The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-24 00:00:00

2W

4;-/vo.er

The construction of the luggage vans on this line
differs very materially from those generally employed
on other railways. It has been reported that it was of
a light construction, and not of that massive description
as to warrant it being placed next the tender with such
heavy trains as the one that met with the accident.
Such, however, is not the fact. It was one of the ordi-
nary wrought-iron vans usually employed in running
with passenger trains, and weighing six tons. Up to
the last station it stopped at before reaching Farring-
don-road, the van exhibited no token of defect. Sin-
gular to state the coupling which held it to the carriage
it injured never broke, at least such is the information
communicated to the reporter by Mr. S. Clarke, the su-
perintendent of the line, but the one that connected it
with the tender separated. This fact has given rise to
the supposition that the van must have left the rails and
that the engine broke away from it. If that, however,
had been the fact, the probability is that the train would
have passed on to it instead of lifting it.
Last evening the inquest on the bodies of the unfor-
tunate deceased passengers was held at the Prince of
Wales Tavern, adjoining the Farringdon.road station,
by Mr. Wasborough, the county coroner.
Mr. S. Clarke, the superintendent of the line, was
present, with other officers, to watch the proceedings on
behalf of the company.
The evidence adduced was far from being satisfactory
as to the cause of the accident. From the testimony of
the witnesses who rode in the same compartment as the
deceased, it appears that at the moment of the concus-
sion the deceased, Mr. Sargeant, was sitting down, and
was thrown into the next compartment. Bonner was
standing up, and was crushed down. They described
the luggage van to have broken through the roof of their
carriage, which came right down upon them.
Mr. Frampton (living near the station), who was a
passenger in the train, said thatspme time prior to the
accident he noticed a grating noise. He did not know
the cause, and mentioned the .circumstance to a fellow-
passenger. Ho was in/the name carriage as the deceased,
only in another compartment. On the train passing
under the bridge, he heard a tremendous noise, and the
roof of the carriage flew off. He supposed that the de-
ceased must have been killed in the compartment by the
luggage van driving into it; for when the train stopped
he found the van was right on the top of it. ' •
Ross Pattison, the engine-driver, deposed tha' he ap-.
proached the Farringdon-road station at the usual speed,
and on running through the bridge experienced a severe
shock which tLrew him backrards..?..He jumped for-
ward to his engine, supposing it had broken away, and
off lcoking back saw that the train had left the engine,
and the luggage train mounted on the top of the carriage
next to it. He thought the force of the concussion broke
the coupling. After the accident he noticed that some of
the wheels of the van and carriage were off the line.
Previous to the concussion the steam had been shut off,
and the breaks applied to bring up at the station, and
their speed was exceedingly moderate. There was no
second concussion.

Simon Cosgrave, the head guard of the train, said it
was running into the station at the usual speed when the
accident happened. He could not say positively how it
occurred. He thought the cause was the luggage van,
breaking down in front. There was only one shock.
The evening having here far advanced the CORONER
suggested an adjournment. At present they did not
know anything of the cause of the accident. He thought
the jury ought to have the evidence of some disinterested
witness. He considered the public, on so serious an oe_
casion, were entitled to know whether blame attached to
the company, and ho thought an adjournment should
take place for the purpose of obtaining the attendance
of some able and disinterested person, who should give
evidence respecting any practical points, on which the
jury desired to be informed.

The jury concurred in the views of the coroner, and the
proceedings were accordingly adjourned.
A report of the accident has been sent to the Board of
Trade by the company, and General Pasley was expected
yesterday to have visited the spot and made his official
investigation. We believe it is the coroner's intention to
solicit the attendance of the gallant general at the re-
sumption of the inquest, with a view of ascertaining his
opinion on the cause of the accident. The inquiry will
be resumed this day.

The Rugby and Leamington Railway has been
sold to the London and North-Western Railway Com-
pany, at 5/. premium on the 201. shares, or 41. premium
on the 161. shares.

SEIZURE 05' AN EXTENSIVE ILLICIT DISTILLERY By
THE EXClSE.—Considerable excitement was manifested
on Wednesday evening, between six and seven o'clock,
in the ueighbour'hood of Blackfriars-road, from the re-
port of the seizure of an illicit distillery, w ith the cap-
ture of the persons employed, by the officers of the Ex-
cise. From information received, the officers proceeded
to Charles-street, to premises formerly occupied as a
hat-manufactory, where, after some slight hesitation on
the part of a person at the gate, they obtained admis-
sion, and on proceeding to the rear of the pre-
mises, which are very extensive, several apartments
being thrown into one, they discovered two large
copper stills, in full work, and running spirits of a very
strong description, viz., sixty over proof. The persons
attending their operation appeared to bo so busily em-
ployed, that they had scarcely noticed the presence of
the officers, and upon one of the latter announcing their
presence, a scene of indescribable dismay and alarm en-
sued. Retreat was hopeless, and a denial of the facts
quite out of the question, therefore one of the party at
once admitted that he was the proprietor of the distillery,
and cabs being procured, the whole of the parties were
conveyed to the police station-house for safe custody.
Having them thus secured, the officers then proceeded
to examine the premises more minutely, and found the
two stills had been some time in operation, from the
' quantity of spirit ready for sale in stock. They also
found near 1,000 gallons of wash in a state of fermenta-
tion, ready for placing in the stills, and which would
have run off a large quantity of spirit. The business
thus carried on, taking the same by the average of the
workings of the stills, would have caused a loss to the
revenue of at least 3001. per week. The owner of the
premises appeared to have minutely studied the laws of
distillation, for several documents relating to the subject
were found in his possession, and among them the last
Act upon the subject, the 9th and 10th Vic., cap 90, en-
titled " An Act to Prevent the Use of Stills by Un-
lisensed Persons." Three vans having been procured,
the whole of this valuable capture was deposited in
them, and conveyed to the Excise warehouses in Bread-
street.
MYSTERIOUS DEATlL—Yesterday an inquest was
held bafore Mr. W. Carter, at the Swan Inn, New Peck-
ham, on the body of Mr. William Dunham, aged 57,
whose death was supposed to have been caused by some
' quack medicine. Two phials were producedland a printed
bill, with the name of "Jordan, Russell•street, Blooms.
bury," on it. Mrs. Sadler, a sieter of the deceased, said
her brother had retired from business, and lived at 1,
Alpha.-street, New Peckham. On Sunday evening he
was reading in the front parlour, when he fell from his
chair suddenly, and soon after expired. The deceased
had had the dropsy for some time, and was under the
care of Mr. Morris till last Wednesday, when he got
some medicine, and would not see Mr. Morris again.
He took the medicine from the Wednesday to the Sun-
day. Mr. Morris, of High-street, Peckham, surgeon,
stated that he had attended the deceased for dropsy and
diseased kidneys for some time, and his opinion was
that he would not last ou,t the winter. When he saw
him on Sunday ho was quite dead, and witness was sur-
prised at the suddenness of it. The Coroner asked Mr.
Morris if he could state the cause of death. Mr. Morris
said he-could not tell. One of the phials he thought
contained opium, the taking of which might tend to
bring on apoplexy. He did not think there was suffi-
cient to cause death. The Coroner then said the inquiry
must be adjourned to have tho body opened. The bottles,
were ordered to be sealed up, and the Court adjourned..
PECKIIANI FAlR.—During yesterday and the two
preceding days, Camberwell and Peckham have berm,
visited by many thousands of individuals to witness, the
revival of Peckham Fair, which closed yesterde,y, The
fair, which was conducted throughout in a very
brisk and orderly mannersPiniet but
terminated withorAt a ii.,gle
accident,

►eace,

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON TIM
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
(LATEST PART/CULARG.)
READING, WEDNESDAY.—The accident which bad
the fifty-fire minutes past four P.M. passenger-train from
Paddington, at Farringdon-road station on the above
line, on Monday, was of a character peculiarly de-
plorable, and, we believe, nearly unparalleled among
railway casualties.
The unfortunate passengers who met with their death'
have been ascertained to be Mr. Sergeant, a fainter re-
siding in the vicinity of Swindon, and James Bonner,
living at Oxford. There were several other passengers
injured, including a female, but their names and the
nature of their injuries could not be obtained.
The train when it left Paddington consisted of the
" Elk" engine and tender, luggage van, seven first and
second-class passenger carriages, and another luggage
van at the rear. It took up a large number of pas-
sengers at the station, and by the time it reached
Farringdon-road the train had become a very large
one. On its approach to the latter station -the
engine-driver shut off the steam, and adoptel the
usual practice of bringing the train to a halt. No
sooner had he done so, however, than a violent concus-
sion took place, and it was immediately found that the
luggage-van near to the tender, from some unaccount-
able cause, had reared up on its fore wheels. The force
of the train drove the next carriage under it, and the
next moment the train passing through a bridge on the
London side of the Farringdon-road station, it is sup-
posed that the roof of the luggage van ceme in contact
with the crown of the arch, an was driven into the
body of the carrian. All three compartments being
filled with passengfrs it is truly remarkable that a
greater loss of life did not ensue. The unfortunate de-
ceased, with two 'or three others, were in the compart-
ment nearest the van. The remains of Mr. Sergeant
were shockingly mutilated, the head being literally se-
vered from the body. His Beath must have been in-
stantaneous. More than an hour and a half elapsed ere
his remains could be extricated from the wreck of the
carriage. Bonner survived his injury but a few minutes.
He was standing up at the time, and received the full
force of the concussion on his head. As soon as the
necessary assistance had been obtained the bodies were
removed to the station to await a coroner's inquiry. In
the course of an hour and a half the line was "cleared,
and the train proceeded.
The remarkable circumstance of the luggage-van
-.._
rising from no, apparent cause has excited considerable
attention. By some opinions are given that it was the
..,,,-,x,,,
result of the sudden shutting off of the steam and the ,
nt liali, •
omemtum 9f,..4 ; 9400 my train behind •that' tbre,e the- ,,`','
van up. ft was state by the company's officer that
carriages rising in such a manner were of frequent oc-
currence on all lines; if so, it is the first that has been
publicly announced. It is right to state, however, that
they do not attribute the accident to the cause above
alluded to, but rather to some defect in the spring or
axle of the van.

IMII

SIR R. BONNYCASTLE'S NEW WORK.
Just ready, In 2 vols. small Bvo , price 21s. bound,
CANADA AND THE CANADIANS
In 1846.

By Sir RICHARD BONNYCASTLE, lint.,
Lieut.-Colottel Royal Engineers, and Militia of Canada West.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
Orders received by all Booksellers.

Now ready, In 2 vols., with Illustrations, 21s. bound.
FIFTH EDITION of THE CRESCENT
AND THE CROSS.

By ELIOT WARBURTON, Esq.
"As we read we are proud to claim the author as a countryman,
and are content that his book shall go all over the world, that other
countries, from it, may derive a just impression of our national
character. His volumes are full of just perception and spirited
detail. They greatly increase our acquaintance with Eastern scenes,
and to the traveller afford a variety of information which he could
hardly elsewhere Sind in so interesting a shape."—Britannia.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Just ready, in 2 vols. Bvo.,
AN ANTIQUARIAN RAMBLE
IN THE STREETS OF LONDON.
With ANECDOTES of their more CELEBRATED RESIDENTS.

By J. T. SMITH, Esq.
Late keeper of the Prints in the British Museum, Author of " The
Life of Nollekins," and " A Book for a Rainy Day."
Edited by CHARLES MACKAY, LL.D.
Author of "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions," &c.
Richard Bentley, New Burliagton-street.

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE.
MESSRS. LAMOND, SMALE, AND
LAMOND. Railway Share Auctioneers, beg to thank their
Fruncla and the Public for their continued support and patronage,
• and to annoance that their Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c.,
take place every TUESDAY and FRIDAY, at One o'clock, at the
Hall. of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place,
favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are respectfully
requested to be addressed.
All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day
previous to their being offered ; and advice, of results will be
forwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds imme-
diately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices, Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street. London.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
The public is respectfully informed that this Theatre, the Interior
and exterior of which have, during the recess, been thoroughly re-
paired, re-painted, and ornamented, will OPEN for the Season on
THURSDAY next, October 1, 1846, with a favourite COMEDY, a new
and original FARCE, and other ENTERTAINMENTS.
The Box-office will be opened on Monday next, from Twelve till
Four, under the direction of Mr. T. Archer, Box Book-keeper.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.

Second Week of a New Comic Drama. The New Grand Fairy Bur-
lesque Extravaganza, entitled " The Magic Horn," having been,
on each occasion of its representation, received throughout with
the most cordial marks of approbation and delight by crowded and
fashionable audiences, is, in consequence, respectfully announced
for repetition every Evening till farther notice.
THIS EVENING

The performances will commence with a New Comic Drama,
TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. Principal characters by
Messrs. A. Wigan, Meadows, and Keeley; Mrs. Woollidge, Mrs. A.
Wigan, Miss Hicks,3liss Turner, Miss Howard, and Mrs. Keeley.

After which, a New Grand Operatic, Melodramatic, Romantic,
Fairy Burlesque Extravaganza, founded on the Opera of "Oberon,"
entitled THE MAGIC HORN. Principal characters by Messrs.
F. Mathews, A. Wigan, Kinlech, Collier, Yarnold, Bender, Silver,
Richards, and Keeley; Miss Keeley, Miss Villars. Miss Fairbrother,
Mrs. Woollidge, Miss Arden, Miss Forster, Miss Laidlaw, Miss
Bromley, Miss Howard, and Mrs. Keeley.
To conclude with TO PERSONS ABOUT TO MARRY.

THEATIIE ROYAL. ADELPHI.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE.
THIS EVENING

Will be presented a new domestic drama, entitled EUGENIA.
CLAIRCILLE ; or, THE NEW FOUND HOME. Frederick Stan-
more, Mr. Worreil ; Mr. Rug'eigh, Mr. Cullenford ; Toffey, Mr. Paul
Bedford ; Hugh Matlock, Mr. 0. Smith ; Mrs. Toffey, Mrs. F.
Matthews ; Eugenia Claircille, Madame Celeste.
Atter which the Comic Drama, entitled USED UP. Sir Charles
Coldstream, Mr. Webster ; Lady Clutterbuck, Mrs. F. Matthews.
To conclude with the Mythological Burlesque Extravaganza, de-
nominated THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS ; or, The Pas de Pip-
pins. The characters personated by Messrs. Selby, 0. Smith, Glen-
naire, Linden, Waye, Butler, Williamson, Aldridge, Mitchenson,
Alderson, Ryan, Wright, Paul Bedford ; Miss Ellen Chaplin, Miss
Taylor, Miss Harrison, Miss Simpson, Mrs. F. Matthews, &c.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-ST/LEET.
TIIk4 EVENING

Will be performed a New Comic Drama, in Three Acts, entitled
LOVE'S TELEGRAPH. Count Theodore, Mr. J. Vining; Arthur
de Solberg, Mr. C. Mathews ; Baron Pumpernickel, Mr. Compton.
To be followed by an entirely New Comic Drama, entitled THE
BARBER BRAVO ; or, lhe Inventor of Powder. In which Mr.
Charles Mathews, Mr. Granby, Mr. Wynn, Miss E. Stanley, and
Miss E. Bonner will perform.
After which, the New Drama, entitled A CURIOUS CASE.
Twiggleton, Mr. C. Mathews ; Mrs. Aubrey, Mrs. Stirling.

STRAND THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Davidson.
THIS EVENING

Will he performed the new historical Tragedy, entided THE
MAID OF WARSAW. Ulric Sobieski, Mr. Gregory; Brutanoff,
Mr. Waldron ; Werter, Mr. Carle ; Cloton, Mr. Grafton; Catoff,
Mr. Attwood ; Eva, 31rs. Percy; Zeta, Miss M. Glover.