The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-10-29 00:00:00

FESTIVITIES AT BIRKENHEAD. We have already given, in our last publication, each details of the preparations and programmein anticipation, of the proceedings - and festivities at Birktmhead, on occa sion of laying the, foundation stone of the new docks in that locality, that we do not deem it necessary, now that nearly a week has elapsed, to furnish more than a con densed sketch of the events of the great slay, more espe cially as the very full accounts of our intermediate con temporaries, several of them accompanied •by plans or illustrations, have already put nearly the whole read ing comumnity in possession of the principal facts. The day was one of the finest that could be hoped for• at this advanced period of the autumn.. the sky being c!oudless throughout, th e sun b r i g ht. and the breeze just sufficient to produce a. coolness highly grateful to all en gaged in the active movements of the occasion. The previous day having been also floe, and the night clear and inclined to frost, the streets and roads were in prime or der for the procession, being at once dry, and from the humidity of the previous dew, free from dust. Weather equally favenrable could scarcely, indeed, have been found even in the middle of summer, and its exhilarating effect was visible in the happy countenances and general good feeling and fellowship of the- thousands who at tended. As early as six o'clock in the morning the sound of cannonading was heard reverberating for miles along both shores of the Mersey, rousing those of our citizens, not yet astir, front their slumbers, to prepare for the pleasures of a holiday, to which vast numbers had made arrangements to devote themselves. The piss bead, from an ear!yr hoar, presented an unusual scene of bustle and anitnat!oa. Crowds of well-dressed indivi dinals of both sexes wended their way to embarking steps and slips. The- Woodside ; Monk's Ferry, and Brken head steamers, were gaily decot = ated with flags, as were - most of the vessels in the river ; and the who'e line of opposite shore from the Black Rock, north, to the Royal Mock Ferry on the south,-was enlivened at every point by flags and evergreens, fluttering in the breeze from all the lefties, the new works along the shore, the public and many of the private buildings, the masts and yards of vessels, large and small, and, in fine, from nearly every eminence whence they c,,uld be displayed. At Wood side ferry, and also round the site on which the founda tion stone was to be depo4ited, long lines of flags of all kinds and colours were hung on ropes ex'ending hori zontally from spar to spar, forming immense wreaths or - valances, at once gay aid graceful in elect. From Gleave's and the Monks' Ferry Hotels, a profusion of flags was also display e d. H er M a j es t y ' s s t e a m t en -' der, ' Redwing, lay at her anchorage gtound, and was literally covered tvith ensigns, union jacks, and signal flags. Contrasted with the previous day, though the shore even then presented a cheerful, busy, and interest ing appearance, - the result of the improvements and new was going on, the whole coa4t and town now assumed a different and more liVely aspect : it was peopled by thousands and thousands, and dressed up, if we may so . express ourselves, in new and profuse holiday attire. Many of the vessels in the Liverpool docks were also gaily ornamented with flags, indicative of the friendly feeling entertained by the owners or captains towards the new enterprise oem the opposite side Seven s'eam boats plied regularly during the whole day betwei , n this town and the Woodside and Monks' Ferries, and their commanders and others on hoard paid every possible at tention to the comfort and safety, in lanifng or embark ing, of the passengers, which the great re qaisitiou these conveyances were in would admit. The George's Pa rade was so crowded, that it at !wily peiiods of the day required some perseverance and nerve to obtain a place on hoard. So extraordinary a rush was not eapected, and there was at first a want of a sufficient police force to maintain order and avert danger. This was after wards remedied, and, happily, no serious accident, so far as we have heard, took place, though on some occasions in the forenoon, females, from alarm, relinquished their intention of c ossing. With regard to the interior of the town and township of Birkenhead and its adjuncts, Tranntere, Oxton, Cla,ughtor, Didston, &c., similar demonArations of rejoicing were everywkere conspicuous. In Hamil ton-street, in the immediate vicinity of the Town-hall, the point whence the procession was to start, the scene was one of more than ordinary splendour and gaiety. Almost from every windox were displayed new and handsome flags, and each person seemed to. vie with his * neighbour in enthusi ISM. At the north-eastern corner Of Hamilton-square, and also at the entrance to the platform, triumphal hurel arches were erected. It wcu'd be an endless, if not an invidious task, !o attempt, parti cularly, to enumerate the various houses from which ele gant devices and colours were displayed. Suffice it to say, that the whols of the buildings in the town seemed to be decked in holiday dreSs. The streets were lined with thousands of the residents, and by perhaps treble thousands from this town, Chester, &c., all apparently resolved to be plea , ed and to please. The 'shops and markets were al! elos ani there was a general cessa tion from labour, each man having not only the privilege of a holiday, but tie boon of his day's wages. A large body of the I iverpol police, under the command of Mr. Miller, was in attendance. He was assisted' by super intendents Leverett sod McDonald, and several insiec curs who had the immediate cii.vomitinn of the officers of the police force, and the arrangements were such as, under the circumstances, reflected great credit upon all parties concerned. The out-door a-rangewentg, including the cannon, the flags, &c. were under the superintendence of Mr. Morti mer, to whom the press are especially indebted for the readiness with which he furnished theni with every possi ble information. • THE PROCERSION. This was fol'ited in Hamilton-street, opposite the pre sent Town-hill, and is Ham' iton-square nal the streets adjoining. The high constable of the hundred, Mr. Palmer; Mr Miler, hea constable of Liverpool ; Mr. Moss, general superinten dent; and Mr B nprhey. police inspector, t. eaticd the procession on horseback, anti a ted as conductors. They were followed by a few other officers on hors,back. Four Trnmreters, on horseback. The Champion, in complete poll-11rd steel armour. and monr.t?d, as Seneschal of the Pri 'ry of Birkenhead. Lond n Assurance' Fire Engine. drawn by four horses, with posti!ions in scarlet. Firemen in uniform, with helmets. Norwich Union Fire Engine. latc'y presented to the township, accompanied by Mr. Hewitt, superintendent of our fire police, and several of his brigade, in uniform. Printing Press, from the office of Mr. J. Law, c-ti a large waggon drawn by two hors: s. As the procession proceeded, cop:es of the Birkenhead coat of arms, with the rn- tto " Homo prnponit, Deus disponit," a list of the Dock Commissioners, and a notice of the occasion which it commemorated, were printA off, and handed to the crowd, who evinced the greate-t eagerness to obtain impres sions. Copies also of two songs —one written by Mr. Mogan. of the imperil Hotel. Liverpool, and the other by Mr. George Cranmer—were printed and distributed. Temperance Rand, in handsome uniform. Good Samaritan lodge of Odclfellows, with fi,,c fl lgs and regalia. • rincess ttoy.a Lodge, with a splendid bano. , r, representing her Majesty and the Princes Th , men were ve *y neatly dressed, and decorat:al wi h sashes, rosettes. &e. Th! regalia was of the mcst costly and beautiful description. C rte:a. nit un'ed on stout horses. Grand UnitA Or , ier cf G.th )lie "r• Oren, with regalia, &c. Band, in irrt'cri, with military caps. Band of the Gt i Regiment of Foot. Loyal Liverp 01 Lodge of Oi!dfell , vrs, accompanied by a splendid banner. Duchess of Lancaster Lodge. I.oyal Stanley Lodge. Loyal Persececance Lodge. Band of the sth Dragoon Guards. Loyal George IV. Lodge. Loyal Mersey Lodge. • The Covenant Lodge. Friendly Society of Operative Masons. Reehabites. Star Tent. Fend of the 6th Infantry. Goad Samaritan Lodge. Liverpool Shipwrights. These carried a fine model of a steam.vessel, and several (tiler fine modes of vessela, and were preceded by a large flag. They were very respectably dressed. A large banner w'th a figure of the Duke of Wellington, and another with a fir ire of Charles the Second, were carried in this part of the processio:t. . _ . . Ancient Order of Foreslers, - many of them in the full costume of tie order mounted. In the procession were a hepher and a shepherdess—the former with a fine dog couchant at his feet,and the latter with a lamb. Operative Slwyers, accompanied by a model shed and saw pit, in which two gro tesque-looking automaton figures appeared in the act of sawing a balk of wood. Al ueh amusement was created by this exhi Pensioners' Band. Iron Shipbuilders in the employ of John Laird, Esq., carrying beautiful ranee a of iron vessels. Men employed in the Enzineer's Tug Yard, carrying sands in their hands. Stubbs's Royal harmonic Band. The Commissioners of Birkenhead; J. D. Case, Esq., W. Jackson, Esq., rill John LairJ, Esq., t-iking the lead. Several hundreds of Men employed in making the new Park, six abreast. Several carts decked with laurel and evergreens, and filled with Women and Children, brought up the rear. The procession occupied about three quarters of an hour In passing through Hamilton-square. At twelve o'clock a discharge of cannon announced the starting of the procession. As it moved along. the streets were thronged by enthusiastic spectators, and the win. down of the noble mansions in the square and neighbour ing streets through which the immense phalanx. with nu merous flags and banners, includi ng the Royal standi r d, &c• passed, were thrcn l ed by f a i r occu p an t s , w h o wave d flag, banners, and handkerchiefs, in toke n of their ap probation ; while the roaring of the cannon , and the mar tial musi c of the various bands, combined to produce an effect at once ma gnificent ton and heart-stirring. At the en trance to llarci -street, and also in Church-street and other streets on the route, triumphal arches of laurel were ereeted. On turning th a c i c o o n rcer of the yard of Birkenhead Church, and passin g i .tabey-street, salutes were fired from time to time from niece; of cannon planted on the new river-Wall enclosing m a ere Pool on the north. e s p e a n r t t e }: l of Scotchmen, On passing the Wellington lloto, Purpos e , themselves on dressed in the o . p r r the a i,, a ti.r one a stage which bail one oft em struck ol) end of the building; the bagpipe, on their favourite 714411:1n05t , which seeYem ai r, excite much attention atnongst the spectators. seemed to The route thron‘rii the principal streets, given in our last. was adhered to. The procession, in returning north ward, crossed Harnilten.square, end-along ConWay.street to Parkflti], where a lice of }14:4 was placed. It thence passed along Cavendish-street to Corporation-road, where it halted o pp es it c .. M r , 1, ; -fid' . ,:. iron shipbuilding yard, which was profusely decorated with flags. A ttii , iiphal arch had been erected at this part ci ine road, ertd the usual manifestations. inclulinK ;chutes, &c., wet:`e, again given. The who!e line thence moved on to Woodside Ferry, and thence along the new road close to the beach, to the scot where the stone was to be laid. LAYING THE FOUNDNVON STONE. Just above the site where the stone was to he deposited, two platforms had been erected in steps rising to the shore, with wide board entrances to the top; and these, together with a square space round the stone, for the Principal guests, were railed in front, and fenced in with boards at the back end. sides. Parties were admitted to the platforms by ticket, and they were soon filled by a gaily-dressed conpany. Within the enclosed square were stationed the band of the 6th Dragoon Guards, that of the Sixth Foot, -and Mr. Stubbs's Harmonic Band, who played fovourite airs in concert with a fine effect, also the national anthem, &c., when the ceremony had concluded. The leading gentemen having arrived on the ,round, preparations were immediately made for laying the steno, by Mr. Rendell depositing a glass bottle, con taining a copy of the Liverpool newspaper of the day, a plan of the works, and one of all the current coins, in a cavity out of th,. solid r.. , ek. [This part of the pro ceedings was performed amidst much cheering. 3 Mr. Rendell then read the inscriptien on the brass-plate, after which he deposited it in the groove prepared for its recep tion, and then presented the beautiful silver trowel (which we have before described) to Sir Philip Egerton. The s - one being lowered to its place and adjusted, the hon. 1 baronet struck it with a rosewood mallet. The Rev. ANDREW Kerox, incumbent of Birkenhead, then offered up a beautiful, deeply impressive, and anpro prta'e prayer. Sir PHILIP DE MALPAS GREY EGERTON, Bart., of oulton-park, M.P., then ascended the stone, amittst nine times nine cheers, which -having subsided, he spoke nearly as follows :—Ladies and gentlemen, it has 'been customary from time immemorial, in this country, and I believe also in other parts of the world, to cele brate with such " pomp and circumstance " as the occasion might require, the commencement of works, either public or private, which, for magnitude or importance, are deemed of more than ordinary consequence (Hear.) It is in compliance with ancient usage, and in obedience to the liberal invitation of the commis sioners, that we are assembled here this day to witness that magni ficent spectacle, which has been prepared with no ordinary care— to celebrate the inauguration of the foundation stone of the Birken head Docks. (Cheers.) It has been my lot, lathes and gentlemen, frequently to be present upon ceremonials of this description, and I have a vivid and dietiuet recollection of most of those events which have occurred during the lust few years; for ceremonies such as this are not like the ordinary and passing events of the day, Which make an impression for the moment and then pass into oblivion : they firm epochs in our national history • are milestones. as • •• they it were, in the road of time; they constitute a species of memoria echnicv, the mind, after the lapse a years, t^ recta not only the events themselves, hat all the contemporaneous and con comitant events of history. (Hear.) It is, therefore, I say I have a distinct recollection of most of those spectacles which Lave taken platai during the last few years; and I can stale, most distinctly, and in all sincerity, that I have .failed to call to mind one which, either for its intrinsic with or for the important results which are likely to follow from it, can be compared for a moment with the undertaking which has this, day been commenced. (Cheers ) I ant aware that I am making use of- terms most comprehensive; I am aware that I may probably be subjected to the charge of allow. ing my partialities or my prejudices to bias my judgment; but I trust 1 shall not have made use of terms of exaggeration, for I do not estimate the value of a work of this description by its superficial acres, by the sam of money that may be expended upon it, but by the amount of advantages which are likely to accrue from it to mankind at large. (Hear.) A bridge over the Thames at London, a bridge across the Menai straits, are works of great magnitude, and which reflect the highest honour upon the distinguished engi neers who brought them to perfecion; but in their application they must be considered as parely Leal, as mem faellities for intercourse between the banks of the streams. There are many other works of great magnitude and importance in this nation : take, for example, the Royal Exchange of London, which our gracious Soverei gn i s about to grace with her presence on Monday next. That is a work well worthy of the merchant princes who have erected it ; it will he a lasting ornament to the greatest commercial community in the world, but its sphere of utility is limited as compared with the re sults 1 anticipate front the works n hich are this day here com menced. (Hear.) I consider that the ad vantages which will follow from the erection of these docks will not bepurely local ; they will not be only national, but they will be universal. (Cheers ) They will be felt through the length and breadth of the laud; they will circulate through the minutest fibres of the trade and commerce of the country; they will be circumscribed only by the limits of civi lization in the habitable globe. (Renewed cheers.) The id e a o f conveying Wallasey .pool into a series of docks, Is by no means novel or of recent date. Nature has been so lavish in her adapta tion of this part of Clue shire, that every engineer who has visited the hanks of the Mersey, fur years past, has been struck with the great capability of this port to feed the local trade; and I believe the late Mr. Telford, one of the most distinguished men in the annals of British science, went so far as to say that, in his minion, Liverpool was built upon the wrong side of the river. (Hear, ant seine laughter.) The late Mr. Laird, many years ago, had a corn piete survey male of the Pool, and I remember having received— and many others received also, 1 dare say—a very able plan for converting the Pool into a series of docks. It would be needless for me now to revert to historical facts connected with this pl ace , wt -ii au-c probably well known to most of those I have the honour to address It will I,e needless for me to mention the obstacles and impediments which have appeared in the way of the real;za'ion of t h ose schemes. Sudice it to say, that those impediments and those obstacles have been fortunately removed. The Pool has beet tur yeyed by the talented engineer who has lately addressed you. He has drawn out plans for converting the t-00l into a series of docks. These plans were embodied in an Act of Parliament, which was passed last session. That bill experienced most rigid, strict, and searching investigation ia passing through both houses in tire com mittees of both the Commons and the Lords; but so manifest were the advantages it held out, so ably was every clause in that bill supported by the evidence of the most scientific men in this coml. try, and, above all, so disinterested appeared to be the motives of those who promoted the measure, that it passed triumphantly through those ordeals, 'and came unscathed and umnutilated through pardament• and is now the law of the land. The works to he executed under that act are of a magnitude wholly urn a. an leted, I believe, in works of a similar nature. (Cheers.) They will comprise, in the first instance, a vast tidal harbour of ne arty f rty acres, with sufficient water in it to admit of vessels at all times of the tides, which can cross the Victoria bar. (Hear.) In addieen to that barb .ur of refuge, convenience will be supplied of about acres in extent, with a beaching ground of four or live acres additional, which will be devoted to the use if the trading e,-eft of the-river. (Dear ) There is also a doCk wLich will be appli 41 to the present uses and purposes of the town of Birkenhead. if these were the only objects sought by this bill, they are sufficient to lay claim to your most favourable consideration ; but beyond this there will be an opening to the tidal harbour, by gates, of vast extent; there will also be a floating pool of about one hundred and thirty acres in extent, throughout the whole of which the water will be maintained at such a level that the banks of the pool, continued for nearly eight thousand lineal yards, will be applicable for the pur- I poses of quays and jetties, of landintaplaces and graving e docks, and warehouses, and all the other necessary accommodations required in a great mercantile harbour. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, when Imroatemplate the extent of these works,—when I consider the important ulterior consequences which may result froth this first initiatory measure,—above all, when I look at the extent of the buildings which now clothe the banks of this pool around me, and compare thetn with the state in which Birkenhead formerly was,- I can scarcely believe myself to be in the land of reality. (Hear.) 1 have Iten told, upon very good authority, that not above half a century ago, at the time when my respected grandsire inha bited the mansion now so ably occupied by your neighbour, Sir Edward Casa—in that period, I ant told, it was proved in a court of law that larkeahead was not entitled to be considered a town. ship, village, or hamlet, inssmuch as it did not contain three inha bited houses. (fleets.) Whether this be true or not, this Ido know, from the returns of the census presented decennially to patliament, that in 1001 the number of houses in the township only amounted to sixteen ; at the next census, in 151 1, the aumber was increased by only one; iu 1821 the nitnaber was increased by only three; the next ten years, from 1831, the increase was to 400; while in 1841 the last census gave the number of its houses at nearly 1500 ; and I am told that now, in the few years that have elapsed since the last census, it numbers nearly 2300 houses, occupying an extent of street exceeding thirty miles. (Cheers ) This I look upon as a case wholly unparalleled in the annals of this countrY; and if; among those whom I now address, I should chalice to find a citizen of the United etates of America—that country so famous for the rapid growth of towns, and cities, and communities,-1 would mest challenge him to bring an analogous inseance to this from Elie annals of his own country. (Cheers.) 1 say then—it is with juse tiee I say it—l can scarcely believe the evidence of my senses whets .1 contemplate the vast and rapid increase exhibited in this district. (Hear.) It appears more as if some mighty magician, with a fieu rish of has wand, had conjured up a mature and flourishing corn• munity from the bewels of the earth. or the basins of the sea, in the Mil panoply of commercial prosperity, of wealth, and of intelli genei, as Minerva sprang hilly arnica from the head of Jupiter. lf, then, the mind can scarcely contemplate without wonder and astonishment the progress mode in the last few years its this locus lity, how shall we da re t o gaze i nto the magic spectrum of futurity, or attempt to divine what may be the onward progress of Birken head's pt osecrity ? The astronomer is enabled to calculate the ve locities, and to measure the orbits, of the heavenly bodies ; the engi neer is enabled to make his surveys and, from hi s knowledge of the laWs which govern inane; is enabled to carry out his designs; for there are certain fixed lairs and philosophical data which they have given them; but who shall attempt to define what may be the 'rate of increase, or the rate of extension of human enterprise ? (cheers.) Upon diet alone must depend the extent of prosperity of a commercial community such as this. 1 can fancy to myself. I al picture a forest of masts of vowels of all nations, crowding th use docks ; I can fancy to myself' quays and docks, and ware h ntses, clothhig these banks as far as the eye cad reach; I cart hear. I think, the busy hum of men engaged in all the operations of merchandise; I can see. the locomotive engine in attendance at the back of the warehouses, prepared to convey the raw material by railways in eue. and railways in Posse—(cheers)—to the very parts where it is wanted. (Renewed cheers.) I can fancy I can trace streets and squares, houses and palaces, and churches and theatres, and market-halls and town-halls, and lord mayors, and aldermen and councillors, and beadles and maces. and all the. paraphernalia -of municipal dignity (cheers);—l can almost trace m the distance, I can almost fancy that I can see in the distance the faint shadow of a populanmember addressing the borough constituency from the city hustings. (Cheers and laughter.) But to return from the fer tile regions of false) , to those of stern reality, I state it here to be my firm conviction that I stand at this moment upon the lin:aeon of Birkenhead's prosperity. (Cheers.) As the Roman general of old, in his progress towards Rome, gained fresh laurels and fresh achievements, Birkenhead will go on in the path et' prosperity until site becomes in the first rank among the great commercial commu niti sof the world. (Cheers.) In the words of a Liverpool paper, which are remarkab e enough for the truth of their applications, " she has the full tide of commercial prosperity to start with ; she has a cheap market to borrow money in, and has cheap materials to build with; she has the sanction of all the Government depart. meats; she has , he approbation of the conservators of the Mersey; and she has the support of the whole trading and manufacturing interests of the country." With these great and important advan tapes to start with, I trust she will go on and prosper, and from the bottom of my heart I wish her God speed ! (Tremendous cheers.) Mr. WILLIAM JACKSON then said, in effect, that he was deput!d by the public of Birkenhead to ask the favour of the lion. baronet to permit his likeness to be taken, to grace the walls of the intended new Town-hall, in order that it might never be forgotten who it was that had laid the foundation stone of Birkenhead prosperity. Sir PHILIP EGERTON said he was proud of this addi tion to their former favours, and should be most happy to accede to their wishes. _ _ Cannon were then fired in salutes, and the immense as semblage (including great part of the processicn) dis- persed from the shore, and poured through the various streets, some to their inns, others to their homes for re. freshments, and many (visiters) to the houses of their ac quaintinces. The streets, however, remaine•l crowded throughout the whole day rind evening, no fetver than about 105,000 persons having been 1 indecl ut the ferries from this town alone. TILE DINNER, Took place at five o'clock in the magnificent banqueting hall, which we have already described. The display, in ending plate, surpassed anything of the kind ever sem in this nei4hhourhood. Th-1 dianer was ev , rythinz that could be desired, and added hi no snail degree to the already well-earned fame of Mr. Horne, of the Mersey Hotel. On the rigl,t of the Chairman, the following (Fs!inguished guests were seated ;—Sir Philip de Malpal Grey Egerton, the Earl of Es ex. Lord 13ateman, the Ilon. Lloyd Kenyon, Sir Joshua Wahnsley, C. K. Main- . : waring, Rev. Andrew Knox, J. D. Case, Esq., P. Green Col. Clegg, Col, Mit c h e ll, J. IL Shaw, E-q., J. C. E wart, E sq ., J. W. Harden, Esq., Col. Challiner, lion. Captain Rest, R.N.. Thomas Grimsclitch, Esq: ALP , Joseph 13rwherton, Esq. M.P., Rev. James Mainw4ring, 11. de Trafford, F.:4i., H. Winch, Esq., C. Po , ts, Esq. On the left of th e c h a i r were seated Lord rd Lilford,W. Tatton Egerton, k ; eq., M.P., General Sir. W. Warre, the Hon. E. S. Stanley, the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, Sir W. Symonds, the Rev. Archdeacon Clarke, Joseph Bailey, Esq , Wm. Ewart, Esq., M.P., Richard Congrevc, E , q., Thomas Thortiley, Esq., M.P., J. B. Clegg, Esq•e_ Rev. H. M. Fielde n , G eorge C. Leg!), Esq., - Sir. William Massey Stanley, Cap. Gerrard, John Stanley, EN., J. ainwaring, Esq., the Rev. F. Ould, Capt. Grcig, &C. &c. The list of invited guests included three hundred liot)le men, gentlemen, members of parliament, merchants, railway directors, professional men, respectable trades men, and ethers, from Birkenhead and this town, and, indeed, from all parts of the kingdom. The greatest novelty of the evening, and ong which added much to the amusement of th • company was the introduction of Mr. 'Jr. W. Toole, the celebrated toast master, from the East India-house, London. Quite au fait in his business, he succeeded admirably in the diffi cult and important task allotted to him. With "an ex quisite and finished air," he gave out the toasts, com manded silence, and seemed to think himself the very life and soul of the meeting. Grace having been said by the Rev. A Knox, the feast commenced, and tee enjoyment of the multitudinous luxuries was protracted tilt twenty minutes past six o'clock. Thanks having been returned, and the tables cleared, The CHAIRMAN rote and seid,—l beg, without any remark, to propose the first toast of the evening, " Her Majesty, the Queen". (Three times three, and loud ap please). Air, " God save the Queen." The CHAIRMAN then gave ." Her Majesty the Queen Dowager." (Thr ee ti mes three.) The CHAIRMAN-1 bee now to give you " His Royal Highness Prince. Albert, the Earl of Chester, and the rest of the royal frnily." (Three times three.) The CHAIRMAN next called upon the company to join with him in drinking to " The army and navy," and be begged also to couple with this t_tast, the names of General Warre and Captain Bevis. (With three times three.) Major-general Sir WILLIAM WARRE acknowledged the toast. He begged to return his sincere thanks for the kind and feeling manner in which his name had been coupled with the tcast of the army. He could not but feel deeply gratified for the manner in which this toast had been received, coupled as it had been with that ser vice to which had been for many years his pride-and glary - to belong. Next to the approbation of their beloved Queen, whose approbation was their highest stimulus and their best reward, the appr , bation of their fellow-countrymen was their best stimulus to exertion, and also 'the greatest reward which they could receive, next to that of Her Majeety. (Loud cheers.) It was impossible for him to witness that morning the imposing ceremony of laying the first stone of those magnificent works projected at Wallasey without feeling that a new stimulus was imparted to the army to protect—a new objeerof love and devo •tion to their country was suggested to his mind. (Ap plause.) Whether the army was serving in distint parts —he would not speak of the navy, because a gentleman was much better able to advocate the cause of his profession than he could presume to be—but so far as his own profession was concerned, lie could only say it would always be the delight and pride of the army in foreign parts to maintain that commerce, the trade of which was so widely diffused over the globe from both banks of this river. (Hear, hear, and applause.) When abroad, it was their duty te protect their trade, and when they returned home he trusted that every soldier would feel it was his duty to maintain the laws of his country, and protect those institutions which for centuries had been the pride and the glory of every Englishman—those institutions under which this country had prospered, and had risen to the high position which she now held among the nations of the world. A small island it Might be— e small island in the ocean—but it was the most powerfel among the nations. It might be the envy of many, but it w.ts respected by all. (Hear.) Ile was not in the habit of addressing public meetings, and therefore be craved the indulgence of the company, and begged to return them, in the name of the profession to which he belonged, hie best thanks for the honour done to them. (Applause.) Captain BEVIS, R.N., also acknowledged the compli meet, but being seated in the vicinity of the vice presi dent, and speaking in a low tone of voice, his fee ober servations were not heard. The CHAiRMAN ti en gave "The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese." He said he had seen his Lordship on Monday last, and he expressed his great regr,t that his official duVes in a distant part of the county would pre vent him from being there that day, because he wished to sanction by his presence the great undertaking of that day. He (the Chairman) wished to join with this toast the name. of a gentleman who had been resident in &r -kenhead for the last 17 years, and who, every day - of those 17 years, had grown in the respect of the pcop'e of Birken h”ad, he meant the Rev. A. Kim (Three times three and and one cheer !wire. The Rev. Mr. KNOX returned thanks in a suitable address. Tile CHAIRMAN, in giving Sir P. reorton's health, ex pressed the obligations which he and all other parties in any way interested in the public business pertaining to this locality were under to that hon. gentleman. He alluded at some Laigth to the exertions referred to in connexion with the park, public improvements, and ether local bills, the whole of which he had advanced, not because of their local or individual bearing, but because of their utility en 1 efficiency as contributory to the general good and :Li va oiement of the intereAs of the public at large. The to e+t was received wit'a vehement applause. S.r P EGERTON said.-1 would take this opportunity, although t eeaaps not quite in the right line, of retur,i, g my warmest ant smeerest thanks to the commissioners of Birkenhead, for the distinguished honour which thee have this day conferred on me, in requesting tee to take the first Fart in that most interesting ceremony which you have witnessed. I could have wished that that duty had been entrusted to one more distinguished for rank, station, or talent. I could have wished that the ceremonial of this day had been graced by the presence of Royalty (hear, hear) ; but 1 take this opportunity of voting, and I am happy to have the pleasure of doing it, that the refusal of Prince Albert to attend has been dictated by that ni-e delicacy and that great discretion of feeling which have guided every action of his since we had !he pleasure of hailing him as the consort of our beloved So vereign. (Cheers.) I have ever considered it as one of the proudest ftarures of my Parliamentary career, that I should have been called on to represent the county of Chester during that period in which Birkenhead has made the greatest progress in the path of civilization. (Much cheering.) I can say most sincerely that the interests of Liyepoool are near and dear to me, as they most be to every Cheshire man. If ever I have been accused of taking a part adverse to their interests, it can only have been in instances where I have imagined that the whole some and just rivalry which ought to exist between two communities has been Supplanted by a jealousy wh;ch I might have thought rather unfair to those on this side of the river, and rather unworthy of the inhabitants on the other. (Much cheering.) 1 hope most sincerely that all those feelings of jealousy are now at an end, and that we shall go on hand in hand, attempting only to rival one another in one thing, namely, which can most promote the commercial interests of the port of Liverpool. (Great cheering.) I alluded to-day to the advantages which this locality possesses for the construction of docks and other walks. (Cheers.) Now I may say that it is my positive conviction that these capabiLties would long have re mained dormant had you not had amongst you some of those distineuished and enbrprisitig individuals to whom you are indebted for all those great works that surround you. (t beers.) It has been my fortune to transact bu sicess w.th the commissioners of 13rkenhead for some years, and I never in my life transacted business with a set of men so public-spirited, so disinterested, and so en terprising as the commissioners of Birkenhead : to whom we owe a step of at least a century in advance of the or dinary progression of commueities. The VICE-CHAIRMAN (Mr. Jack , b.n) said, 14 years taco, when the individual whose likeness was then before them (Mr. John Laird, sen.) fir s t p ropagate d th e grea t sceeme which they were now likely to carry ou t, h e wes treated as a wild enthusiast and seecnla!or—nay, he was denounced as a fool ; but his sons had lived to carry out, not only the project of the docks, but they had also lived to see the very plan originally - suggested by their father's mind carried into full effect. (Hear, hear.) They had but one object in (Mooing these docks, and that object wrs, to benefit the port of Liverpool —to take a fair share of the trade which was increasing —to endeavour to aid and assist the pert of Liverpool, in giving additional ac comcoodation to commerce—to give the ships, as they arrived, ample accommodation—to reduce the charges, if possible, upon merchandise, and, by such reductions, to enable the poor man to get his calico shirt, if it was only 3d., at less than at present. (Hear.) Let them hope that when times in which they could not expect to exist presented to the readers of a future age the page of his tory. the name of Birkenhead might be therein recorded, and that, when read, she might be lauded for her honesty arid purity, and that her sons might go forth from that port—to the east and to the west, the spicy islands of the south, and frozen regions of the norte— , n3 take with them the character of honest men. (Loud cheers.) Such was their hope, such was their intention ; and let them hope that they might not be deceived even by their descendants. But should they have been in their present proud position had it not been for those who had the charge of the county interests in their hands? No. If there was one representative more than another who had pined the esteem and regard of his constituents at Birkenhead, that man was Sir Philip Egerton (great applause); who was indeed the cock of Cheshire. (Hear, and a laugh.) He proposed the healths of the members for the county. (The toast was drunk with ail the honours.) Mr. T. EGERTON, M.P. sad, I always looked forward to the time when the docks of Liverpool would be scarcely sufficient for the rapidly increasing commerce of this country—when the river Mersey would be only the high way for nations between the—not rival, but sister ports of Liverpool and Birkenhead. But, gentlemen, so gigantle a project as that of which we have this day laid the foun dation stone never entered my imagination—a project •which does reflect the highest credit on the head that con ceived it, and those pubic-spirited and disinterested indi viduals who have followed it up ; and that not with a view to their own interests, as in these present days we see too commonly the case, but for the benefit of their fellow townsmen, their county, and their country at large, (Cheers.) In travelling in foreign countries I have Wren been struck with the singular contrast between that pre sented by this country and theirs with respect to 'iliac woks. There everything is the work of Government; here, everything is the work of individuals. (Continued applause.) In that we see a perfect example of the unti mg energy, perseverance, and industry of England, thatch have at all threes and in all parts of the world carried its people through every difficulty. I wish some of those in foreign climes could have seen the ceremony which we have this day witnessed. If they bad been told that a township whirls, as my worthy colleague tap you, same few years ago numbered but a few inhabitants, should now, after the lapse of a few years, put forward and be ready to complete undettakhois aim• st untivallcd in the world, they would certainly have cause for wonder. We, tHg L IVERP OOL STAIVDARP:. in that corner of the counts=ln that corner where no docks, but tail chimneys ark the order of the day—let me tell you that we feel no slip :'t interest in the progress and success of this undertaking. We have been told, on high authority, that " the are all for ourselves in this world" (a cry of " AltleiNca'a Brooks," and shouts of "hear") but, gentlemen, the individuals who projected th , s great na tional work look upon it as one of the greatest advantages to the rapidly increasing commerce of this country, and on motives of self-interest alone we look with anxiety to the success and rapid execution of these measnres. Be lieve me, gentlemen, it is a matter of no slight interest to our master manufacturers, and to the great Masses we see in our corner of Cheshire—many of whose representatives I am happy to see around me to-day—it is to them a mat ter of no slight importance to see the delay of their vessels in the Mersey .for a period of from Ito 14 days. We are told .that punctuality is the soul of business, and our ma-• nufacturers know that it will not answer for them, when they receive orders—ay, and when they have executed them—not to be able to forward them to their correspond ents. I say, then, that upon national grounds, and upon every other ground, we look with great interest on the un dertaking. As one more particularly connected with this district, I bid you God speed. I sincerely trust that, tae Work which we have to-day commenced so auspiciously will be auspiciously finished. I •see scarcely any limit, looking into futurity, to the growing greatness and pros perity of this town. You have seen what your neighbours have done on the other side of the water. I can only say, as one who has had long dealings with the authorities of Liverpool, that I 'sincerely trust—that I wish—they would hold out to you the right hand of fellow.ship—that all dis cords will be forgotten -that you will try to rival them, and only in that, in your punctuality, in the extentof your commerce, and the accommodation of your decks ; and I can assure you, as one of the reprerentatives of this county, as one who has tried to be the representative of the country, and not of the county, it shall always be my endeavour to cooperate in any measure that will promote the prosperity of this town. (Lung and protracted cheer ing.) The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose another toast. He proposed the " Health of the Earl of Lord Lilford, Lord Bateinan, and of ,the other distinguished guests who had that day honoured Birkenhead with their presence." The Earl of Es.',st,x.—l have been roost deeply gratified by the interesting ceremony which we have witnessed. It has given me a most exalted idea—but that, indeed, I did not want—of the energy and the power of those connected with the commerce of this country ; r,nd when I consider the talent and foresight that were necessary to conceive this great enterprise, the wealth and energy necessary to carry it into execution, and the extraordinary results to follow from its success, I cannot but think that the men of Birkenhead are richly deserving of that noble title which was borne by the first merchants of the world those of Tyre—which then descended to the equally cele brated merchant of Venice, and now se worthily devolves on your shoulders,—"the merchant princes" of Great Britain. (Much cheering.) lam sure 1 most heartily hope and pray that success may attend your noble under taking—that it may conduce in every respect to the hap piness and welfare of yourselves and your fellow-towns men—that it may spread still further and wider your al ready great name and the great commerce of this couatry, and that, though last, not least, she may, with this assist ance and God's blessing, .carry into the very remotest part of the world the b'essings of civilization and of Chris tianity. (Loud anl long-continued applause.) Tae Hon. E. J. STANLEY said, they had laid the foun dation of the great civilization of the town by preparing a system of draining—by preparing that system which. he bteieved, would do more to bailie!) vice and misery from the walls of a town than almost anything they could have undertaken. (Hear, hear.) He wou!cl speak also of that which redounded to their honour—Le meant the noWe at tempt they had made in setting apart a great space for the recreation of their poorer and humbler brethren (hear, hear), and that, not in some - obscure corner of their vi cinity, but in the very heart and centre of that great town —land worth in value, by the inch and yard, they had given by the acre tor the recreation of all the poorer in habitants. (Loud cheers.) Anti while he mentioned this as a great means, he believed, for the civilization and im provement of the community, he mentioned it also as one which would materially tend to lighten the labours of the magivtacy. (Hear, hear.) While he praised them for this, he would add, that in this, as in other casee,• the best, the most honest, and the most merciful and humane policy was also to be witnessed; and he believed that the ichanitants of the township would experience an adven tage from what had been effected, not only in the superior moral character of the people, but in the real additional value they would find conferred on all the property in the neighbourhood. (" Hear, hear," nod Lind cheers.) • Mr. POTTER said, the Liverpool merchants could not he the opponents of the Birkenhead dock measure, for hey had felt too severely all the risks attending the former state of affairs, and the losses attending the delay to which their trade was subjected, partly from physical circum stances, .and partly trona the trade of the cuuntry having increased to a degree beyond what any ordinary foresight could be e, peered to provide for. Therefore, while asso ciated in the Birkenhead measnre, lie was'not only doing that which would advance the trade of Liverpool and the trade of the world, bat he was also doing that which would meet with the encouragement and approbation of some of the most eminent merchants in Liverpool—so many, that to mane them would be - quite inviting's. (Hear, hear.) They-had felt that the measure was due to the trade and commerce which was rapidly exceeding all the provisions made for its conyenit-nce, and ti at.it was al-o due to that great hive of manufacturing industry on the other side, knowing that the extension of commerce was the true ha.is of the prosperity of the estu”ry of the Mersey. (liar, hear.) lie b.-aged to propose, " The town and trade of Liverpool." (The toast was very warmly received.) Mr. DUNCAN GIBB responded to it. The Hon. Sir E. Cusp in pre:posing the health of the Commissioners of Bit kenhead she 1 very shortly indeed repeat those two or three &rcunistances which have been mentioned already—those,. for instance, named by the Hon. Mr. Stanley,—and which certainly display a f lo e s s t .g rc i .a t l o a f r ka these example e whotok of the the 1, a wisdom, d this town,sag sagacity, t i s e in lacy_ fa r: . d . ing out the suburbs of the town for the benefit of the poorer population. I believe that this is ail instance of feeling towards the poorer population wholly unexampled in any to.vn in this or the other hemisphere; for enor mous streets have been projected and duly secreted, pre pared for water, and all the luxuries that modern refine ment could conceive, being all prepared before a single house had been erected on the land. This is an insmrce of sagacity very unusual indeed in any public undertaking, and it is also an instance of activity which is very rare in any public functionaries—qualities which must, to a re markable extent, exalt the character of the commissioners of Birkenhead. The noble market now in course of erec tion, the various and numberless works every day pro jected, and, last, though not least, that mighty work which we have seen to-day commenced, are nil works in themselves so unusually great, that they would very justly entitle any set of men to a high pl,ce in public estimation for their individual acts ; but, when .united, they really form a, very considerable claim on the public gratitude. The ti7ast was received with rapturous acclamations, and Mr. J. D. CASE responded to it. Mr. W. POTTER said, they ought not to forget him from whom the plan of the docks proceeded. (Hear, hear.) Th. y were in•lehted to the genius of that gentleman, as well for his readmess,to answer all obj ctions, to undergo the rigorous cross-examination of numerous counsel, and to corroborate all his assertions, as to the capabilities of the pool for all comaterciA purposes. He would not be considered to hate trespassed unfairly when he begged to propose the " Heal:h of Mr. Rendel, theengineer." (The toast was rapturously received.) Mr. lIENDEL was perrectlr satisfied of this, that tee dross of which they had been lay n: - .; the foundation-.none that day were not designed, neither would they be, in a spirit of rivalry to those very magnificent works which they saw so gloriously across the river on the very fine day t. ith which they were blessed for their ceremony. He was quite certain that they - wero altogether of a dif ferent description from a rival esta';lishment. (Hear, hear.) They a e intended to props additional accom modation in the port of the Mersey, which, favoured as Liverpool was, it did not afford facilities for the construe (ion of. (Hear, hear.) If the late Mr. Llird had lived till 1814, and seen the numerous steamers which traversed the Atlantic with the regularity almost 'of a locomotive, he would have said " Let me have a Ltw-water basin for those vessels ;" and this was really the only difference between Mr. Laird's conception and the shadowing of that conception which he (Mr. Retitle!) had been fortu nate enough to be called upon to carry out . (ll , ar, bear.) Mr. J. HARDEN t hen proposed "The Press." Mr. J. SMITH returned thanks. The last toast on the list was " The Cheshire Witches,” which was enthusiastically dunk. 'TALC BALL. The appearance of the ball-room, which was opened at ten o'clock, was unprecedentedly magnificent, whether as regardei the decorations or the display of beauty and fashion that adorned it. Amongst the ladies present were—Lady Grey Egerton, Lady. Charlotte I . gerton, Lady Cuat, Mrs. Lloyd Kenyon, Mrs. Charles Stanley, Mrs. E. J. S , auley, Mrs. W. Patten, MI& Col. Glege, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. J. G. Jackson, Mrs. W. Laird, Mrs. Mall&by, Mrs. Winch, Mrs. J. B. Hughes, Lady B•Ateman and I.er two daughters, &c., &c. Mr. W, Laird led oil with Lady Grey Egerton, and Mr. J. S. Jackson with Mrs. Charles Stanley. The whole of the arrangements, which were admirable, exclusively devolved on Mr. J. S. Jackson and Mr. W. Laird. At half-past twelve, the supper-room (which had been the dining-- room) was thrown open. A beautiful embroidered ban ner emblematic of the occasion was here presented by Mr. J. S. Jackson and Mr. Cole to Lady Egerton, who graciously accepted it, remarking on the leauty of the needlewodc. Dancing was then recommenced, and was kept up with spirit until about four o'cleck. OTIIBF. FESTIVITIES AIVD AMU SEMENTS. In accordance with the liberality of the whole proceedings. a supper, with jellies, wines, trait, 8:e , was given by William Jackson, Esq.. in the large room of the Town-hall to about 3.111 persOns, chiefly holding situations connected with the town or its public wo:ks, and respectable 'mister tradesmen and ~thers. A band was provided, and the greatest crjoymettt prevailed. Mr. John Laird also i resented a handsome large medal struck for the occasion to each of his men. to commemorate the day. and a new dress to each of their wires. Fve.i the poor in the Workhouse were not forgotten. all receiving a snin,! through the guardians. to enable them to share in the festivities. The Poor of the town were al o supplied with food by ticket, in ac• cordance with previcn's arrange reran. Ahnut s:xty guntitmen, of Liverpool and Birkenhead, sat down - to an excellent dinner at Mr. Gleave's. Adc!phi Hotel. The viands and wines were of the chnicest kinds. and the whole arrangements highly credit :hie to the worthy host. Several 'excellent speeches referring to the prciperity el the towi , ship were delivered, and the evening was spent in the most agreea ble manner. A large party e - gentlemen sat down at Mr. La French's, Wa terloo lintel to an e,cellent and we-served dinner given by Mr. Hobert 11 ughe , , who ably presided. The usual toasts were given by the Chairman, Mr. Knapper, Mr. Mort, and other gen tlemen. The he -Ith of the Members for the Sonthern Division of the County elicited much cheering. Li proposing it, Mr. Mortimer remarked, that opportunities hati• kklstl afforded him of closely watching the conduct of those treialemen in connex ion with the interests of the bawl And trade of Birkenhead. and lie was glad to bear testimony to :he indefatigable exertions which they brought to bear on every thing that could promote their welfare. During the unparalleled contest that had taten place on the Dock Bill, their time, talent, and influence had ever been extenffod to obtain that happy termination which Bir kenhead this day wltn: ssed, but if any thing coo d add to the pleasure Of proposing the healths of the Members of the County, it was the fact of being enabled to do so in the house of the man that, upwards of a quarter of a century since, had endeavoured to e;tablish that system of communication by which that day one hundred thousand persons - had been able to cross the. Mer soy N.:About any accident, (Lend cheering.) Mr. KNA prfilt. of the Cottage Owners' Association, begged t confirm all that had been stated in ,ommendation of Sir Philip Egerton, and John Tollemache, Esq On a recent occasion he had applied to them on the proposed iniquitous assessment of cottage-owners, in place of the occupiers of cottage property ; and they both, unsolicited came down to enquire into t.l.e pro ceedings, and, by their influenc.., the obnoxious measure was withdrawn. ' (Loud cheers.) The proceedings throughout were highly gratifying, and in proposing the health of Mr. La French, the worthy landlord, wh ch was received with Icud cheers i Ohe company was reminded, that that gentleman was the first who practically introduced, many years ago, steam navigation on the waters of the Mersey. MR. TOBIKINSON'S DINNER TO HIS WORKMEN One of the most pleasing of the festivities of the day was the en tertainment given by this gentleman to his workpeople, which took place in a temporary building erected for the purpose on the ground adjoining Mr. Willoughby's Bowling-green. At about half-past four o'clock, We found the whole party assembled, to the number of about 400, with their respected employer presiding, to a substantial hot dinner, provided by Mr. Willoughby, with his usual attention to quantity and quality, a number of gentlemen being placed at the di%rent tables to assist in the office of carving and see to the com fort of the guests. Amongst the gentlemen who kindly volunteered this task, we noticed H. Melling. Esq., Secretary to the Royal Mersey Yacht Ciub, It. B. Barton, Esq., Dr, Gi'indrod, Dr. Gouth ' waite, E. Fletcher, Esq., John Wood, Fsq , Cabbage-hall, Edward Griffin, Esq.. C. Parsonage, Esq , Lower-hall, near Wrexham, John Holt, Esq., It. AP Mould, Esq.; H L. Elmes, Esq., architect of St. George's-hall, James Harrison, Esq , W. B. Colton, Esq. The vice-chair was filled by J. A. Turner, Esq. ' sun-in-law to Mr. Tomkinson. The dinner 1; aving been removed, and the men supplied with ale and tobacco, for the latter of which the demand was extensive, the usual toasts were given. alter which the Chair man proposed " Prosperity to Birkenhead," which was received with hearty cheering. Mr. It. A. Mould responded in a neat speech, and concluded by giving the health of the founder of the feast, who. he rema, ked. had on that day, which was the anni versary both of his birthday and of his wedding, entered upon one of the largest unde takings of Ws life. The whole company rose in enthusiastic response to the toast and, after the cheer ing had subsided. Mr. Tomkinson trietly, but most feeliogly replied, thanking his -•• fellow tradesmen'' for thei, kindness, assuring them of his ardent desire for the happiness of all around him. and expressing a hope that the great undertaking upon which they h:..d just entered would fill the pockets of the work men as well as benefit himself. He was about to r , tire to another place where his duty called him. but he trusted they would mainly, to enjoy themselves both with pipe and cop. The Chairman then retired, arid Mr. Tamer took the chair; and, after the remainder of the toasts had been drunk, and several songs sung, the company began t retire about ten o'clock, having enjoyed, in a manner creditable to all, a happy and, a merry evening. The principal street , . particularly in the neighbourhood of Market-street, were crowded throughout the day and evening; one street preventing the appearance of a rac,-course, with all the usual co' comitants for amusement. 'Rockets were sent up from various points, hands of music played up and down, many of the shops and houses presented fine transparencies, and all was a scence of good humors • and e,j7iyment. A huge bonfire blazed on Playbrick, and two others were lighted at . Mr. 011is's lime-works, at Tranmere Pool, which brightly illumin ated the whole neighbourhood. At about half-past six, a splendid display of fireworks commenced in a field adjoining Argyle street. and attracted maw: thousands, all of whom obtained a good view, the street be - ng higher than the ground These were provided by Mr. Atkins, of the Liverpool Zoological Oar. dens, and did him great honour as a pyrctechnic - ,,rtist. Amongst the most attractive pieces was a large steamer moving in a stormy sea of green fire; also, an immense temple of fire. in honour of the principal Commissioners. whose names were dis played in coloured fires. The whole concluded with a beautiful device. in which " The Ladies of Birkenhead " was emblazoned in variegated fires. Three hearty cheers were given at the con clusion. After the fireworks were concluded, which was about eight o'c:ock, numbers of persons began to move off—those who lived on this side the w to to the ferries—and, towards half past nine o'clock, the streets were con,iderably thinned. those who were still engaged in the festivities of the day being occu pied principally within doers, participating in the pleasures of social harmony, or "tripping on tne li ht fantastic toe " to the strains of joyous music. The late teats, however, continued to be densely crowded by parties r turning to Liverpool. In conclusion, it is highly gratifying to state that, notwith stand ng the immense crowds, and the embarking and disem barking, during the whole day and night, the whole passed withou, any accident of consequence. The above speaks v,litrnes as to the arrangements made, arid the judicious manner in which they were carried out. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS. The shipments of potatoes from the Isle of Men have co►nm,nced, and large cargoes are leaving that island fur Liverpool. Thomas Sidney, Esq., Sheriff of London, tea•dealer, is brother to Mr. George Sidney, boot and shoe warehouse, Paradise street. On Friday weak, a dinner was given to Alexander Kay, EN., Mayor of Manchester, as a mark of their respect for him, by Aldermen Potter, Neiid, and Kershaw, the first, second, and third mayors of Manchester. , The Rev. Mr. Murphy, formerly of St. Patlick's Chapel, in Liverpool, has been appointed Romish Bis lop of Australia. had been previously Vicar-General of New South Wales. 'On Saturday week the clerics and subordinate officers of the Manchester Corporation were entertained at an excellent dinner provided for them by the three past Mayors of thst town. On ...:atardhy week the flat Express arrived at Manches ter, with forty toils of wines and spirits, for Mr. Gibb, of that town. This is the first arrival in the " Pott" of Manchester of a cargo of goods for bond. We beg leave to call the attention of our renders, par tictilarly of the maritime cht,s, to the advertisement of the Mariners' and General Life Insurance Company in our columns of this dpy, which appears to cffer advantages to seafaring persons seldom to he met with. GUANO.—Owing to the easterly winds, the arrivals of the past week from Ichaboe do not exceed 300 tons. Sales have been made to the extent of 100 or 120 tont, at X 5 17s. Gil to.£6. An entire cargo, on the soot, is re ported to be sold at the latter price. • For forward delivery there is no business doing. CAUTION TO SUNDAY TRAVELLING — Mr. Rowett on Thursday last, was charged before Mr. Rushton of the Police Court, with driving in h s gig past St. Georg Church, on Sunday last, during the hour of divine ser dice, contrary to a bye-law passed on the 15th of Sep tember, 1812, and fined five shillings. LORD TEYNHAM.—A letter in the Morning Chronicle from a son of this nobleman states that though his father did preach in a Baptist Chapel in this town he "does not belong lo r t d o s hi that p r o ea r anyhed in netitel there s o s a t gdm IJis Church, urc e i t i, Sunday week, and at twu other places of worship the same day. TRACY PEERAGE. — James Tracy, Esq., the claimant to the Tracy peerage, is at present in this city, and that he has overcome ail the difficult part of his case—namely, that of identifying William Tr his icy, great-grandfather, marriel Mary, daughter of James O'Brien, a woollen merchant in Francis-street, as the son cf the Hon. Mr. -Justice Tracy, of England.—Dublin paper. —[The son of Mr. Tracy was recently in the Liverpool police.] RODN Y-STREET W A RD.—A large and influential meeting f the e'eetors of this ward took place on Tues day, for the purpose of introducing John Pemberton, Esq. to the electors, The meeting was unanimous in their de tern- ilation to support Mr, Pemberton ; and from the fa vont able state of the registry in this ward, and the great influence of the gentletmn who a!tende I the meeting, there is no tkuht of Mr. Pemberton's triumphant return. FREEMASONRY.—The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancient Free. and Accepted Masons for this province. was held at the Ad , lihi Hotel, on Thursday morning, at eleven o'clock. The Croft Lodee was opened in the Three Degrees by Brother Iles, V.W.P.G. junior war den, .assisted by the repreetnatives• of Lo-.'g;s No. 130, 173, 245, 263, 267, and 201. The grand officers having t iken their several chairs, the lodge was opined in due form, when the reports from the several lodges in the province, on the rrogri se. of Masonry, *ere received. They were most gratifying, end the charitable contri butions exceeded in emount - those of any previous year. At Tour o'clock the brethren sat down to a most sumpttious banquet, served up in brother Ralley's - best style. AN ARTFur. ROBBERY.—About dusk on Friday even ing, as Mr. Bird, of Great George-scree , was balancing his ca,h, a gentleiwn came in to ordt r some medicine. ,While serving him Mr. Bird put Lis purse into his coat pocket. As his cwtorner was gain; out an alarm was given that a man had droi , pd down dead. On being brought in, (of course many persons wi:h him,)and placed on the floor, Mr. Bird took the usual means, as he ate. pearcd to be in a fit, and in a few minutes he-was able to speak and depart. On resuming hi, emp!oyment (the cir cumstance sc arcely taking three minutes,) end putting his hand into hi pocket for big purse, Mr. Bird ftund that it was gone. it instantly struck him that the whole scene was a trick, the man in fits and his party having watched his doings, and the opportunity taken advantage of, and that successfully. The money extracted amounted to X2O. MR. RUSHTON AND MR. SHUTTLEWORTH.—OH dis missing the grand jury after their labours at the sessions last wtek, the learned Recorder paid a deserved compli• ment to our stipendiary magistrate, and prosecuting soli citor, Mr. Shuttlewoith. The learned gentleman eaid, "It is a most gratifying circumstance to know, that in every case, alter the careful scrutiny you have instituted, you have affirmed the propriety of Ihe prosecution. It is - a rare occurrence, anti must clearly indicates the care and discrimination which are exere'sed -in those . Isminary proceedings which take place before the casesire uppear in this court." This opinion of the learned R corder received a most expressive confirmation from the . fact, that fully one-ball of the prisioeers arraigned rak el ti i ( t )vi a - i i ; e e r i l i g a e ,, el . i the.. t sof the during the last sessions, pleaded gulty, aid thin, I' 1 , ; ') g ß e: O 'sn U .fl S efe,fi k hi : 1 : 1 a n 'i c K . —On Friday afternoon when passing through justness ''l". b a tit themselves. their pr,N(iteue o lt, 7 D i of whieh vesel he - i s '''-' - ew W'o ,dhouse was leaving the Queen of the W ri t s i t s C N aPt commander, the gate he was assailed by a t id powerful man, its sailor's dress, who, without a wurd, struck him a tre m ,„ ( l i lr ii °l h k e P P a r c it ke, e r7 s sh D i p o ' ck , iron ball or stone anditerChief. The blow took effect the temple, near to the on the foie part of ~ . eye, and laidhim i,t . ~hc3 ...iiseieas picked up and car r i e d to the" the vavernent. lit w :eortlierti littspital. ,vhere it was ascertained that the niiry, with nigh of r, sericus nature, did not extend t) frecture of the skull. The asaalant, on se:•ing Captain arid, in the confusion. esc' e ; W. fail, took to s heel. Capt lle is one of niti Woodhouse's ()en cr.'w; lf - e'. non,gst whom a Ce tnenuß feel. ing had existed during thr;r late sotave from New York Nice-officers have b.-en and put the m at „, st on bl'u-'1 lite"q theirQueer.of the We.'t, threat has been held . was ' &e.. onnat d, as a nut Lh rd .lt they also would be attacked. Oct. 29, SUSPENSION OF A MARKET-CONSTABLE; -- vn day a Mrs. Roberts was brought before Mr: ileiShtot:s 6 the Police-court, on a charge of having sold a coati elie hares in St. John's market without- a license. Th e e e s against her was proved by a market-constable, of the` e. of Woodfall; but, upon cross-examination by M te a s die, handed. the money to a butcher, with a request theati._, heNV o h o a d d fa re l, ce e;i e d d e: 2 lt s ly fi l,.v o i m th a m p t e l r cl i re n lu am et c a i nc si e, ,a s vi l Would go aid purchase the hares. - Mr. Wardle cont that the constable, under those circumstances , had, the trapped the unfortunate woman. Mr. Bushton 100 '‘ b i s same view of the case reprimanded the fellow ( "r ee d of misconduct,chargaen againstd d order e d e A :1 1 1 r ) s i s. Roberts.—[How sopbeenrf.so......nruidotwh e c d a i m e t Rushton • aeconeile his condemnation of this man ' a duct with the fact that he, some little time Once, pathos rised police-constables to go in plain clothes and I nd s l publicans to sell ale or spirits after the prescribed hel s i s If the market-constable were so f ar wr ong in the ', se , recorded above, as to justify the dismissal of the e ' ro e then ought none of the cases against the publicans to n o r been proceeded with on the unsupported testitoo"Y spying policemen.] TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.—A special mee tin Ve l this body was held on Wednesday last, a t the usual i s to determine upon laving of the annual fire pollee r &e. Mr. Alderman Lawrence stat e d that the tire P u di e rate last year, produced £2,135 I9s. Ild., and tha t o f expenditure was £1,723 2s. 4d., leaving e halane e a df £4lO 17s. 7d., out of which the sum of £2OO had el re e i t s been expended for eater-carts. H e thought that , be the balance, a rate of a h a lf penny i n t h e poun d wuu 0" eat, quite suffici en t, en d move d a reso l ut i on to that es o f which was adopted. A resolution as to the closhl tt ei markets and shops, with a, report of the market coeoll e d on the same subject, was then read, hut it was r, es „ ' eotl. that the council could not entertain the cortnurnea to The Mayor produced the reply which he had recetw ing , a memorial to the Treasury, on the subject of Mr. 11 _ ro e kisson's statue. After some co n ve rsa ti on , in the c(u h ".4 of which it was repeatedly stated that Mrs. Iluskis oo st, very decided • objections to placing the statue iliv e George's Hall, the following resolution, p r oposed by Alderman Turner, and seconded by Mr. Aspinall. " 03 , then agreed to :—" Resolved—That as the Isord a co tbe ..missioners of, the Treasury have declined to s.anctiou placing of the stetnte of M r . H us ki sson on t h e site ree ( ! te d r berr9o f`tbe e. at eGett i iu s erb i tet : sce t :o l os e inaui d :w:si b l,etias y asdoht IN tuf o l the r i.te, h . f:td i ‘e). discussion, Gibson, t tsiye h uokeo e eniiri gt artist, snoebNalnyy,tbelGe, pit the he. - 1 ecLerund-A_lei Stephenson, Liverpool t heif e en Council at the difficulties which have arisen, an d room of the Custom-house, as originally intended. 'in the ' yid it :night be satisfactory to the Council to know thatwrence s' :, chester and Grand Junction Railway Companies t_ ( , ) been directed to wait on her Majesty to receive a e° l ," — teg sion from her. The Council brok e up at twenty low" to twelve. hos . MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.—A spe c i a l meetinghe been called for to-morrow, to wind up the 'affairs Of municipal year. The proceedings of the Finance Co; mittee, will comprise a recommendation for the sale ° ly piece of land, centainieg about 2',200 y a rd s , in Ch e u r " r . street, Birkenhead. The proceedin gs o f th e W a tch le t mittee will contain a report of a sub- comm i t tee of I," body respecting the efficiency. of the bcroneh conatabu lar d, force, the accepted reeignetien of Mr. Miller, the I - We constable, the appointment p r o tern, of M r. C om nriseio a tb e Dowling to the latter office. The proceedings of t o Gardens Committee will compris e a recommendati°3,,e erect an icon-knee railing on the ea s t s id e o f St. J°"'"-ait walk. The I)layor's cemmunicatione will c omprise ms application, on behalf of the Birkenhead Dock Cothr a ;„ei to purchase the rever s ion of th e C orporat i on i n a por i t i 'be of the WePasey estate. A similar ap p li ca ti on it w" remembered, has been already *made by individual Pao chasers of the Wallasey estate and declined by the Committee. The present one is made by the Dock O, patty on the other side, a n d, s h ou ld i t b e refused, w' e ,: a to derstand it is the intention of th a t company to of Parliament for compulsory powers to obtain posseonter the fee simple of the estate, up on t h e groun d, that a do having erected immense docks and warehouses uP ° ",ere property, it would be an injustic e t o compe l t h e m t° `i r a• render them to the Li ver p oo l C orpora ti on at t he OP tion of a lease for seventy-five years. , s , DOCK COMMITTEE.—On Thursday au applicao;esa„o made by Messrs. Forester and C o . to h ave l ease d to l' o f for the erin of twenty-one years. 8300 square Yar d ,o 5 land, in tYie neighbourhood of the nort h d e cka. a' e le annual rate of one shilling pe r square yar d. The a lie• cation was allowed. Two letters were read having b e et/ rence to the use of galvanised i ron , w hi c h had vete offered to be supplied to the comm i ttee f or b u dding 1:: 00 , poses. One of the letters was from a firm in Lot"' t o and stated the iron so offered was prepared ac cordi"g d $ a system for which they held a patent, and it contains as caution to the committee against using the irothige, actions at law were pending against p erson s for infr i e l , o o ment of their right of patent. Th e o th er l e tter was a party who had made the offer to supply the iron, ° lle centained an assurance from the writer to indertmitv committee in the result of legal proceedings being h i th e tuied, as the patent alluded to c o uld not applyt ° ,, to kind of iron he had offered. The letters were referre d the committee's solicitor. The tender of Messrs. Og' i e d, for the iron sashes of the Albeit warehouses was a ccept?, Permission was malted to erect a nioveable but en Brunswick pier for the Runeorn steamers. Sir. 0"( Evans was nnanitrwuly el,ctetl t:+ 6a . y pveintoudrllt e. poi Anglesey nteda :l a ll t lo t u o s cleared his cearecier. A boy, named Joheson e was al!, as t, Mr. Evans' habits of tempi ranee, bit he completrlf net. having beenrion l y ) addd been at td made excitedeb• eye thekr c salary ii t f e e 8 . o N An Mr. Thomas a( the t:a:t: C einog a i rte to inspect the yucabuladj a letter was read from that gentleman, stating that he ha t made the required examination, and his opinion was the $ it had been complet,d with much lab our , and. t h a t it`` 0 of great simplicity. He thought that the only atldi.t e ic i t that could 1-e made to it was that the shipowners , were practicable, should send in the nances.of their and their private riguals for insertion. We un ders'? o , it to he the opinion o f the comm it tee th a t this .wa sl s a practicable. Messrs. Paton and C o . ma d e an apelh' a le o for a return of Ie : t f or th e u s e o f th e s h e d a t Wste r h Dock, which rent trey were of opinion was at t6 O l i b u , rate. A letter wa s rea d f rom th e T r i n it y Board satictblich lite the removal o f th e B a ll B uoy f urt h er out to sea, removal the commute ordered to be made. the , PUBLIC BATIIS.—At th e meet i ng i n L on don e o promotion of these useful e s t a bli s h men t s the Bis"errds Landon thus s po k e o f th e b a th s i n t hi s town . in o K ' e ship said, he lately, while in the north of Englanoi t the an opportunity of visiting the town of .Liverpool, tor ge e statet p lt i a r t li e d e o t l f h v e i ti r r' e e s :b a n i e c i : s • tdti the l e i sl)blureebgdlgi public r b t a t o : t v i :o s a y y a e h n a e d r years. i l s ' e p .l I I: the advantages of bathing. He found that as ma il the 220 labourers had bathed on a Saturday after-Kiwi to peer public baths at Li ve rp oo l. w h ere , lie should just oh a ,: e io; the baths were rather on a c on t rac t e d sca l e, there ' r i l e 80 separate baths only. In conversing with the s"P e escl tentlent of those baths. tdat pers o n t o ld him that ne overheard this remark from o ne o f thedabouring 01 ° 0 ;4 Addressing a camp mien by hi t s Christian name, th e s f said, ~I feel as if I could do anoth er wee k' s work " e ,, „,,- rs)' hare been in the bath." (Hear, hear, and loud uh`v st iog Suppose this to take place on a S a t ur d a y, the to'Vel , would be pleased to remember that the effects of th e or would.not be confined to the sensalion of physical ' b ole c ty but be more lit for the due observance of the Seh t . oo o o , (Hear, hear.) The baths were s e p ara t e , an d he, cold this highly estimated at Liverpool—having as nvie',, or warm water as he (the poor roan) wished to nt r i - s fir there was no limit in this respect at the bat d, Liverpool. The baths at that town were frequent'', 43 is only by working men, but by some of a superior e'. 61 , - 014 life, who paid a small sum for private baths, which, l ' e tt' t cese became a cheap luxury to them. He used t he n iigP" not in the sense of an indulgence which a person fat"; well do without, but a sense of a necessary lig", which, when once enjoyed, f ew persona wou ld w",,0 0 ' dispense with. (Hear.) Ile had himself asked the}trs.ser people at Liverpo o l if t h ey did net th i nk i t au a dcai of a great adv an t age , to h ave pu b l i c wash-houses , a"' said they felt them to be so; and he had inquired superintendent if - any evils had arisen frier' the %ear l of families • ' and he said lie had never observed o r the i r of of any. If the people so em pl o y e d did ta lk ove r ; re d ' , grievances. then he (the ri g ht rev . pre l a t e ) knew 1)° ,0 0 4 harm in that. (Chee; s.) Th e reso l u ti ons were P o iot e the society formed, and the Bi s h o p o f L on don aPV , pi sident. ler,e e r :, 0 1. 0, 1' C o ( "::, CHARGE OF SETTING FIRE TO A SHIP.-"Th e ' 4 ,e e 'Hermes, belong ng to Messrs. Taylcur arid Co' 1 0 1) ;. chants, of this towitcsailed on Friday week with a nyr e tt i, cargb of manufactured and other good.; for 13110 ' 1°- i . 4 V -5• arid on Tuesday she arrived in the river again, ha'," it e (` back in s u c z : l i d n a s y e qmo morning, i c , e i ,g of , , a ,ff n l a i t o t l e y %) p ea t d t . o set o One e re o f t o t b ed - o;, e iot e' ll j s is), : xf e oa d rne e d , N o sle a rv en .e c tßi d ou l ,s i ci e l,ot n oc r nk y o ß en r t own, was placed in cos t° , tecf,ft the circumstances were investigated at very grea i 't t oc? •An apprentice, named John Parry, stated that , " 11,0$ Sunday morning, a" 'Cbl''°Ei.P4 in his hammock in the forecastle, ill, w hen he i t , ;4 ; e l , l l; pri-oner go to the chest of a etioan, Wm"' , 0 10 'corn which he took a box of matches ; the. he fve i i ,i c ;o' o 3 (Parry's) chest, took therefrom a leaf out of a b° ° to - in t he it up, then he took off the scuttle, lighted a wa baCi g ,: s o , went down into the forepeak. After he eanlennel then stood over the scuttle in a kneeling posture:, ~,0 1 .. be h ' e a p y ut — o ' n I t the will lceuitttillee either carefully,sink her tor ov er_ ed t o et o him Shortly afterwardo, the Ship was discoyerd s el, e te 0:1 fire ; about two gallons of tar in a barrel. t ot e " co o' p mods of oakum, being . consumed ; but the ", AO , I ,ei' e j fortunately extingit'shed before they a ttaitte:' sec ei ` His sidei able power. It appeared that no one ha`' t here o f ( ' proceedings of the prisoner but Parry ; and tha o t t - t he G od' been no dispute between the captain and a"Y rtirl% eS The case was even ua;ly adjourned. 0 " ne t (I ` % t irtr, Brown was again placed at the bar. Law" dO O ri mined, and describ-d the position of the hoxe.' cite d.., J O' in his chest, but nothing material CIGU'd b 3 ° n ot 5 0 rr ~ e }JO a cone with the her; s , ite to NN it '; u is si a " 2l . fi a ru ld lt re c ' a s s i e n' to t g h t e a a t '' t i l a fe in ho o t f to t m he ol l • capitulated the rine:pill points of the e vid'-'0c.1 1 ,,e. e e ., e!uded by &cluing his conviction of the inocudixtis'rivir pr:soner Brewn, whom lie ordered to b e rata; 0 11 g From the auspicious chrtrzver of the boY. i , .alud 4 . l o ; ito,hton ordered him to be taken into cuet°„',;Tec' t etl brt.uglit up again on the following day. ~ t he i l ' o le e ,,i Parry was brou4ht before the magistiates — :_ t j 1))" 'I t o) a very minute inquiry having been ittatittix c ru d t he e, { oilictr Geeavt. , F. Mr. Ruslvon said, to I'l' ie r i l ha t ot e t o cl-ar, from the remit of the examination /V,i_i a,i a tte 3c e 0 made, that Parry had been the person who u t o l .et t he the diabolical act, which he had endeavour e d t It !cl i hia i 11 the charge of au innocent man ; and he 'e. tit) tittc to JP s o ft' t titre vv as no direct evie.enee in the case , ace Si truing him for trial. The pt isoner w 3 i discharged. I SAI, estat and ; bons nark] body feet