The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-02-01 00:00:00

ILLEGAL LOTTERY SHOPS.

IN. the excitement of great affairs, little ones are some-
times neglected ; and this seems to have been the case
with the lottery shops, which have become a nuisance of
the worst character. Temptations are held out of prizes
to he obtained on the payment of a shilling, and servant
girls, boys, and others are beguiled by such inducements
to commence a system of gambling which too often results
in their ruin. In addition to this, it was stated before the
magistrates, on Thursday, that robberies were of frequent
occurrence at these places—so that they are fruitful sources
of crime. As the attention of the police has now been
called to the nuisance, it will be their duty to suppress it,
as all lotteries are positively illegal.

THE CONCERTS AT THE PHILHARMONIC HALL.—The
public have, during the past week, displayed great interest
in the admirable concerts of our townsman, Mr. Thomas
—an interest pleasing to every lover of music, and which
we trust will prove profitable to the projector of these
high-class entertainments for the million. On Tuesday
and several evenings since, as also last ni3ht,
the magnificent hall was crowded in the area, and well
filled elsewhere. with an audience attentive. and capable
of appreciating the performances. Mr. Thomas is a
graceful conductor, and we are not surprised that the
reputation of his band is extending. We hear that the
proprietors of the Free Trade hall, Manchester, have
engaged the band for a fortnight, commencing on Tuesday
next. As a dispenser of pleasant amusement, and an
elevator of the popular taste, Mr. Thomas merits our
warmest commendation, and we hope that his scheme will
prove as remunerative as it ought to do,
THEATRE-ROYAL.—The " Three Legs" continues to
attract, and, on Thursday last, was played as a first piece
to the great delight of a host of juveniles, who thronged
the boxes. The day performances, on Saturday, have
also been well attended. The management have an-
nounced that they.have in preparation the new comedy of
" St. Cupid; or, Dorothy's Fortune," which was recently
played before her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
AMPHITHEATRE.—Madame Isabelle's great equestrian
company continue their attractions, and nightly receive
the plaudits of full houses. Among the novelties this
week is an alleged trial of skill between an American and
an Englishman, to throw the greatest number of somer-
saults, during the week, for a prize of £2OO.
ROYAL PARK THEATRE.—The author of the panto-
mime now playing at this favourite place of amusement
will take a benefit on Wednesday evening. Mr. Charles
Millward, whose witty production has been much relished,
is sure to have a bumper. The performances will include
a new drama from Mr. Millward's pen ; the farce of
" Bloomerism ; or the Follies of the Day ;" and the pan-
tomime.

BIRKENHEAD AND WALLASEY BUILDING SOCIETY.—
This society has now received so large an amount of public
support as to place it on a firm foundation, and leave no
doubt as to its success. One of its first good effects will
be an improvement of the value of house property in
Birkenhead and its vicinity, as it is said that several who
have recently joined the society have done so with the
view of purchasing property. The second meeting for the
payment of subscriptions has been announced for to-
morrow, (Wednesday,) at the Castle Hotel, and a nume-
rous attendance is anticipated.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, KIRDALE.—GRAND EXHIBI-
TION ON SHROVE-TUESDAY EVENING.—We beg to
direct attention to an advertisement in another column, of
a grand exhibition of dissolving views, including a rich
variety of celestial scenery, and splendid representations
of ancient and modern cities, cathedrals, bays, harbours,
&c., about to be given by our talented and generous
townsman, Dr. Fisher, of Great George-street, in aid of
the funds for liquidating the remainder of the debt against
St. Mary's Church, Kirkdale. This rich intellectual
treat will come off on Shrove-Tuesday evening, at the
Collegiate Institution, and no pains will be spared to
render it the most attractive of the kind ever submitted to
an assemblage of spectators in this great town. And as in
this instance every person attending will receive more
than an equivalent for the admission money, we trust Mr.
James will have the gratification of seeing a very large
attendance.