The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-08 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

The scent% thrt took place yesterday on the ice
is the different parks were such that can with difficulty be
deaeribed, more especially the proceedinp of last night
upon the serpentine River, in Hydwpma. About 8,090
persons were bold enough to venture upon the ice, but after
o'clock last night several hundred persons formed them-
selves into skating parties, and each carried a lighted torch.
The light thrown up by so many links burning at one time
had an extraordinary effect ; ooe sheet of fire seemed to
stretch from the bridge impending the Serpentine from
Kensingtowgardens to the bridge near the Albert-gate.
Every precaution had been taken by Mr. Williams, the
Superintendent of the Royal Humane Society, to prevent
accidents. Danger pules were placed in those parts of the
be not cimaidered safe, but in late of which several of the
more reckless climbed the pole. and affixed fireworks on the
tope, which acre ignited, to the danger of drawing worm
of persons Moon the nevt treacherous portions of the frozen
surface. During the torchlight and pyrotechnic display
several of what ,re termed "the express train" matches
were performed, in which several members of the Skating
Club, a grist number of ladies awl Volunteer Riflemen
leek pert. Fefortunately, whilst these amusements were
ping us, several serinusaccidents occurred. t Whist° the peat
Mr of the Foresters at the Crystal Palace last night it was
understood that the norturnal matches on this river had
bees postposed until this day (Tuesday), but if last night
can be taken as any criterion of the number that may be
especteil tonight, it is to be feared that several serious if
not fatal accidents will take plats. To :odd to the danger,
application has been made to Mr. Young, the secretary of
the Royal Dunaway Society, for the aid of the society', ice-
nien to attend this evening, as it was in contemplation to
have a grand rifle corps on the ice ; the hour when
the proceedings are to take p was not named, as three
was to be a general meeting last night. The number id
teats, burning cauldrons for roasting cliesnuts, &c., added
materially to the effect of the scene Last night. Whilst
the parties were punning their amusements one man named
William Grey. of 1, Cottagevow, Westminster, was tripped
op, fell egainet another person, and the two fell upon the
ice. Unfortimately the grey fell upon the Mating
link of the ode r, his shirt collar wee set on fire, and he was
dreadfully burnt about the neck awl thout, awl was obliged
to be removed to his residence iu a cab. Another ppeenranoonn
during the torchlight procession, named Ealwarel Woolgae,
cad Curnbarlantbstreet, Marlborough-rued, Chelsea, was
tripped up by a skater, which threw his.. rap n his head and
completely stunned lairs. He was to the Humane
Society's house, but such was the serious nature of the in.
juries lie haul received that Mr. Williams gave directions
that he should he taken on the society's stretcher to the
hospital. Eight other persons were received at the society's
house, having got their beads cut by falling upon the ice ;
they happily recovered sufficiently to be able to be removed
to their own homes.

THE RoT AI. ito*Xl3 Pntn, ICMINCTON GAIWZNII.
This wed wu patroamod by Too or MO skaters and sliders,
including several members of the Skating flub, and mili-
tary ; but DO accident of any importance took place here.
The banks were lined with members of the ariatoaacy sad
others.

THY. LoeO WATER, KENancnroN CARDENK.—This sheet
of water we. crowded by 2,000 pencils, but fortunately no
serious accident happened.
THE RRAIENT.I4 ?ARC —Ten thousand persons dizported
themselves upon the ice in this park, several persona were
severely injured by falling, and a peat number of men bad
their hauls cut open by being tripped up by the skaters.
A gentleman named Welch, of No, 2, Pallkr. e.row, Meryle-
boo', was thrown upon the lee, and broke his collar-bone.
Ha was emoved to the Royal HUMPS Society's tent. and,
after being unsoiled to by Dr. Norton, was removed in is
cab to the hospital. The les here is five inehee in thickness.
by. JAMEA'S PAM—The number of sliders and skaters
on the ornamental waters of this park was 3,000. A nun
named Henry Hook, of No. 2, Lanalowne.terrace, Caledo-
niaa.read, fell on the icia and received a severe and deep
wound over the left temple. He was attended to by Dr.
M'eann. Another nun, named Thomas Burns, of
Spring-gardens, was also severely injured. He was taken
to the society's test, and his wounds were drceeed.
Two little toys broke through the ice, and were
rescued by iceman Perry. A boy named Inman was
also seriously injured. He was attended to by Dr. M'Cann
and Mr. Superintendent Williams. They were put into
warm baths, then placed in beds, but some time elapsed
before they were able to be removed to their homes.
The thermometer at the Royal Humane Society's Receiv-
ing•house during Sunday night was 21 deg., being II deg.
below freezing point. At 9 a.m. yesterday the quicksilver
rose to Bi. At noon the glass indicated 30, two degrees
below freezing point ; but towards nightfall the mercury
began to descend, showing that the present weather was
likely to last for some time longer. The barometer yester-
day_ stood at :0.13, and the wind was west 'meth-west.
VICTORIA PARIL—ThiLrEk wall patronised, it is com-
puted, by 3,000 slakes • skaters. Arninget the number
were many members of the Tower Hamlets Volunteer Rifle
Corps. A very exciting match for 50t. a sale was gone
through between Mr. Brumfoed, hall maker, of the Queen's
Prison, and Mr. Roy, of Roupell-street, Lambeth. The
distance was :3;io yards ; and the first-named was declared
the victor. This ice is not in such perfection as that in the
Water in Keesingtou-gardens, or the Serpentine in
Hyde-park.
THE RICER TELUEZIL—Great inconvenience at present
preys& on the River Thames, the water to the leeward
of the wind being almost frozen over, and below bridge the
coal barges cannot be navigated, as they are completely
frozen in. Should the present severe weather continue the
Thames will he able in a short time to be pared over by
pedestrians, for already some of the arches of Blackfriars
and Westminster-bridges, are rendered impassable, owing to
the accumulation of ice. This has caused for the present an
entire suspension of the running of the Iron and Citizen
steamboat. above London.brid,:e.
Toe RIITAL teaser GARDII.I.—The frozen lake in these
prelims is now perfectly secure, and some hundreds of per-
sees disported themselves upon the ice throughout the day.
No accident happened beyond a few slight cuts.

TNT CONDENSED CONVICT AT CLAINIOW. —The
lad M 'noire's. who committed the diabolical murder of a
child in 1a...n0w-groat, by Ant 'tripping it of its clothes
and then drowning it in the Clyde to escape detection, bar;
been respited during bar Majesty's pleasure. The jury,
owing, we (Nora Briridt Neil) suppose, to the gross
heinouineu of the offence, recommended the savage to
mercy, on the ground of deadest understanding. The lad
has during his life, we belies% exhibited the grossest per-
versity of character. Kinder and good treatment in our re-
formatories had no effect os hint, and it would now appear
that to • certain class of philanthropists recklessness of
criminal daring and atrocity 3 a good ground for foregoing
the punishment awarded to more moderate criminality. On
whom caa the extreme penalty of the law take effect if
each criminals as M'Fadyen escape It may be • right
mid proper thing to abrogate the punishment of tbe scaffold
altogether, but we fear that is the present instance a ma-
tador has been committed is the recommendation of the
jury. Hardened raisins may think that the mere excess of
atrocity will enable them to escape the punishment which
Ihs law awards them, because softhearted and lees
resolute individuals cannot understand the motive of their

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