The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-13 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

STEALING COTTON.—At the sessions last week Frank
Trainer, with others, was indicted for having stolen 20
cwt. of cotton, the property of Messrs. Dover and Co.
The particulars have appeared in our paper. Trainer was
found guilty, and sentenced to ten years' transportation,
but the others were acquitted.

The British and North American royal mail steam-ship
Britannia, Captain Hewitt, arrived out at Boston on the
21st ult., and may be expected to arrive at this port on or
about Wednesday next.

THEATRE ROYAL, CHURCH-STREET.--It will be per-
ceived that the benefits have commenced at this theatre.
To-night, Mr. Shuttleworth, the boxkeeper, takes his
benefit ; and no doubt the civility and attention which
he has ever shown to the frequenters of; this part of the
house will not be overlooked by the play-going public.
AN UNLOOKED FOR VISITANT.—A whale of unusually
large proportions was seen in Redwharf Bay on Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday last, sometimes appearing like
the hull of a ship, and other times spouting water to an
immense height. Several attempts to capture the levia-
than proved unsuccessful. It is said that crews and boats
went over from Liverpool with the intention of securing
this huge prize.
The Runcorn correspondent of the Chester Courant
says. " there cannot be a doubt that Lord Francis Eger-
ton is either or will be shortly in possession of Ellesmere
port, docks, and warehouses ; the term of proprietorship
is not known, but we believe very great changes are im-
mediately contemplated, both in the transit of goods and
passengers between Liverpool and Birmingham." The
same fact was stated in the Mercury a few weeks ago, but
we were authorised to contradict it.

CUSTOMS ORDER.—Directions have been received at
the Liverpool Custom House from the commissioners, to
the effect that in all cases of returned goods the mer-
chants must conform to the practice of the port of
London. Numerous additions have also been directed to
be made to the list of bonded goods exempted from cus-
toms night-watch on the quays. The new items are Ist,
almost all " low duty" goods ; and 2ndly, all other goods
on which the duty does not exceed the expense of an of-
ficial watch.

THE CASTI.E-STREET ROBBERY.—On Saturday, at the
Sessions, John Higham and John Shore were found
guilty of the robbery of siks and satins, of the value of
£lBO, from the shop of Messrs. Blackburno and Bell, of
Castle-street, in September last. The latter was sen-
tenced to ten years transportation, and the former, who
is in a very bad state of health, and will have to undergo
a dangerous surgical operation immediately, to one
month's imprisonment. Richard Graham, linen-draper,
of Stockport, who was tried for receiving the property
knowing it to have been stolen, was acquitted.

EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT IN TIIE SESSIONS'
COURT.—On Saturday last, on the arraignment of three
prisoners, Higham, Shore, and Graham, charged with an
extensive robbery of silk from Messrs. Blackburne and
Bell, Higham stated to the Recorder that he had " been
very ill used" by his attorney, to whom he had given £35
for the purpose of retaining Mr. Wilkins for his defence.
He had, however, been informed, since the commence-
ment of the sessions, that Mr. Wilkins could not attend.
The money had not been returned, and his wife had been
compelled to fee another barrister to undertake his de-
fence. The Recorder said be did not know how far he
could interfere, but he would send for the attorney in the
course of the day.

THE ROYAL AMPH ITHEA TRE.Dllrillg the last week
" Mazeppa," got up in a very superior manner, was the
principal attraction on the stage, and was received with
unbounded applause. The horsemanship was again varied,
Mr. Tourniaire's company and stud being so extensive as
to admit of endless novelties and imitations. Last night
was produced Shakspeare's tragedy of" Richard lII,' a
bold but successful adventure of the management. The
piece is arranged and produced under the direction of Mr.
Watkins Burroughs, with new scenery, properties, cos-
tume, &c. ; the whole concluding with a magnificent his-
torical tableau (in which the horses are introduced) of
" The Battle of Bosworth Field." The of of Glo'ster
is most ably personated by Mr. R. Younge, from the
Theatre-royal, Drury-lane, who has been engaged for six
nights expressly to perform the part. After the scenes in
the circle, a new and interesting Italian pantomime will
be produced, with a variety of new scenery and machinery,
equestrian evolutions, military movements, combats, con-
flavrations, &c., called "Ii Diayolo di Abruzzi," or,
" The Brigand Chief and the Faithful Dog." Both pieces
were last night received with enthusiastic applause.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. MACKERALL.—
The alarm which this fatal accident has caused in Cheshire
is very considerable. The remains of Mr. Mackerall
were interred on Monday morning, at St. M ary's Church,
Birkenhead, when a solemn performance of sacred music,
suited to the melancholy occasion, was made by the pro-
fessional gentlemen of Liverpool, by whom the deceased
was held in the highest esteem. Mr. George Holden pre-
sided at the organ, and every accessary was furnished to
render the service of the most impressive character. Mr.
Willoughby, the proprietor of Birkenhead ferry, with
characteristic generosity, furnished at his own charge the
hearse, coaches, &c., for the nine. al procession, and the
friends of the deceased have, within a few days since the
accident, subscribed upwards of £6O to defray the expen-
ses incurred by this bereavement.
TM EATRE-RO Y AL WILLIAMSON •SQUARE.—Weregret
that the pressure of our Irish news forbids our doing more
than merely glancing at the performances at this theatre.
During the past week the Vandenhoffs have been delight-
ing numerous audiences, by their chaste, and talented de-
lineations of some of the best characters of our legitimate
drama. In particular we may refer to the tragedy of
"Macbeth," which was beautifully put on the stage, and
the characters of the usurper and lady admirably sus-
tained by Mr. Vandenhoff and his talented daughter. The
latter performance agreeably surprised us, and evinced a
promise of future perfection, upon which we congratulate
this young lady. A new actor was on Saturday intro-
duced, in the person of Mr. Perkins, upon whose ability,
however, we cannot remark without seeing more of him.
CASE OF BURGLARY.—Yesterday, at the Police-court,
William Buckingham, a young man, was placed at the
bar on a charge of burglary. It appeared on Sunday
night the prisoner was seen in St. George's-court, Ma-
guire-street, to throw a large bundle of leather over the
wall. Two other bundles, or hides, were close to the wall
at the time, but seeing he was observed, he made off, en-
tered the house in which he lived in the court, and fast-
ened the door. Information having been given, a police-
officer went to the house, and after a time obtained admit-
tance. The prisoner had taken his clothes off and gone
to bed. Nothing was found in the house. The owner of
the leather was found to be Mr. James Stewart, 82,
Maguire-street, who stated that on Sunday night he left
his shop safe and went to rest in the house above it. Be-
tween two and thgee yesterday morning he was informed
that three hides ori leather had been seen in the court as
above stated. On examining the premises, he found that
a pane of glass had been broken out of the shop window,
and the sash forced open. He missed the leather and also
some copper money, &c. He identified the leather, which
was worth about £9. As he resided in the house, and
the shop breaking took place in the night, the charge was
one of burglary, and the prisoner was committed to take
his trial at the assizes.

THE MEETING OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL So..
CIETY.—We were never more convinced of the truth of
the old adage, that " difficulties are the test of genius,"
than in our recent visit to the Lyceum to see Mr. Ans-
deli's picture of the meeting of the Royal Agricultural
Society. With nothing picturesque in scenery, nothing
historical in association, and with a subject so common-
place as a meeting to examine the merits of prize-cattle
and improved implements of husbandry, what was there
but his own genius to save the artist from perpetrating an
insipid and formal representation of the scene? But,
thanks to the pencil of Ansdell ! there they stand, 130 of
the elite of our peers and commoners, in attitudes so cha-
racteristic, so true, so varied, that every beholder feels
convinced of the truth of the resemblance. There is
nothing chivalrous or courtly about the picture; it has
" snatched no grace" from the introduction of feminine
loveliness, for there was no excuse for the presence of
women ; yet future generations will look with interest
upon it as a faithful portraiture of men whose names will
then be historic, and as a transcript of modes, not so pic-
turesque as the mail, lance, and sword of the barons of
Runnymede, nor as the buff-belt, huge gloves and boots
of the cavaliers at Naseby, but equally interesting as
marking an epoch in our civil and political condition.
All who have seen the picture admire it, from her Ma-
jesty downwards through every circle of society ; and who
would sooner have detected a fault in the prize horses,
than the agricultural connoisseurs of the midland coun-
ties? As it is shortly to be consigned to the hands of
the engraver, we recommend our readers to see the pic-
ture promptly ; and, if they then resist the inclination to
put down their names for a copy of the engraving, they
must give up all claims to that laudable spirit which leads
us to regard the honour and advancement of native talent
as a public duty.
MR. TEMPLETON'S SCOTTISH ENTERTAINMENTS.—
On Friday evening this gentleman, whom we cannot but
consider as the first of those Vocalists who have attempted
to introduce us to a knowledge of the beautiful music of
his country, gave a second entertainment, at the Assembly
Rooms, comprising the melodies associated with the his-
tory of the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots; and much
as we were pleased with his " Nicht with Burns," we were
even more so on this occasion. The mingled anecdote
and history with which he interspersed the songs intro-
duced, was warmly applauded ; and the melodies them-
selves, which were as tastefully set-cted as they were
beautifully sung, elicited almost rapturous applause from
a numerous and fashionable audience. From the warmth
with which he was received on this and the previous Mon-
day evening, Mr. Templeton was induced to give another
entertainment, which took place last night, and in which
the most admired portion of his Night with Burns, and
his night with Queen Mary were introduced. The room
on this occasion was even more numerously attended than
on the previous evenings, notwithstanding the rival at-
traction of the Philharmonic Concert in the theatre of the
Collegiate Institution. Of the songs contained in his
" Night with Burns" we spoke briefly in our last ;
and can only say here that the portion of them selected
last evening were given with all Mr. Templeton's purity
of style and pleasing Scotticism. Amongst the selections
from" Mary Queen of Scots," the sweet ballad " Will
ye gang to the Ewe-Bughts Marion"' was most sweetly
sung. Another exquisitely plaintive melody—" Farewell
to thee, thou pleasant shore," was sung with a depth of
feeling which appeared to sink into the hearts of the audi-
ence, many of whom, no doubt, like ourselves, as the soft
and mournful numbers fell on their ear, pictured the beau-
tiful being seated in sadness upon the deck of the bark
which was bearing her to the scene of her futnre miseries,
and gazing with tearful eyes towards the receding shores
in which her gay girlhood had been passed amidst song
and revelry. The next composition selected was one
which displayed very opposite powers on the part of the
singer, and effectually dissipated the sensation of delighted
sadness which the former had excited. It was the song,
said to have been written by James the V. of Scotland,
and of which he was himself the hero, "There was a
jolly beggar ;" and was given by Mr. Templeton with a
spirit and joyousness, which deservedly drew down an en-
thusiastic encore. " Put off Put off; and row with speed,"
was also sting spiritedly, and had the honor of an encore,
though, in itself, not so worthy of it as some which were
not so honored. The finale—" Find me a place where to
rest this weary head"—the sad wish of a sad heart—was
most touchingly sung ; and beautiful as it was, both in
its brief words and its sweet melody, we could have wished
to have been dismissed with lighter hearts than it must
have left in most of the audience. Throughout these en-
tertainments Mr. Templeton has been earning for himself
a host of friends, who will not fail him on his next appear-
ance amongst us.

LAUNCH OF THE " QUEEN," NEW FERRY STEAMER.
—On Saturday afternoon a fine iron steam boat, the pro-
perty of the Birkenhead Commissioners, and intended to*
ply between Woodside Ferry and and George's pier, was
launched from the yard of Mr. John Laird, the builder,
North Birkenhead—amidst a large concourse of specta-
tors, the occasion having excited considerable local inter-
est, the vessel being of a new and peculiar construction
which it is fully expected will greatly expedite the trip
across the Mersey, particularly from the Cheshire side.
She is somewhat larger than the Nun (the largest boat now
on the station), being 110 feet long by 22 in beam ; her
plates and ribs are of extra strength ; and she is put to-
gether with that fidelity, firmness, and improved fasten-
ings, for which the constructor (who has had greater ex-
perience than any other iron shipbuilder) has long been
justly celebrated. Her deck is flush, and uninterrupted
by unwieldy erections, from end to end, her paddle frame
work being carried along her whole length, dying into her
extremities, and enclosed by continuous bulwarks, so that
the full length and breadth, including the overflangings, is
rendered available for the accommodation of passengers.
She is moreover finely moulded, and will doubtless prove
herself very speedy. Her peculiarity consists in her being
constructed that she may be propelled with either end
foremost, so that the delay of backing out, and then run-
ning a-head from the shore, especially from the Woodside
slip, and which occupies on an average from four to five
minutes each trip (or nearly half the time of crossing), will
be altogether avoided,—itselfa great desideratum not only
as regards passengers, but expenditure of fuel. This is
accomplished by a rudder at each end, so contrived that
'it may be fixed firmly amidships, forming a cutwater
when that end (which was before the stern) is required to
become the bow. So far the plan has before been in ope-
ration, though with but partial success, from the difficulty
of securing the respective rudders to form a stern, and
their liability, even on slight contact at their outer edge,
to be carried away or deranged. Mr. Laird has, however,
contrived a remedy for this liability to damage by an out-
ward and standing guard of iron, forming a cutwater out-
side the rudder when that end is the bow, and within and
just clear of which the rudder works, when it becomes the
stern, in which case, from its comparative thinness, it
offers little or no resistance to the speed of the vessel as
a stopwater. This guard is secured, below, to the keel, and
above to the stern. The rudders do not rise, as in ordinary
vessels, to the top of the external part of the stern post,
but occupy the space only between he line of the keel
and the water or draught-mark of the vessel. When not
in use it is not perceptible to the eye, forming, as it were,
a secret door. It is secured, when forming part of the
stern below, by dropping a strong bolt, which firmly at-
taches its outer edge to the guard, so that the whole be-
comes as one piece, forming a deep holding-on fore-foot.
A steam-frigate for the navy has recently been built, hav-
ing two rudders, with the object here sought, on the sug-
gestion of Lord Dundonald. How she will succeed we
have not yet ascertained ; but we doubt not but additional
strength and safety would be secured by the adoption of
Mr. Laird's " patent guard." About half-past two
o'clock, all being in readiness for the launch, she was
knocked off, and rushed into her destined element in gal-
lant style, amidst loud cheers from the numerous bystan-
ders. Her name—" The Queen "—was given to her by
the lady of Mr. John S. Jackson, the chairman of the
Woodside Ferry Company, and the ceremony was per-
formed with great spirit and effect. She floated very
lightly and elegantly, apparently, as intended, upon an
even keel. Another steamer of precisely the same size
and construction, and for the same proprietary, is in a
forward state in Mr. Laird's yard. The Queen will be
propelled by engines of sixty-horse power, with os-
cllating cylinders, by Messrs. George Forrester and Co.
he engines and boilers will occupy a space of only 21
feet, leaving a large space forward and aft for cabiia
accommodations.