The Press. — 1855-09-15 (London, England)

SEPT. 15, 1855.  4ttibtnts nnb Offtatts.  A MOST LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT took place on Sunday evening on the Versailles Railroad,- left bank. The passenger-train returning from Versailles came in collision with a luggage-train quite close to the Paris station, which actually cut it in two. Several carriages were broken to atoms, and several lives have been lost ; nine killed on the spot, and seventeen badly hurt, are admitted by the directors. It is supposed, however, that the number of killed is at least fifteen, if not more, and over thirty persons wounded. Two young girls, sisters, had their legs cut clean off, and among others the body of a man was found with both legs cut off, and a child stifled in his arms. To whose fault the accident is to be attributed is not clearly made out. The Imperial Procureur proceeded next morning to the spot, accompanied by the Juge d'lnstruction and the administrators of the line. The procis-verbal was made out, and the dead bodies deposited in one of the buildings of the station, in order that their friends should claim them. All were recognised. The wounded were, at their own desire, conveyed to their homes. A child only eighteen days old was killed in the arms of its mother, who bad a leg fractured. The father was on the roof, and at the moment of the collision leaped on the ground, and only received some contusions. Some hours after the accident the road was cleared of the remains of the carriages, and the two locomotives were dragged away by horses. A strict investigation will be instituted into the cause of the catastrophe.  ON SATURDAY an inquest was held by Mr. Waltley, upon the body of Mr. Matthew Wood, aged forty. two, who committed suicide by taking a large dose of poison. It appeared from the evidence that the de ceased, who had held a lucrative post in the mail department of the General Post-office, had applied to be elected to the head of that department, which bad become vacant some months ago. The result of the application was, that he was placed on probation for six months. During this period the unfortunate gentleman became very desponding, as he found out that he was not fitted to fill the onerous duties of the situation. As the time passed on he became more and more depressed, and several times exclaimed, "It must be either success or prussic acid." There was nothing beyond depression of spirits, however, that could induce his fnenda to suppose he would commit suicide. At the expiration of the probationary six months, upon going to his office, he discovered that he was not confirmed in the appointment, not being considered sufficiently competent. He returned home to his house at St. John's-wood completely broken-hearted, and retired to his bed-room about half-past five. His non-appearance afterwards induced his housekeeper to go up, and upon the door being forced the deceased was found lying on his bed hi a sleeping posture, but quite dead, life having been extinct for some time. A glass and a bottle, which had contained cynide of potassium, used by the deceased for photographic purposes, was found by his bedside, and from the medical testimony it would appear that he had taken five or six ounces, a quantity sufficient to kill fifty men. Verdict—" Insanity." A DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION broke out on Tuesday morning in Lambeth, attended with great loss of property. The premises on which the fire commenced were some extensive erections belonging to Messrs. Baker, builders, near Lambeth Palace. The premises covered several acres of ground, and comprised sawmills, iron-planing mills, joiners' shops, carpenters' shops, and at the extremity were immense piles of mahogany and other timber, worth several thousand pounds. Flanking this property were upwards of a dozen lofty houses in Paris-street., eight of which became ignited, and narrowly escaped being destroyed. The conflagration began about one o'clock, and, by dint of great exertion on the part of the firemen and police, the flames by five o'clock began to succumb beneath the great weight of water that was scattered upon them ; but, nevertheless, the fire was not entirely extinguished for many hours afterwards. The amount of damage, at a moderate calculation, must reach to nearly, ii not exceed, 50,000/. The workmen employed on the premises have also lost upwards of 2,0001. worth of tools ; and it is understood that none of the men were insured. The whole of the iron planing mills are burned down, the sawmills destroyed, the joiners' shops and masons' shops also consumed, a valuable stock of marble completely splintered, and several stacks of Spanish and Honduras mahogany, as well as Dantsic wainscoting, are reduced to ashes. The greater portion of the valuable trees in the park adjoining the Archbishop of Canterbury's palace was set on fire. Fortunately the palace did not receive the least injury, but the alarm amongst the domestics was exceedingly great. The firm was insured as far as the contents and stock-in•trade were concerned. The eight houses in Paris-street, which are considerably damaged, and the majority of the inmates were also inswed.