The Express.
London, England, 1868-04-02 00:00:00

RAILWAYS AND THE PUBLIC.

Last night a paper on the question " How to
make railways remunerative to t' e shareiolders, beneficial
to the public, and profitable to the state," was read at the
Society of Arta by Mr. Raphael Bran lei. Mr. Webster,
Q.C., occupied the chair. Mr. Brandon's' proposal is that
government should avail itself of the power it possesses,
and unite the whole of t e railways under one general
management, so that they should become a recognised I
branch of the public service, available for the whole popu-
lation—a passenger being enabled to travel one journey of
any distance in one given direction at a sum little more
than nominal. He supposes that the numbers at present
travelling would be increased sixfold if they could travel
one journey of any distance in one direction for the sum
of threepence, which is the minimum sum be has
based his calculations upon. Existing fares under the
proposed minimum prices may remain as at present ;
they are comparatively few, and would not affect
the calculations. He find; that during the year
ending 1165, passenger trains to the number of 3,448,309
ran over 71,206,818 miles, carried 251,11%,862 passengers,
and produced 14,724,802/. ' • this gives an average of nearly
21 miles and 73 passengersfor each train, that is about 3i
psaseugers for each mile,the average fare paid by each pas-
'eager being Is. 2d. Six times the number of passengers
could be carried fors very small (if any) additional expense,
and if en universal fare of 3d. was charged for any distance
for each person, at a very moderate computation six times
the present number would travel, and would produce
18,896,989/., being 4,172,1871. in excess of the present •
receipts. This calculation is inade supposing that I
each person pays only a 3d. fare; but as it would be I
necessary to divide the passengers into different classes, a
much larger receipt may be reckoned upon ; for this pur- I
pose he would divide the traffic first in half, supposing
that half the passengers would travel by single fares, and
these he would subdivide into three classes as follows: at
one shilling for first class, sixpence for second class, three-
pence for third due. The other half he considers would
sake yearly tickets, which would be issued for first and
second class passengers at 25/. and 15/. each respectively,
giving the holders the privilege of travelling any distance
in any direction, in carriages provided expressly for their I
use. With respect to goods traffic, he has not thought
lit to enter into any calculations. Doubtless it would in.
crease, but he does not think it at all likely to increase
in the same proportion as the passenger traffic.
For the government to take up the railways ao money
would be needed ; each shareholder would receive in re- I
turn for his shares government railway stock, bearing int.-
rest at 4 2-sths per cent., guaranteed by the state. The
idea of carrying a passenger from London to Edinburgh '
for 3d. may be said to be preposterous, but we must !
remember that it wee not until Sir Rowland Hill bad
shown its feasibility that anyone thought it reasonable to
take a letter from London to Edinburgh for the same
charge as from Loudon to Richmond. It may be said that ,
the analogy does not exist, that the half-ounce of a letter
is nothing, but that a passenger is really heavy, and makes
some difference in the cod of running a train. In reply,
he says that the delivery of • letter is the most expen-
sive part of its cost to the Tost-office, whereas a pas-
senger takes himself away ; that the average of trains run
could oath carry six times as many passengers as are now
conveyed by them, and though the expense might be
slightly increased, the increase could be but extremely
small, while the receipts would be enormously augmentoth
The public would speedily reap the advantages of • com-
plete and harmonious system of management, with re-
gular and continuous trains running in all directions, and
a general diminution of expense, trade would be benefited
enormously by the increased facilities of traffic, while the
effect upon the money market of at once converting
453,000,0001. of sunk capital into readily coavertible
securities would be a stimulus of enormous value to the
country. A long and interesting discussion ensued, and
the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr.
Brandon and the chairman.

of feebleness soon after the scene recorded ; Mr. Hurl-
atone's ecclesiastic is a hale man of forty at the limit. The
other important work of this painter is in most respects in-
ferior, though possessing the same characteristics of style
and the same command of effect. Sancho Peace's fees is
painted with a nearer approach to finish than is seen in
the former work ; but its expression is totally devoid of
that quaintness and humour to be looked for in the
physiognomy of that eminent professor of proverhiel philo-
sophy, especially at so trying a moment. The bee
and look would better bent a solemn county magleinage,
indignant at the recital of some poaching delinonsiely,
than the racy but unconscious humourist, who repreentele
the simple wants and natural lusts of man is oppmitimi be
the high quests of self-sacrificing chivalry, and who is
here shown at the moment them carnal appetites are ex-
periencing a most mortifying defeat. Neither week indeed,
though illustrating the highest models of social and philo-
sophical satire, would be suspected, but for their title, to
bear any connection with the humourous view of humanity.
The president exhibits several other minor works, but
which are more in the nature of studies than completed
pictures. The Joan of Arc of Mr. E. C. Barnes
is the next work to challenge peculiar attention
by the ambition of the artist's intention, no less than the
merit* displayed in the endeavour to reach that standard
which i+ dignified by the name of historical. Joan of Arc
is represented on her way to the stake, a mailed warrior
is adjusting the hempen bonds which confine her hands,
while behind her, on the other side, the figure of • friar
is partly seen ascending from a lower level, and hearing a
large crucifix. The patriot virgin occupies the centre of
the canvas, her uplifted face and heavenward-gazing eyes
beam with mingled regret, enthusiasm, and resignation,
which contrasts with the passionless, hard-set features of
the man.at-arms' eloquent of nothing but a stern sense of
duty on the one hand, and on the other with the prefee-
sional solemnity of the priest, or shaveling, who regiments
the sanction of the church to the "act of faith" about to
be perpetrated. The painting, in its simplicity of conoep-
tion, and the unhesitating trust the artist has plariedin a
direct appeal to the common springs of human emotion, un-
aided by applause-catching tricks of detail, or wonder-work-
ng multiplication of accessories, approaches what is conven-
tionally called the "gland," and would be nearer to it were
the same knowledge and equal are and skill applied to
the whole work in all its details, which are visible only in
- I separate parts. Mr. Barnes can paint with force and
At the Hampstead Petty Sessions Court, eater- I mastery • face, • piece of stuff, an implement or article of
day (Wednesday), Mr. Edward Tracy Turnerelli, a gentle- furniture, even • hand and arm, separately, and to •
man, residing at Bell Moor, the Heath, was summoned
before Messrs. Marshall, Prance, and Read, to answer a certain extent eon so arrange thus parts uto enhance
charge of diabolical cruelty to a cat. Mr. Colam, secretary 1 their relative Weds, and produce • certain superficial
of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ' harmony of composition ; but he does not possess, or be
Animals, appeared to prosecute ; and Mr. Campbell I certainly would pet forth, the power of drawing the human
Sleigh was counsel for the defendant. It appeared Ira ,
formerly cook Agars under all conditions of repose or action, with a self-
the evidence of a girl named Ann North, f
in defendant's family, that on the fith of March a tabby reliant thoroughness which would enable him to do com-
mit found its way into her master's garden, and went into phis justice to his conceptions, which are always instinct
an empty ben-house. Her master (the defendast) shut with the true artistic sense, and only marred by an ap-
the door of this place, thus imprisoning the cat, and called I parent necessity to slur over portions of his subject, and
to her, "Ann, brine me a jug of boiling water—mind Ws
boiling."quart iusfai out of the hew,. i as a counterbalance invest with superfluously careful
wit„velam•
and he threw it over the at, who was clinging to the wire treatment thoroughly uninteresting accessories. How coin-
front. He then asked her for a second, third, and fourth pletely an artist may become the slave of his tech-
supply in the same jug, throwing the contents at the I nice,' powers, when he finds how far they go
poor brute. The third time he broke the jug, I witlithe great herd of picture viewers, is but too painfully
and ordered her to get him another, which she
did. After the fourth jugful of bailing water apparent at every modern exhibition, and now Is the
had been thrown at the wretched animal, it ' time for this remarkable and rising young artist to shake
shrank into a corner, and defendant then ponied • fifth off the dangerous bonds of facile execution, ere the warm
jugful on to it. When he asked for the water the fifth I springsw of conewitien grow cold within him, and the 'apt-
time the witness said to him, "Oh dear, sir, don't put any . - -
snore." Defendant replied, "I will. Fill me this jug rations bred of earnest and well-direeted study die from
again." He said he would teach the cat not to come into want of attempted fulfilment. Other smaller canvasses
his hen-house again. He also told the witness that they in this exhibition by Mr. Buses maintain the reputation
would keep the animal until it got cool, and then when he his so worthily gained, sad their dieing merits fur-
it went across home (to Captain Nugent's) it would be nish further grounds for emphasizing the appeal we have
thought that some boys bad been playing with it, and if • hi h
witnessshould be asked anything about it, of Gonna thought proper to Make to his worthier sews of the art w
she would not know. In about ten minutes after it lies before him to adorn with works of permanent
that, defendant releued the at, and the bad since seen portaace. Following the line of intention rather than
It and Identified it at Captain Nugent's. The water Ina
taken twice from the kettle over the fire, and afterwards
achievement, brings us to speak next of Mir. Bromley's
from the boiler. Rosa Sigward, a German irl, formals ' devoted to an attempt to give form and body to
housemaid in Mr. Turnerelli's service, mambo- that startling incident in the great law ease, Shylook
rated this evidence. In the course of her erou-examinu versus Antonio, as found in the paper of that most correct
Moe, which was being conducted very kindly by Mr. Sleigh. , and faithful of reporters, William Shakespeare, when the
this witness fell senseless to the floor, striking her head Jew is put out of court by Portia. As • comped-
severely against the clerk's table. She was removed, and . . • •
the work is not without • certain aunt, judged
Aar cross-examination wee not further proceeded with. I tics'
Bvideue was given by Joseph Dobie, one of the society's , from a purely conventional standard, just uthe drawing,
officers, as to the condition of the cat when examined by I the balancing of colour, the opposition of light and shade,
him, and also as to an admission made to him by : and other academical points of attention, deserve • eer-
defendant. Mr. James Broad, M.R.C.V.S., also
Lain number of good marks ; but judged from she surface
gave evidenee that the oat he had examined at Cap-
tain Nagano, was ',during sainami from burr, having inwards we are reminded of General Sherman's likening
same five or six wounds, varying bath in kind end degree. , of the Southern lines of defence to an empty egg-shall ;
The dehisce was that defendant had no intention of break through the surface, and you find nothing. Portia
*Ming cruelly towards the animal, but merely wished to 'is a wheel girl et private altaasaiaajo, *Airlock a paw
frighten it, as be kept some favourite poultry, which had detested in the nee ei false weights, Antonio a magmas
been annoyed and injured by eats. An attempt was also "
made by Mr. Sleigh to compromise the matter, hat Mr. , for the next election of vestrymen, and so on through all
Celan declined to accede to this, and the bench, after the types of social common-place. For poetry or dramatis
privately considering the evidence, expressed their Wen- force we look in vain ; " nevertheless," as Shylook said of
tioe of making the fine such u to show their opinion that Antonio after enumerating his weak points, Mr. Bromley ,
a' substantial violation of the act had Leen committed."
He was then ordered to pay a fine of 2/. and costa, but the "" • good mw "•• compared W ih• bun' °I those wising
fine was afterwards increased to 2r. 2'., is order to enable efforts find charitable shelter in Suffolk-street. A thee
defendant to appeal, if so advised. The witness Sigward pietas* by the mole artist, called "The Forge," in
recovered before the rising of the court, 1 the Dutch school, if lees ambitious, is • far mire mar
! factory performance, and exhibits • mastery over slash
THE SIRTREB OF ST. MAILY'S.—The Reg. Mr. of light and shade, while it breathes a strong nebula
biachostochie writes to state the facts concerning the sir sympathy for the purely mechanical labour whisk
passim of several fishes of St. Mary's Priory, Hackney, so keenly engages all the faculties of the old
from the church el Begleml Animpression his gene blacksmith, and fascinates the attention of the
abroad that the sisterhood, of which he is warden has
collapsed. It is true that only one of the professed sliders =lockets, In Mr. Meaphy's " Prescribed Christ-
has remised true to Ood and His church. This leaves man " high aims areapin found falling considerably wide of
the faithful eel., no doubt, in great difficulty. These the mark. The subject Mutates theperseention of Christ-
who have left are twelve in number—four, besides the mu festivities by the Puritans, to whom all the pimplier-
mother, being professed sisters, two novice., three sewing
'Stem, and two mooed order sisters. One has left the nalia of the Christian festival, from the esculent plum-
ordee, /nit not the church. There remain one professed pudding to the oecidant mistletoe, were hateful relies of
sister, four novices, and three sewing sisters. heathendom. A band of Roundheads have broken in upon
"I am ranch gratified in being tide to testify to • family Christmas dinner, and are creating consternation
the Amy of 'our Vegetable Psin Killer. For the het among the guests and havoc among the adjuncts of the'
twelve months i have suffered the greatest hose banquet. The canvas is completely filled with figures,
nenreigis. which 4.linfind ms of 111 energl •ra l.pursuit mid there is undoubted skill in their grouping and action,
of my usual Maliiolll. .4Scidentally meeting yonsnallree
Procured a bottle of year nift o eine, from which' while the incidents of such a scene are followed out with
1
LLe gresi benefit and instantensoTokrallef ; end I halt Ite evident thoughtfulness ; but the tone of the picture h pole
hesitation in recommending it to all ssff g frees kiln ' end washy, and deficient in light and shade, while the
' diatom of the day.'—Jose JULIA, Dubila, Cet, ST, UM wAria maataaaaom, which on such a collision of stern
To Perry Davis & Ben, IT, Southampton-row, Holborn."
Mess genuine without their trade mark If LILLIE," 70111110". with domestic idle* WO oat AND
govt, *temp. Sold by all chernists.—{Advg skse lxilk invadtirs sad landed IN an W bar

ATROCIOUS CRUELTY TO A CAT.