6 A HANDBOOK FOR SOUTHPORT. 



about 400 yards to the east, and has now grown to be 1440 

 yards in length. Being of excellent width, the vista is either 

 way exceedingly fine, and every year sees some addition to the 

 very handsome buildings and frontages which confer its archi- 

 tectural character. In some parts this noble street is lined 

 with villa residences, having little gardens in front, with 

 abundance of trees. The greater portion, however, is 

 devoted to commercial purposes, and towards the centre are 

 found most of the municipal and other public buildings. A 

 mass of stonework more imposing than that which comprises 

 the Town-hall, the Cambridge Hall, the Art Gallery, the 

 Post-office, and accessory edifices, it would be difficult to 

 find in any city in the country. Of late years, great pains 

 have been taken to convert large portions of Lord-street 

 into a boulevard. Vigorous young trees have been planted, 

 and in another quarter of a century, when these trees shall 

 have attained fair dimensions, Lord-street, Southport, will 

 certainly claim to be an object deserving of national 

 admiration. 



Parallel with Lord-street is the Marine Promenade, which, 

 including the recent extensions north and south, now 

 measures no less than 2600 yards. It was commenced in 

 1834, with a length of about 400 yards, reaching from the 

 end of Nevill-street to Coronation-walk. In less than twenty- 

 five years the length was considerably more than doubled, 

 and great as it has now become, the probabilities are that it 

 will be continued still further towards the north. Raised well 

 above the level of the sands ; admirably defended from the 

 assaults of the tide, when unusually high and vehement ; of 

 capital width ; excellently paved and asphalted ; and bordered 



