The Express.
London, England, 1865-01-28 00:00:00

iMe Orpreo..

TO 001.1.IMPONDlefin.
deerthententa Intaudint for "Tb lemeen" London Remains
!:, must be at the Men foaverte-eireet, Two
'lrk on the dey of pablieselem

NU If AIISTY'S.
MI STEM% !LUST. Mora 11 Pabst H. tar.
Mascara . Shaidases iitos. rad CotiorelL
Cooductor. Anita—And iSB ON AND TIM UNICOILN.
—The last Morales Performs's this day.

lIATLIAZEILT.
THtS IV TIT DAVID OAKRICK —LORD DUKDRRART
OLULKIRD AgD DONE VOL. Illarra
NOM, Gordon: Was Lacmien. -PRINCIM snitharims.
Sr. Onspice.—And A LIDS IN TIC DARK_

STROZONS.
Tttr Ivismok TEI AMCM HORNE AND Mt ICI lAIDIN
nuNcelB.--..4 THISTIJINTS 01 LONDON. Nesora.
J. W. Nay, O. nail. D. M J. Nolo& U. Forrester, and
H. ; N. Manion. M ss!Waal sad Gwynn*.

LITIIIIII.
TEL. Ivraira. OitANDPATHRK WHITEHEAD —Mr.
10AD-BIDE INN. Moon Yids's. finrsarsa.
Widdlcomb, 7tupalrkk Clanks. [synced . Mao Ellsworth'.
—And BIA24ACED IMPOSTOR& Mr. Wddloosib.

samurNlA.
Mu MOM LITTLZ BURT Big or, the Old lady of
Threadotedlowtroat Moadainaa Io.Loma W. Cranford. L
Jacob.: Mr. G. Millwood. llan-rsto Paaloinladata —Lad TUX
MulIK-1311111 Or ILONDON.—Onsmono• K half-past I.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE
TEO DAT Mastiog, IL ibm.....Alkomees. lk. Goal
ao-RoAlioN Morahl., 0/. //0.....A11ar5005. OA nal.

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 28.

MK. Exuarr, the magistrate at Lambeth
Police-court, has been investigating the ways of
one of those popular societies for receiving the
provident investments of the labouring dames,
the usefulness and independence of which, it was
feared, would be prejudiced by Mr, GLADSTONZ's
plan of Government life insurance. The English
Life Assurance and Advance Company was first
brought under the magistrate's notice by a poor
woman named Jacimatr, the widow of a railway
porter, who had been paying 17a. 4d. a•year to
this company on a policy of insurance. The
moneys of policy holders in the English Assurance
Company are collected in small instalments by
perambulating agents making frequent visits, and
Mrs. JACKMAN'S complaint was that, having been
waited on in due course only a week before by the
company's collector, to whom she showed the
corpse of her husband, at the same time making
her claim, she bad beard no more of him, and was
unable to find the company at 18, Cheapside, the
address with which she had been furnished.
Mr. Eumerr upon thisstatement ordered an officer
of hiscourt to make inquiries. Mrs. JACKMAN'S story
having been published in the newspapers, the ma-
gistrate was waited on next day by Mr. TOMPKINS,
chief clerk under Mr. TIDO Pain, in the Friendly
Societies Registration Office, who told hint that
last April the case of an insurer in this same
company, in which a similar eifficalty had arisen,
bad been brought under the notice of that office,
and that on communicating with Admiral Sir H.
Lexxx, Dr. PALFREY, and Dr. CHRIMPHIR
MUTH, whose names appeared in the prospectus
of the English Ageratums Company, they one and
all disavowed connection with it, two of them
declaring that until then they had never heard of
it. Simultaneously with the report of these disclo-
sures we received a letter from Mr. HORTON, the
secretary of the company, whose " attention had
" been called " to the report in our paper, asking
na, "in justice to the company," to state (1.) That
" the directors had had no notice of the death"--e
point which they must settle with their agent, who
had both received it and seen the dead man.

(2 and 3.) That the company was established in
January, 1884, and the policy on which Mrs.
JACKMAN claimed was dated February, 1864—im-
plying that the widow's statement that she had
subscribed for three years was false, the fact
being that the same persons had pre-
viously been carrying on the General Provident
Company and the Confident and Provident Com-
pany. (4.) That the company's offices were re-
moved last September to Little Britain, that the
change was duly registered, and that notice of the
fact was given to all the agents—this, again,
being a question for the company to settle with
its agents, the appointed means of communication
with its policy-holders, and one not affecting Mrs.
JACKMAN'S complaint. (5.) That the agent ought
to have done a number of things which he omitted
to do, in order to the payment of the widow's claim.
This letter, which we published immediately on
its receipt, is an admirable specimen of the com-
plaints of injured innocence, clearly showing that
the company, and not Mrs. JACKMAN, have been
wronged. On the same day that this letter was
addressed to us, Mr. Hosvow, the seeretaryorroto
another to the widow, stating that " his attention
"had been called" to the reports in the newspapers
relative to her claim—" a claim," it was called,
although her policy was recorded in their books,
and their agent had seen the body of Mrs. JAM.
males husband—and that if she filled up certain

hem whisk were forwarded to her, --
a should be laid before the board
u Marsh meeting." So that for the paltry
sum due to her, not much more than
enough to bury her husband. for which pur-
poses she required it, she was to wait two
months. On Thsuedeilest the directors of this Own.
pony thought it expedient to attempt some further
explanation of their proceeding*, and accordingly
Mr. Berfaa RIGS; the barrister, appeared for
them et the Lunbeth Court. It should be stated
Iled as • preliminary they prudently mottled with
Ms. JACKMAN. Mr. RUMS easured the magis-
trate that the company was regularly oonsfituted,
every prescription of the Joint Stook Companies
Act having been strictly complied with. The
business, moreover, bad been conducted with " per
feet honesty and perfect propriety." Mrs. J•c•-
marr's statement, which had &awn from the ma-
gistrate some strong expressions of suspicion, was
to be set aside as ex-parte. The fact was, she had
dealt with an agent of the company who had
neglected his duty. As to the removal from
Queen-street to Little Britain, the directors had
actually left a clerk behind in the old oftioe foe a
full month. Moreover, the name of the secretary
and the name and address of the company occurred
twice in the Directory, and if Mrs. JACKMAN had
been unable to find them, her inability must be im-
puted to negligence. Upon this point the magistrate
observed that he bad himself referred to the list
of assurance companies in the Directory without
being able to find this one, although, after Little Bri-
tain had been mentioned, he found the oompsny'e
name in connexion with the house from which the
secretary dated his letters. At the request of the
magistrate a list of the directors was banded in.
One of them appeared to be • clerk to a solicitor
—a very responsible position, but, as the magi-
strate observed, one not usually found in resessexion
with the duty of &reefing public companies.
Another director, whose address is given "London-
" house, Mile-end-road, boot manufacturer," wee
visited by Mr. lavirro, a newavendor of Mile-end-
road, who thus describes his visit to that gentle-
man :
I went to the shop of Mr. Gilding, ens of the directors"
who is represented se • boot assaufastarsr, sad farad it was
only half • shop. He was worlds' on • shomosk.es seat,
with • leather apron es. (laeghter.)
Mr. Elliott—l don't think that be is the most fit and
Few person to represses this company.
Mr. Irving—lt is a mall donble-froakid shop ;on one
aide • talkies shop, and on the other • cigar shop, and in
this beck room, wiserel went, them weft two or three men
at work, and Mr. Gilding was also sitting there with •
leather apros on.
We need not follow the inquiry any further.
Mrs. JACKMAN has been paid—how and under
what circumstances we have seen. The secretary
and directors have offered their explanations, and
the public, we fancy, have been enlightened. We
ars quite of Mr. Zurorr's opinion—that the in-
vestigation which has been held will prove of great
public benefit, and also that it is a fortunate thing
that Parliament was induced last session to peas
an Act which enables persona in humble circum-
stances to obtain the security of the State for their
savings, instead of being left to trust to such com-
panies as these.

ttbe <Spun.

°MERE. JAL 27.

The Queen took en airing yesterday morning,
mad pia is lb. diorama, sccompsaldd by the Priory d
Weiss and Primer Belem.

Sir Jamie Elpitinstone, M.P., bad as interview with the
Right Has. Edward Cardwell at the Ooloaial-offioe on
Thursday.
/Aroma ad Viscometer Pahaerstos Wt Cambridge-
losses yesterday for Breekethell, Beds.

Viscount Palmerston hu it! lied cards of invi-
tatioa far a full.dress parliamentary dinner at °embalm-
Mass, ow the 6th proximo, lo the Right Hon. the Speaker
of the House of Commons, the " mover" sod "seeooder"
of the address, sad a large party of noblemen and gentle.
men convected with the administratioo is the lower house
of parliament.—Enrl Granville, the Lord President of the
Council, has tread cards of invitation for a fall-drom parlia-
mentary banquet at lie how is Bruton-strest, oe the 6th of
the issuing month, to a party of 40 supporters of the go-
vernment al the lieu. of Peers.
' • •

-----
The Duke of Rutland his been entertaining a

lam party of visitors during the week at &grow Castle,
to meet their Royal Highness's. the Duke sad Duchess
d'Aunsale, and &acing parties have taken pros each night.
Amens the °Dressy present were the Earl and Counter
of Wilton, Lord Lyous, Lord and Lady Jolla Manners.
Lord and Lady George Manors, Mr. and Lady E. Dram.
mood, Mr. and Hoe. Mrs. Well*, Mr. and Lady Adaliza
NOMAD' Sir Edwin Landmer, Sir J. Metall'. Mrs. Ashley
Maude and Mies Mande. Mr. Drumnsood, Mr. and Mrs.
Lisa* and Miss Usti*, ke. . - .

The Marquis of Hastings, Lord Methuen, Major-
General aad Rea. Mrs. Stuart, and Hos. Colonel and Mrs.
Berkeley have left the St. Georges Hotel.
The Earl of Derby is expected to arrive at his
residence in St. James's-square on Monday or Friday
mat for the season. In all probability the COWAN@ will
tennis at Knowsley for a few weeks after the noble earl's
arrival in London. His lordship. as leader of the wastrel'-
.

tire party in the House of Lords, will entertain a numer-
ens circle of his political friends at dinner on the eve of the
opeaiag of the parliamentary session.
Lady Emily Peel is gradually regaining health
sad strength, and in all probsbility will be able to take
exercise in a week or two.
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh has arrived at
the Clarendon Hotel from Paris.
The will of Algernon Frederick Greville, Esq.,
of Huntingdon. was proved in the Loudon oourt. on the
20th inst., by the executors, Arthur Charles Greville, Esq.,
the eon, and Miss Georgina Karla Overalls, the daughter,
between whom the testator has bequeathed the whole of
his property, real and personal, is equal proportions, with
the exception of the furniture, he., which he has left to his
daughter absolutely ; and there is a legacy of 500/, to a
servant who has been in the family forty years. His two
married daughters—viz., Frances Harriett. wife of the
Duke of Mehl:toad, and Augusta Mazy, wife of George
Montagu Warren Peacocke, Esq., M.P.—received their par-
ticiple on marriage, The personalty was sworn under 40,0001.
The testator died ors the 17th. ult.
_ . - .

The Bishop of London held a confirmation yes-
terday at the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea, which in-
stitution is perhaps more popularly known as the Duke of
York's School. The event, being one of annual recurrenos,
ie attendant on the departure from the school of those boys
who have completed the fourteenth year of their age ; and
there were eighty of these who yesterday knelt before the
connannion-rail to receive the laying-on of hands.

UPI Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has
gives 100 guineas in aid of the Licensed Victuallers'
Food. At the large and influential pthering of the
friends of the institution which took place at Hadley's
Hotel, Biaokfriais, on Tuesday, for the purpose of devising
plans fora great and united effort on the part of the trade
at large to raise the additional capital requisite to plats the
asylum on a footing which shall reader it aware against
every contingency, a sum of upwards of 1,000 guineas wee
contributed, and steps were taken fora widespread appeal
to the friends of the charity during the chairmanship of Hr.
Golding.
Tors Nww FINANCI MINISTER OF INDIA. We
have authority to state that Hr. Hares, M.P. for Salford,
end Chairman of Committees in the House of Commons,
will sowed Sir Charts. Trevelyan w Finance Minister of
Indi►. Sir Charles is eonspelled by the state of his health
to return to Zsglasd.—Tires.
BOARD OP TRANI, WIIFFENALL, JAN. 26. —The
Bight Hoeourable the Lords of the Homesick,' ei Privy
°wain for Trade haw remised, from the Secretary of
ebbe far Foreign Affairs, an amended regulation relative to
trade with the Souther, States. which has been mind
from her Majesty's Cbargi d'Affaires at Washington, and
which is published is last sight's Gasette.

(rxons's msowl.)
AMICBICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE ETNA.
The Inman steamship Etna, from New York on
the 14th, arrived at Queenstown at 10.15 a.m. to-
day. She brings 185,400 dohs. in specie, and 185
passengers. She landed 28 passengers, and pro-
ceeded for Liverpool at 11 a.m.

(Viten,*haves.)
NEW YORK. Jac. 14.
Advises from Savannah to the Bth inst. state
that stain in that city were quiet and un-
changed. Rumours were current that a ma-
jority of the inhabitants in the interior of Georgia
had declared in favour of the United States govern-
ment. Governor Brown was said to have disbanded
the State militia and to be heading the move-
ment. Serious conflicts between the loyal and
secession inhabitants were immineut. These rumours
require confirmation.
Gemmel Butler's official report on the Wilming-
ton expedition attributes its failure to a want of
promptness on the part of the fleet, and the refusal
of Admiral Porter to run his vessels into
Cape Fear River. He expresses his con-
viction which is shared by General Weitzel
—that nothing but butchery could follow au
assault. Butler says he was relieved because he
could not countenance such ac awful sacrifice of
life, knowing the fort to be impregnable.
The James River has suddenly overflown,
rushing through the bulkheads of the Dutch Gap
Canal.
Mr. Foote, of Mississippi, has been captured while
endeavouring to get within the Federal lines, and
was conveyed back to Richmond.
Deserters from General Lee's army assert that
some of his troops have lately been sent from Rich-
mond to confront Sherman.
General Rosser has captured Beverley, Western
Virginia, with the garrison.
Nothing definite has transpired relative to the
reported unofficial peace mission of Mr. Blair to

Richmond.
The Tallahassee is stated to be under arrest at
Berrauda.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK. Jas. 14.
Gold, 219. Exchange, 241. New York Central,
117 i ; sry, 84 ; Illinois Central, 1211 ; Six per
Cent. United States Bonds, 1881, registered, 112 i;
5-20 Bonds, 1091. Cotton, 110. Breadstsffs and
provisions irregular. Coffee quiet. Sugar steady.
Petroleum, refined, 93 (73 I. Freight nominal.
NEW YORK, JAN. 14, 110131ING.
The rumours of peace negotiations continue.
. .

Slavery has been abolished in Missouri.
The Federal Senate has pawed a resolution to
give twelvemonths' notice for the termination of
the reciprocity treaty with Canada.
A despatch from General Hood confirms the
news of the movement of General Thomas towards
Eastport, and the concentration of supplies there.
Hood is said to be fortifying and going into
winter quarters at Corinth. Hood's report of the
battle of Nashville states that he lost 60 guns. His
loss in killed and wounded was small.
Forrest if ooncentrating a large force at Paris,
Tennessee.
Paducah, Kentucky, is said to be threatened.
Rower's cavalry Lave captured Beverley, Western
Virginia, with the garrison, and afterwards re-

treated.
Grierson, during his raid from Memphis,
defeated the Confederates at Egypt, on the Mobile
and Ohio railroad, capturing 500 prisoners. He
also destroyed 30 miles of the Mississippi Central
Railroad below Granada.
The rumour of Price's death is czntradicted.
Fighting was rumoured to be progressing near
Mobile on the 31st.
General Butler, in his farewell order to the
army, says :—"I refused to uselessly sacrifice the
soldiers' lives, and I am relieved from the com-
mand. The wasted blood of my men doe' not
stain my garments. lam responsible to God and
the country for my actions."
Butler's report of the attack ou Fort Fisher was
published at the request of General Grant, who
endorses it, and says it was never contemplated
that Butler should accompany the expedition,
Weitzel having been specially named to com-
mand the expedition. He denies that he instructed
Butler's return after effecting • landing. His in-
structions contemplated no withdrawal or failure
after a landing was made. lie ascribes the failure
partly to the delay caused by the experiment of
exploding gunpowder iu the open air.
The Richmond Examiner calls for a convention
in Virginia to revise the military attairs of the
Confederacy, and transfer the supreme command
to Lee. The Enquirer opposes such a convention,
and recommends the government to enlarge Lee's
authority.
The Missouri Constitutional Convention has
adopted au ordinance for the immediate and unoon-
ditional abolition of slavery.
Mr. Fessenden has been elected as senator from
Maine.
The jury has failed to agree upon a verdict in
the Opdyke-Weed
The Moravian, China, and Edinburgh have
arrived out.

LATEST.

EXPR/10, 84.11TSDAY
361.4 biTEST INTELIAMNOL
at their