The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-05 00:00:00

[PRICE (DOUBLE SHEET) FOURPENCE.

Artillery, was sent io superintend the armaments of the
Escant. In company with General BOOM he re-
connoitred the citadel o•( Antwerp, and iqund that
it was a placed extraonlinary strength, every point being
well sheltered front tie effect of shells, and possessing
a ditch of great size, v;:iich could bo watered by the sea.
Ile at once proposed to King IPapold to shorten the siege
as much as possible by means of a mortar, the shells of
which were to wei,4ll mic thousand pounds, containing one
hundred pounds of powder, and which would produce
effects, both physic illy and morally, against which no re-
sistance could be offered. To take a town in three hours is
not worse than to employ three weeks; and to throw a shell
weighing one thou:and pouuds, is not more inhuman than
to throw ten shells of one hundred pounds each, yet the
proposal was looked upon as monstrous, and the mortar
went by the name of the Monster Mortar.
The siege commenced ; twenty-live thousand large sized
shot, thirteen thousand howitzer shells, and fifteen thousand
common shells were expended. The month of December,
which in that ciimate was a matter of importance, was
nearly over, and the siege, which at that period might have
caused a European war, was still being carried on. It was
determined to make use of General raixhans' mortar. It
had been cast at Liege, and placed at a thousand metres
from the Dutch citadel. Nine shells were fired,

ono bunt in the air, tho remaining eight fell
in the citadel. After the siege the following memorandum
was found among the papers of the officer at the head
of the staff, " to-day (Dec. 21) the enemy 113% carried their
brutalities to the highest pitch, by making use of the giant
mortar spoken of so long since. Ono of the shells has
fallen just in front of the powder magazine, and has made
a hole large enough to bury two horses. I ordered one of
the fragments to he brought, which Lieut. Orund has kept
. . _ . . .

on account of its enormous size, and found it to weigh
several hundred pounds. It is, therefore, clear that they
have begun to throw tho.c terrible shells which the ness•s-
papers LIVO spoken so much of. The major commanding
the engineers is of opinion that if such a shell were
to fall on the powder magazine, it would crush in the roof.

I myself also think that no roof in existence could resist them.
Pray inform his Excellency the General of all this, u it is
important. May our magazine be preserved."
What could be done in a citadel, when regular mires

were falling from the clouds, each of which could reduce
everything to ashes? The Dutch ;surrendered on the 23rd
December, that is, two days after the firing of the first
shell. What is the use of such a mortar ? Simply this.

. . . When a serious war will break out one of these
mortars will he conveyed either by land nr water before the
citadel of Coblents, or before that of Maycnz, or any
other place. And when a citadel is destroyed the town
surrenders.

the barrel in, a very well finished article, and well
adapted to many household purposes. Among the minor
articles connected with agriculture are specimens of rasp-
berry syrup made from the wild raspberry, and much
superior in quality and flavour to that commonly sold in
this country. It could be imported at 4s. the gallon.
There are also specimensof vinegar mado from beichwood,
of good quality, at Is. 41 the gallon, and various mimrat
watery, one of which celled the " Plantagenet Water " is
said to be possessed of wonderful properties in restoring
impaired digestion. The natural products of Canada may
be disposed of by an allusion to the minerals, of which
there is a large collection of specimens. Foremost stand
the lumps of gold which it appears have been obtained from
various places in Upper and Lower Canada. Of the quality
there can be no doubt, and all that needs to be
ascertained is the presence of auriferous deposit in sufficient
quantity, and with sufficient facility of approach, to make
the region extending widely round Quebec a second Cali-
fornia. Of the presence in vast quantity of that more
valuable mineral, in an industrial point of view, iron, the
specimens exhibited afford satisfactory proof; in addition to
which there are specimens of coal, lead, and copper, all tend-
ing to the conclusion that Canada, in addition to her fertile
soil, contains in the bowels of the earth all the resources
necessary to render its inhabitants powerful and prosperous.
Among the articles exhibited which are peculiarly Ameri-
can in their character, are the fire-engines, to which some
slight allusion has already been made in the Express.
It appears that in every largo town, both in Canada and the
United States, the respectable young men, animated by a
desire to serve their country, similar to that which
inspires our own artillery company to deeds of arms, and
urges the Lumber Troop to Homeric exploits, form them-
selves into volunteer tire brigades, which are repilarly
organised and divided into companies wearing a distinctive
uniform, and striving with each other as to who shall have
the handsomest and most powerful engines, and display
the most activity in the exercise of their useful calling.
The engines, provided in the first instance by the unulieipal
authorities, arc afterwards elaborately decorated at the
expense of the corps, and stand when complete at an
expense of 3dol. The specimen in the Canada sec-
tion looks quite smart iu its bright scarlet colour
and polished brass mounting, and the panels are painted
and decorated as profusely as were the staffs of our
mtweiAl constables after the memorable 10th of April.
As nothing can be done in America without a newspaper.
these tire brigades hare seven organs in the press devoted
exclusively to the annals of conflagration, and the exploits
of its vigorous opponents. The brigades have their an-
nual festivals and feats of strength, when prises are given to
the engineers who strike highest with their jet of water,
some lofty church steeple selectedfor the purpose. Visits '
of amity arc interchanged between the great cities, and it
is no uncommon sight in America to see a road
covered with a distinguished party of tire en-
gines, attended by their brigades, and en route
to receive the hospitalities of some distant
corporation. Each corps has its tank in wane convenient
part of the town, the neighbouring district being placed
under their especial guardianship. There, in oast of fire,
the brigade commence operations, and the immense length
of their hose—upwards of 1,000 feet—enables them to act
upon fires it a considerable distance. There may frequently
be seen in American towns immense columns of water pour-
ing on a tire, the source of supply being entirely out of
sight. All the respectable and active young men in each
town spend seven years in these brigades; and besides the
honour and distinction they procure by their apprentice_
ship, they enjoy immunity from militia and jury service.
with some other civic exemptions, for the rest of their
lives. The fire brigade of the city of Montreal number •
500 men, divided into nine companies, seven of which aro
provided with engines, and the other two are respectively
the hook and ladder, and hose companies. It will thus be
seen that the
.Canadians and Americans have organised
most efficient means for the suppression of fires, but ono
cannot help asking whether a little more care in their pre-
vention would not enable them to dispense with this claim.
rate and costly machinery. The only mutters remaining
to be noticed in the Canadian collection are the
sledges suit their necessary trappings, the furs.
There aro numerous and very fine specimens of both;
but tiiey are too well known, and have been too frequently
described to require further notice here. The whole cul-
lection is exceedingly attractive and instructive, and if
among tke thousands of visitors to the Crystal Palace there
be any who contemplate emigration, they cannot do better
than visit the Canada department ; and, by putting them_
selves under the polite guidance of Mr. lloughten or Mr.
Perry, they will obtain more trustworthy information us to
the capabilities of that great emigration field than they
could by any other means short of actual inspection.

CIVIC ENTERTAINMENT TO THE ROYAL

COMMISSIONERS.

On Saturday evening last the Right Hon. the Lord
Mayor entertained at dinner the royal commissioners, the
executive committee, the contractors, various heads of de-
partments, and other notabilities connected with the Great
Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations. The company
assembled in the Egyptian Hall, where Cloven were laid
for 200, and, it is needless to add, that there were nu vacan-
cies at a board so distinguished for munificent hospitality.
The decorations were of unusual variety and splendour.
Banners of all nations hung from the pillars, the tables
groaned with plate, and all the edibles were moulded into
emblems having reference to the great event the feast was
intended to commemorate. The whole scene was one of
surpassing brilliancy and effect, but it is to be regretted that
the Egyptian Hall, so well adapted for displaying a grand
banquet, does not afford greater facilities for hearing.
The following were among the guests : Lord John Mo-
gen and the lion. Miss Elisabeth Lyster, Earl and Countess
Russo, Earl Granville, Lord and Lady Londeshorough,
Lord and Lady Gemstone, BaronDupin, Monsieur Heulfel
(Minister of Commerce of France), Mr. and Mrs. W.
Cubitt, the lion. Ilugh and Lady Sarah Cholniondeley,
Mr. Cobden, M.l'., Mr. Baring, M.l'., Chevalier de Burg,
Mr. Plieey, M.P., lion. Sir E. Cost, Chairman of the East
India frompany, and Mrs. Shepperd, Sir J. Weir Hogg,
Lady Hogg, and Miss Hogg ; Monsieur and Madame Ka-
minski, Mr. Masterman, M.P., Monsieur and Madame Sal-
landroure de Lamoenais, the Governor of the Bank of Eng-
land and Mrs. Monkey, the Deputy Governor of the Bank
of England and the lion. Mrs. Hubbard, Mr. Stephenson.
M.P., Chevalier and Madame de Settee, Sir Charles and
Lady Lyell, Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., Sir Richard
Westmaeott, Mr. and Mrs. Gas-ford, the Chevalier Le 'ea,
Hen. C. Hardinge, Monsieur Ramon de la Sara, Captain
Mr Baldwin Walker, R.N., and Lady Walker, Monsieur
Manuel Ysasi, Mr. and Mrs. C. Wentworth Dilke, Cheva-
lier and Madame Zohrab, Mr. and Mrs. Gott, Monsieur
Von Viebahn, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, Dr. and Mrs. Lyon
Playfair, Mr. E. Bowring, Captain Owen, Mrs. 'lore,
Monsieur Vangeller, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cole,
Professor Ansted, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Monsieur Bus-
ehek, Mons. Santillana Elmkadden Heald°, Mr. and Mrs.
W. Hopkins, M. Joaquin Alfonso, Captain Abd-el Harnett,
Mr. and Mrs. C. Barry, Mons. von Herrmann, Mr. C. Cole,
Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. R. Dodge, Mr. and
Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Alexander Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. (ktaviiis
Blewitt, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bremridge, Mayor of Shef-
field, Mayor of Launceston, the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Vivian,
Professor Corridi, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, Captain Gild),
Mr. Stansbury, Mons. Schaft'hauth, Mr. and Mrs. Paxton,
Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Drew, Mr D. Wyatt,
Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Anderton and Mrs.
Roberts, Alderman Moon, Alderman Lawrence, Alderman
and Sheriff Carden and Mrs. Carden, Alderman and Mrs.
Wire, Sheriff and Mrs. Hodgkinson, Professor Sully, Mr.
Godwin, the Chevalier Leucisa, Mr. William and Mrs.
Howitt, Mr. Nobach, Mr. and Mrs. Itedgrave, 11ev. S. and
Mrs. Catlev, Captain Ibbetson, Mr. and Mrs. Oval Jones.
Mons. Marroganina, Dr. Steinbeis, Mr. and Mrs. Fox, Mr.
Cox, M. Scherer, M. Scaramanga, Mr. Gaston, Mr. Roberts,
M. Roesler, Dr. and Mrs. Royle, Mr. and Mrs. Catty, Pro-
fessor Warrentrapp, &c. There was also present Mr.
Dakin, Chairman of the gentlemen forming the Committee
of Entertainment for the reception of her Majesty at
Guildhall. Lord and Lady Stanley were unavoidably pre-
vented from being present owing to the alarming state of
the Earl of Derby's health.
A military band was stationed in the vestibule, and a
musical party, under the direction of Mr. 11. Phillips, sung
several songs and glees in the course of the evening. Grace
having been sung, Mr. Harker, the toastmaster, called upon
the company with the usual formula, to pledge the right
hon. host in the loving cup, after which
The Lord MAYOR gave " The Queen," with an allusion
to the attachment always displayed by the corporation of
London to the throne and constitution. The toast was re-
ceived with all the honours and much loyal cheering. Air,
" God save the Queen."
The Lord MAYOR then said :—My lords and gentlemen,
I now beg to propose to you " The health of his Royal
Highness the Prince Albert." (Loud cheers.) I may, I
is
fr
friend
onlyofthteh
he
ufrmtd race.of but the
think, emphatically consider, as you will with me, that he
on an ocemion like this to take up your time by adverting
to the many qualifications of this illastmoua primes end the
the(LoPeUpilleehoeel purer time
for Fie