The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-14 00:00:00

SOUTH-EASTERN.
A special general meeting of the proprietors of this
railway was held yesterday at the Bridge House Hotel,
to enable the directors to submit a proposition and
obtain authority for an application to Parliament in
the ensuing session for an act empowering the con-
struction by the company of a relief line between the.
Lewisham and Dartford stations, on the North Kent
Railway.
Tee Hon. JAMES BYNG presided, and addreesed the
meeting as follows :-Gentlemen—The circular which
was issued to you ab :tit a fortnight ago has already fully
explained to you the views of the directors as to the
proposed relief line between the Lewishatn and Dartford
stations of the North Kent Railway. It is, therefore,
scarcely necessary for ins now to enter at any great
length into the further discussion of the sutjecte A
very proper and well-founded jealousy of all extensions
and branch lines now prevails amongst railway share-
holders, in which feeling railway directors also partici-
pate. Bet it is scarcely necessary that I should point out
to you that the particular case which we have now diet to
considerdoes not fall within the class of ordinary branches
or extensions ;.for it is rather to be regarded in the light
of an improvement of your existing railway, and as a
mewls of doubling it at that part where the traffic bids
fair shortly to outgrow the existing accommodation, if
it have not already done so. It comes within the
class of stations' improvement and additional works
fur the better conduct and safer transit of the traffic which
actually exists, as well as for the satisfactory accommo•
eation of additional future traffic which is certain to
come upon that part of the railway. The proposed relief
line, then, being entirely of a different character from
those usually submitted to railway proprietors, I trust
that your jealousy about extensions will, in this case at'
least, be effectually disarmed. Permit me, in a few words,
to state the reasons which have induced us te bring this
subject now under your notice. It is scarcely necessary
' that I should again remind you that the passenger traffic
of the North Rent line is already about the heaviest in
the kingdom. In 1855 we conveyed over it not fewer
than five millions of passengers, including season ticket
holders. Of course by far the largest proportion of this
passenger traffic is for shore distances—that is, to and
from those stations nearest the metropolis. Thus, iu 1855,
upwards of four millions of the whole number 14 journeys
on the North Kent line were between London-bridge
and those stations on this side of Dartford. It hap-
pens, therefore, that that part of the railway, espe-
cially between LonOon and Woolwich, is very much
crowded with trains. At particular hours of the day the
trains require to be run very frequently, stopping at all
stations to take up and set down passengers ; and the
population along that part of the line is increasing so
rapidly, there is so steady an increase in the number of
persons taking up their residences along the railway,
travelling to and from London daily f a purposes of
business, that we feel it' will be necessary shortly to
increase the number of trains at certain hours in the
mornings and evenings, with the object of iccreasing
the public accominoda ion, and rendering the attrac-
tive districts of North Keut 'still more convenient to
London men of business for the purposes of residence,
We have heretofore found that. every increase in the
accommodation which we have provided has proved
of marked advantage to the company, and we believe
that it will be for the interest of the proprietors that we
proceed in the same course. In fact, the character of the
North Kent line as far as Dartford clearly points out that
it eheuld be worked as an omnibus railway (ifel may
use the term), in like manner as the present Greenwich
line—the trams running very frequently and regularly,
and stopping at all stations. But nere a difficulty arises.
Teem is, you are aware, other very important traffic con•
veyed upon the North Kent line —that from Gravesend,
Strood, Maidstone, and other important districts in North
Kent. This may be distinguished as the through traffic,
and it is desirable that it should be conveyed to its des-
tination with due despatch, and without being inter-
rupted or delayed by the stepping trains on that portion
nearest the metropolis. Now, since the opening of the
Maidstone branch, which has brought a very valuable
additional trafficon the North Kent, we have experienced
the difficulty of so arrauging the trainees to work them to
the satisfaction of both classes of passengers—l mean those
travelling a short distance, to and from stations between
London and Dartford, and those travelling to and from sta-
tions beyond Dartford. We were therefore compelled to
come to the conclusion that it would be necessary, in Order
to afford that proper accommodation which the public has
a right to expect from a company that holds iii its hands
the railway communications of North Kent—to aeopt
measures fur the sepal ation of the through from the short
local traffic, in the same manner as has already been
adopted on iailways similarly circumstanced. I may men-
tion the case of the Brighton Railway, where the short
trains, as far as Croydon, are separated from the through
trains by means of additional lines of rail laid alongside
the main line. But we soon found that the very expensive
character of the property close adjoining the North Kent
line, especially in the neighbourhood of Blackheath teed
Woolwich, and the costliness of the works which would
be necessary in order to duplicate the present line at
those points, rendered this expedient quite impracticable.
Another objection was the dui)aeate tunnels which it
would be necessary to construct at a very great ex•
pense. In addition to these objections was the com-
paratively unfavourable character cf the curves and
gradients on that part of the North Kent Railway,
which, although very conveniently laid out as respects
the population of the district, and capab'e of being ad-
vantageously worked as an omnibus line, is by no means
well adapted for the safe and expeditious working of a
hearer through traffic. We therefore fell back upon the
original plan of the North Kent Railway, which wag, as
many of you May remember, laid out so that the main
line passed direct from Le wisbam to Dartford, with a
loop line by way of Woolwich, though on;y the latter part
of the line was actually constructed. We are but there-
fore now bringing before you an altogether new scheme,
but are merely reviving a part of the plan of the North
Kent Railway,
and
w Lich was-postponed until the traffic re-
quirements capabilities of the district had been ascer
tamed. We are now of opinion that this important part
of the original plan of the railway should be carried out,
and that the line between Levrisbatn and Dartford should
-be constructed. We see no more ec momical and effec-
tual mode than this of giving relief to the overcrowded
traffic to and from those st stione nearost London, and at
the same time of fully developing the valuable sources
of traffic, some of which cannot now be undertaken,
of
and ere cannot be done justice to, in the district to
the eastward of Dartford. Although the-plan of the
N ,rtla Kent line, which included this revived portion of
the system, has already recAved the appro al of the
proprietors at three several meetings, in 1846 and 1847,
I do not now recommend it to you on thaw ground, but
on the ground of its own merits, and that the proper
accommodation of the public, and the true interest of the
company (which is always to serve the public in the best
manner), alike require that it should be constructed, and
that without delay. It has been stated that, in proposing
to adopt this measure, we have only borrowed the plans
of the East Kent Company, which gave notice of their
intention to apply for an ant to construct this very line in
the last session of Parliament. But nothing can be more
incorrect than such a statewelit; for, in point of fact, we
are, in proposing to complete this line, merely berro wing
from ourselves, and reviving a part of our own original
design of the North Kent Railway, as prepared by Mr.
Robert Stephens", the celebrated engineer, iu 1816 and
1847 ; and, in adverting tee the East Kent Company, I
wish it to be understood that at this board no feeling of
hostility exists towards that undertaking. We are deal-
' rous of making arrangements so that we shall be. able to
afford every accommodation for the traffic which they
may bring to us, and the formation of the proposed relief
line will enable us to do this in the most efficient manner.
It would be a very shore sighted policy on our part to at-
tempt to throw obstacles in the way of that or any other
company working into our system; and we have no in-
tention of doing so. On the contrary, we believe it to be
the true interest of this company to afford every facility
for the development of the traffic of the Best Kent dis-
trict, I might also, in advocating the measure now
brought under your notice, point to the fact that the
proposed relief line will have a-paying traffic of its own,
for it will pass through a fine district of country, admir-
ably adapted for residential traffic, and there is no line
of railway
,within a circuit of twenty miles of London
through such a country as this which does not, if
constructed at a moderate cost, amply remunerate
its proprietors. I might point your attention to
the map, and show that a wider gap exists in the par
ticular district now proposed to be opened up to railway
accommodation than exists in any similar district round
London. In conclusion, I will add that we have not
brought-this subject under your notice without the ma-
turest consideration. We have, of course, consulted the
principal officers of the company, who, I sincerely be-
Here, have your interests at heart, and they are unani-
mous in their opinion ae to the necessity of obtaining
powers to construct this relief line. Such are also the
views of the directors, and )I accordingly with confidence
Ask your concurrence in the following resolution.
Mr. SMITH asked whether the board had matte effec-
tive arrangements for raising the 250,000/. estimated
, capital, and from what data the engineer estimated the
'total coat at that sum' Had he consulted the land•
owners on the line as to the terms on which they would
dispose of the land ?
The CHAIRMAN—As to raising the capital, when the
Parliamentary power was obtained the company must
raise it un the best terms they could. With regard to
the estimate the officers of the company bad made the
most diligent inquiry, and were satisfied that the line
could be constructed for the sum stated. The landown-
ers were all favourable to the proposed line, which would
be constructed principally by the company's own officerso
and therefore cheaply.
A PROPRIETOR inquired if the board were unanimous
in recommending this new line?
The CHAIRMAN replied that one member of the board
had expressed some objection In the first instance, but
the resolution of the director in favour of the line was
passed unanimously.
. Mr. T. ATKINSON inquired whether the proposal con-
templated a junction .between the loop line and the
Greenwich line, and if so what amount of the 200,0001.
was appropriated to that purpose 1
The CHAIRMAN said that such a junction was intended,
and the sum set apart for it was 20,000/.
Mr. HERAPATH, jun., expressed a doubt of the correct-
ness of the estimate, and observed that the most expensive
mode of construction was by means of the company's own
officers instead of by open contract. He wished t• know
whether any positive arrangement had been made with
the landowners ?
The CHAIRMAN answered that that could not be done
until the authority of the proprietors for obtaining the
Parliamentary sanction to the line had been given.
A Paontimoa asked whether the proposed capital

time among the families ofiprinces.
The marriage of Prince Asialbert of Bavaria with the
Infanta Amelia of Spain took place nn the 26th August.
This prince is the third brother of King Maximilien 11.
The king is married, and has two sons ; it is not likely,
therefore, that Prince Adalbert will ever be called upon
to wear the eau wn of Bavaria, but it is possible that he
may one day become the King of Greece, the throne of
a high ie occupied at present by King Otho, a prince of
Bavaria, younger brother of the King Maximilian, and
the eldest of this King's three brothers. King Otho of
Greece, now 41 years of age, has been married for 20 years
to a princess of Oldenburg, by whom he has bad nu chil-
dren. This coroingeecylwas provided for in the conven-
tion of May 7, 1332, which regulates the succession to the
throne of Greece, and which provides that, in the event
of the king dying without issue, the crown of Greece
should pass to Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, the younger
brother of King ()the, and to Prince Adalbert himself,
were Prince Luitpold to die without offspring. Prince
Luitpold is married and has three eons. It is not then
the want of posterity on the part of this prince that could
open the eventual rights of Prince Adalbert. But
Greece is a constitutional monarchy, and the constitution
requires the successor of King Othe to profess the iireek
faith. Now, the princes of the house of Bavaria belong to
the Roman Catholic faith, and it does not appear that
Prince Luitpold is disposed to submit, on this point, to
what is presciibed by the constitution of Greece. Prince
Adalbert, born in 1828, is 28 years old. The Infanta
Amelia, born in 1834, has just entered her 23d year. She
is the youngest daughter of the Infant Don Francisco di
Pablo, the second brother of the late King Ferdinand VII.
The eldest son of the Infant Don Francisco di Pablo
married, in 1846, his cousin, Queen Isabella. By his mar-
riage with the Infanta Amelia, Prince Adalbert has be-
come brother-in-law to the King and Qieen of Spain.
It was on the 9th September that the Grand Duke
Frederick of Baden married the Princess Louisa of
Prussia. This princess, 18" years old, is the daughter of
Prince William, the Prince Royal of Prussia, brother of
the reigning King and heir presumptive to the crown,
since the King has no children. It is a great alliance
for the Grand Duke Frederick.
His youngest sister, the Princess Cecilia, who is hardly
17 years of age, is going to be married to the Grand
Duke Michael, brother to the Emperor of Russia, Alex-
ander IL, and she has been already betrothed to him.
The Grand Duke Michael is the youngest son of the
Emperor Nicholas, and the only one not married. Like
his brothers, he takes his wife from a German house ;
these sorts of alliances have become habitual with the
imperial Russian family, which is already united by strict
bonds with the house of Prussia, the royal house of
Wurtemberg, an old and illustrious house, with different
branches of the house of Saxony, with the houses of Hes.
sia, Oldenburg, Mecklenburg, and Nassau. It is well
known that the princes and princesses who marry into
the imperial house of Russia, and have to reside in St.
Petersburg, have to learn thalussian language and adopt
the Greets: Catholic religion. This condition obliges
them to submit to a supplementary education. This is
what the young Princess Cecilia of Baden is doing at this
moment, and it is what retards her marriage. They
wait until she has been sufficiently instructed to speak
to the Russians hi their national language and profess
the national religion with a safe conscience. The Grand
Duke Michael is 24 years old.
The Duke of Ostrogothland, born on the 21st of Jan.,
1829, is the second son of the.roigning King of Sweden,
the grandson accordingly of King John Bernadotte,- a
marshal of the French empire by ttb 'promotion of
1804. The Duke:of. Ostrogothland is about to marry
the Princess Sophia of Nassau, whe was born on the 9th
July, 1836. This princess is the youngest sister of
Adolphus, the reigning Duke of ' Nassau, but Duke
Adolphus and the Princess Sophia are not born of the
same mother. By her mother, the Princess Sophia is
descladed from the royal house of Wurtemburg, and
related to the imperial lamily of Russia. It is not the
first time that the young dynasty of Kings Bernadotte
has formed an alliance with the ancient house of Nassau.
Prince Charles of Sweden, eldest son of King Oscar,
Prince R. .yel, •heir presumptive to the crowns of
Sweden and Norway, married in 1850 the Princess
Wdhelmina of Orange-Nassau. the daughter of Prince
Fre,terick, uncle to William 111., the reigning King of
the Netherlands. By these alliances the royal family of
S weden draws nearer to the sovereign houses olNorthern
Europe, and strengthens its establishment on the throne
of Sweden.
The two Princesses Anne and Margaret of Saxony,
daughters of King John, were betrothed almost at the
same time—the former to the Archduke Ferdinand,
Hereditary Grand Duke of Tuscany, and son of the reign-
ing Grand Duke Leopold 11. ; the latter to the Arch-
duke Charles Lewis of Ansi*, second brother of the
reigning Emperor Francis Joseph. The Princess Anne
is 20, the Princess Margaret 16, the hereditary Prince of
'Tuscany 21, the Archduke Charles Lewis of Au•tria 23.
The eldest sister of the two Princesses Anne and Mar-
garet was married first to the Duke of Genoa, bother
of the King of Sardinia, by whom she hatl two chi'.
dreh. Having become a widow in the month .of
F..bruary, 1655, she has .juss been married, again to
the Caevalier Rapillo, a captain of infantry in the
Sardinian army, The Archduke Ferdinand of Tuscany,
the future husband of the Princess Anne, is by his mo-
ther Marie Antoinette of B mrbon, the grandson of the
late Francis I , King of the Two Sicilies, nephew of the
reigning King Ferdinand IL of Naples, and grand-
nephew of the Queen Marie-Am:die, widow of Louis
Philippe. The Duchess of Berry and the Queen Maria
Christica of Spain are his aunts. This young prince
arrived at Paris, from London, in the latter part of Oc-
tober. We learn, by the Monitcar of Oct. 30, that he
repaired to the Palace of Compiegne, where he arrived
on Tuesday, the 28th. The Ai chduke Charles Lewis
of Austria is also a very near relative of the royal house
of Naples ; his father, the Archduke Francis Charles,
who should have been Emperor of Austria in 1818, after
the abdication of his elder brother, the Emperor Ferdi•
nand, if he had not preferred renouncing the crown in
favour of his eldest. son Francis Joseph—ins father, we
ray, was the son of the Priucees Maria Theresa of Na-
ow, sister to the Queen Marie Aunelie.—D.bats.

".T.IIE RATCATCHgIeS DAUGFITER.

BOSTON COUNTY COURT—Nov. 12.
MABLESON V. BARTON.
This was a summons against the defendant Barton
for the payment of 3.3. ed., for an alleged catching and
destruction of vermin on the defendant's premises.
Barton They never caught aoy rats in my place, not
a sir gle one, I can undertake to say.
A. young woman Stepped for ward to support the

Judge—Who is this? Is this the ratcatcher ? '
Bart.n—No, your Honour, that's the ratcatcher's
daughter. (A laugh.)
The Judge—Well; I've heard a great deal about that
celebrated character, but I never had the pleasure of
seeing her before. (Renewed laughter.) Can she prove
that the claim is just; if not, I will postpone the case
till next court, that:the ratcatcher himself may appear.
Postponed accordingly.

A letter from Altenbourgh (Saxony) of the Bth, in
the Gevinan Journal of Frankfurt, says :—" The Grand
Duebess Constantine arrived here yesterday with her
two daughters, Olga an.l Wera. Her Highness will
remain here some weeks on a visit to the reigning
family."
I MON SHIPBUILDING AT (,LIVERPOOL.—LIVERPOOL,
Nov. 13.—Thie morniag Mr. John Laird, the eminent
iron shipbuilder of this port, launched from his Liverpool
yard the sailinc, ship William Fairbairne. She is 1,310
tons burden, belongs to Potter, Brothers, and Co., Liver-
pool, and is intended for the Calcutta trade. She is one
of the strongest iron vessels ever built, having, in addi-
tion to other requirements, a number of extra fasteningF.
On Saturday, the 15th, another iron ship of 1,100 tons
will be launched from Mr. Laird's old Birkenhead yard.
She is to h., called the Kirkham, belongs to Mr. W. T.
Jacob, of Liverpool, and has been built for the Calcutta
trade. There two vessels will be the last launched at
Mr. Lnird's old building yards, as his establishments
will in future be concentrated at his new works, Monk's-
ferry. •
DESTRUCTION OF A BRIG It v FIRE.—The brig Forrester,
Capt. Amiss, of Sunderland, from St. Petersburg, with
a cargo of deals, while lying at anchor on Tuesday
morning i❑ the river, in Long Reach, was discovered to
be on fire. The crew, finding they were unable to ex-
tinguish the flames (the fire, it was supposed, was
caused through the overheating of the cabin flue), slip-
ped her anchor and drifted her down with the ebb tide
as far as Northfleet, where she was put on a bank on
the Essex shore, with the object of scuttling her at the
flood ; this, however, had not the desired effect, for at
high water sbe was not covered, and as the tide receded
the fire gained the ascendancy, and by Wednesday even-
ing the brig was burned down to the water's edge.
The crew WAS saved, but lost all their clothes.
HYDROFFIOBIA.—A month ago a man bitten by a mad
dog was a.diuitted to the general hospital at Madrid.
On the morning of the 6th inst. he became very violent,
and, having by a strange imprudence, been allowed free
range of a tenanted ward, he threw himself upon his fel-
low patients and biteeveral of them, as well as two nuree.
The Hereford Journal says :—" During the past fort-
night the health of Sir R. Price, Bart., M.P., has been
of a more satisfactory character, and by the advice of his.
medical attendant he has been removed to Brighton,
where, when weather permits, ho is able to benefit by
carriage exercise in the pure atmosphere of the sea coast.
There is, however, no probability of Sir Robert being
sufficiently restored to permit his resuming lie duties in
the Housp of Commons.`' .

Toe Cweenmew—That will be for the proprietors to
determine hereafter. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF 950 PERSONS.
Mr. ADAMS did not believe that the land could be
purcha T
sed and the line constructed for anything like . SU rio N., THURSDAY NIGHT.
Tee inhabitants of this wilds)? (Filet suburban district
250,0001., nor bad there been any estiMate submitted to ( will not forget fur a con,iderable titles the distressing, in
show that upon that limited amount the traffic would be i fact agonising, scenes that took place this morning at the
scfficient to pay 5 per cent., which was the point from
which they ought to beein to talk about profit. He con• South Metropolitan Dietrict,Sehoole, which stand upon a
large plot of ground about a mite from the railway stetion
tended that the North Kent was fully capable of carrying awl 14 miles from London. The building;, which was in the
four or five times the traffic which had as yet come upon Eliztbetban style, was in front 3 :storeys high, extending
it.. But it appeared to be the policy of railway directors, between 500 and 600 feet, with wings on either side nearly
the mernest a line began to pay, to reduce the dividends 100 feet deep. The principal entrance was approached by
of the proprietors by making new branches. He believed a private road leading out of the turnpike road, and oil
that the extra mile of junction at New-cross would cost each side of the principal gateway were lofty towers, upon
nearly the whole of the eskireated sum. He move! an the tip of which were tremendous iron tanks to furnish a
amendment, that the questi in be adjourned until the good supply of water for demestio purposes, anti to be
original shareholders receive a dividend of five per cent. made available in case the premises being invaded by that
Mr. T. ATKINSON seconded the resolution. He denied
that the North Kent was more crowded with traffic than 'most fearful of all elemente—fire. Unfortunately, with
all these precautions adopted a fire did take place taste
the London and North-Western, the Eesteen Counties,
morning, and in spite of every appliance at hand it will
and many other lines. be seen from the following that alearful auniuet of pro-
Mr. R. BARNETT asked what guarantee the directors t has b laid in reline and the lives of bstrouen
per y een • I
bad that the line could be made for the 250,000/. I Pro- 900 and 1,000 persons were jeopardised.
vided the cost would not be greastr than that amount he From careful thquiries matte of persons who were eye-
would give his best support to the proposition. . witnesses of the distressing event the reporter ascer-
Mr. KAY (a director), from the body of the meeting, tabled that about two o'clock this morning a female nurse
as the representative eta large body of Manohester share- as she lay in bed had her attention directed to a Wong
bolsterer who held stock to the amount of about 140,0001., light shining through the keyhole of her door. This
while he ob.oirved that the mover of the amendment held being a very unusual circumstance it induced her to get
only 'l5O/., and that but since August la-t, and the secon- up to learn the cause, when to her no small astotheti-
der, who represected a rival company, only 100/., and that went she found that a considerable portion of what is
•but for two days, advocated,the resolution. He showed " termed the new wing was in flames. Without a moment'e
that the Maidstone traffic alone so overburdened the delay she raised an alarm, which aroused Mr. Bickneil,
existing line that they were in constant dread of acci- the master of the establishment, as well as the matron
dents, and remarked that if accidents occurred the cost and several others in the different dorlisitoriers.
to the company would far exceed in the course of a few T;l3 first thing sought' to be accomplished by those
years the expense of constructing this relief line. If they persons, and without waiting to. fully dress themselves,
did not go to Parliament and occupy the ground the was to' get the children oet of their beds, which was rig
East Kent would do so, and that was a good nose. for little task, considering that there were over 900 mate
they would prove that it was impossible for the North and female children in the building, out of which num-
Kent to accommerlate the traffic. her 200 were under seven years of age. 0 win in the
Mr. KEET spoke in favour of the amendment, and rapidity with which the flames extended, seizitg as they
denounced the proposition of the directors as a gigantic did upon several of the dormitories isimost simultane-
job. ously, oven the master and matron, who acted in as moat
Mr. BELL said that tho proposed line was the leav- a manner as the trying nature of the case would permit,
ings of the East Kent, they having deposited plans for it were apprehensive at one time that many of the children
in the last session, but had failed, and though they might would perish in the flames. Fortunately they managed
apply again, t Asir pecuniary difficulties, consequent on to get the whole staff of officers together, who, with' the
the state of the money market, would prevent their sec- master and matron, entered the different rooms, and
cess. The East Kent were in difficulties, and it should succeeded in the brief space of 25 minutes in getting the
be the policy of the south-Eastern to keep them so. whole of the affrighted chiidren -from their beds. The
There was no doubt that sooner or later the East Kent poor creatures, without shoes or stockings or, and no-
must be bought up or leased by the South-Eastern, thing to cover them but their night clothes, were forced
but this project for the straight ran rsould help that to remain on the gravel road or green sward in front of
line to get into London, and thus increase its value the building, the cold being intense, and at the same
and enhance the price which the South Eastern share- time snow or sleet was falling freely. Before, however,
holders would have to pay for it. He spoke as the re- the whole of the children cool i be got out, the moment
preventative of the C.ay's line, which the South Eastern they became aware the sleeping rooms . were On
directors bad agreed to co-operate with and to work, and fire they rushed in the direction where it burnt meet
he urged that as that line would be materially injured fiercely, and would no doubt have lost their lives but
by the relief line, the proposition of the board was a for the presence of mind of the matron, who was cone
breach of faith. Thsy would also by' this-relief line pelled to blow the signal whistle as to the diSection they
unsettle their relations with the North and laid Kent were to take. It is stated that the screams of the chil-
Junction, with which they had. a working agreement, dren couid be he-isrd at the distance of a mile.
but whose traffic they would to some extent abstract. Mr. Overton, a farmer living hard by, on seeing the
Mr. G. F. SMITH had come into the room prepared to fearful sight, the children who nett been rescued scream-
vote against the propoSal on the ground of the insulei- bag and nearly perishing with cold, at once got the whole
ency of tee information upon which their assent was of iiisliorses out of the stabling, had the same covered
asked: As to the over-crowded traffic, he would not with fresh straw, had every room in the farm house einp-
lay out a shilling in new lines to avoid' that, for it might tied, and each room, and also the stables, in a compete-
be done by employing additional or more efficient offi• tively brief period, filled with Children. Too much praise
cers, and by putting on an extra number of trains ; but cannot, therefore, be given to a gentleman for such a
after the explanation of Mr. King, he thought if they praiseworthy and humane act. The whole of his neigh-
negatived the resolution, some other company might hours are also deserving of special attention for behaving
occupy the ground and seriously injure the interests of with similar kindness ; but notwithstanding the ac-
the proprietors. He should, therefore, vote for the-pro- commodation thus provided, it was insufficient to
position of the board. • house the whole of the children, and ahout two
Mr. IVleenoe, (a director), who said that he likewise re- hundred more were removed to the railway station
presented a large number of proxies from Manchester, a exile off, the infants being wrapped in blankets,
amounting in the aggregate to 300,000:. of stock, spoke sheets, or any other article of apparel that could be
in support of the resolution, and replied to Mr. Bell's 'secured front the premises, or kindly lent by the neigh-
statements in reference to the Cray's line, by saying that bourn. It was, indeed, a painful sight to witness two or
the proposed relief line passed through a different part beret, of the younger children huddled together in a
of the country, and would not compete with the traffic heap in the arms of the ousel or laundresses, being
of toe Cray's. The weason why the beard were confident borne away to a place of security.
that the line could be completed for the sum stated was Information ot the catastrophe was promptly despatched
that they intended to construct it themselves. He did; to various quarters for the aid of the engines and police,
not anticipate any difficulty in raising the requisite eapis and in abOut 20 minutes afterwards the engine from Car-
tel at a moderate rate. They were now raising money eeehe e arrived, as well as Mr. Inspector Fraser, reed
debentures at 4i per cent. about 18 constables and sergeant. of -the P divisioo.
Mr. COLES CHILD (a director) entered into some ex- Tnese parties cliitall that was possible to be dove to ea-
planation in reply to Mr. Bell in reference to the arrange- tinguish the dimes ; but in spite of all they cuutinued
vents between the South-Eastern and the Cray's line, their ravages, passing front one room to auother, and
which had been made at his suggestion to the directors it should be mentioned that some of the rooms wore
of t;.e latter cOmpany. Ho had given no opinion at the very large. Eventually the fire penetrated the, roof of
board on the question of this relief line on that ground, the new wing, forming one-third of the entire estab-
but he was prepared to support .the recommendation of lishment. Atter a few minutes the roof of this part
his colleagues. of the premises, 200 feet lung, came down with a
Mr. HERAPATH and some other shareholders corn- crass resembling a clap of thunder, and the weight
,of
plained that the resolution involved a complete change this caused the several floors to follow in rapid succesdou
in the policy of the company, which was to abstain from to the ground. This, instead of decreasing the vigour of
extending their ,territory. the flames, as is generally the case in reendon, where
Mr. GILPIN (a director), who had been called upon by plenty of water can be discharged upon the ruins, seemed
several shareholders, sa dhe fully concurred in the de- to add fresh fuel to the conflagration, for the fire Stonoet
cision to which his colleagues had conic. inituediately after wards rose at least 100 feet over the
Mr. Rims, M.P., followed with some observations, top of the building, rendering the neighbourhood as light
showing the urgency of the case in reference to shutting as at noon.
out competition lines. Unfortunately, although the water towers and cisterns
Mr. EBORALL stated that the landowners upon the were prepared, there appears to have been some over-
line had been seen upon the subject of the purchase •of sight in not getting proper hose attached to the cisterne,
the land required, and though no agreement could be for it such had been done the fire might have been ex•
come to till after the present meeting, the result was that. tinguished with the loss of ogle-half of the preporty at
there was no doubt whatever that the estimate of the least which has taken place.
-
directors would not be exceeded.
The police, the neignbours, and the whole of the offie.
Mr. SMITH was in favour of the resolution, but sug- cers on the establishment did all they could in conveying
gested that by availing themselves of the line now con- water to the Cershalton engine, whin was pumps 1 upon
structing from St. Mare's Cray, arid making a branch to the fire, but it made not the leastimpression upon i , and
unite with it from St. Mary's Cray to Dartford, they at length it was feared by all pre-eat that.eve y part
would save the making of souse miles of the line, and ot the' splendid structure, erected at the cost of leanly
secure the advantage of a West-end terminus. 50,000/., independent of the furniture, would he levelled
The CHAIRMAN said the objection to that plan was the with the ground. At that conjuncture, Mr. Rouse, a
increase of distance. . builder of the town, and a number of workmen who had
Atter some further discussion, the amendment and the 'been summoned by the great light, cause up, and it was
original resolution were severally put, and the latter was suggested that they should make an opening in the build-
carried by a large inejerity. . big by cutting away about, 20 feet of the floors and walls
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the near the south tower. This was at once commenced,
business, and in a short time the gap required was made ; the
men's heads being, during the operation, exposed to
showers of sparks, and large pieces of wood in a thorough
state of ignition, which were drifted in various directions
by the high wind which prevailed.
During she time this was going on a number of persons
kept pouring water down the side of one of the towers
which protected that part of the building, hut all attempts
to save any portion'ef ' the other adjoining, or even the
wing that branched off behind—over 100 feet in length
and.tWo storeys high—was out of the question ; in taut,
in less than a ccople el hours both thetie last-paused
compartments were destroyed.
The gap, however, made, andram thpreosgtroensesintgowaenrystfauiers
Prevented the conflagration l
ther in the other direction, but even as late as 6 o'clock
this evening there remaiued a great dealtufsmou
,i0(-,
iog embers in the walls, 'Ole only parts o that.,pdort
of the establishment where the conflagration raged that
has been left standing, arid they are in an exceedingly
dangerous state and expected to fall momentarily.
To give anything like an approximate account of the
damage done is at present impossible, but great as it un-
questionably is, it would have been tar more serious had
it, not been for the eiztraordiriary exertions of a poor lad,
named Francis Tinney, who saved tee greater portion
of the matron's clothes, and three girls succeeded in
saving the bedding of three dormitories ; butler one room
alone (the needle room) upwards of 1,000 pin-clothe for
the children, 400 or 500 new bonnets, and 1,500 shawls
have been consumed. The whole of the furniture therein
has been reduced to asios. Eight or nine of the large
dormitories, the needle-room, workshops, and about
seven of the officers' rooms have been also destroyed.
A number of tbe,children were sent off to-day to the
respective parishes they belong toe and a still greater
number will be sent off to-mor row, owing to the want of
proper accommodation.
The parishes, to which the children who ward educated
in the ill-fated schools belonged were Camberwell, New-
ington, Bermondsey, St. Olavehn Rotherhithe, and
Greenwich ; but it will be satisfactory to their friends to
know that none of them received the least personal
injury, : ,•
roe property-waif-partially insured.

WEST FLANDERS.

The usual half•yearly meeting of this company ryas
held yesterday at the offices of the company in Moor-
gate-street.
The report„ from which we extract the following, was
unanimously agreed to:— _ _ _

"The receipts of the whole line from the Ist of January 1
to the 30th of June last exceed those of the corresponding
period by 6921., while the expenditure amounted to 14,018/.
against 13,6121. in the same period, which is explained by I
the increased mileage open. The aggregate length of the ,
lines is now 71 mites, and they are worked at a cost of
somewhat less than 2_o/. per mile for the half-year. The
balance of receipt over expenditure is 2,853:, which,
added to the balance in hand, the Government guarantee,
and other small matters—and providing for the fixed
charges on the revenue—will enable the directors to
declare a dividend of 2s. 3d. per share, and leave, a ba-
lance of 80/. The directors have app:ied the interest on
the preference stock briought up under the resolution of
the general meeting of the 7th of last November, in pur-
chasing some of the company's shares, and have em-
ployed the dividends accruing from them in the same
manner, so that the number of shares now hel t in
trust for the company amounts to 51) preference and 200
original shares, and a further purchase of 35 original shares
has since been made. The dividend of 2s. 3d. per share will
be declared at the meeting at Bruges on the 10th inst., and
will be paid at the offices of the company in London or
Bru,es on and after the 27th rust. The report of Mr. Chan-
trell, the resident director, states that the receipts on the
old line, from Bruges to Courtrai, amounted to • 219,335 f.
(9,9731.);• on the new lines, from Courtrai to Poperinghe,
141,127 f. (5,645/4 ; and, from Ingelmunster to Deyr:ze,
31,322 f. (1,2531.); together, 121,781 f. (16,871). Compar-
ing the receipts on the old line with those of the correspond-
ing period of 1855, an increase of 536 f. (211.) is shown,
while, on the Courtrai and Foperingbe line there is a de-
crease of upwards of 500/. arising from passenger and mer-
chandise traffic, but since June the traffic has improvel.
The balance due by the Belgian Government for the year
18,55, of 131,311 f. (5,2321.) was duly received and accounted,
for. The company's claim on the guarantee for the first six
months of 1856 is 170,176 f. (6,8011.), which will be paid
shortly, the accounts having been agreed to at the com-
mencement
leaving e
account v . ae nxts e
to the
hhdee
1,
of this month. The whole of the lines are in
. e Tae
isth ce
eldo construction ed
d.
5 Thei,o6 l duties.expended,
the best working order. On the 3d-of January last the
au sof
lleyu'ze line was opened, since which time the bridge over
the Lye has continued to work perfectly. The construction
; companyatshac
tca
jot,
,rfi6tinc
lot
tti,may be
continue
consideredthe
eie
ptou
ebfulfilnuie
a balance of 6,9s2l.vheirrespective

LETTER OF ROBERT BURNS.

The following paragraph appears in the Ladies'
Journal of Saturday last :
" We are reqtiested to correct an error which appeared
in this paper of the 18th October, wherein it. was stated
that the original letter of the poet, of date the 25th
June, 1796, to his friend Mr. Clarke, therein published,
was in the possession of Robert Napier, Esq., of Glas-
gow. This is a mistake. Mr. Napier's copy is not the
original letter, which belongs to, and is in the possession
of, James .13ay, Esq., Leith, who has kindly sent it to
us for inspection, and about the genuineness of which
there cannot be one moment's doubt."
The letter hero alluded to, in the possession of Mr.
Hay, is a relic so interesting in itself, and so fa-
vourably characteristic of Burns, whose nature
has been so grossly misunderstood by dullards and
libelled by bigots, that its publication here will not
be unacceptable
MY Dear Clarke,—Still, still the victim of affliction.
Were you to see the emaciated figure who holds ,he
pen to you, you would not know your old fi lend.
IVhether I shall ever get about again is only known
to Him the Great Unknown, whose creature I am.
Alas ! Clarke, I begin to fear the worst! As to my
individual self lam tranquil. I would despise myself
if I were not; but Burns a poor widow and half-a,-dozen
of his dear little one., helpless orphans--there I am
weak as a woman's tears. Enough of this ; 'tis half my
disease I
I duly received your last, including the note. It
came extremely in time, and I was much oblged to
your punctuality. Again, I 1111.18 t request you to do
me the same kindness. Be so very good as by return
of post to inclose me another note;—l trust you (an
do it without much inconvenience, and it will seri-
ou.sly oblige me. If I must go, I leave a few friends
behind me, whom I shall regret while consciousness re-
mains. I knowlly improbable.shalilivein R. BURNS.
their remembrance.
Adieu! dear Clarke ! That I shall ever see you again
is,Divammfraiefrga, id'high
June 26, 1790.
This affecting letter will be better understood
wheh it is added as, we believe, a fact quite weer-
tained, that Burns was not asking a loan or a gift,
but only the part repayment of a loan he bad made
SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAY EXTENSION FRODI YEOVIL to Clarke. it is known that Burns died owing no
TO EXETER,--Tbo contractor, Mr. Taylor, of Manches•
oyfth.hiinsgc—areaerf,dethtrowwh
t' r, has commenced the works of this line. He has 'stances an an
stronger and brighter
established his head-quarters at Iloniton, about sixteen
light on his character than volumes of controversy
miles from Exeter, and has commenced there the heavy sicabsitruonnder the eircutn-
works in connection with the tunnel to be made near and eulogiurn. The poet died three weeks after
that town. ' the date of the letter. ,

FEARFUL EXPLOSION OF A LOCUM°,

T 1 YE.

`Wednesday.—Shortly before dark yes.
evening a fearful locomotive explosion took
place upon the Blythe and Tyne Railway, at Percy
Main, a short distance from this town. A small pilot
' No. 1, was in steam standing near to the work-
shops, and shops, and according to the best accounts that can be
gathered, the pressure was at 60, and the engine was
blowing off steam plentifully. The driver and fireman.
had been off the engine about a quarter of au hour,
teenr:dia:
and the fireman 7Cas in the act of stepping on to the
tender, when an explosion took place, and the whole of
the end of the flues of the boiler and tubes rushed
through the fire-door, and crushed 'him against the end
of the tender. And when what remained of him was
dragged ont from the debris, nearly all appearance of
hun3anitylad been destroyed by the steam and fire. The
shell of the engine was disconnected from the tender by
the explosion, and driven with fearful velocity down the
line. In its flight it came in contact with another engine,
also in steam, and, springing up, drove one of its
wheels into the smoke-box of the engine ; but it fortu.
nately did not injure the boiler, else another, and pr -
bably more fearful explosion must have taken place.
The shell of the pilot engine then toppled over, and the
machinery seems to ge totally destroyed. The engine
the shell ran into is very much injere.i, and the whet
of the pilot engine, which was left in its smoke box, is
nearly all broken to pi( ccs. The name cf the unfortu-
nate fireman was Joseph Percy. He was a young man.
The ruins of the engine bad been examined by Mr.
Lundy, the manager of the line, this morning, but no
cause, so far, can be assigned fer the explosion. The
end of the tube plate hai come away at the rivets, but
the plate appears to have been sound. An inquest will
be held on the bony of Percy this afternoon.