The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-01 00:00:00

THE LATE BALLOON ACCIDENT.

We have mentioned the balloon accident at Cha-
lons-sur-Marne, arising from the escape of the bal-
loon, from the breaking of the hoop to which the
ropes were attached, as it was being conveyed from
the gasworks to the place from which the ascent was
to have taken place on the occasion of the Jae, and
the death of one of the two persons who we're in the
car directing the men who were dragging the balloon
at the time when it broke loose, and ascended. The
following details are 'given in a letter by the survivor:
—Launched into the air, without anchor and without
vane, it was difficult for us to entertain the idea of
descending immediately, on account of the wind.
Another still more powerful motive deterred us, and
that was the darkness. We decided on waiting for
daybreak, as the wind, which blew from the north,
caused no fear that we should be driven out of France.
There was one danger attendant on our position,
aed that was, that the balloon might carry us to a
height of from 5,500 to 6,000 metres, where we should
be inevitably exposed to a cold of from 15 to 20 de-
grees, particularly during the night. After some
time we opened the valve fifteen times successively,
in order to arrest the progress, and make us descend.
M. Merle, suffering from cold, enveloped himself in
a piece of canvas, and lay down in the bottom of the
car. I leant on my elbows on the edge of the car,
endeavouring to distinguish some lights in the towns
we might be passing, in order to ascertain the pro-
gress of the balloon. I had just advised M. Merle
to take his cotton nightcap, as being more conveni-
ent than a hat, when, feeling myself affected by the
cold, I asked him whether we should descend a
little. He did not reply ; I took him by the arm, but
he was senseless, and I thought he had been attacked
with apoplexy. I afterwards thought that he must
have been in a perspiration when he first ascended,
and that the cold had seized on him before he was
sufficiently aware of his position. I then pulled
strongly on the cord attached to the valve, in order
to descend as quickly as possible, and at the expira-
tion of about three quarters of an hour I came to the
ground without any shock, in a meadow about four
leagues from Troyes. I continued to use friction on
the body of M. Merle for some time, fur the night
was so dark and the fog so thick that I knew not in
what direction to seek tor assistance, but without pro-
ducing any effect. Soon after, hearing a cook crow
I directed my steps towards the spot, and discovered
a farm, the proprietor of which came to me. 'We
carried my companion into his house, and then sent
for a medical man. During an hour and a half the
farmer and myself did everything in our power to
restore animation, and when the doctor arrived he pro-
nounced that ell further attempts were useless."—
Galignani's Messenger.

THE MURDER AT FRO.ME.
FROME, TUESDAY.—AII efforts to apprehend the
perpetrator of these atrocities have as yet failed. This
morning the articles of wearing apparel stolen from
the cottage were found in a field in the neighbour-
hood.

The inquest was commenced on Friday, and ad-
journed. It was resumed to-day, when
Mr. Francis Giles, surgeon, deposed that he had
made a post mortem examination. He found a large
quantity of blood between the scalp and the bone on
tne fore part of the head towards the right side. On
opening the skull, he found that the bone was not
fractured ; the brain was very much congested, but in
other respects healthy. On the neck were two bruises
beneath the skin, one in the middle of the line, just
over the windpipe, the other two or three inches dis-
tant on the left side. The haart and lungs were very
much congested, but in other respects healthy. All
the other viscera were healthy. [lle post mortem
examination also proved that a rape had been com-
mitted.] He believed death to have been caused by
strangulation. It was quite impossible the girl could
have strangled herself.
The verdict was an open one, viz., that the de-
ceased was murdered by some person or persons
unknown.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY.—This
company aro now borrowing large sums of money at 4
per cent., with which they are paying off old loans of 5
and 51 per cent.

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—The directors of this
company have made arrangements for erecting a large
station on their line, near that of the East Anglian Rail-
way, at Wisbeach. This step has been considered ne-
cessary, in consequence of the great increase of traffic
at that place, more particularly in goods.
EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY.--A station at St. Ives, in
connexion with this line, is to be forthwith erected. The
want of one has long been considered a great disadvan-
tage to the company.
BLACKBURN RAlLWAY.—Arrangements are being
made by the directors of this company for a working
agreement with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.—This company intend
going to Parliament, during the ensuing session, for
powers to amalgamate the Reading, Guildford and Rei-
gate Company.
EXCURSION TRAINS TO THE GREAT EXHIBITION.—
On and after to-day most of the railway companies dis-
continue the issue of Exhibition return tickets.
MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN.—The half-yearly meet-
ing of the Midland Great Western Railway was held
yesterday, when the report of the directors and abstract
of accounts were unanimously adopted. The dividend
for the half-year was declared to be at the rate of four
per cent. per annum.
Lusa SOUTH-EASTERN.—The balance-sheet of the
Irish South-Easter, has been printed preliminary to the
general meeting, from which it appears that there is a
small profit, amounting to 711. 4s. sd. on the working of
the half-year. The traffic amounted to the sum of
3,9371. 19s. 6d.

COURT CIRCULAR.
BALMORAL, SUNDAY, SEPT. 28.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert attended divine service this morning in the
parish church of Crathie.
The Marchioness of Douro and the Hon. Beatrice
Byng were in attendance on her Majesty.
The Earl of Carlisle and the Gentlemen of the
Household were also in attendance.
The service was performed by the Rev. Archibald
Anderson.
In the afternoon, her Majesty and his Royal High-
ness walked in the neighbourhood of Balmoral, ac-
companied by the younger members of the Royal
Family.

ispltches were received yesterday at the Colonial
Office from the Governor of the, Falkland Islands.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
Immense as the concourse of visitors was on Alon-
day, it was exceeded yesterday, 69,346 persons hav-
ing entered the building, and the sum of 3,3031. 4s.
being taken at the doors.

DANGEROUS SPORT.—Two young gentlemen were,
a few evenings since, trying the strength of their arms by
clasping the right band of each and resting the elbow on
the counter, and trying each to force the hand of the other
down. In the struggle, the arm of one was broken short
off above the elbow, causing a report loud enough to be
heard from one extreme of the saloon to the other.—New
Yorh Tribune.

ROYAL DONATION.—Her Majesty the Queen has
been graciously pleased to give a donation of 254 to Mr.
Wilson, editor of the North of Scotland Gazette, for the
benefit of the funds of a school erected in connexion with the
Aberdeen Ragged Kirk.

OXFORD, 3doNDAY.--A most distressing accident
occurred here yesterday, which has thrown two highly re-
spectable families into the greatest affliction. For the last
fortnight Mr. Campion, of London, billiard-table maker, and
his foreman, Mr. Heygate, have been in Oxford renovating
Mr. Bickerton's billiard-tables previous to the October term.
On Sunday they, in company with a young man named Gar-
dener and a female, went to Sandford in a two-oared " dingy."
On their return to Oxford, about five o'clock, the boat was, in
consequence of Mr. Campion missing his oar near Sandford
Lasher, upset in about fourteen feet of water, and melancholy
to relate, both Mr. Campion and his foreman were drowned.
Mr. Gardener rescued the lady, and attempted to save Mr.
Campion, and no doubt would have done so but for the latter
clinging so tightly round his neck In that state they both
went to the bottom, when, for self-preservation, Mr. Gardener
was compelled to release himself; and although a good
swimmer, when brought to shore'he was nearly exhausted,
and it was some time before he could be brought to himself.
Bridge-houser-37 Hotel ; Mr. Thomas
The deceased were highly respected in Oxford. The fore-
yANnteCtiOnzgE oef COM-
PANY.—Yesterday this
man, with Mr. Campion's late father, has been in the habit
of attending here for many years.
GAS LIGHT
S.
H
. Powell, the
secretary, read the report, from which it appeared that the
companyPAriy. Ywe sat: rhdealyd
at the
the first hal
PocSouckß,RdßeYpuCty"- CONSUMERS'
works had been completed at Rotherhiths, and some of the
public lamps in that neighbourhood had been lighted on the
previous evening. The local authorities and commissioners,
with one exception—namely, Southwark—afforded every
facility to the company. The districts to be supplied are
Rotherhithe, Bermondsey, and Deptford. Many of the
shareholders are in default from non-payment. In pur-
suance of a power granted to the directors in April last
of borrowing 20,000/., they have raised 8,0001, and they
hope that no further exercise of that power will be neces-
sary. From the balance-sheet it appeared that the income
of the company amounted to 7,2791. 145., and the outlay and
liabilities to 25,237/. 2s. 6d., exclusive of what is due to the
solicitor. The amount due to other creditors is stated to be
17,957/. Bs. 6d.; cash at bankers, 3,6071. 12s. The chairman
having moved the adoption of the report and statement of
the accounts, Mr. Brickhill wished to know how much was
due to the solicitor. Mr. James, the solicitor, said he bad
not made up his accounts, as he was in no hurry for the
money. The account extended over two years and a half,
and is impression was that it would exceed 800/. Mr. Brick-
hill—l am glad to hear that, for I understood that it would
amount to 2,500/. The chairman having satisfactorily an-
swered several other questions, the report and statement of
accounts were approved of and the meeting separated.
NORTHUMBERLAND•IIOU32.---111 answer to inquiries
made yesterday it was stated that his Grace the Duke of
Northumberland had ordered Northumberland-house to be
kept open to visitors to Saturday the 25th of this month,
and Syon-house to Thursday the 23d, inclusive, to give the
public an opportunity
.of seeing those noble mansions for a
fortnight wfter the clean vf the Grand Lzhibitien.