The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-19 00:00:00

GREAT CHARTIST MEETING IN SMITHFIELD

On Tuesday, at half past twelve o'clock; a monste
public meeting was held in the open air, on the site of
the Smithfield Market convened by Ernest Jones, fc4"
the purpose of telling the working classes now out of
employ the manner in which they can obtain immedi
relief, and eventually become independent. The placards
convening the assemblage called upon all persons to
observe the peace and maintain the law, and these in.!
junctions .were strictly obeyed,' for, notwithstanding
the fact that there were from 16,000 to 20,000 persons
present during the proceedings, the greatest order and
decorum prevailed from the commencement to the end=
The order of proceeding consisted in a pers9u being call( d -
to preside over the meeting, and hi an address by Ernest
Jones; no resolutions were proposed, but in the course
of the address. Mr. Jones took the sense of the meeting oft
some particiilar posi ions, and in every instance there
was not a single dissentient voice to the opinions enun-
ciated by the orator.

The Chairman, in a short address, called upon ea
meeting to behave as peaceably as they had assembled;
and to disperse as quietly,
Mr. Ernest Jones then ascended.the platform, which,
by the way was the reporter's table, standing on a WI,
planks placed acrooss one of the pens. In the course et
his iritroductory remarks he expressed his surprise that
bills.had - been pasted, stain; that there would be no
mewing, and also calling the ,nher. meeting in Agaila
Fields. He felt proud of their efferns, fo? they showed
that they were afraid of him. He would tell the itat
those bills were paid for by the rich, who always fared
every attempt to emancipate the poor. (Lend cheers.) Ile
was glad to see so largo a meeting. It was the largest h°
ever saw in London, and he trusted they would maintahl
peace and order. With regard to the object of the meeting,
he must tell them that trade after trade was gettinginte
difficulties, and although there was such a great number
of persons out of employ, he could tell them that that
would go on iucreasing unless they exerted
themselves pneyent it. He referred to the building
and other trades, and said tnej might
- • • get up a subscrie:
that would
le
tion, and wait for the better times, d-Iron
be of no avail, unless they followed his advice. Wage.",
• would continue to fall, and their masters at la
would be able to make their own terms. 11.8,
.told those in employ to assist their fellow-Wen
who were not. (Cheers.) Ten years ago he said
that the then highest paid trade would become- the
lowest, and his prediction was right, and he would only
refer to the weavers to prove the truth of his assertion;
Their cry was " Where shall we go—what shall We d°
for a living ?" He could tell them that when WY
wanted a leader he would come and lead them on 10
victory. (Cheers.) He had not called them together in
an idle moment. He was not a demagogue seeking,
for notoriety. He was well known, for ten years ban
he worked hard for them, and did not ask them ft'.,r
pay. Ha had large funded property settled irrevocat'Y
on his family, and besides that he had a large and Pr°"
fitable business. The orator then proceeded to condernl
the proposed system of emigration to ameliorate theft
condition as fallacious in the extreme, for there wad
already a glut in the Australian and American market"
If even the Governmeet were to give them each a piece
of land and enough to support them for twelve Months'
they should not emigrate. There was enough wastes
land in England, Wales, and Scotland for a milli('
of men. He would then put it to the meeting, whether
any man should emigrate under such circuinstancel •
Those who thought not would hold up their hands. P
immense number of hands were held up, withoutd
"a single dissentent.l • A national subscription l'ae,
been spoken of, and he would ask if the working
classes would not contribute the largest 'amount to it (Yep'
yes.) Than, he contended that the rich idlers of the eountrf,
should be made to do everything for the unfortunate no'
employed. (Cheers.) Thus, with regard to worktatal
relief, it had been said that there men got bread. it
how ?he would ask. Why, by the
greatest disgrace—u,
stone breaking, the labour teat, which was only intended to
be applied to those who would not work. (Applause.) P,
had no objection to the men going to the workhors=e
relief, but he trusted they would not disarace themselves 14
stone breaking. The Secretary to the &employed Asenciii:
tion said in a letter, the other day, that he would agitate Pl`,
more power to begiven to the police magistrates. (Oh, oh I
:Yes, indeed, he thought they had too much alreactf;
(Cheers.) As he before observed. they must try fetltt,
waste land, and be would assist them. (Cheers.) Tue„l
aid then only, would the miseries of the working classes
be at an end—and for ever. Bat, how were they.'"
get it? It had been told them not to mix up in polite'Oh, yes. He Could- 'tell theM that, if they
.did 50
' work for it themselves they would never get in 'n
Parliament would not help them, for they now reaped tho
benefit of it. Then be would call all present to bold n?
their hands if they would not support the Parliaroten'..
' [The show of hands was again enormous and without
single one in favour.] No, he should not think they v7ollir,
They mast organise themselves. He had worked ten year n
to create a foundation, and now he should commence wo
build a superstructure. He had not spent that ten S'Or
or two years in solitary confinement, on the silent system
for nothing, and he would telthem, so help his heavethat he would lead them to prosperity. (Cheers.)
he
could tell the Goverpment that he should go to. all '
large towns and small vilialee in England, Scotland. able
Wales, and there peaceably unite the employed anl tat
unemoloeed. He was the only man to do it, and th
was- the only -way to get the waste land. -He c
upon them to rall7 round him, and he would assiot there'l
Government
them organise for universal suffreae. and the Peon'et
' Charter. The Gsvernent dreaded the People's Ch'ra
'on
as much as the devil hated holy water, but he would ao
those who were in favour of it to hold up their hands'
[The meeting was unanimous ] He should not call tioso
together again just yet, but he would came when he 11
called, and lead them on to prosperity.
three
At the instigation of Mr. the chairman, tin
cheers were then given for Ernest Jones, and for
Charter.
h e°
Tee meeting then began to disperse, but as in - t
concerns there are always some of the light fingered genior
one or two were caught in the act of transferring of
peop!e's property to their own possession, and, as rag,"
imagined, the sight of three or four constables marchingrg
offenders off to the police station, had the effect bf entishijoy
a tremendous rush through the pens towards the
,_O3,
market, where the police station is situated. Some of t°
however, regretted the course they were pursuing, t'r,c3(l
passing the corner of Long lane, some person nr Other Pro
dislodged the water plugs, thus giving a number of Pc°'
a thorough drenching.
With these exceptions, the proceedings were void (405'
thing approaching a disturbance;

bred;

hick,
so of
that
110

. ,
TIU P.RIEST .ANI) 7118 BIBLE.
; 14
~
---
11 t'ur report of some proceedingt Whioh ttok place
i.„.,, eers Prerogative Court, Dablin, on Saturday, our
,i
~.lets , Will see another phase Of the deep hostility which
v w in different qnarters to our excellent and truthful
hive I°rl 6f the Illoly Scriptures. Roman Catholic priests
hook hitlierto in our courts of law pretended to respect a
?illiekt; twkliteh they would exterminate if they could, but
*II. "my cannot honestly except to, or controvert. But
...11 t .
bilsy : t° their amazement, they see professing Protestants
. tationiu dePreciating it, they can scarcely resist the temp.
,x.rie,-,. or following so gratifying an examp'e. Accordingly,
"e la': Aeefe, on Saturday last, discovered that he had
couldelentious scruples" to be sworn on such a book. He
hi% ii,.let assert that his oath would not be binding. upon
Drefil; he
in the ordiary way; but he should
biii,h) ne observed, to be sworn upon the Douay Edition,
ersin ~he considered More correct than the Authorised
Villiel;n• After a great deal of haggling on the point,
vilth was controlled by the eXcellent Judge Keatinge,
votive':e !hest dignified moderation, Mr. Keefe found it
r thnt to leave his " conscientious scruples" to shift
414 eninselves• He submitted to take the oath upon the
tie t;e3rreet" 'Version, and then quietly disappeared,. to
id a_ at
needlessly all in the court, the business of which he
`'
impeded.—Belfast News Letter.

rag
last
He
..rnert
said
e the
I only

A - _
4
Ek
akli OF PARL--
lAMENT criARGED WITH
04 ,p . ABSAULT.
,tteco4le!daY, Mr. Sparkes Hall, bootmaker to the Queen,
‘') tal4aanted William Hulman, a man in his employment,
&gait, Westniinster Police-court, to prefer a charge
§ati,,,t,l‘ll'• E. B. Baldock, M.P. for Shrewsbury. Hul-
Plope'r'iwu that on last Saturday afternoon he and his em-
t,ey
~,s were on their return from Sir J. Pakington's, wheh
:4like uelui erveda black retriever in Halkin street, very ranch
,asaceol‘tlis• Hall had lost. They alighted from their
il'iltt the
cog
look at it closely, when Mr. Baldock
,8 tha., belonged to him. Complainant and
,T..,,vat,the si.
~ expressed their desire to ascertain
,ho „,,,r it
the missing dog, when Mr. Baldock,
a . was talkie
aog to another gentleman, told theth I,ll'sCsbnah°llt ' their business. Complainant. then, by
•,51/as 4 0f his master, stooped to examine the dog's
to'e %lei( en, Mr. Baldock struck him a violent blow with
rt hitt
vend of a stick he carried, on the shin; which
4193PlainaterY much, and took the skin off. Mr. Ball and
43,4 t it both asked Mr. Baldock for his card, but he
14c,'!'swe,o,Vve it them, and walked away. Complainant
`,1'11111,41 ''tivnlci, and on seeing a policeman, told him he
t4,:esa hes.' the gentlernau into custody for the assault
, , a , tated who he was. Mr. Baldock, who admitted
s,ei. 'lank i
aalaed to ll the p •esence of the constable, again
p'lbled „u live complainant his card, but handed it,
sa'llnaat ;12,70 the constable, who refused to let corn-
-47,1y obs'"
~ anti putting it in his pocket walked away,
ae:llataa:,,r,vmg he could do nothing in the matter.
iIC Einh',' 3 natbe and address, "31, Grosvenor-place,"
itn2•‘ it sv.'o•34tlY ascertained. Mr. Paynter observed
ietivan•s,a certainly not a very pleasant thing for a
s.l,lisaid that his dog claimed in the street. Mr:
I,`. identif'a'4ittthe„adog was not claimed because.. he could,
108 Clos6 * ti, was desirous of examining it, owing
4,, , his rase„,,
%I 4(1 al in '",atiae to the one he had lost, and both
a. !liana ' ewldueted themselves in the most respect.
htt er to the
ku, examil . gentleman. It was extremely hard that
v_stat, w
„. ling the dog, his man should he struck. The
hi ;,r4Piatlt,..tict; cog the
without the slightest Provoelt i'"
t.,lt diti not would not go the whole length of saying that,
mean for one moment to justify the assault
with a person commenced an examination of
N. tiltit, Birk. Hall, no doubt he would have felt it very
4t.. eta , Mr. Hall repeated that he approached the
;4 th4c„al the most respectful manner. Mr. Paynter
k lltitif ..ue complainant might take a summons for the
1419 re tgyleased, but the worthy magistrate thought it
r•. mate ttt`)log case for the County Court. Mr, Hall
he tetm.
‘a tbo compensation was sought for the injuries
kliltaa balr• Baldock had driven them to this course.
11,1„,treateen
thewaited upon, but refused to apologise, Ikack,,, ' matter in a very abusive manner. Mr.
fc
, aslne_onduct was very impetuous for a member of
ai4t tajtce' Mr. Paynter repeated that complainant
layv!,,.,,),),l,,tglbthtatikulaitysourmamons. Mr. Hall remarked .that he
laas'e constable who pocketed the card and walked
gross act of injustice. Mr. Pavnter
it44tais3i'lero that that was a matter of discipline for the
It.ltha 4summonsolice to investigate. Hulman then
1
~t3.4,4e,aitttr,,,„
~,. • ~..,
Lictoay 1,
.; . OP TAR NORWICH UNION LIFE OFFICE.—On
04,' Ofae.:.:, a bonus was declared by the Norwich Union
ared Pon all partioipalug Policies. The surplus
liral. ie v"_aa £159,711 6s. /d. in cash, eqnal to £280,627
Ves in ~oreversionary additions. Ii appeared that the
ht:,
,51)r,srce were 10,132; the sums assured upon all
it
*1,48, jaatraz'427 13s. ld ; that during the preceding five
tilt 9,112 34ce had been effected for £1,340,513 155., and
ktre'977 19d''•..,3d. paid In claims upon ,daaths—namely,
1',,,nN5...z,* '3,1. sums assured, and £183,134 4s. bonuses
i(ltloh8 's!raea City Article, Feb, 9.
:li y, we TiSTics By recriest and for the sake of
,'"",iittitll atatistilleave been furnished with the following
s. °vet % showing the °aerations of one of the
ivq,vet heard original sanitary departments extant—for
la l'edd of an Anti-Vermin Office ? Such is now
1 atoll at
4 rot • 49, Brownlow bill, Liverpool,—an office,
,Ny ~ its ob,
, qt,,,, %se° Jct that of furnishing the public with
:,)‘, 4,13,1°4 Li'iveerred.l3CielltifiC and rational remedy for the
14ti of th Mtn of every description, without danger
.I'"a il is tb "e higher order of animals ; • and how
Nii'lte tie cliBterce of such an office, pirtic darly to a
'tilt"' qi 'l,e_rP'3°l, where, in the lower localities, the
, loci: asth '',)? Poorer classes are so densely and fearfully
tqaeasnie'a bed bug and flea that, in the spring and
.ia tit,piBsht!, their inmates are often obliged to choose
tahtailiea a resting place the steps of their doors ! In
..6, f at 81101 QM( 8, they are like Pharoah's plague
* ; , thei ti their bedchambers, and upon their beds,
r4°ase; "ecs, and in their kneading troughs."
•)-!' other ludeed, at any time, are free of
~ „let') 114," kinds of vermin ; and as no rani
oN,44ne -`44 beings can be more inconvenient ut
' ,e. NIL ) and - . .
1:11 ~:ty of - none hitherto more difficult to remove,
',•1,1,:a0 fi.,.,Buch an cffice can only be appreciated by
'''es;' 11;a—ra necessity, have fairly tested its merits
',ola.ltt‘sittle'':e,r, of its utility and appreciation may be
71;(1'41to„4 :itt from the following detailed account of
..'''tl endi,, "ling the first six months of its infantile
'44.'4 bugs December 31, 1856 :—Dwelling bons a
t., ".; loi!s Per contract, 207 ;: of fleas, 89 ; of cock-
. lit i. 'lcsi! crickets, 22 ; of ants, .19 ; of rats and
I,,"ter tldia it'„li,,),s cleared of bogs, 19 ; of cockroaches
01)aPr 1'), 4 i of rats, 42. Orders supplied at
:aitti`se Ile".`)at and parcel conveyauce, to different
~et ,41,,.t?d Ringdom, America, and Australia, to
i-,',4l‘lias,76ltts, and others, for Ile destruvion of
''o4.l„aere ,°' vermin, 32,453. Irrespective of this
,kt e,,'')) 209 "43,1 of poor,, supplied gratuitously (for
a`u,sn,„44ter , IN umber of bugs bought to experiment
, ar.l4`.` to (1.'4 convince the public, to remove fcep-
i ;)tltt 111 'BProve the popular fallacy,' . that " there
is 4ti to d .•, NI op , destroy I bugs," by giving occulav
.4tat ere :' their real antidotes, 202, for which in many
', Iqtll°4l Ci(l as much as Id per head, and in some
'al)," :ref in exchange tor bottles of " Anti-
lilisti°ll bi) enCOUrage sellers. Public lectures
isernlt 1,48,. 4. Number of persons employed
q4;ltlial, sinlio, and manufacturing preparations
lit ay and • The above speak volumes in favour
IN llriater Perseveracce of the ingenious audditnter-
:%t (4t h ' kr. Greer who, from finding the great
iii iltill'cilioni4dbi Prevailed' among the . poorer c-asses
IX,IY L,,4 the 8 ,trtanY years' avocation, as sanitary
ti ap;:Aiktit ~°)€) supervision of Mr. 'resh, had
:isohi,',;;St :Ira in contact) for some' efficacious
' 'lts; Ni'lestio; arrain, c)mbining safety, simpli.
•ttti;Y of to (lj' and cheapness, did not think it
i.,4n., such tote a share of his attention to the
,ttiq, rtiao, a remedy, till at length, after much
~itily,,titto,itlexPetiments, he has now supplied the
'44itt s„great l' which he calculates ridding Liverpool,
'it, Ili'llcwatild formidable a nuisance of centarics ;
4 '4, ; 114411°4 we wish him every commensurate
ekto it real th g resigned his office under the health
rtely it,ksins's Pressure of his own business, and to
ice benefits,
wills nable the public to receive
euta o hiservices.

three
pr tike

of 054

ZEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXWIEQUE.R ON 7'HE SUGAR DUI lES.
- _
' A deputation from the Grocers' Commercial Association
e;waited on Tuesday on the Right Honourable the Chan-
veY°it!l ref the Exchequer, upon the subject of his proposal
duties espect to the proposed alteration in reference to the
a, uPon sugar. The deputation comprised the chair-
vvC and many of the leadinguaembers of the association,
child,
were accompanied and introduced by Baron Roths-
thild' lII.P. Several of the speakers drew the attention of
~.,_e Chancellor TO the Unexpected nature of his
.proposal,
ni the shortness of the time afforded for its consideration,
14earneatly pressed for the postponement of its discussion
:RI Ile Rouse, so. as to afford the trade in all parts of the
theye-k1 opportunity 'of considering its bearings upon
,and upon the community at large. It was forther
bread that the scheme of the Chancellor WaS in direct
.70.1tiatvion of the existing acts of pariltimeni, and calculated
to (Ave troc, trannittiiOns in uncertainty and Obscurity.
kit right honOerable gents .mail listened with great
iiiv, nt.lod to the argathenta adduced, but, declined giving
best ''t,h.cr a6surattee than that they should have his
t, -t" cuosideration. It was not his Intention or desire
ta't ake the trade or country by surprise; or to preeipi-
bet e Vie Passage of his resolutions through the House;
1), he stated that it *as impossible for him in the
E,%n condition of the finances of the country to
.fteet the dnties of 1855 as a standard. In reply to this
the .ra.tion, it was urged on behalf ot the deputation that .
(rode
both generally regarded a single duty for three years
lathir, .13°n tea and sugar as highly preferable. to ad osci,!.
tcreptosuion.
Pro ' eale. Many argumeirs were Used in favour of this
The Chandellor of the Exchequer, with
atterPee andis Suggestion, promised to give
.it his best tseh lion;observed that he saw no objection to some
PleaCrrtagement. The deputation withdrew, highly
ed with their courteous reception.

MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL.

LIVERPOOL, Wednesday Evening.
The demand for Cotton has not been so brisk
to-day, the sales only reaching 7,000 bales; 3,000 of
which were on speculation and for export. Prices
of all kinds, hovVeVer, remain very firm.
The tone of the Liverpool Share Market was rather
firmer to-day. A pretty good business was trans-
acted, and slightly higher nrieca 7:Cr.° current, The
4 transactions Z;Jusisted of-Caledonian, 32i, -a, 0,
3, -k, 3, -4, 3 ; Eastern Counties, 10
1-16; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 99, e, 1; Lan.
caster and Preston i shares, 20.71 ; London and
North Western, 1071, -I, ; ditto k Shares, 5-16 fd;
Man Chester, Sheffield,. andi Lincolnshire, 351 ;
Midland, 83, I, 1 k; North British, .10- 9,16 ;
North Eastern, 21i, 1'; Leeds Capital Stock, 181 ;
Dover. 22-1 1 4 ; East Lancashire 1 Shares, 8 13-16;
ditto Fifth Shares, 5L 1 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and
Lincolnshire XlO Shares, 12i ; Buffalo and Lake
Huron, 1/, p m; Great Luxembourg, 10; d; Bank
of LiVerpool, 231; Liverpool and London Insur-
ance, 7 546 p. The closing prices are thus re-
ported :
Blackburn
Chester and Birkenhead ...... 691 70
Caledonian .• ,
$ 8
Chester and Holyhead ...... ..... 181 18
Eastern Counties
e.
East Lancashire • • . 241 ... 241
Great Nertbein
Ditto A shares
treat Western
Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock . 991 , . 991
Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport
London and North Western Stock 1071
.. 1071
Dittos stares -16
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln .... 35k
.. 36
Midland Stock
North British . lOl .. 10a
North Staffordshire • •.. 6 xd 41d
South Eastern.and Dover .... 22 13-16 221
Scottish North Eastern ,• .
North Eastern Berwick
York and North Midland
Leeds capital Stock
Buffalo and Lake Huron....
Dutch Rhenish 5-16.. tp.
Great Western of Canada .......255.16. 21,716
Ditto New Shares
.. 21516 p.
Great Luxembourg lot .. 10k d.
Grand Trunk of Canada 12 9.16 1211-16
At the Manchester Share Market to day, the
following were the ruling prices :—Blackburn,
0 1-16 ; London Eighths, 5 16d ; Dover, .221 ; and
Sheffield, 35k. .
The demand for Money was not just so active
to day, yet there is no decline to notice in the rate
of discount, which remains at a minimum figure
of 6 per cent. There is, nevertheless, a disposition
to look with More confidence to the future, in con-
sequence Of the large quantities of gold which are
believed to be coming forward from Australia.
These, it is supposed, will produce increased
confidence by checking the withdrawal Of gold
from the Bank of England and augmenting the
deposits contained therein. Silver is also likely
to arrive to a greater extent than of late,
notwithstanding the adiices from Mexico
announce fresh insurrectiohary troubles, which
May interfere With tho transit of valuable
Merchandise from the interior to the coast. But
little Gold is understood to have been taken from
the Bank this week, and it is very likely this
movement will not excite so much attention tts
heretofore, seeing that the effect upon the Bank's
resources has not been so important n appre-
hended.
The Market for the Public Ponds and Securities
to-day, was rather buoyant. Consols at one time
touching 94k, with buyers at that [figure, closing,
however, with sellers at the sane rate. The oloa.
lag rate was 94, and after official hours, 94/
In Rail Way Shares, there was not much done in
the London Market to day. The demand was
inactive, but we do not notice any decline iu
prices The Closing quotations were :
Ambergate, Nottingham, and East Junction.. 4/ .. 48
Caledonian
• • •
Edinburgh and Glasgow
• • •
Eastern Counties
East Lancashire.'
Great Northern
, ••••
bitt o, A
Great Western
Lancashire and Yorkshire
Leeds Northern
London and North Western lO7/ ..108
London and South Western
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire 3s* .. 36
Midland Stock . 831 ... 831
North British... t
74261
South Eastern
York, Newcastle, and Berwick 861 871
York and North Midland 63 631
Chester and Holyhead
Grand Trunk,
Great Western of Canada
Do. New
.. 3
Mexicans 2ll .. 221
.
North of France
Paris and Strasbourg .v 321 .. 321
Paris and Lyons • •• 551
Russian , . • . 108 .. 110
Scottish North Eastern (Aberdeen)
Western of France ... ..... . 311 32/
Central Do
Geneva....
Beziers
Ardennes
Sambre and Meuse
Namur and Liege
• • 81 • 9
Great Luxembourg -
Antwerp and Rotterdams/
Dutch Rhenish
• •
Lombardo Venetian . 6i ~ 68
After the official hours the business transacted
was at the following prices :
Caledonian
Eastern Counties .
East Lancashire
Great Northern
Ditto A
• •
Ditto Western 681 .. 681
Lancashire and Yorkshire.
L;nudon and North Western
.. 108
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire 35/ 361
Midland' Stock ..
North British
South Eastern and Doter
York, Newcastle, and Berwick
York and North Midland ....
A fair business continues to be transacted in
Foreign and Colonial Produce. Sugar is not in
such demandas at the end of last week, but prices
are firmly maintained, The Tea Market is rather
unsettled owing to the suspense about the pro
jetted duty. Common Congou is quoted at 12
quite nominal. For Dyewoois there is a moderate
request. Rice is steady.
The Corn Trade was rather firmer to day at
Glasgow, but in London there was next to nothing
doing, notwithstanding short supplies and a
demand on French account. There is a moderate
business doing in Barley, Beans, and Peas.
Indian Corn is rather dearer.
Latters from the manufacturing districtsin the
north of England report no alteration in the state
of. trade, but the improvement in the import
markets at Bombay and Calcutta has produced a
more favourable feeling in certain departments.
Wool and Cotton continue at full prices, which
check production, and the dearness of money
causes a limitation of orders. A good deal of
interest is felt with regard to the commencement
of the London Wool Sales, when it is expected that
very full terms will be realised.
The half yearly dividend of the Caledonian Rail-
way Company is to be at the rate of 3-A per cent.
per annum, or 17s 6d per share, leaving a balance
towards the account of the current half year of
about 6,0001.
•
The French Emperor's speech is favourably re-
garded, as breathing a spirit of peace, and,indicat-
ing that no state loan will be required. The
appearance of a decree, however, raising the
authorised issue of French Treasury Bonds to
350,000,000 f, or 14,000,0001 'sterling, has excited
some discussion, and has revived the idea that the
Bank *of France will be permitted to increase its
capital, investing the new funds in the national
unfunded debt.
Further orders having come in, it is now esti-
mated that the remittances of specie and bullion by
the Colombo on the 20th inst. will exceed 600,0001.

This is an unusually large sum, considering that
the Colombo takes no mail for China,
It is officially announced that the Eastern Coun-
ties Railway Company will carry forward a surplus
of between 6,000/. and 7,000/., after paying a half-
yearly dividend of ss. per share, as was mentioned
yesterday:
It is stated in Paris that tho dividend to. be at;-
Glared at the forthcoming Meeting df the Western
of France Railway Company will not exceed 22f.
50e. per share, making, with the interest already
paid, a total distribution of 40f. for the year 1856
The traffic of the Great Western Railway of
Canada shows a decrease, owing to the roads east
and west being blocked up with snow.
A special general meeting of the Namur and
Liege and Mons and Manage Railway Company
is called for the 2:01 instant in London, and for
the 7th March at Brussels, to ratify an agreement
entered into for the transfer to the Belgian Govern-
ment of the lease of the Mons and Manage Railway,
as lately agreed. dpon between this company and
the Northern Railway Company of France.
The half yearly meeting of the Submarine Tele-
graph Company is called for the 25th instant, when
-a dividend is to be declared. The meeting will
then be made special, to cons'der the expediency
of extending the lines, and of increasing the capital
by. the issue of new shares.
The seventh half yearly dividend of Four per
Cent. is advertised as payable in Londob, on the
20th March, on the stock of the New York Central
Railroad Company.
The report of yesterday's Indigo sale is sub-
joined : " The sale has gone rather better to-day,
proprietors giving strong support by withdrawing
largely. Madras under Bs. has sold with more
Spirit, and a small parcel of B;mlapatam sold with
animation at,an advance of 4.d. to 6d. per lb. upon
October rates. About IMOO chests remain to pass,
and the sale is expected to finish either to-morrow
or early on Thdrsday morning
Prom the ac:ounts of r.eeipts and eiinenditnre
of the South Wales Railway Company, just pttb-
fished, it appears that the SUM available for dis
tributicia among the shareholders is 66,878146 s 6d,
out of which it is propdsed to declare adividend,
at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum, on the con-
solidated stock and ordinary shares.
The bill of the European and Indian Junction
Telegraph Company was presented to the House of
Commons on the 16th inst.

At the Mutual Life Assurance Society's meeting,
held to-day. the accounts showed an increase of
27,7251. in the business during the past year, which,
added to the invested fund, made it, on the Ist of
January last, 203,568/ After some .discussion the
accounts were passed.
The meeting of the Wells and nicenham Rail-
way Company has just taken place, when the
accounts, showing a balance of 1,0691 13s 10d in
hand, were passed It was stated that every attempt
would be made to get the line opened in June next
The meeting of the Scinde Railway Company
haaalso lust been held, W. P. Andrew,. Esq , in
the chair, who stated that the delay in selecting
the line was from a change in the government of
the district, and that there *as no doubt but that
the original line from kurrachee to Hyderabad
would be adopted by the Bombay government.
The accounts showed a balance with the H.E.I C.

and in hand of 219,760/. The report was passed
unanimously.

THE IROII ANIT-00AL TRADE.

the state of the ikon i
trade is not so good as t Ina at
the termination .of the quarterly meetings. It was confi.
dently expected at that tithe bY Sbthe that a toed supply
or orders would haVe beet received before noir fkdm the
continent, but, at present, these expectations have to a
certain extent been disappointed ; at the same time it must
be adMitted that the. season of the year has not
sufficiently advanced to open the channel of communication
of the Americanand north cOntinental Canals and rivera.
The sales effected in pig iron have lately been few ; thii
arises:in a great measure from the large quantity sold on
quarter day. There are considerable enquiries for rails,
and there. is a steady demand for plates, and rod iron is
in greater request; but some of the large foundries in the
district are short of orders; and Many persons are out of
work. Considerable underselling has been going on by
needy parties ; but the redaction of the war taxes, corn:
pined with a considerable arrival df gtild, will inspire a
hopeful opinion of the future, and no doubt ultimately
lead to a relaxation of the pressing and high rates
demanded for discounting bills, which hare for a long
time crippled the energies of the mercantile world. The
coal trade is brisk, but the larger quantities brought into
the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire districts
by rail from a distance, are beginning to operate against
the tree. The wages -in the north and other places from
which coal is sent are considerably lower than those of
thick coal colliers in !his district, and; with other bircinn-
staneek enable the proprietors to Undersell in this locality;
the consequence is that a reduction in the price of thick
coal will shortly be declared. This is a wise step, for it
is better for the coal proprietors of South Staffordshire to
be satisfied with less profits than to allow coal to be sent
in at lower rates, and to monopolise the trade,. which will
eventually be the case if no steps are taken to prevent it.

THE TALABJT PATENT FOR /AIPROVRAIENTS IN MANiJACP.
TURING IRON.—We copy the (ollowing from the Pngitteer,
of Saturday last :
" We stated three weeks since that a Mr. Howarth was
in South Staffordshire, representing Messrs. Connell and
Hope, the agents for the Stirling Talabot patent for saving
time in the manufacture of iron in the puddling furnace, by
mixing powdered haematite ore and sawdust with the pig
iron as it ran in the molten state from the blast furnace
into the pig moulds or chills. Facilities for testing the
experiment were readily afforded to Mr. Howarth at the
Shrubbery Works, at Wolverhampton, of Messrs. G. B.
Thorneycroft and Co. By the. instruction of that firm,
gr. Howarth had samples of the pig iron manufactured
at two neighbouring pig makers, and the time required
for its purification in the puddling furnace was tested at
the Shrubbery Works side by side with pigs of the
ordinary sample. Upon the average of trials there was a
saving in time in each heat of thirteen minutes in favour
of the new process. This, upon the customary six heats
a day, would give a total saving upon the nine hours'
" turn" of one hour and eighteen minutes. The advantage
in time in favour of the new principle would have been
greater, the agent maintained, if the iron used had not
been so grey, and if it had been run into chills instead 9f
into sand moulds. At .the same time, however, whilst
the quality in the new samples was not supposed to have
been improved) the yield was in favour of the ordinary
pig to the extent of about half a hundredweight in
the ton. Whilst, therefore, by close effort it might be
possible to produce seven heats a day instead of six, with
no larger consumption of coal, it would become a question
whether with the extra coat of "fettling or keeping the
furnaces workable during those heats, the loss upon the
yield, and the additional 3s per ton upon the pig iron
made by the process, the adoption of the patent where
South Staffordshire iron is made, would result in much if
any saving to the manufacturer. In the case of North of
England iron the principle, we are assured, presents
marked advantages, inasmuch as the saving in the time
of puddling, which is effected by its use, is considerably
more than it has been shown to be upon South Stafford-
shire iron. At Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Messrs. Lost],
Wilson, and Bell, are making large quantities of pig iron
upon the principle, which is being taken up by several
other makers in the same locality. And in this district
one of the tall firms by whom the new samples of pig iron
experimented upon were made, so far appreciate the
patent that they have explfessed their intention of testing
it upon a large scale. We don't know how the difficulty
has been am mounted in Newcastle, but in South Stafford.
shire the opposition which would be offered by the
paddlers to ti.e imp 'sing of seven heats a day would be of
a serious character, their impression being that an increase
upon that number, whilst it added to their labour, would
not augment their remuneration.

THE SARDINIAN .41,.-11) p irlihmentary return just
issued, it appeals that the Government received
2,000,0001. on account of the ban Irotn the consAidated
fund up to the 31st acembtr, 1856, and that it hAs pa d
interest at the rate of 3 per cent, for the years 1855 and
1856 to the amount of 44,8501. It has also paid 14,950/.
towards the sinking fund on the loan, leaving a balance of
principal due of 1,985,049/.

. -
REPRESENTATION OF LISBURN.—It is said that 0-ere are
a number of gentlemen anxious to come forward at the next
general election, to represent the borough of Lisburn in
Parliament. The names more prominently before the
public are those of the present member, J. J. Richardson,
Esq., M.P., J. J, Richardson, J.P,, Lambeg, Colonel
Hogg, son of Sir J. IV, Hogg, Director of the East India
Beard, and sir J. Mccauley Higginson, who is about to
resign the governorship of the Mauritius, and settle in the
neighbourhood of Lisburn, where many of his early days
were spent.—Belfast Mercury.
ELOPEMFNT.—Considerable excitement was occasioned on
Tuesday last, in the neighbourhood of Aston, near Shiffnal,
near Wolverhampton, in consequence of the elopement of
Miss Evans, The neice of the highly respectable maltster,
Mr. Aaron Fellowes, who, it appears had long exchanged
vows of eternal devotion, with a sturdy son of the rail, eon.
netted with the goods department at Shiffnal. Vainly
having endeavovred to obtain the consent of the obdurate
uncle, the happy pair took to " the rail ;" for, alas ! the
" neat yellow post chaise" co longer rules the road ; and
ere the hand of authority' could overtake them, the jeyous
swain had made the blushing maidcn hie "dear wife."