The Express. — London, England, 1852-09-01 00:00:00

SPIRITUAL WILLS." The report of the Salect Committee on the Law of Normans has bet n published. The following is an extract from the document "The general opinion of every witness of importance, with the reception of Dr. Wiseman, who di dined to ex press soy opinion on the subject, is that the greatest pub licity should be given to all deeds or instruments settling prop% fly for charitably purposes, and to the mode by which tb, trusts de:turd by such deeds or instruments are tarried into exeratton. In this opinion your committee fully eon. cur ; and they would suggest that it should be incumbent urea all persons to whom real or personal property is giver. or bequeathed upon any permanent charitable or religious eh), et, to make a return, either to eomminioners or to some public board, of the nature of the gift, and the particular purpo.es to which it is to be applied. Yuur committee have had evidence given to deem con cerning the mordent, of what are called spiritual wills or sem* trusts ; that is to say, gifts sad devises of property which appear to b.. ahsolate and free trees any treat what ever, but which are neverthetess aeoNspanied by some de claration of the intention of the donor or testator in such • form as to be binding upon the conscience of the person to whom the property is given, and to constitute him in con- Ideate, if not in low, a trustee for particular specified ob jects. In sorb roses the declarations of trust are not sub mitted to the clout of probate, or in any other way die clewed, either wilt n the gilt takes effect, or subsequedly in the course of the adminitur dims of the property. In some instauces these instructions concerning the trust appear to be communicatt d v. ebony, or if espreseed in writing, are est.:holly from ilsa as not to constitute a trust within the rules of a court of equity. "This state of things;seems to be the obvious and inevita ble result of that code and that policy by which a certain application of Itotuan catholic property, instead of being per Iby law i. prohibited by law. An alteration of the law in this rt.-peat would probably diminish the fre quency of each dispositions by Roman eathulics. But the obligations arising from the wishes of a testator arc not within the province of inonicioa, I law, for no law ran pre vent a legatee or an heir from holding himself bound in con science to elecute those wishes, to which, indeed, the opi nion of mankind attaches a peculiar sacredness. "Some of the Irani sacs t aimined before your committee express a confident opine's' that practices of this kind pre vail to • very considerable extent. If this opinion be cor rect, your committee thiuka that it is a subject of deep re. gret, and that overy effort should be made to put the law on such a foundation as to off ird no occasion fur such conduct, and to prevent the possibility of its *crummy hereafter. "four committee have come to this eonclusltn for the following • ..... ngst other tiallOW., !Vella,' they think that in all eases where prinerrty is permanently devoted to any charitable ur raligious use, the heirs or neat of kin, or other persons who in the ab sence of such a gift would be entitled to the property, ought to bane the means of dis covering the nature of the gift, and the purposes to which it is to he applied, in order that they miy aster tun whether the property has been legally dispoted of, and whether it has been bestowed without undue in fluence having been exercised on the giver. Your committee oho think that the public in general and the governmer.t ought to have the means of knowing the purposes to which property is devoted ; and they also are of opinion, that for the purpose of ensuring fidelity and honeety on the part of those to whom property for the put. poses of charity is entrusted, every facility should be afforded for inquiry concerning the subiect.matter of every such gift, the torpoeys to which it ought to be applied, and the manner in which, in each case, the trusts have been carried into execution. " Your committee arc well aware of the:difficulty,and per. haps the impoesibility, of absolutely preventing secret trusts, and compelling the pee on* to whom trust property is gieen to make the returns Ecreinbeforr recommended ; but they would suggest that some provision to the following elect should be made, namely, that whensoever property is given for any charitable or religious purpose, in such form as that, if the Lets w ere disclosed, it would be deemed a trust by a court of egiiity, and the person to whom it is so given shall wilfully conceal the facts and neglect to give the proper return, he shall be liable, at the suit of those who would be entitled io the absence of the trusts, or in their default at the suit of the crown, personally to refund what ever he shall have received from the property. " It will be found in the evidence of l'r. N iseman,thst he assigns two reasons why Roman catholic charities should not be made subject to publicity, which reason. he states do not apply to the charities of other religious communities. The first is, that for a avast many years Roman catholic property, instead of being protecte d by law, was always attacked by law, and Dr. Wiseman, without asserting that the fact is so, think. it possible that Romas catholic'' would find difficulty in bringing these trusts before the public without knowing, first of all, that they would be secured against what had been, in their opinion, the unjust opera lion of the law in respect of them for several centuries.' Dv. Wiseman suggests, 'that something should be done similar to what has been done for properties of other reli gious bodies, such ass good title should be given upon proof of application for • certain number of years; upon usage shown, they should be confirmed, and • title given.' " Your committee see no objection to this proposal, but they prefer expressing their opinion in the more general farm, to the effect. that if there be any defects in the title to property devoted to Roman catholic charities arising from practices adopted in former times to evade laws that are now repealed, provisions should be made to remedy such defects. The other reason alleged by Dr. Wiseman why the Roman catholic charities should not be made public is the law concerning superstitious uses. This branch of the subject is treated of in a subsequent pert of ttie report, but your committee must here state that, whether any altera tion be or be not made in the law en this head, they can not concur in the opinion that it constitutes a sufficient reason against the publicity of Roman catholic charities in poem." THE WESTMINSTER FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY. The third annual meeting of this society took place yesterday evening, at St. Martin's Hall ; Mr. F. E. B that.. in the chair. The Bin ntee of the last meeting having beta confirmed, the committee were elected foe the ensuing par. 'Thirteen fames having been proposed. mad twelve being the number, one gentleman had resigned, widths remaining names were adopted without opposition. Mr. H CGOETT, the seeretuy, read • letter front Mr. Charles Lushinetou. redoing the office of pendent. on anomie of his having named he represent Westminster. The secretary added, that • deputation had waited is Mr John Shelley, the new member, ~questing hint to moment to fill the vseasey. The wigs:anon was auccessful. sad Sir John stated on the occasion that he waa deeirOus of puttiog bison( under • course of tuition, in order that he l i might be able to cony out the principle of the society in two nineties with which he was closely sassed. (Cheep.) On the swiss of Mr. CoiwiLL, easels' by Mr. Cox, Sir J. Shelley ens measimenely eleined Oa the sales of Mr. Cs, sessided rlirionwsow, Mr. Bidgood, of Vbsstres was dims MI the seas of arbitrator, yarn by tb• the preview 1 arbitrator, Mr. Lakes Sm. the Wee of shuns. The office of the witaiiees was Bawl die re-Swim of Mr. Tapp. and sisedse Kr. is Us of Mr. Mary who had reiireed a the Email of removal from the totality. Scrutineers of the ballot see this Sawa. - The mewl repeat of the ameitheoe seed by the Secre tary, staled The lapes of another twelvemonth SIM the Let metal media' of tbe moiety, imposes upon yew emsalttee the duty of se the niesalses the third yearly report epos the affairs the weiety. Th e isesebers will W grati fied to know that the .marl, alliii s Er: &dew laps of the society Imes bosh aced lMO Ma MI ng reer hied, to an . :t e at he biped the nun eapoew tines of its urifiull primillheea. The sl laneweet for the multiplication of freelmilduss has hen the boo/bl ame until now, Naively poiseumme rat Mommitte• have the gratdestiem Wig ODOM MIIIOOIII. that UM Westminster Society eindswe he MU a heasehe yeeitio• moor the numerous sissemindoom sneer is difs MOM. The history of the society 6014 rig year le wet eatmactoty, or is selling's' the tact of then being 1,111 shares now in edNemse t _sodoelve el thus tiki a up tin the Kent Tows &tete. Malay, the Rolm. dale Estate, litigate an the Dittos LW& The imembers will also Mid another eat rest of the tastiest,' popularity sad eStiest west* of the meaty, in the large sum subscribed, the ritewieS fed ta i l a raU . .. oB / amounting to 6.1A11. 13e. 3d., inaktar the t iron the stabliMment of the society 15,61 W. da. estates which have sew bum etigednid lia sa gis es the Moore, Erie Moo, and Idgese piersgeles C 'spieled) are purchases at Lase Mae; Lillian, loading. Ihe Reigate and LOW( Direr estates have been allotted once the earrittee's Iry With regard to the Kil burn Park sae id the nest deekehle building si:ol=v4imity 1111.6.11.11: 0 4 to state that vilewhat 4 ell SWIM boo bum into, and they are DOW ia 'NMI I.lllll.lftlithey ipri Os clrepieico of which the roads will beisismibbispessphd #.l IMOIOn wad. The allotting of thie teatime lobe ns taw contract for the roads has boss The sersage- In. ate for the distribution side pirebere II• al.o 1, mg proceeded with, and will be sem ted neat Sass the allotment of the Kilburn Park property. The gommittte were influenced in the Reading peeehass by their desire to consult the wishes and intend, a dm proctorial members; and the ready attention whisk yew esenatittee have always felt it to be their duty to pay to the ressonable suggestions of the distant subscribers, as well as of those residing in the metropolis, has been, they are glad to as one of the causes of the society's present popularity. With the view of en suring a permanent value to the allotments, the committee have Always adhered strictly to the principle of secur ing to the members land suited to building purposes • sad have the sa ti s f act i on to k now t h a t ever y one o f th e reveling., Qs, ing eligible b u ildi ng s it e s) are daily increasing in value. our committee desire to esprem their continued confidence , in the systi.m of rotation and nonpayment of interest, as ' adopted by this society, and have much gratification in referring the members, as the result of thee system, to the following rates of premium obtained on shares standing i neat in order of allotment, showing an average profit of nearly 100 per cent. on the capital invested, viz.: .. . kremiame peoviime se eielmiat. Kent Town Estate hem /3 to L 5 I klin.dele E.tate from £3 to 17 Long Hatton Estate team E 3 to £5 K.lhurn E.tate from /7 to £l2 10s. " The plots theramlice, after allotment, hare obtained tLe following premium. Kt tit T .ven Estate from Li to f2l premium. 11 Instable Estate Long Winn /Mate from £3l to £6l do. THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY " Tho cumber of voters, in respect of property, obtained through this sosioty, is increasing; and must continue an , Dually to inemose. In addition to the fifty-two members .• who have had the opportunity of voting at the late West Surrey election, there are, this year, Asoed on the list of voters, and unobjected to, fourteen of our members for the ' Kent town property, and eleven for the Holmdel' estate. The committee feel that the fullest information should be rendered to the society, and have therefore, in addition to the balance-sheet, now in the hands of the memben, thought it desirable to pretest the abstracts of accounts between the vendors and the ellottees of the estates :" The oseneoittet think it unnecessary to say much en the political results obtained by the society; the recent elec tions hams meek patent to the whole world the important part freehold land societies are destined to p!ay in the future parlissamatory history of the kingdom. At this time, when it is the general impression that • large extension of the esestitetional right of participating in the return of mem ben te the House of Commons will not be long delayed, it would seam to to deservedly • subject of holiest pride, that while Mims may obtain the privilege of the franchise by tbe tardy concession of an unwilling legislature, the mem ben of the freehold Pula societies have achieved ensiled, sem by their own united efforts, that position to which their intelligenee, their unremitting industry, their fore thought and self denial, show their incontrovertible title ; and all men, of whatever shade of political opinion, cannot but yield to the eenviction, that the best interests of the country are concerned i 0 developing the freehold land move ment. _ . Mr. SIIIRLIT moved, sad Mr. MfTCAT seconded the adoption of the report. After questions had be n put with regard to *event items of I apense, and an'wcre had been given, which were apps. rently satisfactory to the meeting, the motion was agreed to. In reply to the question how many allotments had been made, Thc Reenter tax stated that there had been 212 for East Monhey, 116 for Reigate, and 21 for Long Dittm ; in all 449. The Reading and Kilburn estates, it was observed, tad not b.-en allotted, and it was expected that the former would make 177 allotment.. _ _ ?dr. %Yams propnad a resolution to the effect that mem bers miring sham to sell, and parties who wished to bey shares should have their names entered in a book to belt, pt et the office for that purpose, and to be open for the in erection of members, complaining that as the matter stood, wltl it nt Litanies were not given for sale and purchase without the agency of the secretary. The resolution having been seconded by /dr. ALDEXTON, • long discussion ensued, in the course of which the secre tary stated that there were then two boards at the ofliee, put at his own suggestion and expense, fur the very pur pose contemplated by the resolution ; and, as regarded his own intervention, his sole object in it had always been to en iblo members who wanted to dispose of their shares to I obtain the best price. (Cheers.) The resolution was ultimately carried; and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceeding,. RAILWAY MEETINGS. _ SOUTH YORKSHIRE RAILWAY AND RIVER DUN COMPANY. CIIAROE OF REPUDIATION AGAINST THE GREAT NORTHERN. The ordinar y haltycarly meeting of this company was held at Me Cutler,' Ftall, hheflield, on Tuesday, Lord WHARNCLIFFI In the chair. After the usual preliminaries the Stearvant reed the report as follows : •' The mineral traffic during the past half-year has amounted to 193,766 tons of 20 cwt., which, with the ton nage carried during the preceding six months in excess of the quantity fixing the rate of dividend for that period, raises the total quantity to 213,586 tons, giving a dividend under the working agreement with the Great Northern Company, at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, and leaving 13,586 tons to be carried over to the credit of the present half-year. The joint application by the two companies to parliament, during the last session, fur an act to enable this company to sell or lease their undertaking to the Great Northern Company was successful. It was the intention of your directors immediately to have availed themselves of the powers of this act, and with this view, your solicitors were instructed to prepare a deed of convey. ante of your undertaking to the Great Northern Company; and, u the shareholders are aware, a special general meet ing was summoned for the purpose of sanctioning and affix ing the seal to that document. A difference, however , arising between your directors and the directors of the Great Northern Company, as to that company voting in respect of their South Yorkshire stock on the appointment of trustees, and on any alteration of the terms of the agree meet, it was deemed advisable to stay (nether proceedings until this difference had been adjusted, which your directors had full confidence in being able speedily and amicably to effect. In the meantime, the period having arrived when, under the existing working agreement between the two companies, ft was necessary that the dividend for the past half-year shou!cl be ascertained and fined, your directors followed the course prescribed in that agreement by appointing a deputation to meet • deputation from the Great Northern Company for that purpose. The deputations met, but, unfortunately, failed to agree ; the Great Northern deputation:contending that the coal carried should be calculated at 21 cwt., your deputation, on the contrary, claiming to reckon 20 cut. to the ton. Under these circumstances your deputation, in secordance with the provisions of the fifth clause of the agreement, made an erode* report. After some correspondence between the two boards a conference was suggested by your board and agreed to by the Great Northern directors. Deputations from the two boards met on the 23rd instant, at Doncaster, and it is with much regret that your directors have to re port Lot the Great Northern deputation intimated a desire ea the part el the Great Northern board to recede from the easteast entered into with this company, A resolution jestiod by the Great Northern board on the 25th instant, and trammiteed to your directors, remorse all doubt upon this past. It is se follou a : ORZAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.— Extract from the minutes of the proceedings of the dimmers et a beard, held on Tuesday, the 26th August, 1862. Resolved,—That after • careful consideration of the several provisions of the act, 15 and 16 Victoria, cap. 163-30th June, 1852, permitting the amalgamation of the South Yorkshire Railway and River Dan Company with the Great Northern Rano', Company, this board docs not feel justified in advising the Great Northern proprietors to manias an agreement for amalgamating the two companies upon the terms of the weeniest of the 26th February, 1862, alluded to la that act t and that • copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Yorkshire Railway.—ffligued)—J. R. 24owarr, deereessy.—J. C. Handlield, Esq., Secretary, South York shire Railway ." In this peados of • ems was submitted by your Cession to I. It. Lamm D.C.L., who bed taloa no =ashes the on ehislaing the aft ef par- The spiels ■ la reply use on Mews : " Qualm es the igamemet mile& in the act eft ghee the the teem agreed is, the parties : l et a se sad inery power, • mart ef amity as am 'ahem the legal iimivistisa of the agreement the lastesse of either perty ?' Oplaint. I am of *Wen that the instrument af Ile Fehmary, 1862, sad diesel of pailemeed NO a shish I ham Peed) hem Spam a mild and Wales distrait hennas** We impales shish the set of pellemeat gives the end** cartitialmigkeed entlisig to tarry In.. east AR the Moms fif the egremene WISE sedlibeedy Yaks and molls swept ens bni tai sae le sepal.. of h6r seals melds It is the mode of tressfer ; L ti teheiber Saban he by • Mese fee 1.011 paw, or an ekwleb sea.. speso. _ The metes* le whim 4 a transfer by MS OR OOP abode. URN feet, lima desire • lease, eel the ether insist upea ea te convey pace, the Cseet of Chancery might Woe to Interfere ; but if seeping is wain as gnat :7 (as the case may be) delbee;eni elk es de so, tiled may require the ofFwei• Mr 88 sisal bY latish the transfer shall be made • seed *Mk that • semi of equity would enforce this el ection, end the legal sempleilis af the contract ac cordingly. The at recegehas the ememment of February, 1862, sad gives the missmary Immo for meryieg It into effect. It else autherime the milks* any Into onset a Isms or sale apes any other Moms If they shall mutually agree to substitute • new egmemest for that of February, 1862. But unless there is a maid agreement to abandon or vary that agreement, I an of maim that it may be en forced at the instance of either pasty In the way I have mentioned.—cBigned)—J. S. Immo'', 11, Now-square, Lissolierinn. ' Tour directors are not prepared to say, having had but • short time for deliberation, wl at may be the beet mune le pursue under thee, circumstances. But they INS NUNS the proprietors that the matter shall receive their meet anxious attention. The works have been carried Ni steadily, and are fast approaching completioe. The C11•11111A)1 moved that the report should he wesioli and adopted. He had on former occasions steed Y dot position, to maintain what he thought a just view of des contract into which they had entered with the Great Northern Railway Caspaay. There had Seen these pro mpt, and were now present, who took • different view of the matter;aad who had Dieted strong objections to the elusion of that sgrermest, bet the proprietors supported the directors in their recomuseadatiee that the agreement' should he confirmed, and they had certainly thought they were approaching a period when this company weielitener far its interest to that company with which it bad been amalgamated. They had made • joint application es par li.unent fur power to conclude that agreement, and they thought the time was approaching when it would he car ried into effect. They had, however, been disappeisited. What might be the precise reasons which had indueeced the directors of the Great Northern Company in offering the objection which was embodied in their !resolution he could nut pretend to say. Ile (the chairman) still retained the same opinion that be had eapremed on • former occasion— naraelr, that that agreement would be advantageous to that company, and he was still convinced that it would be for the interest of the company that the agreement should be confirmed. He thought they had apparently, upon the face of the facts es they stood now, an undoubted claim to the cordial co-operation of the great Northern Company in carrying out the agreement that had been made. What course the directors of this company ought to take in pur suance of that view they bad not yet been able to deter mine; but he trusted that the shareholders would not upon this occasion interfere further than to sanction what had already taken place. Mr. C. Thomsen( Deconde , f th e mo ti on . Mr. lIIONSIDI, of Sheffield, said he should not move any substantive resolution, but for one he was exceedingly glad to hear this strange news. Whatever the directors he hoped they would not go to law with the Crest Northern to compel them to complete the agreement. The South Yorkshire wu a good railway per se, sad tb,ir bast own, was to let the Great Northers &lose. Mr. Ilsuriai.u, M.P., thought the report should not pen without some further eaplanatioa. It was upon Mr. Denison's evidence, still fresh in his (Mr. H adfield'e) memory, that which the Great Northern sought to repudiate, was obtained, and obtained, too, in • very imperfect form. He (Mr. Hadfield) did his hest to stop the misfortune, but did not succeed. Ile law from his first glance at the bill that the South Yorkshire proprietors were in the mouth of the lion ; that it was an ill-onnsidered hill, and as such he complained of it at the meeting in the strongest terms. He had no expectation that the Great Northern ware to have the option of rcpu Bating the bargain, lie (Ms. Hadfield) brought them a customer, • year ago, with terms which he then declared and still thought were 100,0001. more vale able to thin company than those offered by the Great Nor thern. The noble chairman entertained a different opinion —a very honourable and honest one, he was sure. One thing he could bear testimony to—namely, that his lordship stood much in his own light, so far as regarded his own in terests, in rejecting three customers to accept one. When th- pruprieton concurred with his lordship's view, and de rided to lease the line to the Great Northern, he (Mr. Had field) gave in. But what had been done since ? Wu it a fact that railway companies were differently conetitisted u to honourable dealings from all other bodies (Cheers.) Was it a fact that • railway company, in the language of Mr. Burke, was like all other corporations, without soul, without honour, and without conscience ? (Cheers.) The agreement of the 26th of February was as strong as the English language could make it, that both compa nies covenanted fur themselves and their successors, the South Yorkshire to grant and the Great Northern to accept a conveyance on lease of the whole of the present undertaking of the South Yorkshire. Whether or not the situation of this company is better or worse, is now the question. Ile woo positive that they could have got better terms than those which the Great Northern chose t s give ; whether this company could get these terms now, was quite another question. The party who offered them, finding himself the only customer, might offer new terms ; so that great injustice and wrong had been done to this company by this affair. lie saw gentle men of the press present, and he begged that it might go out to the public that • contrast under the seal of tha Great Northern Railway Company was me, in the opinion of its own directors, binding, nor worth the parchment it was written upon. (Loud cheers.) 1 hus it was that millions of property derived from the hard earnings of the saving part of the community were abused by railway . companies. (Applause.) The revulsion in his own mind was so prodigiously great, that he could not express his feel ings as to the loree that was employed to compel him (Mr. Hadfield) into those terms, and to deprive him of • better bargain. And then to tura round and tell him that though they (the Great Northern) did agree, the moment that parlia mentary power was grouted, that they would take this line, yet that they now thought proper to disregard that con tract. Regardless of whether this property might be re duced 80 or 100 per cent., they would not approve the contract they had entered into under the seal of their com pany. (Great cheering.) Mr. CHAS. WILKINSON (Hull) expressed a hope that in future the reports would be circulated prior to the meeting. lied that been done in this instance other gentlemen might have attended the meeting to offer suggestions. The affair looked particularly suspicious. - Having been • shareholder of the Great Northern, and being dis gusted with many things connected with it, he begged to say that there were many matters connected with this agreement that were so suspicious that he trusted the board would be careful not to involve this com pany in any law suit ; for the position of the South Yorkshire was an enviable and a happy one. An agreement might be made more advantageous to this corn pny, and perhaps—at least he hoped so—with men more honourable, than that which had been already attempted. • (Cheers.) The resolution was then carried stem. rms. Two resolutions were then adopted in like manner, de claring a dividend of 4 per cent. fur the hallyear on the guaranteed stock, and the same on the ordinary stock, him meow tax. The CHAIRMAN said he eould Ammo the proprietary that that dividend was fully justified by the position of the com pany. It ass no fictitious dividend from capital, but honestly justifiable from profits. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. COLCHESTER, STOUR VALLEY, SUDBURY, AND JIALSTRAD RAILWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the offices, Church-street, Colchester. Mr. J. L. Ewix, the chairman of the board, presided. The usual preliminaries haying been gone through. Mr. PRILIIILICIC, the secretory, read the report. It stated that it would be in the recollection of the shareholders that in the month of May last they had been convened by indivi ' dual notice to consider a bil l then pending in parliament, promoted by the Eastern Union Railway Company, for making certain arrangements with their creditors, by which bill, as then submitted, the rights and interests of the Col chester and Stour Valley Company, in connexion with the Eastern Union Railway Company, were to be fullr declared and finally established. To that bill the proprietors had given an unanimous unction; and the directors had now the pleasure of reporting that it had become law in July last. The particulars of the arrangement entered into by that act were as follows:—The East Union Railway Com pany were to pay to this company a fixed rent of 9,5001. a year by two half-yearly payments, on January 1 and July 1, respectively, the first payment to be made on the let of Ja nuary, 1853. That fixed rent was to be In lieu of all flue- tasting rents that might have been paable under the agree ment of November, 1848 And in dis charge of all arrears al rent that were due on the let of July last. The payment was to rank next in Grier of priority after the stock autho rised to be enema by that set for the payment of certain creditors of the Eastern Union Railway Company ; in all other respects the agreement between the companies of No- , vember, 1848, stood confirmed. The lease and counterpart I were to be executed forthwith, and the directors were informed that the draft of such document was now under pommel. It would, however, be no doubt satisfactory to tits proprietors to know that the act had been so framed that the payment of the rent was not dependent on the eseentios of the knee. The directors therefore looked I. Mire to the regular pa mem of the halt•yearly rent, sod eusgratulated the char holdesa upon the pros pest ef a dividend seat half-year. In the mean time the direness wend most themselves to the utmost to ffilljun every eelelendlog tiein ea the sempany, in order to the (Wag et dm smith mesmit, and with that view a resent eel el lb. pow dime bed bma NMI*. Ms nes• ties den habitue Omaha Ara where the lath were is mar soma asmomily ma elm mar "Mil math diewilie. It had Niggly waft manes& tie allathin of the bead, bet at pane the emse was eat eseddired rips tar &dike. Devise the half-year thin bad been mitred is tamest of sneers od tells 2,3621. 10•., bet then still remised due Nowa the eight rails whisk lad Irma time te tins base aide the sum et 10,8811. 19s. ad. The report othileilet by stating that the diseases, were taking neswares to provers the mamas of saws borrowed ivy the esspeny at a lower vale et Wens& *ea bed up le this time Men paid, sad day &psi allS *opals. Mats el the maw market wield mat& Ohm ei that se dashable a w e anitheanasat. TM myna assowat, 'Mild h sete b. theed,theisol ad Iditissel wrier that head d w WI Is the mast et b. 7d ; ponds= b. lid.; I wad; V is. Total dheusesonals ip te the mesa time s lll b. IL ; balsa% 11,1113 t. 198.1 L 1 The ripen, eller • brief senveradoe, was agreed to, sad the meeting isessatiL MANCHESTER AND SOUTHPORT RAILWAY. The ary I*f-rely Rutin of the prep-looter, of this Sae weeled yearnft se Neasharner ; Wu. NA'. sass; Ira, on of the sat, is the Nair. The pro. Nellie. se awe, wen ea merely Wed ramose. The evert e the Moisten stated that ihe expediters ter the post lettiese embraced sundry payments is land maul, ml mike mutest to the sentreeter is respect of W essessed pukes of W rellwity. le the swath of Newport", lost a rale aid wee plea by the Court of Neese% Dar* is the et Nr. es swear of WI et at saw eiZz spa this employ Se show serne why a arn te swaps( the ihnernisa of Id kre rarbesse wad lbelpert Railway, es kW settbes besaaashmeled. Cusagrestly to with this roselike, liesSess ernsidered it ernieble apply top odium* br Ibil prier to abarka then welts, awl • wee seemitted to yeilensat. Ist eserwerds withdraws, sod the wit of aseessee las bees Wet • farther weahrees bee eke beta Wed, et the Wales ef alibis swans eflead lhat v r the Yoe whisk b Warns &boa emil Uses: thus eircembesek the mamba the die nests hos bees give; in the Int Wow, to She haws sad awl eseasaissi nee desastreelleg the Ike Warns Mks sai t a. sed aspilikinslave bees epos* moire soar willlhesswirel mask, essepiers, base et mtieV "tket &Mu From Wausau Unsay eblek4 ft is setinelled Net this see kss et the line may be esaskustai et • s umast sueedlog IdkNaL T. west that, ea* ray teatime outlay that any be imposed, then wee a beam to the welt of the anspany on capital account on the 30th Ineelss•—sassely, 70,3201. 139. 4d., and such further anteesees as arise from calls and the exercise at the peeper time of loan powers. It is reossweed Set the in which has wanted apes the ark Was, in the hands of the Lancashire se Teekshbe Cempany shall now be distributed, the keel mime sew being 8,3011. 46 ,or 40. 6d. per share. Sims the dale of the last meeting, Messrs. Henry Houldsworth and Jobe MOM have retired from the board, and the vacancies ham hems Ailed by the:election of Messrs. John Hargreaves, of Southport, and James pulse, of Liverpool. The following directors retire by rotation—Meson. Robert Gill, Wm. Stuart, and John lirogden, and are proposed for re-election. The statement of accounts showed that the expenditure during the haltyear had been 2,38 M. 17s. 7d., and the amount received an account of calls, up the 30th of June, 1852, was 207,8841. 1.5.. The CUAIRM AN moved thvt the report and accounts be received and adopted, and that the proceedings of the direc tors be approved of. Mr. H. MriLiwo (director) seconded the resolution,which was carried unmimously. The CHAIRMAN moved that a dividend be declared at the same rate as the dividend to be declared on the stork of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, at the ensuing meeting of the proprietors. Mr. STUART seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The retiring directors were re-elected, and the prom dials.' then terminated. EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1852. ULYERSTONE AND LANCASTER RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting or this company was held yesterday, at Manchester, Mr. J. Brogden in this chair. The report stated that the directors had funds in bend ' sufficient to meet their present engagements. The works through the town of Ulceratese were being urged forward as rapidly as possible, and they hoped soon to be in a posi tion to take the same steps on the other portion of the line. The arrangements were in a forwcrd state. The report, in conclusion, expressed the satisfaction of the directors that they were confirmed in their opinion of the great value of the railway to the Furness district, and the important in terests already established in it. The sta'emcnt of secounra to the 30th of June last showed that the total expenditure had been 24,4041., and that the balance in the hands of the bankers was 30,0751. The CHAIRMAN having moved that the report be received and adopted, Mr. J. Buoonxx, jun., in seconding tko proposal, ex pressed his concurrence with the last paragraph of the re port, indicative of the great advantage which would be de rived from this railway by the Furness district. It was gratifying that the landowners of the neighbourhood hod given proofs of their good wishes towards the railway, and bad met the directors in the best spirit. Ile might add, on the part of the directors, that they had met this gond feel ing on the part of the landowners in a kindred spirit, and the consequence was, that the works on the line would pro ceed as rapidly as possible. In answer to a Shareholder, The CHAIRMAN said that there were enough funds in hand without i:s being necessary to make any further call. In answer tea remark from Dr. KENNEDY, Mr. A. KROODEN said he had been assured that every facility would be given for the cheep construction of the railway. This was• great point, and when the railway was completed there could be no doubt that it would prove a great accommodation to the district and the public gene rally. The report of the Admiralty surveyor as to the con dition of the works was very satisfactory. The report was then unanimously adopted ; and thanks having been voted to the chairmen, the meeting separated. EAST ANOLIAN RAILWAYS. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held lesterday, at the London Tavern, Mr. 11. Bruce in the chair. The report of the directors stated that the net amount of revenue for the past half-year was 13,6.41., exclusive of the porportion of the Derehana traffic not yet ascertained, and that the set enabling the Eastern Counties Company to enter into agreements with the East Anglian Company had received the sanction of the legislature. In order to increase the goods traffic, it would be necessary to carry the railway from the . Isarboar•etation across the Nar, by means of a —. . swivel bridge , and thence along the quays in front of the granaries and timber-yards of Lynn; and the directors hoped to obtain tho unction of the proprietors to the un• dertaking. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, and expressed his hope that the line would soon be able to pay a dividend to the original shareholders. The passenger traffic was steadily increasing, and the directors anticipated that when the line was carried across the Nar, the geode Milo would also incresre . The expense of this wader was estimated at 16,0001., a part of which, it was mould be contributed by the corporation of Lynn. Evart was then adopted. • bag conversation ensued with respect to a propoeition then Ilbe directors should be paid .100/. for their services tram August, 1861, is. July, 1862; and, several share holders objecting, the chairman tendered his resignation. The motion, however, was ultimately agreed to, and, the chairman having withdrawn his resignation, the meeting separated. NORTH AND SOUTH WESTERN JUNCTION RAILWAY. Tho second half-yearly meeting of proprietors was held yesterday, et the office of the;trompany,l2, Parliament street; Mr. Mangles, M.P., in the chair. The directors' report stated that the line would he opened in a very short time, and that it would be desirable to con struct a small branch of a mile and a half in length to ac commodate the population of Hammersmith and neigh bourhood, numbering 24,0001. The cost of this branch would be only 15,0001., and it would enable persons living in the neighbourhood to travel by rail either to Waterloo bridge or to the Blackwall Railway station at Fenchurch street. The CHAIRMAN having stated the advantages of the branch to the main line, the report of the directors was adopted, and resolutions were paved authorising the board to take the subject into their immediate consideration, and to raise 15,0001. by mortgage or bond, an order to carry out the suggestion. KILKENNY AND GREAT SOUTHERN AND WLSTERN RAILWAY.—The half-yearly general meeting was appointed to have been held yesterday, at 8, Delahay-street, West minster, but zone of the shareholders, with the exception of the chairman, Mr. G. Anderson, at tended. The follow ing report would have been submitted to the meeting had it taken place. " Since the last half-yearly meeting the directors have been engaged in making arrangements for the discharge of the outstanding hal Hines of the company sad reteeettles the armoire des heat the defaulting she,. holders. Overtures have been made by respectable parties for the construction of the line, but at present no definite arrangement has been made. Should anything important arise out of the present negotiations a special meeting of the shareholders will be summoned to consider any proposi tion that may be made." CORK AND WATERFORD RAILWAY.—The half yearly meeting of this railway was likewise to have been held at the lame place yesterday afternoon, but in this case also there was no quorum. The report prepared by the directors was to the following effect ' Since the last haltyearly meeting overtures hare been made by respecta ble parties for the construction of that part of the line which lies between Cork and Youghal, with a branch to Queenstown, but no definite proposition has yet been re ceived as to the terms upon which this portion of the line should be made. Should anything be proposed which may lead the directors to infer the probability of any practial results, a special meeting will bo summoned before the di: rectors arrive at any conclusion upon the subject. It would be obviously premature at present to express any opinion ea to what may arias in the present position of again. No portion of the line to Tremont has yet been constructed, but there is every probability of the work being cogameneed early in the ensuing spring." NORFOLK ESTUARY COMPANY. Yesterday, the twelfth half yearlJ meeting of shareholden wu hold at the Graff-inn CetiN lease for the muse of no:4Mo( the report of the direelers. The webs also stated that she easetlai was to be ark Nadal, he the forgotten of certain shares. NNW W. It. Pam"lssi. is the char. It apparel teem the repeat mad that the weeks had bola favourably whoa they were mopped by an the Court Chummy, eltiatri at the et the Aubriak amemimiowook who re quired Om simpers, to mowed se memo the enelep by mead Wows oaf sot by stem* sal disiglig. which Kr. Op& of of the oesegsny nedsion to be t o tt a 2 mob of prooskore. no report ream slasselreasso to go to parliament bra new Oct to ompswer Own to maks the minim la the way moat meadel by the onsbmw. The Onatammr, moving the @depths of the report, ospromed rent A . the position they wore la, bet it woe me Ise wiled the &seam were in no way responsible. His dodged sentellos we Oat the beet way °fields( over the dilleal Lad tte= epp=p• erHamsat he a now am. _ Me maiss Mr. Misuse's Mrs possesisil to commost is terms es the tomisit Ihe imststMew_s Mum. Pote dr = Betts, is peesseMes Itto nal of Mmak. Is lb' sight time, is Ist saw MA, the works, setwithelmaNse that their mostils had alb teissty-fbar home Woe seessed Mr. Gordon, who had less seat down by the Almlosity to bombe Isle the watjeet, that they had s, Wen. ties of lobe es tied the works had boos ex morSoL It was se seeder that the Antidote osousis doom diinde het dle sled at such andinot Mt: E 1 ssellft le parVeme4 therefore, whisk, heorover, ht be stobay sessemy, be should reeesmosse the to apes to a movitaties. ',premise regret at the position tats whisk the Illismsery Company had lees besoght by the FilmeGM, Mei of Month, and their &approval of adtionwh="9 wholly % I V L to be lost - - It wus Sem owed by Mr. Bann% sal oohed by Mr. Masao, Vase the motley be remised Ibe 30th of toYOM sad la the emostimo Mel sesmillse be sp ier Ibe purpose el made. Se sa alikeble oessege. mese tlrtw Arbriak ammiliseeso. TM resolution ha boa aisperil, the maselog, wbish lasted were! boom LIVERPOOL IRISH SOCIETY.—On Monday evening the Marquis of Blandford, M.P., presided at the annual meeting of the Liverpool branch of this society, which was held in the hall of the Collegiate Institution. In the course of his remarks the noble chairman stated that the din. cultic., which the Irish branch of the protestant church had to contend against proceeded not only from the character of the people, but from the peculiar nature of their religios— e re ligi on which, however prosperous be the country, how ever fertile its soil, however plectiful be the gifts which God in his bountiful providence has bestowed upon it, how ever salubrious, however mild, or however beaignant its climate— et in that religion there was enough to cause a arid eat • degree of adversity to that country which can be asylipalle me other cause whatever. The noble ICU yds blued successive governments, not oily those having liberal tendencies, but those who had been generally opposed to them, for adopting a temporising policy with regard to the Roman catholic party in Ireland, whilst too few govern ments hail shown towards the established church that de gree of respect and regard which it ought to receive. He called upon the meeting to be true and faithful to the glo done constitution which they had received from their an eestore—a constitution which, though placed among the sha dows of earth, horn upon it the stamp of heaven. The report for the post two years was read by the Rev. Mr. Duck, secretary, and its adoption moved by the Rev Rector Campbell, seconded by Archdeacon Stafford, and unanimously adopted. The Rev. Thomas Nolen, the Pen. Archdeacon of Waterford, the Rev. Hugh 111*Nelle, and other speakers basing addressed the meeting, a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to the Marquis of Bland ford, who acknowledged the compliment; and, after singing the doxology, the meeting separated. IP. ELAND. DUBLIN. AUGUST 31. The Cork Eranainer states that within three months a line of telegraph will be completed be tween Dublin and Cork, thus bringing the south of Ireland into instantaneous communication with Lon don by the submarine telegraph to Holyhead, and with Glasgow by that between Portpstrick and Do naghadee. 'the Freeman', Journal of this morning publishes a letter from "the Reverend Doctor Cahill," occu pying two columns and a half of that newspaper. In the following loyal and enlightened strain he en larges on the future prospects of the empire:— , Ah, Lord Derby, your government can belly and perse cute, and spoliate and infideliso, when your victims are chained, and unable to offer resistance to your cruel tyranny and your sceurned oppression; but, Heaven be for ever praised, the Name is at length beginning to change. 'the sun of Great Britain is fast descending horn its culminating point; your day of unrivalled away is certainly drawing to a close ; your national character and prestige are beyond all doubt gone ; your nation is now universally branded as de ecitful and degraded ; you have decidedly forfeited the con flame° of Europe, and you are hated, & *plied, and ab horred by the whole world; your two successive govern ments have eapooeat England to the contempt of mankind ; you have made her • jester at St. Petersburg, • revolutioa ist and • base cringer at Vienna, a time-server at Paris, an infidel at Itome, a traitor at Naples, a burglar at Madrid, a perjurer at Lisbon, • persecutor at Berne, a tyrant at Athens, a coward at Washington, a hypocrite at home, and the devil in Ireland. -.-.---. The following morceau is a tolerable specimen of the spirit of the letter: When you malign the Jesuits, we point to Hungary, where the Emperor is now employed in placing these pious, exemplary, and learned men over all the schools of his subjecta. When you speak of the success of your Bible societies, we tend you the judicial decision of Austria and Naples, where an English protestant missionary is ordered from these countries within fifteen days, under penalty of public and forcible expulsion. When you talk of your pro testant liberality, we call your uttention to Naples also, where no protestant teacher would be permitted to superin tend any public clam, in consequence of the interminable calumnies which these creatuns are ever introducing against the catholic faith. English travellers, Engliali tourists, arc now stopped, i questioned, and trammed throughrut re Europe as if they wentriguing villains. disseminating rebellion and infidelity wherever they no. The correspon dents of the English journals are hunted like felons from every city in Europe ; their letters examined, and them selves ordered to quit in 40 hours, when their occupation of Blander and infidelity is known. Considerable excitement has prevailed among the shopkeepers of Dublin for some time past, in conse quence of the invasion of the drawing-room of a re spectable grocer and trader in spirits, and the expul sion of his guests, on a Sunday evening, by a ser geant of police, under the authority of the existing laws affecting that class of traders. A deputation, headed by the Lord Mayor, appointed at a recent public meeting, at which his lordship presided, waited on the Lord-Lieutenant on the subject yes terday, at the vice-regal lodge. his Excellency ad -1 witted the hardship, and promised to confer with the authorities on his return from his approaching visit to Belfast, to see what could be done towards putting the matter on a better footing. The following is from Saundere's Nors Letter under the appropriate heading of "a jury of priests :" An occurrence has lately taken place hers which displays their eternal tendency of the revolutionary spirit in the strongest light, and to which the verdict of Sizmile-bridge has given a very peculiar significancy. The coronership had become vacant in the county, and it being the only office which, besides being judicial in its character is at the same time filled by the suffrage of the people, the priests saw in it a bait too tempting to be resisted. Seven or eight candidates had presented themselves, all we believe Roman "catholic., but some of them hail made themselves obnoxious to the clergy by voting for Grattan at the recent election. They at all events must be got rid of, and the following plan Is hit upon. It is proposed to the four candidates who voted for Lucas, that in order to ensure the success of one of them, the most eligible of them alone should stand and the other three retire from the contest, thus throw ing the whole weight of that party into one scale. They agree, and accordingly a jury of twelve priests assembled, and "sat in calm council" to elect a coroner for the county of Meath. The candidates are ordered to bring in their votes, and Mr. Marmion produces 600 ; Mr. Hanway, 300; Mr. Markey, 70; and the fourth, 17. The numbers may not be perfectly accurate, but at all events they are relit tively correct. Mr. Marmion has twice as many votes as Mr. Hanway, and is fully qualified in every way; but although he voted for Mr. Loess at the late election ' he is known to bee man of independent spirit, a thing by no means to be tolerated. Ou the contrary, Mr. Ilanway, a man of a very different stamp, is the priests' very obedient *errant, and acconliegly Mr. Hanway is chosen, and Mr. Manalou is called upon to retire. Happening, however, to possess tbe independence for which his clergy gave him credit, he repudiates their decision, and in a printed placard calls upon his friends to rally round him in the contest which be is still determined to prosecute. The Rev. John E. White, clerical secretary of the Irish Society of London for promoting the education, &c., of the Irish poor, publishes a letter of some length on the subject of the missionary efforts of that society , among the Roman catholics of the west of Ireland. The following extract is worthy of note : At Belmullet, during the election of members for the county Mayo, a few days before, the town had been swept by a mob, and much damage done to the protestants, en the presence of the Roman catholic priests. Several boau, filled with Roman catholic., surrounded the life-boat of the Eerie fishery settlement, with its crew of oonvertboye, with the avowed purpose of burning her to the water's edge but were providentially prevented by some of the coest-Lnar id d coming to the rescue, and remaining on till the danger was over. At Bangor, the windows of the cottage inhabited by the missionary of the Irish Society, the Rev. A Tate, were smashed by the mob, because he had been the means of converting from Popery some 40 or 60 of the inhabitants of the village. Prom Kilmore-Ems the Bev. John Hewson writes, " Four converts were so intimidated that they left the country two were deterred from presenting themselves for confir mation by most horrid threw. The others who did attend are bitterly persecuted ; one of them was mercilessly kicked by her own father ; another of them had her life threatened ; and all are continually exposed to, and enduring contumely and insult. Could we protect them under such trials, their gratitude would be unbounded; and many otherswbo are de terred by their sufferings would gladly come out of Popery." The Dublin Ewen" Mail of last night publishes the result of an inquiry into the conduct of Head Constable Reddy, and the police of Clara, King's County, under his charge, in permitting for a long time past the singing of indecent and libellous ballads and the assembling of riotous mobs, who fre quently assaulted peaceable protestant' whom they happened to meet. Reddy was sentenced to be re duced to the rank of constable for six months, and removed to the county of Mayo, for the neglect of duty of which he was convicted. The Lord Lieutenant and Countess of Eglinton will leave the vice-regal lodge to-morrow morning, and proceed by special train, at half-past ten o'clock, to Belfast, to attend the meeting of the British Asso ciation, which commences on Wednesday. His Ex eellency.and suite will (preceded by the Mayor and corporation) go in procession through the principal streets of the town. The reports of the progt of the harvest are in general very favourable. The damage to the potato crop appears to be much less than what was antici pated. The Clonmel Chronicle writes: The weather continues beautifully fine, and all hands are =employed at harvest work. The late rains did some Amoy ve the heavy wheat and oat crops, but on the whole av brave has not much reason to complain. We hear as seers remplaints about the potato disease, and we therefor, baps our fears as to a total failure were not war ranted by the extra of the dreaded evil. The Ballinasloe &ar has the following: In oats there will be an sbundant yield; even though "lodged" very much, the damage isnot considerable. The hay will suffer more than an other description of produce ; at present there is great diMculty in saving it, but the callow meadows are seriously injured. Potatoes are coming into our market as fine as we have ever even them, and people generally declare that the disease is not extending. The Dundalk Democrat writes as follows: A great quantity of oats and barley has been cut and stocked. The oat crop is one of the best we have seen for many years. We have heard no additional intelligence re tarttitawgattrir o t f o t c h m e p irod W uce e be w l ill 'y n c ot it hret t i ror di :ifi u m t a ed n food. In some district, a larger quantity may be calculated on, but in rich lands not more than one•third will berate. The Meath herald gives the following: Harvest work progresses in this district with a rapidity such as we have seldom witnessed. An immensity of oats has been cut down during the pan week, which promises to yield above an average quantity. Potatoes are improving in quality as the season advances, and we have little doubts but that the supply will double that of last year. Onus grope are doing well. The Halway Vindicator says: Our advice. this morning from all parte of the province agree in the improved condition of the potato crop, and no doubt is entertained that we shall have a autficient supply. Tho progress of disease appears to have been arrested, and the gloomy anticipations of a total failure have vanished. The potatoes in general about loam are holding nut well, and the virus has evidently spent itself. Whilst it must be admitted that some patches are rather badly affected, in many cues scarcely a tainted cue in 100 ca n be found. The Roscommon Journal writes: We never witnessed so luxuriant a harvest at the pre.' sent, and the fineness of the weather contributes much towards reapin &c. We have some fins samples of new oats in our market to-day. It gratifies us much to per• wive that the potato crop is recovering from the effects of the blight, and we arc certain we will have fully an cverage crop. THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS. PROSPECTS OF THE HARVEST. TO THE IMOD OP Till DAILY seas. Sin,—At this juncture I cannot refrain from ad dressing you for tho purpose of letting before your readers, without exaggeration or pm ty bias, some account of the present aspect of our clops, and the hopes and fears of farmers with reference to the re sults of the present harvest. I was not amongst those who, some four or five weeks ago, indulged in tho most sanguine anticipations of an exuberant harvest, for 1 have long observed that such a cold and backward spring as that of the present year is seldom if ever favourable to the development of wheat, and is almost invariably the precursor of a wet and pi e carious harvest season ; and that has been literally borne out this year. Besides, the season, in the south of England at all events, it liar been obvious must be a late one, and a late seven scarcely ever proves one of great yield, even should the weather for the ingat tiering of the crops be favourable. I will just trace the progress of our crops, noting the great and extraordinary variations of tempera ture and weather they have been subject( d to, acid no one practically acquainted with husbandry io this climate will then feel surpriseJ that the flourishing, but, as I hold, illusory promises, so ninny of ouragri cultural reporters held out, have not been fulfilled. a After a dry autumn, which admitted of wheat sowing up to an unusually late period, we had in the latter part of January and the early part of February several weeks of heavy lain. So dry was last autumn, and I may say the whole of last year, that at Christmas the ponds and springs were lower than they had been known for very many years. A neighbour of mine, who had a deep well, going down to the main spring through a great depth of clay, found his well quite dry, and he had to send some distance for water for the use of both house and farm, and many similar cases came within tar own observation. March was a dry month, scarcely any rain having fallen, and though not severely trusty there were keen cold winds. During the W 110! of April wo had a succession of easterly nimbi and a total absence of moisture. Indeed, April of this year has been noted in the farmers calendar as one of ens most extraordinary months on record, its usually showery character being considered. Througlictit England the want of rain was at that time most severely felt. In the gracing districts, where farmers usually look for out-door keep for their stock, them was nothing of the sort in April, and many graziers were compelled to sell many of their beasts and sheep for what they would fetch; the stock of hay had become short, turnips were generally exhausted, and all sorts of provender for stock rose . greatly in price. Yet this state of things was not wi t h ou t its advan tages. All the spring work of the farm was got very forward—the spring corn was sown under most favourable auspices. The wheats were then looking well though lute, the plant being very short, bat from the dryness of the season barley and oats had come up irregularly, whilst; sharp night fro.ta checked vegetation, I may say kept it suspended in an extraordinary manner. It was doting this month that in some places the clovers were a good deal injured, the plant having the appearance of having been scorched up; this was attributed I think rightly to the easterly winds. At this time too the growth of beans, especially winter beans which previously had been very luxuriant, received a check, and as it subsequently appeared an injury which resulted in serious consequences to this crop. Potatoes were then ascertained to have been exten sively planted, the previous year's produce having turned out to be profitable. Stocks of wheat in farmer's hands were at this time considered to be low, though my own observations led me to the con clusion that about an average ,;quantity remained unsold by the growers. Prices of grain were then low, foreign importations having fallen to nothing, but towards the end of April prices somewhat ad vanced. During this time, however, feigners were hopeful, manifesting much activity, and in spite of the incitements of the adherents of the Derby admi nistration were acting upon the rational conviction that they must look to their own exertions fur profit and not to any system of artificial prices. In May, the wind changed to the west and north west, and towards the end of the month some rather copious falls of rain occurred, and these, with a more genial temperature, produced a rapid and sudden luxuriance of vegetation we seldom see in this coun try. For upwards of three months, in many districts, no rain of any appreciable value to agricultural crops had &Ilea, and farmers pulled long faces, in expecta tion of light crops and a late harvest. With !hernia confidence in the future arose great and sanguine in proportion to former anticipations of evil, and in the extraordinary progress vegetation made in a few weeks was seen reason for hope that, after all, the season might not prove a very late one. As is com monly the case in rural matters, the fears and the hopes of the farmers went in each alternation of weather somewhat beyond the truth. Pastures became well covered for feeding, but the hay crop was thought likely to be very light, especially in those districts from which the London markets are supplied. The price of hay rose in consequence higher than it had been for some years, and large quantities went into London by all the canals and railways. Still there were complaints that the barley had come up irregularly, and upon the lighter soils similar complaints were heard with respect to oats. The wheat, which throughout the season had been well planted, continued to be regarded as most flourishing. On the heavy soil s , in particular, the wheat plant was very vigorous, and foreseeing far mers began to apprehend that with much wet wea ther it might become too strong, and liable to be-. come lodged. Beans at this time were looking re markably strong and healthy, and in some quarters ms had appeared in full blossom. This, the end of May and commencement of June, wag perhaps the time when the hopes of the agriculturists ranged highest, though the season was yet regarded as a backward one, and many an old farmer shook his head and said " I don't like a late season." Though the improved aspect of the crops consequent on the first rains damped the corn markets in a measure, there was still a pretty general belief amongst farmers that before harvest was completed we should see a considerable advance of prices; and so much did this impression prevail that the wealthier farmers with drew their wimples from the principal corn markets, and altogetherabstained from thrashing wheat. Barley and oats of English growth almost ceased to come to market, and for a time our working horses through out the country mainly depended on the supplies of foreign eats. Barley became almost scarce—so much so that the prices of barley and wheat were nearly equalised. During the whole spring live stock had done well, and wherever the owners hail not been compelled by want of provender to sell prematurely, the stock promised to be a profitable branch of the year's farming. A finer lambing season had seldom been known, while the prices of fat and store sheep and lambs, as soon as the rain had removed fears of scarcity of keep, became satisfactory and "remunera tive." Wool, too, sold, as it still continues to sell. well; and farmers have recently made great efforts to increase their flocks, feeling the immense value of sheep in modern husbandry, both for the sake of the indirect profit they afford by manuring the land as well as the profit of direct sales. Throughout May the potato fields were regarded as presenting the most satisfactory appearance, and, from the great breadth planted, an immense produce was confidently anticipated. At this time the only complaints of the condition of winter beans —now a very general, and usually a very productive crop— were that the straw, from the excessive drought, was short, in many instances not more than nine inches high, and had come prematurely into blossom. Whatever may have been the disadvantages of the dry spring in other respects, it is admitted on all sides, and is plainly seen in all districts, that the op portubity thus afforded for preparing the land for turnips and other roots has been such as cannot fail to produce good crops. The farmer who has not cleaned his turnip fallow, this year must be an in veterate sloven ; yet I grieve to say that 1 constantly meet with not a few dirty fields of turnips, fields in which, since the wet weather set in, the weeds and the turnip plants have been contending forsuperiority, ' with " long odds" ou the weeds. In the hop-grow ing districts, during May, the blues were healthy, though backward. . , During the first three weeks of June go4 4W great and unusual abundance, so much for; mere who had been suffering from the prenprialr :'• drought began to be seriously uneasy r Wit j 1 • - ' 72 • 11