The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-04 00:00:00

MUSIC AND THE DRAMA

TIIE THEATRE ROYAL has, during the past week,
afforded a rich banquet to the votaries of Thalia;—comedy
in her liveliest mood, decked in not a few of her most
attractive lures, and attended by some of her broader and
more fantastic features, having ruled the hour and graced
tage. Even the sparkle of wit and the blandishments

of mirth have not, however, been sufficient to hold undi-
vided sway in this her temple, nor have the emotions of
pleasure been unalloyed by the intrusion of painful
thoughts, suggested by the leave-taking of a veteran and
favourite artist. Who, in even the slightest degree ac-
quainted with the high character which English comedy
has attained, is not aware how much it owes to the correct
taste of William Farren ? Who, of all the play-goers, is
not familiar with the endearingly-remembered name of "Old
Farren," a soubriquet the actor had earned and honour•
ably worn ere the present race of his admirers could dis-
tinctly articulate—even lisp his name ? This artist, whose
history and fame are indissolubly linked with the best
performances of " genteel comedy" which the past and
present heroes of the "sock and buskin" can recal to
memory, still treads our boards, but only to take leave
of us in his public character for ever ; and in parting with
the veteran we feel deeply penetrated with the impression
that we " shall not look upon his like again." Ere retir-
ing from the mimic scene to, we trust, a long enjoyment of
those laurels he has achieved, he has come to take a
kindly farewell of the friends and admirers whose affec-
tion he has won, and whose esteem he has secured in
Liverpool. In thus parting from one with whom we have
been long familiar, and whose presence has, at all times,
been associated with pleasurable emotions, we cannot but
feel that another link of life's mysterious chain has been
cut off, and we are forcibly, however reluctantly, reminded,

" That Time, wilt; steals our years away,
" Shall steal our pleasures too."
Fully appreciating those painful truths, we have witnessed
the performances of Mr. Farren during the past week with
emotions of pleasure, mingled with regret, he having
within that period repeated, for the last time on our boards,
several of his best characters. To offer a criticism on his
delineations of character, would be now a work of superero-
gation, if not deserving of a harsher name ; his impersona-
tions have stood the test of time, and have been honoured
by applauses from the highest and most cultivated intel-
lects of his time, including the fastidious plaudits of the
aristocracy of birth,—the not more easily acquired, or less
highly-prized approval of those, whose right to judge has
been founded and reared on intellectual supremacy ; nor
has the hearty sympathy of unsophisticated nature been
wanting to swell the chorus of his triumphal song. The
pathos of his Grandfather Whitehead has struck a chord
of kindred melody in every breast, from prince to peasant,
while the irascible fire which gleamed through the fitful
fancies" of his Sir Anthony Absolute has formed a theme
for learned disquisition, and been stamped as true by the
hard hands of the unlettered sons of toil. To volunteer
praises now in favour of such varied and so generally.ad-
mired exertions, would be indeed "to gild refined gold ; "
but, even at the hazard of incurring the charge of
seeming officiousness, we cannot allow the opportunity
to pass, without recording—as briefly as needlessly and
inadequately,—our admiration of that quiet, graceful, un-
obtrusive, yet polished, elegance of manner, combined with
delicacy, tact, and earnest sensibility, which he infuses into
his representation of that magic character —a gentleman.
In this class of delightfuls, we must include his representa-
tion of Sir Peter Teazle and Squire Broadlands, in both
of which characters the touches of genuine good feeling and
high-toned sentiment, the latter the result of social position,
are beautifully and artistically put in ; while the confiding
simplicity and native goodness of heart of Dr. Primrose,
"in the Vicar of Wakefield," were also delineated with
masterly skill. His Lord Ogleby, "in the Clandestine
Marriage," is a character of different stamp, depending
more upon external grace than on moral quality, and, as
such, mbre calculated to take the eye than to enlist the
sympathies. Its personation fixes itself less deeply in the
memory, but even there the grace of polished manners,
as delineated by Farren, will not be speedily forgotten by
those who have beheld him. Of Mrs. Phillips, the lady
who accompanies Mr. Farren in his farewell tour, it
would be difficult to speak in terms too highly to be
unjustified by her performances. Her Lady Teazle, a
trying character, was distinguished by a fine display of
natural talent, madei the most of by judicious culture. Her
demeanour is winning, arch, refined ; her acting combines
lady-like dignity, united to perfect ease. The sallies of wit
and repartee flow from her tongue, untincturedby malignity;
and in the trying scene in the library of Joseph Surface,
where her own humiliation is most complete, her confes-
sion was marked by a deep sense of moral rectitude, un-
contaminated by the slightest grossness. In Mrs. H.
Wallis, Mrs. Candour found an able representative.
The pertinacity of her attacks on character of every kind
was characteristic and telling, while her vivacity and em-
pressement in following'up the wildest sallies of a vindic-
tive imagination, made the character in her hands stand
out in all its individuality and force. As Maria, Miss F.
Baker was pleasing and unobtrusive. Among ,the male
performers, it would be wrong to pass over in silent appro-
bation the very pleasing and gentleman-like performance
of Charles Surface by Mr. F. L. Villers ; the Joseph
Surface of Mr. Loraine, and the Crabtree of Mr. Baker,
were also very creditable displays of acting. A burlesque
on Shakspeare's " Merchant of Venice," introduced to the
notice of a Liverpool audience Mr. Robson, a comedian of
brief experience, but, to all appearance, of very diversified,
as well as extensive,' capability. By no means partial to
that portion of the drama which is generally known as
" the burlesque," we are constrained to make very favour-
able allowance for it in the hands of such an actor as Mr.
Robson, and, aided chiefly by the excellence of his acting,
the piece above referred to met with a highly flattering
reception. It has been repeated several times, and each
time seems making its' way still further in popular estima-
tion. Mr. Robson has also appeared with equally marked
success in what may be called the walk of regular farce.
He has been well supported by the talent of the resident
company, and promises fairly to become an established
favourite in our theatrical circle.
THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE has, during the past
week, been the scene of Mrs. Stirling's histrionic triumphs,
that lady having appeared in several characters, and in
each displayed her varied talents. On Thursday she took
her benefit, and on that occasion repeated her favourite
part of Peg Woffington. The play was, as it has usually
been, received with loud and frequently repeated applause.
The preceding night had been devoted to the benefit of
Miss F. Baker. This young lady, who is rapidly rising in
popular estimation, was countenanced by a numerous
assemblage of her friends and admirers. The pieces
selected were " My Wife's Daughter," the " Midnight
Watch," and an afterpiece ; the characters of Clara and
Pauline being sustained by Miss Baker with her custo-
mary good taste. She was supported by Mrs. Stirling,
and the pieces afforded scope for displaying the talent of
the resident company.

LIVERPOOL AMATEUR GLEE AND MADRIGAL UNION.—
On Friday evening, the members of this society gave their
fifth public concert, which, we were glad to see, was well
attended. The concert took place in the Clayton-hall,
Clayton-square, being the first: public performance there.
As we stated last week, the hall is tastefully fitted up; it
is well lighted, and in most respects is very convenient, so
far as the audience department is concerned; with pro-
bably only one exception—the ventilation—which appears
Scarcely up to the requirements of a large audience. On
the occasion alluded to, the hall was by no means over
crowded, yet even in the reserved seats the heat was
marked and unpleasant. The concert commenced ap-
propriately with the " National Anthem," which was
sung effectively, and in good taste. In Mendelssohn's
fine glee " On ithe Sea," the powers and training
of the members were well and favourably displayed
under the judicious conducting of Mr. Lidel. The
telling counter-point of this composition was well
marked, and the general execution of the piece was
such as richly to merit the applause it received. Hatton's
song, of " The Sky Lark,' was given in a simple yet
effective style by Miss Stanley. This young lady has a
voice of much sweetness ; it is of good compass, and her
demeanour and enunciation are both pleasing. At the
conclusion of the song, she was loudly applauded, and
enthusiastically encored ; in complying with the call for
her re-appearance, she sang another piece which she also
gave with much effect. On the piano, Miss E. George
performed a difficult solo, a capriccio by Liszt, from
Lucia di Lammermoor." This lady, who is a youth-
ful performer of much grace and promise, is possessed
of many personal and professional attractions; and her
style of instrumentation was at once pleasing and
effective. Her touch is delicate, and she infuses
no small amount of expression into her, play. The
audience attested their own judgment, and the excellence
of her performance, by a unanimous and hearty encore..
In the second part of the concert Mr. Lidel gave an " Irish
Fantasia " on the violoncello, in capital style, and was de-
servedly greeted with loud applause. The madrigals and
glees were generally given in a style of excellence which
reflects much credit on the exertions of the performers,
and in such a manner as to afford good ground for con-
gratulating Liverpool in being able to number so well or-
ganised a body of resident musicians among its intellectual
institutions. Before closing it would be invidious not to
mention that the piano-forte- accompaniments were very
skilfully given.

;Tun TATLIIIIII, new ship, which has been built at
Warriniton, belaaiidia t 3214 day (TuladaY). •

ENERA

CO.RBESPOff

HURCH, H

TREET

K OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
member that, when I first attended

Divine Service at St. Philip's Church in this town, I was
struck with the careful and reverent manner in which the
service was performed, and such I believe to have been
the general character of the services of that church ; but,
last night, I was sorry to observe a remarkable declension
from this high standard. The Rev. Dr. Hook was preach-
ing, on the occasion of opening the church for evening
service. Some alteration or renovation appears to have
been made in the organ, and perhaps the choir thought
that some of the honours of the day belonged to them;
at any rate there was an attempt, which I certainly never
heard made in the church before, at musical responses, &c.
Nothing, Sir, could be more unfortunate; the whole

as the complet

kst failure imaginable

Unhappy

in its conception, it was worse in its execution, and
forfeited all that character which the services at St.
Philip's might always before have justly claimed. I was
sorry and grieved to observe the change, and it is to
express the hope that it was exceptional—intended,
perhaps, to honour the special occasion which it did but
dishonour—that I trouble you with this note.—l am, Sir,
&c., &c., A CHURCHMAN.
September 30, 1853.

INTONING THE CHURCH SERVICE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

From the correspondence which has taken place
in your columns on the subject of intoning the prayers
and other parts of the Liturgy, I presume it is one which
has excited much attention, at least among those who
know how to appreciate the orderly performance of Divine
Service. For my own part, I knew so little of the prac-
tice of what is called intoning, that I was anxious to hear
and judge for myself, rather than be influenced by the
many able arguments which have been advanced pro and
con, and on Thursday last the opportunity was unex-
pectedly afforded me. I went to St. Philip's Church, to
hear the Rev. Dr. Hook preach on the Feast of St. Michael
and all Angels, and, to my surprise, found that the ser-
vice was intoned, and, as I was informed, for the first
time, on the occasion of a new organ being opened.
I am not actuated in the slightest degree by any pre-
judice against the practice, or, indeed, by any bias either
way, except it is a desire to see some mode introduced by
which the congregation generally may join heartily in the
responses. In this instance, however, I was considerably
disappointed, and feel much regret that on an occasion
when so many strangers were present the mode in which
the service was performed should be such as to deter many
from repeating their visit. Whether the fault rested with
the choir, who were imperfect in their training, or whether
the practice is in itself unfitted for an untrained congrega-
tion, I will not pretend to judge ; but I think none who
were present will dispute that it was an unhappy failure,
and that it would have been much better had the service
been gone through without any attempt at intoning.
I can easily believe the possibility of a congregation
who are regular in their attendance and partially in-
structed in music joining with good effect in a musical
service where the minister leads in the same tone, which
was not the case on Thursday last. But, unfortunately,
in many of our Liverpool churches the congregations are
of a fleeting character, and this would be particularly the
case in the proposed new church, the establishment of
which you have so ably commented upon. For this rea-
son, especially, I trust that the practice of intoning will
not be attempted—at any rate, until the principles of
music shall be as commonly known as the rudiments of
our mother tongue. I am, Sir,
Liverpool, October 1, 1853.
[We believe that Thursday was the first time in which

the practice of intoning was attempted.]
CLERIC'63 complains of the Rev. Dr. Hook having preached
at St. Philip's Church on the Feast of St. Michael and
All Angels. We believe it was in order to suit the
rev. doctor, who could not come on either Sunday, and
therefore selected one of the festivals of the Church of
England. If our correspondent would attend any of
the services at St. Philip's Church, he would see much
to admire, and nothing that the most scrupulous Evan-
gelical could object to.

CORPORATION BATHS, ST. GEORGE'S PIER.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

SlR,—There is an old saying, " If a thing is worth doing
at all, it is worth doing welL" Now, if the Liverpool
Corporation think it worth while to have Baths for the
public at St. George's Pier, let them also consider it worth
while to make the accommodation what it ought to be.
I have, in the first place, to complain of the entrance from
the street, which is exceedingly confined ; for if some one
happens to be before you at the "toll gate," you are obliged
to stand at the side of the footpath like a beggar waiting
for alms from the passers-by. If, however, this thought
does not strike you, the rain does, if it happens to be an
aqueous day. Having at length got through the "turn-
stile," and the washerwoman's drying-yard, you are
ushered into the waiting-room, in which locality you have
generally to try your patience (if you want a warm bath)
for about half-an-hour, as only four can be supplied at the
same time. The said period appears twice as long, for
nothing is allowed worth mentioning to beguile the te-
dium of waiting. This was not the case a few years ago,
for the table was well furnished with books and papers ;
but gone is " the light of other days," and bathers must,
I suppose, take up with the Corporation's dismal waiting-
room. St. George's Pier is decidedly a good place for
baths, but why are they not to be made worthy of the
town of Liverpool ? _ _

Your obedient servant,

A TRAVELLER

THE ST. GEORGE'S BATHS,

TO TUB EDITOR OP THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SIR,—At this cold season of the•year it has been usual
to make the plunge-bath at the Pierhead tepid. This has
not been done this year, and the consequence is, that the
water is not fit to bathe in. The number of bathers has
fallen off to three-fourths the usual average. It was, it is
true, warmed for a few days about a fortnight since ; but
now the weather is colder, this has been changed. ty
giving this a corner in your valuable paper, you will confer
a favour upon your constant reader,

SWIMMER.

EVERTON AND KIRKDALE MUNICIPAL

ELECTION

TO THE EDITOR OP TIER LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SIR,—I notice in the Mercury of last Friday, and since
then in many other papers, that Mr. Samnel Mellor is to
be returned, without opposition, for the wards of Everton
and Kirkdale. As one of Mr. Mellor's supporters in 1850,
I must distinctly state that I have been much disap-
pointed in him ; we have not had his presence in the ward
more than once or twice since he was returned ; and, from
what report states, he has been mixed up in matters
which render him otherwise objectionable to his consti-
tuents. We want a practical man to represent so large a
constituency (1,600 voters), and I have much pleasure in
informing the burgesses of Everton and Kirkdale, that
such a candidate will be found at the poll on the Ist
November, and, if I mistake not, will be triumphantly
returned. Do not, therefore, allow the constituency to be
cajoled into signing any requisition to Mr. Mellor, on
the understanding that he is not to be opposed next month.
—I am, Sir, yours, respectfully,

AN ELECTOR OF EVERTON,
Liverpool, 3d October, 1853.

THE BISHOPRIC OF GLASGOW,

TO TSB EDITOR OP TRH LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

Sin,—A paragraph, I perceive, is now going the round of
the papers, to the effect that the Right Reverend Dr. Trower
has resigned the bishopric of Glasgow and Galloway,, and
that the Honourable and Reverend J. Liddell is thought
of as his'successor. I beg, upon authority, to inform you
that neither Mr. Liddell nor any other party has for a
moment been thought of as likely to succeed Bishop
Trower. I also take this opportunity to inform the public
that, at a synodical meeting of the College of Bishops,
held in Edinburgh, on Thursday last, a memorial was
presented, signed by all the clergy in the diocese of Glas-
gow, praying the College not to accept Bishop Trower's
resignation ; and the result of the Synod was, that the
Scottish Bishops unanimously declined to receive the re-
signation of Bishop Trower.
You will thus see that no change is to be made in the
Episcopate of Glasgow and Galloway. lam glad that this
is so, and I pray God that Dr. Trower may long be spared
to rule over the diocese in which he is so much beloved
and venerated.—l am, Sir, very obediently yours,
GEORGE ASPINALL, Ph. D., Incumbent ofDuffus.
Edge-bill, Liverpool, October 3, 1853.

CURE OF CHOLERA.