The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-10 00:00:00

GREAT FESTIVITIES AT BEESTON CASTLI

For some flays past some of -the most influential tenantry
on the Beeston and Peckforton Estates, Cheshire, had
formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of
raising subscriptions, and agreeing on a series of festivities,
which should enable all classes in the neighbourhood, and
especially those residing on the estates, to testify their res-
pect and esteem for their new, and truly hospitable landlord,
Mr. Tollemache, the newly elected member for South
Cheshire.

The committee having obtained a very spirited subscrip-
tion for the occasion, in the former part of the week made
every necessary arrangement for this demonstration of at-
tachment, and early on Thursday (the day set apart for these
festivities) tvs o new large red and blue flags, inscribed " Tolle-
mache for ever," were hoisted one at the bottom, and the
other at the top, of far-famed Beeston Castle, and which
would be seen (as the day was fine) at a distance of many
miles by the surrounding inhabitants. Soon after noon the
summit of that once formidable fortress presented a most gay
appearance, holiday clothes, and pretty bonnets, with glad-
some eyes and fair.faces beneath them, were in abundance.
The Tarporley Scotch dressed band was in attendance, and a
host of admiring rustics inundated the lower wards of the
Castles.

The tables. doorways, &c. were decorated with festoons of
laurels, flowers, and ribands, red and blue favours were the
order of the day. Several fine Southdown wethers had been
slaughtered, and roasted the day before, for the occasion.
The mutton was served out cold, with ample pieces of bread
and strong ale to the male sex, on the lower ward of the
Castle. Tea was taken by more than three hundred females,
of all ranks, on the higher ward, and there appeared to per-
vade only one universal feeling and attachment throughout
the assemblage. Numerous loyal and patriotic toasts and
sentiments were given, and " Tollemache for ever," and
" Mrs. Tollemache and family," were repeatedly toasted.
and drunk during the day, with long and loud enthusiastic
cheers, and the firing of musketry. After tea was over the
committee admitted the men into the higher ward, when
there was estimated to be present nearly a thousand indi-
viduals.

The merry dance was then introduced, which was kept up
several hours in very spirited style. The greatest order and
decorum was kept throughout the whole proceedings, to the
great credit of the committee, and at about seven o'clock,
with the band in front, the whole of the company remaining
in a body, retraced their steps to the bottom of the much-ad-
mired Castle, and there separating, returned to their res-
pective homes, highly delighted with the pleasures and en-
joyments of the day.
We cannot close the account of this gratifying testimo-
nial to J. Tollemache, Esq. without congratulating the
county of Chester on the election of a gentleman standing so
high in public estimation ; in all that concerns the welfare of
our institutions, and in furtherance of every good work, we
find Mr. Tollemache conspicuously engaged ; long may he
live to be the instrument of diffusing such benefit to society,
and may all who participate appreciate the advantage. To
John Tollemache, Esq. and his family we sincerely wish all
this world's good.

PouLToar-LE-FyLDE.—The harvest in this neighbourhood
has at length become general ; during the past week some
excellent crops of wheat have been cut and housed, in prime
condition. Oats, which are on the eve of being ripe, are
very promising, and likely to prove an excellent crop; we
we may say the same with respect to barley and beans. The
potato crop, in general, is likely to be abundant; on the
whole there will be much more than an average crop.
FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE.—On Sunday evening last, about
half-past seven o'clock, a fire was discovered to have origi-
nated in the front attic at the Weavers' Arms public-house,
Bradshawgate, Bolton. On the alarm being given, prompt
assistance was rendered by the neighbours, who immediately,
on being able to get into the room, commenced throwing out
the beds which were in flames, and removing the furniture.
In the hurry and bustle, it was forgot that a little boy of five
years of age, son of Mr. Richard Read, the landlord, was in
an adjoining room, and was first discovered by Macrea, a ser-
geant of police. The fire had not extended •to this room;
but, when the boy was brought out, he appeared to be almost
suffocated with the smoke. The usual remedies to restore
animation were resorted to, but in vain ; and the poor little
sufferer expired in a few minutes.
EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.—A THEATRE ON FIRE.—
" At St. Petersburgh, on the 18th ult.," says the Poet And
Gazette, " the audience at one of the principal theatres per-
ceiving a great light behind the curtain, anticipated some
grand display of fireworks, and began to express their delight
by clapping and shouts of applause. This delusive joy was
only increased, instead of being converted into terror, by
the appearance in front of the stage of an actor, vociferating
the house was on fire; for the people believed that this was
a trick of the scene, and continued their noisy acclamations.
To undeceive them the manager ordered the curtain to be
raised, and exposed to them the flames, which soon invaded
the whole building. The rush to the door became instantly
so violent, that many persons were killed, or dreadfully in-
jured, before they could make their escape. There was ano-
ther issue, but it was closed, and in ordinary times is not to
beopened without the authority of the police-officer, who
bad not yet arrived. A man, seeing the urgency of the oc-
casion, rushed through the flames, and, at the risk of his
life, forced the way open, and thus saved many froth dastruc-
tiotn. We have not learnt the details of the results of the
accident, but have learnt that, on the following day, the
brave man, to whom so many others owed their lives, was
invested with an honourable distinction by the Emperor's
own hand, and had secured to him a pension for life of
2000 franks."

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STEAM NAVIGATION IN INDIA.—In looking over a file
of Indian papers it is particularly interesting to observe the
growing attention which is paid to steam navigation in India,
and the expectations which are indulged in as to theadyantages
to be derived from this source. From the monthly packets
that are to start from Calcutta, and proceed by Madras and
Ceylon to Suez, the inhabitants of India anticipate a large
influx of visiters from England, frequent deputations from
the East India House to watch the state of affairs. India,
it is expected, will become a new resort for travellers for
pleasure, to whom every country in Europe has grow►► stale.
In 45 days, it is calculated, they will reach Calcatta from
England, then embark on a river steamer and visit the most
remarkable places on the banks, proceed to Ferozepore, take
the Indus steamer down to Kerachee, and thence take Bom-
bay on their return home. The Indian commercial men, on
the other hand, will, it is supposed, pay frequent visits to
England, as well as natives, who, finding the difficulties of
travelling removed, will gradually throw of their restrictions
of caste. Eugland will be selected by the officers of the
Government when seeking the restoration of health in pre-
ference to the Cape or Van Dieman's Land.