The Express.
London, England, 1847-11-18 00:00:00

enter into the details of some cases of extensive land-
owners, who after incurring immense amounts of debt,
in improving their property with a view to the aug-
mentation of their income, have evaded the bulk of
their creditors by pleading the privilege of their order.

A BRIEF sketch has been given of the state of the
RAILWAY GAUGE question, is it presented itself, in a
national point of view solely, to the legislature, when
the expediency of settling it was declared in 1845-6.
The considerations that weighed with the commis-
sioners in proposing an adherence to the scale on
which the far greater part of the system had been
already constructed, were sound and practical ; and at
the date of their report, it would have been easy to have
secured the desired uniformity to the chief portion of
the island, and to have prevented the confusion of
different dimensions from spreading into further
ramifications. This might have been done without com-
pelling the owners of the exceptional lines to conform
to the general standard—an arrangemen which
would certainly have been, per se, the most complete
and desirable, as far as the national interests are con-
cerned. We do not blame the late government for not
attempting this. But, far from even ado=otetir:
more limited determination which the com
pointed out, the ministry and the legislature, airmailed
by the declared partisans of the broad gauge, pro-
duced a bill that, while professing to limit its eaten-
/jail, and to keep the national standard in view, did
in reality leave the field as open as before to the
rivalry of the different systems ; a measure altogether
so incomplete, contradictory, and evasive, that it has
been openly disregarded by all parties ; and was so
completely laid on the shelf, within less than a year
after its enactment, that its existence was not even
mentioned in a debate on the proposal, daring
the late session, to appoint a new commission or com-
mittee to arrange the disorder, which an undisturbed
progress, for another twelvemonth, of the contest be-
tween the rival dimensions had greatly aggravated.
If the reasons for uniformity were strong in 1816,
they have only been strengthened by the various ex-
penenoos of the interval since that period. The
single practical advantage that could then be made
out in favour of the wider lines—on the chapter of
speed—has already been reduced, by the mechanical
improvements on the others, to a merely theoretical
superiority. It is now perfectly evident that trains
can be run, on lines of the national scale, with equal
certainty, at a rate of speed as high as the
strength of rails and the requisitions of general
safety can permit on railways of whatever dimension.
Within the limit that such vital considerations pre-
scribe—a limit which, we apprehend, the impatience
of the public has already urged the managers of both
descriptions of lines to approach as nearly as can be
allowed without serious hazard—within this boun-
dary it is now proved that the narrow can do as
much, and this with as much safety, as the wider
class. Nothing, on the other hand, has occurred of
the least value to remove the objections to a double
system, to weaken the reasons in favour of a single
one. The arguments by which it was for a thee
attempted to be proved that a positive brake
was no evil at all, have been tacitly aban-
doned ; and the expedient of a mired
gauge has been brought more forward in its
stead. On this arrangement, which can hardly
be more than a temporary one, we shall say a few
words presently—as soon as we have finished the
general sketch, by pointing to the state of the ques-
tion, as regards the effect on the railway system at
large of another year of the statu quo. It has been,
as any one may convince himself by a reference to the
parliamentary business of last session, to produce a
series of encroachments on either side, the ultimate
prospect of which is to cover the country with a
double series of railways—in other words, to establish
two lines, where, but for this rivalry, a single main
trunk, with occasional branches, would amply suffice
for the trade of the district. The wastefulness
of this process could never be deemed unimportant in
a national point of view; least of all, at a time
when a presumed excess of railway expenditure is a
subject of exaggerated alarm. Putting all exaggera-
tions aside, it can never, we say, be well for the
country to spend its means in making four miles of
road, when all that is wanted could be accomplished
by half the number. It is certain that at present we
cannot afford any extra outlay, for the sake of keep-
ing up a more engineer's crotchet, even were not its
existence, as a separate system, attended with various
hindrances to the currency of national intercourse.
It may now be seen by. all—by some it his been per-
ceived from the beginning—that the new roads
we require should be made with as little waste
of capital as may be. If it be tree that we
have only a limited amount that can prudently
be applied to their construction, it should be laid
out, not surely in needlessly doubling the series
in certain districts, but in opening those which
have no roads of the kind at all. The continuance of
two rival systems, each intent on aggression and
" competition," is in this point of view the most ruin-
ous waste of the aggregate means of the country that
could be invented; and its practical result, if it be
• suffered to go. on, will be, that for every twenty
millions spent in the regions that it invades, we shall
only have, to say nothing of other disadvantages, an
accommodation that for any useful purpose might
• have been supplied in a uniform system for less
than half the sum. In comparison with this
• immense waste, the money annually thrown
away by the rival parties in their parliamentary
battles may seem a trifling sum; although in itself
it is by no means an insignificant one. We have
heard the cost of the contest between the Great
Western and its neighbours, on either hand, computed
at the rate of one thousand pounds per day, for a
twelvemonth or more. This unprofitable outlay we
cannot regard with friendly eyes in times like the
present. Of all kinds of railway expenditure, that
which is directly wasted in mere strife, or indirectly
in consequence of it, ie surely the least allowable ;
sad of this species of waste the rivalry between the
gauges has been the most active cause of late years,
sad so will continue to be, unless the dispute is ad-
justed by superior authority. Here we can see a case
fur the interference of the legislature, on grounds
that it will be proper to state in more detail on a
future occasion.
In the meanwhile, from this general view of the
question, we return to the point already touched
upon—the expedient, namely, of a mixed gauge,
which has been put forward as an evasion of the
difficulties admitted to result from a total brake in
the double system. This plan will be found, we ap-
prehend, to partake of the character generally be-
longing to all middle courses, by which interested
parties will seek to evade a plain necessity, and
which other parties, who would fain be relieved from
the unpleasantness of a firm decision on a disputed
matter, grasp at, is a welcome excuse for temporising
and trifling with it. We sincerely hope that no reli-
ance will be placed on any such method as a means
of bringing the two systems into general work-
ing relations; because we are persuaded that
it will be found unsuitable for use on an
extensive scale, or where the intercourse to
be forwarded is various and frequent ; and that,
were it even practicable, it must be attended
with many risks of the very kind which, of all others,
it is most desirable to avoid. The additional cost of
laying down a third rail on each line; the practical
inconveniences of working from line to line on the
different gauges with different kinds of moving stock;
the increased trouble and confusion in arranging and
dmpatching the waggons, carriages, and engines
at the stations wherever the traffic is busy—these are
considerations that more immediately belong to the
railway owner, although even these will indirectly
fall on the public, in other ways besides their
oertain effect in increasing the rate of charges. The
matter of more direct interest to us, however, is the
greater insecurity of any plan which renders a multi-
plication of " points and crossings" inevitable. On this
head, puns have been taken in certain quarters, and
from the trial of a si-gle experiment on a short line,
to make it appear that no additional complexity will
be produoed by the use of a third line. It is to be
hoped that the public will not be misled into any
such belief. To our mind, it is quite clear, that if
the system is to take place as a real means of constant
interchange, in joint stations, where two lines meet—
and on no other condition can it remove the incon-
venience of a brake—the number of intersections
and moving points must infallibly be greatly In-
messed; that mere arithmetic must teach us that the
powers of three are higher numbers than those of
a smaller multiple, and that the ratio of increase
Mows larger with the increase of the multiplication.
Now it must not be forgotten that there is no work-
ing department in which error is more apt to prevail,
more difficult to provide againet, more productive of
danger when it occurs, than in the business of watching

have failed if no currency impediment had been thrown in
his way. The margin is immemo which is left to the spec..
lator ; for if his profits promise to exceed 100 per cent, ha
need not care whether the circulating medium be really
" paper money" or not. What be waits is the calculated
profit, and if that be attained, the means, whatever they
were, have done their part. Witk the Three per Cents. sr
100 every capitalist has at least half his mouey to throw
away, if he thinks proper.
But it is said that third parties should not be involved in
the losses of bad speculators. No third party can be involved
in an issue of bad currency otherwise than by taking hetet
that deserve no credit. The history of all country banks
shows that their notes never had any than local circulation;
that is to say, amongst people who knew them. A
large portion were out on credit where the imam
was creditor as well as debtor. Now, a Ada
of this kind is an appeal to the common semm
of the community to inquire and know what the ismer
and his customers are doing. The man who takes any nom
ought to know on what security it is uttered. But how eas,
any man know anything about the notes of a central bank?
A note issued to a man in Norwich may come round to
Bristol. Who knows its origin ? And what security does
its stamp afford? What can it do but deceive people into
the notion that government is less responsible than other
people, that the erowt has the prerogative of issue according
to Mr. M'Culloch's declaration.

The crown has a right to stamp coin, because it can name
a responsible master of the mint to ascertain that the coin so
stamped is genuine gold or silver, and of a particular standard
and weight. But the same law which confers this privilege
fee rather responsibility) makes it quite impossible that any
minister can issue notes to represent property, because be
cannot he si.y possibility know what is doing in the trading
world. Every nation of central Europe has now its bank of
issue, and we can see how far they are able to exert this
dangerous prerogative. No country can keep allot more
than about one third of its annual revenue, even where it
monopolises issues and represses trading by so doing. The
total of the i,SUPS of all European government bunko does
not amount to the sum which the bankers of England cir-
culate.
our own government now circulates exchequer bills to the
full extent of its credit.
.

From these facts it must be evident to all who confider
them dispsesinnately, that the scheme of a government bank
of issue in England would prove a miserable and melancholy
failure. . . .

On the other hand. since curtailing the issues of private
banks has been found to avail nothing against sp,culation,
since the desire to manufacture and to trade is one deeply
implanted by nature in the human breast, it will be well to
leave the manner and the means wherewith to do so to the
parties who risk most in the adventure.—SCßUTATOß.

WRECK OF THE STEPHEN WHITNEY.
The following additional particulars of the loss of
*e packet-ship Stephen Whitney, is given by the special
reporter of the Cork Examiner. Some lima already known
on. cc pealed, but it is necessary to retain them to render the
Merrative complete :
not elip Ilhophen Whitney sailed from New Tort en the 11th of
ageber We" hound for Liverpool, having on board, including peg,
gen and erew, one hundred and ten persons. During the purge
the won bee wee all that could be dc-dred. The thus had apcianuu,
made a fah average pesaage, and everything promised a fortunate
wrminatlon to the voyage. Up to Tuesday last nothing worth re•
cording occurred ; but on Wednesday the weather set in thick and
haze, and. In consequence, the oormnander deemed it edrnable to
*ton the program of the mewl. The sounding hue was then throws
overboard, sad it was ascertained that the vowel rode in unearth of
fifty fathomed water. After some technical instructions regantigt
the maandelleed of the ship—which will be found more distinctly Sr.
died le la • document supplied by the mate of the unfortunate rend
—WE be delivered to the crew, and acted upon, the vessel coati-
Mold to make limy way until about eight o'clock on Wednesday wen-
t*, when the laud was seen immediately ahead. Owing to the
Mirage and perseverance of the crew, the fillip was, with wry
great difficutty, brought off this point, which was subcquently awe.
tamed to have been Cronkhaven. During all this time the weather
continued intensely duU and hoc, tendering it quite importable for
even the keenest eye to descry the land which lay in treacherous
contiguity. When the mewl had been relieved from off the lard,
a light was distinctly Ws, which, after a brief eonsultation, we
su to be the Old Head of Kinsale, and measure, were semi.
ingirdtpted for making the harbour of Cork. In this fatal error.
which supposed the light on Rock Island, near Croakhaven, to he that
of the Old Head, the disastrow results that ensued would appear to
be, in a considerable degree, attributable. The light on Rack Inland
as I have been informed, has been but very recenUy erected ; and,
from all that I could ascertain, the responsible person. on bood
appeared to be ignorant of its existence. Whether each ignomms
involved a culpable neglect, will probably be a matter for futon
investigation. The chip was again hauled off the land, and, believirg
she bad sufficient offivg, a coarse was steered in relation to the sap.
poised position of the Old Read, wadi, under the circumstances, me
considered to be the correct one. They kept on in than aurae until
a quarter to an o'clock, when the land was signalled ismst,
diately ahead, and orders were promptly given to b.* be,
round, but the tremendous surf which brat upon the MAN
ifirtked a sterner command, and it was evident the ill-fated ship
was doomed. A brief, moment only matted, and one terrific crash
followed, which Instantly consigned numbers to eternity. This single
encounter stove in the entire side of the veesel , and in less than half
an hour there were not two planks together, nor a single article dry
description that could afford the means of escape to either passenger
or sal. Unlike the greater number of those dimetrous eminences,
when • respite of even a few hours affords the nnhappy sufferers
some mem or probability of escape, the victims on thisoceasion were
Untie* hurled into eternity without • moment's thought or prep.
rattan. In lees than ten minutes, out of one hundred and ten human
faMI of life and hope, enjoying the glad anticipation of meeting
relatives, and home., ninety-two bad mto rand !list.
the mercy of Providence, eighteen individuals wee
ham the destruction which overwhelmed their an.
elatimi—and, in many ilf1•4•001, their escape yes effected with
little sosibmse from their own strength or activity. Suck ma
the sudgmmem of the mieslty —remit the fearful havoe which a
few Wand@ emoted--then Anon all on Ward were eturdfird with
hoer*. d wwwernent, end eendered totally Inactive by the appalking
catelneghe. The suntans, bruised and naked, without slam or
Eire or waletelet, wrombiel op the rock which overhead
iresftee lie height at was* slaty hoe, and, after marching about
for came tie indeed fig Pre gal d& hats, the only human tees.
• meat@ es dm mi Mee Day Weird Dr the first time that they
bad strait on as wales mitt at Meat Calf Island, situated in the
channel *taw the video of Skull and Cape Clear Island, and lying
about four tags inside Do Cape. The two families who reside upon
the Woad ism@ totally igeMent of the melancholy ciremnatance mil
the Behind Ned women set mariners entered their wretched cabins
for the menet etweahret
_abetter for the night.
The onset gm* were apprised on Thureay of the cars
cumalumn sal on the evening of that day the entire at the new
wee lismort the island in a large heat belonging to Mt.
an sae ~._ Several of them appeared to be quite ex
i=
Rem the all ad 41,t0 the weather, and two of them Obi to
te os_LeLeme held@ of Skull. At an earl hour on Thunday
am we lated amongst theyoountry Pacifier thit
shold ENOS* of small craft of every description were me
Pleseelleglewerth the mesaof the wreck. The &homes of every
weeligi sir dee undrlmnate vessel sadly disappointed the especial:dm
el he gengb, who be to content themselves with picking up what-
ever Di** hie etedt, Instead of, ma they anticipated, seeming what-
oweredglimedlig It to appropriate.
'ffeeemp. am weedg es the mete *mid form an idea, °waisted d
abeattomi Dostiebeteeen„l.lllo behe of *Won, 100 howl of drew,
4* le elf wit. II lam et *dm, sod the other articles which
I may Ise aimpliled Ina gonewlemege.
It may be riper le =NM Iwo that the point on which the ill-
fated vend wee die* Wheee, lb eme of the mat dangerous on the
enthe eween—lbe weak dm perpendicularly to the bright of over fifty
Oledid Mt et di men the Tear, the swell is terrific. On the
men ammeall, tgovernment vessel
de &mind he Ide of ascertaining vs= Kortss
he •ma any wan the wrote or cargo ; but the Chrism'
=hy -hick she well he reminded, was nowhere to he seen.
lords of one if Meadows, it imesered as if the ship bathes
=ln a mill, •in ft • lumber at- -orperaers wee employed be
Sr the new getrpree of chipping her Into enemas et ere
tlisesar kw feet hi
Teem moo al the= I owerteheed the meow die aardvark
both and ere, W sin begoebet Itit et woe twenty or
t et the mils A eleenge pmenwern. The wham
annegotehe New are :—Thom Alke,a nada* of dematimit, dot
mated dos veal; James D. Nneteg, third mate, Wier Jaw*
a melba et Tortahlre ; Joseph w, an Amelia% bard deb,
wont; Joint It othewey, an *meter ; David Fergana. • treed
=; William Smith, of Dollmwo, T..s. • Nary Mee, "
; Daniel Greases, Jektmlowa, tileolisabl; Thew* Jaime
Iketien.ll.4. ; John hereon, New York ; George Mies, New Tedts
him ganndere, on Mnerkan ; Adolphus !nelson. New Tett. Ito
%uwho romped were :—Edward Ekin a mew d Er"
Dosoipl• tome Wasehry, at hen; Deny; Dowli Deb
Ind et Neetzdt Patel* Mom, Berm comity=
m..
denobwhed the teem et tho
mmo* *a le a began* Dirteen yews old, meow
compiel * lb ham e• ea tie Wight dein Trak anis mot
append* be dee** le the nem 01 lb NM & (In maw the
rock, eml Emig Ye dither wee net there, ho maid tome& De
wear INN, at pu•mg ea led le We *Menem. le he..... 1.1111
wee aim ter b Ilea altre Naliber ;ma he wee with
Dom getting • wow hie eneeedion. As Off se7-
ra'rrilhogeoseei psalm et the Fewegeme were paws welodeg
to hind ben Ameba; bet way kWh* portioebro sepellieg Ors
it wee Impossible be time be. The. wee no mend or task news
en bawd the Atte ; Yeas want* en lewd at New Tort, Do Meet
ail weer the names af he Meempe powlegus who inn Who-
, rhea ft mil in Do vennt mg no be or nremormedum of they was
kept Onboard.
The Mewing la • Het at the crew who were drowned, as cosy se
could le sacertahmi Thu Sid ea the Ilet be that of the captain °I
the indortemato wen& Elis same we Charism W. Popham, and 1
heatd Emeadmed that his deafly helsepd ie (kirk, and that be him-
self wee • adds deb aimmley. Lbw. OK a Wive of dotithamp-
toe, eel wend mile et the ward. There Bine, Now Haven,
siamma; Wow NW" =4,061;:e10s Brown, New
Have% Mb; lame Cra New Tat, ditto; Andre.
Dale, • mem Damiek, ditto; John Onnoarrod, Wales,
die,.„.llLOsemp liageweed, New Hams. ditto ; Robert
Lherged. Melo; Benjamin Iteo . Armies, ditto; Robot
Ws.ser Yak, OM; awry, Rabbaart, ditto; Allan /leads,
Mies
The ammadownsimeallemd, with them OA have escaped, would
glee a WNW tomeemerees be the Wes wein, leaving eighty.
Oman ter Se enneheret powingwo es bawl. e were six atm
grassy.. all at =dierlied. nay ores—Mr. Roberta, a
ealt, who Wes le how bra ea Ideleaso, Mr. Fote,
• enoteeet Delend ; Mrs. Thorn, a bag bieeiging to Demon*:
Nr. Delliwas. et Liverpool; Mr. EiKlaa=eli dOhio: and a
Be. =Mr. Swyney, who, it was won • natlvedmine
MA
limn Itedridey evening, about beam have bean embed
when ; lat oI it sot her with that any of dm ems
labaloll. Omar ban wee the see 4 rweeetately.dreing lb.
Die. sompftell be be Km Therred =Mbar wee DM et a Mee.
Sens Ili VIM wen keened Mt the MIS, god the Whom sew he
pit where they we wedged eaten. I a bearer. by he bed
emeleblo et ania Wee teeenled wean be the EMIL IS he
mob* bat he dirt upon he would elitend. The liarerg bar
week Dem me by the =Os et he and, he gemenenita to he
soften May debeat the perdstlero et So Wpepm& •
. Pseinee.—On the ID et Clelder hot et the MIN
= beltesalabert et Nay Yoe; bowel tw IlverweL
• Se mew a* Wedesedey, tee ND dal
leech be, as lilies, en "Ewa fiecleat in the Moro"
lb r alipmas him am, end willge weed In fifty fathom Tin
we wee gentionhely ethic, sad the Med blowing very tam'
- ehlg wee maw doeblemoded lopnib—et 6 o'clock, Pal, he
erbedi beinowlea the mho were doemended ; at I Wank pm,
made he hid easy dote to the ship. After draft of ben the
land ear a tied white light, which, on °mantling wile_ di 0.1111.
I tusk Dr De Wit • the Old Reed of Elam& ; beeled of he aft
on he oterbelig le*, bratig set* art by meth. m • etbdi
Omeideeleg we let unglient an*, Newel the rbaral soak
1 err by s and of • tarter le lin the hod yes mode nbette
tbe Idle tom pet sleet; mil ma riarbag emceed Biel se he
heavy we thee mob& Ile dip west whw ha a herwieele,
idea 1111 Mown lebego, end sew, 51 porlibel, mot
dwe* thologiin the mud =we 11=0•5 obi ""
easel led oil Dar , wed we cliff aged. Every
' elletimi‘alithamisteissemmaalieweentlhiwq.""peetwas
do.iiiit etthelimal*wati:emf..o.l7adwut."
oiWaliteaa t:""=.49.l6l:".eiglaaq
Lbw**, Ift.. a bed meglimete. Mae wow ell le •
the leise *Wei In • dole at greet deolteet==
De mid at NNW% owl he Ames of wade*
• Ow Ihe ltip wet man eel* frodsmoi awl' 1/P--..1.1. Ineadeedit
MP141•4 j and the air railer writ ow alecin...—