The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-21 00:00:00

=0)
.... !:

SMIDAY. 11011 SAT.
8.8. W. to W.N.W. and BOOELAND. W. is N. sad Is Z.,
S.N.E., fresh to ssoilissis, midis
moderate.
W. to N, and N.E., WEAN%
dente, with showers.
N.E. to &L, eatable, W.ClllweAb.
fine.
N.N.E. to E.S.K, fresh N.W.Fluscs.
Eight-
&Nto .& to &&E, sod B.W.lwurip.
W. 9. W., moderate,
tine.
As next above.

W. W. to ICE., light ra•
rtable.
B.Y. to 8.W., light, fiat.

LN.E. to R.S.E., light
to moderate.
light to fresh, fine.

KleGraZD. As neat above, or earl-
able.
N.W. to N.& and B.IL, Z. MUM E. to 8 sad to W.8.1V.,
moderate, due. moderate to trete.

The young Polish students in the medical and
law schools of Paris have sent an address to their French
comrades thanking them for the sympathy which they
displayed towards Poland by their manifestation last week.
They at the same time bid them farewell, being on the
point of setting off to fight for the independence of their
country.
The Levant Herald of the 11th says :—"An inci-
dent worthy of mention, in the dearth of graver news, oc-
curred at Dolma.baktchf during the part week. Reif Bey,
ex-chamberlain, was sent for, and, by imperial irade, was
ordered forthwith to marry one of the palace ladles whom
he had never seen or heard of before. Within ten minutes
after the order was communicated to him, the spouse—act
elezt, but imposed—made her appearance, and, inside an
hour, the conjugal knot was tied."
THE OOTWLRD CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND Are.
rasmss MAlM—That Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steamship Pen, Captain Jamieson, sailed from Southamp
ton yesterday, at 3 p.m., with the mails for Gibraltar, the
Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India (except Bomhayh
China, Mauritius, Australia, and New Zeeland. The Pert
took out 160 paseettgers, and on freight specie value
104,7121. tel. far the following ports, viz.:—Dylan:
Gold coin, 2,1001. 10s. ; precious stones, 305/. 17a. Madras:
Gold coin, 1,308/. 10s. ; watches, Ace., 1,3321. Calcutta:
Bar silver, 30.0001. ; jewelleryate., 2,1621. 10a. Hoag Kong:
Dollars, 43,0791. 13e. 4d. ; watches, dm., 1,3561. Shanghai:
Bar silver, 8801. ; dollars, 9,0101. ; jewellery, watches, In,
2,3421. 19a. 6d. Melbourne: Jewellery, In.. 1701. Sob.
son's Bay : Silver ocen, 4001. ; watches, &c., 2,8891. Sydney:
Watches, jewellery, dc., 2,68.51.11,. ltd. • and for Alexan-
dria, sovereigns, 4,5001. • watches, tee., 1601. The Pees also
took oat • full cargo of ;general merehendies.
MEETINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIRTIIaI FOB THE IN-
iiinita We:cc—Monday —Actuaries, 7, "Interpolation and
Adjustment of Numerical Tables," Mr. Woolhonse ; Royal
Academy, 8, "Sculpture," Professor Westmaoott ; Archi.
tecta, 8 ; Geographical, 86, " Discharge of Water from In-
terior of Greenland th h Springs below the Ice," Dr.
Rink ; "Rupert Lard," Captain Millington. Tuesday—
Royal Institution, 3, "Animal Meclumica," Professor Mar.
shall ; Engineers, 8, "American Tubular Bridges, "Mr. Maas;
" Reconstruction of Dintin and Mottram Viaducts," Mr. Fair.
bairn ; Zoological, 9, "New Musk Rat, British Columbia;""
New American Bat," Mr. Somas • " Rearing Saimaa Ar-
tificially," Mr. Backland ; Wedoskay—Horticultural.
Hyacinth Show; Society of Literature, 4j • Society of
Arts, 8, "Means for Promoting Supply of oottoo," Mr.
Cheatham; Archaeological Amocistion, Bj, "Ancient Be.
main., I. W., Roy. E. Kell ; " Ancient Nielli," Mr.
flyer Canting. Thursday—Royal Academy, 8, " Paint-
imp" Professor Hart; Koval, 8j; Royal Institutioe,
"Chemical Affinity," Dr. Frankland ; Antiquaries, 81. Fri-
day—Royal Institution, 8, " Ancient Lake Hahitations
Switzerland," Mr. Lubbock. Saturday—Royal Institution.
3, "Language," Professor Mat Muller.
ACCIDENT TO Ma. LYALL, M.P.—We are sorry
to may that Yr. Lyall, M.P., is still coatined to his room
is coosequence of the accident he met with when on hO
way to the Brockhatn Home on Saturday. the 14th ins%
Although the injuries which the honourable gentlemso
austaieed are not of a serious nature, yet it is to be feared
that his recovery will be tedious, and that mine time mat
elapse before he is able to resume his active habits of
business, and take his usual part in public affairs.—Serof
Standard.
A Fars sr Nica.—A correspondent writing iron
Nice on the 17th nave:—" After the usual number of tall*,
concerts, and drums, the ',snivel gaieties were brought to*
successful close by • most brilliant sod effective trte gives
by Mdme. Brougham, wbo, leaving the charming residing*
of the venerable peer at Cannes, has, after an aliseem
of two sears, again enlivened Nice. The character
of the kte was essentially Russian iu the deo'
ratio°, no lees than in the company, awl bleier
Resin cannot be given ; for there ran IV no Ow
lion that the entertainments given by that eaten
combining everything that the purest tote and greatest
wealth can produce, are always the most successful. I can-
not attempt a detailed description of the roatumes Ise
only meatiest a few of the most Ternsrkable celebrities, sod
most striking dresses: —The King of Bavaria, in the unites*
of a general officer, attended by General J. Jectze soil
Berne Gneissic ; the Duke of Parma ; Penman
and her daughter, in rich Greek costumes, acconmsei d
by her roe the Prioce, who may very pn'eibly he King of
Greece after all the German courts have been tried ad
failed ; Priam Stirbev. gorgeous with orders. his Prin",
brilliant with diamonds ; Prince and Pnucees Iteusi.hors-
; tritz, orders and jewels ; Baroness Rothschild, a Were et
diamonds ; Priuome Manoukbey. in a magnificent
Greek dress, and with eyes outshining her brightest
jewel ; the beautiful Comatose Pietism°, a wad
of gold, and her still more lovely sister, Milk.
de Orestis, in ao Eastern dress ; Countess de tee'
sole, her daughter, as • Snowstorm ; Miss Stewart. the
beauty of the evening, and Mies &male, scarcely lees hew
tiful, the one a. Night, the other as a Constellatioe ; Noe*
Gavini, wife of the Prefect of the Department. as 6
Sorceress, • most successful costume ' • Princess Ma"'
chereky, magnificent in white lace and pearls, woe
magnificent in the splendour of her owe per"' ;
Marquise de St. Aigoan, as 's alentine, in white 'stun. gor-
poem with jewels ; most successful of all was the Praire+
Doubeilt, as Flora. The most remarkable among the men
were the Duke of Hamilton • Princes Galitzin, Alexaeder
Stirbey, Watt. Devlet. Dona. Simonetti ; Baron de Ste.
Marie; Count de Berddingen ; Mr. Balfour, Mr. Premott,
and M. Keechke. Dancing was kept up with untined
spirit till four in the morning."

FEARFUL COLLIERY CATASTROPHE.
t 1

A PIT ON FIRE, AND.SUPPOSED LOIN OF FOUR

LIVES.

On Thursday night au appalling accident occurred '
in the neighbourhood of Wednesbury. The some ol this
catastrophe is a pit culled "Steers Meadow Pit," situated
in • field at the back of Messrs. Hatton's flour mill,
close to the brook, and between the Great Western
and South Staffordshire lines, and for the last twelve
years has been worked by Mr. William Tolley.
On the night in question three men and a boy
descended the shaft about six o'clock for their night's work.
About nine o'clock, an old pit shaft, distant about thirty
yards from the colliery, and on the very edge of the brook,
gave way, the water instantly forcing its way through the
opening thus made into Mr. Tolley's pit. Mr. Hatton, at
the mill, was immediately apprised of the occurrence, and
lost no time in having the flood-gates opened, which bad
the effect of drawing off • considerable quantity of water,
which otherwise would have found its way into the
workings. As it was evident that the lives of the men
in the pit were imperilled, Mr. Tolley was sent for, and on
his arrival, an attempt was made to dam up the brook and
stay the water. This, however, was found to be not so
easy, and during the night • number of men were at work
constructing the dam with timber, clay, Ac. Two men
descended the pit about midnight to endeavour to
gain &cocoas to the poor fellows in the workings,
but without success, the water being so high
that it was impossible to proceed. Yesterday morn-
ing • crowd of 300 parkins, principally miners, assembled,
and many of them volunteered to go down the pit, but Mr.
Tolley would only allow five or six to discoed. As ooze as
the melancholy occurrence became known the utmost ex-
citement prevailed, and many respectable inhabitants of the
town and neighbourhood visited the spot during the day.
Mrs. Hatton, of the mill, was at the bank part of the
night and day with restoratives and food for the poor
fellows, if they should be found alive. Mr. Baker,
the government inspector, arrived about half-past three,
and personally directed operations. He went down the
pit, but did not entertain any hope of getting out the men
Wt night. Throughout the day a sulphurous smoke had
been issuing from the mouth of the old shaft., which about
five o'clock buret forth into flame*, sad continued so all
night. The scene was then one of Impressive grandeur.
The crowd had increased to 3,000 or 4,000 people, and the
red glare of the flames as they leaped high into the air,
showed in bold relief the pit and its banks covered with
anxious groups. Up to 7 o'clock last night five or six men
were still at work removing the debris which barred their
access to the poor fellows in the workings. The names of
the unfortunate men who are still in the pit are John Pitt
(50), William Getting, (21), Edward Jones (20), and Job
Jones, his brother (15).

GREET NORTHERN HAULM! T. —(THIS DAY.)
The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors took
plaos at noon, at the Great Northern dation, King's-ram;
Mr. EDMUND DER7BON in the chair.
The report having been taken as reed,
The CRALIMAN moved its adoption. He mid the attrac-
tions of the International Exhibition had given then •
larger amount of traffic than they bad ever obtained
before. The passenger traffic exhibited an increase of
61,4881. In the excursion department they carried no km
than 280,000 persons, who paid about 74,00 W., or shoat
6s. each. The goods traffic wee also satisfactory, ex-
ting an incisive of 19,6201. ; but, on the other hand,
=ere was • decrease of 23,8191. under the heed of coals.
The result of the entire receipts was • pees
inereme of 59,8631. He strongly suspected that
mar persona, on seeing the returns of traffic from
week to week, bought stock in the expecta-
tion of an increased dividend, and burnt their fingers. He
would, therefore, explain how it was that the dividend was
not so high as .-me expected it to be. The expendi-
ture fa maintenance of permanent way showed an
increase of 9,2391.; in the locomotive department
there was an increase of 13,8481.; the conveyance
of 280,000 persons by excursion trains of course cost money ;
sad if the public bore in mind that wherever there was •
progreeeve inmates of receipts, there must also be a pro-
gressive immure of expenditure, they would perhaps act
more wisely than some appeared to have done recently. It
wee impossible to get all this additional traffic without ad-
ditional expense. The number of miles run was 136,000
more than in the come period of 186 L The compan-
ion= accidents for acciden was 8621. in emcee. The excursion traffic
wee, however, ex well imaged, and in considers-
tine of the extra exertions made, 4,0001. was presented to the
company's servants. 7,9671. was spent in law. He regretted
this ea much as anyone tumid do ; but, in point of fact,
the massy was chiefly expended in defending the =mosey
against attacks. The total additional expenses of the half-
year were 42,8724, which, deducted from the 59,8631. of
additional receipts, left, with a small balance which bad
been standing over. 17,6891. extra for dividend. This
enabled them to declare • dividend for the half-year of
41.55. on the original stock, W. per cent. on the B dock, and
54 10s. on the A stock, leaving • balance of 1231. That
made the dividend of 186261. 10s. on the original stock, 61.
ou the B stock, and 74 on the A stock ; being an exams of
f per cent. in excess of the dividend of 1861.
The motion having been seconded,
i A SHAREHOLDER nquired whether it was erne, as had
been stated, that some of the officers of the company had
taken commissions.

The Casianiai said that if any officer were proved to
have done anything of the kind either that officer or him-
self would certainly relinquish his official connexion with
the company, but he did not believe that there was any
foundation for the statement. (Cheers.)
A SHAAZHOLDIA complained that the preference share-
holders did not contribute any portion of the 4,00 W. given
to the servants of the oompaoy.
The Citannuas reminded the proprietor that the Pre-
ference shareholders did not participate in any additional
profit".
That part of the report relating to the last half-year
having been adopted, a diseusiou mimed with respect to
the knits, and the projects referred to in the report. As
2arthe Midland and the communication between
tehiti and I

• ind Lima"
The Otansuir hie minvielion that the oar
made by the Great orthma Company to the Midland
Company would, if accepted, have bees far better for the
latter commercially than the course they had determined
to adopt.
In reply to a question,
The Ciammair said the board IMO in negotiation with
the Metropolitan Company and the London, Chatham, and
Dover Company, for an eximmion which would enable the
Great Northern Company to cross the river without break-
bg bulk. The proprietors would probably be staked to sub-
scribe 150,0001. or 200,0001. of aontal towards carrying out
that project.
After some further dimension the remainder of the report
was adopted, and the vacancies in the direction were filled
op in accordance with the recommendations in the report

CONRRCRATION OF ST. AI.DA/e8 Cauca.—(Tale
Dar.)—This (Saturday) morning the church of St. Alban,
&kiwis's-sludges, Gray's-inn-road, built and endowed by
J. Ci. Hibbard, Feu., M.P.. for Buckingham. wee come-
meted by the Bishop of Loadon, assisted
Dr the Bees. Maws. Macoaachie (incumbent), Staunton,
Welker aced Dorm, the curates. The time fixed
for the ceremonial was eleven o'clock, but loos
before that time the church, which is very capa-
cious, was filled. The sittings are all trim, accommoda-
ting upwards of 600 persons. Oa the arrival of the bishop
the ceremony of consecration was performed with great
solemnity, and the choral service was excellent. At the
termination divine service was, for the first time, per-
formed in the sem ed edifice, and an appropriate sermon wee
preached by the incumbent.
MITROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORK& —The weekly
meeting of the hoard was held yesterday, Mr. nirvana; in
the chair. A report was brought up from the finance com-
mittee, which stated that they could not at present recom-
mend levying a rate of a specific amount per annum for
metropolitan improvements, irrespective of its ultimate
allocation ; bet they suggested the advisability of first con-
sidering the relative value of each particular improvement,
and if considered a work of the first magnitude, of spread- ,
ing the sum required for its execution over a period of yearn,
and levying a rate for its discharge.—Mr. Dalton moved
that the recommendation of the committee be adopted, and
maid that it had been ascertained that the average local
taxation of the country was 4s 11d., while in the metro-
polls it only amounted to tee. 7d. in the pound.-11z. Dermot
said the parish he represented was taxed to the extent of
6e. Id. in the pound.—Mr. Newton treated the average an ,
an unfair statement, as Emily of the parishes were taxed
between ea. and 7s. in the pound for the poor rate
alone.—Mr. WA:smell supported the recommendation
of the committee, as the present resources were
mortgaged for twenty years, and unless improve-
ments of o nubile nature were to be suspended altogether,
they meet be carried out by increased local taxation. After
some discussion, the recommeodation of the committee was
negatived by • majority of 17 to 13. Tife board, after
having sat for some time ma committee, with closed doors,
presented to the board • report on the embankment of the
north and south sides of the river Thames, sod the new
streets in connexion therewith, which stated that they had
arrived at the following repletion :—" That the report of
the engineer and superintending architect referred to be
approved, with the following exception, that instead of cler-
gies out at the present time the proposed widelmiaff at
names-street, at • oost of 50,0001., the igheirest. Vaux-
hall, be widened in accordance with the previous report el
the engineer, hearing date the 200 i of Noember leak and
that that portion of the noathern embankment between
Guithouse-alley and Vauxhall-bridge be postponed for tie
peesat.—Mr. Donitoo, M.P., said as the whole subject had
been fully discussed io the committee. he Amid merely
move that the report he unproved.—Mr. Dormer seconded
the motion, whichwas unanimously agreed to.