The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-03 00:00:00

" A LEGEND OF FLORENCE."

The last new play was produced at the Theatre-royal on
Wednesday night, and, of course, according to the pecu-
liarly correct notions of certain contemporaries, the manage-
ment deserves censure for it. The author, our literary read-
ers are by this time aware, is Mr. Leigh Hunt, a gentleman
who for many years has added grace and beauty to our
periodical literature, who has contributed to improve the
taste, and to extend the observation of the reading class,
more, we venture to say, than any writer of the present day.
This, however, was his first experiment as a dramatist, and
as in London so in Liverpool, it was completely successful
not alone with the judicious few.
The plot is founded on a Florentine legend, as the title ex-
presses, and may be described in a few words. Genevra
(Miss Tree) is the wife of Francesco Agolanti (Mr. Stuart),
whose peevish tyranny bows her patient spirit to the dust;
and at length, outraged beyond her physical endurance, she
expires. This event apparently changes the entire character,
or rather disposition, of Agolanti; for, from being imperi-
ously obstinate, he becomes all penitence and self-reproach.
Suffering from remorse whilst in his widowed chamber, he
hears the voice of Genevra calling upon his name, and he
sees, as he imagines, her ghost in the street. He is seized
with a paroxysm of terror, and rushes from the window, bid-
ding defiance to the spectre. Genevra, the auditory then
find, has been buried whilst in a trance. Her husband's
door being closed against her, she seeks her mother's, where
she meets with a reception no better, and at length she ar-
rives at the house of her former lover, Antonio Rondinelli
(Mr. W. Howard), where she is received and most honour-
ably treated. She is about to return to her penitent hus-
band; but before Agolanti takes her home, the vindictive-
ness of his nature again appears, whereupon Genevra indig-
nantly declares she will not return, but enter a convent.
Agolanti becomes furious; Cesare Colonna (W. H. Bland)
interposes, a tight between them follows, which terminates
is the death of Agolanti, and the curtain drops.
In delineating the various characters in this play, there is
much delicate skill and infinite grace displayed. The con-

MEETING OF THE RATEPAYERS OF THE
TOWNSHIP OF WEST DERBY.

Mr. Moththwaite of Low-hill, and Mr. Roundthwaite of
Edge-lane, were appointed Overseers of the Poor for the en-
suing year.
The business being concluded, the thanks of the meeting
were unanimously voted to the Chairman for his impartial
conduct in the chair, and also for the warm interest which
he ever takes in the affairs and welfare of the township.

MEETING OF THE RATE-PAYERS OF THE
TOWNSHIP OF EVERTON.

A meeting of the rate-payers of the township of Everton
was held yesterday, at Mr. Halliday's, the Everton Coffee-
house, for the purpose of examining the accounts of the
Overseers of the Poor, and the Surveyor of Highways,
of that townsnip, for the past year, and to appoint
overseers and surveyor for the ensuing year. Shortly
after 9 o'clock, Mr. John Walker, cotton-broker, was
called to the chair, when, after a discussion of considerable
length, the accounts were passed, and Mr. Wilson Ledger
and M. Henry Edwards were re-elected as auditors ; Mr.
Robert Ledsom and Mr. James Perrin as overseers ; and
Mr. Willan as assistant overseer and surveyor; all at their
former salaries.
The principal speakers were Mr. J. P. Hall, Mr. Heaton,
Mr. Ledger, Mr. Tattersall, and Mr. Heys Pye. The latter
gentlemen urged particularly a security from the assistant
overseer to an amount sufficient to free the parish from lia-
bility of loss. Mr. Shaw replied he was ready to give secu-
rity to the amount of £30,000 if required. The meeting on
the whole was but thinly attended.

Passengers per Queen Victoria, April Ist to Liverpool
from Dublin.---Earl Devon, Lord Courtney, Sir M. Bellew,
Lady Bellew, Lady Fortescue, &c.
Miss COMER'S HISTORICAL LIBRARY.--We beg to di-
rect the attention of our readers to an advertisement, in
another column of this excellent series of works, which will
be found a valuable addition to the school and family library.
We perceive by the Gazette of Tuesday night, that her
Majesty has been pleased to grant the dignity of a Duchess
of the United Kingdom, to The itt. Hon. Lady Cecilia
Letitia Underwood (eldest surviving daughter of Arthur
Saunders, second Earl of Arran, by Elizabeth, his third
wife, daughter of Richard Underwood, late of the City of
Dublin, Esq.), and the heirs male of her body, Lanz/idly
begotten, by the name, style, and title of Duchess of Inver-
ness."

DEATH OF THE EARL OF ENNISKILLEN.—A brave and
noble spirit has departed from the world. The Earl of Ennis-
killen is no more. After many months of suffering and de-
cline, this distinguished nobleman breathed his last, at his
residence, Florence Court, in the county of Fermanagh, on
the morning of yesterday. Frank, intrepid, and courteous in
his manner, he was as much beloved by the friends, as
dreaded by the enemies of his country. Just, considerate,
and judicious as a landlord, he was the pride and the boast
of his intelligent and independent tenantry; whilst the ar-
dent affections of his family and the warm attachment of his
friends—the solicitude with which they watched his declining
health, and the sorrow with which his demise, though ripe
and full of honours, has filled their hearts, are the honest
evidence of that kindliness of disposition and universal bene-
volence of character which won him the respect, confidence,
and affection of all who had the happiness of his acquaintance.
The noble lord is succeeded in his title and estate by his
eldest son, Lord Cole, whose elevation to his present rank
will create a vacancy in the representation of Fermanagh, of
which he has been member since the year 1831.—Dublin
Evening Mail of Wednesday.
DEATH OF LADY THURLOW.—We have to announce the
premature demise of Lady Thurlow, on Tuesday last. Her
ladyship, who was the only daughter of Mr. Peter Hodgson,
was married to Lord Thurlow, in November, 1836, by whom
her late ladyship leaves issue two sons.

The members of the Athelstone, and of the Royal York
Lodge of Perseverance, No. 7, with many members from va-
rious Lodges, dined together at the King's Head Tavern, on
the 23d instant, to commemorate the 28th anniversary of
Brother Grimstone's celebrated Eye Snuff. Brother Grim-
stone is past master of No. 7, and P.Z. of the Royal York
Chapter, No. 7, and has served the arduous office of Trea-
surer to both, for the last 7 years, to the united satisfaction
of all brethren and companions concerned, and much honour
to himself.—Bell's New Weekly Messenger.
INTOXICATION IN CONSTANTINOPLE.--The following
punishment of drunkenness was lately inflicted by the popu-
lace at Constantinople. An unfortunate Mussulman, who,
under the influence of wine, had lost his perpendicular, was
tied upon a lame mule with his head, on which was placed a
round European hat, towards the tail of the animal, and be-
hind him was tied a dog back to back. After having paraded
him through the streets, stopping at every fountain to sprinkle
him with water and mud, he was taken by the populace to
the banks of the Bosphorus, and plunged into the:water with
his innocent companion. The hair of the back of the dog
was then cut in the form of a cross, and the beard of the
Mussulman was shaved off with the same razor. He was
subsequently plunged twice into the Bosphorus, and the pu-
rification was considered perfect.
- -

A LONDON CABMAN.—Arrived in Thames-street, Davie,
with a considerable effort, mustered up resolution enough to
call a " patent safety cab," according to his uncle's instruc-
tion 4 ; though amongst the odd variety of competing vehicles
which rolled forward at his summons, amidst the cracking
of whips, and the most insinuating exclamations of "'Ere,
yer honor !" " Now, yer honor !" " Honly set hey es on this
ere 'oss !" &c. he was sadly puzzled as to which he
should choose. Seeing, however, the words " patent safety,"
glit in glowing invitation upon one of Hansom's low-strung
street-scourert. he stepped into it, bag and baggage,
and very narrowly eseaped being run over in the attempt.
" Now vich-a-vay, yer honor ?" Was it Ashantee, or the
language of the Cannibal Islands, that he spoke ! Davie
could not for the soul of him tell. " Vich-a-vay !" the man
repeated, somewhat impatiently. " Vich !" said Davie, in
unfeigned astonishment. Away the vehicle rattled towards
Wych-street. * * * Arrived in Wych-street, the cab-
man stopped suddenly, and inquired of Davie " vich was the
number ? Davie got a sudden inkling of the state of affairs
and roared out, " The Cawledonian eawffee Hoos, in Hall-
borren." The man shook his head. Davie repeated the di-
rection. " Cant come that 'ere lingo," said the man, "cant
tork nuffin but Hingleish !" Davie fortunately had a card
of the coffee--house-keeper's in his possession, which he had
received from his uncle, and by a strong effort of ingenuity
he thrust it into the cabman's hand. " Vy, it's Obin
you means," said the cabman; and then, in a stage-whis-
per, perceiving that he had caught a " flat," " the cove's
as green as wardierras ; comed out of 'is vay, nigh a moile.
But never ' salt' his fare on the rum un !" Hav-
ing reached the place of destination on Holborn-hill, a coffee-
shop of which the professor had found the charges very con-
veniently moderate—" Now, moster," said the cabman,
" jist arroived—distance jist ten moile—comed out of yer
way four—my fare's jist height and sixpence !" " Eight and
sixpence!" roared out Davie, in utter astonishment. " Height
and sixpence," repeated the cabman ; " 1 bought to have
charged yer a ' bob' more for the luggage ; but has you're a
younker, I thought as 'ow I'd be merciful." Now Davie
was not so easily duped as the cabman imagined. " His
country for that as any friend Thomson says. In one of
the skirts of his coat he had placed a leaf taken from the
pocket-book of a Glasgow friend, in which the fares of the
London cabmen were duly registered. While Davie was un-
folding and consulting this document, the cabman became
monstrously impatient and even abusive. Davie's sole re-
mark was, " Hoot awa', mon, dinna fash yerser ." The
cabman muttered something about " Scotch beggar," in tones
so distinctly intelligible, that Davie's Highland blood was up
at once, and out he poured a most tremendous volley of in-
vectives, which he wound up by applyinm to the astonished
" whip" the epithet of a " dons naethinP era I" The cab-
man, seeing the sort of customer he had to deal with, began
to " sing small," and Davie having by this time made out
the fare, in a very blundering manner, to be somewhere about
three shillings, the man consented to take three shillings and
sixpence (thus making the moderate abatement of a crown in
his charge), and Davie having paid this, as he said, to avoid
" fichin' and dispitation," the cabman drove off, imitating
the Parthian mode of firing backwards at Davie a volley of
the most scurrilous abuse.—Davie Diddledoft, London Ma.
gazine.

~..__~ _

trast between the characters of _Agolanti and Genevra is
highly dramatic, and we doubt not its truthfulness is often
recognised by English experience. Miss Tree played ad-
mirably. Her resignation was exquisitely reproachful of the
cruelty of her husband ; and the exclamation, before she
faints—" Good God ! what have I done?" completely thrilled
the house. We shall not enter now into an analysis of the
character—we shall only characterize it as showing what
woman endowed with the best qualities actually is. Of Mr.
Stuart's performance we cannot say much. The defects in
his elocut which we have already , yet reain,
and therei s ascertain affected utterance observable inm him
that spoils his reading of the part. We should like him to
give his voice a fair chance, as it were. He will readily com-
prehend our meaning. Mr. Howard was respectable in
.Rondinelli, and the other performers were good.
We find that the play is to be repeated to-night and on
Monday ; and it is possible that we may further notice it
ift
our next number.
Last evening As You Like It was performed—Rosalind by
Miss Tree. We cannot sufficiently express an admiration of
her performance.
We trust that before Miss Tree's engagement terminates,
the management will afford the public an opportunity of
witnessing Mr. Hayne's new play Mary Stuart, than which
there are few dramatic productions in that style of superior
merit.

Yesterday morning, at nine o'clock, an unusually numer-
ous meeting of the ratepayers of \Vest Derby took place at
the Commissioners'-room, Harper-street, Low-hill. for the
purpose of passing the accounts of the surveyor of the high-
ways, and the accounts of the overseers of the poor, and of
electing a surveyor for the ensuing year. There were present
about 500 individuals, including the most respectable inha-
bitants of the township.
Previously to the general business of the meeting, and
immediately after the CHAIRMAN had read the notice
calling it,
HARDMAN EARLE, Esq., addressed himself to the meeting
in behalf of his brother, It. Earle, Esq., at whose instance
the township had been indicted, for neglecting the repair ef
Lord-street, Edge-hill, between Duke-street and Smithdowil-
lane. He read a letter from his brother, authorising him to
represent him, and requested the favour of having a prior
hearing, as he was about to depart by the railway, on urgent
business, to Manchester. The Chairman having assented,
lie proceeded to justify the indictment, on the ground that
the street in question was bona ;fide a public highway, which
the inhabitants were bound in law to repair. -He disclaimed
being actuated by private motives, his sole object being to
obtain an advantage to the public.
It was then put to the meeting whether the ratepayers
should agree to repair the street, as required by Mr. Earle,
or should oppose the indictment at the quarter sessions. The
show of hands was greatly in favour of the latter proposition;
but this was set aside by an amendment, to the effect, that
in order to save the expense of an appeal, they should have
a case drawn up by Mr. Saunders, under the inspection of
Mr. Falkener, so that the opinion of counsel might be taken
on the subject. The amendment was carried almost unani-
mously ; and Mr. Earle bowed to the meeting, thanked
them for their courtesy in hearing him, and retired,' remark-
ing that he supposed the matter must be settled elsewhere.
The CHAIRMAN said that the question was settled so far
as the meeting could proceed with it.
The meeting then proceeded to the passing of the surveyor's
accounts, upon which a good deal of discussion ensued, in
which Mr. Wilson showed himself in his usual way—ever
anxious to economise. Finally the accounts were passed
without a division.
The appointment of a surveyor for the ensuing year was
next considered.
Mr. WILSON moved that Mr. Sherwood be appointed the
surveyor, at a salary of £BO a year.
The motion was but feebly supported.
Mr. GEORGE HOLT moved that Mr. Pennell be re-ap-
pointed as surveyor, with a salary of 200 guineas.
The motion was seconded by Mr. E. HALL, and was
carried by a majority of about 5 to I of the whole meeting.
A few gentlemen called for a poll ; but Mr. Wilson de-
clined joining them, expressing himself satisfied with the
choice being in accordance with the general feeling of the
meeting. Mr. Holt's motion was supported by the most re-
spectsble part of the inhabitants of the township. At first
the proposition for so large a salary staggered the meeting ;
but they soon fell into the views of Mr. Holt.
The accounts of the Overseers were then presented, but
were not gone into, as it was thought unnecessary, they being
scrutinized by the auditor appointed by the Poor Law
Guardians.