The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-10 00:00:00

The Explosion in the City of Madison,

The following is a lengthened acecunt of the ex-
plosion in the City of Madison :—" Wednesday last,
August 19, was the day of which we now particu-
larly speak. It was ordered that the City of Madi-
son should take aboard a certain quantity of fixed
and unfixed ammunition, together with an addi-
tional number of projectiles. The boat was lying
at the wharf immediately in front of the city, ready
to receive the cargo. In order to expedite the load-
ing a heavy detail of soldiers, numbering 160, was
made at noon from one of the regiments in the city,
the numbers of which, owing to the confusion now
raging, and the speedy departure of the boat to bear
this, I have not yet been able to learn. As an aug
mentation of this number, about 20 negroes were
also engaged in the work. During the entire
afternoon the work went on with unabating
vigour. One continuous trai❑ of men could be
seen, like so many industrious ants, moving to and
from the boat laden or returning unladen, as then
happened. It was early in the evening; 150 tons
of the terrific but slumbering agent were already on
board. The men were pressing their energies to
complete their task and return to the then quiet and
less laborious avocations of camp. In order to hasten
the work the party was divided into two bodies,
one of which carried the ammunition to the hatch
and the other in the hold deposited it in its proper
place. At the time of the fatal slip a negro was
standing in the hatch to receive the ammunition and
pass it to one below, the weight being too much for
one man. A shell was being passed. The soldier
had given it into the hands of the negro and was
walking away in the train of many others preced-
ing him, who were returning to bring a fresh load.
At the same time pressing along the gangway was
a crowd of the laden hastening to deliver their loads
into the hands of those below. In the hold the men
were no less active, and quickly disposed of the
crowding and accumulation of business in store for
them. Unfortunately, the negro standing below
failed to properly secure in his hands the shell
handed to him from the one in the hatch above. It
slipped, he made an effort to regain his grasp, but
it had already struck. The shock sustained by the
fall ignited the irresistible power within. No
sooner came the flash than followed the report.
In •an instant, as if the first were merely the pre-
monitions of the great terrors to succeed,
the very city shook to its foundation, window panes
fell in by the terrible force of the concussion with
a deafening crash, the river boiled violently and
spasmodically, and its very bottom was ploughed up
by the immense rush of the element. Now fol-
lcwed all the horrors which ever mutilated the
human form and wound it in the writhings of most
painful and shocking tortures. The boa in the
explosion had parted; the hull fortunately was
forced immediately to the bottom of the river, going
down bow first, thus somewhat lessening the im-
mensity of power involved in the large quantity of
ammunition on board, for the rushing in of the
water in a measure checked the violence of a greater
explosion which otherwise would have followed.
As the hull of the boat went down, the cabin, texas,
pilot-house, chimneys, and everything above the
deck shot into the air, over 100 ft., in one confusion
of timber, furniture, machinery, and bodies, and
fell into the surging, hissing ruins below, with a
crash that seemed in its awful majesty of appear-
ance and sound to stop the pulsations of the heart,
to freeze the blood of life, to chain one immovably
to the earth in one wild and reeling conflict of the
fear-stricken, cowering faculties of the human
frame. The concussions and reverberations had
almost ceased their fierce notes, nothing but the
distant lingering sound, and as it was wafted far
off o❑ the waves of the atmosphere, to tell in its
own language the tale of horror, could be heard,
and rapidly even these expiring evidences were
quieted into the serene calmness of evening. Now
came that most appalling of all moments of acci-
dent. As if to hide the scene from the smiling,
quiet heavens above, a dull curtain of leaden
smoke intervened the havoc below and the
placid blue above. From all parts of the city
crowds of officers, soldiers, and civilians called forth
by the terrific explosion, came crowding eagerly
down to the scene of destruction. The demarcations
of rank were all lost in the burry and excitement of
the rush to learn the cause of the shocking sounds
that had but a few moments before shook the very
walls of the city. Officers stretched their limbs to
most unmartial lengths to keep up witb the wave of
curious humanity as it poured along. Little can be
imagined of the revulsion of feeling when the
spectacle burst into view. As the waves, rush-
ing against a line of immoveable breakers
recoiled at the shock to meet the flow of the still
incoming surge, upon which it breaks with vio-
lence, checking its progress and breaking up that
uniformity and beauty of motion which the sea,
when allowed freely to act, ever pictures, so the
waves of human instinct and feeling recoiled at the
most heart-rending scene which lay in their view.
Every sentiment of the human heart, every function
of the human frame received a check, the recoil of
which stunned men—veterans of many a battle
field—almost into fainting awe. The picture that
presented itself may now be briefly summed up.
The boat was a total wreck. The buildings in the
city were wrenched almost from their founda-
tions. There was an almost total absence of
window panes. The boats in the vicinity were
shattered or blackened, The steamer Edward
Walsh lay with her whole side torn from her. Men
and animals were flying scattered here and there on
the levee, dead, dying, or suffering, powder burnt,
or internally injured by the intense force of the
concussion. The water could be seen presenting
spots of earthy substance upon its surface, or here
and there small circles of blood, which plainly
marked the end of some fallen victim. Then, again,
floating bodies could be seen amid the rubbish of
the catastrophe, occasionally one popping out of
the water, blackened and bloated remaining
poised on the surface for a moment, and then for
the last time sink to rise no more. In other
places it seemed as if some still breathing body
might be seen in its last paroxysm of death-
gasp, throw out its arms for help, and then fall
back into the watery depths, its death-couch and
its grave. The scene was beyond all powers of
description. Its equal is nowhere. A comparison
cannot be found. Let us breathe a sympathetic
word with the mothers, the fathers, the wives, the
brothers, the children of the many victims of this
cruel catastrophe. It is true, if the sacrifice were
necessary, the field of battle would have been pre-
ferable to the tortures—an inevitable death—which
awaited the victims of this disaster. Let the con-
solation, however, of the sufferers at home be, that
the prevailing intelligence that regulates and
presides over the destinies of mankind had in view
some object, so one lesson—though a dear one, some
lesson we must yet learn."

BACON'S WAR MAP OF AMERICA.—The beauti-
ful steel-plate map now before us, published by
Bacon and Co , of Paternoster-row, will at the present
moment be found particularly acceptable. The different
Federal and Confederate States are so distinctly coloured
and particularized that any particular spot required is recog-
nised in an instant, in addition to which there is printed on
the sheet a variety of very useful information touching the
Federal navy, the position of the American forts North and
South, the population of the States, and the important
events of the war. The map is well deserving a place in
every reading••room, library, public or private, in the
country. The cheap price at which it is published is really
wonderful.

Tom Taylor is at present engaged in writing the
life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, our great English painter, and
greatest of all the Presidents of the Royal Academy.
ENGLISH HORSES V. ARABS,—A correspondent
at Alexandria, writing on the Ist, says---.‘ Your
racing readers moy be interested in hearing that the much-
vexed point as to the merits of English and Arab horses has
just again been tried in Cairo. Ali Paella, who has the
finest stud of Arabs in Egypt, maintained that no English
horse could run against an Arab for four miles. His High-
ness Halim Pasha offered to run Companion, a well-known
racer here, against him for any sum he liked. The match
was run from the first station on the Suez desert to Cairo.
The English horse, which was bred, I believe, by Lord
Itibblesdale, won in a canter by more than half a mile.
Such a crushing defeat has taken all courage out of the par-
tisans of Arab horses. What astonished the natives most
was that Companion, seating his adversary by so great a
distance, was perfectly fresh and quite ready to turn round
and run-the distance ever again, while the Arab waetii!c
exhausted and 1;'10w11,

CUM bt
.

ARRIVAL OF HER MAJESTY THE

QUEEN—(This Day). ,

Her Majesty, having completed her tour abroad,
returned to England to-day, apparently in the en-
joyment of excellent health.
No such restrictions as were imposed when her
Majesty left England were insisted on to-day, con-
sequently some thousands of persons were enabled
to pay their respects to their Sovereign, without
the slightest breach of order or decorum.
Staff Commander Welch proceeded this morning
with the Fairy steam tender to Greenhithe, where
he met the royal yacht, having on board her Ma-
jesty and suite. Her Majesty was accompanied by
Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, Prince Leopold,
and Princess Beatrice, and was attended by the
Nlarchioness of Ely, the Lady A. Bruce, Lieut.-
General the Hon. C. Grey, Colonel Sir T. M.
Biddulph, Major Cowell, and Dr. Jenner.
The disembarcation took place at Woolwich pier
at five minutes past eleven o'clock. Her Majesty
and suite were received by Commodore Superinten-
dent Sir W. Nicholson, the flag officer of the port ;
Viscount Sydney, the Lord Lieutenant of the
County and Lord Chambarlain ; Major. General Sir
R. Dacres, and Captain Gordon.

A royal salute was fired as soon as her Majesty
came on shore; and immediately after wards reports
from guns were heard from all directions.
Amidst much cheering her Majesty and suite in
five carriages, and preceded by mounted police,
drove from the Arsenal, and proceeded through
Charlton, Greenwich, and Deptford to the private
station of the South-Western Railway at Nine
Elms, where a train being in readiness at 20
minutes past 12, the royal party proceeded at once
to Windsor.

THE PRINCESS LoUlsE.—Her Royal Highness
the Princess Louise arrived at Windsor Castle yesterday
afternoon shortly before six o'clock from Osborne, in order
to meet her Majesty and the royal family on their return
from Germany. Her royal highness left Gosport at 3.30,
and arrived at Windsor station of the Great Western Rail-
way at 5.43. The princess was attended by Lady Barring-
ton and the Hon. Mrs. Grey. Her Majesty is expected to
arrive at the Castle to-morrow evening to dinner, and on
Monday next the Queen will proceed on her journey to
Scotland.

The Princess Sophia of Saxony and suite have
left Farrance's Hotel for Dover, for Dresden.
The Prince Doria Pamphili and family have
arrived at Claridge's Hotel from Boulogne.
The Duke and Duchess de Chartres have arrived
at Wilhelmstha], in Prussian Silesia, travelling with the
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar.

The Earl of Wilton is to marry on Saturday next
Miss Smith, daughter and heiress of the late Major Smith,
of the Madras army. The marriage is to take place at St.
George's Church, Hanover-square.
The Elrl and Countess of Carnarvon have left
Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley square, for Devonshire.
The Earl of Dudley and friends have enjoyed
excellent sport at his shooting quarters in Argyllshire.
Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby are enter-
taining a succession of guests at Drummond Castle, Perth-
shire. The gentlemen of the party have had capital sport,
both grouse shooting and deer stalking.

The Dowager Lady Wentock left Berkeley-square
yesterday for the Continent. Her ladyship contemplates a
stay of several months abroad.
Lord and Lady Kinnaird have arrived at Far-
rance's Hotel from Rosaie Priory, Inchture, N.B.

DEATH OF EARL BEAUCHAMP.—We regret to
record the death of this venerable nobleman, who expired
at his seat, at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, on Tues-
day night. The noble earl had been some time suffering
from severe illness, and expired in his 79th year.

A History of Great Britain, written in modern
Greek by G. Lampese, has been recently published.
NEW HISTORY OF THE GIPSIES.—A curious book
has been published at Leipsic by Mr. Liebach. Its title is
"The Gipsies and their Language." It traces their Bp"
,
pearance in Europe, and gives an interesting description 01
the gipsy's character, morals, and manners.

THE GUILD OF LITERATURE AND ART, which
has been hitherto prevented and hindered by the
unfortunate wording of the Act of Parliament which gave,
it a legal existence from getting into working order, has at
last published its general balance sheet. From this it
appears that the Guild possesses a clear capital of £5,323 to
start with ; that it proposes to erect a number of free resi-
dences upon some land given by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton,
and that its transactions will be to grant pensions or dona-
tions or free residences to members of its own body or their
widows, The right of membership is obtained by the sub-
scription of an entrance fee of one guinea and an annual
subscription of a like sum. Some complaints were afloat
that the gentlemen who kindly volunteered to act in various
parts of the country for the benefitof the Guild had charged
enormously for their expenses. These complaints turn out
to be unfounded, for the expenses do not exceed the mode-
rate sum of a guinea a day each.—. Examiner.

TILE REFRACTIVE POWER OF THE EYE. Re-
cently described by Mr. Claudet, before the
British Association. One of the most beautiful and
extraordinary results of the structure of the human eye is
the considerable field of vision it embraces. The external.
objects which are represented on the retina are included ire
an angle much larger than one half of the sphere at the
centre of which the observer is placed ; and from this point
of view a single glance encompasses a vast and splendid
panorama, extending in a horizontal and vertical direction
to an angle of 200 deg. To explain how the optical combina-
tion of the eye can form on the retina an image of 200 deg.,
we have to assume that the rays of light in passing through.
the cornea and the crystalline lens are more and more re-
fracted in proportion to the angle at which they strike the
spherical surface of. the cornea. By this refraction the rays
which enter the eyes at an angle of 90 deg. are bent 10 deg.,
and appear to come from an angle of 80 deg. Thus, when
we are lighted by the sun, the moon, or any other light, if
we endeavour to place ourselves in such a position that the
front of the body should be on a line with its own shadow,
and with the light which produces it, if we look
straight before us we see unexpectedly with one
eye the light and with the other the shadow of our
body ; and, although they must form an angle of.
189 deg., they appear by the refraction to form one of only
160 deg. In fact, the light and the shadow do not seem to
be connected at all—instead of being in a line, they appear
bent to an angle, This curious phenomenon evidently
proves that the process of vision is affected by the common,
law of retraction. So that, mathematically we see in their
right place only the objects which reflect their light on the
centre of the retina, and all the other objects are more and
more refracted as they enter the eye in a more and more
oblique direction. Therefore, the panoramic picture which
is represented on the retina is correct only in the centre of
this organ, and all the other parts of the picture are seen
where they are not exactly. But this is no imperfection in.
the general effect, as it does not affect in the least the per-
ception of the picture; because, as we have only
a distinct
vision for the parts which are represented on the centre of
the retina, when we want to s.:e the whole panorama We
have to direct gradually the optic axis upon the various
parts of which it is composed. By this means, and the
rapidity of the motian of the eye, we have always a correct
perception of the whole, and gradually we see every part of
the picture in its true position.
A FEW TALES FOR THE MARINES.—Mr. Benjamin
Coleman, a merchant, has publicly made the follow-
ing strange statements :—" On one occasion, Mr. F. was
seated at a whist-table, with his wife and two friends, when.
the spirits pulled off his slipper, and carried it away. After
making a vain search for it in all possible places, he was
directed to look in a leather bag which was lying in another
room (the door being closed, and none of the party having
moved from their seats), where it was found, the bag being
locked, and the key in his pocket." On another occasion,
according to the same authority, "A lady, paying a morn-
ing visit to Mr. and Mrs. F., was startled by the loudness
of the sounds (raps), which obliged Mr. F. to explain the
nature of these manifestations. She smiled, and said she
was not a believer. The spirits, by the raps, said they
would convince her, by taking from her an elastic armlet
which she wore. Before she could protect it, it was gone,
and they were informed that it was in Mr. F.'s cigar case,
which was in his coat pocket. Ile opened the case and did
not sea it. You have deceived us,' he said. ' No,' wag
the reply, it is there.' On looking again, and removing
the cigarettes, with which it was nearly filled, the armlet
was found, folded up, at the bottom of the case. The
spirits then said that they had taken the other armlet, and
that it would be found in a vase which was in the room.
Mr, F. had to stand on a chair to reach the vase, and found
the second armlet deposited there." Occasionally the spi-
rits are as useful and obliging as the fairies of our child-
hood ; for instance, when " Mr. F. was in the act of re-
moving a key from his bunch, ne accidentally slipped off
small gold key belonging to his wife's dressing case. This
happened in the street, after dark, and half a mile from
his house. On their arrival at home, Mrs. F. was com-
forted by the spirits saying, Never mind, dearest, we will
find it, and bring it to you by the morning.' Accordingly,
upon her awaking, another message was delivered by her
faithful servitors, iutorming her that they had brought the
4311 the dressing-table." Ander-
son,
the Chinese juggl
key,sen wtlhieicchowniausroforu, nwditihYill:argis,.winietbxhhiausstiimblpeelbecipAtelaet,o,orarfleerars
nothing to these sprecisb, sprites of the spirit-rappers,