The Sun. — London, England, 1853-12-12 00:00:00

MEN. On Saturday a special Curt was held for the despatch of public business. The LORD MAYOR, on taking his seat, observed that he had convened the Court in consequence of a requisi tion signed by Alderman Farebrother, Alderman Wire, Alderman Muggeridge, Alderman Sir R. W. Carden, Alderman Carter, Alderman Kelly, and Alderman Humphery. MOUNTED POLICE IN THE CITY, The LORD MAYOR read the following letter from the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in con tinuation of the correspondence which has already taken place upon the subject : "Whitehall, Dec. 5, 1853. "Lora Palmerston presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor, and has the honohr to acknowledge the re ceipt of his lordship's letter of the 2d instant and its enclosure. The explanation relative to the mcunted police force of the City riding at a mob with naked swords on Lord Mayor's day is perfectly satisfactory to . Lord Palmerston." Alderman 111131PHERY moved that the letter be entered on the minutes of the Court. Alderman HUNTER seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. BROKERS' CASES. Henry Cushen, a petitioner alleging misconduct upon the part of Henry Le Grand, a broker, was called, and not answering, The Tows CLERK said that some of the complaining parties in the brokers' cases were present at the last Court, having come. from a considerable distance, and had asked him whether their presence might be dispensed with to-day, and he had told them it might be. Alderman WIRE said the matter must be dealt with judicially, and that the Court had no power to enter tain the petition in the absence of the complaining party and of evidence. He moved that the consideration of ' the petition be adjourned till the next Court. Alderman FAREBROTHER—The Court has power to adjourn the consideration of the cases, the witnesses not attending to-day, although they were present at the last Court which was very peremptorily broken up. (Hear.). Sir R. W. GARDEN--Some of the petitioners at the last Court came to me, and complained of the manner in which a worthy knight had broken up the Court. %One' gentleman told me he had come from Margate. (Hear, hear.) The worthy-knight was unable to carry the measure then under diScussion in the way he t de a s t ir t e: : and he th en , while 13, aldermen were present, resorted ' - to the mo s t ex t raor di nary procee di ng of moving h Court should be counted, he himself leaving, and causin g 'all the inconv en i ence suffered not .only by members of the Court, but by persons who, hhaevaero I be en in s t o en c d r e u d el t l o y plundered of their money. (Hear, make some 'further observations upon this subject, but abstan from doing so in the absen ce o f the worthy knight. When we- look up to our seniors, and find that. A gentleman is the only one of a minority —the only gentleman in favour of a certain mo ti on of his own--.. there being twelve of his brethren against him, we can- sot help feeling surprised that he should most unconsti- , tutionally resort to the expedient of breaking up the Court. (Hear, hear.) When a gentleman moves that the Court be counted, it is usual for him to remain during the act of counting. This is the invariable practice in the House of Commons. In this instance the worthy knight gets up in his place, moves that the Court be counted, and then goes out at the back door. (Laughter.) By this act a great many gentlemen who were summoned 6 attend the Court were put. to the greatest possible inconvenience and expense. (Hear, hear.) Alderman HUMPHERY —Some of the petitioners came from Hastings and Gravesend. The C , mmon Crier here announced that the petitioner Henry Cushen had arrived ;.upon which Mr. H. W. Sewell, the summoning officer, was sworn, and stated that he had served a copy of the petition upon the wife of Mr. Le Grand, after having unsuccessfully tried to serve it upon him personally. ' Henry Cushen. was then sworn, and stated that the contents of his petition were true. It appeared that be had deposited 241. 13s. sd. with Mr. Le Grand, for the pitrpose of being laid out in.the purchase of. 2&:. Con solidated Three per Cent. Annuities, and afterwards dis covered that the money had not been invested. The petition ,was referred to the General Purposes Committee to examine ,and report. The follpwing petition, referring to the conduct of the same broker, was then read "To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen. " The petition of John Weekley, of Margate, Kent, showeth "That your petitioner placed in the hands of Mr. Le Grand, a sworn broker, of 9, Tokenhouse-y ar d, on the. Ist day of September, 1853, the sum of 3031. 7s. 6d., to purchase 3001. stock in the Three-and-a-Guarter per Cent. Annuities ; that the said Mr. Le Grand gave him a 'receipt as follows : " Bank of England, the Ist day of September, 1853. " Bought for Mr. Weekley, 3001., 31. ss. per Cent. Annuities C. 101 £3OO 0 0 Com. 7 6 £303 7 6 " ' W. LE GRAND, Sworn Broker. • ." Promising to send the Bank Stock receipt by post, your petitioner not receiving it, wrote to Mr. Le Grand on' the 13th September, and received the following reply : " 9, Tokenhou se -y ar d, L ot hb ury, London, • September 15, 1853. " 'Mr. Le Grand presents his compliments to Mr. Weekley, and, in answer to his note of the 13th Sept., begs to acquaint him that he will call here at the time of paying tile dividends, he will receive his and the re ceipt at the same time.' " Your petitioner then went on the 20th September to Mr. Le Grand's office, and several times afterwards, but never could see him, and found him a defaulter, and that your petitioner's money had never been invested in the Bank of England. "Your petitioner, therefore, prays that your honour able Court will be pleased to take the above facts into your consideration, and grant your petitioner such relief as you may think necessary. "And your petitioner will ever pray. "JOHN WERKLEY.'' No steps c ou ld b e taken with reference to this case, as the petitioner, on being called, did not answer. Sir R. W. CARDEN—The petitioner was present at the last, Court. He came from Margate ; and if these vari ous parties are compelled to attend again, I think Sir Peter Laurie ought to pay their expenses. The petition of Ann Kershaw, who had placed 9001. in the hands of Mr. Le Grand to invest, and which he had,appropriated to his own use, was then read, and re ferred to the General Purpo-,es Committee. A similar petition of James and Ann Burrell, who had been defrauded by the same broker of 625/., was then read and refirred to the same committee. The reading of the following petition created a good deal. of sympathy in the court : "To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the worshipful the Aldermen of the. City of London. "The humble petition of Edward Jones, an inmate of the workhouse of the parish of St. George in the E ist, in the county of Middl esex , showeth, Th a t your petitioner was in possession of 600/. Three-and-a. Quarter per Cent . Bank Annuities, the re sult of your petitiouer s savings for many years, the dividends of which your petitioner depended upon for his maintenance and support for the remainder of his days, lie having no other property whatever. " That in the month of April last your petitioner em ployed Mr. Dan. Elley, a stock and share broker of the city of London, to sell out 100/., part of such stock, which your petitioner required to discharge his debts and clear up his affairs ; and upon that occasion the said Mr: Elley persuaded your petitioner to sell out the whole stock, and leave the produce of the balance to him, he assuring your petitioner that it would be as safe in his hands as in the Bank, and that he would allow your petitioner more interest. That your petitioner acceded to his persuasion, and sold out all his stock, and left the same in the hands of the said Mr. Elley, who gave your petitioner a memorandum, of which the following is copy :-- `Memorandum. London, April 8, 1803. — Mr. E. Jones left with me 5001. Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. until the 9th Oct. next.—DAN. ELLEY, stock and share broker. Office. Auction Mart.' "That the said Mr. Elley has failed, and your peti tioner has thereby lost ail his property, and has been compelled to become an inmate of the above workhouse. "Your petitioner therefore humbly prays your hon ourable court to take his case into your consideration, and to call upon the sureties of the said Dan. Elley for restitution of the stock so cruelly obtained from your petitioner. "And your petitioner will ever pray. "The mark >el of Edward Jones. " Witness—F. Stone, solicitor, Wellclose-square, clerk to the guardians of St. George's (East.)" Alderman WIRE said the case of the petitioner did not come within the bond of the broker. The petitioner had trusted entirely to the representations of Mr. Elley, that .an his money would be as safe in his hands as in the Bank.. It was . clearly a case of loan ; but he (Alderman " 1 ) was desirous that the petition should be referred t ote) Solicitor to examine and report. ' l ' l ' d accordingly. The L on .1 THE CITY POLICE FORCE. cation some time said he had received a communi able eminence ills:, , since from a gentleman of consider standing in t ie City respecting the police force; w h ie l had communicated to the com missioner of the for r e u e,. who had informed him that he had not the full the corporation. Re p ( i tre ent of constables allowed by thLeoid Mayor) understood the matter had been before , andoce Committee of the Court of Common Council,that that committee, by the casting vote of their chairman had come to the con clusion that they could not interfe re in the ma t ter. H e had made it his business to look othvis ocit.ioAnder of the liamt, and had been in communiea the 14 i lii the poli ce jeor the act of P ar - en n l men commissioner, and according to Police Act, he doubted whether the Court really had any power to interfere with the qu estion. But it was a matter of grave importance , and required to be set at rest. He bad been informed by the c ommis : sioner that there was at the present moment no less a number than 80 men deficient, and that the attempted burglary at Alderman Carter's, on Cornbill, a few day s since, was not discovered in consequence of the police. man on that beat being withdrawn in order to attend an execution at the Old Bailey. He would not give an opinion as to whether the pay of the constables should he increased, or the standard of height should be lowered, but he understood these were the points upon which the question turned, a question which the police committee and the Court of Common Council had referred to the Court of Aldermen, under the impression that they had no power to interfere with the question of pay. He very much doubted whether the court had that power, and thought the Court of Common Council fully empowered I is deal with the question in all its bearings. If th e t COUR court agreed with him in thinking the subject of im portance, and one which required immediate considera tion, he would suggest that they should authorise him, by a resolution of the court, to lay the resolution to which he had referred before the Court of Common Council, in order that the subject might be considered and disposed of without loss of time. (Hear, hear.) Alderman LAWRENCE wished to correct the Lord Mayor upon one point. His lordship had stated that the matter was sent to that court by the casting vote of the chairman of the committee. Such was not the fact. He (Alderman Lawrence) was chairman of the police committee, and it was with reference to a report of a sub-committee, which was very numerous, and lasted a good while that the casting vote was given. The TOWN CLERK read the report of the sub-cons mittee, as follows :—" Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1853. Sub-Police Committee.--The subcommittee, considered the- reference of the 26th of October last, in the letter, with the application of the constables of the force for an increase of pay. The letter was read. The 14th clause of the Police Act was read. A copy of the regulations of the police force, with :ank and scale of pay of con stables, was examined. Resolved, that it appears to this sub-committee the letter and memorial should have been submitted to the Court of Aldermen, who, under the terms of the 14th clause of the Police Act, settled the rank, pay, &c., of the general police force, and therefore the grand committee to forward the same to the Court of Aldermen."--"Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1853. Police Committee.—The proceedings of the sub-corrainitte since last monthly meeting, not previously reported, were seve rally read and agreed, and it was resolved and ordered accordingly. "MEREWETHER." Alderman LAWRENCE said that the power of making or altering rules in cases like the present rested with the court, the Secretary of State, and the Police Commis sioner. A reference to the Court of Common Council would rather increase the difficulty than tend to remove it. (Hear, hear.) The lowest description of constables were too badly paid, and if the cour t cou ld raise their pay they would do so, but such an act could . only be done with great caution, as the City was surrounded with the metropolitan police, who received no more than their own constables. He was prepared to lay down a plan by which the pay of the men might be increased without altering either rules or regulations. If the City force , were to be paid 10 or 15 per cent. more than the metro p olitan, no Secretary of State could be expected to give his sanction to the proceeding. If it could be arranged that the constables who received a very low rate of pay, say 16s. or 205., should have an addition of 2s. a week from September last, as a temporary mode of dealing with- the matter, the difficulty might be got over. (Hear.) Alderman THOMPSON said, he did not see how any possible good could arise from referring the matter to the Court of Common Council. He thought many evils might result from the adoption of such a course of proceeding, the Court of Common Council having referred the matter to that court. (Hear, hear.) There was evidently something connected with their mode of admitting men into the police different from that which existed in other parts of t h e metropolis, otherwise there would not be eighty vacancies at the present moment. The Commissioners of Police at Scot land-yard had always-an immense number of candidates on their list for the office'of policeman. He suggested that the matter should be referred to the police com mittee, who should hear the proposition of Alderman Lawrence, and if, after consideration, it should lead to a change of opinion, it would no doubt be necessary to have recourse to the Secretary of State, because, it must be remembered, it was a very important question. hearing upon the expenditure of the whole metropolis. He apprehended that if the pay of the City constables was increased, dissatisfaction would necessarily be created amongst the police force in other parts of the metropolis. It might be a question whether it was not expedient to abandon the standard which prevented a man from entering the force unless of the height of 5 feet 8, and he knew no rea son why a man of 5 feet 7 or 5 feet 6, or 5 feet 6i, should not be eligible for - employment, as it was not in his opinion height that constituted the qualification of a policeman, but it was his health, strength, activity, and 'integrity. (Hear. hear.) Formerly in the militia the :standard was 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 81 ; but it was now ;lowered to 5 feet 6. It was quite clear that the police ;of the City could not be so well attended to, and the se :curity of the persons and property of the citizens duly regarded with so great a deficiency as had been men itioned in the number - of constables, and he therefore ; hoped the committee would take so very important a subject into their immediate consideration. Alderman Thompson concluded by moving that the question be re ferred to the General Purposes Committee, to report as early as possible to the court, and was sure the Lord Mayor would be most willing to call a special court to consider the decision arrived. (Hear, hear.) The Lord MAYOR—Yes, I will do that. (Hear.) Alderman WIRE, in seconding the motion, said he was quite satisfied that the importance of the subject would not only justify the Lord Mayor, but that the whole bowl; would evince a ready acquiescence in the pro- Priety of calling a special court for the consideration of a question which had been too long delayed, the memo rial presented to the police committee being dated as far back as October last. The difficulty experienced in getting fresh constables was in no way to be attributed to the standard of height, but had arisen from the superabundance of other employment everywhere, and men who could perform a more agreeable duty, and earn More wages than were received by the police, were not willing to enter that force. Although it was trne, as his friend Alderman Thompson had said, that the Metropo litan Commissioners had a considerable number of can didates for employment on theit list, he would perhaps be surprised to learn that that force was not full at the present time, and there were districts over which the men were scattered very sparingly. The ineu in the metropolitan as in the City force were in the habit of re signing whenever they could get better pay and more easy employment. (Hear, hear.) Alderman LAWRENCE —lt is not true that the City force is at this time 80 deficient in number. We are au thurise] to raise 567. I yesterday went to the office, to aQcertain how many men were on duty, and found there were 511 ; thus leaving a deficiency of 56, instead of 80. attribute the deficiency entirely to the difficulty of get ting men of 5 feet 8, when men of 5 feet 7 would do just as well, if not better. Men below 5 feet 8 are infinitely better able to endure fatigue than those of that height. Bonaparte declared that men of 5 feet 1 could bear more fatigue than any other. The matter was then referred to the General Purposes Committee to examine and report. The Lord MAYOR—I hope the committee to whom it is referred will deem it their duty to meet immediately, because the police one and all have signed a respectful memorial praying for an increase of pay, and founding their application: principally upon the fact of the high rent of house-room in the City. (Hear.) . , BROKER'S CASE. Alderman ' WIRE said he understood that in the mat ter of Henry Richard Groom, a petitioner against the conduct of a broker, an arranzement had been come to, which would save the court the trouble of investigating the complaint. The petitioner was called, and having stated that he was satisfied, further proceedings were ordered to be stayed. THE TREADMILL AT THE NEW CITY PRISON. Alderman Wire said it was stated by the Lord Nlayoe at the last court, according to the reports in the newspapers, that the gaol committee had ex ceeded their authority in removing and re-erecting the treadmill at Holloway. He was anxious to state that that committee did not exceed their authority ; they examined the matter referred to them, they reported to the court, and their report, after being agreed to by the court, wis referred back to the com mittee for execution. (Hear, hear.) The following was the report in question :—" To the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen. In obedience to an order of this honourable court of the 12th day of July instant, to carry into execution our report for the re moval of the treadmill from the late Giltspur-street Compter, to the new prison at Holloway, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, your committee in rela tion to gaols, do certify that this city's architect, having applied to parties for tenders for executing the necessary work in the removal and re-erection of the treadmill, we have considered the same, and agreed to accept the tender of Mr. Moreland for performing the work at the sum of 2831. All which we submit to the judgment of 185th is honourable cou r t.— Dated this 26th day of July, 3. tc D. W. WrEE, W. CCRITT. HENRY MUGGERIDGE, W. LAWRENCE." The Lord MAYOR said he did not think the state of the case very materially altered, as in reality the order for the re-erection of the treadmill did not emanate from that court, nor was the propriety of taki ng such a step ever discussed in it. When reports were brought up it very frequently happened that not a word was uttered with respect to them, and sometimes they were not fully read. When the subject of the removal of the tread mill was before the committee, it was distinctly under. stood that the only question they had then in view was the removal of the treadmill, and putting the word "re erection " into the report was quite an aftpr-thought, and was done at a meeting of the committee at which he (the Lord Mayor) was not present. Alderman LAWRENCE—Your lordship said that re ports were sometimes brought up and read short. I must correct your lordship—they are always read at full length. I do not recollect a single instance where a contrary course has been pursued. (Hear.) Alderman WIRE--I was most anxious to correct the misstatement that the committee had ordered the re erection of the treadmill without reporting to the court and without the authority of the court. The committee deliberately considered the whole matter ; they reported to this court, and this court, after having heard the report read in full, deliberately agreed to it. (Hear.) PTO J 7 .*t INVERNESS AND NAIRN RAILWAY. (From the Inverness Courier.) A very numerously attended meeting of the inhabi tants of Inverness, and of others favourable to the intro duction of the railway system in the north, by the for mation of a line from Inverness to Nairn was held in the Castle Court-house, on Tuesday afternoon. Among those present, we observed the following : . —Alexander Matheson, Esq., of Ardross, M.P. for the Inverness district of Burghs ; E. W. Mackintosh, Esq., of Raig more ; J. B. Fraser, Esq., of Reelick ; Captain Fraser- Tytler of Aldourie - ; W. H. Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie ; W. H. Colquhoun, Esq., Sheriff-Substitute ; J. 0. Luxford, Esq., Nairnside ; Keith Stewart Mackenzie, Esq., of Seaforth ; H. W. White, Esq., of Monar and Lentran ; J. B. Biscoe, Esq.. of Newton • Affieck Fraser, Esq. ; C o l onel Inglis of Kingsmills and' Hilton ; YEileas Mackintosh, Esq., of Dalmigavie ; the Right Rev. the Bishop of Moray and Ross ; Mr. Weeks, Ness side House ; Colonel Macintosh of Farr; D. Forbes, Esq., of Leanach ; J. Baillie, Esq., of Leys ; C. Water ston, Esq., Manager of the Caledonia Bank : Dr. Wil son ; A. Davidson, Esq., Town Clerk, Nairn ; James Wilson, Esq., banker ; Thomas Falconer, Esq, ; John Macbea n , Esq., Seafi e ld ; J ames G ordon, Esq. ; A. Gosset, Esq., Comptroller of Customs ; Alex. Dallas, Esq. ; A. A. Gregory,. Esq., corn merchant • Captain Pirie ; Alexander Forbes, Esq., c h em i s t ; Neil Maclean, Eq., land surveyor ; J. Macpherson, Esq., solicitor ; Colonel Findlay, Nairn ;A. Cameron, Esq., Fir-hall ; Dr. R. Fraser ; Bailie A. Fraser ; Dean of Guild Ross ; Baili3 Shaw ; Bailie Macbean • Bailie J. Fr a s er ; G. G. Mackay, E sq ., C . E . ; D. Rose, Esq., Viewmount ; George France, Esq., Lovat ; P. J. A. Grant, Esq , Kerrowaird ; W. Murray, Esq., Kilcoy ; Andrew Smith, Esq., solicitor, &c. Mr. MATHESON, of Ardross, M.P., upon the motion of Raigmore, took the chair. The hon. member said that as they were all aware, the object for which they were that day assembled was to express a favourable opinion towards the introduction of the railway system in the north. They had all seen the beneficial effects which railways had produced in the south, and he hoped, after the explanations which they should re ceive from those gentlemen around him, who had taken so much trouble in obtaining information respecting the details and prospects of this enterprise—he hoped that they would all see that the proposed establishment of a railway between Inverness and Nairn was likely to prove a very successful undertaking, which would profit all concerned, and in which all now present should not only take an interest but take shares very freely. Mr. SHAW, senior bailie, in the unavoidable absence, which they must all regret, of the Provost, proposed the first resolution, to the effect that railway communica tion was indispensable. Such of those present as were acquainted with the energy, experience, tact, and talent which the Provost would have brought into the discus sion of such matters, would deeply regr e t hi s a b sence, and consid er him (Blithe Shaw) as a poor substitute. It was an old saying " least said soonest mended ;" but it seemed to him that if he said much more than it was in his power to do, in support of this resolution, he would not say too much; for assu re dly ra il way enterpr i se had become indispensable to this county. He might mention that at this time of day—namely, December eighteen hundred hundred and fifty-three they had the wide ex perience of railway matters that their friends in 1845-46 wanted, and consequently they should take advantage of it. He would say that if any speculation in the shape of a railway were likely to succeed, it was this. It was a common remark, when looking at the raw material which was to be converted into some fabric, that it would do very well if not spoiled in the making. This pro jected line, if not spoiled in the making, would also, they might say, do very well. There was no tunnelling, no excavating, no blasting to do—it was a plain bit of road and he questioned whether they would see fifteen and a-half miles in any part of the country which presented the same economical facilities for constructing a railway that this did. They were all aware that in 1845, dur ing a railway fever, there was excessive speculation in railways in this country. At that time people hoped everything and feared nothing. His decided opinion was, that all the disastrous failures that took place in the calculation of the results to be expected from rail ways which were then got into operation, arose not so much from engineering or from traffic miscalculations as from the enormous, unchecked, and uncontrolled ex penses incurred in railway construction. (Hear, hear.) These events had a most damaging effect on the railways carried out, or which obtained bills for their construc tion from Parliament. Now, they had at p resen t th e great privileg e o f seeing what had been the cause of failure in other operations ; and, looking at their defects, they ought in the present case to be able to avoid them. There were parties at that time who were not smit ten with the fever themselves, but who looked after their own interests. From eminent engineers down to the lowest man who carried a flag-staff, and from the skilled barrister down to the man who stuck notices on the church doors, all were paid at an exorbi tant, extravagant, and uncontrolled rate. Now, even supposing that in the present undertaking their calcula tions should go a little "ajee," and turn out more than was at present moderately anticipated, still the difference would not be material ; but if parties were to go on reck lessly accumulating expenses to no purposes, they would certainly create disadvantages against themselves which no economy or foresight would ever afterwards get over. At that time—he spoke generally and not with reference to any line in particular—there were professional men employed about railways who lined their own nests com fortably with feathers plucked from their intoxicated neighbour's backs—who, acting like sensible poulterers, plucked their geese while they were yet warm. (Laugh ter.) Under these circumstances, and with such land marks before them, they should be able in the present day, and he hoped they were able, to take care of such breakers a-head ; for though he brought no charge against Invernessians, yet he supposed that what took place so generally el-ievvhere, might also take place here. With regard to the particular railway now in question, he looked upon it as a sort of wedge driven in at one end of the plank, and which must have the effect, if pro perly applied, of making a rent to the other end. The result of it would be that the Great North of Scotland Company, seeing that we are really in earnest at this end, must now or never move on to meet us at Nairn, or otherwise John Highlandman would immediately be " o'er the hills and far away" with the northern tral'dc to join the southern lines at Perth. (Hear, hear.) This he thought would be a paying line of itself, even if it went no farther than Nairn ; but they might depend upon it, the Great North of Scotland Company would find themselves obliged, as it was said in common lan guage, to " hand or draw" ; they would either have to come on to meet us or leave us to carry our traffic as we should see fit. Every one who knew the trade of this district knew that there was much need of this railway in many ways ; in facilities of communication we are better off than our forefathers were, but much behind the advanced age in which we are placed. He there. fore begged to propose, as the opinion of the meeting, the resolution which he had read. (Cheers.) Colonel FINDLAY of Millbank seconded the motion, which _was carried unanimously. Mr. MAKINTOSH of Raigmore proposed the second reso lution, stating that the proposed line was the best com mencement of the railway system in the north. He said, it was on account of the absence of the chairman of the committee, Cluny Macpherson, which they must regret, that it fell to him to propose this resolution. He had much pleasure in doing so, and he was glad to see that it was so worded as to bring into account the actual traffic upon the line, and that which ultimately they might legitimately expect from the development of the resources of the country. He briefly referred to the circumstances of their condition at the time when, in 1846, two competing lines were proposed for communi cation between Inverness and the south. They were all aware of the circumstances which interfered with the carrying out of their intentions at that time. But a great change had taken place since then in railway en terprise. Several short lines had been formed, which depended entirely for their support upon their local traffic, and it was shown that this was sufficient to secure to the promoters a fair dividend. So far as he could judge from considerable attention to these matters, he did think that more had been done by the promoters of such short lines as the Elgin and Lossiemouth, or the Aberdeen and Deeside, by such men as Mr. Duncan of Aberdeen and Provost Grant of Elgin, for the develop ment of the traffic of the country, than had been done by the gentlemen who had carried out such splendid un dertakings as the Caledonian Railway ; but many of these short lines were already paying a good dividend upon the capital. The Elgin and Lossiemouth paid five per cent. in the first year ; the Aberdeen and Deeside, the Selkirk and G-alashiels, Edinburgh and Peebles, and other small lines, will pay good dividends. These lines bad also done this : they had altered the whole character of investment in railway speculation. They had re moved shareholding from speculation, and made it, in stead, safe investment of money, under certain recog nised rules. He mentioned this, because he was aware that the word "speculation" had been used carelessly, and often as a screen by parties for their selfish inacti vity, timidity, or exaction. That only was a speculation in which a man ventured money, upon grounds amount ing barely to probability, on the chance that an exag gerated return might reward him for the risk ; and, on the other hand, that was asound investment when a man invested it in drainage put out hi s money in certain tangible property, which, a o s ro if du h c e tiv in e. v applied acco r di ng to certain recognised laws, would be whodidth n i age spla w c o e r d ks h , is tr in eil n h e ing as , or wellin hosed ouse-buildin did so g, and generally i n suc h li nes as t h e pro- p, he with more a d vantage to the country at large. One thing he would say, while the resources of this country were so little developed at present, and people so half-fed and poorly paid, any man who sneaked A way in search of safe investments elsewhere, and did not take upon himself the ordinary commercial risks of a fair undertaking at home, was not a true-heared Scot tish gentleman, but was simply a snob. (Cheers.) He could not but allude to a meeting which had been held in the Court-house the day before, as having great sig nificance towards the extension of the railway system to Inverness, and which called to his mind the large addi tional population that had been introduced into Perth by the railway. At that meeting the sanitary condition of Inverness was exposed by a gentleman singularly well able to do so by experience, observation, and ability, and he gave us a picture so ghastly, so horrible, and, he reared, so true, of the state of the town of Inverness, that no person who knew what would be the effect upon the habits and thoughts of the people, of introducing here a population of some five hundred steady, well-dis ciplined, and good workmen, could refuse to wish that the railway works were commenced here. He would back theta against any temperance society in producing good. With regard to the special line which they were assembled to consider,' some difference of opinion existed with regard to. our assuming that we were to make the line simply to Nairn. Those who would do nothing in the matter gajd that . they shot4l4 have gone much fur- . Mr. FORBES of Leanack seconded the motion, and ex pressed his belief that Raigmore had not stated anything more with respect to the projected line than would be found eventually to be perfectly true. The resolution was then put and carried. Mr. MITCHELL, C.E., having been requested by the committee to make a few observations on this project, said—On a former occasion I pointed out in a humble way how very suacessftil the railway enterprises in Ame rica were--in fact,.there was no mode of investment in that country more profitable—the returns in general be ing from 6,8, to 10 per cent., and some higher. I pointed out that the reason was obvious. Our trans atlantic brethren, with that practic d wisdom in com mercial matters peculiar to themselves, adapted the works of their lines to the traffic of the country, and gradually, as that increased, did they extend and construct more perfectly the lines they had opened. I do not mean to say that the works on the Inverness and Nairn will not be perfect, but we are not to have a railway with the,expensive workland appurtenances of the London and Birmingham line for carrying the Nairn traffic. This has been the fatal error throughout Scotland, and if it had not been for this mistake, there is not a railway in this • country but would have been remunerative. Our proposed line will be perfect in its constructmn --a single line, but we shall have land and bridges for a double line. We shall have 72 lb. rails, which hi equal to carry about the heaviest traffic in Eng land, and our gradients will be remarkably easy ; they will in no case exceed lin 212. I consider that we have been exceedingly fortunate in the arrangement,, hitherto made. We have secured a contractor of un doubted experience and capital to construct the works, and to hand us over the line, with Stations complete, for the comparatively small sum of about 4.2001. per mile— the total expense being 65.0001, 20,0001. being set down for the purchase of plant and other charges of land, &c. ; but as most of the proprietors have agreed to accept of feu rent--I will particularly mention our able deputy chairman,' and Culloden, Gollanfield, &c.—l anticipate that the cost for land will be comparatively light. Now, as to traffic, you all know how sanguine prsjectors of works of this sort are, and how far beyond, in most most cases, the calculation of sober people they are sup posed to run. But it is a singular fact that in regard to railway traffic the actual results have exceeded even the aerial views of the most sanguine supporters of railway enterprise. You all know the success of the Lossiemouth line. I recollect being with my friend Provost Grant at the original concocting of that scheme, and after all the traffic which his intimate knowledge of the county could scrape together ' he could not hold hi s f ace to t h e public for more th an from 1,50)t. to 1,600/. a year. Now what is the actual fact ? The gross revenue for the first year was no less than 3,4841. On the Caledonian Rail way, which everybody said would not pay, because it went over a hilly and thinly peopled country, it was sneered at, and the money would not have been subscribed ex cept during the madness of the railway mania, so credu lous were the public. The traffic returns on that line were calculated at 226,0121.—the goods and minerals being 140,3031., and the passengers at 85,7091. Every body said that this was as wild and fallacious a state ment as well could be put before the public. Now what has been the result on that line ? Why, the goods and mineral traffic for the year ending 31st January, 1853, amounted to 279,461/., and the passengers amounted to 167, 7611.—total, 447,2221., being no less than 221,210/. above the probable estimade made. On the Scottish Central the same result would have occurred, bad not the Fife line, which was not thought of when the Cen tral traffic was made out, carried off a large portion ; as it is, the traffic tables framed before the line was made amounted to 94,8521., and the actual returns last year are 98,6961. But indeed there is scarcely a railway in the kingdom the traffic of which does not show similar or even still more extraordinary results. In framing tho estimate of traffic for the Nairn line, 29,258 is the num ber of passengers (exclusive of horse and foot passengers), which pass along the road in public and private con veyances, and by a modest rule this number has been doubled. If Mr. Suter had quadrupled the number he would have been nearer the mark. Surely if the Lossie mouth Railway, where previously there was only a buss to carry bathers in summer, conveyed in its first year no less than 71,000 passengers, we may fairly reckon on at least 100,000 between Nairn and Inverness, between which place we have six loaded public coaches daily. 100,000 passengers at ls. 6d. a head would give you at once 7,5001. of your estimated traffic of 9,6001. You all know the thousands of tourists that pour down upon us in the summer months ; there is scarcely one of them but, with the facilities of this railway, would visit Fort- George, Cawdor Castle, and the beautiful scenery on-the Findhorn ; and our citizens would go in hundreds, nay in thousands, to enjoy the sea-breeze of Nairn and its salt water baths. In fact, I think you can have little doubt but there will be ample traffic on this line, and that it will, as in all other railways, exceed very much the cal culations that have been made. Now, with all these advanlages, the rock on which most railways, particu larly Scotch, have split, has been the expense of construc tion ; and in regard to this the committee, as I have said, have adopted the best means in their power of putting a limit to that. They have arranged with Messrs. Brassey and Faishaw, gentlemen of undoubted capital and experience, who agree to hand over the line complete fur the stipulated sum fixed on ; and if we carry the traffic set down, our line (costing no more than 85,000/.) will be a lucrative concern for the shareholders. You ail recollect the valley of Strathmore, between Forfar and Perth. It is traversed now by the Scottish Midland Railway. Before that line was made, there was one solitary coach passing through the district - -the south Defiance from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and Glasgow; and the passenger traffic was so poor (the commercial portion of the travelling public going generally round by Dundee) that the coach had to be withdrawn for one or two years previous to the formation of the railway. Surely you will admit that a district such as between this and Nairn, which supports three loaded coaches daily, ought to be as valuable as the valley of Strath more, with its one coach. Well, then, the railway through this district has cost about 22,0001. per mile, and the return to the shareholders last half-year was at the rate of 24 per cent. If the line had been made, as we propose to make the Inverness and Nairn line, viz., 5,5001. per mile the return with the same traffic would be nine per cent, to the Scot.ish Midland shareholders, and more, for the maintenance of the line would be less ; and thus you will perceive the secret by which I calcu• late the Inverness and Nairn line will pay so well. I trust, therefore, the inhabitants of this district will not lose so favourable an opportunity of securing a valuable investment. I know there is ample .means in the coun try to make the line, and I should be sorry if one far thing of the stock was taken up out of the district, be cause I believe shares in this line will ultimately be of great value. Another reason why I would urge this scheme on the attention of Inverness at the present time is, that I am anxious they should have the management of their own lines of communication to and from Inver ness, as it is the first step for extending our commerce, and, if successful, will stimulate our enterprise. You have the chance now of securing the management of the whole railway communication of the • north. If you lose it this year you may never have such an oppor tunity again. I need only point out to you the fatal error we committed in permitting our steam communi cation to be taken from our hands. You have seen your error too late ; and hence the deadly struggle and loss which has arisen to regain the Leith trade. On the west coast you have permitted the Glasgow people to benefit by your early enterprise ; and they, I believe; as they justly deserve, from their good management, are reaping their reward from a lucrative and important trade. I trust, therefore, in this measure we may all heartily unite and carry it successfully through ; as, be sides, as I have already explained, being a safe and lu crative investment in itself, I anticipate it will be the forerunner of g; eat progress and improvement in the capital of the Highlands. Mr. WHITE of Monar and Lentran said that the re sulution which he was about to move had been put into his hands only a few minutes before, so that he re gretted he could not say so much in favour of it as if he had had a little longer notice. He had much pleasure in adding his testimony to the truth of the statements that had been made to the meeting that day, and •in stating his belief that the railway between Nairn and Inverness would ultimately prove to the benefit of all parties engaged in promoting it. Experience has taught us caution ; it has also taught us that wherever railways have been introduced, that part of the kingdom has been benefited. To landlords in this country rail ways are most important, as enhancing the value of their lands ; to tenants railways are equally valuable, as tend ing to raise the price of farm produce ; to professional or commercial men, as allowing them to carry on their business arrangements with greater rapidity and cheap ness ; to tradesmen, as enabling them to introduce more readily to their customers all the novelties and improve ments in their business which have been made, in the south; to the artisan, as being, according to all past experience, productive of labour. Under these circum stances; he had no doubt that all present would look upon the scheme with favour and aid the committee in carrying it out. It would seen be shown that the corn pletiden of this scheme was but the commencement of a system which was destined to embrace the whole of her Majesty's northern dominions. He had heard withid the last few weeks many and varied reasons for not joining this scheme. The first of these was, that no railway bad yet been sufficiently remunerative to recom pense the outlay and risk. He did not believe that this was true ; but even if true, was that a reason for not engaging in new enterprise ? They had heard that day for what reasons railways bad not hitherto paid well ; but if a merchant has been ruined, must his son not fol-, low the same business ? If a farmer from mismanage ment, should be obliged to sell his stock and vacate his farm, was no one to offer to take the farm and endea vour to make it pay ? (Hear, hear.) He hoped that all would aid in promoting this scheme. At the same time he would beg of their supporters to lay aside to a cer tain extent the wish merely to have a handsome return on the outlay. Let them look upon this undertaking in a higher light, as promoting not their own benefit merely, but that of the town, of their neighbours, of the district, and of the country. Captain FRASER TYTLER of Aldourie seconded the 'notion. He assured the meeting that he was perfectly convinced of the necessity of this work, and also of its remunerative character. He would go from this meet ing, and he hoped every one else would do toe a time, determined to use all his influence among his friends and acquaintances to join in carrying out the enterprise. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. COLQUHOUN said, that if this project embraced merely a railway to Nairn, without any intended con nection with great southern lines, it would perhaps be hardly worth while taking much trouble about the mat ter; for the merely local advantages were not, in his opinion, of a nature to justify any great exertion. Ha assumed as the basis of any remarks he had to make, the position that it was intended distinctly to concert a connection with these lines, and thus the scheme assumed an importance which the most figurative language could hardly exaggerate. As if by a natural law, the ,esta blishment of these iron roads, in every locality, resulted in the development of local resources, in facilities for traffic, and general commerce. These advantages were so universally admitted, that it would be useless for him to say a word on the subject. He had no wish to at tempt to generalise, but in support of the resolution entrusted to him, it was necessary that he should particularise the circumstances of this town and neigh bourhood, and then put it to the meeting whether this scheme were not important to them in relation to residence, and the interests of commerce and trade. It was admitted that this was one of the most beautiful Lnd healthy places in Scotland, and almost throughout Europe it was celebrated as a country sport. Every "utumn sportsmen came from the south, every hill was shot over, and every river was fished by them, and they paid for these privileges very considerably. Every sum ner and autumn brought tourists from the west, allured by the beauty of the scenery or by the hereditary inte rest of the land. If this was the case now, what would it be when a ra il way o f fered a quick and ea,y access ? Might a very considerable influx not be anticipated, and might it not further be anticipated, that this place might be selected even as a place of permanent residence by a portion of that very numerous class of person who aff,ct Highland sport and scenery ? Inverness at present stood stood in a very inaccessible position. It was a perfect la bour to travel along the Highland Road at any time ; 'and unless when the swift boats plied on the canal during sum mer and autumn, the slow boats afforded a conveyance al most as fatiguing. The east coast was out of the question during most part of the year, except for goods, and per sons who were not inconvenienced by the sea. Now, if a railway could be had, which would take the travel ler from Inverness to. Aberdeen in three or four hours, thence to London in fourteen or fifteen, the great bar in freedom of approach to this country would be removed ; and if people could find comfortable residences and English comforts about them, as they would thus be enabled to do, Inverness might become a fashionable, as it assuredly w ou ld b ecome a most desirable, place of re sidence. To the trade of the town, every shopkeeper must see the advantage of such a resident population. Our educational institutions must be improved by con tact with polite southern influences —the general tone and character of society must be equally enlarged and asneliorated. He could see no reason to doubt that the resources of this most extensive and not very poor country would be commercially opened up--even manu factures might be anticipated —an I this pl-mce might ultimately become, what it seemed by nature intended to be, a place of commercial importance, leaning as it does upon an extensive country, supported by the Great Caledonian Canal, and an open fertile sea rolling up to its very gates. At p resent I nverness stood undr diffi culties which no other place of any character realised. Whilst other people could travel with the speed of the rail, we were condemned to be fastened up in stage coaches ; whilst other people availed themselves of the electric 'telegraph, our information came to us at the rate of nine miles an hour along, the Highland Road. (Cheers.) He had somewhere read that an observer had compared the inhabitants of the provinces of a country to milestones, which bore upon their front their distances more or less from the metropolis. This observer had never found that observation to fail him, and he had travelled a great deal--(laughter)—and if the inhabitants of Inverness were anxious to assume anything like civi lisation, the sooner'they substituted railway stations for milestones the better. (Cheers ) Feeling the force of these considerations, he could have no hesitation in submitting the resolution entrusted to him to the meet ing. He considered it was the duty of all traders, of all proprietors—whose lands must be advantaged by con nection with the southern markets —even of all mere residents, to assist the scheme by every means in their power ; and it must be recollected, that if not done now the opportunity would ee lost, as other vise in all pro bability they would lose the northern traffic, and Inver ness would be left in a very awkward corner. Mr. J. B. FRASER of Reelick said Mr. Colquhoun had not in the slightest degree exaggerated the ad vantages that were likely to result from the establishment of railway communication to Inverness. He had seen populous villages and valuable estates arise out of wastes, and traffic spring up where there was none before, by means of railways ; we have her a fertile country around us, and a great quantity of produce was brought into Inver ness which we did not know what to do with. It was impossible to exaggerate the importance of having rail way communication, and it seemed like urging a truism to say so. Any one who had had intercourse with the world, and had common reason, must see it. A railway must increase the prosperity and add to the civilisation of the town, and improve the tone of the people. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr. FALCONER, solicitor, moved the fifth resolution, relative to the favourable prospects of the line. He said—After what had been so fully and eloquently stated by previous speakers, it would be a waste of time to prove the soundness of this proposition. He might be allowed, however, to say that the want of success in similar undertakings- -as had indeed been shown already to the meeting —might be attributed chiefly to the extra vagant outlay expended in organising companies, in making and msnaging railways, and in the exorbitant price paid for land. In 1846, when speculation was in the ascendant, and every scheme was represented as holding out the prospect of a ten per cent. dividend, there was no limit to the extravagance of railway direc tors. Now that this baneful period has passed, we find, on looking at the railways already constructed, that their average cost was 30,0001. a mile, and in one case the price of the laud alone was upwards of 5,000/. a mile. In those days economy was looked upou as a word of reproach among railway promoters, and money as a secondary object. These notions have now been ex ploded. We have gained wisdom from experience, and at the present time it would be found to be hopeless to ask people to invest their capital in a railway scheme unless they were satisfied, and that upon sound and ra tional data, that the undertaking would returna good re muneration. Then the question came to be, could they give this assurance, that the line they pro posed to construct would 'hold out to the capi talist a safe and remunerative investment ? He had thought over the matter, and had examined the statistics submitted to them by Mr. Ander son, and he believed that they could give such an assurance. The country to be traversed was well known to them all ; and he might say that no district of Scotland presented fewer engineering difficulties. It was so very level, and so well adapted to the construc tion of a railway, that little more was required to be done than to turn the soil and lay the rails. One fact came prominently before them. They had to deal with liberal landlords, who appreciated the advantage of an extension of the railway systern in the north, and were prepared to accept reasonable terms for land. With re gard to the cost, they were informed by the prospectus, that Mr. Brassey—a well-known railway contractor— undertook to complete the works for 65,0001. The same document informed them that the compensation for land, the rolling stock,.and all the other expenses, would not exceed 20,000/.—give a gross total of only 85,000/., or about 5,5001. a mile—not more than the land alone cost to the projectors of some other lines, and but one-sixth of the general cost of railways in Scotland. With regard to the traffic, the average mile age traffic was about 1,8001. per annum. The returns on the Inverness and Nairn line had been carefully col lected, well considered, and, be believed, moderately stated. They were put at 6001. a mile. Let him for a moment advert to this. They proposed to make a rail way at one-fifth or , onessixth the average cost of lines in Scotland, while they estimated the returns, on the other hand, at one-third of the average mileage. It was cal culated on these data that 600/. a mile, on their cheaply constructed line, would yield a dividend of from six to seven per cent. The traffie, he thought, was understated. For instance, instead of doubling the present passenger traffic on the road, he would say treble it. But they erred on the safe side. The promoters were resolved to carry into every department the utmost degree of eco nomy, and, by doing so, he had no fear of seeing the line completed at the estimated cost. (Hear, and cheers.) Mr•. 'DALLAS, Secretary Ito the Inverness and Nairn shire Farmer Society, seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. He had only to say in sup port of it, that it struck him forcibly that the question now was, not whether they were to have a railway or whether it would be a profitable investment, but whether the inhabitants of the towns of Inverness• and Nairn, and of the district between tbem, who should be most immediately benefitted thereby, were to have it in their own hands--whether they were to have the making of the line, and to pocket those profits which it had been shown the scheme would yield ? (Cheers.) It was the duty of one and all of the inhabitants of these places to prevent such profits and benefits from passing out of their reach into the hands of southerns. If every one present were to follow the spirited example of Captain Fraser-Tytler, and promise to use his influence with all his friends, he had no doubt the railway would go on, that the shares would be taken up here, and that they would prove highly remunerative. (Hear, hear.) Mr, Roes, Dean of Guild and Convener of the Trades, CUSTOM HOUSE, DEC. 10. ENTERED INWARDS.—The New Union, from Gothen. burg ; Margaretha, Moss ; Ophir, Cronstadt ; Ancona, do. ; Victory, do. ; Aerial, do. ; Harbet, do. ; Egerton, do. ; Perseverance, do. ; Ivanhoe, do. ; Abram, do. , Helen, do. ; Charlotte of Derby, do. ; Anne, do. ; Heath; do.; Hercules, do.; Beacon, do. ; Empress, do. ; Halifax, do. ; Diamond, do. ; Au.;uste Caroline, do. ; Rambler do. ; Volund, do. ; Odessa, do. ; Ford Mill, do.; Volante, Terceira; Fanny, St. Michael's; Agenoria, Altea ; Mabel, Memel ; Amelia and L aura, D antz i c ; Gem, St. Peters , burgh ; Falcon, do. ; Thilda, Schien ; Sophia, Sonnesund ; Adeona, Swartwech ; Gustave, Sundswall ; Margaretha, do. ; Gloria Deo, St. Petersburgh ; Wilhel mina, Riga • Mary, Dram ; T u t or, D antzic ; Maria, Riga ; Welcome, Gothenburgh ; Sylphide, Subdswall ; Active, Uliaberg ; P. J. Behrich, Christiansand ; Ceres, Riga ; Thecla, do. ; Irene, Antwerp ; Cheerful, Dantzic ; Catha rina, Hooksell Vanshabet, Dram ; Morning Star, Co lombo_; Nicholas Smirk, St e tti n ; C ragoys, do. ; Hops, do. ; Helene, Odense ; Alli Peter, !emel ; Dove, Sun is wall ; Orneborg, Nykeobing ; Victoria, Gefle ; Etheblrid, Dautzic ; Forester, Leghorn ; Jane and Esther, do. ; Ord, Riga ; Nora, FroderickstadLaura, ; Demerara ; Deane borg, Svindborg ; Atalante, Gothenburg; Her Majesty, St. Petersburgh ; Lithuania, Mo •el ' • Norden, Swine sund ; Navigator, Smyrn a ; M ary Ann Henders o n, Dant . zic ; Champion, do. ; Condor, do. ; Julius, do. ; Margaret, Christiania ; Minerva, Booreoard ; Isis, St. Petersburgh ; Vrouw Hauwina, Riga ; Wilhelmine, do. ; Aleda, Emden ; Halkett, Pillau; Catherine Marie, Odense • Sep Sods kends, Aalborg ; Ornen; do. ; Knud, Nebe ; Orion, Riga ; Grefoe Rehbiuder, Christiansted ; Juno, Gothenburg ; Foreningen, Cal mar ; Brandt, Konigsberg ; Bellamy, Am. sterdam ; JacoMena, Frederikstadt ; Hendlika, Jantina, do. • James Brook, Petersburgh • Maria, Neuh aus ; Johanna Gonzina, Petersburgh ; bhristine, Trellevoy ; Gem, Charente; Annette Smith, Keoge ; Colonist, Drain ; Mathilda, Frederickstadt ; Baron Padre, Ancona ; Den Sodre Moodre, Herdekswall ; Emilie, Bjorneborg ; Apo lonia, do. ; Henriette, do. ; Nonpareil. St. Michael's; Treeolor, Sarpsborg ; Johanna Maria, Anclam. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Pearl, for Para ; Catharina, Harburg; Pensarulate, Lisbon ; Heath, Algoa Bay and Colombo ; Morning Star, Colombo ; Change, Port Philip ; Skjold, ,Rio' Janeiro; Maria, Ant werp ; Reindee r , ,Demerara; Watchword, Barbadoes ; William, Naples. CLEARED OUTWARDS WM Anjer, for Java ; Fatima, Port Philip ; .. Ingeborg and Caroline, Areudal ; Ottoman, Malta ;. Bezeda, Porsgrund ; Mead, Gibraltar and Cadiz; Raketen, Gothenburg ; Hope, Ant werp; Hoop, Leghorn : Flora Mu r, Singapore; Elise, Altona; Trientje, Hamburgh. . LIVERPOOL, DEC. 10. The Golden Fleece, arrived Dec. 8, encountered a severe hurricane, Nov. 21, from W.N.W., which shattered the foremast-head, and did other damage. The Louise of Hainburgh," outward bound, was spoken, Oct. 25, lat. 14 S., long. 28 W. The Marion, hence to Savannah, was spoken, Nov. 17, lat. 37 N., long. 38 W. The screw-steamer Frankfort, hence, arrived at Le . horn. The screw-steamer Livorno sailed from Leghorn. for Marseilles on the 25th ult. The John, from Bay Verte, has arrived at Crookhaven. The British Queen, hence, has arrived o ff F a l mout h . The Seaman, f rom Newfoundland, and the Orleans, from Riga, have arrived at Queenstown. Arrived—The Isabella and Jane, from Pernambuco ; Nettuno, Salonica ; Samolyet, Cron.stadt ; Vigilant, Os tend ; Prompt, Quebec. Sailed—The America (s), for Boston ; John Howell, New Orleans; Sverige, Africa; Liverpool, New York. SUNDAY . Arrived The Arabi a ( s ), f rom New York ; AIps EVENING (s), Havre; Douro (s), Oporto. Sailed—The Julius Csar, for Maranh..m ; Phoenix and Seaflower, New Orleans; Industrie, Ostend; America, Naples ; Columbus, Savannah ; Wasp, Mobile ; Maid of Athens, Barcelona ; Maria, Antwerp. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Patrick Henry, from London to New York, Dec. 3, lat. 49 N., long. 8 W. The Akbar, of London, standing South, Oct. 7, lat. 11 N., long. 25 W. The Asiatic, bound West, Nov. 29, lat. 46 N., long. 20 W. (ADVERTISEMENT.J—DARB DAYS AA) LONG NIGHTS. ----The necessity of having the most perfect eye sight and •hearing.—Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, opticians and oculists, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Observe— opposite the York Hotel. Newly-invented preserving Spectacle Lenses. Immediately they are placed before extremely imperfect vision, every object appears clear and distinct ; the most aged, defective sight becames bright and brilliant, is brought to its youthful, natural, and ori ginal state.—Royal Exhibitions, 1851. -A valuable, newly invented, very small powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known one mile and a half distant ; they answer every purpose on the race-course, at the opera houses, country scenery, an d s hi ps are clearly seer at 12 to 14 miles. Th e y are i nvaluable for shooting, deer stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Telescopes —A new and most important invention in telescopes, possessing such extraordinary powers that some 31 inches, with an extra eye-piece, will show distinctly el - niter's moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars ; with the same telescope, weighing only ounces, 'can be seen a person's countenance three miles and a half distant, and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They supersede every other kind for the waistcoat-pocket. and aro of larger and all sizes, with increasing powers accordingly. Opera and race-course glasses, with wonderful power; an object can be clearly seen, from 14 to 16 miles distant. Deafness—New Discovery —The Organic Vi brator, an extraordinary powerful and newly-invented instrument, for Deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of the kind that has been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the same colour as the skin, it is not perceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public as semblies ; the unpleasant sensation of singing noises in the ears is entirely removed ; and it affords all the assist• ance that possibly could be desired.--39, Albemarle-street, Observe, opposite the York Hotel. NOTTINGHAM, Dec. 8.--The usual want of business during the month of December prevails as it has done for a number of years past, but at this time to a greater eztent than since the year 1848, both as regards hosiery and lace. STATE OF TRADE. ( From the Manchester Guardian of Saturday.) MANCHESTER, Dec. 9.—Since Tuesday, some further indications of improvement are observable. There is less business in hand for India, because the contracts en tered into leave less to be done. But the Greeks are purchasing to a moderate extent ; and some other classes of buyers ar e now i nquir i ng, and showing more (imposition to operate both in yarns and goods. Altogether, there ap pears to be an increase of transactions ; but this is not general. The German merchants are now held back by a fresh cause, via., the commencement of frost in the continental rivers. For China. of course, nothing is to be done. The home houses show reat timidity and indeed such is the ; smallest advance can prevail g ing caution th a t h ar dly th e be are becoming scarce. obtained up on ar ti c l es w hi ch GLASGOW, Dec. 9.—B usiness in cott on during the week hag been done to a very moderate extent, at the uota tious of Friday last , q „ vii zonu to id tdti THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 1853. ther or not at all, and the extension to Elgin wag' in sisted, on. The great matter which the committee sought in the meantime to accomplish was to make the invest ment a paying one. They were perfectly right as a committee in saying that, while they were quite aware of the great importance to the inhabitants of this coun try that the line should be extended, it was distinctly their duty to the shareholders that the line in which they called upon the public to invest should be an under taking by itself, and that the investment should not be in any extension. (Hear, hear.) He might assure the shareholders that the sole probable extra expense to which they might be put was the construction of a bridge across the Nairn to meet those gentieme : who should thereafter bridge the Findh-rn. With regard to the future probable extension of the line, he had no doubt that within three mouths after they got a dividend com mittees would be appointed to promote the construc tion of lines extending to Dingwall, to Alness, probably to Tam and to Elgin, and it might be asked why the present committee did not bring f 'rward these schemes ? Their first business, however, was to act honestly and fairly by the shareholders, and to act with the line which should carry them soonest south. He had no doubt of the success of the scheme which he had not long ago in troduced in that room, but the present was a scheme by itself, though he had no doubt that ultimately the traffic of the district of Easter Ross and the great province of Moray, when developed and organised, would cut out for itself that direct line south which should be found to be the moot conducive to the interests of the North of Scotland. He might mention, as a proof of how lines could be made from district to district continuously, that the lines from Drogheda, Dundalk, Belfast, &c., were made each perfectly independent of the others ; and indeed this was so much the case that they were not even made on the same gauge, so that when they became all united the Ulster rails had to be taken up and put down anew so as to suit the other portions of the general line. moved that the resolutions be published in the Inverness.. Nairn, 'and Morayshire - tiar,.paperii whielf a ifas seconded by Mr. A. Macdonald, Huutly Place, and adopted unanimously. _ _ Mr. BISCOE, of Newton, moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation. Mr. MATHESON returned thanks, and assured the meeting that he was so confident of the beneficial results which would follow this undertaking, that he would promise to do all he could to support it both here and in Loudon. (Loud cheers.) The meeting then separated. THE PRESTON •sTJ?IKE. A very large and enthusiastic meeting of spinners was held on Thursday evening in the Temperance hall. The building was crowded to excess. Mr. R. RICHARDSON was called to the chair, and opened the proceedings of the evening by remarking that the spinners of Preston were perfectly justified in their movement to obtain an advance, since it was a notorious fact that the best prices in Preston were 10 per cent. lower than in Bolton previously to the commencement of this agitation. A great deal had been said about the badness of trade, and the' poor operative had been told that the masters could not afford to give an advance. But, he believed trade was not so bad as some of these • wise people would have them believe. (Cheers.) _ Mr. J. WHITTLE moved the first rei-olution —" That ;we, the operative spinners arid minders of Preston, do pledge ourselves again to stand firm for the 10 per cent.. and our union." Mr. J. RICHARDSON seconded the resolution. The CHAIRMAN said that Messrs. liorrocks' and Mil ler's hands had all determined to stand for the fight, and notices to that effect would appear on the walls of the town. Mr JOHN WHITTLE proposed a vote of thanks to the hands of Messrs. ilorr, icks and Miller for their determi nation, which was seconded with three cheers. Mr. GALLAHER proposed .a vote of thanks to the various trades of Preston and other places for the noble manner in which they had assisted the operatives, which was seconded by Mr. GILES HOWARTH, and approved. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, with three hearty cheers for the 10 per cent., and the meet ing broke up.. OPEN-AIR MEETING, - - - - - A. numerously-attended meeting took place in the Orchard on Thursday afternoon ; Mr. Waddington presiding.. Mr. K. SMITH announced that the Blackburn Bur Society contemplated presenting the Preston operatives With 1,0001. in Christmas week. (Loud cheers.) Mr. COWELL communicated the result of his visit to London this week. He was allowed to speak for a few minutes at the close of a lecture on Sunday evening, and between 61. and 71. was collected for Preston. On Monday evening he addressed an enthusiastic meeting in the National Hall, Holborn, on which occasion he sketched the history of this dispute from the commence ment. He anticipated that, i n t h e course of a fortnight or three weeks, there would be something like 1,0001. per week coming from London. (Cheers.) The whole of England was up in arms against the 38 manufacturers of Preston who•had closed their mills. If those gentle men could fight all England they must be very good warriors indeed ; but he thought they would find themselves incompetent to the task. (Hear.) On his return from London he called at Stafford, and addressed the shoemakers of that place, who promised to send 6d. each per week in aid of this movement. (Cheers.) Those who supported the Anti-Corn-Law League had been in the habit of quoting the returns of exports from this country . in proof of the flourishing state of trade; but, now that the factory operatives referred to the same source for evidence oi manufacturing pro sperity, they were coolly told that these returns were not to be relied upon as indicating the real posi tion of affairs. (dear.) If the hands had not been badhy treated by their employers, it would be impossible for a. few delegates to make them believe so. This general movement, persevered in notwithstanding its attendant privation and suffering, plainly indicated that th e p eop l e knew their wrongs, an d were resolved to improve their p mition. (Hear.) He (Mr. Cowell) had heard it said that if the operatives had more money they would be no better off. (Laughter.) That, he supposed, was an allu sion to the drinking habits in which some of them in dulged. But though some of them might squander their money foolishly, that was no reason why an employer should deduct a certain sum from the wages of all his hands. Surely the righteous ought not to be punished with the wicked—the provident with the improvident. (Hear, hear.) The speaker concluded by inviting all those who were determined to stand by the committee and to have the 10 per cent. to hold up their hands. (As usual, there was a general response.) Three cheers were then given for the 10 per cent., three for Mr. Cowell, and three for the chairman, after which the meeting separated. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. BAIL WA COUNTRY MARKETS. HADDINGTI The following are the pi to-day : N—DEC. 9. 's of grain a t our market WTIZAT. BARLEY. - OATS. 3115 ,,a First 7Bs Od 40s 6d 29s 6d 583 ,`, l Second Third 66s 4d 37s Od 26s 5 d 48' 16'd" 50s Od 28s Od 18s 6d 4 01 Total quantity of wheat in market, 273 qrs., 241 6° ' Ci d PP barley „ 727 qrs., 630 9 °;, oats „ 303 qrs., 277 'ia' . 94 qrs ., 01 0 f , vo 003,113 PP Average of wheat 43 6 4 7-12ths Ditto of Barley Ditto of Oats -12ths Ditto of Beans 2 8 11 1-12thi PP PP DALKEITH GRAIN AIIRKET—DIEC. 8 ' , g i Wheat on the top same as last week, current Price'" down, and lowest 7d down. Oats on the top is 8d (1 0 7; current price same as l as t week. and lowest Sd up. 1341. e a on the top is 9d d own , curren t price 2s 3d down, a nd lowest is down. Peas and beans 3s up on the top, cam e price Btl down, and 5s Gd down on the lowest price. Qrs. Best. Current. WOW' 0ct........... °fl 186 Wheat 78s Od 1420 Oats 29s 4.1 2ls 4d ...•••••• 12s 0 4 929 Barley 3:43d 33 31 Peas 8; beans 70-3 a 1 44s s ° 0(1d. ..... °d ............ 4 025 : Average of wheat, 2/. 19s Did. ABERDEEN—DEC. 9. erg 03; The prices of grain are—Old oats, 25s 04 to 101bs Obi l e i r Pei Lusbel; new oat. 23s 6d to 24s Od, bushel ; bere, 32s Oct to 34s Od 531bs per bushel.,„Lila e t; 32s 04 to 34d 04, 531bs per bushel ; wheat, red, Dv:, oj, sr,s 04, 621 o; per bushel; wheat, white, sis 0,1 to '1 0 11; 621bs pei nushtl ; oatmeal, 20s Od tc 21s Od per r ib, flour, 56-; Od t) 603 04 per sack. provisions — Beef P e ;8(1; 6d to 84 ; mutton, 64 t) r-41 : veal, ditto, 6d f , — pa; pork, per lb, Os 54 to Os 74 ,• salmon, per lb, Os Od t 0 p3l rabbits, each, 04 to Od ' • tallow, per stone, 6s 3d to,no,j; potatoes, per peck, 84 to 9d ; fitter, per lb, 9a 6d to eggs, per doz, is 0.1 to is ; hens, per pair, o al 3s Od ; chickens, ditto, is 64 to 2s Od'• ducks, ditto, ; tar kers to 2s 6t ; drrcklings, ditto, 2s 6d to Os 04 , * , u tter each, 3; 61 to 4s Od ; geeso, ditto, 3s Od to 3s na L" . 0; for einortetton (present cure), per cwt, 848 'car ditto (sumut , r cured), 00s to 008 04 ; eggs, wholesale pork, r' per dozen, 94 to 10,1 ; 41b loaf, 84 ; 21bloaf, 4d ;,,l i ., fine small, Os Od to • t ii 9d ; pork, large, Os Od to e lamb, per lb., 03 64 to ; cheese 5s 6d to is. - , per imperial stc; DIIBL IN—DEC. 9. for 5 11 11 1. We do not alter our quotations of Tuesday last description of grain. Prime qualities of all full, ported their prices.. Inferior cheaper, and diffiouU ; White wheat, 38 6(1 to 41s 6d ; r.NI ditto, 365 to " D - , ed, barley, 18s 1 1d to 20s tid ; oats, 128 Od to 15s Od; ra r,„l —e ers' 27s 6d to 2qs 6d per brl ; oatmeal, lis 6d to 16s Od; flour, 22s Od to 26s Od per ewt; ludiau corn, 405 Od " per 4801bs. CORK—DEC. 9. We have again this weak but indifferent supplies ° f 05, tive produce to our market, both as to quantity an d lity, of all kinds. Native wheat turn in favoir of bnY`; ( l White, 35s to 364 Ocl ; red, 32s to 34s Od ' • secondal I ss inferior, 23s Od to 30s Od. B ar l ey taken at 17s 01 , for malting ; OOs Od to OOs 01 grinding. Oats, 11s 13s. Flour dull at a decline of 1s per cwt. Oattani' per ton dearer. Indian meal without change. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. 1, - .Ij°) LIVERPOOL, DEC. 10.. fO O •• eke t • • STOOK EXOHANGE.—There has been a tetcfre,i to-day. At the cl o s e o f business prices were' e ~r""- , ter follow :—Birkenh ea d, L ancas hi re, an d Cheshire (tiej i; and Birkenhead), 221. s h ares , 4/1 dis. ' - Caledonian : 4 91 6 ; Chester and Holyhead , 17i .; East ern Counties, 13 Lancashire and Y or k s hi re , 68i ; Lancaster and C s rlil, ew Third Shares, 12 5-16, prem. • London and lO rt : Western, 1 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and. Lincoleshl ; Midland, 64 ; N or th British, 81 ; SouthX3l South ern and Dover, 18k. MANCHESTER, Dec. 10. ,e Old STOCK EXCILINGE.—The business ta-u A ay prices were well sustained. The sales were :—BlackuV ; 54 ; Caledonian, 28i ; L ancas hi re an d Y or k s hi re , London and North-W es t ern, 104 • Manchester, Shewle and Lincolnshire, 25 ; South - Eastern an d Dover, - 1. " 15-16. BIRMINGHAM, DEC. 10. STOCK EXCH4NGE.—To-day Shrewsbury and Birta i° „ ll ; barn Stock was sold at 573. The following were 310 ,_ ° "*„ the closing quotations • —Birmingham, WolverhamPl and Stour Valley, buyers, 94 ; sellers, 9.1-16 - London en North-Western, buyers, 1033 ; sellers, 104 ; ditto buyers, 3; sellers, 4 dis. ; Birmingham and Derby, bur' 33; South Staffordshire, buyers, 1 die BRISTOL, DEo. 10. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The m ar k e t was s t ea dy, an,, R ,pad deal of business was done as follows :—Eastern Counties' 13; ' - Great Weste rns , 84A ; Midl an d Stock, 64; Y° l4 ‘ and North Midland, 504. SEABORNE MAILS, signifies that the 'nails are sent from the General Post-oV e v the night—and Mby the morning -dispatch.] !OCNTR) I IDay what' of in General Vost- Office, London.* From whin Pon Dispatche t. .1t), 14 , Each go" merica(hyl irit.paek) Every Friday rnerica (hy United Sts. puke.) • ..N Dec. 13 --...... ‘merica (by Tr :Al . .te's; packet) •••••••.. ustralia (- , 1:1 Floutll- imoton) ..... Jan. 4.... btto (via la' AOlles, N Jan tt Ditto (via ape in .ond Elope) ............ N Feb 4 .. • kfric a ( West Coast).. N '3d of the month . tlexandria N ;8, /4, &30of to Ilexaidria..........MAth 20th of mon. ilahumas ........... m 17th of the montl .tekium ...•••• 1 3razil .......• •• NT 9th of the month.. Ilnenos Ayres 9th of he month .. 'ape in ;ood Doi.° ..N;l4th n, the. mint', Dap' of Good Hope .. N; I ith of the month. 'ape de Verds N 9th of the month . Ceylon (see India) Ceylon ......N il4th of the month • liatine• Isles NlMon.,Wed.,&Frid. 01111 • ... •• 12d& 17th of month China (see India) 'onstantinople ......Nj7,8,17,24,&27 of m . Constantinople S. 20th of mon. I :ont. of Europe M & N Twice daily Egypt (see India) France •... M & N Twice .;ibraltar .... • . '31;4, 7, 17, 20, 27 o f m. Greece (see India) Greytown & 17th of mon. Hamburg)) ..........N.Tuesday & Friday flavannah .......... )12nd of the month Holland Wednesday & Sat. Honduras ........111117th of the month.) India (vlaSouthampt.)M4th & 20th of mon.l India (via Atarseille-s)M Bth&ltith of lonian Isles (see India)'7, 17, & 27 of mon! Ireland ........ M & N,Twice daily ...... hitiott .............. MI, 9, 17, & 25 of m. I ladelra 19th of the month, Madeira N of month .. delta (see India) .. Malta .... .N 17,17,19,28, 30 of m. Mauritius (see India) Mauritius .• •• „„. N 14th of the month Maxim. „ „M,2nd of the month.. Naples . .......N ;sth ihth2sthoftnon New Granada ......11112d & 17th of mouth' New Zc ißy private ship Papal States ........NisthlbthVithofmon. Peninsula th 17th28thotinon Peru „ & k 7th of mon illrt Natal „ ....N;l4th of the month iiclly I ith2F)thotition, ruscany „xiSt ll lsth2sthofrnon. Venezuela—. NI 2d &.t 7th of month Van Diemen'sLand (see; A.witralia) West Indies t 7th o month Lirerpoo! . Li rtrpool Dec. 21 ISou , haropti, Houtharnoi Dover ... Doe. 11 Dec. 2° 'Liverpool... elytnouth Dover UncerPlu pee. 28 16 ,, : Dec. u , P;ti Dec. Dec. I" iNov. 2 6 'Dec. 16 , iNov. 20 'Southampton Southampton! Dover Southarnp , on Soul hamp h I Plymouth I Southampton,' Plymouth Plymouth .. Southampton ' Southampton;] t on Dover ...... Southampton 1 Dover .. . • .. !DTNue°l'..lll:s Dec. Dec. 2 u l, iif rrwice(— Dover . Southampton ITwiCe~ l a Ul ,veC. 1, kouthampton Dec. 1 ,,, 6 , t !London Tad.. Southampton Jan. London ou.Tbu r !Southampton Pee. 16 Southampton ;Dee 17 Dover 'Dec. 40 Dover .Dee. 19 t Holyhead lTo...ced sh,, Southampton ,Dec. 15 Southampton Dee. ,6 ,. Plymouth i Dee. 2 6 , I Dover Dec. 1 0 Plymouth Nov. 26 ,Sonthampton , ,yan. 1 Dover 12 !Southampton:Dee. 16 I Various port.jlJncertatn South Dec. l2 I PlYm o aa u mm t. 1 i Pp tt on D Nov. Dece2llll i " Dover 'Dec. 12 Dover Dec. / 2 Southampton;Dee. 16 SouthamptoniDee. • When any of these dates ,a 0 1 a -Sunday, the mails spill n, lispatche on the following day, with the excepti on o f the Indiato ,iouthampton), and the Malta, both of which will be dispetChed slay preceding. LEICESTER, Dec. S.—Merchants and manufacture are preparing f or Ch r i s t mas stock-taking, and thereje nothing doing exce pt f or i mme di ate orders ; a fair !nand at the c ommencemen t o f t h e new year is expect' [ADVERTISEMENT.]—A LIEU TENANT OF DRAG OO NS d ff CURED OF RHEUMATISM BY HOLLOWAY'S OINTBIg'; AND PILLS.—This officer, who is in the Dutch a . 11: ,%a states that H o ll oway ' s Pill s an d Ointment have nu.';• him of rheumatism, which appeared to be inenrablew riAitlaßreea.bAthipg, vapour baths, nor preparations vaU O - - as sure remedies, did him any good, and the treatment °f the doctor, after several months' trial, was w ithout s, l' cess. At this jun c t ure h e commenced taking these s and rubbing the Ointment into the complaining 1/ 4 o f twice a day, which effectually cured him in the couran, six weeks. The t ru th o f thi s , s t atement can be vouch by Mr. J. B. Stratman, of Bois-le-Dtic.—Sold by all drub',44 gists; and at P ro f essor H o ll oway ' s establishmen t, Strand, London. BIRTHS. OP A BON. ;f a Of On the sth inst., at th e Gl en , P ee bl ess hi re , the Ty-- Charles Tennant, Esq. On the 7th inst., a t 2, St. James's-square, the Wi fe Of the Rev. George T. Blomfield. OF A DAUGHTER. On the Gth inst., at Louth, the wife of the itsy• Pr. Badham. On the 7th inst., Mrs. William Hankey, of Middleton' hall, Linlithgowshire. MARRIED. On the Bth inst., at Brighton, Frederick Thomas, ! nlf or son of Thomas oore Keith, Esq., of Bracondale, Norwich, to E. C. Gertrude, eldest dauolater of the xb ei c i Henry Butterfield, M.A., minor canon — of rector of Fulmer, Bucks. of F• On the Bth inst., at Plaistow, Robert, eldest son_ , Gammen, Esq., of Wilmot-square, Bethnal•green, to II; Anne, eldest daughter of J. C. Dexter, Esq., of Efadding house, West Ham. Windsor, all DIED. On the Bth inst., at his residence, Lower Edmonton, George Guillonneau, I A °sr, On the Bthinst., at Hamilton-square,Birke nheau, widow of the late William Laird, Esq., aged On the Bth inst., at-Lansdowne-terrace. HacLun e ytou, eldest daughter of the late Joseph Hi bbert, E°q°' °- Essex, aged 79. e a her On the 9th bust , Mrs. Mary Dawson, at thel34l. son, No. 25, .Steward-street, Spital-square , sPd 7 Can.seyagfda6reihall_., --------- - - - ~,,,,,,----- CI, LONDON : Printed and Published by 31 1 : 7 i""' Y°17144 "" ) , a of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at 774 Sun OM" 2 410 .- 1- 7, f °trail& in the teoinct of rags r y a Liu ° °lll2tY Iliddlesez, !gondol; Delleier 12 h 18°e ' ' - . - Prof Wren f. Poli cy ßal . At th .._, l 30 4i 10 1 8 ° 2 60 3 ".....-___. 1:41 111 .It e Ilit 4 ge of , tt 941 o tart ie. 4 ron wh %Z it first t,allhli ON Ba "it V ol t 41% P DOiin 1 4 II :. kid *re 1852• • • •... 18 54 -• , „. ta 55 ••.,. 88 1 lg 141'••••: • ' l 4 t r(1 14, Ar Th , I !' 3 , t , tt l l tri e ' lo n " iPM Of ' Or It 0 6q . c 1. 1141 b , b ‘ Co',,, l fOit fo r ptroll Fi,pa,, k 7te Vit t jarg' A dnair, Th e -"At A 0 ii, ii ralt! Chi °g. i .(4, l 4 ztn s C/n 4 Aie, ; 1,°4 Prof° 41; cir Pr e°l4l j )'l ty 443t,:lifg S A (Ti; (ma, an d unr l or lio 3 r halt Th e anc ( Fire Col or (Pa( --..-...... d tpir, 4 ts I • f ►a 1 '1 C 0 !... , 7 F : I . ii t