The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-02 00:00:00

THE DINNER

of the members and friends of the association took place
at three o'clock ' • Viscount Palmerston in the chair.e
..A.bent eighty sat down to the entertainment, including
the mayor and other influential inhabitants.
After the usual loyal toasts had been gives,
The Noble CHAIRMAN rose and said : I beg to give a
toast which at all times must be dear to the hearts of
Englishmen, but peculiarly so at the present moment—
I mean "The Army and Navy." (Great cheering.)
Many people thought that a long peace had unnerved
the arm of the country, and that we had forgotten the
arts of war by our long acquaintance with the arts of
peace. People, too, imagined that our soldiers, not
having had that exercise and hardy discipline which
are the necessary accompaniments of a long war, were
not equal to the more practised armies of other nations.'
But we have recently lad experience to show that Eng-
lishmen are the same at all times and under all cir-
eumstances—(cheers)—whether by sea or land the sight
of an enemy is sufficient to inspire with courage the
British soldier, and that no
can withstand the
vigour of his onslaught, and wheneverthe enemy is
pointed out to hint, that enemy is sure,
in the shortest
possible space of time, to yield to his attack.
The toast was drunk with all the honours: After
some other healths had been drunk,
The MAYOR (Mr.
Joseph George) proposed "Her
Majesty's Ministers," and congratulated the meeting
upon having as president of that society, and having
among them that evening, one of the most important
as well as the most talented of her Majesty's coma-
eellors.
The toast was most enthusiastically received.
Lord PALMER.STON rose amid great cheering, and said
—ln the name and on behalf of my colleagues and my-
self, I beg to return thanks to you, Mr. Mayor, for the
kind and flattering manner in which you have proposed
the toast, and to you, gentlemen, for the cordial manner
in which you hare received it. I can assure you that
your Worthy mayor has not in any degree whatever over-
rated the desire which animates her Majesty's Govern-
ment to promote to the utmost of their faculties
that system
branch of our °f progressive improvement in every
of every enlightened
system which it must be the object
which it is so gtened statesman to follow out, and
should be fully de greatly fee the interests of the country
however, I can developed. (Cheer's.) In that respect,
present Government foT take credit to her Majesty's
have attended the effortany zeal or success greater than
quarter
s of successive Governments
for now more than
most gratifying
of a century. For it is
a remarkable and
circumstance in the
condition of the
timeTattifYing
the labours, and the , and the previous times
chieflythe attention of -
men and Parliament were
ttcupied in convielofne hand, or the
states-
sive struggles for the retention an
obtaining on the other, of political power, for the last quar-
ter of a cent:ry, and somewhat more,
_th'aer,,aitnmetneetrinboanl of the
Government of the day has been directed toa
and legislative improvement ; and 1.
seconded their efforts, the greatest possible progress hay
been made in everything that concerns the
happiness of the nation. The result has been thraet,and
al-
though we have, within no distant time, had to contend
with great privations from famine in one place, from
scarcity in another, and are now involved in a war
which requires every effort the nation can make, the
greatest loyalty and contentment reign throughout the
length and breadth of the land— that we hear no more
if conspiracies and insurrections, but that the nation
seems animated by one common feeling that Govern-
ment is carried on for the benefit of the whole, and not for
the partial interests of individuals and classes, and that
those who are charged with its administration devote
the best faculties of their nature and the most zealous
attention to do all that is possible to- increase the
eoraforts of the people, and eocuze the preverity of

the nation. (Loud applause.) The present Go- '
vernment, however, has certainly upon its hands a
work of greater responsibility, a work of deeper im-
portance, a work of larger—l trust not insurmountable
—difficulty than has devolved upon any administration
since the closing of the last war. (Hear, hear.) On
this occasion there has been no difference between the
Executive Government and the country, except this—
that the Government clung to the hopes of peace long
after the country had made up its mind that war was
inevitable—(cheers)—but in that respect I think the
country will not find fault with the Government, because
it was clearly the duty of those who were charged with
the fortunes and destinies of a great nation to postpone
to the latest period the dreadful alternative of war. The
country and the Government have both come to the
conviction that it was necessary to draw the sword for '
the purpose of maintaining principles of the utmost im-
portance to the welfare of mankind—for the purpose of
not only supporting the weak against the strong, and
protecting tie commercial and political interests of an
ally, but for supporting the sacred principles of inter-
national
right, which, if violated in one case by a power-
ful Government against a weaker neighbour, would be
drawn into a precedent, and lead to a flood of injustice
which, sooner or later, would have come to our own
doors. (Cheers.) There never was in the history of the
world a more honourable spectacle than that which has
been exhibited by the British nation. We have em-
barked in a war, and are fighting side by side, in honour-
able ambition, with a Power that in former periods we
were only wont to meet hostilely in the field. (Cheers.)
We trust that the new centpanionship, cemented by the
blood shed in action, and confirmed by those laurels
which will be intertwined in victory, will long endure,
and that the two great nations which are at the summit
of civilisation, not only in Europe, but of the whole
world—two nations most worthy of the esteem of each
other—will, as the result of the resolution of the Govern-
ment and the country to engage in this contest, be for
ever bound together in ties of friendship and affection.
(Tremendous cheering.) Anticipating that whatever may
be the difficulties and dangers of the conflict—whether
it may be long or whether it may be short—the result
can be one—that is, that the arms of England and
France, reared in combat for the cause of justice and
truth, for the cause of liberty and national independence,
not seeking conquests far selfish objects, but for those
of the most noble and generous character—l cannot but
feel confident that the result, come when it may, will
be such as will gloriously crown the efforts which the
nation has made, and will place the honour of this coun-
try, will place the character, dignity, and well-being of
this country upon a surer and firmer basis even than
that on which they have hitherto stood—(great applause)
—and when the people shall look back upon the sacri-
fices they have made, they will feel that the result has
fully justified the means that were used, and they will
feel that they have been rewarded by ample success for
all tie exertions which the Government has called upon
them to make. I beg leave to return you my best thanks
for the honour you have done the Government, of which
lam a humble member. The noble chairman resumed
his seat amidst great cheering.
Lord PAIXERSTON again rose and said, you have been
kind enough to drink the toast of the Government of
the country, but we must not forget the government of the
town in which they had new assembled. I believe
.that
that government is as good a specimen of those munici-
pal institutions which fortunately have been developed
of late years in the different towns and cities as any that
can be named. lam quite sure, at all events, there is
no corporation in the kingdom that can boast of a better
mayor than the one we have the happiness to have as
the Mayor of Romsey. (Cheers.) You know him as
well as I do. I have the good fortune of having a good
number of years enjoyed his acquaintance. lam proud
to say his friendship. We are not far from each other
in point of standing—(laughter)—and I lisp we may
for many years enjoy year confidence. (Continued
laughter.) On this festive and social occasion I need say
no more than that you know Mr. George--you love and es-
teTaa him as I do—and you will feel as much pleasure in
drinking his health, as I do in proposing it. The toast
was received with several rounds of cheering, and ac-
knowledged by
The Mayor of ROUSE; who said that it must be
granted that the local governments demanded, certainly
not to the same extent, but an essence of the same judg-
ment, the same activity, and the same probity which
was expected to mark Governments far more exten-
sive.

Mr. T. CHA3IBERLAYNE, after alluding to Lord Pal-
merston as a neighbour, proposed "Long life, health,
and happiness to the noble President of the Labourers'
Encouragement Association."
The toast was duly honoured, and in responding,
Lord PALMERSTON said—l beg to return you my cor-
dial thanks for, I may say, the unexpected honour you
have done me, for I scarcely expected that having been
included in a larger toast, I should have had the honour
of being singled out for the personal compliment now
paid to me. I can assure you that it has afforded me
tie greatest possible gratification to have been asked to
become president of this most useful institution, and it
is also a very sincere pleasure to me, consequent upon
the position in which I have been placed, to find myself
here associates with so many of my neighbours in this
part of the country. I feel particularly gratified in being
the president of this institution, for I think it is not only
one of the greatest usefulness and importance in itself,
but it is also remarkable as being in its nature a symp-
tom of the great progress of civilisation. Tn former. and
in less civths..l times of the world, mankind were to be
governed entirely by (punishment. The only idea that
man had, from the highest to the lowest, en general go-
vernment, or local or social order—the only idea men
had was to punish fcr offences. Good conduct was con-
sidered to be, like virtue, its own reward ; and the only
thing men had to study was to avoid coming under the
lash. Now, it is the greatest possible improvement in
political and moral science to find that, most especially
in this kingdom—more so than in any others—men
have turned their thoughts to a different method of
swaying human actions. It is a discovery, I may say,
of later times, that it is more easy to govern men by en-
couragement and reward than by fear and punishment ;
and that great principle of modern philosophy is the
foundation of the institution of which I have the honour
to be the president. I hail it not only from the advan-
tages locally sure to follow from it, but as one of the nu-
merous indications of the great march of human under-
standing, the great spread of practical philosophy, and
in one instance among many others that.we are now,
from the diffusion of enlightenment through every class
of the country, hitting upon the true means of obtaining
an influence over tie conduct of men, of touching the,
heart, and of holding out inducements which kindness
and rewards offer, and instead of occupying ourselves as
our ancestors used to do, in driving, we are at last en-
deavouring to govern the people y leading. As I am
on my legs, and adverting to this institution, perhaps
yon will allow me to remark that no institution of any
sort or kind, no association, can do without a secretary.
The Government cannot de without a secretary—we
have now four Secretaries of State. (Laughter.) This
institution could not go on without a secretary, and we
have the good fortune of having a most excellent,
worthy, intelligent, and zealous secretary, in whose
hands I am sure all that detail of business which a secre-
tary has to transact will be most ably and zealously
conducted. I beg to propose "The health of Mr.
Lordan." (Cheers.)
Mr. C. L. LORDAN, in a neat speech, acknowledged
the compliment, and remarked that he had abundant
encouragement in the spectacle which they had that day
witnessed, and that he had a sanguine hope that much
good would be accomplished. He expressed his regret
that Sir John Barker Mill was prevented by illness from
being present amongst them, and after making some
appropriate observations relative to the state of agricul-
ture generally, thanked the merchants and traders of
Ronasey, and the farmers in the district, who, with but
only one exception, had contributed towards the funds
of the association, which, if persevered in, would, he
felt satisfied, produce its own reward in the improved
minds and morals, the sharpened faculties, and the
strengthened attachment of the labourers who lived
about them. (Cheers.)
Lord PALMERSTON said—l wish to propose a toast
which was suggested naturally by those excellent ob-
servations which have fallen from the secretary, and
that is " Prosperity to Agriculture." (Cheers.) In
proposing that toast I need not remind you that agri-
culture has altogether altered of late years its essential
character. It used in former times to be a mere practice,
a sort of rule of thumb, and a man did what his father,
and grandfather, and great grandfather did before him.
Ask hint why he did it, and he said his father did it. But
tell him it ruined his father, and he was a poor man all tho
days of his life, and the answer was, "But he did it,
and Ido it." Question them about science, and they
knew no more of it than whether the moon was made of
green cheese. (Laughter.) Of late years agriculture
has, by the general diffusion of knowledge, been ele-
vated into a respectable science, and no man can be a
good farmer who is not to a considerable extent also a
good chemist—who does not know something of mecha-
nics, has not a great deal of general knowledge, and does
net read those practical works which come out on the
art. I should presume all good farmers took in the
Journal of the Royal Agricultural Association, which
contains the most valealle information as to experiments
made, results arrived at, methods to be pursued, imo,.
ments to be used—all those matters which bring about
the welfare and success of industry. Farmers have
learned that land is not the better for being full of weeds ;
Thoughou sht the
though it may please the eye, and although it may be
delightful and picturesque to view in the turnip-field a
mixture of yellow and green, it by no means tends to
fill the pockets of the farmer. (Cheers.)
sportsmen revel in thick and green stubble,otso productive
though
affords a shelter for the partridge, it is not
to the granary as if it had been kept clean. All these
things are now almost universally thesttudsyt
that of
aitnttehle-
ligent and enlightened farmers,
few exceptions one sees throughout the country to
will now from day to day more
anddif-
ferent this progressive advance will every year didmimniosrhe. Far-
mersstudy
science of their profession, will unerstand how
ifnerwenetiohthey
processesure cooongtargibend, and will find that the soil,te to the successful pursuit
tu
wliao:zhfoit r
bcannot e
expansion
nisnicorne aosfe di
tien
y
u
annually in the amount of its productions by the irn-
proved methods of cultivation. (Cheers.) tegrruiatnortyitT'wbiellcai:esreeaths:
Nothing is
mere demonstrable than that by attentive cultivation
and scientific processes—by draining and better manur-
iag—you may very much increase, and farmers have
very much increased, the amount of produce to be de-
rived from any given surface of soil. Therefore, anti-
cipating that agriculture is in a state of progression,
that the improvements made will be surpassed from
year to year by improvements which are to come, I beg
taosuporcoepoise
to .A.grieulture." (Cheers.)
, as a matter of common interest to all,
Dr. TAYLoa proposed
of the neighbourhood of Romeey, who
of Health of Miss Nightin-
:gale," .a native.
44 gon, oat se a aurae to attend the eisk and eiguaded

soldiers in the East, recommending for consideration, as
entitled to some reward, the case of the servant who
accompanied her, a young woman who had refused an
available offer of marriage because her father and mo-
ther required her assistance, and had now left behind
her her little savings in trust for their benefit during her
absence.

The toast was duly acknowledged, and Lord Pal-
merston, having vacated the chair, was succeeded by
Mr. John Allsop, when several other toasts were given,
and the harmony of the meeting was kept up till a late
hour.

THE LIVERPOOL FAILURES.

(Front the Bankers' Magazine.)

Liverpool has been frightened from its propriety by
a series of failures comparable only with those which oc-
curred in the panic period seven years since. The alarm
occasioned has consequently produced a deep influence
upon credit, and the public have watched with some
anxiety the progress of the investigation into the several
estates. Although the whole of the statements have
not been submitted to general scrutiny, sufficient of their
contents has transpired to furnish an insight into the
causes which have led to these ruinous results, and to
show that the system upon which operations have been
based is one that could scarcely have terminated in any
other way. Painful as this reflection is, it is clear that
shocks such as those recently witnessed will periodically
recur, until merchants and traders of all grades shall
have been brought to a conviction of the necessity of
keeping their transactions without prudent limits, and
of avoiding one of the greatest temptations in com-
mercial enterprise the circulation of accommodation
paper.

It is at all times an uzgracious task to allude to diffi-
culties in commercial circles, particularly when created
by a disruption of political affairs, or circumstances in-
volving a depression in an especial branch of business ;
but the suspensions which have latterly taken place, and
to which reference is directly intended, cannot be said
to have followed from antecedents of this description,
but, on the contrary, from excessive individual specu-
lation, without adequate capital to support its re-
sponsibilities. Now, this is a bold assertion, and it
will be probably met by the rejoinder, that it is all
very well to jump to this conclusion on ascertaining
the disastrous consequences of the adventures these
several parties have engaged in ; but, unquali-
fied as it may appear, it is nevertheless true ; and the
system on which business is known to have been con-
ducted should have been accepted as a warning, and pre-
vented that free facility for assistance which is stated to
have been rendered to these houses far beyond the date
they were entitled to receive it. If any evidence were
required of the instability of the foundation upon which
this kind of credit has been supported, it is to be found
in the very fact that the first pinch, not to say pres-
sure —for that is a term many sensitive people will ob-
ject to—has terminated its vitality.
' -Unreasonable it would be, indeed, to suppose that
trading relations, however lucrative, could be carried
out unaccompanied by the intervention of bills or ether
auxiliaries of accommodation which a legitimate sphere
of commerce presents. But the fatal acquiescence in,
and extension of, the measure to which these facilities
have been granted form the ground of condemnation in
the estimation of those whose prudence would have in-
duced then to stop far short of the limit allowed accord-
ing to the use of Liverpool activity. A free exercise of
credit, with undoubted resources to meet the liabilities
currently entailed in a mercantile career, whether
through the agency of banks or the recognised channels
of discount brokers, is .not a question which any one
would for an instant dare dispute ; and the more encou-
raging the success of the merchant or the trader, the
greater is his title to respect and consideration in the
financial operations which he may be desirous of com-
pleting. Confidence begotten in this manner cannot be
too well repaid by the assistance essential to maintain
a large and increasing business ; yet, when it is perceived
that the operations which were once confined to what
may be properly designated wholesome and legitimate
mercantile contracts suddenly enlarge and assume a wild
and uncertain range, it is not only a duty which the
banker or broker owes to himself, but also to his custo-
mers, to step in and protect their mutual interests, even
at a risk of diverting temporary profits.
Every one who has had the least experience in com-
mercial affairs will readily appreciate the desirableness
of establishing checks upon speculation in its early
stages, since subsequently it is more difficult to arrest,
especially when the ramified channels of trade give in-
creased
life and power to its progress. The system
adopted in the cases now under notice presents, in an
unmistakeable manner, the success which, through this
medium, has for a time attended the inflation of a paper
circulation ; but it has been followed by the melancholy
spectacle of all the firms known to have been intimately
associated with it relying upon each other for support,
and of the whole of them endeavouring to shift the
odium to more capacious shoulders, by declaring them-
selves to having been " more sinned against than
sinning."
Allowable as the excuse may be in connection with
some of the smaller firms which have thus paid the
penalty of their imprudence, it cannot be advanced in
favour of those originating the movement. Sanguine as
the expectations of returns may have been—enormous
as, it is alleged, the result of previous speculations had
proved—it was not compatible with the dignity of their
position, or with the safety of the branch of business
they represented, to launch recklessly Into a system
of bill accommodation which it was scarcely to be
hoped could ever prosper. It was to have been anti-
cipated that the wide-spread distress succeeding the
collapse of 1847-8, and the evils then resulting from an
extensive abuse of confidence, would, wile stimulating
the exercise of greater caution on the part of the mer-
chant, have likewise induced his financial supporter to
watch with extraordinary vigilance any deviation from a
regular course. But this does not appear to have been
the case. In fact and circumstances the objectionable
phases of the old story are revived—reputed wealth, un-
paralleled resources, and inordinate credit. With these
in full command, so long as the current of business is
smooth and the rate of money is easy, the paper floats
unharmed by suspicion. It is only when a reverse takes
place, and accommodation, which was before freely
available, becomes restricted, that these pretensions are
discovered to have been largely exaggerated, and the
bubble of course bursts, much to the dismay aid discom-
fiture of those implicated. Unfortunate as their position
undoubtedly is, the majority interested have themselves
principally to blame, since, although mercantile suspen-
sions are always to be lamented, the perpetuation of
Bitch a system of trading is greatly to be reprobated.
This made of transacting business, indicative as it is
of recklessness and an entire absence of forethought, is
apparently borrowed from America, where a failure
seems to be a secondary consideration, provided there is
a chance of again entering into the grand arena of spe-
culation. Springing from this vicious principle, an un-
limited employment of paper credit has always, more
or less, distinguished the trading operations of our
transatlantic neighbours ; and, strenuous as the efforts
have been to correct the evil, it continues to be
largely exhibited whenever a partial pressure ensues.
It is to be hoped that any section of the mercan-
tile
classes of England are not emulous of imitating,
in its worst features, this special description of
financiering ' ability, though, from what has recently
occurred, not only in Liverpool, but also in London, an
impression might be formed that advantage has been
taken of the experience already acquired. The severe
losses which these failures have entailed will, in all pro-
bability, operate for the present as a check to an exten-
sion of the system ; but this is not sufficient, and a de-
termined endeavour should be made wholly to eradicate
it. Whatever may be the nature of the competition for
banking facilities, either in the provinces or the metro-
polis, self-interest and protection should induce co-ope-
ration among those primarily concerned to root out and
destroy any organised arrangement which savours of
accommodation or an undue expansion of liabilities.
Besides saving a vast amount of obloquy, it will, in the
long run, produce the largest proportion of legitimate
profit. __ _

A useful lesson is famished in considering this ques-
tion, with regard to the operation of the Bank Charter
Act. Although that law is not without its defects,
some of which it may reasonably be anticipated will, at
no distant date, be remedied, how vociferous would have
been the eutcry against its working if these failures had
taken place in the midst of a general panic! Instead
of being attributed, as they are properly now, to their
true causes—viz., excessive speculation and over-trading
—they would, according to the theories of the currency
doctors, have been produced by the stringency of the act
and its concurrent consequences. As it is, however,
they come before the public in an almost isolated posi-
tion, and must therefore stand the brunt of inquiry on
their separate merits.

THE LATE GENERAL TYLIAN.—The following is a
notice of the services of the late Brigadier-General Tyl-
den, of the Royal Engineers, whose death was announced
in recent accounts from the army in the Crimea. His
commissions aro dated—Second lieutenant of the Royal
Engineers, 6th November, 1806 ; first lieutenant 1807,
second captain 1812, brevet major 1814, first captcaptain
1824, lieutenant-colonel 1837, colonel 1850, brigadier-
general 1854. He was serving at Gibraltar from 1808
to 1811, and in the Mediterranean from IEII to 1314.
Daring this time he was commanding royal engineer at
the siege and capture of Fort Santa Maria, in the Gulf
of Spezzia, the 29th of March, 1814 ; and commanding
royal engineer and military secretary to the commander-
in-chief on that station, Lord William Bentick, at
the capture of Genoa, 19th April, 1814, for t which,
on the recommendation of Lord William Bentinck,
he was made brevet-major. From 1814 to 1818 he
was in the Netherlands, and with the army of occu-
pation in France. in the Netherlands he organised
and commanded a force of 80 pontoons attached to the
army, and was with them at the capture of Paris, 1815.
From 1822 to 1823 he was second in command of the
Royal Engineers: at Gibraltar. From 1330 to 1836 he
was commanding, Royal Engineer at Bermuda. From
IS4O to 1844, commanding 'Royal Engineer at Malta.
In June, 1850, he went to Corfu in the same situation,
whence he went, in February, 1854, in command of the
Royal Engineers attachei to the army employed in the
East, with the rank of brigadier-general, where he was
unceasingly employed, and was chiefly instrumental in
saving Varna from destruction during the fire by pro-
tecting two large powder magazines with wet blankets,
when the fire had reached within thirty yards of
them. He was with Lord Raglan through the
whole of the battle of the Alma, and was most
honourably mentioned by him in his despatches. The
day after he was attacked by cholera, and fell a mar-
tvr to that terrrible disease on the night of the 22d of
September. During the intervals of foreign service he
was also employed as second in command of the Royal
Engineers at Portsmouth, and Cgrarmanding Royal Ea•
gi3eer 1t iL arlfiCh Ohlali DOM

THE METROPOLITAN BRIDGES.

The report of the committee appointed last session to
inquire into the state of the metropolitan bridges has re-
cently been printed, together with the evidence taken
before them. The committee confine themselves to %re-
commending that the experimeht should be made of en-
deavouring to meet the increased traffic of the metropolis
by throwing open the present toll bridges, if they can
be obtained on reasonable terms ; but they also intimate
an opinion that it will ultimately be necessary to build
at least two new bridges—at St. Paul's and Charing-
cross. Many gentlemen of considerable eminence in
various departments, but principally engineers and
architects, were examined before the committee, and
though frequently differing in minor points of detail,
all concurred in the opinion that the present bridge ac-
commodation is wretchedly insufficient, and that vigor-
ous measures ought at once to be taken to remedy their
inadequacy. Of course, almost every witness had his
own peculiar plan for effecting this object, but,
speaking generally, the plans laid before the com-
mittee may be said to divide themselves into pro-
portions for laying open the present toll bridges, or
for building new bridges at various points. London
and Westminster seem to be the two thoroughfares which
most require relief, and it is on these two points that
the various plans proposed are brought to bear. All the
witnesses concur in the necessity of throwing open South-
wark-bridge, and, according to the evidence of Mr.
Brand, controller of the Bridge-house estates, negotia-
tions have long ago been entered into by the corporation
with the Southwark-bridge Company for that purpose.
The price asked by the company was 300,0001. ; but,
considering that for the 11 years previous the average
annual amount of the net dividends of the bridge com-
pany was about 2,2701., which at 30 years' purchase
would have made the price of the bridge 68,0001., and
at 40 years purchase 91,000/., this estimate was consi-
dered too high, and the negotiation dropped. Last year
it was renewed, but the same price-300,000/.—was still
persisted in, and an intimation was held out that unless
that sum was immediately given, in all probability a
for this valuation of their property was,
larger price would be asked. The only basis given by
the company
that that was the sum which had been offered for the
bridge by the North Kent Railway, at the time when it
was contemplated to bring that railway over the river
into the city. It must be borne is mind that, in addition
to the purchase-money, a large sum—estimated by one
witness at 150,000/.—would have to be expended in
widening the approaches to the bridge. The proposition
of Mr. Bennoch is to build a new bridge across
the river from St. Paul's. He would build it 60 feet
wide, of stone, with wrought iron girders, at a cost,
including construction, approaches, and the whole
cost of the land from St. Paul's to the level of
Union-street, of not more than 500,0001. London-
bridge, it maybe remembered, cost 2,566,2681., including
the expense of removing old London-bridge. Mr. Ben-
noch has also thrown out a suggestion that there should
be a system of steam ferry-boats organ sed, to ply from
about the lower end of the Tower, which, he calculates,
would relieve London-bridge of about cue-eighth of the
present traffic. A proposition for wilening London-
bridge, by projecting an iron footway ever the sides of
the bridge, so as to throw open the entre solid part of
the bridge to carriage traffic, was also laid before the
committee by Mr. Bunning, the architect to the cor-
poration. This would increase the roalway by 20 feet,
and would cost about 36,0001. The p'oject had been
laid before the Bridge Committee, and had been re•
ferred by them to Sir John Rennie, Ihe architect of
the bridge, for his consideration. M.. Bunning ad-
mitted that, whatever might be the utlity of his plan,
it certainly would not improve the appearance of
the bridge, and hence his very proper anxiety that Sir
J. Rennie should be consulted. Mr. Paste would build'
a new iron suspensien-bridge below the eo wer, crossing
the river at Irongate stairs, where the river is 840 feet
broad, of such a height as not to interfere with the navi-
gation of the Pool. The width of the n'idge would be
about 50 feet, its span 800 feet, and the cost, including
approaches, something less than 450,0001. The great
merit of a bridge in this position would )e, that it would
relieve London-bridge of that immense amount of traffic
which flows from the east, and for wlich at present it
is the only outlet. It was with this olject in view that
Mr. Brunel was examined as to the pmsibility of com-
pleting the Thames Tunnel so as to bring it into use fur
heavy traffic. In his opinion all that isnecessary for this
purpose is to complete the approaches which would in-
volve an expenditure of about 150,0)01. The tunnel
would then be available for all kinds of traffic, except
quick traffic, and would probably relieve London-bridge
to a great extent. If Waterloo-bridge were thrown open
it would be necessary, in order to relieve London-bridge,
to open an improved communication /corn the Waterloo-
road to Union-street ; indeed, all the witnesses concur
in the expediency of making a broad, straight line
of road all the way from the Surrey side of West-
minster-bridge to London-bridge, which, more particu-
larly if a new bridge were built at Caariag-cross, would
be the direct line to the London-bridge railways for the
west-end traffic, which nov helps to block up Fleet-
street, Ciaeapside, and London-bridge. Now that it has
been determined to rebuild Westminster-bridge, the
question of the west-end bridge doss not seem of such
pressing importance, but most of the witnesses who gave
evidence on this point expressed a qrong opinion that a
single new bridge will not be suficient for the traffic
which now flows over the river at this point. Instead
of one, Mr. M'Lean would have luilt two new bridges
ounseeaBt.T hil.ariimerconsts ane:la
tnhoet h
ea
aa to
of Great
south
ci
College-
street. street. A bridge at Charing-cross, 'his gentleman thinks,
would be of greater utility than opining Waterloo-bridge.
Mr. Page would build two new fridges, besides West-
, minster-bridge—one at Charingcross and another at
the Horseferry—nor does he thins that the three would
be more than are required by the traffic. Mr. M'Lean's
estimate for the two bridges u 1,500,0001., including
approaches. Mr. Page mentions 250,0001. as kis esti-
mate of the actual cost of the bidges, exclusive of ap-
proaches. Every one who has lusiness at Westminster-
hall must have experienced the difficulty of crossing
Bridge-streeb at the point where the Pimlico, Great
Georgs-street, and Parliament-street traffics unite, and
there can be no doubt that any plan which would sepa-
rate these lines would be a great metropolitan improve-
ment. Waterloo-bridge, if thrown open, would no doubt
be of great service in this way by absorbing the traffic
from the west-end to the Elephant and Castle, but, as was
pointed out by several witnesses, the traffic subtracted
from Westminster-bridge would greatly overcrowd the
west Strand. The plan for widening Hungerford-bridge,
so as to admit of carriage traffic, is also to a slight extent
open to this objection, and it would seem as though the
difficulty could oily be got over by a new bridge at Char-
ing-cross. It hag often been spoken of as a radical mis-
take on the part of the promoters of Hungerford-bridge
to have confined it to a foot bridge in the first instance ;
but Mr. Few, the chairman of the company, laid before
the committee a plan for converting the bridge into a
carriage
onway at tl.e cost of 156,0001., including new ap-
proaches each side. By this improvement the com-
pany calculate they would greatly relieve Westminster-
bridge,
and, in addition to the South-Western Railway
traffic, would, in she event of a direct line of road being
opened along the ,i.irrey side of the river from Westmins-
ter-bridge-road to Biackman-street, attract much of the
light traffic from the west-end to the London-bridge
railways. Mr. Bal.!, the engineer to the company, spoke
in the most confident manner of the capabilities of the
bridge for carrying the increased traffic. With regard
to the bridge proposed to be built for the accommodation
of Pimlico, below the Houses of Parliament, it was
allowed that if Vauxhall-bridge were thrown open there
would not be so mich need of this ; but, as Vauxhall-
bridge pays better ;has any other of the toll bridges,
Mr. Page thought is would cost as much to buy it as
to build a now bridge. Among other designs for
relieving the bridges and thoroughfares of London
submitted to the committee, we must not omit to
mention that of Mr. Pym, who proposes to build
about eight and a half miles of tabular superway, some-
what similar to the Britannia tubular bridge, running
first from the South-Eastern Railway station to the
Blackwall and Eastern Counties stations ; from the
Blackwall station tc Charing-cross, by way of St.
Paul's ; and from the Eastern Counties to Tottenham-
court-road, by way of Holborn. The South. Eastern
and the South-Western railways would be joined by a
line which would run on to Westminster, and there
would be junctions connecting the east and west lines,
as well as ,branch lines to the Elephant and Castle, to
the Angel, Islington, to Euston-square, King's-cross,
Whiteclaapel, Lambeth, and to such other points in the
principal thoroughfares as might be found desirable.
The tubes would be wide enough for a double line of
railway, and to be carried on columns of masonry in the
rear of the princpal streets, sufficiently high to pass
over the tops of the buildings in the streets below.
Trains to be passng along the lines without intermis-
sion, and to consist of first and second-class carriages,
with fares 3d. an{ ld. for all distances. There would
be stations at at the junctions and all the principal
cross-streets, and passengers would be raised and
lowered in chambers by the aid of machinery. The cost
of such a superway Mr. Pym states at 500,000/, per
mile, and ho calculates that when in work it would
yield 1,4581. per day, or 10,2061. per week. Opinions
were very much divided as to the relative economy of
purchasing the all bridges and building new ones, as
well as to the easiast mode of raising money for either
purpose. The general idea seemed to he that the
Government and tae local rates should each contribute a
share, but there was some difference as to the area over
which the rates should extend. One witness expressed
a very confident opinion that if Government depart-
ments would refrain from interfering, private capital
would very soon build all the new bridges that are re-
quired, and that if proper economy ware exercised the
speculations would be paying ones.

THE GREAT WESTERN'S EXTENSION TO THE NORTH.--
The opening of the Wolverhampton, Dudley, and Bir-
mingham Railway is fixed for Friday, the 10th instant,
after which time the Great Western Company will have
a continuous through connection between London and
the Mersey, via the Shrewsbury and Birmingham and
Shrewsbury ann Chester Railways.
[ADVERTISEMENT.] —SUPPLEMENT GRATIS WITH THE
DISPATCH.—.AS the intelligence received from the Allied
Army, the unexampled interest of which it would be
useless to dwell upon, is greater in quantity than the
ordinary limits of the largest newspaper can be made to
contain, the proprietors of the Weekly Dispatch intend
to present a Series of Supplements, so as to include all
the details up to the final decision of the contest at
Sebastopol ; and will do so when needful in any future
period of the campaign. The highly interesting and im-
portant news of the present week will require much space;
for which reason a Supplement will be presente (gratis)
to each purchaser of the Dispatch, on Sunda', next,
November sth. Orders are requested to be forwarded
as early as possible to all news agents in town anr. 7oun.
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Latin;

LAW INTELLIGENCE--Nov. I.

CITY SHERIFFS' COURT.

DAVIES V. EVANS AND ANOTHER.-LOAN DIVOSITORS

AND SHAREHOLDERS.

This was an action brought by the plaintiff, originally
a depositor in the Globe Loan and Discount Association,
No. 2, Widegate-street, Bishopsgate, now defunct,
against the defendants, two of the directors of the asso-
ciation, to recover the sum of 481., the amount alleged
to have been deposited by him with the association,
upon condition that his principal was secured, and that
he should receive interest at the rate of 61. per cent.
upon the amount so deposited.
Mr. Buchanan appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr.
Robinson, the barrister, for the defendants.
The fact of the plaintiff having deposited with the as-
sociation in the year 1847 was not disputed, but the
defence was, that about the year after the deposit the
plaintiff consented to become a shareholder, receiving
interest proportionately to the profits of the association,
which, it was stated, he had done up to the time of the
concern stopping, the plaintiff admitting, in answer to
questions from the learned judge, that the interest ♦aried
from time to time, but he did not know the reason.
When the plaintiff became a depositor he received a book
containing the amounts, which was afterwards marked
by the secretary, Reece, one of the defendants, as a
share book, the excuse being for doing so that at the
time the association had not got a shareholder's book by
them. The plaintiff, however, repudiated that he ever
consented to be or had acted as a shareholder.
The evidence on both sides was very contradictory.
The Learned Judge having looked through the books
of the association, which he said had been most care-
lessly kept, decided that he must upon the evidence of
plaintiff himself come to the conclusion that he was a
shareholder, and give judgment for the defendants.
Mr. Buchanan then asked if the Judge would, under
the 47th section of the act, go into an account between
the plaintiff and the defendants.
11r. Robinson objected.
The Learned Judge said that must be made the mat-
ter of another application.