The Sun. — London, England, 1858-03-31 00:00:00

THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF INDIA BILL. (From, the Daily Nevis.) The partisans of the late Ministry have opened in full cry upon the scent of the " Government of India Bill, No. 2." They declare that it is bad, and that it is incapable of being mended. They proclaim its a pproaching rejection, and the conse quent resignation of its authors. And this is the secret of their clamour. They care not for India ; the India Bills are for them only so much political capital. The lowing herd who were driven with so much reluctance and recalcitration from the fat pastures of Downincf-sreet already fancy they see the gates of these rich fields again opened to them, and give vent to their joy in sufficiently characteris tic utterances. _ . But the people of England feel that legislation which is to decide the future fate of the millions of Hindostan is a matter of too vital consequence to be staked on the dice of isolitical hazard. The in terest which England has in the prosperity of India, the deep national responsibility incurred by assuming the empire of so vast a region, render the decision of the question how it is in future to be governed one of the most anxious problems ever submitted for solution to a nation or its legislators. TL • task of legislating for India must be approached in dispassionate mood, under that deep sense of moral responsibility which befits so momentous an undertaking. The bill presented to the House of Commons by Lord Palmerston is the first that calls for notice. The radical vice of that measure is the immense amount of irresponsible power and patronage which it entrusts to the Ministers of the Crown for the time being and the inadequate security it affords for the appointment of capable men in India. The bill proposes that the Home Government of India shall be exclusively vested in a Council, composed of a President and eight members, nominated by a e Crown—the Presi lent to hold office during pleasure, the other Councillors cor a certain term of years. This Council and its President are to be a corpora tion for the management of Indian affairs. In them are to becombined. ° all the power at present exercised by the Directors of the . East India Company and the Board of Control conjointly. Except with re gard to suck affairs as are at present conducted by the Secret Committee, all business is to be trans acted in Council. But when the President is pre sent he may disregard the opinion of the majority of the Council, and follow his own if in opposition to it. And he may do the same with regard to any resolution adopted by a majority of the Council in his absence, on the condition of putting his own and their reasons upon record. In two cases only is it necessary that his determination should be sanc tioned by the assent of four other members of Council ; - when matters of finance, or when the exercise of patronage is in question. Thus, the whole administration and patronage of India— with some inconsiderable exceptions—is proposed to be vested iiu nine nominees of the Crown, on. holding office so long as it suits the arrangements of his political party, the rest for a term o years. Neither the public of India nor of England are to have any voice in the nomination of this Council. It is indeed liable to be calleil e to account for its actions in Parliament, and 510..7n a view to this it is proposed that the President and one Secretary ap pointed by him may have seats in the House of Commons. But Parliament has always had the power of examining into and controlling the Go vernment of India ; and how many days of each session, on an average, have been given to the affairs of . India since India was ours I It i 3 an arrant farce to speak of the dread of Parliamentary responsibility as likely in the slightest degree to in fluence the proceedings of the proposed Council for India. The common sense of the nation has de clared that the only way to prevent the President and his Council from becoming mere tools of the Crown and its Ministers is to resort to the elective principle for the appointment of at least a moiety of the Council. It is also felt that for the purposes of intelligent and independent deliberation—as also for an adequate supply of working committees —eight Councillors and a President are toe few. These defects the Government, which has suc ceeded Lord Palmerston's profess to have remedied in their amended bill. They certainly have recog nised the principle of election by an independent constituency as regards a moiety of the Council, and they have increased the number of Councillor?. So far good ; but they have at the same time en grafted other modifications on the original bill which more than neutralise the benefits of these concessions. The Council for India, according to Lord Palmerston's bill, however objectionable the mode of its appointment, would have been a reality. It would have had duties to perform and power to perform them. But the C ounc il f or India accord ing to the " Gov ernmen t o f I n di a Bill, No. 2," is a mere excrescence. Lord Palmerston proposed to vest the government of India in a President and Council. The President could only act in Council. Lord Ellenborough proposes to vest the govern ment of India in a fifth Secretary of State. The Secretary of State can act without the Council. The Council in fact can only assemble when he summons it, or complies with its petition to allow it to meet ; and when met it can only talk. The Secretary of State does not need to be supported by a majority of its members even on questions of finance or patronage. Indeed, whereas the greater part of the patronage is by Lord Palmerston's bill vested in the President and Council, the whole*f the patronage is by Lord Ellenborough's bill vested in the Crown—that is, in the Secretary of State for India and his colleagues of the Cabinet. It is ales) worthy of remark that while provision is made in Lord Palmerston's bill for the presence of an accre dited mouthpiece of the Council for India in the House of Commons—a member who can be inter rogated as to its doines, and compelled to explain or defend them—nothing of the kind ie to be found in Lord Ellenborough's. The latter bill declares that of the five principal Secretaries of State, only four can sit at one time in the House of Commons. The Secretary for India may therefore be at any time excluded from that house, and no substitute is provided for him when that shall happen. It is a trifle, and yet worthy of note, that while Lord Palmerston's bill declares that the President and Council may sue and be sued, Lord Ellenborough's Bill exempts the Secretary of State from this conjoint liability with the Council. The inference we draw from this review of the two measures is, that it would be dangerous to allow Lord Palmerston's Bill to become law, be cause it vests the entire power and patronage of India in a small and managealle body of nominees of the Crown ; and that it would be equally dan gerous to allow Lord Ellenborough's to become law, because it vests the whole powerand petronlge of India in a Secretary of State, whose tenure of office depends upon that of his party—the Council attached to him, although in part the offspring of popular election, being utterly powerless to do or prevent anything. Both of the Cabinets who have tried their hands at the experiment of constructing a good Government for India have lamentably failed. Were the issue in our power we should say to Patliament, postpone legislation till a really unexceptionable measure shall be submitted to you. You already have a Government in India which all parties concur in saying has worked not amiss. Why change it before you have a tolerable certain y of obtaining something decidedly better in lieu of it ? But we are told that Parliament, having already declared that it will legislate for India this session, must keep its word. The declaration ap- pears to belong to the rash and ill-considered class which there is more in abandoning than in adhering to. But if Parliament will fetter itself by a rale• taken pride in unreasonable consistency, let it al least avoid adopting an objectionable bill for no other reason than that it is offered as a snb etitute for another equally objectionable. The great fault of Lord Palmerston's bill is that it places India at the mercy of a few irresponsible nominees. The great fault of Lord,Ellenborough's bill is, that the Council, though sufficiently nu " 011-3 and not exclusively composed of nominees, is utterly, p ower l ess. I f no party in the House of Commo ns • tsh e i prepared to offer a third and better bill , let L to combin e the louse at least make an attempt other better features of both the bills before i t in one. Let the t wo bill s be re mitted to a Seleist Committe e , with instructions to retain that part 0 1 Lord Palmerston's Bill which delegates the Government of India to a President and a real council ; to enlar a'n the council to the number proposed in Lord Ellenborough's Bill • to adopt the elective principle embodied in Lord Ellenborough'e Bill, with an improved consti tuency ; to retain the provisions in Lord Palmer ston's Bill for ensuring the presence of an official representative of the Council of India in the House of Commons ; and to make whatever amen lments on this combination of the best parts of both measures may appear to the said Committee advisable. Lord Derl4P''s.°74 DatteQlW"ni7' great new India India Bili%'': . °ll , l,l e9affuneroatid d_ .) _eiv that the provement upon the e - : . r°garded In all its deitZlsintr°4Z:l Palmerston. rd with such prominence and I t a l' o t,i fa '" ata Y nd l4 out 3 % attempt to struggle against it beco ll m ":',„ tl lat possible. Doubtless censorious critics will go to any lengths, and hazard assertions of the mcst traordinary character in order to prop up their de clining cause, as well as to gratify their resent ment. Of this we have abundant evidence in the nature of the objections urged against tile new India Bill. One authority gravely assures ti 0 public that it is too popular, and that it °reit to be resisted becaure it is a fair and judicious settle ment of an extremely difficult question. This is THE SUN, not, of course, set forth in plain and intelligible language, but such are the legitimate conclusions to be derived from the arguments employed. Another sapient commentator upon public men and Parliamentary measures declares that Lord Derby and his colleagues have no right whatever to govern upon sound principles, and to administer the affairs of the country with credit and success. Certain favoured individuals are, according to the views of this luminary of the nineteenth century, alone entitled to hold office. If, when in posses sion of the same, they show themselves arrogant and incompetent, a reprimand is considered suf ficient punishment, and they are on no account whatever to be dismissed and replaced. " Ministers have played out their trump card , " cries another caviller, " and have don e so well in this matter that it is nuessary to get rid of them as soon as possible. As they have displayed statesmanship and impartiality in their proposal for the settlement of the Indian difficulty, the House of Commons must reject their budget. It is utterly impossible for the country to go on much longer with a Government that works harmoniously and with such remarkable ability." Such objections—and the above are, in honest truth, all that have hitherto been urged apinst the new India Bill—will not carry much weight. The public perceive plainly enough that opponents who cannot adduce more substantial grounds for oppo sition are merely seeking to throw obstructions in the way of the Government, to gratify personal animosity and to further factious aims. Office is not the heritage or the right of any par Licular party. The Whigs have during the last twenty years been tried in every conceivable way, and failure and disaster have been the results. The Conservatives, during short intervals of power, have managed to do much good, and their interference once more restores confidence at home and abroad. Aware of this, their antagonists desire to thrust them from their present position before the benevolent charac ter of their policy is thoroughly established, and all grades and classes of the community perceive more fully who are their real friends, and who aro the best protectors of national interests in their various ramifications. Hence the vials of wrath a: o poured out upon the heads of the new ministers. First it was stated that Lord Derby could not form a Go vernment. Then followed a rumour respecting dis sensions in the Cabinet. This was succeeded by ominous whispers, to the effect that ministers would not faot) rlia menf All thcac i tlO p:odir+innq hav, , been disproved. Lord Derby and his colleagues have not only triumphed over opposition, but they have gained respect, and are popular in the country. In five weeks they have accomplished more than their predecessors did in as many months. It is, therefore, vain for calumniators to assert that they are unable to govern with dignity and success; the results furnish the best refutation to such a charge. Consequently a dif ferent line of argument is attempted, an the public are assured that the new Ministers are doing their duty bravely, but that such conduct is against their antecedents. It was never intended —that is to say by their opponents—that they should discharge their functions so happily, and detractors endeavour, with a wonderful display of sophistry, to show that the Conservatives ought to be obstructives, and not that which they have always been—temperate yet earnest and enlight ened reformers. as might be inferred i What they regard with ale 0 N D 0 N- oold innovation implied by such p. .on coming from a Conservative Ministry. - They ask themselves —" Are we about to be deprived of our monopoly of public virtue 1" They need not fear. Their turn will come round again. But they must submit, with a good grace, to a suspension, fora time, of their functions. Such political offences as were committed by Lord Pal merston's Ministry must in some way or other be expiated. A great nation like the English cannot submit to be trifled with. The whole country was convulsed to give to a particular statesman a great, majority, but it was accompanied, in the return of Lord John Russell for London, with a warning. The power was given to Lord Palmerston, not to les abused vaingloriously, but for the advancement of the great interests of progress. Ho was also plainly told, that ho must propose a thorough mea sure of Parliamentary Reform. No sooner was he installed, with his great majority cheering at his back, than he began to show his contempt for the previous compact. Towards the House of Commons he conducted himself as no minister has ever done, within historical memory. " L'Etat, c'est Moi 1" was stamped on every word, act, and gesture. His measures—when he offered them—were conceived in any spirit rather than that of progress ; the question of Parliamentary Reform he treated with cool contempt. Now, it may be a very bad state of things, in the eyes of those who sit to the left of the Speaker's chair, that a Conservative Ministry should be in office, but they will have to perform quarantine some considerable time, ero they regain the other side. Of this they appear to be secretly conscious, and hence their dread of certain symptoms in the tactics of the Ministers. For, suppose the Conservatives should have found wisdom in misfortune. Suppose they have not either " learned nothing," or " forgotten no thing ;" and that they have the sense to see that their Restoration is anything but the result of Re action. Charges of tergiversation of principle they can afford to despise. The majority by which their opponents believe themselves able, at any moment, to turn them out, could not be got to act together except at sacrifices of principle quite as glaring. There is more congeniality of sentiment and simi larity of opinion between the advanced Conserva tive Chiefs and the Whig Leaders of the Opposition, than there is between the latter and certain sec inna of their followers. Assume, thou, th.t •the " cold shade of opposition" has taught its lessons —that during the last eight or ten years the Con servatives have been in the position of the man with the turned head, marching one way but look ing the other—that while the "Protection" con ferred by monopoly of office has rendered their antagonists indolent and forgetful, Competition has sharpened their own powers and appetites. If they be allowed, under such circumstances, to get warm in their seats, it is impossible to say what might happen. Think of the frightful blow to vested interests, if " the Tories," as oblivious enemies still call them, should become the " popu lar" party in the State ! The crowning sin of the new India Government Bill appears to be, that it throws open the choice of Councillors to a species of popular election, and confers the right of nominating five of the number on certain great commercial towns. This is obvi ously a fault in the New Ministers. They had no right to poach on their antagonists' peculiar manor. They had no right to be untrue to the traditions of their party, but ought to have acted exactly in the spirit of Lord Castlereagh or Lord Liverpool. We do not stop to argue whether the proposed change is the best that could have been made, but only amuse ourselves with noticing its effect on the fr:ends of Lord Palmerston. They are indignant at such innovations on established custom. At first they tried to laugh at the new measure, but they met with no sympathisers ; and now they devote, instead, columns of heavy argument to the annihi lation of the monstrous propositions of Lord Ellen borough and Mr. Disraeli. This is all promising enough. It shows that certain Whigs and others, who had begun to forget that they were trustees for the public, and only thought of their class in terests, are at last aroused to asense of their danger, if not of their duty. Conscience evidently has something to do with the metamorphosis. They lou ily complain that the Conservatives are going to give one-fourth of the Indian patronage for the purpose of corrupting five great Parliamentary constituencies. This is a touching sensitiveness. We were not aware that large constituencies were so easily corrupted, and had rather supposed that the applications for places came from members re turned by the small boroughs, where a narrow-cast majority carries the day, and every individual voter is known to the representative. Covert threats of ejection are renewed against the Ministers, upon the strength of the supposed wildness and impracticability of the scheme of elec• tion proposed by the India Bill. Mr. Bright struck the key-note, when he said the Parliamentary-con stituency election of councillors savoured of "clap-, trap," and those who need the hon. gentleman's order to form a - Liberal majority, have carefully sung since to tie same tune. There must have been some peculiar motive for a line of con duct so opposed to Mr. Bright's usually liberal views. Birmingham is not among the " favoured five" towns representative of Indian commerce. Strange to say, this eminently " popular" proposal of toe Government, which is certainly gaining favour with the public, is also considered as fatal to the prospect of a good budget from Mr. Disraeli. Surely this is rather too bad. A Mi nistry, seemingly powerful, makes an unheard-of mess of its affairs, and. is suddenly driven with ignominy from the helm. Its successor is compelled to take up its fragments of legislation, and to fulfil pledges against which it had vainly protested. It converts an arbitrary scheme into a constitutional measure of government, and because that measure has struck the public with surprise, and secured some favour, its authors are to be ob structed in their endeavours to arrange the finances of the country. Considering the state cf involve ment in which these finances were left by the late Government, and the difficult task they have im po!ed on the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, common decency would have suggested the choice of some seller battle-field. If, however, the Con aervaives have really resolved on abandoning their traditional policy, awl mean to piece themselves in the van, ef national sentiment, they ought to hail with welcome the angry strictures bestowed on the n Nettles of their India Government Bill. If they have not, it will be a matter of very little conse quence to the nation whether they are fairly or un fairly treated on bill or budget, because they roust speedily pass from the scene, after having done i enough to de Arey their distinctive political chine ter, without having laid the foundation on which they might constitute themselves a really national party. The now India Bill is in all respects an admirable solution of a difficult problem, and we are not in the least degree surprised at the straits to which cavillers are reduced. The first thing that must strike most people is its thorough honesty. There is not the slightest attempt at the evasion of a diffi culty or the introduction of a deceit in one of its provisions. The authors have evidently laboured to do a great act of justice. In their measure both power and patronage are placed beyond the reach of arrogant officials, and while the most practical form of government is secured for India the object is achieved in the best manner possible. Nor is this accomplished by any improper sacrifices. The re sponsibility of the Ministers of the day is quite as direct in this measure as in its predecessor ; and while they are rendered fully amenable for every thing that is done or left undone, proper guaran tees have been introduced to guard against abuses both in the appointment of councillors and the dis tribution of patronage. The balance is adjusted with admirable skill, and rulers will have every in centive to administer the affairs of India with dili gence and impartiality. Lord Palmerston's council was objected to both from the smallness of the num ber of the members of which it was compose], and the absolute power which, as regarded their ap pointment, was vested in the hands of the minister. Both of those defects are remedied in the new mea sure. The council will consist of 18 mernbei s, and the method of their appointment leaves nothing to be desired. The nine members to be nominveted by the Crown will be required to possess distinct and special qualifications. Each nominee will re present an important interest connected with oar Indian empire. Four more, to be elected by the Indian constituency, must either have served ten years in some orn,lea mip.eity in In 'lin, 0, 1-7,7.. been fifteen years resident in that country. The remaining five members of the council will receive their appointment from the Parliamentary consti tuencies of London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glas gow, and Belfast. No person will be eligible as a candidate unless he has been during five years at least engaged in commerce between England and India, or in the manufacture of goods for exporta tion to India, or has been ten years at least resi dent in India. A council thus constituted will be fully competent to deal with every branch of Indian legislation. Some objections have been raised in interested quarters against what is termed the re presentative element in this new scheme. One would have thought that in clays when so much is spoken and written about Parliamentary reform and an extension of the suffrage, that advocates of the popular cause would have hesitated ere they denounced this as one of the worst means of obtain ining honest and useful administrators. If it would be dangerous to allow five members out of eighteen of which the Council fur India is to be composed to be chosen in this manner, what shall be sail of a House of Commons of which all the members are elected by popular vots ? The argument cuts both ways. Those who contend that it would be un wise to have live legislators for India thus elected must admit that it is equally unwise to have a House of Commons created by such means. It is impossible for Parliamentary reformers, end advo cates of popular change - , , , to escape from this ddernma. They must either allow that the element is healthy and beneficial in bothccast,e -t, or renounce all kinds of agitation for its extension in Parlia mentary government. Some have raised objections because the c)uncil does net possess, as they pretend, sufficient power. It was, however, essential to render Ministers solely responeible, in order to do away with that much maligned system, the double govern ment. Had Ministers attempted to retain the slightest semblance of this system, which has been most perseveringly denounced in all quarters, they would have been charged with proposing mockery of a change instead of an honest and a thorough reform. In fact, we imagine that censo rious critics are sorely disappointed at the discri. mination shown upon this point. They hoped that some scheme for retaining the double government in reality, though perhaps not in name, would have afforded them the opportunity for which they long. In the constitution of the council the elective and the representative elements are both called into operation. Thus the selection of the ablest and best qualified men, without reference to party or government influences, will be secured. Members of a council thus constituted will be really inde pendent men ; net, as under Lord Palmerston's bill, the creatures of the Minister of the diy. Moreover, by proposing to include the names of the first council in the bill itself, Ministers obtain all the weight and influence of Parliamentary sanc tion in their favour. Instead, therefore, of denouncing a Conserva tive Cabinet for framing and bringing before Par liament an impartial, statesmanlike, and complete settlement of the Indian question, the people of this country will receive the boon with acclama tion. They understand its real value, and are not to be deluded by the shallow diatribes of interested critics. Freedom of action is one of the great safe guards of our representative institutions ; and the doctrine that a party in power are only to do exactly what the party in opposition desires, is quite a now theory. The Conservatives are not, and never have been, obstructives. Narro w minded opponents have described them as such, but their object was self-evident. The Conserva tives are, indeed, the only true and constitutional reformers, because with them reform does not mean destruction, but progression. They know how to protect that which is valuable in our free insti tutions, and, while discarding what is bad, do net seek to undermine foundations. Had it not been for their interference our time-honoured constitu tion must long since have been destroyed. Against agitators and demagogues they have ever main tained a bold front, and have always opposed changes which originated in an uneasy Lye of change, and.w it which could not by any possibility OsiEssi to beneficial HEALTH OP LONDON DURING TB.E (Prom the Report of the Registrar Goneral.) Under the influence of fine weather the mortality is much reduced. The deaths in London were in two previous weeks 1,487 and 1,431 ; last week they fell to 1,268. In the ten years 1848-57 the average number of deaths in the weeks correspond ing with last week was 1,217 ; but as the deaths returned for last week returned in an increased population, they should be compared with the aver age after the latter is raised in proportion to the increase, a correction which will make it 1,339. The present return is, therefore, so far favourable, that it shows the number of deaths less by 71 than that which the average rate of mortality towards the end of March would have produced. There is a decrease of the deaths of last week as compared with these of the preceding week, in each of the five classes of disease to which they arc re ferred, pith the exception of the last elass. Zymotic diseases were fatal in the two weeks in 286 and 270 cases ; constitutional in 281 and 217 ; the local (which include bronchial affections) in 628 and 566, and developmental disease in 170 and 145. Deaths by violence, the registration of which b !comes more active towards the end of the quarter, increased from 35 to 50. Of these 50, 39 were accidental, and were chit- fly from fractures and burns, and suffoca tion of children in bed ; 4 were cases of infanticide, and 7 of suicide. Bronchitis has declined in the number of fatal cases from 192 to 152—the corrected average for last week is 137. Pneumonia, from which 109 persons died, shows little excess on the average. Whooping-cough declined from 83 to 72 in the two weeks ; scarlatina from 40 to 29 ; typhus with common fever from 41 to 26. There were 12 deaths last week from diarrhoea (all, except 4, amongst • infants) ; and a young woman died in Pentonville from "cholera biliosa," after 5 days' illness. Three children died of measles in the workhouse, Gray's Inn-lane. Ten cases of diptheria are recorded, in which it was either the primary or the secondary cause of death. Seven persons, the victims of intem perance, are included in this return, besides 3 who died of delirium tremens. Four women and a man had arlived at the advanced age of 90 years or up wards. amongst whom was a widow whose years had been extended to 97. G.mat (~t1( /:t r om. the Morning Chronicle.) W higs, at tAxel e ation exists among the Palmerston servatives, in't,,"obrtraailnleanings indicated by the Cm pproey.iens o£ their new India Bill. The specific Constituency of 52000 r ptzelb,Ltri,,,ono7,..to create a new or to give to five great town., cunlnaettAaltryl'atios-- right to elect five Contact merce with India, the . The Scinde Railway Company have for the lore —does not so much really occupy their rai.„,,_ India Company 350,000/. on account of capital '•"-'3) Po • paid to the East Pun from Meehan to Lahore z nd Umritir Lass week the birth of 1,000 boys and 924 girls, in all 1,924 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1848-57, the average number was 1,61 G. WEDNESDAY EVEINIWG, MARCH 31, 108. THE LATE DISASTROUS FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN BLOOMSBURY. [The following appeared in a portion of our impression of yesterday : This morning at 11 o'clock Mr. Wakley, coroner for the Western Division of Middlesex, opened an inquiry at the Fox Tavern, Duke-street, Bloomsbury, into the cause of death of the unfortunate individuals who lost their lives at the late calamitous fire in Gilbert-street, Mineum-street, on Sunday morning. Previous to swearing the jury, The Coroner addressed the gentlemen summoned, saying he intended sitting to-day until 3 o'clock, and if they did not conclude the enquiry by that time he should adjourn it till Thursday morning and sit till 3 o'clock. If.not then concluded, he should adjourn the enquiry over for a week or ten days. It may be a very briet enquiry, or it may be a very protracted one, and he men tioned it that no gentleman might be sworn on the jury and bound over to appear day after day to whom it might be inconvenient to attend. If any gentleman was likely to be out of town, or wished, or was likely to be called away by business engagements on Thursday, or the early part of next week, he would advise him at once to name it, in order that he might be excused from further attend ance, because it would be awkward for gentlemen to be bound over to appear and incur heavy penalties for not attending. . Mr. Cooper asked if the enquiry extended over a month or six weeks the jury would be bound over to attend 1 The Coroner said—Yes. His knowledge of the cir cumstances was at present limited, and he could form no opinion until after he had heard the evidence on oath. It was an awful calamity, and it was one of the most horrid sights he had ever reen. No time would be mis spent to endeavour to discover the cau4e, and to pre vent, if possible, the recurrence of a similar calamity. Mr. Cooper said he believed the whole of the proposed jurymen were tradesmen, and it would be exceedingly inconvenient for them to attend for three months. He instanced the protracted inquiry in Tottenham-court road. The Coroner said even in that case the jury would be bound to attend. He took it there were no gentlemen summoned on the jury connected in any way with the proprietor of the premises. The jury were then sworn, Mr. Adams, churchwarden of St. Giles's, being selected as foreman. The Rev. Horace Roberts, and several of the pa rishioners were present during the enquiry. Mr. Sampson Low and Mr. Inspector Badderley at tended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. The jury then proceeded to inspect the premises, and also to view the bodice of the unfortunate sufferers, fourteen in number, which were lying in the dead house of St. Giles's Workhouse. Their appearance has already been minutely described. The young man Smith, who jumped out of the window, is lying at University College Hospital. The names and ages of the 14 persons on whom the inquiry was held were—Richard Smith, 40 ; Harriett, his wife, 41 ; Alfred, 15 ; Harriett, 13 ; Harvey, 11 ; Walter, 9 ; Thomas, 7; Maria, 5 ; and Jesse, 2 years of age, children of the first two named ; Jas. Hedger, 53 ; Eliza, his wife ; William, 20 ; and John, 13 years of age, children of Hedger and his wife. On the return of the jury, the Foreman and others re marked they had never witnessed such a horrible sight, and said to the Coroner, " Did you ever in your expe• rience witness such a horrible sight !" The Coroner—l certainly never did. A Juryman—Covent-garden Theatre was burnt down without a single life being lost, and here a miserable hovel takes fire and all these lives are lost. The Coroner—l really cannot understand it. The first witness called was Alfred Chilman, No. 6, Graham-street, Walworth• road, porter, who deposed he was brother to the de ceased Mrs. Smith. He identified her body and that of her husband and children, now lying at St. Giles's Work house. His brotheriin-law was a porter. He was a poor labouring man, and he and his family were in great distress. He never know him or his sister attempt or threaten to commit suicide. At time; he regretted to say, be was given to drink. He was not aware if any of the children were in burial clubs. The last time he saw his sister alive was at his house at Walworth ; she then complained that the house was unfit for them to live in, and that as soon as she could get apartments she should leave; she was then looking out for apartments in Pied Bull-yard ; he knew nothing of the fire except from general report. He bad been to the house where they occupied two rooms, a front room and a back room on the second floor. The rooms adjoined and opened into one another. There was no back window to the house, and the family had to come from the back-room to the front-room before they could get to the lending. There was a skylight ; but he did not know if I.here was a means of egress from it. There were four rooms on each floor. He did not know who else lived in the house. eenere was no venti lation or light for the back-rooms but that borrowed from the staircase. By a Juryman—His sister's reason for wishing to leave was the dilapidated state of the house, the rain came in from the skylight and made the room so damp that it was unfit for the children to sleep in. His brother-in-law had not been in constant work for some time. His sister had complained of a carpenter's shop under the dwelling which she considered dangerous and that she would leave. Her reason for not leaving was that she could get no one to take her in. The shop was opened about Christmas last. There was an outlet from the back-ground floor before it was turned into a carpenter's shop. The deceased Smith and hie family had resided in the house about six years. Elks Sarson, 10, Richards-place, Haggerstone, wife of a labourer, deposed—l am the daughter of William and Eliza Hedger and sister to the children. I identify three of the bodies. My brother John is so much disfigured that I cannot identify him. My father was a journey man biscuit baker and confectioner ; he lodged on the second floor and occupied two rooms. I am not aware if my father and mother had attempted suicide ; they were not in distress. I last saw them in the house last Sunday week ; they had lived in the house nearly three years. Tne Coroner—Do you knew where the fire broke out ? Hain (the beadle)--Yee, sir, in the carpenter's shop. The Coroner—And where then ? Hain—l have a witnese who knows all about it. Witness continued—They had a front and back room. By the Jury—l don't know anything that compelled them to live there ; they only owed a fortnight's rent. She never heard them make any complaint about the house ; but her father frequently said that if a fire took place they would all be burnt to death. They had never experienced any fears as to the stability of the house. James George Fleming, No. 11 Fire Brigade, deposed —I belong to the Chendoseitreet Fire Engine Station ; I was at the fire, and got there fourth, arriving at about half-past 3 o'clock After the fire was over I assisted in getting out the whole of the bodies. Tao young man was found near the front wall, and near the window at tee east of the building on the second floor. The floor hal fallen, and the front wall before the bodies were found. From the position of the body I cannot say where it must have been. When I arrived there I saw the front would fall, and I gave an alarm. It then immediately fell, roof and all, and we had a narrow escape. The walls, floor, roof, and all fell in a second. After cooling the ruine, and whilst the ruins were siill burning, I went by direction of my foreman into the ruins, where I found a young man near the front wall of the east end ; his father was underneath him. We then cleared away the ruins further, when we found eight children, males and females. Then we found Mr. and Mrs. Smith—they were all one on top of each other, as it were. By a Juryman—The Smiths were in the back part. Some of the children had fallen with their heads down wards, and I had to pull them up by the legs. I took out 14. The first we found about 10 minutes past 4. They were all dead. The pressure was enough to kill any one. They had only their night clothes on, which were much burnt. One body had his trousers partly on, and he meat have been in the act of pulling them on when the house fell. He was least burnt of all. I heard no cries nor saw any person at the windows when I came up with my engine. By a Juryman—The house was in flames from the bottom to the top when I arrived. The alarm of fire was given at the station by a stranger. I saw the bressemer giving way in the centre, which drew the ends from the wall. I saw it bend and the wall gave way. I gave an alarm. By the Coroner—We are supposed to be called by the police, who we give a trifle for doing so. Mr. Goff, of the brigade, said he was called by policeman on Blsekfriars-bridge before the last witness was called ; the policeman on the bridge was attracted by the light. By a Juryman—l have:seen hundreds of houses on fire and seen them fall. I never saw a house fall so quickly as this. Since the fire I find the timber had not much hold. If the front bresserner bad not given way I think the front wall would not have given. Police-constable 34 E, Daniel Brown Sullivan, I gave the first alarm of fire by springing my rattle at a quarter past cr 20 minutes past 2 o'clock on Sunday morning the 28th. The Coroner—Are yon sure of that ? Because the Chandos street men did not get there with the engine till half-past 3 o'clock. A Juryroan—l saw it at half-past 2 o-clock. The Coroner—Yes, but the Chandoe-street man was in the immediate neighbourliwn d. A Juryman—Yes, and thus was there before him. The Coroner—lt seems there is no organised system for calling the eneines. Witness—When at the corner of Montague and Rus sell-streets, I heard a cry and ran towards the house ; just as I turned the corner I saw the fire rushing out of the window on the basement. The door, I believe, was feetened, but the fire was so strong I could not epproach the door. I locked Up to the front of the house, where I saw a man at the serrond floor f oat window on the west side over tto shop, above where the flames were gushing out. He cried out, and I to'd him to hold hard where he was. At this Inc went flames rushed out, and there was great cracking of glass. I stooped down to avoid the broken glass when a young man jumped out and knocked me down. The young man was not killed at the time, but he was seriously injured. The man Eastwood, his wife, and three children got out of the window by means of a ladder which the police put up to the window. A stranger went up the ladder and brought down one cf the children ; at that time a fire-escape had ❑ot arrived. Five persons were got out safely. No engine had arrived at that time. I can't recollect when the first engine arrived. Policeman 56 E first came to my assistance. We sprang our rattles almost together and I sent him for the fire-escape, but not to the engine station. _ _ Tne Coroner—Are the fire escape and the engine station connected ? Mr. Gaff (fire brigade)—No, they are not. Witness continned—Tne only persons we saw were those we took out and the young man who jumped out, he came from the second floor window. I did not see the other window touched. I saw no other living person but those I have named at any of the windows. When the last person was taken from the window, the flames and smoke were so great from the basement that I could not see the second window. It was about five minutes after the last person was saved that the fire escape came. It was there before either of the engines. , I cannot say which fire-engine arrived first. The front door was burning at the time. By a Juryman—The fire when I first saw it was burning the Museum-street end of the building. I knocked at the door and sprung my rattle. One pert of the door was burning at the time. The whole of the lower part of the premises was on fire when I saw it, but more towards Museum-street than the other. lam sure the door was burning when I first saw the fire. I can't say if the shutters were up in front of the shop. The flames were rushing out i❑ a body at the time. By the Corone3—l was at the fire about two minutes before the young man jumped out. During that time I sprang my rattle, sent for the escape, and went back to the young man to desire him not to jump out, the glass and flames rushed out against me, and at the same moment the young man jumped out, fell on me, knocked me down, and stunned me. My instructions with reference to giving information to the fire engine sta tions and escapes are to go to all the nearest stations and give an alarm. When the c-cape arrived it could not be used. It was higher than the windows, and the flames from below prevented its use. It was put against the adjoining house, and the fire-escape man went to the roof. By the Foreman—lt was about ten or twelve minute after I discovered the fire that the fire-escape Caine. By a Juryman--1 know nothing of a boy giving in. ormation to the station near the church. By the Coroner—l think most (-1 the delay in the arrival of the eee tpe arose heal the beams of timber across the street, to support the building, impeding its progress. By a Juryman—l think the cries proceeded from the man who jumped out of the window. Ido not know if the occupants of the adjoining houses were screaming. John Curle, 8, Bury-street, Bloomsbury, painter and glazier—l was at the fire on Sunday morning about 20 minu es or half-past two o'clock. I was first alarmed by the ery of murder and the sound of a policeman's 'rattle, which occurred simultaneously. I had just returned home, and had passed the end of Gil bert-street about five mlnutes pas: 2. I immediately went to the firs, where I found two policemen, one of whom was springing his rattle, and the other was close against the door. I don't think the door was on fire, but the flames were coming through the shop window. It was not great at first, though it was rather a large flame that came out of so small a shop ; the door and window ap peared to join. I can't say if the door was broken open, but I think not. I heard several calls or screechep. Tuere can be no doubt they came from the ,Ec )nd floor window. I saw an arm put out of the window, and pulled back again. It was not the man who jumped out. The band and arm were put out of the window nearest Bury-street ; the party appeared to be in their shirt or night dress. Rev. R. Long, curate of Bloomsbury, said he had often visited the house, and could state it was impossible fur any one to get out of the windows, because boards were placed across them. Witness continued—Mr. Eastwood was at the window when I put the ladder up, about three or four minutes after I got there. I saw the Land and arm before I saw Mr.Eaetwood at the window. I did not sea it afterwards. I went up the ladder and brorglit down a little girl about nine or ten years of age. Mr. East coed then went back into the room. After that I brought down Mrs. Eastwood and an infant in her arms. Mr. East wood went back a second time, and got a little boy out, and then came down the ladder himself. Mr. Eastwood went in and brought them as calm and as cod as if he wee following his ordinary employ ; but when he came down he was overcome—he fell into my atone and said, " 06, my dear boy, I have not a rag left." Neither fire escape nor engine had then arrived. It was a quarter of an hour or so after Mr. Eastwood was got out that the fire-escape or engine came. Had the ladder been long enough I could and should have gone to the second floor window ; but when the fire-escape arrived, it was impossible for them to render the inmates any aid— all chance was gone. The fire-escapenaan was willing to go up, but I put my hand upon his shoulder, and said, "You can't live up there," and he then put the escape against the adjoining house and went on the roof. When the escape arrived, the flames were rushing out of the sky light. The poor man who jumped out was first laid on the opp site side of the street. ' By a Juryman—When I took out the child the flames were issuing from the shop window, but not from the door. I did not see the door opened. When the police came we were all driven back for the firemen to work, and I can't say what was done then. No flame at first issnsd frcrvi the fircat nr oponnri ft rnr window_ When T mounted the ladder and looked in at the window there was no fire in the first floor. Mr. Eastwood was burnt coming down the ladder. After the policemen drove me back I stood on the buildings opp ,site, and saw the walls at first fad course by course. If the fire-escape had arrived earlier, or I had had a longer ladder, more lives could have been saved. The ladder was so hot that I could not hole the sides in my hand as I went up and down. A policeman knocked at the door violently, and pulled the bell. John Eastwood, one of the occupiers of the house, whose life was providentially saved by the last witness, deposed—l am now living at 42, Mueeura-street. I am a carpenter by trade. I occupied a front and back room on the first floor, under those occupied by the Hedgers. I was first awoke by my wife. She said, "John, there's a row; what is that crackling noise?" I got up and said, "Dear me, the pace is full of smoke." I slept in the back room with my wife and one child, and the other two children in the front room. I jumped out of bed, opened the door between the two rooms, awl saw the reflection of a fire in Gdhert-street. I then went to the front window and looked through it, and saw the flames curling up over the front of the adjoining window, which was immediately over the carpenter's shop. There was flame at the landing,and rushing up the staircase. I shut the front room door and locked it, to prevent my wife in a moment of excitement attempting to escape that way. It was impossible to escape bY the stairs at that time. I then rushed to the front window, opened it, got out side on to the shallow bale my, and called for as eetance. I heard the policeman's rattle immediately after soy wife awoke me. I called for assistance, and pointed to a ladder at the new buildings opposite. I kept my wife back from the window till the ladder was brought there. I then handed my eldest daughter to the last witness. We all fortunately got out without injury. At the time of my escape the room was nearly full of smoke, and was accumulating. When I got my last child out I could scarcely see, but by stooping down I was able to look as it were uneer it. The fl ttmes were just coming through the front window as I got my little boy out. I lived at 20, Gilbert-street about three months. No one slept on the ground floor. There was no basement. The rooms adjoining mine on the first floor were unoccupied. I can't say when a person with a candle was last in the carpenter's shop. I saw no light there on Saturday night when I went to bed about eleree o'clock. By the Coroner—Have you formed any opinion as to the cause of the fire I Witness-1 can't imagine. The Coroner—You cannot conjecture? Witness—l have not the slightest idea. I saw nothing to excite my suspicion. By the Jury-1 smelt nothing burning on Saturday evening. No one was at work there when I went home on Saturday. I have known the occupier of the shop to be at work there so late as 7 o'clock, but I never knew him to be there with any one smoking. I don't know what time the shop closed on Saturday night. The carpenter's shop was kept locked in the absence of the occupier. If any one had been there to work on Saturday night after I returned home I might have heard it. I had no means of communicatince with the peewees rbeve. My the.ughts were directed t) saving my own family. We had made our escape by the ladder before the fire-escape had arrived. The Coroner—You have formed an opinion whence the fire began Witness—l am certain it was in the carpenter's shop, but when I can't say. The fleemes were ruching up the stairs and out of the shop windows at the same time. By a Juryman—l don't think the fire could have originated in the dust bin ; there was too much water used there. I firmly believe it was in tee carpenter's shop. If it had originated in the dust bin it would have been under my bedr ,orn. By the Coroner—l heard no movement or screaming overhead. The Coroner proposed to examine Mrs. Eastwood, but the witness said she was in such an excited state that he thought it would be dangerous for her to be called. Thomas Stubbs, occupier of the carpenter's shop, was next called. He said, I reside at 3, Little Russell street, and am a carpenter by trade. I rented the house 20, Gilbert-street, and undeilst it in tenements. Three pertions of it were occupied when the fire occurred. one was at work on Saturday, and the last time I was there was between half-past 9 or 10 o'clock on Saturday half-pastmorni ng ; i3 n o lighto uo e o'clock andw as left use a d b t o h u e t o h . a l p beganwork about l o, k . I was c alled away by Mr. Taylor to the C or aledin road, and did not return again for the day. I have kept no combustibles there. There was an accu mulation of shavings there at the time of the fire. The shutters were down except one. Some glass without a shutter behind it was broken near some shavings. Auy one might have thrown a light amongst them. He had many times omitted to shat up the shop. He was not insured, and he knew of no one who had threatened to do him an injury. There was an opening in the staircase through which a light might be thrown on the shavinge. He e ,e1:1 only accuurot lue fire free.) an accident arising from the inmates going up and down the staircase with a lighted candle. Mrs. Hedger was not a sober woman, and there were rumours she was out as late as one o'clock that morning. I have reason to believe that one of Smith's sons waq out equally late. Policeman 56 E (William Soar) was at the lire on Sunday morning. I saw Smi.h the deceased o❑ Satur day night about a quarter or 20 minutes to 12 o'clock go into his house. Ho bad been drinking, but he was not drunk. The Coroner—Not helplessly drunk ? Witness—No. By a Juryman—He could walk up stairs. Witness---Yee. The Coroner—Do you recollect if he was smoking 7 Witness—l did not sea him smoking. By a Juryman—Do you know if he was in the habit of smoking I Witness—l don't. By a Juryman—Did he tell you what public house he came from ? . Witness—No. He went into the house alone, but I can't say if he opened the door himself. I did not go for the fire-escape. Mr. S. Low (Secretary of the Fire-escape)--The former policeman sairl he sent this man for the fire- escape. Curie—This man asßisted me to get out the inmates. The Croner—l intend to go on with that past of the case at our next meeting. Mr. S. Logo-This is a matter of great public im portance. The fire escape might have been brought within 5 minutes. Inspector Pettier?, E division, said there were two policemen in the room who fetched the fire engine and the escape. Witness said it was a usual circumstance for the shut- tern to be down. At 2 o'clock he passed the house, and there was not the least appearance of the fire. After. wards, when he came up, the flames were rushing out. The Coroner said they had now peen three hours in examining the cause of the fire, and they were no nearer now in ascertaining that fact than they were when they commenced. It was a very extraordinary case, and it. appeared to him to be surrounded by a great deal of mystery of an exceedingly disagreeable character. He wished to state that one of the objects of the adjourn ment was to have one or two of the bodies opened, which he thought absolutely necessary, because it was a remarkable case that elev,n persons should have been smothered—if that be the fact—in one room whilst other persons immediately below them escaped. There was something remarkable, he thought, also about the he'd and arms only being seen for an instant. No noise was heard from that part of the premises, save from one individual, who, it was believed, was so injured that he was unable to speak afterwards ; and under tho , e cir cumstances, he thought it his duty to have two or more of the bodies opened. Strangers were ordered to withdraw, that the coroner might confer privately with the jury and the authorities. The public inquiry was accordingly adimrned till Thursday next. THE PROTECTOR ENDOWMENT LOAN AND AN.NIT,TY COMPAjy. ANNUAL MEETING-(THIS DAY.) The annual general meeting of the shareholders was held this day at the offices of the company, 34, King street, Cheapside, this afternoon. The chair was filled by Alfred Smee, Esq., (surgeon of the Bank of England), chairman of the Board of Directors. The routine business having been transacted, The CHAIRMAN called upon Mr. Beadnell, the manager, to read the report, which was as follows : " The directors feel much satisfaction at meeting you on the present occasion, for the purpose of laying before you their annual statement of income and expenditure, and their report of the company's operations during the year which ended on the 31st of December last, and also for the transaction of such other business as is required under the constitution of the company. As it is also provided by our deed that a statement of the assets and liabilities of the company at the close of its fifth year shall be laid before the shareholders the manager has prepared the same by order of the board ; and we shall have the pleasure of sub mitting this statement also to you at the present meeting, feeling confidence that both statements—the one of the year's transactions, and the other showing the present state of affairs—will be highly satisfactory to all interested in the advance and well-being of the company. Messrs. Lloyd and Smee are the two directors who retire in the usual course of rotation on the present occasion, and both these gentlemen are re-eligible, and are recommended to you by the board tobe re-elected to the seats which they now vacate. The auditors, Messrs. Ladbury, Thornthwaite, and Han cock, who retire from office, according to pi escribed rule, are also all re-eligible and all willing to serve the company again as during the past year. It is with sincere regret that we have to announce the decease of Mr. B. L. Sowell, late one of the company's auditors, whose business habits and integrity qualified him so well to fill the post which has become vacant by his lamented death. As our deed of settlement has fixed the number of auditors at four, it will be necessary for you at our present meeting to supply the vacancy which has occurred. It will be seen from the figures hereinafter set forth that the operations of the company show a result satisfactory and encouraging. The loan transactions have been large, somewhat more than 30,700/. having been advanced during the past year. This amount might have been even larger had not the di rectors considered it incumbent upon them rather to con tract this department of business than to urge it during a period when so much caution was required, the demand for money being much increased and the discrimination re quired in making advances being increased in the same ratio. Much thought and attention have b-en bestowed on this braneh of business with the view of rendering it a great and real source of benefit and good to those who have occasion to seek its aid; and the company, having had now a large experience in its working, have, from time to time, made various improvements in its details. Advances are promptly ma le upon satisfaction as to security, and each transaction conducted throughout its whole course of re payment in an indulgent and lioeral spirit. The deposit, department, which shows an amount of more than '21,700/. deposited--a great increase on the emount recorded for the previous year—speaks for itself. Any one present has but to call to mind the remarkable value which money has borne in the market during the year to give this fact its due weight. It was deemed prudent during the year to accumulate a balance in hand to be prepared for deposit withdrawals, and our leaning operations, as before ob serded, were contracted with this view. The with trawals were, however, scarcely sensibly increased, and the pre caution was therefore needless, but the result shows, in a most remarkable and satisfactory manner the confidence of the public. This department is becoming more and more what it is our desire to see it become--not merely a temporary convenience for a fair rate of interest for money lying otherwise idle, but a means of locating monies which are the subject of trusts, and of sums to be made payable years hence to carry out special pur poses of provision, whether by will or otherwise. The other departments of business, annuities, endow ments, and all the various forms devised for family pro vision, and dependent on the contingencies of lawmen life, are also progressing favourably; and there can be no doubt that the ratio of advance in these branches will be hither and higher as the company goes on increasing in year,. The return of a more natural condition of the money mar ket may also be reasonably expected to produce a favour able result. The statement of income and expenditure for the year ending December 3 tst, 1857, duly certified by the qualified officers of the company, is as follows : " INCOM,E.—To balances, DA., 1856, viz. —Clash, 1,1271 61. 61.; petty cash, 461. 163. 9.1. ; agents, 1,779/. 3s. interest from borrowers. 6021. 15s. 61 ; capital. stock 5671. ; deposits, 21,7571. is. 61. ; loan (repayments) 26,7791. 103. 61. ; premiums and life risk, 6,55/. 193. 81. premiums on annuities, 2,201/. Bs. ; interest, 1,9901. 13s, 2d. ; loan guarantee Lind, 2331. ss. 31.—total, 63,'239/ 19s. 111. EXPENDIPORE. -By preliminary expenses (carried to suspense account, pursuant to deed of settlement), includ ing travelling expenses, printing. stationery, dro., incurred iu extending the company's agencies, 1,604/. 4s 10.; claims accruing during the last five years, 1,522/. 2s. ; office ex poses, rent, rates, taxes, coals, gas, &e., 4181. ls. 10. ; printing, stationery, and postage, 15 1 15s. 14 ; salaries and wages, including directors' and auditors' fees, 1,8281. 7s. 61. ; advertising and commission, (.09/. 4s. Bd. ; bond and receipt stamps, 591. 6s. 44. ; medical and surveyor's fees, 79/. 15s. ; law charges, 74/. 18s. 14. ; re-assurances, BSOI. ss. 61. ; annuitants, 1,7691. 153.1114. •, dividends and interest,:2,lo6/. 168. 80. ; surrender,, 1,073/. 10s. 5,1. ; lean charges, 3/. 15s. 41. ; advances on various securities, 30,701/. 14g. 7d. ; deposits and investments repaid, 16,618/. ss. 11d. ; cash, balance at bankers, 2,822/. 17s. 90. ; petty cash, balance in hand, 70/. 6s. 10. ; agents' balance, 721/. 10s. 11d. ; interest from borrowers, 8201. 175.-total, 63,939/.19a. 11d. The directors recommend that the dividen on shareholders' stock be for the current year, as heretofore voted, at the rate of N. per cent. per annum. In conclusion, the direc tors have to state that their unceasing endeavours have been directed to the extension of business in every way ; and more particularly to the establishment of efficient agencies in parts of the country which afford the best prospect of safe and profitable business, and they have the pleasure to report that names have been added to their list of agents, from which satisfactory results may be fairly anticipated. Looking back on the transactions of the past year, stand ing by themselves alone, and without any reference to the specied circumstances of the times, the directors feel that the prospects of the cornrauy are in every way gratifying. The circumstances, however, of the year have been of so extraordinary a character as to force themselves on the notice of everybody, and so important is their bearing that no commercial transactions whatever can be duly COM mented upon without reference to them. W e would hers merely wish to call attention to the fact, that during one of the most remarkable monetary derangements in the memory of those now living, and one so widely disastrous iu its results to the commercial world, the operations of this company have maintained ao arm and steady a course." Toe CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, 'congratulated the meeting on the success that had at tended the operations of the society. Although the cont. pany had been ie existence but about four yearn and a half the result of its operations was favourable in the extreme. It would be superfluous to occupy space in this meeting, either to show that it was the duty of every man to pro vide for his family after his death, or that life aesurai3e, in one or other cf its forms, afforded a most effectisn and available means of accomplishing the object. It would be sufficient to state that this company (tee security of which was guaranteed by an ample capital, and by the character and standing of its Eubscribers) proposed as its haling features :--let. To secure t widows artd others, for whom such provision may be desirable, a fixed annual income, to c anmence exactly when the occasion for it arises. 2J. To furnish peon maly accommodation to the public by way of Lan, in connection with different forms of assur ance, and on veriuue systems cf re-payment. It is a source of extreme gratification that the public generally have largely availed themselves of the benefits offered by this company. The annuity and endowment branch had been very successful ; and the loaning de partment, which had been equally so, filled up a void that was much required. The society had no connexion with acc:,rnmodation bills. (flear, hoar.) Its object was to lend money to respectable persons, the repayment of which might he spre9d over one, two, or three yesrs. Another groat rc vantege was, that its.the event s,f tise death of the party borrowing, tue debt was canceled, and the surviving part of the family were thus imme (lately freed from the burthtn, (Hear, hear.) Withost delaying the meeting further, he begged to move that the report, together with the balance-abeet, which had been read, be received and adopted. (Cheers.) Mr. DAVIS felt great pleasure in seconding the motion. The resolution was put from the chair and carried unanimously. The retiring directors, viz., David Lloyd, Esq., and Alfred Smee, Esq., having been re elected, Mr. ilArtursoN moved that the dividend on share. holders' stock for the current year, be as heretofore, at the rata of 5 per cent. per annum. The motion having been seconded by Mr. LIDBURY, was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said he had great pleasure in moving the next resolution. It was—" That one-tenth of the surplus shown by the statement of assets and liabilities be divided among the shareholders rateably according to the number of shares held by each ; arid be paid with the next half-yearly dividend." The resolution having been seconded by Mr. SOLLT, wag carried unanimously. Mr. DAVIS said, before the meeting separated he had a resolution to move which he thought would give satis faction to every shareholder present. It was that the best thanks of the shareholders be given to John Bead nell, Eq., for the talent, energy, and perseverance he had empl4led in his capacity of manager of the society. The resolution having been seconded, it was carried unanimuusly. Mr. DIADNELL said it was a great pleasure to him to receive so flattering an acknowledgment of his services. All he could say was, that his best energies would always be exercised for the prosperity and welfare of the society (Cheers.) A vote of thanks to the chairman having been passed the proceedings terminated. THE NIGHTINGALE FUND. We have been requested to publish the following correspondence : "30, Old Burlington-street, March 23. "Dear Mr. Herbert,—l have been for some time hesitating as to the course I ought to take with regard to the large fund which is called by my name, and which was so generously placed in my hands for the purpose of bein2 applied to a most useful and beneficent object. "Aft , r allowing a time to elapse fully sufficient for forming a judgment .I find my health s,► much impaired, and I am, con.equently, so unequal to begin a work which. to be properly performed, will require great ex eau), ot,id um:sawing attention, that I feel it incumbent upon me and due to the contributors to beg you to com municate to the trustees and council my inability to undertake the task. " This communication is very painful to make, for I hoped, by my exertions in tho work proposed to me, to mark my deep sense of the confidence reposed in me, and I looked forward to the attainment of an object which has always been nearest to my heart. " But I ,trongly feel that its realisation ought not to be indefinitely pos'poned, nor a large sum intended for a benevolent purpose to be allowed to lie useles; because .m iftcapacitated by illness from undertaking its ap. plication. I must therefore, under these circumstances, ask you and the council to consider in what way the objeots umtemplated by the contributors may now best be effected.—l remain, dear Mr. Herbert, " Most faithfully and gratefully yours, " FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. " The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P." " 49, 80lgrave-square March 26. " Dear Miss Nightin g ale,— Immediately on tke re. ceipt of your letter I summoned a meeting of the council and the trustees of the Nightingale Fund, at which meetlng your letter resigning your trust was read. " I need not tell you with how much sorrow that let ter was received. " We we. e, however, unanimous in the hope that, for the reasons I am about to state, you will take further time before you come to any final decision on the subject of your letter. "The object of the contributors to the fund was two. fold. They wished to see established some organisation for the training of hospital nurses. They wished to supply a great and acknowledged deficiency in our medis cal system whether civil or military, and they knew that they could intrust the task to no one so experienced or so capable as yourself. " But they wished likewise to mark in a manner per. sonal to yourself their sense of the services rendered to the country by you and by those who acted with you ; and they felt that they could offer you no proof of this respect more gratifying than tee proposal of a fresh task to be undertaken and fresh work to be done. "They were aware that you among others were as sisting in furthering great changes in the sanitary and medical organisation of the army ; and till that task was accomplished, they were quite content to postpone the commencement of whatever plane you might originate or adopt for the objects to whieh the Nightingale Fund was to be devoted. " We have seen some of the results of the labours on behalf of the army to which you have contributed. We trust that a short time will witness their completion, and that you will have the gratification of seeing the fruits which they will bear. When this time arrives we can not but trust that with diminished laboar you will regain your health, and that without undue fatigue or exertion you will be enabled to give a general superintendence to the plane you may devise for the application of the fund. " in the meanwhile the money, though unspoiled, is not idle. It it well invested, and therefore increasing by the accumulation of interest, and the delay will be partly compensated by the enlarged means which will ultimately be at your disposal. " Should, however, our anticipations be too sanguine, end eiiould your health not ba eutticiently restored to enable you personally to undertake the government of any institution that may be founded, still we ahould earnestly desire to act upon plans devised by you and to adopt the organisation which, under happier oircinn tanc•-s, you would yourself have created. " We are satisfied that, next to your personal supe rintendence, the con'ributors would most desire that your mind and intention should animate the work, even though its execution should fell upon other,. " I am, theref ire, desired by my colleagues to ex- Dress their earnest hope that you wil. postpone your final decision until further time shall enable you to judge what degree of superintendence you will be en. abl-d to bestow on the work which is identified with your nam e, and which we s t i ll earnest l y h ope w ill d er i ve its organ isation from your hands.—pray believe me, most faithfull your, " SIDNIST HEBBIIRT. " Miss Florence Nightingale." " 30, (Yd Burlington-street, March 27. " Dear Mr. Herbert,—lt would indeed be impossible or me t refuee a proposal which expresses so kindly the generous confidence of the council and trustees, and which leaves open to me the opportunity—if, unexpec tedly to inyself, my health should make it possible—of attempting to forward the objects most interesting to mo. "I believe that you will be willing to assure the coun cil and trustees that I will work if I can, and when I can. It is a great relief t ) me to have your assurance that they are aware that hitherto it has been impossible fur me to do anything in this work, and that they will be to fJr some time to come,—how long it is not in my p-wer to say. The fear that I might appear to neglect a trust eliminated to me weighed heavily on my mind, and the great uncertainty as to my ever being able to fulfil it induced me to request that I might be allowed to reliequi..h it. " But I beg to leave the matter entirely in your hands as proposed by you ; and I have only to repeat my thanks to you and the council for the heartfelt pleasure afforded me by your confidence and good wishes. "I beg that you 8 ill believe me, dear Mr. Herbert, " Ever moat faithfully yours, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. "Tbeltight Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P." Country Markets. LEEDS—MA.Boa 30. There is a good show of wheat fresh up this morning, which meets a fair sale at Friday's full rates. Barley is also very plentiful, and best sorts diffiealt of sale, while inferior are neglected. Beans steady. Other articles nn• changed. Averages for the week : Wheat, 44s lOd Oats, 25s 3.1 d I Peas, 46s 9 1 d. I Barley, 36s 7d Beans, 39s 41 1 Rye, -^ll Od. NE WCASTLE—MARoa 30. Our market this morning was poorly attended, and in wheat a short supply. In South country and foreign snore offering. Trade heavy, and former prices scarcely obtain. ed. Flour a drug. , Barley not quite so brisk. Oats are steady at full rates. Beans quiet, and peas scarce and much wanted. NORWICH CATTLE—MARca 27. There was a small show of store cattle to-day, but buyers were not numerous, and only a limited business was done. Fat beasts, 7s to 7s 6d ; prime, 8s Od per stone ; being about sa me al l as t wee k. Sh ee p, 42s to 44s per head, and good store pigs 15s to 255. Fat pork, 6s to 6s 6d; prime, bs 6it per stone of 141bs. BIRTHS. BALroun—On the 29th inst., at 20, Wilton-street, Bel grave-square, the wife of Commander C.. 1. Balfour R. N., of a daughter. FRANCIS—On the 29th inst., at Cambridge, the wife of _ Clement Francis, Esq., of a eon. VEREKER—On the 27th lest., at 10, Warwiok-square, the Hon. Mrs. Vereker, of a son. MARRIAGES. GILBEY—CROSBIE —On the 29th inst., at St. Thomas's Church, Winchester, Mr. Alfred Gilbey, of 357, Oxford street, London, to Agnes, second daughter of Mr. Wm• Crosbie, of Winchester. MALTBY —BUTTERFIELD—On the 29th inst., at St.hfares, Islington, Mr. Ttioulas Maltby, of Islington, to widow of the late S. B. W. Butterfield, Esq• DEATHS. BOUGHTON—On the 28th inst., Ed.ward Oakley , only son of A.tiuo .oughton, Eiq., of th e StocK Exchange, and 2, Palk-place, Maze-bill, Greenwich, a ged 16 m on th s . FORBES—On the 29th inst., atlkin-place, squats, Bartholomew Forbes, Esq., aged 88. Foy—On tho 28th inst., at 4, Park-road, Clapham-road Miss Foy. the infant ohild of Linfort—On the 27th inst., Florence Mr. Mark Lemon. V. , 1)/ine,.lli : Printed sad PubIiAIITA by ILURDO 'YOUNG, o f e . 112, Strand, Erin ter, at The San Wine, lie. 112, st ran d, in the Precinot a the Savoy, in the comfy of bliddloglos , WctineslaY. March 31, 1855. ~~► 1 --,,