Prince Albert has paid his promised visit to LiverpooL For
two months the municipal authorities, eagerly seconded by the inhabitants, have been actively engaged in preparing for his reception. 'the Town-hail was trans- formed into a palace; the streets were newly gravelled, and everything unsightly was concealed as far as practicable from view. At noon on Thursday, the Prince, with his suite, arrived by special train; and was received on the platform by Mr. Hodgson, the Mayor, and the Aldermen of the borough. After a short rest at the Judges' Lodgings," the Prince was conveyed through several of the principal thoroughfares, all of which were gaily decorated with flags and festoons, to the Town-hall; where he wan received by the public authorities and a vast assemblage. Lord Sandon, Viscount Morpeth, and Mr. Cardwell, were present. Here a congratu- latory address was presented to the Prince; who made a suitable reply. formed into a palace; the streets were newly gravelled, and everything unsightly was concealed as far as practicable from view. At noon on Thursday, the Prince, with his suite, arrived by special train; and was received on the platform by Mr. Hodgson, the Mayor, and the Aldermen of the borough. After a short rest at the Judges' Lodgings," the Prince was conveyed through several of the principal thoroughfares, all of which were gaily decorated with flags and festoons, to the Town-hall; where he wan received by the public authorities and a vast assemblage. Lord Sandon, Viscount Morpeth, and Mr. Cardwell, were present. Here a congratu- latory address was presented to the Prince; who made a suitable reply.
Prince Albert was then taken for an excursion on the Mersey, in the Royal yacht Fairy; attended by Mr. Moore, the Chairman of the Dock Committee, Lord Morpeth, and the naval officers of the port. The appear- ance of the river with its masses of shipping of all descriptions and from all countries, richly decked out in bunting, with the numerous steamers and pleasure-boats that flitted about, was exceedingly gay. After enjoying for ' some hours the scenery on both sides of the river, the Prince proceeded to fulfil one of the objects of his visit, the opening of the new dock which is to bear his name. At half-past two the ceremony commenced, with the opening of the dock-bridge amidst the firing of cannon. Preceded by a Liverpool life-boat and the state barge of the Victoria and Albert, the Fairy came steaming into the dock, amid the loudest acclamations from the assembled multitude. Next came a dejeuner; and in the evening a grand banquet was given at the Town-halL Prince Albert made an appro- priate speech at each. Out of doors there was a partial illumination and a display of fireworks.
Yesterday the special object of the Prince's journey was accomplished— the laying the foundation-stone of the Sailor's Home. There was a re- newal of all the pleasing tumults of the previous day. A procession of the various trades, mustering more than 7,000 persons, was an imposing part of the pageantry: it extended for some miles in length; which, with its slow- ness, baulked the arrangements as to time. The Prince joined this proces- sion; and on his arrival at the site of the building, performed the ceremony with his usual skill inpro former masonry. But four o'clock had now arrived; and the Prince, instead of proceeding, according to the arrangement, to the Town-hall to partake of a dejeuner, started for the rellway station en route for London.
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