The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-14 00:00:00

GREAT NORTHERN.

The adjourned, and probably final, Marneliffe
meeting in the present Parliament of Great Northern
proprietors was held yesterday at the King's-cross
Station; Col. Packe, M.P., chairman of the board
of directors, presiding. Various bills were assented

to, including the following, viz. :—" A bill to autho-
thorise the Great Northern Railway Company to
construct certain short lines of railway at Newark,
Spalding, Essendine, and Barkstone, and to make a
branch railway near Bradford, in Yorkshire, and for
other purposes ;" the proposed capital is £312,000,
with borrowing powers for one-third. " A bill for the
amalgamation of the Leeds, Bradford, and Halifax
Junction Railway Company with the Great Northern
Railway Company." The stock of the amalgamated
company will become equal to the open stock of the
Great Northern—a mere exchange, in fact, of the
two stocks. "A Bill for the amalgamation of the
West Yorkshire Railway Company with the Great
Northern Railway Company." Under this bill there
will be an exchange of £l4O of Great Northern or-
dinary stock for each £lOO of the share capital of
the West Yorkshire Company, amounting to about
£350,000, exclusive of the debenture stock of
£106,000, which is to be adopted by the Great
Northern Company. The other bills passed are pro-
moted by neighbouring companies, and only inci-
dentally affect Great Northern interests in the form
of working agreements and running powers. The
meeting was adjourned pro forma until the 27th
_ _

inst., but the chairman announced that most likely
this adjournment would have to be countermanded
by advertisement, as no other bill would perhapsre-
quire to be approved this session.

Another special meeting was held at a later period
of the day, Col. Packe in the chair, to authorise the
issue of new shares or stock under the authority of
various acts granted to the company, and two of its
tributaries.

The CHAIRMAN said the directors had postponed

the disagreeable application as long as they could ;
but the money was now required to carry out work
in progress, and it could not be raised in any other
way but that which he was about to propose, because
the acts of Parliament provided that the capital for
these news lines should not bear interest until the
lines themselves were completed. Otherwise, as on
a former occasion, the capital might have been issued
at a considerable premium, but the interest not being
payable for some time to come, the directors had no
alternative now but to propose the issue of this
new capital at par. The amount would be
£980,000, payable in five instalments, and it would
be allotted pro rata amongst the different pro-
prietors of the A and B original stock, proprietors
of the new ordinary stock, and, in accordance with
act of Parliament and agreements, the proprietors
of Leeds, Bradford and Halifax and West York-
shire stocks. The amount would give a distribution
of £1 on every £7 of original A and B, and each of
the other stocks, and this new stock would partici-
pate in dividend from and after July 4, 1867. This
was the first time since the commencement of the
company that any new stock had been issued to the
original proprietors at par. The London and North
Western and the Midland had set a different ex-
ample, and the directors felt that this small bonus
should now be offered to the proprietors of the ori-
ginal stock. Not less than £5 would be allotted to
any one proprietor, and the instalment of £2O per
cent. each would be payable on July 14, 1865, Oct.
14, 1865, Jan. 14, 1866, April 14, and Ju1y14,1866.
He moved a resolution authorising the issue of
£980,000 new stock in the proportions, and under
the authority of the following acts, viz. :—The
Great Northern Railway Act (No. 1), 1864,
£200,000 ; the Great Northern Railway (Doncaster
to Gainsboro') Act, 1864, £408,000 ; the Great
Northern Railway (Lincoln to Bourn) Act, 1864,
£310,000 ; the Halifax and Ovenden Junction Rail-
way Act, 1864, £30,000 the Edgware, Highgate,
and London Railway Act, 1864, £32,000.
The Hon. 0. DUNCOMBE seconded the resolution.
Mr. HORNE asked if interest would be allowed on
calls paid in advance, and whether the debenture-
holders would participate in the new distribution.
The CHAIRMAN replied in the negative to both
questions, adding that the money would not be
required until the period he had named.
_ _

Mr. VILLEBOISNET had caught the word " new
ordinary stock"—what did that mean ?
The CHAIRMAN said the stock last issued. The

two other companies referred to as participators in
the distribution were entitled to raise a capital of
some £300,000.
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously, after which two other resolutions were
agreed to, one sanctioning the distribution ex-
plained from the chair, and the other placing the
new stock from and after the Ist of July,

1867, on the same footing with regard to dividend
and in all other respects, as the consolidated original
stock of the company, with which it will ultimately
become incorporated.
The CHAIRMAN proposed a fourth resolution, pro-
viding for the forfeiture of such stock upon which
the first or any subsequent instalment should be in
arrear after a specified term, and giving the directors
power to dispose of it for the benefit of the company.
Mr. WARREN did not see the justice of this. The
stock upon which calls had been paid should be
disposed of in the open market, and the defaulter
should be entitled to any benefit that might arise
from the sale.

The CHAIRMAN said ample latitude was allowed
by the directors in such cases, and in no instance
had they yet had occasion to resort to the exercise
of this not unusual authority. A certain time was
given to pay up arrears, with interest at 6 per cent.,

Mr. COLAM, the secretary, read a long report, de-
tailing the various steps taken by the society of en-
forcing better treatment of animals in the various
cattle markets, slaughter-houses, cab and omnibus
yards, and amongst the costermongers, and which
had generally been attended with success. Dur-
ing the year 873 convictions had taken place
before the magistrates of persons who had been
charged with ill-using cattle of various descriptions,
and other dumb animals. Especial allusion was
made to the recent case of cock-fighting, a cruel
sport, which the society was using its most strenuous
efforts to put down. In the whole of the above cases
fines or short imprisonment had been inflicted. The
report then referred to the subject of vivisection.
The society had not been so successful on this point
as could be desired, but the committee were able to
announce that the practice was not now nearly so
favoured by men of science as formerly. The re-
port concluded by saying that in proportion as the
society meets with the pecuniary support of the
public, so would its usefulness be extended.
The noble CHAIRMAN expressed his satisfaction
at the progress made by the society. From A feeblo
society, looked upon with ridiculeowbeYrf6uni e general
public, it had grown into a p
associa-
tion, whose influence extended over the whole
civilised world, and whose usefulness was ac-
knowledged by every class in society, from the
peer to the costermonger. (Cheers.) He considered
it to be an educational society, for by inducing men
to treat their dumb companions with kindness and
consideration they also induced them to act better
towards their fellow men. (Hear.) He then went on
to treat of the subject of vivisection, which he hoped
to see soon abolished in France, as was now almost
the case in this country. He concluded with a
powerful appeal to the public on behalf of the
society and its objects.

Mr. MACKINNON, M.P., moved the adoption of
the report. He was glad to see so many ladies pre-
sent, and hoped they would enlist the feelings of
their male relatives and friends in favour of the
society.
Captain BETIIUNE seconded the resolution. As a
countryman he could bear testimony to the useful-
ness of the society in the rural districts.
The report was adopted.

The Rev. Prebendary JACKSON then moved a
resolution, congratulating the society on the success
which had attended its efforts, affording great en-
couragement for proceeding in the good work. lie
considered the improved state of public feeling with
respect to the treatment of dumb animals to bo
mainly owing to the efforts of this society.
Mr. Abeam seconded the resolution in an effec-
tive speech.

Mr. ADAM SMITH and Mr. PERFECT supported
:he resolution, which was carried.

The Marquis of TOWNSHEND, in moving a vote of
thanks to the committee, took the opportunity of
strongly denouncing the practice of vivisection,
which he thought cruel and useless.

The Rev. 11r. JACKSON, km., seconded the reso-
lution, which, after some remarks from Mr. lludsou
and Mr. Curling, was carried.

On the motion of the Sir T. B. EAST, seconded by
Mr. H. MALTDSLAY, a vote of thanks was given to
the noble president for his conduct in the chair,
which having been suitably acknowledged, the pro-
ceedings terminated.

Royal Caledonian Asylum, Holloway.

--~ -

The object of this noble institution is to clothe,
educate, and support the children of Scotch soldiers
and sailors who have died or been disabled in their
country's service ; also, the children of indigent
Scotchmen resident in London. The Jubilee Festival
(being the 50th anniversary dinner) was celebrated
on Monday at the Freemasons" Tavern, Great
Queen-street—the Right Hon. Viscount Stratford
de Redcliffe, G.C.8., in the chair. Among the
company present were the Duke of Buccleuch, the
Right Hon. Sir G. Clerk, Bart., the Right Hon.
Baron Pigott, Sir Graham Montgomery, Sir John
Heron Maxwell, Sir Charles M'Grigor, Sir Patrick
Colquhoun, Mr. R. W. Duff, M.P., Col. Sykes,
M.P. ; Capt. Rintoul, 4th Dragoon Guards ; Capt.
Fraser, Col. Lockhart Ross, D. C. Macrae, Esq.,
Mr. Robert Crawford of Westbrook, and 160 other
gentlemen, and 50 ladies, who graced the gallery.
The dinner was served in sumptuous style ; there
was abundance of every luxury of the season, coupled
with a profusion of turtle soup, the dessert being
equally well supplied ; indeed, in all particulars, the
banquet was of such a character as to reflect the
highest credit upon the improved cuisine of tho
Freemasons' Tavern Company.
The usual loyal toasts having been given,

The CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of the evening,
" The Royal Caledonian Asylum ; and may the
offspring of the brave hero never want a friend."
After some preliminary observations, the noble lord
proceeded to show that this institution was incor-
porated in the year 1815, and this was the jubilee
celebration, it being the 50th anniversary festi-
val. The great object of the meeting was to raise
2,000 guineas, to enable the directors to admit 20
orphan children more than were at present main-
tained and educated by this valuable charity.
Happily several liberal donations had been
already presented, leaving some 1,500 guineas to
complete the special fund ; and the noble lord sub-
sequently pleaded the cause of this useful asylum,
which was almost wholly supported by voluntary
contributions. Upwards of 1,000 children had been
clothed, instructed, and provided for since the
society was incorporated. There was now 60 boys
and 50 girls in the asylum who received a sound
English education, and were religiously and morally
brought up. It was a delightful fact to state that
many of those who had been brought up under the
fostering care of this school had risen to position's
of high honour in the military, the naval, and the
civil service. Unhappily the number of cases of
orphans brought under the notice of the committee
had increased of late. It appeared that the 2,000
guineas, if promptly obtained, would at once facili-
tate the admission of the greater number of these
cases. There was now room for 40 more inmates
than those now educated at the asylum. It was a
remarkable fact that there was no other charity what-
ever of the same description or character in Eng-
land. The noble lord concluded his address with
an eloquent appeal on behalf of the asylum.
The children having been marshalled round the
hall previous to and during the chairman's speech,
they retired, accompanied by their band, under the
direction of Mr. Field, the bandmaster.

The CHAIRMAN next gave the health of the Pre-
sident of the Asylum, the Duke of Buccleuch, who
responded in graceful terms, at the same timo
warmly advocating the claims of this noble society
upon public sympathy.

The Duke of BUCCLEUCH then gave the health of
the noble chairman in highly complimentary terms,
and referred to his lordship's long-tried and valuably
diplomatic services.

The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the compliment
paid him in very diffident and courteous terms.
Sir GEORGE CLERK, Bart., gave the Highland
Society of London, parent of the Caledonian Asy-
lum, the Caledonian Society of London, and tho
Scottish Hospital.
The subscriptions and donations announced
amounted to £3,000.

SUICIDE.—The Rev. G. S. Abbott, rector of St.
Mary's, Dublin, and sub-dean of the Chapel Royal,
committed suicide yesterday, at 1 o'clock, by shooting
himself through the head with a pistol in his own bed-
room. Death was instantaneous. Upon his dressing-table
was another pistol loaded with ball. He had officiated in
his church on Sunday, and he went out yesterday morning
in his usual health. Ho was at the Bank of Ireland, re-
turned home in a depressed state of mind, and almost
mediately committed the fatal act.

LONDON, TVEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1865,

Earl RUSSELL is determined to keep up the game
to the last and show the world that the foreign
policy of England has completely changed in tone
and spirit. Nothing could have been worse than
his reply last night on the subject of the prisoners
in Abyssinia. According to the doctrines that lie
laid down, any foreign potentate or prince at a
distance may imprison and ill-treat our countrymen
with impunity. The days are past when the name
of England was a sufficient shield to guarantee her
sons from wrong and violence ; its glory has de-
parted and its virtue is extinguished. The most
tame and faint hearted among the peacemongers
cannot expect to surpass Earl RUSSELL in his
harangue of last night. We are led to suppose,
from the tenour of his speech, that nothing can in-
duce the noble earl to take up the subject in
defence of our imprisoned fellow-subjects. Can
anything be more unequal to the occasion or more
unfitting to the demeanour of the Foreign Secretary
of this great country than the language listened to
by the House of Lords last night. Those best able
to judge believe that if we were to send any mission
to the King of ABYSSINIA he would probably im-
prison the persons composing it, with a view of
forcing us to take his part against his rivals. We
are come to something indeed if we are to be kept
in terroreni by the King of ABYSSINIA. Time was
when the greatest potentate dared not have done
the thing that Earl RUSSELL coolly surmises as
likely to take place. Imprisoning those
who are sent on' missions is a very unusual oc-
currence. It would seem as if the Abyssinians
were to follow the example of President
JOHNSON, and cast all scruples of conscience, consi-
derations of propriety, and claims of honour, to the
winds. It is not the question whether these
prisoners were to blame in offending the suscepti-
bilities of the KING ; the question is, that the honour
of England is at stake, if this state of things lasts.
As Lord MAL3IESBURY truly stated last night, a
consul does not stand in the rank of an ambassador,
but he occupies an official position to which he is
appointed by the Crown, and his person is always
considered as sacred as that of an ambassador
Lord MALMESBURY cited some cases, in which, when
he was Foreign Secretary, ho demanded com-
pensation for injuries sustained by her MA-
JESTY'S subjects at the hands of foreigners.
Nothing can possibly excuse utter mismanagement
of this affair ; from first to last there was an extra-
ordinary delay in answering the communication,
and even a most culpable indifference prevails re-
specting the fate of the unhappy prisoners. It is
quite disgraceful that such laxity should exist when
vital interests are at stake, and the sooner the sub-
ject Is considered the better. Let the constituencies
look to it at the approaching elections, and let them
not return those candidates who sue for peace at
any cost of honour and interest. Such selfish and
short-sighted policy will not suit the requirements
of a mighty people, and the country will suffer in
the end, besides being forced into expensive wars to
re2over its position. No gains of commerce, and
no flourishing condition at home, can
public
com-
pensate for the want of
spirit, and
where that
languishes, power and prospe-
rity will, in their turn, crumble away,
but we might at least make it a metropolis worthy
of the splendid dominions of the QUEEN. The hon.
member concluded by moving that an address be
presented to her MAJESTY, praying for the
appoint-
ment of a commission to inquire into the subject of
the lighting, paving, and cleansing of the metro-
polis. This motion was afterwards withdrawn, as
Sir G. GREY did not think it desirable to press for a
commission. The right hon. baronet said that the
present mode of dealing with the matter was most
unsatisfactory, and that they were indebted to the
hon. member fox bringing it forward. It is to be .

hoped that due attention will be paid to the subject
during the recess, and that next year something
decisive will be done in the right direction, for
sufficient time has been wasted already.

' Sir W. FRASER called attention last night to the
state of the metropolis as regarded the paving,
lighting, and cleansing. In this he was fully justi-
fied, and his remarks on the subject were very
pertinent. Great improvement might with advan-
tage be made in this respect, and it seems strange
that so little attention has been paid to the matter
before now. Sir W. FRASER referred more parti-
cularly to the government of the districts of the me-
tropolis by district boards. The local boards have
the paving, cleansing, and lighting of the metro-
polis entirely in their hands. Nothing could better
have explained the necessity that exists for some
change in this matter than the circumstance cited
by the hon. baronet, that St. James's-street had one
kind of pavement on one side and a different kind
on the other. When people sought the cause of
this anomaly, they were told that one side of the
street was in one parish and the other in another
parish quite distinct. This management is carried
so far that in some cases it is possible to find streets
in which there are five different descriptions of
paving ; and in one parish, where there are two
leading thoroughfares, the vestrymen belonging to
one are opposed to any improvement in the other,
because they say that it would injure the traffic and
custom of their own street. Surely a condition of
things that allows such freaks and fancies to
take place ought to be altered as speedily as
possible. It is always a pity when any-
thing that materially affects the welfare and
community is placed in the hands of a few preju-
diced and partial persons, instead of being entrusted
to the direction of those who are above petty consi-
derations and not influenced by selfish motives.
Sir W. FRASER also called the attention of the house
to the manner in which the lighting of London was
managed. The gas supplied was of the worst de-
scription, and the other arrangements were also
incomplete and imperfect. As for the cleansing of
the metropolis that also requires alteration, for this
is left in the hands of the local board. Last winter
there was a considerable fall of rain and snow, and
yet no effort was made to remove the slush. Now
that we have dry weather, the dust renders the
streets almost intolerable to foot passengers. This
dust is very injurious to those who imbibe it, which
should certainly be an additional incentive to those
who have authority to do all in their power to re-
move the great nuisance. Sir W. FRASER truly
said that London was unlike any other city of an-
cient or modern times, for no others had their inha-
bitants so closely packed together. Many must
agree with the hon. baronet in his desire to see this
great capital of our country improved. We should
emulate the French EMPEROR who boasted that he
had beautified his metropolis. We could not hope
to do in London what OCTAVIUS did at Rome.
He found it brick and could not leave it marble.

We are glad to find so sound and sensible a mea-
sure as the Partnership Amendment Bill has passed
the second reading in the Upper House. There was
a very animated debate in the Commons, when the
measure was brought under discussion, and a strong
feeling of opposition was manifested, though the
general sense of the House eventually carried the
day. In the Lords, however, the subject was not
very long under consideration, and the solitary dis-
sentient was answered by three advocates on the
other side. Lord ST. LEONARDS opposed the bill,
both in principle and detail, and he went so far
as to object in toto to the principle of limited
liability, which he said was a dangerous
thing, and had already affected the character
of our trading. The noble lord's. principal
argument against the bill was in reality one
directly in its favour. lie said that if a man
entered into trade he did so with a view to profit ;
he gave to it his whole mind, time, and energies,
and it was on this foundation of individual exertion
that the prosperity of the country rested. He con-
sidered that a measure which permitted a participa-
tion in profits without any share in the personal
exertions, which made the prosperity of trade, was
most destructive to the trading credit of the country.
But the existing law gives no sort of guarantee
that every member of a firm shall give his whole
time and energy to labour on its behalf. How often
do we hear of sleeping partners, who, according to
the present state of things, are equally liable with
their more active coadjutors for the obligations of
the firm. Lord Sr. LEONARDS said that by this
bill if a man sold half his business and reserved
the other half, he would not share the liability as
he ought in fairness to do, but would escape alto-
gether. But the noble lord objects to this question
of " fairness" being applied. The other may, since
if the limited liability principle is not to be adopted,
one member of a firm or a company may escape
entirely in a catastrophe while his partner is ruined.
The one man's wealth and the other man's poverty,
or the one's prudence and the other's improvidence,
are all brought to the same dead level irrespective
of the real claims upon them. The present law on
the matter of partnership is, as Lord WESTBURY very
truly said, most unjust and repugnant to the prin-
ciples of English legislation. The law, as con-
structed nearly a century back, decided that in any
case where individuals shared the profits of an un-
dertaking they should be partners in the eye of the
law, though they may have arrived at a contrary
agreement between themselves. Great care has
in other cases, observed Lord WESTBURY, been
taken to prevent fraud, and a man's money or goods,
if handed to a trader, were liable to be seized for
that trader's debts, but that was a very different
thing from making a man liable, not only to the
full amount he had lent to a trader, but to the last
farthing he had in the world. Under the ruling of
Lord MANSFIELD, acted on by the judges, the law
invented a contract which did not exist, and then
made parties to that supposed contract liable for
fulfilment of engagements which they had never
intended to undertake." The consequence of such
a construction of the law is that men resort to all
sorts of quibbles and devices to evade the law. If
a trader agree to give his creditor a share in the
gross receipts of his trade the creditor escapes all
liability, but if he gives him a share in the profits,
the creditor becomes a partner and runs the risk of
being answerable for the debts of the firm. There
is another aspect in which the new measure is very
advantageous. It will enable the widow and chil-
dren of a deceased partner to share the profits of
the firm without increasing any dangerous liability,
and it will also empower an employer to give a
trustworthy clerk or foreman a share in the profits
of his trade, which would form a powerful tie be-
tween employer and employed. 'The protection of
the community against fraud will be the same as
ever. There is no actual safeguard withdrawn, for
every one knows that under the present arrange-
ments a creditor may claim the most ruinous in-
terest from an embarassed trader, interest which
shall not only absorb all his profits but drain his
resources, while, on the moment that bankruptcy
is seen approaching, the exorbitant creditor may
step in, withdraw his money, and leave the
other sufferers to their fate. 'This drama is
often played out in our commercial circles,
arid it is one Qi the strong arguments

,

in favriur of this measure that it will bring a better
claw 3 of money-lenders into the field, and will en-
able. the young merchant or embarrassed trader to
obtain advances from capitalists willing to help him
to a certain amount, but naturally reluctant to run
the risk of sharing his liabilities. We are therefore
glad to find the bill has got so far, and hope it will
become law without substantial alteration.

The subject which Sir F. Slim pressed upon the
attention of the House of Commons last evening is
a very important one. It concerns so many thou-
sands of persons, it affects the peace and happiness
of so many families, the lives of so many brave and
useful men, and so large and increasing an amount
of property, that we can only regret that Sir F.
S3IITH'S motion on the construction of harbours of
refuge should have been defeated by a majority of
twelve. It is very easy for the President of the
Board of Trade, " sitting at home at ease," to
declare that the shipping interest ought to
share the expense of undertakings so beneficial
to itself, and that harbours of refuge were not
wanted, and very likely might not do so much
good as was expected from thein. The right
hon. gentleman seems to prefer theory to practice,
for he says that important changes have been lately
made in the law which are likely to diminish the
losses at sea ! Time and tide, says the old adage,
wait for no man ; and it is certainly something new
to learn that the elements hold themselves amenable
to the changes of the law ! Mr. GIBSON thinks that
all that is wanted to save life is the will on the part
of those near the catastrophe ; for he thinks the
alteration of the Salvage Laws and the bounties
given for saving life " furnish the best means of
securing the end which those who advocate
the construction of Harbours of Refuge have
in view." This is a most unfounded asser-
tion, and contains a most unwarrantable attack
on the courage and humanity of the British
sailor. The records of the Lifeboat Institution
could tell a different story ; but there are cases
where human aid is powerless ; and the natural
dangers of our coasts in the winter tempests are
such that no casual assistance can always avail.
Harbours of refuge, it is evident, enable ships to
seek a place of security before the worst comes, but
it is a singular system of legislation to suffer ships
to go to pieces and men's lives to be imperilled be-
cause the Salvage Laws will encourage exertions to
save them. Sir F. SMITH'S facts were simply un-
answerable. Our list of wrecks and disasters in-
creases steadily with our increasing trade, and our
aggregate loss of B,OOQ lives and fifteen millions of
property in ten years emphatically demands that
public attention be at once directed to the practical
consideration of a remedy.

The Fire at the Adelphi Theatre.