The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-21 00:00:00

And there remains to divide

. 1,114,770 96

From that amount, when 5 per cent. is deducted,
and one-half of the remainder for the reserve fund,
according to the statutes, there remains a sum of
520,000 f. to be disposed of, which gives a dividend
of 4f. per share, payable at the offices of the com-
pany, on or after the first of September next. This
result gives 1 lf. per share, or Of. 28c. per cent.
on the paid-up capital. Looking at the general
result of the working, it is found that the passenger
traffic has been constantly improving during the
year, the Ist and 2d classes proving moat productive.
The augmentation under this head is 117,936 f. 82c.
In the goods' traffic there has been an improvement of
31,387 tons in weight, and of 98,059 f. 90c. in re-
ceipts; and in the transport of cattle an augmenta-
tion of 11,302 head, and 25,000 f. in receipts.
Passengers' luggage has naturally followed the
development which has taken place in the number
of passengers, the improvement being to the ex-
tent of 77,062 f. 25c. Tue transport of wine gives
an augmentation of 11,174 tons, in weight and of
38,4071. in receipts. It thus appears that there
is an improvement in every branch of the receipts.
Under the head of general facts connected with the
undertaking, it is stated that the suit between MM.
de Rothschild and the company, relative to the inter-
pretation of an article in the treaty entered into be-
tween the two parties concerning banking matters,
and which had been carried before the Court of Ap-
peal of Paris, was decided on March 8, 1851, by the
court quashing a former judgment which sentenced
the company to pay to MM. de Rothschild damages
to the extent of 60,000 f. The company, conse-
quently, is now discharged from the effects of the
previous condemnation. The suit of the post-office
relative to the trucks of the moving post-offices is
not yet terminated. Of the 130,000 shares of the
company, upwards of 80,000 are held in England by
about 500 persons, a proof of the confidence felt in
the line. Last year the number was only 71,500, so
that in that country the confidence still increases.
The report, which enters into most ample de-
tails on every point of expenditure mentioned
in the tables, was distributed to the share-
holders some days previously. The calls, it
states, were paid up satisfactorily, and it adds inci-
dentally that the sum of 104,9321. due by the state
to the company for the inundation of the Loire in
1846 still remained unpaid.
IVhen the reading of the report had terminated,
The Cuattistax inquired if any person desired to
make any observation ?
A SHAREHOLDER inquired if any new determina-
tion had been come to respecting the time at which
the calls were to be made ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that there was no reason
to apprehend that they would exceed 75f. during the
year, in three payments of 25f. each. They might
even only amount to 50f. in all. Yet, although the
position of the company was so satisfactory, the
board could not make any more explicit declaration
on the point.—(Hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER inquired whether it would not be
preferable to have the general meeting held at a more
' early period of the year ?
The CHAIRMAN said that the time fixed had origi-
nated in the formation of the company ; it was also
found more convenient for the English shareholders,
who were so numerous a body, as certainly to merit
that attention be paid to their convenience, than
either autumn or winter. No complaint had been
ever made of the period of the year fixed ; still, if the
shareholders thought fit to make any representation
on the subject, the board would be ready to take it
into consideration.—(Loud pies of " No, no !")
No other person expressing a desire to speak, the
report, accounts, and dividend were agreed to unani-
mously, amidst marks of approval.
The meeting then separated.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE:
APPOINTMENTS.
Acting Assistant-Surgeons—John Angus, P. W.
Govett, William G. J. Ayre, and James W. Elliott,
to the Penelope.
Naval Instructor—Alfred Turmine, to the Calypso.
Master's Assistant—A. De G. Sutton, to the
Shearwater.
Boatswains—Wm. Flint, to the Waterloo; James
Butler, to the Grecian.
Carpenter—Daniel Thompson, to the Waterloo.
Acting Carpenter—W. J. Adams, to the Virago.
DEVONPORT, AUGUST 19.—We are happy to
state that Commodore , Lord John Hay is decidedly
better, and strong hopes are entertained of his Lord-
ship's recovery.
PORTSMOUTH, AUGUST 20.—Vesuvius, steam-vell-
sel, arrived at Spithead this morning from Wool-
wich. She proceeded for Devonport at noon, where
she will be placed as an advanced steamer.
Pique, 36-gun frigate, sailed early this morning
for Milford, where she will be lengthened and re-
paired. She was towed into the offing by the Echo,
tug.
Odin is fitting at the mooring off the King's
Stairs. Commander Sir W. Wiseman and her crew
have joined her.
Marlborough, Indiaman, having embarked pas-
sengers and stock, sailed this morning for Madras.
The Tiger, new steam-frigate, has had her fore
and main-mast reduced, and has been taken up the
harbour.
The Sprightly steam-tender, Mr. George Allen
Master Commanding, proceeded to Cowes last evening
with the Commander-in-Chief.
PLYMOUTH, AUG. 20.—Yesterday, at half-past ten
o'clock, the First Lord of the Admiralty held a levee
for the reception of those officers whom he bad not
seen within the previous twelve months. With the
exception of Sir Francis Baring, the other lords com-
menced at half-past eleven to muster the men em-
loyed in the dockyard. The inspection occupied tvv.o
hours, and was of a very scrutinising character ;
t
appeared as if there was an intention to make a con-
siderable reduction in the establishment. Between
200 and 300 shipwrights,carpenters,joiners, caulkers,
sailinakers, labourers, &c., were called trorn threreank. s,l
and inquiries made regarding their apprenti 8111 P,
servitude, age, &c., with a view no doubt to superan-
nuation.
At two o'clock their Lordships embarked in the
Commodore's barge to muster the ordinary.on board
the St. George, 120, Captain Joseph Niaa, C.B.
Their Lordships were pleased to express their satis-
faction at the appearance of the bhip and of the crew,
and complimented Captain Nies thereon. Their
Lordships, on leaving the St. George, landed at
Keyharn, and made a further inspection of the works,
after which they re-embarked in the Commodore's
barge
and landed at the dockyard. They then pre-
ceeded to the Royal Hotel, and were subsequently en-
tertained at dinner by Major-General the Hon. H.
I Murray, at Government House, Mount Wise.

The boirci to-day inspected the Royal Williaa-`
Victualling-yard, the Royal Naval Hospital, &c. TO-
morrow they will probably land on the Breakwater,
and in the evening, or on Friday morning, leave in
the Black Eagle for Pembroke.
Captain Milne was sufficiently recovered
,yesterday
to resume duty.
The steamer Myrmidon, Comnia'n' aer
arrived yesterday morning and went up haltbur to
coal. Her crew will be paid here prior to departure
for the coast of Africa.
WOOLWICH, AUG. 20.—The Vesuvius, steam-sloop,
left Woolwich yesterday morning for Devonport, and
was to call at Sheerness and Portsmouth on her way
round. She is in charge of Mr. Brown, Assistant-
Master-Attendant at Devonport dockyard.
The Hydra, steam-sloop, went down the river to-
day to try her engines.
The number of visitors to Woolwich dockyard yil-
terday was 3,252 British subjects, and 132 foreigners,
making a total of 3,384.

'9ll '7"

DESTRUCTIVE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.
On Monday night one of those disastrous and fatal
events which are of such frequent occurrence in the
coal-mining-districts tgok place at WaShiogton
colliery, which is about two miles from the Wash-
ington station on the York, Newcastle, and Berwick
Railway ; and we regret to say that the explosion
was one of the most lamentable and painful descrip-
tion that has happened in this district for many years,
resulting, as it has done, in the premature death of
from 30 to 40 persons, most of whom were in the
health and vigour of youth. It appears that between
4 and 5 o'clock is the afternoon of MondaY about 60
men went down into the pit on the night shaft, and
everything seemed to go on regularly until about
half-past 11 o'clock, when the inhabitants
,of the
neigh burhood were aroused by a loud explosionpupon
the report of which large masses of people rushed to
the mouth of the pit to renter all the assistance that
lay in their power. Unfortunately the resident
viewer, Mr. Cruddace, who is also one of the owners,
was absent on a visit to the Great Exhibition, and no
person being left to act for him in his absence, the scene
became one of the greatest confusion. The head over•
man was at length aroused, and he, in company with
a few of the miners, cteacended the pit, and found
several dead bodies very much burnt and mutilated
near the cross-cut way;'avbere it is supposed the pit
was fired. They discovered that the explosiofortyn took
place in the " whole" workings, where about
men were employed, and that the other twenty men,
who had been working in the " brokings" were un-
injured. Nu language can describe the intense grief
and horror of those who, on the first report being
given, rushed to the spot, and remained to witness
the blackened and disfigured ounces of their husbands,
children, and fathers, who only a few hours previously
left them in their usual health. Three hours in the
dead of the night passed away in the most painful
suspense before any of the bodies were brought to
bank. Almost immediately after the explosion took
place, two furnace-men, desirous of being instrumen-
tal in saving the lives of their comrades, went down
to render assistance, but the afterdamp was so strong
that they were brought up again almost dead. One
of these brave men has since died, and little hopes are
entertained of the recovery of the other. At 3 o'clock
in the morning, when only a few of the bodies had been
recovered, it was found necessary, on account of the
afterdamp, to put out the furnace before anything
further could be done. This was effected by nine
o'clock. During the night the crowd hourly in-
creased, and a number of viewers also arrived from
the neighbouring collieries, and rendered very valu-
able assistance. Throughout the day from nine
o'clock in the morning corpses were at intervals ex-
tricated, and up to seven o'clock in the evening from
28 to 30 had been brought to the bank and identified
by their relatives, whose shrieks were of the most ap-
palling and heartrending description. At seven
o'clock there yet remained, it was supposed, aboutten
corpses in the pit, which it would take several hours
to recover, but the exact number had not been ascer-
tained. As to the cause of the explosion, it is difficult
at present to obtain any satisfactory account, but an
impression generally prevails that it is a badly venti-
lated pit, and many were heard to say that such au
accident had been anticipated for several weeks, and
one man, that seeing the danger, he left the pit just
before the explosion took place, and thus saved his
life. The whole matter, however, will undergo a
searching investigation before a coroner's jury, which
was to meet yesterday (Wednesday) morning. The
Government inspector of mines for the district (Mr.
Matthias Dunn) is unfortunately from home, and,
therefore it could not be learnt whether the mine bad
been recently inspected.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

BRISTOL, AUG. 20.—A very daring outrage, which
it is not improbable may be attended with fatal re-
sults, was committed a day or two ago near this city
by a man named John Williams, whom the police
have just succeeded in apprehending under very sin-
gular and curious circumstances. He is charged with
highway robbery, accompanied by considerable vio-
lence; and the following are the facts elicited at an
examination taken by the magistrates at the bedside
of Mr. Godwin, of Auburn Villa, Cotham New-road,
the gentleman on whom the outrage was committed :
—Mr. Godwin, who is 75 years of age, stated " that
he was taking a walk fur the benefit of his health in
the carriage road which passes beneath the pleasure
grounds of itedland-court (a thoroughfare much fre-
quented at this period of the year), when he was sud-
denly seized from behind by a powerful man who
placed his hands over his face and eyes, kicked his legs
from under him, knocked him down, and then threw
himself upon him. The man then kicked him in the
head and stunned him, and when he came to himself
he found that his watch with the appendages had been
stolen from him." It so happened that a yeung man
named Callacott, a short time previous to this atrocious
act, which was committed in broad daylight, was car-
rying a pair of boots to Redland-court, the residence of
Mr. Edwards, and when he entered the carriage road
he was followed some distance by a man, and suspecting
from his manner that he would try to steal his boots he
turned round and looked him full in the face, when
he went away. Callacott went to the court and
delivered the boots, which detained him some time,
and as he was returning he heard a groan, and on
looking up the road he saw two persons struggling
on the ground, and on going to the spot observed the
same man he had before seen get up from the other,
kick him several times in the head, and then make off
across the fields, leaving Mr. Godwin insensible on
the groucd. Callacott raised an alarm, and the poor
o'd gentleman was conveyed home seriously injured.
information was given to the police, and it so hap-
pened that subsequently, as police•constable 143 was
making inquiries at the Boar's Head, Lamb-street,
Bristol, for evidence against an utterer of base coin,
he observed the prisoner Williams run out into a
yard at the back of the house and clamber to the roof
of some premises in the rear. Suspecting something
wrong, the policeman followed, and chased him across
the roofs of several houses. The prisoner threw a
heavy pantile at the policeman, which nearly knocked
him off the housetop, and then jumped off into a
court, followed by police-constable 143. The court
did not communicate with the street, and the pri-
soner Williams took refuge in a house. He rushed
towards the fireplace with a view of seizing the poker,
when he stumbled and fell. The constable at once
seized and held him, and assistance being procured
he was conveyed to the station-house. His appear-
ance tallying with the description of the person who
had committed the outrage on Mr. Godwin, th?wit-
ness Callacott was sent for, and he at once positively
identified him as being the man. The prisoner
Williams was taken before Mr. Lunell, the magistrate
took Mr. Godwin's deposition, and be was fully
committed to take his trial for the highwOr
at the ensuing Gloucester assizes.

.
•
_
•

PUBLIC REconDs.—Some timee 411 s, aa the official
a memorial
h literary men en-
was forwarded to the Master
keeper of all public records, in orderninquiries should be ax-
gaged in historical or auticlusriead at the Rolls Chapel, at
empted from the fees now re_cf"' Linton Ride, &c. Th.
House,
the Tower, at the Chapter
a favourable answer to this me.,
of
the
i,‘aint since
Master of the Rolls returned
b Lord Mahon, President of the
morial, which was signedb
, Lord Strangford, Lord Bray..
Oxford, Mr.
desborouga, .
brooke, Lord Lan,
ra, Dean hillman, and a long list of well.,
Society, of Antiquaries; ••' _,_ the Bishop of
Macaulay, Mr.:llal a answer was taken into consideration
b ra to the memorial
the aubsbri e . on Monday
at a meeting 1 Mr, Payne Collier presided, when several
known liter That •
last, over wbi.
re unanimously agreed to, expressive of the
were
men of letters, especially of those engaged
investigations, tor the concession thus made,
s much alacrity, on the part of Sir John
haorranareg
and with fs that, until
It aPPea
rgi
nersaoh
itli utsutt
oidore.ni
csna 1 0
1 the new record offices are
RornillP
arrangements are
aakreintgo
professional
feeds:
ipotneald ,
tpeemrspoonrsarwy
completed'
searches on behalf of clients, but who are employed bone
ide in the acquisition of historical information, shall be
entirely exempted from the payment of any money _for
idneprlewtegi,eshomaell
facilities afforded in the various situations where records are
now deposited. When all these documents shall hereafter
be brought into ono collection, the Master of the Rolls has
undertaken to make new and permanent regulations upon
the subject. lewill be obvious that an important step has
been thus gained, and that what has hitherto been felt by
men of letters as so great an inconvenience and so severa
a hardship, will ultimately, and ere long, be removed...
Chronicle.

t ilor. n 1
0;
MELANCHOLY
re dtforea following
A
,the coroner for Westininster, received informs-
. distressing accident:—lt appears that
on
the preceding morning a gentleman named Spradbury,
who resides in Frances-street, Waterloo-road, heard violent
screams proceeding from the first floor of No. 2, in the same
street. Feeling convinced that something wrong had hap.
pened, he immediately burst the door in, and on rushing up
stairs discovered the bed on fire, and a little girl, about three
jyears of age, daughter of Mrs. Redding, completely enveloped
1 in flame. With the aid of other assistance the fire was got
out, but not until the poor child was most frightfully burned,
over her body. She was removed to the surgery of Mr.
I Robert Brooks, in the Waterloo-road,
where
toswhie linng to the
serious injurie; received, it was found necessary to reove
the sufferer to the Westminster Hospital,
in the most excruciating agony till half-past five yesterday
morning, when death tergunated her sufferings, . .
~

LAST WEEK BUT ONE OF 3/0118.
JUL N.
ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
Danson's Colossal PICTURE of the TEMPLE of JANus in the
Eternal City—Splendid Menagerie —PerLor,mingMsPhants—Prome-
__,
aade Concert, by the elite of Mons. duinen a unrivalled Band—a
8010 each evening by Herr Knanig—English Gleea and Madrigals,
those eminent Vocalists, Miss Messent, Messrs. Men,eß:_by
Inn, and Leffler—Pianoforte, Mr. Jolley—Conductor, 3,10,3.1:11.11,41,
concluding with a brilliant display of Fireworks, by Southby. en'
Doors Five. Con
Nine in the Morning. Feeding the Ankalls at
halt-past Five. Concert at a Quarter to Seven. Fireworks, at Ham,
Part Fine. -
ADMISSION—ONE SHILLING.

aura WATER Al LONDON ARIDGE
;XII Day —Morning 42 min. after 7 I Evening 14 min after 11
0-Xonow—Morning 63 min. after 8 I Evening 32 min after Si

'DAILY WEATHER TABLE.
stitt. •
, ottbe Wind and Weather at each of the following
Paces at Rine o'clock yesterday morning.—The stations
are arranSett in order of latitude.
W., gentle breeze—cloudless.
Curtazzivat.....R.
W oaczyrim—winlb— fine.
S.--fine.
?GosospoTsmuTourn_winTsin.d B.—very fine.
s yEery fine.
BRIGHTON—Wind
im
—partially cloudy.
Eurnsee—Calm—clondlcass
SOOTHAMPTON—Wind S.W6. gentle breeze—cloudlese.
FOLKESTONE—Calm—partially
_cloudy.—
gentle b e
TUNBRIDGE--Wind S., cal
gentlerberr —rartiSilY
BAJO:NE.BI'OKB Wind W,
cloudy.
GREENWICH—Wind S.W.,
B,,,"os—Wind S. W., light airs— breeze cloudless.
Partially cloudy
Oxyoun--Wind N.W.—fine. •
GLonrkerrEn.—Wind S. W.—fine.
CAMBRIDON-- Wind S.. gentle breeze—ebtxueae.
&RUIZ° tuat— ind S. W.— cloudy,
STAFFOZD—Wind S.E. very one.
YARMOUTH—Wind W., gentle breeze—el nlless.
NORWICH— ind S W.—tine.
Irswicu— Wind S.W.— fine.
DMUS T --C oudy.
NoTrumism—W ind W.— very fine.
LDIOOLN Wind N. W.—cloudy.
Y H Wind S., gel, tie orecze—ClAdy.
CHESTEE—Wind fine
SHEFFIELD—Wind E.—cloudy.
I.4vugroot.—Wind N.W., gentle breeze - cloudless.
DI A NCI:IIMR A-- Wind S. Ipy . —rain.
Hum.—Wind N. by W.—cloudy.
L 'MM..- Wind S. W.—cloudy.
Yoax—Wind S.S.E.—cloudy.
Besemozonss— Wind B.E.—fine.
grisT—Wiad SM., gentle breeze—overcast.