Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/247

 sufferings of those unfortunate people that a subscription was started in Fleetwood during the latter months of that year. Donations purely from the inhabitants of the town were collected, and in January, 1847, the sum of £105 was forwarded to the sister country. In consequence of the severe national affliction, Her Majesty ordained that Wednesday, the 24th of the following March, should be observed as a general fast-day. On that date all the shops in the watering place, with one or two exceptions, were closed; the public-houses and streets were quiet; and stillness and solemnity everywhere apparent. The church was crowded to overflowing; every seat was packed, and forms were brought in from the Sunday school and placed in the aisles to create extra accommodation, so excessive was the congregation which assembled to join in the special service for divine intervention.

On Monday, the 20th of September, 1847, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses, the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal, landed at Fleetwood en route from Scotland to London. The spot fixed for the debarkation of the royal party was near the north end of the covered pier, upwards of 100 feet of which were boarded off and converted into a saloon, a covered gallery being erected leading from it to the railway, where the special train was stationed. The floors of the saloon and gallery were covered with crimson drugget and at the entrance to the former a beautiful triumphal arch was formed of various coloured draperies, and adorned with the national flag and other emblems of loyalty. The walls of the saloon were hung with white and coloured draperies, festooned with evergreens, and British ensigns were suspended from the roof. This elegant apartment contained a gallery for ladies at the north end, and near to the entrance was a small octagonal throne, having an ascent of three steps, upon which a handsome gilded chair of state and a footstool were placed. Behind the two latter, draperies of crimson cloth were suspended, surmounted by the Arms of Her Majesty. On Sunday, the 19th of September, the High-sheriff of the county of Lancaster, William Gale, esq., of Lightburne House, near Ulverston, who had arrived in order to receive Her Majesty on the following day, attended divine worship at St. Peter's Church, being driven there