The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-18 00:00:00

of considerable disquietude to our Coalition Minis-
try, and if we may judge by the -frequency of
protracted sittings of recent Cabinet Councils,
there is very little of that unity which was said
to prevail among " all the Talents." The HOUR
SECRETARY fancies himself to be the possessor of
all the knowledge on foreign affairs, and by no
means agrees with his chief, who is in a minority
in his own cabinet ; so that the doubt and delay
which have so long prevailed need excite no sur-
prise. In the mean time, the continental tele-
graphs appear to have been at the command of
the stock-jobbers, and, favoured by the secrecy
of official reserve, they have been enabled so to
vary the reports as to produce those fluctuations
of which the concoctors know so well how to
take advantage. This uncertainty, so injurious to
trade, has given rise to a demand for an imme-
diate summons of Parliament, in order that
Ministers may be constitutionally called upon for
authentic information, instead of the country hav-
ing to depend upon presumed ministerial organs,
which the Government may repudiate or adopt ac-
cording as it suits their purpose. We have no
pretensions to any knowledge of what takes place
at a cabinet council, each member of which is
sworn to secrecy, but it is currently believed that
the question of summoning Parliament formed
an important item in the recent lengthened dis-
cussions.

The latest telegraphic despatches state that the
allied fleets have at length left Besika Bay, and on
the 6th were seen entering the Dardanelles. This
may be true, but after recent experience all tele-
graphic reports from the East require confirmation.
The correspondent of the Morning Chronicle states
that the Turks intend merely to commence the
war pro forma, and then to adjourn further hos-
tilities until the spring, so that in the meantime
the quarrel may be settled by mediation. This is
not unlikely, particularly as another despatch states
that the Turkish army is not to cross the Danube,
a very prudent precaution under the circumstances.

THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL.

No. 11.

WE resume our consideration of the subject which we
commenced last week, by referring to another point deserv-
ing of attentive consideration, which must shortly assume
a more prominent position. By the peculiar situation of
Liverpool on the east bank of the Mersey, she is virtually
excluded from the immense amount of business which
might be done with the large and busy population to
the South and West. Her great source of traffic has
been the supply of the enormous industrial population of
Lancashire, and other parts of the North of England.
This has been in a great measure stimulated by the facili-
ties of railway communication, notwithstanding the diffi-
culties of access to the several lines—to the immense
demand for the raw materials for manufactures imported
into Liverpool from foreign countries, and also to the
enormous amount of British produce and manufactures
exported by vessels leaving this port. The other side of
the Mersey, however, possesses much greater facilities for
communication with the interior, while the population of
the principality of Wales and the south-west counties of
England must prove a source of trade, the extent of which
it is impossible to calculate.
It must now be generally admitted that the rapidly
augmented trade of Liverpool has found ample employ-
ment for all the Dock accommodation, greatly as that has
been extended, and it is at the same time equally true
that all practicable means of further extension have been
exhausted, so that the alternative which remains is for the
trade of the port to be confined within its present limits
or for the means of extension to be sought from far dif-
ferent sources than
.those which have hitherto been,
adopted.

The idea which would first strike every person, inde-
pendent of local prejudices, would be to render the Mersey
available on both its banks ; and this would no doubt
have been the case years since, but for the unreasonable
notion entertained by many of the people of Liverpool,—
that any promotion of dock accommodation on the oppo-
site side of the estuary would tend to injure the trade of
their town. The .practical adoption of this idea has vir-
tually operated to deprive them of many natural advan•

tages on the Cheshire shore, and actually to induce the
construction of dock-works at very great cost, owing to
the high price of land, the necessity of removing build-
ings, and the expense of excavation and erection of walls.
On the Cheshire shore, such advantages were to be ob-
tained at comparatively little cost, as docks had almost
been formed by nature, and only required being made
applicable to the purposes of commerce. Indeed, so pre-
eminent were the advantages presented, that Mr. TEL-
FORD, one of the most eminent marine engineers, when
looking from Bidston Hill over Wallasey Pool, at high
water, exclaimed, " Liverpool was built on the wrong side
of the Mersey."

It can hardly be believed that the feeling which
formerly prevailed in Liverpool of the prosperity of
Efirkenhead being an antagonist interest can now exist
The growing intelligence of the age must utterly have
exploded a fallacy so suicidal in its results. As well might
the citizens of London 'who have the ample space of the
London docks, the East and West India Docks, with their
vast :basinfi and wide quay room, in addition' to the St.
Katharine Docks and the legal quays—complain of the
trade ,of Southwark and the great business on the Surrey
shore. So far, indeed, from entertaining such an idea,
nearly all the vast timber trade of the metropolis is con-
ducted on-the Surrey side of the Thames, where, from the
facilities afforded by the Commercial Docks at Bother-
'lithe, it is carried on with far more advantage than could
be dOne in the more costly localities on the London side.
Such is about the ease on the Mersey, the west bank of
which presents more available accommodation for such
bulky goods as timber, not only in quay space, which is
indispensable, but also in access to cheap transit into the
interior by railways, which in Birkenhead are carried
alongside the vessels discharging their cargoes.
It has been supposed that an extension of population on
the Cheshire side of the Mersey, by the transfer of a
portion of the shipping trade in that direction, would
operate injuriously to the ratepayei% of Liverpool, by
diminishing the number, and thereby increasing the
burden on those who remain. If it were possible to
secure the residence in the town of every one who has an

interest in the trade of the port, such a position might be
tenable; but it is not so. As the town becomes densely
populated by those whom necessity compels to remain,
confinement becomes irksome to those who have the means
to accommodate themselves better, and the thousands who
daily cross the Mersey by the ferry-boats, or use the
omnibusses to and from the suburbs, show that the exten-
sion of population is in la...glides where they contribute
,nothing to the rates of Liverpool. Such migration will
011 go on, whatever may be the improvements within the
town, so long as men prefer a glimpse of nature to tall
lows and paved streets ; and therefore a persistence in
confining the growing business within its present incon-
venieixt limits will but injure trade without securing the
contemplated advantages.
Another objection to cross the water has been the equally
untenable position of its militating against the interests
of the shopkeepers of Liverpool, by withdrawing their
customers from them. Should this be the efrectsof occu-
pying both sides of the Mersey, it is one for which no
remedy will be found in attempting to confine the trade to
one side, but rather induce the raising of a rival interest,
which might better have been a union of interests. But
so far from the tradesmen of Liverpool being injured by
the peopling of Birkenhead and the adjacent townships,
the reverse is rather the ease. Some of them have
establishments on the other side, and vast numbers of the
Cheshire population deal with tradesmen on this side,
while most of the shops aresuvpliedfrot measure
saleniedesnotnricacel:
Their interests, therefore, are in a great
and it would be difficult to show that the rendering
available to Liverpool commerce the very great natural
advantages to be found on the Cheshire shore would
operate in any way •to the injury of the retail trade of
Liverpool, while the probabilities are that the effect would
be exactly the reverse.

Apart from the more important question of commercial
operations, the population of Birkenhead and the neigh-
bourhood is being considerably extended from local causes,
which must continue to augment it the more its ad-
vantages become known. The streets are wide and
straight, the houses are well built, the sewerage is good,
the supplies of water and gas are ample, and now that the
steam-boats run so continuously, punctually, and rapidly,
for so small a charge, it is virtually placed nearer to Li-
verpool than if the intervening Mersey were spanned by
a bridge. With its picturesque park, second to none in
England, the neighbouring heights of Bidston, from which
tui uninterrupted view can be obtained of the coast from

i.: ..

Lancashire to the mountains of Wales, and its many de-
lightful rides and walks in almost every direction, it pre-T-
-sents advantages, to those whose occupations are in
Liverpool, which render it one of the most attractive
suburbs of the busy town. Commerce will, therefore, but
accompany the march of population in taking the same-.
direction, until The Liverpool of the future, like the Lon-
don of the present, will occupy both sides of the mighty
stream on which she stands.

By far the most important feature, however, of the
Cheshire landscape, in a commercial point of view, is the
vast expanse of water, the dock half formed by nature
known as Wallasey Pool, of which we subjoin the descrip—
tion given by the celebrated Mr. TELFORD in his report),
dated May, 1828, and which also bears the signatures of
ROBERT STEPHENSON and ALEXANDER NIMIIO :
" Wallasey Creek runs for nearly two miles from the
Mersey, where it is stopped by an embankment, through
which the waters of 3,000 acres of marsh land pass by a
tunnel. The pool, below the embankment, covers 340
acres at spring tides, and by its breakwater maintains a
channel through the creek, down to low-water springs,
and with.seventeen feet at high-water (springs) as far up
as the embankment. On the south side of the creek, be -
tween Woodside Ferry and Bridge-end, there is a bottom
of sandstone rock, but this ceases at Bridge-end Creek, and
above that place the shore is composed of firm clay, fit for
brickmaking, to a depth at least of thirty feet, in which
the necessary excavations for docks and ba-cins could be
carried on with great-facility."
This, though the most important, is, however, but one
of the many natural advantages of the Cheshire shore for
purposes of commerce. We shall proceed in our next to
describe what has been done to render these advantages
available ; and follow •up these observations by showing
what remains to be done, and the course most advisable
under the circumstances. •

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

THE THEATRE ROYAL during the past week has afforded
a rare, as-well as a high treat to the lovers of dramatic
music, its boards having been occupied by a distinguished
English Operatic Company, who have performed in
,suc-
cession Balfe's opera of the "Bohemian girl,'.' Bellini s
" Somnambula," Wallace's "Maritana," Rossisa's " Bar-
abeciewof
aSpeevraillbey,"malnidriAtznAleria'sm,"rhie-a
liDbilavtrtool.,bciabgesfricLes
the pen of Mr. Buckstone. The vocal corps consisted of
Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Fyne, and Messrs. Boranni, H.
Horncastle, and W. Harrison ; the orchestra having, for
the time being, been placed under the leadership of Mr.
E. F. Fitzwilliam. As an operatic performance, even by
good principals, without the aid of an efficient . orchestra,
and a good chorus, would necessarily be a very imperfect
production, we are glad to record that both of those ele-
ments of successful performance were in a highly credit.
able state of efficiency. In the overtures, generally
speaking, the orchestral effects were well managed,
some of them, indeed, deserving high praise. The reed
and pipe instruments exhibited great sweetness, and
the brass instruments taking their cues with readi-
ness filled up and ably supported the violins. As
a leader, or rather conductor, Mr. Fitzwilliam displayed
considerable tact, and but for his over-partiality to the -
inapposite notes of " the woodpecker tapping," which,
with his switchy baton, he performed with remorseless
pertinacity,—his unnecessary flourishes with his left hand,
and the general grotesqueness of his gesticulation,—would
have cut a very respectable figure. Of the operas named,
probably the first mentioned was that most suited to the
powers of the company, and .it was admirably gone
through. Indeed, with the exception of " Fra Diavolo,"
which was obviously beyond the resources of the company,
all the operas were well performed, and beautifully put
upon the stage. Of Miss Louisa Pyne, as a vocalist, it is
hardly necessary to speak. Her fame is extensive, and
she has earned it. To an organ, of great beauty, and no -
inconsiderable compass, as well as power, she adds a
pleasing expressiveness ; and in the " Bohemian girl" her
style of singing and acting was appropriate and winning,
many of her solos being sung with charming simplicity,
andgood taste. In the beautiful air " I dreamt that-
I
thebe 11
etones
ofsentiment,
vainicamiamrpbalertedhallsex,q"uiathieteclexearpr,easailiovnento,,
he i n
dwelt
and gave full effect to the floating and falling melody
which streamed in melting cadence from her lips ; but
in no instance were her natural and acquired talents
shown to greater advantage, .than in her portion of the
trio and
this chorus,
charmingand light of heart be thou." The
piece was delightfully givenrwhile
part was a complete gem of art and a triumph
of expression. She
the
soprano e of
was also very happy in Rossini's spark-
ling aria, "An old man would be wooing." Her render.
ing of Auber's delightful melody, "'Tis to-morrow," was
in every respect admirable. The full gush and abandon
of delighted anticipation were given with a purity and
beauty which it is difficult to find words to characterise.
As an acting vocalist, Mr. Harrison stands deservedly in
good repute ; to a portly and commanding figure he adds
expressive features, and no small grace of action. His
voice, though not of the first order, has many excellent
qualities ,• his training has manifestly been careful, and in
general, his taste may be allowed excellent; when bring-
ing himself up for an effort he displays capital execution,
and renders the music at once expressive and captivating.
In Ralfe's stirring song, " When the fair land of Poland,"
his singing was exceedingly effective ; throwing his whole
energies into the music and the words,he rendered bothwith
thrilling effect, completely captivating the audience. In this
piece he was rapturously encored—a matter calculated to
excite no wonder, considering the great beauty of the song
and the dazzling style in which it was sung. His sing-
' ing of " You'll remember me," in the -seine' opera, was
likewise admirably correct. The Count 4rnheinz of Mr.
Borrani, in the " Bohemian Girl," was stiff as a histrionic
performance ; but his singing rendered that defect less
important, as well as less obvious. Several of his solos
were given with much delicacy and expression, in parti-
cular
down," calls for high commendation, and richly deserved
the hearty applauSe it drew from the audience. His Figar
was a better piece of acting ;it was lively, and he,simg the spirited airs of Rossini con amore, and in good taste. As
a comic actor and singer, Mr. H. Horncastle is entitled to
great praise; as the former he is easy, spirited, and pleas-
ing; as the latter; he is effective, 'and displays good cul-
ture, added to natural qualifications of a high order. As
Deviishoof, in the " Bohemian both his acting and
singing were excellent, and hit efforts added greatly to
the successful character of the performance. Of Miss Fyne
we saw but little, and that little was pleasing. We cannot
in justice close these very imperfect and hasty remarks
upon the operatic treat we have received, without a word
of commendation on those who, though.their names make
no figure in the bills of announcement, nevertheless con—
tribute in a light degree to the success of the performances •
We mean the ladies and gentlemen who formed the chorus,
and the gentlemen of the orchestra. The former ac-
quitted themselves with judgment and in good taste ; the
latter in an artistic and highly pleasing manner, while
individually some of them deserved much praise. In,
particular we were much delighted with the violin solo,-
introductory to the third act of the " Bohemian Girl ;"'
and in the same opera we were also greatly pleased with
the clarionet oblignto to Borrani's song, " The heart bowed
down ;" it was performed with tenderness and beautiful
expression. As a whole, the operas were eminently suc.
cessful ; the audiences, though not so large as could have
been wished or might have been expected, were, never--
theless, good • and in their delighted countenances was to
be read the best commentary on the style' of the perform_
antes. On Wednesday this theatre- will re-open, when
Mr. B. Baker, a highly deserving actor, takes his benefit.
On that occasion Charles Matthews, the prince of come.
dians, will make his appearance in two of his favourite
characters,—a compliment highly creditable to Mr. Baker,
iaw
sa
nsc eu s e AMPHITHEATRE
at o r
c ab3i tat
crowded Madame
aeraCeued soeoteneWea
andThAe
TaistuldeßyvE,esntßpetotrtfoALicrl:
Mr. Webster have been performing to good audiences.—
known in Liverpool to adthit of description or require
commendation. The resistless earnestness and fidelity of
her acting have been commented on and bowed to by
all
his. actorm ofa manner good
stamp, has lost none of her histrionic fire. Of Mr to
say
classes of the community, 'and it is sufficient
asfaiarrtoe
vsaayriehde isasoolipß. B. r
,Rma'riebnsgqtieiturshhieet.
and his
i
fi
week several novelties have been g*
u
sc
abtui ot
an out of the way dra named "B 1 produced, among others
bank," a sadly dull affair, which the humour
the Mounte-
the really good acting of Mr. Webster, auziotre of "l'ottinge,
exertions of Madame Celeste united were ablento red-
deem from the charge of murderous dulness. Its tedious
insipidity throughout the two first acts was nearly insup-
portable, and although it did mend a little towards the
conclusion, nothing could redeem it from the leaden weight
of Lethe's waters, with whieh its every scene was saturated,
Mr. MITCHELL, who has appeared on several
will be
occasions
as au amateur in aid of our local charities is 6., .
seen by advertisement), about to make his last appearance
on the stage, in the character of Rob Roy, supported by a
number of gentlemen amateurs. It may be recollected
that Mr. Mitchell,who was the originator of the amateur
Victuallers'
in March, 1845, in aid of the Licensed
victuallers' Institution, appeared as sir wall
_in
a ktralla
in the tragedy of that name. We understand the s u-pleues'
is to be applied in presenting him with a testimoniali of
respect.

•
SIR G. H. WARD is about to resign the Governorship
of the lonian Islands, and Mr. Wyse, the British Minister
at Athens, will be his successor..
SOIREE AT THE TOWN-RALL.—The Mayor intends to
give another grand soiresf at the Town-hall, early in No-
vember. He has already entertained upwards of 1,300 of
his fellow-townsmen since his accession to office.
GRIBI AND MARIO ONCE MORE.—We are to have one
more opportunity of hearing these great artistes in Liver-
pool, Mrs. Scarisbrick (the late Miss Whitnall) having suc-
ceeded in engaging them to appear at her annual concert,
which will take place on the 31st instant.
DEATH BY SCALDING.—On Sunday last a little girl,
two years of age, named Winifred Egan, whose parents
• reside at No. 16, Henry Edward-street, fell into a pot of
that she died
boiling water, and was soseri
yesterday morning. scaldedously
SCHOLASTIC.—Yester—a3• morning the Rev. H. Halllploll
,_
' delivered a most interesting lecture to the pupils of Dr.
Fisher's educational establishment. The subject IT-as "To
account for the varieties of mankind—white, black, olive,-
red,
to show that all is in perfect harmony with
red, &e.—and Scripture,
'where God says that Eve was the mother of all
living."
TEE CIIOLERA.—HEA_LTIT Or Liv-ERrooL.—We re-
cord with much pleasure that the general health of the
town is satisfactory, and that, so far as appearane
rant us in believing, the attack of cholera, by -svll ..4.
irr4,A,.z
were threatened, rather than visited, has ve •
abated. Last week, the deaths recorded from try
were fifteen—a considerable reduction on the • —;
week's mortality. On Friday, Saturday, and-„s ;
there were three deaths: yesterday, one. (-1„
German, labouring under cholera, was adins-IL', a
house in Denison-street. Yesterda irish_'"a
John Shane, suffering from the disease "'tut, "elwv`" • was admitted' ..to
-
the hospital from a house in Carlton-street.
t4l r „
.A 44
14.1