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

THE BALL.

The.appearance of tlr! bail-room, which was opened at
ten o'clock, was unprec,dentedly magnificent, whether as
regarded the decorations or the display of beauty and
fashion that adorned it. Amongst the ladies present
were—Lady Grey Egerton, Lady Charlotte I- gerton,
Lady Cust, Mrs. Lloyd Kenyon, Mrs. Ch,rles Stanley,
Mrs. E. J. Stanley, Mrs. W. Patten, Mrs. Co!. Glegg,
Mrs. Price, Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. J. G. Jackson, Mra. W.
Laird, Mrs. Mallaby, Mrs. Winch, Mrs. J. B. Hughes,
Lady B tteman and her two daughters, &e., &c. Mr. W.
Laird led off with Lady Grey Egerton, arid Mr. J. S.
Jackson with Mrs. Charles Stanley. The whole of the
arrangements, which were admirable, exclusively devolved
on Mr. J. S. Jackson and Mr. W. Laird. At half-past
twelve, the supper room (which had been the dining-
room) was thrown open. A beautiful embroidered ban-
ner emblematic of the occasion was here rrescnted by
Mr. J. S. Jackson and Mr. Cole to Lady Egerton, who
graciously accepted it, remarking on the Veauty of the
needlework. Dancing was then recommenced, and was
kept up with spirit until about four o'clock.

FZSTIVITIES AND AML' SEMENTB.

In accordance with the liberality of the whole proceedings, a
supper, with jellies. wines, fruit, &c., WIIS given by William
Jack-on, Esq.. in the large room of the Town-hail to about aito
persons, chiefly bolding situations connected with the town or
its public wotks, and respectable master tradesmen and
A band was provided, and the greatest erjoyment prevailed.
Mr. John I aird also presented a handsome large 0 edal struck
for the occasion to each of his men, to commemorate the day,
and a new dress to each of their wives. Eve., the poor in the
Workhouse were not forgotten. all receiving a sum,!: through
the guardians, to enable them to share in the festivities. The
poor of the town were al o supplied with food by ticket, in ac-
cordance with preview, arranee, ents.

About sixty gentlemen, of Liverpool and Birkenhead, srt
down to an excellent dinner. at Mr. Gleave's, Adelphi Hotel.
The viands and wines were of the anima kinds, and the whole
arrangements highly credit bie to the worthy hoot. 'Several
exeCient Fpeeches referring to the prmpetity of the townst-iip
were delivered, and the evening was spent in the most agreea-
lye manner.

A large party cf gentlemen sat down at Mr. La French's, Wa-
-0400 Hotel. to an excellent and ‘veli...serre.t dinner given by
Itobtrt I inglies, who ably presided. The usual toasts were
inyen by the Chairman, Mr Ku:tinier, :itfr, Wort, ant other gen-
thetne,ri: The hp • ith of the Members for ti..c i,,outheru Division
,s.4:qpil much cheering. L.p pri;posii4, it, .dr.

Mortimer remarked, that opportunities had been afforded him
of closely watching the conduct of hose gentlemen in connex-
ion with the interests of the town and trade of Birkenhead,
and lie was glad to hear testimony to the indefatigable exertions
which they brought to bear on every thing that could promote
thjr well-ire. During thy' unparalleled contest that had taken
place on the Dock Bill, their time, talent, and influence had
ever been extended to obtain that happy termination which Bir-
kenhead this day with :ssed. but if any thing con d add to the
pleasure of proposing the healths of the Members of the County,
it was the fact of being enabled to do so in the house of the man
that, upwards of a quarter of a century since, had endeavoured
to establish that system of communication by which that day
one hundred thousand persons had been able to cross the Mer-
sey without any accident. (Loud cheering.)
Mr. KNAPPEIt. of the Cottage Owners' Association, begged to
confirm all that had been stated in commendation of Sir Philip
Egerton, and John Tollemache, Esq On a recent occasion he
had applied to them on the proposed iniquitous assessment of
cottage-owners, in place of the occupiers cf cottage property
and they both, unsolicited. came down to enquire into the pro-
ceedings, and, by their influent.', the obnoxious measure was
withdrawn. (Loud cheers.) The proceedings throughout were
highly gratifying, and in proposing the health of Mr. La French,
the worthy landlord, wh ch was received with loud cheers, the
company was reminded, that that gentleman was the first who
practically introdueen, many years ago, steam navigation on
the waters of the Mersey.

Mn. ToMTINsON'S bixicuit TO Ili§ WORKMEN.

One of the Meg pleasing of the festivities of the day Was the en
tertainment given by this gentleman to his workpeople, which took
place in a temporary building erected fur the purpose on the grOund
adjoining Mr.. 'Willoughby's Bowling-green. At about half past
four o'clock, we found the whole party assembled, to the 'amber of
about 400, with their respected 'ernPloyer 'voiding, to a substantial
hot dinner, provided by it *rnoqtthy, with his usual attention
to quantity and quality, n‘.iiiaber of gentlemen being placed at the
diflbrent tables b5W34t ill the office of carving and see to the corn.
fort of the guests, Amongst the gentlemen who kindly volunteered
this task ii Vat noticed 11.- Melling, Esq„ Secretary to the Royal
Merseyraclit Club, R. 13. Barton, Esq., Dr, Grindrod, Dr. Gouth-
%olio, E. Fletcher, Esq., John Wood, Esq., Cabbage-hall. Edward
Griffin, Esq., C. Parsonage, Esq , Lower-hall, near Wrexham,
John Hoit, Esq., B. A. Mould, Esq., H L. Ehnes, Esq„ architect
of St. George's-hall, James Harrison, Esq , W.. B. Conon, Esq.
The vice-chair was filled by J. A. Tamer, Esq., son-in-law to Mr.
Tomkinson. The dinner having been removed, and the men supplied
with ale and tobacco, for the latter of which the demand was
extensive, the usual toasts were given, alter which the Chair-
man proposed " Prosperity to Birkenhead," which was received
with hearty cheering. Mr. R. A. Mould responded in a neat
speech, and concluded by giving the health of the founder of the
feast, who, he rema,ked, had on that day, which was the anni-
versary both of his birthday and of his wedding, entered upon
one of the largest undo takings of his life. The whole company
rose in enthusiastic response to the t .ast ; and, after the cheer-
ing had subsided, Mr. Tomkinson briefly, hut most feelingly.
replied, thanking his fellow tradesmen" for thei, kindness,
assuring them of his ardent desire for the happiness of all around
him. and expressing a hope that the great undertaking upon
which they hid just entered would fill the pockets of the work-
men as well as benefit himself. lie was about to r.tire to
another place where his duty called him, but he trusted they
would continu, to enjoy themselves both with pipe and cup.
The Chairman then retired, and Mr. Tartlet took the chair; and,
after the remainder of the toasts had been drun,r, and several
songs sung, the company began t retire about ten o'clock,
having enjoyed, in a manner creditable to all, a happy and a
merry evening.

The principal street,, particularly in the neighbourhood of
Market-street, were crowded throughout the day artd evening;
one street preienting the appearance of a race-course, with all
the usual co: comitants for amusement. Rockets were sent up
from various points, bands of music played up and down, many
of the shops and houses presented fine transparencies, and all
was a scence of good humour and erjoyment. A huge bonfire
blazed on Flaybrick, and two others were lighted at Mr.
011is's lime-woi ks, at Tranmere Pool, which brightly illumin-
ated the whole neighbourhood. At about half-past six, a splendid
display of fireworks commenced in a field adjoining Argyle-
street, and attracted man•: thousands, all of whom obtained a
good view, the street beng
.higher than the ground. These
were provided by Mr. Atkins, of the Liverpool Zoological Gar-
dens, and did him great honour as a pyrotechnic artist. Amongst
the most attractive pieces was a large steamer moving in a
stormy sea of green fire ; also, an immense temrde of fire, in
honour of the principal Commissioners, whose names were dis-
played in coloured fires. The whole concluded with a beautiful
device. in which " The Ladies of Birkenhead " was emblazoned
in variegated fires. Three hearty cheers were given at the con-
clusion.

After the fireworks were concluded, which was about eight
o'clock, numbers of persons began to move off—those who
lived on this side the w -ter to the ferries—and, towards half-
past nine o'clock, the streets were con-iderably thinned, those
who were still engaged in the festivities of the day being occu-
pied principally within doors, parti&ipating in the pleasures of
social harmony, or "tripping on the lltht fantastic toe" to the
strains of joyous music. The late i oats, however, continued to
be densely crowded by- parties r turning to Liverpool.
In conclusion, it is highly gratifying to state that, notwith-
stand ng the immense 'crowds. and the embarking and disem-
barking, during the whole day and night, the whose passed
withoW any accident of consequence. The above speaks
valumes as to the arrangements made, and the judicious
manner in which they were carried out.