The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-05-19 00:00:00

THE CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN'S
BIRTHDAY:

YAlrday being the anniversary of the birth of Her
Majesty Queen Victoria, the day was observed by the
Government employes as a public holiday. Flags wore
hoisted upon most of the ships, and the usual business
of-the docks was entirely suspended. At twelve o'clock
a royal salute was fired from Her Majesty's Majestic,
and at intervals dUring the day the bells. of the parish
churches rang out their merry chimes.
The various Volunteer corps of the town had intended
to evince their loyalty by parading ih full-dress tiniforni,;
but extreme wetness of the weather prevented this. being
carried into effect. To the same cause, no doubt, is
owing the absence of much out-door excitement, there
being no particular celebration of the day among the
shopkeepers.
THE LIVERPOOL BOROUGH GUARD.

This splendid body mustered:yesterday evening at 66,
St. Anne-street, for the purpose of 'taking possession of
that building as their storehouse. they. afterwards
met at the festive, board, in- order to commemorate her
Majesty!s birthday, when Capt. Mayer, of the Borough
Guard, presided.
The CHAIRMAN having asked whether they were all
charged, and being answered in the affirmative, and by
some saying " Yes,' and ready to fire," proceeded to
propose -"The health of her Majesty and the rest of the
Royal Family." He said he had to congratulate them
on the manner in which the work was carried on ;
and the first toast he had to .propose he was. sure
they would drink with enthusiasm. It was that of
our gracious Queen. (Prolonged cheers.) They
lived under the best monarchy, the hest queen,
and - the best government in the world--(cheers)—a.nd
he would say the. head of that government was the best
mother and woman that could he found. Her Virtues
were so well known to them that he need say little more,
but call on them to drink her health, for she has shown •
herself so anxious about the volunteer movement that
they may claim her as their'patroness... (Loiti cheers.)
If her throne was threatened, it was their duty to defend
that throne, and he was sure there Was not a man pre-
sent, who would not gladly endanger life and property,
if called on, for his beloved sovereign. The
toast was responded to with all the honours, the
baud of the regiment playing the .national anthem. The
next toast was " The Army and Navy," which the
chairman prefaced with suitable remarks; and added,
that although they were lovers of peace, yet, if they
should he called on in war, they 'would be found ready
to defend the .country. The, British character was one
of peace; but if the people were driven to the neces-
sity, something tells us there are no- reen more ready
for war. (Loud cheers.) When an Englishman
took • the oath of allegiance, .. he was then • deter-
mined, and ready to do his duty; and there never was .
a time when more glorious exploits were performed, as
were witnessed in the last war with Rwssia, and the
more recent events in India. (Applause.)
The toast, was drank with great enthusiasm, to which
Mr. REYNOLDS replied. He said he was proud, as a
brother soldier, to reply to the toast of " The Army and
Navy," but regretted it did not fall into better hands.
He had first to thank them for the honour they had done
him..: He would only say that he had nineteen years'

. .
. .
experience, not in actual war, nor in peaceable times
for when he was in the yeomanry he had a great deal
to do with home duty, and he believed, if necessary, the

yeomanry were ready to do it again: (Hear, hear.)
He was sorry to say, that being disabled in one arm, he
could not join the ranks of the volunteers, for he did not
like to be an honorary member ; but if they would net
let him wear a bayonet, he would wear a sword, for he
had young blood yet in his veins. It become every
man in Liverpool to become a borough guardsman or a
rifleman. Unity was -strength ; and if they were one
body, they could defend themselves-on all occasions. He
was sure no Englishman would stand back when called on.
Mr..LEsyrs then rose to propose the 'Volunteers, and
success to the movement. He said he had worked hard
in the cause. and that it was the most necessary Organi-
sation they could have. They,saw other nations with
large standing armies, and it therefore bectime them,
as a-mercantile body of men, to protect. their homes and
firesides. (Cheers.) He would say .n. 6 more then on
the subject, but hoped, they would drink the toast with
all the honours, as a great and glorious cause.
Mr..ACKEN proposed the toast of the Borough Guard,.
accompanied with Captain Mayer's name.
The CIiAILMNN said he could assure them that he
hardly knew what to say, for the flattering manner in
which he.was named; but they may believe him when
he said he felt most sincerely, their gnat kindness. His
pursuits were very different frOm those of men of
war. They were pre-eminently peacefUl ; and why
it was that his fellow-townsmen. called on hiM
represent them--he could not say. He 'feared he
would find it a very difficult thing to give up his
old habits, but. he desired to -lend his aid to a -good
cause, and as• long as God would give him life and
strength he would do it. (Loud cheering.) It should
not be for.want of mental or physical exertions, so far
as-he could use -both, that the movement would halt,'for
his heart 'was engaged init, but he felt that he was not
now so young and strong as twenty yesrs ago, but he
would, notwithstanding, work with unabated vigour and
do everything in his power to promote the success of the
Borough Guards.
" The Press" was then given in a most complimentary
speech, by Mr. Reay, of Church-street, which was
responded to by the representative of this paper.
A number of excellent songs followed ; and after
a night of happy and festive meeting, the proceedings
terminated.

LONDON, May 18.
The usual rejoicings took place this morning in honour
of her Majesty's birthday.
iivr Majesty held a drawing-room this afternoon. •
Rain has fallen with little interruption during the
whole day ; and the usual inspection of the Household
Troops was postponed.