The Express.
London, England, 1857-12-01 00:00:00

THE LEVIATHAN.

The public are never particularly anxione about
th• details of failures, particularly when they come in such
regular ineesiesien as has been the ammo with the attempts to
launch the Leviathan, whose huge mass still looms sulkily
over Father Thames, se nervosa about her anal plunge se
would be • schoolboy in he first swimming lesson. It will,
therefore, not ho neemeary to do more than read, in the
slightest possible manner, the cauaes which led to the intemm-
tlon of the launch on the day of the lest great attempt, and
to mention in an equally cnnory way the expedients which
have been adopted since then to prevent, it possible, the re-
currence of another "sickening" case of " hope deferred."
On the former wanton it will be remembered that much vir-
tuous indignation was exhausted on the old City mooring
chains, which chains it turns, out, however, belonged to the
royal dockyard, and It was emulates( very reprehensible
that after fifty years' hard tugging from the top, and as
much comfortable rusting at the bottom of the water, they
should at last give way under • strain of about fifteen
Una greater than any they had hitherto been exposed to
daring their long and useful, although unobtrusive career.
With the dockyard authorities the attacks which have been
made on the tenacity of their time-honoured tackling is quite
• matter of feeling; and they eloquently contend that the
Salt lay not in the weeklies of their moorings, but in the
earthmen which, without any previous investigation or
test, put them to a work which could never have been con-
templated in their original construction. And, even allow-
ing them to be defective, it is further urged that these defects
were not the main cause of the last (but one) failure. It wss
the giving way of the earth behind the hydraulic messes, ss
much as that of the chains before, that brought matters to a
dead lock on the mullion alluded to ; and it has been in
attempt. to import something like solidity to the semi-fluid
terrain of Mill wall that the interval that has seised since
has been exhausted. Here, It must be observed, ill-natured
critics step in and complain of a great oversight. It la
urged, and with some appearance of fusibility, that in
setting up hydraulic presses to move each a mass as the
Leviathan, the careful engineer would have considered the
minute previous examination of his ground an in-
dispensable preliminary, and would not have waited
to be taught by the giving way of his gear that a
few mole piles judiciously placed might have given him a
suer fulcrum for his mighty leverage. The defect all along
—and Nome defect must be admitted, elm why so many
failutee—menis to have been a pa,imony in the proviaion of
mechanical or motive power. From the commencement of
the experiments traction and propulsion seem to have been
too sparingly applied, se if the object were to ascertain the
minimum force that would do, rather than the abundant
maximum which would have secured success beyond say
chance of Interruption. Scientific men tell us that ell than
points are mere matters of calculation, and that the force ne-
cessary to bear any given weight, or to move any given mass,
can be accurately met down on paper In the office of the en-
gineer, and that all that is necessary after is that the me-
chanic should faithfully execute the work according to
pattern. We have a dim recollection that such was the cam
with the Metal Bridge under the superintendence of Robert
Stephenson, and that the allowances for deflection—la that
cue the main point of interest—were in every case found to
be ample, indeed generally to be in excess of the rmults of
actual experiment. The obvious course in such an excep-
tional experiment ea the launch of the Leviathan would ap-
pear to be to provide • superabundance of the force supposed
to be required, and so to prepare for contingencies which
could not possibly have been foreseen in any previous calm-
tallow. liconomy be no doubt, an excellent element in
every enterprise, but the true economy after all is to provide
for its being carried out efficiently end at once, se the repair
of every failure, like the cure of a relapse in human ailment,
generally Imes more In anxiety and expense than would have
ensured • oertaintyof mews in the first instance. In com-
mon, we believe, with the whale British nation, we feel a
warm interest in the rumen of the Leviathan. We believe
the principle upon which she is built to be eound, and the
melts abc is likely to produce in interoceanie commerce and
transit far beyond calculatiott. Wo bare made every &Bow-
lines for the difficulties attending her launch, and have wil-
lingly submitted our judgment to that of the greet engineer
upon whom rests the responsibility of placing her eddy upon
the element of which she is destined to be the
future wonder. In a former article we counselled patience
to • most impatient public, and gave the most en-
couraging aspect possible to the efforts which were being
made for getting this great ship into the water. But we
cannot shut our eyes to the tact that while the principle
upon which she was to be launched has been justified by her
partial movement la the first and successive attempts, the
soundness of that principle has been of no avail in the face
of imperfections in the details occurring surceeeively in army
attempt at launching. First, we have the cranks giving
way, then the chain. breaking at the bargee, then the
mooring-chains being dragged out of their holding-peas,
then the earth yielding behind the hydraulic rams, and, '
lately, as was the care in yesterday's experiment, the
ejlinder itself bursting in twain under the enormous pros-
sure of the pump. To summarise oureirepreesion of the
whole series of experiments, it appears to na that the thane, I
of the launch, including the vexed question of iron against I
iron, which the euccemive moves of the vessel have ester- I
blished triumphantly in favour of the engineer, were se per-
feet es science could make it ; but that, in the carrying of It
out, there has not been that amount of previous teat and pre-
satiation in the wartime moving machinery which in the
hands of more practical artiacers would have been the things I
most carefully attended to.
She appeared to be immoveable, notwithstanding that
the rams were strained to their highest point of pres-
sure, and so three unavailing efforts continued until three
o'clock, when a report as loud as that of • cannon announced
that another item was about to be added to the long catalogue
of accidents and mishapi. On examination it turned out that
in this instance the cylinder of the Dump itself had burst,
the preset:re of the water having split iron seven inches thick,
as if it bad been • crystal goblet. This ended the day's work.
At the conclusion of yesterday's experiment, Mc. Brunel
stated that now all anxiety woe removed from his mind,
and that the question of the launch with perfect safety was
only a question of • very short time indeed. The total pro-
gress down the ways made since Saturday morning and up to
last evening was 36 feet aft and 34 feet 10 inches forward.

LAM INTELLIGENCE.
THIS DAY.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.
(Nisi Prim sittings after term, at Weetminster.—Before the
Load Chief Baron and a Common Jury.)
HALL V. PLAIIIitsIONE.—A PERTINACIOUS JUDOZ AND A
r remeveateo QUEEN'S Cl/UNISEL.—A SCENE Ist COVET.
Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., and Mr. Hawkins, were emend
for the plaintiff; end Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., and Mr.
retersdorf, appeared for the defendant.
The action was brought on • bill of exchange for 65/.,
drawn by the defendant, accepted by one Hichardeon, and
endorsed to the plaintiff. The defendant pleaded that the
bill was fradulently übtainod from him without mod-
' dweller'.
Mr. Featherstone is the landlord of a 1,1611 c-home in
Had Lion-street, Holborn, and from his evidence it appeared
that the bill in question, which was dated Dec. 22, 18.56, and
drawn at two menthe, was obtained from him by one Wend
to get discounted, and that Walla bad rumor given him any
of the proceeds of it.
Mr. M. Chambers relied on this as sufficient indication of
fraud to put the plaintiff on proof of consideration.
Mr. James submitted that there was no magnet:l the part
of the defendant calling on the plaintiff for en alMve.r.:
The Chief Baron thought that if the plaintiff could carry
it a step further, it might ems the trouble of his coming
there again.
Mr. James requested to hare his objection noted.
The Chief Baton minuted.
The following witnee-ce were called for the plaintiff in ex-
amination of the transaction.
Mr. Appa, plaintiff a attorney, said Mr. Willie called upon
him on the 22nd of December, 1856, and produced the bill of •
exchange for 651. Willie stated that he bad asked Mr.
Featherstone to lend him twee money. Mr. Feather tone
said he could not do that, but that if a bill was of my nee to
him there was • awn of 1,51. due by Itichardeon, and he would
draw on liicluirdson for the amount, and let him (Wallis)
have the bill. Witness told Willis he would arc Mr. Day, a
military equipage maker in the Strand, and try to get the
hill discounted. Willie said he was getting up a company
and was very much pressed for money, and asked for the
loan of 251. At that unto Wallis owed witness 51., which
bad been advanced by cheque on 20th December, and witness
then gave Wallis a cheque for 241. les., end 21. 6d. in
silver, retaining 7e. 6d. as a week's interest on the bill. A
memorandum to the effect that Wallis had deposited de-
fendant'. Lill, and received 30/. on account of it, that it was
to be chargeable with 7r. 6d. a week interest until redeemed,
and that if not redeemed within • week, it might be nego-
tiated, was signed by Willie, and now produced. Witness
met round to Feathereteee's the MEN evening, bat he we
out, and he did not see bim. Ile mew Mr. Day, and Mr. Day
consented to discount the bill. Willis called again on the
24th December. Ile then owed 201. 7s. 6d. to witness, and
witness gave a cheque for 261.2 a. 6d. as the balance of the
bill, less W. 10e. discount.
The Chief Baron—That we exactly a shilling per pound
per month.
Witness wetted. Mr. Day's father was living when the
bill became due, and he had an objection to all bills of
exchange, whether commercial or otherwise. Mr. Day, jun.,
had Eat the same objection ; but, not wishing his father to
know that he had any money invested upon bills, he obtained
Hall's leave to use his name in the action. Hall wee wit-
neaa's brother-in-law, and clerk to draughtsmen of railway
plans in Great George-street. Witness had made great
efforts to obtain the pretence of Wallis.
Crow-examined by Mr. Chambers—Hall never gave any
consideration for the bill. His name was merely • substitute
for Day's. Witness got 291. ss. on the 24th December from
Day, 101. on the 9th January, end 10/. he owed Day. On
the 14th January Day gave him a cheque for 91. Se., which
made up the balance of 681. Ilk., the consideration for the
bill.
Mr. Nye:embedded Mr. Apps' evidence an far se he was
cemoarned, and gave the same reason for the 960 of Hall's

stet's-examination. he said he had discounted a few bills
through App.. He had not brought any action on them.
He believed he had never been good enough to bring
actions against. (A laugh.) All speculators were not for-
tunate, and he had lost about 2001. by bills. He preferred
losing his money to bringing 11111 aotktn and havng hie name
made public.
Mr. Jame@ observed that he might do a large discount ha-
einem on those terms. (Laughter.)
Mr. 11611 stated that ?Ir. Apps applied to him to allow his
name to be need, and MI ho bud known Mr. Day for many
years, he alk, it.
banker's clerk 'grovel the malting App.' cheques to
Wallin.
Mr. James was summing up the case for the plaintiff,
when
The Chief Baron intimated that the defendant had no came.
Mr. M. Chambers—l should like to address the jury,
my lord.
The Chief Baron—There is really nothing to go to the
I thought It better to inquire further into the plath-
ars ease, rather than fur Lim to have to name down ague.
Mr. M. Cheatham—That ie the reason my lord, I with to
address the jury, to prevent the necemily of the plaintiff
comiain.
Thnge Chid Batas—ln point of law the plaintiff was not
bound to give any answer to the defendant's case.
Mr. M. Chambers—Does your lordship rule that I have no
tight to address the jury ?
The Chief Baron-1 rule that the defendants case does not
all for any answer.
Mr. M. Chambers—With the greatest desire to submit
to vour lordship, permit me to suggest that I have a right to
address the jury, 6ETP111:: if I am nut allowed, I may go to the
whole court on the ground that your lordship Me taken for
the defendant's counsel the privilege of stating the case to

Mr. James—You did Mate your cue.
Mr. M. Chambers—Mr. Joints has called %Onuses, and
what I propose to do is to show from those wildest*s in
addition to my our, what!. the eau for the den Aunt.
The Chief Berm—At the time when Mr. James Inter-
posed, I thought there was no evidence to go to the jury.
My opinion is the wino now as it was then, that you have
made no cue, and then. fore I shall direct a verdict for the
plaintif.
Mr. M. Chambers—l submit that the plaintiff's witnesses
have made hie case eond than it wu before.
The Chief Baron—So you may, and I darn say you

think so.
Mr. M. Chambers—Your lordship is not trying the facts.
I may that as the plaintiff's witittosoe have been heard, the
defendant has a right to have their testimony submitted to
the jury.
ne Chief Baron—l boar what you say. I have expressed
my opinion already, and I rule again that you have given no
evidence calling for an rower; and that being so, the plain-
tiff is entitled to a verdict.
Mr. M. Chambers—May I ash, my lord, if all the evi-
dence given on the part of the plaintiff is to be struck out
The Chief Baron—ies it may be wrack out.
Mr. M. Chambers—l do not consent to have it struck out.
I claim the right to addrew the jury upon it.
The Chief Baron—And I do nut admit your tight.
Mr. M. Chambers--Will your lordship allow me to refer
you to the last statute, which declares the right of coucskl
who appears for denudate or plaintiff, to address the jury
after Dm antagonist's witneemos have been heard
The Chief Barou—You seem resolved, Mr. Clambers, that
we shall save no time.
Mr. M. Chambers—No time, my lord, is too long to do
justice to the parties.
The Chief Baron-1 believe lam doing justice. (To the
jury)—l do not think the defendant has proved sufficient to
call for any answer, and your verdict must be for the
plaintiff.
Verdict for the plaintiff for 671.
Mr. M. Chambers—Von: lortiehip will reserve leave and
stay execution Y The money Isla court.
The Chief Baron—Oh, certainly.
Mr. James—You can stove on the statute.
Mr. M. Chambers—Yes, Mr. lunar, I !hill MOT' oaths
statute.
The next case was then called.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Comthimioner Goulbuni.)
TN NN !MYRA, WALKER, AND STERR.
This was the adjourned hearing of the bankrupts' apPkee•
Bon for their certificate. the facto of the caw wee
very fully disclneed and repotted et the last sitting.
Two of the bankrupts, D. B. Byers. and JAS. Walkart
were examined, as to sone Ituerna broken, who deposed
to the great depreciation (from 60 to SO per cent) which had
taken ple,e in linseed and other orticlea in which the bank.
rusts dealt.
Mr. I.nwrance adJrresed the court In opposition, and /IL
Roxburgh and Mr. Begley for the bankrupts.
Jdis llonour deferred his judgment.