Earl of Lonsdale's Birthday - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Earl of Lonsdale's Birthday

EIGHTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY.

    The usual festivals in celebration of the birthday of the venerable Earl of Lonsdale, were held, this year with, if possible, increased enthusiasm, and we have received letters from all pasts of the district, announcing the numerous parties of admirers of the noble Earl, who assemble in honour of the occasion. We subjoin a summary of each.

CARLISLE.

    The principal gentry of the immediate neighbourhood and the inhabitants, to the number of forty, dined together at the Bush Hotel, where an excellent dinner was provided for their entertainment by Mr. HAMILTON, with all the characteristic perfection of his cuisine.

    W. N. HODGSON, Esq., occupied the chair, and was supported on the left hand by R. FERGUSON, Esq., of Harker Lodge; G. H. OLIPHANT, Esq., the Rev. J. HEYSHAM; and on the left by W. HODGSON, Esq., Houghton House; J. FERGUSON, Esq., Lowther-street; W. FORSTER, Esq.; Henry FARRAR, Esq., & c. & c. George COWEN, Esq., Dalston, occupied the Vice-Chair.

    After the cloth was removed, the Chairman proposed in succession the usual loyal and national toasts, viz., "The Queen," "Prince Albert," "The rest of the Royal Family," "The Duke of Wellington and the army," "The Earl of Haddington and the navy," which were all cordially received.

    The Chairman then proposed "The health of the Earl of Lonsdale," who had that day entered upon his eighty-seventh year, and took occasion to refer to his long and honourable connection with the county of Cumberland and Carlisle, which city he represented in parliament sixty years ago. In terms of due eulogy, warmly responded to by the company, he noticed the sterling integrity and high character of the noble Earl -- his liberal contributions to all charitable purposes -- his generous promotion of the arts -- and his untiring private benevolence; and having expressed his happiness that Lord Lonsdale continues in the enjoyment of good health, he concluded by proposing his Lordship's health in a bumper toast, and expressing a hope that as numerous a company might assemble to celebrate his birthday for many, many years to come.

    The toast was received with cordial and prolonged cheers.

    The Chairman then gave "The High Sheriff of the County,"

    The Vice-Chairman then proposed "The health of Lord Lowther," paying a just tribute of praise to the business habits of that distinguished nobleman, which was cordially received with all the honours, and one cheer more.

    The Chairman then gave in succession, "The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese," "Her Majesty's Ministers," "Lady R. BENTINCK, and the Ladies of the house of Lowther," "The Members for the county," "The Magistrates of the county, coupled with the name of Mr. FERGUSON, of Harker," who acknowledged the toast, "The integrity of the British empire, and no repeal," "Col. Lowther," -- all of which were received with great applause.

    R. FERGUSON, Esq., proposed "The health of Captain Lowther," which was received with three times three hearty cheers.

    J. FAWCETT, Esq., proposed "The health of Sir James GRAHAM, of Netherby, and the lads of the Border." which was responded to by three times three cheers, and one cheer more.

    R. FERGUSON, Esq., then proposed "The health of the Chairman," which was received with loud and repeated cheers.

    W. N. HODGSON, Esq., acknowledged the toast, and expressed his satisfaction at presiding over a meeting so numerous and so respectable on that occasion. He believed such meetings promoted good feeling and good fellowship, and he was most happy, not only to attend, but to do anything in his power to assist in promoting the enjoyment of the company.

    The Chairman then gave "The town and trade of Carlisle," coupled with the house of FERGUSON.

    The toast was received with three times three, and one cheer more.

    J. FERGUSON, Esq., Lowther-street, returned thanks. He said he was happy to think that the trade of the country was steadily improving, and he was glad to be able to say that Carlisle, considering its size, was as little affected by the great depression that had prevailed, as any town in the kingdom. He took no credit for that to himself, but he thought it was greatly owing to the independent and pushing manner in which the concerns in Carlisle managed their affairs.

    The Vice-Chair gave "Prosperity to the agricultural interest," coupled with the name of Mr. FARRAR.

    The toast was very cordially received, and duly acknowledged by Mr. FARRAR.

    The next toast from the chair was "Prosperity to the Carlisle and Lancaster Railway," which was well received.

    J. FERGUSON, Esq., proposed "The health of the Vice-Chairman."

    Geo. COWEN, Esq. returned thanks.

    "The liberty of the press without its licentiousness," "The land we live in," "The health of G. H. OLIPHANT, Esq.," "The Bar and Mr. FAWCETT," &c. &c., were subsequently proposed and duly honoured, and the toasts being varied by some excellent singing, the evening passed off in the utmost social enjoyment.

PENRITH.

    The anniversary was celebrated with equal enthusiasm at Penrith.

    At the Crown Hotel nearly thirty gentlemen dined together, under the able presidency of Jonathan VARTY, Esq., -- BARRATT, Esq., of Maiden Hill, officiating in the vice-chair.

    At the Lion and Lamb Inn, the house of Mr. HARRISON, upwards of forty admirers of the noble Earl sat down to a liberal and well arranged entertainment, Mr. THOMPSON, Newton, officiating as chairman, and Mr. BURTHWICK occupying the vice-chair.

    At the General Wolfe Inn, the house of Mr. Edward BROWN, upwards of thirty gentlemen and tradesmen of the town dined together, when Mr. BRUNSKILL, of Newton, presided, and Mr. CARTMELL, of Penrith, occupied the vice-chair.

    At Hackthorpe, and several of the villages round, similar celebrations took place, but the particulars have not reached us.

ARMATHWAITE.

    Upwards of forty guests sat down in honour of the occasion to a well served dinner at the house of Mr. Thomas MILBOURNE, the Dukes Head Inn. Mr. John HARRISON, of Beck Brow, acted as chairman, and Mr. Thomas FISHER, of Hornsby Gate, occupied the vice-chair. The Gamelsby brass band, under the management of Mr. MORTON, was in attendance.

WHITEHAVEN.

    About half-past four, a numerous party of gentlemen sat down to a dinner at the Black Lion Inn, under the presidency of the Rev. John JENKINS, R. BRISCO, Esq., of Low Mill House, who was to have discharged the duties of chairman, being from home. The Rev. H. LOWTHER occupied the vice-chair. The dinner and dessert were both excellent, and were served up with the usual good taste evinced on all public occasions at that well conducted establishment.

HENSINGHAM.

    The annual meetings at this village are amongst the oldest established, the most numerously attended, and the best conducted of all the many gatherings by which the Earl of Lonsdale's Birthday is celebrated, either in this county or in Westmorland. This year it was more numerously attended than it has been for some time past, there being upwards of one hundred and fifty people present. The dinner was provided by Mr. and Mrs. SUMPTON, of the Globe Inn, and a better or more ample repast, consisting of every variety which the season afforded, could not have been furnished. The company, as on former years, consisted of the yeomanry and farmers of the surrounding neighbourhood, and a considerable number of gentlemen and tradesmen from Whitehaven, amongst whom were a number of strangers who had never been present at these celebrations before. There were three tables the entire length of the room, and every seat was occupied. At the principal table, Mr. W. B. CLARK, surgeon, (the president for the year,) presided, and was ably supported by Mr. Wm. FOX, of St. Bees, who filled the vice-chair. At the other two tables, Mr. BENN, of Monkwreay, and Mr. William JACKSON, of Roper Street, presided, and the two vice-chairs were respectively occupied by Mr. Wm HODGSON, of Low Walton, and Mr. H. JACKSON, of Cross Street.

KENDAL.

    The celebration took place in the Whitehall Rooms, in this town. S. H. HASLAM, Esq., of Greenside, was in the chair. The vice-chair was occupied by William SLEDDALL, Esq., of Rawhead. There were present, among others, the following gentlemen: -- Wm. THOMPSON, Esq., M. P. for the county of Westmorland; Edward WILSON, Esq., of Abbot Hall; Daniel HARRISON, Esq., Edward TATHAM, Esq., of Summerfield; Rev. R. W. FISHER, of Hill Top; John GANDY, Esq., of Kendal; W. H. BALWAN, Esq., of Haverbrack; Gerard GANDY, Esq., of Kendal; Thomas REVELEY, Esq., solicitor; Edmund TATHAM, Esq., senior; Edmund TATHAM, Esq., jun.; George FORREST, Esq., surgeon; Thomas HARRISON, Esq.; Thomas EASTHAM, Esq.; T. GREGG, Esq., of Kirkby Lonsdale; James NOBLE, Esq., surgeon; James THOMPSON, Esq., of Moresdale Hall; John HARRISON, Esq., of Hund How; Richard RAWS, Esq., Kendal; W. LONGMIRE, Esq., Kendal.

LIVERPOOL.

    The anniversary of the Earl of Lonsdale's Birthday was this year celebrated in the town of Liverpool for the first time. A party of the friends and admirers of the noble Earl, not being able to attend any of the numerous celebrations at a distance, were determined not to suffer the day to pass over unnoticed, assembled in Cormvallis Street, and partook of a sumptuous dinner, provided by the worthy host and hostess of the inn.