1823.] Mr. URBAN, 105 some, cover the defects of the architectural works we know not, but i will probably assist. The interior o. the Church has also been repewed, and new galleries have been built. In this Church there are a few Ancient and Modern Liverpool. Liverpool, Feb. 1. THE HE annexed engraving is a view of St. Nicholas's Church, Liverpool, and the surrounding buildings (see Plate I.) It was taken from Man's Island, in the year 1741, by Mr. R. Wright, a native of Liverpool. The original painting, which is in my possession, is about 18 inches by 13. This, with five others, Wright painted in oil for his Shoemaker. The Shoemaker's son gave the painting to me about twenty years ago. This artist arrived to great eminence, and became a member of the Royal Academy in 1760. In the site here represented there has been a wonderful change. Indeed we have nothing left but a few Houses built of stone, obtained from the ancient Castle. These old Houses are now the only remains we have of the Seventeenth Century, at the end of which Liverpool became a parish. The exterior of the Old Chapel of St. Nicholas, as it formerly stood, is presumed to have been built soon after the Conquest. The walls were taken down, and the roof removed in the year 1774, when they were rebuilt under the direction of Joseph Brooks, esq. It formerly had an open roof, the joints of which were covered with deal boards, upon which was painted a representation of the firmament. The interior, however, was not then disturbed, save the ancient massive Gothic pillars and arches, which were substituted by the present lighter pillars. A spire was added to the old tower of this Church in 1746; but it fell down 11th February, 1810, just before the beginning of divine service; of which very melancholy accident see a particular account, vol. LXXX. parti. p. 147. A beautiful Gothic tower and spire have since been erected by Thos. Harrison, esq. Architect. Compelled to contract its height from the circumstance of twelve heavy bells being erected in the tower, the lanthorn is not so lofty as could have been wished; but the structure unites the essentials of strength, use, and beauty, and is highly worthy of its distinguished architect. In the East window, where there was no interruption to the display of Gothic beauty, we regret to find a miserable attempt by a different artist. How far the painted glass may, in the opinion of GENT. MAG. February, 1823. good monuments; amongst which we may mention one of Mrs. Clayton. It is executed in statuary marble: the composition is a female figure seated, with an urn; expressive of grief. This monument was erected at the expense of her daughter, Sarah Clayton. There is also a monument erected to her husband, Wm. Clayton, esq. of Fulwood, co. Lancaster, M.P. The living of St. Nicholas, which is a Curacy, is held with the Rectory of St. Peter's, and is in the gift of the Mayor and Corporation of Liverpool, who in 1794 presented it to Sam. Renshaw, M. A. the present Curate. Yours, &c. M. G. ANCIENT AND MODERN LIVERPOOL. The Town in 1821 and 1761, present- by since the last Coronation was solemnized in this country: a period crowded with the most stupendous events, and during which Great Britain has played the most conspicuous character on the theatre of the world, and filled it with the fame of her renown. The venerated Sovereign, who during sixty eventful years, swayed the British sceptre, now sleeps with his ancestors, and the weight of empire has devolved upon the shoulders of his son, who entered upon a solemn compact with his people, surrounded by the flower of England's nobility, by all that is venerable for wisdom, illustrious for virtue, celebrated for naval or military achievement, splendid for talent, and gorgeous and imposing in gothic and chivalrous institutions. Such a period forms an epoch in our history. It offers an elevated station in the route of time, whence we may take a retrospect of the brilliant carcer which our country, in the preceding age, has run among the nations of Europe. We may also mark the progress she has made in territory and population, in commerce and agriculture, in arts and arms. Such a retrospect would 106 Ancient and Modern Liverpool contrasted. would be eminently instructive, and would show, in the most striking colours, the astonishing start which she has taken in national greatness and renown. But the whole subject is too gigantic for our feeble grasp. We can, however, detach separate fragments from this mighty mass, and compare their present with that of the former Coronation. We shall, therefore, select our native town, and endeavour to compare Liverpool in 1821, with Liverpool in 1761. This comparison, being founded, for the most part, on arithmetical statements, will be level to the lowest capacity, and must strike every mind with astonishment. The extent of the town is the first object which presents itself as a contrast. Liverpool in 1761 was but the mere skeleton of Liverpool in 1821. There are now some venerable characters among us who can recollect its size at the former period; but the great majority know it from description only. About 1761 the town extended as far as the top of Old Hall-street to the Northward. In Tythebarn-street only to Key-street all the interval thence to the present Vauxhall-road being open fields. In Dale-street it extended a little beyond Cheapside on the left, and on the right to Preston-street; all beyond was open ground. Williamson-square had buildings only on the lower side, the other three parts were not covered. Clayton-square contained but two houses. Church-street and the streets leading Southward and Northward were beginning to be covered; but all the land from the present Saint Stephen's Church, at the lower end of Byrom-street, to an obscure pothouse, at the bottom of Richmondstreet, Whitechapel, was open to the Eastward. Duke-street was covered about 200 yards: all the rest to the Southward was open fields. A part of Pitt-street and Park-lane was then built; but all the lands from the water, South and East, were entirely open. The Quay of the Old Dock was encumbered with a great many huts and cottages. A plan of the Town was made by Mr. John Eyes, in 1765, from which it appears, that at that time, four years after the period of our comparison, the buildings covered an area of 1,184,000 square yards. Such was the extent of Liverpool in 1761. Let us now compare it with its extent in 1821, and the (Feb. contrast will surprise not only strangers to the bulk of the modern town, but even sundry natives. Since 1761 it has pushed out its limits to the North, to the South, and to the East (the river bounds it on the West) and has swelled on all its three sides to an astonishing magnitude. It has even encroached on the sea, and very considerably contracted the bed of the Mersey. Without entering into particulars which might be deemed tedious, we may estimate the space at present covered with buildings, to form an area of 6,000,000 square yards; exhibiting an enormous increase, since 1761, of 4,816,000 square yards. This area, it must be remembered, is within the boundaries of Liverpool; but if we conclude, as we justly may, the space covered by the buildings at Harrington, Edge-hill, Low-hill, Everton, and Kirkdale, which are chiefly inhabited by persons carrying on business in Liverpool, and are constituent parts of the town, as Westminster and Southwark to the metropolis, and Salford to Manchester, the area would be still more expanded, and exceed probably 7,000,000 square yards! Having thus contrasted the extent of Liverpool in 1821 with its extent in 1761, we shall proceed to contrast its population at the two periods. And here the comparison will be more astonishing than in its increased extent. In 1761 the number of inhabitants. may be safely computed in round numbers at 26,000. We cannot ascertain what was then the population of the suburbs. This census shews that the town, even at that early period, was comparatively populous; but how insignificant in comparison to its present population! According to the return of the last census, the population of the parish of Liverpool alone is 118,972! But here again we must in fairness include the population of Harrington and the other suburbs, which, it appears, united, amount to 22,515; this, added to that of the parish, makes a grand total of 141,487, being 115,487 more than in the year 1761. A prodigious increase in 60 years! This may be regarded as the amount of the permanent population of the town and suburbs. But we must not omit in our calculation the seamen who sail out of the port, and who may be denominated its floating population. In 1811 they were estimated at 7000; and their numbers having kept pace 1823.J Ancient and Modern Liverpool contrasted. with the increase of the commerce of the port, if we estimate them now at only 9000, we shall not, we think, exceed the truth; and thus we shall have a permanent and floating population of above 150,000 souls! The contrast presented by the commerce of the town at the two periods calculated still more excite astonishment. To begin with the number of shipping. In 1761 the number of ships that entered the port was 1319: in 1820-21 (the accounts are made up to five each year) it was 7810; exhibiting an increase of 6493, as compared with the former period. The amount of the dock-duties in 1761 was 23821. Os. 2d. : in 1820 and 1821 it was 94,556l. Qs. Id. Increase 92,174l. 8s. 11d. This comparison of the amount of dock dues received at the two periods is perfectly fair; but the comparison of the number of ships, deceptious. Those used in commerce in 1761, were, with some few exceptions, not so bulky as those used at present. If, therefore, we would ascertain the tonnage of the 1319 vessels which entered the port that year, and could compare it with the tonnage of the 7810 which entered in 1820-1821, it would, there is no doubt, prodigiously swell the actual amount of the present state of the port. Unfortunately we cannot ascertain this fact; the amount of tonnage having been published since the commencement of the present century only. The increased accommodation for shipping, by the increase of docks since 1761, is the next subject which forces itself upon our notice. It has, it will be seen, kept pace with the progressive increase of the commerce of the port. In 1761 there were three wet docks and two basins covering an area of about 18 acres. At the present time there are six wet docks and six basins, covering an area of 63 acres, three roods, 20 perches; and forming a sea wall of above a mile and a half in length. This is certainly a gigantic increase of dock-room in 60 years; but the docks of 1761 cannot bear any thing more than a numerical comparison with those of the present day. The structure of the ancient docks was comparatively rude; they were liable to rapid decay, and had merely clumsy draw-bridges, on the Dutch plan, thrown over the entrances. But the modern docks are constructed upon the most improved principles of 107 mural architecture. They are as substantial as human art and ingenuity can make them: their gates, though comparatively light, are strong and compact; and the whole has a solidity and magnificence of appearance, equalling, if not surpassing, those of any similar structures in the world. The Prince's dock, opened on the Coronation-day, is a matchless specimen of mural architecture, and is unique in having lock gates. As connected with this part of the contrast, we may point out the immense ranges of lofty, substantial, and capacious warehouses, built along the dock quays and other parts of the town. These are all the creation of the last 20 or 30 years, and none of those existing in 1761 in any respect equalled them. We shall now proceed to contrast the principal public structures which exist at present. We shall divide them into eight classes, viz. structures for religious worship; for charitable uses; for civic and judicial purposes; for business; for literature, politics, and the arts; for pleasure; for public utility and accommodation; and for confinement. In First, to begin with structures devoted to religious worship. In 1761, there were four Churches, St. Nicholas *, St. Peter, St. George, and St. Thomas. At the present period there are not less than 22; some of them, particularly those erected within the last few years, matchless specimens of architectural taste and beauty. 1761 there were about seven dissenting meetings; at this time there are 25; several of which are uncommonly spacious, and form distinguished ornaments of the town. It is here worthy of remark, that the number of churches and chapels bear nearly, the same numerical proportion to each other now, as they bore in 1761. The balance is clearly on the side of the Churches; from which we are inclined to infer, that much of the apprehension respecting the progress of dissent in the present day is imaginary. Second, structures for the purposes of CHARITY. In 1761 these consisted of the Blue Coat Hospital, the Infir mary, and the Seaman's Hospital. They were brick buildings, with little ornament. We have now, in ad * Engraved in our present Number, see p. 105. |