Jordan
TS Contributor
I stumbled across an interesting newspaper article from 1860, printed in The Empire, a newspaper from Sydney, Australia.
I can only assume it's a reprint of an article published in England at the same time, but it tells the story of the Earl of Shrewsbury coming to take Alton Towers.
The original is here but I've tidied up the transcription in a copy below.
I can only assume it's a reprint of an article published in England at the same time, but it tells the story of the Earl of Shrewsbury coming to take Alton Towers.
The original is here but I've tidied up the transcription in a copy below.
Alton Towers
Entry of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot
DERBY, Saturday, April 14.
Yesterday, by award of the House of Lords, and by decision of the law courts, the 18th Earl of Shrewsbury took possession of Alton Towers, waving his banner therefrom in the presence of countless thousands. Whence and wherefore these assembled masses, not only roam the county in which Ingestre and Alton Towers are situated? Was the demonstration one which solely sprang from the personal regard and respect entertained for the noble lord, who proved himself to be the descendant of the second earl, as declared by the House of Lords in 1858? Is the popularity of the Earl of Shrewsbury as a gallant sailor, who fought at Navarino, the sole cause of yesterday's enthusiasm?
Doubtless a ready reply in the affirmative would be cheerfully given by the friends and admirers of the premier earl of England, and it might be at once added that the liking for Viscount Ingestre, whose birthday was celebrated yesterday, contributed powerfully to the excitement; but a close observer could not fail to recognise other overwhelming feelings which actuated upwards of 20,000 people to gather together in the grounds of Alton Towers as the earl entered within the portals.
It was palpable that every one considered himself or herself as identified with the day's triumph. It was individually a source of self-congratulation. It was a nationality, intermingled with friendliness to the family. It was a religious sentiment which was at the bottom of the day's displays. Protestantism had gained the sway over the papacy; the pomp and parade of the procession, the thunder of the artillery, the waving of the banners, the flourish of tho trumpets, the cheering of thousands of voices combined to render the entry one of surpassing interest, even as a spectacle, but with the outward signs of satisfaction were the proud feelings that the rich and magnificent Shrewsbury estates had reverted to the Protestant line. The words of the witch of Sir Walter Scott might stand thus:
Talbot's Right,
Talbot's Might,
Come again to Alton's height,
Warwickshire and Derbyshire, and other counties, contributed, as well as Staffordshire, the fete, and the railroads had special trains or the conveyance of visitors. Those who had to select Stafford as the point of departure by rail had the pleasure of a jaunt on the line to Crewe, until the train was turned off to get on the North Staffordshire line, thus performing a flank march, with which the one to Sebastopol after the battle of Alma can stand no comparison. As the crow flies the distance from Stafford to Alton must be some 20 miles, but the circuitous course compelled to be taken by the trains increased the distance fourfold. Four o'clock had been fixed for the return of the excursionists from Alton to Stafford, but many of them were distanced and had to select Derby, the effect of which was a loss of bags and baggage for the night, extremely distressing in these luxuriant days.
More seasoned stagers prudently pitched their tents at the Midland Hotel on the Thursday night, so that the run by train via Uttoxeter in the morning was easy and rapid from Derby. Fortunate were the friends and admirers of the Shrewsbury family who obtained tho advantage of seats in the four-horse drag of Mr. Holmes, the great coach builder here, and as Alton Towers will be much frequented by tourists this season here is a word of advice. Do not go by train from Derby, if you can get a machine to drive direct to the Towers via Ashbourn and Hanging Bridge. The distance is about 22 miles, the last three of which are within the Park of the Towers, through some of the most picturesque scenery to be found in any country. Then there is a glimpse got by this road of the Dovedale.
As Alton Towers was reached even at the earliest hours of the day, which was not one of the brightest, although the sun did shine and smile on the scene when the standard of the Shrewsburys was shown on the tower over the grand gate, the gathering of the foot-passengers increased. At the entrance to the park the lodge was decorated with flags, flowers, and plants, the conspicuous inscription being, "Welcome Home." The inhabitants of Alton and the schools walked down to the end of the garden grounds, over the bridge, and then were arranged on platforms, to be the first to greet the Earl. The masses dispersed themselves around the edifice and were soon spread over the park, or clustered in groups in the unsurpassed gardens, on the terraces, walks, etc.
The beauty of these grounds called forth but one expression of admiration even from travellers well acquainted with the choicest localities in Europe. Nature has done much for Alton Towers. The river winds through a deep valley, both sides of which are commanded by fine forests and rocky ridges, It is in the ravines and on the slopes that the landscape gardener found his opportunities for varied display. Every walk is a surprise, and devlopes a fresh view, with occasional peeps of the Wrekin and other distant localities. The fountains, waterfalls, grottoes, conservatories, pagodas, temples, greenhouses, promenades, etc., are in endless variety, challenging comparison with Chatsworth. Art has done perhaps more for the latter, but nature at Alton Towers has been more bountiful in the gifts of grandeur and romanticism. The edifice itself and its internal decorations will always provoke discussion.
The mixed architectural character of the exterior requires the visitor to examine it in detail, as the eye cannot take in at a glance the effect of the whole. The castle, as in any building wherein the Gothic predominates, lacks a facade of imposing proportions. The chapel will win unanimous admiration, and, when the grand portals are passed, the hall, the octagon, the armoury, the picture-gallery, the state-rooms, etc, will, in turn, fix the attention of tho severest connoisseur. Those persons who are always so critical about gilt in decoration, as if the golden hues were to be utterley excluded, will rave against Pugin and Willement, but not the less will it be difficult to traverse rapidly these nobles suites of rooms without a regret at not being able to dwell longer on their infinite attractions.
It was at Blount's-green that rendezvous was given. It be Earl of Shrewsbury, who has entertained throughout the week a distinguished party of relatives, connections, and friends, at Ingestre - two balls having taken place, one for the former, and another for the townspeople of Stafford - arrived shortly after eleven o'clock. The procession was then formed, the yeomanry lending the way. The assemblage on horseback of tenants and friends from Cheshire and Oxfordshire, wherein are the Shrewsbury estates, besides those from Staffordshire, was very considerable, The carriages, with four horses, containing the relations and friends, were also numerous. The earliest arrivals from Ingestre included Lord and Lady Chelmsford.
It was past one o'clock before the head of the cavalcade was seen from the platform erected on the castellated ramparts, defiling past the schools and population of Alton. When the yeomanry cavalry reached the bridge over the gardens the procession was seen to advantage. As the trumpets sounded the flourish, when the earl's carriage passed through the chief gate, the pageant recalled the memory of the middle ages when the barons of old took possession of their domains. Here the triumph of the law was in the ascendant; but how curious is the entry when it is remembered how short is the time since a priest, through a loophole close to the tower in which the Shrewsbury standard was yesterday hoisted by the claimant, warned off Lord Ingestre, who demanded surrender of the estate on behalf of his noble father. And still more remarkable is the fact that the projected monastery, perched on the rock overlooking the village and station of Alton, now has but one inhabitant - but not a living one, for in its chapel lies all that is mortal of the deceased Earl of Shrewsbury, whose body was brought from the Continent and there interred. For the endowment and maintenance of the monastery there are now no funds, and that which was to have been a mighty token and a significant sign to uphold the Papal cross in England will become a ruin.
After the Earl of Shrewsbury bad marched through the almonry and conservatory with his family and friends, and had formally taken possession of Alton Towers by raising his banner, some delay in which, owing to the hitch in the lines, caused the superstitious to tremble, various addresses were presented to the noble earl in the court-yard, in which a gallery had been built for the occasion. His lordship replied with feeling to these congratulatory addresses. To give anything like a list of the friends and admirers of Lord Shrewsbury and Lord Ingestre would be impossible, but they came from London and all parts of the country, and various societies and institutions with which their lordships were associated had their representatives. A medal, to commemorate the entry, was in great request, having Alton Towers on the obverse, and the arms of the Shrewsbury family on the reverse, with inscription and date.
One great difficulty in this event was got over with much tact and discretion. "Where will these people find their shoes?" was the remark of the Duke of Wellington, when told that the men of the north intended to march to London to procure the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832 vi et armis. How are these people to be fed? must have been the natural expression of Lord Shrewsbury, when invited by his tenantry and by the yeomanry to make a public entry into Alton Towers. The park and grounds were open to all the world, and the influx, as had been anticipated, despite of menacing weather, was enormous, but the accommodation was ample for everybody, and was thus provided.
For those who were not specially invited, and who received cards, refreshment booths were permitted on the ground, and at the Alton station for the holders of cards; the honours were done most hospitably in the mansion, the purveyors of the Crystal Palace being put in requisition to afford the supplies. It was stated that some thousands were thus entertained, and the first rush was of course tremendous. The organisation was, however, complete, and the supply proved quite equal to the demand. In the state-rooms separate refreshments were given to Lord Shrewsbury's private party.
After the luncheon there were toasts and speeches, Lord Chelmsford making a very animated address in proposing "The Noble Hosts." Lord Ingestre also addressed the assemblage in the gardens with much vivacity, stating that he owed the Roman Catholics no grudge for endeavouring to secure such an estate as Alton Towers, and that the present owner felt the responsibility of his position. He had worked harder than any lawyer's clerk for the last fortnight to secure the greatest amount of accommodation for the visitors. He spoke touchingly of his father as one of the best of men, and of his mother as being worthy of such a father. He alluded to the happiness of his own marriage, and he looked forward to the time when Providence would bless him with a son and heir, as he had already been blessed with three daughters. Lord Ingestre was much cheered, and to show that, although he had been a soldier, he was the son of a sailor, his lordship subsequently climbed up the pole of the standard of his. house to give a parting salute to the congregated thousands.
The visitors began to disperse about five o'clock. Whether all reached their homes the same evening may be doubted, but no one could have left Alton Towers without having been highly gratified at the day's demonstration - one to be inscribed in tho Red-letter Book. In what country in the world could such a social spectacle have been seen?
