The Express. — London, England, 1851-08-21 00:00:00

ace- nee cc" yuin ocuu. ,i4it for the y beial fly Cl ients of ulai se e.% & reek or IL union reeiveit be WI" ANI ) itt irss 2 - 21. 119 ROLM!! 179.62,L 114 *sea t acc iatioi all 1.4 tns sr' IRELAND. TIIE .tGGREGATE MEETING. MELTN, AVG VAT 20. Considering the extraordinary public excitement ith which the proceedings of yesterday had been ushered in, and the antouut of religious fanaticism which funned the chief element of that excitement, the people of Dublin may well congratulate them 'styes upon the comitarutively peaceable and orderly manner in which the long-threatened aggregate meeting has passed away. Yesterday morning the streets of Dublin presented an unusual bustle from a very carp- hour. and the footpaths in the vicinity of the itotundo soon became almost impassable from the crowds eolleet,d. For some hours before the time fixed for the meeting, the doors of the Rotondo were assailed by persons seeking admission, end although 11 o'clock was the hour at which the chair was to be taken, the great I round room was densely crowded at a few minutes past ten. A great portion of the reserved scats was occupied by ladies, and the body of the meeting, to which admission was obtained 'hr tickets distributed gratuitously, was thronged with the working elwees. Several hundred (sad porters marched in a body to the meeting, and a great number of them were ad mitted inside, the remainder forming themselves into groups in the neighbourhood of the ltotundo, and as suming the appearance of co-operating with the police in keeping order. The police authorities had taken active steps to insure the preservation of the peace, and a body consisting of several hundred men of their excellently organised force was on duty in and around the place of meeting. Patrols of horse and foot polite paraded the streets; a number of mounted police were stationed near the Rotund° to aid those on foot in dispersing the crowd, and a large body in reserve was held in readiness in the Rotund° gardens. The military were also kept in their barracks prepared to act if necessary. A few minutes after 11, the Rev. T. 1). Gregg, accoinpunied by Mr. 11. Cooke, and two other friends, drove up in a close carriage to the Itotundo, and claimed udini.sion at the entrance. This was, how- ever, raustsl; and emphatically denouncing the meeting as one of papists and not of catholies, they re-entered the carriage, and drove off rapidly along Great Britain-street, pursued by a mob, who pelted the carriage with mud ; a few mounted pollee who followed, having been unable to prevent the violence until the coach got beyond the reach of the ragamuffins who pursued it. Some of Mr. Gregg's placards denouncing the meeting were exhibited at the windows of the Priests' l'ro teetion Society, which is close to the Itutundo, but the placards were torn down by the mob and the indows broken ; Mr. I'. Dixon Hardy, the pro prietor of the house, expostulating to no purpose with the rabble. A young man, a protestant, also drew upon himself the indignation of the mob, and was severely handled by them, his life probably being saved by the police, who rescued 1 ; but with the exception of these the day was not marked by any outrages, the usual iucidents of pick pocket rows, ,kc., being excepted. Besides Archbishop Cullen and Archbishop Mae Hale, there were several other Roman catholic pre lates at the meeting. They are enumerated in the following style by the Fretleas :—" His Grace the Archbishop of Cashel, the Lord Bishop of Clogher, l the Lord Bishop of Birmingham, the Lord Bishop of Edinburgh, the Lord Bishop of Elphin, the 1,m4 Bishop of Killaloe, the Lord Bishop of Clonfcrt, the Lord Bishop of Savannah, the Lord Bishop of Cloyne, the Lord Bishop of 11yderalxid, the Lord Bishop of Saldes." The prelates occupied arm-chairs iu front of the platform, that of the chairman being raised behind. The Irish human catholic aristocracy was only represented by Lord Gormanston, and that of England by Sir Piers 31ostyn. The Earl of Arundel and Surrey was expected but did not attend, and no letter of apology from him was produced. The fol lowing Irish members were present :—G. 11. Moore, 31. P., John Itesnolds, 11. P., William Keogh, 31. P., A. OTlltherty, M.l'., 0. Higgins, M.l'., Martin Joseph Blake 31.1'., John Sadleir , 31.1'., Francis Scully, Robert Keating, 31.1'., Thu attendance of Roman catholic clergy was very large, mane hundreds of their names appearing in the list published this morning in the freenion ; but the muster of the Roman catholic laity did not comprise SO many distin g uished tames as were ex pected. LortlGormanaton opened the proceedingsby mov ing Archbishop f'ulleet to the chair, by the style of " The Must Rev. 1/r. Cullen, Archbishop of Armagh, and l'rimate of all Ireland." The motion was seconded in similar terms by Mr. Reynolds, 31.1%, and the chair was taken amidst the vociferous cheers of the meeting, which also greeted the first appear ance of the bishops upon the platform, with enthu siastic rounds of applause. Archbishop CUILLEN then addressed the meeting. Ile said it was out without reluctance and doing violence to his own feelings, that be was determined to occupy the high position to which he had the high honour of being in vat, al by so gnat an assembly of the catholies of the United Kingdom. ("L hear, hear," and cheers.) The catholic* of the empire had done nothing to bring about the present state of things; the) hail been forced into the attitude which they assuatted. (Ilear, hear.) What had their catholic bre thren iu Scotland dune Absolutely nothing. They had out moved in any direction, nor had they been pronounced to have committed the slightest aggravation or given the slightest off, nee. (Hear, hear.) In the meantime, what had been our condition in Deland ? This pour country had been visited by famine and pestilence in a way in which no other country had been visited before. Our talc of ruin had reached to all the regions of the earth. (Hear) The Ilindon, the Mahommeilan, the disciple of Confucius, had shed a tear over our naiscry, mid stretched out a hand in oar relief. It was ever to be regretted that any of those men to whom the destinies of this empire had been committed should have chosen that moment to add to their misfortunes, anal ag gravate the burdens under which they laboured. it was unnecessary to refer to the Durham controversy. (Groans.) It iscited the embers of discord, and stirred up all that was base and filthy in the depths of bigotry and intolerance. (Cries of Hear, hear.") if they were united, and their proceedings guided by charity, they would be a strong and powerful body. (Hear, hear.) Ile trusted the institution of the l'atholic Defence Association would tend to promote that great object. (hear, hear.) It would be one of the first duties of that hasty to cement a union of the catholies of the empire, a union so clearly neixssary for their welfare and existence. It would he too long to enumerate all their grievances. By the labours of the association they trusted that they should he remedied, and put on a perfect footingof equality with every other class of her alsjesty's subjects. (Cheers.) All they asked fur was a full and free exercise of their religion. Our poor ant to be protected from a heartier proselytism—the faith of the children of the soldier and dr sailor is to be preserved—the state of our workhouses to be examined—a catholic education is to be obtained for Mr people. In a catholic country like this there is a great and perfectly organised system of protestant distraction. Hundreds of thousands are expended in promoting a purely protestant education, while the sums given to catholic schools (with out: exception) are given only on the couditiam that the system of the schools which are filled with catholic children shall he suited to the education of a hildren of every sect who do nit frequent such schools, and we are left without any catholic university. (Herr, ha or.) But it would be too long to enumerate all our grievances. By the labours of the association let us trust that they will be removed, and that we shall be put on al footing of equality with every either class of her Majesty's subjects. (Hear, hear.) It was unnecessary for him to nmintl those who were around hint that the eyes of the world were upon them, and that they should take care that, whatever nroposations they made, they should be in accord ance with the laws of the country. Anything but moderate and becoming language would only damage their cause and their holy religion. He trusted he had expresses' his sen timents with all that liberality and charitableness which a catholic should use when speaking of his religion ; but he world not sit down without using another privilege of his order : he would pray that God might give them wisdom sail grace, and teach them how to act, and that the Most Holy Queen of Heaven, and their own great St. Patrick, might bless and fructify everything which they undertook. (Cheers.) The Very Rev. Bishop Baowss then moved, and Mr. V. sect CV, M.P., seconded, the appointment of Mr Ous ley Higgins, M.l'., Mr. J. Saillsir, M.l'., and Mr. J. Burke, as secretaries. Mr. SADLLIIL read the requisition convening the meet ing. which be stated had been signed by 3.5 prelates, 31 peers anal sons of peers, 10 baronets, 33 members of parlia ment, 1./0 justices of the peace, and several thousands of iiittuential clergymen anal laymen of the United Kingdom. Ile then read the following letter addressed to the chair man by Cardinal Wittman, amid loud cheers and waving, of hats and handkerchiefs : " Lond o n ' Aug. IG, IS5l.—My dear Lord and Brother in have received a letter from Messrs. Reynolds and Keogh, inviting me to attend the aggregate meeting of the Catholic Defence Society, at which your grace will Preside ou Tuesday next. As this is quite impossible I take the liberty of addressing your grace on the TOOPOISdIISSOCOL tion. Although. as yet, its specific objects and plan of orga nisation have nut been published it is impossible not to feel that some such institution Is absolutely necessary. We have Saw seen ranged on the side of majorities for our penal bill mimes with which the catholic mind had ever identified the idea of generous zeal for civil and religious liberty, as com pletely as it h a d i n f ormer ages associated the thought of chivalrous deeds with the titles of our olden aristocracies. And they whose word would a few months ago have been in our eyes as safe a security as a bond signed and sealed, have made light of pledges give n te us, and feel no shame in withdrawing them. These betrayals of trusts unreser vedly regarded through a whole generation by the catholic body, have served to convince us that, after God, we must mainly rely on our own honest and enduring exertions for the preservation of our common rights. The noble, the able, and the earnest support which, amidst se much defection from principle, was given to our cause by several , members of both houses, independent of party, de• . serves, indeed, our warmest acknowledgment'. But such , generous advocacy has nut proved sufficient for our pro tection. 1 trust, therefore, that the Catholic Defence Asso ciation by giving a clear and definite aim to catholic 'ger lion, will concentrate all its powers on legitimate subjects; that these will not be visionary, nor hopeless, hut plainly intelligible and justly attainable. I feel confident that all appears to the passions —all efforts to arouse anger or hatred,, or even uncharitable feeling, will be effectually excluded, so that our adversary may have nothing to say against us. Your grace's superintendence will, I know, secure to the I society • character strictly moral and even religious, and a steady adhesion to such principles as will defy the cavils of the most malignant; for, after all, we must seek to draw I clown the blessing of the Gusl of justice upon our under dertakings, more than rely upon human effort. While, Itherefore, I shall sineerdy sympathise with shore who have undertaken the mere serubr duties of a society so bated and conducted, I shall be happy to co-operate in any of its I duties more immediately connected with those of the cede eilistical state. —I am, ever, my dear Lord Primate, your atfictionate brother in Christ, N. CARD. WI " Mr. SADLEIR also read letters of apology from the Ilon. Wm. Sturton ; Lord Arundel of Wardour, whose letter enclosed a cheque for towards the necessary ex penses of the meeting ; and Irons two Roman catholic bishop.. Mr. Illocitss, the other honorary secretary, then read letters of apolody from Lords Stourtmi and Kenmare, Lord , and two ltoman catholic bishops ; also addresses from the Roman catholic, of Liverpool. congratulating the messing on the position which they had assumed against • the infamous MU of pains and penalties, promising to join with them in every constitutional effort, and forwarding a contribution of 10'. The Most Rev. Dr. SLATTERY, Roman catholic arch bishop, then came forward amid loud cheers to move the first resolution : " That we declare au act lately passed by the imperial parliament, commonly culled the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, to be a violation of tile compact contained iu the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, and subversive of the great principle of religious liberty as established in this empire." Ile apologised fur not addressing the meeting in conse quence of the delicate state of his - health, but said he would hare considered it a direliction of his duty to be absent on that occasion. (Cheers) Sir PIERS MOST YD. ,Bart., of Lancashire, seconded the tesolutiun. lk should tell them why he, a stranger, occu pied so prominent a position there. Ile hail come over at the solicitation and on the invitation which the committee had sent throughout the United Kingdom, to say that the catholicsof England joined with them in protesting against the enactment of penal measures—against a retrogade Ppolicy —and , above all, against the conduct of the Whig rime Minister. (liims.) Let them lie united in orde r to secure fur themselves an equality of religious rights and privileges with their protestant fellow-countrymen. The resolution was put, and carted unanimously„ The Most ltev. WIIALE, Roman catholic archbishop, came forward to move the next resolution, and was ru e, ived with tremendous cheers, and waving of hats and handkerchiefs. When silence was restored, the reverend archbishop read the resolution, which was as follows: — "That we unhesitatingly declare that the present ministers have betrayed the cause of civil and religious freedom, and forfeited the confidence of the cathulies of the United King dom." He did not anticipate that there would be any divert.- . pancy of opinion regarding the adoption of the resolution, though he confessed there might be numbers who indulged the private opinion that ministers had never betrayed the cause of civil and religious freedom because they had never been entrusted with it—(cheers and laughter)—or the confidence of the eatholits of the United King dom because they had never possessed it. (!tear, hear.) He rejoiced that this distinction hail been made, because it would enable the country to distinguish Iwtween its true ep:scopary and those spiritual titles (ruin baronial baubles which the world might confer upon human vanity. (Cheers ) Hail the Prime Minister understood the nature of the link which bound the laity and their priesthood to.rether, he never would in the plenitude of his folly, have attempted to sever what God had joined. The reverend speaker, iu conclusion, said that he would now resign his place to those champions of Ireland whose sinews wrest ling for her in parliament had gained the admiration of their catholic fellow-countrymen—men who there re• crised on shields of scorn the burning shafts of rage and bigotry, that continually buzzed around them—and whose ears were constantly assailed by personal abuse and bias plainly of the mysteries of their religion. Mr. KEOGII, M.P., seconded the resolution—lle said his friend, the member for Dublin, had told them that his excellent friend, Mr. Scully, was a Queen's counsel, learned iu the law. Ile too had the honour of being one of her Majesty's counsel ; but if he hail forgotten that little in cident, he was reminded of it on a late occasion by a lead ing journal of that city, which mentioned it as a thing to he anathematised, that one who, by his professional exer tions unit not of intrigues with any minister, had attained the position perfectly unhought by him of being one of her Majesty's counsel—had departed from his high po sition, and that he deserved to be stripped of his gown because he gave a title which no act of parliament could destriy. (Cheers.) Ile (Mr. Keogh) now, as one of her Majesty's counsel, whether learned or unlearned in the ' law, holding the net of parliament in his hand, unhesi tatingly gave his proper title to the Lord Archbishop of Armagh. The resolution was then carried. The Right Ike. Dr. GILLIS, of Edinburgh, moved the next resolution :—" That we hereby solemnly pledge our. selves to use every legitimate means within the constitution to obtain a total repeal of that act, and every other statute which imposes upon the catholics of this empire any civil or religious disability whatsoever, or precludes them from the enjoyment of their religion." lk (Rev. Dr. Gillis) said, wishing to agree in everything with the members of that meeting, he was very sorry to bo obliged to begin with a protest. Ile had been announced to them as the Lord Bishop of Edinburgh, but he was sorry to say that there was not in the world such a person even for Lord John Russell to protest against. (Hisses.) What under the canopy of heaven could they now do but humbly and confidently ap peal to a higher triiunal, of which the judgment seat was shove the sky. (Hear, hear.) Let them unite at once and take a bold and open stand in the face of the oppressors. (Hear, hear.) They should never rest satisfied unto they had swept away, not only that act which disgraced the statute book, but also every other which precluded the catholic, of the United Kingdom from the enjoyment of perfect equality with every class of their fellow-subjects. ((sheers.) It required them to but will the deed and it should be done. Press on together towards the stronghold of religious freedom, and it would be carried by storm. (Hear, hear.) Depend upon it, whoever said nay they still would have the privilege of saying, Dr. Cullen, Archbishop of Armagh. (Cheers.) There was not much to be done iu Scotland, as they have been completely settled there ; but they would make the best use of their tongues. (Hear, hear.) Mr. G. MOORE, M.P. for Mayo, seconded the resolu tion. Having entered into the history of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill in its progress through the House of Commons, and criticised the votes and speeches of the members who supported or opposed its enactment, the honourable gentle man proceeded to allude to the civil and religious disabili ties to which the Roman catholics of Ireland were obliged to submit in former times, and for which they were in debted, as he alleged, to " the persecuting spirit of pro testantism." Now, however, that the penal laws were well nigh dead, and the wounds of centuries had begun to be healed by rational legislation, protestantism again atept in with its little petty acts of persecution, its dull decoction of unmitigated vanity and spite, not enough indeed to cre ate a real wound, but just enough to stimulate the old sores and excite in a fevered frame and additional sense of exas peration. (Hear, hear.) This was what the govern ment termed resistance to papal aggression to lay them selves prostrate before those whom they termed " popish priests," and rely on their forbearance, their rnoderation,their compassion, not to expose their weakness, but to allow the counterfeit to pass current, that half a dozen men in Eng land were able to impede or annul the religions worship of the Irish people. (Hear, and cheers.) They defied, spit upon, and scorned their enactments. (Cheers.) Their pre lates would continue to be the bishops of their Irish sees, all statutes of this country to the contrary notwithstanding. (Loud cheers.) On the whole, therefore, he did not regret the passing of this bill. If they brought to an issue an old question of right and wrong ; if they opened an old ulcer that had long required the aid of the surgeon, and hastened on a great crisis, it would ultimately necessitate the adop tion of a great policy. The speaker concluded by express ing a conviction, that the religious policy of England to wards this country was the root of every evil—social, moral, political, and material, which had contributed to make Ireland a dangerous exception to the peace and pros perity of the empire, and an unexampled anomaly in the history of legislation. (Cheers. The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried unanimously. The Very Rev. Dr. 1. - LLATHORNE, Roman catholic bishop, next came forward. He said that the resolution which he was honoured by having entrusted to his care was to the following effect :—" That for the above objects we deem it necessary to establish a Catholic Defence Associa tion, and that the same be and is hereby established." Ile said when he contemplated the constitution of that meeting there was one thing which he could not doubt; every hour that he oat there had confirmed his conviction that the objects contemplated by that meeting and embodied in the resolution would be accomplished—and accomplished be- I fore the society now established had reached anything like an advanced age. In England, whose church he had the honour, however unworthily, to represent in that great assembly, this question was now asked by the laity rind the clergy—' what would become of the eatholics of England, were it not for the catholies of Ireland ? (Hear.) They would be swallowed up in an abyss of excitement. Their basis was in Ireland ; their strength was in Ireland—(hear, hear); their torce in England consisted in uniting their strengh to that of Ire land—in looking to Dublin as the great catholic capital of the British empire, and iu seeking to make their voice heard —so difficult in England—through meetings in Ireland and the press of Ireland. There were one or two facts of ex planation which it was well he should take that occasion of putting forward. It had been industriously and laboriously put forward over and over again that the origin of this laggression upon their liberty was the way in which the hierarchy of England had been established; that but for the putting forward of the apostolical letter, in a way THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 21, 1851. deliberately designed to offend and provoke, and by the I putting forward also of a certain pastoral, the tumult would not have been raised. He had one or two simple I facts to communicate, which were within his own know { ledge. First, there did not reach England an authoritative ° copy of the apostulical letter, nor was it in the hands of . I any English pre ate, until a full month after the letter of i Lord John Russell appeared. The document was never in tended to be brought officially forward ; but it had been promulgated to the world. 137 an accident unexplained, even at that moment, mid which the authorities of Rome had failed to be able to trace, a copy of the apostolical Iletter sea, publi.hed in two French newspapers; and con sequently it was seised by the English pawn full six weeks belore a single copy authoritatisciy reached England. .1 • I word with reference to the pastoral which had deservedly ; become famous. When his Eminence Cardinal Wiseman ..... penned that pastoral, he (the Bishop of Birmingham) bad every means of knowing that he only contemplated the con gregations undo his own jurisdiction. He couched it in language perfectly intelligible to them—although by a little garbling it could become unintelligible to others—and only contemplated the circulation of it amongst his ca tholic subjects. He was not aware that there was such voracity—as he expressed it—amongst the Eng lish press for catholic documents—he was unaware that there was any excitement in England, and when the document was brought forward the l'nme Minister could not deliver a fragment of that pastoral to the house without garbling it in such a manner as to omit the most cuential words showing the spiritual object that was contemplated. And now he asked, had the c atholics of Ireland, or their bishops, done aught either with reference to the pastoral or to the apoitolical letter to incur the persecution which had been visited on them. But nevertheless, now in England and Ireland catholic bishops were outlasted ; and, as a ne cessary consequence, the laity, the priesthood, and the whole church were prescribed by this enactment—for law he could not call it. No doubt they were bound to sustain all honourable, just mid rightous laws, and to support the go vernment of the country, when they could conscientiously do so; but it was their duty to consider what their course should be with reference to this bill , and he would tell them the course which he had marked out for himself. in the lint place it was not for a bishop of the church of God, whose first characteristics should be charity, meekness, and humility, to sot pride in opposition to the pride of the state. It was his duty in every way he could to avoid collision with any enactment, howevever penal or atrocious. But where his duty warded him to obey the divine law, he must do so. Ile could not possibly withhold the signature of his office—which was inseparable from his person and was indicative of his title, though not in the legal sense of the word,— from certain ducuruents, without himself becoming a were ant to the church of God, and an apostate to his high office. (Cheers.) Therefore, where he could not otherwise fulfil his duty, he would append the whole designation of his office, where it was needful it should be done. (Cheers.) Th m as to the consequences of so acting, he had come to the conclusiou, after mature deliberation, that he could not have recourse to the purse which was confided to him fur the support of •he clergy and the promotion of religion, fur the payment of fines inflicted by this penal enactment. Ile was prepared at once to go to gaol—(Tremendous cheer ing, and waving of hats, handkerchiefs, &c.) But should his spiritual children feel the want of their pastor, it would be no acquiescence in the penal act, but a strong protest against it for them to raise a fund—by a penny subscription, suppose—for the purpose of delivering him out of gaol. (Cheers.) He thought the inhabitants of Birmingham would be ready to enter into such a protest if needful, and that the uovenituent would tire of prosecuting before they ' tired of delivering him out of gaol. (Cheers.) After souse further observations the rev. bishop resumed his seat. Mr. JOHN REYNOLDS, M.P., came forward to second the motion, and was received with loud cheers. In the course of a lung speech he said, he heard his venerated friend, the Lord Archbishop of Birmingham, say that he would elsey the divine law, before which that of the House of Commons crumbled to the dust—that he would sooner go to prison than turn his back upon his principles. No Irish bishops who obeyed the divine law would ever ap peal to the people in that sea-e. If pence were subscribed here to pay the tine of a bishop, he believed the money would be applied to other and more unpleasant purposes. Ile would leave it to Lord John Russell, Lord Clarendon, or the Attorney-General, to translate into plain English that sentence. They (the government) should incarcerate no bishop here for discharging the duties of the sacred office imposed upon him—(cheers)—and if lie were in the House of Commons, instead of addressing his grace and that meeting, he would tell Lord John Russell what he had told him over and over aga:n, that he dare not imprison an Irish catholic bishop. (Cheers,) The resolution was passed. The Roman Catholic Bishop of CLONFERT moved the' next resolution, as follows :—" That, as one of the great constitutional and practical means of carrying out the ob jects of this meeting, we pledge ourselves to make every effort to strengthen the bands and increase the power of those faithful representative who, fa the last session of par liament, sac energetically devoted themselves to the forma tion of an independent party iu the legislature, having for its object the maintenance of civil and religious liberty in the British empire. That the following prelates and mein- biers of the legislature be a committee to define with accuracy the objects which are to occupy the associa tion, to frame the rules and regulations by which it shall be governed, and to submit the same to the next general meeting of the association : The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westmiuster, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Birmingham, the Bishop of Nottingli an, the Bishop of Hex ' ham, the Bishop of Southwark, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Bishop of Beverley, the Bishop of Salford, the Bishop of Northampton, Paul Archbishop of Armagh, John Arch bishop of I' warn, Archbishop of Cashel, Bishop of Ardmrh, Bishop of Achonry, Bishop of Meath, Bishop of Curk, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Bishop of Clonfert, Bishop of Killala, Bishop of Cleyne, Bishop ot Kilmaeluagh, Bishop of Raphoe, Bishop of Ross, Bishop of Clogher, Bishop of Kerry, Bishop of Killaloe, Bishop of Flphin, and Bishop of Derry John Reynolds, M.l'., Dublin; William Keogh, M.P., Athlone; George H. Moore, M.l'., Mayo; J. Sad kir, M.P., Carlow; 0. ()Angelo., M.P., Mayo; Martin J. Blake, M.P., Galway city; Nicholas V. Maher, M.P., Tipperary; Francis Scully, M.P., Tipperary; Thomas Meagher, M.P., Waterford, and Robert Keating, M.P., Waterford; John T. Devereux, M.l'., Wexford ; Timothy O'Brien, M.P., Caehel ; John O'Brien, M.P., Limerick; and Michael Sullivan, M.P., Kilkenny." The motion was seconded by Mr. Blaseoxi, and adopted by the meeting. Mr. VINCENT SCULLY, M.P., moved the next reso lution, as follows: "That the committee be charged to prepare and publish an address to the catholic* of the United Kingdom, on the present position of catholic affairs." Mr. JOHN RAWSON, of Lancashire, seconded the re solution, and in doing so said that the meeting were enti tled to the assistance of the dissenting body of England, because during the period of agitation preceding Roman catholic emancipation, those who were agitating for that object petitioned for the extension of the religious liberties of the dissenters. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Serjeant SHEE moved the next resolution as follows: "That we cordially tender the grateful thanks of this meeting to the Duke of Newcastle, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord lenteagle, to Sir James Graham, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Rounde 11Palmer, and those other distinguished prottQtant member who so ably sustained, in the legislature, the cause of religious liberty. , Mr. J. F. ISIAGVIRE seconded the resolution, which was put, and carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. KEARNEY moved the next resolution, as follows: "That we heartily congratulate the country upon the cordial unanimity of feeling and opinion which so happily exists between catholic nobility, hierarchy, clergy, and laity of the United Kingdom." Mr. JAMES MCANN of Drogheda, seconded the reso lution, which passed unanimously. Viscount GonstaNatos was then called to the chair, and Mr. O'FLAIIERTY, M.P., moved —" The sincere thanks of the meeting to Archbishop Cullen for hosing presided over their deliberation'." The lion. M. PRESTON seconded the motion, which was passed by acclamation The Very Rev. ARCHBISHOP thanked the meeting for the compliment. He expressed hie admiration at the de corousness, propriety, and good feeling with which they had conducted themselves. Ho believed there had not been a word uttered there that day which, when properly under stood, could off,nd any person. He trusted that what had taken place there would make them all better subjects, better Christians, and better able for the fulfilment of all their duties. They were ordered to render unto Cws sr the things that were Cesar's ; but they should at the same time give to God the things that were God's. He called upon them, in conclusion, to forget all the provocation which they had received. Three cheers were then given for each of the members of the Irish Roman catholic church, Mr. Reynolds announcing them with the prohibited titles, after which the meeting terminated. At the breaking up of the meeting . the vicinity of the Rotund() was thronged with an immense crowd, which loudly cheered the principal persons who took a part in the meeting, according as they went away. Most of the shops in Sackvilk-street had the shutters upon their windows. A number of noisy fellows, who had provided themselves with sticks, good naturedl assisted the police in preserving decorum, and making the mob " keep back," after a fashion which has been sometimes witnessed in this city. The multitudes opposite the Roman Catholic Com mittee ltooms, Lower Sackville-street, were addressed from the windows by Mr. Reynolds, M.P., who de tailed to them the proceedings of the meeting, re- I peatedly giving to the several members of the Roman Catholic Church the prohibited titles, which pro duccd loud cheers. Mr. Keogh, MP., also addressed the crowd from the windows, and exhorted them to go home peaceably. For a considerable time after wards Lower Sackville-street and the neighbouring streets were much crowded. The Lord Mayor of Dublin has issued an invita tion to the several heads of departments to a grand banquet at the Mansion House, on Wednesday next, to meet the promoters of a transatlantic packet station. The following ingpa.pers: IGlorious ascendancy of the ancient Irish church! De monstrated wrong of the modern Roman s s etanans .. The committee of the Dublin Protestant _Association herchygive no Me of a great meeting on an early day, in reference to appears in the morn. the packed conclave miscalled "an aggregate meeting of catholics," held on yesterday, and to adopt an address to the crown touching the conduct of the constituted authori ties in Dublin, and on the maintenance, by force, of illegal title., and on the suppression, by force, of every loyal effort made to assert the supremacy of the Queen and of the laws. Protestants! Analo-catholics! true catholics! you have had a glorious victory. lO surrender—By order of the committee, TuoMAe Fl. Tuoweows, Chairman; CHARLES BANICS, THOMAS WALLker, Hon. Secretaries. RAILWAY MEETINGS. MIDLAND RAILWAY. Yesterday tho half-yearly meeting of the share- ' holders in this railway was held at the Company's station at Derby, Mr. JOHN ELLiii, M.P., in the chair. The hon. gentleman was accompanied by Mr. Beale, the deputy chairman, and a considerable number of his colleagues in the direction. The attendance of shareholders was compara tively small. The SECRETARY read the report and accounts, an ab stract of which appeared in the Express of Friday last. The report stated: " The large decrease in the coaching traffic is a subject of the deepest concern to your directors. They had anticipated that the opening of the Great Exhi bition, in May last, would have largely increased the re venue of the company. They regret that this has not been the case, and that their expectations hare been disappointed ; for, although a great number of passengers have been conveyed over the Midland Railway to and from Lon don, the competition of the Great Northern Company has materially reduced the receipt over a considerable portion of your line; whilst the flow of traffic to London, which has this year been so remarkable, has diverted much of it from its ordinary channels, and has seriously damaged the receipts from the local and excursion traffic of those portions of your railway not affected by the Great Northern or other compe tition. They see no reason to alter their opinion of the policy of the arrangement with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wclverliampton company, and of the equitable claims which the London and North-Western and Midland companies have upon that company, for the honourable carrying out of the agreement which they themselves had voluntarily proposed, and had subsequently sanctioned at a meeting of their shareholders." The report of Mr. Barlow, the engineer, states that WI miles of railway are maintained by the company at a cost of 1241. per mile per annum ; and that the iron road continues to exhibit very satisfactory results. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said:—With respect to the requisition which has been submitted on the subject of granting free passes to our meetings, we offer no opinion ea the subject; we, as directors, shall take no part whatever in the question; it is a shareholder's question, and with you we shall leave it. (Hear, hear.) By the report it will be seen that there has been a decline of 17,0001. in the pas senger traffic, and nn increase of 26,000/. in the amount received from the goods and merchandise traffic. At the last half-yearly meeting I expressed an opinion that there was es much to come on our line as could be taken from us, and up to this time I think the result has shown that I was right; and taking all circumstances into consideration, I think our accounts are more satisfactory. (Hear.) Now,. with reference to the increased sum received on our merchandise traffic, it is proper to state that that amount has not been received on the same rates as formerly; our rates have been re duced, and considerably reduced, by competition, and not withstanding that, our revenue under that head has been increased. The goods traffic for this week shows an in crease of from 700'. to 800/. over the amount received in the corresponding week of last year. (Hear.) But, with regard to the passenger traffic, I must say that that has disappointed me. I had great expectations from the Great Exhibition; and I must now confess that, if we had looked at the subject with more calmness, we should have arrived at a different opinion. (Hear.) We have no line into London. The Great Northern has robbed us of a good deal of the traffic from York and that part of the country; end a, to the traffic to be derived from the persons travelling from Derby, Lire-ter, and Nottingham to London, the proprietors will easily see that our share of it would he comparatively trifling in amount. (hear.) And the Exhibition has interfered with our in ternal traffic in a most remarkable degree. Take the Bir mingham and Gloucestershire, which is not affected by the Great Northern : last week our receipts on that line were 400/Jess than the corresponding week of 18.50 ; and the week before I think they were less by 5.i0/., although on that line there has been no reduction of fares. But the fact is there has been nobody going to Cheltenham this year ; scarcely anybody to Scarborough ; and the little Matlock line has experienced a decline in its receipts this year amounting to twenty per cent. (Hear. hear.) All this is entirely owing to the Exhibition ; and, although I ant not going to prophesy, I have the strongest hopes and belief that in the winter months our goodie and mineral traffic will exhibit a very different state of things—that is, that it will make up for any decline in the passenger traffic, when that traffic has returned to its ordinary channel. (Hear.) We have suffered, too, from reduced tonnages on the o:ford canal ; those tonnages cannot, however, be now put lower. (Hear.) I turn next to a subject of great importance—l mean the arrangements we have with the London and North Western, the Manchester, Sheffield. and Lincolnshire, and the Lancashire and York shire ; all these are most advantageous for this company. Our agreement with the London and North Western is for twenty-one years; it has worked greatly to the satisfaction of the board. The accounts in the aggregate show a larger I amount of receipts than are exhibited by the weekly returns, and this excess arises out of our agreement with the London and North Western Company. (Hear, It was, indeed, his (the chairman's) opinion that it wan the interest of the Midland Company to draw closer than hitherto the bonds of union between themselves and the London and North-Western Company. The directors knew their position, and they would try to make the best use of it. The Great Northern, they would recol lect, had been opened little more than a year ago, and on that occasion they (the Midland Company) were anxious to prevent useless and wasteful competition. Their first object was to obtain an equalisation of rates and fares upon those parts of their respective lines which were more particularly competing portions. This they secured, but in March last the Great Northern gave a month's notice to terminate that agreement. Before that period they had entered into several traffic agreements with the North Midland, the Newcastle and Berwick, the Caledonian, and other companies, to divide the traffic north of York. Auy competition with the Great Northern would net, therefore ' affect that traffic for five years. The matters in dispute between the Midland and Great Northern had been referred to Mr. Gladstone. That gentleman had, he believed, sent for the last information be should require upon the subject, and the award might be expected within a furtnight. If they would place their con fidence in the directors they would do their best to protect the property of the shareholders. They would make the must of it. It was essential that the directors should pose mess the confidence of the shareholders, more especially with regard to the matters to which he referred; if they did not, if the shareholders did not believe that they were acting honestly fur the good of the property under their manage ment, they would be utterly powerless, and the sooner they were removed the better. When the Exhibition was over he was confident they would ace a very different state of things. For himself, he saw nothing discouraging in the affiiirs of the Midland Company, and he should conc.ude by saving that the report be received and adopted. Mr. BEALE, the deputy chairman, seconded the motion. Mr. DEAKIN, of Birmingham, inquired bow much of the 6s. paid by each passenger from Leeds was paid to the London and North Western company ? The CHAIBMAN—Their mileage rate. Everything is shared equally by the London and North Western. Mr. DEAKIN—I think it is absurd to carry passengers at ssieh a price. Better give it up to the Great Northern e V I CHAIRMAN—I disagree with the hon. proprietor. The strength of our case is in keeping up the competition with them ; and I can tell you that, with full trains, 6s Mr..ukAKiN__. protest against it; it is insanity to con• time such a system. Mr. MYERS moved a resolution, to the effect "that the meeting utterly disapproved of the absurd contest with the Great Northern, and desired the directors to discontinue it." This motion having been seconded, Mr. IRONSIDES, of Sheffield, said that he expected that something would have been said on the subject of the accident. He wished to know whether Mr. Paget had paid the damage ? The CILAIRMAN.—You know that he hu not. But I do say this, that the directors do all they can. Looking at the millions we have carried, our accidents have been mar vellously slight. A PROPRIETOR—How much did the Claycrass acci dent cost the company ? The CHAIRMAN—I can't tell you at present. In our accounts to tke end of the half-year we have charged every. thing settled to that time, amounting to from 4,0001. to 6,0001. There arc other claims to be adjusted ; when they are paid everything will be laid before the proprietors. Mr. IRONSIDES said that judges and juries appeared to think railway companies good game. He thought the time hal come when railway companies ought not longer to stand still and be robbed. It appeared to him that in future every man taking a ticket ought to be asked how much he was worth, and charged accordingly. lfe,be lieved that one of the claimants in the Claycross accident (Broadbent) might have been settled without any legal expenses if the matter had been referred to a local committee. Mr. MITCHELL inquired whether it was intended to pay Mr. Blake 4,0001., the award of the jury ? The CHAIRMAN—Don't press that question ; the sub ject is under consideration. Mr. IRONSIDES—Have you fairly earned the dividend you propose to pay ? The CllAlRMAN—Certainly ; it was earned to the 30th of June ; if you like to make it less by 20 per cent. it is your affair, and I shall not oppose it. (Laughter.) The report was then put and unanimously adopted, as were also su bs equent resolutions, declaring the dividend in the various stocks. On the motion of Mr. BARROW, M.P., five sharehold ers (each holding 2,0001. stock) were nominated to select an auditor, to be named by January next. The five gentlemen named arc Mr. E. Baines, Lends; Mr. D. Malin., of Bir. I mingham; Mr. G. Maxwell, of Liverpool; Mr. O. Cham bers, of Sheffield; and Mr. John Sheard. In the course of the discussion on this motion, Mr. Good man, of Leeds, expressed an opinion that parliament made a great mistake when it sanctioned so many lines of railway, and Sir Robert Peel never more greatly missed the right course than by sanctioning what he called direct lines. The subject of the delays on the Midland lines was t adverted to, and the CHAIRMAN promised attention to secure amendment. With reference to compensations in CRAM of accident, he said that at the next meeting at the Clearing House of persons concerned in railway manage ment, some attempt would be made to rectify the evil and injustice under which companies were now suffering. The motion of Mr. Myers, on the subject of carrying passengers from Leeds for five shillings, was next di,- cussed. A PROPRIETOR from Wales moved an amendment, to the effect that " Thc whole question of competition with the Great Northern should be left in the hands of the directors." The amendment having been seconded, was put and carried. - -- - - • - .• The meeting was then made aperial for the consideration of an arrangement of the Midland Fifths, in accordance with the resent net of parliament. The CHAIRMAN explained that the arrears of calls on these shares amounted to about 286,000/. It was intended at once to take steps to obtain the payment of this amount ; and yesterday the directors haJ decidial on making a further call of 3/. 6s. bd. on account of these shares. They hoped ' that no further call would be necessary ; the capital account ' was now virtually closed. Atter a brief discussion, the following resolution wan put and carried : That it is hereby ordered and direettal that when and as soon as any proprietor of any of the 501. shares legalised by the Midland Railway Capital Act, 1811, shall have paid up the sum of 311. in respect of any such shares held by him, and shall also have paid up the call of 3/. Cu. 84. per share made therm; on the 19th day of August, 1851, such share shall be divided and converted into two shares, one of the nominal value of 331. 6s. &1., and the other of the nominal value of It!. 13s. 4i1., in re spirt of which share of It!. 13s. 4d., the sums of 1/.134.41 and 3/. 6s. Bd. shall then bo taken and considered as having been paid.and thereupon each such share of 331. fia. 83. shall be converted into stock, and be added to and be come part of the consolidated stock of this company." The subject of the requisition to the directors on the subject of the withdrawal of passes from shareholders to attend the meetings of the company was neat brought before the meeting by the CHAIRMAN, who, however, de clared that the directors would not ,vote on the question. He at the same time explained how much the pass system was abused ; proprietors holding as little as 5/. in the coin pony, and having no claim to vote, making use of their passes to traverse the line, us often as the meetings occurred, on their own business, and never appearing at the meet ing; these persons having, in fact, nu claim whatever to VOW, or in any way influence the proceedings. 3 he amount of stock held by the gentlemen signing the requisition to discontinue the passe. was 261,933/. A very stormy discussion ensued ; and a great number of motions and sum:ailments were made ; Mr. Bowen, of Leeds, strongly supported the continuance of the present system: ultimately, Mr. CLAY, banker, of Billiton, moved an amendment that the pusses should In: discontinued. This was negatived; but a motion was carried to the effect that in future no person shouldreceive a paasto attend the meetings who held less than 100!. stock. In the course of the discussion, the CHAIRMAN, re ferring to their traffic, said that in the corresponding week of last year their traffic was the largest receipt they ever had on the Midland line ; itamountedio 21,5W1.; this week (that is up to last Saturday), it was upwards of 25,000/. (Cheers.) On the Bristol and Birmingham line the receipt in the week to which he referred this year, was 3,554/. against 3,338/. last year ; on the Leeds and Bradford, the increase on passenger traffic waa7l/. A PROPRIETOR asked Mr. Ellis, what effect the Great Western opposition would have on the Midland; competition from that quarter might soon I,: expected. Mr. ELLIS replied that it would be time to consider it when it came. _ _ At the conclusion of the day's business a rote of thanks to the Chairman and Board of Dim tors was carried by ac clamation. EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY. --• The proprietors of this railway assembled at the station in Bury, yesterday, to transact the ordinary busi ness of the half-yearly meeting, and also for an extraordi nary special general meeting, to raise additional capital to complete the undertaking. Mr. Jour; DUUDALE, chairman of the board of directors, presided. The Secretary having read the report of the directors, The CIIAIRMAN congratulated the shareholders on the favourable auspices under which they hail met as compared with the autumn meeting of last year. There had been a steady increase of traffic arising front the natural develop ment of the remurces of the district through which their line passes. That increase was not dependent therefore on any foreign contingencies. And there could be little doubt that it would go on with the further development of the traffic and the increase of manufactures and population in the vicinity of the line. The gross receipts of the first half of last year were 77,000'., and the second half of the saute year 99,000/. ; whilst the receipts of the past half-year were 102,5611. The working expenses for the respective periods hail been 60, 421, and 41 per cent. The receipts front the merchandise traffic between Liverpool and Blackburn had increased to the extent of 1271 per cer.t., to Accrington from the same direction 42 per cent., to Burnley 100, Culne 77 per cent., and toShurch 118 per cent. (Hear, hear.) Their receipts from Salkird and the other stations upon the railway showed 71 per cent. increase, and from Liverpool and other stations 821 per cent. At Preston the merchandise traffic for the half-year just ended, compared with that ending June, 1540, 1s hielt was before the extensiou line was opened, showed an increase of 167 per cent. in money, and of 448 per cent. in tons carried. The gross receipts at Preston for the half year coiling June, 1851, showed an increase over that ending June, 1830, of 6,7101., which hue been earned during the ling half-year the extensiuu railway has been opened. If they gave the credit of that increase to their free ingress and egress, and their being endue il to do their own business instead of leaving it in the hands of their competitors, after deducting the working expense., it was sufficient for paying 4: per cent. on the ultimate cost of the Preston Extension Railway and station. If they ud milted that station accommodation would be required at Preston under any circumstances, it left a return of more than 7 per cent. on the cost of the railway. (Bear, hear.) There was come improvement also in the management of their line, as an instance of which lie might mention the fact that whilst in the first half of last yeses they paid 877/. fur demurrage of waggons, carriages, and sheets, and in the next half-year 33/., in the half-year just ended they bad nothing to pay, but had received 16/. Ils. (Applause.) The directors attributed the increase of their receipts principally to the ex tension of their local traffic. On the merchandise . . traffic, for the half-year ending June, 1860, they had, in goods, 50,386 tons; in June, 1851, 61,062 toms; in coal, June, 1850, 33,831 tons; in June, 1851, 62,747 tons ; in minerals, June, 1850, 16,863 tons; in June, 1851, 40,77:: tons ; in live stuck, 919 waggons in June, 1850 ; and 1,365 waggons in June, 1851; whilst the foreign merchandise trathc had increased very little. The average increase of receipts for the six weeks of the current halt-year, ending August 10, was 6111. per week over the corresponding six weeks of last year. There was a paragraph in the report with respect to the toll paid by the Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport Railway, for passing over the entrance into Li verpool, belonging to the East Lancashire and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. It had been announced that that company intended to declare a dividend of 1 per cent. per annum on their shares, though their railway had only been opened through since October, 1853. If tkat was the case, they could only have been enabled to pay such a dividend, through being allowed to pass over one of the most ex pensive railways into one of the most important towns of the kingdom, at a very low rate. On what point of law and equity could they ask this company to forego their rights, secared to them by act of parliament, to enable others to pay a better :dividend than they got themselves The directors were, therefore, convinced that they would not be perf..wmiug their duty if they did nut insist upon their paying the full parliamentary toll, which they were advised that this company could obtain. The dimi nution iu the NO and parliamentary expenses of the half year, shown in the report, was one of the effects of paying their solicitor a tiled salary. The directors had purchased property fur the necessary enlargement of the Salford sta tion, on terms sufficiently reasonable to render it a good investment for private individuals. That extra cost would not increase the estimate which had been given of the cost of the station. During the course of the last half-year the directora had been applied to by the shareholders of the Bolton, Blackburn, and Clithei'ue Railway, to ascertain whether this company would abide by the proposi tion formerly made and sanctioned by the shareholders of the East Lancashire Railway. After mature con sideration, the directors had determined to make the same offer to that comp.uty as before, with the modification pro- posed by the Lancashire and Yorkshire company, relative to allowing the company to amalgamate at what they were worth. The directors had uo doubt this would meet the approval of the shareholders, since the offer had been for merly sanctioned by them. During the last half-year the directors had proposed to the secretary of the company to Increase his salary, on the same principle as they pursued with some other officers of the company, namely, an in crease in proportion to the increase of their dividend. The chairman concluded by moviug the adoption of the report and stat ment of accounts. Mr. JOHN liovr, of Stubbylee, seconded the resolu tion, and complimented the directors upon their successful management. A SHAREHOLDER asked when the offer was male to the Bolton and Blacaburn line, and what would be the cod to this line. The CHAIRMAN said their proposal was to take the plant. of the present Bolton and Blackburn Company, and Ito work the traffic for 40 per cent.—ln answer to another question, he said that the railway companies intended to raise the canal tolls on the Ist September. A SHAREHOLDER said 8,0001. was charged in the ac counts for new stock, whilst in reality there appeared to be but little increase. The SECRETARY said they had bought four new first clam carriages, and a number of horses and other miscella neous stock had been bought. The CHAIRMAN, in answer to another question, said the canal lease was not yet completed, and there had een a small leas on working it so far ;the revenue of this railway, however, had been increased through that agreement, and when the tolls had been advanced so as to prevent the bye traders along the canal from under-carrying the com pany, they expected to realise a profit from the canal per as. Mr. PENRISE, R.E., suggested that the payments of compensation for injuries sustained by passengers should be paid out of the reserve fund instead of out of revenue. Mr. T. WRIGLEY denied that the sum of 67,0001. was a reserve fund. He cautioned the shareholders that their only safety was in speedily closing the capital account. The motion was then carried. The CHAIRMAN moved a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent on the preference shares and of ss. per share ou whole shares, and ls. Cal. on quarter shares, on the ordinary capi tal, to be pall when and how the directorsmight see proper. Mr. RILEY seconded the motion. The resolution was carried nem. refl. The meeting was then made special. The CHAIRMAN moved the reduction of the directors from 16 to 12 ; which was agreed to. The confirmation of the forfeiture of 912 quarter share., on which 2.5.. per share had been paid, was carried. The CHAIRMAN moved that the directors be era powered to borrow a further sum on the capital account of -425,523/. Mr. T. ASIITON, director, seconded the motion, and it was agreed to unanimously. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. NEWSY AND ENNISKILLEN RAILWAY. Yesterday an ordinary general meeting of share holders in this company was held at the Guildhall Gotfea House, Mr. W. F. SPACKWAN in the chair. The SECRETARY read the notice of the meeting, wkiet stated that it was convened fur the ordinary business of the company. A SIiARF.HOLDER wished to see the registry of pro prietors, with a view to ascertain who bud been buyers and sellers within the last six months. 'f he CIIAIRMAN said this could not be shown without the consent of the parties. No other company allowed suet inspection; but the worthy proprietor, or any shareholder, could refer to his own name. The directors had no wish to conceal anything, but could not expose the affairs of two or three hundred persons who were not press nt. A DIRECTOR said the only thing of which inspection could be demanded was the name and address book. This hail been decided in a court of law. The SECRETARY then read the report, which has already appeared in the Express. The CHAIRMAN was happy to say that the affairs of the company had been brought within a very narrow emit pass. With reference to the past half.year, it would ho seen that the directors had brought the dispute with tiro Newry and Warrenpoint Railway to a very successful con clusion. The expense.' of the suit, about 1,000/. to 1,1001, were to be paid by the latter, and the Newry and Ennis killen proprietors were therefore discharged hoot ail liability. Ibis great object had been accomplished without any sacrifice. Most parties present were no doubt aware that the directors were rather large shareholders, and therefore were naturally anxious that the affairs of the company should he brought to an early and satisfactory conclusion ; but this did not rest entirely with them or wit Mr. Dargan. However anxious they might be, one thing was essentially necessary, viz., that the Dublin and Belfast Company should complete their line, to enable the Newry and Enniskillen to make the contemplated junction. The Dublin and Belfast Railway, where the junc tion would be formed, was to . be opened on the Ist November, and in consequence of this an invita tion had been sent by that company to the directors of the Newry and Enniskillen Company to proceed t, Dub lin, and enter into negotiations for a junction. He had been chosen by his colleagues to undertake the duty, and it gave him pleasure to state that lie had succeeded in re moving many obstacles, and that the directors on the other side had met hint in the hest possible spirit, so that this agreement might be regarded as concluded. Mr. Dargan was to have the line, and pay the Newry and Enniskillea Company 3,120/. per annum, which would yield abent ds. per share. The Dublin and Belfast Company were to work the line, Mr. Dargan taking the chance whether the amount was more or less than the SOL per week he agreed to pay. A very advantageous bargain had thus been amide, and nothing differed materially in the terms compared with those announced at the last meeting. Indeed they h a d gained concessions,which made the bargain hater, though foe particular reasons he could not then enter more closely into details. Until the agreement was signed, it was just possible that it might go off, but the probability was that it would all he settled in twelve or fourteen days. This would site new life to the company for many years to come. 110 ha .l been desirous to sell or lease the line, but the Dublin and Belfast Company had no capital to spare, and no pewee under its act to do either. The arrangement made would give their shares more value than if Lb; company had be, sold at a low price, and he had no doubt it would meet wi:lt their cordial approbation. 'Chen: was a claim made upon the Newry and Enniskillen Company of nearly 4,000 F. Li the Ulster Company, hut he was legally advi.o.sl that the award of the Board of Trade was bad. The subj. et wouA have the anxious attention of the directors. lie did hive that when they disposed of that item, as there was only ono other claim upon them, and which they had nearly fun la enough in hand to meet, the company would be out of debt, and by a small loan they would be enabled to meet Mr. Dargan's outlay. A SIIAILEIIOI.DER—TeII us all about that l'istor eon- cern. (Hear, hear.) The CllAlltMAN explained that the Ulster Compaity had originally a guage different to that subsequently loot down for all the railways in Ireland by the government, and the various companies which obtained nets of parliament, and were in connexion with the Ulster line were hound to contribute their quota towards its alteration. Aceonling to this the share of the Newry and Enniskillen Company would he about 4,000/., but because the latter had reesiv.-1 so notice of the proceedings, nor been required to proultuas any evidence he was advised that the award was de cidedly bad. It was bad also, the directors thought, b.:- cause they were n..t morally liable, and could have no con nexion with the Ulster line, except at the Armagh Station, and should not derive benefit to the amount of Is. front it. Ile confidently expected that in this, awl in other matters, they would prove successful. A PROPRIETOR said it was preposterous now the Newry proprietors were going to make only four miles of thcir line, to award the Lister Company the same amount as if the whole railway was to he formed. (Heir.) The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the report and the reudeeti .... of the directors and auditors, which was seconded, and carried unanimously The CHAIRMAN further moved that the usual stunt ba allowed for the expenses of the direction. The directors had struck off 115,0040. of liabilities, had recovered 8,0001. from the Newry and Warrenpoint, reduced the expenses to I'3ol. per autumn, and recovered the whole capital by leas ing the line; therefore it might be called justly a paying concern. _ _ _ The tuotion, being seconded, was carried, as also a vote of 201. to the auditors. .... The CIIAI ItNIA.N. in answer to a question, said thPy would probably want 8,000/., which they proposed to ra;so by a loan. The Warren pint debentures would liiptidato this, and they hail besiiles . their forfeited shares to Nit back upon, not one haying been sold. Ile hoped, theridhre, tho directors would not have to call upon the shareholders foe one farthing. Thanks were then voted to the board, and the meeting adjourned. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY The following is an abstract of the report to bo submitted to the proprietors at the lialf•yearly meeting, on Tuesday next: " The gross amount of revenue for the half-year is 230,0611. 3i. 7d., from which the directors have thought it right, under the circumstance's specially explained in the auditors' report, to deduct seven monthe expenditure in stead of six. This operation increases the amount to he de ducted ter the working expense', which were unavoidably large at the commencement or the goods traffic. The result is a balance of 108,0•481. 70. 2d. net revenue, which, after deducting guaranteed rents and preference dividembi, to gether with interest on one-half of the mortgage debt (tho other half being applicable to works not yet opened), will leave a balance available for dividend of 40,1231. 17s. fhb. and the directors recommend that a dividend be declared at the rate of 1.1 her cent. per annum, being 3s. lid, per origi nal 251. share, payable, after the 15th Sept. next, to thepro prictors on the righter on the 26th of August inst. "The amount of capital expended in the half year, was 605,3•571. os. 6d., and as the works yet incomplensil are pro gressing with great rapidity, the directors have to request authority from this meeting to rube: the additional capi al and loans sanctioned by the set of parliament recently passed. The plan by which they propose to raise the share capital of 750,000/. is by issuing at par, rateably to the proprietors registered in the hooks of the company on the 20tk of August inst., 60,000 0 per cent. preference scrip sham of 121. 10s. each, redeemable by the company at any period on ail months' notice, at a premium of 10 per cent; such shares to remain us scrip unregistered until the full amount of the call has been paid up. " The Towns line will he opened for traffic early next year, and it is expeeted the King's-cross station will be completed about Midsummer next. " With regard to parliamentary proceedings, the company have ohtaiued their hill No. 1, authorising the additioual capital, as well as the establishment of stations at K notting ley and Waki field, which the increase of traffic has ren dered imperatively necessary. " The company a bill No. 2, which was framed to regu late the relation, of the Great Northern with the Man chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, line also been passed, alter a severe and protracted opposition. The company has established the right to accommodation for fi,h traffic and goods at the Grimsby Docks, as well as the power to construct a goods station at Sheffield, and conve nient junctione at Retford ; whilst the privilege of using the Gainsborough line of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin colnshire Railway Company has been confirmed. " The directors regret having to state that their relations with other companies have not improved since the last meet ing. The Loudon and North Western and the <Midlland companies have taken the position of competing at lower fares for the passenger traffic of the places at which those co:npanien meet the Great Northern—viz., York, Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster, Sheffield, and Lincoln. This ones vernally-condemned competition, at low fares, has the un avoidable effect of reducing the aggregate amount to be ultimately divided, so that the shareholders of all the three companies suffer by it. " In connexion with this subject, it may be necessary to state that the London and North-Western and the Midland companies, have, by treaties, excluded the Great Northern from participation in the traffic of the towns lying upon the lines of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Com pany west of Sheffield ; and of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company west of Wakefield; the effect of which would be that even at Bradford, west of Leeds, and other places to which the Great Northern route will bo nearest from Lon don by 20 miles, all right to a share of such traffic is denied. " In consequence of this, the directors felt it their duty ' to insist upon these hostile treaties being withdrawn before they would consent to arrangements for equal fares to tho places front which the Great Northern was so excluded , and the determination expressed by the London and North Western and the Midland companies is, that the fares shall be run down against the Great Northern, unless the Great Northern will virtually consent to be excluded from the • places alluded to. The directors can have no hesitation in 1 persisting in upholding the reasonable rights of the Great • Northern, and Wi not doubt being able ultimately to esta blish them, whatever may be the opposition of competing companies.