The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-07-05 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL.

Mrs. Keeley's bye-play as poor Smike, in " Nicholas
Nickleby," is acting of the first excellence. Mr. Keeley has
played Peter Spyk, and will play it again. On Monday,
with one exception, the full comedy of " Wild Oats," went
off well to an indifferent house. Mr. Baker in the part of
Ephraim, and Mr. W. Howard in that of Rover, acted with
discrimination and force. They were warmly applauded.
Mr. Baker is the best embodier of the Mawworms which the
English stage possesses. An exception has been taken to
they way in which the comedy was produced : it is this—
there was a palpable lack of attention to the general busi-
ness—grouping of the characters throughout the pictorial
" situations ;" particularly in the third and fifth acts.
Taglioni is engaged, as was intimated on Tuesday, but she
will not appear till the week after next. The cause of the
postponement will increase the public interest to see her at
the Liverpool Theatre Royal. Both of our Queens, " our
Sovereign Lady" Victoria, and the respected Queen Dowager,
were so enraptured with Taglioni at the Italian Opera, that
they wei e graciously pleased to put their command into en-
treaty, that she would postpone her departure. This is the
true cause of her re-engagement at her Majesty's Theatre.
Wherever this gifted creature has appeared,—whether at
St. Petersburgh, where she was idolised by the Court, or in
Paris or Vienna,—throughout Italy as in England,—she has
been proclaimed as without a rival, and hailed with enthu-
siasm by spectators of every rank. Strangers naturally ask,
What is her style? No one, without seeing its originator,
can form an idea of what it really is ; no, not from the most
spirited and faithful description. It is unique : in addition
to being the perfection of art in its execution, Taglioni's
dancing is distinguished above that of all her would-be
rivals, by its poetic conception. The effect which she pro-
duces springs from a fountain-head of Intellectuality, and
depends as much, if not more, upon grace of mind than on
marvellous fluency of limb and body. On the instant, while
executing the most elaborate and complicated series of
movements, she wilfully assumes an attitude of repose, as
still and calm as though she were herself a thing of air ! So
aerial and full of mind is her style, that her matchless dan-
cing may indeed be characterised as the Poetry of Motion.
To prevent disappointment, all who are desirous " to see
with their own eyes," should secure places for one or more
nights, the first, second, or third, of her brief engagement.
For the accommodation of families from the Cheshire side,
steamers will doubtless ply to a late hour on her nights of

performing.
We observe that a London print writes in "inspired rap-
tures" of the effect of the steps which Taglioni took to please
the eye of royalty, and royalty's English subjects, the other
night at her Majesty's theatre. It was electric. The moved
writer says : " Taglioni has even exceeded Taglioni ; all ac-
knowledge that she never danced so well ; at the fall of the
curtain she was almost smothered with flowers ; bouquets
being thrown from all parts of the house." Well ! If a west-
end audience, in the leafy month of June, were so sentimental
at the idea-r of parting with the "observed of all observers,"
her curtseys in Liverpool will indeed be flowery.
performing.
Owing to the reduced rates of fares between Wales, the
Isle of Man, and " entire Ireland," an influx of visitors may
be relied upon from all of those parts.

ARCHERY We are informed, that a grand archery meet-
ing will be held at St. Helen's, on Monday, the 15th of July
instant, under the direction of the members of the St.
Helen's District of the A. 0. of Foresters. We understand,
that the committee of management have ordered a large num-
ber of admission tickets, to be had from foresters of the dis-
trict. The meeting is intended to be held in a large field,
near Cowley-hill Academy, the use of which has been gratui-
tously granted by Peter Greenall, Esq., St. Helen's.

THE MARINERS' CHURCH. We learn from an adver-
tisement in another column, that the Rev. Hugh M`Neile
will, this afternoon, preach a sermon at the Mariner' Church,
when a collection will be made towards defraying the expenses
of the recent alterations in that place of worship.
The Great Western will sail about noon on Saturday, the
6th instant, on which day steamers will leave Cumberland
Basin at 11, a.m. Letters must be posted before six o'clock
p.m. on Friday.

FOREIGN EMIGRANTS.—A great number of emigrants
from different countries of Euiope have lately arrived at this
port, via Hull, and other eastern parts, on their way to the
United States. On Wednesday; no fewer than seven flats
arrived simultaneously, full of Germans, who had taken this
cheap mode of conveyance from Leeds.

THE AELPHI HOTEL.—This splendid house has been re-
painted exteriorly, of a light stone colour, and with its
rich varandas and balconies, presents a very rich and beauti-
ful appearance as an edifice. The elaborate railing below
has been finished in imitation of bronze. and has a fine effect.
In addition to many internal improvements and decorations
in this great establishment, the spirited occupant, Mr. Radley,
has closed up the small street at the back leading from
Brownlow-hill to the stables, and in lieu of it, has formed
another street higher up leading to the bottom of Warren-
street, so that the whole of the large space of open ground
between the new street and the hotel, is added to the stabling
and outer offices, the whole of which are now concentrated
and walled in.

MORTALITY IN LANCASTER ASYLUM.—We have great
satisfaction in stating that the mortality in the County Lu-
natic Asylum, is very much reduced, as compared with former
years, as will appear confirmed by the following extract from
the report of Dr. Proben, the highly-respected medical su-
perintendant of the establishment:—" In the year 1836-7 the
deaths were 110 ; in 1837-8 they were 72 ; and in 1838-9 they
have been 63." It is also gratifying to state, that this de-
crease of mortality is ascribed to the more generous system
of diet which has been introduced into the Asylum, since the
time that Dr. Proben received the appointment of its super-
intendency.

PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.—We are highly gratified to
perceive that this Association :has published in a cheap form
for distribution, the excellent speech of Dr. Meyler, deli-
vered before the Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society in
April last. The operations of the Committee, which consist
chiefly of the circulation of tracts and the forwarding of pe-
titions, are conducted in a very quiet and unostentatious
manner, but are at the same time widely extended, and pro-
ductive of the best results. Any information as to the pro-
gress or oblects of the society can be gathered from the active
and intelligent agent of the Association, who devotes himself
to his duties with praiseworthy zeal and activity.

THE STREETS OF RUNCORN LIGHTED WITH GAS.-Run-
corn, of late years, has been rising so much in importance
that from being a small retired village, it has increased into
a town of 8,000 inhabitants, and is assuming all the appear-
ance of one in its buildiugs and other characteristics. Among

the improvements lately introduced, we find that the town
is lighted with gas. The great public convenience and benefit
of this measure are obvious to all, but great is our surprise
to hear that, for the sake of the paltry rate imposed for the
maintenance of this public advantage and accommodation,
some parties in the town are seeking to stir up strife and to
disturb the peace of their neighbourhood, by forming them-
selves into a band of opposition to the rate, and refusing its
payment. The authorities of the town have been obliged to
institute legal proceedings for the recovery of the rate.

A STARLING.—There is now at Mr. King's, Rock Ferry
Hotel, an interesting little starling, which hops about the
house even amongst strangers. " Jack" is particularly at-
tached to Mrs. King,—following her from room to room, and
fi he chances to be separated frorn her for a time, and hears her
voice in a distant part of the house, he hurries off to court
her acquaintance 'and attention. Jack is a native of War-
wickshire, and still a young bird. He talks a little, and is
fond of telling people to " get out" He excels in whistling,
and in that way imitates any time, or snatch of a time he may
hear. He and a dog belonging to the house live on terms of
great affection, and are almost inseparable play-mates. Jack
has a temper of his own, which is none of the mildest; par-
ticularly if any thing edible (and he has quite an aldermanic
appetite) be taken from him. The offender is instantly flown
at, and fought with, and told again and again to " get out 1"
This is another peculiarity of Jack's disposition, which we
fear we cannot class among the virtues. He is far from
being a "teetotaller." He is fond of ale, and spirits, and
water, but (having a truly aristocratic gout) is passionately
fond of wine, particularly champagne." When .` drunk,"
however, he rarely becomes " disorderly," but amuses those
around him by reeling about, and throwing himself into a
variety of fantastic attitudes.
REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.—We yesterday had the
pleasure of inspecting a piece of wood, cut out of one of the
fore planks of a vessel, the Priscilla, from Pernambuco, now
in this port, through which was struck about eighteen inches
of the bony weapon of the sword-fish. How it came there
needs not to be explained. The force with which it must
have been driven in affords a striking exemplification of the
power and ferocity of the fish. The spot in which the vessel
was struck was about half-way between the commencement
of the coppering and the keel. Penetrating the copper, the
sword had made its way, first through the outer plank, of
Scotch larch, three inches and a half in thickness, then,
traversing an open space of ten or twelve inches, it had en-
countered another plank, of oak, and about four inches in
thickness, which was also pierced, the point of the sword
coming clean through to the other side. What renders this
feat the more surprising is, that the Priscilla is quite a new
vessel, this having been her first voyage. Captain Taylor,
her commander, states, that when near the Azores, as he
was walking the quarter deck at night, a shock was felt which
brought all hands from below, under the impression that the
ship had touched upon some rock. This was, no doubt, the
time when the occurrence took place. A great number of
whales had been seen playing about the vessel the day before,
and it is probable that the sword-fish, which is a deadly
enemy to the whale, had mistaken the Priscilla for one of the
objects of which it was in chase ; in other words, it had
thought her " very like a whale." On the passage home
the vessel was observed to leak a great deal, on which ac-
count, after discharging her cargo, she was hauled into the
graving-dock ; and having yesterday undergone an examina-
tion, the discovery was made as to what had happened. The
plank had been split as well as pierced, so that though the
sword remained in the aperture it had made, it was not suffi-
cient entirely to keep out the water.—Courier.
OLD MORTALITY AND HIS PONY.—Amongst the infinite
multiplicity of illustrations which the writings of Sir Walter
Scott have called forth, their true spirit and meaning have
nowhere, and in no part, been more faithfully embodied, than
in this interesting group from the chisel of Mr. Currie.
The closest inspection cannot discover a single deviation,
even in the smallest particular, from the text. The venera-
ble patriarch is represented in a recumbent position, upon a
slab bearing an inscription copied verbatim from one which
he was in the habit of frequently visiting. The deputy
schoolmaster of Ganderclouch is supposed to be standing
before him, and his labour is for the moment suspended.
He supports himself upon his left arm ; his right hand which
has just relinquished the mallet, rests upon his thigh. His
look combines much benevolence with an air of rustic dig-
nity—the one indicating the quality which would lead him to
the conception of his pious design, the other that which
would enable him to incur singularity, or to endure annoy-
ance, in going through with it. Every portion of his dress
has been attended to with scrupulous accuracy. The large
blue bonnet, the old-fashioned coat and waistcoat, the
gramoches, and the strong clouted shoes, studded with hob
nails, bring the character at once before the mind with a
completeness which leaves nothing to be desired. Nor is it
in the general outline only that the artist has so admirably
succeeeded. The minuter details of the work are not less
astonishingly perfect. The hands, in particular, are exqui-
sitely done. The hard, wrinkled appearance of the skin—
the effect of exposure, toil, and time—is imitated with a de-
gree of reality which nature herself could hardly excel ; and
the correctness of the anatomical proportions, not only here,
but throughout the entire of the two figures, is, considering
the few advantages which the artist can have possessed, truly
surprising. In this respect, we believe, the exhibition has
elicited the warmest expressions of approbation from many
highly-respectabe members of the faculty who have visited
it. In the same terms in which we have spoken of Old
Mortality, we might, with equal justice, speak of his poney.
' The head, perhaps, may strike most persons as being too
fine for the rest of his body ; but, as we believe the animal
was sculptured from a living model, the discrepancy may be
more apparent than real. We must not, however, extend
our remarks. Every admirer of Scott will go and judge for
himself.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

TUESDAY.
THE FIRST STEP IN CRIME.

Two boys, one about twelve and the other about fourteen
years of age, were placed at the bar charged with felony.
The prisoners had been that morning brought to Liverpool
by a Manchester police-officer.
Mr. Duff, a merchant of this town, stated, that about two
o'clock on Thursday afternoon last, he left his office on bu-
siness. He left his warehouseman and the younger prisoner,
who was his office-boy. He was absent about an hour and
a half. On his return he found the door open and the office
deserted. He discovered that his private office had been
broken open, and a hatchet was lying inside on a stool. The
drawer in his desk, in which he kept his cash, was broken open
and about eleven sovereigns in gold had been taken. He
made inquiries and found that his office-boy had absconded.
The constable, from Manchester, said, that on Saturday
he was going through Oldham-street, where he met the two
prisoners. Seeing that they were strangers he went to them
and questioned thm. Not being satisfied by their replies,
he was led to search them. On one he found four sovereigns
and on the other £4 17s. He took them to Mr. Thomas,
where the office-boy admitted that he had been in the employ
of Mr. Duff and had robbed him of eleven sovereigns. He
said that his companion had broken open the desk.
The warehouseman merely proved that he had left the boy
alone in the office soon after his master went out.

The office-boy on his voluntary examination confessed that
he and the other boy had taken the eleven sovereigns.
The prisckners were committed for trial.
YESTERDAY.
Before Mr. RUSHTON.
THEFT FROM A STEAM VESSEL.
'

Mary Johnson, wife of John Johnson, was placed at the
bar to answer a charge of stealing a number of articles from
a steam vessel. It appeared, that the prisoner had been em-
ployed as stewardess, on board the Union steam boat, that
runs between this port and Maryport. Having left the vessel,
and several articles having been missed, she was traced to the
house of Mr. Irvine, in Brownlow-hill, where she had gone
to lodge ; and there in the packages which she represented
to be her own, were found two pillows, several sheets, and
counterpanes; also, two shirts, and a considerable number of
other articles. The bedding was identified by the Captain of
the vessel, and was found to be marked accordingly. The
other articles were also identified. It appeared also, that
the prisoner had acted dishonestly at two places where she
had been servant. One of them, Mrs. Church, of Everton,
some two years ago. The information were taken as regarded
the case of the theft from the vessel, and the prisoner was
committed for trial at the sessions.