The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1858.

HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO

being 70 feet high and 48 feet by 45 wide. It is
separated from the large hall by a glass screen. In
the centre of the vestibule stands the colossal
statue, in white marble, of Queen Victoria.
The Great Hall is -entered from the vestibule,
and, whether viewed in relation
its size, the har-
mony of its proportions, or the extreme beauty of
its decorations, it is one of the noblest public rooms
in the country. Its dimensions are 161 feet long
by 72 feet wide and 75 feet high, giving, as will be
seen from the following table, a greater area than
that of almost any other provincial hall :
Feet • Feet Feet
long. wide. high.
Westminster-hall 228 66 .. 92
Liverpool St. George's-hall 169 .. 74 • . 75
Leeds Town-hall l6l .. 72 • . 75
Bradford St. George's-hall
Birmingham Town-hall
Durham Castle
Liverpool Concert-hall
London Guildhall 153 .. 50 .. 55
London Exeter-hall l3O .. 72 ..
London Euston-sq. Station-hall 125 .. 61 .. 60
With the exception of a small balcony over the
entrance at the south end, the room is without gal-
leries, and the general effect is considerably en-
hanced by .the uninterrupted view thus obtained of
the entire hall. It is enriched with ornament in
relief and in colour in an almost lavish manner,
every portion being more or less decorated. The
sides of the hall are divided into five bays 'by com-
posite Corinthian columns and pilasters in imitation
of Rosso Antico, with gilt bronze capitals and bases,
standing upon a surbase inlaid with rare specimens
of marbles. The inter-columns (or wall spaces be-
tween the columns) are'of a pale green colour, bor-
dered with a rich fret ornamental margin. The'
columns and pilasters support an enriched entabla-
ture, which, likehe sarhase, -also runs entirely
round the hall. From this entablature springs the
fine circular ceiling, which is divided into five bays,
corresponding- with - the columns, each bay being
subdivided into five compound panels, highly orna-
mented with foliage, in relief and Coloured. The
hall is lighted by 10 semicircular windows imme-
diately above the entablature, and at the springing
of the ceiling. Projecting from the keystones are
rams' heads, from which are suspended. 'lO of the
most superb cut-glass chandeliers by Osler, specially
made for the hall. The north end is formed- by a
huge semicircular alcove, in which stand the
orchestra and the noble organ, built by Gray and
Davison, The case for this instrument was designed
by Mr. Brodick, the architect of the hall, and it is,
as we have said, one of the finest and 'most elabo-
rate of its kind in England. With all its domes
and spires it seems a very cathedral of harmony.
The ornamental portions are entirely of wood, and
executed in .a highly satisfactory manner. The
pipes are burnished and diapered in gold, the wood-
work being either gilded or of polished wainscot.
On the top are four figures and the Leeds arms,
standing in bold relief against the deep azure back-
ground of the cove, powdered with stars.
In the second recessof the large hall on the right,
on entering, is the statue of the late Mr. Udward
Baines. It is in statuary. marble and of colossal
size, and at the same time simple and dignified, the
figure being represented as in the act of addressing
an assembly.
The whole of the coloured decorations in the
large hall and vestibule have been executed by
Mr. John Crace at the cost of £1,600.
On the west side of the hall'are two large refresh-
ment-rooms, and on the opposite side anti and
cloak-rooms, communicating with the side or car-
riage entrance of the hall.
Rpturning to the vestibule, and taking the corri-
dor to the left on leaving the large hall, we come to
the Council Chamber, which is 50 feet by 40 feet,
and 35 feet in height. It. is lighted in the 'day-
time by a coloured glass skylight, and at night by
four
the dT(ltieecoi;oaotiiioi
niss hh iagyhel3f,o r
tnlal
ment gilt
ucti
present been left out, there not being time to com-
plete them before the inauguration.
Continuing on the east corridor, we pass several
large and lofty rooms, appropriated for the offices
of the borough survevor and other officials, after
which we come to the 'Nisi Prins Court, a lofty and
well ventilated apartment 50 feet by 45 feet.
Attached to it are several rooms for witnesses,
counsellors, and other persons. At the opposite
side or corner of the building, and connected with
this court by a large vestibule, is the Crown Court,
of the same size, and precisely similar in its arrange-.
• ment and enrichments to the Civil Court. The
fittings of this court have been completed. It is
einmected with- the priatit--'on the basement, by a
stone, staircase from the dock. There are immedi-
ately contiguous many large and commodious
rooms intended for the use of officials.
Leaving this and continuing the route along the
west corridor, we conic to the Borough Court, which
is 50 feet. by 40 feet, and 40 feet in height. Like
the Council Chamber, it is lighted by a skylight in
the centre. The fittings in this court have also
been completed. It has a communication with the
police establishment in the basement by means of an
iron staircase from the clock. Adjoining, and in some
instances communicating with it arc several rooms
for the magistrates, their clerk, the chief of police,
&c. Returning to the door by which we entered,
and taking the corridor to the right, we have im-
mediately before us the south vestibule, the corri-
dors and the vestibules thus completing the entire
circuit of the building, the large hall being in the
centre. They are well lighted by the several
windows opening' upon them. end, are fitted. with
gas pendants fin' night.
• At each corner of the corridor [here is a hand-
some-staircase leading to the first floor, which is
planned on precisely the same arrangement as the
ground floor, the courts alone being excepted. The
rooms in the centre part of the east front on this
floor are appropriated as reception rooms for the
mayor, and are connected with folding doors, so
that, if requisite, a hundred guests can with com-
fort sit down to dine at one time.
The cost of the whole building has been within
lTOhO,eooNliOrtl.l,o
heaveb o rboeuegnth aenp dt piallio•esiitt
painful
ianlflutlhaentxre
ys
aroundin
with regard to the weather, which has certainly
been such as to warrant the most unfavourable sur-
mises. During Saturday it rained heavily, and was
cold and otherwise miserable. Sunday it was still
worse ; and to-day, though there has been no rain,
there has been such a master. of menacing clouds
that confidence in to-morrow is as far from being
.estored as ever.

LEEDS.

LEEDS, TUESDAY EVENING.
Her Majesty and the royal family reached this
dace at a quarter-past six o'clock, and their recep-
tion, we need scarcely say, was of the most enthu-
siastic and gratifying character. The journey of
nearly 300 miles from Gosport was so admirably
performed throughout as to leave scarcely any fact
worth recording save the remarkable and gratifying
proof the royal progress afforded of the accuracy
with which the network of railways, now intersect-
ing every part of this country, can be traversed at
any moment when circumstances may require it.
The Mayor, with the chief members of the cor-
poration, met her Majesty upon her arrival. , A
royal salute was fired from a battery of artillery at
the station, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy,
and the guard of honour was formed of the 22nd
Regiment from Manchester.
Before leaving the station her Majesty caused to
be conveyed to the. directors of the Great Northern
railway her thanks for the great attention which
had been shown to her comfort and convenience on
the journey. The railway throughout; with scarcely
an exception, was certainly in capital condition,
and the smooth and easy passage of the train, at
rates of very high speed, reflects great credit upon
the skill and watchfulness of Mr. Brydon, resident
engineer of the company, who himself was among
the officers accompanying the train.
The general direction of the journey was super-
intended by Mr. Seymour Clarke, who accompanied
her Majesty to-day from Gosport to Leeds, and
will go forward to-morrow with the reyal party to
Banchory, on her further progress northward.
Immediately after' the arrival her Majesty. pro-
ceeds
to Woodsley-house, the residence of the
Mayor, which has been entirely given up by Mr.
Fairbairn for the use of her Majesty during her
brief stay in Leeds. This house is situated in the
suburbs, on a gently. rising eminence overlooking
the town. The exterior is handsome though unpre-
tending looking in all, save the very massive and
richly decorated cast-iron gates which open on a
short carriage way to the entrance. It is quite a
sight to see the reverential interest with which
this house is now regarded. Hundreds of
,the good
folks of Leeds remain outside it all day long, and
happy are those who can jam their heads between
the open work of the iron gates aforesaid, and so
gaze upon the gravel walk beyond. Had it been
the home of her Majesty from infancy it could not
excite a deeper interest than now apparently
attaches to it, even before she has as much as seen
the spot. In the mind's eye of the Leeds populace
we are sure that Buckingham Palace has become a
place of little import when compared with Woods-
ley-house.
Inside, however, for its size the house is one of
the most complete and richly decorated mansions in
this part of the kingdom. The whole building
was redecorated last winter, and it is evident at
a glance that money has been lavished upon it with
an unsparing hand. The dining-room is one of the
most perfect little bijous in the Italian style we
have seen. In the drawing-room. one is at a loss
which most to admire, the magnificence of the
details or the perfect harmony and good taste of
the whole. The vestibule and hall, too, are ex-
ceedingly well-proportioned, furnished with the
most excellent taste, and adorned with some noble
specimens of the English school of painting. Cer-
tainly neither at Stoneleigh Abbey, nor even ,at
Worslev-hall were the preparations at all compara-
. gssi.l:itle. ble to those which have evidently been made for
„11arine In- her Majesty- at •Woodsley-house. The grounds
_.., terms and con-
, issued. round the house are varied and beautiful, and iu
the most exquisite order. In rear of the house the
3000
- - .£0,71,000 guard of honour will occupy tents on an open space
-.-.... of ground. -
One of the most interestinn, of the many inci-
dents which will occur in her Majesty's route to the
Town-hall is her inspection of some 18,000 children
of the Free and Sunday Schools on Woodhouse
Moor. This monster gathering of juveniles will of
course welcome her with " God save the Queen,"
and signal boards will be worked so as to insure
good time throughout the entire mass. The effect
is likely to be very fine. In our yesterday's im-
prcssion we gave a brief and necessarily hasty ac-
count
of the Town-hall as it appeared from a cur-1
sory view. We now give it, with its chief dimen-
sions, ill more particular detail and more worthy of
the noble building.
The whole hall covers an area of some 17,000
square yards, with a fine open space in front and
sides. The site was purchased for £9,000, and
though at first rather low in relation to other parts
of the town, the situation being very central, the
difficulty of level was soon got rid of by throwing
up the platform or mound of earth on which the
hall now stands.
The external form of the edifice is that of a paral-
lelogram, being 250 feet long by 200 feet in breadth, '
and its general appearance, from the approach to
the main front, is imposing in the extreme. Stand-
ing on an elevated platform, it is surrounded by
Corinthian columns and pilasters, supporting rich
entablature and.balustrade, sltege flier about 70 feet
in height. The large hall, which is the chief tea-
ture of the building, rises out of the centre of the
quadrangle to the height of 92 feet from the
ground, and at each of the four corners is an orna-
mental turret, 12 feet square by 106 in height, the
four containing the smoke and ventilating flues
connected with the various courts and. rooms.
The south, or principal facade, is approached by a
handsome flight of 20 steps, 110 feet in length, and
has a deeply recessed- portico of 12 columns, 10 of
them being in front, and two recessed. This cannot
fail to command attention and admiration by its
grandeur and the harmony of its composition. In
the centre of this facade, and adjoining the south
end of the large hall, rises the dome, which will,
when completed, be 225 feet in height. That part
of it immediately in sight above the roof is com-
posed of a square die, ornamented with panels and
mouldings, upon which rest 20 Corinthian columns,
also forming a square, with entablature and balus-
trade complete, haying a corresponding number of
pilasters behind the columns, forming the inner
wall. This portion forms the belfry, and is as high,
as it is intended to be carried until after the meet-
ing of the British Association, when the works will
be resumed and carried about 80 feet higher, and
will then contain a clock, now being made by Dent,
to have four illuminated dials, 13 feet in diameter.
Above this commences the dome proper, which will
be covered with lead and surmounted by a stone
lantern finial.
The two sides and north end of the building are
somewhat similar to the south front, excepting that THE ROYAL PROGRESS.
the columns and pilasters which surround them are
.. Her Majesty and; the Prince Consort, accom
near to the walls, and the inter-columns, or spaces panied by the Princess Alice and the Princess
between them, have two tiers of circular-headed islelena left Osborne at a quarter past 8 o'clock
windows. yesterday morning for Leeds, and embarked at
There are several entrances to the building on Cowes on board the Fairy. The Royal suite con-
each side, and at the.north end; but the principal sisted of Lady Churchill, the Hon. H. Stopford, Sir
entrance is under the south portico, and consists of C. Phipps, General Grey, and Lieut.-Col. Ponsonby.
a large archway, 32 feet high by. 21 feet wide. The The ships at Spithead, consisting of the Victor Em-
lower part contains three - splendid doors, composed manuel, 91, screw ; the Archer, 14, screw ; the
of highly ornamented wrought and east iron work, Racer 11, screw; and the Russian steam corvette
glazed. The tympanum or crown of the arch has Bazan, manned yards, and saluted on her Majesty's
-
been filled. with an emblematic group of figures, and passing. The Royal party were received on their
the panels are elaborately carved. The group placed. arrival at the Clarence-yard, Gosport, by Admiral
of Honour from the Royal
immediately over the three doors leading, to the Sir G. F. Seymour, Rear-Admiral the Hon. G.
vestibule represents Leeds in its commercial and Grey, Major-General Sir J. Y. Scarlett, and Staff;
industrial character, fostering and encouraging the Captain Hastings, C.B. ; and Captain G. Seymour,
arts and!' sciences. The central figure, which is
almost colossal, is that of a female, having in the Marines. At the railway station there were in at-
C. 8., with
outstretched right hand a wreath, and in the left tendance the Hon. R. Dutton, M.P:, Mr. Chaplin,
ON PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE
INCAPACITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE. distaff.thethe right • On
New and improved Edition, enlarged to 196 pages, illustrated and Music, with the lyre and pipe, a faun's head and South-Western Railway, and Mr. S. Clarke, the
by 100 Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel, just pub- wreath of flowers in the background, and also a a Guard
general manager of the Great Northern, under
Milled, price, free by post, ls. r figureof Industrylooking towards the principalfigure, whose direction the special train throughout the
THE SILENT FRIEND : A Medical W ork an hands d holding in her
samples of textile fabrics.
entire line of railway was placed. Large numbers
on the physical exhaustion and decay of the frame, from
Industryre
, ff., presented as seated on a bale of goods
the effects of solitary indulgence, infection, and the injuriousof persons had assembled to witness the departure
consequences from the use of Mercury: with observations on and resting her arm on an anvil, surrounded byvarious of the train,andtheir loyalty found vent in repeated
the obligations of marria,re, and directions for obviating CO.- implements of trade. On the left are also two
tarn disqualifications. By R. and L. PERRY and Co.', Sur- „ cheering. The train arrived at Basingstoke at a
n•
goons. Consultations as usual (see page 197). Sold by J. Allen, fin representing the Fine Arts and the few minutes before 11 o'clock, and there stopped for
20, Warwick-lane, Paternoster-row ; Sanger, NO, Oxford- other Science, each of which is iropr a p
p . ately typi- a few moments to take in water. Her Majesty had
street ; and Gordon, 140, Leadenhall-street, London.
The CORDIAL BALM of SYRIACUM is employed in both fled. The'panels forming the architrave to the arch on this occasion determined not to pass through the
sexes to "renovate the impaired powers of life. Its action is and spanning the group are tastefully carved with streets of London, and accordingly on arriving
purely balsamic: its power in reinvigorating the frame in all • at
various devices, selected from the arms of the
cases of nervotni and sexual debility, obstinate gleets, impo- town, the Falcon junction of the South-Western Rail way
tency, barrenness, anddebil i ties arising from venereal excesses, with scroll ornaments, &c. The centre panel con- the train crossed over the Richmond branch to the
has been demonstrated by its unvarying, sucess in thousands of twins the • scales of justice, surrounded with palm Kew proceeding
junction, by Wandsworth, Putney
branches. The large panels on each side of the Barnes, and Chiswick to Kew, where it arrived at a
which saves lls.
,
cases. Price lls. per bottle, or four qUantities in one for 335., '
The CONCENTRATED DETERSIVE - ESSENCE, an entrance doorways are filled in with bold and quarter past 12. All this portion of the journey was
anti-svphilitie remedy, for purifying the system, and is recom-
mended for any of the varied forms- of secondary symptoms, classic Scrolls and. foliage, in the ofeach
.. centre of accomplished most satisfactorily, the train having
such as eruptions on the skin, blotches on the head and face, en- which is a child bearing the fleece, having beneath arrived. at each station in succession with the most
largements of the throat, tonsils, and uvula; threatened
destruction of the nose, palate, &c. Its action is purely the fasces and other emblems of Power and Justice, exemplary nctuality. This was ascertained
pu.by
deter-
sive, and its beneficial influence on the system is undeniable. and above the caduceus of Mercury. telegraphic signals
Railwaysen to the head-quarters of the
Price lls. and 335. per bottle, also a saving of lls. The interior of the building is characterised by
pEuily,s pITRIFYING SPECIFIC PILLS constitute anSouth-Western y- Company by each station-
effcttlatremed in either sex for all cases of gonorrhoea, gleet, almost unequalled adaptation to the various mum- master as eon as he hadprovided for the departure
stricture, and diseases of the urinary organs. l'rice 28. ed., eipal and judicial purposes it is intended to sub- of the train from his particular locality, and the
4s. M., and 11s. per box.
Sold by Panic ,
..
1 Church• 78, Gracechurch-strect, City ; Bart- it in several important •
serve, besides which is line was kept as clear as the necessities of the case
ley-Hooper, 43, Ring Wilham-stree! (four doors from London- portions marked by ornamentation of the highest demanded, in order that the Royal train might
bridge); G. F. Watts, 17, Strand ;IN. Sutton and Co., 10, BOW- style of excellence. The principal entrance opens not be impeded. in its course. Prince Alfred
churchyard ; w. Edwards, 6i. St. Paul's-cluirehyard ; J. •
Sallow, 150, Oxford Street ; Hannay and Dietrichsen, (;3, into a vestibule of very fineproportions, with a
accompanied her Majesty to Kew, where the
Oxford-street ; Butler and Harding. 4, Cheapside ; Prout and domed ceiling, supported by four arches an e fluted Prince of Wales met the Queen, and their Royal
Harsant, 229 .Strand, and all medical vendors throughout pilasters of the composite order, the apartment Ili 1 alter the departure of the '
g IlleS-eSI train, pro-
the United 41)449m

nd LIFE ASSURANCE
ibard-street, London, E.C.
ITORS.
RENS, Esq., Chairman.
Esq., Deputy-Chairman.
John Martin, Esq., M.P.
Rowland Mitchell, Esq.
James Morris, Esq.
Henry Norman, Esq.
, Henry R. Reynolds, Esq.
Sir Godfrey J. Thomas, Bart.
John Thornton, Esq.
James Tulloch, Esq.
Henry Vigne, Esq,

GUARDIAN FIRE ai
COMPANY, No. 11, Lon]
DIREC
HENRY HULSE BEI
JOHN G. HUBBARD,
John Dixon, Esq.
Francis Hart Dyke, Esq.
Sir W. M. T. Farquhar, Bart.,
M.P.
Sir Walter Ti. Farquhar, Bart.,
Thomas Hankev, Esq., M.P.
John Harvey, Esq.
John Labodchere, Esq.
John Loch, Esq.
Stewart Marjoribanks, Esq.'
• AUDITORS.
Lewis Lloyd, jun.' Esq. I Henry Sykes Thornton, Esq
John Henry Smith, Esq.
Thos. Tollernach, Esq., Secretary.
Samuel Brown, Esq., Actuary.
Life Department. —Under the provisions of an Act of Par-
liament, this Company now offers to future insurers four-
fifths of the profits, with Quinquennial Division, or a low rate
of premium without participation of profits.
The next division of profits will be declared in June, 18GO,
when all participating policies which shall have subsisted at
least one year at Christmas, 1859, will be allowed to share in
the profits.
At the 5 divisions of profits made by this Company, the total
reversionary bonuses added to the policies have exceeded
£013,000.
At the last valuation, at Christmas, 1854, the Assurances in
force amounted to upwards of ,E 4,240,000, the income from the
Life Branch in 1854 was more than .-C•200,000. and the Life As-
surance Fund (independent of the guaranteed capital) exceeded
£1,700,000.
Foreigm Risks.—The extra premiums required for the East
and West Indies, the British Colonies, and the northern parts
of the States of America, have been materially reduced.
Invalid Livees.—Persons who are not in such sound health
as would enable them to insure their lives at the tabular pre-
miums may have their lives insured at extra premiums.
Loans
.granted on lite policies to the extent of their values,
provided such policies shall have been effected a sufficient time
to have attained in each case a value not under £5O.
Assignments of Policies.—Written ;notices of, received and
registered.
Medical fees paid by the Company, and no charge will be
made for policy stamps.
Fire Department.—insurances are effected upon every de-
scription of property, at moderate rates.
are admitted by this
Losses caused by explosion of gp
Company.

LEEDS, MONDAY.
Her Majesty and theltoyal family arrived here
at six o'clock.
All well.
Thousands of people throng the streets.
Her Majesty was most enthusiastically received.
Leeds is inundated with visitors from all parts.
The weather is unfavourable, and threatens rain.

seeded to the White Lodge, Richmond Park. Mr.
Walpole also joined her Majesty at Kew, as the
NSecretary t
iOffunSythte
fine,
The West Coast of America is exciting the
i na n
da t tleanr
gd
ea nncuem.
numbers
fmorning
wa.s beautifully fine, and large numbers of persons
had congregated along the line for the purpose of greatest attention. Panama has become a great
a few moments at Kew, the Royal train started packet port. It is the Southampton of the Pacific.
catching a glimpse of the Queen. After a delay of
again, and passing Acton, Willesden, and Kilburn, The Straits of Magellan are likely to be a consider-
ran into the Camden goods station, Camden-road, able thoroughfare ; English and American fleets
and thence to the King's-cross goods station, where
a considerable number of persons had been allowed, are stationed on the coast. By the last accounts a
through the courtesy of the authorities, to witness
station, Mr. E. B. Denison, M.P., the chairman, to protect English interests there ; another portion
the Royal departure. There were present at the portion of the former was moving down on Peru,
Col.
_Buncombe, M.P. Major Pack, Mr. Ainswick,
stores • and a third portion was about proceeding
and other directors, the police arrangements beino-
Neither her Majesty nor any of the Royal partywas moving up to British Columbia, with naval
to other' parts of the coast, collecting specie. United
under the direction of Mr. Inspector Williams. States troops are passing over the Isthmus of
left their carriages at this point. The engine was
shunted, and another having been supplied, the the English military engineers- are crossing the
Panama on their way to Oregon and California ;
train moved away from London amid the cheers of Isthmus on their way to Vancouver's Island. A
the assemblage.
break their journey northwards at Peterborough,
The announcement that the Royal family would .
considerable European emigration, chiefly from Ger-
The
3 has been going on for years to Southern
course diffused the most lively satisfaction amongfor the purpose of taking luncheon, as a matter of InChainli.-, The richest silver mines in the world are on
the citizens. This being, we believe, the first occa7-- the:south-western coast of America, and the richest
gold mines in the world are on the north-western
sion on which so distineished an honour had been coast. On the western . coast also are the most
conferred upon the ancient city, preparations were valuable manure deposits to be found on the globe.
made to give due eclat to so important an event. Newspapers in the 'English language are now pub-
Through the Marquis of Exeter.the local authori- lished in Chili, Peru, Panama, Mexico, California,
ties made application for permission to present an and Vancouver's Island. Mail steamers will most
address to her Majesty demonstrative of their probably soon cross the Pacific to and from Panama.
loyalty, and on Saturday a reply favourable to this Everything indicates increased trade and a vast
request was received. The morning being heauti,. increase of the population of the American coast
fully fine, notwithstanding the heavy ram which bordering on the Pacific Ocean. Already there is
fell on the prOvious night, the numerous trains a considerable trading intercourse between Australia
arriving at Peterborough:brought a large influx of and South Western America ;an extensive emigra-
visitors, and the city presented quite a holiday tion is going oa:tiona Minato the'Chinchas and San
appearance. The Great Northern Railway station Francisco, and the-South Sea whale fishery is an
was literally besieged, and a variety of cunning important and extensive branch of commerce.
i
expedients were resorted to by anxious strangers At the present time there is aackets running from Panama to Valparaiso twice
line of British mail
to obtain a momentary glimpse of the elegant 1
suite of apartments shortly to be occupied a month, and calling at fifteen ports. The distance
by the Queen. Such alterations had been made of their mail route is 2,718 miles, and the annual
on the west or down side of the station subsidy is £25,000. There is also an`American line
as to afford separate suites of rooms for her of mail packets running fortnightly between
Majesty and her attendants. The spacious refresh- Panama and San Francisco. They touch at eleven
ment room was prepared for the luncheon. The ports. The length of their mail route is 4,200
superintendence of the furnishing and decorations miles, and the subsidy. is about £70,000 per annum.
was confided to Messrs. Holland and Son, uphol
_ The postage derived from this line of mail packets
sterers, of London ; and by the liberality of 'Mr.
is already upwards of £40,000 a year. This line of
Percival, proprietor of the Great Northern Hotel, steamers has conveyed 175,000 passengers to Cali-
aided by the railway company, the whole was fornia, and brought 200,000,000 dols. worth of gold
-
carried on in such an . admirable manner as could thence to Panama. For four years this company
not fail to please the -Royal party. The furniture
have paid a dividend of 12 per cent., and they pay
-
was of the most costly and elegant. description, the Vanderbilt, the leviathan shipowner of America, a
du_ large sum eYery year to prevent his placing oppo-
decorations were chaste and beautiful, and a pr
sion of the choicest flowers, tastefully arranged, sition steamers on their line. - There is also a line of
diffused . their perfume through the apartments. mail packets running between Panama and Central
The west platform, where the illustrious visitors America.
were to alight, was carpeted with scarlet cloth, and It is unfortunate that there are so few convenient
the wall was covered with evergreens and flowers,
h a multitude of flags. and banners ; means of getting from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
interspersed with.
A railroad from east to west through the United
garlands depending from the roof. On either side
States,
of the draperied doorway through which the Royal '. or through our own North American pro-
winces, which would be the nearest way to British
party were to pass were the letters " V." and " A." Columbia, will not be accomplished for many years
ingeniously worked in dahlias, the entrance being to come. The Straits of Magellan are too far south
surmounted by the Royal arms in white and gold. to be of very great service in reaching the northern
The railway company did their utmost to provide coast of America or for crossing the Pacific. The
accommodation for a considerable number of spec- route by them to Vancouver's Island is only 1,500
tators by the erection of temporary platforms on miles nearer than that by Cape Horn, The most
n
both sides of the station, the bookstalls being northerly of the Central American routes to the
removed for the purpose. Long before the time at , Pacific, the Tehuantepec, will never be a favourite
which the Royal train was due (2.37) these plat-
one, in consequence of the dangerous northern
forms were crowded with a gaily dressed throng, winds so often met with in the Mexican Gulf. The
chiefly consisting of ladies, and every
spot coin_ Nicaraguan route is not at present used, because of
the disturbed state of the district and the disputes_.
with the Government who own 'the territory in
mending a view of the station had its occupants.
The Marquis of Exeter, as Lord Steward of the
Household, was in attendance to receive her which the Nicaragua Lake is situated. The only
Majesty -. and many of the nobility and gentry of useful route now is the railway across the Isth-
the neighbourhood, together with the Bishop of mus of Panama, and although not so near a route
Peterborough and a large body of the clergy, were to the gold diggings in British North America
also present.
by many hundreds of miles as a more northern
Precisely at the time named the Royal train, passage across Central America, it perhaps forms
statements of SirE. Lytton to the deputation about
which consisted of eight carriages, rolled majes- the shortest cut of any to Australia. From the
tically into the station ; a brass band, which occu-
pied a gallery crossing the line, plavino• " Rule the Australian mail service, from the fact that the
Britannia," b'ells ringing, and the people ''clieering directors of the Royal Mail Company have had an
and waving hats and handkerchiefs. Altogether a interview with the Colonial Secretary about estab-
,
more animating scene has seldom been witnessed at lispinga mail communication to Vancouver's Island
Peterborough and the Queen was evidently
and Australia from Panama, and from the inade-
gratified with her loyal reception. Before her Tuley of the present line of American steamers from
Majesty left the Royal carriage time Maiquis of Panama to San Francisco to accommodate the tide
of emigration now flowing to Frazer's River, it is
Exeter introduced the Hon. G. W. Fitzwilliam,
packets will
M.P., who presented the following address, which probable that a line of British mail
was most graciously received : run -along the northern coast of the acific to Bri-
May it please your Majesty,—We, your
tish Columbia, and also across the great ocean to -
Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the inagis- New Zealand and *Australia_ • Such ines will not
trates of the liberty, improvement commissioners, only be of incalculable service to British North
clergy, high bailiff, and inhabitants of Peterborough America and our Australasian colonies, but they
and its vicinity, desire to approach your Majesty will immensely promote British interests in the
On this auspicious occasion with a hcarttiAt exprcs- Pacific. France has obtained a footing in Tahiti,
sion of our devotion to your Majesty's throne, per- and the United States at the Sandwich Islands.
son and flunily.
'jWe are justly proud of time high position which, The South Sea whale fishing employs at present a
greater amountof American than English shipping,
under your Majesty's enlightened rule, our cowl- vet the great South Sea has an abiding interest fo
try occupies in the scale of nations. We regard England. T r
The mighty and tranquil - ocean that
with becoming respect and admiration the noble rolls between America and New Holland has
attributes and generous sympathies which so richly scarcely yet been properly explored. It has always
adorn our gracious Sovereign, and add lustre even been ll:favourite field for English missionary and
to a British crown ; and we view with lively grafi_ maritime enterprise. 'rime beautiful isles of the
tilde the bright example set before us in every rat_ Pacific would perhaps furnish many products of the
tion of domestic life by your Majesty and your
Royal Consort. vegetable kingdom which could be transplanted
and become useful fcir manufactures or for human
4ln the great achievements of your Majesty's
food. Owyhee,ll4.rromanga, and Pitcairn are classic
reign we see, not only triumphs 0./ arms nusnr- spots with Englishmen. At the first place our
passed ill the annals of martial England, but blood- i greatest navigator, Cook- met his death. At rite
Ic,; vi(l ories of -science and art, without ;t Dreeedelit.: :;evond. AVillittms, met with his. martyrdom. Tin.-
in ages past, Ulla tO tai emn without P,tritlif'l for I third 'spot is associated. \A ith the mo,t romantic
centuries to come. ' rautiny and adventure in the history of navigatich,
" The future historian of great Britain will asso- and was connected with an attempt to transplant
date the name of Queen Victoria with an epoch of the bread-fruit tree of the South Sea islands to our
freedom, light, and progress ; in our minds and West India colonies. .
hearts it is intimately blended with the dearest in- The great difficulty in establishing a steam packet
terests of country and of home. communication with our distant gold fields has
" Cordially, then, yet in all humility, we welcome been, and will continue to be, the high price of coal
your Majesty to this ancient city, with a fervent and seamen's wages. This may be considered more
wish and prayer that your way may be prosperous than anything else the real secret of the failure
and that you may long enjoy every earthly bless- of all our attempts to carry mails to Australia.
ex-
big, not the least of which, we are persuaded, in One of these defects could be remedied by an
your Majesty's estimation, 'is the -love of your tcnsive employment of Lasears in manning the mail
people." steamers on the eastern route between India and
Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, with the Australia, and of natives of the South Seas, such as
two Princesses, then alighted., and entered the the New Zealanders, in manning the mail packets
apartment prepared for them, where an elegant on the western route between Australia and Pa-
collation had been provided. At five minutes past name. The cost of fuel would be immensely re-
-3 o'clock the Royal party again appeared upon the duced if in screw steamers the propeller could be
platform, and her Majesty was escorted to the lifted with facility. How to do so in large steamers
Royal carriage, and shortly afterwards the train is, at the present time, one of the most important
moved slowly away, amid the acclamations of the problems in shipbuilding and practical mechanics.
multitude. The screw steamer at present loses one-half its value
simply because its propeller in monster ships can-
not be lifted or feathered, and it consequently has
to be continually at work, no matter how favour-
able the wind is for sails, consuming a vast amount
of fuel unnecessarily, for if not in motion it acts as
an enormous drag on the speed of the ship.
Should the Royal Mail Company undertake the
establishment of a monthly mail packet communi-
cation to Australia and Vancouver's Island, the
whole length of their mail routes will be about
50,000 miles, with about 50 stopping places, and
a million nautical miles.
their ships will run over every year upwards of

PROSPECTS OF A WESTERN ROUTE
TO AUSTRALIA.

MR. ROBERT STEPHENSON AND THE
WORKATEY AT BUSDE.RLAXD BRIDGE.

The workmen employed at Sunderland-bridge
presented Robert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., and his
brother engineers, with an address, on the occasion
of his visit to Sunderland in company with the
members of the Institute of Mechanical Engi-
neers. The following is a copy :—" Gentlemen,—
We, the workmen employed upon Sunderland-
bridge, beg to welcome the engineers of England,
whose works have made this country of ours famed
over the habitable globe. The bridge, when com-
pleted, we trust, will be both an ornament to the
borough of Sunderland and a lasting monument of
the skill of practical engineering. We also trust
our labours, so far as they have progressed, will
meet with your approbation, and are proud of this
opportunity being afforded us of testifying our ad-
miration of the eminent men who compose the In-
stitute of Mechanical Engineers."
Mr. STEPUENSON, in reply, said—There are no
members of society for whom I have a higher re-
spect than for industrious and intelligent workmen.
It is to them that the engineer is indebted for the
full and efficient realisation of his conceptions,
which, however good they may be, must largely de-
pend upon the skill of the workmen for their suc-
cess. The progress made in the higher branches of
engineering during the last 30 years may be attri-
buted in a great degree to the improved skill and
intelligence of the workmen. The advance of me-
chanical science, and its application to
with useful pur-
poses,
hwaTec which
been3-ou exe-
cuteda epaioisdesalsmouswtithaltwhaeyesomPfolil'at
I cannot refer to a better example in proof of this
than the bridge upon which we are now standing.
hand- i lei a nwdoworking
thecla skillse
Tsiligeneadlt.era:
ifontsheaneidighililoelPnerrc,°o\t'ueherefore, had even de-
soadmaitratbhleytcinairer3'N'vhhlge-n the original bridge was de-
signed the bridge as it is now intended to be made,
his mental labour would have been vain and useless,
for there was not sufficient skilled labour in the
country to realise such an idea. I merely take this
bridge as an appropriate example on the present
occasion, because it is a work you are now carrying
out under my own direction ; but it is only neces-
sary to look around, and we meet everywhere with
engineering works to which the remarks. I have
rust made apply in the strictest manner, and reflec-
tion on such subjects teaches us to feel that skilled
labour is the great fulcrum upon which all our
social progress depends, and that the success of this
is just in proportion to the skill of the labour
brought to bear upon the great works so thickly
scattered throughout our country.—Netccastle Daily
Chronicle.

WRECK OF EARQUE ALICE OF
NORTH SHIELDS.

---t-ZTAfBAY, AUGUST 4.
' The barque Alice, Captain Pearson, of North
Shields, which left Aden on the 4th of July for
Bombay, with a large consignment of ordnance
stores for Government, consisting of gunpowder and
ammunition, got aground on the coast, near the
village of Coorla, about eight miles south of Ali-
baugh, on the night of Thursday, July 15. The
only passengers on board were Sergt. Macdonald,
of the Ordnance Department, with his wife and
four children, and a foreigner, a medical man by
profession. The ship was approaching the harbour,
and it appears that the captain mistook a landmark
on the coast for the Colaba Lighthouse, towards
which ho accordingly steered. The weather was
very hazy, which rendered the land quite invisible,
and the captain was not aware of the danger until
the ship struck. On seeing how matters stood he
immediately secured the ship and cast anchor,
intending to move out to sea in the morning. On
the approach of dawn a furious gale set in, which
rendered it impossible to extriaite the ship from
her perilous position, and it was accordingly
resolved to land the passengers. A boat was pre-
pared, and the European passengers, with the
native lasears on board, were placed in her, and
rowed ashore•by four of the crew. This was accom-
plished without any misadvmture, and Sergeant
Macdonald, leaving his family- at the spot, made
the best of his way to Bombay to procure assistance
and report the circumstance to the authorities.
Atter a wearisome journey to Mal idwa, on the oppo-
site side of the harbour, where he arrived in a
famished condition, he embarked in the Government
boat that plies from there daily, ar 0. reached Bombay
,wi
on the 18th. Captain Pearson hod in the mean-
time, after securing the ship as much as possible,
come on shore with the despatch, .3s for Government,
and arrived in Bombay late the n
ie evening. The
ship having gone to pieces, 1:41/e c rew, with Mrs.
Macdonald and family, returrod to Bombay on the
21st July, having lost all they pcc ssed.