The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-12 00:00:00

MATES.

FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATES.--James Mitchell Millar,
James Clarke, John Guthrie, William Babiegton, Wil-
li= Cargill.
SECOND CLASS.—Henry Golding, William Comyns
Leach, Frederick Drevar, David Mackie, John Barr,
Timothy Laing, John Buckland*, John Hingston,
Alexander White, Fred. Henry Kitton, John Claudius
Gilson, James Teinder.
THIRD CLASS—Robert Scarlett.
PENIS LE MARCHANT.
Board of Trade, Whitehall, 7th March, 1850.
* Qualified for steam-vessels only.

EXPLOSION AND LOSS OF LIFE
AT THE HOUNSLOW POWDER-MILLS.
Yesterday afternoon the town of Hounslow and the
adjoining districts for several miles round were
thrown into a state of the greatest possible alarm and
excitement in consequence of a terrific explosion, or
rather series of explosions, occurring in the powder-
mills belonging to Messrs. Curtis and Harvey, the
well-known and extensive gunpowder manufacturers
and contractors, which, it is to be regretted has
been attended with a vast destruction of valuable pro-
perty ; and, what is still more lamentable, several
human beings have been hurried into eternity, and
a great many more so severely injured that their re-
covery is despaired of.
Before attempting to give an outline of the cir-
cumstances attending this deplorable event, it is ne-
cessary to state, for the information of the reader,
that about two miles from the Hounslow Railway,
Station, and about half a mile from the public high-
way, on the southern side of the road, stood a variety
of manufactories, sheltered only from public view by
a number of stately trees, belonging to the above
firm. The approach to these buildings was by means
of a narrow cart-road, sufficiently wide to allow only
of the vehicles belonging to the works to pass to and
fro. The great distance of the mills from the public
highway was to prevent any improper characters, or
persons smoking, to approach near them, lest by
their imprudence they should be the means of causing
such a calamity as that we are about to narrate.
About half-past three o'clock yesterday afternoon
a scene took place which it would be extremely diffi-
cult accurately to describe ; for all of a sudden a
noise resembling the discharge of a park of artillery
was heard, which shook the houses for miles round to
the very foundations, causing the inhabitants to rush
forth in a state of partial phrenzy, many persons be--
lieving that an earthquake had taken place. Upon
looking, however, towards the mills in the distance,
the few passengers on the turnpike-road beheld suffi-
cient to satisfy them that one of the mills had ex-
ploded, for a dense cloud of smoke was seen rising
high into the air, and before it had cleared away,
several bodies were observed to drop in sundry direc-
tions amongst the trees. A cry was instantly raised by
the parties near, " The mills have exploded !" and
they immediately made to the lodge, near the en-
trance,
was fo r
openedth the
purposeby
an
elderlyo f rendering.
female
lassistance.living
The
there,
when the parties were again astonished by another
explosion of much greater violence than the first.
This was soon ascertained to have taken place in one
of the corning houses, for the roof was seen to be
falling from a high distance, and by the time it
reached the ground another explosion, making the
third, happened. This was the loudest of any of the
two previous, the concussion of the air being so great
that horses drawing vehicles a mile away from the
scene of the calamity were thrown down, and scarcely
a pedestrian passing for a greater distance was able
to keep his equilibrium.
The inhabitants near the station of the railway,
generally speaking, consisted of the men and their
families working in the mills. Upon hearing these
series of explosions they soon became aware of what
had happened, and in less than a minute or so a great,
number of females, the wives of the unfortunate men,
rushed into the road, followed by numerous groups of
children, and ran towards the mills, all uttering eja-
culations for the safety of their husbands and rela-
tives. These poor creatures had not proceeded far on
theirjourney when another explosion occurred, and
before the noise had subsided two or three more of
similar violence followed in rapid succession.
The noise occasioned by the latter explosions were
sensibly felt at Brentford, Kew, and even at Rich-
mond, and several hundred persons from these places
started off to ascertain the cause. Before they had
time, however, to get there, they met messengers
running in every direction for medical assistance,
which at once impressed every one with the convic-
tion that several persons were either killed or dread-
fully injured.
Fortunately no further explosions happened, but
it was some time before any one was satisfied that all
danger was over. When the grounds were entered
a fearful spectacle presented itself, for not fewer than
seven of the mills or stores were levelled with the
ground ; and a great many of the workmen were
lying in various directions, some bleeding most pro-
fusely from sundry wounds in their bodies, whilst
others were so burnt and blackened by the force of
the explosions, that they could only be recognised by
their speech.
Respecting the cause of the calamity nothing is at
present known, and it is extremely doubtful whether
it ever will. The first explosion, it has been satis-
factorily learned, happened in one of the " corning-
houses," but the whole of the parties employed
therein have been either killed, or so dreadfully in-
jured, as to be unable to give any account of the
catastrophe.
The engines from Hounslow-barracks and other
places near were quickly taken to the spot,. but their
services were scarcely required, the devastation having
been so complete.
The medical men from Hounslow and Brentford
mustered in strong numbers, when they pronounced
five of the unfortunate men as being quite dead, and
a great many more beyond hopes of recovery. At
present it would be impossible to tell the names of
those killed, the bodies having been so disfigured as
to be scarcely recognisable.
The men who escaped the effects of the explosion
were at once set to work in looking round the parks
to see whether they could find any other parties in-
jured. The result of their search leaves little doubt
that the number of persons killed is eight or nine;
for besides those pronounced dead by the surgeons, so
many remains of human bodies were collected together
from different parts of the estate, as to leave no doubt
that several other parties have perished.
The supposed names of six of the parties who were
killed have been furnished to the reporter ; but as
some doubt exists as to their identity, it has been re-
quested that the names may not be published at pre-
sent. One thing is quite certain, that some of the
poor fellows will scarcely ever be recognised except
by their clothes.
A man named Pierce was, out of the great many
persons injured, the only one who could be removed
to the hospital. None of the others, it was feared,
would survive the journey to town.
It is now about eight years since a similar explo•
sion occurred, but fortunately the consequences were
far less disastrous than on the present occasion.
It is not a little singular that on Tuesday last in-
formation was received in town that these mills were
destroyed, and the writer of the present report pro•
ceeded to the spot, but found there was not the least
foundation for such a rumour.
Besides the destruction of the works above alluded
to, the whole of the small houses occupied by men
working on the premises have the window-glass
broken and the roofs disiNet&

BROMLEY COLLEGE.—At a meeting "of' the trustees
of Bromley College, held at Lambeth Palace on Monday
the 11th instant, the following ladies were elected to fill
the vacancies which have occurred in that society—viz ,
Mrs. Bennett. Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Whitfield, Mrs.
Hopkins, and Mrs. Piggott.
MEMOIRS OF A HUNGARIAN LADY. By Theresa
Pulszky.—We need hardly inform our readers that the
authoress of this work is the accomplished wife of the
gentleman who was originally accredited to the English
Cabinet by the Provisional Government of Hungary.
The private interest attaching to the recital of events
which have become so famous, would ensure a wide po-
pularity for Madame Pulszky's book ; but we should
very much under estimate its value if we so limited our
praise. The memoirs, indeed, contain sketches of 'social
lif3 which are worthy of a place by the side of Madame
de Steel de Launay and Madame Campan. But they are
also rich in political and topographical information of the
first character. Madame Pulszky was in the habit of di-
rect intercourse with the foremost and most distinguished
of the Hungarian generals and statesmen, and has given
a complete summary of the political events in Hungary,
from the arrival of the Hungarian Deputation in 1848, to
the treason of General Gorgey on the 13th of August,
1849. M. Pulszky has also prefixed a valuable intro-
duction, which gives the most complete histJry of Hun-
gary that has ever issued from the English press.—Globe.
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—HOIIOWay'S Pilly, a superior
Remedy for old Coughs, recent Colds, and Asthmatical Com-
plaints.—lt is confirmed daily by persons who have been great
sufferers that these wonderful Pills are an effectuul cure fur old
coughs, recent colds, wheezings on the chest, shortness of
breath, and asthmatical complaints. Such are the extraor-
dinary powers of Holloway's Pills that a few doses will give
relief to the most obstinate cases of diseases of the chest, and
those who have been afflicted for years, and found every other
medicine useless, may, by a little perseverance and care, obtain
a permanent cure: They are also an effectual remedy for
hoarseness and complaints of the throat.—Sold by all Drug-
gists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand,
Leaden.

RAILWAY AUDIT BILL.

The provisions of this Bill as presented to the House
of Lords by the Earl Granville are substantially as
follows :
The preamble recites the necessity for a more
effectual audit of the accounts of railway companies ;
and in the same clause it is enacted that—
" The provisions of this Act shall apply to every
company incorporated for making any railway in
Great Britain or in Ireland."
The other proposed enactments may be thus ab-
stracted :
" Sec. 2. The shareholders of every railway of
which the paid-up capital for the time being amounts
to 200,0001. or upwards may elect one delegate by
the votes only of the shareholders personally present,
annually, for the purposes of the Act.
" Sec. 3. No officer or director to be a delegate.

" Sec. 4. Delegates to continue in office for one year,
but to be re-eligible unless they have resigned, or
become incompetent or disqualified to act.
" Sec. 5. Within one week after each election, the
secretary of the company shall, under his hand and
the company's seal, certify the election, name, and
address of the delegate to the Commissioners of
Railways.
"Sec. 6. The Commissioners of Railways shall call
the first meeting of delegates in the present year,
and shall in 1852, and in every subsequent year, call
a meeting in the month of February, giving fourteen
days' notice by advertisement in the London Gazette,
and by letter sent by post to each delegate, of the
time and place of such meeting. At each meeting
the delegates present shall choose their chairman, who
shall, unless he resign, be the chairman as long as he,
without re-election, continues a delegate.
" Sec. 7. The election of chairman shall be certified
to the Commissioners of Railways in ;writing, signed
by two at least of the delegates present at it.
" Sec. 8. The chairman may call meetings of the
delegates when he deems its necessary, and any six
or more delegates may, by requisition in writing
fully expressing the object in view, have a meeting
called ; or in the absence of the chairman (after due
notice), his death, resignation, incompetency, or dis-
qualification, call one themselves.
" Sec. 9. Fourteen days' notice in the Gazette, and
notice by post to the delegates of each of their meet-
ings to be given, in which the time and place as well
as the object of the meeting shall be stated.
" Sec. 10. A chairman pro tempore may be
elected by the delegates present.
" Sec. 11. Refers to the quorum, which is of course
at present undecided as to number.
"Sec. 12. Meetings may be adjourned, the same
notices as are required of an original meeting being
required to be given in such case.
"Sec. 13. Fixes the scale of voting at the meetings.
The delegate of every company, of which the paid-up
capital for the time being is less than 2,000,0001.,
shall be entitled to one vote ; if above 2,000,0001. and
under 5,000,0001., two ♦otes ; if above 5,000,000/. and
under 10,000,000/., three votes; and above that sum
(with certain exceptions thereinafter mentioned), four
votes. If any difference as to the amount of paid-up
capital should arise, the chairman must, within three
days, report a statement of it to the Commissioners,
whose decision in the matter shall be final.

" Sec. 14. Auditors to be elected at the first meeting
or some adjournment thereof by the majority of dele-
gates present, and the election to be certified by the
chairman to the Commissioners within one week.

" Sec. 15. Whenever two auditors, other than the
chairman of the auditors, are to be elected, each
delegate to have double the number of votes set forth
in the above scale (sec. 13), which he may give to one
candidate, or distribute as he may think fit.
" Sec. 16. If the delegates fail to elect auditors, the
Treasury may appoint them.
" Sec. 17. The Commissioners of Railways are,
within a time to be specified, to publish the names of
auditors elected or appointed, in the London Gazette.
"Sec. 18. Two auditors to form a quorum.
" Sec. 19. The auditors to provide an office.
" Sec. 20. The auditors to appoint a secretary and
officers, &c., removable at their pleasure.
" Sec. 21. No person, either legally or equitably
entitled to or interested in railway property, shall be
eligible to ha auditor or secretary, or any other of-
ficer or servant of the auditors, each being required
to make a declaration before a competent Court once
a year, that he is not so interested, and if notice of
any intervening interest shall be given by the party
to whom it bas accrued, to the Commissioners forth-
with, he shall not thereby become disqualified from
acting for six months, but shall, if he do not sooner
cease to possess such interest, give notice thereof to
the Commissioners.

"Sec. 22. Every person acting, being disqualified,
and failing to make the required declarations, shall
be liable to a penalty of 501., with full costs, and, in
defence to an action to recover it, must prove that he
was not disqualified while acting ; his acts, however,
to be as valid as if he were qualified.
" Sec. 23. The chairman or any auditor may
be removed by a majority of not less than two-
thirds of the delegates present at a meeting, pro-
vided that notice of the resolution to remove, and of
the grounds of it, be distinctly given in the advertise-
ment and letters calling the meeting, and that the
decision be confirmed by the Railway Commissioners.
When the chairman or auditor is removed for other
grounds than neglect or misbehaviour, or resigns, an
annuity, or retiring allowance, or donation, may be
granted to him by the meeting, and also requires
confirmation by the Commissioners.
" Sec. 24. Empowers the auditors to make arrange-
ments for continuous audits, and to inspect and exa-
mine all the accounts of any railway company, and
all the books, vouchers, and other documents refer.
ring to the accounts, and to require every officer and
servant of the company to give every information in
his power in relation to such accounts, and to require
when they think fit the separation in the company's
books of any head or heads of account, or the opening
of any fresh head or heads of account, and to examine
any officer of the company on oath (or affirmation),
touching the accounts of such company.
" Sec. 25. Every person examined upon oath, &c.,
under the provisions of the 24th section, giving false
evidence, to be held guilty of perjury ; and all officers
and servants refusing or wilfully neglecting to pro-
duce to the auditors, or to their officers duly autho-
rised, any account books or other documents, to be
guilty of a misdemeanour.
" Sec. 26. The auditors from time to time after
the periodical accounts of a railway company are
made up, to make and sign a separate report upon
the accounts of such company; and if they consider
that the receipts and expenditure are incorrectly
set forth in the accounts, or are incorrectly ap-
propriated to the capital revenue account, or appro-
priated to improper heads in other accounts, or that
the true state of the affairs of the company is not fairly
represented in the accounts, or that dividends have
been declared, not made out of the profits, or that law
expenses have been paid without previous taxation,
they are to report the same, and to transmit the re-
port to the secretary of the company, within a month
after the making up of such periodical accounts.
" Sec. 27. A dissentient auditor may report sepa-
rately, transmitting his report within the time above
limited to the secretary.
" Sec. 28. Within a week of the receipt of the re-
port by the secretary of the company he must trans-
mit a copy to each shareholder.
" Sec. 29. The auditors shall report the details of
their establishment and expenditure annually to Par-
liament.

" Sec. 30. The salaries of the chairman of the au-

ditors, the auditors and their officers, left open as to
amount, but to be defrayed out of moneys to be paid
by the railway companies.
" Sec. 31. Within a period to be fixed, the several
railway companies shall contribute, proportionably to
their paid-up capital, the sum of 10,0001.
" Sec. 32. Sums received to be paid to the account
of 'the Auditors of Railway Accounts in the Bank
of England.
"Sec. 33. The auditors shall frame a half-yearly
statement of their salaries and expenses, and of the
sum required by them for the ensuing half-year, and
of the apportioned part of such sum to be contributed
by each company, and forward a copy of such state-
ment to the secretary of such company, which sums
are to be paid to the Commissioners of the Inland
Revenue.
" Sec. 34. Provides for the recovery of the sums
payable by railway companies.
" Sec. 35. Moneys paid to the auditors' account
may be Faid out on their cheques or orders, signed
by two at least, and countersigned by the secretary.
" Sen. 36. The auditors' accounts to be open for
the delegates' inspection on certain days to be fixed,
and at all other times when a meeting of delegates
shall by resolution require it.
" Sec. 37. The Commissioners for auditing the
Public Accounts of this kingdom to audit the accounts
of the railway audit.
Sec. 38. Provides that if the majority of the dele-
gates in meeting resolve that the auditors' expenditure
is improper or excessive, their chairman shall certify
such resolution to the Commissioners of Railways,
who may inquire into the matter, and if they think
fit, direct the expenditure to be reduced or discon-
tinued.
" Sec. 39. The officers of the auditors are to travel
free of charge on all railways in the class of carriage
named in the auditors' order.
66 Soc. 40, epe§ls the soiii4ices of the 6 CM.

parries' Clauses Consolidation Act (1845),' and of the
' Companies' Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act
(1845),' as regard the appointment and duties of
auditors.

" Sec. 41. Provides that this Act is not to affect the
`Newport and Pontypool Railway Act (11 and 12
Vict., c. 120, sec. 23-B),' or the 'Monmouthshire
Railway and Canal Company,' until the Ist August,
1859, or the Eastern Union Railway Company (12
and 13 Vict., c. 92, s. 16) until the Ist of August,
1854.

" Sec. 42. Formally provides that this Act may be
reFealed or amended in the present session." -

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the Hay..
market Theatre with their presence yesterday evening.
The royal suite consisted of the Countess of Mount
Edgecumbe, Hon. Matilda Paget, Lord Dufferin,
Colonel Bouverie, and Lord Alfred Paget.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on
horseback yesterday morning, attended by Colonel
Bouverie.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales,
Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice,
and the Princess Helena, touk their usual airings
yesterday in the garden of Buckingham Palace.
A deputation on the subject of the repeal of attor-
neys' and proctors' certificate tar, had an interview
with Lord John Russell yesterday, at his official resi-
dence in Downing-street. The deputation consisted
of Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P. for Middlesex ; Mr.
George Alexander Hamilton, M.P. for University of
Dublin ; Mr. John Sadlier, M.P. for Carlow ; Mr.
Alexander Smollett, M.P. for Dumbartonshire ; Mr.
Clarke, President of the Incorporated Law Society of
the United Kingdom ; Mr. Harrison, Vice-President ;
Messrs. Wing and Barnes, members of the Council ;
and Mr. Maugham, Secretary of the Society.
A deputation, including Mr. W. S. Lindsay (of
London), Mr. S. R. Graves (of Liverpool), and Mr.
Allan Gilmour (of Glasgow), had an interview with
the Right Honourable 11. Labouchere yesterday,
at the office of the Board of Trade, on the sub-
ject of the present maritime measures before Par-
liament.

Colonel Mason had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday at the Home-office. Lord Ashley
had an interview yesterday with the Right Honour-
able Baronet.

A deputation, consisting of Mr. Ewart (Liverpool),
Mr. James (Birmingham), Mr. Mellor (Manches-
ter), Mr. Jose (Bristol), Mr. Norris (Berkshire),
Mr. Douglas (York), Mr. Baker (Southampton), and
Mr. Swift, had an interview with the Commissioners
of Railways yesterday at their office in the Board of
Trade.

Dr. Wiseman had an interview with Lord John
Russell yesterday.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Mary
Wood returned to their residence in Downing-street,
yesterday afternoon, from Brighton.
Mr. Hutt, Mr. Grainger, and a deputation from
South Australia, had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday, at the Colonial-office.

- A deputation from the maglstrates of Lancashire,
upon the County Rates and Expenditure Bill, had an
interview yesterday with Secretary Sir George Grey.
The deputation consisted of Mr. Wilson France, Mr.
Addison, Rev. T. S. Mills, Rev. J. S. Birley, Mr. J.
Peel, Mr. Ashworth, and Mr. Heald, M.P.
The Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, M.P., and a
deputation had an interview yesterday with Lord
John Russell.

Mr. Fletcher, Mr. John Darlington, and Mr. Wat-
kins, for South Lancashire coal proprietors, bad an
interview yesterday with the Right Hon. H. La-
bouchere.

Lord Robert Grosvenor, Sir Robert H. Inglis, and
Sir Thomas D. Acland, had an interview yesterday
with Lord John Russell.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

The comedy of the Elder Brother, one of the
latest creations of Fletcher, usually styled the
" Orphan Comedy," because not published until
after the death of the poet, was revived here last
evening with complete success. This comedy was
performed by Mr. Charles Dickens, Mr. Mark
Lemon, and the literary amateurs, at Miss Kelly's
Theatre, about three years since, and the success
which then attended its representation may probably
have induced Mr. Anderson to undertake its revival,
more especially as his own impersonation of Charles,
the elder brother, had been most favourably re-
ceived in America. The Charles of Mr
Anderson is a most artistic impersonation, the
dreamy book-worm, has never been more cleverly
represented than he was last night by Mr. Anderson,
whose declamation of the beautiful poetry of Fletcher'
was admirable. His conception of the part was per-
fect, and his execution of it as perfect as his con-
ception. The part of Eustace, the younger brother,
was allotted to Mr. W. Montague ; this gentleman
no doubt did his best, but he seems to have scarcely
sufficient calibre for the part. The Brissac of Mr.
W. Davidge was a careful and excellent perform-
ance, and the Miramount of Mr. Emery was the
work of an accomplished and intelligent artist, who
was well studied in his author. Every line
was delivered with propriety, and as the author would
have wished to have had it delivered ; every point
told, and he richly merited the applause which was
bestowed on him with no niggard hand. Miss Van
denhoff played the part of Angelina with 'great deli-
cacy and taste, and succeeded (a somewhat difficult
task) in making the character feminine and interest-
ing. The piece was admirably put on the stage, and
at the conclusion Mr. Anderson, Mr. Emery, and
Miss Vandenhoff were called before the curtain. Tne
house was well attended.