The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 8, 1864.

turn his left columns. There is no official informa-
tion to show that oar troops have entered Atlanta."
Despatches to the New York papers of the 27th
state that the force which made the late raid in
Maryland had turned upon its pursuers. The fol-
lowing appears in the Baltimore American of the
26th :
" The city last night was full of rumours of rebel
movements in the Shenandoah valley, together with
vague accounts of disaster to the force under Gen.
Averill which last week attacked and defeated a
portion of Gen. Early's raiders near Winchester.
Among the rumours prevalent were the deaths of
Generals Kelly and Averill, as well as of Col. Mal.
ligan. The facts, as far as we have been able to
ascertain them, are that General Averill, after his
successful encounter with General Early's forces,
pursued them to the mountains beyond Winchester,
where Early made a stand, and, after heavy fight-
ing on Saturday and Sunday, the rebels having in
the meantime been reinforced, Gen. Averill was
compelled to fall back to Harper's Ferry, bringing
with him the forces at Bunker Hill, and causing
also the evacuation of Martinsburg. The rebels
appear to have pursued him in his retreat, and yes-
terday afternoon again occupied Martinsburg, where
they cut the telegraph wires and commenced again
the destruction of the track of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad. Oar forces, according to the best
advices we could obtain, are now concentrated at
Harper's Ferry, under command of Gen. Hunter.
The rebels hold Martinsburg, and rumour states
them to be in large force, but this can hardly be
possible beyond the strength of the forces under
Generals Early and Breckinridge. The object of
the rebels in returning is doubtless to give time for
the safety of their trains of plunder, and to secure
the collection of a portion of the crop in the She-
nandoah valley. That they may again come into
Maryland for more plunder is highly probable,
especially if they find the way open to them, as is
generally the case in the military management of
affairs along the border. As to the extent of the
disaster to our forces in the fight beyond Winches-
ter we have no authentic information, nor have we
any nnnfirmatinn venerate Averill
and Kelly and Colonel Mulligan. It is not likely,
however, that alt three of these officers have fallen ;
we are inclined to doubt the story of their death. We
learn that orders were sent to remove the army and
medical stores from Frederick last night, as a
matter of precaution, and to prepare to evacuate
the city in case of the advance of the rebels un-
checked in that direction. That the official intel-
ligence from the valley last evening was not as
favourable as could be desired may be inferred from
the fact that General Wallace convened the Loyal
Leaguers last night, to advise with them as to hold-
ing themselves in readiness in case their services
should be required for the defence of the city.
These precautions are of course advisable, and our
citizens should be in readiness at all times to meet
the invaders and to prevent their repeating the
outrages recently perpetrated in the neighbourhood
of this city. Tae despatches received here last
night merely announced that General Averill had
been compelled to retire before a superior force to
Harper's Ferry, but mentioned no serious disasters
as having occurred."
A Washington despatch of the 26th of July
states :
"General Crook met the enemy on Sunday at
Winchester, and was repulsed and driven back to
Williamsport by way of Martinsburg, General
Crook had not his old command with him, General
Hunter for some cause having given him command
of the militia."
The Baltimore American adds to this :--
"The train which left here yesterday morning
for the west and proceeded as far as Sandy Hook
returned about half-past 7 o'clock last evening. All
of the cars were crowded with Union officers, who
reported that a heavy fight had taken place between
Harper's Ferry and Winchester, and that General
Hunter had been repulsed ; also that several pieces
of artillery and a large number of men of two bri-
gades had been captured by the rebels, It is im-
possible to ascertain the true state of affairs in that
region, but there is no doul)t that a serious disaster
has occurred to the forces of General Hunter.'
The New York Tribune has the following in re-
ference to this new raid :
" Yesterday afternoon brought intelligence of a
sudden disaster in the Shenandoah ValipF F,Torca
at first to consist ,-
in nothing less than the tota

defeat of General Hunter's advance under Averill
and Crook, with loss of guns, and men, and stores.
It was subsequently modified into a prudent re-
tirement of General Crook from the vicinity of
Winchester and from Martinsburg, with slight
losses in men and none in material. And the latest
reports seem to justify the opinion that there has
been no very serious battle in the valley, but that
our forces withdrew in the face of an enemy deemed
to be superior in strength. The reported deaths of
Averill, Kelly, and Mulligan receive no confirma-

tion whatever. Of the precise location and purpose
of such forces as were operating on our side we
have had no information that could be trusted for
some days. The pursuit, so called, of the rebal
force retiring from Maryland had never reached the
dignity of an offensive movement. Crook and
Averill seemed to be hanging on the rear of the
rebel rear guard, picking up a waggon or two now
and then, but inflicting no serious loss upon the
enemy. But it becomes pretty clear that the rebels
grew tired of the annoyance to whicu they were
subjected, and rather suddenly sent Crook and
Averill to the right about. Hence the reports of a
return of the rebel forces, and a new invasion of
the North. We may remark, however, that there
is no reason why the rebels should not return.
They have laughed at a pursuit which they knew
was not undertaken in earnest. They gained rest
and strength as they slowly retreated with abun-

_ -
dant supplies. They knew that the 19th Corps— had
been sent to the James. They inferred from the
weakness of the effort directed against the retiring
columns that no formidable force was left in Mary.
land. Why should they not return with the small

yet insolent band which was flushed with great
success, gorged with plunder, stimulated by the eclat
by an attack on the capital, and instructed by new
orders from Lee to try another diversion in his behalf ?
The previous raid was a grand reconnaissance; this
may reap the fruit which the other from over haste
. .

left behind. We are far from suggesting that any
serious effect is to be apprehended from these reports
and inferences. But we do mean to say that it is
not a creditable administration of military affairs
which leaves even the apprehension of such a return
to be felt by the North. Long since the valley ought
to have been closed absolutely against such demon-
strations. The force under Gen. Halleck is and has
been ample for the purpose. The forces under Gen.
Hunter and Gen. Wright were alone sufficient, if
used with ability, to have prevented the possibility
of a renewed invasion or raid, for we know not which
is the least respectable term since the last rebel
attempt fluctuates between both."
Fears are entertained that an invasion of Penn-
sylvania is contemplated. Reports are afloat in
military circles that Hill's corps has reinforced
Early, but they are deemed improbable by some.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE OF FARMING STOCK.—A most
disastrous fire broke out on the premises of Mr.
Pitcher, the Nunnery Farm, about two miles from 'Worcester,
on Saturday afternoon. • At 5 o'clock everything was safe,
and some men wcro engaged in making a rick of barley, when
they observed smoke issue from a barn at the end of the rick-
yard. Before they could reach the barn the flames burst out,
and, spreading with great rapidity, extended to the rickyard,
setting fire to the half made barley rick and all the other
ricks in the yard. By half-past 5 the whole pinco was
in a blaze, tho flames reaching to a great height, and,
although the sun was shining brightly, being visible at a
considerable distance. Three fire-engines were,quickly on
the spot ; but, as it was evident no effort could extinguish
the fire in the ricks and barn, their energies were confined
to the saving of the house, The garden hedge was already
on fire, and the fruit on the trees against the house shrivelled
up with the heat, when providentially the wind changed
and blew the flames in another direction, or the house must
have fallen a prey to them, As it was, the fire was confined
to the barn and rickyard. The former contained about 30
bags of beans, a great number of agricultural implements,
three waggons, and a cart, all of which were destroyed.
The barley rick and several ricks of straw were burnt, but
some hay ricks in an adjoining yard were saved. The fire
is conjectured to have arisen from some men employed at
work smoking on the premises, but nothing certain is
known. Mr Pitcher is fully insured. Only two nights
previously there was another fire at an adjoining, farm not
half a mile off, when a large rick of hay worth over £2OO
was destroyed.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

LEWES RACES-SATURDAY.

The Town Plate (Handicap) of 50 sovs, for all ages. Hal

a mile.

Mr Temple's The Doe, 3 yrs, Gst 101 b (Loates) 1
Lord Bateman's Gipsy Girl, 4 yrs, Bst 21b (J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr Wales's Lady Warwick, 3 yrs, 7st (J. Smith) 3
The following also ran :—Confusion, Ace of Hearts,
Practitioner, Dont't Come Late, Lampoon, Little Star,
Sister to Lavender. and Lady Wilson filly.
Betting-2 to 1 agst The Doe, 4to 1 agst Gipsy Girl, 5
to 1 agst Don't Come Late, 49 to 1 agst Confusion and the
Lady Wilson filly coupled, 100 to 1 each agst Lady Warwick
and Practitioner, 20 to 1 agst Lampoon, 50 to 1 agst Ace
of Hearts.
After several failures Don't Come Late made play to the
distance, where Gipsy Girl, The Doe, and Lady Warwick
went to the front, The Doe almost immediately after pass-
ing the distance post going in advance, and winning easily
by a length; Lady Warwick was only beaten a neck from
Gipsy Girl ; Don't Come Late was fourth, and Lampoon
fifth, Little Star sixth, Practitioner seventh, and Confu-
sion last.
The Lewes Grand Handicap of 15 soya each, 10ft, with 200
added ; winners extra, Two miles. 98 subs, of whom
78 paid 3 sous ft.
Mr Fleming's Magnum Bonnm, 5 yrs, Bst 41b (Norman) 1
Mr W. Bevill's Suspicion, 3 yrs, 7st (J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr R. Ten Broeck's Canz9nette, 4 yrs, 7st 101 h (carried
7st 111 b)
Marquis of Hastings's Redcap, 3 yrs, 6st Illb (inc. 71b
extra)/ (Deacon) 4
Mr W. Ashworth's Doctor Syntax, 4 yrs, 7st Slb
(T. French) 5
Mr G. Angell's Orphene, 3 yrs, Est llb .... (G. Sayers) 6
Sheridan was scratched at one o'clock on the day of the
race.

Betting-9 to 4 agst Canzonette, 4to 1 each agst Suspi-
cion and Doctor Syntax, 5 to 1 each agst Magnum Bonum
and Redcap.
Orphene jumped away in front, but was quickly pulled
into the rear, the running being taken up by Redcap, who
had Magnum Bonum and Canzonette in waiting, these
three proceeding a few lengths in advance of the other trio,
who went on side by side for a mile, when Orphene fell
back. At the toot of the hill Suspicion drew to the front,
and Redcap being beaten at the distance, Magnum Bonum
carried on the running. Opposite the stand Suspicion
made an effort to reach Magnum Bonum, but failing to get
up, was beaten by a length. Canzonette, several lengths
in front of Redcap, was a bad third—and Doctor Syntax
and Orphene trotted is,.
cf.q, us uo ouss (in spu,r...), aaaed to a Sweep-
stakes of 5 sovs, for all ages ; penalties and allowances.
T.Y,C., three quarters of a mile. 13 subs.
Lord St. Vincent's Microscope, 4 yrs, Bst lib

(J, Grimshaw) 1
Mr Redcliff's Cranbury, 3 yrs, 9st (Pearson) 2
Prince D. Soltykoff's Nebuchadnezzar, 4 yre,„Bst 41b _

- (Hibbard) 3
Lord Westmoreland's Auditor, 2 yrs, ist slb • . (Morris) 4
Betting-2 to 1 agst Microscope, 9to 4 agst Cranbury,
3 to 1 agst Nebuchadnezzar, 5 to 1 agst Auditor.
Microscope made all the running, and won cleverly by
half a length—a bad third.

A £5O Plato for all ages : certain penalties and allowance

One mile and a half. 6 subs.

Lord Westmoreland's Summerside, 4 yrs, (£500), 9st slb

(J. Goatn)
Lord St, Vincent's The Stranger, 3 yrs (£5O), 6st 131 b

- (J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr T. Read's Secrecy, 3 yrs (Z5O), Gst 131 b ..(Hibberd) 3
Mr R. Smith's Waveney, 3 yrs (£5O), Gst 131 b (Carroll) 4
Mr R. Drewiti's Colleen, 3 yrs (t 100), 7st 4lb (Mordan) 5
Mr ElphiA's Flying Spur, 4 yrs, Bst 91b.... (C. Martin) 6
Betting-6 to 4on the Stranger, 100 to 30 agst Summer-
side.

The Stranger made play until opposite the stand, where
Summerside challenged and won a splendid finish by a neck,
Secrecy a bad third, and the others beaten off.

There was no bid for the winner, but The Stranger was
claimed by Elphick the trainer.

The Railway Nursery Handicap of 10 soya each, 5 ft, with
50 added, for 2-yr-olds ; winners extra. T.Y,C., three-

quarters of a mile. 38 subs.
Captain Machell's Hope, 7st 61b
Mr James Smith's Sympathy, 7st 101 b (C. Gray) 2
Mr Fleming's Scylla, 7st 31b (Loates)
Mr Egerton's Corporal Trim, 7st Slb
The following also ran :—St. Vincent, Vigilant, Sisy-
phus, Tilt, and Volatile.

Betting-5 to 2 agst Sympathy, 3to 1 agst Tilt, sto 1
agst Scylla, 6 to 1 agst Volatile, 10 to 1 agst Hope, 100 to 8
agst Vigilant•

The three placed lay in front throughout, and Hope com-
ing away with a clear lead at the distance, won easily by a
length; three lengths separated the second and third, and
Corporal Trim was only beaten a head from 6cylla ; Vola-
tile was fifth, and St. Vincent last.

The Castle Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 30 added, for all
ages; certain allowances. T.V.C., three-quarters of a
mile. 6 subs.
Lent St. Vincent's Olive, 2 yrs (£3O), Gst 4lb _

(J. Grimshaw) 1
Mr G. Angell's Orphene, 3 yrs (£3O), 7st 131 b .. (Perry) 2
11. Grimshaw weighed for Tomfoolery, whose number
was hoisted, and considerable betting took place at 5 to 4on
Olive, but when Mr Payne's mare could not be found, odds
of 3 and 4 to 1 were laid on Olive, who made all the run-
ning and won easily by two lengths. Tomfoolery, who had
by mistake been sent into the town, was fetched back, but
did not arrive ,inta the) 'tag tell.

the winner was bought by Mr Weatherby for 210
guineas, and Orphene c!airned by Lord St. Vincent.

A Scurry Handicap of 10 soya each, 5 ft; gentlemen
riders; professionals 71b extra, T,Y.C., three-quarters
of a mile. 5 subs.
Lord Westmoreland's Deception, 4 yrs,__llst _

_
(Mr Edwards) 1
Lord Bateman's Gipsy Girl, 4 yrs, list 21b (Mr W.Bevill) 2
Mr Cherry's Disappointment, 5 yrs, list (Owner) 3
Betting-6 to 5 agst Gipsy Girl, 6to 4 agst Deception,
5 to 1 agst Disappointment.

Deception made all the running, and won easily by two
lengths. Three lengths between the second and third.
_ _ _

The Juvenile Stakes of 5 sous each, with 50 added, for
two-yr-olds, did not fill.

An offer has been made to purchase Anti-Macassar for
1,030 guineas.

AQUATICS.

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON REGATTA.

The Royal Yacht Squadron brought their Regatta for
18(31 to a close on Saturday with a match for a prize of 100
soya, to be given for all yachts under 200 tons, belonging to
any Royal Yacht Club. Thames measurement. Acker's
Scale. The yachts to start from their stations off the
Royal Yacht Squadron's Castle, rouud the Nab, back to
the southward of the Brambles, round a mark vessel off
Newtown, and outside all the buoys and marks on the
shoals, Peel ineludad, except the Middle and Sturbridge.
Th 6 Nab light vessel and Newtown Mark Vessel to bo left
on the starboard hand.

The following vessels entered and contested the prize :
The Vesta schooner (Sir Bruce Chichester), 74 tons; the
Alerte cutter (Lieut. J. Sladen, R.N.), 56 tons; the Vo-
lante cutter (Mr. IL C. Maudslay), 59 tons; .the Mosquito
cutter (Mr T. lloldsworth), 59 tons; the Vindex cutter
(Mr. A. Duncan), 45 tons ; the Albertine schooner (Lord
Londesborough), 153 tons; the Viking, schooner (Mr.
Inglis Jones), 131 tons; the Flying Fish schooner (Mr. G.
Jessop), 40 tons; the Water Lily yawl (Lord Alfred Paget),
10.5 tons; the Amulet cutter (Mr. T. Vernon Tippinge),
48 tons.

At 10 30 a.m. the start was effected in nearly a dead calm,
with occasional light puffs of wind from off shore. Volante,
Mosquito, Vindex, Alerte, and Vestal were the first to
get their sails up and slew their heads round to the eastward
with the aid of the east going tide. Vestal and Flying
Fish next followed, with Albertine next, and in company
with Viking, the Amulet bringing up the rear. The race
was a mere drifting match for some time, as at 11 30 all the
yachts, remained in sight from Cowes, the Alerte, Volante,
Mosquito, and Vindex leading nearly in line with each
other off Osborne, making their way slowly with the tide,
and a few catspaws from W.N.W. playing over the surface
of the Solent, the precursor of a smartish breeze that could
be seen coming np astern in the west channel. The breeze
soon overtook the yachts, moderate from W.N.W., and
Ryde-pier head was passed in the following order :

H. H. S. H. 11f. S.
Alerte
Al bertino
Volante .. 12 3 25

Vestal, Vindex, Amulet, andiViking followed immediately
upon the Flying Fish, and all in close company. In run-
ning for the sandhead buoy the Votante shot passed the
Albertine, by the help of a few friendly puffs from the
northward. and very soon afterwards took the lead from the
Alerts, the Flying Y.sh following in Yolante's wake. The
schooners were running down for the Nab Light "goose-
wing," the Albertine setting a square sail, and showing
more canvass than the others. Before the Noman was
reached, the light breeze had veered round to N. W,, some-
times a fresh puff, and then nearly a calm. The Noman
was passed thus

H. 3r. S. R. 3i. S.
Volanto
Alerte
Mosquito
Albertine ..... 12 35 5 1 Vestal
Down to the Warner nothing particular occurred worthy
of note, for it was chiefly a drifting rather than sail•
leg, until the Warner had been passed and the Nab
rounded, which the Albertine accomplished at lh. 50m.,
followed by the others in a cluster, as they shared the light
light puffs of wind that came off from the land. A nice
breeze at length came in from the S.W., which the Alber-
tine was the first to feel at 2 5 p.m., and at once commenced
in earnest her work of beating back westward, standing in
for the island shore between the Noraan and Warner, and
weathering the Tolaute, which was standing on her reach
to the westward, Off Southsea pier the Volante tacked and
stood in for the island, and cleverly weathered the Albertino.
The Amulet, Alcrte, and Vindex went about nearly together
between the Nornan and Sandhr)ad, and as they reached
along the Ryde sands the weatherly positions of the v essels
were as follows, the Volante, having
a lead of nearly
a mile of the secono vessel, the Albertine :—Volante, Alber-
tine, Vindex, Amulet, Alerte, M 4 )squito, Flyieg Fish, Vik-
ing, and Vestal. It was 3 30 p.r.,. before any of the return-
ing craft Were visible from the Gil tb-house of the squadron

at Cowes, when the Volanto hove in sight, well to windward
under old Castle point, with the Albertine closely following.
The wind was now just of sufficient strength to make the
vessel heel well over under their largo suits of sails from
W.N. W. to W.S.W. At 3 35 the Mosquito and Amulet
opened to view close together, with the Mosquito slightly
ou the weather of het companion, Alerte following astern
and to leeward. Volanto soon made a tack to the south-
ward, and shifted her topsail. The Albertine tacked also
in tho same direction at 3 45, followed immediately by
Vindex, who was now sticking fast to Lord Londes-
borough's schooner. In the next board towards Lepo the
Vindex weathered fast on the schooner. Alerto fol-
lowed about 500 yards astern, with Amulet following
her at about the same distance. When the Volatile was off
Egypt paint the Mosquito was reaching to the southward
in among the yachts in Cowes roads, and shifted her top-
sail, which latter feat was only effected after a very consi-
derable delay and loss of time. The Mosquito was not,
in fact, doing so well as she had been expected to do in any
way. There was a want of liveliness, both in the boat's be-
haviour and her management, that was not compatible
ith the high reputation which the famous iron clipper has
now enjoyed for some years. The wind was now a smart
breeze from WSW., and remained so to the end of the race;
The beat down to the mark boat off Newton was quickly
done under the influences of the fresh breeze and weather
tide, the leading vessels passing round as follows :

11. H. S. I H. H. S.
Volante.. ..... 458 0 1 Alerte
Albertine
Vindex 4 43 40 Mosquito
With flowing sheets the beautiful craft bowled along be-
fore the breeze for the goal in Cowes roads, running up close
along shore to shun the tide as much as possible, and the
race was finished as follows :

H. M. S. H. It. s.
Volanto
Albertino
Vindex .. ..... 5 19 54 Vestal
Alerte 5 22 10 Flying Fish.... 6 0 0
Amulet

The Volante was declared the winner of the prize by 2
minutes 40 seconds.

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club Regatta commences off
Itydo to-morrow (Tuesday).

THE MURDER OF MR BRIGGS.

The following additional facts have been ascertained by
the police regarding the murder of Mr. L'riggs :—On the
day of the murder Franz Muller worked at his employment
eats 7 o'clock In the ovenhig, utter which he went to the
house of Mr Repsch, Jewry-street, Minories. He was then
left in the company of Haffa, Mr and Mrs Repsch having
to go out. Haifa states that Muller left the house at eight
o'clock, and that he himself did not go out at all_ Nothing
further is known of Muller's movements until the next
morning,when he got up and conducted himself in his usual
cheerful manner, and after breakfast ha went out. Ho did
not return home, however, at his usual time. In fact, it is
not known when ho did return, for all the other occupants
had retired to bed. On the Monday following the murder
Muller visited Mis. Repsch, who at once saw he had got a
new hat which he said he had given 14s for. Mrs Repsch
also observed the ring he had got from Mr Death and took
it from his scarf and examined it. On the following Wed-
nesday, after some conversation, Muller and Haffa went to
the shop of Mr Annis, 121, Minories, where the former
pawned the gold chain received from Mr Death for
18s, and on coming out of the ship Haffa gave him 12s for
the ticket and advanced a further sum of £l, in order that
Muller might get his own watch and guard, pawned for
£3, out of pledge. When this was done they went to
Prince's-street, Leicester-square, where Muller pledged the
watch and guard for £4, and in consideration of a further
advance of 5s Muller gave Haffa the ticket. It has been
ascertained beyond doubt that on the morning of this day
Muller had no money, consequently when in the afternoon
at the London Docks he paid £1 of the passage money and
went on board the Victoria, which he did immediately, ho
had only 5s in his possession. From the information given
by one of the agents of the owners of the vessel who did not
leave the ship until it reached Gravesend, it appears Muller
attracted the attention of several of the passengers being
without a change of clothing or other requisites for so
loitg a journey, and it was also noticed that
the wristband of one of the sleeves of his shirt was
torn off. This drew a remark from one of the pas-
sengers that Muller had on no shirt at all, on which Muller
said that en account of the edge of the wristband being
frayed he had torn it off. On the way down the river the
passengers read the newspapers containing the account of
this murder, and commented freely upon it, but neither the
agent nor the pilot aro able to ,say whether Muller made
any remark on the subject. The police have ascertained
that the hat worn by Muller when he embarked is the same
that was worn by Mr Briggs on the night he was murdered.
Of such importance was this considered that at the request
of the Commissioners of Police, Mr Briggs, jun., accom-
panied Inspector Kerresscy by the second mail steamer, the
more effectively to complete the evidence necessary for the
extradition of Muller. The sleeve lining found in the
chimney in Muller's bedroom and the truncheon found in
the neighbourhood are now in the possession of Dr Taylor,
who has submitted them to analysis and found the sleeve
linen saturated with human blood, a portion of which he
thinks has been wiped from a boot Lho s,
un-
cheon the doctor has as yet expressed no opinion. The
father of dialler, a gunsmith, lives at Kemmitz, in Saxony,
of which village Muller is a native.
A Madman in a Railway Carriage.

In one of the third-class compartments of the express
leaving King's-cross Station at 9 15 p.m. on Thursday
night, a tall and strongly-built man, dressed as a sailor,and
having a wild and haggard look, took his seat about three
minutes before the train started. He was accompanied to
the carriage by a woman. whom he afterwards referred to
as his wife, and by a man, apparently a cabdriver, of both
of whom he took leave when the train was about to start.
It had scarcely done so when, on putting' his hand to his
pocket, he called out that he had been robbed of his purse,
containing £l7, and at once began to shout and gesticulate
in a manner which greatly alarmed his fellow-travellers,
four in number in the same compartment. Be continued to
roar and swear with increasing violence for some time,
and then made an attempt to throw himself out of the win-
dow. He threw his arms and part of his body out of the
window, and had just succeeded in placing one of his legs
out when the other occupants of the carriage, who had been
endeavouring to keep him back, succeeded in dragging him
from the window. Being foiled in this attempt, he turned
round upon those who had been instrumental in keeping
him back. After a long and severe struggle, which, not-
withstand:ng the speed the train was running at, was heard
in the adjoining compartments, the sailor was overcome by
the united exertions of the party, and was held down in a
prostrate position by two of their number. Though thus
secured, he still continued to struggle and shout vehemently,
and it was not till sometime afterwards, when they managed
to bind his hands and strap him to the seat, that the pas-
sengers in the compartment felt themselves secure. This
train, it may be explained, makes the journey from London
to Peterborough, a distance little short of 80 miles, with-
out a single stoppage; and as the scene we have been de-
scribing began immediately after the train left London the
expectation of having to pass the time usually occupied
between the two stations (one hour 50 minutes) with such a
companion must have been far from agreeable. While the
struggle was going on, and even for some time afterwards,
almost frantic attempts were made to get the train stopped.
The attention of those in the adjoining compartment was
readily gained by waving handkerchiefs out of the
window, and by and by a full explanation of the circum-
stances was communicated through the aperture in which
the lamp that lights both compartments aro placed. A
request to communicate with the guard was made
from ono carriage to another for a short distance,
but it was found impossible to continue it, and as
the occupants of the compartments beyond the one
nearest the scene of the disturbance could learn nothing as
to its nature, a vague feeling of alarm seized them, and all
the way along to Peterborough a succession of shouts of
"Stop the train,' mixed with the frantic screams of femalc
passengers, was kept up. On the arrival of the train at Peter-
borough the man was released by his captors and placed on
theplatform. No sooner was he there than he rushed
with a renewed outburst of fury on those who had
taken the chief part in restraining his violence, and as he
kept vociferating goat they had robbed him of his money, it
was some time before the railway officials could be got to
interfere—indeed, it seemed likely that for some time ho
would be allowed to go in the train. As remonstrances were
made from all quarters to the stationmaster to take the fel-
low into custody, he at length agreed, after being furnished
with the name and addresses of the other occupants of the
carriage, to hand him over to the police. The general im-
pression of those who witnessed the sailor's fury seems to be
that he was labouring under a violent attack of delirium
tremens, and he had every appearance of having been
drinking hard for some days, had there been only one or
even two occupants of the compartment besides himself,
there seems every reason to believe that a much more deadly
struggle would have ensued, as he displayed great strength.
One of the persons who was present gives the following ac-
count of what took place :—" I was a passenger with four
other gentlemen by the 9 15 train on Thursday evening
from King's-cross to Edinburgh. Just before starting the
guard pushed into our carriage a man, apparently a sailor,
who seemed to be somewhat intoxicated, and was unable to
sit steadily. We had not proceeded far on our iourney when
he became very excited, and after fumbling in his pockets
about a minute he declared we had robbed him of all his
money, and that he was ruined. Thereafter, jumping from
his seat, he began to rush about the carriage, uttering the
while the roost frightful yells and imprecations. Thinking
he was making up a story in order to obtain some money
from us, we at first took no notice of him ; but on his becom-
ing more violent we tried to pacify him in every way we
could think of, but without avail. He dashed up and down
the carriage, striking out right and left, and it became but
too evident that he was suffering from an attack of delirium
tremens. As the situation was fast becoming alarming, and
all our efforts to stop the train were unavailing, we were
obliged to resort to force. The disturber of our peace was a
strong pow dal fellow, and it required the united efforts
of four of us to secure him. It may give some idea of the
difficulty of our task to state that et one ro9nlent ho threw

himself half out of tholwindow in his endeavours to break
from us, while the next moment one of our party was ex-
posed to a similar danger by being forced against the other
window in endeavouring to hold him. At length we suc-
ceeded in tying his arms behind his back with a strap which
one of us providentially had. Even when he was bound,
his struggles were so violent that it took two of us to hold
him down on the seat, and we were subsequently compelled
to tie his legs tightly together with our handkerchiefs. As
the man continued very violent and we feared he might
break the strap, which was not very strong, we still endea-
voured to alarm the guard—but though we succeeded in
gaining the attention of the passengers in the carriage next
to ours, we were unable to make the guard hear, or attract
his attention by our signals. We imagined we succeeded
in alarming the officials at one of the stations we passed, as
the danger signals were shown along the line, which caused
the driver to slacken his speed, and we began to hope for a
speedy deliverance; but in a few seconds we passed the
lights, and the speed was increased again, without the train
being brought to a stop ; and wo were forced to go on to
Peterborough, where the train made its stoppage about 11

o'clock, having spent on hour-and• a-half in unavailing at-
tempts to alarm the guard. On arriving at the station,
neither porter, guard, nor station-master could be found for
some minutes, though by this time nearly all the passen-
gers in the train were aware of the position of affairs, and
were around our carriage. 'When at last the station-master
made hie appeatance, the man, who in the meantime had
contrived to get his hands loose, had the impudence to
turn round and accuse us of having robbed him of Xl7 ster-
ling. He was, however, at last removed from the carriage,
and we proceeded on our journey. I trust the circumstances
of the case will be sufficient excuse for troubling you at such
length, and that our dangerous journey may strengthen the
demand now being made for proper communication between
passengers and guard. One of our party expressed a wish that
we had been honoured, with the presence of a director of the
company, to whom same of our experience might have been
useful. lam inclined to think no one can fully appreciate
the danger of the present system till he make such a jour-
ney as we took last night.—Scotsman.

Horrible Deaths in a Cesspool—Three Lives

Lost.

GRAVESEND, Saturday Evening

Early this morning a most shocking occurrence took place
in a poor and low locality near West-street, in this town,
which resulted in the dreadful death of a sergeant of police
and two labourers, producing a melancholy feeling through-
out the borough. An inquest was held on the bodies of
the sufferers this afternoon at the Town-hall before Mr.
Hilder, the coroner, and from the evidence adduced we
gather the following details :
Shortly before 12 o'clock last night two nightmen named
Edmund Terry, 42, and Thomas Hinckley, 46, were en-
gaged in emptying the cesspool of a water closet, which was
used by a number of poor families who occupy a range of
miserable wooden erections in Passenger-court, running
out of West-street, near the old church. They continued
removing the soil up to half. past two in the morning, when
Hinckley went down the hole by means of a short ladder,

in order to bucket up the filth. He had not been down more
than a minute or so before he was overcome by the noxious

gases emitted from the soil as it was being disturbed from
the bottom of the cesspool, and fell off the ladder. Terry
then remarked to the son of Hinckley, a lad who was as-
sisting in the unpleasant work, that something had hap-
pened to his father. Tho lad wished to go down to the aid

of his father, but Terry, having more experience, prevented
him, and at once descended the ladder, and on getting within
a few feet of the bottom, he, like his unhappy companion,
fell off, apparently dead, frcm inhaling the poisonous air,

The lad Hinckley immediately ran to the borough police
station at the Town Hall for assistance, and Sergeant
Coomber, a very steady and careful officer, at once returned
with the youth to the spot. By the time several of the
neighbours had collected round the mouth of the hole, and
by means of lights it could be seen that the bottom of the
pit was filled with a kind of dense vapour, which threw up
a horrid stench. Sergeant Coomber immediately set to work
in the most heroic manner to rescue the two men who were
lying in the soil. Having obtained a long ladder Coomber
fixed it down the hole. A man named West first volunteered
to go down, but Coomber said he would go, and he at once
proceeded on his fatal descent. He had not gone down more
than six or seven steps, his head being level with the top of
the hole, when he also was overcome by the noxious Efflu-
via, and fell off the ladder to the bottom of the hole. As
may be imagined the greatest terror seized upon the small
throng who had collected round the cloeet, and messengers
were sent to the police-station for further aid. Strict orders
were given to prevent any more persons attempting to de-
scend the hole, and Sergeant White, the chief of the borough
police, directed that one of the third size fire annihilators
attached to the fire brigade depot of the force should be dis-
charged into the cesspool with a view of dispersing the foul
air, This was effectually accomplished by Mr W. F. White
the police clerk, and the most prompt means were taken to
get up the bodies, but some time necessarily elapsed before
they could be brought to the surface. Of Terry only his
legs could be seen, his head and body being embedded in the
soil. Dr. Sanders was soon in attendance, but his services
were of little avail—the death of the deceased men having
occurred almost instantly on the poor creatures coming in
contact with the impure air. As before stated, the water-
closet, which is situatod in the middle of the court, is com-
mon to all the poor inhabitants living in the place, and
considering the stench which arose from the foul spot, it is
somewhat surprising that the locality has been free from
s ime epidemic. The agent fur the houses stated that
the cesspool was emptied about nine months ago. Like
many other places on the banks of the river and on
the coast—some of the most favourite watering-places—

Gravesend has no system of underground drainage. It
seemed that the deceased men had lights to assist them in
clearing the hole, but what precautions were taken to
ascertain the state of the air at the bottom of the pit was not
satisfactorily ascertained.
The Coroner having summed up tho evidence,
The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death in the
three cases.

The Mayor and Mr IV. Fletcher, a magistrate, spoke of
the prompt and effectual assistance rendered by the police.
The deceased Sergeant Coomber had been some time in the
borough police force, and was much respected. He had
served in the Crimea, and wore a Crimean and Turkish
medal. Ho has left a widow and two children.