The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-02 00:00:00

SHIPPING-THIS DAY,

LONDON, Aug. 2.—Wind this day at noon--South-
Westerly; moderate breeze and fine weather, but rather
cloudy.

PLYMOUTH, Aug. I.—Wind S.W.—Arrirod—Helen
Burn, from Rio Grande.

PORTSMOUTH, Aug. I.—Wind W,—Sailed—Her Ma-
jesty's ship Syrian, for Plymouth.

CARDIFF, Aug. I.—Wind W.—Arrived—Anna Marie,
from Miramichi. Sailed—Albatross, for Singapore—Wil-
liam, for Rio Janeiro.

QUEENSTOWN, Aug. le—Wind W.—Arrivpd—Surprise,
from Cardenas.

SCILLY, Aug. 1 —Wind .W.W.—Sailed—Enterprise, for
Bahia.

OFF QUEENSTOWN, Aug. 30.—Arrived*—Geueral Wind-
ham, from Callao.

(BY MAGN-ZTIC TELEGRAPH,)

GRAVESEND, Tuesday Morning:
-t—Morris, from Porto Rico—Concordia,
New Arrived,ork Aug.
, As.oslin Castle, from Calcutta—Progress, from
Alexanur:A__Hacrman,
t from Richibucto—lsabella Robin-
son, from Colombo—Sir George Pollock, from Pugwash—
Ctvldpane, from Gottenburg—Firza, from Cronstadt.
Sailed, Aug. I—Granville, for auritius.
DEAL, Tuesday Morning.

.
Passed—Elita, schooner, from the west, and Apphia,
from Grenada, both for London—Raven, of Yarmouth, and
Favourite, of Poole, from the north, for the west—Rapid,
from Gloucester, for the Baltic—Ben Limond, and Fourth
of, November, from Quebec, for Hull.
Sailed—Lerat with others, westward.

GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES.—In the act passed on
the 14th ult. to grant additional facilities for the
purchase of small Government Annuities, and for assuring
payments of money on death, it is recited that in the Act
16th and 17th of Victoria, cap. 45, deferred annuities of
small amounts can only be granted upon the condition that
the full amount required to purchase such annuities be paid
in one sum or by annual payments during a course of years
fixed at the time of purchase. It also recites that under the
same act contracts for payment of a sum of money on death
cannot be entered into except on the condition that the
party contracting for such payment on death at the time
purclaase a deferred annuity on his life. The law Is now
altered, and it is enacted that deferred annuities may be
granted on the condition to be fixed, at the time of pur-
chase, and that the sum required to purchase the annuity
be payable in smaller instalments, and at shorter periods
than before, By the former act 430 was the limit of the
annulaes, but they may now extend to 450. The section
acquiring a deferred annuity to be purchased of the Na-
tional Debt Commissioners is now repealed in part. No
contract for payment on death is to be entered into by or
on behalf of any person under the age of 16 or over 60.
Fresh tables are to be constructed, and until the tables
made in pursuance of this act can be legally acted on it is
not to come into force so far as to enable any grant to
be made of an insurance, or any grant of an annuity
the consideration money for which is paid by instal-
ments more frequent than annual instalments. By this
act it is provided that on a life policy after the payments of
the premiums for five years, a person on surrendering the
same is not to receive less than one-third of the payments
made, or may have granted to him a paid-up policy on such
an immediate or deferred life annuity. Jurisdiction is given
to the County Courts on the Commissioners of the National
Debt refusing payment. Contracts may be assigned. The
National Debt Commissioners are to regulate the payments
by instalments, and they are at no time to be less in amount•
than 2s. The Postmaster-General, with the consent of the
Treasury, may authorize his officers to receive money under
this Act, and regulations may be made by the Post-office to
carry out the provisions. The accounts under this Act are
to be submitted to the Public Audit Commissioners. .
INAUGURATION OF THE ALBERT STATUE AT
PERTH BY THE QUEEN.—Her Majesty has intimated her
intention to be present at the inauguration of the statue to
the late Prince Consort on the North Inch of Perth about
the end of August. The ceremony will take place early in
the forenoon, probably of Tuesday, the 30th, and at its
conclusion her Majesty will continue her journey north-
ward to Balmoral.

The Friend of India states that it has received
intelligence which leads it to lcok for war with
Bhootan :—" ft is an unfortunate fact that the
Bhooteas so far overpowered the Hon. Ashley Eden's
prudence as to induce him to sign a treaty ceding
to them fhe whole of Assam. This wretched treaty
they now insist upon our complying with, and we
need scarcely say that the Government, unlike its
special envoy, has not the least intention of yielding
to them. It would not have exacted retribution for
the insults cast upon Mr Eden, but undoubtedly it
will not suffer this tribe of savages to lay a finger
upon British territory. IF, then, the Bhooteas are
obstinate, war will be declared against them at
once. 'his is the position in which matters at pre-
sent stand."

Oa the other hand, the Englishman states that
the " Oracle," which the Bhooteas saw fit a short
time since to consult on the advisability of attacking
the British, has opened its mouth and answered in
the words of wisdom. " Beware, oh ye Bhooteas !"
it says, "for the Feringhees are a powerful nation.
There will be no success if ye wage war against
them, and therefore Mahakall orders his children
not to cross the Berhampootra. But if the Fering-
bees invade Bhootan, lo I defeat shall come upon
them, for it is written that Bhootan shall never
own subjection to any but the Dhurm Rajahs of
Bhootan and Thibet.

The Hurkaru again states that :—"Notwithstand.
ing all reports p, the contrary, an expeditionary
foice will prozeed to Bhootan in the coming cold
season. Preparations are quietly but steadily going
on in Fort 'William with this view. Government

as instituted inquiries as to how light two regi-
ments at the Presidency—the 25th and 40th N.l.
can march, what number of mules they will require
for baggage purposes, and what arrangements are
clothing, &c.
necessaryrrhe E ura
Eurasian
regarding
Mountain shoes,Tra warm Train
Battery
ter y
is to accom-
pany these regiments, and probably some European
troops will be sent also. Her Majesty's 27th Regi-
ment, :now at Dinapore, 18 named as the corps
likely to supply the European portion of the expe-
dition."

Mr Wood, of the firm of Wood, 011iffe, and
Co., merchants and army agents, has been con-
victed of breach of trust, and sentenced to years'
imprisonment, with hard labour. His partner,
Mr Oiliffe, left India some months ago.

COMMEICIAL INTELLIGENCE,
(From the Surkaru of Juice 22.)
During the past week we have no material change to
note in the general ?osition of trade. Exports go forward
moderately, and we do not look for more activity until
prices are cheaper than at present. This must be the case
with the arrival of larger supplies shortly on the opening
of the rivers. The chief transactions of the week have been
in sugar, saltpetre, and jute. With the two former prices
have fully recovered the late decline, and there is a good
inquiry at present rates. Jute is taken off freely, and the
stock of best quality is very light. The present prides of
raw silk deter buyers:
In imports, cotton piece goods close without animation
generally, and it vould be difficult to effect large sales at
the current quotations, and we believe in some cases lower
prices are mined. Grey madapollams, jaconets, and the
heavier makes of grey shirtings have been chiefly in re-
quest. The seam for printed cottons is approaching, and
heavy sales have been made in anticipation, at a consider-
able advance. The twist market shows no further im-
provement; buyers are shy, stocks of white mule are low
in first hands.

The money market is abundantly supplied, and facilities
are readily obtaiiable in the open markets below the Bank
of Bengal rates. The directors at their weekly meeting, on
the 16th current, reduced 1 per cent. on the interest on
loans on Government securities. It is anticipated that a
further reduction will take place to-morrow, at the weekly
meeting, Contrary to expectation our Government paper
market has sot maintained the momentary higher quotations
following oa the reduced rates,

The gigantic works carried on in the construction
of this important harbour, priginally under the
superintendence of the late Mr. Rendel, but during
the last seven years under the ci:rection of Mr. John
Hawkshaw, as engineen-in.chief, are approaching
to a close; and within the next or foilowing year
will, as far as the great northern breakwater is con-
cerned, be fully completed. When finished the
harbour will rank amongst the finest displays of
engineering and mechanical skill in the kingdom.
In the early progress of the harbour discussions
frequently took place in Parliament in reference to
the outlay incurred in the prosecution of the works ;
but, on Mr. Hawkshaw's appointment as chief engi-
neer, some modifications of former designs were
adopted, by which the general effectiveness of the
harbour was fully maintained. For several years
about 1,500 hands were employed in the great un-
dertaking, the larger number in quarrying stone
from Holyhead Mountain, and the remainder in
forming the breakwater. This number, in the last
year or two, has been greatly reduced, and at the
present time not more than 200 are employed.
An improvement of very great importance will
immediately be added to the harbour. The floating
light moored of the extremity of the northern
breakwater is about to be removed, and in its stead
a fixed light is intended to be placed in the solid
stone of that great protective work, as near to its
extremity as possible. This will materially
increase the efficiency of the harbour in
gales of wind, inasmuch as the floating
light owing to the length of cable neces-
sary to moor it in 10 fathom water, with a high
range of tide, rendered it necessary for vessels enter-
ing to give it a wide berth to escape the danger of
being driven on the opposite coast.

The transformation of Holyhead Harbour from
what it was a few years ago to what it now is, and
its leviathan proportions, can be viewed only with
wonder and admiration by those who can recollect
its former insignificance. Some important addi-
tions are still, however, desirable. The pier accom3
modations for passengers to and from Ireland,
although well designed, conveniently placed, and
being strengthened and improved, are, after all, only
temporary expedients, which will rcquire
extensive yearly repairs to maintain, and
can last only a short time. Mr. Hawkshaw, some
time ago, designed stone-paella piers of a permanent
character, which would render the accommodation
as perfect as it is possible to be. These are at pre-
sent in abeyance, but there is a general feeling that
they could be carried out; and there can be no doubt
that the exigencies of the postal service will before
long necessita►e their construction.
In addition to the works which the Government
are completing at Holyhead, the London and North
Western Railway Company are materially increas-
ing their accommodation for goods traffic. The old
harbour is being very much improved at their ex
pense, and under the sanction of the Government.
The harbour is being deepened, and a long length of
vertical sea walling, with water frontage, is being
erected, reclaiming and enclosing an area upon which
a large goods shed is to be bailt. This shed will be
fixed so that goods can be taken immediately from
the steamer and placed under shelter.

The Disaster on the Erie Railway,

From the imperfect accounts as yet received re-
specting the late terrible collision on the Erie Rail-
road, we extract the following !-4, At Port Jervis
the double track of the Erie Railroad ends, and for
the next 24 or 25 miles the road is but a single track
to Lackawaxen Junction, with occasional lengths of
double track where the nature of the road permits.
Throughout the whole of this distance, and for
some miles further on, the railroad runs up the val-
ley of the Delaware, and is full of sharp curves and
awkward turns, along which it is often impossible
for the engine-driver to see more than 50 or 60 yards
in advance. It was along this piece of the road,
about two miles from Shohola, and when turning
a point of one of the abutting hills, that the train of
18 emigrant cars, with the freight of 958 souls,
running at the rate of 25 miles an hour, met a
coal train of 50 care, with each a load of 12 tons,
that came thundering down the incline from Lacks-
waxen. Wheu the trains came in sight of each
other they could not have been much more than 100
yards apart, the drivers not having time even to
reverse their engines and jump off before death was
upon them ; the driver of the passenger train, named
William Ingram, and his fireman, named Tuttle
being both taken off the engine dead, as was the
fireman of the coal engine, named Philo Prentiss.
The shock was tremendous and its results awful,
though fortunately neither of the engines left the
line. The tender of the passenger engine was
turned up on end, the wood for fuel being thrown
in front, and burying the driver and fireman before
named. The first ear, of course, was utterly de•
stroyed, being jammed, as a spectator describes it,
into a space less than 6ft., while, to complete its
demolition, the tender that had been tipped on end
fell back on its roof. It contained 37 men, some of
whom were on the platform at the time of the col-
lision, and from its wreck 36 were taken out dead,
only one man escaping with his life by falling be-
tween the platforms to the earth. Three of the cars
in all were totally destroyed, and seven or eight of
them so much broken as to be entirely useless, and
it was in these cars that the greatest loss of life
occurred, for when the collision took place two
Union soldiers were placed as sentinels at each door
on the platforms of each car, which were also oc-
cupied by some of the rebels beguiling the way by
conversation with the sentry. Of the men thus
standing all were immediately killed save one or
tete. Tile scene Is described by those who escaped
as most appalling—the road blocked up with debris,
car piled upon car in the most indescribable confu-
sion, the bodies of those thrown from them covering
the road at every step, the flying dust and blinding
smoke from the quenching fires, the noise of the
escaping steam, and, above all, the fearful groans
and heartrending cries of the injured and expiring
will never be forgotten. Some of the corpses were
shockingly mutilated; heads completely crushed,
bodies transfixed, impaled on timbers or iron roads,
or smashed between the colliding beams,"

A MAN CRUSHED TO PIECES.-011 Saturday a
shocking accident befel a man name Samuel Daw-
son, a carder, of Tedrow:len, employed ad t the Bark Island
Mills, near Halifax. Dawson was attempting to throw the
strap off a carding machine, when his clothes were caught
hold of by the strap ; he was taken round the shaft, and in
an instant he was so dreadfully broken to pieces that his
limbs dropped on the floor. His body woe frightfully muti-
lated, and had to be picked up piecemeal. Deceased was
about 40 years of age, and has left a wife and family.
THE PLYMOUTH FORTIFICATIONS.—The masons
at the north-eastern defences of Plymouth are now
on strike, and the masons' labourers are consequently
obliged to be idle also. It is not a question of wages, time
of working, or of any ordinary right and privileges of the
body, but is a stand made against an arrangement volun-
tarily entered into by the whole body of men, and from
which the masters derive no benefit whatever. It was re-
solved by the workmen employed on the fortifications that,
as they had come from all parts of the country and had no
provision for their attendance in case of sickness, a medical
club should be started among them, the members of which
paid 3d. per fortnight for advice during illness. This was
unanimously agreed to; but it being found that there was
some irregularity in the payments, it was resolved that the
contractors be requested to render such payment compul-
sory. To this they acceded. The masons, however, or
rather the masons' society's officers, have taken offence at
the use of the word "shall," and have called off all the
society men, on the ground that the dignity of the men
has been injured, and they must not work under any
such stipulation. Whether the medical society thus esta-
blished is the best possible form in which the men may
be benefitted is wholly beside the question at issue. The
' rule was made at the request of the men, and the masters
I can derive no benefit from its oper&ion.