The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-06-18 00:00:00

fence for his strong opponent. This was the best bout
during the tournament.
For the s,cdrid match two men were placed on each
boat, that number being thought more likely to produce
something decisive; and so it did, for. aster some half .
dozen ieeilectu d encounters, Richard Ward (Duke's
man) succeeded in sousing Peter Brown (Old Quay) ;
after which, John Ackerly (Old Quay) revenged his
dripping comrade in arms by sousing Richard Ward. A
third set were matched, but produced nothing decisive;
upon which the tournament was declared to be at an end,
returned to Cooper's Meadow.• The
value thoef tehoempiar'iznis, we believe, was to be divided amongst
the men. Considerable amusement was created during
this struggle by one of the combo.' ants in waiting jump-
ing into the duck from the fourth story of the warehouse
adjoining, and, whilst there, in eleven feat water, strip-
ping himself to his flannel shirt and drawers.
A donkey race, a race in sacks for fifty yards and over
two ditches, and a third donkey race were the next
amusements; after which, it being four o'clock, the men
belonging to the Trust were got together by the agents
and marched to the pavilion erected in the Old Quay-
yard, where they were to be regaled with a sumptuous
and pleetirul dinner in the good old English fashion.
The dining pavilion, erected and fitted up by Mr.
Banks, of Runcorn, upon whose skill and taste it re-
flected great credit, was in length 40 yards by 27 wide,
and covering an area of 1080 square yards, was estimated
TO accommodate about 1200 persons. It contained about
100 tables. At one side was a raised platform containing
the agents and their friends, and opposite a gallery for
the ladies. The whole of the interior was hung
with blue and white drapery, with several handsome flags
and mottoes, and after dusk was lighted brilliantly with
gas, arranged in devices appropriate to the day. A cor-
ner was set apart and provided with music stands for the
band.
The fare consisted of Roast Beef, of which 25 cwt. was
provided, in Barons, Rounds, and other joints in abund-
ance, meat pies of a very substantial and excellent des-
cription, Plum-puding, bread, and beer, and porter. The
beef was ready cut on each men's plate. A steward was
appointed fur every nine, to maintain regularity. From
the best estimate we can form we should say that from
900 to 1000 persons site down to dinner, consisting prin-
cipally of the porters flatmen, drivers upon the canal,
the agents at the different stations, and a few farmers and
gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, the latter of
whom aided in superintending the arrangements, which
we are bound to say were excellent. When the company
were all seated, Mr. Pendlebury, the head agent in Liver-
pool called attention, whilst Stubb's band played the
Vesper Hymn, after which the repast began in good
earnest, the clatter of a thousand knives and forks being
rendered more muscical by a series of marches, &c.
played during dinner by the Warrington Amateur
Band.
The repast being concluded Mr. Pendlebury was moved
to the chair, and after a few words expressive of his
regret that some more able chairman had not been ap-
pointed, proceeded to propose the first toast, which was
one which all loyal subjects were at all times ready to
drink—the health of her Majesty, Queen Victoria. This
toast was received with the most deafening cheering we
ever remember to have heard, Mr. Stubbs' band playing
God save the Queen, and a discharge of cannon being
fired outside the pavilion.
The CHAIRMAN gave next " Prince Albert, and the
rest of the Royal Fall ly," which was received with
three times three and firing of cannon. Band, a march.
The CHAIRMAN said that the next toast was the health
of a nobleman, whose servants he and they all were. If
he were to trace his descent he might go as tar back as the
time of William the Conqueror; it was, sufficient, how-
ever, to say that he was a distinguished member of oneof the,
first families in the empire. They had all heard of the,
late Duke of Bridgewater, whose property the noble lord
. had inherited. The duke, it was well known, had spent
FESTIVITIES AT RUNCORN. the whole of his property in the formation of the canal
Eight o'clock in the forenoon was fixed for the parties which hears his name. The present owner has achieved
proceeding to Runcorn to embark at Liverpool, and at even more than this. He had purchased the entire pro-
that hour the steamers Alice, Blanche, and Tower, be- perty of the Old Qaay Company to add to his former
longing to the trustees of the Bridgewater estate, were in possessions, and thus united two of the most important
attendance off the Duke's Doak and Old Quay wharfs, naviga lens in the world. He concluded by giving " the ,
gaily decorated with flags and ensigns, ready to receive health of Lord Francis Egerton," which was received
their expected freights. The extensive warehouses, sheds, with hearty cheering, which lasted a considerable time;
and offices of the trust displayed the royal ensign and blue after which, the band played " The Old English Gentle-
and white flags from roofs and windows; and the flats man."
and other craft in the neighbouring docks hoisted similar The CHAIRMAN said that he now came to the toast of
emblems of loyalty and rejoicing. The whole business of the evening—the health of the gentleman whose majority
the estate at the Liverpool end seemed suspended, the they were met that day to celebrate—" the health of •
servants of the trust being all bound for the scene of George Egerton, Esq., and may he follow in the footsteps
festivity, and the warehouses, offices, &c., were all closed. of his father, and become a better man than be, if he
At about half-past eight the steamers began to take in can. (Immense cheering, with discharges of cannon, the •
their passengers, composed of the clerks, porters, flat- band playing " For he's a jolly good fellow.")
men, and other parties connected with the concern at The CHAIRMAN was sure thnt the ladies present would
this port, with their wives, daughters, &c., the various join him in honouring the toast which he was about to
agents of the trustees, and the visiters invited to attend. propose—the health of a lady noted for her kinduess,
It was not, however, until nine that all were on board, benevolence, affability, and charity to all around her. He
and the vessels proceeded into the river, receiving as proposed " the health of Lady Francis Egerton, and all her
they left the various piers salutes of cannon, which were family." (Three times three, the band playing " Here's '• returned from on board, the bands playing " Rule a health to all good lasses.")
Britannia," and, after getting into order, steered towards The CHAIRMAN announced that the next toast would
Runcorn with the tide, a fresh breeze, and rather more of be proposed by Mr. MITCHELL, of Preston Brook, who
it than was wanted, blowing from the westward. rose to propose " the health of James Locke, Esq„"
Notwithstanding the gusty character of the morning, which he was sure would be received with pleasure by all
the sail up the river was delightful. The fine brass band present. He was delighted to witness the harmony which
f Mr. Stubbs was stationed on board the Alice, and from had hitherto prevailed amongst them, which he hoped
time to time played enlivening airs, whilst the guns from would continue throughout the day. Mr. Locke was
the other boats kept up an intermitting firing of salutes, engaged in the performance of overwhelming duties. as
as they passed the various craft of the trustees on their the acting trustee of the concern, which he performed,
course. On arriving off Neston Point salutes were fired as they all knew, most efficiently ; and he trusted that he
from shore, and returned from on board the steamers, might be spared to devote his life to its interests. He
with three times three hearty cheers. With the exception was intimately connected with the town of Runcorn, and
of a few persons collected upon the pier, the port itself ap- his heart was warm to them all. The speaker concluded
peared to be deserted, the inhabitants having no doubt with giving the health of Mr. Locke, which was received
proceeded en masse to the scene of approaching festivity. with hearty cheering, the band playing " Speed tlie
After rounding the Point, the boats, which had hitherto plough."
kept independent courses, were brought into line, the THOMAS OLDFIELD, Esq., was called upon to propose
Alice taking the lead, having on board Mr. Pendlebury, the next toast, which he was confident, from its relation
the principal agent of the trustees in Liverpool, and his to the nobleman in honour to whom they were assembled,
friends, with a number of the head clerks and agents, the would be reeeived with enthusiasm. The toast was
Blanche coming next, with a large complement of pas- " Success to the Old Quay Navigation." It was a cele-
sengers, and the Tower coming in her wake. In this order brated remark of the great Brindley, that " Rivers were
they approached the Port of Runcorn, which displayed an made to feed canals ; ' but the managers of that naviga-
animated appearance, the shipping in the docks and every tion had effected more than this. They had not only
available building from which a flag could be hoisted, being made their river feed canals, but they had strewn, by their
literally covered with the blue and white favors of their , excellent management of their own navigation, how canals
noble owner. On arriving off the Duke's pier they were ought to he navigated and worked. The toast was re-
' welcomed with three times three hearty cheery from the I ceived with three times three cheers, the band playing
multitude assembled to receive the visitors, whilst a salute f " Should auld acquaintance."
of twenty large gone was fired from the island, and re- Mr. COLLINS, Mayor of Altringham, was called upon
turned from on board the Alice; after which the passen- to propose the next toast, and, in a neat speech, proposed
gers landed, and proceeded to the scene of the day's en- " the health of Fereday Smith, Esq., a gentleman
tertainments—" Cooper's Meadow." managing a great portion of their navigation. Great ap-
On arriving here we found a mass of people assembled. plause, band playing " Jim alone Josey," in so taking a
such as probably never were congregated in It uncornbefore, style that three cheers were called for Stubbs by the
and may never be again, until upon a similar occasion of re- delighted company.
juicing. The shops throughout the town had closed, and The next toast was given I,y Mr. RIPPIN, of Runcorn,
contributed their quota to the gay throng; the houses , who apologised for his inability to do it justice, by plead-
were tenantless, and for miles round farmers and cotters, I ins the great fatigue lie had undergone. He gave " The
gentry and labourers, with their wives and daughters, hesl I Town and Trade of Runcorn." Three times three and
been drawn towards Cooper's Meadow as the centre of one cheer more, the band playing a march. Mr. Crippin
attraction. For the ladies, of whom there was a fair responded on behalf of the inhabitants of Liverpool and
sprinkling, a commodious stand had been erected by the Runcorn.
provident care of Mr. Rippin, the agent of the Trust at The CHAIRMAN called ueon Mr. Eaton, of the Old
Runcorn, and his active coadjutors, from which they were Quay, as the only bachelor amongst them, to propose the
enabled throughout the day to witness the games, unin- I next toast, who rose with a feeling of diffidence to per-
terrupted by the rude visiting of the crowd, or any visit- form that duty. What he lacked in ability, however, he
ing save that of a boisterous wind, which seemed, as well I would make up in enthusiasm. In reference to the re-
as other people, to have got a holiday for the occasion, I mark made upon his social position, he asked them to
and wits determined to make the most of it. A great look at the motto of the Bridgewater family, which was
portion, if not all the servants of the company wore over " sic donee"—thus until. In the same way he occupied
their holiday attire medals commemorative of the day, his position as a bachelor until— Mr. Eaton concluded
having on one side an inscription—" George Egerton of ' by giving " The Health of the Ladies," which was re-
age June 15th, NU," and on the relief the arms and ceived with enthusiasm, the band playing •• Oh Where
motto of his noble family. These were suspended, on the and oh Where ?"
part of the duke's people by blue ribbons, and on that of I Mr. WHITEWELL proposed " The Health of the
the Old-quay men by red, both parties although now I Chairman," in a neat and effective speech, and Mr.
belonging to a united estate, keeping up the colours of , Pendlebury replied bristly. He expressed himself thank-
their original proprietors. The visitors generally dis- ful if he had filled the office of their chairman satisfactorily.
played white favors. : It was an occasion which was not likely to happen more
Meanwhile, numbers had been arriving, and continued than once in a man's lifetime. It was now 95 years since
I to pour in throughout the day, from Warrington, Alttine- I similar festivities had taken place upon the occasion of the
ham, Stockton Quay, Chester, Ellesmere, Preston Brook, coming of age of the late Duke of Bridgewater. He
Lvmn, Broadheath, and other places interested in or con- thanked the meeting with all his heart for their kindness.
nettedlord, The male portion of the company now withdrew to ac-
the celebrated.le
one
commodate the females—the wives, daughters, &c. of the
majority with theof navigationwhose
heir andw was to
propertyb e ofte noh
boat brought a fine amateur band from Warrington, men employedby the trustees, who were regaled
with tea and
which played during the day in Cooper's Meadow alter- coffee, bread and butter and more solid beef, to the num-
nately with Stubbs ; and ethers brought visitors picked ' ber of upwards of a thousand, and seemed heartily to enjoy
up along the whole line of the navigation. We are un- , the treat.
able to form any very accurate estimate of the total num- We are compelled, by the extreme length which we have
hers present during any portion of the day ; but they I occupied in our description of this good old English cele-
cannot certainly be estimated at less than ten thousand, bration, to pass over any description of the remaining
and were probably even a greater number. sports out of doors—climbing a greased pole, catching a
At eleven o'clock the entertainments commenced with pig with a soaped tail, &c.—until dusk, when a splendid
a wheelbarrow race, the runners to be blinded, and the display of fireworks took place upon the island, which
winner to be he who first got through a gap in a fence at I seemed infinitely to delight the assembled multitude.
the end of the Meadow. The prize to be a new wheel- During the display Mr. Stubbs's hand played a succession
barrow. Seven candidates entered for this race, and of beautiful airs before the ladies' stand ; and we may here
much fun was created by the various mishaps occurring. offer our humble tribute to the taste and skill of these
We are unable to hand down to posterity the name of the :
, talented musicians and their able leader, which elicited
fortunate winner ; but he is, no doubt, likely to be for
throughout the day hearty encomiums.
life a large man in his own circle. The concluding part of the day's amusements was the
A donkey race was the next affair which came off. The burning of a ship on fire in the centre of the river. To
conditions were, that no rider was to mount his own j render this an attractive spectacle, the vessel to be burnt,
donkey, and the last donkey—the most obstinate, of a condemned flat, said to have been about 90 years on
, tours,—was to be the winner. Five or six started, and service between Liverpool and Manchester, had been
I were rather carried themselves than galloped with their converted into a ship by the erection of temporary spars,
riders round the course. A good many tumbles, of and was filled with highly combustible matter—rosin,
course, took place, the animals, in most cases, being rid- I pitch, &c. A little after eleven, a steamer (the Blanche)
1 den with a bit of cord for a bridle and their own hides for proceeded alongside of her, and shortly afterwards flames
the saddle. The winner, we believe, never came in at all ! I were observed: to be breaking out of her hatches. In
' At twelve o'clock the multitude assembled in Cooper's about a quarter of an hour the devouring element had
Meadow adjourned to tire Slate Wharf Dock in the bot- i gained complete possession of its prey ; and a magnificent
torn locks, to witness a " great aquatic tournament," to flame rose high in air, illuminating the whole river, and
take place between six Bridgewater Trust and six Old reflected upon the sky and the scenery around for some
Quay flatmen, for a prize of a suit of clothes. Much in- miles. The Towerind Blanche steamers plied round the
terest was attached to this novel kind of combat, and the I burning mass for awhile, as if engaged in saving life and
quays and banks surrounding the dock were speedily property, but at length sheered off, taking up stations at a
occupied by anxious spectators, the ladies being admitted little distance ahead and astern and firing guns. The en-
to the upper floors of the Duke's Warehouse, which over- tire spectacle was excellently and very dramatically
looks the dock. The arrangements and conditions of the managed.
comat were, that each combatant. armed with a lance It was now approaching midnight • and shortly after-
twelbve feet long with a round head, padded so as to be wards the visitors from Liverpool took boat and started
soft, should take his station upon a stage, formed by I for home delighted, and fatigued too, with the dav's en-
covering over the bows of a boat with planks, one end tertainments. We cannot, however, conclude this im-
extending forward over the water, and tapered from the perfect description, without recordiug our sense of the
widest part to about a foot at the point. At a given signal excellent arrangements made by the gentlemen connected
the boats were to start from stages moored across each with the trust for the accommodation of the public, and
end of the dock, and row towards each other; and on the personal kindness directed towards ourselves as mem-
approaching within five yards the rowers were to pull in hers of the press. The whole of the days sports were
their oars, and the combatants endeavour bp fair pushing, excellently conducted and reflect great credit upon all
striking not being allowed, to push each other from the parties engaged in their management.
stage into the dock. ro-
P
this way six combats were
vided for. The winners were then to fight out the ties At the conclusion of such a celebration we regret to
until the possession of the suit of clothes was decided I record one serious casuality—the loss of a poor man over-
board from the Blanche on her return home. From our
upon ; and the losers in the last combats were each to own observation, having been in the boat at the time, we
have a new hat.
are iatisfied th blame can attac to no ut
The first passage at arms was made by Isaac Taylor, on the unfortunate man ►himself.be Thehed grief of hisone Nieb toce, a
the Bridgewater side, a stout, tall fellow ; and J. Howarth fine young woman, who was on board, was only allayed by
on the side of the Old Quay, a much less bulky and : the uncertainty which attached to his fate. On Sunday,
older man, but evidently full of confidence in his strength however, we learn, the body was found and hope unfor-
' or his dexterity ; and after jousting " a full hour bY tunately at an end. The deceased was named Thomas
Runcorn clock," the heat was declared to be a drawn one. I Williams arid wle a poete- in the service of the Old Quay
CLc old one would not be rat lu, and was c.....aLing of Company.

thoughtless exultation. (Cheers.) If time permitted, he
might endeavour to explain that there were other and
more legitimate feelings that ought to actuate a mail on
such an occasion, and to these he was not inseos ble. But
this was not the first occasion on which tiny had met
together. He had met them on occasions of common
danger, and they would give him credit, when looking on
that assembly, that many present knew that he had the
wi tforhe
comfort and well-being of those around him at heart.
other(Great t h
cihne cheers.) .m anda s
distrust
not,
ho
on ev ehrs part,
occasiontheu gh
) was
should ever do his utmost for their welfare. But there were
many reasons, and good ones, to sanction such a meeting.
In the first place, it was an old English custom, and when
old and kindly feelings between master and servant
were forgotten in Lancashire, he feared they would
cease to exist elsewhere; and this was an example which
might tend to perpetuate them. (Cheers.) It was an
occasion which his ancestor, the late Duke of Bridge-
water, would have gladly witnessed. Although that dis-
tinguished man courted not popular applause, with a
sagacity and foresight peculiarly his own, he loved to
handle the springs of that industry which he had set in
motion He felt that it was to him the honour was
mainly intended; and he (the speaker) was sensible before,
and still more now, that his son should cultivate the affec-
tions of those who were so willing to bestow them.
(Cheers.) Without such cultivation the world were in-
deed barren and waste, but to retain them was the prize
which the Christian man was alone prepared to achieve
and enjoy. (Cheers.) When an individual invited 2,000
guests on such an occasion, he must call largely upon
their indulgence, for the arrangements for the amusement
and comfort of so many were difficult to accomplish.
(Loud cheers.) He concluded by drinking the good health
of all present. (Repeated cheers an I clappmg of hands.)
A gentleman present proposed the health of a lady
whose name was engraven on the hearts of every British
man and woman who knew her; who had ever acted on
the highest principles of Christian charity and kindness ;
had long been the partner of his lard-hip's joys and sor-
rows; an affectionate parent; endowed with all the vir-
tues that ought to grace a British lady, and ever anxious
to promote t. e temporal and eternal welfare of all around
her—" Lady Egerton, and long might she live to see her
son follow in her own and his father's footsteps." (Loud
cheers, followed by " Here's a health, &c.")
Lord F. EGERTON returned a brief and appropriate ac-
knowledgment.

The Chairman and his friends, and the ladies, (who had
partaken of wine and cake,) then retired from the tent.
They were shortly afterwards followed by the other guests.

TIIE TEA.

At six o'clock, the tent having previously been cleared
and prepared for the occasion, an immense number of
well-dressed females, wives and daughters of the previous
party, sat down to tea, at which beef. bread and butter,
&c. were most plentifully supplied. They enjoyed them-
selves to their hearts content, and the vvhole went off with
the greatest eclat.

THE SPDXTS.
Daring the whole of the day old English games and fes-
tivities were kept vigorously up in a large field at the back
of the " Bridgewater Arms," every room in which, as well
as a large temporary tent, was crowded from the morning
until after sunset. The games were quoiting, putting the
stone, leaping, running, wrestling, climbing the pole for a
leg of mutton, and other prizes, foot-races, donkey-races,
hornpipe-dancing. wheel-barrow races, (blind-folded,)
sack-races, hurdle-races, steeple-chases, &c.—all afford-
ing great fan and amusement to vast numbers of partici-
pators and spectators, both young and old. The day's
amusements closed with a splendid display of fire-works,
which were seen over a large extent of country, and at the
close of which the parties " homeward took their several
ways," highly delighted with the varied enjoyments of the
day.