The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-02 00:00:00

DAILY WEATHER TABLE.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2, 1853.
State of the wind and weather at each of the following
places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations
are arranged in order of latitude.
HASTINGs—CaIm--cloudless.
SOUTHAMPTON—N.E., strong breeze—foggy.
FOLKESTONE—N.B., light air—partially cloudy.
BASINGSTOKE—N., gentle breeze—foggy.
GREtISWICTI--Calln—fogoo7.
STROOD—Calm—dense fog.
SwirmoN—S.E.. light airs—cloudless.
CAMBRlDGE—Calm—foggy.
YARMOUTH—E., calm—overcast.
The returns from the following places indicate the state
ni the weather on Monday morning at nine o'clock :
MuLLINGAR— S.W., calm—cloudless.
BASINGSTOKE—N. W., gentle breeze—cloudless.

THE WEATHER.—Surf OFFICB, FRB. 2.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
35—highest since noon on Saturday.
30—lowest yesterday morning, and during Sat. night.
36—yesterday at noon.

BAB() ETER, 30'18.
WIND, S.E.—Light breeze, and fine sunshiny weather.
The fog lasted 36 hours, and cleared away about ten
o'clock this morning. It was very dense all the time—
particularly last night.

, .
lz.Ct7j n

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1853,

The arrival of emigrants at New York exhibits
a rather curious proportion in the number of ad-
venturers from the different races of Christendom.
It is so far remarkable, indeed, as to be deserving
on this side of the Atlantic of some little consider-
ation. From the only statistical accounts that
can be relied upon as accurate, it would appear
beyond all qUestion, that the Irish arriving in the
United States still predominate on the average,
leaving the next the Germans, the next the Eng-
lish, the next the Welsh, then the Scotch, then
the French, and then the Spaniards. It will be
well to keep this calculation in remembrance. For
upon the circumstance here alluded to will be
dependent, ultimately, in a great measure, the
future of the rafted States—we may aver, indeed,
the future, to a considerable extent, of the whole
American Continent. Common sense tells us that
much must depend, for the good or the evil, of what
has been called the New World, upon the relative
numbers of immigrants from the nations of the Old
World—nations, some of them theocratic, others
democratic ; some civilised, others semi-barbarous ;
some Catholic, others Protestant. To the future
historian, or rather to the future philosopher of
history (for the phrases, we regret to think, are
by np means synonymous) will be submitted the
problem of deciding the relative value of those
heterogeneous customs and predelections which are
being nowadays accumulated so very rapidly in
the transatlantic Republic. It will then be seen
by the SCHLEGEL of a future age how far America
will have profited by these accessions of thews and
)iraius taken promiscuously from the different
realms of ancient Christendom. Confident ourselves
as to the result, coinciding to the full in the estimate
made by Mr. MACAULAY some years ago in the
course of a celebrated essay as to the astounding
advance of religion on the opposite shores of the
Atlantic, we can yet understand the solicitude
felt by many as to the progress made in those
quarters by the real champions of Christianity.
Meanwhile the modern Exodus is trailing away
across the waters in another direction. Rather
should we say, perhaps, that it is hastening, like
a new Hegira, to Australia. It would be difficult
to venture just now upon any opinion as to the
pro bable time when this extraordinary movement
southwards and westwards wir_ be brought to a
eo'acl usion. Obviously, however, it is a move-
rrient calculated to prove marvellously advantage-
ous both to the ancient states and to the countries
hitherto so thinly populated. It will equalise
the distribution of the human race over the pro-
ductive surface of the earth. It will give the un-
occupied in our overcrowded communities room
and opportunity for employment. It will increase
the wealth of the great family of mankind—its food—and, cori sequentiy,its happiness. Foresee-
ing all these things clearly enough, as the merest
dunce amongst us cannot fail to do—we may re-
cognise in the simultaneous discovery of gold in-
the eastern and the western hemispheres, in Cali-
fornia and in Australia, the signs of the beneficent
provision, if not of the direct interposition, of
DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

There can be no doubt that the railway interest
has recovered., or is rapidly recovering, from the
depression in which it was involved a few, years
sinr..:e, and that it is participating in the general
pr osperity of the country. There is no longer
the distrust and want of confidence exhibited
which induced shareholders to sacrifice their pro-
perty, in some of the best dividend-paying lines,
at little more than one-half its real value. The
Directors, too, generally speaking, are treated
with greater respect, and a more unprejudiced
hearing given to their recommendations than was
ever formerly the case. Something still remains, how-
, of the spirit engendered during the panic
years, which induces shareholders to grumble on
the most trivial .and inadequate
those through_ grounds against
whose judicious and energetic
Management they have been elevated from the
slough of Tlea7pond toa sound and healthy
condition, And to reject propositions carefully

and maturely considered by persons having ample
opportunities for forming correct opinions on the
subject matter. We cannot, however, feel great
surprise at this infatuation. The severe ordeal

through which the railway body passed, gave a
degree of weight and influence to the habitual

croakers which otherwise they could never have
obtained. And those whose extravagant expecta-
tions have been disappointed are but too well
disposed to cavil at the reasonable returns, and
to take the most gloomy views of every subject
under discussion.

One of the chief difficulties of Railway Boards
at the present time is the question relating to
Branch Lines or Extensions. It must be admit-

ted that in and previous to the "'45," the
matter had been carried to an extravagant pitch.

When any project, however chimerical, was sure
to be " brought out" at a handsome premium,
and to have the chief qualification of a Di-
rector was to have an inventive genius, which
would enable him to devise a new line from
" anywhere to anywhere," and Boards were cen-
sured for permitting any other " body" to ob-
tain " a footing in their territories," it cannot
be considered very surprising if fallible mortals
yielded to the temptations by which they were
assailed, and that speculations, which, if carried
out prudently and judiciously, would have proved
very profitable, should be a little overdone, and
that the anticipated gains should have been con-

verted into very serious losses, which were felt
with thrilling force, when the premium.; form-
erly received on account of these very transac-
tions had. been totally forgotten. The natural
result followed. Directors were affected with the
panic, and became as much too slow as they had
previously been too rapid, and the evils of over
caution were only second to those resulting from
excessive speculation. Directors, are, however, at
length beginning to discover the grave mistake
into which they have been betrayed. ; and although
they will not recklessly plunge into new schemes,
they will not sacrifice the true interests of their
constituents to the vis iner ace, or reject wholesome
projects through the desire of currying favour
with the alarmists. The majority of the share-
holders have also profited by experience ; but
there are still many who adher% to the old policy,
and steadfastly resist any proposition, however
feasible, or likely to prove remunerative.
The proceedings at the last half-yearly General
Meeting of the London, Brighton, and South-
Coast Railway Company, afford a strong illus-
tration of this point. The Report presented to
the meeting by the Directors was of a very
favourable character, holding out the most aus-
picious auguries for the future welfare of the Com-
pany. A dividend of 21. 12s. for the half-year was
declared, and the stock of the Company had risen
nearly 3 per cent, between the time of the publi-
cation of the Report and the day of meeting—a
tolerably conclusive proof of the estimation in
which the suggestions put forward were held by
the community. It was known, also, that not-
withstanding the attractions presented by the
Great Exhibition, and the great incentive to. in-
tercommunication occasioned thereby, the traffic
in 1852 had only fallen short of that of 1851 by
3,4001., or less than one per cent. on the total
receipts. Within three years they had increased
the traffic by 122,263/., or more than 33 per
cent. on the entire traffic of 1848 ; and this im-
portant addition had been obtained by the adop-
tion of a bold and vigorous policy, and affording
ample accommodation for the business which
only required due development. The result
showed the propriety of the course adopted. By
an increase-of 60,0001. to the annual expenditure
—B,OOO/. of which was interest on additional
outlay on capital account-L-they obtained an addi-
tion of 150,0001. per annum to their annual re-
ceipts—a clear profit of 90,0001. They had thus
been enabled to raise their dividends, and to
change the quotations on the Stock Exchange
from a heavy discount to a premium ; and yet
there were to be found shareholders who objected
to a continuance in the course which had been
productive of such auspicious results.
The new expenditure to which exception
was taken was required, first, for the acquisi-
tion of additional property and the improve-
ment of the Station at London-htidge, and
also for the construction of a fourth Jill 6 of IT
from the Bricklayer's-arms Junction to the Croy-
don Junction—matters partly required by the
anticipated opening of the grounds of the New
Crystal Palace Company, but which will afford
greatly increased facilities in the development of
the traffic of the main line, and may, in Vie words
of the Report, be considered as objects "of vital
and paramount importance." But this judicious
and eligible outlay was cavilled at, although
not intended to form a permanent addition

to the capital, as it is to be provided for by a
sinking fund, to which 10,0001. was to be appro-
priated out of the profits of the past half-year.
The other matters objected to were the leases of
the lines about to be constructed to East Grin-
stead and Bognor, the former at 2,0001., and the
latter 1,200/. per annum, being at the rate of four
per cent. per annum on the estimated outlay—no
increase of which would, however, add to the sti-
pulated rent. To persons well acquainted with
the district, it is needless to expatiate on
the advantages to be obtained from this out-
lap There are many populous places re-
quiring accommodation, any neglect of which
might
,be attended with very injurious con-
sequences. Bognor is rapidly becoming a
fashionable bathing-place, and the new communi-
cation will be equal:y beneficial to the district,
and to the company by which it is supplied. We
have no doubt that the shareholders will have
satisfactory reasons to rejoice that they rejected
the over-cautious counsels of the croakers, and
sanctioned the wise and beneficial policy of the
Board of Management.

We are all peace men, if not all Peace Society
men. We can all therefore most cordially wish
success to the objects of the Manchester Peace
Conference. We think, however, it is such busi-
ness speeches as the Chairman's which will have
the greatest weight with the sensible men of the
country and the sensible portion of the House of
Commons. We think homilies upon peace itself,
and its prominence among the promised blessings
of the Gospel, all perfectly good ; and we believe that
the reign of universal peace will be the blessing of
some distant age. We believe, however, that it
will not be brought about by societies for that
specific purpose, but by the triumph of the Gospel
over the ignorance, evil passions, and vice, which
are the real source, according to Scripture itself,
of " wars and fightings amongst us." We must
own that we think too many society men begin at
the wrong end. Just as the Sabbatarians ought
to throw their zeal into inspiring the people's
hearts with religious sentiments, instead of at-
tempting to bridle their desire for amusement by
shutting up a Crystal Palace, so the friends of
Peace should give themselves to the task—a
long and wearisome one it is true, and not the
work of one generation—of diffusing the light and
knowledge, and fostering the international feelings
which disincline to war. We sympathise, there-
fore, with all there was of brotherhood and kindly
feeling in the Peace Society speakers, but we have
little faith in arbitration clauses, or any formal
arrangements of that kind, as the preventers of
war. Mr. COBDEN'S printed speech, sold at the
doors, was, we take it, the most efficient speech of
the evening, especially for its effect upon foreigners.
When a peculiarly sensitive nation finds one of
the leading men of this country, one who has a
European reputation, one whose name is indelibly
stamped upon our commercial policy, denouncing
as unjust those wars of his own country which
that nation remembers with less patience than any
others--aye, and proving them to be so too what
could more tend to allay the irritation of recol-
lected defeats ? France would cease to blush for
a brave military failure at Waterloo, if we blushed
for misemploying our bravery in violating her
most sacred right to have the Monarch of her
choice.

Very easy work is it also to show the folly of
war ; to reckon up its costliness, to harrow up
the heart with the horrors of the night after
battle, and to prove that neither a duel nor an
engagement, neither the sword nor the bullet

have the slightest sense of justice. Easy to
ridicule an appeal to an arbitrament as foolish as

the ancient ordeal of fire or water, or the longer-
cherished one of mortal combat. Yes, yes, we
know all about that ; skill in gunnery and evolu-

tions are no doubt as absurd a Court of Justice
as you please, but it is all beside the question.
The question is, Ought we to be thoroughly pre-

pared for defensive war ? We affirm that it
is our highest economy to be so, and
we add that thorough preparation can be
only " judged of by the powers of those
who might attack us, just as the ingenuity of a

thief is our test for deciding on the qualities re-
quisite for our house-door locks and fastenings.

We respect most sincerely the Society of Friends,
but we believe in the lawfulness and duty of de-
fensive war. We believe, too, in the possibility
of our being driven to it any year whatever. We
are not alarmists ; we see no impending proba-
bility of such a disaster, but we are not political
prophets, and are as confident that causes of a
speedy rupture may lurk beneath the present
calm as that we do not discern them. Who fore-
saw the universal outbreak of 1848 but a few
(lays, or hours even, before it began ? And who,
after that, would venture to pronounce how
unexpectedly we might be summoned to self-

defence ? Some, we know, are ready to save
the requisite expenditure, and trust to the
chapter of accidents for the security. The nation,
however, generally is not of their mind. Nor
are they themselves of the same mind in regard
to dangers within their little ken ; they do not
dispense with bolts, and bars, and the protection
of police.

But we are forgetting the amulet, which, if
affixed to all future treaties, is to charm the evil
spirits of the nations to depart. -Well, then,
arbitration,—certainly we have no objection to it,
—we would resort to it whenever it would be ac-
cepted, we would insert it in our treaties, and
we would ourselves abide by the award ; yet we
deem it folly to conceal from ourselves, that there
is no power on earth to compel another nation to
abide by an award it utterly disliked. In arbitrations
legally made in private life the law enforces obe-
dience to the decision, but where it is not legally
binding, how often have we seen such arbitrations
utterly rejected by the losing side. On the com-
mon principles of human Nature, the same thing
might be expected among nations. Just, there-
fore, as every moderate man would be sure to pre-
fer arbitration, when possible, to law, so should
we much more prefer it to the horrors of war ;
but just as we adapt our legal system to the fact,
that the citizens whom we fear will abide by no
arbitration, so we must be as prepared for defen-
'sive war as if we had no arbitration clauses. We
object not, then, to preaching arbitration, or to
engrossing it in treaties : we only object to the in-
ference that we may therefore neglect to insure
ourselves and our property against attack. Ar-
bitration clauses are not the anvil on which
nations will yet beat their swords into
ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-
hooks ; and much as we believe in the peaceful
tendencies of Free Trade, we scarcely can dream
that its money-making zeal will unteach the na-
tions the art of war. Commercial cities and coun-
tries of yore have not been the least distinguished
for the lust of conquest and of war. Witness
Carthage and'Athens, Venice and Holland ; and
even our own East India Company of Merchants,
though, for trade reasons, it strained every nerve
to keep its servants from fighting, found itself
dragged into the conquest of an immense empire.
Peculiarities might, no doubt, be detected in each
of these cases now ; and in the now of a hundred
years hence, peculiar circumstances may possibly
be pointed out by the hiStorian of that time which
drove a reluctant England into a war with Europe
or America.
Many of the opening remarks of the chairman,
Mr. WILSON, however, will find a wide response.
If, after spending the almost inconceivable sum of
550,000,0001. in our current naval and military
expenses since the peace in 1815, we yet are not
thoroughly secure against attack, no doubt we
ought to be. An average of 16,000,0001. a-year
for that purpose ought to have left us safe. The
blame cannot lie with the Manchester tax-payers,
but with the official tax-spenders. To fret about
past extravagance, however, will not fortify our
coasts, but it will do good service to all concerned
with the army and navy to see that the people are
sick of feather-bed defenders, and are de-
termined to have money's worth for their
money. Happ:ly, Manchester and Downing-
street are getting pretty well agreed on that
point. Mr. WILSON, indeed, was able to cite,
as one of his best authorities, the present gallant
SECRETARY to the Admiralty. In demanding an
efficient use of the public money, Mr. WILSON will
have plenty of seconders. Indeed, the Report of
the Select Committee in 1833 was not suffered to
remain a dead letter ; the general officers were
reduced in 1852 by 155, and the charge for them
by 67,0001. The end of an article is not, how-
ever, the place for details. We would merely add,
that our Manchester friends are welcome to all the
arbitration clauses they can get,—heartily welcome
to all the real economy they can force upon our
Government,—but not welcome to leave our
shores at the mercy of any nation which might
choose to attack us.

OBITUARY OF VETERAN OFFICERS.—We have this
day to record the deaths of two distinguished officers ' •
viz.—of Lieutenant-Colonel S. Forbes, formerly of the
89th Foot, who died on the 29th ult, in London,
aged 78 ; and of Lieutenant-Colonel John Doyle O'Brien
Deputy Quartermaster-General at Barbadoes, where he
died, on the 16th ult. of yellow fever, aged 45. Colonel
Forbes had for some years retired from the army.
During his career he saw rough services in the Penin-
sula, and almost in the leading points of the four quar-
ters of the globe. Colenel O'Brien was formerly con-
nected with the 70th Surrey Regiment of Foot, which
he entered in 1821. He had been for many years on

the staff.
His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and
the Countess of St. Germans left town to-day by the 9.30
a.m. express train from Euston station, en route for Dub-
lin. His Excellency and the Countess will pass the night
at Holyhead, occupying the suite of state apartments at
Hibert's New Royal Hotel. ' A special steamer has been
ordered to be in readiness to convey his Excellency to
Kingstown to-morrow- morning. On arriving in Dublin,
his Excellency, attended by his staff, and escorted by a
troop of Dragoons as a guard of honour, will ride to the
Castle. The Countess will proceed thither in a private
carnage. The streets will be lined with military.
BUILDERS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—A meeting of
the governors and subscribers to this institution was held
yesterday in the board-room, New Oxford-street ; Mr.
George Bird, the treasurer, in the chair. The report stated
that the amount of subscriptions and donations for the
past year had been 8891. 18s. 6d., and the directors had
the satisfaction of announcing that they had added to
the funded stock, since the last report, 600/. three per
cent. Consols, namely, 4001. stock to the permanent re-
lief fund, and 2001. stock to the building fund, making
the total amount of the funds standing in the names of
the trustees, 3,250/. There were now on the funds of
the institution ten males and five females, and it was
the intention of the directors to hold another election on
the 22d inst., when five more Would be admitted from a
long list of applicants. The minutes of the last court
having been read and usual vote of some formalthanks to
business
was transacted ; and, after the
the chairman, the meeting separated.
COCKERMOUTII AND WORKINGTON RAILWAY.—The
fifteenth ordinary half-yeary meeting of this company
was held on Saturday at Cockermouth, Mr. J. Harris in
the chair. The meeting excited more than usual interest,
as a proposition was to be bought forward for " amal-
gamation with the Whitehaven Junction Railway.
The report of the directors showed that by
correspcomparingd-
the receipts of the last half-year on
ing period of the previous year they were less by 4071.
while the working expenses were 341. more. The
decrease in the rates was caused by the storms in
November and December last, which damaged the
bridges. This had led to a decrease in the number of pas-
sengers. It being necessary to restore the bridges, a sum
of 280/. was deducted from the proceeds of the current
year. The line was now in a superior state of repair and
efficiency. The financial position of the company was
now upon a satisfactory footing. The nett balance avail-
able for dividend was 7901. 10s. 4d., which was equal to
4s. 3d. per share, but the directors recommend that only
3s. per share be paid, and that the balance should be ap-
plied to contingent expenses. The repOrt was unani-
mously agreed to. It was then agreed that a dividend
of 38. per share, payable on the 6th of February, be de-
clared. Mr. Isaac Fletcher was appointed a director in
the room of his father. Mr. Steel then moved that a
the
should be appointed to confer with the direc-
tors of the Whiteha,ven Junction Railway Company, with
a view to procure an amalgamation of the two lines for
the mutual interest of both. The motion was agreed to
and the committee appointed. The meeting separated
after voting thanks to the chairman,
OUR IMPERIAL ARMS.—Scotland having complained
of the shameful treatment of her Kon. in the English
standard, the complaint will, it is iunderstood, be fol-
lowed up by Wales, the English havh ig entirely ignored
the Welsh rabbit.