The Express.
London, England, 1849-08-17 00:00:00

REVIVAL OF THE ROMAN LNQUISITION.

We are indebted for the early communication of
the following article, which appears in the Christian
Times of this day, to the attention of the editor.
Our readers will recollect the ace mut of the
extraordinary disclosures, the result of an examina-
tion of the buildings of the Inquisition, which were
published in the Express some time ago.
Dr. Giacinto Achilli has been arrested in Rune, and
thrown into the Inquisition. A'. 11 o'clthk p.m., on Mon-
day, the 30th July, three men in plain clothes took him into
custody in the hone' where he was staying. They stated
that they did to by order of the French prefect. Th- y had
no paper of authorisation whatever. In other words. Dr.
Achilli has been imprisoned, without any warrant, in the
name of the representative of the French republic. The
government of the city of Rome was, in point of fact, at
that time in the hands of the authorities appointel by Lien.
Oudinot.
There is reason, however, to believe that the name of the
French prefect has been fraudulently used by authority of
the Cardinal Patrizi, Vicar-General of Rome, who had just
returned to the city, but who apparently possessed no legal
power at the time.
Dr. Achilli has been cast into one of the secret dun-
geons of the Illy Office. Our rt adore are aware that in
these same dungeons the bones and other remains of former
victims were brought to light in the beginning of 1849.
The following's an extract from a confidential letter from
Dr. Achill', dated July 12th After referring to the amount
of the French forces in Rome, he ad 'a, " I shall take ad-
vantage of these circumstances not to move from my post.
I have never mixed myself up in political affairs, much leas
shall Ido so now. My mission is too innocent to cause me
any fear till the return of the Pope." Dr. Achilli placed
full confidence in the honour and loyalty of the French
authorities, to protect equally catholica and protestants, so
long as the administration rested with them.
Dr. Giacinto Achilli is a protes'ant of above five years'
standing. Formerly " Vicar of the Master of the Holy
Palace," under Gregory XVI , professor of theology and
professor of moral philosophy at the College of the Minerva,
he subsequent'y became a protestant, and is well known,
both in England and many other parts of Europe, as one
who, from conscientious motives, hail quitted the Roman
catholic church. He exercised the right which the de facto
constitution of Rome gave him to take up his residence
there, and to labour in the dissemination of the Holy Scrip-
tures, and in the propagation of his principles among those
who were disposed to hear him.
We understand that steps are being taken to bring the
political question before the proper department of the
French government. The name of the French Republic
has been used to re-open the diabolical tribunals of the
Holy Office; an eminent protestant theologian has been
thrust into en inner dungeon, in the name of France.
It cannot be that France—that M. de Tomneville, the pane-
gyrist of American libqty—that Louis Napoleon, the re.
presentative of universarsuffrage—can suffer such an atro-
city to pass unnoticed and unpunished! We shall see.

REPRV.ENTATION OF WEST SURREY.—Last even-
ing a meeting of protectionists was held at the White Hart,
Guildford, with a view to the nomination of a fit person to
stand on that interest. T. S. Thurlow, Esq., presided. It
will be remembered that as soon u the death of Mr. Denison,
the late member, was announced, Mr. Thurlow wee requested
to become a candidate, but private reasons compelled him to
decline. At the meeting last evening it was unanimously
resolved that a requisition should be immediately forwarded
to Felix Ssdbroke, E.g., of Headley Hone, Epsom, to allow
himaelt to be put in nomiration. Mr. J. Ivatt Briscoe, the
liberal candidate, still continues his canvas with the most
encouraging promisee of success.
THE HOUSE OF LORDS.—Scaffoldings have been
erected sines the prorogation of parliament, to enable the
artists to complete the frescoes in the new House of Lords.
Preparations are also being made to put in the additional
painted window : and conaiderable progress has been made
in executing the Irmo's in the Victoria Gallery.
VISIT OF THE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY TO DEVON-
PO/XT..... On Monday a Board of Admiralty, consisting of Sir
Francis Baring, Bart , M.P., Rear Admiral J. W. D. Dun-
dee, M.P., Capt. Lord John Hay, Capt. Alexander Milne,
Capt. Sir B. W. Walker, R.N., Capt. Eden, Captaia Ellice,
Col. Irvine, HE., and Mr. Parker. arrived at Devooport,
for the purpose of inipecting the Dockyard. On Wednesday
the First Lord of the Admiralty held a levee, which was
attended by numerous officers and persons of distinction.
During the levee, Lord John Hay inspected the steam re-
serve squadron, and the officers and seamen of the ordinary
were mustered on board the Agincourt. Their lordships are
expected to remain until to-morrow.
PROCLAMATION OF OUTLAWRY.—At the Sheriff's
Court yesterday Mr. Hemp, the bailiff, called upon the fol-
lowing permits to surrender, or be severally outlawed :
William lisskam, at the suit of Edward Renaley; J. Sal-
mon, at two suits of John Lewis ; G. 0. Young, at the snit
of 0. Roberta ; Edward Thomas Hatfield, at the
suit of Frederick J. Francis ; Marmadake Hart Hart, at the
suit of Thomas Sharpus; the Dne de Harold, at the snit of
Robert Stott; George Robinson, at the suit of Richard B.
Lucas; Henry Pratt Barlow, at the suit of Henry Charles
Catania; J. Salmon and another, at the suit of William
Dean; James Wallis Pycroft, at the snit of R. Thomp-
son and others; Fairfax W. Cartwright, at the suit
of Henry Richardson ; R. Martindale Clerk, at the
suit of John Pooh; H. D. Campbell, at the suit of
Charles Humphreys ; John Henniker, at the suit of H. M.
Fanc; James Alexander Thomas, at the snit of Thomas
Haward ; F. C. Cope, at the suit of Charles Sanderson and
others; F. Whitworth Sykes, at the suit of John Watt;
Peter Rainford Rieby, at the snit of Mary Emmox;
Bolls Colborne Lee, at the suit of John Cole ; John
Bush, at the suit of Geo. Smith; Henry Whittaker, at
the suit of Bernardo Goldshede ; Septimus Hodges, at the
suit of Alice Hodges; Arthur Lake Johnston, at the suit
of South Mora; Joseph Williams, at the suit of Josh.
Mayhew and others; W. Faulkner Walker, at the suit of
J. Normansel, and another; Windsor Henesge, at the suit
of Richard Kit kmsn Lane; William Henry Holmes, at the
suit of the same : Ed. H. Willis, at the snit of the same;
Sir William Mce4 v Stanley, at the suit of, Joseph Knight
and another; C. 2. Greene, at the snit of Henry Paley
Hind ; R. Clifton, a t the suit of Edward Brennan ; and
James Barr Mitchell, at the suit of Leonardo Rotator.
BOOKSELLERS' PROVIDENT INSTITUTION.—Yeater-
day a meeting of the bolted of directors and members of this
institution was held at thei committee room, in Paternoster-
row. The report made by the dire tern for the past year
was highly satisfactory. The invested capital, by the
additions made during that period, now amounts to
17,8.531. 10s. 10d. Relief during the twelve mouths to sick
and distressed members (seven of whom were permanent
~,
annuitants) had been granted to the amount of 30.34 to,
making a total amount exceeding 1,6001. The donations
and subscriptions amounted to 5911. 18s. 6d.; the dividends
to 660/. 13s. 11d. ; the expenditure (including 7601. 1.115.11 d.
invested) lett • balance of 621. 17e. 2d.

RAILWAY MEETINGS.

GREAT WESTERN.
The 28th hilt-yearly general meeting of this Com-
pany was held yesterday at the terminus, at Bristol, Cues.
Resew., Esq., in the chair.
Toe CHAIRMAN said the first step necessary to be
done is to obtain your permission to the dazing the seal to
the register of the share list of the Berko and Hurts Exten-
sion, and the branch to Windsor. I therefore name that the
corporate seal of the company be affixed to the two registers.
Mr. JACKSON wished to put a question as to the pre-
ference shares of the S auth Waters. (" Haar," and con-
fusion.) The legality of those shares had been denied by
Mr. Saunden. Were they to be understood as legal or not ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that the legality of such
shares must depend upon the act of parliament under which
they were created. In this particular cue they were legal.
(Oh, oh.)
Mr. JACKSON complained that the money of the share-
holders had been misappropriated by Mr. C. Stevens, the
solicitor, to the extent of 45,0001., and yet the chairman
said the transaction was legal. (" Oh, oh," and " Hear.")
That, however, was a gelation for the proprietors. (Hear.)
He must ask, Wore Reline further, whether Mr. Stevens,
who had appropriated 45,0001. of the Great Western money
to other purposes than those for which It was paid, had given
approved security real or personal, and if personal, what ?
(Cries of " Oh, oe,' and coufusion.)
The CHAIRMAN.—If it be the desire of the hon pro.
prietor that I should go into questions of that sort at the
opening of the meeting, and the proprietors generally are
content that obs'acles of this n due shall be placed in the
way of our proceedings, lam prepared to do so. (Cries of
" No," and " Hear, hear.") It is true that lilt Stevens did
receive 45,0001. or thereabouts of the company's money for
the purpose of paying for the purchase of land aid
other purposes to which he did not apply it, but as coon as
the directors became acquainted with that circumstance,
they took every step to place the company in • position of
security against loss. (Hear.) In the first instance, a very
large sum of money was due to Mr. Stevens in his capacity
of solicitor to the company tor couveyancing. (Cheers.)
A PROPRIETOR—But who are the securities 1 (" Hear,"
and much confusion.)
The CHAIR?&AN— Am I to be permitted to give the
explanation without this unseemly interruption or not?
(Leud cheers.) Let my statement be beard, and then let
the hon. proprietor make any observations he may please.
(Cheers.) The sum we owe to Mr. Stevens for conveyanc-
ing, when we get the accounts, will we believe be found to be an
offset against the money he hat misappropriated. (Cheers.)
Besides this, Mr. Stevens is in possession of landed prop-rty
in Peckham, and of shares on which the company have
taken every security that it could take, and we have also
made an arrangement with the firm in which Mr. Steveas
wee &partner, under which considerable sums in future will
be saved to us. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. JACKSON asked whether Mr. Saunders, the secre-
tary, was not one of Mr. Stevens's securities?
Mr. SAUNDERS —I may, perhaps, be allowed to say,
that with respect to Mr. Charles Stevens, 1 am neither secu-
rity for, nor have I anything in the world to do with, him.
(Hear.) I have been your servant for 16 years, and in
spite of all the malign ant attacks made upon me for mouths
put, have pursued that conduct which I thought it
manly and proper to take with respect to the South Devon
Railway, and with respect to which I have been attacked
constantly more or lea in the manner which the ho-
nourable proprietor ha 4 alluded to. If it shall be
thought by the proprietors that I am nn longer deserving
of their confidence—(Cries of " No, no ")—if they shall
;Link that the land. rtaking and their interests generally
will be better conducted if confided to another
executive than myself —(No, no)—I am prepared to
say boldly that I will retire at once from your
service. But I cannot consider it consistent with my cha-
racter that I should continue to be the senior executive
officer of this company if I am to be marked by any want
of confidence, and if I am to be attacked in the manner
in which I have been latterly attacked.
Mr. JACKSON, amid much confusion, endeavoured to
make some remarks, but all his attempts to obtsia a hear-
ing were ineffectual. Silence having been in some degree
restored.
The CHAIRMAN mid—lt is not my intention to occupy
your time for any length upon the subject which has just
been discussed. I do not think that Mr. Saunders's pecuniary
arrangements with the South Devon Company are subjects
for discussion at this meeting. (Cheers.) I am, however, ex-
tremely happy to say, that the differences which did subsist
between those putties have been arranged. (Cheers.) Whe-
ther they were or were not arranged, however, was no mat-
ter of concern, so far as pecuniel y questions were involved,
to the shareholders of the Great Western Ittilway Company.
(Cheers.) It is, however, a qu.sti ,n of the deepest import-
ance to the directors of tee Great Western Railway whether
the character of Mr. Saunders fur honour and integrity bas
been at all affect. dby those transactions. (Cheers.) 1 rhMk
it right, therefore, to state to the proprietors that Mr. Sun-
ders did make the fullest statement that it was possible to
make of every fact connected with those transaction' to the
board of the Great Western company, when every director
of that company Will present, counting among them, I am
proud to say, gentlemen of as high sense of honour as any
that can be found in this country. (Cheers.) With this
statement I appeal to the proprietor" to tallow the baguet
to proceed without interrutatien
firm matters ealeb are
unquestionebly fonagn to the business of the day. (Loud
cheese.)
Mr. JACKSON moved an adjournment, in order that •
committee of investigation might be appointed.
The motion having been seconded, was put, but lo,t by •
large majority.
The CHAIRMAN then addressed the meeting as fol-
lows :—Gentlemen,—During the Mat six months, for which
we to-day present to you our report and our accounts, all
the railways of this country have been contending against
difficulties which have arisen from the premature and preci-
pitate extension of our railway system, and from what has
been justly coiled in the report of a committee emanating
from the House of Lords itself, " The resh and ill-con-
sidered legislation of 1845 and 1846." (Cheers.) As new
railways and new branches have been projected into dis-
tricts not yielding traffic sufficient to remunerate the capital
which has been expended upon them, a pressure has of neces-
sity fallen upon the revenues of the parent lines. The Great
Western Company has been subjected to double charges—
upon the one hand, we have opened new breaches
to Westbury and Basingstoke; and, upon the other
hand, the lease of the Bristol and Exeter Company has,
as you are aware, expired. It is extremely difficult,
therefore, under these double charges, to institute a f..ir
comparison between the traffic of the last six months and
that of the corresponding half year of 1848. But I have
endeavoured to effect this object by means of comparing
our mileage receipts. I think these are practical ques-
tions with which we have to deal; I will therefore give
you the result of that comparison. 1 finl that in the
four first months of 1348, viz., from the lat of January
to the 30th of April, we worked 279 miles of railway,
and our earnings fer that time were 297,1661., which
gives a rate of 621. 2s. 7d. per mile per week. During the
same period in the year 1849, from the lot of January to
30th of April, we were working 306 miles, and we earned
304,1951., giving us per mile per week 571. 19a. 4d., or about
41. less per mile per week. Tbas is the comparative state of
our traffic during the four first months of 1848 and 1849.
During the two months from the Ist of May to 30th June,
1848,we were working 279 miles; our earnings were 195,4701.,
giving us 801.75. lid. per mile per week. In the corresponding
period of the year 1849 we were working 229 miles, yielding
us 161,0441., or at the rate of 801. 14s. per mile. Now it fi
important to compare the earnings of the last two periods.
You will find that in those two months of 1848 we earned
per mile per week 801. 71. Ild., and that in the present year
we earned 801. 14s. Now, I think this cemparison a most
satisfactory one to the proprietors, for although we have
given up the Bristol and Exeter lice, passing as it does
through • rich country, and the traffic of which hrs been
developed for many years, and although we had opened in
substitution of that our branches to Westbury and Basing-
stoke, and although in the same time, be it remember:A,
the Sou' h-Western Company have opened their line to
Da:chet in the neighbourhuel of Windsor, [dill notwith.
standing all these circumstances during those two months
our traffic has maintained its former level, demon-
strating thereby that the traffic of the Great Western
itself must have considerably increased. (Cheers.) In
the report which we made to you in February
last, we told you that, after a careful examination, we
thought that we could effect retrenchments to the extent of
30,0001. per annum. The results of the past year have folly
justified our expectations. You will see by the re port,which
will be read to you to-day, that our expenditure during the
last half-year, as compared with the corresponding half-year
of 1848, shows • reduction of 29,4001., and upon the present
half-year, as compared with the last half-year, of 15,4001.
(Cheers) Not less important than the question of in-
ternal economy has been its necessity of promoting ecc-
nemy of capitol in the construction of the works of the
company. Notwithstanding these precautions, however,
preliminary expenses had been incurred and contracts
had been entered into in 1845.6, which it was im-
possible we could cancel. In the paper No. 3 of
the financial shitement which we laid before you in Novem-
ber last we gave you a list of the lines which bad been
conceded to us, and upon which works had not been
commenced. In the paper No. 4 we stated to you the
lines which were not yet in progress, being the Chelten-
ham and Cornwall lines. These lines may now be c
aidered as practically abandoned, and we have considered
it therefore right and consistent with sound policy that
the interest of the money which has been expended upon
those lines should be carried against the revenue of the
last half year, as you will see marked in the margin of the
accounts presented to you. Gentlemen, the attention of the
directors has been directed to the engagements with other
companies, with the view of rendering them as little onerous
as possible to the Great Wester'. With the London and
North-Western Company we have been in communication
with respect to the best arrangement that can be made
as respects our northern lines, the Oxford and Birmingham,
and the Birmingham, Northampton, and Dudley Railway
Companies. The object of that arrangement would
be to prevent all further hostility between those two
companies (cheers), and to economise as far as possible the
expenditure of capital upon unnecessary lines. A sugges-
tion has been made respecting our engagement with the
Wilts and Somerset Railway—that it would be desirable
to take that line entirely into our own control. (Cheers,
and cries of " No, no.") Our engagements with that
company partake more of the character of a partnership
than of • lease. By the arrangement which we propose
no additional liability whatever will be imposed upon
our own company, cur guarantee to the independent
subecriptiocs to that line will receive four p:r cent.,
as it is now, and not one shilling more of
la-
bility will be incurred by the arrangement. (Cheers.)
On the other hand we shall get teat lire into OUT
entire possession and control. We shall be enabled to carry