The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-26 00:00:00

EXCURSION TO EASTHAM.

Such of our readers as have given ordinary attention to
the progress of Liverpool, as a seat of commerce, cannot have
failed to observe that the increased facilities for traveling
have failed to observe that the increased facilities for tra-
velling have been precisely proportionate to the extension
of the great seaport of the Mersey. Twenty years ego,
for example, it was not only a " world of trouble," com-
paratively speaking, to find one's way to Rock Ferry, Sea-
combe, and such like, but the expense was even a great
consideration for the mechanic. Now, however, the scene
is somewhat changed ; means of travelling have not only
been greatly increased, but for a mere trifle one can " hie
himself" away from the bustle of the gre:at emporium, and
and spend a few leisure hours both with pleasure and
profit. Fully alive to the real value of a ramble amid the
quietude of nature—'mid her variegated grandeur—we
took advantage of yesterday's holiday, as an opportunity
of visiting Eastham, of which, although we had heard
much, we .had not had the pleasure of seeing.
Arming ourselves with the requisite amount of the
" wherewithal,"and putting ourselves under the guidance of
an experienced " Cicerone," we started from the Landing-
stage about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock, with the
Eastham Fairy steamer, of whose sailing qualities we need
only say, that, as at one time (and that, too, not long ago),
she carried the flag of defiance among the far-famed
clippers of the Clyde, her sea-going powers are first-class.
In the run up the river we were very much gratified
indeed to note the signs of prospective improvement every
where apearent. On the north side of the river were the
commercial floating palaces penned in, so to speak, in the
various docks, the construction of which cost many thou-
sand pounds. On the south side, from Tranmere, up even
to the Bromborough soap manufactory, were the most
tastefully erected edifices, each of which seemed to strive
in noble rivalry with its neighbouring property. Thus
musing on what was—what is—and what is likely to be,
we found ourselves berthed alongside Eastham Pier, which,
we may add, is about as superior in various respects to the
‘. ricketty so-so" landing at Birkenhead Proper,as Woodside
is to Seaconabe. Having landed, we quickly repaired to
the far-famed pleasure grounds around the hotel, and here,
of a truth, there was a wide and inexhaustible field opened
up tor reflection. In the arrangement and laying out of
the grounds, in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, the
most judicious policy had been observed; not only as re-
gards the comfort of visitors on" pleasure bent," but also as
respects the remuneration to the lessee of the establish-
ment. Various green lawns have been so formed as to
suit admirably the lovers of the terpsichorean art, of
whom, at the time of our visit, not a few were most
activel y engaged in " tripping it gaily on the light fantastic
toe," to the soul-stirring strains of two harpists, and other
accompaniments. At convenient distances are placed erec-
tions, where," in cool grot," the merry joke and repartee go
" bobbing around." In other parts are tables and " rest-
and-be-thankfuls," which, if they could but speak, would
certainly "a tale unfold." Raving enjoyed a very agree-
able ramble through the woods and shady bowers, for
which this locality is deservedly famed, we were favoured
with a peep at the " Temple of Laughter" erected close to
the dancing ground. This building contains numerous
groups of figures, of life size, moving in the most
grotesque but life-like fashion, relieved by appropriate
scenery. Group 3, representing an itinerant scissor-
grinder, does ample and natural justice to Mr. Annibal
Sharp, and his illustrious ally, Mr. Daniel Sly, the tinker.
The various groups, seven in number, are excellently
adapted to. provoke the risible faculties of the most stolid
Englishman. Quitting the innumerable out-door induce-
ments, we entered the hotel, and were not less gratified to
find that everything was carried out in a scale of
superiority for which we certainly were not pre-
pared. And to give the whole, as it were, a double
zest, we also found that the charges made by the
worthy host, Mr. Millar, were even more moderate
than at many places which we could name. Time, how-
ever,being on the wing, soon brought us to the summing up
of a grand pic-nic party in the shape of a " tea handling."
There was a large number present from Liverpool, and all
went " merry as a marriage bell." Such of our readers as
have not visited Eastham—emphatically described as the
" Richmond of the Mersey," we would say, lose no time in
doing so, for, in our humble estimate, a more fascinating
spot can scarcely be found anywhere. Before quitting this
subject, we may mention that Mr. Hillier is making great
preparations for the coming Whitsuntide holidays, when
we have no doubt increased public patronage will crown
his efforts in catering for the public amusement and
healthful recreation.

THE AMMAR REPORliATOßY.—Yesterday, the Akhbar
was removed from the great float at Birkenhead, for the
purpose of facilitating the present great works that are
going on making the Birkenhead Dock. The Akhbar was
taken up the Sloyne, where she will be moored for a short
time.
ROYAL ASSEMBLY ROOMS, GREAT GEORGE'S-ST REET,—
Mr. J. Skeaf, jun., gives a grand miscellaneous concert in
the above rooms this evening, and, independent of the
merits of that gentlemen as a popular conductor, the
programme presents an attractive entertainment. The
talent brought forth on the occasion is of the first order,
and includes the names of Mips Gaskill, Miss Clara
Smithson, Miss Wood, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Williams, and
several others. The members of the Apollo Glee Club,
whose beautiful performance we have had the pleasure of
noticing some time since, have also given their services,
and with such a galaxy as the whole presents, there is no
doubt of a crowded house.

ANOTHER "'TIME IN THE FIELD,—The Boston corres-
pondent of the New York 77, ibune says :—The Spiritualist
controversy is here going on with unabated vigour. Fresh
fuel was added to the excitement on the subject by the
appearance amongst us last week of Mr. Hume, the
celebrated medium, whose performance in Paris, before
the Emperor Napoleon, have been so much noticed in 'the
newspapers. He arrived in the country a fortnight ago,
having come to Boston to get his sister, with whom he
embarks for Europe in to-day's steamer. He returns to
Paris, at the Emperor's request, he says. All the state-
ments in the papers about his doings at the Tuileries he
prouounces fabrications, based on conjecture. The ex-
periments before the Imperial Court was performed in
private, and the persons present pledged to secrecy. He
himselt declines to give any particulars of what occurred.
Mr. Hume is a Scotchman. _ _

A. YANKEE HORSE DEALER.—An uncle of mine, sir, in
the State of Maine, was onst going to buy a hoss, but before
he invested dollars in that are corn-fed creetur he up eye-
glass and tuk a longitudinal and back-settlemental survey
of that same four legged flesh.and-blood stool. Hose was
a bad hoss all over, and my uncle (who was raised dreadful
bright, or black bottles is cristial fountains) was not to be
curded out of shin-plaistera for nothing, no-how. Says he
to the dealer, says he, "Why hose's, that 'ar hoss got a
tarnation raw on his near shoulder." " That's blood,"
says the dealer. He's as thin as the livin' skeleton that
died down Chichago ways," • says my uncle. " That's
bone," says the dealer. "He's cast a shoe," says my
uncle, gettin' riled. "I reckon, stranger, that's mettle,"
says the dealer, quite composed, and a chewin' perdigious.
Just then the onsufferabie creetur opened his mouth, just
like an alligator might do if he was riled by an ongenteel
remark on the part of a loafer, and he snaps uncle's arm,
and bites like May-bugs. " Confound the darned hose,"
cried my uncle, "he's a bitin' me." "That's his playful-
ness," says the dealer, expectoratin' clever.
AN AQUATIC PIG.—A few mornings ago a young pig of
about five weeks old jumped down a wall of twenty-five
feet in height, and after running along the beach for a
considerable distance, apparently nothing the worse of the
tremendous leap, took to the river in gallant style.
Master grumphy created quite a sensation on board the
Newport steamer, which was just leaving the pier at New-
port, from his gambols in the water, and his great swim-
ming abilities ; even the heavy swell of the steamer's
paddles did not put his porkship much about. A boat put
off to his assistance, which he declined, and after making a
circuit of the pier he lauded. We do not know if there is
any affinity between a sea grampus and a land grumphy,
but certainly this son of Bacon appeared to belong to the
former class. Strange his new owner was in the very act
of paying for him to the pig dealer on board the steamer
when the affair took place, and no doubt as he viewed his
floating property, and counted down the cash, he must
have thought what little chance there was of tasting a bit
of home-cured, and how, like a royal head, Paddy was
making a desperate attempt to escape from Ham.—Dkndee
Courier.

THE MATHEW MONUMENT FUND.