The Sun. — London, England, 1849-01-16 00:00:00

R B4 Do. :N0.2. Dr., So. 3 ... ..... 30; Do. Registered Nc. 4 10 Do., Snip No 4 south Watts 33_l S Yorkshire Don caster, and ki Jole 6 Swans. & Lough or & Ca meron's Stan. Coal 6 Taw Vale Exten,,it..: Thames linven Dock and Railw:ty Vale of North ...... 4 - Waterford and Kilkenny 1710 — Waterford and Limerick 47 1 4 — Waterfd,Wxfrd,Wicklw, and Dublin Wear Valley 6 per Cent. :Guaranteed Do. do. do. ... 25 Do. do. do. ... 10 West Cornwall West London Do. Do. Ist Class ... 20 Do. Do. 2d Class .- 20 W hitithaven & Furness 14 Windsor, Staines, and South Western........ 12 Wilt , . Somerset,& 6‘, 7 .• - mouth ........ ......... 40 York. Newcas,le, and Benvick. ......... 25 Do. Original New ..rd Berwick ...... .. 25 . 27 5 . 8 1 4 .07,3tEnsioR No. 1. 20 Do. do. No. 2........ 20 Do. G.N.E.Preferencs 8 .. . York and North Midland 50 Ditto, Preference ...... 10 Do. East and West tint ing Extension FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Anglo Italian (late Ita lian and Austrian). Boulogne and Amiens... 20 Central of France (Or leans and Vierzon) ... 17 Ceylon Demerara l5 ... Dendre Valley 4 Direct Bombay and Madras ss. . Datch Rhenish .. — ...... •••• East Indian 314 — ...... Great Indian Peninsular 1 4 Louvain 1. la Sambre ... 7 1 4 — Luxembourg.. 7 I A; •••••• Ditto ... Madrid and Valentia... 2 — Namur and Liege ...... 20 ... Northern of France...... 12 Orleans and Bordeaux... 7 Paris and Lyons Do. Do. . lO Paris and Orleans ...... 20 Paris and Rouen ...,..... 20 ...... Paris and Strasbourg ... 9 Rouen and Havre Sambre and Meuse 2O ..... -- Strasbourg and Basle Tours and Nantes 9 ...... Tournay, Jurbise, Lan den, and Hasselt ..„.. 20 West Flanders 834 7 ex.int...... x.i 28% 27 1 4 20% 20 I /4 56th LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(THIS DAY.) LONDON, JAN. 16.—Wind S.S.E., moderate breeze, and dull weather, with rain. STATE or WIND AND WEATHER AT THE PROVINCIAL PORTS THIS MORNING, AT 9 A.M. Gloucester S., fine. Glasgow Gosport W., dull and cold. Leith N.E., fine. Hull Newcastle Southampton Portsmouth CORK, JAN. 11.—S1d. Glasgow, Jamaica; Vigilant, Barbadoes; London, New York. YARMOUTH, JAN. 15.—The Olive Branch, Mann, of London, was assisted in here to-day, with loss of fore mast and bowsprit, which were carried away during a squall yesterday, off the Humber. The Caledonia, It`Farlane, from London to Hartlepool, which went on shore on the Cross Sand, on the 13th instant, was as sisted in here to-day. TORBAY, JAN. 15.—Wind W.-14. Arrd. Edmond, London for Sierra Leone, with loss of sails, having been driven back from Ushant. DARTMOUTH, JAN. 14.—Arrd. Nordoker, Kruse, from Batavia for Hamburgh, with loss of part of bul warks, having experienced a gale on the 31st ult., in lat. 32 N., long. 35 W. PLYMOUTH, JAN. 15.—Wind E.—Arrd. Anne, Cloid, Rio Janeiro. SWANSEA, JAN. 15.—Wind S.W.-14. Sld. Countess of Bective, Cuba; Pasco Grenfell, Cuba; Poond, ditto. DEAL, JAN. 15.—Wind W. to W. S. W.—Arrd. 15. Maastroom, Batavia, and sld. for Rotterdam ; Augusta, Duncan, Madras; , Echo, Malacca, and sld. for Amster dam; Amelia Mulholland, Gray, Cape of Good Hope ; Mary, Rio Janeiro; Theodor, Prealle, Porto Rico, and aid. for Hamburgh. Arrd. from the River, 15. Clio, Demerara ; Baracon, Barbadoes. A rrd. froth the River and sld. William Hyde, Port Philip. A schooner diamasted and abandoned, clinker-built, and apparently west of England build, painted light colour in board, and outside black to light water mark, painted white above the bulwarks, and a billet head, long-boat and water casks on deck; appeared to have been in contact, was Passed on the Bth instant, in lat. 47, N., lon. 16, W., by the George Fife, arrived in the Downs. , i CARDIrr, JAN. 13.—The Peru, Fago, from Bonny to Liverp oo l, put into I'enarth Roads yesterday, with loss of foremast, bulwarks, staunchions, &C., having experi enced very severe weather, LIVERPOOL, JAN. 15.—Wind W.N.W.—Arrd. 14th, I : at ria, Mann, China ; Henry Winch, Williams, Callo ; La Belle Barbarie, Africa ; William Spragau , Chase , Clinton,w Orleans - St. Petersburgh, Howard, New Orleans; ‘,1,, Lord, Mobile; Shannon, Howell, Mobile; Jessie, Savan na h ve r ; Fingal, Black, New York ; Erin go rah, Th ompson, New York ; St. Lawrence, Brown, Bah . ' York. 15t h , N ere id es , C a l cut t a ; Ch a ll en ge, John a E. Neepariel, Demerara ; Abellina, New Orleans ; . Calh oun , B a l t i more; C aro li ne R ee d, Ch a rleston ; Prolus, New York. RAnis GATE, J AN . 15.—The Enchantress, of and from h n aelon to Z ants , h as b een b roug h t i n h ere a derelict, a ving been pi c k e d up on t h e G oo d w i n S an d s , a nd com menced discharging to-day. S w i IvEN H O E, JAN. 15.—Two ships were lost on the n on the Ilth instant ; it is supposed that one of the I !" ships had be en on fi re , as a quan tity of plank par 11Y burnt, was adrift. A long boat marked Express, °A adrifrtlepool, on the stern , was taken in tow, but broke t again. MARKET NEWS.—(THIS DAY.) SUGAR.— COLONIAL. brisk Th e demand for British Plantation continues the sales being 730 hhds, including 130 hhds 4-43 bad es at auction, which realised 37s to 41s for low to good - yellow, and prices have advanced about is per e vvt. since this day Week. The public sales have com prised 4,100 bags Bengal, 6,500 bags Madras, and 147 ca c ska Manill a . Th e B enga l so ld b r i s kl y at an a d vance o e ' i l lo s, w tnid to go o d w hi te gra i ny Dh o l a h a t 41 s t o 43 5 , x at 37s 6d, brown at 33s 6d, low to mid white - ! ,n ares 39s 6d t o 41 s 6d, an d b rown at 32 s t o 33 5 . Th e ladras was mostly realised at a slight reduction on Previous rates, mid to fine grocery yellow 36s to 41s, rd low to fine brown at 28s to 32s per c wt ; but the nillo was withdrawn at 34s 6d for brown. The q u antity of British Plantation landed last week at the Fast and West India Docks was 178 hhds, 8 trs, 30 brls; there were taken for home consumption 1,736 hhds, 260 tierces, 289 barrels. The stock in the same place in 19,271 hhds, 2,704 tierces, 4,287 barrels. COFFEE.-92 casks 270 bags Plantation Ceylon, 400 b ags Native ditto, 240 bags Dutch Company's Java, and 240 bags Padang were offered by auction. The Ceylon barely maintained previous rates, very good ord Native being disposed of at 343 6d to 355; the Java sold at 35s to 35s id, but the Padang was all withdrawn at 27s to 27s 6d for fair to good brown of old import. Itum.—The quantity landed last week at the East and West India Docks was 83 puns 56 hhds. There Were taken for home consumption 366 puns 81 hhds, and exported 51 puns 10 hhds. Tile stock in the same places is 21,353 puns 1,973 hhds. RICE. -1,670 pockets and 700 bags Bengal realised los to 1 Is for low to good mid white, being steady rates. SALTPETRE.-780 bags Bengal brought stiffer rates, viz. 27s to 27s 6d for 3 per cent. refraciion. T ALLow.—P.Y.C. is 41s 6d to 41s 3d per cwt on the 8 1 30 t, and t own 4 5 5. T Ea.—The market has been steady. P u bli c sa l es ta ke place to-morrow. The deliveries are good. BA MARKE TS. 'SMITHFIELD.—Mead Y ow Hay, 2/ 8s to 31 12s; Clover 3it to, 31 lOs to 41 li s ; an d S traw, 11 2 s t o 11 9 s per loa th. Trade dull, at but little alteration in prices. Clover etTh inEaLasin.--Mea.dow Hay, 21 10s to Si 114 s ; ditto, 31 10s to 41 10s; and Straw, 11 4s to meman d lOs per load. A f u ll average supp l y, an d a s luggish Wri ITECHAPEL. Meadow Hay, 21 8s to 3 1 1 Is; Clo ver ditto, 31 15 s t o 4 1 12s; and Straw, 1/ 25 to 11 9s Per load. Supply tolerably good, and trade dull. -(ENERAL LYING-IN HOSPITAL.—The annual gene ral meeting of the governors of this institution was held Yesterday at the hospital. in the York-road. The chair having been taken by Mr..T. Somers Cocks, the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, as well as a statement of accounts, from which it appeared that the finances of the charity had decreased, and the num ber of patients increased to such an exteet as to render an argent appeal to the public necessary. Mr. Meller, as an incentive to those who were charitably disposed, and Wished to follow a Ro yal exampl e , stated that he, a mongst others, had the honour of attending her Royal ighness the Duchess of Rent, and was aware that that l ady had presented to the charity a chest .of linen gar ments sewed by herself aid her present Majesty (then l'rinc ess Vi ctor i a ) . Th e usua l routine business of elect ing officers, &c., having been gone through the pro ceedings terminated. , T ln t3ila B EST S TOMACH WARMER.—SOe Of th e v.pers are ment i on i ng a new ly-i nvente d stomach ar wh tncr, a ease i n which qu i ck li me i s p l aced, so that ra a supply of caloric is wanted the wearer has only ij re 's a sprin, which causes water from ano.her cora ;ilcaent to be rm s purted on the lime, which instantly ,y a v r e p,s s forth. heat in abundance. The best stomach- D e F" e r is made after a suggestion of several celebrated bas te of the culinary art. The whole apparatus a to 1 1 3 1 1 filled with hot and substantial soup, the contents 1 3 , „%apPlied inwardly. If a sufficient portion of bread m ore d with this, it forms a poultice which imparts a eith er comfortable sensation to a h!althy stomach than litona,eurrY powder, worsted belts, or any 0 1 the tion".4.warrncrs recently recommendel—Liverpool THE PE OVIDENT CLERKS' MU UAL BENEFIT AN!) AIUcUAL LIFE AS SURANCE AssOCIATION. The eighth annual General Meeting of the mem bers of the Benefit Department of this Association was held last evening, at six o'clo!.:k, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The attendance was very large. Mr. Richatd Henry Jones, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, presided. Among those pre• sent we noticed J. W. Welch, Esq., Deputy-Chair man ; John Clark, Esq. ; W. S. Sawtill, Esq.; W. J. Jordan, Esq. ; S. Notley, Esq. ; S. Jepps, Esq.; A. Dawson, Esq. ; J. Lintott, Esq. ; W. Ratray, Esq. ; A. Stnee, Esq., F.R.S.; J. J. Iselin, Esq.; Dr. Ray ner, E. J. Gidney, Esq., East Dearham, &c., &c. Dr. 1&1I3LLINIM;R, the secretary, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, I am extremely happy to meet you again for the eighth time, and to congratulate you on the prosperous state of the association, notwithstanding the vast amount of - sickness that has prevailed during the past year. It is at all times particularly gratifying to my self and to your directors to meet you ; but that gratification h much enhanced when, on the present occasion, as on all former occasions on which we have had the pleasure of meeting you, we are enabled to report that our business has progressed in a great and rapid praportion to that transacted in bygone years. I trust, therefore, when you have heard the result of our labours during the past year, that you will, as heretofore, be of opinion that those exertions have been characterised by an earnest and anxious desire to promote the prosperity of the institution in the success of which we are all so deeply interested.—(Cheers.) The Chairman then read the report. of which the following is an ab stract : "Notwithstanding the great commercial depression and other causes, which have retarded the progress of associations of this kind during the past eventful year, the board had much pleasure in announcing that this association had considerably improved its position by a great increase of members, from which it may be in terred that as the principles and objects become more generally known, so they increase in attraction. During the past year 525 proposals had been made to the asso ciation, amounting to 111,4601.; of which 409 had been accepted, 66 declined, 50 withdrawn and waiting further information. 434 policies, representing 85,1101., had been issued during the year. Although much sickness had prevailed, the board were happy to state that the claims continue below the average rates, only eleven deaths having occurred during the year, being claims to the extent of 2,150/. Some of these deaths had been of a very sudden nature. The board then called upon all members to avail themselves of the power of nomi nating, whereby much expense and trouble was saved to representatives. The annual income from pre miums had been increased by 2,3551., which, with the interest on stock, amounts to about 8,9001. During the past year the board had the satisfaction of adding to the funded property by purchasing 4,5001. Three and.a- Quarter per Cent. Stock, making the total standing in the names of the trustees to be 15,000/. The report then alluded to the first quinquennial division of profits which took place during the year, and which was of so satisfactory a nature as to give a reversionary bonus of one per cent. per annum on the amount assured for the period the policies had been in force, or an equivalent reduction of 33 per cent. ou the premiums pad able for the next five years. At the meeting for the purpose of communicating to the members the declaration of the board relative to the division of profits, an opinion was expressed that the period which members should be as sured in oriler to entitle them to participate should be reduced ; the hoard, after taking the opinion of their consulting actuary, determined to submit a proposition on the subject to the members, at a meeting to be held immediately after the annual meeting. At the last annual meeting, the board called attention to the favourable results produced by sending deputations to the provinces, to make more generally known the important advantages of the association, and during the past year the same plan had been pursued by deputa tiLns visiting Gloucester, Stroud, Monmouth, Newport, Bristol, Norwich, &c. Public meetings had been held at Liverpool, presided over by the worshipful mayor, T. B. Horstall, Esq.; at Gloucester, by the worshipful mayor, D. M. Walker, Esq ; and at Norwich by B. J. Gurney, Esq ; and great interest was taken by these gentlemen in promoting the objects of the association. The report then alluded to the fact of four of the board retiring, viz., Mr. S. Jeph, Mr. R. H. Jones, Mr. S. Notley, and Mr. B. Price, by rotation, but being eligible, offered themselves for re-election; and that a vacancy having occurred through the retirement of Mr. J. J. Iselin, Mr. J. Dankearts (Messrs. Anthony Gibbs and Sons) being duly qualified, offered himself for election. It concluded by stating, that while the board would con tinue their utmost exertions to promote the extension of the association, they again begged to remind the mem bers that their hearty co-operation is required to aid them in promoting its progress, and with such assistance it must eventually become one of the most extensive and useful associations in the kingdom." The reading of the document was interrupted at several points by the applause of the members. The CHAIRMAN proceeded—Gentlemen, it only re mains for me to propose " That the report now read be adopted and printed for circulation, at the discretion of the managers." Before, however, I submit this motion for your approval I wish to offer a few remarks. I wish much to press upon you the importance of your carrying out the recommendation in the concluding paragraph of the report in the spirit in which it is made, for it is most essential and important, I assure you that every individual member should use his best exertions to accomplish the de• sirable purpose which we have recommended. I wish particularly to impress upon the members the neces sity of taking a personal interest in promoting the increased prosperity of the association, endeavouring to induce their friends to follow their example, and to become members. No one should imagine that his individual exertions are of no avail; for no one, I can assure you, however humble he may censider his influence, can tell how much he may accomplish if he will only apply himself to the task. It has fallen to my lot to advocate the question in many quarters. A similar duty has devolved upon all the managers ; and I may say that we have all been astonished at the amount of success which has at tended those exertions.—(Hear, hear.) I wish also particularly to call your attention to the nomination clause. During the past year, as stated in the report, many of the families of deceased members have suffered great expense on account of the deceased having neglected to nominate. The process is simple, and so advanta geous, and saves so much trouble and expense, that it is extraordinary any one should omit to attend to it. A printed form is supplied on application at the office, and you have merely to fill it up and send it back. Its receipt is immediately acknowledged, and in case of death, the party nominated receives the amount of the policy without expense ; but if this important duty is neglected, the relatives of the de ceased member have to undergo all the ceremony incidental to proving a will in the Prerogative Court, which I need not tell you entails great expense upon the parties who are compelled to apply to that court, and seeing the evils occasioned by the omission of this duty by the members,l wish to press upon you to adopt at once so desirable a privilege.—(Hear.) In the report allusion is made to deputations to the pro vinces. I have had the happiness of forming a member of some of them, and, in the words of the report, I may say, th a t the interest and satisfaction created in the places we visited with respect to the association have been very great, and the results not less pleasing. I see a gentleman before me who, at the last meeting, urged the directors to advocate the association strongly in Liverpool, as a very large field was there open; the directors had previously had their attention turned to that vast district ; but the suggestion to which I refer has not been lost sight of. As regards our agencies, we are using every exertion to obtain the services of gentlemen of talent, energy, and re spectablility, for without such qualifications an agent is merely a nominal person. We are anxious that those, over whom we have not that personal control which we should possess more strongly in London, should be persons of undoubted character and influ ence. This has been an important and essential fea ture in our recent visits to:the provinces. Whilst on this subject, it may not be inopportune to mention that Mr. Joseph Townsend, an agent at Bristol, a gentleman whose name will stand high with us, as one of the warmest supporters of the 'association, has been compelled to give up b,is agency, in consequence of his business not enabling him to give that attention to it which he has heretofore. J will merely mention what has been done by his individual exertions. His first remittance in March, 1845, was 61. odd for the quarter ; his last remittance for the quarter was 260/. Now here is a strong instance of what can be done by individual exertions, and I bring Mr. Townsend for ward in this matter because he has served us so well, and because he has ceased to be our agent, and I do not wish to part with him without giving credit for the great exertions be has made. At the same time, he has expressed his intention to continue to do every thing in his power to promote the increased pros perity of the association in his locality.—(Cheers.) I am happy to say that we have appointed a very able gentleman as his successor. It is, perhaps, invidious to mention Mr. Townsend except in relation to his retirement, as one among other agents deserving of particular notice; at parting, however, both they and the members will see the justice of the terms in which I have spoken of that gentleman.—(Cheers.) In order to show you the importance of life assurance, I will read you a letter , which we h ave rece i ved this morning. I presume all ( f you are assured, but if there are any of you who have not availed yourselves of the benefit of life assurance in connexion with this association—if there are any here who have not taken the wise precaution of making some provision for the future I would urge upon them the necessity of doing so. No one present can answer for a mo- LONDON, ment of his existence ; any one, if he were asked the question, no matter what may be his present state of health, would at once admit the truth of this. There is no certainty of life one moment from another. The letter which I hold in my hand shows the conse quences of delay in efnctiog an assurance. The person referred to had proposed a policy of assurance with us for 2501. ; he had been urged continually by the gentleman who writes this letter to complete that policy, but he neglected doing so. He was suddenly taken ill of the small-pox and died. I think it will not be uninteresting if I read it : " A friend of mine had been frequently solicited by me to insure his life in our society, especially as he had a mother and three sisters depending partly on him for support. After waiting some time for him to propose himself at the same time as I did, I determined to set the example, and accordingly became a member in due course in December, 1846. From this time I never failed to repeat my solicitations and entreaties, which were met by various excuses, such as lam so young,' I am a healthy young man,' &c., till iu the latter part of September lust, having met with a s evere accident , myself, which disabled me so much that I was unable to attend to business, I prevailed upon him to propose him self as a member, but which for some reason or other was deterred till October, when, as you will recollect, he was proposed, and reference made to me as a friend for the usual statement as to his health. Your letter on the subject reached here on the 30th October, and was filled up and returned the same day. On the following day he felt rather unwell, and retired from business rather early, and on that day fortnight was no more. His com plaint was the small-pox, and I have every reason to suppose and believe that at the time of his application he felt perfectly well. He was, I believe, in his twenty second year." _ Now, this is a very strong instance of the conse quences of delaying that which it is the moral duty of every man to do—making a provision for those de pendent upon him.— (Cheers.) I am not aware that there is anything further for me to allude to. Before I sit down, I beg to observe that I shall feel happy to reply to any questions that you may think proper to put to me.—(Cheers.) Mr. SMITHERE seconded the motion with great pleasure. The motion was at once unanimously adopted. Mr. HENRY proposed the following motion : " That the best thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby presented to the Board of Management for their attention and devotion to the interests of the association, and that the sum of four hundred pounds be awarded them for their valuable services during the past year." He regretted that he had not been able to propose a larger sum • but though small com pared with the exertions of the directors, he was fully persuaded that he could on the pre sent occasion propose some addition to the sum he had heretofore proposed. The labours of the directors had come before him in detail as one of the auditors, and he was therefore in a position to state that they were of the most multifarious and onerous nature.—(Hear, hear.) INiough the sum, he was convinced, was inadequate as a remuneration, he con sidered that such an addition was necessary, in order to mark the sense which they entertained of the valuable services of the directors.—(Cheers.) Mr. MOLLETT seconded the proposition. He was sure, when they considered that for many years they had had the valuable services of the directors, and that they had surprised them with their energy and labour without a hope of reward, the meeting would accede to the motion with the utmost pleasure.—(Cheers.) As an auditor, he had seen the constant attendance of the directors, and their devotion to the interests of the association, and their hearty good will and good feeling in its behalf. _ The motion was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN expressed his thanks and that of the managers for this renewed mark of their confi dence. Since the commencement of the association, money was no object with him or with any of his col leagues ; but upon principle they thought that some thing should be set apart as an allowance for those who might come after them.—(Hear.) He entered upon the directory with others, and for five years they worked for nothing, and he was satisfied to con tinue so to labour without any reward save the pleasure and satisfaction it afforded him to see the progress of the association. Mr. BURT then referred to the services of the secretary, and suggested that some compliment of a similar kind should be paid to him, and some addition made to the salaries of the clerks, on account of the increased labour cast upon them. After some discussion it was decided that the matter should be left to the discretion of the board of management. The CHAIRMAN assured the meeting that they were most anxious to do what was right, and to act in the most liberal spirit with regard to all per sons connected with the working department of the association. The suggestion of the meeting should meet with the utmost attention. He assured the meeting that the directors were fully alive to the valuable services rendered by the secretary and the clerks. The directors being clerks felt as clerks, and if they did not do always all that was expected they endeavoured to do what was right.—(Cheers.) kr. REED intimated in the course - of the discus sion that no one thought more of the estimable ser vices of the secretary than he did, but the matter referred to was one which came peculiarly within the province of the directors. Mr. J.W. WELCH said the modesty of the Chairman would not allow him to propose the next resolution. They were aware that he was one of the retiring directors. He did not, therefore, like to propose his own re-election. That duty, therefore, devolved upon him, and it was, perhaps, right that the duty should fall upon him, since no one could give him a better character, because his position at the board placed him in constant (he might say daily) connexion with him. He knew the great interest he evinced in the prosperity of the association. There was no sacrifice of personal comforts and pleasures that he was not ready to make for the benefit of the association. He was ever kind and thoughtful of the feelings of those who made application, for they were aware that the duty of the Chairman of the associa tion was unlike that of ordinary assurance offices, because they had combined with this department the benevolent department, which was one of consi derable trouble and anxiety.—(Hear.) Last year it was one of very great anxiety, in consequence of the position in which some of their brother clerks had been placed, arising from the derangement of com mercial affairs. The Chairman's goodness of heart and general urbanity caused the utmost harmony to prevail in the board, the members of which acted as one body.—(Cheers.) He begged to move " That Mr. R. H. Jones be re-elected a manager of the asso ciation." Mr. PRICE seconded the proposition. Having been a personal friend of the Chairman for many years, and having been associated with him many years in this association, he could assure them that though they might get as good a chairman they could not get a better.—(Cheers.) No man could devote a greater share of his attention, or sacrifice more comforts in promoting the welfare of the association, than Mr. Jones had. Not only did he sacrifice his business time, but his social hours, which every one who knew him knew he enjoyed with such great satisfaction to himself and his friends. He was sure they could not find a better manager in the city of London. The resolution was carried by acclamation. The CHAIRMAN himself returned thanks. He as sured them his heart was in their cause. As had been stated, he did devote as much of his spare time as he could—more than he could—to advance the in terests of the association.—(Cheers.) He hoped to see it progress for many years, which would be the greatest pleasure he could experience.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next proposed—" That Mr. S. Jepps, Mr. S. Notley, and Mr. Richard Price be re-elected managers of the association," which was adopted. The CHAIRMAN next proposed—" That Mr. J. Dan kearts be elected a manager of this association in the room of Mr. J. J. Iselin, who had resigned." That gentleman had proved himself a warm supporter of the association. He was chief in the house of Messrs. Anthony Gibbs and Sons. He had the hearty good wishes of the directors, who believed that he would prove of the utmost advantage to the association. The motion was carried unanimously. J. DAN/CHARTS begged to return his sincere thanks. It should be his constant study to promote the in terests of the members of the association at large. As a clerk it should be his constant study to do that for them which he should wish to have done for himself. Mr. SAATELL moved—" That the warmest thanks of this meeting be presented to the medical officers, Dr. Jones, John Gay, Esq., F.R.C.S., and Alfred Smee, Esq., F.R.S., and the Provincial Medical Referees, Agents, and Local Committees; Wm. Ratray, Esq., consulting actuary; and Messrs. Law ford, the honorary solicitors, for their valuable ser vices during the past year ;" Which was seconded by Mr. CLARKE, and carried unanimously. ALFRED SMEE, Esq., F.R.S., returned thanks on behalf of himself and his colleagues for the honour conferred upon them collectively. This being the first time they had the honour of meeting them since the division of profits they thought it right to state, through him, what had been the result of their past labours, and what they might expect would be the future working of the association. Many in that room were, no doubt, aware that it was stated on good authority that a number of clerks could not be asso ciated together, for the purpose of life assurance, with any great advantage to all. Now the working of the first seven years of the association showed this tole rably significant fact, on the authority of the medical officers and actuaries, that notwithstanding this, a reduction of 33 per cent. in the premiums had been effected in this association.—(Cheers.) He could not conceal from them the fact that the medical officers whom they had been pleased to entrust with their confidence, and who were surgeons to many of the hospitals, dispensaries, and assurance offices, had a great and responsible duty to discharge. The num ber of deaths was to them a subject of great con- Icern, but, owing to the care which he and his col leagues had taken, the. lives had been below the average.—(C'neers.) Persons following the avocation of clerks did not live on the average so long on other classes; for instance, a labourer, aged 20, had a chance of living 48 years, when a clerk of the same age had a chance of living but 32 years; but in taking the average duration of life of persons of that age in the town and rural districts combined, the chance of life was 44 years.—[Mr. Smee here alluded to the local and London averages of life, and men tioned certain tables to show the care they took not to report favourably upon persons, unless in the first state_ of health.] He might say that 66 persons had been declined in the report of the medical officers during the past year. It might, perhaps, be thought that these lives were unfairly declined.—(No, no.) And it so happened that he had examined all the private notes of every ease declined since the commencement of the associ ation during the past year. lie had no hesitation in saying that the lives were totally unfit for life insu rance, or if so, only at so large a reemium that this office could not take them.. They'never refused any person who could be accepted with fairness. :When there was a probability of many dying from cholera in this year, it was the bounden duty of many more to assure. Mr. RATRAY briefly returned thanks. It was most important, as Mr. Smee had stated,.l,bat the lives should be well chosen, otherwise the gendal gain to the mem bars would be materially lessened. lie assured them it was his earnest wish to benefit the institution to the best of his ability.—(Cheers.) Dr. MULLINDEx said the last year, they would agree, was a very eventful one ; for the Press had had to chronicle the fall of dynasties, the outbreaks of revolutions, the rise of Chartism, the establish ment of republics, the labours of special constables, and many other special circumstances ; but not the least of its labours was the great service it had ren dered to that legitimate republic, the'Provident Clerks. In his opinion, he believed the peaCe of this country during the past year had . been materially promoted by the existence and extension of life assurance.— (Hear.) The Provident Clerks were all Chartists.— (Laughter.) He would tell them what he meant. The Chartists contended for several points ; but those of the Provident Clerks were as numberless as the quills on the Porcupine's back.—(Renewed laughter.) From the time of the appear ance of the paragraph in the Morning Herald, in 1840, which led to the formation of the institution, bar ricades had been thrown up for the purpose of pro tecting the widow and the orphan against those vile and tyrannical oppressions—poverty and want; and the press had at all times rendered their special ser vice, both in London and the provinces.—(Cheers.) The Press were the moral regenerators of,the country, but they could not render more essential service than when they aided institutions such as this. The Doctor concluded by reading the following lines : " There's a good time coming, boys, A good time coming, Little children will be taught Ilow annuities are bought, In the good time coming; And begin in early life To deposit their few pence, Until they can their life assure, Wait a little longer. " There's a good time coming, boys, A good time coming, The people will be provident, And will assure instead of waste, in the good time coming. They will abstain from all that's vain, And make provision when in health. The reformation has begun, Wait a little longer. " There's a good time coming, boys, A good time coming, You must aid it all you can, Every woman, every Man, The good time coming. Smallest helps if rightly given, Make the impulse stronger; 'Twill be strong enough one day, Wait a little longer. There's a good time, &c. " There's a good time coming, A good time coming, We have lived to see the day When Life Assurance is gaining sway For the good time coming. Saving banks are a helping hand, But Life Assurance is the plan ; We'll win the battle by its aid, Wait a little longer. There's a good time, &c. " There's a good time coming, boys, A good time coming, When men will think how to provide For those they live with side by side, In the good time coming. Want and drear misery must Be driven from our native land, The impulse has been given, Wait a little longer. " There's a good time coming, boys, A good time coming, When every family shall posses A certain and sure provision In the good time coming. Every child shall have a share, And every widow free from care, Wait a little longer. There's a good time, &c." He begged to move " That the best thanks of this meeting be presented to the gentlemen of the Press for their continued able advocacy and support daring the past year." Mr. JEPPS heartily seconded the resolution. The CHAIRMAN then Put the resolution to the meeting, and declared it to be carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN then stated that the business of that meeting had concluded, unless any gentleman had any further observations to make. Mr. ISELIN said that he had some further observa tions to make in the discharge of what he considered an imperative duty, and that was to move a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and Deputy Chairman of the a ssoc i at i on. —(Ch eers .) H e considered that it would be impossible to assign a more grateful occupation, or impose a more pleasing duty on any man than that which he had been called upon to discharge.—(Cheers.) He was very glad that it had devolved upon him to move instead of seconding this resolution, because it gave him the opportunity, as he was no l onger a servan t o f th e in stitution, of saying , that of his late colleagues which he could not have said had he been a member of the board of dir ectors.—(Cheers.) .When he was one of the directors of the institution he had witnessed, with the greatest satisfaction the assiduity and atten tion that had been paid to , the interests of the members of this valuable institution, both by the chairman and the deputy-chairman.--(Cheers ) He most cordially concurred with the observations that had been made by Mr. Price in seconding the nomi nation of the chairman, when he stated that he had sacrificed the enjoyments of his home and family, no small sacrifice he was cer tain, for the purpose of attending to the interests of the institution.—(Cheers.) He was astonished at the assiduity displayed both by the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman, and he was satisfied that had the institution paid them for their exertions their duties could not be more effectively performed.—(Cheers.) Their energies and efforts, and their visits to the country, had spread a knowledge of the benefits of the society throughout the provinces that was astonishing and hardly to be credited — (Cheers) a knowledge that he felt assured the exertions of the chairman and deputy-chairman would extend to every part of her Majesty's domi nions. —(Cheers.) Mr. Iselin, after bearing testi mony to the undeviating zeal of all the servants of the institution, and their untiring desire to promote its interests in every respect, concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman and deputy-chair men, amid much cheering. Mr. COLEMAN seconded the motion. He cordially concurred in all that had been raid by Mr. Iselin. They had before them a report of the most pleasing character, for they found, notwithstanding all the a larger number of policies difficulties of the times, effected, and a greater amount of insurances placed on the book of the institution, than on any pre vious year.—(Great cheering.) He was most happy to see the prosperous condition of the institution, and he felt certain, with its present valuable and intelli gent officers, it would continue in its onward and benevolent course.—(Cheering.) Mr. ISELIN then put the motion, and declared it to be carried unanimously amid much cheering. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said that he was afraid the meeting would be tired of seeing him rise so often to return thanks, for he had been doing nothing during the whole evening but return ing them.—(Laughter.) It was to him the greatest satisfaction to see that his exertions met with the approbation of the members of the institution. He could assure them that those exertions were sincere and honest—(Cheers)—and that they had satisfied those with whom they were associated was the best guarantee for their acting rightly in future.— (Cheers.) The approval of the meeting of his conduct, and of those with whom he acted, Was an additional gratification to him. In conclusion, it might not be inopportune in him to state that they had completed in this year ten policies for 2,8001. and one deferred annuity.—(Cheers.) The meeting was then dissolved, and another was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the alteration of the 32d rule, which provided that no person should participate in the profits unless he had been a subscriber for five years. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of this t meeting, said that it would b e reco ll ecte d t h at a t their last meeting suggestions had been made for the alteration of the 32d rule, and that upon that occa sion it was stated that the Board would give the sug- THE SUN, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 16, 1849. gestion their best attention. That attention they had bestowed upon it; they had conferred with their consulting actuary, and they had come to the resolution to alter the rule, so that those who had been assured for three years should participate in the profits, instead of its being necessary for them to have been assured for five years.—(Cheers.) Any further it was not considered desirable that they should go at present. If any ge n tl eman w i s h e d to put questions to Mr. Ratray, he would answer them. He had now to propose the following resolution—" That the words in rule 32, 'As have been assured five years,' be altered to ' As have been assured three years.'" Mr. PATEMAN seconded the resolution. Mr. GOSIIIBLL was glad the alteration had been pro posed, but he could not see why they should not adopt the course that had been pursued by the Na tional Provident Institution. He did not see why those who had assured for one year should not have the benefit of the profits.----(Cheers.) It was not 'his intention to move any amendment on the reso lution. Mr. WELCH Sail that it must he remembered that the profits of this institution were small, compared with those of the National Provident Institution. When they amounted to them, the suggestion would receive the full consideration of the Board ; and little doubt existed in his mind but it would be adopted, but at present he did not think it advisable to go farther. Mr. RAMAT thought it would be advisable not to do more than was now proposed, for a few years, considering that it would be bad policy to divide to the utmost amount of profits. Ile hoped that they would be enabled to 'do what Mr. Gosbell recommended in the course of a few years.—(Cheers.) Mr. COLEMAN agreed with the course proposed by the Board of Management. He had no doubt that many parties would now take policies that would not do so before.—(Cheers.) As an instance that such would be the case, he might mention a personal friend of his, who he knew would now take out a policy.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, and de clared it to be carried, one hand only being held up against it. Mr. J. I. SCOTT said, the resolution having been carried with but one dissentient voice, he wished to suggest to the directors, and their able consulting actuaries, that it would be well to consider, before the next meeting, the expediency of allowing all policyholders, whether assured only one year or more, to participate in the profits in proportion to the length of membership and the premiums they had paid. By doing so he was persuaded they would obtain a number of assurers who now held back because several years might pass before they would participate in the profits which they had helped to amass.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. RATRAY explained that it would not be politic in the early years of a society like this to adopt Mr. Scott's proposition, because the number of policy holders being small, and the sums assured equally so, unlike offices of longer standing and greater funds, but a trifle could come - to the share of each. As the numbers, however, increased in the future, and like wise the revenue and profits, he was not inclined to say that the proposition might not be advisedly adopted. At present it was not. The future would alone show the practicability of carrying it out with advantage to all.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. SCOTT said he merely threw out the sug gestion for adoption in the future. The resolution passed tonight was a step in the right direction. The meeting then broke up. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, MONDAY. The Queen walked this morning in the Slopes, ac companied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal. .__ Prince Albert went out shooting this morning, at tended by the Earl of Morley, Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Captain the Hon. A. Gordon. The Queen held a Privy Council at half-past two o'clock this afternoon. It was attended by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord President ; the Earl of Minto, Lord Privy Seal ; Lord John Russell, First Lord of the Trea sury ; Sir George Grey, Secretary of State for the Home Department ; Earl Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies; Lord Campbell, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ; the Marquis of Clanricarde, Postmaster-General; the Right Hon. H. Laboucbere, President of the Board of Trade ; the Earl Fortescue, Lord Steward; and the Marquis of Breadalbane, Lord Chamberlain. The Right Hon. Sir Francis Thornhill Baring, Bart., had the honour of being presented to her Ma jesty, and kissed hands on being appointed First Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. The Right Hon. Baronet took his seat at the Council Board. The holding of a Court of Sessions at Glasgow passed the Council. The Hon. William Bathurst was the Clerk of the Council in Waiting. Her Majesty gave audiences to the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord John Russell. Most of the Ministers and officers of State travelled from town to attend the Council by a special train, on the Great Western Railway, leaving the Paddington terminus soon after one o'clock, and arriving at the Castle at two o'clock. A di mg was served in the Castle to the Noble men and Gentlemen assisting at the Council. After the Privy Council Lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Earl Grey, Sir Francis Baring, Lord Campbell, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Marquis of Breadal bane, and the Hon. William Bathurst, left the Castle for the Slough station, and returned to town by a special train. The Earl Fortescue and the Right Honourable H. Labouchere also took their departure after the Council. Her Majesty and Prince Albert dined this evening with her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent at her residence, Frogmore House. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness were attended by the Duchess of Norfolk, the Maids of Honour in Waiting, the Earl of Morley, Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Captain the Hon. A. Gordon, and Major. General Bowles. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial Office from the Governors of the Gold Coast and the Gambia. A FRIEND OF BURNS. (From the Derbyshire Courier.) In our obituary of last week, the name of Mr. John Auld, of Calow, was included. We little thought at the time it was sent for insertion, although it had a very Scotch sound, that, in recording the death of John Auld, the respected engraver of Calow, we were paying the last tribute of respect to the grand-nephew of the renowned Daddy Auld,--to the " laddie Jock," and the " shield Auld," who, for more than two years, was daily in the house of Burns, at Ellisland, went to school with his children, and alternately joined them in their frolics, or assisted Mrs. Burns (no longer "Bonnie Jean") in the kitchen, or in " the yard." The subject of this notice was born near Dumfries, about the year 17$0-81, therefore, at least, 10 years younger than was stated last week. Burns was a fre quent visitor at the house of John Auld's uncle. Some thing about the boy attracted his notice—he became a great favourite with the poet, and, as already mentioned, was a frequent inmate of Burns' house, as well as a com panion or his sons. When or why Mr. Auld removed to Derbyshire is not known, but he is remembered first as a spirit merchant in Chesterfield. He was well known to be a most ingenious mechanic; and no one was sure prised when he left the spirit trade to become saddler; and afterwards, and entirely of late years, followed the occupation of an engraver—the only artist in that line, we believe, of whom Chesterfield could ever boast. Se veral years since he removed to the neighbouring village of Calow, whither his work and his excellent character followed him. Absence from his native country, neither weakened his attachment to "Scotland, his auld respectit mither," nor diminished the affection ho bore to the Poet, and the enjoyment he derived from his works. To read or to sing them, and to lead the chorus in every " guffaw" which followed " Cuttie Sark" or " John Barleycorn," was the delight of his youth, and the relaxation of his later years. None understood better where the "pawky" wit of Burns lay, and none could give it greater effect in song or in tale. It is believed he had not seen Burns after he left Scotland, but he went there at the time of his death, and was present at his funeral. Since then be visited Scotland at least once, and on that occasion drank tea with his old half mistress—Mrs. Burns, the widow of the poet, at Dumfries. At that tea drinking, to which he often referred, Mrs. Burns presented him with the poet's wafer box (called a speal box in Scotland—anglie4 a chip box) on which memorial, however humble and frail, he set great value. He left it at his death to a countryman, who he knew would preserve it with equal respect, Mr. Robert M'Burnie, of Chesterfield. Mr. Auld was of a very respectable family, and well connected. Two of his cousins, by the mother's side, are understood to occupy very excellent situations in the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Honest John Auld I—one of the few and fast fleeting remnants of jolly days, when " a wee drip in the et:" was the way to get " o'er a' the ills o' life victorious 1" If the bio graphy of that period and its literature have left us " many warnings," they have left us many pithy sayings, which may well induce us to "be to their faults a little blind." The errors of poor Burns which were so severely visited on himself, would have been atoned for to t he generation that " gave him a stone when be asked t hem for bread"—had ho written no other lines d which he himself so much neglected, acne th a n tho se, summed up in the few words which give n tu many proverbs, that Cautious isdoin iousisprude,sn R tS o e o l tl c”on tad, Is THE CHIEF POORAW C O MMISSIONER.-At the sitting of the Bail C ourt, y esterday morning, Mr. Baines, Q C., took the usual oaths, on , bis appointment to the office of Chief Commissioner of the Poor-law. THE JUNE INSURGENTS.—It appears that about 1,000 of the insurgents of June have been set at liberty. There still remain in confinement 2,600, of whom 1,700 are, it is said, to be transported to Africa. HAY MARKET THEATRE. Hamlet was performed here last evening with the same cast and from the same text (wiih one exception), as it was peformed at Windsor Castle before her Ma jesty last week ; that exception was the restoration of the grave-diggers' scene, which was omitted when the tragedy was represented at Windsor, solely because, from the absence of traps, &c., it was physically impos sible to represent it. The part ofllamlet was represented by Mr. Charles Kean, that of Ophelia by Mrs. Charles Kean, and that of Gertrude by Mrs. Warner. The Hamlet of Mr. Charles Kean, in whatever point of view considered is perfect—from the first scene to the last it is the great work of a great artist, and a most remarkable fact, all the critics are for once unanimous in deciding that from the beginning to the end of his performance he has not left a weak place. Mrs. Charles Kean has done the cause of the Shaksperian drama much service by undertaking the part of Ophelia. Never again will any mere singer be tole rated in this part. Mrs. Charles Kean gives the songs with much sweetness, and with infinitely more t athos and truth to nature than we have ever heard them given by any professed " singing lady," and her act ing, was surpassingly beautiful. Mrs. NVarner,s Gertrude was majestic and queenlike, and Keeley '+ Gravedigger quaint and Shaksperian. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean and Mrs. Warner were called before the curtain at the conclusion. The theatre was crowded to excess by a delighted and most attentive audience. (From the Times.) Through all the range of Shaksperian characters there is none which Mr. Charles Kean has made so com pletely his own as Hamlet. This is unquestionably his best part. He has elaborated it from beginning to end, with the manifest determination of not leaving a weak place. From the melancholy contemplativeness of the first scene to the protracted death at the last, the whole is wrought out with the greatest care. The tone which he gives to the character is decidedly the pathetic. The expression of feeling is his peculiar forte, and when he ' can show sorrow for his father's death, a repining at the unkindliness of his uncle, an affection for his mother while he upbraids her, and a tenderness for Ophelia amid the taunts which he heaps upon her, he .is completely in his element. The compassionate sor row which be infuses into the address " Go to a nun nery-, go," makes this speech one of the most effective in the play. Indeed, the little touches of natural feeling which Mr. Kean is so often able to introduce when least expected, are his most powerful means of enlisting the sympathy of the public. On the other hand, the reflec tive speeches have been thoroughly studied, and are deli vered with the most sedulous attention to every phrase. As a specimen of his by-play we have the whole of the play-scene, in which he gives the greatest possible effect to the anxious watching of the King's countenance. Last night was the first occasion of his playing Hamlet I in public for many years, and altogether he produced an impression which he has not made in any other part. Mrs. Warner's Gertrude is in every way worthy of that accomplished actress. Thoroughly entering into the character with all its solicitudes and pangs of con- I science, she ever renders apparent the internal in fluences to which she is subjected, but does every thing as quietly as possible. She prefers an indication to an obstruction of the dominant feelings. Ophelia gains an unusual value with such an actress us Mrs. Charles Kean to sustain the part, The first ques tion will naturally be, " How did she get on with the songs?" It may be answered, that though she did not sing like a professed vocalist, they were given in a clear mellifluous tone, and with a perfection of dramatic ex pression that made them exquisitely beautiful. It is long indeed since the madness of Ophelia, with its transitions from mournfulness to wild hilarity, has been rendered with such finish and with such marked variety as by Mrs. Kean. Mr. Keeley's Gravedigger, shrewd, sophistical, and rejoicing in his own acuteness, may be added to the admirable comedian's list of Shaksperian triumphs. The theatre was crowded to excess, and the tragedy went off with the most decided applause. We need scarcely add, that it was a repetition of the per formance at Windsor on Thursday last, with the ex ception of the Gravedigger. whose scene was omitted at the Castle, as unsuited to a private theatre. (From the Chronicle.) Hamlet was revived at this theatre last evening—the cast being, so far as the Haymarket actors are coneerned, the same as that with which it was represented the other night at Windsor. The part of Hamlet is one to which Mr. Charles Kean has devoted long and deep study, and one on which he lavishes a great amount of artistic skill. The character is, indeed, indentified with the most bril liant triumphs of his professional career. It was in Hamlet that Mr. Kean first appeared before a London audience, with results so remarkable as to be in one respect unprecedented in dramatic annals. Alter his first appearance in January, 1838, he acted Hamlet—if we remember well—twelve nights in succession, and afterwards twice a week—alternating it with Richard the Third, until twenty-one nights of Hamlet had been completed, a run unparalleled in the known his tory of the tragedy. During the period in ques tion the enthusiasm created in the play. going world was such, that making due allowance for the difference of prices, the monetary returns at Drury-lane Theatre were very little under those realised by:the early triumphs of the elder Kean. Since his debut at Drury-lane, Mr. Charles Kean has played the part at the Haymarket in the years 1839, 1840, 1841, and 1842, and last night a crowded and brilliant audience assembled to see him re pelt the arduous character in which he won his early laurels. With one or two exceptions, Mr. Kean's Hamlet is not one of "pointy." In a just and thoughtful con ception of the character, and in an interpretation full of poetic tenderness and refined artistic skill, lie the great and striking merits of the performance. Without losing one jot of the passion, Mr. Kean flings over his whole impersonation a dreamy grace which is re markable in his first entrance, and which is pre. served, with a thoughtful consistency throughout. The scene in which Horatio announces the appear ance of the Ghost Mr. Kean manages with great effect. He is conversational in his tone, without being prosaic —startled, hurried, and shocked, without for a moment falling from the lofty poetical vein which runs through the character. In the satirical dialogue with Polonius, the despairing exclamation which closes it— " Except my life—except my life—except my life !" was given by Mr. Kean with fine purpose and feeling—re calling the audience, as it were, to the mental key-note of the man who utters it. The first interview with the players was also exceedingly nicely managed. The representation of the efforts of memory to recall the half-forgotten speech about Pyrrhus, being, indeed, in its way, quite a masterpiece of art. The third act, how ever, was, of course, Mr. Kean's great triumph. In his interview with Ophelia, he allowed a deep and tender pathos to struggle by fits and starts through the rugged surface of his assumed dislike, so as skilfully to give the clue to the hidden passion of love which Hamlet is striving to control. Iu the play scene Mr. Kean bore himself with a picturesque intensity of purpose, and started from the ground in a burst of triumphant feel ing, which fairly roused the audience, and served well to lead up to the passionate energy, and the repeated bursts of filial affection and anguish, which mark the scene with the Queen. The usual " point," " Is it the King ?" was made with true artistic feeling. In the last scene, Mr. Kean's fine fencing produced its usual effect. He handles the foils with as much grace as skill, show ing in this merely- physical portion of the performance the same polished, easy, and gentlemanly bearing which distinguishes the entire impersonation. Mrs. Kean made a fascinating Ophelia, full of gentle beauties throughout. Her attitudes, when not speaking, were models of timid grace ; and iu the mad scene she gave full effect to the various currents of thought which flow disturbedly through the darkened mind, keeping up all the time the fixed, yet intelligent stare which is a symptom of the ma lady; even while crouching upon the ground, she sings her snatches of songs to herself. Mrs. Warner made her first appearance at the Haymarket for four years as the Queen, and played the part with all her accustomed energy and truth. Mrs. Warner's performance is marked throughout with sweet womanly touches of maternal tenderness towards Hamlet; and her exit after the second appearance of the Ghost is so managed as to be signi ficant and impressive in the extreme. Tilbury was a reasonably good Polonious, making up for the part with great skill; and Keeley gave the Gravedigger with all the hearty unction which he loves to bestow upon humourous Shaksperian " bits." Mr. Howe played Horatio carefully and intelligently; and Mr. Wigan gave colour to the little part of Osric. At the fall of the curtain, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, and afterwards Mrs. Warner, were summoned by the audience. (From the Post.) The throng of fashion which last night visited this theatre was naturally attracted by the circumstance of a tragedy having been selected to which a few evenings before the intellect and the majesty of the land had been the delighted auditors within the circle of domestic pri vacy. The tragedy has been placed upon the stage by Mr. Webster with even more completeness than accom panied its representation at 'Windsor Castle, for the cele brated scene of the gravediggers was, as a matter of course, restored. The omission at the Palace arose from purely mechanical causes, as the flooring of the Rees ben's room did not admit of the construction of traps' and hence the scenic effect would hare been. destro,t4,le and the consequent continuity of interest brao: excellent distribution of the characters of the tragedays "Hamlet and comprising Mr. and Mrs. Charles ged specially to Ophelia; Mrs. Warner, who has bee s n l e iz a i ti g n a ravedigger. The t h e general company, enact the Queen; and MaKeeley a Hamlet is by many rest of the parts were well tilled by and the ensemble was exec scholar ship; e h a degrees the finest effo . rt p o a f r l ts M t r o . C i h t a a rle ti s ng l e ie o a f n studied it deeply, s thoughtful and passionate, which in now a i n se d 'retracts from the dramatic . in- It is by turn and, tensity. what we esteem as a very great merit, there is no seeking for strained readings or crude originalities. The text is ren dered with clearness, force, and elegance, and there is no exaggeration to catch the eyes or the ears of the gr oundlings." It is througho u t essentially graceful ' and consistent in its inconsistency; and th a biding tenderness and touching pathos ) thatn e e r v a er i s s uff a e n r the feelings of the audience to wander from the sorrows and the ruling intention of the poet. The filial love is the predominant sentiment, rather than the vengeance for the murder of his father, and the mental oscillation seems to sway hi m to and fro —the brow now crimsoned with the full desire of a bloody sacrifice—the eye now melting with sorrow for the committed crime. The scene with Ophelia (which was wont to repel, from the insane cruelty burled upon the loving II girl) was last night infinitely touching in its grief—the sympathy is thus fairly divided between the brain-be wildered Prince and. the heart-crushed maiden of his love. The conventional ruffianism has been wisely abate 'cloned, and thus, what seemed •a gratuitous cruelty is skilfully changed to an affecting incident. Amongst the many striking features which elicited en be cited, the conclusion of the' " play scene; conscience of the king is caught; the retuTn the arras upcu the slaying of the eaves-dio. nius, in which Hamlet exclaims— " Is it the King?" and the death-scene, which terminates the tragedy. Mrs. Charles Kean was a charming Ophelia, and fully realised Dr. Johnson's summing up of the character. She was " the beautiful, the harmless, and the pious." The singing of the snatches of melodies was gentle as the sighs of music—not a thought was missed, and the tears of the audience were the rich guerdon won by the truth ful and graceful artiste. Mrs. Warner's Gertrude is un rivalled—it is perfectly regal. The majestic form and dignified demeanour perfects the dramatic illusion, and her acting in the famous interview with Hamlet is full of dramatic genius. Keeley was quaint and thoroughly Shakesperian. Mr. Tilbury was less grotesque than usual as Polonius—indeed, on the parting with Laertos in the first act, he threw a touch of nature into his acting that we Were unprepared for. Mr. Wigan's Osric is the stereotyped Osric of :he stage. The scenery is pictu resque, and the eosnimes rich and appropriate. At the termination of the play, Mr. rind Mrs. Charles Kean were summoned before the curtain; a similar honour was deservedly conferred upon Mrs. Warner. ST. jai. ?lES'S T.l - I.lisl. TR.E. OPENING OF THE OPERA COMIQUE. Mr. Mitchell commenced his season of French performances here last evening. Having successively introduced to us all the celebrities of the Theatre Francais, the Gymnase, the Vaudeville, the Varietes, and the Porte St. Martin. Mr. Mitchell has now engaged the notabilities of the Opera Comique ; and during the ensuing season we are promised a series of the chefs d'ceuvres of Auber, Boieldieu, Gretry, Adam, Peer, Caraffa, &c., &c., produced in a style of perfection which equals (to say the least), if it does not surpass, the Opera Comique even in its best days. The orchestra is com posed of the elite of our orchestral musicians— Tolbecque, Bourotte, Deloffre, Pilet, Remusat, Lazarus, Baumann, and Harper, are numbered among its members, and Mr. Charles Hanssens, the con ductor of the Brussels Opera, whose marvellous powers as a conductor were the delight and admira tion of all who witnessed the performances of the Brussels troupe at Drury lane, in 1846, presides over the orchestral arrangements. The manner in which the music was given last night by the orchestra was perfect. It went like one large instrument. The manner of Mr. Charles Hanssens in the orchestra is admirable ; there is no grimacing, no attitudinising, but all is quiet, unassuming, and, therefore, most efficient. The pieces performed last evening were Paer's operetta, Le Maitre de Chapelle, and Auber's opera comique (and the perfection of opera comique it is), Le Domino Noir. The operas were well chosen as specimens of the various styles of music which have at different times ruled the French school. In the music of Paer, whose style is a combination of that of Cimarosa and Gluck, there are few cadences, the movements are generally speaking sostenuto, and the stringed instruments predominate. Softness rather than brilliancy is the prevailing characteristic. The music of Auber, on the contrary, is full of sparkling brilliancy ; his great effects are almost always produced by cadences, and the wind instru ments greatly predominate. The contrast between these different styles was admirably brought out last evening, and the performance was delightful, not only on account of its own absolute excellence, but as affording an admirable opportunity for comparing the music of the past age with that of the present. The Maitre de Chapelle is well known in this country from its having been performed at Drury lane in 1846 by the Brussels company. The prin cipal characters were sustained by Mademoiselle Guichard, a young lady who is already favourably known in this country, and whose performance last night was full of grace and espieglerie, and more than sustained her already high reputation, and by M. Beauce, from the Opera Comique. M. Beauce was the Maitre de Chapelle, his voice is a fine and flexible bass ; he is an accomplished musician, and admirable buffo actor; his rehearsal of his opera and his music lesson were admirably given. Both M. I3eauce and Mademoiselle Guichard were called for at the conclusion of the operetta. The National Anthem was sung by the company, the solo parts being given by Miss Rebecca Isaacs. The Domino Noir followed, and never have we seen this delightful opera more delightfully performed. The overture was brilliantly given—it was perfect. The cast was excellent, M. Couderc, the best " acting singer," and the best tenor of which the Paris Opera Comique can boast, appeared in his original part of Horace, and sung and acted with a gentlemanly ease which left nothing to be desired. His voice is a fine tenor of great sweetness and compass, and he is in every sense of the word a most accomplished artiste. The part of Angela, the Domino Noir, was sustained by Mdlle. Charton, who made a favourable impression on the English musical public some years ago, when she appeared as a member of the Brussels company, who was afterwards engaged at the Opera Comique at Paris, and who last night achieved a veritable tri umph. Her voice is a rich mellow gushing soprano, which has greatly improved in quality, in power, and in compass since she left us. She sings with the most exquisite taste, and the most correct intonation, and never have we seen a more delightful or a more fascinating representative of Angele than Mdlla Charton's. She threw an air of sentiment into the part which was very effective. She created quite a furore in the celebrated cavatina " Amour o toe dont le nom," and its repetition was rap turously demanded. Mdlle. Charton is in short, what Madame Cinti Damoreau was thirty years since, the most charming soprano singer of th e French stage. M. Breguet, who sustained the part of Gil Perez, is an admirable comic actor, full of unctious quaintness —a sort of French Keeley. The other characters were excellently sustained. The principal artistes were called for at the conclusion. We congratulate Mr. Mitchell on the success of this first attempt at naturalising among us one of the most delightful amusements of the French capital. The success of the experiment of last night was complete ; what was better still, it was fairly earned and well deserved, and therefore it is but the first-fruits of many future successes. The House was crowded in every part. Amongst the company we noticed the Prince and Princess of Parma and suite, the Conde de Monte molin and his Royal Highness the Infante Don Fer nando of Spain, his Excellency the Russian Minister, the Baroness Brunow, and Mdlle. Olga de Lechner ; his Excellency the Turkish Minister and suite, his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, the Countess Dowager of Norbury, the Earl and Countess of Norbury, and Lady Emily Toler; the Earl of Mun ster, the Earl Granville, Viscount Somerton, Lord and Lady Aylmer, Lord Ossulston, Viscount Clifdeo, Sir John and Lady Burgoyne and Misses Burgoyne, Sir Henry Webb, Mrs. Freemantle, Mrs. Charles Freemantle, Miss Gyles, Mrs. Dennistoun, the Che valier Pinot do Perioto, ' M. Eugene de Gurlache, Suastopol, the Misses Beauclerc, Lady Quentin, Sir Wm. Fraser, Hon. F. Leveson Gower, Mr. William Delafield, Hon. Stuart Wortley, Mr. Hardwicke, Mrs. Ruddell Todd, Sir William Ball, &c. ASTLEY'S THEATRE. The attraction of this popular establishment re ceived an addition last night, by the first appearance of Miss Woolford for the season. The graceful, agile, and fearless performances of this lady on the tight rope, are too well known and appreciated by the frequenters of Astley's to need either comment or description. Her admirable dancing of a horn pipe and a polka last night elicited hearty and uni versal applause. The Scenes in the. Circle, which succeeded, are well calculated to sustain the high reputation of Mr. Batty's manag ement. Nothi ng can be prettier in effect, or mor e pleasin g to the imagination, than the opening. eestrian pa. their way to com pete of the olden time, which . introduces a gay itch of bacon. The with a cavalcade of knights and dames in the costume of 1686, and contrasts them ro _ , procession of the u p ri e m i o d w o fi n . ploewteerfocrlatshseesceolfebthraetsea.dmpe ol d minuet gavotte, aan _ t _country dance Sir Roger bit. Roger de Coverley,.retiec reflec t e d equal credit upon the human and the equine performers, and brought forth the strongth of m --r. Batty's esta bli shment . Batty' • .milk-white Arabian p alfre y Mr. rey Lily need not fear competition with the docil e mals exhibited by M. Adolpher and intelligent ani lane. Mr. J. Bridges close d ranconi, at Drury tainment with a series of t h i s part of the enter. was highly applauded. truly wonderful leaps, and The p erformances with the successful pantomime of Robin Hood. T. A _ -E -UTUO R OF " E MILIA WYRDI IAM.".-4VO observe with pleasure that this popular writer is about to publish a new novel entitled " Mordaunt Hall; or, A September Night." MANCHESTER COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION. —The annual meeting of the Manchester Commercial Associa tion was held yesterday in the York Hotel-buildings. Mr. J. A. Turner, the president of the association, oc cupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by taking u brief review of the labours of the association during the past year, observing that an increased supply of a good description of cotton was one of the principal features of the past year ; and he had no doubt that, if the East India Company made better roads, there would be a re volution in the cotton trade of that vast territory. He congratulated the mercantile men of Manchester upon the manner in which they had passed through the last year, when many eminent houses elsewhere were unable to stand the pressure of the times. The secretary then read the report, which was adopted. Mr. W. Gibb complained that the principles of free trade had not made that progress on the Continent which they were led to expect would have been the case. He thought Mr. Cobden should leave Liverpool to carry out financial re form, and take care of his own child, free trade, and not to mind other people's children. Mr. Schuster said that I'r& e trade associations were being formed in Germany, and one of the ablest advocates of free trade in France had been made Minister of the Interior. The officers of the association for the ensuing year were then appointed, and, after a vote of thanks to the retiring directors and to the president, the proceedings terminated. v,i..tik:A *7. l .l : i l itii ,n .ktlbritr-,1 iik,n4, r --maw s