The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-28 00:00:00

TIIE ARTISTS' CONVERSAZIONE.

The artists and amateurs' Conversazione at the Exhibition
Rooms, on Wednesday night, in spite of the boisterous con-
dition of the weather, was well attended. There was a very
fair sprinkling of ladies, many of whom appeared in full dress.
The presentation sketches were exhibited, all of which &s-
-played much talent. Messrs. Herdman, Walters, the Eg-
lingtons, Buchanan, Crane, Aspland, Collingwood, Pugh,
Marshall, Spence, and Bishop, exhibited sketches. The
portfolios of Mr. Herdman and Mr. Collingwood attracted
much attention. These converzationes are eminently quali-
fied to do good to art in this town, as they bring the purchas-
ing public into communication with the painter, and afford
opportunities of works being seen. Many and many a pound
is spent in Liverpool upon bad pictures, in spurious, base,
nasty, bungling daubs, which have been vamped up and manu-
factured abroad, or in London, so as to appear like old works
and rare productions. Fine names are appended to them,
and rooms taken in a leading thorouhfare, where some cun-
ning, crafty dealer shows his " wares," and procures for them
high prices, when they are worth comparatively little. We
have had frequent opportunities of tracing the progress of
pictures from their first introduction into the town. For
instance, Mr. Z. brings a lot of pictures into Liverpool, and
announces, in the public prints, his " arrival, with a choice
selection of works by the ancient and modern masters, in-
cluding fine specimens by Carlo 4larratta, Titian, Tinto.
retto, Paid Veronese, Parmegiano, the Carracci, Domeni-
chino, Guercino, Ruysdael, Rembrandt, Backhuys-n, Os-
lade, Morland, &c. Mr. Z. begs to draw particular attention
to a CLAUDE, a celebrated picture from the collection of the
Baron Spitzensneezeneoff, and a JAN STEIN, a most remark-
able work, lately in the possession of Burgomaster 'Vander-
fuddle, of Amsterdam," &c. &c.
The dealer also sends cards of invitation to known pur-
chasers, and, by means of what is vulgarly called "gammon,"
manages to persuade a £5O, £6O, or £7O, and sometimes a
larger sum, out of the pocket of a visitor, for a work which,
if really genuine, would be cheaply bought at the same figures
with an extra 0 after them, or a numeral before. The pic-
ture has a splendid frame, perhaps is inclosed in a glass door
with an outer case of black wood or mahogany, secured by a
patent lock, to preserve its high value ! The picture is
bought, sent home, and paid for. Some time after Mr. X,
the fortunate purchaser of this cheap picture, takes a dislike
to it, having perhaps some suspicion that he has paid dearly
for his whistle. Another dealer at this time comes into
town ; the same ceremony is observed, the same style of
advertisement is put forth by him, and Mr. X visits Mr. Q's
collection. Mr. X there sees a work with some fine name
(much finer than his own inestimable gem possesses) ap-
pended to it. He now tries to get rid of his last purchase :
the dealer is deep—deeper than his visitor, for he exchanges
with him his finer-named work for " the gem," receiving
some £lO or £l2, or more, to boot. This process of selling,
swapping, and chousery, is carried on for a long time, until a
dealer finds his stock has increased to such an extent that he
must have a wholesale clearance, having become possessed of
his " stock" in such a manner that, sell for what it will, money
must be made. Weeding, therefore, the works got out of
Liverpool, for fear they should be recognised by some old
friends, the stock is formerly announced for sale, by a
leading auctioneer, as " from the collection of a nobleman
well known for his taste and judgment ?" Up they go.
Down falls the hammer, at prices pleasantly varying from 7s.
(we have got a picture, purchased at an auction, for that
large amount, which we have had put into a decent old frame
cut into a comfortable size, and very well it looks) to £2O.
Although the auctioneer deplores the low prices—as, of
course, he ought to do, considering his commission is in-
fluenced thereby—he knows pretty well that his employer will
be satisfied with his labour. And so a picture that once
fetched £6O, will drop down to as many shillings when sub-
mitted to competition, until it falls again into the hands of
a " cunning Isaac," who will touch it up, and varnish it, and
make it as good as new. Generous public—subscribe to the
artist's conversazione—see with your own eyes—talk to the
painter himself, and buy a work from him, or give him an
order to paint you something,—no matter what—and if it is
not a Carlo Dolci or a Titian, be content with knowing that,
instead of hanging up a clever counterfeit, you have in your
Possession a very tidy, tasteful picture, which your friends
will be pleased with, and yourself have pleasure in looking
upon, because you must feel that you have encouraged art
existing in your own town. The young man that has earned
your money may, perhaps, become eminent some day, and
you will then with pride point to his picture and say, " I
was one of his early patrons."
On Wednesday evening several pictures were sold, others
were inquired about, and we believe in one or two instances
orders given, We noticed on the tables a great many of the
newest and rarest engravings of the
,day, lent by Mr. Lin-
necar, including
" "Jones'
work,) Canterbury Pilgrims,"
(a splendid and ela-
borateHaddon Hall," anterbury Pilgrims,' " Sketches of
We observed that London as it is," &c. &c.
awarded to the £5O corporation prize has been
93, Mr.
Agar's Christ and the Woman of
Canaan. The choice remained, we understand, between
it and Alfred—the Pilgrim,
the better picture. shouldwhi which taken altogether is by far
be thankful that we get
pictures at all to look at, as the London Art Unions clear
away all the best. The meeting appeard to give very great
satisfaction to all present, the corn-
party remaining until past
ten o'clock.

polite bog keeper at the
MR. COOKE'S BENEFIT.—The
Theatre-Royal has announced his benefit for Tuesday : he is
very deserving of patronage.
ANCIENT LIVERPOOL.—Mr. W. G. Herdlnan
well-
known and highly talented artist, of this town, is ' a
for publication a work on the above subject. Hpeliparing
voted his attention to it for many years, and is
of
nf
of a etaious and valuable collection of views
old
buildings, that time and the hand of man have swept
away.
The letterpress will be descriptive of each view.
Mr. BAsaL BAKE:.—Mr. Baker made a rather successful
abut as Doyberry, at the Dublin Theatre, on Saturday last.
Paolissjiassesen.
The Dublin Evening Mail says, " Mr. Baker made a success-
ful de'but in Doyberry. His personal appearance was not
uential, but his concep.
perhaps sufficiently portly or conseq
tion of the character was admirable, and he delivered what
was "set down for him" with a comicality of tone and
gesture, the effect of which was Irresistible."
THE CHARGE OF FELONY AGAINST A CLERGYMAN.—
On Wednesday the Rev. Dr. Berrington was again brought
up at the police court Birkenhead, befote J. D. Case and
H. Winch, Esq., wizen Mr. Robinson, of Liscard, at whose
house he lodged. stated that he had no further evidence to
produce against him. The doctor produced testimonials by
whicho it appeared that he was ordained by the Archbishop
York as deacon, and by the Rev. Dr. Butler as priest ; he
also produced his diploma' as Master of Arts, and also his
PP?ma et. D•D., and likewise a certificate from S. W.
Renshaw, Esq on
•• applying to him for a situation as
mathe-
matical tutor and master of a grammar school; also testimo-
nials from Sir Henry and Admiral Digby, &c. Mr. C
—These testimonials appear most respectable. Dr. Berriansge.
-
ton.—l am glad of having an opportunity of proving that I
am what I represent myselfto be. The rev. doctor was dis-
charged, on the charge
of feloniously stealing from the house
which
he lodged ; but the court ordered
him to find sureties for the assault on Mr. Robinson, himself
in £5O, and two others in x
bail, the doctor was again or each.
.in
into
on
tae defaultcustody o f procuringoc
Go-
vernor Booth, keeper of the lock-np.

~ C
i <.c.

KA•3.S
%00c1

FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 28, 1842.

Is the spirit of sound Protestantism dead in Liver-
pool? Has the heart of this great community ceased
to feel the value of those Protestant privileges for
which it has battled so stoutly ? Are we prepared to
lay aside our watchfulness, and once more permit the
turbulent spirit of Popery to be heard within the
portals of the legislature, and to dictate in our muni-
cipal councils ? Let the splendid meeting in our Am-
phitheatre, on Wednesday, furnish the reply a
prompt, an indignant, a resolute No! The spirit
which has borne us on from triumph to triumph—

which has enabled us to beat down the hand raised to
deface and defile our most venerated institutions—

that spirit is not dead; is not sleeping, or disposed to
sleep: Nay, we believe most firmly—and the over-
whelming demonstration of Wednesday is the voucher
for our correctness--that, since the passing of that
fatal measure which first let in the troubled waters of
Romanism to sap and destroy the vitals of the British
constitution, the mind of this community was never
more determined in its abhorrence of the soul-enslav-
ing errors of Rome, and in its love for the pure and
Christian doctrines and practices of our own beloved
Protestant Church, than at this very hour
It is true, there are men amongst us—few in num-
ber, however—who are ready to say to themselves,
" the battle is over; the day is our own, and we can
now lay aside the maintenance of that Protestantistn
which was our strength and shield. We can now
convert what were our war-cries into open questions.'
We can he liberal' "—oh, what a world of mean-
ness and hypocrisy is hid beneath that word " liberal !"

—" we can be forbearing; we can be all things to all
men." We ask such men, dare they now " lay the
flattering unction to their souls" that such are the
opinions of the people of Liverpool? Will they palter
and trifle with the spirit of enthusiastic devotion to
the cause of Protestant truth which filled that vast
arena with the wealth, the talent, and the moral worth
of this great town ? Dare they equivocate with the
voice which was there raised ? Dare they mock the
ear and the hopes of such an assemblage of their
fellow-townsmen ? We trust not; for if there was one
truth conveyed by the spectacle of Wednesday more
palpably than another, it was that the Protestant
people of Liverpool have in time past been combating
for great principles, and will not be defrauded of one
iota of the enjoyment of them—will not be satisfied
with their enjoyment in anything less than their full
integrity !

Yes : no trimming—no time-serving conservatism
can be endured by a people thus resolute and stedfast
in their convictions. In ordinary struggles for ordi-
nary objects—in agitation for a merely temporal and
evanescent end—the excited feelings subside readily,
and apathy follows upon the heels of success. But
such a struggle it has not been in which our Pro-
testant Associations have been, and arc yet, engaged ;
and apathy has not followed the degree of success
which has blessed their labours. '[he earnestness with
which they have worked out thus far their objects,
still animates them. The zeal, the watchfulness, which
inspired them, are untired ; and by such bodies, pro-
fessing Conservatives may depend upon it that they
will not be permitted to step aside one moment from
the straightforward path of Protestant duty without
being admonished of their faithlessness.
The objects for which our Protestant Associations
were formed are not yet all achieved, although some
of them have been. We have remodelled and swept
clear of the pollution of popery our Municipal Council
and our Schools. We have planted Conservatism in
the ascendant in Parliament. We have a Conservative
administration. But have we PROTESTANTISM in
the ascendant either in the British House of Commons
or in the administration of its government ? We have
not ; and the work of our noble associations is not
vet done : the time at which we may lay aside our
agitation has not yet arrived! We must still look
forward, and go forward, to the achievement of our
entire task; and whilst we do this—whilst for this we
maintain our organisation, our enthusiasm, our earnest
zeal—it is not to be dreamt of that, as wise and
faithful soldiers of the cause which we have embraced,
we can neglect the duty of securing the fruits of past
victories. Amongst these, we fought hard for scrip-
tural education for the children of the poor—for the
Bible, and the whole Bible, in our schools; and whilst
we fight now for sound scriptural education for the
millions of our sister land, and for the millions of our
own land, surely no human being can have the folly to
suppose that we will allow ourselves to be deprived of
that benefit at home, within our own borough, which we
are so anxious to extend over the length and breadth
of the empire!

Again, let us draw attention to this noble display of
Protestant feeling, and ask, is there nothing in the fact
that—with all their merely local objects attained, with

political triumphs around them, which might have
served to satisfy, if not to weary, of agitation—such a
a meeting, so enthusiastic, can be drawn together in
this the second town of the empire ? Is there nothing
in such a display of feeling for the Statesman to ponder
over and take counsel by ? There is something

there is much. Oh! that statesmen—Conservative
statesmen—would be wise, and read it ! Then, in-
deed, we should see them throwing down the miserable
crutch of expediency, and standing erect in the strength
and the beauty of the principles of Eternal Truth, sup-
ported by the united arms, cheered by the united
voices, and beloved in the hearts of a united Protestant
people ! Oh ! that statesmen, Conservative statesmen,
would take up this, their true position ; that they
would resolve to govern this Protestant land upon
sound Protestant principles ; that they would educate
its children, and protect and strengthen its men and
women, in the sacred truths of the Scriptures, as
• expounded by our holy Church ; and with what con-
fidence they might then defy the assaults of all ene-
mies,—the insidious canker of " liberalism" within
our fold, or the world in arms without ! Oh ! that
statesmen, Conservative statesmen, would do this ;
and England, which now presents, upon the map of
Europe, a dark spot blotted over with misery, with
wretchedness, with irreligion, with moral disease and
crime—England, which utilitarian and "liberal' legis-
lation has converted into a mighty LAZAR-HOUSE—
might once more present her fair face to heaven,
cleansed and renewed ; and be hailed once more by
admiring nations, as MERRY ENGLAND, HAPPY
ENGLAND, FREE ENGLAND, INVINCIBLE, because
PROTESTANT ENGLAND !

Let us again implore of our Conservative friends
to he active and watchful in every ward, and,
above all things, to beware of WHIG-RADICAL
TRICKERY ! In some wards we know that success is
counted upon as certain ; in others, it is imagined that
opposition will not be even attempted. Beware of
being over-sanguine! The faction, depend upon it,
will die hard. Not one ward, we firmly believe, will
he left uncontested, however hopeless may ba the
chance of victory I
Already we hear, that in Everton, in Pitt-street, and
in Scotland Wards, Radical candidates are in the
field. In other wards they will be nominated at the
last hour. With what view is this course pursued ?
In the hope of being successful in a fair stand-up
fight ? Not at all. It is in the hope of profiting by
Conservative inattention to the canvass and the poll-
ing, and of preventing our duplicate votes telling
upon the contest in two or three of the business wards
of the town. Neglect Everton, Scotland, West
Derby, and other suburban districts, and Exchange,
Castle-street, Pitt-street, and St. Peter's may be
wrested from our grasp !
As an example of the underhand mode in which the
faction is bestirring itself, we direct attention to a
circular, signed "S.T. Hobson, Chairman," which has
been extensively addressed to the burgesses of Rodney-
street Ward :

(
4, ~$l,-f"-,•-:4:
:,...., , ~.f'N.4,\ J‘
0 .‘e.-- •-",f....: ..i._,,,
,-,4,r ..t:',,„--,
rr._,,,<- --