The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-27 00:00:00

THE BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.

The other day, returning from Leamington to Lon-
don, via the London and Birmingham Railway from
Coventry, I was much annoyed on my arrival at Coven-
try, with my family of 1.5 persons, to find that my car-
riage could not go up by that train. I was coolly told
—" There is no truck for you, Sir, and you must wait
for another train, say half-past twelve or two. I in-
quired the meaning of this. They said they did not
know ; there were two carriages on, and I could not
go. Now, I made a point of being in time, having ar-
rived at half-past eight for the train which was to start
at a quarter before nine. I remonstrated with the ma-
nager at Coventry, and fora longtime couldget no redress.
In the meantime, anothergentleman arrived in his carriage.
I told him we should be similarly situated, as they would
not take us up by this train. He was also surprised
and annoyed, but said he should go back again, as the
same thing had happened to him the day before, and
after waiting a long time trains arrived but no trucks, I
and supposing the same thing would happen again, and
as it was raining very fast, and he had come a long way,
he should return, which he did. I, however, remon-
strated with the superintendent on the shameful want of
accommodation for the public, and threatened to repre-
sent it in the highest quarter I. could. After some time

had elapsed, it-was agreed to bring forward a waggon
truck, and by shifting a smaller carriage on that to
allow mine to be placed on the regular truck, and thanks
to Superintendent Bickly, I got up to town by that
train ; but, Sir, is it right that the public should be ex-
posed to this, among the many evils I perceive growing
out of these gigantic monopolies! The cashier's
remark to me was, " that I ought to have
sent from Leamington the day before (ten
miles distant) to secure a truck." To this I replied,
that as the company will not let me secure my places
for my family, I could not expect they would book my
carriage. Now, I took the precaution to send over
the day before to inquire whether I could get up by
that train, and the hour I ought to be there, and I
was told I could, and I ought to be there by a quar-
ter to nine. So I made a point of being there at
half-past eight. Notuithstanding all this precaution,
had I net made a considerable stir (however unpleasant
to my own feelings), I should probably have remained
at the Coventry station,for the day. Surely Govern-,
ment ought to look into these matters ; and I do trust
that the Marquis of Westminster will, according to pro-
mise, propose some searching committee to protect
the public from the abuse of these monopolies. I will

just mention one or two more circumstances that fre-
quently occur, and which, by a little attention on the part
of the managers, might be avoided. Frequently on the
stopping of a train- at a station, the engines are stopped
close to the windows of the opposite train, and during
this time these boilers are allowed to play off their
steam, which causes so frightful a noise as easily to bring
on illness with a nervous person. These engines might
easily be sent 200 or 300 yards until the trains are
ready, and not to terrify the pa.ssengcrs for five minutes
and more, to so great an extent as I have been witness
to frequently. The second point, although a minor one,
is the great want of attention on the part of some one
when the train arrives, and stops for ten minutes at
Wolverton, where ladies have wished to alight from
their carriages which are of necessity perched upon a
truck ; but no one can be found with a ladder until it is
generally time to start off again, when, on hearing the
bell ringing and the steam puffing off, the poor ladies
are seen running about in ail directions, almost frightened
.out of their lives of being left behind.
Now, Sir, when you consider the infamous charges
of this mode of travelling (and which, by-the-by, was '
to save the public millions by its cheapness), I do think
we ought not to be subject to so many unpleasant oc-
currences. While on the subject of charge, I will
only state that in Belgium you travel 75 miles for five
francs, or 4s. 2d. as fixed by' Government ; here yo u
travel the same distance for 21.s.—Letter in the Times.

CHARTIST LETTER,
ADDRESSED FROM DURHAM GAOL TO THE
VIEWER OF THORNLEY COLLIERY.

DURHAM GAOL.
Mr. SEYMOUR —Sir—When calm moments overtake
us, we certainly see the error that we have committed
in not obeying your orders. We, like all other foolish
men, were led into a great snare, and to get out of
it will lie wholly upon yourself ; if acknowledging our
faults we do it with every sincereness, and humbly
beg your pardon. We did not cease work for the
sake of doing our employers any injury ; but for fear
of the future, that is, to be ill-treat by the disaffected ;
but the horrors of this place will bring every the most
hardened to their senses. We therefore trust and
pray that as we.have done wrong, you won't play upon
our feelings, but immediately liberate us from the
dreadful situation that we are in. If, Sir, you think
that reading out letter to the men will have any effect
upon them, you have our decided approbation—the
sooner the better ; but please take us from here, and we
promise to do everything that consistency can lay
claim to. 13y so doing, Sir,
You will much oblige your unfortunate servants,
(Signed) JOSEPH SMITH.
JOHN REDFERN,
JOSEPH CRAIG
his
WELLS DC STEEL
mark

—Gateshead Observer.

TRADE IN OPIUM.

An Account of the income derived by the Hon. East India
Company from the sale of Opium in the following years,
extracted from their +• Annual Revenue Accounts,"
printed by order of the House of Commons—No. 235
in 1835, No. 380 in 1836, No. 51 in 1837, and No.
123 in 1839.

BENGAL PRESIDENCY.
Sicca Rupees.
31

1831-32
1832 33
1833 34
1834 35
1835-36
1836-37*

7.70.16 372

COSTS AND CHARGES.
SiCC4 Rupees.
1830-31 31.99.642
1831-32 27.90.018
1832.33 38.43.579
1 X 33.34 37.02.573
1834.35 44.10.803
1835 36 45.20.405
1836.37'*