LIVERPOOL, situated on the n. bank of the Mersey, Lancashire, is, after London, the largest t. in the United Kingdom, and, taken in connection with Birkenhead, on the opposite side of the Mersey, it ranks in maritime importance before the metropolis itself —a circumstance due to its position on the w. coast of England, not only as a port for the adjacent manufacturing districts, but for the traffic with America. It is situated at one hour's distance by railway from Manchester, five hours from London, six hours from Edinburgh, and eight hours by steam from Dublin. The rise of Liverpool is remarkable. In the middle of the 14th c. it contained only 840 inhabitants and 168 cottages; whilst in 1561 its population was only 690. It was not until 1647 that it was made a free port (having been subject down to that date to the Chester officers); whilst its distinct individuality as a parish was not declared until 1697, when its population numbered about 5,000 souls, and its shipping about 80 vessels. Between 1710 and 1760 its population increased from 8,160 to 25,780, and its commercial navy from 84 vessels to 1245 vessels. In 1700 its first regular dock was built, on the site where the custom house stands at the present day. From 1760 to 1800 the population advanced from 25,700 to 77,700 inhabitants; the shipping from 1200 vessels to 5,000 vessels; and the amount of dock dues collected, from £2,300 to £28,300; nearly two-thirds of the increfise taking place during the last 15 years of the period. The rapid progress of the cotton trade was the chief cause of this almost sudden improvement. Simultaneously with. the mechanical revolution brought about by Hargreaves, Arkwright, Crompton, and others, there came an increased foreign trade, and an augmented inland business, owing to the opening of the Bridgewater canal in 1773. About the same period, too, a great start was given to the ship-building trade of the port by several extensive orders received from the government, some 15 vessels of war being launched between 1777 and 1782 of very considerable tonnage, and ranging between 16 and 50 guns. By this time Liver
pool had far outstripped Bristol in commercial importance, the trade of the latter port being in process of rapid transference to the former. The following statement will show how far Liverpool was benefited by the cotton trade: This gigantic trade has given being to the magnificent system of docks, extending along the margin of the river for a distance of about 5 m., containing 54 docks and basins, covering an area of over 260 acres, and having nearly 19 m. of quay space. The whole of these docks have, with the exception of the Salthouse, King's, part of the George's, and part of the Queen's, been built since 1812. They were erected chiefly under the superintendence of the late Jesse Hartley, esq., and are considered by all who have seen thorn to be one of the greatest engineering triumphs of the present ceatury. Several of the docks are inclosed with large warehouses: the erection of those round ihe Albert dock cost £358,000, and the dock itself 1'141,000. In addition to the usual pier approaches, there are two large floating landing-stages, one of which is 1002 ft. in length, 80 ft. in width, and 4,500 tons in weight. In the general traffic of Liverpool, that carried on by large steamers with United States, Canadian, South Anierican, Mediterranean, Australian, and other ports, has deservedly attained celebrity, and draws large numbers of passengers to the town.
The approaches to the town on the land sides are the Lancashire and Yorkshire, East Lancashire Loudon and North-western, Great Northern, Midland and Man chester, Sheffield and Lincoln railways. There are four tunnels under the town in con nection with the London and North-western railway, and one in connection with the Midland railway, taking different directions, varving from a mile and a half to two miles and a half in length. The passenger stations in Lime street, Ranelagh street, and Tithe barn street are large and handsome buildings.