The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-12 00:00:00

EASTERN UNION RAILWAY.

Yesterday the new line of railway between Colchester and
Ipswich was privately opened by its projectors, the directors
of the _Eastern Union Railway Company. A special train,
occupied by the directors and a party of their friends, to the
number of about 250, left the Shoreditch station at ten o'clock
A.M., and arrived at Colchester at half-past eleven. Almost
at the same moment there arrived from Ipswich a train con •
sisting of fifteen carriages, all tastefully decorated with
flags, streamer; banners, festoons of flowers, and boughs of
pants, a very large
laurel, and carrying two bands of musicians. The occu-
proportion of whom were ladies, were
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hour having occurred at Colchester, during which period the
travellers from both termini partook of refreshments pre-
pared by the directors with a befitting regard to taste and
elegance, both trains were united, and the enn
having, in Yankee phrase, "boiled up a good gallop,"
the journey to Ipswich was performed in gallant style.
It was a curious sight, and illustrative of the times,
to see the panting brass-bound engines, with their
glittering retinue of four-and-twenty coaches, in all
" the beauty and the sheen " of perfect newness,
shooting along through corn-fields and grass-meadows
at the rate of five-and-thirty miles an hour, amidst
the harmonious . clangour of drums, trumpets, and
cymbals, while flags floated joyously over head, and
the sun, who had quite a gala-day of it, beamed
gloriously all around. The new line, which is, in fact,_ an
extension of the trunk line of the Eastern Counties Railway,
with which it joins issue at Colchester, is sixteen miles iu
length. It skirts some of the noblest demesnes in England,
and runs through a tract of country remarkable for the rich
fertility of its soil and the enchanting beauty of its scenery.
Owing to the abruptness of the undulations, and the fre-
quency of their recurrence, the character of the surface is not
peculiarly favourable for the construction of a railway, but
the skill of the engineer appears to have dealt cleverly with
every difficulty, and the power of attaining great velocity
is agreeably combined on this line with delightful easiness
of motion and entire absence of oscillation. For a long
portion of the journey the cuttings are very deep, and the
gradient is for some miles together as deep as one in a hun-
dred, but it not unfrequently happens that the line runs for a
long district through table-lands, so that the ruling gradient
may on the whole be averaged at one in the hundred and
twenty:five. The line passes through three towns, Man-
ningtree, Ardleigh. and Bentley, and it is in contemplation
to establish other stations besides these. The engineer of the
works is Mr. Peter Bruff, under whose superintendence they
have been executed at a cost of 20,0001. a mile.
The special train reached Ipswich at one o'clock, and its
arrival was hailed by the enthusiastic acclamations of the
townspeople, who assembled at the terminus in thousands to
testify their gratification at an event to tnem equally novel
and interesting. The visitors repaired immediately after
their arrival to the demesne of G. H. Gower, Esq., who
kindly placed at the disposal of the directors during the day
his pleasure grounds, which are most picturesquely situated
on the banks of the Orwell, and on which marquees were
erected. A small steam-boat, the River Queen, was spe-
cially engaged to convey the directors and their friends
up the river to view the sailing and rowing matches. Eau
hundreds availed themselves of this privilege, and the river
presented a gay and animated appearance. Indeed, it is
nothing more than justice to the directors to admit that they
left nothing undone to promote the happiness of their guests.
All business in Ipswich was suspended, every shop was
closed. and there appeared to be a general understanding
that the day should be spent in enjoyment. In the evening
the event of the day was celebrated by a public dinner in
the Assembly Rooms, White Horse Hotel. Covers were laid
for 180, and at half-past five o'clock fully that number of
guests sat down to table. The entertainment was in all
respects unexceptionable, and the wines were of prime
vintage. - - • -

- -
Jain Chevalier Cobbold, Esq., chairman of the Eastern
Union Railway Company, presided, and the follow-
ing gentleman were amongst those present :—The Mayor of
Ipswich, Lord Rendlesham, M.P., G. Hudson, Esq.;M.P.,
Captain Gladstone, M.P., Major Beresford, M.P., Lane Fox,
Esq., M.P., Hon. and Rev. Frederick De Grey, Hoo. L
Burrell, David Waddington, Esq., deputy-chairman of the
Eastern Counties Railway ; John Footman, Esq., deputy-
, chairman of the Eastern Union Railway; the Mayor of Nor-
wich, Rev. John Fenwick, Rev. S. Croft, J. Cobbold, Esq.,
sen., Messrs, F. A. and G. A. Alexander, R. J. Harney, Esq.,
of Norwich ; F. Pratt Barlow, Esq., J. Orford, Esq., Jeremiah
Head, Esq., P. B. Long, Esq., James Ponsford, Esq., James
Ransome, Esq, Allen Ransome, Esq., George Josselyn, Esq.,
The Rey. J. kenwick said grace. The dinner took place at
the Assembly.room of the White Horse Hotel, provided by
Messrs. Chaplin and Castle.
The cloth having been drawn, and the usual toasts of loy-
alty having been given.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the representatives
of the town of Ipswich, Captain Gladstone and Mr. Lane
Fox.—(Loud cheers.)

Captiin GLAnsroks returned thanks. He felt deeply
grateful to the committee for having afforded him an oppor-
tunity of being present on that, to him moat interesting oc-
casion. That was indeed a great day for Ipswich.—(Cheers.)
The Colchester and Ipswich Railway, the opening of which
they were that day met to celebrate, had not been projected
as a matter of gambling or wild speculation.—(Hear, hear.)
It was a bond fide enterprise, as was testified by the fact that
the majority of the shareholders were persons who resided in
Ipswich or its neighbourhood, and had a direct personal in-
terest in the prosperity of the town and the undertaking.—
(Hear, hear.) It was not to every enterprise of this kind
that the praise could be awarded which was due to that rail-
way—namely, that it had been completed within the exact
period originally contemplated, and that the cost was within
the estimate.—(Hear, hear.) He entertained sanguine
anticipations of the success of the project, and was sure that
the day was not far distant when Ipswich would, through
its instrumentality, become as important a place as, froth its
fine river and excellent docks, it was well calculated to 1)e.
Mr. LANE Fox also spoke to the toast.

The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Health of Lord Rendle-
sham and E. Sherlock Gooch, Esq., the representatives of
the County."—(Cheers.)
Lord RENDLESHAM, in acknowledging the compliment,
observed that there was but one thing he regretted in con-
nexion with the event they were assembled to celebrate,
and that was, that the railway was not opened, as it ought
to have been, and might have been, ten years ago.—(Hear,
hear.) He hoped they would soon have a railway to Wood-
bridge.—(Cheers. )
" The health of the Earl of Stradbroke,Lord-Lieutenant of
thecoucnutyl,i"RmAN phavingrobpoeesneddlylklNeVi honours,thheaallzlhthoefzhellyor iaof
The
Norwich."
of the titailw Com-
pany."—(Louda cheers.)r
The MAYOR of Norwich returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN proposed ',The health of George_ Hud-
son, Esq., tDernCctoounrstoi
Company, and
31.P.theChhaeainnithanofothf tehoe Eastern
Directors
Mr. HUDSON returned thanks. It had been his good for-
tune to be engaged for a very long time in railway projects,
but he did not claim any merit for himself on that account.
It was true that by close attendance t 6 matters of detail, and
to their commercial management, he might have contributed
to the success of such enterprises; but he had no right to re-
ceive, nor did he seek any merit, for anything he had done
in promoting such undertakings. At the time he first en.
gaged in the Eastern Counties Railway he had innumerable
railway enterprises on hand; in fact he was engaged in un-
dertakings in connexion with which there were no less than
some 20,000 shareholders, whose interests and comforts and
way of living were all involved in the projects in which he
was bound up, and many persons might have thought hewas
going too far in undertaking anything more; but he could not
refuse the invitation which was made to him by the
directors of the Eastern Counties Railway, and he would
never regret the day he had embarked any portion of his
fortune in that project. As for the Eastern Union Rail-
way, all he could say of it was that he considered
it an admirable undertaking, and it would be ever his
anxious wish to render it as advantageous to the public and as
beneficial to the shareholders as possible. He was sure that
it would, in the course of time, prove of the greatest possible
wished it all possible success—a sentiment which he assured
all his brother directors.—(Lout}
Gentleman concluded by propos-
service to the best interests of Ipswich, and fromz his heart be
them was participated in by
Chairman of the
Eastern
h astic pludits. )
Union Railway.—(Ent usi . _
icrih ge et
rhs e. )health The
The CHAIRMAN returned,
thanks in appropriate terms, and
health of ' the High Steward, the Mayor, and
proposed the ofj Honourable c .
cob b
.0 Esq.,
_
The Mayor of Irswicn acknowledged the compliment.
Several other toasts were given and responded to, and the
was made on the quay, op-
posite o'clock i separated at ni , highly gratified with the
the Corporation of Ipswich. "—( Cheers.)
nu
tt r
displayta i n m eonft
fireworks.
posite the Custom-house, and the joy-bells of the town rang
a merry peal at frequent intervals during the day.
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brilliant
ae
The visitors from London were conveyed back by a special
train, which left Ipswich at half-past nine o'clock, but did not
reach Shoreditch till half-past one.

[ADVERTISEDIENT.] —Do you wish to avoid all the
torture " which shaving has entailed upon your chins ?" then
hasten and try Ross and Sons' newly-invented Railway Strop
so named, as it enables you to shave yourself at a railway pace,
and with as little friction, making even the commonest razor
cut well. The composition is entirely new, and surpasses
everything hitherto invented for the purpose. Likewise, in-
stead of paste, which few can apply properly, theirs is a powder
for renovating the strop, and can be used by a child.—To be
had, wholesale, retail, and for exportation of the Proprietors,
Ross and Sons, 119, and 120, Bishopsgate-street
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—THE EYES.-39, Albemarle-
street, Piceadilly. Optical Instruments to enable-persons at ad-
vanced ago to read with ease and to discrinainate objects withperfect
distinctness. Messrs. S. and B. Soloraons, opticians, have invented
Spectacle Lenses, &c. of the "greatest transparenti
power,i Which are
patronised by his Majesty the King of itanover, her Grace the
Dowager Duchess of Bedford, their Graces the Archbishops of Can-
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gyle, Marlborough and Manchester, Bishops of Exeter and Lincoln,
Cork, Elphin, and Kildare. By this invention, imperfect vision is
preserved and strengthened, and very aged persons are enabled to
employ their sight at the most minute occepatlon, and can see with
these lenses of a much less magnifying power, and they do not re.
quire the frequent changes to further helps. Also, Achromatic To-
leSCopas, Opera Glasses, Microscopes, Invisible, and an kind!! of
Acoustic Instruments, for relief of extreme deafness. Caution.—
ne with a person of the same name in theft' immediate neigh-
Messrs. S. And B. Solomon', Opticians, are not in any way eft_
bourhood, nor in any part of the country. To prevent rnistakea, be
eitutious sand observe, only to be had at 39, .AlbeMarle-atteet.
opposite the I'•rk hotel.

ASTLEY'it ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Under the especial patronage of her Most Gracious Majesty, and
their Royal Highnesses Prince Albert, the Prince of Wiles, and
the Princess Royal. Fir-t Week of the celebrated' General Tom
Thumb, in his popular Drama, by Albert Smith. Second Week
of the highly successful 'Military Spectacle.
THIS EVENING •-• • - -
Will he performed the New Asiatic Spectacle, called THE
SIKHS' INVASION ; or, Our Victories of 1846. In which is in-
troduced the splendid brass band, double stud, &c.
..New and popular SCENES of the CIRCLE, by the numerous
troupe. of British and Foreign Artistes.
To conclude with the Burlesque of HOP 0' MY THUMB. Hop
o' rrty Thumb, by General Tom Thumb ; in which he will in-
troduce his Nigger melodies, dances, &c.
THIS DAY, June 12, the second of the grand series of the
day representations will take place; on which occasion 'the per-
formances will be precisely the same as those so recently performed
by command of her most gracious Majesty. The performances will
commence at two o'clock.
Itos•otilce open from eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six
and commence at seven o'clock.