The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-10-19 00:00:00

SIR R. PEEL'S VISIT TO LIVERPOOL.

The ex-premier, Sir PLiel, visited Liverpool unex-
pectedly by all but his immediate friends, last week.
Considerable curiosity was excited by the announcement
of his advent, and speculation naturally directed itself to
the surmise that his principal object was to justify to the
commercial community of this great port the principles
of the Bank Restriction Act of 1844, or, as the sanguine
would have it to declare his willingness to admit, under
the present embarrassments arising from its draining ope-
ration on the specie of the country. some wise and liberal-
modification of its cramping previsions. Those who put
" this" last " flattering unction to their souls," were,.
however, doomed to be sorely disappointed, as it will ap-
pear by the sequel, that beyond a mere reference (at the
Mayor's dinner table) to the financial distresses of the
country, and the expression of a hope that all parties
would unite in alleviating it as far as possible, he stave&
off the question, and left it in stalls quo, without offering
a guiding suggestion to others, or affording the slightest
glimmering upon his own future views and purposes on
this momentous topic. The visit of the right honourable
gentleman was, in fact, purely private—merely to witness
th6-commercial and architectural advancement of the
town, in its docks, warehouses, and public buildings, from
the hne of his last visit in 1828, nearly twenty years
ago. It may, however, be admitted, that any divulgement
of his future intentions in Parliament, would have been a
forestalling of argument not precisely accordant with the
usages of that body.
Sir Robert arrived on Thursday evening, at Mosley-
hill, the seat of Charles Lawrence, Esq.., (the Mayor,)
whose guest he became during his visit. He was then
joined at dinner by a select party, namely, Lord Sandon,
Mr. Caldwell, M.P., Mr. G, H. Lawrence and his lady,
Mr. J. B. Moore (the chairman.of the Dock Committee),
Mr. Hardman Earle, Mr. William Rathbone, the Rev.
Charlei Lawrence, Mr. William Brown, and Mr. William
Gregson. On Friday morning_ he was driven into town.
He first inspected that immense new structure, the New
Assize Courts, including, under the same roof, St.
George's Hall, where every preparation was made to re-
ceive him with all due honour. The various avenues
were cleared out to permit of easy access round and
through the building, and in the absence of Mr. Ellmes,
the architect, Mr. Tomkinson, the builder, who is en-
trusted with its completion, pointed out its interesting
features; the sight of which elicited from the right ho-
nourable baronet the frequent exclamations of " beautiful"
and " wonderful." Amongst those in the suite were
Lord Sandon, Mr. Cardwell, M.P., the Mayor, W.
Brown, Esq.. M.P., Mr. W. Earle, M. R. V. Yates,
Mr. J. Bramley-Moore. Mr. Charles Lawrence, &c., also
expr
Robessed er.Liap his g deectereat d_the_4

'-4-grZ the building, an
satisfaction.

From the Hall, the party proceeded to the South Docks,
the procession of carriages. coaches, and cars, attracting
crowds of spectators in every direction. The right hon.
gentleman went on board of that leviathan vessel, the
Great Britain, lying in the Coburg Dock. He was re-
ceived by Mr. Bright and Mr. Shute, of the firm of
Gibbs, Bright, and Co. the agents for the vessel here, and
inspected all that was great or curious in the vast iron
structure. A large number of sailors and carpenters con-
gregated on the quay, as Sir Robert left the ship, and
loudly cheered him, a compliment which he heartily and
politely acknowledged. The Brunswick Dock was next
visited, and vast piles of timber on its quays, and in the
neighbouring yards, remarked upon. The mode of un-
loading the timber ships was explained, and the carriage
then turned and moved northward past the several docks
to the Clustom-house. There the celebrated Mr. Gibson,
the sculptor, was in attendance to show the statue of Hus-
kisson, which had been elevated to its pedestal opposite
the north front of the Custom-house early in the morn-
ing. 'Phis statue (described elsewhere) Sir Robert closely
inspected, and highly complimented Mr. Gibson on the
striking likeness to the lamented deceased which he had
artistically achieved.
The cortege next took a long drive along the dock
quays to the north end of Canning Dock, George's
Dock, Prince's Dock, and the others further north, were
cursorily viewed, and the iron sheds at the Trafalgar
Dock, were next pointed out. The nine new North
Docks, in progress of completion, were subsequentlyin-
'spected, the chairmen of the Dock Committee developing,
when the cortege arrived there, numerous and expensive-
looking plans of the town.
The party then embarked in the Government mail
steamer Medina, which was moored off the cattle slip at
the new docks to receive them. Sir Robert, before going
on board, had some condescending chat with the "nav-
vies" on the ground. The officers of the. Medina, Cap-
tain Smethett and alters, were in full uniform, and the
crew all neat and clean. The ship was neat and orderly '
in every department. She first steamed down the river
to the rock, and afterwards returned and was steered
alongside the new landing-stage. In this short cruise she
went within hail of several of the river steamers, the pas-
sengers on board of which crowded to the pads le-boxes
and cheered the distinguished visitor, who returned the
compliment by uncovering and bowing. The vessels in
the river and docks hoisted all their flags, including many
American ships.
Mr. Bramley-Moore explained to the ex-premier the
excellencies of the landing stage, forgetting, however, so
far as we could learn, the fatality that would possibly be
concomitant to the structure during a severe gale from the
N. or N.W., when the Wirral peninsula would offer an
ineffectual barrier or breakwater. There was a vast as-
semblage at the pierheads, in the expectation that the
observed of all observers would land at George's Pier ; but
in this`they were disappointed, as he had made an engage-
ment fo visit Birkenhead, which he felt in honour bound
to fespect. The Medina consequently crossed the river
towarc s Woodside, but the vessel, from her size, not hav-
ing sufficient water to reach the slip, the party bad to be
landed, at some inconvenience, in a small and crowded boat.
Sir Robert and his friends were received on landing by Mr.
W. Jackson, M.P. and Mr. W. Potter, who stood on the
,steps ro welcome them, with others of the Birkenhead
Commissioners. We should state that the day was beau-
tifully fine, and our often boisterous river perfectly placid.
The views obtained from it towards either shore were, even
at this late period of the year, very beautiful and interest-
ing. The right honourable gentleman and his friends,
amongst whom were now Mr. Jackson, Mr. W. Potter,
Lord Sandon, and others of note, cursorily inspected Bir-
kenhead and its new dock works. During Sir Robert's
brief stay in that town (says a contemporary) an ill-con-
ditioned athletic fellow attempted to strike the right hon.
baronet ' • but Mr. Dowling happening to be near at the
time, happily arrested the blow. This disgraceful conduct
will, we trust, be, if possible, visited with adequate pu-
nishment. Having seen the docks and the new ware-
houses on the margin of Wallasey Pool, the party, includ-
ing several of the Commissioners, Mr. John Laird, and
others, enjoyed a pleasant drive by Claughton Hall, the
seat of Mr. W. Jackson, and thence, after florid descrip-
tions, by Poulton Bridge, to Mr. Harold Littledale's
extensive farm and farm buildings, in Liscard, in the
parish .of Wallasey.
This farming establishment is one of the first and
largest in the north of England. It is chiefly a dairy
farm,- and the buildings, planned by a distinguished agri-
culturist of the south, assisted by the indefatigable pro-
prietor, are not excelled in elegance and adaptation by any
similar range in the kingdom, or in Europe. There are
two shippons or cow-houses containing each thirty-four
fine mulch cows, as smooth and slick as well-conditioned
cats, and these apartments (for we may so call them) are
beautifully clean and well-ventilated, and appropriate in
every respect, that a party might squat themselves down
to dinner on any part of the pavement. There are also
other shippons of inferior size, immense and scientifically
constructed plans for the rearing and fattening of innu-
merable
communities of pigs ; machinery, worked by
steam-power, for grinding, making flour, preparing pro-
vender, &c. The dairy is itself a curiosity,—like a naag-
nificgnt little chapel, glazed with stained glass, and pro-
vided with large coolers on handsome pedestals ; fine
glass milk-dishes, &c. Sir Robert, who was accompanied
by the enterprising proprietor ; Lord Sandon ; the Mayor
of Liverpool ; William Jackson, Esq., M.P. ; and Wm.
Potter, Esq. ; and a number of ther gentlemen, inspected
the buildings and operations in detail, as well as the ex-
tensive farm-yard, (with stacks of hay, &c., some of them
40 yards in length,) and an immense turnip and wurzel
field on the north, containing upwards of 30 acres of
land, and on which were at the time temporary move-
able railways, with waggons, for the easy conveyance
ofthe produce, especially in wet weather, from the field
to the receiving-houses. This farm, is in fine, though
of large extent, (upwards of four hundred acres)
a perfect model. Sir R. Peel, after seeing it, stated
that he was never so much astonished and gratified, and
it is understood, we believe, that the talented gentleman
purposes to make a model farm of his own, in the com-
pletion of which he will probably take a leaf out of Mr.
Harold Littledale's book. It is certainly highly honoura-
ble to the latter gentleman, that though involved in com-
mercial pursuits in Liverpool, he has proved that "a
merchant prince" may devote himself profitably and eco-
nomically during his leisure hours to the cultivation of
the soil, or rather its redemption,--for much of Mr. Lit-
tledale's land was, when he obtained possession, of a poor
and obdurate nature, and, by draining and good tillage,
he has proved that if we cannot extend the acreable sur-
face of our island, we can, by agricultural chemistry and
other appliances, make it equal to an increased area in
production, and that we are not justified in encouraging
the import of foreign produce to an overwhelming extent
against the British farmer, until we have fully brought
our own soils to their maximum of production.
The whole distinguished party, upwards of twenty in
all, after partaking of the hospitalities of Liscard-hall,
the seat of Sir John Tobin and Mr. Littledale, (his ma-
in-law-0 returned to Liverpool by Seacombe Ferry, and
the honoured guest and his immediate friends repaired to
the Town-hall, whence he was driven to Mosley-hill, to
dress for dinner with the Mayor and his friends at the
former place.

THE DINNER AT THE TOWN-lIAI.L.
In the evening, his worship the Mayor entertained Sir
R. Peel and a select party of about sixty gentlemen, at
the Town-hall, his municipal residence. The guests sat
down about seven o'clock, and amongst them were Lord
Sandon, Sir R. Peel, Mr. Wm. Brown, M.P., Mr. Card-
well, M.P., Mr. Thornley, M.P., Mr. Wm. Jackson,
Colonel Falconer, Captain Evans, Captain Bevis, Mr.
Rushton, Mr. Bramley-Moore, the Town-clerk, Mr. C.
Lawrence, Mr. Jas. Lawrence, Mr. W. Earle, Mr. H.
Earle, Mr. R. Earle, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Baines, Mr. Cor-
tazzie, Mr. Sands. Mr. S. Holme, Mr. A. Lace, Mr.
Langton, Mr. D. Campbell, Mr. Littledale, Mr. Neilson,
Rev. W. Connybeare,Mr. Grant, Mr. Horsfall, Mr. Nicol,
and others of our respected townsmen. The usual loyal
toasts were heartily given and ably responded to. The
Mayor, in proposing the health of Lord Sandon, delivered
a warm eulogium on the public services and consistent
political conduct of that esteemed nobleman, than whom
Liverpool had never had a more able and active represen-
tative..
Lord SAN DON was loudly cheered on his appearing, to
reply. fie alluded W the origin of his connexion. with

Liverpool, and the result of his endeavours in behalf of
the constituency. He highly appreciated the honour of
being the representative of such a town. One of his pre-
decessors in the office, it would be sufficient to say had
been the illustrious Huskisson, and he frankly confessed,
expecting that the merit would be at least accorded to him
'allaying adopted the best possible model, that it had
always been his aim and ambition,to tread in the footsteps
of that very remarkable man (applause). He responded
entirely to all the observations which had been made by
the Mayor. It was his conviction that England owed still
a deep debt of gratitude to William Huskisson. He had
endeavoured, wisely and cautiously, at the same time
firmly and fairly, to free commerce from its fetters, to
facilitate the trade of the world; and to render the inter-
change of nations as unrestricted as the best interests of
.humanity demanded (applause): After entering into a
variety of statistics relative to.the town and its commerce,
and the important and constantly increasing duties that
devolved upon its representatives; he complimented those
who had acted in parliament with him, and concluded by
a grateful acknowledgement of thanks for the hearty
manner in which his health had been received.
The MAYOR then proposed the health of their guest,
" Sir R. Peel," who had rendered such undeniable services
to the country while he had; held office. That distin-
guished man had kindly consented to be present at the
raising of the statue of the most distinguished of his col-
leagues in a former administration. It was, he said, ex-
ceedingly appropriate that Sir R. Peel should have arrived
in Liverpool on that particular day, for the town was then
being engaged in doing honour to one whom it owed
much ; and it was the peculiar glory and pride of Sir R.
Peel to have followed out, consummated and completed,
the policy which Mr. Huskisson had so advantageously
originated—(loud cheers).
Sir R. PEEL said that he had gratefully and gladly ac-
cepted the mayor's invitation to be present at that dinner
—first, because the opportunity was thus afforded him of
forming a personal intimacy with a family whom he had
long respected, and of which the mayor was a member;
secondly, because it would be in his power, in that way,
to evince his high estimation of the town of Liverpool, in
the person of its chief officer; and, thirdly, it was with
him an object to make himself thoroughly acquainted
with some of the secrets and details of this great commer-
cial community—the greatest, probably, that the world
knew—and of admiring the energy and enterprise, the
vigour and skill, by which the estuary of the Mersey had
been fitted for the reception of the commerce of the
world. The right honourable baronet, at great length,
dilated upon the solicitude with which he had always re-
garded the affairs of Liverpool, convinced, as be had al-
ways been, that the success of this port must reflect the
_prosperity of the country. (Cheers.) There were other
reasons why-he shout& always have eitarnirrett-with some
interest the rise of the port to its present paramount im-.
portance. He was unconnected with Liverpool by any
Local ties, but with the county of Lancashire he claimed a
long and close connexion—all the wealth and status, of
his family being attributable to that very fortunate cir-
cumstance. (Cheers.) It was long since he had last
visited Liverpool, and the occasion was memorable. That
day, fixed for the opening. of the railway to Manchester,
commenced in joy and triumph, and, by a most melan-
choly event, closed in lamentation and woa. On that day
a fatal accident befel the illustrious statesman to whom
the mayor had alluded—with whom it had been his ( Sir
R. Peel's) happiness, for many years of his life, to be in
habits of constant and intimate friendship—with whom he
had acted as a colleague in the service of the Crown—and
for whose views, knowledge, and virtues he had always
entertained a most profound regard. (Applause.) It was
to him a source of great gratification that he had been
present on the occasion of a monument being raised in
Liverpool to the memory of Mr. Huskisson. Having
complimented Mr. Gibson, the artist, on the admirable
execution of the work, he said that he regretted that his
pleasure in visiting Liverpool had been lessened by finding
that at this moment there existed considerable embarass-
meat amongst commercial classes. (Hear, hear.) Into the
causes, or supposed causes, of those sufferings, it would
not be expected that he should then enter, nor was it,
indeed, the time to speculate upon the remedies there
could be found for the prevailing depression. (Hear, hear.)
This alone he might be permitted to remark, that no one
entertained a greater desire than he did to alleviate most
effectually the present state of commercial affairs. He
then sat down amidst loud cheers.

W. PATTEN, Esq., M.P., replied to the toast of " the
Members for the County."
The toast of " the Members for the Borough" was ably
replied to by Mr. CARDWELL, M.P.
The MAYOR, in proposing the health of R. V. Yates,
Esq., complimented that gentleman as a citizen to whom
Liverpool would be permanently indebted for the munifi-
cent manner in which he had provided pleasure-grounds
for the recreation of the inhabitants of this over-crowded
town.

Mr. 'YATES responded humorously, recommending tike
people of Liverpool, at their earliest convenience, to take
advantage of the present he had made them,! by building
houses in the neighbourhood.
" The Health of Mr. Gibson, Sculptor of the Huskisson
Statue," was given, with a high encomium on the widow
of the late statesman who had presented it.
Mr. GissoN modestly, but eloquently, replied.
Mr. THORNELY, M.P., ably replied to his health being
drunk.

The last toast proposed was " The Commerce cf the
Mersey—Liverpool and Birkenhead," with which was
coupled the health of Wm. Jackson, Esq., M.P. for New-
castle.

Mr. JACKSON, in responding, very pointedly observed
that, although the river Mersey had two sides, there was
but one interest concerned there. (Hear, hear.) The
success of the one port would enhance the prosperity of
the other, and jealousy or fear of nue distancing the other
was altogether absurd and out of place. The same object
was held in view by both, and he sincerely hoped that
they would both pursue, perhaps conjointly, the same
great ends.
The company shortly afterwards broke up.