The Express. — London, England, 1851-09-12 00:00:00

I THE GOLD DISCOVERIES LN AUSTRALIA. FURTHER INTELLIGENCE. Later papers (to the begining of June) have been received in the City from New South Wales. Accounts from Sydney (to June 2) afford a vivid picture of the excitement induced by the confirma tion which was being daily received of the gold dis- 1 coverics at Bathurst. The instances of success re- corded are very numerous. One man in a week got two ounces, worth 61. 89., and saw another adven turer extract 13 ounces, which he purchased for 3t31. A third, we arc actually informed, picked up no less than 420!. worth in a few minutes, in small lumps, and it was apprehended he had gone mad in con sequence! huge shining lumps of the precious metal were exhibited in some of the shop windows at Sydney, and materially contributed to increase the public excitement. By one man a lump of a pound weight had been picked np. According to another authority the gold brought into Bathurst averages 1!. per man per day. On the other hand, a much less encouraging view is taken by other parties, who have bad the benefit of experience on the actual scene of operations; but the voice of caution appears to be little attended to. Many Sydney people who had previously left their homes, and traversed the distance of two hundred miles to Bathurst, were return ing in disappointment, after meeting . with no lack in their explorations. The search 14 by these i parties stated to be a perfect lottery, and worse than gambling. There were hundreds of instances in which persons had not carnal inure than ss. per day each, and this is de cerits el as very poor reinnnemtionl for • day's hard labour, up to the - knees in water, at an expense of at lea,t 2s. cal. per man for provisions. A perain writing from the spot states, ns a positive fact, that where one person is lucky,and finds 201. or &R. worth in one lump, 50 persons are only arning 10s. per day, and 40 scarcely earning their rations. As yet rt appears that gold has only been found in the bed of a creek twelve miles from Grunge, the creek being 12 yawls wide, and 100 yards long. Below this spot, and above it, the precious metal has only been discovered in small particles, insufficient to pay fur a digger's provisions, and as 2,000 persons were already congregated at this spot, besides large daily arrivals, expectations were enter tained that this locality would speedily be entirely exhausted. On the other hand parties entertain a belief that gold will be found in most of the creeks at that put of the country, and that new diggings will be d.eily discovered. With the approach of winter much disease is anticipated, as the season is very inclement in that mountainous district. ..tleanuhile, the Sydney papers are teem ing with advertisements of every description of article suitable fur the diggers, combined with offers of rewards for runaway apprentices allured by the thine for gold, and oilers of advances on consign ments or gold dust. The ueeounts of the dearness and scarcity of provisions at Bathurst are contradicted. _ . DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT BALCYCLARE. An accident of a fated and very serious character took place on Monday night last in the tillage of !Velure, in the county of Antrim. It appears that a" Lecture on Eleetro-biology" was announced to be delivered by a Mr. Thdruly, an amateur, the place of assembly bciug a large loft in an old paper mill in Bullyclare, and that a great crowd attended. it being computed that nut less than six hundred persons were at one time in the room. After the " lecturer " had concluded his remarks, and had placed several patients in what he called the mes meric sleep or trance, he proceeded to ask them vari ous questions, and the audience very naturally crowded around him to hear the answers better. The great weight accumulated ou so small an area proved too much for the resistance of the beam sup porting the floor, which at once, with a loud crash, gave way, and the entire assembly were in stantly precipitated upon the next door, a depth of from 16 to Pt feet. The sc.ne of confusion, conster nation, and horror that ensued it is impossible to describe; it is enough to say, that as soon as those who had escaped had in sonic degree recovered their presence of mind, and proceeded to the'rescue of those less fortunate, the results were found to be of a very calamitous character. Three persons were taken out dead. The first was Mr. Robert flow, mill owner, of Ballynure, a young gentleman connected with several highly respectable families in Belfast. The injuries he had sustained were very severe, apparently from one of the beams having fallen upon him; his left arm was broken, and Ins throat and side of the face dreadfully mutilated, the carotid artery, it is understood, having been severed. The second victim was a man called M'llwaine, front Templepatriek, and the third n man of the name of Kennedy, from I tunturky. It would appear that those known to be seriously wounded amounted to 26, while about 30 received minor injuries; these being independent of the parties mentioned as having lost their lives. Inquests were held during the day, on the bodies taken out of the building lifeless. The verdict in each case was "Casual death," and the evidence was in no way different from the above statement of the facts. One of the Belfast papers, describing the disaster, saes : thaw who were fortunate enough to secure seats on the back portion of the loft, of which the flooring had not given way, were comparatirely uninjured: but nearly all who atop, at the moment of the accident, on that portion which es - topics! the angle between the two wings —a equate of 30 t—wire engulfed in the horrible abyss, and thrown with the p!..iiks of the flooring and the dislodged stonework of the dilapidated walls, to an area beneath, a fall of no less than 16 feet, amongst the hard, projecting, and scattered pieces of machinery which, a, we have said, were stored below. The shrieks of the suffering multitude, the noise of the falling timbers, the clouds of choking dust which instantly arose, the rush and frantic struggle for escape, produced a scene which will he indelibly impressed on the memories of all who survive it. Owing to the difficulty of egress to which we have already alluded, rendered still greater by the chasm in the flooring, it was sonic time before those who wen actually unhurt could get out of the building, and many had to force their way out through a window in the rear of the wing. Some of those in the immediate vicinity I of the yawning chasm miraculously escaped by clinging to tb timbers of the roof and the portions of flooring which still adhered to the walls. One person saved himself, by haring time to fasten the crook of his stick in an aperture of the stone work, and thus suspended he waited till it was isle to &scout Strange to say, those who were first pre-1 eipitat, d iu the centre, though having to bear the weight of the immense human mass before them, were least injured, and rune were suffocated either by pressure or want of air. mrc proceeding further it is necessary to explain the con serintion of the flooring. A single beam of deal, running riht under the centre of the square of flooring which fell, from wall to wall, and about thirty feet in length, formed rs main support. The flooring consisted of heavy three fn' Ii planks, running transverwly to the direction of the D. km. supported at one end by the sidewalks where it was le: into the stonework, and at the other end by the beam, along tin top of which the planks met from either aide, and to a hit h they were fastened by long and heavy iron nail or rather bolts. Tho accident was occasioned by the break ire of the beam exactly in the centre, and when it gave 'raj the flooring shched downwards from both sides, sliding as it were those who stood upon it into the store below. In wow plates the planks prised up the masonry into which tb y wire inserted, and in one spot a considerable mass of stela and brickwork was detached, which falling upon the lising heap below, caused the most fatal of the injuries wo have to record. It has since been discovered that if only two t more of the wall at this part of the building had bet n displaced, the whale of the amid have h&c in, and the calamity wouhl have boa • fold more di.. nitrous than it wee. FATAL ACCIDENT ON TIIE EASTERN COUNTIES I ntiLwAy.—A lamentable accident, terminating fatally, hap- I pe 'led on Wednesday night at the Broxbourne (Herta) station of the Eastern Counties Railway, to a passenger named James i Grass, stated to be a t avern -k ee p er at Brandon, in Suffolk. The occurrcnee appears to have been entirely owing to the Imprudence of the deceased. Ile was a passenger by the Norwich up-train, which reaches here at at 9.20, and wishing , to at Lea-bridge, where that train did not stop, he got o ut f or t h e purpose of taking his seat in the last up Ile, trued train, which called at the station at which he &sired to stop, and which, as usual, had been shunted into a siding, in order to allow the Norwich train to pass on. On having the train, he suddenly stepped behind the screen of the up-platform, unperceived apparently by the officers. On the Norwich tr ain leaving, the Hertford train proceeded to shunt out of the side, and in doing so caught the unfor tunate manned squeezed him fearfully against . the platform. Ile was extricated with all despatch, and proving to be alive he was conveyed by the train to Lea-bridge, and then removed to the house of some friends at Walthamstow. Early medical aid was rendered him, but his internal injuries were too frightful for Motto recover, and M an hour or so he expired. His body awaits an inquest. THE 11.tavesT.—More favourable weather than tLat which now prevails for securing the latter harvest could not be desired ; and the cultivators in the north have the best opportunity of securing their crops. It is question able whether the operations of harvest were ever carried on with more vigour throughout the kingdom generally, than has been the case this season ; and the benefits arising from reaping the produce in good condition were, perhaps, never r U ater The most beautiful weather is now prevalent. It we, the temperature in the early morning, as well as at nlifhts is shill, and the atmosphere is remarkably clear, healthful, and iiifigerating.— Do ncaster Gazette. SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.-THE SEARCHING EXPEDITION. We have been favoured by the Admiralty with the following details of the proceedings of the expedition under Captain Penny, whose ships have .just returned, ' bringing despatches from Captain Austin, which we must reserve for another occasion. Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin, Assistance Harbour, Cornwallis Island, April 12, 1841. Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, fur the informa tion of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that, after parting company with her Majesty's ship North Star, on the 21st of August, I reached slung the north shore of Barrow's Strait until Sunday, the 21th, keeping a strict look-out. Being then off Beechy Island, I spoke the American schooner Reserve, and learned that her Majesty's ship Assistance had found traces of the Franklin expedition on Cape Riley. The Assistance was then running to the westward, and anxious to be possessed of every particular I followed her with the intention of going on board, but I had not that opportunity until two p.m . when bath vessels were made fast to the land ice two thirds of tie distance across Wellington Channel, the Assistance being about ono and a half miles to the westward of us. Finding that the traces were apparently those of a retreating partv.lthonght it my proper couve to return to the east side of Wellington Channel, which I accordingly did. The succeeding morning I landed with a party, and examined the mast !rennin miles i to the northward of Cape Spencer to that promontory, and i an encampment was found near the latter place, seemingly that of a hunting party about three veers previous. Joining , company with the Advance, the Rescue, and the Felix 11 schooners the following morning, we made fast in a bight under the north-west side of Beechey Island, and, having I consulted with Captain Dunhaven and Sir J. Ross, it was agreed that the former should despatch a party to continue the search northward along the cast coast of Wellington Channel, while I ezplerecl the coast to the eastward. Mean time, a party of all my officers, which had been despatched in the direction of Cr swell's Tower, discovered the quarter which had been occupied by the vessels of Sir John Frank lira's expedition in the winters of 180.6. Three graves were also found, the head-boards showing them to be those of three seamen who hail died early in the spring of 1846; but notwithstanding a most careful search in every direction, no dueument could be found. The same evening, a boat party was despatched, under Captain Stewart, to explore Radstock Bay and its vicinity, but to further traces were found in that direction. The Resolute and Pioneer came up and mace fast on Wednesday morning, and an unfavourable condition of the ice detained m till evening, when water being opened to the eastward, I stood to a certain di,tance across Wellington Channel in the mornim, and sent away a party under Mr. J. Stuart to communicate with the Assistance. The same evening we were again in Betchy Bay, and the party re turned the following forenoon, having accomplished upwards of 40 miles. By them we were acquainted t'at the Assistance had found no traces in about 39 miles of coast, examined by her to the north and south of Barlow Itlict. The state of the ice prevented the least motion being made with the ships until Thursday, the sth of September, when Ave left Beechy Bay ; but so little was the ice slack ened off, that we were unable to reach the west side of the Channel before Sunday, the Bth. While lyina under lamely Island, arrangements were made with Sir John Ross to lay up the Mary yacht, and a quantity of pros islet= was contributed, as our share of the depot there formed. On Sunday, the Bth, I landed with a party about twelve miles to the northward of Barlow Inlet, and a cairn and i pole was erected in a conspicuous situation. Wellington Channel being blocked up with old land ice, no alternative was left but to proceed to the westward, with a siew of reaching Cape Walker, or attempting some other passage between the island of the Parry Group, or, failing either of thew, Melville Island. Following out this Course, we pushed on through the bay ice which was now an strong as to retard us greatly; but, notwithstanding that obstacle, we reached Onftith's Island on Tuesday, the 10th of Sep- Umber, and having made fast there, on account of the state of the ice, 1 had again a consultation with Captain Austin, with a view to acting in concert. The following morning, tho more favourable appearance of the ice induced me to make an attempt to reach Cape Walker ; but after proceeding 25 miles, the ice became packed, which with a heavy fog, caused sue to put about, and make for our former position. The hourly increasing thickness of the bay ice, which had now become such an obstacle, that with a strong breeze the ships stayed with considerable difficulty, rendered it absolutely necessary that a place of safety should be obtained for the vessels, and I ac cordingly made for this harbour, a rough sketch of which I had previously obtained from the Assistance. e brought up at II a.m., on Thursday, the 12th of September, and shortly afterwards the Felix, Captain Sir J. Ross, came in and brought up; two boats were sent ashore and hauled up, to fall back upon should further progress be made; hut being unable to get out by the 20th, so es to be usefully employed, preparations were commenced for wintering. With reference to the winter that we have spent, one fact wiU speak fur itself, via., that there has not been one single use of sickness in either the Lady Franklin or Sophia ; in deed, so completely were both the minds and bodies kept properly occupied and carefully attended to, that with the crews I have it would hare been surprising to have seen sickness. While on this subject, I cannot but make mention in terms of praise of Messrs. Sutherland, Goodsir, and Stuart, their exertions alike to instruct and amuse the men greatly contributing to the happy issue. Frequent communication has been held with Captain Austin's expedition, which has wintered in the strait be tween Griffiths and Cornwallis Islands, and arrangements were made with reference to the different routes to be taken in the coming travelling. Pursuant to these, there arc at present ready to start from the Lady Franklin and Sophia two parties, of three sledges each, to explore Wel lington Channel and the land which may be found at the head of that great inlet. Independent of the above, there are two dog sledges pre pared for extended search in the same direction; one of these wiU be conducted by the interpreter, Mr. Peterson, of whom I would beg to make particular mention, trusting that his noble devotion in the cause of our countrymen may be remembered to his advantage. The day at present fixed for the start is .Monday, the 14th of April, should the weather continue favourable. Previ ous to starting, I have thought proper to make out this despatch for their lordships' Information. I have the honour to be, air, your most obedient servant, WILLIAM PENNY, Commanding an Expedition in Search of her Majesty's ships Erebus and Terror. To the Secretary to the Admiralty, London. Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin, at sea, Sept. 8, 18.1. Sir,—Resuming my report of proceedings from the date of my last despatch, I have to inform you that on the 17th of April sin sledges, with 41 officers and men, started from the ships, under the command of Captain Stewart, of the Sophia, and I could not but be gratified at seeing what our small means had put it in our power to do with these par ties of men alike able and willing. The sledges were vari ously officered by Captain Stewart, Messrs. Marshall, Reid, and:J. Stuart, and Des. Sutherland and Goodie?. The course intended to be pursued was to proceed so far together up the west side of M cllington Channel, and, after retuning the depot sledges, two parties to evens the east side of the channel, while the other two followed up the west coast to the head of the channel, the position of land then seen determining their future procedure. Each sledge was equipped for 40 days, and the average weight per min was upwards of 2001 W. I started from the ship on the 13th, with the dog-sledges, accompanird by Mr. Petersen, and at noon, on the 13th, I joined the sledges. They had found the ice very heavy, in consequence of the recent snow and the high temperature, and their journey of the previous day had not exceeded 61 miles. The inef fi cient state of our cooking apparatus had already begun to cause much inconvenience. On the 19th the temperature fell, and a gale of wind faced us immediately on entering the channel, which continued, with only partial intermissions, till the 22nd. During all that time I was continually among them. and whatever doubts the want of experience of my young officers might have warranted my entertaining, they were all removed by witnessing the management of their men on this occasion. On the 21st, Mr. J. Stuart was returned with the two depot sledges end only one tent, in consequence of the extreme severity of the weather. I felt great anxiety for this party. However, in two marches they reached the ship, with only a short interval of rest. Meanwhile, the gale continued down the channel, with a temperature varying from 25 degrees to 30 degrees. This, and the want of numerous other articles—such as a sufficient supply of fuel, &c., caused me to en tertain a fear of failure if these defects were not remedied in time. I accordingly consulted my officers on the subject, sad la eassespessee of our unanimous opinion , that a timely retina was the most advisable step, I deter ' mined to deposit maths proviskns, and the two best sledges at this spot, returning with the ether two to receive late:s how. The distance to this spot was 42 miles. Tho dog lodes on their return, eestraplishoel the distance in one , stew. The other four pestles, sale making the deposit, re- , , turned, • the bey at Mal on the 26th, every one in , the beet of mil net a single case of frost-bite ; and ' I cannot bat state try andratien of the constant content. meld and steady and wßig eadarance of the officers and , men of the parties under dreetrottrm of no small hard ' ship. Feast this date t• dm it; of May every one was bu siif preperins IBM ME* foe what we had found to nmenesey b oar inijessaty. On the 6th, after a short prayer to the Almighty to ambit as to fulfil our duty the sledges again started, the sews of the two that had been leR up channel being distributed among them. They were . again in charge of CapWa Stewart till such time as I should myself join them at Wismar depot, when I was to see each party take its separate redo. At d o'clock a.m., on the 9th of May, I started with Xi. P.tsnsn, and Thomson, one of the seamen, with two dog sledges, sad at 2 o'clock p.m., we overtook the parties,. si then camped at the further depot. From Point Separa as 76 de g . 5 min. N. lat., Capt a in Stewart, with his , Dr. Sutherland, and Mr. J. Stuart, of the Lady • let proceeding along the coast to Cape Hurd, szemining the various beaches, itc., for further traces, as dgewg opinions were still entertaine d that more was to be haul in that quarter. Mr. Goodsir, with Mr. Marshall as his auxiliary, had missed to them to anamine the west tide, and to follow up after the dog rundvins final instructions on reach ing the scan s on shoessi. Rapi la d journeys were made with the isp to Caps Dubow, N.d 22 Wm. Mare the hod wee INN to trend N.W . 5 ten e m g. iles, terminating in a point, afterwards named Point Ded sion, which was reached at half-past 10 p.m., oat the 12th of Nay. A hill of 400 feet in height was ascended, and in consequence of the land being then continuously in a north westerly direction, instructions were left to Mr. Goodsir to take this coast along to the westward, while I myself proceeded in a N.W. by N. direc tion towards land seen to the northward. At p.m., on the 11th, we encamped on the ice, having travelled 25 miles N.W. by N. front Point Decision. The following day, after travelling 20 miles from the encampment in a N.W. by N. direction, we landed, at 7 p m., ou an island named Daillie Hamilton's Island. - --.---. Ascending a hill about 500 feet high above the headland on which wg landed, the ice to the westward, iu the strait between Cumwallis and Ilamilton Island, was seen to be much decayed, and en island was even to the westward, distant 35 or 40 miles. As the decayed state of the ice pre rented further progress to the westward from this point, and no trace being found, we proceeded round the island, Hest to the N.N.E., and afterwards, on rounding Cape Scoresby, in a N.N.L. direction. On the IGth we came upon waat to all appearances was water, and on halting, on the 17th, at Point Surprise, we were asbmished to open out another strait, in which was 2.5 miles of clear water; an island was seen bearing \V. S., distant 40 miles; and a btadland, distant 15 miles W. by N., the dark sky ores this head indicating the presence of water, to the extent of perhaps 20 miles, on the other side. Thi s point was found to be in 76 deg. 2 min. N. lat., and 95 deg. 5.5 min. W. lan. Further progress being prevented by water, and we being still without traces, and the dugs provisions being ex hausted, no other course remained but to return to the ships, which we reached atter rapid journeys at midnight, on the' oth of !day. . . . . The carpenters .nil people on board were inunNliately set about preparing a beat to endeavour to reach the water seen. Uu the 29th of May the second mate arrived, having left Mr. Goodsir in 74 deg. 36 min. N., and 96 deg. 1% . Water had been seen by them to the northward, from their furthest station. lie made a very rapid return, having run in one day from 24 to 30 Mile,. Everyone on basted con tinned actively employed, preparing the boat provisions, &c.. and on the 4th of June rt started with one auxiliary sledge and one dog's sledge ; the whole party being in charge of Mr. Mattson. On the 6th of June, Mr. John Smart returned with his party from Cape . Hard, after un absence of 31 days, but without having round any traces either indicative of the cours. , pursued by her M tjany's ships Erebus and Terror, or of any retreating party having subsequently passed along the coast. After thirty .six hours' rest, Mr. Smart again started to join Mr. Manson, having equipped his sledge for a twenty days journey. lie overtook the boat on the morning of the Bth of June, then one mile to the westward of Cape Hotham. lbe same day a clog sledge from Mr. Munson arrived at the ship, stating that the sledge on which the hoot was placed, after trial, had been found unfit for the purpose. The armourer, who was returned with the dog-sledge, was im mediately set about preparing a longer sledge, but having no carpenter on board, the wood work was finished by Sir John Ross's carpenter. On the 11th, at 4 a.m., I joined the boat with the two dogs sledges, and all bands were im mediately set about fitting and lashing the new sledge, and arranging the weights of the party bctweeu the two long sledges and the two dogs' sledges. On the 12th Mr. Man son i eturned, no one being left in the s'aip but the clerk in charge. The improvement in the boats' sledge was so remarlzable, and the ice also so much better, that a distance of 104 miles was accomplished iu seven marches. The boat being then launched into the water unit Laden, the fatigue party re turned, and reached the ship on the 25eu of June, all in good health, the dogs dragging their light sledge the whole way. Ou our journey out we met Dr. Sutherland at Depiit Point, returning atter an absence of 38 days. lle reported having left Captain Stewart in 76 deg. 20 min. N., in the opening of Wellington Channel, but without hating yet fallen in with any traces. When off Point Griffiths, on the 1 I th, Messrs.Goodsir and Marshall were fallen in with, having examined the northern shores of Cornwallis and Bathurst Land, as far as 90 deg. \V., but still without having fallen in with any traces . They were obliged to return in conse quence of the water. Resuming the boat journey, after separating from the fatigue sledges on the 17th June, we proceeded about ten mile* to the westward, when we were obliged to take shelter in an adjacent bay, in consequence of a head sea, and strong easterly gale. From this date until the 20th of July 310 miles of coast was examined by the boat under very disad vantageous circumstances, arising from constant unfavour able winds anal rapid tides. Our provisions being then within eight days of being consumed, and our distance from the ship such that prudence would not warrant further per severance with this supply, we commenced our return, and, with a strong north-west wind, succeeded in reaching Alan don Bay after 111 hours. The ice being so decayed as to preclude the launching of even an empty boat, we were com pelled to haul the boat ashore and abandon her, taking with us four days* provisions. The weather during our return was boisterous in the extreme, with continued rain, which made the streams it was necessary to ford very rapid. The constant wet caused the greatest discomfort ; but front none of my men did I once hear a complaint. In 76 dens. N. lat. we found a boat, which Capt. Stewart had wisely sent out in case of such a contingency as had occurred, but the ice hav ing set into the mouth of the Wellington Channel, which has up to this time been open, we were unable to fetch her down further than Barlow Inlet. Thence we walked to the ships, which we reached at 10 p.m. on the 23th of July. Captain Stewart had returned on the 21st of June, hav ing reached Cape Beecher in 76.20 deg. north latitude, and 27 deg. west longitude. We here again started on the Ist of July, and carried up a depot for my return to Cape Du barn, returning from this journey on the 17th of July. For particulars during the different searches I would refer you to the accompanying retorts. On my return I was equally surprised to hear that Bar row's Straits had been open, as far as could be seen, since the 2nd of July, an occurrence which was so far to be ex pected as the strait was seen to be in motion till the Ilth of March. The land ice had also come out of Wellington Channel as far up as Point Separation, probably about the sth of July; and ou the 27th of July, when our travelling operations concluded, the fast edge in the channel continued in the same position. The ship continued icebound till the 10th of August, but had our parties returned in sufficient time to refit and be ready to cut out from the date of water-making, we would have been at liberty on the 15th of July. On the 11th of August Captain Austin's ships entered our harbour in their progress to the eastward. Ilia parties had penetrated as far as ships could hope to go, yet, like our own, unsuccessful in finding the least trace of the missing expedition. In fact, none had been found such as would warrant the risk of a second winter, and, my orders being such as left no alternative, I determined on imme diately returning to England, if no iustructious to the con trary should be met with. In proceeding down the country we landed at Cape Hay and Button Point, in Pond's Bay, positions considered the most probable for despatches being left on by the whale shine. Finding none, we continued our course down along the land, crossing in 70 deg. N. let., through a body of 140 miles of ice. We made repeated endeavours to reach Sleety, on the island of Diao, to ascer tain if any despatches had been left there for our guidance ; but thick weather and a strong northerly wind obliged us to haul off, after having made a narrow escape from a reef lying close in-shore. We parted from the Sophia about 20 miles off the land, expecting to rejoin her after having communicated with the Danish settlement; but the thick weather and strong gale continuing for 24 hours, we sepa rated front her, and have not since seen her. Captain Stewart'e instructions, in case of such an event, were to make the best of his way to Woolwich, having it in his power to take either the English Channel or the Pentland Frith as his route, according as the wind might lead. In speaking of the services of the various officers under me, I would mention my second in command as an able and energetic coadjutor, both on boardship and in con ducting the search along the east coast of Wellington Channel and the south shores of Albert Land ; snit his foresight in laying out depots, and a boat for the boat party greatly facilitated our safe return. Dr. Sutherland, of the Sophia, as his auxiliary in travelling, proved himself a most indefatigable officer, and his attention, while on board, to natural history and meteorology, will no doubt afford many useful facts. Of Mr. D. Morrison, the chief mate of the Sophia, an old and experienced whaling master, I cannot speak too highly. Ile had charge of the vessel during the absence of myself and Captain Stewart, and throughout the winter he paid the greatest attention to tidal and barometrical regis ter; and his services in conducting the boat to Cape Hotham, under peculiarly disadvantageous circumstances, were beyond all praise. Mr. James Reid, the second mate of the Sophia, a son of the ice master of the Erebus, accompanied Captain Stewart in the first journey as an auxiliary, and afterwards proceeded with him to his furthest point. Of Messrs. Marshall and Leiper, the chief and second mates of the Lady Frank lin, I would make mention--experienced and skilful ice officers—and the exertions of the one in accompanying Mr. Goodsir in the whole extent of the journey, and the other, my second in the boat, were such as could not but afford me the greatest satisfaction. The whole of the duties of refitting the ship during my absence fell upon Mr. Marshall, and were accomplished to a time remarkably short, considering the few hands on board. Of M r . John ' Stuart, the youngest officer under m y comman d, I c anno t speak too highly. Finding that there were no duties as an assistant-surgeon, he acted as third mate; and his ex ertions in preparing the travelling equipment, his surveys of various lays during his travels, and his assisting in pre paring charts, &e., have proved of the greatest use; and for his proceedings during the search of the beaches, &c., be tween Cape F.vinelle and Cape Hard I would refer you to his journal. He afterwards started as an auxiliary to the boat party, with an interval of only 36 hours , and was sub sequently employed in numerous short journies, conducting boats &c Mr. Goods rin his western search discharged alike his duty to this expedition and his missing brother. Mr. Peterson, the interpreter, in conducting the dog sledges and in affording much useful information with reference to travelling, as well as his personal exertion:in the same to the extent even of injuring his health, has afforded me the greatest satisfaction, and of his services as interpreter on a former occasion I have made mention in a previous despatch. Of the seamen of both vessels placed under my command I cannot speak too highly ; for neither in winter quarters nor while enduring the privations and fatigues of travelling, did ever one complaint or grumble reach my ears. Of their unwearied exertions a schedule it laid before you, and it success has not attended their labours, they have not the less performed their duties.—l have, &c. WILLIAM PENNY C o mmanding the Expedition. The Secretary of the Admiralty. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 12, 1851. THE OPENING OF THE PLYMOUTH M ECHAN I 6S - ' L' STITGTE. LORD EBRINOTON AND MR. ROINDELL PALMER IN PLYMOUTH. A largo lecture-hall having been built by the Ply mouth Mechanic? Institute, it was formally opened tor , public use on Wednesday evening last. The new hall stands on the site of the old hall in Princess-aquare, and it has been built after designs by George Wightwick, Esq., architect, who, for many years during his residence in Ply mouth, was one of the most active and able supporters oftbe institution. On the basement floor are four rooms, two of which are suitable for classes, and the others are fitted for sundry purposes ; on the ground floor accommodation is provided for the librarian, to whose use two rooms are ap propriated ; beside two others of equal size for class-rooms. fhe library and reading-room are also situated on this flour. Above all these is the lecture-hall ; its entire length is iu feet, greatest width '37 feet, and height ad feet, and it ac • commodates 3 , 30 on the main floor, besides a committee room which can be thrown open in addition, and in which are 93 sittings. The gallery affords accomm.nla6on for 350, and on crowded occasions ab-ut one-seventh additional sitters may find places, and, independently of this large number, standing moons is provided for 250. The ball was well filled, and there could not have been less than 1,009 persona present. Lord Ebrington and Mr. Roundel' Palmer were much cheered on coining into the hall. On the motion of George Pridhom, Esq., se conded by A. Rooker, Esq., the worshiptul the Mayor of Plymouth, D. Derry, Eaq., was called to the chair. the MAYOR, on taking the chair, was received with loud cheers. lie remarked that ho hail great pleasure in accepting the honour of presiding over the present meeting. Ho should have had much hesitation in doing so, did he not find that he was surrounded by gentlemen who in the course of the business of the evening would occupy their attention with details which would atfird them much pleasure. (Cheers.) He would State, in conclusion, that the committee had received letters from the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Droughtm, Lord Morley, Mr. Charles Dickens, Sir Edward flulwer Lytton, Mr. 'Thomas Wooll combo, and Mr. Robert l'orrett Culiier, who, in answer to invitations sent them, regretted, front various causes, that they were unable to attend. Rev. W. 'LODGERS then gave some account of the early history of the society, and baring given a statement of the objects of the institution—pointed out the importance of scientific research and the blessings conferred on all classes of the community—vindicated Science from the stinposition ' °fits being unfavourable to religion—and concluded by giving an earnest iuvitatimi to all, without distinction of sex, age, or condition, to participate in the benefits which such an institution offers. Viscount EBILINGTON, M.P., then rose to move the first resolution, and wus welcomed with a burst of cheer ing. Ile said it was with peculiar satisfaction that, thanks to the powers of etea:u by land and water, he was able to be present on this auspicious occasion, when, what ever might be their politics, there were so many points upon which they might combine. They had met to cele brate a most encouraging epoch in the history of the Plymouth Mechanics' Institute, which had pursued its career of usefulness fur nearly a quarter of a century on this spot, and in the building in which it first assembled. (Cheers.) Ile must be allowed to say that he had ever felt deeply the value of such institutions as the present, and he had always recommended the rich liberally to support them, and the pour eagerly to avail themselves of the advantages that were by theta affitrtled. It was but the night before last that he left their unhappy sister country, Ireland, where he fuuud everything that had been stated in the public libra ries committee of the Mouse of Commons, of which ho was a member, canfirmed by the unquestionable testimony of catholic and protestant elergyllloll anti various other par ties, with regard to the almost total deficiency of institutions of this sort. Indeed, the only one with which he was con nected in any degree was very near his father's pro perty in Ireland, to the vicinity of Waterford, with its thirty thousand inhabitants, to which, unfortunately, he contributed, and was made a life member, instead of his becoming an annual subscriber. That institution was now closed, and the secretary had most characteristically impounded the library until his accounts with the members were completely settled. (Laughter and cheers.) They were aware that for several years very great numbers of children were receiving education in Ireland ; latterly there were 40,000 children, a much larger proportion than there was in this country, or in this western county, receis ing the benefits of educatiou. But mechanics' institutes were very rare there. Ile would say that that class fur whose benefit these insti tutions were more especially intended, and from whom it had taken its name, were the persons who ought to seek its advantages ; and notwithstanding it had been stated, that iu endeavouring to promote the physical and sanitary well-being of the labouriug classes, by the establishment of such institutions as the preent, the founders were actuated only by a desire to raise theta to the intellectual level of the classes above, who wished to keep them in slavery, and also wished to keep them more completely under their own dominion. (Prolonged cheers.) In demonstrating the fact that education was the stepping stone to liberty, his lordship alluded to the penaltiA and punishments that were inflicted upon parties who taught the negroes in America to read or write, which punishments and severities of the laws, were outstripped by the frantic indignation and prompt violence of the white mobs of masters. Ito was quite' ure that it was perfectly unnecessary- to say a word more to them; ho gave them all credit for feeling a sym pathy, each with his brother, for de-iriug the britteing about of the great command, that alt the nations of the world might be united in the bonds of mutual esteem, good will, and good works. (Loud cheers ) The resolution he held in his hand was to the effect, that the institution had great claims upon the community, on account of its tendency to promote the great work of human improvement. Lord Eb rington then resumed his scat, amidst renewed cheering. G. W. SOLTALT, Esq., had much pleasure in seconding the resolution which had been read ; and, conceiving that it was the duty of all who took an interest in the welfare of their fellow men, he bad consented to assist, however humble his eudeavours, in promoting so valuable an institution as the one which they were that evening assembled to comme morate. ItOUNDELL PALMER, Esq., M.P., was received with loud cheers. Ile rust to move a resolution to this eff, : et, that it was a subject for sincere congratulation that while the population of Plymouth and its commerce were rapidly increasing, the literary and scientific institutions were more prosperous than at any former period. It would not become him, he said, to stand before that meeting and attempt to demonstrate that the population was increasing, or that the commercial importance of Plymouth was rapidly increas ing. Ile should assume that to be the fact in the observa tions that lie made to that aFsembly, and he thought that it wawa subject fur congratulation, that the literary and scientific societies were more prosperous than ever. It would be a mutter of great surprise if that were not the case—and if circumstances were as they ought to be, they ought not to be very much sur prised at them. (Laughter.) If the literary and scientific institutions were in a state of advance ment, co-incident with that of the population, it was not likely the commercial prosperity of Plymouth would be either very progressive or very permanent. If the com mercial importance of Plymouth was extending, it was owing to those causes which were in operation throughout this great country ; and which had for many years been extending the dignity, and wealth, and power, and the im por°anco of all the interests of this country. The learned , gentleman then noticed the causes of the inereas, of iutelli , genre, and their application to commerce and art, to agri- I culture, and to manufactures. lle remarked upon the re volutions which the steam-engine had produced in the con dition ot this country. But it was not the single discovery of the steam-engine alone ; that single principle once 1 dis covered had been multiplied and re-produced—by the pro ' coss of the mind in cultivated man it has been applied in every direction—now to the art of navigation, now to travel , ling by railway, so that places which were at a great dis tance were brought into almost a fabulous proximity. The effects of that were, that they were become so fully accus tomed to a state of extraordinary speed, that his noble friend and himself, when they were enabled to travel only 200 miles yesterday, considered the train extremely slow, and themselves very much ill-used. (Laughter.) lie would not multiply these examples, but would refer at once to the latest discovery—the electric telegraph—which was in itself one of the greatest triumphs that had ever been achieved ; but he would not refer to examples for the vain purpose of magnifying themselves in their own eyes, but would ask them to recognise the wondrous gilts of God, and to take ' them as a proof of what they might achieve, if they used the faculties he had given to them ; if they neglected to cultivate their intellects, they could not expect to b e nefit locally or personally by those advantages which the Author of the world had given to his creatures. These institu tions supplied in part the elements of that improvement of intellect. It would be taking a very extravagant view of the value of such instituticus as this it it were supposed that all the education required could be obtained in them ; but persons meeting in suck a society as this, where they could learn things that they could not learn elsewhere, added much to their stores of knowledge. A stimulus would often be given in such an institution, which might not be obtained in the solitary working hours of the student. Ile thought there were also great national ad vantages in these institutions, in which all classes might meet on a common ground to study and communicate the knowledge of the truth which God had enabled them to learn and to know. (Cheers.) There would always exist a certain amount of separation between the classes which composed society, and he hailed with delight every legiti mate means of bringing those classes together. With res pect to the prejudices which some had thought sometimes existed against these institutions he hail long since thought that they re‘ted on no solid foundation, but that they might be disputed by the results of experience, and if not entirely they might be said to be practically extinct. They did not raise themselves in the form of an obstacle to the exist ence of such societies. The notion which Pope wrote at 19, and which was probably written because ho was only 19, that "a little knowledge is • dangerous thing" had been super seded in these days by a recognition of the principle that total ignorance was much more dangerous. (Cheers.) And what reason was there that a person should stop at • little knowledge ? Let him go on and make it more. With respect to religion, bethought that there could be no greater mistakes in the world than to suppose that the pursuit of knowledge could be otherwise than friendly to religion. He thought it a libel to religion tohold otherwise. (Cheers) A. ROOKER, Esq., seconded the motion. The kernel wt a hn n d theo w n strop r other ongmlyotr gt ehesffou intellec tualrp a t Lis audience the necessity of their cultivating persona t, and of endeavouring to communicate as well f provemen weregentleman culture bein g remarked a t k in habitants, e datthletnog as to receive knowledge. ISA AC NICHOLS, Esq., moved a resolution, recommend ing to the generous consideration of all persons desirous of promoting the objects of the institution, that the debt would bt speedily liquidated. The speaker, after some preliminary observations, proceeded to state that they had a property, the value of which they estimated at 3,000/., and on that their debt did not exceed 1,40)'. IVhat they wanted was to raise 4001. by proprietary shares of 2041. and loans for 300/. Mr. Nichols urged those who were friendly to the objects of the institution to do something towards relieving the committee of this difficulty. WILLIAM COLLIER, Es q., seconded the motion, which was of course carried. Other resolutions were brought forward, and supported by appropriate addresses, and, they having been carried, The Mayor declared the business terminated; but to this Mr. Palmer put in an objection, till he hod pro posed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his excellent con duct in the chair. This was seconded by Lord Ebeington, and met with a cordial resp•inse from all present. The Mayor briefly relion , led, and then told the company that they would Fve allowcd ten minutes fur refreshment, after which Mr. Henry Phillips, of London, gave a musical entertainment, and the company separated. EDUCATION MF.ETING LN LEEDS. An important meeting, called to promote the cause of voluntary education in the West Riding of Yorkshire, was held in Leeds on Wednesday evening. The meeting NV a.l in fact a Yorkshire educational conference, and was attended by several of the leading voluntaries of the county. The announcement of the meeting aroused the Lancashire secular educationists, and from a war of placards which preceded it, a not very unanimous but boisterous meeting was anticipated. The meeting was a very numerous one. A great number of the working-classes and friends of the Lancashire scheme were present, but no interruption of the proe.:ediugs oc curred. EDWARD BAINES, Esq., presided, and said—lt was his satisfaction to have to mention to them—though most of them were already acquainted with an outline of the facts—that there had been a project devised by the Congregationaljaoard of Education in London for greatly increasing the usefulness of that board. It had been de termined that there should be a plan of a wide and exten sive but of a very simple nature laid before the congrega tionalists of this country for their decision and suppost That plan divided itself very properly into two parts. lust, a liberal support of normal schools Sro training male and female teachers in London, from which they hoped to send out well trained teachers for both boys and girls, who would teach the children most in accordance with their own wel *ere, and :Ise most in accordance a ith theiniuci pies they, as congregationalists, would support. The se cond branch consisted iu a plan for aiding weak schools in districts where the population was comparatively needy and d. stituto. They were quite aware that one branch of the voluntary principle, both in religion and in education, dis tinctly was that the strong should assist the weak, that the rich should aid the poor, that those who themselves en joyed the blessings of enlightenment and education should seek to impart their blessings to others. (hear, hear.) It was a peculiarly interesting feature of the new plan to be laid before them on that evening, that e large sum, perhaps not less than 1,100/. a year, should be spent in aiding schools requiring such assistance. That day a conference had been held of gentlemen representing the congregatonal body in the more po pulous towns of the county of York ; the meeting was a select one, and consisted of some -10 gentlemen resident in Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Hull, York, and some other similar places ; they had had some of the most influential and able of the congregational body ; and he was glad to be able to say that the plan laid before the conference held in June last had received the cordial and hearty support of the confereuce held in Leeds that day. (Hear, hear.) An organisation had thus been formed for this county, and now they came to the congre gationalists of Leeds, in the first instance, to ask them also to give to these measures their generous mil most hearty support. (near, hear.) Ile would call the attention of the meeting to the important fact, that by the sum of m Ailey which they hoped to be able to dispense to schools needing their assistance, they would be able to render pecuniary aid to several hundred schools scattered over different parts of the county—not that they intended to give them entire sup port, but such aid as they could ad'ord, whether it was little or much. They would do what they could, and would ' give their own money for the advancement of those views which they adhered to ; and to this plan he believed no sin cere and practical friend to education would venture to offer the slightest breath of opposition. (Applause.) Whilst so acting on the principles laid down, it was their impera tive duty, nay, rather, they were under the necessity of stating that they conscientiously objected to two plans now before the people of this country, and claiming their ap proval. Perhaps of these two plans it might be sufficient to say that they were so absolutely irreconcilable with each other, that the advocates of each, contending against the other, would 1, sufficient to demolish them both, and they as voluntaries, might stand by and see this pre ass Fciug on. But as to one of these plans, called the " Secular Education Plan," he might say, that they did not object to individuals estaalishingeecular schools, nor would they have the slightest interfereuco by legislature or by public opinion or anything else made against any honest effort for proinotiug educatiun by any body of men on their own principles or on any views they might entertain. But because of the compulsory nature of their plan they objected to it, and to pay fur it, which showed that it was a plan of a most intolerant and exclusive nature—a plan which would absolutely prevent assistance being given out of public money to any one of the schools established by religious bodies—a plan hostile to the systems of education adopted by the established church, by the Wesleyan, by the congrcgationalists, the Free Church of Scotland, the Roman catholics, tho Sweden borgians, and every other body of religionists. On this plan, which appeared to banish the ;great consecrating element of religion from the education to be given, they would be compelled to pay for what they si ere most directly opposed iu their consciences. (Applause.) To such a plan they never could, and never would assent. (Laud applause.) Then there was another plan in opposition to the secular scheme, a plan by whiclt was intended to give religious education, which w o o.: make them pay fur the support of a system of renaion of which they couseicatiousiy disapproved--a J aen which would sup port all manner of error, and .2.101 therefore was equally intolerant as the efts.• system; for it, on the other side, would prevent soy secular school from receiving any aid, and would esenpol all schools to teach religion. Against b o th thsee plans the Nonconformists, as a body, he ventured to soy, would protest ; they protested against the coercion and against the compulsion. They would give their own money for the advancement of what they believed to be truth, and not to the support of that which, in their con sciences, they believed to be serious error. (Applause.) Tho census returns, when published, would, as ha had said, show that in Leeds they had one for every eight and one-third, therefore they were making the nearest approxi mation to that which a committee of the House of Com mons in 1811 thought requisite, and had gone beyond what Lord Brougham in 1834 thought necessary. Ile stated these facts, not that they might excuse themselves from taking their proper part in this great work, but to refute that miserable pretence that the people arc unable to conduct their own education. This proved that they could do it, and that they had done it; this proved it clearly, if facts and figures could prove anything, and a man must be en tirely unreasonable if he could valet these statements as to what was going on in the community in which they were living and speaking. If these facts did not prove the case, he thought it was not possible for facts or figures to prove anything. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. G. W. CONDER (independent) read a paper on voluntary education. The paper was a long and elaborate document, abounding in sarcastic and spirited humour, and The Rev. JOHN GLENDENNING moved, " That this meeting expresses its unabated attachment to the cause of voluntary and religious education, believing that it is the only true mode of conferring the blessing of education on the people, and that it is entirely free from the serious objections which lie against every other method yet proposed for the accomplishment of this great end."f While thus proposing a system of education adapted to the entire man he thought they had one great work to ac. eomplish, and to that their energies were at present directed. They:(the voluntaries) wished to magnify the teacher's office, and to multiply the number of well-qualifiekteachers, both male and feimle,so that'as the opportunities of education in creased, the means of education might be augmented. !And in this great work one was inclined to ask, " how far can we go ?" (Hear, hear.) With only a limited time at present available for education, there was very little chance of going too far. Buti might they not' hope for the arrival of better days ? The hours of labour were beginning to be abridged, and he Rai looking forward with hope to the time when parents avail themselves of in struction for their children as they saw the opportunities and facilities were likely to increase. It would be seen, both from the paper read, and from the resolution they had heard, that it was proposed to give a religious education. They maintained that there was an intimate relation between religion and education ; and lie presumed that that assembly was prepared to admit that such a connexion ex isted between the two. How had the people reached the position in education they occupied now ? It had been effected as the result of and under a sense of parental obli gation, aasiated and encouraged by the generous liberality of Christian men. (Hear, hear.) And to this they owed their Sabbath schools, their day and evening schools, their Mechanics' and other institutions, which aimed at the eleva tion of the popular mind. And the principle which had done so much could do more ; the work commenced could be continued in future with whatever enlargement and eaten aiou the great cause of education might hereafter require. If the earnest educationists who were seeking to esta blish a compulsory system were at any time to suc ceed in their efforts, ho should very much doubt the prac tical success of their movement. The voluntary principle had earned for itself a glorious triumph in the establ' hment of ragged schools. Was it likely that the compulsory system would succeed as well as the voluntary principle had a n by persuasion and what this oa that point by deprecating government aid ; have instancebeen recovered Loral aute Ashleyalikely Dad bYth s a h f to o r e w t I h e M t °h o ue w yt e atOdpei could n al t t h p e t was e re h '° a . d a il been tb a e triedc aw now h ct proposed. which 3 , But a bad tbe c i °was tnni ;n w ep oin im i thlry l bn ed tp i c ? r f ti T c iind in saying fn man that the church was the i ns t ru ctress of the nation. They had a church establish meat which was well endowed ; how had it done its work as to educating the people ? He did not ask, had the highest ends of the ministry been attained Vic; that would be unfair, but had it succeeded in educating the people ? Could they (the voluntaries) withdraw their Sunday schools from existence, they would presently have an answer. Then on these and another grounds they were driven to act upon the purely voluntary principle in education as well as reli gion; and as yohiatanes it behoved them t 9 manifest as enlarged liberality. Did they hold the principle ? they deem it worth contending for ? Then it called for and deserved some sacrifice of their time and money to support it ; they had to vindicate their position, and to nil the cause of education. Although they never engagNl to un dertake the education of the whole people, they fillet do their part of the work, and by so doing hasten on the when knowleddr and lirtue should be the stability of our times. (Applause.) SIMeEl] MORLEY, Esq., of London, the chairman of the Con,treaational Board of Education, seconded the motion. He said he should occupy but a very few minutes of the time of the meeting. It had been his privilege that morning to attend a cold , . renre of friends from carton; parts of this county, the proceedings of which had been alluded to by their; chairman ; and he must say that he would rather attend a hundred sash conferences than have to address a meeting like that. But still it was right for every one who hail an opinion on this important subject to give expression to that opinion. He might state, as repre senting the Congregational Board of Educakunt, that they had no idea at all that it was their duty to educate the en tire mass of the people ; but they did b e li eve t h ey h a d a d uty to discharge and a part to take in this important matter; and they Lit that than would be better done by stiesulating people to educate themselves, than by being p trace to the mere preparation and distribution of an eleemosynary sup ply of that most important article—education. Theretora the board wits engiy.al earnestly, though in a limited way, in educating efficient teachers, believing there was no more important method of promoting this great work than by sendinz out efficient teachers who would provide sue: a supply of this article as would be appreciated be tho people, and accepted by them. (Hear, hear.) 'their experience went to prove that if an edaeation worthy of their ace( ptance was so efferent to the people, there was no indisposition in the great mass of the working classes to bear the charges made; so far from that, there had been a disposition to Menem the charges previously made, where the education offered was worthy of accept ance. (Hear, hear.) 'Elie Rev. 11. R. REYNOLDS, of Leeds, moved the next resolution: "„That this meeting declares its confidence in thc Con gregational Board of Education, and, believing that the time ha. arrived for a more organis,d and systematic etfort to stntain its operations, resolves to exert itself to promote a hearty co-operation with it in this district." The rev. gentleman pointed out that in this contest be tween voluntary and government education the congrega tionalists stood almost alone ; hut expressed his firm con viction that after years of blundering and mischief', the vo luntary principle would be vindicated, if nut by the present by tho next generation. JOIIN CIiOSSLEY, Esq., Mayor of Halifax, seconded the motion, which was then put and carried unanimously. The Her. THOMAS SCALES, of Silcuates, near Wake field, moved the appointment of a local committeu, to aid the London hoard. Mr. WM. WATKINSON, of Huddersfield, seconded the motion, which was also agreed to non. con. A cute of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceed ings to a elm about 10 o'clock at night. THE CATASTROPHE OJT THE DUCKING• kumsHutk ADJOURNED INQUEST. lIIegSTER, Tim MOAT. The fourth day's proceedings in this inquiry coat raenred this morning at nine o'clock. Thomas alacfaelzen, locomotive foreman at the Bletchley Station, said, in reference to a statement by the witnsa Carrier —It is not my duty to give directions as to the transit of trains there. The rules state expressly that the movements of all trains are under the orders of the guards, to whose instructions as to stopping, starting, &c., the en gincman is to pay implicit attention. Each servant of the company has a copy of these rules and regulations. I re member the excursion train coming to the Illetchl y Station from London on the way to Oxfurd. I had seen a printed announcement of this train. The Coroner (to thejury)—This is a paper headed "Down Excursion Trains," and dated " Eustun Station, 4th Slit., 1811." It announces " that a train to (Won: will Lava the Euston-square station on the afternoon of Saturday, tho 6th of September, at half-past 1 o'clock," and adds, " that all the workiug linatigauents of this train are to be pre cisely the same as those contained in the printed order under the date of the 7th ultimo, on the Occasion of the special train to Oxford, on Saturday, August 9th." Have you the order of the 7th August last ? Witness—l have (producing it.) The Coroner—This is the order. " On Saturday. the "th August, a special train to Oxford will leave the Easton square station at half-past 4 o'clock, following the 4 p.m. duwu passenger train to Bletchley, and the 4.45 p.m. train from Bletehley, thence to Oxford. The necessary trains are to be signalled. Mr. Brooks is to provide the guards. Thu special train front London, and the 5.43 pan. train from Oxford will, in all probability, pass each other at Bicester. The approach of the special train to \ inslow must be at onto telegraphed to Bicester, and should the 3.43 from Oxlbrd bass, arrived at Bicester before notice being given of the spe cial train at Winslow, Mr. Brown will telegraph Winslow to keep the special train untilthe arrival there of the 3.43; but Mr. Brown is not to allow the 5.13 trails to leave Bicester until he receives a reply from Mr. lloglegrove, that ho distinctly understands the mes.saze, and will not allow any engine to leave Winslow for Bicester until the 5.45 from Oxford has arrived. It is adilA, that passen gers leaving Oxford on Monday and Tuesday the Ist and 2ml September, will have the option of returning on the 3rd and 4th with Marcus's Wolverhampton train, as far as Bletehley, whence they can pr o c ee d to Oxford, on the arrival of the train leaving London at 12 noon. They may also return on the following isaturday, the 6th, by the excursion train to Oxford, leaving the huston-squa re sta tion at 4.30 p.m.'' thist* all very well, but there is not one word s...at about the Bicester pas engers being set by a train stopping at llicester on Saturday, the 6th. here is nut any mention of the excursion train stopping at Bicester. From whom did you receive these documents? Witness—Front my superintendent; and I ordered Carrier to drive the excursion train on to Oxford, and Doctor, the fireman, I ordered to go with him. At the time they left 1 expected that they would go straight to Oxford, only stopping t o t a k e i n water at Winslow. I had no directions as es, eisDojos at Bicester, and I did not give any directions either to the ash's.. Ex cept that the letter, Carrier, should take the train w Oxford. I consider Carrier a careful driver, as I have had occasion to report him. Ile was perfectly sober when he started, and I never knew hint to be otherwise. By the jury—l do not know where the tickets fur the excursion which were issued at Bleeder were printed. John Wilmot called and examined—l am a policeman and points-man at the Ilicester station, and was on duty on Saturday last. I expected an excursion train about seven o'clock in the evening, and that it would stop at Bicester. I expected the train would stop from the printed instructions I received from my inspector. I gave up theseinstructions to Mr. Bruyers on Saturday evening. Mr. Bruyers is iu Bicester. There are meeting points at both ends of the siding, and I have to attend to them for every train. I also attend to all the signals in the day time. I am on duty front 7 in the morning until half-past 9 or 10 o'clock at night, and have to attend to twelve passenger and one goods train daily. It is my duty also to see that the points are always in order, and, under sec. 23 in 77th page of the rules and regulations, to try them before the approach of the trains. On Satur day evening last, 1 was at my post at the points nearest Launton fur a quarter of an hour before the excursion train came up. I then examined and tried them, and they were in the proper position fur the trains going on to the siding. Being there, I consider it made it safer to put my hand on the lever when a long train such as that was passed over the line. I always have done so, because I thick it safer. When the train is passing I can feel them shake. Indeed, the arm is kept in perpetual motion, and that induces mo to think the points might move unless the lever was held. I saw the train coming. I thought it was running at too great a rate to stop, and I went into the middle of the road and waved my red flag as a signal for stopping. At the same time I called to Harris, who was at the gate, to open his red flag and to do the same as I did. 1 waved my flag a dozen times before I went hack to the points. The train still seemed to be coming very fast. On reaching the points again, I took my red Bag in my left hand and kept waving it, and at the same time keeping tho lever down with my right hand. At this time f heard some one call out " Turn them on to the straight line," but I had not time to do so, nor did I attempt it because tho engine was close upon me. I was stooping down and I must have raised myself in order to move the points, and I am quite certain I did not do so. The engine appeared to pass me safe enough, and as I thought turned on to the sid ing. I thought the tender and carriages went right over the points, and I expected they would. I conceived all was safe until I stood up. Everything had passed before I took my hand from the lever. When I raised myself up I saw the carriages tumbling one over the other close to the gates at the level crossing. Everything was clear from the points, and the horse-lax, which was last, was about 20 yards from the points. Neither the nut or screw . of the tie-rod of the points were broken before the trmn came up. I am positive they were not, sod 1 did not dis cover that they were so, for I ran across the line, and went to assist in extricating the passengers from the carriages, and was so engaged fur some hours. Hence it was that I did not go to examine the points. If I had been collected I should have examined, to see that the points had gone back. I am quite sure my point rails we re quite right at the time the train over. The rails ne ar thc gates were torn up. uring the day I had a conversation with Mr. Brown, the station master, about the excursion train stopping. I went into the office to him, and remarked to hint that the excursiou train would stop here, as several people who had gone by the excursion train on Sunday had not returned. Mr. Brown replied, "Oh, yes, certainly; I have got four or five people I expect down." He did not give me any order to stop it. I took that upon myself as usual, and put the signals accordingly. We have had . S aturday excursion trains from Euston to Oxford ever smeo the opening of the Exhibition, but I cannot remember that any one of them ever stopped at Bicester. The engine driver, Carrier, had brought three excursion trains previ ous to that of Saturday last. All those three passed through our station on the main straight line without stopping at Bicester. The passengers from Bleeder on the Tuesday went to London by tho train from Oxford. The bills stated that passengers might return on Wedneadav or Friday, or by 4.30 p.m. train on Saturday last. I did not had any particular jerk at the points while I held the lever when the train was passing. I was not confused or nervous about the excursion train, because I knew Carrier, one of our own men, was oat it. Henry Pringle Broyeres, superintendent of the traffic on the *outhcra division of taio London and. North Western