The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-28 00:00:00

THE THUNDERSTORM OF SUNDAY.

The thunderstorm of Sunday last was much more
serious in its consequences than was supposed, the
damage exceeding that which has been known for
many years during a storm of such short duration.
At about a quarter past 7 o'clock in the morning
the storm burst with the greatest fury over the
south side of the water, occasioning the greatest
damage to property and loss of life. A young man
named Henry Ouston, a groom, in the service of
Mr. Herbert, of Cavendish-road, Clapham-common,
took refuge from the storm under a gigantic poplar
tree, one of the largest on the common, and within
200 yards of his master's house, and in about five
minutes afterwards a lad, who was endeavouring to
keep a herd of affrighted cattle together, observed
him lying on the ground under the tree. He was
lying on his back with his feet towards the trunk
of the tree. His face was perfectly black, and the
grass around him for some distance was burnt and
blackened as though by fire. The crown of his hat
was torn away, the electric fluid having evidently
struck him on the head, and passed down the front
of his body, and out at the toe of one of his boots,
the sole being ripped from the upper leather. His
shirt, coat, waistcoat, and trousers were burnt and
rent in tatters. His stockings were stripped from
his legs, and two bottles, which he had with him,
were smashed to pieces. A bundle of linen which
he also had was found about 30 yards from his
body. The tree under which the poor fellow was
lying had evidently been struck on the left side,
being completely split near the ground and other-
wise shattered, the bark being also stripped off. In
the same neighbourhood, which for a considerable
distance round appears to have suffered greatly, a
police-constable who was on duty was rendered
blind, and nearly insensible for upwards of a quar-
ter of an hour, by, it is supposed, the same flash
which killed the unfortunate man Ouston. A
youth named Field was going along the
Kennington-road, towards the gate, when he
was struck by the lightning and fell heavily
'to the ground, and on being raised was perfectly
insensible as if suffering from asphyxia. On being
brought to, he stated that he felt as if his head was
suddenly encircled by fire. Another accident oc-
curred to a man in Westminster-road, who was on
horseback. The animal, infuriated by the vivid
flashes of lightning, threw his rider, who received
a concussion of the brain. Three young men were
passing along the Old Kent-road, when the light-
ning struck two of them, named Edward Perry.
and James Summers. They fell to the ground, and
were conveyed to their homes in an insensible con-
dition. Several other accidents of a similar nature
also occurred.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

GLOUCESTER-JUNE 25.

There was rather a 'better supply on offer, and the last
verage of 49s 3d was improved upon.

DERBY-JuNi 25.

At yesterday's market there was a moderate supply of
wheat, and the trade ruled very firm, at about is per qr.
dearer. In Spring corn little doing, at about the rates
realised last week. In beans the trade ruled firm at rather
more money.
White wheat, new, 43s to As
Red do. 44s to 48s
Old white 43s to 52s
Red do.. 44s to 48s
Barley, malting 38s to 40s

Barley, grinding 29s to 318
Oats,:old, 2Bs to 32s
New do 288 to 324
Beans. 48s to 544
Beans, new 46s to 62s