The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-27 00:00:00

Lord Malnaesburj on Public Affairs.

At the annual dinner of the South Avon Agricul-
tural Society, held at Christchurch, Hant, on Tues-
day evening, Lord Malmesbury presided. The
noble earl spoke at some length upon the condi-
tion of the army and navy, on the necessity of
farmers depending less on wheat as a staple trade,
and leper) the foreign policy of Earl Russell, In
proposing the " Army and Navy,"
Lord MALMESBURY said—Gentlemen, I proceed
to propose to you a toast which I am sure you will
drink with that enthusiasm which you always ma-
nifest at such meetings—that is the Army and Navy.
With respect to the army of this country this bo-
rough has been long acquainted with its discipline
and good conduct. For many years we were fa-
voured with the presence of very distinguished curps
of the army that were residing at the barracks be-
longing to this town. lam sure we all regret that
the circumstances which have lately taken place
-with respect to the army generally have deprived us
of their company, and of all the advantages which
in many ways their company and society have given
us. Gentlemen, I am one of those who, with all
respect to those at the head of the army, and be-
lieving that their scheme may be a good and a right
one, end that a concentration of troops is the right
thing to establish—that by so concentrating them
on certain points they learn more of their duty,
being in large bodies of men ; yet I am still, for
every reason (I mean political reasons) inclined to
regret that the army is not so much distributed over
this country as it formerly was. I regret it for this
reason : I think that, ready and content as Eng-
lishmen are to pay taxes for the honour and preser-
vation, and safety of their native land, there is still
a natural liking among them to see now and then
what they pay for. (Hear, hear.) Feeling that
they have a glorious army, a well-disciplined army,
commanded by officers who are gentlemen, and who
are obeyed by brave men, I say that they were
proud to see that army quartered among them, and
pleased to enjoy what they might fairly wish to
enjoy, namely, the pecuniary advantages, for such
they were, of such an establishment. It now makes
a very great difference to many towns in this
country, owing to the withdrawal of a portion of the
army from those particular neighbourhood. It seems
to me that the army might just as well be quartered
in winter in country towns, where they would have
every advantage as in portable camps where they
can do very little. It appears to me that the country
towns would thus reap the advantages to which I
have referred, and that the country generally would
be more satisfied with seeing the eau for which
they pay. Now, I can exemplify this by what takes
place in France. In France, as you all know, the
whole of its enormous army of 300,000 men is quar-
tered in that country, with the exception of 60,000
men in Algiers; and as there are no colonies the
great bulk of the army is in France itself. With re-
spect to our army that is not the case. Oar army is
quartered over the face of the globe, and very few
regiments are quartered in England. Consequently
the money and wealth of this country goes forth to
the colonies for the maintenance of that army, and is
not spent in the country from which it is derived.
Now, in France, the money spent for the army is
principally spent in France itself, and so well is this
fact appreciated by the Government that if the Em-
peror wishes to show his displeasure towards a town
on account of its being mutinous, or acting illegally,
or in hostility to the Government, he does not fill
the town with soldiers in order to keep it in subjec-
tion, but withdraws the army and make the towns-
people's pockets feel the loss. There can be no doubt,
therefore, that to a certain degree the old plan was
more agreeable to the people of this country, and it
would prove more advantageous to the officers and
men comprising the army if, for a certain period of
the year, like the French army, after being in camp,
they were returned to country quarters. I do not,
in saying this, ireteni to cast anything like a reflec-
tion on the discipline of the army, which, I believe,
we must all admit to grow day by day
more efficient than it has hitherto been. (Hear,
hear.) With respect to the navy I sincerely hope
it will prove the foremost and most valuable insti-
tution of this country. You may depend upon it
that it is upon the navy our security, prosperity,
and importance in Europe depend. Ido not feel at
all satisfied at present that our navy is in that state
of comparative strength ;as regards other maritime
countries that it ought to be. Ido not blame the
Government, I do not blame the Admiralty ; I can
only blame circumstances, which have obliged us to
lose the whole of the advantages, which for cen-
turies we possessed, of building greater and better
ships than other countries. What has happened ?
First of all, the invention of steam, and then the
invention of ironclad ships, have changed the state
of affairs. Everybody had to begin again— we had
all to start afresh—and therefore England lost all
the start which she had gained at least a century
before, and all the advantages of a great war. We
had to begin to build a new navy, and that navy is
now in course of reproduction. But other countries
—France, Spain, and Italy—are all building ves-
sels of a similar character, and if you will IoA into
the matter you will find that the French, in point
of a new class of ships, are equal to ourselves. Many
years and a vast expenditure will be required to
place us in the same position with regard to other
countries which we occupied 20 years ago, when,
if we were at war with two or three maritime coun-
tries, we might meet them on equal terms. There-
fore, whoever may be at the head of affairs, and
whatever party may place their favourite leaders
in that position, I hope they will always consider
the maritime power of this country as paramount
to everything else, although for some time to come
it will not prove a perfect guarantee of our safety.
(Cacers.)
In reply to the toast of the Houses of Parliament,

Lord MALMESBURY rose and said—Gentlemen,
the health you have just drank so very kindly,
with full glasses and loud cheering, I thank you
for, and sincerely. It is certainly not the first time,
and I hope it will not be the last that I shall be re-
ceived in this " house' in that flattering manner.
I may say I am almost wearied year after year,
and more than once or twice a year, in thanking
you for your friendly disposition and kindness
evinced towards me and my family. My friend
who proposed my health in such kind terms, very
properly said this was not a political but an agri-
cultural meeting, Yet, gentlemen, it is very diffi-
cult to separate the two subjects, politics from agri-
culture and agriculture from politics. It is impos-
sible that agriculture can prosper, except-under
Government, except our politic.ll institutions are
free and our governors act with prudence and judg-
ment. Therefore politics are as indispensable a
part of the consideration of every farmer of this
country as the sowing of his wheat or of his turnips ;
and not only that, but the state of Europe is of
essential consequence to the farmer. There is no
man, perhaps, in the country who feels more im•
mediately and more deeply the effects of the diffe-
rence between a state of peace and war than the
farmer. In a state of peace in which, thank God,
we are now, and are likely to remain, we have the
advantages which we enjoy this moment of meeting
calmly, quietly, and cheerfully to investigate the
subject upon which our whole lives are principally
employed—that of agriculture—of quietly arguing
and experimentalisiog upon new inventions and new
theories, all of which could not be done 'n the same
spirit and with the same usefulness in times of
turmoil and war. Therefore, I say, gentlemen, that
politics are an essential part of our trade as land.
lords and farmers, and of our general condition as
agriculturists. Although we aro far from London,
and spend our lives far from the Houses of Parlia-
ment, as regards material distances, we ought to be
most active in our minds in observing what is
essential to our prosperity, and to the general pros.
perity of the country. Gentlemen, there is no class
of persons in this great empire that is so useful, so
-
grandly useful, I may say, to their fellow country.
men, as the farmers. It is a question of food, and
they produce food. Food is the first necessary, not
only of course for animal life, but plenty of food is
the first essential necessary to the prosperity of this
empire. And this leads me, gentlemen, to a sub-
ject which I think is well worthy of your consi-
deration. You are producers of food. You natu-
rally, in entering into the trades and employments
which you follow, have considered how that em-

ployment may bo made most profitable to yourselves.
Weil, you consider what kind of food is the feed
which ycu can dispose of with the grea use to
your fellow-eubjects,and the greatest profit to yours
selves. Four years, gentlemen, as you are aware,
and, of course, none so well as yourselves, wheat
was the staple upon which farmers entirely depended
but I will venture, with all deference to those pre-
sent, to observe that that time, if not past, is rapidly
passing by. It appears to me that it is well worthy
of your attention, not hurriedly, but quietly, and
after great observation of what is going on
—not only in this but in distant countries—it is
well worthy of your consideration whether wheat
.s still the staple upon which you ought to rest all
your capital and dependence. It evidently—to me
at least—has arrived at this point, that we can be
fed, that we are fed to a very great extent ; and
that we can be fed to a much greater extent by
foreign wheat. Now we know—we aee obliged to
know—that the population of this country has in-
creased so immensely within the last 30 years, that
with all our exertions, all our capital, all our im-
provements, we are unable to find bread for that
population. We find we must not only use a
word our forefathers used, when they said
they " submitted" to importation, but we
are now actually thankful for it, because
we do not grow wheat enough in this country
—I mean within the three islands—to feed the
people with bread. Now comes the question to what
extent can that importation be carried. No doubt
to a great extent it will be ruled by demand and
price, and the figure at which freights can be ob•
tained. As to quantity, I believe that if the Ame.
rican war were to cease, and may it please God that
it shall shortly cease, America could send any quan-
tity of wheat to this country. The question there-
fore for you to consider is, at what freight it can be
brought to this:country after it leases the American
shores, When you have got that figure, and the
average figure of what it is worth on the American
shore, you will be best able to judge whether this
hereafter can be, as it is now called, a wheat grow.
ing country or not. Now looking at the future—
looking at the position of the times, I am of opinion
that the farmers of this countryshould not any more
count on the growth of wheat alone, but that they
should look forward to the production of other food.
I need not remind you OR this occasion how much
other food has risen in value of late ; how much
dairy produce, sheep and cattle have risen in value.
Bear those points in mind; do not let yourselves be
surprised by a course of years of low prices of wheat,
and do not depend on that particular staple for
carrying out the trade in which you have embarked.
Gentlemen, I must say that to a certain degree my
attention has been called to this from having been
twice within the last 12 years in an official situation
which enabled me to ascertain from her Majesty's
consuls abroad, and other persons officially employed
there, what was the state of things with respect to
the growth of wheat in those countries. I tell you
fairly that I believe at Chicago, in America, if even
no w the war ceased, railroads and canals would be
made, which would enable any quantity of wheat—
at least whatever quantity was required and was
remunerative to send to this country—to be imported.
Gentlemen, I hope I do not trespass upon the even-
ing too far. I have no wish to indulge in what were
called last year in some of the newspapers, "extra
Parliamentary ntterances"—a rather grotesque ex.
pression, 'which I find has been dropped lately. I
do not wish to bore you, bat met as an agricultural
body, and called together as we are called together,
for investigating the interest of agriculture and its
various chances, I have taken the opportunity of
thus addressing you. No doubt a great deal has
been said respecting the growth of food in this
country. I think it is one of the most important
subjects to which a Minister of the Crown or any
man can possibly direct his attention. This is a
time of peace, and I trust that peace will continue ;
I see no chance of anything but peace if we are
quiet, if we do not meddle, if we do not give too
much advice when unasked, if we do not offend
other countries, if we do not promise and then re-
tract, if we follow in fact the feeling of the country,
and it is always public opinion which guides and
influences the Government. lam much mistaken
if that feeling is not to mind our business come
pletely and let others mind theirs. I remember a
story told by the late Lord Alvanley, and with all
respect to the noble lord at the head of foreign
affairs I think it might ba told him with some
point. The late Lord Alvanley said ho was ac-
quainted with a gentleman who was in every re-
spect an excellent fellow, but that he had a habit
of giving advice when it was not asked, and of med-
dling with people's business constantly, and (Afar-
ing to help them when they did not want it, and
not being very ready to assist them when they did
want it. (Laughter.) Well, this gentleman became
rather unpopular with his friends, and ono of those
whose temper was rather shorter than the others,
after snubbing him several times, threatened him
if he bothered him again with his interference to
inflict upon him a castigation which certainly did
not hang over hie head, but which he gave him to
understand would be of a very unpleasant charac-
ter, and that he was very likely to be ejected in the
manner to which I have referred. Upon this the
gentleman went to Lord Aivanley and said " I em
placed in a very disagreeable position. I don't
like staying at home quietly, yet I don't like going
out to meet him. I don't like going into a room
where he is. What am Itodo ? I should be very
much obliged to your lordship to tell me." " Sit
down directly," replied his lordship. (Loud cheers
and laughter.) Well, I should advise Lord John
Russell to sit down, and nothing more—to sit per.
fectly quiet, and I feel thoroughly convinced that
if this were done in our Foreign-office we should
enjoy the blessings of peace for a long time. Under
this blessing agriculture in this and other lands
will prosper, and we shall not be mixed up with the
turmoils of other countries, and their several disc
putes. We shall erjJy those great liberties which,
thank God, we have enjoyed for nearly two cen•
turies. We shell look back with pride to the great
victories which our ancestors gained, and the great
empire they have conquered for us without any
reproach to ourselves. We shall certainly acquire
by cur calm and dignified position the respect of
other nations, who probably will then come to us
for advice and assistance for themselves. (Loud
cheers.)

THE MANIA FOR COLLECTING POSTAGE STAMPS,
—lt there be an argument to be found anywhere
for the existence in human nature of acquisitiveness, pur a
simple, without any imaginable good to be derived from the
object acquired, it is assuredly to be found in the new mania
for collecting postage stamps. One of the albums brought
into existence by this popular delusion is a sort of machine
for the promotion of irrational covetousness ; a perpetual
suggestion of wants which are no wants, and of desirable
acquisitions which are not desirable. Of the eighteen
periodicals said to be published for the benefit of stamp
collectors, the shops in all the great towns which traffic
in old stamps, the immense expenditure of time and cor-
respondence, not to say money, which this mania has cost,
there is no need to tell. It is rather desirable, however,
to be forewarned that a rare American or Greek stamp on
your letter will probably ensure its being stopped in the
post-office, and that Messrs. W. H. Smith's pretty round
green and purple labels form temptations which your num-
ber of the Reader or Spectator is very little likely to sur-
vive. I have know letter-carriers in Italy write to my
servant, after I had left a town, imploring the return of
any which might come to me through other channels.
Report says that the wives of certain directors in Italy have
the richest albums in Europe. The knowledge of the fact
would be infinitely consolatory, no doubt to those who have
endured agonies of suspense from the cessation of their
correspondence with absent relatives. I knew ORO lady,
whose husband was in America last winter, and about
whom she neaturally felt great anxiety. Ho wrote, as it
proved, every mail, but for six weeks she never received a
letter. The stamps he used were probably peculiarly rare
and valuable. Truly, Sir Rowland Hill's magnificent in-
ventions ought not to bo turned into plaything I—ltalics,
by Francis Power abbe.

[ADVERTISEMENT].—Holloway's Ointroect..—Bad legs,
wounds, ulcers, and all descriptions of sores cured by the
proper and diligent use of this inestimable preparation.
To attempt to cure bad legs by plastering the edge of the
wound together is a folly, for should the skin unite, a
boggy, diseased condition remains underneath, to break
out with tenfold fury in a few days. The only rational
and successful treatment, as indicated by nature, is to re-
duce the inflammation in and about the wound—soothe the
neighbouring nerve—to cool the heated blood as it courses
along its vessels—and to render the thin, watery, ichorous
discharge consistent and healthy. Holloway's Pills should
be taken at the same time to purify the blood, and expel
the obnoxious humour from the system.

Railway and other Companies.

ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET.

The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the London Tavern; Captain Mangles in the
chair,

The Secretary, Mr J. M. Lloyd, having read the notice
convening the meeting, the report, an abstract of which has
appeared in The Sun, was taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN; in moving its adoption, said the con-
tinued success and progress of the company were such that
it would not be necessary for him to trespass on their time
at any great length, This was part'cularly desirable in the
present state of matters, and in that view he thought the
shareholders would agree with him. They had had no mishap
during the period under consideration, the receipts were
favourable, the expenditure was not greater than they exa
petted, and the ships had kept their time both at home and
abroad. (Hoar, hear.) There was no occasion to detain them
for any length of time, as their report and accounts were so
clear and explicit ; but as there might be some new share-
holders present who were not so well up in their affairs as
others he there saw before him, who attended their meetings
regularly, and were very useful shareholders, it might be
necessary for him to enter into a few details. The greater
part of the report was occupied with explanations of the
accounts. It showed that the statement of receipts was sa-
tisfactory, and when they looked at the expenses they were
not more than could be expected under the circumstances.
There was a reduction in one item of £5,800, but other items
ware in excess of what they were at the corresponding pe-
riod. It was stated in the report that in consequence of the
increased receipts from freight and passage money the defi-
ciency on the credit side of the working account was less
than might have been expected. Those who attended the
last meeting would recollect he had stated that he hoped a
sufficiency of traffic would be obtained by the company to
make up for the reduction in the subsidy. That expectation
had been to a certain extent realised. The reduction in the
subsidy amounted to £25,000 for the past half year, so that
owing to the excess of expenditure on the one hand and the
decrease in the total receipts of the working account the sur-
plus fell short of that for the corresponding six months of
1863 by £14,024. Ho thought, as their ordinary receiptefor
goods and passengers on working showed a steady increase,
that their loss on the reduction of the contract money or sub-
sidy would in a short time be more than compensated.
They would very soon have as good a surplus on working
account as they had before they commenced working under
the reduced subsidy. The directors and managers looked
with considerable anxiety to the item of " coals, freight,
and all charges," which amounted in the past half year to
£95,559. They could not drive the ships at the requisite
speed without a large consumption of coal. The increase
in that item arose from an increase of freight; they were
obliged to take up freights at the current rate. This in-
crease amounted to £1,895, but at the same time there had
been a saving on the consumption of coals of £2,474, leav-
ing the actual increase in that item £2,421 on working
account. He thought that showed the great care and super-
vision exercised in respect of the expenditure incurred in
keeping up the rate of speed they had to maintain. The
amount at the credit of the repair and renewal account
must vary from time to time, being sometimes more and
sometimes less, as it would be impossible at the end of each
half year to exactly meet the money they had set aside for
the purpose. They had a balance in favour of the company
on that account for the same half of 1863 of £6,464, but at
the end of the past half year it was only £126. It was right
to call their attention to that account, as they had to put
new boilers and superheating steam apparatus in the Atrato
at an expense of £25,000, and he was happy to say the only
other heavy repair they would have for some time would be
that of the Tasmania. They would soon see that the small
balance they had at present in their favour in that account
would be increased. They must not suppose, from what he
had stated, that the Atrato had been an expensive ship.
She had been ten years in their service, and had only cost
them about £5,000 a-year. If they looked at the sums they
had heretofore put by for repairs and renewals they would
not consider that excessive. He hoped in the next year
their expenses under this head would be light. The next
paragraph related to the general reserve fund, in which
there was a credit of £36,000, and, as truly stated in the re-
port, it was for the purpose of meeting the losses on old
ships, and intended for the Magdalena, Trent, Thames, and
Clyde. He would not include the Teviot as that loss had
already been paid off, those four old ships were still in their
servic?. He would leave the Parana out of that estimate, as
she was of great value, and when done with as a steamer
would make a good sailing ship. The four old ships mans
tioned stood on the company's books at a reduced cost of
£37,000, while they had a reserve of £36,1'00 to meet any
loss on them, and they would sell for £4,000 or £5,000 at
least when they were done with them, so they would see the
company was in a perfectly safe position. The state of their
insurance fund was very satisfactory; there was a balance
in their favour of £240,180, but there was a charge
against it of £6,581 for the Spanish ship that had been
run down, and there were also the expenses of getting off
the Wye when ashore at the Island of Nevis. The whole
expense of getting her off and repairs would not exceed
£2,500. B 6 thought great credit was due to Mr Cameron
their agent at St Thomas, for the prompt despatch of one
of the company's steamers to her assistance, and great
credit was also due to the energetic exertions of the officers
and men of the Tyno in getting off the Wye with so little
damage and at so small an expense to the company, He
then adverted to the great delay in completing the four new
iron ships ordered for the company. They had suffered
considerable inconvenience from the shipbuilders not having
delivered the ships, but fortunately the company's ships had
been able to keep their time. The Postme.ster could see
that the directors were not to blame for the delay, and that
they had done all they could to secure the early delivery of
those new ships for the service. A few days ago they had
received notice from the Post-office that they wished to give
up the Honduras route. This service involved steaming
15,846 miles, for which the cemprny received £8,886; they
undertook it at the wish of the Government, and they would
relinquish it as requested. That service would be no loss
to the company. They had the Derwent on the route, and
if the merchants of Honduras wanted any service under-
taken which would pay the company they would do it for
them. The report mentioned that the state of the accounts
enabled the directors to recommend that a dividend of £3 per
share out of the ordinary profits and a bonus of £2 per share
from the insurance fund be declared fret of income-tax.
With regard to the insurance fund he thought it right to
pay a tribute to Captain Abbott, who had recently died in
their service. He had been altogether 19 years in their
service, and during 17} years of that time he had been in
command of seven of the company's ships, and had never
touched the ground or injured a ship the whole time. (Hear
hear.) It was due to the late Capt. Abbott to state the high
opinion the directors entertained of the services of that gen-
tleman. He believed they had several officers in their ser-
vice equally careful. He concluded by moving the adoption
of the report and statement of accounts.
Admiral WHISII seconded the metiers.

In reply to questions it was stated that shipbuilders gene-
rally would take any amount of orders, whether they could
execute them or not in the time specified. Their managers
got the utmost amount of penalties they could for delay,
but there was a limit to penalties. The contracts were made
so that it should be for the interest of tha contractors to
complete the orders properly, and in every case by the time
specified. There were ample funds in hand to pay for the
new ships when they were delivered.

The report was then unanimously adopted; and the pro •
ceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman
and directors.

ENNISKILLEN, BUNDORAN, AND SLIGO.

. -
The report of the directors states that under the energetic
action of Messrs Brassey and Field the construction of the
lino was in rapid progress. Mr Field, on a lake visit, ex-
pressed his confidence in being able to open the line to Bun-
doran early in the ensuing summer. The agreement of this
company with the directors of the Irish North-Western
Railway Company for working the lino would be immedi-
ately brought before the proprietors for ratification. The
directors, alive to the great want of hotel and house ac-
commodation at Bundoran, were happy to say the chair-
man had given a site for an hotel, the plans of which were
in the hands of an eminent architect, and a considerable
sum had been suEscribed. The tourists' requirements
would also be provided for by an hotel on the west bank of
Lough Erne. The directors had taken measures to keep
alive the powers under their Act for the extension, of the
lino from Bundoran to Sligo, Lord Palmerston instantly
appreciating the vast benefit to the district, and the bone
fide nature of the undertaking, had given more than nine
miles of the land required for the railway, as well as a
largo pecuniary subscription; and the directors had re-
ceived the support of other proprietors, thus enabling them
to promise an early contract for this important portion of
the project, The capital account showed that £100,054 had
been received, and £158,532 expended, leaving a balance of
£1,492,

At the recent sale of the stock and furniture of
the Cafe do Foy, in the Palais-Royal, a dispute arose as to
whether the famous swallow painted on the ceiling by Carlo
Vernet belonged to the landlord or the outgoing tenant. The
former claimed it as a fixture, and obtained an injunction
from a judge in Chambers to prevent its removal until the
right of property should be decided in duo course of law.

THE EMPEROR'S DOG.-31. Louis Bertrand, well
known in the French sporting world, has addressed
to the France the following particulars respecting the fine
deg which is the travelling companion of the Emperor of
Russia :—" This animal is not of the Newfoundland breed,
as stated, but a fine jet black setter of large size and beau.
tiful form, with long silky hair. His name is Milrod, and
he is of the same breed as Black Rake, one of the spaniels
which I last spring presented to the Egyptian Prince,
Ilalim Pacha. Milrod was at one time an excellent shoot-
ing dog, but since his promotion to the rank of favourite,
he rarely does any work, except it may be occasionally to
act as a retriever, and fetch any he ad of game his master
may have shot. He is excessively gentle and the insepa-
rable companion of the Emperor, following him through-
out the palace, and even into his cabinet. At night ho
always lies at the door of his nxaster's chamber. The
Emperor generally feeds the dog 'himself, and never any-
one but his personal aide-de-camp to give him any food
whatever,"