The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-15 00:00:00

FREE CHURCH of SCOTLAND MISSIONS,

The anniversary meeting of this association took
place yesterday, in Exeter-hall ; the Right Hon. Fox
Maude, M.P., in the chair. On the platform were a
great number of clergymen of various denominations,
and a numerous deputation from Scotland.
The meeting was very numerously attended ; and,
having been opened with prayer,
Tne Right Hon. CHAIRMAN said, it became his
duty to address a few words to them with respect to
the object for which they were assembled that even-
trig. Although he was pleased to see so many
present, he did not lay " the flittering unction to
his soul" that they were met alone to pro-
mote the interests of the Free Church of
Scotland, because many of those whom he had
the honour to address had assembled to
support the missionary labours of the association.
Although they had not been able to do all they
wished to do and all they were bound to do for the
bead of the Church, still it was gratifying that their
labours had not been in vain. They bad reared and
planted upwards of 700 churches and 830 preaching
stations ; and when he told them that, since 1843,
they had established upwatds of 500 schools, he
was sure they would appreciate the labours of the
association. These facts he was convinced would be
a source of satisfaction to every one present, and
every friend of the Free Church of Scotland. They
had formerly seen, and now saw, ministers of
Evangelical denominations of all kinds attending
their meetings, and he thanked them most cordially
for their attendance, but he regretted to observe the
absence of Dr. J. Bunting. That venerated man
was absent on account of increased years and
the attendant consequences of the decline of lite.
The association conrributod to the payment of 689
teachers, giving instruction to 73 571 children under
the au.pices of the Free Church of Scotland. They
had promoted religion and education in. the Lowlands
and in the Highlands of Scotland at home, and they
had done so without neglecting their duty to the
heathen ; and they had extended as far as they could
the circulation of the Gospel in foreign lands, in the
colonies, and particularly in British India. If ever
there was a time when Christian Protestants should
stand together, the present was the time ; and it was
to him a source of satisfaction that so many meetings
had been held to uphold the Protestant liberties of the
country.
The SECRETARY then read the report, from which
it appeared that the society had for the year 1849-50
received for home missions 7,5911. 19s. 7d., fur
foreign missions 12.3281. Ils. ld., and for other pur.
poses 32,6891. 7s. 3d., and the expenditure had been
49,214/ 19k., being an increase of income over expen-
diture of about 3,340/.
Dr. Cunningham, Dr. Duff, and other friends of
the society having addressed the meeting, and the
report having been approved of, the meeting se-
parated.

THE SHEFFIELD Mumma.—The coroner's inquiry
in this case was resumed yesterday (Wednesday) at the
Town-ball. The only additional evidence was that of a girl
named Pearson, residing next door to the house of Wilkin-
son, the murdered man. Sbe went to bed about twelve
o'clock, and in a short time was awoke by a loud noise as of
a scuffle in Wilkinson's bedroom, and got up to the window
to listen. Some person appeared to run down stairs, where
the noise was continued, and directly afterwards there was a
heavy fall. So.ne minutes after this she beard some person
run up stairs into the garret in Wilkinson's house. There
was no scream or noise as of persons quarrelling, and, after
listening till the noise subsided, she went to bed again. In
twenty minutes afterwards she heard some person leave
ilkinson's house, close the door after them, and go down
the yard. At halt.past three o'clock in the afternoon the
jury, alter being locked up for an hour and a half, returned
the following verdict :—" We find a verdict of wilful murder
against tis. illiam Battersby as principal and also against
Eliza Wilkinson as accessary, present, aiding, and assisting
in the murder of John Wilkinson. The jury, after three
days' examination into the case, cannot separate without
expressing their great dissatisfaction at the conduct of one
of the magistrates (Mr. Overend) in not allowing the ac-
cused parties to be brought before them according to the
usual custom, which practice the jury sincerely believe has
worked well f r the ends of justice. The Coroner at once
made out his warrant for the prisoners committal to York
Castle.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY ON THE BEDFORD ESTATE,
LAMB.S CONDUIT-STREET.—Yesterday morning the extensive
premises of Messrs. Della Torre, of Lamb's Conduit-street,
was plundered of a considerable quantity of valuable pro-
perty. including cocks, chronometers, time-pieces, barome-
ters, and other articles of value. It appears that the burglars
entered by the shop door by the usual appliances, and then
deliberately proceeded to select the various articles of value.
The gas was lighted, and those who resided in the upper part
of the house thought that the ordinary business of the es-
tablishment was being carried on. The Jesuit was, that pro-
perty to the extent of upwards of 100/. was successfully car-
ried off. It is a singular fact that this street is afforded no
protection from the police. Mr. Collingwood was recently
robbed of a cash-box, containing upwards of 901. Mr.:-with,
the baker. has been also robbed of a considerable sum ; a d
Mr. Ordish, the bookseller, had his windows cut through,
and a quantity of most valuable books abstracted. It is in-
tended by the inhabitants of Lamb's Conduit-street, and the
immediate neighbourhood, forthwith to memorialise the au•
thorities of Scotland-yard, with some view to further pro-
tection.ies There can be little doubt but that the property of
aiernsl:. Della Torre has by this time passed through the
19 of Cutler-street and other parts of Lloundsditch. The
thievesa
extensive withdrawal of the police for atten ance on the
treat Exhib't
in041..1, fa appearing to have afforded the local
satisfactory opportunity ; std without blaming
the police, they are making the best of it.
Tne entertainment to be given by the metropolitan
to the foreign Commissioners of the Great Exhibition will
take place on Tuesday,
the 2 th. The Castle, at Richmond,
has been engaged for
the occasion. The Noble Chairman and
in insos iwo n
jeur a
beautifulwill
give
Iramdeeru,s at two o'clock, curing which
the band of thed Reg
reception to their guests on the
CI
auwaili,
some favourite selections. 'rue of Life Guards will perform
scene will be further enli-
vened by a regatta immediately under the terrace, given by
the Commissioners, to enable L uir
our most national sports. borne of trect best
to witness one of
t
men on the river
will contend for the noble president's
purse
The dinner will be served in the magnificent tor outriggers.
which will be appropriately decorated. The czti ball-room,
th-Western
Railwa Company has obligingly arranged to la
trains to and Iron' Richmond to suit the convedienocnesi;fettl
e

guests.
SHOWER OF SNAILS.—An extraordinary scene was
witnessed at Bradford, about 12 miles from Bristol, on sas
turday last, when that• village was visited by a heavy
shower of snails. They might have been gathered up y
bushels.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.—The United States
mail steamer Baltic, Captain C, mstock, sailed shortly after
9 o'clock this morning for New York, with the usual mails.
A new Roman Catholic church was consecrated at
Clapham yesterday by Cardinal Wiamus.

" The business tube transacted at the present meeting
is the election of four directors in lieu of—
.. JOHN ELLIOTSON, F.R.S.,
EDNIO.ND S. SYM ES, Eq.,
" CLEMENT TABOR, Esq., and
"JOSEPH THOMPSON, Esq.,
whose period of ttEce expires, hitt who are eligible to be
re-elected, and offer themselves accordingly.
" Also for the election, as ' directors, of the under-
mentioned proprietors, proposed by the Court of Direo-
tors, viz:—
" HUGH CROFT, EN.,
4. W M. KENNAWAY Esq,
" Sir ARNOLD J. K NIG El r, M.D.,
" SAMUEL WALKER, Esq., and
" GEORGE FULLER,' E iq:
" Also for the election of en auditor in place of
" Professor WHEA.TSTONE, F.R.S.,
whose period of office also expires, but who is eligible
to be re-elected, and offers hiu.self accordingly.
" And for the election of an additional auditor.
"T. LAMIE MURRAY, Chairman."

The CHAIRMAN then, in proposing the adoption of
the report, said he should not detain the meeting by
any lengthened observations. The report embodied
the greater part of all he had to say. After the full
expo.ition which it contained it would be superfluous
in him to do so. He would therefore confirm himself
to two matters ; the first was the almost total extinc-
tion of preliminary expenses.—(Hear.) When the
company
made its first report to the proprietors,
in 1842, the sum of 21,0001. stood to its debit under
this head,
as, in fact, a debt to be eithaguished.

JL,..;. .i•

This debt had been diminished from year to year,
until it now stood at 1,500/. only.—(Hear.) Next
year the per-centage, which the directors were bound
to take off the profits, and which had been applied to
its reduction, would
.now go to the formation of
a guarantee fund, which he might with safety
say, would at least increase in the same ratio
in the same number of years as this debt
had been diminished.—(Hear, hear.) The next
point to which he would direct their attention
bore upon the increasing income of the society. In
the early infancy of a society great efforts and great
expense are needed to push the business and increase
the income. The society had to sustain these ex-
penses at a time when the income was small in compari-
son, but now these first steps were made the society
was in the position of having increased its income and
diminished its working charges in a double ratio. In
future none of these charges would be incurred, as
the end had been attained. They bad planted
three most important and profitable centres
of management; the income had been raised from
39,7471. in:1846, to what it now stood, 70,0001., at the
moment he was addressing them.—(Hear, hear.)
He would illustrate this from a paper he held in his
hand, which set forth the annual per-tentage of working
charges to income, and in comparing the year 1848,
' when the income was 45,1031, to the year 1850,
the per-tentage of charges had diminished one-half.
—(Hear, hear.) This was really all be had

to say. The position of the society required
no advocacy, nor would he condescend to do so.
Another thing he might he allowed to mention which
bore on the same subject the establishment
of the Equitable Fire Insurance would con-
tribute not only to increase their business,
but also to diminish their expenses.
In the accounts of last year the item in assets of
shares repurchased had:now.entirely disappeared. All
these shares had been now sold, and a premium
obtained for them. He would now conclude by
moving that the report of the directors be adopted
and printed, and circulated amongst the proprietors.
The motion was then put and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the re-election of
the retiring directors, John Elliotson, F.R.S.,
Edmond S. Symes, Esq., Clement Tabor, Esq,
and Joseph Thompson, Esq., and also the election
of the following proprietors :—Hugh Croft, Esq.,
William Kennaway, Etq., Sir Arnold J. Knight,
Samuel Walker, Esq., and George Fuller, Esq.,
as directors of the society. The object of the eke 7
tion of these last-named gentlemen was to have
directors present at different centres of operation
who would exercise a local influence, and render a
great service to the society.
In answer to a question from a Shareholder,
The CHAIRMAN said, that although by the deed the
directors were allowed 1,500/, for their expenses,
they had seldom drawn more than 1,2001. or 1,4001.,
and that included his own salary as Chairman.
The new directors would only be allowed the usual
fee of one guinea whenever they might be pre-
sent at the board; and as for their travelling expenses,
the society would not pay those except they had
summoned to town on business of
the
een
socsPeiectyially.
.No doubt, however, the number of
policies which they would be the means of effecting
would compensate ten times over for any increase in
expenses which their fees would create.—(Hear, hear.)
He had also to propose the re-election of Professor
Wheatsone, F.R.S., as auditor of the society; and
also of Professor John Radford Young as an addi-
tional auditor.
In answer to a question from a Shareholder,
The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Young was a man of
great mathematical reputation, and also acquainted
with business matters.
Mr. HERAPATH also bore testimony to the reputa-
tion anabilityof Professor Young.
A SHAREHOLDER inquired
what
was
the
price at
which the shares were now selling ?
The CHAIRMAN said that the last quotation which
be bad heard was at 15s. premium.—(Hear.)
The motion for the election of the directors and
auditors was then put and carried.
Sir proposed a vote of thanks
tothe A
c. ha HILLARY,irman and Bart.,ir
eters. He had only lately
d
been connected with the society, but, from what he
had seen, he was sure their affairs could not be in
better hands.—(Hear.)
Mr. JAMMIESON seconded the motion. He thought
such-a vote was especially clue, after such a harmo-
nious meeting as they had hid—harmony, too, which
was not produced by mere apathy and in-
difference, as the numeroo meeting then present
showed, but was the result of satisfaction alone,
since questions had been asked around, and every
question had seemed to add to the pleasure with
which everything that had fallen from the chairman
had been received.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks on behalf of him-
self and brother directors, and this terminating the
proceedings, the meeting separated.

LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL LIFE

ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

The annual general Meeting of the Legal and
Commercial Lite Assurance Society was held yes-
terday, at the offices, in Cheapside ; Mr. Alderman
Lawrence in the chair.

The advertisement convening the meeting baying
been read by the actualy (Mr. T. W. Farnell), the
minutes of the previousmeeting were read and con-
firmed.
The then
orirenocte,.....edGedentotkamdderne,ssytnhue meet-
ing
meeting read, and now
f
eendeavoursar
s t
wneereb u
Duringtsi
siosn
ude
the
hsd
0°
ofiai
rrnhsdaet
ihwneegarhtdoavttehheetomfgionilivuoetweasinnogta. °donut of ourselves, or rather of
the 'society for the past year. Most of you who are
prevent to-day will remembernamtattention
itoghnra
eta,antfidve enmn
competition,
teiamngneo,n,
att
nhi
in
suchNo
a form and consistency as
society,
dr: required
nt
orwebdarsi
enengsnt
eiati bd
tl
eiors ha
be
to give hope and confidence to the policy-holders.
,dairtectthoers uensedd tnhetfiirvbeesyt
Thenow
society had so far extended that they were enabled
Tt
07(i-15:
policieso ro ,0 leaorn.
1) y
yielding premiums to the
to say that it was no longer an infant, but capable of
extent of 1,9521. M. 11d. In the following year
runningen year
s Ia amounting
nn that
nei:
152 policies were added for 65,0001., the premiums
amounting to 1,63 1. 4s. sti., and in 1848 no less than
164 policies were taken out for 59,0001., the pre-
mium being 1,4931. In 1849 the policies issued were
233, for a sum 'amounting to 89,8341, yield-
ing 2,756/. in premiums ; while last year
the policies numbered 279 for 104,3601.,
and yielded premiums to the extent of 3,5661.
12s. 7d. showing that the increase in one year,
namely, from 1849 tolBso, was from 2,7561. to 3,5561.
In 1849 we found.our income amounted in premiums
to 5,9331. 68. 9d., which, added to the interest received
on loans, amounted to the sum of 7,0871., while in last
Year we find the premiums were increased from '
5,933/. to 8,8461., which, added to the interest received
to the end of the year on loans, make a sum of 10,0531.
(Hear.) The actual receipts up to that time amounted
to 9,425/. 'odd, because the accounts being made
up to a particular day, we could not place sums
in anticipation of their being forthcoming before the
present time. Since, however, that period addi-
tional sums have been received, which may be fairly
talk( in with the rest for the purposes of discuiricen,
aid f.O,show the position of the society.—(Hear, hear.)
Thtisums out on loan amount to 20,0001., yielding
interest to the extent of 1,0001. a year net ; thus half
that sum is only shown in the account, because as
yet only a few hundreds of it have been received ; but,
at all events,,to show the position of the society we may
state that our income for the last year was some-
where about 10,0001., while if we are allowed
to bring in aid the experience of the last five months,
we may calculate the, income of the society after the
rate of 11,00 Q/. a year bear.) That fact I
hope will , convince the gentlemen present that the
progress of the society, though gradual, has been
highly satisfactory.,---(Hear, hear.)• According to
the deed of settlement this is the period when, to use
a common phrase, we are required to take stock.—
(A laugh.) Well that has been done by persons
skilled in matters of the sort, and the conclusion to
which they have come, is that we are in a condition to
declare to bonus to the policy-holders of four-fifths of
what is-considered the actual profits of the society,
while, id accordance with the provisions of the deed of
settlem6it, I believe the remaining fifth will go to the
shareholders. It is true we have been placed in that po-
sition by the free use of the money of the shareholders,
who for three years never received a shilling of in•
terest for their money.—(Hear, hear.) And why ?
Simply because they thought at first that the society
was only an experiment, and as the shareholders
were liable for any loss that might be sustained in its
early t areer, it would have looked like paying in-
terest out of capital had it been paid in the onset.—
(Hear, hear.) It was determined, therefore, that
there should be no bonus given to the shareholders
until the division of profits at the end of the fifth
year, to be apportioned in the ratio, as I have already
mentioned, of four-Afthe to the. policy-holders, end

, one-fifth to the shareholders, the amount apportioned
to the policy-holders being about 35 per cent. upon
their premiums, which, I believe will bear comparison
with the history of any other life atsurancer dompany,
andwill most certainly give the public confidence in
the stability of the society.—(Cheers.) Having
stated thus mmch, I will ask permission briefly to
add, that in the great competition which is now tak-
ing place, it has become a fashion amongst the old
companies, which I hope we shall not be induced to
follow, to disparage, and, if possible to keep down,
new undertakings of this sort, by insinuating that
the moderation of their capital indicates insecurity.
—(Hear.) Now, for my part, I am one of those
wbo think a capital can become too unwieldy to be
profitable, and I look upon a society with a moderate
capital as far more sound than one with an enormous
capital which thiy know not what to do with, or how
to dispose of with advantage.—(Hear, hear.) During
the five years that this society has been in existence
the claims made upon it arising from deaths have
been eleven cases, amounting to the sum of 5,2981.,
but the greater portion of that sum had been met by
lapsed policies, amounting to 4,195/., so that in point
of fact, we have only paid 1,1001. for claims
of that nature.—(Hear, hear.) That will prove to
the meeting that our mode of transacting business is
highly satisfactory.—(dear, hear.) Another feature
connected with the society, which I consider highly
advantageous to the proprietors, is the average age of
its policy-holders. In the older offices many of their
policy-holders having insured in early life, the
averages of age have turned much against the societies;
but I find the average age of lives insured in this
society is thirty-five only.—(Hear.) Now, I believe
that is held to be a healthy state of things, but not
only does the average age not exceed thirty-five years,
but the average amount of the policies amounts to
,3891.—(Hear, hear.) That is exactly the position,
then, in which we stand, and I trust, as regards the
general receipts— in the sums paid to persons deceased
—as regards the average age of those who are in-
sured, or as regards the average amounts of the
policies issued, it will be allowed that we stand in
an excellent situation.—(Hear.) The directors, wbo
have paid much attention to the subject, think we
do, and having said that, it only remains for me to
call upon those gentlemen present to aid our manage-
ment, first, by recommending their friends to bring
their policies to our office, and, secondly, by their
votes to-day showing that they approve of the course
which the directors have taken.—(Hear, hear.) I
will not detain you longer, but simply request the
Secretary to read the annual report.—(Hear.)
The Secretary then read the report as follows :
"In again meeting the proprietors and policy holders
the diretors have the pleasure of stating that the com-
pany's business during the last year has been highly
satisfactory; it exhibits a steady increase on the busire as
of the preceding year, and notwithstanding the vast com-
petition with which the company has had to contend,
and the great care taken in the selection of good lives
only, a considerable amount of new business has been
effected;—the progress plainly evidences the growing
confidence of the public in the stability of the institu-
tion. The number of policies issued in 1849 was 235,
creating assurances to the amount of 89,8341. 7s. 6d., on
which the premiums received amounted to 2,756/. 7s. 2d.
During the past year 337 proposals have been submitted
to your directors, of which 279 have resulted in policies,
assuring 104,3601. 125., on which the premiums are
3,566/. 12s. 7d. The loans granted during the past year
have amounted to 11,8881, 10s. on real and personal
security, the cases on real security being 9, and amount-
ing to 9.288/. 105.; and on personal security 19, and
amounting to 2,600/.; this branch of the society's busi-
ness has progressed very favourably. The number of
new agents appointed during the past year is 113,
making the total number of agents 560. Much valuable
business has been secured by this means. During the
four months of the present year the income of the society
has been at the rate of upwards of 11,000/. a year. The
new features introduced during the last year by the ac-
tuary, and the modification of the tables of premiums,
have attracted considerable attention, and contributed
materially to advance the interests of the society."
The CHAIRMAN moved that the report be adopted
and entered upon the minutes.
Mr. Cox seconded the motion.

Mr. PINCKARD, actuary of the Clerical and Medical
Life Office, highly approved of the proceedings of the
directors, and was convinced that if they persevered
in their present system prosperity would attend their
efforts. lie did not regret that they had encountered
difficulties in the outset, because it would render them
more cautious in future.
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.
On the motion of Mr. HARRISON, seconded by Mr.
Alderman FINNIS, Messrs. Elliot, Ellis, and Glad-
stone, who retired by rotation, were re•elected direc-
tors ; after which Mr. William Bagshaw and Mr.
Hildyard were appointed auditors.
A resolution was then passed, authorising the
board to pay the shareholders 4 per cent. interest
upon the paid-up capital, and afterwards it was agreed
that in future the remuneration of the directors
should be increased from 400 to 500 guineas per
annum.
This closed the business of the ordinary meeting.
The CHAIRMAN then requested the Secretary to
read the quinquennial report, which was as follows:
"The first quinquennial period of the company hav-
ing terminated at the end of last year, your directors
have now another important duty to perform, that of
laying before the meeting, agreeably to the provisions of
the deed of settlement, the result of an investigation of
the society's affairs for the five years ending December
31, 1850, and cf declaring a bonus out of the profits
which have accrued during that period. The number of
policies issued during the last five years was 1,606, of
which 749 remain in force, producing an annual income of
8,441/. 17s. 6d. The average ago of the lives assured
is 35, and the average amount of policies 3891. The
claims on the ecciety since its formation, arising from
death in eleven cases, have amounted to 5,2981. The
premiums received by the society on policies va hich have
lapsed by death or otherwise amount to 4,1951. Os. 7d.
The actuary has been engaged in a careful investiga-
tion of every risk and liability to which the society is
subject, and in a valuation of all the assets:
rho present amount of risk on each policy has been
estimated, and the present value of the accruing pre-
miums on each life has been ascertained, and your direc-
tors have much satisfaction in making known the result.
The estimated value of the assets, including the present
value of future premiums, is 156,441/. Os. 2d., and the
amount of the liabilities, including the present value of
the risks on subsisting assurances, is 140,033/. Its. 7d.
The above statement exhibits a balance in favour of the
society of 16,4071. Bs. 7d., but it is your directors' duty to
remind you, that of this balance the sum of 9,692/. is not
capable of present division, without anticipating the
profits to arise in future years from the present business
of the society ; this practice your directors are aware
has been pursued by some offices, but they deprecate the
principle so strongly that they cannot recommend it for
adoption by this society. The directors feel, however,
that they can with propriety, and with a duo regard
to the necessary reserves for future contingencies, de-
clare a bonus of 5 per cent. to the shareholders on
their paid-up capital, to be added to the shares, and
a reversionary bonus to the policy-holders entitled
to participate in the present division, which will
average 35 per cent. on the amount of premiums paid.
This reversionary bonus will be added to the sum as-
sured, or may be converted into an equivalent abate-
ment of future premiums at the option of the assured.
Your directors, in conclusion, cannot refrain from con-
gratulating the proprietors upon the sound and healthy
state of this institution; they consider that the society
basssuceesfully emerged from the period of infancy, and
that nothing is now required to its permanent prosperity
but a continuance of those individual exertions of all
persons interested in its progress which have placed it
in the present position."
This report gave rise to some discussion as to the
power .of the directors to add the bonus to the paid-
up capital, with a view of its carrying interest; but
ultimately it was agreed that the matter should be
left in the hands of the directors to be disposed of in
committee.
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN the report was
then adopted, and ordered to be entered on the
minutes.
Cordial votes of thanks were then passed to the
Chairman and directors, and the meeting terminated.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM.--.Yesterday the
twenty-third anniversary festival in aid of the funds of the
Licensed
Victuallers' Society was held at the llighbury Barn
Tavern, Ilighbury. The company numbered aboat four
hundred of the members and friends of the society. Mr. S.
C. Whitbread occupied the chair. The report which was
submitted on behalf of the board of management stated that
during the last year ten additional houses had been added to
the ladies' wing of the asylum, that a chapel had been
erected for the use of the inmates and subscribers, that a
new board room had been provided, and that a chaplain's
house was in course of erection. A large increase bad taken
place during the past year in the number of lite members.
The total amount of subscriptions received had been
7,7501. 103., being a larger sum than had been
Obtained for any single year during the existence
of the institution. In proposing the chief toast of the
evening—" Prosperity to the Licensed Victuallers' A
said lum
and success to its endowment funds"—the chairmanhe
had that day visited the asylum, and could testify tothin the
excellent system of management which prevailed wi its
walls, and to the comfort of its inmates and their high satis-
faction with all the arrangements made to promote their
welfare. Amongst the other toasts were, " The chairman,"
The brewers, distillers, end wine merchants, supporters of
the institution," " The press," " The ladies, subscribers to
the institution," " The board of management," Scc. During
the course of the evening a large number of handsome do-
nations and subscriptions to the funds were announced.
UNIVERSITIES OF SCOTLAND.— Bill has been
prepared and brought in by Mr. Co A
wan, Mr. Edward
Ellice, Captain Fordyce, and Mr. Alexander Hastie, by
which it is proposed to do away wi h the existing law
by which professors and others in the Scottish Universi-
ties are required to subscribe the Confession of Faith and
practice, and conform to the worship in use in the Church of
Scotland, and submit themselves to its discipline. The Act
will not extend to the chairs of divinity, theology, or church
history.
Mr. W. Parker Hammond bad an interview yes-
terday with Viscount Palmerston at the Foreign Office, re-
lative to the extension of British commerce in Eastern Asia.
FOREIGN FRESH MEAT.—Th e steamer Cesaria,
from Hamburgh, has brought several packages of fresh
killed butcher's meat as a portion of her cargo consigned to
order. This description of foreign provision is on importa-
tion Ito 9f duty.

VSIDi

LITERATURE.
MEMOIRS OF GONZALO HERNANI )EZ
DE CORDOVA, styled the Great Cap tain. ;
Translated from the Spanish of Don Manuel resd
Quintana. By Joseph Russell.
Although the name of "The Great Captain' is
familiar to most persons, comparatively few mire av rare
of the exploits by which he earned that title, or of 'the
period at which he flourished. Gonzalo de Core lova
was born in 1453, and after distinguishing himself in
the war between Castile and Portugal, served the
glorious campaign by which Ferdinand and Isla bell&
finally expelled the Moors from the kingdom of
Granada, being present at all the actions of any 7:iOtt`
which took place in the course of that war. Bu t his
appellation of the " Great Captain" was earned b: rithe
series of brilliant victories he obtained over the ft gees
of Charles VIII. of France, when that monarch si lized
upon the kingdom of Sicily and invaded Italy. He
afterwards put down a revolt of the Moors, in the
course of which his brother, the famous Don Al ouzo
de Aguilar, was slain, and on the breaking out of
fresh hostilities with the French, then governe d by
Louis XII., who, aided by Pope Alexander, the
Florentines, and Venetians, endeavoured to wrest
the kingdom of Naples from Frederic 111., the, then '
King of Italy, put himself at the bead of a large
army, and, in 1500, again proceeded to Messina.
The united forces of Venice and Spain, under Gon-
zalo, from thence went to Cephalonia, which they I
took from the Turks after an obstinate resistance, and
then returned to Sicily and took possession of it in
the names of Ferdinand and Louis, driving out the
King, whom they had supposed they were to defend.
The Duke de Nemours, the French general, and the
Great Captain, not being able to agree as to the
division of the territory they had thus acquired, de-
termined to settle their disputes by arms. The cam-
paign that ensued was remarkable for the many deeds
of valour and chivalry performed by both armies, the
celebrated Bayard serving with the French ; but
Gonzalo's good fortune always prevailed, and the
battles of Cerinola and Garellano, at the last of which
the French lost eight thousand men and all their
baggage and artillery, compelled them to abandon all
hopes of 6nquering Italy. • At this period Queen
Isabella, Gonaalo's patroness, died, 'and King Ferdi-
nand listened readily to those who, envious of the
Great Captain, accused him of harbouring designs
against his sovereign. Although his noble conduct
upon that occasion obliged Ferdinand to receive him
into favour, and to honour him as much as his adversary
Louis XII., the King's displeasure substquipaply
became more and more apparent until the' death
the Great Captain, at Lexa, in 1515, at the age
sixty-two. Ferdinand and his Court then paid
every respect to his memory, and the King wrote to
his widow, condoling with her at the loss of so great
and distinguished a servant, who had rendered such
signal service to him. Don Manuel Jute Quintana's
memoir gives a detailed and impartial account of all
the actions of the celebrated Spanish hero, and inde-
pendently of its value as an historical record of the
events of an important era in European history, it is
most interesting as a narrative of the remarkable
career of one of the most remarkable men that ever
lived. The translator has performed his task with
great cars and fidelity, preserving as nearly as pos-
, sible the phraseology of the original Spanish when
not inconsistent with its adaptation into elegant
English. In the preface he tells us that " the present
biography (should it meet with a favourable recep-
tion) is intended to be the first of a series of transla-
tions from some of the best Spanish authors hitherto
untranslated into the English language." We trust
that the present volume may meet with such success
as may induce the translator to carry out the inten-
tion he has expressed.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION; its Palace and
its Principal Contents : with Notices of the Public
Buildings of the Metropolis, Places of Amusement,
(S(c. By Roberts Stephenson. G. Routledge and Co.
This work is of the same sin and is published at
the same price as Routledge's " Railway Library," and
is actually what it asserts itself to be, a" hand-Book"
to the Great Exhibition and to the sights of London.
It is seldom that we have seen so much information
compressed into so small a compass, and its arrange-
ment is admirable; the illustrations are excellent.
We may, in speaking of this Guide-book, quote the
old adage, and say with truth, "it contains every-
thing essential, and nothing superfluous."