Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/462

 *cession, headed by a marshall, and consisting of the mayor and corporation of Preston, the directors of the Ribble Navigation Company, naval and military officers, clergy, the several directors of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, the Lytham and Blackpool Railway, the Blackpool and the Southport Pier Companies, and numerous gentry. Unabated prosperity continued to shine on the watering-place, whose limits were annually extended by additional buildings, and in all parts there was to be observed that aspect of recent improvements and embellishments which is ever indicative of a propitious fortune.

The population in 1871 had reached the high figure of 7,902, having more than doubled during the previous ten years, and if further evidence were required of the development of Lytham, none more irrefutable and convincing could be given than this wonderful multiplication of the inhabitants. On the 3rd of August, 1871, a neat Gothic cottage hospital, erected at the east end of the resort, in Preston Road, at the sole expense of the lord of the manor, was pronounced open for the reception of patients, and transferred to a committee of management. The building stands in three acres of land tastefully laid out, and comprises a central portion of two stories, with a wing on either side, containing two large wards (each with four beds), two sitting-rooms, surgery, bath-rooms, and laundry, on the ground floor; upstairs are four beds for invalids and a sleeping apartment for the matron. The hospital is intended for the poor labouring under disease or accidents. Luke Fisher, esq., M.D., is the physician in charge. From 1871 up to the present date (1876), there is nothing calling for separate comment beyond those matters in connection with the railway and station already noticed, with the exception of the beautiful park-garden, occupying the land formerly kown as Hungry Moor, and instituted through the liberality of J. T. Clifton, esq., who bestowed the name of the Lowther Gardens on the enclosure so gracefully designed and planted, and gave free access to the public on its completion, about three years ago. The progress of the town within the short interval at present under consideration, has been marked by even greater rapidity than that which shed such a halo of prosperity around the period more immediately preceding; and there is no apparent prospect that the powerful impetus which has thus far exerted its beneficial