ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 28, 24 October 1840, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS.

The line of the Great Western Railway was opened on Monday as far as Reading. On the Saturday previous the Directors went down for the purpose of finally inspecting the station and line. The train, consisting of two carriages and a truck, with about forty persons, left Paldington at eleven o'clock, an.l reached Reading, a distance of 3."5| miles, in 45 minutes, being at the rate of 47£ miles per hour. On thfcir return 'vith the same ergine and train, after stopping at TwytW forwat.T, they travelled the whole distance of 30| miles from that station to Paddington in 37 minutes, being an average speed of 50 miles per hour. The maximum speed attained was at the rate of 58 miles per hour. — John Bull, April 19. There are no less than twelve vessels of large burden now in port prepared to receive passengers for British North America, and the berths in nearly halt that uumber are already engaged. The tide of emigration from this district has never set in so strong in our memory as in the present season, and bids fair to surpass all anticipation. We seriously believe Limerick will afford an outlet for 6,000 agricultural labourers and artizans to Upper and Lower Canada before the fall of the season. — Limerick Chronicle. The "John Garrow," iron-ship, Capt. J. Wilson, an iron vessel of 800 tons, calculated to carry forty keels of coals, arrived in the River Tyne on Friday last. Part of her standing rigging is made of wire, and except her top and decks, she is exclusively made of iron. Captain Wilson has ordered that parties visiting her shall pay one shilling each, which will be given to the " Shipwreck Society." She will load here immediately for Bombay. It is understood she sailed well during her passage from Aberdeen, and every way comes up to the most sanguine expectation that was forme.i of her capabilities. — Newcastle Chronicle. Death of Giuletta. Grisi. — A singular fatality would appear to attend the great performers at her Majesty's Theatre. We are sorry to have to announce the news of the decease of Julia Grisi's sister, which will deprive the public of La Diva's presence for some days. Giuletta Grisi is too well known .in. the world of art to require her history at our hands. She triumphed in vocal art on all the great theatres of Europe, and her Majesty's Theatre, as we believe, possessed her more than once ; but when she last came to England her talent was not at its zenith. Her voice was distinguished for remarkable control over those contralto notes which so much move the feelings, although its essential quality lay in the soprano. Having amassed a certain fortune, and married an Italian nobleman of considerable influence, she had retired from the stage, when one of the most cruel diseases to which flesh is heir gradually brought her to the grave. In consequence of the temporary retirement of Madame Grisi, Signor Lablache has postponed his benefit. — Morning Post. On Monday, the Queen gave her first state ball since the period of her marriatre at Buckingham palace. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the Italian opera with a visit on Tuesday evening. On Thursday the Queen held a drawing room at St. James's palace. Her Majesty has been almost every day in public during the week. — Age, May 1 7. Her Majesty, Queen Adelaide, continues, we are happy to say, in the enjoyment of excellent health. On Tuesday her Majesty gave a juvenile fete, at which the Queen, the Duke and Duchess and Princess Augusta of Combridge were present. On Thursday her Majesty paid a visit to the British Museum. — Ibid. The French are all in extacies because the English Government has granted to them the boues of Napoleon. The Prince de Joinville is to go in his frigate to St. Helena, and bring the relics to Paris. As far as we are concerned, the transfer of Napoleon's ashes to the " Hotel dcs Invalides" is a matter of little moment, the French nation might have had them long ago ; but we cannot imagine a more fatal step for the monarchy of July than the introduction of Napoleon, for with the French the dead emperor will be as the living, for the comparison between the Barricade King and the Monarch of Marengo and Austerlitz will be too plainly seen for the benefit of the former. The matter is, however, but a coup de theatre. When the curtain goes down both king and emperor will be alike — dust. — Ibid. That eccentric personage, ex-sheriff Parkins, is dead. According to a New York paper he has left 300,000f. in the French funds, and 20,000 in the hands of Messrs. Stone and Sons, who are his agents in London. — Ibid.