The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-28 00:00:00

MILITARY.

SOUT/LiMPTON.—On Thursday, that portion of the
23rd Regiment of the Welsh Fusiliers which included the
bead pared through Southampton. While on board the
Cyclops, war-steamer, and about to start from the South-
ampton Docks for the Isle of Wight, the Duchess of Kent
arrived in the docks from Osbleu*. The detachment pro-
moted arms, and the band, which is an exceedingly fine
one, struck up the national anthem. The officers of this
regiment are distinguished by wearing a piece of black silk
hanging over the collar of the coat. This is a remnant of
the old pigtail days, when the tail used to rest on the silk.
The pigtail has vanished, but the contrivance to which it
gave rise to preserve the coat collar has survived to form a
singular distinguishing badge.

Flag IN BIRMINONAX.—A fire, which at its com-
mencement threatened the most disastrous consequences,
broke out at as early hour on Thursd ly morning upon the
paetnisca of Mr. Sheldon, timber merchant, of Ludgate-hill,
in tins town. About four o'clock times were übserved to
issue from the engine-house, and very speedily the entire
property was in a state of coofiagration. In the course of
a short time three engines from the fire-offices in the town
were en the spot; but fir the first hour there were not
more than three firemen to work them, and the duty tell
principally upon the police, who conducted themselves in a
most efficient manner. The most effective service was,
tiwever, performed by the establishment of the Messrs.
Elkingtoe, the celebrated eleetro-platen, directly oppo-
site, who affixed a hose to the waterworks upon their
premises, and aided most effectually in the extinction of
the fire. 'the premises of a plater and chaser, an WM*.
diate neighbour, together with his stock in trade, of con-
siderable value, were destroyed, but it is believed and
hoped that his loss will be coveted by insurance. Mr.
Stephens, the active superintendent of the Birmingham
polite, was early in attendance to watch and direct the pro-
ceedings of his force ; and great credit is awarded on all
bands to Br. Melton, a borough magistrate, for the very
efficient assistance he rendered upon the occasion. At one
period it was feared that the damage would be very serious,
but it is understood that Mr. Sheldon's less will not ex-
ceed 2,0001., and that his premises and stock are insured to
more than that amount in the York Company. The exact
cause of the fire is not known, but it is presumed that it
originithd in the enginseroota. A fire of any consequence
in Birmingham is of rare occurrence, notwithstanding the
peculiarity of As manufactures, and their liability to expio_
Jinn bed ignition. It is satisfactory to state that no lives
wan isst.

CENTRAL CITY TbllkiltMs.—Yesterday a meeting
by appointment took place at the Privy Council Office, for
the purpose of hearing the supporters and opponents et this
project. Lord Viscount Palmerston, Secretary of State for
the Home Department; Lord Viscount Canning, Post
master-Cieneral ; Sir William Molesworth, First Commis.
aioner of Woods and Fornts ; and the Right Hon Edward
Cardwell, First Commissioner of the Board of Trade, were
attended by Alderman Cubitt, Mr. T. it. Hall, arid Mr. H.
Lowmau Taylor, members of the Common Council, against;
aid by Aldermaa Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., Mr.
Deputy Harrison, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Barnard, in favour
of the measure. Mr. Acton Airton, Mr. Armstrong, Mr.
Lawrence, and other members of the railway company,
were likewise present. Mr. Raikee Currie, M P., Mr. Mil-
lard, Mr. Howell (of the firm of Ellis, Everington, and
Co.), and several other members of the merenants, bankers,
and wholesale dealers' committee, were aiso in attenaance.
The maps sod models which have been publicly exhibited
during the last two years had been put up in the Privy
Council Chamber, and Mr. C. Pearson, whose attendance
had been specially required by the government commis-
sioners, was heard for an hour and a half in explanation of
the measure, and during the whole time be was listened to
with pvofound attention. He was Poll .wed by Mr. Alder.
man Cshitt, Mr. T. H. Hall, and Mr. ii. L Tsy!or, mem-
bers of the improvement committee, who were against;
and by Sir James Duke, Mr. Deputy Harrison, and other
Per rim Ili in support of the measure on public grounds.
mr. Airton and the directors of tie company were Ekewine
hurd in Explanation. No opinion upon the subject was
expressed en the part of the government.
MINIM e. GYZ.—The judgment on the demurrer
is this matter will be lite\ la the Court of Qwes'a Beach
en Tuesday meet.