The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 'A, 1853.

Inot be worth 24 hours' purchase if he was to attempt
snything of use kind. (Applause.) Therefore, they have
their tastes, and we have ours. They do not understand
our tastes ;—I can vouch fur it, from being a good deal
among them, that they are very much puzzled fat our little
regard for this principle of equality which they attach !so
much importance to ; but they are discriminate, and they
say—We envy you your jealousy of personal liberty ; we
wish we had it ; we wish no man might have his personal
freedom infringed. But that is not our taste. We have a
passion for equality—you have a passion for personal liberty
—and we should be better if we perhaps interchange the
little and share our respective qualities. (Cheers.) Well, '
now, I say, let the English people be told exactly what is
the condition of French society. Let them understand,
when we are told the French are coming here to rob our
banks, that the French have had more silver in the Bank
at Paris than we have had of gold and silver in the vaults
of the Bank of England at the time that we were treating
them aspirates who were coming to rob our hank. Then
we talk of them coming to carry off the various commodi-
ties we have in this country. There are more silver forks
and spoons in France than in England, a
great deal. We know that if you go to a
roadside public house in France, you get a nap
kin and a silver fork ; and we know in all their
private families the clam of people who live in that
style are much more numerous than they are with us. A
spirit of equality keeps up a vast mass there who have not
similar tastes or aspirations here ; and therefore, when we
hear of the French coming to commit a piratical incursion
upon our shores, we are dealing with a people who would
not be bringing all their worldly wealth like the New Zea-
landers or the Malays, but with a people that in many re-
spects are considered hy the rest of ;he world more civi-
lised than ourselves. 'Vic rest of the world imitates their
dress, their language, their amusements, and not ours.
We are dealing with a people having more of portable
property in their country than they would find here.
(Applause.) Well then, I say, to tell us all that of a
pouple that have never molested us within the lifetime of
any living being ; on the contrary, who have a good
right to complain of a most aggressive attack upon their
shores on the part of our aristocracy sixty years ago
—I say, we aro placing ourselves in the light or an in-
solent impudent bully that goes about the streets holding up
both his fists and trying to invite peaceable men to attack
him. I hope, gentlemen, that we shall not separate until
we have organised a plan by which we can spread this in-
formation, and a good deal more, through the country, is
the interest of peace. Now, something hos been said about
the financial reformers. I cannot understand what a
financial reformer con be thinking of who expects ever to
get any reduction of government expenditure, or any
remission of those taxes which are pressing us in so many
places, unless he can hope to effect a reduction in our
warlike expenditure. Now, take in round numbers—l
won't trouble you with figurer, but take in roans numbers
our expenditure—say, eight and twenty millions go
annually to pay the interest of the debt incurred in pat
wan—l am sorry to say, aggressive wan; well, then, we
have about 21 or 25 millions more to pay. Out of that about
16 millions go for our present warlike expenditure. Well,
these invesionists tell us that cannot be reduced; and, if
the iutenst of the debt must be paid, which we all admit,
there you have 28 millions and 16 millions, which make
44 millions, that must not be touched. Then the finan-
cial reformers have left some five or six millions, which
is the whole expense of our civil government. It is not
an expensive government, really, for twenty-eight millions
of people. The civil government costs us six or eight mil-
lions. Why, then, if the financial reformers join in this
great cry for more warlike armaments, and give way to
tnis red herring drawn across our path in the shape of an
I invasion, then I think they ought to close their books and
retire from business, and no longer call themselves finan-
cial reformers. (Cheers.) Now, gentlemen, if you can
only destroy this wicked delusion that is spread about res-
peeting the conduct of France, and the intentions of France,
there is a very productive mine still to be worked in this
large amount of military and naval expenditure. I won't
promise you that it shall be quite as productive as the repeal
of the corn laws, and yet I really don't know but what, if you
would give me the amount which, by putting an end to this
wicked spirit of animosity which has grown up between France
and England—give me the amount which might be fairly
taken from oar warlike expenses, and let me deal with it in
the re adjustment of taxation, in the reduction of taxation,
I think I could se relieve industry by removing its trammels
in the shape of custom houses and excisemen, that I verily
believe I could give a new lease to trade, almost as profit-
able as that derived from the repeal of the corn laws.
(Cheers.) And if you tell me that this invasion cry is
founded in common sense and reason, that we must be pre-
pared with our present armaments, and then to increase
them, thee I should be guilty of the grossest imposture in the
world if I were to tell you that any appreciable diminution
could be made in the amount of our government expendi-
ture. You must, in that case, make up your mind to hear
it, and I advise these who advocate this expenditure to do
it without grinning, and without making wry faces at it.
I would not, if I believed what then people tell me ; I
would pay my taxes with right good will, and be very glad
indeed to pay my money for each security. Well, now, one
word upon the subject which is of most vital importance in
any agitation which may be renewed from this time. We
are going to make this revival, gentlemen • this is to be a
revival. (Loud cheers.) Now, you will all remember—l
am sore my friend, Mr. Sturge, will—in fact, he has said
as much to me this very day himself, and therefore I need
not appeal to him to confirm what I am going to say,—no
taunts ever thrown upon me, have ever, to this moment,
that I am aware of, led me to open m mouth to say that
I disavowed the principles upon which the Peace Society
'is founded, and that I don't profess to go the lengths
which the members of the Peace Society go. I have been
told, I oonfess candidly, by political friends as well as poli-
tical enemies, that I was doing myself a great deal of harm
by allowing it to be thought that I was opposed to all de-
fensive armament. My answer has been—lf anybody be-
lieves that of me, and chooses to make that a reproach to
me, I don't suppose that if I disabused them it would do
much good, for they would be sure to find something else,
Ito invent something else ; and besides, I said I have so
much respect for those gentlemen who belong to the
Peace Society, and see that they are doing se mach good,
that I don't feel disposed at all to say anything that should
appear, or be construed to imply anything like a slight or
disapproval of their conduct. But it is very well knows to
my friend, Mr.Sturge,and others with wheal have acted—
they have known very well that although I am as anxious
as they are to put an end to war at ones and for ever, and
see universal pesos, yet that I was not educated in the
principtes of the Society of Friends, and it is generally to
our education that we are indebted for our principles. And
I have sever avowed, I should be hypocriliell if I avowed,
that I entertained the opinion, that, if atteeked, if molested
in an unprovoked manner, I would set &hod myself from
such an act of ameseles. Nebedy, I preset" who wishes
to do me justice, ever deemed OM I would do so. But it
was not necessary, Isom I Mad everyone bullying and
crying, " We will rented the ei Waterloo—we will sing
' Role Britannia,' we was nmiad them of Trafalgar and
the Nile;"—it weasel nememsy I should join in reminding
them of that. Bat I Iwo bed my minion as well Sr the
great body of my emanynen, that an unprovoked attack
would find, I dare say, as resolute a resistance from me as
many of those who are now crying out is s panic, and
who, I suspect, would be very likely to ran away from the
enemy. (Chan and laughter.) Now, 'nehmen, the
Pesos Society has just m tolerant views towards tae as I
have towards them. The Peace Society has never at-
tempted le mere, me into their pensiples of non-redstances.
I nest sey I have never found themiziatteicsr= to make a
pemelyte of me. They r what my
' dew are on the trail put an end to war if
I am, but wall Is as i4mlke if I can prevent it.
New, it is Weeded from this dot that we shall Wimp the
amps of this inevament. Mimi bear.) We have met this
end we have had a ateelbs whisk he asmiadsd
liallesrL end cid time at Ilmi Lope. (Chsess.) I have
soma at the very Must et this siltation asido•mieded tam
put down their assn foss ems of meszps tisk we were
to glad wind up with inour Wine after a five
years I have seen KIM. put to one name
this )--end M teprepased that there shall
be sot a new , bemuse Ile Tome Congress Associa-
tion formed the seamma iptsaadas NMI& all sum alight co-
operate. We de met propos to !mad any new society, but
we intend to 'Mead me opmatismi of that society which
was founded when we helps the Peace Coagrem which
visited the Contisent, and ales sat in London. We intend
that there shall be a name almadent supply of the sinews of
war plead in the heads at year committee by the addi-
tim of NM NW names in Maarkester and elm-
whom and me lap Its set at work not only a machinery
forgarfwiNis the emmily with printed papers for its in-
emneeles wi instrustiem but we hope to set four or
am leetaren to work ha visiting every borough in the
country, and see whether we cannot counteract the poison
' that is being infused into the minds of the people.
(Great cheering.) In conclusion, the hon. member
read a portion of a letter which had been received from
Mr. Ewart, who is now in Paris, arranging for the educa-
tion of his daughters, sad Mr. Ewart, after expressing his
' regret that he could not attend the conference, says :—" I
I have been some weeks in France, and I believe, from all I
have NM and heard, on the mat unquestionable au-
thority, that the feelings of the French people are decidedly
in favour of peace. Indeed, I believe the general feeling of
the French army to be decidedly peaceful. Nothing but
sone sudden impulse—the sense of some 'apposed injury—
would give to public opinion a different direction." This
opinion was received with much cheering.
Mr. Conner moved the third resolution.
Mr. BARCLAT Fox, of Falmouth, seconded the resolution,
saying, that it would be a great benefit to induce the go-
vernment in Francs to suspend the conscription, and the
English government to put a stop to the recruiting system ;
for the education of soldiers was not'only a very costly ope-
ration, but had a moat unchristian influence on the people.
Mr. Fox then related an interesting incident of the French
war, in which a merchant vessel, the owner of which was a
Quaker, residing at Neath, having been captured by a
cruiser, off the Land's End, the captain of the French ship,
surprised to find there were no arms on board the other,
because the owner conscientiously objected to fighting,
replied, " Keep your ship then ; I'll have nothing to do
with her ; adieu, asoieriewr,--bon voyage I" This instance
of chivalrous generosity, Mr. Fox stated, had been narrated
to him only a few days ago, by Mr. Joseph Price, of Neath,
the owner of the vessel; who was so much impressed with
it, that in the following year, 1814 or 1815, he met a few
friends in the parlour of William Allen, In London, and
founded the " Peace Society." The master of the merchant
vessel was gamed Croke?, and the vessel was named the
Clifton Union, bound from Neath to Falmouth, with a
cargo of coals and machinery.
Mr. SaucaL BOWLIT moved the fourth resolution:—
"This conference, believing that the intervention, by
threatened or actual violence, of one country in the internal
politics of another, is a frequent cause of bitter and deso-
lating wars, maintains that the right of every state to regu-

lets its ow• Grain should be held absolute and inviolate."
He had hoped the day was pest when it was necessary to
sabres mei &preposition as this.
Mr. CASTS/. M.P. for Tavistoek, seconded the resolu-
tion; and, in so doing, nave • sketch of the warlike com-
munications between Prance arid England marls in the
earlier periods of our history, with a view to show their
worse than inutility. We had taken possession of and held
Minorca, Malta, and made other captures, and it was our
propensity to injure our neighbours, which made us afraid
that they were about to injure us. Re thought we ought
to keep away from our neighbours' fortresses. Ile
was to support the subject of note-intervention. It
would be well to consider what our intervention had
produced. Mr. Carter thee referred to a number of
fruitless instances of intervention on the part of Eng-
land. Ile thought, however, that there might be some
cases where we might intervene, by negotiation, it the
cause of humanity, such as in the unhappy affair in Tus-
cany. We might negotiate for the liberty of the slave, but
not :wort to the use of cannon ball. We should learn to
bear and forbear; no one would charge us with the want of
physical courage, but we lacked moral courage. We were
so accustomed to the language of war, that we used the
terms whoa speaking of peace. In order to carry on the
present movement, it was said that we required " the sinews
of war," but he hoped they would prove the sinews of peace.
They were going to invade the boroughs anti counties of
England, and thus " carry the war into the enemy's camp."
by means of lectures and tracts. That would he an invasion
which none would have cause to deprecate. lie begged to
second the motion. (Cheers.)
Several other speakers addressed the meeting.

FRIDAY MORNING.
The second day's business opened yesterday morninp at
the Corn Exchange, at 10 o'clock. There was a numerous
attend:awe.

The Rev. Dr. Devansox, Professor of Theology in the
Lancashire Independent College, Vice-Chairman of the
Conference, said that war was opposed to the authority of the
Gospel, to reason, Davidsontice, and humanity. This was the
first oecuslon, Dr. D observed, on which he had pre•
seated himself in a public assemble upon the peace ques-
tion; but he had watched the Peace Society with great in-
terest, in its moat efficient action during the put few years.
He did not trouble himself because they were as yet in a
minority, since their cai.se was good and true.
JAMES BELL, Esq , M.P. for Guildford, moved the fol-
lowing resolution " That the present system of governing
India and the colonies of this country having a direct ten-
dency to foster a military spirit, to encourage an
.extrova-
gant military expenditure, ani to involve the nation in a
constant suceessi in of dishonourable and cruel wars with
the native races, eminently unfavourable to the true pro-
greu of religion, civilisation, and commerce, this conference
is of opinion that the whole system ought to undergo a
speedy and thorough revisal." The pea» movement, he
said, had ndw got beyond that early stage in whi h it was
necessary to dilate on the horrors of war; these everyone
admitted, and the only thing to be done now was to endea-
your to put an end to them.
Mr. E. F. COLLINS seconded the resolution.
The Rev. Henry Richard, the Rev. Francis Tucker, of
MeneLester, and Mr. Richard Allen, of Dahlia, supported
the resolution, which was agreed».
Mr. JOSEPH Stratus, of Birmingham, said there was
little difference of opinion on the subject of the resulation
which he held in his hand, which was merely intended to
strengthen the hands of the committee, if it was found
suitable to hold a congress on the continent during the pre-
sent year. It was :—" That this conference would encou-
rage the Peace Congress committee to hold a at
some suitable time and place ot the continent of mope
during the present year."
The resolution was seconded by Mr. SWILL.
The Rev. J. BrIINIT spoke is support of the resolution,
and said the friends of peace would certainly have a con-
ference during this summer upon the continent, in the
midst of some one of those foreign nations of whom we
were so much afraid ; but it was not yet settled where they
should meet. The more we looted into the camp of our
»may, he wee sure, the more should we feel that we were
mistaken in thinking there was an enemy there. (Cheen.)
The resolution having been carried by acclamation; the
next resolution was moved by
Mr. Cm eaxxs ix —"That in the judgment of this con-
ference, the recent law passed for the enrolment of the militia
was unnecessary and impolitic ; and as its inevitable effects
will be to derange the habits andidemoralise the character
of a large portion of the community, to interfere with the
requirements of industry and labour, and to spread among
the people military tastes and habits, which cannot fail to
act perniciously on the nati.nsl character, the conference
recommends that strenuous efforts should be made to pro-
cure its immediate repeal." In the course of his speech,
Mr. Gilpin stated, that at a meeting held at the Palatine
Hotel, on Thursday, it was decided that 10,0001. should
be raised for this agitation, and four gentlemen put down'
their names for 6001. a piece. One gentleman, this morn-
ing, had put down his name for 3001. ; two had promised
2601. each; five, 2001. ; seven 501.; and two, 251.
Mr. CHARLES HINDLEY, et.P., said it appeared to him
that the worst feature of the present state of the peace
question was the apathy of ministers of the gospel on the
subject. Believing that the people of every country were
safe who would pat their trust in Providence, he decried
all means of defence, and he rested on the simple belief of
the Bible, that the real Christian was not even to defend him-
self by arms, but that he must trust in the omnipotence of God.
They had watched with great interest the career—he might
say, without exaggeration—the glorious career of their
friend, Mr. Cobden, but never had he watched it with
mere interest and more anxiety than he had done within
the last three months. They knew the changes which had
taken place in the government of this country. The ques-
tion had been asked, " Will Cobden be in the cabinet ?
will Cobden be in the government ?" We found him not
there, and if he is not there, his (Mr. Hindley's) firm and
decided opinion was that he had joined and patronised the
"humbug "of the Peace Society. This occasion was a
test of the simplicity and sincerity of their friend Mr. Cob-
den, which had raised him far higher in his estimation
than if he had been sitting this day a member of the cabi-
net. (Loud cheering )
Several other gentlemen supported the resolution, which
was unanimously passed.
The Steewriarr read the following extracts from a letter
received from Mr. Joseph Price, of Heath, one of the
founders of the Peace Society :—I am not disposed to in•
dulge prejudice against the elect of the French; but a way
opens to place our principles in favour of peace before has
view. He will not fail to observe the proceedings at Man-
chester; and I think it desirable that any public speaking
should not raise hostility in his or his subjects' m»ds. I
me never forget the feet, that during the last French war,
and before I called attention to the formation of the Peace
Society, in the 6th month, 1814, in Plough-court, with dear
William Allen's concurrence—a French privateer captured
a sloop of mine, the Clifton Union, off the Land's End,
laden with iron and coal; and on my captain (George
Croker) telling the captain the Teasel belonged to a
" Quaker," who was principled against war, and forbid his
aiming a gun, he at once returned him his papers and the
sloop, and bid bins go on his way."
Mr. °SOROS THowesox, of Bristol, moved " That this
conference recommends that a deputation be now appointed
to wait upon the Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen, her
Majesty's prime minister, to represent to his lordship the
sentiments of this congress, on the subject of the great mili-
tary establishments of Europe, and to present to his lord.
ship an address.
Mr. THOYASSON. of Belton, seconded the resolution, and
The meeting concluded about three o'clock.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST

RAILWAY.

RESIGNATION OP THE CHAIRMAN.
The fourteenth ordinary meeting of the proprietors
was held yesterday, at the Bridge-house Hotel, Southwark;
Yr. 8. Lama, 11. P., in the chair. The report, which has
already appeared in the Express, wee coissidered as read.
The Cnairistax, in moving its adoptioa, said the results
of the year 1852 were fully before the meeting, and they
were on the whole of a chequered complexion. On the one
hand, it was very satisfactory to au that the diminution of
traffic, as oompared with the Great Exhibition year, had
been so trifling. The falling off in the receipt. was only
about 3,400/, which was lees than the loss occasioned at
Hastings; and there was every p
_respect of the present rate
of traffic being not only maintained but increased. At that
moment the traffic was going on very satisfactorily in every
department. That was the favourable side of things. On
the other hand, it had no doubt been a source of great dis-
appointment to many proprietors that, with a traffic so
nearly equal to that of '6l, they had net been able to
maintain the same rate of dividend. The reasons of that
obviously lay In the increased expenditure ; the principal
causes of the increase being the increased amount of re-
newals in keeping up the stock and maintaining the road,
and tbe large amount which they had unluckily been coo*
pelled to pay in compensations. Under the last head they
had had to pay during the lest half-year no lees than
8,06 W., which, with 4,3601. in the previous half-year, made
a total for 1852 of 12,4201. He used the term " unluckily"
advisedly. These compensations had their origin in acci-
dents—that at Ford-bridge and that to the express train
near Reigate ; and the cause was in each case a neglect of
positive regulations. While he was oa the subject of com-
pensations he wished to correct a misrepresentation of the
view expressed by him at the last half-yearly meeting. He
was reported to have said that it was a pure question of
money, whether they should spend so much money in pie-
cautions or so much in paying compensations for accident.
God forbid that he, or anybody who had anything to do
with railway management, should ever take that view of
the matter. The very thing which he objected to in the
present law, was that it measured the compensation, not by
the degree of moral culpability attaching to parties, but
simply and solely by the pecuniary circumstances of the
person who suffered from the accident. (Cheers.) The
consequenses of accidents as regarded the companies might
be divided into two portions—punishment for negligence or
misconduct, and insurance against accident. As regarded
the former, the law did not bring it home sufficiently to the
proper parties. Signal-men who occasioned accident very
often escaped with inadequate punishment, and many who
were to blame escaped altogether. For his own part, he
would be very willing to take the share of responsibility
which might rest upon himself as a director. If, for ex-
ample, it could be shown that he had appointed improper
persons through favouritism, or endeavoured to gain
popularity by faits economy, and that an acci-
dent had resulted from such misconduct, he thought
be ought to be held personally responsible. (Hear, hear.)
But then he must have a fair trial, and he would not be
content with juries composed of gentlemen who wrote let-
ters to the daily papers. As regarded insurance against
accidents which no precautions could entirely prevent, it

certainly appeared to him somewhat anomalous to apply to
railway compass= • different law from that which was ap-
plied to steam-boat companies. Take the case, for example,
of the destruction of the Amason, which there could be no
doubt arose from negligence or want ofjudgment on the
part of some servants of the company to which she be-
longed. That seemed very analogous to the case of a rail-
way company which had dune its best to make proper regu-
lations ; yet who ever heard of • steam-boat company's
having to pay compensation in such a case ? Surely, if
10e. Bd. were a reasonable and sufficient fare for the
Brighton Company to charge in the case of a widow lady
of small property, and whose life would be covered by 5001..
it would not be an adequate charge for the Lord Chancellor or
the Archbishop of Canterbury in the same train, with an in-
surance of 190,0001. against all casualties by the way.
However, he saw little hope of amendment in this respect ;
and, as they were liable to these extraordinary charges in
reduction of their dividend, they must face the thing man-
fully. The only way in which they could meet them was
by straining every nerve to prevent accident—(hear, hear)
—and, as he honestly believed that they tied done their
best hitherto with that viewt alt be could say was that for
the future they must try and do more than their best. The
accidents to which he had referred accounted, to • consider-
able extent, for the falling off in the dividend.
A SHAREHuLDER asked to what extent the compensa-
tions affected the dividend ?
The CHAIRMAN said they had caused a reduction of
about a quarter per cent. for the year 1842. The other item
of additieual expenditure wen the extra amount for renewals.
I This increase was no surprise to him, for he had predicted an
increase in 1849. It would be a great mistake to shut thee.-
eyes to the fact, that as their stock and line became older, a
larger amount mu-t from time to time be required for re-
newals; and as the price of materials of every description
connected with railways had risen very much, and as the
emigration to Australia was beginning to affect the rate of
wages, on the whole they must look forward to an addi-
tioual expenditure. As yet they had not &It all this to the
fullest extent. Oa referring to the estimate which he made
in 1849, he found that he set down the expenditure at
230,0001.; whereas the actual expenditure in the last year
was only 239,0001., including the extra payments which
he had mentioned. Looking at the alteration in prices
which had taken place since 1849, he was astonished to
find his estimate so little below the mark. After making
some further explanation, the chairman went on to
say, that before he sat down, there was one per-
Iona! topic to which he would refer. They all recollected
the circumstances under which he =tuned the post of ma-
naging director of that company in 1843. At that pe-
riod railway property was suffering under great depres-
sion, and very close and anxious attention was ne-
cessary on the rut of every body who incurred the
respuusiblity of management. He undertook to
give that attention, and they undertook to pay
him a corresponding salary. Circumstances bed conside-
rably changed since that period. The Brighton proprietors
might now fairly congratulate themselves that the period
of gloom and depression had passed away ; moreover, confi-
dence in railway property and railway accounts generally
was fully restored; and there were many in that room who
understood such matters quite as well as he did. He
thought, therefore, that close and minute superintendeace
was not so necessary as it was at a former period. Be that
as it might, however, he found that it was impossible for
him, as an individual, to afford such close superintendence
any longer. He had other engagements. He had but a
limited amount of strength, and could not do everything at
once; and finding that he could not give them so much of
his time as he, and probably they also, reckoned upon when
he undertook the office of manager, he thought it only
honest and straightforward to tell them so, and to
resign into their hands the office, together with the salary
which accompanied it. 'fhe only question was whether he
should continue • director, and that point was very much
in the hands of his brother directors and proprietors.
Having now no pecuniary interest in the managing direc-
torship, he might declare his belief that, on the whole, that
was the best system of management ; and if they could
find a suitable man who would be able to give them his
whole time, he would recommend them to secure his ser-
vices and to pay him handsomely ; and be thought the best
mode of payment would be by • per centage on the divi-
dend, so as to attach him to their service. However, as he
was not aware of any such arrangement being in progress,
as he understood it to be the wish of his colleagues that be
should remain, and as perhaps an abrupt resignation might
prejudice the line with the public, and if it were the with of
the proprietors, be should for the present continue in his
post of chairman. (Cheers.) It ontld net be without great
reluctance that he should ever break up his connexion with
the Brighton Company ; for he viewed. it with affection, u
in some sense his child ; and if he could in any way con-
duce to its prosperity he would be most happy to continue.
(Cheers.) It would 'be for the meeting to deal with the
mode of paying the directors in future. At present, 1,6001.
was paid to the managing director, and 8001. to the ordi-
r cry directors ; making a total of 2,3001. The 1,6901.
would be saved by his resignation, and it would be for the
proprietors to say what rum they thought right for the di-
rection. He concluded by moving the adoption of the
report.
A SHAREHOLDER expressed his belief that the East Grin-
stead line could never pay, as there were only 3,800 in-
habitants, giving employment to 2 coaches per day.
Mr. Ilanersru said there were only 700 males in the
place ; and as the working expenses could not be less than
5001. per mile, or 3,5001. for the 7 miles; 6,5001., or 81. per
head, must be taken before there would be one penny for
the company.
Mr. MAUDSLIY complained of the increase in the ex-
peuditure connected with the Crystal Palace; and observed
that it should have been a condition in the agreement with
the promoters of the East Grinstead and Bognor branches
that they should receive ne interest till alter the working
expenses had been cleared. He also inquired whether
persona who travelled on the line to the Crystal Palace paid
the regular fares ?
Mr. JOSIAH Witness( moved as an amendment that the
report be adopted, except so much as referred to the pro-
posed lease of the East Grinstead and Bognor branch..,
which the shareholders believed to be undesirable.
The amendment having been seconded,
Admiral KELLY said he knew the district of But Grin-
lets= well, and was convinced that the population was much
I larger than had been stated. It should be remembered
that there was • line projected from Tunbridge Wells to
Lewes and that the carrying out of that project would
abstract • considerable portion of their traffic.
Mr. BELL supported the original motion.
Mr. Alderman Wri.som believed that branches had been
the ruin of almost all tie rest railway companies in the
kingdom. Much as he regretted the chairman's ratgns-
tine, he regretted still more that he should have left them
the legacy of re-opening the capital account. He had for-
merly prided himself on closing it at 7,200,0001., and he
now asked them to sanction an addition of 400,0001. Let
them stick to what they had got.
The Citerinteit thought that if the worthy alderman's
views were right, his retirement was rather a subject of
congratulation than of regret. They differed from him,how-
I ever, trio cob as the question of policy. The directors
had not proposed the East Grinstead branch without pre-
vious investigation. They sent their traffic manager, Mr.
Hawkins, to make • personal investigation, and they now
believed the district to be very similar to the Horsham one,
whore the bran* laid 6 pee cent. With regard to the
Crystal Palses pmesigers, he begged te my that Sir Joseph
Paulen did tend kee ; cad CM ream was that the
&lOUs Gempawy bsd weeded to a proposal made by the
other greet esupniec that in consideration of his great ear-
vißls to the fa eeuaexion with the Exhibition, that
gentles= lIIMIUM presented with • free pass.
The a--_- was that pat, when the numbers were
47 for it, and SS egiinst ft.
The original remind= 11118 carried ; a dividend declared
at the rate ressmiammled in the report ; and the retiring
directors and emdften ro-elected.

Oa the snake of Mr. Storey, 1.8001. wu fixed sethe
&Bowsaw lathe directors, the division being left to them-
selves. _ _

--I TO* et thanks was given to the chairman, and the pro-
ceedings tenainated.

SPORTING.

LATEST BETTING AT
DUDA"

Since our last, betting on the Spring Handicaps has
been very limited. The only horses in force to-day are
Oscar, Miss Mowbray, and Half-and-Half for Om Grand
National, Trifle for the Chester Cup, and West Australian
and Pharos for the Derby. Closing price :
GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLE CHASE, LIVER-
L.
_ _ _

9to 1 apt Oscar (t)
10 to 1 Miss Mowbray (t)
11 to 1 Half-and-Half
25 to 1 Yorkshireman t
33 to 1 Maurice Daly t
100 to 40 Oscar, Miss Mowbray and Half-
and-Half (t)
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
9to 1 apt Contentment (t)
22 to 1 Redmond O'Haolon (t)
30 to 1 Snowdon Dunhill (t)
600 to 30 Galvanism and Lampedo (t)
NEWMARKET HANDICAP.
16 to 1 apt Tavistock (c)
CHESTER CUP.
20 to 1 apt Lady Evelyn (offered)
25 to 1 Scarecrow (offered)
30 to 1 Trifle (t)
30 to 1 Constantine (t)
40 to 1 Mountain Deer (t)
40 to 1 Friday (t)
60 to 1 St. Michael (t)
2000 to 30 Augur (t)
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES.
9 to 2 apt West Australian (t)
6to 1 Sittingbourne (offered)
DERBY.
11 to 1 apt West Australian
16 to 1 Pharos (t)
16 to 1 Cineas (t)
800 to 10 Sittingbourne winning the 2,000
Os. and Umbricl the Derby.
800 to 10 Sittiogbourne winning the 2,000
Gs. and Pharos the Derby.

OUNDLE STEEPLECHASE—FRIDAY.
HANDICAP of 15 son. each, 10 ft, and only 2 if declared,
with 100 added. Four miles.
Mr. Goldby's Ploughboy, 12st 21b (Twiddy) 1
Mr. Rigging's Forest Lad, 10st 121 b
Mr. Mason's Trust-me-not, list 41b
Mr. Meson's Proceed, 11rt Sib
Mr. Laing's Johnnie Barrie, list 81b