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, such details of the preparations and programme in anticipation, of the proceedings and festivities at Birkenhead, 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 tveek has elapsed, to furnish more than a con densed sketch of the events of the great day, 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 whose read ing cornumnity in possession of the principal facts. The day was one of the finest that could be boped for at this advanced period of the autumn, the sky being &oudless throughout, the sun bright, 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 fine, 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 humility of the previous dew, free from dust. Weather equally favourable 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 a. 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, from their slumbers, to prepare for the pleasures of a holiday, to which vast numbers had wade arrangements to devote themselves. The pi-r- head, from an ear) , hour, presented an unusual scene of bustle and animation. Crowds of well-dressed indivi duals of both sexes wended their way to embarking steps and slip,. The Woodside, Monk's Ferry, and Birken head steamers, were gaily decorated with flags, as were most of the vessels in the river ; and the wh&e line of opposite shore from-the Black Rock, north, to the Royal Rock Ferry on the south, was enlivened at every point by flags and evergreens, fluttering in the breeze from all the ferries, the new works along ti.:! shore, the public and many of the private buildings, the masts and yards of vessels, large and small, an in fine, from nearly every eminence whence tasty could he displayed. A t Wood side ferry, and also round the site on which the founda tion stone was to be depo4ted, long lines of flags of all kinds and colours were hung lin ropes cx'ending hori zontally from spar to spar, forming immense wreaths or valances, at on . .e gay and graceful in effect. From Gleave's and the Monks' Ferry Hotels, a profusion of flags was also displayed. Her Majesty's steam ten der, Redwing, lay at her anchorage ground, and was literally covered with 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 Cie improvements and new works going on, the whole coast and town now assumed a different and inure 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 on the opposite side Seven wean boats plied regularly during tha whole day betweni this town and the Woodside and Monks' Ferries, and their commanders and others on board paid eve.y possible at tention to the comfort and safctv, in land . nz or embark- ing, of the passengets, which the great requisition these conveyances were in would abnit. The George's Pa rade was so crowded, that it at m.,ny pet iods of the day . required some perseverance and nerve to obtain a place on board. So extraordinary a rush was rot epected, 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. 4 00 k 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, Holt-hill, Oxton, Claughton, Bidston, &c., similar demonstrations of rejoicing were everywhere conspicuous. In Hatnil ton-street, in the immediate vicinity of the Town-11 aIl , the point whence the procession was to start, the scene was one of more than ordinary splendour and gaiety. Almost from every window were displayed new and handsome flags, and each person seemed to vie with his neighbour in enthtki ism. At the north-eastern earner of Hamilton-square, and also at the entrance to the platform, triumphal I.turel arches were erected. It wculd be an endless, if not. an invi.lious task, 'o attempt, parti cularly, to enumerate the various houses from which ele gant devices and colours were displayed. Sutlice it to say, that the whch of the buildings in the town seemed to be decked in holiday dress. The streets w-re lined with thousands of the residents, and by perhaps treble thousands from this town, Chester, &c., all apparently resolved to be p7ea , ecl and to please. The shopi and markets were all mn - 1 there was a general cessa tion from labour, each :Ilan having not only the privilete of a holiday, but tie boon of his day's wrges. A large Livprp , A . puller s tipavr the Command Miller, wa; in attendance. lie WAS ni , ..:ist.cd by super intendents Leveret slid M‘Donald, and several insdec tors who had the immediate disposition 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 - rang_ including the cannon, the flags, &e. were under the superintendence of Mr. Morti mer, to whom the press are especially indebted for the readiness with which be furnished them with every possi ble information. THE Pnocr.ssfox. This was formed in Hamilton-street, opposite the pre sent Town-hall, and in Hamiton-square Lnd the streets adjoining. The high constable of the hundred. Mr. Palmer ; M r Miller, hea constable of Liverpool; Mr. Mess, general superinten dent ; awl Mr anithey. police inspector, i ended the pi% cession on horseback, and a ted as conductors. They were followed by a few other officers on horsi back. F.Jur Trorm.eters, on horseback. The Champion, _ . . in complete poli-hett steel armoar, and mourted, as Seneschal of the Pri :ry of Birkenhead. Lind n Assurance Fire Engine. drawn by tour horses, with postilions in scarlet. Firemen in uniform, with helmets. Norwich Union Fire Engine. late'y presented to the township, accompai,ied by Mr. Hewitt, superintendent of our fire police, and several of his brigade, in uniform. Printing Press, from the office of Mr. J. Law, cn a large wagon drawn by two hors,. As the procession proceeded, copes of the Birkenhead coat of arms, with the in tto'• Homo prononit, Deus disnonit," a list of the Dock Comini sinners. and a notice of the occasion Which it commemorate ►, were prii.t.,l off, a•"d handed to the crowd, who evinced the greate t eagerness ti ni t.tin impres *pis, Copies also of two songs —one written by Mr. Morgan. of the Imperi I Hotel. Liverpool, and the other by Mr. George Cranmcr—were printed and distributed. Temperance nand, in hamhkome uniform. Gocd Samaritan lodge of Oddfetows, v.ith ti, c digs arid regalia. • rim ess Roy 1 Lodge, with a splendil hanne , repr:.isenting her Majesty and the Princess Th.. mill were ♦ery neatly dressed. and decorated wi h rn°cttes. &e. Th? regalia was of the most costly and beautitul demi , iption, . C ve.s. mc un'ed on stout horses. Grand tinit7d Or .er of C th thren, with regalia, &c, Band, in grern, with ml,itary caps. Band of the At Regiment of Foot. .Loyal Liverp of '.odge of o.!thell .‘*s, ace••mpanieu ,y a sp'endid banner. Duchess of Lancaster Lodge. Loyal stanley Lodge. Loyal Perseverance Lodge. Band of the nth Pregoon Guards. Loyal neorge IV. li , dge. Loyal Mersey Lodge. The Coverial.t Lodge. Friendly Society of Operative Masons. Rechahites. Star Tent. Pand '1 the Cth Infantry. flood Samaritan Lodge. Liverpool Shipwrights. These carried a fine model of a steam-vessel, and several ether fine modes of vessels, and were preceded by a large flee. They were very respectably dressed. A lance banner w.th a fienre of the Duke of Wellioct9n, and another with a fig, e of Charles the Second, were carried in this part of the processio:). Ancient Order of Foresters, many of them in the full costume of tr e order mounted. In the procession were a hept•er ! and a shepherdess—the former with a tine dog couchant at his re •t. ant the latter with a lamb. Operative Stayers, accompanied by a model shed ,r.d saw pit, in which two gro tesque-lookine automaton fieures appeared in the act of sawing a balk of wood. Much amusement was created by this exhi')l -tion. Pensioners' Band. Iron Shipbui'ders in the empiny of John Laird, Esq., carrying beautiful moee a of iron vessels. Men employed in 'he En:ioeer's Tug Yard, carrying wands in their hands. Stuhhs's Royal f armonic Band. The Commissioners of Birkenhead; J. D. Case, Esq., W. Jackson. Esq., and John Laird, Esq., taking the lead. Several hundreds of Men employed in making the new Park, six abrisst. Several carts decked with fauW:Wiever g reens, 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 startingof the procession. As it moved along, the streets were thronged by enthusiastic spectators, and the win dows of the noble mansions in the square and neighbour ing streets through which the immense phalanx, with nu merous flags and banners, including the Royal standard, &c. passed, were thrm o d by fair occupants, who waved fl ags , banners, and handkerchief s , i n t o k en o f th e i r ap - probation ; while the roaring of the cannon , an d the mar tialthe various band s , combin e d music of to produce an effect at once magnificent and heart.stirrin g . At the en trance to Hamilton•street , and also in Church-stre-t and other streets on the route, triumphal ar c h es o f l aurel were erected. On turning the corner of the yard of Birkenhead Church, and passing along Abbey - street , salutes wereannon planted .•n • fired from time to time from p ieces of ( the new river-wall enclosing Tranmere Pool on the north. On passing the Wellington Hotel, a party of Scotchmen, dressed in the national costume, presented themselves on a stage which bail been erected for the use,purp at the one end of the building; one of them struck up vyar. on their favourite instrument, the bagpipe, which seemed to excite much attention amongst the spectators. The route through the principal streets, given in our last, was adhered tn. The procession, in returning north ward, crossed Ilamilton-square, and along Conway . s t r eet to Parkfiel , l, where a line of dap was pla ced. It thence passed along Cavendish-street to Corporation-road, where it Lalted opposite Mr. Laird's iron shipbuilding yard, !k‘ : which was profusely decorated with flags. A triumphal arch had been erected at this part of the road, and the usual manifestations, incluiing salutes, &c., were again give!). The whole line thence moved on to Woodside Ferry, and thence along the new real close to the beach, to the spot where the stone was to be laid. LAYING TUE FOUNDATION STONE. Just above itte..:iteWile;;Eesijtt;vasto be 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 and sides. Parties were admitted to the platforms by ticket, and they were soon filled by a gaily•dressul company. Winin the enclosed square were statilned the band of the Gth 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, Scc., when the ceremony had concluded. The leading gent emen, having arrived on the ground, preparations were immediately made for laying the stone, 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 the solid rick. [This part of the pro ceedings was performed amidst much cheering.] Mr. Rendell then read the inscription on the brass-plate, atter which he deposited it in the groove prepared for its recep tion, and then presented the beautiful silver trowel (which we have before describrd) to Sir Philip Egerton. The s one being lowered to its place and adjusted, the hon. baronet struck it with a rosewood walla. Tile Rev. ANDREW Ks ox. incumbent of Birkenhead, then offered up a beautiful, deeply impressive, and appro priate prayer. Sir PHILIP DE .M ALPAS GREY EGERTON, Bart., of Oulton-park, M.P., then ascended the stone, amidst nine times nine cheers, which having subsided. he spoke nearly as follows :—Ladies and gentlemen, it has been customary from time itmnemorial, 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 ptivate, which, fur 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, ladies and gentlemen, frequently to be present upon ceremonials of this description, and I have a vivid and distinct recollection of most of Mose events which have occurred during the last few years; Par 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 form epochs in our national history ; they are milestones, as it were, is the road of time; they constiiute a species of mernoria enebling the mind, after the lapse of years, to steal not only the events themeel Yes, but 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 have taken place during the last few years ; and .1 can state, most distinctly, and in all sincerity, that I . have failed to call to mind one which, either for its intrinsic wetth 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 commeneed. (Cheers ) am aware that 1 am making use of terms mast 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 I shall not have made use of terms of exaggeration, for I do not estimate the value of a work of this deseriptio a by its superficial acres, by the sum of money that may be expended upon it. but by the amount of advantages which are likely to accrue from it to mankind ut large. (Hear.) A bridge over the Thames at Lond a bridge across the Menai straits, are works of great magnitude, and which reflect the highest honour upon the distitesuislied engi neers who brought them to perfetvioo; but in their application they must be considered ae purely local, as mere facilities fur intercourse between the banks of the streams. There are many other works of great magnitude and importance in this nation : take, fur example; the Royal Exchange of London, which our gracious Sovereign is 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 be a lasting ornament to the greatest einnmercial community in - the world. but its sphere of utility is limited as compared with the re sults I anticipate front the works which are this day here com menced. (Hear.) I consider that the ailvantages which will follow from the erection of these docks will nut be purely local ; they will not be only national, but they will be universal. Leers ) They will be felt throueh 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 idea of converting Wallasey Pool into a series of docks, is by nu means novel or of recent date. Nature has been so lavish in her adapta tion of this part of Chechire, that every engineer who has visited the banks el* the Mersey, for 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 (Onion - , Liverpool was built upon the wrong side of the river. (Hear, and s me laughter.) The late Mr. Laird, many years ago, had a caret plete survey male of the Pool, and I yen:Reuter having received— and many others reit, iced also, I dare say—tt very able plea for converting the Pool into a series of dock.. It would be needless for me now to revert to historical facts connected with this piece, wl.i - Is are probably welt known to must of those I have the honour to ad-tress It will be needless for me to locution the obstac:es and impediments which have appeared in the way c-f the realization of those schemes. suffice it to say, that those impediments and those obstacles have been fortunately removed. The Pool - has tees sur veyed by the talented engineer who has lately addressed you. lie has drawn out plans for converting the cool into a series of docks. These pit ns were embodied in an Act of Parliament, which way passed last session. That bill experienced most rigid, strict, and searching investigation in passing through both hoeses in th e com mittees of both the Commons and the I.orib.; but so manifest were the advantages it held out, so ably was every clause in that bill supported by the evidence of the most sciebtilic into in this coun try, and, above all, so disinterested appeared to be the motives of these who promoted the measure, that it ;tassel triumphantly thsuegh those ordeals, and came upseittlied and unmutilmed through parliament, mid is now the law of tae land. The works to be executed under that act are of a nrignitutis wholly ulna al. leled, I believe, in works of a similar nature. (Cheers.) They will comprise, iu the first instanee, a vast tidal harbour of nearly f r;y acres, with sufficiettt water is it to admit of ves :els at all times of lb aide', tan cross to debt nt bar. (blear.) tidint.on to that harbeur of refuge, cons enience will be supplied of about acres in extent, - with a beaching ground of four or 11 - c acres additional, which will be devoted to the use c f the trailing craft of the river. (Hear ) There is also a duck teLich will he te.pli el to the present uses and purposes of the town of Birkenhead. If these were the only objects sought by this bill, they are sufficisnt to lay cleim to your most favourable consideration; but beyond this there will he an opening to the tidal harbour ; by gates, of vast extent; there will also Le 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 cards, will be. applicable for the pur poses of quays and jetties, of landiegplaces and graiingclocks, mid warehouses, anti alt the other necessary acconnuodations required ill a great mercantile harbour. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, when I contemplate the extent of these works,—when I consider the important ulterior consequences which may result from 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 them with the state in which Birkenhead formerly was, I can scarcely believe myself to be irk the laud of reality. (Hear.) I have leen told, upon very good authority, that not above half a century ago, at the tune when my respected grandsire bited the mansion now so ably occupied by your neighbour, Sir Edward Cust,—in that period, I an, told, it was proved in a court of law that Birkenhead was not entitled to be considered a town ship, village, or hamlet, in esmuch as it did not contain three inha bited houses. (Hear.) Whether this be true or not, this Ido know, from the returns of the census presented decennially to parliament, that in 1801 the number of houses iii the township only amounted to sixteen ; at the next census. in 1911, the number was increased by only one ; in 1821 the number was increased by only three; the next ten years, front 1531, the increase a - as to 400; while in 1941 the last CUJIMS gave the number of its houses at nearly IWO; and I am told that now, in - the few years that have elapsed since the last census, it numberS'nearly 2:100 houses, occupying an extent of street exceeding thirty unites. (Cheers ) This I look upon as a case wholly unparalleled in the annals of this country; and it, among those whom I now address, I should chance to find a citizen of the United states of Americas—that country so famous fur the rapid growth of towers, and title:4, and commenities,-1 would al mast cheelenge him to bring an analogous ins - sure to this Irene the annals of his own country. (Cheers.) I say then—it is face I say it —I can scarcely believe the evidence of my senses when I contemplate the vast end rapid increase exhibited in One district: (Hear.) It appears more as it' some mighty magician, with a Ll:at rash of his wand, had coujured up a matuse and tionrisning COM• noway from the leswels of the earth, or the basem of the sea, in the tint panoply of commercial prosperity, of wealth, an f lancin g/Tic t, as Minerva sprang Wily armed front the head of .lupiter. If, then, the mind can scarcely coatemplate without wonder and astonishment the progress mule in the last few years in thisloca lity, how shall we dare to gaze into the magic seectrum of futurity, or attempt to divine what may be the onward progress of Ilirken head's pros; erity The astronomer is enabled to calculate the VC and to measure the orbits, of the heavenly bodies; the engi neer is eitebled to make his surveys, and, front his knowledge of the laws which govern matter, is enabled to carry out his designs; for there are certain fixed laws and philosot ' thicel data which they have given them; bus who shall attempt toclefil.e what may be the rate of increase, or the rate of extension of human enterprise ? (Cheers.) Upon filet alone must depenil the extent of prosperity of a commercial community such as this. I can fancy to myself. I can picture a forest cf masts of ye-sets of all nations, crowding 11,40 docks ; I can fancy to myself quays and docks, and ware le mimes, clothing the.te banks as far as the eye can reach ; I can hear, I think, the busy hum of men engaged in all the operations of nierchanaise; I can see the locomotive engire in attendance at the back of the warehouses, prepared to convey the raw material by railways in ease, and railways in posse—(cheers)—to the very parts where it les wanted. ( Itetieweit cheers.) I CAil fancy I cm trace stree:s and squares, houses and palaces, and churches and theatres, and marl.calialls and town-halls, and lord mayors, and aldermen and councilors, and beadles and maces, and all the paraphernalia of municipal dignity (cheers) ;—I can al-nest Imre In the distance, I can almost fancy that I can see in the distance the faint shadow of a popular member addressing the borough constituency from the city hustings. (Cheers and laughter.) But io return fr. tni the fer tile regions of fancy to those of stern reality, I state it here to be my ' firm conviction that I stand at this moment upon the liu icon of Birkenhead's prosperity. (Cheers.) As the Roman general of olcl, in his progress towards Rome, gained fresh laurels anti fresh achievements, Birkenhead will go on in the path of prosperity until she becomes in the that reek among the great commercial commu niti• sof the world. (Cheers I In the words of a Liverpool paper, which are remarkab e enough for the truth of their ,applications, vt she has the full tido 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. merits; she has •he aperobation of the conservators of the Mersey; and she his the septette of the whole trading and manufacturing interests cf the country." With these great and important advan taeei to start with, I trust she will go on and prosper, and from the bottom of my heart I wish her God speed I (Tremendous cheers.) Mr. WILLIAM JACKSON then said, in effect, that he was deput-d by the public of Birkenhead toast( the favour of the hon. 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 setnhlage (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 freshmetits, and many (visiters) to the houses of their ae quaiutancea. The streets, however, remainet crowded throughrut the whole day and evening, no fewer than ',bout 105,00 j persons having been landed at the ferries from this town alone. THE DINNER, Took place at five o'clock in the magnificent banqueting halt, which we have blready described. The -display, in e:uding plate, surpassed an% tlling of the kind ever seen in this neiAbour:lood. Tliy dinner was ev.'ryllting that meld he &sired, and added in no small degree to the already well-earned fame of Mr. Horne, of the Mersey 11(40. On the riglit of the Channrin, the following distingnislied guests were seated ;—Sir Philip de Ma!pa:. Grey Egerton, the Ertl of Essex, Lord Bateman, the lion. Lined Kenyon, Sir Joshua Wahr.slev. C. K. Main warily,. Rev. Andrew Knox. J. D. Case, Esq., P. Green- Al, Col. Clegg, Col, !Mitchell, J. R. Shaw, E.q., J. C. Ewnrt, Et.A., J. W. Harden, Esq., Col. Challiner, lion. ,Captain Best, If. N.. Thomas Grimsditch, -Esq. M.P., Joseph Brotherton, Esq. M.P.; Elev. James Mainwaring, de Trafford, Esq., 11. Winch, Esq., C. Potts, Esq. On the left of the chair were , seated Lord 'Alford, W. Tatton Egerton, Esq., M.P., General Sir. W. Warre, the Hon. E. S. Stanley, the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, Sir W. Symonds, the Rev. Archdea c o n Cl ef ke, Joseph Bailey, ENq , Wm. Ewart, Esq., M.P., Richard Congreve, Esq., Thomas Tnoridey, Esq., M.P., J. &Clegg, Esq, Rev. R. M. Fielden, George C. Legb, Esq., Sir. William Massey Stanley, Cap. Gerrard, John Stanley, Esq, Mainwaring. Esq., the Rev. F. Until, Capt. Greig, &c. &c. The list of invited guests included three hundred noble men, gentlemen, members of parliament, merchants, railway directors, professional men, respectable trades men, and others, from Birkenhead and this town, und, infletd, from all parts of the kingdom. The greatest novelty of the evening, and one which added much to the atnusement of the company was the introduction of Mr. T. W. To o k, the celebrated toast maser, from the East India-house, London. Quite au Jail in his bu s i ness , h e succee d e d a d m i ra bly in the diffi cult and important task allotted to him. With " at, ex quisite and finished air," be gave out the toasts, corn tuauded silence, and seemed to think himself the very life and soul of the meeting. Grace having been said by the Rev. A Knox, the least commenced, and the erjoyment of the multitudinous luxuries was protracted till twenty minutes past six o'clock. Thanks having been returned, and the tables cleared, The CHAIRMAN rote and said,—l beg, without any • remark, to propose the first toast of the evening, " Her • Majesty, the Queer,". (Three times three, and loud ap plause). Air, " God save the Queen." The CHAIRMAN then gave " Her Majesty the Queen • Dowager." (Three times three.) The CHAIRMAN—I beg now to give you " His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Earl of Chester, and the rest of the royal family." (Three times three.) The CH AIRMAN next called upon the company to join with him in drinking to " The army and navy ; ' and he begged also to couple with this test, the names of General Warre and Captain Bevis. (With three times three.) Major-general Sir WILLIAM WARRE acknowledged the toast. Ile begged to return h's sincere thanks for the kind and feeling n.anner in which his name bad been coupled with the toast of the army. Ile 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 a hich had been for many years his pride and glory to belong. Next to the approbation of their beloved Queen, whose approbation was their highest stimulus and their btst reward, the approbation of their fellow-countrymen was their best stimulus to exertion, and also the greatest reward which they could receive, next to that of Her Majesty. (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 erre) , to protect—a new object of love and devo tion to their country was suggested to his mind. (Au plauee ) Whether the army was serving in distant parrs —he wculd not speak of the navy, because a gentleman was much better able to advocate the cause of his profession than he Odd presume to be—but so far as his own profession was concerned, he could only say it would always be the delight and pride of the array in foreign pots to maintain that commerce, the trade of which was so widely diffused over the globe from both banks of this river. (hirer, hear, and applause.) When ahread, it was their duty ta protect their trade, and when they returned home he trusted that every s-ddier would feel it was his duty to maiot&n the laws of his country, and protect those institutions which for centuries bad 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 W4IS the most pawed': I among the nations. It might be the envy of natty, but it was respected by all. (Hear ) He was not in the habit of addressing public meetings, and therefore he craved the indulgence of the company, aed Legged to return them, in the name of the profession to which he belonged, his best thanks for the honour done to them. (Applause.) Captain BEVIS, R.N., a'so acknowledged the compli ment, bet being stated in the vicinity of the vice prece dent, and speaking in a low tone of voice, his :em ober- , s-rvations were not heat d. The CHAIRMAN u en gave "The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese." lie said he had seen his Lordship on Monday last, and he expressed bis great reel.. t that his official (lutes 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. Ile (the Chairman) wished to join with this toast the name of a gentleman who had been resident in BT. kenhead for the last 17 Yeats, and who, erery day of those 17 years, had grown in the respect of the peop'e of Birken h ad, he meant the Rev. A. Knox. (Three times three and and one cheer more. The Rev. Mr. KNOX returned thanks in a suitable address. The Cu AIRMAN, in giving Sir P. - 1-i:grton's health, ex pressed the obliotions which he and all other parties in any way interested in the public business pertaining to this lo!ality were under to that hon. gen'leman. He alluded at some 1 ngth to the exertions refrrred to in connexion with the park. public improvements. and other local bills, the whole of which he had advanced, not hccause of their local or individual bearing, but because of their utility (.111 efficicney ns contributory to the gent rat good and tin va icement of the intere,ts of the public at large•. The P EGeouroar acid,—l would take this opportunity, although I eraaes not suite in the right line, of returaii g my warmest and sincerest thanks to the commissioners of Birkenhead, for the distinguished honour which the/ hat e this day confat red on me, in requestirg n e to take the first Fart in that most interesting ceremony which you have witnessed. I could have wished that that duty tad ben entrusted to one mot e 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 stating, and 1 am happy to have the pleasure of doing it, that the refusal of Prince Albert to attend has been dictated by that ei-e delicacy and that great discretion of feeling which have guided every action of his since we had the pleasure of hailing him as the consort of our beloved So vereign. (Cheers.) I have ever considered it as one of the proudest features of my Parliamentary career, that 1 should have been called on to represtnt the county of Chester during that pet ice' in which Birkenhead has made the greatest progress in the path of civilization. (Much cheering.) I can say most sincerely that the interests of Lvapoool are near and dear to me, sa they must 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 hole some and just rivalry which ought to exist between two communities has been supplan , ed by a jealousy which 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.) I hope most sincerely that all those feelings of jealousy are now at an end, and that we shall go on hand iu hand, attempting only to rival one another in one thing, namely, which can most peomote 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 works. (Cheers.) Now I may say that it is my positive convection that these capabilities would long have re mained dormant had you not had amongst you some of those distinimished and uwerprising individuals to whom you are indebted for all those great works that surround you. (k.hcers.) It has been my fortune to transact bu siness wth the commissioners of Birkenhead for some years, and I never in my life transacted business with a sit 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 e century in advance of the or . dinary progre , sion of communities. The VICE-CHAIRMAN (Mr. Jackson) said, 14 years ago, when the individual whose likeness was then before them (Mr. John Laird, see.) first propagated the great sc'teme which they were now likely to carry out, he was treated as a wild enthusiast and speculator —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 sugeested by their father's mind carried into full effect. (Hear, hear.) They had hut one object in forming these docks, and that object was. to benefit the port of Liverpool—to take a fair share of the trade which was inrreasina—to endeavour' to aid and assist the port of Liverpool, in giving additional ac commodation to commerce—to give the 'ships, as they arrived, ample accommodation—to reduce the charges, if possible, upon merchandise, and, by such reductions, to et:able the poor man to get his calico shut. 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 sefuture 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 and purity, and that her sons might go forth from that port—to t he east and to the west, the spicy islands of the ' south, and frozen regions of the north-- , nl 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 bad 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 gained 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. I'. EGeterox, M.P. said, I always looked forward to the time when the docks of Liverpool would be scarcely sufficient for the rapidly increasibg 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 nbd Birkenhead. But, gentlemen, so gigantic a project as that of which we have this day laid the f un detion stone never entered my imagination -8 project which does reflect the highest credit on the head that con ceived it, and those publ , c-spirited and disinterested indi viduals who have followed it up ; andathat 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 often been struck with the singular contrast between that pre sented by this couetre fled theirs with respect to pualic here,weik ev erythingTr:er e i v: t r i y ie th ‘ i v n o g rk i s o fthiendwi individuals. . Gov er nment ( applause.) In that we see a per f ect exam ple o f C ti r i ‘ e ti t n it ‘ :t e i d . ring energy, perseverance, and industry of England. which peoplehale at t a h l r l o t u i g m h ev esa e n r ( y l in all parts of the world carried i t s foreign climes could diff icu have lty. the wi c '. e h re s m om on e y of, : ll ' ' i ( el' e w ir e l have this day witnessed. If they had been told that a township which, as my worthy colleague told you, some .few years ago numbered hut a few inhabitants, should now, after the lapse of a few years, put forward and be ready to eel/Thee undettakinas alms st unrivalled in the world, they would certainly have cause for wonder. We, TILE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. in that corner of the county—in that corner where no docks, but tail chimneys are the order of the day—let me tell you that we feel no slight interest in the progress and success of this undertaking. We have been told, on high authority, that " we are all for ourselves in this world" (a cry of " Aldermen Brooks," and snouts of " hear") but, gentlemen, the individuals who projected this great na tional work look upon it as one of the greatest advantages to the rapidly increasing commerce or this country, and on motives of self-interest alone we look with anxiety to the success and rapid execution of these measures. 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 1 am happy to see arcund me to-day—it is to them a mat ter of no slight importance to see the delay of their vessels in ihe Mersey for a period of from Ito 14 says. We are told that punctuality is the . s, , ul of business, and our ma nufacturers know that it will not answer for them, when they receive orders—ay, and when they have executed theta—not to he able to forward them to their correspond cots. 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 Cie work which we h ave to-day commenced so auspiciously will be auspicio us ly fi n i s h e d . I see scarcely any limit, lloking 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 fellowship—that all dis cords will be forgotten—that you will try to rival them, and only in that, in your punctuality, in the extent of your commerce, and the accommodation of yoar docks; 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 he my endeavour to CO operate in any MCA , ure that will promote the prosperity of this town. (Lung and protracted cheer ing) The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose another toast. lie Proposed the " Health r f the Earl of Essex, Lord Litford, Lord Bateman, and a the other distinguished guests who had that day honoured Birkenhead with their presence." The Earl of EESEX.-1 have been roost deeply gratified by the interesting ceremony which we have witnessed. It has given me a roost exalted idea—but that, indeed, I did not want—of the energy and the power of those connected with the commerce of this country ; and 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, arid 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— thoe of Tyre—whic - h then descended to the equally cele brated merchant of Venice, and now so worthily devolves on your shoulders,—" the merchant princes" of Great Britain. (Much cheering.) lam sure I most heartily hope•and pray that success may attend your noble under taking—that it may conduce iet 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 tt,is country, and that, thou h 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 and long-continued•applause.) Toe Bon. E. J. STANLEY said, they had laid the foun dation of the great civilization of the town by areparing a system of drainin4—by preparing that system which. he believed, would do more to banish vice and misery from the walls of a town than almost anything they could have undertaken. (Hear, hear.) He would speak also of that which re dounded to their honour—he meant the noble 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 !-ome obscure corner of their vi cinity, but in tee very heart and centre of that great town —land worth in value, by the inch and yard, they had given by the acre for the recreation of all the poorer in habitants. (Loud cheers.) And while he mentioned this as a great means, he believed, for the civilization and im provement of the coranaun , ty, he mentioned it also as one which would materialiy tend to lighten the labours of the magistiacy. (Hear, hear.) Whale he praised them for this. lie would add. that in this, as in other cases, the best, the most hoiiest, and the roost merciful and humane policy was also to be witnessed; and he believed that the iehmitants of the township would experience ate advert tege from what had been rife( ted, 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," arid loud cheers) Mr. POTTER said, the Liverpool merchants could not he the opponents of the Birkenhead dock measure, for they had felt too severely all the isks attendieg the former state of affairs, and the losae, attending the delay to a hick their trade was subjected, partly from physicall circum- . stances, and partly from the trade of the country having ioe:cased to a degree beyond what any ordinary foresight could be esptcted to provide for. Therefore, while asso ciated in the Birkenhead measure, he was not only dung that which could advance the trade of Liverpool and this trade of the wort!, but ho was also thing that which -would meet with the encouragement and approbation of some of the most eminent merchants in Liverpoel—so many, that to name them would be quite invid•cus. (Hear, hear.) - 11t4 had felt that the measure was due to the trade and canon., aft of aptaly eXCe,tl , ng all Inc eroviaviiis made for its tioneeniance, and ti at it was al,o due to that great hive of maeufacturing industry on the other side, knowing that the extension of commerce was the true basis of the prosperity of the estuary of the Meisey. (Hear, hear.) tie bogged to propose, "The town and trade of Liverpool." (The toast was very warmly received.) Mr. DUNCAN GIBB responded to it. The Hon. Sir E. Cost . 'n prcposing the health of the Commissioners of Birkenhead seid.—l she 1 very shortly indeed repeat those two or three 6rcuaistances which have been mentioned alread—those, tor instance , named by the Hon. Mr. Stanle y, —and which certainly display a most remarkable example of the wisdom, sagacity, and f rres:glit of these who took the Lad U 1 this town, in lay ing out the suburbs of the town for the benefit ef the poorer population. I believe that this is an instance of feeling towards the poorer population wholly unexampled in any town in this or the other hemisphere; for enor mous streets have been projected and duly sewered, pre pared for water, and all the !unities that modern refine ment could conceive, being all prepared before a singe house had been erected on the land. This is an instance 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 work* every day pro jeeted, and, last, though not least, that mighty work which we hive seen to-day commenced, are all works in themselves so unusually great, that they world very justly entitle any set of men to a high plies in public estimation lot their individual nets; bat, whin United, they ready form a very considerable a laim on the public gratitude. The t7ast 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.) Ife y were indebted to the genius of that gentleman, as well for his readmess to answer all otj:ctions, to undergo the rigorous cross-examination of numerous counsel, and to corroborate all his assertions. as to Vie capabilities of tithe p ool . lc , cammerci a l purposes. He would net be ns erefdor till to c trespassed Iv when he bettged e prop:.se the " Heal hof Mr. Retitle:, the engineer." ("Me toast was rapturously received.) Mr. REN DEL was perfectly satisfied of this. that tie dees of which they lied been lay na the foundation -sc one that day were not designed, neither would they be, in a spirit of rivalry to those vet y magnificent works which they saw so gloriously across the river (41 the very fine day with ahich they were blessed for their ceremony. He was quite certain that they a ere altogether of a dif feteet deecriptien from a rive; establishment. (Hear, hear.) TI ey a-e intended to provise adlnional necoin modaticn in the port of the 111ereey, which. favoured as Liverpool was, it did not afford facilities for the construe don of. (Hear, hear.) If t h at fite Mr. Laird had lived till 1814, and seen the numerous steamers which traversed the Atlantic with the reeularlty almost of a locomotive, he would have said " Let me have a low-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. Rendel) had been fortu nate enough to lie called upon to earry out. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. HARDEN !hen propost d "The Press." Mr. J. SMITH ta:lrlled thanks. The last toast on the list was "Tine Cheshire Witches," which was enthusiastically drunk. THE BALL. The appearance of hail-room, which was opened at ten o'clock, was unnrr crdtittedly n agnificent, whether as regarded the decorations or the display of beauty and fashion that adorned it. Amongst the ladies present were—Lady Grey Egerton, Lady Charlotte gerton, Lady Cast, Mrs. Lim d Kenyon, Mrs. Cherie. Stanley, Mrs. E. J. Stanley, Mrs. W. Patten, Mrs. Col. Glege, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. J. G. Jackson, Mrs. W. Label, Mrs. Malleby, Mrs. Wench, Mrs. J. B. Hughes, Lady Bateman and ler two daughters, &c., &c. Mr. W. Laird led off 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.rootu (which lied 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 beauty of the needlework. Dancing was then recommenced, and was kept up with spirit until about four o'clock. OTIIKR FESTIVITIES AND AMU SEIIENTS. In Recordenre with the liberality of the whole proceedings, a, supper, with jellies, wines, fruit, &c., was given by William Jackson, Esq.. in the large room of the Town-hail to about 3(4 persons, chiefly holding situWions connected with the town or its public wen ks, and respectable master tradesmen and ethers. A band Wes provided. and the greatest enjoyment prevailed. Mr. John I aid also t resented a handsome large n edal struck for the occasion to each of his men, to commemorate the day. and a new d ress t o eac h of their wives. Eves, the poor in the Workhouse were not forgotten. all receiving a snot,' through the guardians, to t nable them to share in the festivities. 'I he poor of the tow,. were al o supplied with food by ticket, in ac• ccrdance with previ - u= arrange!: eats. About sixty- gentlemen, of livorpool and Birkenhead, sat down to an exc e ll en t di nner a t M r . Weave's, Adeiphi notch The viands and wi nes were o f th e c h o i ces t ki n d s . an d th e whole arrangement s hi g hl y credit ble to the worthy host. Several excellent speeches referring to the prosperity of the towestip were delivered, and the evening was spent in the most agreca b:e manner. A large party cf gentlemen sat down at Mr. La French's, Wa terlco Hotel to an e%celient and wet -served dinner given by Mr. Hobert tinghe% who ably presided. The usual toasts were Rivenby the Chairma n , Mr Knapper, Mr. Mort, and other gen tlemen. The he-41h ot the Members for the Southern Division of the County elicited much cheering. In proposing it, Mr. Mortimer remarked, that opportunities had been afforded him or closely watching the conduct of those gentlemen in connex ion with the interests of the town and trade of Birkeinhead. and lie was glad to bear testimony to •he indefatigable exertions which they brought to bear on every thing that could promote their welf,re. During th unparalleled contest that had taken place on the Dock bill, their time, talent, and influence had ever been extended to obtain that happy termination which Bir kenhead this day witn• seed, but if any thing con 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 communicaticn by which that day one hundred thousand persons bad been able to cross the Mer sey without any accident. (Loud cheering.) Mr. KNAPPRit, 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 the pro. ceedings, and, by their influence, the obnoxious measure was withdrawn. (Lou,i cheers.) The proceedings throughout were highly gratifying, and in proposing the health of Mr. I.a French, the worthy landlord. which was received wilt] loud cheers, the company was reminded, that that gentleman was the first who practically introduced, many years ago,' steam navigation on the waters of the Mersey. MA. TOMKINSON'S DINNER TO lIIS 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 different tables to assist in the office of carving and see to the corn fort of the guests. Amongst the gentlemen who kindly volunteered this task, we noticed H. Melling. Esq., Secretary to the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, R. B. Barton, Esq., Dr, Grindrod, Dr. Gouth waite, E. Fletcher, Esq., John Wood, Esq , Cabbage-hall. Edward Griffin, Esq., C. Parsonage, Esq , Lower-hall, near Wrexham, John Holt, Esq., R. A Mould, Esq., If 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., son-in-law to Mr. Tomkinson. The dinner having been removed, and the men supplied with ale and tobacco. for the latter of which the demand was extensive, the uF.ual toasts were given, alter which the Chair man proposed •• Prosperity to Birkenhead," which was received with hearty cheering. Mr. R. A. Mould responded in a neat speech, and conc:uded by giving the health or the founder of the feast, who. he remarked. had on that day, which was the anni versary both of his birthday and of his wedding. entered upon one of the largest node takings of his life. The whole company rose in enthusiastic re4mnse to the toast : and, alter the cheer ing had subsided. Mr. Tomkinsnn briefly, but most feelingly replied, thanking his " fellow tradesmen'' for their kindness. assuring them of his ardent desire fur the happiness of all around him, and expressing a hope that the great undertaking upon which they InAl 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 r ontinn, to enjoy themselves both with pipe and cup. The Chairman then retired. and Mr. Tamer took the chair; and, after the remainder of the t casts had been drun't. 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 a, , ri evening; one street pre , entitig the appearance of a race-course, with all the usual co , comitants for amusement. Rockets were sent up from various poiht, , , hand, of music played up and down, many of the shops and houses presented fine transparencies, and all was a scence of good humour and e: joyment. A huge bonfire blazed on Flaybrick. and two ethers were igi ted et Mr. ODis's lime-works, at Tranmere Pool, which h ightly ilmm n. ated the whole neighbourhood. At about half-past six, a splendid display of fireworks commenced in a field adjoining Argyle• street, and attracted many thousands, all of whom obtained a good view, the street he ng higher than the ground.. Ti gse were provided by Mr. Atkins, of the Liverpool Zoological Gar. dens, arid did him great honour as a pyrotechnic , rtist. Among. t the mo‘t attractive pieces was a large steamer moving in a ,tormy sea of green fire ; also, an immense tennle 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 heatty cheers wre given ht the con clusion. After the fireworks were coneluc , d, which was about eight o'clock, numbers of persons began t.. move off—those who lived on this side the w ter to the ferries—and. towards half past nine o'clock, the streets were contideraWy thinned, those who were still engaged in the festivities of the day being occu pied principady within doors, partkliating in the pleasures of social harmony. or "tripping on the li .ht fanttstic tee" to the strains of joyous music. The lste 4 cats, however. continued to be densely crowded by parties r turning to Liverpool. fn conclusion, it is highly gratifying to state that, notwith stand ng the immense crowds, and the embarking and disem harking, during the whole day and night, the whine passed witiudi • any accident of consequence. The above speaks v. loon's as to the arrangements made, and the judicious manner in which ti:ey were carried out. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS. The shipment , of potatoes from the Isle cf Man have commenced, and large cargoes are leaving tliat island fur Liverpool. Thomas Silney, Eiq., Sheriff of London, tea•deller, is brother to 111 r. George Sidney, boot and shoe warehouse, ['aradis e. street. On Friday we •k. a dinner was given to Alexander Kay, Esq., Mayor of Manchester, as a mark of their respect f,r him, by Aldermen Putter, Neill, zmd Kershaw, the first, second, and third mayors of Manchester. The Rev. Mr. Murphy, formerly of St. Pat. ck's Chapel, in Liverpool, has tern appointe:l of Australia. lie had been previously Vicar-General of New South Wales. Oct E.acutday week the utriks and submdiu•.ta um,,efs of ,the Manchester Corporation were ente►rained at an excellent dinner provided fur them by the three past Mayors of that town. On Saturday week the flat Express arrived at Manches ter, with forty tons cf wines and spirits, fur Mr. Gibb, of that town. This is the fist arrival in the " Port" of Manchester cf a cargo of goods for bond. We beg have to call the attention of on- reAders, par ticularly of the maritime class. to the advertise meta of the Mariners' and General Life Insurance Company in our columns of this day, which appears to offer advantages to seafaring persons seldom to lie 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 £5 17s. 6d .to £6. An entire cargo, on the spot, 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 charge d before Mr. Ruehten, at the Police Court, with driving in his gig past St. George's Church, on Sunday last, during the hour of divine sett 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 front a son of this nobleman states that though his father did preach in a Baptist Chapel in this town he "does not belong to that or any other dissenting denomination." His lordship preached in the Scotch Church, Dublin, on Sunday week, and at two other places of worship the same day. TRACY PEERAGE.—James Tracy, Esq., the claimant to the Tracy eeerage, is at present iii this city, end that he has ovet come all the difficult part of his case—namely, ' that of identifying, William Tracy, leis great-grandfather, a ho married Mary, daughter of James O'Brien, a wooll,m rhant in Franc , s•etreet, as the son cf the lion. Mr. JusOce Tracy, of England.—Dublin paper.— [l . he son of Mr. Tracy was recently in the Liverpool police.] Rome t Y-STREET WARD.—A large and influential meetings f the e'ectors of this ward took place on Tues day. for ;he purpose of intioducing John Pemberton, Esq. to the r !veto: s, The meeting was ut,animous in their (12- tern ieatEon to support Mr. Pemberton ; and front the fa vourable state of the registry in this ward, and the great influence of the evioleins n who attende i the meeting, there is no doubt of Mr. Pembertun's triumphant return. FREEMASONRY.—The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for this provitxe, was held at•the Aeelpht Hotel, on Thursday morning, at eleven o'clock. The Croft Lodee was opened in the Three Degrees by Brother V.W.P.G. junior war den, assisted by the repre-ematives or lecejges No. 130, 173, 215, 263, 267, and 294. The grand uffieers having taken their several chairs, the lodge. was opened in clue form, when the reports from the several lodges in the province, on the progri se of Masonry, were received. They were most gratifying, end the charitable contri butions exceeded in emuunt these of any previous year. At four o'clock the brethren sat down to a most sumptuous banquet, served up in brother Itadley's;best style. AN ARTFUL ROBBERY.—About dusk on Friday even ing, as Mr. Bird, of Great George-s+ rue , was balancing his caih, a gentleman curie in to netts r some medicine. While serving him Mr. Bird put his purse into his coat pocket. As his cuAomer was going out an alarm was given that a man had dropped down dead. On being brought in, (of course many persons wOh him,)and placed on the floor, Mr. Bird took the usual means, as he ap. peered to be in a fit, and in a few minutes he was able to speak and depart. On resuming hi• employment (the cir cumstance scarcely taking three minutes) end putting his l i hand into his pocket for his purse, Mr. Bird found 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 £2O. MR. RUSHTON AND MR. SnurremwoßTn.—On dis missing the grand jury after their labours at the sessions last week, the learned Recorder paid a deserved compli ment to our stipendiary magistrate = and prosecuting soli citor, Mr. sh o etlevrosth. The learned gentleman said, gratifying circumstance to know, that in e " , l e t ry is ca. a w se n , after the careful scrutiny you have instituted, . you havaffirmedthe propriety of the prosecution. It is a rare occurrence, and mos t clearly indicates th e care and diecriminatien which a rc execc , sed in tho se , pre -1 minary proceedings, which take place before the eases fact, that fully one - halt of t he p r ieloners arraigned during the last sessi , ns , pl eade d gu i lty, and thus, to appear corder received thise ( a urt ; pre their own confessions, acknowledged thr ju s t ness o f t h e proceedings which had been taken again s t th emse l ves. most This opinion of the l earne d Re expres=sive confirmatio n f rom t h e MURDEROUS ATTACIC.—On Friday afternoon as Capt. Wo hottee was leaving the Queen of the West, New Yom k Packet -ship, of a hieh vessel h e i s comman d er, in the Prince's Dock, when passing through the gate he was assailed by a tol powerful man, in sailor's dress, who, without a word, struck hit, a tremetsdous blow, with an iron ball or 000-, slum; in a locket-handkerchief. The blow took effect or. the fore part of the temple, near to the e ye, and laid him et once s:nselese on the tem ment. Llt was picked up and . carried to th e N ot - Ll:ern H osp i ta l , where it was a.xertatnel that the injury, altheuela of a serious nature, did nut extend to fracture of the skull. The esealant, on seeing Captain W. fall, took to Isis heels, and, in thc , confusion. escaped. He is one of Captain. Woodhouse s oe n crew; amongst whom a mut:noue feel. ing had existed during their late veyage from New York Police-officer_: have been on boerd the Queen of the Weer, and put the mates, stwards, &c.. on their guard, as a threat has been held out that they also would be attacked. Oct. 29. 1844. SUSPENSION OF A MARKET-CONSTABLE.-011 Satur day a Mrs. Roberts was brought before Mr. Rushton, at the Police-court. on a charge of havinit sold a couple of hares in St. John's market without a license. The case azhinst her was proved by a market.convable, of the name of Woodfall; but, upon cross-examination by M. 'War dle, Woodfall. evidently with much reluctance, stated, that he had received 2s. from a per,on natnel Shaw and handed the money to a buto.her, with a request that he ,would go and purchase the hares. Mr. Wardle contended that the constable, under those circumstances, had en :rapped the unfortunate woman. Mr. Bu,liton took the same view of the ca.e ; reprimanded the fellow for his misconduct, and ordered his suspens!on and the dismissal of the charge against Mrs. Roberts.—[How can Mr. Rushton :ecuncile his condemnation of this man's con duct with the fact that he, some little time since, autho rised tolice-constables to 'g,o in plain clothes and induce publicans to sell ale or spirits after the prescribed hours? If the market-constable were so far wrong in the aflair recorded above, as to justify the dismissal of the case, then ought none of the cases against the publicans to have been proceeded with on the unsupported testimony of spying policemen:] TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.—A special meeting of this body was held on Wednesday last, at the usual hour, to determine upon laving of the annual fire police rate, &c. Mr. Alderman Lawrence stated that the tire police rate list year, produced £2,135 19s. Ild., and that the expenditure was £1,725 2s. 41., leaving a balance of £4lO 17s. 7d., out of which the sum of £2OO bad already been expended for wattr-carts. He thought that, with the balance, a rate of a halfpenny in the pound would be quite sufficient, end moved a resolution to that effect, which was adopted. A resolution as to the closing of markets and shops, with a report of the market committee on the same subject, was then read, but it was res.)lved that the council could not entertain the communication. The Mayor produced the reply which he had received to a memorial to the Treasury, on the subject of Mr. Hus kisson's statue. After some conversation, in the course or which it was repeatedly stated ate Mt s. Iluskisson had very &tided objections to placing the statue in St. George's Hall, the following resolution, proposed by Mr. Alderman Turner, and seconded by Mr. Aspinall, was then agreed to :—" Resolved—That as the Lords Com missioners of the Treasury have declined to sanction the (i r fficu i l i t u ie s s k is vs so li n e , h tl i i i e ave deep arisen, r e grae and d of th t e h i e r placing of the stvtute of Mr. Ilusl:isson on the site recom mended by Mr. Gibson, the arti s t, th e M ayo: b e requested Crmtoenxeipri at essto b l ed. the i earnest wish that the statue may he erected in the Long rrom . of the Custom-house, as orieindly intended." In the course of the discussion, Mr. G. H. Lawrence said it night be satisf;ctory to the Council to know that Mr. Gibson had heen employed by the Liverpooisand Man chester and Grand Junction Railway Companies to ex ectee a statue of Mr. George Stephenson, and had also been directed to wait on her Majesty to receive a commis sion from her. The Council broke up at twenty minutes to twelve. MEETING OF TIIF, COUNCIL.—A special meeting has been called for tu-morrow•, to wind up the affairs of the municipal year. The proceedings of the Finance Com mittee, will comprise a reeommendation for the sale of a piece of land, cantaittil,g about 2,200 yards, in Church street, Birkenhead. The proceedings of the Watch Com mittee will contain a report of a sub-committee of that body respecting the efficiency of the boroceh constabulary force, the accepted resign' ti :n of Mr. Miller, the Head constable, the arpeintmeat pro tern, of Mr. Commissioner Dowling to the latter office. The proceedings of the Gardens Committee will comprise a recommendation to erect an iron-fa•nee railing on the east side of St. James's walk. The I'layor's c:numunications will comprise an application, on helvilf of the Ilitkehhead Dock Company, te purchase the reversion of the Corporation in a portion of the WAlasey estate. A similar application it will be remembered, has been already made by individual pur cha,ers of the Wallasey estate and declined by the Finance Committee. Thu present one is made by the Duck Com pany on the other side, and, should it be refused, we un derstand it is the intention of that company to apply to Parliament for compulsory powers ta obtain possession of t, , e fee simple of the estate, upon the ground, that atter having erected immense docks and wtrehouees upon the property, it would be an injustice to compel them to sur render them to the Liverpool Corporation at the expira tion of a lease for seventy-five years. Doer( CommorTEE.--On Thursday an application was made by Meters. Forester and Co. to have leased to them for the germ of twenty-one years, 8300 square yards of laud, in the neighbourhood of the north decks, at the annual rate of one shilling per square yard. '1 he appli cation was allowed. Two letters were read having refe retice to the use of galvanised iron, which had been offered to be supplied to the committee for bulling pur peses. One of the letters was from a firm in London. and stated the iron so offered was prepated according to a system for wh:ch they held a patent, and it contained a caution to the committee against using the iron, as actions at law were pending against persons for infringe ment of their right of patent. The other letter was from a party who had made tl e off , r to supply• the iron, and ceetained an assurance from the writ, r to indemnity the committee in the result of legal proceedings being insti tuted, as the ',went alluded to c: old not apply to the kind of iron he had offered. The letters were referred to the committee's solicitor. -The tender of Messrs. Ogden for the iron sashes of the Alhe.t wmehouses was accepted. _Permic.ino vac eranted In fr,et fl tuntronhie hut en raa Brunswick pier for the lfuneorn steamers. Mr. Hugh Evans was unanimously elected t r be saperinteedent of Anglesey Lighthouse. Some anspicion had been excited as t i M r. Evans' habits of temp ranee, but he completely cleared his esaracter. A boy, named Johnson, was ap pointed assistant to the telegraph at Vorydd, at a weekly salary of Bs. An application having been made by the committee ta Mr. Thomas Carte to ieseect the vocabulary, a letter was read from that gentleman, stating that he had made the required examination, and his opinion was that it had been completed with much labour, and that it was of great simplicity. Ile thought that the only addition that could he made to it was that the shipowners, if it were practicable, should send in the names of their ships. and their private signals for insertion. We understood it to be the opinion of the committee that this was im practicable. Messrs. Paton and Co. made an application removal p u nid t c h e i3 c A o rt m hii eisasa.e—t of t u t . c tt - ° eh : cut diii:, baths etsiiidtlia:tebeoilittisbnthe4i imil:enattidoteiw. for a return of rent for the use of the shed at Waterloo Dock, which rent they were of opinion was at too high a rate. A Inter was read from the Trinity Board sanction ing the removal of the Bell Buoy further out to sea, which nt.he Londonlßi Bishop the s f h o l r opr ,01_f onl y cdwwnoietss,tiipeici,einb b lid:e y sotc:% w avew‘iTh o nsiietetniiio.souertlo(c, promotionLondo n thus o f spoke ship said, he lately, while in the north of England, took an opportunity of visiting the town of Liverpool, for the purpose of insitectieg the public baths and wash•houses that bad them bc-li established for two years. He would Welt! a few details, and he begged to say he now spoke of the advantages of bathing. He found that as many as 220 labourers had bathed on a S•aturd y afternoon in the public baths nt Liverpool, where, be should just observe, the baths were rather on a contracted scale, there being 80 separate baths only. In convcrs'og with the superin tendent e those baths, tl.at person told him that he had overheard this remark from one of the labouring men : Addressing a comp union by his Christian name, the man said, " I feel as if I could do another week's work now I have been in the bath." (Dear. lies, end loud cheers). intting Suppose this to take place on a S i aturt c y , it .... n o t t ' i l l ' i l l ervance cf the Sabbath. Capa city but be more tit for the due t:li, baths were separate, and he found (I le ar, hear.) The . this highly estimated at. Liverpool—having as mach cold r e li a in c g he rr a ie p n l . u b x u n t ry by to so u n l i e e mo. f a l ; e n p u or warm water as he (the poor man) winced to turn on, for there was no limit in this respect at the baths at be tptasceltc,),er:ittnueltritihfr..tnl.:utlliei c o l . p ;:g e t H liehatl Liverpool. The baths at that town were frequented, not i f eibe a er r itrj.o i )a l y nl ei t iei t . f el e fsehe n w c ,t e d(!f,h, vv eni - r l m i s i ui c slne h elesfe a ,sis p ta,ku e re r lyd, s i o c‘t t , i lo.,i: t il n ipir i ,, g i l oi i tyr t , life, who paid a small sum for private baths, which in this e s t e i d nr ti c le lcs or in d people at Liverpool if they did net thick it an advantage, a great advantage, to have public wash-huuses, and they said they fele, them to be so ; and he had inquired of the superintetident if any evils had arisen from the mixing of families ; and he said he had never observed or heard of any. if the people so employed did talk over their grievances, then he (the right rev, prelate) knew no great harm in that. (Cheers ) The resolutions were passed, the society formed, and the Bishop of London appointed pre silent. , CHARGE OF SETTING FIRE TO A SHIP. —The barque Hermes, tedoeging to Messrs. Tayleer arid Co., mer chants, of this town, sailed on Friday week ,ith a valuable cargo of manufactured and other goi,ds for Buenos Ayres ; and on Tuesday she arrived in the river again, basing put back in consequence of an at:erupt to set fire to the ves s,l on Sunday mornieg,. off Holyhead. One of the men, a Swede, named Henry Brown, was placed in custody, and the circumstances were investigated at very great length before Mr. Rushton rt the police-court on Tnesday. An apprentice, named John Parry, stated that, betwcea six and seven o'clock on Sunday morning, he was lynig in his hammock in the forecastle, ill, when he saw the prisoner go to the chest of a semiau, Ti tined Lamont, 'rota which he took a hoz of matches ; the:. he went to his ( Parr) 'a) chest, took therefrom a leaf out of a hook, : oiled it up, then he took off the scuttle, lighted a match, and weiit down into the forepeak. After he came back, be stood over the scuttle in a kneeling posture, and said. '' By —, I will either sink her or burn her;" and then he put on the scuttle carefully, with the bar over it as be fore. Shortly afterw mite the ship was discovered to he cei fire; about two.gallons of tar in a barrel, and several p mods of oakum, brine consumed ; but the flames were fortunately extinguished before they attained any con siderable sidel proceedingsdep o of e r t . h It ri a s P on pe e a r r buted e id that there had been no dispute between the captain and any of the crew. The race was eventually adjourned. On Wednesday, Brown was again placed at the bar. Lamont was ex ntl)aartrY) ; one a hal seen these awned, and described the positain of the boxes of matches in his chest, but nothing meter:al could be elicited. Mr. Rushton, addressing the captain of the Hermes, said it was a difficult case to get at the bottom of. lie then re capitulated the pi itiepal points of the evidence, and con c'uded by declaring his cnivietion of the innocence of the prisoner Brown, whom he ocdared to be discharged• From the suspicious; character of the boy Parry, Mr- Reshtori ordered him to be taken into custody, and .o be br , ught up again on the following day. On Thursday. Parry was broaght before the m igisteates—in the interim a very minute inquiry having been instituted by polices officer Greaves. Mr. Rushton said, to his mind it was • clear, from the resift of the examination which had been made, tlett Parry had been the person who had attempted the diabolical act, which he had endeavoured to place to the charge of an innocent man ; and he felt regret that there was no direct evicience iii the case to justify him in sending him for trial. The prisoner was accordingly discharged.