The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-12 00:00:00

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB.

CHINA.

IRELAND.
ALARMING STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
DUBLIN, DEC. 10.—The accounts received to-day are
most afflicting—destitution increasing, crime extending
to a most alarming degree, and the country rapidly
sinking into a state of utter disorganisation. More
deaths from starvation are reported; and we grieve to
add, murders of the most daring and atrocious character
have been perpetrated, one of them in the open day, in
the streets of a populous town hitherto considered re-
markably peaceable.
ICING'S COUNTY.
PA RSONSTOW N. DEC. 9. ATROCIOUS MURDER. —The
King's County Chronicle of yesterday contains the fol-
lowing:—" We regret exceedingly to report that again
has blood been shed—another victim has fallen. Out-
rage after outrage, murder after murder, and crimes in-
numerable disgrace and pollute the annals of our county.
Yesterday (Tuesday) evening, about half-past six o'clock,
Mr. William Lloyd, when standing at his hall doors, in
Church. lane, within a few doors of the post-office, in
this town, a shot was fired at him, the contents of which
entered his body. Mr. Lloyd was heard faintly to cry
out Murder, murder,' and immediately he fell to the
ground a lifeless corpse. Doctors Wood and Keenan
were immediately in attendance, but their services were
not required, as death was instantaneous. The assassin
must have been quite close to the unfortunate gentle-
man. Some of the police who were in Duke-street
heard the shot and went in pursuit, but without effect. It
was a heartrending sight to behold six orphans bending
over the lifeless body of their beloved parent, who but a
short time previously had left them in the possession of
life and health. The perpetration of a savage murder
has thrown the town and neighbourhood into a state of
fearful excitement. The assassin in his flight dropped a
hat, which is in the possession of the police. Mr. Lloyd
was the owner of a small property, which is situate at
Ballough, in the county Tipperary, within three miles
of this town. He has had the misfortune of
having a very refractory set of tenants, who very
seldom, if ever, paid him rent without his having been
obliged to resort to law to compel them. His care taker
has been beaten, threatening notices innumerable, from
time to time, have been posted, and some weeks ago he
had cattle distrained for the rent of these lands, which
are considerably in arrear. On the day of sale a very
large mob assembled, and he was compelled to abandon
the sale. Mr. Lloyd was a very quiet, inoffensive man.
It appears that after dinner he went out. During his
absence one of his tenants, named Watkins, called, and
told his son that he wanted to settle his rent; a domestic
was sent for Mr. Lloyd, but returned without him.
Watkins then left the house, and in less than half an
hour afterwards the unfortunate gentleman was mur-
dered. Sub-Inspector Duncan had Watkins and his
wife arrested, both of whom were lodged in gaol. Mr.
Duncan, accompanied by constable Finn and party,
proceeded to the county of Tipperary, and returned
with four men, who were charged with being im-
plicated in the murder. At an early hour this morn-
ing James Dillon, Esq., senior coroner of the county,
arrived to hold an inquiry into the melancholy
circumstances of the case. The following magis-
trates were present at the inquest, viz.:—John Warbur-
ton, Thomas Hackett, J. Persse Grorne, Esqs., and
Captain Kelly, R.M.; John Dunean, S.L., was also in
attendance. A respectable jury was sworn, and after
the examination of some witnesses, the jury recorded a
verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons
unknown."

The anniversary meeting of the members of this club
was held yesterday morning, in the committee-room at
the Bazaar, Baker-street.
The attendance of members was more than u,ually
numerous. The Duke of Richmond, president of the
club, occupied the chair; and among those present we
observed the Honourable IL W. Wilson, Mr. P. Pusey,
M.P., Mr. Jonas Webb, Mr. Hillyard, Mr. Ellman, Mr.
R. Smith (of Burley), Mr. Brandreth, Mr. S. Bennett, &e.
The business of the day was almost exclusively confined
to routine matters in connexion with the club. Among
other announcements Made by the Secretary, Mr. B. T.
Brandreth Gibbs, was one which appeared to give very
general satisfaction, viz., that the committee had com-
pleted a renewal of the lease of the Bazaar with the pro-
prietor, and that the future exhibitions of the club for
some years to come would take place in the very conve-
nient, well arranged premises at present occupied for
that purpose. The only other matter worthy of notice
in the proceedings of the day was a notice of motion for
a reconsideration of the prize sheet, with a view to car-
rying out some important alterations, both in the classi-
fication of the an:mals and the mode of feeding them.
Upon this subject some discussion arose, but the motion
was ultimately agreed to non. con.
The ordinary financial operations of the club having
been formally submitted to the meeting, the same were
unanimously approved, and the business closed with a
vote of thanks to the Noble Chairman, and to the secre-
tary, Mr. B. T. B. Gibbs, both of whom briefly acknow-
ledged the compliment.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived
at the Bazaar just as the proceedings of the above meet-
ing had terminated, for the purpose of inspecting the
exhibition. The Duke of Richmond, accompanied by
the lion. W. Wilson, Mr. P. Pusey, M.P., and other
members of the committee, and attended by Mr. Gibbs,
met his Royal Highness at the entrance of the yard,
and accompanied him round the several classes. His
Royal Highnees seemed to agree with the general im-
pression as to the excellence of the present exhibition,
and especially complimented the Duke of Richmond on
his sheep._ After remaining in the exhibition near an

We find the following valuable statistics on the Chi-
nese empire, in a work by Mr. Montgomery Martin, on
that important and interesting country ; they are
chiefly compiled, as we icarn from Mr. Martin's state-
ment, from official records furnished to him in China, the
population census being considered correct by Dr. Gutz •
Taff and other Chinese scholars :—" In China Proper
(says Mr. M. Martin) there are 367,000,000 inhabitants,
and i❑ the dependencies of Mantehourie , Mongolia,
Turkestan, and Tibet, about 40,000,000, making a total
of four hundred million people under one Government
The population of the whole earth is estimated at from
800 to 1,000 millions.
The number of inhabitants to each square mile is about
the same as in England, and less than the number in
Ireland. The most dense population in China is along
the banks of the great rivers, particularly near the great
Zang-tze-Kiang, and the central districts of the country,
where the waters furnish large supplies of food. The fe-
cundity of the Chinese is visible in every village. The area
of China Proper is given at 1,297,999 square miles, or
830,829,100 acres, of +,l hick 140 million acres are in culti-
vation. Of the 18 provinces into which the empire is di-
vided, 11 are inland, and the remaining seven on the sea
coast. The average population to each square mile
is 283 ; tho total fixed revenue 35 million tads (a tael
is 65.); the army 1,232,000. The description given of
each province, with their principal productions, is as
follows:—" Pe- Chibte, inland ; westward, very flat,
sloping towards the sea, sterile—millet, ginseng, fruits,
tobacco, coal, saltpetre, skins. Shan-Tung, sea-coast ;
mountainous, a bracing climate, bold and good harbour—
corn and fruits, drugs, wines, skins. Shan-Se, inland ;
very mountainous, sterile, and woody—silks, wines, iron,
salt, marble, jasper, music. Ho-Nan, inland ; flat, very
fertile, climate agreeable—the garden of China—rhubarb,
musk, indigo. Bang-Soo, sea-coast ; very low and fer-
tile, climate good—medical herbs, chinaware, gold, lead,
tin, salt. Gan-Hurey, sea-coast ; romantic scenery and
fertile, on the banks of Yang-tze-Kiang—varied trees,
green teas, silks, rice, millet. Kiang-Si, inland ; sterile
and hilly, climate healthy--coarse cloths, chinaware,
drugs. Koo-Kien, sea-coast ; very mountainous, good
harbours, fertile where capable of cultivation —black
teas, camphor, sugar, indigo, tobacco. Che-Keang,‘sea-
coast ; on the sea- coast very hilly, but fertile—silk,
paper, wines, lungtzing-cha, a costly species of tin.
Hoo-Pih, inland ; well watered, numerous lakes and
rivers—teas, paper, rice, musk, tobacco. Hu-Nan,
inland ; slightly elevated and fertile, a good cli-
mate—gold, silver, tin, drugs, mercury, hemp. Shen-
Se, inland ; plains and mountains, cold and barren—
woollens, iron, copper, furs, drugs, millet. Kan-Suh,
inland; mountainous, fertile fields, and sandy deserts—
gold, quicksilver, musk, tobacco. Sze-Chuen, inland—
bold coast, good harbours, fertile, fine climate; copper,
iron, tin, rhubarb, rice, salts, drugs. Kwang-Tung, or
Canton, sea-coast excellent harbours, fertile soil,
climate good; rice, silks, fish, vegetables, copper, iron,
tin. Kwang Si, sea-coast—bold mountains, fertile val-
leys, large forests; fruits, rice, cassia, sugar, iron, lead,
tin. Yan-Nan, inland; the Switzerland of China, very
wild and jungly—rich in metals, rice, musk, betel-nut.
Kwei-Choo, inland; wild and mountainous, intersected
by several rivers—considerable metallic wealth, tobacco

hour, his Royal Highness left, apparently much gra'
fled with his visit.

His Royal Highness Prince George, accompanied by
Sir William Massey Stanley, visited the exhibition dur-
ing the afternoon. The Dirl Delawarr, and the Hon.
L. Sackville West, Viscount Torrington, and several
other noblemen were also present yesterday.
The sales of stock continue very dull.
TIIE DINNER.

Last evening the members of the club dined together
at the Freemasons' Tavern.

The Duke of Richmond occupied the chair, supported
on the right by the Earl of Warwick, Colonel Sibthorp,
M.P., and General Wemyss, and on the left by Mr.
Pusey, M.P., Mr. Frewen, M.P., and Mr. Brandreth.
About 200 sat down, the company including Mr. John
Wood (chairman of the Customs), Mr. Samuel Webb,
Mr. Jonas Webb, Mr. W. Trindon, Mr. Painter, Mr.
Ellman, and many other agriculturists and stock-
breeders.

After the usual loyal toasts had been proposed, the
company broke up, evidently much gratified with the
result of the meeting.

drugs. The annexed brief extract, from the preface to
the work, will be read with some interest:—

The Great Western was still at sea when our ex-
press left Liverpool yesterday afternoon, at half-past
four ; she was then fifteen days out. The Acadia, with
four (lays later news than the former ship will bring,
may be looked for on Sunday.
CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.—The sessions of the
Central Criminal Court commences on Monday, at the
Justices Hall, Old Bailey. The Judges on the rota to
preside will be Lord Chief Justice Wilde, ➢lr. Justice
Patteson, and Mr. Baron Rolfe.
THE LEEDS DEPUTATION ON THE TEA DUTY.-

"If wealth and power involve a responsibility to
Him who permits their acquisition—if England have
been almost miraculously raised from a small insular
kingdom, to become the dominant empire of the
earth— if her destiny be, through the apparent
instrumentality of her commerce, to civilise man-
kind—then, indeed, a fearful responsibility attends
her proceedings in China. The onward progress of
England, in political and commercial freedom—in the
practical application of science—in the accumulation of
capital—in the extension of maritime communication—
indicates that she cannot be passive ; action is essential
to her existence—it is the main spring of her life—the
animating impulse which produces evil or good ; if not
rightly directed, it will tend to her downfall, after the
manner of other states ; but, under wise and righteous
principles, this very law of her being will conduce to the
establishment of her supremacy over the earth so long
as Christianity shall exist. It is the direct interest of all
other nations that this supremacy be maintained ; a re-
public of kingdoms is as utopian as a republic of indivi-
duals:—some powerful empire has always swayed the
world, but whoever possessed the dominion has unfor•
tunately used its power for the subjugation and enslave-
ment rather than for the elevation and liberty of weaker
states. This has not been the career of England;
her insularity has happily prevented the neces-
sity of seeking continental European territory ;
her free political institutions have naturally ren-
dered her desirous of extending their advantages
to other nations; and her pure and tolerant religion has
made her the ark to which the oppressed can flee for
safety and repose; and, while placing a salutary check
on ambition or mere aggrandisement, it has inspired the
desire, and furnished the means, of contributing to the
advancement of all countries. What, then, have the
nations of Europe to fear from the supremacy of Eng-
land? She has thrown open the ports of her wide-
spread maritime dominion to every nation ; whatever
new territory she conquers, or reclaims from the desert,
it is freely opened to mercantile competition; she retains
no selfish monopoly—claims no undue privilege—exer-
cises no arbitrary sway to the prejudice of Europe.
Possessed of a power which could at any moment arouse
a general war—with resources at her command far

ANOTHER MIIRDER.—Monday night an armed party
visited the house of a poor man named Wm. Renehan,
at Ceolinarney, near the Blue Ball. They beat the poor
man, took 11. from him, but the wretches were not con-
tent with this, for before leaving they placed him behind
a fire. The unfortanate man was so dreadfully burned
that he died last night.
MURDER.—On Saturday last, a poor man, returning
home from Borrisokane, was murdered, and robbed of
the money he had obtained for a pig.
OPPOSITION TO THE PAYMENT OF RENT—APPEAR-
ING IN ARMS.—We regret to record the following out-
rage, which proves how daringis the conduct of the
people, and that a wide-spread conspiracy exists for
resistance to the payment of rent. A sale of corn and
cattle, seized for one and a half year's rent, due to Mrs.
Ellen Haslam, of Ballyboy, was advertised for Thursday
last, at Kiladrown, within two miles of Frankford, where
a very large mob was assembled. Mrs. Haslam and her
assistants were driven off the land, and severely assaulted.
Several of the mob were well armed with guns and
pistols in excellent order, and fired upwards of twenty
shots. One of the ruffians discharged his gun at Mrs.
Haslam's head, but fortunately without effect. Mr.
Drought Haslam was very badly beaten, he received five
severe wounds in the head, and now lies under the care
of Dr. Thornton. On the following day an investigation
was held at Frankford, by Andrew Stoney, Esq., J.P.,
and John Duncan, Esq., sub-inspector, Parsonstow n ;
several witnesses were examined, and subsequently five
men were arrested, charged with being of the party, and
committed to abide their trial.
PLUNDERING PROVISIONS ON THE HIGHWAY.—Some
flour carts belonging to Mr. Boyd, of Ballinasloe, were
attacked yesterday, at Lemonaghan, in this county. For-
tunately some police came up at the moment, and pre-
vented any property from being taken away. At a later
period of the day several loads of wheat, that were in
course of transit from this town to Clara Mills, were
also stopped at Lemonaghan, and two sacks of wheat
carried oif.

Mr. J. W. Scarlett, one, of the deputation from this
town appointed to wait upon Lord John Russell, with
the various deputations from other towns, has addressed
a note to the editor of the Times, in which he says, that
in the report of the conversation, inserted in that paper,
it is said that the shipments of woollens to China had
fallen off, but that he made no such statement : what
he said was, " that the trade to China had disappointed
the hopes of the merchants engaged in h."— Leeds
Mercury.

" What !" said an ex-volunteer to a comrade,
whom he thought he had left at Monterey, but whom he
found in the very difficult vocation of driving a lot o'
sheep ; " What !" he repeated, "do I find you here? I
thought I left you with the army." " Ah, no," replied
the comrade, " you see I have abandoned the sword,
and taken to the pen."—American paper.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE.—
Yesterday an accident of a serious nature took place, by
which the life of a youth named Michael Malsager, aged
15 years, has been placed in great danger. It seems
that he obtained a livelihood by selling pies at the foot
of Blackfriars-bridge, on the Surrey side, and whilst
standing with his machine at the edge of the kerb, a cart
came swift down the hill, and before the driver could
prevent the accident, the near wheel caught the machine,
which was capsized on to the unfortunate boy, who re-
ceived a wound of the scalp and concussion of the brain.
He was taken to Guy's Hospital, where he lies in a dan-
gerous condition.

ELOQUENCE AND SUBLIMITY.—The light of the
lamp was dying away in the socket, the midnight clock
swung heavily aloft, and its brazen tones sounded loudly
on the frozen air. It was the hour disembodied spirits
walk, and when murderers, like the stealthy wolf, prowl
for their prey. The lonely watcher shuddered as be
heard a slight noise at the door. Big drops stood on his
pale brow ; the door gently opened, and—in came a
strange cat I—New York Paper. •
MYSTERIOUS DEAIII AT TIIE RESIDENCE OF
EDMOND WODEIIOUSE, ESQ., M.Y. FOR WEST NORFOLK.
—A. sad effair transpired at the residence of E. Wode-
house, Esq., M.P. for the West Division of Norfolk, on
Monday last. Mr. Wodehouse resides at Thorpe, by
Norwich, and in the service of his lady were three
sisters. One of these (the lady's maid on Monday
night, was found a corpse in a private part of the pre-
ones, with her throat cut in a most dreadful manner,
and only a few minutes after she had dressed her mis-
tress, and had been observed to be in good spirits. An
inquest was held the next day before Mr. Pilgrim, one
of the county coroners, but at which none of the re-
porters of the public press were present, when the verdict
of the jury was, that the deceased had cut her own throat
in a state of temporary deraegement.
WIIAT GENIUS Is.—A disorder which, like the
pearl in the oyster, destroys the possessor, while it en-
riches others.—Library of Secrets and Wrinkles.
NOVEL SPORT.—On Friday week, as two gentle-
man were proceeding along the road from Avoch to
Fortrose, their attention was arrested by observing the
tins of a large fish which was swimming slowly within a
tew yards of the shore. Having examined the object
more closely, they were persuaded that it was a marine
visitor of no ordinary size. One of the party, fortunately,
had a gun with him, and advancing cautiously to the
water's edge, discharged both barrels, wounding the fish
severely on the back. A powerful Newfoundland dog
that accompanied the gentlemen, then sprang into the
water and seized the fish by the tail, when a furious
place—both combatants disappearing re-
peatedly struggle took
;
at last, however, the dog succeeded
hen, th in de rag-
-
his antagonist towards dry
land,
ttenacity of
as-
tonishment of the observers, it proved to be a fox-
ssheparpke,seodr
ttehrbaeshaeyr,eaurpowlda. A
upwards five
a
prooff
life possessed by the shark it mayvedefrmementthioe gneedethaantd,
notwithstanding the wounds received
h in
e length,eeeei y
the dog, it evinced signs of life for nearly an hour
vora-
cious after
being taken to Avoch. There was another of this-
eious tribe taken at Chanonry Point by Mr. Hogarth, s
fishermen about three weeks ago. It corresponded in
size to the one above-mentioned.—lnverness Courier.
COMMITTAL OF A POSTMASTER.—John Charles
Lockwood, postmaster, was again brought before the
magistrates on Saturday last. We detailed the case
last week, the facts of
which are briefly, that a letter,
containing a sovereign, posted in the month of January
last in London, by Harriet HuinP hris, had not been re-
ceived by Ann Stratford of Lechlade to whom it had
been addressed. The evidence implicating Lockwood
was that of Waleot, a letter-carrier, who deposed to
seeing the prisoner take the money out of the letter.
The only further evidence adduced on Saturday last was
a person from London, who provedrL posting the letter,li
directed to Ann Stratford.
Hodges, an innkeeper, who said .heeheeidwood called L'
withr.
Lockwood,Walcot
when
said
if
fe
Mr. Lockwood
madeconversed
against Mr.
tild had h not
e
taken him before the magistrates, he noetausaevd
should
said any thing about it : it was jealousy which
the disagreement between them. Mr. Millward—Did
you ever hear Walcot say that the charge he now :Hakes
is a false one ? Witness—No. The prisoner wa
called upon for his defence, when he said that he now
innocent of the offence imputed to him, and that Walcot
had perjured himself. The magistrates informed Mr.
Lockwood that they, after maturely considering the
case, found it to be their duty to commit him to the as..
sizes for trial.—Doncaster Gazette.

greater than she ever possessed—of a magnitude which
strangers cannot see, and which are comprehended but
by few, she yet earnestly seeks peace, because it is a
Christian duty, and desires no other rivalry with her
surrounding competitors than that of extending the bles-
sings of order, industry, and intelligence—of promoting
the interchange of commodities—and of facilitating inter-
course with the most distant regions. These unques-
tionable facts demonstrate, that whatever position
England may acquire in China, it will not be for her ex-
clusive advantage ; the time is happily arriving when
nations, as well as individuals, learn: that a benefit con-
ferred returns to the donor with a blessing, that injuries
reflect punishment on the perpetrators ; and thus, even
in a selfish point of view, the exercise of good is a far
better policy than the commission of injustice. A con-
viction of the truth of this divine precept is slowly dawn-
ing on the minds of men ; it is the high behest of England
to prove the reality by its practical application. No
sphere could be more appropriate for its exercise than
China, where myriads of our fellow-creatures seem
specially adapted for, and prepared to receive, the influ-
ence of a Christian civilisation. It is impossible to esti-
mate fully the effects of such an influence on so vast a
mass of mankind ; it is difficult to calculate the extraor •
dinary commercial power which would be created by four
hundred million active and intelligent beings, with nu-
merous desires, keen perceptions, and indomitable in-
dustry, having full scope given to their singular energies
—it is deeply interesting to consider the physical, moral,
and intellectual results which would accrue not only to
the continent of Asia, but also to those of Europe and
America, from the Christianisation of China. Under
Providence, this glorious consummation may be wit-
nessed by the existing generation ; but whether this be
permitted or not, it is the bounden duty of all Christians
to aid in its accomplishment."

ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.—On the night of Friday last
Mr. Wilson, of Verdant hill, near Roscrea, was attacked
by two robbers in his own yard, who were armed with
loaded whips or sticks, commonly called skull-crackers,
one of whom struck him a severe blow on his head, which
knocked him down ; they then robbed him of a hand-
some gold watch, some silver, and a pencil case, with
which they walked deliberately away.
ROBBERY.—A most disgraceful act was committed in
this town on Thursday night. The soup kitchen esta-
blished by the relief committee was broken open, and a
quantity of bread and several trifling articles stolen
therefrom.

The King's County Chronicle contains a further list of
outrages, including highway robberies, violent assaults,
and plunder of provisions by armed parties.
COUNTY OF GALWAY.
BARBAROUS MURDER.—On Monday evening last
John Browne Lynch, Esq., of Clonkeely, near Tuam,
formerly an officer in the 6th Regiment of Foot, was
barbarously murdered in his own avenue, returning from
the fair of Ballindangan. A pistol was found near his
body. It is supposed he struggled with the murderers,
as his skull was fractured, and his throat cut and dread-
fully mangled, as if with a reaping-hook. The shot
was heard in the unfortunate gentleman's house, and his
horse ran into the yard immediately after. The Galway
Vindicator states that the object of the assassins was
plunder, as Mr. Lynch was supposed to have had a large
sum of money on his person.
COUNTY OF LIMERICK.
ATTACKS ON OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF WORKS.
—On a new line leading from Croom to Dromcolloher,
between the hours of one and two o'clock on Monday,
three armed men attacked Mr. Lindsay, an officer under
the Board of Works, and, after firing a shot over his
head, wanted to swear him not to go on the line again.
This outrage, it is stated, occurred in the presence of the
men engaged on the works; but they appeared very in-
different about the matter. Mr. Lindsay, notwithstand-
ing, did not leave the works until he regulated his busi-
ness.—Limerick Examiner.
[The Government, yesterday, as I apprised you, issued
a proclamation offering a reward for the apprehension of
the persons concerned in this outrage.]
Mr. John Fitzgerald, engineer of the Board of Works
in Ennis, received' a threatening notice, telling him he
would get the death of Mr. Carrick. Mr. Mahon, en-
gineer in Broadford, removed to Tulla, received a
threatening notice for the second time,
saying that
powder and ball would be the next ; and Mr. Richard
Creagh, assistant-engineer at Tulla, was grossly abused
at Six-mile-bridge, for refusing to allow a full day's
wages for a half day's wcrk.—Limerick Chronicle.
DEATHS FROM STARVATION.—The Rev. Mr. Hickey,
the highly respectable parish priest of Mon, in this
county, has stated in conversations had by him with some
clergymen of this city, that seven persons died last week
in this parish, he believed from actual want. He further
states the small farmers are mostly limited to one meal
in the day, and that principally turnips—that seven
members of a family are obliged to live on the shilling
which the head member earns—and that they pinch the
one meal on themselves to increase that of the indivi-
duals that labour.—Limerick Examiner.
In the district of Knockaderry and l3allingarry armed
bands of peasantry are traversing the country almost
every night, and attacking farmers' houses for money
and arms, firing shots in their progress, without apparent
fear of detection.

THE Mans.—Muth irregularity has taken place
in the arrival of our mails from the south within these
few days. This has 'been partly accounted for by the
change of weather, a good deal of snow having fallen
in Berwickshire and the north of England. But the
extraordinary detention of the last two London mails
has partly arisen from other causes, which we think,
with a little forethought, might have been provided
against. The mails due on Wednesday, at nine o'clock in
the morning, did not reach our post-office till twenty
minutes past one o'clock in the afternoon. On inquiry
we learn that half an hour was lost south of Newcastle;
thence to Berwick, where it is horse-coached, about two
hours more were lost from the same cause, namely, a
rather deep fall of snow, and the horses not being frost-
shod. But at Berwick, when the mail came up, there was
neither engine nor carriage to forward it, and it had to
twoenmdoignh mail,
dueor ast eight o'clock
mi
wait an hour or two for the return of a train from the
h
moreoccurred
e l o extraordinaryedk tohned
T ua Tuesday
sdp arye casev
elvo eu ns oi.
evening, f
dhiwhat
not reach here
till half-past two on Wednesday morning, upwards of six
hours behind time. This was also partly owing to the
call
weather; but there was another cause, and it requires
onnorth
oA
explanation. There are about ten miles of the way, we
tand between Ceckburnsp
ath and Renton, where
exp
unders ,
at present
end of this space, and, finding that
mail comes up to one
passed an expected train from Edinburgh,
there is only a single line of rails. Well, the
it had not yet
rail. The Edinburgh train comes to the other end, and
V
from the same cause. proper precau-
erythe
makes a halt
it very properly stopped, fearing a collision on the single
But how long did they thus
other?
Three mortal hours, by
stop looking for each
d ask if communica-
tion Now, we would Lions. Better delay a short time, rather than risk
loss of life and property-
Shrewsbury clock.l
b the most lazy
conveyance, in a shorter space of time
than three hours?
The mail
could not have been had between the two ends of
the single line—only eight miles long—
y
It might have been done on foot in lesstime.
was the first to take courage and proceed on this occa-
sion, and, happily, no collision took place. But, really,
such exigencies as these ought to be looked to, and pro-
vided for.—Caledonian Mercury.
FALL OF A BRIDGE ON THE NORFOLK RAILWAY.—
A serious accident occurred on Tuesday
night by the
falling of a bridge on the Wymondham and Dereham
branch of the Norfolk Railway, which has jeopardised the
lives of about a dozen men. This line was opened for
goods traffic on Monday last, and about three miles from
the Wymondham station, in the parish of Kimberley,
the scat of Lord Wodehouse, there is a bridge over the
railway. This bridge was considered not to be safe, a
sinking having taken place in one of the buttresses; and
Mr. Merritt, the sub-contractor, was ordered to take it
down. In removing it, the men were kept at work
after dark, and to afford them light two fires were kept
burning upon the crown of the bridge. Late at night,
from the removal of the chief supporters, the remaining
part of the bridge fell in, and about a dozen men, who
were at work upon it, fall also into the line beneath, and
were mingled with the ruins and fires. Great confusion
and alarm existed, and several of the men, when extri-
cated, were found to be seriously bruised and burnt.
The parties found to be seriously hurt were taken to
Mr. Rudram's, of Kimberley-hill Lodge, belonging to
Lord Wodehouse, where all possible attention was paid
them, and there is a hope that none of the injuries sus-
tained will prove fatal.
WAKEFIELD Coax MARKET, FRIDAY.—Owing to
adverse winds we have no arrivals from the East coast,
which causes our market to be very bare of samples.
The quantity of wheat offering is inadequate to the de-
mand, and an-advance of ls. to 2s. per qr. is readily ob-
tained. Barley is in fair request at an improvement of
Is. per qr. Oats and shelling are both scarce, the former
is from d. to ld. per stone, and the latter Is. to 2s. per
load dearer. New Beans are eagerly taken at Is. per
ur, more money, in old ones no alteration.

SEYERE ACCIDENTS FROM THE PROST YESTERDAY
MORNING.—The sharp, although not severe, frost which
set in after the foggy rains of the preceding evening, had
the effect of incrusting most of the metropolitan
thoroughfares with ice; and as such an effect was en-
tirely unexpected, the market carts and early •morning
traffic was greatly impeded. As the usual hours of
business approached, accidents began to multiply, not a
little aggravated by the fact of its being Smithfield
morning. In the Camberwell-road Mr. John R. Aild,
who was driving to his house of business in the Black-
friars-road, nearly met with a very severe accident ; his
horse slipped when near the Elephant and Castle, and.
although the shafts of the gig were broken, he provi-
dentially escaped unhurt. On Blackfriars-bridge every
horse of burden was brought to a standstill. On Hol-
born-hill the parochial authorities thoughtco. ihtandecheisssaleryg
to strew the declivity with wet gravaenle.dxatlrthiooautgehtnhoot until
animal,
nrooirmks eea,n;
te
hal one ndcg,
carman
rni
mng
attnoh
ewMaeesns
severely hurt
xt
o
Hospital.
a kick from the
very serious damage had occurred. A. valuable dray-
suffering animal. On the wooden pavement, between
This fast-sailin
sT
C 1(11 eugAen noN (N ow HER
St. Clement Danes and St. Mary-le-Strand, several very
serious accidents occurred, and one poor fellow, who
slipped and fell, brfore the driver could pull up, was run
over by a Blackwall omnibus, and so much injured that
late the property
•of the lamented Commodore of the Royal
t unde
Yacht Squadron, having ae y rgone
mh e
MAJESTY'S)
ssETt
sAe)
sEaHt
DOTALiorciec
KESTREL.—This
Tyl
RC
AiEncLgi.
g yacht,
a thorough
survey and examination by the dockyard officers, has
since our last been purchased by the Government, and
the name of Kestrel will henceforth grace the naval list.
This act of the Government, no doubt, has been in a
great measure doue to record its sense of the service
which that revered and patriotic nobleman (the late Earl
of Yarborough) has rendered to this country, by en-
couraging the advancement and improvement of naval
architecture.—Hampshire Guardian.
EAST WORCESTER ELECTION.—A correspondent
informs us that the lion. W. E. Gladstone is about to
present himself as a candidate for the representation of
East Worcester, and that a circular has just been ad-
dressed to the tenantry of Lord Ward, intimating that
a candidate would solicit their suffrages in opposition to
Mr. Foley.

-- ---
AN EARLY WEDDING.—On Monday week an
impatient couple from Dundee, were united at Perth, in
the holy bands of matrimony, by one of our dissenting
clergymen at the unwonted hour of six o'clock in the
morning. It apps ars that the gay Lothario—a man of
high standing in the faith to which he gives credence,
and of fair mark as an enterprising citizen—had provi-

ously known the sweets of con'nubiai love, but by the fiat
of fate, was unfortunately made a widower within the
previous month. The bustle consequent upon the fungi.
ral being over, he began to think himself a solitary man
indeed, even although his evening hours were partly en-
livened by the prattle of three children, " the sweet me-
morials of his former bliss." Monday passed listlessly ;
Tuesday, heavily ; Wednesday, fidgety ; Thursday,
restlesslti• ; Prsday, feverishly ; and on Saturday he was
altogether so out of sorts, that seizing his hat, he sallied
forth, and, going directly to the residence of a young
lady, whose many qualifications he had previously noted,
instantly "popped the question" of immediate marriage.
The lady was at first startled ; but the wooer being im•
portunate, a bargain was soon made, and the happy
couple, in a few minutes afterwards, were rattling in a
drosky towards Perth. Arriving here, they instantly
waited upon a clergyman, when, to their horror, they
found that they had, in their haste, forgot the necessary
proclamations of their intention. In vain was the minis •
ter earnestly solicited to 'tie the knot for once without

" the lines"—the panting lover was obliged to hurry
back to Dundee fur the needful. Arriving again on
Sabbath afternoon, he now confidently hoped for an in-
stant realisation of his blissful visions ; but to his un-
speakable chagrin, the minister inexorably refused to
perform his functions on the Sabbath, frankly proffering,
however, his willing services by six o'clock the following
morning. As better could not be, the bridegroom re-
luctantly consented to the postponement, when the pro-
crastinated ceremony was at length happily solemnized.
We believe the friends of the bride followed the trip to
Perth to veto the proceedings if possible, but her affec-
tions wero too firmly rooted to be shaken.—Perthshire
Advertiser.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER