The Sun. — London, England, 1859-02-03 00:00:00

E . D E. This day is published, A D 11 By GEORGE ELIOT, Author of " Scenes of Clerical Life." Three Vols., post Bvo., lls. 6d., Win. Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London. THE OCCASIONAL. By LEIGH lIITNT. No. 4. See the " SPECTATOR " of Saturday next. Price 6d. Published, at 9, Wellin g ton -street, Strand. Now ready, price is., _ THE lONIAN ISLANDS in RELATION to GREECE ; With Suggestions for Advancing our Trade with the Turkish Countries of the Adriatic and the Danube. By JOHN DUNN GARDNER, Esq. James Ridg,way, Piccadilly. VNGLISH and IRISH CHURCH and UNIVERSITY ASSURANCE SOCIETY (with which are united the Strand, L Engineers', ondon Householders', and Age Assurance Companies), 345, , W.C. . . Incorporated by Act of Parliament. Capital £lOO,OOO. TRUSTEES. The Right Hon. the Earl of Yarborough, Lord Lieut. of Lin colnshire. The Rev. John Edmund Cox, 3LA., F.S.A., St. Helen's Bishopsgate (Deputy Chairman). • W. F. Dobson, Esq., M.A., Woodville, Gravesend (Chairman).. Every kind of Assurance granted on one or more lives. Clergymen and Members of the Universities taken at lower rates of premium than those ordinarily charged. Annuities on very favourable terms to old hves. ANTHONY PECK, M.A., Secretary. THE PRINCESS FREDERICK WI LLIAM OF PRUSSIA.—What parent is there in Great Britain whose heart did not bound with joy at the news of the birth of an heir to the Throne of Pru ssia, and the well-doing of his illustrious mother, the acclamat ions at whose bridal rang through Europe, and were hailed as a bond of unity and strength between those two grea t empires ? We can imagine the deep anxiety of our Most Gracious Queen, and rejoice that the intelligence reached her Majesty at W indoor six minutes after the event took place at Berlin. This all but annihilation of time and space is one of the effects of the magnet, whose power is as unlimited as un known. Its practical utility is, however, daily and hourly b ec oming more developed, and one of its most useful applica tions is that patented by Mr. P. M. HERRING, of 32, Basing,hall-street, London, for restoring Grey Hair to its na tural Colour, and curing Neuralgia, Nervous Headache, Rheumatism, &c, by means of his MAGNETIC COMB and BRUSH. AN ACT OF GRATITUDE.---5,00 0 CiireTjoip a Medical Book for Gratuitous Circulation.--GEouGE THOMAS, Esq., having been effectually cured of nervous de bility, loss of memory, and dimness of sight, resulting from the early errors of youth, by following the instructions given in a Medical Work by a Physician, he considers it his duty, in aratitude to the author, and for the benefit of nervous suf ferers, to publish the means used. He will therefore send free, to any address, in a scaled envelope, on receipt of a directed envelope, enclosing two stamps, to prepay postage, a copy of the medical work, containing every information re quired. Address, G. Thomas, Esq., Craven House, Newcastle upon-Tyne. OPERA,of MissCOVENT 11. DEN under Loui sa °GYAARLENGLtIhSe s ole i M a nage m en t i l'yne and Mr. W. Harrison 'PHIS EVENING will be presented an entirely new and romantic Opera, by Mr. W. Balfe, entitled SATANELLA; o r. THE POWER OF LOVE. Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon. 1 .1:3 conclude with the new Pantomime of LITTLE RED ILL ;)ING HOOD ; or, Harlequin and the Wolf in Granny's CL thing. Commence at Seven, THEATRE -ROYAL, DRURY-LANE, Lessee—Mr. E. T. Smith. _ THIS EVENING, LATEST FROM NEW YORK. Mr. nn 1 Mrs. Barney Williams. l'o conclude with the new pantomime, ROBIN HOOD • or, Harlequin Friar Tuck and the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE J) lu Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be presented Shakspere's Tragedy of MACBETH. Macbeth, Mr. C. Kean ; Lady Macbeth, Mrs. C. Kean, After which, a new "►rand Christmas Pantomime, entitled 'TIE KING OF THE CASTLE; or, Harlequin Prince INamond and Princess Brighteyes. THEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING will be performed THE BUSYBODY. AI essrs. Buckstone, Farren, &c. ; Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam and Miss Reynolds. Atter which, a new grand Comic Pantomime, entitled NDINE ; or, harlequin and the Spirit of the Waters. Commence at 7. _ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE SISTER'S SACRIFICE. Messrs. Emery, Barret, and Rogers. Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, and Miss Julia St. George. After which, will be produced the new Burlesque, written expressly for the Lyceum Company by Robert B. Brough, and entitled THE SIEGE OF TROY. The principal cha racters by Mrs. Keeley, Miss Julia St. George, Mrs. Weston, Miss Portman, Miss Talbot, Miss Kate Saxon, Miss E. Romer, ; Mr. Emery, Mr. Charles Young, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. .1. Rogers, Mr. Barrett, &c. ; Miss Rosina Wright, Miss M. Charles, Miss Harriet Dalton, &c. To conclude with the new Comic Pantomime, replete with new tricks and mechanical devices, entitled HARLEQUIN TOY HORSE ; or, The Cremorne Fete. Clown, Mr Charles Lauri ; Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri ; Pantaloon, Mr. Henry Lauri ; Columbine, Miss Jenny Lauri. Reduced Prices—Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Stalls, 55. ; Gallery, ls. =ex-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past 6 to commence at 7 every evening. NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPIII Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. Grand Week of Attraction. This Evening (by desire), TARTUFFE. Tartutle, Mr. 11 Webster; Damais. Mr. Billington • Oregon. Mr. C. Selby; Elmere, Miss H. Simms; Dorine, Miss Woolgar ; Mariane, Miss Keeley ; Madame Pennelle, Mrs. Chatterly. - - - After which, GOOD FOR NOTHING. Messrs. J. L. Took, 131llington, Eburne, and Miss Woolgar. _ _ • - To conclude, with the grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled MOTHER RBD CAP ; or, Harlequin Johnny Gilpin's Ride to Edmonton. Clown, Mr. Croueste ' • Harlequin, Mr. Hilde brand ; Columbine, Miss Hayman ; Pantaloon, Mr. Lupin ; Sprite, Mr. Le Barr. Doors open at half-past six—Commence at seven. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborougb t THIS EVENING, THE BONNIE FISH WIFE. After which, the new Extravaganza, KENILWORTH ; or Ye Queene. ye Earle, and ye Maydenne. And THE LITTLE SAVAGE. Commence at 7 o'clock. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Westminster-road. Lessee and Manager Mr. William Cooke. Crowded Houses Nightly. Another high") , attractive and successful Drama. THIS EVENING, and during the week, the grand Spec tacle of THE GIPSY GIRL OF MADRID ; or, The Ediet of Spain. After which, the inimitable SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, Introducing Mr. Wm. Cooke's beautiful and highly-trained palfries and ponies and the Starßiders of Europe. To conclude with the great Operatic and Burlesque Eques trian Pantomime, entitled BARON C HAUSEN, AND HIS H COMICAL ARLEQUIN MUN CREAM COB CRUISER. Baron Munchausen, Mr. W. Anson ; Harlequin, Mr. H. Hemmings, Pantaloon, Mr. Morley ;I Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest, the Grimaldi of the day ; Columbine, Miss Julia Weston. Brilliant and unsurpassable Transformation Scene, with dazzling effects of Colder and Fire. Gorgeous Scenery, and every incident in bustling reality, from Regent-street to the "New Palace for the People, at Muswell Hill," Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, Is. ; Pit, 2s, ; Gallery, is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — Proprietor ---C. MORTON. The public is most respectfully informed that the F O INE AR NW TS GALLERY, in c onnec ti on w ith the above Hall, IS OPEN DAT AND NIGH T, f rom 11 o ' c lock a.m. until 12 P,Yn. The Ne w G a ll er y con t a i ns an extensive Collec tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters -and is also devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist ng Music hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently tided Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether s regards the architectural beauty of the structures them selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the Kingdom. The DlesicAL ENTERTAINMENT COMIRCIICRS as usual at Seven o'clock. In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, will perform every Evening at Nine awl Eleven o'clock. THE WEA.TIIER.-STIN OFFICE, FEB. 3. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 49—highest since noon yesterday. x,37—lowest this morning and during the night. 41—this day at noon. 4.IAnamETETt-30.10—a sudden rise of more than half an inch. WIND, Northerly; light, with fine frosty weather. A sharp frost last night. ... t. ______ Al Z o ,T.o.us•st,i,„ —l., . -,.. c . t ., , :, q, 1 - 4 ' 0 a o .11-it, ••; IC%IO. :._-• ' bit; i now' ' t• . ~..... - THE sUN. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 3, 1859• Wehope many of our Legislators who re-assemble to-day will not only glance at, but study the tables which we published on Monday, and republish 0 - day. That they will have contributed their share towards the formation of opinion in the minds of their constituents we cannot affect to doubt. They exhibit, not our arguments, but the arguments of undeniable facts. Indeed we must confess that when we commenced the calculations of which we have thus given the results, we did not anticipate that they would furnish so complete a condemnation of the apportionment of seats under the Reform Bill, and of that with which the Times has also favoured us. The latter was indeed full of patent blunders ; many of these were corrected on the' 28th ult., but glaring errors still remained, such, for instance, as including the boroughs in the counties to increase the claim of the counties to members, and then not reckoning the members for boroughs as returned by that county! It is unaccountable that our con temporary should permit so ; grave and one-sided a blunder to be perpetrated in its columns. More natural, though not more justifiable, was it to give an undue proportion of members to Berkshire, the county in which lies Mi. WALTERS' estate of I Bearwood, and to magnify the population of Not tingham almost threefold (from 57,000-to 130,000), apparently that the borough represented by Mr. WALTERS might be honoured not only by that gentleman's services, but that it might also have three representatives. Northampton, too, a town of 26,000 inhabitants, is wholly " ignored " by the Times ; it is literally " nowhere " in its schedules. Has our contemporary forgotten a Mr. SMITH, who delights to distinguish himself from SMITHS in general by the prefixes, Right Honourable' and ROBERT and VERNON ? We are sure Mr. SMITH has not forgotten himself or Northampton either. Or was it the unpardonable sin of the borough to have returned the Radical Quaker, CIIAS. GILPIN, as Mr. SMITH'S colleague ? But to return to our own tables. Let the reader observe the principle of classification—Density of population. We have not taken, however, large towns merely, but the whole county, generally populous throughout, in which these towns or cities are found. We have taken the county as a county ; not pitted boroughs against counties, but compared the two classes of counties with each other. We have compared, not the popula tion of boroughs with that of counties, but the population of the acres of one district with that of the acres of another. It surely will not be contended that land itself, irrespective of what is on it, is entitled to votes or members of Parliament. The population, therefore, subsisting on the acres of one county, are its first and great distinction from other counties. Where it takes two acres and upwards to maintain one person, the land would seem to be nearer a state of nature, and to claim less regard from society than where the same quantity of land supported double or ten times that number. As there has been so much outcry against giving the boroughs a larger proportion of members than their aggregate population could claim, we have avoided this ground of dispute altogether, and we ask the representatives of the counties only to apportion the members amongst the counties in fair proportion to the population supported by each. But there is also the well-known test of property. Members ought, it is said, to be proportionedalso•to the propertyto be represented in thedifferent counties• We do not object. We give the amount of property also, and let it tell its own tale. We know of but one other test—that of intelligence. We really hardly thought it worth while to go to the Editor of the Leeds Mercury for school statistics—no one ever professed to doubt that the most populous districts are the least educated. What, then, are the broad results of this inquiry? Why, that if we divide the counties by the line of a population less and greater than two acres to an individual, twelve fall on one side of that line and forty on the other—that the population of the twelve has increased from being a quarter of a million less than that of the forty, to two millions and more above them ; showing plainly that they are the progressive and thriving counties. They pay in income-tax £64,864,195, the forty counties only £49,834,136. The same proportional results accrue - with the assessed taxes. The twelve populous counties pay £1,013,921; the forty thinly-peopled counties but £912,629. These results are corroborated by the annual value of houses in each of the classes of counties. This was, inlBls, in the 12 counties, L 10,459,789, in the 40 but £4,435,341. But let the reader note the increased value of houses in the two classes by 1851--the increase of value in the twelve counties was eight millions more, than the total value of the houses in the forty at that date. The figures in 1851 stood thus : annual value of houses in the twelve counties, £28,669,814; in the forty counties, £11,376,948. A general 'corroboration of the state of things indicated by these facts was furnished by the Economist last Saturday. Our contemporary com pared the value of landed property and other pro. perty in 1815 with their value in 1857—and with what a result ! In 1815, the total amount was £137,621,000, of which rents from land were £39,405,000. In 1857 the total assessment was £291,567,001, that of the land being £46,108,000. Thus income from other sources than land has increased in the time referred to from £98,116,000 to £153,946,000 ; or while, land has added not more than seven or eight millions to its inc ome trade, other sources have furnished nearly fifty-six millions more. Even this comparison shows but imperfectly the splendid advance of trade and coin meree since this department of profits stood at thirty-seven millions in 1815, while, in 1857, it had risen to £84,500,000. Do not these facts, from quite another quarter, prove in which direction property, and with it intelligence and power, are rapidly flowing ? Our readers will find in these tables the propor tion of members due to each class of counties ac cording to their population, their assessed taxes, their income-tax, and also what the Reform Bill, Mr. BRIGHT, and the Times respectively assign to them. It will be seen that, on the ground of pro perty, the 12 busy counties could claim even more members than on that of population! It will be clear also, from the last table, that Mr. BRIGnT's claims for them are as moderate as they well could be. What his opponents will say we can hardly conceive. It is plain that, taking their own ground —as we do—namely, the claims of the counties, taking intelligence—property—population—taking what test you will, allcombined or each apart, will give more members to these counties than Mr. BRIGHT has given them. The Honourable Members for Birmingham have each of them undertaken to forward to the utmost extent of their power the general interests of the community in thi s new l y -i naugura t e d sess i on o f th e Imperi a l Legislature. Mr. BRIGHT can hardly fail in any contingency materially to influence, by the introduction of his scheme of Reform to the notice of the House of Commons, the eventual cha cacter of the re -arrangement of the genera l represen tation. Whether the Honourable Gentleman's proposition be received with favour or di s f avour within the walls of Parliament, it hardly admits of p any doubt whatever that the mere v en til at i on of his own peculiar project will affect to a cons i derable extent the ultimate dec isi on arrived at by o ur legislators in regard to a re-adjustm en t of the electoral franchise and of the electoral districts— in reference to the arch-problem of the Ballot---in relation even, it may be, to the future duration of Parliaments. The thoroughgoing champion of the more advanced among the Reformers out-of-doors is, at any rate, quite certain of commanding a complete and searching discussion upon the views he advocates. He is equally certain of being met by extraordinary opposition. This would, indeed, have been inevitable under any circumstances. It is glaringly - rrow, when a false im pression has' " 7 that the purpose latent in his formiiii. .dies is realty one subversive of the why , of the Constitution. Sup. posing the suggestions of Mr. BRIGHT to be carried out to the very uttermost, the result could only be to widen the basis of the constitution —to sink deeper and firmer yet in its rocky soil its profound and solid foundations. The generality out of doors recognise this in the adoption of the Ballot —in a considerable extension of the franchise—in a comprehensive revision of the whole distribution of - the areas of representation generally throughout the United Kingdom. A disingenuously deliberate distortion of the entire scheme of Reform pro pounded by Mr. BRIGHT to file country at large, through the medium of his speeches successively delivered at Birmingham, at Manchester, at Edin burgh, and at Rochdale, has, however, in spite of the stubborn facts presented to the public view in his printed and published schedules, prepared for the Honourable Gentleman, within the walls of the House of Commons, a perverse, and resolute, and (both in numbers and intensity) formidable opposi- tion. There is little chance of Mr. BRIGHT finding a willing audience in the Commons, beyond a very narrow circle of sympathisers, including among them the more staunch and thoroughly indepen dent advocates, of reform in the Legislature, men like Mr. GIBsoN and Mr. ROEBUCK, Mr. Fox and General THOMPSON. As the most brilliant orator in the House of Commons—incontestably, now that Mr. GLADSTONE is detained far away from it in the lonian Islands, in his temporary capacity as Lord High Commis sioner—Mr. BRIGHT is secure at least of having an attentive audience, though he is as certain of having an audience of anything rather than sym pathisers. While one member for Birmingham awaits the commencement of the Parliamentary session of 1859 with a tolerable certainty before him of having his advice eagerly listened to, but not by any means followed—his colleague, we do sincerely trust, will find both an attentive and a willing audience awaiting him in the Lower House of Parliament. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD proposes, we all know, this session to introduce a measure for the suppression, if possible, certainly for the punish ment, of wholesale and retail adulteration. It is a scheme of reform not quite so showy as that affect ing the whole system of our Parliamentary repre sentation, . but it is one, nevertheless —literally —of still more vital importance. It is an improve ment only too notoriously requisite. It is a change demanded in both a moral and sanitary point of view—it is required at once for the amelioration of the physical and commercial condition of the whole community. The searching investigations made into the monstrous evil referred to originally by the Lancet commission, and subsequently by the committee of inquiry appointed by the House of Commons, and presided over from first to last by the hon. gentleman the member for Birmingham —have demonstrated, as clearly as anything could possibly be demonstrated, the absolute necessity of at once organising without any further delay a system of punishment for the criminal traders guilty of extending the widespread bane of whole sale and retail adulteration. Immediately upon the eve of the 'commencement of this session, Dr. ARTHUR HILL HASSALL-a name ever to be hon ourably associated with this humane movement for the suppression of adulteration—submits' a cluster of very pertinent and important suggestions to the public, through the columns of the most distin guished and powerful of our contemporaries. Dr. HASSALL, by a reference to the Gazette des Tribu naux, shows that here again, in the punishment of traders found guilty of adulteration—"they manage these things better in France." He cites a variety of individual cases proving the fact that, upon the other side of the channel, there are three distinct kinds of punishment regularly awarded to those found guilty of adulteration. Imprisonment —fine—and, best of all, the publication, by means of placards, of the name, and address, and trade, and offence of each delinquent convicted of this peculiarly despicable and criminal act of adultera tion. "It is this penalty," writes Dr. HASSALL, in reference to the last-mentioned punishment, •' It is this penalty chiefly which I wish to see inflicted in this country for adulteration." So say we. It is of all penalties the very one which would be most dreaded by the adulterator. It is the one which would most effectually lead to the suppression of adulteration. Sincerely do we hope to witness this session the final triumph of a move ment now happily committed to the humane and energetic championship of Mr. SCHOLEFIELD. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3, 1859. OPENING P A R IL I A _lf - E 1C T. The opening of the session of Parliament to-clay, by her most gracious Majesty in person, was evi dently regarded by the metropolitan community as something more than a State formality, and the brilliancy of the weather tended in a great degree to increase the ardour of the vast concourse of people of every class who crowded the line of pro cession. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort were received as they proceeded from Buckingham Palace to Westminster with every demonstration of loyalty and respect. As the carriages of the different Ambassadors drove by the inmates were received with more or less cordiality. There was a very large attendance of peers and peeresses in the house, and of persons entitled by rank and privilege to be present at the ceremony. The doors of the magnificent chamber in which the lords spiritual and temporal hold their councils were opened at twelve o'clock, and shortly after that hour those who were privileged to obtain seats began to arrive. In the ante-chambers and corridors through which the Royal procession was to pass raised seats were provided, and a very large num ber of persons were enabled in this manner to witness the arrival and departure of her Majesty. The attendance of the members of the corps diplomatique was more than usually numerous, and amongst the first arrivals were the Brazilian Minister, the Ifaytian and Portuguese Ministers, the Turkish Ambassador, the Russian Ambassador, the- French Ambassador, and the Sardinian Am bassador. A great number of the Judges attended, amongst, whom were the Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Campbell ; the Lord Chief Justice of the ,Common Pleas, Sir Alexander Cockburn ; the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Sir Frederick Pol lock, &c. - The Episcopal bench, in front of those occupied by the Foreign Ministers, was very fully attended. Amongst the Peers connected with the Govern ment, in the house when her Majesty entered, were the following :—Earl of Derby, First Lord of the Treasury ; Lord Chelmsford, Lord High Chan cellor ; Marquis of Salisbury, Lord President of the Council ; Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Privy Seal ; Lord Stanley, Secretary for India; Earl of Malmesbury, Foreign Secretary; Earl of Carnar von, Under Secretary for the Colonies; Lord W. D'Eresby, Lord Great Chambeilain ; Marquis of Exeter, Lord Steward ; Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal ; Earl de la Warre, Lord Chamberlain ; Lord Colchester, Postmaster-General; Duke of Montrose, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ; Duke of Beaufort, Master of the Horse; his Royal Highness the Duke' of Cambridge, Commander of the Forces ; Earl of Donoughmore, Paymaster- General of the Forces, &c. Several leading members of the Opposition were also present. The Lord Chancellor, attended by his principal officers bearing the mace and purse, arrived shortly before two o'clock, and proceeded to the ante-room to await the arrival of the Queen. The appearance of the house, just previous to the entry of her Majesty, was gorgeous in the extreme, as the sun was just then pouring in a flood of golden light through the magnificent stained windows of the chamber. A flourish of trumpets and the firing of a royal salute announced that her Majesty had entered the palace, and shortly afterwards the great officers of State in procession entered the house, and her Majesty, who leaned upon the arm of the Prince Consort, was conducted to the Throne. The Crown was carried on a velvet cushion fringed with gold, by the Earl of Delawarr ; the Sword of State by the Earl of Derby. His Royal Highness, the Prince Consort, occu- pied the chair on the left of the throne, and the Earl of Derby, holding the State Sword, took his position between the Prince and her Ma jesty-. The Lord Chancellor stood upon the foot step of the throne on the right of the Queen, and the Duchess of Manchester, Mistress of the Robes, occupied her position on the right of the noble and learned lord, the Lord Privy Seal (the Earl of Hardwicke), and the Lady in Waiting, formed the remaining portion of the group round the throne. Her Majesty, who looked extremely well, was attired in a white brocaded silk robe, richly em broidered with gold.,ller Majesty also wore a robe and train of purple velvet, trimmed with ermine and embroidered with gold flowers. Her Majesty having intimated that the peers •nd peeresses might resume their seats, the Speaker and the members of the House of Commons were summoned to the bar of their lordships' house to hear the Royal Speech. An interval of three or four minutes having elapsed, the Commons, headed by the Speaker and chief officers of the house, and accompanied by a large number of members, made their appearance. Amongst the persons near the Speaker were the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Chancellor of the Ex chequer ; Sir E. Buiwer Lytton, Colonial Secretary; General Peel, Secretary for War Department; Sir J. Pakington, First Lord of the Admiralty; Mr. J. W. Henley, President of the Aoard of Trade ; Lord J. Manners, Chief Commissioner of Works ; Mr. G. Hardy and Mr. 11. Waddington; Under Secretaries for Home Department; 3.1 r. IV. Fitz gerald, Under Secretary for Foreign Department ; Sir F. Kelly, Attorney-General; Sir H. Mc Cairns, Solicitor-General; Lord Naas, Chief Secretary for Ireland ; Lord Palmerston, Lord J. Russell, *the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, the Right Hon. Henry Labou chere, the Right Hon. Sir C. Wood, the Right Hon. Sir B. Hall, the Right Hon. IV. Cowper, Sir Richard Bethell, the Right Hon. M. T. Baines, Hon. Henry Brand, Hon. C. P. Bouverie, lion. C. P. Villiers, Sir Henry Keating, Mr. IVykenham Martin, Mr. Akroyd, Mr. T. C. Baring, General Buckley, Mr. Chichester Forteseue, Mr. J. D, Fitz gerald, Mr. R. IV. Grey, Mr. Massey, Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr. H. Danby Seymour, Mr. Henry Her bert, Mr. James Wilson, Hon. Gerald Ponsonby, Mr. Charles Clifford, Mr. Barrington, &c., &c. The Lord Chancellor then advanced to her Ma jesty, and on bended -knee presented a copy of the Royal Speech. Her-Majesty, who remained sitting, then . read in a clear, firm voice, the following speech : QTTEEN'S SPEECH. " MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, " In recurring, at the usual season, to the advice of my Parliament, I am happy to think that, in the internal state of the country, there is nothing to excite disquietude, and much to call for satisfaction and thankfulness. Pauperism and crime have con siderably diminished during the past year; and a spirit of general contentment prevails. " The blessing of the Almighty on the valour of my troops in India, and on the skill of their Commanders, has enabled me to inflict signal chastisement upon hose who are still in arms against my authority, whenever they have ventured to encounter my forces ; and I trust that, at no distant period, I may be able to announce to you the complete pacification of that great Empire, and to devote my attention to the im provement of its condition, and to the obliteration of all traces of the present unhappy conflict. " On assuming, by your advice, the direct govern ment of that portion of my do - minions, I deemed it proper to make known by Proclamation the prin ciples by which it was my intention to be guided, and the clemency which I was disposed to show towards those who might have been seduced into revolt, but who might be willing to return to their allegiance. I have directed that a copy of that Proclamation should be laid before you. " I receive from all Foreign Powers assurances of their friendly feelings. To cultivate and con firm those feelings, to maintain inviolate the faith of Public Treaties, and to contribute, as far as my influence can extend, to the preservation of the COURT CIRCULAR. _ Her Majesty received a telegraph despatch from Sir Jas. Clark on Tuesday night to announce that the Princess Royal and the infant prince are progressing most satisfac torily. The Queen and the Prince Consort left Windsor Castle for Buckingham Palace at half-past 12 o'clock yesterday, accompanied by the Princesses Alice and Helena, and at tended by the Countess of Desert, Lord Crofton, Major- General the Hon. C. Grey, Colonel the Hon. A. Liddell, Colonel P. H. Seymour, Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby, and the Master of the Household. A guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards received the Queen at the Windsor station of the Great Western Rail way, and a special train conveyed the royal party to Pad dington. A detachment of Light Dragoons formed the escort to Buckingham Palace, where the Queen and Prince arrived at 25 minutes past one o'clock, and were received by the Marquis of Exeter, the Duke of Beaufort, Viscount New port, Lord George Lennox, Lieut.-General Wylde, and Captain the Hon. D. de Ros. The Queen held a Privy Council in the afternoon. It was attended by the Prince Consort, the Lord President, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Privy Seal, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretaries of State for the Home, Foreign, Colonial, War, and India Departments, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the President of the Roard of Trade, the First Commis sioner of Public Works, the Lord Steward, and the Master of the Horse. At the Council the Queen appointed the sheriffs for the different counties of England and Wales for the present year. • The Queen's Speech for opening the Session of Parlia ment was submitted and agreed upon. A proclamation was issued warning people from trading with Japan until the ratification of the treaty. Mr. John Inglis, the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, by command of the Queen, was sworn of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and took his seat at the Board. The Hon. Wm. Bathurst was Clerk of the Council in Waiting. Her Majesty held a Court. The Hon. Charles Augustus Murray had an audience of the Queen, and delivered to her Majesty a letter from the Shah of Persia. Mr. Murray was presented by Lord Stanley, Secretary ofeStato for India. The Duke of Montrose, Chancellor of the Duchy ofLan caster, had an audience of her Majesty. Colonel Sir Henry Storks, K.C.8., was presented to the Queen at an audience by Sir Edward B. Lytton, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and kissed hands on appointment as Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands. Mr. Joseph Arnould was presented to her Majesty at an audience by Lord Stanley, and kissed hands on appointment as Puisno Judge at Bombay. The Earl of Derby, the Marquis. of Salisbury, Generl• Peel, and Lord Stanley had. audiences of the Queen._ Her Majesty was attended by the Treasurer of the House hold, the Vice-Chamberlain, the Comptroller of the House.. hold, Lord Crofton, Lord in Waiting, and. Colonel the Hon. A. Liddell, Groom in Waiting. The Quedi and the Prince Consort, accompanied by the Princesses Aliee and Helena, honoured the performance at the Hayrnarket Theatre with their presence in the evening. In attendance went the Countess of Desart, Lord Crofton, Colonel F. 11. Seymour, and Capt. the Hon. D. de Ros. The Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard and Miss Victoria Wortley, dined with the Queen on Tuesday. The Duke of Newcastle and Lady Susan Pelham Clinton, the Prussian Minii ter and Countess Bern.storff, and Colonel the Hon. A. and IY,rs. Gordon, left Windsor Castle yester day morning. Captain the Hon. D. de'Ros has relieved Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby in his duties as Equerry in Waiting to the Prince Consort. general peace, are the objects of my unceasing solicitude. " I have concluded, with the Sovereigns who were parties to the Treaty of Paris of 1856, a Con vention relative to the organisation of the Princi palities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Those Rou man Provinces are now proceeding to establish, under its provisions, their new form of Government. " A Treaty of Commerce which I have concluded with the Emperor of Russia, and which will be laid before you, is a satisfactory indication of the complete reestablishment of those amicable rela tion swhich,until their late unfortunate interruption, had long subsisted between us, to the mutual advantage of our respective dominions. " The measures which, in concert with my ally the Emperor of the French, I th'ought it necessary to take upon the coast of China, have resulted in a Treaty, by which further effusion of blood has been prevented, and which holds out the prospect of greatly-increased intercourse with that extensive and densely-peopled Empire. " Another Treaty, into which I have entered with the Emperor of Japan, opens a fresh field for com mercial enterprise in a populous and highly civilized country, which has hitherto been jealously guarded against the intrusion of foreigners. As soon as the ratifications of these Treaties shall have been exchanged, they will be laid before you. " I have great satisfaction in announcing to you that the Emperor of the French has abolished a system of negro emigration from the East Coast of Africa, against which, as unavoidably tending, however guarded, to the encouragement of the slave trade, my Government has never ceased to address to his Imperial Majesty its most earnest, but friendly representations. " This wise act on the part of his Imperial Majesty induces me to hope that negotiations, now in progress at Paris, may tend to the total abandon ment of the system, and to the substitution of a duly regulated supply of substantially free labour. " The state of the Republic of Mexico, distracted by civil war, has induced me to carry forbearance to its utmost limits, in regard to wrongs and indignities to which British residents have been subjected, at the hands of the two contending parties. They have at length been carried to such an extent that I have been- compelled to give instructions to the commander of my naval forces in those seas to demand, and if necessary to enforce, due repara tion. " GENTLEMEN OP TrIE HOUSE OP COMMONS, " I have directed that the estimates for the en suing year shall be submitted' to you. They have been framed with a due regard to economy, and to the efficiency of the public service. " The universal introduction of steam-power into naval warfare will render necessary a temporary increase of expenditure in providing for the recon struction of the British Navy ; but I am persuaded that you will cheerfully vote whatever sums you may find to be requisite for an object of such iital importance as the maintenance of the maritime power of the country. " MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, " Your labours have, in recent Sessions, been usefully directed to various measures of legal and social improvement. In the belief that further measures of a similar character may be wisely and beneficially introduced, I have desired that Bills may be submitted to you without delay, for assimi lating and amending the laws relating to Bankruptcy and Insolvency ; for bringing toge ther into one set of Statutes, in a classified form and with such modifications as experience will suggest to you, the laws relating to crimes and offences in England and Ireland ; for enabling the owners of land in England to obtain for themselves an indefeasible title to their estates and interests, and for registering such titles with simplicity and security. " Your attention will be called to the state of the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parliament, and I cannot doubt but that you will give to this great subject a degree of calm and impartial consideration, proportioned to the mag nitude of the interests involved in the result of I your discussions. "Th ese, and other propositions for the amend ment of the laws, which will be brought under your notice as the progress of public business may per mit, I commend to the exercise of your deliberate judgment ; and I earnestly pray that your counsels may be so guided as to ensure the stability of the Throne, the maintenance and improvement of our institutions, and the general welfare and happiness of my people." Their Lordships then adjourned until five o'clock. The Speaker then returned to the House of Commons, and read her Majesty's most gracious speech, after which the house adjourned until the usual hour of commencing business. PROVIDENT CLERKS' BENEVOLENT FUND. We have for so many years had the pleasure of directing public attention to the merits of the above excellent institution, that we have little left to add to our former remarks. It is, however, a source of real gratification to us to find that the past year has been by far the most prosperous which we have been called on to record for many years in the history of the Fund, no less a sum than £2,500 having been added to its means of usefulness. Some portion of this is owing to the successful dinner of the Fund in May last, a sufficient proof of the interest taken by the public in its welfare, and of the utility of such means of publi city—while the election in May next, of six more annuitants, shows that the managers of the fund, while observing the rules of prudence, are anxious to extend to the legitimate recipients those benefits which have been obtained by their zealous and able advocacy of the interests of the institution. It must, indeed, be a source of gratification to those who have devoted so much time and labour to. this worthy object, to see itspresent position among the best of its class. With a capital of nearly£l9,ooo, with annuitants receiving upwards of nine hun dred pounds per annum, and having distributed large sums in gratuities and other forms of assist ance to the distressed, it has, we trust, realised all the hopes of its benevolent founders. It has yet, however, we doubt not, a wider and still more important field of operations before it. If supported as it fully deserves, not the aged and the afflicted alone, but the orphan, to whom educa tion is a necessity scarcely second to bread itself, will look to its fostering care for support and assistance. A desire which we cannot too highly praise has sprung up among its members to found a school where the children of deceased members may be maintained, and fitted for their struggle with the world by judicious and careful teaching. It was enough to name so good an object, to secure at once the hearty co-operation of the kind hearted treasurer, John Abel Smith, Esq., whose services to the fund merit the warmth with which his name is always received by the members, and we cordially wish that the day may not be far distant when the hope expressed at the meeting may be realised. To no worthier channel can the efforts of the clerks and the sympathy and assist ance of the wealthy be directed. The Earl of Derby gave a full=dress Parliamentary ban quet last evening, at his lordship's• official residence, in Downing-street. The guests of the • noble Premier in 'eluded the following colleagues and supporters of his Government in the House of Lords :—The Lord Chancel lor, the Duke of Richmond, the - Duke of Beaufort, the Duke of Rutland, the Duke of Hamilton, the Duke of Manchester, the Duko of Montrose, the Marquis of Salis bury, the Marquis of Exeter, the Marquis of Bath, the Marquis of Downshire, the Earl of Winchelsea (the mover of the Address), the Bail of Sandwich, the Earl of Malmes bury, the Earl of Lucan, the Earl of Ellenborough, the Earl of Donoughmore, the Earl of Cardigan, the Earl of Powis, the Earl of Egmont, the Earl Vane, the Earl of Desart, Viscount lu 11, Viscount Combermere, Viscount Harclinge, Viscount Dungannon, Lord de Ros, Lord Colchester, Lord Delamere (the seconder to the Address), Lord St. Leonardo, Lord •Ravensworth, Lord Sondes, Lord Colville, Lord Feversharn, Lord Walsing ham, and Lord Dyne vor . Aft er di nner ha d conclu d e d , t h e Earl of Derby read the Royal Speech to be delivered by her Majesty at the opening of Parliament. POETRY BY TSA CRAIG.—The Court four2wl of Saturday, Feb. 5, will contain some verses on the birth of the first-born of the Princess Frederick -William, written expressly for this paper by Isa Craig, the suc cessful com petitor for the Burns Prize Poem. Price sd. o r sent post free for si x s t am p s , by W. Th omas , p u blisher, Bridges street, Strand, and all newsagents. LATEST NEWS. MARSEILLES, FED. 2, 2 p.m. The steamer just arrived brin advices from Constantinople to the 26th ult. The report lately current respecting the dis missal of the Minister of Finance was premature, and it is asserted that the publication of the decree dismissing him was prevented by Riza Pacha. Three hundred merchants have signed a petition against stock jobbing, which petition will be up held by the ambassadors of foreign powers. The troops still remain unpaid. A deputation of the principal inhabitants of Moldavia has arrived here, in order to support the validity of the election of A. Couza as Hospodar, which is disputed by Aus- tria. The Porte threatens to cancel the election of Golesco, in case he should be chosen Hospodar of Wallachia . . It is confirmed that Mehemed Kibrish Pacha has refused the post of ambassador at Paris. Sarni Pacha has been recalled from Candia. MARSEILLES, WEDNESDAY, Prince Napoleon and his bride arrived here at 1 o'clock this afternoon, and left again at 3 p.m. for Lyons. They have been received by immense crowds of the population. The Princess replied to an address of the muni cipality with much grace and promptitude, styling t-he members her " new fellow-citizens." The following telegrams have been received from Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, THURSDAY, FEB. 3. The .Monitcur of this morning contains the fol lowing : Their Imperial Highnesses the Prince and Princess Napoleon will arrive at three o'clock this afternoon at the Tuileries. A squadron of the cuirassiers of the Imperial guard will form the escort. Four batallions of the National guard, besides cuirassiers, voltigeurs, guards and dragoons, will be drawn up in double line to the Cour de Carrousel and the Tuileries. Their Imperial Highnesses will be received on their arriAl by the Emperor and the Empress. THE BRAZIL MAIL. LISBON, WEDNESDAY, Feb. 2, 9 A.3f. The Avon has just arrived, and will leave'for Southampton to-day at noon. She brings 68 pas sengers, £59,000 silver, and diamonds to the value of £31,000. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. BOURSE, Feb. 2.—The market has been steady, and with a slight rally on Rente, but a limited amount of business doing. The liquidation of the Share account has passed off with facility, and the rates of continuation are at par. Threes varied from 68f. 30c., to 68f. 40c. ; Mobilier, 780 f. to 782 f. 50c.; Lyons, 835 f. to 837 f. 506. ; Orleans, 1,320 f. to 1,322 f. 50c.; Southern, 520 f. to 522 f. 50c. The following were the last quotations:— 41 per Cents. .... 9& 75 Credit Fonder 650 Do. end month .. 97 Belgian 41, — 3 per Cents 6B 20 Piedmonteso (5) .. 84 50 Do. end month 6B 20 Roman BB Bank Shares 2940 Austrian Credit Mobilier .. 780 Spanish Threes Do. Account ..... 776 25 Home Debt 4O RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern 935 .. 930 New ditto BO5 .. 802 50 Lyons and Mediterranean 835 .. 832 50 New ditto • Geneva 555 .. 545 Midi — Southern Western 595 Eastern 675 .. 675 Grand Central — Sardinian Austrian Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 121 e. ; money, 25f. 10e.; three months, paper, 24f. 97Ae.; money, 24f. 95c. MOLDAVIA. A letter from Jassy, of the 23d ult., says : " Prince Alexander Couza has published a procla mation in which he promises to govern according to the constitution and the laws, in conformity with the oath which he has taken. The Assembly has granted to the Prince a civil list of 30,000 ducats, and a sum of 15,000 ducats for his ex penses of installation. His military household will be composed of only four aides-de-camp, while Prince Vogorides had not fewer than forty. A deputation of the Assembly and of the national guard will shortly proceed to Constantinople, to present an address of thanks to the Sultan. M. Negri, who is to form part of this deputation, has been named agent for Moldavia at the Sublime Porte, in the room of M. Photiades. The official nominations of the new Ministers are not yet known ; a report is current that the ex-caimakan M. Pano has been charged, in quality of Minister- President, to form a new Ministry. M. Hurmu - saki is mentioned for the Department of Justice; Lascar Rosetti, for Finance, M. Jean Canta cuzene, for Public Instruction ; and M. Alex andri will, it is said, retain the post of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. In consequence of ten elections having been disputed, that number of deputies will have to be re-elected. The Moldavian passports are made out in French and Italian, and have the heading of United Principalities. In the name of the reigning Prince Alexander Jean I." SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 29th ult. announce that two Neapolitan vessels of war, having on board Poerio and the other political exiles, arrived on the previous day in the roadstead of Cadiz, and " it is said," adds the semi-official Correspondancia Autografa, " that, by order of the Queen", all assistance required by the sad situation of the exiles has been accorded to them." The editor of the Discussion, the democratic journal, had been elected at Murviedo by a majority of 10. The responsible editor of the same journal has been condemned to pay a fine of 8,000 reals for the pub lication of an article on the Emperor of the French. Some changes had taken place among the higher officers of the royal household, but it was stated that they were not caused by political considera tions. The Correspondancia Autografa publishes a letter from Cochin China, which asserts that the Emperor of that country was so alarmed at the comet that he had fastened himself in a tower with poison and a cord, in order to put an end to his existence in the event of its causing any disaster BRAZIL.-CHANGB OF MINISTBY. A French clipper which left Rio de Janeiro on th© 18th of December, and has just arrived at Havre, brings news of the downfall of the Cabinet presided over by the Marquis of Olinda, and of the appointment of a new Administration composed as follows :—President of the Council and Minister of Navy, Viscount Abacte ; Minister of Interior, Chevalier de Macedo, ' late Minister in London ; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senhor Paranhos, who occupied the same position in the Parana Cabinet ; Minister of Justice, Senhor Nabuco ; Minister of Finance, Senhor Torres-Homer ; Minister of War, General Souza e Mello. The outgoing Cabinet was at its close very weak and unpopular, and the new combination was favourably regarded. As the Chambers do not meet until May, it will have ample time to prepare its policy. The new Minister of the Interior, M. de Macedo, was resident for several years at this Court, and is well known and highly esteemed in London. THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.—The directors of the South Devon Railway on Tuesday decided on recom mending a dividend of £1 108. per cent, per annum, on the consolidated stock, carrying over a balance of £2,382 to the current half-year. At the Plym out h ra il way stat i on t h e enlargement requisite for the traffic of the new lines pro ceeds rapidly. The rails are laid for the Cornish line to enter, and there is - to be a good refreshment room. PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL LITE ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION: The eighteenth annual general meeting of the members of this flourishing association was held last evening at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-stree t, for the purpose of receiving the annual report of the directors, and for the election of the new directors and auditors, in accordance with the rules of the se" ciety. There was a very full attendance. At five o'clock the chair was taken by R. Jones, Esq., chairman of the board of directors. The CHAIRMAN said the first thing he had to do was to call upon the secretary to read the advertise' ment convening the meeting. The SECRETARY (Mr. Linford) having read th e notice calling the meeting, submitted the directors annual report, as follows: " In presenting their 18th annual report of the afftr s ,?„ f the association, the board aro muc h gra tifi e d in being able to state that, notwithst an di ng th e compe titio n w hi c h est'," in life assurance business, the progress of the past year been highly satisfactory. Th e p ro p osa l s rece i ve d dull the year 1858 were 576 i n num b er , f or a total stnul £124,775; of which 478, f or £104,575, were completed; i° for £6,500, were declined; and 8, for £13,700, were deferred or withdrawn, and a ro now awa iti ng comp l e ti on . t he amount of new annual i ncome ar i s i ng f rom co mplete, £3 policies is £2,899 ss. 9d.- The total income of the yenr l6 0,878 4s. 3d. and the balance in favour of the association is £15,318 Os. dd. After paying upwards of £4,400 in ca sh bonuses, and proNiding for all known claims, the accural, lated fund is raised to £108,799 10s. 3d. It is satisfaetV to observe that the claims by d ea th con ti nue m oderate . 55 policies, amounting, with b onuses , to' £8 978 19s. have fallen in during the pa s t y ear ; w hil e the a , ant - an existing during that period have reached nearly one 11 2 4 ,1 - lion—the policies in force on the 31st December, being 5,082, for a gross sum of £960,775. At the r 1; quennial investigation into the business of the associa tls- to the 31st December, 1857, the report of the consultini actuary, Mr. Ratray, showed that a surplus of £10,895 115 ' been created by the five years ended as above, and that e a u t addition of 10 per cent. per annum could with per e t c safety be made to the policies entitled to partletPs; The profit realised would have admitted of a larger additi ° ; but the board were of opinion that it was desirable to resell a portion of the amount. In addition to the above, anct e i provision has been made for all participating policies effee.L., since Dec . 31, 1854. The balance-sheet, duly audited, n 0 been placed before the trustees, who expressed themselves much gratified at the continued prosperity of the associatioa. In conformity with Rule 10, the following directors reti re by.rotation, but, being eligible, offer themselves for re' -election, viz., Mr. Edward C o l eman , Mr. Sancton "W . ° ° ;" and Mr. Henry Rogers. The following gentlemen, dill qualified, have been proposed, in accordance with Rule in as auditors for the ensuing year, viz., Mr. James Rich% Lloyd, Mr. Francis Frederick Toole, and Mr. Cha rles 'Woolley. While congratulating the members on the gress that has been made, the board beg to renew M e _ urgent request that every member will, in his own endeavour to the extent of his power to promote still 1 11 , 1 : .ther the prosperity of this association by making known t h e advantages it offers a.s a well-established and mutual la assurance office to assurers of every class of society." t The CHAIRMAN said he need scarcely say th at he felt very great pleasure in meeting the men bete after the lapse of 12 months, and after the ve r t / favourable report which had just been detailed 0 them. There were, however, a few points in the balance sheet which he would notice, but in do nr i ll h so he should detain them only a f ew m i n utes. "P r first point was that the business of the past Ye a e was very nearly equal to that o f th e on e be for notwithstanding that in th a t year ,bth e e a large accumulation of busine ss from Another Electric Telegraph Company. (Hear,hear.) Anot;i o point was the number of new policies issued. In the year 1858 the average amount of each new Peu l w e ' r was £230, while in former years they had lie4 t exceeded .£l9O ; and that simple fact showed ti` ito their business was improving. Not only but others were daily joining the society, and t . te . circumstance could but give an increased stabil). He felt confident that the members generallii.ovo looking at the balance-sheet, would be of opio l that the society had made the. most of their inonelj while, on the other side, although the clainis'.ll„, been large, they had not exceeded the expectati ° _,' - ,of the directors. With respect to the expenditaiev.i, it would be seen that the directors had redo: t that item by £650 per annum. (Cheers.) P u r i although that had been done, he wished to guard members against the s u pp os iti on th a t th e direct () ; could, as a matter of cou rse , re d uce e very it which to some seemed unnecessary. If it W. O considered prudent by the board to risk a certs l o sum of money With a view to increase its busill e° 4 it was not fair uniformly to censure the board of loss occurred, for the members might I c , eo perfectly satisfied that nothing would be undertlif jo without a fair prospect of success. To say thai s f was satisfied with the result of the past year's 131.1 ,, ness would be to say that which he did not thi e te even if the business had increased twofold r, u should not be satisfied, so. he trusted that all P., e . - sent would still endeavour to make it go oninere; t l ing. The position the society had now attain...) was very high in the assurance world. ( Ilea c.) They had issued altogether since the corarae rice' : meat of the society, policies to the amount £1,250,000. (Hear, hear.) The amount noW o f force was £960,000, and they had a capitally £lOB,OOO. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) could confidently appeal to Mr. Ratray, actuary, whether they were not in a positron „pir 00 , meet all . their claims, which circumstance ilie c l testably proved the society to be in a sound "' l i e healthy position. Before he resumed his seat ad could not help alluding to a pamphlet that P . 4.4 been put into his hands , which contained statem e lt that were perfectly chimerical. (Hear, hear.) 00 was all very well for persons to write and is s li f such statements, but h e cou ld no t l oo k upoll i f i l such as friends of the i ns tit u ti on . (H ea r, 0 7i° If the author of that pamphlet h a d a tt en d e d at iivia office, he would have seen the secre t ary, who "We-fe have received him with co ur t esy, an d wou ld lin ; given him all the necessary info rma tion ta t him right on the points he had treated Of. ( A the pamphlet anoth er soc i e t y h a d been f b e up as a model for other societies to imitate ; gilt thought an unfair comparison had been mad e nu d tween the Provident Cl er k s ' A ssoc i a tion 4" o the one referred t o , f or th oug h b o th tu ioo associations had b een es t a bli s h e d i n the na year, the other had since accumulated g a d £22,000, whilst theirs had an invested fon u f he £lOB,OOO. - The ge n tl eman w h o h a d wr itten " 0 1 pamphlet had declared himself to have been og e ifo the first founders of the Provident Clerks' I t be Assurance Association, but that was not so l. fer, oo l gentleman had joined it 12 years after. The h a ls founders of the institution had started with " 1 , 0 1 higher and purer motives than their own per se „ - 0 t gain, and gave their own guarantee to the alli, e- re , of £5,000 against the risk of its being a fail (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He was, however, g m r to say that that gentleman had increased his P n i .'he last year, which showed that, however much night write against the institution, he had at i a . c ia .ute very great confidence in the manner in Wi n d its business was transacted. (Hear, hear, b eer taken laughter.) Then the subject of rent had v i e w . taken up by other parties, but he trusted that af t the manner in which the subject had been discus; te at former meetings the subject would be allowe d t o rest, because further discussion would tend to ere 9 false impressions on the public mind. (Hear, head He hoped that he had said no thi ng t h a t wo uld la displeasing to any individual present, and he We n conclude by moving the following resolution " That the report and balance-sheet now read 19 1 Viv ceived and adopted, an d th a t th e same b e pr i nte d an culated at the discreti on o f th e B oar d . " (L ou d c heers./ ; rs Mr. BELL said it wou ld a ff or d hi m much pleas to second the resolution. r° Mr. KINTREA c om pl a i ne d th a t th e diree t - o re ought to have don e more wor k, an d go t th e m 1 1 in than £2,500 worth of new b us i ness i n the 3, e o if especially as they were paid £BOO, or a bout . 1 ' the income of the company for their services. rg , Mr. WARWICK wa rm ly d e f en d e d th e direct° 0 and showed that, as compared with other ofge ea t l i e very surprising p rogress h a d b een ma d e by o f Provident Clerks. Had that been a meeting, a t persons ignorant o f fi g ures such. a comp l a i n t as t h a t of the last gentl e man might hav e p asse d ; but scP,,,, was to be said to a gentlemen who t o ld an rise bly of London clerks that £BOO was the half r £2,500 ? (Laughter and cheers.) It was not o , ll be third. But further, that £2,500 was simply new income. The gross income was £30,87 8 , °P o , the company was in a highly prosperous conditiere They were better off by £10,635 than they W, e a twelve months ago ; and h e fi rm l y believed tart(. would soon become one of the most successful in s tutions of the kind in England. c b' Mr. BELL said he had oft en re f err ed to this 1,-0t ject before, but lie could not h e l p repeating 'to £BOO a year was, in his opinion a very mode i r o r .. remuneration to the di rec t ors of an institution ilad ing such onerous duties, and the administratio n, so large an amou n t o f cap i tal. (Hear, hear.) regard to the directors exerting themselves , 0 1 thought it w as equa ll y the duty of every indivi‘" member to do his best for the general prosperitY; D o Mr. J. R. LLOYD thought the contents of pamphlet should be discussed then. Mr. KINTREA .denied having anything in with the pamphlet. it Mr. TOOLE hoped if the gentleman who wroteho was present, he would come fo rwar d an d s tate W e he was, and what he had t o com pl a i n o f. (T he was no response to this suggestion. Mr. LLOYD said with regard )to the diree die being overpaid, that underpaid ser v i ce s were dearest things that people could have. C h 0 ,'4 labour Was now all but discarded. It had itlf. been considered as worth next to nothing. the railway contractor, who took his own ~n accl ' oc into the provinces, and paid them a guinea a We to and upwards, when plenty of men would off en d a work for him at ls. a day. Whoever fon fl os l awyer ' s , - opinion Worth a st raw , w h en it 1 0 . given without a fee ?. (Laughter.) After e el menting at some length on Mr. Kintrea's realn• n ia Mr. Lloyd hoped that the Benevolent Fund Nv e ,.. - of not longer be charged with the he av y payment ha : 7 __