The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-06-28 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE MONKS' FERRY HOTEL.

Yesterday, the splendid hotel, between Woodside and
Birkenhead, known as Monks' Ferry, was a scene of much
festivity and enjoyment, the company of proprietors having
given a superb entertainment to a number of gentlemen in-
terested in the success of this establishment. Upwards of
100 gentlemen were present, in the large dining-room on the
west side. The dinner was most sumptuous, comprising
every dish, substantial and delicate, which the season could
afford. It was, indeed, the universal remark, that a better
English dinner was never provided ; that the dessert was ad-
mirable, and that (above all), the wines were of such fine
quality and flavour, that some " judges" expressed their
astonishment as to whence they were produced. The desse:t
consisted of a variety of fruit and confectionary of tt e
choicest kind. The greatest unanimity prevailed through-
out, and many excellent glees and songs were sung by pro-
fessional and amateur gentlemen. Amongst those present '
were the following :
John Platt, Esq., Chairman ; Mr. Langton, and Mr. D.
Powell, Vice-presidents ; Messrs. Harvey, J. B. Blackburne,
Penny, George Horne, E. Humble, Willoughby, Greene,
Towers, Cole, Welch, (the architect of the building, ) !Ay-
cock, Solomon, Pattisson, Harrison; Jones, ough,
Rayner, Hepworth, Radley, Wilson, and Tucker.
'the toast of " Queen Victoria and God bless her," was
warmly received, and was followed by " God save the
Queen," by the glee singers. " The Queen Dowager and
Royal Family " followed, and was drank with much
enthusiasm. The toast was followed by the beautiful
glee, " Oh Albion, on thy fertile plains," very beautifully
sung. The Members for the Southern Division of Cheshire
was next drank with considerable applause. !' The Agri-
cultural Interests of the County," was warmly received.
Mr. Radley replied in a very neat and appropriate address.
The next toast was, " The Lord of the Manor, and the other
Landowners of the townships of Birkenhead and Tranmere ;
and may their united influence be conducive to the benefit
and growing prosperity of this neighbourhood." Mr. Lay-
cock responded to this toast in a feeling and patriotic address,
in which he was much applauded. Mr. Edward Willoughby,
of Birkenhead Hotel, in a very forcible and feeling address,
expressed himself favourable to a kind reciprocity of in-
terest between the respective ferries, taking his position on
the ground that one terry could thus benefit the other, and
that a reciprocity, without any invidious feeling, would be
for the advantage of all. Mr. Willoughby's address was en-
thusiastically received. Mr. E. Harvey, being called upon,
described in forcible terms the rapid progress of Birkenhead
and its neighbourhood in wealth, importance, and population.
He concluded by a high and deserved encomium on the cha-
racter of the worthy chairman, whose health he proposed.
The toast was warmly received, and the Chairman responded
in appropriate terms. Being on the eve of our publication
we can but give the toasts,—all of which were eloquently re-
sponded to. " The Chester and Birkenhead Railway, and
success to Steam Power."—" The triumph of the Steam
Engine all over the world." Mr. Welsh, the architect of
the building, on his health being drunk, made a very elo-
quent address. The health of Mr. Hilliar, the worthy and
polite landlord of the inn, was drunk with enthusiastic cheer-
ing ; and Mr. H. returned thanks in a feeling and appropri-
ate manner. Many other toasts and sentiments succeeded,
and the company separated soon after ten o'clock, all highly
delighted with the sumptuous entertainment, and the kind-
ness and attention of the worthy host and hostess of " The
Monks' Ferry."

Her Majesty's Packet Merlin, Captain Townley, arrivep
on Tuesday from Kingstown in 9 hours and 55 minutes from
pier to pier, which was performed by fair steaming without the
assistance of sails. This is the shortest passage on record.
and the Merlin has consequently won all the " heavy bets"
pending on this performance.
Doca RATES.—The receipts of dock-rates on goods and
vessels, on Monday last, amounted to the large sum of
£3444 15s. 10d., namely, on goods, £1367 13s. 7d., and on
the tonnage of 145 vessels, £2077 2s. 3d. The return ;of
arrivals and receipts for the last twelve months is very fa-
vourable ; the total arrivals amounting to 15,445, and the
total receipts to £174,222 16s. Id. The arrivals of the pre-
vious year were 14,820, and the receipts £161,843 18s. 11d.,
so that there is an increase in the former of 625 vessels, and
in the latter of £12,378175. 2d.