But it really is
interesting and suggestive to think of this old church, first built when
Liverpool was a small village, and remaining, with its successive dead of
ten centuries around it, now that the greatest commercial city in the
world has its busiest centre there. I suppose people still continue to
be buried in the cemetery. The greatest upholders of burials in cities
are those whose progenitors have been deposited around or within the city
churches. If this spacious churchyard stood in a similar position in one
of our American cities, I rather suspect that long ere now it would have
run the risk of being laid out in building-lots, and covered with
warehouses; even if the church itself escaped,--but it would not escape
longer than till its disrepair afforded excuse for tearing it down. And
why should it, when its purposes might be better served in another spot?
We went on board the Great Britain before dinner, between five and six
o'clock,--a great structure, as to convenient arrangement and adaptation,
but giving me a strong impression of the tedium and misery of the long
voyage to Australia. By way of amusement, she takes over fifty pounds'
worth of playing-cards, at two shillings per pack, for the use of
passengers; also, a small, well-selected library. After a considerable
time spent on board, we returned to the hotel and dined, and Mr. B. took
his leave at nine o'clock.
August 10th.--I left Rock Ferry for the city at half past nine.
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