The Press. — London, England, 1858-01-02 00:00:00

--- A BOILER Exmosrox occurred at Leeds on Tues day at the Here-hills Lane Colliery, whereby one of the partners in the firm, Mr. Joseph Garside, and a boy, were killled on the spot. The engineman lies seriously injured. THE INSIDE OF A MISER'S ROOM was exposed to view last week at Hertford. An execution for rent was put into the house of one " Ducky Baldock," a poor man well known for the last thirty years in the town. In his room, besides some 01. or 71. in cash, and a vast amount of miscellaneous treasure in the shape of odds and ends, was discovered the following articles of wearing apparel:-320 pairs of stockings. 133 pairs of boots and shoes, 41 pairs of trousers, 30 coats, 14 hats, several bonnets, 03 waistcosts, 6t shirts, 40 shirt collars, 40 pocket handkerchiefs, a macintosh, 2 white waistcoats,l3 pair of cork socks, drawers, dressing gowns, flannel shirts, aprons ; with these were packed 112,000 circulars addressed to ladies and gentlemen throughout the several adjacent towns and neighbourhood, 20,000 not addressed, 20 Hertford Mercury newspapers, 1,400 Herta Guardian newspapers. MR. CAMBRIDGE, an old and respected resident cf Bury, met with his death under curious circum stances last Sunday morning. He went up after breakfast to look at his pigeons, kept in a loft to which there was access from the laundry by a ladder and a folding trap-door. Just as he had got up ho lost his footing on the ladder, pulled down the shutters upon his head, and was killed on the spot. RAILWAY COMPETITION appears to be carried Occa sionally to an absurd pitch. A recent number of a railway journal declares that the competition be tween the Great Western and South-Western Com panies for the Weymouth traffic, including, of course, that of the Channel Islands, results in a loss to the latter company of something like 2001. a week, or at the rate of 10,0001. a year, and to the former company of 4001. a week, or at the rate of 20,0001. a year. LORD CAMPBELL attended a meeting on Wednes day at Edinburgh, held by the Association for the Improvement and Extension of the Universities of Scotland. In the course of his speech on this occa sion, Lord Campbell warmly advocated the proposal to ask Parliament for a grant of money in aid of the extension of these universities. He advocated, also the extension to the Scotch universities of the privi lege of sending members to Parliament. He depre cated as " a very foolish and mischievous system" the plan of competitive examinations for appoint ments under Government, but advocated the applica tion of the principle to academical degrees. Various resolutions in support of the objects of the meeting were proposed and adopted. THE MAYOR AND CORPORATION OF BIRMINGHAM have resolved to celebrate the marriage of the Prin cess Royal on the 25th instant by a grand banquet, concert, ball, and illuminations. The poor of the city are also to be entertained, and a presentation of specimens of the local art manufactures will be made to the Prince and Princess Frederick of Prussia. THE MANCHESTER ART TREASURES EXHIBITION COMMITTEE were entertained at a grind banquet by the Manchester Town Council on Wednesday in the Town-hall, and the thanks of the Council formally tendered to Mr. Fairbairn and the committee for their exertions in support of the great undertaking they so successfully carried through. Mr. T. Fairbairn in the course of his reply said that the succtss of the Exhibition had been " great, unequivocal, and de cided," and paid a high tribute to the support the Exhibition met with from all ranks and classes, and the excellent order maintained by the working classes. THE PRESS, JANUARY 2,1858. saw nub Voila. THE TRIAL FOR PERJURY of Edward Auchmuty Glover, Esq., late M.P. for Beverley, who was sub sequently unseated on petition, and whose prosecu tion on the motion of Mr. John Abel Smith was ordered by the House of Commons on the Bth ult., it is expected will come on at the Central Criminal Court next Wednesday ; that being the first day on which the Judges attend. The prosecution will be conducted by her Majesty's Attorney-General. MR. JUSTICE CRESWELL will in a short tirte retire from the Court of Common Pleas, to take his seat in the new Probate Court. HILARY TERM commences on Monday week, the 11th inst., when the several courts of law and equity will resume their sittings. On that day the two acts of last session will come into operation, when two new courts will be established—" the Court of Pro bate," and "the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes." The arrears of rules in the common law courts are inconsiderable. JUDICIAL SEPARATlON.—Henceforth no decree is to be made for a divorce a mensa et thoro but for a judicial separation, which may be obtained under the new act (20 and 21 Viet., c. 83), either by a husband or wife, on the ground of adultery or cruelty, or desertion without cause, for two years and upwards. Q lution utelligentr. THE Bums ELECTION.—The official declaration of the numbers polled for the respective candidates at the recent election took place on Saturday at the Town-hall. Mr. Cavendish, the successful candi date, was accompanied by a good many of his prin cipal supporters. Philip Wroughton, Esq., High Sheriff of the county, then stood forward, and declared the numbers polled for the respective can didates to be as follows :—Cavendish, 1,617 ; Hamil ton, 1,454: majority for Mr. Cavendish, 163. And be therefore declared that gentleman to have been duly elected as a knight of the shire to represent the county of Bucks in the present Parliament. Mayo.—Lord John Browne was duly returned un opposed on Wednesday last. THE LEVIATHAN. THE preparations for completing the launch of the Leviathan are progressing with all that speed, safety, and certainty will permit. An additional number of hydraulic rams are being fitted, and from their number and magnitude there is every proba bility that the next attempt at launching this monster ship will be successful. There is no doubt the difficulties that have hitherto impeded her suc cessful progress will be overcome, and that this day (Saturday), the day fixed for another attempt, let us hope she will be safely afloat before sunset. THE "SARAH SANDS." - - A LAMENTABLE accident has occurred to one of our steam transports conveying troo, s to India. The Sarah Sarvis was burned at sea on the 11th Nov. As an instance of cool daring, the saving of the ship and its crew and passengers is one of the noblest on record. The following letter from the captain details the incidents which occurred : At about 3.45 p.m., on the 11th of November, I disco vered a very strong smell of fire arising from the after orlop deck (where about lio of the troops were berthed), and upon going into the hold fund it to be on fire, and immense volumes of smoke issuing from it. I imme diately ordered all the engines to be stopped, all sail taken in, and the ship brought to the wind ; some hands were at the same time getting fire-hoses passed below. I then requested Colonel Moffatt to have all the ammu nition thrown overboard, and succeeded in clearing the starboard magazine. By this time the whole of the after part of the ship was so much enveloped in smoke that it was scarcely possible to stand ; but volunteers came aft and attempted to clear the port magazine, which they succeeded in doing, with the exception (as we suppose) of one barrel. Several of the men were dragged up senseless from below while thus engaged. I ordered all the boats to be lowered, placing the ladies in the port lifeboat under the charge of Mr. Verey, third officer, giving him orders to keep clear of the ship until recalled. Mr. Welch, chief officer, was forward hoisting out the cutter and longboat, which was done without acci dent. I then commenced constructing rafts, of which I launched two overboard and safely moored them alongside, keeping a third across the deck forward in readiness. At about 8.30 p.m. flames burst through the upper deck, and shortly after the mizen rigging took fire. I was then fearful of the ship paying off, but fortunately the after braces were burnt through, and the mainyard swung round. About nine a.m. a fearful explosion took place in the port magazine. By this time the ship was one body of flame from the stern to the main rigging, and thinking it scarcely possible to save her I called Major Brett ( in com mand of the troops) forward, and told him my opinion, re questing him to endeavour to keep order among the troops till the last, hut at the same time to use every exertion to check the fire. No person can describe the manner in which the men worked to keep the fire bock ; one party were below keep ing the bulkhead cool, several of whom were dragged up senseless, and fresh volunteers took their places, but were soon in the same state. At eleven p.m. the maintopaailyard took fire. Mr. Welch, one quartermaster, and four or five soldiers went aloft with wet blankets and succeeded in extinguishing it, but not until the yard and mast were nearly burnt through. About midnight we appeared to have made some impression on the fire, and after that drove it back inch by inch until daylight, when it had been completely got under. The ship now appeared in a fearful plight; merely the shell remaining, the port quarter blown out by the explo sion, fifteen feet of water in the hold, and the ship rolling heavily and taking in large quantities of water aft. As soon as the smoke was partially cleared away I got spare sails and blankets aft to stop the leak, passing two hawsers round the stern and setting them up. The troops were employed baling and pumping, the ship rolling heavily, and the tanks rolling from side to side in the hold. About ten a.m. the ladies joined the ship. I then ordered all the boats alongside, but found the sea too heavy for them to remain there ; the gig, however, had been abandoned during the night, and the crew, under Mr. Ward, fourth officer, got into another of the boats. The troops were employed during the remainder of the , day baling and pumping, and the crew in securing the stern. Throughout the night all hands were engaged in baling and pumping. The boats were secured fore and aft, but several were severely damaged. At daylight on the 13th the crew were employed hoist ing in the boats, the troops working manfully in baling ' and pumping. Latitude at noon 13.1'2 S. At five p.m. set foresail and foretopsail, and bore for the Mauritius. On Thursday, the 19th, sighted the Island Roderigues, and arrived at Mauritius on Monday, the '23rd. J. S. CAsTer, Commander. Obititarg. FREDERICK SPENCER, Earl Spencer, Viscount Althorp, county of Northampton, Viscount and Baron Spencer, of Altborp, county of Northampton, died on Sunday last, a few minutes after twelve p.m., at Altborp-hall, the family seat in Northampton shire. The earl was up to a few hours before his death to all appearance in his usual robust health, and on Saturday was out shooting for several hours with a party of friends partaking of the hospitalities at the hall. The deceased was fourth son of George John, second earl, by his marriage with Lady Lavinia Bingham, eldest daughter of Charles, first Earl of Lucan. He was born April 14, 1798, and consequently in his sixty-first year. The late earl was twice married—first, Feb. 23,1830, to Elizabeth Georgiana, second daughter of the late Mr. William Stephen Poyntz, of Cowdray-park, Sussex,by whom (who died in 1851) the deceased peer has surviving Viscount Althorp. M.P., and Lady Sarah ; and he married, secondly, in 1854, Miss Adelaide Seymour, only daughter of the late Sir Horace Beauchamp Seymour, K.C.H., by his first marriage with Matilda, daughter of the late Sir Lawrence Palk, Bart. By the latter marriage the earl leaves two children, the last, a son, having been born at Spencer-house, St. James's, early in November. The late earl was horn at the Admiralty, Whitehall, his father having for many years presided over that department of the Government. He adopted the navy as his profession, entering that service a few months before be attained his fourteenth year. During his naval career the late earl distinguished himself at the battle of Na varino, when in command of the Talbot, for which and other services—the reduction of the Mores Castle, Sae.—he was in November. 1827, nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath, and received the Cross of St. Louis of France, and was made a Knight of St. Anne of Russia (second class), and of the Order of the Redeemer of Greece. Since he relinquished the command of the Talbot in the autumn of 1828 his lordship had not been afloat. His naval commission bore date as annexed :—Lieu tenant, 14th of July, 1818 ; Commander, sth of March, 1821; Captain, 20th of August, 1822 ; and Rear Admiral (reserved). 7th of October, 1852. The Earl Spencer was for a series of years Equerry to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. In July, 1846, he was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Queen's Household, which appointment he held up to September, 1848, when be was succeeded by the Marquis of Breadalbane. In January, 1854, he was appointed Lord Steward of her Majesty's Household, an office be resigned on the 28th of November. The late peer was created a Knight of the Garter in 1849, on the death of the late Earl Talbot. The deceased earl succeeded to the family honours and extensive landed estates on the demise of his brother, John Charles. second earl, the well-known statesman, in 1845. He is succeeded by his son, John Poyntz, Viscount Althorp, M.P., born October 27, 18. 5. Previous to his accession to the peerage, the late earl sat in the House of Commons for Worcestershire (1831). At the general election in 1832 to 1835, and from 1837 to 1841, the Hon. Captain Spencer repre sented Midhnrst in Parliament. During his career in the Lower House he invariably voted with the Whig party, of which political body, like his predecessor in the peerage, he was a consistent supporter. The present earl was returned to the House of Commons at the last general election for the southern division of the county of Northampton, his lordship heading the poll by a large majority. A vacancy consequently occurs in the representation of the county by this elevation of his lordship to the House of Lords. The earl had only very recently returned to Althorp from I a lengthened tour in the United States and Canada. MR. EDWARD Btrukee, recently Common Sergeant of London, died at bis residence, Upfield, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, on Sunday, the 27th ult. SIR DAVD) H. BiArn, BART., died at Blairquhan, N. 8., on Saturday, the 20th ult. We believe that at his deceass he had recently entered upon the eightieth year of his age. Our readers will remember that his eldest son by his first union, the late Colonel James Hunter Blair, of the Fusilier Guards, and some time M.P. for Ayrshire, was killed at Inkermann in November, 1854, and the title has consequently devolved on his second son, Edward, formerly lieutenant in the 93rd Highlanders, now fourth baronet. Mn. GLADSTONF.'S "HexEn."—The new work on Homer, by Mr. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., which has given rise to so much literary speculation, is now in process of printing at the press o f the University which the right hon. gentleman represents in Par liament. Its title will be " Homer and the Homeno Age," and it will appear in three volumes. 15