The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-12-23 00:00:00

CAUTION TO PAWMIROKERS

POLICE•COURT, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21.
( Before E. Rushton and J. C. .Ewart, Esqrs.)
Mr. Thomas Holland, pawnbroker, of Hotham-street,
appeared before the court to answer an information laid
against him by William Harper, on behalf of the parochial
uthorities of Liverpool, requiring him to show cause why

. .
he should not be tined for exacting more than the usual
interest upon a certain article pledged with him by one John

Mathews

Mr. James, barrister-at-law, appeared on behalf of the
churchwardens and overseers of Liverpool ; and Mr. Bards-
well (of the firm of Littledale and Bardswell) for the de-
fendant.

Mr. JAMES said, he had the honour to appear on behalf
of the churchwardens and overseers of the parish of Liver.
pool ; and he should commence by stating under what cir-
cumstances they appeared in the character of informers. it
was not a duty which they had imposed upon themselves ;
they had been called upon under an act of parliament called
the Pawnbrokers' Act, to interfere in this case, notice to do
so having been given to them under the 28th section of the
Act 39 and 40 George 3rd, c. 99, which enacted—
" The churchwardens and overseers of the poor of any
parish or place where any offence shall be supposed to have
been committed by any pawnbroker against this act, or some
or one of such officers, at the discretion or direction of any
justices of the peace, on having notice from such justice of
the peace of such offence being supposed to have been com-
mitted, shall, and they, or some or one of them to be nomi-
nated by such justice as aforesaid, are and is hereby required
to prosecute every offender for every offence, so to be sug-
gested by such justice to have been committed against this
act, at the expense of the respective parish whereof they or
be are, is, or shall be for the time being such officers or
officer."

Having received a notice from the bench, under this sec-
tion of the act of parliament, that such an offence had been
committed, the overseers had been compelled to interfere.
The circumstances against Mr. Holland were very simple.
On a certain day which would be named, a person of the
name of Matthews went to the shop of Mr. Holland, and
pledged a pair of trousers for the sum of 35., which sum was
advanced to him upon them ; afterwards, upon the trousers
being redeemed, the sum of ld. was demanded as interest,
and paid. Now. under the section of the act of parliament,
he believed the defendant could only have demanded the sum
of three farthings; and it was for the overcharge that the
complaint was made.
Mr. BAUDSTVELL asked Mr. Rushton whether he thought
Mr. James was in a position to proceed? The act, he ap-
prehended, meant that offenders should be prosecuted for
breaches of it, but not before the magistrates at common
law.

Mr. RUSIITON said the question then was, whether the
justice had a right to entertain a complaint so made.
Mr. BARDSWELL put it to the court whether the act did
not mean that the churchwardens and overseers should not
prosecute in another court. He meant under the 28th sec-
tions, on which Mr. James relied.
Mr. JAMES said the 28th section must be taken in con-
nection with the 27th, which was as follows :
" No person or persons using or exercising the trade or
business of a pawnbroker shall be subject or liable to any
prosecution or information, before any justice or justices of
the peace by virtue of this act, for any offence or offences
against the act, unless information shall be given of such
offence or offences within twelve calendar months next
after the offence or offences committed ; and that all and
every such information and informations shall be given and
prosecuted before such justice or justices of the peace as
shall act as such justice or justices near to the place where
such offence or offences shall have been committed." _ _

Mr. Re SHTON said he was of opinion that the parish could
either prosecute or proceed by information.
Mr. BARDSWELL submitted that the 27th section applied
to information, whilst the other applied only to prosecution.
He submitted that the proceeding in this case should have
been by prosecution at the Quarter Sessions.
Mr. RUSHTON was of opinion that the 27th section gave
an option, and also jurisdiction to the magistrates. Did Mr.
Bardswell rely upon the word " information" being omitted
in the 28th section? _ _

Mr. BARDSWELL replied that he did. He apprehended
that the cases in which churchwardens were directed to in-
terfere, were to be those where there was a crying abuse.
This was an information for a penalty ; and the act must be
construed strictly.

Mr. RUSHTON said this was a remedial act for the benefit
of all parties, and particularly the poorer classes, who ought
to have immediate justice. He should entertain the infer-

mation

John Matthews, the complainant, was then called. Before
he was sworn—
Mr. BARDSW ELL.—Have you any interest in this matter?
—I have the interest of the poor at large.
Are you to receive any money ?—Not that I know of.
Is there no understanding that you are to receive a part
of the penalty, or anything else ?—No.
Who pays you for your attendance?—l have no pay ; but
I suppose I shall have the penalty, or a part of the penalty
at all events.

Mr. BARDSWELL submitted that, after this last answer,
the witness was not competent to give evidence.
Mr. JAMES said, it was well known that where a witness
expected reward, although he was not to receive any, he was
a competent witness.
Mr. ELLts said, the fact was the witness had no interest
in this proceeding, for the information was laid by William
Harper.
Mr. RUSHTON explained that the case was thus :—there
had been so many complaints of over-charge against pawn-
brokers for taking excessive interest, that he had thought it
right to direct this proceeding. He had given notice that if
those complaints continued, he should feel it his duty to
endeavour to put an end to them ; and those complaints
having again appeared, he had felt it his duty to call upon
the proper authorities to see that justice was done. It was
not on account of the farthing which bad been over-charged
in this case, but because of the system. Let the witness be
sworn. _ _ _

John Matthew was then sworn and examined by Mr.
JAMES.—He said he was a labourer, and resided in Cherry-
lane. Mr. Holland's shop was at Nos. 8 and 10, Hotham-
street. He went there, on the 10th of November last, to
pledge a pair of trousers, upon which he got an advance of
3s. On the 12th, he went to redeem them ; and he was re-
quired, by a boy who was in attendance, to pay 3s. ld.,
which he did.

In cross-examination the witness said he understood the
were tde mum of Lasing Loo mum interest,
and, therefore, he thought it his duty to try whether they
could legally do go
Mr. ELms said, the 0v0r0b.,,:, nne halfneonv
and two-fifths of a farthing.
Mr. RUSHTON asked Mr. Bardswell what answer he had
to make to this case ?

Mr. BARDSWELL replied, first, that there was no evidence
of overcharge ; and, secondly, that it was not proved to have
been made by a servant of Mr. Holland.
Mr. RUSHTON said, the boy was there acting for Mr. Hol-
land, who was of course liable for the acts of his servants.
But was he not carrying on his business?
Mr. BARDSWELL said, the case ought to be proved
strictly.
Mr. RUSHTON.-1 think it has been.
Mr. BARDSWELL.—But because his boy received a penny
Mr. Holland is not guilty.
Mr. RUSHTON said if that could be shewn the case would
be settled.
Mr. BARDSWELL observed that it was for the informer to
prove his case.
Mr. RUSHTON said he had proved it. He had proved
having gone there with the trowsers, that he went there to
redeem them, that he did redeem them, that he put down the
ticket, a person being behind the counter, carrying on the
business, who said there was 3s. ld. to pay, which he
paid. There was sufficient proof, and he should convict.
Mr. BARDSWELL agreed that that would be prima facie
evidence; but he objected that there was no proof of the
defendant having received the penny.
Mr. RUSHTON did not think the objection tenable. Was
there no other defence ?
Mr. BARDSWELL.—No.
Mr. Rustrros did not know what the character of Mat-
thews was—whether he was a common informer or not ; but
he was quite sure that it was necessary for the magistrates
to mark their sense of this practice of pawnbrokers taking
excessive interest. It was in the option of the court to fine
either not above £lO or below £2.
Matthews here said he had never laid an information in
his life before.
Mr. RUSHTON asked if there was another case ?
Mr. JAMES replied that there was.
Mr. RUSHTON said he would hear 'the second case before
he adjudicated upon the first.
The next case was against Mr. George Richards, pawn-
broker, of No. 103, London-road. Mr. Davenport appeared
for the defence.
The same witness, John Matthews, was called. He stated
that on the 10th of November, he went to the shop of
George Richards, in London-road, and pledged a pair of
trousers for 3s. 6d. He returned in about an hour. He
laid down his ticket and was asked for 3s. 7d. which he paid.
By Mr. DAVENPORT.—Was never at Mr. Richards' shop
before. Another person, named Newby, was with him but
did not go in. It was the same day that he pledged the same
trousers at Holland's. Had pledged them three or four times
that day.—(Laughter.)
Mr. DAVENPORT.—What induced you to make so much
use of these trousers?
Matthews.—l did it for the good of the poor.—(Laughter.)
I understood that the pawnbrokers take from £20,000 to
£30,000 a-year more than the legal interest from the poor of
Liverpool, and I thought it my duty to do what I could to
put a stop to it.
Mr. DAVENPORT.—What are you?
Matthews.-1 am a porter.
Mr. DAVENPORT.—Were you ever at Mr. Richards's
shop before?
Matthews.—No : I went into the first shop I came to.
Mr. Ews.—The legal interest is a halfpenny and four-
fifths of a farthing.
Mr. RUSHTON.—Then, do you leave the case here, Mr.

APOLEON

POLEON

OLEON.
LEON

the Lion of the Woods
the Destroyer
of Cities
the Desolating
Lion
now existing (1813)

feeling

Davenport ?
Mr. DAVENPORT.—Yes.
Mr. RUSHTON saidathat on the last occasion when some
cases of this kind had occurred, he told the pawnbrokers
that if the practice went on it would be a sad matter to them.
He cautioned them at that period. He had had cases very often
before him of this kind ; and it was necessary—whether the
man Matthews was a common informer, or whether he was
actuated by the laudable feeling of putting an end to this
practice, on which he gave no opinion—to take notice of
them. At any rate the man had proved the existence of the
practice ; and the object of the magistrates was to take care
that the pawnbrokers were honest, and exacted no more than
the proper interest. The court would not inflict the full pe-
nalty of £lO in either of these cases, but mitigate it :013 and
costs in each case, in the hope that the result would have a
tendency to put an end to the system. These were cases, he
admitted, of an extreme nature ; but this man had a right to
bring them forward for the purpose of trying whether inte-
rest had or had not been illegally charged. They were cases
within the law ; and if they were characteristic, as he was
afraid they were, of a general practise, then it would be in
future necessary for the magistrates to put in force the law
to its full extent.
Matthews intimated that his character was a good one,
and that he had never laid an information before. He said
the parties had been to him, and had endeavoured to effect a
compromise, saving, that they did not care for a few pounds,
if he would let the matter drop.
Mr. BARDSWELL and Mr. DAVENPORT, on behalf of their
respective clients, gave notice of appeal to the sessions, and
the requisite bail was immediately put in.

WHY SHOULD A MAN CARRY A STICK ?—BeCRUSe it
looks as if he had something of a stake in the country.
THE GREEK WORD " NAPOLEON."—A dissection of the
compound Greek word " Napoleon" gives the following
singular result :
NAPOLEON

MR. ROTHSCHILD'S FALL AND A.LEXANDER.—This cele-
brated man accidentally fell from his horse in the Champs
Elysees, on the same day that the Emperor Alexander of
Russia died ; and Rothschild, of Paris, who was somewhat
troubled with the vanity of health, remarked some short
time afterwards, when the decease of the Emperor was the
theme of conversation at the splendid soiree, that two events
would render that day memorable in history, viz., the fall of
his brother from his horse, and the Emperor's death. Clin'e's
Anecdotes.

TESTIMONIAL TO MRS. FORSTER, MATRON OF
THE BLUE-COAT HOSPITAL, LIVERPOOL.

On Tuesday evening last, a number of individuals educated
in this establishment presented Mrs. Forster with a beautiful
silver tea-pot, cream-jug, and sugar-basin, the workmanship
of Air. Goepel, of No. 86, Crosshall-street, in this town.
The lid of the tea-pot is surmounted by the figure of a
Blue-coat girl, leaning on a pedestal, and holding in her
right hand an open scroll, which hangs down the side of the
pedestal, and on which is engraved the motto—" She looketh
well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread
of idleness." (Prov. xxx.i. 27.) On the shield on the left
side of the pot is the following inscription :

" To Mrs. Forster

" Matron of the Blue-coat Hospital, Liverpool,
" This testimonial of respect is presented by a number of
individuals educated in the school, as a mark of their gra-
titude for her unwearied attention and invaluable services
to the institution during a period of 22 years.
" 20th December, 1812.."

nipanied with an address, of

e meet you on t 1

Vada, —lt is with feelings of unmixed pleasure that
..c occasion, to express to you our deep
sense of the exemplary manner in which you have discharged
your duties, during the 22 years you have officiated as Ma-
tron of the Blue-coat Hospital.
" Having been the objects of your kind care and attention,
or witnessed them displayed towards those who are inmates
of the institution to which we are all so highly indebted, and
whose permanence sperity we are bound to pray for,

we are fully able to appreciate what you have done, and what
you are doing, for the children whom it has pleased an all-

..-ny
wise Providence, through the instrumentality of our revered
benefactors, the trustees of the charity, to place from time
to time under your protection. Deprived of the comforts of
home, and suffering from the greatest of all childhood's

earthly losses, the loss of an affectionate father or mother,
or in most instances of both, they have sought admission
into this asylum, looking at your hands to receive some al-
leviation of their distress. Well and ably have you fulfilled
their expectations, and truly and nobly have you merited
their most heartfelt esteem and gratitude, watching over
them with an anxious, indefatigable, untiring., self-denying
zeal, which has made them feel that they had found in the
institution another home, and that from you they received
all a mother's care. Your able superintendence of every-
thing bearing upon their comforts, whether it regarded their
food, or clothing, or cleanliness; the great interest you have
always displayed in all their little affairs ; your extreme
anxiety to preserve them in health, or, when sickness over-
took one of your flock, the affectionate and truly matronly
manner in which, as a fond mother to a beloved child, you
took the place of a tender nurse, beside the little sufferer's

bed ; and the manifest joy exhibited, when your efforts to
restore them have been successful, or the undisguised grief
when your exertions have proved unavailing, and death has
removed one of your family these, Madam, are the princi-
ples which have endeared you to our-hearts, and call forth
the most affectionate remembrances.
" To remind you that your labours have not been forgot-
ten or undervalued by those who have been so highly bene-
fitted by them, there are many who are proud and grateful
to remember and to acknowledge what you have done for
them. We therefore beg your acceptance of this slight tes-
timonial of our esteem and respect—an offering not adequate
to the obligations we record, but emanating from the purest
of the heart, which we know will constitute its chief
ue in your eyes ;—end we trust that, in the discharge of
duties of your office, the sight of this may sometimes
cheer you on, with the consoling reflection, that, though
beset with many troubles and trias, you are not altogether
labouring in vain; but may hope, by patient continuance in
well-doing, to reap in due time the rich harvest which you
have sown.

" In conclusion, Madam, we pray that you and your ex-
cellent husband (our late worthy and respected master, to
whom we take this opportunity of acknowledging our obli-
gations) may be long spared to each other, in the enjoyment
of health, in all worldly prosperity, and in the means of pur-
suing your arduous and responsible path of life, with the
same credit to yourselves, and the same beneficial results to
the children of your care, as hitherto; and when it shall
please God to terminate your earthly career, may He who
has been pleased to consider even a cup of cold water be-
stowed upon one of these little ones, i❑ his name, as a favour
conferred upon himself, greet you with the welcome sound,
' Well done, good and faithful servants : enter ye into the
joy of your Lord.' "
Mrs. and Mr. Forster were evidently very much affected
during the reading of this address, and Mrs. Forster made
the following reply :—_- .

" Dear Frien s,—l have sincere pleasure in accepting of
this tribute of your respect ; not on account of its value, but
from the grateful feeling which prompted the gift. Con-
nected with the institution for nearly twenty-two years, I
have endeavoured to promote the comfort, welfare, and hap-
piness of all its inmates ; and it is most gratifying to my
feelings, and will prove a source of great consolation to me
hereafter to know, that my efforts have been appreciated by
those for whom they have been exerted.
" You are well aware that my situation is not without its
trials and anxieties, but the kind support and encouragement
I have invariably received from the trustees and other friends
of the school, with the assistance of my husband, and the
affectionate and respectful behaviour of the children, ren-
dered those duties easy and agreeable which might otherwise
have been difficult and irksome, and has attached me to the
institution, and all connected with it, by ties and associations
which can only be obliterated when memory fails.
" In respectfully requesting you to accept of my warmest
thanks for this, and many other instances of affectionate re-
gard, allow me also to express an earnest wish that the Al-
mighty disposer of all events may so direct and rule your
hearts and minds, that every thought, word, and action may
tend to the extension and promotion of his kingdom and
glory ; and that finally each of you may receive the joyful
welcome of ' Well done, good and faithful servant : enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord

ELIZABETH FORSTER

Blue-coat Hospital, 20th Dec., 1842

. .
Mr. Forster also attempted to express his acknowledg-
ments, but the excitement of his feelings prevented articu-

[The articles comprising this testimonial may be seen in
the window of the STANDARD Office.]

PROMOLI AND HAUSBURG'S BAZAAR

10 /nose ~sideou in this town we need nut de-
scribe the situation and contents of Promoli's Bazaar; but
to our distant readers a little information on the subject may
Drove er s_n t ue
suliazoaans etngtthiPst estaonsinnem, u, w, —.—
in England, we may say, indeed, in Europe. In it are
associated articles of the most costly, recherché and varied
character, to supply which the four continents appear to
have been ransacked, and old Rome and Greece put in re-
quisition. The most elegant and highly-priced articles of
ornament or of use on which skill, labour, and money have
been expended may be purchased; while but a few paces off
the babe may be supplied with a noisy bauble, the child a
toy, and the school boy an amusement for his winter even-
ings while mingling with his young companions.
This immense concern now occupies the whole of the
building formerly appropriated to the carrying on of the bu-
siness of the Postoflice of Liverpool. On the premises are
extensive workshops, in which numerous articles of the stock
are manufactured or repaired, such as chandeliers, jewellery,
&c., in which many first-rate workmen are engaged.
In perambulating the show-rooms we cannot fail to be
struck with the extraordinary taste displayed in the selections
of the articles around us. We see nothing that offends by
its vulgarity—nothing to pander to a vitiated taste; every
where the eye rests on an object that would aptly adorn our
home, whether it be the lowly cottage, the comfortable
" residence of gentility," the mansion, or the palace. Here
stand in all the perfection of grace and form in " purest ala-
baster," the Aledicean Venus, and near her, far more mo-
dest, the charming creation of Canova's Genius, for which it
is said the celebrated Prineessa Borghese stood as the model.
Now we see the " Laocoon" and the writhing serpents, then
the " Dancing Faun,"—" the Athlete throwing the Discus,"
—the exquisite" Dancing Figure lately discovered and copied
from the walls of Herculaneum," with other exquisite works
in the same delicate material.
1 Our attentio❑ is next drawn to the great variety of time-
pieces, suitable to every taste. A noble model of the Cathedral
at Rheims, in silver•, stands prominently before us. Many
pieces, with bronze groups are finely executed : the Chevalier
Bayard, sans pear et sans reproche, Cromwell, and other
remarkable persons, may be noticed as forming subjects.
The wandering eye next lights on the phantom clock, the
hands of which mark the speedy race of time without any
perceptible machinery. Here are exquisite ewers, Dresden
china, in a variety of devices, several noble jars, of Stafford-
shire u-are, equal in beauty to the best Chinese manufacture.
Proceeding onwards we see a variety of carved wooden
figures, besides articles of eerie of the rarest description,
which we must not stop to notice. The next things shown
are work boxes, tea caddies, writing desks, &c., in which
this firm greatly excel in the manufacture. Here may be
obtained the needful implements and inntruments for the
boudoir, drawing room, library, or toilet table, in all patterns,
in an outward case either of a simple homely material, which

a few shillings may purchase, or, one valued at fifty guineas,
elaborately adorned, in which expensive and rare woods, cu-
rious inlayings, highly piled velvet, and precious metal are
combined.
Carvings from Dieppe, extremely beautiful figures made
by the native Mexican artists, Bohemian glass, in all its gor-
geousness of colour, brilliancy, and variety, foreign and
British china, articles in papier mach6, trays, teapot's, orna-
ments, armour in imitation of the antique, almost bewilder
by their quantity, beauty and richness.
Next come before us the bronzes. One of the largest re-
presents an Amazon on horseback attacked by a panther.
The spirit, fire, and vigour of this casting is equal to many
of the best specimens of antiquity. The ferocity of the panther
and its savage attack, the terror of the horse, and the courage

and firmness of the warrior woman, are admirably developed

" An Indian Bacchus" and an " Apollo" are beautiful sped
omens of art, on a bold and large scale, highly suitable to ;

.
spacious vestibule, hall, conservatory, or park. Numberless
small specimens of bronze by the eccentric Fratin, who, as a
modeller of animals, is a Landseer in fidelity and spirit of
imitation, will much amuse ; amongst others, two curious
candelabras particularly attracted our attention. The base
consists of four bears ; the pillar, a tree trunk ; the capital,
or top, a hear on his back, his four paws extended, forming
the branches ; on stumps of boughs, monkeys are seated

playing various instruments. Here are busts Of " imperious
Czesar," Marshal Tnrenne, Canova's Buonaparte, and other
heroes of ancient and modern days. Groups, also, of figures
will be noticed, as " Buonaparte at the Bridge of Arcola,
" Pious ./Eneas, who old Anchises bore ;" " Buonaparte
crossing the Alps," from David's celebrated picture ; " Time
amid the ruins of empires," &c.. &c. The connoiseur and
virtuoso will find here abundant matter for examination, and
temptation to lay out their money.
At this season of the year, (though it is unlike what we
might expect as far as the weather goes,) when the heart of
the narrowest spirit expands in kindness, and feels longings to
bestow gifts on the lovely and beloved ; when his inclination
pulls one way, and his purse-strings another ; when the hus-
band rekindles the sparks of gallantry, which, sooth to say,
wedlock has somewhat damped, and makes his gentle wife
an offering ; the lover purchases a stage d'amour; the father
selects a something to put on his unmarried daughter's plate
on Christmas morning, and his married
lace daughter's cnhimne ot y-
piece in the evening ;--a more fitting p they can re-
sort to than the present department of the Bazaar, where a
souvenir may be found suited to every pocket and every
taste ; and, if not satisfied with the glare of foreign mann-
. factures, selections can be made from the jewellery cases in
abundance—from the sparkling diamond tiara and the set of
oriental pearl ornaments, down to the humble turquoise
ring, which the ancients believed would render the wearer
faithful.
A great improvement has been lately discovered in the
manufacture of imitation plate, and, which now can be made
to look almost better than the real precious metal itself—it
will wear well, and when at all hare of its silver it can be re-
plated with the greatest facility. Every
of plate is now fabricated of it, froamtrhtle u
eicelegsatniatlltiyiig iardee e
worked ornament to the teaspoon. We observed great quan-
tities of this manufacture in every variety of elegance and
usefulness.
To particularise a tithe of every thing that may be seen in
this splendid establishment, would occupy too much space ;
arid we cannot close this notice without remarking, that the
man with a full heart and purse should visit this bazaar—the
sordid should also go through it, for surely he cannot fail to
find something to tempt him ; but purchase or not, this we
can surely say, that whether you lay out one hundred pounds,
pence, or a single shilling—or nothing at all—the visitor is
made welcome, and shown everything with a politeness and
desire to please, that is as pleasant as it is remarkable, and
worth imitation.