The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-20 00:00:00

r~~
~% ~Z~t~-~"y

received with the utmost enifitsiasm by all parties, even
by the chief magistrate himself, who requested their
services at the Presidential mansion.

With so smalla-no—ac-he-stra-(for the company is
complete in itself, and derives no aid from other profes-
sors), it is really wonderful how such striking
effects as they produce are brought about. The
entirely novel character of the performances are
their least recommendation, for the inimitable drol-
lery of the darkeys, and their snatches of pathos alter-
nately excite oar smiles and sensibilities. Not a little
amusing, too, are the rapid and grotesque motions of
the tambourinist and the bone-player ; the latter dis-
playing the most wonderful dexterity in handling his
singular instruments. The performances last evening
consisted of concerted pieces, glees, duets, and songs,
which were given with the utmost spirit and effect, which
kept the audience in a state of novel surprise from the
opening " Grand quick step" to the finale. Many
persons are apt to associate Nigger singing with vul-
gar ty, but this is a popular error. In 'the performance
of Mr. Dumbleton's company, there was nothing what-
ever said or implied which could offend the most faatidi,
ous. The occasional conundrums (of which it is
known negroes are especially fond) were good, and told
well. In the " Coloured Fancy Ball" we were pre-
sentel with a specimen of the only American opera as
yet written; and the song of "Ole Bull and Ole Dan
Tucker" was given with infinite humour. So also was
Dis Nigger's Journey to New York." But we can-
not particularise, and may only add, that the " Ethio-
pians" made a decided hit, and will, doubtless, be the
rage for a time, and after having earned pictorial
honours and pecuniary profit, .return to Brother Jona-
than with substantial marks of the approbation of John
Bull, who though unwilling to relinquish his Oregonian
rights, is never slow to appreciate and reward real talent,
whether of English or American origin.

THE LATE COLLISION AT THE
CHESTERFIELD STATION.

CHESTERFIELD, SATURDAY NIGHT, JAN. 17.—0 n Satur-
day afternoon General Pasley, the Inspector-General of Rail-
ways, arrived at the Chesterfield station by a special train,
accompanied by Mr. Bell, the secretary of the Midlands, to
inquire into the circumstances reliltive to the cause of the
isorions collision which occurred at the Chesterfield station on
Tuesday last. The General minutely examined the line, and
measured the width where the accident occurred, which was
about 30 yards beyond the north end of the station. He also
instituted a rigid inquiry relative to the signals, it having
been currently reported in the neighbourhood of Chesterfield
that the man whose duty it was to attend to the signals was
absent, and that consequently the signal; were neglected.
This report turned out to be incorrect; it is true that the
porter Camomile was absent without leave, fiir which he
was suspended
„la Air,Cpuiarsha station-master, but be
had got a man in -his robsWitlenffArliiii duty; By the
direction of General Pasley, Mr. Cooper sent for the whole of
the men who were on duty when the collision took place, and
accompanied by them he went and inspected the signals,
making the men explain what signals were turned on at the
time. Mr. Cooper, the station master, wan also minutely
questioned on• the subject, both by the General and Mr. Dell,
the result of which was that he expressed himself thoroughly
satisfied that the signals were most carefully attended to, and
exonerated Mr. Cooper and the men under him from any
negligence as regards this most important part of their duty.
The attention of General Pasley was next directed as to the
speed at which the down train was coming, when it was
clearly proved that notwithstanding there is an incline of 1 in
40 the driver was coming at a speed of 40 miles an hour, and
that he only shut his steam off when he arrived at the Metal
Bridge, which is scarcely 200 yards from the station, and
that the engine-driver actnally passed the south end of the
nation at the rate of more than 20 miles an hour. As to
the slippery state of the rails, that had nothing what-
ever to do with the accident; for it was fully proved before
Mr. Hudson, M.P., and the board of Directors at Derby, as
well as to the satisfaction of General Pasley, that the signals
were wholly disregarded by the engine-driver, which was
the whole and sole cause of the accident. So satisfied are
the Directors of the utterly reckless conduct of the engine-
driver, that he was dismissed the same afternoon, and told
that tie might think himself extremely fortunate that he had
no lives to answer for. The engine to which this accident
occurred is one made by Mr. Stephenson, and is the same
which made the experimental trip on the narrow gauge trial
between York and Darlington.
It is only an act of justice to the Midland Company to
state that they have been exceedingly anxious that the
fullest investigation should be gone into relative to the acci-
dent, feeling that it was only by Providence that no lives
were lost or limbs mangled. Our correspondent is informed
that after General Pasley closed his investigation, he ex-
pressed himself fully satisfied that the whole and sole blame
rested with the engine-driver.