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

BIRKENHEAD,

However, was the place of the greatest attraction, owing,
in a great measure to its famous park, planned by Sir
Joseph Paxton, which, for its extent and beauty, is scarcely
to be surpassed. But beyond the attraction of the
beautiful park, its extensive docks and warehouses,
there Was that which had a tendency to be
more attraction still, namely, the celebration of the
annual festival of the various societies connected with the
Liverpool and Birkenhead Temperance Societies. The
praiseworthy efforts of this body of nienj whoSe desire to
inculcate principles of temperance and sobriety into the
minds of the rising generation, cannot be too much extolled.
At ten o'clock in the morning a procession of the various
temperance societies connected with the district was formed
on an unoccupied piece of land near the Tranmero ferry, and
were, after the arrival of the various railway trains and
ferry-boats, arranged in the following order:—The com-
mittees of the various societies ; the Band of Hope societies
(male and female) ; the Female Rechabites ; the Daughters
of Temperance; the several temperance societies; the Inde-
pendent Order of Rechabites ; the Sons of Temperance ; and
she Order of Templars. Each of the above clubs was headed
by a most efficient band of music, and a most gorgeous
display of banners, and were accompanied by a large con-
course of people as they passed through Chester-street,
Market-street, Argyle-street, round Hamilton-square, down
Princes's-street to Watson-street, round a flagstaff, back
through Princes's-street, Argyle-streei, ui, Gratarre-lane,
from whence they proceeded to the encampment in a
large field at the end of Claughton-road, adjoining Claugh-
ton,park, the use of which has been kindly granted by W.
Johnston, tsq., the honorary secretary of the associated
temperance societies. Amongst the patrons of the move•
ment are the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrington, Lawrence
Heyworth, Esq., M,P., the Rev. Dr. Blakeney, the Rev.
James Towers, the Rev. Canon Stowell, &c. The Birken-
head committee is formed of Mr. John E. Littleboy, Mr.
Thomas Williams, Mr. John Q. O'Brien, Mr. W. M`Gowan,
Mr. D. A. Fog, Mr. E. Leighton, Mr. Joseph Nash, and
Mr. B. J. Candler ; and on the general committee there
are thirty-two gentlemen, representing that number of
temperance and Rechabite societies in Liverpool and the
neighbourhood. For the last few weeks workmen have
been busily engaged in erecting accommodation for the
company, which consisted of wooden buildings and tents.
The field was boarded round, and within the enclosure
several tents had been arranged to the best advantage.
The contractor for the whole of the works was Mr. W.
Harrison, of Richmond-hall, Great Richmond-street, in
this town. The principal building, which was twenty-three
yards in length by fourteen in width, and covered in with a
glass roof, was devoted to an industrial exhibition, com-
prising models of ships and other machinery, gas meters,
locomotives, Staffordshire ware, and a variety of works of
art, many of these being the productions of working men.
There were also some very fine specimens of carpeting from
Kendal, which took prizes at the London and Paris exhibi-
tions. The different processes of making needles, files, and
engraving on glass, were carried on in the tent. In the
centre of the building was a square of twenty stalls, all
appropriated to the sale of fancy articles. A printing press,
belonging to Mr. Thomas, of Scotland-road, was in opera-
tion, In the upper part of the tent was exhibited a large
quantity of Irish lace, especially procured from Limerick.
The stalls were ornamented with a variety of figures in
stucco, whilst from the roof a profusion of neat banners and
flags were tastefully dependent. Outside, near the entrance,
the curious were gratified with a sight of a potter's weel in
full operation. In a second building, nearly as large as the
first, there was to be seen a grand model picture of a Swiss
village and the Bernese Alps, the Grotto of Antiparos, and
a series of cosmoramic views, with a number of electrical
and galvanic machines. The third prominent building is
devoted to a floral and poultry exhibition. There is also
a magic temple, in which a celebrated cabalist exercised his
mysterious profession. There were other tents scattered
throughout the field, one of which was appropriated to Mr.
Meredith, of this town, who experimentalise in practical
mesmerism. A stage was set apart for an exhibition of the
marionette figures, which gave so much satisfaction at the
Collegiate Institution. The brothers Beaumont astonished
with their extraordinary gymnastic feats, and a Welsh
choir performed selections of choice pieces of music.
There were ten refreshment stalls on the ground, and several
others were devoted to the sale of toys and general fancy
articles. A part of the field was also allotted for arclaery.
Having said this much of our Birkenhead friends, but, by-
the-bye, we will just intimate what they intend to do on
this day (Tuesday), and during the remainder of the
festival, which, according to the programme, is as follows :nt,akweillplpaecref,oarnmd
some
eceloefbrtahteeidr
---
Ch rwn a will
o
oe-
ldsahy
cthhoei
rfl,
irwoemr s
choicest pieces of music. On 'Wednesday, in conjunction with
the flower show, there will be an exhibition of poultry,
pigeons, &c. On Thursday, the handbell ringers of Lancashire
and Cheshire will compete for prizes; and on Friday it is
intended to have a concert by English and Welsh societies.
During the assemblage of so many thousands of persons,
who may be expected to visit the exhibition, the opportunity
will not be lost of enforcing the claims of the temperance
cause. For this purpose several successful advocates will
deliver lectures on the principles of teetotalism: We must
now leave them, by saying that at the conclusion of the
day's amusements, the weather was not so auspicious as the
early part of the day foreboded, and hence much of the
anticipated enjoyments were curtailed.

AT TRANMERE
were held the usual annual Wakes, which were numerously
attended. The stalls and gambling booths were in a field,
in close proximity to the railway. Of the scenes that there
took place, we must craw the veil, thinking that such
annual festivities would be " more honoured in the breach
than in the observance."
AT CLIFTON HILL
There was a good display of fireworks, after the usual
rustic amusements, and at
NEW BRIGHTON
the visitors were more than usually numerous, although
there were no particular attraction—such as grinning
through collars, diving in flour for half-pence, or foot races—
but each, (and it gives us pleasure to state that the majority
of the company consisted of the fairer portions of humanity)
seemed to have visited this spot with a view of enjoying its
magnificent sea view—a more beautiful spot for those who
are continuously confined in the smoky atmosphere of the
adjoining localities, from whence most of our visitors come,
can scarcely be found on this coast. The beach was
crowded, and all apparently looked upon the day as one of
pleasure and delight.