The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-04-07 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.—The weather has for the last few days
Wednesday was a brilliant day,

anable

but yesterday the rain fell in torrents the whole day witli4ti
very brisk wind from the west and north-west. We continue
to receive the most favourable accounts of the progress of
vegetation from all parts of the country.
nkTAL ACClDENT.—Yesterday, an inquest was held be-
fore the borough coroner on view of the body of Elizabeth
Patrickson, who, it appeared, had accidentally fallen from
one of the garden walls, at Seacotnbe, to the beach, by which
her left ancle was fractured. The accident occurred on the
23d of February, sinbe which time mortification had taken
place. Verdict—Accidental death.

Suspicious CHARACTER. —Yesterday at the Police-
court, a man named William Sharrock, who had but been
discharged from prison, after serving three months, on the
previous day, was charged with having in his possession a
quantity of lead, without being able to account satisfactorily
for his possession of it. He was committed to the House of
Correction for three months.
COMMITTALS.—At the Police-court yesterday, two dis-
orderly girls were committed for trial at the sessions—one
for robbing a man named Stanbury, one of the crew of the
Virginia packet-ship of one sovereign in gold and three half-
crowns in silver—the other for robbing a boy belongnig to a
flat lying in the Queen's Dock. They both protested their
innocence.

PATENT.--In the list of patents for March, we notice one
granted to Mr. William Laycock, of this town, merchant,
for imprcvenients in constructing houses and such-like
buildings. This is, we believe, the gentleman who has
manufactured the iron residence for the African king now
flitting up on the piece of land to the east of the Custom-
house.

COMMITMENT.—On Tuesday last, a boy named Francis
Husse was charged, before Mr. Rushton, at the Police-
court, with having broken the window of a shop in Dale-
street, and attempted to steal therefrom a piece containing
seven silk handkerchiefs. He had previously been three
times committed, and twice discharged. He was sentenced
to three months' imprisonment.
SutctnE.—An inquest was held yesterday on the body of
Mary Rearden. From the evidence produced, it appeared
that the deceased, who lived in Watkinson's-court, Spading-
street, had had frequent quarrels with her mother and friends,
and that she was not altogether of sound mind. She had
more than once threatened to put an end to her existence,
which threat she executed on Tuesday last by taking a quan-
tity of arsenic, which produced death on the following day.
Verdict, "Temporary Insanity."

. -
STEALING COTTON.—Yesterday, at the police-court, two
boys were charged before Mr: Rushton with stealing cotton.
One of them had forced an iron stanchon from a window of
a warehouse in Great Howard-street, and was conveying off
a sack of cotton, about ISlbs. The other lad, whose age
could not exceed S years, had stolen a quantity from Cromp-
ton-street. He was banded over to his
.mother, a respecta-
bly dressed person, who promised to be responsible for his
future conduct.

STEALING A DRESS.—A youth (whose name we did not
learn) was yesterday committed for trial by Mr. Rushton, at
the police-court, on the charge of having stolen a dress and
a shirt from the house of Mrs. Bimson, publican, Scotland-
road. From the evidence of Martha Large, a servant of the
prosecutors, it appeared that she had seen the prisoner coming
down stairs, and afterwards found near where he was sitting
the gown and shirt, which had been removed from the room
up stairs. The prisoner said nothing in defence.
THE THEATRE ROYAL V. THE LIVER.—The actions
instituted•by the proprietors of the Theatre Royal against
Mrs. Honey and Mr. Buckstone, for performing the regular
drama at the Liver Theatre, without licence, which were en.
tered for trial at our present assizes, were withdrawnon Tues-
day last, we believe, conditionally. The Liver Theatre, we
understand, will in accordance with the conditions close to
night until August next : so that for the present at least,
litigation on this subject will ease.

CALIGRAPHY.—The dispositions of men, say some per-
sons, are indicated in their writing. The Duke of Welling-
ton, for instance, makes bold tall letters, significant of daring
and ambition ; while the compact style of' Lord Brougham
betrays an intellect acute and cogent. Mr. Moore writes a
lady hand, from which it is inferred, that gentleness prevails
in his mind over more masculine feelings; but here the
theory is at fault, for Byron's writing was very like his
biographer's. Perhaps, as Lord Chesterfield said, we can
write in whatever style we please ; and on looking over some
specimens at Mr. Thompson's the other day, we were forcibly
struck with the correctness of this observation. Mr. Thomp-
son's pupils learn in a few lessons to correct the most invete-
rate habits, and soioe of our friends have had the good sense
to profit by his instructions. We would recommend one or
two of our correspondents, if they wish us to read their
future communications, to lose no time in applying to him.
CHARLESTON.—The fast-sailing ship Hibernia, Captain
Bunting, arrived here yesterday afternoon from Charleston,
after a remarkably short passage of nineteen days, having
left that city on the evening of the 17th ult. They had just
received the news from England, by the " Great Western,"
which had taken them " all a-back." The dates from Mo-
bile are to the 11th, and 10th from New Orleans; at the
former port a large business has been done in cotton, prices
stiff, and tending upwards. Stock on hand (including that
on ship-board not cleared) 144,067 bales. Every ship in the
port had been engaged, a circumstance which is stated never
to have occurred before at the same season of the year.
Rates id. The bank was checking on New York 16 per
cent. premium. At New Orleans the cotton market had
been very animated, and a large business had been trans-
acted, 6,000 bales sold on the Bth. Holders had regained
what they had lost on receipt of the steamer's accounts.
Middling cotton 5 cent. Exchange (sterling) had advanced,
and was in good request at 11 to 2 per cent. premium.
Freights dropping, our engagements to Havre are 11 cent.

IMPUDENT ROBBERY.—A stout robust looking man, ra-
ther respectably dressed, named Willcock, was charged at
the Police-court, on Tuesday, with felony, under the follow-
ing circumstances. William May stated that he was a pub-
lican ; the prisoner came into his house on the previous day
and had some gin and ginger beer; there were pietures on
the wall of the room in which the prisoner sat. This was in
the morning; about noon he was coming up St. James-street,
when he met the prisoner, who had in his possession a pic-
ture now produced, which he recognized, and questioned the
prisoner, who threw it down and made off; he also threw out
of his pocket a book, which was taken up. The prisoner was
stopped by a police-officer. Elizabeth Banbury stated that
her husband was a publican, and the prisoner came into his
house with a picture in his hand; there was a book in the
room in which he sat. The one now produced is it. It is a
directory, and cost 6s. 6d. The prisoner said it was his first
offence. He was committed to take his trial at the ensuing
sessions.

DARING RODDERY.—ShortIy after twelve o'clock on the
night of Saturday week, a couple of scoundrels, who had
their faces blacked and were armed with pistols, entered the
toll-house at the Old Swan gate. They threatened to shoot
the mister and mistress if they attempted to move or give
any alarm. They ransacked the house, and, as it was the
night on which the gate-keeper made up his money, they
found about £l6, which, with a new suit of black clothes,
they carried off with them. A relation of the gate-keeper
had recently died, and was to be buried on the following day.
The clothes bad been ordered for the funeral, and bad never
been worn. The robbers left a Macintosh coat behind them.
On the same evening, there was a dance or merry-making at
one of the public-houses adjacent to the Old Swan. During
the entertainment, two fellows with blacked faces entered the
house and amused the company by singing Jim Crow and
sundry other negro songs. As they left the house about
twelve o'clock it is supposed that they were the parties who
committed the robbery at the toll-house.
ARMISTEAD V. CRELLIN.—At the Sheriff's Court, on
Wednesday, an inquiry was gone into before the under-shpriff
to assess the damages in an action brought for the recovery
of a sans of money for services rendered by the plaintiff, Mr.
Richard Armistead, of this town, to Miss Ann Crellin, also
of this town, in bringing to justice John Orr M'Gill and
others, accused some time since of having carried off the said
Ann Crellin against her will to Gretna Green. On the action
being brought the defendant suffered judgment to go by de-
fault, admitting that something was due. On this the case
came before the sheriff to have the damages assessed. Mr.
Atherton appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. James for the de-
fendant. According to the statement of the plaintiff, when
he, Armistead, undertook to assist her in the conduct of the
case above alluded to; he received from her a document
promising £lOO for his services. This she afterwards re-
fused to pjty, and the action was hereupon brought for the re-
covery of the amount. The document was put in, and evi-
dence tendered to prove the genuineness of the signature.
Mr. James pleaded at considerable length in mitigation of
damages. After an inquiry which occupied two hours and a
half, the jury returned a verdict awarding the claimant £l7.

ROBBERY IN STAFFORDSBIBE.--David Harrison and
Frances Simpson, two respectably dressed persons, were
brought into the Police-court, on Wednesday; in charge of
police-officer 147, by whom they had just been arrested ; and
who stated, that having that morning received information of
a robbery in Staffordshire, and a description of the parties,
he succeeded in arresting the prisoners in Stewart-street.
They were about to embark for Philadelphia, in the Potomac,
having paid their passage in that vessel to Messrs. J. and W.
Robinson. On the male prisoner was found a bag containing
about £2OO in American and English money, principally
gold. A brother of the female prisoner stated, that on Wed-
nesday last his father had sold a plot of land adjoining his
residence, at Grindon, near Leek. The proceeds, about
£217, in £lO Bank of England notes and gold, were deposited,
for safety, at his brother's house, of which the female pri-
soner had, the management. Some time on Monday night or
Tuesday morning they decamped with the money, and he
had traced them to Liverpool. The female prisoner said,
that her father presented her with the money. Mr. Rushton
directed the officer to take them to the magistrate of Grindon.
STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH NORTH WALES.—We
are glad to observe that the City of Dublin Steam-packet
Company have come to the determination of placing one of
their fine vessels on the station between this port and the
Menai Bridge. The public will thus have the security of
that company's well-earned reputation, that everything will
be done that can possibly add to the comfort and safety of the
passengers who patronise their steamer. The Erin-go-Brach
is a new and very fast vessel, and her accommodations are all
that can be wished, both for cabin and deck passengers, as
there is a large and airy cabin for the latter below the deck.
She is divided into five compartments by wrought- iron water-
tight bulkheads, which not only prevent any danger from
foundering by collision or otherwise, but also add much to the
strength of the hull; and, in addition to these great preserva-
tives to human life, she has a dopot of life-duoys on board
sufficient to float 200 persons. Her draft of water is so small
that, if she was thrown on a beach, her passengers and crew
could walk nut of danger. She will be under the command
of Captain George Datil, who has had great experience on the
station ; and the comforts of the passengers are to be under
the immediate surveillance of a gentleman selected for that
especial purpose.

SAVAGE ASSAULT.--On Tuesday last, at the Police-
court, James Finan, who had been remanded from the pre-
vious day in order to obtain the depositions of the surgeons,
was charged with violently assaulting a man named
Nl' Kenna, on St. Patrick's day last. From the evidence
adduced, it appeared that the complainant had on that day,
in company with the prisoner anti two other men, been play-
ing at cards at a public-house in Tithebarn-street ; that the
prisoner was the losing party, and wished to play again, but
the complainant declined, and went to accompany one of the
party home. After parting with him he (M`Kenna) saw the
prisoner following him. Whilst in the habit of knocking at
the door of the house in which he resided, the prisoner struck
hint first with his fist, and afterwards knocked him down
with a rod of iron. Finan then took hold of the complainant
by the ears, and dashed his head against the causeway, where
he was found shortly afterwards in a state of. insensibility.
Mr. M'Ardle, and an' assistant to Mr. Cripps, surgeons,
stated the nature of the injuries the complainant had re-
ceived. A slight concussion of the brain had taken place,
but it was more probable the injuries resulted from the fall
than from the blow the person had received. The complain-
ant, it appeared, had had drink but not in that quantity to
produce insensibility.
M'Kenna had been unable to attend
until Monday in consequence of the injuries he had received.
The prisoner denied having struck the complainant with an
iron bar, but admitted having hit him. though slightly, with
his hand. He was committed to take his trial at the ensuing
sessions, but to be admitted to bail, himself in 150, and two
sureties in £2,) each.

DEATH FROM BunNima.—Yesterday, an inquest was
held on the body of Ellen Connolly, whose clothes had acci-
dentally taken lire about three weeks ago, since which time
she had lingered in great agony. Verdict—Accidental death.
THE FUNDS, WEDNESD AN EVENING. Consols have
advanced the shade, and are now quoted 97 sellers. For the
next account they have been done at 974-. There were good
buyers in the market, and the opinion of the public being in
favour of the exhibition of a satisfactory revenue account
has also given some support to business. Exchequer-bill
le ^Q,. t, -1s

rule at 68s. to 70s. premium, and 675. to 695. premium ; the
higher quotation being for the lid. bills, i,,cluding those
issued for compensation to the claimants under the late for-
geries, and the lower quotations for the 2d. bills. The anti-
cipation with respect to the last class of bills is, that if any
further reduction in interest is made, it will go below that
now current in the March issues, and hence the cause of the
difference in their premium. Bank stock is quoted at the
high value of 189 for the opening this week ; New Three-
and-a-half per Cents. closed 102 a to 1, and India Bonds 745.
to 775. premium. Some dealings have lately occurred in
the shares of the United States Bank, and the Dutch specu-
lators'are said to be the purchasers, certainly not with the
idea of effecting immediate profit from their investment, but
regarding them more in the light of a chance security, which
in course of time may improve. It does not, however, appear
that they are inclined to lay out much capital in the adven-
ture, since the price paid does not exceed 10s. or lls. for the
original £25 share.

THEATRE-ROYAL.—Madame Celeste, Mr. Webster, and
Mr. Strickland have been delighting the audiences since
Monday in some of their popular and amusing dramas.
" The Pretty Girls of Stilberg," which has had a great run
in London, has been well got up. Mr. Webster gives in it
a portrait of Bonaparte, which cannot fail to be recognised
as a capital likeness : in fact, he appears as if he had stepped
out of some of the French lithographs in which the " little
corporal " is depicted. Madame Celeste acts Margot with
much archness and vivacity. The most amusing character
in the drama is that of a drummer, played by Mr. Strick-
land. Mr. Shrivall introduced a drinking song in good bac-
chanalian style. Miss Gardner made a smart little sergeant,
and sang a song with her usual ability. " The pretty girls "
go through their manoeuvres with remarkable precision.
The tableau at the close is very effective. In the " Lover
by Proxy," Mr. Webster played Harry Lawless with much
gaiety. Mrs. Seymour, as Kate Bromley, created conside-
rable laughter by her closing address to the house. Madame
Simon's Miss Prude was done to the life. Mr. J. Wood
overdraws Squib. Mr. Slaiter was amusing enough as
Blushinyton s valet. In " Marie Ducange," Mad. Celeste
performed in her usual pathetic and graceful manner. The
last act of this drama would " melt a rock to tears." The
closing scene is one of the most effective on the stage. Mr.
L. S. Thompson impersonated Lassells with much earnest-
ness and ability, but we cannot say we admired his costume.
His sky-blue neck ribbon, white gloves, and white jacket,
were anything but " shipshape." Mr. Eaton played the
French smuggler extremely well. He is very successful in
this description of character. Mr. Eaton is evidently a good
French scholar. " Foreign Affairs" was produced on Wed-
nesday. Madame Celeste, Mrs. Clarke, and Mr. Strickland
kept the house in one continuous scream of laughter. The
acting of the two latter was " excruciatingly droll." It was
the broadest of broad farce.—To-night a new drama, called
" Sidonia di Molina," will be represented for the first time,
with "The Pretty Girls of Stilberg," and Foreign Affairs,"
for the benefit of Madame Celeste. To-morrow night " The
Bastile " will be produced. The house will be closed next
week, and re-open on Easter Monday.
THE THEATRE ROYAL, THE LIVER, AND THE AMPHI-
THEATRE.-.-On Wednesday last the solicitors of the Theatre
Royal, applied to Mr. Rushton at the Police-court, to exer-
cise the power vested in him by the New Improvement Act,
and to proceed against the parties engaged in, or forwarding,
any dramatic entertainments for which admission-money
was received.—The solicitor considered that, in accordance
with the section of the Act which he read, Mr. Rushton had
no power to refuse the application.—Mr. Rushton said he
must first require proof.that money was demanded, and that
the theatres named were not licensed theatres. The solicitor
replied by reading a portion of an Act, that deprived even
the Crown and the Lord Chamberlain of the power of grant-
ing any license, except within the precincts of Westminster,
and then only during the residence there of the Sovereign,
and argued that they could not be licensed theatres.—Mr.
Ellis enquired under what Act the patent of the Theatre
Royal was granted, but this was not gone into, as to the
proof that money was received, the Act required that the
information should be laid on the day the money was taken ;
and as this took place at night, he wished Mr. Rushton to
forward to the chief constable a written order to apprehend
any person connected with the production of the performance.
—Mr. Rushton declined to do this, and said they must them-
selves produce the proof of money being paid.—The solicitor
replied, that that would render them liable ; and as the offence
was committed at night, it would be difficult to find the Sti-
pendiary Magistrate.—Mr. Rushton said he was seldom out
of town, but they must take that risk upon themselves. At
present he declined granting their request, on account of
other proceedings that were pending against the lessees and
other of the minor theatres.—The solicitor then applied on
his own behalf, but Mr. Rushton ruled, that he represented
the proprietors, though he was not one himself, and it was
his (Mr. R.'s) opinion, that the Improvement Act was never
intended to apply to such dramatic entertainments as those
produced at either the Amphitheatre or the Liver Theatre,
but to such as were resorted to by the lowest characters ;
and if the present course was persisted in by the Theatre
Royal, he would require the Act to be fulfilled to the
strictest letter, for he was averse to the proceedings
which had been adopted. The application was of course
not granted. Yesterday the solicitors renewed their appli-
cation, and produced the authority which the mayor had
granted to Alice Stebbing, of the Amphitheatre. It is to
continue in operation until November next, but strictly for-
bids the production of performances by which a penalty
would be incurred. The 2d section of act 10 Geo. 11, chap.
2S, prohibits the exhibition of stage plays without a patent
from the crown, or a license from the lord chamberlain ; and
the sth section prohibits the grant, except within the pre-
cincts of Westminster, during the residence of the Sovereign
there, and there only. The solicitor then read the 253 d sec-
tion of the new improvement act, which says—" It shall be
lawful for any justice, by order in writing, to authorise the
head-constable or superintendent inspector belonging to the
pollee force of the borough to enter into any room or house
within the said borough for the use of stage plays or dramatic
entertainments, or for any public show or exhibition into
which admission is obtained by payment of money, and
which is not a licensed theatre or room or place appointed by
the mayor at any time when the same shall be open for the
reception of persons resorting there, and take into cus-
tody all persons who shall be found therein without
lawful excuse. It further enacts that they shall be
liable to a penalty not exceeding £2O, or in default to be
committed to hard labour to the House of Correction for a
time not exceeding two months." The solicitor ably con-
tended, that as the Mayor had only given a qualified autho-
rity, and had forbidden the production of play, opera, or
farce, by which a penalty was incurred. And that as section
253 of the Improvement Act says, it shall be lawful, he (Mr.
Rushton) had no discretion in the matter, if he proved that
admission-money had been received, and a play enacted.
He then called William Hannay, who statedithat he had
visited the Amphitheatre last night ; he paid sixpence for
admission, and could define the difference between an opera,
a play, and a ballet. A play was produced, it was entitled
" The Life of a Woman." It was in three acts, and similar
to what was usually represented at other theatres. The
solicitor said that anything was a play in which characters
were defined by dialogue and action in the usual way.
Mr. Rushton said that there was a distinct remedy to en-
force the law by penalty in such cases, and that he did not
consider himself justified in proceeding against those who
were unconscious offenders, and subjecting them to the
severe penalty of the law or imprisonment to hard labour.
It was an infringement on the liberty of the British subject.
Many could not afford to go to the higher classes of theatres,
and it would deprive the working classes of a rational re-
creation. The Mayor had granted a qualified liberty to those
theatres, and if that was impugned a penalty of £5O could
be enforced, and, therefore, he could not interfere. The
solicitor said that the process of enforcing penalties were so
dilatory as to be almost useless. Mr. Rushton said that that
would not induce him to commit hundreds of unoffending
persons to punishment. The Mayor had granted a sort of
authority and he would not interfere. The solicitor then ap-
plied for a similar order to be granted against the Sans-
pareil—a theatre to which, it was stated, the Mayor had
given no authority. Mr. Rushton said that this was
quite a different case, when Mr. Shuttleworth informed
him that the mayor had given notice that he would not suffer
this and some other places to remain open after the :31st
March last ; but, in consequence of that notice being verbal,
the time was extended until the Bth of April (Saturday next).
The solicitor pressed on the attention of the magistrate, the
253 d section of the improvement act stating that he thought
no discretionary power was vested in him.—Mr. Rushton
said that lie would take a few days to consider of it. The
solicitor then left the court.