The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-05 00:00:00

SOUTH RAIL-OPENING TO NEWTON.

This royal burgh, which stands so deservedly high
amongst all the truly respectable towns of England, has
been the scene of unwonted excitement. It is not often
that Newton puts itself in. a flurry, and when it does 1
there must be really some exciting cause thereto. Need
we say, that sufficient cause was found in the approach.
ing opening of the South Devon Railway ? We had
intended to say something remarkably civil to tne New-
ton damsels on this occasion, but a house full of care
and sickness has sadly interfered with the satisfactory
progress of our duties during this week. We are so-
laced with the reflection that they are able to take care of
themselves, and that wherever a bright eye, a fair face
and an intelligent bearing are popular, there the Newton
maidens are not the last to be toasted. We commend
them to the mistletoe, and now for the train. A meeting
was held at the Globe Hotel on the Wednesday evening,
Mr. Portreeve Ford in the chair, when down-upon-the-
nail subscriptions were promptly made, and it
llivasjolly
all that the town should befe for once in its
all the next day. It was determined also, onthe motion
of Mr. Flamank, the lawyer, and Mr. Kent, the financier,
that a complimentary address to the directors of the rail
should be presented upon their arrival at the station.
The address was written in a hearty all-hail spirit, and
-the directors must have felt half an inch higher upon re
ceiving so flattering a proof of the high consideration
with which they were held at Newton, in the shire of
Devon.

The word being passed for festivity, at it they went on
Thursday morning in right earnest. The bells seemed
mad in the old church tower, which reeled under the in-
cessant vibration. Two bands were imported into the
town, the far-famed Totness, and the resounding Teign-
mouth, each with his saucy drum. The Totness band
riding in a triumphal car, drawn by Mr. Sharpe's eight
magnificent greys. Her Majesty's team is not finer than
that of the great contractor. The station was decorated
with evergreens and Chinese flags, kindly supplied by
Squire Cartwright, of Forde House, Mr. Hughes, Mr.
Partridge, and others. of Teignmouth, and Mr. Squarry,
of Shaldon. Everything looked gay, exceedingly so for
December, and fortunately no rain fell. Before leaving
this, it may be as well to mention that Mr. Sharpe de
termined to justify his name to the end of the year, and
macadamised a quarter of a mile of one of the new

approach roads, in the course of the night, although he
Ihad to send more than a mile and a half tesslp:quarry
for stones fur the purpose. Let posterity eat ',that if
they can. We defy them ; they never have, teevet
will. -
About eleven the train arrived, led by the lisiakipV
engine, which was decorated with flags, and driven by
M. C. Rea, Esq., superintendent of the locomotive de..
partment between Exeter and Bristol. It brought three of
the directors—Lord Courtenay, Fripp, Esq., Coles,
Esq., and the Secretary, W. Carr, Esq. ; J. Gill, Esq.,
M.P., the Chairman ; Sir A. Buller, director ; 11. Cart-
wright, Esq., and several others of the neighbouring
gentry, received them at the station. The address was
then preseuted by the Portruese, and Mr. Gill replied that
the directors were highly gratified wits. the reception
they had received at Newton, he said, “ on that day the
sun shone on them for the first time : hitherto they had
to combat with prejudice and misrepre,entat,on." He
spoke with much feeling, being t vidently touched.
though he did not melt into tears. The directors were
then taken in procession into the town, the bands
playing with unprecedented vigour, banners flying,
bells ringing, boys huzzaing, and every other symp-
ton of public joy. In fact, the Newton people, hav-
ing once begun, appeared as if they did not know
how to stop. The banners were lettered with " Brunel
and the broad guage for ever," " Success to the South
Devon Railway Company," and " The people the source
of all power."
In the course of the day, the directors and a large party
1 of friends were handsomely entertained by H. Cartwright,
Esq. at Forde House, and the tradesmen took sniper in
, the evening at the Globe, where the new landlord treated
them with a most respectable /I past, the bounty of
which may be judged of by the fact, that they were at
the table eight mortal hours—and at it in one shape or
the other, till they departed. But to say tie t they were
all carried home—is a lie—a base and di basing lie—he
lies in his teeth whoever declares it !
MARLEY TUNNEL.—Th. last length of masonry on
this work was completed on Wednesday morning, the
23d instant. On the morning of that d y the men «m-
-royed upon the wt.' ke, about 150 pa•teeek of a dinner
given them by Lady Carew, at Marled Hots e.- After
dinner Mr. Findlater, the contractor 14 the tunnel, pro-
posed the health of Lady Carew and f ,mile, and said they
were highly indebted to her ladyship ft r the kindness
she had shown at all times to every one concerned with
the works, and more especially for the entertainment
they had just partaken of. The toast was responded to
with the most enthusiastic cheers. T. Carew, Esq., gave
success to the South Devon Railway,-the engineers, and
all parties concerned with it ; after which the health
of Mr. Findlater was proposed and responded to, and the
men retired about ten o'clock, in the most orderly man-
ner, highly pleased with the hospitality of her ladyship.
Too much credit cannot be given to Lady Carew for the
kind manner in which she has behaved to all concerned
with the works, and affording every facility for its com-
pletion. On Thursday, 24th inst., Mr. Findlater, and
Mr. H. S Bush, the assistant engineer, drove through
the tunnel, accompanied by H. and T. Carew, Esqrs.,
and about twenty gentlemen of the neighbourhood on
horseback:; the tunnel was lighted by torches, which
gave a novel effect to the cavalcade. Upon coming out
of the west tunnel's mouth, the party were heartily
cheered by the men assembled there. Lady Carew was
on the spot with her carriage, and seemed much pleased
with the proceedings. The party afterwards adjourned
to the Avon Inn, New House, and partook of an ex-
cellent dinner. Several toasts were drunk, and the con-
viviality of the evening kept up till a late hour.--
Western Times.
EXETER AND CREDITON.—The directors have in-
formed the shareholders by a circular, which was on Sa-
turday issued, that they have entered into an agreement
with the Bristol and Exeter to the following effect :
" That the Exeter and Crediton shall pay up the re-
maining 101. upon the shares within the next six months,
and within one month of the termination of the next ses-
sion of Parliament. The Bristol and Exeter Company
shall assign to the Bristol and Crediton shareholders an
equivalent amount in Bristol and isxeter stock or shares,
or at the option of the holders of the same shares shall
pay to them the sum paid up on such shares, together
with a bonus of 21. lOs. per share of 251. As a prelimi-
nary to this agreement, it is expected that the Bristol
and Exeter Company shall be put in possession of the
Crediton line, under the lease which has been already
under consideration. The directors express a hope that
the shareholders will support the plan." A meeting is
to be called immediately to consider the proposed ar-
rangements.

THE MANCHESTER AND BOLTON.—VISIT OF THE
GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR.-011 Thursday last, Captain
Coddington, who has been sent down by Government
to investigate the state and management of the Man-
chester and Bolton Railway, in consequence of memo-
rials from the town-council of the borough and county
magistrates, went over the line to investigate the state
of the rails, &c., and yesterday he attended at the Bolton
station, where he was met by the mayor and Stephen
Blair, Esq.. on behalf of the corporation memorialists,
and the Rev. J. S. Birley, John Fletcher, John Har-
greaves, jun., Esqs., on the part of the magistrates. It
appeared that Captain Coddington came to Bolton, not
with the view of collecting evidence from the public
with regard to the state of the rails, the want of super-
intendence, &c., but with the intention of hearing the
statements of the officers of the company. This, how-
ever, did not appear to met the views of the memo.
rialists. The deputations entered earnestly into the al-
leeations contained in the memorials, and offered to pro-
duce abundant evidence to substantiate them. Admis-
sions, however, were made by Mr. Hawkshaw, on the
part of the company, which rendered this course in some
measure unnecessary. It was also stated by Mr. Haw, k-
shaw, that the company had men at well day and night
putting down new rails; that a superiorendent had been
appointed, whose duty it would be to devote his whole
attention to this line; that a new system of signals has
been- adopted; and that they are dett rink( d to do every-
thing possible to remove whatever is objectionable. Un-
der these circumstances, and the only object of the me-
morialists being to secure a better management of the
line, end greater security to the public, the deputations
thought it might appear vindictive should they urge a
further investigation into the truth of their charges.
Captain Coddrington stated that he hal inspected the
rails, and should recommend that the traius should run
slower upon that portion of the line not yet laid with
new rails. He also stated that his attention had before
been drawn to the state of the bridges, the pillars of
I which were very dangerous; and as the company might
have some difficulty in altering them, on account of the
roads, he thought it right to solicit the co-operation of
the magistrates in making the alterations. It was also
agreed, at the request of the gentlemen forming the
deputations, that the engines on the line should be exa-
mined by Mr. Fairbairn, of Manchester, who should re-
port the result to Captain Coddington. The memo-
rials . therefore, have effected every purpose that could
be desired, and the public Must-feel indebted to the Rev.
J. S. Birley, the mayor, and other gentlemen. for the
interest they have taken in the matte.—Manchester
Guardian.
TAW VALIC.—The directors have entered into an
agreement (subject to the approval of a general meet-
ing of the shareholders) for the lease of their line to the
Sauth-Western. on the following terms:—Five per cent.
on all paid up capital at present, and 5 when the line
is completed, and equal share of all profit after paying
expenses.

THE LARGEST AND MOST POWERFUL ENGINE EVER
BUILT.—It is some twenty years ince v, e heard of the
first locomotive with six wheels, which fully developed
the advantages to be gained by that number, they being
all connected. It was made for the spirited directors of
the Stockton and Darlington Roilway Company, and
worked on that line, until it was found necessary to
supply its place with an engine of a heavier kind, but of
similar construction, which, by the way, was a great
step in the advancement of locomotion. We had not
heard of any additional wheels being added, except in
the American bogie engine, until, in the present year,
we were apprised of another step taken by en engineer
in South Wales, he having constructed a loc, motive with
eight wheels, all connected. We have seen this engine
at work (and really it is a monster, both in appearance
and power), climbing up inclines very unfavourable, with
loads that entirely baffle engines of any other construc-
tion* The designer of this monster is Mr. W. Stubbs,
superintendent;of locomotives on the Llanelly and Llan-
dilo Railway.—Mining Journal.

ENGLISH EXILES.—" Since 1815," observes the
Dunkerquoise, " many English families have resided at
Dunkerque, but at no former period was their number
greater than at present. There is no exageration ii
estimating that small colony at about 1,000 persons."
Dunkerquoise greatly praises their humanity, which
manifests itselt at this. moment by ample distributions of
provisions to the indigent.
DARING ATTEMPT TO ROB AND MURDER.-011
Saturday information was given to the police of the fol-
lowing daring attempt at robbery and murder. It ap-
pears that on Friday morning Mr. Shrimpton, harness
maker, of No. 64, Great Hill, left home for the purpose
of paying his quarter's rent to Mr. Bryer, his landlord,
residing adjacent to the Brecknock Arms, St. Pancras-
road. Prior to his going he entered a public-house and
had some refreshment, when be took out his purse and
told a friend whom he had accidentally met, that he was
about to pay Mr. Bryer. There were two suspicious-
looking fellows present, who seemed to pay attention to
what was going forward. After be had paid the rent ha
was proceeding homewards, across Copenhagen-fields,
when two men came behind and inflicted a severe blow
on the head, and he fell nearly stunned. He, however,
resisted with great courage, but he was at length over-
powered and rendered insensible, and he was found some
time afterwards weltering in his blood, with his pockets
turned inside out. After having been removed to a public-
house near the Model Prison, where he was kindly
treated, he was removed to his residence, where he re-
mains in a very weak state. Police constable Stone, 7,
the G division, has received a pretty good description of
the ruffians, and hopes are entertained of their detection.
EXPECTED ROYAL VISIT TO BADMINTON.—It
is stated that her Majesty will, in all probability, honour
his Grace the Duke of Beaufort with a visit at Badminton
House, at an early period after Christmas. We have
heard that the " note of preparation" has been already
sounded amonest the Gloucestershire Yeomanry Cavalry,
of which his Grace is colonel, with a view to their being
ready mounted, mustached and all, as a kind of royal
guard for the Queen.—Cheltenham Chronicle.
ANCIENT BRITISH SHIELDS.—A labourer of the
name of Walker, employed in claving land in the parish
of Coveney, lately discovered two British shields, in good
preservation, lying upon the clay r.a ler the Fen soil
The shields are circular, and about 22 inches in diameter.
One is ornamented with concentric circles stamped in the
metal, and the other with intertwining serpents. The
handles of both are perfect, and there are remains of
bronze holds for straps riveted on the inside. It is pro-
bable that they were lost by the upsetting of a canoe, as
canoes have been found inh-ddect in the Fen soil of the
neighbourhood. The shields have been purchased by
I the Rev. S. Badks, of Haddenham, for the Cambridge
Antiquarian Society.—. Bury Post