The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-02 00:00:00

CROATIA.

AGRAM, FEB. J.

The municipality of this town has refused to
carry out the imperial patent relative to the re-
organisation of the army.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, FEB. 1.

The committee of the Chamber of Deputies
charged with examining the bill for extending
liberty to the church, and liquidating the ecclesias-
tical property, commenced its labours to-day, when
a very animated debate took place. The com-
mittee will continue its deliberations to-morrow.

An official decree has been issued abolishing
criminal process for political offences committed in
the Italian kingdom, provided they be not accom-
panied by violation of martial law, offences against
persons or property, or perpetrated by members of
criminal associations.

THE WEST AFRICAN MAIL.

LIVERPOOL, RA 1,

The West African mail steamer Lagos, with
the above mails' a full cargo, and 24 pas-
sengers, arrived here at noon to-day. Her
dates are—Benin, Jan. 3 ; Fernando Po, Dec.
30 ; Old Calabar, 28th ; Nun, 3rd ; Bonny, 2nd ;
Lagos, sth ; Jells Coffee, 6th • Accra, ith ; Cape
Coast Castle, Bth ; Cape Palmas, 10th ; Mon-
revia, 12th ; Sierra Leone, 15th ; Bathurst, 19th ;
Teneriffe, 23rd • Madeira, 25th.
. .

Trade was dull at Benin, owing to a war between
the Allumas and the Chanonies. Cape Coast
Castle was quiet since the departure of the King.
A shock of earthquake was felt at Sierra Leone on
January 4.
The ex-Speaker of the Spanish Cortes and several
notables were at Teneriffe, whence they were to be
conveyed to Fernando Po.

THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSION.—
We are officially informed that the international commie.
lion which has been sitting at Paris on the subject of the
fisheries convention between England and France, has
concluded its labours. It has been agreed, subject to the
approval of the respective governments, to do away with
all existing restrictions as to methods or implements of
fishing in the common seas between the two countries,
The three-mile limit is to be retained, and each country
entitled to carry out whatever regulations it may think fit
within that limit. The close season for oysters is to be re-
duced by the month of May and half of June being thrown
open, and the restriction to apply only to the English Chan-
nel. The police regulations for the preservation of order
among fishermen are to be simplified and the penalties re-
duced. The principle of admission of fishing boats of either
country to the ports of the other for the purpose of selling
their fish, hitherto forbidden, to be accepted, and regula-
tions agreed to under which this can be carried out with
safety to the Revenue LOMB. Some delay, however, may
take place in carrying this out, arising from the duty levied
on fresh fish in French ports. The French government
had already proposed to reduce the existing duty by one-
half, namely, to 2s. the cwt. But as the English com-
missioners pressed for the immediate or prospective aboli-
tion of the whole duty, and as the French commissioners
had no power to enter into an engagement on this point,
it will form the subject of direct negotiations between the
two governments.
HITEHALL, JAN. 29.—The Right Hon. Spencer
Horatio Walpole, one of her Majesty's Principal Secreta-
ries of State, has appointed George William Southern,
Esq., to be an Inspector of Coal Mines and Iron Stone
Mines, under the Act 23rd and 24th Vict., cap. 151.
CM:rite.
ADMIRALTY FEB. 1. APPOINTMENTS. Lieu-
tenant F. Edwards, to the Helicon. Master's Assistant
kf Swire, to the Psyche. Assistant Paymaster C. Reel,
to the Implacable.

A meeting was held in the Free Trade Hall this having influence—if I were in a position so responsible and
so powerful—extravagant figure of speech doubtless—
evening for the purpose of hearing the O'Donoghue " on
(laughter)—but which, for the sake of n,y argument, I
the Irish question, and the importance of the union be-
may be permitted to use—if these meaaures were once
tween English and Irish reformers." The chair was occu-
passed, and were once the law of this empire, then I
pied by Mr. BRIGHT, M.P. There were also present
would throw open the prison doors, and let every political
Mr. T. B. Potter, SLP., Mr. G. Hadfield, M.P.,
prisoner free--(loud cheenff—and I would trust the right
Mr. B. Whitworth, M.P., Mr. J. Field, Sir E.
of the crown of this kingdom with an unfaltering faith to
Armytage (the High Sheriff), the Mayor of Oldham,
that souse of loyalty which would be begun by th
Mr. E. Beales, Mr. Ernest Jones, Lc. The hall was
magnanimous justice of the imperial uarliament. Tho
densely crowded at an early hour, and the popular leaders -
bon. speaker resumed his seat amidst loud and long-con-
were loudly cheered ex they made their appearance on the
Untied pheers.
platform. The secretary read letters from the Hon. C.
The following address to the O'Donoghue was then
Fortescue, M.P., and Mr. P. A. Taylor, expressive of
moved by Mr. Ilowsex, and seconded by Mr. ERNEST
their entire approval of the objects of the meeting. JoNr.s :
Mr. BRIGHT, on rising, was received with loud and welcomeBlr,—We ln you no onlinary adherent to the cause of
and prolonged cheering. When the applause had reform, but the representative on the part of Ireland, and of a
subsided, the hon. member said—Although lain altogether guasie4ice.l'ettir ;4theZeferMers of the three nations. This union
of notice alike tiog IhelaKengil'lstsaidiedianyi I'l%l
unaccustomed to take the chair at great popular meetings, thezrtpoi4reiu.nelt
I yet I undertake this offer of chairman to-night without tering% of your country touch all hearts, and inspire
much anxiety and without dismay. (Laughter and cheers.) oil,us herieunulity clothed t y loss interest
an .theestr Seusfret'
lam not aware that I have ever before been on the plat- to redress her wrongs, lint in order that redress may he
form with a greater sense of ease and comfort than that isonurar ,treexteartn...:tr
op..,wsathat.ixrer
should
be taken
which I enjoy at this moment—(cheers)—and this is ac- to the hands of the nation. You are tr'nw among those
counted for by two circumstances ; the first being that I who are resolved, with the assistance of your countrymen, to
think we shall par this evening in great harmony, that ir.utist7a. end to
to relgank":,rrue,i2inveofaceetawat equality tw In
of
the meeting will be very unanimous on the sentiments that social and eemunulcal Justice. divided, we hese been weak:
will be offered to you ; and the other circumstance is this, v,Mthltdes our efforts, wet shall oonunand swoon. welcome
_ Donohue ! through you, the foremost champion of her cause,
that as chairman, keeping myself to my duty as chairman, Ireland places her fiend in that of the Enoth people.
it will be rather my business to listen than to speak. Mr. T. B. PUTTER, M.P., supported the address in a
brief speech he welcomed the O'Donoghue as the repre-
(" No, no.") There are several thousands of persons in
this hall, to meet of them the privilege of listening is a 'tentative of the Irish people, and as bringing to the
very common one, and I have no doubt it is so common English people the aid of their Irish brethren in re.
that it is by no means sufficiently appreciated. (Laughter.) dressing the grievances under which both nations
But if you had occasionally to stand on a platform, as I suffered. United, he believed they would prevail, and
have often done, and as my hon. friend who is expected to. that it would be impossible to stein the tide of justice and
night, to address a great audience on a great question, with proms,.
a great sense of responsibility, you would find that The address was unanimously adopted, and having
hitherto you have very much undervalued your privileges . been signed by Mr. Bright on behalf of the meeting, was
as listeners of this kind. (Cheers and laughter.) The presented to the O'Donoghue amid great cheering.
object of this meeting—the direct and immediate object— Similar addresses were presented by Mr. E. Beaks on
is to present an address to my hon, friend the member for behalf of the London Reform League, and by delegates
Tralee, and to hear a speech from him. (Cheers.) I need train Rochdale and Bradford.
. . .

hardly tell you that he is one of the most distinguished
ILMaN said he bad received a letter from the
members that Ireland sends to the imperial parliameut,
Scottish National Reform League, of which the closing
(Loud cheers.) I think I need not claim for him from
was follows •
you that courtesy which you will be sure to extend Paragrk as •
to him. I think I may promise myself that you of %Tr bang In the alder country one of the chief members
vitiall empire, we cannot but feel that every unrighteous
will give him your approval ; and judging from law, every act of oppression enforced upon her falls also upon
what I have heard on past occasions, I shall be greatly cur- resjuarindes ""c
et erei in.emmsbaymr "VI% l'ethrarly e'ctuasaremm":,i);
I prised if you do not listen to him with admiration. The lies in a common onion between the reformers of Ragland,
O'Donoghue is • near relation of the great O'Connell— lreland,,e and, Scotland. That union so
tatriclously begun be-
teLes our (great cheering)—a man of whom English writers of this day hreeoor4ousn,tioripesolb!
and
danos
eof h Reform League
true
—some of them at least—are accustomed to speak in terms of reformers will bid It God speed.
conuewnation ; but afterGrattan—l mean after him intim° The O'Drelocitte, M.P., then came forward to acknow-
-the only one that has done anything great towards the ledge the welcome he had received. He was greeted with
deliverance of Ireland from the injustice which has marked cheering again and again renewed. He said he regarded
the rule of England. (Cheers.) My hon. friend represents the meeting as one of peculiar and even momentous signifi-
a considerable portion of his countrymen ; and standing cance. Ho did not look upon the reception he had met
here to-night, I feel confident that he will be able to do with as personal to himself, but as an emphatic declare-
something to draw Englishmen and Irishmen nearer togs- tion from the people of this country to the Irish people of
ther for purposes highly honourable and advantageous to their approval of opinions which he held in common with
them both. (Cheers.) About three months ago I had a the mass of his countrymen. He thought the Irish people
short, but very pleasant, visit to the city of Dublin. were the best judges of their own grievances, and
I believe it was truly a visit of peace, of good will, and of of the remedies which ought to be applied to
undoubted patriotism. I was entertained there most them. He condemned the system of class legislation
magnificently at a grand public banquet, and I had the which had been adopted in Ireland, and was of opinion
opportunity the night before I left Ireland to speak to • that it was owing to class legislation that the country bad
considerable public meeting assembled in one of the been brought almost to the brink of ruin. The best gus-
halls of the city. Now I venture to say, whatever may rantee for the stability, power, and happiness of the
have been the comments upon that visit, and upon the empire was the union of all the subjects within it in •
"peaches which I delivered in Dublin, I have some reason brotherhood of freedom, based upon and guarded by the
to hope that my labours there were not wholly fruitless. independent exercise of • widely-extended franchise.
(Cheers.) There is, as you all know who read the news- (Cheers.) The events of the last few months had done
papers, or are in the habit of associating with Irishmen much to ensure a candid, and consequently a useful, dis-
in England, • very considerable party in Ireland cussion of the Irish question. It was impossible that there
hostile to England and hostile to the empire. When would now be any difference of opinion about the political
speaking to them in Dublin I did not blame these men, state of the country, and thus a formidable obstacle to
for I think in my conscience that nothing can be more jars- candid discussion had been removed. The late viceroy
tifiable in Ireland than a dielike for what Ireland has seen stated openly in the House of Lords that there was
for a long period back of the legislation of the imperial a wide-spread disaffection, and that statement had
parliament in regard to the permanent and just interests been endorsed by the present lord - lieutenant,
of that island. (Cheer.) Ireland has been governed for and his advisers, who bad takentgreat credit to themselves
the most part as a conquered country, and lam sorry to for having prevented an insurrection by renewing the mu-
ssy it has been governed with less of window and of justice pension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and making • great
in some striking particulars than any intelligent conqueror display of military force. An attempt had been made to
would show to the conquered. (Cheers.) There is • party represent the disaffection in Ireland as foreign in its
in Ireland that thinks that if Ireland were severed from origin, and as deriving its vitality from the other side of
England, whether it were governed under a monarchy the Atlantic. That was not so. English rule in Ireland
or under the form of a republic as an independent was synonymous with oppression and tyranny. There
state, that if Ireland could be floated two thousand ' always had been • profound sympathy between the Irish
miles to the westward, and it were to become • portion in America and their countrymen at home, but that
of the great United States of America, the result would be sympathy had only recently taken a political shape,
that Ireland would be governed by the majority of her owing to the increasing facilities of communication, and
own people, ani would be directly responsible for her to the growing strength of those who from despairing
own welfare. (Hear, hear.) Now, the separation of bands of flying and crouching emigrants had gradually
Ireland from Great Britain—from the United Kingdom— swelled into a great nation, confident in their
would in all probability involveadesperate and sanguinary might, and almost frantic with the spirit of retaliation.
strife. The floating of Ireland 2,000 miles to the westward (Loud cheers.) No doubt Irish disaffection had • powerful
is a thing not physically possible ; and, therefore, in the auxiliary in American Fenianism, but no one could assert
discussion of this Irish question, I proceed from the basis with any show of reason that this Fenianism was anything
that the political union of Great Britain and Ireland is a name than the result of that disaffection which had
thing decided and fixed for a long time ; and therefore created and fed it, and in the absence of which Fenianism
upon that basis we should consider what can be done for would be inexplicable, and its objects aimless. Personally,
Ireland. If I had sufficient time, or it were my duty to he was convincedthat nothing could put a stop to thecom-
go fully into the question here, my object would be bination, anima a voice went across the Atlantic announcing
to show that the people of Great Britain are not hostile • new era of equal laws and justice, and proclaiming that
to the people of Ireland—(cheers)—that if you could poll the past must be forgotten. To assert that Irish &Jaffee-
all the men in Great Britain throughout England and tion was the result of foreign interference and to abuse
Wales and Scotland you would not find a majority of them the American Irish were only convenient methods of gloss-
in favour of maintaining an established protestant church ing over the difficulty, and of drawing the attention of the
lln catholic Irab.nd. (Cheers.) Nor would you 6n4 them fesliah public from the &mai coadigan of Ireland, Ile
anxious to support • system of land tenure which perpe. denied that the outcry against the established church in
tusks, and will continue to perpetuate if continued, many Ireland, and the existing system of land tenure were mere
of the evils of the great confiscation which took place two blinds, or that there was any covert attempt to resusci.
senturies ago. If the Irish national and liberal party tate long buried animosities, and to interpose • barrier
will join with the national and liberal party in Great between that cordial spirit of friendship which ought to
Britain! have undertaken to show that we could make unite the people of both countries. Having bad a close
the rule in Ireland just as good for the true interests intimacy with all classes of his countrymen,
of Irishmen as if Ireland were an independent state be could confidently assert that no antipathy
or were—what we know to be impossible—annexed to the oxisted in Ireland, either to Englishmen or to
republic of America. More than 14 years ago I spoke in protestantisw, purely as such. He never knew an English-
the House of Commons on the Irish question, and I Aug- man settled in Ireland who was not popular, or else owed
Bested that there should sometimes be an Irish his want of popularity to some encroachment on the rights
session of the imperial parliament, but I am conscious of others, which would have made him unpopular
now that parliament is not in a condition, and wherever he was. A daily increasing manifestation of
has not within itself the elements and the friendliness between the masses had softened down that
power to deal fairly with this great question. (Hear, antagonism, which was no doubt a prominent feature of
hear.) The tory party, although the minority of the House the past history of the two countries. A step in advance
of Commons, is yet a very powerful minority ;itis • large had now been gained, by the recognition of the reality of
minority in the house, although it is in numbers a very Irish disaffection ; but beyond that ground he feared they
small minority of the people. (Loud cheers.) The pre- were not likely to advance for some time. He believed
sent government, even if it were to be admitted that there that the causes of Irish disaffection could be removed by
' are in its numbers, or in its ranks, intelligent and capable legislation. The government of Lord Derby and others
wrn—slaughter)—if it were to be admitted that there believed otherwise, and assumed that there were no legiti-
,
are members of the government who would gladly see a mutate causes of disaffection, and that the disaffected could
great change in the legislation of parliament on the Irish only be appeased by legislation of a character which
question, still I venture to affirm that the government DO good man could sanction. Hitherto no doubt
will be wholly unable to carry out the necessary reforms. legislation had signally failed, but the failure
(Hear, hear.) The party is a blind party and a perverse was to be ascribed not to the causes of disaffection being
party. (Great cheering.) Its principles are formed upon beyond the reach of just laws, not to the incapacity of our
a disregard of equality and justice—(cheers)—and I hope legislators, not to an accidental miscarriage of legislation,
before long as a party governing this country that as its but to the fact that our legislators were elected from a
rise to power during the last year was built up upon tae- class with special interests of their own. (('heerP.) In
tics the most base, so its fall will be as rapid and as igno- Ireland there were about 600,000 persons occupying land
minions as to correspond with its rise. (Great cheers.) as tenants. This number included only the heads of fend-
The only path to a real improvement in the legislation of lies ; but taking the moderate estimate of Lord Dufferin,
the iinperial parliament on the great question which would that each family consisted of five, they would have an
affect Ireland is through representative reform. (Cheers.) agricultural population of close upon three millions. Of
I have said before that the class chiefly repro- the 600,000 heads of families about 580,000 were tenants
rented will not or cannot do it, and that it will at will, without leases, and could be dispossessed of
require the strength of the opinion of the nation to effect the land on the service of a six months' notice to
the reforms that are required. (Cheers.) If the puha- quit. There were, therefore, 5.80,000 persons in
ment at Westminster would really represent the people of Ireland without legal security of any kind for the
the United Kingdom, then an Irish session would be possession of their farms, each of whom at the end
possible, and justice would be done where justice has been of six months might find himself on the roadside or in the
so long denied. The measures connected with the church, poorhouse, or if he could serape a few pounds together, on
and connected with the land, once passed through pasta- board an American ship. They might have toiled upon
meat, once having received the royal assent, every Irish. their farms from morn till night, and in so doing they
man in the lowliest cabin would have a new hope and • might have improved the letting value of the land ; but
new life. The spring and the summer that are soon to nevertheless the law enabled the landlords to evict the
some will not more revive the herbage of our fields than tenant without giving him scarcely a shilling of compensa-
these grand measures of justice would restore harmony tion. (Hear.) There were millions of his fellow-country.
and loyalty in Ireland. I believe, after years of considera. men living in Ireland from year to year in this state of in-
tion and much reading, and much study of the question, security. It rendered them the merest slaves, and unless

they were differently constituted from the men of Man-
chester in their inmost souls they must long for the over-
throw of a system which compelled them to endure such a
life. (Hear, hear.) Then, again, the tenant could not
bargain; he must keep his fans on any terms on which it
was offered to him or bring either ruin or ini ery upon
himself and those dearest tohim. It was the fa.hiou to
talk in some quarters as if land in Ireland
was to be had for the asking, whereas the truth was there
was no land to be bad, because the landlords fancied it to
be their interest to have as few tenants as possible, and to
keep the population at a low figure. Some years ago an
instanoe occurred which would probably be still remem-
bered, in which • considerable portion of the county of
Donegal was almost depopulated by Mr. John George
Adair. The tenants were able and willing to pay the rent,
but some one on the estate had been shot by an individual,
and for the offence co.ninitted by this one person it was
decreed that hundreds should suffer the most excruciating
agonies of mind and body. They expostulated, cried and
implored for mercy, but Mr. Adair was inexorable, and
surrounded by the soldiers of the Queen, his myrmidons
went forth to drive the people out and to level their
houses to the earth. (Cries of " Shame.") The case
was brought before the Lord-Lieutenant, the late Lord
Carlisle. He expressed his sorrow, but could not inter-
fere. It was brought also before the House of Commons,
and the Chief Secretary for Ireland in the nameof the go-
vernment deplored the act, but nothing could be done to
remedy it, for Mr. Adair had the law on his side, and
there was no law for thetenanta. Could it then be wondered
at that the people regarded the laws of Ireland as bad and
intolerable. The tenant farmers of Ireland desired to
dwell in. the land of their birth, and they had a prescrip-
tive right to do so. They were prepared to toil in its cul-
tivation from morn till night as no negro slave ever toiled
before, and therefore he asserted, in the presence of that
, great assembly of free and enlightened Englishmen, that
it was the bounden duty of the state, if they valued the
allegiance of the people of Ireland, to protect the present
race of occupiers in the possession of the soil. (Loud
cheers.) In conclusion, he had one word to say with
regard to the Irish church. He considered it one of the
healthiest signs of the times to be able to find an assembly
of Protestant Englishmen eager for an opportunity
to pass sentence of condemnation on the Irish eats-
Iblished church as an unparalleled injustice to Ireland.
(Great cheering.) He could not understand how it could be
reconciled with justice that 700,000 Irish protestants
should possess the whole of the ecclesiastical revenues of
Ireland, while an equal number of presbyteriana, and about
four millions and a half of Roman catholics derived no
benefit at all from them. (Hear, hear.) It was for this
reason that the disendowment of the established church
was called for, and the application of its revenues to some
purposes of national utility. In 'Wasting the question of
the Irish church he paid no regard to the numerous col-
lateral issues which were sometimes raised, such as, which
is the true church 7 What were the peculiar theological
views of St. Patrick Did be renounce the spiritual
supremacy of the Pope and conform to the 39 articles!
(laughter)—but he (the O`Donoghue) adhered to simple
argument, that, no matter how these various issues might
be decided, the fact still remained that the established
church was the church of a small minority of the Irish
people, and therefore had no title whatever to the eccle-
dutical revenue of the country. (Cheers.) He hoped no
use would believe that antipathy of the people of Ireland
to the established church in that country proceeded from
hostility to the tenets of protestantism. If it were
not a symbol of ascendancy it would be no
more interfered with than presbyterianism. Indeed,
if the Roman catholics were offered the ecclesias-
tical revenues of the country for the support of their own
religion they would reject the proposal. They believed in
the adequacy of the voluntary system, and they were con-
vinced that it was the only sure foundation on which re-
ligious equality and the toleration of differences could
rest in these realms. Last, though not least, they saw
that the voluntary system commanded the approval of that
vast majority of Englishmen with whom on every possible
occasion the catholics of Ireland were anxious to bar-
mediae. He was certain that the established church
could not long retain its present position in defiance of
the progress of an enlightened pubis° opinion. As he bad
said before, good legislation might remove many of the
causes of Irish disaffection, but it could never be done
until there was a thoroughly reformed parliament. (baud
cheers, in the midst of which the hon. gentleman resumed
his seat, having spoken for nearly an hour.)
Mr. Keitvirr, of Dublin, expressed his conviction that
Irishmen were basely, badly, and treacherously governed.
Mr. DARLING, of Dublin, followed, and declared that
the people of Ireland were determined, under the presi-
dency of the chieftain of the glens, to unfurl the banner
of reform, and show their tyrants that they were ready
to unite with the people of England and Scotland in ob-
taining their rights and defending them at all hazards.
ldr. WHITWORTH, M.P., moved, and Mr. RORBCCIC
seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Bright, which was passed
with great enthusiasm.
Mr. BRIUHT, is acknowledging the compliment, said be
was quite sure that every one who had attended the meeting
had been amply compensated by the remarks which had
been made respecting Ireland for the time and trouble he
hail expended. (Cheers.) He entertained the most confi-
dent hopes that the result of the meeting would be very
beneficial both for England and Ireland, and that it would
last for many a day—probably after all present were for-
gotten. He thanked the meeting for their kindness, and
must say that he had never presided over a nobler meeting,
called for a nobler purpose. (Loud cheers.)
The proceedings then terminated.

Mott GLYN'S READINOB. —Lent night Miss Glyn
t il
eonciluneii the
'atom!, !trite of her interesting readings, at
the St. James's-hall. Shakespeare's tri:,:ea! of A idea!
• and Cleopatra, which it will be remembered was given in
the first series, a few weeks since, was repeated on this
occasion. Though the play is not one with which au-
diences have become familiarised by stage representation,
its adaptability to the theatre has been too recently proved
to admit of question. If additional evidence on this
point were, however, required it would certainly be found
in the effect it produced when merely interpreted from
the platform, as it was last night at the St. J imea's-hall,
by Miss Glyn. Thoroughly familiar with the character
of the Egyptian Queen, from personating it on the
stage of Sadler's Wells, she brings out its varied phases
with singular vividness, and displays throughout the full
resources of her dramatic power. The part of Antony,
too, is rendered with remarkable force; his death-scene
being especially impressive, and the minor characters are
carefully portrayed. Even the clown, who brings the
" pretty worm of Silos," and discourses so humorously
just before the last tragic scene in the play, is brought
out prominently by Miss Glyn. The series of readings,
which terminated last night, will be followed by a third
series, which are thus announced:—Tuesday, February
19, Hamlet; Friday,February 22, King John; and Friday,
March 1, Antony and Cleopatra.
METROPOLITAN RAILWAY. —The directors of this
company state in their report that the receipts during
the past half-year, after deducting all expenses and in-
terest chargeable against revenue, leave an available
balance of titi,246/. They recommend a dividend upon
the preference stock at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum,
and upon the ordinary stock and shares respectively at
the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, payable on the 15th
inst., leaving • balance of 7,9991. Eiunng the past half-
year, notwithstanding the severe and continuous pressure
upon the money-market, the works upon the Notting-hill
and Brampton Extension, and the works for widening the
line between King's-cross and Farringdon-street had mule
great progress. Great progress was also being made with
the works for the new meat-market at Smithfield. The direc-
tors of the Metropolitan and St. John's-wood Railway
Company had requested aviator:toe from the company, to
enable them to complete their undertaking upon which
they hail expended 359,000 f., and it appeared that a further
sum of 200,0001. in stock and debentures must be provided
before the railway could be opened to the public. By an
act passed in 18115 the company were authorised to sub-
scribe 100,0001. in ordinary stock towards the formation of
the Hampstead Extension of the St. John's-wood Railway.
It was now proposed to alter this power by making the
subscription applicable to the preference stock of the St.
John's-wood Railway Company, and by authorising its
expenditure in completing the original undertaking. The
capital account showed that 4,668,761/. had been expended,
leaving • balance of 54,8961. The revenue account for the
half-year, including 11,8151. balance from the preceding
half-year, amounted to 131,0951. From this was deducted
44,8491. for working expenses, and 78,2471. for interest on
debentures and dividends on preference and ordinary
shares, leaving • balance of 7,999/.