nt that has been long felt in
this part of the kingdom."

At the luncheon afterwards given in the ball-room, where about 250
guests had been invited, responding to the toast of his health, the
Prince said that he had received, since his arrival in Liverpool, a
telegram from the Princess, regretting her absence, and saying how
deeply she was interested in the purpose of his visit. He also expressed
his thanks for the reference to his sons, who were much gratified by the
opportunity of visiting this great town.

"I have been engaged to-day, Mr. Mayor, on an interesting and
important work, which I feel convinced will be a very great
benefit, not only to the town of Liverpool, but to the vast
commercial resources of this and surrounding towns. The
difficulties in making a subterranean or subaqueous railway are
only too clear. You have hitherto had means of taking passengers
and goods over the river by steam ferries. I am aware that this
right has existed a long time--I believe as far back as the 11th
century. But it is a remarkable fact that in the last year you
conveyed across the Mersey, from Birkenhead to Liverpool, on the
steam ferries 26,000,000 passengers, and 750,000 tons of goods.
You may say, such being the case, why do you require to have
this tunnel, and to have your railway to connect Liverpool and
Birkenhead? The answer is that you have to encounter storms, you
have to encounter fogs, and you have to encounter ice. Both your
passengers and your goods are very frequently imperilled.
Therefore, a great engineering scheme of this kind, which will
be a very great boon, is one deserving of encouragement. Not
only will it benefit the commerce of the north-west of England,
but it will also open up a railway system to Wales and that
beautiful picturesque country with all its health-giving
resorts. Great praise is due to Major Isaac for the
indefatigable manner in which he has carried out this work and
has found the capital, and we have also to recognize the
indomitable energies of Mr. Brunlees and Mr. Fox, the engineers,
and I must not forget to mention the name of Mr. Waddell, the
contractor. At the head of this company we find my right hon.
friend, Mr. Cecil Raikes, who has had a long experience in
railways. Before sitting down, as I know there is no time for
long speeches, I wish most cordia