The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-28 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

This DAY.—Morning, 6h. 50:n.—Afternoon, 7h. 20m.
Ta-Monnow.-Morning, 7h. 52m.—Afternoon, Bh. 33m.

1
y,)
.04 If 144 k
ic; Yip
4011.1 .111,1 t

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPT. 28, 1865.

--0.--

At the Huntingdonshire Agricultural Society,
yesterday, General PEEL made some interesting re-
marks upon the state of our foreign relations in
connection with the army and navy. Ile observed
that he had nothing but satisfactory reminiscences
in connection with the only important event that I
had taken place since he hail addressed his consti-
tuents, and that was the " exchange of hospitalities"
between the French and English fleets. The gallant
General was enabled to speak with authority on the,
subject of the improved relations between the two
countries, for he not only remembered Waterloo,
but held a commission at the time. It is, indeed, a
happy and fortunate change that has taken place,
and we may well hope that it will conduce
to the permanent welfare of the two nations. Gen.
PEEL truly remarked that we were generally alter-
nating between hot and cold fits of military and
naval expenditure—the hot fits arising from some
disagreeable panic as to invasion, and the cold ones
from the sudden cessation of such panics. One
great evil arising from these sudden alarms is, that,
iti consequence of the hurry in which the prepara-
a great deal of money has been
lions were made,
. more time and atten-
tion to little or no purpose
tion would be much more likely to lead us to a
successful issue; and, as the chief cause of the hur- I
ried calls for warlike preparation was the great
rvialry existing between England and France, it is
not unreasonable to suppose that the future may wit-
ness a striking improvement in this respect. There is
great wisdom in the remarks of General PEEL, to
the effect that we ought to have the best models
and lay out the money -Co the best advantage. The
Volunteer; lie also said, should not relax their

efforts because no present danger was visible. All
experience shows that it is 'Letter to be prepared
than to have to begin &knees when the momen-

toes occasion arrives,

Lord ROBERT IIbiONTAGIi also made some obser-
vations, which were well received, and gave an
animated account of the results of a general elec-
tion. It resembles very much a meet of the
hounds ; eaelt starts flushed with success, but before
long what casualties occur. A "rasping fence"
awaits them at the outset, and, as the noble lord said,
" it is, indeed, a pleasant thing to find oneself after
all on the right side." Yet, to contimue the meta-
ilor, when this desideratum is gaiacd other annoy-
ances arise. There is a very hard country to ride
ier, so that few can keep up their speed and fewer

preserve a straight lane. " Some cannot ride at
all, others have no endurance, some have heavy
hobbies, which crush through obstacles, but are
without speed, others sail along quickly, but without
judgment."
With respect to the cattle plague the noble lord
said that we had experience to go upon in relation
to its treatment, and that taught us that the
" strict isolation" of diseased cattle was im-
peratively necessary. This was well said, for we
have heard of late several instances of great losses
occurring through inattention to this most impor-
tant regulation. As the noble lord said, too much
much care cannot be taken to remove predisposing
causes. Fresh air and cleanliness are most essen-
tial, and as necessary in cattle typhus as in human
typhus. The Government, Lord ROBERT thinks,
ought to come forward and pay for the slaughtered
animals, or, at all events, in some measure compen-
sate for the heavy losses. sustained. The noble lord
concluded by expressing in forcible terms the neces-
sity that forced upon us to prepare for emergencies.
" The murrain is ravaging our plains, the typhus is
rampant in our cities, the potato disease has ap-
peared in Ireland, the cholera is coming to Eng-
land." Certainly these calamities are enough to
make us do all we can to improve our sanitary con-
dition, and if we neglect to•do it at once, we shall,
before long, reap most fatal consequences for our
carelessness and wanton indifference.

Scarcely has the public mind recovered from the
shock of the rapid succession of fatal accidents
which a short time since occurred on our railways
than another disaster comes to show us that no
painful experience will teach railway companies the
necessity of ordinary prudence. We suppose that
SIDNEY S3IITH'S famous aphorism about the bishop
will have to be realised, and that railway passen- r
gem need not expect any care for their lives and
limbs until two or three directors of one of the
leading companies have experienced some of the
delights of a collision or an overthrow. From the
manner in which the arrangements are often con-
ducted one might suppose that these gentlemen
never travelled on their own lines, for if they did
so, ignorance and negligence would be alike impos-
sible. No one pretends to say that the heads of our
railway lines are to be charged with wilfully ne-
glecting their responsibilities, but it is certain that
the rapid succession of accidents is alike alarming
to the public and unprofitable to themselves. One
such accident as that to the tidal train the other
day must seriously damage the best dividends, be-
sides shaking the confidence of the public, and tend-
ing to discourage that travelling for pleasure which
forms a large part of their business. At one
time the accidents were quite exceptional, and
were remarkable events; now they are so frequent,
that however much attention is excited by one, it
is sure to be quickly superseded by another. The
minor disasters are continually occurring ; it is
almost impossible to take up a newspaper without 1
finding some reference to an accident of some kind ;
while such is the general feeling of uneasiness
created that in nearly every- railway carriage the
chance of a catastrophe becomes the subject of con-
versation. Surely this state of things is unnecessary,
and our skill and science ought to be equal to pro-
viding a better system. We are rapidly approach-
ing the American indifference of life, and shall
soon emulate their recklessness. So many of the
accidents arise from perfectly avoidable causes that
they are the more to be deplored. The excursion
trains offer immense advantages to the hard-worked
citizens of our busy manufacturing towns, to say
nothing of the throngs who pour out from our over-
crowded metropolis, to enjoy the sight of green
fields and hedges, or to gaze upon the glorious ex-
panse of the sea, but they arc fruitful sources of
mischief. There is no reason why they should be
I so, except the apparent determination of the com-
panies to reckon them as nothing in the time-
r
tables. In their anxiety to oblige the public, or
to increase their own profits, they allow the usual
goods trains, coal trucks, cattle trucks, &c., to be
sent to and fro at the ordinary rate, appearing quite
oblivious of the fact that the excursion train is to
come along the crowded line at a stated hour. So
many accidents have arisen from this negligence
that it is really quite unpardonable that the com-
panies should adopt some new rule. The disastrous
collision which yesterday took place in Lancashire
arose from this cause, and the injuries which were
inflicted on about twenty persons, besides the shock
to the whole of the passengers, and the damage to
property, were all thus quite avoidable. It was
the old story, though with slight variations. The
excursion train from Oldham to Blackfoot was to
arrive at Manchester at 8 a.m., and to leave a few
minutes after. It was an hour behind time, not
leaving Manchester till past nine, and not arriving
at Preston till nearly eleven. Meanwhile a heavy
goods train, from Fleetwood to Manchester, arrived
at Lea-road station, and was shunted on to the up
line to allow the express train from Fleetwood to
Manehester to pass, thus being, of course, on the
very line on which the excursion train was coming
from Preston to Lea. The result might, of course,
have been expected. The engine-driver of the
excursion train, as he rounded a curve in
the road, saw the danger before him, and at
once reversed his engine, but in vain. The excur-
sion train rushed into the goods train, and twenty
persons were more or less seriously injured, besides
the shock and alarm to those unhurt. And all this
misery and suffering, to say nothing of the loss to the
company, might have been avoided by the most ordi-
nary care. Surely it was possible for the excursion
train to keep better time. What was the station-
master at Lea-road dreaming of to allow the goods
train to be shunted on to the up line when he
must have known the excursion was overdue?
Another cause which contributed greatly to the
catastrophe was the fact that there is no telegraphic
communication between Lea-road and the other
stations, a singular piece of negligence, considering
the immense amount of traffic on the line. The
number of trains wlftch pass Lea-road daily may
be guessed from the fact that during the two
hours which elapsed before the road was clear, the
row of carriages and waggons grew to a mile inlength.
Surely, then, a little more care and vigilance should
be exercised on a line of so much importance,
and prompt communication should be possible with
all the
neighbouring stations. Happily the accident
produced no fatal consequences, and the line on
which it occurred has been by no means among the
Most unfortunate. But the Same acciaents occur SO
done to arrest the evil. Fara' ' •ty
continually on the different lines that it is time that
iliari
Isomething
wasroverhially makes men indifferent, ii
not reckless, but in the case of railway travellinE
the indifference extends to other people's safety oi
danger. The very fact of an accident occurring from
of preventing
one particular cause seems, instead
its repetition, almost to occasion it. The two
catastrophes which cost so many lives a short
time since both originated in mistakes connected
with the plate-layers. Fines and heavy damage:
seem to be really useless. The punishment recoil
upon the shareholders, who have nothing to do with
the rules and regulations of. the company, the se-
lection of efficient employes, and the payment of thi
salaries, &e. It is, of course, better,than nothing,
and it is chiefly satisfactory, as giv'rg some com-

pensation to those whose health has perhaps been
injured for life, but the cure is very ineffective. It
would be well to try the effect of making the
directors personally responsible for accidents
arising from gross negligence and rules
framed regariless of danger. We should
then see a little more care exercised in the selection
of station masters and other responsible officials ;
we should have regular telegraphic communication
along all the lines ; we should have something else
thought of than getting the greatest amount of
work done in the shortest possible time. Thanks
partly to their strong Parliamentary interest, and
partly to their public- convenience, the railway com-
panies have had every advantage hitherto ; it is
now time that some effort should be made on be-
half of the passengers, if the direction of the railways
is to be left to private enterprise. They have so
completely monopolised the means of communica-
tion that it is absolutely necessary they should be
made to show a little regard for the safety of their
passengers, as well as for their own profits.

Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE made some observa-
tions upon Middle-Class Education on Monday, on
the occasion of the certificates being awarded to
the successful candidates in the Oxford Examina-
tion at Exeter-centre. The hon. baronet said that
few took sufficiently comprehensive views on the
object of education, for while one aimed at too much
show, the other neglected immediate results too
much in order to make a general impression on the
mind. This is true in some degree, and may perhaps
account for the apparent inconsistency of the manage-
ment of this important theme. It stands to reason,
then, that the best remedy is to provide for the evils so
constantly arising from the disputes of schoolmasters
and parents in the interpretation of a competent
authority which is competent to judge and can
command respect and attention from all who are
concerned in education. As Sir S. NORTHCOTE said,
Englishmen will not willingly allow the " middle-
class education" of the country to come under Go-
vernment control. The universities present the best
solution of the difficulty in furnishing a body of
men who are of undoubted excellence in proficiency
and experience, and can afford great service to those
who are perplexed and confused as to the best means
of imparting a sound and useful education.
No doubt these examinations have, as the
honourable baronet said, done great good in
enabling the schoolmaster to arrive at a correct
notion of the efficiency of his scholars, which other-
wise he might not be conscious of. We have found
out that education as a system is now improving in
England, and more real work is done instead of a
superficial semblance of it. It is time, indeed, that
a stop should be put to a method which prevailed
in some quarters of teaching Latin without grammar
or dictionary, or reading HORACE and VIRGIL
through teaching the English translations by turns.
Some very good advice was given in this speech on
the evils arising from inattention to particulars, and,
as he said, juniors now-a-days are too apt to neglect
their work. " Accuracy is the foundation of
all good honest work in this world" was justly
observed by the hon. baronet, and it is precisely
in this matter that so much carelessness prevails.
The Earl of DEVON laid great stress upon the good
services rendered to the cause of education by the
exertions of the examiners of the Universities, who
have come forward, as in old times, to advance the
" great work of middle class education in the coun-
try." It is always a satisfaction to find influential
persons thus exerting themselves to do honour to
those whose skill and care have done so much to
advance the progress and render more permanent
the success of a great undertaking, which is most
vital in its consequences, and may be called truly
national in interest.

LATEST INT,ELLIGE.NO,E.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

-4.

THE BRAZILS.
DEFEAT OF TIIE PARAGUAYANS BY
FLORES.
(By telegraph from Lisbon.)
RIO DE JANEIRO, SEPT. 8.

A battle has taken place at Yantany, on the
Uruguay, in which the allies under Flores were
victorious.
The enemy lost 1,700 prisoners, their cannon and

flags.
This defeat is considered to have struck a decisive
blow at the Paraguayan invasion of Brazil.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
Exchange on London, 231. Coffee good ; first,
8,500 to 10,000 reis. Shipments since the depar-
ture of the last mail, 98,191 bags, of which 54,658
were for the Channel. Sales of coffee, 90,000 ;
stock, 75,000 bags. F4ights, 471.
BAHIA, SEPT. 13.
Exchange on London, 241. Cotton, 16,000 to
16,200. Sugar, brown, 2,200 to 2,300 reis.
PERNAMBUC 0, SEPT. 16.
Eichange on London, 234. Sugar, whites, 4,000
to 4,100 reis ; brown, 2,300 to 2,550 reis. Cotton,
15,600 reis.
The Messageries Imperiales steamer Guienne,
with the French mails for Brazil, arrived here on
the 12th.

LISBON, SEPT. 27.

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship
La Plata, from the Brazils, &e., has arrived here,
and leaves for Southampton this evening with 50
adult passengers, £7,824 in specie, 100 bags of
coffee, 24 packages of ipecacuanha, 100 barrels
tapioca, 257 rolls tobacco, and 130 packages of
sundries.

The Oneida, with the outward mails of the 9th
September, was at St. Vincent on the 20th inst.

INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.

The Massilia, which left Malta on the 27th inst.,
may be expected at Southampton on the 6th, instead
of on the 10th October, as previously announced.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Sept. 27.—Two o'Clock.—Though
prices in some instances are higher the market is
not firm, and Stock is less favoured than Railway
Shares. Threes, for the Account, are without varia-
tion, at 68f. 32ic. Italian Fives are again offered
at 65f. 450., with a further fall of per cent.
French and Spanish Mobiliers, on the contrary,
have improved, the former being at 836 f. 25c., and
the latter at 505 f. Immobilierc, 530 f. Lombard,
457 f. 50c. Three o'clock.—The market has con-
tinued flat, and closed at the following quotations:

41 per Cents 96 40
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 6B 20
Do. end month 6B 25
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3595
Credit Foncier —
Italian Loan 65 30
Do. end month 65 20

Ditto Threes —
Roman 75
Mexican Loan sli
Do. Bonds 338 75
Russian -
Austrian
Spanish Throes
Home Debt
Defcrred

WAYS.

Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian .
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

Cash. , 'Acct.
... 845 -
- ... 1087 50
... 873 75
... 563 75

245 --
408 75

--f--

- - ... 456 25
- - ... 213 75

... 221 25

AMERICA.

(RE UT ER'S EXPRESS.)
(Pcr the Saxonia.)
NEw YORK, Sept. 16 (Noon).

The news is unusually meagre. Southern advices
are generally satisfactory, and indicate a rapid
progress towards rehabilitation by the lately insur-
gent States. The military and provisional civil
authorities are co-operating harmoniously, no cases
of interference by the former with the functions of
the latter being reported. General Slocum having,
in obedience to the President's instructions, re-
scinded his late order, the organisation of the State
Militia is being effected, and it is presumed that
similar action will be permitted soon throughout
the South ; nor is any danger apprehended there-
from, as the moderate and conciliatory policy
adopted by Mr. Johnson appears to be rapidly
eradicating all antipathy to the Government—the
most prominent leaders of the rebellion being now
foremost in openly advocating a frank acknow-
ledgement of the national authority.
It is rumoured that the President contemplates
proclaiming a general amnesty, it being found that
the issuing of special pardons requires too great an
expenditure of time and labour to examine the merits
of individual applications. As an indication of the
probability of a general pardon, it may be observed
that several of the provisional governors have re-
cently announced that all persons whom they have
recommended to the President for pardon may vote
at the approaching elections, upon the assumption
that their pardon will be granted. It may be fairly
presumed that these officials would not take upon
themselves such responsibility without being aware
of the President's purpose in regard to the matter,
as otherwise the elections would be illegal, and their
results rendered null and void.

Governor Parsons, of Alabama, is said to have
advised the Constitutional Convention of that State
to make provisions for the admission of negro testi-
mony in court.

General Swayne, Assistant-Commissioner of the
Freedmen's Bureau for Alabama, has issued orders,
which have been approved by the Governor and by
General Wood, providing that all contracts for
labour between planters and negroes must be re-
duced to writing. In order to protect the negroes,
said contracts are to form a lien on the crops, while
for the protection of the planters all negroes refusing
to comply with the stipulations are to be arrested
as vagrants and compelled to work.
The citizens of Alabama have petitioned Governor
Parsons to interfere for the removal of Colonel
Lynch, of the Fifth Wisconsin Cavalry, on the
grounds that his action is likely to create a negro
insurrection.

Advices from Texas state that the crops through-
out the State are abundant, and the negroes are
generally remaining with their masters and working
as usual. Meetings were being held throughout
the State for the purpose of aiding in reconstruc-
tion, and a Convention is to be called in order to
restore the State to its old Federal relations.

In Arkansas refugees were returning from Texas,
and industry was rapidly reviving. In the northern
portions, however, labour was in great demand, a. 3
the negroes were generally deserting that section on
account of the great antipathy manifested towards
them by the whites, particularly by the Federal
troops, who are said to manifest so deep a hatred
of the freedmen as to render it unsafe for negroes
to remain anywhere in the vicinity of military sta-
tions. One case is reported wherein a negro, hav-
ing outraged a whitewoman, a number of furloughed
United States cavalrymen, after burning the guilty
man, made a general attack upon the negroes in the
neighbourhood, and killed a number of them. Thc,
feeling is said to have resulted from excesses perpe-
trated by vagrant negroes.
The Wirz trial has been postponed on account of
the dangerous illness of the prisoner. It is now
supposed that he will be well enough to reappear
in Court in a few days, when the trial will be re-
sumed and the defence commenced.

There are no new developments in relation to the
trial of Mr. Davis. The President is said to be
constantly receiving petitions from the South ask-
ing for clemency for him, and urging in extenua-
tion of his cause that he, during the rebellion, only
faithfully performed the duties of an office to which
he was elected by the almost unanimous voice of
the South. The outcry, against him in the North is

THE'SUP, LONDON, TIIMISDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 28, KIB6L

rapidly subsiding, and the charges of his connection
with the alleged Andersonville cruelties are dying
out, as did those of his complicity in the assassina-
tion of President Lincoln. It is said that Mr.
Davis's health is now good, and that he is permitted
to correspond with his relatives and friends by open
letters, and has such books as he asks for placed at
his disposal,
Sir Morton Peto and party, after having visited
the coal and petroleum regions of Pennsylvania, are
now on their way to Chicago.
It is rumoured that army waggons are being ex-
tensively constructed in the neighbourhood of New
York for the Fenian organization. Numerous
meetings and festivals of the Brotherhood are being
held throughout the country.
The Republican State Convention of -Massachu-
setts met at Worcester on the 13th inst., and nomi-
nated for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor Col.
Alexander Bullock and the Hon. Willian Claflin.
Resolutions were adopted expressing confidence in
President Johnson, and promising him support in
all efforts to restore order at the South ; that the
South should, however, be dealt with vigorously,
every trace of slavery extirpated, and all authority
withheld from persons who at the South were en-
gaged in the rebellion, and from those who, at the
North, opposed the war for its suppression. It
was further resolved that the Southern States could
not be safely entrusted with self-government until
they had, by constitutional amendment, ratified the
abolishment of slavery. The Hon. Charles Sum-
ner, who was President of the Convention, deli-
vered a lengthy speech of rather a radical character.
He warmly declared himself opposed to those en-
gaged in the rebellion " being voted for, or being
allowed to vote." He declared that the ship of
State is drifting upon a lee shore, and that the pre-
sent policy of the Administration would not meet
the emergency. Neither the rebellion nor slavery
were ended. The rebellion was disarmed only, and
slavery abolished but in name. Slavery would
exist until the black code was abolished, and full
equality before the law established. Mr. Sumner's
speech is thought to indicate that, in the approach-
ing Congress, he will strongly oppose the Admini-
stration policy.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF LONDON.
QUEENSTOWN, Sept. 28.
The Inman steamer City of London, from New
York on the 16th inst., arrived here at 8 a.in. to-
day, with $28,900 in specie and 181 passengers.
She landed 59 passengers, and proceeded at
8.30 a.m.

Disastrous Railway Collision.

PRESTON; Wednesday Evening.
Shortly before noon to-day a most alarming col-
lision took place at Lea-road Station, on the Pres-
ton and Wyre Railway, a few miles from this town,
the consequence being the destruction of a con-
siderable amount of property, and injury, in some
cases serious, to about 20 persons.

This morning an excursion train left Oldham,
calling at intermediate stations up to Wigan, for
Blackpool. The train was timed to arrive at Man-
chester about 8 o'clock, and to start from there in a
few minutes afterwards. It did not, however, leave
Ordsal Station, Manchester, until a quarter past 9,
and it was, therefore, behind time all along the line.
The train consisted of about 20 carriages, and on
leaving the last station it had no " take up," as the
passengers would number about 700. It arrived at
Preston about a quarter to 11 o'clock, and after-
wards branched upon the Preston and Wyre line,
and soon got upon a speed equal to about 35 or 40
miles an hour. While on its way between Preston
and Lea-road a rather heavily-laden goods train
from Fleetwood to Manchester arrived at Lea, and
in order to allow the express leaving Fleetwood for
Manchester at 10.10 to pass, it was shunted on the
up-line, that on which the excursion train was ap-
proaching. Shortly before the express came up the
excursion-train rounded the curve on the Preston
side of Lea-road station at a rapid speed. The
engine driver of the excusion train, perceiving the
position he was in, and the impossibility of the
goods train being got out of the way, shut off the
steam and reversed his engine at once ; but the dis-
tance between the two trains was too short to pre-
vent a collision, and he and the stoker accordingly
jumped off the engine, which by this time was run-
ning at about 10 miles an hour. The driver and
stoker of the luggage, which was standing upon the
line, also jumped on one side. In a few seconds
afterwards a violent collision ensued. A scene of
indescribable confusion and alarm succeeded. Pas-
sengers were shouting and screaming out of the
windows, and numbers were thrown about in the
carriages in all directions. Some were upon the
floors, other were thrown against and upon each
other, and altogether the situation of affairs was
most alarming. Those who could get out of the
carriages did so, while others had to be removed to
the station, a very small and most inconvenient
place. It was soon found that a large number
had been injured, but for a time nobody seemed
to know what to do, and as there is
no telegraphic communication between Lea-
road and the other stations, full assistance could not
for a considerable time be obtained.
The stationmaster, Mr. Wm. Brown, was most
assiduous in affording whatever aid he could give,
and he als-o procured stimulants for the injured pas-
sengers from some of the gentlemen's houses in the
neighbourhood. Dr. Monks, of Wigan, happened
to be in the excursion train, and not being in any
way injured, he at once attended to the injured ex-
cursionists in a most energetic manner.

Twenty persons were altogether injured, and every
one of the 700 passengers were severely shaken.
The following areamong the injured: Mrs. Turner,
Grosvenor-street, Manchester, severe cut and bruised
on the head and face ; Mr. Birchall, Butter-street,
Manchester, bruised leg ; Mr. Roberts, Hope-street,
Salford, forehead cut ; Mr. Risk, Broughton-road,
Manchester, face injured ; Mr. Pattison, Moss-side,
Hulme, face cut ; Mr. G. Hartland, Goston-brok,
Manchester, face cut ; Mr. J. Squire, Moss-lane,
Manchester, cut face ; Mr. G. Scott, Lord-street,
Hulme, face cut; Mr. R. Charles, Greenhalgh-
grove, Manchester, hurt about face ; Jane White-
lock, Tamworth-street, Manchester, face cut ;
Emily Howarth, Oxford-street, Charlton-on-Med-
lock, broken nose and cut face ; Mr. G. Ratcliffe,
Tyldesley, cut hand and finger; Mr. G. Butter-
worth, Tonnan-street, Manchester, cut face ; Mrs.
Pendlehury, Church-street, Bolton, cut face and lip;
Miss Mary Hurst, Bradshaw-gate, Bolton, severely
shaken.

Six other persons, whose names have not yet
transpired, have also been hurt. Many persons had
their hats smashed, and several of them presented a
most extraordinary appearance on leaving the car-
riages.

The engine of the excursion train and that of the
goods trains were crushed considerably. Two or three
waggons were also thrown off the line and damaged.
About two hours elapsed before the road was clear.
While the trains which had come into collision were
standing on the line a number of trains came up on
both sides, and at one time there was a row of car-
riages and waggons belonging to the trains which
had been brought to a stand fully a mile, if not
more, in length.
The passengers who had received the worst inju-
ries were removed to their homes early this after-
noon, others not so bad went on to Blackpool.
The danger signals were, it is said by the station-
master at Lea-road, turned fully on when the ex-
cursion train made its appearance.

A few years ago an accident, brought about partly
in the same way, but considerably more lamentable
in its consequences, took place at Lea-road station.
Reports received to-night speak favourably of the
condition of those injured.

FIRE IN LONG-ACRE.—Between nine and ten
o'clock last night a fire, which at one time threatened the
most serious consequences, broke out in the upper portion
of Messrs. Kesterton's coach manufactory, situate at the
corner of. Endell-street, Long-acre, immediately adjoining
S,t. Martin's Hall. The engines from the Chandos-street
station were promptly in attendance, and by dint of great
exertions succeeded in extinguishing the flames before they
had extended to the main body of the premises, the roof
only of the buildings being destroyed. These premises
have been burnt down to the ground on two previous
occasions within the last few years.