The Sun. — London, England, 1848-05-11 00:00:00

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. Londonderry - and Ennis- CITY, QUARTER TO THREE. I killen ...... Liwestoft (4 i , cr 4.) Mark- • , t Live yesterday closed o ..... The Cott Ditto (6'per ct.) MAri...llo-ter.ituNton.and Matlock .. 3 ‘dotton _Larket a. _Averp. 3' y _ heavily. Sales 2,500 to 3,000 bales. There was no de cided alteration in pr ices. American realised 4d. to sd. per lb. In Railway Shares there was a considerable Improvement, and prices were advanced, the demand being go o d. The directors of the National Loan Fund Life Assur ance Society;had their annual meeting yesterday, at which they declared a bonus of two-and-a-half per cent., in each• tion to the five per cent. interest. The business of the society was incressing• both here and in America. The advices, per Washington steamer, are not alto gether of so favourable a character as was expected. The troubles which have occurred in Europe were exercising still rather a decided influence upon corn , coerce, but the amount of specie sent away was not so large as it might have been, because of the hope entertained, that as the French Govern ment had permitted a certain delay in the Payment of bills, they might not be returned under protest to the United States. The Mexican treaty also appears to b e diffi cu l t o f arr angement, and the legisla tors of the conquered country still manifest a dogged spirit th a t may retard its ratification for some time to Come. This is, to say the least, unfortunate, as the conclusion of the war would be important both for Europe and America. The lett e r s f rom M a d r id g i ve , if possible, a more un favourable pictur e o f th e state of financial affairs there than at Lisbon. The Government has been spe ndin g at such an enormous rate t h a t the Bank of San Fer nando is pretty nearly drained of its resource s, and the o ld expedi e nt is adopted of increasing the paper i,sues. The prospects of the bondholders, unless the military ex penditure is materially reduced, will not be very en couraging. The affairs of the great firm of Cockerell and Co. are not t urning out worse than we expecte d . F rom th e date of the meeting of creditors we perceive d clearl y so large that i a proportion of the estimated assets were p ro blematical that there was very little chance of their realisi ng much more th an a third, or at the utmost one half of the nominal amounts. It now appears that, upon 800,000/. of liabilities, a dividend of ss. will probably be 1103_ m uch as can b e rea li se d , an d t hi s u nfavourable position . j the h ouse i s in part attributable to the mismanage ment., • h of the Calcutt a b ranc h, which does not seem to •• .. . kno wn correctly the state of its books, and pro 3, mused The Payment by instalment of all its engagements. •,. : and ~.idea of an alliance between the Northern Powers „,,,,,_..Ea s in excites much curiosity in the City, and shows • . uat .trange company" may be kept where a common dang er 1 3 f e l t . Eat; cola bein - isrduds, although there has not been much doing, •• pr0:1 1 ,,, • "sem at the commencement of business, Con rns .They are 84. 1 i for Transfer, and 84i i for Account. .--- count. i z ri c O W 8 4 to f for Money, and 84 to * for Ac . Benk hequersbiila have been 38s. to 41s. premium. .1.,_ otock has been Three -and, "8 supported at 190. The New Three little has been done in Fore . Very ign Stocks. Spanish BraziliaPtierCents. are 23i i ; Mexican are 168 I ; and ~.f...4 31. t o i . 68 *. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. are Itail" a / Shares have been generally dearer again. PRlem s . oSE CLOSIN 0 3 e Cent BA I A s s liniTlBll FUNDS. O'cLOCK. PRICES tock l9O 190 a p ee r cent • Reduced Anns ..... 823./ 83 82 3 ,4 82 3 4 • Consol s 84 1 4 3 Per C e nt. Annuities 84 % 5 4 14 N SW , lent. Annuities, 1726 L en `4_ Per Cent. Anna.-- D F t -nns. to expire J an. 1860 . 1 to 30 years Jan. 5, 1860 8 3 / tq:l India Stock south Sea St k 90 Consols f oc „„ 2, _ or Account ..... ...... •• " I" 84 r. chequer Bills. 21jd. & 3d. 1,000/. June ...... .. - ..... 38 41 p 1 .0004 M arc h.. ••••••. ...... 41 40 43 p 841111 . March ... . .... .. .. 43 41 p PR/ 031 E PRIG OF FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds Ditto, Small 68% Grenada Bonds, 1 per Cent. Peruvian Bouds, 6 per Cents — Portuguese 5 per Cents. — Ditto, 4 per Cent — /8 1 ,4 Russian B on d s _ — 86 Spanish 5 per Cent. 1840. , Ditto, Account — 12 % 'B° . '• Ditto 3 per Cent — s:1 Ditto, Account ... ..... ..... 23 3 4% 22 3 % .French, 3 per Cent —f. —e. 471. 621,4,,c. ~..,t Exchange —f. —c. 25f. 80c. 1 ! _Belgian 4% per Cent ...... 60 Liutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild.... s ' - ' gi Ditto. Account 4 3 1,4 43 1 ,4 11 11.fss Ditto. 4 per Cont. Certtficates 63% 1 4 631 "' ...„.• PRICES OF P AID. BUSII:IESS DONE CLOSING igAIL WA Y SHARES. AT O.N EO ' CLOCK. PRICES. Aberdeen 5O ...... 25% 24% 25... 25 Amber.. Nott., Boston, and Eastern Junction 3 W..— s% .. Ayrshire and Galloway.. 254 — Belfast & County Down. 14% .— Birmin ham and Ox ford Junction .... ... 20 - ••..• Birmingham, Wolver hampton, and Dudley 10 ..... 14 ... Birming.,Wolverh'pton, and Stour Valley 121. 4s ... ••• Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Jung.... 7N •s• • •••••• ••• Boston, Stamfd & Birm. 5 Bristol and Exeter B5 Ditto, Thirds ... 25 Buckinghamshire... 12/. 4s. 3 V: dis. 41 p 43 p 41p CLOS.D. t- PRICES. 70 68', 143 i, 39% dis 2 3/ Caledonian Ditto, Half Shar es - ...... - ... - Ditto,ClydesdaleJunc 50 - Chester and Holyh ea d - ~ ;t . 42 ...••• - - . Ditto, Preference l 5 15 Cl arence - - Do, Ist Class, 6 per Ct. 10 - Do. 2.1 Class, 5 per Ct. 10 - Do. Government Loan, 4 per Cent. Direct London & Ports- Mout h - •••• D ublin and Belfast June. 25 ••-- 13andalk & Enniskillen 1 7% - '-'as„t Anglia, 251., L. & 4. 1111 d and .•• ••• ,! "*".. ...... Do., 181., E. & H..- 18 - •••-• ...... ... 0 ; 4 2 ••••• %3 as ern Counties..... 20 Ditt o , Extension, 5 per D itto Ceni, No. 1......61. 13s. 43.... Par ~''' ditto, No. 2...61. 13s. 4d••• A di s ..... .•• ,"0. North. & Eastern 50 ' ", 0 . Quart ers ......... 12 - ...... . - p " 0 . New 23 1114,,tern Union 50 - h i "!r, ,10 Quarter Shares 12% - Ito 4o, T hird5........133.4d.. • ••• - •• •• •„ (guar. 6 per cent.) 10 •••••• 84. •• E Ditto, ditto . ......... 20 4 ut Ditto 25 D' itto New - L i n ' I. New Quarters 1 6%..... 5 • ••-• .4,44.ll2tcol.nshire ...... 201,4 44113.b0rgh and Glasgow 50 •••-• - ... .. ... ... .. I,! t t o , Half Shares ... 15 .. - - p.,4.'itto, Quarter Shares 121,•••••• -•••minburgh and Northern 2' 5 ' - D ••••- 1) 1, 11, 0, N.ew.. ............ 61;, - ......... . ,!tto, ;N ew port ..... 13 - '''' uitto, ditto, NZ ... . 33, - rater oa-eovil:Lt:Dwo• ....... .. 2 4 . .'' e 1 t N ew .. , J mia ow, b. _ ••• ........ 2N .. - 61cie.,_ rnries, and aa . 4:7 iii ....... ... „81. 6s. 81." Ditto, N e ,,, al ar, & Ayr 50 - - Do.pr e f.,. - ..... .... 40 .- ._.••.•• ••• Greet X or ib e e ll ee Consol. 15 3% 4% 37ii.•• Great D °., Lond o n ......... 13 and York 2 1 / i South 11 d • and West. Ditto , (ho ar , )• . 21% o x rt e h of E ngland.loo ...... - %tre at :,,,;_ •.• .......... 40 Di tt 2 ~,,, w, 40 /......... 5 i„' , - ` , evi • 30/ .... 30 Qreikbru,"N_ e a ter 15/ ............ 11% - - ...... bitt " "tern ......... ... 90 ••• •• 97 Di ° ' 0 Sher - o - to ' area ...... o Ditto' 4 Shares ...... 17% - ... 17 ..• •• 1,,., tifths ......... . 20 ti;bitt - r iz • q - '4 (i L t , New 171... ..... 9 %••• - ''''` - re Pekl and Manch. 26 - tittli 1102Arrhirds ......... 9 ••••• fr. u , elby ... _ b:!to, c alf S hares .. .ll . 25 :.::.. 50 - I Pewit 1 4 Shares p awieL . „ ..... 12% - ••• -- bo.,"d"l4nrYst. Edm. 17% - - ------ „ 0 ., and Norwich P% - ..... Lio., o, Extens•Sc . 1 La (late (J amb & . , Ditto Th. acaster and c; Ely) , 4 --- _ ~ ird, ,arhale... 50 .... - ..... ......... 10 l'Aricanire & Yorkshire 93 .11iitttoto,,%ditstoha. ........... 82 - 3' i. i s, to 0.• Qvinitahrater .11a3ar.e.1.1...... 1 3 41 2 .- - - 11 3 4 ..... - r , .. .. .. 81 h %.** Do. aixteenth ... .... 9 • I: '°- Third (R A 3 ...... " 61, 4 -' ' De. Live r a s -- g.)--.• 13 ... 5 3 / 4 r % and• Bury - cterntield an ' Dat e % 0 t 43 . - !I_Hud• .-I=ks(WakefieZhe..s) 38 ...... --- ..... - te. tract, awl G ''' -14G.(W Itidinrctiiii:%.,so - . ... -- Do. (Preston ti*--nei•2l.-...... 3 3 4 i,.; ctis . . .....: 3% - dis. Do. % S harea(i,j e ' 25 ..... 3 3 3 / 4 333 4 , ..... 11x Leeds and Bradford, ...... 11 Leeds, Dewsbury, u e .l ... , 6 1 ( 7 ) , ...... 91% .. Do., Half Shares ...... 171 .1 ...... -- .... . . - Do., (blue) Scrip...... 24 - ''' --- ........ Leeds and Think ..... 45 "" - -- ' Ditto, New ...... ....... 26 ........ -.... ...... -.. Do., Prefer., 6 per Ct. 31 , . 51 / 2 .. . _ ...... ..... Liverpool, Crosby and 1 Southport . . 2 ... .... Liverp., Man c he s t er , an d ... Newcastle Junction... 2%. ~... London &Bl ack wa11...13/. 63 .8 d.... --.. Do. New, No. 9 ...... 5/. 133.4d.._ „. Do. Extension ......... 20 ...... - .. London, Brighton, and South Coast 5O ...... 33 1 1/ 2 33 • 34 1,.... D O . Consol. Eighths. 40 - ••••••• ...... . bo. Guarant. 5 per ct.., 9 •••••• 8% ............... Do. Pref. Con.s per ct. 50 .. . Ditto. ditt0...... 1852 50 - ... London and Greenwich 12115 s 4d - ••••••••••••••••• Ditto, Preference... 18 , 17s •2d - ......... 1413,d0n, and N. Western 100 136 135% 137 135 Do. Quarters (L.& B.) 22 Ditto, New . ' ........... 2 Ditto, Fifths ..... .. „„ 2 ~ ~ 91,4••••-- -.... Do. 40/•Shares(LM) 20 •••••••• - Do. 10/. (M. & 13.) A, 7fx, - Do. 10/. 01. St B.) B. 7 - • •.••• ,• ...... L01)0114..._10,k0t1. &)C. 1 Do ug.„4o Western ...... 50 . .... 48 49 „ 9 w 50/. ... ..... 42%. • .. 35 37 ',..,o•New 404 ........... 34 .... 4 rp. Tenths (Consul.) 50 .. ~!tto ditto •........... 40 ...... ....••• ..... I.o"4ditto•Tbirds ........ 10 ...... - 7 l' o . '"' Ba lisbilrY, and ...... "'". ......... 1,0.4,40,411477•••876. le . ra ja.....; 27 1 1/ 1 4...... . - .... ............... 71 ......... 15 3 / 4 i ar A dis 3 23% 17 1 % Bii 73 3 / 4 11 3 / 4 8 3 / 4 53/4 ..... .. .. ...... .......... ..... _ ..... ........ .. ... .. - 514 34, E 8 IA 46 10% 4% 48 35% Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire... 1 00 Do. Quarters (No. 1) 13 Ditto ditto (No. 2)... 25 Ditto ditto (No. 3) ... *** -••• Ditto, New 101. Pref... 71St 734 is Ditto, Gt. Grimsby ... 30 Ditto ditto . ......... 9 Ditto ditto . Ditto Sheffield and Lincolnshire lO ••• ••••••• Do., Grimsby Dock... 15 Do., Manchester and Lincoln Union. 4/. 2s Manchest.& Southampt. 2 1 A Ni id lan ‘' . lOO ......1061 1071, Do. Con,olidatedPref.loo Do., do., 501. Shares... 15 ... 10% Do. Birm., and Derbyloo ..Consol. Bristol and Birming., 6 per ct.... 100 Ditto, Brist. & Glocstr. 36 Ditto, ditto ... 3s. 6d Ditto,Leieest. & Swan nington, 8 per ct.guar.loo Midland Great Western Irish Middlesbro' and Redcar, 6 per cent. guar. Newcastle andCarlisle 100 Do. Quarters 25 Newmrk et &Chesterforet 18 1 ,4 Do. Extension Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Newry and Enniskillen 7 .••••• Newry, Warrenpomt, and Rostrevor Norfolk ........ ......... -.100 Do. New 201. Do. Extension Do. Guaranteed 5 1 ,4 i pc. 5 Do. do. Waveney Val. 2 Northern Counties Union 4 North British ... 25 Do. Half Shares 12%...... 1074 Do. Quarter 5........... 6 1 4 5 L/ 2 Do. Extension ...... ••• %••-•' *"' **** Ditty Thirds North & South-Western 2 North Staffordshire l 2 lis 10 %:1 1 ,4 North Wales NorthVestern. 7 I /2 — • Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Royston and Hitchin 1% — •••• ..... •• - Scottish Central Scottish Midland 25 Ditto, New ......... ....• 10 Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole (Nor. Div.) 5 Do. do. (Sou. Div.) 2% — ... Shrewsbury and Birth... 8 Ditto ditto. Class B. 5 Shrewsbury & Chester ( Nor. W. Alin.) Ditto Halves ... ditto 8 •••••• Ditto Oswestry 16 Ditto New .. ......... 1 .• ••• Do. 8 per Cent. Pref. 8 Shrewsbury and Herefd. 2 Shropshire Union ...... 4 south Devon 45 . ........ Do. Preference South Staffordshire 5% ....... ..... south Eastern ........... 331 Do., No. 1... ............ 24 Do., N 0.2. ............ 17 -• •••• Do., No. 3 .. ..... ...... 20 12 Do., No. 4 South Wa1e5......„. 23 South Yorkshire, Don caster, and Goole 3 Swans. & Loughor & Ca meron's Stm. Coal. ... 6 Taw Vale Extension ... 6 Thames Haven Dock and Railway 17% ...... Vale of Neath 4 Waterford and Kilkenny 151 y. —•• Waterford and Limerick 40 Waterfd,Wxfrd,Wicklw, and Düblin Wear Valley 6 per Cent. Guaranteed Do. do. do. ... 25 West Cornwall Whitehaven & Furness 11 Windsor, Staines, and South Western ..... ... 7 Wilts, Somerset,& Wey mouth York, Newcastle, and Berwick. Do. Original New and Berwick .. ..... ...... 25 Do. Extension No. 1. 15 Do. do. No. 2...,.. ... 10 Do. G.N E.Preference 8 •••••• 95 % IV/ York and North Midl an d 50 ..... Ditto, Preference ...... 10 ••• Do. East and W est Rid ing Extension FOREGAY Boulogne and Amiens... I2ON RAIL 6 W 3 / 4 S. . Central of France (Or leans and Vierzon) ... 16 Ceylon Demerara ••• 10 . ..... -- ••• Dendre Valley... - . Direct B om b ay an d Madras ss. . ... Dutch Rhenish ...—.. 7 ... .. ...... ....... East Indian —....... ..... 34 — ..... .- .... • Great Indian Peninsular 55. Italian and Austrian.... 4 Louvain ala Sambre ... 6 Luxembourg 7 — Madrid and Valentia... 2 ...... Namur and Li ege lB ..... Northern of France...... 10 ...... Orleans and Bordeaux 6 Over Yssel 4/ 3 s 4d...... Paris and Lyons lO ... •• ... ••• Paris and Orleans ...... 20 ..... Paris and Rouen ...,..... 20 Paris and Strasbourg ... 8 Rouen and Havre ...... 20 Sambre and Meuse ...... 20 Strasbourg and Basle ... 14 Tours and Nantes .. 8 ...... Tournay, Jurbise, Lan den, and Hasselt ...... 16 West Flanders ..... .. ..... 8%..... 43 LLOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY.) LONDON, MAY 11.—Wind E.S.E., light and pleasant breeze, and fine clear weather. SCILLY, MAY 7.—The Cove of Quebec, was passed dismasted and abandoned, on the 29th ult. in lat. 48, 1011. 24, by the Hannibal, Foote, off this place. YARMOUTH, MAY 9. The Thomas and Margaret, Hull, of and from Sunderland for Portsmouth, caught the ground this morning, on the Knowl, grown out from the Barber Sand, but is throwing her cargo (coals) overboard, and it is expected she will be got off next tide. DEAL, MAY 10.—Wind N.E. to E.N.E.—Arrd. 10. —Andelusia, Wilson, Baltimore; Baltimore, Baltimore; Sea Park, Humphries, Demerara. Arrd. from the River and sailed, 10. Cornelio, Sydney, New South Wales ' • Sering apatam, Madras, &c. ; Herschel!, New York; Eliza Ann, Quebec. DOVER, MAY 10.—Arrd. Conradina, Angrotura; Danse, St. Jago de Cuba, both for Bremen. OFF DOVER, MAY 10.—Arrd. Emigrant, Baltimore, for Bremen: Mary, St. Croix, Copenhagen. SHOREHAM, MAY 10.—Sld. Betsey, Quebec. LIVERPOOL, MAY 10.—Arrd. Valoce, Bell, Calcutta; Franconea, Smith, New Orleans. Sld. Peking, Ba tavia; Royal Sovereign, New Orleans; Kitson, Trinidad; Espareenondas, Booton Colchester, States Island; William IV., Newfoundland; Conbrook, , Charleston; Republic, New York; Hotlinguer, ditto; Agnes, Staten Island; Strang, Quebec. PORT, MOUTH, MAY 10.—Arrd. Boleth Puggaard, Lund, Rio Janeiro, for Copenhagen, and proceeded for Cowes; Protector, King, Cuba. COWES, MAY 10.—Arrd. Washington, steamer, Johnston, New York, and proceeded for Bremen. OFF WEYMOUTH.—Arrd. Catherine Maria, Rykon, Batavia, for Rotterdam. OFF THE START.—Arrd Six Sodekende, Love, Port au Prince. OFF SCILLY, MAY 3.—Arrd Harour, Krell', Bahia, for Copenhagen. 5, Hannibal, New Orleans, for Havre. CORN AVERAGES. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN For the Week ended May 11,1848, made up from the Returns of the Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England and Wale* per Imperial Quarter. WHEAT. I SA=LTY. OATS. I RTC I ILAN/. I plus. PRICE D I SOsi ld I 32 lES ON s 4d 19. 8d 31s CO RN lld I 355 7d 361 3d UT FOREIGN . 'MEAT. BAELST. I OATS. I SITS. azarrs. I Pius. Od Od 35 Od 125 Oil 115 Od 24 Od MARKET NEWS.—(THIS DAY.) NEWVATE AND ZMILDMISBELL3I. These markets were tolerably well, but not to say heavily, supplied with Meat. All kinds meta dull inquiry, at barely the late decline in the quotations. Beef from 2s 10d to 38 6d; Mutton, 38 4d to 48 6d; Lamb, 5s 6d to 6s 6d; Veal, 3s 10d to 4s 10d; and Pork, 3s 10d to 5s per 81bs, by the carcase. MEAT MARKETS. SOUTHALL, MAY 10.— Our et a dull inquiry, at drooping with tat stock, and which m 2d 4s; Mutton, 4s to ss; 3s to was . fairly supplied Pork 4s 4s to 4s 8d; and Lamh, 5s 6d to 63 4d; Vea l, sink the offal. market currencies. Bet from to 4s 8d per 81bs , to ROMFORD, MAY 10.—Beasts, quotations of from 2d to, off heavily, at a decline in the Calves and Pigs very In in some instances, 4d per 81bs. 4s; Mutton, 4s to to little was doing. Beef from 3s 4s to 4s 8d; and Sheep, and Lambs moved Calves, 18s to 245; 5s 2d; Lamb, 5s 4d to 6s 4d; Vea l , Pork, 4s to 4s 8d rr Bibs. Suckling Quarter -old store Pigs, 18s to 245; . and with their Small Calf; 15/ to 181 each. heavy this llamstiAM, M& Y 1 0.—Our market was from 6a Beef, : n fr,iiiig, and prices were not supported . Milch Cows, 3 -in to 4s 2d; Mutton 4s to 5s 2d; Lamb, per 6s 4d; Veal, 4s to 4s Bd; ' and Pork, 4s 2d to 4s 6 d 81bs. ARUNDEL, MAY 9.......M05t kinds of stock were a slow stile, at drooping currencie Beef, from 3s 6d to 4s 2d; Mutton, 4s 4d to 52; Lamb, 53 4d to 6s 2d; .5s 4d to Veal, 4s 2d to 44 6 d; and Pork, 4s 2d to 43 6d per 81bs. CHICHESTER, MAY 10--Ne h a d a of fat stock this day, which sold at drooping prices. Beef, fr om 45 to 4s 8d; Mutton, 4s 8d to 5s 8d; Lamb, 6s to 63 4d; and Veal, 4 $ 4d to 4s 6d periBlbs; fat Hugs. plentiful supply 3s 8d to 3s 10d per Sibs; Stickling alves, lOs to 18; and Mitch Cows, with their small Calf, 10/ to 14/ each; Couples, 425 to 455. of • NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. 5s 6d (Haswell l6s 6d Hetton ... l6s 6,l Lamhton Russell's Hetton l Stewart's I Hartlepool l6s 6d Heugh Hall Seymour Tees %Vest Hetton l4s 6d Derwentwater Hartley 14s Oct Howard's W. H. Neth l4B Od Sidney's Hartley Ships at market 162. O'i'l ..._ 10% STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER of the YEAR 1848. From the Report of the Registrar - General.) The quarterly returns are obtained from 117 districts, sub-divided into 582 sub-districts. Thirty six districts are in the metropolis, and the remaining 81 comprise, with some agricultural districts, the principal towns and cities of England. The popula- tion was 6,612,958 in 1841. The mortality has been high in the quarter ending March 31, 1848, but rather lower than in the previous quarter; and, taking the increase of popula tion into account, higher than in the corresponding quarter of the year 1847. The deaths returned were 57,710 in the last, and .57,925 in the previous quarter. The deaths in the corresponding quarter of 1847 were 56,105. The smallest number of deaths returned in the ten last winter quarters was 42,410 in 1839. The mor tality was below the average in the winters of 1839, 1842, 1843, and 1844 ; in the severe winter of 1845 it was 49,906, which is considerably above the ave rage. In the mild winter of 1846 it was much below the average. The rest of the year was unfavourable to health ; some of the diseases of hot climates set in; the potato crop failed in England and Ireland, with disastrous effects. In 1847, scurvy, typhus, and other zymotic diseases prevailed; and at the end of the year influenza broke out. Its ravages ex tended over the country, and continued in some dis tricts through the month of January, 1848. In London 16,455 deaths were registered in the first 13 weeks of 1848, and 15,289 in the first 13 weeks of 1847. The deaths in the winter of 1846 were only 12,518 ; in 1845, however, they had been 14,686. The mortality was high during the first five weeks of the present year. In the week ending February .5, 1,453 were returned exclusive of deaths by violence, and sudden deaths ; in the next week the deaths were 1,296. The temperature rose; and in the week ending Feb. 19, the deaths were 1,102 ; in the five following weeks the deaths only varied from 1,090 in the first, to 1,054 in the last week but one of the quarter ending April 1. Typhus is still epidemic in London, and destroys the lives of from 60 to 80 persons weekly. Small• pox, measles, scarlatina, and hooping cough were fatal to many. The deaths ascribed to influenza in the 13 were 102, 102, 89, 56, 59, 47, 27, 33, 18, 11, 10, 16, 8. Pul monary diseases (exclusive of consumption) were little more than half as fatal at the end as they were at the beginning of the quarter. A great difference may be observed in the causes of death in 1847 and 1848, although the mortality was high in both winters. In the winter of 1847 the deaths from dis eases of the lungs were 4,056; in 1848 they were 3,257 ; on the other hand, zytnotic diseases were more than twice as fatal in 1848 as they were in 1847. 23% 27% 25 1 h 12 6 33 30 3 % 18 113 9 , 70 32 1 4 1% In the districts of the kingdom generally, exclusive of London, the deaths in the winters of the five years 1844-8, were 32,494, 35,313, .31,332, 40, , and 816 41,255. Th e d eat h s i n the distri c t s of Lancash96ire and Cheshire i n th e five winters were 11 , 3 68, 12,8, 11,928, 15,557, and 15,444, and nearly equal in the last two years to the deaths in London, a l t h ou in gh population was on l y 1,530,460 lB4l, when the the po pulation of L on d on was 1,948,369. Typhus, scarlatina, hooping cough, and smallpox were epidemic in many parts of the country. The mortality of Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool still remains excessively high. The deaths in Bir mingham were 1,660; the population was 138,187 in 1841. - --,-- • In Nottingham the mortality was high, but not 80 high as in the winter of 1840. The mortality in Liverpool and Manchester is still excessively high, but not so high as in the winter of 1847. There is a manifest improvement in Hud dersfield, Halifax, Bradford, and Leeds. In Shef field and York the mortality was higher in 1848 than in 1847. THE PLUNDER OF THE TIJILE RIES . Four persons, named Boutron, alias the Parisian, 18 years of age, an operati ve s h oemaker; Retel, like wise a shoemaker; Duclos, a hawker of earthenware ; and Bersuat, the keeper of a wine shop, were tried before the Court of Correctional Police in Paris en Saturday last—the first as the principal, for stealing some valuable diamonds belonging to the Duchess of Orleans, from the Palace of the Tuileries, on 24th Feb. last, and th e o th er th ree as rece i vers of stolen goods. It appeared from the evidence of Citizen Vidron, a proprietor, residing in the village o f G en till y ; near Paris, that the first three prisoners lived at his house —the two first as workmen in his employment, and the third as a lodger. On the 24th of February, Boutron asked leave of absence of his employer, which was granted to him ; but he did not return until the day following. His master then asked him where he had been, to which he replied that he had done like the rest. He was then told that there was no more work for him, to which he replied—" Bah I what do I care for that." " Why so ?" asked his fellow-work man, Retel, " Beca use , said Boutron, "I h ave got some thing ;" and, being pressed by his master to explain, he drew forth from beneath his blouse a sprig mounted with fifteen diamonds, a pearl neckl ace , an d a silver cloak chain, w ith a large diamond in the centre. On being charged by his master with steal ing the Crown jewels, he said, " Bahl I did like the rest," and on being further questioned, he pretended that he had found the articles in the court-yard of the Tuileries amongst some old papers. Betel having asked to examine the diamond sprig, said, when he had it in his possession, "As you have stolen it, I shall keep it," which he did. Duclos having joined the others, then pro posed to introduce them to a Jew who would pur chase the jewels. Not having found the Jew, it ap peared that Bersuat stole the diamond sprig from Retel, and Duclos contrived to steal part of the plunder from Boutron. M.M. Mellerio and Bspst, jewellers, proved th at the diamonds were the property 60 of the Duchess of Orleans. The Court, after hearing counsel for the defence, condemned Boutren as the principal in the robbery to two months' imprison ment, and Retel, Duclos, and Bersuat, to one months' confinement. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 10. Boulogne and Amiens, 6%—Luxembourg, —Namur and Liege, PA—Orleans and Bordeaux, I%—Paris and Lyons, 2. " A DROP."—The 'cute mayor of this town flooded he walls during the late fair with large red bills, stat ing that the cheapest paper-hangings in Boston were to be had of Mr. J. Noble; to which a 'cut er t own coun cillor added, i n typ e o the same form and ink of the same colour, " Except at Edward Tewson's, Bargate." The worthy knight of the hammer has knocked his wor ship down " a decided bargain."—Boston Herald. BRIGHTON, WEDNESDAY.—Viscount and Via -1 countess Seaham have taken a house on the Marine Parade. Sir John and Lady Conroy are staying at the Bristol Hotel. Sir Charles and Miss Bannerman have taken a ho . use in Brunswick-terrace. Prince Paul of .Wurtemberg remains in Brighton. His Royal Highness a staying in Regency -square. Lady Mary Stevens has rrived at 5, Royal Crescent. The Earl and Countess f Macclesfield and Lady Louisa Parker are staying on the Marine Parade. Lady Augusta Whittenhara is on i a visit to Prince Paul of Wurtemberg. DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.—About seven o'clock on Saturday evening a most melancholy accident occur red at Auchinstarry Bridge, on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Canal. The child of a spirit dealer, of that place, named Stark, had fallen into the canal, and the father, attempting to rescue it, in the struggle had somehow overreached himself, and sank. The child was got out safe by some persons passing at the time, but about ten minutes elapsed ere the body of Stark was recovered. When taken out life still remained, but he soon after died.—North Britis 3 / 4 Daily Mail. TEA PARTY IN CELEBRATION OF THE PASSING OF THE TEN HOURS FACTORY BILL. —A tea party on an extensive scale will take place in the Free Trade /fall, on Wednesday, the 7th of June. The following gentlemen, amongst others, have intimated their intention to be present:—Lord Ashley, M.P.; Mr. Fielden, late M.P. for Oldham; the Hon. W. Cowper, one of the Lords of the Admiralty; Mr. Charles Hindley, M.P.; Mr. Brother ton, M.P.; and Mr. Oastler.—Manchester Courier. BOURN.—An incendiary fire took place here on Wednesday night, on the premises of Mr. Gentle, which destroyed great part of a stack of wheat. It was effected by an u s r h s e clay ,,w m is o h r e n d in t g o , nf abandoned female, t e f e d m a a s l e h , e rw reason n to see another country." Another stack of wheat and a h a y s tack were saved, the wind being v e ry still. Th e that Th e xertions of a young man named Moisey were moat com mendable ; notwithstanding the fire and smoke, he fear , - coesseadb lessly mounted the burning stack, and effected a saving o f a p o rtion of it. —Boston Herald. The ninth annual meeting of this society was held at one o'clock yesterday, at the London Tavern ; T. Laurie Murray, Esq., in the chair. The Secretary having read the advertisement by which the meeting was convened, proceeded to read the following report The directors are again afforded the opportunity of meeting the proprietors on the occasion of the ninth annual general meeting. " The unusual rate of mortality, which com menced in 1846, increased in intensity during the past year, and became exhausted only in the early part of the present. "During its continuance ordinary calculation s were far exceeded. The society has suffered in common with almost every similar institution. " Within th e l a-t few months the public health has assumed its wonted tone. The average rate of mortality has fallen, and, as is not unusual after the ravages of a prevalent epidemic, the low average of the next year may compensate for the high average of the preceding ones. " During the last eighteen months numbers of fa milies must have felt, amidst their severe afflictions, the value of such institutions, as a safeguard against unforeseen accidents. This sentiment will be come still more deeply instilled, and had it not been for the severe pecuniary distress pervading all ranks and c l asses, the augmentation in the number of policy holders in general would have far exceeded f ormer years. As it is, the bu siness of life assurance is steadily advancing, under the influence of such practical lessons, and cannot fail to develop itself more on the first favourable dawn of national p of they duration duration of life . " Although the c a l cu l at i on on the a verage of years is almost unerring, yet, as experienc e proves, nothing is more uncerta i n, as con cerns individ ua l s or as regards any particular year. No better p roo f can be given than the exper i ence of the society it se lf i n the last few years. " The annual payment of claims on the society have been as follows, viz.:— In 1843 £11,325 • 15 5 1844 • 6,879 4 1 1845 • • • • 6,578 12 0 1846 ••• ••• 11,718 2 8 1847 •.• • • 19,469 14 11 1848 • • 12,694 15 1 Accruing claims •.• 9 ,731 2 0 " While, however, the rate of mortality experienced during th e l ast 18 mont h s h as excee d ed the expecta tion, m a ki ng allowance f or th e great i ncrease in the business o f t h e soc i ety , yet the whole expectation of the society is greater by 15,433/. 6s. 4d., than the actual sum paid away in claims. Up to the date of this calculation, the end of 1847, the claims expected were 80 ,3661., and the sum then actually paid was 64,9321. 13s. Bd. " 'Within the period covered by these figures, the business and income of the society have rapidly ad vanced. The annual receipts of premiums on policies have b ln ee l n B4 a 3 s £20,595 17 7 1844 22,687 18 0 1845 .. •• 27,903 7 5 1 846... ••• 32 ,825 12 7 1847 *" • • 40,610 8 4 And i n the present year the income from p rem i ums is estimat e d a t a b out 50,0001. " Thus it w ill b e seen , notwith s t an di ng the diffi culties of th e ti mes , th e business a n d i ncome of the society have, during the past year, progr esse d stea dil y ; the num b er of policies now i ssued being 4,718, showing an increase within the year of 617. " The progress which the society has made in the United States and the Canadas has justified the ex pectations of the directors. The rate of mortality has ranged considerably under the calculation. " Indications of a narrow-minded policy, promoted by the rivalry of local assurance offices, have ex hibited themselves in the Legislatures of several of the States. Bills have been brought in by individual Members under pretence of public security, but covertly intended to harass institutions of superior credit, and intended to exact a meddling surveillance, or to require the investment of an unreasonable amount of funds in the Government stock of the country. " The proprietors are aware that the sum of 10,0001. is already so invested, with a view to afford (as expressed in the last report) stability and credit sum was found sufficient for that p urpose b y t h e to the operations of the society on the sp o t. Thi s highly respectable and influential board of manage ment established in New York. " It is to be hoped that further interference with well and long-established life assurance societies will not be attempted, but as the business of the society, and its interest in the United States is valuable, and established on a sure footing, the directors will feel bound, in protecting the interests of the proprietors, to comply with the provisions of such reasonable laws as may be enacted. " The effbrt made last year to connect the different bodies of friendly societies with the plan of deferred annuities published by the society has so far been without any remarkable result. This is, in some measure, attributable to the great distress prevalent amongst the working classes. It is to be desired that the principle of these deferred annuities may ultimately make way amongst them, and that the in dustrious man may see the superiority of the society's plan over those to which he is fatally attached at the present moment. " The directors, in conformity with the deed of settlement, have caused the annual investigation into the affairs society to willto bebe made by the actuary, o f the and it is n o w presented, together with the accounts oftheauditors, read to the meeting. Following the plan of distribution laid down in the preceding annual division of profits, of taking one - fifth of the reserve fund for immediate distribution to the proprietors and policy holders of five years' standing, the prosperous posi tion of the society enables the directors, after reserv ing thirty per cent, of this sum, to divide amongst the policy-holders entitled to this distribution a rever sionary bonus varying from 27 to 65 per cent. on the premiums, and to the proprietors a bonus of 2i per cent. f:r the past year, in addition to the regular interest of five per cent, already paid to them, and which in future will be paid so as to equalise each hal f-y early dividend. " The following table, prepared by the actuary, ex hibits examples of the amount of the seven last bo nuses, to which the holders of policies of upwards of four years' standing have become entitled, with the options of receiving the same in cash, or by addition to their policies, or in permanent reduction of annual premiums : IXAMPI XS , ~,i ! Annual Policy Bonus in' Fermi- Sam the Beni Re- Assured Age. E t.' Pre- taken addition Banns in duction of may bor = g Mill2l. Out in Assured. I c u b .. Annual Ton 11l x Premiums. PolicY• x x cc 718833: 22---13672 11 : 4"1 6 , 7 1 : 2 8 1 16 5 Id 4 l -----14 744671 5 4 51. 6 67 Id e l6 18411 163 6 , i 75 15 10 11 10 9 18411839 2 15 1 9 1 1 3 8 4 6' ;5 1 1 5 6 0 9 1 1 0 4 1 1 9 7 7 44 l. 1843 84 11 $ , 37 10 0 514 1842 132 2 61 58 17 6 819 10 296 13 4 2 247 4 5 60 1000 74 3 4 1 395 11 1 8 346 2 3 " There are now to be elected three directors in lieu of Henry Fenwick, Esq., Hunter Gordon, Esq., and John Rawson, Esq., whose p er i o d o f office has expired, but who are eligible to be re-elected, and offer themselves accordingly ; al so th e con firmation of the election, by the Court of Directors, of Edmond Sheppard Symes, Esq., as a director, and also of an auditor, in place of Professor Wheatstone, F.R.S., whose period of office has expired, but who, in like manner, offers himself for re. election. " T. LAMIE MURRAY, Chairman." The CHAIRMAN then rose-and said,—Gentlemen, before I move that the report which you have just heard read be adopted, printed, and circulated among the proprietors and shareholders, it may be right that I should offer a few observations to you with respect to the progress of the institution during the past year; but before I do so, if any proprietor or share holder wishes to ask any_ (No r question,eponslsshall feel e happy to reply to it.hav ing been made, the Chairman proceeded to say).__ It appears that the confidence which the shareholders have placed, from year to year , in the dir ectors of this instit u ti o n i 3 intended to be c ontin uedeatr haveo-day. It is very gratifying to the directo rs to find that their labours during the past y met with the approval of the sh areholders ; it has, I may say, been an invariab l e rule (and lam glad to say it is fully apprec i a ted b y the share holders) to set forth in our annual re ports the exact position of the society; an d I think when the proprietors who are pre sent, and those who are absent, read the report, they will find, on examining the details, that we h ave tables of had to encounter a season of peculiar difficulty, inas much as the rate of mortality during th e last twelve months has been unprecedentedly great. — (Hear, hear.) hear.) .1 suppose, since the visitation of the cholera, life assurance companies have not suffered so te l d B m in on t t h h e s much from the great increase of mortality have beyondtaken place the duringm margin rgi n thee calculated as they have during the period I have named. As you must be aware, the number of deaths that has even assurance companies. It will be seen by the lc l u ag la t accounts that this society has b een called upon to pay claims during thi s Period amounting to the large sum of 42,0001. In predour, , years we have paid 11,0001., 6,0001., 5 ,0001., and 12,0001. From a calculation I have made I find that within the last eighteen months the public have been benefited—and it is a consolatory thing to be acquainted with the fact— by life assurance companies to the extent of 3,000,000/. or 4,000,000/.—(Hear, hear.) The Payment of this large sum is a satisfactory proof of the great public utility of institutions of this kind ; in short, if anything is encouraging in the business of life assurance it is this fact, and the public will become acquainted with it through the various channels by which it will be distributed, that they are enabled to alleviate much suffering, which without their aid could not fail to exist, showing how incum bent it is upon all who have others dependent upon them to assure their lives.—(Hear.) As regards ours e lves, I may say, notwithstanding the distress that has prevailed for some time, that during the past year we have issued 617 new policies. Not withstanding the year has been one of considerable notcom commercial dep ress i on. The shareholders must been e xpect to find that our expenses have proportionately reduced ' • but it is right that I s h ou l d explain some of the charges. For instance, in the accounts you will find 5,000/. c h arge d on account of expenses incurred in establishing nded in variou s b ranches. p No v' this amount was not ex conducting the busi ness of these branches for the past year alone, b u t ar i ses from the accumulation ofharge spread o ver a considerabl e ti me, in connexionwit'hthe Am e ri can and other agenc i es ; it may be said to s the last f our be spread over years, though not covered by the expenses from time to time set a i them. These expenses are only now broughtt into the accounts of the present year, andg the directors, instead of putting them do w n under the head of preli m i nary expenses, have thought it advisable to writ e th em off at once. Notwith standing this, and the other drawbacks I have named, the business transacted last year will be found con siderable and satisfactory, though not so profitable as its predecessor—it is, however, within one per cent. of it.—(Hear, hear.) Recurring to the mor tality amongst those assured in this society, I find, by the published returns of the Registrar-General for the December quarter of 1846, that the num ber of deaths were 13,321, being an increase over the corresponding quarter of 1845, but that the number of deaths in the December q.uarter of 1847 was 18,555, which shows an increase of 45 or nearly 50 per cent. upon the general amount of mortality. A DIRECTOR—In London ? The CHAIRMAN—Yes, in London; it may be less in other parts of the country which are more healthy, but at any rate London is a fair indication of the rate of mortality elsewhere. The management of our business in America has been brought to a very satisfactory condition. There our affairs are managed by a body of directors se lected from the highest and most superior class of mercantile gentlemen to be found in New York. No payments are made without their order, and in fact as much attention and personal surveillance is given to the management of our affairs there as if we were there ourselves. A proof of this is to be found in the fact that we receive weekly accounts of the progress of the business. When we commenced we had monthly, then fortnightly ac counts, but now, as I have said, we have them weekly. So that every fifteen days we receive an account of the progress of the agency during the week before the packet started. The increase of business in America, I am happy to inform you, has been considerable, and our affairs there have been brought to a satisfactory and systematic mode of management. And here I would take the opportunity of stating that our thanks are especially due to the board in the United States for the attention and vigilance which they have given to our affairs.—(Cheers.) It is right I should state that we were prepared, and had made calculations accordingly, for a higher rate of morta lity in the United States than that which prevailed in England, but subsequent experience has proved that this was not the case, and that we had over-calculated, and prepared ourselves for a greater amount of mortality than that which actually took place. It is true we met with some losses at first, which caused us to think that we had made some little mistake in this respect ; but the experience since obtained has led us to the opinion that lives are quite as good in America as in this country.—(Dear, hear.) Indeed, so satisfactory has life assurance in America been proved to be, that other English assurance offices have followed upon the model we have set them, and are endeavouring to obtain a share of the business ; for life-assurance seems a new thing to New York and to the States, and the pro gress which it is making is very satisfactory. As we have mentioned in the report, some jealousy has been created in the minds of some local offices at the progress of life assurance, at the in stance of English offices, and it has been sug gested that a measure should be passed to compel European offices to increase the amount of their de posits. We have already invested 10,0001., which we consider sufficient, and the gentlemen who con stitute the board in New York entertain a similar opinion; and, therefore, if we are called upon to make an increased investment under the same gua rantee and security as heretofore, we must of course accede to it. I think I have now alluded to all those topics that it is necessary for me to ad vance in elucidation of the progress and pros pects of this institution. I think that the unhealthy lives having been cleared away by the late epidemic, it is not unlikely that in the future years we shall have a much decreased amount of mortality, and consequently less claims to meet. As I have so often mentioned that we have a valuation every year, in stead of every five, like some other offices, it will only be necessary for me to add, that as every policy is valued, in order that we may know what bonus we can pay, consistently with a view to the ultimate interests of the assured, our actuary, with the aid of an assistant, is occupied about four months every year in arriving at a result. I have now only to move that the report be adopted, printed, and circulated among the pro prietors. The motion was carried unanimously. The following directors were then re-elected :-- Henry Fenwick, Esq., Hunter Gordon, Esq., John Rawson, Esq. The election of Edmond Sheppard Symes, Esq., as a director, was confirmed, and Professor Wheat stone, F.R.S., was re-elected auditor. The CHAIRMAN then thanked the proprietors for their attendance. Mr. STUDLEY said, I am not aware that there is anything in the proceedings of the society during the past year which calls for any remark from the pro prietors, except with respect to the great mortality which has occurred during the period, and that has been, I think, very satisfactorily explained. It is, on the other hand, very pleasing to find that the society is progressing every day, as its income is now 60,000/. I think such a result cannot fail to prove a source of great satisfaction to the shareholders. I have, therefore, great pleasure in proposing a Tote of thanks to the Chairman and directors for their attention to the society, and systematic management of its affairs during the past year.—(Hear.) Mr. BROWNING had much pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously. Tho Casiastex—Gentlemen, on my own behalf and on the part of my colleagues, I beg to return our best thanks for the honour you have conferred upon us. I can assure you that during the past year the directors have found it necessary to pay great attention to the affairs of the society, on account of the large number of deaths and other matters arising out of them. Many persons died during the period who had not been assured more than six or eight months, which was in itself very unsatisfactory ; in ad dition to which some were assured for 2,0 001 . and 3,0001., i ns t ea d o f 700/. or 800/., wh ic h is the ordi nary average. But I may say that I trust we have had all the bad luck this year. However, as far as the directors are concern ed, of the society, and d, they have d evote d much attention to the aff conducted its affairs with g reat scrupulousness, and lam perfectly satis fied from the attention which ROYAL LITERARY FUND. The anniversary festival of this society was held last evening at the Freemasons" Tavern. The chair was taken by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland; and amongst the noblemen and gentlemen present were the Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Campbell, Mr. Baron Parke, Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce, Viscount Ebrington, Lord Bolton, Mr. Hallam, Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, Rear-Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Major General Sir John Rolt, Sir R. Joddrill, Mr. Cabbell, M.P., Mr. Heywood, M.P., Mr. Walter, M.P., Sir John Hensler, Mr. G. P. R. James, Sir Harry Ellis, Arch• deacon Robinson, Mr. Sergeant Merewether, Mr. Adol phus, Mr. Thackeray, the Rev. Dr. Russell, Dr. Bake, &c. The party was much smaller than on such an occasion we could have wished. It did nut number more than flora 70 to 100 persons. In proposing the health of her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND said, that since the ac cession of her Majesty to the throne she had been a con stant supporter of the Literary Fund. The health of her Majesty the Queen Dowager, and the other branches of the Royal Family, was then given, and received with the amount of enthusiasm usual on such occasions. In reply to the toast in honour of the Church, his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin returned thanks. His Grace said that he felt some difficulty in discharging the duty which had devolved upon him, as he could not very conveniently say anything in praise of that sacred profession of which he himself was a member. The clergy,however, were not unmindful of their position, for, while they contributed greatly to the litera ture of the country, they at the same time bad educated many authors who subsequently had Tobtained a distinguished position in the country. imgnheoeroal:jecee.t o n f is th G e r c a l c e e ricalprofession was to enlighten s to enn'asbmleintdhse,thaend not to keep them in a state of brutish trash issued IT the duty of sound and them. orders we expressed it as his opinion that country was to educate the poor, so a to discriminate between the mischievous moral doctrines of men capable of instructing connexion between the higher and lower 3 ve ry slight, for • upper classe s to follow , it was not possible for the could the higher 1 cottage, and by their writings only 112hcIdasesoesf of society hope to reach and to the market, or the the lower into the public-house, influence the Archbishop said that h t e hi: lower. As for himself, the y R u r ! i t zi u r then e d n in writing for the middle anag devotedlower classesm ore of of his societytim e than for his can , and he felt it to be his duty so to do. proposed the "Health thanks. His Grace r a c a e g t a h i n e C b r n i e e l I I of to t e Army and Navy." Major-General Sir Joi.; ROLT and V . A • ice- dmira I Sir JOHN MALCOLM returned thanks. The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, on again Tisin 2 . said—Gentlemen, I have now to prop ose to you the toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund." The address will give you every information respecting the institution, and I have only to add a few words for the information of those who are as yet unacquainted with its operation. This charity is open to all persons without distinction of country and clime, and it is uninfluenced by politics or religion ; it has no limits, in fact, but such as arise from its deficient finances. Many who have devoted their lives to the cause of truth, from the shores of the north to the sunny climes of the Mediterranean, have been relieved from the funds of this institution, and that assistance had been admi nistered by the committee in such a delicate manner as not to wound the feelings of the unfortunate applicants. The charity is one of the highest value, and it relies upon your assistance for its aid and support; and that assistance, I have no doubt, will be readily afforded. Gentlemen, I have to propose to you " Prosperity to the Royal Literary Fund." The Rev. Dr. RUSSELL read the first report, in the course of which he said, that thirty families of educated men had been relieved by the society during the last year, involving an outlay of 1,2301. Amongst the sub scriptions of the evening were her Majesty the Queen, 1001. ; his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, 1004 ; the late President, 101. 10s. ; the Earl of Ellen borough, 101. 10s. ; the Earl of Ellesmere, 101. 10s. ; Archbishop of Dublin, 301. ; Mr. G. P. R. James, 101. ; Monckton Milces, Esq., M.P., 51; Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, 5/. ss. ; Messrs. Longmans, 51. ss. ; Sir John Swinburne, 101. ; W. C. Macready, 51. ; the Bishop of Manchester, 101. ; Lord Viscount Ebrington, 101. ; Baron de Goldsmid, 101. ; Archdeacon Robinson, 1/. is. ; W. F. Ainsworth, Esq., 51. ss. ; his Excellency the Belgian Minister, 9/. ; Chevalier Bunsen, 51, who was prevented from attending in consequence of a com mand to attend his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia to the Ancient Concerts. The Archbishop of DUBLIN 'Proposed, in compli mentary terms, the health of the Chairman, who briefly replied. His Grace the CHAIRMAN then gave the healths of the Marquis of Lansdowne, the President, and Lord Viscount Hardinge, th e l atter o f whom had consented I to officiate as chairman of the festival of next year. Mr. JAMES proposed the health of Mr. Hallam and the historians of England; and Mr. Baron PARKE, in a complimentary speech, that of Lord Campbell and the biographers. Lord CAMPBELL said that he felt himself highly honoured in having his name associated with the bio graphers of England, and in being, in that capacity, brought before so distinguished a society. After some commonplace political allusions, his Lordship said that, amidst the changes and convulsions lately witnessed throughout Europe, and amidst the republican feelings now existing on the Continent, however greatly he might dissent from such opinions, there was yet one republic which he highly honoured—the republic of letters. It was one and indivisible, and their motto ought to be, " Liberty, equality, and fraternity." The subsequent toasts were—" Mr. Thackeray and the novelists," "Mr. Lovell and the dramatists," " Mr. Lester and the literary and scientific men of foreign countries," " Mr. St. John and the travellers," " Vis count Ebrington and the stewards," and, lastly " The Ladies." It will be observed that in the list of toasts, numbering no less than sixteen, there exists what appears to us to be a very curious omission. The society professes to call itself a literary association, and as such it is to a great extent dependent upon the assistance and support of the daily press in London. It must be also borne in mind, if we are to deal with palpable facts, that the most distinguished writers of the past and pre sent century either are or have been connected with the metroplitan press—they are men who, for the most part, have passed through a university career, whose daily toil in the field of politics is unceasing, and whose influence, whether as individuals or as a body, is greater, without any doubt whatever, than that of any other class in society. They can guide the public mind either to good or to evil ; they can raise sedition or quell discontent ; they can promote morality or subvert religion—in a word, by the daily exercise of the power confided to their keeping, that power may be productive either of an immense amount of mischief, or induce results tending to the happiness of the people, to the benefit of the State, and, by the pro motion of order, to the consolidation of society. Com pared with such a class there is no kind of literary effort, however distinguished, which can in any way, by the very nature of th e case, b end to the same extent the public mind to its absolute will ; and for this Y reason " the press" has not b een unappropriatel termed "the fourth estate of th e ki ngdom. " But, notvvith• standing all this, and i n a soc i ety composed professedly k of no li w te n ra i r n y m hi e s n, e a o n n d ne in xi t o h n e wprieth a senceloeafdaingg jentloTvalannw, ell mention whatever is made of the press, either as its bearings upon li terature or upono Foulitics. To us, we re g a rds p a p n ort m o a f it u o o u m l d i s b s l e o n a . wa T st o e attempt tthoisfinids vaeassoomnsewillila an t of time, and w e shall, therefore, leave the public to form their own opinion as to whether literature can gain publicity but through the press ; or whether the press can continue to exercise its functions but by the aid of theThhiegahnebsatelritipertajornyateafletnhLe evening of 700/. amounted to upwards MAS SACRE OF AN ENGLISH A.TTEXPED CREW. CAPTURE OF A WHALER. Intelligence of a massacre perp e t ra t e d by th e na tives of the New Caledonia Islands, was communicated yes terday at Lloyd's. The unfortunate circumstances are briefly these :—The Vanguard, William Cunningham, master, sailed fro m Syd ne y i n t h e ear l y part o f October,_ on an exp e di t i on to the N ew Caledon i a I s l an d s , reaching the we s t ern port i on i n the course of a fortnight Tb natives exhibit e d a f r i e ndly f ee li n g towards them, as sisting the crew daily in obtaining wood. They obtained about twenty tons board, and urged one of the chiefs presented himself o u one of the bays, Mr. Cunningham to take two boats P bad been collected for where a large quantity of wood a aioutofi,sa:dhaeln the 19th of November, f the hour Mr. he lateness o In consequence of t to go, but would start him by his people. This was on the chief to re. requesting in the morning, the nig h t , which was se ' on board for Cunningham declined then main the following morning, Acharge of Mr. Cunningham and ten the boats starte d in cur, Mr. Bunting, two seamen, the seamen, the chief officer, being left in the care of the Van cepted. At day.break on steward and thleych°ad the captain's boat got out of sight guard. w h en a S ca ea n r o c e e , filled with natives, approached the ship; toma hawk, three of them were allowed to go on board, b u t upon one of them a ttempting to murder the m a t e w i th a tomti they were turned out; the re ma i n d er attempted to board the vessel, but were beaten off, and i n t h e course of several successive attempts, it was necessary to fire a musket. The canoe then retire& They re mained in anxious suspense till two o'clocklthe following day, when from forty to fifty canoes, laden with natives, containing upwards of thirty men in each, were seen on the opposite side of the bay bearing down upon the vessel. It being impossible to resist 60 tremendous a force, the mate, with much judgment, slipped her anchor, and making all sail, ran the ship before the wind. In passing through the bay where the captain and crew had landed, nothing co ll ie' be gm of +4 THE CLERICAL DELINQUENT. We (Sheffield Independent) understand that the Rev. Mr. Mahon has received a letter from Edin burgh, informing him that his late curate, " the Hon. and Rev." .11,1 r. Douglas, alias Fairfax, i 3 in that city, where he has preached, and is begging in the name of some religious society. It has been suggested to some of the creditors that they should take steps to have the man apprehended, but to that course there are two objections. The first is a suspicion that this letter may be merely a trick of the accomplished im postor, to put them upon the wrong rcent. But the second and more important objection arises from a natu ral disinclination to spend money, not to recover what they have lost, but merely to punish the delinquent. ” Two or thre e o th er cases o f "Mr. Fairfax alias Douglas's dexterity h ave b een published. Among the adherents of the church whom he was in the habit of entertaini ng a t th e rectory was the village tailor. To him Mr. Douglas stated that be had not brought to Rawmarsh his stud of horses, but bad left tnem in the care of his faithful and much at tached groom, Tom. He wished to make Tom a present, and consulted the tailor as to the suitable ness of taking Tom a s t a bl e su i t. Of course the tailor thou g ht it a good notion. But then came a pro fi"tohhim, said the havedexte n ro o us exactly ly pa t s o to m r ' m y , c lothesand pro fessional diffi cu lt y. H ow was he to measure the absent Tom eesur olde m o the cloth es w ill b e sure to suit Tom. This was done, and n ow t h e poor victimised tailor ' has the sa tisfaction to think that when it shall suit the pastor to play the gr oom, h e will have quite ready the groom's habiliments. A y oung lady who had travelled on the continent, advertised, during February, that she was open to an engagement to accompany a lady or young family as travelling companion. She duly re ceived a very respectable-looking letter, dated from "Rawmarsh Rectory," where the Hon. and Rev.writer was doing duty for a short time for his friend Mr. Ma hon. He was a widower with two daughters whom he wished t o t a k e upon the continent during the spring, and wanted for their companion just such a lady as the ad ver ti ser h a d d escr ib ed herself to be. Th e res u lt sin :e was an en gag e men t, but the exposure w h ich design with has taken pl ace has frustrated the o which it can be Mr. Fairfax Dougla s supposed t o h have been made. In the height of his benevolence, neighbouring gentleman on behalf of an 0 undertook to write to a ant and tenant, whom he as being i n Id servant distress, but unwill i ng much make application on his own to thr o ugh delicacy, of 101. would be a .ter lf A donation 5 l. or great whom the rev. writer felt . in assistance to the poor man, felt so much i ntereste d that he was ready to be th e nce of the gentleman's bounty. The letter was acknow ledged channel for the conveya with sincere th an k s ; but as the gentleman'sste ward would be in the neigh bourhood of a few days, he should h ays instructions to se bourhood in the the u old servant, and_ give such aid as the case r e q uired. This simple c i rcumstance e baulked another o f the rev. d e li nquent ' s clever schemes' - M E PROTESTANT AssOCIATION.----Yesterday the ann i ver sary meeting of the Protestant Assoeiatiort WWI ( held at Exeter - hall , which was filled with a large and f a shionable assemblage. Prayers having been read by the Rev. Dr. Halloway, the chair was taken by G. Roch fort Clarke, Esq. Mr. Law, the secretary, then read the annual report, which stated that during the put year the association had caused meetings to be held and lectures delivered against the Bill for establishing rela tions with the Papal States, and against the admission of Jews into Parliament. The association bad also issued cards, papers, &c., during the late general election, and had ;been instrumental in awakening the Protestant energy of the country, many Members having been re turned pledged to oppose any measure calculated to strengthen the Church of Rome. Since the l anni versary the rec e ipt s o f t h e association had been ast 1,5541., and the expenditure 1,5081., there being liabilities to the amount of 4001. Resolutions in accordance with the objects of the association were passed, and the meeting separated. ADELPHI THEATRE. —Madame Celeste took her benefit last night. The performances comprised the melodrama of the Harvest Home; the petite comedy of Flying Colours, and the second act of Buckstone's shelved, though still favourite drama, of the Green Bushes, Madame Celeste taking the principal female character in each piece. Mr. Webster, of the Hay market, who, as usual on these occasions, gives the Adelphi the benefit of his talents, was the Captain Sans Sonci in Flying Colours. The house was crammed. It is rumoured that Mr. Macaulay is about to re tire from the Cabinet. Dispatches pfartocm the Governorheswerereceivedoietshe Cape terday of tth4 a lColetraalo offi and from the Gorernot of Van Diemetie LW. E SUN, LONDON, N 7 I .1 - kV EAT NXIMICETS. S 1 SIT TIF/ELD.—Meadow Hay 3/ 3/ 15s ; Clov ditto., 41 t o 4 / 14s; and Straw, 1/ Bs to to 1/ Ils per load. Trade dull, nt barely stationary prices. CUMBERLAND.—DIeadow Hay, 3/ to 31 16s; Clover ditto, 3/ 113 s to 41125; and Straw, 1/ 8s to 11 Ils per bead. A moderate supply, and a sluggish demand. WIIITEC RAPEL. — AIeadow Hay, 31 to 31 15s ; Clover ditto, 41 to 41 18s; and Straw, 1/ 7s to 1/ lOs por load. Supply moderately good, and trade dull. COAL MARKE Bate'a West Hartley... 14s Od Da vison'sWestHartley 14s Od Dean's Primrose l3s 3d Hasting's Ilartley l4s Od Holywell Main ........ 148 Od New Tanfield l2s 6d Ord's Redheugh Tanfield Moor Tanfield Moor Butes 123 6d Townlev l:3s 6d West Hartley Framwell Gate ...... Washington Lambton Primrose ... 14s 9u Wall's End, &c Belmont lss 6d T. -YESTERII.AY, ,Bell Yr.) G - THURSDAY R' Tir E VENING, MAY II, 1848. /1 the directors have paid to your affairs during the past year, and from an arrangement recently made, by which we shall have the more frequent at tendance of each of the directors than here tofore, that the institution cannot fail to pro gress. Heretofore the business management of the society has devolved upon me to a great extent, but for the future I shall be assisted by my colleaguez,, who will attend with me every morning. I trust on the next occasion we meet you that we shall be in a condition to give a more satisfactory account of the progress of the society. The meeting then separated. I them or the boats. A large volume of smoke vets observed on shore, apparently as if they had bee* burning some bodies. The canoes attempted to ere chase, but a strong wind fortunately aided the Van guard's crew in getting clear out to sea. She was t hen hauled upon a w i n d t ill d ay b rea k the following morn ing, when they made for the bay, and remained cruising about for three days, in the hope of obtaining some is.. formation of the unfortunate master and his men. The moment the ves se l arr i ve d at Sydney, and the part iculate of the outrage were communicated to his Excellency the Governor, dispatches were sent to the naval officer at New Zealand to proceed in a vessel and seek redress of the natives —part of the survivors of the crew of the Vanguard to accompany him. It is feared two vessels' crews have met with a similar fate, and the vessels been captured, during the preceding three months, no tidings. having been heard of them since. 1 ---.......,•••••••••••.....•••••• TO " THE PEOPLE" OF ENGLAND. A SONG. (From the Weekly Dispatch.) Onward ! " Liberty and Reason !" This is now broad Europe's shout ; England, it were moral treason Were thy lion voice left out. Britons ! keep your banner waving, Hang it forth in Freedom's sun ; But beware the braggart raving, That would talk of sword and gun! Trust not to the brawling leaders, Lighting ye with Fury's brand! 'Tis brain-feeders,-.—not blood-breeders,— That shall purify the land! Heed not those whose noisy yelling Fain would waken Tumult's din; Let a nobler voice be swelling, In the battle ye must win! Shew that ye have sense and feeling, Fit to gain and guard your place ; Let your own determined dealing Meet oppression face to face I Not with weapons red and reeking, NDt with anarchy's wild flame ; But with loud and open speaking, In " the People's" mighty name ! Wisely think, and boldly utter What ye think, in Wisdom's speech; But ye must not even mutter Words that only madmen teach ! Ye shall soon have wider Charters ! England hears the startling cry Of her poor and honest martyrs, And her " glory" must reply. Ask for all that should be 'granted! Shew the fester of neglect; If a " People's" love is wanted, " People's Rights" must have respect! Let the great ones, high in station, Lift their eyes, and see at length Ye are pillars in the nation, That alone ensure its strength! Tell your Rulers they must levy Fairer weights on wearied backs! Say the coffers that are heavy, Best can yield the heavy tax! Tell the Church, its first great Pastor For his " S ermon on th e Mount!" Li H ttl a e d h n a o d gthaethcerherdisNie Christian Master t a o ste co r unt ; Say the Prelates--crammed unduly— TLe GTl S elnht hould divide their bl o ated spoil With the h um bl er P r i ests, who tru l y Serve man ki nd with ill-paid toil I aa the vytyGi n p oog a ud u ri u p s t e ao r r s Labour's echildren t cladh e are i in ermine, Queen"unbreadf e d! n e ;, sung : And y e w i ll not have State vermin Tell al ou d your hearts are loyal - Yet the idle and the Royal Must Shewthat not ye hsucakvevvibravely 'a il°rrissein That ye are noteech" tongue l "brutes" and s " fools ;" Say that ye w ill s h un the " prison " When they giv e y e " work" and" schools I' Tell your wise and great Law Makers, (Moral o'er their meat and wine), That they might become Law Breakers, Left, like ye, to pinch and pine! Think they, with short-sighted meanness, Ye are weaker 'Death their will, With your flesh in wolfish leanness, And your minds less nourished still! Let " the People " have their " College:" Untaught men are fearful things: Only crucibles of Knowledge Serve to melt Crime's fetter rings! Sons of England, be ye steady! 'Tis your heads, and not your hands, That shall prove ye fit and ready To enlist in Freedom's bands! Trust not to your brawling leaders! Scorn to spring with tiger claws! 'Tis truth-herders—not steel-speeders— That shall triumph in your cause. League in firm, unflinching quiet; Use your presses, print and read! If you ope the gate of Riot, Wives and little ones must bleed! Onward! " Liberty and Reason!" Let this be the chorus cry; And not a heart will dream of treason If wise Senate lips reply! ELIZA COOL l ` 6i°ll 1 41 ' OP& PO, so f itr T