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

The Explosion in the City of Madison,

The following is a lengthened account 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 train 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 Vie 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 aconmulation of business in store for
them. Unfortunately, the negro standing below
failed to properly secure in his hands the shell
banded 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-
hewed all the horrors which ever mutilated the
human form and wound it in 'the writhinga of most
painful and shocking tortures. The boat 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, end 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

rear-stricken, cowering faculties of the human

'rame. The concussions and reverberations had
almost ceased their fierce notes, nothing but the
distant lingering sound, and as it was wafted far
off on 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 hurry and excitement of
the rush to leara 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 with 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 v:o-
-lence, checkingits 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,
orinternally 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. /n 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 ore, 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, iu 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 may 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 Facha, 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 Pacha 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
Ribblesdale, 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
beating his adversary by so
was that Companion, great a
distance, was perfectly fresh and quite ready to turn round
; While the Arab was quite
awindarus7etahaenddisttiaon4.over again

___ .....,
t 4.. '",* * ~,;trii, ',v
ifignal -‘_--ki-,. -- Illubt
:,5--..--_----,. -NI, - _

ARRIVAL OF HER MAJESTY TII.

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 Green hithe, where
he met the royal yacht, having on board her Ma'
jesty and suite. Iler Majesty was accompanied by
Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, Prince Leopold,
and Princess Beatrice, and was attended by the
Marchioness of Ely, the Lady A. Bruce, Lieut.-
General the Hon. C. Grey, Colonel Sir T. Al'
Biddulph, Major Cowell, and Dr. Jeener.
The disembarcation took place at Woolwich pier
at five minutes past eleven o'clock. Her Wiest/
and suite were received by Cdmmodore 6uperinten-.
dent Sir W. Nicholson, the flag officer of the port;
Viscount Sydney, the Lord Lieutenant of the
County and Lord Chamberlain ; Major-General Sir

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

THE PRINCESS LOUISE.—Her Royal Highness
the Princess Louise arrived at Windsor Castle yesterdalr
afternoon shortly before six o'clock from Osborne, in °l.cle
to meet her Majesty and the royal family on their recur,
0
from Germany. Her royal highness left Gosport at 3'l"
and arrived at Windsor station of the Great Western 1181
way at 5.43. The princess was attended by Lady BarriTlO
ton and the Hon. Mrs. Grey. Her Majesty
is expected
arrive at the Castle to-morrow evening to dinner, and °v.
to
Monday next the Queen will proceed on her journe9
Scotland.
The Princess Sophia of Saxony and suite hall
left Farranco's Hotel for Dover, for Dresden.
The Prince Doria Pamphili and family 12ale
arrived at Claridge's Hotel from Boulogne. • ea
The Duke and Duchess de Chartres have any
at Wilhelmsthal, in Prussian Silesia, travelling with tbe
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar.
The Earl of Wilton is to marry on Saturday ceb
Miss Smith, daughter and heiress of the late Major Stnt'
of the Madras army. The marriage is to take place at
George's Church, Hanover-square.
The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon have left
Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, for Devonshire.
The Earl of Dudley and friends have eniole"
excellent sport at his shooting quarters in Argyllshire.
Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby are enter.
taining a succession of guests at Drummond Castle, I'6°l:
shire. The gentlemen of the party have had capital el:'°f"
both grouse shooting and deer stalking.
The Dowager Lady Wenlock left Berkeley-Ware
yesterday for the Continent. Her ladyship contemplatesfl
stay of several months abroad.
Lord and Lady Kinnaird have arrived at Pr'
rance's Hotel from Rosaie Priory, Inchture, N.B. m
DEATH OF EARL BEAUCHAMP.—We regret
record the death of this venerable nobleman, who exllif:
at his seat, at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, on loss'
night. The noble earl had been some time sufferill°
from severe illnesr, and expired in his 79th year.

A History of Great Britain, written in model.°
Greek by G. Lampese, has been recently published.
NEW HISTORY OF THE GIPSIES.—A curious b°°.„
has been published at Leipsic by Mr. Liebach. Its title is
"The Gipsies and their Language." It traces their °Poi
pearance in Europe, and gives an interesting descriPtie°
the gipsy's character, morals, and manners.
which
THE GUILD OF LITERATURE AND ART, - "
has been hitherto prevented and hindered by t'"
unfortunate wording of the Act of Parliament which have
it a legal existence from getting into working order, has A",.
last published its general balance sheet. From this it
appears that the Guild possesses a clear capital of £5,323 t°
start with ; that it proposes to erect a number of free re's'
deuces upon some land given by Sir Edward Bulwer Litt°l4
and that its transactions will be to grant pensions or dons,
tions or free residences to members of its own body or tne'r
widows. The right of membership is obtained by the su
scription of an entrance fee of one guinea and an annult
subscription of a like sum. Some complaints were tale%
that the gentlemen who kindly volunteered to act in varieuci
parts of the country for the benefit of the Guild had charge t
enormously for their expenses. These complaints turn (,),1;t
to be unfounded, for the expenses do not exceed the Dieu--
rate sum of a guinea a day each.—Examiner.
THE REFRACTIVE POWER OF THE EYE. Re'
gently described by Mr. Ctaudet, before
British Association. One of the most beautiful 01'
extraordinary results of the structure of the human eye i-
-4
the considerable field of vision it embraces. The exterew
objects which are represented on the retina are included
is
an angle much larger than one half of the sphere at rho
centre of which the observer is placed ; and from this PeAiii.a
of view a single glance encompasses a vast and spienul
panorama, extending in a horizontal and vertical direction
to an angle of 200 deg. To explain how the optical combine
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 throng':
the cornea and the crystalline lens are more and more the
fracted in proportion to the angle at which they strike "
spherical surface of the cornea. By this refraction the re/
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, wi(
we are lighted by the sun, the moon, or any other light'
we endeavour to place ourselves in such a position that to
ic
front of the body should be on a line with its own shad°
and with the light which produces it, if We 1°:0
straight before us we see unexpectedly with r'i„
eye the light and with the other the shadow of 01inf
body ; and, although they must form an angle i
189 deg., they appear by the refraction to form one of on f
:
160 deg. In fact, the light and the shadow do not seem ,
be connected at all—instead of being in a line, they 111438ar
~
bent to an angle. This curious phenomenon evident./
proves that the process of vision is affected by the comre°ll,
law of retraction. So that, mathematically we see in their
right place only the objects, which reflect their light on tb,le
centre of the retina, and all the other objects are more
more refracted as they enter the eye in a more and nor:
oblique direction. Therefore, the panoramic picture whioh
is represented on the retina is correct only in the centre
this organ, and all the other parts of the picture are seen
where they are not exactly. But this is no imperfection i°
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 see 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 motion 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.
CoAlemFatnw,aTAmLeErschEaOnßtT, HhaEsgpuAbßiliNclEysnTaMr. Bnia
detheefollinolia°
ing strange statements :—" On one occasion, Mr. F. wal)
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 We'
directed to look in a leather bag which was lying in another
room (the door being closed, and none of the party havi°s,
moved from their seats), where it was found, the bag being
locked, and the key in his pocket." On another occasiol3,
according to the same authority, "A lady, paying a morn'
ing visit to Mr. and Mrs. F., was startled by the loudnP'
of the sounds (raps), which obliged Mr. F. to explain tile
nature of these manifestations. She smiled, and said eb°
was not a believer. The spirits, by the raps, said ti3elt
would convince her, by taking from her an elastic armie
which she wore. Before she could protect it, it was gone
and they were informed that it was in Mr. F.'s cigar c3e,e.:
twhheicrhepNi init
il]istheeor :aetpocket. H° opened the case and d ‘.4
nut see it. You have deceived us,' he said. No,' w°s
On looking again, and reraovill
the cigarettes, with which it was nearly filled, the ravel%
was found, folded up, at the bottom of the ease. 11'1
spirits then said that they had taken the other armlet, and
that it would be found in a vase which was in the roots:
Mr, F. had to stand on a chair to reach the vase, and foria4
the second armlet deposited there." Occasionally the sPi:
rite arc us useful and obliging as the fairies of our chi'
hood; fofi instance, when'' Mr. F. was in the act of re;
moving a key from his bunch, tie accidentally slipped ibis
small gold key belonging to his wife's dressing case.
happened in the street, after dark, and half a mile fret 3
his house. On their arrival at home, Mrs. F. was cote;
forted by the spirits saying, Never mind, dearest, we sc:!
find it, and bring it to you by the morning.' Accordingly'
upon her awekieg, another message was delivered by ner
faithful servitors, informing her that they had brought al!
key, which was found lying m the dressing-table." Ander
s, conjuror, tthhee
c hinese jwaigthg nwiet hh
ha
iuss tiimblpea
ibeomt telnet,
$2O ralirotrars,
sprites of the spirit-rappers,
nothing to these /3 Preo64