2-982-308 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Cherbourg Fetes - the "Pera" with Members of the House of Commons, leaving Southampton, 1858. British politicians travel to France. 'Not least in interest among the incidents connected with the Cherbourg fetes was the proceeding thither more than a hundred of the members of the House of Commons in the fine screw steamship the Pera. The clearing of this vessel from the docks at Southampton early on the morning of Wednesday week has been taken by our Artist as a fit subject for illustration. Above one hundred sat down to dinner in the splendid saloon of the Pera on Tuesday night, and they formed a very pleasant party. The speeches were all on one side of the question, and there were no divisions. The Ayes had it all their own way. The only motions made were loyal and friendly toasts, which were carried unanimously, amid cries of "Hear, hear," and cheers. The house did not finally break up until midnight. The Pera left the docks at an early hour on Wednesday morning for Cherbourg, where she arrived with her Parliamentary freight in safety about midday. The trip there and back was an exceedingly pleasant one'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.