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

APPENDIX.

Egtraet from the Report of the Railway Department
of the Board of Trade on proposed Amalgamations of
of
Railways ; dated Railway Department, Board
Trade, -Whitehall, 7 May, 1845.
s
" The present unsettled state of the railway system,
when almost every day brings forward
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measure withdrawn, and in many cases the undertaking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
on atshaenir partusef to completeulunderk ing,in
exchange for a guarantee what
they undertake, to purchase or amalgamate
them-
selves such small lines as may be considered atural
with
branches of the parent line, and to lease, for a long
n
period, such larger schemes as they may have promoted.
" Where such new schemes, however, are of sufficient
magnitude to support themselves independently, and
are not so intimately connected with the parent line as to
be necessarily worked along with it, it may in some
cases be advisable to make some provision for the
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 exist
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 the 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 onr observations more especially to
those in which the amalgamation of existing independent
Companies is proposed, end in which the bearings of
the case upon public interests are not necessarily brought
under consideration by opposing parties.
" With regard to these, we incline, under present
circumstances and on the whole, to the opinion that finch
amalgamations should only be allowed where there is a
natural and manifest identity of interest for public. poi-
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 ntis evidently,
for permanent public purposes, one great line ef 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 very
evident interest adverse to the public at the present
moment, but where there is no such natural identity of
interest as properly to unite the lines proposing to arm&
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 rate for 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 discovered to have
some unforeseen interests adverse to those of the public.
" We are the more inclineti 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 tire
benefits sought for from amalgamation may be obtairjed
without unions of this permanent character, by ro;:teage
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 SUN.
wmheictoh,
croepnsoirdtepredrogrines
as i
socialtheortas poli-
tical I
Silt,—The repose from polities during the recess, I
haveil o p e
' uwn
di lel r permt
a k e nit,
point of view, is of vast importance to society,
which is bound to protect itself, and by prevention
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, R. M. Mines, Esq., M.P.
The Bishop of Norwich, The Lord Mayor,
The Bishop of Oxford, Earl of Denbigh,
The Bishop of Peterborough, Lord Kinnaird,
The Bishop of Gloucester Lord F. Egerton,
and Bristol, Lord .ICtin Manners,
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 Wr,;l„
heartily approving of the object, and sending amt, pre-:
paring petitions to both Houses of Parlianwntv thus
t
showing the wishes of the people on the subjee' -
, ... I have
also further to state, that I have submitted *
of a remedy to her Majesty, who takes re- the necessity
these poor outcasts, and who will not uch interest in
moralising system to continue to c-xist permit the
Cambridge has has kindly promised to . The Duke of
in the House of Lords. It car support the measure
that, at this period of time r a scarcely be imagined
no adequate attempts to re/. society should have made
our fellow-creatures ; ar . ..,laim so large. a section of
nearly 30,000 indivP-. 'd when it is considered that
at the expiratio- .dams are annually cast out of prison
public, and of Ai of their sentence, to prey upon the
penditu r
nannecessity causing a frightful annual ex-
-,adopted to avert such evils, is
a do'able reproacl'i uponmeans
•
us as a nation.
Many antiquated notions have to be combated, many
inveterate prejudices are to be overcome ; all agree that
something must be done, but that they see difficulties.
Why, where is the system that does not present obsta-
cles ? 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 aiinvdra—yet all these, with many others, have
been sivecesF.Ailly 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
swccess, begun by a benevolent individual, Count Leon
ri2Ourches, succoured by the King and Royal family ant"
i the public purse. It not only imparts education, br.t _
w.n :Leh
has annexed a considerable extent of wasteland,
are "oas-
is cultivated by " the colonists." 'f iVorksh
rm ofo .ffsc it:brine is
Wished, trades are taught ; the
" persuasive, not coercive." The result is. the", out of
have been afterwo:rds re. convicted.
every hundred five only .. ter- brow t•ar e* ~tis iin Hol-
land This speaks volumes. A similar
Manchester can 4.4 monstre,te what may
works well. Manche ,.e _ f
,n such btuses
be done done ; and the employ:exit •
iding 11'' ir • wn food 'and clothing, the
pation, in prov , .e 0
all • tout
cultivation of sumo'•
..ndiorg waste Wind, point a
complete remedy, , and will well repay Government for
the outlay.
I am till-
been re-

as pursuing the course pointed out ; having
voluted to by the wise and good of the land,
ao powerful a demonstration from the various cor-
..ations, sanctioned by royalty, and aided by a power-
ad press, to which the cause of humanity is much in-
debted, something beneficial must and will be achieved.
I am, Sir, your obliged servant,
JOHN LAURIE, Sheriff, &c.
1, Hyde Park-place, April 13, 1846.

with '

--------•"'"'""----
BRIGHTON, APRIL 13.—Lord Francis Egerton and
family embarked at the pier, on Saturday, on board the
—Tbe office of Clarenceaux-King-of-
steamer Magnet for Dieppe, en route for Paris.
HERALDRY.
Arms, in the Herald's College, is vacant, by the demise of
Joseph Hawker, Esq., F.S.A., who expired on the 10th inst.
at the advanced ag
II
e of 81.
DULNVICII GALLERT.—This interesting collection
paintings was yesterday visited by upwards of 500 persons.of

eeseee
CULTIVATION oF THE DAHLIA.
At the meeting of the Chelmsford Horticultural and
Floral Society, heid 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, given it the benefit of their learning. Mine
will be a brief, but a practical illustration of the subject,
as it has fallen under my notice. I purpose to divide
the subject under the following heads :—l. Its introduc-
tion into this country. 2. The best method to adept 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 comet account, ac-
cording to my opinion, than Mr. Loudon's Encyclopm-
dia, in which be informs us that its first appearance in
this country was about the year 1789, when, from igno-
rance of its culture, the stuck 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 aceom-
plish this, it is absolutely necessary that due
i caution
should be used in the gathering of the seed; it s 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
band, and securely deposited until about the 20th of
February, when it should be sown in boxes, placed ia 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 cuture, too great a supply of water can
scarcely be given. It only remains upon this head to
mention that those flowers possessing the required qua-
lities for multiplying the almost numberless good one,
should be saved.
My next observations will apply to the third head—
the propagation 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 you mine, having found it the most successtul.
If a large quantity of plants are required trom 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 vegetation by the swelling of the eyes, and con-
tinuing the heat you will soon have en tings of sufficient
size to take oft; 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
method. It is as follows :—Take up your plant, drink
moderately, 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 plants), 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
expectations.
In the selection of our ground, I maintain that it can-
not, under any circumstances, be of tpo rich a character,
nor the situation too unencumbered by trees, or other
crops of any description; and the arrangement of heights
and 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
guidance. From the time of planting, the growth of the
plant will form an epoch in its history, as it must be pro-
tected and sufficiently secured against strong winds; the
branches trained to stakes, but not 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.
With regard to showing, I would merely observe upon
this head that every person who intends showing will
select his best blooms for that purpose, the arrangements
for the same depending upon the owers 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.

THE GARDENS of CHATS WORTH.
Chatsworth is one of the great places of the day of
which it may be said that its proprietor is prince, and
its gardener a man of title. As a whole, its extent and
general grandeur is unsurpassed by any English garden
that we know ; every department is constructed on a
vast and broad scale. We could print out other
gardens where some one department is carried out
with equal or even greater success than it is at Chats-
worth ; but if we take it in all its parts it has no rival.
If we refer to its scenery, it is
.grand and highly pictu-
resque, with thousands of acres advantageou3ly seen bear-
ing the aspect of b,undless woods and parklike ground,
through the midst of which runs the meandering
gurgling, but pure and limpid trout stream, the Der-
went. Then there are its acres of Italian garden
its terrace-walls, and raised, straight, and broad ter
rice walks—its gushing waterfalls and fountains, send-
ing forth their p.rpentlicular liquid columns to die
height of several hundred feet ; end the piles of rock-
work which have to be passed between the house aiei
the conservatory, which, as a work of art, is most pro-
digious. Next is the conservatory, which in magnitude
greatly surpasses all other conservatories which have
been built. By our mode of stepping we made the
length about 282 feet, an] the width 120 feet ; the
height we do not remember, hut it is a few feet over
or under-V. It is surrounded by'a gallery, or pith way,
at the heikitt, of 25 feet, over/Joking the centre com-
partment of the house. The floor of the house is
traversed by a boundary walk near the glass ; a straight
walk also passes through the centre from the extreme
end% wiad this is again crossed by another at the middle
of the house; Tho remainder is formed into earth-
beds, in which the plants are growing. The tem-
perature is kept wp by hot-water. pipes surrounding
w
the house, just within the outer
all ; and two under-
gr,-)und trenches, each containing a series o
mug parallel to each other the whole f pipes run-
e Instil of the
house. It will convey some idea of the magnitude
this erection, when we mention that along
-,
for a short distance, is planted a hedge of
,g„neell
Ame-
ricana, or American aloes ; in another part, and con-
tiguous to the latter, is a grove of mandarin oranges ' •
in another is an immense mass of rock-work, upOn
which is constructed a pathway of rude steps, ley
which the gallery, or balcony, 23 feet in height, is
.reached ; again, in another, a lake, a pool, or aquarium,
is constructed for gold fish, and the grove of water
plants ; then a grove of plantains, or muses, and in
another a natural group of palms, amaryllidee, &c.,
pleated in the border. Amongst the palms we noticed
an old acquaintance, and one of the finest plants in the
house, cocos plumose, now nearly 30 feet high.— United
Gardeners' and Land Stewards' Journal.

We read in the Droit, in a garret of No. 41, Rue
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, Hangar had little intercourse with his neigh.•
hours, 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.
Hunger had 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 wins pour dire, que to beine bour
mourir? Boar que mon chien ne reste bas abres moi, je lei
ai tonne aussi la mort. Atieu a ceux qui, me trouferont ; la
mise re et une maladie incurable sont cause de ma mort."
GERMAN STUDENTS.—Sidne one calls out to you by
• your name, if he happen to know it ; if not, by the name of
your country, which he generall • guesses with tolerable ac-
curacy :—" Es
hommt etuas " meaning, "There is
something coming to you," raising 7 his glass at the same
time, lest you should not understand
tan his abject. If :you.arn
a novice, you merely bow,a sip of yc nr beer, think-
ing it is all over; but theand take
ceremony aby no means com-
plete. In the first place, you ought is
11.?inerit to taste the
land
liquor at all, but you must bawl out
after the space of a few minutes, return the eonil" then,
by
saying, "Es kommt zuruch"—"l6 eonies b,ick
li
is the process, which it is well to know, as, by not followi it,luc
although offence is never taken at a stranger, vou-wilr u n
doubtedly lose caste, and be sec down for a "b•ammerjung s;'
that is, a blockhead—a character which, among the studeuts,
is treated with the contempt it merits. University
*Magazine.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Gloucester, April 11.

Yesterday being Good Friday, the business of the
assizes was not resumed till after the terrains. ;on of the
morning cathedral service, when Mr. Baron Platt tlok
his seat in the Crown Court, the Chief B iron having
departed from Gloucester very shortly after the disposal
of the last two causes in the list. There were two city
cases ; the following is a brief summary of die proceed-
ings in each:—

=RAISON v. WALKER AXD ANOTIEMEt.
Mr. Sergeant Talfourd and Mr. Self appeared on
behalf of the plaintiff ; Mr. Godson, Q.C., and Mr.
Beadon on the part of the defendants.
From the statement of counsel it appeared that the
plaintiff was captain of a vessel called the Trial, and the
defendants were partners in a firm of timber-merchants,
known by the name of Price and Co., in this city, from
whom Morrison claimed a balance as the price of a
cargo of timber, in respect of which they were admitted
to have already made several payments on account. No
witness seemed to have been present when the contract
was entered into, but on the day previous to that occur
rence, a Mr. Edwards beard the offer made by Morrison
relative to some part of the transaction. The cargo con-
sisted of deals and battens, for which 1,419/. 10s. id.
was claimed ; birch and pine timber, valued at 454/.
9s. 3d.; and lathwood, at 601. 155.; forming a total of
1,934/. 14s. 4d., of which the defenants had paid 1,564/.,
so that the amount now sought to be recovered was
3701 14s. 4d. The dispute between the parties arose
mainly from an alleged difference in the quality and
quantity of some of the timber, regarding which the
Learned Sergeant remarked, that, in Nova Scotia,
whence the cargo was brought, timber was so plentiful,
and so little valued, that the merchants were not very
accurate in their measurements, and in the present case
the measurement of the Custom-house officers caused a
great apparent difference when compared with the quan-
tities specified in the manifest.

At this stage of the proceedings,
The Learned JUDGE inquired whether a party awns-
towed to the measurement and valuation of the kind of
goods above enumerated would not be the most compe-
tent person to decide the question ?
Upon this suggestion a discussion ensued, which ter-
minated in the adoption of the Chief Baron's recom-
mendation.