The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-14 00:00:00

SOUTH KENSINGTON.

Last night their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prin-
cess of Wales were entertained by the Duke of Buccleuch,
as President of the Horticultural Society, at one of those
beautiful conservatory soirees which attracted such deserved
admiration when the first was given a few weeks ego.
Great pains were taken on this occasion to make the gar-
dens look as beautiful as circumstances would allow, and it
is only fair to say.that, night favouring the delusion, they
were made to wear an aspect which was really strikingly
effective. The new orchard houses were just sufficiently
lit to show the perfection to which the fruit trees have
been brought in a short time in these most attractive
new entrances. The arcades, as ornaments to the
grounds, which they have now really become, were fully
illuminated, and though there was less of horticul-
ture in the way of little nooks of fl)wers and ferns
sr.eb as were so conspicuously beautiful on the last occasion,
still they were amply decorated with vases, and statues, and
the remains of the show of flower-holders, which enabled
some handsome ranges of ornaments to be exhibited. The
little band louses in the grounds, the promenade in front
the conservatory, and the first row of terraces were well
lighted, and, if it is fair to say so, it only required the addi-
tion of coloured lamps to bring forcibly to mind the later
of that once famous "royal property" which is now being
built upon at Vauxhall.

With the conservatory, which, as the reception room of
the evening, was made the great centre of decoration and
attraction, it was impossible for the most fastidious to find
fault. The decorations were, of course, only flowers hang-
ing in massive wreaths and tendrils covered with bloom
from baskets suspended from the middle of the light arches
of the building, and made to fill up with a continuous line
of flower and foliage the side galleries which overlooked the
central hall. It is almost needless to say that none of these
were artificial, but were simply the best specimens which
the grounds in Chiswick could afford of splendid flowers
pressed into temporary service on this occasion to aid the
effect of the fine standard plants which make this conserva
tory one of the prettiest and best kept, certainly in London,
if not in England. Every part of this conservatory was bril-
liantly lighted up, though not fully till the royal visitors
arrived, when the jets, minute in size, but in such numbers
as to shed more than the light of day, were turned on fully,
and brought out in the most glowing beauty every detail of
the variegated foliage and flowers which filled the building.
All visitors honoured with invitations were requested to
be in their places before half-past 10, the hour at which it
was stated their Royal HighnesSes would arrive. The Prince
and Vrincess, however, did not come till after 11, by which
tine every part of the conservatory was filled with one of
the most distinguished assemblages which even South
Kensington has ever drawn together.
Their Royal Highnesses were received at the entrance by
the Duke of Buceleuch, Earl Granville, Sir W. Dilke, Mr
Cole, &c. The Royal visitors proceeded at once into the
conservatory, the Duke of Buceleuch conducting the Prin-
cess, followed by the Prince with the Duchess of Buccleuch.
All the Royal party were in plain evening costume, her
Royal Highness wearing half mourning, with a very simple
wreath of flowers in her hair—just, in fact, in such a dress
as the most popular of her likenesses have made us familiar
with. No stay was made in the conservatory on their
arrival, and the party simply passed through, amid the pro-
found reverences of the visitors, to partake of refreshment
in the gallery, where an extemporised salle- a manger had
been fitted up and beautifully decorated with flowers for the
occasion, At 12 o'clock the Royal guests returned, and
passed down the arcades, where the Princess made a care-
ful inspection of the flower vases and porcelain flower holders
sent 1)y Mr Minton, and went regularly throUgh the best of
.ne collection which had been exhibited on that day. Re-
turning to the conservatory, their Royal Highnesses passed
down the centre walk to a teat, where they witnessed an
illumination by means of Bengal lights of the little scascade
which flows from under the base of the Prince Consort's
Memorial. The effect of this was pretty for its diminutive
size, but it would be absurd to give tho feeble attempt higher
praise. It was impossible for many present to avoid remem-
bering that the last cascade which the Prince of Wales saw
illuminated was Niagara, when the Canadians went to such
an enormous cost, and laid their plans so well, that for the
first time man's agency did succeed in influencing the ma-
jesty of that eternal catract, and lit it up till it came thun-
dering down like an avalanche of fire. The attempt of last
night suggested no comparison, of course, though it did
suggest to many that the Horticultural Society might have
been more happy in their efforts to astonish their Royal
visitors—might have shown them flowers, for instance.
The illumination of the cascade over, their Royal High-
nesses returned to the conservatory, in the locality of which
they beheld something which it is really difficult to witness
elsewhere. The Prince and Princess quitted the grounds
at about 1 o'clock, but notwithstanding the etiquette usual
on such occasions, very many of the visitors had taken their
departure previously.

The Murder on the North London Railway.

The excitement created by this murder is growing daily
more and more intense. The railway company has offered
£lOO reward for the capture of the murderers, in addition
to the L2OO offered by the Government and Messrs Robartes,
Lubbock, and Co. Fresh bills were circulated yesterday
giving a description of the person who changed the chain
belonging to the late Mr Briggs, and also of the chain and
signet ring which:he took away with him. The police believe
that the man is already known to them, and they ere fol-
lCwing him up with great perseverance. The man is described
in the police bill as being about 39 years old, 5 feet 6 or 7
inches high, with a sallow complexion and thin features.
He is a foreigner, and is supposed to be a German, but speaks
good English. He wore a black frock coat and waistcoat,
dark trousers, and a black hat. The chain which he carried
away is a square oval, secret link, gold Albert, with a knot
pattern twisted key, and a swivel seal. The ring is a plain
gold signet ring with en oblong white cornelian stone,
bearing an engraved head,
The following is the history of the discovery of the chain
—On Monday morning about 10, a gentlemanly looking
foreigner, apparently a German or SVViSP, entered the shop
of Mr Death, jeweller. 55, Cheapside, and asked to be shown
some gold Albert chains. Mr Death's brother showed him
several, and ho at last picked out one of the value of £3 15s,
which he seemed to fancy. At the same time he took appa-
rently from his waistcoat pocket a chain, and asked Mr
Death what he would give him for it, Mr Death examined
it, and found it to be made of 15 carat gold. He put it in the
scales and weighed it, and told the man that its value was
£3 10s. The man then said he would take in exchange a
chain of the same cost. Mr Death took one from the win•
dow, which was worth £3 53., and showed it to the man, who
said that it would suit him very wall, asking what he could
have to make up the other 53. Mr Death showed him
several second-hand signet rings, from among which he
selected the one already described, and tried it on his
finger, leaving it there. The chain was packed in a paper
box and delivered to him, and he quitted the shop imme-
diately afterwards, At the time tho man called upon him
Mr Death had heard nothing of the murder, but on subse-
quently reading the description of the missing chain in the
newspapers he was particularly struck by its closely coin-
ciding with that of the chain ho had taken in exchange, the
circumstances of the missing hook confirming his:suspicions.
Ile immediately communicated with the authorit es at
Great Scotland-yard and at Bow lane Police-station, and
Inspeetor Kerressey at once proceeded to Cheapside and
took possession of the chain. Ho then took it to the
daughter of the deceased gentleman, who unhesitatingly
identified it as having belonged to her father. Inspector
Kerressey immediately made a report on the subject to Sir
Richard Mayne, and exertions are being made in all
directions to discover the person who exchanged the chain.
The police are confident that they are on his track, and that
a very short time will elapse before he is captured. There
now appears to be some reason for supposing that a second
person, already known to the police, was implicated in the
murder. This person is also being closely followed up.
Mr T. H. Walker, the manufacturer of the hat found in
the carriage, has been interrogated by the police, but ho can
give no clue whatever to the pet son to whom i 5 with sold.
The incident of the changing of the chain somewhat corn-
plicates the matter. 'The man who called on Sir Death may,
of course, only be a confederate of the murderer. Ho seemed
perfectly collected in his manner during the transaction,
but it was noticed that he endeavoured to keep his counte-
nance concealed from the person who was serving him. No
watch was shown by him at the time, bud from the ease
with which he withdrew the chain from his pocket it dia
not seem to be attached to one. He also seemed specially
careful to a void appearing to if he entered the shop for dis-
honest purposes, moving away from the counter when the
shopman did so,
and he objected to purchase any chain (a
greater value than the one he left in exchange. A close ex-
amination of the chain with a magnifying glass failed to de-
tect the slightest trace of blood upon it, and from the dirt
caused by wear being still adhered to the links it did not
seem to have been washed. The chain and watch must
therefore have been wrenched from the person of, the de-
ceased before any blood was shed. The encounter which fob
lowed was probably caused by the endeavours of the de-
ceased to secure toe thief. The discovery of the chain also
seems to do away with the somewhat prevalent theory that
the outrage wits not committed for the sake of plunder. Ii
has been said that the murderer left behind the diamond ring
worn by the deceased, but it should be remembered that it is
no easy matter to wrench off a well•fitting ring from the
finger, et a man who struggled for life to bravely as the de-
ceased gentleman appears to have done. Again, the fact of
exchanging the chain for another, instead of selling it in the
usual manner, seems hardly to point to the professional
thief, and the ling chosen by
the roan bears a head of
very peculiar character which would render its identilicae
Lion easy, All these circumstances tend to make this ex-
traordinary case still snore mysterious, and a plentiful crop
of fresh theories to account for the murder has sprung up,
one of which may be mentioned from its singularity— that
the outrage was perpetrated by a maniac.
A rumour was prevalent yesterday that a foreigner living
in Somers-town had been arehended on suspicion, but
there is not a word of truth in the statement. It is true that
Somers-town hes been well watched fur the last leer or five
des s, but the came may be said of every c istrict in the me-
tropelie,

J
j 1 DTI OIL
rj

HER MAJESTY,

OSBORNE, July 13,

His Royal Highness Prince William of Prussia,
her Majesty's grandson, arrived at Osborne yes-
terday, attended, by Baroness von Dobeneck and
Count Furstenstein,

Tho young prince will remair. for some weeks
for the benefit of sea-bathing.
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Louis of Hess©
and Princess Helene, attended by I\ldllo. -do
Grancy, rode on horseback.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Tke Prince of Wales rode on horseback yesterday,
attended by Captain Grey.
The Princess of Wales took a carriage (Live.
Their Royal Highnesses went in the evening to
the conversazione given by the Duke of Buccleuch,
at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Ken-
sington.
In attendance were the Hon. Mrs. Stoner and
Captain Grey.
The Prince of Wales honoured Mr Evan Thomas
by inspecting the memorial of the Prince Consort,
now•in execution for Tenby.

Their Royal Highnesses the Dueless of Cam-
bridge and Princess Mary, attended by Lady Geraldine
Somerset and Capt. Ellis, honoured the Marquis and Mar-
chioness of Abercorn with their presence at dinner yes-
terday evening at Chesterfield-house, Mayfair. There were
present, to meet the Royal guests, his E,,cellency the
Austrian Ambassador and Countess Apponyi, the Duke
and Duchess of Manchester, the Marquis and Marchioness
of Bath, the Marquis of Hartington, the Earl and Countess
of Dalkeith, the Earl and Countess of Stanhope, Viscount
Hamilton, Lord Claude Hamilton, Hon. E. Edgcumbe, Sir
E. Landseer, Dr. Quin, and Mr Leslie.

The Duke and Duchess of Buceleuch have issued
cards for a grand entertainment to their Royal llihnesses
the Prince and Princess of Wales at Queensberry. villa, -
Richmond, on Saturday next.

The Right 11.)n. the Speaker gives his annual
dinner to the principal officers of the House of Commons
on Wednesday next at his official residence.

Address of Polish Priests to the Pope,

ROME, July 6,
Several Polish priests who have taken part in the
revolution have succeeded in passing the Russian
i'rontier and in reaching Rome. The fugitives
have been kindly received by the Pope, and allowed
to take up their abode in the Convent of the Trinity
for Pilgrims. Upon the fete of St. Paul these un-
fortunate ecclesiastics, some...l)f whom had been con-
demned to death by the Russian Government, were
presented to the Pope, when one of their number,
the Abbe Polkawski, read the following address;---
" Most Holy Father,—We, ecclesiastics of the
Polish Church, expelled from our country and hos-
pitably received by your bounty, present ourselves
before your Holiness with tears in our eyes and, at
the same time, joy in our hearts. We weep for the
ruin of our country, and we rejoice to find ourselves
in your presence, who have greeted the children of
that unhappy nation and Church with truly pater'
nal love. Further, we have every confidence that,
by means of your Holiness, mourning will be turned
into joy, and the great ruin of Poland converted
into prosperity, for whatever is bound on earth shall
also be bound in heaven, and whatever is loosed on
earth shall also be loosed in heaven. So that if you
are with us, who shall be against us ? If you bless
Poland, who shall dare to curse her ? Who will
dare to tempt his fate ?
"Accept, therefore, most Holy Father, our
infinite thanks both for the good you have deigned
to do us, and for the far greater benefit you intend
to confer upon us and our nation. Receive in especial
the thanks of our faithful people ; receive ita
prayers and its tears, of which we have been the
witnesses. Receive the fidelity of that nation which
recognises your Holiness as its pastor ; receive the
hope which it has in you alone in this world.
Deign to accept all this, most Holy Father, and
rejoice over the good which you have alreadyeacted ;
you have saved souls, and rani.A around your Idolis
ness our Church and our nation, against whom, as
,gdinst your Holiness, parka infers non pro
valebunt."

Tne Pope replied to this address with a short
speech. His Holiness said, " The words cause ple
distress in which you have shown to me the great
danger of the Polish nation. We must persevere
in the same sentiments, and pray God to cause the
storm to cease. You especially, as priests,
should petition the Almighty to give You
patience and perseverance, in the belief that He Will
avert the misfortunes which now oppress you. HO!:
confidence in Him, and you will not be abandoned.''
It is bolieved that this address and reply will
not fail to add to the irritation of the Russian GO`
vernment when they arrive at its knowledge. The
diplomatic abiility shown by Cardinal Antonelli 1°
contidered the only cause why relations have not
already been broken off.

shocking Accident on the Great Easter.
Railway,

Yesterday afternoon a disastrous accident betel
the uptrain which started from Harwich, at 2.16'
p.m., on the Great Eastern P.silway. This trill°
is run in connection with the new line-of Rotterdam
steamers, which ply from Harwich. When it bad
proceeded on its journey towards London as far oti
within half a mile of the Bradfield Station, the
engine lurched over and dashed down the steel)
embankment, dragging all the train after it.
frightful scene ensued. The stoker was killed °II
the spot, having been crushed by the engine. Ili°
lay with his hand still grasping the metal hanicl'a
of the break. The drivel who also stayed at 1)14
post, escaped. The passengers, in the
greatest egg
citement, got out of the carriages as they best 0111 i
and helped those who were injured ; and it Nvii:
some time before it was ascertained that, although
‘
many had been cut, brused, and injured, 01:13„a
very severely, only the stoker had been killed 0;
the spot. Mothers and their children, E°P3
wounded, some joyfully discovering those who viero
saved, and all endeavouring to help and to ext./10f°
those who were injured, while the stoker 14
crushed and dead, rendered the scene a harro*;
ing one. The benevolent rector of Bradfield
speedily arrived, and, seeking out all who were
most hurt, had them sent to the rectory-1105f'
where they were cared for in the kindest manoel
and their wounds attended to. The house seem
nearly full of maimed and bleeding people, and fe
of the sufferers will, ever forget the ministratlol3
which they received from the ladies present, or ti,
t 0
hospitality and welcome so freely accorded tbe—
The passengers, who were able to proceed, after 6
delay of about four hours, were brought to tovvil by
4 train which was despatched for the purpose.
of
The damage done to the engine and carriages 0,
the train to which the accident occurred -will P.A.r
bably entail considerable loss on the cempany..
inspection of the line shortly after the noel°fl
,f
seemed to establish the feet that the permanent we
was in too weak a condition to support the welgil
ly
pf
of the train, and that this weakness resulted siultj'i
from the rotten condition of the sleepers, man
which were broken and the metals torn up. "I't,
defect was commonly remarked by those pre° 00
The violence of the shock by which the train Wo
overturned was such, that the engine and train !AI
afterWards.found lying along
the base of the bj
embankment, having in the fall been turned al°l to
completely round, so that it would to supposeuh'o4
took at the present position of the train, that ftteaa
been proceeding from London to Harwich,
of up to London.

THE NEW STEAMBOAT PIER AT WEsTSIINSTSII.
1103
—Yesterday morning the new steamboat pier W-ibo
has been placed at Westminster.bridge was opened 01..00
public convenience, in place of the old and ricketty strucl,o,
which has served the purpose of a pier for the last few Yet.,%
The new pier, access to which is gained by a timber 61100
which has been strongly put together at the Bid°
bridge, is very corivealeatiy readied,