The Express.
London, England, 1847-11-19 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

DESTRUCTION OF A SILK-MILL AT ECCLES ET
FIRE.—On Wednesday afternoon the extensive silk-throw-
ing and winding mill at Eccles, generally known as the esta-
blishment of Messrs. Bindlosa and Preston, at Manchester,
but which, it appears, has latterly been tenanted and worked
by Messrs. Ilobsoa and Taylor, was destroyed under the fol-
lowing somewhat extraordinary. circumstances :—A firs was
discovered to have broken out in the roof of the building
at half past one o'clock at noon, whilst the workpeople
were at dinner ; and though the dames procressed so slowly
that the entire of the afternoon was wasted in the destruc-
tion of the property, from a want of sufficient presence of
mind and a combination of most extraordinary circum-
stances, the opportunities of arresting the mischief were
loot. The silk mill stands close to the village of Eccles,
and within a third of a mile of the Liverpool and Manche.-
ter Railway station, and is a massive, well•constructed
building of brick, four stories in height, 126 feet by
52 in dimensions, lighted by 132 windows, and baring
.en
engine house and gasometer at the end, and two extensive
reservoirs attached, one at either end. Had energetic means
been taken any time within half an hour after the discovery
of the fire to get the Manchester fire engines (four miles and
a half distant) to the spot, it is hardly too much to say that
the property might have been saved with the loss of the
roof, or at most the top story only. MOWS. Taylor and
Hobson both live on the premises, and Mr. Taylor gave
the first alarm, in consequence of seeing smoke issuing
from the roof. This was at half-past one. He in-
formed his partner, and they proceeded with some
assistants to the upper story of the mill, carrying
buckets of water, and hoping to get immediately at
the flames by going through the ceiling and getting betwixt
that and the slated roof. On entering this attic, however,
they were choked by the smoke, and obliged to retreat. It
was then that Mr. Hobson bethought himself of getting a fire-
engine, but unfortunately, though a railway train passes
through the village to Manchester at eight minutes past
two o'clock, no attempt was made by any party to avail
themselves of the advantage which it could give in
speed. Mr. Hobson directed a man to take a horse to
Salford, and not to Manchester, where the most extensive
fire-engine establishment is kept. This man left at twenty
minutes before two o'clock, but did not find kis way to
the Salford establishment till half-past two o'clock,
having to ride, as he states, a worn-out cab horse which
he could not get along, and which ultimately he had to
dismount and lead by the head. In the meantime, the
engine.d to the mill appears to have acted with great
judgment, for, cutting off all connexion between the mill
and the gasometer, by filling the mains with water, he pro-
ceeded to close the windows and doors of the mill, and then
turned the whole of the immense quantity of steam gene-
rated by two 30-horse power boilers, into the various rooms
of the mill. The steam had the effect of stopping the pro-
gress of the flames downwards, and of confining them to the
roof till the arrival of a fire-engine from Salford. The time
at which this engine arrived is variously stated, the engineer
averring that it did not make its appearance till 14 minutes
past 3. At thistime, and whilst the engine was gearing, some
of the villagers, with greatly mistaken judgment, broke the
windows of the mill, letting in the air, and dispersing the
steam. Then again the fire-engine, when first geared, had
two hose attached to it, so that the water could not be thrown
with force enough from either jet to reach sufficiently high.
When this error had been corrected by Mr. Darling, the
superintendent, and he had got the whole force of the engine
siting upon one hose, the hose bunt. This accident occurred
at a most critical period of the fire—a little before four
o'clock; and soon after that Mr. Darling despatched the
three horses with which he bad brought the engine to
Eccles beck to Salford, to bring a second engine. The second
engine arrived at five o'clock, but in the meantime Mr.
Lewis, of the firm of Messrs. Partingtou and Lewis, cotton-
spinners, who have a mill within a few yards distance off
that to which we are referring, becoming seriously alarmed
for the whole property in the neighbourhood, in consequence
of the progress which the flames were then making, started
for Manchester in a gig, to get the assistance of the Mae-
cheater fire-brigade. They arrived at the polioe.yard, MM.
cheater, at five o'clock, and the superintendent, males with
great energy on the moment, got one of his most peewit
engines to the spot in half au hour, and taking up en
mita positive succeeded in rendering effector/ seeps.
This was at • time, however, when the fire had allied see
mush head and done too much damage for any great pollen
of property to be saved. The roof had pee kt
soon afar ball-peat three o'clock, the floseles of
the her* dm by a quarter peat four, the fins elf Br
third Wiwi W Iva, and it was a week which requited the
combined efforts of all the firemen le iodine the Hesse
the seamMl story. This they effected.however; undibrehice
o'ckedr„,er soon after, there were itself a few 0111111111
hare awl there—the walls of thebeing, the bat
t{ ems valuabis aardiarey), and the
hewn his
_ell dot was kilt sireasi. The demsweite-
tehted*, Beim smd Tyler fa allinated at bet sew 40001
he
4,11101. belliky psalm shadier bebop to
tho ezaenlors the late AL Wefts, end
and was seseild at a
coot of 5,0001. The damp dons to it (as the wile will be
available for re-building without mush ellsesirsizjggireast
exceed, it is expected, nO , 01. Beth own= sal it
is said, are insured in the Mendteelet Oar. The
is supposed to have originated's.. some ~gm feempd
on the roof to repair .the having Betted aAm upon
the building, with which to Bret their irons.

ANOTHER SWINDLER.—The Sheffield Iris of ye•-
terde an adventurer of the same clan sa the sae so
slate bunted out of Manchester by Mr. Seasick, has
Ltd) lllla aggsmunos in Sheffield. He gave his name
Annoy and took a house and shop next door to the
Horal I°Hotel, at a rent of 601. per annum. This house was
to be opened so a provision watehouss on a large scale—the
gentleman having a brother in Manchester, who was a whole-
sale dealer In the same line of business, and also having large
connexions in Belfast, from whence a great portion of the
provisions were to come. Having taken so respectable a
house, he desired to be supplied with ell he wanted by re-
etable tradesmen ; Mr. Galbraith, of Norfolk-shwa, was
therefore honoured with an order for some first-ate clothes,
which are accordingly supplied without delay.' Mr.
Staniforth also supplies him with a gait sdaptad to the
shop and serving of flour; and souse unfortunate cordwsiner
is victimised for a pair of boots. Mr. Jones, of the Market-
place, was duly honoured with an order for carpeting, to
the amount of about 301. ; Mr. Basely, of Angel-street, for
furniture, to about the same amount. Mr. Wilke was
applied to for a proper quantity of weights and sales; and
Mr. Loxley, of Castle-hiII, put up a large fiour•bin, counter,
and shelving, to the value of some 161. Mr. Ellis had the
happiness of supplying the glen; and some respectable
brewer sent in divers barrels of ale of Ara-rate quality. As
a portion of the business was to be conducted on the recipro-
city principle, the gentleman who furnished the boots sent
his wife for some flour but Mr. George Jackson's shop hid
not opened. Other tradesmen, too, who were to be paid cash,
sent in their bills, but the expense of fitting up the
shop was so great that ney must wait a day or two. They
did wait, but no oath was forthcoming ; and what seemed
most strancis, that Mr. 0. Jackson did not open hie
shop. At human patience could no farther go, and
one or two of creditors who began to suspect they had

been duped effected an entrance into the premier, when
they found that all that could be pawned or sold was gone,
and that the bird himself had taken wing. A robbery like
this ought to operate ae a warning to our tradesmen against
supplying parties with pods without first being satisfied of
the reasonable probability of payment for the articles fur-
nished. The gentleman stands about 6 feet 8 inches in
height, is oda light complexion, with red whiskers, and ap-
pears between 35 and 40 years of
ESHI age.
CHRE.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BIRKENHEAD DOCK
CONlNlssloNEßS.—Yesterday a special meeting of the Bir-
kenhead Dock Commissioners was held at the Board-room,
Hamiltonequate, for the purpose of receiving a report from
the deputation appointed to communicate with the bond-
holders and the dock company; also, the result of their in.
terview with Mr. Pemberton, as to the construction of shade
on the dock quays, and to take into consideration the con-
ditions submitted by the bondholder for an alteration in the
proposed dock trust. There were present W. Potter, Esq., In
the chair; Mews. Watson, Laird, Barbour, Thompeos,
Adamson, llicklio. Prichard, Cole, Pike, Nicholls, Bryan..
and Oilbertson.--The law clerk then read the report, which
stated that the deputation had had an interview with the
directors of the dock company, in London, on the 10th inst.,
at which -the chairman of the directors gave every assurance
that the dock company would do their utmost to raise and
refund the monies owing to the dock commissioners by
them. The report further stated that the bondholders had
been waited on by the deputation, with the view of procuring
their concurrence in the recent proposals of government with
regard to the dock works of Birkenhead, which resulted,
after one or two preliminary meetings, in an answer from the
bondholders to this effect :—" The bondholders present
(Baron Goldsmid, Mr. (iarnett, and Mr. Bailey) semi-
de red that the arrangement, with some exceptions and modi-
ficutions, would be desirable, but they could not give a deci-
sive answer until after the minutes of the arrangements had
been submitted to a general meeting of their body, which
meeting they would tali for the 23rd instant." The deputa-
tion further reported that subsequently the bondholders had
submitted a proposal to the Commissioners of Woods and
Forests, to the effect that they should have the appointment
of six of the commissioners who were to be chosen when the
trust will be remodelled. A short discussion then ensued on
the point raised in the latter part of this report, after which
Mr. W. Laird proposed that the report of the deputation
be received and adopted ; that a copy thereof be sent to the
bondholders, and that the deputation be requeated to take
such further steps as they may deem necessary.—This motion
was seconded by the chairman and carried, Mr. Nicholls
only voting against it. The board then adjourned.

WARWICKSHIRE.
CURRENCY REFORM.—The memorial to the Queen,
adopted by the Birmingham Currency Reform Association,
in compliance with the resolution. passed at the public
meeting in that town on the sth inst., will be forwarded to
Lord John Rumen to-day (Friday), for presentation to her
Majesty.
NORFOLK.

TILE ALLEGED RobBEkIES B 7 MR. TEIDRTELL were
investigated by the magistrates at Norwich Castle on Wed-
nesday. Reporters were refused admission. A correspond-
ent says, " The examination was strictly private. it appears
however from what has Unwired, that Mr. Thurtell was
employed by E. Ferrer, Esq , of Sporle-with-Pulgrave, to
survey and lay out extensive pleasure-grounds, and that he
was treated as a gentleman. Soon after Thurtell had finished
his labours there was miming a considerable quantity of Mr.
Farrer's plate, and elan a pair of hoots. Thane:l was not at
first suspected, but suspicion fell upon the servants, all of
whom felt very much hurt, and protested. their innocence.
Mr. Ferrer then, without supposing Thurtell could be the
thief, wrote to Mr. Yarington, superintendent of the Nor-
wich police, informing him of the huskies. Yarington,
knowing Thurtell's character, sent for him. Raving Usti-
mated to him the fact, he despatched his officers to search
his premises. A brief investigation satisfied the officers that
their suspicions were properly founded. They first saw the
boots, and then searched the premises. Here they found a
number of pawnbrokers' duplicates of plate, &e., which had
been pawned at different shops, and on searching the flower
garden they found property to a considerable extent, which
they considered themselves justified in taking passion of.
Tbeirtell was taken before the magistrates, and was re-
manded to Norwich gaol, from whence he was removed to
the castle. The accused is sou of a late alderman of Norwich.
The examination lasted the whole of the afternoon, and
ended in Thurtell's being committed. The magistrates
agreed to admit him to bail.

Int Mrama.
NAYMAltarr.—The theatres are prolific this season
in the production of regular, full-grown, five-act plays. In-
cluding the Haymarket novelty of last night, we have had
three such pieces within little more than as many weeks, and
all of them have been successful; but whether they will he
regarded as permanent accessions to our stock of dramatic
literature remains to be seen. When we look back to the
long list of plays which have been triumphantly received
dunng the lest dozen years, sod to the very brief list of
those which have lived beyond the season of their birth, we
are led to have little faith in the value of a first night's ap-
plause. We are far from saying that the new play of last
evening was wholly undeserving of the reception it met,
though we are convinced that this reception, considering
the piece, as a whole, was a good deal beyond its deserts. It
ts called " Family Pride, and is said to be from
the pen of Mr. Sullivan, a geatleman not unknown to the
public as a writer for the stage. Its object, as may be ga-
thered from the title, is to ridicule excessive pride of family,
and the notion that aristocratic honour is degraded by con-
nexion with any family that has owed its wealth or import-
ance to industrious occupation. But the plot employed to
convey this moral is so meagre in incident, that it required a
laborious process of wire-drawing to make it fill up a
space of more than three hours' duration. There were ma-
terials sufficient for a lively two-act, or perhaps three-act
drama, but certainly not for mote. The foible of family
pride is exhibited in the person of Mrs. IV, lloughby Court-
ney, a dowager of enormous pedigree and moderate fortune,
who resides in an ancient country-house, with her son
Arthur, a youth who has been brought up entirely at home,
under a tutor, named Doctor Dodge, a person oddly chosen
for such a function. Having been a broken-down
squire, and afterwards a hone-doctor, he finds his
way into an aristocratic family, as the instructor of
its heir, whom be accomplishes in field sports, leaving
him otherwise ins state of nature, The Doctor is rendered
by Farren an amusing oddity, passable in a farce, but not so
in a comedy professing to have the higher aim of a picture
of life and manners. Mr.. Courtnay, with the view of
pushing her son forward in political life, resolves to pay some
attention to her un-aristocratic neighbours, whom she has
hitherto neglected, but whose influence in the county might
bring him into parliament ; and she invites to her house Mr.
Chapman, a rich manufacturer,with his daughter and niece;
but, being afraid of the hazard of a nsisalliance, wishes to
get her son out of the way during Miss C•Aapman's visit,
believing him to be unacquainted with her. The young people
however have often met; clandestinely on Arthur's part,while
the young lady has no idea that his visits are unknown to
his mother. On Miss Chapman': arrival, Mrs. Couralay
finds, to her dismay, from the young lady's frank conversation,
that Arthur has been long in the habit of attending her in
her rides about the neighbourhood, said that they are on
intimate terms. Hereupon the proud lady throws out so
many hints and innuendoes about the impropriety and evil
consequences of young persons marrying above their station,
that the young lady, though she has returned Arthur's
affection, is provoked into a determination to reject his ad-
dresses. This leads to a good scene between the lovers;
Arthur (who is represented, though rustic and bashful, as
less unpolished than might be expected flrom his breeding)
having mustered courage to declare his love, finds his suit re-
ieeted, with rather more sarcasm and disdain than is quite
in keeping with the character of an amiable young lady,
The youth, whose family pride is stung by the refusal, most
unaccountably proceeds to solicit the manufacturer's sanc-
tion to his addruses, not to his daughter, but to his niece,
and the old gentleman gives his consent. When all this
comes out, the dowager is furious, and a scene of reproaches
and quarrelling ensues which ends in the guests preparing
blunt the house. Dr. Dodge receives his &mired for
barfag mieeducated his pupil, and resolves to emigrate to
Anelealia ; and the young man, overwhelmed with shame
trey self-reproach, resolves to accompany his tutor. The
ands:, in despair at the prospect of losing her son, at
Lath sees the folly of her family pride, receives
lie worthy tutor again into favour, and unites
file b of the lovers. There is, moreover, a dashing
Isla gaper, a lover of Letitia Bradley, old Chapman's
riser; a pleasant fellow enough, who (personated by
Madesa) speaks a capital brogue, butis very slightly con-
meted with the principal plot ; and there is a coquettish
waiting-woman, and two gentlemen of the shoulder-knot,
who are rivals for her good graces, who serve only to
spit oat fir mime without in die least contributing to its
tbs wires piece there is no embrace of reality ;
alll sM nemived during its prom was bestowed
=it emmeekra, shrewd imply, and pointed
ill the &kr" and frequently
!brew a Barka llstridver same that was beginning to wax
dull; and d tab drewariese, midi le my, were the greatest
portion of the rase Aar dr MI eta* third not, by whirr
period the enbermes se *Nigro, woo exhausted. The acting
of Perron in Dr. Dais. Eli a Mrs. Nisbett in Sophia Chap-
man, was admirable: Miss Reynolds was lively and plesaant
as Letitia, and Mn. Hamby made the flirtations of Grace,
the waiting-woman, with the two footmen, very amusing.
ADELPHI. —A new drama, the last production ci
Mr. R. B. Peaks, was produced here yesterday evening, to
the entire satisfaction of a crowded audience. It is entitled
" Gabrielli, or the Bequeathed Heart," and its story runs
briefly thus : • young Irish gentleman, on his travels, falls
deeply in love with Gabrielli, the prima donna of the San
Carlo, who, on the occasion of a fete, jocosely asks him to
leave her his heart. Herman of business, a knavish attorney,
persuades him that the apparent jest meant something very
tender, and the enamoured O'Carrol accordingly actually
makes a will, bequeathing his heart to the fair cantetrice,
the lawyer inserting a penalty, on eon-performance by the
family, of 10,0001., to be paid out of the O'Csrrol estates.
The young man 110011 afterwards falls in a duel, defending
the reputation of his adored one ; and so ends Act 1. Act 2
carries us to Ireland, where the bereaved mother and her
daughter are offering up their orisons at young O'Carrol's
tomb, on the first anniversary of his sepulture. The Neapo-
litan lawyer comes to claim the bequest, wish the intention
of keeping the money himself, he supposing Gabrieili
dead, from having seen her throw herself into the water
after her lover's fall, After vainly seeking to induce
Henrietta O'Carrol to give him her own heart, instead
of her brother's, er the 10,0001., he is about to enforce
his claim by the strong arm of the law, when On-
brielli, wbo bad been picked out of the water, and
spent a year in a nunnery, makes her appearance, and
settles matters to the satkatamion of all parties, the
ati
ex Madame Celeste, *, Gobrisai, did wkatTZ
absCt to do with her usual poutomhnie effect. Mr.
Wright, as Bob Bit, O'Carroes groom, eihrsd err ado

delight througbout boxes, pit, and gallery, by his usual
buffoonery; while Mr. Paul Bedford was absurd, even moan
than usual, as an old Italian fop. There are 'near two
nice bits of scenery, and some dancing, which contributed to
the popularisation of the piece.

AND CLERICAL.

CAMBRIDOE.—There will be a congregation held this
snorsiag it'rlday), when a Grace will be effered to the saute far pre-
senting to the House a( Commons a petiurn, of whisk the followimg
L a draft : " That your petiticeem, in commix% us try believe, with
the majority of their rope
oaf
erased with the t
eas lever.
ewe and affection that pert of the •Mltation of them im whir&
assume. all the members of year honounibie home* be ariodre.
and se such to form • flt reprewentatim Wye: • Chillitila Mk&
That in accordance with this principle every iambi,' st jeer Immisa.
able bonne is, by law, required before he take. kis seed min pew
, femion of his Christian faith. That your petition= an
' that immediate attempts will be made to effect a &sew liolirairelsport
of the constitutimi. That your petitioners lack Ida dim gag as.
stemation at the prospect of such a change; nod NM pusennied 64 It,
would be attended with a wrest shack to the reifiir=ifilt.
Town and with cerium danger to the national
petitioner% therefore, humbly and earnestly *Mob SUL
change may motive the sanction of year honourable honom..

NAVAL.
DiVONPORT, Nov. 17.—F1y,18, Cum. Oliver, and Cast
et, 1./MA:COOL Rlgge, sailed yesterday with despatches; the firmer
MNew Zealand, and the latter for Liston. Capt. Meaty W. Braes
* W4lO in the Com. t to loin the Queen, 110. at Lisbon.—Rhada-
=Mims st. to alongside the vietualling-yard taking in meal for Ire-
land.—Birkenheed is coatis& preparatory to her departure for Pem-
broke and Ireland.
WoOLwlCm, Nov. 18.—Hydra, left this morning
• for Cbatham, at which ,landpo will be eommiesionedbustfor the pen-
dant at Chatham.—Triton, iron et.-r., left yesterday for the some porta
to be brought forward for commission.— lilaser,st...., Lieut J. V.. Smith.
Was taken out of the basin on Monday last, and will Imre on Monday
next for the Coast of Africa and the loland of Ametaion. ;Some
mechanics from the factory, who have volunteered for erre. os that
Island, will take their passage in her. They will receive double pay
and rations while they remain on the defend.—Blfteman, at-r.,
ordered round from Portsmouth to this port, to receive the engine,. of
the Team—Virago, st- sloop, paid off hem on Tuesday, is to be Sited
with tubular boilers, and prepared for re-commimices.—Jenna,
is reported to have made about eight knots an hone In her trial on
Monday last. ate is to be taken into the bads to tea the effective
power of her engine. by the Drumm:tem.—Commander 0. Connell
ha been ordered ci stall at the steam factory yard,—Nasmyth'a
powerful steam hammers, recently erected in this yard, will be tried
for the first time on Saturday.
SITEEFINZIIB, Nov. 17.—The Waterwiteh will be towed
up to Chatham that evening by the Clinton, to be paid ME—The Sa-
tellite has been paid off Into ontio try this day.—The Prometheus is
hourly expected.—The Plover is to be prepared for wintering in the
Arctic regions, and I. to be ready by the 20th proximo, ea that she
may ail on the lot Jan. nest for Behring'a Straits. the will be manned
by a crew of SO men. and will be armed.

SPORTING.
TATTERSALLIL—tiomposr.
Them were not abate ea or eight members present thin afternoon,
and not a bet worth quoting was made.
NEWPORT PAOiEL STEEPLE CHAsSFS, ht.
A Face Ilmsniair Wpm: Rack for 501. and a sweepatakes of
5 sons. each: the second to rase his stakes. Gentlemen rider
allowed 61b. Two miles. 11 subs.
Mr. F. Wilson's Kilted= (Rsitalelb 1
Mr. Anderson's Chance (Mr. F. Wilms 2
Lord Strathmore's Red Luster (coma 3
The following also started The that, Variety, Pony, Dick, ors,
ton, Emigrant, Canary, Flatcatcher. Won is • canter by two lengths
Bisserwrisor, of 20 pm. cock, b ft: the maid to sane kis stake ;
winners of • eteeple-ehme of 2501. valise, Ac., 710. extra ; of two, 10th.
extra. Gentlemen riders. 6 subs.
Lord Strathmore's The Roarer
Mr. W. 11. Cooper's Little John (Mr. F. 2
owner
ilson
The following also ran : Moonlight, Carlow, Kangaroo. Betting.—
I toy each agst Roarer and Carlow, 3 to 1 apt Little John, and Ito
1 apt Moonlight. A tine race with two. Woo by half a length.
Betting on the Annual Steeplitehans (toanorrow).-9 to 2 eget
twitcher, 5 to 1 apt Chandler, 9 to I apt St. Leger, and 10 to 1 apt
Latltat.
ASHDOWN-PARK 001YRSINO MEETLVo.—Wirmsessr.
Fit? Tim KM Tat DIABY.
Lancet best Wykamist
Wanota beat Broadcast.
Teo Oma.
Mr. Goddardk Blue Bell beat Mr. W. EMU'. Min Weller.
Tot Cur.—Fuse Tem.
Mr. Goddard's Gretna beat Sir H. Fleetwood's flash.
Mr. Kennels Ihmtiel beat Mr. Goskianre Element.
Mr. Gordon's OP et beat Mr. Morant's Mischief.
Tim ASHDOWN Purer Brakes.
Mr. Mortal's Marinet best Mr. W. EtwalPs Sam Weller.
Mr. Gordon's (Arm best Mr. Empress.