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

TIIE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

withstanding the fact that there are no less than eleven bridges
within the compass of a mile.

By the same Conveyance a part of the cargo of the ship Or-
gan, consisting of guano, was despatched to Chester. It was
unloaded on the quay, put into the waggons, and carried direct
directorsit wastio tn Thls. shows the_ comple.te. success of the

he ultimatnm of theirwishes—and prover
ad been considered an impossibility might, by per-
verance, be accomplished.

THE DEJEUNER

was served up in a room adjoining the promonade. The
whole was fitted up in the most superb style, although
the decorations were of a simple kind. This room is
about the same size as the ball-room, and is capable of
accommodating 850 persons. The head table ran the
whole length of the room, from which the other tables
(seventeen in number) were arranged at right angles.
The viands and wines were the most recherche, and did
the utmost credit to Mr. Hilliar, who, as a caterer
for the public taste, has already earned a merited repu-
tation. Along the whole line of tables, many neat and

b,es of confectionary were placed—some

of them bearing banneretts with mottos, &c. upon them.
These decorations gave the tables an elegant and pleasing
appearance. This room was also fluted and ornamented
with the same description of drapery as the ball-room.
In one of the ante-rooms a most excellent military
hand was stationed, which, during the entire of the day,
discoursed " ds." ►w

.ile concord of sweet sounc—, and, by their
presence, tended much to increase the hilarity of the

entire scene

After returning from the opening of the docks, the
company assembled in the promenade, from which they
were ushered into the dejeuner room, by Mr. Toole,

toast-master, who acted as master of the ceremonies.
The company were then shewn to their respective seats in
the alphabetical order in which the tickets had been issued.

As these rooms were fitted up in a style hitherto
unattempted in this part of the kingdom, indeed we
question if ever attempted in any other part of the king-
dom—we have prepared a plan, showing the positions of
the several rooms, and also the order in which the tables
were arranged. This, together with the other plan of the
docks, we present to our readers : it will be found in our
seventh page.
At each of the tables one of the dock company officiated
as stewards. Amongst those gentlemen were the follow-
ing :—Mr. Pim, Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Little, Mr. Barbour,
Mr. Tyrer, Mr. J. H. Hind, Mr. Bryans, Mr. W. Cole,
Mr. Burt, Mr. W. Laird, Mr. Wanklyn, Mr. M. Laird,
Mr. Radcliffe, Mr. Thomson, Mr. H. Wood, Mr. Winch,
and Mr. Appleton. About half-past two o'clock, the
honoured guest, Lord Morpeth, entered the room, and
was received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations
of applause. He was closely followed by Lord Monteagle,
Lord Lincoln, Lord De Lisle, Sir Philip Egerton, Bart.,
Sir Thomas Trafford, Bart., E. Ainsworth, Esq., M.P.,
and several other gentlemen, and a very large number of
the fairer portion of creation. Shortly afterwards the
platform, or head table, became crowded by the elite of
this and the neighbouring towns.
JOSEPH BAILEY, Jun., Esq., M.P., occupied the chair;
the vice-chairs being filled in the most efficient manner
by Mr. John Laird, and Mr. Potter.
In the vicinity of the chair we observed the following
amongst the crowd of gentlemen, most of whom were
strangers :
Charles Stanley, Esq., of Denhall ; Mr. Elkanah Ar-
mitage, of Manchester; Dr. Phillips Jones, Mayor of
Chester ; Ex-Mayor of Manchester ; Alfred Orrell, Esq.;
Robt. Barbour, Esq. ; Samuel Brooks, Esq. ; Robert
Garnett, Esq. ; Atherton, Esq. • Capt. Bevis, R.N. ;
L. Hope, Esq. • E. Ainsworth, Esq. M.P. ; Grims-
ditch, Esq. M.P. ; Mr. Heron, Town-clerk of Manches-
ter ; F. Maddock, Esq., Town-clerk of Chester ; Mr.
Leach, of Stockport ; Mr. Lucas, of Manchester ; John
Dugdale, Esq. ; Wm. Jackson, Esq. ; Jno. S. Jackson,
Esq. ; J. W. Harden, Esq. ; Jos. Mallaby, Esq, ; Rev.A.
Knox ; Jeremiah Garnett, Esq., of the Manchester Guar-
dian; James Burt, Esq., sen. ; S. Schawbe, Dean of
Chester ; Mr. Toole, Toast-Master ; Mr. Randal ; Mr.
Morris ; Mr. Hilton ; and Mr. Paxton.
A blessing having been asked by the Rev. Mr. Knox.
of Birkenhead, ample justice was done to the abundant
supply of viands, beneath which the tables groaned.
Silence. having been restored, _ _

The CHAIRMAN rose and said: Ladies and Gentlemen, be-
fore proceeding to discharge the duties which your kind par-

his day,

and also t~rom the shortness Ortlie time all Owed

for preparation, I fear much that many things will be
left unsaid which ought to be said, and many things will
be left undone which ought to be done. I trust that in
your kindness I shall find pardon for many deficiencies

which I may exhibit on the iresent occasion, as t
dent of this large, this intellectual, this influential; and
highly respectable assemblage. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, the

calls forth

liveliest cli'rionstrations of that loyaly to the throne which has
ever animated the heart of every true Englishman. (Loud
cheers.) But how much greater—how much more intense—
must be the feelings of loyal attachment which we entertain
for the Sovereign who now sways the sceptre of this mighty
empire, when we reflect on the dignified and parental manner
in which she discharges those duties which the constitution of
the British nation imposes upon her. (Cheers.) The faithful
manner in which the several duties, not only of Sovereign, but
those more homely and endearing duties of wife and mother,
have been discharged by our beloved and most gracious
Monarch, has won for her not only loyalty, but our heartfelt
love and affection. (Hear, hear, hear, and cheers.) To her
domestic concerns I should not perhaps have alluded, in a
public meeting like the present, nor would I have done so but
that I am surrounded by a brilliant gallaxy of our fair country-
women—her best and most devoted subjects ;—(loud cheers)—
and I trust that the allusion to one so truly great? so benignly
virtuous, and humbly aimable in all the relations of life—
wife, mother, sovereign,—may not be without profit to those of
any fair countrywomen by whom I am this day surrounded.
{Cheers.) Gentlemen, I give you, with a flowing bumper—
Her Majesty the Queen." Drunk standing, and aU the

The CHAIRMAN again rose and said : Ladies and Gentle
men, whilst our loyalty is undividedly shewn to the illustriou

who was the st

which I am about to propOse, also demands the expression of
our warmest feelings of loyal attachment. It is the health of
her Majesty the Queen Dowager, whose charities are known

and felt thinughout the length and breadth of this kingdom.
(Cheers). Her beneficence is not confined to the particular
locality.whPre she resides. No, it is manifested over the whole
of the nation. The toast also proposes the health of the
Queen's Consort, Prince Albert, (cheers,) and the Prince of
Wales, on whom the hopes of this kingdom are placed,, for a
future monarch. (Hear, hear). And, Gentlemen, it is my
most sincere wish and desire, as I am sure it is yours, that in
future time those hopes may be realised. (Cheers.) I will not
detain you longer, but give you, without further preface-
-4' Her Majesty the Queen owager, his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal
Family." Drunk with enthusiasm.
When silence was restored, _ _ _ _ _ _

The CHAIRMAN again presented himself and said: Ladies
and Gentlemen, the next toast on my list is the Army and
Navy—(cheers)-f-a body of men who have already earned for
themselves. imperishable fame by their feats of gallantry.
(Renewed cheers.) Nevertheless, I hope that it may be long,
long, ere their gallant services will he again called into requisi-
tion. (Hear, hear.) The hopes and pursuits of the people of
this kingdom ought,— aye and they do, tend to peace; for it is
our interest to cultivate—when we can do so consistently with
our honour and our dignity—the most peaceful relationship
with every nation on earth. But, at the same time, situated
end blessed hv Providence as we are with an tinnaraleileri rnm-

merce, extensive colonies, and a multitude of people—subjects
and allies—who look up to us for protection, it is necessary—
absolutely necessary—to support our Army and Navy in that
state of efficiency which has ever enabled them to carry the
flag of Britain unspotted and untarnished by dishonour or re-
proach to the extremities of the earth ;—(enthusiastic applause),
and also to repel the aggressive attacks of any nation which
may come against us. (Renewed cheers.) Whilst I should ever
regret seeing our Army and Navy used as an unjustly aggressive
force, still I do confidently hope and trust, that if ever the time
should arrive when, as a defensive force, their assistance to
protect the liberties of the people of this free nation will be
required, that they will, as they have done before—" do their
their duty." (Vociferous applause.)
"The Army and Navy." Drunk with all the honours._

Captain Bi'vis, R.N., and Major VICKERS, respectively re-
sponded to this toast in brief and appropriate speeches.
The CHAIRMAN : Ladies and Gentlemen, I now beg leave to
give the health of a body of men who have ever been ready to
forward, by their countenance, and most strenuous support, any
good work which could be projected for the welfare and hap-
piness of the people of this country—l allude to the Bishop
and Clergy of this Diocess. (Loud cheers.) I will now say,
that having gone through what may be justly termed the na-
tional toasts, I shall not again ask you to respond to any of the
toasts standing, if
.you allow me one exception to this rule—
(Hear, hear.) Having said this much,. on a matter of routine
business, allow me to propose to you, in the most cordial man-
ner—" The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocess." Drunk stand-
ing, and with the utmost enthusiasm.

Tl►e DEAN of CHESTER, !rose to respond to the sentiment,
and said—Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I beg to return you
my most grateful and heartfelt thanks for the h►gh honour you
have this day done to the Bishop and Clergy of this diocese by
proposing their health, and also for the very cordial manner in
wh►ch that toast has been received. I cannot resume my seat

without also thanking you, on the part of my fellow-labourers
in this vineyard, for the very handsome manner in which you
have spoken of our labours; and I trust that never shall we, by
any act of ours, forfeit that good esteem which you entertain
for us; but, on the contrary, I sincerely hope that each succes-
sive act of our lives shall tend more and mare to tighten those
_ _

clery and the people of this important diocese. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.) The venerable dean resumed his seat,' amidst
reiterated bursts of applause. _

When silence was agsiin.restored,
The CHAIRMAN said : Ladies and Gentlemen,—l have now
the honour of proposing to you the health of a nobleman who
who fills the highest public situation in the county. I mean
the Lord Lieutenant of the County. (Cheers.) He is a noble-
man who is so well known in his public as well as in his private
capacity, that it might savour somewhat of adulation, were I
to descant upon his many virtues as those virtues deserve to be
be spoken of. I will, therefcre, content myself with simply
proposing the health of
"The Lord Lieutenant of the County." (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN again presented himself; and was received
with loud app'ause. When silence was restored he said :
Ladies and Gentlemen, I trust you have obeyed the injunctions
of this most efficient officer (the Toast Master) who stands be-
hind me—(hear, hear, from all parts of the room)—for I think
when you hear it announced we shall all be agreed that the
toast deserves a bumper. (Hear, hear.) I take this opportu-
nity of thanking the Noble Lord on my right—(cheers)—in the
name, not only of the Birkenhead Dock Commissioners, and
those who have taken a particular interest in the prosecution of
these great works, but, I will also thank him in the name
of the public, for having given the sanction of his name
to our proceedings—proceedings which are intended to conduce
to the welfare and prosperity of the people at large. (Hear,
hear, and cheers.) His public career has now been of some
duration : his public character is now well known to the entire
'ole of England : and, therefore, it would be useless for me
-_rge upon a subject with which all of you must be ac-
quainted. I sin informed—although I have not had the
honour of his private acquaintance—l have been informed by
those who were so favoured, that his private worth is in every
way commensurate with his public worth and reputation.
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) I am sure, gentlemen, that it will be
regarded by us as a high privilege—perhaps the highest of our
lives—that we are thus afforded the opportunity .of honouring
a man whose real worth is yet unknown to this nation. (Cheers.)
I know you will ; and I know that you will do your utmost to
snake this day at least one of satisfaction to his noble and in-
tellectual mind. (Cheers.) I will now remark that being, as
we are on the shores of the Mersey, the noble lord, who is par-
ticularly our guest to-day, in his career as a public man had
the moral courage, the straightforward boldness, to travel
out of the beaten track of legislators, who legislate on the rela-
tionship which should exist between this country and one from
which much of our wealth is derived, in acquiring that know-
edge which all men in his sphere of life should be possessed
of. The noble lord, instead of receiving his information at
second' hand, went to visit America himself. He went to see
how those amicable relations, which are so essential to the wel-
fare of both countries, were likely to be affected 'by the ques-

tions which were at issue between the two kingdams. He has
given to all these matters his personal attention: he has investi-
gated all these circumstances : he has considered the advantages
which, of course, must accrue to this country from a free 'and
unlim►ted and unchecked c,mmerce ; and he has also studied
the facilities which our transatlantic neighbours afford for
the prosecution of our commercial enterprises,an d we i ghing both
1 these advantages together, I will fearlessly ask who couldbe bet-

ter qualified to afford his sovereign sound and rational advice
upon a•subject so fraught with importance to the people of this
kingdom? He has on more than one occasion been called by
his sovereign into the service of the state ; and at present he
fills the high place of Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.
We will do our utmost to honour him on his present visit to
Birkenhead ; indeed, I should rather say we are bound to do
so, for his presence here to-day stamps the works on the banks
of the Mersey, at Tranmere, and at Wallasey Pool, with that
stamp of approval which its friends always required for it—
(hear, hear)—but which the public were not so willing, without
more than speculative proof, to accede to them. I hope it-will
be remembered that these works are as much for the benefit of
public at large as for a private body. No doubt it must have
originated in the private enterprise of a company ; but, then,
I hope that they have a public character, and that they will
support the honour and dignity of that character. I hope you
will not forget, gentlemen, that after leaving this room we have
to go to open the Birkenhead Parks; and I do not know an
individual in the kingdom better suited to perform that cere-
mony than the noble lord on my right hand. (Cheers.) I
know the interest which he has ever taken on the sanatory con-
dition of the inhabitants of the towns of this kingdom; and I
hope it will be a gratification to him to see in this town a large
piece of ground laid out in suitable parks for the people—to
see, in the midst of this quickly increasing town, a park laid
out, and guaranteed for ever and ever to the use of the public.
(Hear, hear.) And I hope that the noble lord will always look
back with pleasure to the operations of this day, as being cal-
culated to produce a vast deal of good to the people of this
part of the kingdom, for on this day he will open the Bir-
kenhead Parks. (Loud cheers.) I shall take this opportunity
of saying, that on an occasion like the present, where no
political feelings can enter, where we see in the practical pur-
suits of commerce, men of all parties got together for the bur-
pose of forwarding the great and mighty schemes, which alone
have raised this country to her present pre-eminent position—
I trust that we shall do all honour to the Noble Lord—(Loud
cheers.) It is my misfortune to sit (as they say in the House
of Commons) on the opposite side from his lordship ;—(laughter)
but still I trust that neither I, nor any. gentleman here, no
matter what side of politics he may be inclined to support,
will be wanting in cordial regard for our noble guest, whose
public and private life has ever been devoted to the advance-
ment of the welfare of the people of this country. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I have now the honour of proposing the health of
"The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Morpeth. Drunk
standing, and with the utmost enthusism.
When silence was in some degree restored,

Lord MORPETH presented himself, and was received with
the most rapturous bursts of applause. He said : Mr. Chair-
man, ladies, and gentlemen, I assure you that I feel most sensi-
ble to the more than kind and cordial manner in which this
toast has been received. Ever since I have been called to the
office which I now have the honour to hold, and which connects
me with the property of the crown, I have felt the strongest
interest in the rising fortunes of Birkenhead. (Cheers.) Nor
is it, indeed, unnatural that I should do so ; for you are proba-
bly aware that besides that general parental interest which the
crown may be supposed to take in all that are represented in
the abstract idea of its subjects, it has also motives not so
purely abstract or disinterested in wishing well to the port and
town of Birkenhead. (Cheers.) I view it in this way the more
readily because it is quite obvious that the proportions in which
the undertakings here set on foot can become profitable to the
crown, must be according to the degree in which they are
made available for the accommodation of commerce, and
for the public good. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) As a well-

wisher of the inblie, as a servant of the Crown, and as an ad-
mirer of courageous enterprise, and successful perseverance—
(cheers)—l find a compression of claims upon me for feeling an
interest in the welfare of the town; and for doing, in conjunc-
tion with my colleagues, in my departmant—by whom I am
most willingly and zealously seconded, and in presence of the
example set me by my predecessors in office—(cheers)—
all that in us lies to promote, by all legitimate means, the
permanent prosperity of Birkenhead. (Cheers.) With this
feeling, then, you may judge with how lively an emotion I have
partaken in all the proceedings of the day. We have heard
sometimes of the gala days in Venice, when the Doge went forth
in his gilded galley—plighting his faith to the people of his gor-
geous palace : that no doubt was a magnificent pageant in its
way : but we have seen something this day beyond the triumphs
of Venice even in her palmiest days. (Loud cheering.) For

instance, such an array of magniAcenf steam vessels 'never
could have been witnessed in Venice. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
Although perhaps a steamer when viewed in itself may not be
so picturesque an object as a gondola, yet I would remind you,

that even in the palniiest daii of all' her pomps and argosies,
Venice never could have sent forth a message which in ten days
would have reached the harbours and roadsteads of the New
. _

Never.was the advantage of this country in that res;

has most appropriately alluded to 'the fact that; the c

mine from-our afflicted regions is careering on the winds of
Heaven to the western s cores, we, through the medium
of the skill and enterprise of our people, can transport
the rich crops from the fertile banks of the Ohio, and
Mississippi to our own
,t. And I

;reams o;

shores for the use of those who require i.. _nu indeec
it would be a most pleasing omen, and I shall think of it again,
---"nns,...st the uses to which this
which a vessel has

ample basin wi

be appropriate(

thii day, for the first time L.__ .rill this striking specimen
of engineering skill, and admirable masonry by which it is
sustained, should be applied to admit the surplus crops from
other climes—to admit their produce into this kingdom, and to
supply the bread which giveth life (Loud and continued
cheers.) Next in the progress of time (I hope in the course
of this very Autumn) you will be enabled to bear
your part in • accommodating the timber trade to the fullest
extent. (Cheers.) I will not proceed farther through these
long vistas of the usefulness of enterprise and suceess which I
trust will be strengthened by the future prospects of Birken-
head, and which I hope the proceedings of to-day will have
given an suspicions commencement and a powerful impulse to.
I would just express a hope in passing, that that good feeling
which has hitherto existed between you and the great city im-
mediately opposite you shall still remain undisturbed. (Hear,
hear.) Liverpool divides with London the supremacy of the
commerce of the entire world—(cheers)—and as London could
only be benefited by the success of Southwark, so Liverpool
never can have cause to repine at the wealth and prosperity
of Birkenhead. (Cheers.) Believe me, gentlemen, and I hope all
On the opposite side of the water will believe me too, if even
both sides of your river were lined by a double line of docks,
I hope there will not be more than room enough for the
corn and cotton—the fruits of the Western hemisphere—

which will be landed in them. (Hear, hear, and Cheers).
I trust that we have this day forged a new and a binding

link in the chain of amity which ought to connect England
with America (Cheers); but I think this is not the time to dilate
farther on this point. It is well known that the attractions of
Birkenhead are not limited to its water frontage; and that if
the genius of Rendal is to complete its docks, the skill
of Paxton has laid out its pleasure grounds. (Hear and cheers.)
My most recent occupations could not permit me to forget
that this is one of the first places which has given a statistical
attention to the physical comforts of the numbers of work-
men which they have called together, and to the im-
portant subject of publie health ;—with these associations
about and around us, I feel that the pageant of to-day,
even when its glitter will have passed away and when its
shout is silent, will leave us ground to remember that it
has not been a triumph which bears its trophies from the
strife of nations or the rites of bloodshed—that it is not a mere
immolating sacrifice to despotism, but that it is a peaceful
offering which has fastened its roots in the soil of public enter-
pi Ise, and that it will be productive of rich fruits of prosperity
in days that are yet to come. The noble lord then resumed his
seat, amidst the most rapturous demonstrations of applause.
The CHAIRMAN again rose, and, in .brief but eulogistic
terms, proposed the health of" The Members for the County."
Drunk with all the honours.
Mr. O'ToOle, in announcing the name of the responder, Sir
Philip De Grey Egerton, called him Tatton Egerton, Esq. The
mistake created much laughter.
Sir PHILIP DE GREY EGERTON on rising was received with
loud applause. He said—My lords and gentlemen, the slight
mistake made by the gentlemen behind me, is quite pardons-
.

ble, for, in the absence of the senior member for this county,
Mr. Tatton Egerton, whom I expected to see here to day, it
devolves upon me to return thanks for, the honour done us in
drinking our healths ; and I esteem this honour very greatly,
inasmuch as when I look round upon this assembly and see so
many strangers, eminent in their different spheres, some of
whom are new and some old in the service of her Majesty, I
say that in such an assembly I feel the honour bestowed upon
us, who are your county members, who are resident among
you, and who may be considered as your friends and neigh-
bours. I say I consider it an honour that your attention
should have been called to our healths at so early a perod of
the day. (Cheers.) We shall best repay your kindness by de
taming you as short a time as possible ; but, in the first place,
as the part of my colleague and myself, I ought to return you
our best thanks. For my own part I must say, that I have been
deeply gratified by the scenes I witnessed this day. I have
ever felt the deepest interest in everything which effect a Bir-
kenhead. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I am not connected
with this flourishing community by property. I am. not con-
nected with it by being engaged in any of those tempting pecu-
niary speculations which it afforded. My sole connexion with
it is as the member for the county, and, as that member, I be-
Bevel may say that I have had connexion with every single act
of Pailiament by which you have risen to your present state of
prosperity. (Hear, hear.) I trust that, in alluding to this, I
may not be accused of boasting or of pride. I am quite sure
that all who witnessed the progress made in the great under-
takings here will excuse me of arrogance if I feel a pride in
having taken a part, though an humble one, in promoting those
undertakings. (Applause.) It is not long ago—it is not more
than two years ago—since I was invited to take a prominent
part in the first inauguration of these great works. I then in-
dulged in what some supposed to be extravagant anticipations
of these works. I did not believe them to be extravagant at
the time. (Hear, hear.) Had I thought so, I should have been
the last to indulge in them ; but I will confess , honestly to you
now that I did not expect the realization we witnessed in so
short a space of time. (Hear and applause.) To see and hear
in the public prints remarks upon what was called the Birken-
head bubble—to hear of docks in the air, and warehouses in the
air, and baths and wash-houses in the air, was not very plea-
sant ; but what has now occurred Droves that my anticipations

were correct, and that others were the dreamers and not . who
have taken part in the substantialities of to-day. (Great ap-
plause.) We have occular demonstration of the reality of our
anticipations. We have docks—we warehouses—wehave have
tangible works before us on this occasion ; and if any other
guarantee is wanted as to the bone fide intentions of those who
undertook these works in the first instance, and have so far
conducted them towards completion, that guarantee is afforded
by the presence of the noble lord on my right=Lord Morpeth.
(Loud cheers.) I am sure his lordship must have been highly
gratified with what he witnessed to day ; and I am also sure,
entertaining the sentiments he does, and which he so ably ex-
pressed in the House of Commons last week, that if he pro-
ceeds through this town and sees the the churches built and
building, and sees the market-house which, has been erected,
and all the great public institutions here, he will confess that,
although the great men of this community have engaged in
,reasures of public and private enterprise of no ordinary mag-
nitude, they have not been unmindful of the spiritual welfare
and sanatory comforts and the healthy recreations of all classes
of thir townsmen. (Loud cheers). When last I had the op-
portunity of addressing you upon this subject, I took the li-
berty of referring to the rise of this most extraordinary com-
munity—extraordinary and quite sui generic in the annals of
the British isles. I then compared the present state of the
townships with what it was a few years ago ; and, if we go back
a few years what a contrast does the past and present state of
things exhibit ? Six centuries ago this vast expanse of Che-
shire was a dense forest. The forest of Wirrall was reserved as
the exclusive right of the Earls of Chester ; and those who then
inhabited the priory of Birkenhead were afforded the opportu-
nity of killing a buck once in the twelve months, to celebrate
the anniversary of St. Werburgh. (Hear, and a laugh.) The
old inhabitants may have been proud of their forests, but the
present generation have better reason to be "rood of the adap-
tation of those forests to the habitations of man. They may
boast as they please of their forests of trees, but we shall soon,
I hope, be in a position to boast of our forests of masts; and
the couplet we received from our ancestors may then be handed
down to posterity as a faithful record of the eminent indivi-
duals who undertook the present works, slightly transposing
the-second line—

"From Birkenhead to Hilbree
A ship may sail from Mersey to Dee."
(Loud laughter and cheers.) I believe these great works will
progress, and that those who had the courage to adopt the gifts
of nature to the extension of civilization and commerce, will
have more reason to be proud than those who boast of the
lavish bestowal of money on other matters. I conclude by
drinking success to these important works, and by returning
my best thanks for the honour done to myself and my col-
league. (Loud applause.)
The Earl of LINCOLN, on rising to propose the next toa.st, was
hailed with loud and enthusiastic cheers. Ile said—Lad e 3 and

Gentlemen, I am honoured by the command of your chairman
to propose a toast, and I arise to propose it under very mixed
feelings. It is with feelings of pride and gratification that I rise
to propose such a toast, and not unnungled with regret that
this duty devolves upon me, in consequence of the unexpected
absence of one who would be far more fitting to advocate its
claims—l allude to the unintentional absence of the Chairman of
the Customs, my respected friend, Sir Thomas Freemantle.
The toast is, " The 'commerce of the Mersey" ; and allow me
to comment on the liberality shown in this instance, as in so
many others, by the parties who commenced these magnificent
undertakings, in proposing this commercial toast of the even-
ing, in terms so general in their nature, as " The commerce of
the Mersey." (Hear, hear). Lord Morpeth remarked, just
now, that there ought to be an end of jealousy between Liver-
pool and Birkenhead ; and I trust, that from this day, no feel-
ing of jealousy or rivalry will exist between them, except that
generous rivalry which endeavours to do the greatest amount
of public good to the country, and to the world. (Great cheers.)
Gentlemen, I believe that it is almost unnecessary to propose
prosperity to the commerce of the Mersey, and, therefore, that
was very wisely omitted from the toast, for all that can be re-
quired is, a continuance of the prosperity of the commerce
now enjoyed. The noble lord (Lord Morpeth) just now re-
marked, that London and Liverpool divided the greatest amount
of commeree of the United Kingdom. My noble friend, in re-
marking that, stated the truth, but not the whole truth, for I
believe that in the list of the commercial cities of this great em-
pire the commerce of the Mersey not only equals but exceeds
that of London itself. (Cheers.) And I have no doubt that from
this date—this auspicious date—will commence an increase to
that commerce in this mighty river, which will not only con-
tinue to gain on the commerce of London, but will, after an
interval of a few years, amount to more than that of two or
three of the greatest commercial ports put together. And
when I say " this auspicious, (late," allow me to remark, that
while we have visible proofs now open to the public of the state
of the commerce of the Mersey, we have this day. a most
auspicious commencement of this port. I have been informed
that this very day coals will come down the railway and will be
this very day shipped on board the steamer lying in these
docks. (Cheers.) I have also been informed that an American
vessel is at this moment in the dock—that she will discharge a
portion of her cargo this very day, that cargo being guano, and
that it will be carried by the railway this afternoon, and will,
in all probability, be spread upon some farm before nightfall.
(Laughter and cheers.) Such is the energy of man, and such
is the extent to which the powers and energies of man can go ;
and I hope that those energies may be prospered, and that
while we are now suffering from the dire calamity of scarcity,
this may be art auspicious omen, and that this fertilising pro-
cess may end in an increased crop as regards this next year.
(Hear, and cheers.) I have been reminded by the chairman
that this is no opportunity for making long speeches, and I shall
not detain you longer, more especially as I have a toast that
requires no comment. lam now in a condition to say that the
ship to which I alluded before is at this moment safely moored
in the dock. I sincerely congratulate the Commissioners on
the entrance of this first vessel ; I trust that they may meet
with a most just reward for the spirited public efforts they have
made. Allow me to propose this toast, not as a local or merely
national toast, but as one in which the happiness and peace of
the world are concerned. Allow me to propose—" The Com-
merce of the Mersey." The toast was drunk with three times
three and loud cheers.

Lord MONTEAGLE, on rising to propose the next toast, was
enthusiastically received. He said—Ladies and Gentlemen, in
obedience to the command of the chairman, I rise for the pur-
pose of proposing the next toast, and I do so with great and
sincere gratification, because to me it seems to involve a great
principle, which ought never to depart from our recollection,
but ought to be pre-eminently present to us on any occasion
like-this. But, before I propose it, I may be allowed to thank
you, in the first place, as a guest, for your hospitality, and, in
the next, as a servant of her Majesty, to congratulate yon on
the memorable events and display of this day, for when I reflect
that I, as a member of the legislature, had the great satisfaction
of giving my vote in favour of the Birkenhead bill—that it is
two years since the foundation stone was laid, and when I
'1 a

a, _.lat I have seen this day, lam sure that (he days of mira-
cles have not ceased, and that there are miracles even in the
times in which we live. But, not miracles in the ordinary sense
of the word; the rewards held out by a beneficent Providenceare
rewards for the industry of man, the rewards held out to his
intellects—the rewards held out to his interests—the rewards
conduce to the noble operations of his nature, his patriotism,
his love for his fellow man, and the exhibition of what is so
pre-eminently shown in Birkenhead, that men striving for just
and legitimate gain, pursuing the career of a noble, enterpris-
ing commerce, yet feel that there are higher motives.and duties
that ought to inspire them, and that in the midst of pecuniary
calculations there are nobler motives that ought not to be for-
gotten.—(Hear, and cheers.) We have seen towns that have
risen to great wealth, great power, the developments of indus-
try, adding to the national resources, that I have yet to learn
that V-- - n the' --. 'lll of s'

sere ever was, with. .ength and breath._ .his Lana,
a community before that assumed a start from the port with a
consciousness that there was something to be done higher and
better than the acquisition of wealth itself. I know of no
community within this realm that 1,- -^,4od --

asserted that great prin-
ciple so grmly as the community of Birkenhead. (Loud
cheering.) My noble friend on my left (Lord .Morpet,b) and no
one was better authorized to speak to the point than h. wim ;.

vamaa lac, V! LIU Lb
contributing elsewhere, so far as it is possible, to repair past
blunders, and to promote the benefits of health, which von have

endeavoured

:o insure for your future citizens

On that head

nu une 11i1A ICU lIIUI C b‘rongly wan my noble friend; but how
easy his task would have been had Birmingham, Manchester,
and Leeds, all which places have grown up without the know-
ledge that you have acquired, begun with the principles that
you have laid down. Had they acted upon those principles,
hnw easy --I 1_ • . .

iluvr easy °um intenectuat growth and physical superiority of
the people have been rendered! (Hear, hear.) I shall now,
with that reserve upon time waich is imposed upon me, explain
the toast it is my duty to give. I give the toast with pleasure,

uccause i tninx it involves a great principle ;—the toast I am
authorized to give is—" Manchester and the manufacturing
districts." The principle that that toast involves is, that
there cannot be amongst created men any severance of interest,
still less nothing distinct or adverse. There is no clashing
amongst'us. There may be momentary jealousies, but a real
severance of interest cannot exist. (Cheers.) Every pile your
engineer has laid to form your docks, every excavation he has
made, is not merely a promotion of the commerce of the
Mersey, but is an impulse to the whole industry of the
country. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) And in the community
of which, my noble friend is the beloved representative,
there is not a step which you can take here that will not be
felt there, and not there only but at the extremest part of the
land. (Cheers.) Then, from the noble representation given
here—that your docks tend to the improvement of the agri-
cultural districts of the country as well as the manufacturing—
the conclusion to which I come is this,—that there being no
severence of interest between one soction of the community and
the other, neither can there be any deviation of duty where all
are members of the one community, and we discharging our
duties, and where they are advancing the interests of others,
‘nd those ,there ''erests. (Lone

o _.,rs are advancing our int., applause.)
I am sure that on the banks of the Mersey we may be allowed
to hold communion of interests, and that we may be allowed
to hold that divinest of all lessons, which is embodied in that
divine word—Peace. (Loud applause.)
The MAYOR of MANCHESTER briefly responded to the toast.
Lord MORPETH said it was now high time to drink of their
Chairman. (Loud cheers.) The Chatrman had especial claims
to their attention, for he was not only the Chairman of the
Birkenhead Dock Commissioners, but the Chairman of the
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction Railway Com-
pany also. He hoped, to use a metaphor more agricultural
than commercial, that each would bring grist to the other's
mill; but whether that Were so or not, they owed him a debt
of gratitude for the able and graceful manner in which he had
discharged the duties of Chairman.
The health of the Chairman was drunk with three times
three, the whole of the company upstanding.

The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks.
Lord MoRPETH gave " Prosperity to the Birkenhead Docks."
He expressed his belief that, instead of squabbling about the
Oregon, upon the banks of the Columbia, it would be far better
to be discharging the Oregon in the new docks of Birkenhead.
(Cheers and laughter.)
JOHN LAIRD, Esq., briefly responded to the toast.

The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Earl of Lincoln, and
the other guests who have honoured us from a distance."

The Earl of LINCOLN returned thanks

MAYOR Of MANCHESTER proposed-

house) Company."

Sir 'PHILIP DE GREY EGERTON proposed—'
Interest connected with Birkenhead.
Mr. BURT returned thanks. _ _ _

A9ril 6, 1847•

THE FIREWORKS.
The festivities of the uay terminated with a magnificent dig;
play of fireworks, consisting of beautiful chanovable and fired
pieces, amongit which we particularly noticed'a vertical secs"
wheel of green fire, driven by brilliant cases ; changing to s
Saxon figure of green and crimson, finishing with a discharge
of gerbs reported. An immense emblematical piece, of a hire
ancor with a crown surmounting it, with stars and the letterg
V A, supported with bouquets of Roman candles, extending t°
a width of 70 feet, by 50 feet high, attracted much attention;
as did the concluding piece, which was an original design pre-
pared expressly for the occasion. It consisted of an elegari
temple of blue fire, supported by thousands of cases of brilli-
ant fire, the illuminated centre being "SUCCESS TO THE BIS'
KENHEAD Docus " : the whole ornamented with a variety of
coloured wheels, Roman candles, &c., &c., and ending with 3
brilliant feu de joie, and a flight of one hundred large rockets
with coloured fires. The fixed pieces were interspersed with
flights of rockets and shells. The whole was got up under the
superintendence of Mr. J. Atkin, of the Liverpool Zoological
Gardens, and was a display every way worthy of his talents,
and well calculated to increase his fame, were it necessary, as a
pyrotechnic artist.