en, into which small
vessels, at certain times of the tide, ran to discharge their cargoes.
On the tide receding the vessels were left high and dry upon the bank.
Bathers used to be seen in any number on the shore. Decency was so
frequently outraged that the authorities were at last compelled to take
steps to redress the grievance. Not far from the baths was once a
pleasant public walk of which I have often heard my father and mother
speak. It was called the "Ladies Walk," and extended from the site of
the present Canal bridge by Old Hall-street, down to the river. It was a
sort of a terraced gravel walk, having four rows of fine Lombardy
poplars, and seats underneath. On fine evenings all the gay and
fashionable world of Liverpool used to take the air and show off their
hoops and high heels, and the gentlemen their brocaded silk coats, and
three-cornered hats. The sword was often drawn by the gallants for some
fancied affront, and occasionally a little blood was spilt, a matter of
no moment in those days. Great was the grief when it was announced that
the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company had resolved on the destruction of
the Ladies Walk.

There was another Ladies Walk in Duke-street, which extended from
opposite the present York-street (then called Great George-street) to
Berry-street. This was afterwards converted into a ropery and succeeded
by Parr-street. By the way, Duke-street, which occupies a portion of its
site, has been famous for notable persons residing in it. In the third
house from Colquitt-street Felicia Hemans was born, and she wrote some of
her early poetry there. In the yard of the next house was once a tree,
the last remnant of the Ladies Walk, which had two rows of trees down the
sides and centre as in the other Ladies Walk previously mentioned. Mrs.
Hemans apostrophizes this tree in one of her early poems. I recollect
her very well, for she was intimate with my friends, the Nicholsons, who
lived at the top of Richmond-row some forty years ago. Miss Browne
received much advice and encouragement from Mr. Nicholson, and she was a
most pleasing person. As Mrs. Hemans, her life was not happy. She
resided at one time at Wavertree, in one of those cottages on the left
hand side of the road just beyond Orford-street. The present
"Loggerheads Tavern Revived" was Mr. Nicholson's house. It was a
public-house, called "The Loggerheads" before he converted it into a
private dwelling. Where So