The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-21 00:00:00

POSTAL

WITH MAURITIUS.

The following notice hie just bees issued:—Om
and from the let of March seat, the postage upon Mum
transmitted between the limier Meier sad Mauritius
may either be paid in adenine. es the harm may be for-
warded unpaid, at the optima at the sembie; this arrange.
mem, however, does not apply to die tatseuel colonial rate
of postage, which will invariably be willered in Mauritius,
at present.
All letters and newspapers be Mauritius are forwarded,
r a rule, via the Cape of Goal Map% by the pother leaving
Plymouth cc the 16th of each mirth, earpt writ as are
specially addressed to be sent by the °veered bilks Mail,
via Marseilles, or via
The following rateettdaskre ehresable is this
country on these Misr fee the pistils of which
is paid in *drams.
is the Coped 011811 :—Not exceed-
ing ounce, le.; areedieg I ewe% sod not exordia' 1
ounce, 2s. ; exceeding 1 wale, met rending 2 ounces,
4s. ; 'reeding 2 erree, and not ereeding 3 ounces, 65.,
and so on, according to the scale for chemise inked listen.
Via Mansilles:—Weisisias loader I Guar, ls. ICd. ;
weighingj sums, aid aft eassaillog sines, 2s. 3d. ; ex-
ceeding lwas, and wader I mos% ; weighing 1
rues, and set ezessilag seam, 4s. Oa. ; earediag
ousel, sad rider 11 arms, 7s. ft
Newsmen addressed to Marge as are free of charge
when seat by t, vie the Clispe. eta vie Southampton,
but are eh sgul is with • postage of id. sash when sent
vie

Mans 017• SO.—Some experiments were made
last week, at Northumberland Wharf, Strand, for the pur-
pose of testing the efficacy of an ingenious proem, invented
lay M. Pinel for deodorising the sewage manure accumu-
lated in the River Thames. Several gentlemen of distinc-
tion wen present, end amongst them the Bari of Essex,
Major Chambre, Mr. Robert Stephenson, M.P. Mr.
Edwin Clarke, engineer to the Electric Telegraph Com-
pany; Mr. Woolrych, secretary to the Metropolitan Com-
mission of Sewers, &c. Tie peons was explained by
Major Cbambre, who has (leveled a large portion of his
time to the maimpeteat oldie sedertskis& end the eas-
Ascents wets m
depodt fa reseased hurfactly sommosseal. The
plea pepsin* le divert the the Thames,
by MOM of pipes esasected withe sewers, into the
asershes sera sad math of the river, where manufactories
may be ceestresed In which the manure would be deodo-
rised, sad the pare water thee produced returned into the
Thames. The lattation presents the advantage of extreme
simplicity, and may be carried out at a comparatively small
espies. The results which mast follow from its appiica-
tioa would be of the greatest possible benefit to aping•
tare, whilst the inhabitants of the metropolis would no I
leapt have cause to complain of the deleterious quality of
the water which is supplied to them from the river. Up-
wards of 725.000 tons of solid matter is deposited in the
Thames every year, and, by the operation of M. Plael's
process, this substance may be supplied, in the shape of an
inodomus manure, at half the cost price of guano.
Ixorztlous FRAUD —The Tribunal of Correctional
Police we occupied yesterday with the trial of a man for
horse-stealing, but, from the circumstances which attended
it, the cue was reduced from what the law calls robbery to
abuse of confidence or swindling. A man aimed Vergnol
went in the evening of the 16th to a public -knee at the
Barriire d'ltalie on a wretched back, and ordered a supper
and bed. The next morning he begged tho innkeeper to
lead him his horse to make a trip to Vir.ejnif, as he said he
was anxiou to keep his own fresh for the market at which
he intended to sell it. The innkeeper readily complied,
and the man, instead of returning, sold the Innkeeper's
horse for 160 f. The hack he left in place was only worth
10f. He was subsequently arrested. In his defence he
pretended that he had got drunk, and that the horse had
been sold by mistake by the man to whom he had confided
it; but he could not explain in that ease how it happened
that he had not handed over the money to the innkeeper.
The tribunal condemned him to six mouths' imprisonment.

THE DARIEN CANAL.

The Atlantic and Pacific Junction Company, for
cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Damn with-
out locks, lust d on Saturday a condensed prospectus,
in which they summarise the chief points of interest
detailed in the first one, and more especially draw
attention to the objects proposed to be attained by
the 75,0001., which us the utmost sum that can at any
time be raised until the consent of a general meeting
of shareholders shall have formally sanctioned car-
rying out the actual construction of this great work.
It is provided that one month shall be allowed after
the general meeting for the scrip certificates to be
brought !n for registration, after which date all out-
standing scrip will be declared absolutely forfeited. The
promoters further state that" the outlay on the under-
taking being dependent on the mode of construction,
and the returns contingent on the outlay, and these
measures being the necessary subject of mature in-
vestigation and deliberation with the governments
interested in the undertaking, it would be premature
at the present moment to state more than that it is not
proposed to enter upon the execution of the work
until arrangements have been made to ensure a satis-
factory return for the capital expended." One
of the main objects of the company is to "make
such arrangements with the governments of Great
Britain and the United States, and other nations, as
are necessary to carry out the undertaking satisfac-
torily and profitably. It is urged by the promoters
that, considering that a 22 feet deep canal, or
thereabouts, would be amply sufficient to meet
the requirements of ordinary commerce, some
direct aid ought to be extended to the
undertaking by the govetaments of maritime na-
tions if the Canal Company, with a view to accom-
modating vessels of war, should go to a vastly in-
creased expenditure by cutting deeper. It is at the
same time urged that the advantages derivable by
the governments from a free passage through the
canal would be very great. For instance, it is
argued that, instead of Great Britain keeping a
squadron on the West India station, and another in
the Pacific, one squadron would be amply sufficient,
if the ship canal were made free to all nations. It is
obvious that when the project emerges from its em-
bryo state, these and many other features presented
by it will be invested with great interest. Mean-
while it is impossible not to perceive that
of the various projects for an inter-oceanic
communication that have from time to time been
brought forward this is the only one that presents
the distinguishing feature of the absence of lochs.
It may be safely asserted that no such cumbrous and
fearfully expensive contrivances will ever answer in
a work of this description. A ship canal, requiring
one or two score of locks, would be one of the most
ruinous undertakings a company could well engage
in, as, supposing they were constructed of timber,
the ravages of the shipworm would be such that the
structure would be in constant need of repairs; and
if formed of, or faced with, any other material, the
expense would be merely enormously enhanced,
whilst all the inherent defects of the work would be

preserved. The inevitable result would be that the
tieets constantly arriving at the termini of the canal
would be continually delayed by the necessity of re-
pairs, and the whole project—magnificent though it
b.l if well carried out—would sink into well-merited
contempt. If any canal be cut through the Isthmus,
it must be a deep-cutting canal, such as is prose ti
by the Darien route, the inefficiency of locks being
palpable.

APPLICATION OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
Public curiosity, which has been much stimulated
by repeated and partially successful experiments with the
electric light, is likely to be soon fully satisfied by seeing
that singularly beautiful and powerful application of voltaic
electricity brought into permanent and profitable operation.
It will be recollected that up to the present time two se-
rious obstacle% have &heals opposed themselves to the use of
this light as • means of illumination; one being the diffi-
culty of obtaining a steady and permanent light, the other
the great cost of the materiels employed In its g tion.
These two &Cattle, have been at length grappled with by
a young but already distinguished man of science (Dr.
Watson), who by • series of patient and highly philosophic
experiments has attained certain results, which, be has
sanguine hopes, will ultimately lead in the successful coin-
' snercial application of the light to various purposes.
The value of all these improvements was tested on
Saturday evening by an exhibition of their results
at the patentee's laboratory, at Wandsworth, to •
circle of both scientific and commercial potlemen. A
large apartment was steadily and beautifully illumiaated
by the light for several hours, and much interest was ex-
cited by the mode in which, at regular intervals, the re-
gulating operaticn of the magnets was brought to bear
upon the electrodes. The illuminating process was pro-
nounced to be completely satisfactory; producing, u it did,
a perfect and brilliant daylight. In another apartment the
chronritic products were exhibited, and were much com-
mended for their brilliancy and truth of tints, so that both
results—namely, the production of • steady and continuous
light, and a mittens exciting agent, may be said to be at-
tained ; previded that the debtor and creditor account
which the patentees exhibit will ultimately bear the test of
• rigorous commercial epplication.

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2.1. 1553,

RAILWAYS.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
The adjourned meeook place on Saturday at
the Loudon Tama; thee. F. Scorr presiding. The',
chairman announced that the malt of the poll on the
question whether the board should consist of 14 members,
es at present, or 13, and accordingly whether the 4 'scan- I elm existing at the board, or only 3 of them should be
filled tip to take which the meeting had been adjourned '
from Wednesday last, was—
For the full number of 14 13,566 Tote..
For the reduced number 19,642
Majority for 13 6,976
Proxies for the higher number 12,521
Persons present 1,045
Proxies fur the lower number
Giving, as he had said, a majority of nearly 6,000 persons
in favour of the number of 13.
It was then proposed to proceed to the fining up of the
three vacancies, which, alter considerable discussion, was
agreed to.
rho two retiring directors, viz. John Lewis, Count Eyre
and Mr. Uzielli, were then severally proposed, and the show
of hands given in their favour.
The candidates for the other vacancy were Rest proposed,
and Mr. George Best, Mr. Helps, Sir R. Jervis, Captain
Johnstece, Mr. A. Kay, and Mr. D. Snell, were severally
nominated.

The nomination of Mr. Best was not seconded, and of
course fell to the ground.
Mr. HELPS, having been nominate,' and seconded, ad-
dressed the meeting at some length, and in doing so com-
plained that Captain Johnstone, the candidate who was
backed, he said, by the influence of the board, had held the
stock by which he was qualified only two days before he
sent in the notice announcing his intention t 3 hecome a can-
didate for a seat in the direction.
Sir ft. Jeavia withdrew his name as a candidate.
Capt. Jusssrus■ having been nominated, denied in his
address that be had known any of the directors before inti-
mating his intention of offering himself for one of the vacant
seats.

Mr. KAT and Mr. &lett also addressed the meeting in
eapport of their ee•pective claims : and
The CILILIKKAN then again put the names severally, and
declared the numbers for each candidate to be :
For Count Eyre
„ Mr. Uzielli
„ Mr. Helps
„ Capt. Johnstone 35
~ Mr. Kay
„ Mr. Snell lO
The election was therefore declared to have fallen on
Count Eyre, Mr. Uzielli, and Capt. Johnstone.
Mr. H►.LPS demanded a poll, which was fixed to take
place immediately, and be adjourned to Monday, at the
York-road, and to be declared there on Wednesday, at
3 o'clock in the afternoon.
It was next moved to reappoint the revising auditor, Mr.

Mr. KAY nominated Mr. Puncher for the office.
Mr. HZEAPATH esoonded the nomination, and complained
of the high race at which the auditors were paid, but more
especially that they had neglected their duty in net notic-
ing pe
defalcations of Mr. Sterna, the late tariff manage,.
Mr. HOY'S, the other auditor, defended himself and his
late colleague from the charges brought Ay Mr. Herapath.
—Mr. Close made a speech to the same effect.
Mr. Lode, M.P., and some other proprietors, bore testi-
many to the efficient manner in which the auditors had per-
forms d their duties. Ultimately, after considerable discus-
sion, Mr. Close was re-elected on the show of hands.
Mr. KAY demanded a poll on behalf of the other candi-
date, which was fixed to take place at the same time as that
for the vacancy in the direction.
After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting was
adjourned accordingly.

Nnw SOUTH WEITIIIN STIAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.
—The ordinary half- yearly meeting of this company took
place at the London Tavern on Saturday, on the termina-
tion of the proceedings of the meeting of the railway com-
pany. The report merely stated that the usual dividend
would be paid, and the business was confined to the adop-
ilea of that document. and the re-election of the retiring
directors sad auditors.

GLOUCESTER AND DEAN FOREST
RAILWAY.

(TROY OUR RIPORTIR.)
GLOUCESTER, B•ToaDAY, Fire.l9.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
here this afternoon—S•mczt. BRIERS, Esq., chairman of
the directors, presiding.
Mr. NAZII, the secretary, read the report, which stated
that the whole of the share capital of the company had
been raised, and that • very small portion remained unex-
peaded, the outlay at the Glouceater station had been
large, but it had greatly increased the public accommoda-
tion and facilitated the traffic. This expenditure bad ex-
hausted the company's share fund, and had left the works
on the dock branch at Gloucester to be completed by the
OreatWestern Railway Company, in whose hands they might
be safely left with the fullest confidence of their being carried
out with efficiency, and with regard to the best intemts of the
port of Gloucester. The sum of 21,0001. needed to meet
the company's subscription to the Hereford, Ross, and
Gloucester Railway, bad been raised upon debenture secu-
rity at 4 per cent. per annum. One half of the amount
had been paid to that undertaking, and the directors bad
taken steps to make the remaining half productive of in-
terest during the interval, until it shall be r-quired to li-
quidate future calls. The share capital heels: been ex-
pended, the half-yearly payments to shareholders would
take the shape of dividends and not of interest. The rent
received from the Great Western Company, under the
lease of the line, would form the source of dividend, sub-
ject to deduction for the management of the company, and
the interest on the debenture debt and income tax. Hi-
therto the directors had paid the interest within two or
three days after the let Jan. and the Ist July, but as, in
obedience to the law, the dividend must be declared at the
general muting of the shareholders' it would, in future,
be the object of the directors to call these meetings in the
beginning of those months, so that the dividend warrants
might be issued as early u possible. The receipts from
calls and debewures were 279,09 M. Hs. 10d, and the pity-
torn's left a balance at the company's bankers of
13,0771. 19s. sp.
The precudiligs were confined to the mere adoption of
the report and statement of accounts.

YALE OF NEATH RAILWAY.
CARDIFF, SATURDAY MORT.
The half-yearly meeting of thin company wu held
here this afternoon. The chair was taken by Viseount
Vitaanas, and the attendance of proprietors wee mane.
roue. Mr. Brunel, the engineer, WY also present.
Mr. JoenvA WILLIAMS, the secretary, read the report ef
the directors, which was of some length, but the following
is an abstract of its principal features : The report ex-
plained that oat of 3,116 'harts, which had been forfeited
prior to the last meeting, 2,038 were subsequently disposed
ef, leaving at the last meeting 1,077 in hand. Of these
1,077, 280 had been disposed of under special and advan-
tageous circumstances, realising the full amount of arrears
dee upon them, and the others would be disposed of as
opportunities suxurred. The financial affairs of the
company had sever been in a more satisfac-
tory state than at the prevent moment. The
revenue ancrust showed en increase of about
69 per cent. on the gross receipts, and a decrease of 19 per
oast. on the working expenses, as compared with those of
the previous half-year. The working expenses also included
ea expenditure (not previously incartedl for the mainte-
nance of the permanent way, from the 23rd September, at
which date the ionization surrendered the works to the
company. The increase of traffic is the more satisfactory,
as the more important portion of the line is yet uncom-
pleted, while the mineral traMc is still undeveloped. The
credit balance, shown by the general revenue account, jus-
tifies the directors in recommending a dividend of lj per
cent. per annum to be declared on the profits of the past
half-year. The directors believe they will be in a position
to doclare dividends progressively increasing upon this
amount. Two ironworks in the Vale of Heath, which bad
been suspended for some years, had been re-opened, and one
of them had bees taken by one of the largest iron firma in
the kingdom in connexion with the Aberdare iron works,
already en important feeder to the line. The opening in
October last of the South Wales Extension to Carmarthen
had already tended to improve the traffic, though the full
advantage of direct railway communication between the
Welsh iron districts and the country west of Swansea, an-
' not be experienced until after the opening of this line to
Merth. A considerable secession of traffic was expected
from yr
establishment of an important Steam Navigation
Company at Milford Haven.
The statement of accounts showed the receipts on account
of capital to have been 638,6041. 10e., and the us for
the halfear had produced 8,4921. 10e.
The adoption of the report was carried unanimously, as,
was the motion for a dividend at the rate of per cent.
and the meeting separated.