The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-03 00:00:00

GER SIGNAL.

RAILWAY GUNPOWDER - DAN

Prom 2, Parliamentary volume, forming Appendix No.
3 of the Report of the Officers of the Rail ay Depart-
ment to the Lords of the Committee of P ivy Council
for Trade, and just printed for Parliament, the following
quotation is made, being a letter from Major-General
Pasley to the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council
for Trade, recommending that a circular hould be sent
to railway companies, suggesting the adoption of a new
danger signal by means of gunpowder:—
"My Lords,—Two fatal accidents, which it was my
duty to inquire into, having occurred within the space
of thirteen months, in both of which one railway
Ltrain, detained beyond its proper time, was run
into by another train, causing the death of a
passenger in one case, and of an engine-man in the
other, notwithstanding that the usual precaution had
been taken of sending a man back from the train that
was delayed with a red lantern as a signal of danger, to
meet and stop the approaching train, not only by this
signal, but also by calling out to the engine-man. In
both cases this caution proved ineffectual, as the men
sent back were neither heard, nor were their red lanterns
seen, by the engine-men of the approaching trains. In
fact, I have myself observed, more than once, that it is
impossible for the engine-man or fireman of a railway
train in motion to hear a person calling to him, even from
a very short distance, especially when the train is passing
under a tunnel, which causes a louder rattling noise than
in the open air.
•' I therefore beg leave to bring under your Lordships'
notice a very ingenious arrangement adopted on the
London and Birmingham Railway, as a fog or danger
signal at the suggestion of Mr. Cowper, son of the
King's College professor of that name. This con-
sists in sending a man back to place a small flat circu-
lar tin box, containing a charge of gunpowder, mixed
with a little fulminating powder, on the line of rails by
which the next train is advancing, which box has two
leaden fangs attached to it for clasping the rail, which at
other times are doubled flat down upon the box to save
room. As soon as the wheel of the locomotive engine
of the approaching train passes over this box, it fires the
charge, with an explosion sufficiently loud to be heard in
the moss stormy night, or in going through a tunnel, but
not powerful enough to injure the rails or the wheels of the
engine. Under the circumstances supposed, this arrange-
ment, as a signal of danger or caution, is preferable to a red
light by night, or in a tunnel, because no neglect or inatten-
tion on the part of the engineman or fireman of the coming
train can render it possible for them to pass without
being aware of the explosion, which cannot fail to take
place, and on hearing which it would be their duty to
atop. The best way of proceeding would be for the man
sent back to carry a red light also, and after placing his
explosion signal-box on the rail to return part of the
way from whence he came, and remain there with his
red light to meet the train on stopping, and to explain
to the engineman whatever may be necessary.
"I shall conclude by observing that I am fully per-
suaded that the more perfect system of danger-signal
just described, if generally adopted on railways, may be
the means of saving lives hereafter ; and therefore, I
request, should your Lordships concur in this opinion,
that you will be pleased to call the attention of the Di-
rectors of railway companies to the subject by a circular
letter.—l have, &c.

" C. W. PASLEY, Major-General.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.
OPENING of the RAILWAY from RAMSGATE to
MARGATE.
On Tuesday the South-Eastern Company's branch line
from Ramsgate to Margate was opened for passenger
traffic. A special train, conveying Mr..M'Gregor, Chair-
man of the South-Eastern Company, Viscount Torring-
ton, Mr. Pritchard, and other directors, left the Brick-
layers' Arms station at a quarter before eleven A.M., for
Margate. The station at Ramsgate was hung with flags
in honour of the occasion, and several additional car-
riages with passengers having been attached to the train,
it proceeded onwards to Margate. The length of the
line thus opened to the public is about 34 miles, con-
sisting of only a single line of rail. At Margate the
event was celebrated as a general holiday, almost every
shop in the town being closed. The directors, on their
arrival, were received by Mr. Deputy Cobb and some of
the principal inhabitants, who acted as stewards of the
day. A procession of carriages, containing the direc-
tors, &c. was formed at the railway station, which,
headed by a band of music and flags, moved on the York
Hotel, The streets and windows and balconies of the
houses on the line of route were filled with ladies, who
welcomed the procession by waving their handkerchiefs,
and other tokens of satisfaction. A triumphal arch,
formed of evergreens, was also erected, and this at night
was tastefully illuminated.
At fire o'clock the directors and their friends were
entertained by the inhabitants at the Assembly Rooms,
where about 200 persons sat down to a sumptuous din-
ner, Mr. Deputy Cobb filled the chair, and was sup-
ported by Mr. M`Gregor, Lord Torrington, Mr. Bodkin,
M.P.,- the Right Hon. S. R. Lushington, Rev. W. E.
Hoskins, &c. Mr. M`Gregor, in returning thanks for
the toast of the South-Eastern direction, said the Com-
pany had spent a quarter of a million of money in Par-
liamentary contests, in which they were endeavouring
to obtain direct lines for Margate and other places.
Parliament had already intrusted them with the con-
struction of a line from London to Rcchester, a portion
of which would be in the contractor's hands on the 12th
instant. The directors were now seeking for powers to
continue the line from Rochester to Chilham, which
would not only shorten the distance between London
and Margate by twenty miles, but would also bring the
inhabitants cf the latter town in communication with a
population of 200,000 souls at the other end of the
county. The company's branch line from Minster to
Deal would be opened in February next; in about twelve
months they would have a line to Rye; and in about
eighteen months they would have a continuous communi-
cation from Margate to Hastings.
After the proceedings of the dinner were concluded, a
special train left Margate at a quarter to ten o'clock,
which arrived in London at ten minutes past one o'clock
ye-,terday morning.
The day was exceedingly favourable, and the arrange-
ments made by the stewards at Margate for the recep-
tion of their guests, both in the procession and at the
dinner, were of the most complete and spirited character.

DEPOSITS WITH THE RAILWAY COMMIS
SIONERS.

Belo s is an enumeration of the deposits with the Rail-
way Commissioners and Private Bill-office. It approxi-
mates as closely as can be ascertained at present to the
precise number of lodgments:—
Ambergate; Nottingham, and Boston and Eastern
Junction—Aylsham and North Walsham—Axholme.
Bakewell, Chesterfield, and Sheffield Junction—Berks
and Hants—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire
Junction; Deviation and New Branches—Birkenhead,
Lancashire, and Cheshire, and Chester and Birkenhead
Purchase and Amalgamation—Birmingham and Oxford
Junction and Amendment—Birmingham and Oxford
Junction, and Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley
Amalgamation--Birmingham, Warwick, and Stradford-
upon-Avon—Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour
Valley Deviation and Branches—Birmingham, Wolver-
hampton, and Dudley—Blackburn, Darwen, and
Bolton; Amendment and Branches—Blandford and
Burton—Boston, Stamford and Birmingham—Braintree
and Halstead—Brandling Junction—Brighton and Chi-
chester, South Coast and South •Western—Brighton,
Lewes, and Tonbridge—Bristol and Poole Harbour—
Bristol and Exeter (Branches); Crediton to Launces-
ton Extension; Taunton to Castle Cary (Branch)—
Buckingham and Brackley Junction, and Oxford and
Bletchley Junction Amalgamation.
Caledonian (Branches and Extensions): Branch across
Clyde ; Edinburgh Station and Branches to Granton;
Lease or purchase of Glasgow,,Barrhead, and Neilston,
and Glasgow Southern Termini; Glasgow, Neilston, and
Barrhead purchase—Caledonian, Glasgow, Garnkirk,
and Coatbridge—Caledonian and Glasgow, Paisley,
and Greenock Amalgamation—Cambridge, St. Neot s,
and Bedford Junction—Chard Canal and Railway—
Chelmsford and Norwich—Cheltenham and Oxford—
Chester and Holyhead Extensions—Chichester and
Bognor—Clarence and Leeds and Thirsk Amalgamation
—Clarence and York and Newcastle Amalgamation—

Colchester and Stour Valley—Colchester, Stour Valley,
Sudbury. and Halstead Extensions; lease to Ipswich and
Bury St. Edmund's—Cornwall, Amendment of Act amd
Deviation—Cornwall and Devon Central and Plymouth
—Coventry, Banbury, and Oxford Junction—Coventry,
Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leieester.
Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire June-
. ___

tion—Direct London and Portsmouth, Amalgamation
with South Coast--Direct London and Portsmouth,
Brighton and Chichester, South Coast, and South-
Western Acts Amendment—Direct Sheffield and Mac-
clesfield—Dover and Deal—Drayton and Bognor--
Duffryn, Llynvi, and Porthcawl, and Llynvi Valley
Amalgamation.
East Coast—East Indian.---East Lancashire : Burnley
Connecting Line ; Bury to Manchester Extension ; Cli-
theroe, Milton, and Padiham Branches; Deviations and
Rawtenstall Coal Branch; Southport Branch and Preston
Extension—East Lincolnshire : Deviation at Boston ;
Branch to Great Grimsby and Sheffield ; Louth Navi-
gation Purchase ; Louth to Lincoln—Eastern Counties
(Braintree to Halstead) : Cambridge to Bedford ; Cam-
bridge, Royston, and Ware Line ; Enlargement of
Stations ; Hertford to Ilitchin ; Ilford to Tilbury Fort,
&c. ; Maldon, Witham, and Braintree Purchase ; Peter-
borough and Folkingham ; Purchase or Lease of North
Woolwich ; Somersham to Ramsey ; Spalding to New-
ark, &c. ; Shalford to the Victoria Park, &c. ; Totten-
ham to Guildford-street ; Wisbeach to Spalding ; Lynn
and Ely, Ely and Huntingdon, and Lynn and Dereham,
Purchase or Lease—Eastern Counties Coal and Coast-
ing Dock and Junction Railway—Eastern Union (Ips-
wich to Woodbridge) : Manningtree to Harwich—
Eastern Union and Bury St. Edmund's and Ipswich
Amalgamation—Eastern Union and Hadleigh Junction
(Sale to Eastern Union)—Edinburgh and Glasgow
(Amendment of Acts)—Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton
—Enfield and Edmonton Extension—Exeter and Ex-
mouth (Act Amendment)—Exeter, Yeovil, and Dor-
chester.

Falmouth and Helston—Fleetwood, Preston, and
West Hiding Junction.
General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour (connecting
branch)—Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monklands Junction—
Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle—Glasgow, Dumfries,
and Carliso, and Glasgow, Paisley and Ayr (No. 1) Act
Amendment—Gloucester and Dean Forest (Construction
of Docks at Gloucester)—Gloucester and Hereford and
Canal Purchase—Great Indian Peninsula—Great North
of India—Great Northern (Hertford Branch)—Branch
to Horncastle—Branches to Sleaford ; Deviations be-
tween London and Grantham; Deviations between Pe-
terborough, Bos ton, and Doncazter; llvviations between
York and Grantham; Extension to Leeds and Wake-
field; Isle of Axholme Extension ; Hertford, Hatfield,
and St. Alban'a Branch; King's Lynn Branch; Pur-
chase of Anabergate, Nottingham, Boston, and other
hnes—Great Weliteru (Cheltoattm to 02tford) Amend-

ment and Extensions ; Branches to Egham, Staines,
Brentford, and Twickenham ; Branch to join West
London; Extension to Berks and Hants; from Yeovil
to Exeter, with Branches ; Monmouth and Hereford
Doviations—Guildford Extension, and Portsmouth and
Fareham.

Hartlepool and Stockton Junction—Harwich and
Eastern Counties Junction—Herne Bay and Canter-
bury Junction—Horsham and Chichester—Huddersfield
and Manchester (Branch to Aston and Guide Bridge);
Deviations ; Deviations and Alterations in Oldham
Branch, &o.

Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's ; Branch to Wood-
bridge; Extension to Thetford; Extension to Newmarket
and Ely; Extensions to East Dereham and Aylsham ;
Stowmarket to Sudbury; Yarmouth Extension—lpswich
and Reedham.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Amendments—Leeds,
Dewsbury and Manchester (Extension to Wakefield);
Ossett Branch—Leeds and Thirsk Deviations: Branch
to Northallerton and Junction with York and New-
castle; Eaglescliff and Shillington Extension; Leeds,
Durham, and Newcastle Extension; Harrogate and
Pateley Branch; Knaresborough and Boroughbridge
Branch—Leeds Central Station—Leeds, Wakefield, and
Midland Junction—Lincoln and Grantham—Liskeard
and Caradon Amendment--Liskeard and Launceston
Branch—Liverpool, Crosby, and Southby Branch—
Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Acts
Amendment Junction—Liverpool, Manchester, and
Newcastle-on-Tyne and Northern Counties Union
Amalgamation Llynvi Valley Extension London
Bridge Termini General Enlargement—London and
Blackwall Improvement—London, Brentford, and Great
Western Junction—London General Coasting Dock,
cennecting Railway with Eastern Counties—London
and North-Western : Purchase of Showhill Branch and
Amendments of Acts, &c.; Lease and Purchase of
Huddersfield and Manchester and Leeds; Dewsbury and
Manchester; Birmingham and Lichfield Line; Bescot
and Wolverhampton Branch; Ormskirk and
,Rainford
and other Branches; Lime-street Station Extension;
Branches from Coventry and Nuneaton Line to Mount
Pleasant and Victoria Collieries, &c.; Kenilworth to
Beekswell, and Leamington to Warwick; Branch to
Midland at Whitacre; St. Alban's, Luton, and Dun-
stable Branch ; Newport Pagnel and Wellingborough
sad Olney Branch—London and South Coast and Lon-
don and South-Western Participation in Portsmouth
Direct between Dorking and Portsmouth—London and
South Coast (Kent Branches) ; Extension to London-
bridge ; London-bridge Station Enlargement and Ar-
rangement—London and South Essex—London and
South-Western, and London and South Coast; Confir-
mation of Agreement relating to Tolls and Stations—
London and South-Western Acts Amendment ; Wim-
bledon and Epsom Branch ; Widening, &c.; Wimbledon
Shoreham Extension—London, Oxford, and Chelten-
ham, and Branches—London, Salisbury, and Yeovil—
London and Southend—Lowestoft, Alteration near
Reedham—Lynn and Ely, Ely and Huntingdon, and
Lynn and Dereham Amalgamation—Lynn and Ely Ex-
tensions; Deviation and Lynn Docks.
Manchester and Birmingham, and North Stafford-
shire Junction—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and
Midland Junction Deviation—Manchester and Leeds
(Alterations of Levels) ; Branch to Barnsley, and
Extension of Holmfirth Branch ; Branches, Devia-
tions, Alterations of Levels, &c.—Manchester and
Lincoln Union Deviation—Manchester, London, and
Birmingham Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln-
shire ; Branch at Bagsworth ; Junction with Midland ;
Louth aid East Lincolnshire Branches; Branch to Old-
ham; Louth and Horncastle and East Lincolnshire
Branches—Manchester and Southampton—Manchester
and Southport, and Branches Manchester, South
Junction, and Altrincham—Manningtree and Methley
—Midland, Branch from Maryotfield to Bath, and al-
teration of Gauge; Cheltenham, Warwick, and Lea-
mington, Extension from Leicester to Hitchen ; Exten-
sion of Nottingham and Lincoln Branch ; Gloucester
and Stonehouse Junction ; Leicester and Swanningten
Widening; Line from Erewash Valley Line to Not-
tingham and Maryfield Line; Masbrough and Norman-
ton Station Enlargement ; Systoa and Peterborough
Deviations; Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Goole ;
Worcester, Hereford,: and Cheltenham Lines Mold
.Junction—Monmouthshire, Sale or Lease to Newport,
Abergavenny, and Hereford; Amalgamation with New-
port, Abergavenny, and Hereford.
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Junc-
tion—Newcastle and Berwick, Crawlington, Percy
Main, and Killingworth, and other Branches—Newcastle
and Berwick East Coast Line—Newmarket and Chester-
ford Extension to Thetford ; to Bury St. Edmunds ;
Amendment Acts—Newport, Abergavenny, and Here-
ford ; Extension to Taff Vale Norfolk, Thetford
Branch ; Aylsham Branch ; Yarmouth' E:xtension—
Northampton and Banbury North British Amend-
ments—North Staffordshire Branches; Churnet Valley
and Trent Valley Junction—North- Western Diversions
—Northern Counties Union .Deviation. .

Oldham Alliance—Oxford, Worcester, and Wolver-
hampton Extension and Amendment.

Pitrkgate and Cster and Birkenhead': Junction—
Preston and Wyre Extension.
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate—Regent's Canal,
Paddington and Limehouse Branch----Royston. and Hit-
chen Amendment, Sate and Lease. •
Salisbury and Yeovil—Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley,
Huddersfield, and Goole—Sheffield, Rotherham, and
Doncaster Junction—Shrewsbury and Birmingham—
Shrewsbury and Chester—Shropshire Union, to lease to
London and North-Western; Shrewsbury to Worcester
Branch—Southampton and Dorchester, Blandford
Branch; New Forest Deviation; Weymouth Branch—
South Devon Extensions—South-Eastern, Croydon, and
Bromley Branches; Maidstone to Charte; Mid-Kent and
Direct Tonbridge; Stroud to Maidstone; North Kent and
Bricklayers' Arms Junction; North Kent line; Widen-
ing of Greenwich line ; Enlargement of Termini ;
London. bridge Station Enlargement—South Stafford-
shire—South Wales Deviation Branches and Amend-
ment—South Yorkshire—Stockton, Hartlepool, and
Clarence Amalgamation—Swansea Junction—Swansea
Valley and Branches.
_ _

Taw Vale Deviation and Branches Amendment—
Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, and Brighton Junction.
Vale of Neath Branches and Amalgamation.
Wear Valley and Weardale Valley Amalgamation -•
West Cornwall Branches—Wharfdale Amendments—
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Amendment—Windsor,
Staines, and South-Western—Windsor—Worcester,
Tenbury, and Ludlow.
York and Newcastle, Hartlepool and Great North of
England and Clarence Purchase Act; Improvements;
Wearmouth and Dock Extensions—York and Newcastle,
and Newcastle and Berwick Amalgamation—York and
North Midland, and Manchester and Leeds; Hull Station
and Branches; East Riding Canal Purchase; Harrogate
Branch; Borosghbridge and Knaresborough Extension;
Knottingly Branch.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, DECEMBER 2.
STOCK ExcHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter,
80—Ditto, New, 84g—Birmingham and Oxford Junction.
834—Great Western, 130—Ditto, New, N—Manchester
and Leeds Extension, 1N p.—Midland, 126—Ditto (Bristol
and Gloucester), 69 North Staffordshire, 31. 18s. 9d. p.
—Shrewsbury and .Birmingham, 21,4 p.—Taff Vale (5 per
cent.), par.

LIVERPOOL, DECEMBER 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties,
York Extension, 13/4 p.—Edinburgh and Glasgow, Halves,
10 p.—Ditto, Quarters, 182— London and North-Western,
194—Ditto, Quarters, New, 13% p.—London and Manches-
ter and Birmingham, Quarters (8), 7 4 p.—Manchester and
Leeds (late Huddersfield and Sheffield), 514 p.—Ditto, Quar-
ters, 5 p.—Ditto, Fifths, 6 p.—Ditto, Halves (late Liver-
pool and Birmingham), 4 p.—Ditto (late Manchester, Bol-
ton, and Bury), Fifths, 6 p.—Ditto, Extension, 11% p.—Mid-
land, 125V,—Ditto, 401. Shares, 81,4 p.—Ditto, New, 4.3 g p.
—Newcastle and Berwick, 14 p.—North British, Quarters,
ex new, 214 p.—North Union (A), 221—Sheffield and
Manchester, 95—Ditto. Quarters, No. 3, '4 dis.—South-
Eastern and Dover, 38—Ditto. New, No. 1, 23/4 p.—York
and Newcastle, 3814—Ditto, Preference, 514 p.—York and
Selby (East and West Riding Extension), Preference, 10 p.—
East Lancashire, New, No. 2, 4 p.—Ditto, New, scrip, 38s.
94. p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 314 dis.—Ditto, Quar-
ters, IA dis.—Huddersfield Canal and Railway, 43/4 p.—Ditto,
Extension, 11s. 3d. p.—Leeds and Dewsbury, 11% p.
Leeds and Thirsk, 1 o dis.—Ditto, New, 4 p.—Shrews-
bury, Oswestry, and Chester. 1% dis.—Ambergate and East-
ern Junction, 4 p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire
Junction, 13/4 p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 6;s p.
—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, par—Mat-
lock and Midland Junction, 14 p.—Newry and Warren-
point, 24 p.—North Staffordshire, 3,7 i p.—North-Western,
p.—Shrewsbury and Hereford, Gs. 3d. dis.—Shrewsbury,
Wolverhampton, and South Staffordshire, % p.—Shrewsbury
and Birmingham (A), 2% p.—Ditto (B), 21s. 3d. p.—Shrop-
shire Union Railway and Canal, 3s. 9d dis.—South Staf-
fordshire Junction, 11g p.—Trent Valley, Midland, and Grand
Junction, 1% p.—West Riding Union, 1% p.—Manchester,
Midland, and Great Grimsby, 21s. 3d. dis.—Manchester and
Southampton, IA dis.—Dutch Rhenish ,/8 dis.
MANCHESTER, DECEMBER 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 3-16 p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire Junction, '2 p.—Birmingham and Dudley, 61/4 p.—
Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 674;—Blackburn, Cli-
theroe, &c., 275. dis.—Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton, par—
Chester and Birkenhead, 521/2—Churnet and Blythe, I,i dis.
—East Lancashire, No. 2, 4 1-16 p.—Ditto, New, Scrip, 2 p.
—East Lincolnshire, p.—Fleetwood, Preston, and West
Riding, 111 dis.—Goole, Doncaster, &c., p.—Great Grimsby
and Sheffield, 314 dis.—Great Northern (late London and
York), 14 dis.—Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and
Canal, 323/4—Lancaster and Preston, 103/4 p.—Leeds and
Thirsk, 1 dis, c. all—Ditto, New, 3% p. c. all—Liverpool,
Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, dis.—London, Man-
chester, and Birmingham (C), 6% c. p.—Manchester and
Leeds, 27 p.—Ditto, Sixteenth, 814—Ditto, Extension, 1 5-16
p.—Ditto, Halves (Liverpool and Bury), 4 p.—North Staf-
fordshire, 4 c. p.—North Union (A), 2201/2,—Ditto (B),
1504—North-Western, 1-16 p.—Oldham Alliance, p.—
Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, % c. p.—Shrewsbury and
Birmingham (A), 25 p.—Shropshire Union, 1-16 dis—
South-Eastern and over, No. 4, 9-16 C. p.—West Riding
Union, 2 p.—Wharfdale (late North-Eastern), % c. dis.

LEEDS, DECEMBER 2.
STOCK EXCITAIIGE.—The sales are—East Lancashire, 51/i
p.—Ditto, No. 1, New, 4% c. p.—Ditto, No. 2 (late Orms-
kirk, &c.), 5 p.—Ditto, New Scrip 21i p.—Huddersfield and
Manchester, 5 c. p.—Huddersfield and Sheffield, 6 p.—
Leeds and Bradford, 451/4 p.—Leeds and Dewsbury, 111/s
p.—Ditto, Branches (blue), 7% p.—Ditto, Extensions
(green), 11/.'2 p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 1 n. dis.—Ditto, New,
lls. 6d. n. p.—Ditto, Preferentials, 31s. p.—Malton and
Driffield Junction, 1% n. p.—Manchester and Leeds Exten-
sions, 28s. 6d.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Mid-
land, 245. p.—North British, Thirds, 21/3 p.—Ditto, Quarter
Shares (late Carlisle Branch), 214 p.—Ditto, Extension
(scrip), 21s. 6d. p.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 20s.
p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 21.4 p.—Wharfdale Junc-
tion, 12s. 6d. dis.—York and NewcaSetle, Preference, 514 p.
—York and North Midland, Preference, 104 p.—Leeds,
Wakefield, and Midland, 10s. dis. new scrip—London and
York, ss. 6d. dis.—North-Western, p.—Northern Coun-
ties Union, 1% dis.—West Riding Union, 4/. 2s.
HULL, DEcumnra 2.

STOCK EXCiIANuE. —To-day but a iirilitCLl amount of
husin,:ss has been done, which is owing to the scarcity of
stock which still prevails in the market. The better kinds
of stock Were much inquired for, and at improved rates.
The sales are—North British, Quarters, 3% ex thirds—
Ditto, New Quarters, scrip, 214, 6ch p.—Ditto, Thirds) 21.

I ls. p.—York and Newcastle, New, 5% p.—Malton and
Driffield Junction, 18s. p.—North Western, 14s. p.
SHEFFIELD, DECEMBER 2.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 3s. 6d. p.—Leeds and Thirsk, New, p.
—Manchester and Lincoln Union, 19s 6d. dis.—Manchester,l
Buxton, Matlock, and MidlandlU p.—Midland (Sheffield
and Rotherham), 3334—North-Western, 12s. p.—Sheffield
and Lincoln, 14s. Gd.dis.--West Riding Union, 21. p.—Leeds,
Wakefield, and Midland, 14s. 6d. dis.
YOIIK, DECEMBER 2.
Srocx EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties,
York Extension, 33/4—Malton and Driffield Junction, 3/. 2s.
—North British, Thirds, 3 %—Ditto, Quarters, 3% ex new
—Ditto, Extension, 11. 133.—North-Western, 31. 15.
Sheffield, Rotherham, &c., 41. ls.—West Riding Union, 41.
3s. 6d.—York and Newcastle, New, 1276—Ditto, Prefer-
ence, V. 3s. 9d.—York and North Midland, Preference, 12%.

EDINBURGH, DscEmnEi. 1.
STocir EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen'
281. 53.-
Airdrie and Bathgate, 41. 85.-Arbroath and Forfar, 281.-
Ditto, Halves, 151. Ss.-Armagh and Portrush, 6s. 6d.-
Ayr and Galloway, 11. 81. 6d.-Belfast and County Down,
35.-British and Irish Union, 21.35.-Caledonian, 281. 155.
-Ditto, New, 2/. 45.-Caledonian and Dumbartonshire, 11.
17s. 6d.-Clydesdale Junction, 341.-Cornwall and Devon
Central, 1/. 155.-Deeside Railway, 31.-Direct Northern, 11.
195.-Dundee and Arbroath, 401.-Ditto, New, 281.-Dundee
and Perth, 251.-. Ditto, New, 101.-East Indian Railway, 12s.
3d.-East of Fife, 11. 156.-Edinburgh and Bathgate, 2/. 15s.
-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 761.-Ditto, Halves, 211.-Ditto,
Quarters, 191.-Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 201. 10s.-
Ditto, Preference, 211.-Edinburgh and Northern, 151. 15s.
-Ditto, Newport, 4/. 55.-Edinburgh and Perth, 1/. 158.-
Glasgow and Ayrshire, 691.-Ditto, New Stock, 381.-Ditto,
Quarters, 17/. 76 6d.-Ditto, Halves, 81.-Glasgow, Dum-
fries, and Carlisle, 51. Is. 6d.-Glasgow and Dundee Junc-
tion, 1/. 165.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 411.-Glasgow General
Terminus, 11/. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow and Greenock, 17L-Ditto,
New Stock, 8/. 55.-Ditto, Preference, 81. 55.-Glasgow,
Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 11. 18s.-Great North of Scot-
land, 1/. 195.-London, Bristol, and South Wales, 1/. 3s. 61
-London and York, 2/. 7s. 6d.--Ditto, Halves, 11. 17s. 6d.
--Midland and Eastern Counties, 155.-Newcastle and Bel.-
wick, 341. 10s.-North British,3s/. 12s. 6d.-Ditto, Halves,
151. 10s.-Ditto, Thirds, 31. 125.-Ditto, Quarters, 3/. 93. 6d.
-Ditto, ditto, New, scrip, 11. 123. 6d.-Ditto, Fifths, 61. lls.
6d.-North Staffordshire, 5/. 78. ed.-North Wales Mineral,
191.-Ditto, New,lol. -Scottish Central, 221.-Scottish Grand
Junction, 155.-Scottish Midland, 13/. 10s.-Shrewsbury and
Hereford, 125.-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester, 6/. 103.
-Stirling and Dunfermline, 31.-Stirling and Midland, 2/.
10s.-Strathem Junction, 3/. 163.-Wishaw and Coltness,
481. 10s.

GLASGOW, DECEMBER 1.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, 181A—
Caledonian, New, 435. 6d.—Caledonian and Dumbartonshire,
38s. 6d.—Clydesdale Junction, 341.—Direct Bombay and
Madras, 6s. 9d.—Dundee and Perth, New, ICC—East of Fife,
35s.—East Indian Railway, lls. 9d.—Edinburgh and Glas-
gow, Quarters, 1814—Edmburgh and Northern, Newport,
87L—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 681.—Ditto, Quarters
(5 per cent. guar.), 1714—Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle,
51. ls.—Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monkland Junction, 403.
Great Southern of Madras, Bs. 3d.—Manchester and South-
ampton, 28s. 6d.—North British, Thirds, 725. 6d.—Ditto,
New Quarters (scrip), 31s. 6d.—Scottish Central, 19%
Strathern Junction, 78s.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.

A very serious system of plunder was a few days ago
detected by mere accident. A policeman observed a
drunken man in King-street, Cheapside, on Wednesday
evening last, with a parcel under each arm ; and, find-
ing that he was unable to take care of himsef, took him
into custody, and from that circumstance arose an inves-
tigation which led to the apprehension of two persons
in the employment of extensive tradesmen in the city.
Yesterday Hugh Roberts and William Marshall were
placed at the bar, the former charged with having robbed
his employer, Mr. Evans, of No. 131, Cheapside, of
bandanas and other handkerchiefs, to a very con-
siderable amount, and the latter charged with having
received the goods, well knowing that they had been
stolen.
Mr. Humphrey appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Hobler attended for the prisoner Marshall.
George Todd (City policeman 709) stated that on
Wednesday evening be took a man named Upson, whom
he found drunk in the street, to the station-house, in
Bow-lane, and found the black handkerchief with white
spots produced upon him. Upson was subsequently ad-
mitted as evidence against the two prisoners at the bar.
Mr. Evans, of No. 131, Cheapside, warehouseman,
stated that the prisoner, Roberts, was in his service.
On Thursday last, Everett, a policeman, called upon
him, and, in consequence of a communication which took
place between them, he went to speak to Roberts, who
was then in the warehouse. Having shown to Roberts
the handkerchief alluded to, he said that a man, was in
custody about it, that prisoner said " I may as well con-
fess to you that I have taken a piece of handkerchiefs.
Yau may as well prosecute me, for I am tired of my life.
I have not had a moment's peace for some years." Wit-
ness asked him if he was sure that he had not taken any
thing else, to which he replied, that he had taken nothing
else.
John Upson, of No. 88, Queen-street, Cheapside,
stated that he had been in the warehouse of Messrs.
Swan and Pearce of St. Paul's Church-yard, as porter
for thirteen or fourteen years. He had known Roberts
for several years. The handkerchief produced had been
taken from him by a policeman. (The three other
handkerchiefs were produced.) He bought the whole of
these handkerchiefs from Roberts, about two months
Ago, for 3s. 9d. each. (A shawl handkerchief produced
had been also bought by him from the same person
about twelve months ago.)
Everett, policeman (63) deposed as to the admissions
made by Roberts, and stated that he afterwards went
to Messrs. Swan and Pearce's, where he received from
Mr. Swan three handkerchiefs, which corresponded with
that found upon Upton.
Sophia Smith, housemaid at Messrs. Swan and
Pearce's, stated the' she had given to Mr. Swan the
three handkerchiefs produced, which she had taken from
a drawer in the kitchen, and which she had deposited
there at the request of Upson.
Mr. John Marston, clerk to the prosecutor, stated
that after Roberts was in custody he went to the Bull's
Head Inn, Wood -street, where Roberts lodged, and
having heard the name of Marshall, the other prisoner,
mentioned, he went to the houso of Mr. Slater, in whose
service Marshall was. He there saw Marshall, who, in
answer to questions, said that he knew Hugh Roberts,
and had purchased goods of him, for which he had bills
of parcels and receipts. Upon being told to produce the
papers, he appeared to be going to do so, but he halted,
and said he had not got them. He stated that he had
purchased of Roberts to the amount of about 1001. in
black silk handkerchiefs and printed bandana handker-
chiefs. Witness took Marshall to the station-house, but
before he went away he said he considered it a privilege
he had to buy or sell goods. At the station-house
Marshall was searched, and, amongst other papers
found upon him, was a small label, with the
names of " James and Ferdinand Jackson" upon it,
who were persons for whom Mr. Evans sold in com-
mission. Witness did not exactly know what Marshall
said, but he seemed to justify himself as if possessed of
the privilege of buying or selling for himself. In Mar-
shall's lodgings were found some handkerchiefs of the de-
scription sold by Mr. Evans, and which witness believed
to be his property.
Mr. Hobler—ls it not usual for persons in the situa-
tion of the prisoner Marshall to buy to sell again? Wit-
ness—l should say not.
Mr. Hobler—Do not other houses permit their ser-
vants to do so? Witness—Other houses may allow it,
for what I know, but it is not to my knowledge by any
means the practice.
Mr. Hobler said Mr. Slater, in whose employment
Marshall had been for some time, was present, and ready
to give him an excellent character.
Mr. Slater having entered the witness-box,
The Loan MAYoR said to him—Do you, Mr. Slater,
allow Marshall to buy or sells goods on his own ac-
count? Mr. Slater—No, but when I engaged him he
said he had been selling goods on his own account.
The LORD MAYOR—Did you forbid him to do so?
Mr. Slater—Certainly; but seeing that he appeared to
live above his means I intended to get rid of him. The
proceedings here account for that.
The LORD MAYOR observed that Mr. Slater's testi-
mony told against Marshall.
Inspector
.Woodruffe, who searched Marshall in the
station- house, produced the label of the house alluded
to for which Mr. Evans sold on commission, and con-
firmed the evidence of Mr. Marston, as to the acknow-
ledgment of Marshall that he had bought goods to the
amount of 1001. from Roberts. The inspector also
stated that Marshall said he sometimes met Roberts in
the street, and sometimes at the Bull's Head pnblic-
house, and sometimes he gave orders and received the
goods in the street, sometimes in one place and some-
times in, another.

Roberts, who was undefended, said he had nothing to
say.
The LORD MAYOR said the evidence disclosed a sys-
tem of robbery, by servants, of a most atrocious kind.
It was evident that the plunder had been going on for
a considerable time, and by a sort of contrivance which
was calculated to enable those engaged to enrich
themselves at the ruinous expense of their greatest
benefactors.

Mr. Marston stated that considerable deficiencies had
occurred upon taking stock within the last two or three
years. _

Mr. nobler submitted that there was no identity as
to the goods, and that Marshall's conduct had been open
and undisguised, and betrayed no consciousness of
abrl
Marshall
ll
therel u
wmwapsal Isar ernye
cos
tes
eudri
ti
eti
nwe was
enough
ogfrho au
lt
osjurytrsaa
tttaiosgf dye
me et ihfdoeerm,
guilt.
whe-
ther
iv
t ha
plun-
dering the prosecutor.
The LORD MAYOR, _I •
satisfied that the case
am quite
of Marshall, as well as of Roberts, must go to a jury
and I commit both prisoners for trial.
W ORSHIP-STREET.
A portly, respectable-looking
man, named John Philip
TVestern, described as a gentleman, and residing at
Frimley, in Surrey, was placed at the bar before Mr.
Bingham, charged with having committed an unprovoked
and violent assault upon a respectable young woman
named Mary Mackintosh, living with her married sister,
in Buck's row, Whitechapel.
It appeared from the statement of the complainant, a
delicate-looking person, whose eye was much swollen
and discoloured, that between three and four o'clock that
morning she was hastening to procure the attendance of
the family surgeon for her sister, who had been su Idenly
taken with the pains of labour, but had scarcely gone 20
yards from the door when she was met by the defen-
dant, who, without uttering a word, seized her by the
shoulders, and shaking her violently, threw her heavily
upon the pavement. Re then commenced kicking her
in a savage manner, and as she attempted to rise struck
her a violent blow in the face, which again knocked her
down and rendered her insensible. On recovering her
consciousness she f,uwl the defendant in the custody of
a constable, It ho appeared to have witnessed the trans-
action, and by whom he veae at one() conveyed to tho

police-station.
Police-constable 254 IC deposed to having seen the
complainant thrown down in the manner she had de-
icribcd, and iastautly hilsoned to her adigolauce, but was

too late to save her from the second attack which was
made upon her, and on reaching the spot found the
young woman lying upon the pavement, apparently
stunned, from which a considerable time elapsed before
she sufficiently recovered to be able to go to the station-
house and establish the charge.
When called upon for his answer, the defendant, with
great coolness, declared that the transaction originated
entirely in a misapprehension on his part, as he had
mistaken the complainant for a woman of the same
class who had just before left his company after rob-
bing him of his ring and purse, and expressed his readi-
ness to make the complainant any pecuniary recompense
the magistrate might suggest for the treatment she had
received.

Sergeant Graves informed the Bench that there was
no foundation whatever for the insinuation the defendant
had cast upon the character of the complainant, whom
he had ascertained to be a person of unblemished repu-
tation, and to reside, as she had stated, with her brother-
in-law, a man of property and respectability.
The complainant here intimated that, in consequence
of the delicate state of her sister's health, notwithstand •
ing the unwarrantable ill-treatment she had sustained, it
was with the greatest reluctance she had come forward
at all in the matter, and hoped therefore that the magis-
trate would himself dispose of the case, as it would oc-
casion her the greatest inconvenience and annoyance to
attend elsewhere to prosecute.
Mr. BINGHAM said that he regretted his powers were
far too limited to deal with a case of such a description,
and he should therefore certainly carry them out to the
utmost extent, by ordering the defendant to pay the
maximum amount of penalty he was able to impose,
namely, 5/. to the Queen, or, in default of so doing, he
must stand committed to the House of Correction for two
months.

Mr. Broughton requests us to acknowledge his re-
ceipt of a letter from Lady Fraser, of the Manor House,
Exmouth, enclosing a contribution of a sovereign for
the relief of a poor man named Michael Halliday, of
Milton-street, Cripplegate, the particulars of whose sin-
gular case we mentioned upon a former occasion. Her
Ladyship requested that the safe arrival of her contribu-
tion might be noticed in the papers.

THE MURDER BY POISONING.
SUDBURY, DEC. I.—ln The Sun of Monday last was
a notice of an inquest held on the previous Friday, at
Acton, near this town, on the body of John Foster, who
was deelared by the verdict of the jury to have been
wilfully poisoned by his wife, Catherine Foster, three
weeks after marriage. By many it was thought that the
evidence was far from being conclusive against the
woman, and that it did not warrant the returningof such
a verdict. Since then, however, disclosures have been
made which tend to strengthen the presumption that the
poison was intentionally administered to the deceased by
his young wife. The coroner, Mr. Wayman, met the
jury yesterday for the purpose of having the usual
criminal inquisition document signed by the jury, when
the superintendent of police intimated to the Court that
the boy Morley, a brother of the accused, who had been
examined at the previous investigations, was in posses.
sion of more facts in reference to the death of the de-
ceased than he had stated at the former inquiries. It
should be mentioned that at the last meeting of the jury
this lad made it appear that his sister only made one
dumpling on the night the deceased wes taken ill, of
which he ate part with his sister. On the boy being re-
called, the coroner proceeded to examine him in very
pointed terms, and it was elicited from him that on the
evening his sister's husband was taken ill she made
" two" dumplings. She gave one of them to her hus-
band, and the other she ate with witness. The one they
had between them was a little one, and was made of the
rubbings of the pan, of which deceased did not partake.
He added that when the deceased came home from work
he and his sister had nearly finished their supper. After the
deceased was taken ill and had been put to bed. his sister
desired him to say that he had ate the same victuals as the
deceased had. It was to please his'sister that he had stated
that he bad ate of the same dumpling as the deceased
had ; that was bis reason for telling such an untruth.
Neither he nor his sister had any of the dumpling the
deceased ate. The deceased asked him to have a piece,
but his sister said he should not, and he had not.
The CORONER directed the boy to be placed under 1,12 e
surveillance of the police of the district, it being evident
that he had been tampered with to a considerable extent.
It was with much difficulty, and after great reluctance
on the boy's part, that the above important facts were
elicited from him.

Mary Ann Chivery, a fresh witness, was called. She
said she was a single woman, and lived with her grand-
father at Acton, next door to the house in which the
deceased resided. She remembered that on the day after
his death, while the surgeons were opening his body,
Catherine Foster, the deceased's wife, came into the
house and sat down. On coming in she said the doctors
were going to open John's body, and she could not bear
the thoughts of being within. She asked if she might
sit there while they were doing it ? and on being told
that she might, sat down on a chair by the fire. After
staying some time she observed to witness, "If I had
gone to Bury before I married I would not have married
him at all."

A sister of this witness deposed to the same facts.
The inquisition was then duly signed, and the jury
dismissed. As yet it is difficult to arrive at a motive
that could have induced the accused to destroy her hus-
band. As before stated, she had been married to him
only three week exactly on the day of his death. She is
not 18 years of age, her appearance is somewhat good
looking, but very simple. Her countenance pourtrays
not the slightest hardihood, or anything indicating her
to be a person likely to commit such a crime. On being
informed by the coroner of the verdict of the jury, she
seemed not the least affected by it, and on leaving the
room merely said, " She was sure she did not do it."

CHASE EXTRAORDINARY.—On Monday last a smart
looking sailor, named John Rees, was charged with hav-
ing deserted his wife and family, leaving them charge-
able to the parish of St. Peter. A warrant which had
been issued for his apprehension was entrusted to the
care of police-constable Frederick Rees for execution.
Accordingly the constable proceeded to Llanelly, but the
fugitive had heard of his pursuer, and took to flight. A
search was made, but John Rees was nowhere to be
found, and Frederick Rees, nothing daunted, prepared
to renew the search in another quarter. Having obtained
the assistance of a constable of the Rural Police Force.
Rees proceeded to the harbour, where they were in-
formed that the runagate had taken shelter in a vessel.
They immediately commenced searching the hold, but
could discover no trace whatever of him. Loath to
give up the search, Frederick Rees gave one " last
lingering look" over the vessel, and keenly scanned its
various appointments, when 10l high amongst the rigging
" suspended in mid-air," was observed the marital fugi
tive. Up mounts the constable, and higher up mounts
the lost husband—lost to all sense of his shame. Frede-
rick, however, soon found that he was no match for
John at climbing, and therefore determined to circum-
vent him by a ruse de guerre. Giving the other police
man the wink, that worthy functionary mounted the
rigging on the other side, and so the sailor got hemmed
in. Notwithstanding, however, that he was thus held
at bay, he was still unapproachable, for the policemen
were unable to progress further up the rigging. At
length one of them taking advantage of the dusk of the
evening, drew his truncheon from his pocket, and level-
ling it at the sailor as if it was a pistol, vowed he would
blow his brains out if he did not surrender. Terrified
at the threat, the sailor yielded, and was consigned forth
with to durance vile, and then conveyed to Carmarthen.
and brought before the mayor, who reprimanded him
severely, and sent him to the House of Correction for a
month, telling him that if he was again charged with a
similar offence, he should have three months' imprison-
met.—Cornwall Legal Gaze*.
CASE Or rue REV. DR. COTTLE.—MOSt of our
Somerset readers are probably aware that tor some weeks
past a rumour has been in circulation of a nature
extremely prejudicial to the character of the reve•
rend gentleman above-named. In consequence of
its existence, application was made by him to the
bishop of this diocese that a commission might be
issued, to inquire into the grounds of the charges
alleged against him. A commission was, therefore,
issued, and the inquiry commenced in the grand jury-
room, Taunton, on Monday. The commissioners were
the Venerable Archdeacon Brymer, chairman ; Rev.
P. W. Thomas, Rev. F. B. Portman, Rev. J. Lance.
and A. G. Lethbridge, Esq. Mr. Prideaux appeared
for Mr. Davies, the nominal promoter in the case—
attorney, Mr. W. Pinchard ; and Mr. Sergeant King-
lake and Mr. Stone for the defence—attorneys,
Messrs. Reeves. Dr. Cottle was present in his gown
during the whole of the proceedings. The Court being
declared to be a private one, we are unable to give parti-
culars of the case. But we believe we are justified in
stating that the witnesses for the promoters of the in-
quiry clearly proved that the Rev. Dr. Cottle could
not have been guilty of the charge preferred against
him. Most of the witnesses supporting the case were of
the most abandoned and infamous character, and their
evidence was one mass of contradictions. At the con-
clusion of the case for the promoters, Mr. Sergeant
lianglake made a powerful speech, of three hours' dura-
tion, and stated that it was not his intention to call any
of the witnesses for Dr. Cottle (there were upwards of
twenty waiting to be examined). The commissioners
then withdrew, and, after delibersing for a few minutes,
returned into court, which was opened to the public, and
declared that they were of opinion that there was not
sufficient evidence to justify them in reporting to the
Bishop that there were prima facie grounds for further
proceedings. The rev. doctor then retired, with a cha-
racter unblemished by these proceedings, amid the con-
gratulations of his friends.—Somerset County Gazette.
A SINGULAR FACT..--A clergyman in Lincoln-
shire, in the course of his sermon one Sunday afternoon,
ternoon,
took occasion to explain a text of Scripture which bore
ti upon
of i the
ts subject giving
anin ; and after his interpreta-
on meg, he said he wished, however,
to state to his hearers that commentators did no
t
agree with him, but nevertheless he was confidnt he
t was right. The next morninge, whilst at breakfast,
h
with his wife and family,
was somewhat sur-
prised to see from his window a worthy small farmer in
his parish coming up the walk in front of his house with
a large sack on his beck; and going to the door to iyquir.
the cause of this early and singular call, the good farmer
accosted him in the following terms:—" Why, Sir, you
said in your sermon yesterday, that common taters did'nt
agree with you, and so I have brought you some fined
kidney taters, which I think will suit your
urhonour an
d
agree with you too."—Lincoln Paper.
A NEW INFERNAL MACHINE.—As Mrs. ---, Of
Wem, in this county, was lacing her stays on Wednes-
day morning last, the lace broke, when a severe shock
Pas experienced by the lady, hruisirg herback
as though gunpowder had exploded -near her. On ex-
anal Glil~~s
4tninatton, it was found that the lace was made from the
material crow so much the 411bit'et of conversation, "
gno
cotton," and had been sent by somt friend, in an envelope,
to the lady in question, as a new invention for which a
Nut 12§4 been cobtalued.—Shropshire Cvniervative.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA HOUSE,
The preparations for the rebuilding of the interior of
Covent-garden Theatre commenced at day-break or
Tuesday, and before the evening had set in the facade in
Bow-street was completely inclosed. The alterations
and improvements in the edifice will form a complete
revolution. The new proprietors have selected the
plans of Benedict Albano, Esq., Civil Engineer, and
these plans have been duly submitted to and received
the approval of the official referees under the Metropo-
litan Buildings Act. As the present interior is to be
entirely removed, and the theatre is to be considerably
enlarged, it has been resolved that no expense shall be
spared to render it one of the most elegant and con-
venient lyrical establishments now in existence. In
every sense of the word, the new Royal Italian Opera
House is to be made a great Temple of Art.
Many erroneous notions existing as to the size of
Covent-garden Theatre, it may be as well to mention
that it will be the largest in Europe, after the great
theatres in Italy, which in point of space rank first.
the original design, the architect seems to have taken
especial pains to construct the smallest possible interior
within the largest exterior space occupied by any other
London theatre. The room now lost in useless passages
and endless corridors is inconceivable; and when visi-
tors will hereafter gaze upon the vast interior now in
course of construction, they will indeed be amazed; for
although when completed there will be accommodation
for five hundred persons more than the largest theatre in
London now holds, and if requisite the number could be
carried to one thousand, there will be increased comfort
and convenience. Thus, the private boxes and stalls,
although exceeding in number those in any other house,
are to be each enlarged in point of space for the oc-
cupants. The private boxes will be,.in fact, wider and
more lofty than any allowance previously made for those
receptacles of beauty and fashion. The grand staircase
at the front entrance will remain, and that of the royal
entrance in Hart-street ; but two new stone staircases
are to be built, extending from the pit floor to the upper
tiers of boxes. Every point connected with facility
of ingress, and, what is of more importance, rapidity
of egress, has been carefully provided for, and all the
accesses and approaches to the audience portion of
the theatre will be fireproof. The interior is to
be divided into stalls and a commodious pit, as
regards the ground floor, with separate entrances
to go in and out, so that there will be no opposing
streams. There will be a tier of pit-boxes, above
which will be the royal and grand tier of double
boxes around the semicircle. Above will be successive
tiers of private boxes, with an extensive amphitheatre
of reserved seats occupying one circle. There is to be
a capacious gallery, the entrance to which will be solely
from the Covent-garden Piazza. The Hart. street en-
trance and court-yard will be reserved entirely for
Royalty ; the holders of the property-boxes— of which
(and fortunately for the proprietors) there are only five—
entering at the facade. Here a most valuable improve-
ment will be made. Doors will be opened in the
northern and southern wings ; the former, next to
Long. acre, will lead to the box. office, and the latter
will be exclusively apportioned to the pit visi-
tors. Every entrance, excepting for the Royal
family and the gallery, will be in front of the
theatre in Bow-street. But a more important
innovation for the comfort of the subscribers to the
boxes and stalls is to be made. With the sanction of
the proper authorities, a tram-road-for carriages will be
constructed, and the coachmen driving in at the
southern side of the facade will set the company down
under the portico, and then drive out at the northern
side. The immense advantage of this admirable plan
may be imagined, when it is recollected that now the
carriages have to stop at the pavement, whilst the
visitors, between two files of people, have to cross the
path, ascend the steps of the facade, and cross some
yards of the portico elevation before the entrance doors
are attained. The elevated steps are to be removed, and
the space thus acquired, assigned for the benefit of the
foot passengers.
The locality for saloons, waiting rooms, and passages
affords every convenience for accommodation, and the de-
molition has supplied the opportunity of introducing a
new system of ventilation. The principle of lighting the
theatre to the best advantage, it is anticipated with con-
fidence, will be vastly improved, the experiment for that
purpose having been begun last night. The plans ex-
hibit extraordinary care in the precautions for seeing and
hearing to the best advantage. The architectural propor-
tions of the interior have been tested, so as to ensure for
the occupants of the most remote side boxes the certainty
of commanding a complete view of the stage. Mr. Costa,
the musical director and conductor, has expressed his en-
tire approval of the construction of the orchestra, which
is to enclose his formidable band of eighty-four instrumen-
talists. The principles of acoustics have been a constant
subject of study and investigation on the part of Mr. Al-
bano. The stage, in depth, height, and breadth, has
been always unrivalled, and will afford ample space for
the mounting of operas on the unprecedented scale pro-
posed by the managers, as also for the attractions of the
ballet, for there is to be a ballet despite of the contrary
statements of our contemporaries. The terpsichorean
arrangements and engagements have in fact long occu-
the attention of the proprietors, but they prudently
kept their plans secret until they had secured the ser-
vices of the most eminent European danseuses and of
the most experienced ballet-masters, whose names will
be published in due course. We are authorised to as-
sure our readers,_ that under no pretext will divertisse
men ts be given between the acts of operas, and that the
ballets are not to be of interminable length and dura-
tion. The main principle of this lyrical undertaking is
music, and the promotion of high art is intended ; but
the public will not be deprived of the opportunity of
witnessing the greatest dancers, who embody the poetry
of motion.
We break off here for the present, but in a few days
we shall give further details of the vast improvements
now in active progress. The style of decoration for the
interior, after Mr. Albano has completed his plans, is to
be on the most costly scale, and the best combination of
form and colours, with the choice of drapery so as to
harmonise with the general effect, will be adopted.
It is necessary to present, of course, the occupants of
the boxes in the best light, and yet nut to sacrifice the
stage effects by gorgeous glare. The eye must embrace
the entire coup d'xil, without fatigue, and it is to insure
this object that the best talents of Paris and London
have been engaged. The stage, the procenium, the
ceiling, the fronts of the tiers of boxes, and their curtains
must amalgamate in totality of design and harmony of
meaning ; so that the general effect may be neither
staring nor monotonous, but the most agreeable and ani-
mated assemblage in form and colour produced—the
" human face divine" not being deprived of its beauty by
any tawdriness of decoration.