The Express.
London, England, 1859-02-10 00:00:00

MA 0013 DEN ON P.

CAB Y REFORM:

Mr. Cobden in sending to the Ballot Society ble
annual subscription to their tunas, accompseisd it wilt the
following letter to Mr. E. C. Whitehuret, the vice chairman
of the society:
. - .• WaFeb_.
rns!, Feb.
. . .

--- "My dearSir,—l enclave my enbeeriptton to the Ballot
Society. Don't for a moment suppose that Mr. Bright
would wish you to give up your distinct organisation.
venters to my when Mr. Berkeley brings forward his me.
Sou he will here as better advocate at bin back than Mr.
Bright. I cannot he present at your ballot dinner, simply
becalms I have hid down a rule, which for a mom will pre-
vent me from attending any public demonstration. Had it
not been for that resolution, which I had formed afore Mr.
Bright took charge of his Reform Bill, I should litre b:ra
at his sidelong ago; for the pmgramme be has put forth le
almost identically the same as that which I sedoreed in 1848,
and which I supported in the house when it woe brought for-
ward by our Fumed friend Mr. Bums. Watching from my
retirement Mr. Bright's program, I am struck with the
similarity of the rebel he bee gone through to that which I
underwent in the wiled stage of the League agitation .--the
mm• misrepresantaios of moll,, s and mus.s•atement of his
arguments, the same affected horror of his desists' an
monarch, church, aristocracy, end property which he sow
I also went through; and 11 be should persevere
reid=yeare until his plan in is main features becomes
law, as it assuredly will do, then he will 'ambito', as I did,
the'plemiater alde of iho ordeal. Then when everybody
discovers that instead of all the evils predicted, nothing bat
inereseed security, coetontment, mud prosperity springs free
hie reforms, he will find sioe-tenrhe of tame who now pro-
bes the greatest dread of him the most eager to
shake heeds with him on the succor of his
measures. Nay, they will claim to have been always
with him an oriple, only regretting that they did
not better understand each other at the outs.t. This is
the chequered fate of all the pioneers of political progress,
and oar friend has had too much experience in such matters
to be either disappointed or discouraged at what is now
haptening. It is true that I sat about to unary out the in-
teatios I have some time entertained oft a
• very sheet
visit to the Unit'd babe. I hops to be able to report to
you that I have wilneseed the operation of the ballot in that
aousq7.—Balleve see vxy truly youre,l
"E. C. Whitehent, Rm." "R. CODDIN.

MARRON-ROUSL—Yesterday the Lord Mayor and
Lady Mayne= entertained at dinner the members of the
Cant at Aldermen end their ladles, the city judges end
otiose of the Corporation, together with a sedect party of
pnvare friends. Covers were laid for silty in the long par-
lour, and among the gents prawns were, Mr. Alderman and
Kra. Rnmpbery, Aldermen Sir Gimp Carroll, Alderman Sir
James Duke, Bart., M.P., Mr. Mammon Sekmoos, Mr.
Alderman Frank, Mr. Roebuck, M.P. and lira. Roebuck,
Mr. C. GDpin, OLP., Mr. W. Cox, ILP., Mr. Alderman
and Mrs. Carter, Alderman flir Messy and Lady Mug-
% Mr. Alderman ReSe, Mr. Aklerrean Lawrence and
ire Lawrence, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Halo and
Mies Rale, Mr. Alderman end Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Alderman
end Mrs. Weld, Mr. Alderman Allen, Mr. Alderman and
Mn. the Chamberlan sad Mrs. Scott, the Common
. COmmissioner Prendergast, Mr. Secondary
=.IIIMII Potter Mr. Comptroller end Miss Brand, Mr.
&Sailor end Id 4. C. PO4/100, Mr. Parry Woedeock, Mr.
Smith, Mr. Harlow, Mr. and Mn. A. Croll, Mr. Barnes and
Mirlrebg, Mr. Under Sheriff Jena, Mr. Cinder Sheriff
Burr.

Tlag an or THE Rev. Tamest; Pool.—Yeater.
day, at the iney,ing of the rsprreentitive vestry tf St. Pan-
cras, for the purpose, am .ngst other matters, of considering
the appointment of a chop'ain to the workhouse in the room
of the Raw. Teems Pugh, who was disminad from his
office on account of hie refusal to give up the address of the
elm 'Med medical officer, Meekest, Mr. Churchwarden
Atteaboraygh in the chair, a commaicatiou was read
from the Parr-law Board, strain that by en order ironed in
1846, still to force, the dismissal dm officer could mot be
rented out without their aarirtion. The Rev. R. &kctt
d the right of the Poor-law Board to interfere, sad
disputed
gyration of their power bed never been tried It
was the duty of the costly to contra the point. He moved
that the commanicatim be referred to a committee, with
power to take legal deice In She matter. Mr. Collins m-
ewled the motion. Mr. Churchwarden Cameron arid the
19th motion of their local act was to clear that the vestry bad
power to remove all officers et their will end pleasure, that he
could not emotive the Poor low Bart bed the slightest
ground for their laterfennce. Yr. Nodes moved that the
commynication Irma the Pow-law Board be acknowledged,
and that It lie on the table. Mr. Ross seconded the amend-
ment, which was carried.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY AND THE FRENCH listit-
DITION OP An.—The Icaterieg letter her bees adhcased
by Mr. John P. Knight, secretary of the Royal Academy, to
M. Thttophile Stivestre, sprouted by Ida Excaleacy the
Miles er of State and of the 'leasehold of the Emperor of the
French, to inspect the museums and o'her instituflons of
the Fite Arts In Europe 'Loyal Academy of Arts, Tes-
tator-aqua e, London, Jen. 31 18.59.—Sires I laid your two
Ivie s, the lot d.ted the 24th inst., beLeithe ptasident and
council of the Roy at Academy of Arta, at their meeting
on Saturday kat, sod em climatal to convey to
you the watirszos of that, high appreciation of
the eaprewion of his Excellency the French mi-
nister of st.te, In approPatlon of the English school of art,
and also of the offer on his pest to devote a room for the re-
ception of Eighth weeks of amt for exbibi ion at the P.l.is
Os Flnduatrie in April next. I have also received icatruo-
Sons to make known this gratifying and generous °Mr to
the president of the different art societies in Great Brittle.
The pnsichnt and council teal that this aspersion of sym-
pathy for British art, en the part of the French government,
dee ryes and demands an earecert impose from Bill oh
satire as founding a 'bis emulation and mutual good-will
between the artists of the two countries.—l have the honour
to be, sir, roar obedient scrvont, JOHN P. KNIGHT, LA.,
See Theopbile Silvestre."
THE TREATMENT or hilterta.—Load Campbell
hue come ',retard with a bill "to armed the law con-
tenting jut), trial in civil ammo." AOPOrtiblg to this
measure (tow before tin Roue of Lords) juries sitting on
any civil cause of prooeseing, if they retire to delberste upon
their seedier, will be fwalAed with fitting accommodation,
and (by leave of the omit) with memory refreshment; and
if unable to ogres wianimous'y upon a verdict, they may nut
be k.s in delitetation for scare than six hours, unless they
shall unanimously dwire to continue their deilberat 03M at
the esprit:km of that period of time; and if, in the eeriest,
the jug are tumble to agree, but nine or more of them climer
in a verdict, the sordid of the nine shall Le talc n, and have
tun form sad etriot la point of law. If alas teapot agree,
lbJuly mat be dischareed; In which owe the chute may
tried again at oboe or at some future period. All trials by
jury will be deemed cub in a civil Pure or proceeding within
the meaning of tbi. art, except trials or indictments, or on
criminal information., filed by order of the Court of 4ners's
Beech, or by the Attorney-General, or upon coroners in-
mate. The " bps& of the sot" will not anted to

LONDON an SOUTH- AS MN BAIL FT:11,
THIS DAY.

This day, at noon, the usual half-yearly
at
of the proprietors of the above railway was heM at the
Waterloo station Mr. CMAILLIII CAWILZYL-N, chairman of
the board of directors,: M the chair.
The report has already been publiched is aiNgSO. The
nett revenue for the half-year, after deducting intereat on
loans and all other preferential charges, amounted to 202,480/.
7e. 2d. ; add the maples brought forward from June last,
namely, 4,8531. 13e. dd., and the total balance available for
divdiend at this meeting amounted to 207,3341. Oe. 10d.
From this sum the directors proposed that a dividend ehould
be declared at the rate of 51. 15a. per cent, per ennui.,
amounting In? 197,8561.01 capitol Paid se to 206,U351. 68. Blitt
and leaving 3961. 14s. 2d. to be carried to the next account.
The Cuatnnarr, in moving the adoption of the report and
accounts, congratulated the meeting upon the eausfactery
state of the company's ann. Mr. Chaplin had been com-
pelled, by 111-health, to resign the chainnanchip of the com-
pany, bat he was happy to say the honourable ra-
tionales health was not so bad al to deprive the
company of the benefit of Ilia cervices as a di-
rector. He (the chairman) now only temporarily held
the poet; anther his health nor his inclination fitted
him fur it, and probably he would at no distant period
give place to a more fitting occupant. The dividend
to be declared to-day showed an increase as compared
with the year 1857; and consider:lig that the receipts
this year gave at increase of 5,0001. over the returns of the
corresponding period last year there was every prospect
that the text would be an improved dividend. No doubt
by Midsummer the Exeter line would be in opera-
tion, and afford the company another mune of profit ;
while he had the ratification of stating that the
Southampton Dock Company had recently expended
40,0001. upon the improvement of their docks. Within the
last few days the Brighton Company had manifested a die-
poeition to re-open negotiations for terminating the dispute
with this company, and he therefore hoped the share.
holders would not Mecum the matter now, but
leave it in the hands of the direotots, who were
only anxious to take steps of a deteneive character.
The Dorchester line had beat doubled at the instleation of
the government, end it was gratifying to know that this
alteration had conducted to the Interc it of the company and
the aettoremodetion of the public. Having adverted to the

defensive 'themes which 'the t slummy- had In partite-
mint, the chairman expressed his regret that govern-
ment were Indisposed to satin railway companies
in the protection of their property, and against the cone&
quinces of unsound end ruinous competition. That being to,
railway proprietors must look to themselves for protectiot‘
and take care te bring their blames to bear upon the next
general election. Competing schemes were being got up by
'pentad's engineers and solicitors In ell directions; they
were not required to supply • public want, but only
to extort terms from existing companies, and If the practice
were encouraged by parliament, in a very few yews railway
property would be seriously depreciated.
MX. WYNDHAX POZTAL seconded the motion, and in
doing so pared • warm sulsgium upon Mr. Chaplin, ex-
pg a hops that the meeting would at once pees • ma.
plimentary vote to that gentleman.
Mr. Tarn, MP., suggested that the vote should be post-
poned until the report bad been disposed of. Then wee one
point he wished to ham explained, in connexion with the
Brighton dispute. The chairman of that company stated
at their meeting, that they had succeeded in every step they
had taken at law in the matter. Now was It so P
The Cuaranate replied in the negative. The Court of
Chancery had decided in favour of this company.
Mr. Tire then commented upon the questaie of competi-
tion. He never expected that government or the legislature
would aunt railway proprietors in defeating rival schemes;
but it was the duty of Parliament to take are that bills
were not psaesd which were only intended for the purposes
of exteseien. He was afraid the standing order, reducing the
deposit co railway bills, had greatly en enraged such unmet
Mberer.
Mr. Mrrcnnt urged the directors to submit their dif-
ferences with the Brighton Company to arbOration.
Mr. PUNCHIAD pointed out tent the working minium as
compared with the previous hell-year, exhibited a saving
of one or cent., and he thought the management was en-
titled to thanks for their successful exertions in that

r-c;pec- Advetiinfte.Zheryr;tioniToltoidCantpbell'a
act relative to as oos for • way accidents, he alluded to
the unjust principles which regular ed juries in awarding
damages where the Misfire received were purely the result
of accident. Judos appeared to have no mercy cm railway
comppaanoika, and be woo afraid if the Victoria Theatre sad
Polytechnic institution had been the property of s railway
company the verdict. in those accidents would not have bco
" Accidental death."

After wore observations from Mr. Herspath, Mr. Berjesnt
Oswiee, ILLSnow, and others, the report was adopted with a
rider conveying a vote of thanks to Mr. Chit , end the
dividend declared payable on and after the 2lst t.
The retirief directors were re-elected, and a resolution
pulsed increasing the remuneration of the board from 2,0001.
to 3,0001.