explanation. This
they did in the following language:--

"On the subject of delay which took place in the starting from
Manchester, and consequently in the arrival at Liverpool, of the last
three engines, with twenty-four carriages and six hundred passengers,
being the train allotted to six of the engines, we are authorized to
state that the directors think it due to the proprietors and others
constituting the large assemblage of company in the above trains to make
known the following particulars:

"Three out of the six locomotive engines which belonged to the above
trains had proceeded on the south road from Manchester to Eccles, to take
in water, with the intention of returning to Manchester, and so getting
out of that line of road before any of the trains should start on their
return home. Before this, however, was accomplished, the following
circumstances seemed to render it imperative for the train of carriages
containing the Duke of Wellington and a great many of the distinguished
visitors to leave Manchester. The eagerness on the part of the crowd to
see the Duke, and to shake hands with him, was very great, so much so
that his Grace held out both his hands to the pressing multitude at the
same time; the assembling crowd becoming more dense every minute, closely
surrounded the carriages, as the principal attraction was this particular
train. The difficulty of proceeding at all increased every moment and
consequently the danger of accident upon the attempt being made to force
a way through the throng also increased. At this juncture Mr. Lavender,
the head of the police establishment of Manchester, interfered, and
entreated that the Duke's train should move on, or he could not answer
for the consequences. Under these circumstances, and the day being well
advanced, it was thought expedient at all events to move forward while it
was still practicable to do so. The order was accordingly given, and the
train passed along out of the immediate neighbourhood of Manchester
without accident to anyone. When they had proceeded a few miles they
fell in with the engines belonging to the trains left at Manchester, and
these engines being on the same line as the carriages of the procession,
there was no alternative but bringing the Duke's train back through the
dense multitude to Manchester, or proceeding with three extra engines to
the neighbourhood of Liverpool (all passing places from one road to the
other being remov