Liverpool a few years since: by an old stagerAspinall, James
History
Liverpool a few years since: by an old stager
Aspinall, James
Liverpool (England) -- Biography; Liverpool (England) -- History
But we must pass on. Russell-street and Clarence-street had no existence
in those days. In St. Anne-Street resided the old families of Bridge,
Fisher, and Rogers. Here also lived Mr. Blundell, the clergyman; Mr.
Smith, at a later period of Fulwood Lodge; and Mr. Haywood, the father of
the eminent cotton-broker of that name. Close to St. Anne’s Church was
the house of a celebrated character amongst us, both then and long
afterwards. We speak of Mr. Thomas Wilson, profanely called Tommy
Wilson, the dancing-master, by his wicked pupils. A good fellow was
Tommy, although a strict disciplinarian in “teaching the young idea,” not
“how to shoot,” but how to turn out its toes and go through the
positions. But, unfortunately, Mr. Wilson grew too ambitious, and,
instead of contenting himself with fiddling for boys and girls to dance
to, would preside over orchestras and concerts, and cater for the
amusement of the public, by which we fear he did not grow too rich. He
was a worthy, warm-hearted man in his way, and somewhat of an original,
and withal possessing the good opinion of all who knew him. Nor must we
forget to state that in St. Anne-street likewise lived Mr. Rutson, of
whom we have already spoken. His partner, Mr. Ewart, resided in
Birchfield. In Soho-street was the house of Mr. Butler, somewhat too
convivial in his habits, but one of the most thorough gentlemen we ever
met with. His son is the present Mr. Butler Cole, of Cote and Kirkland
Halls, both in this county. In Rose-place, then a fashionable suburb,
more country than town, resided Mr. Lake, who subsequently retired to
Birkenhead Priory, and afterwards to Castle Godwyn, in Gloucestershire.
He was the father of the Captain Lake whose wound from a Minié rifle, at
Weedon, was recently mentioned in the newspapers. A little further out
towards the green fields, now all streets, we come to the mansion of a
noble old worthy of those times, Edward Houghton, the father of Richard
and Raymond, of “that ilk,” so well known and so much respected amongst
us. How well we remember his amiable and benevolent countenance! He had
a kind word for everybody, and was prompt to do kind acts too. And what
a staunch sportsman he was, seldom missing his bird, and devoted to his
work. And then what a famous breed of pointers he had, jet black and all
black. How they would set and back set. How they would range the
stubble and never flush a partridge nor run a hare. How they would “down
charge” at the sound of a gun, without a word being said. We wonder
whether any of the descendants of this celebrated race of dogs are yet in
being.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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