led, and would wait for
it, he should be fearful of the consequences to the peace of the town.
This turned the scale, and his Grace then proposed that the whole party
should proceed, and return as soon as possible, all festivity at
Manchester being avoided. The _Phoenix_, with its train, was then
attached to the _North Star_ and its train, and from the two united a
long chain was affixed to his Grace's car, and although it was on the
other line of rail, it was found to draw the whole along exceedingly
well. About half-past one, we resumed our journey; and we should here
mention that the Wigan Branch Railway Company had erected near Parkside
bridge a grand stand, which they and their friends occupied, and from
which they enthusiastically cheered the procession. On reaching the
twentieth mile post we had a beautiful view of Rivington Pike and
Blackstone Edge, and at the twenty-first the smoke of Manchester appeared
to be directly at the termination of our view. Groups of people
continued to cheer us, but we could not reply; our enjoyment was over.
Tyldesley Church, and a vast region of smiling fields here met the eye,
as we traversed the flat surface of Chat Moss, in the midst of which a
vast crowd was assembled to greet us with their plaudits; and from the
twenty-fourth mile post we began to find ourselves flanked on both sides
by spectators extending in a continuous and thickening body all the way
to Manchester. At the twenty-fifth mile post we met Mr. Stephenson
returning with the _Northumbrian_ engine. In answer to innumerable and
eager inquiries, Mr. Stephenson said he had left Mr. Huskisson at the
house of the Rev. Mr. Blackburne, Vicar of Eccles, and had then proceeded
to Manchester, whence he brought back medical assistance, and that the
surgeons, after seeing Mr. Huskisson, had expressed a hope that there was
no danger. Mr. Stephenson's speed had been at the rate of thirty-four
miles an hour during this painful errand. The engine being then again
attached to the Duke's car, the procession dashed forward, passing
countless thousands of people upon house tops, booths, high ground,
bridges, etc., and our readers must imagine, for we cannot describe, such
a movement through an avenue of living beings, and extending six miles in
length. Upon one bridge a tri-colored flag was displayed; near another
the motto of "Vote by ballot" was seen; in a field near Eccles, a poor
and wretchedly dressed man had his loom clo