THE FIELD 
732 
RAILWAYS AND TELEGRAPHS. 
A Railway Bridge on Fire.— Tho Southern Times 
says that a train of the South Western Railway, which left 
Dorchester on Saturday morning last, experienced a most 
providential escape from tolnl deduction, and fearful loss of 
life. On reaching a wooden viaduct between Poole and 
Wioiborne, which is of great height from the ground, the 
bridge was discovered to be on fire to the extent of 20 or 30 
feet. The draught through tho interstices caused the flames 
to rage with great violence, but after much difficulty thoy 
were extinguished by the passengers aud officials. It is sup- 
posed that a burning cinder from a passing engine must have 
ignited the wood-work of the bridge. 
Submarine Telegraph — On Saturday, July 22, one end 
of the Submarine Telegraph rope was dropped in the harbour 
of Spezzia, by the Persian, which left immediately for Corsica, 
uncoiling the rope as she went. Intelligence has been also 
re cived that this the first portion of the great Mediterranean 
submarine telegraph from Spezzia, in Piedmont, to Cape 
Corso, in Corsica, a distance of about 100 miles, has been 
successfully laid down, as well as the communication across 
the Straits of Bonnifaccio, a distance of about 10 miles, from 
Corsica to the island of Sardinia. It is also understood that 
the contractors, Messrs. Tapper and Carr, are nearly rcudy 
with tho remaining 150 miles of cuble to connect Capo Spar- 
tivonto, the southern point of Sardinia, with tho African cousf, 
whero it will join the Algerian lines. The ubovo event was 
celebrated by » salute from 21 guns. 
Italy, Cate Corso, July 25. — Tho laying down of the 
submarine telegraph from Spezzia to the island of Corsica — 
an event of world- wide importance — bus just been most 
satisfactorily accomplished. As I conclude this, n gun bus 
bem fired on hoard the Persian by an electric spark passing 
twico to Santa Croce and back, through the whole length 
of the ruble ou board and in the water — that is say, along 
440 miles of wire, awakeuing the echoes of the Corsicun hills 
with the tidings of their now being joined to tho main land 
by ties, which it may be hoped will be found productive of the 
happiest results to all parties. 
Copenhagen, July 27. — The PJensborg railway advances 
rapidly. The 40 feet long iron-bridge over A ngolbo-st reel excites 
gcncrol astonishment. Its construction is similar to that of 
the Britannia-bridge. The station buildings ore not yet 
ready. The official technical controller, Captain Ovosen, 
has given great satisfaction by his talent and urbanity, without 
which tho line would huve been thrown back, as is tho case 
with the Roskilde-Korsor line, where Major Dreier hn6 done 
much mischief. As to the continuation of the Flcnsborg line 
northward to Fredcrikshaven, nothing has been done. As I 
foresaw, nothing will come of the plans for railways in 
Swiden. Between the two stools — Mr. Pcto’s scheme, and 
that of the Government — the whole movement falls to the 
ground. The parliamentary committeo occeplB neither. It 
has decided on recommending a commission to inquire into 
the lines laid down in the drawing for South Sweden, and to 
report on the same to the next Diet. It grants a 6nin o 
100,000 r.d. bko. for this purpose. f 
^rmnnsoitnr m \\ * Jttiisaiue Intelligence. 
MEETING OF LODGES, &c. 
Mon-dat, 7th. No. 168, Builder's Anns, 11 ussrll -street, Chelsea— No. 
223. White Hart, Bisliopsgato-strcet. 
Tobsdat, 8th. No 196, Holly Busli Tavern, Hampstead— No. 2-17, St. 
James’s Tavern, St. James 's-pluce, Ahlgutc, 
Wednesday, 9th. Coin. It. Ben. Inst., nt 3— No. 13, Queen’s Arms 
Woolwich— No. 15. Three Tuns Tavern, Soutlnvurk- No. 172, Jtoya 
Albert, New Cross Road, Deptford -No. 205, Anderson's Hotel, Kensing- 
ton— No. 752, Adam and Eve, Kensington. 
Thccsday, 10th. No. 248, George and Vulture, Cornlilll— No. 778, 
Freemasons' Tavern. 
Beadox Lodge, No. 902— Star and Garter, Kkw Bridge.—' T ho 
brethren of this Lodge, which is rapidly progressing In numbers and 
efficient members, will meet on Wednesday, lGtli instant, for the pur- 
poses of installing the W.M. elect Brother W Watson, I’ M., No. 23. We 
need not dilate upon our brother's excellence; suffice it that no one 
connected with the craft of the present day works more for the promul- 
gation of the order, which has won him the golden und deserved opinion 
of his brethren in Freemasonry. What will make the ceremony still 
more Interesting is, that Brother Bcadon, P.G.S.W., in compliment to 
the Lodge, and to do honour to a worthy brother, will officiate as In- 
stalling Master; this, coupled with tho well-known catering and liber- 
ality of r.M. Brother Adams mine host, the locality of Kew Gardens 
advantage of rail, omnibus, and steam-boat, -will offer a day of recreation 
and enjoyment, as well ns one of instruction, to its members. 
Scotland —Masonic Installation of Lord Pan mure 
as Provincial Grand-Master. — Dundee was enlivened on 
Thursday by a masonic demonstration. The object of the 
meeting was the installation of Lord l’amnure into the office 
of Provincial Grand-Master, to which ho was appointed by the 
Grand Lodge of Scotland on the demise of his Lordship’s 
father. Everything went off to the entiro satisfaction of all 
present conducted by Brother Laurie, secretary to tho Grand 
Lodge of Scotland. Lord Panniure, in a most elegant and 
truly masonic speech, congratulated the Brethren upon tho 
auspicious events of the day, assuring them that though this 
was the first of the provincial meetings under his chairman- 
ship, they should very soon find it would not be the last.— 
Dundee Advertiser. 
Cornwall — The Provincial Grand Lodge and Festival 
of the Free and Accepted Masons of Cornwall was held this 
year at Callington, on Tuesday week, and on the occasion a 
large number of Brethren from the several Cornish Lodges, 
bs al-o from those of Devonshire, were present. The lodge 
was close tyledat half-past ten o'clock ; the Brethren walked 
in procession to the parish church, where the service was read by 
the Ilev. Henry Farwell Roe, and an excellent sermon preached 
by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev. H. Grylls, M.A., 
\ icar of St. Neots, who took for his text Micali vi. 8 
After the service the Brethren returned in procession to the 
Lodge, when the annual businesswas transacted. The Deputy 
Provincial Grand Master, Brother Ellis, of Falmouth, per- 
formed the duties in the absence of Sir Chark-8 Lemon the 
Provincial Grand Master. The collars for the ensuing your 
were given to Brother Smith (Governor of Sciliy Islands), as 
Provincial Grand Senior Warden; to Brother Childs, of 
Liskeard, as Provincial Grand Junior Warden ; to Brother 
Pearse, of PeDzance, Provincial Graud Treasurer ; to Brother 
Molesworth, of St. AubyD, a- Provincial Grand Sword Bearer. 
Brothers Kempthorne and Peter, of Callington, also were 
invested with provincial honours. Several votes of charity 
were made to poor Brethren. The Deputy Provincial Graud 
Master (Ellis) paid a complimentary tribute to Brother 
Kempthorne for tbe excellent working of his Lodge, and fin- 
ished the proceedings of the Lodge by delivering a very able 
lecture to the Brethren. The Lodge was then closed, and at 
three o'clock the Brethren assembled at GoldiDg’s Hotel, and 
partook of a splendid dinner. The Deputy Provincial Grand 
Ma-ter Ellis presided. After the loyal and masonic toasts 
were g'veD, the ladies were admitted, and 6eemed anxious to 
gather all the 6ecrets thoy possibly could. Tho Royal Marine 
Bund was in attendance, and the following Provincial Grand offi- 
cers belonging to the Devonshire Lodge Brothers T. Russell 
Maynard, Jenkin Thomas, KUIingly, T. Pollard, und Schle-> 
singer. Visiting Brethren W. Dament, W.M., of Lodge 224, 
E. W. Cole, W.M., Lodge Fortitude, J. C. Hancock, F. Mar- 
shall, II. Lidstone, Rodd, Pomeroy, icc., &c. Tho following 
was the order of tho procession : — 
Two Tylers wllh drawn swords. 
Banner of the One and All Lodgo. 
Bund. 
P. G. Stewards with wariih. 
Vlsltlnc Brethren, two und tw », juniors first. 
Rough Ashlar borne by an E. A. 
Tyler with drawn sword. 
Brethren of Lodges in the Province In the following order, 
juniors first : — 
Druids Lodge, Redruth, No. 859. 
Victoria Lodue, Culltngtqn, No. 815. 
8t. Martin’s Lodge, Liskeard, No 750. 
Peace and Harmony Lodge, St. Anstel, No. 729, 
Cornublau Lodge, Hayle, No. 1150. 
Plxenix Lodge, Truro, No. 415. 
One unit All Lodge, Bodmin, No. 413. 
True und Faithful Lodge, Hclslon, No. 400. 
Fortitude Lodgo, Truro, No. 153. 
Mount Sinai Lodge, Penzance, No. 142. 
Love and Honour Lodge, Falmouth, No. 89. 
Perfect Ashlar, borne by n M. M., of No. 89 Lodge. 
VV. M. of No. 69 Lodge. 
The Tracing Board of tho first degree, borne by two E. As. 
1’. G. Inner Gunrd withdrawn swords. 
P. O. Deacons with tho Wardens' column*. 
Tho Tracing Board of tho second degree, home bv two F. Cs. 
P. G. Organist. 
1’. G. Architect* 
P. G, Director of Ceremonies. 
The Tracing Bourd of the third degree borne by two M. Ms. 
Book of Conslltu tions borne by u W. M. 
P. (J. Secretary. 
P. O. Registrar. 
P. G. Treasurer. 
Bible, Square, and Compass, borne by a P. M. 
1*. O. Chaploin. 
P. P. O. Wardens. 
Tin’ Corintlnun Light. 
Thu Doric Light. The Ionic Light 1 
The Plumb Line borne by a M. M. 
P. ll. J. Warden, with gavel. 
The Level borno by a M M. 
I*. G. S. Worden with Gavel. 
The Banner of the P. D. P. G. Muster. 
P. D. P. G. Master. 
The Banner of D. P. O. Master. 
The Square borne by a P. M. 
D. P. G. Master. 
Tlie Banner of the B. W. P. G. Master. 
P. G. Sword Bearer. 
R. W. T. (J. Master. 
Two Stewards with wands. 
P. G. Tyler. 
A Freemason Taken i»r Pirates. — Under our “ Naval 
Intelligence ’’ wo liavo noticed u caso of Piracy, in connection 
with which Hie following details liavo just been received by 
Captain Halstead, U.N., secretary to Lloyd’s, from their 
agent at Porto Rico. 
“ St. John’s, Porto Rico, July 0, 1854. 
“ This morning came in the British sloop Sea Flower, Cap- 
tain Thomas, master, from Port an Platt (Iluyti), and reports 
that on the 23rd ultimo, when about twenty-fivo miles west 
of tho end of this island (sny in tho Mona Passage), she was 
stopped and overhauled by a fast-sailing schooner of about 125 
tons, armed with long bross guns (18 pounders on a pivot, 
and two small guns, one on each side), and manned bv about | 
GO to 70 white men of all nations, or nt least speaking nil lan- 
guages; showed no colours, had on deck a blue signalled flag 
with a red squaro on it; no small arms were seen, but there’ 
was a largo chest on deck that may have contained them. 
Could not mako out which wu9 (lie captain ; a lull man with 
a long red beard, whom Mr. Thomas supposed might have 
been the commander, as he was tho most activo in speaking, 
giving orders. He appears himself to be uuder the control of 
a smaller individual, who spoke less but gave signs that were 
obeyed by the first mentioned. The man with the red board 
he thinks was an American, or, as he expresses it, “ Yankee, ’’ 
from a peculiarity in his way of speaking. The vessel was 
detained for a day and a half, and when cast adrift a ship 
and a brig was in sight, towards which the schooner made for. 
The vessel was robbed of 2£ coil (of half coils) of cordage, and 
the captain’s coat was taken by one of the men that boarded 
the bloop. Capt Thomas, who was taken on hoard of tho 
schooner the moment she came alongside, was kept thore the 
whole time. He believes his being a freemason saved him 
from being robbed, as his trunk was taken on bourd tbe 
6chooner, and upon its being opened bis masonic apron, sasli, 
&c., presented themselves. Ho then saw signs pass from one 
to tho other, who wore on board. They treated him well all 
the time, and sent back bis trunk without touching its con- 
tents. The little money he had was in gold, visible in tho 
trunk, but it was not touched. The supposition is that the 
vessel is either a pirate or a Russian privateer, waiting for the 
Royal West India Mail steamers, which come up that way 
from Jamaica, Cuba, to St. Thomas, fee., und are known to 
have large amounts of silver dollars, Sec., on board almost 
every voyage.” 
Uits aito Spurs. 
Want of Space.— A n editor at a dinner table, being asked 
it he would take some pudding, replied in a fit of abstraction, 
“owing to a crowd of other matter I am unable to find room 
for it . ,r 
A Swimming Wager.— We understand there is a Stafford- 
shire gentleman staying at the Imperial Hotel, who has offered 
to make a bet of £100 to swim from Cork to Queen’s-town. 
Spiders and the Weather.— If the weather is likely to be- 
come rainy, windy, or in any other respects disagreeable,’ spiders 
fix their terminating filaments, on which the whole web is sus- 
pended, unusually short. If these filaments are made un- 
usually long, the weather will be serene for ten or twelve 
days. If spiders be totally indolent, rain generally succeeds ; 
their activity during raiii, on the other hand, being a sign 
that it would be only of brief continuance, to be followed by 
fair weather. Spiders generally make some alterations in their 
webs every twenty-four hours. If these changes take place in the 
evening they indicate a pleasant night. 
The Arctic Expedition.— An Admiralty order has been re- 
ceived in Limerick for £408, payable to a poor man uamed Hickie, 
as wages due to his son, Cornelius Hickie, shipwright on board 
the lost Erebus and Terror, exploring expedition of Admiral Sir 
John Franklin. 
Farinodon.— Sparrow Club.— It is now fully determined to 
establish a sparrow club in this town, the meetings of which will 
be held at Mr. Smith’s, the Folly’ Inn ; n large number has joined 
the list, and Tuesday evening next is fixed to meet at the Folly 
Inn to frame the rules and make all preliminary arrangements 
for the completion of the club. 
The Bear and tiie Bootjack— A request made by Priuce 
Gortschnkoff on Sunday' last at Vienna was refused, and this so 
incen-el the “courtly diplomatist” that he would receive no 
visits during the whole day, and vented his wrath on one of the 
waiters, whom he beat with a bootjack. 
Distinguished Foreigners. — Amongst the cargo of the 
Ripon, arrived last week at Southampton, was a living hippopo- 
tamus from the White Nile, a dogfaced and a whiskered monkev, 
also a civet cat— all three from Nubia, and 28 live she-goats from 
Egypt. The hippopotamus is a female, about 9 months old. It 
was caught in a net in the Upper Nile, and when caught it was 
about the length of a man’s arm. It floundered about much be- 
fore it was secured. It is now a huge monster. It has been kept 
in Egypt in order to reach England in the hot weather. It bail 
a strong wooden house, consisting of a dormitory and bath-room 
on the main deck. Its name is Adela, and it seems to recognise 
the name when pronounced by its Arab keeper. It had two keep- 
ers— one a native Arab, and the other n person connected with 
the Rcgent’s-park Zoological Gardens. It was fed ou corn, meal, 
and milk, morning and evening. The milk was obtained from the 
28 she-goats on board, which afforded about a bucketful twicea 
day. It was in its bath about twenty hours out of the twenty- 
four, and oftentimes entirely buried its body, with the exception 
of one ear. It sleeps in its dormitory with the Arub, resting its 
huge head on the latter. If the latter leaves, it exhibits unea- 
siness, and tho Arab is obliged to go to it, and to shout ont 
“ Adela, here I am. ” The Arab occasionally flogs it with a stick, 
as if it were a dog. It must have light both in its bath and 
sleeping room. Its bath was u fresh-water one daily. The hip- 
popotamus now in the Zoological Gardens is a male, and should 
these animals breed their young will be the greatest curiosities 
in natural history ever seen in this country. The dog-faced 
monkey is with young, and is cine of the most sagneious ever 
seen in England. The goats are of a peculiar breed, and there 
was great difficulty' in getting them from Alexandria. 
The Tynemouth, Transport for Turkey.— Each officer 
has a good sized cabin to himself, with a scuttle in it; and a 
dining cabin, in which fifty could dine comfortably. They break- 
fast nt nine (I give you the fare of one day, being a fair’ sample) 
— Cold fowls, bam, pickled salmon, curry and rice, hot fry, hash, 
tea, coflee, and eggs. Twelve o’clock, lunch, with port, sherry, 
brandy, and malt. Three o’clock, dinner, soup, roast leg 
mutton, roast ducks, boiled fowl (twice laid), tripe stew, roll 
pudding, gooseberry tart, dessert, &c . ; port, sherry, claret, malt. 
Seven o clock, tea, with preserves, butter, honey. Eight to ten 
o’clock, spirits and wines, biscuits, &c. Time tilled up with 
reading, writing, gossiping, smoking, watching the progress by 
the land, &c. I believe that few have much to complain of. 
Sunday all dress in their best, have prayers, and appear attentive. 
Occasionally falling in with a transport, and, if French, all hands 
speedily cheering, which is always returned. 
Short Life and Long Mourning. — The Court of Mecklen- 
lnirg-Strelitz has gone into mourning for fourteen days for the 
infant son of Duke George, which survived its birth at St. Pe- 
tersburg three hours. 
The Sampson of Sii.istria.— I have not yet done with the 
wonders of the Arab Tabia. The Russians, in order to dislodge 
the Arnaouts from their ditch, carried their own trenches within 
a few yards from that paltry defence, which was formidable only 
because the bravest men that ever lived held it. So near was 
the Russian ditch, that the engineers threw the earth by shovel- 
fuls into the Arnaout ditch. This was effected with an enormous 
loss to the besiegers. On one occasion a Major Eminenn, a gi- 
gantic Hungarian, issued from the ditch leaning on the pole of 
a waggon, and challenged the Russians in the other ditch to 
come out and fight him. They accepted the challenge by taking 
hold of one of his legs, and endeavoured to drag him into their 
quarters. But the Arnaouts took hold of his other leg, and 
pulled him in their direction, while Major Emmena, utterly un- 
concerned, flourished his heavy pole and laid it on the Russians. 
Skulls were cracked and bones broken wherever that formidable 
weapon descended, and thus being freed from his assailants the 
Arnaouts drew Major Emmena over. That gallant olficer’s life 
was saved on this occasion, only to be lost on another. 
The Guards’ Club, at Alyden, near Varna. — The Guaids, 
animated with the recollections of Pall-mall and St. James's, 
have established a club in their quarters. There is not much 
gilding or plate glass about it, but it is a social pleasant place 
enough, and, for a camp, quite a refinement. It is merely a 
large square bower, the roof and sides of which are formed of 
slates, interlaced with small boughs of trees; and one compartment 
thus serves for the saltc-ti-manr/er , drawing, smoking, reading, 
and visitors’ rooms. Here, towards the cool of the evening, most 
of the officers rendezvous to exchange old newspapers, and wile 
away the hours in the consumption of the fragrant weed ; and 
here, as a matter of course, all news anil camp chat takes its 
origin and circulates throughout remote divisions. Without a 
visit to the club, we should never know the accurate weight of 
the last perch which Major Blank, of the Highlanders, drew 
from Lake Devna with a single line, nor how many doves were 
shot and hares seen in one day by young Swankie, of the Guards. 
Here, also, we learn on what particular part of liis anatomy 
Captain So-and-so was pitched, in trying to make a Turkish 
horse take a fence ; and who formed the last party which started 
for Shumla, where they broke down, and when they returned, 
fatigued ami disappointed. Conversation such as this, upon the 
few incidents which occur to break the dull monotony of our 
lives, form the principal attractions of the club, to which each 
visitor brings liis own tin pot and spoon; and Mr. Grace, the 
keeper of an extensive kind of canteen store, and general res- 
taurateur to the division, supplies cold brandy and water, bitter 
ale, &c., at very profitable prices. Altogether, the Guards' Club 
is rather a favourite place of resort, and its establishment has 
done much to relieve the tedium of ordinary eainp life at Alyden; 
though the 1st division must get up athletic games if they want 
to eclipse the rest entirely. 
Increase in the Str'engtii of the Nation.— In 1821 the 
number of males in Great Britain under 20 years of age and the 
number above 20 were nearly equal. The census of 1851 reveals 
a very different state of things. The increase in the young po- 
pulation (under 20) since 1821 lias been rather more than 2,500,000; 
the increase in the adult population (above 20) has been more 
than 4,000,000. The males nt the soldier’s nge of 20 to 40 amounted 
to 1,966,664 in 1821, and to 3,193,490 in 1861 ; the increase in 
the 30 years is equivalent in number to a vast army of more 
than 1,200,000 men. While the population under 20 increased 
37 per cent., the population between 20 and 40 increased 00 per 
cent. Assuming, ns may fairly be assumed, that the population 
under the age of 10 years, and the great bulk of the population 
of the age of 70 and upwards, are chiefly sustained by the in- 
dustry of the population living in the middle period of life, ex- 
tending from the age of 20 to the age of 60, it will be found that 
in 1821 the 6,307,991 persons of the middle age sustained 4,355,166 
children and old persons, or 68 per cent, of their own number ; 
while in 1851 only 5,797,295 ineffectivos by age (57 per cent.) 
were sustained by i.0, 082, 296 of effective population. Tested by 
these facts, the strength of the nation has increased faster than 
its numbers . — Census Report. 
H&bevtiscments. 
rnHE CHARGE FOR^ ADVERTISEMENTS in 
J. “Thb Field ” Is at tho rate of 
SIXPENCE per LINE, 
The minimum charge being 2s. Cd. for Five Lines and under. 
Payment must be made in Cash or by Post-office Order to the Pub- 
lisher. 
There was an erratum in Messrs. Wren, Brother's Advertisement last 
week: “by 2 ft. 4J In. deep,” should have rend " 2 ft. wide and 4j ir 
deep.” 
