The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-20 00:00:00

LONDON MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER O, 1855.

TERRIELE ACCIDENT AT THE ROYAL
SURREY GARDENS.

EIGHT PERSONS KILLED AND SIXTY INJURED.
The announcement that it was the intention of the Rev.
Mr. Spurgeon to preach in the great Music Hall of the
Royal Surrey Gardens yesterday evening, occasioned great
excitement in that particular portion of the religious
world who have imagined for themselves the appearance
ofayounger Whitfield in the juvonileenthusiastic preacher
from Waterbeach, and the blast of the trumpet that shall
rouse to a new awakening in his impulsive and singularly
exciting discourses. St. John's Chapel, Park-street, which
holds a thousand auditors, had been found insufficient;
Exeter Hall had repulsed from its over crowded vestibules
a large surplus beyond the 3,000 which it admitted to lis-
ten to Mr. Spurgeon ; but at last the opportunity was
afforded of satisfying the many thousand souls hungering
for the word ; the Music-hall at the Surrey•gardens, capa-
ble of containing 10,000 people, was secured, and the in-
tense longing of the mnititede'might be satisfied.
The excitement, as we have said, was 'great in conse-
quence. The preacher, with his remarkable style and man-
ner—" grave, gay, grotesque, solemn, fanciful, and even
coarse caricature, provoking the broadest laughter, yet with
touches of deep pathos and sublime appeal to the most
sacred feelings"—the scene, the multitude, with the elec-
tric sympathy excited—the building, so newly devoted to
festive occasions and scenes of lighter enjoyment, the bril-
liant lights, the animation and novelty of the whole; gave
a character to the occasion which it required not the more
grave consideration, such as Mrs. Stowe makes her hero
Clayton enunciate in the following passage, to warm up to
even a high pitch of enthusiasts, but little known and still
-less -expected in these days of cold reasoning
"Isn't it better," said Clayton, " to be wrought up once
in a while, than never to have any religious feelings. Isn't
it better to have a vivid' impression of the vastness and
worth of the soul—Of the power of an endlees life, for a •
few hours once a year, than never to feel it at all ? The
multitudes of tha:lipeople there never hear or think a word
of these things at any other time in their lives." If such
were the feelings of the many who went to hear, and of
those who had taken care that an opportunity should be
afforded them for hearing—there was unfortunately
another class who sought the Surrey Gardens last night
only as a place of amusement, now for the first time thrown
open to them gratis, with this single exception in the pro-
gramme of amusements, that the part of M. Jullien was to
be performed on this occasion by Mr. Spurgeon. It was to
the attendance of this class, and to the outrageous conduct
of some of this class, in their idle love of mischief, that the
fatal consequences which followed may be attributed.
The internal appearance of the great Music Hall is well
known. Its arrangements for exit and entrance have been
found sufficient for 14,000 persons, who at one time during
the lateleason were accommodated in the interior of the
building. Its construction unites an extreme lightness of
appearance with great strength ; nor, so far as the building
itself is concerned, has anything occurred even in what we
are about to narrate, to deteriorate in any respect from the
solidity and safety of the edifice. The hall is entered by
three wide doors—one in the centre and one at each side—
at which latter are also the vomitories or exits of the stair-
cases leading from the three tiers of galleries. These stair-
cases are of stone, with a light iron balustrade, surmounted
by a mahogany hand-rail, and are of a spiral form, running
up each tower at the extremity of the building.
So much for the locale. In the interior a pulpit had been
erected, rather to the left side of the orchestra, but in its
immediate front, and rising almost to a level with the first

gallery.
From half-past five o'clock the roads and streets leading
to the Surrey Gardens were thronged ; at six the gates
were opened ; and before half-past six the hall and galleries
were filled with a dense assemblage of people ; the vestibule
afforded space to an eager assemblage, while about the
doors a bustling eager mob were jostling and urging for-
ward for a chance of hearing, if not admission.
To one entering tho gardens from the carriage road
which runs up opposite to the fall length of the building,
tho scene at this moment might have recalled the Camp
Meeting in " Bred," so great was the concourse and excite-
ment, while a flood of light poured through the many win-
dows, and the singing of the hymn resounded among the
trees.

" Brethren, don't you hear the sound—
The martial trumpett, now is blowing ;
Men in order 'listing round,
And soldiers to the standard flowing."

As the sound of the hymn rolled through the aisles and
the arches of the woods, the heads of different groups who
had been engaged in conversation were observed turning
toWaias tlin stand, and voices from every part of the camp-
ground took up the air, as, suiting the action to the words,
they began flowing to the place of preaching. The hymn
went on keeping up the same martial images,—
" Bounty offered, life and peace,
To every soldier this is given ;
When the toils of life shall cease,
A mansion bright prepared in heaven."
As the throng pressed up and came crowding from the
distant aisles of the wood the singers seemed to exert them-
selves to throw a wider vehemence into the song, stretch-
ing out their arms and beckoning eagerly. They went on
singing :

" You need not fear, the cause i 3 good,
Let who will to the crow❑ aspire ;
In this cause the mai tyrs bled,
And shouted victory in the fire.
In this cause let's follow on,
And soon we'll tell the pleasing story,
How by faith we won the crown,
And fought our way to life and glory.
Oh, ye rebels, come and 'list,
The officers are now recruiting;
Why will you in sin persist,
Or waste your time in vain disputing ?

All excuses now are vain,
For, if you do not sue for favour,
Down, you'll sink to endless pain,
And bear the wrath of God for ever."
There is always something awful in the voice of the mul-
titude. It would seem as if the breath that a crowd breathes
out together in moments of enthusiasm carried with it a
portion of the dread and mystery of their own immortal
natures. A flood of electrical excitement seemed to rise
with it as with a voice of many waters the rude chant

went on :
" Hark the victors singing loud !
Emmanuel's chariot wheels are rumbling,
Mourners weeping through the crowd,
And Satan's kingdom down is tumbling."
Such was the scene outside, such the enthusiasm within
--Iwhen on a sudden, from the hysterical scream and sub-
sequent fainting of a female in the gallery to the loft of
Mr. Spurgeon and at the further end of the building—a
commotion ensued above; the people at the doors cried
" Fire"—[there really had been a strong smell of fire a few
minutes previously]—others called out, " the building, the
building is falling !" and then—from above, in the galleries
in the hall, from all sides, rose a volley of screams and
shrieks, and a terrific rush followed.
The preacher paused in terror. Viewed from the or-
chestra, the body of the hall presented a scene of diro con-
fusion and agonised excitement—the people tossed and tore
each other in terror. Fortunately, from the floor being
encumbered by seats, a moment's obstruction was given to
the rush. That moment saved the lives of many who would
have been overwhelmed in the tremendous pell-mell hasten-
ing the furious onset towards the doors. This one instant
gave time for more tranquil observation. The preacher
recovered himself, implored silence, assured the people of
safety, and then, while the shrieks and screams still re-
sounded, and terrible groans were beginning to be heard,
even at that moment he set up a hymn, which, at first
loudly chanted from the orchestra, soon spread itself over
the troubled congregation in the body of tho hall, who now
seeing the roof still above them, and the galleries still
crowded with listeners, anxious and terror-stricken, yet
eagerly hanging
upon the preacher's words, thus encou-
raged, joined in the hymn of praise and faith, and thus
uttering that praise and faith found safety in that confi-
dence.

Not so in the galleries. There a rush was made at the
circular staircase on the right side, facing the entrance.
Down this a stream of frightened men, women, and chil-
dren poured, rushing on in terror, and impelled from be-
hind by crowds in still greater alarm. Turning upon the
stairs of the second gallery, a slight curve is made by
the ballustrades. Here, unfortunately from the over-
whelming pressure, the mahogany hand-rail broke, and
the balustrades, thus loosened, gave way one after the
other for about three yards. Urged on, driven, pushed
down by the surging crowd above—those below came on,
as it were, with certain death before their eyes—and ore
they could restrain themselves fell over the side, down the
well staircase, on to the stone floor beneath. The first that
tumbled over was a well dressed woman, who struck upon
her head, and died without a groan ; the second, another
respectably-dressed female, who fell screaming in a a agony,
with a child clasped in her arms ; then came another
woman—then two men, clutching eagerly at each other,
at the stenos, at air, as the) sank into the abyss; others,
followed, toppling over each other ; while, above, a fight,
a fierce fight was furiously raging for life, between those
from above and those below ; the first still striving to
come down, the others struggling to stand still, or get up-
wards. Meantime the crowd from the end of the hall be-
low were rushing round the passage, forcing their way
outwards over the dead and dying. The groans and screams
were such as might be fancied of Pandemonium. At last
appeared a policeman, then another—then came a pause in
the rush—and then a moment, if not of silence and order,
of better disposition and less fearful selfishness. Yet
above all, arose the hymn of praise. And now, as some
of the dead bodies were borne along through the

crowd, through; the trees, and along the paths thronged
with well-dressed people, it was ghastly to see the festive-
wreathed pillars of light and the garlandei lamps, at
Vauxhall, shining at such a moment, like mistimed merri-
ment at a funeral, where death and mourning, and the
terrible uncertainty and pcony of those who had:friends
known to be in the building were now assuming a painful
ascendancy.
To revert to the alarm. Those who had rnshod first from
the hall made their way in panic to the gates, which they
found closed. These making the story known to the people
outside, the gates were at once borsie down with a rush,
and a new element added to the terror and confusion.
Fresh crowds poured into the hall. As they tramped hur-
riedly up the grand walk the noise they made gave occa-
sion to a new panic, which Mr. Spurgeon vainly attempted
to tranquilise by another hymn. Au attempt was then
male to resume the sermon, and it will hardly be believed
that eien at 'this period the earnest entreaty of several
gentlemen could.not prevent many wall.;:liessed
young and old, from dragging in their Midlands and bro-
thers "to hear the sermon." At last, on the renmastrance
of tha inspector in attendance, " that he was hindered
in removing the dead by the crowding of the people," a
gentleman took upon himself to explain the exact position
of affairs to Mr. Spurgeon, who immediately " dismissed
his congregation." To'set them in motion, to clear first
the galleries and .then The, hall, to break up the groups
loitering in the gardens and about the eartiAge road, to
stop ingress and secuTe egress, was the work of much
labour and time, facilitated, however, as it here 'was, by
the arrival of a strong body of police. • ';
The next point was to get out the Rev. Aft.SPurgeon--=
to secure him as well from the too eager care of his own
"following," as from the Possible, and •by ,no means ins-
aobatle,•indigisition of the excited moW-Affsomiel* per-
haps have regarded him as the cause 6rls•calamitk,Which,
fearful as were its consequences, they had already greatly
exaggerated. The rev. gentleman was found stretched
upon the ground in a state of great mental prostration,
and, finally, by the assistance of one of the firemen of the
gardens, was conveyed through the cooking department to
a private exit, where a cab having been procured, he de-
psrted in safety for his residence. '
The pas ticnlars of, and the names of the parties' killed
and wounded, so far as they can be obtained in such a time
of excitement, will be found below, with such other ac-
counts as may reach us in time for press. •
The following sufferers have been identified- at the New-
ington workhouse :
Elizabeth Mead, married woman, aged 40 years, of 7 ,
Love-lane, Stockwell. .
Harriet Barlow, single woman, aged 24 years.
Ann Mathews, married woman, aged 35 years; and
Samuel. Hand, aged 40 years.
Grace Skipper, married woman, of 40, Dobson-terrace,
New-street, Kennington; was brought out dead, and con-
veyed to her own residence.
Among the seriously injured are—
Thomas Pearse, of Grange-road, Bermondsey ; broken
thigh.
Mary Aldis, of 10, Mansion-house-terrace, Kennington ;
slightly injured.
Ellen Stanton, of 5, Penton-grove, Pentonville; slightly
injured.
James Arthur, of 'lO3, Long-lane, Bermondsey ; seri
ously injured.
In the confusion resulting upon the accident it was, of
course, difficult to obtain an accurote list of the injured
parties. It is, however, certain there are many other
wounded persons in addition to the above list; and it is
currently reported that two other persons—a man and a
boy—are included in the fatal casualties.

satisfaction, and cries use from every part of the hall of
arose
"Go on, preech." After a short delay,
The Rev. IMr. Spurgeon then said—My friends, what
shall I preach about ? You bid me preach to-night. lam
ready to do all I can, but in the midst of all this con fusion
what shall be my subject? May God's Holy Spirit. give me
a subject on this solemn occasion. My friends, ..bere is a
terrible day': coming, when the terror and tide rin of this
evening shall be as nothing. That will be a tir.le when the
thunder and lightning and blackest darkness shall have
their fullest power ; when the earth shall reel to and fro
beneath US ; and when the arches of the solid heavens shall
totter to their centre. The day is coming when the clouds
shall reveal their wonder:l7%nd portent, and Christ shall
sit upOn those clouds in glory, and shall call yon to judg-
ment. Many men have gene away to•night in the midst of
thia terribleiconfusion, and so shall it been that great day.
I can, however, believe that the results of that day will
show that there will be a great many—Uot a less proportion
than.those who now remain to those who have left—who
will stand the ordeal of that great day. The alarm which
has just atisen'has been produced in some measure by that
instinct which teaches us to seek self-preservation. But in
the more numerous of the cases it is not so much the dread
of death who has influenced them, as, the •dread of some-
thing afterwards—that undiscovered country from whose
.bourne no traveller returns. 'Tie conscience that. makes
=wards of them. Many were afraid to stop here, because
they thought it was to stop and be damned. They wore
aware—and many of you are'aware—that if you were hur-
ried before;your Maker ',to-night, you would be beought
there unshriven, unpardoned, and condemned. But what
are your teirora now to what they will be on that terrible
day of reckoning of the Almighty, when the heaven shall
shrink above you, and hell open her mouth beneath yeti?
But knots-you not, my friends, that grace, sovereign grace,
can yet save you? Have you never heard the welcome
news that Jesus came into the world to save sinners ? You
are the chief among sinners. Believe that Christ died for
you, and you may be saved from the torments of help that
await you. Do you not know that you are lost and
ruined—that none but Jesus can do the sinner
good? You are sick and diseased. Jesus can do you
good, and will. I thought this night of preaching
from the text " The curse of the Lord is in the
house of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the
just." I feel I cannot preach as I wish. You will have
another alarm yet, and I would rather that some of you
would seek to retire gradually; in order that no harm may
be done. My text will be found in the 3d chapter of Pro-
verbs, at the 33d verse. The rev. gentleman had just re-
peated the words of the text, when another panic ensued,
and the most terrific confusion took place.
Comparative silence was again obtained, after ri singing
of a part of another hymn,, when the rev. gentleman pro-
ceeaded to comment upon his text, and after saying that
although his congregation might suppose that there were
fifty classes of persons, there were in the eyes of God but
two, the righteous and the wicked. God knows' othing
of any class save the righteous and the wicked, the wicked
and the just. Here the agitation and tremor of the
preacher became painfully visible, and he broke off his
discourse by saying, " You ask me to preach, but how can
later this terrible scene ? My brain is in a whirl, and
scarcely know where I am, so great are my apprehensions
that many persons must have been injured by rushing out.
I would rather that you retired gradually, and may Itlcel
Almighty dismiss you with his blessing, and carry you in
safety to, your homes. • If our friends will go out by the
central deers, we will sing while they go, and pray that
some goad may yet come out of this great evil after all.
Dd not, however, be in a hurry. Let those nearest the
door go first. The second verso of the hymn; previously
announced, " His sovereign power without our aid," was
given out, and many persons began to leave the hall. At
the conclusion of the hymn,
Mr. Spurgeon once more addressed the crowd and said;
"This event will, I trust, teach us the necessity of having
a building of our own. We thought we had a sufficient
number of police present to preserve order. But we
have been disappointed. When once a cry is raised to
serve the purpose of thieves, you all run away like silly
sheep, and thus create the confusion which it, is the object
of those parties to create and profit by. Now that you
are a little neer° calm, let us begin again ; but while I am
preaching let our friends retire gradually from the build-
ing. My text was, ' The curse of the Lord is in‘ae house
of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the just.'
I was saying, my friends, just now, that God know of none
but two Asses of persons—the righteous and the wicked.
God judges not by the outward conduct, but by the heart.
Like a wise physician, he looks not to the akin, but to the
innermost parts of the body. However fair may be the out-
ward appearance, it was seen, to the eye of God, but as a
green and sorry tomb, where the worm and corruption
lurk within. My friends, many good sorts of persons, so
called, must be classed among the wicked. It may be that
persons of this class may regularly attend the house of
God, and even join in a prayer to him, but alas ! there
may bo nothing in the heart pleasing to God." The
preacher's agitation had now reached a most distressing
point, and, after a pause, he said, " I um attempting au
impossibility ; it is impossible for me to preach to you
this night. I know not how to speak to you."
One of the deacons here shouted out, " Another algae
has now been given from the galleries, bat do not becom
excite 1; there is nothing to fear." In spite of this warning
another rush was made, and numbers of persons, smashing
the windows of the ground floor, made their exit into the
gardens. Mr. Spurgeon exclaimed, " God bo pleased to
pardon those who have done this great wrong ; retire
quietly, my friends, and may God carry you home in
safety 1" Having pronounced the benediction, Mr. Spur-
geon, accompanied by several of his deacons, withdrew,
exhausted and agitated, as may well be supposed, after
the extraordinary scene which he had witnessed. After
his retirement one of the deacons said that although no
sermon had been preached, still the large expense of the
hall must be paid, and he hoped on leaving the congrega-
tion would not omit to aid by their contributions in defray-
ing the charge.
Police-constable Radcliffe, of the P division, exerted
himself in the most praiseworthy manner to control the
downward rush of the frantic crowd out of the building.
By sheer force he extricated one or two ladies from the
most perilous position; and rendered timely and valuable
assistants) to several others who were in a fainting and
wounded state. Had it not been for the precautions taken
by Mr. Diggings, tae superintendent of the gardens, in
chatting the outer gates when he conceived a sufficient
-.number to fill the hall lied been admitted, it is impossible
to say how much greater amount of injury might not have
been caused by the increased pressure of the crowd.
Long before six o'clock the entrance gates were closed
and locked, to the great annoyance.of a dense crowd, who
were anxious to obtain admission, and not less to the chag-
rin of those who had obtained access within the enclosure,
and were anxious to make their escape. As soon as the
alarm was given the gates were thrown or forced open, and
the rush was so tremendous that the besieging crowd were
obliged to give way before the impetuous torrent. The
screams of women and children were most awful. Many
persons were carried away in a state of total insensiuility;
a considerable number whose limbs had been fractured
were carefully removed by those who had escaped injury;
and, as will be seen from the accounts above given, several
lives have been lost. Immense numbers of people remained
in the neighbourhood until a very late hour, inquiring
after their relatives and friends, respecting whose fate they
wore in a state of painful uncertainty. We may add the
the publicans in the vicinity of the Gardens reaped a rich
harvest irons the excitement consequent upon Mr. Spur-
geon's appearance, and there can be no doubt that the
light-fingered gentry did not lose the opportunity of profit-
ing by the occasion.