The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-25 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY frs :) ING UN APRIL 25, 1851.
7

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

DIRECTORS.
t*T. LAMIE MURRAY, Esq., Chairman.
*W. A. B. Besinett, Esq. *John Rawson, Esq.
'Hugh Croft, Esq. *John Shaw, Esq.
tElliotsoa, ILD„ F.R.S. t*Edmand S. Spnes, Esq.
*Ralph Gough, Esq. t*Clement Tabor, Esq.
*M. C. Maher, Esq. t Joseph Thompson, Esq.
*John Moss, Esq. t*Augustus Vigne, Esq•
AUDITOR.
f Professor Wheatstone, F.R.S.
PgrsICIAN.
V. Ellioteon,3f.D„ F.R.S„ 37, Conduit-street.
SURGEON.
t*E. S. Symes, Esq., 77, Grosvenor-street, Grosvenor-Square.
ACTUARY.
t*W. S. B. Woolhouse, Esq., F.R.A.S., &C.
SECRETARY.
*D. T. Lyons Clanchy, Esq.
SUPERINTENDENT.
*W. A. Hawkins, Esq.
BANKERS.
t*Messrs. Glyn, Militia, Mills, and Co., 67, Lombard-street.
SOLICITORS,
'ows. Sutton, Ewens, Ommanney and Prudence, 6, Basinghall

street.
*W. Tatham, Esq., 22, Throgmorton-street.
NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE =ICE.
CAPITAL-500,000L

The WITHDRAWAL TABLE of the Society affords to the As-
sured the greatest possible present and prospective advantages that
can he conferred by Life Assurance. On this Tab'e the Assured is
entitled, at any time, to receive at interest an immediate advance,
to the extent of one-half the amount of the paid annual Premiums,
without security, personal liability, or deposit of the Policy, but by
simple endorsement thereon ; or the half Premium may be with-
held during the whole continuance of the Policy. Also, in the
event of the Assured at any time not requiring to continue the
Policy, on its surrender one-half of the annual payments will be
returned by the Society.
Lapsed Policies may be renewed without fine, on proof of health
and payment of arrears of Premium without interest.
Notices of Assignment of Policies registered and acknowledged,
so as to make them available as securities in the hands of
third parties.
Ne Entrance Fees or any other charge beyond the Policy Stamp.
The present nnual income of the Society from Premiums is
63,0001.; trie amount covered by the Policies of the Society Is
1,781,5801.; and the reserved profit, applicable to future bonus to
the Assured, amounts to 82,4541. ss. 6d. At the last annual inves-
tigation, reported in May, 11450, the bonuses declared to the As-
sured were, the option of a return of 15 per cent. on their Premiums
in cash, or a reversionary addition to the original sum assured by
each Policy varying from 20 to 65 per cent.
ETA aIPLES OF BONUSES ALREADY DECLARED.

I Perms.
Annual i 4 - Policyl Bonus in
.. nent Re-
Age. 0,. ' r Pre- i taken addition Bonus in duction of
- minas. !ant in' to ,itua Cash. Annual
1) Assured. Premium.
——
A 0. il. A s d. A s. d.
1837 292 6 9 139 16 9 22 13 1
1833 I 267 11 4 126 17 2 19 19 7
1 1839 241 18 6 113 17 7 17 8 8
X 4 s.d. 1840 193 12 6 93 16 8 14 010
.30 tOOO 74 34 1 1841 189 12 6 89 510 13 811
i 1842 162 16 8 76 18 4 11 8 3
1843 115 10 10 55 10 10 8 110
1844 77 19 2 38 15 10 59 11
1845 66 15 0 44 10 0 410 1

Extensive Travelling Leave granted without extra Premium
Moderate extra Premium for Residence in Tropical Climates.
EQUITAELE FIRE OFFICE.
Capital-500,0001.
(Incorporated under 7 and 8 Viet., cap. 110.)
The leading principles of this Oflice era—Moderate and equitable
Pates of Premium for each class of risk—Annual division of Profits.
The difficulty of collecting the elements on which to proportion
rremium to risk in Insurance against Loss by Fire has been so
zreat, that the rates at present charged are more the result of guess
than calculation.
It has been found by experience, that the total annual losses of the
•iifferent Established Companies have not been proportionate to the
ameunt of annual Premiums received by each.
It is of the highest importance, both to the Insured and Insurers,
that such an anomaly should cease, and an approximation to the
true risk be made. To secure this object the Equitable Fire Insu-
rance Company is established.
The true rate of Premium for Fire Insurance can only be ap-
)roached through Classification and Average, which has not hitherto
peen sufficiently acted on, or systematically applied.
Whatever be the nominal rate, the bonus or return periodically to
the Insured will determine the true Premium equitably payable, as
security against less for so great a calamity as fire, and the Insurer
is largely interested in this question, and will consult his interest by
topporting a system where, by a careful combination of Classifica-
tion and Avenge, the Premium will be prcportioned to the risk.
The Equitable Fire Office will, by a constant analysis of its owls
experience, ftom time to titre, adopt such rates of Premium as the
nature of the risk may justify, and will decline to eater into arrange-
ments as regards tariffs with other offices.
With this view an annual investigation will be made into each
class of risk, and a return of one moiety, or fifty per cent. of the nett
excess will be made to all classes of Insurers whose Policies have
been in force for three years.
Insurances against Loss by Fire are effected by this Company upon
every description of Property on moderate terms.
Farming Stock insured at 3s. per cent, without the Average Clause.
Prospectuses, and every information may be obtained, on applica-
tion at the Office, or to any of its Agents.

t National Loan Fund Life Assurance Society.
* Equitable Fire,
t* Both Offices.

Just Published=Price One Shilling.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
A MORAL AND RELIGIOUS GUIDE THERETO,

By the Rev. J. A. EMERTON, D.D.
Published by Lonpaan, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 39, Pater-
noster Row, and may be bad of all Booksellers,

Two Giant Plates-150 Summer Fashions—View of the Exhibition—
Paper Models of the Exhibition Mantelet.
THE LADIES' GAZETTE of FASHION for
MAY, price Is., contains extralrdinary Novelties, given In no
other work—all the Paris Fashions—Two Giant Plates—Paper Mo-
dels —2O Cloaks-30 Walking Dresses-50 Bonnets—several Ball and
Children's Dresses, &e.—with Descriptions—Large Steel View of the
Exhibition—Guide to London, &c. Post free, six stamps extra.
London: G. Berger, llolywell-street, Strand ; and all Booksellers.

NEW WORK ON STRICTURE AND SPERMATORRIREA.
Just published, Svo., in cloth, price 3s. 6d., by post (free), 45.,
ATREATISE on the CURE of STRICTURE
of the URE:TIIRA. ; containing the True Reasons why that
Disease so often assumes such an intractable character; with Rules
and Instructions for the successful Treatment of every Form of
Urethral Contraction, based on the results of extensive and pro-
longed experience. To which Is added, Practical Observations on
the Treatment of Spermatorrhcea by Cauterization.
•By:F. B. COURTENAY,
"These who complain most loudly are those only who know not
how to use the common instruments. . . The prac-

tice of surgeons has been marked with all kinds of violence, and in-
difference about the simple cure of diseases, and a passion for
operations, and all the excesses and horror of surgery."—John Bell.
11. B adhere, 219, Regent-street, London.

L 4.URENT'S GRAND CASINO,
Licensed by Act of Parliament.

ARGYLL ROODdS, GREAT WINDMILL-
STREET, ST. JAMES'S.
(Sole Lessee, Chs.rles Emile Laurent, jun., 57, Brompton-equare.)
OPEN EVERY EVENING,
With L AURENT'S UNRIVALLED BAND.
Principal Cornet-a-Pistons, M. Boulcourt.

Doors open at Half-past Eight o'clock—Dancing to commence at
vine and terminate, at Half-past Eleven o'clock precisely.

Admission. One Shilling.
N.B. Mr. LAURENT'S BENEFIT willtake place on the Even-
ing of THUItiDAY, May 22.

THE FIRST SPRING HOLIDAY.
Fled now the sullen murmurs of the north,
The splendid raiment of the spring peeps forth;
'Her universal green and the clear sky
Delight still more and more the gazing eye.
BLOOISITIELD.

The vernal equitox, which ushers in the "first spring holiday," is
welcomed by all ;frith feelings of lively emotion ; and it is not a little
interesting to notice the phasing changes and various preparations
which attend on this season of universal festivity.
In the Gr,gorian, as in the Julian year, Easter is regarded as a
favourite festival; and the approach of this holiday diffuses life and
activity in every direction.
We cannot proceed tarough the public streets without noticing
the changes attendant, nor can the most apathetical obse ver refrain
from a participation in the impulses to which the " first spring holi-
day" gives rise. While private residences present a re-decorated
appearance, in garden and frontage ; and display in their windows
hyacinths, crocuses, and other spring flowers, the more public tho-
roughfares display marks of renovation and re-embellishment.
The trading establishments appear under " brighter colours," and,
externally and internally, show pleasing signs of preparation. The
season of Easter is a "commonwealth" of festivity—to share in
which the Senate 'itself suspends for a term its important delibera-
tions. It is particularly interesting, at this season of the year, to
notice the various preparations for public recreation and amusement.
Hoardings are placarded with immense posters, calling attention, in
colossal charazte rs, to excursion trains, steam•vessels, concerts,
theatres, fairs, and numerous other sources of enjoyment, and wher-
ever we look we can discover indications of the "spring holiday."
Among the many 'customs appertaining to this season, is that of the
adoption of. new attire. Winter clothing is now cast eff, and articles
more befitting the change of weather are assumed.
1-IYAM and Co. feel confident that their present spring stock will,
on examination, elicit a large share of public approbation. A strict
conformity to the prevalent taste in fashion—a development of
improvements entirely original—a solidity and be.uty of material
—au excellence of workmanship which challenges the most minute
insp,ction, and a general superiority, coupled with a positive reduc-
tion in price; are the recommendations which Hyam and Co. have
to urge on the attention of the public.
There is no mistaking the system of Hyam and Co., who, while
saying what they do. take especial care to do what they say. Hyam
and Co. are no friends to a " sliding scale " System in prices ; nor
are the proprietors in the practice of advertising articles "from "
one price to another. . . .

" One fixed price for one description of garment," is the rule upon
which they go, and from which they have never once diverged
during the long period of their trading career.
Hyam and Co., before concluding this notice of their Spring pre-
parations, would make pointed allusions to their article in juvenile
attire.

The brief vacation which occur 3 at Easter will afford an opportii-
nity to parents and others having the charge of youth, to judge of
the neatness, beauty, durability, and cheapness of this description of
Hyam and Co.'s stock ; and the proprietors trust that their offers in
this (as well as in every other branch of their business) will be met
with a ready acceptance.
HYAM and CO., Tailors, Clothiers, and Manufacturers.
West-end Establishment, London .....• • •86, Oxford-street.
City Establishment, London ......36, Gracechurch-street.
Provincial Establishments.
Manchester-63, Ring-street. Hull-17, Market-place.
Manchester —26, Market-street, Bristol-42, Wine-street.
Liverpool-63 & 65, Lord-street. Glasgow-48, Argyll-street.
Birmingham-23, New•strcet. Dublin-30, Dame-street.
Leeds-4x, Briggate.

THE ,VALLEY OF THE RHONE.
THE MULBERRY AND THE SILICWORM.J
' (From the Chronicle.)
I write from the oentre of the silk-making district of
France—from. the banks of the Rhone, about half-way
between Avignon and Lyons. Hereabouts, near the
little town of Montetimer, the mulberry was first planted
in French soil. The event took place as early as the
close of the fifteenth century. An old French agri-
cultural writer attributes it to the journey made by
Charles vim' to Naples. Some few gentlemen
of the royal; suite, remarking the richness and
glossiness of -the Italian silks, determined tr
try whether(.: they could ' not introduce at
home the creation if equally splendid fabrics. Accord-
ingly, says thiPis4 Mural chrouicle_ ,r when the wars of
Italy were finislied, they sent to 'Naples for mulberry
slips, which they planted in Provence, the slight differ-
ence between the climate of southern France and that of
central Italy favouring the speculetion. The experiment
—whim, in fact, of the gay noblesse of the French
Court—attracted probably little attention at the time,
and the planters of the white mulberry trees near Mon-
telimar had, in all likelihood, but a faint idea of the
grand element of wealth with which they were enrich-
ing their country. lam told that old men still living
have seen the crumbling trunks of these, the first
French mulberries. Ono very ancient tree still sur-
vives, near a village called Rousset. The flats of its
plantation is unknown, but a species of not , ungraceful
homage is paid to the vegetable patriarch by the pea-
santry. It still produces a few leaves, hut they are never
gethered, for fear of exhausting the feeble remnants of
sap contained in the grey old tree. The seeds or roots
imported by the cavaliers of Charles VIII. flourished
there bravely, and the mulberry tree now forms a very
important part of the rural riches of the south of France
-abounding in a greater or lesser degree from Lyons,
or thereabouts, to Toulon, on thej4ght hand, and Tou-
louse on the left, and being particularly luxuriant along
the valley of the Rhone and its tributaries. The mulberry
lis comparatively a hardy tree. It has been grown, and
made annually to produce a crop of leaves, as far north
as Stockholm, and it stands out stoutly against
frosts which ruin the almond tree for the season,
and the olive for ever. It mingles and flourishes with
the willow and the oak of the north, as well as with the
spice and oil trees of the south. The warmer parts of
Europe are never visited with frost on the one hand, or
heat and drought on the other, intense enough and long-
continued enough to kill it. Of the south of France,
however, the district comprised by the departments of
the DrOme on one side of the Rhone, and the Ardeche
on the other, may be said to form the head-quarters of
the mulberry tree. There not a field exists unplsnted
with silk-worm fodder, and the rearing of the insects,
and the first stages of preparation of their produce, fur.
[aisle most important items of agricultural industry. In
the department of the DiOme alone, the number of mul-
berries is computed to exceed 3,ooo,ooo—and this inde-
pendently of a great quantity of dwarf trees of the
same class, reckoned as equal to about 300,000 more.
The plantations are said to increase at about the rate of
two or three per cent. per annum. The quantity of
silkworm eggs annually hatched is stated to amount
to about 60,000 ounces; and each ounce, in prosperous
years, is computed to produce no less than from 50 to
601bs. of silk. The average price of a pound of cocoons
is about 14f. The average price of a pound of spun
silk is about 24ic. each 131 b. of cocoons producing about
Ilb. of silk. The total benefit computed to arise to the
department by the sale of cocoons is about 5,000,000 f.
The sums paid for spinning the silk in the department
amount to about 700,000 f., and for performing other
processes connected with the manufacture to about
I,loo,oooE—making nearly 7,000,000 f. annually gained
for the district by the labours of its silkworms.
Few readers will require to be told that operations
connected with the silkworm last at the utmost for only
two months of the year. ranging from the beginning of
April till the end of June. The breeding or " educa-
tion" of the insects is curiously universal. The farmers,
the peasantry, the rural inhabitants of the villages and
small country towns, and to some degree the population
of the faubourgs of the large towns, are all, when the
season comes round, silkworm breeders. Every man, in
fact, who has a patch of land, plants it with mulberry
trees,' and almost every man who has mulberry trees
rears worms, and either spins the silk in his household
or sells the cocoons. A trifling minority of farmers
may content themselves with rearing the mulberry tree
and selling the leaves; but the profit of producing the
thread is so great, and the trouble comparatively so
small—falling, in nine cases out of ten, on the females
of the family—that the production of the valuable fibre
is all bat universal.