The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-06 00:00:00

COLONIAL

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.—Loss or CAPTAIN
GIBSON, Da. HOWELL, AND THE HON. ME. CHETWTND.
—We have received the details of this melancholy event.
They were all new comers, and unacquainted with the
Kaffir character and tactics. Captain Gibson and Dr.
Howell had the charge of 70 men, and the sick, en the
banks of the Kei. Being short of rations, they went with a
party to take some cattle for use. They fell in with a herd,
apparently unguarded (placed in all probability as a decoy), I
and, accompanied by four Hottentots, detached them- 11
selves from the men to drive them away. They
were waylaid by a party of about 150 Kaffirs,
and the officers, with two of the Hottentots, killed,'
before the soldiers, alarmed by the firing, when two
miles distant from them, could reach the spot. Dr. Howell's
horse was killed at the first fire, and his friends sacrificed
their own lives rather than abandon him. They had fired
away all their ammunition, and their dead bodies were
found lying beside seven or eight of the enemy whom they
bad shot. -The bodies had been mutilated in a shocking
manner by the beastly savages. Capt. Gibson was married
his wife and family are in Europe. lie was about to retire
from the service, and it is said had indeed given up his papers
and might have left the camp, but declined to do so as long
as his corps (the rifles) was in the field. The Hon. Mr.
Chetwynd was not more than twenty-five years old, and Dr.
Howell was about the same age.

Zbe (cart.
WINDSOR, MONDAY. The Queen and Prince
Albert took walking exercise, this morning, in the Slopes.
The royal family took their accustomed walking and pony
exercise, to-day, in the pounds around the Castle. His
Serene Highness Prince Lowenstein is expected to arrive at
the Castle this evening, on a visit to her Majesty.
the Duke of Cambridge arrived in town
yesterday, from his residence at Kew, and visited her Ma-
jesty the Queen Dowager, at Marlborough House.

Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from
the Colonial-ofliee for the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
The Marquis of Sligo has arrived at Farrance's
Hotel, Upper Selgrave-street, front Ireland.
Mr, Henry Tufnell, M.P., has left town for Dublin.
Sir Gaspard Le Merchant, the lately appointed
Governer of Newfoundland. left town with his suite, and
embarked on Sunday at Liverpool, is the steamer for
Halifax.

CITY OP LONDON GENERAL PENSION SOCIETY.—
Yesterday a general meeting of the subscribers to the above
society—founded in 1818, fur providing a permanent relief
to decayed artisans, mechanics, manufacturers, tradesmen,
and their widows, above 60 years of age—was held at the
Londoa Tavern, for the election of 4 additional pensioners
hem a list of 22 candidates. Luke James Hanmrd, Esq., in
the chair. The report stated that there are now, inde-
pendent of yesterday's election, 32 men and 29 females.
The men receive 11. 75., and the females 18s. per mouth.
The directors stated that His Royal Highness the Duke ot
Cambridge would preside at the anniversary festival in
May, when they hoped to increase the pensioners' payments
to the original amount, being 4s. more than the peasant
monthly payments.
ACTIONS IN THENEW COUNTY COURTS.—As action'
in the superior courts for BUMS not exceeding 201. have been
discontinued, it is desirable to know what actions may be
brought in the New County Courts. The offices of the
metropolitan districts are now opened, and several of the
courts in a few days will be in active operation, It appears
from the act and the rules of practice, that demands are
not to be divided, but may be reduced to 201., and the judg-
ment of the court is to be taken to be a discharge of the
remainder. All pleas of personal actions, where the debt or
damage claimed is not more than 201., whether on a balance
of account or etherwise, may be holden in the county court
under this act, without writ; and all such actions brought in
the court are to be determined in a summary way, accord-
ing to the provisions of the act; but such court is not to
have cognisance of any action of ejectment, or in which the
title to any incorporeal hereditament., or to any toll, fair.
market, or franchise is in question, or in which the validity
of any devise, bequest, or limitation, under any will or set-
tlement may be disputed, or for any malicious prosecution,
or for any libel, slander, or for criminal conversation, or for
seduction, or breach of promise of marriage. Nothing ap-
pears in the act to prevent an action for an assault where
the damages are not laid at more than 201.
THE ETHER-VAPOUR.—We extract the following
from a paper by Dr. Gardner upon this interesting subject
in the Lancet : " The first published intimation in the medi-
cal journals in this country, of the power of ether-vapour,
was that contained in a reference and paragraph in the Lars :
cee,of December 26, 1848, and published at length in the
communication of Dr. Bigelow, of Boston, and Dr. H. J.
Bigelow, of Measachusetta, United States, transmitted to
Dr. Boott, of (lower-street, in which it was stated that the
patent bears the name of Dr. Charles T. Jackson, a distin-
guished chemist, sad of Dr. Morton, a skilful dentist, of this
city, as inventors, and has been issued to the latter
gentleman as proprietor.' It is certainly a matter
of no slight interest to trees the history of the
discovery,—to ascertain the respective merits of the
two persona who are willing to share the honour—
to liar* whether, by a happy accident, by a train of rea-

coning, or by long-continued and anxious experiment', te
was at length arrived at. Moreover, the questions will
arise, Is there any other person claiming the discovery
Revs they any grounds for their claims, real or apparent?
What aid or assistance did the discoverers derive frerus
sources beyond their own minds ? I am fortunately enabled,
by a communication just received from Boston, from the yap
best authority, to return a very satisfactory answer to soused
these questions. To Dr. W. T. G. Morton, a native of Masse.
cements, practirring in Boston as a dentist, is the world mainly
indebted for this great discovery. The history of the dia.
covery is as follows : Dr. Morton having received the its.
pension from some source (of which more in the sequel)
that a means of obviating the pain of surgical operatkee
was greatly desired by surgeons, and no doubt confirmed la
this feeling by his own practice of extracting teeth, eon.
meneed, upwards of two years ago, making experiments to
attain the object. He tried, it appears, a number of agent,,
always first making his experiments upon himself, often in.
turfing no small danger, and once during that period with
very nearly fatal results. Dr. Morton had, whilst a etudes%
attended the lecture' on chemistry of Dr. C. T. Jackson, and
he communicated to Dr. Jackson the object of his raped.
mental inipiry. The latter, in answer, observed that Imbed
seen, in his college days, sulphuric ether, in a highly ore-
oentrated auto, produce insensibility, and it might thews.
fore answer his purpose. On receiving this hint, Dr,
Morton hurried home, and locking himself up in Menem;
saturated a sponge with highly concentrated ether, looked
at his watch to note the time, and then covering his mouth
and nose with the saturated sponge, he inhaled the
ether as freely as possible. He soon began to feel approaching
insensibility, the sponge fell from his hand, he reclined Ina
in his chair, and entirely lost his consciousness. As he begsa
to recover, he felt a numbness of his limbs, a sensation as
nightmare, and he anxiously desired come one to come and
rouse him. At length, however, he fully recovered his osa-
seiousnes, and looking at his watch, he found, to his inex-
pressible delight, that he had been insensible eight minutes:
As soon as he was able to leave his room he was anxiom
try the ether on a patient. A stout healthy man soon pre-
sented himself to have a tooth extracted. The ether was
inhaled, the tooth extracted, and the patient asserted that
he was entirely unconscious of pain. Other operations tol-
-1 owed, and Dr. Morton became satisfied of the safety and
efficacy of the ether vapour. This was La the month of Sep-
tember, 1816."
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' SCllOOLv.—Yesterday,
a quarterly court of this charity was held at the London
Tavern, for receiving the report, auditors' statement, and
for the transaction of general business, Richard Groneock,
Esq., in the chair. The report stated the objects of the
institution to be the clothing, maintenance, and educational
the destitute orphans of deceased, and the children of meets-
sitous, commercial travellers. There are now .531 donors al
6,2211. 18a. ; and 286 annual subscribers, including 1001.
annum from the National Mercantile Life A•surance Come
piny. The present annual income of the institution is
582/. sa. Since Christmas last there has been an addition%
the funds of 8581. 9s. • and there is now invested in the Them
per Cents. 5,0001. It was stated that in June next the elm-
tion of twenty children into the sthsols would take place.
EDUCATION.—Sir,—I see the opponents of the
government plan of education are boasting of returning
money they have already received to the treasury again,
The two places I have seen actually named are, Essex and
Coventry. If no one else has written to you about mow
coming from the dissenters of Coventry to the treasury, I
wish you would get your correspondent in td at city to
inquire about it, for I think it will turn out to be a mistake,
if not something worse. It is several months since I was in
that renowned city, but I have no doubt you will find the
following facts correct on inquiry A few years ago, one al
the dissenting ministers in the city wanted to build a Seedy
school, and, money not coming in to his wishes, he applied
to government, and obteincd, somehow or other, a consider-
able sum, with, of course, engaging, by deed I believe, that
a day-school should be taught on the Limessterian system.
The government school inspectors, however, could not find
this school, from some misdirection ; and when I was last it
Coventry, the whole mystery had just been cleared up, by
the persevering efforts of the present inspector for that die.
evict, who found out the lost school, and the parties who
got the money from government. As the school had never
been toed as a day-school on any system, :the money wee
ordered to be returned. If ths should prove to be the
money now boasted of as returned, I fear voluntary people
will lose more than they will gain by Raying anything shoat
it.—J. B.—Reading, April 3, 1847.—P.5. I gave you my
name, as a guarantee that the facts can be relied on.
THE EASTER FAlRS.—Yesterday the usual Satoh
nalias, peculiar to this season, commenced at Greenwich,
Stepney, Wandsworth, Chalk-farm Brook-green Hamm-
smith, and the Chalk-road, Islington. At Greenwich
Richardson's," and " Algae's" Crown and Anchor booth,
occupied their usual positions, surrounded by a host of mime
candidates for histrionic and terpsichorean fame, the plats
being thronged throughout the day with countlessAhousands
from the metropolis. Stepney, the next in magnitude, was
equally well attended, and the others received a propor-
tionate share of public patronage. All of them were under
the control of the police, who caused all amusemeGss
cease at 11 o'clock. _ _ •

CREMORNE GARDENS.—Though the weather was
by no means favourable for out-door amusements, these gar-
dens were thronged with vioitora during the whole of the
afternoon and evening. Yesterday was the first time of
their being open this season, and the chief entertainmeot
was afforded hp Mr. Green and his Nassau balloon. The
process of inflation,which was watched with great interest by
the crowd, having been completed shortly after six o'clock,
the car was attached, and Mr. Green, accompanied by shod
twelve gentlemen, ascended. There was a brisk breeze fres
the north-west, and, after clearing the gardens, the bailout
almost immediately crossed the Thames, and was carried off
in the direction of Clapham and Brixton. After the d►
parture of the balloon, • concert was given in the theatre of
the gardens; this was followed by a ball; and the entertain
merge were closed by a grand display of fireworks. Several
improvements have been made in these garden; singe last
season, and the grounds are now in good order.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—POVERTY.—Before Mr.
W. Baker, at the Rose and Crown. Queen.street, Upper
East Smithfield, on the body of Christopher IM`Geary, aged
46, who died on Friday morning. The deceased was for-
merly in affluent circumstances, and carried on business is
Jersey as a woollen draper. lie became reduced in his
affairs, and about three months since fell Jersey with his
wife and two children. On arriving in London he obtained
a lodging in Queen-street, for 2s. 6i. per week. He wu in
great distress, and could scarcely procure any food for hie
family. He subsequently obtained a scanty subeisteace by
selling rags to several Irish brokers. lie suffered from greet
rivatiens, and his health was much impaired, during**
Past few days. On Friday morning last he appeared very fl,
and after eating some dry bread for his breakfast, he laid
himself down upon a miserable bed, the only article of knit
tune in the room, where he shortly afterwards expired. Mr.
Brown, a surgeon, made a post-mortem examination faiths
body, and attributed death to a diseased heart. Vadat:
" Natural death."—Tan BODY OF A CHILD FOUND to
A PORTHANTEALT.—Before Mr. Bedford, at the Rising Ens,
Charles-street, Grosvenor-square, on the body of • new-bora
male child, name unknown.—Elizabeth Furberville, lady's
maid in the service of Miss Wilson, of No, 2, Upper Eccles-
ton-street, 13elgrave-square, said that on Saturday Wt.
whilst searching the boxes in • lumber-room, she found tbs
body of the child rolled up in a white cloth, and packed ins
portmanteau —Mr. E. Span, surgeon, of No. 77, Onwessee-
street, said that he bad made an external examinstioa of the
body, and saw no marks of violence. It bad been in the
bK
about a month, and was far advanced in decompositioa. It
was in such a state that it would be impossible to learn eves
by opening the body whether it had been born alive or net
There was ample proof that the mother had received se
medical attendance.—Mr. Wilson said he had made aline.
estuary inquiries, and could not find by whom the child bad
been put en such an extraordinary place. It was evident
however, that some one in his house was guilty of caw
cealing it. The jury returned a verdict of" Found due—.
STHANOH SCWHIL—CNNECESSAILY NOVI:AL—At the Dol.
phia public house, in Union-street, Lambeth, before Kt.
Carter, on the body' of Miss Mary Booth, who was in Mt
81st year, and who expired as far back as Sunday west
When the jury were impannelled, the coroner intoned
them that they had been called together in consequence oil
letter he had received from Mr. Thomas Booth, the nephrli
and the lawful heir to the deceased, and who completion
that the option of calling a jury or not should be left to
es
ignorant person like Dunn, the summoning officer. Bean
asking Mr. Booth's reason for writing such a letter, he
should call the medical witness and one or two othenW
prove the cause of death. The deceased had been, for
wards of 50 years, a confidential servant to Mrs. We
a lady residing at No. 7, Walcot-terrace, Kennington
who is now in her 93rd year. For three
SOW weeks preceding her death she bad been .llO
bearing under • severe bronchial affection, and I"
been attended by Mr. Wagstaff, • surgeon in We
neighbourhood, who was of opinion she would net
over it. On Sunday week she got tip for a short time, In
soon afterwards requested to be placed on the button
shortly after died. bir.Wagstaff declared that there could!!!
be the slightest doubt that the death of the deceased Mg
been occasioned by the bronchi a affection, a disesse,
said, of which some thousands of aged persons had 00
daring the late winter. At the conclusion of the examining
of the witneues, the coroner called upon Mr. Booth to w
it
as
his reason for writing to him, and calling for the present
vestigation, and that gentleman replied that on die
March Mr. Wagstaff gave • oertificate, accounting kg,
causes of death, and semi days, afterwards' and wine._
asking for or obtaining his perm -soon, had taken it n!“'
himself to open the body. If, in the first instance, bent
satisfied that the death had been produced fecal II
causes stated in the gentlficate, there WM not WI
slightest cause for a post martens examination. Sew,
of thnefajruryhisheredammaisensae•ta
ininAtlsat
or aswpearais not
ia;thisaaaartainter
tar of the sanusecing aim, sad declared mat In
opinion the inquest was quite unaecasary.—The canna
said that it was the duty ef the constable in the flint
imssep
Is
nmakelnquest
ntite
Jan,
in a
raanownr7wareas
nnootjulaicessaryawiriaiesnanaiaa, 4,lSc7ff:tanhtdastnilirbiethnete,eseenc.....l
coroner, entered upon in metes that were unnecessary, thE
were both liable to be diamlassrl from their 'await:l;Z
the present instance it appeared that his officer bed ex
proper discretion, as no inquest was neressary,and [beep%
would not have been put to the expense of holdinton,
it not been for the letter he had received from Mr. Don.
The inquest-loom was then cleared, and the jury, 2ft522411.01
deliberation, returned • verdict that the deceased nee
from the effects of a bronchial attack, and not ff.:ISOM
injury done to her.--SOPPOMLU INFANTICIDE.—
the tame coroner, at the King's Heed,
nnbeihra,ni.on.rntbha.eradtbl,7lpyiyelaire,ftw.ahetriema up in an ati waaihipn,riollpini`o,eguthiildtbethreL.4
a verdict
was recorded.

opENINO OF THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.
yesterday was a memorable day on the banks of
theivy, having been chosen for the triple purpose of
she new docks at Birkenhead, the splendid new
oulPe6ik,nsag tithe extension lice of the Chester and Birkenhead
bray to the sleeks. The docks to be opened on this te-
✓mini were the Woodside and Bridge-the en
Pd.rince the joint Doc accom-
wadi= of which is equal to 's kat
lentrol-
Immediately adjoining these docks are the extensive ware.
kenhead Dock Company ; twelve of which,
bosses of the 13 r
enh capable of storing 4,000 bales of cotton, are already
pleted. These warehouses are two stories in height, and
when finished will form three long tiers, running rectangn.
torn from the shore.
The extension line of railway to the docks, affords
',took' and advantages which few railways or docks
mjee. From the main line branches run along each
Side of the warehouses: one side will be made available
Sir the storing of goods by vessels just arrived—the other
lee conveying goods to vessels loading for sea. The rails
Ten to close, that the goods can be hoisted direct from, or
lowered into, the trucks, and thus all confusion and necessity
lor esning will be avoided ; neither will there be delay nor
heard from exposure on the quays.
The docks were opened in person by Lord Morpeth, chief
mumissioner of Woods and Forests. His lordship sy-
nced in Liverpool about ten o'clock in the forenoon. A
*Kiel train, with Lord Lincoln, Lord Monteagle, and ether
vieitors, left Loudon about six in the morning, and arrived
in Birkenhead at twelve o'clock. Shortly after that hour
the Lords Commissioners, with other distinguished guess,
the Birkenhead Dock Commissioners, the Birkenhead Im-
provement Commissioners, the Directors of the Birkenhead
Deek (Warehouset) Company, the Directors of the Sicken-
hod. Leneishire, and Cheshire Junction Railway, and the
Directors of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway, embarked
it Monk's Ferry on board the Lord Warden, a handsome
sew iron steamer. Six pieces of artillery were ported along
the qua ; and the steamer, which was beautifully
de , started amid music, the roar of cannon,
end the cheers of 013 spfetators. After steam-
ing about a mile up the river, the boat returned,
sad, similarly saluted in its proems, slowly entered the
ens docks, and moored alongside the south wall of the
Bridge-end Dock ; after which the party repaired to the
sew warehouses to partake of a cf. je iner , at which 800 ladies
sad gentlemen sat down.
The weather was serene : flags and streamers floated from
every available spot: the terry steamers were erowded :
Liverpool poured its throng to the opposite bank. A more
animating spectacle than the river presented, it would be
impossible to conceive.
Four of the warehouse rooms, each 140 feet long and AO
feet side, were beautifully and tastefully fitted up for the
festival with pink and white drapery. The walls and roofs
were lined with fluted drapery. The reception-room was
adorned with a magnificent cascade, which poured out a
crystal jet 'midst a profusion of choice conservatory plants
sad ilowers.
Joseph Bailey, jun., Esq. M.P., occupied the chair; John
Laird and Wm. Potter, Emirs., the vice chairs.
After the toasts—the Queen. the Queen Dowager, Prince
Albert, sad the test of the Royal Family, the Army and
Navy, the Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese, and
the Lord-Lisutenant of the county had been given,
with the usual honours), the Chairman proposed the
hearth of Lord Viscount Morpeth. He thanked the noble
lord, not only in the name of the two boards of directors
sad the dock commissioners, and those who bad taken a
direct interest in the prosecution of these works, but also in
the name of the public, for having given kis sanction to the
proceedings of that day by his presence. The noble lord's
public career had now been of some considerable duration,
and his public character so well known that it would be
needless for him to enlarge upon it. His private worth was
also as conspicuous as his public virtues, and he felt great
pleasure in doing honour to them. (Hear.) It might not be
inappropriate to remark, as they were on the shores of the
Money, that the noble lord had recently visited a country
which was the most intimately connected with us by com-
mie*, and from which we were now drawing largely our
necessary supplies of food. In that country the noble lord had
hod the oppo.tunity of witnessing the energies of that
great people the Americana—(hear)—of seeing the fertility
of their soil, and of judging to what extent our commercial
rektions with them might be carried. He honoured the
noble lord for having devoted his leisure in that most useful
field, instead of in visiting countries, no doubt interesting
in themselves, but not so important to be known to a man
who was a servant of the craven and a British statesman.
(Hear, bear.) The presence of the noble lord, who had
more than once enjoyed the confidence of his sovereign, and
was now a cabinet minister, stamped the works on the shores
of Wallasey Pool, on the west banks, with that degree of I
nationality which their warmest friends claimed for them,
but which the _ public at large might not be willing I
to concede. (Hear, hear.) Those works were not
undertaken for the benefit of a few individuals merely, but
partook of a national character. When they adjourned from
that room it would be to open the Birkenhead Park • for
such a duty no more appropriate person could be selected
than the noble lord. Knowing the warm interest he had
always taken in the sanitory condition, the health and com-
fort of the people, and the improvement of towns, he wee
sere the noble lord would feel gratified to see a park devoted
to the health and recreation of the people in the midst of
these piles of buildings which were extending in every direc-
tion around it. (Hear, hear.) On an occasion like the
present, when no political feeling interfered, but where men
of all parties were met together to celebrate the opening of a
great national work, he was sure they would all unite iu
doing honour to the toast. (Hear, hear.) It was his mis-
fortune to sit on the opposite side of the House of Commons
from that occupied by the noble lord ; but neither he nor
any other gentleman who sat there could fail to pay to the
noble lord's character that respect to which it was entitled.
(Hear, hear.) He gave them the Right Hon. Lord Viscount
Morpeth. (The tout was drank with three times three.)
The cheering having subsided,
- - -

Lord MORPETH said, Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentle-
men, I assure you that I feel most sensibly the more than
kind and cordial manner in which this toast has been re-
ceived. (Hear.) Ever since I have been called to the
office I have now the honour to hold, and which connects me
with the property of the crown, I have fat the strongest in-
terest in the rising fortunes of Birkenhead • nor is it unna-
tural that I should do so, foryou are probably aware, that be-
sides the general parental interest which the crown may be
mimed to take in the welfare of all that are represented by
the abstract idea of its subjects, it has also motives not so pe-
culiarly abstractor disinterested for wishing well to the
poet and town of Birkenhead. I avow this the more readily,
because it is quite obvious that the proportion in which
the undertakings here set on foot can become
profitable to the crown, must be according to the
degree in which they are made valuable for the aceornmo•
dation of commerce and for the public good. (Hear, ar.)
As a well wisher, then, to the public, and as a servant of
the crown, as an admirer of courageous enterprise and suc-
cessful perseverance (hear, hear), I find a combination of
claims upon me for doing, in combination with my col-
lapel by whom I am most willingly and zealously seconded,
and in pursuance of that example which has been set to me
my predecessors in the same office—(cheers)—all that
id us lies to promote, on all legitimate grounds, the perma-
nent prosperity of Birkenhead. (Cheers.) With these
tether, then, you may judge with how keen
• relish, with what lively emotion, I partake
In all the proceedings of this day. (Loud cheers.)
We bear sometimes of the old gala days of Venice, when
the Doge went forth in his golden galley to plight his faith
to the wave which bathed his palaces—(hear)—but we have
seen something this day beyond even the dreams of Venice.
For instance, such an array of steamers as has to-day graced
the Mersey, never could have been witnessed in Venice ; and
though perhaps a steamer, when viewed by itself, may notbe
so picturesque an object as a gondola, I may yet remind you
that even in the palatiest days of her pomp, and her argosies,
Venice never could have sent forth a message which in ten
days might reach thee* harbours and roadsteads of the new
world where her flag
shall think it, if amongst the first uses of that simple basin
into which our vessel to-day has been the first to glide, sur-
rounded by all those striking specimens of engineering skill
and admirable masonry, we should apply those works to the
admiration of the surplus harvests of more favoured regions,
and make provision for the bread which keepeth alive.
(Hear, hear.) Next in the progress of time—l hope in the
course of this very autumn—you will be able to bear your
part in accommodating the timber trade. I will not proceed
further iii those long vistes of usefulness, of enterprise, and
Of "mess, which, I trust, will stretch out before the future
prospects of Birkenhead, and to which I hope the proceed-
ings of this day will have given an auspicious commence-
ment, and a powerful impuiee. (Hear, hear.) I would
jest express • hope in passing that the best
feeling and the hest understanding will always prevail
between you and the great city immediately opposite you.
(Cheers.) Liverpool divides with London the supremacy of
the commerce of the modern world, and as London could
only feel benefited by the expansion of Southwark, Liver-
pool can never have cause to repine at the growth of Birken-
heed. Believe me, gentlemen, and I hope all on the other
side of the water will believe me too, that if over your own
wide Mersey was thoroughly walled by a double wall of
docks and warehouses, there will not be more than room
for the corn, the cottoa,and the forests of the western hernia-
Pftera (Hear, hear.) And I trust you have this day
forged • new and an abiding link to that chain of amity
which ought ever to connect England with America. I feel
this not the time to dilate further on these points. It
is well known the attractions of Birkenhead are not limited
to its water frontage, and that if the genius of a Bendel has
completed its docks, the skill of a Paxton has laid out its
pleasure-grounds. (Hear, hear.) Nor will my most
resent occupation permit me to forget that this is one
of the first plates which has begun a systematic
attention to the physical comforts of the vast numbers of
workmen it calls together, and the important subject of
public health. With this assurance about us and around us, I
feel that the meant of to-day, even when its gaieties shall
have paned away and its shouts are silent, will still give us
grounds for remembrance that it has not been •
triumph which gathers its trophies from the strife
of nations and the arts of destruction that it has
cot been a mere unmeaning sacrifice to frivolity
std dissipation, but that it has struck its roots deep
in public usefulness, and will bear rich fruits of peace and
Progress through coming ages. (Cheers.)
The seat toast given was, The County Members."
Sir P. Eoserost, M.P., returned thanks. Two years ago
only he had attended the preliminary proceeding en the
commencement of the works which they had now assembled
to open to their uses, He had not expected so soon to wit-
ness the fulfilment of their hopes, though he had never been
influenced by those who said that they might as well
propose to build docks in the air u at Birkenhead.
lle congratulated the commissioners upon having, while
Pftviding for the commercial improvement of the town, been

equally attentive to the religious instruction, the health, and
comfort of the poor. Formerly there was a couplet—
Tromßlrkenhead to Mlb

I,74±t;c7..CiWe to tree.
Ere long he hoped they might read it thus:
Vrom Birkenhead to Kilterce

,‘" Zip may nailfrom Mersey to Dee.
The Earl of LINCOLN proposed the next tout—" The
commerce of the Mersey," a duty which devolved upon him
in consequence of the absence of Sir T. Fremantle, the
Chairman of the Customs. His noble friend had said that
Liverpool and London divided the commerce of the United
Kingdom. Ile believed the commerce of the Mersey, as re-
presented by Liverpoool, not only equalled, but by the most
recent accounts, exceeded that of London itself. (Hear,
hear.) And from this auspicious date he had no doubt that
' that increase would go on until, in a few years, the port of
Liverpool would be equal to any two or three in
the kingdom, London included. He had been in-
formed that coals had been that gay sent from
Wales by the new railway to be shipped on board a
, steamer already lying in these docks. An American vessel
too, he understood, wu now in the port, principally laden
with guano, the cargo of which would be sent back by the
same railway, and probably, ere nightfall, be spread over the
fields. (Hear.) lie could not but express a fervent hope
that the introduction of this fertilising agent on this occasion
might be taken as an auspicious omen of an abundant harvest.
The noble earl, after some more eloquent observations,
formally proposed the toast, which wu drunk with enthn.
slum. . . .

The other touts were—" The Mayor of Manches'er ; "
"'The Chairman ~• proposed by Lord Morpeth; "The
Birkenhead Docks;" ' The Dock Warehouse Company ;"
" The Guests of the Day ;" " Mr. Rendall, the engineer* I
and Mr. Paxton, the designer, of the New Park:" " The
Railway Interest connected with Birkenhead;" "The
Cheshire Witches," &o. &c.
After the riejethier, Lord Morpeth, accompanied by several
distinguished guests, proceeded to open the New Park,
which has been formed with a wise foresight to the future
wants and genitor, condition of the population of Birken-
head, at a east of 127,7711.
The park was during the day the scene of great rejoicing
and festivity, and in the evening there was a gorgeous dis-
play of fire-weeks. The day at Birkenhead, and indeed
partly at Liverpool, was observed as a holiday; and the
workmen at the Birkenhead Docks, 2,000 in number, each
received a day's wage. Later in the evening a ball and sup-
per took place in the Dock warehouse, which had been
appropriately fitted up for the occasion, at which were pre-
sent the majority of the principal persons who had attended
the previous proceedings.