The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-18 00:00:00

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Atmospherical preemie le greate7ln the meth and lower elm-
where than It was yesterday; and this morning It Is Increasing
iii the north and west, and decreasing In the south Tempera-
ture has Increased generally ; end the winds ♦ary between south-
west and southeast, except en the east coast, where they are
westerly. Weather Is generally Atte.

SIRIOUS ILLNzsa OF SIR ARcRIBALD AL/SON.—
We regret to state that during the lest three days Sheriff
Alison has been labouring under an illness which on
Thursday assumed • very darming aspect. The worthy
sheriff has for some time peat been subject to a bronchial.
affection ; and on Tuesday • sharp attack of his complaint
obliged him to keep his room. An examination by the
medical men proved that a tumour had been formed in
the windpipe, occasioning great difficulty in breathing.
On Thursday afternoon a decided change for the worse
took place in the patient's condition, and on making in-
quiry about midnight we learned that little or no hope was
entertained of his recovery. The sheriff's eon, Colonel
Alison, was telegraphed for on Wednesday, and is now at
Peril HOUAM. —Glasgow Herald.
DEATH OF MADAIIn PERSIANI.—It is with sin-
cere regret that we announce the sudden death by
ragely, at the age of 49, of that distinguished artiste,
e Persiani. We use the term in its fullest sense,
for thomrh her grace and elegance, taste and execution,
rendered her a popular favourite, Madame Peidani's per.
feet musical knowledge and extanordinary genius were
only appreciated by connoisseurs. Madame emboli was
one of an ancient Florentine family, that of Tore-hi-Nardi,
and it was on bar father's second marriage in 1832, when
about 17, that she appeared in public, making her
debut at Livorno, where her refined style and command-
ing talent were at epos recognised. " During twelve
years," mays a French contemporary, " she was the charm
and the grace of the Italian stage, while IA Grid was its
passion, and whithersoever she went—in Madrid, in Paris,
in Italy, in London—but more especially, perhaps, in St.
Petersburg—she fascinated her audiences by her melo-
dious warbling, captivating the hearts of monarchs
and commanding the admiration of the musical world.
Her career was a brilliant one, and her private character
untarnished even by the breath of slander. She had realised
• considerable fortune, when the unfortunate failure of
M. Persiani's efforts togivethe public aseoond Opera House
in Covent-garden Theatre occasioned • serious reverse.
Madame Persiani withdrew into private life still wearing
the laurels she had honourably won, and lived on the rem-
nant of her property, to which she added the income
arising from lemons she gave in Paris, and which were
eagerly sought after. Notwithstanding bee misfortunes,
Madame Persiani led a peaceful, happy, and contented life
in the midst of her family, giving up to works of charity
and benevolence tin connexion with the catholic church,
of which she was • faithful member) all the time she
could spare from ber duties to her own attached domestic
Westininater Gazette.

THE EXTRAORDINARY DERBYSHIRE POISONING
CAKE.—ALFIXTON, FRIDAY.—The inquiry into the deaths
of Joseph end Martha Tomlinson, by being poisoned by
arsenic, were resumed this morning before Mr. Coroner
Busby. Mr. Smith of Derby, appeared for the girl
girl Elisabeth Wheeklon, who is st present in custody on
suspicion of having poisoned the two childreu. Pro-
fessor Taylor was not again present, his evidence
having been fully taken at the bearing on Tuesday last.
A number of witnesses were examined, who proved that
the girl had led • most loose life, and one of them said,
when he asked her if she was not sorry the child was dead,
she said there was nothing to be sorry for as she would
have lees work to do. No other material evidence was
adduced. The inquiry opened at 9 a.m., and was listened
to by a large assembly of the principal inhabitants ; and
at 6 o'clock the coroner proceeded to review the whole of
the evidence, at considerable length. At 6.45 the jury
retired to consider their verdict regarding the death of the
infant Joseph Tomlioson, and after an absence of • quarter
of an hour • verdict of " Wilful murder" was returned
against Elizabeth Wheeldon. The case of Martha was ad-
journed to Wednesday.
REMARX•BLE ESCAPE.--An accident of a singular
character, and attended with a most providental escape,
happened on the Midland Railway, a short distance from
the Eckington station, on Friday, to • man named Win.
Weightman. Weightman was doing some repairs
on the top of • telegraph pole. While in this
position the passenger train from Leeds to
Derby, which panes Eckington about half-past
ten, came up, and just before the engine got
opposite to the pole the latter snapped at the bottom
and fell towards the train, throwing the man with his
head just upon the rails, and almost in front of the
engine. Wonderful to relate, the eirrine simply knocked
the man to one side, and paned on. Ilad his head been a
little more over the metals decapitation must have ensued.
The mon was taken up insewnble. Dr. Jones promptly
attended the ease, and it was found that beside the bruise
from the fall the man had • scalp wound about four
inches long. He was removed to Derby in the afternoon.
—Dereyei ire Courier.

Taildowr Oasis Tunires.—This great work is
now mere than half completed. The entire length of the
tunnel will be seven miles 1,257 yards, and the distance
completed at the close of March, 1867, was four miles 345
yards. The advance effected in March was 148 yards, and
if the present rate of progress could he maintained the
tunnel would be completed by Marsh, 1870.