The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-07-26 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, JITLY

a s from

all the ceeres—but it lights only gilded and painted solitudes.
The dominoes have ceased to clatter on the marble tables,
the dame de comptoir, seated in state, leans back in her
enthroned chair, casts one glance at her pretty person in
the surrounding mirrors, then produces from some secret
drawer the last new novel of the author a la mode, and
forgets her troubles in those of the heroines before her ;
and the waiters 101 l around the doors, or flap the flies
with their napkics, or noisily express their private
opinions of politics, women, the arts, and affairs in
general. All the world is at the theatres. The carriages
flashing by convey the great and fashionable to the Opera
or to the Battens; the peaceful fiacre takes the less pre-
tentious ; and along the asphalte pavement, arm-in-arm,
go the modest bourgeoise with her husband—the work-
man, in a clean blouse, with his neat and merry little
wife—whilst artists and editors saunter after, with that
easy, elegant, impudent air of a class having a comfort-
able conviction of its own merits, fully conscious of its
power, and fully aware of how to use it.
The Grand Opera! the school of so many others,
where the worst part is the singing, and the best the
dancing, where pageantry reigns supreme, but in such
perfection, that, instead of vulgar parades, we have artis-
tic pictures of bygone scenes and ages, grouped as by a
painter's art—an orchestra made up of artists, each a
master of his art, imbued with the spirit of larMony,
drilled by innumerable rehearsals, with no fault but that
they forget there are singers to follow in their wake, and
that voices can but shout, and dare not sing, to be heard
above the din of one hundred musicians, blowing, scrap-
ing, and drumming with all their hearts and souls, but
the ballet!—that is the real thing here. An assemblage
of youth and grace—conventional grace, but still grace
for all that ; fresh, elegant dresses; smiles, flowers, white
arms, small feet and slim ankles; eyes which know where
to look to seek applause and bouquets. No wonder the
side-boxes fill!—no wonder that moustaches of every hue
quiver over the parapet—that editors and writers of dra-
maticfeuilleton are so courted. Here is a whole phalanx
of proteges, dancing themselves into public favour, money
and distinction, and a whole host of protectors, applaud-
ing, helping, and admiring.
Ah ! the press is a great power in France, for there
newspapers are a medium for other interests than mere
local politics, stock exchange reports, or civic twaddle.
Paris lives as much for the intellectual as for the positive.
The very men who toil and chaffer all day, read a thea-
trical critique or an artistic review with as much interest
and unction as they do the money article. True, your
Parisian journalist pays a price for this away. He has,
through years and years, educated the public, and now
the public can judge him. He cannot write carelessly,
or faithlessly, or ill. He must be well-informed, witty,
sarcastic, intelligent. He must have a style, he must
have ideas, he must choose, not merely string his words.
And so, like those liouris who dance through the ballet,
a mere shade or gleam in a great picture, one day to come
forth stars like Taglionis, Grisis, Grahns and Rosatis,
the journalist serves a hard apprenticeship, doing first the
drudgery of paste and scissors ; then the reclame, or
puffs ; then set to producing canards or humbugs—events
invented, names and all, to fill some special mission of
puffery ; and from thence to the leading article.
There is less envy and jealousy among the women in
Italy than in any other country, because beauty is more
general there than elsewhere. It is perhaps because there
is greater talent among the French journalists that there
is less envy and bitterness than in the press of other
countries. There is a struggle, but with fair weapons—
intellect and talent; and there is a thorough esprit de
corps." The rights of one are the rights of all, the posi-
tion of one is the position of all. Then they are a genial,
social corps—they have a society of their own. Joyous,
brilliant, they strive not for official sinecures as a goal,
they aim not at conventionality or prudish gentility.
They love the luxuries of refinement, but they iove not
the ceremony or the trammels of rule. They are gene-
rous, warm-hearted, easy and elegant in manner, squan-
dering both their wit and their money freely ; devoted in
their friendships, and letting not one golden drop of
enjoyment fall from the cup of life. Admitted into all
circles, the press and artistic world of Paris form a circle
outside all others, which is their own peculiar home and
sphere. The magnificent abodes of the queens of the
drama are their trysting- places. Here, night after night,
month after month, year after year, the sparkle of wit
and champagne has crowned the evening. When all toil
is done, the critique of the play or opera, written on some
malachite or buhl table in the hostess's drawing-room,
within hearing of the gay laugh and punning repartee
from the supper-room, conveys to the Paris morning
paper some of the grace and sparkle of the place whence
it sprung. The gamin from the printing• office knows the
various haunts, and startles with the magic words,'` More
copy !" one guest after another from his resting-place.
In Paris there is no starring system for favourites.
They begin in one theatre, and there they make their for-
tune and position ; so that actors and actresses have
permanent, if not legitimate, homes. Here, as round
some planet, revolve all the other members of the artistic
world. The women are nearly all beautiful, clever, grace-
ful, Witty, and, if not learned, appreciative. A Parisieene
knows everything by instinct; and as for the men, they
include all that are rich, handsome, noble, renowned or
intelligent,
from the highest station near the throne to the
most insignificant penny-a-liner. There is no license,
notwithstanding the great liberty of conversation—nor do
these representatives of the arts offend good taste by any
freedom of action. Excepting that the women are more
beautiful and the men more witty, there is scarcely any
difference between the salon in " Boheme" (the nick-
name of the artistic world) and a salon in the Chaussee
d'Antin.

Boheme" is what confers great power on the press.
With such allies, what a large circle can they not com-
mand ! All the frequenters of these artistic salons are
allies, not of managers, speculators, bankers, booksellers,
but of the journalists whom they see and know ; there-
fore, it is in France only that the royal " we" of the
reviewers has its full royal acceptation. In France it is
as good—nay, often better, as times go—to be a reviewer
than a king.

But now, at the Grand Opera, all these joyous
children of " Boheme" are at their work. The first tier
has filled with all the rank and fashion of the higher
spheres. Divided into private boxes holding four or six,
it is maurais ton to have more than two ladies in one
box—the display of draperies and graces would be im-
peded. In these boxes the toilettes are decidedly ball—
nay, even court—costumes. You ill see many of these
fair ladies rise befcre the last act, and leave the house for
the various embassies, the Faubourg St. Germain or the
Tuileries. Above, in the second tier, are simpler dresses.
The boxes are filled to their capacities—the attention to the
performance is greater, and the visitors are fewer.
Below, in orchestra and pit, are none but men. No
women are admitted to such very uncomfortable places as
a perpetually-moving pit affords in every country ; only
here and there is an intermediate state—a sort of purga-
tory, between the Paradise of the boxes and the Pande-
monium of the pit—called l'amphitheatre. This is five
or six rows raised at the back of the pit, fenced in with
gilded balustrades, and containing comfortable arm-chairs.
A woman of any pretensions to fashion or distinction
would rather never go to the Opera in her life than go
here, though the seats are quite as dear as anywhere else;
but Fashion has abandoned these places to the unknown,
the provincial, and the dowdy.
Between the gilded columns which divide the house
on either side are the boxes of the various ministers them-
selves to some of the higher employees.
Those four proscenium boxes so gorgeous with mirrors,
velvet, and gilding, represent the three powers of society.
The lower one to the left is the royal box ; the one oppo-
site belongs to the royalty of wealth, represented by
Aguado Marquis de las Marismas—once a retailer of
Spanish wines, now a grandee of Spain, and a financier
of Rothschild proportions ; above is the royalty of
politics, typified by the ambassador of Austria ; and, op-
posite the royalty of fashion, represented by the various
bearded faces and gloved hands of the members of the
Jockey Club or Loge des Lions. To this box are ad-
dressed all the glances, the pirouettes, and even the
roulades and the passionate appeals of the mimic scene
with real meanings. There, at some decisive moment,
sits enthroned some dreaded feuilletonisf, courted by the
" protector" of the dancer or singer, now in action—
flattered, fawned on by the lions, ferocious and super-
cilious to all, but gentle and genial to the almost almighty
journalist.

The draft which that pen can draw on fame is as valua-
ble to the fair postulant, oh, splendid lion ! as the draft
yours can draw for her on your banker. It is not a clique,
or a claque, or bouquets, or bonbons, that can make a
success—it is a word of praise from Theophile Gautier,
Karr, or Janin; for you will not persuade the public,
accustomed to these oracles, to listen to the fiat of any
other. Geoffrey, the critic, made '['alma, and Janin made
Rachel—made her, step by step, with inexorable judg-
ment, rise from a prodigy, uncultivated and wild, into a
genius refined, classical, passionate, and sublime.

* Certain journalists nearer home might read this sen-
tence with advantage.—Ed. L. S.

HORTICULTURE.

Stove, Greenhouse, and Conservatory.—The manage-
ment of plants, which have finished their flowering season,
must still occupy the attention of the gardener; any neglect
of these matters will be fatal to the display next season.
Camellias which have been kept under cover to form their
next growth will require to be hardened off as soon as
this is complete. Remember that nothing is of more im-
portance to these beautiful and essential plants, than that
they should have a well-protected place during their expo-
sure out of doors ; particularly avoid much exposure to the
sun, which they do not like—nor should they be crowded
together, plants which love the shade more than all others
are injured by over-crowding—means must be found to
protect them from heavy rains. Chinese or Indian Azaleas
should have somewhat similar treatment, except that they
require sunlight to ripen the newly-formed buds.
Flower-Garden.—The lovers of herbaceous and other
hardy plants should now be on the alert, as it is a goon:
time to propagate good and choice sorts ; almost any part
will now strike with proper management; for this purpose
bed in some shady part of the garden, with soil com-
posed of one-half sand and the xemainder vegetable mould.
Pipings, and layers of Pinks and Carnations must be put
down, and cuttings of Pansies, under a hand-glass, will
strike freely. Neatness must be secured in the flower
borders by keeping the plants tied and staked, and all ill-
placed shoots and branches removed.

DIVIDEND.-Aug. 12, H. Carrington, Mile-end, near Stock-
port, nurseryman.
DECLARATIONS OF DIVIDENDS.-J. Skidmore, Sutton, near
Macclesfield, pasteboard manufacturer—first div. of 4s Mid,
any Tuesday, at Mr. Potts, Manchester—E. Clark and H.
Bleakley, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Lancashire, ironmongers—
further div. of Is on Tuesday, Aug. 2, or any subsequent
Tuesday, at Mr. Fraser's, Manchester—R. Battersby, Liver-
pool, ironfounder—first div, of is 6d, any Monday, at Mr.
Bird's, Liverpool.

July MEETINGS IN BANKRUPTCY. Hour.
29, William Riley (2nd)
29, Andrew Love and Charles Keys (audit) Ditto 11
29, Michael Cox (proof and div.)
29, Hugh Henry Ross (audit) Ditto 11
Aug. 1, Robert Rimmer (Ist) Ditto 11
4, Aug.
Henry Ross (proof and div.)
4, John Power (proof and div.)
5, Andrew Love and Charles Keys (pt and dv) Ditto 11

MARKETS.

MARKETS FOR MANUFACTURES.

MANCHESTER.—The statement in parliament at the begin-
ning of the week, of a hope being entertained that the negotia-
tions onthe Eastern question would still terminate satisfactorily,
has had a decided effect upon this market. A greater degree of
activity has prevailed, and prices have generally an upward
tendency. The improvement has continued throughout the
week, and buyers, finding that the tendency of the market is to
harden against them, have entered upon contracts with more
freedom, the more especially since it is found that, notwith-
standing the recent stagnation, no stocks have accumulated in
the hands of producers. The demand for Cops and Warps for
home manufacture has been large, and prices of both—but
more especially of cops—are higher, the advance in some
descriptions being considerable. The export houses have also
operated with more confidence. The Cloth market has been
more active, and for most descriptions more money is asked.
Printers continue in demand, an advance being asked of lid to
3d per piece. Shirtings are also in renewed demand, and 40in.
India Shirtings, which have been inactive for some weeks, have
been this week bought to some extent, the lowness in price
having evidently induced speculative purchases. T Cloths
have been more in demand, as has also been the case with
Domestics, at advancing rates. As regards the turn-outs, so
far as Manchester is concerned, they may be considered ended.
ROCHDALE.—Very few Pieces have been sold, but prices have
undergone little or no change. In Wool there has been very
little doing; the manufacturers appear unwilling to purchase,
except for immediate use.
LEEDS.—The little alteration in the price of Wool at the
London sale, has produced a more confident tone in our Cloth
markets, and more business was done at the Cloth Halls on the
last two market days than for some time past. Prices are firm
—the stocks lower than usual at this period of the year—and
the mills, in consequence, continue in full employment. A
full average business has been done by the home trade houses,
more particularly in heavy winter goods. Business has also
been active with the foreign houses, for the Canadas and the
United States, in the heavier fabrics.

BRADFORD.-WOOl : The Colonial sales appear to maintain
the opening prices, which are lower than the closing prices of
the previous sale. The different fairs throughout the country
are nearly over, except the weekly markets, and the business
done has fallen very far short of former years, and what has
come to this market cannot be sold for cost. This has brought
about a great dulness with the farmers, and an unusual quan-
tity of Wool remains in their hands, as the prices they seek
cannot be afforded at the seat of consumption. Noils and
brokes are made in only limited quantity, and prices conse-
quently firm. Yarns : There is a rather better feeling in Yarns
for export, and anything offering a bargain is more freely re-
moved. The demand for Lancashire is now very limited, and
with any amends from this quarter, Yarns would, no doubt,
command better prices. Pieces: There is no material change.
The deliveries by the manufacturers keep the stocks low.
HALIFAX.—The trade in our Piece Hall, as well as in the
warehouses, is still exceedingly limited; as, in consequence of
the unsettled state of our foreign relations, there is scarcely any
disposition to enter into any engagements, either for Wools,
Yarns, or Pieces.
HUDDERSFIELD.—No important change to notice. Season-
able goods are inquired for; also the thicker makes of Woollen
goods, chiefly in blacks and browns.

NOTTINGHAM.—The Lace trade is duller, but not unusually
so for the time of the year; and the demand for White Silk
Laces is somewhat less than it has been, but there is considera-
ble inquiry for Black Silk Laces of a wide description, which
will take off a large quantity, as doubtless these goods will be
required until the end of autumn. There is still on hand con-
siderable orders both for Hosiery and Lace Goods that do not
require immediate attendance, but sufficient to keep each trade
low in stock for some time. There is a little falling off in the
demand for Silk Hosiery, both in gloves and hose. The price
of Yarn is fully maintained.

LEICESTBR.—Trade continues much as last reported; many
of the export orders are now completed, and manufacturers are
arranging for the production of goods for the autumn and
winter trade; but they appear generally indisposed to make
for stock, intending chiefly to manufacture to order.

s much wanted

There con-

to arrivals are wel

ing the early part of last week the Butter

market was quiet, without any material cnange in prices, Lut
towards the close the high advices from Ireland, and the small-
ness of the stocks on hand here, caused holders to be very firm,
and it appears probable that prices may advance a little, as the
consumption is excellent and the supply only moderate. The
best brands of Waterford, Carrick, and Clonmel, 89s to 918;
Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wexford, SSs to 90s; Limerick, 84s to

86s; Sligo, Sts to 86s; Cork thirds 84s, s 7Ss, and pickled
seconds 81s to 84s per cwt. landed. Imported from Ireland
from the lBth to the 23rd instant, both inclusive

:-12,064

firkins, 309 kegs, 703 crocks, 398 boxes, 393 barrels Butter;
bales Bacon; 1 hogshead 2 tierces Hams; and 30 kegs Lard.

VESSELS SPOKEN

Neptune, from Akyab, for this port, April 27, lat 6 N, long 12 W.
Dolphin, hence, 9th May, off Java Head.
Ann Dashwood, Antwerp for Melbourne, July 2, 36 N, 12 W.
Pakenham, outward bound, July 11, 41 N, 13 W.
'I2I4SW , 30 W.
G. H. Seaman, hence for Port Philip, Feb. 21, 30 5, 10 W.
.101a,y4211N,
il°lNorthian Ad 't
ILani vtei cr p,
ohoelnfcoer forSy dAntetsyt'rjalui al y,
Julia, hence for Port Philip, Feb. 27, 34 5, 1 W.
Duchess of Sutherland, for Sydney, July 17, 47 N, 8 W.
Star of the East, hence for Sydney, July 12, 45 N, 12 W.
John Dalton, hence for Valparaiso, July 9, 45 N, 10 W.
Albion, of this port, bound W., ju), 14, 50 N, 11 W.
Dundee, from Dundee, for Port Philip, May 21, 34 S, 16 E.
Lanarkshire, July 16, 47 N, 15 W.
Renfrewshire, Calcutta for this port, May 5, 35 S. 23 W.
JVojlrigni'
,lhPen°cret ,P .Thui
il
}i,P4f,o4r:lN.m: London nw, J. u 1 y 11, 40 N , 29 W.
uebefc.,,Ju
Boston,ly 4;4 8
JNul, y 38
4, W. N , 3 s
W.L
New World, hence for New York, July 10, 47 N, 28 W.
Flint, hence for Port Philip, June 2, 4 5 long 29.
Moses Taylor, New Orleans for this port, July 3, 47 N, 69 W.
Wild wave, hence for Bombay, 9 N, 23 W.
Jan Pieterz Koen, hence for Melbourne, July 13, 49 N, 8 W.
Prince of
hence
mcnoenNc.ael feor
s:henceQuebec,
for St. Thomas, July 10, 41 N, 13 W.
Jamestown, June 13, 1 N, long 32.
Ann Kenney, hence for Quebec, July 6, off Banks of New-

foundland. -- --
Daniel Webster, June 5, 48 N, 37 W.
Maia, Shanghae for London, June 30, 24 N, 42 W.
Jemsetgee Cursetgee, hence for Bombay, July 17. 48 N, 7 w
Czar Peter, hence for San Francisco, June 4, 21 N, 37 W.
Nicholas Biddle, Mobile for this port, July 3, 37 N, 69 W.
Falcon, hence for Australia.
Joseph Porter, June 9, 5 N, 19 W.
Pe tche lee, hence for Calcutta, June 10, 7 N, 22 W.
Frances Walker, Calcutta for Australia, April 11, 5 N, 91 E.
James Watt, Bombay for this port, May 11, 28 S, 40 E.
Flora, Bombay for this port, May 14, 31 S, 33 E.
Thomas Royden, Shanghae for London, May 28, 26 S, 7 E.
Hercules, hence for Australia, June 15, 5 N, 22 W.