The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-11 00:00:00

NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE
ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

5s 6d

(Haswell l6s 6d
Hetton ... l6s 6,l
Lamhton
Russell's Hetton
l Stewart's
I Hartlepool l6s 6d
Heugh Hall
Seymour Tees
%Vest Hetton l4s 6d
Derwentwater Hartley 14s Oct
Howard's W. H. Neth l4B Od
Sidney's Hartley
Ships at market 162.

O'i'l
..._
10%

STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
IN THE FIRST QUARTER of the YEAR 1848.

From the Report of the Registrar - General.)
The quarterly returns are obtained from 117
districts, sub-divided into 582 sub-districts. Thirty-
six districts are in the metropolis, and the remaining
81 comprise, with some agricultural districts, the
principal towns and cities of England. The popula-
tion was 6,612,958 in 1841.
The mortality has been high in the quarter
ending March 31, 1848, but rather lower than in the
previous quarter; and, taking the increase of popula-
tion into account, higher than in the corresponding
quarter of the year 1847. The deaths returned were
57,710 in the last, and .57,925 in the previous quarter.
The deaths in the corresponding quarter of 1847
were 56,105.
The smallest number of deaths returned in the ten
last winter quarters was 42,410 in 1839. The mor-
tality was below the average in the winters of 1839,
1842, 1843, and 1844 ; in the severe winter of 1845
it was 49,906, which is considerably above the ave-
rage. In the mild winter of 1846 it was much below
the average. The rest of the year was unfavourable
to health ; some of the diseases of hot climates set
in; the potato crop failed in England and Ireland,
with disastrous effects. In 1847, scurvy, typhus,
and other zymotic diseases prevailed; and at the end
of the year influenza broke out. Its ravages ex-
tended over the country, and continued in some dis-
tricts through the month of January, 1848.
In London 16,455 deaths were registered in the
first 13 weeks of 1848, and 15,289 in the first 13
weeks of 1847. The deaths in the winter of 1846
were only 12,518 ; in 1845, however, they had been
14,686. The mortality was high during the first
five weeks of the present year. In the week ending
February .5, 1,453 were returned exclusive of deaths
by violence, and sudden deaths ; in the next week the
deaths were 1,296. The temperature rose; and in the
week ending Feb. 19, the deaths were 1,102 ; in
the five following weeks the deaths only varied from
1,090 in the first, to 1,054 in the last week but one
of the quarter ending April 1. Typhus is still
epidemic in London, and destroys the lives of from
60 to 80 persons weekly. Small• pox, measles,
scarlatina, and hooping cough were fatal to many.
The deaths ascribed to influenza in the 13 were 102,
102, 89, 56, 59, 47, 27, 33, 18, 11, 10, 16, 8. Pul-
monary diseases (exclusive of consumption) were
little more than half as fatal at the end as they were
at the beginning of the quarter. A great difference
may be observed in the causes of death in 1847 and
1848, although the mortality was high in both
winters. In the winter of 1847 the deaths from dis-
eases of the lungs were 4,056; in 1848 they were
3,257 ; on the other hand, zytnotic diseases were
more than twice as fatal in 1848 as they were in
1847.

23%

27%

251 h

12
6

33
303%
18
113
9,
70

3214

1%

In the districts of the kingdom generally, exclusive
of London, the deaths in the winters of the five years
1844-8, were 32,494, 35,313, .31,332, 40, , and
816
41,255. The deaths in the districts of Lancash96ire
and Cheshire in the five winters were 11,368, 12,8,
11,928, 15,557, and 15,444, and nearly equal in the
last two years to the deaths in London, althou
in gh population was only 1,530,460 lB4l, when the the
po-
pulation of London was 1,948,369.
Typhus, scarlatina, hooping cough, and smallpox
were epidemic in many parts of the country. The
mortality of Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool
still remains excessively high. The deaths in Bir-
mingham were 1,660; the population was 138,187
in 1841.

- --,-- •
In Nottingham the mortality was high, but not 80
high as in the winter of 1840.
The mortality in Liverpool and Manchester is still
excessively high, but not so high as in the winter of
1847. There is a manifest improvement in Hud-
dersfield, Halifax, Bradford, and Leeds. In Shef-
field and York the mortality was higher in 1848
than in 1847.

THE PLUNDER OF THE
TIJILE RIES .
Four persons, named Boutron, alias the Parisian,
18 years of age, an operative shoemaker; Retel, like-
wise a shoemaker; Duclos, a hawker of earthenware ;
and Bersuat, the keeper of a wine shop, were tried
before the Court of Correctional Police in Paris en
Saturday last—the first as the principal, for stealing
some valuable diamonds belonging to the Duchess of
Orleans, from the Palace of the Tuileries, on 24th Feb.
last, and the other three as receivers of stolen goods.
It appeared from the evidence of Citizen Vidron,
a proprietor, residing in the village of Gentilly; near
Paris, that the first three prisoners lived at his house
—the two first as workmen in his employment, and
the third as a lodger. On the 24th of February,
Boutron asked leave of absence of his employer,
which was granted to him ; but he did not
return until the day following. His master
then asked him where he had been, to which
he replied that he had done like the rest.
He was then told that there was no more work for
him, to which he replied—" Bah I what do I care
for that." " Why so ?" asked his fellow-workman,
Retel, " Because, said Boutron, "I have got some-
thing ;" and, being pressed by his master to explain,
he drew forth from beneath his blouse a sprig
mounted with fifteen diamonds, a pearl necklace, and
a silver cloak chain, with a large diamond in the
centre. On being charged by his master with steal-
ing the Crown jewels, he said, " Bahl I did like the
rest," and on being further questioned, he pretended
that he had found the articles in the court-yard
of the Tuileries amongst some old papers. Betel
having asked to examine the diamond sprig,
said, when he had it in his possession, "As
you have stolen it, I shall keep it," which
he did. Duclos having joined the others, then pro-
posed to introduce them to a Jew who would pur-
chase the jewels. Not having found the Jew, it ap-
peared that Bersuat stole the diamond sprig from
Retel, and Duclos contrived to steal part of the
plunder from Boutron. M.M. Mellerio and Bspst,
jewellers, proved that the diamonds were the property 60
of the Duchess of Orleans. The Court, after hearing
counsel for the defence, condemned Boutren as the
principal in the robbery to two months' imprison-
ment, and Retel, Duclos, and Bersuat, to one months'
confinement.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 10.
Boulogne and Amiens, 6%—Luxembourg, —Namur
and Liege, PA—Orleans and Bordeaux, I%—Paris and
Lyons, 2.

" A DROP."—The 'cute mayor of this town flooded
he walls during the late fair with large red bills, stat-
ing that the cheapest paper-hangings in Boston were to
be had of Mr. J. Noble; to which a 'cuter town coun-
cillor added, in type o the same form and ink of the
same colour, " Except at Edward Tewson's, Bargate."
The worthy knight of the hammer has knocked his wor-
ship down " a decided bargain."—Boston Herald.
BRIGHTON, WEDNESDAY.—Viscount and Via-
-1 countess Seaham have taken a house on the Marine
Parade. Sir John and Lady Conroy are staying at the
Bristol Hotel. Sir Charles and Miss Bannerman have
taken a ho.use in Brunswick-terrace. Prince Paul of
.Wurtemberg remains in Brighton. His Royal Highness
a staying in Regency-square. Lady Mary Stevens has
rrived at 5, Royal Crescent. The Earl and Countess
f Macclesfield and Lady Louisa Parker are staying on
the Marine Parade. Lady Augusta Whittenhara is on
i
a visit to Prince Paul of Wurtemberg.
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.—About seven o'clock
on Saturday evening a most melancholy accident occur-
red at Auchinstarry Bridge, on the Edinburgh and
Glasgow Canal. The child of a spirit dealer, of that
place, named Stark, had fallen into the canal, and the
father, attempting to rescue it, in the struggle had
somehow overreached himself, and sank. The child
was got out safe by some persons passing at the time,
but about ten minutes elapsed ere the body of Stark
was recovered. When taken out life still remained, but
he soon after died.—North Britis3/4 Daily Mail.
TEA PARTY IN CELEBRATION OF THE PASSING
OF THE TEN HOURS FACTORY BILL.—A tea party on an
extensive scale will take place in the Free Trade /fall, on
Wednesday, the 7th of June. The following gentlemen,
amongst others, have intimated their intention to be
present:—Lord Ashley, M.P.; Mr. Fielden, late M.P.
for Oldham; the Hon. W. Cowper, one of the Lords of
the Admiralty; Mr. Charles Hindley, M.P.; Mr. Brother-
ton, M.P.; and Mr. Oastler.—Manchester Courier.
BOURN.—An incendiary fire took place here on
Wednesday night, on the premises of Mr. Gentle, which
destroyed great part of a stack of wheat. It was effected
by an usrhseclay,,wmisohrendintgo,
nf
abandoned female, t
ef edmaasl eh, e
rw
reason
n
to see another country." Another stack of wheat and a
haystack were saved, the wind being very still. The
thatTh
exertions of a young man named Moisey were moat com-
mendable ; notwithstanding the fire and smoke, he fear,-
coesseadb
lessly mounted the burning stack, and effected a saving
of a portion of it.—Boston Herald.

The ninth annual meeting of this society was
held at one o'clock yesterday, at the London Tavern ;
T. Laurie Murray, Esq., in the chair.
The Secretary having read the advertisement by
which the meeting was convened, proceeded to read
the following report
The directors are again afforded the opportunity
of meeting the proprietors on the occasion of the ninth
annual general meeting.
" The unusual rate of mortality, which com-
menced in 1846, increased in intensity during the
past year, and became exhausted only in the early
part of the present.
"During its continuance ordinary calculations
were far exceeded. The society has suffered in
common with almost every similar institution.
" Within the la-t few
months the public health
has assumed its wonted tone. The average rate of
mortality has fallen, and, as is not unusual after the
ravages of a prevalent epidemic, the low average of
the next year may compensate for the high average
of the preceding ones.
" During the last eighteen months numbers of fa-
milies must have felt, amidst their severe afflictions,
the value of such institutions, as a safeguard against
unforeseen accidents. This sentiment will be-
come still more deeply instilled, and had it not
been for the severe pecuniary distress pervading all
ranks and classes, the augmentation in the number of
policy holders in general would have far
exceeded former years. As it is, the bu-
siness of life assurance is steadily advancing,
under the influence of such practical lessons,
and cannot fail to develop itself more on the first
favourable dawn of national p
of they duration
duration of life
.
" Although the calculation
on the average of years is almost unerring, yet, as
experience proves, nothing is more uncertain, as con-
cerns individuals or as regards
any particular year.
No better proof can be given than the experience of
the society itself in the last few years.
" The annual payment of claims on the society have
been as follows, viz.:—
In 1843 £11,325• 15 5
1844
•6,879 4 1
1845 • • • • 6,578 12 0
1846 ••• ••• 11,718 2 8
1847
•.• • • 19,469 14 11
1848 • • 12,694 15 1
Accruing claims •.• 9,731 2 0
" While, however, the rate of mortality experienced
during the last 18 months has exceeded the expecta-
tion, making allowance for the great increase in the
business of the society, yet the whole expectation of
the society is greater by 15,433/. 6s. 4d., than the
actual sum paid away in claims. Up to the date of
this calculation, the end of 1847, the claims expected
were 80,3661., and the sum then actually paid was
64,9321. 13s. Bd.
" 'Within the period covered by these figures, the
business and income of the society have rapidly ad-
vanced. The annual receipts of premiums on policies
have blneelnB4a3s
£20,595
17 7
1844 22,687 18 0
1845 .. ••
27,903 7 5
1846... •••
32,825 12 7
1847 *" • • 40,610 8 4
And in the present year the income from premiums
is estimated at about 50,0001.
" Thus it will be seen, notwithstanding the diffi-
culties of the times, the business and income of the
society have, during the past year, progressed steadily ;
the number of policies now issued being 4,718,
showing an increase within the year of 617.
" The progress which the society has made in the
United States and the Canadas has justified the ex-
pectations of the directors. The rate of mortality has
ranged considerably under the calculation.
" Indications of a narrow-minded policy, promoted
by the rivalry of local assurance offices, have ex-
hibited themselves in the Legislatures of several of
the States. Bills have been brought in by individual
Members under pretence of public security, but
covertly intended to harass institutions of superior
credit, and intended to exact a meddling surveillance,
or to require the investment of an unreasonable
amount of funds in the Government stock of the
country.
" The proprietors are aware that the sum of
10,0001. is already so invested, with a view to afford
(as expressed in the last report) stability and credit
sum was found sufficient for that purpose by the
to the operations of the society on the spot. This
highly respectable and influential board of manage-
ment established in New York.
" It is to be hoped that further interference with
well and long-established life assurance societies will
not be attempted, but as the business of the society,
and its interest in the United States is valuable, and
established on a sure footing, the directors will feel
bound, in protecting the interests of the proprietors,
to comply with the provisions of such reasonable
laws as may be enacted.
" The effbrt made last year to connect the different
bodies of friendly societies with the plan of deferred
annuities published by the society has so far been
without any remarkable result. This is, in some
measure, attributable to the great distress prevalent
amongst the working classes. It is to be desired
that the principle of these deferred annuities may
ultimately make way amongst them, and that the in-
dustrious man may see the superiority of the society's
plan over those to which he is fatally attached at the
present moment.
" The directors, in conformity with the deed of
settlement, have caused the annual investigation into
the affairs society to
willto bebe
made by the actuary,
o f
the
and it is now presented, together with the accounts
oftheauditors,
read to the meeting.
Following the plan of distribution laid down in
the preceding annual division of profits, of
taking one - fifth of the reserve fund for
immediate distribution to the proprietors and policy-
holders of five years' standing, the prosperous posi-
tion of the society enables the directors, after reserv-
ing thirty per cent, of this sum, to divide amongst the
policy-holders entitled to this distribution a rever-
sionary bonus varying from 27 to 65 per cent. on
the premiums, and to the proprietors a bonus of 2i
per cent. f:r the past year, in addition to the regular
interest of five per cent, already paid to them, and
which in future will be paid so as to equalise each
hal f-y early dividend.
" The following table, prepared by the actuary, ex-
hibits examples of the amount of the seven last bo-
nuses, to which the holders of policies of upwards of
four years' standing have become entitled, with the
options of receiving the same in cash, or by addition
to their policies, or in permanent reduction of annual
premiums :

IXAMPI XS
,

~,i ! Annual Policy Bonus in' Fermi- Sam the
Beni Re- Assured
Age. E t.' Pre- taken addition Banns in duction of may bor-
= g Mill2l. Out in Assured. I cub.. Annual Ton 11l
x
Premiums. PolicY•
x x
cc 718833: 22---13672 11:4"16,71:281 165 Id4l -----14 74467154 51.667 Idel6
18411 163 6 ,i 75 15 10 11 10 9
18411839 215191 138
46' ;51 156
09
1104
1197 7 44
l. 1843 84 11 $, 37 10 0 514
1842 132 2 61 58 17 6 819 10 296 13 4
2 247 4 5
60 1000 74 3 4
1 395 11 1
8 346 2 3

" There are now to be elected three directors in
lieu of Henry Fenwick, Esq.,
Hunter Gordon, Esq.,
and John Rawson, Esq., whose period of office has
expired, but who are eligible to be re-elected, and
offer themselves accordingly ; also the confirmation of
the election, by the Court of Directors, of Edmond
Sheppard Symes, Esq., as a director, and also of an
auditor, in place of Professor Wheatstone, F.R.S.,
whose period of office has expired, but who, in like
manner, offers himself for re. election.
" T. LAMIE MURRAY, Chairman."

The CHAIRMAN then rose-and said,—Gentlemen,
before I move that the report which you have just
heard read be adopted, printed, and circulated among
the proprietors and shareholders, it may be right that
I should offer a few observations to you with respect
to the progress of the institution during the past
year; but before I do so, if any proprietor or share-
holder wishes to ask any_ (No r
question,eponslsshall feel
e
happy to reply to it.hav-
ing been made, the Chairman proceeded to say).__
It appears that the confidence which the shareholders
have placed, from year to year, in the directors of
this institution i 3 intended to be continuedeatr haveo-day.
It is very gratifying to the directors to find
that their labours during the past y
met with the approval of the shareholders ; it
has, I may say, been an invariable rule (and lam
glad to say it is fully appreciated by the share-
holders) to set forth in our annual re-
ports the exact position of the society; and
I think when the proprietors who are pre-
sent, and those who are absent, read the report,
they will find, on examining the details, that we have
tables of
had to encounter a season of peculiar difficulty, inas-
much as the rate of mortality during the
last twelve months has been unprecedentedly great.—
(Hear, hear.) hear.) .1 suppose, since the visitation of the
cholera, life assurance companies have not suffered so
teldB minontthhes
much from the great increase of mortality
have
beyondtaken place
the duringm margin
rgi n thee
calculated
as
they have during the period I have named.
As you must be aware, the number of deaths that
has even
assurance companies. It will be seen
by the lcluaglat
accounts that this society has been
called upon to pay claims during this Period
amounting to the large sum of 42,0001. In predour, ,

years we have paid 11,0001., 6,0001., 5,0001., and
12,0001. From a calculation I have made I
find that within the last eighteen months
the public have been benefited—and it is a
consolatory thing to be acquainted with the fact—
by life assurance companies to the extent of
3,000,000/. or 4,000,000/.—(Hear, hear.) The
Payment of this large sum is a satisfactory
proof of the great public utility of institutions of
this kind; in short, if anything is encouraging in
the business of life assurance it is this fact,
and the public will become acquainted with
it through the various channels by which
it will be distributed, that they are enabled
to alleviate much suffering, which without
their aid could not fail to exist, showing how incum-
bent it is upon all who have others dependent upon
them to assure their lives.—(Hear.) As regards
ourselves, I may say, notwithstanding the distress
that has prevailed for some time, that during
the past year we have issued 617 new policies. Not-
withstanding the year has been one of considerable
notcom commercial depression. The shareholders must
been expect to find that our expenses have
proportionately reduced ' • but it is right
that I should explain some of
the charges. For
instance, in the accounts you will find 5,000/. charged
on account of expenses incurred in establishing
nded in various branches.
p Nov' this amount was not ex-
conducting the business of these
branches for the past year alone, but arises
from the accumulation ofharge spread over a
considerable time, in connexionwit'hthe American
and other agencies ; it may be said
tos
the last fourbe spread over
years, though not covered by
the expenses from time to time set a i
them. These expenses are only now broughtt
into the accounts of the present year, andg
the directors, instead of putting them down
under the head of preliminary expenses, have thought
it advisable to write them off at once. Notwith-
standing
this, and the other drawbacks I have named,
the business transacted last year will be found con-
siderable and satisfactory, though not so profitable
as its predecessor—it is, however, within one per
cent. of it.—(Hear, hear.) Recurring to the mor-
tality amongst those assured in this society, I find,
by the published returns of the Registrar-General
for the December quarter of 1846, that the num-
ber of deaths were 13,321, being an increase over
the corresponding quarter of 1845, but that
the number of deaths in the December q.uarter of
1847 was 18,555, which shows an increase of 45 or
nearly 50 per cent. upon the general amount of
mortality.
A DIRECTOR—In London ?
The CHAIRMAN—Yes, in London; it may be
less in other parts of the country which are
more healthy, but at any rate London is a
fair indication of the rate of mortality elsewhere.
The management of our business in America has
been brought to a very satisfactory condition. There
our affairs are managed by a body of directors se-
lected from the highest and most superior class of
mercantile gentlemen to be found in New York.
No payments are made without their order, and in
fact as much attention and personal surveillance is
given to the management of our affairs there as
if we were there ourselves. A proof of this
is to be found in the fact that we receive weekly
accounts of the progress of the business. When we
commenced we had monthly, then fortnightly ac-
counts, but now, as I have said, we have them weekly.
So that every fifteen days we receive an account of
the progress of the agency during the week before
the packet started. The increase of business in
America, I am happy to inform you,
has been considerable, and our affairs there
have been brought to a satisfactory and
systematic mode of management. And here I
would take the opportunity of stating that our
thanks are especially due to the board in the United
States for the attention and vigilance which they
have given to our affairs.—(Cheers.) It is right
I should state that we were prepared, and had made
calculations accordingly, for a higher rate of morta-
lity in the United States than that which prevailed in
England, but subsequent experience has proved
that this was not the case, and that we had
over-calculated, and prepared ourselves for a
greater amount of mortality than that which
actually took place. It is true we met
with some losses at first, which caused us to think
that we had made some little mistake in this respect ;
but the experience since obtained has led us to
the opinion that lives are quite as good
in America as in this country.—(Dear, hear.)
Indeed, so satisfactory has life assurance in America
been proved to be, that other English assurance-
offices have followed upon the model we have set
them, and are endeavouring to obtain a share of the
business ; for life-assurance seems a new thing to
New York and to the States, and the pro-
gress which it is making is very satisfactory.
As we have mentioned in the report, some jealousy
has been created in the minds of some local offices at
the progress of life assurance, at the in-
stance of English offices, and it has been sug-
gested that a measure should be passed to compel
European offices to increase the amount of their de-
posits. We have already invested 10,0001., which
we consider sufficient, and the gentlemen who con-
stitute the board in New York entertain a similar
opinion; and, therefore, if we are called upon to
make an increased investment under the same gua-
rantee and security as heretofore, we must of course
accede to it. I think I have now alluded to all
those topics that it is necessary for me to ad-
vance in elucidation of the progress and pros-
pects of this institution. I think that the
unhealthy lives having been cleared away by the late
epidemic, it is not unlikely that in the future years we
shall have a much decreased amount of mortality, and
consequently less claims to meet. As I have so often
mentioned that we have a valuation every year, in-
stead of every five, like some other offices, it will
only be necessary for me to add, that as
every policy is valued, in order that we
may know what bonus we can pay,
consistently with a view to the ultimate interests of
the assured, our actuary, with the aid of an assistant, is
occupied about four months every year in arriving at
a result. I have now only to move that the report
be adopted, printed, and circulated among the pro-
prietors.

The motion was carried unanimously.
The following directors were then re-elected :--
Henry Fenwick, Esq., Hunter Gordon, Esq., John
Rawson, Esq.

The election of Edmond Sheppard Symes, Esq., as
a director, was confirmed, and Professor Wheat-
stone, F.R.S., was re-elected auditor.

The CHAIRMAN then thanked the proprietors for
their attendance.

Mr. STUDLEY said, I am not aware that there is
anything in the proceedings of the society during the
past year which calls for any remark from the pro-
prietors, except with respect to the great mortality
which has occurred during the period, and that has been,
I think, very satisfactorily explained. It is, on the
other hand, very pleasing to find that the society is
progressing every day, as its income is now 60,000/.
I think such a result cannot fail to prove a
source of great satisfaction to the shareholders.
I have, therefore, great pleasure in proposing a Tote
of thanks to the Chairman and directors for their
attention to the society, and systematic management
of its affairs during the past year.—(Hear.)
Mr. BROWNING had much pleasure in seconding
the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Tho Casiastex—Gentlemen, on my own behalf
and on the part of my colleagues, I beg to return
our best thanks for the honour you have conferred
upon us. I can assure you that during the
past year the directors have found it necessary
to pay great attention to the affairs of the society,
on account of the large number of deaths and
other matters arising out of them. Many
persons died during the period who had not
been assured more than six or eight months,
which was in itself very unsatisfactory ; in ad-
dition to which some were assured
for 2,0001. and
3,0001., instead of 700/. or 800/., which is the ordi-
nary average. But I may say that I trust we have
had all the bad luck this year.
However, as far
as the directors are concerned,
of the society, and
d, they have devoted
much attention to the aff
conducted its affairs with great scrupulousness,
and lam perfectly satisfied from the attention which

ROYAL LITERARY FUND.
The anniversary festival of this society was held last
evening at the Freemasons" Tavern. The chair was
taken by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland; and
amongst the noblemen and gentlemen present were the
Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Campbell, Mr. Baron Parke,
Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce, Viscount Ebrington,
Lord Bolton, Mr. Hallam, Vice-Admiral Sir Charles
Malcolm, Rear-Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Major
General Sir John Rolt, Sir R. Joddrill, Mr. Cabbell,
M.P., Mr. Heywood, M.P., Mr. Walter, M.P., Sir John
Hensler, Mr. G. P. R. James, Sir Harry Ellis, Arch•
deacon Robinson, Mr. Sergeant Merewether, Mr. Adol-
phus, Mr. Thackeray, the Rev. Dr. Russell, Dr.
Bake, &c.
The party was much smaller than on such an occasion
we could have wished. It did nut number more than
flora 70 to 100 persons.
In proposing the health of her Majesty the Queen,
the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND said, that since the ac-
cession of her Majesty to the throne she had been a con-
stant supporter of the Literary Fund.
The health of her Majesty the Queen Dowager, and
the other branches of the Royal Family, was then given,
and received with the amount of enthusiasm usual on
such occasions.
In reply to the toast in honour of the Church, his
Grace the Archbishop of Dublin returned thanks. His
Grace said that he felt some difficulty in discharging
the duty which had devolved upon him, as he could
not very conveniently say anything in praise of that
sacred profession of which he himself was a member.
The clergy,however, were not unmindful of their position,
for, while they contributed greatly to the litera-
ture of the country, they at the same time
bad educated many authors who subsequently had
Tobtained a distinguished position in the country.
imgnheoeroal:jecee.t onfisthGercalceericalprofession was to enlightens
to
enn'asbmleintdhse,thaend not to keep them in a state of brutish
trash issued IT
the duty of
sound and
them.
orders we expressed it as his opinion that
country was to educate the poor, so a
to discriminate between the mischievous
moral doctrines of men capable of instructing
connexion between the higher and lower
3 very slight, for •
upper classes to follow , it was not possible for the
could the higher 1 cottage, and by their writings only
112hcIdasesoesf of society hope to reach and to
the
market,
or
the the lower into the public-house,
influence the
Archbishop said that htehi: lower. As for himself, the
yR
ur !it
ziu r
then
edn
in writing for the middle anag
devotedlower
classesm ore of
of his
societytim e
than for his can, and he felt it to be his duty so to do.
proposed the "Health
thanks.
His
Grace
r a caeg ta hi ne
Cb rni eel II
of tote Army and Navy."
Major-General Sir Joi.; ROLT and V. A •
ice- dmira I Sir
JOHN MALCOLM returned thanks.
The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, on again Tisin2.
said—Gentlemen, I have now to propose to you the
toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Royal Literary
Fund." The address will give you every information
respecting the institution, and I have only to add a few
words for the information of those who are as yet
unacquainted with its operation. This charity is open
to all persons without distinction of country and clime,
and it is uninfluenced by politics or religion ; it has no
limits, in fact, but such as arise from its deficient finances.
Many who have devoted their lives to the cause of truth,
from the shores of the north to the sunny climes of the
Mediterranean, have been relieved from the funds of
this institution, and that assistance had been admi-
nistered by the committee in such a delicate manner as
not to wound the feelings of the unfortunate applicants.
The charity is one of the highest value, and it relies
upon your assistance for its aid and support; and that
assistance, I have no doubt, will be readily afforded.
Gentlemen, I have to propose to you " Prosperity to the
Royal Literary Fund."
The Rev. Dr. RUSSELL read the first report, in the
course of which he said, that thirty families of educated
men had been relieved by the society during the last
year, involving an outlay of 1,2301. Amongst the sub-
scriptions of the evening were her Majesty the Queen,
1001. ; his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, 1004 ;
the late President, 101. 10s. ; the Earl of Ellen-
borough, 101. 10s. ; the Earl of Ellesmere, 101. 10s. ;
Archbishop of Dublin, 301. ; Mr. G. P. R. James, 101. ;
Monckton Milces, Esq., M.P., 51; Hon. Mountstuart
Elphinstone, 5/. ss. ; Messrs. Longmans, 51. ss. ; Sir
John Swinburne, 101. ; W. C. Macready, 51. ; the
Bishop of Manchester, 101. ; Lord Viscount Ebrington,
101. ; Baron de Goldsmid, 101. ; Archdeacon Robinson,
1/. is. ; W. F. Ainsworth, Esq., 51. ss. ; his Excellency
the Belgian Minister, 9/. ; Chevalier Bunsen, 51, who
was prevented from attending in consequence of a com-
mand to attend his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia
to the Ancient Concerts.
The Archbishop of DUBLIN 'Proposed, in compli-
mentary terms, the health of the Chairman, who briefly
replied.
His Grace the CHAIRMAN then gave the healths of
the Marquis of Lansdowne, the President, and Lord Viscount Hardinge, the latter of whom had consented I
to officiate as chairman of the festival of next year.
Mr. JAMES proposed the health of Mr. Hallam and
the historians of England; and
Mr. Baron PARKE, in a complimentary speech, that
of Lord Campbell and the biographers.
Lord CAMPBELL said that he felt himself highly
honoured in having his name associated with the bio-
graphers of England, and in being, in that capacity,
brought before so distinguished a society. After some
commonplace political allusions, his Lordship said that,
amidst the changes and convulsions lately witnessed
throughout Europe, and amidst the republican feelings
now existing on the Continent, however greatly he
might dissent from such opinions, there was yet one
republic which he highly honoured—the republic of
letters. It was one and indivisible, and their motto
ought to be, " Liberty, equality, and fraternity."
The subsequent toasts were—" Mr. Thackeray and
the novelists," "Mr. Lovell and the dramatists," " Mr.
Lester and the literary and scientific men of foreign
countries," " Mr. St. John and the travellers," " Vis-
count Ebrington and the stewards," and, lastly " The
Ladies."

It will be observed that in the list of toasts, numbering
no less than sixteen, there exists what appears to us to
be a very curious omission. The society professes to
call itself a literary association, and as such it is to a
great extent dependent upon the assistance and support
of the daily press in London. It must be also borne
in mind, if we are to deal with palpable facts, that
the most distinguished writers of the past and pre-
sent century either are or have been connected
with the metroplitan press—they are men who,
for the most part, have passed through a university
career, whose daily toil in the field of politics is
unceasing, and whose influence, whether as individuals
or as a body, is greater, without any doubt whatever,
than that of any other class in society. They can guide
the public mind either to good or to evil ; they can raise
sedition or quell discontent ; they can promote morality
or subvert religion—in a word, by the daily exercise of
the power confided to their keeping, that power may be
productive either of an immense amount of mischief,
or induce results tending to the happiness of the
people, to the benefit of the State, and, by the pro-
motion of order, to the consolidation of society. Com-
pared with such a class there is no kind of literary
effort, however distinguished, which can in any way,
by the very nature of the case, bend to the same
extent the public mind to its absolute will ; and for this
Y
reason " the press" has not been unappropriatel
termed
"the fourth estate of the kingdom." But,
notvvith•
standing all this, and in a society composed
professedly
kofnoliwtenrairny mhiesn,eaonndneinxitohne
wprieth a senceloeafdaingg jentloTvalannw, ell
mention whatever is made of the press, either as its bearings upon literature or upono Foulitics. To us, we
regards
papnort moaf it u
oouml
di s
bs leo na.
waTstoe
attempt
tthoisfinids
vaeassoomnsewillila ant
of time, and we shall, therefore, leave the public to form
their own opinion as to whether literature can gain
publicity but through the press ; or whether the press
can continue to exercise its functions but by the aid of
theThhiegahnebsatelritipertajornyateafletnhLe
evening
of 700/. amounted to upwards
MAS

SACRE OF AN ENGLISH
A.TTEXPED CREW.
CAPTURE OF A WHALER.
Intelligence of a massacre perpetrated by the natives
of the New Caledonia Islands, was communicated yes-
terday at Lloyd's. The unfortunate circumstances are
briefly these :—The Vanguard, William Cunningham,
master, sailed from Sydney in the early part of October,_
on an expedition to the New Caledonia Islands, reaching
the western portion in the course of a fortnight Tb
natives exhibited a friendly feeling towards them, as-
sisting the crew daily in obtaining
wood. They obtained about twenty tons
board, and urged
one of the chiefs presented himself ou
one of the bays,
Mr. Cunningham to take two boats P
bad been collected for
where a large quantity of wood a aioutofi,sa:dhaeln-
the 19th of November,
f the hour Mr.
he lateness o
In consequence of t
to go, but would start
him by his people. This was on
the chief to re.
requesting in the morning,
the night, which was se-
' on board for
Cunningham declined then
main the following morning,
Acharge of Mr. Cunningham and ten
the boats started in
cur,
Mr. Bunting, two seamen, the
seamen, the chief officer,
being left in the care of the Van-
cepted. At day.break on
steward
and
thleych°ad the captain's boat got out of sight
guard.
when a Scaeanrocee, filled with natives, approached the ship;
toma-
hawk, three of them were allowed to go on board, but upon one
of them attempting to murder the mate with a tomti-
they were turned out; the remainder attempted
to board the vessel, but were beaten off, and in the
course of several successive attempts, it was necessary
to fire a musket. The canoe then retire& They re-
mained in anxious suspense till two o'clocklthe following
day, when from forty to fifty canoes, laden with natives,
containing upwards of thirty men in each, were seen on
the opposite side of the bay bearing down upon the
vessel. It being impossible to resist 60 tremendous a
force, the mate, with much judgment, slipped her
anchor, and making all sail, ran the ship before the
wind. In passing through the bay where the captain
and crew had landed, nothing collie' be gm of +4

THE CLERICAL DELINQUENT.
We (Sheffield Independent) understand that the
Rev. Mr. Mahon has received a letter from Edin-
burgh, informing him that his late curate, " the Hon.
and Rev." .11,1 r. Douglas, alias Fairfax, i 3 in that city,
where he has preached, and is begging in the name of
some religious society. It has been suggested to
some of the creditors that they should take steps to
have the man apprehended, but to that course there
are two objections. The first is a suspicion that this
letter may be merely a trick of the accomplished im-
postor, to put them upon the wrong rcent. But the
second and more important objection arises from a natu-
ral disinclination to spend money, not to recover what
they have lost, but merely to punish the delinquent.”
Two or three other cases of "Mr. Fairfax alias
Douglas's dexterity have been published. Among
the adherents of the church whom he was in the
habit of entertaining at the rectory was the village
tailor. To him Mr. Douglas stated that be had not
brought to Rawmarsh his stud of horses, but bad
left tnem in the care of his faithful and much at-
tached groom, Tom. He wished to make Tom a
present, and consulted the tailor as to the suitable-
ness of taking Tom a stable suit. Of course the
tailor thought it a good notion. But then came a pro-
fi"tohhim, said the
havedexte nroous
exactlylypatsotomr' my , clothesand
pro-
fessional difficulty. How was he to measure the absent
Tom
eesur olde m
o
the clothes will be sure to suit Tom. This was
done, and now the poor victimised tailor' has the sa-
tisfaction to think that when it shall suit the pastor to
play the groom, he will have quite ready the groom's
habiliments. A young lady who had travelled on the
continent, advertised, during February, that she was
open to an engagement to accompany a lady or
young family as travelling companion. She duly re-
ceived a very respectable-looking letter, dated from
"Rawmarsh Rectory," where the Hon. and Rev.writer
was doing duty for a short time for his friend Mr. Ma-
hon. He was a widower with two daughters whom he
wished to take upon the continent during the spring,
and wanted for their companion just such a lady as
the advertiser had described herself to be. Th
e result
sin :e
was an engagement, but the exposure which
design with has
taken place has frustrated the
o
which it can be
Mr. Fairfax Douglas
supposed to h
have been made. In
the height of his benevolence,
neighbouring gentleman on
behalf of an 0
undertook to write to a
ant
and tenant, whom he
as being inIdservant
distress, but unwilling
much
make application on his own
to
through delicacy,
of
101. would be a
.ter
lf A donation 5l. or great
whom the rev. writer
felt .
in
assistance to the poor man,
felt so much interested that he was ready to be the
nce of the gentleman's bounty.
The letter was acknowledged
channel for the conveya with sincere thanks ;
but as the gentleman'sste ward would be in the neigh-
bourhood
of a few days, he should hays
instructions to se
bourhood in the theu old
servant, and_ give such aid
as the case required. This simple circumstance
e
baulked another of the rev. delinquent's clever
schemes' -

ME PROTESTANT AssOCIATION.----Yesterday the
anniversary meeting of the Protestant Assoeiatiort WWI
(
held at Exeter-hall, which was filled with a large and
fashionable assemblage. Prayers having been read by
the Rev. Dr. Halloway, the chair was taken by G. Roch-
fort Clarke, Esq. Mr. Law, the secretary, then read
the annual report, which stated that during the put
year the association had caused meetings to be held and
lectures delivered against the Bill for establishing rela-
tions with the Papal States, and against the admission of
Jews into Parliament. The association bad also issued
cards, papers, &c., during the late general election, and
had ;been instrumental in awakening the Protestant
energy of the country, many Members having been re-
turned pledged to oppose any measure calculated to
strengthen the Church of Rome. Since the l anni-
versary the receipts of the association had
beenast 1,5541.,
and the expenditure 1,5081., there being liabilities to the
amount of 4001. Resolutions in accordance with the
objects of the association were passed, and the meeting
separated.
ADELPHI THEATRE.—Madame Celeste took her
benefit last night. The performances comprised the
melodrama of the Harvest Home; the petite comedy of
Flying Colours, and the second act of Buckstone's
shelved, though still favourite drama, of the Green
Bushes, Madame Celeste taking the principal female
character in each piece. Mr. Webster, of the Hay-
market, who, as usual on these occasions, gives the
Adelphi the benefit of his talents, was the Captain Sans
Sonci in Flying Colours. The house was crammed.
It is rumoured that Mr. Macaulay is about to re-
tire from the Cabinet.
Dispatches pfartocm the Governorheswerereceivedoietshe Capeterday of tth4a lColetraalo-
offi
and from the Gorernot of Van Diemetie LW.