The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-31 00:00:00

THE LATE FATAL EXPLOSION
AT MANCHESTER.
We offer our opinions on this subject with some
diffidence, having had but slight opporturAties of in
spection or examination. As, however, the naturt
and probable causes of the accident must be inquired
into, and will no doubt be thoroughly investigated,
we may venture to intimate what appears to us, from
that hasty examination, to be the probable cause of
the explosion. It certainly appears, from an exami-
nation of the copper roof of the fire-box, that it must
have been red hot either at the time when the accident
occurred, or at some former period. At all events,
it has the appearance of having been burned, anti
there is also the further appearance_of an crack at
the place where the fracture commenced. We cannot
help thinking, too, that a space so large as eleven
square feet ,of that surface exposed to such
pressure as is ordinarily used in railway engines
ought to have been protected by vertical stays from
the roof of the steam-chamber. The copper root
had been strengthened by cross-stays ; pieces
of iron, two inches thick in the middle,
extending across it from side to side, and strongly
bolted to the copper. These, though probably iu
themselves quite strong enough to resist the pressure,
do not appear to us to have had any adequate abut
ments, inasmuch as they rested merely on the edge
of the sheet copper, forming the vertical part of the
fire-box—a support which, in our judgment, is not
sufficient for the purpose.
On comparing the facts attending this accident
with those of the fatal explosion on the South•
Eastern Railway, in December last, we find that the
same part—namely, the top of the fire-box—gave
way in both cases ; and in neither of them were
there any vertical stays to connect that part with the
top of the steam-chamber. In the engine which ex-
ploded on the South-Eastern line the top of the fire
box was without stays of any kind, the maker having
apparently trusted to his hemispherical form to resist
the pressure of the steam. We trust that the case
will undergo a very strict and close investigation;
and that, if additional stays are needed, they will be
applied, not only in engines hereafter to be made, but
in those at present in use which may require them
—Manchester Guardian.

SZAHAM HARBOUR.—An event took place on Mon-
day, at Seaham Harbour, near Sunderland, which will
have an important influence on the future prosperity o'
this thriving port. Seaham Harbour is a private pert
belonging to the Marquis of Londonderry, and was
formed by the noble owner about sixteen years ago, for
the shipment of the coals produced from the extensive
collieries of his Lordship in Durham. Since that tim:2
the traffic has increased so much that a few years ago it
was found necessary to form a second large dock to the
south of the original. This has also been found insuffi
cient, and last year measures were taken fur the further
enlargement of the north dock, which has recently been
completed. The works are of a stupendous description,
and have been of a most costly character, exceeding
perhaps in magnitude and enterprise all that have ever
before been undertaken and accomplished by a private
individual. The whole has been excavated from the

solid rook, and has for several years given extensin
employment to hundreds of individuals. Since tlk:
opening of the dock the whole of Lord Lon-
donderry's coals, with trifling exceptions, have been
shipped at Seaham ; and on the winning of the impor-
tant collieries at South Hetton and Haswell, the coats

produced there were also shipped in these docks, though
subsequently a portion of the Haswell and South Hettot
coals have bean shipped at Hartlepool and Sunderland.
The great and important new winning at Murton, new
working with five shafts (the largest colliery in the Dur
ham coal-fields), ships the whole of its produce at &a-
hem, and in a short time a new colliery, on an exter.-
sive scale, now sinking on the Seaham estate, will also
add to the traffic of this now flourishing harbour, which.
a few years ago, was a bleak rock on the coast, uniuter
Elting in every point of view, and unlikely ever to be the
bustling Beene of such extensive enterprise and commerc.k
as have now been there permanently established. The
enlargement of the north dock was completed on Thurs-
day last, when the water was admitted into it, and it
was opened in the presence of the MST quis and Marchio-
ness of Londonderry and a distinguished party ; but
Monday was fixed for the formal opening. The noble
owner determined to celebrate the event with great re-
loicing, and everything was arranged on a scale of great
iberality.
DESTRECTIVB FIRE.— Wednesday, shortly before,
midnight, as the police-constable upon the beat (Ler-
radin,.l6 G) was passing along Gee-street, St. Luke's,
he perceived a strong glare of light proceeding from a
long line of workshops belonging to the extensive pre-
mises in the occupation of Messrs. Howard and Co.,
;spanners, &c., Old-street, St. Luke's. The buildings
forming the range of warehouses and workshops con-
nected with this firm stretch some considerable distance
up Brick-lane and along Gee-street, the whole embracing
an area of several hundred square yards. Immediately-
that the constable perceived the outbreak, he, in con-
nection witn his sergeant (Bean, 30 G), proceeded tc
furnish the necessary information to the several stations
of the brigade, and to arouse the inmates of the private
houses attached to the establishment. White the rev:

wis rmacurd from the ergine stations,
the police, under the control of their superior omcers, anu
aided by several of the workmen in the employ of Messrs.
Howard, proceeded to remove from the immediate localit:,
of the fire a great quantity of varnish, japan, turpentine,
and other inflammable articles, a vast variety of which
was in stock. The flames progress(d most rapidly
in the meantime, and the light of the fire, raging, as
it did eventually, in a line of building about 100 feet
long by 20 feet broad, cast a reflection around whict
might be seen distinctly over the whole of the City. Se-
veral engines having arrived and git to work under the
superintendence of Mr. Braidwood, and the supply o!
water being very copious, large bodies were most judi-
ciously directed into the burning building. After a pro-
longed effort, it became evident that the fire was begin
ning to yield, and by a quarter before one o'clock ail
danger of its further extension was at an end. The
at)pping of this fire, apparently so alarming, and in the
midst of a mass of valuable property most easily ignit
able, must be considered most fortunate, while to the
remen, police, and all engaged in extinguishing it, the
greatest credit is due ; for had the fire caught the stel.
joining premises, some thousand pounds' worth of pro
perty must have been inevitably destroyed. As it is.
however, the damage must be considerable, there beiag
a great many articles in the workshops in a partially
manufactured state, as well as many valuable tools be•
longing to the workmen, the majority of which are de
stroyed. In the confusion, it was impossible aacurately
to ascertain whether the parties are insured, but it is
believed they are. How the fire originated could not be
learned ; it is, however, supposed to be accidental.
ALDERMANIC ARRANGEMENTS.—CompIaints are
being continually made that oa certain occasions, when
aldermen are required to be present, they are frequently
not forthcoming. At the sittings of the Central Criminal
Court, for instance, two aldermen are necessary to sit by
the side of the judge, much in the same way as the lion
and unicorn are wanted as supporters to the arms of Eng-
land. It is true that the aldermen have nothing to_clo with

the administration of justice, or—to use a theatneal term
—are not required to be practicable ; and a couple of
property aldermen, or lay figures, would do just as well
as the living individuals. We understand that a motion
will be brought before the Court of Common Council
authorising the preparation of six aldermen stuffed with
straw, to sit as dummies on those occasions when by
law their presence is required. Two will be prepared as
fixtures on the bench of the Central Criminal Court,
each with a newspaper in his hand, to give the thing as
much as possible the air of being in strict conformity
with the present arrangement. Three will be set up in
the police committee ; and the remaining one will i.e
hung up at the Mansion-house, to be taken down and
used whenever and wherever he may be wante I. By
this arrangement punctuality of attendance will be in-
sured; and there will be this advantage, that the stuffed
aldermen will not interrupt the business by sneezing,
coughing, and sometimes souring, which are the only
proofs of their presence which the live aldermen are in
the habit of giving.—Punch.
EXTENSIVE LTSE or °num.—Dr. Mitchell, one GI
the Sub-Commissioners, reports, that the medical wit-
nesses examined by him state, that the infants and chil-
dren are seldom brought to them before they are be-
numbed and stupefied with opiates; the usual preparation
given being Godfrey's Cordial, a mixture of treacle and
opium, known by the name of "comfort," and an ar-
ticle in constant demand. A little girl will come to the
chemist's, and ask for a dose of it to give to the baby
next day, telling him that her mother is going out to
work. A respectable chemist stated that he had made
twenty gallons of " comfort" in the year, and that there
were chemists who lived near the market place, and
more in the way of these country people, who made
good deal more. This evidence refers to the colliery
districts, but it appears, on the authority of other
medical men, that the same practice prevails at
Croydon, in Surrey, and, by inference, in other
non-manufacturing towns. Speaking of the dis-
tricts of Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester, another
Sub-Commissioner, Mr. Grainger, states, that the prac-
tice of administering opium to infants, which is very ge-
neral in these districts, "is usually began when the
child is three or four weeks old." But Mr. Brown, the
coroner, for Nottingham, states, " that he knows God-
frey's Cordial is given on the day of birth, and that ever.
it is prepared in readiness for that event." The extent
to which the system is carried may be judged from the
fact, expressly ascertained by this gentleman, that one
druggist made up, in one year, 13 cwt. of treacle into
Godfrey's Cordial. The result of this terrible practice
is, that great numbers of infants perish, either suddenly.
from an overdose, or, as more commonly happens, slowly.
painfully, and insidiously. Those who escape with lite
become pale and sickly children, often half-idiotic, and
always with a ruined constitution. "Compared with
this," adds the Sub-Commissioner, " the Chinese Pra c
tics of infanticide may be called merciful."--Medici
Times.
MATIIEMATICAL EXAMINATION PAPER.----Q. What
Is an eccentric angle?—A. To fish for salt herrings in
soda water. Q. If 114 D represent a member of a force
required, how long will he have a constant area?—A.
As long as Betty smuggles joints from the kitchen.—
Pa nch.
We understand that during the approaching sojourn
of the Court at Brighton, it is the intention of- her Ma
jesty and his Royal Highness Prince Allaett to visit the
Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, at Arundel Castle, and
the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, at Goodwood. The
day on which her Majesty will proceed to Arundsil Castle
is understood to be fixed for Monday, the 17th, or Tues-
day, the 18th of February.
The University of Dublin have conferred OR 3.1*
Emerson Tennent ,M.P., the degree of Doctor of Laws.

NV' T'l TWO ILLUSTRATIONS BY LEECH. 1
The FEBRUARY NUMBER, Price ila f-a-Crown, of
B" TL E Y'S ISCELL A.N Y,'
Contains :
THE MARCHIONESS OF BRINVILLIERS,
THE POISONER OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
A Romance of Old Paris.
By ALBERT SMITH.
With Two Illustrations by Leech.
Chap. Ty.—The Students of 1664.
Chap. V.—Sainte Croix and his Creature.
Chap Vl.—Maitre Glager, the Apothecary, and his man Panurge,
discourse with the people on poisons. The visit of the Marchioness.
Crockford and Crockford's.
The Post-hag ; or, Eccentric Correspondence. By R. B. Peake.
•
The Breeze upon the Ocean.
Legendary Cities—Bath. By Louisa Stuart Costello.
Ballad, " Sleep on ! sleep on!" By William Jones.
A Spanish Sutler.
A Righ`oolis Treasurer—" No Will ! Hurrah I"—The Gaol-Chaplain ,
_ _ _ .

or, A Dark Page from Life's Volume.
Ske-ches of Spanish Warfare—Malibran, the Aide-de-Camp.
Sappho and Phaon.
Mynheer Van Clumseetrnnk ; or, The Benefits of Smoking.
'Tie long since we have met, old Friend.
Memorials of the Departed Great. By a Middle-aged Man.
The Carlists at Bayonne.
The Fortunes of the .Scattergood Family. By Albert Smith.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street.

HARRY LORREQUER.—TILE
CHEAP EDITION OF MR. LEVER'S
"ARTHUR O'LEARY,"
UNIFORM WITH HIS OTHER WORKS.
In one vol., Svo., price only 12.5. bound,
ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK,
Is now Ready at all the Bookseller?.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated THE BOHEMIAN GIRL.
After which will be repeated the Grand Christmas llarlequinaele,
chilled PUCK'S PANTOMIME; or, Harlequin and Robinson Crusoe.
Robinson Crusoo, Mr. W. H. Payne ; Clown, Mr. T. Matthews ;
Pantaloon, Mr. Howell; Harlequin, Mr. Wieland ; Columbine, Miss
Carson.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
LESSEE, MR. B. WEBSTER.
62d Night of " Old Heads and Young Hearts."
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated a New and Original Comedy, in Five Acts, entitled
OLD BEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS. Colonel Rocket, Mr.
Stricklat. d ; Littleton Coke, Mr. Charles Mathews ; Tom Coke, Mr.
Webster ; Bob, Mr. Buckstone ; Jesse Rural, Mr. W. Farren ; the
Countess of Pompton, Mrs. W. Cliford ; Lady Alice Hawthorn,
Madame Vestris ; Miss Rocket, Miss Julia Ben• ett.
After which, a New Grand Musical Fairy Extravaganza, entitled
GRACIOSA AND PERCINET. King Usorius, Mr. J. Bland ;
Princess Graciosa, Miss Julia Bennett ; Percinet, Miss P. Horton ;
Duchess Grognon, Mrs. Stanley.
To conclude with a Grand MOVING DIORAMA ; or, PICTORIAL
TOUR IN SWITZERLAND.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
62d, 63.1, 64th, 65th, 66th, and 67th Nights of the most succes,iftil
Comedy of OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS, written by Dion
Bourcicault, Esq. Principal Characters by Mesars. W. Farren,
Webster, Buckstone, Charles Mathews, H. 8011, and Strickland, Miss
J. Bennett, Mrs. W. Clifford, and Madame Vestris. With the New
Extravaganza of GRACIOSA AND PERCINET. Percinet, Miss
P. Horton. And Mr. It. Phillips's exquisitely painted and pleasing
MOVING DIORAMA ; or, PICTORIAL TOUR IN SWITZERLAND.
" Old Heads and Young Hearth" is published, with other Popular
Comedies and Farces, in " Webster's National Acting Drama," and
may be had in the Theatre, and of all Booksellers.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE.
Fifth Night of a New and Original Drama, by the Author of " Wreck
Ashore," " Victorine," &c.
THIS EVENING

Will be repeated a New and Original Drama, entitled THE
GREEN BUSHES ; or, A Hundred Years Ago. Connor O'Kcnnedy,
Mr. Selby ; George, Mr. Hudson : Wild Murtogh, Mr. 0. Smith;
Muster Grinnidge, Mr. Wright ; Jack Gong, Mr. Paul Bedford ;
Geraldine, Mrs. Yate. ; Nelly O'Neill, Mrs. Fitzwilliam ;
Madame Celeste.
After which, THE CORPORAL'S WEDDING; or, a -Kiss of the
Bride. Sir Felix Marmalade, Mr. Hudson ; Major Griskin, Mr.
Selby ; Lady Arothusa Gr skin, Mrs. Frank Matthews ; Nancy Cobb,
Miss Woolgar.
To conclude with THE CHIMES. Toby Veck, Mr. 0. Smith ;
Alderman Cute, Mr. Wright ; Twzby, Mr. Wilkinson ; Sir Joseph
Bowley, Bart., Mr. Paul Bedford ; Will Fern, Mr. Iludson ; Richard,
Mr. Selby ; Meggy Veck, Miss Fortescue ; Mrs. Chickenstalker, Mrs.
Frank Matthews.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Thorough Adelphi hit !--Vide, " The Times," and Public Press.

EVERY EVENING
THE GREEN BUSHES, or A Hundred Years Ago ; by the Author
of " The Wreck Ashore," " Victorine," Sc,„ Principal Characters by
Messrs. Hudson, 'Wright, 0. Smith, Paul Bedford, Selby, Cul-
lenford, and Worrell ; Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Madame
Celeste. With the New Farce of THE CORPORAL'S WEDDING ;
or, a Kiss of the Bride. And THE CHIMES ; A Goblin Story.

rnoicEss's THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
LE,SEE, MR. J. M. MADDOX.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated TIIE CASTLE OF AYMON ; or, The Four
Brothers. Baron de Beaumanotr, Mr. Walton ; Olivier, Mr. Allen ;
Allard, Mr. C. Horn, Jun. ; Richard, Mr. Hime ; Renaud, Mr.
Mattacks ; Ivon, Mr. Leffler ; Hermine, Mdlle. Helen Condell ;
Clara, Miss Brentnall ; Yolande, Miss E. Homier ; Eglantine, Miss
O'Connor ; Gertrude, Mrs. Fosbroke.
To be followed by DON C-ESAR DE BAZAN. Don Ciasar de
Bayne, Mr. Wallack ; Maritana, Mrs. Stirling.
To conclude with HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS.
Stage Manager, Mr. H. I. Waliack ; Stage Director, Mr. Emden ;
Machinist, Mr. Edmund Bradwell.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.
Last Two Nights of " The Chimes."
THIS EVENING

Will be repeated THE CHIMES. Principal Characters by Messrs.
F. Vining, Meadows, Diddear, F. Matthews, Collier, Emery, Turner,
and Keeley ; Miss Walcott, Mrs. Woollidge, Miss. Grove, and
Mrs. Keeley.
Aner which, a New Farce, entitled A MODEL OF A WIFE.
Principal Characters by Messrs. A. Wigan, F. Matthews, and Mea-
dows ; Miss Walcott. and Miss Fairl•rother.
To conclude with VALENTINE AND ORSON. Principal Cha-
racters by Messrs. F. Matthews, Meadows, Wigan, Collier, Turner,
Kialoch, Yaraold, and Keeley ; Mrs. Wigan, Miss Arden, Miss Fair-
brother, Miss Grove, Mrs. Woollidge, Miss James, Miss Turner, and
Mrs. Keeley.

- Unequalled Success of
ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMI'HITIIFATRE.
PROPRIETOR, MR. W. BATTY.
First Week of the Southern American Minstrels.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated THE ROYAL FOX HUNT ; introducing a Real
Fox-case on the Stage, by Living Fox and Real Pack of Hounds.
To be followed by the Melodies of the American Southern Minstrels.
Entire change in the Circle.—Unequalled Feats of Horsemanship.
To ennrlnde with the Pantomime of HARLEQUIN JOHNNY
GILPIN'S RIDr. ; to, The IslacC 5ir11,14 cof VAinlettiornz. Jc.tusssy
Gilpin, Mr. Wells ; Clown, Mr. Barry ; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury ;
Ilariequla, Mr. Lewis ; Columbine, Mrs. J. W. Collier.
Acting and Stage Manager, Mr. D. W. Broadfoot.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
The Grand Pantomime every Evening, with Splendid Novelties, and
Another New Piece.
THIS EVENING

Will be repeated a New Three Act Drama, entitled WOLSEY, in
which the whole of the Company will perform.
After which, THE PLEDGE OF LOVE.
To conclude with the Pantomime of POUNDS, SHILLINGS, AND
PENCE. Harlequin, Mr. H. Harvey ; Clown, Mr. T. Ridgway ;
Pantaloon, Mr. Henry Corri ; Columbine, Miss Slaiter.
Places and Private Boxes to be had of Mr. Kerschner, at the Box-
office, from Eleven to Four.

ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE.
Grand Juvenile Week—Pantomime, Second Piece.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated MARIANNE ; or, The Child of Charity. Sup-
ported by Messrs. Osbaldiston, H. Howard, J. T. Johnson, J. Her-
bert, E. Jones, and W. Searle ; Miss V ncent, Miss E. Terrey, and
Mrs. E. Jefferson.
After which, the Pantomime of HARLEQUIN HOT CODLINS.
To conclude with BLACK WHISKER ; or, The Demon of Seven
Dials. _ _ _

l3oxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d.

THE WEATHER- SUN OFFICE, JAN. 30.

THERMOMETER, Lowest, 27 ; Highest, 33 ; Noon, 32.
BAROMETER, 29.28.—W1ND, W.
Nom—The figures which follow the words "Lowest" and

' Highest" denote the lowest and highest state of the
Thermometer during the preceding twenty-four hours. All
the other observations are made at noon. Water freezes at
32 ; 55 on Thermometers is marked "Temperate," and on
Barometers "Fair" is gelerally placed opposite to 30, and
"Rain" at 29; but there is no certainty of dry weather
when the mercury falls below 30.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY.
Morning •• 44 minutes after 6 I Evening •• 9 minutes after 7.

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