The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-03 00:00:00

trim STOMlllllllserr OtartrirtS

Wen and Easton quickly deepatched the appliences sum-
Mealy made use of in such cases. lo aid In the search for
the burled pubengen the fragments of the broken trucks
wereset tire to, and the lire thus econsioned dlii not bead to
lessen the melancholy eurroundings. Much dittLmlty was
expetleoced in rescuing the occepanta of the varteue com-
partments—the carriages being piled up as already described.
Pickaxes anti other means were resorted to in tearing per.
nuns of the carriages rounder, and as the soft t..ren were
extricated therefrom they were attended to and the most
urgent cases sent into the town. Here a fortunate passeneer
wan seen applying his handkerchief an a bandage to the
head or arm of a fellow traveller, and in other directions the
same attention was being paid to a broken arm, leg, and
other Whale..
The labour of extricating the dead and wounded from the
wreck lasted over more than four honrs. Among the earliest
got out was Mr. Balfour Stewart, Professor of Natural
Philosophy at Owen's College, Manchester, whose thigh W.
fractured. lhe appliances of the local surgeons not being
equal to the emergency, Mr. Warne, • local builder, im-
provised a pair of splints, which, with other aids, enabled
the sufferer to remain at rest until Sunday morning, when be
was removed to the residence of Mr. T. 11. Lambert, of
Northwichvilla, who had also housed on the previous even-
ing Mr. and Mr.. Taylor, of Stoke-upon-Trect Mr. King,
of Blossom-street, Norton Vulgate, who had sustained •
severe fracture of one of his legs, was conveyed to the Station
Hotel, where, eta later hour, was brought Mr. Royley, of 8,
Stanhope-street, Hyde-park-gardens, who had remained
under the wreck of the train for nearly four hones, without
any poseibility of being rescued, in a state of collapse, and
died at an early hour on Sunday morning. Tee Rev. James
Inches Hillocks, Congregational minister, of Stoke Newington,
who has suffered severe injury in his feet, wee removed to
Mr. Warne • residence. Mr. and Mrs. Barraclough were
teken to the Queen's Arms hotel; hire. Wood, of Birmingham,
and her cousin, Mr. Harlem, were received by Mr. Bourne.
Sergeant Sturt, Bth King'. Foot, was taken in by Mrs Lan-
der, and his prisoner, Private John Yates, • deserter from
the same regiment, was taken charge of by Mrs. Doman.
Several others, the nature of whose injuries are described
below, wont on to London, some remainleg rimier care of
Mr. Striding, at the Euston Hotel, whilst others were con-
veyed to their respective friends.
The subjoined in slid of the killed :
William Shelby, engine driver. aged 40 ; Mr. Jeffreys, of
Manchester; Mr. Jordan, of Cheadle nutter% near Man-
cheater ; Mr. Bell, of Bolton ; Miss lieu: Mr. Smith, of lib-
lane, Manchester; Air. Rowley, of Stanhope street, ilyde-
park-gardens.

Professor Balfour Stewart, of Owen's College, Manchester,
fractured thigh and general shock to system.
Mr. Taylor, of Stoke.on-Crent, bruised and shaken.
Mrs. Taylor, both ankles sprained, contusion of elbow and
severe nervous rhock. . .

..-..„.....—.
The Rev J. inches Hillocks, severe Injury to ankle johit
and general stieck
Sergeant Start, Bth King's Foot contusion on the cheek
and general shock.
Private John Yates ; contused wound of left ankle.
Mr. King, of illossonl-street, Norton Foigate ; contusion of
knee, and injury of the leg. Mr. James Hilton, slight con-
cussion

Mrs. Wood ; Injury to right hip and leg. Mr. Harrison;
general shock.
Mr James Lamb, of Manchester, lacerated wound of heel
of left foot, with contualon to arch of foot; Mrs. Lamb, con-
tused and lacerated wound of foot.
Among other sufferers who went on to London on Saturday
were Mr and Mrs. Allen, of Dublin Mr Reed, of King-street,
Snow-hill; Mr. and Mrs. Heaton, of Manchester; Mr.
Bourgoln, of Homburg Mr Clapshaw, of Chichester.street,
Kilburn; and Sir. Pickering, of Stoke-upon-Trent
The bodies of Mr Bell and Miss Bell, Mr. Jordan, Mr.
Smith, and the engine-driver Shelby were left at the railway
station, that of Mr. Jeffrey, at the "Queen's Arms," and that
of Mr. Rorley at the Station llotel.

Mr. Bell and Miss Bell were recognized by letters found in
their pocket-books, which enabled the officials to communi-
cate with their friends. A gentleman to whom Miss Bell
wee enetaged came down to Harrow on Sunday. He had bads
her good-bye at Huston on her leaving the station. Mr.
Jordan wee identified by the wagon-ticket between Man-
chester and London found upon bine. Mr. Smith was
identified by documents found upon him, which dowed that
he was a partner in the house of Fisher, Sons, and Smith,
of rib lane, Manchester.
The driver, William Shelby, was a man of great experience
and courage, and Invariably travelled with a favourite dog—
a half-bred fox. When Shelbya remains were discovered
under the dome of his engine, his dog, which had escaped
unhurt, wee found watching near the body. Shelby has left
• wife and four children. Mr. Jeffrey was recognised by a
letter addressed to him at the Langham Hotel from Mr.
Richardson, of Frederick's-place, Old Jewry. Ms wife tele-
graphed to Ruston station on Saturday night to know if her
eluded,' was In the train, but his death was not known to
tio railway authorities until Sunday. Mr. Rowley bore his
sufferings with great fortitude for nearly four hours, being
kept up by the administration of small quantities of brandy,
and when extricated wa.s sufficiently conscious to direct that
a telegram should he sent to his wife and mother in
Chedire, conveying his regret at having to inform them that
Ito had met with a very serious railway accident. After
having been got out he gradually sank, and the doctors in
attendance were unable to sanction the only chance of
saving him—amputatlou. After • time lockjaw ensued,
which was soon followed by death. Mid Butler remained
In attendance upon him until the last.
The escape of the stoker of the pilot engine, John Cladde,
wee very remarkable. Ile wee thrown completely over hie
engine, and wee found crawling some distance from the
wreck, where be was removed to the fru works, when, on
recovering himself, he remarked " mate'. gone ; where's
his dog?" alluding to the dog mentioned above, and which
Sid found with one of his legs somewhat injured.
The escape of Gemmel, the Manchester guard, is scarcely
less wonderful. His van was broken into a thousand pieces,
but, with the exception of a severe shock, he has detained
no injury.
All the surviving sufferers concur in expressing their
gratitue!e for the attention shown tee them both by the officials of
the company and by the residents In the neighbourhood, who
had the duty almost to themselvd oaring the first half.honr
alter the accident. Mrs. White, wife of the chief porter,
was mod assiduous in supplying all needful accessories for

Among the passengers who escaped serious lmrt were Mn.
Orimshaw and her daughter, of Aspley, In Bedfordshire.
They remained for the night with Lord Charles Rouen, at
Pinner-lodge.
Mr. Mumford, aindstant locomotive superintendent, was
upon the spot soon after the accident, and with Mr. Clare,
foreman at Camden, took command of the staff of workmen
engaged In clearing the up.and down main lints. This was
a work of great difficulty, but plenty of appliances from
Camden being at hand the men applied themselves with a
will, and before two o'clock an Sunday all three lines were
open for traffic.

Almost the lint train to reach Harrow from the north was
the Soctch express, which brought the lion. T C. Bruce, and
Mr. It it Dean, directors of the company, and Mr. Findley,
assistant manager, who alighted and Joined their fellow
labourers Only one of the three lines at thin station was
clear—that In use for the up goods and cattle traffic. It was
at once evident to a practical mind that the only manner in
which the railway could be safely worked would be to use
this single line of rail both for the up and uown trains,
entering at Watford at one and at Willesden at the other
tad. Telegraphic notice was sent to Fusion to start no more
trains until further orders, and thus the constantly Increas-
ing traffic was gradually sent forward. The next Important
duty wag to despat,h out of London the Irish mail anti the
limited Scotch mall, both of which, after a delay of a couple
of hours In starting, were passed safely over the single clear
line. 615 pm. out of Euston, with all subsequent trains
except the mall, ftmained on that platform until nealy two
o'clock on unday morning, when It left freighted with
about 800 passengers, who had exhibited exemplary patience
throughout the six hours' detention In that station.

The following account of the accident is by one rf the
passengers f—The five o'clock express left the Easton station,
with its usual punctuality, on Saturday evening. I was
accompanied by a friend. We were both bound for home
—my friend for Dublin and I for Cork. At starting we did
not notice much the length of the train. Being old travellers,
and having acquired a strong prejudice againfit occupying a
carriage either too near the head or the tall of a train, we
selected, es usual, one of the centre carriages. I was trying
to sleep, when all in the carriage were suddenly forced with
much violence against ekch other. My friend and I were fortu-
nate in escaping with stew bruises and a chock to our nerves,
which we did not get over for come minutes. Two soldien
to whom we had been speaking in the carriage did uot escape
so well. Their Injuries seemed to he serious' but not fatal.
We were all In a state of great consternation for some time.
As BOOn al I recovered hem the effects of the shock. I
opened the door of the carriage and looked out. It was
very foggy, and I could see nothing. f resumed my seat,
and remained for a few minutes in the utmost state of sue.
pease. The people in the carriages on each side of me had
now begun to call loudly for the guard and ask what Wee the
matter. My friend and I descended from our carriage. Our
example was followed by all the passengers who escaped,
and were sufficiently well to enable them kf get out. the
fog was not thick enough to prevent Its seeing by a
number of lights in the distance that we must have
just passed a station, and some of the passengers made
out that It mutt be the Harrow station, and so it
was we took the lamps out of all the urriages, from the
middle lathe end of the train, and proceeded to see what
had been the cause and what was the nature of the accident.
As well as I could see in the impei fed light there were 25
carriages to the train. In front of the train had hers two
powerful engines and their !accompanying tenders. The first
engine and tender were smutted to pieces. The second es-
gine was found lying on its site with its steam still In full
blow, and looking in the darkneas like some hideous monster.
The drivers and stokers of the two engines were nowhere to
be seen. The first half dues carriages from the engines
seemed to have been sadly affected hy the collision, to: such
now the accident appeared beyond doubt to have been. The
first carriage was completely destroyed. One man had been
caught by the thighs, and his legs wrenched from his body.
Some of the passengers in the second carriage appeared to
be peat all human relief. With what struck me as exhibiting
much prompltude Debts from the Harrow station and three
gangs of workmen, with more lights and all necessary ap-
pliances, were on the spot, and the melancholy business of
seeing after the wounded commenced. NI/etching the opera-
tions of the workmen were several railway officials and
medical men from London. Fortunately among the pu.
sengers were • couple of medical men. The wounded wore
conveyed on stretchers to the Harrow station, where their
temporary wants were kindly attended to by many of the
residents of Harrow, who, on hearing of the accident, came
to the station and were profuse in their offers and acts of
benevolence. The dead that could be extricated from what
remained of the smashed carriage wore laid upon one side of
the line. I counted Nth It was generally believed that
the driver of the fleet engine was killed instantaneously.
The person out in two was in the lint carriage. Two
were killed In the second. Another person who had
his head cut through, and a lady, made up the
hapless half -dozen. Our friends the two soldiers, who
had some short time before been energetically discussing
the probability of England going to war witbeltussia, were
among those who had to be taken on stretchers to the Har-
row station, in the waiting room of which they were accom-
modated as well as cou:d be under the circumstances. Alto-
gether some 50 or so persons must have been seriously in-
jured. Leaving the railway officials and their gangs of men
to complete their sad work, all the passengers who
could walk groped their way In the fog along the line of
rails to the Harrow station, taking it for granted that all
traffic had been suspended, and that they might do no
with impunity. There was general disappointment when
It was found that the Harrow station had no refreshment
bar attached to it. Private generosity, however, supplied
the want, and bottles of brandy and cigars were freely cir-
culated. One gentleman, whose name I vainly endeavoured
to ascertain, deserved special mention for acts of practical
kindness and benevolence Some ladies, who were in a
shockleg state of nervousness, were, with their friends,
taken to his residence an d remalned there till a train wu read y
to take them back to London. For nearly three hours we had
to remain at the Harrow station. Daring that One the cause
of the accident became known. A goods train had passed the
Harrow station fully a quarter of an hour before the time
for the coming up of the afternoon express, and should
have been at the time of the accident off the down
line Some of the trucks or vans, however, had become dis-
connected from the main train, and men were engaged in
getting them out of the way when the " ultras.," not befog
able in the tit to see the signals which were out, ran Into
them, so that it was not at an unlikely that the killed were
confined to the passengers in the express; train. It was close
upon ten o'clock when some of the passengers got hack to
Euston, where a crowd of people had mumbled, and much
excitement prevailed. Among the fortunate persons who
escaped with only slight shocks and bruises were Mt. Michael
Feely, of Cork, and Mr. F. K Deverill, of Dublin.

The official account of the accident tarnished by the rail-
way authorities say. that the " real cause" was the dense
fog which prevailed In the neighbourhood of farrow at the
lime.

A gentleman who wait • passenger also gives the fol-
lowing account of his personal experience of the acci-
dent :

"I was • passenger for Alderley by the five o'clock train
leaving Ruston on Saturday last. I have always hitherto
travelled in • Manchester carriage, but, fortunately for my-
self, the porter having charge of my luggage put me ins 11,ch-
dale carriage, which was the fifth from the engine. After I
bad arranged my luggage I walked down the front of the
train to ice if there were any passengers in the Manchester
carriages that I knew. I saw poor Mr. Rowley, who was killed;
and had I been quite sure that it was he, I should have joined
him. as I had occasion to meek to him upon some matters of
bueiness. But the fog was so thick that I could not see hia
lacs inullolesil7 well lobs esdala thai It was tot a Winger ;

so I went back to my carriage without speaking to his, and
to this, in all human probability I owe my agape from
the sod fate which has overtaken him. I may mention that
the Rochdale carriage was a new composite carriage, con-
taining a Becond-class compartment at each end, two first-
class compartments, and • luggage van. I was In the
second first-class compartment, sad there was only one
other passenger. We sat with our backs to the engine, I
in the middle, and be at my right band nearest the door.
Just before reaching Harrow station I heard • fog-signal. I
listened for another, but, not hearing one, thought that I
must have been mistaken, when I suddenly felt a check to the
train. which I thought wes caused by the steam being shut
off. I inunediatOy called to my fellow-passenger that
there was something wrong, got both my legs upon the
seat on which I was sitting, squeezed my back and shoulders
well against the cushions, and got my elbows between
the suppofti. I had hardly done this, when there was a
tremendous shock. The carriage immediately left the
metals, swerving to the right on to the six-foot, between
the down and up lines There wae • grinding and a rend-
ing or timbers, and for five or six seconds the carriage
nacillated violently, then seemed to mount up into the
air. Another shock followed, a slight sound of breaking
glees ( which I believe was caused by the crushing of the
globe of the lamp, which went out), and the carriage
turned on Its side upon the up line. My fellow-pas-
senger and myself were thrown On the side of the car-
riage. Neither of us being hurt, we climbed, by means of
the divisions of the seats, to the window, and got out.
I crawled along the sloping side of our carriage and ex-
tricated three or four passengers from the compartment
behind, and two gentlemen and a lady from the one In
front. During all this time I kept my cigar in my mouth,
ao much, from the accident of our position, was the shock of
the collision mitigated. I then sat on the top of the carriage
to look round me and lee what was to be done. I found
that the front of our carriage was resting on one of the
engines, from which at the commencement of our journey we
trust have been nearly 100 feet, having four carnage.
between us. In front of us and on the down line was • con-
fulled mass of &Weis folly 24 feet high, composed of frag-
ments of carrieges, wheels, and machinery; and on the
down line, and alongside of Us, was the luggage van, which
had been immediately behind the Rochdale carriage in
which I war. The greater part of the enclosure of this van
had been swept sway, apparently by the wheels of our
carriage. I have since been informed that there were the
fragments of another carriage underneath the one in which I
was, end on the top of which fragments it must have been
mounted before it turned over. Under the heap of rubbish in
front of um were sevens] passengers, whose groans and cries were
heartrending. The passengers from the rear of the train,
and residents In the neighbourhood, were molt energetic In
endeavouring to remove the broken pieces of carriages from
off the passenger* who were buried beneath them. The
names of these good Samaritans have already been mentioned;
but I should like here to make my ackn,wledgments to Mr.
Noakes, of 13uahey, who was most active in rendering help,
and who kindly offered me • bed at his hone. Two soldier,
who seemed So be badly hurt, anti Professor Balfour Stewart,
who had been lying in a most distressing position, with a
man of heavy fragments heaped upon him, were among the
lint got out but there were no means at hand for transport-
ing them to the station. I induced a porter to wrench
with a crow-bar a door from • van. this, being covered
with cushions, formed a bed for one of the soldiers. Two
other doors wrenched off In a gruffer way served as stretchers
for Professor Stewart and the other soldier, who were
then carried by willing hands to the station. Although
beyond a severe shaking, one or two bruise., and a sprained
hand, I am not much wor,e, I earnestly hope that three
having the control of the affairs of the London and North
Western Railway will be able to dev!ei some meane by which
passengers travelling on their ffne mar have some assurance
that there are not, scattered all over the line, luggage trains
which are timed to be shunted only two minutes before the
passing of the fast train, following them. In this case It
happened, as I am credibly Informed, that the express train
left the ih'illesden Station more speedily than usual, and hut
for this, in all prohardlity, we should never have heard of
the accident which has carried distress atid sorrow into so
many homes. Half a minute more would have got the
luggage train Out of the way."

Further invegigation has reduced the facts of this terrible
collision into a narrow compass. As a train of empty goods
trucks bound for Rugby paned that station • coupling.chain
broke. The former part of the train ran on • quarter of a
mile, the intention of the engine-driver, who was probably
unconscious of the breakage, being to back Into a siding until
the flee o'clock exprese for Manchester and Liverpool passed,
An emcee of the company, having noticed the separation, ran
along the line, and bad just succeeded to recoupling the
waggons by a duplicate chain when the express dashed Into
them. 00 the that warning a aignal two miles nearer
Landoll had been turned to "danger,' and had the engine-
driver of the express seen this, or even a later signal, he
might have stopped in time to avoid any serious collision.
But the night was densely foggy the signals are necessarily
placed very high; and • driver accustomed to exercise
habitual care at junctions such as Wolverton, Bletchley, or
Rugby Is perhaps not quite so actively on the look-out at se
small • station as Harrow. Manchester carriages were
nearest the engine, Liverpool next, and Birmingham last,
All the seven killed were Is a composite carriage, as those
containing drat and second elms c mpartmenta are called,
a break van ruining between their car and the two ben'
motives. Phis carriage was smashed to atoms; and the
wonder is, on seeing the wreck as it lies at Harrow, not
that seven were killed, but that any of the paseengem
escaped with their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Barraclough, who
rode in the last compartment of the carriage, found them.
Selves saved miraculously. 00 the first shock they appear
to have been shot out of the carrrisge and to have alighted
on the tender, and thence to have rebounded over the hedge
Into an adjoining field, where they were discovered almost
uninjured Paasengers in the next carriage were severely
shaken and brulaed, but not dangerously so; while in the
Birmingham carriage the colliaion was scarcely felt Of
those who escaped with their lives, Professor Balfour
Stewart was the most seriously wounded, and for a time
hopes of his recovery were of the slightest. The learned and
eatlniable professor had sustained tao fracturea of the thigh,
one just above the knee and the second higher. Notwith-
standing these shocking injuries, Mr. Balfour Stewart ha.
maintained a el earful composure, and on Monday his state
was hal idly regarded In a more favourable light. Sir
William Fergusson was expected to visit him in the after-
noon of that day All the ~titer persons Injured by the a:cl-
- are progressing favourably.

Referring to this sad aecident, the Pall Mall Gazette
remarks:—

The terrible accident which hal occurred near the Harrow
Station on the London and North Western Railway Is
another proof, If any were needed, of the necessity of a
thorough reform In the B) stem of railway management. Even
allowing for the possibility of accidents arising from defec-
tive material, the public have a right to expect that In
travelling on a railway they shell be secured against the
possibility of collie! ms. A dense fog le no excuse for rail-
way slaughter Tbe arrangement" of the company should be
such as to provide against the consequences of • sudden
failure of the ordinary mode of signalling. Surely it is not
tars much to ask that the absolute block system may be
adopted, at least in foggy weather. If no train Is al-
lowed to pass • nation until a telegraphic message
Is received from the next station that the line is clear, It is
difficult to see how • collision could possibly occur. We do
not expect railway companies to care for the lives of their
passengers, but iii. marvellous to see that their recklessness
of life is equ died by their reckleesness of property. Apart
from the damages which the sufferers recover from them as
compensation, the destruction of their rolling rock must be
• serious item In their balance sheets. When we con-
sider that an express engine costs not less than £3,500, and
that on the London and North Western Railway no less than
three of them have been either smashed or seriously Injured in
two days of last week, we may form some tittle Idea of the
sublime Indifference shown to the pecuniary Interests of
the company. We cannot help pitying the shareholder'.
Cues of course will sometimes occur of accident,. (similar to
that not long ago at Newark) arising from circumstances
apparently beyond human control; but In nine cues out of
ten railway accidents are caused by faults of management,
csreleuneu, the overworking of servant,, or the crowding of
trains timed for unequal speeds. It is the old story told in
dllfereut ways over ami over again.

WHAT PRIDE SWALLOWS.
Horses, donkeys, dogs, and cats,
Think of eating ; mice and rats I
so In rarta people do.
By vainglory brought thereto.
F'renahmen may by choice eat frog.—
Eat, for hunger, cats and dogs ;
Horse and donkey, may deem nice,
But can't relish rata and mice.
Fancy bow-wow, fancy mew,
In your curry or your Stew;
(Ir salmi you could bespeak
By the name of bubble-and-squeak I
oth. pleasures of allege,
Come of warring for "prestige!"
Never to devouring rat
Let tie be reduced by that —Punch.

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.
A Iludaon City genina tried a flying machine of his
own invention, the other day. It is feared that he
will be permanently deformed.
A Texan .heriff has been removed because, gay the
local journals, "he reported too many persons aa killed
while resisting arreat."
A Illinois candidate denounces the Administration
for "taking the tax off piannera, wot we don't uae, and
keepin' it on whiakey, wot we do."

An ingenious New Yorker has learned how to keep
an umbrella. lie buys a large cotton one fractures
two ribs, and breaks off two inches of the handle. No
one steals it.
The following poetical will was filed recently in a
surrogate's office at New York :—" Unto my beloved
wife—. All my worldly goods I have in store I give
my beloved wife and hers for ever more. I give all
truly; Ino limit fix. This is my will, she my execu•
trim.

The latest idea in the advertising line In New York
is a steamboat to ply on the North and East Rivers,
with Immense placards on the upper deck, setting
forth the business of those who pay for the display.
At night tie-se placards are illuminated. The craft is
named the Novelty.

A NEW SENSATION.—Wbat la termed a "Novel
Musical Feature" has been introduced at the Theatre
In Boston, U.S., where the troupe, headed by the well-
known actress, Miss Lydia Thompson, has been per-
forming. All the company, chonni, kc., assembled
b.-hind the green curtain, and after the orchestra played
'• Put Me in my Little Bed," the voices took up the
chorus, making the vast theatre ring with—

"Come, Meter, come, kin me, good night,'
For I my evening prayer have said;
l'r, tired now and sleepy, too,
to put me In my little hod!"
The effect upon the vast audience, we are told, was
electrical, and the encores were deafening. It obtained
more applause than any other feature of the per-
formance, and inaugurated an entirely new musical
' notion" in theatrical business;

SCENE IN UTAH.— First Mormon—" I wonder who
that blonde is? A nice figure" Second Mormon—
"Why, don't you know? It's your wife." First
Mormon—" So it is. I thought I had seen her before."
. . _ _

During a late trial of a case in Canada, a Dutch
witness persisted in telling what his wife told him. To
this, of course, the counsel objected, and it was so ruled
by the judge. He would proceed again to tell "'Must
how it was," when the counsel would sing out, "How
do you know that?' "My vire told me," wee the
answer. This was repeated severed times. Presently
the judge, becoming unable to contain himself longer,
interrupted, "Suppose your wife were to tell you that
the heavens hod fallen, what would you think" " Yell,
I should tink dey vas down."

proper intimacy with the wife, and the court granted
the divorce. Then the husband not unnaturally re.
fused the marriage which he had promised, and the
divorced wife spitefully went into the court and reveale
the whole conspiracy. If !Bias Braddou had given
us that in a novel, what would have been said of its
credibility?

KNOW-8
IT TO the Corer.—" Extensive Show-
rooms for Costumes and Mantles." Paterfamilias,
strolling down Regent Street, the other evening, in the
dusk, mistook the first word in this notice in a draper's
shop window, and read it "expensive" It was not
very extraordinary mistake to make.—Puneh.

ARMS AND WAR MATERIAL FOR FRANCE.—
Advices inst received in Liverpool state that the steam-
ship Lafayette, Captain Rosseau, one of the French
line of steamers running between New York and
Havre, sailed from the former port on the evening of
the 16th of Nov. with a full cargo of arms and muni-
tions of war, having on board no other goods than
breechloaders for infantry and guns for field artillery
service revolvers, and carbines, together with cart-
ridgetior the various weapons. This is the second full
cargo of arms which the LafayeUe has carried since the
. . . . .

commencement of hostilities between 1;;;;;Is—i;i7d
France. The total value of the arms, &c., shipped
from New York since the commencement of the war is
estimated at about 43,200,000 dole. The statement
that moat of the arms bought in America by the agents
of the French Government are secoad•hand weapons
is not correct, as the small arms and artillery are new.
The mitrailleuees and several full batteries which have
been forwarded to France have been manufactured in
the neighbourhood of Boston.

A MILITARY JIIIOOERIvAUT.—WC (('ourt Jour-
nal) understand that some years ago a Prussian noble-
man submitted a formidable engine of war to the
British Government, who declined the invention with
thanks. The inventor, however, has ever since suffered
from an acute attack of Anglophobia, and in the event
of England being invaded next summer by a united
Russian and Prussian force, we may possibly have
cause bitterly to repent ziur hasty refusal. The inven-
tion was termed the "All-destroyer," and consisted of
an Iron-plated steam car, bristling all over with
cannons, rifles, bayonets, and swords. Around the
whole structure was a barbed chevaux-de-frise, and a
mighty revolving two-edged scythe was attached on
each side to the axles of six driving wheels. The car
wasp to bo manned by a detachment tof eight powerful
men clad in complete bullet-proof armour. No. I
drove and commanded; No. 2 stoked; Nos. it and 4
rapidly fired all the previously loaded cannon and fire-
arms while Noe. 5,6, 7, and 8 threw • hailstorm of
hand grenades among the enemy. It was expected
that no army could withstand the attack of hailea-dozen
such Juggernauts.

Tax NEW STTLE.—Simplicity is fast disappear-
ing from our language. Be fine, be grand, or you are
nothing. So a writer in a weekly periodical must
think, to give this heading to his article- "New
Elements of Hand-Rsiling." Will he not follow it up
with "New Rudiminta of Spouting," " New Gems of
Gas.piping," "New Constituents of Draining Tiles,"
&e. ?—Psinch.

DESTRUCTION OF Two VESSELS BY FIRE.—
Particulars have been received In Liverpool of the
destruction by fire of the ship Louise Jomett and the
fortunate escape of the crew. Captain Pearsnn, of
that vessel, states that the vessel left Arches.= for
Matanzas on the 20th July, and everything proceeded
satisfactorily until the 4th September, when about ten
o'clock p.m. a tremendous sea pooped the vessel, which
can-led away the galley, after hatch-house, and bul-
warks, staving thecabin skylight and flooding the cabin.
On the 10th of September the weather being fine and
the wind light and variable, Cape Cabraon being dis-
tant about twenty miles south to south-west, the
captain observed smoke issuing from the forehatch. A.
search was made to discover the seat of the fire, but it
was impossible to remain in the hold, owing to the in-
tense heat. The hatches were at once battened down,
and on the 17th, when the vessel was about twenty
mile, north-west of Mater Milton Point, in consequence !
of the fire continuing to increase in the hold, the ,
barque was abandoned. At about four in the after.
noon the flames burst out, and at half-past five
o'clock the mainmaht went by the board. The crew
were afterwards picked up by a Spanish gunboat and
taken to Nueritos Port. The captain of the Henrietta,
who has arrived from Callao, reports that on the sth
ultimo in lat. 6 S., lon, 28 W, he fell in with an iron
vessel of about 800 tons dismasted. The hold was on
fire, and the decks burnt through completely. No
name could be made out, nor were there any traces of
the crew.
AT TILE ANTIPODES.—There are Swells all over
the world. From a review in The Times, we are de-
lighted to find that New Zealand as well as Old Eng.
land has its " Hau-hau Sect."—Ponch,
GOLD IN TrIE NORTlL—Considerable excite-
ment has lately prevailed in the Highlands, owing to
further reported discoveries of gold in Caithness. Early
In 1800 the occurrence of gold in that district was
regarded as a fact, and highly favourable opinions were
expressed by diggers as to Its probable quantities. T e
estate on which the most recent discoveries are said to
have been made is that of Sir L G. Tollemache Sin-
clair, the present M.P. for Caithness, and that gen-
tleman is represented as being willing to throw open
certain portions of his property to competent gold
diggers for systematic prospection, in order to deter-
mine whether gold exists in sufficient quantity to yield
remunerative employment.
RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. The
Financier says
Private advices Inform us that Immense quantities of
munitions of war are constantly arriving at Odessa, the
Crimea, and all places on the north coast of the Black Sea.
Ills added that the Poti-Eoutais portion of the railway now
In course of construction In the Caucasus Is to be completed
In a few mouths. The new contract up to Koutale, taken by
Meson. Crawley, Power. and Co., Is to be finished by the Ist
of July, 1872, subject to a penalty of £l,OOO for every week
exceeding that time. It can hardly be supposed that this
line Is required for commercial purposes. The object of
Russia rather into secure her military position. IL woul I,
of course, be incorrect to mAract cause of alarm from move.
merta of this nature, or to imagine that they necessarily
mean war. Bet they certainly seem to mean that Russia Is
pushing steadily on to the realisation of her pet national
Idea—that of repossessing herself of the free navigation of
the Black Sea for war ships. We may be quite sure that
with nothing lens than this wlll she rest content

DR. JOHNSON'S LAST.—(By Our ()Wit Meat:Um).
—Sir, Don't talk to me of selfemcrifice. Sir, the man
who would sacrifice himself has less sense than an ox.
—Punch.

A Vettunux TRAlL—Since the time that
the heavy amoont paid by the Chinese in Sycee silver,
WI indemnity for the war, was received in London, via
the London and North-Western Railway Company, no
train as heavily loaded with precious metal has reached
London as one that arrived at Ruston station from
Liverpool on Friday morning in last week. It con-
sisted of a special train of 13 covered goods waggons
with chests containing 74 tons of Mexican dollars,
value nearly half a million sterling. The chests were
duly checked off by the bill of lading, and the specie
was cleared out of the station within three hours of its
arrival. The procession to the Bank of England con-
sisted of three detachments of goods vans of six each.
Consignments of from six to twelve tons of silver are
not unusual on this line, but one of 74 is unprecedented,
excepting the Chinese payments.

- _
M. Guizos COURTSIIIP !---The courtship and
marriage of M. Guizot were, according to a London
contemporary, the moat romantic ever chronicled :

At the house of the editor of a periodical for which he
wrote, he often meta young lady named Pauline do Mtlll4ll,
who, like him, supported herself by her pen. Mademoiselle
de Menian fell iii; she was the mainstay of her mother and
sisters, and during her forced abstinence from literary
labour the whole family were In danger of falling into
distress. One morning she received a long paper, in • die-
pulsed hand, but in precise imitation of her own literary
style, with a note stating that while her illness continued
articles equally suited to the magazine on which she was
engaged would be forwarded to her. When Mdlle. de Montan
recovered her health, she made every effort to discover her
unknown benefactor, but In vain. At length he presented
himself, It was the shy, austere man of letters whom she had
so often met at the editor's house ; and shortly afterwards
Mdlle. Pauline de Moulin became Madame Guizot.

A PRIMA DonNA.—lt is said that Italy, with
respect to the Eastern Question, is disposed to act in
concert with England and Austria. In this concert
let us hope that Italy will sustain a part equal to her
musical renown. —Punch.

FICATB or Taxaßernr.—The Enyinar states
that when the Russian American telegraph Is com-
pleted the following feat will be possible. A telegram
from Alaska for New York, leaving Sitka, say at 0 40
on Mcnday morning, would be received at Nicoleaf,
Siberia, at six minutes past one on Tuesday morning; at
St. Petersburg, Ramis, at three minutes past six on
Monday evening; at London, 22 minutes past fourion
Monday afternoon; and at New York at 46 minutes
past eleven on Monday forenoon. Thus, allowing 20
minutes for each re.transmission, a message may start
on the morning of one day, to be received and trans-
mitted the next day, again received and sent on the
afternoon of the day it starts, and finally reaches its
destination on the forenoon of the first day, the whole
taking place in one hour's time.

Bits oi BAD HAMM—A correspondent of
The Times etates that a pair of house•martens were
obeerved the other day (November 19) flying about in
the High•street of Great Marlow, Bucks. These
members of the Swallow family remind one of jolly
companions who won't go home till morning, also of
thome who, though sober, dance, and stay dancing at
balls and evenine parties up to hours equally unseason-
able. They are late birds. —Puna.
A HINT TO THE FAT AND LEAN !—Dr. Hall
thinks there is some rink in attempting to reduce or
add to one's weight. After instancing a fat man, in
good health, who succeeded in reducing his bulk a
number of pounds, but was soon after attacked with a
painful and dangerous malady, he says, if a man can
sleep soundly, has a good appetite, with no unpleasant
reminders after meals, the bodily habits being regular
every day, he had better let himself alone, whether he
is as big ea a hogshead or as thin and dry as a fence-
rail.

THE COURIER OF ST. PETERFBURG.—DanieI
O'Connell need to boast that he could drive a coach
and four through an Act of Parliament. The Czar of
Russia hue tried hie hand at driving his Imperial car-
riage through a Treaty.—Punch.
DEATH OF A GERMAN Powr.—The German
poet, Adolphe Boettcher, has just died at Leipeic, hie
native city. II e was born on the 21et of May, 1815,
and at the age of 21 entered the University of Leipsic,
devoting himself to philological pursuits, and to the
study of German and English poets. Among hie
numerous poetical productions, hie translatiota of the
Englieh poets occupy • conspicuous place. In addition
to the works of Shakespeare and Byrom, he translated
the poems of Goldsmith, Pope, Milton, and Ossian.
Among his original works are Agnes Pernazier, a
drama; Songs of Midsummer, On the Wakh Tower, A
Tale of Spring, Till Eulesupagel, Pilgrimage of the
Flower, Spirits, Shadows, and • collection of smaller
lyrics.
Tam Hicarrn or PRINCESS Lorisr.—The
health of her Royal Highness Princess Louise con-
tinues to improve. Upon the return of her Majesty
the Queen and the Royal Family to Windsor Castle
the royal surgeons made • medical examination of the
affected knee of the Princess, when it is understood the
Inflammation consequent upon the sprain was found to
have been considerably allayed, owing to the excellent
trtatmeat which had been vaned by her Royal Sigh.