The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-06 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.—The splendid spec-
tacle of Napoleon Bonaparte during the ast week, can-
tinued to be the princival attraction at this house, fel-
lowed by varied and amusing horsemanship in the ring,
and the Brigand, admirably got pp, Mr. Watkins Bur-
roughs sustaining his original character as the hero. We
need say nothing further in favour of the military drama
of " Napoleon" than that it has been so well received by
crowded houses that the manager has by desire consented
to its repetition during the present week ; and we recom-
mend those who have not yet seen it to avail themselves
of the opportunity. No other theatre in the kingdom
could, we believe, produce it with such accuracy. We
hare in M. Tourniaire the very semblance of Napoleon
himself, in person, in language, and in gesture : and we
have the veritable, but now age-worn charger which was
the companion of many of his most brilliane• campaigns.
in addition to this, the horsemanship embraces much of
novelty, and Timour the Tartar, a fine equestrian staee
piece is prepared with new scenery, machinery, dresses,
&c., as an after piece.
EDINBURGH, LEITH, AND NEWHAVEN RAILWAY.—
We observe that the Railway Times is surprised we take
so little notice of the meeting of this railway company.
The paragraph calling forth this remark, if properly read.
and really understood by this protector of railway pro-
perty, must or ought to convince him that there is more
merit in the undertaking than he feels disposed to admit.
The information we have received satisfies us as to the
ultimate success of the concern, which, by the powerful
influence of the Duke of Buccleugh and many other par-
ties who are now supporting it, must prove a very consi-
derable adjunct to the railway property in Scotland, it
being literally and actually the only outlet to the harbours
and piers in the Frith of Forth ; and, consequently, we .
We
think it a very safe and valuable investment. beg to
refer to an advertisement in our columns of this day, to
prove the respectability of the parties connected with this
railway. Perhaps we should not have alluded to this
subject so prominently, but for the continued attacks of
the Railway Times, who seems in obstinacy to rival even
our own Mr. Alderman Evans.
ACCIDENT AT THE PIER.—On Wednesday morning,
while it was blowing fresh, about eight o'clock, as Mr.
Ben. Mackerall, a Custom-house clerk, residing at Oxton,
was stepping from the Birkenhead boat to the pier, he fell
between the vessel and the sea wall, and had his leg crushed
to pieces between the two. He was immediately removed
to the No. therm Hospital, where he died the same even-
ing. The surgeons were proceeding., soon after his ad-
mission, to amputate the injte ed part, but found him so
faint that they desisted from the attempt. The inquest
' was held on the case on Friday, when it was deposed that
the landing place was unsafe in rough weather, but that
there was. as is too generally the case, a rushing amongst
the passengers to land. The enquiry was adjourned until
yesterday, when Captain Askew, harbour-master, was ex-
amined relative to the landing places for passengers.—
He stated that in violent gales he did not consider it safe
to land passengers; and that, in consequence of there
being fires on board the ferry steam-boats, they were not
allowed to go into the basins for Letter shelter. The jury
returned a verdict of accidental death. The deceased,
who was much respected, had been married little more
than eleven months. A subscription has been opened at
the Customhouse, and elsewhere, to raise a fund for his
widow and child, who are left without support; and we
shall be glad to hand over any sums that may be left at
our office for that purpose.

CALDWELL'S NEW PATENT WINDLASS.—We noticed
this windlass last week, as fitted on board the new ship
Joshua Waddington, and we have since had still more
reason to commend it to the att- ntion of captains and
owners, from what we have heard of its respective powers
in purchasing, or in fleeting an anchor. We have seen
numerous testimonials of its efficiency from nautical and
practical men, and are happy to state that the inventor is
now temporarily absent from this town only to superin-
tend its adoption in several vessels in London and other
sea-ports. One of these recommendations is from a Rus-
sian Captain ; one from the Captain of the ship " Bra-
zilian Packet," and one from Mr. Thomas Carr, ship-
owner, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They all write most fa-
vourably—expressing their great satisfaction. The last
says,—" I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to
its merits, having seen it in full operation while the
' Flash' was riding at Spithead for ten days, and at inter-
vals blowing a heavy gale. I had it there examined and
tested in the presence of many practical men, who all
expressed their approbation of its operations, particularly
in keeping the vessel gradually and evenly creeping a-
head during the whole time the men are heaving. She
kept in one motion until the anchor was at the bows."
He adds that the invention is" very simple and very safe,"
entirely doing away with the shaking of the vessel's fore
frame, and the jirking and tremulous motion usually felt
in letting go the anchor and giving the ship chain. The
Captain of the " Flash" gave it his entire approval.
THE THEATRE-ROYAL.--The performances, in the
highest line of the drama, of Mr. and Miss Vandenhoff
were the principal attraction of the last week. They have
appeared before crowded and delighted Audiences, in the
new play of Love's Sacrifice, The Hunchback, Virginius,
and As You Like It, in each of which they sustained the
leading characters ; and the lovers of the legitimate drama
have enjoyed a high treat. Mr. Vandenhoff appears to
maintain all his former vigour, accuracy, and dignity of
demeanour, as an actor; and his accomplished daughter
has, if possible, improved,—her several performances
evincing a just conception of her respective authors, and
the possession of a degree of taste and chasteness, com-
bined with a physical energy and grace, and sweetness of
voice, rarely combined in one individual. At the con-
clusion of the principal piece each evening, both were
called to the front of the stage, to receive the heartfelt
acknowledgments due to their merit. Professor Risley
and his son—the latter in particular a wonderful little
fellow, who turns a somersault in the air from the per-
pendicularly-raised legs of his father, alighting safely
upon the same " footing," and performs other extraordi-
' nary and pleasing feats as Puck, in Puck and the Elfin
King Oberon—have also been enthusiastically received.
The other performers have acquitted themselves in a
praiseworthy manner. The warm reception given to Mr.
and Miss Vandenhoff has induced the management to re-
engage them for the present week. The celebrated Bo-
lets Family will also appear nightly. Last night, the
tragedy of Macbeth was performed before a crowded au-
dience. Love's Sacrifice is announced for to-night. Miss ,
Vandenhoff takes her benefit on Friday next.
PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE TOBACCO DUTIES.—
A memorial has just been presented to Sir Robert Peel,
from the American chamber of commerce in this Town,
praying for the repeal of the existing high Rate of Duty
upon Tobacco, and the substitution of a shilling rate.
The memorialists ground their prayer upon the fact, on
admitted one, of the existence of extensive smuggling of
the article, and consequent great loss to the revenue and
to the fair trader. It has been proved, by the evidence
in a late case, that the smuggler can dispose of his tobacco
at 2s. 3d. per pound, or, 9d. less than the duty, and that
his ordinary profits are about 18d. a pound. In addition
to the increased temptation to illicit transactions, the high
rate of duty has materially decreased consumption,—this
article being the only one in which consumption has not
kept pace with the increased population of the country.—
The quantity consumed in ]B4l being actually less per
head of the population than in 1811. They maintain that
with a shilling rate upwards of thirty millions of pounds,
which now escape payment, would be brought under duty
and the total revenue derived from the article be ma-
terially increased. The subject is one worthy of serious
consideration. Tobacco, a " filthy weed" as some moral-
ists term it, has now become nearly the only luxury of a
great portion of the people; and if we can reduce its price
and at the same time put a stop to the extensive smug-
gling known to exist, without injury to the revenue, we
do not see why the attempt ought not to be made. The
plea may be added, which the memorialists have over-
looked, that a reduction in the duty would also do away
with much of the adulteration of tobacco, which is going on
to an extent which threatens to make this indeed the
filthiest of all " filthy weeds."
PICTURE OF THE EXCHANGE, WITH NUMEROUS
CHARACTERS.—We have been much gratified, and, we
may add, amused, by a cursory view, at Mr. Norman's,
43, Bold-street, of a fine picture, in water colours, of the
Exchange buildings, and the Exchange area, with numer-
ous likenesses of the principal mercantile and other eminent
characters of our good old town, conspicuously portrayed,
at the hour of " High 'Change." This picture is of large
dimensions, being seven feet six inches in length, by four
feet six inches in breadth. The talented artist, who has
before been peculiarly felicitous in producing remarkably
faithful resemblances of individuals and families, has, in
this instance. though employed upon the work but a com-
paratively short time, outshone, we think, all his former
efforts. The idea itself is a'happy one, and he has carried
it out with a spirit and taste adequate to its conception,—
so much so, indeed, that he has already (though the
picture is not quite completed in detail) met with the
warmest encouragement from all who have seen it. The
point of sight is from the top of Exchange-street, afford-
ing a full view of the quadrangle, The Exchange buildings,
forming the back-ground, are boldly and correctly de-
lineated, skewing the artist to be at home in architectural
drawing and perspective. In the area (in the centre of
which Nelson's Monument is conspicuous) there are up-
wards of one hundred figures—many of them our most
distinguished merchants, brokers, shipowners, &c., &c.,
and all possessing so much vraisesnblance, that we were
spared the trouble of enquiring for whom they were in-
tended, as we immediately recognised every one of them
of whom we had but even a slight personal knowledge.
We were glad, too, to remark that the artist, in his good
humour, has brought several of them of perhaps slightly
antagonist opinions into friendly and apparently welcome
proximity; and, as they are all "good fellows" in their
way, we should be rejoiced if some of them would take'
advantage of this amicable mutual "introduction," and
shake hands at once. There are yet upwards of twenty
portraits of the elite and characteristic to be introduced,
and as Mr. Norman has, from the good name which his
efforts so far have gained for him, obtained " introduc-
tions" to most of them, we doubt not but they will be
equally faithful likenesses in face, figure, and attitude.
It is, it will be admitted, a difficult matter to represent a
large assemblage, in which even countenance has to be
studied, without naarring the effort bY something ap-
proaching to sameness or confusion. In this instance,
however, the painter has, we think, succeeded in avoiding
both. Besides the portraits, the whole is enlivened and
diversified by numerous individual characters and groups
—such as are found lounging on 'Change—including high
and humble—officers, soldiers, sailors, boatmen, children,
&c., round or under the piazzas, gazing at the monument,
or looking listlessly about in the proximity of our great
" merchant princes." We will not go the length of sayin
that the state of the respective ledgers of the latter may
be divined by the merry or the elongated visages of the
former; but certainly the tout-ensemble is interesting,
and will meet with many admirers. The picture will, we
understand, be finished early next week, when the public
will have an opportunity of ju4lging for themselves. A
copy of it will, we further learn, afttrwar le appear in the
London Illustrated Neter.

THE REV. H. NVINIFILE AND THE FACToki JS-
TEM.—It was recently announced, that Mr. M'Neile had
undertaken to deliver a lecture on the abuses of the fac-
tory system, so soon as the Amphitheatre should be dis-
engaged in the evening. Some impression, arising out of
remarks and suggestions cohsequent upon an eloquent
sermon upon the subject recently preached by the rever-
en.l gentlemen, doubtless gave rise to the rumour. The
following letter shows that it has been without foundation:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING HERALD.

am induced 'o address you in consequence of the
following notice in your paper of yesterday, as a postscript
to the communication of your active and intelligent cor-
respondent in this town :

"1 In Liverpool we are all anxiously looking forward to
a lecture shortly to he delivered in the Amphitheatre by
the Rev. Hugh 111'Neile, in which he is to expose the
evils of the factory system. Such a subject in the hands
of one of our greatest orators cannot be other than pro-
ductive of immense good."
I deeply lament some of the practices which, from the
reports of the commissioners, seem to be identified for
the present with the factory system ; and I would rejoice
in the application by the legislature of corrective mea-
suses; I consented, also, to take a part in a public meet-
ing in this town, if properly convened, for the purpose of
circulating information upon the subject; but I am alto-
gether at a loss to know how the expectation describedby
your correspondent could have originated, as I have not
entered into any such engagement. I am, sir, your obe-
dient servant, . HUGH AIREILE.
Liverpool, January 25, 1844.

PROTESTANT SOIREE. —On Tuesday evening last,
by special levitation of the Loyal Orangemen and Protes-
tant
_Operatives of Liverpool, the Rev. T. D. Gregg
(whose address to the protestants of the town on the pre-
vious night we gave in our last paper) and various depu-
tations, attended a grand soiree at the Commercial-hall.
The room was crowded, almost to excess-1200 tickets
having been distributed; and many parties were disap-
pointed, the accommodation, extensive as it is, being but
adequate to the reception of the earlier applicants. The
room was beautifully decorated with national and emble-
matic flags, with paintings, devices, &c., appended both
to the walls and roof, and a handsome canopy or tent was
formed of gayly coloured flags cvn- the platform, the
whole presenting a very striking rnd agreeable appearance.
Amongst those on the platform and around it, were the
Rev. T. D. Gregg and the Rev. S. Cragg, Messrs. James
Parker, Isaac Holmes, Squire Auty, (of Dewsbury,) J.
Wilkinson' Kilsbaw, H. liarbord, Bently, S. Wilson,
Greatly, A Byford, C. Davies, and others. A numberof
well-dressed females graced the assemblage, and did the
I honours of the numerous tea-tables, which were placed
transversely, and copiously supplied with tea and coffee
in urns, and abundance of bun-loaf, cakes, and all the
etceteras. After the temperate repast, which was done
I ample justice to, Mr. Bentley was called to the chair, and
i briefly addressed the meeting on the objects which had
called them together, rejoicing to observe so very numerous
and well-conducted an assemblage. He proposed succes-
sively (with suitable introductory remarks) as toasts, or
rather sentiments, for the display of a unity of feeling,
"The Queen," "The Queen Dowager," " Prince Albert,
I and the rest of the Royal family." " The Bishops and
Clergy of the Church of England," " The Conservative
members of the House of Lords," &c. &c., all of which
were received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations
of applause. On " The Conservative members of the
Common Council" being given, Mr. I. Holmes responded
in a very felicitous address, in which his allusion to the
achievement of scriptural education in the Corporation
schools, and other real reforms, was received with the
loudest cheers. " The Bishops and Clergy of Ireland "
being proposed, and answered with " three times three,"
the Rev. T. D. Gregg addressed the meeting at consider-
able length and with great force and eloquence, on the
principal religious and political topics which the occasion
involved. H concluded by a powerful appeal to all true
protestants to stand by the truth of their fathers, and by
their unanimity in its firm but peaceful defence, to render
their share towards the arresting of the further malignant
and destructive encroachments of popery. He was re-
ceived throughout with frequent and repeated bursts of
applause, and sat down amidst prolonged and enthusi-
astic demonstrations of approbation from all who were
present. " The Protestant Reformation Society " being
proposed, Mr. C. Davies, an intelligent member of the
Operative Protestant body of Dublin, spoke with much
feeling and effect. The band in attendance then played
several favourite national airs. The chairman having
vacated the chair, a vote of thanks was passed to him by
acclamation. In returning thanks he complimented the
meeting on the orderly manner in which they had com-
ported themselves, which had rendered his office for the
evening a sinecure; and the immense assemblage after
giving three cheers successively, for Mr. Gregg and the
other strangers who had favoured them with their attend-
ance, and for the cause in which they had all embarked,
separated quietly soon after ten o'clock.

THE BRITISH CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOME MISSION-
ARY SOCIETY.—A public meeting of this society was held
in the Tabernacle, Great Charlotte-street, on Thursday
evening, " to take into consideration the proceedings of a
meeting held in the Bible-room, Slater-street, on the 12th
of December last, and to adopt such measures as might be
deemed advisable for the society's future prosperity."
The room was nearly filled, and amongst those present
were several clergymen. The chair was taken (after some
conversation) by Mr. Cowen. A Mr. H. Jones first ad..
dressed the meeting. He said he was not connected with
the institution in question, but, from the representations
made to him, he thought it his duty to come forward. He
had understood that the circulars calling the meeting in
Slater-street were sent only partially to certain of the sub-
scribers and not to all, and that the object of the parties
in calling it was not to inquire and rectify any mismanage.
ment or wrong, but to break up the society. He moved
a resolution to the effect that the resolutions passed at that
meeting, on the 12th December, were carried in a private
meeting, and not on the principles of equity and justice,
but for the dissolution of the society for the gratification
of a few.—Mr. D. Rowland said, that he expected
that, in place of going into this matter, the parties accused
at the last meeting, and who had called the present one.
had come prepared to refute, if they could, the charges
laid against them.—The Rev. Mr. Hargreaves expressed
a similar opinion. Was the Rev. Mr. Peart still a mem-
ber?—The chairman said he believed not.—The Rev. Mr.
Hargreaves said that he had been invited to the meeting,
and went there unprejudiced. Statements were there made
that did not bring credit to the society or to Christianity
itself. The evidence of Mr. Peart, the superintendent,
and of Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Lockart, the agents,'
which he heard, were sufficient to authorise the meeting
to come to the resolution that the society was no longer
worthy of the support of the public.—Mr. Bezer said that
the proceedings of that meeting were conducted with the
utmost fairness and even forbearance, and that it was from
the evidence of the agents themselves that those present
come to the resolution they had arrived at. Mr. Mathews,
the secretary, bad also said that the funds had been mis-
appropriated, and that the conduct of the accused parties
was highly disgraceful.—Mr. Lockart, the agent, said it
was false, that all the parties were involved, and that the
report of the meeting contained no fewer than a dozen
falsehoods. The amendment which had been seconded
was then put, and a very large majority of hands was held
up for it. The resolution was neat put and was lost, six
or seven only being in favour of it.—A person named
Bennett moved the second resolution, to the effect that.
Messrs. Lockart, Cunningham, and Mr. Peart had acted
properly, &c. This was seconded by a Mr. Jones. Mr.
D. Rowland met it by an amendment, to the effect
that the proceedings on the 12th of December had been
conducted with all fairness and propriety, and that this
meeting, believing the allegations against the parties
named to be true, considered the society no longer worthy
of public support. This being seconded, Mr. Lockart
entered upon what he called his defence. He said he had
laboured hard for the society in this town and in other
towns, under the authority of the committee ; and that a
balance of £47 was still due to him, which he could not
now obtain if the society were broken up. As to tile £329
said to be absorbed, considerable deductions ought to be
made from that amount paid for the former year, and for
coals, &c., leaving only £249, which was to be divided
amongst six agents.—Several gentlemen present instanced
cases in which the two agents had obtained money from
individuals by representing the society as the Liverpool
Town Missionary Society.—The amendment, being pet,
was carried, by as large a majority as the former one.

THEATRE ROYAL, LATE LlVER.—During the past
week, " The Merry Wives of Windsor" has had a run—
Phelps playing Ford and Mr. Younge personating the fa
Knight. The piece was well sustained. and does credit
to all parties engaged in it. The usual livel3Efarces pro-
duced at this theatre have tilled the remainder of the
evening's performances.

DISGRACEFUL ASSAULT.—At the Police-court, yes-
terday, an elderly man, named Samuel Smith, a school-
master in Bovington-hill, was charged with a most inde-
cent assault upon one of his own female scholars, an in-
fant of seven years of age. The csse was proved, and Mr.
Rushton said he had doubts whether he should not send
him for trial; but perhaps the objects of justice would 1)e
attained by dealing with him summarily. He was then
required to pay a fine of £5, or be imprisoned for two
months and kept to bard labour ; and further to fled
sureties, himself in £2O, and two sureties in £lO each, or
to be imprisoned in default for three months.

ON THE SONG OF A SHIRT, BY A NEEDLE-

WOMAN.

Work, work, stitch, stich,
You'd wonder how cheap we does 'em ;
But I think every gent as wears them shirts
Shou'd have a pin stuck in his buzzum.

On the hearing of a civil bill case, at the Newry Quar-
ter Sessions, a witness for the defendant stated that the
plaintiff's mother was a witch ; " and," continued he,
" she is a raal witch ; for, on my oath, I saw her oat
morning early, sitting at a well, in the form of a hare,
and I hunted her for better than two miles, to her own
house, when she leaped in through a pane of the window."
STATISTICS OF THE PRESENT HOUSE OF COMMONS.
—From the general election in July, 1841, to the month
of February, 1844, there have been no less than 69
changes in the representation, or more than one-tenth of
the number of members. Of these 23 have been un-
seated on petition—namely, 10 conservatives and 13 ra-
dicals ; 15 have died—namely, 7 conservatives and
radicals; 26 have retired—namely, 18 conservatives and
8 radicals ; 16 conservatives have been returned in the
places of radicals, and 11 radicals in the places of conser-
vatives. The conservatives who succeed conservatives are
23 in number ; the radicals who fill the places of their
predecessors of the same politics are 12 in number. In
this list are included Tipperary and Sudbury, which. are
both vacant and ameng the drialis, that of the late Sir F.
Burdett. The gain, on the whole, is five in favour of the
ministerial side of the bouse.—Standard.