|
The illuminations |
|
Countless thousands of people were in the town in the evening to
witness the illuminations in honour of the Queen's visit, and many of
the designs, and the manner in which they were carried out, were
generally admired. Never in the history of Wolverhampton had the streets
presented so brilliant and splendid an appearance. Not merely to the
principal thoroughfares were the illuminations confined, but in every
street of the least importance was to be seen a good variety of gas
devices, Chinese lanterns, and other brilliancies. Immense crowds of
people were parading about till a late hour, viewing, with evident
amazement and delight, the glittering objects that met their gaze; and
in Dudley Street the concourse of people passing up and down was
occasionally so great that the roadway was completely blocked up.
It
would be fruitless to attempt to describe the array of dazzling
splendour which blazed forth on every side; but we might mention. that
Dudley Street, Queen Street, Cock Street, the High Green, and other
thoroughfares were illuminated with great taste, expense in the
reception of Royalty not being even thought of, and many of the devices
were so arranged as to have a most charming effect. Messrs. Chubb's
establishment, near the carriage drive to the High Level Station,
presented a very pretty and novel aspect, the whole of the windows
having the appearance of being filled in with Diaphane, whilst in the
front of the premises were some very pretty gas designs. The illuminated
representation of Her Majesty, supported on either side by the Prince
and Princess of Wales, and the Prince and Princess Christian, which was
displayed over the entrance to Mr. Walker's liquor vaults, in Cock
Street, was universally admired.
Queen Street
The chief illuminations in this street were those in front of
the County Court, and comprised the following devices: In the centre of
the pediment, below the flag trophy, was a large star, and below this a
coronation crown surmounted by the Prince of Wales's plume, with the
initials V.R. and A.A. on either side; a large Brunswick star was fixed
over the principal entrance, and the initials V.R. at the top of the
gates at each end. The Post Office exhibited an Alexandra star with the
initials A.A. in the centre, and V.R. on each side.
|
An entrance ticket for the pavilion. |
The Athenaeum displayed a large brilliancy, a
Brunswick star, which was very attractive. A pretty device, the
rose, shamrock, and thistle, and a star, were exhibited by Mr.
Sanders. Returning to the other side of the County Court, Gibbs
Brothers had a device, an anchor and chain; from there to Mr. Langman's was a succession of stars and jets but in front of the
house last named, the uniformity was broken by a Brunswick star with
a Staffordshire knot and V.R.
From corner of Market Street to corner
of Dudley Street there was a succession of stars with a line of
blazing jets, except in front of Sir. Pearce and Mr. Tustin's
premises, where a large V.R. was displayed, and Mr. Hands had a
large star and V.R.
On the opposite side of the street Mr. Richards
had a handsome star and crown, flanked with V.R. Here, too, a
succession of stars and jets lightened up the street. Mr. Rowland
showed a large shield, and from here to the end of the street the
devices were chiefly V.R.s and stars. |
Dudley Street
This was one of the best illuminated streets, and presented a
long flood of Light of dazzling brilliancy. The most effective was the
illumination in front of the premises of Mr. G. L. Underhill, who had an
Alexandra star about eight feet high, with a V.R. of equal proportions.
Messrs. Andrews had four large brilliancies representing the Brunswick
star and garter. Mr. McGregor displayed a crown and V.R. surrounded by a
radiated device. Mr. Masters lighted up a large shield; Mr. Baker, large
centre star and jets; Mr. Lord the monogram A.A. At the opposite corner,
Messrs. Bradshaw had a V.R., and from there along the premises of Mr.
Tolefree and Mr. Shaw were a succession of stars. Mr. Giles and Mr.
Langman had a star and V.R., of large dimensions. In front of the Red
Cow Inn was a large crown, and Mr. Devereux, at the adjoining inn, had a
V.R. and large star in the centre. Mr. Perry, a crown, and Mr. Benjamin
a handsome crown flanked by a V.R. of large proportions. A large crown
and the Royal initials were shown on the fronts of Mr. Banks and Mr.
Walker. The other large devices in this locality were a V.R. and crown
in the centre at Mr. Parke's; at Mr. Lloyd's a Prince of Wales’ plume
and stars; Mr. Leary had a large star; Mr. Neale, V.R. and Prince of
Wales’ plume over the King Street window.
High Green
The illuminations here, like the decorations, were upon a very
extensive scale, and excited general admiration. At the Swan Hotel was a
crown of large dimensions; Mr. Fleeming, V.R. of large size, separated
by a crown; Mr. Davenport, V.R. with large star in the centre; on the
liquor vaults at the opposite corner, a V.R. and a fleur-de-lis with
motto, "Ich dien" Mr. Cope, a star; Mr. Dawson, Prince of Wales' plume
and crown; Mr. Walker, V.R., with the rose, shamrock, and thistle
intervening. The Bilston District Bank had a neat illumination
comprising a star and jets; Messrs. Sidney and Son, V.R. and star in the
centre, above, a crown surmounted by a star; Messrs. Sollorn and
Wootton, each a transparency of an attractive character; Mr. Frantz, a
star; Messrs. Lowe, V.R. with a crown; Mr. Shoolbred, V.R.; Garnett
Brothers, crown and star; Mr. Plank, a crown; Warner Brothers, V.R.; Mr.
Wright, a large star; Mr. Jones and Mr. J. Steen, each various neat
designs.
The Old Churchyard
The chief illuminations here were at the Bank, and consisted of
a Royal crown with the letters V.R. and two stars in gas. There were
also some very pretty Chinese lanterns arranged underneath, and a number
of coloured lamps. Over the entrance porch of the Collegiate Church was
a device representing the Crossed Keys of St. Peter, surmounted by the
initial P.
Darlington Street
Among the principal illuminations here were the following:
Alderman Hawksford, a large star and the monogram V.R.; the
Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company, a large star; Deakin and
Dent, V.R., of large size and a star; Mr. Lovatt, V.R., surmounted by a
crown; Mr. Horsman, a star and other decorations; Mr. Cooke, V.R. and a
star; Mr. Clear, A.A., surmounted by a device; Mr. Roebuck, V.R. and a
crown.
Cock Street
The following were some of the principal illuminations: Mr.
Chittoe, threw devices; Mr. Nendick, A.A., with large star; Mr. Weaver,
a line of jets; the Midland Bank, a very handsome and expensive
illumination; undoubtedly the most attractive in the street; consisting
of three crystal stars of large size surmounted by a crown; Mr.
Tunnicliffe, V.R., a star, and lustres with wax candles. Messrs,
Ironmonger exhibited a brilliant Brunswick star.
Worcester Street and Road
Among those worthy of notice was Mr. Tyler's, the letters V.R.
and a crown; Mr. Hamp had a neat device; Mr. Smith, a transparency; St.
Paul's Terrace was very effectively lighted up with a row of jets the
entire length of the terrace, and other devices, coloured lamps were
also suspended from the trees. There were several others of minor
importance.
Exchange Street
At the entrance to the Exchange Buildings was a star and crown;
at Mr. Hampton's liquor vaults, a plume of feathers, enriched and
flanked by two stars; at the office of the Clerk of the Peace were the
letters V.R. and two stars; at Mr. Cooling's was a small crown, V.R.,
and a plume of feathers, and ranged on each side were several similar
stars.
North Street
The Town Hall, being an official building, was, of course, the
chief point of attraction in this street. Across the front ran the
words, "God Save the Queen," in very large characters, and above was the
monogram V.R., surmounted by a large crown; Mr. H. Willcock exhibited
the letters V.R., surmounted by a star, with surroundings; at the
headquarters of the Fourth Battalion of Volunteers was "4th S.R.V.," in
large letters, and the Overseers, who occupy the same building, had the:
monogram V.R. with a star. Mr. Riley exhibited a crystal star with ruby
cross in the centre. Mr. R. Jessop, lower down the street, showed a
star.
Waterloo Road
The illuminations here were very numerous. Messrs. Corser and
Fowler exhibited a Staffordshire knot and a star; in front of the
Library was the fleur-de-lis. At nearly all the private houses in this
road were illuminations of some kind, as Chinese lanterns, gas jets,
coloured lamps suspended from the trees, coloured fires burnt, etc. Mr.
Fuller exhibited a handsome crystal star with St. George's cross in the
centre.
Stafford Street and Road
The devices in this street worthy of notice were at the
Elephant and Castle Inn, consisting of a large star flanked with the
initials V.R., and surrounded with other adornments, and a star over the
doorway of the Black Horse. At the Railway Sheds five stars were ranged
along the front, the centre one being seven feet in height.
Lichfield Street
This street was very prettily illuminated, not only by gas
devices but by Chinese lanterns, etc., strung across the streets in
several places.
Among the more, noticeable features were V.R. over
the Lamb Inn; a star over Mr. F. Ruby's; a crown, flanked by the
letters V.R., at Mr. Fryer's Bank; a star and the letters V.R. over
Mr. Stanton's; and a crown, flanked by V.R., over the entrance to
the Noah's Ark Inn.
Berry Street
The principal illumination in this street was over the doorway
of the Castle Inn, and consisted of a plume of feathers.
Market Street
In front of the Chronicle and Express offices were some
handsome illuminations; they consisted of a large crown, flanked
by the letter V.R. and two stars. |
A close-up of Albert's statue. |
Bilston Street
At the manufactory of Ready and Son was a large crown and star,
surrounded by flags and other adornments, flanked by the letters V.R.,
and under this was the word "Welcome," flanked by two smaller stars. The
Concert Hall came next, and besides the ordinary Prince of Wales' plume,
there were two devices; a crown and star. There were also stars over Mr.
Skidmore's and Messrs. Forder and Traves; Cozens and Co. showed a large
crown.
Garrick Street
The chief illuminations here were at the Police Station, there
was a large crown, having a small star on either side, and the words
"Welcome to the Prince and Princess Christian" at the Garrick's Head Inn
was exhibited a Prince of Wales' plume, with the motto, "Ich dien". Over
the entrance to the Old Hall works were three stars.
Snowhill
Some of the illuminations here were very good; in front of the
Peacock hotel was a large star and V.R., and at Mr. Barnett's, opposite,
was a crown and star; Mr. Holiday had a neat device consisting of a
crown ornamented with variegated lamps. Mr. Corns, at the corner of
Cleveland Street, had a star and V.R.; Mr. Denton displayed a large
Alexandra star, with the letters V.R. on either side. The Agricultural
Hall was also illuminated with a regal crown and V.R.; Mr. York had a
pretty device, consisting of a Brunswick star. On Mr. Davies's premises
were the letters V.R. and a star. There was also a large star at St.
George's Hall.
Horseley Fields
The principal illumination in this thoroughfare was at the
Shakespeare Foundry; it consisted of a regal crown, surmounting the
Staffordshire knot, and flanked by the letters V.R., underneath which,
stretching to some length, were the words, "Long Live Her Gracious
Majesty." Messrs. Rogers, in Union Street, had a large crystal star with
V.R. and motto; in Mill Street, a large and effective device over Mr.
Norton's Mill, consisted of a Prince of Wales' plume and two large
stars. Returning to Horseley Fields, Moreton and Co. had a Brunswick
star; Langley and Co. a crown and V.R.; at St. James's Vicarage, a star;
Bamford Brothers had a large crown and V.R., and many others exhibited
sundry devices of less magnitude.
We may add that the gas consumed on the occasion amounted to the
enormous quantity of one million fourteen thousand cubic feet, supplied
from the two stations of the Wolverhampton Gas Company.
 |
 |
 |
| Return to the
toasts |
Return to
the
beginning |
Proceed to the
fireworks |
|