The Sun. — London, England, 1846-01-01 00:00:00

- r .0 0 14 26 TO • 3'l -- 3% -- 404 ..- 3l 4A NO' rwAl i a verof terfill Id th e )eting )bject! 3d ere 1 " lv ter! ropritv Ona the be pa nic shay este" !nt, rest _lir on F , n ON' la d )aid par' ' til Es tin the° ' '4 eett ;ade ° t tiooli wove' dines i rele he irre' guillt' ion t° ite' COURT CIRCU LA R. ViTygnsoa, WEDNEsoiv.—Tkie Q4'o7 and Prince Al bert promenade. - 1 in the vicinity of the Cstle precincts previous to his Royal Highness going out to shoot, ac eompanied.by the Earl of Lincoln, Sir Robert Peel, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and Lord Rivers, and at tended by Majur-General Sir Edward Bowater and Mr. Anson. The fineness of the weather this morning permitted the Royal Family to be taken for their early rides and walks in the pleasure -J-on-ids. The Right lion. Sir James and Lady Graham, and the Right lion. William Gladstone, arrived at the Castle to-day, on a visit to the Queen. The r3yal dinner party at ae Castle this evening will include her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Fanny Howard, and the Baroness de Speth. The band of the Grenadier Guards will attend duri-g dinner, and her Majesty's private band will afterwards attend at the Castle. Th. -eir Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George left to.vn for Coombe Wood, on a sho jog excursion, yesterday morning, returning to tLwn in the afternoon. The Right lion. W. E. Gladstone arrived in town yesterday morning from Hawarden Castle, Flintshire. The Right Honourable Gentleman left town in the after noon for Windsor Castle. Lord Granville Somerset arrived in town yesterday morning. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-ocfice for the Governors of New Zealand and Van Diemen's Land. ADELPHI THEATRE. Last evening a dramatic version of Dickins's Cricket on the Hearth was produced at this theatre, and with the most unequivocal success. It consti tuted the second piece in the evening's entertainment, following the excellent historical drama of The Lioness of the North, brought out a few nights ago. The piece was placed upon the stage in two acts, or "chirps," and is considerably shorter than the Lyceum version ; though the plot, the arrangement of the incidents, and the dialogue, are almost pre cisely the same. The condensation is a great im provement, and while no feature of importance is omitted, the interest of the piece is considerably heightened, as any tendency to flag that may have been observed at the Lyceum is entirely removed. The cast of characters was in the main excellent; in fact, we have seldom seen a drama better calculated to bring out the Adelphi talent. The rough, but warm-hearted carrier, John Peerybingle, was personated by Mr. 0. Smith—need 'we say that it would be difficult to find a better re rnerntative ? Mr. Lambert was Caleb Plummer, into P s l o a m y e d the part with very great effect, throwing e of the scenes considerable pathos and feeli ng, especially that in which he dispels the do mestic el ys i um he had endeavoured to create in the imagination of his blind daughter. Mr. Cullenford nsitardaen a resp ec t a bl e T ac kl eton ; an d the part of the ger, the son o f C a l e b f rom th e Golden South Mr.sey Americasib . The personation with great discrimination by early personation of servility in the part of the pi ece was an exceedingly good display of histrionic skill. Dot, as might be expected, was entrusted to Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and well did she pourtray the lively, bustling, yet deeply affectionate, carrier's wife. We have never seen this versatile and excellent actress to greater effect than in her assumption of this character. In the interview with her husband, which is to separate her under a false suspic'on from his hearth and twin e , the power and feeling she displayed drew tears from nearly every eye of a densely-crowded audience; while in the re-action that follows, the abandonment with which she gives herself up to joy, and the coy fondness with which she banters the rude, yet kind hearted carrier, while she disabuses his mind of all doubts and suspicions, were admirable, and dre w l ou d an d enthusiastic applause from every part of the house. Bertha, the blind girl, found an excellent representative in Miss Woolgar ; and Miss Taylor made a respectable May Fielding ; and Miss E. Chaplin was the fair and graceful Fairy Cricket of the Hearth. The scene in which the fairy appears to Peerybingle was well managed, the tableau called up to represent the domestic happiness of the now disconsolate husband, was beautifully effected, while the monitory passages put into the month of the spirit were delivered in a very clear and intelligent manner by the young lady in question. But it may be asked where was Wright? Why was he not cast in such a piece? Have patience, gentle reader ! so he was, and in the very quarter where he should be. The feminine graces and nursery skill of Miss Tilly Slowboy were entrusted to his care, the consequence of which was to keep the house in a continuous roar of laughter whenever he was on the stage. The dress, the manner, the action, and the barbarous jargon em pl o y e d t o soo th e an d lullaby the young Peerybingle, were all given in first-rate style. That which in other hands would have been a little and comparatively an unnoticed part, became in his hands one of the most remarkable and best ap plauded of the piece. The scenery and mountings of the drama were all that could be desired ; the interest never in the least flagged to the denouement ; and the curtain fell amidst a perfect whirlwind of applause, which the with whi c h t h e p i ece conc l u d e d, an d i n the Terpsi c h orean feats o f M r. W r i g ht are rather broadly brought out, having been rapturously encored. The piece was announced . for every even ing witho u t a single dissentient yAce. The Cr i cket on the Hearth is a decided hit, and will, we are sure, ior many a d a y s h ed the influence of its pure and healthy spirit on the frequenters of this popular place of amusement. LLOYD'S SHIPPING. LONDON, DEC. 31 . —Wind, pleasant breeze from the south and westward, and fine. DEAL, DEC. 3 0.—Arrd. John Dugdale, Kelleck, Singapore ; Mary Stewart, Renwick, Saldanha Bay, with loss of sails and jibboom ; Broad Axe, Newfoundland. Arrd. from the river, 'Malacca Shettler, Madras, &c. ; Tanka, Medainet, Rio Janeiro. The Borderer, Willis, from Shields to Aden, struck on the G oo d w i n Sands yesterday morning, but got off without apparent damage, and is now in the Downs. The Rapid, Th omas, from London to Jamaica, got on shore on the Muir near Dymchurch this morning, but was assisted off without apparent damage, and brought into the Downs. l'otrrssiount, DEC. 30.—The Taorwaldsen, Handguard, from Copenhagen to St. Thomas, was in contact 28th inst., Off Beachy Head, with the Aurora, from Riga to Bordeaux, latter cut through amidships and turned bottom up; crew, except one, saved. Former put in here with loss of sails, bowsprit, &c. Sournimrrox, DEC. 30.—The Transit steamer, arrived Isere from Havre, reports the supposed loss of the St. David steamer from Havre to Liverpool, the body of the engineer having been picked up, and. a trunk, known to have belonged to a passenger, also sundry cases forming part of cargo. NEWPORT, DEC. 30.—The Minerva, Rowland, laden with iron for Liverpool, broke adrift, and drove athwart the bridge and received damage. Will be surveyed. BIDEFORD, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Thre e B rot h ers, Quance, Prince Edward's Island. • 2B.—Arrd. Caroline, B reton, Prince lI AHACOMBE , DEC Edward's Island. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 30.—Wind N.W., a gale.—A rr d. Jose phine, China ; Palatine, Susan, Lady Flora Hastings, South-west Lo Wilde, Calcutta; t M o e t rT if a r i i t a; Madras; Laguina; I. Tura, Snow, New Orleans ' ; a C si liftop Orleans ; Raja, Eldridge, New Orleans ; . Walpole,lngeTS4,)lll,oNmeaws, Britan nia, Orlears ; Albania, Wise, Mobile; Eli Whitney, Dyer, Savannah ; Sarah and Arsilia, Balerman, Charleston ; Coulthart, St. John's, New Brunswick; Ann, llolt, John's, New Brunswick ; Indus, Strickland, Halifax ; Ann, Prince Edward's Island. Off port, Monmouth, New Orleans ; Tyron, Spear, Charleston. MARYPORT, DEC. 26.—Arrd. Hannah, Kenzall, Quebec. RAMSGATE, DEC. 30.—Th* Oceano, Lauri, from St. Pe• tersburgh to Naples, and the Eugenio, from Newcastle to Messina, which put in here yesterday, have become very leaky. DUNGENESS, DEC. 29.—The bodies of three men have been picked up here, and part of a vessel is on shore to the west ward. A great deal of wreckage was passed on the 28th. A ship's register, No. 109.141, issued at Newcastle, bearing the signature of John Oliver, PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 29. has Th b e ee N n picked up here. _ on Point Beech, but it expected ~ o rtoo n f f, Jnoehxntson flood,, got on without shore damage. LrvanFooE, DEC. 30.—The Ilectorine, Graham, from Drumore to this port, was driven h inst.; mate d rowned. The Richard, of thisore a p t or F t, o f r r nby 27th from i la dlas, is on th e rocks St the back of the Hilabre Island crew saved. LONDON, DEC. 3 1.—Th e brig Eliza, of Newcastle,supposed to have been commanded by Captain Oliverr oCaptain Fleming, ran on shore ott Jury's Gap station, nett:. Folkestone, 28th inst., and became a wreck ; crew supposed to be drowned. A ship's spare topmast, painted lead-colour, length 40 feet, and diameter 14 inches, was picked up 25th inst., off Folke stone, and a wreck, apparently of a brig, was fallen in with, floating en her broadside, top side painted with a broad white streak and large black ports, South Foreland, bearing N.N. by N. 9. THE PRINCESS ALICE. The report of he Princess Alice steamerhav in g against the Mo!e, t and recei ve d cons iderable damage, ha s s t b ru e c e k n contradicted. It appears she struck the No liveslVestwerePier, o lost damaged he r starboard paddle-wheel only. :LOSS OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT STEAMER PAPIN. in addition to the particulars previously given respecting t the melancholy loss of th e a b ove vessel, the following ex of a letter from Lloyd's agent at Gibraltar will be in teresting : "It ;Appears there has been a dreadful sacrifice of lives; and "132°') gst the d rowned are the new French Consul for Mog a d ore two passengers, an d a ll the officers except one midshipman; seventy-seven i n all, Many were, however , saved by the laudabr . 7.eal_of Mr. Alexander British-Vice-C onsu l at M .g.rran under a,: n, l h t o ed m in t a h n e , acting - rran, under whom the Moore acted in a praiseworthy and human: Tn " TOTAL LOSS OF THE ENGLISii. S CHOONER DYNAMENE. The Admiralty have forwarded a dispatch to Lloyd's, corn- rnunicating the total loss of the above vessel, on a sunken rock, off I 'ock Ces s , on t h e 13th of September last. The c rew, after receiving some cruel tre a t ment f rom, and plun- dered by the n atives, were a t l as t a ll owed to depart, and were taken on board the Australian, where they 'received ev ery Possible kindness ; and, subsequently, the protection of her Majesty's ship Lily, C. W. Newton, commander. LOSS OF THE ELIZA. AND NANtAr OF DART MOUTH AND THE SYMMETRY, OF SUNDERLAND, AND STRANDING OF THE HAIDEE, OF LEITH. A dispatch received at Lloyd's, from the Foreign-office, contains particulars of the above three vessels having gone on shore oil the Island of Gothland and Faro. Crews saved. Part of the cargo of the former expected to be saved, but vessel a total wreck. The Haidee would undergo repairs. 111 Syrnmetry remained on. a dangerous reef, and no part of CUP Likely to be saved. ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE NATIONAL MERCANTILE ASSURANCE The anniversary festival' of the National ?ler -cant;le Assurance Asscciation took place on Tuesday evening, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, .+ illeoxson, Esq., in the chair. Among those present we ebserved—W.Nicholson, Esq., on the right of the chairman, and Mr. Alderman Sidney on his left ; Geo. Moore, Esq., W. Lawson, Esq., Edward Baker, Esq., Giles Redrnayne, Esq., Geo. Cursharn, M.D., Chas. Ray, Esq., D. hull, Esq., Murdo Young, Esq., David Waddington, Esq., John Bragg, Esq., Edward Perkins, Esq., J. R. Cuffley, Esq., John Stoker, Esq., E. Stockdale, Esq., Jam( s Walsh, EFq.; R. J. Mullidge, Esq., M'Cul loch, Esq., J. P. Massey, Esq., J. W. Brookes, Esq., A. D. Cuffley, Esq., W. H. Smith, Esq., A. Wilson, Esq., &c. The company began to assemble at five o'clock, and shortly after that hour about 200 gentlemen sat down to a dinner, which included all the delicacies of the season, and which was put upon the table in the best style of those first-rate caterers, Messrs. Bathe and Breache. The wines, too, were of excellent quality, and were supplied without stint. Messrs. Ilobbes, Hatton, Hawkins, Machin, and Master Norman were the vocalists (Mr. Hatton presiding at the pianoforte), and Toole, the Toole, was the toast-master, and, as such, surpassed all his former doings as master of the revels. The cloth having been withdrawn, and the " Bene dictus " having been sung by the vocalists, The CHAIRMAN rose, and said that he had to pro pose as a toast the "Health of the Queen."—(Cheers.) He was sure it was needless for him to say anything more, for that was a toast that, in every assembly, must be received with affection and loyalty. Drunk, upstanding, with three times three. Air— " God save the Queen. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the "Health of Prince Albert."—(Cheers.) He thought her Majesty might he justly said to have been most fortunate in hav ing allied herself with a prince whose conduct, since his arrival in this kingdom, had been such as to secure to him the good opinion of the public at large.—(Loud cheers.) Drunk with with three times three. Glee—" Albert, hail." The CHAIRMAN had next to propose the "Health of that illustrious lady, the Queen Dowager," whose many private virtues, as well as her great public benevolence, had won for her the esteem of all classes of the community. With the health of the Queen Dowager, he begged to couple that of " the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." Drunk with three times three. Madrigal— is Sylvia ?" The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, I am now about to propose a toast of great national importance—" The Army and Navy of England." I think it may be fairly said that to these great branches of the public service the country is indebted for much of its great ness in the scale of nations, and for much of its commercial prosperity.—(Cheers.) It is owing to the exertions of these services that our ships are found in every port, bearing to us the fruits of the industry of every clime, and that Britannia rules triumphant o'er the waves.—(Cheers.) War, with its attendant horrors, is ever to be deprecated (Cheers) -- and I trust that the day is far distant when this country shall be compelled to have recourse to arms to defend our national rights and our national honour.—(Loud cheers.) But I do think that it is to our army and our navy in a great degree that we are indebted for the long and happy peace which this country has enjoyed, and by which each man has been enabled to sit under his own vine and his own fig-tree, none daring to make him afraid. Drunk with three times three. Grand chorus — "To arms," which was rapturously encored. The CHAIRMAN then said—Gentlemen, it is now my pleasing duty to propose to you a toast in which you are all much interested. I think it may be said to be the one that has brought together this evening this very large and very respectable company. lam sure that you have already anticipated me, and therefore I give at once " Prosperity to the National Mercantile Assurance Society."--(lmmense cheering.) Through your kindness last year I had the honour of filling the chair at your annual festival, and it was my duty to give you something like an account of the rise and progress of this Society, of the difficulties which we had encountered— of the fiery ordeal through which we had passed—the tempest in which we had been tossed and buffeted, and which, at one time, almost threatened the dissolution of the Society. But now a more pleasing task devolves upon me— thanks to the moderation, temper, firmness, and de termination of a little band of your Directors, only three in number, who stood up for what they Con sidered the defence of your rights and liber ties (Immense cheering) -- against a fearful majority of the then board of Directors we have been enabled to overcome every difficulty, and to hand over to you, your society uninjured and unimpaired. —(Loud cheers.) It is therefore my pleasing duty this evening to endeavour to present to you something like a sketch of our present position, and of our future prospects.—(Cheers.) Early in this year the Directors called the Proprietors together to exercise one of the most important privileges with which they are invested, the election •of four gentlemen as Directors. You were then pleased to elect four gentlemen as Directors, and I congratulate you on your choice, for by that elec tion you obtained the services of men of sterling worth, high business character, and unblemished reputation.—(Cheers.) At that meeting it was re solved that a further increase in the number of shares should take place, and, in consequence, your Di rectors have, since that time, issued 10,000 addi tional shares, the whole of which have been eagerly taken up.— (Cheers.) It is gratifying to me to state that we consider this as a great step gained, inasmuch as it will add to our stability in the public estima• tion, by increasing our pledged capital. (Hear, hear.) This has not been a year in which life as-urance associations have in general experienced very great successes. This is to be attributed to the large speculations which, during the first nine months of the year, were made in railway shares. The public mind seemed to be so absorbed in railway matters, that the still more important subject of life insurance was neglected. Things, however, have now come round to their usual channels, and life insurance associations have so progressed within the last three months, that, judging from our own experience, taking all things into consideration, I think that life insurance companies have reason to be satisfied. I now come to an important part of the business of the evening. You know that it has been determined by our constitution that periodically the Directors should proceed to make a division of the profits of this Society. The year 1846 is one of the periods fixed for that division. It is my gratifying and pleasing duty to be able to inform you that our funds, in con sequence j re i whose in devoting of the exertions of our actuary (Mr. usualtimeaexertionslto o t have y been ou r service great indeed, many snore particularlyhours after c of business, sin u e so ssihdaeveelabree to been placed edin suchh e a r the t, position. pro prietors and policy-hold ers a most liberal bonus.— This is neither the time nor th e p l ace to enter ( e into further details on this subject but I feel called upon to say that I feel confident that the bonus which we shall be able to declare, must and will be highly satisfactory to all.—(Loud cheers.) To our com mercial friends I would say, that I hope that they will be stimulated to make exertions during their journies through the length and breadth of the land —to interest their friends and customers in our be half as far as they can do it.—(Cheers.) Their hearts are with us.—(Cheers.) I know they will do their utmost.—(Loud cheers.) Before I sit down I may be permitted to say that the Directors have long felt the want of larger premises, in which to conduct the business of this Society. We have long been seeking for premises in some leading thorougifare, such as we ought to possess, but, owing to the many public companies which have recently started, land lords have asked exorbitant rents, and we have ex perienced considerable difficulty in procuring premises which will suit us ; but through the exertions of our Directors we have at length been enabled to procure eligible premises, which we hope to occupy in the course of a few months. They stand in the Poultry, with a frontage in Charlotte-row, and when we get there I doubt not that we, with your zealous co-operation, shall make this society what we all wish it to be—one of the first in the city of London. The toast was then drunk with three times three. Oh, if there's a pleasure," beautifully sunAg by i r .is Nr. IL c l u . o l. l. l. s o o b N b Hobbes, an e , tp d thu ro en udo s f ia t s h ti e ca h ll o y encored. Mr. had been Conferr e d upon him, in having the proposal of a toast e ntrusted to im but he was sorry it had not f allen into more re able hands, see ing as he did, ar oun d h i m so who were so much better able many gentlemen g it en j t u le st m ic e e n . The toast he had to propose was " The Commercial Travellers of the United. liin g d om e He had him self for many years the honou r of belonging to that important, energetic, and noble class of men. For forty years of his life ho had be en one of that great and important body ; but he belie ved that in his time the body of commercial travellers had not possessed one-ha it now :. no situation In life requiri ng possessed. There ss - the energy and impo r ta nc e which . 41,r of a commercial more energy and decision than - , der traveller. They were required to exercise so judgment and greater zeal to fulfil their duties pro perly than any other class of men were called on to exert. It had been his happiness to belong to their body for many years, although for the last eight or nine years he had retired f.om public business as a commercial traveller. But his former experience justified him in saying that they were a most impor tant body—the representatives of the. commercial world. There was no class of men th-oughout this kingdom who ought to occupy a more important "Who situation in society thin the commercial travellers. There were no men who had greater opportunities of ascertaining the general opinions of the country, and there were no men who were more called upon to exercise a knowledge of human character.— (Cheers.) It was the first duty of a commercial traveller to look scrupulously to the characters of those on whom he called, that he might know whom to trust and whom to avoid. No class possessed a greater influence than the class of gentlemen whom he had the honour of addressing.—(Hear.) Through out their peregrinations they were looked up to as men of superior information, and as exercising an in fluence on society which in general exceeded that of any other class.—(Cheers.) He believed that they were all willing to exercise that influence on behalf of this Society, and therefore he would not detain them longer, but would at once call upon them to drink the toast.—(Cheers.) The toast was then drank with three times three. Mr. CUFFLEY, in rising to return thanks, campli mented his brother travellers on seeing so many men o 1 influence assembled around there.—(Cheers.) Ile was delighted that the toast to which he had to re spond had been proposed by Mr. Nicholson, a gentle man who had been known upon the northern road for years, and who on that road, by his exertions in behalf of his employers, had always been an example for all commercial travellers, both old and young. In proposing the toast, Mr. Nicholson, as one of the Directors, had been pleased to say that they were a powerful body. He (Mr. C.) believed that they were a powerful body, and he felt assured that they were willing to exert all their power in promoting the prosperity of the National Mercantile Life As surance Association.—(Cheers.) He believed that the Society was greatly indebted to the commercial travellers, who had not only insured their own lives in it, but had induced their customers and friends to become its supporters.—(Cheers.) In fact such Was the power of the commercial travellers, that if they embarked in any enterprise with energy and zeal, it was impossible for them not to succeed.— (Loud cheers.) As an illustration cf this, he would mention that the friends of this Society had endea voured to establish a school for the education of the orphan children of commercial travellers. Four gen tlemen had come forward, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Carter, Mr. Jones, and himself, with their subscription of ten guineas each in support of this school. He had said that if 100 gentlemen would come forward with 10 guineas each, the school could be established. His scheme had been treated as chimerical. But what was the fact ? Instead of 100, they had obtained 250 sub scribers at 10 guineas each.—(lmmense cheering.) He would not now appeal to them in behalf of that school, altheugh he knew if he were to do so, that he should obtain a great surn.—(Loud cheers.) But lie would say, that he thought those who had origi nally set this school on foot were entitled to the praise of their brother travellers—(Cheers)—and he hoped they would show that they appreciated the exertions which had been made by subscribing liberally to the school fund.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. ROBERTS rose to propose the health of the Chairman. He wished 'that the duty of proposing that gentleman's health had fallen into abler hands ; still, he would do his best to express his feelings respecting the excellent character of that gentleman.—(Cheers.) On every occasion on which he had come in contact with him, he had experienced the greatest kindness. All that he (Mr. Roberts) had seen of Mr. Wilcoxson showed that he had the best interests of the Society at heart.—(Cheers.) If the commercial travellers would do their duty, as Mr. Wilcoxson had done, their success would be placed beyond the possi bility of retrogression. However flattering it might seem to Mr. Wilcoxson, it was his (Mr. R.'s) duty to inform them that had it not been for his firmness, energy, and perseverance, the Society would not have been in existence now.—(Bear, hear.) He only men tioned these things to remind them of the obligations they were under to their chairman.—(Hear.) Under these circumstances he had very great pleasure in proposing the health of that gentleman, and he was sure they would receive it with warmness and enthusiasm. Before sitting down, he would refer to one pleasing incident of that day's proceed ings. It was in reference to the school. They had laid the foundation of what would yet prove one of the best schools in the country, and hundreds of children yet unborn would have reason to bless them for the establishment of that important institution. It would enable parents to procure a good education to their of spring, however much they might be afflicted with disease or impoverished in circumstances. Without further trespassing upon their attention, he would propose " The health of their excellent Chair man, Mr. Wilcoxson."—(Loud cheering.) The toast was drank in the most enthusiastic man ner, and accompanied with every demonstration of respect. _ _ The CHAIRMAN then rose to return thanks, and was greeted with renewed and most enthusiastic bursts of applause. When silence was restored, he said—l rise, under feelings of great excitement, to express thanks for the very kind and enthusiastic manner in which you have noticed me, and to say how exceed ingly gratified I am at the warm and cordial manner in which you have received the mention of my name. Were any further inducement re quired to stimulate me to greater exertion in your service, such a striking manifestation of your feeling and respect would be an additional incitement. You all well know the position I have occupied in this life assurance company. It has been till within the last twelve months often of a mixed and painful cha racter. There has been much to encounter, much to endure ; still, the strong and undeviating sup port of two of my brother directors, Giles Redmayne, Esq., and Edward Baker, Esq., who, with a large majority of the proprietors, supported me, and en dowed me with sufficient moral courage to stand by the interests of the company, to fight its battle and to obtain the victory.—(Loud cheers.) As long as I possess the confidence of the proprietors, so long shall I employ every exertion to improve the condition and advance the solid interests of this assurance society, and I am proud in the result of this day, when I see ranged around me at this friendly board so many of my friends among the commercial travellers. — (Cheers.) lam certain, with the gigantic efforts you have made, and with what we are yet able to accomplish, we must and shall command every success that is de sirable. Thanking you for the kind wishes you have expresssed, in return I beg leave to drink all your very good healths. The Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud and general applause. Glee—" The Chough and Crow. Mr. WADDINGTON then rose to propose the health of the Directors. He regretted that some other party had not been entrusted with the toast who would have done it greater justice. Still, when called upan to speak, he was much gratified in having to appear before that as sembly to propose such a toast. He would not detail the reasons why they should respond to it, as he was sure, when he told them it was a vote of confidence in the management, it would be quite sufficient. From what he knew of the past circumstances of the Company, he, as one, must say the Directors were entitled to support, and that the meeting ought, as a mark of respect, to drink their healths in a bumper toast.—(Cheers.) If they considered the onerous positions those gentlemen occupied, the attention they had bestowed in conducting this public i s n o s e t i e i t t u y t , i o h n e , w i n u s conjunctionwerewith n t i t t h l e e d i rt to s e t v a e n r d y i nin m g a r k of consideration and respect. When they found a gentleman among them so highly respected as the Chairman, along with those by whom he was sur rounded, and when he (Mr. Waddington) told them, also, that that gentleman was a man who had risen from the ranks, and had led an active and useful life for forty years, he was proud to have that oppor tunity of calling upon them to honour the toast he was about to propose. Looking to what the society had been, and to what it now was, and well knowing what life insurance companies ought to be, they would perceive the great obligations they were under to the Directors. He had most sincere pleasure in propos ing " the Health of the Directors," and hoped they would find the amplest support from the Proprietors in carrying out the good work in which they were engaged. The toast was drank with all the honours. Mr. GILES REDMAYNE, returned thanks. He said that Mr. Alderman Sidney, who had been entrusted to respond to the toast, having been obliged to leave, he (eh. Redmayne) was called upon to reply, and he would not, therefore, shrink from the duty. He was not prepared to say much on behalf of the board after the excellent speeches which had been deli vered ; but this he must say, that with his friend, Mr. Wilcoxson, he had stuck well to the ship —(Loud cheers) —and had got her under fair sail again. They had left their adverse gales behind, and found the vessel under fair sailing, and with few con trary winds.—(Cheers.) He had great gratification in meeting them that night, and felt deeply interested in the interest and welfare of the soc;ety. He be lieved the Directors had done their best to advance the interests of the whole body. There was another point to which he would refer. It was the school. It would be most gratifying for them to know, that in the event of their death, their children would be well provided with the elements of know ledge, or if they did not secure these advantages to their own offspring, they would at least be secured to the children of the widow and the orphan. — (Cheers.) They did not live for themselves alone, for m bu o t rep:: ra l7 benefit of others; and what could be worthy than to provide those with know ledge who were not able to provide it for themselves. Shouldosctheira s o c z l families not require the advantages of they were establishing, if any of their brethren should die, and leave a widow with a ranailv, it was a very easy thing to subscribe u6vgir,ide ci a which the children so left ft in Zutl y be enabled to enjoy the blessings of CdUeatiori.—(Loud cheers.) lift was not prepared to Illtiiio a lonF speech, and would, THE SUN. LONDON, THURSDAY 141ORNING. JANUARY L 1846, therefore, sit down, by expressing how highly gra t fled he was at the manner in which his health and that of his brotllrr Directors had been drank. Sorg, by Mr. Havvicins—' born." The spot where I was The CHAIRMAN said—lt was now with great pleasure that he introduced to their no:ice a toast—it was "The Health of their Actuary, Mr. Jones." In doing so, with their permission, he would briefly explain the circumstances which led to the introduction of Mr. Jones as the actuary of that Society. The Directors were looking round to find a gentleman to fill that important situation ; and, in order to obtain one with the necessary qualifications, advertisements were inserted in the public newspapers. The result was a wonderful number of applications, and, amongst them, one from Mr. Jones. He (the Chairman) was one of the committee appointed to receive applications,_ and examine testimonials, and in that committee there was but one opinion that the testimonials of that gentleman were pre-eminently above those of any other. Tile committee, therefore, came to the unanimous decision, that he was the most fit party to undertake the duties of the office of actuary. That duty he had discharged with the greatest ability and energy. His talents were of the highest order, and always at the disposal of the Direc tors. He (the Chairman) was always pleased to say that that gentleman enjoyed the un bounded support and confidence of the ly)ard. He would hot occupy their time any further, but call upon them to join with him in drinking the health of Mr. Jones.— (Loud cheers.) Mr. JONES said he could not help feeling much gratified at the very kind and handsome manner in which their Chairman had made reference to his abilities. He could only assure them that his desire, on all occasions, had been to for ward, in the best manner, the objects of the society. When they were not in so good a position as they were now, he had stood by the Chair man, at the risk of losing his position, in defence of their rights and interests, and he was pleased that ciscumstances now showed the policy of the course then taken. After the able and flattering address of their Chairman in explanation of the affairs of the society, he had little to say. Still to one point he would make reference. From his position lie was enabled to say the bonus to the Proprietors would be very consider able; in fact, the position of their affairs was far better than it had ever been before. If they had accomplished the great end—a good bonus—with all the difficulties they had to contend against ; if the vessel had sailed so well under adverse winds, what might they not accomplish with the winds in their favour?—(Cheers.) It was the source of great satisfaction to him to think that he stood so high with the Chairman and Board of Directors, and that a new Board of Directors ; and it was to him, too, a cause of much pleasure to think that he commanded the respect of so wealthy and influential a body as the gentlemen by whom he was surrounded—(Hear, hear)—gentlemen who re presented in an eminent degree the wealth and in fluence of this great nation. If they wanted any evidence of the wealth and public spirit of the commercial travellers, they had amply given it that , day in the steps taken to establish a school.—(Loud cheers.) 'While that institution was understood to be entirely distinct from the assurance society, he need not say that the members of the latter ought to give it every assistance in their power. They ought to be the first to give it their support, and that he was sure they would fully and effectually render.—(Loud cheers.) In fact, they had given an evidence of that already. He would conclude by thanking them most kindly for the honour they had done him in drinking his health.—(Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN, in the absence of Mr. Wilson, who had been deputed for the purpose, proposed the next toast, " The auditors, solicitors and medical officers of the society." I'he sincere thanks of all were due to them for the valuable assistance they had rendered the institution. To the auditors they were indebted for the careful examination into their finan cial affairs, by which they were placed in possession of most excellent accounts ; to the medical officers, for the great ability displayed in the selection of lives to be assured ; and to their worthy solicitors fur the discretion they had evinced in keeping them out of litigation, and consequently of expense.—(Cheers.) He hoped the company would excuse his joining the names of these gentlemen together in the present toast, as they ought, had the evening not been so ad vanced, have been given separately. Without further comment, he would propose the healthy of the audi tors, medical officers, and solicitors of the society.— (Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the honours, and amidst great applause. Comic song, by Mr. Hatton—" There was a little man dressed all in green." Mr. STOCKDALE ((Nag of the auditors) responded to the toast. It gave HlWgreat pleasure to possess that opportunity of returning thanks on behalf of the auditors of the society. He did so, and he believed he spoke their sentiments when he said that, however much their labours might be enlarged by the increase of applications, they did not care so long as it led to the extension and prosperity of the society.—(Loud cheers.) He was well satisfied that the new year would bring with it an increase of business, and he knew the feelings of the two auditors so well as to say, if it did so, it would give them, independent of any extra exertion, the greatest pleasure and gratification. The affairs of that society required industry and vigilance in the auditors, and should their increasing business require that more time and labour should be devoted than had hitherto been, he should be most willing to devote that extra time and labour to it, so as to have the work efficiently done.—(Cheers.) They would not require any more observations from him. He could only say, that in his humble capacity of an auditor of the society, he returned his most sincere thanks. On looking around him he recog nised many old associates, as well as many that were new to the institution, and he could assure them that by the exhibition of industry and perseverance on their part, before the next annual meet ing took place, such additions would be made to their numbers, as would prove to the world that the commercial travellers of this country were really a powerful and influential body of men.—(Cheers.) For himself and brother auditor, he would say nothing should be wanting on their part to forward the in terests of the society. He had nothing further to add but the declaration that they would do their duty if the members of the institution did theirs.—(Loud cheers.) With regard to the solicitors, he would say they had fought well for the society's interests ; and the attention of the medical officers had been careful and undivided to its affairs. It therefore afforded him much pleasure in returning sincere thanks on their part, as well as for himself and brother auditor. Song, by Mr. Machin—" Down among the dead men." Mr. MOOSE said that he had now the pleasing duty to propose " The health of the Vice-Presidents, and he felt proud in being allowed to do so in that convivial company. They were gentlemen who had paid great attention to the affairs of the society, of much perseverance, capacious intellect, and undoubted benevolence.—(Cheers.) The previous speakers had so fully explained the affairs of the society, in con nexion with its officers, that all that he cuuld do was, to propose " The Healths of the Vice-Presidents, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Millidge, and Mr. Roberts, and long life to them."—(Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk with great applause, and with all the honours. Mr. BROOKS responded. He thanked them for the _ flattering compliment paid to his brother vice-pre sidents and himself in the kind and handsome - manner in which their names had been received. For himself, he felt not only deeply complimented, but, h e must say, pleased and gratified in no ordinary degree, in sitting under so able and efficient a chairman.--(Cheers.) He considered it was the proudest moment of his life, the becoming a member of such a society. It was the first time he had been there, and it was the source of no ordinary gratification his being placed under so good and valuable a chairman; so much more so when asso ciated with men of intellect, and worth such as those they had connected his name with, and such were, he was proud to say, those engaged in commercial pursuits, whom he saw around him.--(Cheers.) If he had any sincere friends, or even foes, in the world, he could not wish a greater gratification to the one, or punishment to the other, than being present that night and witnessing that scene. Their ship, as had been told them, was going steadily forward, it was sailing well, and there was every in dication of its soon reaching the haven of complete success.—(Loud cheers.) It would be imprudent on so much had been said. It his wa s part t ttoi necessary ar more,y fo r after present was deeply interested in—the prosperity of the National Mercantile Assurance Association.— s f h t i e t r n to repeat that which every (Hear, hear.) In the name of the vice• presidents he concluded by returning them his sincere thanks. Song, Mr. Hatton—Mock Italian bravura. Mr. LAWSON rose to propose a toast. He was sure that every one who had partaken of the delightful entertainment provided for them must have felt grate ful ; and if any additional proof were wanting to show what their commercial friends could do, that ,proof had been furnished in the present festive board. Feeling much gratified and pleased at the entertain ment provided, and of course with those who had so amply attended to their wants, he proposed the health of the stewards. Though it might be con sidered invidious to mention any one in connexion with the toast, still he could not avoid naming Mr. M'Culloch.—(Cheers.) He gave, therefore, " The health of Mr. M'Culloch and the stewards." Tile toast was drunk with loud and general ap plause. Mr. M'CuLLoca said he was exceedingly pleased 4t the manner in which the toast had been received by the meeting. He knew of no class that better understood what a good dinner was than the com mercial travelleTs, Among the stewards the poipt sug gested was, what sort of a - dinner should they have, and they all agreed a first-rate one. Such a dinner he hoped they haibeen supplied with.—("Yes, yes," and loud cheers.) The next matter was the music, and the first professional gentlemen were secured. He hoped on that point, likewise, they were satisfi ad —(" Yes, yes.") He hoped they had all been satisfied with the entertainment provided.—(Loud cries of " Yes, yes," "AU, all," and general cheer ing.) If they were all satisfied, he was pleased and delighted; and he would further say. that in what ever position they night think fit to place him, how ever humble the appointment might be, his services would be at their disposal. (Loud cheers.) Chorus—" When the wind blows." Mr. CUFFLEY rose and said—l hare great pleasure in informing the meeting that Mr. Edward Baker, of the firm of Baker and Ward, Bouverie-street, is the first volunteer of 100 guineas for the establishment of a school.—(This announcement was received with tremendous cheering.) Mr. F. STaaa was next called on for a toast, and spoke to.the following effect :—I may safely say that I feel myself in quite the same position as some other gentleman who have addressed the meeting ex - pressed themselves—wh en Isay I wish the toast I am about to propose had been placed in other hands who would have been better able to do it justice. I regret having volunteered to introduce the toast, not from any want of appreciati•,n of the great power of which it is the subject, hut of my want of ability to place it in its proper light before you. I would not have so felt had the toast only referred to the National Mercantile Assurance Company, but it is one of the greatest importance, connected as it is, not only with the country at large, but with every other similar society to the present throughout the extent of the land.—(Cheers.) S) satisfied am I of its mag nitude and importance that, like Frankenstein, lam frightened at the task I have undertaken. The toast I h in a t v o e a e to c o p u r o n p t o t s h e e , e g ff e e n e t l t e s m p r e o n d , u i s " e ea lhe p in' ther countryess,' a ' nt d by a kin it g it must command our fullest homage and respect. — (Cheers.) The subject lam free to confess, however, is one which leaves me without words to express what I really think in reference to it ; nay, I very much doubt whether I am justified in entering into the sub ject, and anticipating a gentleman who is to rise after me, and who is more competent to do it justice than I possibly can.—(Loud cheers.) Still, I may say, no one more than myself is disposed to pay homage to the intelligence and power of the press ; and there is no body of men that owe more to it than such as I see around me. I do not say that you are much indebted to it on your own behalf for the sup.. port of your Life Assurance Society, but, indirectly, you are under much obligation to it—not only to the Great Thunderer of Printing-house-square, but to your facetious frieni Punch; the whole press, from the one to the other of these, through all its interme diate stages, declares that life assurance is a good thing.—(Cheers.) On all occasions the principle of life assurance has had the benefit and support of its influence.—(Hear, hear.) Six years ago we could not exhibit to the world such an . association as the present ; but the press showed the way and assisted and cheered us, guiding us by its intelli gence and advice, until we have become successful.— (Cheers.) No one more than myself admires the in tellect and industry that characterises the conductors of the press, and none is disposed to pay it greater consideration and respect, as a powerful moral engine for elevating, improving, and guiding public opinion. Gentlemen, in conclusion, I beg leave to propose— " The Press, and long life to those who direct and sway its pages, and whose labours regulate and govern the feelings of the country."—( The toast was received and drunk with loud and long continued cheering.) Mr. MURDO YOUNG rose and said—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I will not detain you long in the observations lam about to make. I feel great plea sure at the high character which the gentleman who has just addressed the meeting has given the press. The public press, like Joseph's coat, is made up of many colours, or, I may rather say, of many opinions, but in the main I believe those opinions to be honest, and that they have a virtuous and benevolent tendency. We are—in the words of the poet— " Brethren in arms, but rivals in renown." The feeling of those connected with the public press is to do good, and to advance, as far as in tlem lies, the general interests of society. They do not pro fess to be superior to their fellow-men, but they say what they think, freely, independently, and with the best intentions. The press is the great mirror of public opinion—it reflects its hopes and fears. Perhaps it foreshadows too truly the conse quence of coining events, but in the main it is a friend that may be trusted. To have an honest press, the people must themselves be honest.—(Cheers.) We think deeply and, it may be, correctly on many questions, but you think on a greater variety of subjects, and are well qualified on many of these to set us right, from your more intimate knowledge of all their various bearings. In this spirit the gentle men connected with the press are ever ready and happy to learn the opinion of parties experienced in the several walks of business with which they are connected, Much is said of the power of the press, but in reality the press has no power but in the conscience of the people. The people think much the same as the press, and when the press comes out publicly with their private thoughts, they give the press credit for divining too happily their own very abstruse medi tations. But there is no wonder in that after all—for "What can we reason but from what we know?" and the public press is but the pulse of public opinion —it beats quick or slow, as the temperature of the mind or the body politic may indicate. You may, per haps, recollect the observation of a Dutch Minister— De Witz, I think—who said to his son, " Go and travel, and see what the world is ;" and the young gentleman went, but he went in an easy chair, saw people disguised like himself, and he returned, like Captain Cook's celebrated cow, which had travelled all round the world, but came back as wise as when it set out.—(Cheers and laughter.) But if that old gentleman lived at the present day, I am sure he would say to his son, should he wish him to possess an efficient knowledge of society, " Go ' and become a British commercial traveller.—(Loud cheers.) You will then see the world as it really is, in its manifold phases and conditions," and— " Survey mankind from China to Peru." —(Cheers.) Gentlemen, you have said that the press represents public opinion—so it does. It reflects the feelings and sentiments of society as water reflects the rays of the sun.—(Loud cheers.) Commercial travellers go everywhere—east, west, north, and south, and if a war were to break out, I am sure they would make an excellent army of observation.—(Cheers.) They, indeed, are the true interpreters of public opinion, whether they go through the extent of Yorkshire or Lanca shire, or throughout the wilds of Scotland ; wherever they go they are the men to ask what is the state of opinion upon any question. I have heard with great ple.. sure a gentleman who has addressed the Meeting refer to that glorious institution you have just established—the School.—(Cheers.) Careful as you have been in building up your Assurance Society, and provident as are the objects it has in view, there is something still beyond that which is required—something to which you can, as hus bands and fathers, look to, as conferring a benefit on your children—(Loud cheers)—as a means of providing elements of knowledge to the youthful mind— "To teach the you:lg idea how to shoot," by the success of your own bright example, the ad vantages of such a school cannot be too highly esti mated. It is an institution which, in addition to the Assurance Society with which you are connected, or rather an emanation of your own, is entitled to the warmest and most energetic support. The press, it is said, is the fourth estate ; but there is another estate which has recently grown up—l mean the railway estate—if the Railway King will condescend to be one of us.—(Laughter.) Yet beyond these commercial look to royal assistance ; there is a still more provident estate — th at of as surance companies. These societies are springing up , around us far and wide, and doing good everywhere. Your society is one of these, the principle of which is entitled to every encouragement, and which I am sure it will receive from the great, in dustrious, and energetic bo d y to which°ell mainly y ks e f r o s r . suiptpohrtas— lotra but,however desirabl e th at may be under certain circumstances, my advice i s , look to yourselves . —(Cheers.) If y ou determine to your present go forward ind th t e ha ß t r y i t o i s u h should course you w ill reap the reward of suc cess, and all the world will applaud you. You w ill set a g ood e xample, and your pros perity w ill induceth others to go and do likewise. Ibeen mean s said Mr. STARK then proposed the " Health of the Ladies:" which, having been drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, the chairman left the chair, and the meeting immediately afterwards separated. PREPARING F OR THE A TTACK .—Free-traders are qualifying in Nottinghamshire, in order to be prepared, at the opportune time, to make a resolute attack upon the fortress of monopoly. At the period of the Reform Bill that county re turned six Reformers ; since then the " landed interest" has regained hold. It is now perceived to be high time that an assault was commenced in right good earnest upon the Chandos camp. Let this only be well done throughout the country, and haughty, selfish, and unfeeling brown bread, curry, and potatoes Dukes—whether royal or not—must sur render to the force of reason. Truth and justice are against them; this they well know. That, for the purposes and ends of a particular class, the rest of Ore community should suffer (and in consequence he kept in discontent) is a thing teo grieyoua to be alloived to continue.— Front a Correspondent. Mr. W. H. Polk, brother to the President of the United States, is at this moment in Paris. He will remain some time awaiting dispatches from Washington, and will then proceed to Rome and Naples, where he will act as En voy Extraordinary from the Union, in order to exchange the ratifications of h treaty of:commerce and amity recently con eluded between his GoveriimenVand the kingdom of the Two Galignani. IRELAND. DUBLIN, DEC. 29.—TuE CORPORATION ADDRESS TO 71'17. QUEEN.—The Lord Mayor, e.ccompanied by se v: cal members of the town council, and the civic officers, at.a to leave town on Wednesday next, in order to pre ; sent the address of the corporation to her Majesty on the 3d of January, in accordance with the inlimAtiort in the letter of Sir James Graham, addressed to the Town Clerk. In referring to the presentation of this address, at the meeting of the corporation on Saturday, Mr. O'Connell said—" He hoped there would be a better at tendance on that occasion than could be expected from the unreasonable time appointed fur the presentation of the address. It was the duty of every member of the council to go over on that occasion. It was not one of ceremony, nor was it for the purpose of paying a com pliment to her Majesty, but they would go as advocates of the poor, to endeavour to persuade her Mtijesty to adopt measures for the prevention of a famine which was cert.,:in ' and of a pestilence which would d e s o lat e th e lam!. If the potatoes which were affectel by the disease were eaten by human beings, or even by animals, they would have the effect of a dangerous narcotic prison. Sir James Murray had published a case where tour indivi duals had lost their lives by eating the potatoes in the diseased state. It was the duty of all the members to attend the deputation, that her Majesty might sea how anxious they were to co-operate with her in the distri bution of any assistance to be afforded." REPEAL ASSOCIATION.—The weekly meeting of the AssoAation was held this day, Mr. Steele in the chair. Mr. O'CoramELL handed in a large number of remit t.trices, and then read a letter from Mr. Smith O'Brien, M.P. Having moved the insertion of the letter on the minutes, and expressed the gratitude which the Irish people entertained towards Mr. Smith O'Brien, Mr. O'Connell proceeded at considerable length to vindicate himself from a series of " malignant misrepresentations" which had been brought against him by the " Commis sioner" and reporter of the Times, with regard to' his conduct as a landlord. The Honourable Gentleman occu pied Upwards of two hours in his defence, which con sisted almost exclusively of details, and even an outline of which it would be impossible to furnish. Having ex pressed his gratitude to the Conservative journals which h a d espoused his cause, he concluded by saying that he would submit his character to the decision of his coun trymen, and leave his conduct to the judgment of his ,God. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL, M.P., denied that there were any grounds for the assumption indulged in by the Tablet, that the Repeal cause ran any risk of being damaged by the accession of the Whigs to office. The advent of any set of men to power could never have the effect of inducing the Irish people to abandon a cause with which they were identified heart and soul. He (111r.J.O'Connyll) was most anxious that the question of repeal should be discussed, and he had no hesitation in saying, that the decision on its merits would be favour able to domestic legislation. , . --- At the termination of the proceedings, the rent for the week was announced to be 2371. Ss. Tne meeting then adjourned. TORY REYEALERS. Mr. Bourke, of Hayes, the nephew and the heir of the Earl of Mayo, the former Tory candidate for Kildare, has issued an address to the electors of that county, in which he advocates some of the principal claims put forward by Mr. O'Connell for a modification of the Act of Legislative Union. The recent proceedings of the Peel Cabinet appear to have produced this extraordinary change in the political creed of Mr. Bourke. "At a moment," he says, " of unexampled political difficulty and alarm, when the terms Whig and Tory, Conser vative or Liberal, have ceased to convey any distinct idea of the opinions of those so designated, and when the closest adherence to principle may often exact a de parture from former practice, it appears to be a duty of all, who consider public affairs, to review their political creed." He proceeds to complain of the ignorance of vi , :eroys and chief secretaries, and that Irish affairs " have been habitually administered, not with reference to Irish interests, but to English politics and parties." He complains of the system of outrage and assassination which our English rulers have been unable to check, or to find a remedy for the evil. Mr. Bourke continues—" As a temporising policy best suits the prejudices of an English Parliament, Ire land is permitted to burn, beat, and murder on, un checked, almost unnoticed. Again, some Irish measure is selected from time to time (such, for example, as the Arms Bill, which, whether it be lest or carried, is of no practical importance), to serve for a battle-field, on which English parties may struggle for the mastery ; whilst our Irish representatives, instead of uniting in a common bond for Irish improvement, join themselves to one or the other of the contending parties, shout aloud for Sir Robert, or hurra for Lord John, forgetting how little the cause of our national prosperity is advanced by the suc cess of either. Again, who caa over-estimate the mis chief of absenteeism? Yet, how unscrupulously are 105 of our principal Commoners and 32 of our temporal and spiritual Peers, compelled to spend so great a portion of the year and so large a part of their incomes away from their impoverished country, advancing measures, which, for the greater part, affect her little, or not at all." Mr. Bourke proceecis to propound his remedies, and it may be expected that he will be hailed as a valuable auxiliary at the Conciliation Hall, although he may not yc-t have gone far enough to qualify himself as a Repeal Meinb, r for Kildare. MEETING OF THE SLIGO BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Oa Tuesday the Sligo Board of Guardians held their usual weekly meeting at the workhouse, Major O'Hara, chairman. Mr. Otway, Assistant Poor-law Commis sioner, was in attendance. The CHAIRMAN stated that he had made a report re lstive to the potato disease in Sligo, which they had for warded to the County Lieutenant, that it might be trans mitted by him to Government. The Lieutenant did so, and r. ceived a very satisfactory reply. The Govern ment had issued orders to the county surveyor to see what works could be undertaken with benefit to the public. The CD.AmmAN then read the folly wing : " Ammhmore, December TO, 1845, " Sir,—The Board of Poor-law Guardians of the Sligo Union, comprising three-fourths of the county, availing themselves of their general and extended means of in goirv, having entered into an investigation of the potato crop in their district, and continued the same by adjourn ment for a period of six weeks, have unanimously adopted the following opinion, viz. : —That the potato disease has prevailed, and continues to progress in the four inland baronies of the county to an alarming extent; that a c-nsiderable portion of the crop has perished, and that it is impossible to forsee how long the remaining por ti, m now safe, or but slightly affected, may so continue; that in the two baronies near the sea, the disease, though pArtially severe, is generally much milder than iu the inland districts. " That numbers of the poorest classes, totally depen dent on their con-acre potato crop, which have parti cularly suffered, must be driven to the market for food, which it will be impossible for them to purchase, unless afforded early, special, and continued employment; that, although the oat crop has been abundant, and is still to an unusual degree in the possession of the grower, it is impossible to say how soon a portion thereof may not be sold to meet the various demands of the holder, and be exported from the kingdom; and though such export may be under the usual yearly average, the portion re maining will not be sufficient to supply the deficiency in the potato crop, and maintain the poor of the district. " Thus impressed, the Board feel it their duty to bring the state of the Sligo Union or Sligo county under the consideration of her Majesty's Government, respect fully suggesting the urgent necessity that early and con tinued employment should Le provided by Government for the poor of the distressed districts, in works na tional or local utility, and that depots or stores of pro visions be established, such as may enable the Govern ment to supply food on reasonable terms to the district most in need of it. The Board have not entered into the conversation how these important objects can be at tained. Leaving that to the wiser and better considera tionls of the Government, they have confined themselves to a simple, impartial, and a moderate . represen s tat o i r o f the existing state of things, and of their grounds promptf ap prehending the worst results therefrom, to situation in our and adequate measures be adoptedavertu them. "As you, Sir, hold the highest the valuable aid of county, and have afforded the Board these inquiries, may I your presence and asst . stan h c .s e in to her Ma request you to transmit co t b lip — anted by such explanation jesty's Government, ..aF , I have the honour to be, a s you may deem advisa servant your faithful and obedient c K. OTiARA, " Chairman of the Sligo Board of Guardians. 6, C o l o nel Arthur Knox Gore, Lieutenant of Sligo." 111 E PRICE of LABOUR.—.A.t the meet i ng i t was ' stated by the landlords present that the price of agricul turA labour was from fourpence to sixpence with food, and eightpence to tenpence without food. Sir Robert Gore Booth observed that it could be had at even a lower rate. The people must, indeed, be reduced to a wretched state when a man is got to toil from morning until night for eightpence, and yet, small as the re muneration is, he would be delighted to get it. If a dear sumtner should come, what will those unhappy, for lorn, destitute creatures do? It is fearful to contemplate the depths of misery to which they may, and in all pro bability will, be reduced. PRICE OF GOLD.—The premium on gold at Paris is 11,-; per mille, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. lqd. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 23 43, and the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25 57 j, it follows that gold is 0.57 per cent. dearer in London than in Paris. By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 433 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. lOid. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13 9 ; and the exchange at Ilamburgh on London at short being 13 10, it follows that gold is 0.46 per cent. dearer in London than in llamburgh. The course of exchange at New York on London is 10S per cent.; and the par of exchange between England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is 1.08 per cent. against England. But the quoted exchange at I\ ew York being for bills at sixty days' sight, the interest must be deducted from the above difference. THE LEAGUE FUND.—The amount of the fund up to this date is 69,40 W., and very considerable more is ex pected to be realised in Manchester. It is estimated that the sum realised at the meeting was 5001. per minute. THE RISLETS.—We have had a great number of equilibristes of late yeart, wiio have attempted a class of feats which in some cases have become popular; but we are in dehted to Professor Kislev for introducing an entirely novel style, which is extremely pleating in its effect, and which shows the true poetry of motion. Professor Risley and his two sons made their first appearance at Drurv.lane Theatre on Monday to one of the mist crowded houses of the season. They were warmly greeted, and received enthusias ti c ap plause throughout 'their performance, which was remarkably clever. The feats were all accomplished with much case ane: grace, and reminded us of the same school of artistes to which the aerial Taglioni belongs. Bouquets were thrown upon the stage front the private boxes, and the Risleys retired amidst deafening applause from all parts of the house. ENGLAND AND AMERICA. TO TIP: EDITOR OF THE SUN. Stß,—The wiiter of these lines (e•ho desires for the prut , ent to remain "incog") is of opinion that you would d service ti the trading community of Laticashire by directing their attention, with as lit.le delay as posible, to the exact position of the British and Mexican Governments, in reference to the Oregon question. Strange to say, it seems to be very imperfectly under stood. "We are too good customers for them (say many) for the Americans to go to war with us." No doubt they have imbibed these notior.s in part from that part of the press which cries, "Peace, peace," whilst the two Governments are actually preparing energetically for war. I mean no fulsome flattery when I say that you seem to take a more correct view of the case than any other writer whose comments I have read. To my mind the foil.iwing train of facts point but to one issue:- Ist. A Bill to take possession of Oregon was passed thiough the House of 'representatives, by a maj , )rity of 140 to 154 ; mid only missed passing through the Senate by one vote—this, tuo, when a negotiation was actually 2.1. The Democratic party have, since that time, in. ci eased their strength by six votes. 31. The then President offered to make 49 . 0 degree the InAindary line, giving to Great Britain the free navigation of the river Columbia, all which she refaced to :.ecor.t. 4th. Polk has actually retracted that offer—see his address. " The proposition of compromise which had been made and rejected, was by my direction subse quently withdrawn, and our title to the whole of Oregon asserted. The right of any foreign power to the free navigation of any of our rivers through the heart of our country, was one which I was unwilling to concede." In conjunction with the above, let any man consider the import of the following extracts from Polk's mes sage The extraordinary and wholly inadmissible demands of the British Government afford satisfactory evidence that no compromise which the United States ought to accept can be effected." " Oregon is part of the North American Continent, to which it is confidently affirmed the title of the United States is the best now in existance." " That it will ultimately be wise and patriotic to make liberal grants of land to the patriotic pioneers, who, amidst privations and danger, lead their way through savage tribes, and who cultivate and are ever ready to defend the soil, lam fully satisfied. To doubt whether they will obtain sush pants as soon as the convention between the United States and Great Britain shall have ceased to Exist, would be to doubt the justice of Con gress." " All attempts at compromise having failed, it be comes the duty of Congress to consider what measures it may be proper to adopt for the security and protection of our citizens now inhabiting, or who may hereafter, inhabit Oregon, and for the mainte nance o f our j ust title to that territory.'' "At the end of the year's notice, we shall have reached a period when the national rights in Oregon must either be abandoned or firmly maintained. That they cannot be abandoned without a sacrifice of both Aational honour and interest is too clear to admit of doubt." • Add to the above quotations that large quantities of saltpetre having lately been purchased in London for the United States, and that " large supplies of live oak timber, and other materials for ship-building have been collected" by them.* Then glance at the whole animus of Polk's address, in which the "balance of power" is three times taunt ingly referred to with this clencher, " Should any such interference be attempted (on the Northern Continent) the United States will be ready to resist it all hazards." The whole tenor of Polk's addresses go to prove that he is a Democrat of the first water, honestly and fer vently attached to the genuine Republican principles which actuated his progenitors to claim and gain their independency, and entertaining a thorough contempt for Monarchial Government. * The Patrick Henry, which arrived at Liverpool, February 26, 1845, brought American papers up to the Bth of that month, which stated—" The House of Repre sentatives on the 3d passed the Bid providing for the occupation of the Oregon territory, by a majority of 140 to 54. The general tone of the discussion being exceedingly warlike. The Bill had been read twice in the Senate, and then referred to a special committee. It contains clauses authorising the re-erection of fortifica tions, and the abrogation of the convention concluded on the subject with tireat Britain." Manchester, Dec. 29. R. S. W. CAPTURE OF A GHOST. It is said that ghosts are not unfrequently inspired with a considerable share of puissant valour. A si.-Agu lar act of bravery on .the part of a disembodie..z spirit has just come under our observation, and at ;,he season of Christmas, as stories of ghosts and gotitins are the order of the day, it may not prove altowthrr unaccept able. At any rate, it may dispel t'ne idea with which wiseacres occasionally solace their.selves, that ghosts are altogether harmless. A widow lady, who resides in the parish of St. Martin, has of late been visited by a ghost of rather a mischievous character. Inhabiting a lonely dwelling, with no protection save that afforded by a ser vant girl little more than just entered into her teens, the lady, with her two children, during the last four wei ks, have had their nocturnal slumbers frequently disturbed by the escapades of an oil spirit. Precisely as the clock had struck what the Scotch poet has st) led " The wee short hour ayout the twal," _ _ and which,from its contrast with the previous twelve distinct sounds upon the hammer, is said to inspire, even in the strongest minds, a feeling of mysterious appre hension, a loud knocking at the dour was heard. Nor was the feeling of awe in:Tired on the occasion tin? strengthened by any extraneous circumstance; for on the third evening of the occurrence of the mysterious knockings, the disturbed lady, having summoned up sufficient courage to look out from the window, beheld is figure, apparently in white, making its escape from the gateway. "1 he occurrence made a rather powerful fin pression on the lady's mind, for it was the first time she had ever seen a denizen of the world of spirits. For tea successive nights the same sounds were repeated, every night the strength of the knocking gradually increasing, The ghost evidently thought that the depth of the slum bers of the inmates prevented them from hearing it s efforts at obtaining an audience, for no notice whatc,ver was taken of its mysterious proceedings. It was neces sary, therefore, to alter his line of tactics, and the line which the ghost now adopted was of a somewhat novel nature. Instead of now knocking at the door every night, it at length began to throw stones at the windows, and on one evening demolished no less than three panes a glass in the windows of the drawing-room. This, how ever, was not to be endured much longer, and even at the risk of coming in contact with an inhabitant of thct lower world, it was at length determined to give battle to the spirit. The lady having communicated the cir cumstance to a gentleman who resides with his family about a quarter of a mile distant, a watch on Thursday evening last was set upon the premises. The gentleman referred to, armed with a good stout cudgel, took his station at the corner of the building, about ten paces from the spot from which the ghost was wont to hurt its missiles, while at the opposite corner stood his man servant, armed in a somewhat similar fashion to his master. Precisely at the usual hour the figure. clothed in white, was seen to enter at the gateway, 1 ,, ,1id having slowly made its way to within a few feet the house, deliberately lifted a handful of pebbles and threw them at the window. This feat performed, the ghost was about to depart, but the gentleman and his fellow -watch man, not having their spirits completely prostrated, sal lied forth and intercepted its p.ogress. The yell of hor ror which the spirit now , Itttered was awful in the ex treme, and throwing itself at the feet of the gentleman, it besought in piteous tones his pardon. Th e w hi te sheet in a momen t was thrown from the back of the now em bodied spirit, and a bona fide human woman actually stood before them. A confession soon followed, and it was discovered that th e g h o , t had determined to frighten the poor lady to death, in consequence of havitig been recently discharged from her service for theft;.--Jersey Times, Dec. 23. MUNCH OF AN IRON STEAM FRIGATE.—A most magnificent iron steam-frigate, built expressly for the Royal Navy, was launched on the Mersey, on Tues day, from the yard at North Birkenhead. This is the first large vessel of war ever built on the shores of that noble river, and therefore a few particulars re specting her may be interesting. Her dimensions are as follow: Length between perpendiculars 2lO feet. Breadth within paddle-wheels Ditto, outside ditto 6oi „ Depth of hold 23 „ Tonnage (carpenter's measurement) 1,400 tons. She will be propelled by paddle-wheels, and the engines will be of 560 horse-power. The engine -room, maga zine, and shell-room, are all protected by iron encase ments. The upper deck is flush, and of great area, and there are two other decks below, the height between which is ample. This fine vessel was, by command of tho Admiralty, christened " The Birkenhead." Her armament will be two96-pounder:pivot guns, one forward and the other aft, and four 68-pounder broadside guns — so that, with the aid of her steam, she will prove a for midable opponent to any adversary. The launch took place exactly at twenty minutes past eleven, and the ceremony of christening was performed by the Mar chioness of Westminster. There were present, in addi tionthe to her Ladyship, the Marquis of Westminstear,_ Earl of Wilton, Sir Philip and Lady Egerton, S . _ i r-: p a , Ed ward and Lady Cust, Mr. Ireland Blackbur e, and a host of the principal gentry in S i e n uth Black, R.N. id e de ffe j c .e t u e n d e , r, th a e t n Cheshire . . The Admiralty was represented by Captain After the launch, which was beautileUndl principal visitors sat down to which the usual loyal to her Majesty's Steamer The B irkenhead was pro toasts were drunk, k sp and_ " Success, Secretary and Comptroller-General to pos m ed r. a i n i d igh re a s m p , onded to amidst loud cheers. the Commissioners for theßeduction of the National Debt, had an interview on Tuesday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A Lahr BITTEN BY AN ADDER.—On Tuesday morning, between eleven and twelve o'clock, Mrs. Jameson, a lady r esiding at Petersham, Surrey, was cross i ng th e mea dows" from that place on her way to Richmond, when Pal adder, that lay concealed in the grass, bit her on the foot, and by the time she reached her destination it had swelled most alarmingly. Mrs. Jameson obtained medical assistance at the nearest surgeon's in the town, where the usuni antidotes were applied with success. She is going on favourably. Lord Metcalfe who, we are happy to say, continues to improve in his health, and is now much better than he has been for some time past, under the able pr9fessional skill and, advice of Sir Benjamin Brodie and, Dr. Martin, who was bis Lordship's physician in India. and to consult whom was the cause of his Lordship's leaving his government, has deter mined not to leave London. A further addition to Ids staff arrived at Ddivart's Hotel on Tuesday, from Canada.