The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-17 00:00:00

WILL SHORTLY CLOSE.

MR. and Mrs. GERMAN REED, with Mr.
JOHN PARRY, will appear in their new ANGLO-
EGYPTIAN ENTERTAINMENT, THE PYRAMID. To
be followed by THE BARD AND HIS BIRTHDAY, a
new musical tercentennial séance, by William Brougn, Esq.,
sustained by Mr. and Mrs. German Reed; and THE SEA-
SIDE, or MRS. ROSELEAF OUT OF TOWN, by Mr. John
Parry. Every evening (except Sat ,rday), at 8 ; Thursday
and Saturday mornings, at 3.—ROYAL GALLERY of IL-
LUSTRATION, if, Regent-street. Unreserved seats, ls.,
25,; stalls, 35.; stall (spring) chairs, 55., can be secured in ad-
vance at the Gallery without fee.

CANTERBURY HALL,
Westminster-road, London.
OXFORD and CANTERBURY HALL COMPANY
(Limited).
GRAND OPTICAL ILLUSIONS,
PRINCE BLOSSOM;
OR, THE FAIRIES OF THE MAGIC FOUNTAIN AND THE
FOREST OF SHADOWS!
Prince Blossom, Miss Townley.
Also, the New and successful Illusion, entitled THE
TERCENTENARY; or, a NIGHT WITH SHAKSPERE.
Operatic Selections, Glees, Sm., by the whole of the talented
Artistes. Comedy by Mr. Arthur Lloyd, with his new song
of "The Organ Grinder," a decided hit; Mr. W. Randall ;
Miss Nelly Pow: r, and those marvellous Gymnasts, !desire.
TALLIOTT and BURNELL' (from the Principal Cirque,
Madrid).
" THE ANTHROPOPHAGINIAN !"
"Go, knock,
and call ; he'll speak like an Anthropopha-
ginian unto thee: knock, I say."—Shakspere.
Merry Wives of Windsor, 4 act, sc. 5.
THE WONDER OF THE DAY
Will shortly be Illustrated by Mr. W. Hilton.
Director. Mr. F. Jonghmans.
A dmission—Area, ad.; Stalls and Balcony, Is.

T " 0 X FOR D,
6, OXFORD STREET, W.

THE OXFORD and CANTERBURY HALL COMPANY
(Limited!.

During this week will be performed, Selections from the
following Operas, viz., THE TROVATORE, NABUCO,
UN BALLO IN MAS('HERA, LA FGRZA DEI.
DESTINO, by Verdi; and THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF
VERONA, by Sir H. I ishop. Principal Artistes:—Misses
Russell, Tyrrt 11, Walmsley, Fitz-Henry, and Barrie ; Messrs.
Marini, Hush, Green M4rcello, and Albert.

Comedy by UNSWORTH,' EUGENE, W. Randall, C.
Burton, and Mdlle. Cava:ho, the celebrated Comedienne,

Admission—Area, 6d. ; stalls and balcony, ls.; private
boxes, 10s. 6d.

ANTHROPOGLOSSOS.-ST.JAMES'S
HALL, Piccadilly.—Great Success!—Extraordinary
Excitement. - The AN THROPOGLOSSOS, Automaton
Vocalist, Wonder of the World. [Registered according to
Acts 1843 and 1850, 6 and 7 Vic., c, 6), 13 and 14 Vic , c. 104,
and copyright secured an i entered at Stationer's Hall.]
OPEN DAILY, from 12 till 10 o'clock. The Exhibitions
take place at the commer cement of each hour, viz., 12, 1,2,
3,4, 5,6, 7. 8, and 9 o'clock. Admission, One Shilling.
Tickets at Mr. Austin's office, St. James's Hlll, 2d, Picca:
di:ly, W.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S HISTORICAL
GALLERY; established 28 years at the Bazaar,
Baker-street.

NEW ADDITION. A full length portrait model of
DR. COUTY DE LA POMMERAIS, the Poisoner, taken
from the original photograph, by Mons. Trinquart, of Paris,
from life, is now added to the Chamber of Physiognomy.
Admittance, ls. ; Napoleon Rooms and Chamber of Horrors,
6d. extra.
Open from 11 in the morning till 10 at night.

PIGS! PIGS! PIGS!-INDIAN PIG MEAL,
without husks, supplied to the Royal farms, Windsor,
and in every county in England, 10s 6d per cwt. ; one cwt.
equal to 1 cwt. barley or any meal. Delivered free in Lon-
don. Established 1858.—TIIOMAS PEARCE, Manager, 66,
Lant-street, Southwark.

ROUND SHOULDERS, STOOPING HABITS,
and DEFORMITIES are prevented and cured by
CHANDLER'S IMPROVED CHEST-EXPANDING
BRACES, for bolt sexes, of all ages. They strenethen the
voice and inn.... relieve indin-estion, and are especially recom-
mended tO children for assisting the growth and producing a
perfect syiumetrwal ngure, buperseding the old braces and
stays.-66, Berners-street, Oxford-street, W. Illustrated
Pamphlets fbrwarded.

(ALDRIDGE'S BALM of COLUMBIA
kJ stands unrivalled as a toilet requisite. It has been
established 40 years, and is the best and only certain remedy
ever discovered for preserving, strengthening, beautifying,
or restoring the Hair, Whiskers, or Moustaches, and pre-
venting them turning gray or falling off.—Sold in bottles,
3s. 6d., 65., and 11s. by C. and A. OLDRIDGE, 22, Welling-
ton-street, Strand, W.C. ; and all chemists and perfumers.
For Children's and Ladies' Hair it is most efficacious and
unrivalled.

ril EET H. —IMPROVED MECHANICAL
11 DENTlSTRY.—Frofessional abilities and great artistic
skill have been most successfully combined in the production
of ARTIFICIAL TKET.Ii upon a new principle. The real
value of the perfection of the art of Dentistry will be experi-
enced by all wishing to avail themselves of professional
assistance by consulting Mr..AL BERT, 34, Great Russell-
street, Bloomsbury, whose experience has enabled him to
effect such admirable, convenient contrivances by artificial
means, and which are so perfectly efficient.

Second Edition, Corrected and Revised, post free 7d., in
cloth 13d.,
PIM TEETH: a Practical Treatise, with the
best means of restoring them when defective or lost.
By A. ESKELL, Esq., Surgeon-Dentist,
8, Grosvenor-street, Grosvenor-square.
" It really contains all that is necessary relative to the
good keeping of i he mou h ar d teeth, and deserves the serious
consideration of all who adequately regard their health,
comfort, and appearance."—The Sun, May 4, 1861.
"We can commend this little brochure on a subject upon
which everybody takes an interest."—Medical Circular,
June 5,1861.

" We can recommend its perusal to those who wish to pre-
serve their teAb, and to those who know the value of them."
—Daily News, June 20, 1861.

London : Clements, Little Pulteney-street

ORNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
and Dining-room, consisting of a new and e.egant assort-
ment of V ;ISE S, Figures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Ink-
stands, beautiful inlaid Tables, Paper weights, &n., in Italian,
Alabais ter, Paean, Marble, Bronze, Derbrahlre Spar, &a
Imrorted and manufactured by JAMES TARRANT, Mine•
ralogist to her Majesty, 149, Stand, W.e., London.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary bolleotions of SHELLS,
MINERALS, ROCKS, and 108F,ILS, which will greatly
lacilitate the interesting study of MINERALOGY, CON-
CHOLOGY, and GEOLOGY, ,:„E 2, 5,10, 20, 50, to 100 guineas
each.

PRACTICAL INSTRV,CTION in GEOLOGY and MINE-
RALOGY 18 given by nr. TENNANr, at 149, Strand W.C.

pRIZE ME D A L.—INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION, 1862.
FRANCIS TUCKER & CO., Wax Chandlers, &0., &0.,
To the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
(Established 1710.)
The Jurors' Report on IVax and Church Candles, in 1882,
testifies to the excellence of the quality of Messrs. Tuckers'
manufacture.
A distinguished Dignitary, in a letter addressed to Francis
Tucker and Co., on the subjQct of
WAX CANDLES with PLATTED WICKS,
says :
" 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 qualityquality, with fatted Wicks, patented.. 2s, 2d. per lb.
Ordinary „.
Od. pax er
VEGETABLE CANDLES, with a Mixture Wof . lb.
Best quality • • ''• • • •
Second quality •
• • .. is. od. per lb.
••
n • • • .. is. 3d. per II:4
Third quality •• • • • • • • is. id. pe.„ lb.
Carriage paid in London ou Orders of Five Founds ii value.
FRANCIS TUCKER AND CO.,
:8, South Molton-strnet, Grosvenor-square. uanitory_
NenF„ington (Established 1730).
ansbmleenstioirnthEenugtreld ftotretiuhe
tar
IviantLfgeture
The largestz Erstl,3%!4cli

Together with a ?rice List of purified Bedding, aad a mass
of valnable informationto all requiring household furniture,
carpets, or bedding. References kindly permitted to Clergy-
men and gentlemen in or near Great Malvern, Southampton,
Chichester, Bury, Ely, Preston, Grimsby, Ryde, Plymouth,
Wells. Oxford. Brighton, Gainsborough, Margate. Kidder-
minster, Wellington, Croydon. Cambridge, Staines, Dorking,
St. Alban's, Worcester, Ipswich, Peterborough, St. David's,
Wrexham, and above 500 other places in all parts of Great
_ _

COBBETT and CO.. General House Furnishers. Deptford-
bridge. London. B.E.

THE ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY,
29, Lombard-street, London; and

Royal Insurance-buildings, Liverpool.

At the Annual Meeting, on:the sth inst., the following were
some of the leading results disclosed in the Report to the
shareholders.

FIRE BRANCH.
The Premiums of the year 1863 reached the sum
of £341,668
Being an advance of 40,977
over 1862; an amount of increase exceeding that of any pre-
vious year.
The Revenue from Fire Premiums has been en- -
hanced in four years by the large sum of £113,353

The Duty paid to Government in 1862 was. £75,993
Ditto ditto, 1883 88,966

Showing an Increase in one year of ...... £12,973

Among the incidents which have tended to the advance-
ment of the Royal within the last few months may be reckoned
its action with respect to the losses sustained by the explo-
sion of the Lotty Sleigh, which although on'y eon ,istent with
the general tenor of the conduct of the Company, and ulti-
mately proved to be no more than what had been done in 1 or-
mer times by the o dent and most proverbially honourable
among its contemporaries, yet attracted attention and public
favour by its unhesitating promptness.
As the largest total of Revenue and the largest rail, of
progression have been attained in the present year, so it
happens that the largest Profit which it has ever fallen to the
Directors to record has likewise on this occasion to be an-
nounced. The balance of net profit on theyear has amounted
to £83,515 ; of which sum f.. 34,100 only has been appropriated
to Dividend and Bonus, and the large balan_e of £49,444 been
carried to Reserve. •
LIFE BRANCH.

The progress of the Life Branch, as shown by the New
Business transacted in tke last year, is most promising, and
the advances made, year by year, in the amount of New In-
surances effected, slum clearly the estimation in which the
Company is held. The following is a statement for the last
five years :
Net Sum Assured on New Policies

atter deducting Guarantees.

Net Premiums.

1859
-- - - 434,470£ 11 10

1860

1861
1862
1863

This rapid growth, amounting to 73 per cent. on the Sum
Assured, and upwards of 80 per cent. on the Premium re-
ceived in the oourse of five years, may justly be considered as
,arger than any which could have been reasonably expected.
The first half of the current year 186 f, however, far outstrips
the ratio of increase indicated by the figures just quoted, as
the sum assured for that period of six months only actually
exceeds Half-a-Mil ion sterling.
The rate of Mortality, likewise, still presents highly favour-
able features, and augurs well for the result to be shown by
the quinquennial investigation, which is to take place when
the present year is concluded.

PERCY M. DOVE, Manager and Actuary.
JOHN B. JOHNSTON, Secretary in Loudon.
August, 1864.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,

EGHAM RACES.

The old historic meadow of Runnymede never, perhaps,
looked gayer than it did yesterday. A bright afternoon had
succeeded to a rather dull morning, and there was a goodly
show of carriages and a large attendance of foot people.
Egham is generally a great outing for Cockneydom, some
features of which to speak the truth could well be spared.
Card sharpers and pickpockets of every degree flourish here
seemingly unchecked, and one has generally to run the
gauntlet of a very questionable humanity in the struggles to
reach a railway carriage, from which the traveller is fortu-
nate if he emerges scathless.
There have been some alterations and improvements since
the last meeting. Mr Marshall has succeeded Mr Verrall
as Clerk of the Course, and a new steward's and weighing
stand, with increased accommodation for the press, jockeys,
&c., has been erected, The sport was very fair, the fields
being larger than anticipated. Anti-Macassar reversed his
Brighten and Lewes running, and won the King John Stakes
with the greatest ease ; and old Caller Ou, of course, carried
off the Queen's Plate. with only Bally Edmond to make the
semblance of a race, at all near her. The others were never
in it. Merry Maid had it all her own way for the Welter
Stakes, and the Betting Stand Plate was carried off by
Balderdash, after a good race with Pelios and Etna..
There was a great want of punctuality in the arrange-
ments, and the way the course was kept was simply dis-
graceful. In the race for the Queen's Plato the crowd barely
cleared a narrow passage for the horses, and if the field had
been larger some accident must have happened. The police
were sadly inefficient for the duties they were called upon
to perform.

Betting on future events was only remarkable for the
rapid fall of the favourite for the Great Ebor, as much as
100 to 3 being laid against East Lancashire during the
afternoon.

The Egham Stakes of 5 sous each, with 50 added.
Mr Barton's Vision, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b, (£SO) (J. Grimshaw) 1
Mr Beadman's Stainley, 3 yrs, Sat 111 b (£100) (K. Sharp) 2
Mr B. Land's Lord of the Manor, aged, Tat tub (.ggo)
(J. Nightingall) 3
Mr Saltmarsh's Confusion, aged, Bst (£loo).„(Edwards) 4
Betting-7 to 4 agst Stainley, sto 2 agst Vision, 3to 1
agst Lord of the Manor, and 5 to 1 agst Confusion.
Stainley made the running, with Vision in attendance,
to about a quarter of a mile from home, where le latter had
her horses all beaten, and went in an easy winner by three
lengths. Lord of the Manor a bad third. There was no
advance in the selling price of the winner.

The Runnymede Stakes (Handicap), of 10 soya each, 3 ft,
if declared by Tuesday the 9th of August, with 50 added.

For all ages. One mile. 28 subs.
Mr Alexander's Peon, 3 yrs, 7st ... (Morris) 1
Mr E. Brhyley's Rappel, 3 yrs, sst 71b (J, Grtmshaw) 2
Mr Wodson's Deertoot, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (310 extra) (Clay) 3
Mr Hodgman's The Monk, aged, Bst 131 b ..(Fordham) 4
Mr G. Fenwiek's Batsman, 4 yrs, 6st 131 b (41b extra)
(F. Adams) 5
Mr Samuel's Twilight, aged, Bst 121 b (J. Adams) 6

Betting-2 to 1 agst Rappel, sto 2 agst Peon, 6to 1 each
agst The Monk and Deerfoot, 7 to 1 agst Batsman, and 8
to 1 agst Twilight.
Rappel jumped off with the lead, followed by The Monk,
Peon lying well on the off side, with Deerfoot in the middle
and Batsman and Twilight bringing up the rear. Before
they had gone half the distance Peon went to the front,
and The Monk retiring from the contest, let the issue to the
two favourites, who singled themselves out at the distance
and raced home, Mr Alexander's horse having always the
best of it, and winning cleverly by half a length. Deerfoot
a bad third.

Tho King John Stakes, of 10 sovs each, sft, with 50 added ;
for 2-yr-olds; colts, Bst 101 b, and fillies, Bst 71b. T.Y.C,

31 subs.
Capt. W. H. Cooper's Anti-Macassar, Bst 101 b (in 3113 ex)
(F. AdattP,) 1
Duke of Cleveland's Lady Valentine Bat 21bE 61b ex)
2
(. It
Mr J. Nightingall's Discretion, Bst 101 b (ine. lartin) .--elb extra)
The following also ran :—Advance-,e, Victory, Basquine,
Provisor, Lemonade, Sympath-
and.Latitude.
Bettting-9 to 4 a t
ga- to 1 agst Lemo-
nade, 5 to 1 agst Adr4neul 6 to 1 agst Discretion, and 10
to 1 each agst 1....ady Valentine and Sympathy.
fall of. the flag,
After failures Basquine took up the running at the
but soon resigned the lead to Lady Valen-
(me, who with Discretion, Lemonade, Victory, and Sym-
pathy, the favourite lying forward near the rails, came on
with it to the distance, where Anti-Macassar drew away,
followed by the Duke of Cleveland's filly, and, full of run-
ning, easily shook off his opponent within a few yards of
the chair, winning very easily by a length. Discretion was
a bad third, Victory fourth, Lemonade fifth, and Sympathy
sixth. Next came Advance and Provisor. Basquine was
last.
The Ankerwyke Stakes of 3 sovs each, with 30 added;
selling allowances. Three-quarters of a mile.?
Count La Grange's Medicie, 12 yra (.C2O), sst 711? _

Mr Golby'a Change of Luck (Barker) 1
, 2 yra ((30),_5st_101b _

(11. Clark) 2
Mr B. Land's Neilghorry, 4 yrs (£10), Bst 31b (Fordham) 3
Mr Nightingail's Princess Dagmar, 2 yrs (.£2O), sst 71b
(J. Grimshaw) 4
Capt. Willock's The Drone, aged (£2O), Set 71b (Payne) 5
Mr Kelley's Mistletoe, 4 yrs (£2O), Bst 31b (Parry) 6
Mr Davison's Maid of Athens, aged (£2O), Bst 71b
(Arrowsruith) 7
Betting-6 to 4 on Medicis, 5 to 1 agst any other
The favourite rushed to the front, with
,range of Luck
lying next, immediately the flag was
luweredei
o e ,
Princess Dagmar, and the Drones . on, N
tlg
named. Medicis continucd: coming in the herryrdr
and won in a canter by ner lead, was never headed,
was a bad third. T' couple of lengths. Neilgherry
winner was sold
estyo lot was placed by the judge, and the
Her
Mr G. Angell for 230 guineas.
4-yr-o' Maj,'
4 Plate of 100 guineas ; 3-yr-olds, Sat 51b ;
As, 9at 71b; five, six, and aged, gat 1.21 b. Two
11"):.fes and a distance.
air l'Anson's Caller OR, 6 yrs ..(Challoner) 1
Mr Thellusson's Bally Edmond, 6 yrs (Fordham) 2
The following also ran:—.-Donkey, Coroebns filly, Daniel
O'Rourke, and The Drone.
Betting-9 to 4 on Caller Oa and 5 to 2 agst Bally Ed-
mond.
Doilkeyjtunped off wi;:h the lead with Belly Edmond,

(J. Goater) 4
Betting-5 to 4 agst Merry Maid, 2to 1 agst Disappoint-
ment.

Merry Maid took up the running, with Disappointment
lying next, and the race Was confined to these two, Mr
Batsman a bad third.
Payne's mare winning with great ease by two lengths.

The Betting Stand Plate of .100 Bova (handicap). For all
ages.
_Three quarters of a mile.

Mr F. Santley's Balderdash, 3 yrs,6stib (Tomlinson) 1
Mr Brayley's Patios, 3 yrs, Est 41b (car 6st 91b)
(J. Grimshaw) 2
Mr G. Buchanan's .lEtna, 4 yrs, 78t (J. Covey) 3
The following also ran :—Walloon, Gamecock, Bolero,
Lost Sheep, Narbonne, Professor. Sherborne, Under the
Cloud, weatherglass, Mysterious Lady, and St Vincent.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Etna, 100 to 15 agst Pelios, 10 to 1
apt Gamecock and Balderdash, and 100 to 8 agst Sher-
borne.

.Etna made play, with Balderdash, Mysterious Lady, and
Pelios lying next, the rear division being headed by Nar-
bonne, Gamecock, and Bolero. Below the distance Balder-
dash
ea
Lady, .Etna taking fourth place. They continued in this
order to the Stand,
lenged the leader, and the three ran a good race home, Bal-
derdash winning by a head, and the same distance separat-
ing Pelios from Etna. Mysterious Lady was fourth,
Sherborne fifth, Bolero and Weatherglass the two next.
Narbonne was last.

LATEST BETTING
EBOR HANDICAP.
100 to 30 agst Raglan (offered, take 4 to 1)
100 to 12 agst Caller Ou (taken)
100 to 7 agst East Lancashire (taken and offered),
100 to 3 having been laid three times previously.

RADCLIFFE RACES_.TUESDAY.
The Bolton Plate (Handicap) of 40 sous, for all ages;
winners extra. About three-quarters of a mile.
Mr Handley's Ossian, 4 yrs, Bat 81b .... (H. Grimshaw) 1
Mr Beaumont's Vanessa, 3 yrs, Tat 61b ...... (Whiteley) 2
Mr Barber's The Cutler, 5 yrs, 7st 61b ....... (Britton) 3
Mr T. Smith's Oulton Lowe, 3 yrs, Est 121 b (Oranshaw) 4
Betting-7 to 4 agst Ossian, sto 2 agst Oulton Lowe,
3 to 1 agst Vanessa, 4 to 1 agst The Cutler.

Won by a length, the same between second and third;
the fourth close up.

The Welter Stakes of 5 sovs each, 2 ft, with 30 added;
weight for age; gentlemen riders ; jockeys extra ; penal-
ties and allowances. About two miles and a quarter,
Mr Peace's Zuleika, 6 yrs, 12st 31b (inc 141 b ex)
(J. W. Thorpe) 1
Mr C. Coborn's Bce)tian, 3 yrs, 12st 61b (inc 141 b ex)

,
(0 wner) 2
Mr C. Broadhurst's Joe, .5 yrs, llst 71b (oar
.11st nib)._

(\l, Arcki) 3

No betting.

Won by ;length, a bad third.

The Chesterfield Cup (handicap) of 50 soya in specie, added
to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, winners extra, second to
save his stake. Once round and a distance.

Mr Ambery's Nemo, 3 yrs, Sat 131 b (Carroll) 1
Mr T. Griffith's Puss, 5 yrs, 7st Glb (car 7st 71b)
(ff. Grinashaw) 2
Mr T. Cliff's Wildman, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (ino 101 b ex)
(E. Taylor) 3
Betting-2 to lon Nemo, sto 2 agat Puss.
Won by two lengths, a bad third. _ _ _

The Craven Two-year:old Handicap of 5 soya eaoh, 2 ft,
with 40 added; whiners extra; second to save his stake.
About six fur,

Mr Handley'a Saloon, Tat 31b (E. Taylor) 1
Mr T. Smith's Vanguard, bet 19,9 a (Cranshaw) 2
Mr Peace's Creme de Iranile, 7st 61b (car 7st 71b
(H. Grimshaw) 3
Mr Fowler's Early in the Morning, 7st 91b (Whiteley) 4
Betting-2 to lon Saloon, 3to 1 agst Creme de Vanille,
6 to 1 agst Vanguard.

Won easily by two lengths ; a bad third.
The scurry Handicap of 2 soya each, wi►h 25 added. About

six furlongs.
Mr J. Osborne's Gaily, 4 yrs, Bst Blb (Whiteley) 1
Mr Handley's Ossian, 4 yrs, 9st (H. 3rimshaw) 2
Mr T. Smith's Oulton Lowe, 3 yrs, 6st 6th .. (Howarth) 3
Mr T. Griffith's Puss, 5 yrs, 7st 10Th (E. Taylor) 4
The following also run:—Master Joe, Blondin, and Pre-
paration.

Betting-7 to 4 agat Ossian, 3to 1 agst Gaily, 4to 1 agst
Oulton Lowe, 6 to 1 agat Puss.
Won by a neck, a length between second and third, three
lengths between third and fourth.

RAILWAY AND OTHER COMPANIES.

MIDLAND.

The half-yearly meeting of tlii;Corapany was held yes-
terday at Derby, Mr W. E. Hutchinson, Deputy Chair-
man, presided.

The report was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report
said he was sure they had all read with much concern the
paragraph in the report auttaing to the retirement of Mr
Beale, who had for so long a period been their able and ex-
cellent chairman; but he would continue to occupy a seat
at the board, so that his great knowledge and experience of
railway matters would still be given to this undertaking.
(Cheers.) He then read a letter from Mr Beale, in which he
expressed his obligations to the shareholders. Alluding to
the results of the last year's operations the chairman con-
gratulated the shareholders on the large excess in the traffic
receipts, and on the fact that so large a proportion of that
excess was available for dividend. The increase had been
over every department except cattle, as usual the largest
ratio of increase had been in the mineral traffic; in user.
chandise it had been £lO,OOO ; in minerals, £79,000. The
increase in the passenger traffic had been very satisfactory,
amounting as it did to £28,000, and that in the face of large
reductions in the passenger fares over a considerable portion
of the railway. This large increase of £128,000 had been
earned at a reasonable cost; it had amounted to no more
than £52,000, leaving £76,000 available for dieldends ; hence
the large increase in the dividend as compared with the
corresponding half of last year. The increased expenses
over 1863 had been caused principally by maintenance of
way, renewal of road, &c., all at the cost of revenue; as
had also charges for
the
carriages and waggons, and an
caused
rg
aincreaseuse
of charge
the line having for traffic expenses had been
d by reason
g been opened for the
Y and Buxton. Among the gene-
ral the item for fire insurance.
charges
half-year
et o f
increase to lt o w a
cussle
Tl2terms
uponthey had borrowed this money were
favourable,
high price of money during the
past half-year. They had borrowed nearly half a million,
about one-half of which was at 4 per cent. the remainder
considering which
the
at 4i, the average being £1 ns
4 71d, which was below the
rate of
p soma
of
of the leading railways. The new lines in
course of construction were progressing satisfactorily, and
their northern friends would be glad to hear that there was
a pros fthe Ottley and Ilkely line being opened in the
se
autumn. Considerable progress bed been made in the line
from Birmingham:Mt
dNI
aunnde aftroonta
Birmingham to London,
Which would open up a
new way, via th
and although it would not be so short as the route by the
London and North-Western, it would afford a third means
of communication about in equal A:
‘4.Btanee with the Great
Western. In the last Parliamentary campaign,
as far as the
Midland Company was concerned, they had had a pro-
tracted and expensive session, and that two from quarters
from which they had a right to expect something else—he
alluded chiefly to the opposition at Sheffield and Burton
but thanks to the zeal of ,their solicitors and officers, they
had a successful session. The works at Sheffield would be
proceeded with as speedily as possible—he hoped that any
bad feeling wine
• h might have existed against the Midland
in that town would cease, and that the inhabitants would
soon come to the conviction that what
had been done was
best for their interests. He concurred with Mr Bede " to
the satisfactory position which the lktidland line occupied;
it had a most important geographical position, in the centre
of a great commercial district—their traffic had increased
of late at the rate of nearly £l,OOO per week, but though
that advance had taken place, and it had enabled them to
raise the dividend at the rate of 14
per cent., they must not
be too sanguine that increase wou... le
continue, Many eir-
cumetancee might Militate against it. They were laying
Silt a great deal of capital, and had consequently more to
pay upon. They had raised snore than £1,000,000, having a
deferred dividend, that would boar interest at the rate of 5
per cent. in July of next year. He mentioned among other
reasons why the iinereased dividend might not continue.
Circumstances might render it desirable that larger balances
should be carried over than usual; but in any case they
might depend on it that nothing should be wanting on the
part of the directors to maintain their position and every
• possible
improvement. Ho concluded by moving the adop-
tion of the report.
Mr LEWIS seconded the motion, which was adopted.
The various dividends were declared in accordance with
the recommendation of the report.
A vote for the expenditure of a sum of £200,000 on capital
account was carried, the amount to be employed in the pur-
chase of en gines, stock, &o.
Mr Hear Le was appointed auditor in the place of Mr Cripps,
. deceased, It wan stated that the new auditor was a holder

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yester-
day at the Euston Station, Mr H. W. Blake in the chair.
The report was taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said he had only a very few observations to make. There
had been an increase in the passenger, goods, and mineral
traffic. The opening of the Metropolitan Railway had not
affected the general receipts for passengers,but some decrease
had taken place from the opening of the Hammersmith and
City line ; still, that was being made np from other
sources. As regarded the expenditure, a considerable outlay
had taken place on capital account for the new lines to the
city, and they had paid £5,000 for additional land at Bow.
The company had three bills before Parliament last session,
and their Parliamentary expenses were heavy. The fact of
so many bills for metropolitan railways being promoted
made the session quite exceptional. They had received 31
notices of bills as affecting their company, and they had to
watch the progress of 11 different bills in addition to their
own. Their Tottenham Extension Bill was lost, and that
of the Great Eastern was granted. The Great Eastern Ex-
tension to Liverpool-street would run close to their city
line, and the stations would adjoin, which might be of some
advantage to them and the public. The company's addi-
tional powers bill would enable them to vary and alter cer-
tain roads, and thus enable them to save expense. The new
dock at Poplar was sanctioned, and an advantageous ar-
rangement had been made with the East and West India
Docks Company, and for a new barge entrance should it be
necessary. Improvements were being made at the several
stations on the line, and also in the plant and working stock
of the company. _ _ _

Mr It. 15. MANGLES seconded the motion for the adop-
tion of the report.
Mr ONYON contended that the dividend at the rate of 6
per cent, per annum proposed by the directors should be in-
creased to 64 per cent. ; and that instead of adding the
£4OOO out of the revenue to the special works and contingen-
cies fund, £2,500 of it should be appropriated to the pay-
ment of the extra half per cent. dividend, leaving the re-
maining £1,600 to be added to that fund. They had an
increase of £B,OOO in the receipts during tho past half-year,
and he thought the shareholders were entitled to some part
of it.

The CHAIRMAN defended the course adopted by the di-
rectors. The additional powers Act would enable them to
save large sums, and to provide for the accommodation of
the Great Northern and Midland traffic at the proposed new
docks. The whole of the £4,000 would be required for the
improvement of the stations to accommodate the increasing
traffic on the line as soon as possible. It would be more
prudent to pay at the rate of 6 per cent. now, and at the
rate of 7 per cent. for the next half year.
Mr MANGLES said that many of the improvefnents they
had introduced had turned out most profitable investments
for the company, particularly in respect of the adoption of
steel tires and other lasting improvements.
The report was unanimously adopted. An amendment by
Mr Onyon, seconded by Mr Westlsy, that the dividend be
3t per cent. for the half year was negatived ; and the pro-
position of the directors that the dividend be 3 per cent. for
the past half year on the ordinary stock and shares of the
company was carried.
in reply to a question, it was stated that the directors had
no reason to believe that the estimate for the works of the
City Extension would be exceeded, and the proceedings ter-
minated.