The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-30 00:00:00

WIGAN.

STATE OF WIGAN.—AII yet remains quiet in the town,
and the cotton-mills continue working full time. A little
excitement was occasioned on Saturday evening in conse-
quence of the throstle spinners employed at Messrs. Ryland's
mill turning-out at noon, without any intimation being given
to the firm. An advance, of 2s. per week is sought by some
of them, though many are anxious to return at the old
prices, were they not restrained by the others. Warrants
have been taken out against the principals connected with
the turn-out for leaving their employment without giving the
stipulated notice, which proceeding may perhaps have the
effect of quieting the more resolute of the persons who have
been the cause of this outbreak. There is a brighter pros-
pect appearing in Wigan, though the change from depres-

sion to prosperity must be as gradual in its rise as it was it
its fall, for the mill lately belonging to Messrs. Cartwright
has been taken by Messrs. Taylor and Brother, who are
making active preparations for the mill to commence work as
speedily as possible, Alterations are also being made at the
" Sovereign Mills," but it is not made public whether work
is to be straightway resumed in them. Should it be the
case employment will be afforded in them to nearly 1,000
hands, which will also be a proportionate benefit to the
tradesmen and shopkeepers in the town. Gloominess still
prevails in Hindley, for not a cotton-mill is at work, or have
any been since the general turn-out. Hand-loom weaving is
in a slight degree better; many more bundles of weft were
given out on Saturday. Parties who expressed a determi-
nation of coming no more to the town with work, a few
weeks ago, are now declaring their intention of continuing to
give out in consequence of the improvement in the markets.
This has a cheering aspect to say the least of it.
WAsrs.—We have been shown by Mr. Bimson, of this
town, a great curiosity, which shows how considerable is the
damage done to fruit by wasps, which are particularly nume-
rous in the present season. A large apple was plucked, a
few days ago, by the servant girl of one of Mr. Binason's
friends, residing only a few miles from Wigan, which ap-
peared perfectly sound and ripe on the tree ; when shejgot
hold of it the skin proved to be quite soft, and the girl per-
ceived one or two wasps creeping from a small hole in it.
She placed the apple in her apron, and as soon as possible
threw it into boiling water. On examination, scarcely any
of the apple remained, though the skin was entire. One
hundred and twenty-four wasps still remained in the apple,
besides what had escaped.
THE PAINTER AND THE POET.—A painter, named
William Lee, was brought before the magistrates, on Friday
last, on a charge of having brutally assaulted Johti Connard,
on Thursday. John Booth was the only witness examined
in support of the charge. Great credence was given to
Booth's particulars of the case, for his fame as a native poet
is well spread, and to use his own language,
" He walks unstain'd and free."
The poet described the assault as a " brutal one," and
stated, that (though in different language to what be penned
in former years)

" He felt, to see his neighbour smart,
And ran to heal his woe!"
The magistrates were fully convinced of the aggravated
nature of the assault, and ordered the defendant to find two
respectable sureties for his good behaviour, or in default to
be committed to prison.
" ALL'S WELL?"—BUT THE WATCHMAN'S WRONG.--
A sturdy guardian of the night, named Bentley, was charged
by Mr. Thomas Hardman, assistant to Mr. Smith, grocer,
at the Town-hall, on Monday last, with an assault. The
complainant stated that on Sunday morning he went to
awake a young man at Mr. Harrison's, in the Wallgate,
between three arid four o'clock. The guardian came up to
him, and cried out, " Come on you b--r," and immedi-
ately struck him twice on the head, with an exceedingly
heavy stick. Mr. Hardman then went to the police-office,
and Ratcliffe went to take the watchman into custody. Be
found him sitting on a stone, at the end of Queen-street,
quite drunk. Mr. Hardman had two large lumps on his
head, the effects of the blows inflicted. The protecting
brute was fined £5, or in default to be imprisoned two
months.

WIGAN DISPENSARY.—A meeting was held in the Dis-
pensary, on Thursday last, for the purpose of electing a
house-surgeon for the establishment, in the room of Dr.
Pearson, who has for three years past fulfilled the duties of
the situation in a manner highly creditable to himself and
pleasing to his supporters, since the time of his election. Mr.
Charles Phillips, house-surgeon to the Bridgnorth Infirmary,
was the gentleman elected. No polling took place in conse-
quence of the other candidates not producing sufficient tes-
timonials previous to the election, as required by the com-
mittee. From the many years' practice Mr. Phillips has had
in his profession, we doubt not but Mr. Pearson will be suc-
ceeded by one deserving the situation he is leaving.

HALE FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The beautiful rural village of Hale will, we have no doubt,
be rendered very attractive by the annual exhibition (on the
15th of next month) of this society, which we are happy to
state is increasing in importance and utility. On the ap-
proaching occasion there will be upwards of 50 prizes
awarded to the cottage tenants of that neighbourhood, and
the competition which these will excite cannot fail to produce
a moral effect upon the condition of the people, by giving a
local impulse to the salubrious and delightful employment of
cultivating a garden,—converting toil into amusement and
recreation, during those leisure hours that are too often
spent in expensive indulgencies, to the injury of themselves
and those dependant upon them ; and also encouraging a
liberality and kindness of feeling towards each other. Already
may neighbour be seen striving against neighbour in honour-
able emulation, perfectly free from animosity or selfishness,—
spurred on by the assurance that they will have a fair chance
of standing foremost, and reaping " the glory of success"
when the prizes are distributed; and in perfect harmony
show their readiness to acquiesce in the justice with which
the prizes have been awarded, and to admire the superiority
of cultivation by which they have been achieved. Nor does
the contest rest here. The man who strives to excel others
in the cultivation of a garden, will also endeavour to excel in
the ordinary pursuits of life. Converse with the beauties of
creation leads them to act as men, leading them " from
nature up to nature's God." The state of the garden may
be taken as a pretty good criterion of the character of the
possessor. If it be neglected, weedy, and uncultivated, it is
rare that industry and economy will be found within the
cottage it surrounds, and an unfavourable impression of the
tenant's character is left on the minds of the pasSers by :
" I went by the field of the slothful, and by the garden of
the man void of understanding ; and lo ! they were grown
over with thorns, and nettles covered the surface thereof."
By the influence of these societies, art is stimulated in the
improvement of nature, thereby bringing into notice new and
improved varieties of fruits and vegetables, by which our
markets are furnished with articles of superior qualities and
greater luxury. Nor must we forget the beauties of Flora.
They form one of the first delights of early childhood, and
perhaps one of the last lingering pleasures of age. The most
uncultivated and the most refined of our species seem equally
desirous of possessing and of admiring them ; and it cannot
be doubted but the industry and perseverance of man have
improved in many instances both the useful and ornamental
productions of nature.
The dahlia in its native habitation, in tropical America, is
a very simple blossom, with only a single row of flower
leaves; yet cultivation, in a far distant county, and differing
greatly in its climate, its seasons, and all its physical circum-
stances, has so broken it into variation that it is now the
most showy of all our autumnal flowers, and may be seen
corating the garden of every cottager who is inclined to de-
vote a portion of his leisure hours to its cultivation.
The reward and encouragement of cottagers is not, how-
ever, the only good the society at Hale will, in all probability,
accomplish: They offer premiums also to the agriculturists
for the best grain, roots, &c., thereby giving the exhibition
a double interest to that valuable and industrious class.
Competition, in this important department, too, leads to re-
flection and inquiry, and often results in a better system of
cultivation, and superior production ; and it brings into con.
tact men who freely and disinterestedly communicate their
discoveries to each other.

The Hale exhibition will be held on the village green,
which is beautifully situated for the purpose. The admis-
sion will, in the first instance, be by ticket, obtainable on the
payment of a small sum ; and after being open for two hours
to such visitors, it will be thrown open to the public gratui-
tously. The Royal Harmonic Band will be in attendance,
Mr. Stubbs having again kindly and liberally offered their
services on this occasion.

EDINBURGH, LEITH, & NEWHAVEN RAILWAY.