The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-10 00:00:00

THE DINNER

At half- past five o'clock, as previously a►ranged at the
meeting, a mot respectable number of the largest and
most influent-Mt Proprietors of the Company sat down at
the London Tavern, to one of the most elegant dinners
at which we have ever been present. It exhibited all the
taste by which Messrs. Bathe and Breach are now so justly
celebrated, and gave the most unlimited satisfaction. The
wines were of the highest character, and Mr. Jolly, Mr.
Jones, and other gentlemen noted for their vocal talents,
added the always delightful charm of music to the plea-
sures and festivities of the evening.
C. Bleaden, Esq., was the chairman, and was supported
as at the above meeting, and with the addition of Mr.
Smith, the Solicitor of the Company, and Mr. D. Hill,
one of the standing Counsel. Mr. S. Taylor was un-
avoidably absent on account of indisposition, and also
Mr. Wire-. The usual loyal toasts were proposed
by the Chairman, in that style of calm but per-
suasive eloquence which pervades all his addresses;
his health was proposed by Mr. M. D. Hill,
and received in a manner which must have
been in the highest degree pleasing to him ; that of the
Vice-Chairman, T. Powell, Esq., and his brother Direc-
tors followed ; the health of the Committee, and thanks
to them, was also duly given, and responded to by Mr.
Bingley, the Chairman ; and finally, along with the Audi-
tors, the Press was not forgotten. Many eloquent and
most gratifying speeches were delivered in the course of
the evening; and from all that we could see or hear upon
the occasion, we unhesitatingly state, that the Licensed
Victuallers' and General Fire and Life Association" will
become the largest insurance-office in the kingdom. The
only complaint that was heard' of was that the issue of the
shares ought to have been much more extensive, inasmuch
as the present Shareholders would have bought the whole
of them even at a premium ; but th►s error, if error it be,
is capable of correction, and the Directors deserve the ap-
probation of the Proprietors, as well as the confidence of
the public, for their extremely cautious conduct in lending
money, in insurances against fire—in life policies—and in
the expenses of the office.

GREENWICH RAILWAY

COMPANY.

The first Half-Yearly General Meeting of the Pro,
prietors r‘ :he Gret!oixicli
at one o'cloc yester 'ay at the London Tavern, Bishops-
gate-street, VI ro. Suanbolt, Esq., tile Cutorman of the
Company, took the chair.
The Report of the Committee of Directors for the
year 1840 was then read. It stated that the traffic of
the last half-year showed an increase in the number of
passengers of 80,241, as compared with the same
period of the year 1839 ; and an increase of receipts
from passengers of 2061. Is. There now remained in
hand a surplus of 7,7441. 7s. 2d., out of which the
Directors recommended that a dividend of 7s'. should
be paid on each original share.
Reports from the engineers and other officers were
after wards rcad.
Mr. HomER, of Birmingham, moved that the Report
be printed and received ; and the motion having been
seconded was unanimously agreed to.
A sum of 2501. was voted to Mr. Ackerman, the
Secretary to the Company, for his exertions in their
service.

. _
J. M. Childers, Eq., M.P., and Messrs. Corney
and Bonar, were appointed Directors for the ensuing
year ; the two first gentlemen having been re-elected.
The thanks of tite Proprietors were then voted to the
Directors, and the Meeting separated.

THE WEATHER.

ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-

STREET.

NOON, FEB. 9.
B ,rometqr 29'72 In.
Thermometer

Highest . 34'5
Lowest
Wind N. E.—Freezing Point 32 Deg.

TIIE WIND.—On Sunday afternoon, during one
of those violent gu,ts of wind with which the metropolis
has at repeated intervals for the last three days been
visited, a somewhat ludicrous scene took place on Black-
friars-bridge. About three o'clock the wind appeared
to be more particularly felt in this immediate spot, Fe-
destrians maintaining their equilibrium with the utmost
difficulty, and hats, bonnets, and shawls flying in all di-
rections, and several of those necessary appendages
—more particularly so at this inclement season of the
year—having parted from their rightful owners, and
passing over the bridge with the velocity of lightning,
were to be seen gliding with the tide for a moment, when
they as suddenly disappeared beneath the surface of the
water, to the great discomfiture of their losers. Among
some of the unfortunates was a fashionably-attired person
who was wending her way over the bridge apparently with
great caution ; one hand was enveloped with her muff,
and the other employed in firmly grasping her veil, which
was attached to a costly velvet bonnet. When, however,
she had gained the centre of the bridge, a sudden gest of
wind obliged her to let go her hold of the veil fur the pur-
pose of securng the lower part of her clothing, and, in the
twinkling of an eye, away went bonnet, veil, and cap, to
which was attached a profusion of dark shining ringlets,
over the bridge, into the bosom of Old Father Thames, to
the great dismay of the lady, who now stood with a hair-
less bead; and who, before the unfortunate occurrence;
had the interesting appearance of a miss in her teens,
but was evidently a female of a least 45 years of age. As
may be imagined, many of the bystanders stood aghast,
whilst others were almost convulsed with laughter. One,
however, more compassionate than the rest. put his hand-
kerchief around her head, and having called a coach, she
was conveyed to her residence.
THE CORN LAWS.—A meeting, convened for
the purpose of taking into consideration the question of
these laws, was held on Thursday, at the Public Hall,
Taunton. In the absence of Sir T. B. Lethbridge, Bart.,
and J. Snowden, Esq., the dut) of advocating the object
of the meeting fell alone upon NV. Beade,,, Esq., who de-
livered an effective address in support of the abolition of
the Corn-laws to a numerous assemblage, composed of
tradesmen, artizans, and working men. llr. Beaden con-
cluded by proposing petitions to the Legislature, praying
them to take the Corn.laws into serious consideration, and
the meeting unanimouslj ,;urieuired iu 444,pting the
tions.... Western Tinos,