The Express. — London, England, 1849-08-17 00:00:00

Fil lir M M us is& led woof . , _ag e sea moody to expeed their ben blood in ele. nth dent eel fatherland. He conceived that it 6 • :k ag of the peSplle ef this country wooonce distinctly Z i i i gnod, it . wend aid the English cahoot to develop ga ge "001'1'0 1 1y that sympathy whin he wee maned Way ggs ger the gent game of Henry. (Hear, bear.) The Rev. JAMES RICHMOND, of the eginesgal sheath ia Assns. mid thee this was net merely am lasbe a a l ida, it wee an Angle•Samea, guestiem-4fteme)—mid Ike awe, he waist set enema te Mend We is nesiendl es a 800 . 0 .—(heer, heer)—agalimglissiesi. emmenwitit ▪ temi Amerisess, as W asellka. As Americas mnspeesdel w ow Isea,thet Ise was maAaeriess frames; sessaddy, kte tined wesilegiiik. The members beer was abeam Est wi ttau ngi ntter b. ) 2" —but h: oosi • • m emo Ifs sowed.' within • more limited NEV. igtir... ! Ameriens this was mainly I %swain Of lrw W liberty . sad beet s & throughout the i rl. batted ta Oppression ; but with England it wee • guesnoWOf seitspresereation. (Hut tsar.) The slaikrvstiv• republic was to the belted for is Aswan creed Is England. It was his prayer that England weeM sliced ferward in her easjesty, and say—the wrong la est be dom. TM moll:nom was then pet and carried with se aming. Mr. M'ENTEER, honorary seentaty, then read the fol hong address ss Amman or TYE IMHABItAMTS OP TM! CIVIC OP Wesr to TUN Ittle0•11111:4 PIOPLg. "Brave Men of Hungary, —F rem the seat of British government. we, the inhabitants of the ancient city of West Plaster, address you. As the citizens of • Ire* country, the gam& of freedom against despo'ism must ever command ger sympathies. Such • struggle, in its holiest Finn, heroic Rectory now presents to us. In you the world beholds the upset ale of • spited people fighting f r the rights of father. Seed, and exhibiting • heroism only to be equalled by the enuring promos and devoted loyalty manifested by you precedieg your final resort to arms. Justice and moderation clothe with dignity the surpassing bravery of the defender. of your conetitutinal rights, and the Nun and cruelty of yoar oppri wire call not more loudly for the execration of the good th .n your devoted patriotism Comm sods the sympathy end aid of all to whom liberty and humanity are dear, sad iejustiesi and cruelty abhorrent. 'Toe llamas interest sit ichin to your position has mule the notary et Hungary familiar to the British mind. la the pages at that history we find that the rights you gszugelo to preserve are the constitutional heritage of a thou sand yeses. Since the accession of the house of Lorraine Hapsburo, fourteen kings of • faithless race have successively sworn to r. sport and guard your national privileges ; and by e ach in turn hue the sacred oath been violated ; and now, as she crowning sin of this injured dynasiy, the present Awe tries minaret melts to wade through • nation's blood to' In throne of Saint Stephen, and when defeated by Hun garian velour, calls to his aid the kindred assistance of Coe sad hides to desolate with fire sad sword the fair fl•lds of a people who hevo repaid royal treason with fureiving truth, and erred only In their loyalty by loving ' not wisely, bat too well,' " War should ever be the last rescurees of the oppressed, but the history of our own country teaches that tyranny may name • shape that makes armed resistants become • virtue. That shape in its most hideous form, the Austria. and Russian invaders of your country have aaumed. If the revolution that won for us Englishmen our rights is truly termed ' glorious,' then moot glorious is the struggle of Bangui for aationality and freedom, and sanctified is the blood of the heroes so devotedly ih. d in sacrifice at the altar of their couotry. Would that an English current mingled in the Hungazian stirs am is its victorious course to glory and immortality. " While with the Innis( hearts of your heroes you build the foundigion of your country's freedom, the enlightened of the earth must en that your contest is not alone for your active land, but one fully identified with the interests of animal humanity. As the frontier guard of European Mviiisation, your gallant nation offers • natural bander to I the eneroothenents of Russian barbarism, and while fighting the battle of Hungarian liberty, you have the peril and tue glory of acting as the vanguard of continental freedom. Brave defenders deo great a tease right manfully have you Willed your high mission. Your country bleed" from many wounds. Humanity weeps at the spectacle, and reaps the I reward of your hereto devotion. " Accept, brave Hungarians, this expression of sympathy hem English hearts, to which we add our prayers to des God of freedom for • speedy 'elec.'s to your righteous eine; of such ultimate sweets we doubt not, for we live is the kith of the bard of our land, who sung ...For freedom's battle once begun, Itcytatothed from bleeding sire to son, Though bard oil, Is ever won.' And never had freedom nobler amides to work out the poetic prophecy than Hungary sow cans in the illustrious Kos suth, the valiant Beta, finny, Dembinski, Klapks, Vettor, Dentinal', Ferczal,Aelich, and Riatard Guyon. That more than British sympathy may strengthen the heroic bead, we this dal petition lir beloved sovereign to susiond the Fo reign Enltstment cc', which prevents us sending immediate succour to your rinks, and to acknowledge the independence of the Hungariaa nation. In the cause of Hungary we re cognise the nuns of justice, freedom, and civiliniou, sad they who would shrink from you in your day of peril, are unworthy of the blessings the triumph of such a cause con. firs on men." Lord D. STUART reeemid mach cheering to move the fallowing resolution : That this meeting looks with unmitigated abhorrence on the joint efforts of the Amnion sad Bassin monarchs to extinguish the freedom of • gallant statics in t h e blood of its heave iohabitants. That the infamy of the invasion is only equalled by the atrocious cruelties meshing the progiess 05 the invaders, and that the address just rend, expressive of our admiration and sympathy he forwarded wilts 'breve men et Hungary with the least puesib'e delay." The Tendon on which the Hungarians felt compelled to take take up arms was, whether the ministers were to be nepoasible to the people or the sovereign. The Emperor of Austria decided that they should be responsible to him, end hence the remit. The Hungarians bad enjoyed a comfit's. tin similar to our owe, sad like us had struggled to make is letter ; but when they Introduced • sweeping reform into it an attempt was made to deprive them of it altogether. He empathised with the Hun garians because we were a protestant nation, and as nth attached to religious and civil liberty. We sympathised with them because we were a brave, and also because we were a humane nation. We could not brook the scenes which were enacted by the Austrian and Russian authorities . By the last accounts remind, • noble Hungarian, blllnr the offl!e of inspeetorsgeserrel, of the protestant faith, had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the Austrians, was interrogated, and giving an answer rather independently he was forthwith publicly flogged. Another reason for sympathy with Hungary was, that she had always been distinguished for her love of tree trade. We knew that the commercial advantage to this country arising from our connexion with the Units d States ergs ten times greater than it would be if that country bad not achieved its inde pendence. So in a few years, if Hungary were independent. might we expect our trade with her to be like that of the United States. If there were 20 millions of free men on the ether side of the Atlantic, them were 15 millions of freemen in Hungary. Now, Hun pry was a country having but few maafeetues, but whose soil was is the highest degree rich and rodeos live, and whose people would be most glad to exchange their corn, maim, win., oil, tobacco , &c., for our manu and their produce rot our iron, and cotton, and lia= cutlery, and china, and silks, and stationery—an int alike profitable and agreeable to both eountriZ illis C Heagarians, moreover, being willing to admit ever Heeds as • moderate rate of duty, whereas that imposed by Austria was altogether hostile. (Chien.) This view of the matter was beginning to be understood by the merchants and manufacturers of Raglan'', and in proof of it he might be permitted re read • letter he had received some mown ago. from the head of a most respectable firm is Glasgow. He had been stigmatised as • mere send statwist in polities, bac the ground he was now speaking Vim was of an eminently practical description. The letter ma Was : My . Llndividselly I read with pleasure the ilea Ormond Ben 's h ose to your lordship, and teal deeply to the issue of Hungarian independence, on the t reased of its bearing on tree freedom in religiose, paid• ed, and commercial interests, all of which are at stake in the nue of the struggle. Austrian dominion in Hungary impale very high restrictive duties on articles of meassise tare. as imported into the latter country. Inmate these on the item of pig, or cast-iron, rolled iron, sad sisettirse,es an index to those imposed on other articles, and essamet such priers as paid by the Hungarian governesest with' what they an be furnished from Scotland, as an Was. mint to open a connexion in commerce. First, viz .—llungarian prices paid under Austrian tale: let. Coo iron, 71. per ton, delivered in River Save. Rolled iron, 221. Sheet iron, aai. si Second, viz. : —Hungarian prices, if admitting Seciteh iron: lot. Cast Iron, V. lOs. per ton, delivered in River Save. Rolled iron, 101. Sheet iron, 121. ss These Agoras are very striking, and show clearly what an advantageous opening for British commerce that hitherto closed kingdom presents to us. My immediate business lays In these very articles named, and in eider to facilitate the formation of connexions in Hungary, your knowledge of Mesons of influence there would be invaluable, as a medium of meals, for future operations. He had, in reply, given his correspondent the best informa tion in his power, but the party had been enable to carry them into effect from the obstacles interposed by Austria, though the Hungarians were willing enough to trade with as on the most favourable terms. In our days especially testimonials were very much in tuition : any one who did anything deserving the approbation of his fellow citizens had forthwith • testimonial presented to him, the re al, of a public subscription. He could not but think that the Hungarians had deserved well of this country, and had merited a subscription. (Cheers.) The working cleans in the metropolis and in several provincial towns had already seta amble example by subscribing • proportion of their bard sander to this noble purpose ; only that morning he had received a le'ter from some generous minded operatives of the little tog s Horsham, asking him whether they could for wards their subscriptions to the gallant Hungarians. (Chem) Mr. PROUT soconded the resolution. He was an old re former, and had long watched the progress of events, but he never recollected such enthusiasm as that which had been treated throughout England on behalf of the Hungarians. Th. Hon. Mr. WHARTON moved the third resolution, as taloa "That jutiee and policy alike justify the British govern ment in at on ce acknowledging the independence of Hun- Pry, sad tout a petition be pretested on annals isi the THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 17, 1849, THE CHOLERA. Subjoined is the return of rases of cholera molted to the Hama Board of Health yestorday Attacks. D , 3ths. Is Loudon sad vicinity, : Lawheth H‘rherhithe Southwick Shorediteh /tented green Other localities In Loudon 237 96 Is England and Wales:— Liverpool Merl's% r Tydfil Howls,. Cardiff 6 1 Plymouth Newcastle-under-Lyme Leeds Other towns in England l6O 108 In Scotland : Duniee Brechin Oteenock General total The return for Wednesday (accidentally omitted from yes terday's paper) showed the total number ni attacks in London and its vicinity to be 430, and of deaths 135. In the rest of England and 'Wales 400 cases and 153 deaths. Scotland, 47 attacks end 16 deaths. The general total being 877 amend 354 deaths. In reference to the Wandswcrth Union we have received the following communication. - - TO THE ZDITOR OP THI DAILY NEWS. The Wandsworth guardians request you will correct a misstatement that appears under the head of Cholera, (from the Registrar General's Replrt) stating that the deaths in Wandsworth were for the last two wises, respectively, 29 and 48, such statement having caused great al&rat, we wish to call roar and the public attention to the detailed statement of the Registrar General for these two weeks, which shows the number of deaths in the two weeks ending the 4th and 11th of August as follows : Week ending 4th 11th For Wandsworth Clapham Betterlea Putney 1 Upper Tooting Streatham 29 49 ♦ total for the Wandsworth and Clspham Union, instead of the single Parish of Wandsworth, sf the numbers stated in your rep rt.—SAmt EL Cumneits, JANUS LYON, WM. BAURT4BROUGH. Wandsworth, 16th Au,gast, 1849. bitants of the City of Westminster to oar gracious sovereign, praying her for an order in council to recognise the do facto government of Hungary, and to suspend the Fatless En listment Act of 1819 in favour of the Hungarien orlon." The neolatien having been wooded by Ilr.Wsuour, was earned unanimnuedy. Sir F. KNOWLES moved the fourth fiSOhlii , lll: " That the efforts 's( the London absolutist press to damp the these of Hammy his been in a great degree neutralised by the honesty and talent of the Daily News • and that the thanks of the meeting be given to th at }mired, together with the Son sad Noreen/ Adeertiaer, for their advocacy of truth and freedom on the ques ion of the lienprian 5 niggle." Mr. WICKENS, in euppor'ing the resolution, observed that Madame Peillaki, who had personally tit fled th e bayou's of the Cur, was present. (Lout cheers.) He hoped the immure from without would asks the government of this country _feel and know that Hungary shall be free. Mr. HARNEY Mao addressed the meeting, announcing himself a chartist. He took exception to a passage in the address, which oko Jke of this revolution of 1688 as "glorious," and denied that et was so for pereors of his order, however it might have been for others. Ile condemned the govern ment for holding friendly relations with the bombuder of Rome, and said that as regarded Hungary it would be ;tete stifle:lent to prohibit the march of Russians into Hungary. The resolution was then puled. Mr. OBESIN moved the following resolution : "That this meeting looks with wares approbation on those pre/serous men who have given practical proof of their interest in Hungsry, by contributing according to their metes to the relief of Hungarian refines's, and in particular it desires to thank B. M. Wi!cis t Esq., M.P.. the chairman, and .he other &newts of the Peninsular Company, for their kindness ' in forwarding, at a price which could not be remunerating, ' a number of these brave men to the Levan., on :heir way to their own country ; and this meeting farther approves and desires to promote the subscription set on foot for the par ' phis of raising a sum of money to ba prevented as a testeno ' nisi from the British to the Hungarian nation." Captain SKID (an American otliar), seconded the relic ' lotion in en eloquent speech. The resolution being carried, a vote of thanks was pissed to the chairman, and the meeting separated. FIiZEIIOLD LAND MOVEMENT.-MEETING AT MARYLEBONE. A public meeting took place last evening, at the Litenry and Scientific Institution, Marylebone, " to con tiler the propriety of extending the operations of the St. Pancras Freehold Imnd Society to the whole of the borough of Maryleb me." The spacious hall was crowded on the 00014i00. W. RW•IIT, Esq., M.P , presided. supported by Mr. W. Williams, late M.P. for Civentry, Mr. tome, Mr. Rowley, and several other influential g , ntlemen of the district. The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the business, said It was well known to every one who bad in the remotest i.e gees studied the history of this country, that in former times the freehold of the land was pessessed by the people to a much greater extent than at the prevent day. (Hear.) Up to the reign of Henry the Sixth, almost every man had • vote, every one who paid "scat and lot," or contributed in any daps to the state; bat in the time of Henry the Egnth a statute bad been passed, which Sir Rohert Peel had quoted in the House of Common., when he brought in a bill to disfranchise the Irish forty-shilling freeholders, and that statute rehearsed, that, whereas in conse quent. of the number of persons who proceeded to the poll to vote, disturbances had been excited, it was, therefore, convenient and expedient to fix some limit which should resiriet the numbei of voters. The limit fixed was the possession of • 40s. freehold ; a , .d, at that time, that was a very considerable amount for a freeholder to possess in land. It was remarkable that, from the era when the wars el the Roses broke out, dated the first restriction cm the enviously almost universal suffrage which had exited in this country. However, the object of this association, in imitation of th me fellow-countrymen at Birmingham, was not to go beyond the 40s. freehold. Tiny thought that, although the c onati union of England, as originally framed, gave the right of voting far below that, it we. the obj.et of the association only to carry oat the e seating law, by inducing those who chime so to lay out their capital, to expend it is the purchase of 40.. freeholds, so as to give them a teal, firm, and fixed pos session of land, aid the power of voting for members of par liament. (Applause.) This judicious movement bad origi mated with the men of Berningh ens, a very stirring set of individuals, who seemed to have strong bears to carry their political object' into effect, as they had strong baud; to work out 'he objects of their industry. (Hear hear ) They had succeeded in producing as large a numb er as 600 or 70) fre. holds, the posses...as of each of which would have the right to vote. and would besides have a very valuable return fur the money they hid invested. The system was this: every man, by paying in a shilling a week, gradually contri buted to the secumulaeion et • fund which was judiciously 'seated in 1 ended property ; this, being purchased by wholesale, war obtained far chea,gr than when bought in small parcel.. A further step in the prams, necessary, was, vigilantly to watch the persons to whom they entrusted the investment of their property, and take care that they were such in whom they could repose entire confidsnce. (Hea, Ilea.) After what had happened in this country in the last two or three year., every one would admit that this was a primary consideration for thi se who had money to invest (Hest, hear.) He doubted not that these societies would agreed throughout the coantry, sad thereby a double object would be achieved: a great number of men scald obtain ate interest in lan I, and their political power would be extended, which was the greatest security for the maintenance of order. (Cheers.) It was to be regretted that the tenantry is various parts of the country were driven to the poll like the flocks they fed; the indus trious classes, by becoming voters, would counteract these gregarious assemblages. (Hear, hear.) In all former times the victories of freedom had been won by the independent feeeholden, and this would be the case again if this move ment were tally carried out. They were now reverting to the original mend principles of the British constitution. in cluding that of self-government, whereby the progress of freedom would be certain, and the maintenance of order se cure. (Cheers.) Mr. ROWLEY moved the first resolution— " That as the large number of shares already taken in so short a time, places the success of the St. Pancras Freehold Land Society beyond a doubt, and as it offers the best invest ment for the savings of the working classes, by giving them an interest in the soil, this meeting pledges itself to extend, by every laudable means, the operations of this excellent society through the whole of the borough of Marylebone." He alluded to the profane of the Birmingham society, and slated that three estates had already been purchased ; this had boss effected almost solely through the exertions of one semblng men, Mr. Taylor. (Hear.) The men of Bir miaghem had shown that by their combined exertions the land might be obtained at one-third the retail price. And this was the way in which it had been obtained by the graap tag landlords. (Hear, hear.) The people, however, would soon win the whole of the counties back, for the movement was rapidly extending in the midland and northern counties. (Cheers.) The London men might thus easily secure not only Middlesex, but Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and all the neigh. bounng counties. They kod nothing to do but go on and win. (Cheers.) Mr. PORTWINE, in seconding the resolution, expressed his confident hove that such men as Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, and the Chairman, would soon take the places of Lord J. Russell, and those now in power. Mr. W. WILLIAMS referred to the noble example set in the parish of St. Pancras, and called on those present to imi tate it. By information which he had received from Birming ham and Coventry, he learnt that this movement had pro duced an excellent moral effect on society at large in that part of the country ; and there was no doubt the county of Warwick would by their means be emancipated from the thraldom of the wont species of teries. The resolution was then put and unanimously agreed to. Mr DEAN moved: " That, as the returns to parliament show that the number of freeholds in this country, amounting to 270,000 in the middle of the last century, had dwindled down to only 30,000 in 1813, in consequence of the monopoly of the land by the aristocracy and landed gentry, for the purpose of exer cising an overruling power in the councils of the nation, thereby politically and socially depressing the middle and working claws to an incalculable extent, this meeting re gards with unmingled satisfaction the great success which has attended the freehold land societies throughout the coun try, believing them to be the best means yet devised for ex tending the suffrage, breaking down elms legislation, and promoting the sociafprogress and the domestic happiness of the people." Not only would the persons purchasing freeholds through this society obtain the franchise, but they would receive 10 per cent. for their money, while the savings' banks paid only 3 per cent., sad the funds bat three and a half. (Hear.) This societ y had many advantages over others of a like kind ; • member might subscribe for me or six shares ; he might alsrhis payments, without fine, in an adverse period, ed resume them afterwards ; and the sum paid for expenses was extremely leer. (Hear.) Mr. LINTON seconded the motion. Mr. JOHN COWAN moved, and Mr. ARNELL se conded, a vote of thanks to the chairman, whisk was briefly and suitably acknowledged by Mr. Swar t, who apologised for the absence of Lord B. Stuart and other gentlemen (then attending the Hungarian meeting), and called on those pre sent to enrol the/melees members of the society. LONDON SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OP YOUNG FINALISE —Yesterday th.• annual meeting of this charity was held at tne asylum, Tottenham, for the purpose of re ceiving and adopting the annual report. The Rev. Mr. CI (heaves, M.A., the incumbent of Christ Church, Horne Bay, in the chair. Previous to the meeting, the ceremony of ex amining the children in their learning was gone through. At the conclusion of the examination, the secretary, Mr. J. B. Talbot. read the annual report. It stated that since the last meeting, Prince Albert had become a patron, and had given a donation of 501. There was an increase In the receipts over the pas: year. The receipts for 1847.8 amounted to 2,0131. Igo. 6d . , sod the receipts for the year ending June, 1849, were 2,4041.9.. 6t 1 ., showing an increase of 3901.115. 2d. Theincrease, however, has arisen in some measure from the sale of a portion of the society's funded property. The en =during the pot year have not exceeded the income, it 2,2791. 31. Bd., leaving a balance in the society's hands of 1241.65. The funded p rop erty of the society amounts to 2501. Three per Cent. Consols, and 6001. Exchequer Bills. The board have also to reporahat moral houses of infamous character have been surressed. The society had received 472 children since the foundation, and there were now 70 in the asylum . The report was adopted. Earl Mounteashel was again elected chairman, and Lord Viscount Rage as one of the oodanittoe. SOUTH LONDON MEDICAL SOCIETY. Yesterday evening a meeting of the members of the above society, and of the medical profession generally was held at the Southwark Literary Ins itution, Borough road, for the purpose of dieeus-ing the origin, nature, and treatment of the prevailing epidemic—Dr. HILTON in the chair. The CHAIRMAN having briefly stated the object of the meeting, a consioerable nuo.ber of medical gentlemen who ate in practice in earful* parts of the miitropolie stated the results of their t xperiente in the treatment of cholera, their °Oaten of its causes and character, and of its contagious or non contagious !property. Upon all these points very great discrepancy of opinion was elicited. - 1../r. WRIGHT °petted the discussion b! tlgessing his be lief that cholera was contagious, founding his spinion on two or three cases which have lately WOW within the 'cope of his experience, where pers na were successively attacked and carried off in ens house, while the houses in the same row were entirely exempt from the disease. Dr. WATERWORTH thought that in order to sustain his theory of contagion Dr. Wright should show that no cholera, or causes pre :imposing to it, existed within a con siderable distaone of the house containing the persons attacked. Dr. Mere was of opinion that one class of cases, in which complete collapse took place, was utterly intractable,while the dames of cases smiles:able tone elected diarrbce c, and where the state of collapse was not complete, might be attacked by medical men wit h a prospect of battling the di sue. Dr. HAWKINS stated his belief that the disease wet non-contagious, and founded his opinion on extensive pese tas' la a district abounding with low and crowded lodging WHIM In a ease which hal come under his observation, in whisk severed persons were attacked in the same house, he found that it was so situated as to he exposed to the coin m i nd effluvia sue, g from a tanner's yard in the rear, and a foul drain in front. Every person in that house was attacked, while in the houses t of so unfavourably situated the disease made scarcely any progress. Dr. H. LANE was ale, of opinion that cholera was not ecentagious, but expressed a doubt as to whether what were commonly believed to be the cater s of cholera were any thing more than peed spelling agents. Dr. MURPHY th eight that the cholera, in common with all otht r epidemics., was contagious, and in support of his opinion reminded the meeting that its first appearance in these countries had been invariably in seaports. Dr. BARLOW (of Guy's Hospital) hence.d that in bad ease', the lees that was done to the patient the better chance he had of recovering. Dr. Ries, of Guy's Hospital, had tried many different plass of treatment, and Ind sot found one to succeed better than another; but, in his opinion, the MoSt advisable to adopt consisted in the application of cold water to the sur face, and the eahibitinn of saline fluids by the mouth. He agreed with the previous speaker in thinking that the poison was got rid of by the evacuation of the serum and expressed his belief that in true cholera no one recovered who had not strength of constitution to enable him to bear up against the effects of that process. lie also believed the disease to be contagious. Dr. Cats" held that it was noncontagious, and bore testi mony to the value of Dr. Ayr's mode of treatm,nt, according to which two grains of calomel with one or two drops of tincture of opium are administered every ten minutes. Mr. MINDY wet 01 opinion that calomel was the only an tidote for the disease, and 041itsed that when pthialism was once produced the recovery of the patient generally fol lowed. Dr. lironea was understood to deny that diarekcea or foulness of drains was the cause of cholera. Dr. Dices, of Newington, enured the meeting that, in Ibis experience, he loner that 19 persons out of 20 who were attacked had neglec ed diarrhoea. Dr. Gessnaa believed, if a patient had strength enough to live under an attack of cholera until pthialism was in duced, it was very likely he would hove recovered under thee modes of treatment as well. In his opinion collapse was the consequence of an affection of the nervous system, and not of the blood. . Some other gentlemen having delivered their opinions.= edj .urnment of the discussion to yesterday fortnight was car ried ; and the meeting separated, after giving the usual vote of thanks to the chairman. CHARGE OF NEGLECT AGAINST THE BOARD OP BIPAIt DIANE or BT. Lria's.—Before Mr. Balm, at the Crown, Whitseross-street. St. Luke's, on the body of Sarah Parker, aged 63, who died from Asiatic cholera. George Parker said d--eased was his mother, and resided In North-place. The deceased enjoye I good health up to the time she went to live in North-place, and ever sines she had complained of sickness, which was attributed to bad smells Iron the privy. It adjoined their room, and it frequently overflowed, and the *oil ran through &cupboard into the room. The effluvium was most dreadful, and witness's brother died a short time since in the house from eh dera, and an iiquest was held on his body. At the inquest the parish authorities were re quieted to see that the nuisance complained of should be re m .ved, but nothing had bP en done, although the deceased and some of the inhabitants had complained to the landlord, who had frequently promised to remedy the evil, but had failed in doing se. The deceased followed her son to the burial-ground on Sunday lest, and on Tuesday she was attacked with cholera, and died the same day.—The Coroner said he wrote to'the hoard of guardians, informing them of the whole of the circumstances, and directed them to take the necessary steps to cleanse the place, and he was very much surprised v. find that up to the present time nothing had been done.—Satchwell, the inspector of nuisances, said that the sanitary committee, formed by the board of guardians, had written to Mr. Newton, the landlord, requesting him to whitewash the house and empty the cess-pools, which were overflowing, and he was not aware that nothing bad been done until that morning, when he found the place as bad as ever.—The Coroner and jury expressed their astonishment at the great negli gence exhibited by the parochial authorities. Mr. Kay, sur geon, said that he was called to &net d the deceased about 11 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and found her in a state of collapse following an attack of malignant cholera, of which she died the same afternoon. There had been three deaths from cholera in the c tart, and he attributed the disease en tirely to the pestilential state of the place, cesspools, and bad drains. The jury returned a verdict of " Death from Asiatic cholera," and added that they could not separate without ex pressing their opinion that there was great neglect on the part of the guardian. of the parish, their agent, and officers, is not having enforced their order on the landlord of the house in which the deceased died, and in not attending to the sanitary state of the place. LlLEDl.—Within the last few days there have been cases of cholera in almost every district er municipal ward of the borough, but no official returns have been published, and hence it is extremely difficult to ascertain at what rate the disease appears to be increasing, or what is the number of deaths resulting from it. Up to last Saturday night it was esti mated that there had been about 116 eases in the borough of Leeds. 65 of which have proved fatal. Since then (up to Tuesday at noon), there had been about 20 =eremite, nearly half of which have terminated fatally. Haurax (Yon=ettt•E).—There have been two cases of Asiatic choler► in this town, both of which terminated OLOCCUITEL—Is this union the total number of cases which has occurred is 214, and one in the workhouse. BEISTOL.—The ravages of this disease are fearfully o• the increase, both in Bedminster and the ancient city, where both the cases and deaths yesterday were .cost numerous. At Bayntun'a-bu , ldings there have been several other cases. In the out parish of St. Philip and Jacob the ?aural are rather more favourable. Poartuouvit.—lt is to he regretted that this malignant disease has appeared in the Marlborough, Bast Indiam an, on the eve of sailing for India. Two soldiers who embarked in her died and were taken on shore and buried by • party 01 the 4tn, or Queen's Own. 0100 t oases exist on board. DITONPOILT.—The deaths by cholera have greatly be me wed here since our last. The mortality has been princi pally confined to the close and ill-drained parts of the town, though there have been several deaths in the more resNct able puts of the pleat. Major Mtore, of the 82cd meat, has died dote our last. In the Military Ho pital at Stoke the deaths have been—Two of the 28th Regiment on the Bth ; two of the Royal Artillery on the 10th and 11th ; one of the 23th Regiment on the 13th; and one of the 82nd Regiment on the same day. STONEHOUSI —1) iwn to Wedneseley evening there had been 76 eases brought into the Royal Hospital, half cholera and about half diatrbcca, and there had been 18 deaths. TORPOINT.—Then have been down to Tuesday, 18 GM, 16 In the workhouse sad throe in the town; 14 deaths bad occurred in the workhouse and two in the town. At New Passage the diem, prevails to a considerable extent, and it is said that seven or eight of the men at the works at Keyless' have died. PLIYOUTIL.—The mortality is mainly confined to the molt unclean and badly sewered parts of the town. In one house in St. Anliiw's.streer, there have been in the cause of seven days, no fewer than eight deaths. Yesterday there were 32 eases in the hospital, 10 men, 7 boys, 12 women, and 3 girls. Truck/ma —But one rime of cholera has occurred in this union, and that was of a man in June last, the captain of a vessel from Cardiff, where the disease has been prevalent. Buititwauues.—Notwithstanding the precautions which have been taken to guard off the cholera from making its a pearance in the town, they have not proved sufficient. The pestilence is extending its ravages—slow, c. rtainly, and in some of the most filly and b idly ventilated portions of the town. Thirteen deaths havu occurred during the past weak. NANTYOLO.—The cholera is making sad ravages at Nan tyglo, and four cases have terminated fatally at Brynmawr, in the palish of Clydsch. At the works there two cases only have occurred, but each terminated fatally : In the district of Cwm, Pontypool, the disease is also raging. 11EUTIITR.—The cholera stiil continues its ravages here, although not to the same extent as it has previously d me. At Dlwlais, however, the number of deaths suffers no dimi nution. SHAM FIGHT AT PORTSMOUTH. -NIGHT ATTACK ON THE GARRISON. Soon after 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening the 77th Regiment took up a position in rear of the fire barn, &nth sea, facing towards the town, having the Royal Marine Artillery on their right, and en their left a battery of guns furnished and served by men from the Race'lent. Midway between the fire barn and the town were posted two strong picquets, who threw out a line of sentries towards the enemy (77th). and the head quarters of the picquets hiving piled their arms, lighted large fires of wood, which had a pretty effect, showing the bright red coats of the militants quietly enjoying their pipes in confidencs under their careful son , tinels. Anon the alarnm bugles of the picquets were heard— and a few shots from the advance sentries told the reserve to be up and doing. In a few minutes a blue of musketry burst from the ad vancing line of the 77th, su , ported by a rapid 8-e from the guns on either flank. The picquets were gradually driven across the common, and safely retreated into the tswn through King William's-gate. The attacking party having brought their guns up to the vicinity of the gate, performing the movement under a heavy cannonade from the Royal Clarence-yard brigade of buts on their left flank, commenced an attack on the works surrounding the gate, and in a moment the works were lighted up at each angle with blue liglits, and the ramparts and outworks opened a fire of cannon and musketry that shook the place. At 'length the enemy, finding their efforts to enter were rain, the trumpet call, "cease firing," was heard, and Ispeedily the roar of arms ceased, and the troops retired to quarters. Twelve thousand persona were present to view Uns grand display. REVIVAL OF THE ROMAN LNQUISITION. We are indebted for the early communication of the following article, which appears in the Christian Times of this day, to the attention of the editor. Our readers will recollect the ace mut of the extraordinary disclosures, the result of an examina tion of the buildings of the Inquisition, which were published in the Express some time ago. Dr. Giacinto Achilli has been arrested in Rune, and thrown into the Inquisition. A'. 11 o'clthk p.m., on Mon day, the 30th July, three men in plain clothes took him into custody in the hone' where he was staying. They stated that they did to by order of the French prefect. Th- y had no paper of authorisation whatever. In other words. Dr. Achilli has been imprisoned, without any warrant, in the name of the representative of the French republic. The government of the city of Rome was, in point of fact, at that time in the hands of the authorities appointel by Lien. Oudinot. There is reason, however, to believe that the name of the French prefect has been fraudulently used by authority of the Cardinal Patrizi, Vicar-General of Rome, who had just returned to the city, but who apparently possessed no legal power at the time. Dr. Achilli has been cast into one of the secret dun geons of the Illy Office. Our rt adore are aware that in these same dungeons the bones and other remains of former victims were brought to light in the beginning of 1849. The following's an extract from a confidential letter from Dr. Achill', dated July 12th After referring to the amount of the French forces in Rome, he ad 'a, " I shall take ad vantage of these circumstances not to move from my post. I have never mixed myself up in political affairs, much leas shall Ido so now. My mission is too innocent to cause me any fear till the return of the Pope." Dr. Achilli placed full confidence in the honour and loyalty of the French authorities, to protect equally catholica and protestants, so long as the administration rested with them. Dr. Giacinto Achilli is a protes'ant of above five years' standing. Formerly " Vicar of the Master of the Holy Palace," under Gregory XVI , professor of theol og y and professor of moral philosophy at the College of the Minerva, he subsequent'y became a protestant, and is well known, both in England and many other parts of Europe, as one who, from conscientious motives, hail quitted the Roman catholic church. He exercised the right which the de facto constitution of Rome gave him to take up his residence there, and to labour in the dissemination of the Holy Scrip tures, and in the propagation of his principles among those who were disposed to hear him. We understand that steps are being taken to bring the political question before the proper department of the French government. The name of the French Republic has been used to re-open the diabolical tribunals of the Holy Office; an eminent protestant theologian has been thrust into en inner dungeon, in the name of France. It cannot be that France—that M. de Tomneville, the pane gyrist of American libqty—that Louis Napoleon, the re. presentative of universarsuffrage—can suffer such an atro city to pass unnoticed and unpunished! We shall see. REPRV.ENTATION OF WEST SURREY.—Last even ing a meeting of protectionists was held at the White Hart, Guildford, with a view to the nomination of a fit person to stand on that interest. T. S. Thurlow, Esq., presided. It will be remembered that as soon u the death of Mr. Denison, the late member, was announced, Mr. Thurlow wee requested to become a candidate, but private reasons compelled him to decline. At the meeting last evening it was unanimously resolved that a requisition should be immediately forwarded to Felix Ssdbroke, E.g., of Headley Hone, Epsom, to allow himaelt to be put in nomiration. Mr. J. Ivatt Briscoe, the liberal candidate, still continues his canvas with the most encouraging promisee of success. THE HOUSE OF LORDS.—Scaffoldings have been erected sines the prorogation of parliament, to enable the artists to complete the frescoes in the new House of Lords. Preparations are also being made to put in the additional painted window : and conaiderable progress has been made in executing the Irmo's in the Victoria Gallery. VISIT OF THE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY TO DEVON PO/XT..... On Monday a Board of Admiralty, consisting of Sir Francis Baring, Bart , M.P., Rear Admiral J. W. D. Dun dee, M.P., Capt. Lord John Hay, Capt. Alexander Milne, Capt. Sir B. W. Walker, R.N., Capt. Eden, Captaia Ellice, Col. Irvine, HE., and Mr. Parker. arrived at Devooport, for the purpose of inipecting the Dockyard. On Wednesday the First Lord of the Admiralty held a levee, which was attended by numerous officers and persons of distinction. During the levee, Lord John Hay inspected the steam re serve squadron, and the officers and seamen of the ordinary were mustered on board the Agincourt. Their lordships are expected to remain until to-morrow. PROCLAMATION OF OUTLAWRY.—At the Sheriff's Court yesterday Mr. Hemp, the bailiff, called upon the fol lowing permits to surrender, or be severally outlawed : William lisskam, at the suit of Edward Renaley; J. Sal mon, at two suits of John Lewis ; G. 0. Young, at the snit of 0. Roberta ; Edward Thomas Hatfield, at the suit of Frederick J. Francis ; Marmadake Hart Hart, at the suit of Thomas Sharpus; the Dne de Harold, at the snit of Robert Stott; George Robinson, at the suit of Richard B. Lucas; Henry Pratt Barlow, at the suit of Henry Charles Catania; J. Salmon and another, at the suit of William Dean; James Wallis Pycroft, at the snit of R. Thomp son and others; Fairfax W. Cartwright, at the suit of Henry Richardson ; R. Martindale Clerk, at the suit of John Pooh; H. D. Campbell, at the suit of Charles Humphreys ; John Henniker, at the suit of H. M. Fanc; James Alexander Thomas, at the snit of Thomas Haward ; F. C. Cope, at the suit of Charles Sanderson and others; F. Whitworth Sykes, at the suit of John Wa tt; Peter Rainford Rieby , at the snit of Mary Emmox; Bolls Colborne Lee, at the suit of John Cole ; John Bush, at the suit of Geo. Smith; Henry Whittaker, at the suit of Bernardo Goldshede ; Septimus Hodges, at the suit of Alice Hodges; Arthur Lake Johnston, at the suit of South Mora; Joseph Williams, at the suit of Josh. Mayhew and others; W. Faulkner Walker, at the suit of J. Normansel, and another; Windsor Henesge, at the suit of Richard Kit kmsn Lane; William Henry Holmes, at the suit of the same : Ed. H. Willis, at the snit of the same; Sir William Mce4 v Stanley, at the suit of, Joseph Knight and another; C. 2. Greene, at the snit of Henry Paley Hind ; R. Clifton, a t the suit of Edward Brennan ; and James Barr Mitchell, at the suit of Leonardo Rotator. BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT INSTITUTION.—Yeater day a meeting of the bolted of directors and members of this institution was held at thei committee room, in Paternoster row. The report made by the dire tern for the past year was highly satisfactory. The invested capital, by the additions made during that period, now amounts to 17,8.531. 10s. 10d. Relief during the twelve mouths to sick and distressed members (seven of whom were perman ent ~, annuitants) had been granted to th e amount of 30.3 4 to, making a total amount exceeding 1,6001. The donations and subscriptions amounted to 5911. 18s. 6d.; the dividends to 660/. 13s. 11d. ; the expenditure (including 7601. 1.115.11 d. invested) lett • balance of 621. 17e. 2d. RAILWAY MEETINGS. GREAT WESTERN. The 28th hilt-yearly general meeting of this Com pany was held yesterday at the terminus, at Bristol, Cues. Resew., Esq., in the chair. Toe CHAIRMAN said the first step necessary to be done is to obtain your permission to the dazing the seal to the register of the share list of the Berko and Hurts Exten sion, and the branch to Windsor. I therefore name that the corporate seal of the company be affixed to the two registers. Mr. JACKSON wished to put a question as to the pre ference shares of the S auth Waters. (" Haar," and con fusion.) The legality of those shares had been denied by Mr. Saunden. Were they to be understood as legal or not ? The CHAIRMAN replied that the legality of such shares must depend upon the act of parliament under which they were created. In this particular cue they were legal. (Oh, oh.) Mr. JACKSON complained that the money of the share holders had been misappropriated by Mr. C. Stevens, the solicitor, to the extent of 45,0001., and yet the chairman said the transaction was legal. (" Oh, oh," and " Hear.") That, however, was a gelation for the proprietors. (Hear.) He must ask, Wore Reline further, whether Mr. Stevens, who had appropriated 45,0001. of the Great Western money to other purposes than those for which It was paid, had given approved security real or personal, and if personal, what ? (Cries of " Oh, oe,' and coufusion.) The CHAIRMAN.—If it be the desire of the hon pro. prietor that I should go into questions of that sort at the opening of the meeting, and the proprietors generally are content that obs'acles of this n due shall be placed in the way of our proceedings, lam prepared to do so. (Cries of " No," and " Hear, hear.") It is true that lilt Stevens did receive 45,0001. or thereabouts of the company's money for the purpose of paying for the purchase of land aid other purposes to which he did not apply it, but as coon as the directors became acquainted with that circumstance, they took every step to place the company in • position of security against loss. (Hear.) In the first instance, a very large sum of money was due to Mr. Stevens in his capacity of solicitor to the company tor couveyancing. (Cheers.) A PROPRIETOR—But who are the securities 1 (" Hear," and much confusion.) The CHAIR?&AN— Am I to be permitted to give the explanation without this unseemly interruption or not ? (Leud cheers.) Let my statement be beard, and then let the hon. proprietor make any observations he may please. (Cheers.) The sum we owe to Mr. Stevens for conveyanc ing, when we get the accounts, will we believe be found to be an offset against the money he hat misappropriated. (Cheers.) Besides this, Mr. Stevens is in possession of landed prop-rty in Peckham, and of shares on which the company have taken every security that it could take, and we have also made an arrangement with the firm in which Mr. Steveas wee &partner, under which considerable sums in future will be saved to us. (Hear, hear.) Mr. JACKSON asked whether Mr. Saunders, the secre tary, was not one of Mr. Stevens's securities? Mr. SAUNDERS —I may, perhaps, be allowed to say, that with respect to Mr. Charles Stevens, 1 am neither secu rity for, nor have I anything in the world to do with, him. (Hear.) I have been your servant for 16 years, and in spite of all the malign ant attacks made upon me for mouths put, have pursued that conduct which I thought it manly and proper to take with respect to the South Devon Railway, and with respect to which I have been attacked constantly more or lea in the manner which the ho nourable proprietor ha 4 alluded to. If it shall be thought by the proprietors that I am nn longer deserving of their confidence—(Cries of " No, no ")—if they shall ;Link that the land. rtaking and their interests generally will be better conducted if confided to another executive than myself —(No, no)—I am prepared to say boldly that I will retire at once from your service. But I cannot consider it consistent with my cha- racter that I should continue to be the senior executive officer of this company if I am to be marked by any want of confidence, and if I am to be attacked in the manner in which I have been latterly attacked. Mr. JACKSON, amid much confusion, endeavoured to make some remarks, but all his attempts to obtsia a hear ing were ineffectual. Silence having been in some degree restored. The CHAIRMAN mid—lt is not my intention to occupy your time for any length upon the subject which has just been discussed. I do not think that Mr. Saunders's pecuniary arrangements with the South Devon Company are subjects for discussion at this meeting. (Cheers.) I am, however, ex tremely happy to say, that the differences which did subsist between those putties have been arranged. (Cheers.) Whe ther they were or were not arranged, however, was no mat ter of concern, so far as pecuniel y questions were involved, to the shareholders of the Great Western Ittilway Company. (Cheers.) It is, however, a qu.sti , n of the deepest import ance to the directors of tee Great Western Railway whether the character of Mr. Saunders fur honour and integrity bas been at all affect. dby those transactions. (Cheers.) 1 rhMk it right, therefore, to state to the proprietors that Mr. Sun ders did make the fullest statement that it was possible to make of every fact connected with those transaction' to the board of the Great Western company, when every director of that company Will present, counting among them, I am proud to say, gentlemen of as high sense of honour as any that can be found in this country. (Cheers.) With this statement I appeal to the proprietor" to tallow the baguet to proceed without interrutatien firm matters ealeb are unquestionebly fonagn to the business of the day. (Loud cheese.) Mr. JACKSON moved an adjournment, in order that • committee of investigation might be appointed. The motion having been seconded, was put, but lo,t by • large majority. The CHAIRMAN then addressed the meeting as fol lows :—Gentlemen,—During the Mat six months, for which we to-day present to you our report and our accounts, all the railways of this country have been contending against difficulties which have arisen from the premature and preci pitate extension of our railway system, and from what has been justly coiled in the report of a committee emanating from the House of Lords itself, " The resh and ill-con sidered legislation of 1845 and 1846." (Cheers.) As new railways and new branches have been projected into dis tricts not yielding traffic sufficient to remunerate the capital which has been expended upon them, a pressure has of neces sity fallen upon the revenues of the parent lines. The Great Western Company has been subjected to double charges— upon the one hand, we have opened new breaches to Westbury and Basingstoke; and, upon the other hand, the lease of the Bristol and Exeter Company has, as you are aware, expired. It is extremely difficult, therefore, under these double charges, to institute a f..ir comparison between the traffic of the last six months and that of the corresponding half year of 1848. But I have endeavoured to effect this object by means of comparing our mileage receipts. I think these are practical ques tions with which we have to deal; I will therefore give you the result of that comparison. 1 finl that in the four first months of 1348, viz., from the lat of January to the 30th of April, we worked 279 miles of railway, and our earnings fer that time were 297,1661., which gives a rate of 621. 2s. 7d. per mile per week. During the same period in the year 1849, from the lot of January to 30th of April, we were working 306 miles, and we earned 304,1951., giving us per mile per week 571. 19a. 4d., or about 41. less per mile per week. Tbas is the comparative state of our traffic during the four first months of 1848 and 1849. During the two months from the Ist of May to 30th June, 1848,we were working 279 miles; our earnings were 195,4701., giving us 801.75. lid. per mile per week. In the corresponding period of the year 1849 we were working 229 miles, yielding us 161,0441., or at the rate of 801. 14s. per mile. Now it fi important to compare the earnings of the last two periods. You will find that in those two months of 1848 we earned per mile per week 801. 71. Ild., and that in the present year we earned 801. 14s. Now, I think this cemparison a most satisfactory one to the proprietors, for although we have given up the Bristol and Exeter lice, passing as it does through • rich country, and the traffic of which hrs been developed for many years, and although we had opened in substitution of that our branches to Westbury and Basing stoke, and although in the same time, be it remember:A, the Sou' h-Western Company have opened their line to Da:chet in the neighbourhuel of Windsor, [dill notwith. standing all these circumstances during those two months our traffic has maintained its former level, demon strating thereby that the traffic of the Great Western itself must have considerably increased. (Cheers.) In the report which we made to you in February last, we told you that, after a careful examination, we thought that we could effect retrenchments to the extent of 30,0001. per annum. The results of the past year have folly justified our expectations. You will see by the re port,which will be read to you to-day, that our expenditure during the last half-year, as compared with the corresponding half-year of 1848, shows • reduction of 29,4001., and upon the present half-year, as compared with the last half-year, of 15,4001. (Cheers) Not less important than the question of in ternal economy has been its necessity of promoting ecc nemy of capitol in the construction of the works of the company. Notwithstanding these precautions, however, preliminary expenses had been incurred and contracts had been entered into in 1845.6, which it was im possible we could cancel. In the paper No. 3 of the financial shitement which we laid before you in Novem ber last we gave you a list of the lines which bad been conceded to us, and upon which works had not been commenced. In the paper No. 4 we stated to you the lines which were not yet in progress, being the Chelten ham and Cornwall lines. These lines may now be c aidered as practically abandoned, and we have considered it therefore right and consistent with sound policy that the interest of the money which has been expended upon those lines should be carried against the revenue of the last half year, as you will see marked in the margin of the accounts presented to you. Gentlemen, the attention of the directors has been directed to the engagements with other companies, with the view of rendering them as little onerous as possible to the Great Wester'. With the London and North-Western Company we have been in communication with respect to the best arrangement that can be made as respects our northern lines, the Oxford and Birmingham, and the Birmingham, Northampton, and Dudley Railway Companies. The object of that arrangement would be to prevent all further hostility between those two companies (cheers), and to economise as far as possible the expenditure of capital upon unnecessary lines. A sugges tion has been made respecting our engagement with the Wilts and Somerset Railway—that it would be desirable to take that line entirely into our own control. (Cheers, and cries of " No, no.") Our engagements with that company partake more of the character of a partnership than of • lease. By the arrangement which we propose no additional liability whatever will be imposed upon our own company, cur guarantee to the independent subecriptiocs to that line will receive four p:r cent., as it is now, and not one shilling more of la bility will be incurred by the arrangement. (Cheers.) On the other hand we shall get teat lire into OUT entire possession and control. We shall be enabled to carry forward the works ins manner best suited to the eircum- stances of the time. We shall get rid of the expense of an independent direction and management; we shall obtain 1 other comparatively minor advantages, and I am satisfied that when the proprieten came to be informed of the details of the arrangement, they will concede that the are the most prudent and conciliatory. (Loud Cheers.) The auditors of the present year have thought it right to make a special report, rather of a fuller cha racter than has hitherto been the practice. I am sure it must be satisfactory to the proprietors, as it is gr offying to the directors in these days, when so much is *aid about railway accounts, to observe what they say with respect to the amounts of the Great Western Company. Our accounts have always been most carefully distributed under the heads of " revenue" and " capital." We believe there is no body of shareholders, be they who they may, who have so deep an interest in the establishment of a sound and efficient system of audit as the direc•ors themselves. We are, as is not always remembered, not only directors but shareholders in this company—(cheers)—and wo have, there fore, a strung interest in looking after the affairs of our own property. It is essential to us for the vindication if our character, more especially in these days, when the name of a railway director has almost passed into a term of opprobrium and re preach. (Cheers, and a laugh) It is essential for our protection that there should be an ettitient system of audit. (Cheers) It has Men determined that a meeting shall be held of the representatives of the different railway campanies upon the subject, iu the month of Sep/ember next, at the close of the vacation, and I can /ovum you that the representatives of this company will go to that conference fully resolved to render the system of audit so complete as that there shall not remain any pretence whatever for the in terference of the government. (Cheers.) The principle re commended is contained in the special report of the auditors, and is, that the shareholders should "appoint two or three of th, it body to meet the directors from time to time, and confer with them on the regulation of it, and on the exercise of their powers with regard to the ou•lay of capital, and on the modification of their plans." And in a subs, quent part of the report, " upon every question of retrenchment." I am ' sure that Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Dickensm will do me the justice to say that the moment they mentioned this subject to me, I said I was satisfied that the di rectors would most cordially concur in that recom mendation. In point of fact we always have been most willing to confer fully and freely with our shareholders. I , is necessary that you should feel a perfect con fidence in Time directors. It is necessary, and most import • ant and vital to you, that you should • have fallen upon other companies by interference and ho t prudence, and by internal dissensions. (Cheers.) It is in I this spirit, and with this view of seeing all the directors ' and proprietors bound together in one common bond of s union to carry cut one common object—the interest of / this company, and not in any feeling of distrust, that we I now suggest to you to bring among us some directors recently chosen by yourselves. It will not be competent to you to do that at the present or at any adjourned meeting. • It will he necesasry that you should have a special meeting convened for the purpose, that all the proper notices may be , previously given. We shall probably call the meeting some - where about the middle of September. I believe I have . new touched upon all the important subjects connected with your interests. - The chairman resumed his seat amid loud cheers. The SECRETARY then read the report of the directors, and the engineer's report, of which the following are copies : " The income from traffic as shown by the accounts to the 30th June, has been derived from working 306 miles of reil way during the first four months, and 229 miles during the last two months of the half-year, the lease of the Bristol and Exeter line to this company having expired on the 30th April. That circumstance has prevented any complete analysis of traffic for the half-year being made in the accounts, by way of cone:arisen with that of former periods. It is • satisfac tion, however. to state that the gross revenue, earned in re spect of Great Western lines exclusively, during the first six months Of 1819, has increased by 13,0001. over the same period of 1848. " The only additional lines opened iniermetli itely were the two branches to Westbury and Basingstoke, together twenty-seven miles. It is to be observed on the other hand, that the South Western Railway to Staines and Windier came into operation as a rival line, abstracting some portion of the traffic which used previously to pa -afro= that district ever the Great Western Railway. " Arrears for former poet-office services, received at that time under the award, were credited for more than 15,0001., in the accounts to June, 1848, which will explain the ap parent recess in the receipt fur mails beyond the earnings of the half-year. " The system of return tickets, available for two or three days according to the length of the journey, which had been adopted on these lines in more pre aperous times, 66 a means of augmenting that branch of traffic, having ceased to create the progressive increase of revenue which was anti cipated, and being discovered to give rise to fraud, was discontinued in the month of November last.—By a careful process of examination of the traffic during the six subsequent months, it was ascertained that, while the receipts& the com pany had increased in the agoreoate by the abolitien of those tickets in respect of passengers travelling the long journies, there had been a falling off, not only in number of, but also in income from passengers travelling Oie: the ahcr l '„; *a . m... lanc es i oesween iiit" ln " l '" l^ 7. l '''.`lhs. no result of this investigation induced the board to introduce single g a y. tickets, limited to an allowance of 25 per cent 'open the double fare, which have b. en ia operation e'.nce the Ist May, and this encouragement given to a description of traffic which has been always coneidereble on the Great Western Railway, seems at present to have answered the !Waal " With respect to expenditure, there has been a total re duction of 29,4001. over the corresponding period of 1818, and of 15,4001. over that of the last half-year. " Under two or three heads only an increased payment appears to have been made, which upon a careful analysis is accounted for, as respects ' maintenance of way,' by a com paratively heavier charge in consequence of the new lines opened ; and by the transfer to that account of s doe ex penses for improved drainage, &c., which might seem to belong more appropriately to the ' construction ' than to the maintenance of works. In the amount paid for salaries of ' superintendents and clerks,' and in ' general office establah ment,' the apparent increase arises from the circumstance of two sums of 1,4311. 10s. 7d. and 6001. respectively coming into charge as paid early in this half year, although apper taining more properly to the former ; an inequality which will occasionally arise from • mere contingency as to the data of payment. " In the' Carrying Expenses,' the sum of 1,2761. 18s. 9d. has been included as written off fir losses in that department. The' Compensation Account ' comprises a charge of 2,5001. to meet all claims upon the Company, in respect of accidents, which sum it is proposed, with the approbation of the au ditors, to continue in each half-year by way of insurance against all risks, until the expenses for the Shrivenham ac cident shall have been liquidated, and a fund shill have been created of 20,0001. to meet any future claims of the same de. scription. "The directors are still using every exertion to make further prospective reductions in the expenditure of the Company, feeling how extremely important it is to introduce the most strict economy in every department of the service, which may neither expose the public or the proprietors to risk of loss from inefficient management. "The auditors having delivered a sloecial report, which hse been priated and circulated with the accounts, it becomes the duty of the directors now to advert more particulary to the important subjects which it embraces. " It is impossible that the board should concur in the re commendation of a reduced dividend of 4 per cent. per annum, without the expression of deep regret at the necessity of such a step. It will be perceived by the accounts as now published, that the revenue is charged for the first time with interest on a consi 'treble sum expended for lines either abandoned or not in progress, as well as on sub scriptions to otter railway companies which cannot at present pay any dividend or interest to their other shareholders. By this precautionary measure, it seems both to the &rectors and auditor, that the permanent value of the undertaking will be more effectually maintained. It has the advantage of stopping in respect of those payments, any increasing burthea upon the future receipts of the company, and the reduction of the dividend will enable them to provide means f d fund, gradually to meet engagements or ex tinguish unproductive capital. " The result of the accounts for the half-year which might otherwise have yielded to the proprietors a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum with a small balance over, will only supply fends for a dividend of 4 per cent. per annum, leaving, however, the sum of 18,0201. 'ht. 10d. is a balance, to be hereafter appropriated as may seem most advisable. " The directors cheerfully express their acquiescence in the suggestion of the audi - on, that the proprietors should themselves at this meeting appoint a committee to consult with and advise the board upon matters of general interest and importance in the future adminisiration of their affairs. Being actuated solely by a desire to do everything which can be supposed likey to give confidence to the proprietors, the directors have also resolved, if it shall seem to the meet ing desirable, that some change should be made in the indi viduals composing the board, that they will give effect to such wishes by arranging for the retirement of four of the present directors, to be replaced by the same number whom proprietors may think proper to apooint. While offering this suggestion, the directors will not be rendering justice to themselves or the company, if they neglect to state, that it is neither the purpose nor the wi,h of any of their body to abandon their trust at the present time, from any apprehen sion of difficulties attending it. " Siege the last meeting, and in fulfilment of a pledge then given, a vacancy has been created by the retirement of Mr. Hollond, in order to elect Mr. Crosthwaite of Liverpool (at that time an auditor), as one of your directors. This appointment rendered it necessary that he should invite some influential and responsible shareholder, well qualified for the ditty, to act in his stead as one of he auditors of the ac couuts for the half year, un it a new election could be made at a g-neral meeting ciethe proprietors. Mr. Thomas Stuart Gladstone, of Liverpool, was good enough to undertake upon this occasion the duties of that office, and he with his col league Mr. Diekinsen, have devoted much time to the exani. nation of the accounts ; but Mr. Gladstone has apprised the board, that he will be unaide any longer to act in the capa city of auditor, and that some other preprint , r must there. fore be chosen et this meeting as the successor to Mr. Crostiiwaite. " The completion of certain lines of railway now in pro gress—vie. : the Oxford and Rugby to Fanny Compton, the Birmingham and Oxford to Birmingham, and the Windsor Railway, have engaged the careful attention of the board for some time. In reseed of the lines beyond Oxford, the di recto,s have b en, and still are, in communication wit: the London aid North Western Railway Company, as to the beat means of saving all unnecessary outlay of cepitat. and retrenching some of the expenses attendant up makme sepa rately two rival lines of railway. The railwq to banbury „ ( 'O• 4 I ri '1)0