The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-29 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

The performance of Adrienne Lecouvreur, last night,
was unexpectedly errs sted iu the most interesting part
of the concluding scene. When, under the influence of
the poison, the senses of Adrienne begin to wander, and
she imagines herselt before the audience, Mademoiselle
Rachel tottered, and fell back into the arms of M. Ra-
phael, who luckily was near enough to interpose his aid
and break the fall. The curtain dropped, nud atter an
interval of some minutes M. Raphael came forward, and
explained to the audience that Mademoiselle Rachel was
taken suddenly ill, and that it was impossible for her to
continua the piece. The admirers of the great tragedian
will be pleased to know, however, that the attack was
merely a nervous one, from which nothing serious is to
be anticipated. The immediate cause of the contretemps
was sufficiently grotesque. Some persons had contrived
to introduce a small dog with them into the theatre,
which began to bark just at the absorbing moment
when Adrienne receives the casket containing the
poisoned bouquet. This unseemly interruption took a
peculiar effect upon the nerves of Mademoiselle Rachel,
whose performance throughout the evening had betrayed
an unusual degree of excitement, and diaconc.-rted her
so entirely as to lead to the result we have described.
The audience behaved with the utmost courtesy, and
dispersed, after M. Raphael's explanation, without mani-
festing any expressions of discontent.

CREMORNE GARDENS.

SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR- IN THE BAY OF

CHELSEA.
Last night a repetition of a new feature, termed naval
fe es, was carried out with increased brilliancy and effect.
The Iron and Citiz,n Steam-boat Companies liberally.
granted their united force to aid in the anniversary of.
thnt great naval achievement, the storming and taking of
Gibraltar from the Spaniards in 1704. The esplanade
pier was ingeniously covered to represent the heights of
Gibraltar, fortified as they were in the reign of Charles
the Fifth—its broad frontage; to old Father Thames at
full tide allowing ample space and play for the con-
federate fleet of steamers, commanded by. the company's
superintendents, Messrs, Bence and Aitchison, whose
skill, precision, and activity well supported these tem-
porary characters ire the impersonation ot the gallant
admirals, Sir G. Rook and Sir Cloudtsly Shovel.
Shortly before eleven the fleet took their moorings op.
posite the fort, and almost instantaneously a bugle
sounded, which was taken up by the drums and fifes,
beating the call to arms. A signal rocket was now fired
from the commodore's vessel, which was im.
mediately responded to by lights from every
other, both small and large; and upon a shell being
received from the fleet the cannonading commenced from
the fort, accompanied by showers of shells from every
part ot the esplanade, while the drums, files, and bugles
were sounding on all sides. In the midst of this appa-
rent confusikar, and under cover of the effective firing of
the fleet, the daring feat was attempted by the crew of
some smaller boats to gain a Lnding by what was re-
presented as the South Mole Hend, which attempt
proved abortive from the springing of a mine, a capital
explosion, here taking place. 12 he engagement was con-
tinued with great spirit for some time, tim boats firing
and retiring with admirable precision, till suddenly an
explosion took place, the sailors scaled the fort, the
ninon-tack replaced the Spanish colours, and God save
the Queen': was presented in pyrotechnic light, on the
highest point, while the bands played the national airs
ot
." Rule Britannia" and " God save the Queen," the
visitors enthusiastically taking up the airs and the cor-
responding. words. The scene at this u3ohnent, and for
some time afterwards, was very brilliant. Blue lights
and rockets, Venetian lamps, and Turkish fires illumined
earth, air, and water, as each and boat clear6d the tort,
the banks cf old Thames reverberated the
.cheers of the
delighted crowds, who will long remember this new treat
among the varied features of Cremorne.

JOURNEYMAN TAILORS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.
—The annual general meeting of this society was held yes-
terday at the London Tavern, for the. purpose of electing
three pensioners from a list of 61 tincliclates. Jr. W. Lee
Wright was in the chair. This society has for its object the
relief of aged and infirm journeyman tailors and their widows,
the benefits of which are available to the journeyman tailor
of every nation, incapacitated from labour, at.d who has sub-
scribed for a given
period to the funds. 112 pensioners have
been
remaining, each
onderach
thei
funds of the institution, and 61 were
pensioner being allowed 20/. 16s a year,
with
medicine, and medical attendance. 14,774/. had
been inv
ested with the commissioners for the reduction of
coals.
the nati nal debt on behalf of this institution. The secre-
tary read a short report, which was generally satisfactory.
It stated that it was the intention of the committee to obtain
a charter of incorporation, but that step was delayed from
an unwillingness to trench upon the funded property. It
also alluded to the great benefits the institution had con-
ferred upon so large a number of deserving persons, enabling
them
to spend the evening of their life in comparative com-
fort, instead of being confined within the walls of a union
workhouse. After a few observations from the chairman,
the report was received and adopted. A ballot then took
place for three pensioners, and the meeting separated.
Mr. Hume, M.P., who is slowly recovering from
indisposition, is now at Brighton, whither he has gone for the
benefit of a change of air.

Two Englishmen, Messrs. Sheppard and Botton,
have received a charter for the construction of a subma-
rine telegraph between the Danish islands and the Duchy of

THE LATE ACCIDENT AT CLAYCROSS.
MIDLAND CIRCUIE—Derby, July 28.
(Before Mr. Baron PARKE and a Special Jury.)
RLAKE V. MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY.
This was an action brought by the plaintiff to recover
damages fur the death of ber husband, who had received
the injuries which caused his death on the company's
line.
Mr. Mellor, Q.C., Mr. Sergeant Miller, and Mr. Flood,
were for the prosecution; Mr. Humfrey, Q.C., and Mr.
Macaulay, Q.C., for the company.
Mr. FLOOD opened the pleadings. In this case Mrs.
Ellen Blake, administratrix to the late Mr. John Blake,
was the plaintiff, and the Midland Railway Company
were the defendants. The declaration stated that John
Blake, in his lifetime, was a passenger on the Midland
Railway, from Birmingham to Sheffield, and fur want of
due care and attention he was killed. The damages were
laid at 10,0001. The defendants pleaded that they were
not guil,y.
Mr. MELLOR stated the case. He had the honour,
along with his Learned Friends, of appearing as counsel for
Mrs. Blake, the plairtift in this case, who is the widow
and aduainistratrix of Mr. John Blake, of Upperthorpe,
Villas, near She ffiel i, where he carried on business under
the name of " Make and Parkin," Meadow Works. On
the 19th May, the day of the accident, he had been on a
journey or business, and was returning from Binning-
' ham to Derby, and from Derby to Sheffield. Ile took
a second-class ticket, and got into a carriage which was
last but one in the train. They bad proceeded a short
way beyond Claycross station when the passenger train•
was run into by a luggage train, by which very serious
injuries resulted; Mr. Blake received such injuries that
in a very short time afterwards death ensued. Mr.
Meynell, a magistrate in the county, also met with his
death. The action was brought by Mrs. Blake, who
imputed to the Midland Railway Company, both the di-
rec. ors, superior officers, and servants, gross negligence
in conducting their line in a parsimonious manner.
After alluding to the Act under which this action would
come, viz., 9th and 10th Viet., c. 93, he said that they
charged the directors, superiors, and servants with
neglect; this he should nut have the slightest difficulty
in proving. The train by which Mr. Blake was to start
from Der ny was appointed to leave Derby at 9 5 p.m.,
by the table table. It was 15 minutes, however, behind
time on that occasion, and he very much feared that was
nut an uncommon occurrence. It was not put down in
the tine table to stop either at Driffield or Wingfield
stations, but on the evening in question it stopped at
both, whereby another ten minutes was lost. Thus they
would see when it arrived at Claycross tunnel, it had
lost twenty-five minutes. It passed the north end of
that tunnel at about six minutes to ten. The regula-
tions of the company are to have two men—one placed
at either end of the tunnel, which telegraph the coming
and going of the trains through this tunnel.
Mr.BUNFREY intimated that he should be very happy
to save the time of the Court. 'lbis was merely a ques-
tion of damages. Huw the accident occurred had nothing
to do with the action, inasmuch as it was only fora pe-
cuidary consideration.
Mr. MELLOR thanked his friend, but thought it would,
be essential to his case, and likewise to the minds of the
jury, to go fully into it. It was very singular that his
Learned Friends did not allow judgment to go by default,
instead of making this remark at the last moment.
His LORDSHIP thought that as they did not want vin-
dictive damages it would not be necessary to go into the
cause of the accident. He thought they could only look
at it in a pecuniary point of view.
A long discussion here ensued upon the question be-
tween his LORDSHIP and Mr. MELLOR, but it was
ulti-
mately decided that the case should only be gone into in
a pecuniary sense.
Mr. MELLOR then proceeded with his address. He
could not help thinking that it would have been more
honourable and fair to have made this admission before,
and not when the shoe commenced to pinch. He should
take the liberty of just giving a short narrative of the
case. He had told them that Mr. John Blake was in
the Sheffield business. He was of the age of thirty-four,
and his wife was twenty-six, at the time of the lamentable
occurrence in question. Mrs. Blake had just been con-
fined of a still-born child; and on the night that Mr.
Blake was killed he was expected home by a loving and
kind wife. But to return to the scene of the acci-
dent. The train had got about 250 yards beyond Clay-
cross station when it was found necessary to stop the
train, the pump-rod of the engine having given way.
The guard, immediately on stopping, ought to have pro-
ceeded about half a mile down the line with danger
signals and explosive lights. This he did not do, and
whether there was a sufficient time for him to do it in
was a question which bad not been solved, some alleg-
ing one opinion and others a contrary one. Immediately
atter this a goods train ran into them, killing Mr. Mey-
nell on the spot and injuring 16 or 17 more or less. Mr.
Blake was found dreaafully injured, and about an hour
afterwards he was put in a van which was going to take
him to Chesterfield, but he died on the way. The lug-
gage train starts five minutes after the passenger train, a
regulation which he thought extremely faulty, because
by that they were depending upon mere mechanical skill
as a certainty, not for one moment looking at contingen-
cies which might occur. Notwithstanding the luggage
train was detained ten minutes at the junction and five
minutes more at Belper, yet from Derby to Claycross
it had gained halt an hour, and knowing that there
was a passenger train before them. It was driven that
night by a man who had never driven on that line
before, and who had only been driver a week on the
Lincoln line, and another week shunting. It appeared
rather singular that a man who bad never driven on
the line More, and who had such little ex-
perience, should be set to drive a train at night time.
There was another matter which he must allude
to; at the Clajeross station the company have a man
employed only during the day time, and before leaving
at night he turns on a white signal, which indicates " all
right," and that the line is clear. Now the man goes to
bed, consequently he knows nothing of what transpires
during the time he is asleep. A train might break down
just beyond the signals, and another following, :wing
the white light, would of course proceed. Was this a
proper system of organisation? What was the state Of
things at home during this time? Instead of Mrs Blake
seeing her husband, she receives the startling and appal'
hog intelligence of his death. She is at this time in a
delicate state of health, and as they might naturally
suppose, this made her much worse. With regard to
the question of damages, that would be a subject for
their consideration, it not being bound by any process of
law. He was certain they would find it their duty toin-
demnify Mrs. Blake, and give her sufficient damages for
the irreparable loss she had sustained. They must look
at the position in life she occupied, and whatever was the
social position Mrs. Blake enjoyed prior to the death of
her husband, it would be their duty to place her in again.
In the first place, Mr. Blake had a very handsome house,
worth 2,0001., handsomely furnished, which was worth
6001 more. This was freehold, but it was mortgaged
to the extent of 1,000/. Now, according to estimates,
it appeared that a man's life in good health, at
the age of 34, was worth 31 years. They must also
bear in mind, that Mr. Blake, having died intestate, his
property went to his brother as heir-at-law. Mr. Blake
was also entitled to a fourth share in " slack works" at
Sheffield, which was adequate to 1001. per annum. He
had also 100 shares in the Sheffield Union Bank, which
were worth 12/. each. Mr. Blake had been married be-
fore, and he had got a very handsome fortune with his
wife, about 8,000. He entered 'into partnership in the
Sheffield trade with a Mr. Parkin in 1845. They began
in a comparatively small way compared with many other
houses, but they turned over last bear between 30,0004
lit'haelykcatt,erbeutabforuotmexthteisndbiunsginethsseiarlttoragdeetheinr
tahned
A4om,oeor
ican
he received about 250/. per annum. The Learned
Counsel concluded by making an earnest appeal to the
jury, after which several witnesses were called who
proved what Mr. Blake's effects wero worth.
Mr. HUNFREY addressed the jury on behalf of the
defendants, and after entering into many statistics,
proved that the plaintiff would now have 7,0001. clear is
her own right, putting on one Bide all the contingencies
to which life was subject. They must bear in mind that
the business in which Mr. Blake was engaged was one
that fluctuated considerably; and then, when they
thought of the position Mre. Blake was in previous to
her marriage with the deceased, without fortune, they
would feel themselves justified in returning a verdict for
a very small amount or damages.
His LORDSHIP, in summing up, pointed out to the
jury the various mattersa for their consideration, and
said it was a question for them to consider that Ur.
Blake's property was worth in total 13,000 L, and by
Mrs. Blake being a Yorkshire widow she would receive
about 7,000/. She would, therefore, be a loser in tact of
about 6 Ma ; and it was for them to say what amount
they would award.
After on hour's deliberation, the jury returned into
court with a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, 4,0001.
CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice MAULS.)
William Shelton, the driver of the goods train at the
Claycruss accident, and who was indicted for manslaugh-
ter, was At quitted.

——- -
Mr. Henry Russell, the celebrated vocalist, was
the happy means of saving several lives from the fire that
occurred last Sunday morning at Prescot-street, City, by
bravely rushing to the top of the house three times, bringing
into the street no lass than five persons, who, had it not been
for his timely assistance, would certainly have been burnt to
death.

VAUXHALL —Amongst the visitors of last evening
the following distinguished personages honoured these gar-
dens with their presence :—The Countess of Allesbury, the
Earl and Countess of Glengall, Lord Shelburne, the Countess
of Shaftebury, the French Ambassador, the Sardinian
and party, Lord and Lady Jocelyn, Lord Gage, Sir
Robert Price, &c.

BIRTHS.
OF A SON.

On the 24th inst., at Bedfordshire, the vrife
of John Lindell, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn.
On the 24th inst., at Rose-ct ttage, Maryon-road, Charl!olir
the wife of 11. W. Allen, Esq., R.N.