The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-08-04 00:00:00

ALTON TOWERS

WEDNESDAY EVENING.—Her Majesty the Queen Dow-
ager and her Serene Highness the Duchess of Saxe Weimar,
with Earl Howe, lord chamberlain ; Earl of Denbigh, master
of the horse; and Countess of Sheffield, lady of the bed-
chamber in waiting, and accompanied by the Earl of
Sheffield and Ladies Mary Fielding and Georgiana Curzon,
arrived this evening, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of
Shrewsbury.
Shortly after two the twin from Preston reached the
Stafford station. A numerous concourse of respectably-
dressed persons crowded the station-yard; and, what with
military, and the hurry and anxiety to catch a glimpse of the
Queen Dowager, Stafford was a scene of indescribable bustle
from shortly after 12 until after the royal passage through
the town. The Stafford troop of the Queen's own Stafford-
shire cavalry formed an escort to the royal cortege. The
houses were tastefully adorned with flowers, laurels, ribands.
&c., and there were several attractive triumphal arches, with
" Welcome Adelaide," " God bless the Queen Dowager,"
" Long live Queen Adelaide," and other inscriptions equally
expressive of the admiration of a free awl generous people.
All classes of persons have, throughout her Majesty's tour,
appeared emulousto impress her Majesty with the cordiality,
sincerity, and admiration of her conduct as a Queen and a
wife, and we are much mistaken if the Queen. Dowager has
not often sensibly felt the warm plaudits that have welcomed
her through every town and village in her route.
The yeomanry cavalry had escorted the royal cortege about
four miles, when the Earl Howe informed the commanding
officer that he was commanded to thank them for their
attention to her Majesty ; but owing to the extreme heat of
the weather, her Majesty would be pleased by their not
troubling themselves by accompanying her any further.
A change of horses was in attendance for the royal car-
riages at the White Hart, Uttoxeter; and, after a short
delay, her Majesty and suite left by Castle-street and High-
street, for Alton Towers, escorted by the Uttoxeter troop of
yeomanry cavalry, under the command of Captain Begot.
Preparations on a scale of the greatest extent and splen-
dour had been in progress since Monday last, and by four
o'clock this afternoon every arrangement was completed for
the royal reception. The embattled terrace of the fine cas-
tellated mansion was hung with festoons of laurel, and in
addition the royal standard on the keep, and in the castle-
gardens a great number of party-coloured and emblazoned
pennants were suspended from the upper boughs of the trees,
imparting to the scene a romantic and highly-varied appear-
ance. On the bridge which approaches the terrace of the
castle, was erected a triumphal arch of six columns, with a
canopy of festooned laurels, surmounted with a crown taste-
fully ornamented with flowers and coloured ribbons. Small
shields,, displaying an heraldic emblazonment, were placed in
those parts most attractive to the eye. Over a stone arch-
way which leads to the grand entrance were the words " Fi-
deliter et Constanter," the Queen Dowager's family motto,
in illuminated capitals, supported on either side by two large
emblazoned shields. The ground to the flight of steps was
strewed with laurel leaves.

Shortly before five the Earl of Shrewsbury, Prince Bor-
ghese, Prince Aldrobrardine, Mr. J. Talbot, M.P., and the
noblemen and gentlemen staying at Alton Towers left for
Quicksill Lodge, the principal entrance to the park, where
above 400 of the noble earl's chief tenantry were in readiness
to receive the Queen Dowager with all honours.
Precisely at half-past five the Queen and suite arrived in
the following order :
Troop of yeomanry cavalry, under the command of
Captain Bagot.
Three grooms in their state liveries.
First royal carriage, containing Earl Howe and Lady
eorgiana Curzon.
Yeomanry cavalry.
_ _

Second royal carriage, containing her Majesty the Queen
Dowager and her Serene Highness the Duchess
of Saxe Weimar.

Mr. J. Talbot, M.P., carrying a white silk banner, with the
words "Fideliter et Constanter" inscribed thereon.
Yeomanry cavalry.
Third royal carriage, containing Earl of Denbigh and

Lady Mary Fielding,

Fourth royal carriage, the Earl and Countess of Sheffield.
The Earl of Shrewsbury and his distinguished friends fol-
lowed on horseback, and with the tenantry all wearing
rosettes of crimson and amber satin. The cavalcade ex-
ceeded SOO horsemen.

In the park the road was lined with the inhabitants of the
towns and villages for many miles around ; and the terrace
was thronged by a highly respectable assemblage.
On her Majesty and the Duchess of Saxe Weimar alight-
ing from the carriage, six little girls, robed in virgin white,
with rose-pink scarfs, scattered roses and the choicest
flowers on the steps. The earl and countess received their
illustrious guests ; and after her Majesty had affectionately
saluted the countess, her Majesty, taking the noble earl's
arm, was conducted through the hall, armoury, old gallery,
and along the conservatory, to the cross-saloon.
The brass band, stationed in the Octagonal-hall, played
the national anthem until the Queen had passed into the
saloon ; and at her Majesty's arrival, a royal salute was fired
by the artillery in the park.

The dinner' party this evening included her Majesty the
Queen Dowager, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Saxe
Weimar, Prince Borghese, Prince Ahlrobrardine, Earl
Howe, Earl and Countess of Sheffield, the Rev. Mr. and
Lady Louisa Bromley, Lord Waterpark, Sir Henry Hun-
locke, Mr. J. H. Talbot, M.P., Mr. Holford, Mr. Townley,
Lady Mary Fielding, Mr. and Mrs. Hibbert, Captain and
Mrs. Yowls, Sir W. and Miss Boothby, Miss Tichborne, Rev.
Mr. Fairfax, &c.
Her Majesty will leave on Friday next, for Matlock Baths
in Derbyshire ; and on the following day goes to Gopsall

Hall, on a visit
several days.

o Earl Howe, where her Majesty will stay

The Eail of Shrewsbury gives a grand entertainment to
his tenantry, at Farley, to-morrow.
Everything passed off admirably, and although the park
had many thousands of strangers, yet none of them abused
the kindness of the noble earl by destroying the shrubs and
plants.

GREAT SALE BY MR. GEORGE ROBINS, AT THE
AUCTION MART.

There has not been so great a sensation created by any
sale for several years as the present one ; nor can it be won-
dered at when we consider the value and importance of the
estate, being no other than the famed Kilnwick Percy Estate,
the most distinguished throughout the west-riding of York-
shire. All the members for both the ridings of Yorkshire,
and all the influential gentlerrien of the county, were present.
We understand it has fallen into the possession of Arthur
Duncombe, Esq., M.P., son of Lord Faversham, and a
famous conservative. It is beyond doubt one of the most
influential estates in the county. , It is freehold, and includes,
except 22 acres of glebe, the whole township of Kilnwick
Percy, which contains pearly 1600 acres of exceeding good
land, within a perfect ring fence. The whole of the land is
convertible, and it is not a little refreshing at this moment
to witness the effect which has been produced by extraordi-
nary good farming. The land has been drained throughout,
and the mansion-house is every tl:ing that can be required.
Attached to this property are manorial rights and privileges
to a great extent; this lot contains 1359 A. IR. 30p. of the
annual value of £2555. The rectorial tithes are commuted
for £l6O per annum, but Robert Denison, Esq. has a 21
years' yease, which has been renewed usually every seven
years, the reserved rent to the Dean of York, as rector, is
£l5, and the fine on each renewal is about £lOO ; the vicarial
tithes are commuted for an annual payment of £ll9 to the
vicar ; a charitable bequest of £lO, called Wood's Dale, is
paid annually out of the estate ; there is no village, and the
poor-rates are unimportant, or next to nothing. Mr. Ro-
bins, by his correct delineation of the property, greatly en-
hanced its value. The biddiugs were spirited, and it was
ultimately sold at SEVENTY TWO THOUSAND GUI-
NEAS.

Part of \Vold farm, containing 181 A. 14r. of land ; annual
value, £3Ol. This lot was sold separately, only because the
proceeds of a settled estate have been invested upon this
part of the estate. which must, therefore, be sold for a sepa-
rate price in order to its re-investment; sold at 9020 guineas.

A freehold estate, and one of great interest ; it compre-
hends the entire Island of Lundy, situate in the mouth of
the Bristol Channel, and forming part of the Hundred of
Brameton, in the county of Devon, lat. 50 N , long. 14 29
W.; it is in the neighbourhood of Ilfracombe and Clonely,
and also of the flourishing town of Bideford, with steam-
vessels to Bristol and Tenby continually. The singular ad-
vantages appertaining to this property are many and highly
important ; the possessor of it becomes on the instant

" Sovereign lord of the island," with an independence,
arising from total absence of restraint or control, far exceed-
ing-some of the. minor potentates, and not a little to be
envied in England. It may be inferred, from • the circum-
stances that no claim has ever been raised, that there,are no
taxes, tithes, nor poor-rates ; a desideratum in vain to be
looked for elsewhere throughout England. This freehold
island includes near 2000 acres of land ; it is defended by
lofty and precipitous rocks, and nccupies a space nearly eight
miles in circumference, three miles in length, and one in
width towards the south, and thence diminishing in breadth
towarth the north. To those persons who Were interested in
the island of Lundy, Mr: Robins directed attention to a
clever historical account from the pen of Steinman Steinman,
Esq., F.S.A., F.L.S. It also contains a mansion, with
offices; the outbuildings are also complete and convenient,
and consist of smith's shop and forge, enclosed poultry-yard,
barn, stabling, large cattle-fold, piggery, with steaming.house
attached, cathouses, walled garden, &c. There are also
seven superior cottages, adapted for labourers. A great por-
tion of the island is let with this farm, for seven years, at an
exceedingly low rent. From the landing place within the
bay the means of access are by a carriage road, recently com-
pleted, leading to the mansion and the top of the island,
but the great source of revenue is yet to be divulged. A
natural harbour adjoins the landing-place, a trifling outlay
would enable it to accommodate six or eight vessels, and the
boats of fishermen, and this, alone is wanting to the establish-
ment of an extensive fishery-9,400 guineas.

EARTHQUAKE AT TERN ATE

The Avenbode gives the following particulars of the disas-
ter'which has befallen the island of Ternate :

" On the morning of the 2d of Febraury, at half past eight
o'clock, the air appeared dark and threatening, a strong
north-west wind, accompanied by heavy rain, drove the
clouds impetuously along, and everything seemed to indicate
some extraordinary phenomenon, which in fact soon followed ;
for a thick smoke soon arose from the crater, accompanied
by a loud subterranean noise, like thunder, while boiling lava
and hot ashes burned and destroyed everything around them.
If the appearance of the phenomena was striking in the day-
time, it was still more so in the evening, when the stones pro-
jected from the crater could be distinguished among the
flames which frequently rose to a great height. This destruc-
tive eruption continued 24 hours, and ended with a frightful
subterraneous noise, which made the inhabitants fear that
the ground would give way under their feet. The noise was
so great that persons close together could not hear each other
speak. Passing over some days we come to the 14th of Feb.
which proved so disastrous. At half-past twelve at night a
loud noise was heard, accompanied by a slight trembling of
the ground, which grew every moment more violent, and
waked the inhabitants from their sleep. As the shocks be-
came more violent most of the people left their habitations.
At half-past three in the morning, while the rain fell in tor-
rents, a violent shock was felt, the people could hardly keep
their feet, the houses were shaken, and most of the buildings
fell. In many places the earth opened and immediately
closed again. Nothing was left undamaged, and on the 15th
Feb. nature seemed to have obtained the highest point of fury.
An extreme violent shock was felt ; men and animals has-
tened in terror to the water side, filled all the boats without
distinction of rank. The tears, especially of the women were
so great, that some went a great distance through the water,
in order to reach a boat, to escape being swallowed up by the
earth, which opened from time to time. When the fury of
the storm was past, and the poor inhabitants had in some
measure recovered their fright, they perceived how complete
their ruin was. Men's possessions were laid waste, the most
costly spices, and numerous other productions, were spoiled
and buried under the ruins, not a piece of furniture saved,
and not one stone house in• all Ternate remains standing.
Even Fort Orange, winch has withstood several earthquakes
for these 200 years, has given way on this occasion, and truly
the welfare and importance of Ternate to our government is
lost. The private injury is estimated at 900,000 florins. The
shocks were felt at Gildo and Tiden, but no damage was done
—thanks to Heaven no lives were lost. Most of the people
will leave the island and settle elsewhere.