The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-07-29 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL CHORAL SOCIETY

This society held its first public meeting on Tuesday evening
last, at the Amphitheatre, when a selection of sacred music,
flout Handel and a part from the oratoria of Judas Maocabaeus,
was performed. The house was crowded to excess and present-
ed a splendid appearauce, boxes, pit, and gallery being quite
full, and-the audience most respectable. The stage was fitted
up as an .orchestra, with seats tier above tier, facing the
house, and there were, including the chorus, upwards of 151)
performers. Mr. George Eyton acted as leaderyand Messrs.
Maybrick and G. Holden as conductors. The oratorio opened
with Handers splendid Corronatiou Anthem. This was pers!:
formed with good effect, the orchestra playing with preci-
sion. The violins were. scarcely powerful enough, being com-
pletely drowned by the chorus. This was followed by a selec-
tion from Judas Maccabreus. The " Recitative" by Mr. Pem-
berton, " Not vain is all this storm and grief," was well sung.
This gentleman has a very fine bass voice, of much sweetness
of tone, but it wants volume to produce effect in so large an
audience. The air which followed by Mrs. Brand, " Pious
orgies, pious airs" is perhaps one of the most beautiful parts
in the oratorio, and it was done full justice to, being sung with
much sweetness and taste, and the intonation was very distinct
and correct; it was loudly applauded. The fine chorus which
followed, " 0 Father, whose almighty power," was extremely
well given, and was most effective, and told the best of any
during the evening. The weakness of the stringed instruments
was perhaps the only drawback, producing rather a squeaking
effect than adding strength to the chorus. Their force, too, in
one or two instances during the evening was weakened from
their not being sufficiently instantaneously simultaneous in
time. This precision in a large orchestra who have not prac-
tised much to,ether is a most difficult point for the leader to
attain. On the whole, however, we have not much fault to find.
The air " 0 Liberty" was very sweetly sung by Miss Wilson,
and was encored, and the duet which followed by Mrs. Brand
and Miss Wilson was deservedly applauded. the trio in the
first part by Messrs. Stott, Dutton, and Andrews was extremely
well sung, some of the chords being very beautiful; and the
chorus
,which followed, " Hear us, 0 Lord!" was most effective •
and was loudly applauded'. In the second part, the recitative
by Miss Leach, " 0 let eternal honours crown his name," fol-
lowed by the air " From mighty kings he took the spoil," was
rapturously encored. This lady's voice is exceedingly sweet and
chaste; devoid of superabundant ornament, it is, particularly
qualified for this style of music. The duet by Miss Leach and
Mr. I. Stott. which followed, was also encored. Mr. Davies
sung the recitative " Be comforted" in a fine, bold, full toned
voice, and was well received, as were also one or_two more
pieces sung by him. Mrs. Dutton and Miss WilSon also each
met with loud applause in a duet and recitative. A duet by Miss
Leach and Mrs. Hiles, " 0 lovely peace'." was an extremely
pretty thing, full of chaste ornament, and met with an encore.
We have seldom heard more sweetly modulated tones than the
ere notes produced by Miss Leach, and the admiration of the audi-
ence might be gathered from the breathless silence which prevail-
ed. Mr. Andrews sung the air, " Rejoice, 0 Judah," with a fine
deep bass voice; his voice, however, wanted volume to fill the
theatre and, be effective. One or two of the pieces were not so
well received, but, upon the whole, the oratorio passed off ex-
ceedingly well. There is one great disadvantage under which
an oratorio labours—the general uniformity of the style of music.
However beautiful, it is scarcely able, for want of striking va-
riety, to fix and arouse the attention of any but amateurs for
three or four hours, and the audience is apt to listen with a
dreamy inattention. In a concert this is not the case; we have
an agreeable admixture of grave and gay, vocal and instrumen-
tal, and the attention is kept alive by the continual novelty ;
for that reason it is more calculated to please the mass of the
concert-going public. We hope that this auspicious public
opening of the Choral Society will be successfully followed up,
and that it may also urge on the establishment of other musical
societies, and tend to the diffusion of the humanizing and moral
influence of music. We scarcely know an example of a town
of anything like the extent of Liverpool where the science of
music is so little cultivated and encouraged. In almost every
other large town public concerts are held, sometimes weekly,
and it is seldom that two or three societies, similar to the Choral
Society, and calculated for different grades, are not in existence.
In this town, public concerts, excepting those given by private
individuals for their own emolument, are seldom heard of ;
and we believe we are correct in saying that the Choral Society
is the only public musical body in the town. We hope that the
example it sets will be followed.

THE POWDER MAGAZINES.
A deputation entlemen residing on the Cheshire side of
the Mersey wait: .n Friday last on the Finance Committee of
the Common Council appointed to consider the present state of
the powder magazines, to point out to them the danger to which
they and all other persons residing on that side of the river were
exposed, from the state and position of those dangerous depots.
We understand that they were induced to take this step by the
total omission of any reference to themselves in the official re-
port, in which the present very disgraceful and dangerous con-
dition of the magazines is pointed out, and the probable effects
of an explosion on the town and population of Liverpool con-
sidered, but in which the numerous residents of the Cheshire
side of the river do not come in for a single line of observation
or reference, though they, in reality, are the persons most con-
cerned in the matter, and most endangered by an explosion.
The deputation consisted of Mr. Bartley, Mr. Maun, Mr. Lowry,
Mr. V. Higgins, Mr. Cook, and two or three other gentlemen.
We understand that they expressed their surprise and regret
that the report should have contained no, allusion to the effects
which an explosion of the magazines would produce on the Che-
shire side of the river, where the inhabitants, from their prox-
imity, were peculiarly exposed to danger, and that, even as far
as Liverpool was concerned, that it should have contained no-
thing more than conjecture as to the effects of an explosion.
They stated that, even if the mischief at Liverpool should be
confined to the mere breaking of windows and shaking of the
town, it would certainly be very different in the vicinity of the
present depot, now very populous, and where buildings are
rapidly increasing, which would be exposed to the full violence
of the skoek ; and they also pointed out the additional risk from
the establishment of the Royal Liscard Ferry, bringing steam-
boats within 100 or 200 yards from the dep6t. They considered,
that as the neighbourhood was already very populous, and was
every year becoming snore so, that the magazines ought to be
removed, notwithstanding any mere inconvenience that might
accrue, unless it could be shown that the removal to a less ob-
jectionable place was impossible, and they urged the sub-com-
mittee to consider whether a better position could not be obtain-
ed before they proceeded to spend money in repairing and al-
tering the present very dangerous and insufficient Magazines.
We understand that the sub-committee stated in reply that they
had every wish to provide for the security of the inhabitants of
both sides of the river, and that they had already determined to
make the buildings fire-proof, to secure a careful system of
management, and to adopt every possible precaution against
accident, but at the same time they were not prepared to
recommended a removal of the Magazines, as it would be
attended with the greatest inconvenience to the commerce of
the port. They wished to know whether the deputation could
point out any more eligible site? Mr. Bartley (an the part of
the deputation) said that they did not think that it was for them
to find a site, but still they would suggest theta magazine might
be established either on Hilbre Island, or a floating magazine
in the higher part of the river, where it was from six to seven
miles wide, and where a magazine might be placed in the mid-
dle of the river without any serious danger. In reply it was
stated that a Magazine on Hilbre Island would not be accessi-
ble in rough weather, and that one up the river, besides being
much less convenient, would be liable to accident from the
number of steamers passing up and down. After some further
discussion the deputation retired, the committee still promising
to do every think in their power to secure the present augazines,
and the deputation still urging them, before they do so, to see
whether it was not possible to remove them altogether.

CORRESPONDENCE.

NUISANCE.
7'O THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL ST.INDARD,

Sir,—l shall feel obliged to you for drawing the attention of
the proper authorities to the disgraceful exhibition which takes
place every Sabbath day in the vicinity of St. Nicholas's Church:
I allude to thb crowd of noisy and importunate It ishwonten who
frequent the -neighbourhood of Chapel-street, carrying their
baskets of oranges, &c., which they openly offer for sale, even
at the gates• of the Church-yard.. So audacious have these par-
ties become, owing,to their impunity from correction, that they
have actually set up stalls for the sale of these things in the
street, and that, during divine service. It is time for the po-
lice—if they are to be of -any use—to interfere, and put a stop
4o.such disgraceful proceedings.
' •4. I ant, Sir,
-4„, A MEMBER OF ST. NICHOLAS'S CONGREGATION.

TO '7'HE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sir,—You' will lay the licensed victuallers under a great obli-
gation, if you can inform them by what law or semblance of
justice the following fine was iinpOSed :—A publican who keeps
a very respectable house; had to appear before Mr. Hall, for al-
lowing three drunken men to remain in his house. He was
ready to swear that these three men came into his house intox-
icated—he drew them no drink,—but, as they were noisy, he
sent for one of the new police to assist him in getting rid of them.
This the policeman did, and, to the no small surprise of the pub-
lican, he inforined against him for permitting drunkenness on
his premises. He received a summons to appear before Mr.
Hall, by' whom he was dined, in spite of his solemn asseverations
lir that he oil! wished to be rid of these drunken stragglers. Was
this right ?Yours, Yours, &c., A PUBLICAN, NOT YET FINED.
[The magis rates can only act on the evidence before them ;
from what we have heard of the case, the policeman swore that
other drunken men were in the house... If there be any blame,
it must attach to the policeman.—En. L. S.]

THE POLICE AND THE PUBLICANS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sits,—History furnishes us with numerous instances of per-
sons who,.at one period of their lives, were incessant in their
demands for liberty and equal rights, but who, when they had
obtained the helm of power, exercised it with more despotic
sway than their predecessors whom they had so often and so un-
sparingly maligned. The proceedings of the present corporation
afford an apt illustration of this truth. Before they got into
power their speeches were exuberant in professions of freedom
and liberality; but now that they have "the ball at their own
foot," we find their previous sentiments and their subsequent
conduct unquestionably at variance with each other.
In order to prove what I have-advanced,l might refer-to many
acts of the new council; but it may suffice, for the present, to
allude to the crusade entered into against the persecuted publi-
cans:' The police are now under the orders of a committee of
the council, therefore the acts of the police are to be regarded as
emanating from our new corporation. And how ,do the police
act towards the publicans of Liverpool ? They enter quite un-
ceremoniously into any Jerry shop, public-house, tavern, &c.,
by day or by night, survey the countenauce of every,- one pre-
sent, and please themselves how long they stop, or what private
conversation they may listen to; and this kind of conduct they
repeat as often as whim or private pique may direct them. Not
unfrequently an information is laid, the publican is summoned
to appear before the magistrates, and, whatever he may cliane
to urge in, hts'own behalf, he is almost certain to be fined, be-
cause, forsooth, the immaculate police cannot tell a lie, for they
are in all cases actuated only by disinterested motives; and in
almost every case it is vain for the publican to attempt to set up
a defence, because his fate may be said to be prejudged the ato-
ment that the policeman lays his information. Nay, they are
scarcely allowed to call forward a witness in their own yindica-
tion, however dearly they may be able to prove their innocence
in opposition to the disinterested evidence of the immaculate
policemen. How long such a state of things will be allowed to
continue in Liverpool is vet to be known ; but, if we may be
permitted to judge accoraiug to common justice and common
sense, such a system of tyranny and oppression will be met with
that determined resistance and fearless opposition, that ever
stops the march of despotism and consigns its unworthy agents
to the odium and oblivion that they merit.
Were it not for trespassing on your limits I would furnish you
with the names of many respectable publicans who have been
made the victims of our new corporate governors. There are
many useful objects to which the corporation might direct their
attention, and on which they have yet bestowed but little, and,
by doing so, they would acquire more credit for themselves, and
be conferring a greater benefit on the town, than by harassing
the publicans, through persecuting whom they fancy they will
be able to show the efficiency of their new police, wad thereby
to prove the invaluable benefits of the municipal reform bill.—
Yours, &c., JUSTITIA.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

MEETING OF THE PROPRIETORS OF THE
LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.

On Wednesday, at one o'clock, a meeting of the shareholders
in the above railway company was held at the Cotton Sale-
room, convened for the purpose of declaring a dividend, and
also for submitting a plan for raising .€427,500, to pay off sums
which have already been borrowed, liy creating a number of
new shares of £5O each, the present shareholders to have the
liberty of taking them up, and those not taken up to be offered
to the public. The meeting was numerously attended. Mr.
Charles Lawrence was• moved into the chair, after which Mr.
Booth, the treasurer, proceeded to read the report of the direc-
tors. The report, amongst other things, announced that during
the last half year, to the 30th of June, there had been a pro-
greSsive increase in each pact of the company's business.
There had been received—

From passengers by coaches £57,914
For merchandise.
For coals 4,000

Total receipt in six months ....E109,355
The expenses in the same period were—
For bad debts ....
Coach disbursements 10,202
Carrying ditto
Charge of direction

„, ._..,..
Interest
Locomotives .. 20,42.5
Police
and other charges, making in the whole £69,953 for expenses in
the half year, and leaving a nett profit of £39,402. The ex-
penses of the locomotive power had been considerably increased
in consequence of some accidents which bad occurred to the
waggons, and also in consequence of a strike of the locomotive

eniirhe men, which had obliged the directors to_ engage extra
hands. This inconvenience would, however, for the future be
prevented by requiring the men to enter into a contract to serve
for a specific period. The report than adverted to the Grand
junction line of railway, which is to connect the Birmingham
with the Manchester line, and to the northern line, both of
which it was calculated would bring a great increase of busi-
ness to the company. The report went on to announce that
the new railway tunnel in Lime-street- will be opened to the
public on Monday, the 15th of August next, and it was antici-
pated that its central situation would be found a great public
convenience. Though the expense attending the erection of
this budding and the tunnel would not be less than £150,000, it
was determined that no alteration should be made in the rate pf
.fares, the directors being fully confident that a liberal policy
towards the public, was the best. The new and more substantial
rails which were being laid down, owing to the increased price
in iron, had been of greater expense than was at first antici-
pated. It was also the intention of the directors to erect a com-
modious station at Manchester corresponding with that at
Liverpool, and with that view extensive premises had been '
purchased in the neighbourhood of Water-street, near the I rwell.
l'he report also stated that several improvements in the engines
had been tried and would be adopted, and no expense would be
spared in this respect. The directors had lately established an
additional train to leave ,each end of' the line at seven o'clock
-in the evening, which promised to be of -great public conveni-
ence. The directors proposed, in order to meet the mortgage
debt of £427,500 due by the company, to raise a number of
'shares of £5O each, to be offered to every proprietor of a £lOO ,
Share. It was proposed that the advance for every £5O share
should be paid by instalments; £lO on the first week in Feb.,
1837, £io on the first week in August, 18.37, £lO on the first
seek in February and in August, 1838, and £5 on the first week
in February and August, 1839, this rate of payment being cal.
culated to take up the mortgages as they came due. The divi-
dends of the advanced instalments to lie paid six months after
the same shall be paid till August, 1840, when all instalments
being paid up, the dividend would be paid on the whole amount
of shares. Such shares as were not appropriated to be sold at
the discretion of the directors as appointed by the act. It was
recommended by the directors, that, in order to cover the debt
which had been incurred, they should be empowered to make
shares from time to time, and sell them, according to the act.
The nett revenue for the past half year has been £39,402.25. 7d.,
which, with the surplus of the previous half year, £1,569. 7s. 7d.,
made a total of £10,971, 10s. 2d. The report appeared to give
general satisfaction.

Mr. BRAITHWAITE: wished to enquire if the directors were
empowered by the company's act to sell shares.
Mr. CLAY replied that a clause in the act enabled them to
sell shares as they pleased.
The CHAIRMAN then announced that it was proposed that £5
per share dividend for the last half year should be paid on the
20th. of August next. which would leave a balance of £1127 Iss.
2d. to be carried to the next half year's account.
Mr. COGLAN thought that as there was a great call on the 9th
of August for the Grand Junction Railway, it would be a con-
venience to many if the dividend were paid 'before then.
After some discussion, it was determined that the dividend
should be paid on the Bth of August.
A resolution was then put to the meeting, to the effect, that
the company fully recognised the right of the original share-
holders and owners of the £25 shares before the railway was
opened to receive interest on their money, and that the company
would pay interest to them after the rate of five per cent. per
annum, from the time their instalments were respectively paid
till the time the railroad was opened to the public. This was
agreed to. _ _

Liiwts MOZLEY said, there was one point connected with
the report which he wished to enquire into. It was with regard
to the_ paying off a part of the debt by the creation of 291 shares
of £lOO which would be all that would be required. He wished
to ask if the whole number of shares would be sold because they
would be creating a large surplus stock, calculating the value of
each £lOO share to be £3OO. He wished to ask what course
would be adopted with this surplus, and if it would be necessary
to bring so much stock into the market?
The CH A I RMAN said the number of shares they sold would be
regulated by the price they got. If they could sell £lOO shares
for £3OO they should not want so many. _ _

Mr. Boovt, the report says, that shares shall be sold—not
how many—sufficient to meet the debt.
Mr. LEWIS MOZLEY enquired, if a surplus should arise after
the payment of 10 per cent. on both the old and 'new stock
would they still make the shares or pay the debt out of the
surplus-? --
Mr. BOOTH Make the shares and divide the profit.
Mr. LEWIS Mozi.cy would then move, that that portion of
the report which authorised the creation of new shares for the
purpose of paying off the debt should be adopted.
he motion was seconded and carried.

Mr. COGLAN said that there were: hundreds of owners of
quarter shares in humble circumstances, to whom it would be
impossible to purchase the toll shares about to be allotted, so
that, in this ease, the wealthy proprietors would have a great
advantage over them. would suggest that a portion of the
shares should be appropriated to quarter shares to meet this dif-
ficulty, so as to enable the poorer shareholders to purchase
quarter shares.
The CHAIRMAN said they had considered that point, but on
looking at the small number of these shareholders on the list,
the directors did not think it necessary to give that advantage.
The report was then adopted, and ordered to be printed and
distributed amongst the shareholders, and the meet inicbroke up