The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-10-16 00:00:00

ST. PATRICK'S MARINE ASSURANCE COMPANY.

Another meeting of the Proprietors took place last week
in Dublin, upon which occasion they called upon the Di-
rectors to exhibit the case on which the opinion of Counsel
bad been taken, in which opinion it was stated that " the
Directors could not he held personally resnonsible to the
Proprietors for the losses sustained by the Company," and
which had been published, and placarded, so genera:ly
through the city. The Directors, however, declined to
produce this document. It was stated to the meeting, that
besides the case then before Serjeant Pennefather on the part
of the Proprietors, another had been proposed, on which to
have the opinion of additional Counsel, in order to defray
the expense of which a second subscription would he ne-
cessary. A second subscription of half-a-crown each Share-
holder having been collected, the meeting adjourned.
In the last notice of the premccedings of this Company
the opinion of Counsel on the Directors' case was given,
but it was then intimated that it did not appear whether
there was any ether case before Counsel or not. It now
seems that there is, and that the Sharehojders are deter-
mined to obtain the best advice they can upon the subject.
This, however, will do no good: the opinions of the whole
Bar cannot set the matter at rest; that can only be done by
a Jury. It is not said that the Directors hove acted im-
properly ; that is not the question: the real question is, as
to their liability if misconduct should eventually be proved ;
and, although the Directors' Counsel have decided in their
favour upon the case submitted, the refusal to produce it
looks very like their being afraid to show even the strong
points on which they rely. The call of 21. 10s. per share
having been made, " Cad: ,47,- is the order of the day, and
the Shareholders must look about them. If they had acted
like wise men,theywould have kept theirhalf-crowns in their
pockets to go towards the call, rather than pitch them away
for a dirty opinion. It is quite time time Directors in Ireland
made some communication (pay, of course, they cannot at
present) to those gentlemen in this country who have sent
them their policies to adjust and settle. l'romptness is the
soul of business; and hence the advantage resulting from
insuring with individuals rather than with any Company on
earth. That which has taken weeks, and may, perhaps,
months, to he done by this Company, would have been ac-
complished in Lloyd's Room in a day or so. This alone,were
there no other, is quite a sufficient reason for the assertion
that Marine Insurance is essentially promoted by being in
the hands of individuals. A letter from one of the Scotch
ports announces that the Agent to this Company had left
off taking insurances, but that the" South Devon" had it in
contemplation to nominate an Agent there, the person con-
tt for that office being a " friend," otherwise a
Tint. Tartlet, a pastry cook. Good! The capital 25,000/.
the Directors principally parsons, and the Agents pastry-
cooks! Oh, it must Le a prosperous concern! One prtg-
not a tartlet puff; nor a parson's puff, but a good miller's
puff—would send them all upon their beam-ends to-
gether! Z.

MARINE RAILWAYS.—The ew Fork Commercial
Advertiser, of Tuesday, says, " The steam-boat iVashing-
ton, Capt. E. S. Bunker, arrived here on Sunday after-
noon, from Providence. After landing her passengers, she
was conducted to the railways, and drawn up with every
thing, even her wood on board. Yesterday her bottom was
examined, her copper repaired, and two streaks of new
copper put upon her bottom. Between four and five o'clock
in the afternoon, the members of the Senate, now sitting
as a Court of Errors, who had been invited thither by the
officers of the Dry Dock Company, witnessed her descent
into the water, with perfect steadiness and order. A brig
was then brought up on tha ways, and they commenced
hauling her up ; but evening coining on, the gentlemen re-
turned, much pleased with the spectacle, and fully per-
suaded of the great advantges resulting from this improve-
ment upon the old system of dry docks."
On Saturday the son of the 84-dismal Princess of Cum,
bcrland attended at Marlhorough-street Police-office, fer
the purpose of assuring the Magistrates that he is really
the son of the lady who disclaims him; and of giving the
lie to certain other of her statements. After having made
this declaration be withdrew.
INHUMANITY OF AN OVERSEER.—OR Monday, the
25th ult. as two gentletnen were on their way from Altrin-
chain to Manchester, they found a man who had fallen
down in a fit, lying by the way side, apparently in a dying
state. Moved by humanity, they both alighted, and en-
deavoured to render him what assistance they could : and
while one of them held up his head, the other went for
help to an adjoining house, which happened to be that of
the overseer, whom he met at the door, and to whom he
told the pitiable condition of the poor man. But the inhu-
man wretch refused to come to his asistance, and actually
shut the door in the gentleman's face! After a while,
through the exertions of the two gentlemen, aided by a man
and woman, who possessed more humanity than their
revived, and told them that he was in