The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-05-10 00:00:00

THEATRE-ROYAL

Under the late management of Mr. Clarke, every person
of eminence in the dramatic profession was engaged during
the season to appear before the Liverpool audiences. Mr.
Clarke found his outlay and risk were not sufficiently repaid,
and he resigned his post of public caterer and manager.
Messrs. Anderson and Hammond succeeded him, determined
to merit success, if not command it. They engaged a capital
company, in the hope of being able to do without the attrac-
tion of stars—if attractions such people can be called, who
often take away more money than they draw. These gentle-
men resolved upon putting Shakspeare on the stage in a
manner unprecedented in the provinces, and, by bringing
out in a superior style the various novelties as they appeared
in London, hoped to induce ali the usual frequenters of
the theatre to give them their patronage. They also con-
ceded the long-debateable ground of second price. And
what has been the upshot? Let us see. A pantomime was
brought out. This was admitted by all who saw it, and had
an opportunity of comparing it with those produced in Lon-
don, to be the best of the season. The pantomime hardly
paid itself. " Midsummer Night's Dream " was next
brought forward. In spite of its beautiful scenery, costly
dresses, dances, and etceteras, to say nothing of its exquisite
poetry, it has not drawn one full house. " Macbeth,"
" Hamlet," and other first-class tragedies, have been done
with great care and attention to stage effect; the newest
farces and comedies have been played ;—still those who can
crowd to the Liver or the Amphitheatre hang back, although
rational amusement tenfold in proportion is provided: The
" Prisoner of War" was better played here than in London,
but it has found but little favour. although those who saw it
appeared to relish it mightily, if we might judge by the mer-
riment often exhibited.
The last novelty is the Bubbles of the Day," by Douglas
Jerrold. It was brought out on Wednesday last. This co-
medy is cleverly written. The dialogue is caustic, witty,
and full of repartee. The sentences are epigrammatic, and
abound with smart blows at the prevailing follies and vices
of society. Leigh Hunt's pen always appears to flow with
honey : Douglas Jerrold's seems deeply steeped in gall. In
this comedy every random shot, even, tells, and, in the scanty
audiences who have been gathered together, there must have
been present those whose ears must have tingled at unplea-
sant truths " touching them nearly." Those engaged in the
comedy seemed greatly to exert themselves. Mrs. Clarke,
as Guinea, a speculating lady's-maid, was excellent. Miss
Bennett's Pamela Spreadweasle was a decided hit. If Miss
Bennett fails in any part entrusted to her, it is not mentally
but physically. Time will help her to become a leading
member of her profession ; and it appears to us that in co-
medy she will take a high stand. In Pamela Spreadweasle
this promise of excellence is brightly shewn. Take, for in-
stance, her description of the election, and the vivacity of
her replies throughout the piece. We may here remark how
cleverly she played Polly Pallmall in the " Prisoner of
War"—how replete that was with humour and drollery.
Mr. W. J. Hammond made the most of Sir Phcenix Clear-
cake, a sort of shadowing forth of a celebrated auctioneer.
The Lord Skindeep of Mr. Baker we did not like : it was a
bad burlesque upon the manners of nobility, and a worse
attempt at being Farrenish. Mr. Slaiter, as Malmsey Shark,
made a decided impression on the audience. The part is an
insignificant one, but the actor brought it out, leaving—as
all good artists should—himself in the background. Mr.
Slaiter was forgotten : Malmsey Shark, the griping, rascally
old wine-selling money-lender, only was seen. Costume,
manners, appearance, and peculiarities,—from the partially
,paralytic arm to the hollow, chuckling laugh and shuffiinF
gait,—were capital. It was a perfect " study from life."
This impersonation does Mr. Slaiter great credit, and we
make mention of it with unreserved praise. Mr. Cooke's
Spreadweasle was a shade too boisterous, but it was delight-
fully vulgar. Miss Cleaver, as Mrs. Quarto, rattled through
her part with much spirit. Mr. Nantz is rather too heavy
for Smoke. Mr. Bellingham gave several excellent imita-
tions of Harley, as Chatham Brown. Miss Chaplin looked
very pretty as Florentia. Mr. Benwell, as Corks, a political
butler; Mr. Vivash, as Old Brown; Mr. Barton, as Mellon;
Mr. Chaplin, as Waller; and Mr. Eaton, as Kimbo, did
their best to make the comedy go off well. It is admirably
put on the stage. The scenes are all " interiors," which
present to,our view comfortably-furnished apartments, in-
stead of the usual one-tabled, one-chaired, bare-boarded
affairs generally seen as scenes. The liberality and spirit of
the lessees ought to be met with a corresponding feeling by
the public.
The " Wood Demon" is beautifully got up. There is in
it a very pretty ballet, in which Miss Webster and Mrs.
Comb dance extremely well. In this the four seasons are
prettily and tastefully, introduced. The scenery is quite new.
Miss Webster plays the Dumb Boy-very cleverly. We are
glad to see the talent that assuredly exists in this theatre
brought out. There is plenty of it, if the public would give
it a chance of being seen.
The " White Cat," which has been so successful in Lon-
don, is about to be produced. Shakspere will not draw : will
spectacle and a nursery tale ? Nous verrons, vive la bagatelle.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT THE LIVER STEAM

MILLS

We regret to announce that about three o'clock on Friday
morning a most destructive fire broke out in the extensive
works of Messrs. E. Holme and Son, millers, on the west
side of the Canal-bank. The flames, we understand, burst
out very suddenly. An alarm was immediately given, and
messengers were despatched fort he fire-engines at the dock
stations and the station in Temple-court. Five powerful
engines from the latter place were instantly on their way
to the scene of conflagration, and in about twenty minutes
afterwards no less than ten engines were on the spot. All
were playing upon the flames at once, but without effect. No
effort could save the building, and at this moment it is a
heap of ruins. We are sorry to add that four men were very
severely injured in their efforts to extinguish the flames.
One of them was a miller in Messrs. Holme's service, and
the other three were men belonging to the fire brigade. They
are now considerably better. We have not heard any proba-
ble account of the origin of the fire, but understand the pro-
perty was insured.
The sight was grand, but appalling, as the flames burst
through all the numerous windows of the building. On the
roof and the several floors giving way, and falling beneath the
power of the destructive element, an immense volume of
flame each time ascended from the ruins to a considerable
height above the building, illumining a considerable portion
of the northern extremity of the town. "It was so light,"
said one of the bystanders, " that I could see to pick up a
pin from the ground." Whilst the place was yet reeking
with the fire, Mr. `Witty, Mr. Maxwell, and some of the
firemen were exerting themselves to the utmost to save the
property. Whilst thus engaged, they had a narrow escape
with their lives. They had just stepped back to the doorway
of one of the rooms, when the superincumbent mass, amongst
which was the machinery used in the upper stories, came
down with an awful crash, carrying with it the floor upon
which they had just been standing. The wood-work about
the building being very dry, the fire baffled the exertions of
the engines, until, at length, its force became exhausted by
having nothing to feed upon : it then began to decline, and,
about four o'clock, was got completely under control, but
not until the building had been left a mere skeleton.

The Liver Mills ground by steam, and, fortunately, the
stock on hand was not very heavy. The property destroyed,
besides the buildings and machinery, consisted chiefly of
wheat and flour. A considerable quantity of both wheat and
flour was, however, saved, but it was much damaged from
the effects of fire and water.

CHESTER RACES

FRIDAY

_ .
The attendance on the course was rather thin, though the
weather was fine. Combermere left this morning for Epsom,
where he runs for the Derby. Auckland is to leave " the
forest" on Wednesday next for the same destination. The
racing came of as follows :

The ROODEE STAKES of 10 sovs each, h ft, with 50 sovs
added by the Dee Stand Proprietors, for three-year-olds
that have run during the week. (3 subs.)_...

Mr. eollett's b c Heads or Tails - (Whitehouse) I
Lord Westudnaters br f Irony, sister to Satirist
_Betting-7 to 4 on Heads or Tails, who waited on the mare
to the distance, where he passed her, and won in a canter by
a length.

The PALATINE STAKES of 50 sovs each, h ft, for three-

year-olds, colts Bst 71b, fillies Bst 21b. (4 subs.)
Lord Westminster's ch c William de Fortibus (Marson) 1
Mr. F. R. Price's gr f Valentina
Betting-3 to lon William, who won in a common canter
by about four lengths.

The CHESHIRE STAKES of 25 sovs each, 15 ft, with 50 added
by the Citizens of Chester. Two miles. (18 subs, 8 of
whom paid 5 sovs each.)
Mr. Plummer's br f Alice Hawthorn, 4 yrs (Bumby) 1
Lord Eglington's b m Bellona, aged
Sir W. W. Wynne nd b m Miss Kitty Cockle, aged 3
Lord Milltown's ch m Cruiskeen
Betting-3 to lon Alice Hawthorn, which was last till
passing the chair the second time round, where she took the
second place. Outside the distance she went up to Kitty,
passed her like a shot, and won in a common canter by two
lengths. A good race for second.
The WIRRAL STAKES of 10 sovs each, with 50 sovs added
by the Gentleman of Wirral, for two and three-year-olds;
two, 6st 121 b ; three, 9st. T.Y.C. (9 subs.)
Lord Westminster's Maria Day, 2 yrs
Mr. Bird's b c Doctor Allen, 3 yrs
Sir R. Bulkeley's b f by Bay Middleton, 3 yrs
Betting-2 to lon Maria Day, and 3to 1 against Doctor
After two attempts, Happy-go-Lucky took the lead, with
Preparation second, the others close up, and Ernestine about
40 yards behind, where she remained to the finish. At the
Grosvenor Post Maria Day advanced, and at the distance
challenged Dr. Allen, who had taken Happy's place, ran
with him a few strids, and won by a length easy. A good
race for second : was won by about a neck : the others beaten
off. After the race Mr. Price objected to the start, and it
was left to the decision of the stewards, who gave the race to
Maria Day.