The Sun. — London, England, 1845-08-07 00:00:00

PP _~.,,_ . rabtrbt tif wog 4 SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. LO NDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.—(THIS DAY.) a ale twenty-fourth half-yearly general meeting of the 'Jirectors and Shareholders of the London and Birm:ag • ham Railway Company took place this day, at the Eul toa.square terminus, for the purpose of receiving the report of the Directors, and for other general business 'connected with the Company. There was a large nal-n -uer of the Directors and Proprietors present. The portrait of the Chairman of the Company, Mr. G inn, which was voted at the last half-yearly meeting, "as:placed in the large room of the Company. e. G. Glynn, Esq., took the chair shortly after twelve. The Secretary, Mr. CREED, having read the advertise- Itlent calling the meeting, and the usual formal business 'of the Company having been gone through, li e CHAIRMAN proceeded to address the meeting. ° Was ext reme ly anx io us not to occupy the time of the C ompany by going through the statements of the ac counts because it happened upon the present occasion Lam there was a great press of business to be disposed q before the meeting adjourned. Those who looked to the accounts would see the result with satisfaction. The which he wished more particularly to call the t tt e,latio . n of the Proprietors were . the recent proceedings Parliament. It would be in the recollection of the • • pr oprieto rs that several Bills had received the sanction nr s. "' the la s t mee ting—the Tring and Worcester, the West 17, °don, the Bedlord, the Dunstable and the Trent Val i• Of those Bills, the West London, the Bedford, the % nstable, and the Trent Valley had received the Royal ant. Those Bills were of extreme importance to the sr h„ and Birmingham Railway, more especially the ILtitt Valley. The Company, however, he admitted, eh "' felt a severe blow in the loss of the Bill with refer tos the Tring and Worcester line. .He (the Chair - til lt n), however, could not consider that they had lost at Bill in consequence of the superiority of their ?Plants' line. Ile believed the real cause of their thire was the principle of competition, which, for the Ittinse Parliament had adopted in direct contradiction to various various resolutions of the House of Commons, and their own legislative Act of the previous session. lie did not find fault with their opponents, the ironmasters Staffordshire, for the coarse they had adopted. sis ueY doubtless thought they were acting for their s - n interests, hut he believed that experience had h '°Wtl them the reverse. Ile could not, however, but „„Press his surprise at the conduct of some of their other gaud he alluded to the Great Western and the ,h en Junction Companies. The first company had % ,`"en advantage of circumstances to tie up by bond rail s It Y 3 in their own districts from carrying any line in e inpetiti on w i t h th em ; a n d the Grand Junction had acted in a way that their Directors had not antici bat d e • But the contest was over, and he hoped with t a ll angry feeling. Ile believed, if they all went on arg th e i r d u ty t o th e p u blic, there was enough and to 4 0. i1e for all of thein.—(lleifr, hear.) It was, however, .14 aw, A "nty of the Directors of that Company to watch .ythe interests of the Proprietors, and that they w er e determined to do. Acting upon that principle, it • kl is their intention, in the course of the next year, to l igfor ward several projects that had had their origin *Qv desire on the part of the Directors to increase the aeurcesP of theli ey Compa ntendnyed to and propose, the emoluments th the future of the fraction e i, i ,n tors i of the i'roprietars, making a branch railway °Ol ; o Watford, by St. Alban's, to Luton. They proposed to carry a line from Northampton to Banbury. \sv 'Y proposed also to connect the Leamington and atlviek li ne w i t h C oven t r y an d Nuneaton, and by that l; l a ils to connect it with the Trent Valley line. a e :, had also in view exten , ive projects in eon isr' on with Warwick and Buckinghamshire. They W;Posed to continue the line from Hampton to ae, iek and Leamington, and thence to Banbury ; e beli e ved that the same Company would carry it ish Cheltenham. They proposed also to carry the li n o Aylesbury, Brackley, Missenden, into their own a e at Harrow. Now, these lines, he believed, would be to t a i; ) nrce of considerable profit and emolument Provrietors.—(llear, hear.) In addition to this kis t • T „had formed a connexion with the Birmingham lvs s -4 Company, with the intention of forming a rail - A s ' s "nnecting Birmingham with Wolverhampton and theShrewsbury and Wolverhampton line. And, although tar! had lost the South Staffordshire Bill, the Proprie etsriwsould see that this arrangement would ensure, if tsfi e ° out, the great bulk of the mineral traffic of South il l4 shire flowing into the Birmingham line. In short, the ad very little doubt that this line would bring upon Ikt"ldon and Birmingham line the whole traffic of that ts i th e country, because they inteaded_ to carry that 1 1li e , s e s t out by another line up the Stour Valley. Another I s t lia l ",gich they proposed was from Wolverton to Buck )? Ji tb ,t, connexion - with i a branch from Wolverton, s tlps l tanghain, to B .es . ter and Oxford. He was .0 1 1 5 k. lied i n f orm . the Proprietors that the Directors con neo: t , ) cultivate their connexion with the North as qlshire line. Indeed, he believed he might la y that the Company hart not lost, notwithstand esis`qeir defeat in Parliam en t , an y connexi o n, no t etas the nexion of Lord Ward.—(Hear, hear.) s . Vl , th the desire of the Directors to seek peace in every do i ; i 1 ; 411 (1 he could assure the Proprietors that they had jt 411 in their power to promote it.—(dear, hear.) is so as right that he should now call the aention of the w es litietors to some other Points which, a tt lthough they ia .7 e nut very material to the interests the Company, 1,27 as desirable he should advert to, in f order that the s it i - 9Pri c etors should keep themselves right with the bi • He . alluded weeks ago in the la to a declaration made some *h .i f n e gu ll narriienagrudie,viat °use of Lords by the Marquis which he stated that it would be a mingh arn R aii r s -° see how far the London and Bir he p u "Y Company had kept their faith with blic Intl whether, . for the sake of increasing their dividends:they had not increased their charges.—(Hear, N that. that he would appeal to the greatest enemy Company had, whether the engagements that bees been made on the part of the Company had not their carried out to the very letter—that after Wou ld r 'sti;h had reached a certain extent, they the _ reduce_ their fares ? The charge made against esesuis.nof increasing their rates for the purpose of in creasing g their dividends was not founded on fact, and he ch ar ' any one to prove it. He now came to another a lo Jo, made the night before last in the House of Com tlsiti:! KS to the proceedings of the Company in re asesln3 their general business. That charge 15z„,.7 11 1 consequenc e o f a statement made by a and Lo r d i n the House of Commons, an d t h e aa t i t . a . 6 f that charge was, that the London he itsy a irminghain Company had used engines . to propel s ams, and that had taken place especially in the thPlhourhood Weedon. Now be (the Chairman) a sli ti ght that before such a charge bad been brought Wa e t ii i'llairy ought to have taken place as to whether it qn ,,rtle or not. On the part of the Directors of the fe rsi r,h and Birmingham Corn pany, he denied it in the most Rt l emanner possible, and he asserted that so far;as it redre them, the charge was utterly false and groundless. s s r that charge had been made inquiries had been set tl ist , ° ° . t by the Directors, and it was upon the result of op en i nquiries that he founded the strong and uaequi viheesdenial he had given to the charge. He felt con tip s Q t. that the Noble Lord who had made the accusa .ind been misled, as far as it regarded the Bir g"ana b,. and London Company. There was no instance, lii rt :L'eved, of any of the trains of the London and 11 4, 1 11 1 'g:ham Company being propelled in the way stated. sec tt wan the instruction of the Directors to all their ltss 4 nts that such a course should not be adopted unless 'tates special circumstances. As he had before ' since the change had been • made, inquiries had th s instituted and he could assure the Proprietors and 'eci i l34b he that no instance of the kind referred to had ti lts, that All he had to express a hope for a rse the refutation he had thus given the rs e charge, would be made as public as the 11 0 t 6e itself had been. That Company bad certainly rss .een. jade ""I'ved much favour from Parliament.—(Hear.) Ih tisl tea eil f , they did not desire it—(hear, hear)—but they I. % o r justice.— (Cheers.) They had a pledge from s`sp es ndsten e th a t j us tice should be done them with ' ti tass i " to the law of rating. But, notwith liisseg that pledge, another session had passed, a at Which they bad got nothing ; and the 0 ",?otl IV, with respect to that subject, just where it C . ,l'aii, s '"ve. The law with respect to rating operated 411 4 3' companies with great oppression; indeed, he h ne oti l'ost said it sanctioned robbery.—(Hear, hear.) : * sa e ' . Points to which he bad now to advert were, ti; ord - „, happy to say, of a more pleasant nature. Q s , e , r to provide for their: engagements with top sh - lhead Company anti the Trent Valley 20/ - Y , the Directors proposed that the creation an d ,shares should be ordered.—(Hear, hear.) ' l nd i t ° llld give to each share of 100/. one share of 201., ii , g otti s i wa s Proposed that the dividends from those shares s -ii hie et e ,"heence on the Ist of October next ; of course a - s s t kid s° the charge of deduction of 5 per cent. on calls Ore s And it was also int oaded with respect to those s -61- ees ss tt ' make that reservation according to the nt With the Birmingham and Manchester Corn- Z.sha re - "nat was, that they should have the full amount bs i rees s , sa3 if the amalgamation bad taken place. The i'teters had that Company, he could assure the Pro t9tne nad no wish whatever not to come to 11 1 : ) ,i tt c a o 4 ' ,,, icable arrangement with the Grand June ' h e ,'"„ PanY notwithstanding the statements that t il v l l ltt c o ‘4 put forth at the last meeting of sa rci ligh llllll l. He believed that he bad now gone a-vert the Whole of the topics he had intended to ltictorg ' and he hoped, in conclusion, that the Pro iv"vse sit w °9ld not consider that the Company was in a b een h alf ...nation than when the Directors met them at the cl e f •Y e arlY meeting, notwithstanding that they had • The eated in several instanc(Cheers.) Seca Vraar then read the following T he REPORT. crease °Per ations of the l a st half-year exhibit a great in side af tr ls rabl e a msboth in passengers and goods, and a consi ar, c es ef receipt over the corresponding half-year o es , bts_ otwithstanding the large reductions which have , ' 4 .6k a i ti a : e ll :lade in the Company's fares and rates, amounting Per r t?, (4 .the passengers' fares of all classes, irons t h ege , at ue 01 1844, to 1-8181 in 1845 ; and on the i s tatB 4 " of goods o f a ll c l asses , p er to n , from 2.916 d. per as!'e total i ° 2 .530 d. in 1845. 41 1 : r18 t }'664 X 79 of passengers is 38,758,260 in 1845, 9 in 1844, being an increase of 57.143 per 6,9 25 e to tal . as47s. ss , = mileage of goods is 9,350,718 tons, against r di , _ e in g au increase of 31.933 per cent. elpt for the gross or- Y traffic for 1845, is... £447,190 1544, is... 405,768 Increase £41,422 The char *e on the traffic for 1 845, • 1844 , is ..................... xi09f32:3:1223 111 oh* Increate to charge of charge 113 in the locomotive depart' - TRES UN, LON DON, THURSDAY VII EN ING, AUGUST 7, Iw, ment, arising from the additional work required from the engines. which amounted For the half-year of June, 1845, to Against the charge tor 1844, of 32,603 Increase but the Directors having made provision, as stated in their last report, for a supply of engines of greater power than those hitherto employed, and better calculated fir the ex tended carrying business of the Company, although disap pointed in their delivery as early as was expected, they con template a largo prospective reduction of expense under this head in the course of next year, when these engines will have been brought into work. The Directors trust, also, that the charge for maintenance of way will be progressively reduced under the operation of new contracts which, owing to the improved state of the works, they have been enabled to make at lower prices than those previously subsisting. The Directors have again to remark on the exorbitant charges made for parish rates, which amount to 3,910/. more in the last half-year than in 1844, and they regret that, under the existing system of appeal, there appears little chance of redress. As respects the increase of traffic, the Directors feel that although the greater portion may be fairly ascribed to the improved state of the country, aided by the influence of low charges, and in a small degree by the opening of the Warwick and Leamington branch line, no inconsiderable share of the passenger receipts is due to the extraordinary movement which the numerous railway projects before Parliament have excited, and they are of opinion that the Proprietors will act wisely in not dividing more of their profits than is re quired for the present rate of dividend, clear of income-tax. By the accounts which are now before the meeting, it will be seen that the Gross receipts for the half year are ... The charges £452,881 8 1 (including 25,642/. 115.4d.' for rates and taxes) Net receipts From which, deducting the allowance fur depreciation of god - Interest of loans £318,630 10 6 Rent of Aylesbury line IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE uF LORDS. Their Lord, , hips met at Five ..'elock. The Consolidated Fund Appropriation Bill was read a second time. The Turnpike (Ireland) Bill was read v. third time and passed. The Municipal Districts (Ireland) Bill was read a third time and passed. The Naval Medical Supplemental Fund Bill was read a third time and passed. '1 he Fees (Criminal Proceedings) Bill was read a third time and passed. The Commons' amendments to the Lunatics Asylum (Ireland) Bill were agreed to. THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO GERMANY. - Lord CAMPBELL rose to put a quest 'em to the Noble Lord opposite, the President of the Council, respecting the apprcaching visit of her Majesty to the Continent. He was far hem wishing to throw any im pediment in the way of her Majesty's journey ing for her gratification, and fur the purpose of contenting the friendly feeling which happily prevailed between this country and foreign nations, and which could not call to be promoted by the interchange of royal visits and friendly intercourse of the sove reigns. There formerly existed an Act which pre vented the Sovereign of this kingdom from quittmA it without the consent of Parliament ; but that law had long passed away, and there was now tie ob stacle to the Sovereign's travelling where and when she pleased. King William the Third exercised that right. But then the Queen Regnant, his consort, exer cised the royal functions in his absence. George I. also exercised it, but he appointed Lords Justice, of whom the Archbishop of Canterbury was the head, to act as a regency.:That took place in the ear 1716, that was, the second of his reign. It was true that King George 111. never travelled a hundred mile;; from the place where ho was born. Perhaps it would be better if he had done so. Perhaps if he had done so, and had visited the banks of the Rhine, where the principles of liberality prevailed in a great degree, he would not so long have re sisted the emancipation of Ills Roman Catholic subjects. George 1., in a speech Which he delivered at the end of the session, preceding his going to Germany. said, for the purpose of promoting the peace and prosperity of the country during his absence, he intended to constitute his son, the Prince of Vales, guardian of the realm. However, there was, subsequently, some misunder standing between them, and thirteen Lords Justices were appointed in his place, of whom the Archbishop was one. When George IL went abroad he app•u:ted his Consort Regent. On the 16th of May, 173 e, his Majesty, in council, was " phased to declare his in tention of visiting his domains in Germany, and that he had appointed his dearest Consort to be Regent in his absence." George 11. invariably followed the example of George 1., anti appointed Lords Justices. He was never absent from London lung. George 111. never left Eng land ; George IV. was only absent from this country, he believed, once. On the 17th September, Ib2l, Lords Justices were apierieted, consisting of the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and other officers of State, to.the number of nineteen. Great inconvenience must arise from not following in this case the precedent which had been adopted by preceding Sovereigns. Ile did not like to see the royal authority in abeyance. It ought to be adopted for the security of the monarchy during her ab sence. He therefore wished to know, whether during the absence of her Majesty it was her intention to ap point lords justices to administer the royal functions during her absence ? The LORD CHANCELLOR said, in reply to the question of his Noble and Learned Friend, he had to make a very short and distinct answer—that it was not the intention of her Majesty's Government to advise her Majesty to appoint Lords Justices during her absence on the short tour she intended to make. Previous to her visiting France, the opinion of Sir F. Pollock, the present Chief Baron, and of the late Attorney-General were taken on the expediency of ap pointing a Regent or Lords' Commissioners during her absence, but after considering the subject, after giving to it due deliberation, they came to the decision that it was by no means necessary, in point of law, that such appointments should be made. He (the Lord Chancellor) concurred in that opinion. The opinion of the other law officers of the Crown were taken, and it was to the same effect. The peaceable state of the continent and the neighbourhood her Majesty intended visiting, together with the increased facility of com munication rendered both unnecessary and inexpedient that such a Commission should be appointed. The in fluence of the Queen was not less abroad than :at home; and, besides, the going home would not occupy more than two days. The precedents to which. his Noble Friend had referred were caused by circumstances, In most of the cases to which he had referred, the word " short," vihich was frequently used, denoted that the re sidence of these Sovereigns was likely to be protracted. Under these circumstances, as the royal residence must be for a considerable period on the continent, it became neck ssary, as a matter of convenience, that power should be given to persons in this country to exercise some of the functions of royalty, but this power was merely nominal, by the restrictions which were imposed upon it. Ou all important occasions it was necessary to have the aqthority of the Sovereign directly. This royal • visit was unlike those to which his Noble and Learned Friend referred to. It was but for a very short time, and at no great distance from this country. Her Ma jesty would be - accompanied by one of her principal Secretaries of State, and under.tt:ose circumstances it was unnecessary to have a cumbrous commission appointed, and it was on this account the Government had not thought it necessary to recommend the appointment of such Commission. Lord CAMPBELL referred to the visit of George the Third, in whose absence a commission had been ap pointed. The LORD CIIANCELLOR—But that was for five or six weeks. Lord CAMPBELL said he did not see why a Com mission should not be appointed. His Noble and Learned Friend on the woolsack had given no good reason to the contrary, and he believed there was not a single instance of the Sovereign being absent without the appointment of such a Commission since the foundation of the monarchy. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. _ The Earl of BESBOROUGH moved that a letter be sent to each Peer on the first week of the ensuing session of Parliament, requesting him to say when it would be convenient to him to attend on Committees on opposed Bills. The Duke of WELLINGTON congratulated the House upon the mode in which their Lordships had dis charged the laborious duties imposed on them, and he felt confident that they would always be ready to dis charge the important trusts which devolved upon them. (LEFT SPEAKING.) TATTERSALL'S.-THIS EVENING Six o'CwcK. A very thin attendance, and nothing done worth a quotation. COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Six,—When, in September last, ninety-five human beings were deprived of existence by an explosion of fire damp, at Haswell Colliery, county of Durham, a vast deal was said and wrote about the necessity of Le gislative interference, iu order to prevent the recurrence of such direful events ; and at the earnest solicitation of the miners solicitor her Majesty's Ministers agreed to send down two or three professional persons to investi gate into that affair, so as to ascertain what could be done towards efficiently securing the lives of the miners in future. Messrs. Faraday and Lyell were selected to report on that subject, and in that report brought before Go vernment and the public their views thereon, but stating, in explicit terms that further examination was necessary, in order to establish any improvement on a iSermanrnt foundation. Shortly after the meeting of Parliament, the miners petitioned the Legislature on the subject, and pointed out certain measures necessary ; and which, if adopted, would prevent any recurrence of such calamities ; at the same time, urging the closest investigation. Knowing the more strict the inquiry, the more wholesome and sound would be the remedy, the petitioners were met by the Government, assuring them that the subject was under consideration, and as soon as the report was ready (Faraday and Lyell) the recommendations of the said report should have their immediate attention. The report has now been out a considerable time, and not a word has been spoken on the matter. No doubt the excessive railway business has run them close for time, and no doubt also that the estimable and worthy M.P.'s, Lord Ashley and T. S. Duncombe, have spared the Government the infliction of repeating the question (both gentlemen having been requested to do so a short time ago) on the above grounds, yet when I perceive in the Monday edition of The Sun that another of these dreadful calamities has hurried into eternity thirty-nine of our fellow-creatures, and seeing also that a few more days is likely to close the session, I cannot remain silent any longer, for should we have to wait another year, certain I am that we shall witness the wholesale and in dividual sacrifice of human life to an alarming amount, and that in the face of the pledged assurance of her Ma- ' jesty's Government that something should be done as soon as the report of the Learned Commissioners was published. Seeing that the serious collisions on railways hare been, and very justly, brought before the House, and perceiving that the same promptitude has evinced itself in Government to make the most searching inquiry into the nature and cause of such collisions and accidents, I still indulge the hope that they will ut least issue a com mission of inquiry for the purpose of laying the lasting foundation of a measure that shall (if not perfect for that purpose) be as near an approximation for the pre vention of such dreadful and extensive sacrifice of the hard toiling and industrious miners of this country as possible.—l remain, yours, in haste, MARTIN JUDE. Newcastle-on-Tyne, August 6. tish Consulate at Carthagena, during the siege of that city, was very favourably reported by his commanding officer, who was himself promoted by the Admiralty for his gallant conduct on those occa-ions. The incidental mention of the affair between the Charybdis and the Colombian squadron leads to a brief account of the particulars. Although their recital is not requisite as a spur to the gallantry of British officers or seamen, it may be never theless cited as a glorious example of what has been accom plished in modern times, as affording a salutary lesson to petty insolence of what the smallest representative of the English.fleet can do against even confident odds. We believe the Colombian squadron had plundered two or three merchant vessels, and had incarcerated some British subjects. An application was made to the Government for their release by the British consul, but failing in his endeavours to procure their liberation, he communicated the particulars to Lieutenant De Courcy, commanding the Charybdis, 3, brigantine, in the neigh bourhood, on board of which were forty-two officers and men, ten boys, and eight marines. Lieutenant De Courcy dispatched an officer with a letter to the Commodore of the Colombian squadron which was lying at anchor in the port of Carthagena, consisting of a corvette, a brig, and three sehooners, demanding the surrender of the British sub jects, but that worthy, flushed with conscious superiority of force, dared to treat both ietter and its bearer with contempt. The gallant commander of the little brigantine, determined at all hazards to maintain the honour of the flag, immediately entered the port, but while proceeding to an anchorage a shot from the commodore's corvette carried away his forestay avid precipitated the crisis the results of which have been before related. The corvette, the brig, and the three schooners were engaged with the Charybdis, little estimating the bravery and endurance of the gallant little band with which they had to deal. A very short space of time had elapsed when the corvette had struck, the com modore and twenty-five of his men being numbered with the dead. In five minutes after the Charybdis brought her guns to bear on the brig she had vanished beneath the waters, and the schooners, discovering their mistake, had surrendered at discretion. The gallant De Courcy was intmediately pro moted, and is now an inspecting commander of the coast gstard ; and we are glad to find that the services of his second in com mand have met with just reward. PPOI NMI ENT. —Second Master Robert W. Roberts (1838), of the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, an active and experienced steam officer, has been appointed acting master commander of the Fairy, Royal yacht tender, vice Main, pro moted. The Board of Admiralty did not proved to Chatham and Sheerness on Tuesday, on the annual Admiralty inspection, as intended. Their Lordships will leave town to inspect the es tablishments at those ports on Monday next. The Admiralty yacht, the Black Eagle, Master Commander Cook, after land ing Colonel Wylde and Mr. Hanson at Antwerp, will return and wait the pleasure of the Board of Admiralty. THE EXPEKIMENTAL FLEET.—The following report is in circulation at Portsmouth, but we attach no credit to it. It is possible, however, that it may have some foundation. No ac counts have been received at head-quarters :—" The Queen had the advantage of all the ships. except the old Canopus, which vessel had beaten the whole fleet."—Herald. The Cambrian, 38, Commodore Chads, C. 13., will be paid off at Portsmouth on Saturday. The Crocodile, 26, Captain Maxwell, at Sheerness, will be ready for sea on the 19th inst. The Ferret, 10, Commander Josiah Oake, will be paid off at Sheerness this day. The Scout, 18, Commander the Hon. Henry Drummond, will be paid off at Chatham to-morrow. The Rapid, 10, at Devoriport, will not be ready for commis sioning before the 30th instant. The Heroine, 6, at Devonport, will be ready for commis sioning on the 18th instant. The Victoria and Albert, Royal steam-yacht, Captain Lord A. Fitz darence, left Portsmouth at six, r. m., on Tuesday evening, and arrived at Woolwich yesterday afternoon. The Porcupine steam-surveying vessel, Captain Bullock, has arrived at Woolwich to attend on the Royal yacht on her voyage to Antwerp. 1 he Fairy, Royal yacht-tender, Commander Crispin, arrived at Portsmouth on Tuesday evening, after conveying Prince Albert to Cowes, on the return of his Royal Highness from accompanying the King of the Netherlands. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TOULON (From a Supplement of the Semaphore of Marseilles.) MARSEILLES, AUGUST 2, 1845.—We have just received, from our correspondent at Toulon, the news of a disaster which will plunge the country in consternation. The Mouril lon of Toulon, the rich and immense :depot of stores for our military and navy, has become a prey to the flam-s. It is with an unspeakable feeling of grief that we lay the following ac count of the catastrophe before our readers : " Tourne, AUGUST 1, 1845.—1 write these lines in pre sence of an immense disaster. Our magnificent establish ment of the Mourillon is on fire since this morning. At half-past eleven the alarm-gun was heard, and the alarm bell of the arsenal sounded the tocsin. The whole town was immediately in a state of commotion, and every one was seen hurrying to the arsenal to inquire the occasion of the unusual summons, but it soon became evi dent of itself. Columns of smoke were seen to proceed from the Mourillon, and with the least possible delay the fire en. gines of the Arsenal were brought to that spot, and the greater portion of the labourers of the Arsenal, and all the disposable troops of the garrison were sent to work them. The Marine Prefect, the general commanding the department, the Mayor of the town, and the other authorities, were also in a very short time at the scene of the disaster. But, alas, all their efforts were nearly useless. The fire was hardly discovered, when it seized upon the principal sheds, under which were piled almost all the timber for the use of the dockyard. The flames rose to an immense height. Up to the present moment the firemen have been able to save the saw mills, an establish ment which cost immense sums, and the ships on the stocks. The loss, however, is calculated at 25 millions of francs. It is very difficult to explain how the fire in the daytime could have gained so much head before it was discovered. When the first alarm was given, it had already created frightful ravages. Some attribute the fire to the convicts, many of whim contrived to escape in the midst of the confusion." The Semaphore adds that travellers who left Toulon at eight o'clock at night, say that the fire was still raging, and that a great number of lives had been lost. There was some alarm for the parts of the town in the neighbourhood of the fire. ( From the Sud de Marseilles.) TOULON, AUGUST I.—A terrible fire broke out at half-past eleven o'clock this morning, in the marine Arsenal at the Alourillon. The tocsin and the alarm-gun of the admiral's guard-ship immediately announced this misfortune, and means were adopted to extinguish the fire, but in vain. The fire broke out simultaneously in several parts of the great covered wood-yard. Every part soon became a prey to the flames, which also destroyed all the neighbouring piles of wood. The offices were also burnt to the ground. Fortunately the wind, which was from the east-south-east, and blew hard, though it excited and extended the fire of the wood-yard. pre vented it from communicating with the ships on the stocks. Nevertheless, the loss is immense. The fire still continues at the moment I write (seven o'clock in the evening ; but with much less intenseness, and we can now say that it will not extend further. About fifteen wounded per sons have been carried to the hospital. The fire can be attri buted to nothing but maliciousness. It is attributed to the con victs, several of whom have escaped. THE LONDON A 1414 YORK SELECT COMMITTEE. At eleven o'clock yesterday morning the Committee to which Mr. Bruce's petition was referred by the House assenibled in Committee-room No. 2, Mr. Hawes in the chair. The lobby and passages were crowded by the gentlemen interested in the proceedings, many of whom were in a state of the highest possible excitement at being, as they termed it, " dragged before the public in such a shameful way." Indeed, it would seem from their appearance that many of them had been annoyed by the allegations of the petitions, and loud and deep were the threats uttered and oaths sworn that " actions would be brought against those rascals for defamation." As Mr. Parkes, Mr. Cfoucher, Mr. Bruce, and other parties in terested for the petition passed to and fro, they were greeted with sardonic " Ha ! has !" and derisive laughter, and even less pleasant manifestations, by the gentlemen whose character and position they had assailed. Many of those who knew each other indulged themselves in bitter mirth,—" Pooh, Sir, don't speak to me, you're only a man of straw !" and " You've a fic titious residence, according to Mr. Bruce." In fact, the out of-door proceedings were anything but pleasant; It was under stood, for only the parties were admitted inside, that Mr. PARSES, agent for the petitioner, at the sitting of the Committee, requested leave to postpone the case, owing to the sitting of the House of Lords' Committee, before which he would be required to attend. Mr. COATES, of the firm of Dyson, Hall, and Coates, Par liamentary agents, resisted this application, on the pound that it would not be fair to yield to it when it had been stated that the petitioner was ready to prove the allegations reflecting on the character of so many gentlemen. The Committee cleared the room to deliberate, and even tually decided that the case should go on. Mr. Bruce was then called, and stated that he drew up his petition on the information of Mr. Parkes and Mr. Humphrey, solicitors to the Cambridge and Lincoln and Tottenham Rail ways, and knew nothing of the facts personally. He ex pressed his regret to find that his petition contained some mis statements, which he intended to abandon. Mr. PARKES then applied for leave to select some cases from the list, 17 out of 66, to which Mr. COATES objected with success, as The Committee decided that the cases were to be taken seriatim. Mr. Ince was then called, and stated that he directed his application from Coombs-hill, the residence of his mother, but that he really resided in Canonbury-street. The COMMITTEE decided that the address was good. Major Griffiths, who expressed himself very warmly at the reflection and misstatement in the petition, was also called, and asked a few questions pro formic, as it at once appeared that he was a most respectable gentleman, and had given his address from his mother's residence. In this case, and in those of Mr. Dart, of Mr. Clarke, and of Mr. Elliot (to whom the Chairman expressed his regret at the necessity for appearing before them, as he (the Chairman) would be most ready to give him a character), the decision of the Committee was, that the allegations in the petition were untrue. --.—. The case of two brothers named Guernsey, who were proved to be the sons of a person in a very humble rank of life, was next brought forward. It appeared that one of them was a clerk to a sharebroker named Mortimer, and the other in a wine-merchant's office, and that they had been induced to apply fer and had procured shares to a large amount in the lime, the deposits on which had been paid for them. The Committee at seven o'clock adjourned to twelve o'clock to -morrow. The Official Gazette of Stockholm announces that the King of Sweden has nominated the Duke de Glucksberg and M. de Nion, Commanders, and M. Mauboussin, Knight of the Order of the Polar Star, and presented each of them with the decoration in diamonds, as a reward for the diplomatic as sistance rendered by them in his negotiations with the Em peror of Morocco for the suppression of the tribute which he had previously paid to that power. The Wonder steam-packet, on the Southampton station, since her return from the experimental squadron down the Channel (where she eclipsed every other vessel in speed) has become a great favourite with the public both on the Havre and Channel islands station, and has tarried, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather during the past week, in one voyage on the •Havre station, 132 passengers ; and one on the Channel islands station, 191 ; making a total of 323 pas sengers, among whom were several families of distinction. The average passage of the Wonder has been seven hours and a half, being only six hours of sea voyage. NEW ZEALAND.—LIVERPOOI, WEDNESDAY.—An important petition with regard to the affairs of New Zealand has been numerously signed in this town to-day, and it will be immediately dispatched to the House of Commons. It refers with expressions of dismay to the peril of our fellow-subjects in that distant land, and prays that as the Government are taking no measures to remove or alleviate the causes of disorder, the House will net separate without taking steps to ensure a change in the policy hitherto pursued towards the colony. This pe tition will be forwarded for presentation to Mr. C. Buller. CHANGE RINGING EXTRAORDINARY.—The London Society of College Youths had their annual excursion in Kent last week, and after ringing in the most scientific methods at several places arrived at Hythe, near Folkstone, and succeeded in accomplishing a true and complete peal of the Kent varia tion of treble-bob-major, consisting of 5,024 changes, in three hours and ten minutes. 'The peal was conducted by Mr. John Friend. And on Monday last, the same society met at St. James's, Bermondsey, and rang a true and complete peal of Kent treble-bob.royal, containing 5,040 changes, in three hours and thirty-one minutes, it being the first peal rnng in London in that method on ten bells. The peal was conducted by Mr. John Cox. FlRE.—Between one and two o'clock yesterday ( Wednesday) morning, a fire broke out in the large colour factory of the Messrs. Berger, at Homerton, Hackney, which at its commencement, from the inflammable nature of an ex tensive portion of the stock on the premises, threatened the most disastrous consequences. The building in which the fire was discovered was filled with colours undergoing the process of drying by means of a furnace, which maintains a temperature of the place not lower generally than 150 degrees. This build ing was speedily one mass of flame, and the whole of its valua ble contents totally destroyed. The parish engine was speedily on the spot, and was soon afterwards followed by several en gines from London. Fortunately the burning building was de tached from the long range of warehouses connected with the manufactory, which the exertions of the fire brigade, aided by a plentiful supply of water, preserved from any serious damage. Toe precise cause of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed to have been occasioned by the over-heated state of the furnace. The loss, which is considerable, will, it is understood, fall upon the Messrs. Berger, the hazardous nature of their business having prevented them from effecting an insurance. A large number of police were on the spot, and rendered efficient service. LOVE AND SUICIDE.—Mr. Gell held an inques, yesterday, at the Prince's Head, Buckingham-street, Strand, on the body of Phoebe Lawrence, aged 26, servant to Mrs. Ewens, of James-street, Haymarket. From the evi dence of the witnesses, it appeared that for the last two years deceased had been attached to a young man, named Philip Juttell, and, from his promises, expected him to marry her. On Tuesday last, hearing that he had been mar ried, she went to the stables where he was employed, and asked him whether what she had heard was true. He told her that it war, and at the same time gave her a piece of the wedding-cake, which she threw on the ground and trampled on. Juttell's broken promises, and the manner in which she had been treated, deranged her intellects, and from that day her mistress said she had been in a state of frenzy.. On the following Sunday she went to a surgeon's in the neighbour hood, and bought two pennyworth of arsenic, saying that it was for her master to destroy rats, and on the next afternoon intoxicated herself with spirits, and swallowed it. Her mistress learning what she had taken, had her conveyed to Chiaing. cross Hospital, but there was then no hope of her recovery, and insanity." Sir Tuesday she died. Verdict—" Temp orar y Sir George Hayter, who has beers suffaring from concussion of the brain arid wounds in the head and legs, occa sioned by the accident on the Dover Railroad, on Monday, the 28th ult., is so far recovered that it is hoped he will shortly be enabled to leave his bedroom, although it must be many days before he will be enabled to walk, or even stand with ease. GRI3AT WESTERN RAlLWAY.—Traffic for the week ending Aug. 3, 1845 :—Passengers, 60,187, 16,1791. Bs. 10d.; mails, 4041. 7s. lid. ; parcels, 6201. 4s. 10d.; expresses, 411.65.; merchandise, 3,2771. 16s. I Id.—Total, 20,5231. 4s. 6d SHARE GAMBLING. — Such is the desperate eager ness for gambling in shares at Leeds, that the magistrates are compelled to employ the police to keep the footpath clear in the street where the Stock Exchange is situated.—Manchester Guardian. THE U N DER-SECRETARYsIIIP FOR IRELAND.—Mr. Lucas, on retiring, has been made a Member of the Privy Council. Mr. Pennefather, son of the Baron, advances to the Under-Secretaryship ; but the place of Chief Clerk in the Secretary's office, held by that gentleman, has not yet been disposed of. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF A PAROCHIAL-OFFICER. —Last evening Mr. Kerslake, relieving officer of the populous parish of st. George the Martyr, Southwark, while engaged in parochial business, was robbed in notes to a very enormous amount. It appears that Mr. Kerslake had with him a pocket book, containing 'several notes of 201. and 51. each, and also many papers of importance, which were safe in his pocket when near the Victoria Theatre, but a few seconds afterwards, on proceeding up a street towards Stamford-street, he , to his utter astonishment, on calling to pay a bill, found that his pocket had been picked. Notice. was given at Tower -street station-house, and, fortunately, the numbers of tke notes are known. THE NAVY. DEATH OF A VICE.ADMIRAL.—Vice-Admiral of the Red George James Shirley died at Bath, on the 2d inst., aged 77. The dates of his commissions are—Lieutenant, Nov. SO, 1790; Commander, Sept. 11, 1797 ; Captain, April 26, 1798; Rear- Admiral, June 2, 1825; and Vice-Admiral, Nov. 12, 1840. He was on the half-pay of a Rear-Admiral. PAOMOTION.—Mr. G. H. Thain, acting-master, command ing the Folly, royal yacht tender, has been promoted by the Admiralty to the rank of master. hlr. Thain was next in command to Lieutenant De Courcy on board the Charybdis, 3, brigantine, when engaged with the federal squadron of Columbia, on the 15th December, 1841, which ended in its defeat and surrender, and the subsequent liberation of that country. Mr. Thain's conduct in this situation as well as when he was employed on shore, protecting the Bri- ..... 134,250 17 7 £15,498 0 0 42,166 19 3 1,000 0 0 X 58,164 19 3 There remains a net profit 0f... £259,965 11 3 To which. adding the surplus of the December half-year ... And profit realised on the allotment of the New 251. Shares 47,093 1 3 5,000 0 0 The disposable balance is Z312,058 12 6 from which amount the Directors recommend that a dividend be declared, clear of income tax, of Si. on every 1001. of the Company's capital stock, leaving 69,310/. (from which the income tax is to be paid) to the credit of the present half year. The Directors in reporting that the Northampton and Peterborough line was opened on the 2d of June, are enabled to state, from their brief experience of the traffic, that the expectations they had formed as to the value of this railway to the public and the Proprietors will be fully realised. The works of the Chester and Holyhead, and Lancaster and Carlisle lines, are in a satisfactory state of progress, and funds have been voted by Parliament in the present session, for the commencement of the Holyhead harbour. The royal assent has been given to the Trent Valley, Bed ford, Dunstable, and West London Bills ; in all which lines this Company has a direct interest. The works of the Bed ford and Dunstable lines will be commenced without delay. The Directors regret that the issue of the proceedings in the Worcester and South Staffbrdshire, and Rugby and Oxford Bills, disappointed the reasonable expectations which had been founded on the able and comprehensive Report of the Board of Trade. The result has in no respect shaken their opinion of the superior advantages which these lines would have afforded to the district for whose accommoda tion they were p.lanned on the narrow gauge; and the evi dence before the Committees only the more confirmed the Directors in their belief of the prejudicial effects which must follow the introduction of a gauge, differing from that which is uniformly laid down throughout the country, with which it is proposed that the wide gauge shall be connected. That a Company whose line is formed on the narrow gauge, and whose interests appear to be directly connected with the support of the system, should have aided the op posing party, may be matter of surprise, but the Dircetors do not feel called upon to enter into a discussion of the grounds on which the Company referred to has sought to vindicate the proceeding. The Directors have a duty to perform to wards their own Proprietors, and to this they will steadily adhere. They will oppose what they consider unjust to wards Chit Company, and encourage on the other hand mea sures which, in affording additional accommodation to the public, are calculated to maintain the interests of their Pro prietors. They are persuaded that no measures are better adapted to this end than moderate charges, combined with economy of management ; and that a steady adherence to these principles will afford the most effectual guarantee to the Company against unfair competition. Following up their views on this subject, the Directors made in the last month a further and important reduction in the rates for merchandise, the effect of which has already been to add greatly to the tonnage, without lessening their receipts. The Proprietors will be called upon to give their sanction at the present meeting to a creation of new shares, for the capital which is required to meet their engagements for the Company's interest in the Chester and Holyhead. Trent Valley, Lancaster and Carlisle, West London, and Aylesbury lines. They recommend, for this purpose, that a new share of 20/. be offered to each Proprietor of 1001. stock of this Company, leaving a proportional reserve of shares for the capital of the Manchester and Birmingham Company—the new shares to participate in the future dividends from and after the Ist of October next, subject to the deduction of 5 per cent. interest on the amount not called for and paid. A resolution was then proposed by the Chairman and carried unanimously, to the effect, that the report then read should be adopted and printed, and circulated amongst the Proprietors, and that a dividend of 5 per cent. should be declared on the consolidated stock of the company of 4,124,5261. ; and that a dividend of 17s. on each of the 321. new shares, amounting to 241,7511 125., should be declared free of income-tax. , Another resolution was also unanimously agreed to for creating new 201. shares ; as was also a resolution to in crease the present number of Directors from 17 to 24. Mr. WILLIAMS wished to know whether the Directors had in contemplation any alteration with respect to the charges for carrying goods ? The CHAIRMAN said that at present the Directors had not in contemplation the making of any alteration. They were aware, however, that abuses had crept in, but they were devising plans by which the public would know what was charged by the Company. If, however, they found that the plan they were now adopting was in jurious to the public, they would then consider the pro priety of becoming carriers on their own account. If combination went on with the carriers, the Company, he was sure, would think it right to interfere ; but the Directors were of opinion that if they could consult the interests of the public and act with the carriers, the in terest of the Proprietors would be the result. Iu answer to a question from a Proprietor, The CHAIRMAN assured the meeting that everything would in future be dune that lay in human power to pre vent accidents occurring on the railway. Mr. HOMFREY wished to know if the Directors had come to any determination to facilitate the attendance of Proprietors who lived in the country at the meetings which were held in London ? The CHAIRMAN said that that was a subject which rested with the Proprietors themselves, rather than the Directors. Mr. HoNFREY then gave notice, that at the next meet ing he should move that all the trains on the railway should be free to the Proprietors on such occasions. A PROPRIETOR considered that, while they were re ceiving such ample dividends, and the Company was going on so prosperously, they could afford to pay the fares them,elves.--(A laugh.) Thanks-ware then voted to the Chairman and the Di rectors, and the meeting separated. LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAIL WAY.—(THIS DAN.) The usual half-yearly meeting of the London and Brighton Railway Company was held this afternoon at the London•bridge terminus. The meeting was made special, for the purpose of sanctioning the purchase of the Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings, and the Brighton and Chichester Railways. Mr. Rowland Hill, Chairman of the Board of Directors, occupied the chair. The report, which was of an exceedingly satisfactory nature, stated that the late reduction . 1% hich had taken place in the fares had produced the most satisfactory results, and re commended the meeting to declare a dividend of 20s. per share. The report having been adopted, a dividand was declared accordingly, and resolutions rati fying the terms of the purchases of the Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings, and the Brighton and Chichester Rail ways which have already been made known to the public, having been agreed to, a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) LONDON AND TORE. This Committee has been engaged all day in examination of witnesses regarding the contract-deed. But as tar as we could learn, nothing was elicited in any way to ♦itiate the subscrip tion contract-deed. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. (RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON.) HARWICH RACES.—WEDNESDAY. These races commenced under favourable auspices to• day. There was a good attendance of sportsmen. The Willoughby Stakes of 5 sous. each, with 20 sous. added. Heats twice round and a distance. Sir C. Monck's br gMy Old Hack (Cartwright) 1 1 Mr. Osborne's Bedale . s. Betting-2 to lon My Old Hack at starting. First heat won by a head, after a beautiful race. Second heat won in a canter. The Tradesmens' Gold Cup of 60 sovs. in specie, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each : 10 ft. Sir C. Monck's b m Glossy Mr. Owen's b h Xanthus 2 Mr. Wormold's ch li Millipede The following also started, but were not placed: Mr. Park's Wasp, Captain Boyd's Dog Billy, Mr. Standish's Little Hampton, Mr. Hornby's Cock Robin, Mr. Barge's Staley. Xanthus took the lead, kept it until the second time round at the blue post, when he was headed by Glossy. At the turn into the straight run, Millepede challenged, and raced to the distance, when he took the lead. He soon resigned it to Glossv, and there was a beautiful race between Glossy and Xanthua, which ended in the mare winning on the post by a head. Millepede was the tavourite. Match for 25 sovs. each. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr. Jorny's b g Catton walked over. The Hunters' Stakes of 10 soya each, with 20 sovs added. Heats, once round. Mr. Hobson's Mayflower ... 1 0 0 0 Mr. Robinson's Wasp Mr. Du Vernet Muirhead's Lara 3 0 1 0 For the fourth heat Lara walked over. For the first heat Lara was backed against the field. May flower for the second heat, and Wasp all the go for the third heat and plate. May flower bolted at the distance in the se cond heat. GRAVESEND AND ROCHESTER RAILWAY.--Thq fol lowing are the traffic returns for the week ending 2d Aug. P monger', 14,114 ; an►ount received, 3441. 15i. 2d. HOP INTELLIGENCE. MAIDSTONE.—The hops have not made that progress the last week, in coming into the burr, that was expected. The weather has been against them, yet they continue to grow, and are free from disease • but they now want warm weather. WATEEINGSURY:MEREWORTH, AND TESTON.—In con sequence of the wet and cold wedther, the hops aro rather unfavourably spoken of ; but, should the weather become fine and warm, there is every appearance of a good crop. BAENCHLEY.—Ovving to the wet state of the weather, our hops do not get forward in buir. They have not materially suffered, otherwise our prospects are not so favourable as they were this day sennight, consequently the duty is not so freely backed. . _ _ IGHTIIAN.—The hops are still growing fast, but the late winds and heavy rains have battered them about very much. There is very little burr out yet, and unless we have more fa vourable weather in the course of the week, there is a great fear they will fruit very badly. GOUDHURST.—A little more sun and warmer nights are desirable to bring out the burr as we could wish,:but still the hops are looking well, and we think need fear nought but wind and cold. TUDELEY• AND CAP/EL.- I SO far as the vermin are con cerned we may consider ourselves safe, and if the weather should prove congenial during this month we may anticipate a good crop. SEVENOAKS.—The hops look exceedingly well in the neigh bourhood, the burr being strong and free from vermin. HORSMONDEN.—We are locking anxiously for fine warm weather, as the hops are progressing slowly ; indeed, if we do not get a change of weather, it is impossible our hopes of getting a heavy crop can be realised, as a great deal of the burr will never come into hop. The bine is still clean and looking tolerably well, considering the late rains and winds. FARNHAM, ALTON, AND COUNTRY DISTRICT, AUG. 2. Unless we get hot weather within a few days, the hops will fall short of our anticipations, as the season is now so far ad vanced. _ _ _ HASTINGS, AUGUST s.—The late high winds have had a material effect on the hops in this neighbourhood, and they are in consequence not in so flourishing a condition. Duty called 180,000/. _ WEsTriaLD.—The hops have not improved this last week, being much in want of sun and warm weather. BEXHILL AND Hoof.—Our hops have been very much injured by the wind the last few days. The crop will fall short of what was expected a fortnight ago. We want more sun and kind weather. _ . WHRTLINGTON. - Our grounds are quite wet enough, and the late winds have rather bruised the bines. We cannot speak so favourably of our hops as hith er t o . RYE.-.The hops in the neighbourhood continue to improve, and fine warm weather is all that is required to ensure a good crop. GUESTLING.—Our hops have had a great increase of lice since our last report . . The bur i s no t ver y f a st in its progress. IcimEsiliot.—There are a great many lice in this parish, but they do net seem to affect the bine. The bur has made its appearance, but get 3 on very slowly. DELTING (NEAR MAIDSTONE), AUG. s.—Our hops are coming into bur very slowl y ; and what little is developed is not looking very thriving. Considering that a backward and prolific crop is beyond precedent, we are not very sanguine. MR. GREEN'S DESCENT IN THE ALBION BALLOON. The veteran aeronaut made a safe descent in a pea field, at about a mile from Ponder's End, in the parish of Enfield, after his nocturnal ascent with fireworks on Monday evening from Vauxhall Gardens. Mr. Gre en appeare d t o b e hi g hly de lighted with his tr ip —one of the finest he ever made. The view of the metropolis, h . e says, was t r uly splendid, London appea ring one mass of light, resembling only Vauxhall with its myriads of lamps, and to all appearance confined within the space of a square mile. He could distinguish the bridges from the dotted lines of lamps, and in his transit over the metropolis could distinctly hear the shout s o f t h e assem bl e d crow d s . On le a ving the gardens, the balloon took a north-easterly direc tion, and he anticipated that he should descend in the neigh bourhood of Highgate or Finchley, but in the early part of the day uld land, from teitherihe direncti on the couthnt of e f Ess ies wind, he ex coornsidereHerd that he sho o tford, and at that period wou ld have had n o o bj ect i on t o h ave t a k e n up a 46 li g ht weight, but subsequently he determined that no consideration whatever should induce him to have a com panion in his aerial voyage, and consequently increased his b a llast from between hundred weght. No d i ffi cu lty occurred with the two and three hundred weight to n earer six i f ra me, which consisted o f three con j unct whee l s, h e i s fireworks, either in the ignition o r ot h erw i se , b u t w ith res p ec t opinion that a single weel i n f ront, one l arge h oop wou ld be eil t i f ra me, which as in the present instance he was obliged to rid himself of the frame,. as it i mpe d e d the free a ction of the a grapnel and gulline. Ihe fireworks, however, were admir ably executed and arranged, and did great credit to the inge nuity of Mr. Darby, pyrotechnic artist to the gardens. The balloon, Mr. Green states, never attained a higher altitude than four thousand feet. The temperature of the atmcsphere was mild, and the lowest degree of the thermometer was 54. With reference to the gauge of the balloon, Mr. Green considers it will contain about 24 thousand cubic feet of gas, not 26 thou sand,he was as a n p x r i e o v u i s oi previously y ascertain, stated. Afterfir pleasantly sailing for about t an hour in nubibus, Mr. Green determined on descending, but whether any difficulty oc curred in the shape of trees , or whether he was over a field. His position, however , he soon discovered, for on hearing voices below he called out, " Where ar n This question greatly surprised the gentlemen (Mr. H whence the sound pre e-°fgrogmand Mr. Smythe, of Ed question, and in a louder tone. They replied , " Who are you?" The rejoinder was, m ce o e n d t e o d n . ) " I'm Mr. Green, and I h ave com e in my balloon from Vaux hall-gardens." Mr. Hogg and M r. Smythe laughed heartily, who . co u r e l d e n n r o e t p e co a n te c d eiv the and exclaimed, " Then come down, for you are all right." Mr. Green, on hearing this, let go the grappling-iron, and was soon safe on terra firma. T he des cen t t oo k pl ace a t a b o ut twelve o'clock. With the aid of the aforesaid gentlemen, as sisted by two constables, the ball oon was soon packed up. Mr. Green then expressed his anxiety to return to the gardens, but not a post-horse was to be had for " love or money," the march of railroads having knocked up most . of the posting establish ments on that road, and it was not till a late hour th at a con. veyance could be obtained, wh i ch prevented the arrival of Mr. Green at the gardens till six o 'clock in the morning. STATE OF TRADE.—The unfavourable state of the weather had some effect upon our goods market yesterday, which was quiet, but without change in prices. For yarn the demand continues exceedingly good, and prices, especially of some counts of water twist, which are relatively scarce, con tinue buoyant.--ROCNDALE FLANNEL MARKET, Monday, Aug. 4.—We have had a brisk demand for flannels at better prices, and the supply of goods is not equal to the demand. Low-priced wools are becoming ver y scarce, and the manufac turer sareobliged to purchase at higher rates.—Manchester Guardian. TNE_ LATE COLLISION ON THE LONDON AND BIR MINGHAM RAILWAY.—Last night, at eight o'clock, an in quest was opened in the board-room of the University Col lege Hospital, Gower-street, before Mr. Thomas Waklcy, 19. P., on the body of Mr. Charles Dean, civil engineer, of Gandy-street, Exeter, w ho die d in that institution on Tuesday, from injuries received in a collision which occurred on the above line between the up mail train and luggage trains on the morning of the 29th ult. Mr. Strother Ancum Smith, a Fellow of Catherine-hall, Cambridge, identified the deceased, whom he knew very well, and who, when the accident happened, was on his return from Merioneth, North Wales, whither he had been to survey amine of which he (Mr. Smith) was a shareholder. Mr. Wakley said it was not his intention to proceed further with the inquiry then, as the jury had only been empansielled to view the body of the deceased, to give the family an opportunity of taking it away for inter ment. The inquest would be adjourned till a future day, when it would be resumed at an early hour, as it would be highly important that the exact spot where the accident occurred should be visited and inspected by the jury. The inquest would no doubt last the whole of the -day, as he intended to enter fully into the details ; for in all matters of that kind such a searching investigation ought to take place as the circum stances of the case demanded. Immediately on the adjourning of the jury, the coffin containing the body of deceased was re moved to the Paddington terminus of the railway, whence it was conveyed by the fast train to Exeter. ,~--ri ..1 ~_ VISITATION OF THE BISHOP OF WORCESTER. WORCESTER, MONDAY AFTERNOON. - The Lord Bishop of Worcester :held a visitation at the Cathedral in this city to-day. There. stas a very full attendance of the clergy, and the wardrns of the church, by whom it was exp,AiTed . that his ,r,ordship would, in his charge, advert to the recent dissensions in the Church. Morning service• commence at eleven o'clock. prayers being read by the Rev. A. Vikweler, precentor. The Rey. D. J. Stevenson. honorary canon of the cathedral, and chaplain to the Lord Bishop, then preaebed an excellent sermon from Acts t., v. 42 and 43', "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to' testify - that it is he who waA ordained of God to b the judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness that, through his name whosoever believeth in him shall r'ceive remo sion of sins." _ The Reverend Preacher's discourse from the Above text had reference entirely to the duties and obligeions of the Christian minister, the Reverend Preacher e,v servirg, that the consideration of these duties, was at :he present time of excitement, alarm, and suspicion in the Church, of the utmost importance. He then divided his discourse under three heads, considering first, the origin and offices of ministers of the Gospel, tracing the origin of their ministrations to the Foun tain of all Wisdom in the eummand delivered to Peter on the mount, "Go thou and teach all nations ;" secondly, the Rev. Preacher dwelt upon the nature and description of the offices of Christian ministers as minis ters and witnesses ; and lastly on the objects of their ministration ; concluding a most appropriate discourse, by exhortations to his brother clergy and the laity, the former to cultivate mutual charity in their ministration, and the latter to receive God's Word from them, not as from men but from God, adding nought thereto, neither diminishing anything therefrom. The Bishop, accompanied by Chancellor Phillirncre and other officers of the court, the clergy and parochial churchwardens, then proce,ded to the court behind the altar, when the names of the clergy and churchwardens were called over, after which his Lordship took his seat within the communion railings and delivered his charge to the clergy. His Loruship's charge had reference almost exclu sively to those matters which have recently agitated the Church—viz., the question of the revival of obsolete tornis and usagea His Lordship observed that, the tirst matter which had presented itself to his mind, ita- most calling for remark from him on this occasion of his triennial visitation, was important, not only on acccunt of its eff ct, but of the specious grounds on which it rested—he meant an undue regard for anti quities which had latterly been manifested and dwelt upon by theological writers, and which extended not only to the terms and ceremonies of the Church, but related also to architectural matters ; and he proceeded first to consider whether there were sufficient grounds for such reverential observances of these antiquities. Here he found that scanty as were the books which had reached us written by authors living in the first century of the Christian era, and invaluable as those works were in establishing the fact of the early circulation of t lie Scriptures, they did not assist in clearine those points which new agitated the Church. Not only was it unsafe to appeal to those authorities, because so few records had reached us, but also because there was reason to believe that in those early days the Church bad b.-come much corrupted ; and it might be doubted. whe ther the early lathers, while engaged in refuting the errors which had crept into the Church, had not really been imbued with their latent heresy. Hence we were struck with the differences which exist between the doctrines taught by the inspired renewers of our Lord, and those inculcated by the ancient fathers of the Church. By the former they were taught that ttse expiation of sin was through the vicarious intercession of Him who sacrificed himself for us upon the cross ; and by the latter they were strictly enjoined to expiatory penances and fasts. But if the paucity of writers in the three first centuries of the elristian era rendered it unsafe to trust to them, he asked should they be more successful if, abandoning these, they had recourse to the writings of the fourth and following century ? Much stress had been laid upon the writings of the fourth and fifth centuries of Chris tianity as authorities not to be questioned regarding Ca tholic doctrines ; but here errors much more fatal to Christianity were found to prevail. The contest between Christianity and Paganism finally ended in the victory of the former, though that victory was not won without some sacrifice. His Lordship then alluded to Roman Catholic processions es in use in Italy, and their similarity to the Pagan rites. All these ancient autho rities were contradictory one to another ; if, therefore, they were to regard antiquity, it became a question which of the fathers they should adopt. Should they believe some who affirmed that the blessed should live for a thousand years in Elysium, or should they treat that doctrine as others of the same day had done—viz., as the idle dream of a child. "In short," said his Lordship, " he who trusts to antiquity will find so much diversity of opinion among those styled the fathers of the Church,' that he will so be tossed about upon these troubled waters as to search in vain for an anchor for his soul in the midst of them." Were, then (he asked), the writings of antiquity worse than useless ? He answered, by no moans. Not only were they most valuable for the sentiments of piety which they contained, but as corroborative of the Scrip. tures. The Established Church was deeply indebted to the works of antiquity as furnishing corroborative evi dence of the book of Scripture ; but they would be in danger of falling into the worst errors of Popery if they went beyond this in their regard to those works. The Bible, and the Bible alone, was the book upon which the Protestant depended in his faith. It was an argument against the doctrines of transubstantiation and the adoration of the Virgin Mary, that they could find no traces of them for six centuries of the Christian era. Now was it likely that such important doctrines should have been transmitted from the Apostles while they found no traces of them until five or six centuries after Christ ? In this negative sense it was that the true use of antiquity consisted. The Right Reverend Diocesan then went on to say that there was another point to which he was anxious to call the attention of the clergy, as resulting from excessive attention to antiquities—a matter of very inferior conse quence as to doctrine, but which had its effects upon the Church. He alluded to the pedantry (if he might so call it) of introducing into Protestant churches stone altars instead of the communion table, a substitution for a reading desk, sedilia, candlesticks placed on the communion table, never to be lighted, and texts of Scripture emblazoned upon the walls, in divers colours, and in Roman text, which never could be read. He objected to the revival of these obsolete uses in the Church—not on account of the expense attending them (though this was, under circumstances, to be regarded), but because be regarded them as having a tendency to convey a wrong impression of the pur poses for which they assembled in church. They did not meet to gaze with awe upon lighted tapers carried by priests ; but they assembled together in Protestant worship, humbly to confess that they had left undone many things which they ought to have done, and bad done many things which they ought not to have done, to pray to God to forgive their sins committed, and to offer up prayers and thanksgivings at the throne of mercy. These were the spiritual exer cises for which Protestants assembled together in the house of God. His Lordship then begged to offer some remarks in favour of an internal arrangement in churches, which had been made the subject of much vituperation. He alluded to that distribution of the sit tings by which each family in the parish was allowed to make, as it were a family congregation in the midst of the general congregation. Such arrangements i.e observed were unnecessary in Roman Catholic congregations, where the mass of the people assembled, not to pray but to gaze ; where the service was performed in an un known language, and the whole was performed by the priests, the congregation taking little part in it. His Lordship expressed himself in favour of family arrangements of the pews, and asked what father of a family, who had been accustomed to offer up his prayers with his wife and children, would willingly resign that privilege for a strict regard to ancient usages ? He admitted that abuses of this privilege had crept into practice, but such abuses should, immediately on their detection, be corrected by the proper authori ties. His Lordship next alluded to the practice of turning to the east, which he said was now exercised, not only during the recitation of the Creed, but even when the congregation united with the priest in prayer. This was unquestionably a very ancient practice, and his Lordship here quoted authorities, who, in tracing the origin of this custom, had assigned the eastern portion of the universe to the Omnipotent, and the western to the enemy of mankind. On this point it was evident that the fathers differed, and certain it was that no authority could be found fur the usage in the Scriptures, which abounded in evidence of the univer sality of the Deity. In the above observations, as also in the expression of his opinion on other points, when called upon (his Lordship continued), he trusted he had sufficiently testified that there was no leaning on his part towards the errors of Rome, no deviation from the principles of the Reformation. He, therefore, ap proached with more confidence a subject upon which he differed in opinion from most of those around him. He alluded to his vote upon the grant to the College of Maynooth. It might be true that a bishop, as a peer of Parliament, was bound to give his vote according to the dictates of his conscience, without being called upon to render an account to his clergy in justification of himself ; but for his part he was most anxious to prove to his brethren that he had not given his vote in favour of the Maynooth grant without the most mature deliberation and upon good grounds. No con sideration of expediency would ever induce shim to vote for a measure which he could consider per se sinful. His Lordship then proceeded to combat the argument ad duced against this measure—viz., that it was a national sin, and would be injurious to the Established Churc h. He denied both of these positions, an d said t,e quo to th e tion was whether they should contribute t Christianity as inculcated by Roman Catholics, or whether their fellow -countrymen in Ireland . should not be educated at all. The ed ucation, be cons idered, must in the end contribute to the extension of the Established Church. After some further remarks and arguments in favour of the Maynooth endowument, his Lordship dis c missed the clergy in the usual form. sumENT.] Years Extraordinary C ure o f EADVERIT a Diseased Knee of fen ears Standing, by Holl owa y's Pills and Ointment !—r. Edward Perryns, residing at No. :31, Fargate-street, Wor M cester, is now cured of an abscess on the , c e and a stiff joint, which had been bad for ten years, indeed, -since he was fourteen. He had lost from the knee joint pieces of bone, one being two inches in length. He had been under the most eminent of the faculty in Worcester, and at last was told that his leg must be amputated, as a cure as quite impossible! A perfect cure has been effected in this hopeless case by these wonderful medicines. Sold by all hemists and by the proprietor, 244, Strand, London. On Sunday last some 'thousands of people from Henley, Staffordshire, came to Liverpool by a cheap train. Ltworpool Gownor. _ - 7 TESTIMONIAL TO THE SEAMEN OF TATE SCOUT. (From the SEssar Standard.) While Harwich regatta was proceeding, last week, a. highly interesting scene tssok place on the deck of the Blazer, Government steamer; 'which, gaily dressed with flags, was anchored in front or „the esplanade, just 'ear ing room for the yachts t ) pass tln. ough the inner channel. Here a numerous company were assembled, amongst whom we noticed the Archbishot' of Norwich, the Venerable the Archdeacon Berney ", Lady Morton and family, the Misses Fitzhugh, the Rev. T. and Hon. Mrs. Mills, of Stutton ; the Hon. at, d Rev. F. De Grey, Mr. and the Misses Western, Mr. at- Blowers, the Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Berners and family, ,Mr. and Mrs. Segrave, Captain Jerniugham, R.N., Colorael :VIVO end the officers of the 7th Hussars, Rev. Mr. wag ILA , . Browell, the Misses Kirby, Captain Mends, R.M.. and Mrs. Bagshaw and family, the Mayor of Harwich, Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., Rev. Mr. Lincke, - quern Sehomburgh, Captain and Mrs. Washington and itosif:,s and Rev. G. Burmester. Commander Saxby and' crew of the revenue cruiser Scout were also on board. ween the intervals of the yachts starting the whole of the posay being assembled on deck, and the crews of the Blaze: and Scout called aft, — The Biahop of NORWICH expressed the great satis faction he lA' in having it in his power to present the commander at, cl ship's company of the Scout with some token of his respect and regard for men who had so gallantly distinguished themselves in attempting to save the crew of the Hero, when driven on shore on the exposed beach near Langoard Fort. .ass soon. as the details of their praiseworthy and perse vering exertions reached Win, he bad encouraged a hope that the time would come when he might have au opportunity of seeing tit( so who had set so striking art example of what British sailors could and would do when the preservation of human life was at stake, nobly and feat tessly for such a purpose risking their own. But he little thought that such an opportunity as the present would have offered itself—when, oir the deck of a British man of-war, he could in person express his feelings on the subject. He would not stop to steak of his own individual approbation ; fur, stranger as ,he was to them„ that might be of little worth ; but he felt 1, ersuaded that: in addressing thew, and reminding them 11: . their own devte ion and persevering endeavours on that awful night, ' hi) was expressing the approbation of every ine l ivids at present, most of whom, from being resident isi cite neighbourhood, must have taken as deep m t interest as he did, and were better informed 'pro bably than himself of all the circumstances of the case:_ Still more gratifying was it for him to address thorn, pot only in the presence of those to whom he bacY alluded, but in the pretence of a crew serving, like them selves; their Queen and country in their own calling and pi:ofession. And here he would remind them of the advan tsee o f discipline—that characteristic feature of the army arid navy of England, by a strict adherence to which these services had distinguished themselves above all others, and c • I;quered armies and navies, led by commanders who boasted that they were invincible. In union, it was said, there was strength; but strength without discipline would still be inefficient and defective. By discipline the strength of the navy was collected into one tocus or point, as it were ; and when under the control of a judicious commander, bee ring down all opposition, it becameinvincible • and,witsh reference to this essential ingredi en t i n c u r l a nd and sea service (he here addressed himself to Captain Saxby) he could have no doubt but that the gallant conduct of the crew was rendered still more efficacious by the discipline and good order which he, as commander, bad established on board the Scout. lie next referred to those times when, during the war, the united sere vice of England could vie with each other ; and who could forget the numberless occasions, when, in contending with their country's foes, they had added so much to her glory and renown ! But proud as Englishmen had a right to be, and grateful as they. ought to be, for those deeds of valour, they could not and ought not to dismiss from their minds that a day of victory must inevitably be the day of death to. many, and that with their joy and gladness there was an accompaniment of sorrow for those who had perished in the fight. Many were the instances he could mention of the sympathy which manifested itself in various parts of the kingdom, when news arrived of battles fought and victories won, towards the brave men who had fallen. One above all' he could mention, which occurred in the city of Edinburgh, illustrating his remark, so creditable as it was to all concerned.. No sooner did the intelligence arrive of the vie tory . of Trafalgar than a burst of joy and ex ultation resounded far and wide but when it was known that Captain Duff, of the Mars, had perished in the action, and that bis widow resided in. the city, the people of their own accord posted a guard at catch end of the street in which she lived, and when the rest of the town was one blaze of illumination, and thronged with joyous multitudes, none were allowed to intrude upon the solitude of that street—there and there aidne were darkness and silence—a due respect shown to, a widow's feelings in the moment of public exultation—a. due reverence paid to her hour of mourning and bereave ment. lie next begged to call their attention to another point. Bravery and energy, it was known to all, were the characteristic features of our sailors and soldiers ; but there was one other principle still more important, and without which a character, however high and dis tinguished for its noble qualities, was destitute of much of its worth and value. Pointing to the Blazer's ensign, he called their attention to the red cross which was its conspicuous feature ; and remind ing them of what it was the sign and symbol, urged them above all things to bear in mind that while they served an earthly Sovereign, they also served :mother whoseeye was ever upon them, and his spirit ever around them. He pointed out to them in the strongest terms the importance and necessity on all occasions, wherever they might be, of linkinh together their religious and professional duties in one bond ot it separable union—never to forget that their duties to their Queen and country ought always to go band in hand with their duties to their God ; and to their loyalty, as Englishmen, invariably to add the faith and works required of them as Christians ; and. he trusted that this latter feeling had its full share on the occasion respecting which he then ad dressed them ; that while risking their own lives in endeavouring to-rescue those of others they felt that they were, in thus doing to others as they would be done by, performing at the same time a work pleasing and ac ceptable to Him who watched over them in that hour of peril, which might, for aught they knew, have been their hour of death. Ile concluded by reminding them of the satisfaction such deeds as this, for which he was now about to request their acceptance of a memorial, mat give them whenever they looked back to it ; bow far superior the satisfaction than any derived from sources of vice, and what too many thoughtless people called pleasure ; and he had only to hope that from the books he was now about to present to them, they would de rive benefits, not only for the furtherance of their wel fare and respectability in this world, but for their eternal happiness in the world to come, when their earthly course should have reached its close. His Lordship then proceeded to present Prayer- Books and Testaments, commencing with Captain Sax- , by ; and in addressing himself more particularly to three men who had distinguished themselves, one of whom was an artilleryman in Languard Fort, he ex pressed the peculiar satisfaction he felt in reminding his hearers that the soldier had rivalled the sailor in this scene of danger and exertion ; and added tbat such he hoped, as it had ever been, ever would be the case with the two united services, identified in one and the • same generous and noble spirit, contending in laudable rivalry who should be first and foremost on every occa sion, whether in the day of battle or in other scenes like this to which he had alluded, when their courage and energies might be rendered available for the benefit of their fellow-countrymen. Capt. Washington then, turning to Mr. Saxby, said— After the eloquent and impressive address you have just heard from his Lordship, it would be quite out of place that I should add another word. I will only say, then, that in the name of Archdeacon Berners, S:r Philip Broke, Mr. Attwood, M.P. for the borough, the Mayor ot Ilarwich, a few sailors and other friends, I beg to offer you one of Dollond's best telescopes, and to your chief mate a Dollond's silver pocket compass, in testimony of respect and admiration for your self and the crew of the Scout, for your humane exertions in endeavouring to save the lives of the crew of the Hero schooner, wrecked on - Languard beach, in an easterly gale and heavy snow storm, on the night of the Bth of December, 1844 ; and may you both live many years to make use of them in the profession to which you do so much credit. And now, my men, not only of the Scout, but my shipmates of the Blazer, who have faithfully and creditably served your Queen and your country upwards of four years with me in the North Seas, I trust what yoo:have heard and seen this day will not be forgotten by you, but that it will be an encouragement to press forward inthe cause of humanity whenever an opportunity arises, assured that sooner or later your exertions will always bring their own reward. By permission of Capt. Stanley, captain of the 4 11 4 all hands then joined in three hearty ch eers for _ e crew of the Scout and the Lord Bishop of Norw i c h the band of the 7th Hussars struck up " Rule and thus terminated a ceremony that we think will not be readily forgotten by any one who witnessed it. h r I g e l i e d s A t under t V h a R t w E the as . patronage c onten ded f affair came off on the 29th of July, the This much-talked - of REGATTA last of the three "glorious days" that placed Louis Philippe of his Royal Highness the Prince de Jeinville, who gave a ), It th w e AT as la prize of , for at this regatta, fur a rowing match open to all nations. on the tiltrbooone forafnicrsan(6ceo.l. Some English sailors brought a boat over from Ports mouth with the intention of entering her, but she was found too long for the regulations. Determined upon making a profitable voyage, they borrowed an old leaky French boat of the landlord of Frascati, and caulking her as well as the could upon a few hours pr eparat i on , starte d aga i ns t three crack French row-boats, manned with the best mariners of Havre, in a strong north-west wind, and rather a heavy sea. The contest was witnessed by an immense concourse of spectators assembled on the beach, where the authorities of the place, the military with their bands of music, and the fashionable visitors at Frascati, added much to the splendour and gaiety of the spectacle. From the first it was evident that the old boat had got a crew of meta in her ; the pull altogether, the feathering of her oars, the helmsman's method of meeting the swell, and her constantly gaining upon the other boats, told the spectators the plain story that that was the English boat. The beat ap pointed French boat pulled most manfully to keep np with her, but in vain. At length, bathed in the attempt, they permitted their boat to drift too much in share, and shipped a breaker that put them all hors de combat. Thar English boat absolutely stopped awhile to pick them up ; but finding that Old Davy was not likely to get anything out of the Frenchmen that time, they stretched out their oars again, and reached the goal up to their knees in water. The French admit that the English sailors did their business in very handsome style, but are not a little annoyed that Jack should have carried 1 off the Prince's best prize with one of their own worst boats. DEATII OF THE DEAN OF LINCOLN.—We rep* to have to announce the demise of the Very Rev. Georg , Gordon, D.D., Dean of Lincoln, who expired at the Deader on Saturday last, in his eighty-fourth year. 7 4% 5% [7 [OA i ; $ 0 00 .. P o i Of ~"~