The Sun. — London, England, 1848-03-16 00:00:00

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, QUARTER TO THREE. There was a continued decline yesterday in the Cotton Market at Liverpool, American sorts being id. to fd. per lb. lower. Sales 3,500 to 4,000 bales. American descriptions realised 4d. to 6d. per lb. Railway bharee were a shade better, the purchases being, how beer, almost exclusively for cash. The sale of Railway Shares yesterday, by Messrs. Le bec:m(l and Co., went off with considerable spirit, con eildering the great excitement regarding foreign affairs. The following are a few of the principal quotations:— Namur and Leige, ex int £3 17 0 Eastern Counties Great Northern North British, Thirds Northern of France .. North Staffordshire kadrid and Valencia Boulogne and Amiens Birmingham and Oxford Junctiok ..... 21 0 0 Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Buckinghamshire „.. 8 7 0 South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and G001e... 0 14 0 Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston.-- 0 13 0 Shrewsbury and Birmingham ( A). ..... 8 0 0 The report about Messrs. Rothschilds, of Paris, was cecially contradicted yesterday afternoon; but the state of affairs in France still causes much uncertainty and ex citement, and the Funds have suffered. We have only Continental arrivals to-day, and these are still of a very chequered charater. At Amsterdam affairs are steadily improving, the King having offered a liaw Constitution to hie subjects. The funds improved there and some good purchases were made. At Paris, according to the latest advices, the panic continued with very little abatement, but the run upon the Bank of France did not cause any particular apprehension, it is stated, in quarters well informed as to the resources of the establishment. The failure of three more bankers of some reputation, was, however, suffi cient to prepare the public mind for almost any event ; and the capitalists, in conjunction with the Government, must devise some plan of meeting the crisis, or there will be an end of all confidence as to trade. There seems to be scarcely any at Paris, and in London there are no buyers of bills. The proprietors of Bank of England Stock now assembled, have reason to congratulate themselves upon the very favourable statement made to them respecting their affairs. The profits of the corporation last year were very considerable, and an increased dividend, viz. to four and a ball per cent. for the half year has been declared, as will be observed from the report in another column of the The Sun, and in future the election of Governor will not be by rotation. The Funds have declined this morning. There ap pears to be some anxiety respecting the state of Ireland, as well as at the continued financial crisis at Paris. Consols have been 81i to 80-i for transfer and account. Exchequer-bilk are firm, at 28s to 31a premium. The arrival of H.M.S. Carysfort with 2,000,000 dollars from South America is likely to prove seasonable at this par ticular juncture. The foreign half-monthly account is now in course of adjustment, and prices are not better upon it. There are two parties—not of first rate standing, however— unable to meet their differences, and stock seems to be , offered. Spanish Five per Cents. have realised 11f to 11, tied the Three per Cents. 22. Mexican bonds have realised 14.1 to 14k, and Peruviaa nominally 23 to 25. It is hoped that the endeavour making to interest Lord Palmerston in favour of the bondholders who have addressed him in a strong memorial, will prove successful. Portuguese Four per Cents. are 14 to 16. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. have realised 60 to 61. Brazil Bonds are 70. Railway Shares are still extremely heavy, and the arrangement of the account occupies chief attention. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (From the Official List.) 3 per Cent. Consols Anus S 1 80% 31% 80% Long Annuities, Exp. Jan. sth, 1860 ... Do. 30 Years, Expire Jan. 5, 1860.. 8 7-16 Consols for Account Exchequer Bills. 3d. 1,000/. Small PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent Ditto Small Ditto New Bonds, 1829 and 1839 70 Ditto Small Equador Bonds 2 Mexican Bonds, 1846, 5 per Cent I4N% Ditto for the Account 14% Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent,1840 Ditto Passive Bends 3 3% Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 22 Dividends on the above payable is London. Belgian 4 1 ,4 per Cent Dutch 2% per Cent.,l2 Guild 42 aIJSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK RAILWAYS. rAis. Pia SHARE. Aberdeen Amber., Notting., Boston, &c. 3 5 ,4 to Ayrshire and Galloway Belfast and County Down .. Hee to liirmingnam es Oxford June... 20 Birmingham, Wol., & Dudley 10 ... . Birraing., & Stour Val. 10/.145.... Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction... 7% Boston, Stamf., & Birming... 5 Bristol and Exeter D0., Thirds 13 ackinghainslaire l2/. 4s — Caledonian Ditto, Half Shares Ditto, Clydesdale Junction 50 Chester and Iloiyhead 37%..... Ditto, Preference Clarence. Do., let Class, 6 per Cent lO Do., 2d Class, I per Cent... 10 , Do., GOT. Loan, 4 per Cent. 10 Direct London & Portsmouth 134 — to Dublin and Belfast Junction.. 25 Dundalk and Enniskillen ... 17 1 East Anglia, 251. L. & s E., and L. &D. Ditto, 181., E. & H lB ..... Ditto, 31. 10s., E. & 11... 3 1 A B4 to Eastern Counties Do. Perpet., 5 per ct. No. 1,6/. 13s. 4d... Do., d 0....... N 0.2,61. 133.4 d... Do., Northern & Eastern... 50 Do., Quarter .... . ........... . 12 1 ..... Do., New Eastern Union ..... . .. 50 Ditto, Quarter Shares Ditto., Thirds l3s. 4d — to Ditto (guar. 6 per cent.) ... 10 Ditto, ditto ........ .......... 20 ...... East Lancashire Ditto, New Do., New Quarters - East Lincolnshire 16; 42 15% to Edinburgh and Glasgow Ditto, Half Shares Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% Edinburgh and Northern ... 25 Ditto, New ..... ... ..... ...... 3% — ...... to Ditto, New port.. ... ...... .. 12 Ditto, ditto, New 2ls — .. . ... to Exet e r , Yeovil, & Dorchester 2% — ...... to Ditto, New .. 2% — to Glasg., Dumfries, & Carlisle..Bl. 65.8 d... to Glasgow, Kilmarnock, & Ayr 50 Ditto, New Do. Preference Consolidated 15 ..... .. Great Northern.... .......... ... 13 Do. London & York Exten. 2% Gt. South. & West. (Ireland) 37% — . to Great North of England 100 Ditto, New 401 5 Ditto, New 30/ 3O . .. Ditto, New 151...... .. ....... 6%...... . Great Western Ditto, Half Shares Ditto, Quarter Shares • Ditto, Fifths Do. New 17/ 9%..... 0% 3 4 to Huddersfield and Manchester 24 .. ... Ditto, Thirds 8 Hull and Selby Ditto, Half Shares _ _ •••••• .0.1. 1.• Ditto Quarter Shares 1 2 14 — to Ipswich& Bury St. Edmunds 171% — t. Do. do. and Norwich Do., do., Extension Scrip (late (Camb. and Ely) 2 1 %...... Lancaster and Carlisle.... ... 50 Do.,Thirds lO Lancashire and Yorkshire ..,: 93 Ditto, ditto , Ditto Half Shares Ditto Quarters Ditto Fifths Ditto Sixteenths ........... 6 1 4. ..... to Ditto Thirds (Reg.) ... 101.4 s — Do. Liverpool and Bury... 36 Do. (Hudders. and Sheff.) 33 Do., Wakefield, Pontefract. and Goole Do., West Riding Union ...41. 2a..... Do., Preston and Wyre ... 25 Do., do., Half Shares (A) 9 Leeds and Bradford Leeds, Dewsbury, & blanches. 42 1 % — Do., Half Shares Ditto, Blue (scrip) ... 21% — ...... to Leeds and Thirrk ...»......... 40 Ditto, New Do., do., Prefer., 6 per Cent. 3;4..... to Liverpool. Crosby, and South port. Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction. ...... ... 2 1 ,E — to London )3c Blackwall ...13/. 6s. 8d 4 3 /4 %... to Ditto New, No. 2 5l. 13s. 4d.... ...... to Do. Extension Lond., Bright., & South Coast 50 Do. Consolidated Eighths... 40 . _ Do. Guaranteed 5 per Cent. 9 ....•• De. Pref. Cony. 5 per Cent. 50 ...... .. Ditto, ditto 1852 50 ..... London and Greenwich... 12/.155. 4d... Ditto Preference lB/ 17s 2d... ...... to London & North Western.....loo lBO 131... to 129% Do. Quarters (L. and B.) 22 - Ds. New Do. Fifths Do. 401. Sharea.....L. &M. 20 ...... Do. 10/.... M. and B. (A.) 7i,§..... 9 3 / 4 to Do. 10/. .. M. and B. (B.) 7% 9 3 / 4...... to Do. 10/. ... 11. and B. (C.) 1 London and S. Western...—. 50 Ditto, Now 50/........ .. ..... 37 1 / 2 ..... Ditto, New 404. ..... .. 3O Do. Tenths (Consolidates) 50 ...... Do. Tenths (Consolidated) 40 _ Ditto, Thirds Si. Gs. Sd ... 3 1 4 dis. to London, Salisbury, & Yeovil Londonderry and Coleraine... 271 i — Londonderry and Enniskillen 25 L•westoft (guar. 4 per cent.) 20 Ditto(guar. 6 per cent... 3 ..,... to blanch, Buxton, & Matlock 3 blanchr, Sheffield, and Linc.100 Ditto !,.( Shares (No. 1) ... 13 Ditto, ditto (No. 2). 25 Ditto, % Shares (No. 3)... 7 1 ,4 ...... Do., New 10/. Prefereuce.. 71, i -1' 1 „, Ditto Grimsby ••• 25 Ditto, ditto. Ditto, ditto ... Ditto, Sheffield, and Line. 714....... Ditto, Grimsby Dock ...... 12% — to Ditto, Man. & Lin. Union 41. 25.... 51anchesterandSeuthampton 2 1 4 — ... to Alidiand 100 Ditto, Consol. Pretcrence...100 Ditto, 40/. Shares 4O _ _ . to Ditto, 50/. Shares Midland, Mirm., and Derby...loo - Midland, Consol. Bristol and Birmingham 6 per cent.... 100 Midland, Bristol and Glouc. 36 .. Ditto ditto 111.85.6 d... — ...... to Midland, Leices. and Swan nington (8 per ct.gua.)....100 .... . Midld. Great Western (Irish) 35 Middlesbro' and Redcar, 6 per cent. guar. ...... ... ..... 50 Newcastle and Carlisle Ditto Quarter Shares - Newmarket and Chestertem !8' ..............__ . . Ditto Extension - Newport Abergy., and Hera. 6 Norfolk lOO - Ditto New 201.. Ditto Extension Do. Guaranteed 514 per et. 5 ..... Do. Scrip, :841, N. of Norflk 2 Do. do. Waveney Valley... 2 Newry and Enniskillen ...... 7 Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor _iorthern Counties Union ....14 North British Ditto Half Shares ..... - Do. Quarters 5 12 • 3 3 /4 to Ditto. Extension Ditto Thirds North and South-Western... 2 North Staffordshire... .. ...... 10 - North Wales — ..... to North Western . 6' Oxford, Worcester, and Wol- verhampton - 40 - ... •.• to - Reading, Guildfd., & Reigate 7 1 4 — - Royston and Hitchin Scottish Central Scottish Midland .... ....... .... 22 Ditto, New Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole 5 Shrewsbury and Birmingham 7 Ditto, ditto, Class B. 4 ..... Shrewsbury and Chester (Nor. W. ain.) Ditto Halves, Ditto... 8 ... .. . to Ditto, Oswestry l4 Ditto (New) 1 Ditto 8 per Cent. Pref.. 6 Shrewsbury and Hereford ... 2 ...... Shropshire Union South Devon ... .... ......... 40 _ Ditto, Preference 22%.....• ...... to South Staffordshire 4 ...... 1% 4 - to South Eastern and Dover 33 1 ..... ..... to Ditto, New, No. 1 Ditto, New, No. 2............. 17 Ditto, New, No. 3 Ditto New, No. 4. .. -7% 4 14%... to South Wales South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole 3 - Swans. and Loughor and Ca meron's Stm. C0a1.......... 4 Chafnes Haven Dock and _. . Railway l 7l raw Vale Extension Vale of Neath Waterford and Kilkenny 134...... Waterford and Limerick ... .. 40 ... .. Waterford, Wexford, %Vicklw, and Dublin West Cornwall Thitehaven ardiurness l2 ... .. Windsor, Staines, and South Western W ilts,Somerset,&Weymouth 30 York, Newcastle, and Berwick 25 Do. Original New & Ber'ck 25 .. Do. Exten. No.l (Y. & N.) 15 Do. do. No. 2, New &B. 10 ... 1)o. Cr. N. E. Pur. or Pref. 8 ... _ Bl i York and North Midland 5O ...... 62 to Ditto, Preference le Ditto East and West Riding Extension FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Boulogne and Amiens 2O ...... 4% 5... to 4% Central of France ( Orleans and Vierzon) Central of Spain Ceylon Demerara. Dendre Valley Direct Bombay and Madras ss. .... . Dutch Rhenish East Indian . Great Indian Peninsular bi: ...... ...... to Italian and Austrian Jamaica S. Midland Junction 1 Louvain a la Sambre Luxembourg Lyons and Avignon (Con stituted) Madrid and Valentia Namur and Liege... ... . l6 ...... ... . to Northern of France. lO Orleans and Bordeaux ... .. 6 Over Yssel 4/3s 4d — ...... to Paris and Lyons Paris and Orleans.... 2O Paris and Rouen .. Paris & Strasbourg ...... ..... 8 Rouen and Harre 20 - Sambre and Meuse Strasburg and 8a1e........... 14 Tfiurs & Nantes ... ... ..... .. 8 Tournay, Jurbise, Landen, and Hasselt ... .. 16 ....,. ...... to West Flanders - 8 1 4 _ - JOINT STOCK BANKS. Australasia - British North American .... 50 Colonial Commercial of London London Joint Stock ..... le London and Westminster... 20 ...... to National Provincial of Engld. 85 Ditto, New . ••.. 10 .—.. .. to National of Ireland 22% — .. to Provincial of Ireland Ditto, New le Union of Australia Ditto, New Union of London ....... ...... 10 Union of Madrid MINES. Anglo Mexican Asturian Mining Company... 12 ...... Australian ... 2 1,1 — ..... to Blaenarvon Iron and Coal 50 Bolasos Scrip British Iron Brazilian Imperial ... 24 ...... to Galvanized Iron . lO to Ditto, NOV ... Real del Monte, Unregistered . to Do. Black Debentures — Tii.E SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 16, !848. the custom hitherto that each of the directors in rotation should offer himself to fill the office First of Deputy-Governor and afterwards of Governor, :and the directors, not willing so to offer themselves, had :usually r(:tired from the direction. That practice had been considered an inconvenient mode of pr oceed ing, and it was hoped that it would be abandoned. (Hear, hear.) It was proposed that in future gen ~ lemen should be elected to the chair upon some other principle than that of rotation, selecting out of the members of the directors willing to serve those who were esteemed best qualified, without regard to seniority, and the names of the candidates would in future be advertised twelve days before the day fixed for the ballot,andthe new candidates would be distinguished from those.) recom mended for re-clection.—(Hear.) Mr. DE WINTON gave notice of his intention, on the third Thursday in September next, to call the attention of the Court to the bye-laws regulating the election of Governor, Deputy-Governor, and directors of the Bank, with a view to their amendment. Mr. THOMPSON moved, pursuant to notice, that the clerks of the establishment should, in future, be paid their salaries free of income-tax. The GOVERNOR thought the best course to pursue would be to leave the subject to the discretion of the directors. The motion was ultimately withdrawn upon that un derstanding. Mr. PILCILEA moved that, inasmuch as the insolvency of the directors had been attended with great incon venience to the establishment and the public, that in future no proprietor should be eligible to fill a place in the direction who was not willing to declare that he had property to the amount of 100,000/. over and above the amount of his debts and liabilities.—(Laughter.) The motion was lost for want of a seconder. Other motions were put, one by Mr. Fielder and another by Mr. Wollaston, which were ultimately with drawn, and a vote of thanks having been proposed and carried to the Governor and directors, and the Governor having shortly returned thanks, the Court broke up about half•past one o'clock. LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY. LONDON, MARCH 15.—Wind N.N.W., light airs and cloudy, with rain. GRAVESEND, MARCH 14.—The Emily and the Happy Family have been in collision off the Leigh; the latter sunk—crew saved. The David Yorke, of Galway, for the Clyde, at anchor here, has been in collision with the brig Janet Igat, when the former lost her bowsprit and j ibboom FALmouTu, MARCH 15.—The Ann, Dominy, for St. John's, Newfoundland, did not sail yesterday, as reported. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 15.—The Maria, Dunn, from Cadiz to Monte Video, struck on the English Bank 2d January, and remained; H. M. steamer Harpy had pro ceeded to her assistance from Monte Video. BRIDLINGTON, MARCH 15.—The Canova, English, from London to Sunderland, drove on the rocks near Flamborough Head yesterday, but was towed off with damag, , e. HULL, MARCH 14.—The Vialka, Champers, of this port, left Archangel 4th October, and has not yet arrived at her destination. DEAL, MARCH 15.—Wind W. to W.S.W.—Arrd. Diadem, St. John's, N. 8.; Pigeon, Patras; Harmonie, Rotterdam for Londonderry; Amphitrite, Jansen, Rot terdam for Surinam; Triton, Bergen, Hamburgh, and sailed for St. Thomas; her Majesty's ship Fairy, west wai d ; Triton, westward. Arrd. from the River, Sun flower, Taylor, Honduras. Sid. British Empire, Callao; Boadicea, St. John's, N. 8.; Olive, St. John's, N. 8.; Merlin, St. Michael's ; Wetherall, Palermo; Sophia, Galata. ASERYSTWITII, MARCH 14.—The stern Of a boat, marked " Adalia, J. C. Roberts, Newport, Monmouth,' came on shore at Booth, 11th inst. CORN AVERAGEr. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN For the Week ended March 16, 1648, ands up from the It etura. of the Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England sad Wales per Imperial Quarter. WHEAT. I BALLET.' OATS. 1 I an.. /BINS. 1 PIAS. I PRICE .. 60s ad SOs 4d 204 2d 33s 4d ll6s al 39s 0.1 The Duties on Foreign Grain are now su.spendet. MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.) zuswaii.Tß AND 36ZADZNitAill , Although the supplies of meat on offer, to-day, were not to say large, the demand was in a sluggish state, at barely stationary prices. Beef, from 3s 4d to 3s 10d ; Mutton, 3a 8d to 4s 10d; Veal, 4s to 5s ; and Pork, 3s 10d to 5s per albs. by the carceae. MEAT SOUTHALL, MARCH 15. -171.317 D.; Beasts and Sheep moved off steadily at full prices. In other kinds of stock, only a un,derate business was done. Beef from 3s 2d to 4s 2d ; Mutton, 3s lOd to 5s 2d; Veal, 4s to 4s 8d; and Pork, 4s 4d to 4s 8d per 81b3., to sink the offals. ROMEORD, MARCH 15.—We had a steady trade here, to-day, and prices were fairly supported. Beef from 3s 4d to 4s 2d ; Mutton, 4s to 5s 4d; Veal, 4s 2d to 4s 10d; and Pork. 4s 2d to 4s Sd per 81bs. Mitch CoWs, with small Olives, 151 to 171 ss; and Quarter-old Store Pigs, 19s to 23s each. HAILS/FAIL, MARCH 15.—Our market was very mo• derately supplied with each kind of stock, which moved off steadily, at full prices. Beef, from 3s 10d to 4s 6d; Mutton, 4s 6d to 621 4d; Veal, 4s ()d to 4s 8d; and Pork, 41 to 4s 6d per 81bs. ARUNDEL, Menet( 14.—Beef, from Ss 6d to 4s 4d ; Mutton, 4s 4d to 55 4d ; Veal, 4s 2d to 45 6d; and Pork, 4s to 4s 6d per 81bs. A moderate supply and a steady demand. CHICHESTER, MARCH 15.—We had a good supply of fat stock, to-day; and the demand was steady, at full prices Beef, from 4s to 4s Sd ; Mutton, 4s 2d to 55; Veal, 4s 2d to 4s 6d ; and Pork, 4s 4d to 4s Sd per Sibs. Quarter-old Store Pigs, 16s to 20s each. RAT MAREETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow Hay, 21158 to St 14s; Clover, ditto, 31 158 to 41 15s ; and Straw, 11 48 to 11 per load. Supply good, and trade dull. C6:IIIIICLAND.—M(IitioW ILI, 21 li3s to Si 158 ; Clover ditto, 3/ 148 to 41 12*; and Straw, 114 s toll 101 per lead. A full average supply, and a heavy demand. WEITECHIPEL.—Meadow Hay, 21 15s to 31 143; Clover ditto, 31 15s to 41 16s; and Straw, 11 4s to 1/ 9.. per load. Trade dull, at but little variation in prices. COAL MARKS' '.. , -YESTERDAT. Buddle's West Hartley 15s Od!flettoa ... Ws 01 Carr's Hartley Charlotte .. .. ...... ... 14s 3dlLambten Chester Main l4s 6dMerton ..„ Davison'sWestHartley 15s Od;Morrison l4s 9d Dean's Primrose ...... las 6d i Russell's Hettisa Hasting's Hartley lss OddShotten Original Tanfield lls 6d Stewart's Tasleld Moor ..., South Pontop Il s e 6 61 1 1 H Ca a r r a t d ie o p c ooi lis Od Walker's Primrose ... 12e Od,Hudsoa's Hartlepool lss 6d Wylam West Wylam Wall's End, &c l4s 6d!Thornley Adelaidel Tees Bell and Brown ...... ... 15s Od Seymour 'lees Bow icke sad Co. Hedley Killingwerth lbs 3el l Abercrave Stone Coal.. 22s Od Walker Washington Eden Main • l6s Od Newton Main Belmont l6s Od Sidney's Hartley Bell Haswell IY 3cl BANK OF ENGLAND—(THIS DAY). The half-yearly Court of the directors and proprietors of the Bank of England was held this day, at twelve o'clock, in the large room. The attendance of proprie tors was large. The minutes of the last Court having been read, The GOVERNOR (James Morris, Esq.) said—l beg to inform the Court that this is a half-yearly general Court, appointed by law to consider a dividend. I have plea sure in stating that the Court of Directors, having con sidered the state of the Bank accounts, are of opinion that a dividend may be made, if the Court think fit, of 4/. 10s. per cent. interests and profits for the half-year ending the sth of April, without any deduction on ac count of income-tax.—(Loud cheers.) I may state that the amount of rest on the 29th of February, 1848, was 3,946,5241. The rest on the 31st of August, 1847, was 3,925,634/., making a surplus gain in this half-year over the last half-year of 20,8901.—(L0ud cheers.) The rest that will remain after the deduction of the dividend of 4/. 103. per cent. for the half-year, will be 3,291,639/, —(Cheers.) After the payment of the dividend the surplus I have mentioned-20,890/.—will be carried to the rest.—(Cheers.) Mr. FIELDER, who was very indistinctly heard, pro posed as an amendment, that a half per cent. should be added to the dividend for the half-year, on the ground that the profits, which were gradually on the increase, were well able to bear it. The Bank could well afford to pay Si. per cent. for the half-year. The Honourable Proprietor was proceeding to show that they might de pend in the future upon a gradual increase in their profits, when Mr. CLARKE rose to order. He thought that it would be greatly to the inconvenience of that or any other Court if Hon. Proprietors were to argue from prospec tive accounts. There was a period and limit to each account that was presented to them, and if they were to sit there to consider prospective accounts, it was not unlikely that some other gentleman might rise and enter into a disquisition of their resources six months hence.—(Laughter.) The Hon. Proprietor was intro ducing several matters at a time when there was but one before the Court. Mr. FIELDER went on to show, by reference to figures, the purport of which we could not catch, that the Bank could well afford to accede to his proposition. The GOVERNOR explained in reply, that the rest made up to February appeared larger than the amount published in March. The rest made up to the 29th of February included, of course. the profits calculated up to that day, after all expenses had been provided for, consequently, if the subsequent account pnblished on the 6th of March, was taken as the net profits up to that time, it would give erroneous information on the point. Mr. DE WINTON seconded the amendment. He con sidered that the dividend ought to be increased. It appeared that after the payment of the dividend and bonus declared at the last meeting, the " rest " then amounted to 3,300,000/., or, as stated by the Governor, to 3,390,0001. Deducting 5 per cent. as dividend from that sum, it would still leave the "rest" amounting to 3,120,5001.; adding to that the accruing revenue between this time and the sth of April next, take it at 100,0001., that would then leave, with the payment of five per cent. a " rest" of about 3,350,0004 He trusted, therefore, considering the great losses which had recently been sustained, arising from the effects of the recent panic, which he believed to be solely attributable to the con duct of the directors.--(Cries of " No, no.") Ho re peated that it was so, and could prove it, if allowed to do so, by figures which ho thee had before him. The Hon. Proprietor then proceeded to state that they were never in a better position to pay fire per cent. than they were in at present, that they were now better able to pay five per cent. than at the last meeting they were able to pay four and a half. The amount of reserve notes was then 6,000,0001., where it was now 9,000,0001. (so at least we understood the Hon. Proprietor to say). The circulation in 1847 was 19,000,000/., at present it was only 18,000,000/. He should therefore give his support to the motion for receiving 5 per cent. dividend. Mr. CLARKE said that he should oppose the motion, not because he did not recognise in its fullest force, viewed as an abstract principle, that the proprietors should enjoy as much division as could consistently be given to them for the time being out of all the profits made up. With that abstract principle ho did not in the least disagree. Last year he supported the motion for increasing the dividend, and it might be asked why he did not support a similar motion upon the present occasion. The answer to that question was, in his opinion, sufficiently obvious. They were now placed in very different circumstances to those in which they were placed upon the last occasion. The whole of the continent of Europe was now convulsed, and no person could foresee in what a chaotic state the affairs of Europe might yet bo placed.—(Hear, hear.) With such things staring them in their face, he thought that it would be most unwise to make any increase in their dividend and risk, by endangering the amount of " rest." —(Hear, hear.) Thank God, England was now in a sound state.—(An Hon. Proprietor—" Amen.") In consequence of the numerous failures which had recently taken place every mercantile house had been compelled to contract their engagements with a view to their being honourably and faithfully met.—(Hear, hear.) It was his opinion that in consequence England stood upon a stronger and firmer basis than ever.—(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") He thought that it was the duty of the Bank of England to avoid increasing the amount of the dividends, or reducing the " rest." Taking everything into consideration, he believed that a dividend of 4i per cent. was a perfeetly satisfactory one, and ought to be agreed to.—(Hear, hear.) He thought that it was very inconvenient to discuss prospective subjects not before the meeting, and it was for this reason that he had been induced to interrupt the Hon. Proprietor (Mr.. Fielder). He entertained the most cordial good feeling for that gentleman, but he certainly differed with him in his opinions. He thought that they had nothing whatever to do with any calculations as to the profits of a future time. He begged, therefore, to give his support to the original motion.—(Hear, hear.) An Host. PROPRIETOR said that he thought that the meeting ought to congratulate themselves upon the secure manner in which the business had been carried on, and that they were entitled to divide 3i per cent., and an addition of 1/. bonus. Mr. COOKE trusted that the Court would not adopt the principle too generally adopted of showing all their goods in the windows, and leaving nothing in the cellars.—(Hear, hear.) He was sorry to hear that the directors had been charged with rendering money cheap at the time that the bullion was sinking in their vaults. He did not think that the directors were to blame, the fault was to be attributed to the working of the Act of 1844, the friends of which seemed to imagine that it was a self-acting measure, and was capable of adapting itself to all emergencies. When he considered what was promised on the other hand—that they were to have halcyon days, and that every poor man was to have 1/. in his cupboard— (Cries of " Question, question ")—he could not but think that they had been led astray.—(Cries of " Question.") As to the statement that the establish ment had made money dear, he denied that they had so; and he would ask, would they not have been blamed if they had done so when the Chancellor of the Ex chequer wanted eight millions of money for the dis tresses of the people of Ireland? He had no doubt that the Bill he had referred to would act with interest to the country, and in support of the establishment. It bad secured to the community at least great advantages. With respect to the dividend of 4i per cent. or 5 per cent., he thought it became the duty of the directors not to press too much upon the " rest."—(Hear, hear.) He trusted, therefore, that the dividend proposed by the Governor and directors would be unanimously adopted by the Court of Proprietors. Mr. Alderman SALoatosts, having set this ball rolling —(Laughter)—trusted that he should be pardoned if he said a few words upon the subject. He did not think that they were justified in making observations against her Majesty's Govern ment.—(Cheers.) lie should give his cordial support to the proposition before the Court for a dividend of four-ana- a-half per cent., believing that it would be found disadvantageous to the company if they inter fered with the Governor and directors, - particularly in so small a matter as ten shillings.—(Hear.) As to the " rest," it formerly never exceeded two and a half millions ; it had latterly amounted to three millions, which he thought was ample for all purposes, upon a capital of 14,000,000/. He trusted that the amendment for increasing the dividend would be withdrawn. Mr. FIELDER wished for nothing but unanimity on all sides of the Court, and he would, therefore, with draw his amendment. The amendment was then withdrawn. The GOVERNOR, in answer to the question of a Proprietor, said that the " rest" he had stated was after deducting bad debts. The GOVERNOR then put the question, that a divi dend should be granted of 4i per cent. on the half year. In doing so, he stated that the whole had been put in the shape of a dividend, because had part been put in the form of a bonus, parties having a life interest only would have had no claim to it. The dividend of 4i per cent. was then declared to be unanimously carried ; and The GOVERNOR informed the Court that the dividend warrants should be delivered and paid ce Thursday, 16th of April next. With reference to what had occurred at the last half-yearly meeting, he felt beund to state that the attention of the Court of Directors had been directed to the subject of the system pursue: ti on the se!‘ etien of dates to be re-elected, and the proprietors to be elected as directors and governors. It had been COURT CIRCULAR. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen yesterday, at Buckingham Palace, and par took of luncheon with her Maje►ty and Prince Albert. Her Royal highness Prince Albert rode out on horseback yesterday, attended by Colonel Bouverie, Equerry in Waiting. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took their accustomed airings yesterday. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and Mr. Edmond Mildmay, honoured the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne with their company at dinner yesterday evening, at Lansdowne House, Berkeley-square. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign-office. It was attended by the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Campbell, the Right Hon. H. Labou chere, Viscount Morpeth, and the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay. The Council sat one hour and a half. Captain Erskine, R.N., had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday, at the Colonial-office. A deputation of Commissioners of Property and Income-tax for the Tower Hamlets, consisting of Mr. George Offor (chairman), Mr. C. F. Butler, Mr. J. Humpreys, and Mr. T. H. Muck, accompanied by their solicitor, Mr. John Humphreys, had an inter view with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yester day, at his official residence in Downing-street. The deputation was introduced to the Right Hon. Baronet by Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P., Sir William Clay, Bart., M.P., and Mr. R. B. Osborne, M.P. PERUVIAN BONDHOLDERS. We have had the following correspondence about Peruvian affairs submitted to us. _ _ The following is the memorial regarding which Messrs. G. R. Robinson, I. Capel, and W. P. Ro bertson, on the pert of the Peruvian bondholders, had an interview with Lord Palmerston. The memorial was numerously and most respectably signed:— "My Lord, We, the undersigned, creditors and representatives of creditors of the state of Peru, in virtue of holding its legal and recognised bonds, beg respect fully to lay before your Lordship a brief statement of the wrongs which for years we have suffered from that republic, in the hope that you will find the case one legitimately calling for the prompt and active inter ference of her Majesty's Government. In 1822 and 1825 the republic of Peru borrowed in this country the conjoint capital amount of 1,816,000/., engaging to pay the lenders en annual interest of 6 per cent., and to pro vide a sinking fund for the extinction of the capital itself. During the twenty-six years which have inter vened since the major part of the loan was contracted, Peru has never remitted one farthing either to pay the interest or to extinguish the capital, Her creditors waited long and patiently in the belief that the want of means was the only bar to an honour- ' able fulfilment of the solemn obligation entered into by the republic; at all times expressing their readiness to listen to any proposals for a new arrangement of their claims, tending to facilitate an equitable adjustment with Peru. Matters remained in this unsatisfactory position till 1841, when a new source of riches to Peru sprang up, enormous and almost indefinite in amount, and wholly and exclusively State property. This was the deposits in the Chincha Islands of guano, which has since become so celebrated as a manure in England. Now this source of wealth being drawn exclusively from England itself, and absolutely unrealisable without its concurrence, seeing that this is the only country where guano is used to a n y ex t e nt, the creditors came to the natural conclusion that the necessary part of the proceeds would forthwith be applied to the payment of the long-deferred and accumulated debt due to the bond holders by the State. But your Lordship will have learned with surprise from the Committee of South American bondholders, that while Peru is reaping a rich harvest from the guano, while she a ideriving from it in England, and in England alone, not less than 300,0001. annually over and above her ordi nary revenue, the creditors appear this day to be as far from receiving payment of their debt, either in whole or in part, as they were twenty-six years ago. In the most scandalous and nefarious manner the executive Government of Peru continues to make contract after contract with foreign houses in Lima, which advance the whole proceeds there, and consign the guano for sale to their friends in London, just as if Peru had no claim of any kind against her here. One honest contract indeed was made in London by the Peruvian Minister Plenipo tentiary, on behalf of his Government; but it was indig nantly snouted by the latter, wholly and entirely on the ground that out of 500,000/. to be paid within two years to Peru, the moderate sum of 120,000/. was re served for the long-suffering creditors. Indeed Peru has taken up, and shamelessly pursues, a line of such unblushing tergiversation, dishonest subterfuge, and wretched chicanery, with her creditors, as to leave no hope whatever of the slightest attention being paid to their claims, unless peremptorily enforced and exacted by your Lordship, as her Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs. Towards this end your Lordship has the strong ground in equity to go upon, that the Govern ment issued a decree in 1842, ordering that one-half the proceeds of the guano should be appropriated to the payment of the bondholders. Aud that your Lordship may bo entirely satisfied, not only of the equity but of t h e legality of an interf erence i n our b e h a lf, on th e p ar t of her Majesty's Executive, we beg to lay before your Lordship the following literal translation of a law passed by the National Congress of the Peruvians on the 21st October, 1845. " Art. 1. The Executive shall religi ously fulfil, in all their parts, the contracts entered intowith individuals, national or foreign, at whatever timeon raed, er by whatever Executive adjusted. Art. 2, Ail the contract s w hi c h h ave b een made with const i tu tional Administ rat i ons s h a ll h ave t h e priority of payment, commencing with the oldest, and following in the order of their dates; while the contracts adjusted with Governments de feet° shall follow on the same principle." This law was promulgated with the usual formalities of the legislature; and the contract made with the British creditor, standing first in point of time, and having been entered into under a constitutional government, is first entitled to payment by the Peruvian treasury. Your Lordship will be prepared to hear that the decree of the Executive, and the law of the legisla tive Government of Peru in favou r of the bondholders, have remained, as they doubtless were intended to re main, a dead letter. Indeed, t h e Minister of France, in an official, but flagitious note, passed to Congress on the 23d November last, used these words ;—" Because heaven is bent on making us unexpectedly rich, that is no reason why our foreign creditors should be equally bent upon making us unexpectly poor." We trust we have made out such a case as will induce your Lordship offi cially to authorise Mr. Pitt Adams, her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Lima, to demand payment of our claims. In that gentleman we place implicit confidence, for he has ever displayed zeal, judgment, and ability, in main taining the rights of British subjects whenever be has been called on to advocate them. We have taken the liberty, my Lord, of naming a committee from our body, to transmit this our memorial to your Lordship, and to beg that you will admit the members of that committee, as a deputation, to the honour of a personal interview, at which every additional information which your Lord ship may desire will most readily be afforded—We have the honour to be, &c. ABSCONDING OF THE CASHIER OF LAFFITTE, BLoUNT, AND Co.'s BANK. -- A telegraphic dispatch reached Lille at half past eight o'clock in the morning of the 10th, ordering the arrest of an Englishman, named Burton, the cashier in the house of Messrs. Laf fitte, Blount, and Co., who h ad lef t Paris with securities and money to a considerable a moun t. THE GREAT BRITAIN...—At the me e ti ng o f the Great Western Steam -ship Company, at Bristol, last week, the expense attending the recovery of the Great Britain was stated to amount, after deducting the pro coeds of materials, to 12,6701. 14s. id. The estimates for restoring her to the condition .he was in previously to her stranding were, for hull, masts, sails, cabins, boats, anchors, cables, &c., 1.5,586/. 55.; machinery, 5,8081.; total, 21,694/. ss. The directors stated that after a settlement had been come to with the underwriters at Liverpool and Glasgow, negotiations for her sale would have their best a ttention.—Liverpool Mercury. AMERICAN Hors.—An arrival of 50 bales of hops, the growth of the United States of America, has just taken place at the port of Liverpool, by a vessel from Boston. This is a very large importation of this parti cular article of merelia,ndize Irma America, and we think by far the largest which has yet taken place from the United ages. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the (louse of Commons.) WEDNESDAY, ..;lARCII 15. ELECTION RECOGNIZANCES BILL. Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Ques tion proposed, " That the Bill:be now read a second time :" Amendment proposed, to leave out from the words " That the" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words " Order for referring the Petition presented against the Election and Return of Members for the Borough of Bodmin to the General Committee of Elections, which petition is mentioned and referred to in the said Bill, be discharged, and that no further proceedings be taken on the said Petition," instead thereof : —Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." The House divided:— MINORITY—AYES, 124. Adam", Sir T. Gaskell, J. M. Patten, J. W. Adair, Hugh E. Gladstone, W. E. Peahen, Captain Adair, R. Shafto Goulburn, Henry Rendlesham, Lord Armstrong, R. B. Gower, Leveson Ricardo, Osman Bailey, Joseph Grahasn, Sir James Richards, Richard Bailey, Joseph, jun. Greene Thomas Robartes, T. J. Barrington, Lord Grenfell, C. Pascoe Romilly, John Berkeley, Captain Grcnfel , Charles W. Seymour, Lord Bernal, Ralph Guest, Sir J. Sheridan, R. B. Birch, Sir Thomas Belford, Sir H. Shirley, E. J. Bourke, Richard S. Hall, Sir B. Simeon, John llouverie, E. P. Hallyburton, Lord Sotheren, T. H. S. Bramston, T. W. Hamilton, G. A. Stanley, R. J. Brotherton, Joseph Hamilton, Lord C. Stansileld, W. R. Bruce, C. L. Ileacllam,:Thomas Strutt, Edward Buller,:Charles Heathcote, Sir W. Stuart, Lord D. Burroughes, H. N. Beneage ' G. 11. W. Stuart, J. Carter, John B. Henley,, J. W. Sturt, Henry G. Cavendish, G. H. Berries, John C. Sutton, henry Cholmeley, Sir 3i. Holland, Robert Tennent, R. J. Christy, Samuel Hume, Joseph Thicknesse, Ralph Clay, Sir W. Hutt, William Thornely, Thomas Clerk Sir G. Jervis, Sir John Tr*Hope, Sir J. Clive, 11. B. Lascelles, E. Turner, George Conolly, Col. Law, C. E. Tynte, Colonel Corry, H. Lewis, Sir T. Verner, Sir W. Craig, W. G. 3PTaggart, Sir J. Vivian, J. E. Dalrymple, Captain Maitland, Thomas Wakley, Thomas Davie, Sir:H. March, Earl of Walpole, S. 11. Divctt, Edward Marshall, William Walsh, Sir J. B. l)od, J. W. Martin, J. Watkins, Colonel Duckworth, Sir J. Matheson, Colonel Wawn, JT. _ Duff, George S. Manic, Fox - Westhead, J. P. Duneuft, John Maxwell, Hon. J. P. Whitmore, T. C. Dundas, George Miles, W. Williamson, Sir li. Dunne, F. P. Mitchell, T. A. Wood, W. P. Ebrington, Viscount Moffatt, George Wyvill, Marmadake Estcourt, J. B. B. Monsell4William Yorke, H. R. Evans, - .William Morris, David Ferguson, Sir R. Napier, Joseph Ffolliott, J. :Coneys, Lord Fitzroy, Henry Norreys, Sir D. Fortescue, Chichester Parke, C. W. Adderley, C. M. Alexander, N. TrLucite. Harter, W. G. Rich, He►ry MAJORITY-NOES, 126. Fox, W. J. Fuller, A. E. O'Brien, Timothy Owen, Sir J J. Anderson, Arthur Galway, Viscount Paget, Lord C. Anson, Viscount Gibson, T. 31. Pllkington, James Archdall, Captain Goring, Charles Power, Dr. Arkwright, George Granby, Marquis •f Power, Nicholas Armstrong, Sir A. Greene, John Raphael, Alexander Bagge, W. Gwyn, Howel Reid, Colonel Bagot, William Hall, Colonel Repton, G. W. J. Bankes, G. Hardcastle, J. A. Reynolds, John Bennet, P. Henry, Alexander Ricardo, J. L. Berkeley, Grantley Hervey , Lord A. Roche, E. B. Blackall, S. W. Hildyard, R. C. Rufford, Francis Blackstone, W. Halyard, T. B. T. Rushout, Captain Blakemore, R. Hood, Sir A. Sadleir, John Boldero, Henry Mope, Henry T. Salwey, Celonel Bowring, Dr. Hornby, John Scott, Francis Bright, John Howard, C_W.G. Seymour, Sir li. Brown, Humphrey Hughes, W. B. Shell, R. L. Cabbell, B. B. Jackson, William Smith, J. Benjamin Callaghan, D. Jervis, John Smyth, Sir H. Chaplin, W. J. Keating, Robert Somers,V. P. Clay, James Keogh, William Stafford,:Augustas Clements, Charles Kershaw, James Stanley, Edward Cobden, Richard Knox, Colonel Stuart, Henry Cocks, Thomas S. Lacy, H. C. Sullivan, Michael Codrington, Sir W. Lindsay, Colonel Talbot, J. li. Coles, Henry B. Lushington, Charles Thompson, Colonel Crawford, W. S. Lygou, General Thompson, George Cripps, William Mackenzie, W. F. Tollemache, John Darner, Colonel Macnamara, Major Turner, E. Deering, John P. M`Gregor, John Tyrrell, Sir J. T. Devereux, John T. Magan, W . H. Villiers, Charles Dodd, G. Mahon, O'Gorman Walmsley, Sir J. Drax, J. S. W. E. Maunsell, T. B. Willcox, Brodie East, Sir J. B. Miles, Philip W. S. Williams, John Fagan, William Milnes, R. M. Willoughby, Sir H. Fagan, James Mowatt, Francis Wilson, James Floyer, John Manta, G. F. Wortley, J. 5. Foley, John 11. Neeld, Joseph Wyld, James Forbes, William Newry, Viscount TELLERS. Forster, Mathew Nugent, Sir Percy Spooner, Richard Fox, Richard M. O'Brien, John Anstey, Thomas C. Question put, " That the proposed words be there added." The Nouse divided : MINORITY—AYES, 78. Alexander, N. Gwyn, Howel Power, Nicholas Anderson, Arthur Hall, Colonel Rapkael, Alexander Anson, Viscount llardcastle, J. A. Reid. Colonel Armstrong, Sir A. Heathcoat, John Reynolds, John Bagge, William Hood, Sir Alexander Roche, E. B. Bennet, Philip Hope, H. T. Rufford, Francis Berkeley, Grantley Hughes, W. B. Rushout, Captain Blackall, S. W. Jackson, William Sadleir, Join Blakemore, R. Jervis, John Salwey, Colonel Brown, H. Keating, John Scott, F. Cabbell, B. B. Keogh, William Shell, R. L. Callaghan, D. Knox, Colonel Smith, John B. Chaplin, W. J. Lacy, Henry C. Somers, J. P. Clay, Sir W. Lindsay, Colonel Stafford, Augustus Clements, Charles Lushingten, C. Sullivan, Michael Codrington, Sir W. Lygon, Gen. Talbot, C. R. Cripps, W. .11Iacnarnara, Major Thompson, George Deering, John M'Gregor, John Tollemache,Vokn Devereux, J. T. Mahon, O'Gorman Turner, Edmund Drax, J. S. W. Maunsell, T. I'. Tyrrell, Sir J. Fagan, William Nugent, Sir Percy Walmsley, Sir J. Fagan, James O'Brien, J. Willcox, Brodie Foley, J. H. O'Brien, Timothy Williams, John Forbes, W. Owen, Sir John Wyld, James Fox, Richard M. Paget, Lord Clarence MLLES. Galway, Viscount Pilltington, James Anstey, Thomas Greene, John Power, Dr. Spooner, K. MAJORITY-NOES, 165. Fortescue, Chichester Napier, Joseph Fox, W. J. Neeld, Joseph Fuller, A. E. Newry, Viscount Gaskell, J. M. Norreys, Lord Goring, Charles Norreys, Sir D. Goulburn, Henry Packe, C. W. Gower, Leveson Patten, J. W. Graham, Sir James Pechell, Captain Granby, Marquis of Rendlesham,lLord Greene, Thomas Repton, G. W. J. Greufell, C. Pascoe Ricardo, Osman Grenfell, Charles W. Richards. Richard Guest, Sir John Robartes, T. J. Ilalford, Sir Henry Hominy, John Hall, Sir B. Seymer, H. K. Hallyburton, Lord Seymour, Lord Hamilton, G. A. Sheridan, R. B. Hamilton, G.:A. Shirley, E. J. Ileadlam, T. E. Simeon, John lleald, James Sotheron, T. H. S. Heathcote, Sir W. Stanley, E. J. Heneage, G. 11. Stanley, Edward Henley, J. W. Stansfleld, W. R. Henry, Alexander Strutt, Edward 'terries, J. C. Stuart, Lord D. Hervey, Lord A. Stuart, H. iiildyard, R. C. Stuart, John Itildyard, T. B. Sturt, H. U, Hollond, Robert Sutton, 11. M. Ilornby, John Tennent, R. J. Howard, C. W. Thicknesse, K. A. Hume, Joseph Thompson, Colonel Hutt, William Thornely, T. Jervis, Sir:John Trollope, Sir:J. Kershaw, James Turner, G. J. Lascelles, E. Tynte, Colonel Law, C. E. Verner, Sir W. Lewis, Sir T. Villiers, Charles Mackenzie, W. F. Vivian, J. E. IPTaggart, Sir J. Wakley, Thoins Magan, W. H. Walpole, S. 11. Maitland, T.. Walsh, Sir J. March, Earl:ot Watkins, Colonel Marshall, W. Wawn, J. T. Martin, J. Westhead, J. P. Matheson, Colonel Whitmore, T. C. Mauls, Fox Williamson, Sir 11. Maxwell, J. P. Willoughby, Sir 11. Miles, P. W. S. Wilson, James Miles, William Wood, W. P. Mitchell, T. A. Wortley, J. S. Moffatt, George Wyvill, Marmadnke Monsen, William Yorke, Henry R. • Morris, David TELLERS. Mowatt, Francis Hayter, W. G. Muntz, ; G F. Rich, Henry Acland, Sir T. Adair, Hugh E. Adair, R. Shafto Adderley, C. B. Arc Mall, Captain trkwright, G. Armstrong, H. B. Itagot, Hon. W. Bailey, Joseph. Bailey, J., jun. Bankcs, George Barrington, Ylscount Berkeley, Captain Bernal, Ralph Birch, Sir Thomas Blackstone, W. S. Boldero, 11. G. Rourke, R. S. Bouverie, E. P. Bowring, Dr. Bramston, T. X. Bright, John Brotherton,:J. Bruce, C. L. C. Buller, Charles Burroughes,lll. Carter, J. _B. Cavendish, G. H. Chohneley, Sir M. Christy, Samuel Clerk Sir George Clive, Henry B. Cobden, B. Cocks, T. S. Coles, H. X. Conolly, Colonel Corry, Henry Craig, W. G. Crawford, W. S. Dalrymple, Captain Davie, Sir Henry J)ivett, E. Dod, J. W. Dodd, George Duckworth, Sir J. Duff, G. S. Duncuft, John Duudas, George Dunne, Francis r. East, Sir J. B. Ebriugton, Lord Estcourt, J. B. B. Evans, John Ferguson, Sir B. Floyer, John Forster, M. RAILWAY BILLS. The following is the first report from the Select Corn. mittee appointed on the Railway Bills of this session, who were empowered to report their opinion from time to time to the House: — I. That the amount of capital proposed to be raised by the Railway Bills of the present session is not so great as to render it expedient that any general measure should be adopted for interfering with the progress of such Bills in their ordinary course, beyond a careful and strict investigation by the Committee on the points hereafter specified. 11. That the attention of the Committee to whom the various Railway Bills shall be referred, be specially called to the necessity of strictly enforcing, with regard to such Bills, the standing orders which were adopted by the House of Commons in the last session of Parlia ment, on the recommendation of the Committee on Railway Bills—viz., with respect to the new Bills of this session, the standing orders, Nos. 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130 ; and with respect to suspended Bills, the two standing orders which follow the above orders; and that in each case (whether the Bill be a new or a suspended Bill) they make a special inquiry into the sufficiency and bond fide character of the subscription contract, and report their opinion thereupon to the House. 111. That the standing orders relating to suspended Bills be rescinded, so far as they shorten the period re quired between the second reading of the Bill and the sitting of the C o mmittee thereon; also so far as they would prevent the Committee from receiving evidence and hearing parties with reference to the sufficiency and bond fide character of the subscription contract ; and, lastly, so far as they dispense with the further considera tion of the report previously to the engrossment of the Bill. IV. That seven clear days shall in all cases intervene between the report of a Railway Bill and the further consideration of such report, and that on the further consideration of such report the Chairman of Ways and Means shall acquaint the House whether the Bill con tains the necessary provisions for carrying into effect the standing orders specified in the second resolution. SUICIDE.—Last evening an inquest was held at Bartholomew's Hospital, before Mr. W. Payne, on the body of Richard Daynes, aged 27. The deceased was a member of a highly respectable family at Norwich, but for some time past had resided at the Sun Tavern, London-wall, and obtained a living as a common mes senger. He suffered from a disease which gave him great pain. On Tuesday morning, while in bed in a room in which two other persons slept, he inflicted a large wound in his throat with a razor, and was so deter mined to receive no relief that he tried to fasten the door against the surgeon. He was then removed to the hospital, and died there in an hour. Before retiring to rest the previous night he wrote the following in chalk, addressed to his brother, on the bagatelle oard of the tavern :—" Dear Samuel,--1 regret to have to write to you under such unfortunate circumstances. Be careful how you break it to my mother. If others had been as kind to me, I should not have suffered the privations I have. With kind love to all, except to one woman, I am, yours truly, R.D.—P.S. I give 40,000/. to Mr. Anthill.' Verdict, Temporary Insanity. FIRES IN TUB PROVINCES.--A fire, the damage inflicted by which is estimated at 1,000/., took place last week in the extensive dy e-works of Messrs. Smith Brothers, Thornton-road, Leeds. On Thursday an, alarming tire took place at Bristol, in the New Market Tavern, adjoining the Butter Market. The house was entirely destroyed. LITERATURE. THE PRACTICE of the COURT for the RELIEF of INSOLVENT DEBTORS in LONDON, and in COUNTY COURTS. By John Jetgoe, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. In passing Acts of Parliament for establishing courts of justice the Legislature has a very important duty to perform, and a no less arduous task the lawyer has to perform who writes on the practice which is to give effect to such Acts. We are led to these obser vations from the perusal of the present work, which gives the practice under 1 and 2 Vict., c. 110, and 10 and 11 Vict., c. 102, so little understood in county courts, that the diversity of opinions on the construction of these statutes has caused serious in convenience to the public. Mr. Jagoe's work is there fore most opportune, as every branch of this difficult subject is minutely given with that perspicuity for which the works of the learned writer are so remarkable. This book completes the entire practice of the insolvency statutes of the late session, and, though last, is not least in merit. In the preface Mr. Jagoe says that " the present work on the practice of the Insol vent Debtors' Court in London and in County Courts, with the practice of insolvency and summons for debt, recently published by me, comprehend both branches of a subject which, though rather alike in name, are so dissimilar in practice, that it would not be doing justice to either to write them in one volume." In this we concur, as it is more suitable to the profession to have the practice under such important statutes separately given, with an index for reference to each work. We have read the reports of the applications which have been made, and the arguments used for and against the right of county courts to discharge prisoners on sureties, but the manner in which Mr. Jagoe treats this subject appears to us to be quite conclusive:— " Section 10 of 10 and 11, Vic., c. 102, empowers the judge of a county court to fix a time and place for the prisoner to be brought up, and to cause the usual notices to be given ; when these duties are per formed his functions, as judge, before the hearing, are at an end. On the day appointed for the Court to sit, the judge presides, hears the prisoner's case, and pronounces the judgment of the Court, but all or ders issued must be signed by the Court,' not 'by the judge.' The part of the section that gives jurisdiction to a county court is copied from section 30, 1 and 2 Vic., c. 110, which prescribed the duties of the Circuit Commissioners, who could not, under this section, issue subpconas, or discharge prisoners on sureties, that power being vested in the London Court alone, as the Act gives no general authority to a county court to discharge prisoners on sureties, nor to do any act until the hearing, when, for the first time, it has jurisdiction in the cases referred to it ; an order, which may be made even at the hearing, would be illegal if issued before that time, so that a warrrant, by a county court, to discharge a prisoner on sureties cannot be upheld when unauthorised by the Act, and made before the formation of the court. " Section 11 of 10 and 11 Vic.,:c. 102, has only re ference to recognizances taken before the 15th of September, 1847, and as these recognizances bound prisoners to appear before the Commissioners on cir cuit, it was necessary to enact that prisoners so bound should appear before :county courts ; but there is nothing in this :section to give county courts the power of taking recognizance% and discharging pri soners. "It seems that the Legislature did not contemplate that county courts were to discharge prisoners on sureties, supposing that the Commissioners would issue commissions as usual, and on the recognizance taken in the country being transmitted to London, that the court would discharge prisoners until the hearing." County Courts, under these statutes, have a very peculiar jurisdiction; they are ancillary to the In selvent Debtors' Court in London, and used for the convenience of hearing prisoners' cases in the country, consequently they have no jurisdiction but for this specific purpose, and the Court has no power until the hearingof the case referred to it. Mr. Jagoe's view is, therefore, correct, as any order made before that time would be illegal, and even then, except for remanding or discharging prisoners. After the case is heard the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors in London has absolute control over all the proceedings, and applications by creditors and insolvents must be made to that Court ; but we refer to Mr. Jagoe's work, where the entire of this complicated practice is very ably laid down. THE LONDON and PROVINCIAL MEDICAL DIRECTORY, 1848. The " Medical Directory" for 1848, is a great im provement upon its predecessor—instead of a mere almanac, we have a diary, in which we find noted the days of meeting of the various medical and scientific societies. In the " Provincial Directory," we find, in addition to the usual list of names, a local list, wherein, by reference to any town or district in England or Wales, the names of all practitioners resident in the locality will at once be found, and also a list of the Poor-law Medical staff of the various unions throughout the kingdom. These additions make the directory a complete mirror of the personnel of the profession. The contents are admirably arranged, and the work is well printed and neatly got up. It will, no doubt, find a place on the con sulting-room table of every member of the profes sion. FINE ARTS. THE ART-UNION MONTHLY JOURNAL. As an engraving, the copy from the last picture by Sir David Wilkie, " Knox administering the Sacra ment," is rather curious than beautiful. It must be remembered, however, that the original was only half finished when the celebrated master of Scotch paint ing died so prematurely. From the little that was completed in this, his final composition, the genius of Wilkie can still be recognised in the grouping as well as in the befitting serenity and solemnity of the scene. " The Princess Royal," in an allegorical dress, as " Summer," being a sketch from the exqui site statue by Mary Thornycroft, is admirably clever, and is remarkable for the infantile grace of the atti tude. Mrs. S. C. Hall continues her delightful " Pilgrimages to English Shrines," describing this month the appearance of Sandford Manor-house, once upon a time the residence of Nell Gwynne. The chapter is enriched by the autograph of the initials of the favourite, for poor Nelly, it seems, knew nothing beyond that of the art of penmanship. " The Fisher man's Return" is an admirable engraving by Kernot, from the painting of Poittevin. The water is spark ling with limpidity, and the group in the foreground is boldly delineated. MUSIC. DAVIDSON'S MUSICAL TREASURY. Parts XCI V. and XCV. --_ These numbers of the " Musical Treasury" fully sustain the high character which this admirable publication has already attained. We have Mignon's song, by Goethe (the music by Beethoven) ; the over ture to the Nozze di Figaro ; the " Le Verol Baliare," arranged as a pianoforte piece; the German national song, " Fatherland ;" and four songs from Auber's last new opera of Haydie ' with both French and English words. Thus the "Musical Treasury" constitutes not only the cheapest, but the best repertoire of po pular pianoforte music that has ever apared. Mr. Davidson is doing for music what Mr. Charles Knight has done for literature. DAVIDSON'S LITTLE PIECES FOR LITTLE PLAYERS. DAVIDSON'S LITTLE SONGS FOR LITTLE SINGERS. These series are admirably adapted for the use of those for whom they are intended. Little players practising these pieces will be enabled to make the piano discourse raost excellent music without running the risk of dislocating their little fingers ; and little singers will be enabled to sing pleasingly without straining their little voices. These series are great boom to teachers and children. Ltricomt, TuEsDAY--Sir Edward Lytton resigned this morning in favour of Mr. Hobhouse, whose return is:thereby rendered safe. In his address announcing his intention, Sir Edward says:—" I arrived in Lincoln this morning : I have examined into the state of parties, and I have come at once to the determination to withdraw from the contest. I shall not regret my visit if it ena ble me, by the immediate sacrifice of my own pretensions, to mitigate in some degree the unfortunate dissensions amongst those once united with me in a common cause. It would, therefore, give me great pleasure if such of my personal friends as coincide in the general politics of Mr. Hobhouse will transfer to him their su pport. Both divisions in that great party, which formerly blended under ono banner all those who thought alike upon public affairs, may thus again renew their fellowship and co-operation. And I sincerely trust no irritation at any injustice, real or supposed, which I individually may be held to sustain, will in this critical condition of our country be allowed to interfere with so desirable a result. I will hope that those who once honoured me with a confidence which they may hereafter acknowledge I have done nothing to forfeit, will receive this, my parting address, in the same friendly spirit w i t h which it is framed; and had I in the last election seen an equally fair probability of healing painful differences by my retirement, which appears to me afforded by my prompt resignation in the present instance, those who know me best know that I should have been as ready then as now to obtain, by personal sacrifice, that great public object which I never ceased to desire." Mr. Raikes Currie paired off in favour of Mr. i Ewart's motion for the abolition of the punishment of death, with Mr. Henry Currie against. We are requested to state that Mr. J. L. Ricardo paired with Mr. Sotheron in favour of Mr. Ewart's mo tion for the abolition of capital punishment. The Governor and Directors of the East India Company have appointed the Rev. William Frederick Hamilton, M.A., curate of Trinity Church, St. Mary lebone, to be chaplain to the East India Company's 1 Asylum, at Poplar, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. 'bury, Iligginion, ALA. DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM, THE INVERURY POET. TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUNDEE COURIER. Dundee, February 29, 1848. Sir,—The painful task has been deputed to me of an• nonncing to the public the death of William Thom, the Inverury poet. For some time past he bad been in de licate and declining health; and his diseased state of body was doubtless aggravated by the uncertainty of his circumstances, and the consequent anguish of his honourable and sensitive mind. Yesterday, in our city, at half-past eleven A.M., he departed this life. He has left behind him something more than a name, — some true and beautiful strains—which, as " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," the world will not willingly suffer, like the inscription on the coffin. to be buried in the tomb. He has left behind him, alas ! something of yet tenderer and more mournful interest—a widow and three children—the eldest of whom is only four years, and the youngest but a few months old. These are utterly destitute, and but for the kindness of one or two private friends, might have been cast out ere this to the charity of the streets. I make no appeal in behalf of the poet himself: " After life 's fitful fever he sleeps well." He has found what the most troubled and tempest-tossed wanderer will at last find—and which to him was peculiarly grateful—rest. Nor will I indulge or express any vindictive feelings as to the treatment which he received while yet alive. A true poet, he met with truly poetic usage. He was caressed, but not fed, as if one could sup on incense, or as if one public dinner could keep a man alive for years! But I would bespeak general sympathy i n b e h a lf o f hi s d est i tute f am il y . I would implore every l over o f li terature — every one w h o has derived pleasure from the departed poet's lyrics, or from the simple story of his life—to prove their pleasure and their gratitude true by some more substantial evidence than exclamations or tears. I would call especially upon those who saw him at our late Watt Festival, and heard almost his latest breath given forth in those brief, broken, but thrilling accents—accents how far superior to the measured ca dences of rhetoric—to testify by generous deeds their sense of melancholy satisfaction that theirs was the privilege of meeting with and hearing him for the last time. No time ought to be lost. Indeed, no time has been lost. Intimations to the above effect either have been, or are immediately to be, dispatched to Douglas Jerrold, Charles Dickens, Lord Jeffrey, and others. But as Dundee has had the honour of contain ing his deathbed, let us follow the start we have acci dentally gained by instant, active, strenuous efforts in behalf of his widow and his "fatherless bairns." Messrs. Chalmers, Middleton, and Shaw, booksellers, and Mr. Mills, perfumer, have kindly undertaken to receive donations. The smallest sum will be welcomed. I am, Sir, yours truly. GEORGE GILFILLAN. The following are the last verses of the late William Thom, written shortly before his death:— SONO OF THE DWELLERS IN DEAN YALE. Tune—" Miller o' Dee." While we laugh and sing in this happy ring, With a bright and a brotherly glee, May we never forget that the sun bath set On the homes of misery. For oh! it may be that this chill night wind Sweeps round some fireless hearth; Freezing the heart of the homeless one With never a friend on earth. Then aye as we sing may we closer cling, In our bright and brotherly glee; Yet never forget that the sun may set On the homes of misery. Man was not made for the world alone, The world was lent to man; 'Tis a debt we owe to Heaven, you know, Then pay it as well as you can. Now winter rides mad in his carriage of snow, With his pelting rain and his hail; May it never be said that hunger and woe Held abiding in bonny Dean Vale. Then aye as we sing may we closer cling, In our bright and brotherly glee; And never forget that the sun may set On the homes of misery. W. THOM. THEARE ROYAL DRURT-LANE.—The performances of Franconi's Equestrian Troupe are attracting nume rous and fashionable audiences to the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane, Among the visitors on Monday and Tuesday we recognised—the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis and Marchioness of Douro, Count de Montemolin, the Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas, the Marquis of Donegal, his Excellency the Brazillian Minister and family, Earl Fitzwilliam and family, Count D'Orsay, Lord Chesterfield, Earl of Munster, Earl Fitzhardinge, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarenee, Lords A. and G. Lennox, Lord Templemore, Lord John Hay, Lady Loui sa Ram say, Sir G. Wombwell, Sir Bellingham Graham, Lord Somerton, Lord Canterbury, Miss Burdett Coutts, Lord G. Paget, &c. SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 15.—The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company's ship Iberia, Captain F. Burney, sailed to day for Genoa, Leghorn, and Civita Vecchia, calling at Gibraltar. The Iberia takes out no mails ; she has a few passengers and a valuable cargo. The Montrose is expected to-morrow from Gibraltar, Cadiz, and Lisbon. FATAL OCCURRENCE ON THE SOUTH-WESTERN BAlLwAY.—Yesterday an inquest was held at Basing stoke by Mr. Shebbeare, the coroner for the county of Hants, upon the body of Thomas Ralph, aged 41. The deceased, who had been upwards of nine years in the service of the company, was guard of the goods train from Southampton. On Sunday morning, and shortly before five o'clock, the train having taken in luggage at Basingstoke, the deceased got on the engine to give some directions to the driver, his feet resting on the engine and tender, when the train was set in motion, and had proceeded a tew hundred yards, the massive work that connects the engine with the tender broke, and the unfortunate man was precipitated on the line, the tender and most of the vans and trucks passing over his body and mutilating it in a most frightful manner. A verdict of " Accidental death" was returned. BATHS AND:WASIIIIOUSES FOR THE LABOURIN* CLASSES.—Yesterday a meeting of the committee and supporters of the above undertaking in the north-west district of the metropolis, was held at the institution in George-street, Euston-square - the Rev. C. W. Dods worth, M.A., in the chair. The general report stated that the institution was opened in August, 1846, and that its statistical and financial progress up to the pre sent period was highly satisfactory. The number of persons who have availed themselves of its benefits being upwards of 179,000 male and female bathers; and 66,237 poor women have washed, dried, ironed, and mangled the linen of themselves and families to the average of nearly two millions of articles. The society is indebted for loan and liabilities on account of the building fund, to 8151.; and when this sum is liquidated the establish.. ment will be self-supporting. The receipts for the past five weeks ending the 12th inst., amounted to 1541. 14s. 4d.; the expenditure to 1191. ss. 7d.; leaving a profit on the working of 351. Bs. 9d. The donations during the same period were upwards of 60/. A very rich vein of lead ore has just been dis covered within the manor of Hartsop, in Patterdale. The Earl of Lonsdale is lord of the manor.—Carlisle Journal. FREE EXHIBITION OF SELECT BRITISH MANU FACTURES.—The second private view of this annual ex hibition took place on Saturday evening, in the house of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Manu factures, and it was numerously attended by a distin guished assemblage. His Royal highness Prince Albert, the president, had previously paid the exhibition a morning visit, and having examined its subjects minutely, pronounced it to be every way superior to that of last year. He was attended by the Hon. Colonel C. B. Phipps and Colonel Bouverie, and on leaving gave instructions that some of the most valuable objects should be procured for his private use. Among the visitors were the following:—The Marquis of Lans downe, the Earl of Harrowby, Lord R. Grosvenor, Lord Colborne, Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P., Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Rowland Hill, Sir J. Clark, Mr. J. Danvers, Mr. R. Westmacot, Mr. S. Redgrave, Mr. Bailey, Professor Graham, Mr. Auldjo, Mr. S. C. Hall, Mr. Le Neve Foster, the Marquis of Northampton, the Earl of Auckland, Mr. Wyse, M.P., Mr. Tidd Pratt, Mr. C. Laudseer, General Fox, Mr. Twining, Sir George Stainton, Bart., Mr. Baldwin, Mr. R. Reinagle, Mr. M. Ricardo, Mr. W. Tooke, Mr. Wyndham Harding, Mr. G. Moore, Dr. Farey, Messrs. T. Workworth, H. Col naghi, C. J. Richardson, T. H. Plaskett, J. G. Crace, C. Osler, R. Z. Troughton, F. Fuller, G. E. Dennes, J. Payne , W . S. Russell, J. Knight, R. Hunt, J. D. Sedge wick, E. Hawkins, &c. &c. DEATH FROli SWALLOWING COAL GAS.—Yester day, Mr. Baker, held an inquest, at the Royal Oak, Margaret-street, on view of the body of David Cham bers, aged fifty-five, a gas-pipe fitter, in the employment of the Imperial Gas Company, Ilaggerstone, who died through :swallowing a quantity of carbonic acid gas, while he was at work at No. 2, Bath-place, Cambridge heath-gate, repairing the gas-pipe. The foreman of the jury remarked that where there was danger in the cut ting and re-connexion of gas-pipes, two men ought to be employed by the company. Verdict—" Accidental death, from inhaling a quantity of gas, and the jury recommended that at such work two men should be em ployed instead of one." day before Mr. Frederick John Manning, the coroner of - CORONER'S INQUBST.—An inquest w a s held yester the Queen's household and of the Verge, and a jury composed of officers of the Palace at the House of Lords, on the body of Mr. Benjamin Currey, late clerk-assis tant to the House of Lords. It appeared that the de ceased gentleman was struck with apoplexy while g i v i n g instructions to his assistants, and remained insen sible for some hours until his death, which took place on Monday last. The evidence being perfectly conclusive as to the cause, the jury without hesitation returned a verdict " That the deceased died by the visitation of God in a natural way." AMICABLE UNITED BENEFIT SOCIETT.—The 101st anniversary of this society took place on Tuesday, 14th March, at the Fountain tavern, Red Cross-street, Crip plegate; Mr. H. S. Brigg in the chair. This excellent institution that has existed so many years has not de pended so much upon the extent of its funds as upon the good management, united purpose, and general respec tability of its members. It has always paid its full de mand in sickness, funerals, &c., according to its scale of payments. Alderman Thomas Challis is one of its honorary members. After dinner the usual loyal toasts were given, some excellent speeches were made by the chairman, by Mr. Wright, Mr. Sparks, Mr. Evans, Mr. Stockford, and Mr. Bowles, and the meeting broke up soon after 11 o'clock. _ _ Lord Blantyre embarked at Blackwall• pier yester dsy morning, on board the General Steam Navigation Company's mail steam-ship Giraffe, for Rotterdam.