Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/72

HISTORY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. 51 holding a grand festival Two oxen were bought, killed and roasted, and the necessary quantity of bread and beer procured ; tables were erected in the Market-place, and a substantial old English repast was provided, the public being admitted by ticket Previous to sitting down to dinner,' the various trades in the town were marshalled together in order of procession, and paraded the principal streets, each trade bearing its own banner, on which was inscribed various appropriate mottoes, the whole being headed by the Auckland Brass Band. The day was observed as a general holiday, and the rejoicings were kept up with great spirit. The next public event of importance took place on the 23rd of December, 1835, when the town was lighted with gas for the first time ; the occasion was celebrated by an illumination, and the band paraded the ' streets, playing lively airs. The works were established by Mr. West, as a private speculation, and he was entertained at a public dinner given on the same day, at which Sir William Chaytor, Bart, presided. The following lines were written by the late Mra Isabella Dodds to com- memorate the event : — Oh, who can dream, where gas and steam May carry this great nation ; When railroad coaches beat the mail, And baffle calculation. When to and fro, away they go, As swift as any swallow ; And turnpike gates, and turnpike roads, Must shortly all be fallow. When Mr. Pease, if so he please. And think the thing befitting, May after breakfast pop to town. And find the House just sitting. But wonders more are yet in store, For Auckland town is lighted ; Walk where you will, tho' late the night. You cannot be benighted. What can compete with this great feat, Unless my reading blunders ; The like was never seen before — It beats the seven wonders. What wind may blow, we cannot know. But this is manifest, O ! That breeze was good beyond all doubt. Which blew us Mr. " West, 1 " Before we'd gas we durst not pass Without a warning hollo ; Your toes you thump'd, your shins you bump'd — Your nose you scarce could follow. You grop'd your way in sad dismay, As dark as any dungeon ; Like blind-man's buff, with arms outspread. Thro' dirt and darkness plunging. But what a blaze — ^look up and gaze — Was ever place so righted 1 Ah I what are these that gaily shine, But stars just newly lighted. And when the sun his toil has done, And settled down to rest, O ! He finds behind the western hills, A rival lighting " West, O I " Digitized by Google -