The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-13 00:00:00

THE TOWN

Began to fill at an early hour, as trains from all parts of
the country arrived at the railway stations as early as
eight o'clock, and we do not remember, for some years
past, seeing the town more crowded with strangers than
it was yesterday. Every class could at once be bbserted
and recognised—the farmer—no mistaking our friends in
dross and open honest faces—John Bull, in fact, to the life.
The agriculturalist with his " ankle-jacks " and blue stock-
ings ; the artisan with pale face and lank hair—the fac-
tory smoke quite perceptible, although just washed off. The
shopkeeper, smart cut, and polite—all grades came into
town apparently in good htiniour with themselves and the
rest of creation. We must not forget the fair portion of
humanity, whom, we were glad to see, mustered strong on
the occasion, and a more comely looking race of the
"maids (and wives as the case may be) of merry Eng-
land," we have not seen in Liverpool for some t kite. The
streets were thronged all day with our " country cousins."
and we trust they received a hearty reception.

THE DOCKS,
As usual on such occasions, were much crowded by the
visitors, who went to admire the ships—hundreds of
the people never having before seen a spar, let alone the
hull of a ship. As may be imagined the " fleet" was the
theme of admiration) and hundreds rode on the top of
the dock omnibuses to get a better sight of the vessels,
than they could by walking through the docks. The
stream of individuals along the docks during the greater
part of the day was enormous.
THE EXCHANGE,

Too, was crowded, and the place usually "where mer-
chants most do congregate," had hardly a merchant at
all there. Their places were filled by strangers and Vast
crowds of men and women; who admired the statue of
England's naval hero, the victor of Trafalgar. We may
remark here that the females were remarkable, not only
for the beauty, but, at the same time, the simple elegance
of their dresses—indeed, in this respect, they shamed some
of our town belles. Another feature, too, that drew
admired attention towards the rosy-cheeked visitors, was
the fact, that they all wore bonnets—not on their
shoulders, but positively on their heads—and in this
respect they adopted the advice of our friend, William
Shakspeare, who truly said—" Your bonnet to its right
use—'tis for the head "—and sure we are that the girls
looked all the prettier for it.
THE LANDING-STAGE
Was the next point of attraction, and during the day the
human masses were immense—indeed, if one were to con-
sult self-convenience, it might be better to have gone any
where else but to the stage. However, it does one good
to see vast groups of people enjoying themselves after a
rational manner, and the excursionists of yesterday
appeared to have adopted the advice given in that fine
old English ditty, which says—

Lite. let tut ehprish,
on the same principle that Moore gave for drinking,
namelj, "if not done while living, there was very little
chance of doing it when.dead." Every one seemed to be
gay and light-hearted, and the ferry-boats reaped a rich
harvest of toll. There was, of course, the usual quantity
of scrugeing and pushing, and squeezing and bawling—
things inseperable from a crowd, but we believe every
thing went off quietly. Speaking of " going off ; "—We
heard of some watches, pins, purses, and other moveables
of that description, having gone off without the consent of
the owners—another state of things inseperable also from
a crowd until the world grows honest—a consummation
we never expect living to behold. About half-past two
there was a shower, and the atmosphere became thick and
dark. This frightened the excursionists, and they began
to collect numerously about

THE EXCURSION TRAINS
on the London and North Western Railway, that arrived at
Lime-street, yesterday, consisted of upwards of eighty
carriages, from all quarters, and containing about 3,000
persons. Everything passed off with perfect safety.