The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-10 00:00:00

dows and woodlands of Sydenham to celebrate
the glorious advance and benignant development
of Civilisation. It will be remembered even
when the Crystal Palace may have been swept
from the surface of that verdant landscape,
when the printed annals of Art and Industry
may alone preserve the record of that wonderful
structure in which all the memorable triumphs of
the human intellect were commemorated in some
manner by visible representation.

We rejoice to find that the Engine-drivers on
the London and North-Western have expressed
themselves fully satisfied with the explanations
obtained from the Board of Directors, and that
there is no longer any danger of proceedings which
must necessarily have led to great inconvenience
to the community, considerable pecuniary loss
to the company, and total ruin to the great ma-
jority of the malcontents. The complaints, it
appears, arose from a complete misconception on
the part of the drivers. They believed that it
was intended to render the contract system com-
pulsory, and that the probable result would be
a speedy dimiLuti Du of the prices offered in the
first instance, and a corresponding reduction in the
amount of earnings by those who agreed to the
terms, who would have to submit to additional
labour and increased responsibility without
any extra remuneration. These doubts and
fears were unquestionably fomented by parties
such as are to be found in every large establish-
ment where many men are congregated together—
parties who would treat vague suspicions as con-
clusive evidence, and rush upon certain tangible
evils in avoiding the shadows which they had
themselves evoked.

The consequences might, however, have been
of the most serious character but for the judicious
conduct of the officers of the company, more espe-
cially of Mr. 3/I`CoNNELL, the locomotive super-
intendent, who, by his conciliating demeanour
and " temperate firmness," allayed the angry
passions of the dissentients without sacrificing a
single particle of the interests of his employers.
Had it not been for his popularity with the men,
and the knowledge on their part that implicit con-
fidence might be reposed in his statements, a strike
must have taken place, and the trains on the south-
ern division of the line have ceased running. His
appeal to his past proceedings, to the kindness and
justice which he had invariably exhibited towards
every man under his control ,was enthusiastically
responded to, and induced the malcontents to await
the ordinary meeting of the Board. At that meet-
ing the assurances of the locomotive superin-
tendent were completely confirmed, and every
remaining difficulty removed. A deputation of
the men engaged at the Birmingham, Rugby, and
Camden Station attended at Euston-square, yes-
terday, for the purpose of receiving the decision of
the Directors, and of affording any explanations
that might be required in the event of that de-
cision proving unsatisfactory. An audience was
granted to the deputation before the meeting.
After a short time a communication was forwarded
to the delegates to the following effect :—" The
Directors having considered the representations of
the engine-drivers. Resolved,—That the trial
of the contract system must be entirely optional.
It was proposed under the expectation that it
would work most beneficially both to the men
and to the Company, and if any constraint on the
subject has been exercised; it has been quite con-
trary to the orders and wishes of the Directors.
The Directors therefore wish the men to be
informed that such as prefer it may continue to
work on wages as heretofore, while such as prefer
working on contract may do so. With this ex-
planation to the men, the Directors have only
further to state that, on comparison of the scale
of wages on the London and North-Western Rail-
way with the wages given on other lines, they do
not find that there is any fair ground for com-
plaint.—C. E. STEWART, Secretary." This was
promptly and willingly accepted, and the dispute
was„weitinsta oompletelylvotl pernianentlyhealecl...
It will be eeen- from the foregoing thitt-there.
were two points referred to in the memorial of the
drivers ; that there were complaints, not only as
to the alleged universality of the contract system,
but also as to the wages paid to the lower class of
drivels. The real dispute, however, only related
to the first topic, and the other matter was only
thrown in as a sort of " make-weight." A plau-
sible ground, on which, if the former breach could
not be healed, public sympathy might be enlisted
on their side. They could not indeed assert,
with any degree of truth, that the scale of pay-
ment was not fully as liberal as that of any other
company ; and the moment the first point was
disposed of, the other was waived by the deputa-
tion.

It is now settled that the contract system is
perfectly optional. That any man who prefers
receiving the ordinary daily wages of his class
may do so ; but that if he pleases to avail himself
of the advantages tendered for his acceptance, he
is at perfect liberty to do so. Should he re-
fuse he will not be visited with the displeasure of
the authorities ; while, on the other hand, the
men will not resist bis adherence to the new sys-
tem. A little calm and dispassionate considera-
tion will unquestionably satisfy the drivers, that
their first impression as to the probable working
of that system was totally unfounded. It could
not lead to the diminution of wages, inasmuch as
the old rate of wages was guaranteed to the men,
and it was found that they had invariably re-
ceived handsome additions thereto ; and • if, as
was generally supposed, the company also de-
rived material benefit therefrom, it could scarcely
be supposed that their superintendents or officers
would adopt any measures that could imperil a
system productive of such felicitous results.
Nor is there auy danger of additional work being
required, or the drivers being kept on duty for a
greater number of bows than at present. In the
first place, there is the distinct and positive pledge
that no man should be occupied more than twelve
hours per diem. No complaint could be made of
" overwork " by parties who had at least half the
day to themselves for rest or amusement—to
dispose of, in fact, as they thought proper. A
little calm reflection, too, might convince
them-that this salutary regulation will never
be infringed on. It is more the interest of the.
Company than of the drivers that it should be ob-
served. In an occupation requiring so much
vigilance, where the consequences of any oversight
or mistake might be so formidable, no sane per-
sons would be disposed to overtax the energies
of the drivers. The slightest hint of such an at-
tempt would enlist the public in the quarrel.
We know how anxiously many persons are on the
look-out to "pick a hole in the coats" of Railway
Directors to get up even a plausible ground of com-
plaint. If such an opening were afforded as keeping
drivers 16 or 18 hours at work, how many threats
would be fulminated, how many missiles dis-
charged at their devoted heads. The outcry.
would not cease until its cause had been corn-1
pletely removed. The drivers need not fear any
infringement of the salutary rule, because they
have not only the solemn pledge of the Board,
which would alone be
sufficient, but also they
know that it would be a suicidical policy for the
authorities to endeavour to disturb it. We trust,
then, that not only will all traces of dissatisfaction
be entirely removed, but that the men will sea
how desirable it is that they should enter into
arrangements alike beneficial to themselves, the
Company, and the community at large.

His Majesty the King of Portugal, accompanied by
his Royal Highness the Duke of Oporto, the Duke de
Terceira, Viscount Careira, and a numerous suite, at-
tended by Lord de Tabley and Col. Wylde, honoured
the establishment of Mr. C. F. Hancock, the eminent
jeweller, of 39, Bruton-street, with a visit this morning.
These distinguished personages were pleased to express
their approval of the magnificent assortment of jewellery,
plate, and works of art submitted to their inspection.
The King and Royal Duke were graciously pleased to
honour Mr. Hancock with their commands.
Her ex-Majesty the Queen of the French, accompanied
by her family and suite, passed through London, ems route
from visiting the Duke and Duchess de Moritpensier, at
Seville, to Claremont.
HEALTH OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSIIIRE.--The Duke
of Devonshire, according to the subjoined hul letin, issued
by his grace's medical advisers, Dr. Ferguson and Mr.
Nu;sey, yesterday, was progr,?ssing towards recovery :
"The Duke of Devonshire continues to go on well."
The inquiries from the nobility and gentry were again
extremely numerous.