The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-11-13 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

The bar of the Oxford circuit entertains Mr. Justice
Talfourd to a public dinner next Saturday.
The paper now issuing from the Excise is dated, on the
water mark, 1850 ! Any wills or legal instruments made
out on this paper, previous to the first of next January,
will be null and void.

THE RELAY SYSTEM IN FACTORIES.—At Heywood, in
this county, last week, Mr. David Mills, occupier of a cot.
ton factory at Heap, was fined in the penalty of £5 and
costs, for having notices up in the mill, and working the
relay system. Mr. Mills demurred to the decision, and
intends to try the matter in the Court of Queen's Bench.
THE AGAPEMONE AGAIN.-IVollidge v. Ripley.—ln
the Court of Exchequer, on Monday, Sir F. Thesiger
moved for a new trial, or to enter a verdict for the defend.
ants in this case, all the particulars connected with which
will be fresh in the minds of our readers. The present
cause, differing from the one previously tried, was brought
to recover the amount of the dividends belonging to the
plaintiff as money had and received to her use during her
confinement, whilst in the private lunatic asylum. A rule
nisi was granted.

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF TIIE FAIR
SWAN OF ERIN, MISS CATHERINE lIAYES.

The career of this talented and truly amiable young
lady. has been so unmarked by stirring incidents, that, in
preparing even a sketch of her biography, the writer
would have little more to do than to record the place
of her birth, which was Limerick, in Ireland, and then
run through a long list of triumphs in her short but bril-
liant musical life. Her great musical talents first deve-
loped themselves at the early age of nine, when her
hearers were suddenly surprised by finding that the child
had a most beautiful and perfect shake given her by nature.
This is a gift seldom bestowed : the shake, to most sin-
gers, being alone acquired by unremitting and laborious

practice.
The good and amiable Lord Bishop of Limerick took
great interest in the child, and has ever since bestowed
upon her his friendly protection and spiritual care. It is
a strange coincidence that Miss Hayes and Jenny Lind,
whom she in so many respects resembles, should both
have been honoured by the friendship of such highchurch
dignitaries as the Bishop of Limerick and the Bishop of
Norwich. While studying at Milan, a little incident oc-
curred at a party which, although a mere trifle, gave the
young student great pleasure at the time, and caused her
to redouble her ardour in the pursuit of excellence.
Being asked to sing, she sat down to the piano ; near her
was an elderly lady, sitting with her back towards her.
She had scarcely commenced singing when the elderly
lady, raising her head, began to turn slowly round, and
did so until she, at last, was looking in admiration full
upon the countenance of the fair vocalist. This old lady
was the once celebrated Grassini, one of the finest singers
in Europe, and aunt to Madame Grisi. She begged to be
introduced, and at once foretold Miss Hayes' prosperous
future. The famed Catalini also evinced great friendship
for her ; and upon one particular occasion, at a party she
gave at her own villa at Florence, where Miss Hayes sang
with marked success, she kissed her affectionately, and
said, what would I not give to be in London when you
make your debut ! Your fortune is certain. And remem-
ber, whenever you come, my door shall be always open."
Not only did Miss Hayes enjoy the friendship of the
greatest of her profession, but also that of the most dis-
tinguished of the English residents abroad. Amongst
others, the English Ambassador, Sir George Hamilton,
and his amiable sister, Lady Caroline, showed her marked
attention and respect while at Florence; upon one occa-
sion, Sir George did her the distinguished honour of con-
ducting her to the banquetting-room, while on the other
arm was the Duchess of Castigliani, daughter of the Cor-
sini—Prime Minister. Such a mark of attention at once
fixed the position she was to hold amongst the principal
families of Florence. A very pretty compliment was paid
Miss Hayes at Genoa, where her success had been most
triumphant. The American squadron was then lying off
the city, the Commander of which, having been introduced
to Miss Hayes at a party, asked if she would honour his
vessel with a visit, as there was much on board that might
interest her by its novelty. The invitation was accepted,
and a day was fixed. What was her astonishment, upon
reaching the deck, to find that preparations had been made
to do her honour that could not have been surpassed had
the President himself been about to visit the squadron !
Colours were flying, every man was dressed in hite.best,
and all the sailors arranged in lines to receive her ! and
in the Captain's saloon a most costly banquet was laid
out. This agreeable visit was so protracted, that she was
obliged to excuse herself from visiting the second largest
ship, the principal of which was excessively disappointed ;
and, upon a subsequent occasion, he declared his disap-
pointment to Miss Hayes' mother, with true sailor-like
bluntness—" Ah !" said he, " your daughter little knows
the trouble she caused us ! Why, we were three whole
days, all of us hard at work to try and outdo the Captain;
and then to think that she never saw a bit of it was plagny
annoying, wasn't it ?"