The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-28 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING, D E"C E M It 28, 1849

dmilg the ensuing year they should be asked at all
vents, and the bh:me would be theirs if they con-
tinued to withhold their subscriptions. They were
toll by commercial travellers from Liverpool and
Manchester, that they had too much power. Now he
would go dots a amongst them, and show them that
they could take this power out:of their hacds by placing
in their exchquer a certain sum of money towards
the advance me nt of the institution they were now met
to celebrate. He did not know that he had anything
further to observe, except that, however
enthusiastic he might be considered (and if
he were called an enthusiast, the fault was
in the head, and not in the heart), he was honest in
all he said, for he !nest sincerely believed that this
charity might be worked up to the position of one of
the beet institutions in this country. As regarded
the building they proposed to erect, he might observe
that they had no wish to adorn it with architectural
beauties—they desired only to do that which would
administer to the comfort of ti.e helpless orphan and
the disc us(;!a!e w idow. Their object was to con-
struct a large building at the lowest possible price, and
to un ke it as useful as their means would admit of. lie
would entreat of every commercial traveller in that
room to exert himself towards the promotion of the in-
terests of the institution. Ile did think that every
comme cia! traveilerin the United Kingdorn,who might
at some future period be reduced to the. necessity of
partaking of the benefits of this charity, ought to
subscribe to the funds; and he could not help saying,
that ti.a man's heart was to be pitied who would not
give to the institution one guinea a year —(Hear,
hear.) It was only three farthings a day, and those
who refused to subscribe this amount did not represent
the commercial travellers as they ought to do. In
conclusion he could only remark that charity en-
gendered a very healthy appetite, and the more they
indulged in it the more they would be inclined to do
so. He could not help individualising a lady who
had brought more funds to this institution than any
other of her own sex. lie alluded to Mrs., Cuflley,
who had collected upwards of 8001., and he had great
pleasure in proposing the health of Mrs. Cuffiey and
the ladies.—(Cheers.)
The boys and girls at present receiving the bene-
fits of the institution passed through the room, and
were introduced in due form to the Lord Mayor.

They presented a clean healthy appearance, and
seemed much delixhted with the novelty of the pro-
ceedings around them.
The second report was then read, which announced
further contributions amounting to 525/., not includ-
ing 101. 10s. from the Lord Mayor. 101. 103. from
Mr. Masterman, M.P., and 101. 10s. from B. B.
Cabbell, Esq., received with the first report.
Mr. NICHOLSON, in proposing the next toast,
" Pro'perity, health, and success to the Commercial
Travellers of the United Kingdom," said he had been
called upon to do so in consequence of his having
been for a long time connected with this useful and
ir.fluential body of men. The commercial travellers
must be men of intuitive genuis. They had great
difficulties to encounter, and if they were not en-
dowed with honourable feelings, with in:ellect,
and perseverance, they could not progress in their
avocation. They were always occupied in using their
best talent for the benefit of their employers. lie was
quite sure that during the last ten years they had
advanced in intelligence beyond their predecessors ;
and if they would devote their energies towards the
improvk went of this institution, there would not be
any institution in this great kingdom calculated to
do more lasting good than the Commercial Travellers'
Schools. lie knew there was sufficient energy
amongst them to set this charity above all others, and
he hoped that, ere long, every gentleman who bore
the honourable name of commercial traveller would
not only think it a pleasure but a privilege to unite
his name to this institution, in order to assist in pro-
tecting the children of those whose lives may have
been lost by such accidents as too frequently happen
to commercial travellers.

Mr. WILLIAMSON, in returning thanks, said he had
been a humble worker with many others in promoting
the efficiency of this institution, and he trusted that the
third anniversary of the society would be the means
of eliciting the warm support of every one of his
brother travellers throughout the kingdom.
Mr. ROBERT CLARKE, in acknowledging the toast
of " The Vice Presidents and Trustees of the Insti-
tion," sFlid that the trustees had an arduous and
difficult, though pleasing, duty to perform ; and if the
commercial travellers would exert themselves to
produce the requisite funds, he and his co-trustees
would be too happy to invest them for the advantage
of the institution.

" The Board of Management," "The National
Mercantile Life Office," " The Stewards," &c., were
successivtsly proposed and responded to.
In addition to the subscriptions already mentioned
a sum of 525/. (Mr. I. Bradbury's list) was announced,
and the total amount was stated to be about 2,000/.
The company separated between 11 and 12
o'c!ock, highly pleased with the prcceedings of the
evening.

The—diriner and.wines were supplied by Messrs.
Bathe rind Breach, in their tau it recherche style.
Mr. Harker officiatA ns toAstn a oer.

At this time, when the commercial travellers are
celebrating the anniversaries of their various chari-
table institutions, the t'ollowing► song, which has
been forwarded to us, may be thought somewhat
apposite :

TII (LD COMMEP.CIAL TRAVELLERS' SONG.
Air—" In the,cl,,yi when we went gipsyiug."
Oh the days when we were ba;:.,m-n, a long tune ago,
Were certainly the happiest days that we did ever know ;
We sang the merry song at night, and smoked our yards
of clay,
With cust, mars all seated round in frolicksome array,
And thus ae passed our merry nights, we were
not very slow,
In the days when we were bagmen, a long time
ago.
AM those were happy times indeed, to memory still
cndear'd;
At nine o'clock, upon the board, the huge sirloin
appear'd,
And the funny joke and cheerful laugh went gaily
circling round,
And nought but fun and devilry amongst us could to
found. ' -
Aed thus we passed, &c.
The cloth was drawn, and then by all welcomed with
loud acclaim,
Upon the festive table the reeking pinch-bowl came;
And toasts were given and heakhs proposed, and joy and
frolic reigned,
" Our Chairman's Health—hip, hip, hurrah!"—andevery
glass was drained;
And thus we passed, &e.
But, though these golden days are passed, a bumper glass
we'll fill
To those who at the present day our vacant places fill;
May they be apt in business, and, when daily toils are
o er,
Enjoy their glass as w e did in the good old times of yore
And then they'll spend the merry nights, and not
be very slow,
As we did in our travelling days a long time ago.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS'
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

A few months ago an idea was started among
some commercial gentlemen that, though as a body,
they were exposed more than most classes of men to
casualties, ending in premature death or permanent
disability, yet there was no institution existing
among them to provide for the wants of the aged and
meritorious commercial traveller, or for the support
of his widow in the case of his decease. With a view
to remedy this defect a proposal was set on foot to
provide a number of almshouses, or other asylum, for
aged and indigent commercial travellers and their
widows. The proposal once set on foot met with very
general acceptance, showing that the want which it
was thus attempted to supply had been long felt in the
holy ; but considerable diversity of opinion was found i
to exist as to the precise nature of the objects to be
embraced. With a view to bring these into some
degree of harmony, as well as to give definite aim
to the promoters of the object, a preliminary meeting,'
was held yesterday morning in the London Tavern,
which was very numerously and respectably at-
tended ; Jenkin Jones, Esq., actuary of the National
Mercantile Assurance Society, Poultry, in the
chair. There was a complete unanimity of feeling
in the meeting as to the importance and desirableness
of such an institution as had been suggested, com-
bined with considerable difference of opinion as to
matters of detail; but after considerable conversation
a resolution to the following effect was agreed to :
" That the meeting, fully recognising the moral obli-
gation resting upon the commercial body, to provide
for the relief of those of their members who, by rea-
son of old age or decay, are reduced to poverty and
distress, think it desirable to found an institution for
the support of such members and their widows, under
such rules and regulations as may afterwards Le
agreed to ; and that such institution be for the present
designated by the name of the Commercial Travellers'
Benevolent Institution." A committee was afterwards
named to frame the regulations, to report to another
meeting of the body, to be held in Midsummer next;
and after thanks were voted to Mr. Barrett Gunton,
who was recognised as the founder of the institution,
and Mr. Jones, for his conduct in the chair, the meet-
ing separated.

We have heard from authority, upon which reliance
can be placed, that the contemplated reduction of the
army will be to the extent of ten thousand men, but
the details of the manner in which it is proposed to
effect it have not transpired.
DESTRUCTION OF lINSECTS.—The easiest and most
effectual way of destroying these pests of the farm and
garden is to turn their natural enemies upon them.
Bantams devour greedily all kinds of worms, grubs,
beetle 3, millepedes, earwigs, &c.; and young ducks aro
equally effectual against slugs and snails, while•neither
creutc any inconvenience, except where peculiar neatness
is required. Bantams scratch very little, and in a,
garden are ornamental rather than otherwise.

" It is because I believe that this will be the sift ct
of the changes to which I have referred that I look
upon them as irrevocable, and I advise you to dismiss
altogether from your calculations the prospect of re•
fle wed protcct kn.
" It is my firm persuasion that neither the present
nor any future Parliament will consent to re-impose
duties upon the nr.dn articles of human food, eiiher
'or the purpose of protection or revenue.
" I would at once act upon that persuasion, grid
proceed to consider in what degree the free import
of provisions affects the relation in which we stand
to each other, if I did not believe that other causes,
less perManent in their operation, have had a mate-
rial influence upon the prt.sent value of agricultural
produce. I allude in particular to the general
scarcity and high prices which recently prevailed f(!.
two or three successive years, not merely in this
country, but throughout grteat part of Europe ; to
the extraordinary stimulus thus given to production,
and the natural consequence of that stimulus—a
temporary and undue depression of price.
" I propose, therefore, to defer for a time that
general review of the relation in which we stand
to each other, which but for the circumstances to
which I have referred I would at once have under-
taken.

" When undertaken it will be upon principles
which I think you will admit to be just. I shall not
refer merely to the diminished price of one article or
another, but I shall take into the account all the con-
siderations which fairly enter into the question—
shall try to estimate the effect of recent legislation
and of improved means (if conveyance in reducing not
only the price of produce, but the cost of production
also—and shall compare the disadvantage to which
the tenant farmer may be exposed from competition
with producers in other countries, with the benefit
which he may derive, if he has ordinary skill and
capital, from the abolition of duties on many articles,
which are, or may br., profitably consumed upon a
farm.

"I do not undertake to make a general and indis-
criminate abatement of rent, but aided by good advice
I shall consider the special case of each farm, and the
circumstances under which it was entered upon; and
in the instances in which I shall be satisfied that there
is a fair claim for an abatement of rent, I will make
it, and make it with much greater pleasure in favour
of an old and improving tenant than in favour of a
stranger.

" Although, as I have before observed, I do not
consider the present thu suitable period for this general
review of our position, yet I am prepared without
delay to co-operate with you in preparing to meet not
foreign competition only—but that competition with
domestic skill and capital which will be at least as
formidable to those farmers who are insensible to the
rapid progress of agricultural improvement and neg-
lect to keep pace with it.

" I havenot the presumption to offer you advice as
to the practical management of your farms—but I
may try to impress upon you this truth, that if there
be any of you who produce on the average not more
than 18 or 20 bushels of wheat per acre, and if there
be other farmers who, in not more favoured positions
and on land of equal quality, produce 40—and if they
produce this, not by expensive farming, but by wise
economy, by the command of adequate capital, by
the application of scientific skill, by the liberal em-
ployment of labour, by the saving of every particle of
manure, and the restoration to the earth'of those
elements of fertility which are withdrawn with every
crop—l may, I say, without presumption, try to im-
press upon you this truth, that there is no amount of
protection from foreign produce, no abatement of rent
which would enable you to meet the competition of
your own countrymen.
"To aid the exertions which are required to
encounter successfully that competition, I make to
you the following proposals.
"The rent due at klichaelmas last will be payable
according to custom, in the course of a few days. In
the case of all those tenants occupying snore than 10
acres of land who shall pay the Michaelmas rent, and
discharge any furrier arrears that may be due, I will
set apart 20 per cent. of the last half-year's rent, and
will forthwith apply the amount under the general
direction of my agent, but in concert with the tenant,
in such improvements as may be most beneficial to
tha firm.- I shall give the preference to drainage, to
the removal of unnecessary fences, and to the means
of preventing the waste of manure. On this expendi-
ture no return will be required from the tenant.
" The same course shall be taken with regard to
the half-year's rent which will be due at Lady-day
next.

" If upon any of your farms 'additional draining
should be still requisite, I Will execute the work
upon the same tenni as heretofore, the tenant
drawing the materials and pa 3 ing 4 per cent. upon
the outlay. As to other p-rmanent improVements,
requiring an expenditure which the tenant cannot
conveniently meet, but on which he may be willing
to pay a reasonable rate of interest (such,.for instance,
as additional shedding for the feeding of _ cattle), I
will consider favourably any proposals that may be
made to me on that head.

" It is hardly necessary to refer to leases of longer
duration than one year, as they are so few in number.
In the cases, however, in which they do exist I will
consent to release the tenant from his engagement,
on his giving; at the proper period of the present
year, the same notice which would be required in the
case of yearly tenancies.
" Such tenancies are, as you are well aware, the
almost invariable rule in this immediate neighbour-
hood; but if any of you are desirous of expending
money on the improvement of your farms, and wish
for the additional security of a lease for yesrs, I have
no disinclL:ation to grant it, being satisfied as to the
skill and capital of the tenant requiring it.
"If you prefer to a lease a written agreement,
stipulating for reimbursement on account of unex-
hausted improvements, on the principle long acted
upon in certain districts, I am willing to enter into
such agreement.

" Itdoes not occur to me that there are any other
points to which it is necessary for me, for the present
at least, to refer. I have thought it would be for
your advantage that I should fully explain to you my
views and intentions with regard to matters so deeply
concerning your interest, and I hope I have done so
in a spirit becoming the long connexion that has
subsisted between us, and the friendly intercourse we
hare always maintained.
"Believe me, with every good wish for your wel-
fare, sincerely yours,

"ROBERT PEEL.

"Drayton Manor, Dec. 24.

•
"P.S.—The payment of rent will be made• as
usual on the Ist and 3d of January, but as this notice
will reach you only a short time
_previously I will
not exclude from the benefit of it a tenant who may
make all payments due by him within the period, of
one month following."

CIIRISTMAS-DAY'S BIRTHDAY.—The 25th of De-
cember you will hold in especial honour. As early as
4 &.al. I—Christmas—shall Expect to be greeted by the
wobbling" of the pudding in the boiler, whilst all
sorts of delicious odours will steal even through the key-
holes, snaking sweet the outdoor air. At early light, the
11.)bin ReAhreast—the unpaid Christmas minstrel—shall
whistle you a blithe and jolly song! Your house wit!, I
ienow, be green as a bower with holly. Holly that
typifies green spirits and red hearts. You will make the
-to or's-box at church rattle rejoicingly; you will call up
miles and thanks from astonished crossing- sweepeis.
rem will carve your turkey with a fearless hand, for you
h eve subscribed a goose—a piece of beef or so—to the
to ble of your poorer neighbours. You will help your-
sei r twice to pudding, for have you not made at least one
put "ding smoke elsewhere? You will let your eye
tice in the beeswing of "that particular port," for you
h aen.warined the toes and noses of at least a few old
)11e, with some humming ale. And in this way you wil
e otible every enjoyment of the Birthday of Christmas,
b. 'T enjoying the enjoyments you have bestowed upon
of hers.. At this season let not the high forget the low.
Lt te the Head of Gold bear in special memory the Feet
of C lay.—Punch's Almanack. •
lESTRUCTITE FlRS.—At.half-past nine o'clock on
We ineeday night infbrinetion was received at Lough-
bor ,ugh that an extensive fire was raging oa the farm
of Mr. Keightluy, of Thorpecre; a few titles from that
.vn. A fire-engine, with. an tificieut force, was in.
stet ntly dispatched to the scene of the conflagration, and
4,11 er several hours of hard work the flames were sub-
els el, not, however, before a shed, sixteen cows, a hay
n.si cic, and the greater part of the dwelling-house had
i to en reduced to ashes. The cause of the fire has net
peen a-c-r aired. Although the destruction is very
tousiderable in amount, it might have been muell greater.
the principal part of the loss, we are happy to hear, is
c °vend by inturanets.
A NEW STENCH TRAP.—This trap is so con-
s t vucted that it is always shut, and it will carry off uny
• Reg or rubbish which may fall through the grating over
if. It consists mainly of a cylinder, dieided into tour
the tubers, which turns on a pivot below the receiver, and
je to %de air-tight by means of vulcan;xed India rubber.
eoe. r.aceiving watEr from above, the cylinder revolves,
brie ‘ging beneath the receiver another division, anti
exop tying the first. The inventor suggests that, by
me :s of a stream of water and a pipe from the *gtilley-
hole to the top of en adjoining home, the cylinder, in
revel ving, would servo to ventilate the sower.—Builder.