The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-07-25 00:00:00

THE SCENE BEFORE THE BANQUET.

We have before noticed that Brandon Hill and the
heights, terraces, stands, and houses were crowded with
anxious spectators, gayly clad. On the hill, on which
stood many thousands, they resembled, when the sun
shone upon them throughout the forenoon, a dense and
immense bed of variegated flowers. About one o'clock,
however, rain began to descend rather copiously, but only
in succesive sunshiny showers, which remcv.q.l only a com-
paratively few of the gazers. The first downfall, however,
produced a curious effect on the aspect of the scene. In
a moment, perhaps, 10,000 umbrellas, at least, were raised.
The whole bill, and the other acclivities, appeared to be
covered closely with calico and silk, and it required no
great stretch of imagination to conceive that the flowers
had instantly died, and that brown and green mushrooms
had as rapidly sprung up in ,their places. The rain con-
tinued while the company in the yard enjoyed themselves
at THE BANQUET.

This took place in a large wooden building, opening
from the building yard and chise to the water. It had
previously to the great occasion been used as a smith's
shop, but had been metamorphosed into a splendid pavi-
lion, covered interiorly with alternate breadths of crimson
and white glazed calico. The rows of pillars were also
made, by the aid of the same material fixed on in folds,
strongly to resemble fluted columns of white marble. The
roof was similarly covered and festooned, and the beams
hung with and concealed by valances cut out in the style of
Louis Quartorze, which had a fine effect. There were three
lengths of tables, each four tables in width, running lon-
gitudinally, and a horse-shoe table at the upper end for
the principal guests. About 520 sat down to the repast,
—a cold collation, with jellies, confectionery, fruit, wines,
&c. There were many ladies present. Mr. Thos. Kings-
ton, chairman of the board of directors, presided ; the
Prince on his right band. Amongst the other distinguished
guests were, his Excellency the Prussia❑ Ambassador and
lady, the Hon. Edward Everett, Ambassador of the United
States, the Sardinian Ambassador, the Right Hon. Lord
Wharnciiffe, the Marquiss of Exeter, the Earl of Lincoln,
Lord Granville Somerset and lady, Lord John Somerset,
the Hon. Paget, the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, M.P.,
the Hon. Henry Berkeley and Mr. P. W. S. Miles,
M.P.'s for the city, Mr. P. J. Miles and lady, &c.
After the viands, &c., had been partaken of the health
of the Queen was given with great enthusiasm, and after-
wards that of her royal consort. The Prince replied
Mr. Chairman, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, I
thank you for the honour you have done me in drinking
my health, and I assure you it affords me great pleasure
that I have come here to-day, and I shall always bear a
lively remembrance of the cordiality with which you have
received me. Allow me now to propose the health of the
Mayor, and prosperity to the city and trade of Bristol.' "
(Applause.)
The Mayor, in suitable terms, returned thanks for the
honour. _

" His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the
rest of the Royal family."
" The Army and Navy," &c. _ _

Amongst the numerous visitors to the banquet occupy-
ing the nearest seats to the royal table we observed Mr.
F. P. Smith, the projector and patentee of the Archime-
dean screw propeller, who also visited Bristol in the
Archimedes about three years ago, at which time the
Great Britain was intended to be fitted with paddle-
wheels ; but in consequence of the satisfactory perform-
ances of the Archimedes, the proprietors of the Great
Britain determined on fitting their ship on the same prin-
ciple, and the necessary alterations were forthwith com-
menced for that purpose. Mr. Smith could not fail to be
gratified on the auspicious event of " launching " the
Great Britain—he having so successfully combatted the
obstacles that beset the introduction of any thing new
that is likely to work so great a change in steam navigation
and enterprise. We rejoice that he has in so short a time
had the gratification of seeing his views carried out on so
magnificent a scale as in the Great Britain—independently
of many other ships and vessels that have been and are
now being fitted on the same plan.
Several other toasts were drank, and the whole com-
pany went to

THE " LAUNCH" OR FLOATING.

During the banquet the water had been let into the
dock in which the vessel lay, and before it was concluded,
named at 25 minutes before two o'clock, she floated up
majestically from the blocks on which she had rested, tne
bands on board and on shore playing the National
Anthem. There was great crushing to witness the
" christening." An iron caissoln had kept the water out
of the dock had been towed away, and as the vessel
was all afloat and in tow of a small " screw" steamer, the
Prince and his immediate friends, came along the gang-
way to the tent, and was loudly cheered. The noble
vessel was towed out of the dock shortly after 3 o'clock,
and as her starboard bow passed the tent, a lady (Mrs.
Miles, to whom the Prince had deputed the honour of the
ceremonal) broke a bottle of wine against her, and gave
her the name of " The Great Britain." Bands of music
meanwhile played " Rule Britannia ;" and in a
few minutes she was towed out of the dock,
and appeared conspicuous, in all her magnificent pro-
portions and length, in the broader waters of what is
called " the float," or river. The Prince and his suite,
after remaining a short time to witness the scene, left the
yard in their carriages, and took their way along the
" New Cut " to the railway station—whence they im-
mediately proceeded to London.

REAL DIGNITY OF MIND.—We have instance in our
family of real dignity of mind, and I set it down as the
most honourable alliance in the pedigree. The Dowager
Lady Walpole, you know, was a French staymaker's
daughter. When ambassadress in France, the Queen ex-
pressed surprise at her speaking so good French. Lady
Walpole said she was a French woman. " Francaise ?” ,
replied the queen. " Vous rancatse, madame! et de
quelle faruilie?" " D:aueune, madame," answered my
aunt. Don't you think that azicune sounded greater
than Montmorency would have done ? One must have
a great soul to be of the aucrue family, which is not ne-
cessary to be a floward.—Xew Series of Ti alpole's
Letters.

Cat 1:110 iff:

-
Will have early despatch.
For BOMBAY,
~.. 4_t4 The
,-•
LT 4
Lfast-sailing and first-class Ship
GREENOCK,
THOMAS FLECK, Commander.
For freight, &c. apply on board, Waterloo Dock, or to
DUNCAN GIBB.
/
Having a large portion of her cargo e‘gaged, and now
S going on board, will have/quick despatch.
.71.; For the CAPE OF GOOI),HOPE.ALGok BAY
The fine British-built arque SCIENCE,
Captain H. EKES;
A 1 eleven years ; 250 tons new and 270 tons old ; copper-
ed ; a remarkably fast sailer, and will he found in every
respect a first-rate conveyance both for goods and passen-
gers.—For terms of freight, &c. apply on board, west side
Prince's Dock, or to W. and J. TYRER.

Wtst fnbirs.

Intended to sail immediately.
For BARBADOS,/
/-21.3 ;.4 The Brig TRINCC 10,
WILLIAm EIt;LLIN, _ aster.
~r
For terms of freight or passa apply to
BARTON, IRLA3I, and lIGGINSON.
Who have on SALE some choice 'MADEIRA.
( One concern.)

To succeed the JOHN 110 ocics.
.r. For BERBICE
ftliii% The well-known Brig KELS CK WOOD,
JOHN BROWN. Ster.
• For terms of freight or passa e apply to
J. NELSON WOOD and Co.

outb tintrtra,

An extra vessel.—With immei ate despatch.
For RIO DE JAN IRO.
The splendid American Pack -ship ROSCOE,
A. ZEREGA, Commander ;
Burthen per register 622 tons; has elegant accommoda-
tions for twenty cabin passengers ; well-known as a re-
markably fast sailer ; beds and bedding found by the
ship.—For terms, &c. apply o❑ hoard, in the Waterloo
Dock, or to INIRIE and TOMLINSON. or
COTESWORTH and WYNNE.