blue barrows with red wheels all ranged
along the room in rows. These had been constructed for the use of his
labourers and were there stored away until wanted.

My acquaintance told me that one night they heard in the vaults below
their house the most frightful shrieks and screams, and the strangest of
noises, but they never could ascertain what was the cause of the
commotion. The noises seemed to proceed from directly below their feet,
and yet they fancied they came from some distance. The cries were not
those of a person in agony, but a strange mixture of most unaccountable
sounds.

A good story is told of a quaint speech made to Williamson by the Rev.
Dr. Raffles. The Doctor and the Rev. Mr. Hull, who were neighbours, and,
I fancy, tenants of Williamson's, were once met by him walking together,
when W. exclaimed "I say, if I'd my way you two should be made bishops."
Dr. Raffles very quickly replied, "Ah, Williamson, you ought to be an
_arch_bishop!" alluding to his well-known predilection for vault
building. He once invited a party of gentlemen to dine with him. The
guests were shown into a bare room with a deal table on trestles in the
middle, with common forms on each side. Williamson, with the utmost
gravity, bade his friends take their seats, placing himself at the head
of the table. Facing each of the guests was a plate of porridge and some
hard biscuits of which they were invited to partake. Some of the party
taking this as an insulting joke, rose and left the room. Williamson,
with the utmost grace, bowed them out without explanation. When the
seceders had retired, a pair of folding doors were thrown open,
exhibiting a large room with a costly feast prepared, to which the
remainder of the party adjourned, laughing heartily over the trick that
had been played and the agreeable surprise in store for them. Another
good story is told of Mr. Williamson. He possessed some property at
Carlisle which gave him a vote at the elections. Sir James Graham's
committee sent him a circular, as from Sir James, soliciting his vote and
interest. On receipt of this letter Williamson flew into a violent
passion, went down to Dale-street there and then, took a place in the
North Mail, proceeded to Carlisle, obtained one of Sir James Graham's
placards from the walls, and posted back to Liverpool without delay. On
his arrival at home he enclosed the obnoxious circular and placard in a
parcel which he addressed with