The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-04 00:00:00

The accident appears to have been occasioned by the
wilful disobedience of orders by one of the engine-
drivers. A portion of the line, near the Kearsley em-
bankment being under repair, the materials used in the
works are conveyed from near Bolton, in order that the
repairs might not interfere with the passenger traffic,
the works were ordered to Ibe carried on in the night
time. For the better prevention of accidents, one engine-
driver, named Johnson, was ordered to take all the
luggage trains, either to or from Bolton, upon the " up"
line, while Steventon, the driver of the train conveying
ballast for the repairs, was ordered to use the " down"
line. Had these instructions been obeyed, it is obvious
there could be no passibility of a collision ; the ballast
train was, however, run upon the irong rail, and the
catastrophe above related occurred in consequence; and
upon Steventon being asked how it was that he ran upon
the wrong line, he excused himself by stating that he
had done it to save the time that would have been lost
by " shunting" the train upon the other line, as he
thought that the luggage train would not run to Bolton
again that morning, as it had already made two journeys
since the preceding evening.
Mr. Himmers, the secretary, and Mr. Issett, the su-
perintendent, having instituted an inquiry into the cause
of the disaster, Steventon, the driver of the ballast
engine, was taken into custody, and brought up before
the county magistrates at the New Bailey Court-house,
Salford.
The circumstances having been fully investigated, the
prisoner, in his defence, throw the blame upon one of the
watchmen at the Bolton terminus, who told him there
were no more trains coming on that line.
Mr. Trafford told him that that was no excuse, for he
had clearly disobeyed his orders, and, by so doing, he
had endangered both life and limb.

The--prisoner was then sentenced for a month to hard
labour ; and in the event of any of the injured parties
dying, will be tried upon a charge of manslaughter. The
injuries received by some of the men are stated to be of
a serious character.

ALMERIA GRAPES.—There are a description of
grapes annually imported at this season of the year from
Almeria, which are much esteemed. They differ very
materially from almost every other kind of grape, both
of home and foreign growth, having a peculiarly cool
and refreshing flavour, and of so comparatively firm a
substance, as, on being bitten, to burst with much force
in the mouth, and in consequence of their full appear-
ance and extent of bunch, form a handsome dish for
dessert, when other grapes, excepting those of an in-
ferior quality, throughout the winter months, are dear
and scarce. The importation of this description of grape
is now taking place to a considerable and unusually
large extent.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—On Saturday last a little
girl, about six or seven years old, while swinging on a
railing at the top of a stair in Rose-street, fell to the
bottom, a height of three stories. She is now fast re-
covering.—Edinburgh Register.
The mortal remains of the late Marchioness (Dow-
ager) of Westminster, were removed from Grosvenor-
square yesterday forenoon, for Eaton Hall, Cheshire,
and this day they will be consigned to the family vault
at Eccleston church, close adjoining. The Marquis of
Westminster, the Earl of Wilton, and Lord Robert
Grosvenor, left town last evening for the purpose of
attending the funeral.
WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE.—The whole of the west
footpath is now repared, and the palisade is nearly
finished. When the present high and unsightly hoarding
is taken down, a good view of the new houses of Parlia-
ment will be obtained, as the new paling is about the
same height as the stone balustrade on Waterloo-bridge.
Many masons are now employed in layihg down the
kerb-stones on the east side, and from the activity dis-
played, there is much promise of the bridge being opened
to carriages in the course of a few days. Small trades-
men and poor people who get their living by hawking
commodities about the streets for sale, will duly appre-
ciate the boon—of once more—a free bridge across the
Thames at that part of the river.
Sir Henry Pottinger will take his departure for the
Cape Colony on Saturday ; leaving Southampton by
the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company's ship
Haddington.
Lieutenant-General Sir Benjamin D'Urban, whose
appointment as Commander of the forces in Canada we
have already mentioned, will proceed there with his Ex-
cellency the Earl of Elgin, the Governor-General.
COURAGEOUS CONDUCT OF A CLERGYMAN.—On
Wednesday, the 18th ult., at abouthalf-past nine o'clock
at night, as the Rev. W. Powell, of Ragland, was sitting
in the parlour at his vicarage, he was suddenly alarmed
by one of his servants, who had occasion to take up a
mat from the hall door previous to fastening it for the
night, rushing in and screaming violently that two men
had forced themselves after her into the hall. He im-
mediately seized the poker, which was fortunately at
hand, and went to demand what they wanted ; when,
without uttering a word, they commenced an attack
upon him with their clubs, but he parried the blows
levelled at him with so much firmness, that though he
received a severe cut on the temple, was knocked down,
and severely bruised on the hands, shoulders, and knees, '
he succeeded in getting them out of his house. The
cries of the females attracted two or three of the neigh-
bours to their assistance, though a quarter of a mile dis-
tant ; and as soon as the rev. gentleman was a little re-
covered they searched the premises, and discovered that
the ruffians in their confusion had left a hat, a hedge-
stake, and a large club, behind them ; and that a con-
siderable quantity of blood was sprinkled over the hall
in different placss.—Hereford Journal
FREE WOODS.—The Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade having recommended the remis-
sion of the duties on locust treenails and mara wood,
used in shipbuilding, the Commissioners of the Customs
have received a communication from Mr. Parker, one of
the Secretaries to the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury, stating that he has been commanded by their
Lordships to convey to tbm the authority of that Board,
for the admission, free of duty, of locust treenails, and also
greenhart and mars, wood, as woods which would have
been formerly admitted as paying the same duties as
teake, and therefore are entitled to be now admitted free
for shipbuilding purposes, equally with that description
of wood.

SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW.—Yesterday the
arrival of beasts and stock intended to be exhibited for
prizes at the show of cattle on Tuesday next created a
good deal of bustle in the neighbourhood of this great
cattle depot. During the (lay many large and high
fatted bullocks were admitted, having travelled to Lon-
don in vans, and in the course of the day several waggons
of Prize cattle arrived in the metropolis by railway, and
some rare fatted beasts have been brought from Scotland
by the Aberdeen steamer. Among the stock to be
offered for competition for prizes are some beautiful and
well fatted beasts belonging to his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, reared on the Home Far The njaed es will
award the 'prizes to the owners of the 'best breeds ogf tittle
and sheep, &c., on Tuesday next, and on the followinge
day the exhibition will be thrown open for the sale o{
cattle and public inspection.
LANCASTER AND CARLISLE RI.ILWAT.---We
informed that the determination to open this
lineare
throughout on the 21st of December next has been post-
poned—it is presumed, in consequence of General Pasley
having resigned his situation as Inspector of Railways
at the Board of Trade. The earliest opportunity will,
however, be taken for openinr, the line, as we believe it
is now in a complete state for public traffic.—Carlisle
Pat,*.