The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-21 00:00:00

EVENING, NOVEMBER 2l, 1849.

undergone a few slight verbal alterations, was then
put, and declared to be carried unanimously :
" That this Court desire to record their warmest
acknowledgments to Sir James Duke, Knight and
Baronet, and Member of Parliament, the 'ate Lord
Mayor, for the fidelity, zeal, and ability which he has
evinced in the discharge of the onerous duties of his
high office ; for his willing and generous support of
the chat itable institutions of this City ; for his prompt
and assiduous co operation in devising effective means
of alleviation during the prevalence of the recent
grievous sickness and mortality ; for his judicious and
liberal hospitality displayed in the festivities of the
Mansion-house, embracing amongst his guests the
distinguished men of all parties in the state, as well as
his fellow•citizens and others eminent for their re-
search in the varied pursuits of art, literature, and
science, and in the deeper acquirements of the learned
professions. And while this Court regards with the
highest satisfaction the honours which have accrued
to Sir James Duke during his mayoralty, they desire
to bear testimony to his courtesy and urbanity, his
punctuality and firmness in presiding over the busi-
ness of this Court, and for his upholding the dignity
and influence of the high and important office of the
chief magistrate of the city of London."

LITERATURE.
THE CITIES AND WILDS OF ANDA•'
L UCIA. By the Hon. R. Dundas Murray.
2 Vols.

In historical associations, in national peculiarities,
or in natural beauties, there are few countries more
attractive than Spain, or better adapted to be the theme
of the artist's pencil or the author's pen, and few spots
in the whole Peninsula are so fascinating as
those celebrated in the work above men-
tioned—' The Cities and Wilds of Andalucia."
The chivalry of the Crusaders and the romantic
association of Islamism, even yet in the nineteenth
century, seem to linger around the land hallowed
(for misfortune is always sacred) by " the last sigh
of the .Moor"—so the spot is named where Abdallah,
the last Moorish Sovereign in Spain, took a weeping
farewell of his lost territory, while his mother ex-
claimed bitterly—" Yes, weep like a woman for the
loss of a country you could not defend like a man."
The theme which Mr. Dundas Murray has selected
is one abounding vl ith attractions, and he has treated
it in a very attractive, because in a very simple and
interesting manner. His pages are filled with very
various revelations; now we meet with some tragical
legend, and now we are diverted by some altercation
at an inn. The manners and customs of the Andalu-
sians, past and present, (and with them the terms
are almost synonimous) are here very vividly set
before us. A: few extracts will exhibit the style and
character of the work, perhaps, better than descrip-
tions. Place aux dames I—let us first contemplate

Disregarding the injunctions contained in the Holy
Scriptures, one nation covets another's possessions—it
picks a quarrel as the first step towards acquisition. If
the owners of the coveted territory were not in a position
to repel the attempt at usurpation or robbery, what would
become of them? For instance, supposing Great Britain,
desirous of setting the whole world an example of Chris-
tian patience and forbearance, were to disarm her sol-
diers, break up her fleets and discharge her sailors, does
any one believe that France, Holland, Russia, or any
other power, aiming at an extension of territory, would
not immediately endeavour to possess themselves of our
colonies, if they did not try to establish an authority on
British soil? It would he preposterous to suppose them
so self-denying when no risk whatever would attend the
spoliation of their helpless neighbour. Hence the vast
importance to every country of an organized force capable
of resisting inovations and outrage, and of thereby
inspire, maintaining, through the fear and respect they
that peace which is at once the glory of civilization and
On condition of human life prescribed by Almighty
will. Fur nearly five-and-thirty years—more than the
third of a century—England has been at peace herself
with the whole continent of Europe, and has been en-
abled, moreover, to command that other continental na-
tions should live in amity. How has this arisen? Simply
by the wonderful proofs she gave for twenty long years of
her ability to cope with the mightiest powers by sea and
land, and by the lofty attitude sho has since preserved.
In other words, by keeping up her noble army and her
magnificent navy in a state of preparation for any exi-
gency that might suddenly arise."

The lecture contains many admirable precepts which
cannot but be most useful in forming the characters of
those to whom they were addressed, as gentlemen and
men of honour.

RAILWAY IN TELLIGENCE.
AMIENS AND BOULOGNE.
A meeting of shareholders in this company was
held yesterday at the London Tavern to deliberate
upon a petition to the French Government; Mr. C.
Laffitte, the President of ►he Company, took the
chair.

The CHAIRMAN said, the position of the undertak-
ing had been considerably altered since the time the
concession was granted by the French Government.
The company had not been paid a fair return for their
outlay, and Government, by granting a coneession to
the Northern Company, had taken away from this
company certain advantages upon which the promo-
ters relied for a fair return on the capital. They
must therefore look to the Government to compensate
them for what they had taken away. The financial
state of France, although improved, was not such as
to make railway property remunerative. Differences
had arisen between the Northern Company and the
Boulogne Company, and endeavours had been made to
bring about an amicable settlement, but without
effect. They were compelled to go to law with the
Northern Company, and the matters in dispute went
before the Tribunal of Commerce ; the Judge recom-
mended an amicable arrangement, but after a vain
endeavour it led to no result, and he was not aware
what decision the Judge would come to on the sub-
ject. They had every reason to believe that their
case was a just one, and that they would gain the suit.
The directors had tried to obtain from the Govern-
ment an amelioration of the concession, and they pro-
posed to memorialize them on the subject. He then
called on Mr. Whitehead to read the memorial they
proposed to present to the President and Ministers
of the Republic.
Mr. WHITEHEAD proceeded to read the memorial,
which was of considerable length. It referred to the
understanding upon which the concession was granted
and accepted, su as to place the company in a position
to raise the whole of the capital required for the un-
dertaking. At the time there were some doubts en-
tertained of the concession being sufficient, although
it was assumed that the money to make the line
would be found by private individuals. The conces-
sion for the Northern of France line was not then
granted. The Amiens and Boulogne Company first
commenced their line, and it was understood that their
interests were to be protected. The very clause for
that purpose inserted in the Northern concession had
led to law proceedings, and they were suffering con-
siderably from the conduct of the Northern Company.
The Amiens Company, in fact, were not protected by
that clause. The memorial then goes on to state that
the position of the company would have been very
different had it been granted under the law of 1842,
because in that case three-fifths of the whole capital
would have been paid by the State. It then mentions
the various concessions granted under the law of
1842 for lines having a very superior traffic
to the Amiens and Boulogne; among these
lines were the Paris and Orleans, in
the shape of a guarantee of interest; to the
Rouen Company, by a loan of 18,000,0001.; to the
Havre Company, by a grant of 8,000,000 f. and a loan
of 10,000,000 f.; to the companies of the Central of
France, of Strasburg, of Orleans and Bordeaux, of
Tours and Nantes, by putting three-fifths of the
cost of construction to the charge of the State,
and to the Avignon'. and Marseilles Company, by
a grant of 30,000,000 f , and a guarantee of
interest on an equal KM. The Government
has just proposed to grant the Paris and Avig-
non Railway to a company, together with a
grant of 180,000,0001., and a guarantee of interest on
240,000,0001. (9,600,0001.). None among them is
situated in such circumstances of competition as must
ever exist between the Northern and the Boulogne
Companies. By granting the further extension of the
Northern line to Calais, &c., the Amiens and Bou-
logne line had been injured, and therefore it became
necessary to call on the State for a modification of the
concession. The cost of the line was 37,500,0001.,
and if their concession had been granted under the
law of 1842, the shareholders whould have had only
to subscribe 15,000,0001. (600,0001.), and the State
the remainder, 22,500,000 f. (900,0001.). It was on
this amount the memorialists requested to have a
minimum dividend granted to the company. The
whole of the works had been executed with great
care, and within the original estimate.
The CHAIRMAN explained that the object was to in-
duce the Government to guarantee the company a
minimum interest on three-fifths of the capital, so as
to place the company on a footing with those lines
conceded under the law of 1842. He said that if any
of the proprietors could suggest a better plan than
that proposed, the board would be glad to adopt it.
They were anxious to meet the wishes of the share-
' holders, and he hoped the latter would give the di-
rectors their support to go before the French Go-
vernment.
Mr. BAXENDALE, a director, remarked that this
company had not expended more than 37,500,0001.
(1,500,0001.), the original estimate. They had not
doubled their capital, as other companies had, but had
kept within the original estimate. All the money had
been expended, and the works were completed, with
the exception of a comparatively small work at Abbe-
ville. Every effort was made to settle matters with
the Northern of France Company. The French Go-
vernment were anxious to get capital to make their
lines of railway, and unless they treated English
shareholders in a. considerate and liberal manner it
was not likely that English capital would go to
France. The English shareholders had already a
sufficient dose in their own railways without going
to France to be treated worse. If the French Go-
vernment look to this country for capital, they must
be guided by honesty and justice in their transac-
tions with those who supply it, otherwise no one can
have confidence that his property will be safe in France.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that if the Government
had paid up or guaranteed them an interest of 5 per
cent. on three-fifths of the capital, they would have
been able to pay to the shareholders 41 per cent. on
the money expended, the traffic, on the line having
produced 1k per cent. The interest mentioned would
give 3 per cent. on the whole capital, and the 1i per
cent. from the traffic would make up the 4} per cent.
He then put the first resolution—to the effect that the
memorial be presented to the President and Ministers
of the Republic of France by the Paris administra-
tion, for the purpose of obtaining a modification of
the concession.
The resolution was seconded and carried unani-
mously, as was also the second resolution, to the
effect that the Amiens and Boulogne Company be
placed in the same position as if the concession were
granted under the law of 1842.
The CHAIRMAN, in reply to questions, stated that
the concession of the Northern of France line was for
38 years, that they were seeking for an extension of
the term to 99 years, but in order that they should
pay something for it the Government intended to
stipulate that they should make a certain branch line.
The Amiens and Boulogne Company proposed to
place themselves between the Northern Company and
the Government, and thus endeavour to obtain the
necessary modifications in the Amiens and Boulogne
concession before anything is granted to the Northern
Company.
On the third resolution being proposed a long dis-
cussion ensued ; it was considered to be too favourable
to the Northern Company; but, having gone through
various modifications, it was passed by a large ma-
jority, to the effect that they have heard that the
Northern Company have made application to the
French Government for an extension of their lease,
and that they would offer no objection to such a
measure, provided that the concession to the Amiens
and Boulogne Company be acceded, to them.
Mr. BAXENDALE said the Northern Company had
done all they could to, injure the Amiens and Bou-
logne Company. He thought that common sense
would point out that the saving of 66 miles by
passing over the Boulogne line between London and
Paris would decide in favour of that route. He was
not disposed to give up a single point, with regard to
the utility of the line, to the Northern or any other
company.
PROPRIETOR said, if they were to be placed in
the same position as under the law of 1842, the
Government ought to give them the interest on the
three-fifths of their capital, or return to the share-
holders the 22,500,000 f. (900,0001.) paid by them.
A VOICE—Then you must be content with a short
lease.

M. ADAM S3i(l there could be no doubt that
according to the law of 1842, they would have 4 per
cent. from the traffic. He was disposed to support
the suggestion that the proposed guarantee of 5 per
cent. on the 900,0001. should be an absolute guarantee
independent of the traffic, in consideration of the
company having paid the whole of the money.
The CHAIRMAN said the board thought tha tit was
a better proposition than that which they had made,
and they would adopt it in their memorial.
Mr. FISHER thought the present a favourable
opportunity to get up a petition to the English Ga.
vernment to send the mails by the Boulogne and
Amiens route.

After some conversation a resolution was unani-
mously passed, that a memorial be presented to the
English Government, signed by the proprietors and
the public, praying that the mails be sent by the
Boulogne route, and appointing Messrs. Wright,
Ivyleaf, and Fisher to carry the resolution into effect,
and placing at their disposal 201. to pay expenses.
The CHAIRMAN then entered into some details with
regard to working the line. He stated that the
construction of the railway cost 1,500,000/, being at
the rate of 19,5001. per mile for the 77 miles. They
ran ten trains a day, and 20,000 miles per month.
The cost was 3s. lid. per mile, including direction and
everything, or 4,0001. per month. If they had twice
or three times the traffic it would not cost them any
more for working the line. It cost them 1001. per
mile per annum to maintain the way. They had 100
level crossings, which cost them 4,3001. per annum
for attendance. They were, however, going to have
them attended to by women, by which they expected to
save a considerable sum. The cost of traction amounted
to Is. 7d. per mile ; the coke cost them 1/. per ton,
and the consumption was at the rate of 201 b. per mile
run. There are ten stoppages on the line; and the
distance, 77 miles, is performed in three hours, being
at the rate of 26 miles per hour including stoppages.
The sinking fund is not included in the 4,0001. per
month.

In reply to questions, it was stated that the shares
numbered from 1 to 6,000 were promised a guarantee
of 4 per cent. per annum from the city of Boulogne,
which is due with regard to those shares. The
directors had nothing to do with them. The question
lay between the holders of these shares and the
municipal council. Proceedings could not be taken
against the city of Boulogne without the consent of
the Government.

M. ADAM was mayor of Boulogne when the town
council agreed to guarantee the shares, and be was
instrumental in obtaining it; he had 400 shares
allotted to him, which be has held ever since. M.
Fontaine, the present mayor, is a director in this
company, and holds GOO of the guaranteed shares.
The municipal corporation say that they are not bound
by law to pay it. It was the opinion of M. Adam
that they were bound to pay the guarantee. About
two thirds of the shares of the company were held in
England. . _ .

A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors
concluded the proceedings.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I am sure you are quite aware of the de-
moralizing effects of public executions, and the nume-
rous evils attending on them, and that if any remedy
ceuld be proposed, it ought to be adopted.
It appears by your paper of this evening, a letter
was addressed by Mr. Dickens
,to the editor of the
Times, which called forth the animadversions of that
journal in a leading article, which I shall not observe
upon.
Mr. Dickens says it was the intention of the Go-
vernment " to give its support to a measure making
the infliction of capital punishment a private solemnity
within the prison walls."
I think this could be adopted so as to do away with
all objections, viz.—the convicted criminal (of course
after an open trial) should be executed within the
court-yard of the gaol, in the presence of the proper
officials that now attend ; and also that the judges and
the jury who tried and convicted the prisoner should
be required to attend, and sign their names as wit-
nesses to the execution of the criminal. Such document
so signed could then be published in the new papers,
and would be a sufficient guarantee to the public.
This would not only diminish the evil of public
executions, but also "extreme " punishment.—l am,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
A SUBSCRIBER.
London, Nov. 14.