The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-11 00:00:00

NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE

ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

The 15th annual meeting of this society was held yes-
terday afternoon, at the London Tavern— E. S. Symes,
Esq., M.D., the chairman, presiding. Mr. Woolhouse,
the actuary, read the notice of meeting.
The statement of accounts and the report of the audi-
tors having been read by Mr. Bennett, the financial
manager,

Mr. WOOLHOUSE, the actuary, read his annual report
on the affairs of the association. We give the document
in extenso :

" Gentlemen,—The various calculations beinc, now com-
pleted, I have to lay before you the results of annual
investigation of the affairs of the National Loan Fund
Life Assurance Society ; and it is satisfactory to observe
that, independently of my individual opinion, amply con-
firmed by official experience, the improved position of the
finances of the Society exhibits a sufficient indication of
the merits of the present management. During the past
year 1,194 policies have been issued, covering- assurances to
the extent of 430,6221., and yielding premiums to the
amount of 13,4811. Bs. sd. per annum. The claims paid
during the year amount to 21,6661. 125.—the expected
claims, according to the table of mortality adopted by the
society, being 30,2451. The total claims pail from the
commencement of the society to the end of the year amount
to 219,0461. 4s. 3d., being 15,6601. less than the expecta-
tion. The income of the society arising from premiums on
policies is now 79,7271. 16s. 7d. per annum, exclusive of
extra premiums and income from other sources, and the
corresponding amount of assurances is 2,444,1641. The
position of the affairs of the society, calculated up to Ist
December, 1853, stands thus :
Present value of income from annual
premiums 1'1,079,7281G 7
Amount of investments as per auditor's
report
140,621 19 0
•

£1,220,35015 7

Present value of liabili-
ties on assurances,
annuities, Sm., in-
chiding current
claims £1,096,236 6 10
Paid-up capital
Bonus on shares unpaid 384 8 2
- 1,147,447 5 0

Balance in favour of the society, after
payment of all claims

" From this balance I would recommend that the sum
of 63,7881. 3s. 10d. be reserved for future profits, and the
remainder will enable you to declare to non-withdrawal
policies, on the profit scale, a cash bonus of 15 per cent.,
and reversionary bonus in addition to the sums assured,
varying, according to age and duration, from 20 to 64 per
cent. on the premiums of all policies on the profit scale,
the same being upwards of four years' standing ; and to
the proprietors a bonus of 3 per cent. in addition to the
regular interest of 5 per cent.—l am, gentlemen, your very
obedient servant,
" W. S. B. WOOLHOUSE, Actuary."
The report of the directors, which was read by Mr.
Starr, managing director, is as follows :
"The directors have peculiar plea3ure in meeting the
proprietors on this their fifteenth annual general meeting,
inasmuch as they are enabled to submit to them a report
for the past year showing a state of prosperity unprece-
dented in the history of the institution.

" Well-established system, order, and regularity charac-
terise the conduct of the company's affairs both at home
and at all its wide-spread and important branches ; and
the revenue for the year being larger than that of any
former corresponding period, your directors abstain front
doing more than to point to this fact as incontestible
evidence of the prosperity which they have referred to.
"The above report of the actuary shows that after pro-
viding fully for all liabilities under existing policies on
life and annuities, deducting the total amount of paid-up
capital, and reserving the sum of 63,788/. 3s. 10d. for future
profits, we are enabled to recommend to you to add a
bonus of 3 per cent. for the year to the holders of stock,
in addition to the regular interest of 5 per cent.; and to
grant to holders of policies on the profit scale (except those
under the withdrawal' table) a cash bonus of 15 per cent.
for the past year. Thus, a policy taken out in 1848 (on
which the first bonus was declared last year) will be en-
titled this year to 15 per cent, in cash on the current an-
nual premium ; and a policy taken out in 1819 will this
year be entitled to a first bonus of 60 per cent. in cash on
the current year's premium.
" The first bonus is declared after a party has been as-
sured five years, and thereafter annually. In most of the
life assurance companies the bonus is awarded only every
five or seven years.
" The dontingent reversionary bonus, applicable to all
policies of upwards of four years' standing (taken out on
the profit scale), will vary from 20 to 64 per cent., accord-
ing to age and duration.

The cash bonus on policies this year, recommended by
the actuary, is 50 per cent. in excess of that granted last
year.

- "It is most satisfactory to your directors to report that
at all our important branches the business of the company
is well sustained and admirably managed.
" Since the last annual meeting local boards have been
_ . . ...

formed in Dublin and in Brussels, composed of the moat
leading and influential men of those capitals, for which we
are indebted to the care and attention of T. C. Grattan,
Esq., who devoted some time in those cities in carrying
out the important objects of the mission intrusted to hira ;
and that thence also we look forwanl to a safe and care-
fully-managed business at a very moderate cost. The suc-
cess which has attended our Continental agencies induces
the directors to hope that, ere long, they may be able to
establish blanches both in Germany and Holland.
" It will be the business of the present meeting to elect
seven directors in lieu of Archd. Campbell Barclay, Esq.,
Charles Bennett, Esq., Hugh Croft. Esq., T. C. Grattan,
Esq., John Moss, Esq., Thomas Nichol, Esq., and J. Lean-
der Starr, Esq., whose period of office expires, but who are
eligible to be re-elected, and offer themselves accordingly.
" Also, to elect two auditors in lieu of Professor Wheat-
stone, F.R.S., and Thomas Williams, Esq., whose term of
office expires.
"Professor Wheatstone is eligible to bs re-elected, and
offers himself accordingly; and Professor John Radford
Young has been duly proposed as a candidate for the se-
cond auditorship in lieu of Thomas Williams, Esq., with-
drawn. _

" EDMOND S. SYMES, Chairman.
" 26, Cornhill, 10th May, 1854."

The CHAIRMAN said, if the old adage were true that good
wine needed no bush, it would be unnecessary for him to
make any general remarks upon the report which had just
been presented to the meeting, and which he claimed to be a
good report, inasmuch as it showed that the affairs of
the society were in a sound and prosperous state. He
might, however, be permitted to allude to one or two
points which seemed to him worthy of consideration.
In the first place, as to the gross revenue of the society.
That was larger now than it had ever been before. It
might, perhaps, be said that it was naturally to be ex-
pected
that as the society became older the income
should increase, but this was by no means the case
in all vld assurance companies, (Hear, hear.) Let
however, pass. What showed the active
progression of the society was the new business which
had been obtained during the year. This amounted to
no less a sum, including immediate and deferred an-
nuities, than 27,2291., which was far larger than
the new business received in any year of the society's
existence, and made up their total gross income to some-
thing over 93,000/. (Hear, hear.) If it were a good
thing to obtain business, the next best thing was to
keep it ; and if they looked at the amount of which they
had been deprived in the year by deaths, by the expira-
tion of short term policies, and other circumstances, they
would find that the deficiency scarcely exceeded 3,0001.
The shareholders were quite aware that in many socie-
ties it was the custom to send out touters, and to make
great efforts to obtain new business—in fact, to pull men
by force, as it were, into their offices. The consequence
was that very often parties did not keep up their policies,
and though in one year a great show of business might
be made, in the following year so many policy holders
dropped off, that the actual increase of business secured
in, the way he had described was very small indeed.
The meeting he was sure would agree with him that 3,0001.
was an extremely trifling sum to be deducted from so great
an increase as 27,0001. The next subject of congratula-
tion was that the extent of mortality during the year
was 33 per cent, less than the expected average. (Hear,
hear.) This showed the care which had been taken in
the selection of lives. When they came to pass
over a large number of years, it was not unlikely
_u
that the estimated average would be kept up, bt
that was, of course, provided for by the actuleary; and,un
t
whenever they were called upon for a considerable s
) b
,
ut
they would be ready and happy to pay it.—(
in the meantime he could not refrain from adverting to
the very satisfactory position in which the society was
in this respect. He was glad to find that their able
actuary, in whom he need not say the directors placed
the utmost confidence, recommended the large bonus
which was mentioned in the report. Large as this
bonus was, he would remind the shareholders that if, as
in most offices, the profits were divided only once in
five or seven years, they might make an appearance of a
much larger dividend upon a far inferior amount ;
but' fig that case those policies which should have
dropped in the intervening period, would be de-
prived of all share in the profits, so that it was a
kind of lottery with them ; and he need hardly ob-
serve how much fairer it was towards the assured to
let every one participate in the profits by means
of an annual distribution. Another subject descry-
ing consideration was the outstanding accounts of
agents' balances. It would be seen that instead of the
ainJunt outstanding in respect of these balances being
as formerly some 20,0001., it was now under 8,0001., or
about one month's premium. (Hear.) The returns
of their agents were made now once a month, so that
they never had more than a month's premium in hand.
There was only one other point he would refer to, and
that had engaged the anxious consideration of the direc-
tors--viz., the current expenses of the society. They
were very desirous of bringing down those expenses as
much as possible, and it would be seen, looking at the
present income, and that of former years, that these ex-
penses were, comparatively speaking, very much dimi-
nished. In 1851 the revenue was 72,1751., and
the expenditure 22,5771. ; in 1552 the expenses
rather diminished, while the inc me increased.
The income was, then, 87,1021., and the expenditure
21,2771. In the present year a very great increase had
taken place in the income, which was 93,673/., while
the expenditure was no more than 22,8301. It therefore
appeared that though in two years the society's income
had been augmented by 26,5091. the increase in the ex-
penditure was only 2651., including commissions, which
of course increased with the amount of revenue. The direc-
tors had endeavoured to make the report as concise and

plain as possible, but before submitting it for the aoeeptie
ante or otherwise of the meeting, they were most anxious
referenceto afford tthoehainformation
reh oi d
eurpmo an y which might
tbe point
desirouswitohf
fullest
ys
being enlightened. (Hear, bear.)
Several queries were then put in regard to various
items in the accounts, which were satisfactorily explained
by Mr. Bennett, and some suggestions were made for im-
provements in the form of the printed balance-sheet dis-
tributed among the proprietors.
Mr. BENNETT observed that, having the financial de-
partment under his special charge, be could conscien-
tiously state that the success of the past year had been
most extraordinary. He agreed that the cost of the ma-
nagement was large, but the main question in all great
transactions of this kind was not so much the amount of
expenditure, as the accession of business which that ex-
penditure brought in. He believed that no other insti-
tution was, relatively, in a more satisfactory position than
the National Loan Fund. Last year the income bad
been, as shown by the chairman, increased at an ex-
pense of only 2501., and surely no shareholder would object
to the expenses going on augmenting at the same rats
under similar circumstances. (A. laugh.) He brought
against all the shareholders a charge to which every
one, he thought, would plead guilty. It was, that
on 364 days out of the year they did nothing, and yet
on the 365th day they came there expecting the direct-
tors to have worked miracles. (Hear, hear.) Let every
shareholder bring a single policy a-year to the office, and
he would add 1 per cent. to the bonus he now received :
if he brought one policy each quarter, the society
would be in a position to pay as much as 10 per cent.
The directors had set a good example by assuring their
lives, and the shareholders should follow it, and not only
assure their own lives, but aiso those of their wives.
In the management of an association like that, there was
one of two principles to act upon—either to bring their
business up to their expenses, or bring down their ex-
penses to their business. The first was the most sound
principle, and it was that upon which this and other
successful societies had proceeded. (Hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER was agreeably surprised to find that
the agency in France bad prospered so well, because having
lived in that country many years, he knew the difficulty
of making a Frenchman understand the value of life
assurance, as he could only believe that was an advan-
tage which was conferred upon himself, or upon his
wife or children during his lifetime. The agents abroad
were therefore entitled to great credit for the exertions
they had made in overcoming that difficulty.
After some desultory discussion,
Mr. T. C. GRA.TTAN said that, having had the arrange-
ment of the continental agencies, he was fully aware that
nothing was more difficult than to convince a Frenchman
of the usffulness of life assurance, which was so well
understood here, in America, and every other country
where our race and institutions were dominant. Great
success had, however, attended the branch agency in
Paris. There they had a mixed board of Frenchmen
and Englishmen of talent and experience, and of the
greatest respectability, and this was one of the most va-
luable of their branches, and he confidently trusted that
its prosperity would grow every year. in accordance
with a suggestion thrown out at the meeting last year,
an agency had also been established at Brussels. Is
was conducted, like that in the Parisian capital, by
an agent and a board of directors. He was entrusted
with the mission to Brussels, and he succeeded in estab-
lishing there, in the month of January last year, one of the
most respectable boards of direction that was to be found
anywhere, and he trusted that, by that time next year,
he would be able to report that the business of this branch
was as flourishing as the one at Paris. It was contem-
plated to extend these continental agencies to Ger-
many and Holland, where there was so much good
feeling towards the English, and English institu-
tions, and where ample opportunities would be found
fur dome a large and safe business. (Hear.)
Mr. ITABICHT, general agent of the society in the United
States, being present, in reply to ashareholder, stated that
the business there was going on very prosperously. It had
been increasing since the first establishmeut of the agency,
and there was every prospect of its becoming still larger.
Every care was taken in accepting risks, and in enlarging
the sphere of the general'iig,ency iu the United States.
3-le was glad on the present occasion to hear so good an
socount of the institution, and on his return he would
not fail to communicate it to the policy-holders on the
other side of the Atlantic who were very numerous. The
inetni,ers of the local boards were men of the best stand-
ing in :society. In 1852 no less than 500 policies were
sent over to the London office, and last year the number
was something over that. (Hear, hear.)
The report was then adopted unanimously.
The folio wing gentlemen, who retired from the direo-
tion by rota `ion, were then re-elected :
A rchd. Campbell Barclay, Esq.
Charles Bennett, Esq.
Hugh Croft, Esq.
T. C. Grattan. Esq.
John Moss, Esq.
Thomas _Nichol, Esq.
J. Leander Starr, Esq.
Professor Wheatstone, F.R.S., and Professor John
Radford Young, were elected auditors for the ensuing
year. . _

A vote of thanks unanimously passed to the chair-
man and directors terminated the proceedings.

PIRACY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

The following report, which leads to the impression
that the crew of the Harriet, of London, has been mur-
dered by Pirates, may be relied on. It is dated Athens,
the 25th of April :
"On the 21st inst. her Majesty's steamship Triton,
hearing that an English merchant vessel was in distress,
sailed from this place and anchored in the harbour of
Gavrios, island of Andros, where she found the English
schooner Harriet, of London, in charge of the Greek autho-
rities. Upon making inquiries it was ascertained that the
peasants on the heights of Andros discovered a vessel with
sails set on the 12th and 13th of April. Her movements
were so peculiar, as she kept going round and round the
compass, the sails at times full and at others aback, that on
the second day the peasants sent to Gavrois and reported
the circumstance to the head man of the place, who de•
spatched boats, and found the vessel on a rock near Thelo,
island of Andros, totally abandoned, a dog being the only
living creature on board. On the 15th she was navigated
to Gavrios. On the examination of her papers, &c., it be-
came known that she had discharged a cargo of coke at Va-
lentia, and was bound to Constantinople for cargo. Her
log at noon of the 11th of April placed the ship with Cape
Doro bearing, by compass, north-east by north 12 miles,
and here that document ceases, stating the weather to be
calm and sultry. Large pools of blood appeared on the
deck and bulwarks ; the captain's cabin was ransacked and
in great confusion, also that part of the ship appropriated
to the ship's company.
" Her books state her complement to be seven souls-(alI
told). Two boats were on board. And now comes the
question, where are the crew? Some people suggest mu-
tiny, but, if so, how did the perpetrators leave the ship !
Two boats were surely sufficient for so small a crew, and
the boats are on board. The position of the Harriet at
noon of the 11th was about equi-distant from the Negro-
pont and the islands:Lea and Andros, and she was an easy
victim for the lawless gangs who are well known to infest
the former place; they use the large row boat, and a calm
is well suited for a dash alongside small vessels of com-
merce. The Harriet was towed into this port on the 23rd
inst. by the Triton, and given in charge of Mr. Neale, her
Britannic Majesty's Consul."
Another act of piracy is also reported,
The-English sehooner Sarah, Cole master, which arrived
at Alatzatta on the 25th ult., from Trieste, had scarcely
been at anchor two hours when she was assailed and
boarded by 40 Greeks in two boats, who stripped her of
her chronometer, watches, provisions, spyglass, clothes o.
f
the master and crew, and, in fact, every g
The master was then menaced if he did
not give themthin.va
yluckily
of fruitckily escaped
for
furthermone but,annoyahvnaceing none.Shewasto give,toload h a
caerg
London.

PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.—The
yaTleosste.—rdaTyheinaEnxneutaelr-amhelt undertin
meeting
this association was held
the Presidency of Viscount Bernard, M.P., who, in
opening the proceedings, expressed his firm attachment
to the cause of Protestantism, and his regret that cir,
cumstances had lately prevented his being present at the
annual meetings of the society. He could not forget,
however, that about 20 years ago he formed one of a
committee who were the means of originating it, and if
the feeling that was then expressed had been properly
sustained he believed that the various Papal aggressions
on this country would have been prevented, and the
Duke of Tuscany would not have ventured to imprison
one of our fellow-subjects for the profession of religion.
The association had obtained various successes, among
which might be mentioned the fact of a commission
sitting in Dublin at the present time to report upon
the condition of Maynooth College. The noble lord
concluded his address by calling upon the meeting to in-
culcate Protestant principles in their own private circles,
and to persevere in a course of determined and united
action, that could not fail to be felt in the Senate. Mr.
Lord, the chairman of the association, then read the
annual report, which gave a detailed account of the la-
bours of the society, by means of lectures, petitions, de-
putations, the circulation of tracts, and other agencies.
The receipts during the year amounted to 842/. 2s. 11d.,
and the expenditure to 5261. 12s. 10d. The meeting was
then addressed by Mr. W. H. Peters, the Rev. J. C.
Miller of Birmingham, the Rev. H. Stowell, the Rev.
C. Prest, the Rev. S. Minton, Mr. J. J. Cummins, and
other gentlemen ; and resolutions were passed declaring
the incompatibility of Popery with conscience, freedom
and constitutional government, and approving the pro-
posed inspection of nunneries by Government officers.
The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.
THE ARMY IN IRELAND.—The reduction that has
taken place in the Irish military establishment inhese
conse-
quence of the war amounts to about 9,000 men ; of. t
the 9th, 14th, 17th, 39th, and 89th infantry regirneentesi
have gone to Gibraltar and Malta to supply the pd
the 33.1, 41st, 44th, 47th, 49th, and 55th Regiimmaecennttsa:
ordered to join the Eastern expedition.
strengthen
and depots of 200 men each harveesgtoa
the 331 and 50th, have gone direct to tThetwosoeraetgof war,
gone to
One
their respective corps to the
infantry regiment, the 46th, hasw
and three cavalry regiments, the aonvedrsttoh England,Dragoon
s of five regiments
the East. The prese•at force consists aco4mthe
Guards, and the 11th Hussars, are. aboutt proceeding to
of cavalry, the Ist, 2d, 3d, and 7th Dragoon Guards, and
the 16th Lancers ; six regiments of infantry, the 21st
and 63d, ordered on "special service ;" the 27th and
90th, under orders for India, the 12th about to embark
for Van Diemen's Land, and the 91st, which is the only
battalion not under orders for foreign service. There
are, besides, 27 regimental depots, snaking altogether,
exclusive of artillery, a force of 14,700 men.
AWFUL INSTA.'..wE OF SUDDEN DEATH.—Yesterday,
information war, forwarded to the different police sta-
tions that a re',l,n, about 35 years of age, clad in a blue
dress-coat With gilt buttons, and tweed trousers, had
dropped der ,d in Rosamon-street, Clerkenwell N°'
thing being r. found on the body to lead to identity, it
was retno's -ed to the Clerkonwell dead-house to i e owned,
and for w a inquest.

ilir-rd.tum. rAti,LIA MEN T.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL.
On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE suggested the propriety of re-
ferring the whole of this subject to a committee up
stairs, where it could he fully investigated, and evidence
taken upon it.
Mr. BRIGHT seconded this suggestion, and took
the opportunity of bearing hie testimony to the conci-
liatory manner in which the hon. member (Mr. Sotheron),
who had charge of the bill, had dealt with this subject ;
but at the same time he was bound to tell him that, if
the bill passed in its present shape, it would create a
revolt amongst the working classes in the manufactur-
ing districts. He therefore moved that the bill should
be referred to a select committee.
Mr. HUME approved of the proposal for referring
the whole subject to a select committee, and hoped the
Government would accede to it.
Mr. EGERTON* supported the amendment, though
he believed the bill had been prepared in ,the best
spirit.
Mr. BROTHERTON never recollected so much ex-
citement prevailing amongst the working classes as
prevailed now with reference to this bill, and he hoped
it would b© referred to a select eonunittee.
Sir G. GREY had no objection to refer the bill to a
select committee, but he decidedly objected to referring
the whole subject of Friendly Societies to such a tri-
bunal. lie suggested that the bill should be committed
pro forma., in order that they might see what amend-
ments the promoters might introduce into it.
Mr. W. PATTEN did not think there was any neces-
sity to refer the whole bill to a select committee ; it
would be enough to refer the third and fourth clauses to
a select committee.
Mr. ROEBUCK remarked that the bill was now in
the hands of the Home-office, and it ought to be re-
ferred to a select committee in its entirety.
Mr. FITZROY, on behalf of the Home-office,
thought it would be desirable to refer the whole subject
to a select committee, as it was indispensably necessary
to obtain further evidence upon it before they could re-
sort to legislation.
Capt. SCOBELL took a similar view of the question,
believing that the working classes, who were members
of these societies, should be heard before a bill of this
nature was passed.
Mr. CHEETHAII, Mr. LIDDELL, and Mr. LABOCCHERE
supported the amendment.
Sir J. WALMSLEY observed that the second clause,
which limited the maximum allowance of a burial society
at a death to 201., was just as objectionable as the third
and fourth clause.
Mr. ATHERTON, as a lawyer, gave it as his opinion
that the law on this subject was as great a disgrace to
the Legislature as it was unjust to the members of these
societies. Its tendency was to throw friendly society
disputes into chancery, which, he need not observe, was
little less than a delusion and a mockery ; and he en-
treated the house to refer the whole subject to a select
committee, who should be charged with the duty of sim-
plifying or consolidating the law.
Mr. HENLEY insisted that the duty of consolidat-
ing the law could only be undertaken by the Govern-
ment, but that question was surrounded with so much
difficulty, that he would prefer keeping the inquiry
solely to this bill. The whole subject of friendly societies
had already been fully investigated by a select com-
mittee, and he could not see what necessity there was
for going over that ground again.
Mr. HINDLEY supported the amendment. He had
moved for returns of the number of children supposed
to have been murdered for the sake of obtaining the
burial fee from a burial society, but the answer he got
was that the information could not be supplied, and,
therefore, he concluded that the suspicions on this sub-
ject were unjust.
Lord PALMERSTON did not object to refer the
whole subject to a select committee, but with regard to
the point just raised by the hon. member who last ad-
dressed them, the information lie had received about it
was of so painful a character that he should be compelled,
either this or next session, to legislate upon it, for the
sake of the working classes themselves.
Mr. COBDEN warmly attacked the noble lord for im-
puting to the working classes the
.crime of infanticide ;
and called upon him, if he had any evidence to support
his imputation, to lay it before the house.
Lord PALMERSTON explained that he had meant
to convey no such an imputation against the working
classes. What he had said or meant to say was, that
the charges which had been made against the working
classes, whether true or not, were of so painful a cha-
racter, that he should feel it to be his duty to bring in a
bill to remove the suspicion which prevailed on the
subject.
Mr. COBDEN took upon himself to deny that there
was any foundation for these insinuations of the noble
lord, and he boHly told the noble lord that any legisla-
tion of the nature he had mentioned would be taken, and
believed to be intended, as an insult to the working
classes of the country.
Mr. CROSSLEY supported the amendment, and re-
marked that though there might have been isolated
cases where children bad been murdered for the sake
of getting the burial fee from a society, yet it was un-
just to suppose that the working classes formed burial
societies with the view of committing infanticide for
the sake of obtaining some 21. or 31. In all such
cases which had been established in the law courts, it
had turned out the parents were of drunken and disso-
lute habits, and not provident and industrious persons
like the vast majority of the members •f these friendly
societies.
Mr. SOTHERON, who had charge of the bill, an-
nounced his readiness to bow to the decision of the
house and refer it to a select committee. He agreed
with Mr. Cobden in thinking that many of the charges
which had been made against burial societies were
wholly unfounded ; parents joined them not for
the base nature which had been imputed to them,
but because they preferred making provision for
their own and their children's burials rather than leave
that duty to be performed by the parish. The object of
this bill had been very much misunderstood out of doors
—it was not to discourage, but to encourage, friendly so-
cieties, and he hoped, with the aid of a select
committee, they should be able so to amend it as
to place the law on such a footing as should prove
satisfactory to all parties. (Hear.) The importance
of a measure like this might be gathered from the fact
that there were in existence at this moment something
like 20,000 registered and 10,000 unregistered friendly
societies, with members averaging from 150 to 300, so
that upon a fair calculation no less than a half of the
whole adult male population of the country were con-
nected with provident or friendly societies of some sort
or other.
Sir G. H. PECHELL thought the country was deeply
indebted to the hon. member for having taken up this
subject.
Mr. W. BROWN defended the grand juries of Liver-
pool and York, who had made presentments against
burial societies. They
,had no wish to cast a stigma
upon burial societies in the aggregate, but they made
these presentations in the hope that measures would be
taken by the Government to prevent a recurrence of the
isolated cases of infanticide that had brought so much
discredit upon these societies generally.
Mr. COWAN hoped provision would be made in any
future measure to prevent the misapplication of Friendly
Society funds.
Mr. ISAAC BUTT objected to the common informer
clause contained in this bill, and repudiated the notion
that they ought to legislate upon this subject as if the
working classes entered a burial club with the intention
of murdering their offspring.
Mr. B. CARTER hoped this measure would not pass
out of the hands of a private member, as the working
classes viewed with suspicion the interference of the Go-
vernment in what they believed to be their private
affairs. Besides, access to a private member could be
obtained much easier than a member of the Government,
and therefore the working classes viewed his motives and
proceedings with less suspicion.
Mr. BROCKLEHURST presented a petition from a
public meeting at Macclesfield, bearing above 6,000 sig-
natures, against some clauses in the bill for regulating
friendly societies, and having for many years had an
opportunity of observing the benefits conferred by such
societies, he begged to caution the house against further
legislation until it better understood the subject.
The bill was then ordered to be referred to a select
committee.
PIUSTINGS EXPENSES BILL.
Mr. HUME moved the second reading of this bill,
which was based upon the principle that members ought
to be returned free from public expense. He proposed,
therefore, to enact that the cost of the hustings should
be defrayed by the district, but that was a matter of de-
tail to be settled in committee. All he wanted the house
to
.isor now was, to affirm the principle of the bill.
sva . PACKE suggested that this bill should be post-
poned or referred to the select committee on the Bribery
Bills, which had very much to do with the expenses of
candidates at election.
Mr.,. PHINN supported the bill, believing that the
existing system was vicious and extortionate, and ope-
rated alike against the interest of the public and the
candidate.
Mr. Deedes, Mr. Miles, and Mr. Henley urged ob-
jections against the bill, ashnadmincsisted that it would have
a tendency to encourage
Mr. COBDEN argued that these objections could bo
obviated in committee.
Sir B. HALL suggested that the bill had better be
withdrawn, and a new measure introduce(ha
grafted on it these safeguards in favour of the bona
e
candidate.
Lord PALMERSTON opposed the bill, because he
thought its machinery was defective. wouldt,tler
fore, be touch better to withdraw the with he viewi
of introducing another measure which should be more
perfect in its details.
Sir G. GREY objected to the principle as well as the
details of the bill.
Mr. BA RIZ° Ws remarked that the bill threw the ex-
pense of the hustings upon the poor rate payers, the
majority of whom had no votes, and he Gould not assent
to such a proposal.
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR supported the bill,
believing that all bribery measures would be useless
unless these hustings expenses were abolished.
Lord H. VANE believed the bill would hate the
effect of ene-ouraging frivolous contests.
Mr. WI.T,LIAMS supported the bill.
After a few words in reply from Mr. HMI;
The licrise divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading
Ag: ;lost it
Majority
The bill was accordingly thrown out,
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS BILL
on. the motion for going into committee on tine bill,
Mr.. CRAUFURD moved as an amendment that the
bill bey committed this day six months, believing that

57
154
...-97

fie Trill was defective 1-nli-inCiple.- retrofires-
sive and not a progressive measure, and it would be as
injurious to the medical profession as to the public at
large. It
,proposed to establish a register of medical
men without reference to any test or qualification what-
ever, and no one whose name was not on that register
would be allowed to practise surgery or physic. It did
not remove the anomalies of the existing system, while
it would destroy the practice of medical botanists, and
since it would only create a patronage without pointing
out who should exercise it in benefiting the public, he
must oppose its further progress.
Nile WARNER seconded the amendment, being of
opinion that the bill would have the effect of checking
the progress of medical science. He believed the reason
the medical corporations supported it was, because new
systems of medicine were springing up in opposition to the
antiquated system of medicine which had so long pre-
vailed in this country. The only way to do any good in
this country in this matter was to give free scope and
competition to medical science.
Colonel DUNNE did not object to the principle of
the bill, but he thought the right of granting diplomas
should be conferred on the Irish as well as the English
colleges.
Mr. PIIINN remarked that the whole object of the
bill was to enable the public to determine who had and
who had not received a medical education, and were
properly qualified to pracice. He could see no reason
why medical men should not be registered as well as
any other profession.
Mr. HENLEY- believed this bill would act most mis-
chievously. and he should therefore oppose it.
Mr. LASLETT viewed the bill as an attack upon the
liberty of the subject.
tuhp..leor
upon men
ivnDei
nGd
tßi
so
ela's
:Sea
stE,eYanMd theirO
mijaßs
qualifications
l adu ipepsoor tfed h
h tetroe l
Majesty's
j, as
.es i
practise
y L,
scualpled
upon
sub-
jects.

Lord PALMERSTON thought the bill would defeat
its own object, as it would give a parliamentary
sanction for parties to practise who were not fully
qualified to do so, and therefore, on the part of the
Government, he must offer his opposition to its further
progress. What was wanted in the medical profession
was some uniform plan of education, or some uniform
test of qualification, but that object could not be ob-
tained so long as the existing system continued.
Mr. NAPIER gave a qualified support to the bill,
after which,
Mr. BRADY, who had charge of the measure, replied
to the objections which had been urged against. it.
Mr. HUME believed it would require the strong arm
of the Government to effect anything like medical re-
form, as the privileges of the medical colleges and com-
panies were of a too conflicting character to admit of
their agreeing upon any measure themselves.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For going into committee 69
Against it IIS-49
The bill was consequently thrown out.
WAYS AND MEANS.—SUGAR DUTIES.

The house then went into committee of ways and
means.

Mr. WILSON said the committee would be aware that
in passing the sugar resolutions the other evening impos-
ing a scale of duties, there was one duty which had not
been fixed, and that was a duty upon sugars used in
breweries, corresponding to that which had been imposed
on other descriptions of sugar. He had now, therefore,
to propose a resolution to that effect. He had also to
propose a resolution applying to the article of molasses
the same increase that had taken place in sugars. He
might state that the duties had been collected in the
meantime on the higher scale, but it was thought better,
to prevent mistake, that the present resolution should
be passed.
Mr. HUME said they had passed an act of Parliament
declaring that the duties on sugar should remain the
same till July, 1854, and he did not think they were
justified in altering the scale of duties. They ought to
be very cautious in altering laws that had gone forth to
the colonies, and led them to believe that no alteration
would take place before the given day.
Mr. HANKEY believed it would be satisfactory to
many persons interested in this in tter if some fuller ex
planation were given on one important point. In the
statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer the
other night, he did not clearly explain whether he pro-
posed to make any alteration in the standards of quality
of the sugars in his new system of duties. The importers
of sugar would be affected by any alteration that might
be made in the standard of quality, and he had therefore
to ask the hon. gentleman to explain more fully the
exact mode in which it was proposed to alter the scale of
duties, and how far the new proposed scale differed from
the one now in existence.

Mr. WILSON would endeavour to explain in a few
words the distinction which it was proposed to make in
the new scale of duties. His hon. friend and the house
were aware that the chief, almost the only, complaint at
the present time, with respect to the operation of the
sugar law, was that the scale of duties did not operate
fairly with regard to the various kinds of sugar. The
producers of low yellow sugars complained that, though
nominally they paid the same amount of duty, they paid
actually a higher amount of duty than the producers of
the finer qualities, seeing their sugars did not produce
the same quantity of saccharine matter. This was an
observation in which he entirely agreed. He admitted
that the low qualities of sugar did not yield the same
amount of saccharine matter, and did not produce the
same amount of refined sugar as the white clayed sugars.
To meet this apparent disctepancy, it had beer► pressed
on the Government—and they had given the closest at-
tention to the subject- to allow refining in bond. It
had appeared to the Government that, so far, there was
much objection to that system ; and they had resolved,
in the first place, to try to attempt to equalise the duties
by another plan, and the plan was this :—There were at
present three scales of duties applicable to West India
and colonial sugars—the common duty of 103. f•r the
lowest class ; lls. Bd. on sugars of the quality of brown
and white clayed ; and 13s. 4d. for refined sugars. The
act of 1848 provided for four scales :—For a quality
below brown clayed, for a quality equal to brown clayed
and below white, for white clayed and below refined, and
lastly, forrefined. Theseclasses had never been applicable
to colonial sugar. It was proposed now to fix 12s. as the
duty on the great bulk of yellow and the best qualities of
brown sugar, and a duty of lls, on the lowest quality of
colonial sugar. This would admit a distinction that had
not yet existed with regard to colonial sugars, and by
that means they hoped to meet the objection that was
raised. With regard to the highest quality of sugar,
they proposed to modify the standard hitherto i❑ use.
With regard to the lowest quality, on which they would
charge lls., he had to say that the standard which had
hitherto been used was that which placed the quality
not equal to brown clayed, and it was that low stan-
dard that had yielded a small amount of refined sugar ;
but in order to give greater effect to the variations of qua-
lity, they proposed to raise that standard considerably,
so as to let in a very considerable portion of sugars not
let in by the present standard. Therefore, the chief ob-
ject of the alteration would be to modify the duties in
such a way as that each quality of sugar should, as
nearly as possible, pay a duty proportional to the
amount of saccharine matter that it contained. (Hear.)
After a few words from Mr. GREGSON,
Mr. DUNLOP said, he thought some scale of differ-
ential drawbacks should be allowed, and hoped the mat-
ter would receive the consideration of the Government.
As to the resolution affecting molasses, he ohjected to
the retrospective operation of the measure. The resolu-
tion agreed to the other evening had been published,
and might have been acted on ; but now the hon. gentle-
man came down and proposed that the increased duty
lie had now submitted to the committee should take
effect from the Bth of May. Why not collect the duty
from the date on which the resolution passed??
Mr. HOME also deprecated this attempt at retro-
spective legislation. The Government brought forward
the resolution on the 10th, and they could not take the
duty for the Bth. Supposing an individual had in the
meantime taken out 100 puncheons of molasses, was he
to be called on to pay this increased duty ? The idea
was monstrous.

Mr. KINNAIRD considered this retrogressive pro-
posal to be urif sir in principle and dangerous as a
precedent.
Mr. WILSON begged to say, that though he had
used the precaution of bringing in this resolution, yet
he did not consider it absolutely necessary to do so, be-
cause the resolution passed the other night with respect
to the duties on sugar could be held to include molasses.
All the acts or. this subject were styled acts relating to
sugar, and no distinction was ever made betwixt
molasses and sugar. All the Customs' commissioners,
too, had held that they were justified yesterday morning
under the order of the house, in including molasses
under the head of sugar. They held, indeed, that mo-
lasses was a description of sugar. He proposed this
resolution only that there might be no mistake on the
subject. The omission of the word 6' molasses" in the
first resolution was a mere clerical error, and the com-
mittee in these circumstances could not feel any difficulty
in passing the resolution.
Mr. HENLEY thought that a fair test of the neces-
sity of the resolution would be this—could the Govern-
ment, without this resolution, introduce a, bill that
would include molasses ?
Mr. WILSON wished to observe, that the general
term " sugar" included molasses, and there could be
no doubt that molasses would be introduced into the
act of Parliament. With regard to the drawbacks
referred to by the hon. member for Greenock
(Mr. Dunlop), he might state that export draw-
backs had hitherto been confined to two qualities
—refined, or loaf sugar, and common brown sugar. But
it had been the practice lately to manufacture various in-
termediate qualities, and, though these intermediate
qualities had not yet been exported, it was not unlikely
that an export trade might arise for them. The subject
had received the consideration of the Government, and
he would he glad, in communication with the refining
trade, to endeavour to fix intermediate drawbacks, or to
take power by an order in Council, or an order by the
Treasury, to fix various intermediate duties from time to
time. (Rear.)
_Mr. HANKEY approved the proposition of Govern-
ment, and felt assured that the West India merchants
would be well satisfied with the resolution as proposed.
I:,aestuhnoi.iug,ht,t
and,thltt itnhehrroposal to levy one uniform duty
levied in proportion to.thopinion, the duty ought to be
containedMr.GovernmentsA in
Dfit ließaassrttawincidlseha.e: amount of saccharine matter
kasnnhodewu
whether
b e gladduty
toy see
w a
st
to
dditoe
1 Ihwe tohuel rd.
bt he e
levied
e d wouldo n
be levied on all stocks alike,
be any reduction as to screening
Mr. WILSON said, that the:tduwt;t
be made. The ' all satoc9kmsalwlitahlolouwtaenxeceepwtiooun,mb respect to screen-
ing
Govern-
ment intended to have a clause inserted in the bill by
which factors would be called on to state on oath what
stock they held at the date of the present resolution.
Mr. HASTIE (Glasgow) had no doubt that the deci-
sion of the Government on Monday last had already

been acted upon in Glasgow and Greenock. He con-
sidered that it would be very unfair to go out of their
way to make alterations, and he thought that they ought
to consider well how, for the sake of the war, they tres-
passed upon and broke through the established usages
of the country.
Mr. HANKEY hoped that hon. gentlemen would not
seriously divide upon this question, and believed that no
one had been wronged by the act of -the. Government ;
but that all whom it concerned had been made aware of
the facts of the case through the instrumentality of the
Custom-house officers. He thought too fine a distinc-
tion was drawn between sugar and molasses, and he
could not understand how it could be contended that
molasses were not looked upon in the light of sugar,
since they had always been considered in the schedules
as such.

Mr. MIME could not agree with the hon. member
for Peterborough, and considered that the Government
ought not t• stand out against the alteration of the dates
suggested.
Mr. WILSON would not divide the house in its pre-
sent state on the subject (there being only 14 members
present), but would consent to the date standing as the
10th, instead as the Bth.

The resolution, as amended, was then agreed to, and
the house resumed.

Mr. FRENCH gave notice that, in going into Com-
mittee of Supply on Friday, he should put a question to
the right hon. baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty
as to the transport of the regiment of the Ist Royals by
the ship Andes.
The house then adjourned at half-past 5.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Mar 10.

Medical Practitioners' (No. 2) Bill. Order for committee
read ; motion made, and question proposed, " that Mr. Speaker
do now leave the chair." Amendment proposed, to leave out
from the word " that" to the end of the question, in order to
add the words " this house will, upon this day six months,
resolve itself into the said committee," instead thereof. Ques-
tion put, " that the words proposed to be left out stand part
of the question." The house divided—ayes, 69 ; noes, 118.

AYES-69.
Alexander, I. Green. Capt John Napier, J.
Ball, E. Greville, Col. F. O'Brien, P.
Bell. J. Grogan, Edward O'Brien, Sir T.
Buck, L. W. Hamilton, G. A. O'Connell, J.
Butler, C. Heuchy, D. Oliveira, B.
Chambers, 3f. Heywood, J. Ossul ston, Lord
Cogan, W. IL F. Ilindley, C. Pei:hell, Sir G.
Davison, IL Hume, J. Pal latt, A.
Dunne, Col. Jones, D. Pigott, F.
P.smond e, J. Keridaq, Y. Sadleir, James
Evelyn, W. Kennedy T. Scobell, Capt. G.
Fagan, W. Kershaw, J. Seymour, W.
Ferrer, J. Lalfan, 1/4:*) t. R. Stanhope. J.
Fe!lowes, E. Lam,ton, W. H. P. a Stanley, Lord
Ferguson, J. Liddell, H. G. Stuart, Lord D.
Fitz Gerald, J. Macartney, G. Sullivan. Michael
Floyer, J. M'Cann, J. Tollemache, J.
Forbes, W. Macguire, J. Tudway, R.
Forster, C. Miles, W. Vance, J.
Forster, Sir G. Milligan, R. Walmsley, Sir J.
French, F. Michell, W. Willcox, B.
Galway, Viscount. Mitchell, T. TELLERS.
George, J. Montgomery, 11. Brady, J.
Grace, 0. Naas, Lord Phinn, T.

NOES—IIB.
Anderson, Sir J. Fox, W. Ponsonhy, A.
Atherton, W. Freestun, Col. W. Price, W.
Bailey, Sir J. Gibson, T. Ri.:ardo, J.
Bailey, C. Goderich, Viscount. hicarelo, 0.
Baird, J. Goodman. S.r G. Thchardson, J.
Barrow, W. Greene, Thomas Holt, P.
Bass, T. Gregson, S. Russell, F. C.
Beckett, W. Grey, lit Hon Sir G Sandars, G.
Blair, Col. J. 11. Grosvenor, [4. R. Sawle, C.
Bonham-Carter, J. Halford, Sir 11. Scholefleld, W.
Bouverie, lion. E. P. Hall, Sir B. Shelley, Sir J.
Branston, T. W. Hankey, T. Smith, I. `3.
Brand, H. B. W. Basile, Alex. Smith, R.
Brocklehurst, J. Hasti., Archd. Sotheron, T.
licockman, E.D. Hawkins, W. Stirling, W.
Bruce, li. A. Hayter, W. Strut E.
Buckley, Gen. Heatbcoat, Sir G. Thicknesse, R.
Ilyng, G. lieathcote, G. Thompson, G.
Cecil, Lord A. Henley, J. Thornely, T.
Child, Smith II eyworth, L. Trohope, Sir J.
Cobden, It. Hotham, Lord Tyler, Sir G.
Cockburn, Sir A. J. E. Ingham, R. Van., Lord A.
Tloftlii, W. Johnstone, J. Vernon, Capt. L.
,oles, 11. B. Keogh, IV. Vivian, J. 11.
Jollier, It. P. Kinnaird, A. Vivian, 11. H.
Colville, C. R. Knightley, R. Walter, J.
Cowper, W. F. Lank ton, 11. G. Watkins, Col.
Crossley, F, Laslett, W. Whichreal, S.
I) drymple, Viscount Lewis, Sir T. F. Wickham, 11. W.
Davies, D. A. S. Lovaine, Lord Wilkinson, W.
Deedes, W. Mackie, J. Williams, W.
Dent, J. Macgregor, Jas. Wilson, J
Duncan G. Massey. W. Winnington, Sir T.
Dunlop, A. Mowbray, J. ‘I ise. A.
East, Sir J. Mulgrave, Earl of Wyndham, W
Elliot, J. Millings, J. Young, Sir J.
Emlyn, Vis. Noel, G.
Ewart, W. Palmerston, Visct. TELLERS.
Farnham, E. Patten, J.
Fitzroy, Hun. 11. Percy, I. Craufurd, E. H. J.
Foley, J. Pilking ton, J. Warner, E.

DREADFUL SIIIPTVRKCK AND LOSS OF

During the present year we have had to record a
series of melancholy shipwrecks, together with an aw'ul
loss of life, but the loss of the American ship Powhattan,
which we are about to record, is more disastrous and
melancholy than anything that has come under our
notice for a length of time, 250 men, women, and
children having been swept into eternity—not one being
left to tell the tale—within a stone's-throw of land.

The details of the melancholy disaster are as follows :
- The American ship Powhattan, Captain Meyers, from
Havre, a ship upwards of 15 years of age, made the
coast of America in a disabled state on the morning of
the 15th of April, during one of the most fearful storms
in the memory of man, and, after baffling about
.for
hours under bare poles, tht captain at last found himself
irretrievably entangled in the shoals about 12 miles below
Barnegat. It was observed by the anxious eye-witnesses
on shore that directly she struck she " hauled to the
wind," from which circumstance it was impossible for
a.,y of her passengers to leave without certain
death being the result. They, however, hoped for the
best. They trusted that the storm which had now
lasted so long must soon abate. During the long night
of Saturday and the whole of Sunday the unfortunates
—it is supposed some 250 in number—were seen clinging
to the leeward bulwarks of the ship, with the sea con-
tinually washing over them, and expecting death at the
rise of every succeeding wave. No assistance could be
offered to them, for the sea then ran so high that a boat
(if any had been at hand) would have been instantly
swamped. Between four and five o'clock on Sunday
afternoon the ship's bulwarks burst, and about 50 per-
sons at the same moment were washed overboard.
Mr. Jennings, the wreck master, with others, made
great efforts to save some of those who were in the
water, but in vain. The captain, too, was heard to
cry from the ship, " For God's sake save some of those
who are drowning." Every exertion was made, but
it was of no use ; and in all of the six bodies which the
wreck master succeeded in rescuing from the water
life was extinct. It was immediately after this that
the ship commenced going to pieces. No small boats
were to be procured, for the Government boats did not
arrive until all was over. About five o'clock the vessel
was completely broken up ; most of her passengers and
crew were drowned, but a few still survived, clinging to
pieces of the wreck. The shrieks of the dying rose even
above the roaring of the storm, which seemed to be in-
creasing rather than subsiding in fury. It was at this
moment that a huge wave was noticed rolling inwards ;
the dead and the dying were alike engulfed within it ;
and when it had passed over then there was not one
left alive of those passengers and crew of the ill-fated
Powhattan, who numbered 250 souls that same morning.
A singular fact connected with this is, that even the ship
itself was splintered into minute fragments, so that
scarcely a trace of het existence remained with the ex-
ception of the few pieces of the rigging that were washed
ashore. She was probably laden with heavy ballast, for
her hull is supposed to have sunk, otherwise some por-
tion of it must have been discovered.

More distressing even than such a sight as this to
those on shore was the sight of the beach next morning.
The storm had increased during the night, and the waves
cast up their dead far and near ; 26 men and two women
were discovered near the scene of the shipwreck, and
from Absecoin (some 20 miles below) it is stated that
about 40 bodies—men, women, and children—were
washed ashore on that and on Brigantine beach, about a
quarter of a mile across the channel. They appeared
to have been Germans. They were much disfigured.
Twenty-eight of those found were decently buried at
Manahawkin amid the profound sensation that the
event caused in that village. Little had been col-
lected from the wreck to prove the identity of the
deceased persons. Some melancholy records, how-
ever, were saved, and are now in ch-arge of Mr. Jen-
nings, the wreck master, at Manahawkin. About 35 pas-
sengers' boxes were washed ashore unbroken. Around
one man's waist a belt was clasped, containing s4o—his
all, probably—that he vainly sought to save. On this
belt the name of "G. Kilf" was engraved. Several of
the trunks bore respectively the initials "T. " S.
G. ;" on another " R. Griffin" was written, and on an-
other " Philip Smith, for New York." A lady's ring
was found, with the initials " K. L." inscribed upon it.
When first discovered by Captain Jennings, of Long-
beach, which was on Sunday morning, the Powhattan
lay with her head to the south, the decks were crowded
with passengers, and the sea was making a clean breach
over her. The wind blowing a perfect gale from N.N.E.,
the waves ran mountains high, twisting the ship about
in the sand as if she were Merely a cockboat. Seeing
the condition of the vessel, Captain Jennings, who is
stationed as a wreck master on the beach, sent all the
men who were at his command, though the snowstorm
was raging violently, to the Government-house, in
order to bring down the life-car and other wrecking
apparatus, and stood on the shore himself watching the
effects of.the billows on the ill-fated vessel. Hour after
hour slipped by, but the men did not return with the
life-car.. The vessel became more uneasy, and many
unfortunate people were swept off by the heavy surf.
AbouA. I; o'clock p.m. one immense wave washed fully
100 persons overboard, who were carried away down the
beach by the under tow. Some of them came ashore,
and were picked up lifeless by Mr. Jennings, who
searched in vain amongst the number fur a survivor, but
all had breathed their last before they reached the beach,
being awfully mangled by the force of the waves washing
them against the hull of the vessel and throwing them
with violence upon the beach.
At this time Captain Meyers, who was on the deck of
the Powhattan all this time, called out in a loud voice
to Mr. Jennings, entreating him to try and save some
of those who might be washed ashore. Capt. Jennings
replied that all those who came ashore were dead, and
that it was no use looking fur them, as they were killed
before they got out of the water.
About 7 o'clock the ship's masts went by the board, and
almost immediately afterwards the hull burst in two, and
every soul on board was launched into eternity. The
sea presented a black mass of human heads and floating
pieces r
ie alive sof the
no more.ewre Theck,but
beach in aefech waswmom tesntrsevyn with
all bad sunk
to the
dead bodies of women and children, pieces of the wreck,
the baggage of the passengers, and empty casks. No-
thing- remained to mark the spot where the ill-fated