The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-02 00:00:00

TIM STOURBRIDG-E OBSERVER:,

of flour at night. They got out of prison by the arch-
way unnoticed and unchallenged by the sentry, un-
shackled the chain of the gate, and got away unseen.
They had no oars in the boat when leaving. An
American who was with them was drowLei te
sev.entit day otft.„ They state that there are 9,00
prialmers in fiew Obiledonia, two-thirds of whom are
Communißtr.

I THE FIRST RAILWAY IN CHINA.

Friday, June 30th, saw the formal inauzuration of
the first railway line in China. In respoese to invita-
tion cards issued by the promoters of the company,
about 150 ladies and gentlemen assembled at half-past
five o'clock at the Shanghai terminus to take a trial
trip on the newly-opened railroad as far as Kang-wang.
This is a prettily situated and picturenne little village
lying about half-way between Shanghai and Woosung,
which at present forms ts-le terminus of the line; but
we understand that in a few Months more the rails will
be completed. The compartments areshaped something
like an emnibus, open at either end, SO that a person
; at one end of the train can see right through to
te other, and the passengers sit facing one another, at
..,ht angles to the engine. The carritgen are divided
into first, second, • and third class. The first class%re
handsomely fitted up with purple cushions and curtains
to match, and painted in white and gold; the second
class are plainer, but furnished with comfortable seats;
the third clips are simply constructed in wood like
those at home, but are perfectly commodious and
suitable to the purpose for which they are intended.
' The engine if appropriately named the "Celestial
Empire." Crowds of Chinese were assembled to see
the "

train itart, -Which it-did withme-nda-bre—Punc-
tuality at half-past five o'clock. It was most enter-
taining to watch the astonishment of the simple natives
as the train whirled past; as far as the eye could reach
the peasants in all the fields were in one attitude, and
one only—leaning like statues upon their hoes, and
gazing open-eyed and open-mouthed upon the un
wonted spectacle. In some place., where the nature
of the road permitted, the rails were lined wt 4
Chinese villagers, their faces in most instances belie
perfect pictures of placid wonder. Some looked half
afraid, while others thought it the greatest jok.
imaginable. At last the tra'n slackened speed, and
the temple-tops and roof trees of Sang-wang appeared
in sight, peeping out from among the foliage. INeve
truly had the inhabitants of that primitive !village'
known such an exciting day, and it is no wonder that
the approaches to the station were thronged with eager
crowds, watching the strange sight with mingled
wonder and admiration. Kang-wang Station is a neat
little edifice of wood, and in it a luncheon was given.
As the time drew near for the train to start upon
the return Journey, Mr. Medhurst proposed "Suc-
cess to the Shanghai and Woosung Railway." This
was responded to with loud and prolonged cheering,
and the passengers took their places in the cars again
for the homeward journey. The line is merely an ex-
perimental one, constructed with a view to something
better following. The gauge is 21t. 6in. The weight
of the engine is nine- tons, and each engine carries
enough coal and water to rut to Woosung and back.
The distance to Kang•wang is about 4i miles, the whole
length of the line being 91 miles. Seven miles of rails
are laid, and out of a total of thirteen bridges twelve
have been completed. The permanent station at
Shanghai it in progress.—From the Celestial Empire.