Washington sentinel., 1854-03-02


ed printer 10 the House for the remainder of the
present Congress.
And the House adjourned.
Railway Safety.
An important incident in railway history and
one in which the public safety is intimately in
terested, took place on Wednesday last, the
18th instant, when an experimental run was
made from Waterloo station to Windsor, for
the purpose of testing the efficiency of Major
Robbins's invention for applying selfacting
breaks to railway carriages. The train con-
sisted of engine and tender, with break van
and l6 carriages only eight of which, how
ever, we're furnished with this new contrivance.
The object Of thus lengthening the train by
these eight carriages unfurnished with the APP
paratus, was to put severe test to the facility
of backing with the sell.acting break-a part
OF the experiment about which some slight
doubt had existed, but which proved, even un-
der disadvantageous circumstances, triumph.
antly successful. There were present several
engineers and men of science, connected with
the leading railways of the country, to witness
this important trial.
The first 'stoppage made was at the Wands-
worth station, which being near the junction
the speed attained did not exceed twenty miles
an hour; proceeding at which rate the train
was brought to stand without perceptible
abruptness, in an incredibly short distance
Between this station and Putney speed
reached of thirty.fve miles an hour, when
second experiment stopped the train within a
distance Of $50 yards. 1t is important to re-
mark that an ordinary train, proceeding at this
rate, could not be stopped in less than 800
yards. The next experiment was tried at
speed Of 40 miles an hour, in which the stop
page was effected in $50, yards, and in about
fifty seconds of time.
On returning from Windsor, fog signals were
placed upon the line in situations unknown, till
they announced themselves by their explosion,
to any person on the train. On passing over
the first, the train was advancing at speed of
thirty-fve miles an hour. The steam was in.
stantly shut off, which process alone imme
diately brings this break into operation, and
the train was brought to a stand at four hun
dred and sixty yards from the point Mt which
the signal exploded. Had all the carriages
been furnished with these breaks, and the ex-
pertinent thus disembarrassed of the additional
momentum, caused by the eight unfurnished,
there can be no doubt that the stoppages would
have been effected in much shorter time and
distance. On the return Of the train to Water
loo, it was evident that the trial had proved
highly satisfactory. The great difficulty in
been that Of SO arranging the apparatus as to
allow the engine-driver to back his train as oc-
casion might require. This difficulty, it would
appear, has been entirely overcome by the in
vention of Major Robbins, the train having
been repeatedly checked in the course of the
experiments for the purpose OF testing its ca
pabilties in this respect. While the train was
stopping at Windsor, Prince Albert, accompa-
MED by party from the castle, visited the sta.
ton, for the purpose of inspecting the contriv-
ance Major Robbins had the honor of being
presented to his royal highness, and of explain
ing to him the principles and application of his
apparatus, which were evidently apprehended
and appreciated by the prince with character
istic readiness.-Loadon Times.
A REMARKABLE SToRy.-One night, while
Sir Evan Napean was under-secretary to the
home department, he felt the most unaccoun-
table wakefulness that could be imagined. He
was in perfect health, had dined early, and had
nothing whatever on his mind to keep him
awake. Still he found sleep impossible, and
from eleven till two he never closed an eve.
At length, weary of this struggle, and as the
twilight was breaking, lit was summer,) he de-
termined to try what would be the effect Of a
walk in the park. There was nothing but the
sleepy sentinels. But in this walk, happening
to pass the Home Office several times, he
thought of letting himself in with his key.
though without any particular object. The
book of entries Of the day before still lay on the
table, and through listlessness he opened it.
The first thing he saw appalled, hm-"a re-
prieve to be sent to York for the coiners
ordered for execution" The execution had
been appointed for the next day. 1t struck
him that he had received no return to his order
to send the reprieve. He searched the "min-
utes"-he could not find it there. In alarm,
he went to the house of the chief clerk, who
lived in Downing street, knocked him up, lit
was past three,) and asked if he knew anything
about the reprieve being sent In great alarm,
the chief clerk could not remember.
"You are scarcely awake" said Sir Evan.
"Recolect yourself it must have been sent"
The chief clerk said that he now recollected
he had sent it to the clerk of the crown, whose
business it was to forward it to York.
"Goodl' said Sir Evan; "but have you his
receipt and certificate that it is gomez"
"No."
"Then come with me to his house; we must
find him, it is so early"
1t was now four, and the clerk Of the crown
lived in Chancery lane. There was no hack
ney coach to be seen, and they almost ran.
They were just in time. The clerk of the
crown had q country-house, and meaning to
have a long holiday, he was at that moment
stepping into his gig to go to his villa. As
founded at the visit of the Under-secretary Of
State, at such an hour, he was still more so at
his business.
"Heavens!" said he, "the reprieve is locked
up in my deskn
1t was brought Sir Evan sent to the post
office for the truest and fieetest express. The
reprieve reached York the next morning, just
at the moment when the unhappy men were
ascending the cart.
The Buffalo Republic, of the 9th ultimo con-
tains the valedictory of L. A. Maynard q. Co.,