Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-04-26 00:00:00

THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.

Yesterday, Easter Monday, was one of the most unpleasant
_days ,that an _excursionist could-possibly select for enjoying
himself. From an early hour an the morning, the rain
poured down in uninterrupted • activity, now and then,
perhapst there might be . a slight relapse, but the clouds
gathered again and seemed to have just rested a few
minutes to induce pedestrians to take a short ramble, when
the rain again descended, wetting through to the skin in
the space of a few brief minutes. It was a sad
interruption to the "holiday enjoyments" of our
"country cousins," some four or five thousand of -whom
visited our "good old town" yesterday. One
.very heavy
train, from Leeds and Bradford, by the Lancashire and
Yorkshire line, arrived in the morning, with about 1,600
of the Yorkshire worsted factory hands ; .but On its arrival
at the Tithebarn-street station, the visitors were sorely
annoyed to have. to traverse the streets amid pelting rain,
and the public-honses in the immediate neighbourhood
were for a time crowded to excess. • They were, however,
.more of. an annoyance. than gain to the proprietors of these
hostleries for the "accommodation. of man and beast,"

for we all , know that the " Country Yockels,"
on their annual visit to ;Liverpool, do not
spend a great deal for, the benefit of the town. A five-
penny
quart of ale among a " trio of us,". does not leave
much profit, when we consider the time occupied in its
consumption and the trouble and annoyance the venders
are put to. By 'the London arid North Western Railway,
four long trains arrived during the forenoon. One from
;Bradford one from Stockport, one from the Staffordshire
Potteries, and 'one froni Birmingham. By these 'four trains
some' 3,500 people were brought into Liverpool, but they had
to contend with the weather equally with. their brother
operatives, who landed at Titliebarne -street, and if we are
to put any faith in the. assertion of these luckless exam-
tionists, they never regretted anything more in their lives
than coming to Liverpool, on Easter Monday, in the year
of oar Lord, 1859. During the day the various wax-work,
and other exhibitions open to the public were liberally
patronised, but the steamers on the river, and those ,
rounding the floating light, Sal., &c , presented
rather a melancholy and deserted appearance as
they left the landing stage. Here and there some
of the younger portion of the visitors, with more
valour than discretion, might be seen behind the
paddle-boxes of these boats, ,sucking the ends of bran
new sticks; "-price threepence," purchased of some itinerant
vendor on the pier head, devouring oranges, or munching,
gingerbread, with a woe-begone countenance, determined
to " go down to the sea in ships." , The passenger traffic
across the Mersey, taken altogether, yesterday was not above
an average week-day affair. In Birkenhead very -few
Country folks were to be seen—hot one tithe of the
numbers usually paying a visit on Easter Mc.ndar;
and what few were.— there did not seem to relish
the beauties of the "rival to Liverpool." . The.,
" beautiful park" was deserted. No one dare walk on the
grass who had any dislike. to having wet feet, and running
I the chance of .a.cold,. and the rustic seats were altogether.
I unfit to rest a moment upon: The excursion trains leaving
Liverpool. and Birkenhead, were far from well-patronised ;
and, taking everything into consideration, yesterday was
one of the most annoying and 'irritating to the pleasure=
seeker that it has-been our: lot: to witness. We hope that
our " fair friends" from the country will not be disappointed
at Whitsuntide, which is now near at hand, in a- like
manner. With those few brief remarks, we .proceed. to an-
' account of the various entertainments given last light.

- .- THEATRE ROYAL.
Last night a bill 'of fare; as extensive as admirable, was
put forth to tempt the holiday audience .that. might •be
expeeted on Easter Monday. Mr. Wm Cooper made a very
successful debilt in " Uncle John," and was very ably sup-
ported by the stock company. Madame Anna Bishop
sang in character, the gran 1 scene from R )ssini's opera of.
Tancredi. Then. Miss Bramah and Miss, McGinty gave a
spirited dance .; after: which followed a miscellaneous
concert, which commenced with the overture to "Ii
Barbiere di Seviglia." The songs and concerted. pieces
were well selected, and executed with great skill. Madame
Anna Bishop was encored in " The Last Rose of Summer,"
and gave in lieu of it, -"Oft in the Stilly Night," which was
also highly applauded. Mr., li, Haigh' was. also encored in
" The Flowers of Ellerslie." A. selection from " Linda di
Chamouni " followed; in 'English, including- the air
well known as " 0 lime di quest anima" ; The duet " Da
quel dur.and the celebrated curse of Linde by her father,
.and other pieces, and Balfe's "We may be happy yet,"
sung by Mr. H. Haigh, who was. again encored, ,and re-
peated the- last verse After anotherb dance by Miss
Bramah and Miss McGinty---by the way, we -should do
these young ladies the justice to say- that their
first dance was enthusiastically encored---a selection from
the " Elixir of Love," Donizetti's " Elisir d'amore," in
which Herr Monis made an admirable Dr. Duleamare, H.
Haigh an excellent Nemorino, and Madame Anna Bishop
a bewitching Adine. The mixture of Italian and English
was managed in an unique and highly successful manner.
In fact, all the singers gave great satisfaction. Mr.
George . Loder conducted with great ability: - This
evening's attractive entertainment,
,terminated with
" The Secret," a farce. We cannot but recommend
all lovers of music to -go- and hear the -.performance,
which will be . repeated to-night and to-morrow. On.
Thursday a change will be made in the programme, and on
Friday Madame Anna Bishop will take her benefit, the
particulars of which have not been allowed to transpire.
THE AMPHITHEATRE.
Considering the deplorable state of the weather the
audience at . the Amphitheatre last night might well be de-
scribed as numerous. The pit and galleries were very well
filled. In addition to the performances of the local company
a holiday treat had been provided by the engagement ofd
Harry Boleno (a name well known in Liverpool) and' hii
troupe of pantornimists and dancers, along with Mr.
Tanner's marvellous-little company Of-trained dogs. --Harry
Boleno himself, .and the leading members of his company;
Madame Bolen(); Herr Denlin, &c., delighted the house by:
their pantomimic feats, eccentricies, and displays of skill
and grace. We have never seen abetter pantomime company
upon any boards. Of the quadruped performers the highest -
praise may be pronounced. Some of the performances Of
these little animals almost surpass belief---that of the dog
who-rolls a globe, on which he stands poised, up a steep in-
clined plane, narrow, and high over the stage, and then
dowa again by a backward movement, is perfectly amazing
to look at.

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
The entertainments at these gardens, which promised fair
to be the principal source of out-door amusment,_ did not
come-off last night, as announced, in consequence of the
severity of the weather. Those who have looked for amuse-
ment at this place of attraction—and we doubt not that they
were numerous—will have an opportunity of enjoying to
the full the richest treat of the many afforded
the public of Liverpool, by attending at the gardens, this
evening, when the grand opening will take place, We need,
not, after what appeared in our columns of yesterday,-say a'
word as to the unusual attractions which will be presented
to those who may avail themselves of the opportunity thus
afforded of being both pleased and profited by their visit.
MR. DUCKWORTH'S "SKETCHES OF THE EAST."
Last night, Mr. Henry Duckworth, F.G.S., delivered, a
lecture, illustrated with dioramic scenery, entitled " Eastern
Sketches," in the Clayton-ball. The entertainment was
given in aid of the funds of the Liverpool Royal Infirmary.
Beyond doubt, the state of the weather prevented many
from attending who would otherwise have been present,
but the audience was, when allowance has been made for
this fact, considerably numerous. Mr. Duckworth's Sketches
do not embrace any points of novelty, travelling chiefly
over the ground which has been made familiar by so many
vivid descriptions in our own day - which Kinglake, War-
burton, Thackeray, and so many other tourists have written
of. Aden, Suez, Cairo, the Pyramids, Alexandria—these
were the leading features of the Sketches. But Mr. Duck-
worth's manner of telling what he had seen was plea-
sant, easy, and unaffected ; wanting somewhat in
animation . and impression, as in_ an amateur
lecturer was reasonably to be expected ; but, on the other
hand, happily free from the sonorous common-place, and
automaton emphasis of the professional expositor of panor-
amic exhibitions. Mr. Duckworth appeared to have
travelled with advantage ; to have used his own eyes keenly,
and appreciated to the fullest, whatever of wonder or of
beauty met them in the regions through which he passed.
Quite apart from the benevolent object of the entertainment,
the lecture was felt to be interesting, instructive, and well
'worthy of a second hearing. The dioramic illustrations
were the work of the lecturer himself, and many of them'
evinced no common skill of execution.
LIVERPOOL PROTECTIVE BURIAL SOCIETY.
A grand Soiree and tea party, in connection with the
above society, was held last night, in the Concert-hall,
Lord Nelson-street. The hall was crowded to excess, the
audience being of a most respectable class, Mr. D. Planche,
during tea, occupied the chair. The celebrated band of
Mons. C. Nono, consisting of 27 performers, was in
attendance, and during tea performed several beautiful
pieces of music, together with splendid selections from
English, Irish, and Scotch national airs, with a degree
of excellence that called down repeated and enthusiastic
plaudits. As a brass band, this cannot be surpassed in
England, one great feature about it being that, two years
ago, lint one of the performers knew a note of music ; but,
by the extraordinary exertions of Mons. Nono, he now may
challenge any band to equal his eminent troupe of
nerformers. Between fire and six hundred persons sat
down to tea, and having discussed the "cup that cheers," the
chairman read letters of apology from Mr. Robertson
Gladstone, Mr. R. Slid, Mr. Harrison, of Birkenhead,
and others, regretting that previous engagements prevented
their being present. Mr. W. Simpson then sang, " Speak
no and was followed by Miss Emma Wilittleld "I'm

.!•

ilklf[4.ll

+lfl^ai 3 [

.ao

•

N

,;
..