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

TITE "PROCESSION.

This was formed in Hamilton-street, opposite the pre-
sent Tovrnhill, ;zind in'Harditon-square and the streets
adjoining.
The bigh constable of the hundred, Mr. Palmer; Mr Miler,
hea :constable Of Liverpool; Mr. Moss, general -superinten-
dent; and Mr43.mehey. pace inspector, i.eaded the procession
on horseback. and sled as ronthictors. They were followed
by a few-otber enema ouhorseba&r.
'Four Trtimreters, on horseback.
The Champion,
in complete •pOli,hed steel armour. arid monr,ted, astfleneschal
ofite,Pri ry of:Birkenhead.
'Load 31 Assurance Tire Engine,
,drawn by four horses, with postilions in scarlet.
Firemen in uniform. with helmets.
Norwich Union Fire Engine.

late'y -Trresented to -the township, accompanied-by Mr. Hewitt,
superidtendent of our fire police, and several of his brigade, in
uniform.

Printing Prees,
from the office of Mr. *J. Law, r n a large waggon drawn by two
hors?s. As the procession proceeded, cop!es of the Birkenhead
coat of arms, with,the K 1 Ito " Homo rproponit,. Deus dieponit,"
a list of -the Dock Commi,sioners. and-a nctice.of the occasion
which •tt •cemmemorated, were printed off, and hand2d to the
crowd, who evinced the greate,t eagerness to obtain impres-
sions. Copies also of two songs—one written by Mr. Nter-ean,
of the •Imperk: .1 Hotel. Liverpool, and-the other by MriG.eorge
Cranmer--were printed and distributed.

Xemperance Band, in handserre uniform.
,Good Samatitan Lodge of 6.ldfellows,
with -ffi.e Rigs and regalia.
rincesi Ror.l Lodge.
with a .splentld banne.-, representing Ater Majesty and the
Princess frly.!.men were very neatly. -dressed, and decorated
,thes,rresettes...&e. -Mh-.-; regalia was of the mest costly
and I.m.utifUl description.

•rte-s. ronun'ed on stout horses

GraatlalnitnclOr,er of CACI )llc ,r•thren, with regalia, &c.
Band. in green, with tniiitary caps.
Sand of the €t i Regiment of Toot.
Loyal Liverp, 01 Lodge of Othifellows,
raecompanied 17 a splendid banner.
duchess of Lancaster Lodge.
Loyal Stanley Lodge.
loyal Perseverance Lodge.
Band of the sth Dragoon Guards.
Loyal George IV. Lodge.
Loyal Afers-iy Lodge.
-The Covenaht Lodge.
Wriendly:Coelety of,Operative Masons.
Reehahires.
Star Tent.
Pam] of. the Ctli Infantry.
-Go:1 Samaritan Lodge.
•Liverpom shipwrights.
These carried a tine mock! of a. steara.vessel, and several ether
is fine models of arecsels, and were preceded by a large-Sag. They
:.:were very respectably-dressed. A twee banner witil a figure
of the Duke of Wellington,. and smother with a figure of Charles
;the Second, were carried:in this part of the processioa.
Ancient Order of Toregters,
-many of them in the full :costume of the order mounted. In
-:the procession were a ,hepherl and a shepherdess—theiformer
~with a fine clog catt;th Ant at tis feet. and the latter with a'lamb.
Operative S iwyerS.
Accgre.panied by a model shed at-al saw-pit, in which two •gro-
tesqpie-looking automaton :figures appeared in the act of sawing
a bWic,of wood. Muth amusement was created by this ex./AL:el-
-Von.

Pensioners* Band.
,Jr,eze Shipbuilders in the employ of John Laird, Esq.,
carrying beautiful twee's of iron vessels.
Men employed in the Eazineer's Tug Yard,
carrying waeis las their hands.
Stubbs's Royal Harmonic Band.
The Commissioners of Birkenhead:;
.J.• D. case, Esq., W. Jackson, Esq., sal John LaSid, Esq.,
taking the lead.
,fieverallaurseieds of Men employed in making the aew Park,
six abreast.
Several carts ducked with laurel and evergreens, and tided with
-Wonae4 and Children, brought yap the rear.
The pcocessiov occupied about threequarters of-ac hour
in passim throuzis Hamilton-square.
At twelve o'clo4 a discharge of cannon announced the
starting:of the proceasion. As it moved along, the streets
were tbreuged ,by enthusiastic spectators, and the win-
dows of the noble mansions in the square and ueiglthour-
ing streets -through ;witia the immense phalanx, with nu-
merous flogs and -banners including the Royal standard,
&a. passed, were thronqn:tl by fair occupants, who waved
flags, banners, and hanclk.erchiefs, in token of their ap-
probation ; while the roaring of the cannon, and the mar-
tial music of the eariouslymds, combined to produce an
effect at once magnificent and heart-stirring. At the en-
trance to Hacciltun•street,.and4so in Church-street and
other strPets on the rotate, triampbol arches of laurel were
erected. On turnine. the Corner of the yartl of Birkenhead
Church, and
nassina• along Abbey-street, salutes were
fired from time to time from pieces of_,o^,nnon planted on
the new river-v:all enclosing Tranmere Pool on the north.
On passing the Wellington Hotel, a party. of Scolchmen,
dressed in the national
costume, presented il,cmscives on
a stage which bad been erected for the uurpOze,,atkite one
end of •the building; one of then; struck up alive*/ ale, on
their favourite instrument, the tagpipe, which iNzazpil
to
excite much attention amongst the spectators.
The route through the principal streets, given in Our
last, was adhered to. The procession, in returning north-
ward, crossed Hamiiton-square, and along Conway. street
to Parkfiebl, where a line of flags was placed. It thence
passed along Caventlish-steeet to Corporation-road, where
it
haltedopposite Mr. Laiid'a iron shipbuilding yard,

.'

which was profusely decorated with flags. A triumphal
arch had been erected at this part of the.road, and the
usual manifestations, inclu ling salutes, &c., were again
given. Tee whole line thence moved on to Woodside
Ferry, and thence along the new road close to the beach,
to the sr of where the stone was to be laid.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.
JUFt above the site where the stone was to he deposited,
two platforms had been erected in steps rising to the
shore, with wide board entrances to the top; and thes:4,
together with a square space round the stone, r..lie
or:ws!!.eal guests, were railed in front, and fer, _A-
boards at the back and sides. Parties we.. 4.0
l+ds"t'ttrl to
the platforms by ticket, and they
etle '`Yolt-i 'filled by a
gaily-dresstd company.
statilned the band ellarosed square were
Foot Sixth Foo .pr` 4.t.h Dragoon .Guards, that of the
L+vc, , . S'tubbs's Harm B onic and, who
cl iktairi‘sin concert with a flue effect, also the
nalienal einthenli tlec., when the cttemony had concluded.
The leading gtntemen having arrived on the I:,round,
Ilreparations were immediately made for laying the
.stine, by Mr. Rendell depositing a glass bottle, con-
taining a copy of the Liverpool newspaper of the day, a
- plan of the works, and one of all the curt ent coins, in
a cavity out of thy solid r.•ck. [This part of the pro-
ceedings was performed amidst much cheering.] Mr.
Rendell then read the inscription on the brass-plate,. after
which 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
a one being lowered to its place and adjusted, the hon.
baronet struck it with a rosewood malls t.
Tits 11? v. ANDREW KNOX, incumbent of Birkenhead,
then offered up a beautiful, deeply impressive, and appro.
pria'e prayer.
Sir PHILIP DR MAT.PAS Cti1:1( rdt.4lsii, dart., of
Oulton-park, M.P., then tseetided the Stoil,, Wititl'lst nine times nine
cheers, which having atbaided, ll'early as follows :—Ladies
and gentlemen, it ,has been euatealiary from time immemorial, in
this country, and I belit've also in other parts of the world, to cele-
brate with such" peMp and circumstance" as the occasion might
require, the toinatericernent 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 Birkein
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
have occurred daring the last few years a 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 constiiute a species of Inemoria
echniel, enabling the mind, after the lapse of years, to recal not
only the events themselves, but all the contemporaneous and con-
cemitant 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 last 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 for the important results which are
likely to follow- from it, can be compared for a moment with the
undertaking which has, this day been commenced. (Cheers ) I
am aware that I am reaping use of terms must 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; bat I
trust I shall not have made use of terms of exaggeration, for I do
not estimam the value of a work of this description by its superfictal
acres, by the sum 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 briage over ties Thames at London,
a bridge across the Menai straits, mire works of great magnitude,
and which reflect the highest honour upon the distinauished.engi-
neers who brought them to perfec!ion; but in their application they j
nova be'consideree es purely local, as mere facilities fur 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
aheut to grace with her presence on Monday next. That is a work
well worthy of the merchaneprinces 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 corn-
mcnced. (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 nettle 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 decks, 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 hide of the river. (Hear, ant
same laughter.) The late Mr. Laird, many years ago, had a com-
plete survey made of the Pool, and I retnember having received
and many others received also, I dare say—a very able plan for
converting the Pool into a series of docks. It would be needless
for me now to revert to historical facts connected with this place,
li are probably we:l known to most of those I have the honour
to address. -It will be needless for me to mention the obstac:cs and
impediments which have appeared iu the way of the realization of
those schemes. Suffice it to say, that those impediments and those
obstacles have been.fortunately removed. The Pool has beer sur-
veyed by the talented engineer who has lately addressed you, fie
has drawn out plans for converting the aool 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 coun-
try, and, above all, so disinterested appeared to be the motives of
those who promoted the measure, that it passed triumphatttly
through 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 tiara tia
leled, I believe, in works of a similar nature. (Cheers.) They will
comprise, in the first instance, a vest tidal harbour of nearly f.,rty
acres, with sufficient water in it to admit of vessels at all times of
tho titles, which can cross the Victoria bar. (Hear.) In additen
to that harbour of refuge, convenience will be supplied of about
acres in extent, with a beaching ground of four or five acres
additioual,.which will be devoted to the use t f the trading craft of
the river. (Hear) There is also a dock which will be appliel to
the present uses and purpose's of the ton-n of Biriienheld. If theso
were the only objects sought by this bill, they are sufficient to lay
clui:n to your most favourabLeconsidcration ; but beyond this there
will be an-opening to the tidal harbour, by gates, of' vast extent ;
there will also he a fkating 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 (plays and jetties, of landintoplaces and gravingdocks, and
warehouses, and all the other necessary accommodations required
in a great znercantile 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 till, when I look at the extent of
the buildings which now clothe the banks of this pool avowal me,
and compare them with the state in which Birkenhead -formerly
was, I can scarcely believe myself to be in the land of reality.
(Hear.) I have been told, upon very good authority, that not above
half a century ago, at the time when my respected granelsire inha-
bited the mansion now so ably occupied by your neighbour, Sir
Edward Cast,—in that period, I am told, it was proved in a court
of law that Birkeahead was not entitled to be considered a town-
ship, village, or hamlet, inssmuch 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 cf 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 1300 ; and
I ara told that now, in the few years that have elapsed since the
last census, it numbers nearly 2300 houses, occupying en extent cf
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 twits, and (Atka, and communities,-1 would al-
-most challenge him to bring an analogous instance 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 vast 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 meta! e and flourishing com-
munity from the bcivels of the. earth, or the hos -)m of the sea, in
the full panoply of commercial prosperity, of wealth, and of intelli-
attics, as Minerva sprang fully armed from the head of Jupiter.
If, 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.magie 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 bodice ; 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 the
have given (heel; tr. who shall attempt_ to define what may be the
rate of increase, or the rate of extension of human enterprise ?
(Cheers.) Upon thet alone must depend the extent of prosperity of
a commercial community such as this. I can fancy to myself, I
can, picture a: forest of masts of ve-sels of all nations, crowding
th:•se docks ; I can fancy to myself quays and docks, and ware-
h Rises, clothing these banks as far as the eye can reach ; I can
}tear. I think, the busy hum of men engaged in all she 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 esse, and railways in posse—(cheers)—to the very parts
where it as wanted. (Renewed cheers.) I can fancy I can trace
streets and squares, houses and palaces, and churches and theatres,
and market-halls anti town-halls, and lord mayors, and aldermen
and counci.lors, and beadle's and maces, et.nd all the paraphernalia
of municipal dignity (cheers) ;—I can almost trace in the distance,
I vas almost fancy that I can see in the distance the faint shadow
of a popular member .addressing the borough constituency from the
city htraings. (Cheers and laughter.) But to return from the fer-
tile regions of fancy to those of stern reality, I state it here to beany
firm couviction that I stand at this moment upon the Rusicon 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 beconw in the first rank . among the great commercial commu-
nities of the world. • (Cheers I in the wards of a Liverpool paper,
which are remarkab'e enough for the truth of "heir applications,
" she has dee:full tide of comment al prosperity to start with ; she
has a cheap market to borrow money in, and has cheap materials
tp build with; she has the sanction of all the Government depart-
'Rents • . she has the aperobation of Mc conservators of the Mersey;
and she has the aupport of the whole trading and manufacturing
;interests of the seauntry." With these great and important advan-
:;tages to atart with,sl trust she will go en and prosper, and from the
. bottom of my Waitet wish her God speed k (Tremendous cheers.)
Air. WILLIAM JACKSON then said, in effecr, 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
graceeze -walls of the intended new Town-hall, in order
that it .might never be forgotten whoa was that had laid
the foundation stone of ;Birkenhead prosperity.
Sir Prisia.„,ip .EGER.Tom said he was proud of this addi-
tion to their former favours, and should Le most happy to
accede 4o their wishes,
Cannon -were then fired in ,salutes..and tb4 immense as-
semblage (inehtding great part of the procession) dig.
persed from the whore. and *-,oured through the various
streets, some to their inns, others to their homes for re-
freshments, and malty (visiters),to the houses oe their ac-
quaintances. The streets, however, remained .crowded
throughout the whoile day and mening, no fewcr than
about 105,000 persons been ituded at the ferries
from this town alone.

Tfift DINNER,

Took place at five o'clock in the n3agnitieent banqueting
hall, which we have already described. The display. in,
eluding 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 Chairmin, the following
distinguished guests were seated ;—Sir Philip de INlalpa
Grey Egerton, The Earl of Esser, Lord Ba'emtm, the
Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, Sir .L)shua Walmsley, C. IC. Main-
waring. Rev. Andrew Kttox, J. D. Case, Esq., P. Green-
-14.1, Col. Clegg Col, Mitch '
Mitchell, J. IL Shaw, J. C.
j. W. Harden, Esq., Col. Challiner,
Chmainßest, ILN. Thomas /4.cimsrlitcli, Esq. M.P.,
Josep:r I3rotherten, ksq. 1;. P,, James Mainwaring,
XI, de Taa,S'ord. Esq., H. Winch,..P,s.q., C. Potts, Esq.
cht the!eft of s.lle chair were seata lorra Iki.
. ,