The Express.
London, England, 1850-04-12 00:00:00

EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRY, 1861.

Yellenlay the friends of this national project re-
=la the nidjhbouriteed of the Tower Hamlets hall •
al at the Sesames% Innateilea, Sepagentwouge,
Mile.mitreed
Sir =. N. BUXTON, M.P., took the choke and abeam&
that he believed that the proposed meeting 11161 would be
et peat envies to . the inbabitaate of the Tower lit
as it was likely to bring together persons frot
parts of the country, who would sot ealy be anxious
to View the products of native Wintry whisk
would be exhibited at the west end, but also
the articles of Wastey whisk were produced
at their end of the town. It was a grand tact for their con-
sideration that the scheme was promoted by and under the
patronage of Prism Albert. They were indebted to kis
royal highness for the latest which he had taken la the
Ipromotloa of the project, end ales for the excel/eat condset
which he bad manifested sines be had arrived at his present
high patties. He hid shown great wisdom in abstainiag
from all politieal matters, and had made himself most
leonspianonsly eminent in giving his sesistanes in ell
&fairs appertaining to the masufesturies, agrkesitural,
domestic and social advantages of all classes of the
esumnnity. (Cheers.) The chairman concluded by stating
it es his opinion that the proposed exhibition would be of the
t advantage to the community, and hence It was that
great
orasented with great delight to take the chair at the
present meeting,
Sir W. CLAY proposed the first resolution, to the effect
"That it was the opinioa of the meeting, that the
proposed exhibition of the works of industry of ell
cations is the year 18.51 would be of great edema-
tap to all claim of the community, whether pro.
damn, distributors, or consomme, and was, therefore,
eminently deserting of support." He was exceedingly glad
to move that resolution in the district which he had the
honour to represent, inasmuch es he believed with his friend
the chairman that the exhibition would prove of immense
advantage, not only to the country at large, but to that
district in particular. He was happy to find that in the
promotion of the object which they all had in view the
greatest statesmen had laid aside all their differs sees, and
that, no matter how opposed in all other matter', they
threw down their weapona of political warfare.
Mr. KEtdP seconded the resolution, which was unani-
mously carried.
Mr. MARTINEAU then proposed a resolution "that
while this project would undoubtedly benefit all clews, it
was especially calculated to promote the welfare of the work-
ing Ousts, both by tarnishing examples of different kinds of
workmanship, and stionalaUng production by the exhi-
bition of various articles of beauty and excellence, and
was therefore worthy, in the highest degree, of the assistants,
and co-operation of the Tower Hamlets, which contain wa
large • proportion of the industrial dames of the metro-
polis." Carried unanimously.
Yr. J. DAVIS proposed a resolution to the effect that,
the exhibition being open to the exhibitors of all nations,
would lead to promote peace throughout the civilised world,
which was carried ; as was one to the effect that, with the
view of assisting her Majesty's commissioners in carrying
out the exhibition to she most successful result, a committee
be formed to collect subscriptions, and take such other mea-
sures as may appear most conducive to that end.
It was also agreed that J. Humphreys, Esq., be the hono-
rary secretary to the committee for the district.
A vote of thanks having been pasted to the chairman, the
meeting separated.

ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY.
Yesterday the annual general meeting of this
company took plate at the London Tavern, Biehopagatim
matt, ANDREW COLVILE, Esq., in the chair.
Captain CHAPPELL (the secretary) read the report,
which stated—
The receipts of last year showed that, although there has
been a considerable falling off in pastas money, yet, owing
to the increase upon freight, the total exceeds that of
1848, to the extent of 7,8431. 13s. 3i. On the
disbursement aide of the working account there is a dimi.
nusion, as compared with the preceding year, of 1,68.51.8a.6d.
The items which exhibit a decreased cx.manditure are those
of wages, provisions, stores, general and stations, and
'coal seeks ; there being an incresse under the heads of coals,
I part charges, repairs, eiliee and law expenses, and salaries.
The profit and loss account is charged with the execs (over
50,0001., carried to insurance account) of the whole first cost
and outfit of the Forth, and with balance a upon the aispoaal
of the Reindeer and the Princes Victoria steam tug-beat
at Southampton. The extraordinary repairs of the Medway
and the Eagle are likewise included on the same principle
as in forint r years; but this head of expen-
diture is less than in the year 1848 by 12,16-51. Si. 10d.
The sum of 35,0001. invested in debentures of the Loaden
and North-Western Railway Company having been paid off
in July last, that amount was laid out in the purchase of
37,3331. 6s. Bd. 31 percent. stock, making the total of that
stock standing in the name of the Royal Mail Steam Packet
Company on the 31st December, 1849, 14e. 3d.
The 2.5,0001. ye for insurance for 1849, was invested in
the purchase of 28,0111. 4s. Consols, and 20,0001. still remains
invested in North. Western Railway debentures. The nego-
tiations which were in progress at the time of the two last
g I meetings, relative to the establishment of a
steam communication between this country, the Brazils,
and the River Plate, have been delayed by circum-
stances over which the directors could exercise no con-
trol, until at length the renewal of the company's present
contract came also under consideration. It cannot be ne-
cessary to point out to the shareholder into bow wide a
field of inquiry this question could not fail to lead. Her
Majesty's government felt it to be their duty to institute a
rigid inquiry into every branch of the subject. Not only
changes of time and route as regards the West India
packet., but other suggestions also for the performance of
the mail service across the Atlantic, to the West Indies and
the coasts of America, had to he carefully considered ; and
the various advantages and disadvantages of each weighed
against each other before any decision could be
arrived at, on a question to which so large
an expenditure and such important interests are involved.
It was impossible such inquiries should be brought to •
speedy termination. The directors have every reason to
believe that all the main points are disposed of, although
they cannot announce that any arrangement is definit.vely
settled. The communications with the gnvernment are still
going on, and any discussion upon the subject at present
would obviously be inexpedient. The directors must, there-
fore, again rely upon the confidence hitherto extended
towards them, merely repeating the assurance that
they do not anticipate there will be any further
call made upon the shareholders. Meanwhile the
Company are prepared to begin an improved line of
communitation with South America and the West Indies,
and to establish that with Brazil in a few months after the
details of the new service are agreed upon with her Ma-
jesty's government. The directors having carefully consi-
dered the present state of the Company, feel themselves jus-
tified in recommendiag a dividend for the last Mx mouth.
of 1849 at the rate of 21. per share (free of income tax) pay-
able on and from the 16th inst.

After some little discussion the report wee adopted.
A dividend of 21. per share, as recommended in the report,
was then declared; and a vote of thanks haying been passed
to the directors, the meeting separ►ted.

FAIT INDIA 110talt.—Yesterday a court of direc-
tors was held at the But India Holm, when the following
new directors, elected on Wednesday lut—six., Lieut..
General Sir James Lew Lushington, G.8.C., George Lull,,
EN., Elliot lisenaghten, Esq , John Petty .!iluspratt,
William Wisps., Esq.—took the oath and their seats.
John Shepherd, Esq., was chosen chairman, and Sir James
W. Hogg, Bart., M. P., deputy chairman for the year ensuing.
BRITISH MUSEUM.—Yesterday some accounts re-
lating to the British Museum were printed. It is gratifying
to observe—and it is an argument in favour of museums in
municipal tewns—that there his been an increase yearly in
the number of visitors to the general collection. From
Christmas 1848 to Christmas last the number was 979 073
compared with 897,985 of the preceding year. In the year
ending Christmas 1844 the number was 075,758 ; in the next
year, 685,614 ; in 1846, 750,601; is 1847, 820,965 ; and is
1848 as stated, 897,985. The sum proposed to be voted for
the current year ending Lady.day 1851, is 45,3291.
THIS ROYAL SEA-BATHING INFlRMARY.—Yesterday
the annual general court of the governors of this charity,
established in 1796, for the benefit of the diseased poor, was
held at the London Coffee-house, Ludgete.hill—Alderman
Gibbs in the chair. From the statement of the secretary, it
appeared that the total receipts for the year ending Dec.
31, 1849, had been 2,4011., and the expenditure 2,1371.
The in-patients admitted into the institution (situate at
Westbrook, Margate) amounted to 676, besides which a con-
sidnable number of out-patients had received relief. Of the
676 patients 61 had been attacked with choler's, 38 recovered,
sad 7 had died. There were, moreover, 2 deaths among the
servants, likewise occasioned by the epidemic. The num-
ber of patients received since the opening is about 21,720, is
the first year (1796) there being only 16 admitted, whilst in
1849 there were 678, and there are new 230 loads.
RAGGED SCElGOLS.—Yeeterdny morning the an-
nual meeting of the Edward's Mews Ragged School was held at the institution, Edwud'setreet, Portman-square.
R. E. Boughton, Est) , in the chair. Mr. Stone, the secre-
tary, read the annual report, from which it appeared there
had been six schools established, and that they were all
well attended. A statement of the receipts and expenditure
showed a Wanes in hand to March, 1850, of 17a. 91 Sir
Wdliam Bain, Bart., on moving the first reaolution
observed that his best argument in favor of them school;
was his own experience. For three years he had attended
ragged school, and during that time he had ob d a
marked improvement In the character and appearance of
the scholars. An attack had bean made upon ragged
schools in the Morning Chrootick newspaper, and he wan
not sorry for it, because the arguments used had been
triumphantly refuted in other papers. Mr. Maxwell, is
seconding the resolution, said he had certainly felt dis-
heartened after reading the letters referred to by his friend
in the Morning Chronic*, but it was only for a moment.
The cloud had now passed away, and for his own part he
believed the statements there mentioned were very inner-
harelins. Tbehigiurepamportilwtoasttlechn
airadmotaapte,dut, aennd
oaetivontliti
mop% ?Maud.

DEATH BY POlSONlNG.—Yesterday evening an
inquest was held by adjournment, before Mr. Payne, at tha
Hug's Ares, Westminster•road Southwark, touching the
death of Mrs. Sarah Lelia, ailed 47 years, the wife of a
muter builder, living at 16, King Edward street, who me-
mittod suicide by taking arsenic while in • slate of unsound
mind. The jury returned • verdict accordingly. The
servant girl of the dimmed drank seine o
accident, and vary (nearly lost her life • dis
is, however, recovering, and wu abartegMe but a
inquest yesterday.
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