Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-04 00:00:00

AMUSEMENTS.

THE RE-OPENING OF THE THEATRE ROYAL
Mr. Copeland re-opened the Theatre-Royal last night
after a recess during which he has entirely renewed, im-
proved, and decorated the interior. The proscenium, the
front of the boxes, and the ceiling have been re-painted
and gilded throughout, the backs of the boxes papered with
crimson flick, the old seats and divisions removed, the stage
boxes cancelled and thrown into the general area, which is
seated with neat chairs with scarlet cushions, presenting
altogether a most brilliant appearance, reminding us of
Covent-garden Theatre in its most glorious period. The
space gained by the removal of the divisions and re-arrange-
ment of the back of the boxes, gives the impression of much
more air and ventilation, aided no doubt by the fresh
911 and
clean appearance of the new painting" and gilding;
the gas sun-burner placed in the ceiling naturally contri-
butes to that effect by creating a rush of air upwards froln
below. The ladies may find the chairs rather small Tie
them dresses, bat in other respects they will htit.o
them a great improvement upon the old narrow seats. lur
fronts of the boxes hove either been lowered or the Ile%
raised, so that the ladies' dresses will be much more aseaen
than under the old arrangement. A retiring room has uevhe
obtained at the back of the vestibule at the top of att,
stairs, and a refreshment-room at the side of the leu'ild
behind the boxes. Everything that the space we%
allow has been done to render the Thesa t
comfortable, as well as to mate it ea elegea:-
temple of the drama. We must congratulate Mr• eerie
land on his success in both these resie:ets, and eer°P
went his assistants—Mr. Dearlove and his coal
that this beautiful little theatre should be opened in
iar
worthy manner. Mr. Copeland has engaged the PePliba
favourite, Mr. Charles Matthews, for a week, nan",i, "
made his first appearance last night in "A Nice rlr`ria
and " You're Another." The first is by Mr. Tom Ta 9,11:
and exhibits the manner in which Messrs. Messiter ,t or
C. Matthews) and Moon (Ur. B. Baker) cc)nductf.aho
jutorg $
rather misconduct, their busine:,:s. Mr. Moon, the
prides himself on' being very methodical, is, always Ina s
clouds, and loses his books and papers in sued' as
manner as to prevent any business being cosePlesteiget.
intended ; and Mr. Messiter is so off-hand 213" .otS
and-easy that he is only saved by aceidwe
from preventing any business being done at all. It toe
be easily imagined that Mr. C. Mathews is quite at wall
in this department, and Mr. B. Baker was eclutaog
successful in displaying the mixture of coecr:icbp
perplexity of the methodical man of basiness,,a'rost
never lost any paper, but throughout the piece eltr, the
find a policy of insurance, and could not recoleeboiss
names or characters of any one of his clients, eleePt itor
Applejohn, admirably played by Mrs. Power. The s
the nits
tioas were frequently very laughable, and some of e
very effective; but two clients, with the names of n'af
dren's diseases, " Measles" and " Mumps," neltheror
which Mr. Moon could recollect, when bis part be
asked who was coming, and of whose persons is
was equally ignorant ; though " Old Clients",acs
rather too far far-fetched. In fact, the Ptttto
approximates much more closely to broad farce as
to comedy. The second piece, called a corned
equally extravagant in situatioe and dialogue, but salll_4nd
ably supported by Mr. C. Matthews andeMr. Baker, t
Mrs. rower excited shouts or leughtere and merriteell„
Miss J. Sedgwick did what was set down for her very W V,:
but it is a pity she does not carry herself with a little
more ease. Mr. C. Mathews was called for at the ender, °
You're Another," and brought forward Mr. Baile.
upon whom, indeed, the weight of the piece was threit
The materials are very light, and the title a delusion,
whole plot turning upon a busy-body, Mr. Meddler
Mathews), mistaking one Mr. Codger for another xit,
Codger, and one Mr. Twitter for another Mr. Date is
and when the discovery of his mistake „to
made, he exclaims, " Then, you're another !'
evening's amusement concluded with " Raising,, ket
Wind," very effectively put upon the stage: Mr. Ito.
played Saw, and Mr. Villiers Jeremy Dialer; tLita
Shalders acting and singing the part of Miss Lalie
Durable in a manner that sent the audience into fitsgia
laughter. This evening Mr. Charles Matthews wsee
appear in "Not a Bad Judge," and " Methinks laver•
my father." After Mr. Matthews' engagement is ass
Madame Ristori will make her re-appearance in 141'1 $
tragedy ; the Literary and Dramatic Society will Bt will
performance in honour of Douglas Jerrold, and then 1/..st
fellow a series of Italian operas, supported by all the hill
singers of the day, constituting such an inatagW,lest
season of the revived theatre as should command the Lu jag
support of Mr. Copeland in his spirited endeavour to brats
the higher class of dramatic and musical entertaitune
before the Liverpool public. Jtql*l"
Reg
We might almost say that the new Theatre --itee
opened last night, so completely have the recenti-the
rations changed the arrangement and beautified ape
internal aspect of the building. Although the s sad
and size of the theatre made it always a convenient_ort
serviceable house, many points- involving the eeTar
of the audience required alteration, and the genera i,oS
pearance was less ornamental than fitted• the priol;ed
theatre of Liverpool. At present it may be safely all"tst.seol
that few of the metropolitan theatres- equal the Liven' ase,
Theatre Royal, in beauty and suitability to its Pnrara-eds
and that none can be found which surpasses it. As re, the
the general arrangement of the space appropriated tow
audience, a very great attraction and ina•provealent„ese
been effected. The partitions which s-ep crated the ',ot
boxes have been chiefly removed, leaving the entire se
its.
circle at present only divided into tireee compartznesiro
The benches have been removed,. and handsome '-tator
richly cushioned have been substituted. Each spec et'
has, therefore, at present, a sepe.ra te seat, and all.
crowding, as well as the const ant • inconvenielnireli
stepping across, or lifting otatt ereng benches is e 9::, are
superseded. Along the back of; the box-range lil'e"eol‘
introduced sufficient to enable spectators to read 3
or bill without interfering with, the lighting of 010,5.'00
In the pit and galleries ID advantageous siterantaten
have been introduced•
is singularly light, graeefle'lL:a
and brilliant. The froet's at
the box tiers and galleries are covered with nanuldialtbe
appearance of the this of
white and gold, while the hangings and eushioasty,ael!
boxes are crimson. A lee-go sun light in the roe' s'eer,
number of splendid lustre's around the boxes real° -Tbo
corner of the building brilliant with illunttnatis°ll,e'ssitli‘
drop scene has been re-painted. A hand otnees
room for ladies has been* added, and the..sappro'o-rpee`-a
all parts of the theatre are improved in several I.sas
A building more, advautageeusly s'rrange—,
more beautifully decorated it woulda net 11P;
be possible to see in any city or toWl3,,,'„ildil
.a
Charles Mathews inaugurated the altered
last night. The great popular eaeouritcheoet;
received with the enthusiaar
Mr, h. if flhiesn has
familiar to him. He played
little comedy, new to tt airy 5s
inLiverP° as
Firm," and appeared in a
called "You're Another.' Mr. Mathews was aer „ale a
vivacious, as rattling as ,
of humour and easy effeot wieich distinguish "„0"'"
and preserved the tl.„-siols
all comedians of his school. We can sa nothing neti9
his praise, and were we m. . ins 3
we should only repeat t ore fully to desertion a e.
as well,
over and over again e'ems of eulogy with whie° Soallea
aract comic nertet-elis"'
et ise his per aoei se
Mr. Baker stepporee 1"1 • character as a eats it
last night,
established
assumed. He retie eivaesdhaenl: sustained the comic.
to
of
the applause due t,.`;„e ol ft;el
ant) admired' a performer. The aerdie to
Lunt, nlie -vg;e
ners, Mrs. Power, and others of
corinipaonAYtvir as in every way creditable. ji
• PIIITHEATRC —The attendance at this, 51:vette g
cw,,,a,satrto,t: tiemarkably slender, when we consider thss. nso
.:,`.."-rt
jet ions which the Theatre Royal affoideueranc;
'l, .-e .sher,of the Princesses theatre, made hie anrs-
Litre being his second engagement during the 5' last e•
Yea 1,
isher was received with much favour when., ti el
Liverpool, and is likely to win equal success thtscaoeh't
He is an excellent specimen of the light coined:lt °lc
sprightly, vivacious, and versatile. He played with gelsea
in " Still Waters Run Deep," and " Away with
choly," and won many a well deserved burst 0,.0
mirth and applause.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY.
The House met at five o'clock.

THE MILITIA.

Lord Panmure laid upon the table, a bill to enable the
government to embody the militia if necessary during the
ensuing recess, without being obliged to call parliament
tcgether. The object of this bill was, that the govern-
ment might have power to meet any emergency that might
arise in consequence of the drafts of men for Indian
service, and he stated that there might be thirty regiments
called cut. To meet the expense of which, an estimate of
X 200,1,0 would be laid upon the table in the other House.
The estimate was laid upon the table in the House of
Commons by Lard Palmerston in the early part of the
evening.
The Earl of Hardwick condemned the want of fore-
eight on the part of the government, and of their delay in
taking the steps which was previously advised by the
Opposition and rejected.
Earl Granville defended the g ivernment, declaring that
they had only declined to embody the militia during the
harvest.
The Marl of Derby remarked that there was an order in
council, issued in June, informing lords' lieutenants of
counties that it was not intended to call out the militia
this year, but now, at the last moment, the government
were driven to take that step.
Lord Panmure explained that the bill was prospective,
and would not interfere with the order in council.
The bill was then read a first time.
ELECTIONS IN TILE UNITED KINGDOM.

Lord Brougham moved foe a return of the number of
-electors in every county, division of county, city, and
borough in the United Kingdom. The noble lord took
occasion to refer to the promised reform measure, and
offered some suggestions as to what should be undertaken
in a reform bill. He thought that the re-election of
'members on accepting office might be dispensed
with, and sugg.sted the expediency of a change
in the system of bringing persons before the
.revising barristers every. year to prove their qualification.
With reg srd to an extension of the franchise, it would be an
advantage to give a franchise to Skilled artisans; if it could
be accomplished without lowering the franchi- e too much.
• He would propose the e.,tablishment cf class voters, con-
sistirg cf rectors and curates, medical men, officers of the
army and navy, literary men, holders of university degrees,
won belonging to scientific bodies, and, in a word, to
the class generally known as the scientifi,, literary and
well-educated class. To these he would give the right of
voting for members of parliament, without depriving them
of any other right of voting possessed by them, and re-
commended that they shcuid have the right of electing
seven representatives. He objected to the £lO franchise
proposed by Mr. Locke King, and having adverted to the
present Lie qualities in the representation, concluded by
expressing his gratification that there had been little or
no brnery and corruption at the late elections.
Earl Granville declined at that time to enter into the
.question.
The r&urns were then ordered.
A number of bills were advanced a stage of progress,
and the IL Ili° adjourned at a quarter to eight.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-MONDAY.

The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock.

SLIGO AND HUNTINGDON ELECTIONS.
The Clerk of the Crown attended the table of the House,
-and amended the returns for the Boro' of Sligo, and the
'County of Huntingdon, and Mr. Fellowes for Huntingdon,
and Mr. Wynne for Sligo, took their oaths atta their seats.

IRISH FISHERIES COMMISSION.
In reply to a question, Mr. Herbert said he had
received a letter from Ireland, stating that a
great portion of the Commission on the Irish
'fisheries was already in type, and he hoped that
the whole would be presented by the end of the week.
Mr. Warren gave notice that on going into committee
on this bill to-morrow, he should move that it be com-
mitted that day three months.

THE OATIIS BILL.
Sir F. Thesiger inquired of Lord John Russell what
'course he intended to pursue in regard to the Oaths
Va.iity Bill, should the house agree to the appointment of
a select committee on the subject.
Lord John Russell proposed under such circumstances
to postpone his bill for a week.
TRUSTEES BELIEF BILL.
The Attorney-General said that Lord St Leonard's
Trustees Relief Bill not having made such progress as to
lead to the belief that it would pass this session, he (the
Attorney-General) proposed next session to introduce a bill
for the relief of trustees acting under innocent misappre-
hension fr)m the penalties of the Fraudulent Trustees
Bill.
In reply to Lord Robert Grosvenor,
Mr. Whiteside intimated that It ne euuL...v ul Aug
'Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Bill on to-morrow, he
would abandon it for the session.
COMMUNICATION wrrn IRELAND.
Mr. Wilson, in reply to a question, said he would lay
the conditions of the contract for the improved communi-
cation between London and Dublin on the table of the
house.

81
. 149

LOAN TO MONTE VIDEO
In reply to Mr. Wyse, Mr. Wilson stated that the total
amount granted to Monte Video was £50,909, of which
£37,395 was advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.
The advance was made for the benefit of the Monte
Videan cmmueity, and nothing would be left undone to
induce them to repay the money.
THE OATHS BILL.
Lird Joint Russell moved for the appointment of a
se'ect committee to consider whether the act 5 and 6
William IV., chap. 62, was applicable to oaths appointed
by lay to be taken by members of that House at the
table, p'eviously to their taking their seals, and in what
manner the said act could be so applied, and to report
their obiervations thereon to the House. The noble lord
explained that, in 1835, a bill was introduced to reduce
the number of oaths, the multiplicity cf which, and the
frivolous cases in which they were to be applied, had become
a disgrace to the country. The proposal of that bill was to
enable the Lords of the Treasury to fram declarations in
lieu of oaths. This was an ascending policy, and he
argued, therefore, that the r.ct to wlich his motion referred
should be hell to extend to the Legisiature as e ell as the
courts of law. He drew atte -tion to the clause of the Act
which made it lawful for the Universities of Oxford and
Cambridge, and all other bodies corporate, or authorised
by st tote or usage to administer or receive oaths, to sub-
stitute a declara,ion f,r au oath. Parliament, he con-
tended, came under the definition of a body authorised to
receive and administer oaths • but, to rrmove any doubt
upon the subject, he proposed to sub nit the matter to a
committee composed of some of the m st eminent mem-
bers, an! all the gentlemen cf the long robs. who %t ere
niembers of the House.
Sir F. Thesiger remarked, in reply to the speech of the
noble lord, that when Sir John Romilly endeavoured to
seat the Jews by a resolution, all the acts of parliament
bearing upon the subject from the reign of Elizabeth were
referred to a committee, but the one referred to in the
motion before the House was not noticed. He maintained
that the words, " on the true faith of a Christian," form
part of the oaths, and could only be omitted by
act of parliament, and observed that the affirma-
tion made by Cte kers was provided by the acts
8 George I. and 22 George II With regard to the con-
siitution of the committee, he complaicied that those
cf
his opinion on the subject were unfairly repreeented, there
being only six of the opponents of the admission of
Jews, while there were nineteen on the other side. He
proposed to move some alteration in the arrangement, but
would not oppose the motion for the app ointment of a
committee.
After a few words from Colonel French and Mr.
Garnett,
Lord Palmerston, without entering into the merits of the
argaments on either side, and without plOging himself t
any opinion at a future time, supported the motion of the
noble lord.
The motion was then agreed to, and after some conver-
sation, the nomination was postponed till tomorrow.
B INEaLLY BLSCTION. - .

The Chairman of the Beverely Election Committee
reported that Cie lske election, so far as r garded the
return of E. A. Glover, was void; that the said E. A.
Glover had signed a declaration of. without holding the
nece:isaTy qualification, and that the Attorney. General
should be required to consider what steps should be taken
in consequence. The committee on the Probates ani,
Letters of Administration Bill, wai then resumed. On
the compensatio cltutie
31r. Hadfieldn moved, an amEniment to the that
persons who should have taken office since 1837, should
not be entitled to c mipensation under the Will.
A long discussion ensued which terminated in a
division, the numbers being
For
Against ,

that all the business of the new divorce court was, under
the divorce bill, given to the proctors.
Some discussion having taken place,
The Attorney-General promised to assent to the clause
upon the report, and on that understanding, Mr. Matins's
motion was withdrawn.

Mr. Malins proposed a clause to give compensation to
articled clerks of proctors to the extent of the premiums
and stamp duties paid.
The committee dividel. The numbers were—
For the clause ...
A gaiast

Majority

There being no more clauses,

The Attorney-General announced his intention to re
commit the bill, pro forma, to-morrow (Tuesday), that it
might be reprinted with amendments.
The bill was then ordered to be rep)rted, and the house
resumed.

The General Board of Health Continuance Bill was
read a third time and passed.

The third reading of the Superanuat'on Act Amendment
Bill was moved by Lord Naas.
Sir A. IVllloughby opposed.
After a discussion the house divided. The numbers
were :

Ayes
NJes

Majority

The:bill was accordingly read a third time and passed.

NEW WRIT.

A new writ was ordered for Great Yarmouth, in the
room-of Mr. T. M'Cullagh and Mr. W. Watkin, whose
elections have been declared void.
The house was counted out at half-past tso.

THE-AMERICAN LAKES AND TIIE RIVER.
MERSEY.

We extract the following interesting items from a Cleve-
land paper. They will repay perusal :
ALL ABOARD FOR LryzarooL!—On the " Fourth" will
be launched from the ship-yard of Messrs. Quayle and
Martin, the vessel that is to open up a direct corumunic
tion between Cleveland and Liverpool. A few days since
we went on board of her, as she lay on the stocks, and
were much pleased with her appearance and manner of
build. Every timber, except her desk, is of native oak,
of unusual thickness, with extra knees, brays, &c. Double
the usual number of belts are e rnpl )yed about her, and
one particularity about them is that the heads of the bolts
are sunk two or three inches, and then plugged with oak
plugs dipped in white lead, thus preventing the water
reaching the bolts to rust them. The timbers, knees,
are ti..islied off with a care not often seen in ship archi-
tecture on the Lakes. Her cabin is of extra size, and will
be furnished in excellent style. She is to be barque-
rigged with Cunningham's patent reefing apparatus,
enabling the sails to be reefed from the deck ; an arrange-
ment which we believe is new on the Lakes. She will

INDEPENDENT OisDER OF MODERN DRUIDS.

Last evening the Royal Dealt's' Rest Lodge, No. 207,
held its annual meeting at the " Old Porter Butt," Sir
Thomas's Bindings. A most substantial and. excellent
dinner was provided by host Holt, at which from fifty to
sixty members of the Lodge sat down. The good things
provided having been amply discussed, and a due meed
of praise offered by all for the liberality shown by the
worthy host and hostess, for the abtridancs and excellency
of the catering for tha company—thin being their first
attempt at a simil sr aki cg—and having had silently
accorded them an univ?rsal vote of thanks, the cloths were
removed, and Brother Redington was called upon to
preside. The vice-chair was filled by Brother Fraser.
The chairman and vice-chairmin having taken their Seats,
amidst the applause of the company, the chairman proposed
" the Health of her Most Gracious &lijesty tha Q seen,"
"His Royal lli Illness the Prince Consort," "the Prince
of Wales," and " the rest of the Royal Family." Each
of the above toasts were drank with the usual • demo:-
st rations.
The CICAIRMAN, in proposing the foregoirg toasts,
apologised fir his inability to do j-stice to them, but
ha trusted that his brethren of the lodge would take the
will for the deed, and do, as he always wished all to do,
that was, to unto others as they would others should
do unto them." (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then rose and proposed the toast of the
evening, which was "Prosperity to the Druids' 13..5t
Lodge." In doieg so, he said that was a toast that re-
quired no praise from him; but he might remark that he
then saw before him many of the faces he had been in the
habit cf meeting for many years, and he could say that he
had known the lodge when it only numbered thirty mem-
bers, but now it numbered nearly three times that number,
and since its first commencement it had continued to
gain steadily on the public.. (Cheers.) Teat was t be
attributed to the good feeling that existed amongst the
members, and the friendly fieliag they showed towards
each other. lie would Siy no more, but propose the
toast.
The SECRETARY then read the following