The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-11 00:00:00

RAILIfrAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY HALF.
YEARLY MEETING.

The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held
on Friday, the 7th inst., at Dee's Royal Hotel, Birmingham ;
and we have again to congratulate our friends upon the flat-
tering prospects which the experience of this great under-
taking holds out to tliose interested in railway property.
From the report read by the secretary it appears that the
nett profit of the half year ending 31st December (always

the most unfavourable for traffic on railways) is £145,555
ss. 9d., out of which the directors have declared a dividend
of 8 per cent. upon the capital, or 4 per cent. for the half
year. This dividend, be it observed, is upon the full amount
of the shares, although of the £loo shares only £9O has been
called up, and of the £25 only £5 per share ; so that in re-
ality the dividend upon the amount paid up is considerably
more than 8 per cent.

We may refer to some points in the report in a future
,üblication. This week we are much pressed for space.

MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION

RAILWAY.
This undertaking, after the unparalleled expenses incurred
in parliament for three sessions, has at last been suffered to
drop through ; no notice of a bill for the present session
having been given up to the last day for receiving petitions.

PROGRESS OF THE WORKS ON THE. CHESTER
AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY.

The most important and expensive works required in the
formation of this line of railway are fast approaching towards
completion. The earthwork is far advanced, and had it not
been for the unparelled wetness of the last six months, the
excavations and embankments would have been already
finished ; but, although this cause has retarded the earth-
work, the weather has been highly favourable for prosecuting
the brickwork and masonry, and little is now left undone in
that department, except a few occupation bridges for.the use
of the landowners.
The principal structure on the line is the viaduct over the
Ellesmere and Chester Canal at Moston, which consists of
eleven arches. The centre one is what is called a skew arch,
being built at an angle of 48 degrees with the line of the
canal. The crown of the arch is 36 feet above the surface of
the water in the canal, and measures 52 feet in span. The
other ten land arches are 20 feet span, and the highest is 44
feet above the level of the ground.
The foundation for this erection was very bad, being what
is commonly called quicksand, and subject to be flooded by
the " Hundred Brook." It therefore required making good
by piling, planking, covering with concrete and invert arches
between the piers. These piers are now 411 built, and the
arches turned, and the parapet walls are all that are required
to complete the structure.

The centreings of the smaller arches were removed as fast
as the arches were closed, and that of the large arch, after
remaining a few weeks, was struck ten days ago. It must
be gratifying to the proprietors, and equally creditable to the
builder, to learn that in a work of such magnitude, not the
least appreciable subside-nee has taken place.
The next step we understand will be to commence the
erection of booking offices and coach sheds at the terminus.
It is probable that these may he completed simultaneous with
the opening of the line. In the mean time, however, the
business of the company may proceed with temporary sta-
tions, will be quite sufficient during the summer
months. The object ought, and we trust will be, to open
which
the line as soon as possible ; and the public, if this accom-
modation is afforded them, will gladly put up for a time at
least with any little inconveniences which may arise from the
want of waiting rooms, and other luxuries of the sort, which
railway companies are in the habit of affording them.

WEEKLY RETURNS OF RA.
(From the Railway 31

ILWAY TRAFFIC.
Magazine)

Passer- Cash.,y d
pr.wk.PleipP.audaile. 113 3
NAME. gers.
ay.
X. X. x.
Birmingham . ..... 120124 1064 154
South Western.. • • 2138 36,1 5
Great Western .• • • 2122 69 10
Greenwich ... . . 22897 789 208 291 3271
Manchester& I:eeds 9409 570 42k 6 1344
Birming. & --- 730 19 24
York &N. Midland
Croydon . ........ 6995 4304 41 6 999
Midland Counties.. 24994 251 164 24 357
Eastern Counties.. 3957 565
Glasgow & Ayr.... 1500. . 614 •51 1. 250 .
Ulster ' -7

CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE

IN LIVERPOOL.

Notwithstanding the unexpected appointment of the nup-
tials of our gracious Queen and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, to take place a day sooner than was anticipated, and
the consequent want of time for preparations on an extensive
scale, this town exhibited an extraordinary degree of loyalty
and good feeling on the occasion, all classes, so far as their
means were available, participating in the joyous, and we
may add, the blameless festivities of the day, which was un-
usually propitious for the season. Between eight and nine
o'clock there was a smart shower of rain, but soon after-
wards the sun shone out from a cloudless sky, with auspicious .
warmth and splendour ; the streets, washed by the rains, we're
clean and dry, and the whole town, from the multiplicity of
flags, banners, and streamers that were every where displayed,
and the general turn-out of the inhabitants, young and old,
presented a very gay and animated appearance.
Long before dawn, school-boys, and other youths, elated
with the coming joys of a holiday, brought out their little
cannons, pistols, and other explosive engines, which. by day-
break, they began to fire off in continuous succession, in all
quarters of the town, much to the amusement of themselves
and the enthusiastic in the cause, and no less to the annoy-
ance of thousands of the lukewarm and the lazy, who were
startled from their slumbers by the unwonted and ceaseless
concussion and vibration of windows and even of walls. The
hells of the several churches filled up each pause between by
chiming" and " pealing," at a most inveterate rate, which
was kept up at intervals throughout the whole of the day.
Several vessels in the river also fired off their " great guns"
at intervals. At at early hour, too, workmen were seen
busily employed with ladders and tools in fixing, in the prin-
cipal sboping streets, the apparatus for splendid illuminations
by gas, in various devices, which we shall hereafter notice.

Not the least interesting feature of the day was the avidity
with which loving couples, following the august and honoura-
ble example of our youthful Queen and her royal consort,
thronged to the several churches as simultaneous votaries of
Hymen. The general feeling was, in the sympathy with
royalty, to renounce all single blessedness, for connubial fe-
licity. Many a long-married couple resolved to have a sort
of second wedding; and many a prolonged courtship, that
might not otherwise have terminated for years to come, was
brought to an amicable compromise, to the infinite satisfac-
tion and delight of hundreds of before disconsolate spinsters,
youthful and aged. The general feeling, indeed, appeared
to be—

Let those now married, wedded be again ;
And single youths and damsels now be twain.

The doors of the parish churches were, about ten o'clock,
:hronged with spectators to witness the entrance or exit of
:he numerous couples who flocked to the altar in holiday

attire,

Divine worship took place in the several churches and dis-
senting places of worship in the morning, and high mass was
performed at the Catholic chapels, where also " God save
the Queen" was sung, as arranged by Sir G. Stevenson.
The principal streets were decorated with flags, and the
footwalks thronged by continuous streams of individuals of
all ranks, promenading, or viewing the preparations for the
illuminations in the evening. The principal shops were
closed throughout the town, in respect for the occasion, as
well as to afford a holiday to those who would otherwise be

confined behind the counter. In this respect the masters,
with very few exceptions, evinced at once their loyalty and
their liberality. Of the shops opened, or partially so, the

principal were those of the confectioners, the print-sellers
(with portraits of the royal couple), and the dealers in fancy

wares, including white favours, artificial roses, ribbons, and
nuptial medals, of which a considerable number were worn
on the breasts of the loyal. Flags were displayed at all the
public buildings, churches, and institutions. The inns also
showed their colours on this occasion.

Owing to the shortness of the notice of the royal marriage,
the benefit societies of the town found it impossible to make
the necessary preparations for a procession, in' which they
would otherwise gladly have joined. One society, lowever,
made a resolute and effective endeavour to show their good-
will on the occasion--" The Church of England Total Ab-
stinence Society." At about ten o'clock in the morning a
number of the junior and senior members assembled in
Queen's-square, and afterwards walked in procession through
the principal streets in the town. They were headed by the
royal standard, and a band of music in uniform attire. Ano-
ther military brass band brought up the rear. Almost every
member had either a small white flag, with a St. George's
cross, trimmed with flat, or a flag emblematic of the society,
with a suitable inscription. Each member wore a white fa-
vour (a rose or a rosette of white ribbon), and many displayed
handsome " temperance" and " nuptial" medals. The pro-
cession was followed by a lithographic printing press, on a
spring cart, from the establishment of Mr. Doyle, of South
John-street, by which many thousand bills were printed, as
it moved along, and distributed—to the following effect :--

• " Liverpool, February 10th, 1840.
" Issued during the procession from the Lithographic
Printing Press of Mr. Doyle, 20, Clarendon-rooms, South
John-street. In commemoration of the Royal Nuptials, this
day, the bearer will be entitled to a Lithographic Portrait
of Prince Albert, by application on Monday, the 2d of March
next, at the Lithographic Printing Office, as above."
The crushing and scrambling to obtain these " promissory
notes," was exceedingly amusing ; and we should think Mr.
Doyle will have (as the Yankees would say) pretty considera-
ble hard work to honour the whole of them by the appointed
time. The procession, though of but one society, occupied
the whole length of Castle-street, and the appearance of the
whole was highly-respectable and interesting.
The following is a list of the displays in sonic of the most
public thoroughfares :

CASTLE-STREET.
The Town-hall. The front terrace of this building bore
the royal standard of Great Britain, whose ample folds grace-
fully waved in the wind, and gratified the eye of the spec-
tator as he approached up Castle-street.
Messrs. Mavvdsley, Advertiser-office, four small flags.
British Fire-office, one large flag from the roof.
Mr. Kaye, Courier-office, four flags.
Mr. Dyke, large white flag.
Mr. Platt, three flags.
Queen's Arms Hotel, the royal standard.
The Albion-office, a large flag.
LORD-STREET.
Wilkinson and Cartwell, woollen warehouse, exhibited fou
small flags.
Mr. Tollit, bookseller, had one large white and variegated
flag, and one smaller, over his shop.
Messrs. Ross and Nightingale's shutters were ornamented
with a couple of well-executed portraits of Prince Albert,
which they intend, we understand, to present to the pur-
chasers of the Liverpool Chronicle on Saturday next.
J. Galt, confectioner, a union jack flag.
Mr. L. T. Gaskell, agent for the Times, had an elegant
white flag with blue borders, and a large one, on which was
represented a three.mast ship in gold, above his premises.
Mr. P. Dodgson, jun., in the balcony above his shop win-
dow, had an extremely well-executed full-length image of her
Majesty upon a pedestal, and over it the union jack of Eng-
land.

Mr. Tuton, draper, had four small flags over his windows,
and between them two others : on one of these was inscribed,
"V. A., the Queen and the Prince ;" and on the other,
" A. V., the Prince and the Queen ;" above these were two
other flags. In the evening a transparency was introduced
of the words " Hail, auspicious day !"
Mr. E. Smith, Leghorn bat warehouse, had two flags above
his premises, on one of which were the words—" Long live
the Queen ;" and on the other, " Long live the Prince."
Messrs. 'Wordley and Mayer exhibited a large union jack.
Mr. J. Corkhill had a beautiful new flag flying from a
window above his shop.
Mr. Rennie, hair dresser, a small flag, and ablue and white
streamer, with a red cross.
C HURCH -STREET:
Messrs. Kendal, over their toy warehouse, had a large
union jack flying.
Messrs. Rogerson and Minton, a beautiful image of her
Majesty, upon a pedestal, beneath a crimson canopy.
Messrs. Ellisons, three flags—England, Scotland, and Ire-
land.

Mr. Davies, glover, a small union jack.
Mr. Chopping, a large jack.
R. H. Somerville and Co. four beautiful small flags.
Mr. Borland, picture dealer, one flag with a white ground,
and another with a blue ground, on both of which were in-
scribed, " God save the Queen."
Graves and Co. two elegant transparent portraits of her
Majesty and Prince Albert, and underneath a large national
banner.

Mr. Clapham, a small flag, and on his premises in Para-
dise-street u large banner inscribed " V. R., the Queen, God
bless her."

Mr. Richard Taylor, ditto.
From the roof of the Liver Theatre there was a con-

tinuous firing from small arms during the day.
Mr. W. B. Promoli. This splendid and extensive esta-
blishment had by far the largest and most brilliant illumina-
tion in the town. It was designed with great taste, and the
execution of it reflects credit on the skill of Mr. Promoli, on
whose premises, and by whose workmen, the whole was exe-
cuted. Extending along the whole range there were the let-
ters V. and A., with a magnificent crown in the centre, and
a large star on each side. Some idea may be formed of the
magnitude and brilliancy of this design, when illuminated,
when we state that the two letters were between 6 and 7 feet
high, and the crown and stars of corresponding dimensions.
Mr. Langshaw's Conservative News-room displayed the
banner of the. Liverpool Trademen's Conservative Associa-
tion, the flag of Castle-street Ward, a very handsome silk
flag, and several small banners. There were also two beau-
tiful, striking transparent likenesses of our Gracious Majesty
and of Prince Albert in the front windows. The rooms were
brilliantly illuminated. The whole hada very striking effect,
and reflects much credit on Mr. Langshaw. -
BOLD-STREET.
The Lyceum, at the front opposite Church-street, had a
large union jack flying.
Messrs. Evans. Casson, and Mitchell, coach builders, a
splendidly executed banner of the royal arms.
Mr. George Woods, Adelphi House, three transparencies,
on which were—Unity, peace, and concord, and God save
the Queen, all surmounted by the royal standard.
Whitby and Williams, Etruria-rooms, a light blue and
white flag.
Mr. Dismore, silversmith and jeweller to the Queen, had
an elegant device in gas surrounding the royal arms, above
his premises.
Mr. Fisher, chemist arid druggist, a large flag.
Mr. T. B. Hayward, a small flag with the union jack, sus-
pended from a line attached to a shop on the opposite side.
Messrs. Hand and Son, a flag with white ground and crim-
son fringe, on which were in gold " V. R." ; also a large silk
flag.
Mr. Blake, several flags, on one of which was inscribed
" The Queen and the Constitution."
Messrs. Littlejohn and Son, a large white and crimson
flag.

BERRY-STREET.
Mr. Thomas Cross, Rob Roy Inn, a small flag.
Mr. Meacock, small union jack.
Mr. Gardner, a large blue and white standard.
Mr. John Rothwell, ditto.
COLQUITT-STREET.
The Royal Institution on this occasion was generously
;lirown open for the inspection of the public, gratis. The
street was continually crowded with eager visitants, but the
greatest order and decorum prevailed- Many thousands
availed themselves of this liberality, and it is only just to say
that we did not hear of the slightest dainage having been

done by them. We were unable to learn, at the period of
our going to press, the exact numbers who visited the insti-
tution.

GREAT 'GEORGE-STREET. .
The Templar's Hall was ornamented with a large union
flag waving from the roof.

ST. JAMES'S-STREET.
A very handsome British flag was hoisted at the timber-
yard of Messrs. Cooban, the staff surmounted by a long
white pendant.
At Lewers' millinery warehouse was displayed a neat flag,
made of blond net, a Maltese cross in silk in the centre.
This had a good effect, though of very pervious materials.
DUKE-STREET.
A fine British flag was displayed, top-mast high, at the
stone-yard opposite Colquitt-street; also a considerable
number of smaller flags.

RAgELAGH-STREET.
At Mr. Jagger's, innkeeper, a large emblematic flag, with
a figure of Britannia, Shipping, &c., and the inscription—
" Europe protected by Britannia from the Demons of Dis-
cord." Many other handsome flags were exhibited in this
street; and from the Adelphi Hotel and other buildings in
Ranelagh-place. Mr. Stott, from his lace establishment,
distributed a considerable quantity of ribbons and artificial
flowers, which were eagerly and thankfully appropriated by
the throng.

DALE-STREET.
Numerous flags, banners, and other similar decorations,
were exhibited from the principal hotels and shops in this
street.

BYROM-STREET.
Mrs. Pyer, confectioner, exhibited a large and handsome
crown, illuminated with gas.
Mr. Forester, a large flag with white ground and blue
border, in the midst of which was a crown.

WHITECHAPEL.
Mr. Thomas Woollam's, a flag inscribed " The Queen !
Mai• God bless her."
Mr.. T. Philips, Stag and Pheasant Inn, an union jack and
a large flag belonging to an oddfellows' or freemasons' lodge.
Mrs. Miller, Swan Inn, a flag with gold letters, " Long
live the Queen !"
Mr. Holt, tee-dealer, a similar flag.
Mr. Gresler, London.-house, " Long live Queen Victoria 1"
on a large, handsome flag.
RICHMOND-ROW.

Mr. Wood's, two flags.
Total Abstinence Hotel, One flag.
Mr. Thorneley's, Mason's Arms, one flag.
Mr. Holden's, one flag.
Stafford Arms Inn, two flags.
UNION-STREET.
Mr. George 'Wright, (one of the council,) a large and deli.
cafe flag suspended by wreaths of flowers across the street.
Near the top was a crown, and in one compartment at one
side of it, the motto, round the crown, " Rejoice for your
Queen and her Church," on a crimson silk ground ; in ano-
ther, on the opposite side, round the Liverpool arms, " Ships,
Colonies, and Commerce," and " The Pride of.the World."
This flag had a very splendid appearance.
It would be impossible within our limits to describe all the
flags that were displayed throughout other parts of the town.
Suffice it therefore to say, with reference to those not
enumerated, that they were of all possible colours and de-
scriptions. The British flag, in the various forms of the
Standard, the Ensign, and the Union Jack, predominated
—many of them of silk : numerous flags of societies, and
others with coats of arms, were also displayed, and the
whole, with the emblematical decorations, evinced a general
feeling in favour of the union of our Sovereign with the
prince of her choice.