The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-24 00:00:00

PROSPECTUS.

This Company has been constituted for the purpose of
undertaking the construction, maintenance, and working of
railways, the manufacture of railwqy plant and oiling stock
for safe or hire, reclaiming lands, the construction of reser-
voirs, roads, bridges, docks, harbours, piers, breakwaters,
drainage, water, and other pub is works, both English and
ThCompany have arranged. on very favourable terms,
'with the eminent contractor. Mr. Rowland Brotherhood, who
has for many years carried on a large and lucrative trade, and
agrees to transfer the whole of his business to the Company,
inc'udes his freehold works, situated at the Great Western
Railway Station, Chippenham, with all its complete machi-
nery, stock, and teole, as well as the plant and interest in
Zsilwav and other contracts now in hand.
Mr. Brotherhood has named a very moderate sum for the
'goodwill of his business. The works (which are all freehold
and very valuable), plant and contracts to be taken at a valua-
tion, to be made by competent parties, one-third of the pur-
chaae money to be paid in shares.
With such arrangements and advantages, both as regards
the welt known capacity of the general manager, and the
possession of works in 'full operation and able to complete
any contracts they may undertake, the Directors feel confi-
dence in the success of the Company, having before them the
rrospent of a large and highly remunerative business. A
large number of s ares have already been applied ter.
In the event of no allotment being made, the deposits will
be returned in full. Should a less number of shares be al-
lo tad than are applied for, the deposits will be made avail-
able toward. payment on allotment, and the balance, if any,
returned to the applicant.
Applications to be made to the London Financial Associa-
tion (Limited), South Sea-house, Threadneedle-street • the
Imperialokers. Financial Company (Limited), Finch-lane ;Or to
the Br
Prospectuses and forms of application for shares may also
be obtained at the several banks or their branches.
The memorandum and articles of association may be in-
spected at the offices of the solicitors to the Company.

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES.
To the Directors of the General Contract Company
(Limited).
Gentlemen,—Having paid into your bankers the sum of
, being a deposit of £ I per share on shares in the above Company, I hereby request that you will allot me that
number, and I hereby agree to accept such shares or any less
number that may be allotted to me ; and I authorise you to
place my name upon the register of shareholders for the
shares so allotted.

I am, Gentlemen,
Name in lull
Residence
Prolession or businePs
Date

NEW PATENT CURTAIN HOOK that
requires no sewing, and, if reversed, can be used for
many purposes. To be had of all shops in
town or country.
Patentees, W. TENT and Co., 23, Birchin-lane, London, E.C.

(IRNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
‘nd Dining-room, consisting of a new and eieeant assort-
ment of VASES, Figures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Ink-
stands, tieautiful inlaid Tables, Paper weights, dm, in Italian,
Alabas er,
Parian, Marble, Bronze, Derbyshire Spar, &o,
Imported and manufactured by JAMES TENNANT, )Nune..
ralogist to her Nlajesty, 149, Stand. W.C., Lonaon.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary collections of SHELLS,
MINERALS, ROCKS, and FOSSILS, which will greatly
facilitate the interesting study of. MINERALOGY, CON-
CIIOLOGY, tad GEOLOGY, at 2,5, 10, 20, 50, to 100 guineas
each.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION in GEOLOGY and Brßm.
RALOGY is given by Mr. TENNANT, at 149, Strand, W.v.

MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS,
TRADERS, AND EXECUTORS.

ACCOUNTS arranged and adjusted, and Balance Sheets
prepared.—Financial operations organised and Banking fa-
cilities arranged.—Cash Advances made on Trade Stock,
Dock Warrants, and other Securities, and Sales effected.—
The Agency of Provincial and Foreign Firms undertaken.
Address, Messrs. BANHES and Co., Accountants, 20,
Devereux-court, Strand, London, W.C.

IT THIS SHOULD MEET THE EYE e any
one troubled with Wind in the Stomach, Indizestipn, or
Biliousness, take PAGE WOODCOCK'S WIND PILLS.
Thcir world-wide celebrity proves them of sterling merit.
Of all medicine vendors at is. lid. and 2s. 9d. ; or free by
post for 14 or 33 stamps from Page D. Woodcock, Chemist.
Lincoln.

MESSRS. BOTT, JACKSON, AND CO,
execute COMMISSIONS on tit races throughout the
year. Market price guaranteed. Itiemittances, London and
Westminster Bank. Post-011N Orders payable at Camber-
well-park.

Address—Borr and JACKSON, "Man of the World" Wine
Stores, George-street, Camberwell-park, London.

PRIZE MED AL.—INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION, 1862.
FRANCIS TUCKER & CO., Wax Chandlers, &0., rto,
TO the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
(Established 1720.)
The Jurors' Report on Wax and Church Candles, in 1862,
testifies to lie exec:Renee of the quality of Messrs. Tuckers'
Inanutacture.
A distinguished Dignitary, in a letter addressed to Francis
Tucker and Co., on the subject of
WAX CANDLES with PLATTED WICKS,
says :-
1 " I have found them fully equal to the recommendation
which you gave them, and can sincerely, in my turn, I com-
mend them to the clergy for the use of the altar."
Finest quality, with Tatted Wicks, patented.. 75. Td. per lb.
Ordinary quality is. Od. per lb.
VEGETABLE CANDLES, with a Mixture of Wax.
Best quality .. 18. sd. per lb.
Second quality is. 3d. per lb.
Third quality 18. id. per lb.
Carriage paid in London on Orders of Five Pounds in value.
FRANCIS TUCKER AND CO.,
8, South Molton-street, Grosvenor-square. Manufactory—
Kensington (Established 1730).
The largest Establishm?nt in England for the Manufacture
of Wax Candles for the uRe of the Altar

TEETH.—Mr. ESKELL'S INVENTION in
the construction of ARTIFICIAL TEETH has the
following advantages :—A set of teeth, of excellent work-
manship and mechanism, can be made and fitted with the
most perfect accuracy and success, in a few hours, without
pain or extraction of stumps, and to answer all the purposes
of mastication and articulation. They are fitted without
wires or fastenings, and adapt themselves so perfectly to the
gums, that they are quite immoveable, except at the option
of the wearer. Invalids or residents in the country can ad-
just these teeth to many changes of the month without the
aid of a dentist. They are not so Liable to injury, are always
useful, and will last a lifetime. Comfort guaranteed. Trea-
tise explaining Mr. Eskell's Patent, &C., free for 7 stamps.
Inspection of specimens and consultations tree.-B,Grosvenor-
street, Bond-street, W, n i 39, Bennett's-hill, Bir-
mingham.

ROCERS.—Mr. ANDREW. RIND has for
SALE a BUSIER one mile west of the City. Shop,
warehouse, cellars, au'd seven rooms. Rent £l3O. Lease
e;ghteen years. Price £315. Also, the following :—Blooms-
bury, £1( 0; Islington, £?O3 ; Marylebone,£.oo; N.P. Dis-
trict, £lBO, &c. Offices, corner of Little Carter-lane.

FURNITIRE, IRONMONGERY, BOOTS
and SHOES,--Mr. ANDREW HIND has for imme-
diate SALE, by braer of the executors, an old-established
BUSINESS, twelve miles from town. Three shops, work-
shops, parlOur, six rooms, kitchen, yard, and large garden.
Rent L.lO. Lease twenty-one years. Returns £2O per week.
Price £2Ol Office,, corner of Little Carter-lane.

.iIGAR and TOBACCONISTS.—Mr. ANDW.
V.) FIND has for SALE a BUSINESS, in a principal
thoroughfare, near the Back. Shop and bagatelle-room.
Bent £145. Lease six years and a half. Takings £lB. Price
£3OO. stock £2OO Also the following :—Covent-garden,
Z 140; W. District, 480 ; St. George's, East, £B9. Offices,
corner of Little Carter-lane.

BEER HOUSE.—Mr. ANDREW HIND has
to LET a capital HOUSE, in a good .ituation near
0)cortl-street. containing eleven rooms. Rent £52 109.
Proof trade, twenty barrels per month. Price £lOO. Offices,
corner of Little Carter-lane, St. Paul's.

LADIES' SCHOOL.-Mr. ANDREW HIND
has for immediate SALE a DAY SCHOOL, well
situate near a station, E. Eight roomed house, and garden.
Rent £3O. Number of pupils 32, paying a guinea per quarter.
Coming in, including school furniture, blinds, &c., £BO.
Offices, corner of Little Carter-lane, St. Paul's.

FAMILY RESIDENCE and LAND.—Mr.
ANDREW HIND has to LET a comfortable HOUSE
in Essex, fourteen miles from town and two from a station,
delightfully situate on high ground, and commanding exten-
sive views. Contains lofty drawing room, dining and morn-
ing rooms, four best and five other bedrooms, kitchens and
cellars. Grounds comprise pleasure and kitchen gardens.
shrubbery, paddock, and meadow, together about seven acres,
with lodge entrance, stabling, coach-house, green-house,
ornamental water and bridge. Rent on three years' agree-
ment, £120; fixtures, £5O; or the lease for 18 years at £lOO.
Price, with fixtures, £2OO. Cards to view may be had at
the Auction and Estate Agency Offices, corner of Little
Carter-lane, St. Paul's.

THE NIZAM of the DECCAN'S Magnificent
CRYSTAL CANDELABRA for INDIA,
being one of five recently manufactured (154 lights, 22 feet
high, and 12 feet in diameter,, is now on show, together with
a great variety of rare and exquisite specimens of workman-
ship in glass, amongst which are designs in engravings taken
from the famous Elgin marbles; also a variety of the most
delicate table glass, with elaborately engraved ornamenta-
tons resembling the finest lace work. The altarpiece, in
tryst :1, has now been added.

T. DEFRIES and SONS. Crystal Gallery, Egyptian Hall.
PHANDELIERS in BRONZE, ORAOLU, and
`CJ SILVER, of the finest designs for Dining-room and
Library. Moderator Lamps in Bronze, Ormolu, China, and
Glass.

J. DEFRIES and SONS, West-end Show Rooms, Crystal
Gallery, Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly.

DEFRIES and SONS' CRYSTAL CHAN-
* J • DELIERS in Venetian, Grecian, and other registered
Deigns for Gas or Candles; Crystal Lamps, Chandeliers,
and Wall Lights for India; Club, Mess, and General Fur-
nishing. Orders for Glass, China, and Earthenware promptly
executed.—Works, London and Birmingham; City Show
Rooms and Manutactory, 147, Houndsditch ; West-end Show
Rooms, Crystal Gallery, Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly.

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road
in the immediate vicinity of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus, King's-Cross.
FUNDS are urgently REQUIRED.
Treasurer and Banker—EDWARD AIASTE RMAN,
Nichola s -lane.

The anniversary meeting of this society was held yester-
day at Burlington-house, Piccadilly,—Sir Roderick Mur-
chison, president of the institution, in the chair. Thera
was a numerous attendance of members, with a large sprink-
ling of ladies. After some preliminary business,
Mr. 111.auxuAm, the secretary, read the report of the
council, detailing the transactions of the society for the pest
year, and describing its present state and prospects. Since
the last anniversary meeting 233 new members had been
elected, and 61 vac incies had occurred, the total number of
Fellows now being 1,907- The balance-sheet for the year
ending the 31st of December, 1863, showed that the esti-
mated receipts and expenditure laid before last year's meet-
ing bad diff:red from the actu4s, but in a way favourable to
the society—the receipts estimated having been stated at
£4,502 10s., exclusive of the cash in hand ; whereas the
actuals amounted to £5,253 9s. 3d.,
exclusive of the cash
balance. The estimated expenditure also was put down at
£5,747 ss. 2d., or at £3,897 bs. 7d., excluding the money
proposed to bo invested ; but the outlay, exclusive of the
cash and amount invested, was only £3,655 4s. ld. The
difference between the actual receipts and actual outlay left
a surplus balance in hand of £1,601 ss. 2d„ and the council
had had available for investment in the funds a sum of
£1,837, for which there bad been purchased £2,000 amount
of stock in Three per Cents, The funded capital of the so-
ciety. consisting at the beginning of 1863 of £7,500, and at
the close of the year 1863 of £9,500. New Three per Cent.
Government Stocks, was increas:d during the past year by
the purchase of £2,000 stock for a cash payment of £1,837
10s., and since the Ist of January of the current year an addi-
tion had been made by funding a sum of £896 55., for which
£l,OOO New Three per Cent. Stock had been purchased,
making a total of £10,500 stock, yielding an annual income
of £315, as the reserve fund of the society up to this date.
The 32d volume of the Journal of the society, which was
announced as ready at the last anniversary, had been
brought out during the past Beason ; and the council were
sanguine that the valuable papers it contained would greatly
add to the usefulness of the Royal Geographical Society.
The 33d volume of the Journal was now in the press, and
would have been published before this but for the death of
the assistant secretary. The report then proceeded to de-
scribe the accessions which had been made to the library
and the map room, together with the means used to enlarge
the map room collection, anl also explained the steps taken
by the award of premiums to encourage the production of
improved scientific instruments for the use of travellers.
Since the last anniversary, with a view to make the instru-
ments more accessible to travellers, a room had been set
apart and the instruments properly arranged, upon the re-
commendation of the Vice-President, Admiral R. Collin-
son. Further arrangements were in contemplation for
making the collection more generally available and useful
to all classes. On the subject of grants to travellers the re-
port stated that the sum of £5O was sent to M. Rohlfs
Gerard on the 10th February., 1864, to assist him in his
projected journey from Morocco towards Timbucto ; and
the council had at present a proposal under the considera-
tion of Government for the exploration of the Nile from
Egypt, for which the sum of £l,OOO would be made avail-
able.

An interesting portion of the proceedings was the pre-
sentation of the patron's and founder's gold medals to dis-
tinguished explorers. The founder's medal falling due this
year to an eminent foreigner, its presentation took prece-
dence.

In performing this ceremony, the PRESIDENT said—
Baron C. von der Decken, this medal is awarded to you for
the two remarkable journeys which you have performed
from the East Coast of Africa to the great mountain of
Kiliraandjaro, in each of which, with the assistance of Mr.
Richard Thornton in the first and of Dr. Karsten in the
second case, you made many astronomical observations, and
by the use of good instruments constructed a contoured
map of the region. You also determined numerous alti-
tudes by barometrical measurement, and estimated the
highest of the peaks of the mountains to be 20,065
English feet above the sea, and proved it to be covered with
perpetual snow. In these expeditions you farther collected
rock specimens which have demonstrated that in a remote
period this snow-capped mountain was an active volcano,
The accuracy of the observations made in your last journey
was proved by a comparison of the chronomoters you took
with you, which having been compared on your return to
Zanzibar were found to have varied only seven seconds in
upwards of 100 days. In adjudicating this medal we further
applaud your unabated zeal and energy in exploring Eastern
Africa, seeing that you have just fitted out at great expense
a new expedition, and have constructed an iron river
steamer, wherewith you hope to ascend one of the rivers
flowing from Mount Kenia, and thence to explore unknown
regions of inner Africa, if not to follow down ono of the
main eastern affluents of the Nile. I therefore hand to you
this medal in the conviction that; long as England was
united with Hanover, we never have had among us one of
your countrymen so entitled to the cordial thanks of geo-
graphers. And as you have named your new vessel the
Guelph I trust that this natne,so long endeared to English-
men like myself, who lived in the days when Hanover and
England were, as it were, one country, may be a happy
omen of the success which we all hope may crown your
next enterprise. (Cheers.)
Baron VON DER DECKEN expressed his warm acknow-
ledgments for the honour done him, which he ascribed less
to his actual achievements than to his earnest endeavours
to be useful to geographical science. He attributed it also
in some measure to the expectations formed of his proposed
new expedition to Eastern and Equatorial Africa. Whether
that expedition would be successful God knew, but he had
great hopes in connection with it, and if anything should
happen to himself in the course of its prosecution, its ob-
jects would be pursued by the other members of his party.
After a feeling allusion to his deceased fellow-explorer, Mr.
Thornton, Baron von dor Decken concluded by thanking
the President for the valuable assistance he had always ren-
dered to his enterprises.
The PRESIDENT next presented the patron's or Queen's
medal to Captain Grant in these terms :—Captain Grant, 11
months have elapsed since we received your leader Captain
Speke and yourself within these walls with the cordial ac-
knowledgment of the great services you have performed in
opening out Eastern Equatorial Africa, and in showing how
the White Nile flowed out of the very lake previously dis-
covered by your distinguished companion. Captain Speke
having, on his arrival at Gondokoro, received the medal
most justly granted to him for the great discovery of Lake
Victoria Nyanza, we, in conferring this medal upon you,
wish it to be 'Understood that we once more emphatically
mark our deep sense of the value of the first great explora-
tion of those lands around it made by Captain Speke and
yourself. When you returned here our anniversary was
passed over, and both our medals had been adjudicated, or
otherwise you would before now have doubtless received the
highest honour which we have it in our power to bestow.
It was, however, a source of true gratification to us to see
that the King of Italy was in the meantime foremost in re-
cognising your merit as well as that of your skilful leader,
and affixed to each of his medals the appropriate motto of
mwyhich it has been my lot to present
own part, I can truly say that on
medals to eXplorers of distant regions, I never had greater
satisfaction than on the present occasion. For now that I
hand to you this medal, bearing the effigy of QaeenVictoria,
I feel that we geographers are not merely recompensing the
yaeNeeialosi.:naoenn
noble and disinterested companion of Spoke, but, as a sol-
dier of the olden time myself, I have a special pride in re-
cognising: ‘hHe Honor
yourself the gallant young officer who in the
in
Indian mutiny, and despite a severe wound, was the means
of saving from serious disaster the rearguard of the inns,
trious Havelock as he advanced to the relief of Lucknow.
Accept, then.
this our gracious patron's medal, and consi-
der it as our Victoria Cross. (Cheers.)
Captain GRANT expressed his deep sense of gratitude for
towed on him -a reward he saidwhich
he high reward bes
ever done anyhing to merit.
he little thought he had
The PRESIDENT then proceeded to delivert his annual ad-
rogress of geographical science
dress, recounting the p
the world during the ast . His discourse
p year
throughout
commenced with an obituary of the distinguished members
of the society who had passed away within the last year.
Among these were the names of Lord Ashburton Lord
on Mr Thornton, and others. De-
Elgin, Admiral Washingt
of the recent explorations in Africa,
Sir on the subject rica,
Sir Roderick said—The discovery of that great water basin
the Victoria Nyanza in the heat of equatorial Africa, and
the proof that a great stream flowed out from its northern
extremity, which Speke and Grant followed and stated to
be the White Nile, was. as he stated last year, truly a great
feat of which all our countrymen had reason to be proud.
But in warmly praising and honouring the men who ac-
complished it, they were not yet satisfied as geographers
with that their single line of march and the valuable data
which they fixed regarding the upper waters of the Nile.
They looked naturally to other efforts which must be made
to dispel all scepticism, including that raised by the claim
of the Venetian traveller Miani as to his having continu-
ously ascended the river to 21 degrees to the S.S,W. of
Gondokoro, the rocky banks of which ho had laid upon a
sketch map. The Council of the society had, therefore, come
to the conclusion that the physical geography of all that re•
gion, together with the shores of the Victoria Nyanza (a
lake described by Speke as larger than all Scotland), should
be further explored and the nature and extent of the vari-
ous affluents of that vast body of water determined; that
the regions between the waters of the lake Luta-Lzige and
the lake Tanganyika of Burton and Spoke should be ex-
amined in order to determine if there were not there (as
some geographers thought probable) other sources of sup-
ply for the White Nile coming from that region to the west
of the Victoria Nyanza; and, finally, that, if possible, the
Upper White Nile of Speke and Grant should be traced
continuously from the lake to that point where, according
to their map, it was made to join the end of the lake Luta-
-14444 1144Y1Pg considered that point, the Council had

THE BANQUET.
The annual dinner of the society took place at Willis's
Room, St. James's, in the evening. Sir R. Murchison again
presided, and was supported by Lord Houghton, Lord
Strangford, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord A.
Churchill, Sir C. Eastlake, Sir T. Fremantle, Sir H. Raw-
linson, General Stanhope, Baron Von Der Decken, Sir S.
Donaldson, Captain Grant, Admiral Kellett, Count Stre-
lecki, Sir C. Nicholson, Admiral Hall, the Hon, Mr. Petre,
Dr. Percy, Mr. Bracebridge, Professor Tyndal, Professor
Hoffman, Professor Masson, Mutu Coomain Swainy, &c.
About 150 guests sat down to dinner.
The PRESIDENT gave " The Queen, the Patron of the
Society," which was drunk with enthusiasm. In proposing
the next toast," The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the
rest of the Royal Family," Sir Roderick remarked that the
Prince of Wales was the greatest traveller of any heir ap-
parent to the English throne in modern times. From the
eloquent words which the Prince had spoken at the Lite-
rary Fund dinner, he felt sure that if his Royal Highness
took an interest in any of the sciences, and he hoped he
would take an interest in many, he would evince a special
attachment to geography, in which, as so great a traveller,
he was well fitted to become distinguished. Though the
Prince had seen many lands, he doubted not that, like a
true Englishman, the place dearest of all to him, particu-
larly now that he was united to a charming Danish Prin-
cess, was "sweet home." (Hear, hear,)
The toast was received with the usual honours; and was
followed by " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers."
General STANHOPE returned thanks on behalf of the
army, which, he said, was now in as fit a state to go any
where and to render any service on which her Majesty's
Government might choose to employ it as in the best days
of " the Iron Duke." (Hear, hear.)
Admiral COLLINSON briefly responded on behalf of the
navy.
Professor MASSON, in returning thanks for the Volun-
teers, and particularly for the London Scottish, with which
his name had been associated, said, that according to an
ordinary jest, Scotland was so horrible a country in itself,
and so awful a place to reside in, that its inhabitants were
more fitted by nature than any other race to become ex-
plorers of other countries. (Laughter and cheers.) It was
an old saying of an English satirist, that had Cain been a
Scotcbman God would have reversed his doom, and, in-
stead of making him a wanderer, would have compelled
him to stay at home. (Laughter.) But Scotchmen were
naturally explorers; though s me of them had not gone
farther than England or London—which, however, to say
the truth, they had found to be so much of a land flowing
with milk and honey, that they had made up their minds to
remain there. (Renewed laughter.) As to the London Scot-
tish, that corps, they might be sure, would always do its
duty, for its members had such an interest iu England that
they would suffer no other invaders to set foot in it. (Cheers
and laughter.)
The PRESIDENT said the period had now arrived when it
was usual to propose the toast of the evening, " Prosperity
to the Royal Geographical Soci-ty," but he would ou that
occasion deviate from the established custom. At the same
time he would express his belief that the gratuitous labours
of that society had yielded fruits of great national import-
ance. The institution had in its earlier days to struggle
with considerable difficulties. At one period they had no
place of meeting, no receptacle for their books or maps.
For a series of years he had striven with the concurrence of
the Council to persuade the Government that for a very
small sum of money, not exceeding the remuneration given
to a first clerk in some of our public departments, that
society could provide itself with a local habitation, feeling
satisfied that that desideratum once gained they would be
able to secure for it a more extended fame and usefulness.
As a Scotchman himself, he must say he first enlisted in the
cause of geography a Scotchman whose name would live as
long as England endured—he meant the late Joseph Hume
—(hear)—who, on condition that their collection of maps
and books was thrown open to the community, consented to
support a grant of public money for the diffusion of geogra-
phical knowledge. Through the kindness of Lord Aber-
deen, then Prime Minister, the object was at length ob-
tained, and thus was perpetrated a Scotch job—(a laugh)—
but a job which redounded to the honour of the British Go-
vernment and Legislature. Many important distant ad-
ventures had solely originated in the labours of that society.
Its members had been pioneers in the opening up of coun-
tries which were destined indefinitely to increase the wealth
and give a new impulse to the manufacturing industry of
England. • In conclusion, he begged to propose that they
should drink to the successive Governments and Parlia-
ments which had countenaced and encouraged the Royal
Geographical Society, coupling with that toast the name of
their distinguished guest, Mr Gladstone. (Cheers.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, who was received
with cheers, said—Sir Roderick Murchison, lam very glad
that by the deviation which you have ventured upon from
the ordinary course of your speeches and toasts on this occa-
sion you have at any rats enabled me to discharge a duty of
the most pleasing character. It is very delightful to find
that without any reproach from any quarter relations have
been established between this society and the Government,
on a footing, I must say, most modest as far as regards your
demands on the public purse, and I believe also most bene-
ficial as regards the public at large. Sir R. Murchison has
told us, gentlemen, the history of the Geographical Society
with respect to the effect produced on its fortunes by acquir-
ing a local habitation, and I was not aware until this even-
ing that this had been a point of so critical a nature in its
career. To judge from the speech of the President, the con-
dition of the members of the Geographical Society before
that happy era arrived must have been not, perhaps, pre-
cisely the same, but not very different from that of parish
vagrants. (A laugh.) The society would appear to have
been in the condition of being owned by nobody, somewhat
in the manner in which ancient fable tells us the island of
Delos was, and I refer to this as a geographical illustration.
(" Hear, hear," and a laugh.) Delos, it is said, was in the
habit of navigating about the Archipelago, coming into con-
stant conflict with one island or another; and it never ac-
quired any distinct site of its own until Latona took it one
day into her head to be brought to bed there under a palm-
tree, and I have no doubt in a delightful atmosphere.
(Laughter and cheers) From that moment Delos struck
root at the bottom of the sea, and, just as the Geographical
Society did the moment it got a local habitation, became '
famous and flourishing, with a name celebrated throughout
the world. (Cheers.) But there is much more which
associates itself with the toast that you have given us than
any reference to the efforts produced by a small grant from
the Government. What is remarkable is that so long
time elapsed before a society of this description came to be
appreciated by the British public ; because, without re-
proach or disparagement to any other institution, there
is no other institution which can claim to be more truly
national than that whose festival we are now celebrat-
ing. I do not say that simply because it happens, as if
by a matter of accident, that so many distinguished
Englishmen and Scotchmen have been travellers, and,
among the boldest and most effective explorers of the un-
known regions of the earth, But I think that if wo look
a little further into the subject we shall find that phe-
nomenon itself has a cause, and that cause lies deep in the
Rational character. It is the love of adventure, it is the
boldness in facing danger, it is the strong self-reliance, it
is the r..'ad
y presence of mind, it is all that constitutes that
powerful individuality which lies at the root of the whole
greatness of
this country, and which likewise has lain at the
root of the grea,
'uses and of the performances of the Geo-
graphical Society. (Cheers.) The very same causes which
2.iehed as a body are those which havethe
have made you disting
world. (Hear.) Mr. Preside:t'
made England distingiih_hed among the nations of
t
y,:tur proud position
now but to congratulate you on you have
ge on as
express a confident hope that you will
there is nothi.ntron to do

Baron VON DER DECKEN and Captain GRANT severally
returned thanks in a few modest words, the latter remark.
ing that he was so unused to address public assemblies that
he would almost rather traverse Africa over again than un-
dergo the ordeal of making a speech. (Laughter and cheers.)
The PRESIDENT then gave "The health of Sir C. East-
lake," Chairman of the Royal Academy of Arts ; to which
Sir Charles briefly responded by a graceful allusion to the
many links which bound together the votaries of science
and art.
Sir H. RAwLiNsoN next proposed "The health of the
President of the Society," warmly eulogising his invaluable
services to science, and particularly to that institution over
whose whole career from its infancy to its maturity he had
exercised so sedulous and watchful a care. If, he said,
Scotchmen were formed by nature to overrun the world, Sir
Roderick Murchison was pre-eminently formed by nature as
well as by his attainments to fill the chair of the Geogra-
phichal Society. (Cheers.) After expressing the deep obli-
gations which the council owed to Sir Roderick for consent-
ing to act as their president for another year, Sir Henry
concluded by proposing the chairman's health.
The toast was received with enthusiasm.
The PRESIDENT, in responding, said he felt highly
flattered by the compliment just paid to him. It was also
very gratifying to him that he should have been so una-
nimously invited to continue one year more as their
president. Having been born in 1792, and having filled
that post for many years amidst his many other avocatioas
—for he was a geologist by profession and a geographer
by love—he had thought it was time for him to give
place to another man, and not imitate the Archbishop
of Toledo, who remained in his office until he might almost
be said to have preached his own funeral sermon. (Laugh-
ter.) If, however, they would kindly bear with his infirmi-
ties he would strive to discharge his duties for another year
to the best of his power. (Cheers.)
The next toast was " The Colonies and the Colonists of
Great Britain," which was given by Lord HOUGHTON, and
acknowledged by Sir STUART DONALDSON.
" The Scientific Societies of Europe, coupled with the
name of Dr. Hoffman," was next:drunk; and, after one or
two other minor toasts, the company separated.

Naval and Military Intelligence,

THE NAVY.

MALTA, May 18,
The Trident, steam sloop, arrived on the Bth from
Corfu, to which portthe Magicienne, steam frigate,
was despatched on the 10th, and returned en the
14th, with the diligence for which this vessel, uncler

,he command of Capt. Armytage, has been remark-

able. She brought two batttries of artillery, con-

3:Ming of Lieut.-Col- Maude, four other ufticers, 210
nen-commissioned officers and gunners, 21. wom,,n,
40 children, four prisoners, and two hospital at-
tendants. The Liffey, steam frigate, left for Z into

on the 11th, for the purpose of removing the troops
from that island, and relieved there the Cossack,
which reached Malta on the 13th. The Foxhound,
steam gunboat, was despatched on the 8:h to 511`37,,
at the solicitation of some Maltese merchants. ahe
had received alarming intelligence of thrauts
against the Christian and the Jewish population on
the part of the revolted Arabs. On the 14th and
15th a number of families reached Malta in four
small coasting craft, in ell some 250 persons, for the
safety of their lives, and others are looked for. The
Foxhound returned on the 15th, having run along
the coast as far as Tunis. She brings intelligence
from the British Consul-General, Vice-Consuls, and
Consular agents, from which it would appear that
the Arabs are close upon Tunis. They are said to
be 40,000 strong, under the command of a renegade
Frenchman, and they maintain a menacing atti-
tude against the Bey, though no positive act of
aggression had been committed against Chris-
tians. The Ottoman steam frigate Feizi Babri,
having on board his Excellency Haydar Effendi,
a special envoy from the Sultan to the Bey of
Tanis, left Malta for Tunis on the 10th of May,
accompanied by the Monbir Sourer steam frigate
and the Peki Cherrif despatch boat. The French
Admiral is said to have questioned the right of the
Sultan to send a naval demonstration to Tunis
under the present disturbed state of affairs in that
Regency, to which the Envoy, Haydar Effendi, had
very properly paid no attention. The matter seems,
however, to have been considered of sufficient im-
portance to call for the presence of an increased
naval British force. Accordingly, on the 16th, the
Resistance, ironclad steam frigate, was despatched
from Malta to Sues, and the Psyche, despatch
steamer, to Tunis. The Foxhound left on the same
day for Melidia, and the Trident on the 18th for
Geiba, in the regency of Tunis. The Meannee and
the Psyche returned to Malta from Tunis on the
18th, bringing dates thence to the 17th, announcing
the arrival of the Italian steam frigate Re d'ltalia
with 200 marines to be landed in case of need. The
insurrection had not yet been put down, but the
Bey had superseded the Governor of Susa for allow-
ing himself to be panic striken. A French line of
battle ship had been despatched to a point north-
west of Tanis, where the public peace had been 1
threatened. The Imperial Ottoman steam yacht
Feizi Djehart, having on board his Excellency
Vice-Admiral Roussan Pasha, arrived at Malta from
Constantinople on the 12th of May to be decked
and cleaned. On the evening of Sunday, the 15th,
this magnificent vessel, as well as the Mahomed
Ali, Egyptian steam frigate, was most brilliantly
illuminated, and on the following day dressed out
with flags innumerable in honour of the feast of the
Bairam. The Sofia, a small Nile steamer, intended
as a yacht for the Pasha of Egypt, arrived at Malta
on the 15th of May from Newcastle, Falmouth, and
Lisbon, and left for Alexandria on the 18th. The
Italian steam frigate Principe Humberto, having on
board upwards of 100 naval students on a voyage
of instruction, arrived from the Piraeus of Athens
on the 11th, left for Syracuse on the 14th of May,
and returned to Malta on the 17th. Her Majesty's
screw steam ship the Marlborough, bearing the
filg of the naval Commander-in-Chief, accompa-
nied by the Magicienne, steam frigate, will
au to be
Malta on the 21st of May for Cor , leave
present at the cession of the lonian. Islands to
Greece, and also to assist, if necessary, in removing
the British garrison, if the steam transports do not
reach in time. The Dromedary'
screw steam-
transport, arrived from Gibraltar on the 12th, and
left for Corfu to take in stores on the day
depar-
ture
follow-
ing. The Supply, stores? ip, alo oo
for Corfu on a like mission on the 141 h of May.
The Tamar, screw steam-transport, arrived at
Malta on the 17th from Cape Coast Castle, the
I Island of St. Vincent, Madeira, and Gibraltar, will
leave Corfu to take in troops on the 24th. Lieut.
Hanson, a Supernumerary Lieut. of this vessel, is
to be tried by Court-martial to-morrow, the 19th,
on a charge of having been found intoxicated and
asleep during his watch at sea.
The Norwegian transport Tanaro, damaged by a
Spanish gunshot from the Fort of Tarifa, as re-