The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-06 00:00:00

PROPOSED MERCANTILE AND MARITIME

COLLEGE IN LOi%DON.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—May I beg the favour of your inserting the ac-
companying letter, which was sent last year to the whole
of the ninety City Companies. Although most of the
foundations were laid for the promotion and protection
of trade and commerce, and bear the names of special
handicrafts, yet only two or three deigned to answer the
application, and they seemed indisposed to entertain the
subject.

The prominence given to the exposition of the affairs
of the Gresham College before the Royal Commission,
induces the committee of the Mercantile and Maritime
College to hope that this document may be found worthy
of appearing in your columns.--I am, sir, your obedient
servant, FRANCIS BENNOCH,
Chairman of Committee.
77, Wood street, Feb. 4, 1854.

To THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND COURT OF ASSISTANTS

OF THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF -

Gentlemen,—At a public meeting held at the London
Tavern on Tuesday, the 17th of May last, to consider
the desirableness of establishing a Mercantile and Mari-
time College, the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby
presiding, it was resolved,
"That the importance of the city of London as the
focus of the mercantile interests of the Empire, and the
nursery of the largest mercantile marine in the world,
demands that it should possess, amongst its other insti-
tutions, a Mercantile and Maritime College, which may
supply sound and extensive information on all branches
of practical science, and afford the means of acquiring a
knowledge of the principles which govern the various
relations of commerce." And a committee was ap-
pointed to devise the best means of accomplishing this
important object. •
Believing that your worshipful company will take a
deep interest in this project, I am directed to forward to
you the accompanying pamphlet, containing a report of
the proceedings at the meeting, and other information
relative to the subject.

There are reasons for expecting that at the proper
season the assistance of Government will be extended to
such an undertaking, but in the meantime, in order to
secure this and other aid, it is essential to show that
those who are more immediately concerned in the ope-
rations and results of the proposed institution, are pre-
pared to give it their generous support.
To the various wealthy companies of London, the
committee look with great confidence for encouragement
and pecuniary assistance, seeing the primary design of
these corporate foundations was to foster and direct the
trade and commerce of the city. Nor were they unequal
to the task, in an earlier age. But the commerce of
London has now become too vast and complicated for
the machinery of ancient institutions, and their usefulness
is in a great measure necessarilyconfined to providing sup-
port and shelter for the unfortunate. Meanwhile, those
changes which have made London the centre of the world's
commerce,which constrain her merchants and mariners to
prosecute trade upon every sea and every shore, and to con-
tend with the rival exertions of nations as enterprising as
themselves, and sometimes better instructed, have also,
by the prosperity which has been induced, greatly in-
creased the funds at the disposal of these corporate
bodies. Surely, then, it is consistent with the ends for
which their special privileges were granted, and their
rich endowments bestowed, that the new mental
wants required to be developed among the merchants
and trading communities by this advanced and altered
state of things, should become a special object of their
regard ; and that in the new path of obligations laid
before them; they should show forth the spirit of their
ancient institutions by liberal and cordial support.
The Mercantile and Maritime College is designed to
enable our rising merchants to keep pace with the ad-
vancing intelligence of the times, and to elevate the
intellectual character of our mariners. It is an object
acknowledged on all hands to be both desirable and ne-
cessary, and it is not a novel scheme. Nearly three cen-
turies ago an illustrious citizen foresaw the advantages
of such an institution to the trading communities of Lon-
don, and bequeathed his fortune for its establishment. How
it happened that his wise and benevolent intentions were
frustrated, and that the work so provided for remains to
be done, needs no recital here. An attempt is now being
made to remove this long-standing disgrace, and to give
new life and vigour to the idea which Gresham so wisely
originated, by re-establishing the institution which he so
munificently endowed.
To your worshipful court, therefore, the committee
appeal for assistance in what they believe to be a great
national work, and entirely in accordance with the spirit
of your charter of incorporation. As public trustees,
your company cannot be expected to contribute largely
towards preliminary expenses, and it is therefore only in
the event of the ultimate establishment of the Mercan-
tile and Maritime College that your support is solicited.
Should further information be required, a deputation
from the committee will be glad to wait upon you at any
time your worshipful court may be pleased to appoint.
A. subscription list has already been opened, and from
a few members of the committee an amount of about
2,0001., in sums from 501. to 5001. has been promised.—
' have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient ser-
vant,

FRANCIS BENNOCH,
Chairman of the Committee.
Committee Room, Guildhall Coffee-house, June, 1853

REGISTRATION OF QUALIFIED MEDICAL

MEN.

The following is an epiton of a bill for the registra-
tion of qualified practitioners, and for amending the law
relating to the practice of medicine in Great Britain and
Ireland, about to be introduced to Parliament by Mr.
Brady, M.P. It deserves, and will, doubtless, com-
mand support.
Clause 1 directs the appointment by one of her Majesty's
principal Secretaries of State, of three members of the
medical profession, to be called the " Medical Registrar for
England, Ireland, and Scotland," respectively. Also, the
appointment of clerks and other officers. Power to remove
any persons so appointed, and to fill up vacancies by death or
resignation. Salaries to be fixed and allowed by the Lord
High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of the Treasury,
and to bo paid out of moneys to be received by registrars
under the act. _ .

Clause 2. Duties of registrars to be to register names,
addresses, and qualifications of every physician, surgeon,
or apothecary, who shall apply to be registered, and of all
persons who were practising as apothecaries prior to 1815,
on their signing a declaration according to the form in
Schedule A, and also of surgeons in the army, navy, and
East India, Company.
Clause 3. Legally qualified practitioners to deliver be-
tween and in 1855, and every subsequent year,
their degrees, diplomas, or licenses, or a declaration made
before a justice of the peace, setting forth his or their
qualification or qualifications, or such other proof as
shall be satisfactory to the registrar of legal qualification
to practise.
Clause 4. A fee of ss. to be paid to registrar for e eery
registration. Registration to bear date when made ; and if
made in 1854, to be in force until end of 1855. After the
first year, registrars to issue certificates to persons then
register, on payment of 2s. 6d.., and to be according to
form in Schedule B. Certificates to be under seal.
Clause 5. Registrars each to provide a seal ; all certifi-
cates sealed therewith to be evidence of registration. No
certificate to be of any effect unless sealed.
Clause 6. Printed registers (according to Schedule C) to
be published annually, to be called " The Medical Register
for England," " Ireland," and "Scotland," respectively.
Clause 7. Persons whose names, &c., appear in printed
registered to be deemed duly registered under Act. Copies
to be furnished at ls. per copy.
Clause 8. Penalty for procuring by false means the in-
sertion of any name in register—imprisonment for twelve
months with or without hard labour. . _

Clause 9. Penalty for destroying register, certificate,
&c., or forging or counterfeiting same, or the seal of the
office—to be deemed guilty of felony.
Clause 10. Penalty for registrar making false entries—
six months' imprisonment.
Clause 11. Penalty for practising after passing of act
fine of not more than 201., nor less han 5/. ; in default of
payment, imprisonment for not more than six months, nor
less than one.
Clause 12. Powers to registrars to register any person
who shall have omitted to make a return (as provided by
clause 3) upon payment of 205., and proof of omission, or
that he intends commencing practice.
Clause 13. No person to be entitled to recover profes-
sional charges unless registered under act.

THE BRITISH FLEET IN THE BALTIC.—A contract on
behalf of the English Government for coal sufficient for
steamers of the aggregate amount of 11,000 horse-power
has been concluded at Copenhagen.
FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE BOROUGH.—This morning
Mr. W. Payne, the coroner, received information of the
death of Julia Harvey, who was accidentally killed in
theßorough under the following melancholy circumstan-
ces :—lt appears that the unfortunate creature was
crossing the road opposite King's street, Borough, when
the deceased accidentally slipped, when the wheels of the
Merton omnibus passed over the head and spine, crush-
ing them in a most frightful manner. Sh was instantly
picked up by a police constable, and conveyed to Guy's
Hospital, where she was attended by the medical staff,
but death shortly ensued.
RAMSGATE B.ARBOUR.—The commissioners appointed
to inquire into local charges upon shipping at the ports
along the coast met at the Pier-house, Ramsgate, on
Friday. The Chairman (the Hon. Manners Sutton),
assisted by Captain Bethune and Mr. C. Blackburn,
received evidence relative to the harbour of Ramsgate.
It appeared that a duty of ls. per ton, or chaidron, of
coals was imposed in 1785, and that the amount was
increased in 1796 to 25., a drawback being allowed upon
coals reshipped. Captain Martin, the harbourmaster,
made a statement as to the capabilities and utility of
Ramsgate harbour, and the number of vessels which
took refuge there. The clerk to the harbourmaster
stated that there was no toll for vessels entering for
trade or refuge, except passing toll. Captain Nott,
Lloyds' agent at Deal, gave his opinion that there could
be no doubt as to the utility of Ramsgate harbour, and
that it could not, under any circumstances, be done
away with. According to other testimony, the injuries
which had occurred to vessels on coming into the har-
bour were to be traced to the neglect of those on board.
COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS OF PORTUGAL.—By the Lis-
bon mail on Friday an important document was re-
ceived, consisting of a report made by the Commercial
Association of Oporto, at the request of the Portuguese
Government, regarding the present condition of the
country, and the steps that should be adopted for the
development of its resources. It embraces doctrines of
the most complete commercial freedom, and urges the
plantation of ettended vineyards to meet the increased
consumption that might be anticipated if those principles
were carried out. It likewise refers to the public works
of all descriptions that should be undertaken, and charac-
terises the system hitherto pursued as an extraordinary
combination of errors, which have reduced the kingdom
to its present state of inactivity and backwardness. As
the report was framed at the instance of the Ministry, it
is to be presumed they entertain hope of being able to
give practical effect to its recommendations.