ed, with a view to safety, on the occasion), and
afterwards sending them back to the assistance of the trains
unfortunately left behind. It was determined to proceed towards
Liverpool, as being decidedly the most advisable course under the
circumstances of the case; and it may be mentioned for the satisfaction
of any party who may have considered that he was in some measure left in
the lurch, that Mr. Moss, the Deputy Chairman, had left Mrs. Moss and
several of his family to come with the trains which had been so left
behind. Three engines having to draw a load calculated for six, their
progress was of course much retarded, besides a considerable delay which
took place before the starting of the last trains, owing to the
uncertainty which existed as to what had become of the three missing
engines. These engines, after proceeding to within a few miles of
Liverpool, were enabled to return to Park-side, in the neighbourhood of
Newton, where they were attached to the other three and the whole
proceeding safely to Liverpool, where they arrived at ten in the
evening."
The case was, however, here stated, to say the least, in the mildest
possible manner. The fact was that the authorities at Manchester had,
and not without reason, passed a very panic-stricken hour on account of
the Duke of Wellington. That personage had been in a position of no
inconsiderable peril. Though the reporter preserved a decorous silence
on that point, the ministerial car had on the way been pelted, as well as
hooted; and at Manchester a vast mass of not particularly well disposed
persons had fairly overwhelmed both police and soldiery, and had taken
complete possession of the tracks. They were not riotous but they were
very rough; and they insisted on climbing upon the carriages and pressing
their attentions on the distinguished inmates in a manner somewhat at
variance with English ideas of propriety. The Duke's efforts at
conciliatory manners, as evinced through much hand-shaking, were not
without significance. It was small matter for wonder, therefore, that
the terrified authorities, before they got him out of their town,
heartily regretted that they had not allowed him to have his own way
after the accident to Mr. Huskisson, when he proposed to turn back
without coming to it. Having once got him safely started back to
Liverpool, therefore, they preferred to leave the other guests to take
care of themselves, rather than have the Duke face
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