The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-21 00:00:00

NORTH KENT RAILWAY.
The North Kent line, which will bring London into
immediate railway communication with the pcipulona
districts of Lewisham, Woolwich, Dartford, Gravesend,
Strocd, Reche3ter, and Chatham, is now within a few
d.lys of completion. The day fixed for the opening of
this—the most profitable portion of the South Eastern
Company's system of railways, was the Ist of July, by
which day the line will, we understand, be in a condition
to a:lrnit of an engine being driven over it; but we learn
that it is not likely to be opened for the conveyance of
passengers till about the middle of July.
The new portion of the North Kent line—viz., that
between the London-bridge station and the populous
town of Gravesend—is 231 miles in extent; and, ex•
elusive of rails and stations, the cost of construction
—the original contract estimates for which ware fixed at
635.0001.—wi1l amount, it is stated, to 400,000/. As far
as we can learn, this saving of upwards of 200,0001. has
been effected without in any degree increasing the incli-
nations of the gradients, or jeopardising the security of
any of the traffic originally sought to be obtained by the
forwation of the railway.
The new line branches cut a point of the Greenwich
viaduct 21 miles from the London-bridge station, and
takes its course, by a cutting, through the upper or
higher part of Deptford, where considerable saving has
been accomplished by tunnel, arching and retaining
walls, in the place of cast•iron supporters. This sectio❑
of the line has, however, been constructed at a consider-
able (comparative) expense, in consequence of its close
proximity to h•;use property. From Deptford to
Lewisham the line is more open, and traverses the

market gardens between the two places.
As the line approaches the Lfiwisham station, 4 miles
30 chains from Londcm-bridge, it passes over, by a
bridge of 40 feet span, the Eavensbourne "river," of
which the reader of "Hone's Every Day Book" will no
. .

doubt recollect some very pleasing reminiscences are
therein given. The Lewisham station stan,ls on a via-
duct of eight brick and three iron arches. The station
will afford great convenience to the large population of
this delightful district, a considerable portion of which,
in consequence of the inconvenient distance of the
Greenwich station, now travel by the road.
Proceeding through the very picturesque grounds of
Mr. Brandram, we arrive at the Blackheath station, 5
miles 18 chains from London. bridge. It is in a very
pretty spot, called "TrauquiliVale," and will give accom-
modation to a considerable amount of first-class passenger
traffic, in which the neighbourhood abounds, and also to
the population of Eltham, Chislehurst, Footscray, &c.
Immediately beyond the Blackheath station the lino
runs through a deep cutting. Considerable diffimltit s
have h;en experienced in the execution of this part of
the works. We next reach the Blackheath tunnel (1,681
yards in length) at Morden College. Here, again, con-
siderable saving of expense has, we understand, been
effected by a judicious alteration of the works. Nor has
the saving been confined to a " matter of money," for it
is stated that were the line to be carried out at this spot
as originally designed, the opening could scarcely take
place for the next twelve months.
Emerging from the tunnel we pass through a cutting,
and then have a fine view of the River Thames—the
upper part of Woolwich Reach. The views from this
part of the line are varied and extremely pleasing.
We next reach Charlton station (7 miles 13 chains).
In the neighbourhood of this station building operations
are being carried out upon an extensive scale.
Before arriving at Woolwich station (3 miles 21
chains) the line passes through two tunnels, one 150, the
other 100, yards in extent. These tunnels have been
made fur the purpose of saving a large amount of exca-
vation, preventing delay in the opening of the railway,
and avoiding the use of a considerable amount of valu-
able property. They run through a hill composed of
artifical ground, and have, in the execution of them, pre-
sented unusual engineering difficulties. The station lies
between the marine barracks and the dock-yard gate,
and is readily accessible from all parts of that end of
the town. The line passes Woolwich in a deep excava-
tion, supported partly by retaining walls and partly by
470 yards of arching.
To and from Woolwich a very large amount of pas-
senger traffic will pass over the North Kent line- The
published returns show that the receipts of the Green-
wich line proper produce upwards of 16,000/. per mile
per annum, and it is reasonable to infer that the re-
ceipts between Woolwich and Greenwich, will yield
half that amount, or 8,0001. per mile per annum.
From Woolwich the line proceeds directly across the
Plurnstead and Erith marshes, to the village of Erith,
the favourite resort of tens of thousands of pleasure-
set le,rs. A view of the river is obtained over the whole
of this section of the line. Erith station (13 miles 64
chains) is a very commodious one, and will serve the
wealthy population of Bexley, Bexley-heath, Crayford,
&c. A very fair amount of residential and good paying
traffic will be obtained to and from this station, exclusive
of the pleasure traffic. The hop-grounds add much to
the attractive character of the scenery in the vicinity
of this station.
From Erith the line strikes inland through very undu-
lating ground, till we reach Dartford. About two miles
beyond Erith, we pass over, upon two viaducts which
leave the navigation entirely free, the River Cray, and
several other small streams. From Dartford (sixteen miles
seventy-four chains) a very considerable traffic a ill be se-
cured, as a large district of the county to the south is
entirely without the means of efficient and cheap con-
veyance. Just beyond the station the line crosses the
River Dart by a viaduct. After leaving Dartford the
line passes through a heavy chalk cutting, with a very
elegant three-arch bridge thrown across it. And here
we again run through an undulating country presenting
now pretty inland, and anon fine river scenery.
Greenhithe (19 miles 48 chains) is the next station.
Passing thence under the turnpike road, by a short tun-
eel, we proceed over the level ground to the most nu-
merously visited town in Great Britain—Gravesend.
Here the company have constructed a most substan-
tial and commodious station, on a piece of ground that
has been excavated for the purpose. The station has
the advantage of being easily accessible as well from
Rosherville as from Gravesend. No reasonable ex-
pense seems to have been spared in the endeavour to
make the station at once convenient and commodious.
About a mile and a quarter from the Gravesend station
the use runs into the old Gravesend and Rochester Rail-
way. This, which was originally the Gravesend and
Rochester Canal, and effected a communication between
the Thames and the Medway, was, it will be remem-
bered, formed by the canal company into a single line of
railway, and falling into the hands of the South-Eastern
Company, next made into a double line by the latter.
The line to Gravesend, will, therefore, not only have its
own local and pleasure traffic, but, by its junction with
the Gravesend and Rochester Railway, will come into
competition with the steamers for that large passenger
traffic which, traversing the rail between Gravesend,
Strood, Rochester, and Chatham, has hitherto reached
the metropolis by the river and the Blackwell Railway.
We believe the Parliamentary estimates of the receipts
upon the lines between the London-bridge terminus and
Gravesend was 5,000/. per mile per annum. With judi-
cious arrangements this amount of receipts will no doubt
be realised. Such a receipt would, alter deducting 401.
per cent. for working expenses, pay 5 per cent. upon an
outlay of 1,500,000/.
The line appears to be very well constructed, and the
brickwork is very substantially executed.

REMOVAL OF THE COURT TO OSBORNE.—It is
supposed the Court will remove to Osborne House about
the 2d of next month, and remain during the remain-

ieg part of the month, and that the Queen, Prince Albert,
and the Royal children will proceed in the Victoria and
Albert, Royal yacht, about the second week in August,
for Scotland.
TRADE WITH ALGERIA.—The Lords of the COM•
mittee of Privy Council for Trade having forwarded to
the Lords of the Treasury an arplication requesting to be
informed whether articles the produce of Algeria may be
imported for use in this kingdom in French vessels, to-
gether with a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office
on the subject, and the report of the Commissioners of
the Customs thereon, a communication has been sent to
the Customs Board by Mr. Hayter, one of the Secre-
taries to the Treasury, statieg that he has been com-
manded by their Lordships to transmit for their infor-
mation a copy of Mr. Porter's letter, and also a copy of
a letter from the Foreign Office adverted to, and that
he (Mr. Ilayter) was to acquaint them that their Lord-
ships concur in opinion with Viscount Palmerston and
the Board of Trade, that Algeria must be treated as a
French possession, and that he was therefore to desire
that the Commissioners of the Customs would govern
themselves accordingly.
ROYAL GENERAL ANNUITY SOCIETY.—A fancy
sate in aid of the funds of this society, commenced on
Tuesday at Baker-street, Portland-square, was con-
tinued y esterday, and will be again open to-day and to-
morrow. The room in which the sale takes place has
been fitted up and decorated in a very handsome and
tasteful manner, under the superintendence of Mr.
Brewster, who deserves great credit, for haying aeltievtel
6t.) much out of no teeter materials than a portion of the
coach department of the proprietor of the Esher-;street
Bersar. Tho walls are all covered with chintz in white
and pink stripes, the floors are covered with matting,
the stands are all very commodiously arranged (those
superintended by the most active of the lady patronesses
being in the centre), and for the accommodation of the
visitors communications are established with the glass
show rooms of Messrs. Apsley Follett and Co., the
Panklibanon, and last, but not least, the far-famed exhi-
bition of Madame Tassaud. The show of articles in the
fancy sale has attracted a considerable number of people,
and among the company have been the Marchioness of
Londonderry, Viscountess Seahani, the Countess 3
Ellen-
borough, Lady M'Naghten, Lady Faun
Lane Fox, Lady Georgina Cholmle and the° w'en
Countess'
Miss
Y'
Morley. Among the lady patronesses whopresidedat
stalls, and with most praiseworthy perseverance invited
the charitable to purchase, were the Viscountess Com-
bermere and Lady Blake, Mrs. Milner Gibson, the
Ducht ss of Leeds, and the Countess Talbot also had
stalls assigned them, but discharged their duties by proxy.
As the sale is still open for two days to the public, we
recommend a visit to it, not only for the interest which
attaches to it, per se, but for the interest of the excellent
charity, the funds of which it is held for the purpose of
increasing. A notice of the affair would be incomplete
without mentioning that the walls of the roomme where
the fancy sale takes place are hupg with specifns
the
Hay market Theatre, and other contributors, and
that
there are two excellent bands of music in attendance,
under the direction of Mr. G. S. Tsylor.
MARYLEIIONE TLIEATRE.—With reference to the
startling incident in the last act of the Witch Wife, our
attention has been called to the historical fact that Sir
Matthew Hale, after listening in disguise to an unfair
trial, suddenly threw off the millers frock with which
he was covered, and took his scat on the bench. Hence
the action of Mr. Davenport's character, strange as it
may appear, is not without historical precedent.
During the year 1848, 500,000 sheep are stated to
have been boiled down for their tallow in the colony of
Port Philip.

ASYLUM FOR AGED FREE-
MASONS.
The fourteenth anniversary of this institution was
commemorated yes :T relay evening by a festival in aid of
the funds of the charity, in Freemasons' Hall, when
about 160 brethr.?n and visitors sat down to dinner.
Lord Dudley Stuart, M.P., presided, and was supported
by Brothers Shaw, Biggs, Crucefix, Costa, Fandell,
Brewster, Shelf, Dawkes, Wilson, Dobson, and others.
The, usual loyal and constitutional toasts having been
given ex cathedra,
The NOBLE CnAinmAx gave, in succession, the health
of the Earl of Zetland, the Most Worshipful Grand
Master of the Order; of the Duke of Athol, Grand.
Master of Scotland; and of the Duke of Leinster, Grand
Master of Ireland, which were severally responded to
with marked enthusiasm. _ _

Lord DUDLEY STUART, M.P., the chairman, said he
came now to that toast which must be emphatically
called the toast of the evening. He trusted they were
all—he was sure they were all—disposed to do honour
to it, and to aid that which the toast implied by all the
means in their power. He supposed he need not tell
them that the object of that meeting was to provide the
means of soothing the distresses and ministering to the
wants of those who, in age and decay, required the
aid of benevolence and assistance.—(Applause.) The
obj, cL was to provide funds, in order to raise and-estab-
lish an asylum for decayed and aged freemasons.—
(Applause.) lie thought there could not be a better or
nobler object, or ono more fitted to engage the sym-
pathies and rouse the enthusiasm of every freemason,
and of every person desirous of befriending suffering
humanity.—(App'ausr.) There was scarcely any class
in this country who did not possess some establishment
of thi3 sort, and was it right that they, freemasons,
should be without similar means of relieving distress ?
Would it not ba a reproach to them if they Avere content
to be longer without it?—(Applause.) They assured
him by their cheers that they agreed with him in that
sentiment ; but they all knew that of things of that
kind it was easy to approve and to concur in, but it was
not easy to carry them into effect without exertion or
without sacrifice.—(Cheers.) There were those smug
them to whom all honour was due, who led the way and
who showed them their example ; and with their care,
and under their auspices, the way had been prepared
for this great, and he might say holy, work.—(Ap-
plause.) The site had been chosen, the plans had
been drawn, and everything was in preparation for
the erection of the asylum so much desired, and so
much wanted, and so well calculated to effect

that object. It was proposed to erect the asylum
at Croydon, and he hoped it would not be long before
the interesting ceremony of laying the first stone was
witnessed.—(Cheers.) They all concurred in the de-
sirableness of having such an institution, but in this
country there was always a diversity of opinion—to
every government there was au oppositioa.—(Laughter.)
Ele was very glad of it, because sure he was that every-
where where there was freedom that must be, and that
it was only where opinion was repressed tied despotism
existed that that opinion could not exist.—(Cheers.) On
all occasions he was ready to give to every man who
differed from him credit for conscientiousness in his
opinion ; and, therefore, when he heard that all were
net entirely in unison on the subject to which he had re
ferrea, of the site, he doubted not that those who dif-
fered were evally conscientious in the views they
adopted. He did not prcfess to be very conversant with
that matter, but one objection to the site which had
been chosen was an impression that the locality was not
a very healthy one. On the other hand he was assured
that that unhealtiness, if it did exist, was mainly owing
to the want of proper drainage in the town of Croydon,
and that., under the present sanitary system which pre-
vailed, that evil was about to be immediately remedied,
and that, therefore, there would be no longer any ground
of objection to the site which had been chosen.—(Cheers.)
He trusted that this subject, which he was sure would
be properly looked into and sifted as it deserved, would
be disposed of in a manner that would give satisfaction
to the general body, and that the asylum would be estab-
lished, which would be as healthy, from its situation,
as any that could be found. But they must recollect
that this asylum could not rise, and could not be brought
to perfection, and could not receive its inmates, and
could not diffuse the benefits which were intended, if a
sufficient amount of funds were not collected.—
(Cheers.) They, there ore, must look to those who were
kindly and generously inclined to give them those
means which they required; and he came to them, hav-
ing been requested to fill the chair that day—(Cheers)
—to make an appeal to their best feelings to aid in no
niggardly manner, but largely, and liberally, and gene-
rously, that sacred cause.—(Cheers.) lie must press
upon them the necessity of being up and doing, and he
must press upon them, even it' he was unfortunate, the
duty of aiding their suffering bre:been. He rejoiced to
see such a meeting as that so crowded and so respect-
able, and ho was sure they would not refuse to
answer to his appeal. He • wished it were
more eloquent, but he was sure it could
not be more earnest. Hebei been a great beggar in his
time—(Laughter)—he was not a little used to it; be
knew the trade pretty well, and he knew it was not al-
ways either an easy or a grateful one. He knew well what
it was to go about and ask for charitable assistance, and
he knew all the irksomeness and all the disagreeableness
that a man so employed had to meet in his pathway.
He knew well the averted eye, the cold look, the super-
cilious smile, the good-natured air, which seemed to
say, " Your intentions arc very good, but you are not
very wise."—(Laughter.) lle knew very well all the
feelings of despondency which come over a man under
such circumstances, and what it was, instead of meeting
with kindliness and sympathy, to meet with a repulse.
lle had gone through all that, but he had not been de-
terred by it; and be had been glad if, out of a hundred
applications, he could at least obtain a certain per-cent-
age. Ile must say, in some of those attempts he had
been supported by the recollection of a story which he
had heard of a mendicant friar, who, in his woils of
mercy in seeking to solace distress, went about from
door to door, until at last he came to an assembly
composed of gamblers; he stepped into the room where
they were and asked them to give him something for
the poor. Those reckless men, intent upon throwing
the dice, paid no attention to him for some time, but he
importuned them so much that at last one of the gam-
blers got up and gave him a kick, to which the holy man
replied, " That is for me; now what have you for the
poor?"—(Laughter and cheers.) He (Lord 1). Stuart)
did not say that that had ever happened to himself—
(Laughter)—something rot altogether dissimilar, some-
thing of a kindred nature he had had to undergo. But
if it was a hard task for any man to go about soliciting
charity for his fellows in distress, if it was difficult, and
onerous, and disagreeable, and irksome, to ask for others,
let them think what it must be for one to have to ask
for himself, perhaps, when he was bowed down by years
and infirmity.—(Bear, hear.) Think what it must be
for one of their brethren, who perhaps had moved
in a sphere of social comfort and of com-
petence, and even of affluence—think what it
must be to him, reduced in his old age
to penury, and to- have to go about, and not like him
(Lord D. Stunt) to ask for others, but to go and ask aid
for himself. He hoped they would determine by their libe-
ral contributions that they would not suffer that any
brother should be reduced to that extremity, but that
they would erect a noble asylum which should receive
with open arms all those reduced by misfortune to repair
there.—(Applause.) He was sure they were ready to
do that; he was sure every man in that large and most
respectable company was ready to do his very utmost
for that great purpose. If ho was not assured of that,
confidence would be given to him when be looked up to
the gallery and saw it filled by ladies, who were ever
foremost in the work of kindness and benevolence.—
(Cheers.) He was sure they sympathised with them,
and with the object which ho was endeavouring to re-
commend, and that they were disposed to encourage the
assembly to do what he bid them to do; and if
there was a man who was not disposed to
do so, he (Lord Dudley Stuart) wished that
from that galaxy of beauty there might be no smile
for him.— (Cheers.) The Noble Lord concluded by
giving " The Asylum," which was drank with en-
thusiasm.
Mr. BIGGS, in proposing the health of Lord Southamp-
ton, the President of the institution, of Dr. Crucefix,
the treasurer, and the other officers, in an eloquent
speech adverted to the benefits likely to accrue from the
proposed asylum, and the unhappy dissensions which
had delayed its erection so long, from the time when it
was recommended by the Grand Lodge in 1837.
Dr. CRUCEFIX responded to the toast in a speech re-
markable for its fine feeling.
Mr. SHAW proposed the health of the Noble Chair-
man, and, in doing so, took occasion to advert to the
humane exertions of the Noble Lord on behalf of the
people of Poland.
Tne CHAIRMAN briefly replied.
Air. G. llnEwsTret, in a complimentary speech, gave
" The frees," 111111)11ily. the toast, the name of Mr,
Mr. 60131f,1117 hriity eel; riolihsiiseil the coutpliment.
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Ladies," and the as.
senil,bhleysusebpsearriapt
teidolisin the course of the evening amounted
to G2O/. The dinner and wines, which were of the most
recherche kind, were provided by the Messrs. Bacon, the
proprie tors of the Freemasons"ravern.
The vocal arrangements, under the management of
Mr. lta.usford, were of a very superior description, and
included Mr. Sedgwick, on the concertina; Mr. F. Chat-
terton, on the harp ; Mr. Whitworth, who sang ".Farhe-
well to the Mountain ;" the Misses Pyne, duett, The
ties ine od
mf friendshipiss it a
insr; 'd'wS,hcioethchoblealllava:
Lodge.
Mr. Missß e 1 11; ahgogrinori na
dis
Mr. Thomas was the toastmaster, and efficiently
encored; Mr. Binge, and Miss Kett)
charged the duties.

MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY OF LORD CARDIGAN'S
REGIMENTALS.--DUTiBV, the last two days much conver-
sation has been occasioned in military circles by its
becoming known that the regimentals of Lord Cardigan,
as Colonel of the Royal Hussars, has disappeared from
his Lordship's dressing-room at Hounslow Barracks.
It appears that the prcperty in question was last seen
sate on Thursday, the 14th instant, and vas not missed
until about nine o'clock on the morning of Monday last,
the 18th instant, when his Lordship required them. The
articles consist of one uniform coat, a superfine blue cloth
jacket with gold facings, also at the backs and sleeves up
to the elbows. Also a sling jacket Kith gold lace fac•
ings, a gold lace link cord to attach it, bordered with
sab!e fur down the front and round the collar and b )t
tom; both jackets lined with rich red silk. Their sup-
posed value is 1201., but it is stated they cost Lord Car-
digan 1501. Information was given to the police, when
from inquiries it was ascertained that one of the con
stables of the I division had seen a few mornings before
two privates leave the barracks by climbing the wall,
and subsequently return the same way before the morn-
ing roll was called over; but such occurrences were so
frequent that the constable did not take much notice of
1 the men ._a_The matter therefore still continues in doubt.