The Express.
London, England, 1858-03-03 00:00:00

OBBAT =WWI OF TRW SUB ON THB

16th INS.7ANT.

On Monday, March 15, at one o'clock in the
afternoon the sun will almost entirely disappear our ea en.
tended belt of this country. He will be monkey solipsi,
bat the eau/as or ring-like portion of his disc remaining
uncovered by the moon on the central line will be so narrow
that the eclipse will nearly ammo/ the form termed by
setroncanwe " total without oontinuanoe," is one In which
for an inetrat of time the sun is wholly obectired. Indeed,
on this such will be It. character in the vicinity of
the island of IfLedefn where the moon's diameter will
appear somewhat prier Ulm in England.
ong and interesting letter on the subject of this eclipse
has been addressed by Yr. J. K. Hind, of Mr. Bishop's
Obeervatory to the Thom In its track across
Reiland it will approach very near Start Point
on the coast of Devon, but will not fairly land
on British ground after its toes over the Atlantic
until It reaches Lyme Regis, in about a mile
west of which place it should Ana strike our shores, award-
ing to the prediction. Start Point will not be mots than two
miles from the oentrsl &Rpm From Lyme Regis the cen-
tral line over Bettis:omb, and Buretock, and about
midway between South Perrot and Crewkerne into the county
of Somerset. to Soirionsioliro it will pass by Miscue= and
Best Chianook, near Yeovil, Marston limns, end Castle
Cary, to Bruton, whence it runs up the line of railway to
Witham Friary, and acres it into Wiltshire, about two
gala east of 17701110. The railway from Yard! to Frame a
taftiostioat lea than a mile sad_o bat distant from the

el* PM& 41•Weensilese. In Main the emend
Wathury to
Cahn, and theme iff
_the rwireallemellen Station on
the Great Waken leeway to BLlAneeth, and over a
me= a Ilisadiden sheet midway bsinrem Leaded. and
Ferringden, Wthe amity of Oakes. la Oxfordshire
its coarse be Beetegb Besmess, Witem, Blenheim Park,
and Woldelelik, ea theme by Heyford Permit, on the
Bieminnbala ad Weed Raney, towards Brinkley.ln
Narthamplimaire, prang over Croughton and Breat-
hy, smi eley raw- Torteemisr and the Blistrorth
stain a ibe Isedien end Meeth-Western line, it will
take Meethemepten Inalt, and fanning midway between
Kettahig eaTh=e= to Oendls, will skirt the fans ad-
joining PlillibMengh to the borders of Lincolnshire near
Crosland. Brackley, Northampton, and Oundle appppeeaarr to
be situate wa exactly on the central line. In Ilaoulmahire
it trammel Molbeach, and then enters the Wash, passing
midway between its shores towards the North Sea.
For about five mike on each side of the line thus indicated
the eclipse will present the annular form. This is the cal-
culated -limit, but owing to the alight degree of uncertainty
existing with regard to the peseta. values of diameters of the
sun and moon proper to be used in the prediction of eclipses,
the true breadth may, and most likely will, be somewhat in
excess of the above range.
Although the eclipse will not be actually total, it will be
so near an approximation to • total eclipse that, did the
moons apperent diameter admit of It, lam than ten seconds
of time would dailies for the entire obliteration of the sun.
" Belly's beads" will, of course, show themselves, and it is
very possible that the corona, or "circle of glory," which
surrounds the inn in total Wilms will be seen for a few
momenta, since it has hem visible more than half a minute
prior and subsmenet to the totality.
When (writes Mr. Hind) two-thirds, or rather more, of the
anis diameter are covered by the moon, or when the sun bas
assemed the figure presented by the moon three or four days
beim the change, a decided alteration in the colour of the
11= will be remarked ; a gradually deepening yellow
creep over it, and about the same time has generally
semmemed that paled of unusual stillness of nature which
is frequently a marked characteristic of the absence of sun-
light. Ten minutes or thereabouts previous to the greatest
eclipse the pale or azure blue of the sky will change
to violet or purple, the horizon will begin to elate
In on every aide of the spectator, and shortly after the
heavens miff appear to descend upon him. This apparent
descant of the sky was one of the most astonishing
and imposing *Sets of the totality in 1861; indeed on that
occasion it was truly appalling. For two or three minutes
at the time of greatest obscuration the planet Venus
and several of the brightest stare will probably come into
view while everythirm around the observer will have
assumed that unnatural gloomy appearance which has never
failed to induce feelings of awe. Objects will then appear
tinged with dull olive or purple; the clouds, if favourably
Mooed for the effect, will seem to be almost in contact with
him, and the black moon prejected on the face of the sun,
and seneantild by n brilliant halo, will appear to be hardly
more than a hundrediseddistant.
There is nom * Yet the presence of clouds has
often materially the effects of the eclipse.
In the metropolis the saps will be very large, though not
annular ; 978-I,ooothe of the sun's diameter will be covered
by the moon at th. in. p.m., or the solar crescent will then
peened a breath aim than 46 seconds of arc. This cot,
ldo appramoot the sun about lm. 10s. previous
trtadi to
conmenneent et tendity in the eclipse of July, 1861,
and from umidienee SU that occasion Mr. Hind entertains
little doubt that Ohm will be a very considerable degree of
gloom In Lam; mint, perhaps, what would be urn*
Oar=riat role • king of that.unnatursl shad* whisk
the totalwepse." Stars or pieta
be Noy esem."7—rey if their dons are known le do
olloanor behmhand. The sky ' appear to close la all
=gm* into violet, and the aspect of things pas-
my Istairged. Nevertheless, everyone whir= knee
Mari Ifsaw to the central line will be wise so
ha have my desk, to witness the efhots of *a taw to
advantage. To tho many who most am** thwartvm
with viewing the atm in London it may he some Game-
teflon to know that it will be of far
here than any one which ham occurred Rester
thelmtirlo
years, or will be again visible till time has made 11.1.•
dam more than an indentation on the 20th cindery.
The central line near to which the greatest dams ddarkness and the more imposing phenomena are to be im-
peded will cross the Great Western Railway, as above
stated, close to the station at Swindon which will soma-
ingly th the most accessible point in this direction for those
resident in the metropolis who may wish to view the eclipse
to the beet advantage. It will traverse the male line of the
London and North-Western about a mile from the Bile
worth station, and, leaving Peterborough four miles to the
South-east, will Mei the Great Northern Railway near its
junction with the Best Lincolnshire and Midland lines. The
respective companies might probably add to their revenue.
by affording facilities for the conveyance of the public to the
above points on the mothineitf
le the 16th of March. Swindon
will perhaps be the more b position, as the magnitude
of the eclipse will be some greater there than higher up
the central line.
To the unprofessional observer Mr. Hind suggests that he
will find his advantage in haying telescopes at home. TM
phenomena which require their aid are not certain to occur
in this soltee, end while be is looking for tilt,m be would,
undoubtedly, for the best view of those far grander appear-
ances on the earth and in the heavens which have especially
rivetted the observer's attention in great eclipses of the ettn.
A few coloured glasses varying in depth of shade will be
maul in watching the aucceeeive phases of the eclipse, but he
will need no other assistance.
The approaching eclipse stands out as the only one of the
present century which will be nearly total in England..

Lore 8. Walpole for Grey.
Lord IX Gehriiparibsis—which we may say they are—
Weirdo is one of us. Great grandfather an earl, mother en
earl's daughter.
Lord 8. But Sir George is an earl's nephew, and the
family dates back to the twelfth century, if honours count at
a round game.
Lord D. Oh, highly respectable of course. But everybody
likes Walpole, and nobody Lisa t'other man. I musts %
make any jokes before Walpole though, or he'll be incorpo-
rating them into acts of parliament, as he did about my pro-
posing to give votes to militia men.
Lord 8. There was ao chotoe for you in the case of your
Foreign Minister, but that's about the worst in the whole
list. Malmesbury is believed by the public to have the most
abject veneration for Continental despots.
lord D. And Palmerston wee believed by the public to have
the most fervid hatred for Continental despots.
Lord 8. Perhaps you'll pardon my saying, ray dew
father, that the answer is One of these exceedingly nest ones
which are far too clever to be convincing.
Lord D. Well, then, I'll tell you. Malmesbury has not •
quarter of Clarendon's brains, and he is preternaturally
proud of being patted on the head by his betters. Bat he is
an honest fellow, and very humble to me. People shouldn't
abuse him.
Lord S. I never heard anybody ascend to abuse him—but
be is ow of our neeseddes, let him pass. General Peel for
Lord Penmure ?
Lord D. Wall, I calculate Brother Jonathan mint us green
band, and can Az things almighty smart when he likes taw.
Yes, Sires.
,Lord 4, Yon imitate the Americans excellently, my dear
isthsr, and it is lucky, for one of these days you will have to
indtate them a little more.
Lord D. Church rates and so on, eh ? Well, when the
lims awes I hope I shall be up to my work. Who bowled
seer ten Irish bishops at a go, my boy ? That was bowling
worthy the American Alley, I flatter myselL
lord 8. Fitzroy Kelly instead of Bothell is heavy against
us—apple pipe for pearls.
Lord D. Yes, almost; but then the pestle used is comes
if the giver felt he was castiog them before swim Mew,
oar man's very civil and agreeable, and nearly iIISIOIWOO
ffple that his pips come out of the fruit of the treed Mow
.gd S. And Cairns is worth a vod many of Heating. I
don't know whether the latter makes the cough losengesthot
bear hie name, but he certainly makes his anthems went
them.
Lord D. Well, Eglinton will be liked in Ireland. He's •
bit of • sham, but he goes to do sham work—ding, as he
did at his Astley's Circus business, with Mow half sawn
through. Isn't he better than Carlisle?
Lord 8. Better looking, anyhow. Colohwbw for the Duke
of Amplest the Post-offioe.
24rd D. Yes. I said that India was the place for Col-
chester, as he would feel paternally towards the Natives;
but he would neither laugh nor go. He's mother Rear-
Admiral—l put 'em everywhere but at the Admiralty.
Lord 8. As I said, there are several changes for the better,
and it that bad anything to do with the stability of the cabi-
net, it would, as you said, be matter for philanthropic exul-
tation.
lord D. Why, my dear Edward, if the cabinet stands, suf.
Hit don't, the hider of the conservatives has tried to feed
his hungry and thanoreas friends, and the holt is not his if
he fails. I due say that an ousting division will neither
lame Tarophilits for Idey nor spoil the partridges for Sep-
tember. Bat I Dodos one thing, and that is that you have
made no rehires* to we very important, or at least self-im-
portant person. Do you put him down as low or gain to the
country? Eh, ma tear?
Lord 8. 1 shell ask you to let me take a hint from Rester
Slender, for osos—end to keep Mani when he cries Budget
Lord D. Use your discretion, but people lies • steady light
after irssorts. And what do you say for our new Secretary
for the Colonies?
Lord 8. He only hopes that Lord Derby may have half as
good a one as Lord Grey had in 1833-4.
Lord D. Ha ha I Thanka, my dear boy, but I'm afraid
you'll get no such chance as I had. That was the time of
the greet fall of blacks, when the people paid twenty millions
to wash their hands of them, and I -waged the fistulae's.
Bat nobody knows. And so, on the whole, you think I have
handicapped the animals pretty fairly? Very good, then
we'll start 'em, and what is it—orewpot &remora whist—
or as we say more elegantly in English, the devil take the
OPENING OF NEW DOCIB ..11 NEWPORT. I hindmost.

(ream ova own 11IPORTER.)
The town of Newport, Monmouthshire, was the
scene of general festivities as Tuesday, in consequesce of the
opening of • new dock, which has just been completed. The
port hes loag been increasing in importance and extent, and
the accommodation to shippers, consisting of numerous river
wharfs, and an extensive Basting harbour, constructed in
1642, has long since been found to be totally inadequate.
The increase of traffic arises from the development of the
mineral resources of the district, the yearly exports of coal
and iron being very extensive. A oonsidershis timber Muds
has also sprang up. From these venous ems nes vessels wee,
often delayed waiting for freight. An ealmien wee Ewe-
tore determined upon by the Dock Company, smiles keen
carried out by Mr. Abernethy, C.B. The dimensions of Me
new dock are as follows :—Length, 960 feet ; width. 350 bet;
depth of water, 28 feet. The total oust is 64,0001. It it
connoted with the old dock by an opening on the north side,
made to permit of using a caisson when oar-mien requires,
and occupies an area of eight acres. Seventy-five vessels,
averaging 600 tons, may be, at one time berthed. Spiels!
provision is made for timber vessels. The coal hoist.,
turntables, cranes, and capstans will be worked,
and the dock gates opened and shut, by brit soli°
machinery, patented by Messrs. Armstrong and Co.,
of Newcastle. Brooches in connexion with railways
ronning into Newport diverge around the dock, thus giving
direct communication with the whole of the mineral districts
in this part of the kingdom, and with the northern port of
Liverpool, while, in consequence of the many improvements
Introduced, loading and unloading will be secomplialied in an
incredibly short time. This water for sap
the ed
dy
is
brought by en aqueduct from the rime Ebbw, in Tredegar
Park, a distance of two miles. The day was observed as •
general holiday for many miles rowed, the town being
crowded with visitors. A procession, consisting of the
mayor, town council, gentry.and tradesman, benefit eociefies,
trades, schools, &c., with bands of music, banners" and
trade emblem., the lies reaching to nearly two miles, pro-
ceeded through triumphal arch and amidst the firing of
cannon, bell-ringing, and the •arnefions of thousands of
spectators, to the deck, which was then in the accustomed
manner declared open for traffic. An address was presented
to the dock directors. In the evening several public dinners
and balls took place, the town wee brilliantly illuminated,
and there was a gorgeous display of fireworks. At the I rin-
cipal dinner the mayor presided. Among the guests invited
were the lord-lieutenant, high sheriff, county and borough
members of puilemest, the dock directors, tha chairmen of
the Grist Western, Booth Wales, and other railway com-
panies, the chairmen of the Royal Mail Slam Packet Com-
pany, several mayors, and many inflasalial zaidestii aid
roprowatatiros d =imam

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MUBICIANB.—The 120th
enniventry of this society will be celebrated by a festival in
the Preemasowe-hell, on Thursday next, when Lord Vlr
eount Ranelagh will preside. Many of our principal voca-
lists have promised their assistance, aided by a select band of
instrumentalists, and there is little doubt the funds of this
excellent charity will be materially benedtted by the per-
formance.
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.—At
the general monthly meeting, on Monday last, William Pole,
Esq , M.A., F.R.S., treasurer and vice-president, in the
chair, Edward Levi Ames, M.A., Herbert Barnard, Esq.,
George Bishop, jun., Esq., John Ashton Rostock, Esq., S.
Boulderson, Esq., Edward Hay Currie, Esq., Willis=
Day, Eaq., Alfred Hamilton En., Joseph Haynes, Req.,
Stanley Hams, En., Alfred Outten' Henriques, Esq.,
Thomas Hyde Hills, Esq., William Longman, Esq., Mrs.
Lyon Playfair, Sir Jsmes P. Kay Sbuttleworth, Bart,
William Southey, lan.. Rat, W7Base T. H. Strange, Be,-,
Robert Tait, &q , and Matthew Udall, Esq., were ditty
elected members of the Royal leatitation. W. A. Hillman,
Esq., and John Leighton, Baru, were admitted members of
the Royal Institution. The were voted to Dr. B.
Ltuskester, Profosor Faraday, E. Beckett Dm
and Professor Baden Powell for their diaoottreseoulLa t'
12th, 19th, and 28th. The prostate received sines the heat
meeting were laid on the table, and the thanks of the MINI.
ben returned for the saute.
WEEKLY RETURN OF BIRTHS AND DRAYER IN
LONDOX.—In the week that ended as Saturday
i,lrovedtery the 27th) 1,3.8 deaths were registered in
a number which exhibits a alight imam es that of
the preiions week. In the ten years 1848-57 the avenge
number of deaths in the weeka correeponding with last week
was 1,200; but as the deaths returned 6'r lest wait occurred
in an Warmed population, they should be compared with
the average when the latter has been raised in pro_portion to
the increase, • cirrection which will give 1,330. The result
of the figures as stated is that the deaths in last weak were
less by only 42 than three which would have taken place by
the estimated mortality. The mean temperature of the air
last week was 33.1 d.g. which is 6 deg. below the average.
In the same week of February, 1856, the cold was consider-
ably mon seven; the mean temperature fell to 26.7 deg.,
and the deaths In Loudon rose to 1,804. Last week the
births of 942 boys and 868 girls, in ell 1,810 children, were
registered in Leedom. In the tan aorreepeeeeig neap of the
yeete 18415-57 the amp weber net 1.648.