The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-14 00:00:00

APPENDIX.

Extract from the Report of the Railway Department
of the Board of Trade on proposed Amalgamations of
Railways ; dated Railway Department, Board of
Trade, Whitehall, 7 May, 1845.
" The present unsettled state of the railway system,
when almost every day brings forward some proposal
for a new railway, or some new combination among
existing interests, renders it peculiarly undesirable that
permanent amalgamations should be precipitately al-
lowed, unless in cases where the advantage to the public
is perfectly manifest.
" These observations apply principally to the case of
amalgamations between railways which have been ori-
ginally projected and sanctioned as independent under-
takings. There is another class of cases where new

lines are brought forward by the aid of, and in alliance
with, existing companies, who subscribe a portion of
the capital, or guarantee a certain return upon it, and
take powers to lease or purchase the line when made.
In such cases it is evident that greater latitute must be
allowed, as otherwise the inducement to the existing
company to support the new line would be in a great
measure withdrawn, and in many cases the undertaking
could not otherwise be supported. In such cases it
would appear to be fair to allow an existing company
promoting a line sanctioned as an useful undertaking, in
exchange for a guarantee on their part to complete what
they undertake, to purchase or atalgama.ted
erweithntati
[rnal
selves such small lines as may
to lease, for a long
branches of the parent line, and
. considered
period, such larger schemes as they
-re of sufficient
" Where such new schemes, however,
Inky have promoted.
magnitude to support themselves indepenulentnlYe., and
are not so intimately connected with the parent as" to
g
be necessarily worked along with it, it may in .. 17:
cases be advisable to make some provision for tn.",
existence of a degree of independence and local manage-
ment in the new concern ; and also for limiting the
period during which the union of interest is to ex.i.st
without the necessity of a fresh application to Parliament.
"We refrain, however, from entering more particu-
larly upon the details of such cases, since they are neces-
sarily brought fully under the cognizance of tbe Com-
mittee on each Bill, in the course of the general investi-
gation of the merits of the projected lines which it is
proposed to amalgamate with existing companies; and
we shall confine our observations more especially to
those in which the amalgamation of existing independent
Companies is proposed, and in which the bearings of
the case upon. public interests are not tic cessarily brought
under consideration by opposing parties.
" With regard to these, we incline, under present
circumstances and on the whole, to the opinion that such
amalgamations should only be allowed where there is a
natural and manifest identity of interest for public pur-
poses among the different portions of railway which seek
to unite into one whole. For instance, when two or
more lines form continuous portions of what is evidently,
for permanent public purposes, one great line of com-
munication, or whenever in fact there can be no reason-
able doubt that, if the whole system were now proposed
for the first time, an integral scheme would obtain a
preference over separate and unconnected portions, we
think that the benefits which we have already pointed
out as likely to ensue from unity of management, may be
considered as sufficient to justify the sanction of amalga-
mation under proper guarantees and conditions.
"But where there is any appearance of any conflict of
interest between the companies proposing to amalga-
mate and the public, and if there be any reason to sus-
pect that the amalgamation is sought as a defensive
measure to ward off legitimate competition, or to prevent
new and useful projects from being brought forward, it
appears to us very undesirable that amalgamation should
be permitted. And even in cases where there is no Eery
evident interest adverse to the public at the presen.:
moment, but where there is no such natural identity of
interest as properly to unite the lines proposing to amal-
gamate into one whole, we think, that having regard to
the present fluctuating state of railway affairs, it would,
generally speaking, be more prudent, at any rote f.'r the
present, to pause before sanctioning such proposals, and
uniting irrevocably, or for long periods, companies whose
relations to one another might in a few months have been
entirely changed, or which might be discove:cd to have
some unforeseen interests adverse to those of the public.
" We are the more inclined to recommend this course,
as no great evil could result from the postponement of
such amalgamations for a year or two, by which time
further experience will have been gained, both of the
true interests and relations of the company and of the
public, as well as of the efficacy of any legislative pro-
visions against undue monopoly. In the present state of
experience, it would hardly be wise to trust- much to
such provisions, unless in cases where they shall be
seconded by an obvious coincidence of interest between
the company and the public.
There is also reason_ to believe, that many of the
benefits sought for from amalgamation may be obtained
without unions of this permanent character, by mileage
arrangements, arrangements for the supply of locomo-
tive power, and others of a similar description, which
would not be open to the same objections ; and this, in
our opinion, affords another reason why, in cases which
are at all doubtful, the more prudent course would be to
postpone, for the present, the concession of powers to
carry into effect lasting amalgamation."

HOUSES OF OCCUPATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUIV.

Sin,—The repose from polities during the recess, I
hope, will permit me to report progress in the tesk I
have undertaken, which, considered in a social or poli-
tical point of view, is of vast importance to society,
which is bound to protect itself, and by :drevention
diminish the number of criminals. From my humble
efforts to arouse the public mind, I have the flattering
results of a committee being formed, to impress upon the
Legislature the necessity of a remedy, consisting of—
The Bishop of London, It. M. Milnes, Esq., M.P.
The Bishop of Norwich, The Lord Mayor,
The Bishop of Oxford, Earl of Denbigh,
TheßishopofPeterborough, Lord Kinnaird,
The Bishop of Gloucester Lord F Egerton,

and Bristol, I Lord JohnThianeers,
Colonel Wood, M.P., Lord Robert Grosvenor.
and a numerous body of influential gentlemen, who take
great interest in the matter ; and it is gratifying to find
that the Committee's request has been responded to by
nearly all the corporations in England and Wales,
heartily approving of the object, and sending and pre-
paring petitions to both Houses of Parliament, thus
showing the wishes of the people on the subject. I have
also further to state, that I have submitted the necessity
of a remedy to her Majesty, who takes much interest in
these poor outcasts, a
dfn
scpd.
continue
whonomtmlietn:
su
promised
odwa
ent•
to
ooel Ist
czyenuaxrespi)
should
scarcely
permit
dTbti ehh
ee a
Imthe .
measure
Duke de
o
itf
bnnhaoamrtt
,hablear stdiHngtgoehuilsssiea'pssoteekfrniiiotddotiroy)
eagui:naede
d
no adequate attempts to reclaim so large a 'section of
our fellow•creatures ; and when it is considered that
nearly 30,000 individuals are annually east out of prison
at the expiration of their sentence, to, to prey upon the
pepublic,nditn
raen,daonfd nneec,emsseiatynscausin
a double
_an reproach upon us as a frightful
nation: annual ex.
adopted to avert such evils, is
inveteratesomMe t
something
ga npntlrtuqesjutuadtbieeede
d::tooanrteieo, notions have
bet h
taio:
overcome
ettr(e)shimeeye, combated, many
Why, where is the system that does not; ;are' el se ntagreeo b tshtepa difficulties.t
cies ? I well remember that it was considered ridiculous
to attempt lighting London with coal—to cross the
Atlantic, or traverse the kingdom by steam, was mad-
ness—the emancipation of the slave population was con-
sidered a chimera—yet all these, with many others, have
been successfully accomplished, and shows what may be
done by co-operation and perseverance.
We have the fact of an institution of the kind required
having been established in France, in 1840, with perfect
success, begun by a benevolent individual, Count Leon
d'Ourches, succoured by the King and Royal family and
the public purse. It not only imparts education, but
has annexed a considerable extent of waste land, which
is cultivated by " the colonists." Workshops are esta-
blished, trades are taught ; the form of diwipline is
" persuasive, not coercive." The result is. that out of
every hundred five only have been afterwards re convict. d.
This speaks volumes. A similar establiOorent in Hol-
land works well. Manchester can demonstrate wh %a way
be done.; and theem
occu-
pation, in providing pout out a
remedy, and will well repay Government fur
complete
the outlay.
cultivation of surrounpdthlioneygir woeiit'snteinfolindude,filinandll°tuj':'sl:;ll:t:' the
I am thus pursuing the course pointed out ; having
dbeymtohnestwraistieotatifirdoll of the e
land,
Keith by royalty, and ai:( dby power.
ret
thni t
isoroeniss,p, :
oo,t.aiednrefcdtti
fulpress,to
something beneficial
which tb
m
e cause
ut,oft
andhta illmv7i: be aci vts much
in-
debted,v
I am, Sir, your obligedjlN i
servant,
o sh
er
i
f
f
,
April 13, 1846.
1, Hyde Park-place,

13BRIGHTON, APRIL 13.—Lord Francis Egcrtt,” and
family embarked at the pier, on Saturday, on board the
steamer Magnet for Dieppe, en route for Paris.
HERALDRY.—The office of Cl.rencf aux• King-o-
f in the Herald's College, ii vacant, t,y ae demise of
Joseph Hawker, F.S.A., v.ho expired eii the iota Met.
at the advanced age of Sl.
DULWICH GALLERY.—This interestir.g colketion of
' paintings was yesterday visited by upwards of 500 persons.

•
CULTIVATION OF THE DAHLIA.
At the meeting of the Chelmsford Horticultural and
Floral Society, held at the Bell Inn, on Tuesday even-
ing, Mr. T. Sorrell delivered an interesting lecture on
the history and cultivation of the dahlia. After some
introductory observations, he said—
The cultivation of the dahlia is a subject that has en-
gaged the attention of many and able hands, who have,
doubtless riven it the benefit of ;their learning. Mine
will be a Trief, but a practioal illustration of the subject,
as it has fallen under my notice. I purpose to divide
the subject umler the following heads Its introduc-
tion into this country. 2. The best method to adopt to
secure varieties. 3. The propagation of the plant from
cuttings. And, lastly, some general observations as to
the time of planting, the selection of the ground, the first
appearance of earwigs, and the dressing of flowers.
First, then, as to its introduction into this country.
having looked with diligence into the various authori-
ties, I find none that give a more correct account, ac-
cording to my opinion, than Mr. Loudon's Encyclopae-
dia, in which he informs us that its first appearance in
this country was about the year 1789, when, from igno-
rance of its culture, the stock was lost ; but through
the perseverance of the late Lady Holland, some seed
was re-introduced to this country, from which we from
time to time have been making progress to perfection.
It is, perhaps, curious to the uninitiated how such ex-
cellence could be arrived at, even to the present time ;
and I doubt not that even the standard, as laid down by
G. Glenny, may yet be attained by the same unremit-
ting attention that numbers bestow upon their favourite
idol. In its natural state, as found growing wild in the
sandy meadows of Mexico, it will scarcely bear any
comparison with the beauty of the flower, as brought to
pefection by cultivation. It is there, as compared to
its beauty by attention and culture in this country, as
the old Kiss-behind-the-garden-gate to the perfection of
the pansy.
I will now come to the next head—namely, the best
method to adopt to secure varieties. In order to accom-
plish this, it is absolutely necessaryessary that_
.d?t ise caution
should be used in the gathering of the seed.,advis-
able that it should remain on the plant for
its perfection
in growth until the near approach of frosts, previous to
which it should be cut and hung up in bunches, sheltered
from wet, until its appearance denotes its complete ripe-
ness; it should then be rubbed from the husk by the
hand, and securely deposited until about the 20th of
February, when it should be sown in boxes, placed in a
slight hot-bed, the more rapidly to promote vegetation;
it should then be gradually weaned from the warmth,
and, when sufficiently hardened, transferred to a cold
frame, and: about the middle of April may be pricked
out on some sheltered border, protected by covering
from frost until the middle or latter end of May, at
which time a well-prepared bed should be made for its
reception. To perfect its bloom the plants should be
removed with a round trowel, with a ball of earth, to
prevent the influence of the sun having too great a hold
on the young plants, and in this, as in all other instances
of dahlia culture, too great a supply of water can
scarcely be given. It only remains upon this. head to
mention that those tbewers possessing
qua-
lities for multiplying the almost the required
numberless good one,
should be saved.
My next observations will apply to the third head—
the propagedon of the plant from cuttings; and as there
are many and various ways of proceeding with that
work, and as most persons consider their own the best, I
shall give i
you mine, having found it the most successful.
If a large quantity of plants are required from one root,
it necessarily follows that the usual steps for that pur-
pose must be taken at a much earlier period than if only
a few were required; for a quantity I should say com-
mence potting your bulbs in January in good sized pots,
so that there be as little mutilation of the tubers as
possible, then fill the vacuum with good rich compost,
composed of one part each well rotted dung, leaf mould,
maiden loam, and sea sand, allowing the crowns to be
about the surface; plunge your pots to the brim in
bark tan, in a good strong bottom ; heat either in
cucumber frames, or other means which may be placed
in your power. You will in a short time see the pro-
gress
of t egetation by the swelling of the eyes, and con-
tinuing the heat you will soon have cuttings of sufficient
size to take off; and as I am of opinion that a practical
performance will more accurately convey to your minds
the nature of the operation than any observations
of mine, I now produce this plant, which I
have brought for the purpose, in order to show my
me!hod. It is as follows :—Take up your plant, drink
mederately, and commence. After the cuttings are off,
they should be potted in the foregoing compost (being
scrupulously particular as to your numbers, as nothing
tends more to dishearten an amateur than to have
wrong plant,), and replace them in bottom heat for
striking, keeping them shaded, as occasion requires ;
after struck they may be repotted separately in sixty's
pots, and remain in cold frame until required for
planting,
Proceeding still further with this delightful subject
brings me to the last head—namely, the time of plant-
ing, &c. The time of planting should be deferred until
the middle of May, and I would here observe that it is
desirable not too hastily to commence, let our anxiety
be ever so great to take advantage of the almost unex-
ampled mildness of the season. It is possible, nay pro-
bable, that we may even yet meet with some severe
weather, which, if we are too eager, may blast our hopes
as well as our flowers, and deprive us of plants we
fondly hoped would have realised our most cherished
exppetations.
In the selection of our ground, I maintain that it can-
not, under any circumstances, be of too rich a character,
nor the situation too unencumbered by trees, or other
crops of any description; and the arrangement of heights
aml variety must depend upon the locality of the spot
selected by the grower. The precise directions upon this
point can be ascertained from the many and excellent
catalogues published by the various nurserymen, who
devote much valuable time in its arrangement for our
(ruidance• From the time of planting, the growth of the
plant will forin an epoch in its history, as it must be pro-
tected and sufficiently secured against strong winds; the
branches trained to stakes, but riot unnaturally to make
its appearance unsightly. At the first appearance of the
earwigs, which are so destructive as to cause the greatest
damage in blooming season, indeed (instances are not
wanting where some growers have been unable to cut a
single good bloom, by reason of the ravages of this pest
to the dahlia), they should be especially looked after and
killed; as it is a fact, resting on undoubted authority,
that the destruction of one at its first appearance may
destroy'a, whole host that would otherwise appear.
Witiiregard to showing, I would merely observe upon
this ItCad that every person who intends showing will
select his beat blooms for that purpose, the arrangements
for the Same depending upon the flowers that he has.
I advise not too much artificial dressing of blooms, as it
not unfrequently tends to destroy, rather than improve,
the flowers so treated.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, SATURDAY.

The Ferret, 8, Commander George Sprigg, arrived on
Thursday monning from Sheerness. She is going to the
coast of Africa, and will take a mail to the Isand of As-
eension. Ferret sailed yesterday morning for Plymouth,
taking the supernumeraries for that port which were to
have gone by Emerald.
The Nautilus, 6, Lieut.-Commander John J. M‘Donell,
arrived on Thursday morning from off Brighton, to re-
cruit prove-dons and water.
. _ .

Flying Fish, 12, Corn. "Harris. On the morning of
the 4th of December, a strange sail was discovered, close
under land, by this vessel, stationed off the Gold Coast.
All sail was made, as the stranger appeared trying to get
out to seaward. At nine o'clock the wind fell; the Fly-
ing Fish then got out sweeps, and the hard work of row-
ing the brig was kept up until one o'clock with such
trilling success, that it was feared, if the wind should
spring up, the chase would escape. It was now a per-
fect calm, and in this state of affairs Lieutenant St.
Leger volunteered to take her with the two whale-boats,
the only boats on board, as the pinnace and cutter wer
out on a week's cruise with the First Lieutenant. In
few minutes the boats were alongside, manned ands
armed, and stretching out with eighteen men, under
three hearty cheers, towards the chase, now distant
about six or seven miles. When they were distant about
threenuarters of a mile, they lay on their oars to take
laath before boarding. This was an anxious moment,
'and
all eyes and glasses were directed towards them,
when, just as the men were giving way again, the chase
cltnreoppnerritzheEriieznasignnnalnd surrendered. She proved to be
year old, and fitted up for
slaves three weeks lUofnorree,
awhenshe cost 8,000 dollars.
After cruising about fur
sent monthto under 3 command of
Lieut. St. Leger, shecondemned.o
SHIPS AT PORTSMOUTH.—At up to
SE?eerrtb, Ter-
rible, Cyclops, Retribution, Scour
harbour—St. Vincent, Victory, Excellent, Rodney,
Iny
Victoria and Albert yacht, Eurydice, Apollo, Wandenreer,
Childers, and Rattler.
SHIPS AT DEVENPORT.—In Harbour—Queen, Cale-
donia, Albion, Bellisle, Favourite, Adventure, Confianee.
SHIPS AT SHEERNESS.—In Harbour—Trafalgar, -No,
flag-ship; Ocean, SO, Raven, 3, and Wildfire and Afri-
can, steam.vesseli.
SHIPS AT CHATHAM,—Poictiers, Ral.
APPOINTMENTS.
Lieutenants—R. I). Aldrich and J. King, to Apollo ;
Stephens, to Childers.
Master—J. W. King, to Vernon, vice Richardson,
superseded.
Assistant-Surgeons—J. Findley, to Excellent ; J. W.
Reid, to Rodney ; W. W. Wildey, M.D., to Belleisle.
Midshipman—H. Douglas, to Excellent.
Master's Assistant—H. B. Hunt, to Superb.
Clerk—T. C. J. Dryden, to Victory.
Naval Cadet—T, C. Chevalier, to Childers. _
RoYAL MARINES. --Lieutenant Edward T. P. Shewen,
to ha Quarter-muster to the Portsmouth Division, vice
Charles Miller, promoted to the rank of captain ; Mr.
E.lward Lawes Pyin who was removed from the list of
lieutenants, and who was tried, but acquitted, at the last
Winchester Assizes, for being concerned in the duel at
Brown Down, near Gosport, in which Mr. Seton lost his
life), has been restorei to his former rank in this corps
asrmAstonsr

We read in the Droll, "in a garret of No. 41,
aßue
Grenetat, lived a poor German wood turner, 59 years of age,
named Hunger. His only companion and friend was a dog,
to which he was much attached. Without being unsociable
in his nature, Hungar had little intercourse with his neigh-
bours, who, on either side, felt little interest for the miserable
condition of the poor workman. Two days ago, however, as
he had not made his appearance for several days, they
knocked at his; door, and, having no answer, applied to the
commissary of police, M. Bartlett. This gentleman came,
and forcing open the door, a dreadful sight presented itself.
Hangar Lad suffocated himself with the fumes of charcoal,
and also his dog, which was dead in his arms. The follow-
ing paper, written a short time before his death, was lying
near him :--" Que de soins pour fifre, qua to beine bour
mourir ? Lour qne mon chien ne reste bas abres moi, je lui
ai tonne aussi la mort. Atieu k ceux qui me trouferont ; la
mi:se re et one maladie incurable sont cause de ma mort."
Baron Parke, Lady Parke and daughter, and General
Lebedeff, arrived in London on Sunday morning, by the
General Steam Navigation Company's Mail Steam-ship Co-
lumbine, from Rotterdam.