The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-17 00:00:00

GREAT WEST
ANERN RAILWAY
COMPY.
A special meeting of the proprietors of the Great
offices Weste
of ern
Railway Railway Company took place, , at the
Company, Paddington.
The chair was taken at one o'clock by Charles Russell, Esq.
The CEASILHAN stated that this meeting was held under
Lord Wharncliffe's order, which required that a general
meeting of the proprietors should be held in order
to submit certain Bills to their consideration before the
directors would be empowered to proceed with them in Par-
liament, and which the proprietors had already, at a previous
meeting, sanctioned. The Bills which he was about to sub-
mit to them were—a Bill for making a railway, and other
works, from Plymouth to Falmouth, and other places, to be
called the Cornwall Railway. A Bill to authorise certain al-
terations and extensions of the line of the Wilts, Somerset,
and:Weymouth Railway. A Bill for making a railway from
Gloucester to the Monmouth and Hereford Railway, and to
the South Wales Railway at Aure, to be called the Gloucester
and Dean Forest Railway. A gill for completing the line of
the South Wales Railway, and to authorise the construction
of an extension and certain alterations in the same railway,
and certain branch railways in connexion therewith. A Bill
for making a railway from Worcester to Porth Dynllaen, in
continuation of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton
Railway. A discussion here arose as to whether this Bill
should be proceeded with.
The CHAIRMAN said that, with reference to the Forth
Dynllaen Bill, the directors did not intend to make that line
unless they were allowed to make it on the broad gauge prin-
ciple. The Board of Trade had, however, at the present time,
refused to sanction such a proceeding, but they might fairly
hope that the Board of Trade would review their decision.
After some discussion, in which it was alleged that the
Government would not make a harbour of Forth Dynllaen,
and that it was not fit for a harbour of refuge,
inasmuch as it had a stony bottom, and did not afford safef
anchorage, the proprietors sanctioned the further
.progressshould
of the Bill on the promise of the Chairman, that it
not be virtually proceeded with until there was an oppor-
tunity given to the shareholders to decide whether it
would be advisable to make the line . The
line was 123 miles in length, and of a very expensive nature.
The next Bill submitted was that of a Bill to authorise
certain alterations in the line of the Oxford, NVorcester, and
Wolverhampton Railway, and to amend the Act relating

thereto.
Also a Bill for making a railway from Birmingham to join
the lines of the proposed Oxford and Rugby, and Oxford, Wor-
cester, and Wolverhampton Railways, to be called the Bir-
mingham and Oxford Junction Ruilway.
The proprietors having sanctioned these and some other
minor Bills, the meeting separated.

LEICESTER AND BEDFORD
RAILWAY.

The adjourned meeting of scripholders in this Company
was held yesterday, at the London Tavern ; Wynn Ellis, Esq.,
M.P., in th• chair.

The SOLICITOR having read the Bill,
The CHAIAMAN stated that the amount cf scrip votes re-
corded at the last meeting was 22,248, and the nunil4er re-
quired in the terms of the sessional orders being 25,000, they
were consequently obliged to adjourn the meeting to this
day. The directors had since beenr entrusted with 6,522 all
in favour of proceeding with the scheme, so that there were
28,778 scrip votes in tavour of going to Parliament and not
one dissentient.—(Cheers.)
A resolution was then proposed by the Chairman in the
usual form to authorise the directors in proceeding with the
Bill, which was unanimously adopted and the meeting sepa-
rated.

OPENING OF THE NORTHERN
RAILROAD OF FRANCE.
LILLE, JOSE 14, 11 O'CLOCK, P.m.—Sunday having been
fixed for the inauguration of the Northern Railroad, the per-
sons invited to the ceremony repaired at an early hour to the
station. The Prefect of the Seine, Count Rambuteau, M.
Cunin Gridaine, :the Minister of Commerce, the Prince de
Ligne, the Belgian Minister, a great number of members of
both Chambers, of the Courts of Justice, of the Chamber of
Commerce, most of the administrators of the different rail
way companies, capitalists, stockbrokers, and journalists, took
their seats in the first train, which left at quarter past six
o'clock. Although between 700 and 800 passengers were
assembled in the dehai cadere, the ssrvice was so well orga-
nised, and the precautions adopted by M. Pereire and the
commissaries of the ceremonies were so efficient, that no con-
fusion took place. Files of Municipal Guards were drawn at
certain distances across the passage, and prevented a rush
towards the waggons. Only one act of insubordination was
committed, and that by Admiral Rosatnel, who, having
forced the consigne of the Guards, was empoigne by the
Municipal Guards, and lost his seat in the first train. The
second train, conveying about the same number of passen-
gers, departed at seven o'clock.
The Dukes de Nemours and Montpensier had left at four
o'clock P.M. on Saturday, for Amiens.
Our train soon entered the plain of St. Denis, after pass-
ing through a short tunnel, running under the external
Boulevard, and the only subterraneous gallery of the
whole line.
The station of St. Denis, which rises considerably over the
neighbouring plain, presents a beautiful view of the environs
of Paris, bounded on one side by the heights of Montmartre,
the Batig,noles, and St. Chaumont, and farther on by Mont
Valerien and its citadel, and the-range of hills of Marly and
St. Germain-en-Laye.
On leaving the station of St. Denis, we passed close to
Fort la Bridle, and entered the valley of Montmorency, the
favourite resort of the Parisians, over which are scattered
innumerable country seats and chateaux, which greatly add
to the natural beauty of the country. The most remarkable
villages of that charming valley are, to the left, Sannois,
St. Gratien, and Franconville, and on the right, at the
bottom of the valley, St. Leu Tavernv, Ermont, and Le
Plessis Bouchard. The road then runs through a deep
trench, cut in the solid rock, and enters this valley of the
Oise close to the ancient abbey of Maubuisson, some
turrets of which are still standing. We next reached
Pontoise, which is partly built cn a cliff or steep rock,
surmounted by the church of St. Maclou. At a small dis-
tance from that town the road crosses the Oise, over a bridge
of three arches. The country is highly variegated and fer-
tile, and the village of L'lle Adam, with its delightful coun-
try seats and the park of the old chateau, is not one of its
least ornaments. After L'lle Adam the aspect of the coun-
try changes—to the right extend high hills, and to the
left an immense plain, covered with villages, corn fields, and
orchards.
We next descried Beaumont, rising as an amphitheatre,
on the side of a hill, washed by the Oise, at the distance of
about half a mile. The scenery afterwards is not remark-
able as faros Creil, where the St. Quentin branch is to unite
with the northern line. Beyond that town we took leave of
the Oise, and crossed the village of Nogent-les-Vierges, and
a succession of beautiful plantations, passing occasionallt
through cuttings or on high embankments, until we arrived
at the Liancourt station. We here stopped a moment to ad-
mire the chateau, its water-works, and the minificent park.
Between Liancourt and Clermont there is nothing worthy of
notice, and beyond the latter the country becomes naked and
almost barren, and the road passed over the highest table
land of Picardy, where a distant village here and there
catches the eye. At Quinquempix the road reaches its
greatest elevation, it being the point of separation of the
valleys of the Oise and Somme.
After passing the station of Breteuil, and the villages of
6lesnil St. Firmin, Tartigny, Paillart, and Folteville, where
commences the longest trench of the road, we entered into a
country diversified with hills, valleys, water-courses, and
ponds, and passed the villages of 'Ailly-sur-Hoye, Guyen.
court, Dommartin, Cottanchy, and Boves. Between the latter
and Amiens the country is bare and flat, presenting an almost
continual succession of bogs and marshes.
The country beyond Amiens presents nearly the same ap-
pearance as on the Paris side. Beyond Corbie, green hills
extend to the right and left, and the road crosses the Somme
three times in a distance of six miles. At La Neuville com-
mence the great rampes, by means of which the road passes
over the elevated ground which separates the valley of the
Somme from that of the Scarpe and Deule. The view here
is extremely monotonous. The road occasionally runs
through deep trenches, but as we approached Arras the coun-
try, irrigated by the waters of the Scarpe, assumed a more
pleasing and varied aspect. The Princes had just left Arras
as we arrived there.
Arras is the first regular fortress which we met on the
way ; but, although the advanced works, fosses, drawbridges,
and narrow gates have been preserved, its ramparts are no
longer intended for the purposes of war, having been con-
verted into green plots and delightful promenades. Between
that town and Douai the road traverse,: a continual plain,
highly cultivated, but dull in the extreme. The village of
Fampoux, where the branch to Calais and Dunkirk is to
commence, is situate within five miles from Arras. At same
distance farther the road crosses the Scarpe, and enters the
Department of the North at Brebierea, and a little farther
the ramparts of Douai.
We arrived at a quarter past 4 o'clock at Lille, where the
Princes had preceded us by about 20 minutes. On alight-
ing, the Dukes de Nemours and de Montpensier were con-
ducted to a tent, erected for the occasion, under the ramparts
of the city, where they were congratulated by the civil arpi
military authorities. The Archbishop of Cambrai, followed
by his clergy, next harangued their Royal Highnesses, arid
afterwards bestowed their benediction on the road. The
Princes then held a review of the Natonal Guard and troops,
and repaired to the Town-hall, where they received the
t'wrerntcahtand Belgian authorities. At seven o'clock they re-
filinisterostohfejdebarecuiere of the railroad, accompanied by the
sided at a me.sustice, Commerce. and Public Works, and pre-
and 3,000 pemtonsamptuous banquet, of which between 2,000
.S'ymphonie tiero.qs Lar:',olk. After dinner they assisted at a
was executed by etti,e composition of M. Berlioz, which
bands of the 50th Regiment of In-
fantry, of the Hussars, Artillery; and at ten o'clock
at the Town-house.
P.M. a ball was offered to them

CHEAP RAILWAY CONVEYANCE Von LaEoofteredt
The directors of the Eastern Counties Railway
tance of live miles along their line for one penn'
to
labourers a di+
Y
—On Monday morning, a
night and morning.
ACCIDENT TO MR. COOKE.
little before eight o'clock Mr. Cooke, so well known In connexion
,
with the electric telegraph, Vas riding a spirited horse on Blackheath
was at an easy canter, when the animal suddenly
thrown with great
slip ped and came down
on his knees. The unfortunate gentleman
violence over the horse's head,
but with the feet still entangled iu
the stirrups, and on the horse making an effort to regain his legs
afilmal secured from
he struck Mr. Cooke severely on the headhewith his fore feet. Fir-
tnnately assistance was at hand, arid t
making further plunges, or the consequences must have been fatal.
Medical attendance was instantly sent for, and Mr. Cooke canLewisham-hill,
veyed in a deplorable condition to his residence, -- an -
Blackheath.
it NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.—We understand that this
railway will, in all likelihood, be formally opt tied by the directors
the length of Dunbar on Thursday, the 18th, and that it will be
thrown open for the conveyance of the public a few days afterwards.
PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY.—EarIy in July next, a
a grand/et/ champetre will take place for this society, near the grounds
of the Bishop of Rochester, Bromley, Kent, on which occasion, in
addition to the amusements of the day, the principal portion of the
troop of equestrians belonging to the establishment of Mr. W. Batty,
of Astley's, have been engaged for the occasion.
DEATHS BYIDROWNING IN THE THAMES.—On Mon-
day evening Mr. Payne held two inquests on the bodies of persons
accidentally* drowned in the Thames. The first was held at the
Steel-yard coffee-house, tipper Thames-street, on the body of James
Daly, aged seventeen. It appeared that, on Thunday evening last,
deceased was bathing, with other buys, in the Thames, at Bankside,
opposite to Barclay and Perkins's brewhouse, when he get out of his
depth, arid was carried away by the tide, which was running rapidly
down at low water. A man of colour, named Bawling, dived after
him, and caught him by the hair, but, as he was dragging him ashore,
the force of the tide broke his hold, and before he could seize de-
ceased again, he finally disappeared. A waterman, who found the
body on Sunday morning, locked in the paddle wheel of the Topaz
steamer, said, bathing in the Thames at low water was extremely
dangerous, 33 the steamers drew the water off so rapidly that the
bathers were drawn with it, and generally drowned, if they could not
swim. The second inquest was held at the Rose and Crown, New-
wharf, Whitefriars, on tile body of James Mackenzie, aged twenty- '
four, a compositor, late in the employ of Messrs. Levy and Robson,
printers, Great Sea-street, Gough-square. A bargeman, named
Jenea. said ha saw deceased, a little before six o'clock on Sunday
morning strip himself and jump off one of the barges at Whitefriars'-
wharf. lie was a good Swimmer, and swain out into the middle of
the river, when he sank, but ruse again laughing. He then swam
towards the barge, and when within thirty yards of it, he threw his
hands about as if in play, and again sank. He rose once more, made
signs of distress, and then finally disappeared. Though efforts were
made to save him, they did not succeed, and the body was not found
until three hoar; 34%41 tag QCglailaLIGIN ValtaGt i 114443 ;data "