The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-25 00:00:00

SINKING OF THE MIRANDA STRAYER.

Another fearful steamship collision, resulting in
the loss of the Miranda, iron screw steamer, is reported
to have occurred in the Swig, a few miles below the Nora
The Thames steamer has returned to the river with the
shipwrecked crew, and from their statement it appears
that the Miranda, which was • fine powerful vessel
belonging to Hull, left the St. Katherine Dock in
the course of Thursday afternoon for the North

in order to take in a cargo for the Mediterranean. About
11 o'clock at night she had reached the vicinity of the
Gunfleet, when she hove to for the purpose of putting her
London pilot on board a steamer bound to the river. She
was waiting for the return of the boat which had taken
the pilot off, when the Thames, iron screw steamer, bound
to Grangemouth from London, came in fearful collision
with the Miranda, cutting her down considerably on the
starboard side. It was immediately discoved that the
water was rushing into her, and that she would not keep
afloat long. The crew of the Miranda, after some
difficulty, succeeded in getting on board the Thames, which
also sustained considerable damage in her stern, and in
a abort time the Miranda foundered in deep water. It ap.
pears that the Thames left the river about two hours after
the Miranda, and it is stated that when the vessels camo
together the Miranda was backing in order to pick up the
boat, there being a strong Aced tide running which retarded
the progress of the boat to the ship. The Miranda's lights
would not be visible to the Thames. The weather, how-
ever, was line and clear. The Thames fortunately was
kept free of water, and returned up the river to Carron-
wharf, where the crew of the Miranda were landed. The
loss of the Miranda must involve a considerable Lam.

The death of the veteran organist and composer,
Sir George Smart, took place on Saturday, at the advanced
age of 89. His health had been in a declining state for
some time, and his demise was, therefore, not unexpected.
His name has been honourably connected with the musical
history of the country for many years. Sir George was
knighted in 1811, at Dublin, by the Duke of Richmond,
then Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

At the meeting of her Majesty's commissioners
of the Paris Exhibition on Saturday, several proposals were
discussed and discarded. Among others certain boat races
on the Seine, in which women of all nations were to com-
pete, and though last not least the Great Prize for Self-
Glorification, to gain which every man or body of men were
encouraged to give themselves out as the moat perfect com-
bination of moral and material success in the Universe.

Mr. John Phillip, R.A., is seriously ill. Mr.
Phillip was sitting in the studio of his friend Mr. Frith,
R.A., on Tuesday morning last, apparently in excellent
spirits, when he was struck with paralysis. With great
difticulty he was removed to his own house, where he lies,
under the we of Dr. Jaunt. and Mr. Henry Thompson,
in a very witical state.

The special correspondent of the Curk Herald
still remains in gaol at Killarney.
The estimated number of valentines despatched
from or delivered in London this year was close upon two
millions, yielding an amount of postage considerably above
10,000/.

A series of sums, amounting in all to 56,7881.
se. 6d., will have to be voted in order to make good
excesses on certain grants for the civil service for the year
ending March 31, 1866. The proceedings for the repression
of the Fenian agitation have led to an unexpected expendi-
ture of 7,7221. The postage of public departments has
exceeded by 8,5221. the sum estimated,

It appears from a parliamentary return issued to_
day that the payments fur travelling and personal expenses
of witnesses summoned by select committees of the House
of Commons in 1864, amounted to 1,0161. 15s. 4d.; in 1865
the amount was 1,0841. sa. 10d., and last year 1,8261.
175. 4d.

A list has been printed for the use of parliament,
giving in alphabetical order the boroughs of England and
Wales previous to the Reform Bill of 1832, and st►ting the
nature of the suffrage existing in each borough. The
return was moved for by Mr. Sandford.

This morning was bustled a parliamentary paper
containing the revised code of regulations incorporating
the minute of June 11, 1866, with a schedule of all articles
cancelled or modified, ►nd of all new articles, by the Com-
mittee of Privy Council on Education.

The estimate for Greenwich Hospital and school
for 1A67-8 amounts to the stun of 12:4,6351., being 3,2651.
more than last year.

Among the parliamentary papers issued to-day is
a return from each of the municipal corporations in the
united Kingdom, showing the claims that are required
and allowed in each respectively u entitling the applicant
to receive the freedom of the city or town, and to be
placed on the parliamentary electoral roll u a freeman
yaks, &c.