THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| VOL. X. NO. 270.] | SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1827. | [PRICE 2d. |
TOWN-HALL, LIVERPOOL.
From a small inconsiderable hamlet, Liverpool, within a century and ahalf, has been singularly advanced in national importance. In Leland'stime it had only a chapel, its parish church being at Walton, a distanceof four miles from the town.
In the year 1571 the inhabitants of Liverpool sent a memorial to QueenElizabeth, praying relief from a subsidy which they thought themselvesunable to bear, wherein they styled themselves "her majesty's poordecayed town of Liverpool." Some time towards the close of this reign,Henry, Earl of Derby, in his way to the Isle of Man, staid at his house atLiverpool called the Tower; at which the corporation erected a handsomehall or seat for him in the church, where he honoured them several timeswith his presence.
Liverpool, from this time till the end of the next century, made but aslow progress either in the extent of its trade or in the number of itsinhabitants; nor is there any remarkable occurrence recorded of it, exceptthe siege of it by Prince Rupert, in the civil wars in 1644; some tracesof which were discovered, when the foundation of the Liverpool Infirmarywas sunk, particularly the marks of the trenches thrown up by the prince,and some cartouches, &c. left behind by the besiegers.
About the year 1698 an act of parliament was obtained, empowering theinhabitants to build a new church. From that time may be traced the rapidprogress of population and commerce, until Liverpool has now become secondonly to the metropolis of Great Britain.
In 1760 the inhabitants of Liverpool were computed at 25,787; in 1811, at94,376; and in 1821, at 118,972!
Far as the eye can trace the prospect round
The splendid tracts of opulence are found;
Yet scarce a hundred annual rounds have run.
Since first the fabric of this power begun;
His noble stream, inglorious, Mersey roll'd,
Nor felt his waves by lab'ring art controll'd:
Along his side a few small cots were spread,
His finny brood their humble tenants fed;
At op'ning dawn with fraudful nets supply'd
The padding skiff would brave his specious tide,
Ply round the shores, nor tempt the dangerous main,
But seek ere night the friendly port again.
The public buildings in Liverpool are[pg 130]not numerous, but they are worthy ofattention. The Town-Hall, which is the subject of our presentembellishment, is in a striking style of architecture. The first stone ofthis structure was laid in 1749, and the hall was opened in 1754. It is anelegant stone building, having two fronts; one towards Castle-street, theother towards the area formed by the New Exchange Buildings. Each frontconsists of an elegant range of Corinthian columns, supporting a pediment,and are themselves supported by a rustic base. Between the capitals areheads, and emblems of commerce in