The Sun. — London, England, 1842-12-30 00:00:00

to join the circle at Eaton Hall this season ; they are _ Me Mowbray. "The Earl and Countess of Beverley have returned the Palace at Richmond, from Portman-square. They intend to remain there until the meeting of s zarliament. • Lord Lovaine has joined the party assembled at 4 :eddesley Park. The Countess of Kerry is staying at Bowood, the' teat of the Marquis of Lansdowne. Lady and Miss Trotter left Grosvenor-square last Week for Paris. They are-expected to return to Eng-. land early in February. • - Sir Charles and Lady Cecilia DeA Veeux (daughter of the Marquis of Winchester), have arrived at their residence in Beigrave-square, from passing the honey !root] at the Baronet's seat; near Tunbridge. The Marquis of Win - chester received a few friends to' dinner on'ehristnins day, at his home in Caven dish-square. The Noble Marquis's eldest son, the Earl o f WiltThire, is at the family seat in Hampshire. Mrs• L. Fox passed through London last week, 7 0 ralfampshire. ' Lord.. Fredsrick Paulet has arrived at the Marquis of Winchester's in Cavendish-square, from Quebec. Air. Court nay has left town for Grimsthorpe Castle. Lord amt Lady Prudhoe - still remain .at Stanwick Park. Early in the next month they go to Alnwick eastlo. - • Lady Louisa Percy had returned to IVelbeek rriorv, the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Portland. Lady Charlotte Dennison is entertaining a select party at Ossington. Nottinghamshire. . IVIZSCELLAANTEOUS. At the meeting of the Birmingham Suffrage Con ference, held in that town on Thursday, a series of resolutions was proposed, in which a Bill, prepared Under the auspices of the National Complete Suffrage Council, was set forth as the basis of discussion. An amendment was proposed by Mr. William Lovett, that " the Charter" should be substituted, which was 'seconded by Mr. J!eargus O'Connor, and carried by a kajority of 99. The consequence is a division of the Issi!ty. The weeping - willow on the grass plot of the garden Ott Walmer Castle has been grown from a slip pre knted to the Duke of Wellington by a gentleman, Who cut it from that overhanging Napoleon's grave lit St, Helena. 1 4LOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY) ''LONDON, DEC. 30.—Wind this day at noon, light Westerly airs and cloudy. .DEAL, DEC. 29.—A.M. Wind S.W., fresh.—r.ai. n•IV. moderate.—Arrd. Hinda, Bowman, Jamaica; 'Clyde, St. John's; Arethum, Hull for Boston. Arrd. !tom the River Devonshire, for Batavia ; Stag, Ma .(tras ; Lancashire Witch, Bahia; William Forster, 'mu; Switzerland, New York. CORR, DEC. 27.—Arrd. New City of Cork, Barnet, .Idarbadoes ; Wakefield, Quebec ; Sarah, Quebec. COWES, DEc. 29.—Arrd. Helena, Altona for Bahia ; bane, Lockhart, London for Dominica. PLYMOUTH, DEC: 29.—W ind S. W.—A rrd. Julia, " 41 - eihuish, and Eliza Ann, Gosling, Newfoundland. lIRISTOL, DEC. 29.—Arrd. Champlin, New Orleans. GLOUCESTER, DEC. 28.—Arrd. Dromohair, Payne, Bt. john's, N.B. ; Alice llaviland, Miramichi. Poarsmourit, Dtc. 29.—Wind W.N.W., strong a nd squally.—Arrd. Ocean, London for Sierra Leone. .':PALMOUTII, DEC. 29.=-Wind W., fresh breezes.- 4 114. Catharina Dorothea, Boghatin, Buenos Ayres, 1 111 4 sailed for Antwerp. )111 ONE Y aid COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, QUARTER TO THREE. '2, 7 llAe:Liverpool Cotton-market was good yesterday, t he sales having been 6.000 bales, at former prices, Teluding , 500 bales of American on speculation. `The Sbare.Market was firm. Eastern Counties New, 35 1 9 d.; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 47 1 1 • Grand so unctien, 190; Great Western, 90; Brighton, 36i; kid Paris and Rouen, 269. There does not appear to he much news in the let ers from th e U n it e d St a t es b roug ht by the Columbia . Monetary and commercial affairs were not in an encou lip^. in state, and languor pervaded most departments. The finances of Virginia appear now to be in an unsatis atetory state, but Ohio was improving. The Legisla r°e Session ',`of Illinois having commenced, it was Ped some provision would be made for the interest ql the debt. , are sorry to hear bad accounts of the state of Fade in Canada, partly owing to the panic produced Q. the alt e r a tion i n th e timber- laws, and also from . t he general depression in the Mother country. No doubt matters. will improve next year. • It is stated in , al eommunication froM Kingston, dated Dec. 2, that a Pneral want of money is the prevailing sensation. 'rho necessaries and luittries of .life are cheap and' 'Plentiful, but the means to purchase them are lament 'ably deficient. The farmers have their barns and :/granaries filled to repletion, while they can hardly e ottimand sufficienb ready cash to buy their wives a ` l4l * gown. Whrat is selling in country places at 'thre e shillings per • bushel, while no other kind of Stain can be sold for cash at any price. A country, i zinnot be called badly oft; when it has sufficient to e upon and to spare ; but it cannot be termed •'Prosperous, while the farmers suffer,' and every kind ''°f trade and commerce is at a stand still. 'lt is also mentioned in our advises that the capital •t 4 Prince Edward's Island bids fair to become in tithe ‘ l _ 4 l 3 lace of some note. .The situation is beautiful, and ' ;' ll virtg. a rich and well cultivated country around it, ' 4 'n can see nothing to retard its growth. The pro -gresg of the island-generally depends upon circum .4ances. No country ever thrived equal to its re sources that had, a large body of absent landowners Withdrawing from it a yearly portion in the shape of rent. The Colomial Herald says, that no less than buiklings of various classes and dimensions, ex clusive of stables, have been erected during the pre sent year. Several of those buildings are said to be c ommodious and elegant, and would do credit to places bf far loftier pretensions ,than Charlottetown. The trade of the port is stated to be rapidly on the i ncrease. Nearly. 200 vessels entered during the last quarter, including the dullost portion of the business eason. The Government at Lisbon, in consequence of the Vefusal of the holders of the Portuguese-Brazil Bonds 1 0 accede to the terms offered them some time since, as come to the resolution to make a new proposition, nut it will be time to comment thereon when the feeling of the Bondholders upon the subject shall have been more clearly ascertained. It is at least some sa tisfaction that an offer should have been made, since it "laces a desire on the part of the Government to come to some settlement. The-English Securities remain very firm, and the -1 111 party gains strength. The Commissioners for the Sav:ngs Banks were compelled to make their usual iurchwe in the Reduced Annuities at 4 per ae.vance this morning, viz. 94k. The Unfunded '''-ucbt is rising still, from the abundance of money, and the scarcity of this investment. The premium '' . ,"as . been 58s. to 625. East India Bonds participate !'n the rise, having been done at 51s. premium. lie 'itloced Three-and-a-Half per Cents. are 101* to 1011, .i 4 nd Long Annuities 12 9-16. Bank Stock is steady 14 1728. The Canada Guaranteed Debentures have touched 2 premium. The settlement in the Foreign Market has made Spanish Stock worse, the. Actives being down to 181 and 18 3 , and the Three per Cents. to 248 and 241 eortuguese Converted Bonds have been marked 344, 'Which is about the 'same. Mexican have been sup ten'ted at 314 to 32 ; Columbian at 221 to 22i • the Dutch Fiveßer Cents. have realised 1 0 1 to 101 . Railwaykhares are rather firmer. Edinburgh and Glasgow realise 2*; Bristol and Exeter, 21i ; Brigh ton 31; Midland Counties, 381; and South Eastern 21 discount. Great Western, New, are 14 ; L iiirmingharn, Quarter, 244 • Manchester and Leeds, , 2 i ; Rouen and. Havre, ; and York and North Mid- New, 18+ premium. London and Westminster bank were 17, premium. 1, PRICES- OF SHARES' THIS DAY AT ONE. RAI LW A TS. Paid. Per Share. 'Bristol and. Exeter 7O ..... Xdinkurgh and Glasgow t Great Western Ditto New ,London and Brighton .... 10 'Lond on an d Ilirmi ngkam • Ditt o Shares -- tau and Leeds 70 h l idland Counties... 100 uutli Eastern and Dover... Ditto Strip.. ... York and N-trth Midland SO Ditto New Shares... _ JOINT sroex. BANKS. "Bion:and Westminster .... 20 FOREIG E N FUNDS. - . Spanish Bonds, Five per Cent. Ditto for the ;:count Ditto-Three:per Celt+. MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 29.—The iniirket continues firm, and without any material alte ration in prices :—; South Eastern Scrip, 174 ; North 621 to 631 Manchester and Birmingham, 20 to 201 ; Sheffield and Manchester, 31* to 32 ; South Western, 62 to 621 ; •Manchester and Salford Bank, .10 15-16. DEATH or Loan Es.—We regret to learn that this able and eminent Judge expired at Leaming ton on Saturday afternoon. GRR A T WESTERN RAILWAY. — POOR-RATE.--A Petty Session was held at the Lamb and Lark Inn, Keynsham, on Friday last, when an appeal was brought by the ,Great Western Railway Company against the amount for which they had been assessed in respect of that portion of their line ".. Which passes through the parish of Keynsham. Mr. P. Ward and Mr. Knapp attended on behalf of the Company, arid_ Mr. J. L. Simmons supported the in s.; tkrest of the parish. After healing the arguments of -,:both' parties, the Magistrates dismissed the appeal„ confirming the rate as claimed by the parish, namely 1,200/. per mile for three miles, in the present in ' ttanee amounting to 901., or nearly one-fourth of the Whole rate. We understand that the Company . inteml further to .appeal to the Somerset Quarter Sessions. — . 6 6th Chrottkle: THE NATIONAL MERCANTILE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY, meeting for the kindness they had displayed towards him. Whenever they should think it better for the interests of the Society, that an individual of a higher station than himself should be placed over it, he would readily resign • the office into his hands.—(No, no.) The best exertions of his life, and his most ardent en deavours upon all occasions, should be devoted to their service. —(Cheers.) Mr. F. STARR proposed the health of the Direc. The Directors, members, and friends of the Na tional Mercantile Life Assurance Society, dined to gether last evening, at Lovegrove's London . Coffe ehouse, Ludgate-hill. Upwards of one hundred gen tlemen sat down to table, that number including gen tlemen connected with the most influential mer- cantile houses of the metropolis and the provinces. The statements made at the meeting prove that the Society is in a sound and prosperous condition, and rapidly taking a high rank among institutions of a similar kind. From the feeling that pervaded the gentlemen present, there is also no doubt that the be nevolent design entertained of establishing a school for the education of the orphan children of commercial travellers will be carried into execution. tors of the Nation - al Mercantile Association, which was received with loud cheers. He was obliged to them for the manner in which they had received the toast, as it took away from him a little of the difficulty under which he laboured. He read a list of the Di rectors, and stated that none of them would be found with long handles to their names. There was nothing about the Society being under the protection of his Royal Highness or of Dukes, or of Mar- ROBERT CURRIE, Esq., the Chairman of the So ciety, presided ; Mr. Stokes, Mr. M'Culloch, and Mr. Goodall acted as Vice-Presidents. The dinner was an excellent one, and the supply of wines both good and abundant. The evening was enlivened by songs and glees from the professional singers engaged for the occasion ; the musical arrangements were un der the superintendence of Mr. Field. On the re moval of the cloth Non IS obis Domine was sung, and The CHAIRMAN gave the first toast, " The Queen," one requiring,' he said, no comment, when he was addressing himself to an assembly of Englishmen. Drank with four times four. Air—" God save the Queen." The CHAIRMAN then gave " His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and his illustrious son the Prince of Wales." Air—" Long life to the Queen and the Prince." guises, the dignities coming down fine by degrees,, and beautifully less, till they became plain Esquires.—(Hear.) No, their names presented a phalanx of sterling industrious mercantile men, against whom the finger of scorn or doubt had never been pointed—(Cheers)—against whom the voice of calumny hid never been raised. These were men whose successful management of their own con • cerns furnished a fair inference that they would attend to those of the Society. In propos ing the health of a body like the present Directors it would be invidious to make anything like distinctions, but one or two facts had come to his knoWledge, of which he had not been previously aware. In addition to policies on their own lives, ,some of the Directors had taken out policies on the lives of their servants, paying the premiums them selves, as the reward of honesty.—(Cheers.) This was . • " The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal an example worthy of imitation, as doing honour, Family " was the next toast; and having been duly not only to their heads, but showing the honoured, kindly character of their hearts.—(Cheers.) After The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had to pro- eulogising the conduct of the Directors in the caution pose was one of the greatest importance to all of them, they had showr in the management of their affairs, he it 'was " The National and Mercantile Life Asau- concluded by proposing the toast. ranee Association, and success to it."—(Loud Cheers, Mr. J. Srxcsa returned thanks on behalf of his which continued for several minutes.) He Was de- colleagues. The duty they had to discharge was a lighted with the unanimity and warmth of feeling Very onerous one, especially when 'they had to decide which had been displayed by the meeting on the toast on the lives that were to be received or rejected in he had proposed. It might naturally be expected that the applications for insurances. Many intricate cases he should state something of the general views enter- were brought before them which required nice discri tained by the Society on this occasion, though there urination, entailing no small amount of mental labour; could hardly be any gentleman present who indeed he did not know but that the• affairs of the Would wish him to enter into any 'long Society gave him More anxiety than his own. There , array of figures. In the first place, they' NN'as an impression which lie wished to correct, which might accept his sincere assurance that their was that the Society was managed expensively ; he office was both safe and prosperous.—(Loud begged to say that there was no office of its size in cheers.) The business done during the past year London conducted' at less cost. He took this oppor had very greatly increased—(Cheers)—and at the tunity of stating this, because a contrary impression present moment they had arrived at a point at which had gone abroad among commercial gentlemen. Their they could look forward with great hopes, nay, with -exertions had hitherto been attended with great suc the almost certainty, of success for the future.— cess, and they only required union on the part of (Cheers.) The number of policies now actually commercial men to render their success complete.— opened at the office exceeded one thousand—(Cheers) (Cheers.) He begged to impress on the assembly —and so cautiously had the business of the office the great importance of 'the principles of Life Assur- been conducted by those gentlemen, who had brought ance.—(Cheers.) their friends around them, and by their worthy me- Mr. It. GOODALL proposed the Auditors.—(Cheers.) dical officers—(Hear, hear)--to whom they were Mr. STOKES returned thanks. Nothing could be greatly indebted, as they were also io the more gratifying than to have their healths drank in degree of caution exercised by the body of the Di- the manner in which the toast had been received. In rectors, that their losses during the past year had performing their duty the Auditors were uninfluenced hardly been worth mentioning.—(Loud cheers.) or biassed; they had looked neither to the right There had only been three small claims on them nor the left, but had endeavoured to give during the last year—(Hear)—and indeed he might satisfaction to all, at the same time per safely assure theta that if the business of the office was forming their trust faithfully.--s(Loud cheers.) as well done—if as much caution and circumspection Many objected to support a Society of this sort, be was exercised in the present year as in the last cause they should not themselves receive the benefit of it ; —their probable losses (luring the same time would but were they not going to establish a school ?And they be very small indeed. All this, however, de- would then have the satisfaction of benefiting others. pended on an all-wise Providence ; but under that There were few but who possessed some friend to Providence if such caution continued to be ex- whom they would have the power 'of doing good.— ercised he believed their losses would amount " Were man but as friendly to man as his Maker, to a very small sum. The Proprietary of the office, The whole earth would ring with the songs of the free." too, had very considerably increased during the past (Cheers.) Let them only consider the sentiment con year; the amount of money laid by, and invested in tamed in those two lines, and there was not a man public annuities and other most valid. and excellent but would endeavour to do an act of justice to his securities, had placed a considerable sum to the credit family, or himself, or others, by supporting the ob of the office; in short, he might say that the office jeers of the Society.—(Cheers.) was now out of every possible risk.—(Cheers.) They The CHAIRMAN gave, "The Secretary." only wanted a continuance of the same exertions in Mr. J. JONES returned thanks: Whatever difficul-. behalf of the Society, and in another twelvemonth th e y ties the position of Secretary to the Society presented, should be able to render such a Report a s w o u ld gra tify he could.assure them that lie had found no duty so them beyond measure. Itwouldill become himtodeliver arduous or so onerous as that of replying to the toast them a lecture on the necessity of men looking in time that had just been proposed. Ile believed he spoke to the advantage of life assurance. The truth was so the truth when he said, he was not accustomed to generally known, so generally acted on, and so uni- flattery at any time, but he endeavoured to speak versally recognised throughout' the great economic openly what he thought. In as few words society of England, that he need not' enforce on them as possible, then, he begged to thank them a truth of which they were so well convinced. lie cordially and sincerely for the manner in which was sure they would all go forth among their friends, they had proposed his health. Having said thus much and convince them also of a truth that had entered so with respect to the toast, they Would perhaps expect deeply into their own minds.—(Cheers.) He should him to say something on the subject of Life Assur now request them to do justice to the toast 'he had ante ; and on this subject, too, he should endeavour given—" The National and Mercantile Life AssUranCe to'inake his observations as short as possible. The Association, and success to it." principle of Life Assurance was based on combina- The toast was . drank with loud cheers. tion; that principle was not at all anew.one, although The CHAIRMAN next 'gave the Shareholders and theprinciple of life assurance was so. , They were all Policy-holders of the Society. He trusted - all who aware that the principle of combination was found ne were not now Shareholders would soon become so ; cessary even in the earliest ages. In the infancy ofsociety and as to the Policy-holders, it was their .interest to they fi and mankind obliged to unite together for wish them all a life reaching to the antediluvian age. common protection against the beasts of the forest, They 'could not live 'Mr over, Nit they might wish and to defend merchants from robbers, of tribes border them the age of Methusitleh.—(Laughter and Cheers.) • ing on civilization. The principles of corn- Mr. GILES REDMAYNE acknowledged the tsiast.--- bination_ were then advanced to the protection As a Proprietor of shares in the Society, he felt gra- from , shipwreck at sea and fires on ,shore, titled at the results which had just been stated to them and' Mast to the grand and noble subject of by the Chairman ; he rejoiced at the ° prospects of life assurance. At the outset of these undertakings, success which now hung round the Society, which as might be expected, a great number of visionary were most cheering to them all. He felt even more schemes were set on foot, which were productive of interested in the Policy-holders than ins the Share- great evils and sufferings. -Of 200 of those holders.—(Hear, hear.) He felt more for those who, undertakings, he believed, only four existed as widows and orphans, might live to enjoy the benefits at the present day ; of the life offices at of the Society ; and though it might be painful to present existing, he was bound to say they were contemplate the fact that they might require such aid, founded on sound principles, and, generally speaking, yet it was also a pleasing thing to reflect that by the conducted by honourable men. The only question means of the Society, they might be able - to soothe existing between the offices engaged in such active the sorrows, calm the fears, and check the sobs of many competition was as to the extent of benefit they could a heart.—(Cheers.) He mentioned a case in which give the assured, charging a sufficient premium to a widow had received 2,0001. from an insurance made cover every risk. The question was, whether it was by the husband only two years before. He rejoiced better to have a proprietary company, giving the to see around him men of such standing, wealth, and Shareholders a large dividend, or to have capital suffi worth of character, united in the same object, and he ciently large to cover all responsibility, and amongst the rest should re'oice that he had contri- give the Shareholders a share of the prO buted to the same good end, in promoting the objects fits, ,or . whether they should endeavour to of the Society.--(Cheers.) • walk alone without protection and depend on the Mr. J. R. CUFFLEY rose to propose the next toast, mutual contributions of each other. The plan they regretting that it. had not fallen into abler hands. had adopted was formed of the two principles. On Last year he had proposed the same toast, and they proper principles life offices were the most safe of then had to thank their friend, the Chairman, for the modern institutions, and they were a living instance kind manner in which he had presided over them; of the advantages of them.—(Cheers.) He should this year they had a double duty to perform in drink- endeavour to summarize his observations on this ing his ,health, as their Chairman, and as the Chair- subject as much as possible. Life Assurance man of the Association also.—(Loud cheers.) Some was available to every , class of society, the Societies boasted of having an Alderman, or some affluent and the needy, the high and the low, the titled person at their head, but they boasted of having person in trade and engaged in professions, the army at their head a sterling citizen.—(Cheers.) A gen- and navy, in short, every class of society that could tleman who had conducted his own affairs so well. that be mentioned. He felt it to be a great and glorious he had realised a large fortune, gave no bad omen, thing to be engaged in such an undertaking; he spoke now he was made Chairman of the Society, that he most sincerely, when he stated that he felt proud of would conduct their affairs in a similar able manner. the situation he held. He had been appointed with- When he (Mr. Cuffley) first joined the Society, he out favour or affection on the part of the D;rectors, called on Mr. Currie, who immediately came forward for until he appeared before them he was personally saying that if he could assist the views of the commer- unacquainted with one of them.. After quoting a cial travellers, be would do so. 'With great liberality strong. instance of the benefits of life assurance from he guaranteed the first portion of the guarantee fund. Chambers' Journal, he proceeded to notice some of —(Hear, hear.) He could bear witness to the the objections brought against insuring. Some parties Chairman's careful discharge of his duty. He at- objected on the ground of impiety; with those who held tended the meetings of the Society throughout several those opinions it was ofcourse uselessto attempt to argue. years; and, when difficulties made it doubtful whether Other persons object on . the grounds that they have they should be able to go on or not, he was the first always been in good health, and they say why . should to propose to double what he held on the guarantee they invest capital in an insurance office, giving the fund.—(Hear, hear.) When he looked at his inte- benefit to the Company ? But they should recollect grity and his moral worth, he thought they might well that to amass 1,0001. it would be necessary to lay by feel proud of such a Chairman.—(Cheers.) It was a 301. annually for 22 years ; but by insuring, the same pleasing thing to him to see assembled here this even- sum became available to the family on the payment of ing gentlemen who, on the first outset of the Society, the same amount of premium—not in 22 years, but were their opponents. Many doubted whether it within five minutes after the execution of the policy, would succeed, saying the Travellers would never be if it should so happen. There were rather more than able to get up a Society, they were not united. 100 persons present in the room at that mo- He asked them, what did they say now ?—(Cheers.) inent, and, according to the calculations of the He could tell them them that they had got up a Carlisle tables, of that 100, thirty-three individuals Society, and that a sound one. The Chairman had could not calculate on being in existence at the end of told them they had issued a thousand policies; there twenty-tWo years. Many of themselves must have were more ; they had issued 1,008, and they had re- met with some of the difficulties that were urged in ceived.l3 extra this day, and as there were 16 before defence of not insuring, such as the pressure of taxa the Board before, he was secure in saying the policies tion. There could be no doubt, that at the present were 1,030 in all.—(Hear, hear.) Since the present moment many persons felt that difficulty from the Secretary was appointed, they had never had a blank pressure of the Income-tax.—(Hear, • hear.) The day. It was evident from the quarters from which policy, or impolicy, of the tax itself was not at they came, that the Society was rapidly gaining con- all involved in the • question; still many persons nection. Ile was now going to make a little appeal of large means declined to avail themselves to his brother travellers. In the first days of the of the advantages of life assurance'; but Society very few came forward to assist it. Himself every man, immediately he embarked in business, and Mr. G. Redmayne were opposed in every corn- ought.to lay by a sum to provide against every pos mercial-room where they mentioned it. They were sible emergency. With respect to the advantages of frequently two against ten, yet they persevered, and the National Mercantile Assurance in particular, they fifteen of them procured policies to be taken to the were very great, in having men of business for its amount of 100,000/. If this could be done by so few, agents and directors, men who devoted themselves what could not the friends. he saw around him sedulously to its concerns. In addition to this was do now ? They ought to double their income during an advantage that no other office possessed—that of the next year. .He mentioned that the gentleman their own united and individual exertions in its be who was now their Actuary had left a permanent half; and those exertions had been mainly instru- Government situation to come to thern, and as th a t men t a l i n p l ac i ng th e Society in the position it at gentleman's name was attached to different mathe- p resen t occ upi e d. S o safe were th e y, that if not one matical publications, and knowing that his advice was . more policy should be brought in, they were asked professionally by the Poor-law Commissioners in a condition to go on for years without at the present time, he would ask if such a man as becoming bankrupt. Since he had been appointed Mr. Jones would have come to them if he had not Secretary, as had been truly observed, he had not had thought them safe? He could assure them that the one blank day; every day had brought in proposals Scotch offices thought highly of that gentleman, and ' for assurance to the Board. This very day there had if anything would induce in him a good opinion of the been laid before the Board fourteen proposals, Society-, it was that appointment. On behalf of him- ! amounting to 6,0001. He recommended the Society self and his brother travellers, he thanked Mr. Currie ; to go on as it had begun, and after stating his convic for having on all occasions advocated their inter- ; tion, that the high character of the Chairman was a ests ; and he trusted he would live to see the links ! sufficient guarantee against anything improper in the that bound the traveller to the present Society management, he concluded an able speech by saying fully carried out. He concluded by expressing his ' that in this, as in all other cases, honesty would be determination, in conjunction with his fellow travel- ' found to be.the best policy. lers, and with the assistance of the wealth and influ- I Mr. Wmcoxoia gave " The Medical Officers of ence of the Directors and Chairman, to establish a the Society," pronouncing a high eulogium on their school for the education of the orphan children of ' skill and attention to their duties. _ ........._ _ commercial travellers. Mr. G. CURSIIAM, M.D., acknowledged the honour. The health of the Chairman was then drank with In - what they had done they had merely acted nine times nine. strictly up •to their duty. With respect to The Cue.uut4N, in a feeling manner, thariked the what had been said about no life which had THE SUN, 'LONDON, FRIDAY EYENING, .been admitted by him having dropped, he believed the result of his observation would tend to dispel an im pression that the lives of commercial men were more uncertain than those of other elasses.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The healths of _ . the Legal Officers of the Institution." J. S. NEWnON, Esq., returned thanks. He was particularly gratified at receiving such a tribute of respect at the hands of such an intelligent company. It was particularly gratifying to si professional man, who was exposed to all manner of calumnies and pre judices in the minds of the vulgar. The amalgama tion that had taken place in the two Societies had given. the National Mercantile Association a solidity which otherwise it would have taken years to accom plish.—(Cheers.) Mr. YOUNG felt proud of being able to say that he was as old a traveller as many of themselves, and as such he had a toast to propose for their consideration and approval. That toast was one with which was connected with much that redounded to the credit of the character of this country—" The Mercantile Travel lers of Great Britain."—(Cheers) He was sorry that he had not been informed at an earlier period of the clay that such a toast was to be allotted to him ; he had been told on the previous day that his name was to be associated on the present occasion with the toast of the Press, and for that he should be happy if called on to return thanks; but lie had not been told that lie was this evening to propbse such a toast as that of the "Mercantile Travellers of Great Britain." He might well hesitate in under taking such a toast, including, as it did, all that was associated with the character of England for com mercial enterprise. But still lie did not despair of doing justice to it, in a' straightThrward and unam bitious rranner.—(Cheers.) Enterprise had ever been the motto of The Sun—(Cheers)—and "go a-head" was the motto of the English commercial traveller.— (Cheers and laughter.) Animated by such a common' principle, then, they met on equal terms, and as such he hailed them as fellow-brethren.—(Loud cheers.) They did the best they could for themselves, and in so doing, did their best to benefit those friends who derived advantage from their exertions. That had always been his motto ; for he would scorn to de rive the :benefit of a single farthing, if he hurt his neighbour to the extent of half that amount.—(Hear, hear.) The enterprise of English commercial tra vellers was proverbial; it might be -expr(ffiscd in the words of the poet : " Far as the breeze can bear the billows' foam, Survey our empire, and behold our home." English enterprise winged its way into all corners and regions of the earth, and the result was the prosperity and glory of the nation.—(Chees.) That was their especial honour ; they were there the representatives of the ingenuity and the enterprise of the calculating, hardworking, and determined perseverance which en abled England to surpass all m other. :nations. But the immediate purpose of their assembling was not for the benefit merely of themselves, but of their posterity. They represented the intelligence, the working spirit, the indomitable perseverance and the knowledge of business—in short, the enterprise, of the kingdom. The toast he had been asked to propose was one of immeasurable interest, as it comprehended the mercantile interest of England, and that was the mercantile greatness of the world.—(llear, hear, and cheers.) Within the last few years the Character of the whole body of travellers was improved. A more provident feeling had sprung up. 'They now felt that they did not live only for themselves, but for their families and posterity. They now also felt the neces sity of a connecting bond, and they had, therefore, founded a Society based upon genuine principles— that of mutual assistance.—(Cheers.) Like all pro vident men, they looked forward to a rainy day, and, to make assurance doubly sure, they provided for the day to come. It was said by idle people. that Providence took all mankind under its wing; but the true providence was to take care of themselves, and Providence would be sure to help them.—(Cheers.) In fact, Providence left lazy people to take care of themselves---(Laughter) —but to the man who exerted himself and did his best, Providence was always at hand.— (Cheers.) Acting on this principle, they had founded a Society which was a comfort for the present, and a sure reliance for the future.--(hear, hear.) Each of them had gone many a long journey, and re turned home to the happy bosom of their families — but there was a journey yet to come= " That undiscovered bourne From whence no traveller returns--- for which this very praiseworthy Society was es tablished.—(Cheers.) This feeling was, in hi s humble opinion, enough. to insure its complete success. — (Hear, hear.) n In fact, their success was. placed beyond doubt from the number of policies which they had.. issued. up to the present time-7--one thousand and thirty—a number, as their very intelligent Secretary stated quite :sufficient to work with a good profit; but he had no doubt that in a few years their poli cies, instead of one thousand and thirty, would amount to thirty thousand.—(Cheers.) And the reason was obviousmen who looked to their own business were. sure to see it well done. • Self-interest was the salt of the world, as self-preservation was the first law of nature.—(Cheers.) And they had gone what n is g eto thefoood f.o untttr ol i n• i lt e is ead—Natu re—who taught us tiu that g ood for another ; and so they, had made a stock-purse for future demands. (Ikar, hear.) There was another Society similar to theirs—a very .respectable Society indeed—but there was this remarkable difference between them that the object of the one was charity—the other in dependence.—(Cheers.) It was said that charity covered a multitude of sins—but the proud bearing of independence was to avoid their commission.—(Cheers.) That was the grand principle of their Association— they united to do good, and to encourage each other • doing all the good in their power. That was truly It mutual association, founded in virtue—for vice is not mutual, its very elements are discordant, for no two vicious people ever agree in the long run.— (Cheers and laughter.) As to the other Society, their object was good, and he did not see why there should be any or jealousy between them—the world was wide enough for them both—and he thought they would best serve the cause of charity by shaking hands on the altar of benevolence.—(Cheers.) One word more, and he would conclude. They were all men of business, and in their travels kept a sharp look out for orders. Taking a leaf out of their ' book, he, too, would take • advan tage of a good opportunity, and do a mutual benefit.—(Hear, hear.) He ‘would not, like many of their customers, confine himself to one description of goods, but he would embrace the whole circle of com merce—he would give a general commission to them all, and so prevent jealousy—he would ask every traveller to become a reporter for The Sun.—(Laughter.) By that additional duty they would benefit him, and serve to enlighten the world—by making " Quick observation, with extensive view, ".Report all news from China to Peru." —(Cheers and laughter.) lie thanked them for their courtesy, and would conclude by wishing success to the Mercantile Travellers of the United Kingdom.— (Cheers.) The healths of the Stewards and Vice-Presidents were then given, and acknowledged, and the Chair man left the chair, to which Mr. Stokes was unani mously called. Several toasts and healths followed, among which were, the " Liberty of the Press and Mr. Murdo Young," the healths of Mr. Cuffley, Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Bailey, and other gentlemen, and the hilarity of the evening was kept up till a late hour. The whole of the proceedings passed off with the greatest conviviality. Last week an employe of the Custom-house at Dunkirk, having need of a little sand, went and took some from the bottom of the wall of the Belvidere. Some boys who were playing on the rampart above, seeing the man stoop (limn, imagined that he was hiding money, and, as soon as he was gone, hastened down to turn over the sand. 'They had notttraked long with their hands when they perceived two little feet stick ing up. Frightened at the discovery, they ran away, but some other persons in passing saw the feet, and drew out the body of a newly born child; the head was fractured in various places, and suspicion was ex cited against a girl who had left her h ome o ne or two approach, threw days before. Orders were given to arrest her, but she, on seeing a soldier and policeman herself into the sea. The soldier saved her, and she is at present in custody.- it is proposed to erect, by •subscripti on , -- NVe have heard that a magnificent mo lj n O u ß m p en E t D VI W ' A hi R C D h S sha f l E l l"E co l. mmemorat e the distin guished s:rvices of the late General Lord Edward Somerset: We have much pleasure in making this communication, as we are convinced that in the Gloucester,cownintlelc,the undertaking will which his Lordship was so be hailed with great satisfaction,.and will be generally and cordially supported.—Bath Chronicle. county long intimately APPALLING ACCIDENT IN OXFORD-STREET.—YeS-, terday the following melancholy accident occurred James Banfield, a waggoner (who resides at No. 12, King-street, Golden-square, and has a wife and seven children), arrived at Mr. Ward's timber-yard, Ox ford-street, with a timber-carriag e laden with deal planks. In removing the iron chain by which they were secured on the carriage it suddenly gave way, and the deals slipped off, knocking the unfortunate man down, and falling on him. Assistance was im mediately rendered, and the poor sufferer as quickly as possible extricated—presenting a shocking spec tacle, the bones of the left leg and right thigh being dreadfully fractured. He was immediately removed on a police stretcher to Middlesex Hospital, where, on his admission, he was instantly attended to ; and it was found necessary immediately to amputate the leg ; the fractures of the thigh were afterwards reduced. From the injuries on the head and body, however, but I slight hopes of his recovery are entertained, • IJECEM BElt 30, 1342. MARKET N.EIV S. (THIS I)AY.) CORN EXCHANGE-FRIDAY. The arrivals of English Wheat having been again very limited, and the stands, in consequence, poorly supplied with samples; holders, to-day, were firm for advanced rates, however; the market closed rather dull, at about Monday's figures. We had a good re tail inquiry for foreign Wheat, at full rates of cur rency ; but, in bonded parcels, next to nothing doing. The sale for Barley and Malt was rather slow, at late quotations. Of Oats, we had a liberal arrival of both English and Foreign, which kept that article in a dull state. Old Beans and Peas were ls. lower. In other articles next to nothing doing. ARRIVALS. Wheat. English 1,930 trs. Irish Foreign ..... 1,020 Barley. 8,8}•0 qrs. Oats. Flovr. 6050 qrs. ,'1 310 SASES 13,060 -- Malt, 3,010 qrs SMITHFIELD. The supply of Beasts on offer in to-day's market being extensive, the weather unfavourable to slaughter ing, and the attendance of buyers scanty, the Beef trade was very dull, at an abatement on Monday's prices of quite 2d. per Blbs. From various parts of England we received 800 beasts, and from Scotland 75 Scots. The numbers of Sheep were tolerably good, while the - .Mutton trade was slow, at late rates. We had a full a verage num b er o f Calves on sale, which met a slow inquiry, at about Monday's quota tions. In Pigs a fair. business was doing. There was no foreign stock in the market. Welch Cows sold at from 161. to 191. 10s. each, including their small calf. iIOILOUGZI HOP MARKET. As is almost invariably the consequence during a holiday week, the amount of business passing in Hops, since our last, has been; l extremely limited, at almost nominal quotations:—East Kent in pockets, 51 lOs to 61 lOs; Mid Kents, do, 51 5s to 61; do in bags, 4/10s to 51 ss; Sussex, 41 lOs to Si 8s; Fun hams, 81 to 101; Old Hops, 3/ to 4/ 10s. PRICES rra STONE OF BLBS., TO SINK THE OFFAL. s. d. to s. d.l v. d. tor. d. interior Beasts ..... 0 8 21 Inferior 5heep......... 3 4 3 6 Second quality ditto 3 4 3 Si Second quality ditto... 8 3 310 Prime large Oxen 3lO 4 0 Coarse-woolled ditto.. 310 4 2 Prime Scots, &c. 4 2 4 4 Seuthdown Wethers 4 4 4 6 Large coarse Calves 3lO 4 2 Large Hogs ....... ...... 310 4 4 Prime small ditto 4 4 4 6 Small Porkers .. ... 4 6 411 Slckling Calvcr, each 16 0 30 01 Quarter old Pigs, each 15 U 0 0 su E PLY AT MARKET. Paasts. I Sheep. I Calves.. Pigs. 999 3,400 171 1 241 NEIRTGAT3I AND LEAD33NZI.AIM. We had a very heavy inquiry for each kind of meat on sale to-day, at the following prices:— At per atone, by the Carcase. a. d.tos. d a. d. to s d. Beef, inferior 3 0 3 2 Mutton, Inferior S 2 3 4 - middling 3 2 341 - middling 3 6 3 8 -- prime large 3 4 3 b. - prime 310 4 2 - prime 5ma11.... 3 6 3 8 Pork, large "I 6 4 0 Veal ..«....«.«.«.«..... 3 8 4 4 4 2 4$ COLONIAL. We have only to notice the condition of the follow ing articles : TEA.—The market is firmer since the public sales, although very little is doing. TAJ.Low•—P.Y.C. is 47s 9d to 48s per cwt on the spot. 'COTTON.—There is a moderate demand at full prices, COUNTRY CORN MARKETS. 5. le I 39 48 35 48 35 3$ Wheat. Barley. Oats. Leans. PCIlle• Per Quarter Boston Braintree ighton Cambridge. Chichester Dunmow Grantham Grimsby Hailsham Hitchiu Ipswich Lewes Lynn Maidstone Norwich l'etworth [loin ford a. to a. a. to a. a, to a. a. to S. 24 50 22 38 18 22 35 33 42 50 27 22 33 38 41 52 27 31 22 26 36 41 46 52 23 18 1 - 82 44 52 28 30 19 22 40 42 40 43 20 33 20 23 l V 36 46 55 24 27 21 Y 8 32 86 40 50 29 33 lb 21 36 40 46 52 23 32 19 21 30 34 40 57 27 34 20 30 34 45 46 53 23 29 19 22 26 28 41 50 24 28 19 22 00 36 40 46 26 28 18 V 24 28 49 50 36 39 126 32 38 40 48 51 23 28 24 28 32 34 47 5' 28 30 91 24 39 40 42 49 25 30 18 22 28 32 50 56 30 31 21 14 32 23 dl 64 32 36 24 28 40 44 42 47 28 34 17 19 24 26 42 52 23 30 18 23 21 26 50 55 59 32 20 23 38 40 VERPOOI. CORN M AftKET.—Dec. 27 tab, White, per 701 b... Red 'h, Welch, and Manx , White 6 4 6 8 Red G 0 6 6 Sandwich 1 tnetford Wisbech ..., Witham% Yarniouth 1 LI WHEAT, EngIII -- Scotcl --. high, 26 40 :9 32 2$ 32 29 as, IS 25 32 ats 20 SO 31 32 3 , 1 38 27 30 23 20 33 41 21 28 27 :6 28 $3 —............ F0reign........ 5 0 3 0 OATS, English. Welsh, and Scotch, per 451 b 2 0 2 7 Irish .... 00000 -... 00000 ..... 0000000000 ..—.—. ...... ". 2 3 2 4 Foreign u t. 0 0 BARLEY, English, Malting, per Imp. quarter" 29 0 32 0 Scotch and Irish, per 0011 x......« 3 6 310 ----- Feeding ••••••••• ............. ••••• 0000000000000 BEANS, English, per Imperial quarter .... 34 0 36 u -- Irish, &c. • ••••••••• 0000000000 ••••••••••• 00000000 ...... L 8 11 31 0 Foreign ?EASE, English, per Imperial quarter 32 0 34 0 --- Foreign noun, English, per 2501 b. 3i 0 41 0 ---. Irish OATMEAL, English and Irish, per 2401bs "2O 9 22 9 INDIAN Cosh, per 480th ~.......... 0000000000 eons 26 u 28 0 ME, per Imperial quarter 3O 0 32 0 MALT, per Imperial quarter .......... 000000000000 POLICE INTELLIG ENCE. CLERKEN WELL.—(THIS DA Y.) George Page was charged with feloniously enter ing filo house of Mr. Stephen Nicholls, a jeweller, residing in . Brewer 7 street,_Clerkenwell. _ _ Mr. Nicholls said on the previous night, between six and seven o'clock he was sitting at work in his own shop, when he heard the street door gently open and as gently close again. Hearing no footsteps in the passage he became suspicious, went into the hall, opened the street door, and on looking out saw a man standing watching outside, who as soon as he found himself noticed ran away. Witness immediately shut the door, pulled the lodgers' bell violently, and some of them coming down, with a candle searched the parlour, where the prisoner lay concealed under a sofa. A constable was immediately sent for, and on his person were found the skeleton key with which he opened the door, and a quantity of lucifer matches. He was taken to the station-house. Mr. COMBE asked the prisoner if he had anything to say for himself ?—The prisoner said he came to set a stove, and was sent there by Jones, a bricklayer. Inspector Barton said, when taken to the station house he gave several references, but on inquiry they all turned out to be false. Mr. Comm sentenced him to two months' impri sonment in the House of Correction. ST. MART'S LAMDETlL—Yesterday, a vestry meet ing of the inhabitant ratepayers of the parish of St. Mary, Lambeth, was held at the Vestry..hall, in Church-street, for the purpose of submitting the churchwardens' account to the ratepayers, and to take into consideration the propriety of dedicating to the use of the public the following roads or places, which, after a discussion pro and con, of several hours' dura tion, was carried unanimously :—The Southampton New-road, leading from South Lambeth into the Clapham-road, being about 800 yards in length ; Cavendish-road, leading from Devonshire-road, Wandsworth, into the footpath from Larkhall to South Lambeth, length about 150 yards ; Park crescent, Park-road, Stockwell, 1,045 feet ; Grove road, leading from the Brixton-road to the Clapham road, 874 feet; Park-road, leading from the Clapham to the Brixton-road, an addition of 892 feet; Lorn road, leading from the Brixton to the Claitam-road, 839 feet, &c. ; Tulse-hill to the New Chuish, Strea tham, to be called Church-road. Also a ceatain high way, situate between the Westminster-bridge-road and Stangate-street, a length of about 300 feet. A considerable discussion took place on a motion as to passing the last half-year's account of the church wardens, amounting to 26,9311. 10s. ld., which, on account of some alleged irregularity, was negatived ; and the same was referred back to the churchwardens ; the numbers being, for the passing of the accounts 21, against it 36. The other business of the vestry having been gone through, thanks were voted to the chair man, 'V. Harrison, Esq., and the vestry was dissolved. ASHFORD—CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.--A few days since the inhabitants of this town were duly informed by placard, that a purse containing t wo c h ecques an d cash, together amounting to 761. 10s., had been lost by Mr. Paine. miller and paper-manufacturer, and the greatest vigilance was adopted to detect the possessors of the unduly acquired property. As last Tuesday week was the market day, it was thought probable that the cheques might be presented at the banks, but the day passed without intelligence of them. On Mr. Paine's return to his residence he felt strongly im pressed with the conviction that he had laid his purse on the dressing-room table. The next day a rat hunt took place in the mill, and while clearing gut a lumber room, at the distance of nearly 50 yards, a rat-hole was discovered filled with pieces of paper, &c. This, on being cleared out, discovered the lost purse, with its contents uninjured, which:must have been conveyed the above distance through several frequented rooms. Dover Chronicle. PROVINCIAL THEATRICALS.—TRURO THEATRE.— On Monday, a most extraordinary occurrence cut short the evening's amusements. The curtain had just fallen at the close of the third act of Othello, when a sudden uproar behind the scenes announced the performance of some parts not in the play-bill. After some minutes of suspense, the Moor himself, bearing on his cheek and visage evident marks of a recent scuffle, came forwardand explained the cause of the confusion, It appeared that the person to whom had been assigned the part of Cassio, not trusting to his own powers to do justice to the character, had qua lified himself to enact the drunken scene by ample potations, forgetting that it was necessary he should be sober when the scene was over Loosing all com mand of himself off the stage, having probably been excited by his feigned quarrel, he knocked down the manager, furiously attacked the rest of the company, and finally made his escape in full costume. After some delay two or three scenes minus Cassio were got through, and the speCtaters, after having been pre sented with free tickets of admission to the next per formance, quitted the house. Wynne, the delinquent, has not since been heard of.--Falmouth Packet. The Hon. Thomas Kenyon made his usual gift of a fine ox to the poor fAmil.ies of the parish of Oswestry. THOUGH TS on POSTAGE REFORM (From the Morning Advertiser.) EVENING DU TT.-INLANDrOFFICE. Precisely at half-past four in the afternoon the " duty" in the "Inland-office" begins. Before this hour several mail-carts have taken up letter-bags from the various " receiving -houses," situate in every part of the metropolis. These collections are consecutively continued until the closing of the " boxes" in the hall of the General Post-office. The bags which have been received prior to the commencement of business are " ticked of as stated by us in our notice of the "morning duty." They are then emptied of their contents, and the letters and newspapers are conveyed in baskets to the inner office, where they are thrown, en masse, upon a large table, and "faced." This ope ration consists in placing the directions so as to face the person so employed, for the purpose of facilitating the 1% hole of the subsequent part of the process. As they are being faced, those which are pre-paid are laid before the stamper, who impresses each letter with the evening stamp. While this operation is being performed upon the letters collected by the medium of carts, other arrivals are continually pouring in. From the " ring-bags" of the letter-carriers, and the boxes of thb office- in St. Martin's-le-Grand, a constant supply is regularly maintained, so that the different parts of the duty are thus rendered capable of simultaneous performance. After stamping with the outward date stamp, the label is defaced by what is called the obliterating stamp. Certainly a misnomer in this case, as it frequently happens from the rapidity and carelessness of the stamper:: • that the postage frank is scarcely tou c h e d—h ar dl y defaced, not obliterated, and therefore likely to be used again, to the injury of the revenue. This being done, the letters are con veyed to the " sorters," who separate them into as many parts as there are mail-coaches or railroads for their transmission ; they are then subdivided into towns, put into pigeon-holes representing those towns, tied up into bundles, and returned into the boxes until the latest moment preceding the 4 ;making-up" of the mail. This notice gives only a general outline of the duty. Besides this regular course, there are circumstanc es which necessarily cause a variation in it. Let it ba supposed that a letter is posted, subject to the following official irregularities or distinctions : without an address superscribed, but im perfectly directed unpaid intended for any of the Ministers of State or her Majesty,. Prince Albert, or any part of the Royal Family a specific mode is adopted in these cases, suited to the peculiarities of the case. A letter finds its way intc7 the Post-office without a direction, a circumstance of daily occurrence. It is quite clear that the wishes of the writer, in having it forwarded to his correspond ent cannot be complied with ; it is therefore treated as a "blind letter," and forwarded to the Dead Letter office to be returned to the writer if he has given his address; if not, it is treated as waste paper. Imperfectly directed letters are very numerous, and it is no wonder that they are so, as it is impossible for the public to understand upon what principle they ought to be addressed so as to prevent the trouble they occasion. Frequently, in endeavouring to be explicit, the sender causes difficulty to the Post-office. As a rule, it is best to direct as simply as possible, without attempting to instruct the Post-office in their own business, for the proper performance of which they are, or ought to be, held responsible. It is but justice to state, that in all cases of this kind there is, on the part of the " blind" clerks of the office, the utmost diligence and anxiety evinced, in order to forward the unintelligible correspondence to its in tended destination. Unpaid letters impede the evening duty upon the same principle as they do the duty of the morning, from the fact qf their being unpaid. Taxing, account ing for, and debiting, fbrm an amount of surplus labour, the expense of which is not covered by the additional rate of charge, while the process itself de stroys the power of the Post-office, which power con sists in its capability to perform the greatest possible amount of duty in the most effective manner, and with the greatest possible dispatch. Dispatches sent in pouches or cases, intended for the Queen, Prince Albert, or any other branch of the Royal Family, or to the Ministers of State, are specially confided to the charge of the "Inspectors of Official Correspondence," who personally witness their being safely deposited in the bag of the post town to which they are sent.- Any neglect on the part of such officers would subject them to the loss of their situations. In such cases it is not possible for the Post-office authorities to do more. From half-past four to half-past seven the above process proceeds. , As the letters are received, so they are sent forward through the various stages of official practice above enumerated. By this time the supplies of the carts are exhausted, the letter-c irriers have poured out the contents of their bags into the general stream, and now they are actively engag_d forwarding the duty. The last drawer from the wil dows of the hall under the portico of the office h:s been emptied, and nothing now remains but to ply every energy to assort the few thousand letters still untouched. Every man is at his post. The thousands are divided into hundreds, and subdivided into much smaller quantities. A few minutes elapse—the letters are distributed, and by fif,een minutes to eight only a few stragglers are left, which have been accidentally taken to a wrong di vision of the office. Another minute, and the last letter appears, the centre of the office and the assorting tables are deserted, and completely around the vast parallelogram of the Inland-office may be seen about three hundred men, all employed, but no one inter fering with the business of the other. The bags are now filled, then tied and sealed. There stands the mail-guard, witnessing their being deposited in his road-sack in such order that he may draw them out as he reaches the several towns on his route ; another moment, and the duty is completed. Simultaneously the sacks are shouldered by the men, and by the time St. Paul's tolls out eight of the clock, the " mes sengers of weal or woe" are on the way to their destination, to distribute hope, and joy, and fear, and love, to tens of thousands of the anxious souls who form the family man. EVENING DUTY.-NEWSPAPER OFFICE. Adjoining the Inland-office is situated .the News paper-office, which extends the whole length of front, from the portico to the right wing of the build ing. The duty commences at half-past five o'clock in the evening, except Monday and Saturday, upon which days it begins three-quarters of an hour ear lier, to meet the vastly additional number of newspa pers that are posted on those days. The papers, after being taken from the collected bags in the Tick room, are carried through the Inland Sorters'-room into the Letter-Carriers'-bffice. Here they are " faced" in a similar manner to the letters, with this difference, that from their hulk they are placed in trays for the purpose of sorting. The same prin ciple is followed up respecting the division of them as we have previously detailed ; .the object being in both instances the same. Generally the pressure of the duty in this office is overcome by seven o'clock ; the great glut occurring immediately before six, after which hour a half- penny is charged for forwarding each paper. From seven until twenty minutes past that hour there are not more, upon an average, than three hundred papers posted; but during the next ten minutes, the latest period allowed for posting for that night's dispatches, there are upwards of two thousand more. Of these the second editions of the even ing papers form the principal part—The Sun alone sending daily not less than one-half of the entire number. The papers are received at the win dow by an officer appointed for the purpose. He throws them into a basket, whence they are taken by one of the Assistant -Inspectors of Letter-Carriers and " told." The amount of the tale is then charged upon the receiver, and handed at the close of the evening by the Inspector to the President on duty in the Inland-office, who transfers it with his other receipts to the Receiver-General. By twenty minutes to eight the mass of papers are in the boxes, and in five minutes more the bags are " made up" and taken to the Inland-office to receive the letters. Upon no evening in the week are there less than thirty thousand papers passing through this office, and on Saturday evening the average num ber is not less than one hundred thousand! Not less than seventy pounds per month are averaged by the halfpence taken at the " too late" window, and what is still more surprising and satisfactory to notice is the fact, that notwithstanding the enormous number constantly passing through this department, the complaints of failure do not average more than thirty weekly, many of which are made pre maturely by parties, who too often act before they give themselves the trouble to think. That failures do occur is true, and that cause for complaint respecting them exists is true also ; but it should be remembered, that if a newspaper does not arrive when expected, it may be accidentally " mis-sent," and if so it will reach with the stamp of the town to which it has been so forwarded, by enclosing which cover due caution would be exacted in future from the care • less author of the mistake. Judging from these facts, we opine that much credit is due from the public to the functionaries who have the control and superin tendence of this important branch of the service, the whole business of which is transacted by the inspector of letter-terriers, his assistants, the sub-sorters, and letter-carriers of the General Post-office. VERAX. SCARCITY OF FUEL.—Firewood is said to be so scarce in some parts of the Middle States, that a man with a wooden leg is afraid to venture out after dark, for fear of being robbed of it.—New York paper. ANOTHER SIGN OF THE TIMES.—We recently sta'ed that the Sovereign day coach from this city to London, via Oxford and the Great Western Railway, instead of running daily, would only run for four days in the week, and we have now to state that it has al together ceased to run, Friday having witnessed its last JoUrney.--}Vorcestershire Chronicle. THE INCOME-TAX. A numerous and highly respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Gravesend was held on Wednesday .evening last, at the Puncheon Tavern, in order to re ceive the Report or'sc - eommittee appointed to draw up a petition against the Income-tax. The ch a i r was taken by Mr. H. Eversfield, and the meeting was ad- Idressed by several gentlemen, all of whom, though in many instances differing in general politics, concurred in denouncing the impost as the most hateful and op pressive of modern days. The following petition was then read, and unani mously agreed to : " To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, the humble petition of the undersigned inhabitants of, and owners of property in, the borough of Gravesend, " Showeth—That your petitioners, callins to mind that the grounds ou which the First Lord of her Ma jesty's Treasury proposed a duty on property and in come were, the necessity of meeting the expenses of the wars with China and Affghanistan, are of opinion that such wars being terminated successfully, the ne • cessity for the tax has terminated also, and more par ticularly as the amount t o b e received from China will no doubt meet the expenses already incurred for such wars. " That the above tax is inquisitorial, oppressive, unequal, and therefore unjust. " That it is provided by the said Act, that the sur veyor of any district shall be remunerated for his in dustry in assessing her Majesty's subjects to the highest amount, which renders the above tax in its ope ration, as well as in its principle, highly objectionable. " Thdt the regulations and ceremonies to be ob served in appealing, and in cases of persons of small incomes in obtaining re-payment of their duties, arc so numerous and unintelligible that large sums are by these means alone extracted from the pockets of her Majesty's subjects, contrary, as your petitioners be lieve, to the intention of the Legislature. " Your petitioners, therefore, — carnestly pray that the Act of the sth and 6th Victoria be fortlmith pealed. " And your petitioners," &c. It was then resolved that the petition should be en trusted for presentation to Lord John Russell instead of to the county Members. Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, the meeting separated—the members of the Association present having pledged themselves to move a similar petition in the Town Council. s THE WIND-UP SA.LE OF WIGNEY'S PROPER TY. The property being fully mortgaged, realised but little beyond the sums lent upon it, although the amount came up to the most sanguine expectations of the assignees. The competition was spirited. We subjoin the particulars :—For Lot 1, the banking house and residence adjoining, purchased by Mr. Isaac Bass, there were twenty biddings, the last being 4,6701. The residence of Mr. Fitzroy, 15, Oriental place, fetched 1,250/., and there were seventeen bid dings. The house at the corner of Qld Steine and Castle-square realised 5251., the last bidder being the fifteenth. For the contingent and. reversionary in terest of Mr. I. N. Wigney, in 63, Regency-square, their were twenty competitors, and the selling price was 2001. One-fifth of a fee-farm rent of 101. per annum, giving a vote for West Sussex, fetched 46/. ; and there were eight competitors. Seven persons competed for the " twenty - 201. Brighton and Hove Gas Shares," which were bought for 1351. A 1001. share in the Hurstperpoint and Cuckfield Turnpike Road produced 441., after eight biddings. The next lot, " fifty shares in the Palladium Life Office," pro duced 72/., the last of nineteen biddings. A Policy for 5001. in the London Assurance Office, on the life of Richard Inman, realised 1301. after seven biddings. There were some other lots, among which was one of " Four certificates of Shares in• the Missouri and Ar kansas Clamorgan Land Association, United States, for 3601. each ;" for this lot there were six competitors, and the selling price was 6/.—Brihtoit Gazette. • EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.—I esterday evening, Mr. Higgs held an inquest at the Star and Falcon, Down-street, Piccadilly, on the body of Emily Frances Chardonnell, aged 43. Mr. Henry Fuller, of No. 112, Piccadilly, stated, that he was called in to attend deceased, in Down-street, Piccadilly, on Mon day evening last. Witness found deceased lying in bed, quite dead. She had evidently 4i,zen so about six hours. Witness found a bottle of laudanum concealed between the bed and the mattress. Upon a post niartem examination of the corpse, witness found a quantity of laudanum. The bottle that witness had previously found between the bed and mattress was partly empty, there being about 480 drops deficient, iVhich quantity was quite sufficient to cause death. From the internal appearance of the body, witness believed that de ceased's death was caused by taking laudanum. Ellen M‘Mation servant to Madame Comte, of Down-street, Piccadilly, stated that deceased was a lodger in the house. She was a governess. On Monday evening last, between eight and nine o'clock, witness happened to go into deceased's bed-roan, ald found her dead in bed. Witness never remarked that she was suffer ing from depression ,of spirits. A number of letters and parcels were found in deceased's room, sealed with black, and addressed, in deceased's han d- writiug, to various friends. Madame Comte stated that de ceased had lodged with her about a fortnight. She sometimes spoke of having suffered a great deal of trouble. In addition to the parcels and letters above mentioned found in deceased's room, there was a let ter addressed to witness, which, on opening, witness found to contain instructions as lo the delivery of the other letters and parcels. One of the parcels was for witness, and on being opened was found to contain V., balance due to witness for rent. In a letter that con tained the money deceased stated she was very un happy in her mind, and had disposed of all her pro perty, according to the directions on the parcels. De ceased also added that, on her body being found, she wished witness to call in a surgeon, to prevent the possibility of her being buried alive. Verdict—" Died from taking laudanum while in a state of mental ex citement." The annual bounty of the Hon. R. H. Clive, M.P., of four oxen, with bread, &c., was distributed to the poor of Stewell Redditch and Bentley Pauncefort, on Wednesday. E. T. Foley, Esq., and Lady Emily, of Stoke Edith, have distributed, in their usual bounty to the poor of Stoke Edith, upwards of 1,2001b5. of beef, and nearly 40 bushels of wheat; and in the parishes of 'Weston, Yorkhill, &c., 401. in money. We learn from Vienna, Dec. 19, that Prince Met ternich has so fully recovered from his late indisposi tion as to be able to resume his evening parties. - His first grande soiree of the season was on the 18th. Amongst the guests was Prince Milosch of Servia. The Rev. Lord Berwick gave two fat beeves, which were distributed to his neighbouring cottatgers, in the parishes of Herrington and Ateham for their Christmas. MR, 'O. H. Toutmix.—This gentleman's 13th an nual concert drew a numerous and highly respectable audience to the Horns, Kennington, on Wednesday night, though not quite sufficient to fill the large assembly-room. All the musical members of the fa mily appeared on the occasion ; Mr. E. Toulmin, the pianist, who officiated as conductor ; Mr. A. Toulmin, who displayed his powers of execution in a fantasia on the harp; Mrs. A. Toulmin, well known as a very pleasing singer; and Mr. 0. 11. Toulmin, the giver of the concert, who was the leader. Besides Mr. 'IL Phillips, Mr. J. Parry, Miss Birch, and Miss Dolby, the services of Mrs. Alfred Shaw were secured, and that delightful vocalist sang, among other things, " Giorno d'orrore" with Miss Birch, the duet in whiCh she made such a sensation in Semiramide. Calcott's song of the " Soul's errand," the words of which are by Sir Walter Raleigh, is well suited to Mr. 11. Phil lips, who makes of it a good specimen of musical de clamation. " Estelle," by Mr. Henry Smart, is a very. superior composition, with a . meaning and a mournful sentiment about it which, reminds us of the songs of Schubert. It was delightfully sung by Miss Dolby. Mr. J. Parry has introduced an additional song into his comical collection. His " Anticipations of Switzerland" is not only humorously sung, but it is striking from the skill and taste with which the va rious Swiss airs are introduced. At all concerts Mr. J. Parry is a. prime favourite, and, of course, his song was encored on this occasion, and, of course, he re sponded to the encore by singing another. Altogether we have never seen a more highly satisfied audience. THE MAILS TO EGYPT AND INDlA.—Notice has been issued by the Post-office authorities that the next mails to 'Gibraltar, Malta, the lonian Islands, Egypt, and India, via Falmouth, will be made up at the General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, to morrow evening, the 31st instant, and be forwarded by the Oriental steamer ; and that the next overland mail to India, via Marseilles, will be made up on IVednesday next, the 4th of January, 1843 ; West Indies, Mexico &c., on Monday next, the 2d of Jdnuary, by the Trdent steamer - Madeira, Brazils, and Buenos Ayres, on Tuesday, the 3d, by her Ma jesty's brig Penguin and North America, the United States, &c., on the 3d by the Caledonia steamer, via Liverpool. Lord and Lady Dungannon have relieved the dis tresses of theoor families in the parishes surrounding _ p Brynknault House Denbighshire. VERY COOL.—The inhabitants of Barcelona, dur ing the bombardment, were determined to take mat ters very coolly. The Impartial and Constitutional journals of that town apologise to their _readers for appearing only in half sheets, "as the bombardment had prevented the compositors from lifting up the type." In the former paper, however, the theatrical bill ap pieces were " Angela, the p i e iy a r r a s n t as of usual. pdn The aand without a Mistress!" the ballet of "The Lover There are some young Chinese at Rome, who are educating as missionaries. One nobleman is said to have lost 120,0001. by the New Zealand Company. A Parisian physician announces a pound of vinegar in the morning, another at noon, and a third at sun set, to be a p er f ec t cure for hydrophobia.