The Sun. — London, England, 1853-05-20 00:00:00

! V 44 4y.'j _Zttg,tttnt SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock. TATTERSALL'S (THIS EVENING.) DERBY. 2to 1 agst West Australian. Bto 1 agst lioneywood (taken). 9to 1 agst Pharos (taken). 13 to 1 agst Cineas (off). 13 to 1 agst Umbriel (taken). 20 to 1 agst 40 to 1 agst Brod:et. 50 to 1 agst Ilurwortb (taken). 50 to 1 agst Orinoco. 100 to 1 agst Rattle. 100 to 1 agst Phasold. 50 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Lot (taken). THE OAKS. 7 to 2 asst Catherine Hayes (taken) MANCHESTER RACES (THIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) GRAND STAND STAKES. Tally Honesty ... 1 2 LATEST BETTING. DERBY. 13 to 1 agst Peggy. 8 to 1 agst Pharos. OAKS. 3 to 1 agst Misletoe (taken). HARPENDEN RACES. (TIIIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) ROTHAMPSTEAD STAKES. (Heats). Polly walked over. TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKES. Balmoral Lioness Five ran. • HARPENDEN HANDICAP. Young England Economy Eight ran. LATEST FROM PARIS. (BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.) PARIS, FRIDAY AFTERNOON'. The following telegraphic dispatch arrived here this morning :—" The Times affirms that the Russian Legation at Paris has received intelligence that Prince Menschikoff's ultimatum has been ac cepted by the Porte." I have just this moment ascertained that the Times' assertion is utterly false. The Russian Legation here has received no news of a later date than the 7th. The answer of the Porte to Prince Menscbikoff was to be given on the 10th. News is anxiously expected, but as yet any that pretends to bo of later date than the 7th is pure fabrication. —Morning ~.Post. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. 11017 SE OF COMMONS—(THIS EVENING.) The SPEAKER took the chair at a few minutes to four o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. • The following bills were read a third time and passed : - -Allendale Road ; Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, and Portrush Junction Railway ; Edinburgh Water works (No. 2) ; Haslingden and Rawtenstall Water works ; Limerick Corporation • Londonderry, Cole raine, and Belf as t J unc ti on Railway ; Waveney Valley Railway. The reports upon the following bills were brought up and agreed to, and ordered to be read a third time : Caledonian Railway (Connecting Branch with Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, &c.) ; Great Western Railway (Henley) ; Portsmouth Railway ; Poulnasherry Inclo sure ; Scottish Midland Junction Railway - South- Eastern Railway (R ea di ng E x t ens i on , &c.; ; South Shields Improvement ; Tralee and Killarney Railway ; and Bedale and Leyburn Railway. Nash's Estate Bill was read a second time. PETITIONS. Mr. MIALL presented several petitions in favour of the ocean penny postage. Mr. FAGAN presented a petition from Cork, praying for the total abolition of Ministers' money. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from the Tower Hamlets against the advertisement duty • also two peti tions from Hackney, in favour of the ballot. Mr. M. CHAMBERS presented a petition from Woolwich against the proposed bill for disfranchising electors in dockyards, and praying that their votes may be taken by ballot. Mr. FITZROY presented two petitions from the metropolis, in favour of the Hackney Carriages Bill. Sir F. KELLY presented two petitions from Suffolk against the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sundays. Mr. COBDEN presented a petition frcm Lancashire, in favour of the ocean penny postage. IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDE PARK. Mr. OLIVEIRA asked the First Commissioner of Works, whether it was intended to remove the old dila pidated shops which deface Hyde-park from Albert-gate eastward ; what the tenure of the present occupants of these shops might be ; and whether parties might not be found ready to undertake the removal of these objec tionable buildings, and to improve the locality with out entailing a n y ex p ense upon the Government ; also, whether a carriage drive should not be constructed through Hyde -park from or near Victoria-gate, to Rotten-row, near Prince's-gate ; and whether the re moval of the cavalry barracks from Knightsbridge was under consideration, by which the public, enjoyment of that portion of Hyde-park would be much enhanced, and a great benefit conferred upon the residents in that locality ? Sir W. MOLESWORTH said he had to state in reply to the first question, that the old, dilapidated houses near Albert-gate were held under a lease from the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, the term of which would expire in about 56 years from the present time. The Dean and Chapter had refused to renew the lease ; it being their intention, if they could obtain the property at a reasonable price, to make certain improvements upon the spot. With regard to the second question— whether a carriage drive should not be constructed through Hyde-park, from or near Victoria-gate to Rotten-row, near Princess'-gate —he had to state that he answered that question last night. He then stated that he doubted very much the expediency of making such a carriage drive, because though it might be very advantageous to persons going in carriages, it would be very -disadvantageous to the ninny persons who walked in the park. As to the last question, his reply was that the removal of the cavalry barracks at Knightsbridge was not under the consideration of the Government. ALLEGED IMPROPER SEIZURE BY THE CUSTOMS. Mr. M. CHAMBERS gave notice of his intention on an early day to move the appointment of a select com mittee to inquire into the circumstances connected with an unlawful seizure by two officers of the customs, on the 10th of F e b ruary , 1852 , o f f ore i gn and English Watches, of the value of upwards of 50,0001., and books, letters, papers, and bills of exchange, the property of Lucian Marchand, and to ascertain what steps had been taken by the Commissioners of Customs to investigate into the conduct of the officers, and to make restitution of such property. NEWSPAPER STAMPS. Mr. MAGUIRE inquired whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made up his mind as to the course he intended to tako with regard to the advertisement duty ; also, whether he meant to proceed with the re solution respecting the stamping of newspaper supple ments? The CHANCELLOR o f t h e EXCHEQUER replied that this subject, in connection with others relating to _theenbudget, was under the consideration cf the Govern f_ arse ; and when they had finally decided upon the `2.):_leesewhich they should take, hon. members would be i't 1 to d of it in due time before the house was called upon pronounce its opinion. Mr. RINDL SAVINGS BANKS. the Chancellor (;•"V-liasked whether it was the intention of present sessio n a bill Exchequer to bring in during the for the protection of depositors in savings banks, The CHANCELLOR of the hoped.to be enabled shortly to l3*' EXCHEQUER said he SPIRITS r gtna ß b l il L l L o . f that description. EXCISE DUTIES ON The CHANCELLOR of th that the house at its risinc, deciaX(l.l9olElguljnEtilllM'onnodvaed next. Captain INNES o b served that the , Excise Duties :n p equ er Spirits Bill stood f or M on d ay next a hope that the ' Chancellor of the " E ex reseed Es ch would delay it for a further period the , ground that there had not yet been time o iou to enable Irish members to receive ans wers from their constituents as to their opinions with regard to the bill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the parties who were affected by the bill had had ample time since it was printed to consider its provisions. To his own knowledge persons in the very distant parts of Ireland had already considered the bill, and in point of fact some of them were in London at the present time, and:were communicating with the Government and revenue department on the subject. He, therefore , did the not think there was any fear of their being taken by sur p rise. At the sam e ti me h e would state how the Government now stood in regard to this bill. The hon. member must know that it was extremely important, in reference to the passing of the measures for the remission of taxation, that there should be no needless delay in taking the sense of the house on the main question, i.e., the increase of the duty on spirits. What he proposed .to do, was to take that tquestion after the house should have disposed of the Customs resolutions Assum ing that the house read the Income Tax Bid a second time, the Government proposed that the hot se should go into committee upon it on Monday ; after the house had disposed of the committee they wou!d take the Customs duties resolutions, and after them they pro posed that the house should go into committee on the Spirits Duties bill._ . _ - Mr. MAGUIRE thought the right hon. gentleman was in error in supposing that the people in Ireland had had ample time to consider the bill, and he trusted he would not hurry it through the house. Mr. F. SCULLY said it was only last night that he received the opinions of his constituents on the bill. The subject then dropped. ANNEXATION OF PEGU. Mr. COBDEN said as there was DOW so much diffi culty in a private member bringing anything- under dis cussion in the house, he would take that opportunity of calling attention to a subject of some importance. They were informed by papers recently laid before the house, that an extensive territory belonging to the Burmese empire had b een annexe d t o our East India territory. In reading the papers he had some difficulty in arriving at this piece of information, viz., by.whose authority was that territory annexed to the British possessions in India ? He observed that the Governor-General, by his procla mation annexing the province of Pegu, referred to a communication which he had had with the secret com mittee of the court of directors, and stated that the step he had taken had received their concurrence and ap proval ; but it did not appear whether the Government or the Noard of Control had been a consenting party. The inhabitants of the district who were of a semi-bar barous description, had been inducted to all the rights and privileges of Englishmen. They were now, in fact, subjects of these realms while the government were re sponsible for the good management of the district, and bound to protect the natives under every circumstance, and in all parts of the world. Now, this was a most serious responsibility, and the house ought to knew by whose authority this annexation had taken place. He con tended that the people of this country ought to have an opportunity of pronouncing an opinion upon such subjects as this. So far from regarding this annexation of ter ritory as any benefit to this country, he looked upon it as a positive evil. Indeed, it has more than once been pronounced to be an evil to extend our Indian territory, and yet a district had recently been added to it extending over an enormous area, and containing a population of between 30,000,000 and 40,000,000. He did not know who was to be held responsible for all this, but the question he wished to ask was this, was the province of Pegu annexed to our In dian possessions with the authority of the British Government ; and secondly, if so, was there any dispatch in existence which could be produced and which would show the nature of the authority given. Sir C. WOOD was quite ready to answer the ques tion, but he must in the first place deprecate the prac tice of commenting upon important questions at a time when there could be no time or opportunity for a full and ample discussion. (Hear, hear.) He did not at all wish to say that no discussion ought to be had upon this important subject, hut this was not the proper time for taking it. Now, with regard to the first question. He was asked whether the Governor-General of India ordered the annexation of this territory without any pre vious instructions from home, and his reply must be, certainly not ; for it would be found by a reference to pages 46 and 53 of the papers already on the table, relating to this subject, th a t autho rity was given by the Home Government for the annexa tion to the territory. With regard to the second ques tion, which required him to state whether there was any dispatch in existence conveying such authority, and at the same time describing the boundaries of Pegu, he begged to state that he was not aware of the existence of such a dispatch, but as to the latter part of the ques tion it should be remembered that Pegu was a totally distinct territory from Burmah, inhabited by a different race of people, who had uniformly received our troops in a kind and cordial manner, and who were glad to be rescued from the grasp and tyranny of their former conquerors. (Hear, hear.) Mr. T. M. GIBSON wished to know whether the right hon. gentleman had sufficiently informed himself upon this subject as to be able to hold out hopes that this new province would be able to pay its own ex penses. - Sir C. WOOD said that so far as he was informed, he had every reason to believe that the province would pay its own expenses. Mr. BRIGHT said that there were unfortunately so few opportunities for making statements of this nature that he was not surprised that his honourable friend had brought this subject forward to-night. (Hear, hear.) They were now told that Pegu could pay its own expenses, but that was precisely the same statement that they had heard in other in stances since the days of Clive. The results, however, always showed that the Government authorities were mistaken. He wished to know whether any limits had been fixed to the territory to be annexed Sir C. WOOD said no precise limits had been defined, but he Ind intimated his own wish that it should be con fined in as narrow limits as possible. DOCKYARD ELECTIONS. In reply to Sir J. SHELLEY Lord J. RUSSELL said it was his intention to post pone his motion, for leave to bring in a bill to disfran chise persons employed in Dockyars, until Thursday sen'night. REBELLION IN CHINA. In reyly to Vicount JOCELYN, Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated that information had reached the Government that the rebellion in China was making considerable progress, and the Governor of Shanghai had made a communication on the subject to Sir G.lBonham the superintendent of Hong Kong. Sir G. Bon ham had sent a force to protect British subjects and their property in the disturbed district while the Government had given orders that sufficient means should be afforded for the protection of the property of British subjects, but care was to be taken that there was no interference whatever in the civil war at present going on. (Hear.) The motion that the house at its rising do adjourn until Monday, was then agreed to. MAYNOOTTI. In answer to Mr. MAGUIRE, Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government had no in tention of proposing a supplementary vote for the re pairs of Maynooth, in place of the vote which was re fused last night. LAW OF PARTNERSHIP. In answer to Mr. RICARDO, Mr. CARDWELL said that the Commission which was to be issued on the subject had passed from the hands of the Lord Chancellor, and would be soon nomi nated. INCOME TAX BILL. On the motion for the second reading, Mr. DISRAELI said that, considerine , the state of public business, it was not the intention of' the gentle men with whom he acted to oppose the present stage of the bill. They reserved to themselves, however, the full right of making any amendments they might think proper ; and, with regard to the third reading, they did not wish it to be understood that they had consented to the principle of the bill by taking this course, as their only wish was to combine the facilitation of public busi ness with the full discussion proper to such an important subject. (Hear, hear.) In answer to Mr. CRAUFURD, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he knew of no reason why any difference should be made in the assessment of the property of royal burghs in Scotland and municipal corporations in the country. The hill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. CUSTOMS' DUTIES RESOLUTIONS. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he intended to propose so many of these resolutions as were not expected either to be opposed or debated immediately after the Income Tax Bill should have passed thrtugh committee, on the same night, at what ever hour it might be. The remainder will be taken on as early a night as could be possibly fixed. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE FOR THE QUEEN'S BIRTH-DAY AND THE DERBY-DAY. On the motion for going into committee of supply, Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that, on Monday next, he should move, that the house adjourn over the Queen's biith-day, and as, on looking to the notice paper, he saw there was but one order of the day down for Wednesday, he should move that the house at its rising on Monday adjourn until Thursday next. (Cheers.) The house then went into committee of supply, Mr. Bouverie in the chair, and was LEFT SITTING. THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) ; CROWN-OFFICE, MAY 18. MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PARLIAMENT. Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed - Dudley Coutts Majori banks, of Upper Grosvenor-street, in the county of Mid dlesex, Esq. ; and John Forster, of St. James's-street, in the city of Westminster, Esq., in the room of John Staple ton and Matthew Forster, Esqrs., whose election has boon adjudged void. Borough of Maidstone—William Lee ' Esq., in the room of George Dodd, Esq., whose election has een adjudged void. WAR-OFFICE, MAY 20. ham, from the l . 7 t h t Regiment obe Lieut Lieutenant, t i g , h b ty purchase, T o il e P I n h a i c l Philip , Mus gravewhoretires ;' Cornet Augustus Stafford Jer . ning 7 ta th ot D e zzo ay n 2 Geards, to be Cornet, vice Musgrave, pro moted, half -pay e F4o to t— b C e ap e t a a p i Foot—Captain a i John n (rep et laZy a m cd g on t a h l e d di , from ffer. ) ,lyvi Watsontc e Mass who w er ho to ex b c e lian e g a e p s tai ; nF,irbsty-Lpiueurethenaasen,t vice Macdonald, who retires ; Second Lieutenant William Leach to be First Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Palmer, May 20. 38th Foct—Lieutenant Charles Frederick T orrens Da niell t o b e Captain, by purchase, vice Henry Holden, who retires ; Ensign Compton .Aiwyne Scrase Dickins to bo B Li r e o u d t i e e n l a v n a t i ,. d b la y w r frrocimiastei, e 5 viceot hi:ire Daniell t ; ., 0 Ensign It , n n s i Thomas vicena as May 20. 42d Dickins,oot—Brevet Major Thomas Tulloch to be Major, without purchase, vice Brevet Lieutenant -Colonel Daniel Frazer, who retires upon full pay; Lieutenant John Walter purchase vice Tutloch ; Wedderburn to be Captain, without E ns i gn William Crofton Ward to be Lieutenant, wit hout base, vice Wederburn ; Ensign John Gordon Ct unp pure Lieutenant bell to be by purchase, vice Menzies , wiz o re. T 111?. SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY' EVEN'ING, MA" i 20, 18 8, tires ; Ensign Sir Peter A. Halkett, Bart., from the 81st Fe:A, to be Ensign, vice Campbell ; Ensign Montague Ainslie, from the Ist Foot, to be Ensign, vice Fletcher, who retires, May 20. 50th Foot—Christopher Joseph Henry Tolcher, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Wardlaw, appointed to the 38th Foot, May 20 ; Jas. Francis Hickie, Gent., to be Ensign, by purcha se , v i ce R ogers , appointed to the 81st Foot, May 21. 81st Foot—Ensign John Thornton Rogers, from the 59th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Sir P. A. Halkett , appointed to the 42d Foot, May 20. 94th Foot—Captain Wm. John Dorehill, from half-pay Unattached, to be Captain, vice Geo. Dorehill, who ex changes, May 20. 95th Foot—Wm. Hill, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, May 20. 3d West India Regiment—Lieutenant Charles Beevor Daveney, has been permitted to retire from the Service by the sale of his Commission, May 20. HOSPITAL STAFF.—Charles Augustus Shiell, Gent., to be Assistant-Surgeon to the Forces, vice Fyffe, appointed to the 30th Foot, May 20. BREVET.—Captain John Macdonald, of the sth Foot, to be Major in the Army, Jan. i 0 ; Brevet-Major John Mac donald, of the sth Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, Nov. 11. MEMORANDA.—The removal of Ensign Frederick Henry Hope, from the Ist Foot to the 42d Foot, on the Gth May, has been cancelled. The second Christian name of Ensign Backhonso, of the 70th Foot, is Deering, and not Deriuzy, as stated in the Gazelle of 13th May, 1353. The Surname of the Ensign appointed to the 95th Foot, on the 13th instant, is Bazalgette, and not Bagalgette. The Surname of the Ensign appointed to the Canadian Rifle Regiment, on 13th instant, is Wolloy, and not Woolley. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, MAY 20. Royal Regiment of Artillery—Second Captain Robert Parker Radcliffe to be Captain, vice Saville, retired on half-pay ; First Lieutenant John Everett Thring to be Second Captain, vice Radcliffe ; Second Lieutenant James Lyons to be first Lieutenant, vice Thring, May 20. Corps of Royal Engineers—Second Lieutenants, with temporary rank, to be Second Lieutenants, with perma nent rank, viz. :—Charles William Townsend, Dec. 17 ; Oliver Haldam Stokes, June 23. COMMISSION SIGNED BY THE QUEEN Isle of Wight Artillery Militia—Thomas Robinson ; Gent., to be Adjutant, April 20. COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORD LIEUTENANTS. Thomas Hayter Longden, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower Hamlets, May 10. Charles Frederick Clifton, Esq., to be Depnty Lieu tenant of the County Palatine of Lancaster, May 12. West Kent RegiMent of Militia—R,obert "Valle Skinner, Gent., to bo Assistant-Surgeon, May 17. Dorset Re g iment of Militia—Ensigns John Warry, Her bert EustaceHounsell, and Charles Hall, to be Lieutenants, May 16. Stirling, Clackmannan, Dumbarton, and Kinross, or 90th Regiment of British Militia—John Mackie, Gent., to be Lieutenant, April 30. The Essex Rifles—Captain John Richard Groves, late of her Majesty's Rifle Brigade, to be Major, May 16. Ist Regiment of Royal Surrey Militia—To be Ensign, Eglinton Ross, Gent., May, 1853. 3d or Royal Westminster Light Infantry Regiment of Middlesex Militia—William Henry Burgess, Gent., to be Lieutenant ; Thomas William Nunn, Gent., to be Assist. ant-Surgeon May 16. 4th or Royal South Middlesex Regiment of Militia-- Major Charles Tyndale, Major Unattached, late 51st, King's Own Light Infantry, to be Major ; John Scriven, Esq., late 51st, King's Own Light Infantry, to be Major; James George, Gent., to be Surgeon, May 16. sth or Royal Elthorne Regiment of Middlesex Militia— The Honourable Frederick William Childe Villiers to be Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, May 16. BANKRUPTCIES ANNULLED. Robert Wood, cheesemonger, Greenwich. Joseph Greenwood and Benjamin Greenwood, manufac turers, Bradford. BANKRUPTS. Robert Lockyer, licensed victualler, Maidstone, to sur render May 27, at two, and June 27, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Southgate and Son, Gravesend ; Johnson, Great James-street, Bedford-row. D. E. Hedger, watch manufacturer, City-road, May 30, at two, and July 1, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Spyer and Son, Broad-street-buildings. Emanuel Cuuliffe, manufacturer, Higher Booths, Lan caster, May 30, and June 22, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court • Fraser, official assignee, Manchester ; Taylor, Manchester ; Hartley, Burnley. John Thomas Davison, grocer, Chatham, May 27, and June 27, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee ; Nichols and Clark, Lincoln's-inn ; Prall, Chatham. _ _ _ _ _ _ John Roberts, builder, Stratford-upon-Avon, May 31 and June 28, at twelve, at the Birmingham District Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Birmingham ; Hobbes and Slatter, Stratford-upon-Avon ; Motteram and Knight, Bir mingham. BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, cap 32, for the Week ending on Saturday the 14th day of May, 1853. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notes Issued .. • ..... 31,591,025 Government debt.... 11,015,100 Other securities ...... 2,984,900 Gold coin and bullion 17,571,871 Silver baton ........ 19,134 £31,591,025 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 19th day of May, 1853. X 31,591,025 BANKING DEPARTMENT. Proprietors' capital 14,553,000 3,151,746 Public deposits (in cluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Sav ing's Banks, and Government securities (includg.Dcad Weight Annuity) Other securities .. 14,014.176 Notes 8,428,220 Gold and silver coin.. 027,992 Dividend Accounts) 5,095,G91 Other deposiis ...... 12,011,402 Seven Day and other 1,383,202 £36,195,041 £36,195,041 ►i. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated tho 19th day of May, 18 PRICE OF SUGAR. The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the returns made in the week ending the 17th day of May, 1853, is 255. 9d. per hundred weight, exclusive of the duties of Customs paid or payable thereon on the im portation thereof into Great Britain. COURSE OF EXC: Amsterdam ............ 11 17 Ditto. three months .. 11 18% llotterdam ... ..... .... 11 18% Antwerp .............. 25 30 Brussels .............. 25 30 Ilarubv - gh ............ 13 8 3 ,4 Altona . Pari5•................. 25 123 Ditto, three months •• 25 323¢ Mar5ei11e5.............. 25 35 Bourdeaux ............ Frankfort-on-Maine .... 120% Berlin Vienna .......... .. 10 56 Trieste •• .. •• .• •• •• •• .. 10 57 Petersburgh .• 37% Madrid .............. 5 0 34 1 Cadiz.................. 50% Seviiie ................ UNITED SE]? T'ICE INSTITUTION. The members of the above institution assembled, pursuant to adjournment, in the theatre at the insti tution, Scotland-yard, on Wednesday, for resuming the discussion on Mr. Fcrgusson's system of fortification ; Lieut.-Col. W. IL Sykes, V.P.R.S., in the chair. Amongst the distinguished officers present were— Generals Wlnnes, Aitchison, Sir C. Pasley, Sir R. Doherty, Briggs, and Horne ; Admirals Lord Rostock, Crofton, and Sir Charles Napier ; Sir Charles Cuyler, Sir J. Dunlop ; Colonels Fletcher, Colville, Torrens, Codrington, Hope, Lemon, Markham, Townsend, Sir A. Murray, Paget, Buen, Parlby, James Jones, Angelo, Somers, Palliser, Jebb, R.E., Abbott, C.B. (of the East India College, Addiscombe), Wortham, RE., and Fer gusson, R.M. ; Majors De Winton, Baron, Agnew, Montagu, and Whitfield ; Captains Sutherland, Ford, Warren, Evans, Elwyn, Crofton Key, RN., Dinor, R. A., Lefroy, Eardley Wilmot, It. A., Sinclair, King, R. N., Gardiner, R. N., Blythe, Roxburgh, Fearon, Anderson, Williams, Hood, Simmons ' Mac laurin, Nixon, Desborough, B arne tt, R.N., Ward, R.E., Shaw, Johnson, R.N., A. Lane Fox, Kelly, Stuart, Addison, Yorke, Rawlinson, Baker, R.E., Grif fiths, R.A., Galton, R.E., Ruddima n , Phillimore, Robb, R.N., H. Reynolds, Dunlop, RN., Hogg, Hand, R.N., Fitzroy. R.N., Gambier, Mknsell, Appleton, R.M., Gordon, R.N. ' • Codrington. R.N. ; Ti m b re ll, Watts, Strong, Tower, Bague, W. H. Hall, R.N. ; Hammond, RV. ; and Hoseasonß.N.; Lieutenants Pasley, RE.; Tyler, R.E. ; Lumley, Henderson, R.N.; D'Aguilar, Goose, R.N. ; Dr. Thomson, Dr. Kerr, Dr. Lloyd, Dr. Baird, Dr. Adolphus ; E. Hawkins, Esq.; H. R. Knight, Esq.; J. S. Kennedy, Esq. ; S. Lacon, Esq., &c., &c. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business, said this dis cussion had already run to a length far greater than had been anticipated, having now occupied four nights ; and as he understood that Mr. Fergusson was about to leave town, it was desirable that the discussion should be closed that night. Captain WARD, of the Royal Engineers, then rose, and spoke to the following effect :—I would not have intruded myself on your notice at this late period of the discussion, had I not felt that it was the duty of an engi neer officer to reply to the arguments used by the gal lant captain who last spoke (Captain Younge), and which had probably a strong impression in favour of cir cular concentric lines, as applied to Gosport. I shall first proceed to examine the strength of those lines. It has been proposed to throw a salient curve across the isthmus, and I will proceed to see if that plan of defence is the best. Captain Younge has, I think, very satisfactorily demon strated to us that in such a position, embraced with a curve of such a radius (two miles), it would be a mat ter of difficulty, if not of impossibility, to effectively enfilade the proposed work. He has also dwelt upon that important fact as the great, the'essential recom mendation of the proposed work for Gosport. Indeed, to use his own words, " enfilade is the very foundation of an attack of a fortress." But let us examine for a moment• where the merit of this absence of enfilade lies. If I have understood rightly, the reason why systems on the circular principle are not open to enfilade is on ac count of their circularity. A circle possesses the advan tage of limiting the number of guns a besieger can attack by enfilade fire ; and it is evident that greater the curve, or, in otner words, the less the radius of the cir cle the less would be the number of guns open to enfi lade. It may be a matter of opinion how many can be so attacked in each case—but there can be no doubt that the degree of curvature is but one limit to that number, however much it may be. But the gallant captain feeling, I presume, that some case had been established by Sir Charles ?alley and Mr. Wrottesley, when they argued on the possibility of enfilading the model fortress before us, says at all events the proposed lines of Gosport are not open to this description of fire, if the others are. I have admitted all this. But how has he gained this extraordinary additional strength— how has he limited enfilade ? Not by increasing the curvature, but by flattening the arc ; in fact by approaching to a straight line. The protection against that most important fire in this case must not then be put down to the merits of the circular system, for in the position before us we are increasing in strength the more we depart froin the circle, and we shall find ourselves still less vulnerable when we have arrived at a straight line. In the particular position before us, the straight line— with tiers of parapets one behind another if you please, but I will come to that point presently—would possess many advantages over the salient curve. 1. In the first place, it would be of less extent. 2. Next, it would be easier of construction, for curved lines are always more difficult to lay out or build up. Both these facts diminish the cost of the works. 3 More fire could be concentrated on any particular point of the at tack if desired. 4. And, as is easily seen, the enfi lade,_ " that foundation of the attack of a fortress," could not be attempted, as the prolongations go to in accessible positions. Both these facts add materially to the strength of the fortress. If, then, the cost of con struction is diminished, and additional strength gained by this modification, I may conclude it is superior to the salient curve. Having arrived at this conclusion I think it may reasonably be matter of opinion whe ther in similar positions a slight concave curve is not stronger than either. The degree of curvature in this case would be regulated by circumstances ; for instance, it might be so arranged as to permit the whole garri son to concentrate their fire at the most effective range of their guns, or on some vulnerable point of the be sieger's ground, as over that by which he must approach. If such a plan was adopted it might be called a modifi cation of the circular system ; it certainly may be con sidered as a modification, but I think you will admit that it is arrived at by turning it inside out. However, to return to the straight line, which I think I have shown, in the situation under consideration, possesses advantages ,over the proposed salient curve. To any who think the straight line an evident modification of the circle, I would say it is a very simple one, and it does not say much for the ingenuity of engineers hitherto to suppose that the idea of a straight line of ramparts for a defence never occurred to them, and that we are in debted for this valuable suggestion to the ingenuity of the present day. A little consideration, will, I think, show the contrary. Engineers not only saw that a straight line of ramparts across an isthmus was a very strong mode of keeping an enemy at a distance, when they could afford to construct it, but they also found that at a very small increase of expense they could materially improve on that system, if it may be called one. They therefore preferred to fortify thus : By inclining the beginning of the lines at the extreme ends a little inwards, then adding two small lengths of ramparts, capable of holding five or six guns each, and joining these by a straight line. The expense of constructing this, over and above the straight line, was about the cost of the two flanks. See what these flanks did for them in return for the expense. Each fired along the face of the rampart in its front, and when these latter were much elevated above the plain of the country, this service was of no small importance, for it prevented certain sappers and other burrowing under them like rabbits, and so blowing up the brave defendors. They also protected by musketry fire the foot of each other's ramparts, and each undertook this duty for the other's half of the remaining straight line called the curtain. Now, these little additions to the cost of a straight line added materially to the strength of the ramparts, so much so that engineers of those days ar rived from practice at the conclusion that they were well worth their cost, and always applied them to their fortifications. Nor have any that have seen service from that time to this differed from them in opinion. Flank defence is essential, if for no other purpose, to protect the foot of the escarps from the mining propensi ties of sappers, as I have mentioned. And though to he flanked is to be outflanked, to be not flanked is to be blown up, and so the choice is left us. I think then that I, and others like myself, who have not had the experi ence of battles, do right to incline to the opinion that flank defence is desirable, and that we should prefer add ing it to any system of fortification, even if carried across an isthmus. I think now I am justified in concluding 1. That the broken bastioned line is, in the Gosport po sition, superior to a straight one in its capability of -re sisting attack, and I have shown before that the straight is superior to the salient curve ; 2. That, though the first cost of the bastioned line would be slightly superior to the straight one, it would amply repay the extra ex pense, and therefore be cheaper in the end ; and 3. That the first cost of the bastion line would not exceed that of the salient curve, as it would not exceed it in length, and certainly not in difficulty of construction. I am willing, however, to go yet further with those who still admire the circular salient curve, and examine its comparative value. I do not think there can be a sha dow of a doubt in any one's mind that a straight line . across the Gosport isthmus would be preferable to a sa lient curve of a similar profile, for I cannot imagine one objection to it. The question then lies between the straight line and the bastion front. Now, by breaking the straight front into faces and flanks, you do not deprive yourself of one gun, you command the same extent of fire to your front as before—you may say that I make flanks to be enfiladed. Admitting for a moment that they are easy of enfilade, if I was on that account to decide on putting no guns there at all I should be no worse off than if I had a straight line ; but, inasmuch as by putting these guns so, I am doing great service to the defence by flank fire, and I oblige the besieger to throw up batteries, and bring guns to destroy these flanks, before he can come up to the face of the bastions—l am making a stouter resistance, and it requires a longer time for the besieging force to overcome me than would otherwise be the case. I hardly think, however, that I shall be told by the admirers of the circular system, that five or six guns in a row are worthy of, or easy to, enfilade, when they generally resist the possibility of eight or nine of them being so treated in that system. For Mr. Wrot tesley has clearly shown in his diagram that this number are capable of being taken up in one line. However, even against such an enfilade, it would be easy to pro vide a remedy by placing a traverse, or putting the guns in case-mates, or making the flanks somewhat lower than the faces, or making them circular and concave—this latter, and indeed all these methods have been tried, but engineers have generally arrived at this conclusion respecting them, that insomuch as these flanks are very short, and so difficult to enfilade, that besiegers do not care about making the attempt, it is better to apply a straight flank to systems, the curve or case-mates not being worth the expense or trouble. I think then, sir, we may come to the conclusion that if it is necessary to throw a continued line across the Gosport isthmus, it had far better he a broken bastion line than a salient curve, and that if the circular system pos sesses advantages they are applicable to the site for which they have been proposed. With respect to the proposed plan of putting parapets and guns one behind another, I will examine that presently, but it can in no way invalidate the arguments I have used. Such para pets (if they possess ees advantage adequate to the ex pense of their construction) eau be equally well applied to the faces and curtains of the bastion system for Gos port, as to the 'Anent circular one, WhotheF thmj.pu a continued fortification across the isthmus at Gosport is the most effectual mode of defending the harbour, is another question. After all the object of fortification is but to ensure our lives and property, and every one in this commercial country would prefer knowing the rate of insurance he has to pay and for what. However, let me first remark shortly on some of the points alluded to last evening by the advocates of the circular system. One was mentioned by a gallant captain in the navy (Captain Hood). In speaking of the wet ditch and Sir Charles Pasley's plan of crossing it by Colonel Blan shard's or by India-rubber pontoons, he says if the besiegers attempted to do so he would let the water out, and then he appealed triumphantly to know where the besiegers would be then. Now, gentle men, in order to master this grand conception, I must remind you that the ditch is not permitted to be less than fifteen feet deep in water, 200 feet broad, and is about four miles long ; that it must be filled by the tide and cannot well be sustained at a level above high water. It is then no matter of difficulty to tell you where the besiegers would be ; if they attempted a passage across they would do so at high at water, when the water would simply refuse to go out ; but even supposing a passage to be attempted at a time most favourable for the gallant engineer to indulge his long ings, lie might, with the most approved sluice-gates, probably lower that immense body of water a few inches, in an hour, by which time it would be all over with the fortress. A few words on the recommendations of this system by a brother officer (Captain Simmons). I can speak for myself, and I am sure I can for the corps, how pleasing it was to find one of ours arising in defence of this system. It showed that we had but one feeling in coming to this discussion, not that of a determined oppo sition, but for the public good. I may, as lam on en filade, allude to what Captain Younge said last evening, that "no enfilade can properly be so called that does not follow the line of parapet or ditch against which it is directed, and that it is a palpable contradiction of terms to say that a shot which only passes along a chord enfilades the arc." Now, sir, an engineer does not care to set guns to enfilade the arc, but the guns in that arc, and if some part of each of the guns in any arc are on an alignment with a besieger's fire they will be equally effectually enfiladed, whether the parapet in front of them is an arc or a straight line. Mr. Wrottesley has shown, by his diagram, how many guns are so open to enfilade in the circular system, drawn on the scale proposed by the ingenious projector. I will now proceed, sir, to notice some of the defects of the circular system. The art of fortification, then, has arrived at its greatest perfection when it enables a fortified place to hold out with the least expense for a certain period against the greatest force. It cannot be expected that a fortress of 1,000 guns is compared against one of 200 ; that it is necessary to prove the former must fall quicker, or even as quick, before the same besieging force, to establish the point that the larger fortress is not so good as the smaller. Besides, in this circular system, Mr. Wrottesley has shown that 55 guns are the most that can be brought to bear on any besieger's battery, and he uses three batteries, em ploying 165 guns, to oppose him, out of the whole fortress. Here, then, we find in the height of the siege 835 guns at least standing idle, and that number must continually stand idle supposing we were to commence fighting now, and continue doing so till the world's end, supposing the siege to last so long. But, expecting as we do to have some peace, it will not be over-estimating it if I say that 900 guns of every 1000-gun fortress must be continually idle. Is it judicious to fortify so ? Are 900 platforms, guns, and carriages to be exposed from year to year, the platform to rot, the guns and carrriages to be continually re-painted and re-lacquered; the extent of parapets they occupy to appear continually for repair in our arsenal estimates ? Really, sir, this would be paying a high in surance for protection ; and even that insurance, it has been admitted, will not give us undoubted security. I have said that I do not think it can be for a moment supposed that six tiers of guns are not stronger than one ; but I intend to show that guns and parapets so placed do not yield a protection equivalent to their cost. I have no doubt it is evident to all that the besieger, if he requires say three guns to enfilade one face, does not require six times three to enfilade six ; because any shot fired may be expected to hit some one or other. The same remark applies to counter batteries ; and it is also evident, that with such extent of parapets the besieger can continue firing all night, with guns that in attacking the old system would have remained silent. Here, then, the comparison, gun for gun, is at once in favour of the besieger. Now, the expense of constructing every tier of guns increases in a much greater ratio than the number of tiers, for every succeeding parapet, is placed higher, requires more earth to construct it, and is supplied from a deeper and more distant source than the one below it. This supply has therefore to travel further to be properly appropriated, and will cost more to appropriate. It is evident, therefore, on the first view of the case, that this system is muds more expensive in its construction than has generally been supposed, and that the comparison is here again in favour of the besieger. But I am sure very few could have formed any idea of the proportion of this additional expense as compared with a single line. I have estimated this with some care, and I will explain the proceedings. As it might be a matter of opinion at what prices certain works could be executed, I cannot give you the actual cost of the construction ; but as there can be no doubt that the proportional cost of any construction depends on the amount of work to be done in each case, I have made a section by which you at first sight guess that proportion, and a calcula tion by which you can at once arrive at the true com parison. I intend to compare the cost of such a line as has been proposed for Gosport, and a simple bastioned line, as I have been speaking of, applied there—you can then arrive at your own conclusions—first, whether it is worth our while to go to the expense ? and, second, if it is, whether the money cannot be more advan tageously expended in the defence ? I have drawn a section on a scale of twenty feet to an inch of the proposed lines for Gosport, as laid down in the " Perils of Portsmouth ;" and also one of a simple Vauhan's bastion system, such as we should probably use now with a command of 25 feet, a relief of 43 feet, demi-revetments 30 feet high, &c. In each case the mass of earth for throwing up the parapets, must go from the ditch, and I have employed the usual way of calculating the labour required to move the quantity of earth. The distance of the centre of gravity of the mass before moving, to that of the same when finally settled into its new position, multiplied by the number of cubic met moved in each case, gives, of course, an accurate comparison. (He then went into a com parison, by figures, to show that the proposed system of Mr. Fergusson would be more expensive than the sys tem of Vauban.) Now, since, under the most favour able comparison, the circular fortification for Gosport would cost ten times as much, it becomes a matter of consideration whether four parallel tiers are worth the expense. For the same money ten such systems as Vau ban's could be constructed ; one in front of another, all requiring to be passed, or it could be very advantage ously distributed in outworks, containing say double the amount of labour as the main line, and at one-third the price of the circular work. I have endeavoured to show you the comparative cost of the four tiers it has been proposed to apply to Gosport. I do not know that I need say anything more ; the facts speak for them selves. There are certain principles in this system which experience has shown us will not answer. It is no matter of opinion that casemates 40 feet high will not stand in made ground 60 feet high ; that wet ditches 60 feet will not permit of such steep unrevetted sides as we see recommended for them ; and that if a quantity of earth has to be taken ten times the distance it must be at ten times the cost. If such is the comparative expense of the Gosport lines, with ditches 30 feet deep and a command of 48 feet, I must leave you to conclude what it will be for ditches 60 feet deep and corresponding commands. We must, how ever, all feel thankful to Mr. Fergusson for the attention he calls to fortification, and the interest in our defences he has excited in the public generally by publishing his works. We should thank him for what lie has done, not blame him for what lie did not do. It is not to be expected that he who has been a useful member of society in other ways should be as well versed in practical details as we who spend our lives in that service. Lieut. RISLEY then at some length reviewed the pro posed system, contending that it would not meet the ex pectations that its projector anticipated. Colonel jEBB, of the Royal Engineers, considered that, without wishing to detract from the great merits of Mr. Fergusson's system, its great defect was because there were neither effectual flank, defence, or outworks, nor the possibility of forming retrenchments. Mr. FERGUSSON, in answer to the call of the chairman, then rose to reply to the objections that had been urged to his system. He said—lf 1 were to attempt to answer all the objections that have been made to me and to my sys of fortification I fear I should far exceed the time that can be allotted me for such a purpose. It requires only a few words to make an assertion, but often a great many to rebut it. I believe, however, this meeting will not think I am shirking a difficulty if I put on one side at once all ob)ections and remarks personal to myself. It is not I who am on trial here, but my system of for tification, and to this I would confine my remarks, and would not even notice Lieutenant Tyler's jokes about the gas, nor Captain Wrottesley's misrepresentation of my reasons for wishing the national store of naval guns being transferred to Portsmouth when fortified instead of being left in an open arsenal at Woolwich. I will also pass over all such objections as those made to show that there was nothing original in my proposal. That is a question, I conceive, in which I only am interested, and it will be time enough to dispute about the ori ginality when we have determined what there is of good in the proposal. At the same time, if any one chooses to assert that this model of my system represents the same thing as that model of Cormontaignes, or that this drawing of the Gosport lines is like that one of a fire of 1 the ordinary construction, I can only say that his eyes are formed on a different system from mine, and that he sees resemblances where I only see differences. Mr Fer gusson then recapitulated the main features of his plan; and, in answer to Lieutenant Tyler's mode of attack, said it appeared to him to be more scientific than Sir Charles Pasley's. His proposition was that 24 mortars could in 60 hours destroy his parapets over say 200 yards of front, so as to render him unfit to cover either men or guns, and so make the assault e as y. N ow according to the best tables (said Mr. Fergusson), I find that shells thrown a distance of 600 yards, as shown on Lieutenant Tyler's diagram, penetrate 21 inches to two feet, and in exploding form a small crater four or five feet in diame ter, displacing from five to eight feet of earth, one-half of which falls back into the holes, the rest is he :peg on its sides, except a very small p or ti on b lown away. Now if such a hole were formed in the terreplain of the ram part, a man with a shovel will repine thg earth in a few seconds, 444 if followed by ono with a rammer no damage is done. To calculate the real damage done we must first assume that the mortars throw shells at the rate of 200 a day, or 500 shells each, or 12,000 alto gether ; of which 300 will on the average explode in each of the five parapets, or one in every two feet lineal, /*T o w I would ask any one if a numbef 9' quail Oaten 1 foot to 18 inches deep, 5 or 6 feet apart, in a mound of earth 8 feet high and 18 feet broad at top, would in any way injure its properties as cover to men at guns ? I should say certainly not. On the contrary, to cut away the 200 feet of earth the parapet contains would, as near as I can calculate, require from 30 to 60 shells per foot lineal, or not far from 1,000,000 of shells. This would require 26 mortars, throwing 200 shells per day for 100 days suc cessively, while no mortars ever made could stand a twentieth part of that work. Mr. Fergusson then pro ceeded to reply to some of the objections urged by Lieut. Tyler to his system, on the ground that it was exposed to enfilade. With respect to the main question of ex pense, he said—ln my book I stated that the number of cubic yards required for the erection of a fort of circular form with five ramparts, as shown in the model, would be 2,500,000, or 312,500 per front. Sir Charles Pasley has taken out the quantities with more care than I have, and states it at 2,328,7000, or 291,087 per front. In these Gosport lines the quantity is even less, or about 280,000 cubic yards per front. In other words, very considerably less than that required for a fort of forti fication of any- of the usual systems ; Comonlayers being 313,000, Vauban's 354,000, and others above and be tween these. As to the objections that had been urged to the parapets being at an angle of 45 degrees, he stated that he adhered to that because there was not a fort in Europe or elsewhere where the parapets did not stand at that angle. In conclusion, he said he hoped that he had shown that the principle at least contained the element of a great improvement in the art of for tification ; but be hoped it would be received in the spirit in which it had been made. There was, lie said, insuperable difficulties in carrying Colonel Sykes's proposition of appointing committees of attack and de fence, and finding arbitrators accessible to all parties, and, in fact, carrying out a siege on paper ; but instead of that, he would propose that those officers—who had spoken, against his system, and others who think it a fallacy, should join in drawing up a plan of attack, stating the number of mens and guns they would re quire, the amount of ammunition, the time, and the mode of procedure. Those should be printed, and then submitted to him. He could then draw up a statement of his means of defence, and reasons for dissenting from their conclusions, if such should be the case. The ser vice and the world in general would then have an oppor tunity of calmly weighing the question, and of judging more deliberately than they could do in a discussion of that sort ; and he had no doubt that it would go far to set the question fairly at rest and for ever. (The above is but a mere abstract of Mr. Fergusson's address, which we are compelled to curtail for want of space.) A short discussion ensued, and, upon the motion of General Aitchison, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Furgusson for the great services he had rendered in the production of this plan. Mr. FERGUSON acknowledged the compliment, and said he would leave his plan in the hands of the en gineers of this country at large, and should be ever ready to meet them to answer any attack they might make upon it. The meeting broke up at half-past eleven o'clock. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. PROPOSED COMPLETION OF THE COAST LINE FROM DORCHESTER TO EXETER. The special meeting of the shareholders of the South- Western Railway, convened for the purpose of taking into consideration, among other matters, the propriety of promoting the extension to Exeter of the Southamp ton and Dorchester line, for the protection of the com pany's interests, threatened in the West of England by the proposed measures of the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter Company, was held yesterday, at the Assembly-rooms, York-road. The proceedings were of some hours' duration, and the tone in which the ques tion was discussed was of an excited and occasionally of a very personal character, but the whole case, so far as the public service and the remunerative nature of the proposed extension are concerned, may be comprised within a very short space. The proprietors having sanctioned the bills before Parliament for the completion of the Basingstoke and Salisbury branch, the case in favour of the extension from Dorchester to Exeter was opened in an address of about an hour and a half's duration from the chairman (the Hon. Mr. Scott), who was answered rather briefly . by Mr. Mortimer, one of the two newly-elected direc tors, who dissent from Iho propriety of the extension. In justification of the proposed extension to Exeter, it was stated that the company had had assurances that if they remained quiet in the West of England, the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter Companies would not seek to interfere with the South-Western traffic ; but those corporations had promoted the Dorset and Devon line, which would affect the com munication between Dorchester and London, and had expressed their determination to carry it out on the broad gauge ; and that it was in self-defence alone that the South-Western board had resolved to go for powers to extend their Southampton and Dor chester line to Exeter. It was contended that the Dor set and Devon line, which would be in fact rather an extension of the Wilts, Weymouth, and Somerset than of the coast line of railway, would be detrimental as well to the public interests as to those of the South- Western Railway Company. The projected extension of the Southampton and Dorchester line has, it was stated, very good local support ; and the chairman asserted that it is looked on in a very favourable point of view by the War-office and the Ordnance, adding, that in an interview which he had had with Lord Hardinge, that gallant officer " most distinctly said he thought it would be of the greatest national importance that the South-Western Company's Southampton and Dorchester line should be extended westward ; that he considered the laying down of the broad guage was a national calamity, as it interfered with the movement of troops, and, therefore, with the defence o f th e coun t r y ; and that a line like this (the Dorchester and Southamp ton), running as it did a certain distance from the coast, but communicating with it at certain points, was the line most desirable in case of an invasion." With re spect to the cost of the line,, Mr. Brassey, the eminent contractor, and another equally competent au th or ity, had stated that the railway could be made for 700,0001., and that he (Mr. Brassev) was willing to undertake it for that sum ,provided the land could be procured for 60,000/. The gradients were not particularly severe. The steepest were 1 in 75 for a mile and two furlongs, and 1 in 90 and 100 for three miles, all the other gra dients being less than 1 in 100 ; while upon the Devon and Dorset line, promoted by the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter Companies there was a gradient of 1 in 60 for a mile and five chains, and 1 in 83 for 17 or 18 miles. There was upon the proposed Dorchester and Exe ter Extension a tunnel which would be 1,800 yards long, if a moderate gradient were preserved, but it might be reduced to 1,400 yards by adopting a steeper gradient. The population to the west of Dorchester, in the direc tion of Exeter, was more dense than that of the country to the east of Dorchester, towards Southampton. In the es timate of traffic the South-Western board had not calcu lated upon obtaining a single through passenger from Exeter to London, though they might fairly have done so, seeing that the distance by the broad-guage from Paddington to Exeter is 194 miles, and the average duration of the journeys seven hours and twenty minutes, while the distance from Exeter to Waterloo-station via Dorchester would be 196 miles, rnd the average duration of the journeys seven hours and forty minutes, wit!' the advantage of being nearly half an hour nearer the heart of the City. It was asserted that the traffic upon the proposed Dorchester and Exeter line wollri be more productive to the eampany than is the traffic on the existing Southampton and Dorchester Railway. The earnings of the latter for the last year were declared to be 56,130/., and the working expense to have amounted to 50 per cent., leaving, therefore, a profit of 28,060., which, upon the cost of the line—viz., 750,000/. (exclu sive of plant), is equal to a divid en d of 34 per cent. ; but if the plant, which is estimated at 40,000/., were included, the dividend would be about 31 per cent. But, in addition to this profit upon the Southampton and Dorchester line proper, the line, it was observed, con tributed, in 1851, to the parent railway, calculating by mileage rate, about 39,740/. per annum ; and, deducting from the latter amount 25 per cent, for working ex penses, there was a profit of 29,800/., so that the whole of the net income accruing to the South-Western Com pany from the Southampton and Dorchester line per se, and from the traffic which it brought upon the trunk railway, amounted to 57,800/. for the last year. Ap plying the same principle of calculation to the proposed Dorchester and Exeter line, reckoning its length at 50 and 56 miles, and deducting 6,600/. as traffic already enjoyed by the South-Western line, it would yield a gross annual revenue of 41,0001., or, deduct ing 50 per cent. for working expens es , a net profit of 2 4 2,0001., that was 32 per cent. on the outlay ; but, taking into consideration the amount of traffic it would bring upon the parent line, and upon the Southampton and Dorchester extension, and which might be fairly calculated at 54,000/. per annum, the company would derive the following returns—viz., from the latter source, 54,000/. p er annum. Deducting from that amount the 6,600/. already mentioned, and 12,000/. for working expense, the net profit would be 35,400/., which, added to the 22,000/, net profit upon the working of the proposed extension from Dorchester, would give a divisible revenue of 57,400/.—a sum equal to nearly 8 per cent, upon the estimated outlay of 700,0001., subject, of course, to reduction in respect of the cost of working plant. It was stated by the chairman that the proxies with respect to the proposed extension to Exeter were as follow : In favour o f th o extension .. Prosier. •• 1,314 Against ditto ... 243 Majority in favour 1,071 Amount of stock in favour Against ... ... 43,774,449 ... ... 570,502 Excess of stock in favour ... ... £3,203,947 In favour Against Votes. ~ ... 20,646 ... 3,441 Majority of votes in favour ... 17,205 The chief objections urged against the scheme were made by Mr. Mortimer, one of the newly-elected directors, who admitted that he thought the proposed extension would materially benefit the South-Western Company ; but who, as far as we could understand his observations, appeared to think that for the purpose of avoiding an expensive contest with the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter Companies, the latter should be Permitted to promote unopposed the Devon and Dorset scheme, and he taunted the board with having turned a deaf ear to the landowners, who, with their friends, had offered to supply half the capital for constructing the extension of the Dorchester line to Exeter, and sell heir laud to the company at exceedingly moderate rate's. He declared that the gradients of the propose.c! extension from Dorchehester to Exeter were 20 per cer,t_ worse than those of the Dorset and Devon scheme. bt_e, contended that the cost of the Southampton and Do; chester line had been 800,0001., and the plant 148,430 i.? and that the actual working expenses for the past 91 were 40,0081.. 4s. 5d., leaving a net profit of 12,00 n _ only, and that as 4 per cent., or 32,0001. per annum, vo i paid upon the 800,0001. with which the line was on: structed, the loss upon the working of the line 1/9 1 16,000/. annually. Mr. Mortimer, however, did :. touch the accuracy of the statement respecting , ' amount of net profit which it is declared is realised DY the traffic which the Southampton and Dorchester es: tension brings over the trunk line. Another argument urged against the construction of the proposed extensusit of the coast line from Dorchester to Exeter was, tli s the Great Western and Bristol and Exeter Comp aq projected Dorset and Devon line must bring a la r g ° amount of local traffic upon the Southampton and P'll chester line. The through traffic from the SouthaniPt" and Dorchester line was stated to he 11,000/. per au ,. only. To these objections, it was replied that the woo' ing expenses of the Southampton and Dorchester line for the past year, had been accurately ascertained to !,)' rather under 50 per cent. of the gross receipts—that is, 27,4081., and not 40,008/. 4s. sd. ; that it is n ot tille that the gradients of the proposed Dorset and Dever line are better than those of the projected Dorch est and Exeter Extension, and that the throug h traffic °f the Southampton and Dorchester line is very much 111°r8 than 11,000/. ; and, in answer to the statement that thet country to the west of Dorchester belongs to the `` , e at Western Western Company by agreement with the South -NS et. ern Company, it was declared that the former had brolieLL such agreement by diverting traffic from the latter; The Dorset and Devon line was asserted to be so tai ' out as to seriously affect the coast traffic, and the ineel ; venience of a break of guage at Dorchester was strongly commented upon. Mr. CHAPLIN, having be en ca ll e d on t o s tate his opini°.: of the project, said they a ll k new hi s opinion vis' s k i j favour of flip central line, and all the arguments he u e heard that day had convinced him that the only O l policy of the South-W es t ern Company was to cons trued the central line from Salisbury to Exeter. The seer, d beet scheme was the coast li ne f rom D orc hester to -' 4. t . i. ter, and he was prepared t o suppor t th a t scheme with his votes, and the proxies with which his friends had re l. trusted him. He would th ere f ore vo t e f or the M O9l/. a brought forward by the directors. 41 DICKINSON thought they hadikter not pro any further, as th e y wou ld on l y spen the funds of the company in law and parliamentary warfare without do'. ing any good. There was nothing worth fi g hting fe l. ' r ' Mr. LocKE said h e h a d t o ld th e propr i e t ors at forme meetings what the Great W es t ern C ompan y were d°i#ling' and the parties who had di ssua d e d them adopting ,6 central scheme had inflictedserious injury on the B°lll4l- Western Railway Co m p an H e wou ld nev er be si t 0 fled until he had a narr o w - age line to the west,. hey he of the district by the broad-gauge inie . " he would consider as a national injury, and unless theYi made the short and direct line to Exeter they never participate in any of the traffic of that place, be b et by doing so they would ensure one-half the traffic. art Resolutions were then passed adopting the reP f which had been issued by the directors on the subject o the extension from Dorchester to Exeter, stating th9t f the interests of the company required the rejection ° the Dorset and Devon scheme now before Parliauleut, and the extension of the line from Dorchester to 13 1 1 ; 1. 0 port and Exeter ; authorising the directors to take ', ll necessary steps to supply the district in question wL the least possible delay ; the capital to be rais4o,; company, and not by independent parties, fo '- . therance of those objects. A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors s/ 9g then carried, and After some observations from Mr. Hutchins, 1 4 .: . Edwards, Mr. Locke, and otherproprietors, in re- ' et , ence to the course adopted by Mr. Mortimer, the ine, „ ing separated without passing any resolution ou '' subject. Wight CRICKET. I ZINGARI v. THE ROYAL HORSE GUAR (BLUE.) It was said some time since that I Zingari, at le ril that branch of the fraternity who had abandoned r hedge-breaking and th e roos t- ro bbi ng, an d t ur ned t i t minds to cricket, bad been lost, at the close of the season, in Ireland. It has h a pp ene d, h oweve r, that ee r t i tain officers of the Royal H orse G uar d s having alig ht° upon the body, have drawn them out from the shrtib9,• by what means we are not p re p are d a t th e present o l° ment to say ; and so from th e s i s t er coun try or e i ls :j where the wanderers hav e c ome , an d y es t er day pit e ' l their camp and hoisted th e i r co l ours u p on the Ova' , v . defiance of their former ga ll an t o pp onen t s . It will, h°‘ e ever, be found that, let thei r wi n t er ' s a vocations lA / f been what they may, they h ave (f rom th e defalcation ~.° 1 one or two of their bowlers, we will assume, at all even' not kept up their crick e t p r a c ti ce . H en ce the 101. ' appearance they now make on paper. I ZINGARI. Marquis of Worcester, b Berkeley I A. Ricardo Esq., run out 0 b Venn ............. • Colonel Taylor, b Venn 2 1 4 0 0 runKnight,B kuet Berkeley B e . 1 . k. el . Hon. E. Bligh, b V enn Lord Guernsey, ru n ou t F. Bathurst, Esq., c lloward, b Venn E. Tredcroft, Esq., b Venn Lord Dupplin, c Howard, b Dor- 5 b Venn 4 b Venn 0 - 4 10 b Berkeley. mer Captain Mundy, s Thompson, b Venn l3 b Venn A. Baillie, Esq., not out 4 not out ............. • • Hon. J. Fiennes, b Berkeley Byes, 2 ; leg-byes, 1; wide, 1 4 Byes ............... 0 ...... •• • 1 Total Total ....... ••• ROYAL HORSE GUARDS. Corporal Venn, c Taylor, b P r i va t e Thompson, b Baldwin 0 Mnndy .................... : r r D.Baillie,Esq., c A. Ba.illie, 7 Captain Millie, not out..; b Baldwin 7 P r i va t e H owar d , b 1 331 ' , ii Private Knight, c Dnpplin, win ......................... • b Bligh 6 Hon. Cr. Dormer, c Fienue s 3 Private Thornton, c Bald- b Ricardo win, b Bligh' 1 Byes, 2 ; leg-byes, ''`' 17 F. Berkeley, Esq., c wide, 13..........- • ' ''' Fiennes, b Dupplin 3l Hon. G. Miles, run out Captain Trelawney, b Bald win l2 1 And here the play terminal of May did not continue lon Total ......... 219 ted, for daylight on thel9til iger. IANGE—Tnis DAY. Leghorn •••••••• •• •• .• 29 70 Genoa •• •• •• •• •• .• •• •• 25 40 'Milan •• •• •• •• •• .••• •• ................ Venice • • • • •• .• •• •• •• •• !Naples •• •• •• •••••• • • •• 41 14 Palermo ....... ...... . 124% Messina 4. •• ••.••• •• . • 125 :Lisbon ................ 53% Oporto . ........4 53 % Rio Janeiro ............ Buenos Ayre5.......... New York, 60 days' sight Philadelphia .......... PRICES OF BULLION ' PER 05. Foreign Gold in liars £3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin .. 0 0 0 Mexican Dollars .... 0 4 11U New Dollars ...... 0 0 0 in bars ...... 0 5 1 MARTTET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of this clay.) SUGAR.—Tho Colonial Sugar market to-day presented a less active appearance, and previous terms are not generally sustained. West India was only in moderate demand, and in some cases the rates taken were rather under those of yesterday. Purchases are 490 hhds, &c., including at auction 40 packages Barbadoes, which sold at 35s Od to 37s Gd, for ord to good yellow. For tho week total sales aro 1,748 hhds, &c. REFINED.—The currency of last week is well maintained for refined, supply not being adelluate for home dealers want, especially of lower sorts. Brown Lumps sold feeely at 47s ; settlers, common to fine 47s Gd to 50s, double 518 to 535, Hambro' Loaves 48s to 525, double 53s to 545, standard Lumps at 48s. MAURITIUS.—There was less demand this afternoon for Mauritius sugar, and rather lower rates were acceded to. At auction 10,000 bags wore mostly sold ; fine to superior yellow at 37s to 38s 6d, low to good 34s 6d to 36s 6d, good to find brown 33s Gd to 345, inferior 28s to 325, and refining 32s 6d to 37s per cwt. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the biddings were languid at the public sales of 3,500 bags Bengal, and prices rather declined, but nearly all sold. Fine white Benares at 38s Gd to 39s 6d, ord to good 35s Gd to 38s, good to fine grainy yellow 38s Gd to 39s 6d per cwt. FOREIGN•—To-day purchases to a fair extent were made by private treaty in foreign sugar both for export and home-trade purposes, former rates being well kept up. There was no public sale. The home-trade demand was again active for refined sugar, and rates closed firmly. Brown lumps at 475, low to fine grocery 47s Gd to 50s per cwt. The currency is well maintained for crushed sugar, and there are several export buyers. COFFEE.—To-day several parcels of native Ceylon coffee were sold privately at previous terms. At auction 1,000 bags old import went at 468 Gd to 475, and 100 casks at 46s per cwt. for good ordinary. TEA.—In congou extensive contracts have been again entered into by the trade and speculators, producing a fur ther rise, good and fine sorts having been most in request. SPIRITS.— Stock of West India rum is 2,800, and of East India 900 puns, &c., less than last year ; for all pur poses deliveries aro to a fair extent, although rates rule 5d to 8d per gallon above that time. OIL.—To-day a public sale of 60 tuns went at 891. lOs to 911. 5s per tun. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The John Johstone, Rio Janeiro to Bristol, April 23, lat 42 N. long. 33 W. Tho Queen Bee, bound to Rio Janeiro, May 4. A ship, No. 8,653, 2d distinguishing pendant, 7th. The Watkin, Sydney, N.S.W., to London, 13th. The Janot Willis, Cochin to London, 14th. The Blandel, of London, Plymouth to Sydney, N.S.W., Feb. 21, lat. 12 S., long. 31 W. The North Star, China to London, April 1, lat. 20 N., long. 39 W. The Elizabeth, London to Port Philip, March 28, lat. 21 ,S. long., 25. The London, from Falmouth, March 7, lat. 6 N., long. 25 W. _ The Frances, Liverpool to the Cape of Good Hope, 33 days out, lat. 2 N., long. 25 W. The Everdina Elizabeth, Liverpool to Sydney, March 29, lat. 21 W. Tho Jeannette, Hartlepool to Ceylon, April 24, lat. 48 N. long. 7 W. The Joseph, Shanghai to London, April 24, lat. 22 S. long. 68 E. Ile Homburg, Calcutta to London, April 24, lat. 29 S. long. 45 E. The Sea Nymph, Colombo to London, April 24, lat. 36 N. long. 33 W. The Antilla, Table Bay to Grimsby, April 24, lat. 48 N. long. 7 W. Thu Stad Gravenhage, London to Sydney, in May, lat. 49 N. long. 12 W. Tho Xarifa, of cork, for Barba(joes, Apg r il 23, lat. 0 N. long. 1.2 W. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MAY 19 , to .da STOCZ EXCHANGE.—The ma r k e t was ra ther flat cslYo'' with little change in the quotations of yesterdi r y• cas ter don an, 35; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 791 ; 4, 31 /sTort ir and Carlisle Third Shares Hi prem. London snu, t t o 011 Western, 118 ; ditto Eighth Shares, g prow. ; 4 ; 1 s ,4 ' Bankers' receipt, 7-16 prem. ; Midland, 74k ; South ern and Dover, 22i ; North - Union A, 255. MANCHESTER, MAY 19. i'V elV e t STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market c lose d a ~e t ioa o'clock to-d a y, an d th ere were on l y t wo tra ng i ;ditlO' during the morning. Dovers, 22:4 ; London New 4 prem. COUNTRY MARKET& DERBY SMITHFIELD—MAT 17. co l ' ~ditYg i t Supply of fat beasts about an average, and 4—, , Nigher prices obtained, but several lots rem F i t Fat sheep and lambs plentiful, and in good den lo - 004 , and store calves scarce and readily disposed of• i - tst ioli , pigs offered for sale. The following were o'l q 14 S ) 7d lA' : to-day :—Beef, 6d to Cid ; mu tt on, 6d to 6id ;la v, ficor°4-' 8d ; veal, ssd t o 6d p er lb . ; pigs, 90 to 9:4 6,1 Per, , . rough fat, 4s 6d per 141 b. ; hid es , 2Ad to 3d per 10 skins, 3id to 4d per lb. EDINBURGH GRAIN— MAY 18 ' 0 04 ' We had a moderat e su ppl y o f gra i n in to-da.7 d° 25 ,1 Sales brisk, and prices up. Wheat on the top jo t 0 ° ; and the average Bd. Barley on th e top san'e " 4 et, and the average is 2d up. Oats on the top tigt 4 t o ' s voo° average 9d. Beans on the top Gd down, " d lld up. Top o f Wheat 131:iatsus Total Supply and 1ey • 5a1 .... c . 0. 616: il! 35156: 611°-1:11 707 qrs ........... sold 70 7 (1° 243 qrs ................ sold 235 4' 4 525 qrB ................ sold 524 4°. 82 q ................. sold 70 gill Wheat. Barley. Oats... Beaus. BOSTON—MAT 18. For Tot An average show of wheat at market to-daYi a 1 01 1 best qualities previous rates mostly SUPP °r° l 'oer cif' in middling and ordinary runwsearedeeline of, fu11,,,Y .° 'oeAn r : Oats moved off slowly at about last weeks rg t - i i er 01 %, anxiously sought after, and good samples prices r'„__Nirtieotb.,o money. In barley and peas little passing. ; s rlei , ° L red, 35s to 455, white, 45s to 475,_ extra, 50s ; '-'... ~ ,!So to 31s ; oats, 14s to 19s ; beans, 33s to 39s ; Pe"''' 34s per qr. BRISTOL, MAY 19. t ion STOCK EXCHANGE.—There Was but little (0.11190. again in th e market. Bristol and Eseters were done D On the 17th inst., BIRTHS. On the 15th in' OF A BON. Joh fi ife of George Phillimore, Q.C., M.P. in Chester square , the W inst., O La F d A y "CAhuailirres gVirilollesley. MARRIED. ....,, Cburciji Finchley, the Rev. Richard Henry E:ing On Thursday , the 19th inst., at St. 3fx.. , s are ou , ) )3ryanston-square' , by the Rev. Frederick S. `-' f . VON RectorS_ lig b or Glunham, Suffolk, to Frances Margaretta, eldest P of Amedee F. Mi6ville, Esq., of Pixh Dorking' DIED. , „Goafrei the wife •, , of Tallents, Esq. At Newark, on tho 19th inst Ellen, tho wife ca At Naples, on the 4th instant, John Wil°l3' '44.' r ill , Upper Eccleston-streot, Belgrave-square. r g oro On the 13th inst. at Bayonne, John Foote Ens. 32d Regiment'M.N.l•, while on sick leave. b~t,n• On the 10th inst. at COrston, Hoar' Bath , IlLtevit`l'' fe of Vice-Admiral Charles Philp ..---" /N ITOU ---- errnP o LONDON : Printed and Published 1.,v 3") ~,b,e, 140.,.., j of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Pe ..Su n ', — " d i e couv" Strand, in the Precinct of the SavoY, in Middlesex, Friday. May 20, i3G~• Boteler 1 dig e,