The Sun.
London, England, 1836-07-05 00:00:00

Coo of this undertaking had excited praise, not only in this
neighbourhood but in the metropolis and elsewhere, and de-
servedly too. From almost the very first suggestion of the
railway, the capital was subscribed, the plans were lodged at
the necessary places, and the Company were ready to go to
Parliament for an Act authorising its formation. He pre-
sented himself to the meeting, as a proprietor in the under-
taking, to express his joy at the activity which hal
been manifested. But he had a larger interest in it than
that, viz., his connection with another undertaking, the G: eat
Western. The two were closely allied together, they were.
similar in interests, and if his friend (Mr. Bright) hid left
him one topic to touch upon, it was their identity under ore
engineer. He could say, without being biassed by the par-
tiality of friendship, for be had only known Mr. Brunel since
he (Mr. S.) had been connected With the Great We;tern
Railway, that having closely observed him, every day. nay
every hour, convinced him more and more that it would be
impossible to place the formation of the line in better hands
than his. The rapid progress of the Great Western Railway
was scarcely observable to those uninterested in it, but still its
progress was rapid, and the same vigorous measures would be
adopted by Mr. Brunel with regard to the Bristol and Exeter
Railway. And in the rapidity of its completion one great ele-
ment of success lay, for in this is attained not only an early re-
turn for the capital invested, but the speedy downfall of all
competing lines. One of the Directors had drawn their atten-
tion to another line of railway (the South Western), projected
in opposition to the Bristol and Exeter, which he characterized
as " impossible "of completion. Now he did not like to em-
ploy that word, he would therefore use the mildest term in.
expressing his belief that the nature of the country rendered
it improbable that the line in question could be brought
into competition with theirs. But if it were, it would
he with but small expectation of profits ; and if it were
carried through Taunton, in his opinion, it would in-
crease the traffic of their own railway there, even if it
diminished it in a slight degree in other quarters. As res-
pected this city, these undertakings would entitle it to be
called the Western Metropolis, for on the formation of the
numerous railways radiating from this city, the commerce
and general prosperity of the city would be increased to a vast
extent. It well deserved such a designation, for Bristol had
come forward under circumstances of peculiar difficulty, and
nobly supported the Great Western Railway, which led to the
present undertaking, and that to others, and he had no doubt
that these undertakings would lead to that result which they
all desired, namely, the local and general prosperity of the
city. With regard to the Bristol and Exeter Railway, it must
not be considered as a branch railway; it was a main trunk--
and at the same time a link in the chain connecting the east
with the west. It was a good line, and it was very practicable
to extend it beyond Exeter. lie viewed it as a great na-
tional undertaking, which reflected great credit on this
city. And how had it been accomplished ? He had ad-
verted to the manner in which it had originated; it had
received the sanction of the legislature, and it was now on
the eve of being proceeded with ; and, moreover, it was placed
in hands which justified a hope of its speedy completion. His
friend, Mr. Robert Bright, had adverted to the reward of the Directors for their past services. Now, he would put it to him-
self, as a proprietor, and to the gentlemen assembled, whether
there ought to be another reward besides that which his friend
had proposed should be given them—whether it was right for
them to be reaping the benefit of the time and experience of
the Directors without making them some remuneration ? If
he chose, he might take custom as his ground for asking this.
It was done by other Railway Companies, and indeed he had
no doubt that the Proprietors of the Bristol and Exeter Rail-
way would vote a sum of money for the purpose. Whatever
sum was voted, however, would be inadequate to the proper re-
muneration of the services rendered in the undertaking by the
Directors. From his own knowledge, he could say that their
duties were of no ordinary character, and if the annual sum of
1,600/. were applied to this purpose, they would have an
abundant return. He should not scruple therefore to move—
That the sum of 1,600/. be applied, annually, as the re-
muneration of the services of the Directors, in the manner
which they may consider the most equitable and conducive to
the interests of the Company, to commence from the passing
of this Act."
The resolution was seconded by JOSEPH Lax, Esq., and.
carried unanimously.
J. TYRRELL, Esq., said, there was a latin inscription in
St. Paul's, relative to Sir Richard Wren, to the effect, "If
you seek for my monument, look around you;" and I must
say, if you wish to know any thing of Mr. Brunel, look. around
you; and I do think, %ben you reflect on the short: time that
has elaped since this undertaking was first projected—when
you look to the extraordinary information he displayed in his
examination before Parliament on your Bill, it must appear to
you almost incredulous that, in so short a space of time, he
should have been able, not merely to make a survey of the
line, but to make himself acquainted with almost every square
yard—almost every hedge throughout its whole extent. In
alluding to the prospects of the railway, Mr. Tyrrell said,
he had been much in the habit of visiting the watering-
places in Devonshire, and he generally found among the
company persons from the most distant parts of the
United Kingdom--from the extreme north of Scotland and
the west of Ireland ; and it had often struck hire that so
many should be found to quit their homes, leaving their servants
and their establishments behind them, and wilting to bear the
heavy charges which, under such circumstances, must be incurred.
But if, with all thesedisadvautages, the company was neverthe-
less numerous, what influx might they not expect when the
Railway should be completed—when, instead of acking p
his carriage, a gentleman would only have occasion to put tut
upon the line, seat himself inside, with his coachman on the
box, and his servants behind, and after an hour's sleep, find
himself walking in the streets of one of the towns of Devon-
shire? There was one question—would the undertaking
prove a profitable investment ? He woltld candidly confess
that that was a subject on which he did not feel wholly disin-
terested : at first he took a few shares, before he had suf-
ficiently inquired into the merits of the undertaking; having
done so, however, he then took a few more, and such was now
his confidence in it that, by the blessing of God, he hoped to
keep the one and the other as a permanent, and, he had no
doubt a profitable investment. Mr. Tyrrell moved—
, That the cordial thanks of the proprietors be given to
J. K. Brunel, Esq., for the distinguished and unwear ed exer-
tions, by means of which an Act for the construction of the
Railway has been obtained during the present Session of Par-
liament."

G. JONES, Esq., in seconding the resolution, said that no
remarks of his could possibly add to the celebrity which Mr.
Brunel had justly obtained. As one of the Directors of the
Great Western Railway, he certainly did look with some
little jealousy to the application made by the Bristol and
Exeter Company for Mr. Brunel's services : fearing that the
accumulation upon that Gentleman \of so many weighty and.
important duties, would lead to the subjugation of his powers ;
but when that Gentleman applied to them to be permitted to
accept the appointment that was offered him,' he felt convinced
that ho would not undertake it unless he was confident of
going through with it. He begged, however, to assure the
meeting that he felt greatly interested in the success of the
present undertaking; for he believed that the prosperity of the
two lines was indissolubly connected, and he had no doubt that
both the one anci the other of them would succeed. It was pleasing to look back at the progress that had been made in
improving the prospects of the city of Bristol, within the last
last two years, and gratifying it was to reflect that, though
they had had much to contend with, they had, as it weree
trotted over the course. He was quite satisfied that the sera.
ral measures which had been proposed would be speedily and
happily completed, and he had no doubt they would lead to
other, if not to greater improvements, and that, in a short
time, the reproach which hung about the city would be wiped
off, and it would no longer be made a bye-ward. Mr. Jones
concluded by heartily seconding the motion., which was then
put and carried unanimously.
Mr. BRUNEL, after acknowledging the handsome manner in
which the meeting had been pleased to notice his services,
said, it was a subject of great pride to him to find himself con-
nected with two of the most important works at present in
course of prosecution, and both of which were calculated to
contribute to the wealth, and add to the importance of the city
of Bristol. He felt that, as much had been said respecting
the short period in which the Company lad-been brought to
its present favourable position, and in reference to the success
that had attended their application to Parliament, it was due
from him to state that very much of that success
was justly at-
tributed to one of their Directors—Mr. Samuel Waring.
When that gentleman had first applied to him, he enquired
how far it was practicable to got the Bill through the present
Parliament, and in reply he had said that such a thing was inn.
possible. On this Mr. W. had remarked, that nothing was ime
possible, and it was mainly owing to the manner in which no
reiterated that one word, that he was induced to proceed on the
instant with the survey. Mr. B. then alluded to the courtesy he
had experienced from Mr. Sanford, the member for West Somer-
set, and also to the patriotic feeling of that gentleman, who,
es'llen it was first proposed to carry the Hale throagb the centre
of his park, seeing the Immense advantage that would result
to the districts threaigh which it would p ass offered no oppo-
sition. In coneleision, Mr. B. begged themeeting to accept
his thanks ice the kind feeling they had manifested towards
him, and repeated what he had said in the same room on a
forme! occasion,—that he hoped they would never regret the
engagement made with him.
Jona VINING, Esq., in moving the following resolution,, said
he felt quite satisfied that the ability therein acknowledged
would carry on the undertaking to a successful constammation.
He begged to move—
" That the best thanks of the proprietors be riven to the
solicitors, for the ability and energy with which they haee con-
ducted the legal proceedings of this Compary."
The motion was seconded by Mr. TiRRELL, and carried
unanimously.
Mr. Osnomee, on behalf of himself and partner, and of
Messrs. Savory and Clarle, returned thanks.
Mr. RUDIIALL, aftea a few remarks expressive of his entire
confidence in the 'undertaking, moved—
" That Ova Directors be requested to print their Report,
to
gethee with the statement of receipts and expenditure, and
a e:.ey of the minutes of proceedings at this meeting, for the
use of the proprietors."
The motion was seconded by Mr. MALLARD, and carried
aria nimeusly.
The Chairman was then about to leave the chair; when
J. TYRRELL, Esq., said that they were Unfortunately about to,
overlook a very important resolution. He bore his testimony
to the valuable services of the Secretary, and moved__
That the zeal, ability, and interest, manifested by Mr.,
Thomas Osier, the Secretary, in the management of this.
undertaking, entitle him to the best thanks of the proprie-
tors."

The motion was. seconded and carried by acclamation.
The Chairman haiing quitted the chair, the same was tr.kett
by SAMUEL. WArniNcr, Esq., when it was proposed and unan't_
mously carried—_« That the cordial thanks of this meeting -00
given to FRED. Rlcizrrirs, Esq., for his able conduct ilk `tho
chair."