The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-12 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 12, 1851.

but state my admiration of the constant contentment
and steady and willing endurance of the officers and
men of the parties under circumstances of no small
hardship. From this date to the sth of May every
one was busily engaged preparing more amply for
what we had found to be necessary in our first
journey. On the 6th, after a short prayer to the
Almighty to enable us to fulfil our duty, the sledges
again started, the crews of the two that had been
left up channel being distributed among them.
They were again in charge of Captain Stewart till
such time as I should myself join them at the upper
depot, when I was to see each party take its separate
route. At six o'clock, A.M., on the 9th of May, I
started with Mr. Peterson, and Thomson, one of the
seamen, with two dog sledges, and at two o'clock P.M.
we overtook the parties, then camped at the further
depot. From Point Separation, in 75 deg. 5 min. N.
lat., Captain Stewart, with his auxiliary, Dr. Suther-
land, and Mr. J. Stuart, of the Lady Franklin, left,
proceeding along the coast to Cape Hurd, examining
the various beaches, fur further traces, as strong
opinions were still entertained that more were to be
found in that quarter.
" Mr. Goodsir, with Mr. Marshall as his auxiliary,
had assigned to them to examine the west side, and to
follow up after the dog sledges, receiving final instruc-
tions on reaching the head of the channel. Rapid
journeys were made with the dogs to Cape Dubava,
in N. lat. 75 deg. 22 min. Hence the land was seen
to trend N.W. ten miles, terminating in a point, after-
wards named Point Decision, which was reached at
half-past ten, r et., on the 12th of May. A bill of
400 feet in height was ascended, and in consequence
of the land being then continuously in a north.
westerly direction, instructions were left to Mr.Good-
sir to take this coast along to the westward, while I
myself proceeded in a N.W. by N. direction towards
land seen to the northward. At five, P.M., on the
14th, we encamped on the ice, having travelled 25
miles N.W. by N. from Point Decision. The follow-
ing day, after travelling 20 miles from the encamp-
ment in a N.W. by N. direction, we lasided at seven,
P.M., on an island named Bailie Hamilton's Island.
" Ascending a hill about 500 feet high above the
headland on which we landed, the ice to the west-
ward, in the strait between Cornwallis and Hamilton
Island, was seen to be much decayed, and an island
was seen to the westward, distance thirty-five or
forty miles. As the decayed state of the ice prevented
further progress to the westward from this point, and
no trace being found, we proceeded round the island,
first to the N.N.E., and afterwards, on rounding Cape
Scoresby, in a N.N.E. direction. On the 16th we
came upon what, to all appearance, was water, and on
halting, on the 17th, at Point Surprise, we were asto-
nished to open out another strait, in which was twenty-
five miles of clear water ; an island was seen bearing
W. S., distant forty miles; and a headland, distant
fifteen miles W. by N., the dark sky over this head
indicating the presence of water, to the extent of per-
haps twenty miles on the other side. This point was
found to be in 76 deg. 2 min. N. lat., and 95 deg.
55 min. W. long. Further progress being prevented
by water, and we being still without traces, and the
dogs' provision being exhausted, no other course re-
mained but to return to the ships, which we reached,
after rapid journeys, at midnight on the 20th of
May Ma.
" The carpenters and people on board were imme-
diately set about preparing a boat to endeavour to
reach the water seen.
" On the 29th of May the second mate arrived,
having left Mr. G-oodsir in 75 deg. 36 min. N., and
96 deg. W. Water had been seen by them to the
northward, from their furthest station. He made a
very rapid return, having run in one day from 25 to
30 miles. Every one on board continued actively
occupied, preparing the boat, provisions, &c., and on
the 4th of June it started, with one auxiliary sledge
and one dog's sledge ; the whole party being in charge
of Mr. Manson.
" On the 6th of June, Mr. John Smart returned

with his party from Cape Hurd, after an absence of
thirty-one days, but without having found any traces
either indicative of the course pursued by her Ma-
jesty's ships Erebus and Terror, or of any retreating
party having subsequently passed along the coast.
"After 36 hours' rest, Mr. Stuart again started to
join Mr. Manson, having equipped his sledge for a
20 days' journey. He overtook the boat on the
morning of the :.Bth of June, then one mile to the
westward of Cape Hotham. The same day a dog
sledge from Mr. Manson arrived at the ship, stating
that the sledge on which the boat was placed, after
trial, had been found unfit for the purpose. The ar-
mourer, who was returned with the dog sledge, was
immediately set about preparing a longer sledge, but
having no carpenter on board, the wood work was
finished by Sir John Ross's carpenter. On the 11th,
at 4 A M., I joined the boat with the two dogs' sledges,
and all hands were immeeiately set about fitting and
lashing the new sledge, and arranging the weights of
the party between the two long
.sledges and the two
dogs' sledges. On the 12th Mr. Manson returned,
no one being left in the ship but the clerk in charge.
" The improvement in the boat's sledge was so
remarkable, and the ice also so much better, that a
distance of 105 miles was accomplished in seven
marches. The boat being then launched into the
water and laden, the fatigue party returned, and
reached the ship on the 25th of June, all in good
health, the dogs dragging their light sledge the whole
way.
On our journey out we met Dr. Sutherland at
Depot Point, returning after an absence of 38 days.
lie reported having left Captain Stewart in 76 deg.
20 min. N., in the opening of Wellington Channel,
but without having fallen in yet with any traces.
When off Point Griffiths, on the 14th, Messrs.
Goodsir and Marshall were fallen in with, having
examined the northern shores of Cornwallis and Bat-
hurst land, as far as 99 deg. AV, but still without
having fallen in with any traces. They were obliged
to return in consequence of the water.

"Resuming the boat journey, after separating
from fatigue sledges on the 17th of June, we pro-
ceeded about ten miles to the westward, when we
were obliged to take shelter in an adjacent bay, in
consequence of a head sea and strong easterly gale.
From this date until the 20th of July 310 miles of
coast was examined by the boat under very disad-
vantageous circumstances, arising from constant un-
favourable winds and rapid tides. Our provisions
being then within eight days of being consumed, and
our distance from the ship such, that prudence would
not warrant further perseverance with this supply,
we commenced our return, and with a strong north-
west wind, succeeded in reaching Alendon Bay, after
15 hours. The ice being so decayed as to preclude
the launching of even an empty boat, we were com-
pelled to haul the boat ashore and abandon her,
taking with us four days' provisions. The weather
during our return was boisterous in the extreme, with
continued rain, which made the streams it was neces-

sary to ford very rapid. The constant wet caused the
greatest discomfort ; but from none of my men did I
once hear a complaint. In 75 degs. N. lat. we found
a boat, which Captai❑ Stewart had wisely sent out
in case of such a contingency as had occurred, but
the ice having set into the mouth of Wellington Chan-

nel, which had up to this time been open, we were
unable to fetch her down further than Barlow Inlet.

Thence we walked to the ships, which we reached at
10 r.ar. on the 25th of July.
" Capt. Stewart had returned on the 21st of June,
having reached Cape Beechey i❑ 76 deg. 20 min.
north latitude, and 27 deg. west longitude. We here
again started on the Ist of July, and carried up a
depot for my return to Cape Dubarn, returning from
this journey on the 17th of July. For particulars
during the different searches I would refer you to
the accompanying reports.
" On my return I was equally surprised to hear
that Barrows Straits had been open as far as could be
seen since the 2d of July, an occurrence which was
so far to be expected as the strait was seen to be in
motion till the 11th of March. The land ice had
also come out of Wellington Channel as far up as
Point Separation, probably about the sth of July ;
and on the 27th of July, when our travelling opera-
tions concluded, the fiat edge in the channel continued
in the same position.
"The ship continued icebound till the 10th of
August, but had our parties returned in sufficient
time to refit and be ready to cut out from the date of
water-making, we should have been at liberty on the
15th of July.
" On the 11th Aug. Capt. Austin's ship entered our
harbour in their progress to the eastward. His parties
had penetrated as far as ships could hope to go, yet,
like our own, were unsuccessful in finding the least
trace of the missing expedition. In fact, none had
been found such as would warrant the risk of a second
winter ; and, my orders being such as left no alterna-
tive, I determined on immediately returning to Eng-
land, if no instructions to the contrary should be met
with. In proceeding down the country we landed at
Cape Hay and Button Point, i❑ Pond's Bay, positions
considered the most probable for dispatches being left
on by the whale ships. Finding none, we continued
our course down along the land, crossing in 70 deg.
N. lat., through a body of 140 miles of ice. We
made repeated endeavours to reach Sievly, on the
island of Diao, to ascertain if any dispatches had been
left there for our guidance, but thick weather and a
strong northerly wind obliged us to haul off, after having
made a narrow escape from a reef lying close in shore.
We parted from the Sophia about twenty miles off
the land, expecting to rejoin her after having commu-
nicated with the Danish settlement; but the thick
weather and strong gale continuing for twenty-four
hours, we separated from her, and have not since seen
her. Captain Stewart's instructions, in case of such
an event, were to make the best of his way to Wool-
wich, having it in his power to take either the Eng-
lish Channel or the Pentland Frith as his route, ac-
cording as the wind might lead.
" In speaking of the services of the various officers
under me, I would mention my second in command
e.s an able and energetic coadjutor, both on board ship
itud iu coadwitiog >be search along the east coast of

Wellington Channel and the south shores of Albert
Land; and his foresight in laying out the depot and
a boat for the boat party greatly facilitated our safe
return. Dr. Sutherland, of the Sophia, as his auxiliary
in travelling, proved himself a most indefatigable
officer, and his attention while on board to natural
history and meteorology, will no doubt afford many
useful facts. Of Mr. 1). Morrison, the chief mate of
the Sophia, an old and experienced whaling master, I
cannot speak too highly. He had charge of the vessel
during the absence of myself and Captain Stewart,
and throughout the winter he paid the greatest atten-
tion to tidal and barometrical register; and his ser-
vfces in conducting the boat to Cape Hotham, under
p-culiarly disadvantageous circumstances, were be-
yond all praise. Mr. James Reid, the second mate
of the Sophia, a son of the ice-master of the Ere-
bus, accompanied Captain Stewart in the first
journey as an auxiliary, and afterwards proceeded
with him to his furthest. Of Messrs. Marshall and
Leiper, the chief and second mates of the Lady
Franklin, I would make mention—experienced and
skilful ice officers—and the exertions of the one in
accompanying Mr. Goodsir in the whole extent of his
journey, and the other, my second in the boat, were
such as could not but afford me the greatest satisfac-
tion. The whole of the duties of refitting the ship
during my absence fell upon Mr. Marshall, and were
accomplished in a time remarkably short, considering
the few hands on board. Of Mr. John Stuart, the
youngest officer under my command, I cannot speak
too highly. Fi❑ding that there was no duties as
assistant-surgeon, he acted as third mate ; and his
exertions in preparing the travelling equipment, his
surveys of various hays during his travels, and his
assisting in preparing charts, &c., have proved of the
greatest use ; and for his proceedings during the
search of the beaches, &c., between Cape Evinelle and
Cape Hurd, I would refer you to his journal. He
afterwards started as an auxiliary to the boat party,
with an interval of only thirty-six hours, and was
subsequently employed in numerous short journeys,
conducting boats, &c.

" Mr. Gr oodsir in his western search discharged
alike his duty to this expedition and his missing
brother.

" Mr. Peterson, the interpreter, in conducting the
dog sledges, and in affording much useful information
with respect to travelling, as well as his personal ex-
ertion in the same to the extent even of injuring his
health, has afforded me the greatest satisfaction, and
of his services as interpreter on a former occasion I
have made mention in a previous dispatch.
" Of the seamen of both vessels placed under my
command I cannot speak too highly, for neither i❑
winter quarters nor while enduring the privations and
fatigues of travelling did ever one complaint or
grumble reach my ears. Of their unwearied exertions
a schedule is laid before you; and if success has not
attended their labours, they have not the less per-
formed their duties.—l have, &c.,
" WILLIAM PENNY,
" Commanding the Expedition.
" The Secretary of the Admiralty."
(To be continued.)

THE LATE FATAL STEAM-BOAT
COLLI-lON NEAR GREENHITHE.

CORONER'S INQUEST.
On Wednesday evening a coroner's jury was sum-
moned at the London Hospital, before Mr. Riker, coro-
ner fur Middlesex, on view of the body of Marian Gudge,
who was stated to have died in consequence of a blow
from the bowsprit of the Sapphire., whilst she was on
board the Meteor, the Sapphire 'tanning into the Meteor.
After some desultory conversation as to the course of
proeedings to be adopted, the inquiry was adjourned till
yesterday, in order that a post morteni examination of
the body should be made.
On the case being resumed yesterday morning, on be-
half of the Star Company, Mr. Harmer, chairman, Air.
Dobson, secretary, and Mr. Arnold, solicitor, attended
to watch the proceeding; and Mr. Southgate, solicitor of
the Diamond Company, attended for that company.
Atter some preliminary observations,
Mr. Harmer stated that there was no culpable neglect
as far as the directors had been able to ascertain, on the
part of either of the company's servants; and as far as
compensation was concerned both companies were anxi-
ous to behave liberally. They were, at the seine time,
desirous that the fullest investigation should take place
into the circumstances of the case.

The CORONER read the bye-laws of the River Thames
relative to the management of steamers on the river, but
it was argued by
Mr. Southgate that they did not apply to the river
vessels, and had never been adopted. The river vessels
carried the lights mentioned in those bye-laws.
Mr. Harmer said the question of lights was not in-
volved in the case, as at the time of the accident it was
not dark.

The CORONER then read the rule from the Trinity
Board Order relative to the bides on which vessels
should pass each other, and which specified that each
vessel stiould pase the other (on meeting) on the lar-
board hand; and also a clause which rendered the master
of all steamers liable for all accidents which may occur
from any dereliction; and having impressed on the jury
the pt:culiar nature of the case, suggested that some in
telligeut person not criminally liable, who was on board
the Meteor at the time of the accident, would be the best
person to examine first.
_ _

Ann Johnson, wife of Peter Johnson, 17, Jeremiah-
street, East India-road, seaman, identified the body of
the deceased Marian Gudge, who was the wife of Chris-
topher Gudge, shoemaker, No. 9, Gun-lane, Liniehouse.
Witness said she was on board the Meteor steamer sit-
ting beside the deceased at the time of the accident.
[ln answer to a question from the CORONER, the cap-
tain of the Meteor was here stated to be Geo. Mackley.]
The accident took place on the Ist of September, at
half-past seven in the evening. It was then growing
dusk, but not dark. The vessel was then coming from
Gravesend, but I do not know which way the tide was.
The Meteor met the Sapphire, another vessel,
which was going down as we were coming
up, near Puttleer. Wo were on the side of
the river opposite Gravesend, that is on the north
side. I cannot say the rate at which we were travel-
ling, but it did not appear to be at a quicker rate than
ordinarily. The first apprehension of anything wrong
proceeded from the captain's calling out from the bridge
which crosses the vessel (the Meteor) to the captain of
the Sapphire, as I suppose. He sung out loudly,
" Charley, Charley, what are you at ? what are you
doing ?" I heard no reply, but the instant afterwards
the vessels came in contact with each other. Both
steamers were Gravesend vessels. The Sapphire ran
against the stern quarter of the Meteor. The bowsprit
of the Sapphire came directly across the seat where
deceased was sitting at the end towards the stern, and
as she looked round the point of the bowsprit struck her
in the head, and threw her on the deck with great
violence. She bled very much from the head. She was
struck on the left part of the temple, where a wound
was caused. She became insensible shortly afterwards.
I lifted her up on her knees, but she fell again. She
was then taken down intu the cabin, still insensible. A
medical gentleman was on board at the time, who at-
tended to her, and she had every assistance that could
be given. I accompanied her out of the vessel on her
arrival at Blackwell, and she was carried on
men's arms into a fly, and I accompanied
her to my home in Jeremiah-street, and she
was then taken to her own home, and thence to the
London Hospital, I saw her at the hospital next day;
she was then sensible. She had every attention paid to
her. I was not present at her death. The body viewed
by the gentlemen of the jury is that of Marian Gudge.
There was no other cry than that of " Charley," &c.,
which I have before mentioned.

By the jury—The bulwark gave way from the force
of the bowsprit coming in, and I was knocked down, and
had my shoulder much bruised. There is another per-
son in the witness-room who was also injured by the
collision. I have no doubt as far as my observation is
concerned that the collision was quite accidental. There
was no warning given of any danger. Wo could see
about half a mile when the accident occurred. On the
captain's calling out the deceased turned round, and was
immediately struck by the bowsprit. I beard no cry
from the man at the wheel, or any directions given to
the call-boy. After the collisio❑ the Meteor was stopped
fur some time, but I saw nothing more of the Sapphire.
After I lifted up deceased I fainted away. I heard no
call from the Sapphire. When the collision took place
the shock was very great.
Sarah Barry, wife of George Barry, Jeremiah-street,
East India-road, steward of a vessel, was next exlmined
—She said she was sittirg next to Mrs. Johnson, the
last witness, at the time ut the accident cn last Monday
wet k. Heard come one call out " Charley," and imme-
diately the vessels struck. I did not see the vessel
approaching us, as we were sitting with our back to-
wards the sapphire. I heard no cry of danger but that
of " Charley," which I believe proceeded from the cap-
tain of the Meteor. I did not see where the captain was.
I did not hear the man at the wheel give any intimation
of d,soger. Tne shock was very great, and deceased,
the last witness, and myself fell. Deceased spoke to me
once afterwards in the cabin. She complained of being
bad in her head. It was just getting dark.
Mr. Osborn Johnson, house-surgeon of the London
Hospital, stated that the death of the deceased was
caused by the injuries she had received. Deceased was
brought to the hospital about twelve o'olock on Monday
week. She had a slight wound on her scalp, no doubt
caused by violence, such as a blow from a bowsprit. I
found her skull was fractured towards the left side. A
post ntortem examination of the body had been made,
and there was no doubt that deceased died of a fractured
skull.

George Martin, of Milton, Gravesend, waterman, was
then examined.—lle stated that h 9 was in the employ
of the Meteor (Star Company's vessel) for some time.
The captain's name is George Mackley. I have been in
the employ of the company for about four months,
during which he has been captain. Ho is about 34
years of age. He is very attentive to his duties, and we
have had no other accident since I havo belonged to the
Meteor. .1 am one of the seamen before the mast, and
took the wheel just before the accident occurred. I
have been at sea for twelve years. I often take the
wheel, and am quite competent to do so. I relieved the
former man at the wheel in my turn. I take directions
from the captain on the paddle•box, chiefly by
hand signals, which are well understood, and
we act from them accordingly. We seldom take
directions by word of mouth, except on dark nights. We
were going towards Linden in Long Reach, just
after leaving Greenhithe on Monday week, about halt-
past seven, between daylight and dark. We could see
quite plain. I saw the sapphire coming down in the
opposite direction. The captain of the Sapphire is
Charles Fox. I saw her about three minutes before the
collisio❑ took place between her and the Meteor. We
were on the north side. The tide was running
down at the time. The river is about three-quarters of
a mile wide at the place of the accident. The Sapphire
was making a straight course down the centre of the
river. I saw no other vessel in our way. I heard the
captain, just before I saw the Sapphire, cry out,
" Charley, what are you at?" addressing himself to the
captain of the Sapphire. A few minutes after the vessel
struck us.

By the COURT--What made the captain sing out ?
Witness—lt is a usual thing for us to go on the north
side on an ebb tide, and we were doing so by porting
our helm, and the Sapphire was starboarding her helm
to come towards us. There was nothing in his way to
cause him to do this.
Cross-examined—When the cry was given there was
time for her to have cleared us if she had ported helm.
That is the proper way to pass, and is in accordance
with the Admiralty regulations, and the regulations of
the port of London. I did not see the captain of the
Sapphire. We were three parts over the river, and the
Sapphire was in the centre, and that vessel left the mid
channel and came towards us. The Sapphire did not
port helm till she struck us, and then it was too late. The
operation of the helm is almost instantaneous. We had
left the pier about three or four minutes. There is no
hostile feeling between the two companies. I cannot tell
whether the paddle wheels of the Sapphire were stopped
before she came to us. I do not know whether the lights
were up or not. We generally use two lights, which indi•
cate our progress, and have a tendency to prevent colli-
sions. I consider them necessary after sunset. I cannot tell
whether the Sapphire carried lights or not. There was an-
other man at the wheel, on the side where the vessel was
struck, and he ran away, but I was knocked down by
the force of the collision. There was a deal of damage
done. We lay to for some time after the accident, and
the Sapphire sent to know if we wanted assistance, but
finding we did not they proceeded on their voyage. The
wheel was bard sport trola the time that the captain
sung out " Charley."
Cross-examined—The helm would have been ported
to bring her across the river whether or nor,
By Mr. Southgate—At the time the alarm was given
were not the vessels so close to each other that the acci-
dent could not have been avoided ? Witness—No; if
the Sapphire had ported helm they would have passed us.
Was the collision intentional? Witness—No.
Could it have been avoided? Yes, if they had ported
helm.

George Martin's examination continued—The after
part of the Meteor was struck. This was caused by our
being hard sport; our vessel went to the north, and the
stern was thus thrown out, and the Sapphire care on to
us. It we had not been so hard sport, she might have
avoided us.
John Ogilvy Story, of South Shields, captain of a
vessel, was next examined—He stated he had been cap-
tain of a ship for twelve years. On Monday week
he
was a passenger on board the Meteor. He was Sitting
ail, right abreast of the cabin companion. Heard the
call-boy ordered by the captain of the Meteor to " stand
by.,, He then looked round and saw the Sapphire near-
ing us. She was twice or thrice our own
'length from
us, and coming down in an angular direction.. Her helm
being starboard would have caused that, and being
sport would have led the head the other way. There is
this to be observed, " that if the Sapphire's hcin? wns
starboard, and the engines turning %stern to oval the

collision, which was the case when I saw her,
nails.? the head to come round in the contrary
tiun to what it would have dune it the engines had _
been reversed." I do not know which way the Sapphire's
helm was at the time. I think. the set of the tide
would heave the Meteor in the angle of directio❑ in
which the Sapphire was corning. lam convinced that the
collision was purely accidental. Iconceive that the Sapphire
, was in her proper course or thereabouts. If the Sapphire's
helm bad been ported she might have cleared the Meteor,
but the reversing of the engine had a similar c ffect. If
the Meteor had eased her engine she would would have
been caught amidships, and more mischief would have
resulted. I saw the Sapphire's paddle-wheels were re-
verse d, and both vessels did all they could to prevent
the accident. I did not see the captain of the Sapphire.
Only a few seconds elapsed from the time I heard the
order given to the boy till I saw the Sapphire coming.
In answer to a question from the CORONER,
Mr. Harmer, chairman of the Star Company, said that
the company had examined several witnesses, and they
were all i❑ accordance with that of the last witosas, but
they were in attendance it required. All agreed that it
was thoroughly accidental.
Mr. Southgate, solicitor to the Diamond Company,
made a. similar statement.
Mr. Walter, solicitor on behalf of the relatives of the
deceased, said they were fully satisfied that the collision
was the result of accident.

Mr. Arnold, solicitor of the Star Company, said that
within the last eighteen years these boats had carried
about twenty millions of passengers, and this was the
first loss of life which had occurred from collision ; and
though the companies were rivals, they had assisted each
other on several occasions, and were on the most friendly
tsrms.

John Brown, of 30, East-terrace, Milton, Gravesend,
river pilot, was then examined—Was on board the
Sapphire at the time of the accident as a passenger.
Has been a pilot for fourteen years. I was sitting on
the starboard side of the fore part of the companion just
before the accident happened. The person in command
of the Sapphire was on the bridge of the paddle. box.
saw the Meteor coming up. Orders were given by the
mate who was in charge of the Sapphire to " ease her,"
" stop her," and " turn her astern," which were immedi-
ately obeyed. At the time the order was given we were
about a boat's length from each other. There was a
light brig driving down with the tide, and this must have
intercepted our sight, as immediately after we passed
the brig we saw the Meteor coming up the river. This
accounts for steps to prevent the collision not having
been taken before they were. I am certain everything
was done to prevent the accident. I could not see the
helm. The Sapphire was going in almost a straight line
and the Meteor was in a slanting direction. After the
collision the brig drifted down close to us, and the en-
gines were set in motion to get out of her way. There
was no point rounded near the place of accident. He
believed it to have been purely accidental. Witness was
not in any way connected with any steam-vessel. The
collision was very violent. Immediately.. after the acci-
dent the boats were lowered from the Sapphire to render
assistance to the Meteor. The mate of the Sapphire is
called Thomas Dewardt.
After a few remarks from the Coroner,
The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."
THE

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE
MIDLAND RAILWAY.
Yesterday an inquiry into the circumstances con-
nected with the death of John Taylor, the stoker,
who was killed on the above railway on Wednesday,
took place at the Nottingham General Hospital, be-
fore Mr. M. Browne, the coroner for the borough of
Nottingham. It appeared from the evidence of Wil-
liam Kearsley, engine-driver, that on Wednesday
morning he was engaged to take a passenger train
from _Nottingham at seven o'clock, but the train did
not start until three minutes after that hour ; that
the morning was very foggy ; and that, after they
had proceeded about half a mile he saw the break of
a goods train standing on the rails, not more than
twenty yards off. He ran to the other side of the
engine to reverse it, and he saw a man holding up a
white cap for a signal a few yards above the break.
He then jumped off the engine, and called out to
Taylor, the stoker, to do the same. They ran into
the luggage train with considerable violence. After-
wards saw Taylor carried to the hospital. The
luggage train was to have started from
Nottingham at half-past six o'clock. Witness
did not see it start ; but, if it left at half-past six
o'clock, it ought to have been miles out of the
road, unless something unforeseen had hap-
pened. Had no intimation given him before
reaching the place that there was a train
in the way, and was not going at more than fifteen
miles an hour. According to the regulations, if a
train was obliged to step upon a line, it was the duty
of the guard, or other competent person, to go back
300 or 400 yards to give notice by signal. There
were fog signals to put on the rails when necessary,
but none were used on this occasion. He believed
the luggage train was waiting for one of the guards,
who had just got up to it when the accident occurred.
When the passenger-train passed Wilford-gate, about
500 yards off, they were told that the luggage train
had 'passed fifteen minutes before. Thomas Carter,
the guard in charge of the passenger train, gave
evidence very similar to the above. He perceived
the driver put his steam off and reverse the engine,
and immediately he turned his break, and held it
down till he felt a collision. Witness was a good
deal hurt, and saw Tailor lying in apparently a dying
state. Mr. J. Whi.e, resident surgeon of the hos-
pi!al, proved that Taylor was brought there, and died
in the course of an hour. From a post mortem ex-
amination, he found his breast bone fractured, and a
large quantity of effused blood in that region, which
would be quite sufficient to cause death within the
hour. The inquiry was going on when the express
left Nottingham, but it was understood an adjourn-
ment would take place. It appears that Taylor was
killed, not by jumping from the engine as at first
supposed, but by being crushed between the engine
and the tender.

SALE OF 7'HE OLD HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The sale of the old House of Commons is now com-
plete. At half past three yesterday afternoon the
hammer went down upon the last " lot," and the
" trade " has become possessed of what was the pro-
perty of the nation. The proceeds of the two days'
work were 1,7821. 7s. The second day was, if possi-
ble, even duller than the first. The House was more
empty than before—utterly deserted by every one,
except those whom sheer business took there. Free
admission was, for one day, the privilege of all man-
kind, and the result was—the nut uncommon out—
that nobody availed himself of the facilities allowed
him.

At twelve o'clock the first lot—a portion of the
slates of the House—was put up. It fetched 171. 10s.
Then came more slates—then iron ; but very soon
came announcements infinitely more attractive. The
canopy which has so long overhung the Speaker's
chair had to be sold, and to this reminiscence seemed
likely to attach some value beyond what its mere
utility might give. But 51. only was offered at first,
and it went fur 101. Quite at the other extremity
of the room was another relic—a boiler, which
Nl'luggery, with its talent for getting into hot
water, should surely have bought in. Far be it
from us, however, to assert that the Whigs
only have-forgotten what is due to themselves.
The Country Party have been similarly ob-
livious. " Lot 127" was evidently intended for them,
it so beautifully symbolises their condition—recom-
mending to the attention of the public " five pair of
principals, with tie beams." As to the allegorical
signification of the " tie beams" we say nothing ; but
why were not the " five pair of principals" bought
for a political museum ? Then, too, there was " the
gallery," a passage which such men as Dickens and
Talfourd, Campbell and Collier have traversed on
their road to fame ; and what did its seats fetch ?
They went for 2/. 10s.—a sum which grows even less
by comparison with the 9/..55. received for the perforated
flooring, memorable only as not having been of any
use for the purposes of ventilation, and as never having
been " died upon." But we are a nation of shop-
keepers, and throughout the mercantile element was
the only one perceptible. From the gentleman who
gave 12s. for a timber erection of steps outside one of
the tower buildings, north of the Painted Chamber, to
him who gave 68/. for the brickwork of the air shaft,
with the iron girders and fittings of the furnace, not
one was a virtuoso—fortunately, perhaps, on the
whole, since, for some mysterious official reason, the
furniture and portables of all sorts had been removed
to the Government stores. The Speakeuetsncohtair tll
finally,
Treasury benches—almost everything save th e
material of the building—had gone • e bare
b
for these things, doubtless, must soot; separately
ave) at any
under the hammer. Meanwhile
rate, seen the last of the Old Rouse7‘
have liked to have found more h
, put we should
quies.—Chronicle. mourners at its obse-

CoLossEutt—The powerful. attraefion of the
Crystal Palace has not diminished the number of visitors
who have during the summer crowded this confessedly One
of the most beautiful and interesting exhibitions in the me-
tropolis. The Panorama of London, painted by Parris, has
been restored to its place amongst the most popular features
Night of the exhibition. Danson's manificent picture of Parisr whjc,
Night is an object of general interest to all foreigners who re-
visit London, by whom it is pronounced
a n"ntnot enume-
prmntation of the French metropolis.
rate all the various attractions of this faire epos; ca;
6iPZ panorama of
sitor here should omit seeing the grand Altn'tche c yclorama in
the Earthquake in Lisbon, exhibiting.a
Albany-street, adjoining the Colosseum.
Emus G.—Mr.
REPRESENTATION or
TliNis'as; presented, invtihtiengdehat
but no vi-
Egerton, to whom a requisitioanncy
oecasionedlhyhag,
to come forward to till the
declined of 11.1 r. Broadley, has
iinother meetingof I
to offer the repre-
fore, been determined,
stvkes in the chair,be,M.P.
for
~,asr
gentry, Sir Tattoonn.
Ti Captain -D".cm.. gone a begging"
the honour.
ttie
Conserva-
tive,there-
"vienlgectors have secured a
sentation
Itetford. We believethe Fast Biding
b whose consequent
quarters,
of Mr. Duncom e, .in so many
erson
that
will cause a vacancy in
candidate in the p
East .Retford
littleinterest, and
from
excites but very
re to the
retirement exci
), The election
boroug-- unopposed one.
l'
that, alter
will be an
Sir David Dundas, Judge-Advo-
cate-GeneralThe Right Hon.
the Forces, has arrived in town from &I-
to
Sir David proceeded, it is under-
stood, i Castle, N. 8., where
Bal-
moral lay before her Majesty the Proceedings of some
to
cPtlit3-1114Ztial.

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