nd the inhabitants did not muster
more than 400 souls; and it was not until 1818 or 1820 that much increase
took place in its population.

CHAPTER VIII.

In 1820, a rather curious circumstance transpired, which created a good
deal of conversation, and even consternation amongst the inhabitants of
Everton. This was the extraordinary and mysterious disappearance of the
Cross which stood at the top of the village, a little to the westward of
where the present Everton road is lineable with Everton-lodge. This
Cross was a round pillar, about four feet from the top of three square
stone steps. On the apex of the column was a sun-dial. This Cross had
long been pronounced a nuisance; and fervent were the wishes for its
removal by those who had to travel that road on a dark night, as frequent
collisions took place from its being so much in the way of the traffic.
When any one, however, spoke of its removal, the old inhabitants so
strongly protested against its being touched, that the authorities gave
up all hope of ever overcoming the prejudice in favour of its remaining.
However, a serious accident having occurred, it was at length determined
by the late Sir William Shaw, to do what others dared not. One dark and
stormy winter's night, when all Everton was at rest--for there were no
old watchmen then to wake people up with their cries--two persons might
have been seen stealing towards the Cross, in the midst of the elemental
war which then raged. One of them bore a lantern, while the other
wheeled before him a barrow, laden with crowbar, pickaxe, and spade. The
rain descended in torrents, and the night was as dark as the deed they
were about to commit could possibly require. They approached the ancient
gathering place, where, in olden times, during the sweating sickness, the
people from Liverpool met the farmers of the district and there paid for
all produce by depositing their money in bowls of water. Amidst the
storm the two men for a moment surveyed their stony victim, and then
commenced its destruction. First, with a strong effort, they toppled
over the upper stone of the column; then the next, and the next. They
then wheeled them away, stone by stone, to the Round House on
Everton-brow, wherein each fragment was deposited. The base was then
ruthlessly removed and carried away, and at length not a vestige was left
to mark the spot where once stood Everton Cross--raised doubtless by
pious hands on some r