as because Mr. Atherton's house was opposite to it.

Mr. Woodhouse purchased the Pilgrim estate from Mr. Atherton, and
re-named it "Bronte,", from his connection with the Bronte estate in
Sicily, which had been bestowed on Lord Nelson for his great services.
When Lord Nelson received his first consignment of Marsala wines ordered
for the fleet from his estate, he was asked to give the wine a name so
that it might be known to the English people. Nelson said "call it
Bronte." His lordship was told that "Bronte" meant "thunder." "Oh,"
replied the hero, "it will do very well; John Bull will not know what it
means, and will think all the better of it on that account."

The St. Domingo Estate, in this vicinity, was originated by Mr. Campbell,
who in 1757 purchased the estate. He continually added to it, as
occasion presented, and called the whole "St. Domingo," in consequence of
a rich prize taken by a privateer which he owned when off that island.
These two contiguous estates may be said, therefore, to have been
purchased by English bravery.

Mr. Crosbie was the next proprietor. He purchased it for 3500 pounds,
paying 680 pounds as deposit money. On his becoming bankrupt the estate
was again put up for sale. It remained some time on hand, until Messrs.
Gregson, Bridge and Parke purchased it for 4129 pounds. They sold it for
3470 pounds, losing thereby. In 1793, Mr. Sparling, who was Mayor of
Liverpool in 1790, bought it. He took down the house built by Mr.
Campbell and erected the handsome mansion now standing. This gentleman
stipulated in his will that the house should be only occupied by a person
of the name of Sparling, and that it was not to be let to any person for
longer than seven years. In 1810 the legatees got the will reversed by
an act of Parliament. The Queen's Dock was projected by Mr. Sparling,
and Sparling-Street was called after him. The St. Domingo Estate was
next sold for 20,295 pounds. It was afterwards resold for 26,383 pounds,
and used as barracks.

The objections made by the people of Everton to barracks being formed in
their neighbourhood were very great. A strong memorial was numerously
signed by the inhabitants against the movement. The memorialists
represented the demoralization attendant upon the introduction of numbers
of soldiers into a respectable and quiet neighbourhood, and the
annoyances that would have to be endured. But the prayer failed, and St.
Domingo House, for a ti