Old Manchester and Salford exhibit at the Royal Jubilee Exhibition Manchester
Alfred Derbyshire was the architect of an elaborate setting, depicting old Manchester & Salford. For this he carried out extensive research to ensure the accuracy of the scenes.
MANCHESTER ROYAL JUBILEE EXHIBITION, OLD MANCHESTER AND SALFORD - The reproduction of Old Manchester and Salford, the illustrations of which are taken from the buildings as erected from the designs of the architects, Messrs. Darbyshire and Smith, is situated in the gardens of the Exhibition adjoining the main entrance. Amongst the trees fronting the gardens are the old halls of Hulme and Ancoats and the old tower of the collegiate church, rising to a height of nearly 100ft. The old town is approached under a Roman archway, founded on the Roman remains visible in 1810. Passing through this gate, called Mancunium, and ascending the incline, one obtains a fine view of the Market Sted-lane, at the top of which are Bennett's shop, Beaumont's eating house, and the barber's shop. These buildings existed early in the present century, and show how the timbered work of the Middle Ages has been altered in the Georgian era. The Old Swan coach office, from which the mail coaches started for London, Bristol, Derby, and other towns, stands next the barber's shop. Adjoining the coach office is Mr. Dickenson's house—an excellent sample of Georgian architecture. Here the young Pre tender, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, stayed in 1745. Opposite this house is Hyde's shop and Harrop's printing offices, where the first Manchester newspapers were printed. This structure is the largest example of the Late Tudor architecture in “Old Manchester,” and with the pure Mediaeval work adjoining, and the building opposite, known as Styan's, the gunmaker's shop, which was pulled down in 1822, forms the most picturesque portion of the old street. On reaching the bottom of Market Sted-lane the old Market Sted comes into view with the first Exchange standing prominently in the foreground—a structure of red sandstone in the Italian style of architecture, erected by Sir Oswald Moseley early in the 18th century. To the left is a pile of buildings on the site of the present Exchange, taken down at the close of the 18th century. In the Market Sted are also the post-office, smithy door, the Welling ton Inn, and a small sanctuary supposed to have existed in Henry VII.'s reign. Passing under the arches of the Salford Bridge, erected in Edward III.'s time, Old Salford is reached. A beautiful reproduction of the Allan family. in Greengate, is here represented; also a Doric fluted market cross. The Cheetham College and Library are further on, and near them the tower of the old church—a fine specimen of English Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Passing over the bridge on the Salford side a small chapel is reached. This chapel was erected under the will of De La Bothe, of Barton, and a request that all persons passing over the bridge should offer a prayer for the repose of the soul of the founder. A conduit, a pillory, and stocks are also introduced in the reproduction. The whole of the shops are occupied by old-fashioned handicraftsmen, representing various trades. Custodians of the old city, attired in costumes as Roman sentinels, Stuart guards, cross-bowmen, and watchmen of 1750 are to be seen guarding the city both day and night. Mr. Walter Hann, the architectural scene painter, of London, has been the artist for the work, under the superintendence of the architects. Messrs. Strode and Co., of 42, Osnaburgh-street, London, N.W., have supplied the wrought-iron work. The contractors for the work were Messrs. R. Neill and Sons, Manchester. [Building News 6 May 1887 page 694]
MANCHESTER JUBILEE EXHIBITION. – OLD MANCHESTER AND SALFORD - We conclude our series of illustrations to-day from the Manchester Great Exhibition by giving further views of Old Manchester and Salford as designed by the architects, Messrs. Darbyshire and Smith, who have published an illustrated descriptive guide with an introduction written by the president of the Manchester Literary Club, Mr. George Miller.” The “Booke” is copiously illustrated with full page perspective plates, plans, elevations, and marginal pictures or details, the whole being printed in brown and artistically got up; a fitting souvenir of so complete and clever an historical réchauffé of the ancient city “Where one could lounge i'th market place, An' see the meadows mown.”
It is within memory of the precent generation when Ancoats and Oldham-read districts of the great modern Manchester of to-day had green crofts and gardens within sight, when carts laden with country wedding folks came down the road, and genuine Morris dancers were to be seen by the wayside, where basiers and fox gloves and pied daisies grew. In reproducing the street buildings of the past, it has been an object to avoid introducing the few bits of Old Manchester which may still be found in existence, and this rule has only been broken by one or two conspicuous exceptions. The steep gradient of the old Market Sted-lane has been produced by way of giving a realism to the scene. This has resulted in an interesting break in the monotony of surface hitherto adopted in similar works, and the roadways are paved with real “cobbles.” Our picturesque drawings to-day show first, a view down the main thoroughfare of Market Sted-lane. On the summit of the ascent looking down the street to the left-hand of the accompanying plate, and just coming in the picture, are Bennett's shop and Beaumont's eating-house, with their Georgian “bow” fronts ruthlessly cut in by the improver of that era when the earlier timber work of the original houses was hacked and damaged in all directions. Ralston, a limner of Manchester during the early days of the present century, shows the place as tenanted by “one Bennett, a Filterer.” Next door stands Hyde's shop and Harrop's printing office. The gables are low-pitched, and the style is less worthy of imitation than the earlier specimens. Here was printed Harrop's Mercury, and British Volunteer. The first paper was established in 1752, and afterwards was amalgamated with the Manchester Guardian. The two-gabled building adjoining the last-named is from a beautiful water colour by Ralston, and it was one of the most perfect Gothic houses of which the old city could boast, with its oversailing gables and upper story. The low pile of many-gabled buildings seen beyond stood on part of the site of the present Manchester Exchange, in Acre's Field, which was approached through what was called the Dark Entry. This was at the foot of the “Eagle and Child Coffee-House.” Taylor, the water poet, lodged here, and in his “Penny less Pilgrimage,” thus writes: “They merit more than I have compiled, I lodged at the ‘Eagle and the Child,’ Whereat my hostess (a good ancient woman) Did entertain me with respect not common. So Mistress Saracole, hostess kind, And Manchester, with thanks, I left behind.”
To the right-hand side of Market Sted-lane are the barber's shop, with the shaving-dish sign; the Swan coach-house next to it, and beyond, in a recess, Mr. Dickenson's house; then follows Styan's gun and pistol shop, well known once by knights of the road. Hulme Hall, of which a picturesque group is herewith given, was one of the most interesting and important manor houses in the parish of Manchester. It was quadrangular in plan, having one front towards the left bank of the river Irwell, and the building must have occupied a commanding site surrounded by trees of ancient growth. The railway has now cut up the site, and not a vestige of the house of Hulme Hall remains on it. There was a fine frontage to the gardens, and a quaint central tower with a conical roof which dominated the composition as seen by Messrs. Darbyshire and Smith's able reproduction. Worsley Hall contains some of the fittings of the ancient hall of Hulme, which must have been richly furnished, judging from the remnants still existing. The costume figures are introduced as typical of the historical periods represented by the buildings.
* A Booke of Olde Manchester and Salford. Manchester: John Heywood, printer to the Executive Committee. [Building News 27 May 1887 page 796]