The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-26 00:00:00

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

Hydrograptue Office, Admiralty, Sept. 17. 1840.
Notice is hereby given, that from the Ist of November
next, six new lights will be shown every night on the
coast of France, at the following places :-
Ist. On the Isle of Marconi, in the Department of La
Manche (Channel).
2,1. At Port Navals, in the Department of Morbihan.
3d. At the Basin d'Areachon, in the Department of La
Gironde (Bay of Biscay).
4th. At La Camargue, in the Department of Les
Bunches du Rhone (Mediterranean).
sth. At the Port of Casus, in the same Department.
Oth. At the Port of Ciotat, in the same Department.

,ARL OF CARDIGAN AND THE 11TH iThs-
snas.—lt would seem that the Earl of Cardigan and Capt.
Jones were both under the impression that the latter of
llecr was performing part of the duty of President of the
Mess Committee when he carried the annoying message
to Captain Reynolds. They are both in error, at least as
far as has ever come under my observation in the service.
The duty of the President and Mess Committee consists
in assembling, when ordered, to overlook the pla'e and mess
utensils--to see that the officers' mess bills are discharged
—and other duties of that rature ; but everything which
relates to the conduct of the office-s at table is under
the ehar4e and responsibi ity of the President of the day
and senior officer presenf—n:ore particularly with re •
Bard to wine, which should only be ordered by the Vice-
President, under the sanction of the President ; And
very irregularity in which ought to be checked by
ti cm alone. If Lord Cardigan had himself desircli
Captain Reynold! not to act so again, the public would
have heard nothing more of this affair ; and if contrary to
the rules, it would not have been repeated. Instead of
finding fault with the trifling mistake as to the exact
words (pot-house or tavern) used by Lord C.lrdigau. I
fear his Lordship has much more cause to regret their too
14iniful transmission by Captain .IJtvis. In justice to the
Earl of Cardigan, it might be supposed that the expression
used by him to Captain Jones (an oft ;r with whom be is
lit touch intimacy) were not intended tl be delivered ver-
batim to Captain Reynolds. If Captain Jones had taken
this softening down upon himself, all t'ae suheque et bad
ree:ieg would nave en avoid'd, part,eularly as he and
Captain Reynold, were not on very friendly terms ; but
:111Ce they were reported, Lc rd Cardigm is answerable
for them, and for all the disunion in the regiment which
hai been the e?ose4uenee.....Letfer in (iA Eve;v:;l9 pGqier.

MANCHESTER. SEPT. 24.

FOUNDATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COL-
LEGE AT MANCHESTER.—DISTRESSING
AND FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
Yesterday was the day fixed for laying the founda-
tion-stone of a new college, intended for the training of
Independent ministers, at Withington, near Manches-
.er. '1 he ceremonies connected with this event were
marred by an accident of a very alarming nature, which
might easily have proved fatal to a great extent.
The weather was extremely unfavourable, the rain
falling heavily during the whole of the morning. Not-
withstanding this, a large and respectable body of per-
sons assembled on the spot, which is about three miles
distant from Manchester. A temporary platform was
erected in the immediate vicinity of the intended build-
ing, capable of containing about 100 persons. As the
rain continued to fall heavily, the platform was, by gene-
ral consent, given up to the ladies, the gentlemen
sheltering themselves as well as they could with
their umbrellas. The proceedings had just com-
menced by singing one of Dr. Wetts's hymns, when
the accident• occurred which put a stop to the whole
proceedings. The platform, which consisted of two
lengths of heavy planks, joined and supported in the
middle by a beam which rested on two uprights, sud-
denly gave way in the middle, owing to one of the up-
rights having broken. As the supporters at each end
remained firm, the whole of the structure sank down in
the middle, and every person on it was precipitated
through the chasm thus formed upon the ground. A
scene ensued which it is impossible to describe ; the
shrieks of the sufferers were most heartrending ; and
the utmost consternation took place amongst the rest
of the company, the gentlemen present being filled with
anxiety for the fate of their female relatives, who were
nearly all upon the platform.
When the confusion had somewhat subsided, the
most prompt means were resorted to for rescuing the
unfortunate sufferers. The workmen on the spot rend-
ered effective assistance, and the joyful tidings
were soon made known that no lives were
lost ; but the feeling which this was calculated to
inspire was in a great mieasure qualified when
the nature and extent of the injuries which many
ladies had suffered were ascertained. Miss Hadfield.
daughter of G. Hadfield, Esq:, the gentleman who was
to lay the foundation stone, had her leg severely bruised ;
it was at first supposed to be fractured, but this was
happily not the ease. Mrs. Hadfield was also severely
hurt, as were Miss Bard and Mrs. Armitage ; Mrs.
Mossley, of Hulree, received a severe injury on her
arm ; Mrs. Tate of Greenlcys, had her foot much
bruised. Many ladies were seen with their faces co-
vered with blood, and their dresses were strangely dis-
figured. Miss Alice Brooks, daughter of Samuel
Brooks, Esq., banker, who resides near the spot, was
on the platform, but happily escaped without serious
Injury. Several other ladies, whose names were not
ascertained, were more or less injured.
Unfortunately, no surgeon was on the spot, and,
owing to the rain, which fell heavily all the time. and
the confusion necessarily consequent on such an ocecur-
rence, a considerable time elapsed before the sufferers
could be extricated, and carriages procured to convey
them home. This being done, the ceremony of laying
the stone was very briefly gone through. In the after-
noon the members and friends assembled in Rushohne-
road Chapel, where a public thanksgiving took place
for their providential deliverance from more fatal results.
A cold collation was afterwards served in the Chorl-
ton-upon-Medlock Town-hall, to which about 200 per-
sons sat down, Dr. Reflles, of Liverpool, presiding, Se-
veral speeches were made in reference to the late dis.
tressing occurrence. It was stated that 15,000/. had
been subscribed towards the expense of erecting and
maintaining the college, but that 10,000/. more would
be required. G. Hadfield, Esq., announced his readi-
ness to contribute 10 per cent. on the total amount that
might be subscribed at that meeting, whereupon several
very handsome donations were mede,- including 5001. by
Samuel Brooks, Esq., and several donations of 501.
Many gentlemen announced their intention of doubling
their former subscriptions.
Upon inquiry this morning it was ascertained that
most of the sufferers were in a fair way of recovery.—
Correspondent of an Evening Paper.