The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-13 00:00:00

THE GREAT EXHIBITION

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MR. ELLIS AND MR

WALLIS.

13, Curzon-street, July 28, 1851.
Sir,—A book has been exhibited in my name in
Class 17, called the " Rhyme-book," andl described
as a volume ccntaining 230 original poems compris-
ing romances descriptive of British and Irish battles,
legends, and deeds of heroism, together with ballads,
Idyls, songs, &c.
This volume is intended as the first of a series, in
which it is proposed to relate in verse the most inte-
resting British legends in a manner similar to that
adopted with such success in Germany.
As the description of this article has been omitted
accidentally in the catalogue, I take the liberty of
bringing it under the notice of the juries, and of
claiming their verdict, not only on account of the
printing of the volume, but also on account of the
poetry contained in it.
I respectfully ground this claim upon an analogy
with other similar cases.

The noble picture of the Queen in Sevres china
cannot be judged of merely on account of the hard-
ness of the porcelain, or the brightness of the colour ;
the correctness of the drawing and the truth and
beauty of the expression must be also taken into con-
sideration—that is, the article must be treated as a
specimen of the fine arts, and valued according to its
merits as a painting.

A similar rule prevails as to statuary, and I respect-
fully urge that when painting and sculpture are thus
considered by the juries, poetry, the noblest of the fine
arts, ought not to be excluded altogether from their
consideration.

If the absence of competitors be considered an ob-
jection, I shall be quite content to lose the medal if
any similar work of superior merit has been hitherto
published. _

The continuation of the work must mainly depend
on the success of its first volume, and as that success
will be insured by the approval of the jury, I feel, of
course, anxious that the accidental omission in the ca-
talogue shall not prejudice the consideration of this
case with the jury.—Your obedient servant,
George Wallis, Esq.

HERCULES ELLIS.

Exhibition Building, July 29, 1851.
Sir,—Yours of the 28th July was duly laid before
the jury for Class 17 yesterday, and I am directed to
inform you that the jury cannot take cognizance of
literary merit, under which head they consider your
claim to be placed ; but they had examined the typo-
graphy and binding of the volume, which are the only
points on which, in the performance of their duties,
they are called upon to adjudicate.
I have the honour to be, Sir, yours, &c.,
GEORGE WALLIS.
Hercules Ellis, Eq., 13, Curzon-street.

13, Curzon-street, 7th August, 1851.
Sir,—Although no one can question the fairness
of the jury's intention, yet .1 trust that I may, without
offence, dispute the correctness of the rule which
they have made in the case of the " Rhyme-book,"
and argue that it ought to be rescinded.
The jury has decided that this volume is to be
considered only in regard to its typrography and bind-
ing, and that the poetry contained in it is not to enter
into their consideration.

Now, with great respect, I take leave to say that
this rule presses with undue harshness upon me, and
is not analogous to the rules made in similar cases by
the juries.
Reverting again, for an example, to the portrait of
the Queen on Sevres china, I may be permitted to
state that the manner in which that fine portrait is
painted upon the porcelain must form an element in
the verdict of the jury in that case—that a prize will
not be given merely on account of the quality of the
porcelain, but because a beautiful picture has been
impressed upon it.
For a similar reason, I respectfully insist that the
jury ought, in the case of the " Rhyme-book," to
consider not merely the quality of the paper, but also
the poetic pictures impressed upon it.
I submit that the portraits of our ancestors on the
fields of Cressy, Poitiers, and Agincourt contained
in the several romances in this volume, and the nume-
rous and:beautiful British legends ow for the first time
depicted in poetic colours on its pages, ought by strict
analogy to form elements for the verdict of the jury
in this case.

In the first case, the images produced by painting
are considered and allowed to enhance the value of the
porcelain ' • in the second case, I urge that the images
produced by poetry ought in a similar manner to en-
hance the value of this volume, and cannot be alto-
gether excluded without extreme harshness and mani-
fest injustice.

I may be allowed to add, in conclusion, that the
person who deposited the "Ithyme-book" at the Crystal
Palace expressly stated to the proper officer, that
the volume was exhibited as a specimen of original
poetry, and not as a specimen of typography or bind-
ing, and that no objection was made to its reception on
account of this declaration.

For these reasons I take leave respectfully to urge
a reconsideration of this case, and if the jury should
not think fit to alter their views, I trust that I shall
be permitted to appeal to the oyal Commissioners
against this decision:

I have the honour to be, &c.,
HERCULES ELLIS.

George Wallis, Esq.

COURT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, AUG. 12.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert and the Prince of
Wales embarked yesterday afternoon, at half-past ono
o'clock, in the Royal yacht Fairy, for Southampton,
where a special train was in waiting to convey them to
Salisbury. Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon was
in attendance on Prince Albert, and Mr. Birch attended
the Prince of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses pro-
ceeded in a carriage from Salisbury to Stonehenge, and
after inspecting the remains, returned again to South-
ampton, and reached Osborne at a quarter before eight
o'clock.

Her Majesty and the Princess Royal, attended by the
Countess of Desart, th© Hon. Caroline Cavendish, and
Lord Alfred Paget, and accompanied by the Earl and
Countess of Clarendon, who have arrived on a visit,
drove out in the neighbourhood of Osborne.
Colonel Wylde also arrived on a visit.
The Royal dinner party yesterday included the Earl
and Countess of Clarendon, the Hon. Colonel and Mrs.
Phipps, and Colonel Wylde.

The Oxford University Commission bad a meeting
yesterday at the official residence of the First Lord of
the Treasury, in Downing-street. Present: the Bishop
of Norwich, the Dean of Carlisle, the Master of Pem-
broke, the Rev. H. G. Liddell, the Rev. Professor Powell,
and the Rev. A. P. Stanley (secretary).
The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere left town yester-
day for Stoke Park, near Windsor.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.
Dispatches were also received from the Governors of
Sierra Leone and South Australia.

We regret to learn that Sir George Grey is still
suffering from the effects of his recent severe attack. The
Right Hon. Baronet was sufficiently convalescent to take a
carriage airing on Monday, but still remains very weak.
MEDICAL REFORM.—Yesterday evening a nume-
rously-attended meeting of the friends of this movement was
held at Exeter-hall, for the purpose of briaging the subject
of medical botany before the public. The Rev. Jas. Nunn
took the chair, and opened the proceedings by calling the
attention of the meeting to the fact, that when any radical
reform, on any point, was brought forward, the promoters of
it had invariably to contend with much opposition, and
many difficulties. They had been subjected to this opposi-
tion, but they bad continued in their path of duty, feeling
that their sole object was the benefit of their fellow-crea-
tures, by the cure of those diseases which, under the present
system of treatment, he contended were materially aggra-
vated. He then proceeded to bring before the notice of the
meeting many cases which, having been declared incurable
by the allopathic treatment, had by the use of herbs been
radically cured. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting
in favour of the system, and resolutions to the following
the laws of health, were fully
effect were carried :—" That the principles of medical botany
atchceo rcduarnec eo f
with
all
diseases; and that the meeting
abdeianpgte d into
pledges itself not to rest satisfied until they had established a
hospital on the botanical principles." A vote of thanks to
the chairman concluded the proceedings.:

BURGH OF KIRRALDL—ADAM SMITH.--A. special
meeting of the town council of the burgh of Kirkaldy was
held last Wednesday, for the purpose of receiving, as a pre-
sent to the town, from the county Member, John Fergus,
Esq.. a marble bust of their illustrious townsman, Adam
Smith, life size, on a highly polished pedestal of Peterhead
granite. The bust is from the chisel of Marochetti. The
gift was accepted by the council with lively expressions of
gratitude, and it was agreed that the provost, magistrates,
and council should wait upon Mr. Fergus, to thank him, in
the name of the town, for his handsome present.—Scottish
Guardian.

STOCK IN TRADE EXEMPTION ACT.—This Act,
which led to some discussion in Parliament, continues the 3d
and 4th of Victoria, chap. 89, for the exemption of inhabi-
tants from liability to be rated in respect of stock in trade
or other property to the relief of the poor, to the Ist of Octo-
ber next year, and to the end of the then next session of
Parliament.

DUKE OF ATHOLL AND THE KING OF THE GIPSIES.
—The Noble Duke, who has been staving for some time in
the south, on one occasion, towards the end of last month,
paid a visit to " Royal Charlie," the Gipsy King of Yet-
holm. His Grace was accompanied by Lady John Scott and
other titled personages: His majesty received his visitors
with great affability, if not with state ceremonies. He after-
wards accompanied them on a stroll through his regal domi-
nions, and it is said he appeared quite a "gallant" with the
ladies, though now fading in the "sere and yellow leaf."
The King accepted an invitation to join the ducal party,
with a chosen band of his retainers, on an otter hunting
expedition in the neighbourhood of his royal residence; it
being reported by some of his sporting adherents that game
had been seen in the neighbourhood. Charlie is now an
octogenarian and a widower; but he holds his head erect
yet, as becometh a prince, and his step is still light as a deer
on the heather. His great luxury is a quid of tobacco, but
his exchequer resources being sometimes narrow, a piece
of tow is made to suffice when the genuine weed is not
available. He is said to have an excellent memory, and is
a great reader of whatever comes in his way, especially
poetry; and having seen many queer pranks in his day, like
garulous Nestor of old, he is fond of reciting his adventures
to vi4tors.—„Yortri British It ail,

WEDNESDAY

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
EAST LANCASHIRE.
The half-yearly report of the directors of this com
pany states, that they have given their attention to
the importance of closing the capital account with as
little delay us possible, and considerable progress bas
been made in the adjustment of several matters on
which the closing of that account depends. The di-
rectors have been able to discharge all claims on
capital for the past half-year, without making any
further calls or issuing any additional amount of pre-
ference stock. The general traffic of the railway has
met the expectations of the board, showing, as com-
pared with the traffic of the corresponding half-year
of 1850, an increase of nearly 33 per cent., viz.,
1850, 77,1671.; 1851, 102,564/. ; increase, 25,3961.
This increase in the receipts of the railway is princi-
pally attributable to a gradual extension of the busi-
ness of the company, to better arrangements for con-
ducting merchandise traffic, the punctuality and
convenience of passenger trains, and a general im-
provement in the management and working of the
undertaking, and not from the opening of new lines
or other extraneous circumstances. The working
expenses, on a comparison of the same periods, show
also a favourable result, viz., 60 per cent. for June,
1850, against 44 per cent. for June, 1851. The di-
rectors recommend a dividend, at the rate of 2 per
cent. per annum on the ordinary share capital of the
company ; after the payment of which,, and of all the
interest on loans and preference charges, there will
remain a balance of 1,5571. to the credit of the re-
served fund. It is right, however, to mention that
the amount charged for the tolls of the Liverpool,
Crosby, and Southport Company passing over the
joint line into Liverpool, is disputed by the Lancashire
and Yorkshire Company, who at present work that
traffic. The toll credited in the revenue account is

the amount payable under the Act of Parliament, and
it is the intention of the board to insist upon the pay-
ment of the Parliamentary toll, Nothing has occurred
' to interfere with the traffic arrangements existing be-
tween the London and North. Western, the Lanca-
shire and Yorkshire, and this company, for dividing
the traffic at several competing points in Lancashire
and Yorkshire. After a careful consideration of this
subject, it has been determined to renew the negotia-
tions with the Blackburn Company, on the basis of
the former proposition, and these negotiations are
still pending. The directors are assured by the com-
pany's officers that the permanent way and rolling stock
have been kept in efficient repair during the half-year,
and that the expenses have all been duly charged to reve-
nue. The works forthe completion of theßacup branch
have been commenced. The directors regret the re-
jection by Parliament of that part of the Bill of last
session by which the company sought to charge a
toll on all traffic using the jcint line into Liverpool
(towards the cost of which the company have sub-
scribed one-half), which shculd in future be so used
and managed as to afford equal benefit to this and the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Company. The adverse
decision of Parliament with respect to this matter will
render further efforts necessary, with a view to
remedy the evil connected with their position at Li-
verpool. In other respects tle application to Parlia-
ment has been successful. The Act, which received
the Royal assent on the 3d of July last, authorizes
the increase of tolls on passenger traffic (except by
Parliamentary trains) 25 per cent., and on merchan-
dise (except coal and corn) 20 per cent. It provides
for the consolidation of the shares into stock when-
ever that measure may be deemed desirable; the
raising of the necessary capital to redeem the prefer-
ence fifth shares in the month of June, 1855; and
authorizes the company to borrow a sufficient sum of
money to complete the railway. The Act also con-
firms the preference shares already issued, and em-
powers the shareholders to reduce the present number
of directors, and again to increase or ranee them
when and as often as it may be deemed expedient.
The general statement of capital account shows
that the company is authorised to raise 3,865,8331.,
viz., 2,899,3751. on shares, and 966,458 i. on loans.
The sum raised on shares to the 30th of June last
amounted to 2,715,2731., and on loans to 726,382/.,
leaving a balance of 424,1781., being the nominal
available capital, including 6,7951. arrears on calls.
The capital account showed that 3,458,759/. bad been
received to the 30th of June, including 51,0681.
during the half-year, and 3,556,1791. expended, in-
cluding 61,607/. expended during the halfyear,
leaving a balance due to bankers and others of 97,4191.
According to the estimates of December, 1849, of the
cost of completing the railway, there appeared to be
58,2081. expended during the half-year on lines
opened and under contract, leaving 224,135/. to be
expended on them. The expenditure during the half-
year on lines not commenced had
-been 3,3681., leav-
ing 115,9531. unexpended.

From the statement of the working stock, it ap-
pears there are 54 engines, 27 first-class carriages,
42 second class, 61 third-class, 9 composite, and 6
coupe carriages, 1 mail tender, 18 trucks and vans,
13 break-vans, 6 horse-boxes, 841 goods waggons, 96
coal, 55 cattle, and 20 ballast waggons. The revenue
account for the half-year ending June 3) states, that
102,564/. bad been received and 48,4 W. expended,
including 1,9431. rates and taxes and 103/. passen-
ger duty. The total disbursements amount to 47.20
per cent. of the receipts, leaving a profit of 54,1511.
The general revenue account shows that the interest
on loans, dividends on shares, and rents, absorb
31,671/., and the proposed dividend of ss. per share
and ls. 3d. per quarter-share, 22,270/., leaving 1,5571.
to be carried to the reserve fund, which low amounts
to 67,056/. The number of passengers conveyed
during the half-year was 938,901, and the average
distance travelled by each of them was 11 miles.
The auditors, Messrs. W. Bates and J. Adams, state
in their report that the accounts are comet, and they
recommend the reserved fund to be kept up, in order
to meet extraordinary expenditure during an unfavour-
able half-year; but the amount withdrawn to be re-
placed at more favourable periods, so as to maintain
the fund in its integrity.

CORK AND BANDON.—It, appears that the opening
of this line throughout has been delayed in conse-
quence of a dispute between the directors and Messrs.
Fox and Henderson, the contractors. It was intended
by the directors to open the Cork section of the line
in the early part of the present month, but the con-
tractors refused to allow them to pass unless they
asked permission in writing to do so ; this the direc-
tors declined, alleging that they themselves were in
possession of the line. The contractors' men then
proceeded from the Cork terminus to obstruct the
line with ballast waggons. They did not proceed far
before they were met by a party belonging to the
company on an engine, when a scuffle ensued which
resulted in the contractors' party being forced back
by the engine to the Cork station. This fracas
having terminated without serious personal injury,
the manager for the contractors sent out a large
number of " navvies" in the course of the night,
who removed portions of the rails and com-
pletely blocked up the line in several places. The
matter is now in course of judicial investigation. It
is stated that the contractors claim 30,0001. as due to
them, which is disputed by the directors, who state
that the amount cannot exceed 15,0001., and that
they are ready to settle any claim made for works
executed, when certiffed by the engineer.
CORK AND WATERFORD.—It is stated that arrange-
ments are being made with certain persons for the
construction of a portion of this line extending from
Cork to Youghal, with a branch to Queenstown.
ABERDEEN AND DUNDEE.—These companies, in
conjunction with others in their immediate district,
have entered into arrangements to enable them to
compete with the Aberdeen and Dundee steamers in
the conveyance of goods, which they now carry be-
tween those points and London at 255. and 30s.
per ton.
SOUTH-EASTERN.--The number of passengers con-
veyed on this line to and from the London-bridge
terminus on Monday wa5'21,932, namely, 11,010 to
London, and 10,922 from London.

- ,
LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—It is
understood that the London and North-Western are
in treaty for the Nottingham and Grantham line at 31
per cent. on the paid-up capital, and taking all the
liabilities. The possession of this line would give
them, with the Midland, a monopoly of that district.
MIDLAND AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—
There has been a meeting between the authorities of
the respective lines, but no terms were ultimately
come to for arranging the rivalry that exists between
them, with a view to a return to what are called
" paying" fares.
EFFECTS OF LOW RAILWAY FARES.—The low fares
at which the Midland and Great Northern Railways
are conveying passengers to London have stimulated
the curiosity of the humbler classes to visit the Exhi-
bition in a very extraordinary degree. A trip to
London and back for ss. is what no one had dreamed
of seeing. Tens of thousands have gone from the
West Riding within the last two or three weeks ; and
not only have persons gone who possessed the pecu-
niary means, but great numbers have raised the
means by pawning watches, blankets, and other arti-
cles. We hear that the pawnbrokers of York, and
many other towns in the country, are full of pledged
articles.—Leeds Mercury.
PROJECTED RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
PORTSMOUTH AND LONDON.—A project is being pre-
pared for giving to Portsmouth additional means of
railway communication with the metropolis. It
already possesses two lines—the London, Brighton,
and South Coast Railway, and the London and
South-Western; but both of these are circuitous routes,
being about 22 miles further than a direct line,would
be, or the old coach road. It is now proposed to
construct a line of about 24 miles long to connect the
South Coast and South-Western J unction line at
Cosham, five miles out of Portsmouth, with the branch
of the last-named company at Alton. This would,
besides reducing the distance between London and
Portsmouth about 22 miles, also give railway com-
munication to the thriving market town of Petersfield,