s bounding with
joyous excitement, and every tongue eloquent in the praise of the
gigantic work now completed, and the advantages and pleasures it
afforded. A murmur and an agitation at a little distance betokened
something alarming and we too soon learned the nature of that lamentable
event, which we cannot record without the most agonized feelings. On
inquiring, we learnt the dreadful particulars. After three of the
engines with their trains had passed the Duke's carriage, although the
others had to follow, the company began to alight from all the carriages
which had arrived. The Duke of Wellington and Mr. Huskisson had just
shaken hands, and Mr. Huskisson, Prince Esterhazy, Mr. Birch, Mr. H.
Earle, Mr. William Holmes, M.P., and others were standing in the road,
when the other carriages were approaching. An alarm being given, most of
the gentlemen sprang into the carriage, but Mr. Huskisson seemed
flurried, and from some cause, not clearly ascertained, he fell under the
engine of the approaching carriages, the wheel of which shattered his leg
in the most dreadful manner. On being raised from the ground by the Earl
of Wilton, Mr. Holmes, and other gentlemen, his only exclamations
were:--"Where is Mrs. Huskisson? I have met my death. God forgive me."
Immediately after he swooned. Dr. Brandreth, and Dr. Southey, of London,
immediately applied bandages to the limb. In a short time the engine was
detached from the Duke's carriage, and the musician's car being prepared
for the purpose, the Right Honourable gentleman was placed in it,
accompanied by his afflicted lady, with Dr. Brandreth, Dr. Southey, Earl
of Wilton, and Mr. Stephenson, who set off in the direction of
Manchester.

"The whole of the procession remained at least another hour uncertain
what course to adopt. A consultation was held on the open part of the
road, and the Duke of Wellington was soon surrounded by the Directors,
and a mournful group of gentlemen. At first it was thought advisable to
return to Liverpool, merely despatching one engine and a set of
carriages, to convey home Lady Wilton, and others who did not wish to
return to Liverpool. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel seemed
to favour this course; others thought it best to proceed as originally
intended: but no decision was made till the Boroughreeve of Manchester
stated, that if the procession did not reach Manchester, where an
unprecedented concourse of people would be assemb