The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-12 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL.

The opera of " Norma " was repeated on Tuesday. On
Wednesday " Sonnambula " was produced. Every part of
the house was tilled. The boxes exhibited a galaxy of beauty
and fashion. " Sonnambula " has always been a favourite
opera in Liverpool. Its lovely airs, its touching recitatives,
and interesting and homely story win for it a welcome like
some old and dear friend. We know that some musical
people differ from us in our opinion that " Norma " and
" Puritani " bear a resemblance to " Sonnambula," but we
maintain that in the two former there are constantly recurring
passages that claim a close similarity to the latter. " Son-
nambula" is Bellini's chastest and most original work. There
is a stream of melody flowing through it that, like a sparkling
rivulet occasionally hiding itself in the earth, every now and
then breaks out, like Moore's waves of the eastern sea, " into
dimples and laughs in the sun." Malibran's Amine was un-
approachable, she stood as Miss Kemble does in " Norma."
Of late years we have seen the Woods, Templeton, Miss
Delcy, Miss Shirreff, Wilson, and others, appearing in this
opera—in some respects the performance of Wednesday night
far excelled all former ones, while in others it fell short. Miss
Ke.mble's Amino, in the first act, we prefer to Mrs. Wood's
and' Miss Shirreff's ; in the two last both excelled her.
Mrs. Woods Amino is florid—in some respects it may be
called dashing, in fact, a brilliant performance. Her
seen a " Oh do not mingle" is superior to Miss Kemble's,
who by the way sings different words to it,—and, in our
opinion, not better ones. Miss Kemble's acting is very fine
and replete with power, but for intensity of passion, for
delicacy and spirituality, for gracefulness and simplicity, we
prefier Miss Shirreff's impersonation. Miss Delcy's Amino,
whela she first appeared here, wanted age and physical strength,
although there was a great deal of promise in it. Miss Kemble's
differs entirely from all those who have preceded her, and
cannot but be prciliounced a very superior performance, but it
does rank so high as her Norma, in which she has been hitherto
unsnrpassed. The bounding joy, the ecstatic delight shown
by Mrs. Wood and Miss Shirreff on finding Elvino, convinced
of Amina's innocence, was not so fully manifested by Miss
Kemble. The denouement wanted that inexpressible some-
thing that carries the heart and fancy with it, to rejoice in
the heroine's happiness. The opening scena was deliciously
sung. We do not for one moment detract from Miss Kem-
-1 tile's great ability, and we cannot think that she can suffer
i by a comparison with those who have preceded her. Those
who listened to her on Wednesday, could not fail to be de-
t
I lighted. Her voice is a magnificent one, and her science
I 'unquestionable. Her style chaste, her enunciation perfect,
1, while her execution is wonderful. Her tones sometimes re-
mind us of De Beriot, and even Paganini, so Cremona-
, like are their quality. It can only be subject of regret that
such a bright example should so soon be taken from the
stage, and cease to give delight to tlousands.—Mr. Shrivall has
risen greatly in our estimation. He sang Elvino excellently.
He proved his possession of taste, judgment, and feeling, as
well as voice. It is as good as any on the stage, perhaps the
'best. His "Take, now, this ring" was very charmingly
sung. Mr. Balfe's Rodolpho is an excellent performance;
it is decidedly the best we have heard for a very long time.
Be sings with consumate taste, and with, as may be ex-
pected, perfect-knowledge of the music, giving due effect to
every note. He acts with spirit and liveliness, adding
greatly to the interest of the scene.—Miss Gardner played
Lisa, and sang extremely well. The beautiful aria in the
last act was very cleverly given. Unequivocal marks of ap-
probation recorded her efforts. This being her first ap-
.pearance in the character, it showed that she possesses con-
siderable taste and talent.—Mr. Eaton played Alessio well.—
Miss Honner gave the recitatives of Dame Theresa with
-much judgment and clearness of tone. It is a decided im-
provement to put a singer into this part. We missed the
pretty scene, with the bridge and river, hitherto exhibited in
the first act—tbe flat landscape is not to be eompared with it.
The prudery of Lisa, and the love-makings of Alessio, have
been omitted, not judiciously—as, also the discovery of the
Count, in consequence of Alessio 's examination of his bag-
gage. The recitative of Rodolpho, in which he throws nut
a hint that the Count is in the vicinit3, of the village, is well
introduced. After the opera, Mr. Weiss sang a trashy bal-
lad, called " The Young Soldier." The effect of his fine voice

,

was quitelost, and it went offflatly. This song is unworthy the
talents of the composer of some of the best operas of lati years.
In the afterpiece of No Song no Supper, Miss Rainforth de-
lighted her hearers by singing " Wapping old Stairs." Mr.
Benw•ell as Thomas, elicited an uproarious laugh, by intro-
ducing " Still so gently o'er me stealing," addressed to Nell.
Miss Webster played this character rather broadly, but it
was a droll bit of Lancashire. To-night, Miss Kemble takes
her benefit, when La Sonnambula will be repeated. We
understand that Mrs. Seymour from. the United States is
engaged for a few nights, and will make her first appearance
on Monday next, in the character of Juliet; she has created
a great sensation in America ; and is, we hear, a lady not
only of the highest class of talent, but of great personal
beauty.

LOCAL NEWS.

NEWS FROM AMERICA.—The Roscius packet-ship, of the
25th ult., was off Holyhead at one o'clock yesterday after-
noon. We shall be able to give the intelligence brought by
her in an early second edition.
Amongst the passengers by the Thames steam-ship from
the West Indies, which arrived at couthampton on Wednes-
day, we perceive the names of Sir Henry M'Leod, the
governor, and W. R. Sandbach, of this town.

By the'packet-ship Susquehannah from Philadelphia, which
arrived at this port yesterday afternoon, the fallowing pas-
sengers arrived :—Joshua Garside, Esq., Joshua Garside,
jun., Esq., American Consul at Hull, Lady and two chil-
dren, Miss J. March, E. Egleson, Jackson, Lady and three
children.

DOUBLE CABBAGE LETTUCE.—A curious specimen of
double cabbage lettuce, was exhibited yesterday, at our
office. It was presented to Mr. William Gibson, Mount
Vernon, by a gardener upwards of 70 years of age, who
had never met with anything similar before.
" THE MORN is BREAKING!' Words by T. Blake,
Esq.; Music by J. P. Knight. Cramer, Lontton.—This is
a drawing-room lyric of very excellent quality. The poetry
is very pretty, and the music graceful. We can recommend
this ballad as being one likely to snit almost any amateur
singer, and one certain of being well received.
BOROUGH CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.—We have
much pleasure in informing our readers, that Mr. James
Moss, solicitor, South Castle-street, was, at a meeting of
the association, held yesterday, appointed solicitor to that
body, in the place of the late Mr. Pennington. We feel
confident that every exertion will be used by the association
and this gentleman to maintain the present proud position of
conservatism in the borough.
Docx COMMITTEB.—On niesday last, several members
of the Dock Committee, with the treasurer, secretary, and
marine surveyor, proceeded in a steamer on their accustomed
tour of inspection of the light-ships, light-houses, channel
buoys, &c. Among the objects of greatest interest was the
new Iron Bell Beacon, lately constructed by Messrs. J.
Grantham, and Co., which seemed admirably adapted for the
purpose for which it was designed. As the weather was ex-
ceedingly calm the trip was much enjoyed by the Com-
mittee; who, were besides, much gratified at the efficient
state of this department of their trust.
BRUTAL ASSAULT.—On Saturday night, about twelve
o'clock, as Mr. Doubleday, tea-dealer, Ranelagh-street, was
returning home, he was met, about three doors from his own
house, in Crown-street, by two men having the appearance
of decent mechanics, who, on his coming up, opened a way
for him to pass between them, when one of them struck him
a blow in the mouth with a large stone which he held in his
hand, severely cutting his upper lip and knocking out one of
of his teeth. A second blow with a stone was almost at the
same instant dealt upon his left temple, and he fell insensible
on the pavement. The ruffians then appear to have kicked
him on the back of the head, inflicting a serious wound,
from which a large pool of blood was afterwards found to
have flowed. On coming to himself, Mr. Doubleday saw
the men standing over him, and immediately called out as
loudly as he was able for assistance. Some of the neighbours
came out of their houses, but the miscreants in the mean-
time had effected their escape. What their motive can have
been for the perpetration of this savage outrage is a matter of
some doubt, Mr. Doubleday had both money and his watch
upon him, but neither were touched.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS.—On Monday
last, the officers and members of the Loyal Highland Home
Lodge, No. 2465, met at Host Brown's, Flying Horse,
Dale-street, the chairs being filled by the respective officers
of the Lodge and the usual loyal toasts being disposed of
with due honours, the officers appointed for the purpose took
the opportunity whey proposing the health of P.G. J. Worrall
of presenting the worthy P. G. with a splendid and valuable
silver patent lever watch, manufactured by Joseph Taylor,
member of the Loyal Minerva Lodge, in this town, bearing
the following inscription :—Presented to P. G. John Worrall.
by the members of the Loyal Highland Home Lodge, No.
2,465 of the 1. 0. of O. F., M. U., L. D., as a token of
respect for his valuable services.

ACCIDENT TO THE IRON STEAMER " EGREMONT."—On
Tuesday last, this vessel, while running down with the ebb
tide at a rapid rate from Liverpool to Egreniont, met the
" Sir John Moore " New Brighton Ferry Boat, nearly Op-
posite the Clarence Dock. Just at this period it is supposed
that the captain of the latter vessel became confused 'in
consequence of a brig which rather obstructed his passage,
for he so altered his course as to run directly into the paddle
box of the " Egremont," breaking the fore and aft beams,
after paddle beam, and tearing away all the timber work of
this part of the vessel. The hull however was uninjured.
The passengers of both vessels were of course thrown into a
great state alarm by the violence of the concussion. We are
happy to state however that no one was injured.—The " Sir
John Moore" also escaped with very little damage.
THE FUNDS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—The funds con-
tinue to improve under the abundance of money and the
purchases made to employ it. Several good bargains were
done to day, and collectively make a considerable amount of
stock, but individually, they require no particular mention.
The final price of Consols was 92* for money and the account ;
Bank Stock, 170 to 171; India Stock, 2.19?1 to 501 ; • Ex- '
chequer-bills, 2d. issue, 45s to 50s prem. ; ditto, 21d. issue,
50s to 52s prcm. ; 3 per Cents. Reduced, 92k ; 31t per Cents.
,'Reduced, 10l* to I ; New 31 per Cents., 1001 to ; Long
•
Annuities, 1 2 India Bonds, 355. prem. ; and South Sea
Stock, 1021. Foreign stocks and railway shares have main-
tained firm values without any increase of business. Spanish
Actives are quoted 201 to 4 ; ditto, New, 191 to 1; Dutch
21 per Cents., 511 to 52; Brazilian, 61 to 66; Belgian, 1011
to 1021 i Portuguese 5 per Cents., 331 to 34 ;•.ditto, 3•per
Cents., 191 to 20.1 ; Mexican, 351 to ; and Colombian,. 201
to 21.
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—The Gala at these gardens on
Monday night went off in first rate style. The arrangements
were admirable. The illuminations were very beautiful
and elicited general approbation. Madame Rossini's ascent
was a terrific sight, but she mounted the rope in fearless
style, running up to the extreme height with the same ease
and apparent safety as if she had been on " the broad green
earth." The fireworks were universally beautiful, and in
great profussion ; several fire balloons were discharged in
the course of the afternoon. The immense number of
persons on the ground walking between and under the innu-
merable varegated lamps presented a fairy scene beyond
imagination. The elephant paraded the gardens with a
car. It was amusing to see the crowds give way for the
stupendous animal, who walked about as gravely as if he had
been a spectator of a serious turn of mind. In consequence
of the wet weather on Wednesday the Gala was postponed.
It will take place to night, when the whole of the amuse-
ments will be repeated. A highly gratifying sight will be
obtained, and we can safely recommend our readers to pay
the enterprising Mr. Atkins a visit. These gardens whether
for beauty, good management, or tastefulness in the layii4
out, are equal to any in tile kingdom. The Gala to night
will be the last of the season, so that those who wish to be
present, must " go, and stand not to the order of their going,
but go at once." We ought not to omit noticing the efficient
way that M r. Stubbs' band played various airs, and concerted
pieces, adding greatly to tile gaiety of the scene.