The Sun. — London, England, 1840-02-28 00:00:00

;WENING EDITION• Western Railway was opened throughout. With respect to the Southampton—the delay had been occasioned in a 1 great measure by want of tunds, while, according to all ti reasonable computation, the Great Western might have been finished in tee-thirds of the time. Mr. 112.4CM:till begged to ask when it was probable the line would be opened throughout? The Cuaragasi slid it was eetremely difficult to tell, but he thought it would be finished in something short of I six years from the commencement of the works. Cer tainly it would not take longer than the Birmingham, in proportion to the length of the line. With respect to the proposition of Mr. Hey %yeah, as to the appointment of I Mr. Roskill he must observe that there were other con siderations involved, besides merely a residence in London. It was important that in an undertaking like theirs, the ' opinions of the person proposed should be in unison with that of the Directors. lie would add, that with regard to the gentleman in question, it was only very recently that he had given expression to opinions decidedly hostile to the course pursued by the Directors.—( Hear.) A PROPRIETOM thought that objection might be a good one immediately after the division to which the Chairman alluded; but now that the broad guage had been decided open by a majority of the Proprietors, they would sot be hard enough to destroy it. He did not be lieve that Mr. Roskill would attempt to disturb the decision that had been come to upon the question, but that he would apply his abilities and influence to the welfare of the Proprietor.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. IllitIVORTn differed with the Chairman as to the price rde of haring all the Directors of one way of think ing. The elements of disagreement were very frequently the elements of advantage to the Proprietors at large. in the Grand Junction Railway there was a division among the Directors, and yet that undertaking had yielded the largest dividend of any. viz., 14 per cent., and it would be shortly 20 per cent. There was a constant difference of opinion among them, and the consequence was, that the een, ction of opinions produced a greater energy, and gave a pester stimulus to their exertions. When the whole Beard was acting with unanimity their operations were morbid. Mr. BIWA RD hoped his Hon. Friend would not press his amendment, because he thought it would be somewhat invidiots to the gentlemen whom the Directors themselves had proposed.—(Cheers.) From the statement made by the Chairman it appeared that they were proper persons to pet upon the Direction. He would beg to suggest that, as several g e ntlemen had expres sed an opinion that the claims of the Lancashire Proprietors should be considered —the question was one which should be taken into con sideration by the Directors. He thought that the persons selected by the Directors should bu men having a deep stake in the concern, and having judgment to enable them to carry out their plans judiciously. He did not think ! that any gentleman so selected would factiously oppose the proceedings of the Board, without substantial grounds. Possibly the expression of (.pinion that had taken place 1 , would be sufficient to call the attention of the Directors to that point, and that they might hare the satisfaction of seeing some one cr more of those gentlemen representing the interests of the Norther❑ Proprietors, because it was not only essential that their interests should be well at tended to, but that the impression should exist that they were well attended to. A PBOPRISTOR hoped, after the observations that had been made, that his Hon. Friend (Mr. Hepworth) would withdrali his amendment. Mr. CRWISTIWAITIL hoped the Hon. Proprietor, after the expreasten of opinion which the m-eting had given, would accede to the proposition, and allow the Nobleman and Gentlemen who bad been nominated to be elected upon the present occasion, and probably the Directors would take the case into consideration upon the next vacancy. The CHAIRMAN could not pledge his colleagues as to the election of Mr. Raskin, but he could assure them that they were anxious to get a northern Proprietor on the Direction, if he were eligible in all respects. ♦ proposition of that kind would certainly receive every attention and consideration. Mr. HIi;WORTTI, in consequence of that promise, and seeing that probably the Directors bad communicated with the parties who had been nominated, he should withdraw his amendment on that occasion.—(Cheers.) The resolution was then passed unanimously. Mr. HOLWO, M. P., begged to return thanks in behalf cf himself and these who had been elected along with him. He could assure the Hon. Proprietors that he had been assiduous in playing his part in the Directory. He was net such a man of business as the others ; but he had time to spare, and be went down the line, by which means he was enabled to assist the Board with his personal observations. With respect to the personal interest which a Director ought to have in the undertaking—he had only to say, that his personal stake was quite enough to stimulate him to greater exertions. He had not such a sake as the Hon. Proprietor from Liverpool, but his stake was not inconsiderable, as he was the proprietor of 500 shares.—( Heir, hear.) It was the last property that he should ever part wi:h, bacaute he was sure the un dertaking would succeed and prosper. He thanked them for the renewed coofidenco placed in him, and on his part It would rilt be misplaced. Mr. Hositocte, in answer to Mr. Heyworth, said that he happened to be a Lancashire men himself, and ho was well acquainted with Mr. Roskill.—(Hear, bear.) Mr. VOCAL! had a resolution to propose which he would read ; it was as follows :—" That full powers and authority be given to the Directors to enter into and con clude any agreement which they might think expedient for taking upon lease for a term of years either the whole or any portion of the Bristol and Exeter Railway ; and also, for the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway, for the purpose of working the said lines or either of them, paying a rent to be determined in full and lieu of all tolls, rates, and authorities, to be levied thereon, as well as for the exclusive rights of possession during the continuance of any such lease." Though he moved the amendment, he thought they had decided that the Directors had the power of treatilg with the Directors of the Great Western Union at six per cent. The CHAIRMAN—That is still in force. Mr. Vousur—Then why should we repeat it cow ? The CHAIRMAN—It gave a further power, and a power to treat for a portion of any of the lines. Mr. VOL:II.T would, with pleasure, submit the resolu tion to the meeting, and before it was decided they would, ' no doubt, have the views of the Directors as to the advan tages that would accrue to the different lines, as well as their own. The CHAIRMAN thought it right to state to the Proprie. tors that a negotiation with the Directors of the other Companies had been opened, but was not in such an ad. vanced stage as to make it prudent to state how far they had ,goae, but he would say that the basis of the negotia tion was calculated not so much to secure any profit to themselves beyond the fair profit on their outlaid capital, as to assist the Bristol and Exeter Company to complete their line as soon as possible, and to bring all the traffic to the Great Western line. Mr. Aeseote would strongly recommend the Directors to withdraw their opposition, on the ground that at present the Directors, the Secretary, and the Engineer had quite enough to do, and it was their imperative duty to complete their own line. The CfIA,IRMAN—The very object they had in view was to fecilitate the opening of tne Bristol and Exeter line. and it would be entirely crustrated by any delay. They did nut meet to assist the Company in making the line, but to work their own engines upon the line. Mr. ALSTON—Why does not the Bristol and Exeter Company do it themselves ? He saw how the matter stood. The wealthy Company was to assist the weak one. Mr. Heats begged most distinctly to deny that the Northern Proprietors had either more prudence, more knowledge, or more perseverance than the men in the West. The Great Western Railway was the greatest work in the world, and had been executed in the best man ner. —( Hear, hear.) Mr. BOURKI begged to state a fact that was within his own knowledge. The London and Birmingham Com pany greatly fostered the Aylesbury Branch, under the same circumstances in which that Company were placed, and it had been found to work uncommonly well. That Branch had proved a most valuable feeder to the main use. It was al.io well- known that the two lines in ques tion must naturally be great feeders to the Great Western line. It vas essential to the interest of the Proprietors that they should lend every assistance and aid to the Pro prietors of these two railways, in order to their speedy completion. Mr. Havi,vorrit hoped that the advice given to Mr. Alston in the first place would be attended to, because they had not yet completed their line. Befure he proceeded he wished to ask the engineer when the line between Bath and Bristol would bo finished ? , Mr.Beuese could only give the same answer that he had given in his report to the Directors five or six months a;o. Mr. Huewoierit—That would bring it into August. Why then not l eave t h e matter unt i l t h at time ? If they hid such a stock of carriages, and the other Company had not, they might run their carriages on the railway at a certain toll, but he thought leasing the railways was most extravagant, and; would odd greatly to the duties of the i secretary and engineer, who had already enough to d He thought it was f oo li s h i n them to prevent theßirmm • t o,. ham and Gloucester a n d t h e Gl oucester and Bristol Co. parece from coalescing. H e wou ld a ll ow every on:.1:o. in his o pi n i on, ought stand upon its own merits ; a n d so , the Great Western. Mr. CRO%ITIIVIAITE thought that the resolution had bet ter be withdrawn, because many Proprietors had known nothing of what was intended to be proposed before they entered the! building. Ile, for one, was entrusted with the interest of large Proprietors in Lancashire, and he was not aware until he entered the meeting that such a proposi tion was to be made. If the gentlemen in the norm had been represented at the Board, they would have bean in formed upon the subject, and b:en prepared. He for one did not wish either to negative or to ascent to the proposi tion, because he was not perfectly informed upon the subject. 4 Mr. GuanoN begzed. to suggest that if the proposi• .ion was withdrawn fur tie present, the negotiations might , be carried out, and the Directors had the power to ell! a , special meeting at any time they thought proper. The CHAIRM?.N begged it to be clearly understood that \ there was not the slightest intention of advancing one shilling to the Exeter Reiiway. He thought it was very important that the subject should he quickly decided, but if it was their wish to discuss it at a special meeting, of course the Directors could have no objection to the withdrawal of the motion. Mr.' Vousee begged to ask whether anything was known as to the probebility of a line being 1 Falmouth and E xe t er ? been with Mr. C. B. F aire —A s much had b said respect to the Bristol a n d Exeter Railway, made between a n d being on the Direc. tion of that Company, he trusted that he would be allowed i to say a few words. That Company had obtained a Bill to make a Railway from Bristol to Exeter. e : ula lt t c . ame out l r at the time when the rage f or railway sp t ver y gre at, and th e h cpes enterta i ned of their success st swas t mostas sanguine. Many persons took shares at that time who were not in circumstances to pay up the calls upon their shares. Tho Directors had made contracts for the com pletion cf the -... lino to Bridg e w ater , a distanceof thirty-four miles, and the Proprietors then said that they would see how that part of the line , answered before going further. If the Directors --- - were supplied with money they could open the whole line to Exeter before that part of the Great Western Rail way was finished between Bath and Bristol. There could to not the slightest doubt that the Great Western Railway would be greatly benefited by the completion of the Bristol and Exeter lino, and it was therefore their duty to thi an in their power in behalf of such a line. He fully weed with Mr. Alston that parties, having obtained Bil's for Railways, were sure by some means or other to push their lines through. There never wet the slightest doubt upon the minds of the Directors of the Exeter line, but that it would yield a very fair profit. The tt able might not be so great, but a smaller amount of traffic would yield a profit where a railway cost onl y °.5,0001. a mile , than on one which cost double the moev. The ExeteThe lino would not cost more than the first-tamed sum. great portion of the shares being held by weak hands, the cost of the line fell upon the Proprirtol a who were able to pay up their shares, but still they were not enabled to keep up the prices of the shares, and c onsequently all their exertions were checked. A successful negotiation with the Great Western Company would give a stimulus to the whole Proprietary--it would give them confidence, which was all that was wanted. If the negotiation were post poned, the whole effect would be lost, as it would not oe produced upon the minds of the Proprietors of the Exeter line. As a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, it would be far better that the Exeter dompany should not enter into the arrangement, for of course the Great Western Company would not give so much as the traffic would yield. He hoped that such power would be given as would enable the Directors to continue the negotia tion, and then let the Proprietors be called together at an early day to confirm the arrangement. Mr. GURDON —At what. time would they be ready for the engines of the Great Western Company to pass over the line? Mr. C. B. Fitter said it was not a question of time, but of finance. The Exeter Company had contracted for all the timber and rails, and could finish the line in five or six months, Mr. BRIGHT said it did not become a Director to ad dress such a meeting, and he would not have broken through the rule had he not been personally alluded to. It was he that was charged with having spoken in favour of the Gloaceqer and Bristol line at Bristol, and when the proper time came, be would be ready to defend his conduct. Mr. VOUSLY objected to the resolution being with drawn. If they could leave the matter in their Directors' hands it would be standing in their own light. The CHAIRMAN had not taken upon himself to withdraw the resolution—he only agreed that it should be withdrawn according to the feelings of the Proprietary. Mr. GUADON.—By doing so they did not throw cold water upon the proposition, for the Directors would of course call another meeting when the negotiations were completed. Mr. VOCELT consented to the withdrawal „of of the re solution. Mr. Caossrwwarrx then moved that the Directors have power, according to the Act, to take up upon loan the sum of 416,6661. 13s. 4d., upon such interest, and payable at such time, as the Directors might fix. This resolution was seconded, and passed unanimously. It was then moved and carried that the old bye-laws be cancelled, and that those then submitted to the meeting be adopted. Mr. finyvvolma said the motion he was about to make was one of very great importance. They had heard the clause in the Act of Parliament read, em powering them to decide what should be done with a net revenue, which now amounted to 70,0001. The Act de clared that they should make a dividend of so much per share, and, taking the old and new ones together, they amounted to 32,500 shares. He would therefore move that a dividend of 21. per share be declared, agreeably to the Act of Parliament. He believed he had paid in in terest and premium at least 100/. per share : and if tkey made the present division, it would amount to 21. per share, and leave a surplus of 5,000/. Mr. CROSSTYWAITI, as a bondholder of the Company, must look to his interests; and •he thought they would come in August next with a better grace for a dividend. They could not pay interest and make a dividend unless out of capital ; and he did not think they were in a posi tion to do that. Mr. ALSTON did not see how, with 70,0001. of not re venue and 50,0001. of debt per annum, they could make any dividend. Mr. lisvwottra thought they had precedents enough for such a course, but as the opinion of the meeting was against it, he would withdraw his motion. On the motion of Mr. BAILEY, a vote of thanks to the Directors for their exertions in promoting the interests of the Company was carried with acclamation. The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks on behalf of the Directors. Mr. Haaa said he had a petition to present, in the prayer of which, however, he did not entirely concur. It was signed by the Bishop of Bristol and Gloucester, the Clergy and the Mayor and inhabitants of Bristol, praying for the abolition of Sunday travelling on the Railway. The CHAIRMAN said they could not but respect this mo tives of those who had signed the petition. It was in tended that the Railway should be closed from half-past 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening of Sundays, thereby affording an opportunity to their servants to observe to a certain extent the sanctity of the Sabbath. Mr. BURFORD of Marylebonc, said that they had been promised • Sunday afternoon trade, and he did not see why the Company or the public should be deprived of the advantages which would accrue from it. If any gentleman present took a walk on Sunday from Portland-place to the Edgeware-road, he would find 609 gentlemer,'s car riages constantly employed, sad he would ask how many thousands of the lower classes had no other means of ob taining a little fresh air on Sunday than by availing them selves of the cheap fares and speedycommunication on the Railways ? The persons who objected to Sunday travelling bad many of them carriages themselves, and their grooms and stable boys were as busy, if not more so, on Sundays, as on any other day in the week. Why did not these gentlemen themselves set an example, before they inter. fered with the comforts and enjoyments of the working classes.—( Cheers. )If the fourth commandment was to be so strictly enforced, why should their man-servants, or their maid-servants, or their cattle be compelled to work 2 ( Hear.) He knew well enough who were at the bottom of all this—it was the Methodist Dissenters, who boasted that they would close all the railways, and drive all the steam boats from tho river on Sundays, and make the poor wretches go to church by way of amusement.—( Much laughter.) There was an extensive warehouse not many doors from that which employed hundreds of young men, who worked all day in that most unwholesome atmosphere, and at night the counters were thrown up, and they slept under them. Why sheuid not these, and thousands like them, enjoy a little fresh air on Sundays? He thought the whole proceeding was most arbitrary, cruel, and hypo eri!ical, and ho would enter his protest against it. Mr. FRIPT then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Mr. HET WORTH said, although he feared he must be con sidered rather a troublesome customer, he should feel much pleasure in seconding it.--(Laughter and cheers.) The motion was carried with acclamation, and the Chair man having returned thanks, the meeting separated. REPORT. The Directors have now the ratifying duty of presenting to the Proprietors a statement of 1 raffle Revenue, which, during tho last half-year exhibits a most satisfactory increase of in come, and at the same time a diminished scale of exl‘endtture in proportion to the receipts, which have amounted to 65,5:1/. 19s. Bd. _ The charges upon that traffic, which are shown in detail by the usual account submitted with this report, amount to 32,168/. 145., or 43.124 per cent., leaving for the half-year • net profit of 53,7171. ss. 6d. The number of oassengers conveyed by the Railwa♦ durin that period was !47.542, .and, from the aggregate number of miles travelled, it results that an average of 1,129 passengers have passed over the whole distance in each day daring the six months in qusetion. It seems to the Directers that a very important comparison may now be fairly drawn from the working of portions only of this line during three successive periods of six months since the first opening, which will tend to show the future capaltilitiso the Railvtay. Patio of Ist July to 31st Dec. 1839. Expenditure Receipts. to Income. 22 Miles £37,314 A 0 or 11,696 2 0 per Mile 58.870 lit Jan. to 30th June, 1639. 22 Miles £43,491 7 oor £1,976 17 0 per Mi'e 57'530 Ist July to 31st Dec. 1339. 31 Miles £65,885 19 6or £2,125 7 0 per Mile 49'824 Some reduction of charge was always anticipated by the Direc tor!, and may naturally be ascribed to the extension of the line and the progressive increase of income, but they have deemed it their duty zealously to devote their attention in every depart ment, to such economical arrangements in their permanent es tablishment, as appeared to be consistent with that accommo dation and advantage to the public, which the experience of every day proves, in railways at least, to be highly remune rative to the Proprietors. From a review of the expenditure in the locomotive depart ment, there is every reason to anticipate the most favourable re sults in the future working charges of that establishment. Notwithstanding the excessive cost of coke, hitherto exclu sively made in the neighbourhood of London, from Newcastle coals, i,urthened .with all attendant expenses, it appears from a very char anslysis, carefully p re p ared by the Superintendent of the locomotive department, that the actual cost per mile run by a ll th e C o mpany's engines, during the last half-rear, ..has been only 18 . 94 d. per mile. When it is considered that the speed uniformly maintained by these engines, much exceeds the ordinary rate of railway travelling, and that the Company are st ill lab our i ng under the disadvantage of workin g with a stock of locomotive hhave been engines various in size and power, for which the y scarcely provided with any duplicate p arts, the re sult now mentioned seems to the Directors fairly to encourage a oc c i o a n i fi lw de a nt e e z xpec . tati on of great economy in that heavy branch .. cumpar } ative p l e y n i tt g u h re s , si , rn d u o lt r a t tr a o y u el s i l i y ng with l th re e m a e( t i t y ai h n a m s e b n e t e ( n ,f provided for th e future, as far as it can be, against the loss and inconvenience su a s l t l a t in h e:d en rom the want of uniformity referred strictly according te. drayt g i tnes now ordered to be constructed to, by requiring been carefully pi - glued frorringlls,...and specifications, which have .. results of the past experience. Throe distinet (lasses of w s nr i l lye been planned, of power and proportions adapted to the fee the others. omfor passenger trains, and the carriage of heavy 1 goods long and a tate that the general parts of each will serve as duplicates f eav- -°°ds; the principal and the xublic t o a f m t i he si l m in r e t n bone eially It is a matter of unqualified pleam; le testimony now borne to the smoothness a n and carriages, as well as to the rate of travelling, advantages derivable from frequency of the tra n i g ns ' permission to operating to an increase of business in ever, direction, Application feel it Application having been recently made by the Directors to acquiesced in the Provost awl Fellows of Eton College, f or construct a station at Slough, which had been prohibited by the Ac;, without previously obtaining their c•oisent, th ey due to that body to state, that they handsomely the request, and have thereby enabled the Company to pro vide for the increa sin g and valuable traffic of that neigh bourhood. The pr ohibitor y clauses referred to led, in the first instance , t o some liti g ation between the Colle g e and the Company, as to the right of stopping trains at Slough, either to take up or set down passengers, but this matter being determined by the Lord Chancellor, it is only just to observe, that no subsequent obstruction was ever offered by the authn. rities of the College, and that they mere good enough to as sent to the construction of the station, and to the repeal of the prohibitory clauses, upon the application of the Board. The Directors have since purchased the requisite land for the st a ti on , which will be forthwith commenced, so as to secure to the Company all the benefit ef being enabled to take car- riages, horses, &c. to Slough, during the summer of the pre sent year, which, with the other comforts of shelter and pro tection from weather, must greatly tend to a general increase of business there. The season of the rear renders it also a subject of peculiar interest to accomplish the further opening of the line to Read ing and Steventon with the least possible delay, and had it not been for the unprecedented rains which have now prevailed with so little intermission during the last seven months, the Directors would probably now be enabled to report the exact time of completing that portion for use. A Report from the Engineer, however, describes the progress and present con dition of all the works, and the Directors think it will be more satisfactory to communicate it in the same form to the general meeting ei Proprietors, merely adding their assurance that no energy shall be wanting to extend the opening of the line for traffic at the earliest practical moment. Dake-street, Westminster, 24th Jan., 1840. Gentlemen—ln reporting upon the general progress of the works during the last six months, I regret to have to state that very great delay has been caused in all parts of the line by the unusual wetness of the season. At the Bristol extremity the floods in the Avon have inter fered with the supply of the requisite building materials ; and at Bath, and in its immediate neighbourhood, the continuation of a state of flood in the river for a lung period, and, till within the last few days, has rendered it impossible to carry on the works of the bridges, or even of the station, the site of which has been flooded. Such a complete suspension of the works at tome points, and such delays at others, have resulted from these and other causes indirectly consequent on them, that certainly not less than four months' additional time will be required for the completion of some of these works, the whole of which would otherwise hare been finished within a month or two of the present time, which trust delay the opening to the end of the Summer instead of Spring. The works of the station at Bristol, including the viaduct and offices, are rapidly advancing ; but at Bath, the causes I have referred to, have prevented, till within a few days, anything more than the commencement of the approaches. Between these two extremities all the principal works—the tunnelling—the cutting, and the embankments, are so far com pleted that, had the weather permitted it, the ballasting and permanent rails would have been by this time in a very forward state. The excavation of the tunnels is every where opened throughout, and the only work remaining to be done to them consists of the formation of the permanent drains, and the finishing of detached parts of masonry, which in the general progress of the work had been injured or condemned, and the completion of one of the tunnel fronts ; and a few weeks will complete every thing but the permanent rails ; but many parts of the line, long since prepared, have not been in a state to allow of men or horses passing over them without destroying that portion of the forming which the rains had allowed to be completed ; so that not more than about 2i miles of ballasting have been actually finished. Between Bath and Box the works have proceeded tolerably well • but the diversion of the turnpike and othe r roads re quired in this valley, has necessarily been attended with some considerable difficulties and delay. Is the Box Tunnel the increase of water has much impeded the progress of the works, but the three additional shafts have been sunk, and from two of them the excavations for the tunnel are commenced, 80 that the general rate of progress of the whole will shortly be much accelerated. About 1,900 yards run, er nearly two-thirds of the whole length, are excavated ; and of this quantity 550 yards have been formed within the.last six months ; 1,2 20 yards remaining to be completed. Immediately beyond Box the works are proceeding as satis factorily as can be expected. During the winter the operations have been principally confined to the formation of deep gullets through the entire length of the cuttings, so as to afford the means of excavating very large quantities wh•n the finer season will allow of its being formed into embankments. A considerable slip occurred at the face of the embankment, which threatened to cause great delay, but measures are being taken to pass beyond it, so as to allow the loose part to dry before it is again raised to the full height. At Chippenham the works have proceeded well, but in the neighbourhood of Wootton Basset, such have been the effects of the weather, that it is probable that time and expense might have been ulti mately saved by totally suspending the works during the last autumn and winter. The quantity of work done during this period has been so li mited, that it would Lave respired a few weeks only of sum mer weather to form the same extent of earthw ark in a more sub stantial manner, without incurring the same risk of future delays in thepregress of the contracts, from the slipping of earth-work excavated and thrown into embankment in a wet state. Arrange ments are now making for redeeming, as far as possible, the time which has been lost, by prosecuting the works by the use of locomotive engines, and other means, with every possi ble vigour and despatch during the coming season. Upon the London division of the line, the nature and the state of the works have rendered the effects of the weather somewhat less injurious. The extension of the line to the Reading station is nearly complete ; the permanent rails will be finished in the course of the next month, and this part of the line may then be opened. Beyond Reading and up to Dudcot, a distance of 174 miles, the ballasting is completed, with the exception of two short lengths, together about 24 miles, which may require six weeks more. The difficulty of procuring ballast for this part has been very great ; the ground purchased for this purpose being under water, and it being necessary to re sort to dredging in the river to obtain gravel. The laving of the permanent rails is in a forward state, a single line being laid for about 15 miles of the distance, upon which the mate rials for the second line are carried and distributed at all parts, so that this work will proceed rapidly. Beyond Dudcot, great exertions had been made to complete the line for opening to a point near Farringdon, simultaneously with the opening to Reading ; and there can be no doubt that this might have been accomplished during the month of May, probably even in April, had the season permitted it. A few weeks will complete the earthwork ; and preparations are making for ballasting. If no further delays should now occur from the indirect consequences of the late wet tenon, the opening to Farringdon may be cal culated upon in the month of June or beginning of July ; but ' although the embankments and cuttings are very slight in this part of the line , they will require dry weather before they can be ballasted. The further opening to Swindon will also neces sarily have been delayed, but may still be looked for in the course of thit year. Upon that part of the line between London and Twyford, now open to the public, the works and the permanent rails have generally stood well. Some slips have occurred, have been very slight and superficial, and have beets confined entirely to the slopes of the cuttings ; and no injury has occurred to any of the embankments or to the works. A violent storm of wind has lately determined the period of the removal of the centres of the Maidenhead Bridge, which, according to my original direc tions, were not to have been taken away until after the winter, but which had been left perfectly free. The bridge is in every respect in excellent condition. The stability of the permanent way has been severely tried during the last autumn ; and it is very satisfactory to find , that, during this period, the co , t of maintenance has been very moderate ; being, on the average of the last half year, only 51. 18e. per mile per week. At this cost the road has been kept generally in very excellent order; and except at two points, where large springs of water have lately, for the first time, suddenly appeared, for which proper drainage had not been prepared, no difficulty has been expe rienced. I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, I. K. BRUNEL. To the Directors of the Great Western Railway. It will be in the recollection of many of the Proprietors that an arrangement for renting apart of the Cheltenham and Great We s tern Union Railway was submitted to a General Meeting of this Company, in October 1837, and sanctioned by special resolution to that effect. A negotiation has latterly been un dertaken at the wish of the Bristol and Exeter Railway Com pany, for a similar purpose, in reference to that line the ob ject being to relieve them from the unavoidable outlay for first cost of locomotive engines, carriages, &c. ; and to admit of a more simple and economical system of working the line, in connexion with the Bristol establishment for the Great Western Railway. To a proposition so reasonable in itself, the Directors have readily given their best attention ; the principle of such a treaty having been already recognised by the Proprietors, in the case of the Cheltenham line, most of the leading points, as a basis for an arrangement to lease the tolls for a term of years, have undergone discussion between the two Companies. It is not improbable that the circumstances under which the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway Company are placed, may render it desirable for them to have a more general and extended agreement for the rental of their line beyond Cirencester ; as a means of insuring the completion of their Railway to Stroud, to Gloucester, and to Cheltenham. It will be for the Proprietors to determine how far it may Le expedient for them to invest the Board of Directors with authority to make and carry into effect agreements with both of those Companies for the purposes contemplated. They de servedly attach great importance to the fostering the original designs of these two undertakings, which are calcul a t e d t o add much to the revenue of the Great Western line, and the Direce tors individually and collectively have spared no means to pro mote and assist their operations. A combination of two distinct Companies—the Bristol and Gloucester, and Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Com panies, has been meditated, in order to purchase up a portion of the Cheltenham line, and thereby intercept the junction of a continuous line from Cheltenhara and Gloucester, through the manufacturing aistricts of Stroud with the Great Western Railway. The public importance not only to the inhabitants of those towns, but to the whole community of South \Vales and Herefordshire, that a direct communication should be established by Railway with the Metropolis, must, it is presumed, prove an insuperable barrier to this scheme of defeating, for private interests alone, the main purposes for which the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway was incorporated. That application to Parl' .ment will be made in vain for any such powers alter the objects of it shall have been made apparent, there can be little doubt, and your Directors will feel it their bounden duty upon every occasion to explair. and develope those purposes. and to offer the most un compromising resistance to any such Bill, in every stage of its progress. NS tile adverting to this topic, it is impossible not to speak in the highest terms of praise of the manly and straight forward perseverance with which the Directors of the Chel tenham and Great Western Union Railway have prose cuted the original plan and true interests of that undertak ing, although assniled on every side, almost from the com mencement, with an unexampled opposition of rival inter ests. The cordiality which exists between the two Boards, and the uniform firmness displayed by the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway Company, will now, beyond doubt, effectually carry that Company through all its difficulties to a state of well-merited prosperity. The importance of a Branch Line to Oxford has not been overlooked, and the Directors having every reason to hope that the inhabitants of that city will feel their interests in carrying it into effect after the Line is opened to Steeenton, has resolved to deposit plans, and give Parliamentary Notices to enable those P arties to proceed with an application for a Bill in the next Sees's*. Some small pecuniary aid for a similar purpose has been conditionally given to the inhabitants of Newbury, who ap plied for assistance, in order to deposit plans for a Branch Line to that town. By a clause introduced into the last Act of this Company, it has become necessary to revise the byc-laws relating to passen gers, in order that they may be submitted for confirmation to one of the Judges of a Court of Record, or to the Quarter Sessions, in a modifi ed fox m. They have received the best a ttention of the Directors, and will be presented upon this oc casion to the Proprietors for their approval and adoption, in compliance with the provisions of the Act. Since the last Half -yearly Meeting of the Company, all the then unappropriated half shares have been disposed of either at par or a trifling premium ; and the Directors have much satis faction in reflecting that this additional capital required for the works has been thus raised without any disadvantage to the original Shareholder, in the mode of creating and distributing the new shares. The Act under which this has been accomplished permits the Company a l so t o t a k e up on loan an additional su m of 416,6661., if authority b e g i ven by resolution of a General Meetin g of Prop r i etors , to b orrow t h e sum on Debentures- -and their at tention i s now d rawn to that c i rcums t a nce, with a view to their sanction being p league,l or e th a e nd untimely h a end l 7a i rs avail themselves of the earliest opportunity of raising those d many excellent qualities funds, and defer for the present further calls on the half-shares. given r t k o re it d , so that the Directors . may Within the last few months the Directors have had to de plore hthimeirtolataelllwamhoenwteerdeCahssaoiremiaatend, a most valuable col. Board of Management. His seat in the Ch air has been filled by the unanimous selec '6ln.litolisee THE SUN, LONDON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1840. tion of Charles Russell, Esq. ; and Frederick P. Barlow, Esq. residing in the neighbourhood of London, was elected a Direc tor !: upon his vacancy. Since that period the resignation of Joan Lees Casson, Esq. and Benjamin Shaw, Esq. in London,. p and of Henry Bush, Esq. in Bristol, and the decease of John_ Woolley, Esq. have taken place, to which several appointments the Directors have elected Wm. G. Hayter, Esq. M.P. for Wells, residing in London; Lord Barrington, an influential landowner residing on the line at Shrivenham, and M.P. for Berkshire ;, Peter Horrocks, Esq., living in the neighbourhood of London, and John William Miles, Esq., a Banker at Bristol ; the three latter of whom they venture now to recommend to the Pro prietors as Candidates for re-election, together with Rabert Holland, Esq., M.P., Frederick Ricketts, Esq., and John Vining, Esq., whose period of service has expired, but who, being re-eligible, have declared their intention now to stand for re-election. All the accounts of Receipt and Expenditure to the 31stDe hember, 18:39, are appended to this Report, for the information of the Prol rietors, and the Directors have cheerfully acceded in this instance to a suggestion made, of having both the Report and the Accounts printed and distributed to the Proprietors on the morning of the meeting, for the purpose of giving them the best opportunity of considering any matter to be discussed, when they assemble to express their sentiments on the general interests of the undertaking. CHARLES RUSSELL, Chairman. GENERAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAY MENTS TO 31st DECEMBER, 1839. Amount received on account of Capital, ♦iz. X. 3. d. Calls on whole shares ........... 1,620,605 0 0 Advance on future Instalments ... 2:3,600 0 0 Calls on Half-Shares Advance on future Instalments ... 339,920 0 0 10,005 0 0 1,994,130 0 0 Amount received on Debentures ... 1,683,233 0 0 for Loans for Registration Fees, &c... 1,063 11 6 for Interest, Rents, ice Which being deducted from Interest on Loans 74,414 13 6 Leaves a Balance of Charged in last Half-year's Expenditure 9,127 12 9 Amount shown in Expenditure of current 43,122 19 9 Half-year Amount if r Balance of Coaching Revenue to 31st Dec. 1839 70,454 3 0 3,A18,570 u 0 PAYMENTS. Expenses before the Act to October, 1833, as per Statement ...., 89,197 11 3 Payments to 31st December, 1835 4,322 1 5 to 30th June, 1836 92,512 9 6 to 31st December, 1836 to :30th June, 1837 to 31st December, 1837 650,073 17 5 to 30th June, 1835 to 31st December, 1833 617,937 7 9 to 30th June, 1839 479,334 2 3 PAYMENTS from the 30th June to 31st December, 1839. Land and Compensation Contracts for Works, Stations, ticc 399,491 2 3 Permanent Way, including Timber Con tract, Iron Rails, Screws, Felt, and other Materials, Haulage, Tools, Lighterage, Cartage, and Labour Locomotive Engines, Carriages, Waggons, 83,359 2 9 &C. Engineering, Surveyors, &c. ... Advertisements, Printing, &c Travelling Expenses . . Land Valuers, Purchasing Land Law Charges, Conveyancing, and Costs of Titles 11,639 b 5 13,933 11 6 173 9 241 18 7 2,770 4 8 1,663 7 5 Map of Railway Line Parliamentary Expenses Office Expenses, Direction, Salaries, Post- li2 5 0 2,464 16 3 age, &c. ♦ccount of Experiments by Mr. Wood Balance of interest on Loans 4,052 0 6 111 9 0 43,122 19 9 3,765,499 15 8 £l5 REVENUE ACCOUNT, from Ist JULY to CENIBER, 1839. _ . ,070 19 4 31st DE- Per Cent. age on Traffic. 7.252 Dr. £ s, a. To Maintenance of Way between Lon don and Twyford To Locomotive Account, viz. : Coal, Coke, Repairs, Wages to Dri ers, vers Firemen, &c. Oil, Tallow, and Incidental Expenses 12,431 5 2 To Carrying Account, viz. : Wages to Guards and Conductors, Police, Messengers, and Porters, Clothing, Repairs of Carriages, Oil, Tallow, &c. To Disbursements for Repairs, and Al terations of Stations, &c 4lO 15 3 To Compensation, Returns, and Allow ances To Government Duty for Miieag 3,405 18 5, To Rates and Taxes.. To General Charges, viz.:— Superintendents' and Clerks' Sala ries, Advertising, Printing, Sta tionery, and Sundries, including Travelling Expenses 18.686 32,165 14 0 To Balance 33,717 5 6 48.824 £6.5,885 19 6 Cr. £. 3. d. By passengers 61,779 14 5 By Merchandise... . 1,620 7 1 By Parcels By Carriage of Timber and Ma terials for the Line 1,616 12 5 By Balance brought down .33,717 5 6 By Balance of Account stated frem 4th June, ltsB, to 30th June, 1830 36,766 18 0-70,484 3 6 GENERAL ARTSRACT OF EXPENDITURE, HALF-YEARLY STATEMENTS. Expenses before the Act Land and Compensation Contracts for Works Permanent Way, Tim.' ber Contract, Iron Rails, Screws, Felt, and other Materials, DrainingTiles,Tanks, Toole, Lighterage, Cartage, and Labour Freehold Premises in Princos-street Locomotive Engines, Carriages, &c. Engineering, Surveyors, kc. Advertisements, Print &c. Travelling Expences, - -1 &c. Land Valuets, purchas ins Land Law Charges, Convey _ ancing, ail Costa Of Titl• Stamps for Debentures Parliamentary Expenses Engraved Map of the Great Western Rail- way Office Expenses, Direc tion, Salaries, Post ages, &C. Experiments of Mr Wood and Mr.Hri,,k haw Balance of Interest paid on Loa Former Half- Yearly 1 Statements, to J tie 30, 18:39. X. a & 89,197 11 3 5 1 57,476 8 31 1 , 515 ,8L4 15 7, 433,782 16 10 19,366 13 91 150,298 1$ 51 91,544 12 91 2,541 0 3' 2,555 17 1 8,969 6 11 SO 483 0 3 7,631 19 U 20,529 9 1 743 7 51 27,719 5 51 2,640 9 91 9,127 12 9 From Junc3o, 1339. to IDec.3l, ISO). ;£. m. (1. 1112, 1 83 12 9 399,491 :2 3 85,3,52 2 11,C39 5 51 13,933 11 ( 173 9 I 241 1$ 2,770 4 2,663 7 51 a,464 16 31 I%Z a oi 4,052 0 61 111 g o' 43,122 19 91 1 X. A. c 1 89,197 11 11 679,E60 11 0 2,015,345 17 10 524,141 19 19,366 15 9 161,933 4 10 100,478 4 3 2,714 9 4 3,097 15 S 11,7C0 11 7 33,152 7 8 7,631 16 0 `25,V94 5 4 897 12 5 1:,086,940 1U VI 167 4 ,559 4 11 3,765,4:1015 8 EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY The Seventh General Half-yearly Meeting of the Share holders of the Eastern Counties Railway Company wrs held yesterday at the London Tavern, Bi,hopsgate-street, to receive the half-yearly report of the Directors. Mr. Bosanquet in the Chair. The meeting was very numerously attended. In the report that was read, the Directors, alluding to certain individuals who had procured a mandamus to issue, in order to compel them to continue the railway to Yar mouth, stated that they had put in a return to the man damus, which they deemed would be satisfactory, and bring to a happy termination those vexatious proceedings. The Director announced that the promoters of the man damus had resorted to other steps, and had procured a pe tition to be presented, praying for leave to bring in a Bill to promote their views. It was signed by 47 individuals. of whom 15 were solicitors, and the majority of whom had no connection with the Company. It was with the utmwt reluctance that the Directors had been compelled to make a few calls. The unprecedented pressure in the money market had pi evented the issue of the Company's Mien tares, and the Directors had no other alternative but to re sort to the Shareholders. They congratulate the Share holders on the stability of' the works that were already completed, and were highly c-editable to the engineer. The works at the London end will soon be ready to re receive the Noith Eastern Counties' train. The Directors declared 1,319 s hares to have bee n forfeited ; they also acquainted the Sh are holders with the g enerous and high nreninincicieudieshoenddutic,teosfutmhe olfigilsit,ololc(7., H pa . y L ab ab le ou to eh h e i r m e, whofrcin o had e Company. Th e t o tal amount th at had been paid upon the calls made up to the 30th of December, 1839, w as 93 1,6 40/. 17 s . 101., a nd the arrears on the several calls amounted, on the Company's shares, to 33, 54 6 1 . The contracts for works had amount ed to 283,1841.: the ex penses drags, &c., were 11,2221 ; rails, chairs, & c ., 172,6(051. ; solicitor's expenses, 2,0991. ; advertising, i for g print ig, 3,080/. ; various other inlocomotiveprinting, ex penses, including that of absconded clerks, 6,942/. The disbursements amou nted to 130,956/. There was a balance in hand of 30,0001. From the Engineer's Report it ap peared, that when certain obstructions in Brick-lane had been removed, the line would be brought within 800 yards of the metropolis. Mr. R. S:evenson's report on the estimates of Mr. Braithwaite, the engineer to the Company, was then read. lie concurred mainly in Mr. Braithwalte's estimates, with the exception of one or two minor details. The reports having been read, Mr. SMITH moved, and Mr. CUBIT? seconded the motion, that the Report be received and printed. Mr. COSALD thought it would have been as well if the expressions at the commencement of the Report bad been omitted ; and also he thought that the Shareholders ought to have had the printed Reports in their hands, so as to have had an opportunity of properly considering the accounts and expenses of the Company. He (Mr. Cobald) was one of those who had signed the pc tithn that was alluded to in the report, and he begged to say that the only object he and the other gentlemen who had signed that petition had, was to provide for the intro. duction of a Railway into those counties in which they %ere more particularly interested. With respect to the amended Bill, which was also alluded to in the report during the discussion on that subject, the Directors had entertained a doubt, and pled ges were g i ve n that it was the bona file interest of the Directors to carry through the line, according to the original undertaking, and therefore it was that they asked two years further time for the purchase of land ; the two years had been given them, but what had the Dirce- TOTAL 3!,770 i 9,931 11 9 52,250 12 6 rttors done towards the purchase of land ? Why they did no- i tsfaing until the time arrived when the power that was given them by their Act was nearly gone. Now, fur his part he thought the Board of Directors would have far better con sulted the interests of the Proprietors if, instead of being under the necessity of asking for fresh powers, they exercise those which they at present possessed, and purchase the whole land required for purposes of the Railway. The Report adverted also to the amount of capital required for the purpose of making the Railway to Colchester, which amounted to nearly the whole amount of the capital at first proposed to be raised ; namely, 2,120,0001. It was clear that the present capital was not more than sufficient to carry the railway to Col chester ; that, however, did not relieve the Directors from carrying out the projects they at first laid down, until it lad been decided at law that they should not do so. If what had been stated was true, 'there could be no doubt that the return which had been made to the mandamus was unsatisfactory, and would be quashed. He begged it to be understood that he had no feeling adverse to the Directors ; he deprecated any steps be ing taken to annoy them, and it was with regret that be saw the other day a petition published in a Weekly Journal. The object of those with whom he had 'nad the honour of acting was to forward the interests or the Company, and for that object, and that alone, he 'Jad protested against some parts of the report. The amendment which he had to propose was, to strike out that port of the Report which stated that the proceedings which had been taken in the Courts of Law were vexa tious and discreditable. Mr. Hores thought that :he words ought to be per mitted to stand, because he considered it highly disre putable for any set of men to conic forward and make a road at the expense of other parties, which was the real object of those who had instituted the proceedings in the Courts of Law. He considered that the course pursued by the Directors had been extremely proper, for if the sums that nad been expended at the end of the line near London, had been scattered over the whole line, they would have been thrown away. It was for that meeting to say whether the Directors had acted rightly. He was sorry that the powers they had had been thrown away, but there was no doubt they could be restored. He thought no gentleman could point out a similar course having been adopted with respect to the Direction of other Railways, that had been pursued by the Directors of the Eastern Counties' Railway.—(Cheers.) There being no seconder to the amendment it fell to the ground. On the original question, that the Report be adopted, being put, Mr. ATKINSON wished to say a few words. He had in rain listened to hear from Mr. Cobald how he justified the opposition which had been made to the count: the Directors had adopted, of laying out the capital of the Company on that part of the line bete arn London and Colchester. He thought the Directors would best consult the interest of the Proprietors by going on, uncompromisedly, and treating with contempt the tricks and menaces of those who had at tempted to thwart the proceedings of the Directors. Mr. Cobald had said that the Directors had not acted fairly to wards the different counties ; he thought he was mistaken in that. He would suppose that the gentlemen who had offered their opposition to the proceeding were acting from the most honourable of motives, that they had nothing in view but the interests of Norwich and Yar mouth ; but such being the case, he thought the course pursued was calculated to destroy the object which those gentlemen professed to have in view. Ho hoped the Shareholders would consider that the Directors had done their duty, and that they had considered the in terests of the Company in carrying on the line of railway continuously. He was bound to consider that the opposi tion had proceeded from the best of motives, but he could not help thinking that there was in it some selfishness and self-aggrandisement, instead of that patriotic spirit which they would have parties believe actuated them. In con clusion, he trusted that the Proprietors would throw around the Directors that support to which they were entitled. Mr. Surrn, of Manchester, wished to know if Mr. Ste venson had been on the line before he made the estimates that had been referred to in the Report. Mr. BRAITHWAITE said that he had. Mr. SMITH wished to know when the line to Brentwood would be completed? Mr. BRAITHWAITE said in about three months. Mr. SMITH desired to know how long it would be before the line from Brentwood to Chelmsford would be com pleted ? Mr. BRAITHWAITE stated two years, provided be had the funds. A PROPRIETOR thought that that part of the Re port with respect to the accounts ought not to be adopted, as the share account was very defective : and no correct account had been given of the expenditure at the last meeting. He hoped that at the next meeting some better account would be produced. The CHAIRMAN thought that the suggestion of the Hon. Proprietor was an extremely proper one. A Com mittee had been appointed, and an accountant was at the present moment investigating the matter with the greatest attention. Mr. Caossny observed that the accountant, who had been employed by the Company, was doing all in his power to render a full account ; but, not having possession of certain documents, it was impassible for him at the present moment to render an accurate account. A PROPRIETOR stated that the manner in which the ac counts had been left by the late Secretary was a disgrace to any gentleman. Mr. COPELAND wished to know whether any estimate had been made of the further expenditure that would be required to carry the Railroad to Chelmsford. Mr. BRAITHWAITE said that there had. Mr. COPELAND was anxious to be informed how much it would cost to complete the line to Chelmsford. Mr. BRAITHWAITE-361,0004, exclusive of the land. A PROPRIETOR (from Chelmsford) said that the Share holders in that part of the county were most anxious that the line should be completed to that place, and were willing to pay up the whole of their calls for that purpose. He was sure that the completion of the line to Chelms ford would be a great benefit to the Propiietors. The CHAIRMAN then put the original resolution, and declared it to be carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. /lOUS, seconded by Mr. RtcanY, the gentlemen who retired from the Direction by rotation were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. Marriage, who begged that his name might be withdrawn; and, on the motion of Mr. BIGGS, George Chapman, Esq., of Hoo Hall, *as elected in his room. EDWARD BROWNS, Esq. then came forward to propose a resolution approving of the course adopted by the Di rectors in completing the line continuously for the Lon don terminus. He was sorry to witness the apathy that existed generally in the people of Norwich towards the line of the Eastern Counties Railway, and could attribute it to no other cause than the great ignorance the people of Norwich and Yarmouth had of the good railroads would effect. Mr. ATxtNsoN seconded the resolution, which The CHAIRMAN declared to be carried. Mr. CODALD then proposed a resolution to the effect that the Directors should be requested to take such mea sures as might be necessary for securing the purchase of land along the line before the powers of the existing Act expired, if practicable, or for extending the time for the purchase of such land. Mr. HoTsa seconded the resolution, and he could not approve of the act of the Directors in allowing their power to expire. Mr. HODGSON considered if the resolution was adopted it would be, by a side wind, upsetting the whole course under which the Directors had been acting. Mr. ConaLD thought that contracts ought to be made for the purchase of land along the whole line before the power of the existing act terminated. The CHAIRMAN thought the wisest course for the Pro prietors to pursue would be to pay their just debts before they contracted others.—(Cheers.) Mr. DUNCAN, the Solicitor to the Company, trusted that the meeting would be cautious as to the course they should adopt, because if they did any thing that appeared inconsistent it would prejudice them before Parliament. He thought the present resolution, if passed, would ap pear inconsistent, inasmuch as the Company had not money enough to make purchases of land between Colchester and Ipswich, before the Act expired, and it would be impossible to obtain an Act in the next Session to enlarge the time, in consequence of the standing orders with respect to advertising ; the resolution would therefore he useless, and he trusted it would be withdrawn. Mr. COIIAI.D withdrew the resolution. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, admitted the pro priety of the statement of Mr. Browne, with respect to the ignorance of the gentlemen of Norwich and Yarmouth, as to the good that was likely to be effected by the Esstern Counties Railway to those towns. It was wonderful to find that where the gclden day first rose, there should be last known the iron way which would lead to gold.— ( Cheers. )-1,906 shares were then declared forfeited. Mr. Srarrit, of Manchester, hoped the Directors would make all parties pay up their calls, for if they went on as they had done, it would be four years More the railway would he completed. It depended upon the Proprietors whether so desirable a result as the completion of the railway should he effected in two or four years. The CHAIRMAN said that the Directors were determined, in justice to those who had paid up their calls, to insist ; upon those who were in arrear paying theirs.—( Cheers.) Thanks were then voted io the Directors, the Chair man, and the Engineer, and the meeting separated. THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. There have been small supplies of Grain and Flour this week, owing to the vessels being mostly wind-bound. The Wheat trade firm, at Monday's prices. Barley met a heavy sale. Beans, Peas, and Oats find buyers slowly, on full as good terms as Monday. Flour very dull in sale. COLONIAL MARKET. Very little doing in Colonial produce, and prices were firm. SMITHFIELD. Butchers purchased freely, Prices were generally good and the clearance speedy. The supply not large. Mutton and Beef realized Monday's prices. Veal declined from 4d. to 13d. per stone; Puri underwent no variation.—Beasts, 419; Sheep, 2660 ; ig PLLINs, .109; Calves, 1111. BIGSGATE MARKET. Supplies moderate. Trade good, and prices unaltered. The Mandarin convict-ship sailed on Tuesday, from Spithead, with Frost, Williams, and Jones on board. They started with a strong easterly breeze. The gold dust convicts, (Moses and his party) are not sent out in the Mandarin, but remain on board th. 2 prison hulk. The Frenchman who war, convicted at the Old Bailer for stealing a watch is with them. 0 . n being removed to the hulk he attemp ted to drown himself. It is generally believed that he will be pardoned. THE SPEAKER'S LEVEE.—The Speaker will hold a levee at his house, in Eaton-square, to-morrow evening, at ten o'clock. The Earl of Stradbroke has purchased the ex tensive estates of Viscount Middleton, in the county of Water ford, for 95,000/. The Earl of Rosebery is, we understand, to sup ply the vacancy in the order of the Thistle, occasioned by the deeca,c of the Earl of Mansfield. LONDON: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1841. The Peers received a considerable number of peti tions, some for mercy to Frost, others for an extension of the Church. It was expected that Lord STRANG FORD would bring on his motion concerning the trade to Africa, but it was postponed, and their Lordships Ad journed at an early hour. In the Commong, after the usual presentation of peti tions, a Report was made from the Ludlow Election Committee, stating that some irregularities wore com mitted in complying with the new Act. On Mr. ORD'S motion, the order for the re-appointment of the Com mittee was discharged, and the Report ordered to be taken into consideration to-morrow. Col. SIBTHORP wished to learn from the CHANCEL LOR of the EXCHEQUER what new taxes he meant to propose, but the Chancellor was not to be taken in by the Colonel, and declined to satisfy his curiosity. Sir GEO. Cu= called attention to an irregularity in issuing the writ for Perth, which had run that Lord STORMONT was, by the death of the Earl of MANSFIELD, called to the House of Peers, whereas he had succeeded to a peerage in Scotland. Mr. Fox MAULE acquiesced in the statement, and the Clerk of the Crown was or dered to attend at the Bar of the House this day on the subject. In reply to questions the CHANCELLOR of the Ex- CHEQUER stated that when a letter was pre-paid and re directed, he had ordered that it should be charged only Id., now it was charged 2d., and he hoped a few days hence to announce which contract for paper for the Post office he had accepted ; and Mr. Fox ManLE stated that it was intended to bring in a measure to take a census of the people. Mr. WALLACE, in bringing under the notice of the House a petition from a place in Roxburgh for a post office, asserted that the revenue of the Post-office under the old system had not been above 1,400 000/ , and he believed that the revenue would not lose znore than 600,0001. by the alteration in the postage. In the conversation which ensued the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that it was his intention, in a short time, to introduce envelopes into local districts, in order to try their effect, but he could not name a time when they would be generally introduced. Mr. WALLACE withdrew his motion, and properly left the matter in the hands of the Post-office authorities. The remainder of the evening was occupied with the debate on Mr. LIDDELL'S motion, and Lord MoarEnes arnondment, to which we yesterday adverted. Mr. LIDDELL of course began the discussion, and explained at considerable length his objections to Lord Mon- PETII'S amendment, and his preference to his own resolution. Lord MORPETH then moved his amendment, and ridiculed the Mover's speech. The Noble Lord dwelt at great length, and with great effect, on Sir JOHN NzwroßT's long life and great services as entitling him to the pension the Ministers bad bestowed on him. Mr. LEADER charlcterised the whole business, which he reviewed through all its stages, as a gross job. In one word he said it was a Whig job, and he could give it no worse epithet. Mr. BARRON was extremely vehement in favour of Sir JoHN NEwroaT, and declared that he had been a great benefactor both to Ireland and England. Mr. O'CONNELL separated Sir JOHN NEWPORT from Lord MONTEAGLE in the transaction, threw the latter overboard, declared that the only question before the House related to Sir JoHN YEWPORT, whom he he warmly eulogized, and whose pension he defended. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, after paying some very high compliments to Sir JoHN NEWPORT, made a severe attack on his former Friend Lord MONTEAGLE, and on the Government, for giving the pension to the Comp troller of the Exchequer, which he declared was con trary to the law concernin g pensions, the holder of that office being expressly excluded from the ability to re ceive a pension. Lord JOHN RUSSULL repelled the personal attack of Sir JAMES GRAHAM on Lord MONTEAGLE, by a spirited eulogy on the latter. The Noble Lord de clared that, while Mr. SPRING RICE, when Secretes. of the Treasury, under Lord GREY'S Administration, of which Sir JAMES GRAHAM was a member, was nightly defending that Administratio n by most spirited and able speeches, Sir JAMES GRAHAM had shrunk from his duty. On the broad grounds of Ministerial dis cretion, the Noble Lord justified the penslon given to Sir JOHN NEWPORT. Sir ROBERT PEEL first defended Sir JAMES GRA HAM with great warmth, from the charge of having shrunk from hi s d ut i es , an d po i nte d out his arduous services as First L or d o f th e Ad m i ra lty, and his having found time to take charge of the measure for reform ing the Exchequer, as complete answers to Lord J. Rus- 9.803 .624 .40. S 5.170 1.475 5.224 EDITED BY THEO: THE MARCH COL B UR N'S MAGAZINE AND H Fathers and Sons, by 013 Editor. Prince Albert's Poetry and Music. The Fairy's Wand, a tale of Windsor Park, in the days in the Merry Monarch. by Cap tain Marryat. The ChaleCin the Alps, by the Countess of 131essington. Nimrod in France A Chaunt of the Day, in Two' Tongues. The Hunter's Return, by tit« Old Forest Ranger. Henry Colburn, Publisher, I THE MARCH Price Half-a-Crown, (wi BENTLEY'S Edited by W. HARRIS CONTAI Mr. Ainsworth's Guy Fawkes, with an Illustration by George Cruikshank. The Herdstr,an. By P. M'Tetigue, Author of " The Spaloeen." The Blind Girl of Castel Cuillee. By Lady Georgiana Fullerton. Isaac Walton and Ina Friends. By Edward Jesse. The Illumination ; —A Story of Alma Mater. Colin Clink. By Charles Hooton. The Monks of Old. Greenwich and Greenwich Men. By J. Hamilton Reynolds. Richard Bentley, N DORE HOOK, Esq. NUMBER OF NE W MONTHLY [ UMOURIS T, Conta'ns The Bedford-row Conspiracy, Part 11. The Widow Married, by Mrs. Trollope, with two illustra tions by Buss. The Adventures of Khodadad, by the Hon. C. F. Savill. The Life and Times of Peter Priggins, College Scout and Bed-maker. Specimens of German Lyric Poetry, by J. H. Merrivale, Esq. &c. 1, Great Marlborough-street. I NUMBER, ith Four Illustrations), of MISCELLANY, ;ON AINSWORTH, Esq. NS: -- The Bagman's Dog. By Thomas Ingoldsby. The flair and Beard, as fashimed by Politics and Religion, at Various Pe riods. By Charles Mackay. Mr. Trickett Donks. By Al fred Crowquill, with an B. lustration. Stanley Thorn, by the Author of " Valentine Vox," with an illustration by George Cruikshank. Literary l'ortraits, No. VI., W. Hamilton Maxwell. Author of " Stories of Waterloo," &c., &c. View Burlington-street. Now ready, price One Shilling, Part the Third, of THE TOWER OF LONDON; An Historical Romance. By W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, E q. With Three Illustrations on Steel, and Three Woodcuts, by George Cruikshank. CIIA TTP: VIII.—How Gilbert escaped from the By-Ward Tower, and how he swam across the Moat; how Og hung it upon a hook, and how Lawrence Nightgall brought the token to Cicely. IX.—Of the mysterious manner in which Gunnera Braose was brought to the Tower. X.—How the Duke of Northumberland menaced Simon Re nard in St. Peter's Chapel on the Tower Green, and how Queen Jane interposed between them. Xl.—How Northumberland was prevailed upon to undertake the enterprise against Queen Mary. The Illustrations on Steel comprise I.—Queen Jane's Flight from the Tower. IL—Mago , 's Courtship. lll.—Queen Jane and Lord Guilford Dudley, brought back as prisoners to the Tower through Traitor's Gate. The Woodcuts are I.—The White Tower. ll.—lnterior of the Bowyer Tower. lII. Traitor's Gate as seen from the Thames. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street. •.' Sold by all Booksellers and Newsvenders. THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN. UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MADAME VEST RIS, THIS EVENING, FEB. 28. BY COMMAND OF HER MAJESTY, Will be performed the New Original Play, in Five Acts, written by James Sheridan Knowles, called LOVE. Duke of Carinthia, Mr. Cooper; Sir Rupert of Lorch, Mr. J. Vining ; Huon, Mr. Anderson ; the Countess of Eppen stein, Miss Ellen Tree ; Katherine, Madame Vestris. After which, a Comic Burletta, called PATTER VERSUS CLATTER. Captain Patter, Mr. Charles Mathews. Dress Boxes, 7s. ; Second Price, 3s. 6d.; First and Second Circles, es. ; Second Price, 2s. 6d. ; Pit, as. ; Seeond Price, !s. ; Gallery, ls. Doors to he opened at half-past Six—the performances to commence at Seven o'Clock. Tickets and plat vs for the Boxes to be taken of Mr. Netter, et the Box-office, from Ten till Four, where Season Tickets may be 'sad upon application. Private Boxes to be had solely of Mr. Andrews, bookseller, 167, New Bond-street. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Positively the last appearance in England of Mr. Hackett. THIS EVENING, FEB. 28. Will be performed RIP VAN WINKLE. Rip Van Winkle, Mr. Hackett; Van Brom, Mr. W. Smith, Aftcr which, THE YANKEE IN LONDON. Solomon Swop, Mr. Hackett. To conclude with TIDOCQ, THE FRENCH THIEF-TAKER. Vidocii, Mr. E. F. Saville. NEW STRAND THEATRE. - The extraordinary marvels, performed nightly by the GREAT WIZARD of the NORTH, are of a nature so myste rious and truly wonderful, that, notwithstanding the march of intellect, there-is a general exclamation, "Is this extraordi nary being Mortal or Supernatural ?" On THIS EVENING (FRIDAY), FEBRUARY 28, and during the week, the GREAT WIZARD of the NORTH will perform his extraordinary Mysteries a la Magique—proving that he has the power to make the " eyes the fools o' the ether senses," concluding with the paralysing GUN TRICK, Boxes, is. 6d.—Pit, Is. 6d.—Gallery, 6d. Doors open at Half-past Six—commencing at half-past seven • it •T -t • c ie 4 ••• ZITI alt•U "ar E YEN IN DITIO SELL'i charge. TtA B.igh' . Hon. Bart. next attacked ti. Goveunnent very fiere 21y for granting the pension, louse, according to Lord Moit which he asserted ma setting a bad precedent, was a o it d S apF the the erboTTc,i' violation e n h al n: ( : . W: p mfol I : e e i lA o c r) : Nyt a t ' t i hic : i me i il ic th s :el :: gl,ret, o f s t r i t i o i oditti Parlia m ent, edta i mi tated 1 b ea c e e wo l e ni E n t Q ny j i t tn s Eo is d i ß ie violated, i Commission Tories, ohs. ; re rr a ose w . new. th at was o a : t t : f d iven contrary to rut es follo we d i n a ll ana l ogous offices. Mr. Hum; was ready to v o t e f or e i t h er or both mo tions, they so m:w- i ` resembletieaelotthheoru;ghbt inc u lcatedutc(iuplin an improper principle, .g Lord MourETifs Feca l'' which i l le wait), t w h i e th a o l u n t en f t i l u n t lo r t, c .a x n p yl ia r n e a g t a i o r d u; ing the whole arrangemen as of a very doubtful chara, 'ter , he was compelled to vote for the original motion. idiculed the motion Mr. T. DuNcoMitE happily , and the amendment, pronouncing them a ,'l to be ab surd, and Mr. Hustn's proposed amendmen 't the most absurd of all. Through the whole debate noth 'flg• what ever which concerned the couatry had been thy 'tight of —no money would be saved, nor the people in a.ly way served. The speeches of the Tories accused tho Go vernment of having been guilty of a gross job ; tho :no tion said nothing of the kind, it was a sort of falsity, at:(d he would not vote for it. After a few words from Mr. WYNN and Mr. LID.. DELL in reply, the House divided, and the Ministers. were defeated by 240 to 212—majority 28. Such is the legacy which Mr. RICE has bequeathed to his friends. Thereafter the House speedily adjourned. Neither the debate nor the result has disappointed us. We expected the defeat, though we did not anti cipate so large a majority, and we had already ,raid that the [notion was brought forward for a party parpose regardless of the public. It turned out, accordingly, a kind of personal fight ; crimination begat recrimination, and assault was answered by assault. That nothing was at any time to be obtained by the public was evi dent, from this consideration—that the pension came from the Civil List, and the money, if not bestowed on Sir J. NEWPORT would have been bestowed on some one else, perhaps a less worthy character. The friends of science and art may complain that funds destined to encourage them are appropriated to re ward political services, but the public may be as much benefited by the latter as the former. That the whole debate was a mere personal and a party squabble, is evident by Lord Mouvscrit calling the original mo tion a pointless, spiritless resolution, and by Lord J. RUSSELL at the same time admitting, in the words of the resolution, that the grant of such a pension ought not to be drawn into a precedent. At the same time all the speakers on both sides bore undivided testimony to the merits and services of Sir J. NEWPORT ; and Sir JAMES GRAHAM said if the pension had :been granted before he was appointed Comptrolls r of the Exchequer he would have cheerfully acquiesced in it, and never questioned it. Mr,. LEADER. properly characterised the dispute between the parties, as the difference betwixt tweedledum and tvteedledee, and quite unworthy of the House of Commons. We agree with Mr. LEADER. The Ministers alight, with the consent of men of honour of all parties in the House of Commons, have given Sir JOHN N..c:WPORT a pension, but unfortunately it was contamina,'ed by a provision to enable Mr. SPRING Rice to support his newly created Peerage. The public, as Mr. HUME said, look on that with suspicion ; they say it is a job, and both Sir JOHN NEWPORT and the Ministers suffer from the company they keep. Lord MoNTEs.oLE's character and acts have inflicted this heavy blow ort the Whigs. The Ministerial crisis in France continued up to is late hour on Wednesday evening. Appearances were then in favour of M. Tututs, but the capriciousness of: the KING prevented all who approached him from giving any decided opinion as to the materials of which his , MAJESTY may choose to form the new Cabinet. His threat of resigning the crown and retiring into private life having given more pleasure than pain in the political circles of the metropolis, has greatly increased the acerbity of a temper which the rejection of the Dotation Bill had rendered scarcely endurable. When this threat was reported in the Capita/c of Sunday, we dwelt at some length on its extreme folly ; and we are sur— prised that Louis PHILIPPE, after his experience of the cool way in which it was received by all France in 1831 should be so rash as ever again to repeat it. One thing is however certain, M. TRIERS was at last summoned to the palace, and received from the KING instructions to form a Cabinet. The ex-Minister arrived at the Tuileries at one o'clock on Wednesday, and at four o'clock was still closeted with the KING. Lists of the new Ministry were handed about, but it would serve no purpose to publish them in the columns of an English journal. On Tuesday night, at twelve o'clock. the Queen of the FRENCH and the Duke of ORLEANS set out for Brussels, to make preparations for the marriage of the Duke de NEMOURS. In the columns of the Moniteur we find the followibg telegraphic despatch from Spain : " Bayonne, Feb. 25. " THE LIEUTENAN -GENERAL COMMANDING THE 2orrf MILITARY DIVISION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL. " Espartero arrived at Aluniesa on the 191.11. All the besieging artillery is collected. Disorders arose among the garrison of Segura on his arrival, and on the 20th there were hopes of a capitulation." Six Madrid mails were overdue in consequence of the Carlists having blocked up the road between Madrid and Calaytayud. The Sentinelle des Pyrennees of the 22d says, that a great number of Spanish emigrants have been arrested in Bayonne, suspected of a participation in the plots for disturbing the Northern Provinces. A captain, impli cated in the rebellious movement at Bilboa, was shot by order of the authorities. BOURSE..-.PARIS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26. first Highest Lowest Last Price Price. Price. Price French 5 per Cents ll3 35 ... 113 35 .., 113 30 ... 1 3 35 4 per Cents lO3 80 ~. it 3 81 ... 103 80 ... 103 80 3 per Cents B2 20 .. 82 20 ... 82. 15 ... 82 20 Bank of france Lactate Batik 1,0001. Sh 1062 50 ...1062 50 ...1(6.) _1.162 50 5,0001. Sh 5 .210 —.5200 —.5197 50 ...5200 Belgian flank 917 50 ... 947 50 ... 045 ... 045 5 per Cents 3 per Cents 72 80 ... 72 80 ... 72 80 ... 72 80 United States Bank Loan 99 ... 90 ... 99 ... 99 Spanish Active 2 8 14 ... 2N ... 'IN ... 2854 Passive 7 ... 75 ... 7 ... 7 New Ucferred Neapolitan Roman 10 : 1.X, ... 10334 ... was ... 183% RAILWAY SHARES. St. Germain Versailles, lt. B 540 ... 545 „, 540 ..„ 54.1 75 L.B. 367 50 ... 367 50 ... 362 50 .., 365 Strasburg to Bale ... 340 ... 3401... 335 ... 340 ASPHALTES AND BITUNtENS. run (sfaberly's) COURT CIRCULAR. Her Majesty gave audiences yesterday to Viscount Mel bourne, Viscount Duncannon, and the Judge Advocate - General. His Royal Highness Prince Albert having consented to enrol himself as a member of the Goldsmith's Company' of which her Majesty is the head, a deputation from the Company, consisting of Mr. Bridge, Prime Warden, and Messrs. Hodges, Smith, and Buttcmcr, W ar d ens , w aited yesterday upon his Royal Highness at Buckingham Palace, and had an audience, to receive his commands with re spect to his Royal Highness taking the usual oaths. The Royal dinner party at the Palace last evening, In eluded the Baron de Nieumann, the Austrian Minister on a Special Mission ; the Earl and Countess of Carlisle and Lady Elizabeth Howard, the Earl arid Countess of Minto, Viscount Melbourne, Viscount Boringdon, and the Right Hon. George Stevens Byng. The band of the Coldstream Guards attended at Buck ingham Palace during the evening. On the return of her Majesty from Drury Lane Theatre on NVednesday night, the elegant cup presented to Mr. Charles Kernblc by the Duke of Devonshire, the D,lke of Beaufort, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and other subscribers, was submitted to the Queen and Plinca Albert. An Address of Congratulation to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent from the London Clergy, was pre sented on Tuesday to the Royal Duchess, at Bbtekinghan i Palace. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager had a dinner party 00 Wednesday, at Nlarlburoug,h House. The Reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha visited he r Majesty th e Q ueen D owager yesterday, at Marlborough House. His Serene Highness also paid a visit to the Priucess Augusta, at Clarence House, St. James's. The Duke of Cainbridge visited her Majesty the Que en Dowager yesterday. The Right Hon. T. Greville entertained at dinner, e n Wednesday, the Duke of Norfolk, Baron Dedel, t he Countess of Surrey, Lord and Lady Fitzalan, Dowager Lady Candor, Lord 11. Howa: d, the Hon. H. ChohnondelcY , Sir Charles Begot, Mr. Harcourt, and Mr. Cally Knight' Sir Thomas., Lady, and Mks Lethbridge, left Fa r. rance's Hotel yesterday, for Sandwell-psrk, Taunton. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YEsTEttpAr. LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE. 5 to 4 agst. Mr. Elmore's Lottery TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 5 to 2 agst Lord Orford's Angelica colt—(take 3 to 1 fi to I agst Duke of Grafton's Ottoman (take 6 to 1) 7 to 1 agst Mr. Houldsworth's Confederate 10 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Wardan THE DERBY. 11 to I agst Lord Orford's Angelica colt—take 12 to 1 14 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Launcelot—taken 15 to 1 agst Duke of Cleveland's Theon—take 16 to 1 17 to 1 agst Mr. Houldsworth's Confederate—taken 20 to I agst Duke of Gtafton's Ottoman 22 to 1 agst Sir G. Heathcote's Bokhara—take 25 to I 22 to 1 apt Captain Gardner's Monops—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Wardan—taken 30 to I agst Mr. Ford's Chameau—taken and offered 40 to 1 agst Mr. Trenus's Fitzroy —taken to 1001. , ad, 50 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Maroon—taken and °# 1000 to 15 agst Colonel Anson's Black Bess—taken ~/ al e y 1000 to 800 un Glenorchy (aft erwa . d s 500 even ) art ' Ishmael —taken taken 1000 to 800 on Angelica co lt agst L or d E xeter ' s lot --t 1000 even between Monops and Bokhara 300 even between Wardan and Ottoman TUE OALS. 7 to I agst Lord G. Bentinek's Crucifix 8 to I agst Colonel Anson's Black Bess 1 9 to I agst Mr. Fowl er ' s Rookh—take 1(110 16 to I agst Duke of Grafton's Currency—taken 18 to 1 agst Mr. Wigram's Telet a—taken I^