The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-24 00:00:00

THE MJN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1865.

parties, of independent men. Such a result of pro-
cedure, if adopted, cannot fail to be productive of
the most prosperous results to all concerned.

Sir J. FERGUSSON'S remarks upon the Park-lane
and Piccadilly New Roads Bill are worthy of notice,
and it seems a pity that more attention cannot be
paid to his suggestions. In a matter of this sort,
where the work must necessarily remain for some
time, it is important that the alterations should be
of as beneficial a kind as possible, and that there
should be no valid ground of complaint in conse-
quence of incomplete or faulty arrangements. As
the hon. baronet pointed out, there are many ob-
jections to the proposed scheme of opening Hamil-
ton-place, and with justice it had been asserted that
it would not afford sufficient space to accommodate
the traffic which now choked up Park-lane ; besides
there would be great awkwardness experienced at
the point in Park-lane where the lines of traffic
would meet. By extending Audley-street to Pic-
cadilly, and taking Clarges-street northwards, and
widening Park-lane at the Piccadilly end, it would
be found that greater benefits would accrue, and the
cost would not be so much more considerable.
These suggestions bear the stamp of reason, because
it is evident that the Hamilton-place scheme will
only mitigate and not remove the evil ; while the
other mode would give them outlets, and extend the
practicability of the existing one, which alone is so
insufficient to meet the demands made upon it. Mr.
COWPER on this occasion displayed more discrimi-
nation than usual in his remarks upon the subject,
and admitted that Park-lane, as at present existing,
was a disgrace to all connected with its manage-
ment. He thought that the best thing they should
do would be to widen Park-lane, but the Metro-
politan Board objected to this on account of the
expense. Mr. COWPER very truly declared that the
Board were too timid in this matter, for what can
be more absurd than their mistaken economy in
matters which are so intimately associated with the
best interests of the community, and involve such
a loss of time and money to some, while it involves
many in great danger, and constantly exposes them
to great risks. There is sometimes as great an error
in being too parsimonious as in being too prodigal
in outlays of this sort ; and it must be remarked
that the Metropolitan Board have showed neither
the sense nor the spirit in dealing with this question
that its magnitude demands and its convenience
calls for. However, it appears that there is no help
for it at present, and that the public must be victims
to the obstinacy or want of foresight of those con-
cerned in the arrangement of the matter. Mr.
COWPER said that the majority having decided
against the plan he had adverted to, there was
nothing left but to do nothing at all, or to accept
the bill as at present proposed. As for the proba-
bility of the traffic being allowed to pass through
the Park between Stanhope-gate and Hyde-park-
corner, he had been consulted upon this, but had
replied that there was no chance of it being so. In
fact, the mere suggestion of such a thing is out of
character, for there is no greater mistake made than
curtailing the places of public recreation in the
open air, or of interfering with their privileges.
Besides this plan would increase the probability of
danger, because with the number of carriages in
the Park during the season there would be much
greater confusion caused than convenience effected,
and the high spirited horses of the equestrians
would certainly become excited with the confusion,
and greatly increase the number of accidents already
recorded. It is a very unfortunate thing that there
is not more skill or judgment displayed in cur public
works altogether. We are behind other European
capitals in all that relates to these particulars, and
it seems very unnecessary that we should be so, for
certainly enough, and more than enough, money is
spent upon the construction and alteration of
buildings and roads to ensure something approach-
ing to perfection.

Frightful Petroleum Fire in America.

(From the Philadelphia Bulletin, Feb. 8.)

The most terrible conflagration that has occurred
in Philadelphia since the great fire of July, 1850,
took place this morning. Before proceeding to nar-
rate the horrors of the calamity, we will describe the
locality where the dread tragedy was enacted.
Ninth-street, below Washington-street, is lined
with three-story brick dwellings that are occupied
mainly by respectable families of limited means, the
houses renting, we should judge, for from two hun-
dred to two hundred and fifty dollars a year. The
first street below Washington-street is Ellsworth,
and the next is Federal, both of which streets had,
in that vicinity, about the same class of dwellings
uponthem as those upon Ninth-street. On the south-
west corner of Ninth and Washington-streets there is
a coal-yard belonging to Messrs. Daily and Porter ;
and immediately west of this upon Washington-
street, was an open lot, upon which Blackburn and
Co. had between 2,000 and 3,000 barrels of coal oil
stored, on account of various owners. This morn-
ing at about half-past 2 o'clock, a fire broke out
among this oil, and the flames spread through the
greater part of it with almost as much rapidity as
though it had been gunpowder. About 2,000
barrels of the inflammable material were soon ablaze,
and sending up into the sky a huge column of flame.
The families in the neighbourhood sprang from their
beds, and without stopping to secure even a single
article of clothing, rushed into the streets that were
covered with snow and slush. Those that were
most prompt to escape from their threatened homes
got off with their lives ; but those nearest the spot
where the conflagration first commenced, who were
not prompt to escape from their houses, were
met by a terrible scene. The blazing oil that
escaped from the burning barrels poured over into
Ninth-street and down to Federal, filling the entire
street with a lake of fire, and igniting the houses
upon both sides of Ninth-street for two squares,
and carrying devastation into Washington, Ells-
worth, and Federal streets, both above and below
Ninth-street. An eye-witness who was upon the spot
when the oil poured out into the street, describes the
fierce body of flame as resembling a screw in its pro-
gress ; it first whirled up Ninth-street, and then the
fiery torrent rushed down the street for a distance
of two squares, and then back again at the caprice
of the wind, destroying all living things that came
in its way, burning dwellings and their contents as
though they were so much straw, and even splitting
into fragments the paving stones in the street
with the intense heat. Fully five squares of
houses, had they been placed in a row, were on
fisbtrloaeuz
blazing
stoutest
once,
houses,
heart quail.
sa
,n( theiduwaiilth.
People
oecnopevl
eewr was
g escapingobnu et t o make the
clothes, parents seeking for their theirght_
ter-
rified little ones looking for safety rheofre
children, and
and .
turmoil, were all dreadful enough, but there were
still more terrible scenes witnessed. Men, women,
and children were literall
streets. Nearly every houseyrofasted alive in the
rom Washington-
street to Federal, a distance
burned, with all their contents,oft two squares, is
hnothing but the bare
walls remaining this morning
ruin is presented on Washington,.T The same scene of
Ellsworth, and
Federal streets, above and below Ninth-street. The
entire number' of buildings burned •
is about 47.

NARROW ESCAPE OF A BANK AT MANCHESTER.--
On Wednesday morning a fire was discovered to
have broken out in Messrs. Hocken, Bird, Cole, and Co.'s
warehouse, York-street and Fountain-street, in which
building is situate the Union Bank. The fire Was dis-
covered at five o'clock, and had commenced in the dining-
room of the warehouse, and burnt through the floor into
the board-room of the bank, which is situated under it.
The fire in the board-room of the bank had been extin-
guished at seven the previous evening. The fire in the
dining-room above is supposed to have communicated with
a beam or trimmer in the floor, and to have been smoulder-
ing all night before it burst into a flame. The fire police
soon extinguished the fire, and it was not allowed to ex-
tend to the business portions of either the bank or the
warehouse.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.
(Per the Peruvian.)

NEW YORK, FEB. 11 (Afternoon).
The following despatch has been received from
the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac :
February 8.

The sth corps fell back to the line of works at
Hatcher's Run on Monday night. The Confede-
rates did not follow very vigcrously, nor did they
make any attempt to show their position. It was
believed, however, they would do so yesterday
morning, but up to noon no sign of an attack
appeared, nor did the Confederates seem to be in
strong force in the vicinity.

It was therefere determined to send a recon-
naissance out over the grounds occupied by us
the day previously, and ascertain where the Con-
federates were, and, if possible, force them back
to their works at Dabney's Mills.
General Crawford's division was selected for the
duty, which they performed to the entire satisfac-
tion of the commanding general.

The column moved about noon, taking Dabney's
Mills-road, and after advancing about a half mile
struck the Confederate pickets, who fell back as our
men advanced.

A line of battle was then famed, the right rest-
ing on Hatcher's Run, and tie left supported by
part of General Wheaton's command of the 6th
Corps. The entire line then advanced cautiously
through the thick woods on each side of the road,
and before going far met the Confederates in force,
when a sharp engagement immediately began. The
Confederates were steadily driven back until they
took refuge behind their works at the Mill, where
they made a determined stand. The fighting here
was kept up until dark, when our men commenced
throwing up slight breastworks to protect them-
selves.

The Confederates did not seem disposed to attack
again as they had the day previously, and the object
of the movement having been accomplished by the
development of tleir position, our troops were with-
drawn during the night to their former ground on
the Vaughan-road, in the vicinity of which strong
works had been erected.
The losses in the movement were as follows :
Killed, five officers and 66 men ; wounded, 28
officers and 491 nen ; missing, four officers and 587
men ; total, 37 officers and 1,144 men out of 4,000
who went into the engagement.
No doubt a large proportion of those put down
missing will appear in a few days, as is usually the

case.
The heavy loss indicates the manner in which the
men acquitted themselves, and they have been
highly complimented for their bravery by the com-
manding officers.
The loss in the Eth corps is not reported.
Among the casualties is Captain T. T. Cooper,
39th Mass. regimeat, wounded.
To-day has been very quiet.
The weather has cleared off, but the roads are in
a bad condition from the severe storm of yesterday.
(Signed) W. D. M`GREGOR.
Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac,
Feb. 8, 8 p.m.
Nothing of interest has transpired to-day, although
the weather has been more favourable than for
several days past. The troops are busy building
works along the newly-made lines, which will take
some days to complete.

R 0 NE.
ROME, FEB. 23.

Papal decrees have been issued ordering the cano-
nisation of German Cousin, of Solosa, and Peter
Arbries, of Saragossa, martyred in 1485.

The Pope has delivered a discourse to the parish
priests in Rome, on the principal duties of eccle-
siastics in the present time.

AUSTRIA.
VIENNA, FEB. 24TH.

The Minister of State has addressed a letter to
the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the
Lower House of the Reichsrath, stating that
no representative of the Government will hence-
forth be present at the sittings of the Committee
until the Lower House shall have decided whether
the vote on the Budgets of 1865 and 1866 is to be
taken upon the basis of an understanding between
the House and the Government.

OUT WARD BOMBAY MAIL.

MALTA, FEB. 23.

The Massilia, from Southampton on the 12th
inst., reached Malta on the 21st (night) and left at
noon yesterday for Alexandria.

The Poonah, from Marseilles on the 20th inst.,
yesterday, and left at 6 a.m.
arrived at 10 p.m.
to-clay for Alexandria.

BANK OF FRANCE.

PARIS, FEB. 23.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :

Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund.

The twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Provi-
dent Clerks' Benevolent Fund was held on Wed-
nesday evening at the London Tavern, at which
John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., presided.
The formal business having been disposed of,
The SECRETARY (Mr. W. T. Linford) read the
annual report as follows :

" The board of directors have much pleasure in present-
ing to the members and friends of the Provident Clerks'
Benevolent Fund their twenty-fourth annual report. The
income of the fund for 1864 was as follows :—From annual
subscriptions, £674 2s. Od.; from life subscriptions, £3l
10s. Od. ; from annual subscriptions of ss. and upwards
from members being clerks, £B5B ss. Od. ; from donations,
£574 Os. 6d.---£2,137 17s. 6d.; from interest, dividends,
&c., £1,227 ss. 6d. ; total, £3,365 3s. Od. Among the dona-
tions the board refer with especial pleasure to the sum of
£5OO allotted to this institution by Robert Wigram Craw-
ford, Esq., M.P. for the city of London, out of a large sum
placed at his disposal by the munificence of the Hon.
Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, member of the Legisla-
tive Council of Bombay. Independently of the value of
this noble donation, the board are much gratified at this
recognition of the claims of the Provident Clerks' Benevo-
lent fund by a gentleman who has long been one of its
liberal supporters, and who has had many opportunities of
becoming acquainted with its usefulness. Pursuant to the
resolution of the last annual general meeting, an election
of annuitants took place on the 26th May last, when the
following were elected, viz. :—Two clerks to annuities of
£3O each ; two clerks to annuities of £25 each ; five widows
to annuities of £2O each ; three widows to annuities of £l5
each—making a total of £255 per annum. Seven annui-
tants have died during the year, viz., two clerks and five
widows. There were on the fund on the 31st December'
last 70 annuitants, who were receiving collectively £1,310
per annum. The board now-recommend that 12 additional
annuitants, viz., three clerks and nine widows of clerks, be
elected. A resolution to that effect will be submitted to
the meeting. The sum of £229 lOs has been distributed in
gratuities during the past year. Since the establishment
of the fund, 105 annuitants have been elected who have
received collectively £12,497 9s. sd. In addition to the
above, £2,725 17s. has been awarded in gratuities to meet
cases of sudden or temporary need, and the sum of £37,940
has been advanced on loan to 1,897 members. Although
it affords the board much gratification to be able to pre-
sent to the members the abo're satisfactory report, they
cannot ignore the fact that the claims on the fund increase
with greater rapidity than the increase in its means. The
Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund is now in its 25th year,
and looking back over the past quarter of a century, all
who are interested in its welfare will acknowledge with
thankfulness the amount of good that has been achieved.
Those who have received the aid of the fund may all point
with becoming pride to the fact that they were contributors
to its means ; and it has been the earnest endeavour of the
board, by the most rigid economy, to render it as far as
possible self-supporting. By this means very nearly 90
per cent. of the gross income has been devoted strictly to
the purposes of the fund, a proportion probably equalled
by no institution of the kind in this country. It would,
however, be unreasonable to expect that the Provident
Clerks' Benevolent Fund, devoted as it is to the necessi-
ties of a class peculiarly exposed to misfortune from causes
over which they have no control, should be wholly inde-
pendent of public support and assistance, and the many
pressing cases now before the board, have determined
them to renew their appeal in this the 25th year of the
fund, by means of a public dinner. On this occasion as on
a former one the help of every member will be asked, and
from the gratifying response then made, no doubt is felt
by the board that the result will be eminently satisfactory."
The balance-sheet for the year ending Dec. 31,
1864, was next read, which showed a balance of re-
ceipts over expenditure of £1,482 ss. 4d., and also
that the disposable fund amounted to no less than
129,346.

The CHAIRMAN, who, on rising, was received
with loud applause, said it was his agreeable and
annual duty to propose the adoption of the report
and balance-sheet, which had just been presented to
the members by the directors. He did not think it
necessary to trouble the meeting with many obser-
vations, although he could not refrain from express-
ing his gratification at the satisfactory state of
affairs. There was an old proverb that permanency
was almost a condition attached to gradual success.
He foresaw that this institution was destined to be
permanent, and that as it was intended so it
was likely to take a permanent place among the
most useful institutions in the kingdom. (Hear,
hear.) At the same time he could not say it had
done all he wished it to do ; and though he grate-
fully acknowledged the presence of those who were
in the room, he should like to have seen a larger
number of those who ought to feel an interest in the
progress of an institution in which their welfare
was so deeply concerned. He had thought a thou-
sand times what could be done to make the clerks of
England take a more lively interest in this benevo-
lent fund. Government, when it interested itself in
any matter, issued commissions to inquire ; but he
hoped, although they could not do that, some one
would devise a plan to stimulate the interests and
feelings he wished to excite. There were two points
referred to in the report which he could not pass
without notice, and the one which was last men-
tioned he would take first. He thought it highly
creditable to the management, and equally honour-
able to the clerks who were members, that the loss
on loans to members should have been so small (£4
7s. 6d.) It was a marvellous proof of the care and
discretion with which the affairs of the society were
conducted and the high character of that class to
whom the loans had been made. The next fact he
begged to refer to was the donation from the Hon.
Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, of the Legislative
Council of Bombay, who was an old friend of his.
(Cheers.) This was a remarkable proof of that
happy, charitable, and benign feeling which was
spreading (and he. thanked God for it) as between
class and class, and people and people. He thanked
God, and he heartily rejoiced in the noble example
which the celebrated philanthropist had set to others
at a great distance from them. He was exceedingly
glad, and he was sure that those whom he addressed

would share in his feeling, that Mr. Crawford had
thought this association worthy of partaking of so
liberal a gift. It was a proof, in the first place, of
his conviction of the utility of the society, and it
was a fact of which the institution might be justly
proud. If the Parsee merchants at Bombay did so
much, ho thought there were many in England who
owed a debt of gratitude to their clerks which they
had not yet discharged. (Hear, hear.) Surely
there were many in the East who had accumulated
wealth to which the clerks had been instrumental,
and who should be found ready to aid in the pro-
gress of this institution. He hoped the example of
the Parsee would not be lost sight of by the Chris-
tian—(hear, hear)—in London and England gene-
rally. It was a gratifying fact that their capital
amounted to nearly £30,000, and that the expenses
of management were so trifling. Congratulating
them on the past and present, and desiring to sti-
mulate the clerks of England to increased exertion
for the future, he would conclude his remarks by
asking all those in favour of the gratifying report
that had been presented to them to hold up their
hand in favour of its reception.

The invitation of the chairman was instantly re-
sponded to by every person in the room holding up
his hand.

The CHAIRMAN said he had great pleasure in an-
nouncing that the report was unanimously adopted.

Mr. WELCH moved the first resolution. It was
the source of the greatest satisfaction to himself and
his colleagues to be able to admit more claimants
this year than on any previous occasion. They
elected their first claimant in 1843, and she was
the widow of a gentleman who died suddenly.
A gratuity of £lO was given her in the first instance,
and in Feb., 1843, she was elected. Since then
they had given £12,725 to 80 widows, and an
amount of good had been done which it was hardly
possible to conceive. It was on that account he was
amazed that a greater number of clerks had not
joined it. They gave also in gratuities £2,725, and
loans to clerks amounting to £37,940. He was
happy to tell them that not only was .their worthy
chairman a good friend to the institution but a
good prophet, for upwards of 20 years ago he said it
was a society which must prosper—and it did pros-
per. (Hear, hear.) He must, however,again express
his amazement that a greater number of clerks had
not joined, and he hoped they would do so as soon as
possible. There were many clerks receiving large
salaries, and he did think it would be well if they
were to spare a thought and a trifle towards those
not as fortunate. If they did not feel inclined to
give a guinea to their fund let them give half a one;
and if they objected to that let them get an old
stocking and put into it nightly a few pence, and
thus they would be enabled at the end of a year to
make a very good donation to the funds. (Laughter

and cheers.) The resolution was, that on the 25th
of May next they would elect—or as soon after as
convenient—three clerks and nine widows of clerks.
(Hear.)
Mr. REYNOLDS said it gave hi72l,great pleasure to
second the resolution. He dici not think the fund
was supported as it ought to be. There were many
clerks placed—more by fortune than by talent—in
situations bringing them in a thousand a-year, and
yet they seemed to grudge 4d. or sd. a-week to
their benevolent fund. He did not think there was
a better mode of increasing their funds than by
keeping up a continual appeal to the feelings of the
class who now to so great an extent held themselves
aloof. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, said
he would avail himself of that opportunity of saying
that if the directors could increase the pensions
given to widows it would be doing a great service to
a large class of deserving persons who stood in need
of their sympathy, pity, and assistance. That of
course would be for the directors to consider ; he
had merely thrown it out as a suggestion ; as to
the practicability of it the directors were the best
persons to decide.
The resolution was then put to the meeting, and
carried unanimously.

Mr. JEPPS moved a vote of thanks to their trea-
surer, J. A. Smith, Esq., M.P., and their trustees,
Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P., Thomson Hankey,
M.P., W. G. Prescott, Esq., and Baron L. N.
Rothschild, M.P.
The resolution was put to the meeting by Mr. R.
Jones, and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and expressed
his deep thankfulness to Providence for having
spared them so many years to advance the interests
of so noble a charity. He could assure them that
Mr. Baring, M.P., and Baron L. N. Rothschild,
M.P., two of their trustees, felt the deepest in
terest in its welfare, and for himself he could
truly say that one of the happiest moments of
his life was that on which he took a part in esta-
blishing it. When the Government proposal was
put forward of giving annuities there was a cry of
disapprobation from all the insurance companies,
though he, for one, never believed in what was said.
It was, in his opinion, a step in the right direction,
and should be supported by the public. It had been
often said that the poor were very improvident, and
there was some reason for it, but he sincerely hoped
that the example set in these days by the higher
classes as regarded care and temperance would be
followed by those beneath them. (Hear, hear.) He
most gratefully returned them his sincere thanks,
and believed that, high as the influence of the
trustees was, and eminent as their position, they
took a just pride in being connected with that as-
sociation. (Hear, hear.) Again he entreated them
to come forward and support a society which must
confer so many benefits on clerks and the widows
of clerks, and to do so without delay. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. PRICE proposed a vote of thanks to the
medical officers for their kind and gratuitous advice
to all their members whenever they required it.
Mr. DAWSON seconded the motion, and it was
carried unanimously.
Mr. PILCHER proposed a vote of thanks to the
auditors, Messrs. James Gray, George E. Grey, F.
I. Scudamore, A. J. White, and W. S. Higley, which
was seconded and passed.
In proposing this vote the CHAIRMAN paid a very
handsome compliment to Mr. Scudamore, Assistant-
Secretary of the General Post-office, to whose labour
and energy the introduction of the Government
Annuities Bill was mainly due.
Mr. SCUDAMORE, in reply, said that he could not
feel that the slight services rendered by the audi-
tors to the Fund merited so handsome an acknow-
ledgment, but he hoped that there would soon be
such an increase in the receipts, in the annuity and
other vouchers, and in the securities held by the Fund
(all of which were submitted to the auditors) that
the labour of the audit would be doubled; and that
they would deserve the compliment then paid.
Adverting to the chairman's remarks, Mr. Scuda-
more said that, if he had thought the Government
Annuities Bill capable of injuring any respectable
life office, he would have deeply regretted its
introduction ; but, if it ever did so operate,
the fault would lie at the doors of the
Provident Clerks' Life Association, as, but
for the success of the efforts made by the
directors and secretary of that office, which he
had observed with the greatest surprise and pleasure,
he should not have believed that life assurance
would have been so largely adopted, even by the
humblest class of servants, in the Government De-
partment with which he was connected. He con-
sidered that the directors of the Provident Clerks'
Association had set a great example. If his friend,
Mr. Linford, the secretary, should find the Govern-
ment a troublesome competitor, he would be in the
position of the eagle who

" Felt the fatal dart,
And viewed the shaft that quivered in his heart,
Keen were his pangs, but keener far to feel
He nursed the pinion that impelled the steel."
He felt, however, that there was not the remotest
probability of any injurious rivalry. Reverting to
the subject of the Fund, Mr. Scudamore said that
however successful might be their joint efforts to
inculcate providence, there would always be
cases where the aid of benevolence was required,
and he knew of no institution that rendered
such aid in a more effectual and at the same time
judicious manner than this Fund. He was glad to
hear there would be a festival this year, and he
promised gladly not only to do his best to assist it,
but he thought he might answer for many of his
colleagues and friends in the Government service
who would come forward on such an occasion.
Mr. JONES proposed a vote of thanks to their ex-
cellent and worthy Chairman, who had on all occa-
sions been one of the best and kindest friends.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said that he could only repeat
that which had been said on former occasions, that
he thanked them very heartily for their kindness.
If there was one thing in his past life that gave him
pleasure, it was the part he had taken in the founda-
tion of the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund.
(Applause.)
The proceedings then terminated.