The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-10-14 00:00:00

In the department of literature there is nothing of the
slightest novelty. We may, however, look out for ,some

activity in the pub
the world is not
readers are gone home again

;'ling trade now that the attention of
entred in Hyde-park, and country

„•In the dramatic world the closing of the ereat Exhibition
has been the signal for the shutting up of many smaller.
The performances at her Majesty's Theatre were
brought to a close on Saturday evening, Mr. Lumley
having, by his after season at playhouse prices, made a
clear profit of £3OOO and upwards. I was told the other
day that Mr. Gye repents of having been too precipitate
in shutting up the ” Royal Italian Opera," Covent-gar-
den. Had it remained open as long as her Majesty's,
there is no reason to doubt but that as many would have
visited that theatre as its rival. The Haymarket closed
also on Saturday, attn., as Mr. Webster informed his au-
dience, a most profitable season, " more than," to use his
own words, "160,000 persons having paid to see the
higher class of dramatic amusements within this building
since the beginning of May last." The Princess's will
close next week. The Adelphi will remain open for some
time longer. Crowds being nightly attracted there to see
Mr. Jonathan Silsbee, or, as he is also called, the trans-
atlantic Liston. In public affairs we need expect little
stir till the arrival of Kossuth.

THEATRE-ROYAL.—During the past week an opera
company of some note have been playing at the Theatre-
Royal with, we regret, only tolerable success. The house,
no doubt from unpropitious weather, has been but thinly
attended.

THE POTATO CROP IN IRELAND.—The reports from
the country for several days past respecting the potato
crop dre much more favourable than those previously re.
ceived. Tn many parts an opinion prevails that theblight
has not extended to any tubers hitherto healthy, for two
or three weeks.

ABERAVON.—IIIGHWAY ROBBERY.—One of the most
daring acts of highway robbery ever known in this neigh-
bourhood was perpetrated on Wednesday evening last.
It appears that a Mr. Benjamin Griffiths, a bookseller,
from Denbigh, North Wales, was on his return home
from a book club, held at the school-room, Craig-y-Pab
(Priest's Rock). when he was met by two ruffianly-looking
fellows in the new road leading from the Margam tin-
works, one of whom struck Mr. Griffiths a violent blow
under the right ear, which completely stunned him, and
he fell. Whilst on the ground one cf the villains jumped
upon his chest, covering his mouth with his hand, and
the other rifled his pockets, and a purse containing £7
13s. 6d. was stolen. They then took to their heels to-
wards Taibach. Immediate information was given to
Police-setjeant Wright; he was joined by Mr. J. Thomas,
butcher, who must hive met the nien on his return from
Taibach ; butafter two hours' search no clue could behadto
them. To prove how daring the act was, suffice it to say the
robbery was committed as early as ten o'clock on the
evening of a fine moonlight, in a public road, and it
appears within a hutdred yards of a person that was
going in the same direction. Wright is still on the scent,
and it is to be hoped the villains will soon be captured.
They were dressed in smock frocks, with Jim Crow caps.
One had light and the other black trousers, and to all
appearances were navvies. Mr. Griffiths is a perfect
stranger at Aberavon, and much sympathy is evinced on
his behalf.
AN EXECUTION UNDER SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.—
Some years ago a man was apprehended in Hampshire,
charged with a capital offence (sheep stealing, I believe).
After being examined before a justice of the peace, he was
committed to the county gaol at Winchester for trial at
the ensuing assizes. The evidence against the man was
too strong to admit of any doubt of his guilt ; he was con-
sequently convicted, and sentence of death (rigidly enforced
for this crime at the period alluded to) pronounced.
Months and years passed away, but no warrant for his
execution arrived. In the interval a marked improve-
ment in the man's conduct and bearing became apparent.
His natural abilities were good, his temper mild, and his
general desire to please, attracted the attention and en-
gaged the confidence of the governor of the prison, who
at length employed him as a domestic servant; and such
was his reliance on his integrity that he even employed
him in executing commissions, not only in the city, but to
places at a great distance from it. After a considerable
lapse of time, however, the awful instrument, which had
been inadvertently concealed among other papers, was
discovered, and at once forwarded to the high sheriff, and
by the proper authority to the unfortunate delinquent
himself. My purpose is brief relation only; suffice it to
say the unhappy man is stated under these affecting cir-
enmatanee. to have suffered the last penalty of the law.—
No to and Queries.