that
you would not for shame have given less than five shillings
Mr. Woodward hearing this beckoned to a police officer,
which the prisonar observing darted off as if pursued by
an apparition. About this time Mr. Marcus, cigar and snuff
dealer, of Church-street, was sitting behind his counter, when
a man darted through the shop into the private room, and
seated himself. " What do you want ?" said Mr. Marcus.
" Don't be in a hurry," said the man—"l've something par-
ticular to say to you." " Well," replied Mr. Marcus,
" Can't you say it in the shop—l suppose you are not under
any obligation to speak in the private room." " I tell you
I have something very particular to say to you," repeated the
man, rising and rushing up stairs to another private room.
" Well," said Mr. Marcus, following him, " I wish you
would let it out at once—what is it, man " Ali," re-
plied the other, " I am afraid some one will hear it—come
nearer—it is that I want half an ounce of your best tobacco."
" And is it necessary," said Mr. Marcus, " for you to pur-
chase your best tobacco in my best private room ?" After a
short delay the man was induced to descend—when Mr.
Marcus, determined to be rid of so comical a customer, call-
ed in a policeman. The officer who was called was accom-
panied by another, who turned out to have been sent by Mr.
Woodward in search of the prisoner, who had ran into Mr.
Marcus's shop for concealment. He was taken to Bridewell,
where, however, his friends took care of his personal com-
forts, and furnished an exemplification of the privations to
which the mendicant fraternity are compelled to submit.
His supper, which was sent to him at Bridewell, consisted
only of an abundant supply of ham, beef, bread, butter, and
tea. In addition to these dainties, the prisoner had sent to
him a small tobacco pie, namely, a loaf so. hollowed as to be
filled with tobacco, a luxury which is forbidden in Bridewell,
but which endeavours are frequently made to smuggle in by
this and other ingenious means. Mr. Rushton. said he would
do his utmost to put a stop to these frauds on the public.
The prisoner was ordered to be imprisoned one month.

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—It will be seen, by reference to
the advertisement, that Mr. Atkins, ever anxious to gratify
the constant desire of the public for variety, and well aware
that " ever changing, ever new, must be the source of
attraction for the multitude, has announced two grand galas
—the last of the season—to take place on Monday and Wed-
nesday next. In the true spirit of that liberality which has
uniformly characterised the spirited proprietor of these
charming grounds, Mr. Atkins has succeeded in securing
the services of Monsieur Gouffe, the celebrated mimic of the
outang outang, who will exhibit his peculiar acquirements
on the above evenings. The entertainments will include the
whole of the representations during the late grand festivities.
Great amusement may be anticipated from Monsieur Gouffe,
who will doubtlessly play such " fantastic tricks" as will not
only make his rivals weep, but declare, in the climax of a
monkey's grief, that their " occupation's gone." We under-
stand Monsieur Gouffe will commence his grotesque perform-
ances in the cage allotted for those animals, surrounded by a
multitude of astonished pugs, leap with indescribable celerity
through the enclosure, and exhibit a series of humorous " hair
breadth
teristlc 'stapes" among the trees and various erections with
which. the gardens abound. After numerous pranks, charac-
erected for the
eccentric original, he will ascend a platform,
the Purpose and portray his inimitable scene—the
death of Jocko. The exhibition will prove highly amusingfrom the fact that the
place possess unusual faculties for the
exercise of this
gentleman's peculiar talents, as they will be
seen to greater advantage
than within the confined space of a

theatre. Madame Rossini is also announced to repeat her
truly terrific ascent on the rope. This feat of daring cannot
well be described. Every thing connected with it seens to
portend some fatal casualty. The unruffled waters of the
artificial Tiber—the gloom and solemn silence which seems
to reign over the now dimly-illuminated city—the darkness
stealing over all—the rustling of leaves as the night air floats
past—the deep-toned bell announcing the decline of day—all
tend to rivet the attention of the multitude. Every eye is fixed
on the point of ascent, yet barely discernible in the dim twilight
—every breath is suppressed—and hearts throb with anxious
apprehensions as the heroine appears in the act of traversing her
apparently insecure and fragile path. Suddenly fires shoot forth
from a hundred points, illuminating surrounding objects, and
casting their glare upon the insulated creature as slowly but
majestically she wends the " noiseless tenor of her way."
One false step, one averted look, or the slightest deviation
from her equilibrium, would inevitably precipitate the fair
adventurer from her fearful altitude. But onward she pro-
ceeds with undaunted nerve, and as she nears the appointed
goal every heart beats lighter, and a faint hum of approbation
escapes from the lips of every beholder. The lofty eminence
is now attained, and shouts of applause, mingled with ex-
clamations of delight at her safety, rend the air. Madame
gracefully acknowledges the compliment, as she prepares for
her downward course. The line is traversed again with
apparent ease, at one time surrounded by fireworks, and as
she steps on terra firma, is welcomed with loud acclamations.
The fireworks are of the most splendid description, the sight
of which alone is worth the sum paid for admission. A
greater treat for juveniles cannot be desired.

THEATRE ROYAL.—On Tuesday evening a concert was
given at this theatre, when the Grisis, the Lablaches, Mario,
and Mr. Haywood appeared. The house was fashionably
attended. Grisi sung Casta Deva, from " Norma," in a
pure style. Two portions of the " Stabat Mater" were
sung. This latest production of Rossini's is considered
by the cognoscenti to be the noblest work since the
time of Handel—Rossini may rest hTh fame upon it. Almost
all the compositions were encored, and the concert went off
with eclat. Cerito takes her benefit this evening. She puts out
a strong bill. This exquisite little dancer has turned the heads
of half Europe. She is really a surprising artiste. The clever
and funny farce of " Animal Magnetism " has been pro-
duced this week, and has excited great laughter. Mrs.
Clarke and Mr. W. J. Hammond fairly carried the
audience with them. The introduction of the effects of
Braidism and Lafontainism excited a shout of merriment.
Mrs. Clarke, as the Patient, was extremely droli. Her
" cataleptic state " was inimitable. ' Last night, the " Pri-
soner of War" was capitally played.

CORRESPONDENCE.

COMMERCIAL DISTRESS AND ITS REMEDY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SIR,—I have read with much satisfaction, in a recent
leading article of the Times, a proposition for the removal of
the causes of commercial vicissitudes, and, consequently, of
commercial distress. I have waited in anxious expectation
that the idea would be taken up by the press generally, but it
seems either to have been overlooked, or deemed unworthy of
further notice. But as it involves a rather novel, yet, in my
estimation, perfectly correct view of the relation subsisting
between master and servant, employer and employed, I beg
to call the attention of yourself and readers to a few remarks,
which, through your indulgence, I purpose to make. The
proposition is, that in times of commercial depression the
master or employer is morally bound to continue the em-
ployment, or rather the wages of his servants. Were this
done, I presume we should never hear of " turn-outs ;"
never be called upon by the Queen's letters to contribute for
the alleviation of general operatives' distress. I humbly
conceive this remedy, if adopted, would be effective ; on this
point I can scarcely imagine a doubt; vicissitudes in busi-
ness will and must occur, despite every precaution; and as it
is a standing rule with manufacturers and others, that where
the demand for goods falls off, work must be stopped, and
that where no work is done, there must be no wages. So,
therefore, these vicissitudes are a sure cause of distress and
privation to the working classes. Since, then, these fluctua-
tions in trade are beyond control, it ought to be considered
whether it is possible to prevent their evil consequences.
People may say, all these distresses are the distant results of
imperfect legislation. I demur to this, because the employ-
ment of capital is a matter of individual discretion, and not
a matter for legislation. If government have no right to
dictate how capital, ingenuity, and industry shall be em-
ployed, it surely cannot be fair to ascribe to government any
evils that may arise from the employment of such capital and
industry. Hence I submit that the remedy for commercial
distress does not lie within the legitimate functions of legis-
lature, but is properly to be looked for from the manufactu-
rers and employers themselves. This may seem startling,
but it is capable of justification.
There was a time (I of course must use the past tense)
when the worsted manufacture was a highly lucrative business;
hundreds of men with capital then embarked in this busi-
ness; factories sprang up, as it were, in a moment; hands
were drawn from the neighbouring locality to work them ;
cottages were built for their residence; marriages took place ;
and thus beings were called into existence, and colonies es-
tablished, through the employment of this capital. Trade
continued brisk, and increased ; the master then made his
thousands yearly; but lo! when the panic arrived, these
working people became beggars. There is something in the
face of this morally defective. In times of prosperity, the
master pockets all the profit, in which he is perfectly justi-
fied ; but in those of adversity, he labours to transfer his
losses, as much as possible, to the shoulders of his work-
people : in this I submit he errs. When bad trade, or rather
no trade, takes place, are hundreds of thousands of labouring
people to be deprived of their wages, and thrown upon the
resources of public charity ? Because a man be penniless,
is he therefore to be abandoned to casual charity ?—is soci-
ety to disown him ?—is the manufacturer to make use of his
labour only when he finds it profitable to do so ; and when
he does not find it profitable to employ him, forthwith to let
him die of hunger ? Has the working man no rights ? Does
he not establish, by his labour, a claim to subsistence from
those whose treasures are but the result of that labour ? In
asking these questions, I appeal to reflection. Suppose a
manufacturer, in " bad times," has (no matter to the argu-
ment, by what means) his capital, and with it all its re-
sources, suddenly and totally abstracted from his use ; would
not his reason convince him of the enormity of such an in-
justice ? The same principles of reasoning that are applica-
ble to the man of wealth, are applicable to the man of labour :
the rich man subsists through and by his wealth—the poor
ma❑ through and by his labour : then what wealth is to the
rich man, labour is to the poor man. Pursuing the argu-
ment, we find that if, in the hypothetical case just stated,
the rich man feels it an enormous injustice to be suddenly
and totally deprived of his wealth, the poor man must suffer
an equal injustice in being deprived of his labour. I wish
not to excite, for excitement has arrived at a more than suf-
ficient height ; but I wish to recommend this subject to the
sober and serious reflection of masters. The master and
servant are engaged in a compact : the former mingles his
wealth with the labour of the latter, who, for the effectual
carrying on of their mutual operations, submits himself to
the superintendence and direction of the former. If the
servant be not entitled to share the profits of his master in
prosperous times, he is surely entitled to protection from
starvation or indigence in adverse times. I could pursue
this line of reasoning to a greater length, but my limits and
your space will not permit. I, however, in conclusion, sin-
cerely trust all masters and employers who may happen to
read these hasty remarks, may be induced to give them their
most serious consideration.

I am, Mr. Editor, yours truly,
A. CONSERVATIVE.

Liverpool, August 23rd, 1842.

SCOTTISH HISTORY.

'TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SIR,—In " Salmon's Geography," he mentions a people in
Hungarian Dalmatia, called Uscoes, which, in the language
of the country, means deserters—these men having fled from
the tyranny of the government under which they lived. The
word Uscoe is so like Scot, that, if investigated by men
learned in those matters, it might throw some light on early
Scottish history, and the common tradition that the Scots
came from Scythia, by way of Spain and Ireland, into Bri-
tain. For my own part, lam convinced that the Scots were
originally deserters from the Roman legions quartered in the
north of Britain, who fled to Ireland from the severity of
Roman discipline, and returned again when numerous enough
to plunder the Roman provinces in the south, in company
with the northern natives. We know that immense levies of
men were made in Germany for the Roman armies, and that
many of these legions served in Britain. That men forced
to serve against their will, as they were, would seize every
opportunity of deserting, is natural; and if there were any of
the legions who spoke a language in which Uscoe signified
deserter, they would, when they absconded, naturally be de-
scribed under that name—at all events it is most probable
that it was the name by which they would designate them-
selves; and their inroads from the north would be described
by their more civilized neighbours as made by the Uscoes or
deserters, and Picts or painted people. Allowing this theory
to be correct, we have only to suppose that the German levies
had been stationed in Spain before they came to Britain, and
we would have a very probable history of the emigration of
the Scots into Scotland ; being more civilized and accus-
tomed to discipline than the natives among whom they came
they would naturally become the ruling power, which we find
they soon did. I may state, in corroboration of my theory,
that it was not till a considerable time after Britain was oc-
cupied by the Romans that the name Scot was known, the
first inhabitants of the north having been called Caledonians.
In whatever way the Scots came to Britain, if they came as a
separate people at all, it is probable they came with the
knowledge and consent of the Romans, who held possession
of Spain and Gaul, and were not likely to allow a large body
of armed men to sail from any of their ports without
knowing their object, and reaping the fruits of their en-
terprise. On that account, it is hardly possible they
would come in any other way than as soldiers in the
Roman legions. That a nation of men in the infancy
of navigation could transport themselves by sea, from Spain
to Ireland, is to suppose them rich, powerful, and civilized,
qualifications in which the early Scots do not appear to have
excelled. A voyage from Spain to Ireland was an enterprise
that the Romans themselves with all their power and enter-
prise would hardly have ventured to take, and it is bordering
on the impossible to suppose that a body of wandering Scy-
thians would attempt it, or had the means to do so. With those
who delight in the wonderful, and wish to people every
country on earth by a kind of miracle, my theory of the
origin of the Scots will find no favour but for the reasons
I have stated, I cannot help thinking it as good, and much
more probable than nine-tenths of the theories that have
been advanced about the Scotch name and origin, How
the Scots or any other nation originated is a matter of very
little consequence, but I will feel obliged if you will publish
this for the consideration of those who are learned in such
matters. Your obedient servant,
Liverpool, 25th August, 1842. M. K.