The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-18 00:00:00

BOSTON, STAMFORD, AND BIR
MING lIAM (STAMFORD TO WISBECH) RAIL
WAY.

take, as he had placed some shares in the secretary's
hands, though not with the intention of assenting.
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting had not yet voted,
and he had merely stated the number of shares
which had been placed in the hands of the se-
cTrheetar
thteo oppernocinegedionfg
pn t itnog
thweitphrotcheeedßinigll;
Ynumasherassue
was, as he had stated, 11,2151. If any mistake
had been made by any scripholder present
in placing their votes in the hands of the seeretary, it
would be rectified. Whether they proceeded or not did
not affect the directors more than as being shareholders
to a considerable extent they had an interest in the
success of the company. The directors considered the
scheme a feasible and good one, and that they ought to
go on with it, as it was sure to bring bazE their money
with a good profit The Bill had passed through the
Select Committee of the House of Commons, and was
now waiting the decision of this meeting before the third
read!
A SHAREHOLDER called the attention of the Chairman
to a return moved for by Mr. Labouchere, and printed by
order of the House of Commons, setting forth the shares
taken up by the provisional directors of railway com-
panies. From this it appeared that Mr. Spooner had
not taken up any shares, and there were two other direc-
tois that had only taken up two shares each.
The CHAIRMAN said that, with regard to Mr. Spooner,
he had taken but little interest in their proceedings from
the beginning, and his name had been`put on the list at
the tune the line was brought forward, so as to give con-
fidence to the public in this undertaking.
A SHAREHOLDER ca.ied the attention of the Chair-
men to a member of the Managing Committee, who wes
represented in the returns to hold only five shares.
The DIRECTOR to whom allusion was made explained,
that at the time this railway was projected there was
another brought forward in connexion with it, which
promised to be of considerable advantage. As it was
considered advisable that the directors of the present
company should hold a number of shares in the other
company, it did so happen that he took a considerable
number of that company's shares, and did not take up,
at the same time, those allotted him in the present com-
pany. He found out his mistake when too late, and
since then he had bought a sufficient number of shares.
He thought, therefore, he had acted, as far as he could,
in the manner a director was bound to do. The shares
he had purchased he now possessed.
Mr. LECHMERE did not tbiuk there was any ground
of complaint against the directors. With regard to the
scheme, he was satisfied that it was a good and honest
one, and would prove remunerative to the shareholders.
Referring to the Bill, he found the amount of capital
tattAl at 252,0001., and the shares at 12,600, of 201. each.
Now, if the capital stated was too low, and 300,0001. was
fixed to be theamourt, it would be a desirable arrange-
ment, as then that would make the 30,000 shares issued
to be 10/. each. If the Bill could be so altered as to
make the capital 300,000/, to be raised in 30,000 shares
of 10/., it would harmonise well with their past proceed-
ings. He would also suggest that there should be fur-
ther time given in the Bill for the execution of the line,
and the raising of the capital. It would be a satis-
factory arrangement, if the period for finishing
the line were . extended, and a clause in-
serted that no call should be made till a year
after the passsing of the Act. Many other com-
panies had done this. He had no doubt the line would
be a good paying concern. It was a line, also, which he
believed had, received the unanimous support of the
lect Committee that had sat on it. He hoped all in
the room, like himself, would decide to go on,with the
undertaking. proceedings of the diredtors, he'was
satisfied, had not been like that of many other companies.
He was told, last week, of one that had only passed'
through tee standing orders, yet had spent 36,0001. out
of 46,0001. of deposits.—(Hear, hear.) He could not too
highly commend the proceedings of the directors in
regard to the 20,00 J unissued shares, when they had
every inducement to issue them, and put the profit in
their own pockets.—(Hear, • hear.) So satisfied was he
with their conduct, that he would hare great pleasure in
proposing a vote of thanks to them% at the end of the
meeting.

A special general meeting of the shareholders of this
company was held on Saturday afternoon, at two o'clock,
at their offices, 18, Abingdon-street, estminster, in
pursuance of the resolutions of the House of Commons,
to ascertain the decision of the scripholders as to whether
they assented or dissented to proceeding with the Bill.
The meeting, a numerous and respectable one, in the
absence of the Chairman, R. Spooner, Esq., M.P.. was
presided over by Thomas Macauley, Esq., the Vice-
Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN rose and said, the duty of presiding
over the meeting devolved on him, on account of the una-
voidable absence of the Chairman, Mr. Spooner, arising
from engagements of a Parliamentary nature. They were
aware, that they had been called together in pursuance
of the resolutions of the House of Commons, proposed
by Sir Robert Peel, to ascertain their assent to, or dis-
sent, from, proceeding wi:h their present Bill ; and the
first business necessary to be done was, the reading of
the notice calling the, meeting, so as to be satisfied that
it was duly and legally constituted.
The Secretary then read the advertisement convening
the meeting, which he said had been inserted in the
Gazette, and the principal London and provincial news-
paper.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the meet-
ing, said his first duty on behalf of his co-directors and
himself was, to return their cordial thanks for the per-
fect confidence the shareholders had hitherto shown and
reposed in them, and which, he trusted, would be still
continued. He could assure them, when he became a
director of the present company—and he believed he
could say the same Of his brother directors—his only
object was to do everything in his power to advance the
general benefit of the concern.—(Hear, hear.) As many
of tho,e who were now scripholders in the company
were not original subscribers to the undertaking, they
would not, he was persuaded, object to his occupying
their attention for a short time, while he gave an outline
of the scheme from the period of its announcement to
the present time. It was right he should dos.so, that
they might understand the present position and pros-
pects of the company, and in order to ac-
count for the change which had been made
in the scheme, as compared with its original
intekition and extent. It would be remembered that the
present Anpany was originally formed a little more
than a twelvemonth ago, the object of it being to con-
struct an independent line of railway from Boston and
Lynn, by way of Stamford, to unite with the Leicester
and Birmingham Railway. 'this arrangement had in
view the formation of a direct line of communication
between the west of England, the great manufacturing
and iron districts, and the eastern counties. . It was pro-
posed that the line should start from the Leicester and
Birmingham Railway, at a point between Leicester anc
Rugby, and proceed alon the valley of the Welland
through Stamford, to the port of Wisbech, there form-

ing a connexion with the Lynn and Ely Railway ; thus
constituting a direct communication between the east. and
west of England. He need not dilate on the great ex-
citement that then prevailed in the public minel—he need
not dwell on the strong public opinion that "prevailed in
favour of direct lines from one side of England to an-
other. These were matters with which they were all
familiar. It was in agreement with this teeling, and
to open up in the best manner an important district of
country, that the present scheme had beep brought out.
The original number of shares was 50,000 at 201. each,
or a capital of one million. But though 50,000 was the
number of shares announced, it was deemed prudent not
to issue more than 30,000, representing a capital of
600,000/. He mentioned this as it required explanation.
The intentions of the directors towards the shareholders
were bona fide. The 30,000 shares were issued, con-
ceiving that 600,000/. of a capital would be sufficient,
and deeming that it would be well to keep back the
20,000 shares to satisfy landowners along the line, or in
case of amalgamation with some other company ; the
directors at the same time determinim., that whatever
share-s remained over, or the-whole, were they not required
for the objects stated, should be distributed pro rata to
all those who had signed the Parliamentary deed.—
(Hear, hear.) Such was the resolution of the directors,
and he could inform the meeting that though the shares
rose to 21. premium, not one of these shares were issued
by the dii ectors, or appropriated by them.—(Cheers.)
This brought him to explain the intention of the
directors as to proceeding with the line near agreed
on. Shortly after they had made their surveys
for their original line, early last summer, they were
threatened with various competing schemes. To show
the advantage of the line, and that there was every rea-
son of its proving a successful concern. he need but state
there were no less than six other companies early last
summer, and at the very ccanmencement of the railway
excitement, seeking to occupy the sane ground.—(Hear,
hear.) The larger part of these were exphemeral
schemes ; two of them, however, were of a different class,
being put forward by two of the most powerful compa-
nies in i,he empire—the Midland Counties and the Lan
don and Birmingham Railways. The one company
proposing-the South Midland from the Midland Counties
Railway, through Market Harborough to Huntingdon,
which ran for nine miles along the course of this com-
pany's line ; and the London and Birmingham proposing
a scheme from Rugby, by Market Harborough to Stam-
ford, taking up the larger portion of the central part of
this company's line—the junction from the Leicester and
Birmingham line to Stamford. The directors of this
company did all they could to effect an amalgamation on
sisch terms as to admit the capital of 600,003/.
on equitable terms, but without success. . They
had also lodged plans • and sections for the
whole scheme; but being certain of the power-
ful opposition of the two great companies referred
to, the directors thought it be.t to contract the scheme,
and to do what they could to secure an unopposed, cheap,
and profitable line.—(Hear, hear.)—They thought it
better to retire from a long and expensive contest with
companies, especially such as the London and Birming-
ham, whose powers had been so often successfully
proved, and against whom, if a victory were obtained, it
would be at a tearful sacrifice ; and to give up the por-
tion of country these companies sought to accommodate,
and to content themselves with that which remained—a
line cheap, unopposed, and likely to be most remunera-
tive to the shareholders.—(clear,' hear.) The line as
now proposed was twenty-two miles in length. It
started at Helpstone, near Stamford, from a point on the
Syston and Peterborough Railway, passing in a through.
out line through Market.lleeping, Crovvland, Thorney,
and Parson's-Drove, to Wisbech, where it fell into the sta-
tion of the Lynn and Ely line. Near Helpstone it crossed
the main line of the London and York, and near to
Pe akirk it also intersected what was called the loop
of the same line, the effect of which would be to con-
nect Bo•ton, Lynn, and Wisbech in the directest man-
mer with London and the North of England. With
this, and the junction that would take place with the
other lines to the east and west a complete and direct
system of railway communication would be formed with
all the principal parts of England. The result of this
alteration of plan was, that.,,, instead of the ex-
tended scheme formed, embracing a large capital,
they were placed within a small compass, and
had within their reach a line of easy construction
unopposed, competing with no existing line, nor likely
to be so, and promising a -itindsorne per centage on the
capital embarked. The directors estimated that the
construction of the whole of the line, with several small
extension branches contemplated, would be 300,0001.
They were firtunately unopposed by any land-
owners. Ho had received a letter from Mr
Tycho Wing, the agent of the Duke of Bedford,
giving the consent of his Grace to the passing of the
line, which went six miles through his property. They
had also the support of the Marquis of Exeter. The
expense of the stations would be very little. They
would require no terminal stations, as the line started
from -out for Helpstone station of the Lyston and
Peterborough Railway, and terminated in the Wisbech
station of th.- Lynn and Ely Railway. There would
only be required a few road stations, at a trifling cost.
It would also be important to remember that they would
he at no loss for plant, as it would, in a short line like
theirs, be better and cheaper to hire engine power from
one of the two com ponies with which they would b in con-
nection. He had nut at present considered which com-
pany should be applied to, but he had no doubt that the
present line would tall into the hands of a more power-
ful company; and if that were the case, of which he had
no doubt, and an amalgamation was found to be
desirable, he should take care and see
that it went into the hands of such a
company at a remunerating rate to the present share-
helders.—(Cheers.) To this point the increasing
energies of the directors would be directed. In regard
to the amount of expense already incurred, he did not
consider it would be prudent then to go into details, as it
might be used in a prejudicial manner by their enemies.
They must recollect that the past year had been a very
expensive one in getting forward railway surveys, in
comparison with former periods. Engineers had re-
velled in champagne andturteleo,nhsiedencreabtle.
heLmou iastexupgeheot
the expenses to have been
their. expenses had been moderation itself.
Still-he must say, compared with manyotheFriirt
companies,
er t s than
this it would not be well at present to say. They had still
a large sum of money in hand, and if the meeting gave
their consent to proceeding, there would be no necessity

. .
----
further call the Bill
be enabled to meet the 10
would
for anytill - was passed into a law,
.
gon the 'h Id s Supposing
E crip o er
per cent. without calling
the scheme went on, and no extensions were made. then
need not expect the present capital to
the shareholders
be called up, as no m
one-half of the 600,0001.
ore than
would be required. On this account
he congratulated
and not
shares, them on t he keeping back of the 20,000
having been led away with the favourable state of
to throw them into
things, when the shares were issued,
the market. He had now kndeavoured to go through
the history of the scheme .
a duty
to the present time, .
which he was aware he had but inadequately performed,
and he would now address himself briefly to proceedingb
with their present scheme before Parliament. It had
been shown before the Select Committee of the Huse
of Commons, that the returns would yield ten per cent.
on the capital of the company ; and that the line could
be easily made for the money stated. In proof of that,
tLe Midland Company had laid down a line at 10,0001.
per mile. He had been over the whole extent of country
through which the present line passes, and it was of a most
favourable character. The line did not interfere with a
single one of the drains, and it had received the support
of the Drainage Conirnissioners.—(Hear, hear.) That
assent, with the support of the Duke of Bedford and
the Marquis of Exeter, were most favourable circum-
stances in, their favour. He would
now conclude, by
intimating that the number of shares assenting to
proceed with the Bill that had been placed in his hands
by the secretary, and supplied to him by the share-
holders' was, 11,215; dissents 10.
The SECRETARY intimated that there were, perhaps,
more dissents in the room; the assents only had been
received-by him.

A SHAREHOLDER again recurred to the return of the
[louse of Commons in respect to the shares taken up by
several directors.

The CHAIRMSN said the returns were, in several in-
stances, very. inaccurate. With respect to the member
of the Managing Committee that had been referred to,
those who knew him could not for a moment believe ho
could do anything but what was strictly fair and re-
putable.

Mr. PRITCHARD said his was a case in point. He
had signed the deed for a considerable number more
shares than appeared in the document.
Mr. FRANKLIN thought the shareholders ought to be
satisfied with the explanation. No one had been more
strongly opposed to proceeding with the railway than
himself, and he had acted with others who thought ,he
scheme should he broken up. But, before that was
done, they thought some investigation should take place.
The result of that investigation had changed his
opinions, and, instead of opposing the line, he would
now support it.—(Hear, hear.) He had now good
reason for thinking that the through traffic would yield
10 per cent., leaving out of calculation the local traffic.
He also thought it would be impossible to go on without
effecting an amalgamation, in which he had no doubt
they would obtain satisfactory terms. With respect to
the reduction of the amount of the shares, it was a
waiter of little moment. He was satisfied that not.
more, than 51. or 61. per share of the present 30,000
shares would be required for the line, as the rest could
he raised on loan. Supposing they got 150,0001. from
the shareholders, there would be no difficulty in raising
100,000/. by loan. Whether the shares were called 101.
or 201. was of little consequence, as the real question
with them was, how much would they be required to
pay up? If the gentlemen who referred to the pro-
ceedings of the directors, and complained of one or two
of them not taking up shares, had investigated their
proceedings as he had done, he was sure all opposition
on their part would be withdrawn.

The CHAIRMAN said, with regard to altering the shares,
there would be great Parliamentary diffi3alty, as they
would, in that event, have to recommit the Bill, and go
through various expensive forms. Practically, the alte-
ration would be of no importance to the shareholders.
In respect to a clause not to make any calls for a twelve.
month, to do so might operate injuriously to the pro-
gress of the Bill, and might favour the supposition that
they were not in earnest in pushing the scheme forward.
tle. did not think, however, that any call would have to
be made till two-thirds of the year was gone. The great
point with them was, to get the line carried out as soon
as possible, in order to make satisfactory terms with
other companies.
A SHAREHOLDER wished to know if all the 30,000 had
been paid on.
Mr. BAXTER replied that IL 2s. per share had been
paid on the whole, making 33,0001.
At the suggestion of several shareholders, the beads
of the Bill 'before Parliament, as amended by the Com-
mittee, was read.

After a few observations relating to the interest agreed
to be paid on the deposits, but which was of no material
conseq ience,

Mr: C. HAYCOCK, mayor of Stamford, said he held
511 shares in the present company. A few weeks ago
he was opposed to proceeding, but he had since changed
his mind. He now thought it would be cne of the best
little lines in the kingdom. It would be of great advan-
tage for carrying corn from Boston to Norfolk, instead
of, as at present, by water. He had looked at the rate
of tolls, and while the time would be so much reduced,
the
‘price of conveyance would be but one half
it was as compared with the water. Owing
to the uncertainty of the water conveyance, he had
himself lost from 2001. to 3001., because he could not
Beet the grain brought by water delivered in time. He
believed the transit of vegetables along the line would
also he enormous ; for while potatoes in the neighbour-
hood of Lynn and Boston were selling at 2s. 2d. per
cwt., they were ss. Bd. in Birmingham, and they could
be taken to Birmingham and Derby for 7s. 6d. a ton.
There would likewise be a large traffic in stone and
lime, and live and dead beasts. He could bear witness
that the feeling in Stamford was all but universal in
favour of the line.
Mr. GALE inquired how the 12,600 shares of the Bill
,k ere to be allotted among the holders of the 30,000
shares ?

Mr. BAXTER—Upon a rateable arrangement, accord-
ing to their present stock.
In answer to another Shareholder,
Mr. BAXTER said the line crossed the river above
Wisnech, and that the crossing had the sanction of the
Bedford Level Commissioners.

The CHAIRMAN, after a few preliminary observations,
then moved the following resolution :
" That this meeting of holders of scrip and bankers'
receipts representing scrip in the proposed Boston,
Stamford, and Birmingham' Railway Company, con-
vened and constituted conformably to the sessional or-
ders of the Houses of Lords and Commons, having had
submitted to them a copy of the Bill now before Parlia-
ment,for incorporating the said Company, do approve
thereof, and do authorise the directors to prosecute the
samein the present session of Parliament."—Carried
unanimously.

Mr. ARMS, of Lynn, seconded the motion, and re-
marked on the advantages the eastern district would en-
joy by such a through communication to Birmingham.
The residents at Lynn at present received .their hard-
ware goods from Birmingham in a nio‘t circuitous
manner. They had to travel by railway from Birming-
ham to Hull, 150 miles, and then to be brought by sea
to Lynn. Now, if this line were formed, they would
come direct—a distance of only 130 miles, at a cost of
hut 28s. 6d. a ton—very much under the present rates.
He thought also a considerable portion of the Birming-
ham export trade to the continent would be done through
the port of Lynn. So strong was the feeling of the in-
habitants of Lynn in favour of this line that, though
many rival schemes had been proposed, and though one
of them had called a public meeting of the inhabitants,
and employed barristers and other agents from London
to advocate their cause, still their eloquence was una-
vailing, for a resolution in favour of the present line was
carried unanimously by the meeting in questions
The resolution was then put from the chair, and una-
nimously agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN then proceeded to cast up the votes.
The assents up till then were 11,215, being more than
sufficient for compliance with the resolutions of the
House of Commons. Still, in order that as many votes
as possible might be recorded, the secretary would con-
tinue to take them till the close of the meeting.
Mr. HAYCOCK then moved—
" Thai the Chairman of this meeting, and the solicitor
of the Company, be authorized and requested to affix
their respective signatures to the said Bill, and to any
ma 1 5(42; ar. LE
agurde edcdaoci
certificate of the holding of this meeting which the forms
of Parliament may require."
Mr. PRITCHARD seconded the resolution, which was
'Et
oRrEs movedh
eai
r votez e a
?if a tbhial
intyk,s
htootehsetyCphinatier:
Mr.

A SaigiguoiADEß thought there must be some mis-

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDA Y MORNING MAY 18, 1846.

health of Lord Dudley Stuart.—(Loud and long con-
tinued cheering.)
Lord DUDLEY STUART then rose, atid was received
with great applause. He said it was impossible for bim
to find words to express his feelings. He begged them
to accept his thanks, which, if clothed in the most elo-
quentt
mt(mhceoenmr
eeabeswers
raeos.
assemblage
t boh ya
When,gt
ehbewu ta
he
e,tegh
ali e
son:
nadktwooe odfr
ou
round,w, dhoonnmod
tbaonewf
language of the most finished orator would be
i
and
ass
aocewronemhpswni
onwhs coe edlr
large
f
highest
sciencet— postso f writers,in
t h o worldvvho worksseof
commerce—when
henames
taansdsewmhbilcyhhwadounlodt
served their country in high offices of men
makebe
distinguished in the various branches of learning and
that European,
to
that
h a
denied t h wtr toe. rps r
etsheenmo e-
selves immortal---(Cheers)—of gentlemen filling the
saw
of the ministers of
religion—that it was illuminated by ladies of beauty and of fashion—(Hear, hear
)--presided
over by one whose approval alone was enough to make
one glad—(Hear)—one whose talents and high h t and the manner in which he bad so worthily
cborne character rac
the r
part assigned to him in the government of l'is country, had made his name known throughout the
civilised
world—who, by his countrymen of all parties was uni-
versally respected. When he knew this, and that it was
congregated for the purpose of Presenting him with a
token of the regard with whicli the ladies of Poland
were pleased to look upon his endeavours on behalf of
their country, was it, he asked, any wonder that he
was at a loss to find words to express his gratitude
—was it any wonder that he considered that the proudest
moment of his life?—(Cheers.) But he saw something
more in that assembly than a mere compliment to him-
self ; he could not but regard it then, as a recognition,
to a certain degree, of the justice of the great cause to
which he had allied himself.—(Cheers.) He would not
attempt to commit any one to opinions he did not hold ;
he would not suffer himself to be deceived by any wishes of
his own, but he was proud to say that in that room he
met men of different parties, of different faith, and of
different feelings on all subjects. He knew that many
of them differed from him in their appreciation of the
cause of Poland, and still more as to the practicability
and mode of promoting the regeneration of that country;
but he believed, if their attention had been directed to
the subject with the same intensity as his, that their
conclusions and his would not fall short.—(Cheers.) If
their thoughts had been so directed, they would see, as
it had been described by an eminent Conservative Mem-
ber of the House of Commons, "that the cause of Poland
is not only th 6 cause of humanity and Christian civiliza-
tion, but that in are involved the interests of religion,
the improvement and extension of commerce, the faith
of treaties, and the honour and well-being of Europe."—
(Loud cheers.) But he felt that there were others, not
in that assembly, who also deserved his thanks, and he
was anxious to seize the only opportunity afforded him
of assuring the ladies who had presented him with the
token of their regard, of his deepest gratitude for the
gift. His thanks directly given would be to them a
source of sorrow, captivity, and exile—(Hear)—but that
glorious engine for the diffusion of information, burst-
ing through police and prohibition as the light of the
suu bursts through the clouded horizon, the press,
would carry to them his thanks—(Cheers)--and by its
aid they would learn that the precious gift on which they
had been pleased to employ-their time and exercise their
-kill, and which they had been pleased to confer upon
him as an appreciation of such poor services as he had
been able to render to the cause of their country—
they would hear of the interest attached to it, the ad-
miration it excited in that assembly, and of his sym-
pathy, of his interest, and gratitude, and pride. The
history ofb Poland testified to the high qualities of the
women of 'that country in all time past. A queen of
Poland, betrothed to William of Austria, but who sacri-
ficed her love, and married the Duke of Lithuania,
who was half a savage, for the purpose of converting
millions of her countrymen to her religion, formed a
splendid example of heroism rarely equalled; and the
pa • triotism evinced in 1831 by the women of Poland, and
particularly by the Countess Claudia Potocka, who de-
voted her time to attend on the sick in the hospitals of
her country. Every hour of her time, and every farthing
of her money, were devoted to relieving the misery of
those who had defended their country. There was also
another example of patriotism—the wives and sisters of
Poland, so far , from wishing to keep their dearest rela-
tions from rushing into danger, when their country was
concerned, had even been the first to incite them to do
so ; thus the influence which a mother possessed, ren-
dered essential service to a nation. It was not long
since, that a lady of fashion paid the following compli-
ment to a Polish lady of noble blood, of extreme beauty,
'and great accomplishments, now dead, one of whose
sons was the present Count Zamoyski. She said she
was " mad about her country, ps-rfectly mad," for all her
seven sons, on all of whom she doted, she would have
sacrificed in the chance of establishing the independence
of Poland.—(Hear.) Oh, noble madness, that made a
mother forfeit her sous for her country ! Oh, noble
lunacy, that made the tenderest feelings of our nature
subservient to our country ! Where mothers were ac-
tuated by such feelings, their sons would not belie them.
The Noble Lord concluded by proposing the health of
the Ladies of Poland.—(Loud cheers.)
Col. Laza SZYRDIA returned thanks, in a neat and ap•
propriate speech.

-
Lord 31ORTETEI said he had ono more toast to pro-
pose. After a few introductory observations, he said it
had happened to him to be one of the confidential ser-
vants of the crown ; and he did not know that he should
feel ar y scruple in adding, without any mock delicacy,
especially as he had ascertained from experience that his
own preference would point another way, and the same
thing might not happen again, but whether this was the
case or not he should be very reluctant to say anything
while out of office that he might think, if in office, un-
suited to the foreign relations of the State, or the de-
corum to be observed towards foreign nations in amity
with our own. He and, his family had received attention
and courtesy while in the dominions of the Emperor of
Russia, but he considered there was nothing in the page
of past history, or in the letter of present treaties—
(Cheers)—which should restrain him from expressing
the deepest and warmest sympathy is the destinies of
unhappy Poland.—(Cheers.) It was unnecessary in
such an assembly as that to attempt to recal the days of
her past freedom--the glorious days of her nationality—
when she occupied the most exposed frontier on
the outposts of civilisation, and when she bore the
brunt of the battles of the cross.—(Cheers.) Neither need
he recall that crisis when the cry of " God and Poland"
burst through the Moslem and Europe, and christendom
owed Its relief to Poland and Kosciusko—(Cheers)--
still less was he tempted to recal those days of dark
decline, illuminated as they were by the most de-
voted and desperate valour ,which irresistibly brought
to one's mind that memorable passage in the works of
their lost Campbell, who was entitled to some thanks
on a day like that—(Cheers)—for it was impossible to
find anything equal to it in spirit or in rich feeling.
The season of hopes and fears had not yet expired,
freedom was not yet mute, and the very object for
which those around him assembled testified this to be
the case.-The brief reference he had made to Polish his-
tory was directed to ages long gone by, but if he were
to refer at greater length to the later history of that
country, no doubt he would find many failings and
many faults—that the people were hemmed in and trod-
den down, and that foreign foes were not amongst their
last enemies. But if they had any faults they had
made ample amends for them by patience, humility,
and long suffering. He exhorted the people of Poland
to persevere in that self-denial and truly noble course.
He would not counsel them to any precipitate efforts
which might only aggravate the evils they 'sought to
redress. The friends of Poland could counsel no in-
centive to human vengeance or to the shedding of
human blood—(Hear, hear)—but they could
not bid them banish or efface the hope that, in the pro-
vidence of God, the day might come, when, reared in
the school of affliction, and chastened with the long vigil
of her suffering, Poland would yet enjoy better times,
and see the dawn of a brighter morn than she ever be-
held in her stormy though bright career—(Cheers)—
that she might yet, in a greater degree than during the
days of her civilisation, when she promoted the moral
conquests of their faith, spring up among the nations of
the earth, and rank with them in commerce and intl..-
p„ndenc,(Cheers.) lie would give them a name
which would awaken the chords of sympathy and inte-
rest in the bosom of those present, hut which, in those
of sorne, would thrill to their heart of hearts—that name
was " Poland."

The toast was responded to with loud cheers.
Count ZAMOYSKI replied to the toast. He thanked
Lord Dudley Stuart for his great exertions on behalf of
the Poles, and drew attention to the partitioning of
Polanl, which he characterised as cunning and despoti-
cal. One of the Kings of Prussia stated that his father
would not have sanctioned the partitionment of that
country if he had known what would have been-the re-
sult. The Emperor Alexander of Russia, during a great
part. of his reign, acknowledged the sufferings of the
Poles, and admitted that they ought to have another
sovereign than himself. The treaty of Vienna had net
given satisfaction to their. just claims, and he must state
to an English audience, that if that treaty had not been
successful, it had been the fault of the Governments who
had had to watch its execution.—(Cheers.) Among
those who had rendelled repeated services to the Poles
were Cutler Ferguson, Patrick Stewart, Stratford Can-
ning, and others.

The
health of the chairman was then proposed by
Lord SANDON, 'and Lord MORPETH briefly returned
thanks.

Lord WHARNCLIFFE gave the "Literary Association
of Poland;" to which

Mr. CILA.. RLES DICKENS replied in a brief but eloquent
address.
The " Committee of Management" and the "Ladies"
were then drunk, and the assemblage separated at a late
hour.

PRINTING MACHINE INDEX.—It gives us pleasure to
notice a very simple yet ingenious piece of mechanism, the
invention of Mr. Edward Strong, machine manager at
Messrs. Cox% printers, Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn. It is
generally known that machines are used principally on
account of the large quantities of printed sheets now re-
quired for the enormous and increasing number of rea-
ders which of late years sprung up. It need not be won-
dered at, therefore, that .mistakes do occur with those who
have the duty of giving out the paper, or those who put
them into quires after coming from the machine. The in-
tention of Strong's Printing Machine Index is, therefore, to
register the number of sheets printed, and this it does accu-
rately and with facility up to 100,000. When it is consi-
dered that 100 copies can be printed in ten minutes at a
slow machine, the utility, especially in the case of news-
papers, will be immediately perceived. It is gratifying to
see the workman thus turning his attention to the means of
simplifying his labours; and this small addition to the
printing machine is all the more creditable to Mr. Strong
from its simplicity.
DEATH OF THE IToN. D'ARCY GODOLPHIN Os-
ocoora.—We have to record the demise of the above Hon. Gentleman
at his residence4n Devonshire. He' was youngest son of Lord and
Lady Godolphin, and was born October 20th, 1814. The Earl of
*Auckland, the Duke of Leeds, and several (iuuili Of rank are placed
In mearniiag by his demise,

• 1 PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
i FRIDAY, MAY 15.
i CORN IMPORTATION BILL.
t Motion made, and Question proposed, " That the Bill be now
read the third time :"—Amendment proposed, to leave out the word
" now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " upon
; this day six months :"—Question put, " That the word `now' stand
part of the Question." The House divided :
MAJORITY—AYES, 227.
Acheson, Viscount Ferguson, Colonel Newry, Viscount
Acland T. D. Ferguson, Sir R. Norreys, Sir D.
L A'Court, Captain Fitzroy, Henry Northland, Viscount
Aglionby, H. A. Fitzroy, Lord C. O'Connell, Daniel
Ainsworth, Peter Fitzwilliam, G. W. O'Connell, M. J
Aldam, William Fleetwood, Sir P. O'Connell, John
Anson, Colonel Flower, Sir J. O'Conor, Don
, Armstrong, Sir R. Forster, Mathew Ogle, S. C.
Arundel, Earl of Fox, C. R. Ord, William
' Baillie, Col. Gibson, Thomas M. Owen, Sir John
' Baine, Walter Gill, Thomas Paget, Colonel
Bannerman, A. Gisborne, Thomas Paget, Lord W.
Barclay, David Glyune, Sir S. Paget, Lord A.
Barkly, Henry Godson, R. ' Palmerston, VisCoun
Baring, F. T. Gore, Montague Parker, John
Baring, W. P. Gore, Robert Patten, J. W.
Barnard, E. G. Goulburn, Henry Pattison, James
Barron, Sir H. Graham, Sir James Pechell, Captain
Beckett, W. Granger, T. C. Pell, Sir R.
Bellew, R. M. Greene, Thomas Peel, Jonathan
Benbow, John Gregory, W. H. Pendarves, Edward
Berkeley, Craven Grey, Sir G. Pennant, Colonel
Berkeley, Captain Grhusditch, T. Philips, G. R.
Berkeley, H. F. Grosvenor, Lord R. Philipps, Sir R.
Bernal, Ralph Guest, Sir John Philpotts, John
Blake, M. J. Hall, i6ir Benjamin Ingot, David
'Blewitt, R. J. Hallyburton, Lord Plumridge, Captain
Bodkin, W. ti. Hamilton, W. J. Pothil,, F.
Bottleld, Beriah Hamilton, Lord C. Ponsonby, C. F.
Bouvcrie, Edward P. Hamner, Sir John Powell, Caleb
Bowe's, John Hastie, Archibald Protheroe, Edward
Bowles, Admiral Hatton, Captain Pulaford, Robert
Itowrlng, Dr. Hawes, Benjamin Rawdon; Colonel
Boyd, John Hay, Sir A. L. Reid, Sir John
Bridgenian, Hewitt Hayter, W. G. Bright, John Reid, Colonel
Heatlicoat, John
Brocklehurst, J. lierben, Sydney Ricardo, J. L.
Rice, E. R.
Brotherton, Joseph Heron, Sir R.
Hilielrl,veLyjrdLoxrdartus. Rich, Henry
Browne, It. 1).
noltelnivebuck, ,
JJ.I.IA.
Browne, W.
Bruce, Lord E. Hindley, C.• 3, 0
il
I' b 01.
d, lt.
C. E .
Buckley, Edmund Holthouse, Sir John
Bulkeley, Sir R. Hogg, J. W. R
Buller, Charlet! Hollond, Robert Russell, Lord John
Busfeild, W. Hope, G. W. Russell, Lord E.
Butler, Colonel
Housman, Edward Illtuuthseeirlinrjd. B.
Salmon, viscobuit
Butler, P. S. oward, C. W.
Byng, George Howard, J. K. Scott, R.
Byng, G. S. Howard, E. G.; Scrope, G. p.
Cardwell, E. Howard, P. H. Seymour, Lord
Carew, R. S. Howard, Sir R. Seymour, Sir H.
Carnegie, Captain Haghes, W. B. Smith, Benjamin
Cavendish, C. Q. Hume, Joseph Smith, J. A.
Cavendish, G. H. Humphery, Ald. • Smith, Vernon
Chapman, B. Hutt, William Smythe, George
Chichester, Lord J. James, William Smollett, Alexander
Christie, W. D. James, Sir W. C. Somers, J. P.
Clay, sir W. Jerilyn, Earl Somerset, Lord G.
Clerk Sir George Jervis, John Somerton, Viscount
Clive, B. H. Jocelyn, Viscount Somerville, Sir W.
Cobden, Richard Johnson, General Stansfield, W. R. C.
Cockburi, Sir G. Johnstnne, Sir J. Stanton, W. H.
Colebrooke, Sir T. Johnstone, Hope Staunton, Sir G.
Collett, John Kelly, Sir Fitzroy Stewart, P. M.
Coffins, William Labouchere, Henry Stewart, John
Copeland, Ald. - Lambton, H. Stuart, Lord J.
Corry, H. Langston, J. H. Stuart, Henry
Cowper, W. F. Lascelles, W. S. Strickland, Sir G. 1
Craig, W. G. Layard, Captain Strutt, Edward Crawford, W. S. Leader, J. T. Sutton, Henry
Cripps, William Legh, G. C. Tancred, H. W.
Currie, R. Lemon, Sir C. Thesiger, Sir F.
Curteis, H. B. Lineoln,-Earl of Thornely, T.
Dalt:luny, Lord Lindsay, Captain Tollemache, F. J.
Dalrymple, Captain Loch, James Tomline, G.
Darner, Colonel Lockhart, A. E. Townely, John
Dashwood, G. H.', Lyall, George Traill, George
Denison, J. E. Macaulay, T. B. Trelawny, J. S.
Dennistoun, John Mackinnon, W. A. Trench, Sir F. W.
D'Eyncourt, C. T. M`Carthy, Alexander Troubridge, Sir B.
Dickinson, F. F. ll`Donnell, J. M. Tufnell, Henry
Divett, E. M`Geachy, F. A. Turner, Edmund
Douglas, Sir C. B. M.Neill, Duncan Vane, Lord H.
Douro, Marquis of 31•Taggart, Sir I. Vernon, G.
Drummond, H. Mahon, Viscount Villiers, Charles
Duff, James Mainwarlug, T. Villiers, Viscount
Dugdale, W. S. Maitlaud, T. Vivian, J. H.
Duke, Sir J. Mangles, R. D. Vivian, Captain
Duncan, Viscount Marjoribanks, S. Wakley,,Themas
Duncan, George Marshitll, William Walker, Richard
Duncannon, Lord Marsland, Henry Wall, C. B.
Duncombe, T. Martin, John Warburton, Henry
Dundas, David Martin, C. W. Ward, H. G.
Dundas, F. Masterman, John Watson, W.
Dundas, J. C. Matheson, J. Wawn, J. T. ..
Easthope, Sir John Meynell, Captain Wellesley, Lord C.
Eastuor, Viscount Milnes, R. M. Wilde, S. T.
Ebrington, Viscount Milton, Visconnt Williams, W.
Egerton, W. T. Mitca tie, H. Wilshere, W.
Ellice, Edward Mitchell, T. A. Winnington, Sir T.
Elphinstone, H. Moffatt, George Wood, Charles
Escott, Bickham Molesworth, sir W. Wood, Colonel
Esmonde, Sir T. Morpeth, Viscount Wood, Colonel T.
Estcourt, T. G. Morris, David Wrightson, W. B.
Etwill, Ralph Morison, General Wynn, C. W.
Evans, William Morrison, James Vyse, R.
Evans, Sir De Lacy Mostyn, E. M. L. Yorke, R.7,1*
Ewart, William 31uniz, G. F. TELLERS.
Feilden, Want= Napier, Sir Cheri% Young, John
Fielden, John Neville, Ralph Baring, Henry