The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-14 00:00:00

"S
-.r.„.,

N°.18,296.] LONDON, WEDNESDAY E G S N7 MAY 14, 1851.

NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE AND
EQUITABLE FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES
26, CORNEILL, LONDON.

•
T" MONUMENT.
The Interior having been Cleansed and Repainted throughout,
is Open for Public Inspection from Eight in the Morning until Dusk.
Admission to the Gallery, from whence an unequalled View or
London and the adjacent country may be obtained, Threepence each
Person.

Foucault's Recent Experiment, Demonstrating the Rotation of the
Earth, is shown Mornings and Evenings at the
OYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
KA) Important Deposits by the Gas-fitters' Association, illustrat-
ing, the economical application of Gas for Cooking and various other
purposes.—Lecture by Frederick Chatterton, Esq., en the History
of the Harp, from the time of the Egyptians, with Vocal Selections
by Miss Blanche Younge, B.A. of Music, and illustrated by Drawings
of the Harps of various Nations.—Lectures by J. H. Pepper, Esq., on
Chemistry, with brilliant experiments ; and on Natural Philosophy by
Dr. Bachhoffner.—Two splendid Series of Dissolving Views : —One
illustrating the Holy Land, painted by Charles Smith, Esq., &c., &c.
Open every morning and evening.—Admission, Is.; Schools,
Half-price.

LAURENT'S GRAND CASINO,
Licensed by Act of Parliament.
ARGYLL ROOMS, GREAT WINDMILL-
STREET, ST. JAMES'S.
(Solo Lessee, Charles Emile Laurent,
EVERY , 57, Brompton-square.)
OPEN EVENING,
With LAURENT'S UNRIVALLED BAND.
Principal Cornet-a-Pistons, M. Boulcourt.
Doors open at Half-past Eight o'clock—Dancing to commence at
Nine and terminate at Half-past Eleven o'clock precisely.
Admission, One Shilling.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, MAY 13.
STOCK EXCITANGI.—The share market still continues re-
markably flat, with little or no business doing. The only sale
reported to-day was—Vale of Neath, 514, dis.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 13.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There is a better feeling in the
market to-day ; the business, however, has been limited at the
quotations. The transactions were as follow :—Birkenhead,
Lancashire, and Cheshire, 9V dis.—Caledonian, 14%—East
Lancashire, 16%—Great Northern, 1914—Lancashire and
Yorkshire, 61%—London and North-Western, 127—Ditto,
New Quarters, 43, p.—Ditto, Fifths, 4% p.—Midland, 6114
—Ditto, Halves, 13% dis.—North British, 91,4—South-
Eastern and Dover, 26%—York, Newcastle, and Berwick,
211/8 —Dundalk and Enniskillen, 81/2.
MANCHESTER, MAY 13.
STocK Exc.HAUGH.—The market has been very inanimate
to-day, but prices had an upward tendency. The transaetions
were as follow :—East Lancashire, Quarters, 161,x—Ditto,
Preference, Quarters (min. 6 per cent.)., 8 1-16—Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 323/4—North Staffordshire, 7 dis.
—South-Eastern and Dover, 26%.
BIRMINGAM, MAY 13.
STOCK ExcuANGE. —Business continues flat, with few
symptoms of future improvement.
YORK, MAY 12.
STOCK ExamorGE.—The transactions to-day were as
follow :—Caledonian, 14% —East Lancashire, 161%—South-
Eastern and Dover, 26%—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 21

County Franchise (Mr. Locke King), on second read-
ing, April 2, by 299 to 83—Commons.

BILLS WITHDRAWN.

Salmon Brood (Ireland—Mr. Anstey), March 12—
Commons.
Apprentices to Sea Service (Ireland) May I—Com-
mons.

Metropolis Buildings, May 2—Commons.
SELECT COMMITTEES.

STATE of PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
ON SATURDAY, MAY 10.

Army and Ordnance Expenditure—Lord Seymour,
Mr. Secretary-at-War, Mr. Hume, Colonel Anson, Mr.
Walter, Sir William Molesworth, Lord Charles Welles-
ley, Sir James Graham, Mr. William Miles, Mr. Cobden,
Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. John Greene, Mr. Ellice, Mr.
Vernon Smith, and Mr. Banker. Nominated Feb. 26,
on motion of Government.

Law of Partnership—Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Slaney,
Mr. Cobden, Mr. Sotheron, Mr. Ewart, Mr. Heald, Mr.
John Ellis, Mr. John Abel Smith, Mr. Anderson, Mr.
Morris, Mr. Chichester Fortescue, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Tuf-
nell, Mr. Tatton Egerton, and Mr. Roebuck. Nominated
March 25, on the motion of Mr. Slaney.
Customs—Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cornewall Lewis, Mr.
Gladstone, Mr. Win. Brown, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Forster,
Mr. Alderman Thompson, Mr. Goulburn, Sir John Yarde
Buller, Mr. Archibald Hastie, Mr. William Fagan, Mr.
Moody, Sir George Clerk, Mr. Macgregor, and Mr. Al-
derman Humphery. Nominated March 28, on the mo-
tion of Mr. Mitchell. May B—Mr. Tennent added in
room of Mr. Fagan.
Steam Communications with India, &c.—Viscount
Jocelyn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Edward
Henry Stanley, Sir James Hogg, Lord Naas, Mr. Cow-
per, Mr. Plowden, Mr. Scott, Mr. Willcox, Mr. Corry,
Mr. Divett, Mr. Henry Carrie -Jr. Mangles; Mr. Bright,
and Mr. James Wilson. Nominated March 31, on the
motion of Viscount Jocelyn.
Ordnance Survey (Scotland)—Mr. Charteris, Mr. Fox
Manle, Colonel Anson, Colonel Mure, Sir George Clerk,
Mr. Smollett, Mr. Cowan, Sir William Morison, the
Earl of March, Sir Henry Davie, Mr. Dalrymple, Mr.
Mackenzie, Sir Philip Egerton, Viscount Melgund, and
Mr. Locke. Nominated April 10, on the motion of Mr.
Charteris.

Newspaper Stamps—Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Tufnell,
Mr. Tier Seymer, Mr. Rich, Mr. Stafford, Mr. Cobden,
Mr. George Alexander Hamilton, Sir Joshua Walmsley,
Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis, Mr. Chichester Fortescue,
Colonel Mure, Mr. Shafto Adair, Mr. Ewart, Mr. So-
theron, and Sir William Molesworth. Nominated April
11, on the motion of Mr. Milner Gibson.
Laws of Mortmain—Mr. Headlam, Mr. Attorney-
G eneral,.Lord John Manners, Mr. Hutt, the Earl of
Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Bounden
Palmer, Mr. Heald, Sir Robert Harry Inglis, Lord Harry
Vane, Mr. William Marshall, Mr. Anstey, Mr. Shafto
Adair, Mr. Hardcastle, and Mr. Drummond. Nominated
May 2, on the motion of Mr. Headlam,
Church Rates Committee—Mr. Trelawny, Sir Robert
Harry Inglis, Mr. Henley, Sir David Dundas, Mr.
Bright, Mr. Pole Carew, Mr. Alexander Hope, Mr. Hors-
man, Mr. John George Smyth, Mr. Littleton, and Mr.
Heyworth. Nominated May 2, on the motion of Mr.
Trelawny.
Kafir Tribes Committee—Mr. Secretary-at-War,
Marquis of Granby, Sir Edward Buxton, Mr. Edward
Henry Stanley, Colonel Thompson, Mr. Cardwell,
Viscount Mandeville, Mr. Evans, Mr. Mackinnon, Mr.
Bonham Carter, Sir Joshua Walmsley, Mr. Booker,
Colonel Estcourt, and Mr. Hawes. Nominated May 8,
on the motion of Government.

HOUSE OF LORDS-MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENT.
Apprentices and Servants Bill (from Commons)-Read
first time, April 1; second, April 7; Passed.
Church Building Acts Amendment Bill-Read first
time, April 7; second, April 14.
Patent Law Amendment (No. 2) Bill-Read first time,
April 10; second, April 11; Select Committee.
Episcopal and Capitular Estates Management Bill
(Earl of Carlisle)-Read first time, April 14.
AFTER EASTER.
Exchequer-bills Bill (from Commons)-Read first
time, May 1; second, May 8.
Stamp Duties' Assimilation Bill (from Commons)-
Read first time, May 1.
Indemnity Bill (from Commons)-Read first time,
May 1.
Expenses of Prosecutions Bill (from Commons)-Read
first time, May 1.
HOUSE OF LORDS-NON-MINISTERIAL.
Law of Evidence Amendment Bill (Lord Brougham)
-Read first time, Feb. 4; second, April 11.
County Courts Extension (No.2)Bill (Lord Brougham)
-Read first time, Feb. 13.
Criminal Justice Improvement Bill (Lord Campbell)
-Read first time, Feb. 13; second, Feb. 21; Select
Committee.
Public-houses (Scotland) Bill (Lord Monteagle)-
Read first time, Feb. 18.
Registration of Assurances Bill (Lord Campbell)-
Read first time, Feb. 21; second, March 17; Select
Committee.
Prevention of Offences Bills (Lord Campbell)-Read
first time, Feb. 24; second, March 14; Select Committee.
Patent Law Amendment Bill (Lord Brougham)-
Read first time, March 24; second, April 11; Select
Committee.
County Courts Equitable Jurisdiction Bill (Lord
Brougham)-Read first time, April 10.
AFTER EASTER.
Marriages (India) Bill (Lord Broughton)-Read first
time, May 5.
HOUSE OF COM MONS -MrzersT.EnlAL DEPARTMENT.
Improvement of Towns (Ireland) Bill-Read first
time, Feb. 10; second, March 10; Select Committee.
Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption Bill-Read first time,
Feb. 14; second, March 25.
Valuation (Ireland) Bill-Read first time, Feb. 17;
second, March 10; Select Committe e.
Smithfield Market Removal Bitl-Read first time,
Feb. 19; second, April 9; Select Cc.mmittee.
Civil Bills, &c., (Ireland) Bill-Lead first time, Feb.
20; second, May 1; Select Commit tee.
Prisons (Scotland) Bill-Re-ad :first time, March 17;
second, March 31.
Medical Charities (Ireland) Bill-Read first time,
March 17; second, April 1.
Court of Chancery (Ireland) Regulation Act Amend-
ment Bill (from Lards)-Read first time, March 21.
Hainault Forest Bill-Read firs t time, March 27;
second, April 14; Select Committee.
General Board of Health Bil 1-Read first time,
March 28; second, April 3.
Crown Estate Paving Bill-Read first time, March 28.
Steam Navigation Bill-Read fir st time, March 24;
second, March 31; Select Committ ae.
Process and Practice (Ireland) Bill-Read first time,
April 1; second, April 3.
Oath of Abjuration (Jews) Bill-Read first time,
April 4; second, May L
Coal Whippers (Port of London) Office Bill-Read
first time, April 10.
Sale of Arsenic Regulation Bill (from Lords)-Read
first time, April 7; second, April 14.
Property Tax Bill-Read first ti me April 8; second,
April 28; awaits third reading.
AFTER EASTER..
Inhabited House Duty Bill-Raad first time, April 28.
Customs Bill-Read first time, April 28.
Metropolis Water Bill-Read fir st time, May 1.
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Bil I-Read first time,
April 30.
Collection of Fines, &c. (Irele.nd) Bill-Read first
time, April 30.
Appointmet to Offices, Sec. Bilk--Read first time, May
2; second, May 5; in Committee.
Fees on Proceedings before Jus tires (Ireland) Bill-
Read first time, May 2.
HOUSE OF COMMONS-NON-MINISTERIAL.
County Rates Bill (Mr. M. Gibson)-Read first time,
Feb. 10; second, March 12; Select Committee.
Sunday Trading Bill (Mr. W. Williams)-Read first
time, Feb. 11; second, March 19; Select Committee.
Compound Householders Bill (Sir W. Clay)-Read
first time, Feb. 13; second, Feb. 19; to Lords.
Prerogative Court (Ireland) Bill (Mr. Keogh)-Read
first time, Feb. 14.
Highways (South Wales) Bill. (Viscount Emlyn)-
Read first time, Feb. 14; second, Feb. 19; Reported.
Fee Farm Rents (Ireland) Bill (Major Blackall)-
Read first time, Feb. 20.
School Establishment (Scotland) Bill (Viscount Mel-
gund)-Read first time, Feb. 24.
Ecclesiastical Residences (Irelttnd) Bill (Mr. Napier)
-Read first time, Feb. 24.
Churches and Chapels (Ireland) Bill (Mr. Napier)-
Read first time, Feb. 24.
United Church of England and Ireland Bill (Mr.
Napier)-Read first time, March 7.
Audit of Railway Accounts Bill (Mr. Locke)-Read
first time, March 10; second, .April 2; in Committee.
Encumbered Estates Leases (Ireland) Bill (Mr.
M'Cullagh)-Read first time, March 10.
Religious Houses Bill: to :prevent forcible detention
(Mr. Lacy)-Read first time,. March 11.
Enfranchisement of Copyholds Bill (Mr. Aglionby)-
Read first time, March 19; second, March 27; Select
Committee.
Act of Parliament Abbreviation Act Repeal Bill (Mr.
J. Stuart)-Read first time, March 28; second, April 1;
Reported.
Small Tenement Amen( lment Rating Bill (Mr. J.
Abel Smith)-Read first tin ie, March 28; second, April
8; Reported.
Farm Buildings Drainage Bill (Mr. Cochrane)-Read
first time, April 4; second, April 30.
Charitable Institutions N. 'Aims Bill (Mr. Mulliags)-
Read first time, April 3.
Landlord and Tenant Bill (Mr. Mullings)-Read first
time, April E.
Audit of Railway Accoui Its, No. 2, Bill (Mr. Stan-
ford-Read first time, April : 3.
Lodging Houses Bill (Lor d Ashley)-Road first time,
April 8; second, April 30; :Reported.
AFTER MASTER.
Enfranchisement of Co; pyholds (No. 2) Bill (Mr.
Mulliugs)-Read first time, April 30.
County Courts, Further Extension Bill (Lord Broug-
ham) (from Lords)-Read first time, May 5.
Common Lodging Hou ,ties Regulation Bill (Lord
Ashley)-Read first time, Wray 7.
St. Alban's Bribery Com mission Bill (Mr. E. Ellioe)-
Read first time, May 8.
Universities (Scotland) I ;ill (Mr. Cowan)-Read first
time, May 9.
BILLS WHICH HANIII BECOME LAW.
Passengers' Act Amendm sin t Bill, April 1.
Commons Enclosure Bill, April 1.
Consolidated Fund Bill (8, 000,0000, April 1.
Appointment of Third Vic e 3 -Chancellor Bill, April 1.
Mutiny Bill, April 11.
Marine Mutiny Bill, April..ll.
Mills and Factories (Ireland, 1 Bill, April 11.
Designs Act Extension Bill, April 11.
BILLS REJE( )TED.
Marriages (Earl St. Gemmel is), on second reading,
Feb. 25, by 50 to 16-Lords.
Hops: to amend 34 Geo. 111. (Mr. Frewen), oa
second reading, Much 19, bx-,_131,1 to 9-CQP:lauloilli•

with whom he had the happiness to act. If he secured
that, he should feel amply repaid for ell his services ren-
dered in connexion with this long-contested question.
Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR rose with pleasure to second
the motion. He had never beard a stronger case made
out. The old companies had neglected a good opportu-
nity. They had spent a great deal of money in endea-
vouring to upset other companies, and he was convinced
that they had reigned with despotic sway over the citi-
zens with their high prices much too long, while he re-
joiced to find that the effort of the new company had
proved so successful. He was much gratified to find
also, that the petition did not seek the advantage of the
company only, but that it was intended by the incor-
poration to secure those advantages to the citizens of
London. -
Mr. ANDERTON said that it was his intention to move
" the previous question."—(Hear, hear, and Oh.) The
question before the Court involved a great principle, and
he would advise the Corporation to take care how they
agreed with the proposition. He readily admitted that
the old companies had acted very foolishly in not coming
down in their prices in the first instance; but in that
affair it was not for them as a corporation to interfere.
There were questions which involved grave considera-
tions to the citizens of London, and this was one of
them.—(Hear, hear.) Did they not oppose with all
their might Perkins's Bill for the establishment of Isling-
ton Market? Did they not spend thousands upon thou-
sands of pounds for the purpose of preventing its pass-
ing? And justly so, too.—(Hear, and No.) The gas
companies were placed in the same position upon that
occasion.—(No.) He said they were. The gas compa-
nies stood upon their chartered rights; they stood upon
an Act of Parliament, as the Corporation had rightly
done. Was the case of the opposition of the muni-
cipal body to the bringing of the Blackwell Com-
pany's line into the City of a similar character?—
(Yes, and No.) What would they say if the Govern-
ment were to come down upon them, and say you
are fond of free trade, give up to the citizens your tolls
and your taxes on coals. Would they do that?—
(No.) No, he thought not; they would be fools if they
did.—(Laughter.) He did not say they ought not to
have their Bill; but he did say that it was a matter with
which the Corporation had no right to interfere.—
(Hear, and laughter.) He had no doubt that if they
got to the House of Commons with the Bill it would
have full weight—weight beyond that of the counter-
petition with its 200 or 300 signatures; but his opinion
was, that if they went there, they would only be cutting
their out throats and establishing a dangerous prece-
dent. He should therefore move the previous question
and divide the Court upon it, even if it stood alone.
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR rose for the purpose of seconding
the amendment of Mr. Anderton. He would give the
proposer of the motion (Mr. Dakin) great credit for
sincerity of purpose, and there were members of the
Great Central Company for whom he entertained the
highest possible respect. With Mr. Anderton, he (Mr.
Taylor) would say that the difficulties which had been
overcome by the promoters of the new company had re-
quired the greatest assiduity, and he (Mr. Taylor) was
ready to give them credit for all that they had done,
which it certainly was far more than he had ever ex-
pected to see.—(Cheers.) The promoters had by some
means or other—to a great extent at least—succeeded
in inducing the public to believe that the statements made
by them were correct, and in doing this they had had,
umi
pbHuenoei
bdnis
lwotgi :so
Ibuuntel eb:tdehunl
ety, a v
so
fmt
ut
hlos
say
yytn very
lo
exactlyast didph ee difficult
rroceuupusl
rtnes
that
undertakings;
state;
ttnraehttmea;e
ykedt
ihnhattgohtas
de; play.—(Hear.
they ay.—
c,
nogd company
phl
a(eaadHdn:
ye,
been
ahet r.heeaß
they
could pay 10 per cent., and have besides a handsome
surplus.—(Hear, hear.) Did it not appear on the face
of their annual statement that they could only allow
5 per cent.?—(A voice—" How long?") Were there
any proprietors there? If this were so, he must say
that they were unfortunate, as being among the unfor-
tunate shareholders.—(Great laughter.) This was one
of the ways in which the public had been and were now
" gulled."—(No.) He would not say the accounts were
wilfully misrepresented, but certainly—he hardly knew
what to call it—they were misarranged.—( Mr. Brooks—
" Cooked.") Mr. Taylor—" Aye, cooked."—(Great
laughter.) There had been a system of " cooking" the
accounts, and in order to show to the public some sem-
blance of a good case, they had been compelled to do so.
He for one would like to know if all the outstanding
debts had been paid? Had the accounts shown the
amounts owing? Instead of a dividend and surplus, as
stated, he believed that they could not have shown 6d. in
the pound. It was notorious that large claims remained
yet unsettled. There were large sums to lawyers, and
to Messrs. Rigbys, contractors; and Mr. Chadwick, the
pavior. (Deputy Holt—Mr. Chadwick has received all
he has applied for.) It was not pleasant to name these
things, but he (Mr. Taylor) felt it ,to be his bounden
, duty to do so. Then, as to the question of amalgamation,
he could assure the Court that the statements and the
broad assertions which had been made to the effect that
the City Company were the first to make overtures with
regard to the proposition for an amalgamation, were not
true, and yet these statements had been not only thus
broadly asserted, but printed published and circulated.
—(Hear, hear.) He could assure the Court, on unques-
tionable authority, that the City Gas Company were not
the first parties to the proposition, nor would he say
who was, but this he would say, that the negotiation,
after it had taken place, was broken off, not by the City
Company, but entirely through faith not being kept by
the directors of the Great Central Gas Consumers' Com-
pany.—(Bear, hear.) This he was at any time prepared
to prove, and that he would do if a committee was
granted for the purpose.—(Hear, and cheers.) After
some further remarks of a similar character, Mr. Tay-
lor concluded by seconding the amendment of Mr. An-
derton. _ _ _

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Yesterday a numerously attended Court of the Com-
mon Council of the city of London was specially held
in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, in consequence of a
requisition to consider a motion by Mr. Thomas Dakin,
which stood upon the business paper as follows:—" That
this Court do petition the House of Commons, prayiug
the House to pass a Bill to incorporate the Great Central
Gas
a permanent
supply so as to insure to the citizens
of London
of cheap and pure gas."
The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor took the chair at
one o'clock precisely, at which period a large number
of members were present. Throughout the whole of the
upwards of three hours, the
strangers'
proceedings,
galleryw hic which lasted tced crowded,
wded,
the most intense inte-
rest appearing to prevail during the entire sitting.
The memorial to the Lord Mayor, which was signed
by 85 members of the court, having been read by Mr.
Woodthorpe,
Mr. DAKIU said that he regretted that a matter of so
much interest to the citizens of London had not fallen
for its advocacy into better and more able hands. The
question was, however, of deep importance. The Bill
for the incorporation of the company had been read a
second time in the House of Commons, and on Thursday
next it was expected teat it would be committed.—
(Hear, hear.) He regatded the members of that court
as the representatives- tied .guardinits—uf the citizens ;
and. therefore, in older -to show the necessity
which existed for the adoption of the proposition he
had had the honour to make, he would briefly trace the
history of the gas movement. It was first in that
courtf acquainted with the grievances
o
retard to the price of gas, and
feeling the truth of the statements which were made,
th e thatcit hz
citizens
n hads
with
it
h become
he had become identited with the movement. Sub-
sequentlyteace of the matter to the Court
4:1 of the City solicitor, the re-
portoiemwaedres
Sewers—the
hetehtachtaelglrionefni
man recommending the Com-
missioners to purchase oed manage the pipes in case the
then existing companies would not come down, and the
refusal of those bodies, though most respectfully re-
quested by those empowered to make the application.—
over by Mr. Dillon, when it
(Hear, hear.) That was at the latter end of the year
1848. In February, 1549,-te, a meeting was held at the
London Tavern, presided
was decided to apply again to the companies. Still they
refused; and on the sth of April next following it was
stated that they could Apt afford to reduce the price per
thousand.—(Hear, heete) Finding that there was no
chance of redress unless the consumers took the matter
into their own hands, steps for that purpose were accord-
ingly taken, and if that' had not been done the struggle
for monopoly would eve been kept up even to that
hour. What was the first answer given by
the companies to tlfd Court of Sewers ? That
they (the directors of the companies) could not
reduce the price of the private lights without adding
to that of the public lights. What followed? Why,
when they found that the new company was making
o thatt
in 18 47 there profits
a
head, they consented to reduce it to 4s. per thousand;
if
and when they still further saw the danger arising from
their fully, they further offered a reduction from 4s. to
them, after paying a dividend of 10 per cent. Any one,
however,3 6do. a2nOwdo,hto:oo3/5.., so
consideredson
as hsurpluspfit s
was
re-
turnenabled
Elp d , in 1849, 300,0001., the additional
100,000/., at 10 pe Acent., would effectually make the
45., both minimum and maximum. Thus it would be
found that by clinging to a stated capital, even to this
hour, anything like fair terms had been prevented from
being come to.—(Hear, hear.) Then, with regard to
the proposal to bind themselves by Act of Parliament
to carry out the agreement with the Commissioners of
Sewers for five years; why this was an insult to the now
company, and also to the gas consumers, who sought a
permanent reduction.—(Hear.) The proposed " amal-
gamation" had turned upon the words "undertaking"
to be valued, instead of " works" and good-will, by as-
certained rule. With regard to the Great Central Gas
le r.) Their capital was
" they had with them a
Cthoantsuso far as company, all he (Mr. Dakin) need say was,
as their private interests, as shareholders,
were concerned, they were perfectly satisfied.—
large body of the consumers, and their profits
were E 0
ample that, after paying in future 10 per
cent. they would have a handsome surplus in hand.
a cries of
their
works "Bear,
erected; hear.)
bad, therefore, nothing to gain by procuring
an Act
of Parliament, in a pecuniary sense he meant; but
raisedL°d
theyfelt it to be their duty to the citizens of London to
ask for such an Act of the Legislature, because as they,
the sbsreholders, had the advantages of the position they
had been permitted to take, the directors of the company
i, t it to be butt air that tho benefits of the company
teouean Act to the co
should be secured by such nsumers._
(Cheers.) Mr. Cardwell, the chairman of the committee
he Bill had, on the part of that Committee, said
on ' • that the preamble to the Bill was
that the " question
and agreed to and that
d had been put
~ the deci-
sionprove ,unanimous. This being the
of the Committee was
under theslightest
they did not 'about . doubt but
case
obtain the Act of incorporation ion with-
outthat they should o
did, -
Supposing they however, would that
difficulty. -
add to their profits? No; it was not for that purpose.
increase Would it D
• e their power or freedom of action? It
would not, for it was a highly-restrictive Bill.—(Hear,
) They could not increase the price beyond 4s. per
hleoaoro. cubic feet; tho dividend could not exceed 10 per
cent. If the profits exceeded 10 per cent., the price of gas
was to be reduced. There was a penal clause (No. 35) which
that if they were found furnishing gas of an
provided
inferior quality, the parties might be amerced in a fine
of 100/. for every such offence. _ The corporation also
were to appoint persons to test the purity of the gas—
to appoint also inspectors of gas; while the payment of
such persons would fall upon the Great Central Com-
pany —(Hear) The Bill, he (Mr. Dakin) would re-
mi..
nd the Court, had been agreed to by the officer of
the Court—tho Remembrancer, whose instructions were
that nothing inconsistent with the interests of the public
were introduced into it. As to the way in which the
directors of the company had performed their pro-
mises, ho might say they had done so faithfully.—
(Hear.) Their object upon the present occasion was to
protect the citizens—not to multiply their own profits,
nor increase their own means of aggrandisement. He
therefore begged the Court to petition in favour of the
Bill. The memorial in its favour had been signed by
10,500 gas consumers, while the petition against it had
only received 100 or 200 signatures.—(Hear, hear.)
He had now (very imperfectly, he feared) discharged
his duty; still he hoped that what he had said would
be sufficient to show that the Bill, in favour of which
he asked the Court to petition, was ono in which
great public interests were involved, and that was
a protection of the rights of the citizens.—(Hear, hear.)
Strife and contention he abhorred; they were not genial
with his nature; and it was to him a great comfort to
know that such things, with regard to gas matters at
least, would soon be put a stop to. He trusted the Court
would agree with his motion, and that they would join
in mutual friendship. All he asked for the anxious
labours of the last two years was the symathy of those

Deputy LOTT said that he was glad that upon that oc-
casion he was not met upon his rising, as he had been
upon a former one, with hooting and hissing, associated
with sounds of a truly unearthly character. He should
not say much, but he must say that the efforts of the
Court of Sewers, in the preparation of their Bill to Par-
liament, had been baffled by certain parties in that Court
—parties who had emasculated and mutilated that Bill.
—(Hear, hear, and No, no.) He thought that certain
statements which had been made with reference to the
state of the company in some of the public prints ought
to be answered at once, so that the credit of the party
or parties charged might be maintained, and their cha-
racters rescued from damage.
Deputy HARRISON said that he was fully prepared to
show that the parties connected with the old companies
had been the most foolish in the business. In the ear-
liest part of the movement with reference to that ques-
tion they had so acted. They had from the first been
obstinate—even from the first time that the chairmen of
the two companies had waited upon the Commissioners
of Sewers, when they said they could not reduce be-
low 7s. per thousand. Meeting after meeting was held,
but the directors were inexorable, until they were so
fixed by public opinion and the perseverance of those
in office, who considered the charges unjust, that they
were compelled to give way.—(Hear.) Deputy Har-
rison then proceeded to narrate fully the steps taken by
the Commissioners of Sowers up to the period when the
directors of the old companies, who had raid they " could
make no further reduction," expressed themselves ready
to reduce to 4s. per thousand cubic feet. These state-
ments having from time to time appeared in the morn-
ing journals, it is not necessary to repeat them here. As
to Mr. Anderton's reference to Perkins's Islington Mar-
ket, why, the thing was perfectly dissimilar; in the one
case, that of the gas, there would be a saving of 70,0001.
per annum to the citizens; in the other, there was likely
to have been considerable loss.—(Hear, hear.) That
gentleman had also said that the Government might
say, " You are going for cheap gas; have you not got
tolls? Why not take off your tolls?"—(Mr. Anderten—
" Quite right.") Why, did they not know that their
tolls were mortgaged, and the money spent in improve-
ments within the City? From these improvements the
whole of the citizens received benefit.—(Hear, hear.)
The worst of this matter was, that gentlemen on the
other side only saw half the question, and that evidenced
the hollowness of their argument.—(Mr. Anderton, " I
say so still.") Then it had been said that the peti-
tion from the Corporation would have but little
weight. Weight! Did such parties imagine that a peti-
tion, from the Corporation of the city of London, on such
a subject, and signed by 10,500 persons, would not have
weight? No, the Corporation had not come to that yet.
—(Laughter.) It was entitled to have weight, and
would tell when laid before the Legislature.—(Cheers.)
As to Mr. Taylor's speech, he (Mr. Deputy Harrison)
contended that that gentleman had most unfairly at-
tacked the Great Central Company by .saying that the
accounts had been " cooked." Into this question he
(Deputy Harrison) would not go, however, as
.that
would come before another tribunal, and be explained
no doubt by the chairman in his reply.—(Hear, hev:r.)
As to the Bill, what was their intention in submitting
that? Simply that the consumers . might be
ofgd
gas of a superior quality, the appointment competent
partie
and
s to
theins
meters,pect that
ad
thusquality, and to
(Hear.) As to the accounts, it protectwas absurd to say that
threegeuola theconsumers.—
m ser-
viceerc
Why, was it not the fact that
they could be t 0 cooked."
a public auditor was to be appointed, and that i
ac-
counts would be, as it were, nailed up at Charing-cross
to be read by the whole world?—(Hear, hear.) The
wholeproposi
tion was in fact fair and honourable, and
the
deservin pr g
the utmost support of every member of that
Court. Deputy Harrison made many more remarks,
and finally sat down amidst loud cheering.
very
ashamed. h
itself into
What
v a
Alderman LAWRENCE remarked that the Court, in
was the question before them? They were about to pe-
' tition Parliament for something—to do some act. What
a positiontaking
o step
wphitichbafor? For whom? Was it for the Corporation? No
such thing. The Corporation had nothing to do with it.
--(Hear.) The matter solely belonged to the interests
e hde d
was one
v that
ry
of a private company. Suppose they resolved to petition
they could not do it
through the Sheriff—they would
have to sneak up with it to the Private Bill-office, and
coursequesteas, highly he
tdee:doegda derogatory tow with
he
that characterthey
ey had
dd
that be had learned upon the authority of their officer,
the Remem.brancer.—(Hear.) Be considered any such
of the Corporation of that great city.—(Hear.) Such a
course would damage them materially. As to the gas
to do, thoukh, if they were to believe some of the state-
ments, any body. might think that the parties could make
gas for nothing, and get some change out.—(Laughter.)
nothingignity

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~MNMME

~.,
..--"7 --;;;•
THE INCO -TAX. , Er.##°".."--*
M "'"
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has virtually abaner 't
doned the time-honoured abuse of the Income-tax by
his concession to the tenant-farmers. The grievance,
however, in their case, was not in the slightest degree
more onerous than the complicated injustice to which '.`,
the commercial and professional classes are exposed
under the operation of the law. The argument of Sir
Charles Wood and his predecessors in office has hitherto
stood thus—" We admit the inequality of the pressure.
We are perfectly aware that we are taxing to a similar
extent the fatness of one man and his neighbour's lean-
ness. We must, however, shut our eyes to a method of
assessment so inequitable, because such is the nature of
direct taxation that, if we once admit of distinctions,
farewell to all benefit to the Exchequer." Such in a
few words has been the spirit of all the more rational
arguments adduced in opposition to any inquiry into
the operation of the Income-tax. So spoke Mr. Pitt
during the war; so spoke Sir Robert Peel in the pre-
sence of a deficit, and so spoke Sir Charles Wood the
other day, when there was no war, no deficit, and when
a fundamental change in the economic policy of the
country had been fully accomplished. It is clear enough
that the pertinacity of the Minister and the credulity
or submission of the people have at length found
their limit. Inquiry is unavoidable, and the result
of the inquiry merely a foregone conclusion. Of
course, it is no business of ours to raise objections to
the concession made to the tenant-farmers, but it should
be remembered, at the same time, that they but consti-
tute one of many classes which have for the last ten
years been cruelly handled by the Exchequer. It is, no
doubt, a grievous thing to compel Mr. Bareacres, the
Dorsetshire tenant, to pay into the Treasury a percent-
age upon profits he did not realise last year. We frankly
recognise the injustice of the levy. But Mr. Bareacres
is merely suffering from the hardness of the times.
Another seed-time and another harvest succeed each
other, and his fortunes right themselves. Sir Charles
Wood has, in his case, attempted to repair the anomaly.
The Chancellor's object is of course to disarm the hose
tility of yet another claes of the community, and to
ein-
terest the tenant-farmers in support of a burden which
has ceased to gall their necks, at anye as
rate. Such
nou enough;
course, as a party manoeuvre, may be
but the Chancellor of the Exchequer should, in fair-
ness, have waited until a similar measure of relief had
been yielded to all parties similarly aggrieved. It would,
be by no means a difficult task to show that the te-
nant-farmers did not constitute the class most se-
verely damaged by the operation of the Income-
tax, as it stood, but as it never will stand again.
Before, however, speaking of the actual position of
the persons included under Schedule D, we would re-
mind the reader that the argument at this point merely
resolves itself into an investigation of who can lose
most blood, and with the least inconvenience. All
questions of right or wrong, justice or injustice, are en-
tirely postponed. If we are to offer up Mr. Bareacres,
, or Counsellor Silvertongue, or Mr. Dimity, at their
country's shrine, who shall be chosen as the victim?
Few persons who aro intimately acquainted with the
social condition of England will deny that, taking them
in the aggregate, the professional and commercial
classes of the country are at all times living fully up to
their incomes, and we fear, in very many instances,
overstepping that legitimate boundary. Of course there
ate such persons in TC7 11M naiuritasgoldenprpetnc prebendaries
of of Durham, as railway lawyers, as merchant
the City—but these are the landlords, not the tenant-
farmers, of English profeons and trades; they are the
scanty exceptions to an Mt but universal rule. Could
we, like Asmodeus, whisk away the roof of the count-
ing-house iu which the partners in yonder flourishing
business are striking the balance of their year's
accounts, we might find them estimating losses,
not profits. They have dispatched daily their
huge advertising vans into every nook and corner
of the town; they have sold under cost price, they
have paid salaries, and granted bills to the wholesale
houses, and what remains as the result of their year's
struggle? Merely a similar struggle for another year,
with Basinghall-street in bold perspective in the dis-
tance. If it be said that such a case is somewhat ex-
treme, thus much, at least, is literally true :—Among
fair traders thirty or forty years of strenuous exertion
merely secure to them a pittance for their old age. They
have lived, and possibly have brought up a family in the
interval, but a little cottage at Brixton or Camberwell is
their house of peers after the contest of a life. With
the professions we fear it is still worse. It is difficult
enough for the great bulk of professional men to do
more than make " both ends meet," as the phrase goes,
at the year's end. Every influence is against them.
The necessary outgoings of professional men up to a
certain point increase in proportion with their incomes;
the unnecessary expenses in most cases outgo the pro-
portien. It teems so easy at any time, by a little extra
exertion, to restore the equilibrium between income and
expenditure; but the result of the extra exertion is so
seldom applied to its legitimate object. Thus it happens
in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, that the solo provi-
sion remaining for the families of professional men in
England, when the protecting hand of the husband or fa-
ther is withdrawn, must be sought for in the system of life
insurance. Sir Charles Wood swooped down upon the
annual premiums, and confiscated them to the use of
the public Treasury. Although we are fully prepared
to approach the subject in a more comprehensive spirit,
the time has not yet arrived when we can afford to slur
over the more picturesque operations of this unjust
law. Now is the thee, if MCC, for the professional and
commercial classes throughout the country to give their
keenest attention to the subject. The law of 1852 will be
a settlement, not an arrangement. The policy of the
Finance Minister, moreover, appears to give very tole-
rable evidence of his desire to perpetuate the injustice
hitherto inflicted upon the most laborious and struggling
classes of English society. We are very far from saying
that, even as far as the other schedules are concerned,
there is not ample room for inquiry and improvement.
Under Schedule A, for example, it is urged, and with
much appearance of reason, that fair deductions are not
allowed for the ever-recurring outlay of landlords. If
this be so—and the subject has never to our knowledge
been fairly investigated—there is room for complaint
and ground for redress. So in the case of annuitants,
termors, clerks receiving salaries in Government offices.
It would, in point of fact, be difficult to say who is not
aggrieved ut der the present crude and ill-digested system
01 levy. The assessment, as at present practised, is
more worthy of a Turkish or Egyptian Pasha than of
a country in which there exists an universal knowledge
of arithmetic and some general notions of political mo-
rality.—Times.

INTELLIGENCE.HPreportsare
universally MAIDSTONE.—Our
that the cold weather has greatly retarded to the effect
the growth
of the bine, which otherwise looks healthy.
FARLEIGHS.—The late warm day already
or two has
influenced the bine, which will no doubt go on rapidly
with a continuance of fine weather.
AYLESPORD.—The hop-bine cornea slowly on, and is
unusually backward, tyeing having scarcely commenced.
LENHAM.—Generally behind with the exception of
grounds, generally small ones, which were prepared in
February, and which lock well.
THE WEALD.—Polling has now but just been com-
pleted. We never recollect seeing the bine more back-
ward at this season of the year, and notwithstanding the
somewhat genial weather of the last few days, it mani-
fests a great reluctance to " come sway." The " know-
ing ones" prognosticate a short crop, but when we take
into consideration that "no man can look into the seeds
of time and say which will grow and which will not,"
combined with the fast that congenial weather enables
the plant to do a "great deal in a little period," we do
not attach much belief to the opinions entertained
on the
subject.—lllaidslone Journal.

ACCELERATION OF IRISH MAILS.—DEPUTATION
TO THE
PosTmASTER-GENERAL.--On Monday a num-
ber of Irish noblemen and Members of Parliament and
others waited upon the Marciais of Clanricarde to represent
the inconvenience of the present postal arrangements be-
tween England and Ireland. It was represented that the
train which receives the mail from the steamer starts from
Holyhead at two A.M., and reaches Chester at 40 minutes
past four. The mails and passengers wait there till half-past
six, and are then taken on by a slow train, which stops at 16
stations, and reaches London at one P.af. Mr. Ronny entered
into un explanation of the facilities which already exist for
a better arrangement, and showed that a train might
be started from Chester at a quarter to five, and
arrive in London at half-past 10, and that the letters could
be delivered from the Geaeral Post-office at 20 minutes a
past 11. This would make practically the differenceovu
_.
day, as letters so delivered could be answered by th..Luet:.
ing mail. The Marquis of Clanricarde thanked
tion for the manner they had brought the subject
subileillest con-
him. Ile assured them that it would have ace of the sideration at his hands. He felt the importer; scarcely
ap-
peal
that had been made to him, but he
needrepared to name
in-
form the deputation that he was not then prepared the
etnwbPefore
however, state that
was in hope would
any definite arrangement. He Weill:a,
the Irish and Scotch
negotiations were pending, which
result in the acceleration of both the
more early delivery
mails to the metropolis, and secure
of letters.
STUART OF DUNLEAT A STORY OF MODERN
IL
NORTON.—A splendid novel.
Times. BY THE HON. Mrimagilied and ably sustained to
The plot of the story 9
is..wiaoned interest which pervades it,
ught touches with freshts lights
ba out, will insure to this larodue-
and shades are bronuF
s felicitous pen a place among the most
nell7Ps—easen. The manner in which the
the
togetherend ; waintdh tthheefini
tion of Mrs. Norotfo
the
David Stuart and Eleanor, are delineated,
proof of the extraordinary talent of the au-
furnishes fresh intimate acquaintance with the secret
of her
thoress, and, human action. The subordinate characters, like-
Pprernucliarpalncehvaeralecters,
springs e'drawa with great skill.— John ull.
wise, are
Tax',ATE CHARLES STILT.--On Sunday afternoon
the funeral of the late much-respected and talented artist,
ma. Charles Stilt, clown, &c., of the Theatres Royal Drury-
lane
on
r
:tlils,v
hto%kwpelraec e
to in
bethfeeupnrdesaence of nearlyte
(dsialoennr;aeslnWtgriends of the deceased), at the church of C.
in6l:rentnehtPoeaennPr :dr7ielnfSl professional
as-
hil I , the grave being adjacent to thosepoli.
Dibdin and Grimaldi. Friday week is, children,
Lively fixed for a benefit for the widow and orphan
of the theatre
at the Theatre Royal Sadler's Wells, the
use
in addition to
having been very kindly given by the
lessees, assistance.
which all the performers have offered their valuable
TAXES.—Government are requiringwe understand,
returns for the
last six years showing what collectors of assessed taxes or
property and income-tax have been defaulters, and where
upon parishes.
the deficiency and the amount thereof has been re-assessed
FOREIGN NUTS.—The American ship Ocean Queer,
from New York, has brought 100 packages of chesnuts as a
ned to order. We are not aware
of this description of nut from the
portion of her cargo, consigned
of a previous importation
United States of Ameriean.
WATERSPOUNICE.--The Avenir of Nice sicE.
violent storm, or rather water-spout,
gives an acccount
that
-nds unhinged, and chimnies thrown down,
off the houses, of
towna on the 26th ult.. Roofs were torn
that burst over
as usually happens in such tornados; but the most curious
circumstance was
bastions, stunned by the violence ref the tem-
pest.the
storks on
all carried to the barracks, where they
regiment ofneamontese fusiliers found a large number of
They were
bon recovered their strength,

a