The Sun. — London, England, 1865-03-02 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence. VALETTA, Feb. 23.—There is as yet no satis factory news to report of the Malta and Alexan dria telegraph, which, in all probability, will con tinue out of working order for some time. The Fanny Lambert returnedon the morning of the 18th inst., from Benghazi, for the perpose of refitting and recoaling, after having experienced, with little in termission since the 10th January, perhaps the most stormy weather that has been felt on the coast of Barbary for nearly 30 years. Benghazi has suffered much from the storm, the sea having washed down several buildings. The Pasha's palace has been 5 . 0 undermined that he has been obliged to remove his harem to the convent, the ladies inhabiting one end and the brothers the other. Notwithstanding the ut most exertions used by therepairing staff, few oppor tunities were afforded for touching the cable, which was found to be very weak near the fault, that is, about 30 miles to the eastward of Benghazi. One of the ends was attached to a buoy , but it has since been broken away by the high waves. The Fanny Lam bert, having been made rea d y for sea, will again leave as soon as the weather moderates, in order to repair a slight interruption near Tripoli, on the Benghazi side. The only section now remaining perfect is that between Tripoli and Malta. If successful she will resume operations on the Benghazi and Alexandria section ; but new cable will be required from England to re-establish telegraphic communication with Alexandria. Her Majesty's steam corvette Pelican has been ordered back to Malta, but has not yet ap peared, doubtless owing to a heavy contrary gale which has prevailed for several days. She communi cated with Benghazi on the 16th inst., which is the latest news that has been received of her. The fol lowing are the movements of the ships of war on this station during this week :—The Hydra, 1, pad dlewheel surveying ship, Capt. A. L. Mansell, left Malta Harbour on the 16th inst. for Cephalonia. The Cockatrice, 2, Lieut.-Commander R. M. Gib son, left port the same day for Constantinople and the Danube. The Caradoc, 2, paddlewheel despatch vessel, Lieut.-Commander E. H. Wilkinson, left on Saturday for Alexandria to be placed at the disposal of Sir Henry Bulwer. The iron-cased frigate, Royal Oak, 35, Capt. F. C. Campbell, the iron frigate Resistance, 16, Capt. W. Chamberlain, and the iron-cased ship, Enterprise, 4, Cammander Rowley, left port this morning for general exercise. The Enterprise re-entered port this afternoon. The Cossack, 20, Capt. W. R. Rolland (on leave), is at present in Malta Harbour, being fitted with Orde's apparatus for raising the screw. The Gibraltar, 81, Capt. R. Coote, is undergoing a general refit. There are also in port the Victoria, 101 (flagship of the Commander-in-Chief), Captain J. G. Good enough ; the Hibernia, receiving ship (flagship of Rear-Admiral Kellett, C. 8.), Commander Harvey ; the Racer, 11, Commander J. N. T. Saulez, leaves for Tunis to-morrow ; the Firefly, 5, surveying ship, Commander G. R. Wilkinson ; the Psyche, 2, pad dlewheel despatch vessel, Lieut.-Com. Sterne ; the Wizard, 2, gun vessel ; and tug Hearty. The Swe dish corvette Gaffe, 8, Capt. R. Pettersen, put into this port on the 18th inst. On her voyagefrom Gib raltar to Smyrna she, in the vicinity of Galita, fell in with the Venezuelan schooner Jupiter, C. H. Ramrn, master, which had been dismasted and dis abled during the late gales, and towed her into Malta harbour for safety. After performing this act of humanity the corvette resumed her voyage on the following. A court martial was held on Tuesday last on board H.M.S. Hibernia, to try Mr. Thos. Stead, assist.-engineer second class, of H.M.S. Victoria, for drunkenness. Capt. R. Coote, commanding the Gib raltar, presided, and Mr. F. J. Fegen, R.N., secre tary to Vice-Admiral Smart, officiated as judge-ad vocate. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sen tenced to forfeit all seniority, and to be severely reprimanded. Mr. James, master's-assistant of the Cossack, has been appointed to the Caradoc. A private telegram from Gibraltar announces the ar• rival there of the Liffey, 35, screw frigate, Capt. G Parker, on her way to the West Indies. Two ma. Tines belonging to this ship were accidentally drowned at the Mole on the night of the 14th inst. Mr. Gray, second master and assist.-surveyor of H.M.S. Fire fly, has been appointed acting master, vice Mr. Christian, who has been superseded at his own re quest. We are shortly expecting Prince Arthur here on his Mediterranean tour. His Royal Highness, attended by Major Elphinstone, will embark at Marseilles on board the Enchantress, royal yacht, and is expected to arrive at Naples about the 7th inst. The Revenge, 74, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Yelverton, C. 8., has received orders to come up from Baia, -to her old moorings at St. Lucia, to be in readiness to receive the Prince. The Supply, 2, screw iron storeship, Staff Com mander C. Bawden, arrived at Spithead on Tuesday morning from the Mediterranean, with condemned and returned naval ordnance stores, and a few super numeraries and passengers from Malta and Gibral tar. She sailed from Malta on Feb. 9, and from Gibraltar on the 21st. Between Malta and Gibraltar very heavy weather was experienced, the Supply having to be kept partially hove to from the 9th to the 12th Feb. From Gibraltar to the Channel strong head winds prevailed. The Liffey, screw frigate, Capt. G. Parker, was at Gibraltar at the time the Supply left undergoing repairs. Soon after the Sup ply's arrival at Spithead yesterday, she received orders to proceed to Woolwich, and sailed at 2 p.m. An Admiralty order was received at Woolwich to hold the Vivid in readiness to sail for Dover yester day, to embark Prince Arthur and suite for Calais. The departure of the Vivid was ultimately postponed. The Prince will proceed through the Continent, and join the Enchantress, now at Marseilles, for the pur pose of cruising along the coasts of the Mediterra nean. He intends prosecuting his favourite amuse ment of rowing, as opportunity may occur, during his tour, and takes with him a little skiff built for his use last summer at Cowes, with which he has been in the habit of practising on the river at Wool wich. The skiff is on board the Enchantress. Her Majesty's screw steam corvette Scout, 21 guns, 1,462 tons, 400-horse power, Master in charge A. J. Burniston, which was removed from the large basin in Sheerness dockyard to moorings in the har bour on Friday last, after having been thoroughly re paired, both in machinery and hull, and fitted with a new forcastle and poop, has been since taken to the measured mile off Maplin Sands to test her speed and steaming qualities. During the trial the vessel was in charge of Capt. W. K. Hall, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Cumberland, guardship of the steam reserve at Sheerness, the machinery being un der the supervision of Mr. J. Urquhart, senior chief engineer at Sheerness. The Sco ut made six runs at full boiler power, and full speed on the measured mile, with the following results : Average speed, 10.568 knots per hour ; revolutions of en gines, 58 ; pressure of steam, 201 b. Two runs were made at half-boiler power with an average speed of 7.804 knots per hour. The vessel was also tested on the circle at full and half power—at full speed, with helm 26i deg. to port ; time of turning the circl, 4 rain. 50 sec. ; at half power, with helm 28 deg. to starboard, time smin. 18 secs. She is fitted with Smith's propeller, with the leading corners cut off. Diameter, 16ft ; pitch, 23ft 6in. The ventilation is ve r y . good, and th e di s tilli ng a ppa r atus, which was aisof steamo tried, work e d most sat i s f actor il y. Full pressure could not be maintained during the whole of the trial, in consequence of the boilers priming. Not withstanding thi s , h owever, the trial was considered satisfactory, and the ship has been reported as ready for sea. The screw steamship Ajax, 60, has been removed from her moorings in Ilamoaze into Keyham-lbasin, for the purpose of being broken U. She wilpro bably be followed by the Hogue, 60. The depot 17th Lancers arrived at Colchester yes terday from Maidstone. The depot is to be quartered in the new cavalry barracks at Colchester, with the exception of about 40 married and single men, wh o will be accommodated in the lines of the 9th depot battalion. The following appointments have been made at the Admiralty :—Staff Commander P. Loney, to command the Isis, vice Leethem, superseded at his Own request ; Lieut. George T. Morrell, to the Meander ; Lieut. Basil E. Cochrane to the Torch ; Valentine F. Johnson, master, to the Hydra ; John T: Gowlland, master, to the Curacoa for surveying duties ; Henry P. Ward to the Cumberland for the Arethusa ; Sub-Lieut. Reginald C. Townshend, to the Research ; F. C. Dundas, midshipman, to the Defence; J. D. Maycock, midshipman, to the Hydra; Rev. J. J. Harrison, chaplain and naval instructor to the Victory, vice Lugg, whose period of home ser vice has expired ; the Rev. T. R. Holme, chaplain and naval instructor to the Wellesley, vice Lang, whose period of home service has expired ; the Rev. J. H. Knapp, chaplain and naval instructor to the St. Vincent, vice W hitmarsh, whose period of home service has expired ; the Rev. R. N. Jackson, chaplain and naval instructor to the Impregnable, vice Williams, whose period of service has expired ; the Rev. J. Lugg, chaplain and naval instructor to the Revenge, vice Knapp ; the Rev. E. A. Williams, chaplain and naval instruc tor to the Cadmus, complementincomplete ; Richard Godden, second master to the Torch; Commander Hon. W. C. Talbot to the Fawn, vice Wrey, pro moted; Commander J. E. Erskine to the Speedwell, vice. G. M. Cottam, invalided ; Lieut. J. G. G. M‘Hardy to command the Investigator, vice Knowles, invalided ; Lieut. C. T. Williamson to the Royal George ; F. W. Fisher nominated to a naval cadetship ; Henry Macdonald, assist.-surg., addi tional, to the Fisgard ; Mr. W. Goldson, assist.- paymaster, to the Victory ; Henry M. Bernard, assist.-paymaster, to the Duke of Wellington; W. Glasspole, chief engineer, to the Warrior, . Bush, engineer, to the Torch ; W. Crosbie, engineer, to the Blenheim, for the Julia ; John T. Goff, assist.- engineer, to the Niger ; A. Forrester, and E. Barrett, assiist.-engineer, to the Torch. Captain Edward Codd was yesterday appointed Captain Superintendent of the Royal William Victualling Yard and the Plymouth Hospital, vice Capt. Douglas Curry, promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral. state of Feeling in the South. At a vast meeting held at the African Church at Richmond, Virginia, on the 9th of February, to consider the state of the country and the duties of the hour, THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1865. would be equivalent to 51 per cent. per annum, but the shareholders would have all the information possessed by the directors placed before them about eight days prior to the 21st of March, on which day it was intended to hold a meeting for the full consideration of this important sub ject. He believed the arrangement would be a good one for the company, and he hoped it would be sanctioned by the shareholders. He was satisfied that the bargain now offered was one which he could not but recommend to the pro- prietors. Mr. HERAPATH inquired if it was intended to merge the Vale of Neath in the Great Western, or merely to lease the line to that company. The CHAMMAN replied that it was intended to be an ab solute amalgamation. The meeting was then adjourned to the 21st of March. an agreement with the South-Western Company, who were now promoting a Bill in Parliament to carry out that ar rangement. The accounts showed a dividend of £2 11s. 3d. to the preference shareholders forthe half-year ending De cember 31, making £4 ss. 11d. on the entire year. The report was adopted and the retiring directors were re-elected. Mr. HUGH W. SHEFFRY, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, made the following character istic speech. He said—God, in my opinion, never made a race of which Stonewall Jackson is a type and President Davis the representative man—(great cheering)—and from which sprung that great and good old chieftain, Robert E. Lee--(prolonged cheering)—to be destroyed, though it were thrown into the lion's den or into a furnace seven times heated. It cannot be done. They talked about subjugating the South ; they who believe that the . _ mind and heart can be subjugated are base, sensual natures. It cannot be done, sir ; even from the hand of a true conqueror the manhood of South would pluck power, and in a short time the van quished would rule the conqueror. Mr. Chairman, do not you feel (if you do not, I do), stronger and braver than ten days ago? Do not you feel that the tide is on the turn ? You spoke of the auguries of the ancients and of the signs of the times. I know that these signs will be revealed in favour of our country. I know that the tide of patriotism is run ning through the length of the Confederacy, and that that message from Hampton Roads, when it reached our telegraphic lines, went like a shock from the centre to the circumference, and every man sprung to his feet, vowing to do or die rather than submit. (Cheers.) The fires of 1861 I feel burning brightly in my heart: The fires of aroused patriotism will consume a gOod deal of rubbish which has gathered since the commencement of the war, and it will be a jolly bonfire. It will not consume the doubters, but the doubts—not the croakers, but the croaking—not the money cormorants, but the greed for lucre ; and from the crackling of the flames all will come out purer and brighter. Where is the reconstructionist now ? How does he take the issue? A week or ten days ago we heard many whispering, sometimes with bated breath and sometimes louder, about " reconstruction," " peace, precious peace.' Peace was so much yearned after that men forgot there was anything better than peace. They forgot the precious blood that had been shed. They for got the desolated fields, scorched by the red flame of war. They forgot the orphan's wail and the widow's cry, and were almost persuaded to go back to the Union, if they could carry their heads on their shoulders. Some were willing to run some risk with their heads, if they might only carry with them their notes and bonds and title-deeds under their arms, (Laughter.) Some were hitching up carts to carry their Confederate notes in, and some were arranging their woolly heads in line to take them with them into the Union—all under the glorious aegis of the Union as it was and the constitution as it ought to be. They urged the Government to resort to the masterly arts of statesmanship, and were quite sure that the President ought to send commissioners to Washing ton. Separate State action and a convention of all the States were talked over, and some few thought perhaps it would require"the energy of the House of Representatives to get through with this big job. In the meantime, north of the Potomac, the drama was approaching the fifth act. There they said the Union must be preserved, but slavery must be abolished. The rascally Democrats in the United States House of Representatives were refractory and would not give their votes to make the two-thirds necessary to amend the constitution so as to abolish it. The Republicans pressed them on all sides. Horace Greeley was seen hobbling to and fro in Con gress performing his mysterious role. After a while the venerable Blair appeared, with wings on his shoulders. Cox and Brooks, anti-war Democrats, asked for time to see if the rebels would not submit to terms. The House at last consented to give time. Instantly Blair, the superannuated Mercury, spread his wings, and lo!! here he is in the Confederate capital. Courtesies are extended tohim, and at length our President consented to send th ree o f our mo st eminent men in a steamer, as they thought [to the chairman, "Did not you?"] to Washington. (Great laughter.) We had already heard on the streets of the fine dinners Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell were getting in Washington, when, lo and behold ! it turned out that they had stuck in Hampton Roads. As they were on their way the whole Yankee nation rose to meet them. They sent their King from his throne, and their Prime Minister from his closet. The King came to meet his friend (turning to the chairman, Mr. Hunter), whom I suppose he had heard tell of before. The Prime Minister came to repress any imprudence on the part of his master and cur b hi s " littl e j o k es ." W as no t this a climax worthy of the Yankee nation ? At last the curtain was raised, and no duck nor dinner appeared. (Laughter.) There stands Lincoln, with Seward an inch behind him, bowinc , out our com missioners, and sending greeting to the South to surrender tlr perish, with the Yankee nation in the background—laughing over this successful trick to catch the Democratic votes. On the 30th the conference took place, and on the 31st seven Demo cratic votes went over, and the amendment was' adopted. And now we have the offer, what shall we do ? . In reply to this question I will ask another. Is the gallant Captain - Semmes in this crowd? he is, give him another Alabama—(cheers)— an d with the proud flag of his country flying, let him again meet the Kearsage. What would he say to the demand of the commander of the Kearsage to surrender or perish ? What but to clear the decks and give them a broadside, and if he againsun A k la h o e , w ould leave us a proud exa m p le to follow. sink, at least the world w ill a pp laud us, an my countrymen, let us clear the decks, and dour if fchwile dren will not be ashamed of us ; and from fo th r e fu wr t e u c r k e of the ship of State will be gathered relicsworship. I say I have an abidi n g faith in our suc cess,ud because I believe our men are true n high-toned and devoted to the principles involved in this contest ; because our women are virtuous and would scorn the wretch who; with sackcloth on his loins and ashes on his head, would ask mercy from Abraham Lincoln ; because I have faith in a power greater than pillarAb of Abraham Lincoln, whose thunders a re louder than the tinkling of the silver-bell of Seward, and because the Al mighty, whether by a pillar of by th iells hour 5 T cloud or a fire, has al wa ys guided and di rected us providential hand. Now what are the p d a u t t r i o s ti o s will be come f m he un n i o e w ssw b e uzi ll in uw g itspirit with duty patriotic sacrifices. Our cool is to give time, life itself, ay, even mo ne y, f or it does not seem that men love money—Confederate money even at 45 for one —better than life itself. We must sustain our Govern ment. To the President we should turn with con fidence and trust, not as a man infallible—that wonder which has never been seen in the history of the world—but as a man who has been chosen by ourselves, endowed by the Almighty with some sterling qualities at least, as a man whom we have chosen as helmsman while the tempest is rolling high, and when a single mistake may dash us to pieces. Woe to the crew which rises at such a perilous hour to do what they think ought to be done in the very crisis of fate. To Congress I would say, tax heavily, and feed and clothe the soldiers who stand between us and subjugation, though the teeth of the people chatter with starvation. This answer of Lincoln has freed us from submis' sionists. There are some who have weak knees or enervated spinal, columns, but this answer is a specific for their diseases. There is not a member of Congress who cannot now go back and say to his penp/P, " I took some of your horses, and negroes, and provisions, in fact I took half you had, but I took it to keep Lincoln from getting the whole of it." • The people not in the army have their sacred duty. They should be cheerful, hopeful, and cease complain ing. One would think from their complaints that they had been in the trenches eating corn bread, and sometimes without that, instead of taking their soup and fish at home. Railway and other Companies. STAINES, WOKINGITAM, AND WOKING. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at the offices, Broad, Sanctuary, Westminster ; Mr. J. Garrard in the chair. Mr. Walford, the secretary, read the report, an abstract I of which has appeared in The Sun. The CHAIR3fAN, in moving its adoption, said they had been fortunate in renewing their debentures during a period of pecuniary difficulty. There had been an increase in the teaffic, but not so great as could be wished. When the line was first projected he thought it would have been a through line, but the South-Eastern and Great Western appeared to have come to a good understanding with the South- Western that it was not to be so. The traffic at present was principally local, but when the South-Western went to Ludgate-hill and brought the traffic on to the Staines and Wokingham, they would then have a through traffic, as well as from the traffic to.be derived from the Sunning dale and Cambridgetown and Chertsey .lines. Their pro spects, though not brilliant, were improving. Mr. DAVIS seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously. A dividend of 5 per cent. per annum on the preference shares, and 14 per cent. on the ordinary shares was then declared. _ _ Mr. R. Davis and Mr. C. Wilkin were re-elected direc tors, and Mr. J. George auditor. Mr. ()BENHAM inquired whether any treaty was going on with the South-Western. The CHAIRMAN said a proposition by letter, emanating from some of the larger shareholders, had been made to the South-Western, who, in their reply, would not admit they had not worked the line well, but stated that they were open to an overture. The proposition was 75 per cent. of South-Western stock for 100 per cent. of Staines and Woking, or 32 per cent. Mr. S. GARRARD was of opinion that, looking at future prospects, less than this should not be taken. No offer had emanated from the South-Western. Thanks were then given to the chairman and directors, and the meeting separated. SOUTH DEVON. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Exeter on Tuesday—Mr. T. Woolcome in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. ' Mr. J. DAW protested, at the opening of the meeting, against the register of shares being sealed without the con currence of the meeting. He also demanded to look at the transfer book, asserting that certain transfers had lately been made for the purpose of concocting votes. The CHAIRMAN replied that sealing the register was merely a ministerial act, and that in refusing to allow the transfer book to be inspected he was acting under the advice of Mr, J. H. Lloyd, who had advised him that a shareholder bad no right to ask for these transfers. Mr. H. S. Elias, who was a candidate for the office of director in opposition to the retiring director, Mr. J. Brown, complained that ho had not been allowed to make copies or extracts of the holdings of shareholders. The CHAIRMAN replied that all the directors were bound to give was the shareholders' address list. He then gave s history of the company for the last 14 years, and contended that the directors during that time had been actuated by but one object and desire—viz., to obtain the largest possible , dividend for the proprietors. This he thought was borne out by the fact that, while at that date they were almost in a state of bankruptcy, they were now in a position to de clare a dividend at the rate of 3 1 per cent. per annum. He defended the board against the charges of mismanagement made by the Exeter committee, and observed that the no mination of Mr. Ellis as director in the room of Mr. Brown, at a time when it was so desirable that the utmost unani mity should prevail at the board, was, in his opinion, a step taken with the view of passing a vote of want of confidence in the South Devon Board. Mr. BROWN seconded the adoption of the report, and stated that the £300,000 raised for the purchase of locomo tives and for other works had been expended. If the oppo sition to him had been of a personal character he should have withdrawn; but he had been told by so many gentle men that it was not personal to him in the least, but directed against the management of the directorate generally, that he felt bound to accept the contest on the issue raised. Mr. J. DAW contended that the directors had spent vast sums of money, and thought it very strange that they should claim credit for having brought the company out of the Slough of Despond after having placed it there. He urged on the meeting the importance of introducing new blood into the direction, especially as important negotiations were now in progress. The report was adopted by a large majority, and the di vidend at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum was declared. The re-election of Mr. Brown was moved by Dr. Coox.- WORTHY, and seconded by Mr. C. TROTTER. Mr. CHAPLIN proposed, and Mr. WESCOMB seconded the election of Mr. Ellis. The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Mr. Brown, and a poll was demanded on Mr. Ellis's behalf. At 9 o'clock the result of the poll was announced by the CHAIRMAN as follows :—Mr. Brown,, personal and proxies, 7,173; Mr. Ellis, ditto, 5,507 —majority for Mr. Brown, 1,666. Mr. Brown was, therefore, declared re-elected ; Mr. Hen derson and Mr. Millman were elected auditors ; and the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. HAMMERSMITH AND CITY. The half-yearly meeting was held on Tuesday at the offices, Bedford-street, Strand. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that it was intended to call another meeting for the purpose of authorizing the transfer of the line to the Great Western and Metropolitan Companies, who guaranteed the shareholders a dividend which would eventually reach 54 per cent. per annum, commencing at 5 per cent. The report was adopted. The CHAIRMAN then moved a resolution empowering the directors to treat with the Great Western Company. Mr. SURGEY seconded the motion, which was carried. The retiring directors, Mr. Ogilvy and Mr. Williams, and the retiring auditor were re-elected. METROPOLITAN AND ST. JOHN'S-WOOD. The half-yearly meeting was held on Tuesday at the offices, Duke-street, Westminister—Mr. Austin presiding. The Secretary having read the notice convening the meeting, The CHAramAN said as the prospectus of the company had been so recently issued, the directors had no report, but they trusted at their next meeting to announce that they. had made considerable progress with the line. Arrangements had been made with the Metropolitan for working the line at 50 per cent. of the receipts. Some fault had been found with the arrangement, but it must be borne in mind that the Metropolitan would have to work the traffic on a single line, and with gradients worse than their own, as well as to find the working stock and the interest on the capital for it, and all this would be a considerable drawback to the 50 per cent. they were to receive. It had been objected that they had only a single line and a tunnel only wide enough for it, but if it was not sufficient for the traffic it could be increased. When they considered the great population of the district of St. John's-wood, together with the neighbourhoods of Hampstead, Kilburn, and Edgware, which would all contri bute, they would then form an idea of the prospects of the traffic. The directors were in treaty with the Metropolitan Railway relative to further arrangements. Mr. LUCAS then moved that the chairman be re-elected a director, and that a sum of £BOO a year be voted to the directors, the chairman to receive £3OO, and the other directors £125 each. Considerable discussion ensued, and ultimately the vote was passed. _ -- The CHAIRMAN, in reply to questions, said the whole of the shares had not yet been subscribed for. VALE OF NEATH. The half-yearly meet in g of this.company was held on T ues day at the Great Weste rn Hotel, Paddin g ton ; Mr. N. E. Vaughan in the chair. The Secretary having read the advertisement convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said that the proprietors were doubtless aware of. the provisional arrangements which had been entered into with the Great Western Company, and which were intended to Conclude in an amalgamation. [To believed the amount which would be guaranteed to the shareholders Mr. BAXTER, the solicitor, then read the agreement with the Great Western Company, by which it appeared that the company agreed to complete the line, and work it at a charge of 50 per cent. After a long discussion, it was resolved that the agree ment be approved, subject to certain conditions relative to the completion of the line by the contractor. LLYNVI VALLEY. The half-yearly meeting was held on Tuesday at the Great Western Hotel, Paddington ; Mr. Macgregor in the chair.: The Secretary read the report, which stated that the re ceipts this year were £10,716, against £9,459 for the corre sponding six months. The litigation carried on by the freighters for a reduction of rates had been concluded. A dividend at the rate of 4 per cent. to the ordinary share holders was recommended. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report. Mr. BIIRDON moved as an amendment that 5 per cent. dividend should be paid, the extra sum to come out of the reserve fund. _ Mr. Wooworr showed that the directors were acting very wisely in keeping a reserve fund. The amendment was withdrawn, and the original motion carried. A dividend of 5 per cent. per annum on the first and. second preference shares was then declared, and a resolu tion empowering the directors to raise £30,000 additional share capital for the improvement of the Porthcawl harbour having been agreed to, the proceedings terminated. FOREST OF DEAN. The half-yearly meeting was held on Monday, at the office, Victoria-street, Westminster ; Mr. A. B. Barlow in the chair. The report stated that the agreement for leasing the line to the Great Western Company had been approved ; but it became necessary to modify the terms with the Great Western Company, so as to insure the completion of the railway and its opening for traffic. The agreement thus modified will be submitted for their approval. The report was adopted, and the retiring directors and auditor were re-elected. WEST YORKSHIRE. The half-yearly meeting was held on Monday at Brad :ord ; Mr. W. Frith in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, bi moving the adoption of the report, showed that since the year 1858, when the working of the line commenced, there had been a progressive in crease in the receipts from £13,273 in 1858, to £31,805 in 1864, and it was his conviction that the line would still continue to give increased earnings yearly. Tho dividend of the Great Northern being only 7i per cent. the dividend payable to the proprietors of West Yorkshire stock would be under the agreement of £9 19s. 6d. per cent., instead of (as was expected at the time of agreement) £lO 10s. per cent. Mr. WALKER seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A dividend of £7 per cent. was then declared, payable on the 6th of March, and the retiring directors and auditor were re-elected. CRYSTAL PALACE AND SOUTH LONDON JUNCTION. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at the Victoria station, Westminster, Sir O. Roney in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said the works on the line and at the stations were in so forwald a state that there was every reason to believe it would be com pleted and opened for traffic on the Ist of July to the new high level station at the Crystal Palace, and the Brighton Company would complete by the same date their portion of the South London that gave access from the Victoria and Ludgate stations to the Crystal Palace and South London. Sir C. H. RICH seconded the adoption of the report, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. E. W. Edwards and Mr. T. Holroyd were re-elected directors, and Mr. Weise auditor. WHITEHAVEN JUNCTION. The half-yearly meeting of this company yns held on Monday at Whitehaven, Mr. W. Lumb in die Alain The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts (an abstract of which has ap peared in The Sun), congratulated the shareholders upon the fact that they were paying the highest dividend of any railway in the kingdoni, and that dividend, moreover, had been honestly and legitimately earned. Although they could not expect to maintain their dividend at 18 per cent., he augured well of their prospects. Mr. Moor seconded the motion. Mr. H. Coox, the secretary, in answer to the question, stated that it was not true that the high rate of dividend was the result of exorbitant charges. On the contrary, their rates were lower than those of any line in the kingdom for similar distances. The motion was carried unanimously, and a dividend of 365. per share, less income-tax, being equal to 18 per cent., was declared payable on the original shares. The proceedings concluded with thanks to the chairman and directors. WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION. The lialf,yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on Monday, Mr. W. Miller in the chair. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report (an ab stract of which appeared in the The Sun). He congratu lated the shareholders upon the continued increase of the dividend. The lowering of the rates on the Cleator traffic had not diminished their dividend this half-year, which was the largest they had eves paid. With regard to the lines of railway projected across the Duddon estuary, the directors believed that theirs would be the safest, cheapest, and best, and felt confident in their success before Parliament. A temporary depression in the iron ore market had caused a temporary falling off in the receipts, but this would be transient. Mr. CoLLINs seconded the motion. Mr. PARKER asked what the directors thought upon the question of amalgamation with neighbouring lines ? The CHAIRMAN replied that the moment they could see their way to amalgamation upon fair and equitable terms the directors would be prepared to carry it out. The report was unanimously adopted, and a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum was declared. The proceedings ended with a vote of thanks to th• chairman. WHITEHAVEN, CLEATOR I AND EGREMONT. The hall-yearly meeting was held at Whitehaven on Monday—Mr. A. B. Steward in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said the dividend was 12 per cent., instead of 13, which they paid last half-yea; but this decrease he attributed to an abatement of 10 per cent. in the tolls for the carriage of iron ore, and to the fact that they were now paying a dividend upon £37,500 expended upon the Marron Extension, and which was unproductive. The directors felt it desirable to make a little branch to Hill's Pet, whence all the ore was at present carted through Whitehaven streets. Mr. DEES seconded the adoption of the report. He ob jected to amalgamation or lease at present, because they did not know the value of their property till they got their ex tension and branches completed. The report was unanimously agreed to, and a dividend at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum (less income-tax) was declared. A vote of thanks to the directors and chairman closed the proceedings. COLNE VALLEY AND HALSTEAD. The half-yearly meeting of - this company was held on Tuesday at Halstead-11r. J. Brewster in the chair. The report stated that the receipts on reveue account for the half-year ending the 31st of December were £4,994, while the expenditure was £3,353, leaving a balance of £1,641. The expenditure on capital account to the 31st of December was £262,330. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the report was adopted. Mr. J. CARDINALL moved a resolution to the effect that the directors should take into their serious consideration the question of the liability of the Great Eastern for the damage sustained by the company by the non-fulfilment by the Great Eastern of its pledge to complete and open its line from Haverhill to Cambridge by August 6, 1864, as directed by the Act of August 6, 1861. Mr. F. C. Frrcii seconded tho motion, which was agreed to. Mr. Payne and Mr. Gamble, the retiring directors, were re-elected, and Mr. Wilson, the retiring auditor, was re appointed. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Watt, the traffic manager, and also to the chairman. DEVON AND SOMERSET. The half-yearly meeting was held at Southmolton on Tuesday, Lord Poltimore in the chair. _ . It was unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation of the directors that the Bill for the extension to meet the North Deyon Railway at Barnstaple should be abandoned, and Mr. J. Jerwood and Mr. J. Robinson, of London, were appointed auditors. EXETER AND EXMOUTH. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Friday at Exeter ; Major Brent presided. The report stated that since the last half-yearly meeting terms of amalgamation with the London and South-Western Railway had been submitted - to the shareholders, who had agreed thereto. The directors had accordingly concluded DARTMOUTH AND TORBAY. The half-yearly meeting was held at Paignton on Satur day, Mr. C. S. Hayne in the esiair. The report stated that altb.ough the railway was not com pleted to Kingswear until nearly the close of last summer, the net receipts of the 'company had amounted to £2,300, which almost doubled the return of the previous year. The report was adopted. STOCKPORT, DISLEY, AND WHALEY-BRIDGE. The half-yearly meeting was held on Friday at the Easton station ; Mr. J. Chapman in the chair. The report states that the net balance available for divi dend was £4,019, out of which the directors recommend a dividend at the rate of 4; per cent. per annum on the pre ference capital, and of 51 per cent. per annum on the ordi nary stock, leaving £lBl to be carried forward. On the motion of the Chairman, the report was adopted, and the dividends therein recommended were declared. AYLESBURY AND BUCKINGHAM. The half-yearly meeting was held on Friday at the office, Queen-square, Westminster; Sir H. Verney, M.P., in the chair. , The report stated that considerable progress had been made in the works. The contractor was now at work at the Bicester-road, within three miles of the Aylesbury Junc tion station. The directors intended to apply tC Parliament for the power toraise additional capital to complete the line. The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks to the chair man concluded the proceedings. MERTHYR, TREDEGAR, AND ABERGAVENNY. The half-yearly meeting was held at the offices, Aber gavenny, on Tuesday ; Capt. Hill in the chair. The report stated that the London and North-Western Company (the lessees of the line) had duly paid the deben ture interest, rent charges, &c., for the half year ending December 31 last, and a dividend was recommended at the rate of five per cent. per annum on the ordinary capital, leaving a balance of £273 to be carried forward to the next half-year's account. The capital account showed that £261,515 had been expended. The report was unanimously adopted, and a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum (less income-tax) was declared. WEST CORK. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at the offices, Gracechurch-street; Sir C. Roney in the chair. Mr. H. W. WOOD, the secretary, read the report, which stated that with the exception of one length of nearly half a mile in the town of Bandon the railway thence to Dun manway was now completed to the station there. The directors would therefore soon be enabled to make a trial trip in a train over the line from Bandon to Dunmanway, a length of 17 miles. The station buildings along the line were approaching completion, and the rolling stock was being delivered. Of the remainder of the line from Dun manway to Skibbereen, 151 miles in length, four miles had been constructed, and an application to Parliament was being proceeded with for power to raise further capital to complete the line to Skibbereen. When the line from Ban don to Dunmanway was ready for traffic the Cork and Bandon Railway Company would have to pay over to the company their subscription of £20,000 towards the under taking. Since the last meeting the Board had obtained much satisfactory information as to the desirability of establishing Crookhaven as a port of call for Trans-Atlantic steamers and of extending the West Cork Railway to that port. This route, when completed, would have the effect of shortening the sea voyage many hours. The directors would give their earnest support to the independent com pany which had been provisionally formed for carrying out that object. The capital account showed that £285,857 had been expended to the 31st of December last, leaving a balance of £967. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the rails and fencing for the remainder of the line were now delivered, and the works had been well and solidly constructed by the contractors, Messrs. W. Kirk and Co. The line was now so far completed that a locomotive engine might be run over the whole distance from Bandon to Dun manway. If the additional capital were available, the whole of the works to Skibbereen could be completed in six or seven months, which would be a most desirable matter. The line to Dunmanway would probably be opened in May, ready for the tourist traffic to Bantry, Glengariff, and Killarney. The report was adopted, the retiring directors (Mr. Corry and Mr. Sedgwick) were re-elected, and also Mr. Banks, the retiring auditor. NEWRY AND WARRENPOINT. The shareholders hold their annual meeting at Liverpool on Tuesday. The report stated that there was a satisfactory increase in the traffic receipts, but the opening of the direct line to Armagh had hot led to the expected results. No dividend was declared. RAILWAY PASSENGERS' ASSURACE. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yester• clay at the offices, Cornhili ; Mr. J. Clay, M.P., in the chair. Mr. Vian, the secretary, read the report, which stated that the premiums of assurance against railway and general accidents for the half-year ending December 31 last, amounted to £36,449, against £30,193 in the corresponding half of 1863. The total income of the company for pre miums in the year 1864 was £74,428, against £61,850 in 1863, being an increase of £12,578, or 20.33 per cent. A further amount of £1,314 was received for interest on in vestments, &c., making the total income from all sources £75,741. The working expenses, including the cost of the company's Act last Session, were at the rate of 29.76 per cent. on the premiums, against 3141 per cent. in the pre vious year. The balance to the credit of revenue was £27,930 From this sum the directors proposed declaring a bonus at . the rate of 2s. per share, of which one-half would be paid in cash, and the other half added to the shares. Interest at the rate of 4 per cont. per annum on the paid-up capital would be paid as usual. The amount of compensation paid in the year 1864 was, for 26 fatal cases, £13,669 ; and for 2,285 non-fatal claims, £30,389; total, £44,058, or 59.19 per cent. of the premiums received, all of which were satisfactorily settled, without dispute or recourse to law. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the report was adopted, the bonus declared, and the retiring directors and auditors were re-elected. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday the referees reassembled in committee-room No. 11—Mr. Dodson, Chairman of Ways and Means, pre- siding. The case of the Havant, Hambledon, and Droxford Rai way was called on, Mr. Johnson appearing as counsel for the promoters, who apply to be empowered to make rail ways of seven miles, from a junction with the Brighton Railway, near the Havant Station, to Hambledon, and an other of four miles from the latter place to the Petersfield and Bishops-Waltham Railway at Droxford ; to raise £150,000 in shares and £50,000 by loans ; with running powers over neighbouring railways. Reversing the order of proceeding in all previous Sessions the Chairman called on the opponents of the Bill, who, together with the promoters, are restricted to the employment of one counsel, to state the grounds of their objection. Mr. Clarke was about to address the committee on behalf of the London and South Western against the bill, but the committee decided that they had no locus standi. The other opponents of the Bill were the Petersfield and Bishops-Waltham Railway, represented by Mr. Mere wether, Q.C., on the ground of insufficient engineering, the junction proposed to be effected being at a gradient of 1 in 80 for a mile and a half, and by Mr. Cripps, for the Hon. Mr. Dutton, Lady Napier, Mr. Thistlethwaite and others, on the ground of residential damage. Mr. Collister, C.E., was tex amined at considerable length against, and Mr. Ashdown, C.E., in favour of the engineering features of the under taking, and the case, which occupied three hours and a half, closed, and the referees adjourned. In the cases heard before Mr. Frere, the bill of the Peter borough, Wisbeach, and Sutton Railway for extensions to U"pwell and Crowland, was declared to have complied with tha standing orders, and the bill of the Waterford and Passage not to - haye so complied. It is stated in a letter from Bremen of the 24th, that in consequence of a rescript of the Hanoverian Go vernment, Prussian notes will no longer be received at the telegraphic office in Hanover. This measure has no doubt been taken by way of retaliation for the establishment of branch Prussian banks abroad. The King of the Belgians has just decreed the erection of a statute to David Teniers, the painter, on one of the public squares at .Antwerp. The State will contribute a sum of 18,000 fr. towards the cost. M. Ducaju, a sculptor of Antwerp, is charged with the execution of the work. BREAKFAST B EVERAGE.—ii otn co )pa. hic practitioners, and the medical profession generally, roc =mend cocas as being the most healthful of all beverages. When the doc trine of homoeopathy was first introduced into this country there were to be obt fined no preparations of cocoa either at, tractive to the taste or acceptable to the stomach ; the nut was either supplied 1:1 the crude state, or so unskilfully manufactured as to obtain little notice. J. Epps, of LondOn, flomceopathic Chemist, was induced in the year 1819 to turn his attention to this subject, and at lenAth succeeded, with the assistance of elaborate machinery, in being the first to produce an article pure in its composition, and so refined by the perfect trituration it receives in the process it passes throvh, as to be moat acceptable to the delicate stomach. For general use Epps's Cocoa is distinguished as an invigo rating, grateful breakiast beverage, possessing a most deli cious aroma. Dr. Ilassall, in his •wok, " Food and its Adulteratio -5," says —" Cocoa contains a great variety of im portant nutritive principles—every ingreciiiNt necessary to the growth and sustenance of the body." Again: "As a nutritive, cocoa stands very much higher than ether coffee or tea." Directions—Two teaspoonfuls of the powder in a breakfast cup, filled up with boiling water or milk. Secured in tin-lined ;lb., ilb., and 11b. labelled packets, and sold by all grocers, confectioners, and chemists.— [ADVT.] ' - - WSPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS, TIMES.—The news from China is that every part of the vast Empire is more or less distracted by insurrection, brigandage, and discontent. Even the distant western provinces, far away from us and our traffic, have each their little rebellion ; and the rich Sz'chuen, where every Chinaman is said to be well fed and well dressed, has an immigration of the old Taeping locusts feeding on its fatness. It is the normal condition of an overpeopled country, with a chain of Government rotten and rusted in every link. The only matter which greatly interests. us practically is to know how near these people are to our commercial ports, and what effect they are likely to have upon our interests. We heard some time ago that seven provinces had been proclaimed in the Pekin Gazette that a great number of cities had been just taken and sacked, and that a seaport which was about to be opened to our trade had been attacked and destroyed. • But when we are now told that the disorganised bands of the Taepings are in consider able force in Fohkien, and hold a large portion of Chekiang, and have had hard fighting in Kiangsi, the ordinary reader derives about as much informa tion from these tidings as if he had been given to understand that they had taken possession of that hemisphere of the moon which is hidden from human observation. • It may be useful therefore to those who may desire to retain some general knowledge of, the progress of events in the extreme East to state that thes6 two provinces of Kiangsi and Fohkien occupy that part of the empire which extends from about 150 miles south Of our treaty port of Ningpo to a point about 100 miles north of Canton, and that this region includes the habitations of nearly 40 millions of inhabitants and the larger portion of the coast line between Canton and Shanghai. Fohkien is a maritime province, and contains our two treaty ports of Foochow and Amoy, and Kiangsi is the province which lies immediately behind it, inland, and extends up to the Yangtze river- Its name indeed is said to mean " the Pro vince West of the River." From the statement of our correspondent—who now appears to think that Canton itself is again in danger—it would appear that the operations of the insurgents are not Con fined to these provinces, and it may be generally assumed that the disturVances include all the coast countries which lie between Ningpo and Canton, and also the mountains and vast tea districts which lie inland from this coast. It would be scarcely worth while to offer this explanation, except to point out that, although the marauders have been driven away from the celebrated 30 miles radius round Shanghai, the countries they still infest are districts in which we have a special iuterest. We have a great although not quite a regular trade at Swatow; and Amoy and Foochow are two treaty ports, whence we export im mense quantities of tea. From the districts lying behind these ports all that tea is brought down. The new rebel chief who, with an. army of 50,000 well.L appointed troops, has established himself at a city called Chang-chow, within easy distance of Amoy, seems inclined to cultivate the good graces of our merchants, and hopes to be allowed to occupy the treaty port of Foochow. It is evident, indeed, that these chiefs are capturing large cities in the imme diate neighbourhood of Swatow, Amoy, and Foo chow, and it seems unavoidable that we must again be brought into contact with them, at places where it is by no means so easy to deal with them as it was at Shanghai. At Amoy there is no separate Euro pean settlement as there is at Shanghai, and Foochow is situate some miles up a narrow river of difficult navigation. In both these ports the Chinese and the European merchants are mixed up together in their kabitations, and there would be great disaster if these places were sacked or burnt. We do not mean to suggest that there is any great danger of such an occurrence, but it is as well to be aware of the posi tion. It will account for the intelligence that the Janus, the Flamer, the Dove, and the Swallow are all now lying at Amoy. It seems very hard that we never can be allowed to trade in peace with this strange people, and that a Government so intract able to foreigners and so absolute in many respects over their own subjects cannot or will not keep their own cities in a state of defence against mere bri gands. So, however, it is, and there seems to be no help for it. We may congratulate ourselves, however, that there is no longer a costly China expedition engaged in this far East, and as we must employ a large navy somewhere or other, and as the China trade is very profitable and very necessary to us, perhaps we ought not to repine at having to keep a ship or two and a few gunboats on the coast of China, where they see more service and are not more costly than they would be while expending their stores in the Channel or sunning themselves in the Mediterranean. This is the pleasantest way of looking at the affair, but, after all, we cannot help thinking that we ought not to have to do this work, and that the time may come when we may not be able to spare the men and ships to do it. Our prin cipal object, however, in calling attention at this moment to the Chinese news is to deprecate what seems to be a very imminent danger of European and American vagabonds being branded together to oppose Asiatic vagabonds. The remedy for the de sultory rebellion, which seems to find favour with the public of Shanghai, is that the Chinese officers shall, each in his city, district, or province, employ any European or American leader of mercenaries who may happen to be at hand. Wild adventure and rapid fortune are said to offer themselves as the certain prizes 'of this occupation. D'Aiguebelle, the leader of a Franco-Chinese contingent, is reported to have returned to France with immense wealth accumulated during 15 months' service. There are thousands of martial adventurers in France who have been strongly excited by so seductive a success. Not only France, but Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Eng land herself, might in a few days show a large number of daring freebooters all ready to cut slices with their swords out of this great China pudding. It is quite certain, however, that the security of English merchants would be greatly increased, even at Swatow, or Amoy, or Foochow, if we had several bands of these chivalrous hire lings in our immediate neighbourhood ? For our part, we would rather trust to force or negotia tion to make terms with an army of Teapings than try conclusions with a civilised bully who had a crew of half-disciplined cosmopolitan ragamuffins at his back. About ten years ago the Portu guese of Macao were in the habit of fitting out convoy fleets, which undertook for a certain hire to protect the fishermen of the coas t f rom th e Chinese pirates. This lasted for some time, and was very profitable to the Port uguese ; b u t th e exac tions, cruelties, and robberies of these "protectors" became at last so unendurable that the Chinese fishermen and villagers, aided perhaps by somerival convoymen, watched an opportunity and burnt the convoy fleet and massacred all the Portuguese officers and sailors, shooting them down in the very suburbs of Ningpo. Of course some inquiry was made in Eu rope, and Lisbon was in a ferment ; but after the cir cumstances had been investigated the conduct of these men was found to have been so atrocious that it was thought better to let the whole matter slide into oblivion. This was but the natural end of any merely mercenary force. What happened on the sea ten years ago would happen in multiplied instances on the land now ; and whether the leaders were Eng lish, French, or American, they and their followers would soon become greater pests than even the Taepings themselves. We submit that instead of encouraging these hireling bands the policy of Eu rope ought to be to unite and put them down. The time seems to be now come when our policy towards China should be to keep just force enough to protect our trade, and to leave the rest to the Chinese Go vernment. We have arrived at the position which was anticipated by the late Lord Elgin in his address to the merchants of Shanghai. The moment seems opportune to remind them of the wise advice then given. "lam of opinion," said Lord Elgin, " that when force and diplomacy shall have done all that they can legitimately effect, the work which has to be accomplished in China will be but at its com mencement." The work thus designated by Lord Elgin was pointed out byhim to be of a mixed moral and physical character, —the first, and by fax the most difficult, "to win a way for Christian civiliza tion among a sceptical and ingenious people." But " at the same time," said Lord Elgin, the machine facturing West will be in presence of a population the most universally and laboriously manufacturing of any on the earth. It can achieve victories in the contest in which it will have to engage only by proving that physical knowledge and mechanical skill applied to the arts of production are more than a match for the most persevering efforts of unscien tific industry." This prediction is now performed. Force and diplomacy have gained all their reason able conquests, and ought only to be used to pre serve what has been won. It is in the spirit of Lord Elgin's counsels that we desire to keep these rowdy bands out of China. POST.—The prospect of a visit from the Prince of Wales on the occasion of the opening, this sum mer, of the Dublin Exhibition, will, we are sure, be hailed with lively satisfaction by the people of Ire land. The sister isle has in truth some reason to complain of the indifference manifested by the long line of Sovereigns which, for the past seven cen turies, have ruled her to make themselves personally acquainted with the country over which they asserted dominion, and the people whose 'allegiance they claimed. - In 1172 Henry 11. crossed the Chan nel on a mission of conquest ; and it is on record 'that John, Richard 11., and Henry V. visited that small portion of Ireland known as the Pale with intentions similar to those of their predecessor. Centuries rolled on and Ireland again was visited by royalty, by James 11., to fight out on Irish soil those final battles _ which decided the fate of the Stuartdynasty, and simultaneously by William to vindicate successfully at the point of the. sword the position assigned to him by the English people. From this time until 1821, when, shortly after his accession, George IV. paid a visit to his Irish sub jects, no English monarch thought it worth his or her while to cross the Irish Channel ; and then, for the first time since the conquest of Ireland did her Sovereign land on her shores on a mission of pe ace. The fact that during six centuries and a half, Ire land, notwithstanding her contiguity to England , never once saw the monarch to whom she o wed allegiance, and who, by virtue of kingly office , was the parent of his people, except in the garb o f a warrior; and with blood on his sword, is one wh ich is without a parallel in history, and which furni shes evidence of a system of government which m ost have been rotten to the core. Ireland was a con quered country it was true her people were turbu lent, and her kings were willing to delegate to vice roys the duties which they found it inconvenient or undesirable to discharge. , But within the Pale th ere lived, until the complete 'conquest of Ireland in the reign of James I. had swept away its boundaries, men not only of English but of Irish extraction, who were willing to support the supremacy of Eng" land, and who might fairly claim to see occasionally the Sovereign who called them subjects. But it was not till two centuries after the plantation of Ulster and the final subjugation of the Northern chieftains, that it occurred to the King of Ireland that he would be only fulfilling a graceful duty in visiting the metropolis of the country which he governed, and allowing himself for a few days to be seen by those whom he had no reason to doubt were loyal subjects. Accordingly, George IV. went to Dublin, and was received with thatwarm enthusiasm which no people in the world can so effectively ex hibit as the Irish. Twenty-eight years afterwards her present Maj esty visited Ireland, and her reception was equally enthusiastic. F6ur years afterwards the visit was repeated ; and now, sixteen years later, the heir to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland is about to follow his mother's example, and in person to receive the homage of those who, at some future day (and may it be far distant) will be his subjects. Considering the facilities which now exist in resP eet to means of communication between this countrY and Ireland, the Irish people have unquestionably a right to expect that henceforth they will not be so completely ignored by their sovereigns as in Pas t times. The Irish metropolis has not perhaps inaoY attractions to offer, but it is not in search of tho se attractions which captivate a stranger that a royal visit is made. To see and to be seen by his subjects —to lend his countenance to great national under takings— to make his people feel that he is personalli interested in that which interests them, and that be individually shares in their joys and sorrows - 1 duties which will never be evaded by a wise n, A politic prince. It is notorious that no people yier more readily to the arts of conciliation than to t Irish, and no statesman or historian will deny tin % the English Government created for itself all thet difficulties which have constantly beset it in resP to Ireland, by. the contempt which it habitually manifested for every person and every thing Con" netted with the country. That mistaken poile.s. has been long since changed for a sounder one, 3 1 1 , not only Cabinet Ministers in their official capao - _I, but the occupant of the Throne, and the few% from which that occupant is supplied, have begt l 7, to view the sister country with different eyes. 4; certain class of the Irish people, and especially t h e tradesmen of Dublin, have. protested agains t t a abolition of the office of Lord Lieutenant, a ree, ; sure which is urged on the ground that under o" ing circumstances—the tranquillity of the countrt e and the ready means of communication with to seat of Government—the post of Viceroy mus t be ~ sinecure. But the Irish, with some plausibility' retort that if not only morally and constitutionally' but physically, the two countries are united, al . ?:„ consequently, a vice-regal government is anomain: the purely regal government should be made equa ll y manifestin both. - cc If we are to be deprived o f o ur Vice-King, let us, at all events, occasionally see ° o f King." Such is the language of a large portion oa the Irish people, and the desire which is express is not unreasonable. Nothing would more qwC reconcile the Irish to the loss of that mock Co which is at present held at Dublin Castle than 00: sional glimpses of a real one. If royal visits to liC e land were more frequent —if in the present age, l ' ec t intervals which separate them are no longer mark a 4 by quarters of a century—we have little doubt IL' a. more would be effected towards accomplis hing 0 , complete union between the two countries tha,n,,n. dozen such alts as that passed in the year 1-by t v, Circumstances have prevented her present Mai an from frequently visiting her Irish subjects, a during the past three years a grief hitherto union" trollable has compelled her to deny to he r enti', o people these opportunities which they alwaY. e' gladly hail of seeing her amongst them. The Pri of Wales has already in this country taken on hhil" sely many of those ceremonial duties which her Ms: jest is still unable to discharge, and on the occasio", of his approaching visit to Dublin, he will in Wit be the representative of his august mother. 11 , 1 0 Great Dublin Exhibition will, we understand , "l e opened by the Prince of Wales, and with the sai n r ceremonial which would have been observed if b e , Majesty had not been prevented by from inaugurating it in person. eireumstailc".. COUNTRY MARKETS ~---_- .h-~--~"". HULL.—TITESDAY. been Since our last the demand in the wheat trade has rather limited. English wheat meets a heavy sale at bas_,, e late quotations—red, 35s 6d to 37s ; white, 40$ to much 5021 b. Foreign relatively dearer than English, and . I , ra • s ea neglected by millers. On the spot mixed Danube rew'our 40s ; high mixed, 46s ; choice old, 47s per 4801 b. J 3 - t ues t, market to-day there was a limited supply of English w" eig o which met a limited demand at reduced prices. F",,,iiea neglected. Most of the Hull crushers are well suPt • 0 ti ° with linseed, and consequently showed but little di 9 P °6l to purchase. _ NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.—ThEsDa• iS The weather continues to be extremely fine, and O i e n — c ed every prospect of the farmers being soon actively onilniaS in the fields. The attendance at our market to -diV , . o , Bs very limited. The supply of wheat from the farole r '"ade small, and from the coast and abroad about nil. The "old ruled slow and dull for wheat, barley, beans, peas , 1 1g did flour. Oats were a little more inquired for, but pne— not advance. Other articles were unchanged. lk Northumberland wheat sold from 32s to 445, Norfo 2 68; Suffolk, 39s to 458 ; Dantsic, 39s to 46s ; oats, 21s to m t , barley, 26s to 31s ; beans, 36s to 40s; rye, 27s to 3 66 ; 51s to 62s per qr. ; flour, 26s to 28s per sack. LYN.—T UESDAY. Wit Since Saturday the weather has become changea blo, ! a higher range of temperature. At to-day's market le so was a fair show of wheat, the condition was not cliiirateo. good as last week, and the trade was quiet at 13te a litiO Good malting barley was fully as dear ; grinding V A 0 0 met a slow sale at last Tuesday's prices. Bean s an dull, but not cheaper. b ite, New wheat, 43s to 44s ; new red, 37s to 395; o ld y fof 41s to 42s ; old red, 38s to39s per 36 stone. BATT ° 2 0 , malting, 32s to 34s ; secondary, 30s ; ordinary, 2 " per qr. Oats, 20s to 22s per 24 stone. Beans, lasS ei to 34s ; small, 34s to 36s per 38 stone. 280 6d; The averages were—wheat, 37s 6d ; barley, - oats, 21s 7d ; and beans, 31s per quarter. MARKET HARBOROUGH.—TuzsraIr• r 96 New white wheat, 40s to 45s ; new red, 3 7 s to 40s P e r i r• stone. Barley, fine, 34s ; other kinds, 26s to Best' o lds Oats, new, 20s to 24s ; old, 25s to 28s per qr. 40s to 425; new, 34s to 38s per qr. SALISBURY.—TIIES a fr° The following are present prices :_Wheat realiSeos, 40 . 36s to 42s ; barley, 23s to 345; oats, 19s to 28s ; e l to 46s ; and peas, 34s to 48s per qr. Best 7 0- househord ditto, 9d per 81b. loaf. the 10 0 The Paris Savings Bank received during dre' fortnight deposits amounting to 674,244 fr., °'>o imbursed 883,804 fr. The sums paid into the erio ci f des Retraites for the Aged, during the same P amounted to 123,002 fr. • l d Births, g° ° CURRY.—On the 27th ult., at the Royal Nava- 01,;ry, Plymouth, the wife of Rear-Admiral Doug las f tl O a daughter. if° ° GLYN.—On the 28th ult., at Ewell, Surrey, the Rev. Sir George L. Glyn, Bart., of a daughte,l**, p Of; Iforwoon.—:Con the 28th ult., at the British burgh, the wife of J. T. Hopwood, 85(1.7 daughter. Marriages. c ot. GRIFFIS--COSENg.—On the 27th ult., at Charraintiiarriiehte C. T. Griffis, late 14th Light Dragoons, to Lou, l , r of widow of F. Cosens, Esq., and youngest daliguiora',' late Dr. Jones, formerly of the King's Dragoon& 00 JEFFERY—BARBER.-011 the 21st jilt. at at S t ' Stamford-hill, George Augustus Jeffery' , f 4l ".the et f e a , House, Eastbourne, Sussex to Henrietta Mal t 's' tool °. daughter of Alfred Kinsford Barber, Esq. , - hill, - Middlesex. Deaths. rice' Bouprzu..—On the 28th ult., at 12, Bolton-14111'00 dilly, Julius Boldler, Esq., of The Grovel Surrey. , lilt ( ' CALDWELL.—On the 28th ult., David Caldwellyriscil of 11, Clarence-terrace, Reent's-park, a n B°. si'c tit HAno of theiMK.—O late Samuel nthe inst.,lsatue lisi at aSnuaek, re sbErosocik,„ Charles,o iflo son 0:: LE I:T wi ll:1, O S n tra t t h f e ord, 2B ag th e E d sq B3 .; ° S T RE c e n: aoll ° Stirling, Esq., of Din uc Ity and Auchyle. is . A SPEEIL — On the 28th ult., at 25, Queen' s-r°9Al ' e E s : t .: 7 L N w a G O g : l the on t 2 ah 6 ge t e h 2dB u st l h4 e t . d . , u n a 3l i t t tll ns t o vi, Nort h Devon, evo n , Cb 0100 gent's-park, Wm. Henry Slatct)Er,ldEsiinsinbqurg.,tiggicih'e' a Sj8:11111111 ' nel r: _,- --- ~.- s , AN o London : Printed and Published by Wu., LTAg isi 11 i _ ( of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tits SUN S 8 OfficedoitY C Strand, in the Precinct of th e 18v y , ill the Middlesex.—lhursday, March 2, 165.