The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-14 00:00:00

A LA.R MING ACCIDENT.

On Saturday evening an accident which might
have been attended with most disastrous results
took place at the Gateshead station of the North
Eastern Railway. The train which was the subject
of the unfortunate occurrence was that from the
South, due at Newcastle about half-past 10 o'clock.
Being a mail, and it being the practice for it to stop
only occasionally at Gateshead, it is supposed that
in the present instance it had been intended to put
down some passengers at that station, and for this
purpose the steam had been slacktned at the usual
distance from the point of landing. The engine pro-
ceeded on its regular course until within about 50
yards from the station, when from some cause un-
explained the fore axletree gave way. Alarming
and serious were the consequences which ensued.
In the
half-shattered state to which it was now re-
duced it continued on its way, tearing un the rails
and chairs as it went. So matters went on until the
bridge across Hill-street was reached—a stone struc-
ture of great strength and at a considerable height
from the ground. Adjoining this part of the line,
too, is the station, a flat-roofed building, covered
with lead, and between five and six feet from the
level of the rails. It was now about a quarter to 11
o'clock, the train being nearly 15 minutes behind
its specified time. Grazing slightly the wallas it
passed along, it rushed violently against the bridge.
knocking down a portion of the parapet, the stones
falling thick and fast upon the streets beneath.
Checked happily in its further progress by the lug-
gage line of rails which intersect the passenger ones,
the engine, with equally heavy force, dashed upon
the roof of the first-class waiting room, there stick-
ing fast in a partially inverted position. The shock
to the entire building was immense. A chimney on
the top was completely demolished, and the weight
of the rubbish penetrated to the luggage room on the
basement fiat of the station. One of the broken
wheels fell into the street, and the other shortly af-
terwardsfollowed a similar course. It is some gratifica-
tion to state that with all this damage to property
there has been no sac-ifice of human life. The
station master, Mr. Allison, had just gone to call a
cab for a gentleman who he expected by the train,
and fortunately he escaped without injury. Singu-
larly enough, also, notwithstanding the severe con-
cussion which they must have sustained, the car-
riages, of which there was about a dozen of the first
and second class, retained their position on the line;
and, indeed, with the exception of the broken por-
tion, the engine kept its place. At the most perilous
moment, the engineman, named Thomas Brown, and
the fireman, also stuck to their post; and both got
off uninjured. A similar good fortune extended to
the passengers, whom, apart from a temporary shake
which it occasioned, the accident scarcely affected.
Among them was the rector of Gateshead Fell, the
Rev. W. Atkinson. The unfortunate engine con-
sisted of three cylinders, and was built by the late
George Stephenson. The engineman of whom it was
in charge has been several years in the employment
of the company, and has never, we understand, met
with an accident before. The affair will doubtless
furnish sufficient cause for investigation.—Newcastle
Chronicle.

IIOI2IIC.ISTLE GREAT lIORSE FAIR.

- -

This great fair, which one of the most exten-
sive and important horse marts in this country, was
formally commenced on Saturday, resumed yester-
day and to day (Tuesday), and will continue open
the whole of this week. The show is very large,
and comprise a varied description of young horses,
many of which are yet "green in harness" and fresh
from the plough, but among them were some splen-
did cattle, developing bone and substance, combined
with perfect symmetry, and possessing the essential
points for usefulness and the growing requirements
of the public, and in every respect fully sustaining
the long-acquired reputation that this county (Lin-
colnshire) is the great horse mine of England. The
demand for young horses was steady, and brought
remunerative and encouraging figures to colt
breeders ; but taking exception to very superior
horses, there was a manifest diminution in prices
as compared with preceding fairs, and, adopting
horsedealing phraseology, " they came a little
easier." Subjoined is the average price of horses,
without reference to "choice picks" and " special
selection"—viz., young thick-set and short jointed
horses for brewers, merchants, and town work, 40
to 50 guineas ; active light-legged cattle, suitable
for public conveyance, machine work, carriers, 8..:c
35 to 45 guineas ; compact neat-going young horses'
adapted for pair harness, 55 to 65 guineas ; fine
upstanding first-class horses of high fashion realised
high figures, and matched pairs
made prices rang-
ing from 140 to 180 guineas, andin many instances
higher figures were obtained ; seasoned horses, plain
nags, and roadsters rangel in price from 20 to 28
guineas. Well-bred young horses for the hunting
field made from 95 to 220 guineas, and horses of
celebrity, and up to heavy weight, 260 and 400
guineas. Horses for park riding, chargers, and
harness horses of high action and fashion fetched
prices varying from 120 to 200 guineas. Cart
horses, sound and quick walkers, 40 to 55 guineas ;
aged and seasoned ditto, 18 to 30 guineas ; cover
hacks, cobs, and galloways, 24 to 35 guineas; com-
pact made weight-carrying. cobs fetched 40 to 50
guineas, and common description of ditto 15 to 20
guineas; ponies, 12 to 24 guineas, and choice
matched pairs sold well. Colts, two years old,
varied from 16 to 40 guineas. Blood stock sold at
prices in accordance with pedigree ; brood mares,
and ditto in foals or with a colt by their side, made
e
from 40 to 120 guineas, :and van horses 22 to
guineas. The fair was well represented by provin-
cial and London horsedealers and jobmasters, who
were the principal buyers. Among blood stock,
amateur colt:breeders and dealers and gentlemen of
the hunting field took a deep interest, and specu-
lated freely; and young horses adapted for the
artillery and other military purposes were in good
competition, and were bought up by army con-
tractors and commission agents for home service
and foreign and continental exportation. Many
valuable strings of horses are destined for London.

A letter from Baden, of the 10th, says :—.44 The
King of Prussia is really indisposed, and the cause is easily
explained. His Majcoty, following the prescriptions of We
physicians, is drinking the water of the Itagoegy spring, of
Kissingen, which possesses very irritating qualities. The
late attempt on his life and the numberless deputations
which he has bad to receive in consequence, were not pre-
cisely of a nature to leave his Majesty the calmness and
repose which are absolutely
necessary for the treatment to
produce a good effect."