The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-24 00:00:00

* Late Sir Robert Peel.

LIE MAILS.—SOUTILUIPTON, May 23..--The United
States' mail steam-ship Washington, Captain Cavendy,
left this afternoon, with the German, French, and Eng-
lish mails, 260 passengers, and a fair cargo of general
merchandise. The Royal Mail Company's steamship
Tay is preparing to convey the West India, Mexican,
and Pacific mails on the 2d proximo. The Peninsular
and Oriental Company's steam-ship Iberia, Captain
'Christian, is expected about Thursday with the mails
from Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar. The
Iberia is appointed to convoy the outward mails to the
Peninsular port on the 28th inst.

METROPOLITAN.
A special meeting of this company was held yesterday
at the London Tavern ; Mr. Malins in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN explained that the meeting had been
called for the purpose of giving the shareholders any
explanations that might be required. He then gave
a short-history of the progress of the company from the
time it united with Mr. Pearson's City Terminus Com-
pany, the difficulties they had to contend with in
introducing a railway into the city, and the difficulty
in raising the necessary capital in consequence of the
war and the state of the money-market. They had
met with considerable opposition in Parliament from
the various parishes and other parties, but they had
gradually overcome all prejudices against their proposed
railway, and there was a general feeling in favour of the
utility of their undertaking and the great accommoda-
tion it would afford to the public. By its connection
with the Post-office and immediate communication with
the Great Northern, the London and North-Western,
and the Great Western Railways, it would confer a
great public benefit, by effecting a more rapid convey.
ance of the mails. At least three-quarters of an hour
would be saved in the transmission from and receipt of
the mails at the General Post-office, :thus saving one
hour and a-half to City men in the course of the day.
With regard to the state of the capital, they had
600,0001. subscribed in February last, and since that
time the amount had been gradually swelling, so that,
including 15,000 shares which the contractors had agreed
to take in part payment, they considered that the sub-
scription was nearly completed. At the Wharncliffe
meeting, which would be held that day fortnight, he
hoped to be able to announce the capital completed.
There was 71,0001. deposited with the Government autho-
rities, which would be released when half the capital was
expended on their line. The engineer and contractors
had again carefully gone over the estimates and con-
sidered the nature of the works, the result of which was
that the difficulties appeared to be much less than were
at first anticipated. There was no doubt that their line
could be completed for about 1,200,0001. The expenses
of the company to the present time amounted to about
27,0001. The delay that had taken place had enabled
them to see their way clearly as to carrying out the un-
dertaking and prosecuting the works with vigour. The
Great Western Company has subscribed 175,0001. to-
wards the undertaking, but, although the other compa-
nies had acknowledged the advantages of a junction with
their line, they had not yet offered any pecuniary assist-
ance.

Mr. FOWLER, the engineer, in reply to questions, ex-
plained that two years from the commencement of the
works would afford abundant time to complete them,
without any extraordinary effort on the part of the con-
tractors. The contractors were of opinion that the time
hid arrived for making preliminary arrangements, and,
they were prepared to execute the whole work, including
all risks and contingencieg,Yand to 'complete the railway'
for one guaranteed sum.
On the motion of Mr. ARMSTRONG, seconded by Mr.
WITHE3S, a resolution, expressing the sati-faction of
the meeting at the statement of the Chairman, and
thanking the directors for the care and trouble they had
taken to promote the interests of the coz:pany, was
passed unanimously.
Mr. C. PEARSON having expressed the deep interest
be felt in the success of the undertaking, concluded by
moving a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman, which
was seconded and carried unanimously.
The meeting then separated.