we had numerous
lighthouses and lightships to guide us; indeed, no river is more
perfectly lighted than the Mersey, for numerous shoals lie at its
entrance, and few rivers have so many vessels standing in and out at all
hours. We counted no less than eight lights as we sailed along.

Daylight broke as we came off the mouth of the river; and the wind being
fair and moderate, we stood up without fear of getting on shore. We
followed a homeward-bound clipper fruit vessel, passing the entrance to
numerous fine docks, and shipping of all descriptions. We picked up a
tolerably safe berth among several other yachts. It was well we got up
when we did, for soon afterwards the whole river seemed covered with
spluttering, hissing, smoking, panting, busy little steam-vessels,
crossing to Birkenhead, on the Chester shore, or running up the river or
down the river, or visiting vessels at anchor in the stream. The tide
also had just turned. The wind being light and fair, numbers of
outward-bound ships got under weigh, carried on their course by steamers
lashed alongside. As soon as we had dressed and breakfasted, we pulled
to a landing-stage outside the docks.

Giving a description of Liverpool is out of the question. We made our
way over bridges until we reached the quays, and then through streets
with enormously high warehouses, many of them constructed entirely of
iron. We passed the Custom House, which stands on the very site of
Lyrpul, the old pool from which Liverpool derives its name having been
long since filled up. It is said to be one of the most magnificent
pieces of architecture that our age has produced. Near the Custom House
is the Exchange, with a wide square in front; and further to the left
the parish church of Saint Nicholas, interesting from its antiquity.
Passing along a fine street, we reached Saint George's Hall, a sumptuous
Corinthian building, upwards of four hundred feet in length. As within
it the judicial proceedings of Liverpool are conducted, it is known as
the Assize Court. The most interesting place we visited near the water
was the Sailors' Home, a fine building, opened in 1850. At each corner
is a square tower, surmounted by a dome, the summit of which is one
hundred feet from the ground. Passing through the Canning Place
entrance, we entered a lofty hall, surrounded by galleries communicating
with rooms on the several floors. The building contains a large
dining-hall, a lecture-room,