Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/456

 of them have been to omit the chief object of their journey, many, indeed, having such an exalted idea of the remedial and hygienic properties of the water that they imbibed huge draughts, and even filled bottles with it, for future use, or for friends who had been unable to come themselves. There were few amusements for the visitors beyond those enumerated earlier, but had there been none other, the exhilatering breeze and bath, coupled with the novel surroundings, would have possessed sufficient charm to insure a thronged season year after year.

In 1841 the population numbered 2,047 persons, being a rise of no less than 524 in the inhabitants during the preceding ten years, more than double the excess observed in the census of 1831 over its antecessor. During the previous twelve months the Clifton Arms Hotel, in Clifton Street, had been abolished and a stately building, bearing the same name, erected on the front, where it now stands, very considerable enlarged and beautified under the proprietorship of the late Mr. John Knowles, who purchased it on lease from the lord of the manor, and by whose representatives the Hotel and appurtenances were sold to a company of gentlemen in 1875.

The 16th of February, 1846, initiated a new era in the history and progress of Lytham, for on that day the branch line connecting this popular resort with the Preston and Wyre Railway was formally opened. At an early hour the town evinced manifest signs that the inhabitants were bent on doing full honour to the introduction of their invaluable ally; flags and banners floated from the church and the residences of many of the inhabitants, and later in the day the streets were thronged with processions and spectators of all grades. The directors and a large party of the neighbouring gentry assembled by invitation at Lytham Hall, and after partaking of luncheon proceeded to the newly erected station, where the "opening train," consisting of an engine, gaily decorated, and fourteen carriages, awaited their arrival. Amongst the gentlemen who accompanied Thomas Clifton, esq., and Mrs. Clifton, on the formal trip to Kirkham and back, were John Laidlay, W. Taylor, J. Dewhurst, T. W. Nelson, Frederick Kemp, C. Swainson, James Fair, E. Houghton, W. H. Hornby, T. R. W. ffrance, P. Rycroft, W. Royds, and William Birley, esquires, the Revs. R. Moore and W. Birley, and Colonel