The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-01 00:00:00

PRINCE ALISERT'S VISIT TO

LIVERPOOL.
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY AFTERNOON.—After the Prince had
for some time steamed on the Mersey yesterday, the cere-
mony of opening the Albeit Dock, which was one of the
objects of the visit of his Royal Highness to Liverpool, took
place. The most admirable arrangements had been made by
the Dock Committee for the accommodation of the public,
more especially the fairer portion of it, and for the avoidance
of confusion. The ceremonial of opening the docks was
simple in itself, but the scene around was extremely ani•
mated and beautiful, from the vast number of spectators who
were assembled in the available parts of the dock and in the
warehouses around. At half-past two o'clock the bridge of
the dock was opened, amidst the firing of cannon, and the
floating ern tege, by the entrance of which the dock was in
form to be opened, came in sight. Preceded by a Liverpool
life-boat, manned, the state barge of the Victoria and Al-
bert and two gigs belonging to the Fairy, that elegant little
vessel herself came steaming into the dock, bearing on board
the Prince and his suite. His Royal Highness bowed re-
peatedly from the quarter-deck to the acclamations ot the
people. Around him, besides his immediate suite, were
Mr: J. B. Moore, the Chairman of the Dock Committee, the
Mayor, Lord Sandon, Lord Morpeth, Colonel Sir T. Arbuth-
not, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, Captain Bevis, and Major
General Warre. The Fairy then steamed round the centre of
the dock till she came to the place at which the Prince was
to land. The Chairman of the Dock Committee, the Mayor,
and some members of the committee, received the Prince on
his landing Mr. Jesse Hartley, the Dock Surveyor, from
whose plans the docks and warehousees are chiefly built, was
here introduced to the Prince, by whom he was complimented
on the great results of his skill-that were around.
The Prince was then conducted up stairs, where a dejeune
was to take place. The dock soon after presented a still
more animating appearance, as other yachts belonging to the
port entered ; and at last came a large merchant vessel, the
William Fisher, which had been appointed to be the first
merchantman that was to enter the dock. No less than
250 sailors manned the yards, and it was calculated that there
were 500 other persons on board. As the vessel slowly en-
tered the dock, the sailors cheering and the spectators an-
swering their cheers, she presented a very gallant sight.
Soon after 3 o'clock the dejeune took place. The most ex.
cellent arrangements had been made to prevent all confusion.
The Prince sat on the right of the Chairman of the Dock
Committee, and the room was filled with ladies and gentle-
men, the elite of the commercial aristocracy of the place. As
soon as the dejeune was over,
The CHAIRMAN rose and said—May it please your Royal
Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen, by the gracious permis-
sion of his Royal Highness, I am privileged on this joyous
occasion to propose the health of our Sovereign Lady the
Queen.—(Applause.) In doing so, I trust the cheers which
have been heard by his Royal Highness will reach her Ma-
jesty, and convey to her, through the medium of his Royal
Highness, the respect, the duty, and the loyalty of the people
of Liverpool. I give you the health of her Majesty the
Queen, and long may she continue to reign in the hearts of
her people, as she now does, and in their affectionate regard
i and esteem.
r The toast was drunk with nine times nine and one cheer

more.
The CHAIRMAN soon after rose and said—Ladies and Gen-
tlemen, I have now the honour to propose the health of our
illustrious and distinguished guest, who has honoured us
with bis presence on this occasion.—(Much cheering.) It
contrasts strongly with by-gone times, when we see the
princes and nobles of the land assembled among the mer-
chants and the trading community of the country. The
trading community has contributed largely to the greatness
of this country. Everything•that goes from this remark-
able island to every part of the world is accompanied with
the message of peace and goodwill to mankind at large.—
.

Hear, hear, and cheers.) -In every packet of merchandise
that leaves our shores, there goes forth to the world the
best of missionaries, because it is promoting that inter-
change and goodwill between different Rations which ought
to prevail over all the earth.—(Hear.) It is the extension
of our commercial relations alone that will put an end to the
inhuman, the disgraceful traffic in human flesh. It is com-
mercial extension alone that will effect that object.. There-
fore, I say, it was worthy of the condescension of his Royal
Highness to honour us with his presence on this occasion. I
give you the health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert;
and I trust that this, his first visit to the loyal town of Liver-
pool, may not be the last.
The toast was drunk with the most rapturous applause.
When the cheering had subsided,
His ROYAL HIGHNESS said—l trust I may be permitted
to return you my best thanks for the kind way in which my
health has been proposed and received. The recollection of
the splendid sight I have witnessed to-day will never be
effaced from my memory.—(Loud applause.) I beg to pro-
pose a toast, which I hope you will all heartily join in ; it is
Prosperity to British commerce."
His Royal Highness's brief address was received with ac-
clamations.
At half past four the Prince and suite and the chief guests
left the table, and his Royal Highness was then conducted
by the Mayor round the dock, thence to see the South Cor-
poration School, to the lauecoat Hospital, and finally to the
magnificent pile of architecture, now nearly completed, and
which will be used for the holding of the assize courts and
other :similar purposes. The Prince then returned to his
apartments.

THE BANQUET.
in the evening there was a grand banquet at the Town
hall, given by the Mayor and Corporation. The prepara-
tions were all in the highest scale of splendour, such as be-
fitted the wealth of the place and the importance of the
occasion. We have seldom seen more massive or beautiful
plate of gold and silver, than that which was profusely
spread on all the tables, especially that at which the chief
guests were.
The Prince entered the room, preceded by the Mayor, and
accompanied by the principal guests, at about half-past
eight o'clock.
The Mayor presided. On his right sat his Ros al Highness
Prince Albert; on his left, Standish Standish, Esq.,the High
Sheriff. At the principal tables were also noticed the fol-
lowing guests :—Lord Morpeth, Lord Sandon, Earl Talbot,
the Marquis of Abercorn, Lord G. Lennox,Viscount Ingestre,
Lord W. Poulet, Lord A. Fitzclarence, the Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, Sir 11. Douglas, M.P., Lieutenant. General Sir T.
Arbuthnot, K.C.8., Major-General Sir W. Warre, the Dean
of Chester, the Re.,•order, the Rev. Rector Brooks, Mr. E.
Cardwell, M.P., Mr. W. Brown, M.P., Mr. T. Thornely, and
Mr. G. E. Anson.
The Vice-Chairmen were Sir T.Brancker, Mr. J. Aspinall,
Mr. J. Aikin, Mr. G. H. Lawrence, Mr. J. S. Leigh, Mr. J.
H. Turner, Mr. H. Hornby, Mr. J. B. Moore, Mr. W. Nicol,
Mr. T. Sands, Mr. J. A. Tinne, Mr. R. S. Crook, and Mr. J.
Lawrence.
A military band was stationed in one of the small ball-
rooms, and, during the banquet, played many favourite airs.
The following ladies and gentlemen also formed an excellent
glee party :—Miss May Swain, Miss Holden, Messrs. Ryalls,
Gillow, Armstrong, Evans, J. Stott, Boothby, Roberts, and
George; Mr. G. Holden officiating at the piano-forte.
The dinner lasted two hours, and after grace had been said
by the Rev. Rector Brooks, the dessert was laid on the
table. At eleven o'clock,
The MAYOR rose to propose the first toast—He said the
health which he had the honour to propose was that of " Her
Most Gracious Majesty the Queen."—(Applause.) That
toast bad always been responded to in the most loyal manner
within those walls, but never was there an occasion upon
which they were called on to express their feelings in a more
loyal and grateful manner—called upon, as they were, to pay
this tribute of loyalty in the presence of their illustrious
guest, his Royal Highness, the beloved consort of the Queen,
bound up, as he w s, with the destinies of this nation. He
called on them to drink "The health of her Majesty the
Queen, may God bless her." Drunk with three times three.
(Enthusiastic cheers.)
" God save the Queen" was then sun; in excellent style