The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-17 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY

The Queen held a privy coun :il, yesterday afternoon, at
Buckingham palace. It was attended by the Lord President,
the Lord Privy Seal, the first Lord of the Treasury, the
Secretaries of State for the Hoix.e and Foreign Departments,
the first Lord of the Admiralty, the President of the India
Board, the first Commissioner of the Woods and Forests, the
Secretary at War, and the Lord Chamberlain.
Mr. C. Greville was the clerk of the council in waiting.
Her Majesty gave audiences to the Marquis of Lansdowne,
the Marquis of Normanby, and Viscount Melbourne.
The court was attended by the Countess of Claremont,
lady in waiting ; the Comptroller of the Household, and the
Hon. Colonel Cavendish (c erk marshal), equerry in waiting.
Lord Byron and Sir Robert Otway were the lordand groom
in waiting.

The Judge Advocate-General bad an audience of the Queen
yesterday afternoon, and submitted to her Majesty the pro-
ceedings of some courts-martial...
The Queen and Prince Albert drove in the parks yeiterday
morning, in a pony chaise, and also in the afternoon, at-
tended by the Hon. Colonel Cavendish.
The royal dinner party, last evening, included Viscount
Melbourne, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Lady
Fanny Cowper, Lord George Lennox, Right Hon. Sir John
Hobhouse, Right Hon. Thomas B. Macaulay, Right Hon.
George Stevens Byng, Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, and the
Hon. John Ponsonby.
The band of the Coldstream guards was in attendance at
the Palace during the evening.
The Duchess of Kent and the Hereditary Prince of Saxe
Coburg Gotha drove out in a pony phaeton yesterday.
I ler Majesty the Queen Dowager, and the Duchess Ida of
Saxe Wiemar, visited the Duchess of Cambridge, yesterday,
at Cambridge House. Her Majesty arm her Serene High-
ness inspected the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park,
in the afternoon.
On Monday'her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent did
Mr. Hayter the honour to sit for the royal picture of the
Royal Marriage, and yesterday morning his Serene High-
ness the Hereditary Prince of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, con-
ferred t,c‘hreins.arinieeibiroyn ogaryotenr eehriem.
Mr. ived the high honour of ber
Majesty's most gracious approbation of the set of quadrilles
toterdtneodedicate to her Majesty,
whichentitled,he b
"Lesas b
Boiseen p
deelrrniraiaL
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess
Augusta of Cambridge, dined with her Majesty the Queen
Dowager, last evening, at Marlborough House.
The Princess Augusta visited the Duchess of Gloucester,
yesterday, at Gloucester House.
Prince George of Cambridge left town on Monday even-
ing for Brighton.
The Countess of Charlemont has succeeded the Mar-
chioness of Normanby as the lady in waiting on the Queen ;
and Lord Byron and Vice Admiral Sir Robert Otway have
succeeded the Earl of Listowel and Mr. Rich as the lord and
groom in waiting on her Majesty.

. TURSY.
The Queen and PnceHh
a 0 Al br egr
and
„h
da A c
cG oe mt
Gotha,
n leftie d by
townthe
at Here-
ditaryten
minutes past four o'clock, es te.rday afternoon, in an open
carriage and four, with outridersY ,
the
scarlet liveries, for Wind-
sor Castle. A chariot and fourfoTiowed, containing the Hon.
Col. Grey and Col. Bouverie, equerries to her Majesty
and Prince Albert. Two open carriages
lowed ; the first containing the Countess ef and four also ;bl-
Charlemont, lady
in waiting; the Hon. Miss Paget and the H Anson, maids
of honour in waiting ; and Lord Byron, lovrdtrelien waiting ; and
the last containing Baron de Gruben, Vice-Admiral Sir
Robert Otway, gcoom in waiting, and Mr. Francis
The Symour,
groom of the bedchamber to Prince Albert. queen wits

~.,~``~

!Wilda to har carriage by the non, Col, Caren( the
clerk marshal, and left uckingbam-palace osoortod by a
party of light dragoons, , The royal standard wax loworoa
from the marble arch immediately on ber Majesty's de-
parture. _ _

The Hon. Col. Grey will attend th“lneen for the Hon.
Col. Cavendish (clerk marshal,) as the equerry in waiting,
during her Majesty stay at Windsor.
"Viscount Melbourne had an audience of her Majesty, yes-
terday morning, at Buckin,ham-palace.
The royal dinner party at Windsor Castle, last evening,
was expected to include the Earl and Countess of Erroll, and
Lady Ida Hay, the Earl of 'Uxbridge, Baron de Graben, and
Lord Robert Grosvenor.

The Duchess of Kent left Buckingham Palace, yesterday
afternoon, for her new residence in Belgrave-square. Her
royal highness left the palace, attended by Lady Anne Maria
Dawson, in an open carriage and four, and was conducted
by his Royal Highness Prince Albert to her carriage, into
which she was handed by the Hon. Colonel Cavendish.
The Hereditary Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha took a
drive yesterday morning in a pony phaeton.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager attended divine service
yesterday morning in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. In
the afternoon, her Majesty, attended by her suit, rode on
horseback in the vicinity of Fulham, her Serene Highness
the Duchess Ida of Saxe Weimar and family occupying a
pony phaeton and four.
The Duchess of Gloucester took an airing, yesterday, in
a carriage. The Princess Augusta and the Duchess Ida of
Saxe Weimar visited her royal highness, yesterday, at
Gloucester House.

(From the yprrespondenty the Morning Herald.)

WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—Hei: Majesty and
Prince Albert were expected to have arrived at the castle
this afternoon, between four and five o'clock—it having been
intimated that the royal cortgge were to leave Buckingham
Palace, at two o'clock. It was not, however, till nearly half-
past six o'clock, that the carriage of her Majesty entered the
town. Her Majesty, who was received with the usual quiet
and respectful demonstrations of loyalty by the few persons
who were in the streets, appeared in good health. Her
Majesty .was handed from the carriage by Prince Albert,
and, taking his arm, tripped lightly into the castle.
Prince Ernest of Saxe Coburg rode in the same carriage
(which was open) with her Majesty and his brother Prince
Albert.

The Baroness Lehzen arrived about five o'clock, in one of
the royal carriages-and-four, having under her especial care
and protection the valuable and costly jewels of the Sovereign.
It was expected that the Duke of Sussex and the Duchess
of Inverness would have arrived at the castle this afternoon.
but intelligence reached Windsor this morning, that " the
illustrious pair" had postponed their contemplated visit to
her Majesty. This postponement is said to have been occa-
sioned by the christening, this morning, at the apartments
of his royal highness, at Kensington Palace, of the son of
Lord and Lady M. Hill.
For the first time since the accession of her Majesty the
Queen has taken up her residence at the castle unaccompa-
nied by her august mother, the Duchess of Kent. I may,
however, except her Majesty's temporary visit to Windsor
on the day of her Majesty's nuptials ; her royal highness
then arrived two days afterwards, and remained, as a guest,
until a few hours before the departure of the court, on the
following Friday.
Until within the last few days Mr. George Edward Anson,
who is treasurer to Prince Albert, has officiated, likewise, as
secretary, but, since the arrival in England of Dr. Schenck,
this gentleman has been appointed " secretary to his Royal
Highness Prince Albert." This appointment will most pro-
bably be gazetted with that of the (intended) gentleman of
the bedchamber. It is rumoured that there is now little
difference of opinion between two illustrious personages as
to the individual to be selected for this " post of honour."
On Monday next (Easter Monday) the royal buck hounds
will "go out" for the last time this season. They will
" meet' at half-past eleven o'clock, at Ascot race course ;
and it is intended by her Majesty and the Prince to be pre-
sent at the " turn-out" of the stag, should the weather prove
favourable. A numerous assemblage is expected to he pre-
sent, consisting of the whole of the court and the elite of the
nobility and gentry of the neighbourhood. A public break-
fast will be given, as usual, at the residence of Mr. Charles
Davis, her Majesty's huntsman, on the morning of the hunt.
I have just heard that it is not improbable that the Duchess
of Kent will arrive at the castle, upon a visit to her Majesty,
on Saturday or Monday next.

(From another Correspondent.)

WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—This evening, between six and
seven o'clock, her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied
by the Hereditary Prince, arrived at the castle, escorted by
a detachment of the 2d regiment of life guards.
The following members of the royal household were in at-
tendance upon her Majesty :—The Earl of Uxbridge, Earl
and Countess of Erroll, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lady Ida
Hay, Hon. C. A. Murray, Lord Byron, Sir R. Otway, Hon.
Colonel Grey, Lady Charlemont, Hon. Misses Paget and
Anson, Baroness Lehzen, Colonel Bouverie, and Mr. Sey-
mour.

The royal dinner party consisted of the above enumerated
perspnages. _ _

Her Majesty's chamber musicians were in attendance
during the evening._

THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES
EIGHT-OARED CUTTER MATCH. •

(From the Times of Yesterday.)
The match between the gentlemen of the University of
Oxford and the gentlemen of the University of Cambridge,
to row from Westminster-bridge to Putney in eight-oared
cutters, which has for some time past created great interest
amongst the sporting circles and on the river, came off ac-
cording to the articles of agreement yesterday. For some
time before the start took place, the western -side of West-
minster-bridge was crowded with spectators, who climbed
upon the balustrades, and formed a living mass closely jam-
med together. Along Millbank there was a perfect mob,
and on the opposite side of the water every place that could
afford a view of the race was occupied. Vauxhall-bridge was
completely filled; and so were also Battersea and Putney
bridges. In short, excitement and curiosity were so great,
that it would be difficult to point out any spot from one ter •
minus of the race to the other on the banks that had not an
occupant. The boats were both built purposely for the
match. The Cambridge boat was built in the yard of Searle ;
and the Oxford boat, though country built, was an equally
clever craft.

The following is a list of the names of the gentlemen en-
gaged in the match, and the colleges to which they belong :

CAMBRIDGE.
Mr. Vials (stroke oar) .. .. Trinity.
Yatman Caius.
Penrose .. .. Magdalene.
Rappleby.. .. Magdalene.
Taylor .. .. Trinity.
Ridley. .. Jesus.
Massey ..A1 .. Trinity.
Shadwell.ll St. John's.
Egan (cockswain) .. Caius.
OXFORD.
Mr. Cocks (stroke oar) Brazenose.
Meynell Brazenose.
Royds Brazenose.
Watts .. Brazenose.
Rogers ... Baliol.
Maberly Christchurch.
Pocock .. .. Merton.
Mountain Merton.
Garnett (cockswain) .. Brazenose.
It will be remembered that last year, and the year before,
the Cambridge men were the winners in the matches between
themselves and their Oxford opponents, and this operated to
make them the favourites at 6 to 4 in the present contest.
Nevertheless the Oxford party were very sanguine of success,
and towards the time of starting the odds varied to 5 to 4 on
the Cambridge. At this quotation, it is understood, several
thousand pounds depended. The Cambridge men appeared
in this match, as in previous matches, to be stronger and
more muscular than their competitors, who were, neverthe-
less, very clean-built men, full of activity, and having one
or two men of considerable muscle among them. Both boats'
crews have had a vast deal of practice, .and certainly, con-
sidered as amateurs, are equal, if not superior, to any rowers
on the river. It would, indeed, be no easy task to select
sixteen watermen who would not find them very awkward
customers in this sport. By twenty minutes past one the
steamers which accompanied the match were filled with
company, and were waiting with almost as much anxiety
for the start as the cutters that were actually engaged in the
race. The umpires were in an eight-oared galley, nanned
by eight picked watermen. The river and its banks at this
moment presented a most animated appearance : the tide
was running up, although nearly high water, and there was
a gentle breeze from the south. west. The start took place
as nearly as possible at 25 minutes to two o'clock, the Cam-
bridge cutter being pearly in the middle of the river, the
Oxford more to the Middlesex side. On the signal being
given, they went off in the finest style imaginable. The Ox-
onians had the lead, and at Vauxhall-bridge were a boat's
length in advance of the Cantabs. The betting was now even,
and it was plain the Oxford boat was becoming the favourite.
This state of things did not, however, continue long. The
Cambridge boat drew quickly upon her adversary as the boat
approached the Red-house. At this point the Oxford boat ap-
peared to get too close to the south bank of the river, and very
shortly the Cambridge boat was a head. At Battersea bridge
the Cambridge boat was half a length before the Oxford
boat, and it became apparent, that barring accidents, she
would be the winner. The Oxonians, however, made every
effort to get ahead, but in vain. The Cambridge i.oat reach-
ed the goal of victory by a length, or very nearly so, before
her opponent, and was greeted with the cheers of the assem-
bled multitude. The match was rowed within half-an-hour,
or very nearly so : there was some difference of opinion as to
the precise time, making a variation of two minutes. Be
this as it may be, a better contest has perhaps never been
witnessed ; and it is not a little refreshing to the real lovers
of old English sports and manly exercise, to find these sorts
of amusements beginning to supersede thel swindling, dan-
gerous, and absurd practice of steeple chasing—things merely
got up by publicans and horsedealers, to pillage the unwary
and enrich themselves.

THE LATE ELOPEMENT.

(From the Times of Yesterday)

The following extract from Our Paris correspondence,
dated Monday last, contains some curious details, for the
accuracy of which our correspondent pledges himself :
It appears, that immediately on landing at Ostend, Dr.
Lardner and Mrs. Heaviside proceeded to Paris, by Calais
and St. Omer, and took lodgings in the Rue Tronchet,
where they lived as husband and wife. Captain Heaviside
had followed them as far as St. Omer, but, there losing all
trace of the fugitives, gave up the chase: The latter, never-
theless, took no measures to conceal themselves ; indeed, so
much the contrary, that Mrs. Heaviside opened a corres-
pondence with her father, Colonel Spicer, who resides at
Boulogne.

On 'Friday morning last Dr. Lardner and Mrs. Heaviside
were at breakfast, when they were alarmed by a noise in the
ante-room, and by a rush at the door of the salle-a-manger.
The Doctor went to the door to ascertain the cause. The
moment he opened it he was felled by a blow of a heavy
stick from Captain Heaviside, who continued to flog him as
vigorously as deservedly.
While this was proceeding the desk of Dr. Lardner was
opened by the invading party. All the papers it contained were
seized by them and carried off, as well as Mrs. Heaviside,who
endeavoured to induce a rescue by screaming loudly, and
continued to do so until they reached the Hotel de l'Europe.
There some sensation was created by the screams of the
lady, but when the circumstances were stated to the persons
about to interfere, they desisted. The whole party left for
Boulogne in the evening, with the exception of the Captain,
who remained in order to give Dr. Lardner an opportunity
of calling him out if he should so think proper. The Cap-
tain left next day for Boulogne.
Dr. Lardner is not yet declared entirely out of danger.
His just punishment will probably make him turn his atten-
tion in futurefsreoemmasd,iiislt3esryyteoarmseocfhaangeic. She is the mother
three s.
of The
el
children,adyit and had until this affair lived happily with
her husband, and after an acquaintance of three weeks only
she had suffered herself to be seduced by Dr. Lardner.

4 o'CLOcx.
as
suredthat this matter will not come before the
Frenchlam
tribunals.

REMARKABLE FECUNDITY OF A SOW.--Mr. John
Birchby, of Euston, near this town, tenant of G.. 1•
J. Wain.wright, Esq., has now a sow of the Shropshire breed, which
is suckling seventeen young pigs.- What is more remarkable,
the same sow has twice brought forth fifteen. and twice se.
Teuton, at former litters.—Preston Chronicle.

NKRTMIEF4 0.17 LIVERPOOL AND VICINITY.

No. I.
(Written for the Standard.)

INTRODUCTION.

Winter has assuredly, its pleasurt a, its joyous festiVities,
its social•delights ; and callous is the heart that expands not
in the warmth of that fliendship. that surrounds the cheer-
ful hearth, when • the storm without is heard but unheeded.
But apart from these enjoyments, winter is to the mass of
mankind a season of comparative gloom, and occasional
despondency.. For myself, either from constitution, or from
want of adequate moral discipline, I am affected, like a very
weather-glass, by extreme mutations in our proverbially
fickle and inconstant climate. My spirits sink, on a thick
and dismal day, to the point of zero. On a frosty day, with
a blue sky and a cheerful sun, they again spring up elastic
from their depression, . and a smart walk exhilarates the
whole system, mental and corporeal. A bright summer day,
to all delightful, inspires me with such emotions' that,
(bating the cares and turmoils of busy life) as I bound
along the green lane or the flowery mead, I assume for the
time that " I am monarch of all. I survey,"'and envy not
either the Autocrat of all the Russias, or the " Celestial"
Emperor of all the Chinas.
Such being my perhaps unfortunate temperament, you
will not wonder that, after a long and somewhat severe
winter, terminating in lingering east winds—the foes of the
excursionist--I should greatly rejoice in the genial return Of
that season, which, after past endurance, presents so many
immediate chums, and so much of future promise. The
resuscitation of vegetable life from its torpor, (typical of the
future destinies of man,) is ever delightful. There is some-
thing melancholy in the richest tints of autumn, though they
convey a precious warning : they predict that decay is ap-
proaching ;that the leaf must fall, and.the flower wither away ;
that the yet mild temperature must give way to the nipping
cold, and the stormy blast. But the bursting of the buds,
Ole downy and virgin verdure of the before naked fields,
proclaim the return of vernal warmth, and the coming of
that season which yields her bounties to the hand onn-
dustry ; and a feeling of joy and gratitude pervades all
classes, from the sage who looks to final results to the
playful children, " just let loose from school," who with joy-
ful shout find their favourite haunts again enamelled by the
primrose and the unassuming dog daisy.
It was thus impressed, Mr. Editor, that—to use the lan-
guage of a humble bard, who erewhile tuned his harp on these
our shores— _ _

On George's pier, I stroll'd the other day;
The sunny beams danced on the Mersey's breast;
The morning's mist on Cambria's mountains lay,
As if to warm them in its gauzy vest ;
And all was light and life, and all was gay ;
My bosom throbb'd with joy, for I was blest

To leave the noisy haunts of plodding men,
And hail the Spring's returning bloom again.
The opposite Cheshire shore, enlivened by almost con-
tinuous lines of modern villas and houses, appeared pecu-
liarly inviting, a slight sprinkling, of verdure being already
.perceptible in the pleasure groundS; and I was about to em-
bark for Woodside, to enjoy a stroll beyond it, when I was
gently tapped on the shoulder, and on looking round, was
saluted by my friend Alfred E , with his accustomed cor-
diality. With a good deal of persuasion, I prevailed upon
him to accompany me 'for a short out, and sie embarked to-
gether.
As my readers may possibly, hereafter, feel some interest
in the opinions of my friend, I shall here briefly introduce
him to their acquaintance. Alfred E—, who was horn of
respectable, but not affluent parents, both of whom are dead,
is a toung man of about twenty-eight years of age, of good
education, and of manly and rather prepossessing appear-
ance. He was bred in early youth in a merchant's office,
and, through his integrity and perseverance has elevated
himself to the station of a partner in an eminent commercial
establishment, from which, however, (having already realized
a competency,) he sometimes speaks of retiring ; though it is
doubtful, such is his pride of enterprise, whether he will take
such a step for some years to come. He possesses consider-
able taste for literature and the tine arts, and is, moreover,
a sincere admirer of the beauties of nature ; but such have
been the strict business habits to which he has been accus-
tomed to defer, and a sort of rigidity of temperament that
has grown out of them, that he seems to consider such
studies incompatible with mercantile pursuits, and, though
he delights in them in private, is averse to acknowledge
in public that he is at all conversant with matters or
things that do not appertain to the Exchange or the
counting-house. He is shy in presence of strangers, and
though qualified, from his extensive reading, and the expe-
rience of several voyages and sojourneyings abroad to shine
in company, it is rarely that he can be drawn out; and when
he finds that he has unwittingly given utterance to sentiments
that have drawn forth commendation, and provoked a desire
for a continuance of his conversation, he winds up his re-
marks as abruptly as is consistent with politeness, and takes
shelter in his almost impenetrable taciturnity. On this
point he is somewhat eccentric ; but his reserve is never car-
ried to the extent of giving offence. One of his notions is,
that the world, notwithstanding the advancement of mecha-
nical science, and the consequently increased intercourse of
civilized countries, is retrograding in virtue ; and in this opi-
nion he is probably not altogether singular. To those with
whom he is strictly intimate (and they are comparatively
few), he is frank and communicative, without being over-
familiar, and he commands at once their attention and esteem.
With a generous and feeling heart, he is ever ready to sym-
pathize with, and to assist, where he can, those who are
afflicted ; and his hatred of oppression in any shape is only
equalled by his admiration of fair dealing and humanity.
He has two sisters, amiable ladies, much younger than him-
self, to whom he is much attached, who conduct his domes-
tic affairs with great credit to themselves. Though he has
some failings, they may be almost said to " lean to virtue's
side ;" but I fear I may have become tedious on the merits
of my friend, who must hereafter speak for himself.
We sat down on one of tte benches on the quarter-deck of
the steamer, and became absorbed in the animated scene
around us. It was high water, and several vessels were
leaving the quayS to proceed to sea. In the words of the
metre-monger already quoted—

A gentle breeze kissed here and there the tide,
But scarcely lulled asleep the fluttering sail
Of ships, that seemed impatiently to chide
The tardy impulse of the wakening gale.
It freshens : now they fast and faster glide,
Like sheeted giants in some wizard vale ;
And handkerchiefs are waved, by some I trow
To whom that tender act will be a last adieu.
The scene, as the steam-boat neared the middle of the
river, became more and more exhilarating. Behind us were
stretched the spacious line of docks from the Potteries to
Booth Bay—the masts, yards, and rigging of. the .numerops
vessels in each appearing like thick and leafless forests, en-
livened, however, . by., streamers, and flags. of every nation
known in the commercial world. Immediately behind them
rose the town, with its' stately commercial edifices and other
overtopped by its domes', towers, and spires, all
glittering in the sun. The thin smoke that hung over it,
together with the roar of commerce which it sent forth, from
the rolling along of thousands of carts and carriages, and the
shouting of thousands of tongues, conveyed to the beholder
an impressive idea of its magnitude as a city, and of the
energy and activity of its crowded population. The river
was, meantime, thickly studded with gallant ships, brigs,
schooners, galliots, cutters, and every variety of craft, mostly
with white sails, besides numerous steamers, large and small,
and little boats, like mosquitos, fluttering amongst the ocean
swans. The opposite shore also gave note of the industry of
the great northern Tyre, the " busy hammers" of the
workmen " closing rivets up," at the iron ship-building
yard in Wallasey Pool, being distinctly heard. Towards
Runcorn, where the river expands, in appearance, into a
spacious inland lake, with a tine wooded margin, flats, steam-
boats, and other vessels prolonged the extent of marine
scenery, and the whole combined so much of the beautiful in
nature, with the splendid in art, that my friend, alter gazing
around him for some moments in silence, exclaimed, " Well,
this is truly magnificent. Who would have thought the once
little fishing village of " Lerpole," which, in 1648, had but
24 vessels, of the united burden of 462 tons, and 76 hands,
and so recently as 1709 had only 84 vessels, of 5187 tons in
all, should have swelled into such a vast emporium of trade !
Methinks the town has doubled itself in the last fifteen or
twenty years. And now that railways and steam navigation
have given a new impetus to the wheels of commercial enter-
prise, where will this progressive movement end ?" " Only,"
I ventured to say, " with the loss of our honour as a nation ;

for while we reinain just to others and true to ourselves,
while we continue to draw forth the energies of our people in
the peaceful pursuits of civilized life, we shall go on increas-
ing in wealth and in strength, until etch successive generation
will marvel, as we do, at the additional progress that is made.
But a truce to moralizing for the present ; since even the
contemplation of the change of a comparatively few years
fills von with wonder, pray do you think your townsmen would
be at all gratified by the perusal of a series of weekly sketches
illustrative of the present state and prospects of the town and
its vicinity, as they now are, with an occasional retrospect of
what they were ?"
" I know not," said he, " what could he made of it. All
is visible to the community, and all must be nearly kno.wn ;
and I do not, at the first glance, see where you can find
subject-matter of sufficient interest to the community."
" But, 'my friend," I rejoined, " people like to read even
of what they know of their own locality, however slight, if it
be generally accurate. We are all naturally attached to our
homes, and the objects that surround them. We are ambi-
tions that they should he well thought of by others, and our
attachment to them is one of the most honourable and the
most useful, for it leads each community, existing by emula-
tion, from improvement to improvement."
" Very plausibly argued I" replied my friend, with a smile.
" You are, however, perhaps too sanguine. Your materials,
I apprehend, would in so narrow a tield become exhausted
in a few short papers."

I was somew;hast fretted by this remark, which argued my
friend's want of confidence in my powers of enlargement, as
well as his apparent ignorance of resources which appeared
to me to be sufficiently abundant. Having, however, a great
respect for the opinion of my friend, I immediately set about
mustering up a whole catalogue of local wonders, curiosities,
sights, scenes, beauties, and defects, each of which I had
the vanity to think I could appropriate in a readable essay
for your journal, Mr. Editor ; and I hoped, by particular-
ising, to conciliate his commendation of my scheme.
" Materials soon exhausted !" I exclaimed ; " I trust not,
my friend. The rapid increase and improvement of Liver-
pool of late years, and the concomitant improvements in its
neighbourhood, give it almost a claim to the appellation of
a new and noble metropolis. Behold our spacious docks,
our busy quays, our ships, our steam-vessels, our public
buildings, our admirable charities and other institutions,
our public works, our newsrooms, our libraries, our bota-
nical and zoological gardens ! Look at our noble river, with
its ferries, and the villages and numerous villas and seats on
its immediate banks! Look, too, at the surrounding coun-
try ! Are not Aigburth, and Woolton, and Gateacre, and
Everton, arid Walton. and Waterloo, and Crosby, with the
seats around them, and numerous other spots to which our
wealthier citizens retire to enjoy that Ohm which is the
reward of honourable industry and enterprise ;—are not
these worthy of notice? Besides, my friend, cannot we find
some food for a few sketches, in a trip by sail or steam to
Hoylake and Hilbre Island, or, if need be, to Greenfield or
Holywell, to Ithyl, to Fleetwood, or to the Isle of Man ?
Then, sir, would not St. James's Cemetery, or the Necro-
polis, afford a pensive stroll amongst the tombs? What
would you think, too, of a sketch of an emigrant ship on the
eve of starting, with some hundreds of half-heartbroken,
self-expatriated beings, who find they can no longer, here at
least, bear up against " the stings and arrows of outrageous
fortune" ? What, too, would you think of a peep at the
whole panorama comprised within my contemplated circuit
of objects, from the cupola of the Town-hall, with a telescope
so powerful, that, as Jonathan would say, I could not only
distinguish the visages, but read (with your kind assistance)
the very thoughts of the renowned of the mercantile world,
who, at high 'Change, parade the square below ?"
I was about to proceed, when I was interrupted by my
friend, who, with a sort of compressed laugh, said, "
well! you need go no further. You have certainly enume-
rated a sufficient variety of subjects, many of which I had
overlooked; and if you can adapt them with equal ingenuity
your crayon will be busily employed for some months to
come. But, let me ask you, by what means do you purpose
to traverse the round of places you have chalked out ?"
" Why, sir," said I, "sometimes, but not often, I shall
ride, sometimes sail, but more frequently I shall walk ; for I
am, as you know, an e.lthusiastic pedestrian. Sometimes I
shall go alone, stick in hand, sometimes with my faithful
dog at my heels, and oftener, let me hope, my dear friend,
in your good company, when you can spare time from the
more serious and important avocations of life.
My friend slightly shook his bead as I uttered the last
words, indicative of some doubt of a compliance with my
" very kind" invitation to fatigue himself occasionally to
gratify my whim ; but I do not think it amounted to a denial.
During this conversation we had landed at Woodside and
strolled a short distance into the interior; but my friend's

18111100 time having exphoc!, we hurricd hack to the ferry.,
boat, and in a few minutes landed at the spot whence we had
started, both gratified with our airing. We soon afterwards
took leave of each other for the day; and I, full of the pro-
pensity to scribble that had previously seized me, and had
been confirmed by his latter remarks, took my way home-
ward, and began to cogitate what part of the town or neigh-
bouring country . should have the honour of my maiden
sketch.

THE SOUTII SHORE AND DOCKS

The advent of the first fine weather at this period of the
year,- is almost immediately felt and acknowledged by all
classes of the community in a large town such as this, the
greater number of whom, after having been long pent up
within the smoky precincts of their brick-built dwellings,
eagerly embrace the first opportunity that presents itself to
breathe the revivifying sea air of the river, or the blander
atmosphere of the surrounding country. Nature makes an
effort to clear the general lungs of the accumulated soot and
dust of the winter, and I verily believe that a fine day in
spring does more for the reduction of consumption than all
toe nostrums ever devised by the sons of Esculapius, whe-
ther educated professors of the healing art, or discoverers of
cure-all medicines, not excluding Solomon's Balm of Gilead,
or even, Mr. Editor, the far-famed " Brandy and Salt" of
the benevolent Mr. Lee. On such a day our wider streets,
our quays, our public walks, become so unusually thronged
with motley groups, that one is led to inquire " where, in
the name of all that is anti-Malthusian, do they all come
from ?" Every street, lane, alley, court, or passage sends
forth its inhabitants; rich and poor, young and old, all who
can by possibility escape from the turmoils of business, or
who have courage to play truant from shop, school, or count-
ing house, combine to rnake'holiday, and rush to inhale that
only genuine " balm of Gilead," the fresh and invigorating
air "which earth derives from heaven." Out come the
ladies, too, nothing coy, and all at once, after the sombre
incumbrance of cloaks, and shawls, and furs, and boas, in
light and gay attire, and with smiling faces—likel butterflies,
(I mean no disparagement,) called from their comparative
state of torpor, to disport in the gladdening sunbeams.
I, too, on the day after parting with my friend, was invited
forth by the brightness of the morning to take a ramble—l
knew not whither. Chance led me to the south end of the
town. My first resolve was a walk to Aigburth ; but wishing
to visit the pier-heads at tide-time, I was induced to forego
so long an excursion. On reaching the top part of Mill-
street in Toxteth-park, and immediately beyond " Park
Cottage," I diverged iitto the first field on the right, which
slopes towards the river, and from which a charming pros-
pect may be enjoyed. A broad footroad, open to the public,
crosses diagonally, in a diketion towards the hamlet and
works known as the. Herculaneum Potteries. This field may
be considered as a common, open to the public. Numbers
of Women and children were scattered up and down upon it.
The little urchins were racing, leaping, rolling on the grass,
1 and shouting, with that heartfelt glee which ever accompanies
unrestrained recreation, and a sense of that liberty which is
inherent in the mind of our species. They recalled some
pleasing. yet melancholy reminiscences of my boyish days;
and I could have joined in their gambols, albeit they were
somewhat roioi, had I felt assured that my folly would
not have been remarked upon by the demure passers-by.
The day was exceedingly fine. The river was as smooth as
a lake, and so still was the air that the splash of the paddle-
wheels of the river-steamers, though at a considerable dis-
tance, fell distinctly on theear. The view is one of the finest in
the immediate outskirts of the town. The river and its wooded
shores are visible, from Ince round to Easthain, and thence
along the whole of the Cheshire shore to within a short dis-
tance of the Rock Lighthotise and Battery at the mouth of the
estuary,—these being covered by the prominent tower of
, St. Nicholas's Church. Nearly opposite is Rock Ferry, and
behind it Old Tranmere and Holt Hill. Birkenhead, from
this point, appears to be one continuous " insular" town,
extending from the church and hotel to the point on the
south of Wallasey Pool. The Welsh mountains, amongst
which Moel Famma is the most conspicuous of the range,
form the back ground. The quarantine hulks, fine old dis-
masted men of war, "like warriors taking their rest," are
interesting objects in the anchorage opposite, and the con-
stant change of river seenery gives animation to the picture.
A little to the right commences the forest of masts which
constitutes the strength and wealth of Liverpool ; and imme-
diately below are the Mersey Iron-works, and the Potteries,
with small docks, and immense timber yards. in which are
neatly piled an almost incredible quantity of- balks, spars,
deals, &c., the product of British America, and the shores of
the Baltic. To furnish such a supply, thousands upon thou-
sands of acres of land must have been devoted for a succes-
sion of years. This timber is discharged at the Brunswick
Dock, and partly at the. Queen's Dock, and is here stored
in yards and open fields, for removal to the town and to
the interior; chiefly by water to Manchester, Chester, St.
Helens, and other contiguous places.
Immediately below the field, two new streets, leading south
from Harrington, are laid out parallel with each other, and
with the river. The lower one is called Sefton-street, and
is excavated through the hamlet of the Potteries to a depth
of 10 to 15 feet under the level of the street, which is dis-
sected by it, several of the houses being pulled down. This
road is carried nearly a quarter of a mile further to the south,
and terminates abruptly at the wall bounding the land known
as Cropper's Dingle, on which are several handsome seats,
which I shall hereafter notice. On the west of this road,
and a little to the north of the Iron-works, stands a solitary
three-storied, tall house, which, until the mutations on this
part of the shore had given it new features, sixteen or'
eighteen years ago, was a well-known bathing-house, then
quaintly called, from its forlorn appearance, " Pity Me!"
It then stood close on the beach, but modern innovations
and encroachments on the river have obliterated its peculi-
arities. It is now surrounded by timber-yards, and is re-
duced in apparent altitude. A fine old man, who sat beside
me on the grass, informed me that he had tenanted that
house for thirty-four years, from the year 1802 ; and that it
was then the property of Mr. White, a gentleman who had
realised property as a tradesman of the town. The same
individual, he added, purchased the ferry-house of the Royal
Rock, with the land opposite to it to low-water mark, with
a view to establish a ferry between it and the Potteries ; but
he did not prosecute an object which, from the increasing
population of High Park, is certainly desirable. The old
man spoke highly of his landlord ; talked of the vast num-
bers of ladies, in particular, who were wont to bathe at his
house ; and appeared to lament the innovations that had
dispossessed him of his old and favourite home, the base of
which was then washed by the tide.
The " Potteries," whether as regards the hamlet or the
works, has now little to recommend it to attention. The works
are to be given up at the close of the present year. The finer
china-work has for some time been discontinued, and nothing
but a few ordinary articles of earthenware are now made.
The buildings (the chimneys of which are somewhat unique)
will be pulled down, and the site thrown into the grounds of
the adjacent extensive Iron-works.
Beyond the Potteries, on the south, a considerable portion
of land has been gained from the river, and formed into quay
room. Nearer the, Dingle land has also been taken in and
faced with a sea-wail. , A portion of it is appropriated as a
ship-builder's yard, in • which there is a large vessel nearly
ready for launching. The view from these quays is pleasing
and extensive, as is that .from another sloping field above
them, in which may be seen " the blossomed furze, unpro-
fitably gay."