The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-31 00:00:00

RAILWAY B:LLS IN PARLIAMENT.

Yesterday the follcwing bills were declared to have
complied with the standing orders :
Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland.—Exten-
sion to Strokestown Ind Cavan.

Oxford, Worcestel, and Wolverhampton Railway.—
To extend the time or completing the line, aid adapt-
ing the same to the broad gauge, a. id to facilitate the
construction of the branch to. Stratford•on-Avon ; also
to raise 150,0001. for completion of the broad gauge, and
to convert mortgage debt into stock.
Scottish Central Railway.— For branch railways to
Denny.
Carmarthen and Cardigan.•—For deviation of line, at
a cost of 190,0001.
Alford Valley Railway.—For consE,"nation, at a cost
of 85,000/.
Formarture and Buchan Railway.—Vor a line from
the Great North of Scotland to Stricken, at an esti-
mated cost of 245,000/.
Dareoth Valley Railway.—For deviations and pur-
chase of land.

The two bills declared not to have complied with the
standing orders on some technical growidis were :
Llanidloes and ICewtown Railway.—For abandonment
of part of authorised line, purchase of additional lands,
&c.

East Somerset Railway.—For construcl'ing, at a cost
of 75,0001.
The other bills cf a miscellaneous kind A ,ere-13road-
stairs Harbour, Fier, and Landing-place (to be con-
structed out of nooney to be raised on the rates); and
Isle of Wight Steam Bridge and Approacbk (to estab-
lish a company for a floating bridge between Stokes Bay
and Ryde, at a not of 20,0001) ; North Elields and
Tynemouth Docki'cost 100,0001.); Bath Ga e; Renfrew-
shire Roads ; and Colnbrook Road and Con way Road.

NEWSPAPERS AND ADVERTISEMENTS.—A ccording to
a return just puliished, the duty on newspal )ers and ad-
vertisements in tae year ended the 31st of March last
was 478,7821.

Earl Granville, Lord President of the Privy Council,
gave a full-dress dinner last evening, at his residence in
Bruton-street, to a party of pecre, consisting of the
Earls of Gasford and Abingdon, the mover and se.
conder of the Address, the Lnrd Chancellor, the Duke
of Argyll, the Marquises of Lansdowne, Abercorn,
Clanricarde, and Townshend ; Earls Fitz william,
Har-
rowby, Shaftesbury, Somers, Cowper, and Bessborough;
Viscounts Hardinge, Sydney, Falkland, and Torrington;
Lords Overstone, Stanley of Alderley, Broughton,
Hatherton, Glenelg, De Tabley, Wodehouse, Dufferin,
Monteagle, Foley, and Camoys.
Viscount Palmerston gave a full-dress dinner yester-
day, at his re-4idPnce in Piccadilly, to the following mem-
bers of the House of Commons :—The Speaker, the
Right Hon. H. Fitzroy (chairman of Ways and Means),
the Hon. G. Byng (mover of ,the Address), Mr. Baxter
(seconder of the Address), the Right lion. M. T. Baines,
Sir M. F. Berkeley, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon.
R. Vernon Smith, the Chancellor of the Exchegner, the
Right Hon. H. Labouchere. Viscount I)ruwlanrig,
Viscount Monk, Viscount Duncan, the Earl of Mut.
grave, the Right Hon. E. P. Bouverie, the Right Hon.
W. Cowper, the Right Hon. W. G. Hayter. the Righ t
lion. Sir Benjamin Hall, the Right lion. E. Horemae,
the Right Hon. NV. Keogh, the Right Hon. Robert
Lowe, the Right Hon. W. Monsell, Sir Robert Peel,
Mr. Frederick Peel, Mr. James Wilson, Sir A. Cock-
burn, and Sir Richard Bethel!, the Hon. Henry Brand,
General Buckley, Mr.. Grenville Berkeley, Mr. W. N.
Massey. Mr. R. Othorne, Mr. J. D. Fitzgerald, Mr. J.
Moncrieff, and Mr. H. 1). Seymour. Mr. Charles C.
Clifford also dined with the noble viscount. Lord Ernest
Bruce was prevented dining with his lordship owing to
a recent domestic affliction.
Viscount Palmerston and Earl Granville read the
Queen's Speech on opening Parliament to their respec-

tire guests.
Toe Right Hon. B. Disraeli received yesterday at
dinner, Grosvenor-gate. a party of members of the
House of Commons. There were present—the Earl of
March, the Marquis of Blandford, the Marquis of
Granby, the Marqui# of Chandos, Lord Bective, Lord
Win. Graham, Lord Barrington, Lord Galway, Lord
Stanley, L,)rd Lovaine, Lord Newark, Lord Newport,
Lord Elmley, Lord R. Cecil, Lord Edwin Hill, Hon.
Eliot Yorke, Colonel Hon. Henry Lowther, Hon. R.
Windsor Clive, Right Hon. Sir J. Trollope, Right Hon.
Sir J. Pakington, Right Hon. C. N. Hamilton Sir
"Watkin W. Wynn, Sir J. Yards Buller, Sir William
Joliffe, Sir E. Lytton, Mr. Palmer (Berkshire), Mr.
Miles, Mr. Buck, Mr. Bentinek, Mr. Stanhope, Mr.
Egerton, Colonel Howard Vyse, Colonel Gilpin, Mr.
Dupre, Mr. Gore Langton, Mr. Palk, Mr. Knightley,
Mr. Bateson, Mr. Packs, Mr. Portal, Mr. Fellowes,
and Mr. Archdall.

Yesterday evening the Earl of Derby entertained at
dinner in St. James's-square twenty-eight members of
the House of Peers. Amongst them were the following :
—The Duke of Manchester, Duke of Montrose, Duke
of Cleveland, Marquis of Salisbury, Marquis of Exeter,
Earls of Eglinton, Desart, Lucan, Cardigan, Lonadale,
Winchilsea, Malmesbury, Hardwicke, Sandwich ; Lords
Stradbroke, Redesdale, Colchester, St. Leonards, &c,

MANSION HOUSE.—Yesterday the Lord Mayor enter-
tained Mr. Thwaites, chairman, and the other members
of the Metropolitan Board of Works, and a number of
distinguished and private friends, at dinner. Among
those present were—Mr. Thwaites, Mr. W. Corrie, Mr.
W. Williams, M.P., Mr. T. Turner, Sir W. Cubitt, Mr.
Carpenter Rowe, Mr. Pasbley, Q.C., Mr. Hardwick,
The Chisholm, Mr. Rose, Mr. Walker, Alderman Sir
John Musgrove. Bart., Mr. Alderman Challis, M.P.,
Alderman Sir Francis Graham Moon, Bart., the Right
Hon. J. Stuart Wortley, M.P., Recorder of London,
Alderman Sir R. W. Carden, Mr. Alderman Wire, Mr.
Alderman Carter, Mr. Alderman Cubitt, M.P., Alderman
Sir Henry Muggeridge, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff
Huntley Kennedy, Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Rose,
Mr. Alderman Eagleton, Mr. Alderman Lawrence, Mr.
Corrie, Captain Gossett, Rev. Mr. Erle, Mr. Waley,
Mr. P. Salomons, Dr. Letheby, Mr. J. Dillon, Professor
Sylvester, Captain Barnett, R.N., Mr. Serjeant Mere-
wetber, Mr. J. Ingram Travers, Mr. B. Travers, jun.,
Mr. Walker, Mr. R. Lambert Jones, Mr. Deputy Lott,
Rer. Dr. Mortimer, D.D., Mr. Miller, Mr. Bristow,
Mr. B. Drew, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Hayward, Mr. Josiah
Wilkinson, Mr. R. B. Seeley, Mr. Nicholay, Mr. Deputy
Harrison, Mr. T. H. Hall, Mr. L. Davis, Mr. Doputy
Rathbone, Mr. Deputy Peaoock.

UNITED MEXICAN ASSOCIATION.—The half-yearly
meeting of this association took place yesterday, Sir 3.
Easthope presiding, when the report was received and
approved. The works at Jesus Maria and La Trin'idad
mines are making progress ; but a further outlay will be
required to test their produce at a greater depth, and
8,0001. is estimated as the necessary amount. The assets
in Mexico inolude 6,0001. cash and ores, and 10,0001. a
claim on the Government ; but, as regards the latter,
the present condition of politics excludes the
texpectation
of its immediate payment. It is though,. however,
that sufficient can be provided from these sources to carry
out operations, and the directors promise to exercise
strict
ieccho nso,
070.1. Ts
thaenfdusn
to
os
theiu Loudenorfe purne
cs el
anitmleod, 80d0i
v/i-
-dends, while 5,3001. will have to be appropriated to meet
outstanding liabilities. If further capital should prove
to be essential, the directors propose to avail themselves
of the power to raise the remainder of the loan granted
on a previous occasion.
The amount of specie brought by the West India
steamer yesterday is 140,0001., of which 90,0e01. iq
• gold.

The CHAIRMAN, after repeating the statements he had
made at the formation of the association on the 22d
inst., and the efforts he had made to promote railway re-
form, and to establish peaceful relations and harmonious
working between rival companies, explained that the
reason the meeting was not more numerously attended,
both to-day and on the previous occasion, was that no
step beyond advertising. had been taken to secure
a large attendance. He bad, however, great confidence
in the truths of the principle upon which they were pro-
seeding, and be had no doubt they would speedily see
the results of those (at present small) meetings in the
existence of a powerful and widespread association.
(Hear.) Referring to the mismanagement of the Eas-
tern Counties line, he said that after the exposé made by
the committee of investigation, it would be impossible
to prevent the adoption of a better system in that eoin-
pany, let Mr. Waddington and the directors do what
they might. He then quoted Mr. Waddington's book
and Mr. Capper's evidence as to the Eastern Counties
coal trade, and urged that the gain there stated of Sc. 3d.
per mile per train of 30 waggons, which would give a
profit of something like 320,0001. each half year on this
branch of traffic, and contended that that calculation
proceeded upon the fallacy that the 30 waggons ran
the whale distance, whereas the number of waggons was
diminished at every station from- Peterborough south-
ward, and the receipts became less and less, while the
expenses teiatinued to the end of the journey. This
was not taken into account in estimating profits, nor in
the instance alluded to. The annual expenditure neces-
sary to keep the railway, the rolling stock. and the
buialings on the line had, according to the engineer's
account, been withheld and omitted from the calcula-
tions. These charges woul•C have wholly absorbed the
total net earnings of the line. He then adverted to
the bill read by Mr. Love, of the Eastern Counties
Railway, which proposed the issue of a Six per Cent.
Preference Stoek, which lie contended the cash account
showed to be wholly unnecessary, though the sys-
stein which the directors had pursued would, if con•
tinned, compel them to take that step a year or two
hence. The Eastern Counties eves by no means an
isolated case. There were many other lines which
carried on a large traffic at a loss. Take the North-
Western, the average earnings of each engine on that
line in 1846 amounted to 5.261/. net, while in 1854, not-
withstanding the numerous improvements in the con-
struction of locomotive engines, the gross earnings of
each engine upon the same line were only 4,254/. He be-
lieved that the great loss was upon the goods traffic, and
that the French railways carried a smaller proportion of
goods as compared with the extent of the passenger traf-
fic, which was, he considered, one reason why they paid
so much better than our own. There was another item of
expenditure which in calculating traffic rates ought to be
considered, and that was the money they were called
upon to pay in compensation for injuries resulting from
railway accidents. Juries as well as the legislature ap-
peared to lock upon railway companies as fair game,
and the practice wart generally to apportion the damage,
not according to the circumstances of the accident, or
the degree of blame attaching to the company, but to
the circumstances of the party injured, so that railways
ought in justice to themselves to inquire into the position
in life of every traveller who came to them, and charge
the tare higher or lower accordingly. It would almost
seem that when floggitg in the army and navy was abo-
lished, the lash had been transferred to the backs of rail-
way shareholders. Amongst other points of mismanage-
ment, to the correction of which the association might
direct attention was the permitting the salaried servants
of the railways to become contractors, shipowners, and
traders, as in the instance of Mr. Gooch, of the Eastern
Counties, the practice of giving certain large carriers a
sort of monopoly of the goods traffic, whereby theydrew
a commission on all goods carried ; the mingling together
of capital and revenue in the accounts, and the running
of long heavy trains where lighter trains would be suffi-
cient. A change in dill-latter
_respect would increase ra-
ther than diminish the accommodation afforded to the
public, while it would avoid the necessity for employing
the large heavy engines, which. were a ccnstant source
of expense by destroying the permanent way. It
was proposed to manage the affairs of the associa-
tion by a council of 100 members, 25 to be elected in
London and the rest to represent the principal provin-
cial towns, and from this council an executive committee
of twelve would bo appointed. There had been some
doubt expressed as to the prospect of obtaining sufficient
funds. As far so they had gone —and they wonld re-
member the association was only a week old—there was
every indication that there would be no want of the
sinews of war. (Hear, hear.) Most of the members of
the committee had subscribed ten guineas each, and
were prepared to subscribe as much more if required,
but it was considered that a small annual subscription
extending over the whole body of the railway proprietors
of the country would lee the more satisfactory mode of
raising the requisite funds. The sum suggested was ten
shillings, and that, it was expected, would bo sufficient,
but of course the committee would be glad to receive
larger subscriptions from those whore circumstances per-
mitted it. He had had oommunicatione from Lord
Wynford and several influential persons in Parliament,
and from many large shareholders, approving of the
movement and promising support. He moved that the
report be adopted. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BRowx, who believed that the great bane of rail-
ways was competition, and consequent low rates, sug-
gested that the first object of the association should be
to communicate with the several boards, with a view to
induce rival companies to work in concert, and adopt
paying rates. He seconded the motion for adopting the
report.

Mr. G. SMITH thought it wise to lay down certain
principles for the guidance of the association. First,
they ought to consult all accountants, in order to devise
some simple and plain mode of keeping railway accounts
for universal adoption. (Hear, hear.) As they were
now made up and presented to the shareholders, it was
impossible to understand them. They were now framed,
as it appeared to him, for the sole purpose of coafu i g.
He also considered that' some improved system of audit
was necessary.
Mr. GOLDOLIDT hoped the reckless expenditure entered
companies,rthe purpose
not merely
of litigation,
.l of
for the purpose
ought
intoof construction, obnys t railwayrtrcti on, but for
to occupy the attention of the coun elthe association.
He knew an instance where, out of a capital of a million,
119,0001. had been thrown away in law and Parlia-
mentary- expenses. There was a case, too, that was now
pending before the courts, between two opposing com-
panies.one proposed to settle the matter in dispute
The • ~
by arbitration, but the other refused, and lodged no
fewer than 39 pleas in answer to the claim of the other.
Ete suggested that an annual list of the members of the
Indinbeen dseed, a
sent
rounds he
r point
ano
ftoa railwayll
of reform, efo
pror par, , a
i e-
rd"ute;cti atinodn should
in the number of the directors forming the
board. The foreign railways,
association
which were se much better
managed than our own, were generally in the hands of
four or five able and well-paid directors. (near, hear.)
Mr. SMITH moved a resolution approving the objects
of the association, and promising it support; which ,1
having been seconded, was carried unanimously. This
resolution was proposed and accepted as a substitute for
the motion. of the chairman for adopting the report,
which was withdrawn.)
Another resolution, appointing the council of 25 gen-
tlemen, with power to increase their number to 100, and
to select from amongst themselves an executive com-
mittee of 12, was carried, after an objection from Captain
Tuckett that the election of the whole number ought to
be left to the general body, and some remarks from Mr.
Mitchell showing the necessity for the association by a
reference to the depreciation in the market value of all
railway property, AO, auswerirg nail a do conumute
___

The annexed extract from the New York Herald, of
the 31st ultimo, will show that the far-famed " Wizard"
has not achieved merely an European reputation. His
character amongst our transatlantic brethren is such as
to render everything in which he is concerned matter of
general interest, and the account of his well-merited suc-
cess will gratify the amour propre of the " Statesmen,"
by showing that the verdict which they so unanimously
returned has received the imprimatur of a long succes-
sion of London audiences. The advertisements of the
Professor, however, only constitute a portion of his great
triumph. They may afford him a fair chance of displaying
his wonderful resources, but unless he had the stuff in
him they would speedily become worse than useless. We
gladly recognise the advantages derived from the assist-
ance of his admirable auxiliary, Mr. E. P. Hingston,
whose intelligence, amenity, and indefatigable zeal have
become "familiar to our ears as household words." But
that is a portion of the tact of the Professor, who has
accomplished the difficult task of invariably finding " the
right man for the right placs." He never made a more
successful hit than in associating Mr. Hingston with
himself. But still under any circumstances he must
have achieved the triumphs he so eminently merited.
" I cannot overlook another great planet that has juAt
created a new orbit of his own. Anderson, the Wizard
of the North, has been giving his well-known entertain-
ments' for over one hundred nights to houses overflowing
and large as at find. His tricks are well done and some
of them quite novel, but ho has succeeded in stirring up
this immense curiosity simply by dint of advertising,
not the ordinary process of announcement such as every-
body knows, but by a variety of literary legerdemain
such ass was never before attempted. The Wizard' has
the good fortune to possess a man of all work, for be
does everything but perform the Wizard's tricks, which
no doubt he could do, by name of Hingeton, who is the
inventor of this novel, curious, and amusing style of ad-
vertisement. If he could only secure a patent for it,
though, in fact, he has the monopoly in his own wit, he
could make a fortune, and no doubt will. I cannot stop
just now to analyse the really scientific way be carries
out his purpose, but his mural literature, for invention,
variety, and pint, is unsurpassed. Barnum is out-Bar-
flurried at last—for a greater than be has appeared."

THE METROPOLITAN BOARD 01?
WORKS.

The following is the programme of the business to be
transacted by this board at its meeting on Friday (to-

morrow) :-

1. To confirm the byelaw regulating the width of
streets and alleys, made by the board on the 25th inst.
2. As to advances to the contractors.

3. To receive report from the committee appointed to
consider the foimation of committees to hear and deter-
mine appeals ; for financial purposes ; to consider bye-
law& ; to confer with vestries and district hoards ; to re-
port on duties of the board under the Building Act ; to
examine and report on claims for compensation.
4. To take into consideration the necessity of appoint-
tan e p
oAr fat dto that
this
tichi
ate
boardt bißoenoaasdat.i the
ing, at an early period, a solicitor to the board.
5. To consider the following motions, of which no-
tices were given at the last meeting :
By Mr. Davis—" That all the principal officers being
appointed, the remaining or subordinate officers be ap-
pointed by the chairman and a committee to be named
at this meeting."
By Mr. Corrie—" That it be referred to a committee
t
to consider and report to ia boardhnccielooetniwrpi
kmohawertueotenbrneser
ocieft
necessary,"
airl n
makehe opinionth e soe fwseurcs such
aenodt n nwttke
se,
mbee,pitritoidneecnit
in
ne ptrboecele3dsttz
clause of the Metropolis Local Managers/eat Act before
some changes
ifan havew,bi
applicationsh echeinno motLiainediTeracinou;:i
borrow-
ingstru nerionneytocosnutcahincelimnitthwaot
d
for general purpo.seß.
H. W
eTneoraricceive