The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-09-28 00:00:00

THE KNOWSLEY FESTIVITIES.

Tuesday was the day appointed for the commencement
of the festivities at Knowsley, in honour of the eldest son
of Lord Stanley coming of age. It was originally intended
that on that day there should have been a cricket match
between the Knowsley Club, assisted by the gentlemen
and relatives of the noble earl assembled at the hall, and
the gentlemen of the Edge-hill Cricket Club, but unfor-
tunately the extreme inclemency of the weather, and the
softness of the newly-made cricket-ground at Knowsley,
prevented the match from coming off. However, during
that day most of the noblemen and gentlemen at the hall
amused themselves, though there was a continuous down-
fall of rain from an early hour, by shooting in the spacious
grounds and preserves of the Earl of Derby. In the even-
ing about sixty noblemen and gentlemen graced the din-
ner party in the magnificent dining-hall. It was served
up at half-past seven o'clock, and consisted, we need
scarcely observe, of all the delicacies and varieties of the
season.

On Wednesday, about eighty-six gentlemen sat down to
dinner in the same elegant and spacious apartment. The
company consisted of Lord and Lady Sefton and a distin-
guished party from Croxteth Hall, Lord and Lady Stan-
ley, the Honourable Mr. Stanley, (the eldest son of Lord
Stanley), and Lord Skelmersdale, the maternal grandfa-
ther of the youthful heir ; Lord Clive, Lord Anson, the
Earl of Wilton, the Hon. Mrs. Wilbraham, Mr. and Lady
Charlotte Penrhyn, Lady Hopwood, Col. Stanley, Adm.
Hornby,. Col. Hornby, &c., the Earl of Derby presiding.
Prior however, to this banquet, nearly eight hundred of
the Earl of Derby's labourers and other dependents were
entertained at dinner in a spacious marquee erected in the
demesne, a short distance to the south-west of the hall.
The marquee is about 220 feet in length by 40 in width ;
and the oil-cloth covering with which it is overlaid made
it impervious to the wet. The dinner was served on three
long tables, running the whole length of the tent, and the
whole presented a beautiful and unique appearance. The
dinner consisted of good old English substantial fare, and
about 758 individuals, either remotely or immediately en-
gaged in connexion with the ancient hall of Knowsley,
were present. The tables were subdivided so as to admit
of 32 dishes on each, and in connexion with the proceed-
ings the following bill of fare may not be uninteresting,
as showing the liberality displayed on the occasion.
27 rounds of roast beef, 15 ditto boiled ditto, 15 legs of
mutton, 30 meat pies, 15 pieces boiled beef, 78 plum pud-
dings, 52 apple pies, 26 suet puddings, 26 Yorkshire ditto,
78 dishes potatoes, 26 ditto greens, 26 ditto turnips, 26
ditto carrots.
The most admirable order was maintained throughout
the arrangements. In fact, the dinner was conducted
with as little confusion as a common ordinary, where only
twelve or fifteen persons are assembled. A band of mu-
sic was stationed at the lawn, (the Pensioners',) and,
when the dinner was ready, a signal was given, and all the
company who were stationed outside filed off into the
room by couples and filled up the tables. On this occa-
sion Lord Stanley, with his son, the Hon. E. H. Stanley,
were present, also the Earl of Sefton, and the Rev. H.
Hopwood, with other distinguished individuals.
After the dinner was concluded, the cups were filled
with some of the Stanley ale (seventeen years old,) brewed
expressly to celebrate the important occasion, when Capt.
Hornby proposed the health of the heir to the name of
Stanley, the Honorable Edward Henry Stanley. It was
received with three times three and one cheer more, and
drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. The deafening ap-
plause may be said literally to have made the " welkin
ring." The Hon. E. H. Stanley returned thanks in an
appropriate manner, and there was considerable point and
pithiness in his speech. Immediately afterwards, the
Earl of Sefton mounted the centre table of the marquee,
and proposed the healths of the Earl of Derby and Lord
Stanley. The manner in which the toast was proposed
afforded the highest gratification to all the company, in

' consequence of the good humour displayed by the noble
Earl. The toast we need scarcely add was drunk with
tumultuous applause, the band at the same time striking
up the appropriate air of the " Old English Gentleman.
After the excitement had in some measure subsided, Lord
Stanley rose and returned thanks in a manner most ap-
propriate to the occasion, and concluded by drinking the
healths of all the company present in a bumper of the
Stanley ale, which he completely drained, and inverted
the cup in a most significant manner, to show that he felt
the toast, and had done ample justice to it. This incident
in the proceedings produced a great deal of merriment
amongst the tenantry assembled at the dinner. The
• noble Earl of Derby was ther drawn through the tent
in an easy chair, amidst the most boisterous cheering.
His Lordship bowed frequently to the numerous party by
which he was surrounded, and appeared to feel deeply the
congratulations showered down upon him.
The proceedings within the tent having been concluded.
the company adjourned to the lawn in front of the hall,
where they amused themselves with cricket, foot-ball, and
rustic sports, in which Lord Stanley, and many of the
distinguished guests who were with him, took a prominent
part. The old English sports were of the usual charac-
ter, including pig races, climbing greasy poles, &c., but
the most attractive feature in the proceedings, and that
which afforded the greatest amount of amusement, was
the competition for a shoulder of mutton, a joint of beef,
and a purse containing 10s. placed on a greasy pole. A
number of competitors entered the lists, and many severe
attempts were made to attain the slippery height, but all
were unavailing, and the task was ultimately abandoned
M despair. The prize was subsequently run for and won
by some of the rustics who entered the lists. All the per-
sons present, consisting of labourers and others employed
about his Lordship's estate, conducted themselves in the
most orderly manner.

After the rustic sports were concluded, the banquet
mentioned above took place, at which the display of costly
plate, &c., was such as to astonish all who were invited.
It is said that nothing of the kind has ever been given in
this county which could at all equal it for magnificence
and splendour. Near the close of the banquet, when the
dessert was brought on the table, Lord Sefton rose and
proposed, in the most marked and appropriate terms, the
health of the Hon. E. H. Stanley. The toast was respon-
ded to by the youthful scion, with much good feeling ;
after which the Earl of Wilton proposed the health of the
Earl of Derby. Lord Anson then proposed the health of
the Lord Stanley, and, it is needless to say, that accom-
plished nobleman replied in a most appropriate and elo-
quent manner, and, if possible, with more than his usual
amount of energy.
We understand that Lord Sefton, with some other
friends, came from Scotland, where he was staying ex-
pressly to be present at the fife, and in consequence of
the good feeling which existed between the ancient houses
of Derby and Sefton, the latter nobleman threw open his
house for the accommodation of the Earl of Derby's
guests. Amongst those staying there are Sir W. W.
Wynne, the Rev. Edward Hornby and family, and George
Hornby, Esq., and family.
On Thursday, a grand dinner was given to the guests
staying at the hall, amounting to about forty. Amongst
those present were Lord and Lady Wilton, Lord Skel-
mersdale, Lord Clive, Lord Anson, Lady Catherine Pen-
rhyn. the Rev. H. Hopwood, Colonel and Mrs. Stanley,
Colonel and Captain Hornby, Mrs. Bootle Wilbraham,
and the Hon. Mrs. Wilbraham ; Mr. and Mrs. Talbot
Clifton, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, &c.
In the evening the grand ball took place in the large
ball-room, which has been fitted up for the occasion. It
is 100 feet in length, 50 feet wide, and 33 feet in height,
and adorned most appropriately and elegantly. Several
large mirrors are placed at short distances, along the walls,
which contrasted beautifully with the red and white dra-
pery. The alcoves by which it is surrounded are orna-
mented in a similar manner by an exquisite border of pink,
red, and white. It was lighted by three burnished gold
chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, supplied with gas
from the works of the noble Earl on the estate. On
the south side of the room is the orchestra, in which was
stationed Horabin's admirable band. The arms of the
house of Derby were placed at the top of the room, and
those of Lord Stanley at the bottom. The whole of this
gorgeous apartment has been fitted up and decorated by
Messrs. Rossall and Gradwell, of Bold-street, Liverpool,
with the able assistance of Mr. W. Rainford, of Colquitt-
street ; and 700 of the most distinguished individuals
amongst the nobility and gentry, resident not only in this
part, but throughout the county, were present. Amongst
those from Liverpool were the Worshipful the Mayor,
George Hall Lawrence, Esq.
At three o'clock on Friday a number of guests staying
in the hall dined in the ball-room, and also about four
hundred of the leading tenantry on his Lordship's estate.
The wives and daughters of the tenants were provided
with tea in the spacious tent on the lawn, after which
there was a grand display of fireworks by Mr. Atkins.
These were on a most extensive scale, and consisted of
several pyrotechnic devices appropriate to the occasion.
After this there was a ball for the wives and daughters of
the tenants, to which about 1000 were invited.

At the tenants' dinner on Friday, in the spacious
marquee, the venerable Earl of Derby occupied the
chair, and on his right we noticed Lord Stanley, the Earl
of Sefton, the Earl of Wilton, the Hon. R. G. Hopwood,
Colonel Hornby, R. T. Parker, Esq. On his left were the
grandson of the noble earl, the heir apparent to the earl-
dom of Derby, Lord Skelmersdale, Lord Clive, Hon. Mr.
Wilbraham, Hon. Colonel Stanley, Hon. Mr. Penrhyn,
Rev. Mr. Hornby, rector of Bury, J. Wilson Patten, Esq.,
M.P., &c. In the side gallery, we noticed Lady Stanley,
Master Frederick Stanley, the Hon. Miss Stanley, Mrs.
Hornby, of Lancaster ; Mrs. Hornby, of Hoghton Castle ;
the daughters of Admiral Hornby, Lady Eleanor Hop-
wood, &c. &c.
After the cloth had been drawn,
Lord STANLEY rose and said—l have been requested by
my father, who is apprehensive that possibly his voice
might not not be able to reach to the extent of this large
room, in which I am happy to see an assembly so nume-
rous and so highly respectable, to propose to you a toast
which, in any assemblage of Englishmen, requires no ob-
servation or comment, or recommendation, but which, in
the county of Lancaster, will be received at this time,
with peculiar feelings of satisfaction. I propose that we
drink " The Health of her Majesty the Queen, and God
bless her." (Applause.)
Lord STANLEY next proposed the " Health of the
Queen Dowager, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the
Royal Family." (Applause.)
The Earl of SEFTON rose and said—My Lord Derby
and gentlemen, I rise to propose a toast—the toast of
the day. (Applause.) You, many of you have heard
of Demosthenes—many of you have heard of Cicero—
all of you have heard of Lord Brougham—and every one
of you know the oratorical powers of your own Lord
Stanley. (Applause.) If I were possessed of a particle
of the eloquence of any one of these orators, I could then
recommend to you the toast which I have to propose in
terms which would rouse your feelings, and make its ac-
ceptance be felt in a manner more worthy of the subject.
After a few other observations, remarkable for their good
feeling towards the Earl of Derby and his family, and
declaring that there were no gates to mark the distinction
between Knowsley and Croxteth, the noble earl proceeded
to propose " The Health of the Heir Apparent to the
Earldom of Derby," and amidst the applause of the
company said that, " He had come from a good sort on
both sides. He had a good example before him which he
would follow. He had been born with every terrestial
blessing which could be heaped upon man's head, and he
(Earl Sefton) would undertake to say, that he would
thoroughly deserve them. He will (said his lordship
prove a ` reet un,' and I'll uphoud him." (Loud cheers.)
The Hon. EDWARD STANLEY returned thanks.

ROBERT NEILSON, Esq., proposed the " Healths of
the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby and Lord Stanley."
(Drunk with three times three, and one cheer more.)

Lord STANLEY rose amidst loud cheers to return thanks.
He said that his noble friend hear him, the Earl of Sefton,
a man whom he was proud to call his friend, and the
friend of his family, had with theo most needless caution,
apologised for the want of that, which he had been pleased
to call Domosthenic, or Ciceronic, or Broughamite powers
of eloquence ; but he thought when his lordship, as a
Lancashire man, had addressed them by that plain,
homely, unmistakable declaration, which he had made
with regard to one of whom they had heard something, and
in whom he (Lord Stanley) need hardly say that he felt the
deepest and most ;anxious interest, when he stated that
he would stand forward as his godfather, and stated that,
in Lancashire phraseology, "he was a reet un, and he
would uphould him "—he had spoken the language of his
heart. The Earl of Derby and he (Lord Stanley) were
upon terms of the most cordial and sincere affection, and
their views with regard to the management of the estate
were in perfect unison, and their wish was that their
tenantry might prosper. His noble friend, who had pre•
ceded him, had stated that a bad landlord could not keep
good tenants; and he would further say, that it was im-
possible that good tenants should have a bad landlord.
After remunerating the principal tenants who had been
remarkable for cultivating their land in the most scientific
manner, his lordship said that he and his father would
rather retain as tenants the old occupiers of the soil, for
the tenant had a right to expect a due consideration for
the improvements ,which he had effected. After some
other observations, which we have not now space to re-
port, his lordship concluded by expressing an earnest wish
for the health and prosperity of the tenantry. (Cheers.)
The Earl of WILTON next proposed " The health of
Lady Stanley, wishing her long life, domestic felicity, and
every happiness. (Loud cheers.)
Lady STANLEY having bowed her acknowledgments,
and her youthful son having " waved his hat like a Bri-
ton," Lord STANLEY returned thanks, and congratulated
the company upon the fact that he and his noble friends
the Earl of Sefton and Lord Wilton had not gone out of
the county for their wives, but had selected Lancashire
witches for their partners for life. He concluded by pro-
pos.ng " The Earl of Sefton, and long-continued prospe-
rity to the house of Croxteth." (Applause.)
The Earl of SEFTON returned thanks.
The visitors then departed, and the room was cleared
for the ball, the dancing being fixed to commence at nine
o'clock.
On Saturday the numerous children who are receiving
instruction at the schools on the Earl of Derby's estate
assembled, by invitation, at Knowsley Hall, and were
plentifully supplied with old English cheer. They subse-
quently walked in procession through the grounds, and
danced a country dance on the green. The band of the
Pensioners was present during the whole of the afternoon,
and played a variety of airs and marches in front of the
hall.

Yesterday the festivities were brought to a close with a
ball and supper, given to the servants at the hall and their
many friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and, though
last, it was by no means the least amongst the several re-
joicings which have celebrated the majority of the noble
heir.

FESTIVITIES AT ORMSKIRK.
The coming of age of the Earl of Derby's grandson, the
lion. E. H, Stanley, was celebrated at Ormskirk on the
24th instant, when his lordship gave a dinner to the prin-
cipal tenants of the town and neighbourhood, with the

clergy and respectable tradespeople of the town. At three
o'clock, about 160 sat down to an excellent dinner, pro-
vided by. Mr. Briers, of the King's Arms. The Rev-.
E. G. Hornby, the vicar, presided. The usual toasts were
given, and that for the day was received with the most
hearty acclamations, and most earnest wishes for the
health and happiness of the Heir of the House of Stanley.
A band was 'n attendance to give spirit to the scene. The
Town_hall was tastefully decorated for the orisa_sion. The
tt pants' wives and daughters partook of tea at Mr. James
Peet's ; and soon after seven o'Clock both parties adjourned
to witness a splendid display of fireworks, exhibited by
Mr. Atkins, of the Liverpool Zoological Gardens, to the
great delight and admiration of all the good folks. The
festivities of the day were closed by a dinnerat the Town-
hall. Besides all this, the friends of soveral of the schools
gave the children a treat in honour of the occasion, and
in order to muster them that they might see the firew e•ks.
Wreaths of evergreens and flowers were thrown across the
street at the vicarage, Mr. John Fairhurst's, and Mr.
Goss's, and in the evening the tewn was illuinhiated. All
passed off to the general satiFfaction. and the day will lung
be remembered in Ormskirk. The arrangements for this
district were under the superintendence of the noble Earl's
agent, Mr. Lawrence Wright, who gave the greatest pos-
sible satisfaction to all parties.
We understand the rejoicings have not been confined to
Knowsley and Ormskirk, but have extended to Lord Stan-
ley's estates in Bury, the Fylde country, Preston. and.
Lancaster. There were also rejoicings at Ballyrasteen, irc
Tipperary, where the greater portion of Lord Stanley's
estates are situate.