The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-09 00:00:00

frugality, and independence, whereby the wants of
individuals are relieved by the united contributions
of the whole body of the members assembled in
friendly harmony one with another. the progress
of this association has been such that within the
few years that have elapsed since its estoblishment,
the number of members has increased from 30 to
300, and it has distributed between £5,000 and
.16,000 in the relief of suffering. No doubt, then,
it is dear to every one within the city of Oxford.
(Cheers.) It is managed with great care by gentle-
men who investigate every case, and obtain every
guarantee that the money is properly applied ac-
cording to the rules of the association. I approve
very much of the principle adopted of a periodical
revision of the rules by an experienced actuary, be-
lieving as I do that such a proceeding will tend to
conduce to the permanence of your prosperity, and
to maintain the principles upon which you are
founded—the principles of independence and sc-
eurity, I siLeerely trust that by this and every
other means you may succeed in maintaining a
society so calculated to promote frugality, industry,
and integrity among the working classes. (Cheers.)
The welfare of the members of a community is the
welfare of the community itself; and depend upon
it the proper and efficient discharge of their social
and domestic duties by individuals tends very much
to increase the general wealth, prosperity, and
greatness of the country at large. There is a story
in an old book called " The Guardian," which
always struck me as well worthy the consideration
of any public assemblage. An eminent writer
pleasantly represents an old French monarch as
holding a conversation with his Minister, in Which
he says to him—" How is it that I, who rule
over this vast country of France, have found it
so exceedingly difficult to conquer my very small
neighbours, the ITnit',l Provinces of the Noth.r
lands ?" to which this Minister replies—" Because,
sire, the greatness of a country does not depend
solely on the extent of its territory; it depends on
the number of people who live on that territory, and
on the character of the people, whose wealth again
depends upon their industry and frugality, and it is
because the province of the Netherlands maintain
so large a population of such industrious and frugal
people that your Majesty has found them so very
difficult a nation to overcome." (Cheers.) •We
live in times when class differences have disap-
peared, and when, while the great distinctions of
society which are not only consistent with liberty,
but are the real guarantees for liberty, were never
more readily observed and acknowledged, we have
nevertheless arrived at a thorough conviction of
the truth of the remark of an ancient Roman,
that whatever we may inherit or receive from
others, those things are the most truly esteemed
which we obtain for ourselves. (Cheers.) It is the
principle, as I have said, of this society, by inde-
pendent support, by frugality of life, by integrity,
and by union, that men shall provide against the
evil day, and render themselves, so far as may be,
superior to the darts of fortune, I cordially wish
you success in your honourable undertaking, and
beg to thank you most cordially for the kind
manner in which you have been pleased to receive
me. (Loud cheers.)

Several other toasts were given and responded to,
and the proceedings did not terminate ti:l a late
hour.

Ironmasters' Quarterly Meeting.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday Evening.—The great
meeting of the ironmasters of this district, was held
in the Town-hall here to-day. Thera, was a very
large attendance, and from the commencement a
good disposition was evinced. '112,e makers of finished
iron showed no anxiety to press for orders ; a feel-
ing existed among them that the trade has got the
turn in the direction of improvement, and, as there
are sufficient orders in to keep the works fully occa.
pied, that it is as well to wait for a wbfie to
see to what extent the reaction may go, and its
effect ultimately upon prices. Bat the best evi-
dence that the trade is better was shown by con-
sumers. For the last 12 or 18 months there has
existed so little of confidence on the part of con-
sumers that such of them as had for many years
been in the habit of entering into contracts for their
quarter's use at quarter-day, got into the habit of
buying for a month only. To-day matters took a
change in that respect ; there was manifested a wil-
lingness to go back to the old system, and enter
into contracts for three months, whereas some of
the principal producers were rather averse to enter-
ing into contracts so far a head, seeing that there is
every probability of a rise in prices in the course of
the quarter. The state of things in that respect
exactly represents the tone of the meeting to-day;
it was by no means animated, neither was the
amount of business done large, but there was a
cheerful feeling, unmistakeably so, from the com-
mencement to the end of the meeting, and a good
average quantity of iron was sold. The Liverpool
houses are doing an increasing trade on American
account, and some of the North Staffordshire makers
have, it was stated to-day, orders in hand which
will occupy them to the end of the quarter to exe-
cute. Best bars are in demand, as is also round
iro❑ for the American market. Home consumers
bought readily to-day of all descriptions of finished
iron. There was a good attendance of those who
are connected with the export trade, and from the
nature of their inquiries it is evident that there is
a probability of an increased demand for iron for
the various foreign markets.

The advance in the price of pig-iron reported at
Wolverhampton on Wednesday was fully main-
tained to-day. Good hot-blast iron was quoted at
£3 7s. 6d. per ton. For cold-blast iron (Shropshire)
there was the usual steady demand ; the make of
the Lilleshall Company was sold readily at the full
price of the day.
Ironstone, the yield of the district, was in good
demand ; blue flats quoted at 14s. to 14s. 6cl. per
ton.

The coal trade is brisk, and the stocks on the
pitbanks are small. The colliers are all fully em-
ployed, and there is no surplus labour of any kind
in the district.

The prevailing opinion was that this had been a
satisfactory meeting, more so than could have been
anticipated—taking place so early in the year. The
members of the association and their friends dined
together at thelien and Chickens after the business
had concluded.

EAST KENT ELECTION.—TIIE POLLING.—Tbe
poll opened yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, and con-
tinued with spirit during the whole of the day, resulting in
the return of the Liberal candidate, Sir Edware Dering)
by a majority of 88, according to the Liberal return, and 74
by the Conservative return. Colours were generally wain
by both parties, and the best possible humour provailed.
This is the first time a Liberal has been elected for East
Kent since the passing of the Reform Bill. It is somewhat
curious that at the election immediately previous to the
passing
representatives, in the persons of Mr.
Thomas
s and Mr. Rider, their Conservative
opponent, Sir Edward Knatchbull (father of the present
returned
two f that g
defeated candidate) " bolting." The Conservative state-
ment of the final close of the poll gives Sir Edward Dering
2,770, and Sir Norton Knatchbull 2,696.
poo Law Hodges
Liberalo bill,dthe whole county (not then divided)
REPRESENTATION OF LISBURN.—DUBLIN, Thurs-
day,--It is stated that Mr. Richardson, the Conser-
vative member for Lisburn, is about to retire from the re.
presentation of that town, which he has held for the last
five years, in consequence of the state of his health. Seve-
ral gentlemen are mentioned as candidates for the honour
of succeeding him—among others, Mr. John Barham, of
Hildon, a Liberal, and Captain Ward, a Consgryative.
Both those gentlemen are engaged in the manufactures of
the town, and have much local influence. In addition to
these, Mr. Thomas Bateson, a son of Sir Robert Bateson,
who was formerly in Parliament as a Conservative, is men-
tioned; and some people name the Solicitor General for
Ireland, who, it is well known, is anxious to find a seat.
The Marquis of Hertford, who has considerable influence in
the borough, has given orders, it is said, to his agents not
to interfere with the free exercise of the franclthe by the
electors.

SOUTHAMPTON, Jan. B.—The Hamburg and Ame
rican Company's steamship Bavaria, from New York
on the 27th of December, has arrived here with 72 passen-
gers, 60,000 dols. in specie for England, 116,956 dole, for
France, and 1,800 dais. for Hamburg. She touched at Cape
Race Dec. 31, but did not receive any news despatches.
The steamship Princess Royal, bound from Falmouth for
Halifax was at St. John's, short of coals. The steamship
' Caledonia, for Portland, Was also at St. John's on the 24th,
likewise short of coals. The Bohemian passed Capo Race
on the 24th, and the Etna on the 27th. The Bavaria spoke
on the 2d instant, the City of Washington, bound west.
During the latter part of her voyage the Bavaria encouna
tered heavy north-westerly and northerly gales.