The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-30 00:00:00

TIIE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, 1853

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

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The low and apparently settled state of the tem-
perature yesterday morning had the effect of drawing a
vast crowd of persons to the ornamental waters of St
James's-park, the Serpentine, and the Lung and Round
Waters of Kensington Gardens. Werli.esday night was
one of the must severe and intense that has occurred for
several years, the thermometer as shown by the indicator
at the receiving-house of the Royal Humane Society being,
during the night, as low as 161 degrees, with a sharp wind
from N.:•.W. At baltpast seven in the morning the
mercury stood at 171 degrees. As the day advanced the
glass rase, but it did not pass freezing point.
Tits Sinen•Vltart.—There were here about 3,000 ;
persons at once on the ice at various points within the 'units:
which had been marked out as far as could be dune by the
icemen under the direction of Mr. Williams and his
deputy superintendent, Mr. Murphy. The snow having
covered the dangerous boles, as well as the firm ice, this
was often a (hangmen's task. At the east tar some dis-
tance the ice was corded off, an order having been
sent by the Chief Commissioner of the Woods and Forests
fur its appropriation fur the ice wells of her Majesty at
Buckingham Palace, and a number of men and carts were
employed carting it away, some of the blocks being as much
as three soil four inches in thickness. On the upper or
long water above the bridge the skatine was very general.
The ice basing been swept by numerous persons, was the
best that has been fur some years, and there wets a very lull
attendance of the nobility and gentry of the 11 yet Skating
Club. Amongst the principal skaters yesterday were
Viscount Bury, Sheppard, Esq., Sir Charles Ringing,
Tustin, Keq , &c. The total namber present during the
day was about 7.000. The only accident was one that (V-
-eined toe young gentleman named George, residing at 68,
Upper Berkeley-street, Ld4ware- road, who from a fall on
the ice received a severe ce :mission of the brain. A pm.
tine of the ice opposite the R. ceiving-house is kept :woken
for the convenience of bothers, several of whom have
availed themselves of the opportunity of indulging in a
ball at 11 degrees below freezing point.
THE Lino WATEIL AND ROUND PONII.—The ice here
was also in eseellent condition, being in thickness about 3j
inches, and there were present shout 7,1,00 skaters and
!thanes. Fortunately, there were no accidenes. On the
banks of the Long Water was erected the elegant marquee
of the Skating Club; the members of whom present were
Viscount Bury, Sir Coutta Lindsey, Mr. B. Babington, and
Mr. Frank Elam. These gentlemen bad been h 'Hotted for
and elected within the past few days. In addition Cher:
were also preseut--Cautain Trotter, Mr. T. G. &ureter,
Mr. E. E. Justin, Mr. W. Shcppherd, Mr. C. Knapp, Mr.
Newton, Mr. 'Napkins, and Mr. L. K. Kaislake.

REOENT.S.PASIL.—The attendance of skaters and sliders
at this point amount d to upwards of 12,000 ; while, from
the brightness of the day, the banks of the ornamental lake
were thronged with countless thousands of spectators.
There were no accidents from immersion, but there were
several cuts and contusions :rent falls, which were promptly
attended to by Dr. Norton, medical officer of the Royal
Humane Society.
Sr. Jantro•nutx.—The ice generally is not in a
very safe elite in many parts, and the icemen have the
greatest possible difficulty in keeping the numerous sliders
and skaters within the marked precincts—the words stuck
up, " Dangerous," having of themselves little effect. In
consequence of the inconvenience the icemen esperienced
from the officious but well-meant desire of persons to assist
them in cases of danger, the society caused notices he be
stuck up through the parks, cautioning individuals in all
such Cans to witndraw from the spot. During the day
there were no fewer than 6,000 skaters and sliders; and
the only accident from immersion took place about three
o'clock at the west end near the Fountain, where Mr
I Hook s. Hooke, of No. 93, Felton-lane, and two female relative
broke in, but were speedily rescued. They were attended
by Dr. M'eann.
VICTOkt• PARlL.—Yesterlay and on each day since
Saturday, between 4,000 and 5,000 persons have partaken
of the amusement of skating and sliding: On Monday
there were some immersions, but there was no serious acci-
dent.

EXTENSIVE FIRES.

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Yesterday morning another serious fire broke out
in the City, making the third that has happened since
Monday laat. It originated from some unexplained cause, on
the premises of Mr. Burgin, upholsterer end cabinet-
maker, No. 2G, Great Winchester-street, London-wall, a
relic of house architecture long before the great fire of
1663 No one slept on the premises, and when Mr. Burgin
closed them on the previous night, they appeared to be
quite safe. The disaster was discovered at about two u'clock,
sad the engines, with a full corps of firemen, a ere quickly
on the spot. In the meantime, however, the fire had
gained prodigious strength, and had communicated to the
houses on the opposite side of the street, Noe. 11, 12, and
t 3. The firemen directed the whole of their
preserving these latter. 91r. Burgin's premises being past
saving. After considerable difficulty they accomplished
their task, They then conveyed their hose into the Is tuses
Nos. 2. and 27, occupied by Mr. Skee, general merchant,
and Mr. Bowling, boarding-house keeper. Thu roofs of
these buildings had taken fire, and the flames were descend-
ing rapidly into the interior, but the men soon succeeded
in checking their progress. The fire in Mr. Burgin't pre-
mises continued for upwards of an hour, and when subdued
all that remained was the bare walls. So intense was the
frost that the firemen were coated with ice, and icicles
hung from their helmets, an o•currence that has not been
experienced since the Royal Exchange was burnt down in
Jan., 1933. Mr. Burgin was insured.
Yesterday morning, shortly before two, a fire was disco-
vered in the St. John's Infant Schools, Back-street, Horse-
lydown. Considerable damage was done to the class room
and kitchen. The origin of the accident is t.nknown.
A fire, attended with considerable damage and danger to
the inmates, happened about three hours later at the pre-
mises of Mr. John Baker, a pastrycook, No. 8, Great
Chapel-street, Broadway, Westminster. The inmates, who
were awakened by the smoke which filled their rooms, im-
mediately gave an alarm, and the police immediately sent
for the Royal Society's escape, which promptly attended,
and by the help of which they made their escape. The
flames could not be extinguished until the back part of the
premises was entirely consumed, and the front all but de-
stroyed. Fortunately Mr. Baker was insured in the
Fire-offic. The premises of Mr. E. L. Merchant,
a neighbour, were also damaged to a serious extent by the
hasty removal of his stock and by the water. Mr. Davis's
premises was likewise much burnt on the roof and in the
third floor. Neither he nor Mr. Marchant was insured.
The origin of his fire is not precisely known, but it is sup-
posed to have been occasioned from the beat of the oven.
Another fire took place in the straw bonnet warehouse
belonging to Mr. J. Morrell, No. 110, Church-street,

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Betbnal-green-road. It was caused by the gu light coming
in contact with the gods in one of the windows. The
damage will fall on the Phmnis Fire-office.
About an hour previously a fifth fire had broken out
at 221, Mortimer-street, Cavendish-square, in the occupa-
Sias of Mr. John Tiffin, a cabinet-maker. It was caused

by a spark falling aniong4t some straw in a vault, and
although the damage done was inconsiderable, it was
likely to have been attended with the los of four lives.
It appears that the moment the straw became ignited the
smoke filled the house, and so frightened the inmates that
they were about to precipitate themselves from the upper
windows. The conductor of the Royal Society's escape
quickly attended, and took thrte children from the first-
Boor window, sad then passed their mother down stairs in
safety. Mr. Tiffin was not insured.

NIONEY-ORDER OFFICES.—A notice has been issued
from the G 1 Post office stating that on the Ist of
January next, the following minor money-order offices will
be raised to major money-order offices: Abergele, Denbigh.
shire ; Bingley, Yorkshire ; Crook, Durham ; llawkhurst,
Kent ; Heywood. Lancashire ; Newcastle-F.1114n, Carmar-
thensbire ; Northfteet, Kent; Patrington, Yorkshire;
Ramsey, Isle of Man ; Howtenstall, Lancashire ; Sandgate,
Kest; Southend, Essex; Sowerby-bridge, Yorkshire;
Walton-en Thames, Surrey; and York Town, Surrey.
Minor money-order offices will also be opened at the follow
big places on the respective dates named . nachdem, Hunt-
ingdonshire, on the 3rd January; Holme-upon-Spalding-
Moor, Yorkshire, on the 10th January; Newmills,
Derbyshire. on the 13th January ; and Schull, County Cork,
on the Ist January.
NEW CEMETERY FOR ISLINGTON.—Last night an
adjourned ve-try meeting of the parish of St. Mary, Isling-
ton, was held in the parish church on the su'aject of autho-
rising the Burial Board to borrow the sum of 20,0001. for
the purchase and other expenses of the new cemetery at
Fincbley. The Rev. D. Wilson, the vicar, presided. Mr.
Waller's resolution wu that the sum above-mentioned be
authorised to be borrowed, repayable in twenty annual in-
stalment', and the amendment moved by Mr. Lewis, that
arrangements may be made with existing Cemetery Compa-
nies for the burial of piupers, and that other persons he left
to make their own arrangements, and that the subject be re-
ferred back to the Burial Board. A lung discussion took place.
ant on a show of hinds being taken the numbers were de-
, dared to be fur the amendment, 63; against the amend-
ment, 11 ; majority for the amendment, 22. A poll of the
parish was then demanded, and arranged to take plate on
Monday and Tuesday next.

SHOCELVG RAIL 11 i 1 Y COLL', WON

NEAR MANCHESTER.

A shocking occurrence took place yesterday morn- I:
ing, a little after 10 o'clock, on the Lancashire and York-
shire Railway, by which one person was killed, and ti,ffit I
ti twelve uthers were more or less seriously injured. A
train leaves Manchester every morning f. it Rochdale, Leeds,
and various parts of Yorkshire, at 9.40, stopping at Miles I
Platting Station (2 miles) and Newton heath Station (4
miles); and a second train leaves at 9.45 for Oldham, which
runs paid both these stations without stopping. These
trains left Manchester yes•erday morning about the usual
time, or probably the second train a little behind its usual
time. The morning was frosty, with snow on the ground
which had fallen on the preeiousday, and adebee leg hanging
iu the atmosphere, which obscured objects at 15 to 20 yards i
distance. The first, or Yorkshire train, had reached the
Newton Heath station, and having neither passengers to
put down or take up, was about moving forward, when
the second (Oldham train) ran into it behind at the rate
ut about fifteen miles per hour, des'ene it forward about
fifty yards before it, when the engine of the latter, being
thrown partly off the liae, was fortunately brought to a
stand. The last carriage of the Yorkshire train, a second-
class, and used alto as a brake•weggon, was broken to
atoms and driven elf the rails, its passengers being stet ern
about on the line and on its margin. The first of the in-
jured passengers taken up, so soon as the etatim-keeper
and uninjured passceyers and retreats in the
train could get to their assistance, was Mae
J tee Sykes, a young lady from Lindley, near
Huddersfield, who ou Leiog carr:ed ieto the sta-
tion house subbed two or thtee times, and almost imure•
diately expired. Her grandmother, Mrs. Ellen Lord, aged
GO, wife of Mr. Richard Lord, tailor and draper, Preston,
was next carried lots the station, and appeared to be on
the point of death, from severe contusions about tho head
anti stomach, hut she afterwards revived a little, and was
taken to the Manchester Infirmary, where she HUM lies ha
a very dangerous elate. A lady from Rochdale had a
steels: cut on the forehead, and other injuries, but weut
!orwaril by the nest train ; and a gentleman travelling for
a Manchester house in the cora trade was much stuuneil
niiil injured, 'but proceeded to Manchester subsequently
by omnibus. The follow ing gentlemen, who had cuts and
contusions, were forwarded to Manchester, and had their
wounds dressed by surgeons :—Mr. Was. Byrum, of 76, Ed•
ward•etre et, Cherlton-upon-Medleek ; Mr. John Parker,
76, Lawrence-street, Ardwick ; Mr. Morton, 91,
Foundry-street, Rochdale-road, Manchester; Mr. John
Rowland, Richmond-grove, Longsight ; lelr.Josepti Turner,
2, Upton-street. Everton-road ; Mr. Maurice Mithaele,
jeweller, 4, Halliwell-meet, Manchester. The following
are tile names of other puttee more slightly hurt:—Mr.
Rhodes and Mr. Liddell, travellers in the tea-ttale, hurt
about the hands and legs; and Mr. Ward and Mr. Ed-
wards, ales travelle,e in the tea-trade, who are bruised.
These parties were mostly in the Yorkshire train, but these
in the Oldham train were also a goo I deal shaken and
bruised. The guard of the Yorkshire train, Henry Tidy,
was thrown out of his van, and so stunned that some
momenta elapsed after he had been carrii d into the station
ere he was able to move. lie was afterwards attended by
Mr. Oco. I'egge and Mr Gornall, surgeons et Newton-heath,
and removed to his house at Miles Platting in care of the lat-
ter, where he now lies in a dangerous state from the effects
of concussion on the brain. The exact cause of the accident
it wed probably be difficult to clear up. The statiun keeper.
Wm. Whittaker, says he turned on the danger signal
diately he saw the first train. The driver of the second
train say. it was not turned on when he parsed the signal
post. It is possible that both may be right. The signals
are 400 yards from the station, nearer Manchester, and are
worked by a lever and wire at the station. The morning
being thick, the station master would not see the first train
until it was within 15 or 20 yards of the station, and was
nearly at a stand-still; and supposing the second
train to hays gained more than ordinarily in
speed, its engine might have passed or be pass
ing the signal post when the larger signal was
turned on. Miss Sykes appears to have been killed by a
blow on the lower part of the spine, and the only mark
outwardly was a disculouration of the flesh. This young
lady had left Preston in the morning with Mrs. Lord, her
grandmother, to go to Huddersfield, and neither of them
ought to have been in this train. They should have left
the Lancashire and Yorkshire main line at Bolton, sod gone
on with the first part of the train, through Bury, Hey-
wood, and Blue Pits, to Rochdale. The fatality is therefore
the result of a double misfortune. The body was removed
to the Duke of York inn, Newton Heath, where it awaiti
the inquest, to be held on Saturday.
The following are the accounts given by two of the
iassengen :

Mr. Jacob Taylor, tel merchant, of Shudehill, Man-
chester, states—l left the Victoria station this (Thursday)
morning by the 9.40 train for Heywood and Yorkshire. The
train consisted of one first class, two or three second class,
and one third class carriages. I saw no brake waggon. The
last carriage in the train was a second class, then. emitter
second class, and I was in the third carriage from the ends
also a second class. Oa reaching a small new station at
Newton-heath, about three miles from Manchester, while
our train was slackening speed for stopping at the station,
we experienced a tremendous shock, caused by the 9.45 ex-
press train from Manchester to Oldham running into the
rear end of our train. All those who were with me were
thrown against each other or the sides of the carriage, and
were mostly muck hurt, shaken, and bruised. I was quite
doubled up by the concussion, and my hat was eompletly
smashed. As aeon as I could get out I did, and then found
that the damage was mainly to the two last carriages. The
last was smashed to atoms, and its fragments scattered
about—only the wheels and a part of the flooring of the
carriage remaining elms the line. The next carriage to it
bad been smashed in at the rear end, and was otherwise
much damaged. One effect of the concussion was to pro-
pel our eogine forward with so much force as to cause it to
break its couplings and start away forwards; and in the
jerk it must have given before becoming detached, the first
carriage was thrown across the line and much damaged.

Under the wreck c.f the last carriage were several persons.
I saw the fragments of timber, &c., removed, and a
lady (Mrs. Lord) and her grand-daughter taken out.
Some heavy pieces of timber were lying upon Mrs.
Lord, and her hands were quite black. Both la-
dies were conveyed into the station-house, and I ran nff
to the village of Newton Heath, and fetched Mr.
Pegge, surgeon, but before he arrived the young lady
had mired. He made a brief examination of Mrs.
Lord, and she was subgequently conveyed to the Manches.
ter Royal Infirmary. I am a good deal shaken, and I
thought it best not to proceed on my journey, but to re-
turn to Manchester. Mr. O. V. Ryder, of the Royal In-
surance Office, King-street, was very active in rendering

Resistance to the ladies and other sufferers. Amongst those
who were more or less hurt were Mr. Thomas Rhodes, tra-
yeller for Messrs. Sidney and Horsmati, tea merchants,
Market•street, but be was able to walk to Newton Heath ;
Mr. Liddell, traveller for Messrs. Uriah Whittingliam and
Co., tea and coffee merchants, seemed much hurt about his
hands and legs ; Mr. Ward, traveller for Mr. Robert Jack-
son, tea dealer, Shudehill, was much bruised, and lost his
hat. A cab being pet cured at Newton Heath, he and
Mr. Liddell were conveyed to Manchester ; Mr. Edwards,
traveller for Messrs. John Hunter and Co., Cannon-
street, tea merchants, was a good deal bruised. So
was another tea traveller, named Oaskell. Mr.
Michaels, a jeweller in Hanover-street, appeared to be
very much hurt. He was in the same carriage with my-
self. lam a good deal bruised in the side, and feel as if
my ribs were injured. 1 have felt very sick ever since
the shock, and I am going at once to see my medical
attendant.

Mr. Thomas Rhodes, traveller fur Messrs. Sidney and

Rottman, tea merchant', Market street, states was in
the Yorkshire train, in the second-dais carriage, which was
the last but one in the train. I was going to Rochdale. There
were three compartments in that carriage,with half divisions.
I was in the hinder one, with Mr. Liddell, traveller for Mr.
Whittinghans, tea merchant; and there were also in the
same compartment three ladies. One of them got in at
Manehestir ; the other two at Miles Platting station, where
we bad stopped a few minutes before. The two last (Mrs.
Lord and her granddaughter), according to the account of
the elder one, hod arrived in the neighbourhood from the
direction of Yorkshire, intending to go on to Bolton ; to do
which they should have changed ges at Blue Pits;
but, owing either to the neglect of the guard or porters, or
to some inattention on their own part, they were carried
on to the Miles Platting Station before the mistake was
discovered, and they got into our train to return to Blue
Pits. At the time of the concussion I was talking to Mr.
Liddell, who eat opposite to me. The shock pitched us
forcibly against each other, breast to breast, and we main-
tained that position a few seconds,• the train moving nn a
short distance; but then came a second shock, which
omehow threw Mr. Liddell and myself out of the-
carriage and down the embankment, which forte
nately is neither steep nor high on this side the
station ; on the other side it is both. As soon as
we could recover cumin', we rushed away, fearing

that the carriages would be descending upon us. We
then made oar way up the embankment to the line, and I
saw the lady who had got iuto the carriage at Manchester,
who seemed a good deal bruised and shaken, but so far PS I
could judge, not very seriously hurt. I did not see eitbcr of
the other ladies after the accident. I was very much bruited
and contused all down the lett side, ar..l about the head and
the left hand and writ. I have been to Dr. Ihrriaen, who
hu ezamined my hand and thinks no bone is brokers, but
that it is very badly sprained, and the skin much lacerated.
He dre,scd it, and I em going home to get a warm bath.
Mr. Liddell was very touch shak. n, and complains of being
stiff, but ch.es not appear to hare received soy esterreil is.-
jury. Ile has been directed to get a warm bath, .m 1 to go
' home. I lest my bat, which wee knocked to piecei, and a
gentleman gave me a cap which he hod with him. Some
tea samples which I had with me, and a nee of cigars in
my pocket, were all destroyed.