The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-16 00:00:00

THE SUN LONDON, SATURDAY EVIINING- JUNE 16, 1349.

Gentlemen who were qualified to assist the House in
coming to a proper decision on this important question,
but who were absent from the House last night. It ap-
peared even now, although the debate was exhausted,
that the House had come to the consideration of this
subject without the grounds for an accurate considera-
tion of it.—(" Divide.") The Noble Lord (Lord J.
Russell) told the House that it was not intended under
this Act to compensate rebels, and Lord Elgin (upon
whose talents and character the Hon. Member proceeded
to pass a warm eulogium) declared that in his opinion
the measure was not intended to compensate rebels. If
these opinions were conclusive as to the intention of the
Act, and how it would ultimately work, then he would
agree with those who said this was not an imperial, but
a local question. But if it were true, as the Attorney-
General had told the House, that it was impossible that
instructions issued to Commissioners should narrow the
scope and intent of an Act of Parliament, what became
of the assurance of the Noble Lord that, by the instruc-
tions that would be given, he would rectify any doubts
that might be entertained on this subject?—(Hear.)
It was most important that they should have the as-
surance of the Government that no precipitate consent
should be given to the Act—(ElE ar)—and, believing that
a case had been made out for delay, although he did not
think the amendment of the Right Hon. Gentleman
(Mr. Ilerries) well drawn up or well worded for its
purpose, yet, considering that it did not pledge the Go-
vernment to disallow the Act—(Hear)—and, further,
that a vote against it would be regarded as an immedi-
ate decision on the part of the Government in favour of
the Bill, he had made up his mind, although not with-
out some difficulty arid reluctance, to support the
amendment.— (Loud cheers.)
Lord J. RUSSELL—As I have not addressed the
House since the amendment was moved, and as I only
answered a question last night with respect to the ad-
journment, I must ask the House to permit me, not to
enter upon any lengthened argument of this question,
which has been already sufficiently examined, but to call
attention to two or three points which ought to be borne
in mind by the House on going to a division. But before
I state anything with respect to the main question I
think it right to take some notice of allegations which
have been made chiefly by the Hon. Member for Brid-
port (Mr. Cochrane), but also by others, affecting the
character of persons holding office in Canada. Ido not
think it is right that assertions should be made affecting
the character of persons filling those situations, without
proof and without any ground for those allegations.—
(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Bridport stated
that Mr. Lafontaine and Mr. Baldwin were persons who
were notoriously guilty of treason, and that they
were avowed and confessed rebels. Now, with respect to
Mr. Lafontaine, at the time of the insurrection at Canada
he was in this country. It is true that a warrant was
issued against him, but it is also true that he returned
to Canada, and that no prcof was ever given of his par-
ticipation in the insurrection and rising.—(Hear.) With
respect to Mr. Baldwin, I have never heard of any charge
whatever made against him.
Mr. B. COCHRANE.—Was not a reward of 5002
offered for Mr. Lafontaine ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL.—No; I never heard of it.
Let me observe, further, that the Hon. Gentleman stated
to the House, or wished to convey the impression, that
lately, for the first time, Mr. Lafontaine and Mr. Bald
win were honoured by the confidence of the Queen's
Representative in Canada, and that they now hold office
for the first time. Now, in November, 1i42, it appears,
by the London Gazette, that Mr. Lafontaine was ap-
pointed Attorney-General, and that Mr. Baldwin was
appointed Solicitor-General at the same time. At that
time Lord Stanley was Secretary of State for the Colo-
nies.—(Cheers.) Whatever, then, may have been the
imputations which the Honourable Gentleman has
thought it necessary to produce for the purposes of
the present debate, Lord Stanley must no doubt
have been satisfied of the incorrectness and falsehood
of those imputations, and must have been per-
suaded that those men whom he recommended to
hold the highest offices in Canada were loyal men, to
whom those offices could safely be entrusted.—(Cheers.)
And now with regard to the main question upon which
the House has to decide, and upon which I really think
the Right Hon. Gentleman who spoke last has not suffi-
ciently refl. cted—that question—and I wish to state it
perfectly fairly—is this: there having been passed Bills
and Acts for the indemnity of persons who had suffered
rebellion losses in Upper Canada, there has now been
passed an Act for the indemnity of persons in Lower
Canada, and the question is, whether the representative
of the Crown, having consented to those former Acts,
and the Ministers of the Crown never having advised the
disallowance of those Acts—there is such a difference
between those Acts and the present Act as to make it
right—and not only right but necessary, on the part of
the advisers of the Crown, to stop the present Act by a
disallowance. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir R. Peel)
appeared to me to found his argument on the fact that
between the former Acts and the present Act there was
not any essential difference, except that there were more
restrictions in the present Act than in those former Acts.
I lis ened with attention to the Hon. Member for Buck
inghamshire (Mr. Disraeli) to discover in what manner
he would answer that argument, and how he would show
that the Act now under consideration differed from the
former Acts, and that the honour of the Crown was in-
volved in its disallowance. But' upon 'that point the
Hon. Gentleman made no argument whatever. He
gave the House, as an illustration of the evils that
might result from it, an hereditary history of certain
persons who had been guilty of high treason—as if
the purpose of this Act was to confer upon persons who
had been guilty of rebellion in Canada an indemnity for
such rebellion. It may be possible that persons who had
been guilty of rebellion may receive compensation under
this Act, and so far that may be deemed an argument
against the measure; that, however, is the utmost which
can be made of it. But to say that this is an Act pro-
pored expressly for the benefit of those who have been
guilty of rebellion is to confound two things which are
totally and ess' ntially opposed to each other.—(Cheers.)
I readdy admit that it might be possible for an Act to
be passed in Canada which it would be necessary for the
advisers of the Crown to refuse to sanction and to dis-
allow. If this had been an Act of compensation to those
persons who were sent to Bermuda, for the losses which
they had sustained in consequence of their having been
so sent to that island, that would have been an Act to
which the Crown could not have given its assent. Ido
not push the responsibility of the Government to the ex-
treme of saying that every Act passed by the Canadian
Legislature ought to be assented to by the Imperial Go-
vernment. But when no positive allegation is made that
these individuals were rebels, I do not feel that I should
be justified in giving advice to the Crown to disallow
this Act, that advice being founded solely upon vague
suspicion of which no proof can be given.—(Cheers.)
The Right Hon. Gentleman who began this debate to-
night (Dr. Nicholl) endeavoured to show that certain
persons who had been guilty of rebellion had received
compensation under the former Act. I believe it is
quite certain that two or three persons at least, who had
been outlawed and afterwards pardoned, did receive com-
pensation under that Act. It may be said that it was
given upon some other grounds than that of a loss of
goods; it may be alleged to have been for furnishing
necessaries to, and succouring her Majesty's troops ;
but I think it would have been an evasion of the
, spirit of the Act if compensation had been given on
such grounds. Well then, if those who have
taken these grounds have utterly failed to show that
there is any real difference between this Act and the
former Act, except that this Act is more restrictive
than the other, inasmuch as no compensation can be
given under this Act, except for losses which were
inflicted unjustly, unnecessarily, and wantonly—if the
destruction of the buildings of the rebels who were firing
on the Queen's troops would not entitle the parties to
compensation under this Act—if, finally, the House has
no good reason to suppose that reb. le would receive
comp. nsation under the Act, I ask what it is that it is
now proposed to do ?—(Elear, hear.) Is it that which
the Right Honourable Gentleman who spoke last has
suggested, namely, that you should wait ? Nothing of
the kind. What is proposed to you is, that the Roval
assent should not be given to this Act of the Canadian
Legislature—which, indeed, is not the phrase applicable
to the purpose, but which I have no doubt means that
this Act ought not to go into operation, and there
fore should be disallowed by the Crown. Because, be
it remarked, that such is the constitution of Canada
—and I mention this as showing what the intention of
the framers of that constitution was—that if no step
whatever should be taken by the advisers of the
Crown, and if this Act should not be disallowed by
the Crown within two years—then the Act would be
in 'till operation, and be as valid as if it had received
the assent of the Crown. That, I repeat, shows that
the intention of the Legislature in framing that consti-
tution was that, unless some extraordinary reason
existed, the assent of the Crown should not be withheld
from these colonial Acts. Now, what is the amendment
which has been proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman?
It is, that the Canadian Act should be altered in such a
way as my Right Hon. Friend the Member for North-
ampton has truly alleged—that of making it agree, not
with the Act as framed by the Canadian Legislature,
but as it would have been framed if the minority had
prevailed.—(Hear, hear.) Now, I ask the ltight Hon.
Gentleman who spoke last, and who is going to vote for
this amendment, how does he imagine that intention is
to be carried into effect? You say, you, the majority of
the House of Commons, differ from the majority of the
Legislative Assembly in Canada, and agree with the mi-
nority, and that you will give such advice to the Crown
that the Crown shall be obliged to disallow the present
Act, and any Act which does not conform with the inten-
tions of the minority of the Legislative Assembly in Ca-
nada. Why, does any one suppose that the Canadian Go-
vernment, that Lord Elgin or any of his present advisers,
could bring a Bill into the Canadian Assembly to carry
out those purposes of the minority?—(Hear, hear.)
Would they not consider, that with such flimsy reasons
as have been given, to reverse the decision to which they
have come, to say that the 44 who voted against the
amendment shall t ave their opinion overturned, and the
28wi t tnh eir
such o p irneiaosnn
ncs a rarsi ehd—av
ew obueledthey
n given not o
in
tchinss consider
sthat
would be an utter subversion of their legislative power?
—(Cleer, hear.) Why, then, what do you say? You
are going to propose, in effect, that there having been
compensation and indemnity voted by the Legislature of
Canada for the sufferers in Upper Canada, there shall be
no compensation and indemnity for the sufferers in
Lower Canada?—(Cries of " Hear, hear," and "No.")
That is the question.—(Hear, hear.) You say that
yciu would agree to it only upon such conditions. I
suppose you are not going to introduce a Bill into
this House to make the people of Canada pay money
upon your own conditions—(Hear, hear)—the only way
of carrying such a measure would be by proposing
it in the Canadian Assembly; and I think I have shown
you that there is no chance of such a measure being
proposed there.—(Hear, hear.) I cannot conceive say
matt of the slightest spirit or honour who belongs to
that majority introducing such a measure—(Hear)—
and if there is to be no Dill of that kind, and this Dill

is not to be allowed to come into operation, you then say
there is to be no compensation to sufferers in Lower
Canada for rebellion losses.—(Hear, hear.) And what
is the amount of that? Why, as one Gentleman said, it
is not that you would fear there being compensation for
rebels, but that there would be compensation for French
Canadians.—(Hear, hear.) And I ask you, what will
be the feeling among all the French Canadians if they
are to be told there may be compensation to sufferers in
Upper Canada, because they are of English descent, but
there shall be no compensation to sufferers in Lower Ca-
nada because they are of French descent?—(Hear, hear,
and No, no.) I must ask this House whether that will
not be the interpretation that will be put upon it in the
province?—(Hear.) Let me again urge upon this House,
that we are not now considering, as some gentlemen
seem to think, with respect to a Bill in Committee in this
House, with regard to which we can deal as we please.
You may find some definition which satisfies your own
minds, by which rebels may be excluded, and none but
loyal men would have compensation; but, however inge-
nious you may think that definition, however just you
may think ir, you cannot force it upan the Assembly in
Canada—(Hear, hear)—you cannot persuade them that
it is a just definition, that it is a definition upon which
you can act.—(Hear, hear.) The Right Hon. Gentle-
man who spoke last said he had tho highest respect for
the unsullied honour of Lord Elgin, and should be sorry
to do anything that implied a doubt of it. Lord Elgin
says plainly and publicly that it is not the intention of
this Act to compensate rebels, and that if it had been, he.
as the head of the Government, never would have con-
sented to it. I think that if this amendment were carried

it would be an avowal that you did not believe that de-
claration of Lord Elgin—(Hear)—that you put no faith
in those words of the Noble Lord ; that you believed it
was a falsehood that he pronounced—(Bear, hear)—and
that he had no intention of acting upon that declaration.
—(Cries of " Hear, hear," and " No, no !") At all events,
for my part, believing in the unsullied honour of the
Earl of Elgin,—believing that the Legislative Assembly
and Council of Canada, together with the Earl of Elgin,
form a sufficient Legislature for Canada, and that, in the
present instance, they have considered the interests of
Canada in such a manner as not to trench upon or impair
the honour of the Crown of this country—l think the
best way in which I can support the character of the
Earl of Elgin—in which I can support responsible go-
vernment—in which I can support the due legislative
independence of the Assembly in Canada, is to give my
vote against the amendment of the Right Hon. Gentle-
man—(Hear, hear)—as one that would seriously im-
pair the connexion between this country and that noble
province—(Hear, hear)—as one that would seriously en-
danger our future relations with every colony in which
representative institutions are established.—(Cheers.)
The House then divided, when there appeared—

For Mr. Herries' resolution .... .-.: 150
Against it
Majority
The report of the Committee of Supply was then.
agreed to.
The second reading of the Railways Abandonment
Bill was, after some conversation, postponed till Monday,
The Assaults (Ireland) Bill, and the Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction Bill, went through Committee.
The report on the Loan Societies Bill was considered
and agreed to.
The consideration of the amendments to the Clergy
Relief Bill was postponed till Monday.
Mr. HINDLEY moved the second reading of the Sun-
day Trading (Metropolis) Bill.
Sir W. CLAY presented petitions in favour of the
Bill, from St. Leonard, Shoreditch, and St. Ann, Lime-
house.

Mr. B. WALL objected to the Bill being proceeded
with at that late hour (a quarter past 1). He believed
that, but for the circumstance that the name of the
Hon. Member for Salford (Mr. Brotherton), who ought
to have been in bed long ago— (Laughter)—was on the
back of the Bill, that Hon. Gentleman would not have
allowed it to be pressed at such a period of the evening.
Mr. BROTHERTON could not conceive what right
the Hon. Member had to throw any reflection upon him
with reference to this Bill.—(A laugh.) The fact was
that he had.advised his Hon. Friend (Mr. Hindley) not
to persist in moving the second reading at that late hour,
and if he had had an opportunity he would have objected
to the Bill being now proceeded with. He (Mr. Bro-
therton) would not allow Members to think they could
bully him.—(Laughter.)
Mr. HINDLEY said, he was afraid he must consent
to be bullied, and, under the circumstances, he would
postpone the second reading.
The second reading was accordingly postponed to
Monday.
Mr. BAINES obtained leave to bring in a Bill " to
continue for a limited period, the Act of last session for
charging the maintenance of certain poor persons in
unions in England and Wales upon the common fund, and

to make certain amendments in the laws for the relief of
the poor."
Captain PECHELL hoped ample time would be
afforded for considering the provisions of the Bill before
the second reading. He thought the Poor-law Board
were now pursuing the same course their predecessors
had taken, and he felt bound to express his disapproba
tion of their conduct.

The Bill was afterwards brought in and was read a
first timr..
On th" motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX-
CHEQUER (in the absence of Lord J. Russell) the
following Members were appointed the Select Commit.
tee on the Exclusion of Strangers :—Sir James Graham,
Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Goulburn, Sir George Grey, Mr.
Henley, Sir John liohhome, Mr. Hume, Mr. John
O'Connell, and Mr. Bernal.

•
Mr. ROEBUCK moved for a Select Committee to in
quire into and ascertain the amount of Debts due from
Foreign Governments and States to the Government
and individuals of this country.—Agreed to.
The Transportation (Ireland) Bill (which had been
brought down from the House of Lords) was read a
first time, and was ordered to be read a second time on
Monday.
Mr. REYNOLDS said, if he had been aware before
the question was put that it was for the first reading of
this Bill he would have opposed the motion.
Sir G. GREY observed, that it was usual to read all
Bills brought down from the other House a first time
without dissuasion, in order that they might be printed.
The House adjourned at Twenty Minutes to Two.

THE PAVILION AT BRIGHTON.--TIC Commissioners
of Brighton yesterday held a special meeting to receive
the report of the committee appointed in consequence of
the projected sale of the Pavilion, &c. A statement was
made by the clerk of the commissioners relative to a
copy of the Bill for the sale of the Pavilion about to be
laid before Parliament, which had been received from
Mr. Milne, of the Woods and Forests; and after some
discussion resolutions were passed to the effect that it
would be highly injurious to the town of Brighton to
suffer the lawn and pleasure-grounds of the Pavilion to
be built over. A resolution was also passed directing
the report and statement of facts connected with the
Pavilion to be printed,; and the plans lithographed, to be
circulated amongst the inhabitants previously to calling
a town meeting on the subject.
THE BRITANNIA BRIDGE.—The 19th inst. is the
day fixed for mooring the first of the stupendous
tubes which will form the Britannia- bridge to
the piers proposed for their reception. The work
of mooring these enormous iron structures will be
much more arduous than was that of placing the
Conway tubes, as they are much larger, and the
I difficulties to be overcome are considerably greater. The
Carnarvon Herald, in a notice of the forthcoming event,
says, " The tubes are eight in number, four of which,
smaller than the rest, are to be seeen in course of construc-
tion, on scaffoldingof great strength, occupying the spaces
between the land towers and the inland abutments, which
are 230 feet apart, at either extremity of the bridge ; two
tubes being placed parallel to each other forming the road.
way to and fro. The four larger ones are placed together
on stages reaching into the river, and covering a long
distance along the Carnarvonshire shore, each mea-
suring 472, feet in length, and weighing 1,800 tons.
Three piers of masonry of stupendous dimensions,
the highest of which rises on the Britannia Rook in the
middle of the straits some 280 feet, being about
seventy feet higher than the arch hollowed out for the
reception of the tubes, stand towering over the
foaming waters. The traveller is also attracted by the
collossal sculpture of four monster lions, which dis-
tinguish the entrance to the tubes, two at each end,
couched on the summit of lofty pedestals. They con-
tain about 8,000 cubic feet of limestone. Near to the
stage on which the tubes are erected are eight pontoons,
two of iron and the others of wood, ready for floating
the first tube to its resting place between the pillars.
This has just been completed. The piles on which it
was built have been removed, and it now rests on two
walls of masonry, erected at either end, affording suffi-
cient room for placing the immense pontoons beneath.
Its strength has been tested with satisfactory results.
Coils of rope cable, which will be used to guide the
tube when afloat, by means of strong capstans fixed on
the shore, have been brought to the spot, and
experiments are being daily made by the parties
on whom the responsibility of removal rests
to insure success. The ponderous hydraulic machinery
for raising the tube to its proper elevation is being
placed in the archway of the towers, and the prepare-
, ti els in every department are carried on with great
• earnestness. The length of the bridge, when completed,
will exceed a quarter of a mile."
EXTRAORDINARY FREAK.—Last evening two sol-
diers landed at Blackfriars Pier from a Woolwich
steamer, but endeavoured to evade payment. A dispute
arising between them and the pierman, one of the sol-
diers struck the piermen very stoutly with a stick, for
which assault he was given into the custody of a police-
man. On their way to the station-house, however, he
made his escape, pursued by the policeman. The sol-
dier, named Baxter, of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue),
ran into a tobacconist's shop in Tudor-street, and
ascended the first floor, from the window of which he
precipitated himself into the street, and, falling heavily
upon the pavement, was so seriously injured as to render
it necessary to convey him to St. Bartholomew's Hos-
pital.
BATHS AND WASHHOUSES.—From the statement
which was submitted yesterday at the general meeting of
the north-west district of London in George-street,
Euston-square, it appears that since the opening of the
baths and washhouses in August, 1846, 315,355 persons
have been bathers, and that the linen of 537,460 poor
p. rsons has been washed and dried, &c., upon the pre-
mises. The department established in January, 1848,
for supplying the poor with pails and brushes, and lime
and disinfecting preparations, for the whitewashing and
purifying their apartments, has been very useful; since
the opening of it 2,762 apartments, consisting of rooms.,
staircases, areas, &c., have been lime-washed, cleansed,
and disinfected, and great advantage has been conferred
on the general community by the means afforded of
avoiding and resisting the attack of disease.
ILLICIT DISTILLATION.—James Bank and William
Johnson were yesterday fined, by the Court of Inland
Revenue, 2001. for working an illicit still.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.

(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.]

FRIDAY, JUNE 16.
SUPPLY.

Order read fcr resuming the adjourned Debate on the
Amendment proposed to be made to the Question (June 14),
" Tuat this House doth agree with the Committee of Supply
in the Resolution (sth), ' That a sum not exceeding 10,0001.
be granted to her Majesty, to defray, in the year 1849-50,
the expense of Militia and Volunteers in Canada;" and
which Amendment was to leave out from the word "That"
to the end of the Question, in order to add the words, " an
humble Address be presented to her Majesty, humbly to
pray that her Majesty will be pleased not to issue any Order
in Council leaving to its operation an Act o' the Canadian
Legislature, intituled, ' An Act to provide for the indemnifi-
cation cf persons in Lower Canada. whose property was de-
stroyed during the rebellion in 1837 and 1838,' without and
until her Majesty shall have received satisfactory assurance
that no persons engaged in, or having aided or abetted that
unnatural rebellion, shall be admitted to participate in the
indemnific Ition so to be granted," instead thereof:—Question
again proposed, " That the words proposed to be left out
stand part of the Question." Debate resumed. Question
put. The House divided :
MAJORITY—AYES, 291.
Abdy. T. N. Fr x, W. J. O'Flahcrty, Anthony
Acland, Sir T. Freestun, Colonel Ogle, S. C.
Adair, It. Shafto Glyn, G. C. Ord, W.
Alcock, Thomas Goulburn, Henry Oswald, Alexander
Anson, Colonel Grace, 0. D. Paget, Lord A.
Armstrong, Sir A. Graham, Sir James Paget, Lord Clarence
Bagshaw, John Grattan, Henry Paget, Lorcl,George
Baines, M. T. Greenall, G. Palmerston, Viscount
Baring, Sir F. T. Greene, John Parker, John
Baring, Francis Grenfell, Charles W. Pearson, Charles
Barnard, E. G. Grey, Sir George Pechell, Captain
Barron, Sir IL Grey, It. W. Peel, Sir Robert
Bass, M. T. Grosvenor, Earl Peel, Frederick
ilellcw, a. M. Guest, Sir J. Perfect, Robert
Berkeley, Captain Ilallyburton, Lord. J. Philips, Sir G. R.
Berkeley, Henry F. Harcourt, G. Pigott, Francis
Berkeley, C. L. G. Harris, Richard Pilkington, James
Birch, t•ir Thomas Hastie, Alexander Pinney, William
Blackall, S. W. Hastie, Archibald Plowden, W. H.
Blake, Martin J. Hawes, Benjamin Price, Sir Robert
Blewitt, R. J. Hay, Lord J. Pugh, David
Bouverie, E. P. Hayter, W. G. Piney, Philip
Bowles, Admiral Headiam, Thomas Raphael, Alexander
Boyle, Colonel Heald, James Reid. Colonel
Brackley, Viscount Heathcoat, John Reynolds, John
Bramston, T' W. Heneage, E. Ricardo, Osman
Bright, John Henley, J. W. Rice, E. R.
Brocklehurst, John Henry, Alexander Rich, Henry
Brotherton, J. Heywood, James Robartes, T. J. A.
Brown, W. Heyworth, L. Rocke, E. B.
Browne, R. D. Hindley, Charles Roebuck, J A.
Bruce, C. L. C. Hobhouse, Sir John Romilly, Sir John
Bunbury, Edward Hobhouse, T. B. Russell, Lord J.
Burke, Sir Thomas Hodges, T. L. Russell, F. C. H.
Busfeild,William Hogg, Sir J. Rutherfurd, A.
Buxton, Sir E. Rolland, Robert Salwey, Colonel
Callaghan, D. Hope, Sir J. Scbolefleld, William
Campbell, W. F. Horsman, Edward Scrope, G. P.
Cardwell, Edward Howard, Lord E. Scully, Francis
Carew, W. P. Howard, C W. G. Seymour, Lord
Carter, J. B. Howard, E. G. Seymour, Sir B. B.
4:annelid, J. M. Howard, Sir R. Shai to, R. D.
Cavendish, C. C. Hughes, W. B. Shell, R. L.
'Orivadish, G. H. Hume, Joseph Simeon, John
Cavendish, W. G. Jervis, Sir John Blaney, Robert A.
Cayley, E. S. Jlihnstone, Sir J. Smith, Vernon
Chaplin, W. J. Keppel, George T. Smith, J. A.
Charter.s, Francis Kershaw, James Smith, John 13.
Childers, J. W. Kildare, Marquis Smyth, J. G.
Clay, James King, P. J. Somers, J. P.
Clay, Sir W. Labouchere, Henry Somerville, Sir W.
Clements, Charles Lacy, Henry C. Sotheron, T. H. S.
Clifford, H. M. Langston, J. H. Spearman, H. J.
Clive, R. 11. Lascelles, W. S. Stansfleld, W. R. C.
Cockburn, Alex. Lawless, Cecil Stanton, W. H.
Coke, E._K. Legh, G. C. . Strickland, Sir G.
Colebrooke, Sir T. Lemon, Sir C. Stuart, Lord D.
Collins, William Lewis, Sir T. Stuart, Lord J.
Cowper, W F. Lewis, George C.; Sullivan, Michael
Craig, W. G. Lindsay, Colonel Sutton, H. M
Crowder, R. B. Littleton, E. R. Talbot, C. R.
Dalrymple, Captain Loch, James Talfourd, Sergeant
Davie, Sir Henry Locke, Joseph Tancred, 11. W.
Dawson, T. V. Lockhart, A. E. Tenison, E. K.
Denison, Edmund Lushington, C. Thicknesse, R. A.
Denison, W. J. M'Cullagh , W. T. Thompson, Colonel
Denison, J. E. M'Gregor, oJhn Thompson, George
Devereux, John.T. Megan, W. H. Thornely, T.
Douglas, Sir C. Mahon, O'Gorman Tollemache, F. J.
Drumlanrig, Vis. Maitland, Thomas Towneley, John
Drummond, Henry Marshall, J.U.7 Townshend. Captain
Drummond, Home Marshall, William Trelawny, J. S.
Duckworth, Sir J. Martin, John Tynte, Colonel
Duff, G. S. Martin, C. W. Vane, Lord H.
Duff, James Martin, Samuel Verney, Sir H.
Duncan, Viscount Matheson, A. : Villiers, Charles
Duncan, George Matheson, James Vivian, J. E.
Dundas, Admiral Matheson, Colonel Vivian, J. H.
Dundas, Sir D. Manic, Fox Wall, C. B.
Dunne, F. P. Melgund, Viscount Walmsley, Sir J.
Ebrington, Lord Milner, W. M. Walter, John
Ellis, John MiMes, R. M. Watkins, Colonel
Enfield, Viscount Milton, Viscount Willcox, Brodie
Estcourt, J. B. B. Mitchell, A. T. Williams, John
Eusten, Earl Moffatt, George Willyams, H.
Evans, Sir De Lacy Molesworth, Sir W. Williamson, Sir H.
Evans, William Monsell, William Wilson, James
Fagan, William Morris, David Wilson, Matthew
Fergus, John Mostyn, E. M. Wood, Sir Charles
Ferguson, Col. Mowatt, Francis Wood, W. P.
Ferguson, Sir R. Mulgrave, Earl Wortley, J. S.
Ejliner, Sir E. Norreys, Lord Wrightson, W. B.
Fitzpatrick, J. W'. Norreys, Sir D. Wyhl, James
Foley, John H. Nugent, sir_PerCy Wyvlll, M.
Fordyce, A. 1). O'Brien, J. Toting, Sir John
Forster, M. O'Connell, John TELLZRC.
Fortescue, Chichester O'Connell, Maurice Tufnell, Henry
Fortescue, J. W. O'Connell, M. J. Hill, Lerd Marcus

The second of these gentlemen had competed with the
first for the medal of his Royal Highness; but as his
process had not been put in practice, it had been awarded
to Mr. Leon.

Earl Grey received the medal intended for Dr.
Mitchell, and took the opportunity of expressing his
sense of the importance of the subject upon which these
essays had been written. lie should have great plea-
sure in transmitting the medal to Lord Harris, the Go-
vernor of Trinidad, who would deliver it to Dr. Mitchell.
The Noble Earl also took charge, for a similar purpose,
of two other medals, the competitors for which were also
colonists.

I❑ the Section of Fino Arts and Manufactures those
prizes which are more worthy of notice are the fol-

lowing:—

To —lllr. W. B. Simpson, for his paper decorations and
efforts to promote the improvement of designs in paper-
hangings.
The gold Isis medal to Mr. J. A. Hatfield, for the im-
proved character of his bronzes, especially the " Dying
Glldiator "

The gold Isis medal to the Coalbrookdale Iron Com-
pany, for the superiority of their iron castings.
The gold Isis modal to Mr. J. F. Christy, for his spa-
cimen of printing on glass with enamelled colours.
The large silver medal to Messrs. Garrard, for their
group in Florentine bronze of St. George and the
Dragon.
The honorary testimonial to Messrs. Warner and
Sons, for their improved designs in tea-urns.
The honorary testimonial to Messrs. Watson and Bell,
for their specimens of carpets.
To Miss Stanley, for her exertions in establishing
schools for instructing the children of the poor in the
manufacture of lace in Norwich, the honorary testimo-
nial and five pounds, with a request that she wilt distri-
bute the five pounds among the children of her school.
The B shop of Norwich received the testimonial and
draft on behalf of his daughter and in returning thanks
for the honour conferred upon her by the society, said
he should not have ventured to interrupt the business of
the day by any observations of his own, had it not been
that out of a long list of rewards, this was the only one
which was in any degree related to the moral machinery
of the poorer classes. If his daughter had derived any
pleasure from the work of benevolence in which she had
been engaged, it was more than equalled, no doubt, by
the poor objects of her instruction, who, by being thus
taught a trade, were rescued from the temptations inci-
dental to their situation in life, and put in a fair way of
achieving for themselves, if not an elevated place in
society, at least a comfortable and honest one.
IN THE SECTION OF CHEMISTRY.—To Mr. R. Smith,
for hia method of printing and lustering on china and
earthenware by means of electricity, the large silver
medal. To Dr. E. Doeekman, for his specimen of
scarlet on china, the large silver medal. To Dr. Fowlis,
for his tangible ink for the blind, the large silver medal.
IN THE SECTIONS OF MECHANICS.—To Messrs. H.
and E. Highton, for several important improvements and
new principles introduced by them in the construction
of electric telegraphs, the large gold medal. To Mr. N.
J. Holmes, for his diamond needle, and coil, and light-
ning conductor electric telegraphs, the large gold medal.
To Mr. Arthur Dunp, for his means of indicating the
temperature of the steam and also the boilers of steam-
engines, the large silver medal. To Mr. Charles Dawson,
for his improvements and addition to the key-board of
pianos, the large silver medal. To Mr. Haigh, for his
water-meter, the large silver medal. To Messrs. Ter-
raffe and Willett, for their method of slating roofs, the
large silver medal. To Mr. P. Watt, for his method of
keeping two forming surfaces moving at required rates
by means of racks and pinions, the silver Isis medal.
To Mr. Hughes, for his method of teaching and enabling
the blind to write music, the silver Isis medal. To Mr.
Payne, for his musical chimes clock, the honorary
testimonial.

The distribution having been concluded,
The Chevalier BUNSEN moved a Tote of thanks to his
Royal Highness.
Sir EDWARD CODRINGTON seconded the motion, which
being agreed to,
His ROYAL HIGHNESS returned thanks, and the meet-
ing broke up.

THE LONDON INDISPUTABLE
LIFE POLICY COMPANY.
The first meeting of the members of this society was
held yesterday at the London Tavern, at two o'clock;
Mr. Dangerfield in the chair.
The Secretary read the following report:—
" The directors have great satisfaction in laying before
the meeting the balance-sheet and a statement of the
affairs of the company, from the commencement of busi-
ness to the 31st December last, prepared in compliance
with the directions contained in the deed of constitution
and the Act of Parliament under which the company is
incorporated, approved by the Board, and examined and
certified by the auditors; and also an account and balance-
sheet taken on the Ist of the present month, from which
it appears that, after providing for the payment of the
sums assured and all out standing debts, including pre-
liminary charges, there is a balance of profit of 11,9194
19s. 1 id., which belongs to and will be divisible with the
future profits, as directed by the deed of constitution,
exclusively amongst the present and future assured mem-
bers of the company.
" In the course of the eleven months embraced in these
accounts, 253 proposals of assurance have been sub-
mitted to the Board, 227 policies have been completed
and issued, assuring the sum of 73,1011., and yielding in
annual premiums a revenue of 2,9041. 15s. 101
"With such results your directors congratulate you on
the introduction of that principle of indisputability and
enlarged liberality in practice, to which they attribute
that amount of succass, which is almost unexampled in
the history of mutual assurance, and which would pro-
bably have been even greater, had the company com-
menced business in a year less unfavourable than the last
to the progress of general business and the extension of
life assurance.
" Having founded the employ upon a principle alto-
gether new as applicable to life assurance, which affords
to the public increased protection, by substituting the
certainty for the prob ability of payment of policy claims,
your directors have attentively and with much interest
marked the gradually increasing progress from the c uti-
mencement of business to the present date. They have
seen the peculiar features and practice of the company
pointed out and advocated with that earnestness and
ability, which the English press is in the habit of apply-
ing to improvements affecting the general welfare; and
they have experienced much satisfaction from observing
that the largest assurances on the books have come from
solicitors of well-kaown prudence and high standing in
their profession, whose duty and chief object is the pro-
tection and benefit of their clients. It appears from the
balance-sheet that a considerable amount has been paid
by this to other companies, for the partial re-assurance
of policies exceeding by several thousand pounds the
extent of risk considered prudent for the present to be
retained.
" These are matters of much gratification, and they
augur enlarged prosperity; yet it should be borne in
mind that even greeter returns May be obtained by in-
creased exertion on the pert of those interested in the
advancement of so beneficial an institution, in the wide
field of uninsured lives; and your directors would remind
you that in mutual life societies, as there are no share-
thoorlsd ei
or share-
holders
etroe
sdt
ee
dt rai cot i fur
ro
tmh
etrhi
ne
gp t
the bs,o ts
neer
ses area
ondo
tphraotpirti ei
8-
incumbent on every assured member of a mutual com-
pany to employ his influence in extending its operations,
whereby he will not only essentially promote his own
individual interest, and benefit his co-assured, but add
to the comfort and permanent welfare of every friend and
acquaintance whom he may induce to become a member."
The report was much applauded.
The Secretary also read the balance-sheets setting forth
the receipts and expenditure.
The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting and detailed
the great advantages which this company possessed over
those in existence on account of the policies being " in-
defeasible and indisputable" thus giving greater security
to the commercial community who held so great a stake
in policies on the lives of creditors and others. The suc-
cess of the company had exceeded the very sanguine idea
which the directors had formed with respect to it.
Mr. BeveN, banker, of Bury St. Edmunds, in moving
the adoption of the report, stated that he had lost 1004
on account of an office in the eastern counties having
disputed the legality of a policy on the life of a treditor,
the premiums of which he had paid for 20 years; and
that an office like this, the policies of which were un-
doubted negotiable instruments on account of their indis-
putability, was one most worthy of the support of
bankers and commercial men, to whose earnest support
he recommended it.—(Cheers.) •
The report and accounts were then adopted.
The following directors were then elected:—Mr. J.
Hamilton, Mr. R. H. Forman, Mr. J. F. Maddox, and
Mr. J. T. Bramwell.
A cordial vote of thanks was then awarded to the
managing director, Mr. Alexander Robertson, the meth
cal officers, and auditors, to which Mr. Robertson very
ably responded, after which the meeting broke up.

FIRE IN CLERKENWELL.—Thursday night, at eigh
o'clock, a fire, by which three persons were very seriously
burned, broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. J.
Dowse, a patent letter-stamper. &c., carrying on busi-
ness at No. 13, Fletcher's row, Vineyard-walk, Clerken-
tunfortunate
forth
well. Mr. Dowse had invented a machine for purifying
fellows
sou t as
their wellhnds as,they
facm werend
naphtha, and at the time above stated, whilst he and his
workmen were in the shop, the contents of the machine
body, firing the roof of the workshop, and completely
y burned poor
b a
a
becameenveloping
ignited,he three when the
persons
n swho
were a vast
in
the building.
The
able crawled through the fire to the street door; they
were all
se
other portions of their bodies. Mr. Dowse immediately
started off to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, accompanied
by some police-constables of the G division. He snc•
ceeded in walking as far as the corner of Cow-cross,
when he fell, and it was found necessary to call a cab to
take him the remaining distance. Upon his arrival at
the hospital it was ascertained that, besides the injuries
of his
to his bead and face, his thighs and lower part
The
body were injured by the action of the
fiameWest of
engines of the parish, London Brigade,
and
the fire was
England Company quickly attended, and.
as
destroyed.
extinguished before much property. .
leading from
There is little doubt that one of the pipesnto a vessel of
the still, and conveying the naphthaicopper, and
water, had burst from the heat ofthethe
disaster. Upon
allow-
ing the spirit to escape had ceased
it was learned that al-
making inquiries at the
hospital were so badly burned,
though the unfortunate persons
nothing fatal was apprehended.
TION AND DISEASES Or
HOSPITAL FOE
xr r°77Maruleeting of the board of
THE CHEST.—Yesterdays li
the board-room of the institu-
tion;.
management was held
chair. The routine
- Lyon in the busi-
ness Captain
• been passed, it was stated, that on Sunday,
having
the 17th instant, the Rev. Robert Montgomery, M.A.,
minister of Percy Chapel, would preach a sermon on be-
half of the charity, at Christchurch, Dorset-square, Bt.
Diarylebone,