The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-15 00:00:00

day confirms this news, but adds that the expected
arrival of Cardinal Amat with the troops of the line
could not fail to suppress the insurrection.

in, low soft damp greyish yellow at 335. Of 297 pkes
Ceylon, a part only sold, middling greyish yellow at
34a to 34s 6d, low 335, damp and washed 32a to 34s
per cwt.
FOREIGN.—This afternoon little desire was shown to
do business in Foreign Sugar by private treaty, and 166
hhds 121 barrels and 9 trcs of Porto Rico at auction
went is per cwt cheaper, fine yellow sold at 39s 6d to
41s, good 37s 6d to 395, middling 36s 6d to 375, low
35s 6d to 36s per cwt.

TUSCANY.

The Corriere Livornese of the 7th contains an
account of the return of the deputation sent to Flo-
rence by the insurgents. Guerrazzi spoke to the
people, praising their energy, and announcing that
the Government had promised to forget all the acts
that had taken place up to that time, also not to send
troops against Leghorn, and to allow the people to
choose their own local government. The dissolution
and re-organization of the National Guard of Leg-
horn, and a general amnesty to the soldiers,
had also been obtained. Loud applause succeeded
these announcements, and Guerrazzi, Petrachi, and
Larderel were elected. The people having expressed
a desire to be revenged upon the Commissary extra-
ordinary Cipriani, and upon Lieut. Capellini, Guer-
razzi exhorted them not to think of revenge, but leave
their conduct to be judged by the tribunals. A de-
cree of the Grand Duke was published, dated the 31st
ult., dissolving the National Guard of Leghorn, for
the purpose of reorganising it immediately. The
town was immediately adorned with banners, tapes-
try, 34c., and public rejoicings ordered.

.
3loLAssEs.—Few sales have been made by private
treaty, and sellers are disposed to accept rather lower
rates. At auction 100 puns of old West India were
taken in at 15s per cwt, finest new will not fetch above
18s 6d. Tho stock is still much smaller than last year.
Bengal Treacle is hold for 15s to 16s, but few buyers are
to be met with.

COFFEE.— On the part of holders of Jamaica there is
more firmness, and they have scantily supplied the mar-
ket this week. For inferior kinds few buyers are to be
met with; still full rates aro insisted upon. The sorts
above low middling, however, met with more attention,
and realized stiffer rates; of fin© the quantity at market
is trifling. At auction 40 casks, &c. Jamaica, consisting
of low to fine ord were only in part disposed of at 24s
to 32s per cwt. The public sales of Coffee declared to
take place next week consist of 1,500 barrels washed
Rio, 160 trcs, 340 brls, 100 bags Jamaica, 400 bags
Company's Java, 3,000 bags Costa Rica, 1,000 bags, 90
casks Plantation Ceylon, and 100 bags Native. Today
there was no public sale, whereas few purchases were
made privately by exporters or home trade buyers. In
prices there was scarcely any ♦ariation.
TEA.--In consequence of large arrivals of Green,
buyers have manifested little desire to do business this
week, and sellers are inclined to accept rather lower rates.
For Black there is a firm market, still the demand is not
so good in consequence of the parcels come to hand, but
sound sommon Congou is held for 8d to Bid, and good
common 9d to 9id per lb. Public sales will take place
next week.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
(From this night's Gazette.) •
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7tk and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for
the Week ending on Saturday, the 9th day of September, 1848.
1550 Z DEPARTMENT.

N'otes i55ued........ 26,958,875

Government debt .. 11,015,100
Other securities .. .. 2,984,900
Gold coin and bullion 12,402,140
Silver bullion ...... 556,735

X 26,958,875

426,958,875
M. MARSIIALL, Chief Cashier.
r, 1848.
SPAITKEN T.

XNS

'CM COMPANIES.

Dated the 14th day of Septeml

COCOA.—For West India the market looks firm, and
little has been offered at public sale. Purchases to a fair
extent have been made by private treaty upon fully for-
mer terms, red fetching 39s to 445, and grey 38s to 42s
per cwt. There ara still few buyers of Foreign, and
30s to 34s in the value according to quality.
RICE.—To-day there was no public sale of East India
Rice, whilst privately scarcely any demand existed, and
prices are little better than nominal, middling and good
white Benal can be obtained at Ils to 12s 6d, fine 13s to
13s 6d.
SALTPETRE.—British refined is much wanted and an
advance in the value is apparent, sales having been made
at 29a 6d to 30s per cwt, at which there are not willing
sellers. Refiners have many orders on hand, and there is
an enlarged consumption. Holders of rough show much
firmness, and have refrained from submitting any to public
sale this week. On the part of exporters and home trade
buyers much desire is evinced to operate in all sorts whilst
the rates paid are fully equal to those previously current.
For Nitrate of Soda quotations remain at 13s to 13s 6d
per cwt, and at which several parcels have been sold.
SPIRITS.—For Leeward Island Rum the market has a
dull appearance, and prices tend downwards, the sales
for the week do not exceed 150 puns at Is 7d to la 8d
proof, at which there is a desire to realize. East India is
little wanted, and for 50 hhds is 6d have been ac-
cepted prcof with certificate. In Jamaica few purchases
have been made for home trade purposes, whilst export
orders are trifling, and quotations tend downwards.
The value of 21 to 28 per cent. over proof is 3s to 35 3d,
30 to 38 over mid and good 3s 4d to 3s 9d, fine 3s 10d
to 4s 3, and choice marks 4s 4d to 4s 6d. Fui
Demerara the market is dull, and sellers are dis-
posed to accept 2s 2d to 2s 7d for 24 to 38
per cent over proof, and 2s 8d to 2s 9d for tine. Prices
are well kept up for Brandy and there is a good
trade doing chiefly for home consumption, deliveries
also exceed arrivals. We quote Cognac best brands
of the vintage of 1846 at 4s 10d to ss, ditto 1847;
at 3s 10d to 4s, inferior 2s 6d to 3s 7d, and Bordeaux
2s to 2s 6d. Geneva is selling at 2s to 2s Id for expor-
tation, and fine for duty at 2s 9d to 3s 6d per gallon,
there is still only a small stock. For British made Spirits
there is yet much firmness in the market, and trade is
brisk.

Proprietors' capital .. 14,553,000
Rest .. - - ........ .. 3,828,667
Public deposits (in-
cluding Exchequer,
Commissioners of
National Debt, Sav-

Government securi-

ties (including Dead
Weight annuity).. 12,462,735
Other securities .. .. 11,320,639
Notes .. .. .. .. .... .. 9,114,210
Gold and silver coin.. 707,607

ings-banks, and Di-
vidend accounts) • • 5,460,328
Other deposits .. .. • • 8,771,338
Seven day and other
bills • • • . . . • . .. .... 991,858

£33,605,191

1 A 33,605,191
M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier.
r. 1848.

Dated the 14th day of Septeml

COURSE OF EXCHI
Amsterdam ...... •• 12 l9j
Ditto, at sight 11 19%
Rotterdam .......... 12 2
25 75
Ilamburgh ......M.B. 13 11 X,
Paris, 3 days'sight .... 25 40
Ditto, 3 months .... 25 70
Marseilles .......... 25 75
. 25 75
Frankfort on Maine.... 121
Petersburgh, Sil. ltble • . 37
Berlin..
Vienna, effec no ••• • •• 11 6
Trieste, ditto.... • • .... 11 6
Madrid • • .. • • ........ 46%
Cadiz • • • ............ 48%
Barcelona • . • • ........
Saville

,NGE.-(THIS DAY.)
Gibraltar...... ..
Leghorn ........ • •
'Genoa ................ 25 95

Milan ............
Venice........ ...

Naples ...... •• • ... ••
Palermo, .. per0a.......

Lisbon......

Oporto... „„ .

Rio Janeiro • .......

Messina
Buenos Ayres ........

New York, 21 daya'sight
Philadelphia .. .. ......

PRICES OP BULLION, PEE OZ.
Foreign Gold in bars .. X 3 17 9

Neiv Dollars ...• • . • 0 4 10
Portugal Gold Coin 0 0 0
Spanish Doubloons .. 0 0 0
Silver in bars ...... • . 0 4 11%

SPICES.—To-day at auction 954 pockets and 20 bags
Bengal Ginger sold at advanced rates—good bold export
sort at 24s 6d to 25s 6d, mid 22s 6d to 235, and da
malted 12s to 23s 6d ; 1 chest of Mace ; mid sound
2s 3d ; 2 chests Nutmegs, mid brown 2s 8d to 2s 9d,
wormy 6tl to Is 8d ; 5 bags white Pepper, good 4id
per lb.
COCHINEA.L.—Orders are getting larger for all sorts,
and holders are less disposed to realize; by private
treaty several parcels have been sold upon full terms.
At auction 69 bags were disposed of.
INDIGO.—For public competition on Tuesday the 14th
of October the quantity of East India declared is now
8,283 chests, and the inspection has commenced. There
is firmness in the market ; and a fair home and export
demand exist at prices rather above those of the last
quarterly auctions. Spanish is held for fully last week's
rates. At auction 140 srons Guatemala were disposed
of at 2s to 3s 9d for cortes and Sobres.

TH.E. HARVEST.

FRUIT.—The demand for Currants have been very
limited this week, and prices are rather easier, and rule
at s4s to 395. Since our last we have had five cargoes
of New Valencia Raisins. The price opened at 455,
at which prices they still continue. The grocers bu)
very sparingly, just sufficient to supply their immediate
wants. New Sultana Raisins are selling slowly at 755.
Figs 84s to 90s.
TaLmow.—Thia afternoon the public sales of Tallow
went off briskly, and at stiffer rates; 133 :casks Odessa
sold at 46s 6d to 46s 9d; 1,146 pacages South Ameri-
can 45s to 46s 3d; 576 casks New South Wales 43s 9d
to 47s 3d; 101 casks P. Y. Candle 46s to 46s 3d, second
sort 4.5 s 3d to 45s 9d; 41 casks of Soap 42s 3d to 44$
9d per cwt.
OILS —This afternoon, at auction, 191 casks Palm
Oil sold at 29s to 30s 6d for mid to good, and 131
packages Cocoa Nut 39s 6d to 40s 6d per cwt.

MELANCHOLY SUlClDB.—Yesterday Mr. W. Payne
held an inquiry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on view of
the body of Samuel Alberry, aged 54, who committed
suicide on the evening of Friday last, under somewhat
peculiar and painful circumstances. It appeared that
the deceased had been for upwards of thirty years it,
the employ of Messrs. Russell and Badcock, Scotch and
Manchester warehousemen, of No. 13, Friday-street.
Mr. Howell, in the employ of Messrs. Russell and Bad-
cock, stated that about eighteen months ago deceased
had a severe attack of erysipelas in the head, since whict,
time his mind had occasionally appeared to wander.
Latterly, upon several occasions, he had been threatened
with his discharge on account of inattention. Ou the
day on which he committed suicide, he had been closely
questioned by Mr. Russell relative to the payment of
the booking of certain parcels with which he had been
' entrusted. Ton minutes after that occurrence deceased
went into the cellar and committed suicide by cutting
his throat with a knife. Wm. Alberry, the son of tht
deceased, stated that his father had been for some
months past in a very desponding state, and had lately
expressed a fear of losing his situation. He though,
that this was sufficient to account for the rash act. Tht
jury after some deliberation returned a verdict of " Tem-
porary insanity.
TMB REAL SPEAKER OP TUB HOUSR OF COl6l-
- Chisholm Anstey.—Pench.
MIDDLESEX HOSPlTAL.—Testerday a handsome
turret clock, having an illuminated dial eight feet is
diameter, purchased by public subscription of the in-
habitants in the vicinity, was presented to the trustees of
Middlesex Hospital, to be placed in the new wing
nearly completed. The recent enlargement of this hos-
pital affords increased accommodation for 120 more in-
patients.

tah e
veryH ou House
great
blessing Commons,
it we
wouldha d
A SHABSPBRIAN SAW FOR ST. STEPHEN'S. If,
faosr
ma
al ln
yt h
so
ilSenhcaello,wwshiant
be I—Punch.
THB MODEST WISH OF A WORN-011 T M.P.
" Mr. Punch,—There was a Scotch Queen, who, escaping
from her castle, threw the keys into the lake. Oh,
that
our English Queen, on her escape from St. Stephen's
had thrown the keys into the River!—Yours, exhausted,'
Oh! oh!"—Punch.
INDELIBILITY OF HOLY ORDERS.—The following
opinion has been given by the Advocate-General, Sir
John Dodson, in reference to the case of Mr. Shorn :-
1. I am of opinion that a priest in holy orders of the
Church of England, although styling himself a seceder
from that Church, and being, in fact, a voluntary seceder
therefrom, may be committed to prison for contempt of
Court in preaching as a Dissenting Minister, contrary to
the lawful monition of the Court. 2. It is quite obvious
that neither deposition from holy orders, degradation, or
excommunication, can confer on a clergyman a legal
right to officiate or preach as a Dissenting minister. 3.
I think that if the Bishop were to degrade and depose a
clergyman from holy orders, he might be liable to the
penalties imposed by the statute 41 George 111. v. lxiii.,
if he attempted to sit in the Commons House of Parlia-
ment. 4. lam of opinion that excommunication would
not entirely release a clergyman from his priestly cha-
racter so as to give him the status of a layman.—Doctors'
Commons, Aug. 24, 18451.
INCENDIARY FIRE.—We have again to record an
act of incendiarism, in this instance, in a field ad-
joining to Kelston Round-hill, the property of Joseph
Neeld, Esq., and in the occupation of Mr. Neil, of the
Golden Lion, Southgate-street. On Wednesday night,
several labourers who bad been employed in an adjoin-
ing field left their work about eight o'clock, without
having seen anything tending to a suspicion that such an
act of wanton outrage was intended ; there was no ap-
pearance of fire, nor was any one seen lurking about the
neighbourhood. Immediately adjoining the field were
two ricks, one of clover and the other of clover seed,
and placed between them was a pile of loose straw. On
the following morning, when the hay-cutter went to the
ricks, he found that the straw bad been reduced to
ashes, and that the fire had communicated with the
hedge and had burnt a tree which stood in it, but singu-
larly enough, had not touched either of the ricks.—
Bristol Gazette.

THE DISCOTEREX OF GUTTA PERCILA.--The
Gutta Pereha tree, or Gutta Tubsn, as it ought more
properly to be called—the percha being a spurious
article—abounds in the indigenous forests of Singapore,
although it is not more thaw tour years since it was dis-
covered by Europeans. The first notice taken of it ap•
pears to have been by Dr. W. Montgomerie, in a letter
to the Bengal Medical Board, in the beginning of 1843,
wherein he commends the substance as likely to prove
useful for some surgical purposes, and supposes it to
belong to the fig tribe. In April, 1843, the substance
was taken to Europe by Dr. D. Almeida, who presented
it to the Royal Society of Arts of London; but it did
not at first attract much attention, as the Society simply
acknowledged the receipt of the gift. Its use would
rather appear to have been found out by the Malay's,
who first manufactured some of the gutta percha into
whips, and brotight them into the town at Singapore for
sale, where they were seen by Europeans.—London
Anecdotes.

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING-, SEPTEMBER 16, 1848.

their being married at Bury St. Edmund's. I saw
both on the day of their marriage, after they were
married. I lived in the same house with them, at
Joseph Offord'si for some time. Michael king, now
here present, is the party. The prisoner is the person
who was Jane Hughes.
By the prisoner—I cannot say how long the
parties lived together at Offord's. I cannot say the
parties quarrelled whilst they lived at Offord's.
William Smith, 36, Garland-street, deposed as
follows :—I know Michael King how present, and
also the defendant. I married her sister. Have
known the defendant about 14 years. Have heard
her talk about her husband that she had, Michael
King, an Irishman. I think the first time was about
ten or twelve years ago that I had conversation with
her. She said then that her husband had left her,
and had used her very ill. About three years after-
wards I had some further talk with her about her
husband. It was then I went to work for her mother.
She asked me if I had seen anything of old King.
I said, " How should I, as I do not know him ? '
She said she bad not heard of him for some
time. She wondered where he was. A little time
after that defendant and her mother had a little bit
of disagreement. Her mother said to her that she
had had two letters from King, and that she knew
he was alive. The second conversation was on the
11th July, seven years ago last July. I have heard
defendant say since that King had used her badly,
and forced her to go into the Union-house at Sud-
bury. I saw a letter directed to Mrs. King, from
Michael King, about five years ago. My wife an-
swered the letter by direction of defendant's mother,
and it was directed to Tooley-street, London. I
know nothing of whether the defendant knew about
the letter. I may have had conversation with her,
and I may not. I have subsequently had conversa-
tions with defendant about King up to February or
March last. About a week before Christmas last
I went up to London and on my return I told
the defendant that King had been pointed out
to me by Casey, who was with my brother, and
who said, " There, that is King, who married your
wife's sister." This was at Greenwich. I said, as
he was alive she had better not marry. She replied
she knew he was dead and buried at Belfast, and she
would marry if she liked. On the Sunday atter last
Christmas-day I went to defendant's to tea. John
Downs was present. Defendant produced her mar-
riage " lines' witk her and the said John Downs.
She was described in it as Jane King, spinster. I
said, " Jane, why you have not got married ?" She
said, " Yes, I have ; here are my marriage lines.' "
I have since had conversations with defendant about
King. I have said, " Mind King do not walk in one
of these days, and you find yourself in the wrong."
She replied, " Oh, he has been away too long for
that." I have heard defendant say that the last time
she saw King was at a place called Duxford Plough,
between six and seven years ago, and since she told
me that it was five years ago.
Frederick Fenton, 28, Westgate. road, said—l
know defendant and one John Downs, of this town,
hardwareman. I was present with defendant and
John Downs in London about last Christmas. I
went with them to a church called St. James's, when
and where they were married in my presence. My
wife was with us. This marriage was solemnized
the day before Christmas-day, at St. James's Church,
in the usual form, and all parties present signed the
register.
By Mr. SALMON—No secret was made of the mar-
riage. I returned to town with them after their
marriage. I went to town with them on the Thurs-
day preceding the marriage. They were married by
license. I saw the license at church.

Henry King, Guildhall-street, deposed—The de-
fendant is my mother. I know my father. I be
lieve the first time I saw my father was last Saturday
week, at my grandmother's house, about seven o'clock
in the evening. Ido not recollect seeing my father
five or six years ago. I am sixteen years old. I
cannot say h'w long I have lined at Bury. I have
heard my mother say my father was dead several
times. This was two or three years ago. I have
never had anything from my father. My mother has
maintained me, and apprenticed me to Mr. Earl, plas-
terer, my present master. I have heard my father
say that my mother was not his first wife ; that his
first wife died in London.

The defendant was fully committed for trial, but
was immediately admitted to bail.—Bury and Nor.
wick Post.

During the last week, and what has gone of this, the
weather has been most propitious to the ripening,
the cutting down, and in-gathering of the crops.
In a few places iu this neighbourhood reap-
ing has been finished, and leading is in a state
of great forwardness. What has been got into the
stack-yard is in the best condition. The oats and barley
are spoken of as being excellent crops, the latter far
heavier than was at one time anticipated. The disease
has not spread of late among the potatoes. Regents and
cups appear quite sound, but late Americans are in every
place diseased more or less. Taking all things together,
prospects of an abundant supply of food for man and
beast are cheering.—Dundee Advertiser.
A gentleman in this neighbourhood who has taken up
his crop of late potatoes (pink kidneys) found about one-
eighth part diseased. This was very much better than
he had anticipated from the perfectly decayed state of
the haulm. He strongly recommends every one to take
up their late crops (they cannot improve, but may
become very much worse), and to sow the ground with
turnips—the white snowball will do well.—Cambridge
Advertiser.

Since our last, we have had a great alteration in the
state of the weather, for while Saturday was through-
out cloudy, with occasional showers, and while the rain
fell nearly continuously and sometimes heavy from
about eleven o'clock on Saturday night to about six
o'clock on the following evening, Monday and yester-
day have been throughout fine and bright days. The
temperature has, however, even on these last two days
been very low for the season of the year. The maximum
temperature was on Saturday 62 degs., on Sunday 61
degs., and on Monday 56 degs.—Manchester Guardian.
Saturday last was a fine day until nightfal, and a very
large quantity of oats and wheat were housed in excel-
ent condition in this and the adjoining counties. Indeed
in South Lancashire and Cheshire, with the exception of
some unimportant townships in the hills, the grain har-
vest may be said to have been completely gathered in.
The crop of oats in Cheshire has not been finer for many
years, the grain being well fed, weighing heavy, and,
when manufactured, producing meal of excellent quality.
Sunday was a thoroughly wet day, the rain falling for
eighteen hours conntinuously. Yesterday ( Monday), on
the contrary, was as fine as the most ardent agricultu-
rist could desire.—. Manchester Examiner.
QLAIGOW.—On Friday and Saturday last the weather
was occasionally showery; but as there were at intervals
bright sunshine and drying breezes, harvest operations
were not interrupted. A good deal of grain in stook
has now been exposed for a considerable time; but as
the temperature has been low, no harm has yet ensued
from sprouting. The weather during the last week, with
the exception of Monday and Tuesday, was generally
rather unfavourable in this district.—Glasgow Herald.
DIIMFRIESSIIIRE.—Th all early situations, stacks be-
fore long will be the rule and stooks the exception; and,
should the present resemble last week in weather, as
seems probable from the mercury again mounting, abun-
dant scope will be furnished for celebrating thankfully
harvest home all over the south of Scotland.—Dumfries
Courier.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE,

NORTH BRITISH.—PROPOSED NEGOTIATIONS
WITH MR. HUDSON.
On Wednesday the half yearly general meeting of the
shareholders of the North British Railway was held in
Gibb's Royal Hotel, Edinburgh; Eagle Henderson, Esq.,
the vice-chairman of the company, presided.
After the seal had been affixed to the registered list of
shareholders, the report by the directors, of which the
following is an abstract, was read:—
" The revenue account shows a free balance of
24,4481. 12s. lid., from which the directors recommend
that a dividend, at the rate of five per cent. per annum
for the half-year, be declared and paid on the original
and Dalkeith Branch Shares. This will leave a balance
of 488 L lid., to be carried to the credit of the cur-
rent half-year's account. As compared with the cor-
responding half-year in 1847, the revenue of the by-gone
half-year shows an increase of 8,310/. 7s. 6d. This has
arisen chiefly on the goods traffic, which, notwithstand-
ing the depressed state of trade, is continuing steadily to
advance. The recent opening of the bridge across the
Tyne, and the opening of the bridge across the Tweed,
which is about to take place, will doubtless add ma-
terially to the traffic, both in passengers and goods,
by affording the means of transit to and from
England without change of carriage. The increase
of traffic from this, and from the gradual development
of the trade of the line, as well as the reduction
which will take place in the cost of working and manage-
ment, give ample promise of the revenue progressing, so
as to improve the future dividends, even when the addi-
tional capital which has been created comes into opera-
tion. The completion of the Ha wick Branch has been
delayed much longer than the directors anticipated. The
sole cause of this has been the difficulty of getting
money. The directors have been using every means
which they prudently could to overcome this, by enforc-
ing payment of the arrears due on calls. By their pro-
ceedings they have reduced the arrears from 131,829/. 55.,
which was the amount due at July 31st, to 112,1121.,
which is composed of-1. Arrears on original stock,
2851.; 2. Arrears on half shares, 6,027/. 10s. ; 3. Ar-
rears on quarter shares, 24,3071. 55.; 4. Arrears on
third shares, 81,4921. ss. Total, 112,112/. Were these
arrears, and the final call which has been made on the
third shares, promptly paid, the whole of the branch
would be opened in 1849. In the meanwhile, seventeen
additional miles of it (making in all twenty miles) have
been opened, and it is satisfactory to have to report,
that, so far as it has gone, the traffic has equalled the
expectations of the directors. The completion of the
works, however, will depend entirely on the promptitude
with which the calls are paid, and as there is a large sum
which is already expended, which must lie nearly dor-
mant until the line is fully opened, the directors earnestly
urge on the shareholders not to delay the payment. Had
the completed portion of the Hawick branch been opened
as soon as the directors at one time hoped it would have
been, they could have proposed a specific plan for put-
ting the holders of the third shares, on which no interest
is at present paid, on a somewhat more equal footing
with the other shares than they have heretofore. been.
They have not, however, had sufficient experience of the
working of that part of the line to enable them to do
more than suggest, that the free revenue from it for the
current half-year should be divided among those holders
of third shares who shall have paid their calls. This
will not do injustice to the holders of half shares, as
they will continue to receive their interest until the
branch is completed, and it will, in the only practicable
manner, relieve the holders of third shares to a certain
extent from the hardship under which they have laboured,
in not having yet got any interest or dividend on the
sums paid by them. The other branches are being pro-
ceeded with as fast as the funds at the directors' disposal
will allow. The Tranent branch is all but finished, and
the greater part of the Dunse branch will be opened
within three months. The Kelso and North Berwick
branches are not in so forward a state, although they
are also well advanced. They will be pushed on as
soon as the directors are put in possession of funds for
the purpose. The Bill which was applied for last ses-
sion, by authority of the shareholders, for the enlarge-
ment of the Edinburgh station and the improvement of the
branches to Leith and the town of Dalkeith, was lost on
the second reading (without the merits having been gone
into), in consequence of the oppositionof the magistrates
of Edinburgh, and one landowner. The directors regret
this, as they consider both objects to be of the utmost
importance. In particular, the trade with Leith is in-
creasing so much since the partial opening of the Hawick
Branch, that it will be next to impossible to work it on
the existing Horse Branch, except at very great incon-
venience, delay, and cost to the company, and to the
public. The directors, therefore, recommend that they
be authorised to renew the application to Parliament for
an Act to carry out the same objects as those contem-
plated in the Bill which was rejected last session. The
other Act for which they applied, to enable them to
raise an additional capital of 600,0001., for completing
the works was passed. And, in conformity with
the instructions of the shareholders, the directors in-
tend at the firstfavourable opportunity to issue the shares
authorised to be created under it, proportionally to such
of the holders of the Carlisle extension scrip, as shall
claim them, within a time to be specified by the di-
rectors—credit for the deposit of 12s. 6d. per share,
which was paid on that scrip, being to be given to the
parties who shall so take the shares. Should any of the
shares not be taken up by those parties within the spe-
cified time, such shares will then be issued as may be di-
rected by the company ; and those holders of the Car-
lisle extension scrip, who do not exchange it for new
shares, will receive back the deposit paid on it, minus
the expenses incurred in regard to the bills which were
presented for authority to make that line. The sum to
be repaid would be about 4s. 6d. per share. The new
stock, when paid up, will take dividend along with the
other stocks on the line and branches being completed.
The directors had intended to have proposed, at this
time, that the different classes of shares should have
been at once converted into 251. stock. Such a measure,
while it would have simplified the books and saved ex-
pense, would also have been convenient to the sharehol-
ders. They are obliged, however, to postpone this, in
consequence of the calls not having been all paid, and of
the works not having been completed. They will bring
it forward as soon as they are in a position to do so
with effect. The only special business before the meet-
ing will be a motion by Mr. Blackadder, That no sys-
tematic and predetermined work be done on the railway
on the Lord's day.' "
The CHAIRMAN, in rising to move the adoption of the
report, said he would not occupy their time by calling
attention to the depressed state of commercial enterprise
throughout the country, and its effect upon railway en-
terprize in general, but would proceed at once to refer
to the progress of the line during the last half-year. A
comparison of the revenue derived from passengers
showed that, during the half-year ending the 31st of
July, 1847, the amount realised was 28,3211., while for
the corresponding half-year of 1848, the amount was
30,0572, being an, increase of upwards of 1,7001. The
number of passengers conveyed during the same period
in 1847 amounted to 56,716 ; while in 1848 the number
amounted to 531,887 ; being a decrease of 35,82 t. Not-
withstanding that large decrease in the number of pas-
sengers, they would observe that there had been an in-
crease of revenue. The directors had increased the
charges in July, but they did not take much credit for
that being the cause of the increase of the revenue. He
might mention that there had also been a decrease of
about 4001. on the revenue derived from the conveyance
of horses and carriages, which showed the want
of communication by bridges over the Tweed and
the Tyne. This proved distinctly that they had
lost a great deal of through traffic from that
want of communication, causing, as it did, travellers to
change twice on their way to the sonth. They were
aware, however, that this would soon be obviated by the
completion of the temporary bridges. With regard to
the revenue from goods he was glad to say that it showed
a similar result. For the half-year ending the 31st July,
1847, it amounted to 14,3091., while for the corresponding
half-year of 1848 it amounted to 20,80e1., being an in-
crease of 6,499/. He need not, however, detain them by
going through the gross revenue. In looking over the
report he supposed they would fancy that the working
expenses had been rather great; but they were aware
that on new lines it was difficult to bring things down
to the lowest possible minimum. He anticipated, how-
ever, that these expenses would, by-and-bye, be very
much reduced. They would perceive in the accounts an
item for waggons amounting to 1,700/. This was
a pretty heavy charge, but it was one which he did
not think was likely to occur again, caused as it was
by the altering the springs and making the waggons
suitable ter the English traffic across the bridges. He
might also state that they expected, by the opening of
the bridges at Berwick and Newcastle, to be able to make
a large reduction is the price of coke, namely, from
18s. 4d. to 14s. 3d. per ton, thereby making a difference
of 2,500/. in the yearly expenditure for coal. They
likewise expected to make a large saving by making the
Berwick station a road station. With regard to calls, as
stated in the report, there were some of them that ought
to have been paid up long before this. Measures had
been taken by the directors to expedite the payment of
these arrears as quickly as possible; and a special meet-
ing would be called, if these were not paid up, for
having the shares confiscated. Some of them might
think that the calls had been rather heavy. He could
assure them that the directors felt this as strongly as
they did themselves ; but on locking at the accounts
they would see the absolute necessity which ex-
isted for relieving the directors of the large sum for
which they had become individually responsible.
Apart from this, however, the money was absolutely
required for completing the works now in progress.
They were aware that they had only about one-half the
amount of mileage in operation for which they had ob-
tained powers when the last accounts were made up.
The ether day they had opened 17 additional miles, and
he had the satisfaction of saying, that since these 17
miles of the Hawick line had been opened, the traffic was
exceedingly promising, and he was confident that it would
turn out to be a most advantageous line. From the large
quantity of coal at Bowsbunk they had yet derived no
benefit, on account of the unfortunate tunnel at that
place; but they expected by Christmas to reach St.
Boswell's, and to get into the heart of that rich country.
With regard to the branches he would not say much.
As respected the branch to North Berwick, some of their
shareholders had not a very favourable opinion of it, and
he himself did not consider it a very good one. He be-
lieved that they would not derive much benefit from it at
first. It would make a very good summer branch, but not
a good winter one, and they must just, therefore, put th good and the bad together. In reference to the Dunse
branch, which he considered every important one, he i cipated that in four months they would be enabled' an
to open
y nearly to that town. With respect to the Car-
lisle extension, he intended to move a resolution upon
which the shareholders would give their opinion. The
last thing which he had to mention ws a subject about
which there had been a good deal of talk. Ibj t had refe-
rence to a gentleman, well known in the railway world,
Mr. Hudson, coming forward to make an offer for the
North British line. Till this morning the directors were
not aware that any communication would be made on