The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-09-11 00:00:00

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

ITALIAN OPERAS AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.—Last night
the first of the operas to be given at this theatre commenced
with Rossini's favourite opera " Setniramide," the character
of the impassioned Babylonish Queen being allotted to Madame
Grisi. The other characters were well cast, and as a whole
the opera was a " success." The house was tolerably filled by a
fashionable and highly interested audience, who testified
the delight they experienced by frequent and well-timed
applause. So many efforts have been made for the
purpose of gratifying the musical taste of the Liverpool
amateurs, which have resulted in only partial success,
if not absolute loss, that the favourable opening of the
present attempt is the more welcome. Whether we re-
gard the fame and talent of the individual artistes, or
refer to the general merits of the troupe, together with the
efficiency of the orchestra and chorus, the effort must be ad-
mitted to be a great one, and as such, we trust, will meet with
a becoming share of patronage and reward. This evening the
performance is to consist of Bellini's celebrated " Sonnambula,"
and the other operas selected for performance are of the highest
order of excellence.

THE SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY gave a public rehearsal
of Mr. Hackett's new Oratorio, " The Passage of the Red Sea,"
in Clayton Hall, on Tuesday evening. The performance met
with a warm reception throughout, and two of the chorusses
were enthusiastically encored. The piece was produced under
the superintendence of its composer; Mr. Hackett, himself,
presiding at the organ. Mr. Saunders acted as conductor.
AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, Madame Celeste and Mr. B.
Webster have concluded their temporary engagement, having
appeared each night during the past week. The leading piece
in their round of entertainments has been the new drama,
"Janet Pride," a fearfully acted and revolting piece of melo-
dramatic art. Its situations and incidents are of the most
harrowing character, without, as far as we can perceive, having
even the intention of inculcating a healthy moral or a useful
lesson. Intense scenic excitement seems its only aim, and
that has been fully achieved by the acting of the leading
parts. The same artistes are to appear during the present
week at the Royal Amphitheatre.
AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, the English Opera Com-
pany have been performing throughout the past week to
tolerably good and enthusiastic audiences. The pieces have
been chiefly those performed during the preceding week.

ZOOLOGICAL OABDENS.-ROYAL OAK GALA. - The
attractions of this interesting place of recreation and
instructive amusement continue to draw large crowds of
visitors. On Monday next there is to be a grand gala at the
Gardens, given by the committee and members of the Royal
Oak Society, who, we understand, are using every exertion in
their power to render the monster gala unusually attractive.
They seem resolved to make it the greatest festival that has
been held for years, and for this end, regardless of expense,
they have engaged several artists of extraordinary talent, from
various parts of England, who will come to Liverpool expressly
for the occasion, and appear on that day only. In the mean
time, the spirited proprietor, Mr. J. Atkins, whose per-
severance and exertions to entertain and accommodate the
public have been beyond all praise, is making every necessary
preparation for the comfort and convenience of the visitors.
The fire-works are to be on an unwonted scale of magnificence
and grandeur ; several extra marquees and refreshment bowers
will be erected in the gardens, and the whole of the refresh-
ment department under the able superintendence of Mr. W.
Holt, who, for several years, has given the most unlimited
satisfaction. Should the weather prove fine, we have not the
slightest doubt that the number of visitors will exceed those
on any former occasion, and that each will enjoy a day of real
pleasure, and return home perfectly satisfied.

ARRIVAL OF THE EAGLE FROM MELBOURNE.—The Aus-
tralian clipper ship Eagle, Captain Murphy, belonging to the
" Eagle Line " of Australian packet ships, arrived in Liver-
pool on Sunday, about 11 a.m. The Eagle has on board
about 44,000 ounces of gold, valued at about £175,000, on
freight, besides a large quantity in the hands of passengers.
The Eagle sailed from Melbourne on the 31st of May, and her
dates of intelligence have, consequently, been anticipated.
The Essex, for London, sailed on the 3d ; the Boomerang, for
Liverpool, on the 7th, and the Northumberland, for London,
on the 12th of June. The Eagle had light winds during the
early part of her voyage, and was detained eight days off
Cape Clear. On the 20th of June, when in lat. 56'35 S., lon.
1'33 W., she saw two large icebergs, and on the 24th saw two
more ; on the 21st July, in lat. 24 S., lon. 26'40 W., she
spoke the Boomerang, from Melbourne to Liverpool, remain-
ing three days in her company. The Eagle crossed the
Equator on the Ist of August. In addition to the gold
already mentioned, and a valuable cargo, the Eagle brings the
following cabin passengers, viz.—Capt. Geo. W. Cole, M.L.C.,
lady, five children, and two servants • Mrs. Cauty and child,
MissMcCrae, Mrs. Miller, Col. Beresford,: Messrs. Henry Beres-
ford, Sam. Prenell, Henry Prince, Wm Prince, and Jas. Brown.
Besides those named, there were also 25 fore-cabin and 65
intermediate passengers. On their arrival, the passengers
presented Captain Murphy with two written testimonials,
expressive of their high sense of his urbanity and kindness ;
as well as in approval of his skilful seamanship, and general
attention to their interests and comforts. It is satisfactory to
know that no death or case of sickness occurred on board the
Eagle, either on her out or homeward voyage.

THE WATERPROOF TWEED CLOAK,
From 9s. 9d.
NEW AUTUMN MANTLES

NOW READY.

HARRISON BROTHERS,
CO and 62, CHURCH-STREET, corner of Hanover-street.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

B. should send us his name and address, if he be serious in his
promises. It requires but a few more for his idea to be fully
realised.

THE

tiberpool --ztanbarb.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1855.

THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.

YESTERDAY the important intelligence was received
that, after a siege of about eleven months, and for the
magnitude of the operations perhaps the most memo-
rable in history, the fortress of Sebastopol, the strong-
hold of the Russians in the Crimea, had fallen into
the hands of the Allied forces. The news has come
in an official despatch from General SIMPSON to the
Minister of War, so that there can be no mistake
about it. It appears, from the brief account received,
that, on Saturday night, after the loss of the Malak--
hoff, the Russians evacuated the whole of the south
side of the harbour, having first exploded their maga-
zines and set fire to the town. They also destroyed
all the ships excepting three steamers, and broke down
the bridge which connected the north and south sides
of the harbour.