The Press.
London, England, 1858-05-22 00:00:00

DEATH OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE

DUCHESS OF ORLEANS.
WE regret to announce the death of her Royal High.
ness the Duchess of Orleans, who expired on Tues-
day morning, shortly after five o'clock, at her
residence at Richmond, to the inexpressible grief of
her sons, the Count de Paris and the Duke de
Chartres, and the other members of the exiled Royal
Family of France. The lamentable event was quite
unexpected. The Duchess only a fortnight since
dined at the Marquis of Lansdowne's, and was ap•
parently in excellent health and spirits. The
deceased Duchess, Helene Louise Elizabeth
d'Orleans, was youngest daughter of Frederick Louis,
Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
by his second marriage with the Princess Caroline,
daughter of Charles, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar.
Her Royal Highness was born on the 24th of
January, 1814, and consequently was forty-four years
of age. The Princess was brought up in the Pro-
testant faith, and it is said, from the pious and un-
ostentatious course of her early life, that she re•
luctantly embraced the brilliant prospects of her
union with the Prince Royal of France, the Duke of
Orleans, at the period of the negotiation of the
marriage the hope and pride of the French people.
On leaving her retired home at Ludwigslust for her
adopted country, the Princess was delicately re-
minded that it would be necessa7 to conceal her
regret on leaving the land of her birth. The Princess
replied, " I shall endeavour henceforth to love and
admire everything in France." The marriage of the
Princess and the Duke of Orleans was celebrated on
the 13th of July, 1837, at the Palace of Fontaine-
bleau, in the splendid gallery of Henry 11. After
having had two sons, the Count de Paris (born 24th
of August, 1838) and the Duke de Chartres (born
November oth, 18401, the Duchess met with an over-
whelming domestic calamity by the sudden death of
her husband, who, on the 13th of July, 1842, was
killed by a fall from his carriage. Her Royal
Highness rarely appeared in the gaieties of the
Court of Louis Philippe ; but she and her sons were
staying with the King and Queen at Paris when the
revolutionary outbreak took place, in February, 1848.
After much trouble and anxiety the Duchess and
family, attended by the Marquis de Mornay, son-in.
law of Marshal Souk., and a faithful adherent of

I

Louis Philippe, escaped to Belgium. Her Royal
Highness had been staying since the Bummer of
last year at Mr. Paynter's villa at Richmond. The
exemplary propriety of her conduct during all the
trials her Royal Highness experienced alter her
alliance with the house of Orleans gained the ad-
miration of all observers.

" YOUNG ST. GILES'S."
To THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS."

Sir,—The tone of your article some weeks ago on
a method to stay the tide of what is justly termed
the " Great Social Evil," makes me think that you
will find space, if possible, for the following extract
from a small monthly periodical, bearing indirectly
on the same subject.
The speaker is a female philanthropist, of un.
assuming character but single aim, who is occupying
herself from day to day in labouring to ameliorate in
every way the condition of the most neglected of the
London poor. She is replying to an inquiry, whether
any of the people she has visited are buying bed-
steads? Her reply is as follows
"Yes, I have beard of half a dozen; and very many
more will do so, as the summer earnings from the flowers
and ft uit increase. But oh, dear madam, bow your heart
would go out towards the watercress girls, who also sell
oranges and onions, and a dozen of whom, with their own
earnings, came to me to buy new print frocks for Easter!
They are now saying, Oh, dear Mrs. D., do let us buy a
bed for our own selves too.' 1 long to lift those young girls,
from twelve to eighteen, out of the horrors of those over.
crowded rooms ; and how glad I should be to take a house and
make a dormitory for them by themselves. I know forty who
would come to me at once and pay threepence a night
each—they could well afford it; and it would take the
money from those dancing-rooms and casinos, to which
they Sock to their ruin. What new thoughts I might put
into their minds in the evening ! how I might read the
Bible with them I and some of them might even help me
in my other work. There is no provision of the sort for
the class I mean, and they are those who most want it.'

" Do you think this could be made nearly self.support-
ing, like the beds and the clothing club ?"
"1 do think it might.. If I could live rent free, I should
want no salary. We could cheaply provide beds, and one
pound would go a great way in a little necessary crockery
to provide for a cup of tea. They would need so little at
first, when you think of the class from which they would
come out. Such a change would be to them the beginning
of a new life, and there are perhaps 5,000 of those girls
always growing up in St. (ilea's."

Surely, sir, this is beginning at the right end ; and
when, as in the case before us, religion, as well as
philanthropy, is brought to bear, there is every en-
ccuragement to expect a lasting and solid success.
Every parish in or out of the metropolis might take
the hint. Meanwhile, it any of your readers desire
to contribute towards this charitable work, or to
learn more on the subject, I would refer him to the
editor of the " Book and its Misvions " (published
by Thomas Hatchard, Piccadilly), from the May
number of which the above extract is taken.—l am,
sir, yours, dtc.,
WHAT IS " NEXT TO GODLINESS."

THE PEOPLE'S PROVIDENT ASSURANCE
SOCIETY.
AT the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders and
Members of the People's Provident Assurance Society,
Waterloo-place, Pall-mall, London, on Monday, the 17th
instant of May, 1838, George Alexander Hamilton, EN.,
M P., in the chair, the notice convening the meeting
having been read, the following Report of the Directors
was submitted :

REPORT.

Your Directors have much pleasure in submitting to the pre-
sent general meeting of the proprietors their Report for the
year 1857.
During the past year 2,532 new policies were issued
by the society, producing au annual revenue of £16,346 11 11
And during
the same penod Al 2 new guarantee
policies, producing an annual revenue of
--
Melting the new revenue acquired during the year 211,504 12
The premiums payable on policies in force on the 31st De.
camber last, as inscribed on the society's register, amounted to
68,687 L 7s. 11d.
Thu premiums payable on the new business transacted
since the commencement of the present year amounted to
6,1711. ihi. 6d. per annum, and adding to this the revenue accruing
from polities of other companies now in course of exchange, the
society's present income may be fairly estimated to amount to
not less than 70,00u1.
The balance to the credit of the society on the year's trans-
actions iu the guarantee department, afu3r paying claims, amounts
to 4,658 L 18s. 3d.
Your Directors have to state that after discharging thentrious
claims made on the society from death, re assurance, and other
causes, and also all expenses of management, with interest
the society's paid-up capital, there remains out of the receipts
of the business for the past year, a surplus of 13.1924 75.9 d.
Your Directors, deeming it • good opportunity to invest a
portion of your available funds, subscribed for 20001 of the
new Indian Loan, the future calls upon which, as they fall due,
will be provided for by the ordinary accruing revenue of the
society.
They have also to state that they have invested a further
portion of their availa.ile funds in the acquisition of the busi-
ness of three assurance companies, on terms which they con-
sider beneficial to your interests, and to the consequent extension
of the influence of the society.
Notwithstanding t mis increase of business, your Directors art
enabled to report a reduction in the expenses of management
exceeding lo per cent. as °ampere(' with 1656.
Conformably with the provisions of the deed of settlement,
James Davidson, Charles Forster, M.P., Richard Francis
George, James Edward hi'Connall, and Charles William '
ite7

William Goddard, Ego ~
, but, being eligible, oiler
hoped, Justify en unabated
,iety, and the best efforts of
applied to the extension of
interests of the proprietors
board,
, Manager and Secretary.
although I have been a
• the present time, I
(Hear, hear.) Ity
company one year with the

_
improvement in our posi-
- Irs and policy-holders
satisfaction. (Hear,
what I stated last
our income first. I
. the end of the year
income on the 31st of
17,9001., was 58,6871.,
),0001. (Hear, hear.)
derived from life policies.
• warranted in saying that

be found to be—satis-
_ . the yearly premiums
greatly increasing, whilst assu •
decreasing. I will now,
department. In the year
guarantee policies was
respect thereof were
to in respect of our
3s. 9(1., and claims
have revised our scale
guarantees, and whilst there
there has been a dimi-

Gentlemen, I am iso
\ed the co•operation of
banks, and amongst
whioh must prove a
... society. In conducting
department caution is un-
-. of sound judgment
s connected with

judgment is exercised, the
' profitable business. And
- realized more than fifty
1856 and 1857, the
claims of which is all
gentlemen, having said
generally, I wish to
than the income—
I stated that the
into two parta—that
and non-discretional.
has been a considerable
notwithstanding the large in-
therefore trust that the share-
hat the directors have exercised
conducting the affairs of the
the purpose (in fact,
if we had withheld
the society ; and I may
paid up to the time sped-
keeping back of payments to
degree better than it
'y state in conclusion,
of other companies
satisfactory and profitable
only materially add to
ways highly beneficial.
say in addition that
ensuing year will exercise the
hitherto done, and I trust
current year, that they
is consistent with the
I I beg to move the
: Gentlemen, have
second the adoption of the
before your attention by
with great pleasure, from
opportunity while I have been
our esteemed secretary
_ have examined very
report, and 1 must say,
one could not possibly
of directors. (Hear,
seconding the report, and

unanimously approved and adopted.
and auditor were then unani-

_ of thanks to the directors,
indefatigable exertions and
exercised in the course of the

seconded the vote
was carried ninth-

thanks to Mr. Cleland,
The way he has con-
leer which is deserving
cordial thanks. (Hear.)
Cleland continues to con-
the way he has done,
tuential board as we have
can prevent the society
success such as we desire

pleasure in seconding
putting the motion, bore
luable services, and said :
justice if we were not to
. of our gratitude for the ad-
manager has exercised in re—
(Hear, hear.) It i

Willinn
nous, naps, directors; and Frederick
one of the auditors, retire from office, but, be:
themselves for re-election.
The foregoing statement will, it is hoped, Jus
confidence in the success of the society, and tl
Your Directors will continue to be applied to
it's business, with a due regard to t he interests
and policyholders.—l3y order of the board,
WILLIAM CLELAND, Manager
The prated i although
great deal pressed with business at the I
felt it my duty to attend here to-day. (fie
comparing the position of the company one
fief we can discern a manifest improvem
lion, sad I think the shareholders and
ought to feel abundant grounds for satist
hear.) Now, gentlemen, to refer to who
year—and I will take the cue of our i
stated that your aggregate income at the e
1856 was 47,900/.; our aggregate income
December, 1857, instead of being 47,9001.
showing an improvement of nearly 9,000/.
I will tarn next to the revenue derived fro
In the first place, I am perfectly warrantee
the condition of onr life policies will be fon
factory. I am happy to say that the ye
upon new assurancos are greatly increasin
Tames for small amounts are decreasing,
gentlemen, refer to the guarantee departure:
1856 the income derived from our guarani
7.2811. Is. 63., and the claims in respec
3,139.1.74. lid. In 1857 the receipts in
guarantee department were 7,3721. 35. 9(
3,3191.18e:5d. ( Hear, hear.) We have ri
of premiums with reference to guarantees,
has been an increase in premiums, there hi
nation in our risks of 84,540/. Gentlem
happy to state, that we have obtained the
several large public institutions, banks,
others, the Corporation of London, which
satisfactory source of profit to the society,
the business of the guarantee department
doabtedly necessary, and the exercise of s
with reference to all the circumstances i
each application ; but when judgment is
guarantee business is a safe and profitable
indeed this is proved by our having realized
per cent. upon it during the years 1856
difference between the receipts and claims
clear profit. ( Hear, hear.) Now, gentlen
ao much with regard to our income geners
turn to that which is more important than
namely, the expenditure. Last year [ s
directors had divided the expenditure into I
which we shall call discretional and n
Nov I am happy to say Ciat there has beet
diminution of expenditure, notwithstandini
crease of business; and I therefore trust
holders will see from this that the directors
their beat judgment in the conducting the
society. (Hear, hear.) It has been the p
we should not have been honest men if wt
them) to show you the exact state of the aoci
add that every farthing has been paid up to
fled, and there has been no keeping back
make the result appear in any degree
actually is. Gentlernen, I will merely stab
that we have purchased the business of of
during the last year at a very satisfactory
rate to the society, which will not only MI
oar income, bat is in a variety of ways hi
Cheers.) Gentlemen, I have but to say ii
the directors during the ensuing year w
same watchfulness as they have hitherto (h
it will be found, at the end of the current
have kept a rigid economy, so far as is con
interests of the company. (Cheers.) I b
adoption of the report.
Mr. W. Hn.r. (Ashton-under-Lyne) : Ge:
very great pleasure in rising to second the
report which has been brought before yo
oar worthy chairman. Ido it with great
the fact of having bad an opportunity wb
.here of going over the papers which our est
has given for your information. 1 have
carefully Mr. Cleland's detailed report, at
gentlemen, that a more gratifying one cou
have been presented by the board of air
beer.) Mr. Hill concluded by seconding
which, being then put by
The CHAIRMAN. was unanimously approi
The retiring directors and auditor we
mouldy re-elected.
Dr. ELmeite proposed a vote of thanks
and bore testimony to the indefatigable
hotalte of purpose they had exercised in t
Pillolc (Cheers.)
mr. BECKWITH in a few
words, secc
of thanks, which,
having been put, wai
measly.
The CEssamaw returned thanks.
secMrerta.
affairs has
a vote of thanks i
manager, and said : The w
ductedbeen in a manner wl
of gratitude, and merits
merita our most cordial t
And I can only aay that, if Mr. Cleland co
duct the affairs
of this society in the ws
under the auspices of such an influential t
obtained I
am sure that nothing can prey
attaining a future success—a success rut
and aim at. (Cheers.Pstsz)a had great pleasit
h a motion ' • and
The camax
, previous to putting tl
testimony to
We Shout., be
Mr. Cleland's valuable sere
orer
the
et: departing from justice if
nirable judgment which our manager has
the affairs of the society. (He
' 11111swe.—___