The Sun. — London, England, 1848-08-24 00:00:00

Mr. URQUHART said the grant was an annual protest in favour of the nationality of Poland, and was based on the highest grounds of justice. It was remarkable that when the state of Poland was being discussed that the House treated it with levity. England was much to blame for the fallen condition of Poland. Mr. G. THOMPSON said, the reasons in favourof the vote Urged by the Hon. Gentleman who spoke last were the most •extraordinary that could be urged in a British House of Commons. Forsooth, because the Czar of Russia had tram pled upon the nationality of Poland, were they to support for years all whom his tyranny had driven from their native Und? He bore testimony to the merits of the Poles, but con sidering the vote altogether indefensible, he should vote tiost it, in the hope that it would be abolished for ever. /dr. ROBINSON opposed the Bill. Mr. OSBORNE said if the Chancellor of the Exchequer would state that this should be the last vote, he would not divide the House. Mr. O'CONNOR was opposed to taking the grant away 'without notice to the recipients that it would be discontinued. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained that what he bad said was that it would not be well to take away the grant in a summary manner. He thought that the old, the helpless, and those who were unable to go back to their own country should alone receive the grant. After some further discussion, Mr. OSBORNE said the explanation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was perfectly satisfactory; he should not therefore divide. The vote was therefore agreed to. On the vote for 6,6691. to defray the miscellaneous allow ances of the Civil List not otherwise provided for being pre- Posed, Mr. C. LUSHINGTON opposed the Regium Donum part of this vote on the behalf of the Dissenters of the country, as derogatory to them, and moved that the vote should be re duced by the sum of 1,6951. the amount of the Regium Donum Part of the vote. After some discussion, in which Colonel Thompson, Lord John Russell. Mr. Fox, Mr. Kershaw, Mr. George Thompson, Mr. Bright, Mr. Hume, Mr. Muntz, Mr. Wyld, and Mr. Sharman Crawford tcok part, Strangers were ordered to withdraw, but no division took Place. the REYNOLDS, during the time of our exclusion from I _ 4l e gallery h av i ng rose , mov ed the exclusion from the esti mate of the sum set apart for the French Protestant refugees 4000 . . After a short discussion, the HON. MEMBER for Dublin withdrew his amendment, and the Committee divided upon • Lushington's amendment with respect to the .Regium Ai um, when there appeared— For the vote .. 6O For the amendment •.. 28 Majority for the vote The rote was then agreed to. T he House then resumed, The CHAIRMAN reported progress,. and obtained leave ▪ a 't a ga i n at a quarter to six o'clock. LIILLBANK PRISON BILL. ,This Bill was read a third time and passed. ti 9MBIONS INCLOSURE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The third reading of this Bill was postponed till after the ether o r d ers of the (lay were disposed of. DUBLIN POLICE BILL. . o : T he third reading of this Bill was also postponed until the other orders of the d were osed of. NU ISANCES AND CONTAGIOUS di DspISEASES BILL. _ ere report on thiss Bill was postponed until after the other orders of the day r disposed of. FEVER (IRELAND) BILL. _ T he Committ e e on this Bill was postponed until after the other orders of the day were disposed of. BANKRUPTS RELEASE BILL. This till went through Committee, and was ordered to be re e d a . OF third time to-morrow, at twelve o'clock. `' . 'rICERS OF COURTS OF JUSTICE (IRELAND) ASSIMILATION OF APPOINTMENTS BILL. On the motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the order of the I br the second reading of this Bill was discharged, the Ole the stating that it would be impossible to proceed w ith the m easure in the course of the present session. • T he House, then, at a Quarter before Four o'clock , ad journed to a Quarter before Six o'Clock. The House resumed at a Quarter to Six o'clock. PETITIONS. 141 r. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented a petition from Indepqndent congregation in Belfast against the Regium 7 mm g rant . Bit DISRAELI presented a petition from the adventurers and miners of Hurlstone against the reduction of the duty en copper ore. NOTICE OF MOTION. 011 r. FORSTER gave notice that early next session he uld bring the grand jury system under the consideration et the House. RETURNS.—SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE. BROTHERTON moved for, and obtained the follow .vg returns : —R e t urn o f th e nu mber of days on which the ;louse of Commons sat in the session 1847-8, stating for each !_a9 the ho ur o f mee ti ng , and the hour of adjourn ment, and the total number of hours occupied in Z s sittings of the House, and the average time; the 51 50 showing the number of hours on which 5 House sa t eac h :d ay , an d the number of hours fter midnight; and the number of entries in each day's : r _otes and p rocee di ngs ; a l so the total number of h ours the H ouse sat d ur i ng the session (in continua 11°Iluof Parliamentary Paper, No. 746, of Session 1847 ). rn of the number of divisions in the session 1847-8; tatmg the subject of the division, and the number of Mem era in the majority and minority, tellers included ; dialS,L 1"11 the aggregate number in the Ho use . on each f i .,; distinguishing, also, the divis i o ns on p ublic Bills 1,1 private ; an d, also, the number of divisio ns before and ;,. af terl midnight (in continuation of P arliamentar y Paper No. of Session 1847). Return of an alphabetical list of the public Bills which have been introduced into the House of Commons during the session 1847.8, stating by them introduced, or which hav e been brou g ht from the - 1 , 1 1° 23 € 1 of Lords, the date of the ir several sta g es in the - `oases and distinguishing those w hi c h have since be ,,,,lre law (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper , •" 0 . 756, of Session 1847). Return of the total ?umber of Acts passed in each session since the year 1800; distinguishing the number of public, private, 1 1n44 local personal Acts; and the number relating to Great Britain, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and those relating to th e on Unit e d Ki ngdom. R eturn of the number of : in y ee t n e which the House of Commons has sat in each session h ) ear 180 a djou r n m ent for each day the hour of meeting and . the hou r . of , and the total number of hours occupied in the sittings of the House, and the average tine; and also showing the number of hours on which the house sat each day, and the number of hours after midnight ; and the number of entries in each day's votes and proceed ings; also the total number of hours the House sat during each session. JOHN MITCHEL. Mr. ROBINSON gave notice that on Friday, he would pat a question t o th e Ri ght Hon. the y Secretary of State for tie Home Department relative to the convict Mitchel. TE MINT In reply t o a question from Sir J. TYRELL, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that be had every reason to believe that the labours of the Mint OMnmission would be brought to a close within a month, 'when their report would be ready for delivery. BUSINESS OF TIIE HOUSE. In reply to a question from Mr. FORBES, Lord J. RUSSELL stated that he proposed to take the Diplomatic Relations with Rome Bill to-morrow, at twelve, and the Sale of Spirits Bill at five o'clock. In reply to a question from Lord G. BENTINCK, Air. HAWES said he had no objection to lay on the table of the House a copy of the resolutions of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce. COLONIAL LIGHTHOUSES. On the question for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. HUME rose to call the attention to the state of the colonial light• houses, and to the shipwrecks in consequence of the want of some attention to these matters. The Hon. Member observed that much inconvenience and injury re sulted to British subjects abroad, because of the irregular Manner in which the business connected with the superin tendence of the colonial light-houses was conducted. British subjects, when a light-house required to be established or , r ePaired, did not kn ow where to apply. Some applied to the Board of Trade, others to the Admiralty, others to the Colo alai-office, and others to Trinity-house corporation. The C onsequence was, that while they were bandied about from One department to the other, a lamentable loss of life and proptrty occasionally occurred. His suggestion was, that the subject should be referred for inquiry to the Tidal Harbour Commissioners, who he hoped would supply the House with Inch information as would enable it to deal with the question in a satisfactory manner early next session. Mr. LABOUCHERE thought that the question was quite too important to be disposed of in incidental discussion such as the present. The whole question of the management of the lights of this country required revision and alteration. He had himself prepared a Bill, although he had not as yet had time to iutroduce it, which would provide a proper System of management with respect to all lights on the coast of the United Kingdom. The question of the colo nial lights was at present under the consideration of the Admiralty.—(Hear, hear.) SUPPLY. . . . The' House then resolved itself into a Committee of Supply ; Mr. Bernal in the chair. The Miscellaneous Estimates were resumed. The first vote, 3,0001. for the Foundling Hospital, Dublin, was agreed to. 6,9751. for defraying the expenses of the House of Indus try, Dublin. 1,0001. for the Female Orphan House, Dublin. • Mr. OSBORNE called attention to the fact that no portion of the grant was given to Roman Catholics. Mr. HUME would object to the grant if no portion of it Were given to Roman Catholics. Colonel SIBTHORP observed on the paper that a sum was Put down for Emily Sibthorp, the matron of an institution, and he totally disclaimed any knowledge of, or relationship 'with th a t l a d y . — (L aug h ter. ) Mr. OSBORNE would suggest to the Honourable and Gallant Colonel that they bad passed the vote to which he new referred, and which was included in the grant for a lunatic asylum.—(Laughter,) Viscount MORPETII considered establishments of an ex clusive character objectionable ; but this vote was :merely given in aid of a very large contribution which had been Made by Protestant individuals of great benevolence. • Mr. HAMILTON bore testimony to the admirable manner In which the institution was managed. Sir W. SOMERVILLE promised that an inquiry should ca made as to the principle on which this institution was established. ▪ Mr. MUNTZ objected to such a state of things being al- Irred to continue, and declared that be would divide the . 0 11tnitt ee on the question. Lord J. RUSSELL remarked that the institution was, to great e x t ent, supported by voluntary subscriptions, and it 'Was not in their power to alter the rules of the institution. a ir- HUME thought the amount of the grant mi g ht b e red uced. Mr. %lUNTZ would not divide the Committee on the ration if th e N o b le Lord pledged himself to make no grant 3'ear, except there was an alteration in the manage w• ent of the institution. . G OULBURN did not think they could attempt to alter the rules o f th e i nst i tution. , Lord l J. RUSSEL L would take care ' to have the matter Inquired into, a n d f a i r l y considered. The., vote was a gree d to. ' 5 00/. to defray the expenses of the Westmorland Lock "Pita]. Dublin. !:?0(21 for the ;xpenses of the Dublin Lying-in Hospital. to defray the expenses of Dr. Stevens' Hospital. V 0 91- for the House of Recovery . and Fever Hospital, ork-street Dublin. 50 Kl 1 • for , the expenses of the Hospital for Incurables, Dublin, e _ 27 ,837/. to complete the sum necessary for defraying the dvenses of the non-conforming, seceding, and Protestant sienting ministers in Ireland. Mr. S. CRAWFORD opposed the vote, with tollthe.excep of 3661., the amountoorpthatohse of iontioailsltoewrsedof the Synod d ip o - f to i r ste of the widows and • He moved, as an amendment, the grant now pro- Posed should be reduced to 3661. KEOGH begged to call attention to the case of Mr. resbytt_erian minister of the Clonmel congregation, who w inalnatl th at the portions of the Regium Donurn which THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 24, 1848. In answer to Lord GEORGE BENTINCK, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that the whole sum expended for the relief of Ireland up to4•the end of July last was about 9,135,0001. After a short conversation, Lord JOHN RUSSELL observed that the Hon. Member for Stroud,in objecting to the vote, did not seem to consider that an immense change was going on in Ireland, nor to make due allowance for the necessity under which both land lord and tenant were compelled to act. The burden upon landed property in Ireland had been changed from 400,0001. to 1,800,0001., in itself a great and important cha uge.— (Hear, hear.) Another change which bad taken p lace in Ireland was this—that whereas in 1836 there were ;ao corn or provision dealers in Ireland, there were now des lers in those articles in every part of that country. Seei ag the change which had taken place of late years in Ireland, and ,the burdens imposed, which, in particular districts, pressed so heavily, he thought it was their duty to aid in the tran sition, and that it could not be said they in any way wasted the money of the country by assisting certain unions to bear the very great burdens which had been placed upon them, borne, as these had been, on the whole, with a degree of readiness which was highly creditable.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the future, that, no doubt, would be the subject of discussion, and he did not wish to enter upon it at that late hour. All be had to say was, th at in our present circumstances he did not think it would be wise to lay down a system or propose a plan. We dial not know what was the extent of the present failure of the po tato cultivation—what was the exact amount of the. very great increase of potato cultivation which took place in the present year, as compared with the amount of last year; we did not know what amount would be saved, or to what pe riod the stock would last; and under these circumstances he thought it would be very imprudent to lay down a pl in.— (Hear, hear.) Government must, t o a cer t a i n degree„ rely upon the confidence of the Parliament ; they would not ask it unnecessarily, or without a due regard to economy. IC they saw cause to call for extraordinary measures, they would then assemble Parliament immediately, and propose to it such measures as they thought fit.—(Hear.) In the present state of affairs, seeing the number of Members who were ab sent, they did not propose, at the end of the session, to lay down any general system or plan by which they should in variably abide.—( Hear.) After a few words from Sir D. NORRETS and Mr. P. Scnors, the vote was agreed to. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved a vote of 130,9651., to defray the expense incurred in British North America, on account of sick and destitute emigrants who had arrived in Canada from Ireland during the year 1847. This was the last time that such a vote would have to be brought forward, for he was happy to say that for the flare the Canadians would provide for the emigrants them selves, and they had even undertaken to adopt measures with a view to prepare lands for their reception immediately after their arrival.— (Hear, hear.) Mr. HUME would most joyfully give his assent to the vote, for he was of opinion that the grant was due as a matter of justice to the Canadians, who had behaved with the greatest kindness to the unfortunate emigrants who were cast homeless and destitute on their shores. Their benevolence was beyond ail praise, and entitled them to the gratitude and admiration of that House.—(Htar, hear.) Mr. MACGREGOR expressed his entire acquiescenee in the sentiment expressed by the Hon. Member. If ten times as large a grant had been proposed he should have supported it, for it would be nothing more than was due to the Canadians for their uniform humanity to the emigrants.—(Hear.) Mr. HENLEY was of the same opinion. The conduct of the Canadians to the emigrants transcended all praise. The vote was agreed to. The last vote was for a sum of 500,000/., to discharge the like amount of supplies granted for the year 1847. The vote was agreed to. The House resumed, and the report was ordered to be re ceived. TRANSFER OF LANDED_ PROPERTY (IRELAND) should have been paid to him on the 29th September last, had not been paid, but had been stopped by the order of Go vernn'ent. He had sent in the necessary certificate, pursuant to the instructions issued for effecting that object; but still, when an explanation was demanded, it was alleged that the non-issue of the bounty to the minister of Clonmel was attri butable to the fact that the certificate did not specify the number of families belonging to the congregation. Now, in the instructions issued to the Presbyterian clergymen the form of certificate was given ; and on reference to this clergy man's certificate, it would be found that he had complied with the instructions. Tt was manifest that if the con tinuance of the Regium Doman was made contingent upon complying with the orders from the Castle, there was an end to the independence of the Presbyterian ministers. In con clusion, be repeated that in this instance all the rules had been observed, and, wider these circumstances, he wished to know upon what principle the bounty had been withheld? Mr. OSBORNE said he had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Dill, to whose respectability and the respectability of the congregation over which he presided, he could testify. He knew further, that the congregation felt the non-payment to Mr. Dill as a slur upon themselves. Sir W. SOMERVILLE was sorry the Honourable and Learned Gentleman had thought it his duty to bring the case under the notice of the House, because it had been fully dis cussed at the late meeting of the General Assembly at Belfast, by whom a committee was appointed to communi cate with her Majesty's Government upon the subject. The case might very well have been left there, because any communication from the General Assembly would meet with that respect and consideration which had always characterised the intercourse between the Presbyterian body and the Irish Government. He admitted that the return re ferred to by the Hen. and Learned Member had not been called for by Parliament. The rule requiring the particulars alluded to from the Clonmel congregation, was made in con sequence of a request by Dr. Morgan to his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Labouchere) that the usual amount necessary to be subscribed by the congregations should not be insisted upon. The call for the number of families was always re quired; and Mr. Dill was only called upon to furnish the same particulars that were required from every other con gregation. At the same time when the particulars for 1847 were furnished, as they had been for P 348, the bounty would be paid. Mr. HERBERT did not consider the answer of the Right Hon. Baronet satisfactory, because the complaint was not so much at the return being required as the mode of re quiring it. After a few words in explanation from Sir W. SOMERVILLE and Mr. KEOGIt, Sir R. FERGUSON regretted the case had been brought forward. Unfortunately there had been some differences of long standing between Mr. Dill and Mr. Matthews upon other subjects. As to the vote in general, he denied that it had any political character. Mr. KERSHAW repeated his objections to State support being extende4 to any particular religious denomination, and urged that the voluntary principle ought to be adopted. The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the amendment l3 Against it 45 Majority The vote was then - agreed to. The next vote was 4,1771. for the Concordatum Fund, and other charitable allowances in Ireland, which, after a short conversation, was agreed to. The next vote was 3,4001. for the expense of the Commis sion for digesting the criminal law. Colonel SIBTHORP objected to the enormous cost of this Commission. Sir G. GREY said that this was the last time that this vote would appear in the estimate. Colonel SIBTHORP hoped that it would be the case, but did not believe it. —(A laugh.) Sir G. GREY said that the only remaining portion of work for the Commission was the inquiry into criminal judicial procedure, which was rapidly advancing to a conclusion. The vote was then agreed to. The next vote was 2,500/. to defray the expense of the metropolitan sanitary commission. Mr. OSBORNE alluded to a petition presented the other night, complaining of the state of the Serpentine river, which was now nothing more than a stagnant pond. Ile had recently walked beside that same river, some parts of which, near the bridge, were in a most noisome and pesti ferous state. _ _ _ Lord MORPETH said that no one could go by or near that river without perceiving the offensive state in which it was. The matter had been referred to Sir John Rennie, and he (Lord Morpeth) hoped soon to receive a report from that eminent engineer. The vote was then agreed to. The following votes were also agreed to :- 32,000 i. for a moiety of the charge for public works con nected with navigation and drainage in Ireland. 1,1841. for the expense of works and repairs of the Ambas sador's house at Paris. _ . _ . 3,0001. for works and repairs at the Ambassador's house at Madrid. 37,0001., the remaining portion of 50,0001., towards de fraying the charge of steam navigation to India by way of the Red Sea. 16,0001. for the militia and volunteers in Canada. 2,000/. to defray the expense of erecting a lighthouse at Barbadoes. On the motion that 22,5001. be granted to defray the ex pense of the medals to record the services of the British army and navy from the commencement of the war in 1793 down to the peace of 1814, Mr. OSBORNE expressed a wish to call attention to the circumstances under which Lord Hardinge was sent to Ire land. He thought that it was but justice to the gallant officer commanaing the forces in Ireland (Sir E. Blakeney) to express his strong conviction that all the steps taken by the military authorities for the suppression of the outbreak had been taken before Lord Hardinge went to Ireland. The gallant officer he alluded to was the senior officer to Lord Hardinge, for he was captain of the company of the Guards of which the Noble Lord was a lieutenant. That gallant officer also, during his long service, had succeeded in winning the respect and affection of the men under his command, as well as the Irish people.—( Hear.) He had stated thus much as he had heard that it was the impression of some persons that Lord Hardinge was there to carry out the necessary military arrangements. Sir G. GREY quite agreed in the observations of the Hon. Gentleman as to the high character of Sir E. Blakeney, and no one could be more fitted for the command which he held in Ireland than that gallant officer. It was quite incorrect to suppose that Lord Hardinge was sent to Ireland to super sede him, but Sir E. Blakeney having said that in the then state of Ireland it was desirable to have another general officer in the south to command there, Lord Hardinge, in the most handsome manner, and with the most patriotic notions, offered to serve under Sir E. Blakeney.— (Hear, hear.) Colonel DUNNE said that as he had had the honour of serving under Sir E. Blakeney he wished to bear his testi mony to that officer's distinguished services. The vote was then agreed to. A sum of 10,000/. was voted for the further expenses that would probably be incurred for the maintenance, in the year ending April 5, 1849, of convicts in Ireland. A sum cf 1,500/. was voted for remuneration to Lieutenant Waghorn, R.N., for his services in ascertaining the practica bility of the route via Alexan dr ia f or the conveyance of the Indian Mail. To the vote of 12,0001. for the further expense incurred in rebuilding the British Ambassador's house at Constantinople, Mr. URQUHART moved that the sum be reduced one half. The original estimate was only 30,0001., which was subsequently raised to 45,0001., and he should object to a further addition of 12,0001. A brief conversation, in which Lord Morpeth, Mr. Osborne, Lord Palmerston, and Colonel Dunne took part, ensued. The gallery was cleared for a division, but none took place, and the vote was agreed to. The next vote asked was 20,000/. to complete the sum necessary for civil contingencies. Mr. OSBORNE objected to the item for gratuities for extra services to the commissariat department, performed in relieving distress in Ireland and Scotland. His motion would, in fact, renew the Trevelyan debate, but he could not avoid objecting to the giving rewards to the commis sariat whilst the services of the coast guard were not only not requited with gratuity, but were not even acknowledged with thanks. Yet Sir Randolph Routh had said that he could not have done without the valuable assistance of the coast guard; and three or four of the men had lost their lives by fever, contracted whilst doing their duty in carrying food to the poor. The unequal distribution of rewards was most pernicious. To one man, who had risked his life, a gift of 751. was given, whilst to another no less than 2,500/. was handed over, and he was made besides a K.C.B. It was so improper, unfair, and injudicious, that he should take a division on it. The Government had acted doubly wrong—first, in giving the money to Sir Charles Trevelyan without the cousent of Parliament—and next, in committing an assault upon the Order ot the Bath. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would not re new the debate upon the reward to Sir Charles Trevelyan. It had been given in the usual way. Dr. BOWRING admitted that it was not an unprece dented act; but it was one of those ancient customs that would be more honeyed in the breach than in the observ ance. He hoped twat for the future, it would not be again imitated. Mr. J. ABU SMITH thought the gratuity to Sir Charles Trevelyan a bare act of justice. He did not know that gen tleman personally, but, judging from the reports he had seen, r,..,r 'lle should be v e r y sorry to see such services as Sir C. sirelzna l had rendered to the country undervalued or un (serrated. thought that those who hadtGh gSr deservedaa i n s t o tan d fea e mr f e a. n x d t e r ad services v c . e a T m r e i v g e h l y t a b n e ; m b a u d t e b t e e ' W Colonel DUNN supported ported Mr. Osborne's view of the question, and said that merits by the test of opinion roef in e Ireland,they would where find h they were to try Sir C. Trevelyan's praised services had been opinion there entertainedisthinatucthhe from that put forth so stronglyninwvery different indeed Sir C. Trevelyan had published and the avowed House of Commons. of several productions, in which he had vow l e a tl i he authorship of Ireland, especially the landlords, and yet manyed the people deserved rewards better than he were allowed men who unre quited. Why, he would ask, for instance, had that eminent member of the Reform Club, whom they had sent eminent over to Ireland—he meant M. Soyer , the cook—(Laughtet not been made a K.C.B. for his great services ? — ( Laughter.) Mr. H. DRUMMOND had read every single word of the reports upon the relief works in Ireland, and he thought, judging from them, that it would be impossible to overrate the services of Sir Charles Trevelyan, and the manner in which he bore down the opposition he received, and con veyed relief to the poor, to whom it would otherwise never have come.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. URQUHART supported Mr. Osborne. Mr. MUNTZ knew nothing about Sir Charles Trevelyan, except what he had heard in that House. But he held it to be impossible that any man, by his extra services, could fairly earn a sum of ",5001. in one year, in addition to his salary of 2,000/. or 2,500/. a year. What he chiefly ob jected to, however, was the manner in which the gratuity was wrapped up in another vote, so that it might never have been found out but for the accidental discovery made by an Hon. Member. Mr. WOOD thought that as the Noble Lord had promised the other night to avoid in future a similar mode of classing the votes together, there ought to be no further debate upon the merely personal matter. Colonel DUN NE explained. He had no personal motive whatever. He had never seen Sir Charles Trevelyan in his life. Mr. POULETT SCROPE said, that in agreeing to the vote, the House was not to be considered as bound to any approval of the system of relief given under the direction of Sir C. Trevelyan. Mr. GOULBURN said that the Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down appeared to him to take an erroneous view of the question in supposing that Sir Charles Trevelyan was rewarded for laying down a principle. Whether the principles on which that gentleman had acted were right or wrong, it was not he but the Government that was account able for it.— ( Hear.) He felt anxious to express his ap proval of Sir Charles Trovelyan's conduct, but at the same time he could not but disapprove of the mode in which the grant was made to him.—( Hear, hear.) There had been a studied concealment about the matter that raised a doubt as to its propriety, which, if the vote had been openly brought before the How'', would never have existed. Therefore, while he entertained a full sense of the value of Sir Charles Trevelyan's labours, he felt obliged to mark by his vote in favour of the Honourable Gentleman's amendment his disapproval of the principle on which the grant had been made.—(Hear, hear.) Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said he hoped that his Hou. and Gallant Friend would divide the Committee on this ques tion. They had been told that Sir Charles Trevelvan de served none of the demerit of the plan that he had acted upon, and therefore it was to be presumed that he should have none of the merit, if any existed.—(Hear, hear.) He (Lord G. Bentinck) had read all the correspondence that had been published, and he really could not discover that any such great ability had been displayed in that correspondence. —(hear, hear.) He could not see the great merit of the sys tem of management that had been pursued, and he could not forget that the country had been put to great and un necessary charges on account of the mode in which the re lief had been provided. For instance, at a time that oatmeal was to be purchased for 141. a ton in Cork, it was sent to Ireland from Deptford when it cost 18 guineas a ton.— ( Hear, hear.) He thought that 2,5001. a year, an amount of salary equal to that of the highest officials in the United States under the President, was quite enough for any la bours that Sir Charles Trevelyan had performed ; and he was also of opinion that no officer of the Treasury should con nive at a grant given in this clandestine manner.—(Hear.) Mr. MONSELL begged to remind the Noble Lord that if the Government had gone into the market of Cork to pur chase oatmeal they would at once raise the price, whereas by purchasing at Deptford they were enabled to keep down the price in Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) He believed there was no individual in this country who had devoted more time and energy and ability to the difficulties which had to be con tended against than Sir Charles Trevelyan. Mr. GOULBURN begged to remind the Hon. Member that the vote did not in the least degree affect the character of Sir Charles Trevelvan. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said, in reply to what had fallen from the Hon. Member for the county of Limerick, that at the very time the Government were sending oatmeal from Deptford to Ireland at eighteen guineas a ton, while it was selling at 141. a ton at Limerick and Cork, there were for every one ton sent from Deptford to Ireland, no less than three tons coming from Ireland into the Thames ; so that in all probability the Government were mere l y sending back, at a large additional cost, the very oatmeal that had just ar rived from Ireland at Deptford.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. REYNOLDS said that as he approved of the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Middlesex, while he in tended to vote against it—(Laughter)—he wished to explain that his motive in so voting was, that he believed the money had been already paid, and that no vote of this House could induce the parties to make restitution. He believed that all the good they could do to the public was to condemn the principle of paying money without the consentof Parliament. After a few words from Mr. BROTHERTON, The CHAIRMAN put the question, that the vote be re duced from 20,0001. to 15,955/. The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the amendment l4 Against it 73 Majority Mr. OSBORNE said that there were other items in this vote that he thought required explanation. He found a charge of 1,1491. for robes, collars, and badges for knights of the several orders ; 1811. for chains and badges for the master of the ceremonies and marshal of the ceremonies, and also a charge of 5231. for defraying the travelling expenses of the King of the Belgians, the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, the Prince of Leiningen, and other distinguished personages, during their visits to this country. He thought it disgraceful that the King of the Belgians and those other distinguished personages should not pay their own travelling expenses.—( Hear.) Mr. PARKER explained that these items belonged to a class of charges that were formerly in the Civil List, but had been, of late years, transferred to the civil contingencies. The vote was then agreed to. The following votes were also agreed to :-428,3451. to com plete the sum necessary to defray the charge of the com missariat department; 32,9641. to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge of pensions and allowances in the same department. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then proposed a vote of 132,0001. to wind up the expenditure for the relief of distress in Ireland up to the present half-year. The Right Hon. Gentleman said that this sum had been expended within the last few weeks. To show that the poor-rate had been levied to a considerable amount for the same purpose, he might observe that the whole sum collected in Ireland in January, 1846, was 36,000/. •, in January, 1847, 52,0001. ; while in January, 1848, it reached 194,0001. The entire sum levied in the first six months of 1846 was 217,000/. ; in the first six months of 1847, 339,000/. ; and in the corresponding period of 1848, 867,000/. There were, however, many parts of Ireland in which the poor-rate, however well collected, had been found quite inadequate to relieve the prevailing distress. Twenty-two unions were in that position. The object of the Government was that relief should only be given in districts respecting which it had been shown that no possible exertion in collecting the poor-rate would make it adequate for the ob ject. Relief had been given of late almost entirely in food. As regarded the British Association, he would state, that the whole amount expended by it was, 236,0004 of which sum 143,000/. went for rations for grown-up persons, 80,000/. in the same way for children, and about 120,000/. for clothes. The vote which he proposed was for relief given in continu ation of the proceedings of the British Association in the three months immediately preceding the harvest, when the distress was the greatest. There were many unions in Ire land in which it was impossible they could defray the cost of their poor. The union in Ireland in which the greatest distress prevailed was that of Clifden, in which the rate was 19s. 2d. in the pound. The valuation of the union was 22,400/. The expense of maintaining the poor in that district, from September, 1847, to September, 1848, was 18,310/. They had a small debt of 9001. The advances made by the British Association were 9,000/. for general relief, 3,0001. for the relief of destitute children, and the whole amount due from the union would he upon a rated value of 22,400/., amounting to a rating in the pound of 19s. 9d. In another union in the county of Clare, the amount of rating was 16s. 10d. in the pound; in another, 15s. 11d. ; in another, 14s. 9d. ; in Ballyra, 12s. 41d.; in Castlebar, 1 ls. 9d, The rate in Ireland would be 2s. 91d. In Down it was lighter than in most counties in England; it would there amount to ls. 2d. Taking the electoral divisions in Donegal, there were electoral divisions in which the charge for the maintenance of the poor this year would be 445. 2d. in the pound. In Castlebar there was an electoral division in which the charge was 295. in the pound. In Galway it would amount to 235. Bd. This was the charge in the pound upon the valuation; but as it was notorious that in many of the most distressed districts a large proportion of the ratepayers could pay nothing at all, it was hopeless to expect that any amount of rate could defray the sum which was advanced. This statement applied to the western coast; on the eastern and north-eastern part the burden was lighter, which showed that the distress was local. It was, therefore, to sanction the expenditure of 132,000/., which was required from July to the end of the harvest, to continue the relief which, up to that time, had been afforded in voluntary contributions, through the means of the British Association, that he asked the House to agree to the vote. There could not be any necessity for further assistance in the way of depots. He believed that the events of the last two years had introduced into Ireland dealers in meal and corn, so that the guardians would be enabled to procure an ade quate supply of food. These were the circumstances which induced the Government to take on themselves the responsi bility of demanding this sum of money. Without the assist ance thus rendered, it would have been utterly impossible for the people to have been preserved from utter starvation, except by the means which had been so beneficially applied by the British Association. He trusted that the House would ratify the responsibility which Government had taken upon themselves. The CHAIRMAN put the question that 262,545/. be granted to make good the advances of the sum provided for the relief of distress in Ireland and Scotland, through the Commissariat Department. Mr. P. SCROPE said that he had given notice of resolu tions on this vote, but as he could not move those resolutions, he wished to state the absolute necessity of refusing to make grants of public money, in addition to the poor-rates, and should take the opinion of the Committee in opposition to this grant of 132,000/. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had ap pealed to the generosity of the House, by stating the extra ordinary distress of some of the Iri s h un i ons . He (Mr. P. Scrope) had endeavoured to ascertain the condition of those unions, and his sources of information did not correspond with the figures of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. His opinion was, that Ireland was perfectly capable of maintaining her poor, as well as the whole of her population. But he had another and a stronger objection to this vote—that it was given for the relief of such landlords as had not paid their rents.—(Hear, hear.) By granting money, without an ade quate security upon the property of the country for its repay ment, they would be obstructing the objects of the poor-law. They would be running counter to the professed intentions of that statute, and they would be encouraging inertness upon the part of proprietors. A premium would be held out to those who were improvident. All the landlords had to do was to make out a case of inability to support the poor, and they would then receive assistance. He moved the vote be disallowed. Sir J. TYRELL considered that strong measures with regard to Ireland should now be adopted by Government. There was a greater consumption of strong measures in that House and in Europe at large than there was some months pers d istion,. uasi but i nction be t ago.—(A laugh.) He did no t mean to be offensive to any gentleman l g e t m , taon clear differing to fromhim that his there w opinion as a or great tween Roman Catholics and P ro testants. In the Protestant districts of Ireland the poor rate only averaged Is. in the pound; while in the Roman Catholic districts it varied from 19s. to Ils. in the pound. He solemnly believed that the Roman Catholic religion, carried out in all its parts, was in compatible with the true cultivation of the soil.—(Laughter.) In Switzerland, the common remark of every traveller was the great difference between the agricultural prospects of the Roman Catholic cantons and those of the Protestants. The latter were far superior to the former. He trusted that the Learned Doctor (Dr. Bowring), who had a European reputation, would come to his assistance, and bear out the truth of his statement. It was well known that in the Pro testant cantons individuals have stopped up all night , and have got up early in the morning—(Roars of laughter)—of course he meant other individuals and not those who were stopping up all night—in order that they might g o to mar ket with their corn—(Hear, hear)—whereas in Roman Catholic districts, whenever there is a burial, a wake, a wed ding, or a saint's day, the operations of agriculture are sus pended. And if this be not true, Honourable Gentlemen who smiled at his statement could get up and contradict him.—(Bear, hear.) He believed unless the Government country u m n tisr: miscellaneous neous subscribe d eb t a o t e. Ireland. The took some strong measures in reference to Ireland, in which they would be followed by the universal feeling of the coun try, there would be repeated calls upon the coffers of this dragged into the discussion the religion Mr.. OSBORNE considered that this might well be termed Honourable . Baronet had which were Catholic countries, were the "g t e? r n as of the Irish people, Tuscany Belgium, any in the world. In China the cultivation but he seemed totally to forget that ' of cultivated tiea of carried on to the highest point of scientific refinement. iel is Would, then, the Honourable Baronet wished to transfer the religion of Confucius to Ireland, and uncbristianize the people for the sake of the cultivation of the soil? He could assure him that he could get a great deal more work done upon Sundays, when it was necessary for the pre servation of the harvest or for any other proper purpose, in Roman Catholic than in Protestant districts. The Hon. Member for Stroud assumed that the rental for Ireland was 15,000,000/., but he (Mr. Osborne) considered that the Go vernment ought to confer some honourable distinction upon the Count Strilinskv for his exertions in the cause of huma nity in Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) He desired to take that op portunity of drawing attention to the meritorious services of the coast guard in Ireland, who had undertaken time whole burden of the commissariat arrangements for the behalf of the poor. Air. CLEM ENTS corrected certain statistical statements of the Hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. P. Scrope) relative to the proportion of the poor-rates paid in Ireland. Sir. H. WILLOUGHBY asked whether there was any ba lance left unexpended out of the seven millions loan to Ire land. The House knew nothing of the expenditure of that large sum. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for Stamford (Mr. Herries) had moved for full information respecting the whole amount expended for the relief of Ireland, and papers in accordance with that motion would be duly laid on the table. BILL. This Bill passed through Committee. POOR REMOVAL (ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND) BILL. On the motion that the Bill be read a second tim e , Mr. HENLEY objected to the subject being discussed at that time of the night, or at that period of the session. He therefore moved that the debate should be adjourned. After a discussion, in which Mr. C. Buller, Mr. Thornely, Mr. M. J. O'Connell, Mr. Grogan, and the Attorney -General took part, the Bill was read a second time. To be committed on Monday. The Local Acts Bill passed through Committee. The Commons Inclosure Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Nuisances and Contagious Diseases Bill was reported. To be read a third time to-morrow. The Fever (Ireland) Bill passed through Committee. The House adjourned at Half-past Two. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. HOUSE OF LORDS, AUG. 22. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS BILL. Question put, " That the Bill be now read a third time." NON-CONTENTS, 28. Mountcashell Strangford Rossiya Canning Roden Lucan BARON& Southampton Redesdale Desart Wynford Beauchamp Grantley Orford Forester Waldegrave, Sydney Boston VISCOUNTS. Braybrooke Hawarden Tenterden PAIRS. Earl of Hardwicke Duke of Clifden Earl of Tankerville Archbishep of York Earl of Leven Earl of Leitrim Bishop of Templemore Bishop of Sudeley Earl of Exmouth Marquis of Donegal Bishop of Crofton Marquis of Anglesey DUXES. Wellington Manchester MARQUISES. Exeter Hertford Camden Winchester EARLS. Glengall Romney (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Cotnmots.) WEDNESDAY, AUO. 23. SUPPLY.-(IN THE COMMITTEE.) Motion made, and Question proposed, " That a sum not exceeding 6,6691. be granted to her Majesty, to pay, to the 31st day of March, 1849, Miscellaneous Allowances formerly defrayed from the Civil List, the Hereditary Re venues, Esc., for which no permanent provision has been made by Parliament :"—Afterwards Motion made, and Question pat, "That a sum, not exceeding 4,974/., bo granted to her Majesty, to pay, to the 31st day of March, 1849, Miscella neous Allowances formerly defrayed from the Civil List, the Hereditary Revenues, &c., for which no permanent pro vision has been made by Parliament." The Committee divided:— MINORITY—AXES, 28. Anderson, Arthur Fox, W. J. Thompson, Colonel Berkeley, Craven Greene, John Th om pson, George Bright, John Grosvenor , Lord R. Thornely, Thomas Brotherton, J. Hume, Joseph Wawn, J. Clay, James Keogh, William Williams, John Cobden, Richard M'Gregor, John Crawford, W. S. Muntz, G. F. Drummond, Henry Osborne, Ralph Duncan, George Reynolds, John Evans, John Salvvey, Colonel Lushingion. Charles Fagan, James Tenison, E. K. Kershaw, James TELLIES. MAJORITY—NOES, 60. Abdy, T. N. Grey, Sir G. Parker, Wil John liam Bellew, R. M. Grosvenor , Earl P inne y , Berkeley, Captain Hamilton, G. A. Rich, Henry Blackstone, W. S. Hawes, B. Homily, Sir John Boyle, Colonel Hay, Lord John Russell, Lord J. Buller, Charles Hayter, W. G. Shell, R. L. Burrell, Sir C. Henley, J. W. Somerville, Sir W. Campbell, W. F. Herbert, 11. A. TaHoard, Sergeant Clements, Charles Hobhouse, T. B. Vane, Lord H. Cowper, W. F., Hood, Sir Alexander Verney Sir 11. Craig, W. G. Howard, P. H. Vyse, R. 11. Dodd, George' Inglis, Sir it. Ward, 11. G. Dundas, Admiral Jervis , Sir John Watkins,Colon el Ebrington, Lord Jones, Captain Wellesley, Lord C, Elliot, John E. Labouchere, Henry Wilson, James Ferguson, Sir it. Lewis, G. C. Wilson, Matthew r'orbes, W. Mackinnon, W."A. Wodehouse, axles Forester, G. C. Morpeth , Viscount Wood, Sir C Forster, Matthew O'Connell , M. J. TELLERS. Fortescue, J. W. Owen, Sir J. Tuthell, Henry Freestun, Colonel Paget, Lord A. ilill, Lard Marcus -•-- - Motion made, and Question proposed, " That a sum, not exceeding 27,8371., be granted to her Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the expense of Non -conforming, Seceding, and Protestant Dissenting Ministers in Ireland, to the 31st day of March, 1849 :"—Afterwards, Motion made, and Question put, " That a sum, not exceeding 3661., be granted to her Majesty, to complete the sum necessary' to defray the expense of Non-conforming, Sec edin g , and Pro testant Dissenting Ministers in Ireland, to the 81st day of March, 1849." The Committee divided - - MINORITY—AYES, 13. Anderson, Arthur Fox, W. J. Wyld, James Bowring, Dr. Greene, John Bright, John Manta, G. F. Brotherton, J. Thompson, Colonel Mums. Cobden, R. Thornely, T. Crawford, W. 8. Drummond, Henry Williams, John Kershaw, James MAJORITY—NOES, 45. Bellew, R. M. Herbert, Henry A. Rich, Henry Blackstone, W. Hobhouse, T. B. Robinson. George Boyle, Colonel Hood, Sir A. Russell: Lord John Brown, W. Howard, Henry Shell, R. L. Campbell, W. F. Inglis, Sir R. H. Sibthorp, Colonel] Clements, Charles Jervis, Sir John Smith, John A. Craig, W. G. Jones, Captain Somerville. Sir W. Dunne, F. P. Keogh, William Talfoard, Sergeant Ebrington, Viscount Labouchere, henry Tancred, H. w . Ferguson, Sir R. Lewis, G. C. Tarner, E. Forster, Mathew Monsell, William Wilson, James Freestun, Colonel Moore, George IL Wilson, Matthew Grey, Sir George Morpeth, Viscount Wood, Sir Charles Hamilton, G. A. Palmerston Viscount TELL/MI. Hawes, Benjamin Parker , Jo hn Tufnell, H. Hayter, W. G. Plowden, W. 11. Hill, Lord Marcus eMfoarjeost.y,iitn_o complete ._ Motion made, and Question proposed, ‘.‘ That a sum, not 20,000'.,e th x e ce s e u d m in n g eessary —iv....ontingen cies, to the 31st day of March, 1819 :' —Afterwards, motion made, and Question put, " That a awn not exceeding 15.9501., be granted to her Majesty,. to_ complete the sum necessary to defray the charge for Civil.Contin t be e granted defray te t o c h hera r g gencies, to the 31st day of March, 1849." _ The Committee divided : MINORITY --AYES, 14. Bentinck, Lord G. Keogh, William Urquhart, David Christy, Samuel Kershaw, J am es Williams, John pick, Quintin Locke, Joseph Goulburn, Henry l Moore, G. H. TELLZU Greene, John Muntz, G. F. Osborne Ralph Tyrrell, Sir J. Henley, J. IV. Dunne, Colonel MAJORITY-NOES, 73. Y Holloway's Oint ment of Falkirk, [ADVERTISEMENT.] —A Bruised Foot Cured, and ainptated ; refusing a . railway bridge had his toot severely bruised by the falling o f a heavy w A. h m ,n u a t se a u t dp i o ei n ,rii in o ts f t .et_nhdem:rg.o Olivere th a prevented e.eresct o tnh b y Holloway's Jenkins, stone. Apprehending that serious consequences would result from it, ho consulted some . of the . most eminent surgeons in Edinburgh, who informed him that to effect ii, submiteu r cure two to this o f e toe s to Falkirk, an d commenced using Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and, miraculous as it may appear, these invaluable medicines healed his foot, anti in three weeks he was enabled to resume his employment.—Sold by all Druggists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand , . London. returned must t beo UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.—The surgical appointments at University College have at length been filled up. The dissensions which have so recently occurred have been healed by a judicious selection of new men, and there is now every prospect that the October session will be opened under the most favourable auspices. Mr. J. M. Arnott has accepted the office of surgeon to the North London Hospital and Professor of Surgery in University College. Mr. Arnott, by his long connexion with the Middlesex Hospital, has become completely identified with the profession of the metropolis. Mr. Richard Quain takes the Professorship of Clinical Sur pery, and Mr. Mr. J. E Morton holds the office of surgeon to the hos tal. E. Erichsen and MT. Marshall have been ap • pointed assistant-surgeons.—Diedica/ Gazette. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. TENBY, SAUNDERSFOOT, AND SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of 'this company was held yester day at the office, Gresham Rooms; Mr. W. Chadwick in the chair. The report stated that the Commissioners of Rail ways had granted an extension of time for making the line till July, 1851; that the executors of the late solicitors to the company allowed a very considerable reduction to be made in their account, which with some other outstanding claims, having been paid, had reduced the balance is hand to a very small sum ; that an arrangement had been entered into with the Saundersfoot Railway and Harbour Company, by which the latter agreed to reduce the rate of interest pay able by this company upon the purchase money of that undertaking, from 5 to 4 per cent. per annum, provided the half-year's interest due to them on the 30th of June last at such reduced rates be now paid, and on their continuing to receive the tolls and dues from the said railway and har bour, they will not require the balance of interest to be paid to them until the Tenby and Saundersfoot Railway is completed; that the Pembrokeshire Iron and Coal Com pany were opening up the resources of their collieries and mines, that blast furnaces were in course of erection, in addi tion to which other collieries are being opened and extended, from which an augmentation to the income of the company was expected ; that on the passing of the Act the directors were voted 5001. per annum ; at the last meeting they deter mined to receive only a moiety of that sum, and now they declined receiving any further remuneration until it is neces sary to commence masking the line. The accounts for the half-year showed that 3,0341. had been received, including 9341. from the last account, and 2,8271. expended, leaving a balance of 2071. in hand. The CHAIRMAN stated that the time forcommencing opera tions on this line would depend entirely upon the progress of the main trunk of the South Wales Railway. When that time arrived the directors would call the shareholders toge ther, and submit the mode of proceeding. The report was adopted. At the special meeting a resolution was passed allowing the payment of interest on deposits up to the 30th of June last, but discontinuing the practice from and after that date. Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting se parated. VALE OF NEATH RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yester day, at the office, West Strand, Mr. Barlow in the chair; but a sufficient number of shareholders not having attended to constitute a legal meeting, it was adjourned sine die. The report, which was laid on the table, stated that the whole of the line extending from the town of Neath to the top of the Neath Valley was in the course of formation, and will be proceeded with as speedily as possible, in order that it may be opened simultaneously with that part of the South Wales Railway which will communicate with the ports of Neath and Swansea. The contracts for an additional six miles of the line, which will complete the communication between Neath and Hirwain, are to be let immediately. The Bill legalizing the subscription of the South Wales Company towards this undertaking has been obtained. The Commissioners of Railways have granted an extension of two years for the purchase of land and completion of works. The directors had purchased 2.000 tons of rails at the present low price of iron. The engineer's report referred to the delays which had occurred to the works through the difficulty of obtaining possession of certain lands. The accounts showed that 108,0041. had been received and 45,6671. expended, leaving a balance of 62,3361. It was intimated that no call would be made before the end of the present year. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. The half-yeal4Y meeting of this company was held yester day, at the * Great Western station, Paddington, Mr. Charles Russell in the chair. The report stated that the directors would feel it their duty to press as lightly as possible on the resources of the proprie tors during the continuance of monetary and commercial difficulty, and to confine their operations within the nar rowest limits consistent with their obligations to the con tractors, they have confined the active prosecution of the works to the most important portions of the line ; that they have entertained no new project, and have incurred no new engagements. The Bill to give effect to the agreement which had been entered into by the Great Western Company, au thorising them to pay five per cent. instead of four per cent. on the calls was lost this session. The directors have received from the latter company a renewal of the assurance of a full pecuniary equivalent in some other form. The directors concentrated their efforts and resources on that portion of the line which lies between Newport and Swansea because it will bring a large and profitable section into early operation, and contribute to the reduction of the amount of interest otherwise chargeable against the capital. Their at tention must be next directed to the completion of that por tion which will connect Newport with the Great Western at Gloucester. A branch of the Forest of Dean Railway, from Grangecourt to Hagloe, a distance of seven miles, had be come the property of this company, and now constituted an integral portion of the main line, and would be constructed by the South Wales Company. At the next half-yearly meeting they will proceed to forfeit those shares upon which the second, third, and fourth instalments shall then be un paid ; at present 2,9821. remains due on the second instalment of 2/. lOs., 11,260/. on the third instalment of 5/., and 24,000/. on the fourth instalment of Si., making the total arrears 38,242/. The forfeiture of these shares will not re lease the proprietors from the liability of paying the arrears due by them. On the fifth and sixth instalments about 65,000/. remains unpaid. The directors will use every effort ilityvninwkgeaet helltyenehs etttohloi to recover the arrears due on them. The 5,000 shares which the Swansea Vale Company agreed to receive in payment for the purchase of their line have been placed in trust for that purpose. The Railway Commissioners have granted an ex tension of time for the purchase of land. The report of Mr. Brunel, the engineer, stated that the works generally, which are in progress from Gloucester to Haverfordwest, have proceeded very satisfactorily, and no new difficulties had arisen to affect their cost or efficiency. The destruction by fire of a timber bridge over the Usk will not delay the works; the loss has been covered by the in surance; the contractor is proceeding rapidly with the re• storation of this bridge. The heavy works at Chepstow and at Newport, including the tunnel at the latter place, are in a very forward state. If every endeavour were made to expedite the works between Newport and Swansea, they night be completed in ten or twelve months; and east of Newport, assuming the Gloucester and Dean Forest Railway completed, the whole might, with similar exertion, be finished in twelve or fifteen months. Several portions of the line are ready for receiving the permanent way. The accounts of the 30th of June showed that 1,118,284/. had been received, including 83,609/. in advance of calls; and 4007,004/. expended, including 61,306/. subscriptions to Irish and Welsh lines, leaving a balance of 111,279/. The CHAIRMAN stated that every ,exertion had been made to obtain the Bill for raising the rate of interest allowed on calls from 4to 5 per cent. Since the Bill had been lost the subject of the increase of the interest to 5 per cent. had been again under the consideration of the Great Western board, th ur i a v nc a e les th c a o t ra a pan fu y l . l h as: tires in the• market, e a a n eu d irve t a lg h r e ee y nt tt hadesdhtohar the dndeewbp be de deprecation non himto of t tt h hh e ee i r ss which he attributed to the general depression, which affected a ll ra ilways, especially those under construction. He felt satisfied that their line when completed would prove a pro ductive one, because it passed through one of the finest mineral and manufacturing districts in the kingdom, and e b nh e et aw t iv h noe eest undertaking, o uho f cee e l ypb successive i r snnni a i eivdefi l es w tt would open np a rich and fertile agricultural district, which required nothing but the means of communication for send ing its products to market. The whole of the traffic that would come on the line would be new traffic, and it was pos a uho y eproatu i rit n ol rodyn t ssh h i et e pwemo d ra su i s ot t cd r eti ifihnc successfully.eett .d,beforeo tn through hlye G rt plan which hi ch which i t passed. He believed that the plan of completing and open hrut. eol C o l Rol offer u mve u r. : et:u.et suggested Eu capital Nthe zl va t a h loe a hts t je ea eththeeede guarantee x t tepor expended, could at present be devised to improve the public confidence the ee d o op, f fau a y, agreement payment netr the ce e eb n nys t t 0. this u b ot e hn he Great t Wes ternGreetWestern participated in the profits of the line. th i eT i f company of 61,0001. to the Irish and Welsh railways, and thought the Great Western ought to relieve them of this responsibility. He considered that the two companies had not been carried out as regards the payment of the 5 per cent. interest on 11 ca s. The CHAin..Aux explained that the 5 per cent. was no part of the original agreement. It had been granted by the Great Western on condition that the South Wales Com pany should subscribe a certain sum to the Irish and Welsh lines. After an assurance from the Chairman that the Great Western would honourably perform their agreement with this company, the report was unanimously adopted. Thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. GLOUCESTER AND DEAN FOREST RAILWAY. The half yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday, at Gloucester ; the chair was taken by Mr. Samuel Baker, chairman of the directors. The report stated that, in conformity with the opinion ex pressed by the directors in their last report, they have re stricted the works upon the line to that portion which re quires the longest time to execute. The directors feel that the deplorable stagnation in the mercantile and trading inte rests of the kingdom has been adverse to the speedy and successful progress of railways generally, and was a sufficient reason for suspending, in some degree, a rapid completion of the line before the South Wales Company can accomplish a junction at the Grange. The directors have made consider able progress in the purchase of lands. They regret that in some instances the demands made upon them were exorbi tant, and they were compelled to appeal to juries. In every :case the verdicts were less than the sums claimed. The di rectors had abstained from making calls beyond the absolute wants of the company, and congratulated the proprietors upon the promptitude with which the last call h ad been p aid. They have transferred to the South Wales Company the por tion of the line extending from the Grange to Hagloe, in conformity with the agreement entered into with them under the powers of the Act. The report of Mr. Brunel, the engineer, stated that the works upon this railway have been proceeded with so far as the possession of land permitted ; but by reason of this limitation the progress has been hitherto small, and princi pally confined to the work across the meadows near Glou cester. The removal of the houses in Gloucester itself has been commenced, and a considerable portion of the work through the town may now be proceeded with. The bridges across the river may shortly be commenced. The earthwork upon the rest of the line is not heavy; but it will be desirable now to enter upon some more of the land, so that during the next spring the whole may be in work, to ensure the com pletion of the line simultaneously with that of the South Wales Railway. The accounts showed that 80,556/. had been received, and 74,530/. expended, leaving a balance in hand of 6,0261. The CHAIRMAN stated that, since the last meeting, a new secretary had been appointed (Mr. Nash), and had been found a most zealous and efficient officer. The directors had refrained from proceeding with the calls, ss it would be useless to push forward the completion of the line until the works of the South Wales Railway (with which this line forms a junction) were nearer completion. The bridges across the Severn would be commenced early next year, and the whole of the works would be completed in full time to form a junc tion with the South Wales line as soon as that line was ready for the traffic. He adverted to the delay in the purchase of lands, and said the directors had no other wish than to give the fair value for all lands taken by the company. If it was found expedient to expedite progress, he had little doubt, from the experience or former calls, that the shareholders would not be found wanting with the means for carrying on the works with vigour. f . Pr T c h e e a r n e d po xt rt r w . A as v a e d ry o , p w te e d, re an re d -e t l h ec e t t e w d o . retiring di rec tors, Mr. After some farther discussion of no importance, the pro ceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to . the Chairman. LONDON AND BLACKWALL. The half-yearly meeting of thi s company was held on Tuesday at the LondonNavern; Daniell in the chair. The report stated that ttlo ne t balance on the revenue account amounts to 5,465/, ' which will admit of the paax, y ment of a dividend of Is. 6d: per share, clear of income-t on the 48,000 original, and the 24,000 new shares (No. 1), which are now entitled top articipate in the profits of the undertaking. The sum thus applicable to the payment of a dividend is larger than on any previous corresponding half year, enabling the directors to propose a dividend equal in amount to that paid at this time twelvemonths, although the number of shares has been since that period increased by one-half. This result is attributable to the conversion of de bentures into capital, by which a large and permanent re duction is made in the annual expenses. The traffic during the first six months of 1848 showed that 1,273,969 passengers had been carried, receipts 22,023/. ; at the corresponding period of 1847, 1,354,622 passengers were conveyed, and the receipts amounted to 22,9691. This decrease was prin cipally confined to the local traffic. In the Gravesend traffic there had been an increase, notwithstanding the un toward state of the weather. The first half-year's receipts for local traffic in 1848 amounted to 15,659/. ; for Gravesend traffic, to 5,156/. ; and Woolwich traffic, to 1,208/. ; in the first half-year of 1847 the traffic was 16,8571., 4,670/., and 1,441/. respectively. The heads of an agreement with the East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway Company have been finally settled, the directors of that company undertaking to complete a junction with the extension line by the time their own line shall be finished to Camden-town. The directors are still in negotiation with the Easter Counties Company in reference to the use of the extension line ; and they cannot doubt that a common in terest must necessarily lead to an arrangement satisfactory to both companies. The directors have thought it prudent not to interfere with the traffic during the present and the ensuing month, and they have therefore determined to defer Closing either of the lines for the alterations necessary to the introduction of the locomotive system and the change of gauge until the Ist of October. They have every confidence that the extension line will be open in November, and that both the lines will be in full operation under the new system of working before the close of this year. The report of Mr. Locke, the engineer, stated that the works of the extension line had progressed rapidly and sa tisfactorily; that the whole of the arching was finished, and all the bridges, with the exception of those over the Com mercial-road, the Regent's Canal, and the Bow-road, which would be completed in six weeks. The permanent way was laid along the whole line, except at the latter places; one line of rails may be altered on the old line, and opened simultaneously with the extension line in November, and both lines may be altered and in operation by locomotive power before the end of the year. The capital account to the 30th of June showed that 1,147,0751. had been received, and 1,079,169/. expended, leaving a balance of 67,906/. The re venue account stated that 26,452/. had been received for traffic, including 2,591/. for rents and wharfage ; and the ex penses 20,905/., including 1,131/. Government duty, 1,039/. rates and taxes, and 2,600/. interest on loans and scrip shares, leaving a balance of 5,627/. The extension account showed that 220,505/. had been expended, leaving a balance against the company of 46,4351. The CHAIRMAN, on moving the adoption of the report, said the directors regretted that the extension line was not yet open, and the gauge altered ; the delay had arisen in Par liament. He trusted the shareholders would approve of the alteration in the gauge on the old line being put off till the let of October, so as not to impede the large traffic re ceivable prior to that time. Their negotiations with the Eastern Counties Railway Company had not yet led to any determinate result, although principles had been laid down between the companies which could be carried out, and the directors only awaited coming to such an arrangement as would be remunerative to the company. Mr. HAGUE seconded the resolution. Mr. LEVY said they were charged 201'. for the passenger tickets of the last half year, that his printer would do them for 95/., and get a fair profit, which would save the company about 2201. a year—a saving worth something on a Is. 6d. dividend. Ile perceived that there were large arrears on the extension shares, amounting to 30,522/. ; he thought those who had not paid ought to be handed over to the company's solicitor, and be made to pay.—(Hear.) The CHAIRMAN said if Mr. Levy would send his printer to look at the peculiar tickets they used, to prevent imposition, and would do them for less than they paid at present, the di rectors would be glad to save the difference. After some observations respecting the probability of leas ing the line to the Eastern Counties and the London and North-Western Companies, Mr. Alderman Salomans warned the proprietors against entering into any inconsiderate bargain, and pointed to the example of the Graenwich Railway. The report was adopted unanimously and the dividend approved. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. long without obtaining the consideration of Parliament. In that item of charge there had been an increase en their own line of between 4,000/. and 5,0001. over the last year. He trusted that the day was not far distant when he should have to congratulate the company upon a diminution of this impost. He found Bills introduced into Parlia ment for the exemption of stock in trade, and he thought railway interests equally entitled to consideration. That was one grievance against which railway proprietors had had to contend. But the railway interest had had before to contend with difficulties which would have ap palled any other proprietors; they had struggled on without the assistance of Government, and success had attended their exertions. By perseverance, by refraining from undue speculation, by entering into as few engagements as pos sible, by fair, open, and upright conduct towards the public, he had no doubt the present difficulties of the railway in terest would be removed, and prosperily again restored. If any gentleman required further information with regard to the affairs of the company, he should be happy, if able, to afford it. He sat down, assuring them that he felt deeply anxious to promote the interests of the Midland Railway. In reply to a question from a PROPRIETOR, The CHAIRMAN said he had no intention of retiring from the management of the company.—(Cheers.) He would say further, that so long as he possessed health, strength, and energy, and the confidence of the proprietors, nothing should induce him to leave then.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. BRANCKER (of Liverpool) inquired whether any of the amount of the 50/. new shares had been taken to liquidate the debts of the company? The CHAIRMAN replied that no amount had been taken for that purpose, but so soon as the new lines had been com • pleted, the remaining sum to be called up would be then taken to liquidate the debts of the company. Mr. BRANCIZER, after some further observations, said he thought it would have been better if the directors had recom mended a dividend of 51 per cent. and carried the balance forwards. A fROPRIETOR wished to know upon what amount of capi tal the dividend was declared? The CHAIRMAN—About seven millions. Mr. WATERS wished for a reserved fund, to meet deprecia tion of stock, He should, therefore, move as an amendment, that a dividend of 5 1 j per cent. be declared. 'The CHAIRMAN said before that was done, it would be better that the report should be received. Mr. IRONSIDES wished to know whether any rupture be tween the engine-drivers and directors was likely to occur on the Midland line? The CHAIRMAN replied that the best feeling existed be tween them. The Chairman afterwards observed that he had been present immediately after the occurrence of the late accident on the London and North-Western at Blisworth. The accident was one of those misadventures which no fore sight could prevent.—(Hear.) The report, after a few other remarks, was received and adopted. On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, a dividend of 3/. for the half-year, payable on the 4th of September, was then agreed to. Mr. RAND (of Bradford) moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Hudson for his able conduct as chairman of the Midland Railway Company. The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, said he was only anxious to preserve the confidence of the proprietors. He could not close the proceedings of the day without re ferring to an event which every railway proprietor, and every well-wisher of his country, must regret. He alluded to the death of that great and distinguished man, Mr. George Stephenson. His character, and the works which he had left behind him, would live in the memory of his coun trymen to all future ages.—The meeting then broke up. ~ PROTECTION." TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sra,—" Good phrases," says Justice Shallow, " are and shall be commended:" the word " Protection" shall be commended for the good service it has done. Who ever has read Mr. Whiteside on the " Tribunals at Naples and their procedes," may be assured that his account is not exaggerated. Ask a Neapolitan with little or no money how his lawsuit is going on? he re plies, with shrugs and squeaks, " Eh! a Napoli tutto protezione!" (bribery.) This is the true meaning of the word, and ought to be nailed to it. When a Bill is passed " for protection of Crown and Government," one is inclined to ask, Who dares take our Victoria, enfant de la :liaison, dread and dear Sovereign, under his pro tection, or make her his protegee? If Lord Stanley's friend, 'yclept of the Two Siciiies, in the exercise of his undoubted prerogative, made a law just now to double the price of maccaroni, as our landlords did of bread, to gratify noble cornfactors or Austrian mealmen, that would be protezione in the strictest ac ceptation of the term. The customs of Naples are daily brought to our doors by Pulcinella their national =schen]. His litigiousness and yet hatred of law-officers, in the first place—his attachment to Judy, whom he beats—his fondness for tame animals, yet his cruelty towards them—his spadacino valour as in General Pepe, combined, however, with a perpetual longing to run away—his superstition and yet profane ness—his vocal powers solacing all his misfortunes—his perfidy, levity, caprices, and lies—his unmistakeable beak, top-knot, and voice, as of a cockrell or game chicken, pulcinella—all these describe the union of Greek volubility, Arab temper, Tuscan shrewdness and talent, constituting—Punch. Certainly Naples is not so far as from Cornhill to Grand Cairo; Cerito, Lablache, the Tagliouis, three or four Grisis and a Tosi, came all the way to see us; probably also Grimaldi and Delpini, clowns. One is apt to view Naples merely as a cele brated watering•place, but it is also the second capital iu Europe, London exclusive; population about half a mil lion, a court, nobility, and garrison more than propor tionate, with a fine breed of little barb horses, who ex hibit what Mme. do Steel saw in the human natives, a "je ne sais quoi da Numide." Here Pythagoras, in ventor of music, and the astronomy called Copernican, dwelt. Here Aquinas, who, according to some, would have made three Newtons, was born. Here, in the time of our Heptarchy, Greek laws, medicine, civilization, and refinement prevailed at Salerno and Amalfi. Here Cmsar, Marius, Pompey, Virgil, Romans of all ages, " crowded on each other's villas, and jostled for the most beautiful angles." Even Lablache is nothing new. "In the plague at Athena, the few who escaped infection de termined to enjoy hte while it lasted. They had singers from Magna Grecia (Naples) and dancers from Gaul, who received an Attic talent, or 1931. 15s. every month for their trouble, which, in those times, was considered a high salary." If any doubt the influence of Naples, or the origin of the vocable Protection, let them consider that Christina andher kinswoman, the Duchess de Berri, are Neapolitans, besides the ex-Queen of France—and surely we have heard enough of them. I saw Christina at a public festival—a young princess of fatal, tragical beauty ; probably in that vast assemblage were but few male creatures who would not have been glad to accept her as sister, daughter, wife, or friend, notwithstanding the llias malorum she might bring her Menelaus and King Priam. The Neapolitans combine the extremes of human character. Their " protection of Crown and Government" " went too far" in 1799 when the French Government evacuated the city. Van Raumer, who surely is a good autho rity, tells us " Cardinal Ruffo was leader of the counter revolution, and the greatest horrors were perpetrated before his face. (Persons now living can show you the very spots.) Fra Diavolo; Macamone, the blood-quaffer, and others of that class, were treated as friends by and loaded with titles and honours." If the brutality of the many equalled that of the few it would go hard with poor humanity; but in the Carbonari year, 1822, when no Government existed for several weeks, the wealthy inhabitants and foreigners did not even bar their doors at night. This is a great fact. Marshal Saxe (the only Frenchman who ever beat the English in three pitched battles) observed that in all disputes between the army waggoners and their horses, the waggoners were wrong. Burke always presumed in favour or the people against governments—as an Irishman he bad reason. Abbi Petrarch was involuntary witness of human sacrifice at Naples, and the name of the place was Carbonaria. Gibbon therefore was inaccurate in saying " the human feasts of Lestrygous have never been renewed on the coasts of Campania." Such customs are merely external necessities like Juggernaut, Thuggee, Suttee—but a treac h er ous echo is found in the hearts of those demi- Africans. A day may come—who knows ? when that great referendary, the oldest: inhabitant, will just be able to remember human sacrifices or capital punishments as fiercely applauded by modern as by ancient Britons. Every instance of misgovernment and consequent ferocity brings Ireland, piteous Ireland, to memory, but one escapes from the idea. They have, in the matter of whisky, conquered themselves—teach them now to con quer us. Would that I could be more useful to your most useful paper !—I have the honour to be, Sir, &c., 11. C. ARGENT. RACING SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE, 301, STRAND.— On Friday last the managers of the Racing Subscription Fund received at this office, distributed the horses to holders of the numbers for the great Ebor Handicap, to the several classes of the subscribers, at the Perthenium, St. Martin's-lane, Westminster. Before the distribution was commenced, one of the managers addressed the as. sembly, and said, that although he accepted the compara tively thin attendance of the subscribers as a proof of the confidence they reposed in the managers—if any further proofs were needed of that fact, in addition to the rapidity with which they had filled up the subscrip tions—still the managers would have been gratified if their attendance to look after their own interests had been more numerous, especially as it was difficult to hit at once upon any method of distribution which mig ht an n ot be open to some objection. There was, however, important one which the managers had provided against , na mely, that some of the numbers might be withhe ld , an d thus be unfairly excluded from the chance of a horse. The speaker .then produced a box divided ito a 100 compartments, each of which contained parcels of num bers of 100 each; the first compartment containing from 1 to 100, the second from 101 to 200, a n d so on; the whole 10,000 being thus arranged in an arithmetical se (riueisreodf this c h o u u n i d d re b d e s. se ß le y eted arranement any nu m b er re i instantl y, and the subscribers were asked to call for any numbers at h azar d, i n or d er to test the fact, whether every ticket was not there to to be placed in the wheel. This was done, and the result as well as the simplicity of the test, gave the utmost sa tisfaction, i w o a f s warm l y . t T i s i fi The c ti distributiono n , expressed by all present. Fund occupied this gigantic Racing Subscription i upwards of two hours; the result of which will be see Journal. Her page.—From the London Mercantilc a Jo o Her Majesty's Pianoforte and Harp makers, Messrs. Erard, of 18, Great Marlborough-street, have also been honoured with the appointment of makers to his Roy al Highness Prince Albert, in consequence of the new m proved Pianoforte made by them to the order of his Roy al Highness. \Ve are happy to announce that the proprietor of the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens has appropriated an evening next week for Monsieur Jullien's benefit. We are sure the public of all classes will respond to it; and we are glad to hear that his professional brethren, both vocal and instrumental, have so promptly proffered heir aid. It re dounds much to their credit, and they may rest assured it will assist them in the estimation of a generous public. We understand that the Marquis of Breadalbane will be appointed to succeed to the office of Lord Cham berlain, which the Earl Spencer is about to resign. MIDLAND. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this line of railway was held at the station of the company at Derby, on Saturday. Mr. Hudson, M.P., occupied the chair. The attendance was unusually large. Soon atter one o'clock Mr. HunsoN, in company with the board of directors, entered the room, and called upon Mr. BULL, the secretary, to read the following report : " It is gratifying to your directors, that at the termination of a half-year of peculiar difficulty-, they are enabled to an nounce that the gross receipts from the traffic have amounted to 507,1701. 15s. 3d., exceeding those of the corresponding half of last year by 22,5091., and leaving a disposable balance of 195,460/. Bs. 10d. This will enable you to declare a dividend of 3/. upon each Midland Consolidated Stock ; 3'. upon each 1001. Consolidated Preferential Stock ; after the same rate of 6/. per cent. per annum upon thc'• amount paid (42/. 10s. per share) upon the Erewash Valley , shares, and of 2/. 6s. 3d. upon each 1001. Consolidated London and Birmingham Stock. The opening of the Syston and I'eterborough line was delayed beyond the period contem plated in the last half-yearly meeting, partly from the unavoidable state of the weather, and partly from the inability of the contractors for one part of it to complete their work, and which the company were obliged to take into their own hands. It was not opened until the Ist of May. The branches connecting the principal collieries on the Erewash Valley with that railway are now in rapid progress. The line from Nottingham to Mansfield, as far as Sutton-in-Ashfield, a distance of about thirteen miles, will be opened in a few weeks. Since the last meeting the directors have contracted for the making of the branch line from Leicester to the Leicester and Swan nington Railway, at Desford, about six miles, and the works are progressing satisfactorily. The extension from the Leicester and Swanningtou, at Long-lane, to Burton-upon-. Trent, will be opened during the autumn. Arrangements are making for ,the junctions of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln Railway with this line at Beighton ; of the North Staffordshire, at Burton-on-Trent ; of the South Staffbrdshire, at Alrewas; and of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line at Abbot's Wood and Stoke. Mr. Barlow, the resident engineer, reports, ' the main tenance contracts on north branch terminated in the early part of this month, and that this portion of the in is now in the hands of the company. I anticipate a saving of from 604 to 70/. per mile per annum will be effected by this arrangement. On the Birmingham and Gloucester, twenty-one miles have been relaid, and the re mainder is being actively proceeded with. On the Bristol and Gloucester the improved condition of the line has en abled the company to make arrangements with the con tractors, by which the cost of the maintenance is re duced; but I regret to say that the company does not reap the full benefit of this reduction, in consequence of the excessive cost of the repairs and maintenance of the mixed gauge line between Cheltenham and Gloucester. I have also to report the completion of the following works, viz., the passenger station at Nottingham, the branch line to the docks at Gloucester, and the short branch to the canal and stone quarries at Little Eaton. The line and works are in a very satisfactory state ; they have never since the opening of the line been in better condition and re pair than at this time.' ➢lr. Kirtley, the superintendent of the locomotive and carriage department reports—' The locomotive plant, carriage, and waggon stock are in good condition.' The following Acts have received the Royal assent :—For making a Branch Line from Little Eaton to itigley and the neighbouring Collieries, and also empower ing the Company to improve and enlarge the Derby, Masbro', and Burton Stations. For an Extension of seven miles in length, from Gloucester to Stonehouse, uniting the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway to the Bris tol and Gloucester, rendering unnecessary the break of gauge at Gloucester, and extending a continuous narrow gauge line from Birmingham to Bristol. For authorising certain altera tions in the Hitchin, Northamption, and Huntingdon Exten sion of the Midland Railway, and for other purposes." [The statement of accounts had for some days been printed and circulated among the proprietors.] The Cilammax then rose and said the proposition he had first to bring before them was, " That the report of the directors new read be received, adopted, printed, and circu lated among the proprietors ;" and in doing so it would be unnecessary to detain them for more than a few minutes with any observations of his own. The report spoke for it self. He stood there, however, to give to any proprietor any information which he might require, and Upon One or two points some explanation might, perhaps, be deemed necessary. He would not refer to the pamphlet of Mr. Alfred Smith—the statements therein made had been so completely answered by his friend Mr. Glyn, that it was altogether unnecessary to further allude to that publication.—(Hear.) One or two points with regard to the accounts of the com pany he thought it right to refer to. It would be recol lected that at a former meeting it was promised that the 40/. shares should come into the present half-year's dividend, the directors having entertained a hope that the Syston and Peterborough line would be opened in January, when, in fact, it was not opened until May. The consequence was that the 40/. shares now received six per cent. as old stock, whereas had they not been brought into stock until the line was opened, according to the arrangement at the allotment, they (the shareholders of 401.) would have received 4 per cent. only from January to May, and 6 per cent. from May to June. There had been a consequent encroachment upon the revenue which would have been dividable among the proprietors of the old stock. This explanation he thought ought to be afforded to the company. When last he met them he (Mr. Hudson) did not contemplate those events which had subsequently occurred in Europe and disturbed in so fearful a degree the commercial interests of this country. He would not deny that the directors were in consequence disappointed in the amount of their revenue for the last half-year. In their passenger traffic there had been a diminution to the amount of 2,7001., but in goods and minerals there had been an increase to the extent of between 23,000/. and 24,000/. There were none of them, however, but must have ex pected that railways, which were essentially commercial un dertakings, must suffer with all other interests in the present circumstances of the times. They (the directors) considered that during the next half-year they should be enabled to re move many of the causes of their present depression. They should gain by a reduction of their expenses, for there was no article which they consumed which was not reduced in price. During the last half-year they had opened twenty five additional miles of railway; in the next half-year they should be able to open forty more; leaving only eight not completed. He thought it right to state, that the directors, after giving the subject their best consideration, had deter mined not to enter into any new undertaking until they had again the pleasure of meeting the proprietors.—(Cheers.) Ile excepted the trifling work necessary to be done in widening the Pinxton station. By the next half-yearly meeting lie firmly hoped that the affairs of Europe would be completely settled, and, as a consequence, trade and commerce revived He had now to allude, in terms of regret, to the condition of the expenditure of the company. He referred, in the first instance, to the heavy charges for maintaining the way. The cost between Derby a nd Leeds was between 60/. and 70/. per mile. This work had hitherto been let to contractors. The board of directors had deter mined to take it into their own hands, and lie thought the experiment would show that the work would be better and more cheaply done than by contractors. The items of in creased expenditure were very considerable, but at the ter mination of another half-year—always considerably the best half-year—they would have, he calculated, at least 100,000/ , more revenue than during the last. One item , that of 12 000 , 1 ' could be satisfactorily accounted for. In the first instance.- their arrangement for the carriage of goods had beer. too ex , t ens ive, and their establishment too large. This, d every . other department, was undergoing the most " indeed, scrutiny, with a view to economy. There was one item over which they had no control--he alluded to parochial rates, In respect to those charges railway Companies were stated most unjustly treated, and so he had in the House of Commons. On the Eastern Counties line, with which he was connected, they paid at, th e per annum per mile (twelve acres to the mile), for could paro chial rates. Such a stet© of things rate of St!. not remain . lu .a,