The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-03 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS,

We understand that arrangements are being made to affect
an alteration in the hours of business at the drapers' shops,
in Worcester. It is proposed to close their shops from
September Ist to March 31st at seven o'clock, and the re-
mainder of the year at eight o'clock, Saturdays excepted,
This example ought to be followed in this and other towns.

THE PsESiDENT•"—A bottle was picked up on the
shore at Birkdale, near Southport, on Sunday last, in which
was enclosed the following notice :—" The person finding
this bottle is requested to announce the wreck of the Presi-
dent near Bermudas, in the ice, 13th June, 1841." There is
no doubt this is an infamous hoax, which some unfeeling fel-
low wished to impose on the public. It is next to impos-
sible that there could be ice floating in the sea in the
neighbourhood of Bermuda at ally period of the year.

MARTIN'S PicTunts.—We are glad to see from the ad-
vertisement in this day's paper, that it has been determined,
for the accommodation of those whose occupations engage
them during the whole day, to exhibit- Mr. Martin's fine
paintings at the Union Gallery, Slater-street, by gas-light,
from eight till ten, and to reduce the charge of admission in
the evening-to sixpence. The difference, though slight, may
not be wholly unimportant to many hundreds, who would
perhaps have otherwise deprived themselves of a high grati-
fication.

MELANCROIX ACCIDRNT.-011 Monday evening, as Mr.
and Mrs. Ferguson, of Bold-street, were on their way in a
gig to their country residence, West Derby, they unluckily
came in contact with an omnibus, by the collision with
which Mrs. Ferguson experienced so severe a fracture
of the leg above the knee joint, as to render immediate am-
putation necessary. We regret to hear that Mrs. Ferguson
is since dead. She expired on 'Wednesday morning at six
o'clock.

THEFT BY A SERVANT.--A decent looking woman, ser-
vant to Mr. North, grocer, of London-road, was placed at
the bar of the police-court, on Wednesday, charged with
having stolen several small parcels of tea, sugar, currants,
raisins, candid lemon, &c., from her master's shop. Mrs.
North found the articles concealed beneath her pillow. She
had nothing to say in her defence, and was committed for
trial.

A WOULD-BE SAILOR.—The ship Algonquin, Captain A.
Turley, from Liverpool, arrived this morning, and among
her passengers is a healthy stout female, 16 years of
who shipped in Liverpool as a sailor boy, being dressed in
the habiliments, neatly rigged from top to toe, and actually
performed the duty of a lad on board, going aloft, for
several days, when some suspicion arose among the crew,
which led to the discovery of her sex. Captain Turley im-
mediately had her removed from the forecastle to the steer-
age, and her dress changed for female apparel. It appears
she is a destitute girl who had taken this method to get a
passage to America where she expects to find friends. She
shipped under the name of " Billy Stewart," and says her
name is Isabella Stewart.—National Gazette.

COMMITMENT.—At the Police-court, yesterday, David
Jones, a young man, was placed at the bar under the follow-
ing charge. A witness stated that he was employed, with
others, at a warehouse in Gibraltar-row, where his employers,
Messrs. Murray, Symes, and Co., had a quantity of coffee
in bond• They left the warehouse at half-past ten on Wed-
nesday forenoon, leaving the door open. In consequence of
information afterwards received, one of the rooms was
searched at half-past two same afternoon, and the prisoner
was found concealed between some coffee hairs. He was
searched, and from seven to eight pounds of coffee was found
in his drovers. One of the coffee bags was also cut, and a
razor was found in the prisoner's possession. He had no
business in the warehouse. lie was committed for trial at
the sessions.

keeps a tavern,
STATE OF TOXTETII-PARK..—Ajnrson who
appeared before Mr. Rushton,
in Toxteth-park,on Wednes-
day, to prefer a complaint against aman whom he accused of
having stolen a canary bird from him. The evidence was
much too slight to fix the charge upon the prisoner,
and he was discharged. About ten minutes had elapsed,
when the complainant got up and said the accused had
violently assaulted him. Mr. Rushton said the assault was
no doubt in consequence of the accusation, and as the accu-
sation could not 'properly be substantiated, the only advice
he could give the complainant, was to be more cautious how
A
he charged persons with felony in future, unless he had
sufficient proof. The complainant again sat down.
quarter
of.an hour elapsed, at the end of which he arose again. He
said his life was in danger, for Toxteth-park was infested by
gangs of the most desperate ruffians that were to be found in
Liverpool. He wished Mr. Rushton to inform him what lie
was to do for protection. Mr. Rushton in reply, that if any
person molested the complainant, he was to send for a police
officer. The parties:would then be brought before him, and
he would punish them. The complainant said the whole
neighbourhood was disturbed by these fellows, and this was
not the first dopredation which he had suffered from them;
Mr. Rushton.—" You had better complain to Mr. Whitty.'
In the mean time Mr. Francis Jordan had entefed the court
and taken his seat upon the bench. Complainant.—" There's
Mr. Jordan there, can tell you what a set of fellows we have
to deal with in the park, and I do hope I may have protection
providing I'm ruislisted," (molested.) Mr. Jordan said the
avenues in Toxteth-park were certainly in a most dangerous
state from the gangs of ruffians and idle fellows who fre-
quented them. They were in companies of forty and fifty
:,together, shouting, swearing, rioting, throwing stones, and
, behaving with such indecorum, that it was absolutely danger-
ous for ladies to pass to and fro. if something was not done,
they might as well give Toxtetle-park altogether into the hands
of these fellows. Mr. Rushton said, Mr. Jordan was a
member of the watch committee, and it seemed to him, that
he (Mr. Jordan) had the remedy in his own hands. He
might ptit on more constables, or take such steps' as were
necessary.

STEAM-BOAT CIRCULAR.—CantreII, Redcross-street.—
This most useful little publication is progressing onwards
most successfully. It ought to find a place in every office,
and wherever the public resort. The information it contains
for travellers is very valuable, and in one view they have the
sailings of every steam• packet out of the port. The packets
from Hull, &c. ought to be advertised in it.
THEFT IN A PUBLIC-HOUSE.—Yesterday, a man named
Edward Maxwell was committed for trial at the sessions on
a charge of having stolen a sum of money from the till of a
public-house in Park-lane. The precise amount taken was
not sworn to, but it appeared there was amongst it a half-
crown.

NEW MAP or LIVERPOOL. Wareing Webb, Liverpool.—
A very neatly executed map of Liverpool has just been pub-
lished by Mr. Webb. It is beautifully got up, and is very
accurate. To strangers visiting the town it will be found
most useful. It is mounted on a card, and also in a case-
form for the pocket. The streets, public buildings, &c. are
laid down with great care. The corners of the map are em-
bellished with views of the Town-Hull, Revenue Buildings,
Railway Station, and the Cemetery. It is decidedly the
most convenient map of Liverpool yet published, for either
stranger or resident, and recommend it to notice.

THE MELODICON, OR HARMONICA.-PIANO.—We had
yesterday the pleasure of hearing a new musical instrument
called a me7odicon, which we have little hesitation in pro-
nouncing one of the most extraordinary which has, for many
years, been introduced to the notice of the public. This in-
strument is the third that has been made, and Vienna is the
the place which has the honour of claiming the inventor.
The gentleman by whom it is introduced here is Herr Breunig,
and who, for brilliant execution, rapid fingering, and delicacy
of touch, we may fairly place in the first rank of pianofurtists.
The Miflodicon is precisely similar to the horizontal grand
piano forte, and comprises six octaves. It is so contrived as
to blend the tones of the selestina, seraphina, and liarmoni-
con, with the pianoforte, and either can be played separately
or together. The tones are most wonderful ;—now crashing
like thunder; anon, dying away with the softness of an
Xolian harp. Herr Breunig played, for those who had been
invited to meet hill, for nearly two hours, introducing fa-
vourite old and new music, by Weber, -Beethoven, Handel,
&c., exhibiting the astonishing powers of the instrument.
It is vain to attempt to describe either the instrument fur-
ther, or the effect of Herr Breunig's playing :—those who feel
an inclination to hear him, will have the opportunity to-mor-
row evening; as he intends performing at the Mechanics' In-
stitution, after Dr. Epps' lecture. We can safely assure our
readers that they have never yet heard a pianoforte of such
an astonishing tone, and rarely such a player. .

INQUESTS.—Yesterday, an inquest was held before P. F.
Curry, Esq., on view of the body of Robert Peoples. The
deceased, who was about eight years of age, resided with his
parents in Limekiln-lane. On the afternoon of Sunday, he
went out apparently well, and returned in about two hours,
black in the face, and nearly double. He recovered, and
again appeared well, but on Monday afternoon took to violent
vomiting and diarrlma. A surgeon was sent for, but he de-
clined and died on the following morning. The surgeon who
attended, and afterwards made a post mortem examination,
stated that the deceased died from rupture of a blood-vessel
of the lungs, caused by disease of that organ.—Verdict
accordingly. Same day an inquest was held on view of the
body of Abraham Akin, a working man, aged 66. It ap-
peared from the evidence that the deceased, who was of in-
temperate habits, had gone to bed on Monday night.much
intoxicated. In the morning he was seized with fits, from
which he never recovered. On an examination of the body
after death, the usual appearances were observed on the
brain, that led to the opinion that he had died from apoplexy,
the result of excessive drinking.—Verdict accordingly.

THEATRE ROYAL.—This evening we lose one of the
cleverest actresses, in our opinion, that has been attached to
this theatre for years. We allude to Mrs. Bland, who, this
evening, will take her benefit previous to her engagement at
Covent Garden. Mrs. Bland first appeared at the Hay-
market as Letitia Hardy, in the " Belle's Stratagem ;" and
in the following season, she acted Ophelia, at Drury-lane.
In both these characters, and indeed all others, she met with
the most decided success. On the appearance of her sister Miss
Helen Faucit, six years ago, Mrs. Bland (then Miss Faucit)
came to Liverpool for the benefit of her health, appearing on
our boards as a successor to Mrs. Shaw, who left this
country for America. Mrs. Bland has performed here, as
original characters, Marian, in Knowles' " Wrecker's
Daughter"—Hero, in Knowles' " Woman's Wit"—Con-
stance, in Knowles' "Love Chase"—Meta, in Knowles'
" Maid of Mariendorpt"—Constance, in the " Provost of
Bruges"—Julie, in Bulwer's "Richelieu"—and Pauline, in
Bulwer's " Lady of Lyons." In the latter we have always
pronounced Mrs. Bland to be inimitable. We consider it
the first and best on the stage. Her next characters in point
of merit are, Ophelia and Desdernona. Mrs. Bland's voice
is rich and mellow. She sings sweetly, and with great taste.
Her powers are greater in tender passages than those of rage
and force. She will, we feel confident, be greatly missed,
not only by the profession here, but by the public ; and we
may reckon ourselves satisfied if her successor bas half her
talents. Her memory is excellent, and she enters into the
spirit of the scene con amore, and if we have occasionally
found fault with her manner, it has been with a good wish
towards her. We hope she will meet with a good reception
on her re-appearance in London. She may rely upon a wel-
come if she condescends to re-visit us time hence. In 1839,
12th November—we like to be particular—Mrs. Bland was
married. Of Mr. Bland, little may be said. He dresses
well, and looks gentlemanly on the stage ; and when he does
relax from his rigidity, and throw off his apathy, he displays
a vein of humour. that only wants striking upon to pro-
duce a spark.—The play of " Money," (in whieh Mr. Stuart
plays Evelyn and Mrs. Bland Clam) and the after-piece
of the " Falls of the Clyde," are selected for this evening's
amasements, and we doubt not that a good house will honour
Mrs. Bland on her farewell. A spirited address has been
written by Mr. Stuart. Mr. Lynne, who is engaged at
Drury-lane, plays in the " Falls of the Clyde." It will be
noticed, that Miss Ellen Tree and Mr. Anderson appear on
Monday.

NEW CHURCHES IN MANCHESTER.—We have great
pleasure in communicating to our readers, that the commit-
tee for building and endowing ten churches in five years, in
the boroughs of Manchester and Salford, have hitherto been
crowned with the most encouraging success. The funds
subscribed for this important object since February last—a
period of little more than five months, and that a period also
of perhaps unparalleled depression of business in those dis-
tricts—amount to upwards of £25,000; a very striking in-
stance, that where there is a will, with the Divine blessing,
there is the way. It is evident it is the wish of the com-
mittee to make the best use of the means placed at their dis-
posal; and we understand that no doubt exists that no fewer
than four churches will be in very advanced progress by the
close of the' year. The foundation-stone of the first of these
Christian edifices, called St. Bartholomew's, was laid on
Monday morning last, in Regent-road, Salford, by Wilbra-
ham Egerton, Esq. There were present upwards of 2,000
spectators, including the clerical and lay members of the
committee, several clergymen of Manchester and its vicinity,
many highly respectable gentlemen and ladies, and a large
concourse of the labouring inhabitants of the neighbourhood.
The Rev. Hugh Stowell, incumbent of the district, offered
up an appropriate prayer, and, at the conclusion of the ce-
remony of laving the stone, addressed the anxious assembly,
who were deeply impressed throughout its delivery. We
sincerely desire that the influence of this great and good
example may take root, and spread throughout the length
and breadth of the land.

GLOUCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.—We call attention
to the programme (see advertisement) of the sacred perform-
ances to take place at the ensuing festival, which will far
surpass anything of the kind at former music meetings. The
band, consisting of the elite of the instrumental performers
in this country, will contain between three and four hundred
musicians. These will give with astounding power and effect
the pieces selected for the occasion. This selection has been
made with the greatest judgment and taste, not only as re-
gards the merit of the compositions, but as affecting the ex-
citement kept up in the public mind. We can scarcely ima-
gine that there can exist any true lover of music, who having
heard the Creation, and the Last Judgment, given by this
magnificent band, would omit attending on the following
days, at the performance of the Messiah, and that of Israel
in Egypt, and the Lobgesang, the latter an absolute novelty
in this country, in which it has not been performed since its
completion. We have never yet known a musical festival
where the interest has been so skilfully divided between the
different performances, and where a new piece of high merit
has been kept to conclude with. The first, second, and third
days thus offer an equal interest ; and we think few who are
in Gloucester will resist the attraction of all three. The se-
lections for the service on the Tuesday morning have been
made with equal skill. That the evening concerts, at which
the vocal powers of Mesdames Dorus Gras, Viardot, and
Garoia, Misses Birch, Hawes, and Marshall, and Messrs.
Bennett, Hobbs, and Philips, are to be combined, will
prove most attractive, there can be no doubt.
- - -

THE TOWN COUNCIL.—The usual monthly meeting of the
Town Council ought to have been held on Wednesday last.
The circulars, summoning the members, were duly issued,
and the notice, in due legal form, was posted in front of the
Town-hall during three clear days preceding. At eleven
o'clock, however, very few members were in attendance, and
at nearly twenty minutes past eleven only eighteen members
had arrived. It is required by the municipal act that one-
third (twenty-two) of the whole body of the council must be
present for the legal transaction of the public business. As
it was impossible to proceed with the subjects on the paper,
the Mayor dismissed those who had attended, declaring that
it was no council. Another council will be summoned for
next Wednesday. The business which was to have been
transacted we have gathered from the summonses. The pro-
ceedings of the finance committee comprised an offer made
of land, to Messrs. Holme, in exception of the general rule,
to offer first by public auction. The proceedings of the edu-
cation committee comprised the appointment of Marianne
Boyce to the situation of second mistress in the South
School, at the salary of .4:60 per annum. Notices of the
three following motions had been given :—First, by Mr.
Councillor Smith, " to elect a member of the watch, lighting,
cleansing, and fire police committees, in the room of Mr.
George Quayle, who had ceased to be a member of the coun-
cil ;" second, by Mr. Councillor Aikin, " That a committee
be appointed to inquire into, and report upon, the expediency
of removing the Police Court, the Court of Requests, and the
Watch Committee Rooms, and the main Bridewell, together
with the offices connected therewith respectively, from their
present sites to the site of the Islington Market and land in
Shaw's-brow, adjacent to that market; and also, to inquire
and report upon the value of the sites near the Town-hall,
which, by such removal, would be placed at the disposal of
the council;" and, third, by the same member, " That the
sum of £5O, paid by Mr. Quayle on his resignation, be re-
turned to him., We could name some members who always
make their appearance at the board at the time appointed ;
some who merely look in, occasionally, during the proceed-
inn-s ; and others who seldom show their faces at all, and
who are councillors only in name. At the first council in
August, the subject was slightly alluded to by the Mayor
and others, and the Mayor declared that in future if there
were not a council at the time appointed, the punctual mem-

'ierssllOuicci,e---allowed to depart, and not be kept waiting for
those who did not choose to attend. It is to be hoped that
such of our municipal representatives as feel conscious of
having been faulty in this respect, will see the propriety of
not suffering the public business to be retarded by their neg-
lect.—Gore's Advertiser. [The foregoing paragraph sa-
vours strongly of emanating from the confines of the Town-
hall. We believe the circumstance, which is made matter of
complaint, has occurred about once only, previously, in three
years, so that the evil is by no means so gre
informed
this state-
ment is intended to represent. The public is that
the circulars summoning the members were duly issued, and
the notice in due legal form, was placed in front of the
Town-hall, during three clear days preceding." Miraculous
punctuality ! but why miraculous? Are not the Town-hall,
.and all pertaining to it, the very patterns of perfection, for
regularity,
good order, promises, and precision ? Then
why so professionally talk about " the circulars,
is realling the y
being duly issued," &c. &c. This really
gilding refined told,"
and leads one almost to conceive
that all is not exactly clockwork within the Town-hall. Now,
touching these boasted summonses, their -being duly issued.
&c., we would respectfully inquire in how many in-
stances have the summonses, from time to time, been altered,
interlined, &c., after being printed,' before they reached the
hands of the members of the council? We pause for a reply.
We hate hypocrisy ; but, from all we can learn, we believe if
a good search was made,
it would be found that some of the
members of the council were not the only parties who have
kept the council waiting for a quarter of an hour, and that
ou many occasions. The fact is, that the fault is more within
the walls of the Town-hall than with those without them ;
and that the further charge " of suffering the public business
to be retarded by their neglect,"
is also misplaced and un-
founded.
So much, if it be so, for the Town-hall lecture on
punctuality.]