The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-04-06 00:00:00

."The Dock (War

"The Railway

The CHAIRMAN proposed the healths of Mr. Rendell and
Mr. Paxton. ~_

The Hon. Captain HOWARD gave "The Press," and the
CHAIRMAN proposed "The Cheshire Witches," and the
dejeund terminated.

THE PARK

There is no town in the kingdom, considering its com-
parative infancy, which is so well provided with what may
be called the rus in urbe, as Birkenhead. The commis-
sioners, or main proprietors, adopted a wise and liberal
plan a priori for a combination of commercial conve-
nience and rural enjoyment. The PARK, within, it may
be said, the precincts of the town, comprises about 190
acres of land ; and the whole is enclosed within handsome
iron railings, and laid out in the most approved manner by
Mr. Paxton, landscape gardener to the Duke of Devonshire.
The land, though formerly a waste, is brought into fine
order and cultivation, and the aspect from any point
is extensive and delightful, the whole being on a gently
inclined plane, rising towards the north-west, from the
eastern coast of the Mersey, and withal so undulated and
adorned with lakes, as to give it, as Milton wrote of a
happier seat, " that diversity of hill and dale that earth
derives from heaven." Round the margin, about 60
acres are appropriated for detached villas, leaving, how-
ever, 120 acres for the use of the public for ever. There
are two extensive lakes, and some smaller ones, with
Chinese and other bridges spanning the narrower strips of
water ; also rockeries, pavilions, and other ornamental
works, including a splendid Grecian entrance, with
columns, not to be surpassed in design and execution by
anything of the kind in England or in Europe ; besides
six lodges, or gate-keepers' residences, all of varied and
beautiful architecture. On the lakes there are numerous
swans and other aquatic birds, who appear to have become
quite " domesticated," and afford much amusement to
visitors. The land, over a great portion of the surface,
throughout, presents an enlivening verdure ; and the
shrubberies, rockeries, fonciful boats, &c., are all that
can be wished by one of the most romantically inclined.
If any person has skill and taste to write poetry, here he
will, in summer, find, the muses ready " courted," and
may spin away. In fine, this extensive park will
remain a perpetual ornament to the town and neigh-
bourhood, and a pleasing resort for health and recreation.
It will be surrounded by elegant villas, with lawns and
pleasure grounds. Amongst other interesting objects in
the neighbourhood, is Flaybrick Hill, covered with fine
heath, and commanding an extensive prospect; and behind,
and still higher, rises Bidston Hill, affording still more
extensive views in every direction, including the Welsh
mountains, and the expanse of sea to the Ormsheads ; or,
it may be, in clear weather, to the Isle of Man. Mount
Claughton, the splendid new residence of Wm. Jackson,
Esq., is also an interesting feature in the landscape, as
are many other seats and villas.
The Park was densley crowded, and for some hours an
uninterrupted stream of people were pouring rapidly in.
The usual class of holiday makers were to be seen in
abundance, and the usual sort of amusement had been
provided for them. Greased poles were numerous, with
'hats—tempting to the bare-headed—seductively hanging
from their summits—a safe speculation on the part of the
originator, as amongst all the candidates that we saw (and
they were many) there were none who stood the most re-
mote chance of having their efforts crowned with success.
Foot races also took place, as did sack races. Also, that
popular feat so detrimental to the character of English
manly beauty—grining through the horse-collar. Of
course, as is usual in these cases, the greatest amusement
was in the discomfiture of the unsuccessful essayists. A
slip from the greased pole, or a tumble in a sack was hailed
with roars, that sounded in the distance like thunder. A
party of bell-ringers were stationed in a neat little pavilion
on the margin of a beautiful piece of water, and played
a variety of popular

At about Inaf-past four o'clock, when Lord Morpeth
and the rest of the guests were expected to visit the park,
a great rush was made to the entrance-gate, when a sharp
shower of rain came on, which created a considerable
amount of confusion, and in the midst of it, the cortege
drove into the park ; but instead of making any public
manifestation of themselves, the visitors were compelled
to remain covered-up carriages and closed windows.
After a drive round the park, they left the grounds.