The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-15 00:00:00

FATAL EXPLOSION OF

MANCHESTER, FIR. 14.
This morning a very shocking and fatal explosion
took place in Springfield lune, Salford, by which Mr. J.
Wainwright Hodgetts, a manufacturing chemist, whose at-
tainment. had secured him a somewhat honourable name in
the scientific world, was killed, and another man very
seriously injured. The works in Springfield-lane belong to
Mr. Stephen White, inventor and patentee of a new de-
scription of gas from naptha and water, called hydro-curbon
gas. The gas works are situate at Southport, but the re-
sidium obtained in the manufacture, which till recently hod
been sold as waste, had been discovered to he capable of
very profitable employment—three products being obtained
from it, consisting of a highly purified gas, a sup, riot- quality
of turpentine, and a description of oil. The Springfield-lane
works have been established for the purpose of converting
this residuum into these valuable products, end had been in
operation only four days, under the management and direc-
tion of Mr. llndstetts. These works consisted of a shed in
which were three retorts or purifiers, heated by furnace;
having cisterns connected with them by means of copper
pipes. Mr. Hodgetts was engaged at half-pig nine o'clock
this morning in inspecting the operation at one of the re- •
torts, when the muss of combustible materials suddenlyex-
ploded, and threw his body to a distance of Id nr 16 yards;
a portion of the naptha, which burst instantly into flames,
striking him in the face and frightfully burning and dis-
figuring him. The burning materials distroyed part of the
roof of the shed, and the other two retorts were also set on
fire and exploded. A labourer, named Francis Gal-
laghan, was the first person who went to the assistance
of Mr. Hodgette, and he succeeded in. extinguishing
the lire, which had taken hold of his clothes, but
the unfortunate gentleman was quite elt ad, his face, chest,
and lower extreitiities being nearly reduced to a cinder. A
matfnamed William Howarth, who was at one of the other
retorts, was so badly burnt about the shoulders and one
arm, that it was found necessary to remove him to the
Royal Infirmary, where he now lies in a dangerous state.
The mass of naptha in the retorts burst into flame, and set
fire to the building, and though Mr. Stephen Neale, chief
constable of Salford, brought two fire engines into play as
quickly 'as possible upon the premises, they were found to
be almost ureic., the only means of extinguishing the
flames from the naptha being by filling up the retorts with
sand, bricks, and other materials, seltieh were thrown upon
the fiercely-burning tire by labourers, under the direction of
workmen well acquainted with the nature of the material.
The flames had approached, at the time of their extinction,
very nearly to a reserve tank containing 400 gallons
of unptha, which would probably have produced still more
disastrous consequences to the neighbourhood had it taken
fire. The explosion is supposed to have resulted from a
leakage in the copper pipe connecting the retort with the
receiving pan, which in some way ignited, and communi-
, rated with the contents of the retort. A coroner's inquiry
• into the cause of the accident is to take place this afternoon.

Rev. 11. Hughes, to Hodgesten rectory, Pembrokeshire,
value IOU.; patron, the Bishop of St. David's (by reason
of lapse).
Rev. H. N. Mitford, to an assistant chaplaincy, Hon.
But India l'ompany's Service, Itomhuy.
Ray. It. E. Roy, to Coningsby curacy, Lincolnshire.
VACANCIES.
Vicanaogs.—Creech St. Michael, Somerset, diocese
Bath and Wells, value 46.31., with residence; patmns, the
repre.entatives of the late I icor, the Itcy. Crass
deceased. .

Writtle, with Roswell curacy, Essex, diocese Rochester,
cane 7181., with residence ; patrons, New College, Oxford :
Rev. T. Penrose, D.C.L., deceased.
CIIATLAINCY.—Wigan Union, Lancashire, Rev. AV.
Coombs, resigned.
I Warwickshire County Gaol, Coventry, stipend 1601. ;
testimonials before March 1.
MAsTEIC4IIII'.—StuIiCSICy, YOrkfibire, Preston Grammar
I School; salary, &W., with residence.

AN Iit.oPF.MENT.—Your readers will turn from
this painful topic with more interest to an affair of a less
distressing character—viz., "an affair of the heart," the
worst result of which it is hoped will lead to nothing more
dreadful than matrimony, as the "happy pair" have so
completely baffled pursuit. As the lady is possessed
of a fair share of personal charms, is accomplished,
and only 18
.years of age ; and as the ;tenth man is a son of
Mars, and holds a lieutenant's commission in one of her
Majestv's regiments of the line, the matter is sure to excite
an interest with your fair reader., and I therefore give the
leading particulars which have transpired. Miss T. is the
daughter of a highly respected merchant in the Manchester
trade, and Lieut. M'D— came into this neighbourhood
some months ago on the recruiting service. An introduc-
tion having taken place, the parties formed an attachment,
which led to an attempt some weeks since to pay a visit to
Gretna. The lady had attended service at the church of
the Rev. Hugh Stowell one Sunday afternoon. along with
her maid. and succeeded in giving papa the slip, and
both of them entered a vehicle, with which the gallant
lieutenant was waiting. They IMO driven to Bol-
ton, intending to take the railway train to Carlisle,
hut an untoward event marred the whole Ont. The lieut-
enant's servant was seen taking a heavy carpet hag in the
direction of the rendezvous ut Sallied, when a policeman,
suspecting that he had committed a robbery, took him into
custody, and sufficient knowledge of the matter got to the
lady's father, through the iliselovun, which the servant
was compelled to make, to put him sooner than was ex-
pected on the track of the fugitives. lle drove immediately
over to Dolton, a distance of ten miles, and learnt that the
train had started. An involuntary exclamation of disap-
pointment, in which he mentioned his " poor daughter,
however, led to the discovery that his pursuit had resulted
in something nearer to success than he had expected. A
person whose heart had been touched on bearing there was
" a lady in the ease," told him that a lade who had also been
too late for a railway train was at a neighbouring hotel, and
thither he went and had his child restored to him. It
appears the lovers had arrived only two minutes too late
for the train. The lady was placed under strict surveil-
lance, and means were taken to put a restraint on the move-
ments of the gentleman. Field-Marshal the Duke of Wel-
lington was written to, and the result was that the lieute-
nant, and a brother officer who had given sonic aid in the
matter, were ordered forthwith to rejoin their regiments.
Notwithstanding the watchful eye which Miss T—'s friends
have kept upon her movements since this event, it appears
that, faithful to her first impulse, she has again reaped the
cage. Yesterday morning she went "a-shopping" in the
town with a female friend, and so sue,ssfully gave her the
slip, that up to this evening not the slightest clue to the
direction of her flight has been obtained. There is reason
to fear that a knot has been tied ere this which is not to le
untied, though " father, and mother, and a' should go mad."
Inquiries have been made in all directions, but pursuit was
out of the question, because the direction of the flight has
, not been ascertained.

IRELAND.

CLERICAL Prohle7 lloondll, Monday. Br;vrtorn ; Wedwealar, ntasatord Hall;
1,, mar, cowaww ae; nanny. 3y, sien•lnt -a, a quarter to 11.
PRIVIRMINTS. Citron bonnb, (ear X titttme,), Nboday, 11,At -at II; Tuesday,
Ear. C. Bowen, to Reveahy perpetual tasty, Lincoln- • Wenner. oat Ina; Weave-day, Ntewald'e Hay; Tbaralay, Keydaorpn
shire, value 20W., with residence ; patron, J. 13. Stanhope, : Feld .y. Ito nate-at iI.
B. I Italyls,3da, Y aulay, N ulster Hilaire; Wednesday, Baby Kers-
.
to
ee
r. O.
Bearorrelr
ton,
rtoaddatingw. Ilaronael,..rava4nic‘p.rari.r.rah(4,.Prcihmli). co.b,n ;
mind".
Hey. W. 1' clgate, to Holy Trinity curacy, St. Mary- Shropshire bound3„lion3ay, Fox lAloriebtnn); Mrid,ly, entaid
lehone. Polon.hy wink, Small Thai-Any west, Amon Barne.l-at belt.
. . . . - .

past In.
Mr. A. Smith's ;tomtits, Mom7ay. (barley Hill; Tuesday, F/field
(near Vcweyl; Wednerelay, D .lea Turnpike; Thurs.lay, flaw:lsobars ;
Friday, Eserlrigh; etareadati Park—ar r I.
Lord Southampt .11.4 rantnne, I.adby Wood; Wedneisisy,
Ciiiiitirthorpt ; Friday, Aata..ll ; saturday, A n..lry--A 11.
laounde, Mono .y. !lead (Ilorerbri.tge); yrirkv
Trevor.) Arne (olyndo ; Mod y %Vl* Ahbvtts Woad; Friday wee];
the Star Inn kAlfrug.e brill-past
iloutlmvol.l (be . il"1.11111, Monday, TothIll; Tnrodn.
Tuonby ma; Thnn, lay, sa urday. Green*. IA -at IL
SLaffordshire 'North, kounda. MGn.lny, •rtgh hem; Wed revLry, lbe
thagerherela Vriday, Adderl., —at half-part DI

litMoU, i uftday, Euaborough Hall; Thursday, 'fronds
Wood—at A Illiater to 01.
burley lawn hounds, Monday, But floviley rack; Tharrilay,
Bayne'. !111, Meer; arday, Aat wiry It. ate —it 10.
tor Tatinn kn. Lunn:., Wbilottiday, Starn_
ford ruLLy, ItabetLoro •:a ralf-psat in.
Sialtle hound,. Monday,, Bulwz blot:; Thursday, Warden; Salta-
. day, 11,01 mo 4, 11,:haus --at eatf-plat tit
tua hounds, Moaday, Bantry Lodge; lburaday,
llawktidpa—
at hadEpatet la.
Mr. Trelawny'a boand., Monday, Ivybrldge; I.ly.
mouth Ram :stand at lisdtp lir
V. W. II , T0e.41,y, East Court !loon; Thuratar. Foss Crave;
WHO, Al 'lmorth Vaboce - ut 1..1%1 am 10.
ettitall rack ;Stu opolbtre) h, u AP, fu-day. ecru (;ills Ntinnd —at
Warwitiot:re hood., Slonblay. adlaerion Knew-is; Mewity, Mots
ford Bridge; Thwurlay, Brine. tilava-; Et May Epweil Howie;
datulday, Eatheralide—at aquirta
Mr. Wldelpie's Maanda, nlay, Arbor/kid Baiter Tateolay,
White Hart (Thosle); Thursday, the bull ;Sw..lloa tieid); Briday,
Plinwe Wood—at 11.
Woetessershire Wanda, Mondar, Broeberal rt r .mmr.; Wumaa..
day, ta p.ut Vriday, - at tali. p..at io.
Wye:ad, latuals, Tuesday, LAN:is Woot, Friday, Willi:l4,y
Gate—at lir

dota.l Wyndham's hound., Monday, Bail'. Hut; Wedneklas
Gmtfliatu; Friday, old Path -a! Mut p tst 11.
Wheatland limpets, Friday. (Eltstr! --at 10.
Bit W. W. W)en's hounds. Monday, Ltc.yd ; Tumelly, Bryn-y-pys;
Friday, Piston; S turday, ll:award...a -at halt-pa.t In.
Lord Yarbrough's hound., Mow!ay, Linaoud Warren-at 12;
Wednesday, Scutt-tot Lodge-at II ; srPorlay, D.taton Wood-at ,
York and Ainsty hound., Thursday, Led Hone; datuntay,
Cranny liar--1 ball-pin 10.
It. V. Harrier., Tuosday, Tomer Farm; Saturday, Wallbride-
at halt-poet
Lrelatt barriers (Mr. Dyer's), Towlay, Haut. Inn, steer Stow.
on-the Wold); Es idey, Lind, n'. I lanlu ark-at hal-;oat .0.
bri,:litan te=n refs. Monday, P.. chain; WeJusmlay, Thunder's liar.
row; rioottlay, LB ke -at a quarter to 11.
Broakside harriers, Monday, Newmarket 11111; Tbur-day, Tele.
combs lye-at ball-past id.
cramn harder., Monday, Thoriby Wood Bridge; Wednesday,
Bradley; Friday,lii.l Churcsi --at i i.
Mr. Deacon's Porrtere, Tuesday, Itoborougk Dock; Friday, ffhaugh
Bridge-at lu.
Harrogate harriers, Monday, li,tticeing Mad; Friday, lleckwith.
slow - at ball pa.t 10.
High rein harriers, Tuesday, Wardlow Muires; Thursday, Orange
Mill; Saimaa., Meneyast. -at 11.
Mr. Ilislyard's ha rums, Ta.aday, Nunthorp; Friday, High Leven
-at half past 10.
Capt. IL Lewi.'e harrier,' Tueeday, Iligh Alton; Thursday, Ery.
bolos •; S.purday, Sooty Outten-at 11.
Lord Lopeda:e e harnern, Frol,y, '.O 'Mover Turnpike- at 12,
Morpoth h,mers, Momay, Whalion Village; Friday, Morpeth
Castle-at half.pant
Newt sole AM Gateshead harriers, Monday, Clieder.leotreet ; Fri.
day, Itriono -at half.; oat 10.
Mr. 4/stover'. hound., luseday, Alto), Moor Toll Gate; Fridge
-at half-pares .0.
Upionoitt-sessro Moods, Tuesday, Itipple-at halLpast 10.
Worthing hosed., Tomday, Chantey Post; Friday, steep Down;
Tuesday wet k, BMW' CAI./ ere, u; Friday week, ntepung Port-at
half past 10.

LAMBETH FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETT.—A public
milling of this society was he'd at the Grey Hound Inn,
Sydenhant, on Thursday evening huit, A. Gurney,
one of the trustees, in the chair. The secretary, Mr. Wale,
I gave a brief amount of the origin and history of the move-
ment, and dilated at some length on the social and political
benefits which would flow from the society. It teens' to
the working. man the best and safest investment for his
for there was no investment on earth so safe as tha
earth itself. Cases had occurred in which per,ons had uM

tamed allotments of land fins nineteen or twenty pounds,
and wild them directly after for fifty, fifty-flour, and sixty
pounds. The shares were thirty pounds each, and the
wtekly substription one shilling. thus plating it within tho
means of the great majority of men to improve their condi-
tion. Many shares were taken up by the persons pr, ent.
Ma. ROUALEYN GORDON CUMMING, the renowned
sportsman, has just returned to England from a hunting
expedition in the eastern parts of Europe, where, since
August, he has been hunting with his usual SUCIIIIIR the
nobler varietica of game, which are still to be met with in
the more remote and wilder districts. True to his old
custom, this redoubtable Nimrod has eXert,tl himself with
real in amassing extraordinary relies interesting to sports-
men and naturalists, and has succeeded in bringing to Eng-
land a most extensive collection. Some of the wild boars
which ell to his ride, were of incredible weight ; and the
antlers of many of the stags rival in sire and grandeur
even thaw+ of the far-famed Wapiti of North America.—
Bars Life in London.
TOE FATALACCIDENT ON BOARDII.M.S.CALLIOPE.
—An inquest was heldon Saturday last at the 'Royal Naval
Hospital Inn, Stsinehouse, on the body of John Nolan,
quartermaster of H.M.S. Calliope, who died on Thursday
morning, from injuries received on board that ship on Mon-
day the 3rd instint. It appeared from the evidence that
the ship was being towed into the Sound front her moorings
off the dockyard by her Majesty's steamer Avon, and the
towing rope was fixed round the capstan. The men wore
ordered to walk hack the capstan, hut hethre they could get
to bear against it, it flew round with great rapidity, in con-
sequence of the steamer just then gsittang her full power on,
and there being no ° paull" down, the capstan hart flew
about in all dinvtions, knocking down several of the men,
and mortally wounding the demised on the head. A ver-
dict of " Accidental death" was returned.

I /RE UWI.II. TUATTEDY ,'T COT.CII ERTER.—On
Than:day, two permu4, named Ooorge Ponder and Char-
lotte Tormenter, who for a long time past hare liredtoge-
thr, wen• diseovered dead in their bedroom, under circum-
stances which lead to the belief that the man has committed

the double crime of murder and suicide. They rented au
apartment in Albiomeourt. Long Aire-street, of a Mr.
Sooty, whn called on Thursday to demand payment of his
rent, and being unable to obtain admission by any other
means, he broke open the door. On entering the room au
awful spectacle presented Walt In the bed lay the remains
of the wretched female, with her throat cut, her head being
nearly second from her body, and Ponder was hanging
from the bedpost by a cord round his neck. The body was
cut down immediately, and medical assistance procured, but
it was found that life had been long extinct. It is supposed
that Ponder killed the fernale while sleeping, and then
sacrificed his own life. His hands were found to he covensl
with blond, The wretched creatures, it is believed, were in
a state of great destitution.—elielms ford Chronicle.

FACTORIVa.--THE LATE ACT.—Yesterday the re-
ports of the inspectors of factories to the Secretary of State,
for the half-year ending the 31st of October laid, were
printed by miler of the House of Commons. The inspectors
make their separate reports, and then a joint report. They
express their witisfartion at the amending act passed last
year for regulating the working hours of young pi rsons
and women in factories. The act they state has had the
effect of allaying much of the excitement which wised
throughout the manufacturing districts for the lung period
during which the shift system was practised in many places.
The inspectors express their regret at the increase of mei-
dents which have occurred, which partly arose from the
employment of inexperienced hands in the diffennt
factories from the great activity which has so generally
prevailed throughout the United Kingdom. The inspectors
are of opinion that many accidents could be prevented by
using straps and gearing wheels in the machinery. In the
half-year 3.16 informations were laid for infractions of the
several factory arts, of which number 215 were convictions,
and the nays paid were 3681. on the number convicted.
COMMERCIAL I)OrKi AT POIRTsMOUTII.—The Ports-

mouth Borough Council, on Monday last, appointed a com-
mittee to adopt the necessary measures fur carrying into
effect a desire very gem rally entertained by the inhabitants
for the construction of commereial docks in the vicinity.
The pamphlet of Mr. Young, of Lloyd's, has shown the ne-
cessity there exists for commercial docks on the south toast,
from the enormnis ammmt of human life and property
annually destroyed between the Isle of Wight and the
mouth of the Thames. Possessed of one of the finest anchor-
' ages and harbours in the world, the inhabitants of Ports-
mouth believe that if docks existed there the chief portion
of this destruetion would be avoided, besides a saving being
effected of rises voyage of 300 miles with its attendant expenses
of wages, stores, provisions, and insurance. This latter from
the Isle of Wight to the Thames is excessively high, from
the great dangers with which the voyage abounds. An
eminent naval offieer, now at (iruenwich Hospital, has
given it as his opinion that, in the event of war, a large
commercial port on the south coast would be absolutely ne-
cessary, from the number of privateers and vessels of war
with which the Straits of Dover would swarm; and, further,
that Portsmouth, from its great natural ads.ntage, its con-
tiguity to London. and the fact of its being efficiAtly for-
tified and otherwise defended, is above all other plass, the
best adapted for the purpose. It was shown that in the
sea voyage between Portsmouth and London, during the
past year, •200 persons lost their lives, and from Jwte, 1619,
to June, 1850, the loss of property amounted to ..half
million. The following casualties were stated to have oc-
curred between the years 1837 and 1843: 499 ships lent
their anchors and cables ; 660 were obliged to take ground;
260 lost and their crews saved ; 56 completely lost, snaking
a total of 1,375 casualties in the space of tux years. The
loss of a large ...migrant ship and the very narrow escape of
the crew, and also that of the Amphitrite, when nearly
every soul on board perished, were adverted to as facts
quite sufficient to show the necessity of Portsmouth having
commercial docks.
RAILWAY ACTS.—On Wednesday a return to parlia-
ment obtained by Mr. Labouchere was printed show Luz.
that in the session of 1830, 34 railway acts were paned, et
which two were for authorising leases, &c., 14 fur the ex-
tension of time uud sundry amendments of acts, 6 for devia-
tions, extensions, and other works, for which no new capital
was required. 3 for branches, &c., fur which new capitol
was required, 3 tor the dissolution of company or reduction
of capital, and 6 additional capital for works previously
authorised. The decrease of mileage oreasioned by the
above acts was 8 miles and 57 chains. The increased' capi-
tal 1,273,300/., and the Merouse of loans, 1,260,7321., snak-
ing 3,254,0321.