The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-23 00:00:00

JFJ LY 23, 1846.

MESSRS. R. COBDEN AND CO.'S TREAT TO
THEIR WORKPEOPLE, TO CELEBRATE THE

REPEAL OF THE CORN-LAWS.

It was with no small pleasure we witnessed the passing
of the train containing Mr. Cobden's workpeople on
Wednesday last. Amidst other rejoieings, none could
be more appropriate than that of the hands employed at
the works of the Champion of Free Trade.
All the hands met at the Crosse Hall Works at six
o'clock in the morning, attired in their holiday dress,
and looking highly respectable. They marched
through Chorley to the railway station in the following
order .

Two men, one carrying the portrait of R. Cobden, Esq.,
M.P., painted by one of his own workpeople ;
the other carrying a portrait of John
Bright, Esq., M.P.
Crosse Hall Band, who played in excellent style.
The Females.

The workmen according to their various branches, all
wearing medals, suspended by a blue riband, con-
taining the portrait of R. Cobden, Esq.
Children, about 260 in number, carrying small banners
with various mottoes, such as " Cobden for ever ;"
" God save the Queen ;" "Bright for ever ;"
"Free Trade with all the world."

The large and elegant banners contained the follow-
ing :—" Cobden for ever ;" with a crown in the centre,
under which was inscribed " God save the Queen"—
" Glorious achievement of the Anti-Corn Law League."
Before the children was another band of music, which
played appropriate airs. The company, consisting of
the workmen, their wives, and friends, amounting
to upwards of one thousand four hundred persons,
left the Chorley station at half-past seven, and arrived
in Fleetwood about a quarter past nine. A procession
was here formed, the children first, headed by the band
up to the Mount, where three hearty cheers were given
for their safe arrival. Buns and coffee now commenced
being distributed to the youngsters in a tent erected by
Mr. Hornby of the Fleetwood Arms Inn, capable of
holding about 400 children. This being over, a number
of the workpeoplo commenced dinner (the banal
playing all the time), and by relays the dining con-
tinned till about four o'clock. the leaders and
managers of the procession dining last. At dinner,
the following toasts were drunk :—" The health
of her Majesty," with three times three. Band,
National Anthem.—" The health of R. Cobden, Esq.,
M.P.," with three times three, which was heartily re-
sponded to ; band playing " See the Conquering Hero
Comes."—" The health of Frederick Cobden, Esq.;"—
" John Bright, Esq.;" all _drank with three times throe
cheers. Amongst the company at dinner was J. W.
Garside, Esq., surgeon to the works. The weather was
beautifully fine, and the lads and lasses enjoyed them-
selves much on the heath in a country dance. The en-
joyments of the day were enhanced by short trips in ex-
cursion steamers, of which great numbers availed them-
selves.
About half-past six, the company, highly delighted
with the pleasures of the visit, and the liberality of their
employers, returned to the station in the same order as
before. It was nearly eight o'clock before the immense
company started back, with the flags and banners waving
in the air, and the music playing ; and when they passed
Preston a little before nine, it appeared as if the whole
town had collected to view and welcome " Cobden's
hands" on their return. In half an hour they were safe
in Chorley, not a single accident having occurred to mar
the pleasures of the day.
The whole of the hands, numbering 660, men, women,
and children, had their day's wages paid, besides all the
other expenses of railway, sailing, refreshments, &c., by
R. Cobden and Co.--Preston Chronicle.