The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-25 00:00:00

Eli? Ziberl3ool &tanbatt.

TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 25, 1842.

A correspondent, who dates from Great George's
Ward, takes upon himself to charge us with having,
by the course which we have pursued towards the
retiring members for that ward and West Derby,
introduced unseemly disunion amongst the conserva-
tive party. In refutation of this charge, we purpose
now directing a few remarks; but first we must draw
attention to the erroneous views which our corre-
spondent appears to entertain with respect to the
duties of ans honest press, because we apprehend that
he is not the only individual in the community by
whom such unsound views are held.

We are not bound, as our correspondent supposes,
to trim our course as public journalists by an absolute
and slavish deference to the views or the ease of any
section of the conservative party. We are not placed
in our present position, as public instructors—we are
not invested with the confidence of a large and in-
fluential section of our fellow-townsmen—for the mere
purpose of securing a conservative majority in the
Council, or the return of conservative members for
.the borough. The object of our care is the carrying
out of conservative measures in the Council. It is
our bounden duty to offer our counsel, not only in the
choice of those measures, but in the selection of the
parties by whom they are to be advocated and adopted.
We must support conservative principles; and, above
all, we must see that the conservative majority of the
Council and the borough is not perverted to the ad-
vancement of principles of a character diametrically
opposite.

In performing these duties we have never, as alleged
by our correspondent, presumed to " dictate" to the
party whose opinions we presume to represent. But
if it be " dictation" to remonstrate when we see that
party supporting unworthy men or unworthy measures
for expediency's sake, then we have offended, and shall
continue to offend. We would not wantonly peril the
interests which, as conservatives, we hold dear, for
" fag ends of principle"—for a trifling good, or for
unworthy and petty quarrels with the conduct of
individual members of the conservative party. But
when we see blows being struck against the heart of
conservatism, by the hands of men, in whose elevation
to the power to injure we have ourselves aided, no
consideration, short of the danger of upsetting the
entire fabric of our strength in the borough, shall
induce us to postpone the performance of our duty—
the raising of our warning voice as a shield of defence
against those sacred interests which we deem to be
endangered.
And now for the particular charge against us, as
having, by the course which we have pursued with
respect to Messrs. Smith and Robinson, created dis-
union amongst the conservatives of the borough.
We throw back that charge against these gentlemen
themselves, and their small knot of supporters. The
conservative party, in the Council and in the borough,
were almost unanimous upon the education question.
It was, in fact, the question upon which, above all
others, they were agreed. 'Who, then, created dis-
union amongst them with respect to that question.
Why JOHN SMITH, the member for West Derby
Ward, by his celebrated proposition, that the Council
should devote a portion of its funds to the purpose of
affording POPISH EDUCATION to the children of
popish parents ! What was the comment of a con-
servative contemporary—(now inclined to deprecate
any opposition to that gentleman, and to treat an
adherence to conservative and sound Church of
England principles upon the education question, as a
stickling for the " fag ends of principle" and the
" cheese-parings of conservatism")—upon the propo-
sition in question ? It was this—we quote from the
Liverpool Mail of the 4th of December, 1841
His" (John Smith's) "conduct in the council, on Wed-
nesday last, is altogether inexcusable : first, because Mr.
John Sca:: ii is.not the man to offer any dogmatical opinion in
reference to a strictly religious question ; and secondly, be-
cause Mr. Jan Smith is the last man who should attempt
to CREATE DISSENSION IN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY" !

This question, then, involving the "fag end of prin-
ciple," is a "STRICTLY RELIGIOUS QUESTION;" and
the gentleman who attempted to create upon it " dis-
sension in the conservative party," was Mr. JOHN
SMITH of West Derby Ward !

So much for the originator of disunion amongst
conservatives; and proceed we to notice our share of
that disunion, as it is evidenced by the contest which
is now threatened in West Derby Ward. The effort
r.GSeomrgiteh,s,antdo hiinstrcoodaudcjeutoar,
system
Mr. Robinson, of
freAat l
ish
education, at the expense of the Corporation, was
scouted by the Council—was scouted by the united
voices of the conservatives of the borough. These
gentlemen had ample opportunities for reflection
allowed them. They had sufficient opportunities of
observing the direction of public opinion upon the
education question. They could not but see that
their own particular views were not in accordance with
those of their own party, or of any other great party
within the borough! Yet what was the course which
they pursued ? Did they offer any security whilst pre.
senting themselves to the constituency for re-election,
that those views, so obnoxious to the community,
should not again be intruded upon the Council? Did
they tell the wards of West Derby and Great George's
that they were prepared, upon this vital question—this
strictly religious question"—to express the opinions
of the constituency, and not their own individual
crotchets ? They did no such thing. Mr. John
Smith, in particular,—and with him we have princi-
pally to deal,—when waited upon by a deputation of
the conservatives of the ward, to ascertain his opinions
upon this subject, before any steps in opposition to his
return were taken, expressly declared, and repeated
with all possible emphasis that declaration, that his
opinions bad !undergone no change—that he could con-
cede nothing upon this or any other question, even to
place himself in a position to regain the confidence of
his constituen is ;—and then, and not till then, it was
determined to bring forward another--A CONSERVA-
TIVE CANDWATE. Surely the party who creates
disunion amongst the conservatives of West Derby
Ward—who occasions the unseemly spectacle of a
contest for its representation between two professing
conservatives. —is the man who obstinately refuses to
defer his individual crotchet, upon a question so im-
portant as th at of education, to the opinions not only
of the ward which he aspires to represent, but those,
as well, of tl ie majority of the entire borough !

The v rhi(z-radicals of Castle-street Ward are emi-
nently f tvoured! They have a candidate—no, they
have not; a candidate; but Mr. Hugh Hornby will
condescc nd to represent them in the Town Council,
.
if they • submit to return him and ask no questions!
The `°Jupiter tonans" of the Whig aristocracy will
incline his .ear to an humble request of the greasy
citizens of the ward, to stretch himself upon the soft

cushioned chairs of the Town-hall; but he must not
be taxed to waste his ambrosial sweetness upon shop-
keepers, tavern-keepers, and other "common fellows ;"
he must not be asked to canvass, but must be taken,
like a porker in a wallet, upon trust !
Really, really, gentlemen of the whiff►-radical school
of politics, there is " something rotten in the state of
Denmark" when you are thus Booted by your own
broadcloth ! You will, nevertheless, creep like slaves
to the poll, to record your " most sweet voices" in
favour of TIIE GREAT CORIOLANUS, who thus, in
his mightiness, looks down upon and despises you!
You are but A COMMODITY after all! and will doubt-
less be treated as such by your fortunate purchaser.

To the thoughtless observer, the "liberal?' party appear
to be too much occupied just now in chuckling over the
fancied serious dissension amongst the Conservative
forces, to permit of the supposition that any serious
oppoSition is ,meditated to the return of the Conserva-
tive candidates in most of the wards at the ensuing
election. Arguing from the doctrine of chances, we
should be disposed to adopt the same conclusion ; for
certainly there never was a time in which Whig-radical-
ism was in worse odour in our borough than the pre-
sent. But, then, the Thing has tricks, numberless, and
of every hue and form. Its tactics are of the most
approved and most refined order. It can cog and
cozen, and dissimulate to admiration ; and how know
we that its present torpor is not one of its accustomed
wiles, and that whilst we imagine that, for this or that
ward, we have nothing in prospect but an absolute
walk-over, or an easy victory, we shall not, by a sudden
revival of its dormant energies, be driven to fight, and
fight hard, for a victory which we already count upon
as our own ?

Let the Conservative candidates and their commit-
tees be wise in time, and though they may see no
enemy before them, beware of the bushes! Venomous
worms are fabled to have a marvellous gift of collecting
their disjointed membranes together, when we imagine
we have chopped them very small. India rubber,
caoutchouc, or whatever the learned may call that
substance, is nothing to 'sVhiggery in its ability to
endure pounding, and yet retain or recover something
of its primary shape. Leather—and St. Crispinus, we
think it is, who has oracularly assured us that "there's
nothing like leather"—is not tougher than the hide,
brass is not more brazen than the face, of this beaten,
yet still insolent, faction. For ourselves, even if we
saw it dead and buried with six feet in depth of strong
clay over its coffin, we should scarcely go to sleep in
its neighbourhood, unless we could have a stone slab
of reasonable thickness screwed down over its grave ;
and we would urge, therefore, upon our Conservative
friends to be watchful—to be energetic—to be unsleep-
ing—until the first of November, at four o'clock, p.m.,
and then—

" To supper with what appetite they may.--"
We trust a good one.

LOCAL NEWS.

The Rev. S. Banbury, of Glossop, has been appointed to
the Incumbency of St. Thomas', St. Helen's.

ALTERATION OF THE HOUR OF MEETING OF THE DOCK
COMMITTEE.—In our report of the proceedings of the Dock
Committee on Thursday last, we accidentally omitted to state
that, on the motion of Mr. Molyneux, the hour of meeting
was changed from twelve to one o'clock.

LIVERPOOL PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.—We understand
that matter of very great importance will be brought forward
by Rev. R. J. M`Ghee, at the meeting of the above Asso-
ciation to-morrow, and that a very large meeting is ex-
pected.
CHURCII MISSIONARY SOCIETY.—We perceive that the
Rev. F. Close, Incumbent of Cheltenham, will preach at
St. Mark's Church this evening, in aid of the " Deficiency
Fund" connected with the Church Missionary Association.
The talents and piety of this estimable man are sufficiently
well known to secure for him a numerous auditory.
ARRIVAL FROM NEW YORK.—The packet-ship South
America, Captain Bailey, which sailed from New York on
the Ist instant, arrived at this port on Friday night. The
papers brought by her are one day later from New York than
those received by the Acadia, but they do not contain any
news of leading interest.

Mr. Venables' lecture on Pelzer's system of teaching sing-
ing in classes, on Thursday evening, was attended by a gen-
teel audience, who expressed their approbation of the extreme
simplicity of the method. A class, of about 20 young ladies,
who had previously received a week's instruction in the sys-
tem, sang a variety of solfoggios, and a Swiss air with words,
in a manner that elicited great applause.
RADICAL TACTICS.—We are told that the Reform Asso-
ciation have given instructions to their printer to stop the
press whilst working off the lists of wards with the candidates
names attached, as it is their intention to bring forward gen-
tlemen (if they can find them) to contest St. Peter's, Pitt-
street, Rodney-street, Abercromby, and South Toxteth
Wards. If this be true, it proves the soundness of our advice
to the Conservative party. not to be asleep at their posts, lest
the adversary take them by surprise. This seems to be the
device at present, as only six Radical candidates are yet before
the public.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.—The spire of this church,
which received so extensive a shattering during the severe
thunderstorm of Tuesday, August 24th, 1841, has been com-
pletely rebuilt, and is again the handsomest in the town.
Our readers will perhaps recollect, that the steeple of St.
Martin's Church was also damaged on the same night, but
the injury done was not nearly so extensive, and the repairs
were proceeded with and completed i❑ a short time after the
accident. The damage to St. Michael's Church being so
much greater, and the season far advanced, there was only
time to pull down the shattered spire before the winter ap-
proached. As spring set in, however, the work was recom-
menced, and has just been finished.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE : PORT NATAL.—The Bidston,
Captain Harmer, which arrived at this port on Sunday, sailed
from the Cape of Good Hope on the 17th of August. The
latest accounts from Port Natal stated that tranquillity had
been completely restored at that settlement. Great dissatis-
faction was felt by the inhabitants of the Cape at the leniency
which the government had shown in the treatment of the
Boers. They thought that the rebels deserved severe punish-
ment for their revolt. A subscription had been raised to re-
ward Captain Smith for his gallantry in the affair with the
Boers, and the manner in which he had quelled the rebellion.
The money had been expended in a splendid sword, which
the settlers had presented to him in due form.

ROBBERY FROM A SHOP.—A young man named Thomas
Jones was yesterday ebarged, at the Police-court, with
stealing money from a shop, under the following circum-
stances :—Miss Harriet Mary Holmes, a very interesting
young lady, said she assisted in the shop of her father, who
was a biscuit-baker, in St. Ann-street. On Saturday last
she had tied up a quantity of copper money in papers, and
put it in the till. She went into the room behind for a short
time, and feeling a draft of cold wind, went to close the door,
when she saw the prisoner leaning across the counter with
his hands in the drawer, and immediately afterwards she
heard some copper drop from his hand. She gave the alarm
and had the prisoner detained, when he offered to leave two
crown papers if he were allowed to go. This, of course, was
not complied with, and a constable being procured, he was
taken into custody. Two parcels of copper were found upon
him, and were identified by the papers.—He was committed
for trial.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.-At the Police Court yesterday, a
Mrs. Catherine O'Neill, preferred a complaint of a serious
assault upon her by a Mrs. Mary Willetts. The complainant
(for whom appeared Mr. Owen) said she was a widow, and
resided in Rotunda-place, Waterloo-road, and that on Thurs-
day last the defendant entered her house, and, without the
slightest provocation, violently struck and assaulted her. An
old woman, named Thompson, also spoke to the assault, for
which she saw no provocation given. Mr. Davenport, for
the defendant, called several respectable looking witnesses,
who were neighbours of the parties, and who stated that the
language of the plaintiff to the defendant was then, and on
several other occasions, most shameful and aggravating. On
one occasion she had told the defendant that she ought to
have been tried two years ago for wilfully smothering her
child, and that she then lived with a man to whom she was
not married. Mr. Rushton said that gross provocation had
been given, and after recapitulating the heads of the evidence,
dismissed the case.

ROBBERY or A SHOE-SHOP.—II will be remembered
that a man named John Hunt, Elizabeth, his wife, and a
girl named Fanny Noble, his sister-in-law, were, on Thurs-
day last, brought up at the Police-court on a charge of being
concerned in stealing a quantity of women's boots, shoes.
&c., from the shop of a r. Bell, in St. James's-street.—as
stated in our paper of Friday last. They were then remanded
for further evidence, and were again brought up for final
examination yesterday. A number of pawnbrokers appeared
and deposed to sundry pairs of shoes and boots being pledged
with them over the last two months,—the greater part by
the girl Noble, and a few by the other female prisoner. Some
of the parcels were discovered through a number of pawn-
tickets, which were found in a glass in the male prisoner's
cellar. The girl, on being apprehended, when offering them
in pledge, gave a wrong name as the owner. The male pri-
soner, who had been emyloved for some months as salesman
in the shop of Mr. Bell, said that he was in the habit of sel-
ling shoes and boots to his wife, and accounting for them.
It appeared, however, that although his wife had purchased
some such articles, no account was made by him of those
now produced—all of which were identified as the complain-
ant's property. The prisoners were all committed for trial
at the present quarter sessions.
MISS BENNETT'S BENEFIT AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL.
—lt will be seen, by a glance at our advertising columns,
that this accomplished and deierving young lady takes her
benefit on Friday next, upon which occasion we are confident
that we do not under-estimate the good taste of our fellow-
townsmen in predicting for her their hearty support. We
have ftequently had occasion to remark upon the graceful
and chaste impersonations of Miss Bennett; and occasion-
ally to regret that the necessities under which a provincial
manager labours in a town where theatricals are so little sup.
ported as our own, have compelled her sometimes to under-
take parts for which not only her youth, but the very mer-
curial character of her nature, and—may we add ?—of her
inl
features, would almost incapacitate her. Evenher im-
personation of such parts, however, the most fastidious must
have perceived great talent, and most praiseworthy anxiety
to please ; whilst in those which most properly belong to her
--in leading comedy especially—we have seen in her acting
the germ of an excellence which must shortly place her in the
first rank of the profession which she has chosen, and which
—if grace and modesty can adorn it—she will adorn. The
pieces chosen for her benefit on Friday are three, in which
she is well calculated to appear to advantage. In the
" Honey Moon," she appears as Juliana, with a east em-
bracing the full strength of the company. In the " Loan of
a Lover," the part of Gertrude, in which she has already
been appreciated, is allotted. to her; and, in " Sweethearts
and Wives," that of Eugenia, Miss H. Gardner taking that
of Laura. From the great number of friends and admirers
who have taken tickets, we are warranted in saying that the
box audience will be amongst the most fashionable of the
season ; and, if merit and exertions to please meet any favour
in the eyes of the playgoing people of the town, the other
Parts of the house will not show many empty benches.

Mn. HAMMOND'S BENEFIT.—There was an excellent
house last night, on the occasion of the worthy lessee's
benefit. The performances gave the utmost satisfaction,
and passed off with ecliit.

PORTICO.—The entertaining exhibition at the Portico con-
tinues to attract excellent attendance. A new scene has been
introduced, entitled the " City of Dresden," which, for
scenic effect and variety of mechanical changes, is worth
going a pilgrimage to see.

APPLICATION OF A MATE FOR WAGES.—A young man
named Campbell, who had been mate of the ship Marian,
Captain Campbell, applied at the Police-court, yesterday,
for alleged arrears of wages to the amount of about £ll 10a.
Mr. Davenport appeared for the applicant, and Mr. Snow-
ball for the captain. The complainant said that he had been
two voyages in the ship, and that his claim was for his wages
for the last voyage. He admitted that he was put off duty
on the homeward passage, on the 22d September. Dinner
was served in the cabin, and was found to be badly cooked.
Some remark was made upon it by a passenger, on which
complainant said something, and the captain accused him of
taking the cook's part, which he denied. On cross-exami-
nation, he admitted that the captain had afterwards ordered
him from the quarter forward, and that he refused, saying
he would not so long as he was mate of the ship.—Mr.
Snowball then said, that the conduct of the applicant, as
well as that of others on board, had been most mutinous and
insolent, and that he had a gentleman present, who was a
passenger on board at the time, and who had been brought
a long distance to testify to the facts, which were the grounds
upon which payment of the wages was resisted.—A gentle-
man named Chevaux was called. He said he had come in
the ship from Tampico to this port. He detailed several
instances of insubordination on the part of the applicant, and
others through his encouragement ; also a scuffle between
the two on the quarter-deck, in which the mate, who got his
clothes torn, attempted to strike the captain. When the
captain ordered him off the quarter-deck. he refused to go.
The mutinous state of the crew was such, that he (witness)
slept two nights with pistols under his head, lest he should
be attacked.—Two of the seamen were called on behalf of
the applicant, and stated that the captain got hold of him,
and tore his clothes, but was not struck by him. One of
them said the captain afterwards ordered him to throw the
applicant's bed overboard, which he did.—Mr. Rushton said
that the first duty of a mate was to obey the captain, what-
ever his orders were. The complainant was ordered from
the quarter-deck, and refused to go. The captain then used
force, which he was justified in doing, and the complainant
struck at him. It would be much against the prosperity of
the mercantile marine of this country if such conduct were
not punished, and he should never allow any seaman who so
acted to recover one shilling of his wages. The application
was accordingly dismissed.
THE CHARGE OF ARSON.—The examination of Thomas
Henry, on the charge of setting fire to his shop in St. James's
place, was resumed on Saturday. Inspector Leverett de-
posed that the prisoner had stated to him on the night of the
fire that he had first heard of the fire at Everton-brow, and
was unable to see a policeman to inquire where it was till he
arrived at St. James'-place. This statement was at variance
with one which he made to the clerk at the insurance office
when making his claim, he having informed the latter that
he heard of the fire in Rodney-street, and that he had got as
far as Great Homer-street ere lie learned where it was, when
he immediately took a cab and drove to St. James'-place.
William Clegg was examined upon certain dealings which
the prisoner was alleged to have had with Mr. Shannon,
another draper. Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Branch, auctioneers,
stated that they had received goods from Mr. Henry for the
purpose of being sold by auction, but they both stated that
such transactions were usual with persons in the same
branch of business as the prisoner, and did not occasion any
surprise. John Smith, a car driver, proved that, on Friday
week, about ten o'clock, the prisoner engaged his car in
Scotland-place, at the stand, and told him to drive to St.
James'-place to the fire. As they were going past the
Adelphi. the prisoner put his head out of the window and
said, Drive a little faster, for I rather think it's my place
that's on fire." Mr. Dowling intimated that this was the
whole of the evidence that he had at present to offer in sup-
port
of the accusation. Mr. James suggested that there
was nothing brought forward on which the prisoner could be
committed. He did not like to comment on the manner in
which the case had been got up, but he thought he might
very justly do so. Witnesses had been called, as it appeared
to him, to prejudice the prisoner. lle pointed out some
discrepancies in the testimony of the police officers, particu-
larly that between Ormsby and Nicholson, one of whom said
he saw the floor of the shop strewed with loose goods, and
the other, that he saw no goods on the floor. Hence Mr.
James called on the magistrates to discredit the testimony of
the officers altogether, when they would take the version
given by the insurance clerk as to the prisoner's statement
of his movements as the true one, and then the discrepancy
of the statements would no longer exist. As regarded Mr.
Shannon, the prisoner and he had had numerous bill transac-
tions, and he was prepared to show that the goods sent to
that gentleman and to the auctioneers were to meet those
bills. Mr. James afterwards called Mr. Shannon, who proved
these statements of the learned counsel.—Mr. Abraham
Horsefall, of St. James's-place, was called. He stated that
he saw the shop door broken, and left the shop before it was
fully open. When he went away, the fire was flaming fiercely
all through the shop. Mr. Procter, the prisoner's assistant,
said the stock was a valuable one, worth upwards of £1,000;
but, on cross-examination, being questioned as to the value
of particular items, he said he could not tell ' • but he acknow-
ledged that he had kept the books, and had drawn up the
statement in which the values appeared for the insurance
office. Several witnesses were called, who spoke to the value
of the stock ; after which Mr. Rushton, without making any
observation, said the prisoner was to he remanded till Wed-
nesday (to-morrow).
PLUCKING A GOOSE.—Thomas Roole, alias Davies, a
rather genteel-looking young man, was placed before Mr.
Rushton, on Friday, on a charge of swindling at cards. file
prisoner is well-known to the police, and has already been in
custody several times for his exploits in the art of thieving.
The complainant, a steady, placid, and demure-looking
young man, gave his name Mark Foggott, joiner and builder,
of Cheetham-hill, near Manchester. He had that morning
come to Liverpool by the ten o'clock train, and on going up
Manchester-street, the prisoner came up to him and asked
him the way to the docks, saying that he had just arrived
from Rochdale on business. As it was a cold morning the
prisoner asked him to take a glass of something to drink,
and both went into Mr. Whitley's, in Manchester-street.
They bad not been there long when another man, who had
the appearance of a countryman, came in, and remarked
what a bustling place Liverpool was. He was a stranger, and
had just come from Billing ton to sac a lawyer, and draw come
money which an old uncle had left for him. He had received
£3O from the attorney, and had treated him and his clerks
with drink to the amount of £2. The plaintiff then gave a
rather lengthy description of this person's conversation as to
his meeting with a handsome young woman, or lady's maid,
upon whom he spent three or four pounds, and would spend
more. The man (plaintiff stated) then described some card-
ing match he had the previous night, and then produced a
pack of cards, cut them, and showed how he had played.
He then got up and left the cards upon the table, stating that
he would go and see the lady's maid. When he had gone,
plaintiff said to the prisoner that it was a pity the man should
spend all his money in the manner he intended, and that it
would be much better if be put it in the bank. Prisoner re-
plied that they had better play the man for the money, and
if they should win it give it to the poor. Plaintiff answered
that they could not do that, as the man had objected. The
prisoner replied that they could easily win by removing the
black cards from the pack, and then took out three or four
cards of that colour, which he put into his pocket. The
man, however, again returned, and the plaintiff endeavoured
to dissuade him from spending his money in the manner he
was doing. He replied that he would do as be liked. and
pulled out some sovereigns, saying he would spend them,
and then offered to bet plaintiff or the prisoner half-a-crown
on the colour of the cards. The prisoner accepted the offer,
and won the half-crown. The plaintiff then went on to de-
scribe how he had been induced to stake two sovereigns,
which he lost; then he staked a five-pound note—next a ten-
pound note, and afterwards forty-six sovereigns, all of which
he lost. During the time the prisoner occasionally addressed
the other man, remarking that he was a lucky fellow. The
man then got up, and told plaintiff to wait a little, as he was
going out and would return. Plaintiff watched him outside,
but he got off, and on his return to the parlour he discovered
the pack of cards burning in the fire. He then suspected
that he had been cheated.—Mr. Whitley, the landlord said,
that the prisoner came to him in the lobby, and asked him to
go into the room in a hurry and threaten them with a police-
man if they did not give up card-playing, and stated that he
would, in an hour, give him five pounds if he did so. He
made some' inquiries fro is his wife about the company, and
then went out and brought in officer Charnley. They went
into the room, when the plaintiff charged the prisoner with
having defrauded him of £6l. The prisoner made no reply,
and was taken into custody.--Mr. Owen appeared for the
prisoner, and, in cross-examining the plaintiff, he admitted
that he offered to stake £5O, but it was in order to win his
own money back, and he had no intention whatever of keep-
ing the man's money if he had won it from him.—The pri-
soner, in his defence, merely observed that the plaintiff did
not charge him, at first, with cheating him.—He was then
committed, but afterwards allowed to put in bail.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT AND FELONY AGAINST A CLER-
GYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.—A charge of felony
against a respectable-looking person, well dressed, who called
himself the Rev. Dr. Berrington, a clergyman of the Church
of England, was investigated yesterday at the Birkenhead
Police Court, before John Deane Case, Esq., and Winch,
Esq. Mr. Thomas Robinson, a resident at Liscard, and a
shopkeeper in South John-street, Liverpool, stated that he
appeared against the prisoner, and charged him with an as-
sault and also with felony. On Friday week the 14th instant,
the prisoner called at his (Mr. Robinson's) house at Liscard.
and, after representing himself as a clergyman, expressed a
wish to take apartments there, as he was about taking up his
residence in the neighbourhood for several months. It was
agreed that the lodgings should be let to him, and he was to
sleep there, for the first time, the same night. The family
waited up for him till half-past ten at night, when, concluding
that he would not come, they retired for the night ; but soon
after eleven, they were called up by a loud knocking at the
door. This proved to be made by the doctor, who was there-
upon admitted. The next day he went out early, and returned
to dinner at five in the afternoon, bringing with him two per-
sons of respectable exterior, one of whom he called his
brother, and the other his lawyer. After dinner the trio
sat down and drank two bottles of Mr. Robinson's brandy,
besides smoking a considerable quantity of tobacco. These
and some other circumstances excited the suspicions of
Mr. Robinson, who made up his mind not to allow his
lodger to go deeper into his debt, but his apprehensions
ceased when he was informed that the Doctor had been in-
vited not only to dine at the house of the Rev John Tobin,
incumbent of Egremont Church, but to assist that rev. gentle-
man in his sacred duties at the church the next Sunday. Mr.
Robinson, at this point, was requested by the bench to con-
fine himself to the specific charges which he alleged against
the prisoner; whereupon he stated that he had lost from the
rooms which the Doctor had occupied two silver salt spoons,
two penknives, two pocket handkerchiefs, and a pair of
stockings. The Doctor remained at his house till Saturday
last, he took his departure with his luggage—indeed he had
not slept there the preceding night,—without going through
the ceremony of paying or offering to pay. Mr. Robinson,
who had in the meantime received information of the real
character of his guest, determined to detain his luggage till
he was paid, and for that purpose he went to Seacombe,
when, opposite to Mr. Parry's hotel, he found the Doctor
with all his trunks and boxes ready to depart by the boat
which was just about to start for Liverpool. Some words
took place between them, and eventually the Doctor
struck Mr. Robinson violently upon the face ; the constable
was therefore called in, and the Doctor consigned to
prison. On being searched, a handkerchief, which Mr.
Robinson identified as one of those he had missed, was
found in a lady's reticule bag which he carried in the pocket
of his great coat. The prisoner said, this handkerchief Mr.
Robinson himself lent him when he was going to dine with
the Rev. Mr. Tobin.—Mr. Robinson, on the other hand,
said, he had lent him not the handkerchief found upon him,
but another. This was the case at present against him; but
Mr. Robinson requested that the prisoner might be re-
manded, as he had no doubt he should be able to produce
evidence of the felony of the spoons, knives, and stockings.—
The prisoner said that, as to the assault, Mr. Robinson was
the aggressor, that the handkerchief had been lent to him,
and of the other articles he had no knowledge whatever.
He could produce plenty of testimonials of character for the
last ten years, which would show that he was incapable of the
offences charged against him.—He was then remanded till
to-morrow (Wednesday) at 11 o'clock.—[Without wishing
to prejudge the case, we may state that Doctor Berrington's
proceedings in this town and elsewhere, have brought him,
not only under the censure of ecclesiastical authority, but
under the surveillance of the police.]