Summary
They drank ***how much tea?***
Continued from the previous blogpost – digitised by the British Newspaper Archive here
“The whole of the tea was voluntarily brewed Mr. O. D. Brown, consisting of about 750 gallons, and which was pronounced excellent, by competent judges. Ninety pounds of tea were used, sixteen stone of lump sugar, and seventy gallons of milk, the tea and sugar being supplied by Mr. Lincoln, of Trinity-street, and the milk by the various dairymen in the town. Hitherto Mr. Brown has called his brewhouse the Paradise, but we understand that it will in future be called the Peace Brewhouse. The quantity of edibles was 200 stone of plum cake, 200 quartern loaves, cut into bread and butter, 50 stone of Sandwiches, and 2 bushels of shrimps, the latter presented Mr. Clayton. The cake and bread were supplied by various confectioners and bakers.
“Next followed an ascent of fire-balloons, which gave the juveniles vast pleasure, judging from their hearty acclamations. One of the balloons was of pure white, on which was inscribed, in letters of gold, 44 Peace,” and this drew forth hearty applause. Then followed the following National song—tune “Partant pour la Syrie”
“The children, placed under the care of their several teachers, then withdrew in procession to the places ” from whence they camethere to receive medal, commemoration of the event, and which gave the recipients great delight. The medal had on one side inscribed “In commemoration of the Treaty of Peace between England, France, Turkey, and their Allies, and Russia, signed March 30th, 18.56. On the obverse, was the figure of Feace, around which was ” Goodwill towards Men.”
THE ODD FELLOWS.
“The Members of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in connection with the Cambridge Branch, liberally came forward to give eclat to the Peace celebrations. On the 13th of April, a self-formed Committee took place, consisting of a few brothers, who were determined to see what they could do in carrying out the demonstrations, when Mr. Cursley acted as Chairman, and Mr. Stephen Pryor as Secretary.
“On the 20th of May, a few more brothers joined the Committee, when it was resolved that a procession and tea-party should take place. The Mayor generously gave permission for the use of the Com Exchange, and on the 27th of May a Guarantee Fund was formed, to defray the expenses. About this time a resolution was passed at meeting, to the effect that the Secretary should write to the Chairman of the Board of Guardians, to allow the children to accompany the procession, but no answer was received. It was afterwards agreed at a subsequent meeting to invite the Huntingdon Band to head the procession, which invitation was accepted, and, accordingly, the members of the Order met about half-past one on the Peas Hill, with the Huntingdon Band, proceeding to the corner of the Market Hill, where they were joined the London Order, who, wearing their ” sashes ” of degrees, formed themselves into one body. The Regalia, carried by past Provincial and other past officers, consisted of the following elegant articles .—
- “The Leading Star,”
- “Dove and Olive Branch,”
- “Crown and cushion,”
- “Two Peerage Coronets,”
- Pair of Banners, one wreath of laurel encircling Egyptian letters ” N. and V.,” the other side being painted red, white, and blue, &c., &c.,”
…formed the rear, accompanied the children on to Parker’s Piece.
“The London Order, well as the Manchester, making a good display of banners, flags, & upon the; arrival on to Parker’s Piece, and the children being comfortably seated, the Band and Order proceeded round the promenade, the band playing ‘”The British Grenadiers.”
“From thence they proceeded to the Corn Exchange, where some lively airs were played till the hour appointed for tea, which consisted of an abundant supply of “good things.” During tea the company were enlivened by some cheerful and appropriate music from their Huntingdon friends. The Exchange was tastefully decorated with evergreens and mottos upon canvass in coloured letters, such ” Cardigan,” Cambridge,” ” Slade” (the Admiral, we presume), and other distinguished characters. The refreshments were first-rate quality, supplied by Messrs. Lee, Swan, Wright, and others.
“After tea some quadrilles were played. Soon after eight o’clock the band, accompanied by the Cambridge Cornet Band, left the Exchange for Parker’s-piece, followed the members of the Lodges and most of the company to view the fire-works. This, as far as the Huntingdon band was concerned, concluded their day’s proceedings. At the conclusion of the fire-works the company returned to the Corn Exchange to wind up the evening’s amusements.
FENNER’S GROUND.
Soon after tea, a party of upwards of a hundred gentlemen retired to Mr Fenner’s beautiful ground, where the game of trap-and-bat was thoroughly enjoyed, when two parties being formed, each playing 20 of a side; and refreshment was to obtained in the handsome new room, recently erected there. Here the visitors enjoyed themselves till half-past nine o’clock, at which time there was to be a grand display of…
FIREWORKS.
“It was estimated that at five o’clock there were upwards of 20,000 parsons on the Piece; and to witness the Pyrotechnic display there were from 10,000 to 12,000. Some of the “roughs” amused themselves with throwing squibs in the vast crowd, to the annoyance particularly of the females; they likewise indulged their vivacious propensities by hurling squibs on the rotunda, amongst the musicians, and. children and females accommodated with scats to witness the legitimate fireworks, and for which these same ” roughs ” ought to have been taken into custody, and indulged with the gentle exercise of the treadmill for 14 days.
“During the progress of the fireworks the band played some inspiriting airs ; and at the conclusion, ” Rule Britannia.” The fireworks appeared to elicit much satisfaction, and we here append list of them. They were provided by the Corporation, and the arrangements were superintended by Mr. Deck.
Above – the fireworks as described as printing photos in newspapers had not been invented yet!
Part 3 to follow includes descriptions of the shop front displays celebrating the peace.
Lost Cambridge 