tate. On ascending the stairs
access was obtained to the upper apartment which was lighted by a broad
window facing the westward. This room had been used as a sleeping
apartment by the guard or custodian of the Beacon, the window serving as
a look-out. I believe the combustibles used in lighting up the signals
were stored in it, the lower room being occupied as the common living
chamber. From the upper room a flight of stone steps led upon the roof
or outer platform. In the south-west corner was a large stone tank in
which the signal fires were lighted. It seemed to have been subjected to
the action of intense heat. At one corner was a sort of pent-house which
served as a shelter for the watchman in inclement weather. On the east
wall a gooseberry bush flourished surprisingly. How it came there no one
knew--it had long been remembered in that position by every one who knew
anything about the Tower. A few years previous to the date I speak
about, the Beacon was occupied by a cobbler who carried on his trade in
it, and eked out a living by grazing a cow and some goats on the common
land in the vicinity. He looked after them while he made, mended, or
cobbled. It was a very current tradition in Everton that during the
early part of the reign of Charles the First, people came up to Everton
Beacon to be married, during the proscription of the clergy. When
Thurot's expedition was expected in 1760, it was said that Everton Hill
was alive with people from the town waiting the freebooters' approach. A
party of soldiers was then encamped on the hill, and I have been told the
men had orders, on Thurot's appearance, to make signals if by day, and to
light up the Beacon if at night, to communicate the intelligence of the
French fleet being off the coast to the other Beacons at Ashurst and
Billinge, Rivington-pike and elsewhere, and so spread the news into the
north; while signals would also be taken up at Halton, Beeston, the
Wreken, and thence to the southward. The most perfect arrangements for
the transmission of this intelligence are said to have been made; and I
knew an old man at Everton who told me that he had on that occasion
carted several loads of pitch-barrels and turpentine and stored them in
the upper chamber of the Beacon to be ready in case of emergency. He
said that during the French war, at the close of the reign of George the
Second, the Beacon was filled with combustibles, and that there was a
guard al