The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-01 00:00:00

them for the cordial and most sincere manner in
which they had drank Lis health.—(Great cheer-
ing.) They were, doubtless, aware that this so-
ciety was originally formed and founded by the sole
effort of comparatively few persons—by but a few com-
inercial men—who were determined to have a life as-
surance company which they could emphatically call
their own, and he thought that the scene v, hich that
room presented that tight showed that they had not
laboured in vain—(Cheers)—that their exertions had not
gone for nought—(Cheers)—that the seed they had
sown had taken deep root, that it had germinated be-
yond their expectations, and that it had yielded a most
abundant harvest.—(Great cheering.) In conclusion, he
would only say, that as long as he had the co. fidence of
the board of directors of the present society, so long
would he advance in every way that he could what he
considered to be the substantial, the enduring benefits
and prosperity of the society.—(Great
b cheering,
Song, Mr. Genge—" Sally in our Alley," which was
most deservedly encored.
Mr. CHARLES proposed the next toast," The health of
the Directors of the National', Mercantile Life Assurance
Society, and that of the Deputy-Chairman at the pre-
sent meeting, Mr. Alderman Sidney."
Mr. Alderman SIDNEY returned thanks, and in doing
stated that the directors had taken office with
the determination, that if they remained at the
helm of affairs of that society, it should not be second to
any in the city of Londoo.—(Hear,, hear.) As they
were all aware, the society had emerged from its minor
position to one of the most important descrip-
tion. They had now the office placed pre-eminently
forward in one of the best situations in the city of
London, and since they had occupied those premises
they had transacted business totally unprecedented in
the annals of assurance companies, and with which,
he believed, the transactions of any other of-
fice could bear no comparison.—(Loud cheers.)
It was considered, generally speaking, in offices of that
description, that to have an income of 15,0001. to 20.0001.
a year was doing a great stroke of business, but what
was the State of the present society ? Why at the
rate that they had been going on for the last
four months they had been transacting business to the
extent of between 30,0001. and 40,0001. a year. Such
being the case, he believed no one would dissent from
his statement, when he said that the time was not
far distant when their society would be the first,
if not the very first in the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, he begged to say that on behalf of him-
self and his fellow-directors, he felt most grateful for
the manner in which their healths had been drank.

------
Glee --" Here in cool grot and mossy cell."
D. WADDINGToN, Esq., proposed, amidst enthusiastic
cheering, " Health, long life, prosperity, and happiness,
to the Commercial Travellers," which, after some ob-
servations by Mr. Hewett, NI as drunk amid great
applause.
Song by Mr. Farquharson Smith, " The Ivy Green."
The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose the health of
Mr. Jones, the secretary and actuary of the institution.
On rising to do so he was greeted with the most vehe-
ment cheering, and silence having been in some measure
restored, he said—lt was his pleasing duty to propose
to them health and long life to one of the most valuable,
efficient, and deserving officers of their institution, Mr.
Jones, their actuary and secretary.—(Tremendous
cheering.) There was not a gentleman present who had
better capabilities of estimating the talents and industry
of their actuary and secretary than himself—(Cheers)—
and he could assure them that it afforded him the
greatest pleasure publicly to state that Mr. Jones's
services were duly appreciated, and that he was held in
the highest estimation by the board of directors.—
(Great cheering.) For himself he felt bound to
say that Mr. Jones at all times' rendered him
the highest service—(Cheers)—and, by so doing, made
that duty, which would otherwise be onerous, light.—
(Great cheering.) The capabilities of Mr. Jones were
great.—(Hear.) As a mathematician he was unsur-
passed ; and he was fully entitled and well worthy of
the confidence and support of the National Mercantile
Assurance Society.—(Cheers.) He had the greatest
happiness in proposing " Long life, health, and happi-
ness to their actuary and secretary, Mr. Jones.
This toast was most enthusiastically drank with three
times three, and one cheer more.

Mr. JENKIN JoNES, is rising to return thanks, was
greeted with rounds of applause. When something like
silence was obtained, he said that he could assure all pre-
sent that he most deeply felt the honour that had been
done him. He was sui e that he did not deserve the praise
that had been bestowed upon him by their worthy chair-
man.—(Cries of " Yes, you do.") But, at the same
time that he made that statement, he could assure them
that no individual could possibly have felt more anxiety
for the welfare, the prosperity, and success of the insti-
tution than he had done.—(Cheers.) When he made
that statement, he felt bound to accompany it with the
assertion that his efforts would bare been in vain had he
not been supported by their worthy chairman and the
board of directors—(Great cheering)—gentlemen whose
hearts and souls were sincerely bent on doingall they
could for the benefit and welfare of the institution.—
(Cheers.) Nothing, he would unhesitatingly say, could
equal the respectability and the independent character of
the gentlemen at their board of management.--(Cheers.)
He had no hesitation in saying that the feeling
that actuated their board of management was the interest
of that class of persons, whose primary duty it was to
consider and protect the policy-holders.—(Cheers.)
They had heard from their chairman how successful the
society had been ; and in making that statement, he
had referred to the report they had presented to the last
annual meeting.—(Cheers.) Now that report had not
been come to without great consideration.—(Cheers.)
It had been audited by Mr. Hodgkinson, by Mr. Mil-
ledge, by Mr. M'Culloch, and Mr. Stockdale.—(Cheers.)
The evidence contained in that report—and be was not
astonished at it—had startled many, and surprised every
one.—(Cheers.) In that report it was stated, that after
the payment of every expense, after the settlement of all
that could be settled, the total amount of claims—after
deducting the payments in respect of lapsed and sur-
rendered policies were only 4,2941. 17s. tid.
Now, if that was a gratifying statement, how much more
gratifying, he would ask, was that he was about to
make ? At the present moment, after deduct-
ing the payments for lapsed and surrendered
policies, they would be only losers the to extent of
between 2,000/. and 3,0001., and this during nine years.
—(Great cheering.) Their worthy chairman had spoken
of the premises that had been taken; in doing so, he must
pardon him if he stated that he had not altogether done
them justice.—(Cheers.) He was enabled to state that
from offers that had already been made, they would
stand rent free, with offices worth 5001. a year, the
present value of which may be estimated at about
10,000/.—(Great cheering.) It had fallen to his lot
some time back, in looking for papers, to read the report
of the Government actuary, Mr. Finlason, in which he
paid a high compliment to the directors of this
society for the manner in which they had gratuitously
conducted their business.— (Cheers.) As an evidence
of the extraordinary success of the society, he might
venture to mention, that whilst it was considered by
many offices that three proposals a week was indicative
of a state of prosperity, what then, he would ask, must
be considered of the state of this society when he told
them that for several weeks past they had had between
30 and 40 proposals each weekly board-day—(Cheers)
—and that very day they had had upwards of 60 ?
(Cheers.) The proposals during the present month
alone amounted to the unprecedented number of 152 ;
the amount of the sums assured upon which would ex-
ceed 79,0001., yielding an income of upwards of 2,0001.,
which, if continued, would be upwards of 20,0001. per
annum.—(Cheers.)
Mr. JONES having paid a high compliment to Mr.
Ilewitt and Mr. Cotterill for the assistance that the)
had rendered him in the discharge of his duties, begged
to assure the society, that whilst they honoured him
with being their secretary and actuary, he would en-
deavour by all means in his power to be a faithful,
honest, zealous, but an independent servant of the o
ciety.—(Great cheering.)
Comic song by Mr. Bruton.
The health of the stewards auditors, medical, and
legal officers was then drunk, and duly responded to, amid
much cheering.

Mr. JONES then proposed the health of Mr. Chadwick,
one of the local agents of the society in Manchester. That
gentleman had taken the trouble of coming to London
tor the purpose of attending the present meeting—
(Cheers)—and he thought that the least they could do
Was to drink his health.—(Cheers.) Many of the agents
Lad obtained for them sixty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty,
and a less number of subicribers. But Mr. Chadwick
had obtained for them, within a .very- short period, n.
•ss than eighty.—(Cheers.)
The toast was dr u-k with enthusiasm.
Mr. CHADWICK. In returning shanks, assured tie
,ociety that hi. exertions should nuver be relaxed for
their benefit.

Th.• health of the Vice-Presidents of the evening,
Mr. Williams, Mr. 11,,witt, and Mr. Julian Aders, was
drunk amid much chm ring, as was also that of " The

iress."

These toasts having been duly re,ponded to, and au-
ltr " Rule Broartim" having been sung in excellent
st) le by th.• v.,catt,ts.prestnt, the as.-tubt) mice up,
every party hu.,,bly delighted with tne rich treat
ut,% had

Messrs. George Turns r, Geng,, Farquharson Smith,
and Bruton enlivened the entertainments of the evenint,
by their excellent sieging.
The great toast. musters, Messrs. Toole and Son, gave
out the toasts in their natal sonorous and excellent style,
~nd the dinner that
.was provided by Messrs. Bathe an:l
Breach was all that the greatest gourmand could desire,
or the greatest epicure covet, and the wines were of the
first description.

THE CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN.—The Conde de
Montemolin received numerous visits from Spanish no-
blemen and gentlemen, with whom be spent the greater
part of Wednesday. In the afternoon the Conde took
his usual exercise in the parks.
FROZEN TO DRATIL—An inquest was held at
Broadheath, in Worcestershire, on the body of Elizabeth
Sefton, aged 66, who was found dead on Sunday last by
the side of an unfrequented road. On a post modem exa-
mination there was nothing but a little watery fluid
found in her stomach. The jury returned the following
verdict.—" That the deceased was bound dead, having,
it is supposed, lost her way, and owing to the incle-
mency of the weather she was frozen to death."
At a dinner of the committee and board of ma-
nagement of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, which
took place on Tuesday, Mr. Kemp, the chairman, was
presented with a very beautiful and valuable gold snuff-
box, manufactured by Messrs. Sari and Sons, Coruhill.
SINGULAR ANNOUNCEMENT.--A placard has this
week been posted on the walls, in the town of Staley-
bridge, announcing that a tea-party of Mormons, or
Latter-day Saints will be held in the town-hall, on New
Year's-day, in which it is gravely stated that " three of
the twelve apostles" will be present on the occasion.
Some other great personage is also to be in attendance
from the " Holy City" in America.—Manchester Courier.

EASTERN COUNTIES ItAILWAY.

DINNER TO THE WORKMEN.
(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)
Last evening—" new year's eve,"—an entertainment,
consisting of a dinner of plain but generous fare was
given by the directors of this company to all the work-
men whose respective avocations would allow them to
partake of it, and a bonus of a day's pay was given to
those who were unable to attend,—a generous, hearty
arrangement, and one which we venture to predict will
not only go far to promote good feeling amongst all
employed in the service of this company, hose progress
we are happy to chronicle, but will be an
inducement to its rewards, to leave nothing undone
which may promote its prosperity—which may place it
in a rank with other lines possessing greater means,
and, consequently, more appliances; and which will,
therefore, increase. its . traffic, and thereby the
means by which they live. The dinner took place
shortly after five o'clock in the workshops at Stratford,
in a building 270 feet long and 70 broad, which was
tastefully decorated with :evergreens, chandeliers, flags
and banners, and emblems in gas. The meat prominent
of which were, "G. H.," (George Hudson, Esq.,) and
"D. W.," (D. Waddington, Esq.,) the Deputy Chair-
man of the company. At the upper end of the
building a raised platform had been erected, at which
the majority of the guests occupied seats, for the enter •
tainment was not without its visitors. It was arranged
in the form of a canopy of crimson cloth and damask,
in the centre of which was a throne or pavilion for the
Chairman. A gallery at the end of the room was
filled with ladies, and another in the middle of the room
contained Adams' band, who played several airs during
the evening, which were applauded to the echo—particu-
larly a railway overture. There were five tables, which
stretched the whole length of the spacious building,
each of which was assigned to the following departments
—goods, coaching, locomotive, and permanent way.
The arrangements reflected great credit upon those
to whom they were intrusted by the Committees of
Management, Mr. C. T. 'shorn, one of the assistant
engineers, and Mr. Jay, superintendent of the coaching
department. The chairman (Mr. Waddington), the
deputy-chairman of the company, was supported on his
right by Mr. Sheriff Kennaird, and on his left by Mr.
Bidder, the engineer of the line. Amongst those pre-
sent we observed Mr. S. M. Peto, and Mr. Grissell, the
well-known contractors, the Rev. C. Richolls, Colonel
Jackson, Mr. Roney (the secretary of the company),
Mr. Till (secretary of the Norfolk Company), Mr.
Saunders (secretary of the Eastern Union), Mr. Mar-
tin (superintendent of the Eastern Union), Dr. Butler,
Mr. Heathcote, &c. &c.
Grace was said by the Rev. Mr. Richolls.
Due justice having been done to the dinner, which
was provided by Messrs. Breech and Co., of the London
Tavern, Non nobis Domine was sung by the vocalists,
Messrs. Sporle, Edney, Bruton, and others, who were
under the direction of Mr. Genge.
The CHAIRMAN gave the usual loyal toasts, and ex-
pressed a hope that the young family of the Queen
might perpetuate the line of the illustrious House of
Brunswick. lie then gave, " The Bishop and Clergy of
the diocese," which was responded to by the Rev. Mr.
Richolls, and " The Army and Navy," on whose labours
to obtain for us a peaceful home he passed a high eulo-
gium.

It is needless to add that these toasts were warmly
responded to.
The CHAIRMAN then rose to propose " The health of
the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of York, George
Hudson, Esq., M.P., Chairman of the Eastern
Counties, and long life to him,"—a toast which was re-
ceived with the warmest and loudest demonstrations we
ever heard or witnessed. He said, the toast which lam
now about to submit to you is one which, I am sure, you
will receive with an enthusiastic burst of acclamation—
one of the loudest cheers which have ever been heard
within the walls of any building in this country.—(Loud
cheers.) I only regret, and I do regret it deeply, that
.the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of York, George Hud-
son, Esq., M.P., the Chairman of the Eastern Counties,
is not here this evening to occupy the position which I
have this evening the.honour to hold ; for I feel con-
vinced that you would have been delighted by the urba-
nity of his manner, and by the eloquence which charac-
terised his orations on all such occasions.—(Loud cheers.)
I have to propose that Right Hon. Gentleman's health
to you in the capacity of Chairman of the Eastern Coun-
ties Railway—(Cheers)—and to state that he feels moat
deeply that his engagements in the north would not per-
mit of his attendance here this Evening. But he did not
forget to think of you 1 because he sent from his estates
in Yorkshire a quantity of game and other good cheer,
in order to testify his interest in the entertainment.
and his desire to contribute to the enjoyment of the
inward man.—(Cheers.) I can tell you that your
Chairman felt the deepest interest in your welfare. I
know him well—l have long known him, and I know
that a kinder heart does not beat in the breast of man.—
(Loud cheering.) I know, for I have heard him state
it, that he considers the great secret in conducting a
railway successfully, is to get good men, and to use
them well that you can keep them. (Prolonged
cheering.) I call upon you to respond to that
sentiment—a sentiment entertained in common by
the directors of this company, because I am sure it
will be found by practice that this is the only mode by
which the business of, a railway could be successfully
carried out.—(Loud cheers.) When it was contem-
plated to open the Ely and Peterborough branch, it was
hinted that, as Peterborough already had railway corn-
munication in connexion with the North-Western, it
would not be considered a great treat to the inhabitants
of Peterborough to have a repetition of the ex-
citement consequent upon the opening of another
line ; and therefore, the directors of the Eastern
Counties thought that instead of holding a festive enter-
tainment at Peterborough, they should hold it within
the walls of their own workshops, and give it to their
own workmen.—(Enthusiastic cheering.) We hope to
prove to those who are employed on this railway, that
the directors entertain the sentiments of the chairman,
and that having good men we shall try to keep them—that
they should not lack encouragement, and that we could
place our feet under the same table, and feel as much
interest in their welfare as in that of our families.—
(Loud cheers.) These being the views of the chairman,
which are participated in by his colleagues, I am sure
you will join with me in responding to the toast—nine
times nine—until you make the welkin ring.—(The nu-
merou assembly rose and cheered. They were indeed
loud and prolonged.)
Mr. Bruton favoured the company with a song, very
complimentary to the Chairman, and to locomotion in
general.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Railway interest,
and its great architect, George Stephenson." After al-
luding to the great advantages which the invention of
railways had conferred upon the people of this country,
he went on to relate an anecdote of the subject of the
toast. He said he had the pleasure of dining with Mr.
Stephenson in Newcastle some time ago. He referred to
the construction of his first locomotive, now 40 years
ago, when it was stigmatised as a whimsical scheme. He
stated, in addition, that he never felt greater difficulty
than when stating, in the witness box, that the engine
would go at the rate of ten miles an hour ; but instead of
ten miles an hour, fifty or sixty were easily accom-
plished.
The toast was received with acclamation.
Mr. BIDDER briefly returned thanks on behalf of Mr.
Stephenson. He said if railways were carried out to
their fullest extent that Union workhouses and prisons
would become tenantless on account of the lucrative
employment which they would create for the industrial
portion of the community.
The CHAIRMAN next gave,
sex and London."
Mr. Sheriff KENNAIRD briefly returned thanks. He
said such a gathering beat the Baron's hollow.—
(Laughter.) If they had not had the yule-log
they had had the flossing can and merry faces,
and merry hearts to boot. He concluded by
proposing the health of Mr. Waddington. He said h,-
was the oldest member of the board of direction of
either the Eastern Counties or the Northern and Eastern,
and had therefore seen many administrations ; but he
had never met with any man who was more ready to
promote the welfare of those in the service of the com-
pany than their Chairman.—(Loud cheers.) One fact
was worth a thousand speeches. That morning he be-
sought him to reverse a decision on account
of the family of the subject of his application.
He said he had never yet refused any request which
he (Mr. Sheriff Kennaird) had made to him, because he
had never laid before him any cases save those worthy
of relief. lie wished they c.uld have heard the expres-
-ions which he made use of on the occasion. He said
truly, when he said that the way to keep good servants
was to treat, them fairly—to treat them justly and well.
—(Loud cheers.) Th dirk ctors had but elle desire—to
treat all kindly, and that there would be an esprit de
corps ann.ngst them. Whatever the papers might say to
the contrary, there was not a better managed railway in
the kingdom than the Eastern Counties—(Cheers.)
The toast was enthu.siastically received.
The CHAIRMAN felt proudly, but deeply, the honour
they had conferred upon him. He should be ashame
of hims( 11 if he did not acknowledge that he kit the
deepest gratitude fur the way they had ta-sponded to the
toast ; and he would endeavour to prove by his future
conduct that he was deserving of the encomiums lavished
upon him, in doing all he could to promote the welfare
of his brother man.—(lmmense cheering.) When he
joined the Eastern Counties he had no idea of
the labour which bad since devolved upon him ;
if he had been aware of the amount of labour which
attached to the office, nothing should have induced him
to join the direction, but having entered upon the office,
he held, nothing should induce him to forego any labour
which might benefit the company and be beneficial to
the public in general.—(Loud cheers.) He respected
the opinions of his fellow men. He did not envy the
man that did not ; because a man who did not live in
the heart of his neighbour did not deserve the name of
man ! When a man had once placed his shoulder at the
wheel, it was incumbent upon him to urge it on to
the utmost, and not to shrink back dismayed.—
(Cheers.) And as long as he bad the honour of occupy-
ing his present position, he should do his best to deserve
the approbation of such an honest and enlightened as-
sembly as the one he saw before him.—(Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave "the Norfolk Railway Com-
pany, and the Eastern Union Company," with which he
begged to couple the names of Mr. Till and Mr. Saun-
ders. These lines were the right and left arms of the
Eastern Counties Company, and it was, therefore, their
utmost desire to promote a good understanding between
each other.
The toast was received with acclamation.
Mr. TILL returned thanks on behalf of the Norfolk
Company, and thanked the officers of the Company for
honouring him with an invitation to the entertainment.
On behalf of the officers of the company which he repre-
sented, he could assure them that they would do all in
their power to promote the .interests of the Eastern
Counties Company.—(Cheers.)
Mr. SAUNDERS briefly responded to the toast.
Mr. SMALL responded to the toast of the directors of

" The Sheriffs of Middle-