The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-06-03 00:00:00

THE THEATRE.

During the week several pieces calculated to set off to advan-
tage the peculiar talent of Mr. Power have been produced.
Some attention in the choke of performances has also been given
in order to suit the talents of Mr. F. Matthews, though we do
not think generally with so happy an effect. A number of light
pieces have been represented—dramas, mauy of them of ephe-
meral popularity, and written but to show off the talents of some
favourite performer. This, though it may answer occasionally
for a change, will not do to be too often repeeed ; and the in-
evitable result of the too frequent performance of pieces pos-
sessing little plot and genuine talent, and which have in them-
selves nothing stable on which the mind can rest, but
—" like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a rack behind,"
is to produce, what has been the case, thin houses. On Tuesday
night we witnessed the drama of " Charles X 11.," in which Mr.
F. Matthews took the part of Charles Xll.. followed by " King
O'Neill," written for Mr. Power, and in which Mr. Icower was
the Alpha and Omega, concluding with " Clari, the Maid of
Milan," Rolamo by Mr. F. Matthews. We cannot but think
that Mr. F. Matthews was unfortunate in his choice of charac-
ters for the evening. As Charles XII., there was more of stiff-
ness and precision in his acting than the exhibition of the firm-
ness and determination which were the characteristics of the
great original. The lively acting of Miss Chaplin as Eadiga,
and the humour of Mr. Baker as Triptolemus Muddlework, some-
what redeemed the sober dulness with which the piece went of
King O'Neill" was the main amusement of the evening, and,
as, an afterpiece, would have been excellent. The rich Irish
humour of Power was conspicuous throughout and kept the au-
dience
in a continued laugh. In the afterpiece, we much
missed the sterling acting of Stuart in Rotaino. Mr. Matthews
is scarcely fitted for this class of character. As a gouty peevish
old man, few can perform better; but in characters requiring
passion and strong feeling his acting has too much mawkish
sentimentality about it—too much of the " Home, sweet home"
style, the continual repeating of which ditty began to be truly
" doleful." The dramatic interlude of Power was rich in its
way Aiw
ipspkiksirsorinnusupsvook too
We hope the spirited manager will again, as soon as may be;
give to the play going public some of the high mental treats
afforded them during Dowtou's, and Ellen Trees's stay, and
represent some of Shakspeare's or She.idan Knowle's sterling
plays. They are such that they will bear repeating ; their's is
nut the gaudy tinsel which soon wears off.

THE IffyKaroo'. DocKs' Bi r.—This bill is now before the
Lancashire committee of the Iliuse of Commons. The rate-
payers, on the first division of the committee, were successful
in defeating- the town council deputation on the clause respect-
ing any future applications to parliament. The amendment
proposed by the supporters of the town council had for •its oh
jeet giving to the town council the control over any future ap-
plication to parliament by the dock committee. There was a
full attendance of members of the committee, and the original
clause was carried by a majority of one, which was the casting
vote of the chairman. The town council brought down all their
forces, including two lords of the Admiralty, and two secretaries
of the Treasury. As several members of the committee, who are
favourable to the rate-payers' views of the question, were absent
we may conclude that their attempt to shake off the town coun-
cil will ultimately succeed. With respect to the dock question
we believe we may congratulate the rate-payers on the present
healthy appearance of things. Their estate, its control, and
management, will be placed in their own hands.

THE INTRINSIC.-It may be in the recollection of our readers
that in February last the Intrinsic, of this port, was wrecked
during a tremendous gale in Kiikee Bay, when all hands pe-
rished. During Mr. Deane the sub-marine surveyor's visit
here the underwriters entered into an engagement with him to
make an attempt to recover some of the cargo. In consequence
he has visited the wrecked vessel, and found her lying in a ra-
vine, twelve fathoms under water. Having engaged a pilot-
boat he bas commenced operations, and has already succeeded
in rescuing some tin and copper. It is' expected that a consi-
derable part of this vessel's valuable cargo will be got up.
CUSTOMS' REVENUE.—The increase in the custom revenue
at this port since the first of January last has been £50.000 a
month, as compared with the revenue of the same period last
year. The total customs revenue from this port alone is ex-
pected to reach £5,000,000 before the close of the year.

Mr. E. W. Tnomfis's CONCERT.-Mr. Thomas, a young vio-
linist of great promise, who during the last opera season at the
Theatre Royal, had on several occasions to lead the band at
a short notice, gives a concert this evening, at the Templars'
Hall, Great George-street. He will be assisted by Mr. Ser-
vals, a violoncello player of extraordinary talent,°Mr. Herr-
man. (violin), Mr. Brown, (flute), and by Mr. George Hol-
den, on the piano, and as the conductor. Miss Rainforth, a
young lady very highly spoken of in the musical profession,
will make her appearance among the vocalists. Judging from
the talent engaged, we venture to recommend this Concert as
one worthy of attention.

CHILD MUHDEH.—On Monday afternoon an inquest was held
• before Mr. P. F. Curry, coroner, at the Sessions-house, on view
of the body of a new-born female child. It appeared from the
evidence that Mary Ann Graham, a servant of all work at a
public-house in Parr-street, kept by Mr. Appleton. on Friday
morning last gave birth to the child, and afterwards concealed
it between the bed and the mat t rass in her room, where the body
was found by Mr. Thomas Lewtas, surgeon, of Hunter•street,
tied up in a bundle. Mr. Lewtas deposed to the child having
been born alive, and that its death was occasioned by suffocation.
The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Mary Ann
Graham, the mother, and the coroner bound over Lyons, the
beadle, to prefer au indictment against her at the next assizes.

FA TA L APCIDENT.—On Monday last a coroner's inquest was
held at the Sessions' house, to inquire touching the death of
William Hargreaves, a boy aged seven years. It appeared from
the evidence that on Saturday last, the deceased was amusing
himself by swinging to and fro on the gate of a stonemason's
yard in Rupert-street, when the gate loosed from the hinges and
the child fell to the ground with the gate upon him. He was
carried to the Infirmary, where he died in the course of the
afternoon. It was found, on examination, that the base of the
skull had been fractured by the fall. Verdict, accidental death.

ARRIVAL ON LIVE FISH.—The following notice was posted
at the Exchange Newsroom on Monday last:—" Arrived, the
Liverpool and Manchester Fishing Company's smack the Wa-
ter Witch, with a cargo of live fish iu wells." This is the
company's first adventure.

MECHANICS' AND APPRENTICES' LIBRARY.—Both the mem-
bers of the bcrqugh have contributed towards the funds of this
institution. The following are copies of letters which have been
received from them on the subject:—
"London, May 23, 1836.
" Sir,—l shall be happy to make a contribution of £5 to the
funds of the Mechanics' Library; and if you will apply to Mr.
George Lawrence, he will have the kindness to pay the dona-
tion for me.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
" C. E. Rawlins, Esq." " SANDON.

" London, May 23, 1836,
" Dear sir,—lt affords me great pleasure to contribute to the
Mechanics' and Apprentices' Library. lam firmly convinced
of the essential utility of such institutions. The new munici-
pality will, I hope, in time procure for the public free access to
more than one public library without the intervention of any
impediment whatever. Meanwhile I beg to offer £lO to the
library whose cause you so justly advocate. It will be paid on
application to my brother, Mr. Joseph Ewart, if the applicant
will have the goodness to show him this letter.—Wishing you
all success in this good cause, I am, dear sir, yours faithfully.
" C. E. Rawlins, Esq." " W. EWART.

TROTTING RACES AT NEWTON.—The next Newton meeting
will present a novelty in the annals of the race-course, which
we have no doubt will be favourably received by the public. It
is intended on one of the days to have a trotting-race, undei the
management of gentlemen whose characters will insure its
being conducted in a style of respectability. The general estab-
lishment of such races as this cannot fail to give encouragement
to the breed of that useful horse, the roadster; and as the stake
proposed to he given is a good one, no doubt the fastest-from all
quarters will be brought together. The stakes are 10 soy. each.
h. ft. ; and the hands,me SUM of 100 sacs. is already subscribed
for the winner, in addition to .the sweepstakes. horses of all
ages will be permitted to enter; to carry 12st., two mile heats.—
Ma a chester a, u rier.

.i..HumouRED MARRIAGE LIFE—The youthful
Duke or limxburglie, who has just entered into the gaieties a
bilytun catppaign. it is miff, will. he married as soon as he
owes of age, whith be in:Juiy, 1837. •