The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-02 00:00:00

THE • EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING

upon these occasions. (Renewed cheers.) If, like the
noble lord the Commander in-Chief, he (Mr. Dickens)
might venture to illustrate his brief thanks with one word
of reference to the noble picture painted by a very dear
friend of his, which was a IPtle eclipsed that evening by
that radiant and rubicund chair which the president now
so happily toned down—(laughter)—he would beg leave to
say that, as literature could nowhere be more appropriately
hoiriured than in that place, so he thought she could
nowhere feel a higher gratification in the ties that bound
her to the sister arts. (Cheers.) Re always felt in that
place that literature found, through their instrumentality,
always a new expression, and in • universal language.
(Cheers.)
Several other toasts followed, and the party broke up.

MAY 2, 1858.

the astonishing and, in its kind, quite novel power dis-
played in the landscape portion of the former pie-
tare, entitles it to the higher rank as a work of art.
No. 291 is by Sir Edwin Landseer. It is called
" Twins," and chiefly consists of a sheep with her two
new-born lambs, and two great dogs couched upon a
rock above them, and looking on in an affectionate and
protecting way. In this picture, as is frequently the
case with Sir Edwin's paintings, the attempted asso-
ciation of human feeling with animal subjects is
rather fanciful than really imaginative. It would
require a long dissertation to explain our meaning
fully, tut that meaning will manifest itself at once
to a sensitive mind, that will be at the trouble of
comparing this painting or tke well-known "Shep-
herd's Chief Mourner," of Landseer, with J. Wolf's
"Happy Mother" and " Mourner?' in both of which
a profound human sentiment is rendered compatible
with absolute reality of animal nature, as well in the
whole arrangement as in all the details.
No. 325, " An Affray in the Pyrenees with Contra-
bandists," is by Stanfield; it is rot, we think, up to
his usual mark, chiefly, perhaps, because the subject
is rather out of his usual way. 332, called " The
Way round the Park," is a very pleasing landscape
by Witherington. 333 is F. Stone's "Now I'll tell
you what well do,"—a small picture, bat one that is
destined to a large share of popularity. One girl,
as mischievous and pretty ,as could well be, is
haranguing three others, who are lying around her
in an open field or heath, and the theme of her speech
is manifestly enough some fun in the way of a
practical joke on unsuspecting acquaintances.
No. 340 is a very beautiful picture, by Redgrave,
called " The Lost Path." Two children have missed
their way in a wood, and are reposing their wearied
and thorn-pierced limbs,' with childish despair ad-
mirably depicted in their postures and countenances.
The landscape is charming. 346 is Mr. C. Collins's
beautiful little picture, to which we have already
directed especial notice. 349 seems to be a mania-
cent painting of an eagle, by J. Wolf; but it is hung
at so great an altitude that it is impossible to decide
properly upon its merits. 375, " The Happy Spring
Time," by Creswick, deserves peculiar attention, on
account of the peculiar time of spring which the
artist has undertaken to depict. It is exactly the
time of the year we have now reached, when all the
trees are budding but scarcely any in leaf. Mr.
Creswick shows his feeling for nature by his choice
of this time as the fairest of all. A less poetical
mind would have put "the happy" season on, a
month at least : but the time Mr. Creswick has
chosen is the very " prime " of the year, and he has
expressed it with his usual felicity.
We must postpone our notice of Nos. 396 and 512
—which are very elaborate paintings by E. M.
Ward—until we have had another look at them.
No. 415 is a representation, by D. Roberts, of " The
Inauguration by Queen Victoria of the Exhibition of
all Nations." It is as good as the subject would
allow of its being; and it will no doubt do as much
for Mr. Robert's popularity as his noble picture of
St. Stephen's, Vienna, will do for his fame. No.
437 is a masterly "Portrait of a Gentleman," by
Mrs. Emma Gaggiotti Richards, who has recently
displayed artistica' powers of an order seldom before
attained by a woman. There is a degree of ease,
vigour, and ideality in all that this lady does which
ought to obtain for her no ordinary rank among por-
! trait painters.
478 is a sacred piece by F. Stone, called "The
Master is come," and illustrating some well-known
words in St. John's Gospel. The two female faces
are full of expression, but we doubt if the expres-
sion is of the kind that the occasion was fitted to call
forth. The look of Mary is more that of a person
terrified at the report of some ghostly apparition,
than of one receiving the news of the arrival of the
beloved Jesus. Indeed, the face of Mary bears an
expression so different to what we imagine it would
be, under the eircamstances, that we cannot help
thinking that Mr. Stone, who is not apt to make
such mistakes, must have had some intention which
has not made itself apparent to us in the superficial
examination of a first view.
No. 480, "The Monarch Oak," by M. Anthony,
strikes us first by its enormous size and elaboration.
This picture covers an expanse of wall considerably
larger than an average-sized suburban garden. We
cannot say that we have discovered in it an interest
and artistic value sufficient to repay the enormous
amount of labour and high artistic skill that has been
expended upon it. If, on a second sight, we alter
of it, we will say so in due course.

PARIS TO STRASBURO RAILWAY.

The general meeting of the shareholden of this
company took place on Thursday, in Hers's Great Room,
Count de Begat in the chair. There were 249 shareholders
present, representing 3,600 shares.
The report stated that the promises made in the report of
the preceding year had been more than realised. On
June 16 trains had commenced running from Paris to Pot-
bask, and on 12th August following from Paris to the Prus-
sian frontier, without any break or Interruption. It was
only by great exertions that this could be effected, and
when once the whole line was opened a difficulty presented
Bolt', which, although tending to the ultimate advantage
of the undertaking, was for the moment • soiree of annoy-
ance. This was the sudden and unexpected augmentation
of the passengers and goods traffic to such an extent that
I the company was forced, notwithstanding the amount
el working stock which it had provided in anti-
ligation of that opening, to refuse a certain amount
Of the business which was offered. The consequence
was that it was found necessary to make an additional corn-
meml et 100 locomotives, 100 tenders, 36 passengers' car-
risges, and 1,818 goods waggons, the expense of which was,
in round numbers, 13 millions. There was no intention of
providing for that expense at present, se the company could
meet it during the current year ; but next year the general
fasting would have to decide whether it might not be ad-
visable to provide for it either by a loan, or by creating a
Ifservii fund from a certain sum kept back from the divi-
dend of each year. The various rods yard', stations, and
sheds on the principal line maybe considered as terminated,
with the exception of the terminal station of Nancy. The
plans for that building were at present under the conside-
ration of the Ponts-et-Chaussies. The Strasburg terminus
was now in course of construction, and was advancing
rapidly. On the 17th of November last the Prus-
sian and Bavarian lines were united with that of
Ifitresburg, and the latter was placed in direct communi-
cation with ffianheim and the coal districts of Prussia.
The branch line to Rheims, which the company was
bound to have terminated in March next, would be opened
tithe public in November. As to the branch line frees
*eh to Thionville, there was every reason to hope that 111
mold be opened to the public at the end of 1863, that leo
We years earlier than the conditions of the contract ro
=Hitherto the working of the coal basin of Saar..
and the manufacture of coke had been kept in the
boils of the Prussian administration of mines, but by esi
at lately entered into with the Prussian &tithed
iliti=eempany lied obtained permission to make coke es
its eves &sealant at the coal pits. The second line of rads
was be be laid down on the whole of the principal line by
the end of the present :year. The report then enters
into a very minute account of the results of the working,
and obeys how general has been the augmentation of
WMe in wax kind of receipts. The gross receipts for the
year analog March 31, 1853, amount to 17,795,5141. 68e.,
boa which must be deducted for the passengers' tax of
as-tenth, subventions, he., 962,3651. 46c., leaving a re- I
faiader of 16,833,1491. 12c. From that sum there being
,sensed, first, the expenses of the working, amounting to
6,04,771 f. 38c., and secondly the balance of the interest
paid during the construction, namely 1,086,553 f. 75e., in
all 8,210,126 f. 13c., there was a surplus of receipts of
8,623,0231.99 e. From that sum must be deducted, first,
for the reterve fund to meet unforeseen expenses, and
which cannot be less than 6 per cent. on the nett receipts, or
433,8841.99 c., and next, interest paid to the shareholders
fee 1852, or 4,926,0001., making In all 6,358,884 f. 99c.,
leaving • disposable sum of 3,264,1391., which
would give a dividend of 13f. per share. That
swat bd&g added to 20f. already paid as interest gave
▪ tseddiv4iend of 33f. per share, or 63.6 per cent. on the
espied paid up. Had not the obligation existed to complete
the reimbursement of the sum of 15,182,5001. paid in in-
terest to the shareholders during the construction of the
line, there would have been distributed 1,885,5531. addi-
tional, which would have given within a shade of 40f. per
share for the year 18,52. It was to be remarked, in addi-
tion, that, during the last three months of the year which
has just concluded, the receipts had amounted, to an ave-
rage of 51,981 f. 4c. per day. Such an amount at the very
commencement of the working of the main line in condi-
tions by no means of a favourable character seemed to de-
monstrate that the returns of the line would be eves greater
dosig. the present year. Should the dividend be approved
IMO& WAWA at the office of the company on and after
Ilia bier Kay. (Load applause.)
Henan, in the name of the committee of accounts,
read a report stating that he and his colleagues had visited
the line In every part, and that they could only express
their approbation of all they had seen.
A vote of thanks was passed to the committee of accounts,
and the members composing it were requested to continue
their functions (which are gratuitous) for another year.
Some conversation then ensued relative to the manner in
which the last bonds issued hy the board had been allotted
to the shareholders, but the chairman having shown that
the shareholders had received nearly all of them, only a few
hundreds not having been claimed, and which were after-
i.rdm allot,el amongst the employes of the eimpany with a
view to giving them an additional interest in the welfare of
the company, the matter dropped.
The accounts were then approved of, and the dividend of
13f. per share agreed to.
The puerlings Una termitattd.

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN
RAILWAY.

A special general meeting of the proprietors was
held on Saturday, at the Huston station. The chair was
taken by General ANSON, M.P., chairman of the board.
Alter the reading of the notice convening the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, when I last had the
pleasure of addressing you from this chair I announced to
you that it was the intention of the Zirectors to call a spe-
cial general meeting at an early period, for the purpose of
submitting to the proprietors the expediency of prosecuting
those bills before parliament which were named to you in
the half-yearly report, and of aikiog for your sanction to
the further prosecution of them, provided the directors,
after due consideration, should think it desirable to do so.
Now, gentlemen, the reason for adopting this unusual
course was, that a committee of the House of Commons had
Mss appointed to inquire into the propriety of allowing
them large amalgamations proposed by some of the leading
=ins in this kingdom. On that occasion I ventured
it as my opinion that it would not be possible to
imam the inquiry to the simple questions of amalgama-
tions and agreements. I felt that it could not be limited to
the present proposals—that it must be extended as well to
the past as to the future course of legislation, with respect
to railways generally. The system in operation, of which
we had had ample experience, had proved so injurious to
railway companies, and so incompatible with the cones-
alums and proper accommodation of the public, that
I did not think it likely that • committee of
the House of Commons, composed of able and
clear-headed men, would be contented with pursuing
an investigation simply into the amalgamations for which
the sanction of parliament was asked, principally for the
purpose of rendering agreements more binding upon those
who had entered into them, agreements which could be
virtually and practically carried out even if the House of
Commons should refuse to give them its sanction. It was
quite evident to me, that if they wished to pursue the in-
quiry into the question of legislation generally, if they
wished to grapple with the question effectually, much time
must be consumed in the investigation. I was in hopes,
therefore, that all the bills connected with this subject
would be deferred. But in this I have been disappointed.
I do not think there was anything unreason-
able, or that any injustice to any interest in this
country would have resulted from the delay. It was
my strong wish, and I expressed it as my opinion to the
committee, that not only the amalgamation bills, but every
bill before parliament, should be deferred for this session.
I was extremely anxious that this course should be pursued.
But the committee chose to decide otherwise ; they have
come to • conclusion in which, with all due respect for their
judgment, I cannotconcur ; they have decided that all the
amalgarnatioa bills, and the bills involving agreements be-
tween different existing companies shall bepostponed,and that
all bills connected with new oempanies,what I may call new
projects and individual interests, shall be allowed to pro-
ceed. The effect of this decision is to deprive us of the
power of obtaining acts which we really thought and believed
would be most conducive to our interest, and advantageous
to the public. The committee have given us no option
as to our tutors course of policy ; they have left us exactly
in the position in which we were when parliament first un-
dertook to revise the system of which we disapproved, and
they have left us no option but to proceed with all our
bills, respecting which it is useless to disguise—and I do
not wish to disraise—from you, that some wore projected
with a view to protect our interests from the invasion and
the inroads of hostile companies.—A resolution in terms ,of
the report having been moved and seoonded—
Mr. UPCROPT desired to call attention to a few recta.
The proprietors would remember that powers were ob-
tained in 1846 and 1847 by this company to make thirteen
new lines and branches, and involving a very great ex-
penditure, and that all these thirteen lines had been since
abandoned. Among them was the St. Albans and Wat-
ford line, which now made its appearance again. With
regard to creating new shares en additional capital it would
be remembered that in the report of August last it was
stated that the capital account of the company was closed,
and this statement was confirmed by the report of the
auditors. It seemed to him that the present proceedings
were premature and irregular, inasmuch as the railway
committee of the House of Commons had not yet made
their report, and this proceeding appeared to be taken for
the purpose of defeating that report when made. It would
be more respectful to the committee of the House of Com-
mons to adjourn the meeting until the report of that com-
mittee wss made, and he begged to move an amendment
for that purpose. •
Mr. Dtcx.Exsorr seconded the amendment.
Mr. Cixscu, M.P., said that if he could Concur with the
last speaker, that the House of Commons would pass
no railway bills this session, ho should congratulate
the chairman on the attainment of the wish he ex-
pressed on a former occasion—that all railway legislation
would be suspended for this session—that they might have
some breathing time, and that parliament would in the
meantime lay down some general principle on which all
future railwaylegislation should proceed. He however differed
with the hon. proprietor who last spoke in this respect. He
believed parliament would pass many railway bills this ses-
sion, and that therefore it was *sensory for this company,
for the protection of its own interests, to go before parlia-
ment with these bills. For should they not do so, and the
hoc. proprietor should be wrong in his anticipations, it
would be very cli2cult afterwards, should any of those
other rival schemes pus,to replace the company in the posi-
tion they would be in if they went to parliament this year.
(Hear.)
Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, and the
chairman made some explanations in reply to various objec-
tions.
A PROPRIZTOR wished to know whether, in case the
proprietors rejected the bills at the Wharncliffe meeting,
that would prevent the raising of the capital now proposed
to be raised ?
The CHAIRMAN—It would be early enough to prevent
further calls. A call of 21. 10s. would amount to 600,0001.
At the last meeting we sanctioned an outlay of capital to
the amount of 350,0001. No further calls will be made till
after the next half-yearly meeting. (Hear, hear.)
The Cnistawax then put the amendment, which was re-
jected by • large majority. (Loud and general cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, authoeisin the
raising of the capital, which was carried almost unani-
mously.
The Caramean—l am happy to say that this resolution
has been carried—l may almost say unanimously. (Hear.)
The Hon. Mr. BUTLER proposed • cordial vote of thanks
to the Chairman, which, having been seconded, was can ied
by acclamation ; and, after • brief acknowledgement from
the Chairman, the proceedings terminated.