The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-24 00:00:00

~~~~1
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2-211

Sun,

LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1868.

All that relates to the fatal accident at Abergele
sure to attract public attention, and the letter from
the Marquis of HAMILTON on thesubject will be found
to afford information of an interesting kind, and
particular importance is attached to it from his
lordship being one of the travellers on that fatal
expedition. What comes direct from a witness of
the catastrophe is of far more consequence than
the accounts which reach us through many sources,
with additions or omissions as the case may be.
About a mile from the Abergele station the pas-
sengers were startled by a collision, which threw
every one against his neighbour, but is reported to
have been not " very severe." Upon jumping out
of the carriage Lord lIAmILTort met a fearful sight.
" Already the whole of the three passenger car-
riages in front of ours, the vans, and engine, were
enveloped in dense sheets of flame and smoke, rising
fully twenty feet 11;gh, and spreading out in
every direction; it was the work of an instant." It
is impossible to overrate the ripility with which
the conflagration spread, but it is some satisfaction
to think that the unfortunate victims to the acci-
dent escaped the horrors of burning. In this letter
we find that " not a sound, not a scream, not a

struggle to escape, or a movement of any sort was
apparent in the doomed carriages." 'lle best idea
of the quiet that prevailed there may be found in
the fact that it wa3 at first supposed there were no
passengers in the burning carriages. About an
hour afterwards the greatest horror prevailed when
it was discovered that this was a mistake, and their
contents of " charred and mutilated remains" were
apparent. Had a better knowledge prevailed, how-
ever, nothing could have been done to render assist-
ance to the unfortunate passengers, and hence it is as

well that their fellow-passengers were spared the hor-
ror of knowing the position vrithoat being able. to ex-
tricate them. Lord llAmmToN's suggestion is doubt-
le s when he says that the sufferers were in
all probability instantaneously suffocated by the
black and fetid smoke peculiar to paraffin, which
rose in volumes above and around. Great fears
were entertained for the safety of the Irish mail on
the up-line, but fortunately intelligence was con-
veyed of the calamity in time to stop the mischief
of another collision. It was also apprehended that
the engine-boilers might explode, but the engine-
driver, before jumping off, had the presence of
mind to turn off the steam, for which he deserves
great credit.
A more fearful warning of the uncertainty of
life, and the serious nature of railway acci-
dents, could scarcely be given than was afforded in
this affair. Lord HAMILTON writes thus :—" I
saw eleven bodies, if such they could be called,
removed and carefully wrapped up in sheets," and
beyond the knowledge that Lord and Lady FARN-
HAM were in these carriages, there was nothing to
" designate them individually, but a watch, with
Lord FARNHAM'S crest and coronet. After six
hours' delay the mail train proceeded on its way,
the ghastly figures and remnants of what a few
hours before had been their fellow passengers being
left behind by the survivors." The remarks at the
close of this letter on the cause of the accident are
very much to the point, and we entirely agree with
the opinion that the " highest degree of culpability"
is attached to those concerned in it, and it is impos-
sible to excuse and palliate the error, for the greatest
mismanagement and heedlessness will be found to
have prevailed. To quote the words of Lord HA-
MILTON, it is badienough of itself that an engine of
mischief so potent as paraffin should be placed at the
tail of a luggage-train subject to any shock or col-
lision that might befall it, but that " by careless-
ness the waggons should be allowed to detach
themselves down au incline and carry death to
every living thing obstructing them is a most serious
aggravation of the evil." It is certain that afier
this fearful calamity some provisions must be made
with respect to the arrangement of goods trains. In
all probability the same carelessness may have con-
stantly prevailed, but at Abergele some particular
circumstances rendered its consequences more
serious. Nothing can now be done to repair the
evil of the sad accident recorded, but at least let
us profit by the horrors of that sad affair to avoid
the possibility of its repetition. It has been too
much the habit to neglect the particulars connected
with goods trains, yet it must be evident
much depends upon the due observance of the regu-
lations for public safety. Paraffin, and other ex-
plosive materials, should, on no account, be con-
veyed along the line unless the most stringent re-
gulations are kept with respect to them. Besides
this, more caution must be maintained in regard to
the departure of trains, which should not be allowed
to succeed each other so closely, and it is worthy of
notice that goods trains might be sent at times
when no express trains are due on the line, and
thus the likelihood of so fearful a calamity as that
of Abergele would be avoided. It seems strange
that the propriety of some such arrangement should
not have struck those concerned before, but unfor-
tunately it too often happens that familiarity with
danger induces a total disregard to it, or something
very like it, and the public suffer for the neglect of
wise precautions. We have yet to dwell, however,
upon the details of a calamity that are of so painful a
nature, and so startling a character, that the most
callous must feel shocked, and the most indifferent
become concerned. As yet, indeed, the extent
of the evil has not been computed, and as time goes
on, and investigations are proceeded with, it be-
comes more evident that the loss is greater than
was at first estimated. Thirty-three is the number
now mentioned of those destroyed, but it is feared
that more will hereafter be found to have been
among the lost ones. The full extent of the cala-
mity cannot be estimated just now, and it will be
necessary to wait until the friends of the various
missing passengers have been able to ascertain their
whereabouts, and, failing this, to consider that
they were among those destroyed on Thursday. One
thing is certain amid all this vagueness, which is,
that the me.nory of the tragic circumstances at
Abergele will not soon pass away, but remain as a
nightmare in the recollection, and will cast a
gloom over the busy and gay scenes of everyday
existence.

On Friday evening the electors of Richmond,
Yorkshire, had the opportunity of listening to an
interesting address. Sir ROUNDELL PALMER'S ex-
position of his political sentiments attracted the
more attention from the fact of his having openly
declared that he could not follow the dictates of his
political leader with regard to the great question of
the Irish Church. Sir ROUNDELL PALMER., how-
ever, whatever his views on this particular question
of disendowment, is second to none in his liberal
interpretation of the doctrines of religious and poli-
tical equality. " If there be any difficulties," be
said to his constituents on Friday evening,
" which I feel about this question of the
Irish Church, undoubtedly it is not from
any wavering in my adhesion to the prin-
ciples of religious liberty or political equality.
The first speech I made in Parliament, at a time
when the question had made no great progress, was
in favour of the admission of Jews to seats in the
assembly. I believe when the Ecclesiastical Titles
Bill, as it is called, was introduced to make it penal
—although the law bas never been put in force—
for Roman Catholics to call their voluntary bishops
in unestablished churches in Ireland and England
by such names as are convenient to them, I was one
of the small minority in the House of Commons
who resolutely opposed that measure, and I had
the honour of being thanked for it by my Roman
Catholic countrymen in Ireland." Sir ROUNDELL
PALMER does not shrink from avowing his own
convictions, but so long as he is actuated by these
motives even his opponents must agree to differ from
him. With regard to Ireland itself he acknowledges a
deep anxiety to see a better state of feeling grow-
ing up. " It is impossible not to feel very anxious
at the constant chronic repetition of outbreaks, in-
surections, seditious , and conspiracies in Ireland."
It is not, as Sir ROUNDELL PALMER remarks, only
the Fenian conspiracy which we have to consider.
The state of affairs which fostered that conspiracy,
and indeed rendered it possible, has been of long
continuance, and every man who has the welfare
of his country at heart must agree with Sir R.
PALMER in his assertion that the. restoration of
peace, contentment, and harmony in Ireland, would
be the greatest blessing that could be conferred
on the United Kingdom.
Of his political chief Sir ROUNDELL PALMER
speaks with respect and admiration. He dif-
fers from him, as we Lave seen, on some
points, and especially with regard to the dis-
establishment of the English Church in Ire-
land, Sir ROUNDELL being also opposed to the dis-
continuance of the grant to Mayn ooth. But while
he thus disapproves of Mr. GLADSTONE'S panacea
for the embarrassments of Ireland,. he is ready to
acknowledge his good faith. So iar back as 1863
Mr. GLADSTONE told Sir ROUNDZLL PALMER in
confidence that he had made up his mind oit the sub-

ject, and that he should sooner or later give public
expression to his feelings. Ile did not know when
it would be practicable to do so, but he wished his
friends connected with the university to
consider whether, under the circumstances,
they would not desire a change in the
representation. That communication Sir RoUN-
DELL PALMER asserts took him altogether by
surprise, but from that time he has been aware of
Mr. GLADSTONE'S intentions. What were the right
hon. gentleman's reasons for reserving his change
of views until Mr. DISRAELI'S accession to power
Sir ROUNDELL PALMER does not say, neither does
he attempt to explain why no allusion was made to
them when Mr. GLADSTONE accepted office under
Lord RUSSELL. At that time his presence in the
Cabinet was absolutely indispensable to its exist-
enca. lie might therefore have made his own con-
ditions. Sir ROUNDELL PALMER is too accomplished
an advocate not to leave in discreet silence those
parts of a question which are unfavourable to his
client, though we see nothing of such reticence
in regard to his own position. Were he to yield
to considerations of personal interest, he frankly
admitted, he should waive all points of difference
between himself and his party, with whom on other
occasions he still hoped to act, but on matters con-
nected with his conscience he was not prepared to
go to the right or to the left.

The general feeling ;of the meeting appeared to
be in favour of their member, though one or two
questions were put to the learned gentleman. 'We
are sorry to find from his reply to one of these
that Sir ROUNDELL PALMER is no supporter of the
Ballot. It appears not a little singular that wise
men and conscientious statesmen continue session
after session their laborious endeavours to unravel
the gordian knot which might be so quickly and
so effectually disposed off by one trenchant and
timely blow.

The English public will learn with satisfaction
and relief that although the rumour was not alto-
gether without foundation the report of a Fenian
attack upon the life of her MAJESTY was untrue.
It seems that a man named CHARLES WILLIAM
Wool) was arrested for having endeavoured to enter
her MAJESTY'S apartments. The man, upon exami-
nation, proved to be insane, and was therefore
taken to Berne by the police and handed over to
the British Legation to be sent back to England.
It is possible that the man had no serious intention
in thus intruding upon the QUEEN'S privacy,
but being insane he did so with some vague
notion of grandeur. Madmen often think
themselves to be kings or persons of dis-
tinction, and are constantly talking about
royalty ani its associations. Whatever the
intentions or object of this Englishman may have
been, at any rate it is more satisfactory to find that
he was in no way connected with the Fenian orga-
nisation. If he had been we should have had to
dread a new and more troublesome development of
the mischief-working movement which has already
cost us so many lives and so much anxiety. An
attack upon the QUEEN would be utterly useless to
the Fenians, who have gained nothing by the attempt
upon the life of the Duke of EDINBURGH except
general execration both in England and Australia.
The Swiss Confederation have received her MA-
JESTY with such cordial hospitality that it must
be a source of gratification to them that this
runaway mortal, who has temporarily broken the
peace of her sojourn, does not even belong to their
people. We may hope that the beauty of the
scenery and novelty of the associations will send
her MAJESTY back among her loyal subject's re-
freshed and invigorated.

MR GLADSTONE AND THE FINANCIAL
REFORM UNION.

We have been requested to publish the following
correspondence :
" Financial Reform Union, 10, Bridge-street,
, Westminster, Aug. 15.

" Sir,—l send, by desire of the executive com-
mittee, the enclosed copy of a resolution passed at
their weekly meeting on Tuesday evening last.
" I also enclose a printed copy of an addrees to
the electors of the United Kingdom, which you will
perceive has been already extensively signed, and
which it is intended to circulate prior to the forth-
coming general election—l am, yours obediently,

" JOHN NOBLE, HOD. Sec.

" The Right lion. W. E. Gladstone, M.P."
Resolved,—That this meeting desires to ex-
press its satisfaction with that portion of Mr. W. E.
Gladstone's address to the electors of South-West
Lancashire which refers to the question of the pre-
sent excessive national expenditure, and urges upon
all constituencies the necessity of returning such
candidates only as will pledge themselves to take
all necessary steps to secure a large reduction of
taxation ; and that the secretary be requested to
communicate this resolution to Mr. W. E. Glad-
stone.' "

" Penumenmawr, N.W., Aug. 19.
" Sir,—l am gratified to find that my late re-
ference to the increment of our national expendi-
ture has attracted the notice of your association, and
I am sure it is highly desirable that the attention of
the constituencies should at this juncture be effectu-
ally drawn to the subject.—l remain sir, your
faithful servant,
" J. Noble, Esq."

" W. E. GLADSTONE.

THE LATE GALE.

TENBY, Sunday.
Capt. Drummond reports that the " Florence "
lifeboat of the National Lifeboat Institution, sta-
tioned at this place, was launched twice yesterday
on service while the wind was blowing very hard
from the W.N.W. The first time a brigantine was
in distress outside Caldy Island. Her crew got on
board another vessel, and were ultimately brought
ashore by the lifeboat. The vessel herself stranded
on the opposite coast near Pembrey. On the second
occasion another brigantine was lying in a most
dangerous position close to Monkstone, and the
crew were rescued by the lifeboat. Altogether 22
men were saved yesterday by the boat.
RADSTOW, CORNWALL, Saturday Night.

To-day during a very heavy N.W. gale (says the
Rev. Rich. Tyacke) a French vessel ran for our
harbour and entered it about low water, the worst
possible time. In consequence she was carried on
the Doomed Bar Sands, and soon became a total
wreck. The crew of four men were fortunately
rescued by the " Albert Edward" lifeboat belonging
to the National Institution, which was promptly
launched when the danger of the vessel was first
seen. She was the Jules Josephine, of Regnelle,
and was on a voyage from Llanelly to La Ronhelle.
Two or three hours after this wreck took place an-
other vessel ran for the harbour. The lifeboat was
again manned, and lay at the entrance of the har-
bour about two hours waiting her arrival. The
vessel then entered, but, though the gale was still
violent, the flowing tide was in her favour, and she
passed in safety without requiring the assistance of
the lifeboat.

GREAT YARMOUTEI, Saturday.

To-day (states Mr. M. 11. S. Butcher) it blew a
heavy gale here from the S.S.W. Thu :Norwegian
brig Vikingen, in the Roads, drove at her anchors
and was in danger of going ashore, The " Mark-
lane" lifeboat, which belongs to the Lifeboat So-
ciety, was got out in readiness to be launched to her
assistance, but happily, the wind moderating, the
brig's anchors held her, and there was coasequently
no necessity to take the lifeboat afloat.

The Morning Post understands that it is the in-
tention of the Marquis of Salisbury to rebuill Lis late
father's family mansion in Arlington-stree%
It will take years to rebuild and complete it for th. recep-
tion of the family.