The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-04 00:00:00

THE PRUSSIANS IN SCHLESWIG.

PLON, Jan. 28.
The following general order was issued by Prince
Frederick Charles of Prussia on the 28th ult. :
Soldiers,—When the King intrusted me with the com-
mand of this Army Corps, he ordered me to express to you
in his name his expectation that you would do your duty
under all circumstances.

When on your march to this place you entered strange
towns and villages, the inhabitants, not knowing you, feared
you, but your winning and friendly demeanour obtained for
you not only good accommodation, but was also the cause
of your leaving as friends those places where you entered as
unwelcome guests. So comport yourselves throughout in the.
country which we are going to deliver. You will beEir in
mind that the honour of the Prussian arms demands that
you should conquer, but also that you should pardon the
conquered as brothers. This is Christianlike, and a good
Christian cannot be a bad soldier. The Prussian name is
already in good repute with the Danes. It is well when
even our enemies respect us.

-
Soldiers I In a few days it will be known whether are
shall have war or peace.
Should a second Danish war begin, we shall meet with
fortified places and large sheets of water and ice; but your
dauntlessness and zeal will be all the more glorious. 'We
shaPt know how to overcome all obstacles, none of which
shall detain us longer than they should. Do not those
obstacles conceal the enemy who is accustomed to fly before
our regiments ? Forward, then, let us look for that enemy ;
let us oppose his retreat; let us disperse his ranks I Having
accomplished this result you will not give the enemy time
to breathe, but pursue him indefatigably, to annihilate him
sie e o
5 fyears,having
0
have some long marches to perform, but after that you will
ll fight your
by
have well merited rest and good quarters, honour and
recompense
consciousnessdthtehefirstti m e n
oduuty
r side.
Austria,
for, anLet us renew the old brotherhood in arms. What
a noble emulation is therefore before us But in our ranks,
satlrsou,ggtlheeanmdemn
aokf e
effortsßrandenburgtowiand of
win the
heraeed
ofW Westphalia will
victory.
You men of Brandenburg I know, and you know me, and
this is saying enough.

You, men of Westphalia, we are not yet known to each
other, it is true, but that may be all the better, for there can
be no more favourable opportunity of becoming acquainted
with you and appreciating you speedily. Let us, then, all
follow the black and white flag ; let us all obey the same
King, who has said to us that he relied upon our doing our
duty under all circumstances. With God's help we shall
do it, Long live the King I
FREDERICK CHARLES, Prince of Prussia.

A PRINTERS' CRAPEL.—That a body of prin-
ters working together is called a " chapel," maybe
amongst the things not generally known. The term is
derived, as those who have read the life of Caxton and the
history of printing will doubtless know, from the fact
that the earliest presses were set up in a chapel attached to
some religious house or monastery-, teen the general seats
of learning. The word has been transmitten through
many generations, and is en exceedingly pictorial one,
carrying the mind back to an age happily long vanished.
Fancy, however, must not whirl us away too fast
or too far. We must not picture to ourselves mullioned
windows, {lntel shafts, and groined roofs as constituting the
atelier of the modern printer. There is nevertheless s(o
thing highly interesting even in a modern printing:olnc_ •
Tha long room, the lines of desks or "cases" reoged e
larly against the walls, the fibs of compositors
sdiPP7';...Reir-
nir-ble fingers in the little square type-boxeof
ciity a,cl precision with which piece after pie: these
thumbed into the "stick," the consciensinnendotr
power,
men in the white blouses are agents o eels
rel
rem one end of
and are weaving words which will spslmpress us strongly
the world tis the ether—all these t_4s. g
Theu eldest man of the body
as we examine the busy hives-
he exereises
follows t at
though it by no mearia a week.
receives the honourable title of
authority over his children. vu lather of the chapel ;'

Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Assurance

Association,

ANNUAL MEETING.

;.'he twenty-third annual meeting of the members
of the Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Assurance
Association was held last night at the London
Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. Henry Richard Jones,
Esq., chairman of the board of directors, presided.
The annual report of the transactions of the last
year was read by the secretary, Mr. H. T. Linford,
as follows :
"The board have much pleasure in presenting to the
members of the association their twenty-third annual re-
port, and are again able to repeat the congratulatory expres-
sions happily familiar for many years past. The successful
progress of the association is still further increased, the new
assurances being £lO,OOO in excess of those effected in 1862,
which it will be remembered were considerably beyond
those of any previous year. The policies completed during
the past year were 1,005,' for £214,785 ; in addition to which
115, for £37,115, were declined or withdrawn, or now await-
ing completion, making the total proposals received during
the year 1,120, for £251,900 ; the annual income arising
from the completed policies is £6,420. The distribution
of the bonus announced at the last annual meeting has
given the warmest satisfaction to the members, and hav-
ing been made widely known, is doubtless the source from
whence some portion of the new business has been derived.
It is very gratifying to the board to state, on the authority
of their able actuary, that the bonus thus distributed arises
-wholly from realised profits, and that the surplus of future
years has not been in the slightest degree anticipated. The
actual cash profit thus realised very closely approached
£30,000, and was equivalent to a reversionary
_bonus of
£60,004. The income of the past year was £59,750 105 9d,
and after payment of all claims and expenses, and of
£10,411 13s sd, in cash bonuses, the assets of the asso-
ciation are increased by £24,166 Os 6d. The total assets
now amount to £221,576 Ils 10d. The claims by death
are still moderate, both in number and amount. 76
policies, assuring with bonuses the sum of £13,048 15s
al, have fallen in during the year, making the
total thus paid since the commencement of the association
£126,126 5s 7d. It needs but a moment's reflection on the
channels in which this sum has been divided to appreciate
in some degree the benefits conferred by this association.
The total policies in force on the 31st December last were
2,330, for £1,613,092. The directors retiring by rotation
on the present occasion era Mr. Richard Henry Jones, Mr.
John White Welch, Mr. John Sttzddy Leigh, all of whom,
being eligible, offer themselve for re-election. The fol-
lowing gentlemen, duly qualified, have been pro-
posed as auditors :—Mr. James Richard Lloyd,
Mr. Francis Frederick Toole, Mr. Charles Wooley.
The board feel that, in the face of such figures as it is their
pleasing duty to lay before the members, comment is
superfluous. The position which the Provident Clerks'
Association has attained amongst the soundest and most
successful life offices is evident and unquestioned. The
efforts of the board to promote to the utmost the future
prosperity of this important institution will not be wanting,
and they look with confidence to the cordial and energetic
support of the members to second those efforts, and thereby
insure their continued success."

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report just read to the meeting, said he had to con-
gratulate them for the 23d time upon the increas-
ing prosperity of their association. (Hear, hear.)
When he looked back upon the first occasion of
his meeting them, when their annual income was
something between £4OO or £5OO, and then com-
pared it with the amount they were now receiving
annually, which was somewhere about £60,000,
the reflection on the amount of good they had done
daring that period was a source of much satisfaction
and comfort to himself personally, and he felt cer-
tain it would also evoke the same pleasurable feeling
among the whole of the members of the association.
There was an observation in the report, viz., that
comment was superfluous ; yet he thought that a
few observations from him would prove acceptable.
On the last occasion the directors were enabled—
as, indeed, they had done on ail former occasions—
to congratulate the members on the great increase
of new business, and on the present occasion he had
to repeat the same information, but in much
si.ronger terms. (Hear, hear.) To show the gra-
dual and successful progress the best means
would be to refer to figures having reference to
past years. In 1859 their annual income was
£34,381 ; in 1860, £41,221 ; in 1361, £45,657 ;
in 1862, £50,135; and in 1863, £59,750.
That he considered was the best proof he could give
them of the stability of their affairs. (Hear, hear.)
The Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Association was
now one of the most firmly-established institutions
in the country, and one of the circumstances that
had placed it in that proud position was, that every
person engaged in promoting its interests was
animated with the most hearty desire of doing so.
(Hear, hear.) That they might have no fear for
the future, he would put another set of figures
before them. Their invested fund in 1859 amounted
to £124,078 ; in 1860, £146,000 ; in 1861, £169,686 ;
in 1862, £197,400; and in 1863, £22l,s9s—(hear,
hear)—showing an increase in five years of L 97,517,
besides £lO,OOO paid in cash bonus. (Hear, hear.)
As reqards the balance-sheet, he thought that also
would occasion great satisfaction, Their new pre-
raiums had increased, and, although 1862 had been
considered an extraordinarily successful year, yet
.during the past twelve months they had exceeded
the business done that year by £lO,OOO.
(Hear.) There was, in fact, nothing but mutual
congratulation, and therefore he felt certain the
members would feel perfectly satisfied with what
had been done. Their percentage of expenses had
been reduced from 12 to 91, and that circumstance
also proved they were going in the right direction.
Thera was one item in the balance sheet which had
been put down as an asset on Dec. 31 of £l,OOO.
No doubt many gentlemen present bad read the
result of a trial before the Vice-Chancellor, in which
this company was immediately concerned. Of course
the: directors had no wish to be driven into law,
but they believed their claim to be perfectly just,
and under the strong advice of counsel they had
determined to carry the cause before a higher Court,
He hoped, under these circumstances that
gentlemen would refrain from making any
observations on this matter as the sub-
ject was sub judice. But in the course of
th© proceedings two ugly expressions were used
which he did not like—namely, the terms fraud
and concealment. Now he hoped that no one
present would think that such terms applied to
him. He felt that throughout his life he had
maintained a character on which he would defy
any one to find a blot. (Loud cheers.) Indivi-
aually or collectively the board were incapable of
fraud or concealment. An unintentional error
might have been committed, but they had
every belief that the justice and bona fides
of their conduct would be established. (Load
cheers.) It was true, however, that the counsel for
the Reliance Company disavowed any intention to
impute fraud, and the Vice Chancellor stated it was
only the legal phraseology of the court. He could
not but regret the terms had ever been used. It
was monstrous to suppose that so large a business
as theirs could be carried on in any other but the
most fair and open manner. (Hear, hear.) He would
pass over all further allusion to the matter, but on
a future occasion full particulars would be given
to the members, if requisite (Hear.) Before ho
resumed his seat ho thought it would
afford some additional satisfaction if he announced
that since the tat of January they had completed
148 policies for sums amounting in the whole to
£31,900, so they would see they had begun the
rew year well. He would conclude his observa-
tions by formally moving the adoption of the re-
port, but before it was carried he should have
great pleasure in answering any questions that
might be put to him.

TOMKINS remarked that the balance sheet, on the
whole, was extremely satisfactory. (Hear, hear,) He saw
one item, viz., " Law charges, £l2 ls. 6d." He presumed
that did not refer to the matter alluded to by the chairman.
The SECRETARY said certainly not. They had not said
11ny, neither did they know they would have to pay any, so
they could not put it into the balance sheet then before the
rOOCIing.

Mr. TolixlNs asked if any idea could be given of the
probable cost of the affair.
',-;`,..N'll'hre.
TSEocat_E:r_a_a_v_repenlie,d that would be an impossibility.
evelythin;:iirbe am as. soon as the matter is decided
untcated to the members?
The CHAIRMAN—
yO4
adoption of the report was then ertainly. carried . The motion for the
Mr. REYNOLna said it was his unanimously.
privilege,
as it had besn
On several OCCaSiOIIS, to move a votet of thanks to the direc-
tors for the able manner in which
a h s
a stock
year.
affairs of the association during
ig vr
happiest moment of my life" The
phrase with
many speakers, but, as far as their respectecdkciairman was
concerned, the happiest moments of his life
Were
the first
Wednesday in every now month of February. (Laughter
and cheers). Ire would not attempt to heighten the
grati-
cation they all experienced at their annual meeting 13, an
ill-timed and absurd flattery, but he rather preferred
leaving his resolution in tho hands of the members,
in the firm conviction that it would give the utmost
gratification to all present to acknowledge the able services
of their directors. (Cheers )
Mr. Fxr had very much pleasure in seconding tilos reso-
lution, and at the same time he must say, he cordially
adopted the sentiments expressed by Mr. Reynolds. They
were all pleased with the report, and satisfied with their

directors. (Hear, hear.) The board was ably seconded by
their secretary, Mr. Linford, and an efficient staff, and aided
by their united efforts nothing but success c0,..u.d follow,
(Hear, hear.)
The motion was carried enthusiastically.

The CHAIRMAN, on the part of himself and colleagues,
returned thanks. He was going to say it wculd stimulate
him to farther exertions, but he just recollects d that he was
out of office as chairman. (Laughter.)
Mr. J. W. WELCH said that would be for a very short
time. He thought their great prosperity was mainly owing
to the unanimity that prevailed amongst the directors ; in
fact, it might be called a board of harmony, over which the
chairman wielded his baton, so as to ensure the highest
admiration. He had much pleasure in moving that Richd.
Henry Jones, Esq., be re-elected director of the asso-
ciation.

Mr, PRICE seconded the motion, which was put to the
meeting, and carried unanimously.
Mr. JONES, in resuming the chair, said his re-election
had followed so sharply upon his retirement that he c*uld
scarcely recollect the temporary circumstance. (Laughter.)
He begged most sincerely to thank them for the compli-
ment, One good turn certainly deserved another—(laughter)
—therefore be had great pleasure in moving the re-election
of his excellent friend, Mr. John White Welch. (Hear,
hear.)

The motion, having been seconded, was carried unani.
mously

Mr. WELCH said he was exceedingly pleased with the
hearty manner in which he had been re-elected. He con-
sidered it a strong mark of confidence iu the board; and
one of the most important circumstances that could
exist in a life assurance office was, that the utmost con-
fidence should exist between the executive board and the
whole of the members. Nothing should ever be allowed
to arise to disturb an arrangement once made by a
husband or a father to provide for those near and
dear to him; nor should any mere technical objection
be urged against an honest and bona fide claim.
Nothing was more important than that in a mutual office
there should be mutual co-operation. (Hear, hear.) The
increase of business had been highly satisfactory, but he
must award a portion of that success to the admirable
pamphlet their able secretary had found time to write and
circulate. He was certain many had been induced
to insure their lives in consequence of it. Mr. Lin-
ford was the author of sending the book out
and therefore he was entitled to the credit.

Mr. J. S. Leigh was also re-elected a director.
The retiring auditors having been re-elected,

Mr. F. TOOLE returned thanks, but at the same time he
must bear testimony to the efficiency of their staff, They
were all gentlemen animated with one desire. (Hear, hear.)
He could not refrain from paying his tribute to their excel-
lent secretary for the good he had done by the publication of
his pamphlet. He had experienced the greatest pleasure in
its perusal, and he had no doubt every person who had read
these tiny pages had experienced the same gratification, He
therefore had the greatest pleasure in moving a vote of
thanks to their talented secretary and their staff.
Mr. 'MINTON seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Toole had but anticipated him
in moving a vote of thanks to the staff, As he was pre-
cluded from seconding the motion he would third it.
(Laughter.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. LINYORD, in returning thanks, said he felt very
gratified at the manner in which this resolution had been
received,'especially at the kind remarks of the chairman and
deputy-chairman. This was the tenth year he had had
the honour of receiving these flattering marks of their
approval, and on behalf of the gentlemen associated with
him he had much pleasure in saying that he believed
they had a most able and efficient body of officers, each of
whom did his best for the association wherever he might
be. He was glad to have the opportunity of saying this on
their behalf. Mr. Linford then adverted to the numerous
life offices which had disappeared, saying that although 290
offices had been established since 1844 no less than 268 had
" come to grief," in one way or another. The real increase
in 20 years being only 22 offices. It was a source of great
satisfaction to him to see that while so manywere going down
the Provident Clerks office was constantly and steadily going
up, and it must continue to do so. No office in England, he
believed, had before it a more solid and enduring future.
Its funds were so ample, and its risks so widely and equally
distributed, that nothing in the ordinary course of nature
could disturb its claim account. (Cheers.) Mr. Linford then
referred in very kind terms to the actuary, Mr. Ratray, who
was absent for the first time, and whose illness he, in common
with all, much regretted. They had experienced so much
kindness and benefited so much by Mr. Ratray's care and
attention that he could not refrain from saying these few
words expressive of their feeling towards him, and their
hope that they might soon see him back among them in
health and strength. (Cheers.)
Mr, LLOYD rose to propose a vote of thanks to the
Chairman, and in doing so, he also expressed his acknow-
ledgments for his own re-election as Auditor. He said if
every member could see as he did, the way in which the
office was worked, the energy in every department, and the
terms on which the directors and the staff were, they would
see with him that their affairs were well and ably managed.
He regretted that the Chairman should have thought
it necessary to say one word as to the honesty of purpose
and good' faith of the board. No one who knew them would
believe they could be guilty of a fraudulent or unfair transac •
lion. He thought the very fact that:the other office refused
to abide the result of an open trial at law, and applied to
Chancery for relief on a technical point, showed how
weak was their case. Ho was much pleased to hear the
facts stated by the Secretary. The provident clerks of this
country were a large and intelligent body. He had
always said they would found a great office, and
they had done so. 11 any proof of the good
management of the office were wanting, let them look at the
investments so large and so well placed. He was sure they
would feel the same pleasure as himself in giving the chair-
man a hearty vote of thanks.
The motion having been seconded, was carried with
acclamation.

The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, urging upon the mem-
bers the advantages that would accrue if each would exert
himself to bring only one member during the year. He
would like to get a pledge to that effect from all present.
(cheers.)

The meeting then broke up, members appearing greatly
pleased at the favourable statements laid before them.

COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION.

At the usual weekly meeting of the executive committee,
held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, a letter was read from St. Croix,
West Indies, stating that the writer has 600 acres of first-
rate land which he is placing as rapidly as possible under
cotton. He expects to obtain from the first 10 acres planted in
September with Sea Island seed, about 3,5001 b. of cotton.
He is confident that there is no place better fitted for the cul-
tivation of cotton, nor where it could be more easily carried
on. A letter was received from the honorary agents of the
association of Calcutta, reporting that the accounts received
of the present year's crop continue to be satisfactory, that a
largely extended area has been placed under cultivation, and
that a considerable increase is expected, Cotton is now arriv-
ing at market more freely, and large quantities will shortly
come forward. Some improvements both in quality and con-
dition is observable, and this is likely to become still more
manifest. The extreme monetary pressure now experienced
has had the effect of bringing trade in general to a dead- lock.
Suitable cotton-cleaning machines, combining cheapness
with utility, are still needed. None of the many descriptions
already sent have been found equal to the requirements of
the country. The Calcutta Exhibition is expected to be most
useful both:as regards gins and agricultural implements. Of
ploughs, it is said, the most simple and at the same time most
servicable yet seen is one made after the native style,with im-
proved shares and coulter, &c., coating about 16rs. complete,
and easily worked with two bullocks. Reports were enclosed
from the recipients of seed sent out by the association, and
samples of cotton grown from Egyptian seed in the Midna-
pore district will bo forwarded. A despatch from her
Majesty's Minister at Tangier, dated January 12, received
from the Foreign-office, was read, atating that the quantity
of cotton grown last year was about 700 bales, which were
sent to Morocco and other towns of the interior, where it is
employed in native manufactures. The high price realised
has encouraged the cultivation of cotton throughout the
districts where water-wheels can be employed for irrigation,
and it is :expected that the crop this year will produce
12,000 bales. The southern provinces have been without
rain since the spring of last year-80 per cent, of the cattle
have died, and grain is at famiLe prices. The Sultan has
directed the governors o: the southern provinces to encou-
rage the cultivati'.:a of cotton, and in a few years, when the
unfortunat'.., consequences produced by the drought are re-
move., it will be grown on a large scale. As the quality is
'nusually fine, the cotton of Morocco may become a very
important article of export to England. A letter was re-
ceived from Malta stating that the Exhibition is about to
be held which was likely to be of service in promoting the
growth of cotton in that island, and that as the only most
primitive means of cleaning the cotton, and the old bow
apparatus, are in use among the Maltese, some simple hand
gins would be most useful. The census just published
shows an increase in the population since 1851 of 10,000,
the present being 131,055, or 1,281 to the square mile. It
was resolved to send two hand gins to the Exhibition to
be offered as prizes. Several samples of Natal cotton was
submitted for examination, and valued at 24d., 27d., and
38d. to 40d. respectively, Various applications for seed
were received and granted:

The last week's raitway receipts, ascertained up
to this day, are, in round figures, as under :

1864. 1863.
Great Western £57,959 £52,051
North-Western
South-Western
Brighton
14,621 14,938
Midland
South-Eastern
Lancashire and Yorkshire
Bristol and Exeter ...... 5,437 5,277
North-Eastern 51,577 46,515
Great Eastern
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln 16,798 14,318
About C 72.1100 in gold waa taken into the tank
yesterday.