The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-01 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Nebility, Gently, Subscribers t. the Opera, and the Public, are respectfully informed, that TO-MORRO A' EVENING. 'March 2, will be performed Verdi's celebrated Opera, entitled NINO. Ninns, Signor Coletti ; Idaepe, Signor Corelli ; Arotasphe; Signor Bouche ; Fenena, Mille. Fegiani ; Abigail, Mdlle.Sanchioll. aux, by After which, a new and o ri g inal grand Ballet, in five table M. Paul Taglioni, entitled COR.kLI A ; on, LE CHEVALIER INCOVSTANT. Corals, Mae. C. Rosati ; the Knight ilullebrand, M. Paul Taglioni; Squire, M. Geuriet ; Berths, Mdlle. Petit ; Page, Millie. Honor./; Duke, M. GosselLn ; Fraisondin, M. Venefra; Fisherman, M. di Mattia. Verdi's Opera. " Idne Foseari," is in naive prepiltration, and will shortly be produced, for the first time in tilts country. Madame Castellan has arr ved in town, and will shortly appear. Signor Frasehini is daily expected. Donizetti's Opera. " La Favorita," will be repeated as soon as other arrangements will permit, eve n. The Opera will commence at The doors (Wm at Half-past S Eight o'clock. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,. COVENT GARDEN, Establed •er the purpose of rendenng a more . perfect performance of the Lyric D - aina th.in has hitherto been attained in this country. Under ihe Direond ManageentA , I. The NW ity ct. Gent n r a y, and Pittr ,m fis of N tide, are respectfully in formed that ',Le Royal ipera wit! (veil the flut week in kpril. nro3 , e, io eour....r he Season, some of the It is proposed to established works .-a, 51 3leet - -rbea r, :.rid others of the mere modern Italian ',Op.!. iiieled Mg Or. ilis by BOHM. Doni • sent, Men.,adaiite, awl Verdi, on a s(•ale o: the uimost perfect on every dep;trtiiient ; to e'hieli intent the tr..w:t.ement has asiietnh'ed Company embracing .tie grQ•itc,t alio ;11,4 varied %Cult in Enrol.'. PRIME SOPRANI. -Madame Grisi and Madams Persiani (her first appearance in London for three years), Madame itonconi 511(1 Mdlle. Stefianoni (of the Theatre La Scala, in Milan, her first ap• pearanee in title country). CONTRALTI.— Signora Alboni (of the Theatre La Scala, Milan, and of the Imperial Theatre in Vienna, her first appearance inr,this country), and Mademoiselle Corbari. TENORL—Sin r".ll.ario, Signor Salvator Lavla (of the Imp erial Theatre of St. Petersbureh, his first appearance in this country I, Signet' Tuft (ot the Theatre San Carlo, in N Apl , s, his first arpea:- *nee In this country), and Signor Salvi Or the Tlwatrc La Si.ala, in Milan, and of the Imperial Theatres in Vienna awl St. Petersburgh, his first appearance on the Italian stage in England). PRIME BASSI BARITONI—Signor Tamburini and Signor Giorgio Ronconi. P RIME BASSI PROFONDI—Signor Marini (of the Theatres San Carlo, Naples, I.a Scala, Milan, and the Imperial Theatre. Vienna, Lis first appearance in this country). Signor Angelo Alba (of the Theatre Royal, Madrid. his first appearance in this country), and Signor Polon:Ili (of the Imperial Theatre, Vienna, kis drat appear ance in thi,l country.) PRIMI BASSI COMIC! —Signor Pietro Ley (of the Theatre Royal Madrid, h:s first appearance In this country), and Signor Agostino Revere (of the Theatres Royal. Naples, Milan, Vienna, and St. Pe tersburgh, his first appearance in this country). Seconde Donne—Madame Antoiaetta Mollidorl (of the Theatre La Scala, in Milan), Mademoiselle Antall& Lirtari, Mademoiselle Luigina Bellini. • Seeonde Tenor*—Signor Emmanuele Steno (of the Theatre San Carlo in Naples). Director of the Music, Composer, and Conductor —Mr. Costa. A powerful and numerous CHORUS of chosen and experienced Singers will complete the Vocal D epart rent. Chorus Master — Signor Bonconsiglio. Prompter —Signor Monterasi. The ORCHESTRA. formed of Artistes possessing the highest executive powers, will comprise among its members Eighty distin guished professors. The Military Band of the Coldstream Guards will be under the direction of Mr. Godfrey. An ORGAN, of extensive compass, has been expressly erected In the theatre by Messrs. Flight and Son. Organist—Mr. V. Novello. The BALLET, of a brilliant and costly character, will close the performance of the evening, and no Divertissement will be suffered between the acts of the Opera. The Director has the pleasure to announce that he has concluded an engagement with Mademoiselle Fanny Elssier ; and, during the season, the following eminent Danseuses will appear: —Premieres Danseuse-3lademolselle Dumi latre (ef the Grand Opera, Paris), and Mademoiselle Plunkett (of the Grand Opera, Paris), Mademoiselle Bertin (of the Imperial Theatre, Vienna, her first appearance in this country), Mademoiselle Neodot (of the Theatre Royal, Madrid), Mademoiselle Marietta Baderna (of the Theatre La acala, Milan), and Mademoiselle Fuoco (of the Academic Royale de Paris). Monsieur Petipa (of the Grand Opera, Paris), Monsieur Gontie (of the Theatre Royal, Madrid), Monsieur Ferdinand* Cro!e, Monsieur Delferier (of the Grand Opera, Parts), arid Monsieur Auguste Mabille (of the Grand Opera, Paris). Meares des Ballets—Monsieur Albert (of the Oera, Paris), and Monsieur Blasts (of the Theatre La Scala, Grand p Milan). Leader of the Ballet—Mr. Alfred Mellon. Regisseur de la Dense— San Mr. O'Bryan. Composer — S i g nor Alessandro Curmi (of the Carlo Theatre, Naples). THE TIIEATRE.—To render the Interior at once commodious, elegant, and comfortable, it has beck entirely reconstructed and decorated, under the immediate direction and after designs of Albano, Eat., C.E.. with every attention directed to its proper ventilation. The Decorations have been executed by Mr. Ponsonby. The Management has happily secured the artistic skill of Signori Ferri and Verardi (of the Theatre Italien, in Paris), to embellish the ceiling and to prepare a New Drop Sc ene. The approaches to the Theatre will be found improved, by a carriage way being formed immedia ely under the Portico in Bow-street, whereby parties can leave or enter their carriages without exposure to the weather ; and by. increased facilities for ingress and egress. The Refreshment Room will be under the superintendence or Mr. J. G. Watson. Tickets, Stalle, and Boxes, for the 'night or season, to be obtained at the Boa Office, Bow-stnet ; and at Messrs. Cramer, Beale, and Co.'s, 201, Regent-street. THEATII.F !:,)1".t: . IU rill; Will be performed the new rut opera, viattled MATILI/ .Of HUNGARY. Count ~ l itcaats. Mr. 14 - Irani; Botiiebi ad, Mr. !hurl. An; Mathias, Mr. Wei s; Matilda, Mils Rainforth; Lillla, NIS. IL Isaacs. Atter which the new' Ballet. ca11. , 1 THE PRE on - SICILIAN Couttt Ametle, M. Croce; Basella, uldlle. Baderna. 'IIIEATIZE ROYAL, lIAN . M.Ii.KET. nder the . n. ',C'ebster, soh , 1 -c 5, e , . Tllth; EVENING Will he performed a new any original Comedy, ealle.l THE SCHOOL Folt kII ENI I N Pri uet eli; .rte t ars by 11 essrs. Far ran. Stuart, linekstone, Ilrlitda!„ “lUVer, Humh Mr.;. larnold. .`.lass Forwx.ue, liisa Itdtuatt, .‘ciSS &.7.. Miring the awning the Hand will perform the Overture. " Lac d es Fees." " Plantagenet," " Ross," awl Polkas; Waltz. by Lawler ; by Strauss ; and the " Anierlean Polka." To coneiuti.• with the Original Grand Fairy Extravaganza, ttallel the INVL,FiILE PRINCE; or, the Island of Tranquil Prine , pal characters by Mr. James .7.liss P. Morton, Mrs. L. S. Buckintham, 31igs Reynold , , and Nliss Julia Ilennett. THEATRE ROYAL. LYCEUM. tinder the Management of Mrs. Keeley THIS EVENING Will be produced the Original Farce, called THE WIGW,M. Characters by Messrs. F. Matthews, Oxberry, Keeley, Bender; 31 les Arden, Miss Tuner, Mi , s Foster. and eeley. After which the Dra‘na, TO P I!ENTi AND GUABDIANti. in which Mr. and Mrs. Keely will appear. To conclude with the splendid new Fairy Ext-avnganza, entitled THE ENC HA.N TE 11 FOREST. In which Mr. and Mrs. Keeley will appear, supported by the whole talent of the Company. _ . _ THEATRE ROYAL, Ammt.m. nder the direction or Ntads.rue Celeste TIIIS EVENING Will be perfW•mcd the celebrated Drama, called THE GREEN BUSHES; or, A Hundred Years Ago. Murtogh, Mr. 0. Smith ; Dennl., Mr. Ctilienti,rd ; Jack Gong, Mr. I'3lll Bedford ; Grinnidge, Mr. Wright ; Captain Dart°is, Mr. 11'0r:ell ; : , aflame St. Aubert, Madame Celeste; Gerald ne, 3lrs. Yates; Melly O'Neil, Mrs. Fitz- After which the Comic Drama, called THE MAID WITH THE MILKING PAIL. Lord Philander, )Ir. Culienloni ; Algernon, Mr. Boyce; Diccon, Mr. Wrhalt ; Mille, Mrs. Fitzwlldam. To conclude with, DID YlI7 EVER SEND YOUR WIFE TO CAMBERWELL? Iloneyhim, Mr Wrigh. ; Crank, Mr. 0. Smith; •. lloneybun, Miss Harding ; Mrs. Crank, Mrs Matthews. PRINCESS . * THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. J. M. Ma ulux, sole I.vssee &hi Manager. THIS EVENING Will be performed a Grand Opera, •ntltled ANNE BOLEYN. Henry VIII., Mr. Bodda ; Percy. Mr. Allen ; Rochford, Mr. Wal ton; Smeaton, Miss S. Flower; Harvey, Mr. Winn; Lady Jane Seymour, Miss Rourke ; Anne Boleyn, Miss Bassano. After which, a Concert by the New Orleans ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS. To conclude with the Comedy of SHE STOOPS TO CON QUF.R. Principal characters by Messrs. Wynn, Granby, Vining, Compton, Fisher, Cowell, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. Foshrokc. FRENCIi PLAYS.—ST. JA3IEn'S Ttil:A'lli r. Lessee. Mr. John 'Mitchell. TUB EVENING. Will he performed the Vaudeville of LE DEMON DE LA Nurr. Frederic, Sri. heron ; Oscar, M. Langeval ; Gillesticm, 31. Cartigny ; Mathilde, Mdlle. Fargeull ; Caroline, 31dlle. Vallee. '1 o conclude with a new Vaudeville untitled UN MAGI QUI SE DERANGE. Durosel, M. LaTont ; P.ertholin, 31. Cartigny ; Amelte, 31dile. c ; Mlle. Fonquet. Boxes, Gs., Pit, 35.6 d.. Steps, 35.; Gallery, 2s. Doors opened at half-past Seven, and the performances commence at I'rtvate Bore., Stall*, and Places may be engaged at Mitchell's Library, 33, Bond-street ; and at the Box-office. ETHIOPIAN :.:ERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE Tho celebrate,' ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, Yell, Harrington, White, Stanwood, and Germon, will have the honour of repeat ing .heir ENTERrAINHENTA, at the above Theatre, TO-MORRO EVENING, and every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sa turday. Doors open at Eight o'clock, atel the Entertainment com mence at Half-past Eight. The 7.IORNING ENTERTAINMENT will take place TtlE .%IORNING, an-1 every Monday during Lent, he Performances will commence, each day, at hal-past Two o'clock The Programme will be varied on each occasion. Bose.), 4s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Amphitheatre, 2S ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITBEARE, eroprten.r. Ttlr. IY. Batt Under the patronage of the Queen. fringe Albert. and other Members of the lio.val Family. ---Mr. BAT INN Fox-llonnds meet every Evening a: half-pant. Six. Midi:a the week. Till- Will be eerthrine , l THE. hOY L rox-innz-r: or, Life's Conr of Men and Atee4. Entire chance of the t.W.F.NLS of Ciftcl.F. With the Per ftrmanoes of M. Pablo Famine mict In,tht4lily-trainca Steetle. Box.-4,ttlee open ;rout eleven tin tiro o'doek.---, Doors open at six ett e , rnrnenee et half-past *la Manager, Mr. W. B,,afttoot. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessee. Mt,. Fr:►nces I)l.vidge. THIS EVENING will be performed the Tragedy of ALEXANDER THE GREAT. Alexander the Great, 3lr. Itetty Itoxana, 3ltas Richardson. To eone!nde with a new Drama, entitled RABY RATTLER; or he Progress of a ,;camp. Characters supported by the whole Strength of the Company. Rux•oBlCe open from eleven till four o'clock. ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE. Boxes, Is., Half-price, 6d.; Pit. 6d.; Gallery, 3.1. THIS' EVEN [NO Will be performed the Drama of SIMON LEE ; or, The Murder :it the Five Fiel.ls' Cons . t:h irseters y Messrs. Hicks, Dale. Bird, Foarle, Ferman; Nis, Vincent. Miss Pearce, &c. • Atter which, THE MINE GV;L; ,-r, The Rose Dlamon t. To conclude with GALE BREEZZLY ; or, A Tale of a Tar FASHIONS FOR MARCH. (From the London and Paris Ladies' Magazine of Fashion ) There is no great variety in the make of evening dresses this season, as far as the corsages are concerned: they continue to be pointed and with draperie or berthe, and the sleeves very sh wt; the skirls are very long, and, if of thick materials. form trains ; they are still made very full. Velvet, figured satins, moires, and danias, are mostly used for evening dress, and accord well with the necklaces, bandeaux of diamonds, now so fashion able. Tunics of point d'Angleterre, forming short upper skirt, over a satin dress, with deep berthe and flounce to correspond, have a very rich effect. Very sieall tips of marabouts, feathers, on dames or brocarts of gold er silver, in small Moorish patterns, have a beautiful effect. Generally speaking. all dresses of clear materials, as gauzes, crapes, &c., are m a d e w ith several skirts, the upper one forming corbeille or tunic; f f oj rm ye to un a g et ladies talletas are still much in favour, and much usacj7 of elegant simplicity. Flowers are very fashionable, ti an ornamenting dresses, and gimp is very ty!e l ight d n made in great variety, both as to sometimes placers.cnNlantuats of gimp en relief are each side the skirts of crape or gauze dresses , draperie terminatin g r ais in g the tucks so as to form a nceud of gimp al jour: this nceud may bere wi l th a feuillage of velvet. Dresses of taffetas houtuacedclorbisea green or all white, ‘r demi toilette, with triple flounces, are pr etty madeso ornamentedCrsisiipth.? bonnets and mimes are being flowers, encircled with Molar. with straw or gimp, and are of a lightness "'re intermixed suitable to the spring season. 'Bonnets o e r a nd elegance will be among the earliest in request. croiltle guipure lines of grog d'tltre have the runners P orname nt e d with velvet, and others have a narrow blond ni p u e t — 0 ; full at each coulisse. The evening ;Fr co —urea offer many pretty novelties ; the newest are the gy psy, of black lice or denten° d'or, inters ixed with roses and leaves ; the coitiur:s Laisn. and Od.Ate are also pretty one formed of a half-square kee is quite novel ; t he corners rounded, and tali the head, and the sides are coufinded by h,pnevsueklc a spray of which crosses the forehead 11' , d,r border of the flan. Marine flowers are very fashionable this season, and compose many pretty coiffures ; wreaths are numerous 211 d widen into full bunches at the ears. HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRUME THIS DAY. Morning .. 45 minutes after 1. ITetting .. 4 minutes after 2 TIRE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 1, 1847 - FEW NOVEL, BY THE AUTHOR Or "SUSAN HOMEY. Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols., T HE STORY OF LILLY DAWSON. By Mrs. CROWE. Authoress of " Susan Hopley," Sac. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. Now ready, in ONE VOLUME (comprising as much matter as twenty ordinary volumes), illustrated with 1,500 Engravings of Arms. &c. 38s. bound. B URKE'S PEERAGE and . BARONETAGE, FOR 1847. NEW and REVISED EDITION ; Corrected throughout to the present time, from the personal com munications of the Nobility, &c., and CONTAINING all the NEW CREATIONS. " The most complete, the most convenient, and the cheapest work of the kind ever of ere i to the public."—Sun. ' Henry Colburn. Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF " TIIE RANSOM." New ready at all th• Libraries, in 3 v 013.. post Sro., KIRKHOL "AIL PRIORY; or, Modern Herolm. By the Author of " The Ranson." Riche, d Bentley, New Burlington-street. H ENRY RUSSELL AT THE STRAND THEATRE. CGinposer of 'Woodman spare that Tree—lvy Green—The Gam hler's wife—The Maniac—Ship on Fire— The Life Boat—l'm Afloat —Newfoundland Dog —aud ether Popular Songs, will give his VOCAL ENTERTAINMENT THIS EVENING, AND EVERY EVENING. Ile will sing the Song of the Shirt—Paupers Drive— Gambler's Wife—Ship on Fire ; &c. &c.—Songs and incidents of Negro Life and Character. ?Sexes, 3s. ; Stalls, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery 6d. ( Private Boxes, 11. Is. Box-office op. n from One till }'ottr daily. 1 . 1_11; WEATHER.—SUN Orfics, FEBRUARY 27. THERMOMETER, Lowest, ?7: ing►hest, 37 ; Nooi, 32. ainomETEn, 30.14.—W1ND E., fiLe. FEBRUARY 28. THERMOMETER, Lowest, 26 ; Highest. 32 ; Noon, 35 BAROMETER, 30.24.—Wind E.N.E., fine. . ... , . . at. . • ' ; . f A I • - •1;, • 4 .-. ~: • %,•-',. ......1,, ' l lll4 Z 5 . -- '"I • ''',lZai..:•: , . 4106, A) '' • " Ae 7 rWTXLIII '', , ?l:'!' - -. '''' '• ' - "t'i:- . '''-e7r •m o • , - .....z.u - o. ._ . .., ••••• 431 Ar., .--.. „ ,- .I'. .21 ....:- - VP. 'atøtltiflt gint LONDON. MONDAY. MARCH 1, 1847. Under favour to the Honourable Gentleman the Secretary to the Admiralty, we conceive that the in crease of the naval estimates for the ensuing year by merely 62,2841. beyond the gross estimate for 1846, scarcely required the aptogetic explanations with which he brought the matter before the consideration of Parliament Not even the extraordinary embar rassments consequent upon Irish starvation and Highland destitution, not even the existence of a necessity requiring an advance of 10,000,0001. upon the average expenditure of the empire, not even the recurrence of an intermittent scarcity, which cripples the resources of the population and necessitates a more rigid economy in Government, can render our naval estimates, as they at present stand, a matter for either retrenchment or parsimony. In regard to our maritime expenses, retrenchment would be suicidal and parsimony ruinous ; for our navy is our only defence and safeguard. Our marine power is the main sinew by which our national vigour is bound together : it is at once the means by which our insular authority has been extended throughout the habitable globe, from the solitudes of the polar snows to the torrid zone of the equator, and the instrument by which that au thority is maintained and confirmed. Stint our ex penditure in that particular, and you sensibly weaken the whole framework of this gigantic empire. Di minish th... strength cf our sea service, and you affect injuriously the very vitality of British in fluence. Deteriorate in any manner, however trifling, the condition of our navy, and you directly peril a correspondent portion of our political energy. Nor is it alone requisite to prevent the diminution of the maritime estimates of the United Kingdom, something more is necessary to continue undiminished that preponderance upon the ocean which Great Britain has hitherto preserved—that mural and physical preponderance which has raised hi r from a • übordinate archipelago to the predomi nant empire in this civilised generation To effect this it is not merely incumbent upon the Legiskturerto avoid any proceeding which might tend to the de crease of her naval power, but it is especially and ab solutely incumbent upon them to extend her naval power in proportion to the extension of the naval power of other maritime empires. In this respect it is essential that there shall never be any disparity between the relative naval forces of the earth in pre sent and bygone times. Otherwise we shall have retrograded, instead of having advanced. It is a fallacy, moreover, to believe that the existence of peace necessitates the preservation of a balance in the naval estimates. The supposition is an absurdity ; and it is an absurdity, because it presupposes that things terrestrial can remain for any length of time stationary. Now, it is an immutable law in mundane affairs, that nations, and principalities, and separate communities, and distinct individuals must, by an indomitable necessity of their nature, change. They must either advance, or retreat—either progress with the general progression of the age, or retrograde in an inverse ratio. That has been the presiding spirit from the primitive days of the patriarchs down wards ; it is peculiarly so now. Progress is so largely characteristic of the present times that it has become more than ever a necessity ; it is part-and parcel with the principle of seli-preservation. " Not in vain the distacce beacons. Forward, forward let us range, Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change." And progress is perceptible in every grade and de partrinnt without exCeption. Among others, it is especially perceptible in maritime affairs. If we survey the naval expenditure of France, we s had observe the extent to which this omni- pr , -ser:t principle of progres,ion has developed itself. We shall fold that, notwithstanding the protracted duration of European peace since 1615, the naval ex penses of France have been sensibly enlarged ; —the increased value of colonial possessions Laving influenced this advance almost as much as the more extended employment of steam power in navigation. So considerable has been the enlargement of the naval estimates of France, that the estimates of the current year amount to no less than 5,639,0001.; and that, be it remembered, irrespective of her fortifieekities, of her impregnable capital, and of her enormous Na tional Guard, amoun:ing to upwards of a million men. What meanwhile has been the proportionate advance of the naval estimates of Great Britain, bearing in mind that her maritime force is her only defence, that fortified cities she has none, that her metropolis is not guarded by a single fosse, that her militia can in no manner be compared with the National Guard of her Gallic neighbour ? Why, it is indisputable that the naval estimates of England have been long characterised by an undue niggard liness. In 1816, for example, those estimates amounted to no less an amount than 9,516,3251., though it must be remembered that in that year our victories upon the ocean were consummated by the heroic bombardment of Algiers. In 1822 they had diminished to 5,042,6421. In 1832 they had decreased still further to 4,882,8351. Beginning with 1840, they were 5,597, 511 /., and in 1844 th e y merely amounted to 5,858,2191. The parsimony evinced by the Legislature towards the only bulwark of our national defence has been, indeed, of too long continuance to be persisted in without entailing upon the empire effects of the most injurious description. In his perspicuous speech to the House of Commons, Mr. WARD formally announces the intention of the present Government to abandon this destructive policy. We are heartily rejoiced at this, and we are rejoiced that the Government has not been deterred from at once undertaking the good work of innova tion by the circumstance of the existing famine, with its horrible concomitants. The additional money vote upon the past year of 77,0001. is not to be rejeated as exorbitant, while 10,000,0001. are being obtained and expended for the relief of a temporary calamity. Those 77,000/. are for the per- benefit, and teal advantage of the empire ; it is for tie ent - smtraenngthening of its barriers, it is for the per- British Constitpurtolopncs.,teant.osicil,rin' -lid g reatne ss of th _a, sum on the whole of g, rrior e over, the sum e to which it is o d ele t y 7,560,948/., of which merely our :Elva' estimates il S t et:ta lPe rY l l‘te tiact)Awlh' thei Honourable 1,6A,948/. w Gentleman the nenenan i serv i ces " —there ra ty a-tl-• ie I termed 0 substantial teasou for cavilling at the proposed advance. Peace or war —the naval estimates must not be grudged. If not from the number of prospective measures enumerated in the Royal Speech, certainly, from their important, and, in some instances, novel character, seldom has any session of Parliament, for a long pe riod past, been opened with greater probable demands upon the time and grave attention of the senators, popular and hereditary, than the present. It is of considerable, benefit to the public that economy of time should, as far as is compatible with due deli beration, be consulted to the utmost in the conduct of the proceedings in both Houses of the Legislature, , inasmuch as when not engaged within the precincts of St. Stephen's, Peers and Commoners have impor tant duties to attend to in their several localities throughout the country, the proper discharge of which have, in a variety of ways, a direct tendency to promote the social happiness and prosperity of the people. This is always the case in the best of times. Peers and Members of the House of Commons have for the most part, by reason of the special commis sions with which they are personally entrusted, to take an active and leading part in the judicial, magisterial, and other ministerial systems established for the good order and general welfare of the community. The advantages, direct and indirect, of having the nobility and influei.tial gentry constantly residing on their extensive properties, are inappreciable. Under the auspices of their personal supervision, general improvement progresses most favourably. Schemes of a desirable character, relating to important public objects—whether they be for the spread of religion, promotion of education, maintenance of charitable institutions, preservation of the public health—over and above the conservation of the public peace and the suppression of crime, are felicitously developed by the immediate presence of an affluent and intelligent proprietary. Therefore, even in periods when the general condition of the country bears a healthy appearance, the sittings of Parlia ment should never be prolonged beyond what may he absolutely necessary. But, at a moment like the present, when a large portion of the United Empire is stricken with dire distress, the labours of the session should be concluded with the utmost feasible dis patch. On Friday evening, in the House of Lords, Lord STANLEY drew attention to the state of public busi ness in the Upper House, and regretted the proba bility which presented itself of there being scarcely anything for their Lordships to legislate upon until after Easter. The complaint is not a novel one, and, we regret to say, that neither is it an unreasonable one. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE well replied, first, with the observation that, during the past six weeks, there has been a greater amount of business trans acted, and of a more important range, than could easily be indicated in the commencement of any other session ; and next, his Lordship clearly and satisfactorily explained, by referring to the past and future proceedings in the House of Commons, that no blame can be attached to the Government for the delay that has occurred with respect to the progress of measures connected with the permanent welfare of Ireland. It was indis pensable, in the first instance, for Parliament to de cide as to the adoption or rejection of Lord GEORGE BENTINCK'S railway project. It is equally indis pensable, in the next, to obtain the sanction of the Lower House as to the Ways and Means, since, till the financial questions be settled, the Government cannot reasonably proceed with the other measures which they have in contemplation for Ireland. But, whilst we admit all this to the full, and concede that the comparison of prompt legislation between the existing and preceding Ministries, is decidedly in favour of the former, it is an undoubted evil, for the reasons we have already alleged, that the House cf Lords should be kept in a state of inactivity. This idle posture of the Upper House is frequently produced by the known jealousy which the Commons entertain against the Peers taking the initiative in measures of a particular character. We think this jealousy is pushed to a prejudicial extreme. However, there are other measures against which such an objection could not be started, and which the Peers could primarily undertake with greater advantage. than the popular branch of the Legislature. The mea sures we allude to are chiefly of a legal mature; and, as & general rule, we hold that Governments, in future, should take care that during the recess all schemes of this character should be fully prepared, so as to occupy the time and attention of the House of Peers before the Easter recess. It is, nevertheless, due to the Government to notice, that the Marquis of LANSDOWNE on Friday evening communicated, that &Es for enabling Irish proprietors to sell their estates to pay off incurnbrances, for the better administration of the penal law, for the improvement of prisoners, and the reformation of offenders, would be shortly laid upon their Lordships' table. Madrid papers of the 20th have arrived. The Espanol announces that a band of 200 Carhsts, under the cotnaland of Cabccellas, Alosen, Bouet, Tris• tany, Ros de Eroles, El Greser,lella, and others, had entered the town of Cervera, in Catalonia, which, how ever, they did taut attempt to hold. They levied contri butions on the inhabitants before taking their departure. CABRERA was reported to be at Forecdena. It is said that General BRETON will be recalled from Catalonia. Carlist binds have also appeard in Galicia, Avila, and Old Castile. A leuvr from Bayonne say-. " The Count de . Hernan Pulaco, ex-commandant under Espontero, and Don Celestino Paredes, his Intendant, or Steward of the Household during the Regency, have arrived here from London, and leave to-morrow for Madrid. They are included in the amnest . ) ; and theirjourney, it is said, is connected with certain negotiations going on for the return of Espartero to Spain." MADRID Bot.sw, Fars. 20.—The Three per Cents. were done at 31% for cash ; the Five per Cents , at 20; Debt without Interest, 6 1 / i, ; and the Coupons, at 18%. We have received the Paris pup •rs of Thursday. The state of parties iu Engiand is the subject of the leadin article of the Journal des Dibats. It expresses it; belief that the result of the recent attempt of I.old GEORGE BENTINCR to oust the Ministry has been greatly to streinthen the Russell Cabinet, and to prove to the Protectionists that they have no chance of becom ing influential unless they again place themsdves under the leadership of Sir ROBERT PEEL. If we can place any reliance on the following article, which appears in the Constitutionnel, the French Ministry is falling to pieces from inherent weakness. It says— " The Ministry appears on the road of complete decompo sition, either from disinclination on the part of the new ma jority to certain members of Cabinet, or from the following causes :—M. Martin (du Nord) cannot resume his portfolio, as the state of his health forbids his again entering for a length of time on the active and multiplied labours of his ad ministration. The Cabinet was in consequence bound to think of filling up his place. Whilst doing so it occurred to the directing Ministers that it would be advantageous to the Cabinet for several of the members, considered not very able, fi t inreenatiitedi m m a i k n e iste roo rs m u fo n r fe y rt o u u n n a g t e e r ly , more act andin the most able Deputi es are not i n.the ranks and not very su ccess f u l i n the i r Parliamentary displays, to re nivae,reand wanting, • of the majority. ' M. Lacave-Laplagne has provided for his family ; no person has met with more Parliamentary cheeks; his old functions can easily be restored to him; the retreat of a man so de voted to his relations might pass for a reform, and the tt is nistry, freed from such an orator, would deem itself delivered from the most useless part of its unpopularity. M. Cunin- Gridaine is very inoffensive, but he is in bad health, and the famous programme of the coalition, which he formerly signed with full devotedness, has been long enough consigned to oblivion for the temporary importance whirl: M. Cunin- Gridaine had obtained for his platonic adhesion to reform principles to have entirely disappeared. He is not abs,lutely in the way of the Ministry, but he occupies a place without filling it; and nothing prevents his being sacrificed to any combination that may be ador2tett. M. de Salvandy is every day inventing some new project embarras.ting for his col leagues. M. Moline St. You invents nothing, but he has no credit, no authority.. The Minister of Public Instruction acts too much, the Minister of War not enough; the first is a difficulty, the second a burden. Both could be sent to the right about without any inconvenience. However that may be, several combinations, in which these members of the Cabinet were by turns sacrificed, preserved, or displaced, have been proposed during the last few days. M. Hebert was at first thougl.t aim. the Administration of Justice ; but M. He bert had spoken too energetically in favour of the Ministry, and of a firm execution of the laws; he has been considered for some time as necessarily rejected by the clergy, and im possible. M. Dumon, Minister of Public Works, desired to become Minister of Justice. Tiii4 matter was much spoken •f for some days. Had this combination been adopted the Ministry intended seeking amongst the young members, the most laborious and most practical of the Conservative party, for Ministers of Public Works, Commerce, and Fi nance; the persons thought of were, it was said, M. Vitet, M. de Morny M. Muret de Bort, and M. Bignon. It was even in the hope that M. Vitet was about to become Minis ter, that M. lawyer showed so devoted a ministerial zeal and so exclusive a Conservative-ardour. Whether it was that refusals were rnct with, or for other reasons, it is no longer a question at present of M. Dimon for the department of Justice, M. Hebert has been come back to. It WAS first determined to entrust to hitn the portfolio of Justice alone, aril to separate front it tke &par:meat of Public Worship, I which was to be either itri,ed with that of Public In struction formed info a spe. ial •V.ittistry. But these Iwo expedients rai. ed such objectittos in the Cabinet that they were given - up. It is even 5..i.1 that de Came hopes to , become Director of Public V"urship, in crier to give *way ' satisfaction to the Catholic party. blean w hile the succession to M. Hebert in the Cour Royale is already an object of dis pWe. M. Di-langle was on the list- of. candidates to become Procureur General, but M. Hebert proposes M. Boucly. We do not think it necessary to enunnirate all the candidates w h ose nanv - f ,, have been quoted in several journal, for the portfolios of finance, commerce, war, or public in struction. The Ministry must be much weakened to mo dify itself so profoundly. \o complete combination has at: the present moment a character serious enough to be reckoned on as worthy of notice. But what may be affirmed is, that if there is any doubt about the composition of the Cabinet there is none about its decomposition. The weak ness, the incapacity, the despotism, the unpopularity, the idle, or too inventive mind of the secondary Ministers will carry away with them the head ones, and thatbefore long." The alioniteur contains royalordonnances, sanctioning the Bills recently passed by the two Chambers. The same journal also contains a comparison between the numbers of the population of France, as taken in the census of 1841 and 1846. In the former year, the num bers were 34,230,178, and in the latter 35,400,486, being an increase in the five years of 1,170,308. During the month of January the general receipts of the Customs duties upon importations amounted to 9,797,362 f. In 1846 the produce iu the corresponding month was 10,820;838E ; and in 1845, 11,360,022 f. The falling off this year, as compared with the receipts of 1846, has arisen chiefly from the reduction of the duty on corn. Although the consumption of foreign corn has bet n much greater this,,,yvar, the , duty has amounted to only 202,925 E instead of 1,122. 858 E, as in January, 1846. Al compared with January,lB46, there was in the last inonth a diminution in the consumption lead, copper, tin, co l o i i c ' ff e c i e ,: t a c o n o n r :l n l w : e ca o t o- i s l p:_e l f r i n o c s n l e o , e t d h , h og ; ta , a s ll l o l i d w a :t d h , c e o o r a l e i l ::a o S il : p ll:7 l : i e lk i s n , colonial sugars, and zinc. Serious apprehensions are entertained of the conse quences of the falling off of the trade of France, and the enormous financial deficit. The Committee on the Budget have, it is said, been requested bI• the Ministry to mitigate appearances and realities as much as pos sible in their report, so as to make the deficit not appear more than 16,000,000 1 . sterling, the actual deficit being double that amount. • In the meantime bankruptcies are hourly occurring, the small traders are nearly all ruined, and the large firms are now beginning to experience difficulties. The scarcity of provisions is frightful, and the price is hourly rising. La Reform deems it pos sible that within two months from this date the 41b. loaf will cost 40 sous (20 pence). Grean fears are in conse quence entertained of interruptions of the public tran quillity. The Journal du Haute of Wednesday, after announc ing the arrival at that port of the Elizabeth, whale-ship, from Otaheite, which she left on the 12th of November, says:— " Without being so alarming as the first rumours stated, the news from Otaheite, by the Elizabeth, is not without gravity. It is far from confirming the hopes of pacification which the last official note founded on the dispatches of October 5. But if the state of things be not sensibly ame liorated, it visibly tended towards a compromise, which the general lassitude of all parties made desirable. As the official note indicated, open hostilities had not been resumed, but in truth ' they bad not ceased. The defensive works raised in the insurgent vallies kept in fact the natives in check, but at the same time tequired a constant vigilance, and occasioned partial collisions, which harassed thegarrison, and kept it perpetually on the alert. In this war of ohservas tion, in which the fatigues exceed the dangers, Governor Bruat has displayed an activity and an energy not very common. Presenting himself in turns at every post, and di recting in person the most painful marches, he has given an example of devotedness which have left traces of failing health and strength in his counterrance. Persons who saw him shortly before the last arrivals, coming from the en campments in the interior, have remarked upon the ravages which his watchings, his fatigues, and privations of all kinds have made upon his person. Notwithstanding all his ex ertions, Captain Bruat his not failed to use, in compliance with his instructions, all his endeavours to bring about a reconciliation with Queen Pomare, and by inducing her to return to I'apeita, to put an end to the insurrections which her absence perpetuated by seem ing to authorise them. After having in vain tried various modes of conciliation through his own agents, he decided, however repugnant to his feelings, upon having recourse to the interve,,tion of several persons whose connexions, or rather whose quality of English subjscts, seemed to insure for them a favourable reception by Pomare. The months of September and October were employed in these "nego tiations, which were by turns interpreted by Mr. Salmon, Mr. Notte, and a missionary, Mr. Thompson, all English. These steps were without any result, the Queen per sisting in her obstinate refusal to hold any species of communication with the French authorities. Finding this, Captain Bruat, in despair, resigned himself to ac s cepting the proffered good offices of her Britannic Ma jesty's frigate the Grampus, in going to Raiateia, and there negotiate the arrangement of which the English journals lately gave us an account. Accosting to the infor mation now 'waive, that attonpt had no great:q. etThct than those which preceded it. In her puerile wilfulness the Queen, who wishes for nothing more earnestly than tr., resume her royalty, has taken Capt. Bruat en grippe, and with that childish vanity which is the peculiar characteristic of savages, she has refused to listen to any proposals from him. She has personally, ifswe can believe the accounts we receive, no aversion to tires , Frenth people or Government, but she de , tests Capt..Bruat, and her animosity against him is so great that in September last she wrote to the King of the French, making his t oF.AL. the only. condition of her submission. But this letter Waif not transmitted: If these details are correct, and we have every reason to believe theta to be so, a 3tidg ment may be formed of the abnegation shown . by M. Bruat in reiterating his propositions for an arrangement. and of the strange position in which he is placed. Besides this, it is notorious at Otaheite that. Pomare has communicated to a French resident, in whom she has great confidence, a conciliatory treaty, dated October 22, and signed by her own hand, stipulat:tig for her return to Otaheite, on acceptable conditions, provided a new governor was appointed. This overture had apparently reached the Govemment, when it resolved to replace Captain Bruat, and, •no doubt, to satisfy the infantim, capriciousness of Nitrate, this officer, who, 'from his fwrvices, and the dignity of his character, deserves so will of his country, will be made a sacrifice. however this may be, the news of kis recall reached Papeite on No vember 6, by the English ship Jeannettee, which brought the French mail of July 15. The selection of M. Lavaud, already known to Pomare, by former relations, was received as a certain pledge of' a change of measures, and his con ciliating character will, .no doubt, on his arrival, reap th e fruits planted by the firmness and perseverance of his prede cessor, in an undertaking which his laudable efforts have brought to maturity." The most complete stagnation prevailed on the Paris Bourse on Thursday. The Three per Cents. closed at 78f. 60c. ; the Five per Cents., 118 f. 85c. ; the O r l e an s R a il roa d Shares, 1,276 f. 25c. ; Rouen, 872 f. 50c.; illavre, 682 f. 50c.; Great Northern , 6321. 50c.; Avigno n , 840 f.; 587 E. Loc. ; B ' o rdeaax 535 f.; Troyes and M onteresu. 305 t., Basle, 210 f. ; Dieppe, 3351. ; Paris and Strasburg, 4681. 75c.; Tours and Nantes, 4681. 75c.; Paris and Ls our, 492 f. 50c.; Lyons and Avignon, 480 t.; Bordeaux :mid Cette. 450 t.; Belgian 'two-and:a-Balt' per Cents., 54; ditto, Three per . .. Cents., 35/. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, FESILUART 26., Boulogne and Arnlena, t 4'Q —Luxembourg. 2 !E—Namur and Liege, 3 —N °Ahern of France, t3—Orleans and Bordeaux, 7%. HANI3URGH MAIL. s lm a, : , , e er , i ,i n i l ie C ri . o b u ti r r t g :e b il 3 l be- ST. PETERsnunG II . 4 9: (711 9 t Li O r f come nearly allied to the marriage 'Of the Grand Duke . Constantine (born 24th Sep- . tem b er , 1827) with the Princess Alexandria (born Bth Jul 3 , 1830), which is anno unced to take p l ace in the summer of next year. The Princess is expected here in a few months ' in order to receive instruction in the G ree k re li g i on, and in the Russian language. The population of Russia is sensibly increasing, according to official eccounts it amounts at present to sixty-tive million. CRACOW, FEB. 12.—The Breslau correspondent of a Rhenish paper ai:nounc es that the Russ ian Guards are posi tivi ly expected in W a rsaw, and that th e A ustr i an Govern mew, has ordered several regiments from the west of Go u d a to draw nearer to the frontiers, and has likewise ordered large purchases of horses for the cavalry. It is also stated that orders have been received from Berlin, in the province of Pomerania and Posen, to organise the second and fifth corps of the army. o rts are in circul a tion th a t i n t h e BERLIN FEB. 17.—Rep night of the MO a great number of' persons were arrested by the police, and that this measure extended to thirty per sons, many of whom were engaged in trade. We have not been able to 1,11.. n any particulars, only it is said that the individuals who wero arrested were .111 Tie ed ci tuvi4; dis tributed prohil,itod bo , ks• IlmtntynG, FEB. 21.—The channel is now free for steam boats to Hamburg; the ice in the Lower Elbe is diminishing, and is not dangerous. The Caledonia steamer departed this morning for London at a quarter before six, and at eight o'clock passed Blankenese, much impeded by the ice. HAMBURG, FEB. •.%2 —There is but Milt ice in the harbour and in the Elbe, and several ships destined for sea will leave the harbour to-day. A steamer with three masts, probably with the mail from London, has run aground near the Liihe. At half-past eleven a boat put.off front it to this shore. The London mail of the 19th arrived here to-day, a t two ('cluck.—Hamburg Papers, Feb. 23. lIAMBURGII BORSENHAP•Er FEL 23. • !tills. Money. Austrian 5 per Cent5................ 107 Bank Shares 1,,5 0 x 101 L Anglo-Russian Loan .. •••••• • • " Russian 5 per Cent., Ilatub. Certificate. 101% fuNi wog Ditto Ist series Inscription ...... • • • • Ditto,flope and Co 3d and 4th sato • • 96 Ditto, in Certificate...—. • • • • • • •• • • •• New 4 per Cent., Elope and Co. •• • • '• Ditto Stieftniz . .....•• .....•••• 118 Spanish Sew 5 per Cent.............. 17%-- 4 .17 1 4 Ditto 3 per Cent ••••••••• • •• • ' • • •• 29.; rcr• - - Anglo-I'ortugueae Loan. 23(, per Cent•• ' Dutch Actual Debt. 2% per Cent ••• • • " Ditto 3 per Cent. .. ••••••• • • "• • • Polish New 4 per Cent. l xian. 1544•• • • 79 Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent ••• • •• 84% National Bank Shares.... • • • • • • •"• •• BEL(IIAN FUNDS.—Baossns, FES. 24. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent • • • • • • • • • • Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent-. • . Ditto Three per Cent •• • ......... ••• • • • Ditto Thirty-seven Slillionii, ditto ••• • • • Ditto,ditto,lB4o.• •••••••• • • • • • • • • •• • 100 % Ditto, it to, 1812 .. • • • • • • • • •• " " • • •• • 101 Ditto, 1844.............. ...... ... 90% Ditto, 1838 • • •••••• • • ' • • • •• •• 69 Ditto of the City. 1832 •••••••• • • • • •• • • Ditto, 1843 .. • . •••••••••• • • • • • •• • • Bank . . • • —Brussels Papers, Feb. 24. PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—BiaLIN, FM 20. Bills. Money. st.Schuld Sch., 3% per Cent •••• ' •• '• • 9414 Pruss.Enoish Bonds, 1830, 4 per Cent • • • • •• --• Foreign Exchanges •• • •••••••••• Exchange on London, .£1 Sterling, 3 3lonths: 015% The Hon. William Grey, Emile time rsident with the English Embassy at Vignna, has been a ppointed a pall at tacit/at th e Austrian Court, in place 4.f Gervss Buslae, Esq., dec:as. (I. Observer. FHB EXPORTED.—During, the last season, 17 vt•s sels left; Yarmouth for the Mediterranean with cured her. rings, having on hoard 2,41)9 tons; there have been sent by steam and railway to Liverpool and London, nw less than 3,500 tons, mcking a total of 5,900 tons of cured fish, the weduce of our own fisheries. Our readers may hence infer tie justice of the importance attached to this branch of com merce by. the mercluato cf our y0rt..7.-Noribih Chronicle. MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. From 7he Sun of Saturday Night. The cotton market at Liverpool has been steady this reek, with an increased kiemand. Sales yesterday 4,000 bales, 500 being American on speculation. Stock, 483,8b0 bales. There are no later arrivals to day. The New Loan is quoted nominally 1,4 to 1 premium this morning, and the estimates of the price which should be bid vary from 88% to 89%; though it is impossible to say, as Messrs. Rothschilds and Barings are now expected to be the only houses which will make up lists—though corporate bodies may tender on their own account— what will be the terms ' offered. We still incline to the opinion that, •as the competition is narrowed, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer may probably have to open his sealed paper, and declare the minimum, leaving the parties present to take it then upon the Government terms if they please. We believe that even the most influential houses in the City have recently been Bears of Stock, and consequently will require some of the new loan to complete the deliveries which they may have contracted for; but al though in the interest of the public it must be desirable that the Chancellor should get the best possible terms, it is also necessary that the allowance be made for probable variations in the Money Market, and the difficulty that may be experienced in making up the monthly instalments. In the year 2835 Messrs. Itothschilels took the loan at the rate of 1011. 14s. 3d., viz, 75/. Consols, worth 90%; 251. Reduced Three per Cents., worth 91; and 13s. 11d. Long Annuities, worth 16%. The following are the principal items in the Bank of Eng land returns for the week to Feb. 20 : Netes Issued Decrease ................ 12.800 Notes reserved increase Bullion ........... Decrease Pablic deposits increase 570,929 Other deposits decrease 492,759 Seven day and other bills increase Other securities decrease .. 31,917 - The Funds have been rather better to-day. Consols re alising 90 1 / a , and sines 90 1 ,4 for transfer next week, and 90% % for April 15. Exchequer-bills have been down to 3s. to 4s. premium. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. are steady at 92 1 ,E to 93.• The foreign investments have been very well maintained, though chiefly at nominal rates. The Railway Share Market is buoyant, and higher prices have been obtained in most instances. BRITISiI FUND . -4, ONE O'CLOCK. Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. 9014 91 Three per Cent. Consols Annuities 90% % New Three-and-a-Quarter - per Cent. Anus. 92% 93 Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5, 1560 .. India Bonds, 1,000/. .. 9 p Ditto, under 1.000/. 10% p Bank Stock for April 14 .. 206 *Jotivr,ls for April 15 • • • • 90%%1,4 i'achernier BJls. -13 i d. 1,0001... 4 3 pm. 5001. .... 4 3 pm. Ditto, Small 10 pm. Ditto, Advertised .... 3 p par 4 p par ONE O'CLOCK. CI OW:NG PRICES. par CLOSING PRICES. FOR ERIN FUNDS. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent .. .. Ditto, for the Account .• .. Danish, 3 per Cent -• • • .. 84 Mexican Bonds, 1646, per Cent .. 22 1 4 Bpanish Bonds, 5 per Cent .. Ditto, for the Account •. • . 24% Ditto, Passive Bonds .. • • Ditto, Three per Cent .. .. .. -- Ditto, for the Account .. 35 Dividends on the above payable in London French Rentes,•s per Cent .. —l. —c. Exchange .. • • • • • • -- f• Ic. Belgian Four-and-a-Halt per Cent .. Dutch Two-and-a-llall per Cent .. 58%).‘ Ditto. 4 per Cent. CerUtlcates 118 f. —e. 25f. 40c. PRICES OF BUSINESS PAID. D CLOSINO ONE 'CLOCK AT RAILWAY SIIARES. PRICES. ONE O. Aberdeen.. .. .. 25 .... 234 24 •••• .. Amber., Notting., Boston, and 7 • Eastern Junction .. .. • • 2%.... 2% .. ••• • • • Birmingham and Oxford Junction 5 .... 14% .. Binning., Wolver.. and Dudley.. 6 .... 10% .... • • Boston, Stamford, & Birmingham 665. .... 2% 2 p Bristol and I. xeter 75 Buckinghamshire 815..... 34 p• • • Caledonian 30 . .... 27% • •.. Ditto. Ilalf Shares .. .... 2%.......... Cornwall ............. .. .... • • .. . • Ditto, Half Shares .. Direct Northern Scrip .. 2% .... •. • ... 2N Dublin and Belfast Junction .. 12K - ••.. • ..... 454 Eastern Counties 20 21% 3j 3 y ...... 21% Do. l'erpet., 5 per Cent. No. 1. 61. I 3s. 4d. Ditto, ditto, .. .. No. 2. 61. 13s. 4d. ••.•. • • • • • % Ditto, York Extension .. .. 4 .... 43% .......... 4 35 East Lancashire .. • • .. 14 .... •• • Ditto New .. .. 5 .... 714" • • 73t East Lincolnshire .. • • .. 4- .. • • 7W •• •• •••• • • 7 Exeter, Yeovil, and Dorchester .. 2% .. 17 Great Northern (London & York • Do., do (Direct Northern Regd.) 3%.... 4% 3% ...... 4 Great Western 85 •... 141 ex dm.. •• .. 121 x.d. Ditto, half stares .. 50 .... 70% cx div.... 7034 ,Ditto. Fifths .: 20 ....27 IA 27 ex div.. 21 x.d. Lancaster and Carlisle. .. 50 .... Ditto, New Leeds and Bradford .. 35 .... 79%.......... 80 Leicester . 1 1,1 Bedford .. ....• . ..... Leeds, Dewsbury, & Manchester 27% .... •;•-• Leeds au .I Mir 22; .... 21% Neiv .. • • .. 5 .• •• •• . Ditto, l'referenee 6 per Cent... 334 .... :)% London, Brigkton, and S Coast.. 50 .. . 55S xall 56 London an North-Western.. ...100 ... 187 186.... • • Ditto. Quarters . 2 ..... D tto ditto, New Shares • • .. 2 ..... • • 14 Ditto, 101 Shares M. &B. (C) 1 •• • • 7% ..... .•• • • 7% London and South-Westem•• 411. 6s. 10d.•. Ditto, Scrip• • •• • • • . 5 •• • • 5 % %•••• • • • • 5 % London and York Extension Scrip 2% 2% 3.. ••• • • • 3 •--Lynn and Ely ... .. 20 .... 2234 . • 22% ' Manchester and. Leeds 82 •• Ditto. Thirds (lieg.).. . 114 s. bi.ndnester, ituxtojt. M atlock 425. . • .. p• • .... • Manchester and Southampton .. 2 .... 1% .. • • Midland •• • •100 .. • ••••• • • • • • Ditto, New 30 .... • •• • • ..... . Ditto. New .. 2 • ...... .• • Ditto, ItirMingliam and Derby 100 .... 96 ...... Mviland, Biraiing. & Gloucest. • • 100 .... • ..... Ditto, Neiv (iss. at 7% dis.).. 1754 ...• •. ••• • • and .. • • 20 •• • • Nwtuarket and Chesterford .. 10 .. • • 1034 .. •• •• Newport and Abergavenny .. 2% Norfolk .. —lOO 138 x Northern Counties Union 2% .• 1 % ....... • Nort;i British .. •. 25 •• .• • • Ditto, Ilali Shares .. •• • • 1234 • • • • •.... • • ' Ditto, Thirds • • .. • • •• 1 .... 314 . • Northern and Eastern .. 50 .... •• •• 57 Ditto, Quartsr Shares 12% .. •• 15 ••••• • .. • • 15 Nortli ::•at.fordshire .. • • • • 5 .. % North Western •• .. • . • • 21.... 2% x Oxford,Wiircest.,& Wolverlimptu. 17% .... 11% I I Preston and Wyre .. • • .. 23 " • • 3 Guirdtord, and Reigate 5 .... 5 A.• • . .• • • 5 Royston an Ilitchin • 1% .... 2% Scottish Central - IS 22% 23 • • is Scottish Midland .. • • • • 17% ••• • ••••• • • • • 251 :4 Shrewsbury and Birmingham .. 3 .... 4% •• • • •••• .• 4% Ditto, Class •• • • 1% •• • • 1%• • ...... • • is Shropshire . 421..... •• •••• •• sJj (Hs. South Devon .. •• • 40 •• • • ..... ••• •• P South Eastern and Dovor .. • • 33 % .... 39 .• •• • • New (do. 151.) .. No. 4. 314 4%...... • • 4-uth Wales Windsor, Staines, &S. Western.. 425..... P• • • • •• • • p York and Newcastle' .. .• • • 25 •• • • •• • • Ditto, i'reterence .. 4 .• .• ••• • • • York sad North Midland .. 50 .... 86 •• . .. •• • • 86 Ditto. Preference •• .. .. 2 .... 12% .• •• .• Do. E, and W. Riding Exten... 10 .• - 22% ••..•• .. • • 22% 3 p P 122% 353 i 138 .- 1% FOREIGN RAILWAYS, Itoulogno and Amiens 18 .... 14%••,..•• •••• 14 4 Dutch Rhenish .. 7 .... ••• • • • 4% East In';hul . .. • • .• ' ss• .• • • ••••• • • • • • Northern of France •• • • • • 8 •-• • '•'••' • • '' 33 Paris and Strasbourg .. . • • • 5 •• • • 3 % •• • • JOINT-STOCK BANKS. London and Westminster .. _2o_ . ..... 291. Mt yes. Real del Monte, Unregistered .... BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, FEB. 25.—There is a moderate 'demand for refining descriptions , but the grocery kinds are neglected ; the sales of the week are unimportant. The refined market is still dull, and a shade lower.— Br istol Mercury. WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET, FRIDAY.—This week's arrivals are large of wheat, and -- good of other articles. A decline of Is to 2s. per quarter is submitted to on o heat, at which there is a healthy demand. For barley there is very little inquiry, and prices are 2s. per quarter lower. Oats and Shelling are unaltered in. value, but meet a readier sale. Beans remain same as last stated. DEATH AFTER THE USE OF THE ETHER ANTIDOTE TO PAIN. —On Friday week, at the Essex and Colchester Hcepital, the operation of lithototnv was performed by Mr. It. S. Nunn, upon Thomas Herbert , - labourer, while under the influence of the vapour of ether, in the presence of Mr. Bransby Cooper, the well-known surgeon, and almost the entire medical staff of the town and neighbourhood. In the abzence of pain, and its skilful execution, the operation was completely successful ; and the patient appeared to be doing well f r twenty-four hours afterwards, when unfavourable symptoms presented themselves, and death took lilac: , on Sunday evening, apparently from exhaustion. The circa& stance has created considerable sensation in the to xn, cud popular opinion eagerly attaches the blame to the new, and as it has hithert o b een c o ns id ere d, i m p or t an t, agen t o f sur gery—ether; but, looking to its success in former• cases, it would seem unfair, as well as premature, to condemn it upon a single exception, and that by no means proved. to have any connexion with its effect upon the system. The coin cidence, however, we feel assured will not be lost upon the medical body.—Essex Standard. INFIRMARY FOR CONSUMPTION. --- The annual general meeting of the. supporters of the Infirmary for Con sumption and Diseases of the Lungs, Artillery -street, Bishopsgate, was held on Friday, at the London Taverr. John Ingram Travers, Esq., treasurer, in the chair. The report stated that the number of patients treated during the year amounted to 1,500. The sum of 478/. was the amount of receipts for the support of the institution, and the ex penditure le ft a balance with the treasurer of 265/. The funded property amounted to 5,500/. The accounts having been passed, the officers for the ensuing year were elected, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting broke up. THE GREAT BELL FOR MONTREAL.—The casting of this, the large:t bell ever yet male in the country, was successfully c om pl e t e d l ast week, at the foun d ry o f Messrs. Mea rs , Whitechapel. The quantity of metal fused was about twenty-five tons. The founders, it is stated, intend to give the public an opportunity of inspecting the work when perfectly finished, previous to its shipment for Canada. ;ROBBERY IN AN OMNIBUS.—On Fri lay afternoon nitormation was received by the police that between the hours of c'ne and two o'clock, a lady of the name of Lindley, of Brian Villas, Hammersmith ' whilst in an omnibus in Albany •str ee t, R egent ' s P ar k, had her pocket picked of a brown silk purse, containing two 51. Bank of England notes, four sovereigns and a half, and thirteen shillings in silver. VENTILkTION S T ABLES......HOTAeS are liable to consumption 1% hen kept in hadly-ventilatei stables; and we are informed by Mr. Edwin Chadwick that a discovery was only lately made as to the effect of defective ventilation on the cavalry horses in some of the Government barracks in England ; and it is stated that a saving of several thousand pounds per annum was effected by an easy improvement et the ventilation of the barracks near the metropolis.— The Builder. FRENC H PLAYS.--Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by Lady Caroline Cocks, the Hon. Miss Paget, Lord Listowel, Colonel Grey, and Captain Gordon, honoured the French Plays with their presence on Friday evenir,g. H er Royal ilighness the Duchess b' Kent, attended by L a dy Fanny Howard, Lady Maria awson, and Sir G. Coupes, also honoured the theatre with her presence. A STRANGE BIBLIOMANIA.-00 the Bth instant, died, at Padua, Count Leopold Ferri, leaving a perfect unique liurary t it being composed of works written f'e le authors, aulountiug to agarly 40 volume,. ~.• .... y ~. ELECTION CHANCEL LOH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. (FROM OUR I)WN REPORTER. RETURN OF PRINCE ALBERT. The polling commenced at nine o'clock on Saturday morn ing and closed at twelve, the following are the numbers:— HALF• PAST NINE O'CLOCK. Prince Albert .. 896 Earl Pow is Majority TEN O'CLOCK Prince .Albert Earl Powis Majority — 97 HALF-PAST TEN O'CLOCK. Prince Albert 912 Earl Yowls. ..... Majority — 107 ELEVEN O'CLOCK. Prince Albert • 942 Earl Powis .. ....... 835 Majority HALF-PAST ELEVEN O'CLOCK. Prince Albert 948 Earl Powis Majority CLOSE OF THE POLL—TWELVE O'CLOCK. Prince Albert Earl Pow is 837 Majority COURT CIRCULAR. 9% 9 p lOU p 206 87 88 221,1 2% 14!4i lON ... 2 p P 27% GOLDSMITHS AND JEWELLERS ANNUITY INSTITIT TION.—On Friday a halt-yearly general meeting of th e d onors and subscribers to the above institution wa, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, strand. The r port stated that there are now on the funds fourteen male and six female an nuita ts, whose peli.i,,ns d ur i ng t h e past year amounted to ~ 2251. 12s. 9d., the males receiving 151. and the females 101. per annum. The receipts for the past year were 1,654 19s 3,1.; the expenditure, 3421 6s. Bd.; leaving a balance in favour of the institution of 1,313. 12s. 7d., invested in the Bank of Ene,land. A further sum of 8001. has been set ap,rt fur the erection of almshouses. A di,cusion arose as to rescinding the 14th law, rvhich in future will stand "that the number of tytnales shall in no case exceed the number of m4!e annuitants." FIRE AT linmosToN.—Friday morning, shortly before one o'clock, a serious fire broke out upon the premises in the occupation of Mr. Hvnarn, in Church-lane, Loaer Edmonton. At the time oi . the outbreak livitam, his wife. and three children, were in their beds, and before they could be awoke the lower portion of the house was wrapped in fire, so that no one could get dc wn the staircase. The whole of the inmates, however, succeeded in effecting a safe retreat through one of the upper windows. The engines of the parish of Edmonton and Tottenham were soon at the scene of conflagration, but unfortunately the want of water retarded their operations, and very speedily the house became enveloped in one immense sheet of flame. The fire soon ex tended to the house adjoining, and both dwellings and the whole of the furniture were consumed. Mr. Hynam was in sured in the Licensed Victuallers Fire office, but not to the extent of his loss. The origin of the disaster could not be ascertained. When the family Itetired to rest the over-n4l t the plus arpeatul Perfectly sally Loud cheers followed the announcement of the numbers. The Senate House was crowded curing the morning; a vast number of ladies were present. The Queen held u - fris'y Council at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon at Buckingham Palace. It was at• Vended by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Mar quis of Lansdowne. Lord Pfersid,rd ; Lord Cottenhstn, Lord Chancellor ; the Eat•l of Minto, Lord Privy Seal ; Lord John Russell, First Lord of the Treasury ; Sir George Grey, :.ecretary of State fear the Howe Depart ment ; Viscount Palt&ierston, Secretary of State for Foreign Atfair ; Earl Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies ; the Earl of Auckland, First Lord of the Ad miralty Sir John Ho')house, President of the Board of Control ; Lord Campbell, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ; the Earl of Clarendon, President o! -. the Board of Trade ; die Marquis of Clanricarde, Post mastfx• General ; Earl Fortescue, Lord Steward ; and the Duke of Norfolk, Muster of the Horse. Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Henry hurl Grey to be Lord Lieutenant of the county of Northumberland, his Lordship took the cus tomary oaths. Mr. C. Greville was the Clerk of the Camel! in Waiting. The Queen gave audie►:ces to Lord John Rtissell, the Marquis or Lansdowne, and Earl Grey. Hir Majesty was atten►?ed by the Earl of Listowel, Lord in Waiting ; the Marquis of Londonderry, Gold Stick in Waiting ; Lord Edward Howard, Vice Cham berlain ; Lord Marcus lull, Comptroller of the House- hold, and Edmund Sir Edward Codriugton, Groom in Waiting. _ _ The 'Boys! dinner party at Buckingham Palace on Saturday included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their Excellencies Chevalier and Madame Bunsen, Prince Lowenstein, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Earl I)elawarr, Viscount and Viscountess Folke • stone, Lord and Lady Dalmeny, the Right Hon. Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood, and Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps. The band of the Royal Regim'nt of Horse Guards attended during dinner, and performed the following pieces Overture—Crusaders— Benedict. Fest March—Camp of Silesia—Meyerbeer. Introduction —" Maria Stuart "—l).:nizetti. March—"Midsumnier's Night Dream"—Mendelssobn. W al tz Tol be,cque. In the evening the following had the honour of joining the Royal circle:—The Earl and Countess of Rosebery, and the Ladies Primrose, Lord AJfred Paget, the Misses Codrington, Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour, and Captain Francis Seymour. Yesterday morning her Majesty and her Royal Con sort took their usual early walk. The Queen and Prince Albert, the' Daehess• of Ke::t, .Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, ond the Domestic flons t hold. attended diVine service yesterday in the private chapel in Buckingham Palace. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of London. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay assisted it, the service. The Prince of Wales, Prince Allred, the Princebs Royal, and fte Princess 11liee, took their accustomed airings yesterday. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge at tended divine service yesterday in St.. Michael's Church. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge attended divine service yesterday in St. Paul's Church. Her Royal ilightn , s the D,ichess of Kent visited the Dueness of Glow-ester yesterday ar Gloueest, r Ilunse. Ifer Royui Ifigl - m•ss the Duchess of Cambridge?, and his Semite HiAlincss Prince Fr,•derit k •of Hesse, ho n-ur.,6 the lt,o'ito •lith their presence on Sat ur• d:ey Mr. Bright, the lThaittnan of the Royal South Lou. don Floriyuiturai Socie , t-y, had ail titt , rvit? With Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, at Canehridge House, on Saturday-, to present the report of the Hail stone Comirri'Ve, which his Royal It'Omess wa gra-. cloudy pleae-ed to tire:pt and to approve. His. Royal ig,i:ness the - Duke of Cambridge llo%ored the Marquis of Northampton with his company nu Saturday 111,d afkr4,rds honour , d ant: and Viscountess l'alinent.toti with his eolniyauy, tHeir residence in Carttetre iloit6;-tetTace. A Cabith , t Council heid rt hpir."-pasi - , four on Saturday aft.-Tnoon, Foreign-cflic;•. T:.e Ministers present were Lord John Russell, the Lard Chaiac,illor, the M.irqui 4 - I‘ . Lan6downe, the Earl of Mint , ., Sir George Gt , y, Vistiount l'almersom, Earl Grel, Earl of Auclii.lid, Sir .Yiho Cairpbell, Earl of Clarendon, Marquis of Cia7:rioarde, the Right Hon. T. U. Macaulay, and dui Ri;lit Hon. H. Lationchf_ r r. Vir.count Wrpeth afterwards jollied his rolleJgues, The council bat au hour and a half Mr. ilindley, M.P., and Mr. aardwell had an inter view with Sir George 3rey, o►i Saturday at the Home Office. The Solicitor-General for Ireland had an interview with the Right Honourable T. Milnfr Gibson on Satur day at the Office of the Board of Trade. The Bishop of London ordained five gentleman as priests, and three gentlemen as deacons, at the early service in the Chapel Royal, St, James's, yesterday. The prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. Wes!ey, and the lessons by the Rev. Mr. Helmure. The Duke of Wellington attended the early service. The Bishop of Worcester preached the sermon at the daily service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yester day. The prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. flail, the Jessons by the Rev. Dr. Wesley, and the communion service by the Rev. Dr. Sleath. The anthem was, " Sing praises" (Croft). Sir G. Smart presided at the organ. PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL ASSOCIATION AND BENEVOLENT FUND. TO THE EDI I OR OF 7HE SUN. Sin,—ln the report which appears in your paper of last night of the . annual meeting of the above most excellent in stitution, a mistake is made in your notice of the few obser vations I offered in.moving the first resolution, which I find you have obligingly corrected in this morning's edition. I am made to say that life insurance companies are op posed to such institutions. I beg 'most distinctly to 4 issure you that no such remark ever fell from me. What I did say was, that life (.tlice generally, during the la , t 18 inunths, had experienced a tailing i . .tr in the anioulit the attention of the public having dittoed its,ll, tar a time, into other channels of investment, and it was, therefore, highly gratifying to hear from the report just read, that the reverse wag the case as regarded the Provident Clerks' Association. Sir, the more widely the advantages of such loci; ties can be ditfu,ed " through every vein of cur empire" the better; auci when we consider that in the great mass of the population of the tithed Kingdom, the comp ratively small number who have availed themselves of the blessings which life-assurance, and properly conducted mutual benefit societies culler, as a means of protecting themselves in case of illness, or their wives. and families in case of death, I should, indeed, deeply regrtet• that the erroneous impres , ion went torth, of hostility, or even jealousT, amongst such insti tutions, and one so much at variance with my own opinions and experience. The field of u. , eculness for life insurance, and such mutual benefit wsociations, is very extensive, but unfortunately 38 yet ton little occupied; all therefore that can he done is to make !heir tu.rit.Y kw.wn. as you have endeavoured to do, by publishing the report of the proceedings of yesterday. am, sir, your most obedient servant, MARK BOYD. New Bank -buildings, 27th February 1847. ~1 SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. The general half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Friday, at the Terminus at Nine Elms; W. Chapli n, - 0 -miq the chairman of the company, in the chair. The advertisement convening the meeting having bee* read, Mr. Caati.nxer., the secretary, read the report , e nd th a minutes of the la s t spe c i a l meeting on the 17th November, which were con fi rmed by th e meeting. Mr. CAMPBELL then read the general report, the substance of which was as follows: " The directors have mu c h sa ti s f ac tion in being a ble to • to state that notwithstanding th e somew hat diminished rec ei p l in consequence of the g r e a t re d uc ti on o f passenger rates, they did nos contemplate any diminution in the dividend. "The gross income in the past six months ailment s to 196,323/. ss. 2d. ; the gross expenses, including interest ofl borrowed capital, amount to 98,568/. 10s. 5d.; showing balance of 97,754/.145. 9d., out of which the directors te. commended a dividend of 2/. 2s. 6d. per share, come-tax ; the warrants to be issued on the Ist March n est. % " The directors have much pleasure in stating th at the Bishopstoke and Salisbury Branch has been inspected a the Government, and will be opened to the public on the l" raised for of March. In order that the holders of the stock subject to ltl the construction of this line may be in some degree compel!. sated for the delay which has taken place in the compl i er s of the work, the directors thought it right to suggest vote should be submitted to the roprietors, at the nexr lf yearly meeting, tor payment of 6,0001. to these shareh older, by way of interest, at 5 per cent., from the Ist January.to 30th June next, from which latter day they will in dividend with the holders of the parent stock. ke " The directors had received a report from Mr. I ,o c, t h e the subject of the Bishopstoke and Salisbury . .linet an d t other works now in course of execution, showing the ge!. difficulty of proceeding with them, owing to the late ov_ r *:: and uncertain weather. lie said further, that in referene"2" the lines sanctioned by Parliament last session, I h a ve to 7 . participm. port that the following have been all marked out, th e ns2 . tracts let, and the purchases of land are under negotiethr Fareham and P or t smou th •, Guildford and God eh an t; Guildford, Farnham And Alton; Weybridge and Chees e , Basingstoke and Salisbury. O n a ll th ese li n es the wor ks are commenced at various points. The extension line. to Yol k . road and Waterloo-brid ge i s p rogress i ng sa tisfactorilli though the frost has to some extent retarded the brickvtli• It advances, howev er , sufficiently rapidly to keeP.pece the purehase,of property along the line. _ se e, As regards the important Bills now before Perne,'", 4o , promoted by this company, or parties in alliance with them , the directors reported, that all but the Cornwall aid De von l it , if Central and Plymouth Railway Bill had passed tileistn nu: ;.„ orders. After a technical scrutiny of the severest kind, n l i ed ducted before the Examiner of petitions in London. 111 PIr • by the joint efforts of four great companies, the mellorle Liti ..... against this Bill h ave b een re f erre d b y mutua l corifitnetea.r. examination of independent engi neers , w h o are noir.,:eoedfi ing the inquiry on the ground. The directors Me lieowa that, whatever the res u lt ma y f orma lly b e , no ertor 00_2 established of a substantially objectionable character, or as ought toovithdraw an undertaking of such' e o leprehet sive usefulness, from the consideration of Parliament on is merits. " The directors feel that they have cause to continue most. confident of a successful issue in their several - pendiog eP:a plications to Parliament. Every succeeding investigation"' the great system of uniform communication which- the r: prietora by th e ir e n t er p r i se an d con fid ence h ave ena bled t directors to propose to. Parliament, cannot fail to result ltZ increased development and appreciation of their merit& directors might instance, although this has DeVetlieell PLa ininently stated, the high probability that on the misty:WM of these railways, a new and most convenient line of CO munication will be established between the North of • De! ‘ "i and Cornwall and the South of Ireland, and such's, w o k ',, attract a large proporti on o f th e tra ffi c passing beesreen ",s h , land and the so u th ern p ar t s o f E ng l an d. O n the,Wlmle t• a directors are confident th a t p u bli c wor k s more com preb . .... j or more likely to be of na ti ona l serv i ce , were never to the consideration of the Legislature. " The directors confidently anticipated obtaining-ilia -0 er Devon and Cornwall lines, and believed that therwoue-, tain increased traf fi c w ith th e sout h o f I re l an d , and, wt. view to render thi s grea t system yet . more'cotniilete" board have entered into a conditional agreement - with Taw Vale Railway and Dock Company, to take one-fonrn of' their capital, and for a perpetual lease of their railway works, by means of which, and a short branch fronl', Cornwall and Devon Central line, both Plymouth moan mouth will be brought into connexion with the north of Devon by railways of a uniform gauge and managent7,, d The rent to be paid by this cora p an y is 5 p er cen t. per as on on the cost of the Taw V a l e R a il wa y an d W or k s a bsolet fo ° with 105. per cent. a dditi o n a l s h ou ld t h e li ne ac t ua lly P.. — 5i per cent. The lessors are also to have half the atio profits. Three of the dir ec t ors o f thi s com p an y have hais elected members of the Taw Vale board, and by the no nation of Mr. Locke as en g i neer o f th a t company, end"t... guarantees, the board trust that they have secure d thes o ,4 and economical execution of the w or k s , the lease of T a o . they now recomm en d th e p ro p r i e t ors to con fi rm. Tht., - 1 rangement will include the Grediton and Exeter should the Taw Vale Railway Company purchase or 1 0'"" that undertaking. " The directors deem it important the proprietori s°- . be informed that the capital recently created in tenthslSl i new shares has been subscribed, and the deposits paid unprecedented punctuality; and it must be satisfactory , i"; e0 to Parliament and to the proprietors, to know that, b°_,...„ l "ea, large the undertakings in which the company are con cern ed; ample provision has been thus made for meeting ever , ' gagement. "The members of the board who retire by rotation or° Sir John E as th o p e , B ar t., M.P . , t h e C oun t Ey re , an d Vi:,cent Eyre, whom their colleagues cordiallyirceoaM is r for re-el, ction." The report, which was received with much cheering , 1 0 1 then put, and The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said that was !!! ri port for the last six months, and he trusted it was 1 . 1 "„ S, factory. He would not conceal from the meetingthat bot h ha colleagues and himself, had felt considerable anxiety resP t e i; ing the measures they had adopted • when they enteredv se the free reduction of the fares last May. He was aware the movement was a popular one, and it at any ra teiva.l4 liberal one.- __ and that generally was the right on e; r had the effect of ahs( , rbing the u sua l surp l us of 9,00'1"n 10,000/., ch was usually ready t o carry to the benefit:d the spring dividend, and that surplus was now under Notwithstanding this, this, however, the directors had decided upon giv:ng the usual dividend of 425. 6d., for they. had ibe addition of the Richmond tra ffi c, as*ell as that for the In' termediate stations. which they all knew bow'to value. nes_ there w-s the addition to be expected from the Sonthaintitl and Dorchester line, which was sixty miles in length,e 2; which, according to the agreement with the great contr ac to Mr. Peto, was to be opened on the Ist of May. The dim rectors, therefore, thought th a t th e y m i g ht with' ..r assent, as he had sa.d, to the usual diiidend.--(tduv — i le 1 The Parliamentary campaign was a b ou t t o co mmence -- A . believed that th e y we r e t o go i n t o C omm ittee on 4th of March—and on this point he believed there little apprehension to - be ' entertained. He would abatut.; front general observati o n as much as possible, for he lint from experience how able opposing counsel were to tett black into white and w hit e i n t o ' bl ac k ; but he might ;',e serve, that Mr. Campbell , the s ecre t ar y, had been in all ti e loealities and he believed their . pea ce was-made with all, , great landholders in the district. On public grounds, I ' l ' .7 ' he believed the company was entitled to, and would °ban?+ the sympathy of the public in their endeavour to prom ote a great public benefit. They had been actuated by no Mol e or monopolising spirit ; but, while they were looking for t natural reward of private enterprise, they were at the MC, time aware that it was necessary to meet the claim 1 public convenience, and that they had done so was evid,e s ., in their being among , the first to adopt the system of it fares, not only for passengeraabut also forgoods, and throlig_ l l out the whole of these proceedings they had, he truer' been actuated by every principle that was satisfactory to at: public, as well as to the shareholders. With r e spect to te . ..' s position of the company, he was happy to s a y, th a t, as th e report had stated, nothing could be bett e r. The whole of the capital of the company is 5,238,800/., and on this ill; were empowered .by law, to borrow 1,569,166/. Ne u the actual amount of the capital paid up 3,841,000/., and the whole of the amount borrowed is onll 780,000/. ; making, as it would appear, that instead of :O r third, the whole of the sum borrowed did not amount to mar e than one-fifth or one-sixth of the:Parliamentary capital; an d as it might be of interest to know how this nl OO l stood, he would state that 72,200 was borrowed at per cent., 500/. at 4% per cent., 435,100/. at 4 per cent and 272,2001 at 3 1 ,E per cent, and as in the beginnia of these works money was often borrowed on deb s o tures at 7 per cent., he trusted that this would prove satiate!' tory. He might urther observe, that the present lengtlit:. working rail is 105 miles, and the se , w ith th e Bishopste"_; and Salisbury branch, which was t o b e opene d on t h e Istm March, 22 miles in length, , and the Southampton and Der. chester branch, which is to b e 60 m il es i n l engt h, w ith tu: extension to Hungerford B r id ge , wou ld ma k e a l toget h e r 25' miles. The whole of the locality over which the new line: were to run had been apparently l e ft entirely to them, 50_,th,,,,a -little Parliamentary opposition was to be anticipated. w" .-- . 4 these observations he would put the adoption. of the ref!" to the meeting. This having been seconded by T. B. SIMPSON, ESCI9 Mr. Sergeant GAZSLZE wished to make his usual protes t" against the proceedings of the directors, and especially again." , being called upon to give his adhesion to a report which was only put into their bands as they entered the rooms Be would like to know what the working expenses of the line were, lem, what measures had been taken respecting the completion 0 ' the Corsham and Portsmouth branch. He could inform the directors that there was a petition, with upwards of 2,00 0 signatures, now lying in Portsmouth, the object of which was t o compel them to take up the direct line into that town/ and he was therefore anxious to ascertain whether there had been any amalgamation with the Brighton Company. The CHAIRMAN replied, that the Corsham branch had been, proceeded with as far as it could, and the comp l e ti on 1 2 f . " been delayed partly by the alteration o f th e s i te f o r tu e terminus, which was proposed by th e 'Learned Sergean t himself. To further questions, Mr. Cfrirq.rN replied that the whole of the capital of the Taw V a l e D oc k s an d R ailway was only 50,000/. The Richmond Railway might not have paid re i turns commensurate with th e ex p ense o f i ts f orma ti o n, " t it should be recollected that this had been a curious wintsr• and, notwithstanding the badness of the weather, the COny' panv had carried upwards of 240,000 passengers. Mr. CURRIE wished to know why it was that the allort• ance to the directors had not been increased from 1,000/. to 2,000/. per annum, as voted at the last meeting? The CHAIRMAN replied, that the directors had felt that tb° vote was not quite unanimous, and therefore they bad de ciined the advance. The report was adopted nem. con. The next resolution was for the declaration of a dividend of 21. 2s. 6d. per oblit°o which was also passed unanimously. The arrangement with the Taw Vale Railway and poc k Company was then confirmed. On the proposition of Sir J. Easthope for one of the direc tor, Mr. Sergeant GAZELER made some observation' on the irregularity of the system which had been followed on T° retirement and election of the directors, and concluded at asking tier the dates of the resignations of those who retireyg and the dates of the applications of the candidates for t he direction. Mr. CHAPLIN, in explanation, replied that the reaso n whY one person had 'been preferred to another in the direction , was simply the loss of thePortsmoutli line and the obtaining of the Western line. A long conversation ensued upon the subject, which lila' mately merged into the question as to whether the proceed ings were legal or not. It being determined und er the deci. slots of Mr. Bircham, the solicitor of the company, tha t th A r w ere, Sir John Easthope was ananimously elected 21'.* seve ral complimentary observations on his character and the serv ices he had rendered to the company. The Count Eyre! Vincent Eyre, Esq., and W. Read, Esq., were also elected directors. The last-named gentleman returned thanks for the honour. an d as one Mr. Sergeant GAZELLE then proposed John Hbb ert ' Esq., as one whom he had known many yea"' and a bility, was who, from the possession of time, energy, well fitted for the duty. J. B. Stmrsos, Esqseconded nom the ination, f ro m his perfect knowledge that the eulogy just proncunced was only J An amendment was then moved. that the vacancy WS. Lioned by the resignatioh - of Slr. Eibhert, Seal 1 1191214 Ett i . .-~~ A bkd i T their moo, his o ektp c from fro t Tr the ttin W. , t ,- ille And prop ftr, Vrt t 1