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

thoughtless exultation. (Cheers.) If time permitted, he
might endeavour to explain that there were other and
more legitimate feelings that ought to actuate a man on
such an occasion, and to these he was not inserts 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
comfort and well-being of those around him at heart.
(Great cheers.) It was not, however, the occasion for
other than humility and distrust on his part, though he
should ever do his utmost fur 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 Mm 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 clapping 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 aced on
the highest principles of Christian charity and kindness;
had long been the partner of his lerdship'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 lather'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.

fence for his strong opponent. This was the best boat
during the tournament.
For the second match two men were placed on each
boat, that number being thought more likely to produce
something decisive ; and so it did, fur, a'ter some half
dozen ineffectu 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,
and the company returned to Cooper's MPadow. The
value of the prizes, we believe, was to be divided amongst
the men. Considerable amusement was created during
this struggle by one of the cornba'ants in waiting jump-
ing into the dock from the fourth story of the warehouse
adjoining, and, whilst there, in eleven feet 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
aumse-nents ; 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 plentiful 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 man's plate. A steward was
appointed for every nine, to maintain regularity. From,
the best estimate we can form we should say that from.
900 to 1000 persons sate 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 goad
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 ease next " Prince Albert, and the
rest of the Royal Femly," 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 far 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 bears 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 Quay 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
attendanze off the Duke's Dock and Old Quay wharfs, navigaliaas 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 he, if he
At about half-past eight the steamers began to take in can. (Immense cheering, with discharges of cannon, the
theirspassengers, 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.")
Britaania," 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 he 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 the
Alter 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 I to the nobleman in honour to whom they were assembled,
friends, with a number of the head clerks and agents, the f would be reeeived with enthusiasm. The toast was
Blanche coining 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 heated remark of the great Brindley, that " Rivers were
they approached the Port of Runcorn, which displayed an I made to feed canals ;" but the managers of that naviga-
animated appearance, the shipping in the docks and every i 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 sbewn, by their
literally covered with the blue and white favors of their excellent management of their own navigation, bow canals
noble owner. On arriving off the Duke's pier they were ought to be navigated and worked. The toast was re-
welcomed with three times three hearty cheers from the ceived with three times three cheers, the band playing
multitude assembled to receive the visitors, whilst a salute " Should auld acquaintance."
of twenty large guns was fired from the island, and re- , Mr. COLLINS, Mayor of Altringbam, was called upon
turned from on board the Alice; after which the passers- 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 along Josey," in so taking a
such as probablvnever were congregatedin Runcornbefore, 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 bad closed, and The next toast was given by 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, ing the great fatigue he had undergone. He gave " The
gentry and labourers, with their wives and daughters, had 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 upon Mr. Eaton, of the Old
Runcorn, and his active coadjutors, from which they were I Quay, as the only bachelor amongst them, to propose the
enabled throughout the day to witness the games, unin- 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 no in enthusiasm. In reference to the re-
as other people, to have got a holiday for the occasion, mark made upon his social position, he asked them to
and was determined to make the most of it. A great I look at the motto of the Bridgewater family, which was
portion, if not all the servants of the company wore over " .tile 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, 1841," 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 I and oh Where ?"
part of the duke's people by blue ribbons, and on that of Mr. WHITENVELL proposed " The Health of the
the Old-quay men by red, both parties although now Chairman," in a neat and effective speech, and Mr.
belonging to a united estate, keeping up the colours of I Pendlebury replied briefly. Ile expressed himself thank-
their original proprietors. The visitors generally dis- ful if he bad filled the office of their chairman satisfactorily.
played white favors. It was an occasion which was not likely to happen more
Meanwhile, numbers bad been arriving, and continued than once in a man's lifetime. It was now 95 years since
to pour in throughout the day, from Warrington, Marine- 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
Lyrnn Broadheath, and other places interested in or con- thanked the meeting with all his heart for their kindness.
netted with the navigation and property of the noble lord, I The male portion of the company now withdrew to loa-
the majority of whose heir was to be celebrated. One I commodate the females—the wives, daughters, &c. of the
boat brought a fine amateur band from Warrington, men em ployed by 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 others 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
cbacnr sn
optrcees
retnati
yu rbien ge
satinmya
tpeodratitonlesosf
thane dtaeyn ;
thbouutsatbnel
borcactuipoii,e7dtion opuars
sd eosycerri p
yn odte.
stchriisp
tgiooond
of
fl dt
iEnglisha
icnei ineg-
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, &e.—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 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 band 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. I offer our humble tribute to the taste and skill of these
We are unable to hand down to posterity the name of the i 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 render this an attractive spectacle, the vessel to be burnt,
con Bey
walisd
tothbe
the
wdi
hoina
ekrey
Fire r'
esti xhts
were rather themselves than galloped with their converted into a ship by the erection of temporary spars,
course, took place, the animals, in most cases, being rid- and was filed with highly combustible matter—rosin,
pitch, &b. A little after eleven, a steamer (the Blanche)
r service between Liverpool and Manchester, had been
—he
o s esatri teeadt ee a condemned flat, said to have been about 90 years on
, ndf
rdiedne rs
with ro un nhdi t to the ee cord o ufros
re .a
rAi d
eg onohdd
their
y wt unmhbi ldeess, f
oo
rf
roceeded alongside of her, and shortly afterwards flames
the saddle. The winner, we believe, never came in at all !
;were
o great aquatic tournament," to observed to be breaking out of her • hatches. In
At twelve o'clock the multitude assembled in Cooper's ,
auout a quarter of an hour the devouring element had
Meadow adjourned to the Slate Wharf Dock in the hot- gained complete possession of its prey ; and a magnificent
tom locks, to witness a flame rose high in air, illuminating the whole river, and
reflected upon' the sky and the scenery around for some
. ' f clothes. " Much Blanche steamersplied
Quay flatnien, fora prize of .a mitt in- . miles. The Tower and
take place between six Bridgewater:l'll/st and six Old
burning maas for awhile, as if engaged in saving life andproperty, but at length sheered off, taking up stations at
little distance ahead and astern and firing guns. The en-
al
occupiedquays terest'was
an _hd ay. t a
oht cinhikoetd
ss t o
u settthiset.co jaantnodori
nvs
g: I t kindthe,e a
dock
o ife scombat,
.hweenrge
speedilyt h e
a
to the upperooriof the Dukes'h Warehouse, which over- tire spectacle was excellently and very dramatically •
looks the dock. The arrangement e and cond4iwis of the managed;
tpeorrtfaeientments.. description,\lle cannot, tound. head', Padded sti as to be
combat were, that mai combattMliartned with 'a Jance ;was now approaching midnight ; and shortly, afters
stage, .ftarnied tor for home delighted, and fatigued too, with the day's en-
betatirWieti Wanka; one' end
wards the visitors from Liverpool took boat and started
soft,te wo
veelrriesnhgo feet'uidyde
dyer`
oti;leewiitiliboiswsstiofti7,l,
concludeour sesense
steil this juin];
extending forWard' over the water, and tapered from the
widest part to about afoot 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,
without hrecordinge -however,
e ver
end °Utile' dock, and row towatchi each other; and on
, the personal kindness directed towards ourselves as diem-
approaching within five yards the roivers were -t6 pull an bees of the press. The whole of the days sts were
their oara, and the cobabatants!ndejOur'by fail. pushing, exeellently conducted and refleet great credit upon all
striking not being allowed,. to push%each • other from the parties engaged in their management.
stage into the. dock: In this way six combats were pro- At the conelusion of suCh a celebration we regret to
vided for. Te winners were then to fight out the ties record one serious casuality—the loss of a poor man over-
until the possession of the suit of clothes was decided board from the Blanche on her return home. Froin our
hpoe a
upon a
a nenW bat. , d the losers in the last combats were each to
own observation, having been in the boat at the time, we
av
• are atisfied that blame can be attached to no one but to
The first passage at arms was made by Isaac Taylor, on ' the unfortunate man himself. The grief of his Niece, 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 whirls attached to his fate. On Sunday,
older man, but evidently full of confidence in his strength
, however, we kern, the body was found and hope unfor-
or Isis dexterity ; and after jousting " a full hour by ' tunatelv at an end. The deceased was named Thomas
Runcorn clock," the heat was declared to be a drawn one. and was a porter in the EetViCe of the Old Qucy
Li: eia: case v,aish: act be put in, and was too cunning of ; Company,