The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-05 00:00:00

LECTURE BY MRS. CHISROLM.

A lecture was delivered yesterday evening, by
Mn. Chisholm, at the Mechanics' lort:tution, Greenwich,
on the subject of Australian emigration, more especially
with reference to the gold diggings. The audienze was
very numerous, and comprised a large proportion of
females.

After remarking that all she pretended to do was to give
honest and useful information, Mn. Chisholm proceeded to
say that the majority of those who came to her fur informa-
tion with regard to emigration were about 60 years of age,
and were probably led to do en by a dread of the work-
house. The emigration which was now going on, though
large, was of a trivial character compared with what might
be expected to take place during the present year. Many
of its features, too, were of a melancholy character, end at
became all who had any influence to endeavour to
mitigate the evils. Of the married men who were emi-
grating, at least 80 per cent., eke believed, were leaving
their wives and children in this country, in the hope that
they would bo able to remit money to pay for their
passage ; and whether emigration
_should become respect,
able or not, whether it eheuld become moral or not,
depended greatly on the means which such men had of
carrying mat their wishes. The last mail which arrived
brought money from her husband, who was in Melbourne,
and who had no clerk or other person to assist him, to
the amount of 2,374 e, composed entirely tf remit,
nieces front working men. One man sent 601. far
three sisters ; another 42!. for his two children ;
the balance, after paying for their passage, about 201., to be
given to the childrei.'s grandfather and grandmother for
their care of the children ; 1101. was sent by a young man
for his parents and all the family ; another sent 201. to
bring two brothers ; 1321. was sent by a young man who
was married and had a family, and who had been in the
colony two yean, to take his parents from America. After
mentioning several similar instancee, she oaserved that it
was thus proved that the English as well as the Irish were
willing to remit money to pay fur the passage of their re-
latives and friends, and all that they wanted now was a safe
and convenient mode of remittance. There was
now preparing for emigration • party of intending
gold diggers. According to advice, received from the
colonies, and principally in the letters of actual diggers, it
was far more desirable that young men should form parties
here, than that they should go to the colony sod Here
make • random selection of the first companions they could
find. It was desirable, too, that tiny should form rules for
their own guidance and management ; such as that they
would not work on Sunday, and that they would not allow
any drink to be consumed, except in the presence of
the whole party. The great of to secret drinking
amongst the gold diggers was not so much the expense, as
a fear lest parties should get drunk, and while in that state
tell where the gold was buried. (Laughter.) Thirty was
considered a very good number for a party ; and it was desi-
rable that it should include a medical man, whose principal
duty it would be to give advice for the preservation of
health rather than to cure any positive sickness. The
party should be provided with a good cart and with a tent;
or if the cart were of good size it would be better to have
two small tents than one large one. They should alas be
provided with six months' rations, that is six months' food,
and it would be cheapest and best to purchase the food in
London and have it all packed ready for the expedition.
Sho then gave a scale of dietary suitable for the expedition.
in addition to the food, the party were recommended to
take a small supply of medicine and a few comforts, such as
arrowroot, sago, and oatmeal. As they would sometimes
have to cross rivers without bridges, they should be pro-
vided with at least one belt for the use of these who could
not swim. A rope with a ring at one end and an iron
peg at the other, to be fastened to the stump of • tree or a
wheel of the cart, would be useful for the same purpose ;
and by the same means, small parcels might be transported.
The digging party of 40 who were, asshe had before stated,
prepanog to emigrate, would leans 117 persons in this
country destitute. Husbands were leaving their wives and
children, young men were leaving their sisters and aged
parents, and these were distributed over 28 parishes. There
was ne desertion in the ordinary sense—the object was the
benefit of all concerned. Still, there must be many diffi-
culties on both sides. The voyage of the diggers would
occupy perhaps four months, and under the most favour-
able circumstances five months must elapse before
they would be at work. Gold being a marketable article,
they might then assist their families at once if they could
only send it home through • post office order; but having
no such convenience, they must wait till they had accumu-
lated enough to make it worth their while to go to Mel-
bourne to sell it ; and before soy could reach England their
families might he on the parish. To her own knowledge
there were 11,000 husbands at the diggings already, and it
was (rightful to think what their families might endure.
She then remarked upon the advantages which would
accrue to the diggers and their relatives in Eng-
land from the extension of the post-Ain order system
to Australia. She strongly objected to the striding of )(Jung
girls to the colonies as charity girls. Of the first 1,0001.
advanced by the society with which she was connected 3121.
had been repaid. A lady who was present had requested
to be informed in what way she could best assist • family, ,
comprising seven children, the eldest being elcvtn and the
youngest three, to emigrate. She designed to give them a
passage, and asked what sum would be necessary to ensure
them something like comfort when they bad arrived. The
great difficulty in the case of large families occurred
on their arrival ; and under...the circumstances she would
recommend the lady to supply the family with three
months' provisions. This would be far better than giving
them money, and the expense of making this provision on
the scale of dietary wed on board emigrant ships would be
very trilling. She would advise parents who were sending
out their sons to give them very little money indeed ; a
small tent and a month's provision@ would be better than a
10/. note. She then spoke of the earnings of the colonists.
A servant girl who formerly lived with herself, and bad
then only 81. a year, now received M. • year. Family
washing could be done in a plain way at 36.• dozen. Every-
thing was in that case sent home in the rough. 12s. a dozen
was the price paid if the things were washed and ironed.
It did not answer in the colonies to examine the shirts
so closely as they were examined here, the laundresses
would not stand rt. (Laughter.) She held in her band
an advertisement to this effect—" Wanted at the diggings
a few men who thoroughly understand the making of Uer- '
man yeast." A fortune might be made by any one who
answered to that description. Ginger-beer makers were
much wanted ; and bakers, who must be provided with
portable ovens. She had received a very interesting order
for an iron schoolroom for the diggings, and had any-
thing given her greater pleasure. A schoolroom for little
children would tell on the moral character of the colonists,and
many might be led by it to perform their duty to those who
were left behind, as well as those who were there. On re-
turning to the colony, in August next, it was her intention
to take with her at least 600 respectable females. She was
already filling up her list; all would pay for their passage ;
and she was determined to do nothing to pauperise the cua-
racier of female emigrants. Five pounds was the sum
which she considered it necessary for every female to have
on arriving; and all she required was power to see the
money properly applied in each case until a situation had
been obtained. Ignerant women would not he so use-
ful as those who had some degree of educa-
tion ; and it was perfectly useless for any
one to go who was not prepared to make puddings and to
wash has own clothes. (Laughter and cheers.) She had
received information that evening to the effect that the co-
lony of New South Wales, approving of her plans, had
voted the sum of 10,0001. for the purpose of carrying out the
principle, of the Family Colonisation Society. She be-
lieved, however, that the adoption of the poet-office order
system would do more for emigration than 60,000!., and
that a larger sum of money would thus be brought to this
country than the colonists, however liberal, would be dis-
posed to grant. Mrs. Chisholm concluded by mentioning
several pleasing instances in which money advanced to assist
female in emigrating had been either wholly or in part
returned, including the cases of two girls, who, having
had very eligible offers of marriage, declared that they
would not marry till they were out of debt ; and f stating
that she would be happy to give advice to any one who
might call upon her at her residence in Salisbury-square,
Fleet-street, between eleven in the morning and two in the
afternoon. (Loud cheers.)
On the motion of Mr. Baas, the secretary of the institu-
tion, thanks were voted to Mn. Chisholm by acclamation
for her lecture.

DISTRESSED NEEDLEWOMEN'S HOME.—The ma-
nagers of this interesting institution, in their remind quar-
terly report, state the following circumstances, which, in
themselves, constitute a striking appeal to the sympathies
of the benevolent :—" In their last report it was announced
that there had been placed upon the bo, its 52 applicants
fur employmeat during the quarter. Since then 39 more
have applied, making the total 91, and the circumstances
in which most of them have been, through want of
employment, is truly of a distressing character—many of
them more distreuing than wumentioned in the last repo: t.
The managers would that it were in their power i. report
that they had been enabled to afford employment to the
whole of the 91 applicants; but it is with pleasure reported
that 48 have been employed, and some of them from the
very first of their applying ; and their earnings hare varied
fr tm Bs. to 10s. per week; none being paid leas than Is.
per day, even though they may not earn it, as is the case
with many who are aged and infirm, and suffering fr
b idily disease. To those who have been employed on
work sent to the Home' the sum of 401. 18,. 3d. has been
paid ; and, in addition to this, several have received other
sums from parties who have employed them at their own
houses through the recommendation of the institution. Out
of 91 applicants placed upon the betake, they have been able
to afford employment only to 48, and that not to all con-
stantly ; and, aswill be seen by the balance sheet, they are,
at the close of the quarter, indebted to the amount of
411. 81.28.; and regret t r add, have been unable to ht up the
premises they have taken, and which will accommodate 20
inmates, each to enjoy a separate furnished sleeping apart-
ment, with the use of the kitchen and workroom. They,
therefore, earnestly appeal to the kind and benevolent, to
help and assist them in carrying out this work and labsur
of love, that so they may be enabled to aff,rd that accom-
modation to 20 poor women instead of 4, which they have,
at present, been only enabled to receive, for which the insti-
tution is established, and which, as soon as possible, the
managers are desirous of accomplishing."

THE LINENDRAPERS, SILK 141ERCERS, LACE-
AND Romp,' INSTITVIION.—
Last night a law assemblage of the friend. of this society,
which has been established twenty-one years, took place at
the annual bill held at Wlllis'a-roorns in aid of the funds.
The list of stewards contained as usual the names of several
influential houses in the trades, and the ball was more
numerously attended than many of its predecessors.

RATING OF THE LONDON AND NORTH
WESTERN RAILWAY.

Yesterday a general meeting of the vestry of St.
Pancras was held in the vestryihall, Eing's-rul,'Camden-
town, for the purpose of hearing the appeal of the London
and North Western Railway Company against the witless-
meat mad. upon the company's property in the parish.
JAIME PARKER PIRRCR, Esq., in the chair.
Mr. &MOTHERS, front the firm of Meters. Swift and
Wagstaff; stated that he appeared to appeal against the
assessment of the property of the London and North Weal,
ern Railway Company situated in the parish of St. Pan-
cras. The present assessment was laid at 34,3311., wh
by the lam decision of the Court of Quarter Sessions of
Middlesex the amount was fixed at 16,0001. Mr W3gstaff
had no objection to the appeal being gone into that day, but
the understanding was that this case should stand over till
the special case came before the Court of Queen's Bench(
and his principal witness was subperaaed elsewhere, but it
the vestry declined to delay the hearing tilt another day,
he would at once go on with the business of the app‘ al.
Mr. E. W. Watkins, examined by Mr. Struthers, stated
that the gross earnings of the railway in the parish were
10,2291. The opening of the Great Northern and Birming-
ham and Oxford lines had greatly reduced the earn,ngs of
the hue in that parish; from the above sum was to be de-
ducted, for working and other expenses, 6,2_111, leaving
4,0181. His valuation of the Bruton station, cotnpris:rg the
land and building., was 5,2481. ; the Cam leu station he
estimated as 7,3161. The rateable valu., of the pro-
perty as laid down by Mr. Seijeant Adams
at the Quarter Session of September, 18.% was 12,7161.
The expenses of the line were calculated nt 3"1 per c...nt.
the gross receipts were estimated at two-and- :ihulf mil-
lions, and the expenditure at 1,300,0001. ; the amount of
capital invested in the whole railway during the Lit year
amounted to 26,000,000/. Ile could not say what the
receipts were at the Camden and Euston st iti ms ; he did
not believe the property would have been so valuable had the
company not fixed the terminus at Eust•n-square. In esti-
mating the value of the property he was guided by his own
judgment as to what the property would tot for, iv,t what
it had cost building. The portico at the Euston statlon had
cost 60,0001. ; its only valu" now was, beyond °enamel ,
merely nominal. He never knew a railway station to be
let except in one instance, that at Rugby, which coat
100,0001. in building, and let for I,eool.
Mr. J. G. liannixo, a vestryman, regretted that .1 gen-
tleman who appeared on behalf of the railway con-.,,any
shouid be ignorant of the rateable value of the pr ,perty
removed by the erection of the two stations in the f.t rich .
If this opulent company wee, permitted to go on tr. thus
manner it would be peep( tuuting agross rubbery ou VA: rest
, of the parish.
Mr. Warems contended that, while the coon any can
tribute(' 3,0001. antually towurds the rate., it caused no
increase in pauperism.
Mr. Churchwarden BILLET denied this assertion.
Mr. Joan KISSICE moved that the assessment of the
railway property at 34,3311. be confirmed.
Mr. J. CHAMP seconded the etiolation; which, after
some further discussion, was carried with one diesels:it ut.

UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL.
CAMBRIDGE, JAN. 4.—8. A. EXAMINATION, D 453.
—The examination of candidates for mathematical honours
commenced this day in the Si nate-house, and will be car-
ried on in accordance with the following plan : Tuesday,
Jan. 4: Euclid and Conics, Arithmetic, Algebra, and
Plane Trigonometry. Wednesday, Jan. 5: Statics and
Dynamics, Hydrostatics and Optics. Thursday, Jan. 6:
Newton and Astronomy ; problems in all the preceding
subjects. Monday, Jan. 17 : Natural Philosophy, pure
Mathematics. Tuesday, Jan. 18 : Easy Proldems, Natural
Philosophy. Wednesday, Jan. 19 : Problems, pure Mathe•
matics. Thursday, Jan. 20: Problems, pure Mathematics,
and Natural Philosophy. Friday, Jan. 21 : l'ure Mathe-
matics and Natural Philosophy. There are 179 candidates
for honours, and 188 for the ordinary degree. Supp:icate
for degrees, to be conferred at the ensuing B.A. commence-
ment, may be sent to the registrary on or before Saturday,
the 22nd instant; and the certificates, &c., on or before
Monday, the 24th instant.
DILCULLE or LL.D. By ROYAL MANDATE.—The ahoy.
degree has been conferred in convocation on Mr. Geldart,
Muter of Trinity-hall.
Humass Lecreusattir num.—The Rev. M. B.
Cowie, of St. John's College, bas been elected llulsean
lecturer for 1853. The Holman prize for the best English
dissertation has been adjudged to Mr. Wm. Jay Bohm, of
Caius College. Subject:—" The evidences of Citriatileity
as exhibited in the writings of its apologists down to Augus-
tine inclusively."
The subject for the prize for the next academ:cal year is,
"The position and history of the Christian bishops, and
especially of the Bishop of Rome, during the firt,t. three
centuries."

Rev. S. T. Preston, to Brandon Parra Rectory, Nor-
folk; on the presentation of Mrs. Mary Reynolds, of Great
Fransham, in the said county, widow.
Rev. Charles Pitman Shepherd, M.A., to the Mastership
of Sudbury Grammar School, Suffolk.

THE MILITIA.
(TROY LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE.)
The following commissions have been signed :
Lawrence Henry Peel, Esq.. to be captain, ice Severn,
resigned, in the Royal Radnor Militia.
Allen Duke, gait., to be surgeon, in the Roy.: Sussex
Light Infantry Iti Ailment of Militia.
Edward Horlock Mortimer, Esq., to be captain, vice
Livegrore, deceased, in the Queen's Own I •gi.aent of
Tower Hamlets Militia.
Benjamin Clarke, gent., to be assistant-surgeon, in the
King's Own Light Infantry Regiment of Militia.

NEW DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS.
•
PEMBILOKSIIIIIHE.
Henry Foley, Esq.
Canvass.
William Davenport Davenport, Esq. John al( n,
Egerton Leigh, jun., Esq , Thomu William T wen, E.q.,
Lee Percher Townshend, Eq., and William Jackson,
Esq., M.P.