The Sun. — London, England, 1847-01-01 00:00:00

1 I Per mit• premium; fran—A aro dull t sf. 4G c. to sf. 50;2.; bllls in Nurth without change. Freights-11,401er more activity in foreign; some 9 or 10 Mips tn , i barge , -s on berth for Liverpool; engagements cotton at 11., lIGNY refused; two ships for Havre at I per cent_ for coton, one for Trieste at 1;;-:- cent., and one tor Europe at 4.1. Gil. for flour and Is. hl. for corn. Coast wise freights contii.u,t dull. ALBANY, DEC. 10. iiaye a cold snap again, and the river is wel sprinkled with floating ice. Flour—But li tt l e i nqu i ry; sma ll °niers have beer filled fur the last three days at 5 dolls. and 51 dolls. fur 11 (mnessee, the latter for extra brands; some sales al 4 doll; thar!py—A load of two-rowed sold yesterday for 56::. Shipments, Dec. 10—By Western Railroad for Boston, &0., 1,047 barrels flour. NEW ZEALAND. CAPTURE OF RAUPARAHA. WELLINGT O N, JULY 25.—The native (or Maori) Chief Rauparaha, or , as he is familiarly termed by the whalers, Rahulla, who is a relative by marriage of the rebel chief Rangihaietta, has latterly professed great amity and friendship tor the Pakehas (or white men), and has been lisiting the camp at Porirua constantly, and had inter views with the naval officers, and, only ten days since, 'with the Governor, but has always refused to join them in attacking Rangi. By those who have known him for sears,' and by all the friendly natives, he is considered the most cunning, crafty, and treacherous of all the Chiefs. and it now appears h e h as b een pl a ying his usual e game. It has been known, though it could not be proved that he has been in communication with the rebel Rangihaietta for several months, but fortunately, the proofs are forthcoming. A body of natives from Wanganui were about to join Rangi ; to prevent such junction the Governor (Grey) embarked on board her k ifrl a.iesty's ste a m er D r i v e r , w ith 140 ran k an d fil e of the 38 th and 99 t h R eg i ments, un d er M a j or L ast , an d C apt . itLi e)", of her Majesty's ship Calliope, and about 68 blue j ac k pts and marines, and a party of 20 armed police, e n der Major Durie, inspector, and sailed on the 20th loins:* for Waikanae and Ot a ki (on the west coast near M anawata river), and where the Ngatiawas, who are fri en d ly natives, live. It is said he had a consulta toll 'Aith the chi e f s f rom W anganu i, a nd they have re orrd hom e . H owever, b y some means, h e h a d l a id h o ld letter emissary from Rauparaha to Rangihaietta with a r c oncealed on hi s perm'', stating that he had arms saniniedata munition for him. Upon this, the Governor Porirubanck fr om W a ik anae at n i g h t, an d anc h ore d o ff about one A.M. on the 24th (yesterday), when Captai n Stanley i and a p ar ty o f blue j a ckets landed just tatter Rauparaha's pah, called Taupo. This Taupo is nea r Po: true, and is on the sea-shore, about a mile from e C amp- There is another Taupo, between Wanganui and Teranaki or New Plymouth, where a land-slip took place ab out s i x weeks ago, burying in his pah the Chief lieu Ilea (called Ha eu, French pronunciation), six of his wives, and fifty of his men. Heu Heu was rather Pell disosed to the whites, though he disapproved of t 2,1 Government_ hoisting fla-staffs, &c. Captain Stanley t c! his visit so well, that be took Rauparaha, Charley, he al so e before they had time to strike a blow; seized some thirty-seven stand of arms and six or seven kegs of powder. Rauparaha's men all bolted, and are supposed to have gone to Rangihaietta, in number about thirty-five. Rauparaha himself, and Charley, and the three others, are all safe on board the 1 Driver, in irons. This is the most decisive step Governor Grey has yet taken. Rauparaha and Charley were both , at the massacre of Captain Arthur Wakefield, at Wairoa; and the settlers here are in perfect ecstacy at this bold policy of the Governor. _ - This will du more than ten battles to settle the affairs in the Cook's Straits District, as, though the warrior Ilangihaietta (who, to do him justice, is a bold, uncom promising enemy) is left free, yet the wily treacherous head, itauparaha, is at last caught in his own meshes. The Governor is not expected back for a few days. The prisoners will probably be sent to Norfolk Island. They cannot punish them for the Wairoa massacre, as Governor Fitzroy pardoned them for that affair. On the 22d inst. the Levant, from Sydney, arrived with a detachment of 160 men of the 65th Itegiusant, which is atill on board, waiting for orders. The following is an extract from a private letter:— N, Aram 26, . " I hav e not written" ELS ON to you very lately because the subjects of most interest to us here have been principally furnished by your Parliamentary debates, which showed a much better acquaintance eith our circumstances and a warmer interest in our affairs than we had ever looked for. Neither did I think it worth while to send you any account of the doings in the north, at Auckland, or the Bay of Isl an d s, fur our acquaintance with them was gained through the newspapers only, and very often more than two months after the event, when, from the frequent communications with Sydney, it was probable the news wee already half way home. But within the last few weeks we have had a visit from our new Governor Captain Grey, and a communication from the directors of the New Zeal an d Company; and we have been as much pleased with the Governor as dissatisfied with the manner in which the company seems disposed to treat us and our claims upon it. B eg i nn i ng, as i n d uty b oun d, with the higher power s , I, ing is Pretty general, am h eart il y g l a d t h at G overnment did not entertain the idea of making up a little kingdom for the N ew Zealand Company. When the British empire beco mes too great for its rulers to manage, let them acknowledge it, and, as Cromwe ll sa id , " g i ve p l ace to bet ter men; " and such an arrangement would have looked very much like a confession of incapacity. I t must own teo that I do not see why, because I am a few shous.and miles off, I should give up my privileges as an Englishmen -----, or be turned over to any such delegated authorities. Not, however, that I am at all enamoured -, our Colonial -office ; but then I see that they can be d are called to account when they go wrong, and how ever strongly they may the b ene fi t of the discussion be defended in public, we reap of in various ways, even up to a c omplete cha nge In thi s men, measures, and general policy. case, not before it was wanted, though I believe s.nothing short o f t h e thorough-going way in which Capt. Fitzroy atte mpted to ca rry out t h e t h eory o f ru li ng t h e New Zealanders by moral in without hical f orce, would have convinced the good a people at home of its inapracticability. According to the old routine, we ought now to have a trial of the opposite method, viz., physical force without moral influence; but I hope better things from our present Governor. We have no in dications as yet of the policy he intends pursuing ; but I think he will have to modify his Australian plans very considerably before they will be adapted to New Zea land. He has for the present put an end to the war in the north by granting the insurgent chiefs easy condi tions, which they will very likely not observe. He has also, by bringing an imposing force down to Wellington, expelled the intruders from the Hutt Valley ; but between these or any suck acts, by which he puts a stop to or punishes positive aggressions, and a systematic determination to subject the Maoris to British law, there is a very wide and serious difference. I expect they will require one or two much severer lessons than any they have yet had before they will be impr e ss e d w i t h suc h a respect for our power as wil sufficient be to keep th em quiet, even supposing no interference to be attempted with them generally ; but if it is determined to treat them at once as British subjects, under British laws, to do this with any success would, in the opinion of many of the Auckland people required the force now here to be trebled at least ; and then the question would naturally arise whether the objet in view were worth attaining at such an expense, or even whether the employment of such means for such an end were advisable or justifiable at all ; especially, when, as it seems to DIP, you might attain the same end by a very different conduct. The fact is, the Government of this country was begun under false impressions. From looking at a New Zealander, as another term for an irreclaimable cannibal, we went at once to the opposite extreme ; and from the accounts which came home of them, thought, as our subjects were ready made, all that we had to do was to find a gover • nor. We have now learnt that truth, as usual, lies some where between these two opinions. The natives are, no doubt an improving and improvable race, with much to like and even admire in their character ; teachable and inteiiigent ; but then I must be allowed to doubt, or even to deny, that Christianity has done more for them in twenty years than it has for ourselves in many centu ries ; without, on that account, being set down as an enemy either to the natives or their missionary teachers. We have been in too great a hurry for results, and for gotten that men were not things, to be moulded arid fa,hionel at our will into the fc,rm we might think best tor them ; ant that not by degrees, norittle an:l little, - hut all at once. However, our Gove came out, and I -living the coloeiste e, find Out how little governing was really nucessary to their welfare laced him , elf 400 miles off, in the midst of the native pin pulation, who, he soon found out, had no ideas of belies governed by him, and who have since proved it by actions more and more une qtrivoattl. Their idea of what s eu have talked so much about. and we hear so little now, the treaty of Waitangi, was, that they gave us permisaien to settle among them, which, to rh, th , rn justice, they are an for as ever,ind that the gee« it's sovereignty as was xi a ous shadow, whistet tha'l3e. kept th e reality, a d.finition which, at the vinc in eteht a good one . Are we then now to con- e ena se at ours is the cornet interpretation by bullets and bay one there were ay thints ? I suppo se i t wou ld b e done if no other result n th an g t au o be g a i ne d b y it ; but here I Sets expenditure of some 200,0001. or 300,0p0/. per annum de. ttat.would be rather an , odd eoeclusion a. ter decid ; in7 h h ) , t NV ) vp rs ago that N w Zea land was not wort. eo e in "R at all. It' not, and the old policy is given ti.p, th r..r retnaios but one plan, viz.:—To govern the settlers well first, l easing the subjection and civilisation of the natives to follo w as a natural and ine vitable consequence. With a com pact and inexpensive government in Cook's Straits, the natives might he nafely left t o (lie care of the niissionaries, with a threat of put ting a stop to all intercourse with them is disposed, they misbe haved themsel% es. This, with Lite offer regulations as the Gover peaceablypot and peoteeti n to those tribes that were and willing to conform to such nor might dictate, would, I believe, offer the fairest chance of bringing them all under cur that is in the only way they are worth having at all, o is_ with their own free consent, given from a conviction t'the advan t ages they would themselves derive from, it. There would be a clamour among the Aucklana people, a n d some few cases requiring compensation ; but attracted In", chants there are branches of Sydney houses, by the expenditure of Government and the troopse e as_well They as the nat i ve trade, which is considerable. T the h goodave all along c ons id ere d themselves dependent on will of the Maoris, and the old settlers declared they were Much bett er o ff b efore the Governor came among them. The good l an d i n the north is also fully occupied already by the n at i ves, whilst here we have an extensive and va luable field f or colonisation without an inhab i tant. Many other reasons for such a change occur to me ; but What I have said will be sufficient to show you how com pletely I look on the value of your investment here, or those of any New Zealand land proprietors, as de pendant on the line of policy adopted by Government ; or w'r.ctbfr nor rule is t,r be forced upon the natives, or be gr.:dually- intrJducA among them. In the one ease, with our beautiful climate, fertile soil, and great natural advantages, I see nothing to prevent our becoming a very flourishing. c3namt.nity ; in the othee, your investments must lie dormant to the next generation. You may, Iperhaps, think my own psition here has given me a Was on this question ; but, it t,o, it is a bias without a cause ; ' since all the effect I can discern from such a change on my own interests would be to raise the price of my tea and sugar ; and as to personal security, we Nelsonians consider the doings in the Northern Island much as the residents at Boulogne would an outbreak at Edinburgh or Gltutgow. Our settleirent is going on quietly, stea dily, and well, although terribly out of humour with the Company for attempting to evade its obligations towards us ; a line of conduct, a hieh, if persevered in, will pro dnce an appeal from the colonists to Parliament or the Court of Chancery. Ido not go into the particulars, as I send you two or three numbers of our last local news paper, which will give you the whole quarrel, and per haps amuse you besides. A RESIDENT AT NELSON. POYAL GE )GRAPHICAL SO CIETY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 28. Lord Colchester, President in the chair. Mr. J. l ll. Lysaght was elected a member of the so ciety. The paper read was the first portion of a very elabo rate " Essay on the Nile," by Dr. Beke. The obicurity which has so long hung over the sources of the Nile, is now in a great measure dissipated by the trouble which Dr. Beke has taken to clear up the am biguities of conflicting statements, and to re-establish facts long misunderstood. A careful sifting of the writings of both ancient and modern travellers, in regard to the sources of the Nile, together with his own intimate acquaintance with the country, watered by a great num ber of the primitive tributaries of the great river, have enabled him to unravel the entar g etuent which obscured the - subject, and to present us with a statement so clear and satisfactory, as to leave little for further investiga tors but a corroboration of his views. It is impossible fir us to go into all the details of this interesting paper, and we must therefore content our selves with a brief notice of the main points. The doctor first ascends the Takkazie, the As . aberas of Ptolemy, and minutely describes its various affluents ; after which, coming back to the Nile, he ascends it to the junction of the Blue and White Rivers. Going up the Bahr el Azrek or Blue River, he comes to a spot where M. Cailliand speaks of the Hessenn as coming from the south-east, which Dr. Beke proves to be the Abii of Abyssinia ; and he at the same time shows that the river described by M. Russegger as the upper course of the Bahr el Azrek is, in !act the Dedhesa, a river which was first made known' by Dr. Beke, and which he now identifies with the Takiii described by De Barros as the great western arm of the Nile ; under which name the Portuguese understood the Blue River, since the White River, or Bahr el Abiadh, was entirely unknown to them. After describing all the affluents of the Abai on both sides, Dr. Beke notices a river, which has, of late years, appeared in the maps, under the name of Habahia, and which has been supposed by:some geographers to be either the upper course of the Kilimaney (QuilimatA) or of the Bahr el Abiadh, but which Dr. Beke shows clearly to have no separate existence; it being, in fact, nothing but the Abiii of Abyasinia, called by the Gonges Abbaya. Dr. Belts next discusses the subject of the Maleg, a river which was crossed by Fernandes in 1613, on his way to Enarea, and shows that the route taken by the Jesuit Missionary has been altcgether misunderstood by Bruce. Leving the Abai, the doctor next takes up the Di Ihisa, and enumerates its tributaries on both sides, as he had done with the other two great rivers, the Takkazie and the Abai. Having thus exhausted the hydrographic basin of the Blue River, the author, before commencing the particular iiNestigation of the course of the White River, enters into a compari son of the two great arms of the Nile, the White and Blue Rivers, and after minutely examining the evidence both ancient and modern on the subject, concluded in these words Thus, whether we consider the relative magnitudes of the two rivers, the directions of their re spective beds, or the volume of their waters ; whether we regard the opinions of the ancient geographers, or those of modern travellers, or of natives acquainted with both streams—for the evidence of such as only know one is, of course, inadmissible—the result is the same. In .AI and every of these points of view, the Bahr el Abiadh, or White River, is the principal stream, and the Bahr el Azrek, the subordinate or affluent." This valuable paper will be concluded at the nex evening meeting. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, THURSDAY. - The Queen and Prince Albert took their usual early morning walk. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales Prince Alfred, and the Princess Alice, took walking exercise this morning on the Eastern Terrace and grounds adja cent to the Castle. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and the Princess Mary, his Serene Highness Prince Frederic of [lease, the Lady in Waiting of the Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, and the Gentlemen in Waiting on the Duke of Cambridge, are expected to arrive at the Castle to-day, on a visit to her Majesty. His Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen, his Serene• Highness Prince le)wcristeit,, and Lord Edward Howard left the Castle to day. The band of the Ist Life Guards attended during inner. The Queen had afterward; an evening party at the Castle. The following had the honour of receiving in vitations :—Lore James Murray, Colonel and Lady Emily Seymour. Mr. G. E. and the lion. Mrs. Anson, Sir George and Lady Cooper and Miss Couper. Her Majesty's private bend attended. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Mary, and his Serene Highness Prince Frederic of Hesse, and attended by Lady Augusta Cadogan and B iron Knesebeek, left their residence, at Kew, yesterday afternoon, for Windsor Castle. _ _ The Bishop of Newfoundland had an interview with Earl Grey, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Mr. Arthur Anderson had an interview with the Right Hon. Thomas Milner Gibson, yesterday, at the Board of Trade. relative to the fisheries of the Orkney and Shet land Islands. Dispatches were received yesterday, at the Colonial office, from the Governors of the North American Pro vinces. Dispatches were sent off last evening from the Colonial- office, for the Governors of New South Wales and New Zealand. Lord John Russell arrived at his residence, Chorley wood, yesterday, from Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERS ALL'S—TutTRSDAY. From the subjoined return it will be seen that the business was limited in extent, the investment, with two or three exceptions, on a small scale, and the prices in accordance with those last quoted. NE Sl' ARKE'r HANDICAP. A few bets have been made in the course of the week, but in such small sums as to bio quite unworthy of quo tation-33 to 1 was offered on the field. CHESTER CUP. 1000 to 20 agst Mr. Griffith's Newcourt—taken twice 1000 to 20 agst Mr. Hessletine's Fitzalleu—taken 1000 to 20 agst Mr. S. Herbert's Antler—taken 1000 to 15 agst Mr. Wilson's Punch—taken twice over 1000 to 15 agst Mr. Wilson's Crown Prince--taken 1000 to 15 agst Lord Chesterfield's Pam—taken 1000 to 10 agst Mr. Meiklam's Bannockburn—taken DERRY. 13 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Epirote—taken 16 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Planet —taken and aft offered 25 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Glentilt—t and aft offered 33 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Luscdale—taken and aft offered 40 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Red Hart—taken to upwards of 300/ 1000 to 25 agst Lord Stradbrokc's Marpessa colt—taken and afterwards offered. 2000 to 50 agst Mr. Most n's Miss Martin colt—t and aft off 1003 to 20 agst Mr. W. Scott's Christopher—taken 500 to 10 agst Mr. Pedley's Cossack—taken 500 to 10 agst Mr. Irwin's Horn of Chase—'aken 2000 to 20 agst Mr. Fuller's Oxonian—taken 1000 to 10 agst Lord Stanley's Bowstring—taken No others mentioned. OAKS. 10 to 1 agst Mr. PaN ne's Clementina—taken to 200/ 14 to 1 ag,t Mr. J. Diy's The Fa , mer's Daughter—:alien LE DEEDS. TO IHE EDI 101? (YF THE SUN. shor. nme al.!tt I troubled yai wnh a few I.:- woks. on the absurdity having a new tide (1. t!ti when a property ehanged hands, and the exi , tiu domed tot•rely represent , d that proprrty, and ccul•l go with it, an en dorsement prora‘rty vvnt,essrd being sufficient. 14 ith nn!rt,;.Y.ages I wt!uld d!!!!al in similar manner. I would have a genet a! inortaite Act, tt• .criniog the p. , wer of nt,!rt l l.,,g-es. Ikc., and hen, when a person , antk-d a !oat!, he would onh hav- to endorse ,tn tut! of the de , d th-Lt he rimr,;.V-Wed 1h- ,rop 'rev dby the deed / 0 A. 13., as as• cu tot - . and in rest. agreeably to the General 71 / 4 1ortvtge Act. Till.. (and a atattita d roc , ipt. t;overoment regoirt.ti a tax n the - transaction) wou4l he as efficient as the umst tdigthyr arid un ntellit;itA mor gage d-ed that ever cir,wo out. We must Ondeavour t' hot our law as por:eet as our machinery.--I sin, Sir, your obedient servant, A. B. MEETING- OF PARLIAMENT.—A circular, of which the foflowingis a copy, has been issued by the Prime Minister to the Libfr,Al Members of the House of Co,o moos :—" D,,wning-street, Dec. 23, 184 a. Sir,—l have the homair to inform you that the meeting of Parli,:.ment being fixed for the 19th of January, business of great importinee will be proceeded with on the opening of the session. I take 09 liberty of requesting your atend anep.-1 have the honour to be your faithful servant, J. RussELL." Lord Stanley has formally taken up the position that public opinion had already assigned to him as pecu liarly his own. His Lordship has addressed a circular to the Protictionist ,Mcmhers of the House of Peers, in forming them that Parliament is to meet fel. the dispatch of business on the 19th January; suggesting that matters of importance will, in all probability, be immediately brought and r their con ideration; and expressing a hope that it may consist with their Lordships' convenience to give their attendance at the commencement of the ses si"q• We need not remind our readers that this is the usual course adopted by the recognised leader of a party; and that'Lord Stanley should have thus publicly taken it, cannot tail to gratify all who still value honour, in tegrit3', and talent in political men; and to afford, the best guarantee that the Protectionists are resolved to carry on their war of principle with zeal and earnest ness.—Post. THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 1, 1,7 THE NATIONAL MERCANTILE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. The anniversary of this invaluable and most excellent institution was celebrated on Wednesday, at the London Tavern, on which occasion were collected t gether some of the most influential gentlemen connected with the City and the commerce of the country; among whom we noticed Mr. Aldermen Sidney, Mr. Wilcoxon, Mr. Waddington, Mr. Groucock, Mr. A. Wilcoxon, Mr. Blandford, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Newbon, Mr. Broekirbank, Mr. Ma) ne, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. M'Culluch, Mr. Peck. Mr. Lawson, Mr. Baker, &c. Upwards of two hundred gentlemen sat down at six o'clock to a dinner replete with every delicacy the season could afford, and one worthy the name of the proprietors of this establishment. The chair was most ably filled by Robert Wilcoxon, Esq , supported on the right by Mr. Alderman Sidney, and on the left by Giles Redmayne, Esq. The dinner, the good things of this life, having been been discussed in a spirit worthy of so excellent a cause, and the cloth withdrawn, The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the first toast, the " Health of her most Gracious Majesty the Queen." — (Great cheering.) Born and living among them, they had ample opportunity of estimating her character and worth.—(Cheers.) Since she had ascended the throne she had manifested on every occasion the greatest anxiety to ,promote the prosperity of every class of her people.—(Great cheering.) " God save the Queen" was then sung in most excel- lent style by the vocalists engaged. The CHAIRMAN then said that the next toast be had to propose was one in which he was sure all present would join as heartily as they did in the last, it was the " Health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert."— (Great cheering.) As consort to their Queen he was well entitled to their remembrance—(Cheors)— but he was equally so on account of the many excellent qualities that he possesied—(Cheers)—qualities, he could unfeignedly say, that endeared him to the people of the United Kingdom.—(Cheers.) To his name he would also add that of Albert, Prince of Wales — (Cheers) the Queen Dowager —(Cheers) and the other branches of the Royal Family.—(Great cheering.) The toast was drunk, as was that of her Majesty, with the most loyal and enthusiastic applause. Glee, " Here's a Health to the Prince and the Queen." The CHAIRMAN then said that the next toast he was about to propose was one truly national, it was " The Army and Navy of the United Kingdom."—(Loud cheers. It must be acknowledged by all that this country was greatly indebted for her power and her commercial prosperity, under the Divine favour, to her religion, her laws, and the perseverance of her combined forces.—(Cheers.) Ho trusted the day was not far distant when wars and rumours of wars would for ever cease—(Cheers)—when the sword would be beaten into a ploughshare and the spear into a pruning-hook.—(Cheers.) He thought that their meed of prai e was eminently due to those noble men who, not counting their own lives as an) thing, were ever ready to stand up in the defence of their country, and thereby secure to those who inhabited it all that they desired, all that was dear to them, a happy and a peace ful home.—(Cheers.) The toast was drank with the greatest enthusiasm. - Duet, " Sound, sound the Trumpet boldly," was sung in most excellent style by Turner and Farquharson Smith. The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, that the toast he was about then to propose might be called the toast of the evening.—(Cheers.) It was one in which he was sure all present felt the most lively interest.—(Cheers.) It was one that had such attractive influence, that to it he felt lie was indebted for the present large, respectable, and influential company by which he was surrounded.— (('h:iers.) The toast was, " Prosperity to the National MLrcantile Life Assurance Society."—(Tremendous cheering.) It was the third anniversary dinner of the society at which, by the request of all present, be had had the honour of presiding—(Cheers)—and he could not but regret that he did not possess greater ability to fill a chair, which he was sure any gentleman, however high by position, would feel proud to occupy. It had been customary on that day for their chairman to give them something like an account of the present position and prospects a the society.—(Cheers.) Of the past he would say but little—(Cheers)—they were all familiar with the dangers, the trials, and the diffi culties which they had had to encounter—(Cheers)—and how, through perseverance, energy, determination, and an honourable and straightforward course of action, they had overcome every obstacle to their success.—(Cheers.) At the present moment, it was his most gratifying duty to inform them that the society was in a most flourishing condition, and that all their transactions were most healthy and crowned with success.—(Cheers.) At their last annual meeting, in March, it was in the power of the directors of the society to declare their first bonus—(Cheers)—and since that period the progress of the society, he believed he might say, had given the greatest satisfaction to every oroprietor. The success of the present year was most encouraging to the directors—(Cheers)—and with the powerful support that they received, especially from their friends, the commercial men, who were daily en- listing under their banners and joining their ranks, in carrying their principles through the length and breadth of the land, he had no doubt that the time was not far distant when they would become one of the largest life offices in London, the emporium of the world.—(Loud cheers.) Their losses during the present year had been remarkably light, for during the whole of the twelve months, from the Ist of January to the present moment, the sum total of claims upon them tor policies falling in amount only to the small sum of 600L--(Great cheering.) This result, he had no doubt— and he was sure that every one present would agree with him in that opinion—was owing to the care, the perse verance, and the watchfulness that had been exercised by the directors in the selection of the lives that had come before them. (Loud cheers.) It also showed, on the part of the medical gentlemen connected with the society, the discrimination and discernment that they bad displayed. Irrespective of this, success in every other quarter had been as great as the most sanguine supporters of the society could have anticipated. —(Cheers.) He believed that it was generally known that they were now in the occupation of their new pre mises —(Cheers)—situated certainly in the first locality of the city of London, and most desirably adapted for all the necessities of the institution.—(Cheers.) He was sure that the speculation that they had entered into in purchasing those premises would be found to be most beneficial to the society, not only as a purchase, but as an occupation.—(Cheers.) Before he sat down he felt anxious to say a few wards on the subject of life assur ance. Every one who heard him, he believed, would acknowledge that it was a most valuable boon — (Cheers) —and the blessings that it conferred could never be over-rated.—(Cheers.) How many a poor bereaved widow, he would ask—how many a poor orphan and an orphan family had to bless the day when first the husband or the father had the prudence, the fore cast, the thoughtfulness, the well-minded intention of insuring his life, and thereby enabling his wife and his children to insure to themselves a competency during their lives? Such a competency had made the hearth of the widow comfortable, the home of the orphan happy. Such were the blessings that attended the form ing of companies like the present, and such were the be nefits that life assurance was calculated eminently to impart.—(Cheers.) The toast was drunk amidst enthusiastic cheering, followed by a comic improvisation on the society, by Bru ton, in which the allusions to Mr. Alderman Sidney, who sat on the right of the chairman, and Mr. Redmayne, who occupied the seat to his left, created considerable merriment. _ Mr. Alderman SIDNEY then rose to address the com pany. It was his pleasing duty to propose the next toast, which he had no hesitation in saying would be received by all present with the greatest enthusiasm. That toast was " The health of their most excellent Chairman."— (Great cheering.) He called upon them to drink the of the chairman, in three paints of view—first, as a merchant—(Cheers)—secondly, as a gentleman ; and, thirdly, as a friend. He was known to most of them, and he was known only to be respected. As the chairman of the directors of the Mercantile Life Assu rance Society he occupied a very proud and gratifying position. The urbanity of his manners, the excellence of his judgment, and the good temper he had invariably displayed, endeared him to all, and made the position which he occupied one of the greatest benefit to the s , viety a d to the public at large.—(Loud cheers.) Upon the situalion which he filled that evening, he (Mr. Alderman S dne)) telt that he need not offer any eul.gium with respect to the conduct that he had pur :,ued.—(C,,eers ) His conduct had already drawn down pl.:n(lns which were most deservedly bestowed. He negeed, in conclusion, to propose the health of their chan man, Mr, Wilcoxon, with three times three. The toast was drunk amidst the most enthusiastic cht•vring. The ( . 3LIAIRMAN rose to return thanks amid great the ring. He really did not feel himself competent to give exp , es,ion to the feelings that animated him for the very kind manner in which his n -one had been mentioned by his worthy friend, Mr. A qlerman Sidney, and for the warm receue ion !NUL it had ire.t with in so large and so enli t• -ied s. company ac that which surrounded him.— ~; beer It conid not bu: be gratifying to him to know t,- feel that the hunabl- services which it had been in his power to render to the society had the ith a tused of approbation from its tie-inters which he felt they did not deserve.— (Cheers.; For the strong manifestation which he had ja-it witnessed ir his favour he begged to return them his most sincere thanks. To have such a demonstration on his heliwf was the highest reward that he could receive, end he telt that it was the greatest that the society couid bestow.—(Cheers.) lie could not, however, receive these praises from a meeting like the present without at once acknowledging that h.?, was solely indebted for them to the cordial assistance that he had re cei..ed from those by whom he was supported.— (Cheering.) Not only to them were his thanks due, but to the whole body of the proprietary and the policy-holdcrs.---(Cheers.) He considered that it was no mean honour to belong to a society like the present.. He was happy to think that he was connected with it from its commencement, and that be • was one of those who took his seat at the board at the very first meeting of their directors.—(Great cheering.) Since that period he had watched with the most careful eye over the growing interests of the society; and through evil report and good report he had nailed his colours to the mast and had stood up, he hoped he might say, its firm and its unflinch ing friend. It was true that he had often felt himself incompetent to discharge as he could wish the onerous duties that had devolved upon him as the chairman of this society. But with the uniform kind ness, courtesy, and consideration which he had invari ably ever received from every member of the board, together with the powerful assistance at all times ac corded to him by all by whom he was surrounded, he felt that his "yoke was easy, and his burden light." In conclusion, he begged most respectfully to thank them for the cordial and most sincere manner in which they had drank Lis health.—(Great cheer ing.) They were, doubtless, aware that this so ciety was originally formed and founded by the sole effort of comparatively few persons—by but a few com inercial men—who were determined to have a life as surance company which they could emphatically call their own, and he thought that the scene v, hich that room presented that tight showed that they had not laboured in vain —(Cheers)—that their exertions had not gone for nought—(Cheers)—that the seed they had sown had taken deep root, that it had germinated be yond their expectations, and that it had yielded a most abundant harvest.—(Great cheering.) In conclusion, he would only say, that as long as he had the co. fidence of the board of directors of the present society, so long would he advance in every way that he could what he considered to be the substantial, the enduring benefits and prosperity of the society.—(Great b cheering, Song, Mr. Genge—" Sally in our Alley," which was most deservedly encored. Mr. CHARLES proposed the next toast," The health of the Directors of the National', Mercantile Life Assurance Society, and that of the Deputy-Chairman at the pre sent meeting, Mr. Alderman Sidney." Mr. Alderman SIDNEY returned thanks, and in doing stated that the directors had taken office with the determination, that if they remained at the helm of affairs of that society, it should not be second to any in the city of Londoo.—(Hear,, hear.) As they were all aware, the society had emerged from its minor position to one of the most important descrip tion. They had now the office placed pre-eminently forward in one of the best situations in the city of London, and since they had occupied those premises they had transacted business totally unprecedented in the annals of assurance companies, and with which, he believed, the transactions of any other of fice could bear no comparison. —(Loud cheers.) It was considered, generally speaking, in offices of that description, that to have an income of 15,0001. to 20.0001. a year was doing a great stroke of business, but what was the State of the present society ? Why at the rate that they had been going on for the last four months they had been transacting business to the extent of between 30,0001. and 40,0001. a year. Such being the case, he believed no one would dissent from his statement, when he said that the time was not far distant when their society would be the first, if not the very first in the United Kingdom. In conclusion, he begged to say that on behalf of him self and his fellow-directors, he felt most grateful for the manner in which their healths had been drank. ------ Glee --" Here in cool grot and mossy cell." D. WADDINGToN, Esq., proposed, amidst enthusiastic cheering, " Health, long life, prosperity, and happiness, to the Commercial Travellers," which, after some ob servations by Mr. Hewett, NI as drunk amid great applause. Song by Mr. Farquharson Smith, " The Ivy Green." The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose the health of Mr. Jones, the secretary and actuary of the institution. On rising to do so he was greeted with the most vehe ment cheering, and silence having been in some measure restored, he said—lt was his pleasing duty to propose to them health and long life to one of the most valuable, efficient, and deserving officers of their institution, Mr. Jones, their actuary and secretary.—(Tremendous cheering.) There was not a gentleman present who had better capabilities of estimating the talents and industry of their actuary and secretary than himself—(Cheers) — and he could assure them that it afforded him the greatest pleasure publicly to state that Mr. Jones's services were duly appreciated, and that he was held in the highest estimation by the board of directors.— (Great cheering.) For himself he felt bound to say that Mr. Jones at all times' rendered him the highest service —(Cheers)—and, by so doing, made that duty, which would otherwise be onerous, light.— (Great cheering.) The capabilities of Mr. Jones were great.—(Hear.) As a mathematician he was unsur passed ; and he was fully entitled and well worthy of the confidence and support of the National Mercantile Assurance Society.—(Cheers.) He had the greatest happiness in proposing " Long life, health, and happi ness to their actuary and secretary, Mr. Jones. This toast was most enthusiastically drank with three times three, and one cheer more. Mr. JENKIN JoNES, is rising to return thanks, was greeted with rounds of applause. When something like silence was obtained, he said that he could assure all pre sent that he most deeply felt the honour that had been done him. He was sui e that he did not deserve the praise that had been bestowed upon him by their worthy chair man.—(Cries of " Yes, you do.") But, at the same time that he made that statement, he could assure them that no individual could possibly have felt more anxiety for the welfare, the prosperity, and success of the insti tution than he had done.—(Cheers.) When he made that statement, he felt bound to accompany it with the assertion that his efforts would bare been in vain had he not been supported by their worthy chairman and the board of directors—(Great cheering)—gentlemen whose hearts and souls were sincerely bent on doingall they could for the benefit and welfare of the institution.— (Cheers.) Nothing, he would unhesitatingly say, could equal the respectability and the independent character of the gentlemen at their board of management.--(Cheers.) He had no hesitation in saying that the feeling that actuated their board of management was the interest of that class of persons, whose primary duty it was to consider and protect the policy-holders.—(Cheers.) They had heard from their chairman how successful the society had been ; and in making that statement, he had referred to the report they had presented to the last annual meeting.—(Cheers.) Now that report had not been come to without great consideration.—(Cheers.) It had been audited by Mr. Hodgkinson, by Mr. Mil ledge, by Mr. M'Culloch, and Mr. Stockdale.—(Cheers.) The evidence contained in that report—and be was not astonished at it—had startled many, and surprised every one.—(Cheers.) In that report it was stated, that after the payment of every expense, after the settlement of all that could be settled, the total amount of claims—after deducting the payments in respect of lapsed and sur rendered policies were only 4,2941. 17s. tid. Now, if that was a gratifying statement, how much more gratifying, he would ask, was that he was about to make ? At the present moment, after deduct ing the payments for lapsed and surrendered policies, they would be only losers the to extent of between 2,000/. and 3,0001., and this during nine years. —(Great cheering.) Their worthy chairman had spoken of the premises that had been taken; in doing so, he must pardon him if he stated that he had not altogether done them justice.—(Cheers.) He was enabled to state that from offers that had already been made, they would stand rent free, with offices worth 5001. a year, the present value of which may be estimated at about 10,000/.—(Great cheering.) It had fallen to his lot some time back, in looking for papers, to read the report of the Government actuary, Mr. Finlason, in which he paid a high compliment to the directors of this society for the manner in which they had gratuitously conducted their business.— (Cheers.) As an evidence of the extraordinary success of the society, he might venture to mention, that whilst it was considered by many offices that three proposals a week was indicative of a state of prosperity, what then, he would ask, must be considered of the state of this society when he told them that for several weeks past they had had between 30 and 40 proposals each weekly board-day—(Cheers) —and that very day they had had upwards of 60 ? (Cheers.) The proposals during the present month alone amounted to the unprecedented number of 152 ; the amount of the sums assured upon which would ex ceed 79,0001., yielding an income of upwards of 2,0001., which, if continued, would be upwards of 20,0001. per annum.—(Cheers.) Mr. JONES having p a id a hi g h compliment to Mr. Ilewitt and Mr. Cotterill for the assistance that the) had rendered him in the discharge of his duties, begged to assure the society, that whilst they honoured him with being their secretary and actuary, he would en deavour by all means in his power to be a faithful, honest, zealous, but an independent servant of the o ciety.—(Great cheering.) Comic song by Mr. Bruton. The health of the stewards auditors, medical, and legal officers was then drunk, and duly responded to, amid much cheering. Mr. JONES then proposed the health of Mr. Chadwick, one of the local agents of the society in Manchester. That gentleman had taken the trouble of coming to London tor the purpose of attending the present meeting— (Cheers) —and he thought that the least they could do Was to drink his health.—(Cheers.) Many of the agents Lad obtained for them sixty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, and a less number of subicribers. But Mr. Chadwick had obtained for them, within a .very - short period, n. •ss than eighty.—(Cheers.) The toast was dr u-k with enthusiasm. Mr. CHADWICK. In returning s hanks, assured tie ,ociety that hi. exertion s should nuver be relaxed for their benefit. Th.• health of the Vice-Presidents of the evening, Mr. Williams, Mr. 1 1,, witt, and Mr. Julian Aders, was drunk amid much chm ring, as was also that of " The iress." These toasts having been duly re,ponded to, and au ltr " Rule Broartim" having been sun g i n exce ll ent st) le by th.• v ., catt , ts . prestnt, the as.-tubt ) mice up, every party hu.,,bly delighted with t ne r i c h treat ut , % had Messrs. George Turns r, Geng , , Farquharson Smith, and Bruton enlivened the entertainments of the evenint, by their excellent sieging. The great toast. musters, Messrs. Tool e an d S on, gave out the toasts in their natal sonorous and excellent style, ~nd the dinner that . was provided by M essrs. B at h e an: l Breach was all that the greatest gourman d could des i re, or the greatest epicure covet, and the wines were of the first description. THE CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN.—The Conde de Montemolin received numerous visits from Spanish no blemen and gentlemen, with whom be spent the greater part of Wednesday. In the afternoon the Conde took his usual exercise in the parks. FROZEN TO DRATIL—An inquest was held at Broadheath, in Worcestershire, on the body of Elizabeth Sefton, aged 66, who was found dead on Sunday last by the side of an unfrequented road. On a post modem exa mination there was nothing but a little watery fluid found in her stomach. The jury returned the following verdict.—" That the deceased was bound dead, having, it is supposed, lost her way, and owing to the incle mency of the weather she was frozen to death." At a dinner of the committee and board of ma nagement of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, which took place on Tuesday, Mr. Kemp, the chairman, was presented with a very beautiful and valuable gold snuff box, manufactured by Messrs. Sari and Sons, Coruhill. SINGULAR ANNOUNCEMENT.--A placard has this week been posted on the walls, in the town of Staley bridge, announcing that a tea-party of Mormons, or Latter-day Saints will be held i n th e t own -h a ll , on N ew Year's-day, in which it is gravely stated that " three of the twelve apostles" will be present on the occasion. Some other great personage is also to be in attendance from the " Holy City" in America.—Manchester Courier. EASTERN COUNTIES ItAILWAY. DINNER TO THE WORKMEN. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) Last evening—" new year's eve,"—an entertainment, consisting of a dinner of plain but generous fare was given by the directors of this company to all the work men whose respective avocations would allow them to partake of it, and a bonus of a day's pay was given to those who were unable to attend,—a generous, hearty arrangement, and one which we venture to predict will not only go far to promote good feeling amongst all employed in the service of this company, hose progress we are happy to chronicle, but will be an inducement to its rewards, to leave nothing undone which may promote its prosperity—which may place it in a rank with other lines possessing greater means, and, consequently, more appliances; and which will, therefore, increase. its . traffic, and thereby the means by which they live. The dinner took place shortly after five o'clock in the workshops at Stratford, in a building 270 feet long and 70 broad, which was tastefully decorated with :evergreens, chandeliers, flags and banners, and emblems in gas. The meat prominent of which were, "G. H.," (George Hudson, Esq.,) and "D. W.," (D. Waddington, Esq.,) the Deputy Chair man of the company. At the upper end of the building a raised platform had been erected, at which the majority of the guests occupied seats, for the enter • tainment was not without its visitors. It was arranged in the form of a canopy of crimson cloth and damask, in the centre of which was a throne or pavilion for the Chairman. A gallery at the end of the room was filled with ladies, and another in the middle of the room contained Adams' band, who played several airs during the evening, which were applauded to the echo—particu larly a railway overture. There were five tables, which stretched the whole length of the spacious building, each of which was assigned to the following departments —goods, coaching, locomotive, and permanent way. The arrangements reflected great credit upon those to whom they were intrusted by the Committees of Management, Mr. C. T. 'shorn, one of the assistant engineers, and Mr. Jay, superintendent of the coaching department. The chairman (Mr. Waddington), the deputy-chairman of the company, was supported on his right by Mr. Sheriff Kennaird, and on his left by Mr. Bidder, the engineer of the line. Amongst those pre sent we observed Mr. S. M. Peto, and Mr. Grissell, the well-known contractors, the Rev. C. Richolls, Colonel Jackson, Mr. Roney (the secretary of the company), Mr. Till (secretary of the Norfolk Company), Mr. Saunders (secretary of the Eastern Union), Mr. Mar tin (superintendent of the Eastern Union), Dr. Butler, Mr. Heathcote, &c. &c. Grace was said by the Rev. Mr. Richolls. Due justice having been done to the dinner, which was provided by Messrs. Breech and Co., of the London Tavern, Non nobis Domine was sung by the vocalists, Messrs. Sporle, Edney, Bruton, and others, who were under the direction of Mr. Genge. The CHAIRMAN gave the usual loyal toasts, and ex pressed a hope that the young family of the Queen might perpetuate the line of the illustrious House of Brunswick. lie then gave, " The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese," which was responded to by the Rev. Mr. Richolls, and " The Army and Navy," on whose labours to obtain for us a peaceful home he passed a high eulo gium. It is needless to add that these toasts were warmly responded to. The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose " The health of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of York, George Hudson, Esq., M.P., Chairman of the Eastern Counties, and long life to him,"—a toast which was re ceived with the warmest and loudest demonstrations we ever heard or witnessed. He said, the toast which lam now about to submit to you is one which, I am sure, you will receive with an enthusiastic burst of acclamation— one of the loudest cheers which have ever been heard within the walls of any building in this country.—(Loud cheers.) I only regret, and I do regret it deeply, that . the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of York, George Hud son, Esq., M.P., the Chairman of the Eastern Counties, is not here this evening to occupy the position which I have this evening the.honour to hold ; for I feel con vinced that you would have been delighted by the urba nity of his manner, and by the eloquence which charac terised his orations on all such occasions. —(Loud cheers.) I have to propose that Right Hon. Gentleman's health to you in the capacity of Chairman of the Eastern Coun ties Railway—(Cheers)—and to state that he feels moat deeply that his engagements in the north would not per mit of his attendance here this Evening. But he did not forget to think of you 1 because he sent from his estates in Yorkshire a quantity of game and other good cheer, in order to testify his interest in the entertainment. and his desire to contribute to the enjoyment of the inward man.—(Cheers.) I can tell you that your Chairman felt the deepest interest in your welfare. I know him well—l have long known him, and I know that a kinder heart does not beat in the breast of man.— (Loud cheering.) I know, for I have heard him state it, that he considers the great secret in conducting a railway successfully, is to get good men, and to use them well that you can keep them. (Prolonged cheering.) I call upon you to respond to that sentiment—a sentiment entertained in common by the directors of this company, because I am sure it will be found by practice that this is the only mode by which the business of, a railway could be successfully carried out.—(Loud cheers.) When it was contem plated to open the Ely and Peterborough branch, it was hinted that, as Peterborough already had railway corn munication in connexion with the North-Western, it would not be considered a great treat to the inhabitants of Peterborough to have a repetition of the ex citement consequent upon the opening of another line ; and therefore, the directors of the Eastern Counties thought that instead of holding a festive enter tainment at Peterborough, they should hold it within the walls of their own workshops, and give it to their own workmen.—(Enthusiastic cheering.) We hope to prove to those who are employed on this railway, that the directors entertain the sentiments of the chairman, and that having good men we shall try to keep them—that they should not lack encouragement, and that we could place our feet under the same table, and feel as much interest in their welfare as in that of our families.— (Loud cheers.) These being the views of the chairman, which are participated in by his colleagues, I am sure you will join with me in responding to the toast—nine times nine—until you make the welkin ring. —(The nu merou assembly rose and cheered. They were indeed loud and prolonged.) Mr. Bruton favoured the company with a song, very complimentary to the Chairman, and to locomotion in general. The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Railway interest, and its great architect, George Stephenson." After al luding to the great advantages which the invention of railways had conferred upon the people of this country, he went on to relate an anecdote of the subject of the toast. He said he had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Stephenson in Newcastle some time ago. He referred to the construction of his first locomotive, now 40 years ago, when it was stigmatised as a whimsical scheme. He stated, in addition, that he never felt greater difficulty than when stating, in the witness box, that the engine would go at the rate of ten miles an hour ; but instead of ten miles an hour, fifty or sixty were easily accom plished. The toast was received with acclamation. Mr. BIDDER briefly returned thanks on behalf of Mr. Stephenson. He said if railways were carried out to their fullest extent that Union workhouses and prisons would become tenantless on account of the lucrative employment which they would create for the industrial portion of the community. The CHAIRMAN next gave, sex and London." Mr. Sheriff KENNAIRD briefly returned thanks. He said such a gathering beat the Baron's hollow. — (Laughter.) If they had not had the yule-log they had had the flossing can and merry faces, and merry hearts to boot. He concluded by proposing the health of Mr. Waddington. He said h,- was the oldest member of the board of direction of either the Eastern Counties or the Northern and Eastern, and had therefore seen many administrations ; but he had never met with any man who was more ready to promote the welfare of those in the service of the com pany than their Chairman.—(Loud cheers.) One fact was worth a thousand speeches. That morning he be sought him to reverse a decision on account of the family of the subject of his application. He said he had never yet refused any request which he (Mr. Sheriff Kennaird) had made to him, because he had never laid before him any cases save those worthy of relief. lie wished they c.uld have heard the expres -ions which he made use of on the occasion. He said truly, when he said that the way to keep good servants was to treat, them fairly—to treat them justly and well. —(Loud cheers.) Th dirk ctors had but elle desire—to treat all kindly, and that there would be an esprit de corps ann.ngst them. Whatever the papers might say to the contrary, there was not a better managed railway in the kingdom than the Eastern Counties—(Cheers.) The toast was enthu.siastically received. The CHAIRMAN felt proudly, but deeply, the honour they had conferred upon him. He should be ashame of hims( 11 if he did not acknowledge that he kit the deepest gratitude fur the way they had ta-sponded to the toast ; and he would endeavour to prove by his future conduct that he was deserving of the encomiums lavished upon him, in doing all he could to promote the welfare of his brother man.—(lmmense cheering.) When he joined the Eastern Counties he had no idea of the labour which bad since devolved upon him ; if he had been aware of the amount of labour which attached to the office, nothing should have induced him to join the direction, but having entered upon the office, he held, nothing should induce him to forego any labour which might benefit the company and be beneficial to the public in general.—(Loud cheers.) He respected the opinions of his fellow men. He did not envy the man that did not ; because a man who did not live in the heart of his neighbour did not deserve the name of man ! When a man had once placed his shoulder at the wheel, it was incumbent upon him to urge it on to the utmost, and not to shrink back dismayed.— (Cheers.) And as long as he bad the honour of occupy ing his present position, he should do his best to deser ve the approbation of such an honest and enlightened as sembly as the one he saw before him.—(Hear.) The CHAIRMAN next gave "the Norfolk Railway Com pany, and the Eastern Union Company," with which he begged to couple the names of Mr. Till and Mr. Saun ders. These lines were the right and left arms of the Eastern Counties Company, and it was, therefore, their utmost desire to promote a good understanding between each other. The toast was received with acclamation. Mr. TILL returned thanks on behalf of the Norfolk Company, and thanked the officers of the Company for honouring him with an invitation to the entertainment. On behalf of the officers of the company which he repre sented, he could assure them that they would do all in their power to promote the .interests of the Eastern Counties Company.—(Cheers.) Mr. SAUNDERS briefly responded to the toast. Mr. SMALL responded to the toast of the directors of " The Sheriffs of Middle- , the Eastern Counties, and Northern and Eastern boarde. The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The health of Mr. Roney, and the officers of the company," including suc cess to the engineering, the locomotive, the coaching and goods departments. It was impossible to have a secre tary who could carry out the directions of the board better than Mr. Roney.—(Cheers.) Mr. Davis, the ac countant, Mr. Moseley, the goods superintendent, Mr. Scott, of the locomotive department, Mr. Hunter, the locomotive superintendent, " Mr. Samuels," the resident engineer, and other gentlemen in connexion with the company, deserved favourable mention, and he begged to propose their healths. Each toast was well received, and they respectively returned thanks. The Criainmaie then gave " The men employed in the several departments of the company." He said the affairs of the company must be carried on: by them, whether for weal or for woe; and that the company were most anxious to encourage those who attended steadily to their duties ; and, in appointing men, they looked not to patronage, but to the ability of the men they em ployed, and to the patronage of the public.— (Loud cheers.) The men and the company had been blamed, and not only blamed but blackgnarded on account of the want of the necessary plant, but their means had been increased, and they intended to apply to Parliament for powers to enlarge their station at Shoreditch. Mr. RONEY brhfly returned thanks. He said he had spent many proud and happy days, but he had never experienced more pleasure than he did on that occasion, because he never saw a prouder or happier sight than he did on that occasion, namely, he beheld such a large 1 number enjoying themselves through the liberality of the directors of the company.—(Loud cheers.) It was gratifying to know they had as intelligent a body of men as any other railway in the kingdom; and with their united endeavours, and with the blessing of God, they would make the Eastern Counties line as successful as any other.—(Loud cheers.) For the personal manifestation of respect they had evinced he begged to tender them his most heartfelt thanks. He resumed his seat amidst loud cheers. Mr. PETO and Mr. Duzicabr addressed the assembly on behalf of the ladies in very gallant terms, and the company separated. The tables were then cleared away, and dancing was commenced and kept up until an early hour this morning. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, DECEMBER 30. STOCK EXCHANOM—The sales are—Ambergate and East ern Junction, IA p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, end Cheshire Junction, 1% p.—Birmingham and Dudley, 6% p.—Bir. mingham and Oxford Junction, 9% p.—Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham, 1% p.—Caledonian, Halves, % p.—Chester andißirkenhead, 201. Shares, IA p.—Eastern Counties, York Extension, 1% p.—East Lancashire, New, 3% p.—Ditto, New (scrip), 31s. 3d. p.—Edinb urg h an d Northern, New 254 Shares, 2% p.—Leeds and Thiyk, 1 8 dis.—Ditto, Prefer ence, 1% p. —Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, par—London and North-Western, Quarters (L. and B.), 21% p.—Ditto, Quarters (G. J.) 22 p.—Ditto, Quarters, New, 13% p.—London and York, p.—Ditto, Direct Northern, par—Manchester and Leeds, Halves, 12% p.— Ditto, ditto (late Huddersfield and Sheffield), 5 1 4 p.—Ditto, Fifths, 6 p.—Ditto, Extension, 11. Bs. 9d. p.—Manchester, Bolton, and Bury, Halves (late Liverpool and Bury), VA p. —Manchester and Southampton dis.—Midland Stock, 401. Shares, 8% p.—Ditto, New, 5 p.—North British, Quar ters, 2% p.—Ditto, New Thirds (scrip), 21. 18s. 9d.—North Staffordshire, 4% p.—North-Western, p.—Scottish Cen tral, 7% p.—St. Helen's and Runcorn Gap, 30—Ditto, Halves (40 dis.), 15—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Doncaster, _% p.—Shrewsbury and Hereford, dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (15/. 75. 9d. A), DA p.—Ditto (9/. 12s. 3d. B), li. Is. 3d. p.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, 11 s. 3d. p.—South Staffordshire Junction, 1 p.—West Riding Union, 2/. is. 3d. p. —York and Newcastle (late N. and D.), Preference, 5% p.—York and North Midland, Preference, 11% p.—Dublin and Drogheda, 16 dis.—Newry and Warren point, 21i p. MANCHESTER, DECEMBER 30. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate, Notting ham, and Boston, 3-16 p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 1 5-16 p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 9% p.—Birmingham, Wolverhampton, &c., 2% p.—Blackburn, Clitberoe, &c., 1 dis.—Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton. 1,4 p.—Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham, 11-16 p.—East Lancashire, 31 / 2 p.—Ditto, New (scrip), 1% p.—East Lin colnshire, 1% p.—Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, par—Glasgow and Dumfries, p.—Great Grimsby and Dock Extension, 11 dis.—Great Northern (late Direct Northern), par—Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, Thirds, 1N p.—Leeds and Thirsk, New, p Ditto, Preferentials, 1 7-16 p.—Liverpool, Crosby, and South port, 1 p.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junc tion, % p.—London, Manchester, and Birmingham, 75 1 4 — Manchester and Leeds, Extension, 11 , p.—North British, Extension, 15-16 p. —North Staffordshire, 315-16 p.---North- Western, 11-16 p.—Northern Counties Union, 114 dis. Oldham Alliance, 3 / 4 p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 2 1 4 p.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, % p.—Water ford, Wexford, and Valentia, 235. dis.—West Riding Union, 2 1 4 3 p.—Wharfdale (late North-Eastern), 1 4 dis. LEEDS, DECEMBER 30. Szbox EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ambergate, Notting ham, and Boston, 6s. 6d. n. p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 91 /z p.—Boston, Stamford. and Birmingham, 20s. p.—East Lancashire, New, 3 1 / 2 p.—Ditto, Scrip, 1 3 4 p.— East Liacolnshire, 28s 6d.—Glasgow and Dumfries, 13/ p.— Leeds and Bradford, 45% p.—Leeds and Thirsk, dis.— Ditto, New, par—Ditto, Preference, 265. 13. —M al ton and Dritlield Junction, 31s. p.—Manchester and Leeds, Extension, 295. p.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, lA p.— Midland, Preference, 4 3 / 4 p.—North British, Quarters (late Carlisle Branch), 455. p.—Ditto, Extension (scrip), 18s. 6d. p.—North Staffordshire, 41 % p.—Northern Counties Union, 1 1 4 dis.—North-Western, 13s. p.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 15s. p.—York and Newcastle, Preference, 51/a p.— West Riding Union, 4/. 4s. 6d. SHEFFIELD, DECEMBER 30. STOCK ExcauNGE.—The sales are—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, - Extensions, 1 1 4 dis.—North British Extensions (scrip), 18s. 6d. p.—North-Western, 14s, c. p.—Sheffield and Lincoln, 3 4 dis.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 16s. p.—West Riding Union, 425. p. —South Yorkshire, Doncas ter, and Goole, i 4 p. HULL, DECEMBER 30. STOCK EXCHANGE. —to -day our business is very limited, but owing to the sellers not pressing the sal es , no ma t er i a l alteration is noticeable in our quotations from those of yester day. The sales are—Fleetwood, Preston; and West Riding, 4s. Gd. p.—West Riding Union, 41. 3s. EDINBURGH, DECEMBER 29. _ _ STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 25/. 10s.- Airdrie and Bathgate, 41. Bs.-Arbroath and Forfar, 28/.- Ditto, Halves, 151. 55.-Armagh and Portrusb, 6s. 6d.- Ayr and Galloway, 11. 6s. 6d.-Caledonian, 291. 10s.-Ditto, New, 2/. 155.-Caledonian and Dumbart ons hi re , 2/. s s. - Clydesdale Junction, 341. 65.-Cornwall and Devon Central, IL 15&-Deeside Railway, 31.55.-Direct Northern, 2/. 13s. 6d.-Dunblape, Doune, and Callender, 1/. 155.-Dundee and Arbroath, 45/. ex new-Ditto, New. No. 1, 341.-Ditto, New, No. 2, 291.-Dundee and Perth, 28/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 141. 10s.-East of Fife, 21. 19s. 6d.-East Lothian Central, 3/. Os. 6d.-Edinburgh and Bathgate, 21. 165.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 771. -Ditto, Halves, 211.-Ditto, Quarters, 191. ss. -Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 211.-Ditto, Preference, 211. 12s. 6d.-Edinburgh and Northern, 151. 18s. 9d. ex new -Ditto, New, Si. 25.-Ditto, Newport, 6/. Bs. ex new-Ditto, ditto, New, 3/. 125.-Edinburgh and Perth, 1/. 15s. 6d.- Ditto, 21. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow and Ayrshire, 691.-Ditto, Ne w Stock, 38/. 155.-Ditto, Quarters, 171.7 s 6d.-Ditto, Halves, 91.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 6/. 95.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 11. 165.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 41/.- Ditto, Quarters, 10L-Glasgow General Terminus, 121.- Glasgow and Greenock, 17/-Ditto, Half Shares, 81. 10s.- Ditto, Preference, Si. 55.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ar drossan, 4/. 17s. 6d.-Great North of England, 237/. Os. 6d.- Great North of Scotland, 31.-Great Western, 127 L-London, Bristol, and South Wales, 1/. 3s. 6d.-London and York, 2/. 15&-Ditto, Halves, a 17s. 6d.-Manchester and Leeds, 1051.-Ditto, Sixteenths, 81.-Ditto, Extensions, 31. 75.- Newcastle and Berwick, 351.-North British, 361. -Ditto. Halves, 15& 10&-Ditto, Thirds, 3/. 18s.-Ditto, Quarters, 31. I Is. 6d.-Ditto, ditto, New, scrip, IL 108.-Ditto, Fifths, 71. -North Wales Mineral, 201.-Ditto, New, 10/. ss. - Scottish Central, 211. 155.-Scottish Grand Junction, 173. 6d.-Scottish Midland, 141 17s. 6d.-Shrewsbury and Here ford, 153.-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester, 6/. 16s. 3d.- Ditto, New, 11.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 31. 18s.-Stirling and Midland, 21. 10s.-Strathern Junction, 4/. ss. 6d.- Wishaw and Coltness, 491.-York and Newcastle, 38/. ex new-Ditto, New, 151. 55.-Ditto, Preference, 71. 12s. 6d.- Direct Bombay and Ila - dras, ss. 3d.-East Indian Railway, Its. 6d.-Great.North of India, 4s. 3d.-Great Southern of Madras, ss. 3d.-Madras, Nellore, and Arcot, 3s. 3d. GLASGOW, DECEMBER 29. STOCK Excu.s.NGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, 25/. 16s.— Ayr' and Galloway, 34s.—Caledonian, 30 1 4—Ditto, New, 54s.—Caledonian and Dumbartonshire. 41s. (stock)—Direct Northern, 535. 6d.—Dundee and Arbroath, New, No. 1, 347 —East of Fife, 575. 6d —East Indian Railway, 11s. 9d. —East Lothian Central, 57s.—Edinburgh and Glasgow, Quarters, 19/.—Edinburgh and Northern, New, 5/. 4s.— Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 694—Ditto, 38% Ditto, Halves, 9 , A —Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 41. 19s. —Glasgow, Airdrie. and Monkland Junction, 75s.—Great Indian Peninsular, 6s. 61—Great North of India, 6s. 6t1.-- Kilmarnotk and Ayr Direct, 46s.—Manchester and South ampton, 355. 6d.—Midland, Halves, 7 1 4—North British, Quarters, 755. ex thirds — Ditto, New Quarters (scrip), 31 s . —Scottish Grand Junction, 17s. 6d.—Stirling and Dun fermline, 76s.—York and Newcastle, Preference, 734. N A VAL INTELLIGENCE. WOOLWICI, DEC. 30.—Her Majesty's royal yacht Fairy arri dat a gum ter past eleven, A.M., to-day, from Portsmouth, and was attac , .ed to moorings opposite the Woolwich Dockyard. She i, to be taken up to Messrs. Perin's, at Depttbrd, the c ; st nctors of her engines and machinery, to be examined; and any deficiency that may be found to have taken place during her recent trips wilt be made good during the winter season. The only vessels building in Woolwich Dockyard at present are—the Royal Albert; 120 guns, now hi a state of forwardness, having the whole of her frame timbers put together, and the greater part of her planking tim ber laid over the frame. The bottom or under-water planks have been converted from beech-wood, and the upper planks, which are 10 inches in thickness, of the best English oak. The frame is also of the best English oak, put together in the strongest manner. A number of workmen are employed in preparing and fixing the side pieces for supporting the beams inside, and Aring the next year this magnificent vessel will be an object of considerable attraction to visitors to the Dockyard, as she will then be in an advanced state to show her great magnitude, and substantial, yet elegant, appear ance. The Nankin, 50-gun frigate, building under the new slip at the east end of the yard, from a design by Mr Lan g , jun., assistant to the master shipwright at Chat hamDockyard, where the timbers are converted and sent round to Woolwich Dockyard, has about one-third of her frame put up, and a number of men employed upon her. The Basilisk steam-vessel, building on the slip next to the Royal Albert, has only her keel and a small por tion of her frame put together, She is to be built exactly similar to the Niger steam vessel, recently launched from this dockyard, and will be fitted with paddle wheels, the Niger being fitted with a screw pro peller, to test their comparative merits. The timber converted for the Hannibal, of 90 guns, has remained untouched for a considerable time; and the Basilisk is building under the slip intended for the Hannibal. CORK, DEC. 2A.—Wind calm.—Arrd. Ellerslie, Harvey, Callao; Jannette, M.Lean, Pictou ; Miramichi, Boyd, Quebec; Sarah Botsford, M•Dowan, Clyde for Demerara, with damages in a gale off Scilly. FLANDERS MAIL. ANTWERP, DEc. 26.—The two English * steamers Transit and Gazette, laden with twist, intended for Ger many, have, for the first time, taken th e i r places at the quay Napoleon, between ►he north musesir of the basin and Fort St. Lawrence. We were well satisfied at seeing these steamers so well placed, they landed their ~.„1 1 y bales with great ease, as well as at the best port i world. The quay is very extensive, and only wants thespe„.„ ... meta to be completed. Two more landing places NvOnO:j . _%-',. 4 ; .. _ be desirable, then thr e e steamers might easily L 4 pIIECZY there—the railway station being but a short from the quay—the go od s might be immediately `p ='' upon the waggons. Theilaniburgh Journal mentioned an instance of Qom, kJ mercial probity which deserves to be recorded. dome years ago, the house of Schlesinger and Co., of Ham burgh, became bankrupt, leaving debt to the amount of 150,000 dollars ; two of the partners went abroad, and no more was heard of them. One set up a manufactory at Bradford in England, the other went to Modena, where he established a commercial house. The third partner re mained at Hamburgh, and became a broker. The affair was forgotten, when a few days ago the creditors were summoned and paid the whole of their claims. The manufacturer at Bradford had returned to Hamburgh, and in concert with the broker, who bad likewise been prosperous in his business, he paid two .thirds of the debt, and th ere i s no doubt that the third partner will follow this noble example. BRUSSELS, DEC. 28.—We have just received the me lancholy news that Mr. Constantine Rodenbach, Charge d'Affaires of Belgium in Greece, died at Athens on the sth of Dec., at nine o'clock in the morning, at the age of 5.5, in consequence of an apoplectic stroke. Their Majesties the King and Queen are to leave Paris on Wednesday morning, and to arrive at Laachen on the evening of the same day. The .111 oniteur publishes a law, dated December 26, proroguing till the 31st December, 1847, the law of the 18th June, 1842, w hi c h authorises the Government to modify the regulations for the importation of goods in transit, either direct or through the entrepot. The Moniteur promulgates the law, dated December 24, by which the contingent of the army for. 1847 is fixed for the maximum of 10,000 men, who are placed at the disposal of the Government ; and also the law for grant ing provisionally the Credit of five millions to the War Department for 1847. It likewise promulgates the law for fixing the budget of the Minister of Finance for 1847, at 12,892,020. It is believed that the Ring will be obliged very shortly to set out again for England.—Br ussels Papers, Dec. 29. CANADA COMPANY The general half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the offices, in St. Helen's-place, at one o'clock, C. Frankes, Esq., the Governor, in the chair. The CHAIRMAN made a statement to the effect that the total quantity of land sold was 14,976 acres, includ ing Crown re: erves of 7,797 acres, and grants in the Huron tract of 779 acres. In the leases were com prised tracts of Crown reserves of 15,299 acres, and in the Huron district 13,932 acres, making together 29,239 acres. The return for the lands sold amounted to 10,557/. ; the town lots sold were -ten, while 63 lots were leased in the country. The receipts in Canada to the 23d November, of the present year, were 31,3441. cur rency, while to the same period last year they only amounted to 26,507/., showing an increase of 4,8371. The amount of bills received over done, including in _ . terest, is about 160,0001., the necessity for using which was not at present at all apparent. It was, therefore, his duty simply to make a statement of the dividend on which the directors had agreed ; that was 6 per cent. per annum on the paid-up capital of the company of 321. 10s. per share, to be due on the 10th January next. After a few observations, this was agreed to without dif,sent. Mr. ROBERTSON inquired wheth , r there was any in tention, as held out at the last meeting, of reducing the expenses in Canada. The GOVERNOR replied that the whole of those ex penses were but 6,5001. a year, and the serv;:ints of the company, so far from being overpaid, were underpaid fur their services. The dirt , ctors were anxiou, to re duce the expense as much as poseible, but in common justice they could not reduce it in this particular. A SHAREHOLDER inquired what progress had 'hem made in_the railway? The GovEuNon - replied that the railway in Canada, I:ke.al other railways, was at present quiescent. The object of the company Was to form a railway Communi cation between Lake Ontario and L•:ke Huron, and there waa little doubt but that it - would be ultimat•dly constituted; but there was a railway at the present time in progress which would connect the city of Quebec with Portland, and which would prove of great advantage to Canada. As an evidence of the prosperity of the colo nists of the company he might observe, - that a sum amounting to 7,1301. 18s. 9d. bad been remitted by six teen settlers; the number of emigrants during the year was 32,166, showing an increase of 7,142 over the last year. To another inquiry, The GOVERNOR replied that the railway was not abandoned. The meeting was then dissolved. THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS. MORE ACCIDENTS ON THE ICE. On Wednesday afternoon, after a slight thaw in the morning, the weather resumed its previous severity, re ducing the thermometer to 28 degrees, at which figure it remained until nine o'clock last evening, when it rose to 32. HYDE PARK.—The number of skaters and sliders on the Serpentine on Wednesday was very great. although the ice was in the morning stated to be dangerous by the officers of the Royal Humane Society. A young man named Kirby, residing in Gower-street, Bedtbrd- square, and a lad named Williams, residing in Shoemaker's row, Doctor's-commons, were both at once immersed in the water by the breaking of the ice: they were, how ever, speedily rescued by one of the Humane Society's icemen, aided by one of the parkkeepers. Two other young gentlemen were afterwards immersed through the breaking of the ice in different parts of the Serpentine, but were saved in the like manner. A boy named Walking, residing in Wellington-street, Blackfriars road, fell on the ice very heavily, and inflicted a severe racture upon his head Re Sr. JAMEs's PARK.—The ornamental water in St. James's Park was on Wednesday visited by upwards of 3,oooindividuals. Severalimmersions and other accidents took place, but fortunately none of any serious nature, owing to the prompt and efficient assistance which was available at all parts. REGENT'S Para; Wednesday, a young man, namci Griffiths, while skating on the ice in - this park, was sud denly immersed in the water, in consequence of the breaking of the ice, and notwithstanding the immediate assistance of several icemen being available, he could not be recovered until the elapse of nearly three minutes when he was brought forth, apparently dead ; but by the appliance of the usual restoratives he ultimately re covered and proceeded homeward in a very weak -tate. The number of visitors and pleasure seekers at Regent's Park exceeded 4,000. KENSINGTON GARDENS.—Both the long water and the round pond in Kensington-gardens were on 'Wednes day much frequented, and beyond ea occasional break ing of the ice no accidents occurred. VOYAGE ACROSS THE STRAND.—Prom the diffi culty experienced by passengers crossing the streets in the crowded thoroughfares, it may be interesting to hear the following particulars from the narrative of " A Voyage from the Thirty-fifth lamp-post in the Strand to the Shop directly opposite." Extract from log: " Three o'clock, P.M. Cleared from the curb-stone, with fair weather, hoping to reach the opposite side of the street before dusk ; carrying main-top-coat and reefed umbrella. 3h. 2m. Tacked Co post to avoid an omnibus ; shipped a mud, which damaged the patent bouts. 3h. 4m. Stitod to the south, coasting along a reef of cabs ; nearly run down by a butcher's cart ; passed a milliner girl in distress, whu had missed stays. 3h. 7m. Saw an apothecary's light ; tried to take au observation, but the light was lost in a fog'of cabriolets. 3h. 10m. Rau into by a coal cart ; carried away larboard coat•skirt ; stood off and on to wait for an opening in the cab-bergs. 3h. 15w. Fetched the end of the coach. stand ; baited a buss under blue colours and easy sail, bound for the westward, rmking towards Kensington ; hauled to the north-t sat, and. steered with great difficulty among floes of waggons. 311. 20rn. Lighted a cigar, and put en all steam ; hoisted the sp,ncer. 311. 301 u. Came in sight of land, aeci two niinut , •s afterwards anchored in the read, by k , I rea- post Punch Two CIIILDREN ATTACKED BY A FERRET..---011 Friday evening, two girls of the respective ag6s of four and five years belonging to a person named Howard, living in the Old London Road, St, Aihan's, were attacked by a ferret while asleep in bed. The mother of the children, after she had put them to bed, between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, went into a neigh bouring house, where—hear;ng the screams of her children—she came home, and on going up stairs, to her astonishment and alarm, she found the bed clothes covered with blood, the children crying, and a ferret fastened to the eyelid of one of them. ' The woman was greatly agitated, but removed the dangerous animal as speedily as possible. On examining the children, their eye-lids and hands were both found bitten in several places, and on the latter, the injuries were received in the attempts to drive the ferret away. The affected parts soon became much swollen and showed symptoms of inflammation, and thechi ld l i dr e e r n ti v i q e er m e ed d i e e p a r l i a v t e t d en fo ti r o: few clay s of their sight, but u of Mr. Russell, they are both fast recovering. The ferret belongs to Howard, the father of the children, who kept it in a hutch downstairs, from which place it made its escape, and found its way up stairs to the children's bed.—Enex Herald. INCREASE OF TITHES.—The tithe commutation rent-charge has increased the tithes of the parish of Northwood, in the Isle of Wight, one-third, and in some instances one-half, of which the agriculturists loudly complain. What was to have been for their benefit, or professed to have been so, has had quite the contrary effect; and the landlords have to pay 3001. fcr the valuation, the rector being the only person really benefited. The farmers should take care to deduct the poor and highway rates and the property-tax, or the rector may forget to tell them to do so, and take the whole amount, though he is not entitled to it. NIGHTLY SHELTER FOR THE 110IJSZLESS POOR.— The committee of this association, on Wednesday, made a report of the number of the houseless poor who, since the opening of the three district asylums on the 14th inst., owing to the fitel,mency of the weather, have sought refuge therein. In the Central Asylum, in Play house yard, St. Luke's, 1,321 men, women, mid ohildre have Lem admitted. The Eastern Asylum, Glass',ouse street, East Smithfield, 908 men, women, and children ; In the Western Asylum, Upper Ogle-street, Marylebone 701. T 1 e total number of rations, during the same period, amounted to 26,941. -,