The Sun.
London, England, 1837-04-01 00:00:00

ME7'ROPOLITAN

The " Bencicand the Bar" is replete with entertain-
ing, gossiping reminiscences of Lords Brougham,
Lyndhurst, and many other eminent lawyers. The
Trismcgistian Records" promises well, though, as
it is to be " continued in our next," we shall suspend
any decisive opinion. These unfinished articles arc
sad balks to the reader's enjoyment. Many who see
the opening of an essay, or story, may never have an
opportunity of seeing its conclusion. " Sketches of
Bohemia- are from the per. of an ol)servai►t traveller,
who judges for himself—the only way to form a sound
judgment. " Parliamentary Portraits" are hy the
author of " Random Recollections." The sketch of
Mr. Wentworth Beaumont is the most characteristic.
Captain Marvatt's " Dog Fiend" flags sadly this
month. However, as even Jove somet►mes 'cods, why
should the author of Peter Simple ?" The notices
of new hooks in the present Number are tersely and im-
partially drawn up.

THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW.
Sherwood and Co.

The-" Brothers of the Mystic tie" arc fast overcom-
ing a host of popular prejudices by means of this well-
conducted periodical. \Ve are not ourselves -of the
initiated, and therefore we can speak this much with
confidence. With pleasure do we find that verses—
such as might be warbled in a fair lady's bower—find
a welcome reception in these pages. \Ve are not a
surprised to find that the Hon. Member for Kil-
kenny is an old member of the Masonic fraternity ; for
we bad long entertained the conviction that Roman
Catholics were not allowed to become Freemasons,
without subjecting themselves to the spiritual penalty
of excommunication. That our impression was erro-
neous appears evident from the following paragraph,
which we quote fram the Review:—
" Daniel O'Connell, Esq , M. P.—This distinguished
Mason passed the chair of a Lodge in Dublin many years since,
and fulfilled the duties of his office with exemplary fidelity, but
the claims which public business necessarily made upon his
time, precluded the possibility of further active service ; be
therefore very reluctantly retired. Brother O'Connell is desir-
ous that this, his only reason fur absenting himself from meet-
ings wherein he has derived so much social pleasure, and the still
higher gratification arising from the instructive union of a moral
with a scientific pursuit should be generally known. We can
state from good authority, that both in-public and in private, be
always pays homage to the order, by the declaration of its in-
estimable value to society, and thus cheerfully and thankfully
adduces an additional instance of the power of Masonry, to re-
tain by its native grace and purity the true allegiance of a sin-
gularly gifted Brother, who, when in the society of his Brother
Masons, whatever may be the difference of opinion upon oft er
subjects, can, anti does ever and anon discourse most Ao.
fluently upon the moral beauty of our mysteries."

It is thought that either Lord Cork or Lord Port-
man will be the new Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset.

A quantity of arms and other munitions of war have
just been shipped on board the frigate Inconstant, Captain D.
Print, which ship has sailed for San Sebastian, whence she
will go to Lisbon, having also provisions on board for our fleet
in the Tagus. She will afterwards proceed to the. Mediter-
raneaa, to supply the plare of the Vernon, 52, The Scylla,
16-gun brig, has also departed for the north boast of Spain,
to relieve the Ringdove, 16, ordered home to be paid off,
Much expedition is apparent in the conipmeot of the s„i„.
gapatam frigate, fitting out at Slice-405 s for the West India
station. She is nearly manned, a,,cl is intended to relieve the
Belvidera, 42, whose tune has expired. The ships new fitting
at Portsmouth are the Princess Charlotte, 101, for the Medi-
terranean ; Pelorus, 16, for th:.: East Indies ; and Larne, 20,
ordered to be commissioned. destination not known.
On Wednesday 'Doming, between three and four
o'clock, as a servant girl out of place, named Mary Atkins, a
fine young woman of 19 years of age, was undressing herself
at her lodgings in East-street, Manchester-square, where she
was living with another young woman, similarly situated, she
accidentally dropped the candle on the floor, and while in the
act of stooping to pick it up ignited her dress, which was re-
duced to tinder in a very short time. She was conveyed to
the hospital, where she now lies in a dreadful state, almost
without hope of recovery. It seems they had been at Grecan-
wich fair with some young men, and had been drinking too

NEWSPAPERS.—Evervthing under heaven increases
n price except newspapers. Beef and pork, flour and butter,
sugar, tea and coffee; salt, fish and onions, dry goods and met
groceries, fuel and rent, buckwheat and washerwomen, arc all
advanced in price. But newspapers, that most indispen-
sable and no getting-along-without-it article the sum and
substance of man's existence—remains in statu quo. And
vet there is no-one thing, not even steam-boats, that keep up
with them in the march of improvement. They are constantly
iatproving in size, appearance, and talent ; but as to pri(*,
the only improvement there is alma the cheaper system, and
g.vs to benefit the reader. We have seen a man charge two
dollars and a half for an article the construction of which pro-
bably occupied some bungler half a day, Lnd at the same moment
grumble at a printer's charge of two dollars for a year's wets,
which, when bound no,. would make a volume of nervy, of inci-
dent, and of moral, interesting, and instructive miscellany, tha
no bookseller would dispose of for less than twenty timr4 tltQ
mount.—North Ricer (AnteJ kali) Tines.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

The Tories manifest their chagrin at the result of
the Warwick election in a curious way. The journals
of the party preserve a discreet silence on the point.
There is no editorial lamentation or blustering. But
some stuff is published in the modest garb of corres-
pondence, in which a very lame excuse for the Tory
defeat is hazarded. We are told in the Standard that
Mr. Collins is popular in Warwick—that his relatives
Are wealthy 'and influential—that lie is a resident of
the borough ; while the sorry Sergeant lacked all these
advantrtee«. Why then did Mr. Canning succeed at
his competitor had the sup-
the former election, when
port of Mr. Collins and his friends ? Mr. Calming
bad no personal connection with Warwick, while it is
certain that the Higlm-Sheriff of the county is brother
to gr. Sergeant Adams, but a man of a very different
stamp we believe. The extomted compliments n hich
for their own purposes, now pay to Mr.
the Tot ies,
Collins, are unqiiestionably well bestowed, and
excellent private character must have some in-
fluence in an election ; but we are to look for
the Honourable Member's triu:nph to other causes.
The Tories were a few months aeo in a majority
of 30 ; they are now in a minority of 35. This
great change cannot be easily accounted for with-
out supposing some change of feeling in the constitu-
ency. The factious policy of the Tories is, we. sus-
pect, recoiling upon themselves. The unblushing
manner in which Coe leading Tories of Warwick gave
the lie to their own recorded opinions in supporting -a
man who openly reviled what they deemed deserving
of praise, must have shocked many of the respectable
electors. People without principle are too apt to for-
(Yet that the world is seldom so bad as they think it,
t•-• .
judging from themselves Something due to ap-
pearances, and when Mr. Wyse and the Rev. John
Buudier 'again put themselves prominently forward as
supporters of Tory candidates, we would advise them
to use Lord Castlereagh's phrase, " not to turn their
hacks on themselves," but to recollect that the same
thine, cannot be both good and bad, and that if they
support a candidate who abuses as bad that which they
have declared to be good, they cannot blame time world
for considering themselves and their candidate worthy
of each other.—Morning Chronicle.
A rather novel circumstance has just occurred, the
particulars of which were yesterday communicated to
us. A vestry meeting of the united parishes of St.
Mary-at-hill and St. Andrew Hubbard took place on
Thursday evening—the rector, the Rev. W. D. Rod-
her, in the chair. The first business of the vestry—
namely, the election of officers for the ensuing year,
having been disposed of, the senior Churchwarden,
Mr. William R. Kemp, moved a resolution that no
Church or Poor-rate be made for this quarter. The
Churchwarden stated as his reason for proposing this
resolution, that there were in hand ample funds to
meet the demands of the Church and of the poor for
a much longer period than three months. This was
evidently an all-sufficient reason for easing the rate-
payers; but there were not wanting some of your over-
zealous friends of the Church to recommend a new rate
by all means, lest by any possibility the Church might
require an outlay greater than the 1201. in hand. It
was not enough, in the opinion of those worthies, that
the Church is in perfect repair, that the demands of
the poor arc not weighty, and that all probable con-
tingencies are already abundantly provided for. No ;
they must have a new rate, no matter how trifling in
amount, or how uncalled-for, in order to prevent the
old custom from falling into disuse, we suppose
Their suggestions did not, however, take with the
meeting, and Mr. Churchwarden Kemp's resolution
passed unanimously, the advocates of an unnecessary
rate not deeming it prudent to divide against the pro-
position. We have not heard that a similar resolu-
tion has been proposed in any other vestry in the
kingdom for a similar reason. It may he useful to
state how it has happened that, in this Union, the in•
come has so far exceeded the expenditure. By a
proper discharge of their duty, the Churchwardens
have been enabled to dispense with a new rate, at all
events for three, perhaps for six months. A rigid levy
of the rate upon those who are able to pay, and a dis-
creet expenditure, have met all demands, and left a
large surplus. We have no doubt but that a similar
course of action on the part of Churchwardens, would
lead to a similar gratifying result in several other me-
tropolitan parishes. Now that the precedent has been
set, we imagine other vestries will look for a like pro-
ceeding in their districts. Much credit is certainly due
to the Churchwarden of Sr. Andrew Hubbard for his
conduct in this case. He has set a good example to
his successors.—Morning Chronicle.
The Ministerial measure for the extinction of the
Church-rates, which has already virtually passed th •
House of Commons, will be introduced to the House
of Lords: on the 21st of April, which will be about
three weeks hence. What the fate of the measure will
be, constituted as that House now is, it needs not the
gift of prophecy to foretell. It will be rejected by a
majority of two, if not three, to one. Is this to be
regretted ? Assuredly not :it is matter rather for
exultation. By throwing out the measure the Lords
will not only create such a spirit of opposition to
Church-rates as will sweep them for ever away by an
overwhelming majority, but they will make converts to
the voluntary system in tens of thousands. We ex-
pect such a display of the Christian spirit by which
the Bishops are actuated, in the course of time discus-
sion on time measure, as will carry home conviction
to the minds of myriads who never thought on the sub-
ject before, that time sooner a system which patronises
and supports such personages is put an end to the better.
The rejection of the Church-rate Abolition Bill
be of infinite service to the country in another way :
it will furnish another most powerful argument to the
many which already exist, not only of the necessity of
a thorough reform of the Church, but of the Upper
House itself. Let, then, the Lords throw out the
Ministerial measure for the extinction of Church-rates
if they please. Before twelve months have elapsed
they will see abundant reason to repent their folly if
they do. Practically, it matters little to the Dissenters
whether the measure be rejected or not : it is clear that
the doom of Church rates is sealed. The majority of
twenty-three proclaims in tones of thunder that they
ought to be no longer enforced against those who
conscientiously object to their payment. Where, we
would like to know, is the parish in any populeus town
where a Church-rate will be any longer imposed on
the inhabitants ? Where, if so imposed, are the
Dissenters who will consent to pay such a tax ? The
collectors, we take it, will have many errands to make
before they succeed in !Mine their pockets. We may
be told of the power of the law in enforcing payment.
It is a very different timing to send in a broker to the
houses of a few refractory individuals, and to employ
him successfully in distraining the goods of a whole
community. The Lords seem to think that we have
not yet had enough of agitation on the subject of
Church-rates. That, at any rate, is the fair in-
ference from their understood determination to reject
the Ministerial measure for their abolition. We tell
theno then, that they shall have agitation to their
hearts' content. By the time Parliament meets
again, after time end of the present Session, time whole
country will he in a state of perfect commotion on the
subject. The Bishops know, or at least ought to
know, ho it is that said "a man's enemies are
often they of his own household." Well may time
Church say this. Her worst enemies are the Bishops
and Tory Lords, who glory in being not only part or
her household, but in being, as it we:e, nursed in her
own bosom. The clergy should make an addition to
their Liturgy. The one we recommend would be quite
orthodox—" Save me from my friends" ought to be a
portion of the payers of the Church every time that
service is performed.—Morning Advertiser.

On Wednesday night, between nine and ten o'clock,
a fire broke out under the stage of the Victoria Theatre. The
house watchman and two others only knew of the circumstance,
and they gave instant information to the firemen of the Water-
loo-road station of the London Establishment, several of whom
with other assistants in the theatre, fortunately extinguished
the flame% before any damage was done, except to some of the
old scenery, which had been deposited where the fire com
menced. The accident is believed to have originated through
IV,l"*lsllirckg".
-the— cial returns on the London and Green-
, . •
wich Railway/ om Thursday the 23d, to Thursday the 30th
ult., the sum of, ,0801. 18s. Bd. was received ; 75,775 persons
passed and 13,514 went by the footpath,
*idiot the slik)Ttest accident or disturbance.
1

Ak.k. .1

RAILWAY COMMUNICATIONS

IN IRELAND.

FIRST REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO
INQUIRE INTO THE. MANNER IN WHICH RAILWAY COM-
MUNICATIONS CAN BE MOST ADVANTAGEOUSLY PRO-
MOTED IN IRELAND.
We, the undersigned Commissioners appointed by your
Majesty, under date the 28th dav of October, 1836, to
inquire into the manner in which Railway communications
can be most advantageously promoted in Ireland, humbly
beg to lay before your Majesty this our first Report, which
we present thus early in obedience to your Majesty's com-
mands.
We regret that, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts
which we have used, we cannot, at the present moment,
enter into such details, or furnish such documents, as
would enable others to form a judgment on the measures
which, in our opinion, it might be desirable to sanction in
reference to this very important suhject. We have, how-
ever, collected a great mass of information which we are
arranging ; and we believe that the principles on whi,:lm
we are pursuing this inquiry will lead to practical and
beneficial results.
When the very great importance of the matter submit-
ted to our investigation—the valuable and, in many in-
stances, conflicting interests which it involves, and the vast
public injury which would arise from a false step at the
commencement ofa system that may produce a total change
in the internal communication of this country—are consi-
dered, we are persuaded that the inconvenience of a short
delay will be deemed preferable to the hazard we should
run of recommending, upon an incomplete view of the
subject, plans or projects which we might afterwards see
reason to modify, or alter. We hope to be able to ter-
minate our inquiry, and to present. a full Report in time
to admit of the Legislature coming to a decision durieg the
present sesion, on the measures which it may be desirable
to sanction.
We proceed to explain the course which we have pur-
sued, and, in some degree, the progress which we have made
in this investigation.
In commencing our proceedings, we looked at the coun-
try with reference to the amount, distribution, and employ-
ment of its population ; to the extent and value of its traffic,
and the channels through which that traffic is at present
carried on ; to the size and position of its principal towns ;
their present communication ; the number of public con-
veyances, and of the passengers that now travel by them.
We looked at the country in reference to its physical fea-
tures, and the fSeilities and impediments which these offer
to the construction of railways, and also to the comparative
fertility of soil, the present produce, and the capability of
improvement of its several districts.
On all these points we took immediate steps to collect
the most accurate information which could be obtained from
existing documents, public dopartments, and from those
private individuals who possessed peculiar means of know-
ledge through the nature of their pursuits and occupations.
The Customs and Excise have afforded us valuable as-
sistance ; the Chairmen of both Boards having directed
their officers to prepare certain returns relative to the trade
of the country, which we shall be able to give in our second
Report. We have likewise been much assisted by the con-
stabulary, who, under the directions of Colonel Shaw Ken-
nedy, have procured for us much useful information respect-
ing the inland traffic in most parts of Ireland. It is due
to many intelligent individuals of that service to bear our
testimony to the zeal and efficiency with which the in luiries
entrusted to them have been prosecuted. We have also
received, in answers to circulars addressed to persons en-
. gaged in trade, some valuable communications ; and in those
places and on those points where accuracy was most im-
portant, we have employed individuals accustomed to statis-
tical inquiries to verify and extend the information obtained
through these various channels.
With regard to the number of passengers travelling by
coaches and cars, returns are preparing under the direction
of the Post-office, and by Messrs. Purcell, Bourne, and
Bianconi, the principal proprietors of public conveyances in
Ireland. These returns will be useful, not merely as ex-
hibiting the existing intercourse, but as exemplifying, par-
ticularly by the experience of Mr. Bianconi, the proprietor
of a very extensive establishment of stage-cars in the south
of Ireland, the increase of intercourse which follows in-
creased facility and diminished expense of communication.
At the commencement of our inquiry, the want of a map
of Ireland on which lines might be laid down with some de-
gree of accuracy offered a very serious impediment to our
progress. There did not exist any on which the relative
positions of leading towns, still less of inferior objects, were
marked with the precision which our purpose required ; and
as to the features of the country, the delineation of them
was, for the most part, extremely incorrect, often purely
fanciful. This would have occasioned very considerable
embarrassment, and increased the expense, as well as pro-
longed the period of our inquiry, had not the deficiency been
supplied through the active co-operation of the Ordnance
Survey Department for Ireland, under Colonel Colby. The
survey of nine counties out of the 32 has been completed
and that of several others is in a state of forwardness,
Colonel Colby, at our request, caused a diagram to be made
of the whole of Irelend from the great triangulation, and a
map to be compiled from the already completed portion of
the Ordnance survey, and the best county maps which
could be obtained. Many of these maps are extremely de-
fective and inaccurate, particularly in showing the relative
positions of the towns ; but this material imperfection has,
in a great measure, been removed by means of the fixed
points of the great triangulation.
The preparation of the map was intrusted to Lieutenant
Lircom, of the Royal Engineers, by whose unremitting
exertions and ability the object has been effected ; and we
are now in possession of a map of Ireland far superior to
any hitherto constructed, and which, even for general pur-
poses, will be a most valuable acquisition to the public,
during the period that will intervene before the Ordnance
survey shall be completed. The labour and energy re-
quired to complete such a task in so short a time can be
appreciated only by those who are conversant with the na-
ture of similar operations.
Mr. Griffith's unpublished Geological Map of Ireland,
a copy of which will accompany our next Report, has
proved very useful and interesting in the prosecution of
our inquiries.
The great limestone districts form one of the most im-
portant and characteristic features of this country. Be-
sides indicating superior fertility of soil, they present uni-
versally the greatest facilities to the engineer. Being gene-
rhlly free from elevated ridges of ground, they present pe-
culiarly favourable levels, and furnish excellent materials
for the construction of works. Hence, in addition to the
knowledge which this map affords of the geological struc-
ture and mineral products of time country, it has been of
material assistance to us in pointing out those rich and
populous districts which it would be at once most desirable
and most easy to traverse by railways.
In order to ascertain how far the objects which we had
in view might be promoted by the previous inquiries of
others, we applied for and have obtained plans and reports
explanatory of the several projects which have been as yet
brought before the public. We have also had the benefit
of personal explanations from such of the engineers and
principal promoters of those undertakings as we could meet
with in Dahlia.
As the investigation proceeded, we were enabled gra-
dually, and, as we trust, on just and sure grounds, to de-
termine the limits within which the principal lines of rail-
way should, in our opinion, be eonfined. And we then di-
rected a detailed and particular examination of the districts
contained within those limits.
We have been able to avail ourselves of the services of
of two eminent engineers, Mr. Vignolles and Mr. M'Neil, a
statement of whose proceedings shall accompany our next
Report. These gentlemen have been for some time em-
ployed in ascertaining, by local examination, how far our
propositions aac practicable—in what degree they are
adapted to the attainment of our objects—and whether or
not it might be desirable to alter or modify them in any
respect. Their inquiries on many points have been brought
to a close, and they have made considerable progress to-
wards completing what. remains of the task assigned to theta.
We are also pursuing a course of inquiry with regard to
the principles which should be obsery ed in the construction
of railways. We shall endeavour to distinguish between
those which ciuglit to be enforced by legislative enactment,
and those which might be left to the fancy or sagacity of the
Directors and Managers of Companies.
Our consideration has been directed to the effects of
gradients and curves, of the width of the lines, of the
weight and strength of the rails, and of various other de-
tails of construction—effects which have not as yet been
clearly ascertained, but on which the stability and economy
of these works greatly depend, and which must materially
influence the return on the capital to be expended in fu-
ture undertakings of this kind. On all these points there
can be little doubt that much knowledge yet remains to
be acquired from future experience. But much has been
already learned since the opening of the Liverpool and
Mitnchester line, and many improvements have been in-
troduced, tending in part to increase the permanency of
the works, and in part calculated to diminish the general
expenditure. It shall be our endeavour to collect these
important practical results, in the hope of aiding the pro-
gress of improvement in the construction and working of
future railways.
We have also on this subject communicated with tl.e
principal railway Companies in England, and it is but jus-
tice to the directors and managers of those Companies to ac-
knowledge the readings with which they have answered our
inquiries, and the, valuable information and many useful
suggestions which we haVe received from them.
In obedience to your Majesty's commands, we have en-
tered into the examination ofa very important and interest-
ing question—the establishment of a steam communication
with America from the west or south-west coast of
Ireland.

In the present state of steam navigation, a voyage to '
New York from any part of Great Britain has been consi-
dered by many to be beyond the range of a steam•vessel ;
whilst others are of opinion that such a voyage, though
perhaps impracticable from Great Britain, might be ef-
fected from the western coast of Ireland ; and that, so far as
regards passengers and the transmission of letters and light
goods, such an intercourse might be established and con-
ducted with great advantage. We are aware that steam
vessels of a large size arc now fittirg out at Liverpool and
Bristol for the purpose of attempting the direct voyage to
New York ; and we shall abstain at present from express-
ing an opinion on the relative advantages of different ports,
but shall merely observe, that we have looked at the ques-
tion as regards Ireland, thus—admitting that it is found ad-
vantageous to start from a port as far to the westward as
possible—in what direction, and to what port, should the
railway for effecting this object traverse Ireland? In this
view of the question, the main consideration would be a
rapid and convenient transit to the port of embarkation ;
and to that object the means which such a line would af-
ford of increasing internal traffic must be regarded as alto-
gether subordinate. But on the other hand, reversing the
supposition, and regarding the promotion of inland inter-
course as the primary, and the establishing a steam naviga-
tion with America as a secondary and perhaps remote ob-
ject, what line would for such a purpose be deemed the
most eligible? If we have succeeded in coming to just
conclusions on both these points, we shall be en.4b!ed to say
whether the two purposes might not be essentially attained
through the medium of one common line.

In pursuance of our instructions, we have also consi-
dered what manner the most rapid and certain communi-
cation between London and Dublin might be effected.
We are not as yet in possession of sufficient information
respecting the different projects advanced fur accomplish-
ing this object. to venture an opinion on their relative
merits. All Railway projects in Ireland will of course be
greatly promoted by the establishment of such a communi-
cation, but advantageous intercourse with America by
seam from the West coast of Ireland cannot be contem-
plated without it.
Havinrrethus explained the course which we have fol-
lowed, and to a certain extent the progress we have made,
we proceed to lay before your Majesty some of the general
opinions which we have formed during this investigation. •
The first and most important conclusion at which we have
arrived is, that the intercourse in Ireland is not at present,
nor is likely for many years to come, to be of that constant
and active kind which would justify the expectation that
Railways spread over the country in distinct lines from town
to town would prove remunerative undertakings. In that
respect we fear they would be total failures ; and unless re-
munerative, not only would such undertakings be directly
injurious to the community, by the amount of capital taken
out of productive circulation, but the losses and disappoint-
ments of those embarking in them could scarcely fail to
occasion a general want of confidence, which would greatly
impede, if it did not prove altogether fatal to the most le-
gitimate and well-founded enterprises.*

Deeply impressed with this conviction, we would humbly
but earnestly suggest that the moat searching inquiry should
be made into the grounds on which these separate Compa-
nies rest their hopes of success before they obtain the sanc-
tion of the Legislature. We believe that in the greater
number of instances the most important public objects
which they all profess might be accomplished at a much
less expenditure of capital, and at a very moderate sacri-
fice. of time and space, as regards individual places, by a
well-combined and judicious system of railways, in which
the joint traffic of many places and districts should be made
to pass to a great extent over one common line, and where
the greatest general accommodation should be attained at
the smallest outlay. We shall not say that such a system
alone can be profitable ; but we do assert, without fear of
contradiction, that, looking to the present circumstances of
this country, it affords by far the most reasonable hope of
a fair return on the capital expended. If economy of ex-
penditure is necessary in England, it is indispensable in
Ireland, where capital is less abundant, intercourse more
languid, and traffic less active.
There are also circumstances peculiar to railways worked
by locomotive steam-engines which impose an additional ne-
cessity for circumspection. On railways where animal power
is the motive agent, the profit will be nearly proportioned to
the traffic ; but where steam is employed, small weights are
moved at a great and ruinous expenditure' of power, and it
is not till the traffic becomes very considerable that the use
of steam becomes very profitable, and it is only when the
intercourse is active and abundant that the superiority and
economy of steam are fully experienced. We believe that
the contemplation of its wonder-working power under such
circumstances has caused the disadvantages of using it in
less favourable cases to be very much overlooked. Hence
the importance and necessity of endeavouring to devise a
system that shall combine and concentrate the traffic and
intercourse of many places. A small increase of distance adds
but little to the expense of conveyance, and when the tran-
sit is rapid, still less to the time.

The selection of such great public lines ought not\ to be
left to private parties or Companies. There are many in-
terests involved demanding the most impartial considera-
tion ; and it is not by selecting a line to some large town,
and conferring upon it the imposing title of a grand trunk
line, that the. object for which we are contending is to be
accomplished. We are not insensible to the danger of fet-
tering commercial enterprise ; but parties who promise
benefits, and seek privileges in return, have no reason to
complain if their .capability of fulfilling their engagements
to the public be rigidly scrutinized. And further, if the
inquiry be pursued with a view to determine whether the
promised advantages may not be obtainable ut a less expen-
diture of the national capital than in the manner which they
propose, sufficient is known of the mode in which many
railway schemes are got up to justify the adoption of every
precaution to protect the country against those which it
may be profitable to speculators to project, but ruinous to
shareholders to execute.

The past history of public works in this country is not
calculAted to excite any very sanguine expectation on the
part of the speculative capitalist. Instead of being re-
ferred to as encouraging examples of successful enterprise,
tliey can only be pointed out as beacons to warn him
against embarking in similar undertakings. _

! _
It is because an opportunity now offers of removing the
injurious impression produced by these failures, and of in-
troducing a system of communieution capable of conferring,
under due precautions, vast benefit on this country—it is
because we arc strongly impressed with the conviction that
a false step at the commencement might deprive the coun-
try for many years to conic of advantages now within its
reach ; and because, in regard to this important matter, we
dread the consequences of indulging in extravagant expecta-
tious, and of rushing into inconsiderate speculations, that we
would humbly but most earnestly express a hope that the
sanction of the Legislature may not be given to any great
line of railway in Ireland till the most careful inquiry has
shown that the statements of its promoters are grounded on
sound views and accurate data, and that of all others it is
the best adapted to effect the public objects for which it
is proposed, and the most likely to afford a profitable return
on the capital expended in its execution.
But whilst we recommend the utmost caution in deciding
upon individual projects, we would also humbly represent to
your Majesty the necesity of affording peculiar encourage-
ment to the prosecution of public works in Ireland.
The great natural capabilities which the country pre-
sents, the little exertion the has yet been made either
from public or private sources to develope them, the amount
of the population so far exceeding the ordinary demind for
labour, and, on that account, exposed to periodical suffer-
ings of the most harrowing and deplorable description, are
circumstances fully ascertained and acknowledged. It,
would appear, therefore, just and reasonable, whether re-
yarded as a question of policy or of duty, that while effec-
tive means are taken to check and avoid deceptive specu-
lations and needless expenditure, every possible aid and
facility, consistent with prudence and the interests of the
United Kingdom, should be extended to public undertakings,
the utility of which shall have been clearly established.
Among the obstacles which an enterprise such as we are
immediately considering must encounter at the very com-
mencement, are, the delay interposed, and the enormous
outlay that must take place before even a spade can be put
into the ground towards its execution. This delay and ex_
penditure are at present unavoidable ; fur they arise in a
great degree from the provisions of the new Standing Or-
ders in Parliament, which must, in every instance, be
strictly and fully complied with.
The Legislature has deemed it right to require plans to
be lodged, and notices, to a very great extent, to be served ;
and when these directions have been observed, an interval
of twelve months must afterwards elapse before application
can b madeord orders
sfo which v e
for leave bring
to
these i a
objectsß ail% v a
standingy Bill. The
were framed
chiefly with a view to the protection of the owners and oc-
cupiers of property likely to be affected by such undertak-
ings.relate But there are few establishments in Ireland which
could be injured by the Operation of such works, whim
property in general, and more especially that in their im-
mediate neighbourhood, far from being deteriorated, would
be greatly increased in value. We therefore humbly sug-
gest that it may be desirable to examine whether some of
those standing orders might not be relaxed, simplified, or
dispensed with, as far as regards the introduction of bills
fir Ireland. . _

.....
In the progress of this inquiry, our attention has been
directed to the manner in which railway Bills are pre-
pared, and to the great inconvenience and expense which
arise from their length and complexity. It would tend
much to remove this objection if all the provisions which
are common to every measure of this kind, and, in fact,
constitute the general principles on which it is the mani-

* Short lines, such as that between Dublin and Kingstown,
connecting large and populous towns with the adjacent har-
bours or watering-places, will of course be exceptions,

f'st intention of the legislature uniformly to ground its
enactments with regard to railways, were embodied in one
general Act, applicable to every ease. If this were don a
Bill for a particular railway would only be required to set
for its own specific features and provisions, which might be
contained within a very small compass ; and thus riot only
would legislation on these subjects be rendered much more
simple, but the preliminary expenses, which now fall so
heavily on the projectors, would be greatly reduced.
Having now pointed out the advantages which might
naturally be expected to result from the encouragement of
well-founded enterprises of this kind in Ireland, it is right
that we should advert, on the other hand, to the protection
which the public would be entitled to demand against
abuse of the power usually conferred on private Railway
Companies.
It is manifest that wherever this superior mode of inter-
course shall be established, it will supersede all others, both
as a conveyance for passengers, and with respect to many
other most important purposes. A monopoly will conse-
quently be establish :d, as far as those purposes are con-
cerned ; and hence great evils may arise from committing,
without controul, the management and regulation of rail-
roads to the power and discretion of individuals or Compa-
nies, whose chief consideration would be their own private
profit and advantage.
Among the most obvious of the evils to be apprehended,
we may enumerate the following :-
1. The charges might be exorbitant.
2. The speed might be reduced to a rate not much
surpassing that of ordinary road travelling.
3. The passengers might be exposed in various ways to
inconveniences and irregularities ; such as uncertainty as to
hours, delays on the road, and vexatious or rude treatment.
4. The carriages might be neglected and uncomfortable,
anti the road kept in an imperfect or even dangerous
condition.
5. The interest and accommodation of branch lines
might be sacrificed, or at least postponed, to those of the
main line.

These evils might not be all present together on any one
line ; but it is probable that they would, in a greater or
less degree, be felt and experienced in all. _ _

Another, and very important, consideration is, that the
power given to railway Companies places the service of the
mails entirely at their discretion. There is nothing to
prevent their securing, in their respective lines, a great
part of the revenue of the Post-office ; for the letters
must be carried by them, and they might exact what terms
they pleased in the existing statute of the law.

Competition, the usual corrective of such abuses, can,
in these cases, be rarely resorted to ; and although mana-
gers and directors of Companies, who took an enlightened
view of their duty to 'the public, or even of their own
interests, would not suffer them to exist to any great
degree, yet we fear that it would not be safe to trust en-
tirely to such motives for protection ; and hence it becomes
important to consider by what means these evils may be
guarded against, without imposing injurious restrictions on
private enterprise.
In Ireland, where railway communication must, for a
length of time, be restricted to a few main lines, such pro-
tection would be indispensable. We shall endeavour, in
,a subsequent report, to offer some suggestions towards ef-
fecting this very desirable object.
In concluding these observations, we humbly beg to as-
sure your Majesty that we shall continue to pursue our in-
quiry with unremitting diligence AVe regret that our re-
searches beinc, only in progress, our materials imperfectly
collected, and opinions on many points not sufficiently
matured, it has not been possible for us to do more in this
preliminary report than indicate the course of investigation
which we are following. We are fully sensible that the
subject is one which requires to be treated with great cau-
tion and deliberation. Aware of the extensive interests at
stake, and of the anxiety with which our final Report is
looked for by many of the parties engaged in or affected by
these speculations, we shall spare no pains to forward our
inquiry ; and we venture to express a confident hope that
we shall be able to complete our final Report iu the month
of May. 'We could have wished that we had been at liberty
to devote a much longer period to so important and intri-
cate a subject ; and we are deeply sensible of the many de-
fects and omissions inseparable from the rapidity with which
our proceedings have necessarily been conducted. We
trust, however, that by the time above-mentioned, we shall
be able to lay down the lines which shall appear to be the
best adapted to promote the great objects in question, an
to complete the documents which may be necessary to
enable those to whom your Majesty may refer the conside-
ration of our Report, to judge of the recommendations
which we shall venture to make, as well as of the opinions
which, in obedience to your Majesty's command, we shall
deem it our duty to express on the various projects now
before the public.
We humbly submit this our first Report to your Ma-
jesty's consideration.

T. DRUMMOND. J. F. BURC;OYNE.
P. BARLOW. R. GRIFFITH.
Dublin, March 11. 11. D. JONES, Secretary.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, MARCII 31.
The Court to-day resumed its sittings.
Charles Duke Yonge was opposed by Mr. \Voodroffe,
on the part of Mr. Vincent, bookseller ; Mr. Quaterman,
livery-stable keeper ; Mr. Hobdell, jeweller, and other cre-
ditor, resident at Oxford ; and also for Mr. Matthewson,
tailor, and Mr. Thomas, bootmaker, St. James's-street.
The insolvent, a young gentleman, had taken his degrees
at Oxford ;he was a first-class man. His description con-
tains the names of several hotels—Long's Hotel, the Bruns-
wick, the Union, &e. ; also Meurice's Hotel, Paris. He
had lately resided at Procter's Hotel, Westminster-road,
under the name of Charles Duke ; he was also described
as of Eton College, and St. Mary's Hall College, Oxford.
His debts, incurred from 1831 to 1837, for which he had
received consideration, amounted to 2,2901. 3s. 7d., and be
had about 109 creditors in his schedule. His insolvency
was ascribable to his expenses exceeding his income. His
means of support were derived from his mother, resident
at Eton College, who had allowed him 2401. a year. He
was a single man. Among the various items to account for
the disposition of the receipts was a large sum for wearing
apparel, annually 3001. His debts were of that description
usually incurred by gentlemen without adequate means,
who aspire to the state of fashionable men.
The COURT adjudged the insolvent, under the discre-
tionary clause, to six months' imprisonment from the date
of filing his petition.