The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-05 00:00:00

TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION.

On Monday morning a few minutes after seven
o'clock, the inhabitants residing at Bath-street and the
streets in the vicinity were alarmed by a tremendous
explosion, followed by a rumbling noise, as of an earth-
quake. In many of the houses the glass in every
apartment was smashed, and in some instances the
window frames forced out. This, it appeared, had been
occasioned from an accidental explosion of gas, which
is supposed to have been accumulating for the last
few days, and latterly had become so offensive as to
excite the serious apprehensions of many of the resi-
dents. On Monday, in particular, it is said that the
corner of Bath street, at West Nile- street, was
rendered almost impassable from the density of the
vapour, and we understand that Mr. Corbett,
whose house is in that quarter, apprised the gas
company in Virginia-street that something wag wrong
with their pipes which required immediote attention.
What the effects of this communication were
we have not as yet learned. To give our readers
as idea of the nature and magnitude of the ex-
plosion, we may state that the ground under
the causeway, and immediately in front of Nos. 21
and 2i, Bath-street, has forsome time been formed into
vaults, which are at present occupied by Mr. Lauder,
George-street, as an ice-house. The main pipe of
the Old Gas Company, as we understand, runs along
the causeway at the edge of the gutter, near Bath-
street, and is thus close to the vault adverted to. It
is conjectured, from a slight subsidence of the ground
at this point which has been observed for some time,
that the earth had been partially scooped from under-
neath the pipe, and that thus left without support, it
had bent and got partially cracked. This supposition
is the most feasible wary of accounting for the leak-
age which took place. the vapour making its escape
in dense quantities, at first got egress to the open air,
but the intense frost of Monday appears to have
forced it through the ground in a lateral direction,
and the ice-house in this way also got impregnated.
No danger of explosion was apprehended in
the vault itself, as the place had been visited on
Saturday night, when no smell was noticed. On
Monday morning, however, three men in the
employment of Mr. Lauder, who here sent to the
vault with carts for a supply of ice, had no sooner
entered the place with lighted candles than a
tremendous explosion took place. The unfortunate
individuals, who had not got many yards past the
door, were thrown with great violence against
the wall, dreadfully scorched and bruised, and
how any of them escaped with their lives
is a matter of astonishment. As before observed,
the whole of the atmosphere around being com-
pletely charged with the combustible vapour, the

explosion was simultaneous in every quarter where it
had collected iu any quantity, and this accounts for
the great destruction of window glass which took
place at so many different points. The houses that
have suffered most are those of Mr. Corbett, 21, and
Mr. Brown, 25, Bath street, which appear to have
been situated in the very focus of the explosion,
where hardly one pane has escaped destruction, while
the " chesses" suffered considerably. In Dr. M'Leod's
house, West .Nile-street, which is about 60 yards
distant, no fewer than 20 panes of glass have been
smashed, and at the opposite corner of the same street
a few have also been broken. We regret to say
that the most lamentable effect of the catas-
trophe is its probable result so far as the injured
men are concerned. They were immediately con-
veyed to the infirmary. Two of them who acted as
shopmea to Mr. Lauder, respectively named O'Hara
and Wallace, are very much injured, particularly
Wallace, whose life, we understand, is despaired of.
The third man, John Burns, is less severely scorched,
though none of theta are beyond danger. It is
gratifying, however, to know, that so far as we have
learned, no other casualty has occurred, notwith-
standing that the violence of the concussion was so
great that many of the houses actually shook. In the
course of Monday the scene of devastation was visited
by large numbers. The Gas Company had a number
of men employed in making the necessary repairs on
the pipe, the leakage from which occasioned the
explosion.—Glasgow Chronicle of Wednesday.

et trb Zbittoti

FRANCE.
MM. Daru, Barroche, and Benoist d'Azy, have
been re- elected Vice-Presidents of the National
Assembly for the next three months. General
Bedeau was the next highest, but having failed to
secure an absolute majority the ballot was to be re•
sumed this day. The six secretaries v% ere re-elected.
The debate on the La Plata question was adjourned
after a speech from the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
General Lahitti, in which he said that the intention
of the Government was to send negotiators to Buenos
Ayres to continue the negotiations, since they
could not accept the treaty of Admiral
Lepredour ; and added, that the negotiators would
be accompanied by vessels of war to protect
the lives of French citizens. M. Raudot denounced
all attempts at interference in the affairs of South
America, declared that an armed negotiation was a
conditional war, and hoped that the Government of
Monte Video would be warned that the present
was the last subsidy that would be voted to it
Admiral Dupetit Thouars urged the fitting out of
a large expedition for the defence of Monte Video,
and the vigorous prosecution of hostilities against
Buenos Ayres. The debate was adjourned at the
conclusion of the Admiral's speech.

MINING INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Mining Journal of this day.)
The mining share market continues active, and a
large amount of business has been transacted during
the week. The probability of a progressive improve-
ment with the new year is fully anticipated from the
general inquiries now making for shares sold for in-
vestment.
Heignston Downs Consols is reported to be in an
improving position ; some very rich stones of copper
have been taken from the 35 fathom level, weigh-
ing upwards of 1401bs. in a stone.
In Tincroft and Tamar Consols there has been some
large transactions during the week ; the former con-
tinues improving, and Tamar Consols is at present in
a very gratifying position.
South and East Tamar reports are of a very satis-
factory character ; and the pitches, in the former
especially, have been set at a low tribute, whilst the
men are making good wages. A large number of
shares have changed hands this Week ; and inquiries
for them are rather above the supply at present prices.
At East Tamar, 70 tons of silver-lead ores have been
sold—the highest offer being 141. 15s. 6d., being two
months' raisings.
Cook's Kitchen continues to improve, and a demand
for the shares exists.
Several Trelawney shares have changed hands this
week.
A dividend of 22/. 10s. per share was declared at
the meeting of North Pool.
At Balleswidden two monthly account, a dividend
of 9s. per share, amounting to 7301. 16s. was de-
clared for September and October, leaving balance
of 74/. 2s. Bd. to credit of adventurers, exclusive of
balance left from the previous account. The mine is
represented in a very prosperous position.
At Spearne Consols account for September and
Ocrober, a dividend of 355.; per share for the two
months was declared, leaving balance in hand of 1951.
This appears to be the 14th dividend in four years,
affording an average return of 80 per cent. per an.
num on the original outlay. The mine is reported
to be highly productive and progressively improving.
Shares in the following mines have changed hands
since our last :—East Wheal Rose, Treviskey and
B alder, Devon Great Consols, Bedford United,
Treleigh Consols, South Tamar, ileignston Down,
Wheal May, East Tamar, Cook's Kitchen, Wheal
Trehane, Tincroft, Lamerhoe, West Providence, Cam-
borne Consols, East Buller, Tregorden, Trelawney,
West Caradon, Mary Ann, Condurrow, South
Frances, East W heal Crofty, Herodsfoot, South
Tolgus, West Wheal Jewel, and Devon and Courte-
nay Consols.
At Tregorden bi-monthly account, for September
and October, a balance of 269/. ss. was found against
the company, and a call of 11. per share was made.
Arrangements were made for the purpose of erecting
a 36 inch cylinder engine, the improved prospects of
the mine fully warranting an efficient development.
At the Callington Mines' quarterly meeting, held
on Wednesday last, the statement of accounts for the
the three months ending September showed a balance
of 2,222/..25. 7d. against the Callington Nines, and
1,245/ Gs. Bd. against the Kelly Bray sett. The
agent's repOrt holds out encouragement of improve-
ments and increased returns, on the lode being inter-
sected in the 125 fm. level, and the diagonal shaft
being sunk to the same depth.
The East Crowndale Mining Company held their
annual meeting on Monday last. The balance in
favour of the mine amounts to 101/. 10s. 2d. The
sales of ores during the year appear to be 1,8971.45. sd.
The committee's report enters into a full explanation
of their position last year, and furnishes a very satis-
factory account of their present prospects, and econo-
mical system adopted for bringing
the mine into a
permanent and profitable state of working.
In Foreign Mines there has been an average
amount of business done, especially
in St. John del
Rey and United Mexican shares ; in the latter there
has been a decline, whilst in the former an advance.
National Brazilian, Copiapo, and Guadalcanal shares
have also changed hands.
The Linares weekly report represents the opera-
tions as proceeding in a very satisfactory manner.
Dispatches have been received by the Imperial Bra-
zilian Association to the 3d November. The gold
returns have much improved upon last advices ; the
produce for 19 days is—Gongo, from 13th Oct. to 2d
Nov., lbs., 9 5 6 0; Banana!, lbs., 8 3 7 0--17 8 13 0:
total amount since Ist July, lbs. 69 1 16 0.