The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-10 00:00:00

their hands in their own pockets, they very coolly,
call upon the neighbouring company to bear the en-
tire outlay; for, as we have already stated, a guarantee
of 3 per cent. by a solvent party, in the present
state of the money market, is to all intents and pur-
poses equivalent to bearing the entire expenditure.
As might reasonably be anticipated, this proposition,
which would entail a loss of 18,0001. per annum on
the company, is demurred to, and forthwith it
is intimated, in the most polite and conciliatory
terms, that a regular opposition will be organized to
compete for the entire continental traffic. The beggar
in " Gil Bias," who extorted charity while his gun was
pointed towards his benefactor, had not a more con-
vincing mode of enforcing compliance with his wishes.
But, after all, the threat may not be so very formid-
able—Parliament will no longer sanction what are
termed competing lines, at the instigation of any
man or body of men, however respectable or influen-
tial. It will not render its assistance to divide a

;raffle paying only 3 per cent. on the outlay already

incurred, because some hot-headed gentlemen are
displeased at any resistance being offered to their
disinterested efforts at dictation. The very nature of
the alternative offered must ensure the rejection of
any Bills that may be brought forward. GIL BLes
would not have dropped his " reds" into the hat of
the military suppliant, if assured that
.his for-
midable - looking piece would have merely
flashed in the pan. The South-Eastern shareholders
refused to enter into a prejudicial contract under
duresse, and very judiciously left the matter in the
hands of the directors, to be disposed of as they con-
sidered best calculated to promote the true interests
of the company.
The general report (which has already appeared in
our columns) was of a very satisfactory character.
There was an increase of nearly 15,0001. on the first
three months of the year, until the influence of the
Exhibition became perceptible. The falling
off then was only on the through or continental traffic ;

but from and after the 11th of October, the time of
the closing of the Crystal Palace, the receipts will be
greater this year than in the corresponding portion
of 1851. The use of periodical tickets, too, is
steadily increasing, more than 3,5001. additional
having been received from that source during the
present year.
The goods traffic, likewise, is progressive

—the receipts for the half-year being no
less than 5,7021. greater than in 1851, and

13,6231. greater than in 1850; the total improvement
when compared with 1850 being 53,1111. 7s. 5d., or
more than 2,0001. per week. When, however, the
reasonable request of the company is complied with,
and a bonded warehouse established at the London-
bridge terminus, and when the line round Paris con-
necting the southern with the northern railways has
been completed, so that the wines of the south
may be transmitted to Boulogne without
change of carriage, there is every reason to
suppose that this traffic will be materially
augmented, more particularly as it is known that the
sea voyage is exceedingly injurious to the lighter
descriptions of French wine.
Some complaints were put forward respecting
the poor-law assessments of railways. We have
always considered that railway companies have just
cause of complaint on that point, and also on the
passenger-tax. They are grievances imperatively
demanding legislative interference, an interfer-
ence which cannot much longer be withheld.
Shareholders would not complain of a direct tax,
to which every other description of accumulated and
realized property would also be liable, but a special
impost of 5 per cent. on the gross receipts from the
passenger traffic—equivalent to 9 per cent. on the net
earnings from that source, in addition to the ordinary
income-tax, is too bad, savouring strongly of con-
fiscation.

Looking, then, to the changes that must neces-
sarily follow the increased supply of gold
consequent on the Australian and Californian dis-
coveries, whether by the additional stimulus
which a circulating medium, adequate to the
wants and exigencies of the country, would af-
ford to trade and commerce, or by the reduced
rate of interest which would materially
diminish the fixed charges, the prospects of all rail-
way companies appear far more favourable than they
were a few years since, and none are more propitious
than those of the South-Eastern, which, under judi-
cious management, will eventually repay to its share-
holders the vexations and annoyances of the last few
years.

DEATH OF A CONTEMPORARY OF DR. JOHNSON.—
In our obituary of last week, we noticed the death of Mrs.
Philip Valiance, late of 32, West-street. This venerable lady,
who had attained her 88th year, had been, during her long
life, a constant resident in Brighton, and was born within
two doors of her late abode. Her father, also a native of
Brighton, was many years a commander in the navy, and
served under Sir Edward Hawke in the memorable battle
with Mons. Confians, in the year 1759. He lies interred in
Brighton churchyard, with mimerous descendants. His
daughter (the deceased), who became a widow in 1825, con-
tinued to reside in her native place, in full possession of
health and strength, until within a few months of her death.
She remembered and often spoke of seeing Dr. Johnson with
Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, promenading the Steine, as well as the
celebrated and beautiful Lady Sarah Lennox, afterwards
Banbury, and subsequently Napier. She died in London,
after five days' illness of English cholera, surrounded b.y her
family, and to all appearance wholly free from pain or
anxiety.—Brighton Guardian.
ANOTHER ACCIDENT BY FIRE-ARMS.--Last week,
as the troops of the various depots in garrison at Canterbury
were engaged in a sham-fight in a field near the barracks,
one of the party, belonging to the 6th Foot, while running
with his loaded musket, the weapon by some accident went
off, and wounded him severely in the right arm he poor
fellow was led off by his comrades to the Military Hospital,
and it is feared that he will be disabled for life.
THE KOH•I-NOOR.—The re-cutting of this gem,
which is insigne in its kind, was finished on Tuesday last ;
and the expectations of Mr. Fedder, the Jewish artist, who
undertook this responsible task, have been fully realised, and
the misgivings of the scientific gentlemen who questioned
the final success refuted. It is unsurpassed by any other
diamond above ground in shape, lustre, and beauty. Her
Majesty the Queen inspected the two smaller diamonds
before her departure for Balmoral, and graciously expressed
the high satisfaction she felt at the brilliancy and beauty
given them by the new process. We anticipate that her
satisfaction will be heightened on beholding the " mountain
of light," which is to shed its lustre on the illustrious lady,
who shines gloriously in rank and virtue. We are given to
understand that it will be sat either in the crown, or form an
ornament to adorn the Queen. This gem having lett the
hands of the artisans employed for. the purpose, they have
each received from the bands of th. eir empl yoer, Mr.
Garrard,Gad
the Queen's jeweller, a piece of silver platF, with a
the Koh-i-noor in the centre, and bearing the following
inscription:—" Presented by Mr. Garrard to Mr. Fedder
(Mr. Voorsanger) in commemoration of the cutting of the
Koh-i-noor. Commenced the 16th
July, and finished the
7th September, 1852."—Jeuiish Chroaicle.
AUSTRIAN FEAR OF THE BIBLE.—A Breslau
journal announces the arrival of a freight of Bibles, all
under seal, which had been seizes by the Austrian Govern-
ment at the Missionary Society's depot, and sent out of the
country.
FARREN, THE ACTOR.—We regret to an-
nounce that last night, while engaged in playing in The
Master Passion at the Olympic Theatre, Mr. Farren was
taken suddenly ill, and the piece was consequently stopped;
Mr. Farren has greatly rallied.

THE PRINTERS' DRAMATIC SOCIETT.—An at-
tractive amateur performance is to take place at the Soho
Theatre to-morrow, on which occasion several of the
members of the above society will sustain the principal parts
in the following pieces :—Perfection, Delicate Ground, the
Country House, and Charles the Second.
The Earl of Lonsdale arrived at Lowther Castle
from London on Friday evening last. The Hon. Colonel
Lowther is also at the castle, where a select party have as-
sembled to enjoy the sports of the field. Captain Lowther,
M.P., of the Guards, and Mrs. Lowther, have arrived at
Whitehaven Castle. The Earl of Essex, his son, and Mr.
William Brougham, have been shooting over Shap Fells, the
property of the Earl of Lonsdale, during the past week. The
sportsmen are all three excellent shots, and they bagged a
great quantity of game.—Cumberland Pacquet.
CLOSING OF THE TRANSFER BOOKS AT THE BANK
OF ENGLAND AND SOUTH SEA HOUSE.—Yesterday the
transfer books at the Bank of England, for the annuities
due on the 10th of October on the following stocks, were
closed, and will be re-opened on Tuesday, the 19th of Oc-
tober next, viz., Reduced 31. per Cent. Annuities, Long An-
nuities and Annuities for terms of years, Bank Stock from
this day, the 10th inst., until Tuesday, the 19th October, and
31. ss. per Cent. Annuities until Wednesday, the 2d of Octo-
ber. At the South Sea House the transfer books for South
Sea Stock will be closed this afternoon until Tuesday, the
19th October proximo.
FIRE AT SWINDON STATION.—Yesterday morning,
about two o'clock, after the departure of the up-mail train,
and at a time when all the servants and domestics belonging
to the establishment of the Queen's Royal Hotel and refresh-
ment rooms had retired to rest, a fire was discovered in the
linen-room, on the north side of the building, which created
the greatest alarm and consternation, and which, but for its
timely detection, and the promptitude and presence of mind
displayed by Mr. Phillips, the proprietor, must have ended
building.
The
gin the total destruction of at least that side of the
The fire was first discovered by a young lady of
esta-
blishment, whose bed-roo m was opposite and l
and who was aroused a crackling noise and a smell of
smoke. She instantly gaveg an
_alarm, and on Mr. Phillip
proceeding to the spot he found the room in ala
the adoption of timely precautions the flames wbereze.
y
s
extin-
guished, and the total damage will not exceed 100/
Wiltshire Mirror.
The King of Belgium has conferred the order of
Leopold, with the civil decoration, upon
Sir Henry De In
Beche, of the Geological Survey
-
"ice, of London, as a
public testimony of his Majesty's esteem and satisfaction for
the eminent services rendered by him ,„
. Werotta ViilVlolo PUblieatical gqQ.logy by his nu-