The Express.
London, England, 1865-04-03 00:00:00

PASSIONS FOR APRIL.

(From Le Polkt.)
As, in the winter, we found the Grecian style
revived in coffins@ and afterwards in rates ; we have now
to chronicle ,its reappearance in dresses. The body ala
Gyrates will be very much in favour, especially for young
ladies. We are assured that, even for at-home dregs dories the
day-time, low dramas will be much wors—of course, with
gnimpe and sleeves. However, si many ladies will not medbr
resign the pretty little vest's which have been so admired,
plain bodies will also be in vogue. They will be made low,
and covered with a nets of lam, of trills worked with
beads, or of embroidered muslin. These are charming
when made of lace, sad finished off with a lace sash tied
behind, and falling in wide ends upon the skirt. They are
destined, we believe, during the summer to replace the
(Merino, which, without contradiction, is lees elegant.
Already they are fashionable for evening, theatre, or
dinner dress. They will be made also lined with taffetas,
of a Dolour suitable to the pattern or trimming on the
dress ; and round the edge of the lining will be placed a
ruche of ribbon to match, over which will fall the border of
the lace. Under a vests in this style a chemiestte of imp
soek should be worn, held in at the waist by ••wide oeinture.
These do net exclude the square pelerine at present, and
perhaps the latter is rather more suitable for elderly ladies.
For morning-dress, tight sleeves are still in vogue. The
enemies of crinoline will yet have some time to wait before
their ideas trumph. Skirts are made with as much train
and as full as ever, and must have well-made crinolines to
give them an air of elegance. Bodies with bands are also
not yet prescribed, and the ceintures are much ornamented
either with beads or passementerie, fit.
As to outdoor costume, One thing we may positively aver,
that paktota, ices, will be very 'hart, excessively so for
morning dress, when they will be of the tame material as
the dress.
The inclemency of the weather has prevented any great
change in the materials employed for bonnets. Those for
the present month are, if possible, smaller than those worn
list month, and may be described as fandion on the top of
the head, with, is some oases, • fall of lace at the bask
but in most cases the whole of the back hair is left uses-
voted. However, we must confess that the present style I
almost universally becoming, sod the Marie Skirt /wader*
11 peculiarly becoming to a young face.

BRITISH AND CALIFORNIAN BANKING
CO4PANT (LIMITIRD).—(Tlus DAT.)

The first annual meeting of the shareholders was
held at 1 o'clock, at the London Tavern ; Mr. W. nem,
M.P., in the chair.
The report was as follows :
" The directors have the pimento to submit to the share-
holders the audited balance sheet of the bank to the 31st
December, 1864, showing at the credit of profit and loss
account the sum of 6,2411. 17a. 3d., from which the deduc-
tion of current expenses, amounted to 2,3621. 75.,
leaves an available balanos of 3,8691. 10a. 3d.
In the report addressed to the shareholders en the 12th
December lest. the directors gave en outline of their pm-
medlar up to that date. They bays now to state that the
branch in ,See Frames") commenced business in their own
premises under the assuagement of Mr. Hy.S. Bs .sock, at the
eud of November, 000sequently the accompanying accounts
only include the resulted &few weeks,operatioos
The paid-up capital of the bank cm the 31st December
amounted to 100,0001.. ones which time the first cell of
50,0001. has become doe, and has been well responded to.
The advice. from San Francisco respecting the develop-
ment of local and general business are satisfac-
tory, and the arrangements concluded with banks
and oommeraial firms of eminence, in the dare-
rent localities eosneeted with the trade of Oali-
fermis, promise to be of importance, and have already
begun to bear profitable results. The directors now declare
a dividend of is. per share, free of income tax, payable to
the proprietors, on and after the 10th of April, which will
absorb 3,0001., and leave 8691. 10s. 3d. to be carried for-
ward to the credit of profit end loss new account?'
The Cearaeao, in moving the adoption of the report and
accounts, observed that the undertaking was introduced to
the public by the Logsdon Financial Association, which was
to receive a stipulated sum for its services, sod to pay the
preliminary expenses if it did not 'noosed. The
taking did succeed, sad 6,0001. was paid, as previously
agreed, for the *melee' rendered. Meanwhile, the board
was recommended to form an alliance with an established
house at Sea Francisco, and steps were taken for that pur-
pose ; but on examination it was found that that firm wee
engaged in commercial as well aa banking transactions,
sod owing to this cause the scheme of a junction
was abandoned. It was pert of the arreogement con-
templated that one of the partners in the Californian firm
was to manage the busk but ultimately Mr. Henry
Badoock was sent out. All this involved ormaiderable
delay • in the commencement of operations arrange-
ments had been made with Hewn. Brows Brothers,of New
York, who are represented in this country by Mears. Brown
Shipley, and Co., and some of the Indian banks, and be had
no doubt that the undertaking would be worked profitably.
The board had no worse opinion of the concern now than
they had at the commencement. He then read letters
from the manager. including one dated Ja-
nuary in which he reported eatialactorily as to
the progress whieb was being made by the bank. In
conclusion he remarked, in proof of the coofidence of the
directors, that they held 15 per cent. of the shares.
A SHARLHOLDER referred to a report that the Loudon
Fit meal Association had bad 3,000 shares &noted to them,
and had rigged the market, selling at • high premium.
The CIILIRMAN denied that the directors bad had any-
thing to do with the sale of shares. He admitted, however,
that 3,0..0 shares were allotted to the emaciation in ques-
tion, and that they bad, as be believed, all been mold. The
allotment was part of the terms oo which the godertaking
was ()fought out, sod the board had no control over the
matter. At the present time the directors had no com-
munication with the London Financial Associstioe.
A SHARETIOLDIM sail perhaps that amounted for the
shares being et such a heevy discount. He wished the
aasocietioa would rig the market again. (Laughter.)
After some farther diseessioe the report was adopted,
and a dividend of 30. per share declared.