Dollar Weekly Mirror

The Portsmouth Chronicle, of yesterday says: "We are informed that Gov. Lathrop's Engine Company No. 3—and not 'Laconia'—is to receive the Manchester Merrimack' here, on Friday."

Excursion of Merrimack Engine Company No. 1.

LOWELL, Oct. 8th, 1858.

Yesterday morning Engine Co. No. 1, Merrimack, accompanied by the Manchester Cornet Band, took the first down train for Lowell. The company numbered fifty-four men—every uniform being filled; the Band numbered nineteen which, with the invited guests, and reporters increased the company to about eighty. Every one was in good spirits and the best of humor prevailed throughout the entire company. Each of the officers had a beautiful bouquet, Capt. Foss had a splendid one—the gift of Miss Lizzie A. Gilmore. The remainder were presented by Misses Hattie Young, Louisa Lake, Mrs. Jane Newton, Miss Hannah Combs, Miss Woods and Mrs. Samuel Holt of Piscataquog.

Nothing of interest occurred until we arrived in this city where we found Torrent Engine Co. No. 12, Capt. S. K. Pickering with the Lowell Brass Band at the depot in readiness to receive us. The Merrimack's formed into line in front of the depot, and under the escort of Torrent No. 12 marched through some of the principal streets until about 8 o'clock, when we proceeded to the Torrent's house to find a bountiful collation provided for us. This was a welcome sight especially to those of us who are unaccustomed to such early rising and long marches. The members of Torrent Co. are mostly men in the prime of life; Capt. Pickering we should judge to be about fifty years of age, but he has all the life and vigor of a man of twenty-five, and without doubt has many years of active service before him.

After about half an hour spent in discussing the eatables, and in a general interchange of feelings between the members of the two companies, we again took up our line of march for the Hall of Wamesit, No. 3, visiting in our course many points of interest, of which the limits of this letter forbid a description.

Arriving at No. Three's Hall about half past ten o'clock we found it graced with well-filled tables to which Capt. Eaton, in behalf of the Wamesits, welcomed the Torrents and their guests. Another half hour was spent here in a most pleasant and agreeable manner; after which No. I formed in front of No. Three's Hall and went through with their dress parade. The soldierly bearing of our firemen and the prompt and skillful manner in which they performed the various changes and evolutions won the unqualified approbation of the numerous spectators and spoke volumes in praise of their excellent adjutant, Capt. W. C. Knowlton.

Taking up our line of march we paraded the streets about two hours, when we were kindly "taken in and done for" by Tiger Ex-Five Associates, C. H. Arlin, Foreman. Mr. Kimball, Clerk of Ex-5's in a brief speech welcomed their friends to the hospitalities of the Company, for which Mr. M. Lyons, in behalf of the Merrimack's returned the thanks of the Co. in a very felicitous manner. The Ex-Fives withdrew from the Department in May last but have kept up their organization and retain their Hall which is one of the best that we have ever visited, being ornamented with pictures—some of them gems of art—images, and various articles of firemen's uniform which they have preserved as mementoes of different companies that have visited them.

Resuming our march we passed up Central St. halted in front of the newspaper offices and gave three rousing cheers for "the Press of Lowell," and the Cornet Band saluted them with "Departed Days" played in their usual charming style.

After this the two companies escorted the Lowell Fire Department to the South Common where their annual Muster took place

We were then marched to the American House—our Head Quarters—where a sumptuous repast awaited us, got up in Col. Going's best style; and, by the way, the Colonel's table abounds in all the luxuries which the market affords and the Col. himself is a fine specimen of the generous noble hearted landlord.

Mr. Chesley of the Vox Populi presided at the table and in behalf of the Torrent's welcomed their guests in an appropriate speech.

E. B. Merrill responded happily for the Merrimack's.

The members of both Companies, together with invited guests then fell to, with a will that showed a perfect appreciation of the good things set before them.

After dinner brief speeches were made by Mr. Chesley, Capt. Pickering, E. B. Merrill, Mr. Shepard, P. S. Brown Chief Engineer of Manchester. W. H. D. Cochrane reporter for the American, Charles H. Brown, Alderman Alger, and others. In closing, Ald. Alger gave as a sentiment:

Merrimack Engine Co. No. 1.—A company worthy of our Sister State—worthy of our Sister City.

This called up Capt. Foss, who responded in a very neat speech, which closed the exercises of the day.

In the evening the beauty and the chivalry of Lowell assembled at Merrimack Hall, to attend a grand complimentary ball, given by Torrent No. 12, of Lowell, to Merrimack No. I of Manchester. It was a "gay time."

We are just starting for Dover, or I would speak of several things that deserve notice.