from the quays! There were thousands of spectators on both the Liverpool and Birkenhead sides, and boats laden with sight-seers swarmed on the Mersey. The sailors manning the yards of the "Lord Clyde," lying at anchor opposite the docks, saluted the giant with their hearty cheers.
But even the noise of the cheering could not drown the frightful discord of several bands playing at the same time. Flags were incessantly hoisted in honour of the "Great Eastern," but soon the cries grew faint in the distance. Our steam-ship ranged near the "Tripoli," a Cunard emigrant-boat, which in spite of her 2000 tons burden looked like a mere barge; then the houses grew fewer and more scattered on both shores, the landscape was no longer blackened with smoke; and brick walls, with the exception of some long regular buildings intended for workmen's houses, gave way to the open country, with pretty villas dotted here and there. Our last salutation reached us from the platform of the lighthouse and the walls of the bastion.
At three o'clock the "Great Eastern" had crossed the bar of the Mersey, and shaped her course down St George's Channel There was a strong sou'wester blowing, and a heavy swell on the sea, but the steam-ship did not feel it.
Towards four o'clock the Captain gave orders to heave
