The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-31 00:00:00

TIER ARMY.

On Saturday afternoon there was a brigade field-
day of the whole of the troops now attached to the
garrison at Chatham, consisting of the battalion of
Royal Marine Light Infantry, which is now unu-
sually strong by reason of the successful manner
in which the recruiting for that branch of the ser-
vice has proczeded ; the corps of Royal and Indian
Engineers, and the three battalions of infantry,
giving a total force of about 100 officers and 5,000
men of all ranks. The troops were marched to
Chatham lines at two o'clock, where they were
drawn up to await the arrival of Major-
General Eyre who shortly afterwards arrived
on the ground, attended by the officers attached
to the staff, and was received with a general
salute from the troops who were drawn up in line
to receive him. Major-General Eyre then rode up
and down the front and rear of the ranks, after
which the entire force broke into companies and
performed a variety of manoeuvres and evolutions
incidental to a brigade field day, all of which were
executed in an exceedingly creditable manner,
which was most satisfactory, proving the great at-
tention and care bestowed on the drilling of the
troops by the several commandinc, officers during
the past summer. After Major-General Eyre had
exercised the troops for about two hours, the entire
force marched back to their quarters. In conse-
quence of the advanced period of the year it is un-
derstood that no more brigade field days will take
place this year, the troops belonging to the garri-
son being shortly about to commence their march•
ing out exercise at periodical times during the
week.

TILE BURNING OF A COOLIE SNIP.

THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE

LIVES LOST.

The following is the report of Capt. John Ben-
tham, the commander of the coolie ship Shah Jehan,
which was .burnt when on a voyage from Calcutta
to Mauritius, and 365 lives were lost :
" I was master of the late ship Shah Jehan. She
was 852 tons. I commanded her for five years,
since she was built. I have commanded vessels for
seven years. I brought coolies to the Mauritius
five times, and took back return coolies three times.
With coolies I have always prohibited smoking
in the 'tween decks. I have no reason for
supposing that the rule was broken in the present
instance. There were two lights in the 'tween
decks at night in glared lanterns. The lanterns
were always locked. It was the duty of the doctor
and third officer to see that they were locked. The
coolies' stores were stowed in the forehold. They
were issued daily. No lights were ever taken down
into the hold, the hatchway affording sufficient to
see by. There was a standing order to that
effect—it was a verbal order. There were
two coolie-galleys ; they were placed one on
each side in the waist just before the gangway ;
they must have been from 20 to 25 feet from the
fore hatchway. The Shah Jehan had four boats
—long-boat, which might contain from 70 to 75
people ; cutter, 25 men ; jolly-boat, 20 men ; theme
was no life-boat; the boats were all hoisted up
outside with the exception of the launch, which
was on board. Stock was kept in the long-boat ;
all the boats were fitted with masts, sails, and oars,
which were kept in them. There was a fire-engine
on board ; A was used every day, and it was in
good working order. The Indian regulations oblige
coolie ships to carry fird-engines, but not life-boats;
there is nothing for extinguishing fire, but the
engine. The cargo consisted principally of grain.
There was also 100 cases of mustard-oil, which was
stowed near the afterhold. The fire broke
out abreast the forehatchway. In the fore-
hold there were cases of merchandise, bales
of blankets, and grain. I am not aware if the
cases contained anything of a combustible
character. .1 am not aware if the native merchants
send articles of a combustible nature from India to
the Mauritius. I never heard of any such being
declared. lam not aware if there be any clause in
the Indian Act prohibiting such articles from being
shipped on board coolie vessels. I can form no
opinion as to the origin of the fire. The fire broke
out about noon on the 27th of June, in lat. 12 S.,
and long. 75 E. I had been in the 'tween decks at
half-past 10 o'clock. The forehatch was then open
for the issue of provisions. The chief officer went be-
low at the same time for a piece of rope. There was
no light taken down then. I musthave seen it if there

had been one. Some of the lascars seated forward near

the forehatchway were first aware of the fire, they
saw smoke coming up. I went below immediately ,and
bad one of the forehatches taken off, but the dense
smoke that rose obliged us to replace it immedi-
ately. Shortly afterwards the flames made their
appearance in the opening above the 'tween deck
stringer. All hands then went on deck, and every
opening was closed as much as possible with wet
sails an blankets, and from the time the fire was
first discovered the courses were hauled up, and the
vessel put before the wind ; holes were bored in the
waterways, and covered with wet blankets to pre-
vent draft. The openings for the ventilation wore
covered in the same manner, and day and" night
water was poured down without intermission.
On the evening of the 29th got the long-boat
out and veered her astern ; there was a bag
of rice, two-thirds of a bag of grain, and about
50 gallons of water placed in her; water was placed
in two of the other boats, but the leaden pipes hav-
ing melted, all communication with the tanks was
cut off. No provisions were procurable on account
of the fire and smoke. There were three rafts pre-
pared of the spare spars, of which we had many on

board, some of the studdingsail booms were taken
/ down for the same purpose;- the hen-coops were
lashed together; in fact, everything that was buoyant
was made use of, I think, that would have supported
together 320 people. When it was evident that
there was no chance of saving the people's lives any
other way, I encouraged the coolies to get on tie
rafts which were towing alongside. I should think
that quite 300 of them succeeded in doing so.
This was en the 29th of June. When I left the
ship there was nothing remaining but the
poop-deck where the people could stand, the fore-
mast had fallen early in the morning of that day.
The mainmast and mizenmast fell about half-past
ten a.m. I had just left the ship with the major
part of the 'crew. I jumped overboard, and so did
they. I think that from 40 to 50 men an 1 women
remained on board. The poop-deck fell in almost
immediately, and they perished. We were about
800 miles from the Mauritius on the 30th. The
rafts were cast adrift one by one as they were loaded.
'l'wo were out of sight when I abandoned the ship,
and a third a great distance off. The cutter and
jolly-boat were swamped by the numbers of people
that rushed into th, m. was in the long-boat
with 67 people. She drifted away from
the ship after she was cast off. I saw the ship
burning till sunset. I consider that my officers
and crew behaved admirably. They only left the
ship when it was impossible to remain on board.
The people on the rafts had no provisions or water
whatever. When I left I was obliged to jump
overboard and swim to the long boat. The chief
officer and those of the crew that were saved did
the same, also one coolie. There were many per-
sons hanging by ropes alongside the vessel at that
time, but they would not venture to let go; the
long-boat could not get near the vessel crowded as
she was with men and only two oars. The doctor and
third officer ware both drowned when the cutter
swamped. We were five days in the boats and were
picked up by the French ship Vasco de Gams,
Captain Maureau, and conveyed to Bourbon.
Captain Maureau, his officers and crew, treated us
with the utmost kindness and attention. Three
men died from exhaustion before we were picked up ;
the daily ration in the boat was a few ounces of
raw grain and half a tumbler of water ; there was
a mast-head look-out the whole time. One of the
rafts was composed of topmast, topsail yard, two
topgallant yards, and a number of studdingsail
yards; a second was made of a jibboom, two spare
topgallant masts, studdingsail yards, driver-gaff and
boom, small spars, and hencoops; a third consiited
of flying jibboom, topmast and studdingsail booms,
poop, hencoops, small spars, and cover of longboat
After the fire broke out, the people, both coolies and
crew, were supported by eating the live stock and a
quantity of onions, pumpkins, &c., which were on
the poop. A number of women and children were
placed in the cutter and jolly-boat before lowering
them. I and my officers assisted the people to get
on the rafts—there were many of the women on
them. The cargo, fore and aft the vessel, was
covered with mats and powdered charcoal placed
above them to the depth of two or three inches..
The crew behaved admirably throughout ; they all
did their best, so did all the officers. The coolies
commenced plundering; the day the ship took fire
my cabin was entered and all my clothes and pri-
vate trade taken; they dressed themselves with my -
shirts, &c., and their wives with some things be-
longing to Mrs. Bentham.

JESSIE THE FLOWER 0' D UNBLANE.

The following letter, which it will be seen is the
production of a correspondent of Tannalull, and.
addressed to Mr. J. Porteous, of the Glasgow Post-
office, throws some light upon the early history of
a song which has long established itself in all Scot-
tish homes and hearts. The particulars regarding
some of Tannahill's other songs will also prove in-
teresting to the lovers of Scottish melodies :
Friend Porteous,—Respecting " Jessie the flower
o' Dunblane," in my correspondence with Robert
Tannehill, I do not recollect of her being mentioned.
I have heard it said that an interesting young
lady at or belonging to that place (Dunblane)
had caught his fancy, and inspired to set a spark
to the muse.
Be it as it may, I can, however,
give you a little information concerning Jessie's
coming out (as Yankees say), or being brought out,
or introduced to the admiring public. About the
time that R. A. Smith composed the music for
Jessie, there was a theatrical party performing in
Paisley, and in that company there was a come-
dian cognomenised Jack Shaw. Jack had also a
musical propensity, with a good commanding voice,
and qualified for reading music by the voice. He
sang on the stage several of our old Scotch songs
quite in their true character, and having heard of
the new song he found means (Jack was enterprising)
to be introduced to Mr. Smith, and solicited a copy
that he might refresh his old songs by something
new. Smith very obligingly gave him the song, with
an accompaniment for two violins and bass. Jack of
course set it a •goin g in Paisley; but merrily as things
might be going on, Jack left them, came to Glasgow,
and was a short time with the circus company.
In the meantime the celebrated Braham had made

his first appearance in the Theatre Royal, Queen-
street. Jack again found his way to an engage-
ment in the Glasgow Company, taking his manu-
script with him of course. He was not long there
till he made bold with Braham for an engagement
on the boards in London. Braham considering on
it, thought he might be a good set off in different
ways, as being a good native Scotch comedian (a
rarish article), and to take part in duets and glees
he might be useful. Mr. Shaw being now installed
on the London boards he hoisted up Jessie, and
when the Lununers had taken a good view, he

thought she might travel a little 'farther ; so he
(enterprisingly) applied to a music publisher with
the copyright in the author's own handwriting, to
have her shown off on a broad sheet, which
was accordingly done. But it so happened that,
previous to this, Mr. Steven in Glasgow had his
sheet in motion, with an accompaniment for the
pianoforte by Mr. Smith, and the full authority of
Mr. Steven's holding the copyright as established
at Stationers' Hall. Mr. Shaw supporting the
London publisher by boasting of the copy being in
the handwriting of the author, threatened a tug at
law, which Mr. Smith decided by declaring that
although he obligingly gave a copy to Mr. Shaw
for his individual singing, he gave no authority for
him otherwise to publish it. The London publisher
now looking at pro and con, and discomfit, gave up
to Mr. Steven the plates, &c., rather than go to
law war with the Glasgowites. Jessie was, however,
by this time doing for herself. " The flower o'Dun-
blane" consequently got popular, and became a fa-
vourite principally by this introduction to the public.
Were the other songs of Smith's composition to
Tannahill's verses sufficiently heard in public as-
semblies—such as concerts, theatres, &c.---they
would become favourites also. His music is of a
smooth flowing style, within moderate compass of
voice, and suitably combined with the sentiment of
the poetry. I shall finish by pointing out a few of
his songs, viz.: The old seaman, " 'Mongst life's
many cares," &c.•' the Harper of Mull, " When
Rosie was faithful," &c. ; the Lass of Arrenteenie,
" Far lone amang yon Highland hills," &e.—music
by Ross of Aberdeen ; "Langsyne, beside the wood-
land burn;" the Maniac,"Hark, 'tis the poor maniac's
song." This; though last, not least, was the first
attempt at vocal composition by It. A. Smith, fol-
lowed, about the same time, by his music to Burns,
jun.'s, " Calm dewy morning." The music for the
Maniac is quite characteristic of the song; and to
show Smith's enthusiasm he illustrated the senti-
ment in China ink. The stormy sea, the rugged
perpendidular rock, and the wild maniac on
the brink of the precipice beating the storm
were so well delineated as to appear almost
actual life. Had Smith exercised his talent in
painting as much as he did in music he would
have attained eminence. The Maniac, I believe,
was never (the music) printed. The others above
were published by the late Mr. Steven, then the
late Mr. Broun, followed by Mitchison •, but I am
afraid the music copies will not be easily got now.
The only gentlemen I think likely to give informa-
tion respecting the plates, or finding copies, are Mr.
Lithgow or Mr. Barr, both professors of music in
Glasgow, as I understand they were concerned in
windng up the affairs of Mr. Mitchison, who pro-
, bably possessed the plates.—l remain, dear sir, your
, old friend, JAS. BARR.
, Sept., 1859.

THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN DIJRIIAM.—Mr.
F avell, the coroner for North Durham, held a lengthened
inquiry at Washington, on Thursday, into the circum-
stances of the deaths of the four men, John Richardson,
Cuthbert Mould, William Mould, and William Eltringham,
killed by the explosion that occurred in the Maudlin seam
of Wafhington Old Pit, on Saturday, as already reported
in • The Sun. Lengthened evidence of the circumstances
of the explosion was taken by the coroner. The most
material was that of the viewer, Mr. James Crowdice, who
produced a plan of the workings, which he explained,
stating that 14,000 feet of the air which entered the pit was
forced into the place where the men were working. The
witness then gave a minute account of the explosion, and,
in answer to the coroner, said it was his opinion that the
gas came from the sixth board at the fall, and either fired on
the' candle of the boy Eltringham, or was carried down to
where the men were working. This view of the cause of
the explosion was confirmed by other viewers who inspected
the colliery after the explosion, and by two miners who had
gone into the pit to examine the workings, in company with
the Government inspector. Mr. Dunn, the Government
inspector, said that his opinion was that there had been a
fall in the sixth board, from which there had been a con-
stant supply of gas ; that the gas had accumulated In the
thebo arfdur
neuatcoefhtande
traenndgede ofto tihneereaior,seanthdetaheactutmhne
isaltaicokno slackening of
the furnace bad become more active the gas had gradually
been drawn into the air-course, coining down upon 91e
men's candles and firing. The jary returned a verdict that
silanteebmyroansns h accumulationotvh.e gas hade os
escaped
a pg:l
thereit nh et
he the
vic
eoxast
ont board.hadeodi beenchi eunt
sufficient
aey:wi