The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-20
8itllmond 1ispatrt,
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 20, 1867.
THE CIRCULATION OF THE "DIS-
PATCH IS LARGER THAN THE COM
BINED CIRCULATION OF ALL THE
OTHER DAILY NEWSPAPERS OF THIS
OITY.
Crossing of Mount Cents by Rail.

Auo III 81 loCOuOIlVe crossed tlc railway
over Mount Gems on the 21st of August
A tunnel between six and seven miles
long is being made, but as some years may
be required to finish it, temporary track
has been constructed across the mountain,
following in the main the great road of the
first Napoleon across the Alps. We OBJ
serve that principle is employed in the
driVing-wheels of the engine for crossing
this temporary track applied in this coun-
try years ago by James S. French, of this
State: that by which the wheels are made
to grasp the rails. But in the case of the
Mount Cenis railway there is q central
rail, which Mr.. French did not introduce
into his patent.
A train composed Of an engine and two
carriages left st. Michel at $50 A. NJ.
Among the passengers were the Duke of
Vallambrosa; Mr.. Fell, the inventor of the
system; and several engineers, directors,
and distinguished persons. We copy from
the 1imes's Loudon) correspondent:
Mr.. Fell's system consists of the applica-
tion Of central double headed rail placed
on its side in the middle of the way, and ele-
vated about fourteen inches above the
ordinary rails. There are four horizontal
driving wheels on the engine, under the
control of the engine driver, which can be
made by pressure to grasp the central rail
so as to utilize the whole power Of the en-
gne, and so enable it to work up incredi-
BILE gradients without slipping. The car
riages, also, have four horizontal wheels
underneath, which, with the central rail,
form complete safety-guard. In addi-
tion to the ordinary break, there are
breaks upon the central rail. 1t would
appear, therefore, impossible for the en-
CINE or carriages to leave the rails where
the central one is laid.
The morning was admirably adapted for
the trip, the sun shining with great brill
iancy upon the Alpine peaks and the nu-
merous glaciers which are visible in the
different parts of the route. After leaving
the deep valley in which St. Michel is
situated, the line passes by gradient of
one in thirty to the Pont de la Denise,
where an iron bridge spans the river Arcq,
near the cite of that which was carried
away by the inundations of last year. AS
the little train passed the village of Four
neau the workmen Of the Grand Tunnel
of the Alps turned out en- maSSe, and, as
at all other parts Of the route, they were
observed STOPPING down and even endan-
gering their lives for the purpose of in
specting the unusual mechanism Of the
engine for working on the central rail.
The first very steep gradient Of one in
twelve was seen in passing Modane, and
foreshortened to the view, appeared on
the approach as if impossible to surmount
but the engine, the second constructed on
this system, had already proved equal to
the task on the experimental line, and,
clutching the central rail between its hori-
zontal wheels, it glided quickly up, under
pressure Of steam not more than eighty
pounds to the square inch, without appa-
rent effort. The progress was purposely
slow, because no engine or carriage had
previously passed over the line, and also
to give opportunity for examining the
works. The magnificent scenery around,
and the waterfall near Fort Sessaillon,
were much admired, as the sharp curves
afforded different views while passing on
the edges of the deep ravines. The train
entered Lanslebourg station under tri-
umphal arch, having accomplished twen-
ty-four miles Of distance and attained an
elevation Of 2,l00 feet above st. Michel.
From this point the zigzags of ascent
commence, and the gradients over dis
tance of four miles were for the most part
one in twelve. Looking down from the
train near the summit, as if from balloon,
four of the zigzagS were visible at the
same instant to depth of two thousand
feet. The power Of the engine was salts
lactorily tested in this ascent, and the sum-
NIT was reached under salvos Of artillery
from an improvised battery, and amid the
cheers of French and Italians who had
gathered to welcome the English on the
frontier. The engine again came to a
stand, under triumphal arch, at an ele-
vation of 6,700 feet above the sea.
Flags Of the three nations, and a silk flag
specially presented by Signor Ginaoli to
Mfr. Fell, waved over sumptuous break
fast, also provided by that gentleman. The
hospice, the lake, and the plateau Of the
summit, surrounded by snow-clad peaks
and glaciers, rising to an elevation of from
10000 to $4,000 feet, were passed, and the
portion of the descent commenced from
the Grand Croix- The railway here fol-
lows the old Napoleon road, which was
abandoned long since for diligence traffic
on account Of the dangers from avalanche.
Masonry covered ways Of extraordinary
strength had here been specially provided
for the railway.
The descent to Susa was series Of the
sharpest curves and steepest gradients, on
which the central rail had been continu-
ously laid. The valley Of the Dora, with
Susa and the Convent Of San Michel, and
even the Superga above Turin, visible for
thirty miles in the distance, presented a
magnificent panorama as the train wound
mountain side. The confidence Of the
party on trip which would, under. ordi-
nary circumstances, have been so danger
Gus was manifested by their crowding
round all parts of the engine, from which,
under feeling of the security afforded by
the central rail, they thoroughly enjoyed
the ever changing scenes as they passed
round the edges Of the various preciplceS
Susa was entered amid the acclamations OF
multitudes Of spectators, and the party
adjourned to dine at the Hotel de France
Thus was completed a journey unexam'
pied in its character both as respects the
steepness of gradients, the elevation OF
the summit level, and the difficulty WIFI
which the curves and preclplces were
overcome. r.za~-
DEATH OF AN AGED MINIsTER.-The Rev
James McDearman died at his residence
in Appomattox, on Sunday last at the Ts az