The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-07 00:00:00

THE RUNAWAY ENGINE.—Many persons appear
incredulous as to the details of a runaway engine on the
North Kent line, which appeared in one of the morning
newspapers a few days ago, in the absence of the
slightest accident taking place, and the excellent ar-
rangements, courage, and presence of mind which ulti-
mately brought the engine safely to the London terminus.
The train due from Strood to arrive at Woolwich at 4
o'clock rem, being nearly half an hour over due the pas
sengers on the platform became very anxious to ascer-
tain the cause of the delay, and the telegraph clerk
allayed their fears by stating that the engine had gone
back for some carriages at Gravesend, which was fortu-
nately the fact, as the carriages were all on the siding
when the runaway engine started from the Strood side
of Gravesend, and passed all the up stations at a great
speed. Some idea may be formed of the rapidity of mo-
tion of the runaway engine when it is made known that
none of the porters engaged in keeping back the pas-
sengers, or even the passengers themselves, could tell
whether the engine or coke carriage came past first; or
if there was any person attending the engine. The per-
sons on the platform at Woolwich, where the view of the
line of railway does not extend many hundred yards,
describe the passing of the engine as instantaneous, and
some engaged in conversation had not time to turn round
to get a glimpse of it. The great speed and the great
distance it continued is accounted for by the knowledge
that the runaway engine had just been supplied with
water, and a quantity of coke put on the fire about a
minute before the ballast-engine came in collision with
it, causing it to start at full speed, and the moment the
engineer had jumped off the starting engine. It is evi-
dent, from the accounts generally given of accidents on
railways, that the greater number arise from attempts of
the passengers or those working the lines to jump off the
trains when in motion, and that to remain seated pre-
sents the greatest chance of safety when collisions are
likely to take piece.
Lord John Russell is expected to arrive in town
for the season on Saturday next; and on Wednesday,
the 16th, the noble Premier will give the first Cabinet
dinner this season, at which all his colleagues are ex-
pected to be present. His Lordship is now staying with
his brother, the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey.
Lord and Lady Palmerston are entertaining a large
family circle at Broadlands, Hants; the Chevalier
Bansen, Prussian minister, has been on a visit to his
Lordship. Earl Carlisle is at Castle Howard. surrounded
by a distinguished party of relatives and friends. Lord
Grey is in town. Sir George Grey arrived in town yes-
terday from a visit to Mr. 11. Drummond. The Lord
Chancellor comes to town in the middle of the week.
Lord Lansdowne is expected to-morrow, the 7th inst.,
from Bowood• perk, Wilts, for the purpose of attending
the Privy Council, held on the following day. The
other members of the Cabinet will arrive in town next
week. Invitations have been issued to the principal
members of tile diplomatic corps and their ladies, by
Lord John Russell, to a grand dinner, at his residence
in Chesham-place, on Thursday week, the 17th instant.
—Sunday Paper.