The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-13 00:00:00

LAMBETH.

Thomas Stevens, William .111• Donnell, Ann Plum-
mer, and Catherine Hills, all suspected characters,
were finally examined before Mr. Elliott, avid fully
committed for trial, on a charge of drugging and
robbing a gentleman, named Stone, of a valuabl‘
gold watch, chair', and seal, and about 14?. in gold
and siler.

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF LOUIS

HEARY SHAD WELL, ESQ.

Tile localities of Barnes, Putney, Mortlake, and
Richmond have been thrown into a state of great
sensation by the discovery of the body of Mr. Louis
Henry Shadwell, barrister-at-law, and second son of
Sir Launcelot Shadwell, the Vice-Chancellor of
England, in a ditch dividing Barnes Elms park, the
residence of the Vice-Chancellor, from a farm in the
occupation of a Mrs. Sharpe. The circumstances
attending this most melancholy affair are at present
enveloped in much mystery, but it may be as well to
state at once that there is not the slightest ground for
the supposition that the death was otherwise than
accidental. The deceased had for a long time past
used as his dormitory a room in the lodge at Barnes
Elms-park, whica opens into the lower road leading
to Putney; and to reach this from the mansion it
was necessary to traverse the park a distance of a
quarter of a mile. The last time the deceased was
seen alive WAS at half-past nine o'clock on Sunday
night, when the butler opened the wicket-gate, and
SAW Mr. Louis Shadwell on the path which led
direct across the path to the Gothic-lodge. The
night was not only dark, but there was a dense fog.
Elie deceased was, however,' so accustomed to the
route, that he declined the aid of a lantern, and as
nothing more was heard of him by the family that
night, it was presumed that he had reached the lodge
in safety. On the following (Monday) morning the
woman who has charge of the lodge, finding that Mr.
Shadwell did not make his appearance at the cus-
tomary time, went up to his sleeping apartment and
knocked several times;
`receiving no answer she
became alarmed, 'and ammunicate% with the butler,-
who procured a ladder, and, obtaining admittance to
the room, the appearance of the bed, &c., convinced
the butler that Mr. Shad well had not occupied the
room the previous night. Upon the family becoming
acquainted with that fact, a messenger was dispatched to
Mr. Shad well's chambers, in Kings Bsnch-wa!k, Tem-
ple; and it having been ascertained that deceased had
not been there, the worst fears began to be entertained.
In consequence of the inquiries that were set on
foot by the podce, it appeared that the landlord of the
Crabtree, at Hammersmith, which is exactly opposite
the Vice-Chancellor's seat, and a bargeman, heard on
Sunday night, from about a quarter to eleven o'clock
till a (outer past, shrieks from the Surrey shore as
from a woman, and the words " Oh, Lord! oh,
Lord !" repeated several times. These parties pro-
ceeded to Hammersmith bridge, obtained a boat and
lights, and on reaching the spot from whence the cries
proceeded, alaiely perceived the mark of a naked hu-
man foot, particularly small, on the towing path ; and
this fact strengthened their previous opinion that it
was a woman, but they were unable to discover any-
thing further. On the landlord and bargeman being
taken to the same place, at noon on Tuesday, they
pointed out where they had traced the footmarks to,
and in a ditch on taa inner side of what is termed
a cottar bank, made to prevent the influx of the tile,
police-constable Line, 282 V., and Boyce, the
Vice-Chancellor's gardener, found the body of Mr,
Louis Shad well; the water was not more than two
feat six inches cl-ep, hut the deposit of mud was still
deeper. One glance showed that the unfortunate
gentleman had lain there many hours. Dr. Willis
was sent for, and made an external examination of the
body, which it should be stated was dressed, with the
exception of the feet, which were naked ; there was
no trace of the shoes, but deceased's socks were found
in his pockets; his.tro a-sers and other portions of his
dress had been much torn, apparently by the brambles
at the side of the ditch, which the deceased had
evidently caught at to save himself, if possible, in his
downward descent. A ring and other valuable
property were on his person, showing that the
deceased had not been the victim of robbery. The
general supposition is, that the deceased on leaving
the mansion diverged out of the right path, owing to
the heavy fog, and fell into the sluice connecting the
lake with the river. The tide being then up, and
Mr. Shadwell, being a most noted and fearless
swimmer, it is presumed he swam out into the river,
and then landed on the towing-path; and that in
endeavouring to regain the park he inadvertently fell
into the ditch, where it was evident his struggles had
been most terrific to extricate himself. The cries
heard by the landlord of the Crabtree and the barge-
man were, doubtless, those of the unfortunate gen-
tleman.

ST. MARY-LE-STRAND PAROCHIAL SCHOOL—The
friends and supporters of this invaluable institution
dined together on Tuesday, at the Piazzl Coffee-house,
Covent-garden, John Glenny, Esq., treasurer, in the
chair. Sixty-five gentlemen sat down to dinner. The
amount of subscriptions announced was 601. The festi-
vities were kept up till a very late hour.
TLIE BIAMINGUAM CATTLE Snow.—BraMINGUAM,
WEDNESDAY.—The first public exhibition to-day was
attended by an immense concourse of persons, many of
whom came from a great distance. Colonel Wemys,
one of the equerries to Prince Albert, was present, and
his Royal Highness remitted 501. towards the expenses
of the show. The stock exhibited is fast selling, at
good if not extravagant prices. The dinner to-morrow
at the Town-hill bids fair to conclude the proceedings
of the third day with eciat, and, as far as can at pros-
sent be judged, the success of the exhibition will be
somplete.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—On Thursday last a serious
accident occurred at the Caledonian Railway statio❑ at
Coatbridge, by which a person named John M'Neil, who
is a spirit-dealer in New Wyed, was seriously injured.
It appears that M'Neil had been at Coatbridge on some
business, and, after hia taking his ticket in the evening
to return to Glasgow, instead of going into the station-
house, ho crossed the line to the down side. It being
very dark at the station at the tirae, he did not observe
that the Si train from Glasgow was approaching; and,
while in the act of crossing the line, he was caught by
the engine and dragged forward. He had both his legs
broken, and was otherwise severely injured. He was
afterwards removed to the Glasgow station, whence he
teas carried home on a stretcher ►n a very weak condi-
tion. It is feared that amputation of one or both his
limbs will be necessary to save his life.—Glasgow Paper.
NARROW ESCAPE.—On Wednesday afternoon a
man considerably more than half-tipsy, made his ap-
rearance at the Barrhead Railway station, and endea-
voured to get a place on the locomotive beside the engine-
driver. This, of course, was denied; but the hair-brained
fellow, under the influence of his potations, contrived to
get himself perched in the middle of the train, with his
feet resting upon the buffers of ono of the passenger
carriages, where he was not discovered till after the train
was in motion. It is almost marvellous that the ;nen
was not killed on the spot; but the engine was fortunately
stopped in time, and the infatuated individual removed
to more secure quarters in the Gorbal's Police-effise.
He was examined before Baillie Bryson, on a charge of
disorderly conduct, and fined in the sum of 55., N%ith a
suitable warning from the bench of the narrow escape
he had made with his life,--Glasgow paper.

Our obituary of to day records the death of this
distinguished engineer. By birth he was a French-
man, but his life and genius were almost wholly
devoted to the invention and construction of works of
great public utility in this country. Sir I. Brunel
was born at Hacqueville, in Normandy, slaw in the
Department de l'Eure, in the year 1769; a year since
remarkable for having given birth to many eminent
men. His family has for many centuries held, and
now hold, the estate on which he was born ; and the
name of Brunel is found constantly mentioned in the
ancient archives of the province. He was educated
for the church, with the prospect .of succeeding to a
living, and was accordingly sent at an early age to
the sensinary of St. Nicain, at Rouen. But he soon
evinced so strong a predilection for the physical
sciences, and so great a genius fur mathematics, that
the superiors of the establishment recommended he
should be educated for some other profession than that
of the church. His father strongly objected to his
adopting the profession of an engineer, as one more
likely to prove beneficial to others than him-
self, and he therefore determined that he should he
educated for the navel service, in which he thought his ,
son's proficiency in mathematics might lay the foun-
dation of his advancement in that profession. At the
proper age he entered the royal navy, being indebted
fir his appointment to the Mereschal de Cestries,
then the Minister of Marine. On one, occasion he
surprised his captain by producing a sextant and
quadrant of his own construction, and which he used
for making observations. He made several voyages
to the West Indies, and returned home in 1792. At
this time the French Revolution was at its height.
As Mr. Brunel entertained Roy alist opinions, which
he was not very careful to suppress, his life was more
than once in danger, and he WES, like many others at
that time, forced to seek safety in flight. He emi-
grated to the United States, where necessity, fortu-
nately, compelled him to follow the natural bent of
his mind, and to adopt the profession of a civil en-
gineer. He was first engaged to survey a large tract of
land near Lake Erie. Ile wars employed in building the
Bowery Theatre, in New York, which not many y ears
ago was burnt down. He furnished plans for canals,
and for various machines connected with a cannon
earidiy then being established in the state of New
York. About the year 1799 he had matured his
plans for sleeking ship hicks by machinery. The
United States was not then the field for so inventive
a genius as Brunel's. He determined upon visiting
England and offering his services and plans for this
purpose to the British Geverninent. Lord Spencer,
then we believe First Lori of the Admiralty, b Tame
his friend and patron. He became a frequent guest
at Spencer house, and never failed to speak warmly
of the assistance and encouragement he derived from
the friendship of Lord and Lady Spencer. From this
time he continued to reside in England, and refused
to entertain many propositions made to him to leave
England and settle abroad under the ausp'cis of other
Governments. After much opposition to his plans,
for a very powerful opposition was arrayed against
him, not lessened in that day by his being a French-
man, he was employed to execute them in Portsmouth
dockyard. To perfect his designs and to erect the
machinery was the arduous labour of many years.
IVith a true discrimination he selected Mr. Henry
Maudslay to assist in the execution of the work, and
thus, possibly, was hid the foundation of one of the
most extensive engineering establishments in the
kingdom, and in which, perhaps, a degree of ecience
and skill has been combined and applied to mechanical
invention and improvement scarcely exceeded by any
other in the world. The block machinery was
finished in 1806, and has continued ever since in lull
operation, supplying our fleet with blocks of a very
superior description to those previously in use, and at
a large annual saving to the public. It was esti-
mated at the time that the saving in the first year
amounted to 24,0001. per annum ; and about two-
thirds of that sum were awarded to Mr. Brunel. It
is needless to describe the originality and beauty of
this well-known machinery. Even after the lapse of
forty years, notwithstanding the marvellously rapid
strides we have made in the improvement and con-
struction of machines of all kinds, it remains as
effective as it was when first erected, and unaltered.

It is still an object of admiration to all persons in-
tierested in mechanism, A few years afterwards he
waVemployedeby Government to erect sawmill., upon
a new principle, in the dockyards of Chatham 'and
Woolwich. Several other inventions were the 'off-
spring of his singularly fertile mind about this timl
—the circular saw, for cutting veneers of valuable
woods, and the beautiful little machine for winding
cotton thread into balls, which greatly extended its
consumption. About two years before the termina-
tion of the war Mr. Brunel, under the countenance
of the Duke of York, invented a machine for making
shoes fur the army by machinery, the value .and
cheapness of which were fully appreciated, and they
were extensively used; but the peace of 1815 lessen-
ing the demand, the machinery was ultimately laid
aside. Steam navigation also at that time attracted
his attenti,n. He was engaged in the building of
one of the first liergsgate st9amboats, and, we believe,
introduced the principle of the double engine for the
purpose. He also induced the Admiralty to alliw
him to build a vessel to try the experiment of towing
ships out to sea, the possibility of which was then
denied. Many other objects of great public utility
occupied his mind, -which in this mere outline of a
long and active life must be excluded. The visit of
the Emperor Alexander to this country, after; the
peace, led him to submit to the Emperor
a plan for making a tunnel under the Neva, where
the accumulation of ice, and the suddenness
with which it breaks up on the termination of winter,
rendered the erection of a bridge a work of great
difficulty. This was the origin of his plan fier a
tunnel tinder the Thames, which had been twice
bfore attempted witheut success. In 1824, how per,
a company was formed, and supported by the puke
of Wellington, who took from first to last a deep in-
terest in the week. Many men of science also joined
it, amongst whom the late Dr. Wollaston was !the
most prominent, and whose brother long continued
one of the ino.t active and able promoters of the
scheme. The work was commenced in 1824. It Was
stopped more than once during its progress by the
breaking in of the river, and more effectually at last
by the exhausted finances of the company, which never
extended beyond the command of 180,0001. At length,
after the suspension of the work for many years, by a
special Act of Parliament a loan was sanctioned, the
Exchequer Loan Commissioners advanced the funds
necessary for the completion of the work under the
river, and, notwithstanding many weighty profes•
sional opinions were advanced against tke practica-
bility of the work, from both the loose alluvial nature
of the soil through which it bad to te constructed,
and the superincumbent flood of water, it was finished
and opened to the public in 1843. In a scientific point
of view this work will always be regarced as display-
ing the highest professional ability, an amount of
energy and perseverance rarely exceeded, and a fer-
tility of invention and resources under what were
deemed insurmountable difficulties, which will always
secure to Sir I. Brunel a high place amongst the
engineers of this country. During Lord Melbourne's
Administration Mr. Brunel received the honour of
knighthood, on the recommendation of the late Lord
Spencer, then Lord Althorp. Sir I. Brunel was a
vice-president of the Royal Society, a corresponding
member of the Institute of France, and a vice presi-
dent of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He was
also a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He was
unaffected, simple in his habits, and benevolent, end
as ready to do a kind act as he was to forget an in-
jury. lie died in his 81st year, after a long illness,
which first visited him soon after the completion of
the Tunnel. The care, anxiety, and constant strain
of body and mind, brought on a slight attack of
paralysis, from which he never thoroughly recovered.
He leaves a widow, Lady Brunel, one son, the eminent
engineer, and two daughters, the eldest married to
Mr. Hawes, the Under-Secretary of State for the
Colonies, and the youngest to the Rev. Mr. Harrison,
the vicar of New Brentford.

LEASE OF TUB CALEDONIAN AND DUMBARTON-
Suing RAILWAY —This railway has been leased for a
period of six years, to Messrs. G. and J. Burns, the
well-known etetim-'oat proprietors, on the following
term. :—First year, nett 5,0001., yielding 2i per cent. ;
second year, nett 7,0001., yielding 3i per cent. ; third
year, nett 9,000/ , yielding 4} per cont. ; fourth year,
nett 10.0001., yielding 5 per cent. ; fifth year, 10,0001.,
yielding 5i per cent. ; sixth year, nett 11,0001, yielding
5i per cent. The capital required to complete the hue
and meet the outlay of every description, is estimated
not to exceed 200,0001. It is biliewed that it will not be
necessary to make any further call ; but even ii this
should be required, it will not incrcese the capital be-
yond the sum stated. It is rumoured that the Messrs.
Burns are backed by the Forth and Clyde Canal Com-
pany and certainly the Parliameztary notices in the
newspapers give an appearance of probability to the
rumour. But desirable as this connexion would be, tha
high standing and respectability of the lessees render the
arrangement as it now stands perfectly satisfactory.—
Scottish Railway Gazette.

DEATII OF -MR. DEPUTY DIXON.—This gentle-
man, well known in the City circles from his long cr,n-
nexion with the ward of Cripplegate Without, died yes-
terday mc.rning at the advanced age of 73. his decease
was not unexpected, ho had suffered from illness for
some time past. lie has left a numerous family to
mourn his lon.

tRTSMOUTIET, DEC. 12.—The result of the late
tof Inquiry on board the Eurydice was promel-
this afternoon on board that vessel. Captain H.
Cheds, C.B ,of the temporary flag-Ship Excellent,
went on board and read the Admiralty letter an•
nouncing the result, which was that Mr. Drury, clerk,
and Mr. Wortley, acting mate, be summarily dis-
missed from her Majesty's service; that 111 r. Patterson,
acting mate, and Mr. Ramsey, midshipman, lose one
year's time ; that Mr. Cator, acting mate, Mr. 'Wilds,
second master, and Mr. Freeman, clerk, lose six
months' time; and that Mr. Lushington and Mr.
Drake, naval cadets, lose three months' time ; all the
latter to be admonished t be more circumspect in
their conduct in future. We may now announce
under what circumstances the above punishments have
been inflicted :—lt appears that the midshipmen's
mess took in for the voyage home a larger amount
of live stock than the service permits, and without
fodder for the stock. Thirteen sheep were
among this stock, a number never heard of
in such a mess before, and which caused the First
Lieutenant to remonstrate with the."young gentlemen"
upon the subject, but with no satisfactory result, the
mess " arguing the point" with that important officer.
The first lieutenant then granted them 10 of the
sheep, and requested that the other three might be
killed or disposed of. This was r4used, and the for-
mer officer thereupon ordered the three to be killed,
giving the mess the option of salting the carcases for
provisions. This they would not do, and when the
careves became (1( composed, and therely highly
offensive and injurious to the health of the ship's
company, the first lieutenant ordered them to be
thrown overboard, which was dore. This brought
upon hlin all the ire of the midshipmen's mess, and
they wished to bring him to trial hy court-martial ;
else charging him with eating cauliflower of theira,
we presume), " knowing the same to.have been stelen.'
A court of inquiry sat on hoard in this harbour two
de :-s lest week, and thoroughly investigated the case,
fully reporting to the Admiralty the evidence pro
and con The above edjudication, to-day put in
force, will let the public and she service know the
final result, and will serve to show that discipline
must be preserved, especially in thef•ie ranks whence
is expected to be shown a good example to others less
fortunate in point of position, and more prone to
corruption from evil communications, than ihernaelves.
So salutary and so summary a lesson cannot he with-
out its fullest effect upon the rising g,eilerati.;.;ll of
naval officers.
The Termagant steam-frigate, by •White, of
Cowes, 1,556 tons, 24 guns, 620 horse power, by
Seaward, went out to-day under Commander Stevens,
of the Blenheim, navigated by Mr. Robert C. Allen,
master of first ship, to the measured mile in Stoke's
Bay, to .make a further trial of her steaming powers
—a bitter result than heretofore achieved beieg de,
sired by the Admiralty in return for the immeese
cost of the ship—about 70,0002. ! Captain Ellice,
controlltr of steam machinery; on behalf of the
Admiralty, came down expressly to witness and
report upon this result, and was particularly im-
pressive upon all %A ho seemed likely to communicate
reports of the trial that none should "get into the
pepers" before the Admiralty were first served. Two
members of Messrs. Seaward's firm also came down
to attend the trial. Mr. Murray, chief engineer of
the dockyard, also went cut in the ship, and numerous
o' her officers. She was trimmed as if in commission,
and drew—forward, 16 feet 2 inches ; aft, 17 feet
10 inches ; making her 20 inches by the stern. She
made six runs, at the measured mile, with the follow-
ing result :

Rune. Knots. Reduced mean.
Fast ... 10.112
Second ... 6.452-8,282
Third ... 10.256-8 354-8.318
Fourth 6.779-8.517-8.435
Filth 10.112-8.455--8.481
Sixth ... ... 6.629-8.370-8.407
Mean of means-8.400 knots per hour.
The engines performed all their functions in the
most perfect and eminently aatisfactory manner, and
elicited marked praise and attention from the Admi-
ralty Controller. They made from 21 to 33 revolu-
tions. The thermometer in the stokehole indicated
100 deg, and in the engine-room 89 deg. The trial
was under favourable auspices; the wind was E ,
with a strong topgallant breeze and smooth water, in
which she made the half-circle in 3} minutes. With
the tide the wind was on the quarter; running
against the tide the wind Ns as three points on the bow.
The result was considered more favourable than that
obtained on her lest trial on the 20th ult., which we
do not clearly comprehend, as she then made, as the
mean of six runs, 8.544 knots, whereas on the pre-
sent trial she made 8.400 only. She will be docked
in a few days, and have divers means tried to improve
her, after which she
,will be tried again with a new
screw.