OPENING OF THE BLACKPOOL PIER.

Thursday last was a great day at Blackpool. The rejoicings were such as will be long remembered, for never since Blackpool obtained a place on the map of Lancashire as there such a festive demonstration within the range of is health-inspiring breezes. Blackpool has usually celebrated in a becoming manner any addition to its "institutions;" the opening of its market-house was the occasion of a suitable congratulatory demonstration ; when obtained railway accommodation with the Wyre line, and, consequently, with all England, the inhabitants testified their satisfaction by an outward display of rejoicing ; in addition to the number of its schools, or churches, or her public edifices has been the occasion of " dinners" or " tea parties" and other festivities ; but all previous ceremonials at the " Brighton of the North" sink into insignificance when compared with the magnificent festival of Thursday to celebrate the opening of the pier.

As the soldier rejoices at the successful close of his campaign in proportion to the dangers and difficulties he us gone through ; as the port is the more welcomed when the voyage has been stormy and dangerous ; so the Pier Company appear to have had increased zest imparted into to holiday making on the completion of their work on account of the difficulties they have triumphed over, on be almost unexpected scaithlessness with which the unfinished pier passed through a fearful storm, and on account of their having outlived the sneers and the croakings of those who ,doubted the wisdom or the policy trusting an iron structure to the mercy of the, sometimes angry, waves of the Irish Sea.

The success of piers, in a commercial point of view, at other watering places was pointed at as a reason why one at Blackpool should succeed ; but there were still doubts, among the cautious, whether the storms which prevail at times at Blackpool would not expose such a structure on our coast to risks to which similar erections are not liable at Southport, or Brighton, or Margate. The venture was made ; and so far, it promises to be most successful.

The first meeting to promote the erection of a pier at Blackpool was called by Mr. E. Blane, who, since the establishment of the Pier Company, has been its secretary, and a most zealous and efficient officer he has been. The initiatory steps wore taken for the formation of a company. It was proposed that it should consist of 2,400 shares, at £5 each, but, such was the favour with which the undertaking was received, that, when the subscription list was closed, the applications for shares showed that 4,700 had been sought for. The shares were apportioned among the applicants, and the company was formally constituted, and a board of directors appointed, of which Captain F. Preston was the chairman.

The directors lost no time in carrying out the work, and at came offered a prize of thirty guineas for the most suitable design for a pier. Out of those sent in, in respose to this announcement, the design of Eugenius Birch, Esq., was chosen, and, without delay, the works were let, They had, however, not proceeded far, before the directors, acting, on the advice of their engineer, resolved upon increasing the height of the pier, a step, the propriety of which was fully felt during the late storms. This course caused an increase of the estimated cost, from £11,500 to £15,000, and a consequent increase of the capital of the company to 3,000 shares. The present directors of the company are Capt.. F. Preston, Manchester, chairman; Messrs. M. Satterthwaite, T. H. Lewis, and J. Anyon, of Preston ; Messrs. R. Rawcliffe, A M Viener, and W. Birch, of Blackpool ; and Mr. H.,Macrea, of Halifax.

The pier, as we have said, was designed by, and has been erected under the immediate supervision of, Eugenius Birch, Esq., GE., of 43, Parliament-street, London, the engineer to whom Margate owes its handsome and substantial landing and promenade pier, which was the first sea structure of the kind composed of iron-work resting upon iron-screw piles ever erected, and which, after a trial of ten years, is as sound in its iron-work as it ever was. The same gentleman is now engaged upon similar structures at Brighton, Deal, Aberystwyth, and other attractive and important watering places round the coast of England and Wales.

The contractors for the pier are Messrs. R. Laidlaw and son, of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, to whom great credit is due for the excellent workmanship as well as quality of material employed on the structure, and for their assiduous prosecution of the works under circumstances of a most trying character.

The first column of the pier was fixed on the 29th of last June, but the progress of the works was much retarded by the prevalence of stormy weather, especially during the gales, or rather hurricaues, of last October, perhaps one of the most severe storms that have visited our coast for years past ; but the climax had not been then attained, for in January a most fearful hurricane visited the Blackpool coast, and committed havoc and devastation of a most terrible character, as was evidenced in the damage done to the sea wall at Rossall, to property at South Shore, to the lighthouse at Fleetwood, and culminating in the total destruction of the Lytham and Morecambe lighthouses.

Yet, amidst all this ruin and devastation, the Blackpool Pier, in a still unfinished state, stood the fury of the elements, and escaped, comparatively speaking, without sustaining any injury, a circumstance which must be as assuring to those interested in the pier now erected as it cannot fail to have been gratifying aud satisfactory to the directors and shareholders of the Pier Company. The efforts of the engineer and contractors to carry out the work in its integrity have over met with a most hearty response from the directors who, with their able Chairman at their head, and assisted by their energetic secretary, have shown themselves in every way worthy of the confidence placed in them by their fellow shareholders.

The pier is constructed almost entirely of iron, the only wood-work employed being that used for the deck and the fender piles at the head. The following are the dimensions of the pier :—Approach, 80 feet long ; abutment, 120 feet long and 45 feet wide ; main portion, 1,070 feet long and 28 feet wide ; and the head, 135 feet long and 55 feet wide, giving a total length of 1,405 feet available as a promenade. The entire superstructure rests upon clusters of iron piles, vertically fixed into the ground by means of screws.

The piles at the abutment and main body are wholly of cast-iron, and those at the head are partly of cast and partly of wrought iron. The largest of the cast-iron columns are twelve inches in diameter, and of an average thickness of 1 1/8th ; the whole of the columns are filled with concrete, which imparts to them additional stability as a means of support. The piles are placed in clusters, as this mode of arrangement has been found by the engineer to answer best in exposed positions ; for, the piles being trussed together, and well secured longitudinally, transversely, and diagonally, by the rods and braces, are capable of sustaining the most sudden and violent shocks of the sea,—a most important consideration at this point of the coast, where there occurs a most extraordinary rise of tide of thirty-five feet.

The clusters are placed at intervals of sixty feet, and resting upon that are the main girders, constructed of wrought iron, and in lengths of seventy-two feet. The description of girder employed is that commonly known as the plate girder, which for works of this kind, where great strength is required, is undoubtedly superior to that known as the open or lattice girder.

The parapets formed by these plate girders present a very neat and pleasing appearance, both internally and externally, whilst at the same time they constitute a most efficient wind guard. The tops of the girders are turned to useful account by being converted into continuous and most comfortable sitting accommodation for between 3,000 and 4,000 people, who will thus have an excellent view of the promenaders, without at all interfering with the width of the pier as a promenade.

Underneath the main girder are fixed transverse wrought-iron girders, upon the top of which is laid the planking of the deck of the pier. The planking being laid first longitudinally, and then transversely, there are no open spaces to admit the wind or spray blowing up, and thus inconveniencing the promenaders. Throughout the entire length of the pier an ornamental casting surmounts the main girder, and forms a very good back for the sitting accommodation afforded.

As the head of the pier stands no less than 50 feet above low water line, every means have been used to give it strength and stability. With this view the rectangular form has been adopted, as well as for its being calculated to afford the best berthing facilities to vessel coming alongside. Great stiffness is imparted to the head from its being tied together horizontally, vertically, and longitudinally, by three tiers of wrought-iron railiugs and on the lower portions of the piles upon which the superstructure of the head rests are of wrought iron which, with fender piles of wood placed every four feet round the head, it is confidently anticipated that a steam vessel could come alongside in heavy weather. Ample landing stages, with noble flights of steps, 10 feet wide and of an easy incline, are provided on either side of the head, so that passengers will be able to land and embark with great readiness and comfort at all stages of the tide.

The approach to the, pier, with its incline and grass slopes has quite a pretty and novel appearance, and presents a most graceful, sweep when viewed from the pier or the esplanade. The limits of the pier are defined by ornamental iron ron gates with lamps, and immediately inside are the toll houses, which are not high enough to mar the view of the pier from the esplanade or mound.

Upon the main portion of the pier are erected several ornamental shelter and refreshment houses, of an octagonal shape which are placed on side projections. By this arrangement the promenade of the pier is not encroached upon and the projections impart a lateral stiffness to the whole structure whilst the seats placed round the octagon houses afford a fine view of the action of the waves upon the pier in rough weather.

Another ornamental shelter house of much larger dimensions is to be placed upon the head, which will hold a considerable number of people and will serve as a most efficient sun-shade and wind-guard. This house will be surmounted by a flagstaff and elegant lamp, which will, according to the regulations of the Trinity Board, be lit up between sunset and sunrise. Lamps are provided along the entire length of the pier, which are to be lighted at such hours as may be determined from time to time. The total area of the pier available for promenading purposes is 38,500 feet.

The chief distinctive features of this pier are its elegance of appearance, combined with stability of structure, the great extent of seat accommodation, and its onamental shelter and refreshment houses—points which render it more attractive and vastly superior as a structure to the pier at Southport, or, indeed, to any other round the coast. The total weight of iron employed upon the pier 760 tons, consisting of 420 tons cast, and 340 tons wrought.

We have said that, on no previous occasion, was Blackpool so demonstrative of satisfaction at the inauguration or completion of any public work. Every arrangement had been made to give éclat to the opening of the pier, and nothing was left undone that could in any way add to the display. Volunteer corps were invited to be present, bands of music were engaged, benefit societies intimated their intention of taking part, the Sunday School chilren were arranged for, dinners and tea-parties were provided, cannon was obtained, flags were bought and borowed, and, in short, nothing ,was overlooked that could make the display pleasing or effective.

All the arrangements being complete, the weather, which has so much to do with the effectiveness of out-door displays in this country, was regarded with less anxiety than usual. The wind had been for some days in the east—a not very agreable quarter, by the way—and not the most favourable for being on the Blackpool coast, to see the water to advantage, but it promised to be at least fair, and it was so. The cold with was tempered by occasional sunshine, and as the day was fair, no complaint could be preferred against the elements,

As the day dawned, the good folks of Blackpool were stir, to receive and welcome their visitors, and to put a inishing stroke to the decorations of the town. In the latter respect there had been great taste exhibited, and never probably was there before so great a display of bunting, and such variety, of it in a town of the population of Blackpool. Scarcely a house but hoisted a flag, and the main streets and squares were spanned by dependent flags and streamers. The flags and banners were, we have said, of every variety, from the Royal Standard, of noblest proportions, to the humblest piece of calico, bearng the inscription of " Success, to the Pier." On the mound were a great profusion of flags, while the pier itself, the great object of attraction, was decorated with great judgment and taste, its ordinarily elegant appearance being rendered additionally attractive by the judicious disposition of flags, banners, gonfalons, &c.

In the town, there was every preparation, and now came the visitors. From the immediate neighbourhood, pedestrians poured in from an early, hour, while from more distant parts of the Fylde, shandrays and other conveyances came with their living freights, to take part in the proceedings. From Lytham, the trains were filled to repletion, while from Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn, and Preston, and the other towns having direct railway communication with Blackpool, the ordinary and special trains brought vast crowds. Indeed, so overladen was the second ordinary train from Preston, that at the incline between Poulton and Blackpool, the over-taxed engine had to give up in despair, for the train came to a standstill, until a second engine came from Poulton, to help the passengers to their journey's end. The excursion trains were similarly crowded, so that for several hours there was e continued influx of visitors into the town.

The formal opening of the pier was preceded by a prosession through the town, which was arranged to start at eleven o'clock, but the influx of visitors was so great, and and the arrival of the trains, with persons to take part in proceedings, was so much delayed, that it was near half-past twelve when the procession moved from Queen-square, or rather the two processious, for it is a rule of the service that the military shall not take part in a civic procession, so the volunteers were a little in advance of the trades and benefit societies.

First came Captain Preston's patent intermediate disc breach loading 12 pounder cannon, mounted on a gun carriage drawn by four horses ; followed by the third battery of the 19th Lancashire (Manchester) Artillery Volunteers, numbering 90 rank and file, and commanded by Captains Sowler and Withington, Lieutenant Jewsbury, and Adjutant Morgan ; Surgeon Mc.Keand, and Assistant-surgeon Wilson ; next came the 21st Lancashire (Preston) Artillery Corps, numbering 180 strong, the officers present being Major Birchall, Captains Mounsey and Whittaker, Lieutenants Threlfall, Paley, Trundell, Lawson, Carr, Dawson, Eccles, and Humber, Surg. Spencer, and Adj. Whitehead ; the 2nd Lancashire (Blackburn) Volunteer Rifles, and band, 160 strong, Captains Lund, Alston, and Park, Lieutenants Radcliffe, Dickinson, and Hornby, Ensigns Dean aud Sames, Adjutant (and Captain) Fishbourne, and Dr. Witherington; then came the 65th Lancashire (Rossall) Rifle Corps, 90 strong, under the command of Captain Forshall, Lieutenant Davies, and Ensign Bartlett ; the rear of the military procession being brought up by the 11th Lancashire (Preston) Rifles, 120 strong, under the command of Captains Catterall and Goodair, Lieutenants Aseroft and Clarke, Ensigns Myres and Hunt. Each corps was preceded by its band, and the appearance of all the volunteers was most creditable to them.

After a suitable pause, sufficient to disconnect the two processions to official watchers, the civic portion of the display came on. First was a detachment of the county constabulary, under the charge of Inspector Leary, then the City of Manchester Royal Brass Band, followed by the directors of the pier company, the engineers, contractors, shareholders, workmen, &c. They were followed by the members of the Clifton Lodge, No. 1005, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and several visitors, members of the mystic craft, headed by the Blackburn Artillery band ; then came the clergy, gentry, and other inhabitants of Blackpool, including the members and officials of the Local Board of Health ; headed by the Manchester Saxehorn band ; the members of the Duke of Wellington Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, headed by the 28th Cheshire (Sale) Rifle Band.

Then followed the trades' procession, which was headed by Tidswell's Blackpool Promenade band. The first in the trades' procession were the butchers—an important trade, too, in a place which undertakes to restore faded appetites. They presented a neat appearance, mounted on prancing nags, caparisoned with sheep skins, the men and boys being attired in now blue coats, like the Preston butchers at the Guild. Then, as good eating is said to deserve good drinking, a lorry followed, bearing beer barrels, and on which there was also a plentiful supply of bread and cheese. This was the display of Mr Joseph Bairstow, of the Railway Hotel, as representing the licensed victuallers' display. As the procession moved, the beer, bread, and cheese, were distributed among the spectators.

Next came a waggon containing a printing press, belonging to Mr. Waddington, printer, of Blackpool, at which programmes of the day's proceedings were printed during the whole of the route. A neatly decorated lorry followed, in which some carpenters were at work, plying their vocation, the principal operation being the working of a mortising machine. Next was a waggon, bearing a pleasureboat, the Emily Pierre, the property of Mr. Bickerstaff, as representing a not unimportant part of the " trade" of Blackpool, and which will be much improved by the landing stage in connection with the pier, for hitherto the deficiency of landing accommodation has prevented many parties, especially ladies, from having a sail off the coast.

The town's fire engine followed, and next some of Messrs. Knowles and Braithwaite's joiners came, working away at planing, &c., in a neatly adorned van, followed by a number of joiners on foot, bearing white wands, adorned with shavings, &c. Messrs. Dagger and Co. had a van, bearing, a horse, which was being shod, and workmen busy at the various departments of smiths' work. Mr. Catterall, painter, had a van, in which was a youth, supposed to be painting, graining &c. Mr. Robinson's staff came next, showing bath work, bell hanging, fire ranges, smoke jacks, &c. ; a plough, drawn by two horses, the property of Mr. Thomas Fisher, of Layton Lodge, followed by a clod crusher, drawn by a pair of horses, the property of Mr. Kirkham, of Warbreck. The saddlery and harness trade of Blackpool was represented by some men at work in a van ; the tea trade followed.

The display was creditable, for much taste was exhibited by the parties; the only drawback was that a " trades' procession" naturally called to mind the display at Preston Guild, with which, of course, neither in numbers, nor in other respects, is it fair to compare the Blackpool effort, The benefit societies came next, the Hygeia Ancient Order of Druid's, about sixty in number, held at the No. 3 Inn, leading up this portion of the display.

They were headed by the Blackpool Subscription Band. The most noticeable feature in the procession was a couple of men on horseback, decked in the supposed dress of the ancient druids, and a man in uncouth robes, seated on a donkey, representing, we suppose, a Druidic bard. We cannot imagine that either the interests of benefit societies, or any other good cause, are promoted by such displays. To the credit of the donkey, that is, the one with four legs, we ought to state that he appeared somewhat ashamed of the part he was compelled to take in the display.

These were followed by the boys of Miss Middleton's school, and a fine lot of little fellows they were. They were under the charge of Sergeant-Major Casey, their drill master, and their style of marching would have done no discredit to a volunteer company. They were succeeded by the Preston Britannia Band, which headed the members of the United Order of Mechanics, who mustered about 120 strong.

After these the juvenile portion of the demonstration came on. First was the band of the Manchester Industrial School, leading up the members of the Blackpool Sunday schools and the Sunday School Sick Society. The schools represented were the Blackpool National School, the South Shore schools, the Wesleyan, Independent, and Baptist schools, attended by their teachers, and, like the benefit societies and trades, interspersed with flags. Two or three gaily decorated bathing machines and a few donkeys, one ridden by a sweep, brought up the rear.

The procession was from Queen's-Square, along Central Beach and Hygiene-terrace, to Victoria-street, Bank Hey street, Adelaide-street, Queen's-terrace, South Beach, the west side of Wellington Inn, returning by Foxhall to South Beach, Hounds'-hill, Bank Hey-street, Victoria street, Post Office-street, Church-street, Market-street Clifton-street, Back Talbot-street, Talbot-road, and to the pier. On arriving at Belle Vue-square, at the end of the mound above the pier, the procession promenaded along the pier, except the volunteers, whose measured tread, was thought, might possibly cause a dangerous vibration.

Opening of the New Pier at Blackpool, Thursday 21st May 1863; the procession returning from the Pier; an illustration from the London Illustrated News.

On their return to the square, the bands played several airs.

At length Captain Preston rose on a temporary rostrum and said that the pleasing duty had devolved upon him the day, on behalf of the Blackpool Pier Company, to open the undertaking which they commenced last year. He could assure the assembly that the directors never flat tered themselves for a moment that the town of Black pool and its neighbourhood would see so enthusiastic at assembly as had gathered together that day, and so generously have entered into the festivities of the day.

On behalf of the directors he thanked them all for the support which they had given them. To the various commanding officers of volunteers who had come from a distance, no doubt at the sacrifice of much time and inconvenience, his thanks were greatly due for the generous aid they hal given to that great festive occasion. As he had said, he never anticipated to see that so much conviviality and good feeling would have been displayed by the assembly at the opening of the pier. Because, after all, Blackpool was only a watering place, and had of itself not a large population, but seeing the great numbers who had that day come down to celebrate the opening of the pier he did hope that a new era was being held forth, for that beautiful and rifting watering plane.--( " Hear " and applause.)

For his part it was not one of gain that caused him to enter into the undertaking, but from the respect he had to the place, and from the great benefits that most beautiful and healthy' watering-place had been to the health of his own family. (hear, hear.) From that simple fact he should always look with great pleasure to Blackpool, and in his humble capacity; do all he could to aid and-benefit that watering place. (Applause.) Since they last met, on a day last year, when the first pole of the pier was screwed, Blackpool had been visited with severe violent storms, so much so, that some of them appeared to endanger the stability of the undertaking that had been set upon, but as the undertaking was planned by a man of great mechanical calculation, Mr. Birch, of London, their worthy engineer, and carried out by the contractors, Messrs. Laidlaw and Son, of Glasgow, simply making use of the knowledge that science bad given them, a given weight of metal for a given pressure of water and storm - the structure was a strong one, and had already withstood two storms with which that town had been visited in the course of the winter.

Though the majority of volunteers had not that day marched upon it, some of the officers thinking that the precision of their step might cause a dangerous vibration, he could assure them that he held no such opinion, for the pier had been thoroughly tested to the entire satisfaction of the directors.

Hitherto Blackpool had stood at almost one point, without showing much sign of advancing. He hoped that it was that day entering on a new era, and that it would outrival some of the neighbouring watering places. He might State, that the directors had in contemplation that a ”pier dressing" could take place annually.-(Applause.) The clubs of the district had been kind enough to arrange that their annual festival, or club day, should take place upon the same day as the "pier dressing."-(Applause.) The local clubs were going to consider the propriety of fixing upon a day in May for their Annual celebration, and the pier was to be dressed for the occasion. When that day had been fixed, the directors of the pier company intended to have a "pier dressing." After a few further remarks, he concluded by wishing prosperity to Blackpool.

Before they separated, he had planned a mode of terminating the ceremony, namely, that the united bands should play " God save the Queen," and that a salute should at the same time be fired from the guns, and from that moment he declared the pier to be open to the public.- (Loud cheers.)

The bands then played the National Anthem, the assemblage singing the two first verses amidst the booming of a royal salute from the guns. At the call of one enthusiastic gentleman, the assembly gave a hearty cheer for the success of the pier.

The pier was then " opened," and visitors thronged with their "twopences" so fast, that in a very few minutes it was crowded, and it continued to be thronged until evening.

The masons and the members of the benefit societies then adjourned for dinner or other refreshments At their respective lodge rooms ; the Sunday school scholars went for their " treats" to their school-rooms and the volunteers adjourned to Messers. Reed's Assembly Rooms and elsewhere for their entertainment. The last-named portion of the programme, -to the volunteers themselves, of course, not the least important-was the only part of the day's proceedings in which there was a " hitch ;" for some reason or other proper arrangements had not been made for the commissariat, and when the Preston volunteers went for their " entertainment" there was nothing but a little bread for them. This defective management had no doubt arisen from the committee of management having had their hands too full of business. Had they entrusted this department to some one accustomed to provide for volunteer corps, or other large bodies, on such occasions, this only drawback to the entire satisfaction of the visitors would have been avoided.

At the Clifton Arms Hotel, a party of the directors, shareholders, and invited guests, - ladies and gentlemen - numbering upwards of one hundred and fifty, sat down to a most elegant repast, the provision of which, and the style in which it was served, reflected great credit on Mr. Birch and his family. Captain Preston presided, and the vice-chairmen were Mr. R. Rawcliffe, Mr. Laidlaw, the contractor of the works, and Mr. Birch, the engineer.

Among the numerous guests were the following volunteer officers :-Preston Artillery Corps : Major Birchall, Captains Mounsey and Whittaker ; Lieutenants Threlfall, Paley, Trundle, Lawson, Dawson, Humber, Carr, and Eccles ; Adjutant Whitehead, and Surgeon Spencer. Preston Rifle Corps : Captains Catterall and Goodair ; Lieutenants Clarke and Ascroft ; Ensigns Hunt and Myres. Blackburn Rifle Corps : Captains Lund, Alston, and Park ; Lieutenants Dickinson and Hornby, Ensigns Deane and Sames ; Adjutant Fishbourne, and Dr. Withington, Manchester (19th) Artillery Corps: Captains Sowler and Hetherington ; Surgeon Mc.Keand, and Assistant-Surgeon Wilson ; Lieutenants Brown and Jewsbury ; and Adjutant Morgan. Rossall Corps: Captain Forshall, Lieutenant Davies, and Ensign Bartlett.

Grace before and after meat was said by the Rev. A. Jenour. During dinner the City of Manchester Royal Brass Band played a number of airs, and also afterwards.

The CHAIRMAN proposed, with appropriate prefatory remarks, the health of the Queen, which was duly honoured, and received with cheering.
Band : " God Save the Queen."
The CHAIRMAN then gave the health of the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. He commended His Royal Highness for having taken to himself a wife, and augured the happiest results to himself and the nation from his marriage.
Band : " Haste to the Wedding."

The CHAIRMAN said there was another toast usually included in the list of loyal toasts, and he was sure the company would not hesitate to drink it with good feeling, because it was that branch of Her Majesty's service to a part of which they were indebted for the festivities of the day having gone off as well, and which was a good omen for the future prosperity of the pier. The toast was, “The Army, Navy, and Volunteers."-(Applause.) There were, as they all knew, different branches of the service, and, as they had representatives of all the three branches present, he would call upon a representative of each to respond to the toast. He would first-out of respect for the gentleman and his years and services, though perhaps a little out of order—call upon his old friend, a Captain in the navy, Captain Young ; for the army he would call upon Captain Fishbourne, late of the 46th Regiment; and upon Major Birchall, on behalf of the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers. - The toast was drunk amidst great cheers, after which the band played " Rule Britannia" and " The British Grenadiers."

Captain YOUNG and Captain FISHBOURNE severally acknowledged the toast on behalf of the navy and the army.
Major Swansea said, although he saw himself so well supported on rising to return thanks for the honour done the volunteers in coupling their names with the other branches of Her Majesty's service, he felt some diffidence in following two officers of both of the older branches of the service in returning thanks for the toast. The duties of the volunteers had hitherto not been very arduous. Having to return thanks for the honour the company had done the volunteers in drinking their health as an amateur defensive army of our native shores-(applause)-he could say that if ever Blackpool, or any other place, should be assailed by foreign foes, and they should see the Federal and the Confederate flags waiving, not as they had seen them waiving that day on the pier, but in hostile array, he trusted that the Preston, or 21st Lancashire, Artillery Volunteers, and the Preston Rifles, would not be wanting in willingness to repel those invaders, and if so, he was sure that they would be supported by all the other volunteer corps present on that occasion.-(Hear, and applause.)

He trusted, however, that it would be long before they were called to the performance of so disagreeable a duty, and that their services would be confined, as they had hitherto been, to different duties, and to ceremonies as agreeable as that in which they had had the honour of participating. Let him also say that he was sure he was not speaking his own sentiments only, but those of every volunteer present, when he said that they felt most grateful to the directors of the Blackpool Pier Company for doing them the honour of asking them to take part in the agreeable services of the day.

The least they could do for the great enjoyment which they participated in was to thank them, and to wish that the beautiful, and apparently firm, enduring, and substantial structure, the pier that day opened, might long remain, and be a source of enjoyment and blessing to the visitors, and of advantage to the town of Blackpool ; and last, though not least, be a profitable speculation to the shareholders. (Applause.) He was aware that time was pressing, and that neither time nor the train would wait for any one. He could not but repeat his grateful acknowledgments for the honour done the volunteers .indrinking their health, and tender the thanks of himself and his brother officers for having been invited to partake of the hospitality of the directors.--(Applause.)

The chairman briefly proposed " The clergy, including the ministers of all denominations."-(Applause.)

The Rev. A. JENOUR responded to the toast. The last time on which he addressed such a company was on the screwing of the first pile of the pier, and on that occasion he (Mr. Jenour) had said that the day in question was a great day for Blackpool. But that day (Thursday) ; was a far greater one, when they were assembled in such large numbers to celebrate the opening of the pier, and in great part its completion. Therefore he thought he was right in saying that that was a great day for Blackpool; he assured them that he regarded it as a great day In every undertaking of that kind there were three things  to be considered-at least, there were three objects which  they ought to have in view-that the structure should be ornamental, and useful, and profitable. He thought he might say that the pier comprised all these points. It was both ornamental and useful, and he doubted not, would beprofitable. That it was ornamental he thought he need hardly say a word to convince them. He might on that point quote the words on the monument of Sir Christopher Wren, " Si quoeris monumentum, circumspice (“if you seek his monument, look around you').

 He could apply the words with a slight alteration to the the Pier Company,and say, " If you seek to know the result of their labours, circumspice.” That it would be useful they would all admit. They could not doubt that very many invalids would find great benefit from promenading the pier and inhaling the health inspiring sea breezes. And he had no hesitation in saying, as there were many shareholders Present, that he believed the pier would be profitable to them. - (Hear, hear.)

'There were some persons they knew who doubted the undertaking. They thought there was danger in consequence of the occasional extraordinary storms and strong winds at Blackpool, but they had had pretty good proof of the resisting power of the pier during the last winter. He thought it was a matter of congratulation that they had had the storms of last winter, as they gave the directors the opportunity of testing the endurance of the structure. He had no doubt but that the pier would stand, and that it would yield a good profit to its projectors and the shareholders. He had no doubt, also, that the pier would long continue an ornament to Blackpool and afford a useful and invigorating promenade for thousands of visitors. He thanked the company and on that of his ministerial brethren, for the honour they had done them.

Band : " Auld Lang syne."

Mr. Metcalf proposed " The health of the directors of the Pier Company. If they only looked at the result which had been accomplished that day they must feel convinced that everything had been done in the erection of the pier that could be done. There was nothing wanting in any shape or form to render the pier secure. He concluded by proposing the toast, which was drunk amidst much cheering.

The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast for himself and his brother directors. If they had any good for themselves they had accomplished also something for Blackpool, something it had long been in want of.

No doubt the first idea was that of profit, but as far as he was concerned the predominant feeling was that of gratitude to Blackpool. Some time ago he had an invalid wife, who fortunately by the blessing of God and the good air of Blackpool, was now restored to her wonted good health. That circumstance naturally created kindly feelings on his part towards the place, and he should always feel desirous of doing all he could to promote its prosperity.--(Applause.)

He believed they would all admit that for many years it had been at a stand in advancement as compared with other watering places, but he did hope that they had now reached the turning and that Blackpool would not long follow but would, in a few years, lead the van of improvement. He was glad to notice that there were efforts being made in other quarters for the improvement of Blackpool, one in which he noticed with much satisfaction--the Hotel and Land company. As compared with their own, that was a more ambitious scheme, and represented much capital ; he hoped, however, they would get on well together, although the Pier Company had much humbler pretensions. There would, he could assure them, be no jealousy between them.

The directors of the Pier Company  were so well pleased with the proceedings of that day, that they intended to have an annual celebration in connection with the pier—a sort of " pier dressing," like the well-known fete of " well dressing" at Buxton. If that scheme were carried out, and if the clubs consented to hold their feast on the same day, the directors of the company contemplated having rowing matches and other aquatic sports .—(Hear, hear.) He did not see why Blackpool should not have such sports, as other watering places had them. Such a plan would draw great numbers of persons to the place, and he could say that if the Blackpool people only originated yachting and rowing matches, the Pier Company would give prizes—(applause); _of course, the directors did not expect to take the lead in everything. They threw out that hint, and it was for the Blackpool people to take it up and work it out ; and if they did so, the pier directors would give their aid to the matter—{Cheers.)

Band : " See the Conquering Hero comes."

Mr. A. M. VIENER proposed the healths of Mr. Birch, the engineer, and Messrs. Laidlaw and Sons, the con tractors for the erection of the pier, who had each done their work well.--(Applause.)
The toast having been honoured,

Mr. BIRCH responded. He believed the pier would stand as long as the directors could wish it to stand.— (applause.) He had no doubt, also, that in a monetary point of view, the undertaking would be satisfactory to the shareholders, that it would yield them a good dividend, and that the excellence of its promenade would attract numerous visitors, and induce invalids to visit Blackpool. – (Applause . )

Mr. LAIDLAW also briefly responded.

The Rev. G. J. WAINWRIGHT proposed the health of the chairman, Captain Preston. The directors, who had had the opportunity of meeting him were well able to appreciate the efforts he had made to bring the work to a successful issue.—(Applause.)

Band : " There's nae luck."

The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast, and in the course of his remarks, he said that every one could see that the exertion of the directors would be of permanent benefit to the town, and all that the shareholders had now to do would be to go on receiving their dividends very quietly.—(Laughter and applause.) He was only sorry that Mr. Wainwright, who at first was with them, had thought it incumbent upon him to retire from the board, on account of the pressing claims of his clerical duties.

Three cheers were then given for " The Ladies," and after the band had played " The girl I left behind me," the proceedings terminated.

The railway station now became thronged by parties anxious to get home, and heavy trains were despatched as quickly as possible. Many remained all night at Blackpool which was quite alive, and what with music, and the other enlivening incidents of an English festival, the celebration was kept until Friday morning.