The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-07-12 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STA N 1 )!;:* D.

OPENING DINNY,R AT THE ROYAL ROCK

FERRY HOTEL.

On Friday a dinner was given to the proprietors of the Royal
Rock Ferry and their friends by Mrs. Dobson, of the Rock
Hotel, to commemorate its opening. The dinner was an-
nounced to take place at four o'clock. At half-Past three
o'clock packets, gaily ornamented with flags; .and having on
board Joliff's band of music, left George's Pierhead, Liverpool,
crowded by gentlemen intending to dine. On landing at the
fine pier purchased by the Rock Ferry Company, the band ar-
ranged themselves in front, and the whole company were mar-
shalled to the hotel, passing under a kind of triumphal arch -at
the pier gates hung with flags and decorated with evergreens.
The hotel gates were also similarly ornamented. The band
then stationed itself in front of the hotel, playing enlivening
airs until dinner was announced. The weather fortunately
proved very fine, and contributed much to the enjoyment of the
afternoon.. No room in the house being calculated to contain
the number of gentlemen who were expected to attend, a tem-
porary and spacious building was raised in the yard of the
hotel, covered with a substantial awning of sailcloth, &c.
At the upper end of this was a transverse table, having three
tables running down from it the whole length of the inte-
rior. The interior of the erection was very tastefully orna-
mented with flags bearing various inscriptions—" Success to
the Shipping Interest," "The good old Town of Liverpool,"
"King and Constitution," " Success to the Royal Rock Ferry,"
&c. &c., with a number of "Union Jacks," whilst the pillars
which supported the roof were twined round with evergreens
and flowers, and festoons of flowers and evergreens hung from
pillar to pillar in profusion. At the middle of the centre table
a sort of alcove was provided for the chairman lined with scar•!
let, which was surmounted by a large painting of the " King's
arms" very handsomely executed. The tables were very ele-
gantly set out, and ornamented with jellies and confectionaries,
&c., which gave them a very pretty appearance. The whole
was lighted up by a number of ground glass lamps suspended
from the roof.
The dinner was both ample and good, and the wine much
superior to that generally given at public dinners ; the wait-
ing was very well arranged. The desert was also very fair, and
we think few could complain that they had not had 12s. 6d.
worth for their ticket. The management reflected much credit
on Mrs. Dobson.

Henry Lawrence, Esq., occupied the chair, and Robert Rus-
sel, Esq., the vice-chair, supported by J. Mulholland, Esq. and
Wm. Henderson Esq., as vice-chairmen of the two side tables.
About 240 gentlemen sat down to dinner. At the bottom of the
left-hand table a most excellent company of glee singers were
stationed, and the band was placed outside the tent behind the
chairman, and played at intervals.
After the cloth had been withdrawn, "Non nobis domine"
was sung, the company standing. After which,
The CHAIRMAN gave "His Majesty the Kiwi., and may all
his measures redOund equally to his own glory °alto the advan-
tage (*the country." • Given with three times three cheers and
one cheer more ; followed by the national anthem—" God save
the King," the company standing.
The CHAIRMAN then gave, "-Her Majesty the Queen, a
bright example of every domestic virtue." With three times
three: Glee—" Hail Smiling Morn ;" which was followed by
"The Princess Victoria, and the rest of the Royal Family, and
may the House of Brunswick long reign over a happy and con-
tented people ;" three times three, Glee—" Hail Star of
Brunswick,' " Our glorious constitution, the pride of Britain,
and the envy of the world," was then given with three times
three tremendous cheers, and one cheer more. Glee—" With
a jolly full bottle." On arriving at the part of the glee
" Here's a health to Olu England, the King, and the church,
And may our plotting reformers be left in the lurch."
the company simultaneously rose, and gave three enthusiastic
cheers. This toast was followed by " the British army, and,
whenever their services shall again be required, may they con-
duct themselves in the same glorious manner in which they
hitherto always have done ;" three times three. Glee—" The
mighty conquerer." The baud afterwards playing, "See the
conquering hero comess." "The Navy, the wooden walls of
Old England, by whose exertions this country has been for
centuries exempted front the horrors of war ;"three times three.
Glee—" Britain's best bulwarks are her wooden walls;" followed
by a song by Mr. Napthali, "Here's a health to our country,
the mighty and brave;" on arriving at the part " here's a health
to our clergy and King," the company again gave three spun;
tatmeous cheers.

The CHAIRMAN would give a toast in which he was sure they
would all join with the greatest pleasure. They had frequently
given the toast but in rather too confined a sense. On this oc-
casion he would beg leave to extend the toast and instead of the
" Lancashire witches" he would give " The witches on both
sides of the Mersey." The toast was drunk amidst much cheer-
ing.
Mr. SAMUEL. HOLME begged to call on the chairman to ac-
knowledge the toast as there was no one Bette: calculated to do
so. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN did not know exactly in what respect he re-
presented the ladies. He could only say that when he should be
so fortunate as to have any one over whom he might have pecu-
liar influence, he should be very happy to present her to them.
He would propose that they should have the glee " here's a
health to all good lasses."
The glee was then sung amidst loud applause.
Mr. JOHN NELSON WOOD begged permission to give a toast,
which he hoped would be received with the enthusiasm it de-
served. Had the gentleman not been present he could have
spoken of him in a way more congenial to his own feelings
without being guilty of flattery. He was a gentleman well-
known to them all and was esteemed by every one. He was a
gentleman upon whom the breath of slander had never fallen.
He was both in his professional and civil capacity the upright
and conscientious counsellor. He would give them " the
health of their worthy chairman, Henry Lawrence, Esq."
Given with three times three cheers and one cheer more.
The CHAIRMAN rose to respond to the toast. His worthy
friend Mr. Wood had said so much for him, that if he had
been the vainest person in the world he could have wished no-
thing more to be said in his favour. Though unaccustomed to
attend at such meetings, he had conic at the request of some of
his friends around him, and if by coming he had in any man-
ner added to the conviviality of the meeting or the success of
the undertaking it would give him the greatest pleasure. He
must say that it could not but give pleasure to every one to see
these uudettekings starting up ou every side,. and witILIVO.
probabilities of success. Prom the reception they bad had that
day ho could not but augur well for the success of the under-
taking, and that it would be of advantage to the public. He
would not trespass much upon their time, but he should not do
his duty if he did not propose the health of Mrs. Dobson and
success to the Rock Ferry Hotel. He should hope that the
efforts of the proprietors would be emulated elsewhere. He
thought the accommodations for landing there so much supe-
rior to those at the other side of the water, that he hoped the
other side would follow this example. (Hear.) In his capa-
city as a councillor he should be happy to use his efforts to add
to the accommodations at the other side. (Cheers.) "The
health of Mts. Dobson, and success to the Royal Rock Ferry
Hotel." were then drunk with three times three,
Mr. TINLEY had great pleasure in returning thanks on be-
half of Mrs. Dobson. He would say for her what her feelings
would not permit her to say for herself, that he was quito sure
her anxious desire wits to give the utmost satisfaction 'she pos-
sibly could to all who might come to her house. (Cheers.) Mrs.
Dobson had desired him to say, on communicating to her that her
health had been drunk, that when she heard that the cheers
which were given were given on her account, the remembrance
of it would cheer her on to endeavour to give satisfaction to all
who might honour her house. He concluded by calling on Mr.
Shaw for a song.
The VICE.PRESIDENT said two hackney-coachmen were once
conversing in London about the municipal corporations' act,
when one asked the other what he thought it meant. The other
replied, "why really he did not know, but he thought it a mat-
ter of wittles." He would beg to propose to them what was a
matter of ivittles to him, (being a ship-carpenter,) "Ships, co-
lonies, and commerce," which was drunk with three times three.
Mr. MULHOLLAND proposed " The good old town of Liver-
pool, and the trade thereof. It must be a gratification to every
individual present who was connected with Liverpool to drink
the toast. They must feel proud at being connected with the
first town in the British empire. The toast was given with
three times_three, and one cheer more.

Glee—" Life's'a bumper fill'd by fate."
The CHAIRMAN begged to propose as a toast by itself, " Suc-
cess. to the Royal Rock Ferry Company," connected with the
flkme of Mr. Jenkins. They were much indebted to that com-
pany for the accommodation they had afforded to the public.
l'he toast was drunk with much cheering.
Mr. JENK INS, on behalf of himself and the other directors of
the Royal Rock Fell), Company, begged to return his most
grateful thanks for the kind manner in which the toast had been
received. It was pleasing to him to be able to state to them,
that the progress of the undertaking, so far as it had gone, had
altogether been satisfactory ; and in evidence of that he need
only look around at the number of respectable gentlemen who
were assembled to promote the undertaking. They were a great
deal dependent on the exertions of Mrs. Dobson, and be hoped
the evidence of that day would show that she did', her utmost to
assist them. It had been the wish of the directors to render to
the public every accommodation they could; and they had en-
deavoured in every way to show their gratitude for the support
they had hitherto received. Laying aside all jealous feelings
he m►ght have of any of their competitors he would, with the
chairman's permission, propose "Success to all the ferries on
this side of the river Mersey ;" right and left might they all suc-
ceed. iu their undertakings. The toast was given with three
times three.

Mr. Wm. HENDERSON proposed "The health of the Stew-
ards," which was drunk amidst loud cheering.
Mr. TILEvEyLAN RAYNES being loudly called for, rose to re-
spond to the toast. He had not the slightest expectation that
he should have been called on to return thanks, as one of the
stewards, on their behalf; it had, in fact, been otherwise ar-
ranged. He was in consequence unprepared to return them
thanks as he would have wished to have done. He had not
language to express what he would wish on that occasion. He
was quite sure that his fellow-stewards, along with himself, felt
grateful for the manner in which the company had drank their
healths, and on any future occasion on which they might meet
together the stewards would do their utmost to promote the hap-
piness of those who might favour them with their company.
Song by Mr. Cole—" The maid of Langollen."
'The CHAIRMAN proposed "The tradesmen of Liverpool."
He should make no comment on their merits; they were well
known. The toast was drunk with three times three. _

M. SAMUEL Hor.stE being loudly called for, rose to acknow-
ledge the toast. Though there were many gentlemen con-
nected with Liverpool in the room more calculated, and fully
capable to return thanks for the body with which he was con-
nected, vet, he begged to assure them, like a person in a higher
place, that he for one " should stand or fall by his order."—
(Cheers.) He must confess, since he had entered that room,
his feelings had been wandering back to the origin of the great
community at the other side of the water, and he had been con-
sidering that not many years had elapsed since the fine town
with which he had tfie honour to bo connected was composed of
a few humble cottages, and the magnificent river simply reflected
the sails of a few fishing smacks. By the exercise of commerce,
and skill,
He trusted that the body of men with whom he was connected,
they now saw that town second to none in the empire.
filling stations of great responsibility, would be ever found at
their posts, and in the path of duty, and do all they could.fot-
the future prosperity of the town. (Cheers.) Several indivi-
duals whom he now saw around him (treadesmen of Liverpool)
had supported the project of building on that almost foreign
shore, and they had planted their standard first at Birkenhead,
and took their capital, and their skill there, and if population
might be considered as the basis of representation in Parlia-
ment, Birkenhead would in a short time lay claim to it. It did
not require.much stretch of imagination to connect the Rock
and Birkenhead together. He should not feel jealous if he
saw that future town rival the one on the other side. How was
this to be effected? It was to be done, if ever it was done,
by that mighty and mysterious engine which, in the beautiful
words of our late lamented and eloquent representative. Mr.
Canning. " accelerates intercourse, shortens distances, creates
new and unexpected neighbourhoods, and gives to the
fickleness of winds, and the faithlessness of waves, the certainty
of a passage on dry land." It seemed as if it were reserved to
the mechancical glory of the present age to apply that myste-
'. rious and powerful engine to the purposes of human civiliza-
tion. He need not remind that community of farseeing men
of sense, that a steam communication was of the greatest im-
ps tame to any district. Land in that neig,hhourhood had
risen more than 1000 per cent, and individuals were enabled by
its agency to gO, at a trifling expense, frOm the smoke of Liver-

pool, and enjoy a refreshing and pure atmosphere. He should
tint trouble them at a great length, except to express his hope,
that the same necessity which had led gentlemen to establish
that, would lead other gentlemen to establish other ferries, and
he hoped that prosperity would attend them. He hoped that
the order to which he. belonged would never be found back-
ward either with their capital or their talents, in forwarding'
such undertakings as that. (Cheers.) There was one body of
Men to which he thought the town was deeply indebted. Those
men who were now the owners of 10,00) ships to bring, not
only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life from every port
tinder lleaien ; he begged to propose " the health of the- Mei,:
chants or Liverpool." Given with 3 times 3.
Mr. Lows, being called on acknowledged the toast. He felt
very much gratified at being called on to return thanks for the
merchants of Liverpool, and he had the greatest pleasure in
doing so. He begged to thank them in their name for the
honour they had done them. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN proposed " the health of the 'gentry of
Cheshire," which was given with three times three.

Mr. Pemberton suns. in fine style, "The old English Gentle-
man."

Mr. JENKINS proposed "the health of Mr. Ambrose Lace,"
a man whose skill in his profession stood unrivalled, and to
whom they were much indebted. (Cheers.) Given wall three
times three.

Mr. LACE acknowledged the compliment. He had looked
with very great gratification at the establishment of that under-
taking they were met to commemorate. In his opinion, audio
the opinion of other owners of property iu connexion with him
on the opposite side of the river, it would promote the conve-
nience of Liverpool in a very great degree. He looked upon
it that the Rock Ferry would, for all the purposes of a ferry,
supercede alli other terries for the town of Liverpool. He
should be glad to promote the interest of the ferry to the utmost
of his power, and anything he could do with his own property
opposite to the advantage of this ferry and the public he should
be glad to do.
The CHAIRMAN having vacated the chair at nine o'clock,
Mr. Dawson and afterwards Mr. Raynes were called to the
chair, when a number of toasts and sentiments were given, and
the hilarity of the meeting was kept up to a late hour.