The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-10-29 00:00:00

C rtes, meun'ect on stout horses,

Grand United Orlerof C,th l'r thren, with regalia, &c.
Band, in green, with military caps.
Band of the 6t i Regiment of Foot.
Loyal Liverp• 01 Lodge of Oddfcllows,
accompanied by a splendid banner.
Duchess of Lancaster Lodge.
Loyal Stanley Lodge.
Loyal Perseverance Lodge.
Band of the sth Dragoon Guards.
Loyal George IV. Lodge.
I.oyal Mersey Lodge.
The Covenant Lodge.
Friendly Society of Operative Masons.
Rechabites.
Star Tent.
Pand of the 6th Infantry.
Good Samaritan Lodge.
Liverpool Shipwrights.
These carried a fine model of a steam-vessel, and several other
fine models of vessels, and were preceded by a large flag. They
were very respectably dressed. A large banner with a figure
of the Duke of Wellington, and another with a fig,re of Charles
the Second, were carried in this part of the procession.
Ancient Order of Foresters,
many of them in the full costume of the order mounted. In
the procession were a ,hepher.l and a shepherdess—the former
with a fine dog couchunt at his feet, and the latter with a lamb.
Operative S twyers,
accompanied by a model shed and saw•pit, In which two gro-
tesque-looking automaton figures appeared in the act of sawing
a balk of wood. Much amusement was created by this exhibi-
tion.

Pensioners' Band.
Iron Shipbuilders in the employ of John Laird, Esq.,
carrying beautiful mot'e's of iron vessels.
Men employed in the En rineer's Tug Yard,
carrying. wands in their hands.
Stubbs's Royal harmonic Band.
The Commissioners of Birkenhead; •
J. D. Case, Esq., W. Jackson, Esq., and John Laird, Esq.,
taking the leid.
Several hundreds of Men employed in making the new Park,
six abreast.

Several carts decked with laurel and evergreens, and tilled with
Women and Children, brought up the rear.
The procession occupied about three quarters of an hour
in passing through Hamilton-square.
At twelve o'clock a discharge of cannon announced the
starting of the procession. As it moved along, the streets
were thronged by enthusiastic spectators, and the win-
dows of the noble mansions in the square and neighbour-
ing Stree.ts through which the immense phalanx, with nu-
rnerous flags and banners, including the Royal standard,
Sec. passed, were threnzed by fair occupants, who waved
gags, banners, and handkerchiefs' in token of their ap-
probation ; while the roaring of the cannon, and the mar-
tial music of the various bands, combined to produce an
effect at once magnificent and heart-stirring. At the en-
trance to iiamilton-street, and also in Church-street and
other streets on the route, triumphal arches of laurel were
erected. On turning thaelcoonrne!9f the yard of Birkenhead
Church, and passing
Plebebey-street, salutes were
fired from time to time from g f cannono planted on
the new river-wall enclosing Tranmereeso
olfon the north.
the Wellington lintel, a
On passing party Scotchmen,
dressed in the national costume, presented themselves on
a stage which hal been erected for the purpose, at the one
end of the building; one of them struck up a lively air,n
their favourite instrument, the bagpipe, which seemed to
excite much attention amongst the spectators.
The route through the principal struts, given in our
last, was adhered to. The procession, in returning north-
ward, crossed llaluilto4- square, and along Coaway• street
to Parktiehl, I‘, here a line cf flags was placed. It thence
Passed along Cavendish-street tD Corporation-road, where
it bdted opposite Mr. iron shipbuildinF, yud,

which was profusely decorated with flags. A triumphal
arch had been erected at this part of the road, and the
usual manifestations, including salutes, &c., were again
given. The whole line thence moved on to Woodside
Fel ry, and thence along the new road close to the beach,
to the spot where the stone was to be laid.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

Just above the site where the stone was to be deposited,
two platforms had been erected in steps rising to the
shore, with wide board entrances to the top; and these,
together with a square space round the stone, for the
principal guests, were railed in front, and fenced in with
boards at the back and sides. Parties were admitted to
the platforms by ticket, and they were soon filled by a
gaily-dressed company. Within the enclosed square were
stationed the band of the 6th Dragoon Guards, that of the
Sixth Foot, and Mr. Stubbs's Harmonic Band, who
played fovourite airs in concert with a fine effect, also the
national anthem, &c., when the ceremony had concluded.
The leading gentlemen having arrived on the ground,
preparations were immediately made for laying the
stone, by Mr. Rendell depositing a glass bottle, con-
taininz a copy of the Liverpool newspaper of the day, a
plan of the works, and one of all the current coins, in
a cavity out of the solid rock. []'his part of the pro-
ceedings was performed amidst much cheering.] Mr.
Rendell then read the inscription on the brass-plate, after
which he deposited it in the groove prepared for its recep-
tion, and then presented the beautiful silver trowel (which
we have before described) to Sir Philip Egerton. The
stone being lowered to its place and adjusted, the hon.
baronet struck it with a rosewood mallet.
The Rev. ANDREW KNOX, incumbent of Birkenhead,
then offered up a beautiful, deeply impressive, and appro-
priate prayer.
Sir PHILIP DE MALPAS GREY EGERTON, Bart., of
Oulton-park, M.P., then ascended the stone, amidst nine times nine
cheers, which having subsided, he spoke nearly as follows :—Ladies
and gentlemen, it has been customary from time immemorial, in
this country, and I believe also in other parts of the world, to cele-
brate with such" pomp and circumstance" as the occasion might
require, the commencement of works, either public or private,
which, for magnitude or importance, are deemed of more than
ordinary consequence. (Hear.) It is in compliance with ancient
usage, and in obedience to the liberal invitation of the commis-
sioners, that we are assembled here this day to witness that magni-
ficent spectacle, which has been prepared with no ordinary care—
to celebrate the inauguration of the foundation stone of the Birken-
head Docks. (Cheers.) It has been my lot, ladies and gentlemen,
frequently to be present upon ceremonials of this description, and I
have a vivid and distinct recollection of most of those events which'
haye occurred during the last few years; for ceremonies such as
this are not like the ordinary and passing events of the day, which
make an impression for the moment and then pass into oblivion:
they form epochs in • our national history ; they are milestones, as
it were, in the road of time; they constitute a species of memo; is
echnicu, enabling the mind, after the lapse of years, to recal not
only the events themselves, but all the contemporaneous and con-
comitant events of history. (Hear.) It is, therefore, I say I have
a distinct recollection of most of those spectacles which have taken
place during the la4t few years; and I can state, most distinctly,
and in all sincerity, that 1 have failed to call to mind one which,
either for its intrinsic worth or fur the important results which are
likely to Cillow from it, can be compared for a moment with the
undertaking which has this day been commenced. (Cheers ) I
am aware that I am making use of terms most comprehensive; I
am aware that I may probably be subjected to the charge of allow.
ing my partialities or my prejudices to bias my judgment; tut I
trust I shall not have made use of •terms of exaggeration, for I do
not estimate the value-of a work of this description by its superficial
acres, by the suns of money that may be expended upon it, but by
the amount of advantages which are likely to accrue from it to
mankind at large. (Hear.) A bridge over the Thames at London,
a bridge across the Menai straits, are works of great magnitude,
and which reflect the highest honour upon the distinguished engi-
neers who brought them to perfection ; but in their application they
must be considered as purely local, as mere facilities for intercourse
between the banks of the streams. There are many other works of
great magnitude and importance in this nation : take, for example,
the Royal Exchange of London, which our gracious Sovereign is
about to grace with tier presence ou Monday next. That is a work
well worthy of the merchant princes who have erected it; it will be
a lasting ornament to the greatest commercial community in the
world, but its sphere of utility is limited as compared with the re-
sults I anticipate from the works which are this day here com-
menced. • (Hear.) I consider that the advantages which will follow
from the erection of these docks will not be purely local; they will
not be only national, but they will be universal. (Cheers ) They
will be felt through the length and breadth of the land; they will
circulate through the minutest fibres of the trade and commerce of
the country; they will be circumscribed only by the limits of civi-
lization in the habitable globe. (Renewed cheers.) The idea of
converting Wallasey Pool into a series of docks, is by no means
novel or of recent date. Nature has been so lavish in her adapta-
tion of this part of Cheshire, that every engineer who has visited
the banks of the Mersey, for years past, has been struck with the
great capability of this port to feed the local trade; and I believe
the late Mr. Telford, one of the most distinguished men in the
annals of British science, went so far as to say that, in his opinion,
Liverpool was built upon the wrong side of the river. (Hear, and
s .err benditer.) he late Mr. Laird, many years ago, had a corn.
plete survey Made of the Pool, and I remember having received—
and many' etisere received also, f dare say—a very able plan for
converting thee Pont hero a series of docks. It would be needless
for me now to revert to hietorical facts connected with this place,
waili are probably we:i hieewn to most of those I have the honour
to address. It will be needless foe me to mention the obstacles and
impediment's which have appeared in the tray of the realization of
those schemes. Suffice it to say, that those impediments and those
obstacles have been.fortunately removed. The Pool has been sur-
veyed by the talented engineer who has lately addressed you. He
has drawn out plans for converting the fool into a series of docks.
These plans were embodied in an Act of Parliament, which was
passed last session. That bill experienced most rigid, strict, and
searching investigation in passing through both houses in the com-
mittees of both the Commons and the Lords; but so manifest were
the advantages it held out, so ably was every clause in that bill
supported by the evidence of the most scientific men in this roan.
try, and, above all, so disinterested appeared to be the motives of
those who promoted the measure, that it passed triumphantly
thro,:gh those ordeals, and came unscathed and unmutilated
through parliament, and is now the law of the land. The works
to be executed under that act are of a magnitude wholly unpa al-
leled, I believe, in works of a similar nature. (Cheers.) They will
comprise, in the first instance, a vast tidal harbour of nearly f•rty
acres, with sufficient water in it to admit of vessels at all times of
the tides, which can cross the Victoria bar. (Hear.) In addiCen
to that harb3ur of refuge, convenience will be supplied of about
acres in, extent, with a beaching ground of four or five acres
additional, which will be devoted •to the use of the trading craft of
the river: - (Meer) There. is also a dock which will be appli_sl to
the present uses and purposes of the town of Birkenhead. If these
were the only objects sought. by this bill, they are sufficient to lay
claim to your most favourable consideration ; but beyond this there
will be an opening to the tidal harbour, by gates, of vast extent;
there will also be a floating pool of about one hundred and thirty '
acres in extent, throughout the whole of which the water will be
• maintained at such a level that the banks of the pool, continued for
nearly eight thousand lineal yards, will be applicable for the pur-
poses of quays and jetties, of landingplaces and gravingedocks, and
warehouses, and all the other necessary accommodations required
in a great mercantile harbour. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen,
when I contemplate the extent of these works,—when I consider
the important ulterior consequences which may result from this
first initiatory measure,—above all, when I look at the extent of
the buildings which now clothe the banks of this 1,601 around me,
and compare them with the state in which Birkenhead fit merly
was, I can scarcely believe myself to be in the land of reality.
(Hear.) 1 have been told, upon very good authority, that not above
half a century ago, at the time when my respected grandsire inha-
bit.' the mansion now so ably occupied by your neighbour, Sir
Edward Cust,—in that period, I am told, it was proved in a court.
of law that Birkenhead was not entitled to be considered a town-
ship, village, or hamlet, inasmuch as it did not contain three inha-
bited houses. (Hear.) Whether this be true or not, this Ido know,
from the returns of the census presented decennially to parliament,
that in 1801 the number of houses in the township only amounted
to sixteen ; at the next census, in 1811. the number was increased
by only one; in 1821 the number was increased by only three; the
next ten years, from 1831, the increase was to 400; while in 1841
the last census gave the number of its houses at nearly 1500; and
I aix told that now, in the few years that have elapsed since the
last census, it numbers nearly 2300 houses, occupying an extent of
street exceeding thirty miles. (Cheers ) This I look upon as a
case wholly unparalleled in the annals of this country ; and if,
among those whom I now address, I should chance to find a citizen
of the United States of America—that country so famous for the
rapid growth of towns, and cities, and communities,—l would al-
most challenge him to bring an analogous inteance to this from the
annals of his own country. (Cheers.) I say then—it is with jus-
tice I say it—l can scarcely believe the evidence of my senses when
I contemplate the vas,. and rapid increase exhibited in this district.
(Hear.) It appears more as if some mighty magician, with a flou-
rish of his wand, had conjured up a mature and flourishing-com-
munity from the bowels of the earth, or the bosom of the sea, in
the full panoply of commercial prosperity, of wealth, and of intelli-
gencl, as Minerva sprang fully armed from the head of Jupiter.
lf, then, the mind can scarcely contemplate without wonder and
astonishment the progress made in the last few years in this loca-
lity, how shall we dare to gaze into the magic spectrum of futurity,
or attempt to divine what may be the onward progress of Birken-
head's prosperity ? The astronomer is enabled to calculate the ve-
locities, and to measure the orbits, of the heavenly bodies ; the engi-
neer is enabled to make his surveys, and, from his knowledge of
the laws which govern matter, is enabled to carry out his designs;
for there are certain fixed laws and philosophical data which they
have given them; but who shall attempt to define what may be the
rate of increase, or the rate of extension of human enterprise ?
(Cheers.) Upon that alone must depend the extent of prosperity of
a commercial community such as this. I can fancy to myself, I
can pictui • te a forest of masts of teasels of all nations, crowding
these docks; I can fancy to myself quays and docks, and ware-
houses, clothing these banks as far as the eye can reach; I can
hear, I think, the busy hum of men engaged in all the operations of
merchandise; I can see the locomotive engine in attendance at the
back of the warehouses, prepared to convey the raw material by
railways in ease, and railways in posse—(cheers)—to the very parts
where it ;is wanted. (Renewed cheers.) I can fancy I can trace
streets and squares, houses and palaces, and churches and theatres,
and market-halls and town-halls, and lord mayors, and aldermen
and councillors, and beadles and maces, and all the paraphernalia
of municipal dignity (cheers);—l can almost trace in the distance,
I can almost fancy that I can see in the distance the faint shadow
of a popular member addressing the borough constituency from the
city hustings. (Cheers and laughter.) But to return from the fer-
tile regions of fancy to those of stern reality, I state it here to be my
firm conviction that ',stand at. this moment upon the Ilueicon of
Birkenhead's prosperity. (Cheers.) As the Roman general of old,
in his progress towards Rome, gained fresh laurels and fresh
achievements, Birkenhead will go on in the path cf prosperity until
she becomes in the first rank among the great commercial commu-
niti, aof the world. (Cheers.) In the words of a Liverpool paper,
which are remarkalie enough for the truth of their applications,
tt she has the full tide of commercial prosperity to start with ; she
has a cheap market to borrow money in, and has cheap materials
to build with ; she has the sanction of all the Government depart-
ments ; she has he approbation of the conservators of the Mersey;
and she has the support of the whole trading and manufacturing
interests of the country." With these great and important advan-
taees to start with, I trust she will go on and prosper, and from the
bottom of my heart I wish her God speed ! (Tremendous cheers.)
Mr. WILLIAM JACKSON then said, in effect, that he
was deputed by the public of Birkenhead to ask the favour
of the hon. baronet to permit his likeness to be taken, to
grace the walls of the intended new Town-hall, in order
that it might never be forgotten who it was that bad laid
the foundation stone of Birkenhead prosperity.
Sir PHILIP EGERTON Said he was proud of this addi-
tion to their former favours, and should be moat happy to
accede to their wishes.

Cannon were then fired in salutes, and the immense as-
smblage (including great part of the precession) dis.
persed from the shore, and poured through the various
streets, some to their inns, others to their homes for re.
freshments, and many (visiters) to the houses of their ac-
quaintances. The streets, however. remained crowded
throughout the whole day and evening, no fewer than
about 103,00 J perso4s having been linded at the ferries
from this town alone.

THE DINNER,

Took place at five o'clock in the magnificent banqueting
hall, which we have already described. The display, in-
cluding plate, surpassed anything of the kind ever seen
in this neighbourhood. The dinner was everything that
could be desired, and added in no small degree to the
already well-earned fame of Mr. Horne, of the Mersey
Hotel. On the right of the Chairman, the following
d;stinguished guests were seated ;—Sir Philip de Malpae
Grey Egerton, the Eatl of Essex, Lord Bateman, the
Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, Sir Joshua -Walmslev. C. K. Main-
Raring. Rev. Andrew Knox, J. D. Case, Esq., P. Green-
all, Col. Clegg, Col, Mitchell, J. R. Shaw, E•q., J. C.
Ewart, Esq., J. W. Harden, Esq., Col. ChaHiner, lion.
Captain Best, R.N., Thomas Grimsditch, Esq. M.P.,
Joseph
de sephl3rotherton, Esq. M.P, Rev. James Trafford,Majnwaring-
Esq., H. Winch, E,q. Potts, Esq.
On the left of the chair were seated Lord Lilford , W.

Tatton Egerton, Esq., M.P., General Sir. W. Warre, the
Hon. E. S. Stanley, the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, Sir W.
Symonds, the Rev. Archdeacon Clarke, Joseph Bailey,
Esq., Wm. Ewart, Esq., M.P., Richard Congreve, Esq.,
Thomas Thornley, Esq., M.P., J. B. Clegg, Esq., Rev.
R. M. Fielden, George C. Legb, Esq., Sir. William
Massey Stanley, Cap. Gerrard, John Stanley, .Esq., J.
Mainwaring. Esq., the Rev. F. Ould, Capt. Greig, &c. &c.
The list of invited guests included three hundred notile-
mn, gentlemen, members of parliament, merchants,
railway directors, professional men, respectable trades-
men, and others, from Birkenhead and this town, and,
indeed, from all parts of the kingdom.
The greatest novelty of the evening, and one which
added much to the amusement of the company was the
introduction of Mr. T. W. Took, the celebrated toast
master, from the East India-house, London. Quite. an
in his hilliness, he succeeded admirably in the diffi-
cult and important task allotted to him. With "an ex-
quisite and finished air," he gave out the toasts, com-
manded silence, and seemed to think himself the very life
and soul of the meeting. • Grace having been said by the
Rev. A Knox, the feast commenced, and the enjoyment of
the multitudinous luxuries was protracted till twenty
minutes past six o'clock. Thanks haying been returned,
and the tables cleared,
The CHAIRMAN rose and said,—l beg, without any
remark, to propose the first toast of the evening, " Her
Majesty, the Queen". (Three times three, and loud ap-
plause). Air, " God save the Queen."
The CHAIRMAN then gave " Her Majesty the Queen
Dowager." (Three times three.)
The CHAIRMAN—I beg now to give you " Royal
Highness Prince Albert, the Earl of Chester, and the
rest of the royal family." (Three times three.)
The CHAIRMAN next called upon the company to join
with him in drinking to " The army and navy ;" and he
begged also to couple with this Oast, the names of
General Warre and Captain Bevis. (With three times
three.)
Major-general Sir WILLIAM WARRE acknowledged
the toast. He begged to return his sincere thanks for the
kind and feeling manner in which his name had been
coupled with the toast of the army. He could not but
feel deeply gratified for the manner in which this toast
had been received, coupled as it bad been with that ser-
vice to which had been for many years his pride and glory to
belong. Next to the approbation of their beloved Queen,
whose approbation was their highest stimulus and their
best reward, the approbation of their fellow-countrymen
was their best stimulus to exertion, and also the greatest
reward which they could receive, next to that of Her
Majesty. (Loud cheers.) It was impossible for him to
witness that morning the imposing ceremony of laying
the first stone of those magnificent works projected at
Wallasey without feeling that a new stimulus was imparted
to the army to protect—a new object of lore and devo-
tion to their country was suggested to -his mind. (Ap-
plause ) Whether the army was serving in distant parts
—he would not speak of the navy. because a. gentleman
was much better able to advocate the cause of his
profession than he could presume to be—but so far as
his own profession was concerned, he could only say it
would always be the delight and pride of the army in
foreign parts to maintain that commerce, the trade of
which was so widely diffused over the globe from both
banks of this river. (Hear, hear, and applause.) When
abroad, it was their duty to protect their trade, and when
they returned home he trusted that every soldier would
feel it was his duty to maintain the laws of his country,
and protect those institutions which for centuries had
been the pride and the glory of every Englishman—those
institutions under which this country had prospered, and
had risen to the high position which she now held among
the nations of the world. A small island it might he—
ti small island in the ocean—but it was the most powerful
among the nations. It might be the envy of many, but
it was respected by all. (Hear.) He was not in the
habit of addressing public meetings, and therefore lie
craved the indulgence of the company, and begged to
return them, in the name of the profession to which he
belonged, his best thanks for the honour done to them.
(Applause.)
Captain BEVIS, R.N., also acknowledged the compli-
ment, but being seated in the vicinity of the vice-presi-
dent, and speaking in a low tone of voice, his few ober-
servations were not heard.

The CHAIRMAN tl en gave " The Bishop and Clergy
of the diocese." He said he had seen his Lordship on'
Monday last, and he expressed his great regret that his
official duties in a distant part of the county would pre-
vent him from being there that day, because he wished to
sanction by his presence the great undertaking of that
day. He (the Chairman) wished to join with this toast
the name of a gentleman who bad been resident in Bir-
kenhead for the last 17 years, and who, every day of those
17 years, had grown in the respect of the people of Birken-
head, he meant the Rev. A. Knox. (Three times three and
and one cheer more.

The Rev, Mr. Ktiox returned thanks in a suitable
address.

The CHAIRMAN, in giving Sir P. Egerton's health, ex-
pressed the obligations which be and all other parties in
any way interested in the public business pertaining to this
locality were under to that hon. gentleman. He alluded
at some length to the exertions referred to in connexion
with the nark, public improvements, and other local bills,
the whole of which he had advanced, not because of their
local or individual bearing, but because of their utility
and efficiency as contributary to the general good and ad-
vaecernent of the interests of the public at large. The
tont was received with vehement applause.
Sir P EGERTON said.—l would take this opportunity,
although iertraps not quite in the right line, of returait
my warmest and sincerest thanks to the commissioners of
Birkenhead, for the distinguished honour which they base
this day conferred on me, in requesting me to take the
first part in that most interesting ceremony which you
have witnessed. I could have wished that that dirty had
been entrusted to one more distinguished for rank, station,
or talent. I could have wished that the ceremonial of
this day had been graced by the presence of Royalty
(hear, hear) ; but 1 take this opportunity of stating, and
I am happy to have the pleasure of doing it, that the
refusal of Prince Albert to attend has been dictated by
that ni-e delicacy and that great discretion of feeling
which have guided every action of his since we had the
pleasure of hailing him as the consort of our beloved So-
vereign. (Cheers.) I have ever considered it as one of
the proudest features of my Parliamentary career, that I
should have been called on to represent the county of
Chester during that period in which Birkenhead has made
the greatest progress in the path of civilization. (Much
cheering ) I can say most sincerely that the interests of
Livepoool are near and dear to me, as they must be to
every Cheshire man. If ever I have been accused of
taking a part adverse to their interests, it can only have
been in instances where I have imagined that the whole-
some and just rivalry which ought to exist between two
communities has been supplanted by a jealousy which 1
might have thought rather unfair to those on this side of
the river, and rather unworthy of the inhabitants on the
other. (Much cheering.) I hope most sincerely that all
those feelings of jealousy ere now at an end, and that we
shall go on hand in hand, attempting only to rival one
another in one thing, namely, which can most promote
the commercial interests of the port of Liverpool. (Great
cheering.) I alluded to-day to the advantages which this
locality possesses for the construction of ducks and other
works. (Cheers.) Now I may say that it is my positive
conviction that these capabilities would long have re-
mained dormant had you not had amongst you some of
those distinguished and enterprising individuals to whom
you are indebted for all those great works that surround
you. (e.heers.) It has been my fortune to transact bu-
siness w.th the commissioners of Birkenhead for some
years, and I never in my life transacted business with a
set of men so public-spirited, so disinterested, and so en-
terprising as the commissioners of Birkenhead : to whom
we owe a step of at least a century in advance of the or-
dinary progre,sion of communities.
The VICE-CHAIRMAN (Mr. Jackson) said, 14 years
ago, when the individual whose likeness was then before
them (Mr. John Laird, sen.) first propagated the great
felellle which they were now likely to carry out, he was
treated as a wild enthusiast and speculator—nay, he was
denounced as a fool ; but his sons had lived to carry out,
not only the project of the docks, but they had also lived
to see the very plan originally suggested by their father's
mind carried into full effect. (Hear, hear.) They had
but one object in forming these docks, and that object
was, to benefit the port of Liverpool—to take a fair share
of the trade which was increasing—to endeavour to aid
and assist the part of Liverpool, in giving additional ac-
commodation to commerce—to give the ships, as they
arrived, mile accommodation—to reduce the charges, if
possible, upon merchandise, and, by such reductions, to
enable the poor man to get his calico shirt, if it was only
3d., at less than at present. (Hear.) Let them hope
that when times in which they could not expect to exist
presented to the readers of a future age the 'page of his-
tory, the name of Birkenhead might be theiein recorded,
and that, when read, she aright be lauded for her honesty
and purity, and that her sons might go forth from that
port—te the east and to the west, the spicy islands of the
south, and frozen regions of the north—and take with
them the character of honest men. (Loud cheers.)
Such was their hope. such was their intention ; and let
them hope that they might not be deceived even by their
descendants. But should they have been in their present
proud position had it not been for those who had the charge
of the county interests in their hands ? No. If there
was one representative more than another who had giined
the esteem and regard of his constituents at Birkenhead,
that man was Sir Philip Egerton (great applause); who
Was indeed the cock of Cheshire. (Hear, and a laugh.)
He proposed the healths of the members for the county.
(The toast was drunk with ail the honours.)
Mr. T. EGERTON. M.P. sa'd, I always looked forward
to the time when the docks of Liverpool would be scarcely
sufficient for the rapidly increasing commerce of this
country—when the river Mersey would be only the high-
way for nations between the—not rival, but sister ports of
Liverpool afid Birkenhead. But, gentlemen, so gigsntic
a project as that of which we have this day laid the team.
dation stone never entered my imagination—a project
which does reflect the highest credit on the head that con-
ceived it, and those public-spirited and disinterested indi-
viduals who have followed it up ; and that not with a view
to their own interests, as in these present days we see too
commonly the case, but for the benefit of their fellow-
townsmen, their county, and their country at large.
(Cheers.) In travelling in foreign countries I have often
been struck with the singular contrast between that pre-
sented by this country and theirs with respect to public
woiks. There everything is the work of Government;
here, everything is the work of individuals. (Continued
applause.) In that we see a perfect example of the unti-
ring energy, perseverance, and industry of England. which
have at all times and in all parts of the, world carried its
people through every difficulty. I wish some of thoseein
foreign climes could have seen the ceremony which we
have this day witnessed. If they bad been told that a
township which, as toy worthy colleague told you, some
few years ago numbered hut a few inhabitants, should
now, after the lapse of a few years, put forward and he
ready to complete undeitakines alas( st unrivalled in the
world, they would certainly have cause for wonder. We,