The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-02 00:00:00

ITALY.

Letters from Rome of the 24th ult. state that the
POPE has appointed an English ecclasiastic, Mr.
TALBOT, as his private chamberlain.

COURT CIRCULAR.

OS BORNE, THURSDAY.
The Queen and Prince took their accustomed early
walk this morning in Osborne Park.
The younger branches of the Royal Family walked
and rode as usual.

The Earl of Clarendon arrived at Osborne yesterday
afternoon, and remains on a visit to her Majesty and his
Royal Highness.
Viscountess Jocelyn has relieved the Countess of De-
Bart as Lady in Waiting to her Majesty.

Mr. Tidd Pratt had an interview with the Chancellor
of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in
Downing-street.

A deputation from the city of London, consisting of
Mr. Masterman, M.P., Mr. Alderman Copeland, M.P.,
Mr. Alderman Sidney, M.P., and Mr. Tyrell, the City
Remembrancer, had an interview with Lord Seymour
yesterday, at the office of her Majesty's Commissioners
of Woods and Forests, in Whitehall-place.
Her Majesty's Guard of Gentlemen at Arms have
been paraded during the past week in St. James's Palace
gardens, and on Tuesday and Wednesday last the Hon.
Corps were inspected by their Captain, the Lord Foley,
in undress and full dress uniform.
Earl Grey had a dinner party on Wednesday, at his
residence on Carlton House-terrace. The company in-
cluded his Excellency the French Ambassador, the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne, the Countess of Clarendon, the Earl
of St. Germans, Lady Dufforin, the Right Hon. Sir
Charles and Lady Mary Wood, the Right Hon. Edward
Ellice, and the Hon. H. Grey.

WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND

SOCIETY.
MEETING AT CHATHAM.
A public meeting was held at the Mechanics' Insti-
tution, Chatham, last evening, for the purpose of ex-
plaining the principles and objects of this society;
Dr. Steel in the chair. Messrs. G. E. Dennes, G.
Huggett, and G. F. Taylor, attended as a deputation.
Mr. G. HUGGETT explained fully the objects of the
Freehold Land movement, when the following resolution
was unanimously adopted :
"Thu; the Freehold Land Movement is deserving of
the warmest support of all who desire an extension of
the suffrage, tending as it does to improve the social
and moral condition of the industrious and unenfran-
chisEd classes. This meeting is of opinion, that the
regulations of the Westminkter Freehold Land Society
(of No. 4, Beaufort• buildings, Strand, presided over by
C. Lushington, Esq., M.P.), as explained this evening,
are well calculated to effect that object, and that in-
asmuch as it purposes to enable its members to obtain
votes in Kent and other counties, this meeting considers
it worthy the cordial support of the inhabitants of
Chatham."

A vote of thanks was passed to the. Chairman, and a
great number of shares were taken up before the meet-
ing separated.

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

GLASGOW, THURSDAY.—Between ten and eleven
o'clock this day a collision occurred on the Edinburgh
and Glasgow Railway, near the Cowlairs station, by
which five persons were deprived of life, and several
others severely if not fatally injured.
It appears that a monster special train left Perth by
the Scottish Central Railway early in the morning, car-
rying a number of persons to witness the Highland So-
ciety's Exhibition at Glasgow; that on its arrival at
the Greenhill junction the train was divided into two
portions, one of which proceeded on to Cowlairs ;
on its arrival at Cowlairs a detention occurred
in consequence of a large train from Edin-
burgh not being able to get down the in-
cline
second as
speedily as usual ; while remaining here
thesection cf the Perth train came up, and al-
though it was noticed at some distance it was proceeding
at such a rapid rate that a collision resulted inevitably.
Seeing this, some of the passengers leaped from the sta-
tionary train and e3caped without injury, but they had
no sooner done so than the collision 'took place. Two
cattle tracks, iu which were some 20 to 30 persons,
have been completely smashed, as were also the buffers
of nearly all the carriages in the train. Every measure
was adopted to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded,
and those who were more severely injured were conveyed
to the Royal Infirmary. The matter has been taken up
by the Fiscal, and is at pri:sent undergoing investi-
gation.

ROYAL BANK OF AO3TRALIA.—On Wednesday a
meeting was held before the Master in Chancery Richards, for
the further settlement of the list of contributories. Mr.
Mark Boyd, and Mr. Rae, late manager of the bank, were
examined, and the evidence of the former went to show
that he purchased shares in the bank, and nut them in the
name of his brother Mr. Benjamin Boyd, but that it was
done without the knowledge or consent of the latter, who
was at the time understood to be conducting the agency of
the bank at Sydney. He had also done the same for some
of his relations, aid the question to be decided is, whether
these parties are to be held liable in respect of these shares.
In the case where an original shareholder transferred shares
to his nephew, a youth of eighteen, and who sought to be
excused on the ground of minority, his Honour decided
that whatever his opinion of the transaction might be, he
must in law hold that the transfer was invalid. The claims,
as reported by Mr. Wryghte, the official manager, up to the
present time on the estate, amount to 350,0001., of which
:410,000/. consist of deposit notes principally held in Scotland.
It is intended to contest the liability of the shareholders to
meet these, on the ground that the directors under the deed
had no power to issue them. Should it be held that the
batik is liable, the liquidation on them will fall heavily on
the shareholders, who, do not amount to more than 200.
There are, in addition, calls unpaid made by the company,
and yet to be got in under the Act, to the extent of 50,000/.,
and the only assets in hand consist of property in Australia
estimated at 60,0001. The other liabilities are not yet as-
assessed, and the manager of the company's affairs at Sydney,
to whom between 80',(l00/. and 100,0004 was entrusted, has
left Sydney, for California.

LIBRARY OF THE BRITISH
MUSEU M.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—In common with all students at this institution,
I have to thank you for the remarks which you have
made from time to time on the defects of the present
catalogue, and on the necessity of immediately
having a "Finding" or common-sense catalogue
completed, to guide authors and readers to
the treasures which it contains. Amongst other
restrictions by which such students suffer, the rule laid
down by the Museum which excludes all books from the
catalogue till after one year from, the date of publica-
tion, operates very injuriously to them without yielding
any advantage to authors and publishers ; and I am
authorised by the principal publishers to state that the
rescinding of this rule would have no injurious effect on
them.

My researches at the Library have been chiefly in
connexion with the subjects of the discovery of the coal
fields in the Islands of the Pacific Ocean and the adja-
cent continents—and the capabilities of our colonies to
sustain an increase of population, with a view to as-
sisting emigration from densely-populated countries.
I have had, therefore, to refer to the journals of mission-
aries and other residents in those distant countries,
and to consult recent works on practical geology.
Amongst other instances of my disappointment at
not being able to refer to some valuable modern
books, I may mention that I required in connexion
with the extension of steam to Australia having
been one of the first projectors with the late Lieutenant
Waghorn—Stoke's ",Survey of Torres Straits," pub-
lished some years since under the patronage of the
Admiralty. I itherted the title of the work in the book
kept in the library tor omissions, &e., three years ago;
but it has never yet appeared in the catalogue.
With regard to the question of time in the preparation
of such a catalogue as the public want,—surely, if at
Lloyd's they can register all the daily arrival of ships with
cssusltio3, and if every banker contrives to ascertain
the " balance" of every customer, however many he may
have, before the clerks leave, Government] has but to
pay a few clerks to post up the arrears in the catalogue
of this important institution, or to remunerate the present
staff for extra attendance. Some of the officers in this
department now leave at de early hour of three o'clock,
although the library is open till seven o'clock.
I am, Sir, &c., H. SMITH EVANS.

MAP OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER.
All topographical antiquaries will examine with
interest a very curious map recently engraved by
Nicholas Taperell and James hints, representing the
ancient cities of London and Westminster, as they
appeared in the early part of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. From the period of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth to that of her present Majesty Queen Vic-
toria (to whom the splendid platejef erred to is most
appropriately dedicated), it may be presumed that
most wonderful changes have been effected in the
appearance of the metropolis. Even Aubrey, even
Defoe, even Jesse, even Hunt, even the most graphic
writer who ever lived, would fail to give, within
a reasonable compass, any adequate notion of these
changes in the aspect of London and Westminster.
What they could not accomplish, however, without
penning volumes, is effected by a glance at this re-
markable engraving—where we see (and stare to see)
.the deer in St. James's-parke, hedge-rows bor•
dering the Haymarket, St. Giles's Church
literally in the fields, St. Martin's-lane boun-
den at one end by a paddock, with a
horse in it grazing, and at the other by the Crosse at
Charing ; cows wandering about the meadows by
Drury-lane; trees and grass covering the space at
present occupied by Covent-garden, and a variety of
other matters as surprising and wonderful. The
map is worthy of all commendation for its distinctness,
and its examination must be a source of especial
pleasure to the Metropolitan Commissioners.

MONEY MARKET.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 9 per mule, which, at the English Mint price of
3/. 17s. 10W. per ounce for standard gold, gives an ex-
change of 25.37; and the exchange at Paris on London
at short being 25.321, it follows that gold is 0.18 per
cent. dearer in London than in Paris. By advices from
Hamburgh the price of gold is 433 per mark, wbicb,
at the English Mint price of 3/. 175. 101 d. per ounce for
standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.9; and the ex-
change at Hamburgh on London at short being 13.91,
it follows that gold is 0.12 per cent. dearer in Lon-
don than in Hamburgh. The course of exchange at
New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 110 i
per cent., and the par of exchange between England and
America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the
exchange is nominally 0.67 per cent. in favour of Eng-
land, and after making allowance for difference of
interest and charges of transport, the present rate
leaves a small profit on the importation of gold from the
United States.

ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH BRITISII RAILWAY.-
On Saturday afternoon an accident of a very alarming cha-
racter, but fortunately not attended with fatal consequences,
occurred on the Musselburgh branch of the North British
Railway. It appears that a train heavily laden with pas ,
sengers on their return from the Yeomanry races, and con-
sisting of twelve or fourteen carriages, had left the Mussel-
burgh station at five o'clock for Edinburgh, and was ascend:
ing the steep incline between Niddry and Fisherrow, when
from the small progress made it was determined to divide the
train. Four or five of the carriages were in consequence de-
tached from the train, which proceeded up the incline to-
wards Niddry, it being understood that the engine (the
lightest in the company's service) was to return for there.
The detached carriages were kept in their position by a
block of wood, technically named a "scotch ;" but,. front
some cause not yet clearly explained, they immethasel.
began to move down the incline towards Fisherrow (which
has a gradient of 1 in 47), and, notes ithstanding the at-
tempt of a man to stop their progress by the application of
the break, their speed became accelerated to a fearful degree,
to the great alarm of the passengers. Some of the switches
a short distance from the bottom of the incline being open
the course of the carriages was diverted from the main line
into a siding, which lies in a cutting; but, from the frightful
velocity they had acquired, two of the carriages were
thrown off the rails, and the front wheels of one, a third.'
class carriage, imbedded in the sand, while the body or
framework was raised on its end, and thrown upon the
neighbouring bank, dislodging the stones in the retaining
wall. Another carriage also sustained serious injury; and
the passengers in the train, besides the intense alarm which
prevailed among them, from the violence of the collision, re-
ceived in many cases severe Muses, cuts, and other injuries.
Some medical gentlemen present rendered every assistance
in their power, and active exertions having been made to
clear the line, the passage of the train was resumed in a
short time afterwards, and the injured parties brought to
Edinburgh.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—At the monthly
general meeting held yesterday, at the society's house in
Hanover-square, Mr. Terrell, V.P., in the chair, the
Earl of Abergavenny, Sir .T. Ramsden, Bart., the Hon. A.
Russell, Captain the Hon. G. Campbell, R.N., Captain
Wynne Payne, 11ev. H. J. Cummins, and Mr. H. Padwick,
were elected fellows; and Mr. Arthur Walker, of Port Natal,
a corresponding member of the society; and Viscount New-
port, M.P., Sir Conwallis Rickets, Bart., Mr. G. Ransome,
and Mr. H. Wordsworth, proposed as candidates for the
fellowship. The report of the council stated that the number
,of fellows elected since January 1, 1850, exceeded the whole
number of elections in 1849 by 11 ; that the number a
visitors to the gardens during the month of July exceeded
the correspen3ing perio 1 of 1849 by 34,484; and that the
total number of visitors since January 1, 1850, exceeded the
number admitted in the whole twelvemonths of 1849 by
59,810. The report concluded by stating that her Majesty
had honoured the society by visiting the gardens on the 18th,
inst., for the purpose of seeing the hippopotamus, and had
been most graciously pleased to add to the collection the
most remarkable example of land tortoise ( Testudo elephan-
topus) which had ever reached this country.
MASONIC ASYLUM AT CROYDON. —Yesterday the
consecration of this building was celebrated with great pomp
at Croydon. The proceedings commenced by the opening of
the Provincial Grand Lodge in the town at 12 'o'clock: At
1 o'clock an excellent sermon, adapted to the occasion, was
preached in St. James's Church by the Very Worshipful
Brother the Rev. J. E. Cox, grand chaplain of the order. A
hymn, composed expressly for the occasion, was sung by the
children of the Royal Freemasons' Female School, after
which a masonic procession was formed from the church to
the asylum. The ceremony of consecration then took place
in the hall of the asylum, and at its close those ladies who
had silver purses to present were severally introduced to the
Provincial Grand Master. The proceedings terminated with
a &yd. tner, and all the arrangements connected with the
occasion were carried out in a very satisfactory and efftctive,
manner.