The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-10 00:00:00

Ny APRIL 10, 1847.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN

RAILWAY.
A special general meeting of the proprietors of this
company was held yesterday, at tho Euston Station, for
the purpose of expressing their approval of a number of
Bills now pending in Parliament, by which it is pro-
posed to ,authorise the London and North-Western
Railway Company either to contract or to become the
lessees or proprietors of, or to contribute towards the
formation of, the railways therein mentioned. The chair
was taken at one o'clock by G. C. Glyn, Esq., chair-
man of the company.
The SECRETARY having read the notice convening the
meeting,

Tho CUAIRIIAN said—Gentlemen, you are aware that
this meeting is called in compliance with the standing
orders of Parliament to ask for your final sanction to the
ine.itires now b,tore the Houses of Parliament. The
list read sounds s long and formidable one, but, in point
of fact, I shall be able to reduee it to a very short com-
pass. By looking at the list of Bills read to you by my
friend Mr. Creed, it appears that the different measure,;
there alluded to, when put in that proper shape which I
think they should be on the present occasion, are either
renewals of the Acts brought forward by the directors
in the last session of Parliament, and which were then

either lost or withdrawn, or branches or amendments

connected with the several Acts then obtained. In point
of fact, the different schemes that the directors have to

propose naturally divide themselves into three classes—
those to which I have referred, and which constitute the

largest portion, viz., amendments of the Acts of last
session, and Acts which were withdrawn or lost, and
there is only one undertaking, or rather a lease, which
the directors are now about to introduce to the meeting.
I am anxious to put these things before you in this way,
in order that you may not charge us with any attempt
to lead you on to that length which the lengthy enumera-
tion of the Bills might lead you to suppose. The first
Bill with which we begin is merely the renewal of an
Act passed last session for making a line from St. Alban's
to Luton. This Bill was lost in a Committee of the
House of Commons, the Committee preferring the rival
scheme of the London and York Railway, which
was ultimately lost in the Committee of the House
of Lords. The directors have brought the
measure forward in the present session in
terms of an agreement with the London and
York Company, in whose favour certain clauses will be
introduced regulating the traffic of the London and
York Riilway upon that line.—(Hear, hear.) The
second Bill is one which is almost identical with the one
which was also lost in the last session—it is a Bill to
make a railway from the London and North-Western
Railway near Bletchley to Newport Pagnel, Olney, and
Wellingborough. The present scheme will afford
rather more convenience than the former one,
in consequence of the line preparing to Welling-
borough. I might go on with a great many
more; but as the Bills must be all read as they come
before you, in order to be submitted to you, I think it
will be better to reserve any remarks upon them until
such time as the several Bills are brought under your
consideration. lam anxious, considering the state of
the money market and the general position of commer-
cial affairs, to add a few words, in order
that you should not think we are undertaking any
projects with rashness, or without a full consideration
of all the bearings of the questions. It is quite true
that there is at present a monetary pressure upon the
money market, but the directors do not consider that of
itself affords any reason for not proceeding with such
measures as the directors think calculated to promote
the interests of the company, and which have already
received your sancticsa and approval ; and L
in common with your other directors, believe that
the pressure upon the monetary concerns is only
a momentary !one, and that by the time the Bills shall
have received the sanction of the Legislature, and we
shall be prepared to carry them out, it will have passed
off, and I trust that we shall then be placed in a position
fully to perform the duty which we feel that we owe
both to ourselves and to the public without any serious
pressure —(Hear, hear.) I shall now proceed to read
the names of the several Bills, and put them to the
meeting, and should any hon. proprietor feel disposed to
ask any questions. or require any information upon the
subject of any of the Bills, I shall be happy to afford the

same.
The following Bills were then read to the meeting,
and unanimously agreed to without discussion:—
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make a railway from the London
and North-Western Railway, near Watford, to St.
Albans, Luton, and Dunstable."
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make a railway from the London
and North-Western Railway, near Bletehley, to Newport

Pagnel, Olney, and Wellingborough."
" A Bid for making a railway trom the Northampton
and Peterborough Branch of the London and North-
Western Railway to the town of Banbury, to be called
' The Northampton and Banbury Railway,' and for other
pultposes."
A Bill to authorise the consolidation cf the Oxford
and Bletchley and the Buckingham and Brickley Junc-
tion Companies, and to authorise an extension of their'
lines to Banbury and Aylesbury, and an alteration at
Oxford."
" A Bill fcr making a railway from Cheltenham to
join the London and North-Western Railway at Tring,
with branches therefrom, to be called • The London, Ox-

ford, and Cheltenham Railway.' "
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make certain branch railways and
extensions from Kenilworth to Berkswell; and from
Leamington to Warwick; and to widen the line from
Leamington to Coventry, all in the county of Warwick,
and for other purposes."
" A Bill for enabling the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make certain branch railways from
the Coventry and Nuneaton line, to the Mount Pleasant
and 'Victoria Collieries, in the County of Warwick, with
power to the London and North-Western Railway
Company to admit certain parties as shareholders in their
undertaking, and for other purposes."
" A Bill to enable the Coventry, Nuneaton, Birming-
ham, and Leicester Railway Company to sell and transfer
their railway, works, and interests to the London and
North-Western and Midland Railway Companies, or
either of them, and for other purposes."
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make a branch railway from the
London and North Western Railway, near Atherstone,
to the Midland Railway, at Whitacre, in the county of
Warwick."
" A Bill for enabling the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make a branch line of railway from
Portobello to Wolverhampton, and for other purposes."
" A Bill to authorise a certain alteration in the line of
the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley
Railway, and to amend the Act relating thereto, and fur
other purposes."
" A Bill to enable the Birmingham, Wolverhampton,
and Stour Valley Railway Company to construct branch
railways to Stourbridge, Dudley, and other places, and
for other purposes."
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to enlarge their stations at Liver-
pool and Crewe, and for other purposes."
" A Bill for enabling the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make a railway from Birmingham
to Lichfield, with branches, and for amending the former
Acts relating to the said company."
" A Bill to empower the London and North-Western
Railway Company to make divers branch railways in
the county of Lancaster, and for other purposes."
" A Bill to authorise the Right Honourable Francis
Egerton, Earl of Ellesmere, to sell, and the Lon-
don and North-Western Railway Company to pur-
chase, the estate and interest of the said Earl in the
Manchester, South Junction, and Altrincham Railway."
" A proposed Bill for constructing a railway from
Gloucester to Hereford, with branches therefrom, to be
called The Gloucester. and Hereford Railway,' and to
transfer to such railway company The Herefordshire
and Gloucestershire Canal Navigation,' and for other
purposes connected therewith."
" A Bill to incorporate the Huddersfield and Man-

chesterl Railway and Canal Company, and the Leeds,
Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway Company with the
London and North-Western Railway Company."
" A Bill for making branch railways from the Great
Western Railway, and from Hammersmith, to join the
West London Railway, for widening a portion of the
West London Railway, and for extending the same so
as to join the London and South-Western Railway, in
the parish of Saint Mary, Lambeth, in the county of
Surrey."
" A Bill to authorise a lease of the undertaking of

the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company to
the London and North-Western Railway Company. '
The CHAIRMAN said that the Bills in the list which
he had alluded to as being of the second class were the
London, Oxford, and Cheltenham Railway, and also the
project, which was merely a continuation of it, the
Gloucester and Hereford Railway and Canal Purchase
Bill. These undertakings were brought before them
so fully at the last general meeting, that it would not be
necessary for him then to occupy the time of the meeting
by any further explanations of them. The committee
which had been appointed to further its interests
was proceeding satisfactorily, and though it was for
Parliament to decide between it and its rival projects,
yet they would go into :committee with confidence and
every expectation of success. It would be in the re-
collection of the proprietors, that in August last they
had bad before them the project for enabling the Co-
ventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and Leicester Railway
Company to sell and transfer their works to the London
and North-Western and Midland Railway Companies,
or either of them. He had at that time informed them
that he did not know whether the line purchased
would be carried on by the company, and
even then it could not be considered, as
a settled project of the company. With re-
gard to the Bill for enabling the Right Honourable
Francis Egerton, the Earl of Ellesmere, to dispose of his
interest in the Manchester, South Junction, and Altrin.
cham Railway to the London and North-Western Com-
pany, that was unopposed by the parties interested, and.
the only capital required would be 12,500/. The next
project in the list to which he would refer was one
which was brought before them at some length at a
former meeting—it was the one connected with
the leasing of the undertaking of the Shropshire
Union Railways. and Canal Company to the Lon-
a don and North-Western Company. It was a
yes huge undertaking, and one which had been

maturely considered by the lboard. The consideration
had enabled them to arrive at the conclusion that there
would be no difficulty to frame proper terms. They had
undertaken to lease it at the rate of one-half of their
dividend. From all that they had been able to ascertain
upon the question, those terms were very fair to both
parties.e The capital for which they would be an-
swerable under the lease was 3,300,000/. A specific
arrangement had been made for the division of
the profits after a certain time. There was one Bill in
the list, and 'only one, which was an entirely new plc)
jeer, and which had never before been preserved t., th.•
notice of the proprietors. It was the Bi'l for the iner r-
poratiou of the Huddersfield and Manchester Railway
and Canal Company, and the Leed,, Dewsbury, and
Manchester Railway Company, with the London and
North- Western Railway Company. The terms were to
be seven-tenths or the divieeud by the London and
North-Western Contpan3, and the am- wit of capital re-
d was 1,280,0001. lle held in his hand the trafl'e
returns, and, as represented in them, there would be a
considerable surplus over the probable rent. He always
thou ht that sueh figures as were there given were to
be received with a certain degree of deduction; but
the scheme had been carefully considered by their
colleagues in the north, who had gone through the ne-
cessaryealculations with accuracy, and he might say with
pertinacity; and they had arrived at the conclusion, that
the terms which were offered were in themselves fair,
namely, 7- lOths upon the dividend. He had gone through
all the subjects and all the business which was for their
consideration for that day, and in concluding his state-
ment, he could only express his regret that it was found
necessary to summon them so frequently.
A vote of thanks having been given to the Chairman
and directors, the meeting separated.

LONDON BOTANICAL SOCIETY.
A meeting of the above Society took place last
night, at the offices of the Society, 20, Bedford-
street, Strand ; E. Doubleday, F.L.S., in the chair.
An interesting paper was read on the Potato Disease,
by W. Taylor, F.L.S. on which a long discussion
arose, the substance of which was that, in the au-
thor's opinion, the disease arose principally from at-
mospheric changes, which had taken place during
the last two years, which had caused a peculiar efflu-
via to arise in the air. The " celluliferous," or the
cells of the bulbs, become impregnated with this
noxious vapour; and, consequently, the cellular
tissue became ruptured and overcharged with a mass
of inorganic matter. Several specimens of plants
were submitted for the inspection of the members.
A portrait of Mr. G. E. Dennes, the Secretary, was
presented to that gentleman by the Society, for his
zeal and efficiency in forwarding the objects of the
society.

THE BIRMINGHAM ATHENIC
INSTITUTE.
On Tuesday evening the members 'of the above so-
ciety, with their friends, assembled at their rooms, in
Great Charles-street, to celebrate their fifth anniversary
of the institution. The apartment was tastefully fitted
up for the occasion, and, when the company assembled,
presented a gay appearance. Lord John Manners, who
came to Birmingham specially to attend the festivity,
presided as Chairman, and after the repast opened the
proceedings with three hearty cheers for her Majesty,
which were warmly responded to by the company.
Mr. DAVIDSON then read the report, which detailed
the progress of the society, and the advantages which it
had conferred upon the members.
Mr. NEWTON, one of the early founders of the institu-
tion, moved the adoption of the report.
Mr. BEDDOWS moved the thanks of the society to Lord
John Manners, and the other donors of books.

Lord Jolla MANNERS then rose and said, it became
his pleasing duty to return thanks for the kind manner in
which they had received the propositi,m of the two mem-
bers who bad last spoken. The present, as they all knew,
was the fifth anniversary of the institute, and notwith-
standing the very candid report which they had heard,
containing, as it did, the difficulties which the institution
had had to contend with, he was then proud to say that
on no previous occasion did they meet under more fa-
vourable or gratifying circumstances.—(Applause.)
Time, which tests all things human, and destroys so
many, had had a fair opportunity of destroying them, had
their views been wrong and their ends visionary ; but
after many days spent in manly games, and evening
recreations, they were then met to celebrate the fifth an-
niversary of their society, and he thought he might say
boldly they could look forward to that institution for a
long course of years as one affording means for manly
enjoyment, recreation, and amusement to at least a large
portion of the youths of Birmingham. They were
assembled there that evening with feelings of pleasure,
arising from the present enjoyment and e.ith feelings of
hope for the future, and he was convinced that in saying
this he expressod the feelings common to all. They were
grateful for whit the society had achieved, but above that
common debtikowed by all, he felt a personal chbt of
gratitude n) every member of the institute, tor he never
could forget the kindness which he had received from
them. Suffice it to say the presents which he had re-
ceived from them, and which had been so beautifully
prepared, and expressive of their native industry. had
been deposited by him, with great pleasure and pride, in
a cabinet in the principal room which her most gracious
Majesty—(Applause)—had occupied when she honoured
Belvoir Castle with a visit. He assured them that no
man ever kept the sword of the greatest warrior with
more pride, than he would keep the product of their
labour and proofs of their unmerited kindness. With
respect to the books which had been presented to the
Institute, he was only sorry they were so few, and he
now hoped they would permit him to add a few more to
their number.—(Cheers.) He was very anxious to ren-
der them every reasonable encouragement, because he
knew there was a foundation for the principles on which
the institution was based. When their society was
originated the public mind was not quite se ripe for such
institutions as at the present, and he thought they must
all have had no inconsiderable gratification in witnessing
what bad been accomplished in other places, which had
not been quite so fortunate as their own. They could
now point to numerous other instances in which great
social improvements had been successful. In autumn he
attended one of the largest assemblages that ever took
place within doors, in Manchester, upon a subject which
brought together 5,000 people. The object was to secure
for the journeymen, labourers, mechanics, and people
employed in all the various trades of Manchester. time
sufficient for study, amusement, and relaxation, which it
is well known they so much required.—(Hear.) In one
of the great rooms in London, he had the pleasure of
being present the other night, when the journeymen of
the metropolis came together, to say they wished to par-
ticipate in those enjoyments which the people now de-
clared to be their due. It was to his mind a most grati-
fying coincidence, that upon that very day, what he
hoped might be called the best crowning majority in fa-
vour of the Ten Hours Bill, had been proclaimed—
(Cheers)—and as they had now just done so, did the
meeting in London rise as one man and cheer the suc-
cess of that measure. He need not remind them of the
public baths and walks which had been thrown open for
the people. They were well aware great efforts had
been made in that direction, and still greater wore in
contemplation. The last measure introduced, with the
merits of which he was not yet acquainted, was a scheme
for the sanatory improvement of the people. Thus,
those great social questions now occupied that position
in the public mind which he and his friends of that so-
ciety believed they ought to have, and it was under these
circumstances they were now met to celebrate their fifth
anniversary. When they first met they were sneered at
and he was soundly abused. He thought, however, that
they did not care much about these sneers, and he could
assure them that he did not feel any great annoyance at
the abuse.—(Applause.) They should not, however, in
future hear of much more sneers or abuse, and if they
should, they would still continue to enjoy their manly
games, pursue their philosophical studies, and that room
would continue to witness their labours and feats of
agility ; the ladies would occasionally partake in the
merry dance, although the philosophical gentlemen of
the day might turn up their noses at what they in
reality did not understand. He sthould depart from that
room still more impressed with the heartiness of the
English character, and convinced that the union be-
tween the two great classes of their common country
might be made most effectual in the promotion of good.
If the example they set was more generally followed, a
great change would ensue; and he should conclude those
brief observations by expressing his hearty hope that
the good example that they had set would be followed
in every great town in the kingdom, and that before long
their native country would again enjoy in reality the
appellation of " Merry Old England," which it once so
justly possessed.
After several other resolutions had been proposed and
carried, one of thanks to the Noble President of the In-
stitution was carried with great cheering, after which
Lord Jost.; MANNERS rose and returned thanks.
The company, after enjoying themselves. till an ad-
vanced hour, separated, highly delighted with the enter-
tainments of the evcning.

the IFRIGHTFUL ExPREss-CART ACCIDENT.--As
a the newspapers from Mr.
express cart which c
n indi
nighealtterranitds,
return
otuthrne
railways Are st l eyr
n extensivei°oi conveys
°publisherYw_as
st
standing
,
from the railway at Mr. Westley s door, between six
'sinthteheino
and seven o'clock A.M., yesterday, the horse took fright
and made off at a furious rate along the flagway towards
Temple-bar, when, as it neared Arundel-street, the
wheel of the cart caught in the gas-lamp post, which it
shivered to pieces, and the horse's leg fell into an open-
ing of a coal cellar, the stopper of which it broke
through; yet, strange to say, not an individual was in-
jured, and the express cart, horse, and harness, suffered
little or no damage.
How seldom do we feel, perceive, or think of the
small beginnings of disease which surround and operate upon
us in our enjoyments and intercourse with the world.
" The young disease, which must subdue at length, Grows with our growth, and strengthens with our strenth.,,
An improper regimen acting upon a particular kind of con-
-1 stitution, late hours, both of retiring to rest and riasisnsg in
the morning, lay the foundation of intestinal as wellh k
diseases. To all such we would recommend first
faorc
system, and, secondly, as a powerful . assistant
ton's Pill of Health, which has procured tanhegereo-f
approbation of
re-
covery of health, that efficacious Familssylitieedicinreo,hFatriaomap-
persons in every station in society.