The Sun. — 1838-10-03 (London, England)

COACH ACCIDENTS.—No less than three or four of these casualties, within as many days, and at various parts of the kingdom, having taken place from precisely the same cause (but, happily, exempt from any fatal consequences) viz., the breaking of the axletree of tha fore-wheels, we are induced to offer a few remarks, with a view to drawing the attention of coach proprietors and builders to the subject, and thereby inducing the application of a remedy or safeguard against the effects often produced upon the lives and limbs of her Majesty's leige subjects, who may happen to be traversing the country either in the pursuit of pleasure or on a tour of business. The legislature has wisely enacted regulations with regard to the number of passengers, and the height from the ground of luggage placed on the roof, which a coach shall be allowed to carry ; but the aggregate weight which the axletrees shall have to sustain of both the vehicle and luggage together, is left to the discretion of the guard, or the indiscretion of the passengers; the latter of whom act as if they were reckless of consequences either to themselves or others, particularly those who travel by night, if they can but be accommodated with places ; more especially the inside passengers, who frequently have luggage enough for a waggon to carry. In Birmingham they have a place called a proof house," where every gun barrel must be put to the test before it is allowed to be used for the deadly purposes of extermination, partly because it shall not explode to the injury of the party using it, and partly that it may not fail in conveying destruction against those at whom it may be aimed : but in public carriages and steam-boats, intended for the safe conveyance of those who intrust their lives and limbs by them, the security required is wholly left to those who engage for hire to ply or run from place to place. The only security the public at present seem to have with regard to post coaches is, that the proprietors pay a mileage ratio for the use of the carriages to the builders, whose interest it is to construct them of good materials, that they may not have them so frequently sent for repair ; but unless some immaterial spring or bolt gives way, the examination which ought to take place ..t the commencement or conclusion of every journey, particularly with coaches that do not run to and from the metropolis, will, we fear, continue to be neglected till inspectors are appointed by the Legisletore to endeavour to give security against the coach accidents and steam explosions which are continually being reported in our columns. Yesterday a lad about twelve years of age, named George Murray, was brought before Messrs. Hippert and Woolridge, at Watford, charged with stabbing a boy about his own age, named James Venables, with intent to murder him, or to do him some grievous bodily harm. It appeared that the occurrence in question took place onSaturday afternoon. The prisoner and some other lads were throwing stones at some pigeons belonging to the master of Venables, when the lad interfered, and told them to desist, but they refused, and be ultimately struck the prisoner. The prisoner drew back from him, and took a knife out of his pocket, and told the prosecutor that if he struck him again he would stab him. Upon this Venables went towards him, and while he was in the act of attempting to strike him, the prisoner made a stab at his stomach, and Vepablcs put up his arm before him, and fortunately succeeded in warding off the blow, but he received a desperate wound on the hand, and the main artery of the thumb was completely severed. Mr. Rose, a professional man, was called in, and he dressed the wound, and it appeared that from the nature of the injury it was at first feared that locked jaw would ensue. The pr ironer immediately after he bad committed the act ran home to his father's ahnodusfeo,uannddhi‘mVescto, ntliceeacloend dstuanbleer the VofN bed atfo, and tookrd,proce hire eded thither, custody, and he underwent a preliminary examination before Mr. Hippert, and was remanded until yesterday, when the witnesses were fully examined, and the above facts appeared in evidence. The prisoner, on being asked what lie had to eemn.mt gehhbet was himself think going Magistrates staovi desrtiytr earstluiainmma tohesetitndi) serioustai into saysay he replied reugdl de thatstab au,:vhhhi he 4id not stand accused of the et line of murde-r. He was then fully committed to Hertford Gaol to take his trial.  - _ Prince Christian of Denmark arrived at Munich on he 22L1 ult.