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 week 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 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 cloudless 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 humidity 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 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, from their slumbers, to prepare for the pleasures of a holiday, to which vast numbers had wade arrangements to devote themselves. The pier head, from an early 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 slips. Th e W oo d s id e, Monk's Ferry, and Birken head steamers, were gaily decorated 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 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 the shore, the public and many of the private buildings, the masts and yards of vessels, large and small, an - I, in fine, from nearly every eminence whence they could lie displayed. At Wood side ferry, and.also round the site on which the founda tion stone was to be deposited, long lines of flags of all kinds and colours were hung on ropes exuending hori zontally from spar to spar, forming immense wreaths or valances, at once gay and graceful in effect. From Gleave's and the Monks' Ferry Hotels, a profusion of flags was also displ a y e d. H er M a j esty ' 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 the improvements and new works going on, the whole coa s t an d t own now assume d a different an d 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 on the opposite side Seven s'eam boats plied regularly during the whole day between this town and the Woodside and Monks' Ferries, and their commanders and others on board paid every possible at tention to the comfort and safety, in landing or embark ing, of the passengers, which the great n quisitiou these conveyances were in would admit. The George's Pa rade was so crowded, that it at Twiny periods of the day required some perseverance and nerve to obtain a place on board. So extraordinary a rush was not eepected, 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. Book 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, Claughton, Ilidston, &c., similar demonstrations of rejoicing were everywhere 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 titan ordinary splendour and gaiety. Almost from every window were displayed new and handsome flags, and each person seemed to vie with his neighbour in enthusiasm. At the north-eastern corner of Hamilton-square, and also at the entrance to the platform, triumphal laurel arches were erected. It would he an endless, if not an invi.ieus task, 'o attempt, parti cularly, to enumerate she various houses from which ele gant devices and colours were displayed. Suffice it to say, that the whel 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 p!ea red and to please. The shops and markets were al! cloy ad, an I there was a general cessa tion from labour, each man having not only the privilee of a holiday, hut Cie boon o f hi s d ay ' s wages . A l arge body of the Liverpool police, under the command of Mr. Miller, was in attendance. He was assisted by Super intendents Leverett sud M'Donald, and several ins?ee- - tors who had the immediate disposition of the officerA of. the police force, and the arrangements were such as, under the circumstances, reflected great credit upon all parties concerned. The out-door arrangements, 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 them with ever• possi ble information. TEIE PROCESSION. This was formed in Hamilton-street, opposite the pre sent Town-hill, and in Ham'iton-square and the streets adjoining. The high constable of the hundred, Mr. Palmer ; Mr Milder, hea • constable of Liverpool ; Mr. Mcss, general superinten dent; and Mr Thiughey. police inspector, headed the procession on horseback, and a ted as conductors. They were followed by a few other officers on horseback. Four Trumpeters, on horseback. The Champion, in complete poli'hed steel armour, and mounted, as Seneschal of the Pri pry of Birkenhead. Load n Assurance Fire Engine, drawn by four horses, with postilions in scarlet. Firemen in uniform, with helmets. Norwich Union Fire Engine, late'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, no a large waggon drawn by two horses. As the processiob proceeded, copies of the Birkenhead coat of arms, with the m-tto Homo proponit, Deus disponit," a list of the Dock Commi.sioners, and a notice of the occasion which it commemorated, were printed off, and handed to the crowd, who evinced the greatest eagerness to obtain impres sions. Copies also of two songs--one written by Mr. Morgan, of the Imperial Hotel. Liverpool, and the other by Mr. George Cranmer—were printed and distributed. Temperance Hand, in handsome uniform. Good Samaritan Lodge of Oddfellows, with five flags and regalia. princess Roy,l Lodge, with a splendiri banner•, representing her Majesty and the Princess Tha men were ♦ery neatly dressed. and decorated with sashes, rosettes. &e. Th:i regalia was of the most costly and beautiful description. • • " C rtes, meun'ect on stout horses, Grand United Orlerof C,th l'r thren, with regalia, &c. Band, in green, with military caps. Band of the 6t i Regiment of Foot. Loyal Liverp• 01 Lodge of Oddfcllows, accompanied by a splendid banner. Duchess of Lancaster Lodge. Loyal Stanley Lodge. Loyal Perseverance Lodge. Band of the sth Dragoon Guards. Loyal George IV. Lodge. I.oyal Mersey Lodge. The Covenant Lodge. Friendly Society of Operative Masons. Rechabites. Star Tent. Pand of the 6th Infantry. Good Samaritan Lodge. Liverpool Shipwrights. These carried a fine model of a steam-vessel, and several other fine models of vessels, and were preceded by a large flag. They were very respectably dressed. A large banner with a figure of the Duke of Wellington, and another with a fig,re of Charles the Second, were carried in this part of the procession. Ancient Order of Foresters, many of them in the full costume of the order mounted. In the procession were a , hepher.l and a shepherdess—the former with a fine dog couchunt at his feet, and the latter with a lamb. Operative S twyers, 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. Much amusement was created by this exhibi tion. Pensioners' Band. Iron Shipbuilders in the employ of John Laird, Esq., carrying beautiful mot'e's of iron vessels. Men employed in the En rineer's Tug Yard, carrying. wands in their hands. Stubbs's Royal harmonic Band. The Commissioners of Birkenhead; • J. D. Case, Esq., W. Jackson, Esq., and John Laird, Esq., taking the leid. Several hundreds of Men employed in making the new Park, six abreast. Several carts decked with laurel and evergreens, and tilled 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 dows of the noble mansions in the square and neighbour ing Stree.ts through which the immense phalanx, with nu rnerous flags and banners, including the Royal standard, Sec. passed, we r e threnzed by fair occupants, who waved gags, banners, and handkerchiefs ' in token of their ap probation ; while the roaring of the cannon , and the mar tial musi c of the v arious bands, combined to produce an effect at once magnificent and heart - stirring. At the en trance to iiam ilton-street, an d also in Church-street and other streets on the route, triumphal a rches of laurel were erected. On turning th a e l c o o n rne! 9 f the yard of Birkenhead Church, and passin g P l e b e bey-street, salutes were fired from time to time from g f cannon o planted on the new river-wall enclosing Tranmere eso o l f on the north. the Wellington lintel, a On passing party Scotchmen, dressed in the national costume, presented themselves on a stage which hal been erected for the purpose, at the one end of the building; one of them struck up a lively a i r , n their favourite instrumen t, the ba gp i p e, w hich seemed to excite much attention amongst the spectators. The route through the principal struts, given in our last, was adhered to. The procession, in returning north ward, crossed llaluilto4- square, and along Coaway• street to Parktiehl, I‘, here a line cf flags was placed. It thence Passed along Cavendish-street tD Corporation-road , where it bdted opposite Mr. iron shipbuildinF, yud, which was profusely decorated with flags. A triumphal arch had been erected at this part of the road, and the usual manifestations, including salutes, &c., were again given. The whole line thence moved on to Woodside Fel ry, and thence along the new road close to the beach, to the spot where the stone was to be laid. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. Just above the site where the stone was to 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-dressed company. 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 gentlemen having arrived on the ground, preparations were immediately made for laying the stone, by Mr. Rendell depositing a glass bottle, con taininz 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 rock. []'his part of the pro ceedings was performed amidst much cheering.] Mr. Rendell then read the inscription 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 stone being lowered to its place and adjusted, the hon. baronet struck it with a rosewood mallet. The Rev. ANDREW KNOX, incumbent of Birkenhead, then offered up a beautiful, deeply impressive, and appro priate prayer. Sir PHILIP DE MALPAS 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 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, ladies and gentlemen, fre q uently to be present upon ceremonials of this description, and I have a vivid and distinct recollection of most of those events which' haye occurred during the last 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 form epochs in • our national history ; they are milestones, as it were, in the road of time; they constitute a species of memo; is echnicu, enabling the mind, after the lapse of years, to recal not only the events themselves, 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 la4t few years; and I can state, most distinctly, and in all sincerity, that 1 have failed to call to mind one which, either for its intrinsic worth or fur the important results which are likely to Cillow from it, can be compared for a moment with the undertaking which has this day been commenced. (Cheers ) I am 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; tut I trust I 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 suns 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 perfection ; but in their application they must be considered as purely local, as mere facilities 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 Sovereign is about to grace with tier presence ou 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 commercial community in the world, but its sphere of utility is limited as compared with the re sults I anticipate from the works which are this day here com menced. • (Hear.) I consider that the advantages which will follow from the erection of these docks will not be purely local; they will not be only national, but they will be universal. (Cheers ) They will be felt through the length and breadth of the land; 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 no means novel or of recent date. Nature has been so lavish in her adapta tion of this part of Cheshire, that every engineer who has visited the banks of 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 opinion, Liverpool was built upon the wrong side of the river. (Hear, and s .err benditer.) he late Mr. Laird, many years ago, had a corn. plete survey Made of the Pool, and I remember having received— and many' etisere received also, f dare say—a very able plan for converting thee Pont hero a series of docks. It would be needless for me now to revert to hietorical facts connected with this place, waili are probably we:i hieewn to most of those I have the honour to address. It will be needless foe me to mention the obstacles and impediment's which have appeared in the tray of the realization of those schemes. Suffice it to say, that those impediments and those obstacles have been.fortunately removed. The Pool has been sur veyed by the talented engineer who has lately addressed you. He has drawn out plans for converting the fool 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 in passing through both houses in the 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 roan. try, and, above all, so disinterested appeared to be the motives of those who promoted the measure, that it passed triumphantly thro,:gh those ordeals, and came unscathed and unmutilated through parliament, and is now the law of the land. The works to be executed under that act are of a magnitude wholly unpa al leled, I believe, in works of a similar nature. (Cheers.) They will comprise, in the first instance, a vast tidal harbour of nearly 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 addiCen to that harb3ur of refuge, convenience will be supplied of about acres in, extent, with a b eac hi ng groun d o f f our or five acres additional, which will be devoted •to the use of the tradin g craft of the river: - (Meer) There. is also a dock which will be appli_sl 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 poses of quays and jetties, of landingplaces and graving e docks, and warehouses, and all the other necessary accommodations required in 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 1,601 around me, and compare them with the state in which Birkenhead fit merly was, I can scarcely believe myself to be in the land of reality. (Hear.) 1 have been told, upon very good authority, that not above half a century ago, at the time when my respected grandsire inha bit.' the mansion now so ably occupied by your neighbour, Sir Edward Cust,—in that period, I am told, it was proved in a court. of law that Birkenhead was not entitled to be considered a town ship, village, or hamlet, inasmuch 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 in the township only amounted to sixteen ; at the next census, in 1811. the number was increased by only one; in 1821 the number 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 aix 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 chance to find a citizen of the United States of America—that country so famous for the rapid growth of towns, and cities, and communities,—l would al most challeng e him to bring an analogous inteance to this from the annals of his own country. (Cheers.) I say then—it is with jus tice I say it—l can scarcely believe the evidence of my senses when I contemplate the vas,. and rapid increase exhibited in this district. (Hear.) It appears more as if some mighty magician, with a flou rish of his wand, had conjured up a mature and flourishing-com munity from the bowels of the earth, or the bosom of the sea, in the full panoply of commercial prosperity, of wealth, and of intelli gencl, as Minerva sprang fully armed from the head of Jupiter. lf, then, the mind can scarcely contemplate without wonder and astonishment the progress made in the last few years in this loca lity, how shall we dare to gaze into the magic spectrum of futurity, or attempt to divine what may be the onward progress of Birken head's prosperity ? The astr ono m er i s ena bl e d 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 his knowledge of the laws which govern matter, is enabled to carry out his designs; for there are certain fixed laws 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 that alone must depend the extent of prosperity of a commercial community such as this. I can fancy to myself, I can pictui • te a forest of masts of teasels of all nations, crowding these docks; I can fancy to myself quays and docks, and ware houses, clothing these banks as far as the eye can reach; I can 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 ease, 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 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 to return from the fer tile regions of fancy to those of stern reality, I state it here to be my firm conviction that ',stand at. this moment upon the Ilueicon 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 cf prosperity until she becomes in the first rank among the great commercial commu niti, aof the world. (Cheers.) In the words of a Liverpool paper, which are remarkalie enough for the truth of their applications, tt 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 ments ; 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 i mportan t advan taees 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 deputed by the public of Birkenhead to ask 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 bad 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 moat happy to accede to their wishes. Cannon were then fired in salutes, and the immense as smblage (including great part of the precession) 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 quaintances. The streets, however. remained crowded throughout the whole day and evening, no fewer than about 103,00 J perso4s having been linded at the ferries from this town alone. THE DINNER, Took place at five o'clock in the magnificent banqueting hall, which we have already described. The display, in cluding plate, surpassed anything of the kind ever seen in this neighbourhood. The dinner was everything that could be desired, and added in no small degree to the already well-earned fame of Mr. Horne, of the Mersey Hotel. On the right of the Chairman, the following d;stinguished guests were seated ;—Sir Philip de Malpae Grey Egerton, the Eatl of Essex, Lord Bateman, the Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, Sir Joshua - Walmslev. C. K. Main- Raring. Rev. Andrew Knox, J. D. Case, Esq., P. Green all, Col. Clegg, Col, Mitchell, J. R. Shaw, E•q., J. C. Ewart, Esq., J. W. Harden, Esq., Col. ChaHiner, lion. Captain Best, R.N., Thomas Grimsditch, Esq. M.P., Joseph de sephl3rotherton, Esq. M.P, Rev. James Trafford ,Majnwaring- Esq., H. Winch, E , q. Potts, Esq. On the left of the chair were seated Lord Lilford , 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. Archdeacon Clarke, Joseph Bailey, Esq., Wm. Ewart, Esq., M.P., Richard Congreve, Esq., Thomas Thornley, Esq., M.P., J. B. Clegg, Esq., Rev. R. M. Fielden, George C. Legb, Esq., Sir. William Massey Stanley, Cap. Gerrard, John Stanley, .Esq., J. Mainwaring. Esq., the Rev. F. Ould, Capt. Greig, &c. &c. The list of invited guests included three hundred notile mn, gentlemen, members of parliament, merchants, railway directors, professional men, respectable trades men, and others, from Birkenhead and this town, and, indeed, from all parts of the kingdom. The greatest novelty of the evening, and one which added much to the amusement of the company was the introduction of Mr. T. W. Took, the celebrated toast master, from the East India-house, London. Quite . an in his hilliness, he succeed e d a d m i r ably 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 li f e and soul of the meeting. • Grace having been said by the Rev. A Knox, the feast commenced, and the enjoyment of the multitudinous luxuries was protracted till twenty minutes past six o'clock. Thanks haying been returned, and the tables cleared, The CHAIRMAN rose and said,—l beg, without any remark, to propose the first toast of the evening, " Her Majesty, the Queen". (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 " Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Earl of Chester, and the rest of the royal family." (Three times three.) The CHAIRMAN next called upon the company to join with him in dri n ki ng t o " Th e arm y and navy ;" and he begged also to couple with this Oast, 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 toast of the army. He could not but feel deeply gratified for the manner in which this toast had been received, coupled as it bad been with that ser vice to which 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 best 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 army to protect —a new object of lore and devo tion to their country was suggested to -his mind. (Ap plause ) Whether the army was serving in distant 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, he 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 to 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 he— ti small island in the ocean—but it was the most powerful among the nations. It might be the envy of many, but it was respected by all. (Hear.) He was not in the habit of addressing public meetings, and therefore lie craved the indulgence of the company, and begged 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., also acknowledged the compli ment, but being seated in the vicinity of the vice-presi dent, and speaking in a low tone of voice, his few ober servations were not heard. The CHAIRMAN tl en gave " The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese." He said he had seen his Lordship on ' Monday last, and he expressed his great regret that his official duties 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 bad been resident in Bir kenhead for the last 17 years, and who, every day of those 17 years, had grown in the respect of the people of Birken head, he meant the Rev. A. Knox. (Three times three and and one cheer more. The Rev, Mr. Ktiox returned thanks in a suitable address. The CHAIRMAN, in giving Sir P. Egerton's health, ex pressed the obligations which be 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 length to the exertions referred to in connexion with the nark, public improvements, and other local bills, the whole of which he had advanced, not because of their local or individual bearing, but because of their utility and efficiency as contributary to the general good and ad vaecernent of the interests of the public at large. The tont was received with vehement applause. Sir P EGERTON said.—l would take this opportunity, although iertraps not quite in the right line, of returait my warmest and sincerest thanks to the commissioners of Birkenhead, for the distinguished honour which they base this day conferred on me, in requesting me to take the first part in that most interesting ceremony which you have witnessed. I could have wished that that dirty 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 stating, 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 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 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 Livepoool are near and dear to me, as 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 whole some and just rivalry which ought to exist between two communities has been supplanted by a jealousy which 1 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 ere 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 ducks and other works. (Cheers.) Now I may say that it is my positive conviction that these capabilities would long have re mained dormant had you not had amongst you some of those distinguished and enterprising individuals to whom you are indebted for all those great works that surround you. (e.heers.) It has been my fortune to transact bu siness w.th the commissioners of Birkenhead 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 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, sen.) first propagated the great felellle 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 suggested by their father's mind carried into full effect. (Hear, hear.) They had but 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 increasing —to endeavour to aid and assist the part of Liverpool, in giving additional ac commodation to commerce—to give the ships, as they arrived, mile 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 theiein recorded, and that, when read, she aright be lauded for her honesty and purity, and that her sons might go forth from that port—te the east and to the west, the spicy islands of the south, and frozen regions of the north—and 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 giined 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. sa'd, 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 afid Birkenhead. But, gentlemen, so gigsntic a project as that of which we have this day laid the tea m . dation stone never entered my imagination—a project which does reflect the highest credit on the head that con ceived it, and those public-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 often been struck with the singular contrast between that pre sented by this country and theirs with respect to public woiks. 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 ring energy, perseverance, and industry of England. which have at all times and in all parts of the, world carried its people through every difficulty. I wish some of thoseein foreign climes could have seen the ceremony which we have this day witnessed. If they bad been told that a township which, as toy 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 he ready to complete undeitakines alas( st unrivalled in the world, they would certainly have cause for wonder. We, THE 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 " Alderman Brooks," and shouts 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 of 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 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—ny, and when they have executed them—not to be a bl e t o 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 the 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 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 your 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 be my endeavour to co-operate in any measure that will promote the prosperity of this town. (Long and protracted cheer ing.) The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose another toast. He Proposed the " Health of the Earl of Essex, Lord Lilford, Lord Bateman, and of the other distinguished guests who had that day honoured Birkenhead with their presence." The Earl of EESEX.—I have been most deeply gratified by the interesting ceremony which we have witnessed. It has given me a most exalted idea—but that, indeed, 1 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, 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 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 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 country, 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 blessings of civilization and of Chris tianity. (Loud and long-continued applause.) Toe 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 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 redounded to their honour—Le meant the noble at tempt they bad 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 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 community, he mentioned it also as one which would materially tend to lighten the labours of the magistracy. (Hear, hear.) While he praised them for this, he would add, that in this, as in other cases, the best, the most honest, and the most merciful and humane policy was also to be witnessed; and he believed that the inhabitants of the township would experience an advan 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," and loud cheers.) Mr. PorrEft said, the Liverpool merchants could not be the opponents of the Birkenhead dock measure, for they 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 from the trade of the country having increased to a degree beyond what any ordinary foresight could be expected to provide for. Therefore, while asso ciated in the Birkenhead measure, he was not only doing that which would advance the trade of Liverpool and the trade of the world, but he was also doing that which would meet with the encouragement arid approbation of some of the most eminent merchants in Liverpool—so many, that to name them would be quite invidious. (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 convenience, and that it was also dt.e to that great hive of manufacturing industry on the other side, knowing that the extension of commerce was the trite basis 42f the,prosperits of\ the estuary of the Mersey. (Hear, hear.) He begged to propOse, " The town and trade of Liverpool." (The toast was very warmly received.) Mr. DuNeAx Ginn responded to it. The Hon. Sir E. Cyst in proposing the health of the Commissioners of Birkenhead said,—l sha I very shortly indeed repeat those two or three circumstances which have been mentioned already—those, for instance, named by the Hon. Mr. Stanley,—and which certainly display a most remarkable example of the wisdom, sagacty, and frres:glit of those who took the Pad in this town, in lay ing out the suburbs of the town for the benefit of the poorer population. I believe that this is an instance of feeling towards the poorer population wholly unexampled in any tosn in this or the other hemisphere; for enor mous streets have been projected and duly sewered, 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 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 works every day pro jected, and, last, though not least, that mighty work which we have seen to-day commenced, are all works in themselves so unusually great. that they would very justly entitle any set of men to a high place in public estimation for their individual acts; but, when united, they really form a very considerable claim on the public gratitude. The toast 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.) They were indebted to the genius of that gentleman, as well for his readiness to answer all objections, to undergo the rigorous cross-examination of numerous counsel, and to corroborate all his assertions, as to the capabilities of the pool for all commercial purposes. He would not be considered to have trespassed unfairly when he beeged to Propose the" Healili of Mr. Rendel, the engineer." (The toast was rapturously received.) Mr. RENDEL was perfectly satisfied of this, that the decks of which they had been lay ng the foundation-stone 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 liver on the very fine day with which they were blessed for their ceremony. lie was quite certain that they were altogether of a dif ferent description from a rival establishment. (Hear, hear.) They we intended to propose additional accom modation in the port of the Mersey, which, favoured as Liverpool was, it did not afford facilities for the construe- tion of. (Hear, hear.) If the late Mr. Laird had lived till 1814, and seen the numerous steamers which traversed the Atlantic with the regularity almost of a locomotive, be 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 be called upon to carry out. (Hear, bear.) Mr. J. HARDEN 'hen proposed "The Press." Mr. J. SMITH returned thanks. The last toast on the list was "The Cheshire Witches," which was enthusiastically drunk. THE BALL. The appearance of the ball-room, which was opened at ten o'clock, was unprecedentedly magnificent, 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 Vgerton, Lady Cust, Mrs. Lloyd Kenyon, Mrs. Charles Stanley, Mrs. E. J. Stanley, Mrs. W. Patten, Ails. Col. Glegg, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. J. G. Jackson. Mrs. W. Laird, Mrs. Malleby, Mrs. Winch, Mrs. J. B. Hughes, Lady Bateman and her 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•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 beauty of the needlework. Dancing was then recommenced, and was kept up with spirit until about four o'clock. OTIIEL FESTIVITIES AND AMU SE...7ENTS. In accordance 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-halL to about 300 persons, chiefly holding situations connected with the town or its public works, and respectable master tradesmen and tthers. A band w,:s provided, and the greatest enjoyment prevailed. Mr. John Laird also nresented 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 wives. Even the poor in the urkhouse were not forgotten, all receiving a sum,! 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 previous arrangements. About sixty gentlemen, of Liverpool and Birkenhead, sat down to an excellent dinner at Mr. Gleave's, Adelphi lintel. The viands and wines were of the choicest kinds, and the whole arrangements highly credit .ble to the worthy host. Several excellent speeches referring to the prosperity of the township were delivered, and the evening was spent in the most agreea ble manner. A large party cf gentlemen sat down at Mr. La French's, Wa terloo Hotel to an excellent and wa-serred dinner given by Mr. Robert Hughe,, who ably presided. The usual toasts were give', by the Chairman, Mr. Knapper, Mr. Mort, and other gen tlemen. The he a lth of the Membe rs f o r the Southern Division of the County eiielted mach cheering. In proposing it, dr. Mortimer remarked, that opportunities had been afforded him of closely watching the conduct of those gentlemen in connex ion with the interests of the town and trade of Birkenhead, and he 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 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 witnessed, 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 establish that system of communication by which that day one hundred thousand persons had been able to cross the Mer sey without any accident. (Loud cheering.) Mr. KNAPPE it. of the Cottage Owners' Association, begged to confirm all that had been stated in commendation of t.ir 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. (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 loud cheers, the company was reminded, that that gentleman was the first who practically introduced, many years ago, steam navigation on the watery of the Mersey. MR. TOMKINSON'S DINNER TO nIS 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 com fort of the guests. Amongst the gentlemen who kindly volunteered this task, we noticed H. Melling. Esq., Secretary to the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, It. 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 Hnit, Esq., R. A. 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. Tamer, 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 usual toasts were given, after which the Chair man proposed " Prosperity to Birkenhead," which was received with hearty cheering. Mr. R. A. Mould responded in a neat speech, and concluded by giving the health of 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 unde. takings of his life. The whole company , rose in enthusiastic response to :he toast ; and, afterthe cheer ing had subsided, Mr. Tomkinson briefly, but most feelingly, replied, thanking his " fellow-tradesmen" for their 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 had just entered would fill the pockets of the work men as well as benefit himself. He was about to retire to another place where his duty called him, but he trusted they would continue to enjoy themselves both with pipe and cup. The Chairman then retired, and Mr. Tamer took thechair; and. after the remainder of the toasts had been drunk, and several songs sung, the company began ti 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 presenting the appearance of a race-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 humour and erjoyment. A huge bonfire blazed on Flaybrick, 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 many thousands, all of whom obtained a good view, the street beng higher than the ground. These were provided by Mr. Atkins, of the Liverpool Zoological Gar dens, and did him great honour as a pyrotechnic artist. 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 tires. The whole concluded with a beautiful device. in which " T he 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'clock, numbers of persons began to move off—those who lived on this side the w ter to the ferries--and, towards half past nine o'clock, the streets were contziderably thinned, those who were still engaged in the festivities of the day being occu pied principally within doors, participating in the pleasures of social harmony, or "tripping on the fantastic toe " to the strains of joyous music. The late boats, 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 without any accident of consequence. The above speaks volumes as to the arrangements made, and the judicious manner in which they were carried out. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS. The shipments. of potatoes from the Isle of Man have commenced, and large cargoes are leaving that island for Liverpool. Thomas Sidney, Esq., Sheriff of London, tea-dealer, is brother to Mr. George Sidney, boot and shoe warehouse, Paradise-street. Ou Friday we-k. i dinner was given to Alexander Kay, Esq., Mayor of Manchester, as a mark of their respect for him, by Aldermen Potter, Neild, and Kershaw, the first, second, and third mayors of Manchester. The Rev. Mr. Murphy, formerly of St. Pat►ick's Chapel, in Liverpool, has been appointed Romish Bis ►op of Australia. He had been prev►ously Vicar-General of New South Wales. On Saturday week the clerks and subordinate officers of the Manchester Corporation were entertained at an excellent dinner provided for them by the three past Mayors of that town. On Saturday week the flat Express arrived at Manches ter, with forty tons of wines and spirits, fur Mr. Gibb, of that town. This is the first arrival in the " Port" of Manchester of a cargo of goods for bond. We beg leave to call thr. attention of our readers, par ticularly of the maritime class, to the advertisement of the Mariners' and General Life Insurance Company in our columns of this day, which appears to offer advantages to seafaring persons seldom to be 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 SUNDA; TRAVELLING —Mr. Rowett, on Thursday last, was charged before Mr. Rushton, at the Police Court, with driving in his gig past St. Georg-'s Church, on Sunday last, during the hour of divine ser dice, contrary to a bye-law passed on the 15th o f Sep tember, 1842, 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 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 peerage, is at present in this city, and that he has overcome all the difficult part of his ease —namely, that of identifying William Tracy, his great-grandfather, a ho married Mary, daughter of James O'Brien, a woollen merchant in Francis-street, as the son of the Hon. Mr. Justice Tracy, of England.—Dublin paper.—[The son of Mr. Tracy was recently in the Liverpool police.] RoDN t Y-STREET WARD.—A large and influential meeting f the eTectors 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 da term ination to support Mr, Pemberton ; and from the fa vourable state of the registry in this ward, and the great influence of the gentlemen who attended the meeting, there is no doubt 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 Adelphi Hotel, on Thursday morning, at eleven o'clock. The Croft Lodge was opened in the Three Degrees by Brother Hess, V.W.P.G. junior war den, assisted by the representatives of I,oges No. 130, 173, 245, 263, 267, and 294. The grand officers having taken their several chairs, the lodge was opened in due form, when the reports from the several lodges in the province, on the progress of Masonry, were received. They were most gratifying, and the charitable contri butions exceeded in amount those of any previous year. At four o'clock the brethren sat down to a most sumptuous banquet, served up in brother Radley's.best style. AN A rti - FuL ROBBERY.—About dusk on Friday even ing, as Mr. Bird, of Great George-stree', was balancing his ca;h, a gentleman came in to order some medicine. While serving him Mr. Bird put his purse into his coat pocket. As his- customer was going out an alarm was given that a man had dropped down dead. On being brought in, (of course many persons ai h him,)and placed on the floor. Mr. Bird took the usual means, as he ap. geared to be in a fit, and in a few minutes he was able to speak and depart. On resuming his employment (the cir cumstance scarcely taking three minutes,) and putting his 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 Ma. SHUTTLEIVORTH.—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. Shuttleworth. The learned gentleman said, " 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 the prosecution. It is a rare occurrence, and most clearly indicates the care and discrimination which are exer 6 sed in thos e pre- Lminary proceedings which take place before the case s appear in this court." This opinion of the learned Re corder received a most expressive confirmation fro m t h e fact, that fully one-halt of the prisioners, arr a igned during the last sessions , pleaded guilty, and thus, be their own confessions, acknowledged th e justne ss of the proceedings which had been taken against the ms el ves. MURDEROUS ATTACK.—On Friday afternoon_ as Capt. Nest, Woodhouse was leaving the Queen of the Vest, New York Packet -ship, of which vessel he is commander, in the Prince's Dock, when passing through the gite he was assailed by a tall powerful man, in sailor's i i dress, who, without a word, struck him a tretnendous iron ball or stone, slung in a coeket-hank d 'kw ' with au erchief. The blow took effect on the forepart of the temple, near to the the H eye, and laid him at once senseless on pavement. e was picked up and carried to the Northern Hospital, where it was ascertained that the injury, although of a to se rious nature, did not extend fracture of the skull. The assa il an t, on seeing Captain W fall, took to his heel s , and, in the confusion, escaped. W. Woodhouse's own crew, He is one of Captain amongst whom a mutinous feel. ' in ,, bad existed during their late voyage front New York Police-officers have been Won board th e Q ueen o f t h e est, and put the states, st - - wards, &c., on t h e i r guar d, as 4 ou threat has been held t that they also would be attacked. Oct. 29, 1844 SUSPENSION OF A MARKET-CONSTABLE.—On SO; day a Mrs. R o b er t s was b roug h t b e f ore M r. R us hton, of the Police-cou r t, on a charge of having sold a cotiPh!,: a hares in St. John' s mar k et w ith out a li cense . The n , against her was proved by a market-constable, of the ~7 of Woodfall ; but, upon cross-examination by Mt • L. ., dle, 'Woodfall, evidently with muc h re l uc t an ce, sw7; ( l that he had received 2s. from a person named Shaw handed the money to a butcher, with a request that 66 would go and purch ase th e h arts . M r. W ard l e c ontend; that the constable, under those circumstances, had aa trapped the unfo r tu na t e woman . M r. B us h ton toot' same view of the ca-e; reprimanded the fellow for btl sa l misconduct, and or d ere d hi s suspens i on an d t h e dial r , of the charge against Mrs. Roberts. —[How cap Rushton reconcile hi s con d emna ti on o f t hi s man's 1 0 . duct with the fact th a t h e , some li t tl e t i me s i nce , du jare rised police-constable s t o go i n p l a i n Cl ot h es an d 4 3 '1? publicans to sell ale or spirits after the prescribed hea4 If the market-const a bl e were so far wrong in the recorded above, as to justify th e dismissal of the then ought none of the cases against the publicans to bad been proceeded with on the u nsupporte d testinsony. spying policemen.] e r ol Tower COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.—A spe c i a l trieeo-e.,, this body was h e ld on Wednesday last, at the usual hour' to determine upon l a yi ng o f the annual fire police T o lle &c. Mr. Alderman Lawrence stated that the fire P rate last year, produced £2,135 19s. lid., an d that expenditure was £1,725 2s. 4d., leaving a balanetm £4lO 17s. 7d., out of which the sum of £2OO had alto been expended for water-carts. He thought that, '4 3 theomqw .on the irttekhehee tsswusbalance,aaffianmscdei adopted. a dni otuo l p a bp t t jsae e e,ndc O wdt. t moved a h oas a v rlreeftedpshpoeeolanz report halfpenny oeoesf i ano n tal hua, t est h bi e r flout resolution ir o ttkt u ot n eta d t chsco w ai rotr Aoesil;ienotai: closing t . a t tee id that the council could not entertain the communica ti 4 The Mayor produced the reply which he had recelYe o . a memorial to the Treasury, on, the subject of Mr. kisson's statue. After some conversation, in the on of which it was repeatedly stated that Mrs. Huskisson l very decided objections to placing the statue 10 ; 4 , George's Hall, the following resolution, proposed 14 P d Alderman Turner, and seconded by Mr. Aspinallt w e ; then agreed to :—" Resolved—That as the Lords Cot 64 rcpm: Council s uem s in i n o cogi n fl o e r ita. h s tt eh o te f ch se t : h:dett Custom-house, e r e f uoh a ifo s t iNuuesriseyr whichhat have v u o e srui declined shis:oivanel loyan to s o hteeen s n_ ;s a di n ate e c nd t dr e c 0 o o n v, t_ mended by Mr. Gibson, the artist, the Mayor be requ,el, hs to express to Mrs. Huskisson, the deep regret 01 ,` - a earnest wish that the statue may be erected in the the course of the discussion, Mr. G. H. Lawrence said it might be satisfactory to the Council to know that err. Gibson had been employed by the Liverpool and Me i r chester and Grand Junction Railway Companies to ecute a statue of M r . G eorge Stephenson, and bad eLf been directed to wait on her Majesty to receive a coma f a sion from her. The Coun c il b ro k e up at twenty ming' to twelve. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.—A special meeting been called for to-morrow, to wind up the affairs oft" municipal year. The proceedings of the Finance CI; mittee, will comprise a recom men d a ti on f or th e sa le of piece of land, containing about 2,200 yards, in Churc h ' street, Birkenhead. The proceedings of the Watch Car t mittee will contain a report of a su b- comm i ttee o f sus s body respecting the efficiency of the b oroag h cons t a bule d, force, the accepted resignation of Mr. Miller, the Het' constable, the appoint men tp ro tern, of Mr. Commissioq r e Dowling to the latt er office. The proc ee di ngs of tt, Gardens Committee will comprise a recommendation r e erect an iron-fence raili ng on th e eas t s id e of S t. J a mes . walk. The 'Mayor's communications will comprise e' application, on behalf of the Birkenhead Dock ComPe al l j to purchase the rever s i on o f th e C orporat i on i n a porti ( l ) )e of the Wallasey estate. A similar application it will remembered, has been already mode by individual Pur chasers of the Wallasey estate and declined by the neatly' Committee. The present one is made by the Dock Cn; pany on the other side, and, sh ou ld it b e re f use d , we Il; derstand it is the intention of that company to appll Parliament for compulsory powers to obtain possession„; the fee simple of the e s t a t e , u p on th e groun d , t h a t aft having erected immense docks and warehouses u pon P., property, it would be an injustice to compel them to stu render them to the Liverpool Corporation at the exP irP tion of a lease for seventy-five years. DOCK COMMITTEE.—On Thursday au application W al , made by Messrs. Forester an d C o . to h ave l ease d to thee; fur the term of twenty-one years, 8300 square yards L e; land, in the neighbourhood of the north docks, at tr.. annual rate of one shilling per square yard. The aPP, I I ,, cation was allowed. Two letters were read having l e l., rence to the use of galvanised iron, which had ne' e , offered to be supplied to the committee for building WI. poses. One of the letters was from a firm in Isend ° ", r ; and stated the iron so offered was prepared according:, a system for which they held a patent, and it contained caution to the committee against using the iron, r, actions at law were pending against persons for lofting!. ment of their right of patent. The other letter was from a party who had made the offer to supply the iron, 8 4 centained an assurance from the writer to indemnify committee in the result of legal proceedings being instie tuted, as the patent alluded to could not apply to tif,". kind of iron he had offered. The letters were referred t". the committee's solicitor. The tender of Messrs. Ogde n . for the iron sashes of the Albert warehouses was accepte k u, Permission was granted to erect a m o v ea bl e but on to; ri Brunswick pier for the Runcorn ste amers . Mr. Hull s gvas was unanimously elected t o b e - super i nten d e nt Anglesey LightboUse. Some suspicion bad been excited as to Mr. Evans' habits of temp. ranee, but he completely cleared his character. A boy, named Johnson, was ar pointed assistant to the telegraph at Vorydd, at a weekly salary of Ss. An application having been made by the committee to Mr. Thomas Carte to inspect the vecabularY, a letter. was read from that gentleman, stating that lie bad made the required examination, and his opinion was that it had beet' completed with much labour, and that it *yds of great simplicity. He thought that the only a ddition that could be made to it wa s th a t th e s hi powners , if it were practicable, should send in the names of their shiP'' and their private signals for inserti on . W e understo o d it to be the opinion of the committee that this was k ill ; practicable. Mesers. Paton and Co. made an applicaeloa for a return of rout for the use of the shed at Waterl Dock, which rent they were of opinion was at too high , rate. A letter was read from the Trinity Bo ar d sanction. ing the remov a l of th e B e ll B uo y f ur th er ou t t o sea , wil l° removal the comin ttee ordered to be made. PUBLIC BATHS.—At the meetin g in London for promotion of these useful establi s h m e n t s the BishoP the , London thus spoke of the baths in this town. His lorsli, ship said, h e l a t e l y , w hil e i n t h e nort h o f E ng l an d, to g; an opportunity o f v i s iti ng th e t own o f Li verpoo l, for w ee purpose of inspecting the public baths and wa sh-hi:o4 that had the re b een esta bli s h e d f or two years. He ic°lll°l state a few det a il s , an d h e b egge d to say h e now s poke s , the advantages of bathing. He found that as mambo i 220 labourers had b a th e d on a S a t ur d ay a f ternoon n , e , public baths at Liverp oo l. w h ere , h e s h ou ld j us t obser i '„i the baths were rather on a contracted scale, there h e :o s 80 separate baths only. I n convers i ng w i t h t h e super,: s a tendent of those baths. that p erson t o ld hi m th a t he ' 1 .. , overheard this remark from one of the labouring men " s o Addressing a con - pinion by his Christian name, the T j said, " I feel as if I could do another week's work no' have been in the bath." (Hear, hear, and loud che e a Suppose this to take pl ace on a S a t ur d ay , th e race. ti 4.11 • would be pleased to rememb er th a t th e e ff ects o f the D; ) ,, would not be confined to th e sensat i on o f p h ys i c al curb. ety hut be more tit for the due o b servance o f th e Sahu a ant l (Hear, hear.) The b a th s were separate , an d he ° o ld this highly estimated at Liverpool—h av i ng as much 00, or warm water as he (the poor roan) wished to turn s t for there was no limit in this res p ec t a t the baths Dot Liverpool. The baths at th a t t own were f requen ted, only by working men, but by some of a superior el aas t bi , life, who paid a small sum for private baths, which 1 a ., 0 r4 case became a cheap luxury to them. He used the n, g lit not in the sense of an indulgence which a person ° jot, well do without, b u t a sense of a necessary co9l,:aglf which, wh en once en j oyed, few persons would wi"r dispense with. (H ear .) H e h ad himself asked the „.00 people at Liverpool if they did not think it an adv s ° t hef a great advantage, to have publi c was h-h ouses , and tbe said they f e l t th em to b e so; and he had inquired °;( s itif superintend en t if any h ' evils had arisen f r o m the n' e rd ; of familie s and lie said he had never observed of b e of any. If the peopl e so emp l oye d did ta lk o ver res t grievances, then tie (the right rev. prelate) knew no goeth harm in that. (Ch eers .) Th e reso l ut i ons were Pa s the society formed, an d th e Bi s h op o f L on d on DP P° president. CHARGE OF SETTING FIRE TO A S HIP . —The b as is' Hermes, belonging to Messrs. Tayleur and Co•t io , ble chants, of this tow n , sa il e d on F r id ay wee k w i t h a ca , cargonf manufactured an d o th er goo d s f or B uen os i% pub and on Tuesday she arrived in the river again, basl a n :eer back in consequence of an a tt emp t to set fi re t o t0`,0,1 sel on Sunday morning, off H o l y h ea d. O ne o f the In le Swede, named Henry Brown, was placed in c ustodr,', l ol l the circumstances were i nvest i gated at very grea t le oaf' before Mr. Rushton at the police -court on Tue v , g eo An apprentic e , name d J o h n P arry, stated t h a t, be WI six and sev en o ' c l oc k on S unday morning, lie wds in his ha mmoc k i n t h e f orecastle, ill, when be a3 , 4 ,.00; prisoner go t o th e c h est o f a searoan, t urned L' to bi j from which he took a box of matches ; then he wen t v elle4 (Parry's) chest, took therefrom a leaf out of a boo", od it up, th en h e too k o ff th e scutt l e, li ghte d a infitethei. , went down into the fo re p ea k. Af ter h e ca me h a d 0 0 0 stood over the scuttle in a kneeling p os ture. ee d the "By—, I will eith er s i n k h er or b urn h er ; " as hte; he put on th e scu ttl e care f u ll y, w i t h t h e b ar ovcr_i_A 07 to fore. Sho r tly afterwards, the ship was discove; e „ on fire ; about two ga ll ons o f t ar i n a b arr el, n T O A , pounds of oakum, being consumed ; but the flames cd: s fortunately extinguished before they attained _.4e7, these siderable power. It appeared that no one had en, er e proceedings of the prisoner but Parry ; and that4l.o C re r, been no dispute between the captain and an"; f i l re d li edt r The case was eventually adjourned. On t was h eS Brown was again placed at the bar. Lartin n aarr at r , amined, and described the position of the boxes .ed. in his chest, but nothing material cou'd be sue t ' s, sald re , Rushton, addressing the captain of the .11 , "1 ) '„ t heo 4 .. was a difficult case to get at the bottom of. le"' .d ca w , eludedca pi capitulated b it y e thed d, an p i r n i gn his e l v i points ° o u t* , t ,f h e t e v iidner.loec;-aer"etisof?: prisoner Brown, whom he ordered to be land L , ‘ From the suspicious character of the boy s , Rushton ordered him to be taken into casto . J..a i t' bu esd'!'o Parry was brought before the pisgistrates—in. ,„ polies . brought up again on the following day. a a very minute inquiry having been instituted it 7 0 officer Greavei. Mr. Rushton said, to his n,ri lac i bl o t clear, from the result of the examination whie i n ,, tta roP t o made, that Parry had been the person who 1 13 ',`, r aad,a bs t the diabolical act, which he had endeavoured i 0 the charge of an innocent man ; and lie felt r .i 7, bl . o!„if it' teri there was no direct csiencc iii the case to .i"s_rcll ll ' sending Lim for trial. The prisoner was " discharged.