The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-08 00:00:00

T HE SOUTH-AV STERN RAILWAY

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-1t about ten o'clock on Sunday night last
the engine of Cal excursion train fro:n Bent'aatnpton
broke down, and we were unable to proceed
further than Winchfield station, and the telegraph
there was out of order. However, it happened
fortunately that I was one of the passengers.
Being in the service of the Electric Telegraph
Company, and finding that there was no one at the
station who could, under the circumstances, commu-
nicate a mesiage relating to the accident, I immediately
put the instrument in order sufficiently, by charging
the batterieF, &c., to he enabled to send a metsage
to Southampton for another engine, which arrived
at about twelve o'clock. Had I not been in
the train, it would not have reached London until three
hours later than it actually did. From having been
there at the time the accident ha ppened, it has suggested
itself to my mind that it would be an excellent
precaution fur each train to be provided with an
nstrument and batteries, so that in case of any
accident at any of the ntermediate stations, where
there are no telegraphs, the wires might be easily
attached to the line-wires, and the necessary commu-
nication made. This would be, in my estimation,
an excellent safeguard for the future in case
of any accident on the line, The guard might
be easily taught to connect up and work the instru-
ments, so as to be prepared in any case of emergency.
The same plan could be adopted very easily even
should the accident occur where there is no station
whatever. Hoping that you will consider this
worthy of insertion in your columns,
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A. L. KRONE,
Head of the Telegraphic Department, Waterloo
Station, London.

Oct. 8, 1850.

====r==
TRH STEAMER PACIFIC.—The wind having set in
strongly from the west, we may expect this fine vessel to-
morrow at Liverpool, as we anticipate she will carry sail in
addition to her steam power. She sailed from New York on
the 23th of September, and will therefore bring three days'
later news than the Asia.

The accounts of the state of trade in the provinces
during the past week present nothing to call for remark,
business having generally been steady at former price,. At
Manchester there bas been considerable dulness, which was
partially relieved, however, by the better intelligence from
Bombay.

The weekly reviews of the Amsterdam and Rotter
dam markets allude to the trifling nature of the variations
which had lately occurred in prices. Sugar and coffee were
regarded as being steadily supported, but there was a con-
siderable decrease in business. The tendency of the tobacco
market was favourable, owing to the trade showing a desire
to purchase, and holders refusing to accept current rates.
GREAT CHESS MATCH.—Arrangements are in pro-
gress for a great chess match, to be pl9yed by " amateurs of
all nations, ' during the Exhibition of 1851. The idea ori-
ginated with Mr. Staunton, the first known player in the
world; and the first to respond to it was a player at Cal-
cutta, who has forwarded a handsome subscription. It is
proposed to have a number of " chess tournaments," the en-
tries to be 51. each, and the first prize 5001. Another sug-
gestion is, that the English chess clubs shall each send a
champion player, with a moderate sum as entrance money,
and the winner of the match to receive the prize, in the
form of a handsome trophy, in silver.
• The latest advices from Oregon are very fa-
vourable. Each new exploration of the country confirms its
general fertiiity, and its capacity for raising grain and stock.
Farming continued to prove extremely profitable, and there
was a large and steady immigration from the Atlantic States.
Enterprise was also active, and three new steamers were
building to run on the Columbia. Nothing further had
transpired regarding the gold discoveries, but the belief that
considerable deposits exist on Rogue River was still enter-
tained.

From Hayti intelligence has been received that the
llaytian flee', consisting of one sloop of war, two brigs, and
four schooners, had sailed from Port-an-Prince on tie 9th
of August, the Emperor being on board the sloop. Its desti-
nation was supposed to be a neighbouring port.
..lhe mercantile accounts from Rio de Janeiro
reach to the 3d of August. The limited transactions of the
past month had caused a decline in the rate of exchange,
which had touched 26k, but it had sub,equently rallied, and
the market closed with firmness at 2711. In coffee the nn-
favourable accounts continuously received from Europe and
the United States had caused much dulness, and a consider-
able decline in prices. This had been followed, however, by'
a gradul improvement, which, owing to the facts ascertained
regarding the failure of the last crop, was thought likely to
be maintained. The crop year ended the :30th of June had
yielded 1,135,206 bags of coffee, being 522,560 bags less than
the preceding year, and 703,532 bags less than 'lB4B. With
regard to the new crop, the belief was that it would fall far
short of what had been at one time anticipated, long drought
in several districts having caused serious injury.
IMPORTATION OF COTTON FROM INDIA.--The ship
Eliza Pirie, arrived from Bombay, has brought the large
quantity of 3,018 bales of cotton, as part of her cargo, to
London ; and another vessel, arrived on the same day from
Bombay, brought the still larger quantity of 5,387 bales and
17 half bales of cotton, of East India produce, consigned also
to order.

HIGH WIND AND Low TIDE.—The heavy gale of
wind which sprang up on Sunday evening continued to
rage with increased force throughout the night. At day-
break it was blowing nearly a hurricane from S. to W.S.W.,
and it was not till nine o'clock that it in any way abated.
It bad great influence on the tide. The gale being directly
down the river, a very low tide was the result. The nume-
rous tiers of vessels in the Pool were aground, and for a time
all navigation was stopped, even the small steamers that
ply above bridge touching the bottom of the river. A more
shallow channel has not been seen in the Thames for some
time. Several casualties took place during the gale, but we
have not heard of any of a serious character.

Have nothing to do with those good-natured
friends who make a practice of letting you know all the evil
which they may hear spoken about you. Those people take
especial care to let you hear nothing of the good, if there is
any going.—Eliza cook's Journal.

A YANKEE COMPARISON.—At a debating meeting
in Indiana, one of the speakers made the following practical
comparison :—" A smoky chimney is no more to be com-
pared to a scolding wife than a little nigger to a dark night."
-- New York Fuzzyguzsy.
DEATH OF JOHN FANE, ESQ.—It is with great
regret that we announce the death of John Fane, Esq., of
Wormsley, who died from an attack of pleurisy on Friday
last, in •the 76th year of his age. He was grandson of
Henry, brother of Thomas, eighth Earl of Westmoreland;
and succeeded his father, John vane, Esq., as one of the
representatives of Oxfordshire in February, 1824, and con-
tinued to represent that county until the dissolution of Par-
liament in 1832. He is succeeded in his estates in Oxford-
shire, Bucks, Essex, and Dorset, by his eldest son, John W.
Fane, Esq., of Shirburne Lodge, who inherits his father's
principles.
LONDON COFFEE AND EATING-HOUSE KEEPERS'
AaSeCIATioN.— Yesterday evening a meeting of the commit-
tee of management, and others interested in the welfare of
this institution, established in 1837, for the purpose of grant-
ing relief to aged and decayed members of both trades and
their widows, was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, for the
transaction of general business. The report of the society's
progress was satisfactory. The funded capital in the hands
of the Commissioners for Reduction of the National Debt, at
the date of the last audit, amounted to 2,3001.
TRANSFER or LICENCES.—ST. MARYLEBoNE, OCT.
7. (Present Sir' Peter Laurie, Chairman ; Peter Laurie,
Esq.; John Laurie, Esq. ; and W. Williams, Esq.)—Cock
and Lion, Wigmore-street, Parkin Fothergill to Henry Car-
Benter Lockington. Fortune of War, East-street, Wm.
yres to John Codding,ton. Green Man, Union-street,
Caroline Kift to William Henry Main. Jacob's Well,
Charles-street, Daniel Moynihan to John Jackson. King's
Head, Portland-street, Charles Le Neve to Alfred Haskell.
Phceuix, Princes-street, Cavendish-square, Thomas Francis
Young to John Miles. Union, John-street, Robert Henry
Drover to Edward Dewen. Worcester Arms, George-
street, Portman-square, Ann Dickson, widow and executrix
of George Dickson, the late occupier, to Thomas Dickson.
THE BOULOGNE PAcEET DRIVEN Ta MARGATE.—
The packet that left Boulogne at ten o'clock on Sunday
night for Folkestone encountered so severe a gale in the
Channel that, instead of making the harbour at the latter
port, she was forced round to Margate, where she was run
ashore yesterday (Monday) morning at seven o'clock. All
her passengers landed iu safety, and started for London by
railway.
Humility is the best evidence of' real religion, as
arrogance, self-conceit, and pretension, are the infallible cri-
teria of a pharasaical devotion.—Eliza Cook's Journal.
A RELIC OF THE ANCIENT MARINER.—A few
days since an old sailor visited the Glducester docks, wearing
a noble pig-tail. This is probably the last of the pig-
tails, at least, in . this neighbourhood ; and: it is a capital
specimen of its kind, being more than a toot long, of consider-
able thickness, and stiff as a poker. The owner of this once
fashionable appendage is 81 years of age, he lives at Cat-
combe, and in his former days was a merchant seaman. Ile
stated to our informant that he had worn this ornament since
the, age of nine years. Calculating, then, that half an hour
a day has been devoted to twisting and binding it—nor is
this too much to do it handsomely --ens or two years of the
old man's life have been employed in decorating his "truck"
alone.— Gloucester Journal.
THE LORD ADVOCATE.—The improvement in the
heath of the Lord Advocate still continues. His Lordship was
better on Friday.
A Naw DESCRIPTION OF FOOD. I\'e learn that
a 'new' dis counescription of foo—the Dari—is being introduced
into thtry. It isd a grain or pulse, something be-
tween the lentil and Indian corn, and is described as ex-
kellently adapted for mixing with the lower descriptions of
meal and flour which it improves both in ta-te and colour.
In Ireland it has already been imported.--Lieerpoo/ Standatd.
CURIOUS ANECDOTE IN NATURAL HISTORY.--A
favourite magpie had been accustomed to receive dainty bits
from the mouth of its mistress. The other day it perched,
as usual, on her shoulder, and inserted its beak between her
lips, not, as it proved, to receive, for, as one good turn deserves
another, the grateful bird dropped an immense green fat
caterpillar into the lady's mouth ! Literary Gazette.
ROYAL ARTlLLERY.—Promotions—First Lieute-
naut George Henry Yes?), to be Second Captain, vice Rod-
well, deceased; Second Lieutenant William George Le
Mesurier to be First Lieutenant, vice Vesey.
A ROYAL FLOWER.—There is at present in pos-
session of Mr. A. Row, innkeeper, lilackhillock, parish of
arse 3i asa
Royal George Geranium, of the following di-
-5 feet 10 inches; circumference, 11 feet
10 inches round the branches; height of the stem, before it
branches into 4 boughs, 1 foot 8 inches; circumference of
the stem 4 inches.—Elpn Courier.
SCRIBBLING ON WALLS.—A correspondent of the
Builder suggests that this abominable practice, which, by
ti e Faye, ii at least as old as the days of Pompeii, and which
now preYails especially in tl.e bye-corners of railway stations,
Might be obviated by mixing the paidt, where used for such
Place.% with rough sand,