The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-19 00:00:00

inactive. New York Centrals 1161. Illinois 90.
Erie 76k.
Cotton depressed. Middling Upland 81.
Flour, wheat, and corn depressed.
Provisions quiet.
Coffee and sugar heavy.
NEW YORK, MARCH 7 (Evening).
Exchange on London 170.
Cotton dull. Middling Upland 83 to 84e.
Flour heavy. Wheat quiet. Corn depressed.
Provisions dull.
Coffee quiet. Sugar, prices declining. Molasses
steady.

BANK OF ENGLAND.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING (THIS DAY).

The ordinary half-yearly general court of the governor
and company was held this day in the Back Parlour.
Alfred Lathom, Esq., governor, presided.

The GOVERNOR, said he had to intorm the court that
this was ore of the general quarterly courts, appointed
by the 12th bye-law, for the making of a divi-
dend. The net profit for the half year ending the
28th of February was £619,916, making the amount of
rest on that day £3,620,793. Att_r providing for a dividend
at the rate of 44. per cent., the " rest" would amount to
£3,002,291. They therefore proposed that the half-year's
dividend of interest and profits on the 6th of April should
be 4 per cent without deduction of income tax. He had
further to acquaint the court, the dividend warrants would
re declated and paid on the fih of April.

Mr. DICKSON moved a vote of thanks to the governor
and directors for the satisfactory statement just made, and
their uniform attention to the concerns of the bank.

Mr. LAWRENCE LEVY, in seconding the motion, said
that under present circumstances, the account made by the
governor was as favourable as could be anticipated. The
time ho thought had arrived when many of the present re-
gulations and restrictions might be rescinded, with a view
to making the establishment beneficial to the proprietors
of bank stock, in fact to place it on the same
footing as surrounding establishments. It would be use-
less and unnecessary to contrast the dividends paid by the
Bank of England with those of other institutions, but
on the present occasion the fact was the mere startling
from the joint-stock banks having declared high dividends
at a time when money was scarce, whereas the dividend
declared by the Bank of England up to the end of
February embraced a period when they had the benefit
of money at 3,4, and 5 per cent. It struck him
also when they took into account that the present
dividend was declared upon only about 14 millions, and not
upon the " rest," the positive dividend paid upon the capi•
tal by the Bank of England was only about 3t per cent.
He ventured to think that this arose from a fixed and arbi-
trary minimum rate, for whether that rate was high or low
the Bank was immediately nude, sold by the surround-
ing establishments, lie thought it was well
worthy of consideration whether the directors could
not accept a lower rate than the present minimum.
He would also take the liberty of suggesting the propriety
of the Bank of England lending on Colonial and A 1
Foreign Securities, taking, however, every precaution, be-
cause he was quite certain the Bank could not avoid making
bad bills. During the last year he understood the Bank of
England had sustained losses upon bills which had been
ref u'ed by other banks, and now that they had lost £50,000
a year from the Government they ought to seek to increase
their profits in other ways. It struck him as an anomaly
that while it was stated last year that other stocks were
closed for only a few hours, the book for the Bank Stock
should be shut for three weeks, He would also ask the
directors and proprietors to consider whether the barrier
which now existed to trustees voting should not be re-
moved, for trustees were generally selected by persons ba-
cause they had confidence in them. Such barriers had been
removed in other establishments. He hoped, when they
met again, they should hear of a better dividend.

The uOVERNOR said there was a great difference between
the Bank of England and other banks, especially in the
amount of capital. It took a large amount o, profit to make
a quarter per cent on so large a capital as fourteen mil-
lions. In other cases banks had not more than a million
of capital, and, in some instances, not more than X 40,000
or LGOO,COO paid up. On the subj, et of trustees voting, he
might remark that it was not in the power of the Bank to
allow ,hem to do so. They could not be allowed to vote
without Parliament altered the existing law. With re
gard to advancing on foreipn. and colonial securities,
he might say it was a subject which required a
treat deal of consideration, and he sh, uld think it would
be much better to leave the matter to the Court of Direc-
tors. There was nothing to prevent the directors ft om doing
but the very circumstance of this stock having been
opened to the investments of trustees, made it very desir-
able that in any step of the kind they should be very
cautious. He did not understand a hat the hon. prof rietor
meant by the particular loss he had alluded to. The direc-
tors were not sensible of having maJe a loss on the busi-
ness of the bank. Sometimes they might have a bad bill,
but the amount must have been very small. He did not
think anything had been lost during the past half year.
Mr. LEVY said he understood that £lO,OOO had been lost
by the acceptances of Sir H. Maggeridge.
Mr. HODGeoN, M.P. (the Deputy-Governor), said the
anmunt lost was nothing like that.
The GOVERNOR said the amount had been greatly exag-
gerated. Tha loss was under £2,100, and that probably
would be recovered.

The motion of thanks to the governor and directors was
then unanimously adopted.
The GOVERNOR, in acknowledging the compliment, said
this was the last time he should have the honour of appear-
ing before them in the capacity of governor. The post of
governor was one of very considerable anxiety, and who-
ever had passed that chair after four years' service
(two as governor and two as deputy governor) must feel
that be had had many cares in connection with it. But on
the other bond he could not but feel it was an honour to
represent such large interests. On retiring from the chair
he should still feel that he had something to do on behalf
of the proprietors in his situation as director. In that
capacity he should attend to the duties as director as closely
as he had attenjed to those of governor.
The proceedings then terminated.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY.—Mr. Boxall and Mr.
Weeks have been elected Royal Academicians. Mr, Le
Jenne has been elected an associate,

A VISIT TO LANGIEWICZ.—A correspondent of
a Lein berg journal, who bus visited Langiewicz
in his camp, mites as follows :—" At the entrance of the
General's residence stand two powerful sitbemen, with their
weapons crossed. Those form the body-guard of the in-
surgent General. On the left is a chamber of moderate di-
inensions,i, the centre of which 's a table of a long and oval
shape,and around this sit and stand many men,wno carry on
so lively a discussion that one scarcely comprehends its
purport. Some of these are strong and wiry, others are in
the bloom of youth, but among those present there are
weather-beaten men, with gray beards and locks. At the
end of the table, somewhat sidewards, alts General Langie-
wicz, engaged in writing. The noise does not disturb him.
In this respect, according to the report of those around
Om, he possesses much presence of mind. He writes, Imo
et the same time answers many questions, and also distri-
butes various orders to his c,fficers, who continually come
and go. His answers were short and decided, as were his
orders. At lust he raised his head a little, and I could ob
,erve him more narrowly. Persons entirely disinterested
would declare his appearance to be quite an ordinary one,
but he pleased me on the instant. I will describe him as
brit fly as possible :--He is of small stature, something ovet
30 years of age ; thin, but muscular ; the head in proper-
Hon, but with a weather-beaten though fresh complexion ;
dark hair and somewhat spare beard , the eyes dark and
urge, but very beautiful ; his entire expression is mild and
decided, as with most thinkers. On his head ho wore his
sapphire-coloured four-cornered eau with dark lamb's-wool
trimming and a white feather. He wore also large Polish
boots, Polish hose, and a dark fur-trimmed cloak. He wore
also a tricoloured sash, by which each of his officers was
equally distinguished, while some were also ornamen-
ted with white and red sashes. Alter my interview with
Langiewicz I began to look around me. It is difficult to
describe all who were present. I became acquainted with
Jez4oranski, Ciezee ski, and ever so many more, who have
already made for themselves a name known to fame.
Among others was Miss Pustowojtow, who appeared to be
a young and delicate brunette She is attired in man's ap-
parel, has been present at all the battles, and on horseback
flies like a bird, She is generally beloved and respected on
account of her brevery and cheerfulness. In conclusion,
to complete the picture, I must. mention the Capuchin who
serves as field chaplain and magazine man, and who, not-
withstanding his multifarious duties, is ever polite, agree-
able, and cheeerful. On the whole, the visit to Langiewicz
has made a very favourable impression on me. I did not
find in him the contentedness of resignation, but that aris-
ing from energy."
EXTENSION OF COTTON CULTIVATION.."--The
Manchester Cotton Supply Association have received
many interesting letters showing a desire in various parte
of the world to extend the cultivation of the cotton plant.
Tne efforts making in Egypt have induced the association
to send out all the seed that could be spared, and at their
meeting on Tuesday they had applications from the West
Indies, Brazil, La Plata, West Coast of Africa, Bagdad.
Java, and Queensland. In the Turkish dominions there
seems to be a great desire to revive the cultivation, and e
letter from Salonica states that in the district of Serres no
indigenous seed would be sown this season, superior varie-
ties being in favour. The governor of Bagdad has applied
New rleans seed, and states that a small t,uatt.tity
planted at Bussorah had succeeded well. A. letter from
Guatemala shows how ereat a trade in cotton rue; ht be esta-
blished these if suitable means were adopted.
A NEW POLISH I.,,,,GlON.—During the presen
week a considerable number of Poles have arrived and iaken
up their residence at Wo,lwich, th.t party forming, ng, it .
sated, tie first portion of a force rapidly increasing, an,
whieh will shortly leave England, fully ernnd, for Poland.