The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-27 00:00:00

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

The excitement which. has prevailed during the past
three or four days on the subject of the Ministry was in
no degree diminished yesterday. The summons received
by Lord Stanley to attend her Majesty at Buckingham
Palace at an early hour in the morning, and the arrival
of Mr. Gladstone in London from Paris, rather tended
to increase the anxiety naturally felt as to the arrange-
ments in progress, and - the saloons of the " Carlton"
and the " Retorm" were thronged during the day and
up to a lute hour last evening by groups of eager in-
quirers, all anxious to obtain the " latest intelligence"
from head-quarters oa.the all-absorbing subject.
Thu following incidents dotted down chronogically will
Lord Stanley, in obtrdience to her Mrjesty's commands, Pa
proceeded to Buckingham the last 24 hours:—
show the order of events during_l. ace at an early hour yes-
terday morning and had au audience with the Queen.
The Noble Lord returned to his residence in St. James's-
square at twelve o'clock.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone arrived at his re-
sidence in Carlton-gardens shortly after noon yesterday
from Paris. Immediately after hii arrival the Right
Lord Stanley at his Lord-
ship's The interview between Lord Stanley
and Mr. Glad-
stone was of very short duration.
Mr. Gladstone subsequent)
llon. t Gentleman
esid residence,
, in waited
s t.
Jame
The ee
.8 q u
are.
proceeded to Argyll-
house, to pay a visit to the Earl of Aberdeen, with
whom the Right Hon. Gentleman had a long conference.
The Earl of Aberdeen received visits yesterday
Newcastle, Viscount Can
Duke
lion.ke' 3 f
Edward Ellice. After the
nmLieonvrgelean,ngt Noblehdfertohme itt
h i
eg
Earlßight
was visited by Sir James Gra-
ham, who remained closeted with his Lordship for more
than two hours.
Lord Stanley attended the Levee yesterday.
Viscount Canning paid a visit to Lord Stanley after
yesterday
Yerough morning.
received a communication
the Levee.
Lord John Russell received a dispatch from the Earl
of
The Aberdeen
Earlo
Yfe
from Lord Stanley yesterday.
Mr. Disraeli has been so closely engaged
during the past three days at his mansion in park-lane
that no other person than Lord Stanley has been It is said that M
ad-
mitted to an interview with the gm Member.
The heads of the Protectionist party dined with the
Earl and Countess of Glengall last evening at their man-
sion in Grosvenor-street. Lord and Lady Stanley, the
Earl of Lonsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Disraeli, the Earl and
Countess of Chesterfield, and Viscount Canterbury, were
circulation that Mr.
among the guests.
ooiwn Lord Stanley, because
-41
the Noble Lord contem utsot nj
platss the: imposition oi, a five-
GlWadestognivee haassrudenicoliunresdj
shilling duty on corn; and that, in the event of any dif-
ficulty occurring to prevent Lord Stanley completing his
Cabinet, her Majesty has determined to send for the
Earl of Clarendon.

R.
Lord Stanley the Queen yesterday
morning at Buckingham Palace.
His It o al HOi ghl ha dnße nTs
P audiencet
Ci
n eRCof Albert rode out on horse-
back yesterday, attended by Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. A.
Gordon.
The Marquis of Westminster had the honour of
dining with tier Majesty last evening at Buckingham
Palace,
His Excellency the American Minister, Mrs. Law-
rence, and Colonel T. B. Lawrence, hare left town on a
visit to his Grace the Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle.

PROVIDENT CLERKS' ASSO-

CIATION.

The annual meeting of the benevolent department
of the Provident Clerks' Association was held lust
evening, at the London Tavern ; John Abel Smith,
Esq., M.P., in the chair.
Among those present we observed, besides the
Chnirmin, Baron L. de Rothschild, M.P. ' • -M2ssrs.
R. H. Jones, J. W.Welch, W. J. Jordan, S. Jepps,
J. Dankaerts, W. S. Sewell, J. Lintott, A. Dawson,
Win. Maitland, Richard Price, John Clarke, Samuel
Notley, H. B. Reynolds, Edward Coleman, A.
Smee, &c. &c.

The SECRETARY (Mr. Byrne) then read the report
of which the following is an abstract :

s. d.
" Received from 65 new subscribers ... 66 3 0
Ditto 427 old ditto ... 463 1 0

Life subscribers, three ...

Don ations

529 4 0
.., 31 10 0

560 14 0
132 6 6

£693 0 6
being an increase over last year (f 51/. 18s.
" 19 gratuities have been presented to 18 members,
amounting to-1094

" 108 members have received loans to the extent of
2,2-161., being au excess of 60/. on the previous year.
" On the 29th of .lay last, in accordance with the
resolution a the last annual meeting, one clerk was
elected to an annuity of 251., end two widows of clerks
to annuities of 15/. each, making together four clerks
and thirteen widows, at a charge of 2951. per annum.
" One of the annuitants elected in Ma) 1846, under
the initials 4S. W.,' has died during the past year,
leaving the number at present four clerks and twelve
widows of clerks.

" The report further stated that the expenses charged
to this department had been reduced from one-fifth to
one-tenth part.
" The balance-sheet shows an increase in the funds of
4451. 15s. 10d. during the past year.
" The trustees met at the office of the association on
the 24th instant, and inspected and approved of the
balance-sheet of both departments.
" The board recommended that on the 24th of May
next, ono clerk be elected to an annuity of 251., and two
widoWs of clerki to annuities of 151. each; and in the
event of no clerk offering, then three widows be elected.
" The board have been occupied in reconsidering the
rules of this department, with a view to their amend-
ment, and the alterations contemplated will be submitted
to the members at a special meeting to be convened for
that purpose; _ _

" The.board express their regret that they do not re-
ceive that support from clerks which the benefits con-
ferred by this association would lead them to expect,
but hope that the increased co-operation of the mem-
bers during the present year will place this department
in a much higher state of prosperity.
" The assurance branch of this association continues
to progress favourably.
" 391 policies for 77,1501., and 11 annuities, were
issued during the past year, and the stock increased to
10,0004 being double the amount invested during the
year 1849.
" The board of management, lastly, call upon all the
members to assist them in carrying out measures which
have for their object the Food of so large and so useful
a body of the community."
The SECRETARY also read a statement of the re-
ceipts and expenditure for the year ending 31st De-
cember, 1850, which showed that the receipts ex-
ceeded the expenditure, from the formation of the
association to this date, 12,484/. 6i. 4d.

The CHAIRMAN said, you have heard the report
which has just been read with an account of the
i s r y far
probably
expenses for the past year, and I will only now re-
mark with respect to them, that though there is an
improvement, and an increase as regards the efforts
made by clerks to support the benevolent fund, yet
the result short
myself saysomething
w oi
t f h we hoan tg
aet uwl
ai sthine
g y
d more
andou de-
sired
o n
to see.shall
with reference to the subject hereafter, therefore I
shall now content
the general advancement, progress, and prosperity of
both the benevolent and benefit department, and sub-
mitting to you, the adoption of the report, beg-
ging you to pass as a reiolutien that the re
port should be received, printed, and circulated
at the discretion of the board of manageMent. If
any gentlemen present should have any observation
to make either with regard to the management
or any
suggestions to offer for improvement in the associa-
tion, probably this will be the most convenient time
to speak. In order to induce members to make those
observations which may occur to them, I beg to call
upon Mr. Jones, the chairman of the board, who is
desirous of making a few observations on the subject
of the report.—(Hear.)
Mr. JONES on rising was received with cheers.
He said—l think this, Sir, is the best time to make
a few observations with respect to the report, seeing
that it will give members an opportunity subsequently
of alluding to anything which may fall from me. It
is, I assure you, extremely gratifying to the managers
that though they have not much to boast of in the
way of improvement, still there is some improve-
ment in this department—and I am sure all will
concur with me, that small as it is, it is of im-
portance.—(Hear, hear.) There is a trifling im-
provement over former years, and we are always too
happy to be able to announce it. 4Still I hope, as I
know there is plenty of room for further improve-
ment, that we shall have greater success during the
present year.. The report has alluded in general
terms to the contemplated alteration of the rules. As
this is a meeting at which we cannot entertain any
observations on that point, as the subject will
be brought before you at a special meeting
convened for the purpose, I will merely say that
every attention will be given, as I promised this time
last year, to that question which is so important yet
so difficult to determine.—(Hear, hear.) I will not
.say more on the subject, I merely make these obser-
vations because they will, perhaps, prevent discussion;
in fact, discussion, cannot be raised on the subject,
as to do so would be irregular. I will only add
that a second meeting of our trustees and our
excellent treasurer has been held, and we still
solicit their assistance to enable us to carry out
what we find to be a very-difficult undertaking. It
is customary on these occasions just to allude to
what has been done during the past year. On the
present occasion I will do so briefly, because
many of the gentlemen present are anxious to
leave as soon as they' conveniently can. As regards
the loans, we have beard it announced that the in-
crease has been considerable during the past year—l
think about 7001. Now, the money thus lent is on
many occasions evidently a source of • great comfort
and advantage to the borrowers—(Hear)—but it in-
volves matters which are fraught with much trouble
and labour to those in the office as well as to the ma-
nagers. This we do not complain of, but lam sorry
to say I cannot help remarking that during the past
year the engagements entered into by the borrowers
have not been so faithfully fulfilled as on former oc-
casions. I speak generally, of course, and no one
knows to whom I allude. What I say now, how-
ever, I hoPe will go forth in the public
press, to those who are absent, whom I should wish
to know, it is of essential importance inte-
rested as they all are—that they should be punc-
tual in the observance of their engagement.—
(Hear, hear.) While on the same subject I would
observe that we, as managers, have to act for a whole
body, and if in the exercise of our duty we offend,
I assure you it is with the greatest regret; but
every one present must allow that we have a duty to
perform, and if in our anxiety to protect the funds of
the association, parties are put to any inconvenience,'
or we are driven to the necessity of taking extreme mea-
sures, the fault is theirs and not ours. We do not pro-
ceed hastily, but only after:repeated applications, which
are often totally disregarded.—(Hear.) I think it
very necessary to make these observations on a point
of so much importance.—(Hear.) You have heard
that we intend to propose an increase in the number of
annuitants. We feel that we can safely do this,
otherwise we should not have thought of bringing
such a proposition before you.—(Hear.) We feel
that while we have funds and there are parties in need
we ought not to withhold them. However, as we have
lost one widow during the year, there will in reality
be only an increase of two annuitants. Now, we think
we may safely make that increase, and hope the proposi-
tion will receive the general approbation ofthe meeting.
As regards the situation book, which is kept in
the office, I would obsers e that it has not been alluded
to in the report, but on these occasions I always think
it necessary to bring the subject before the meeting.
During the past year the managers have adopted a
new mode of endeavouring to make this more use-
ful, by sending a circular to every one who adver-
tises in the Times for a clerk. It is the duty of one in
the office to search the advertising columns of the Times
every morning, and when he finds any parties who are
in want of clerks, to send them a circular, together
with a prospectus ; and thus, besides doing a service
to individual members, we at the same time extend
a knowledge of the benefits of the society.—(Hear.)
During the last year fourteen gentlemen applied to
the office for clerks, and out of that number four
obtained situations—two at 50/. a year, one at 1201.,
and one at 1501.—(Hear, hear.) Therefore some
good has been done ; and though wecannot get situa-
tions for every one who puts his name on the books,
still we do all we can to give him an opportunity of
obtaining employment—(Cheers.) Then as regards
the gratuities, we have a record here of all that are
granted ; I will just read two or three of them,
omitting to mention names, in accordance with
our custom, observing that all the cases are
much of the same character. The first is that of a
party who neglected to pay his premium_in
_e!flse':
quence of misfortune in business. He tailed arkd
being unemployed, was dependent on a son for the
support of himself and family. The society awarded
him a gratuity of 101.—(Hear.) The next case is
that of a widow, whose husband died in October last,
' leaving her with six children, the eldest of whom was
'.. 13 years, of age. Owing to a long and expensive ill-

1851.

ness, be incurred :iabilitiek which the amount his'
policy and other effects was barely sufficient to pay.
She was obliged to dispose of the whole of het furni-
ture. We allowed her 83. a week fur 26 v. eeks.—
(dear, hear.) The next is that of a husband
who died, leaving his wife with two young children,
one three years and the other nine months old, after
a long illness of eight months. A gratuity of 51.
was given to this deserving applicant.—(l-lear, hear.)
Another case is that of a member who had the iris-
fortune to be out of empioyment, without any meanT.
of subsistence, and who carne to us to have his name.
entered in the situation book ; we gave him a gra-
tuity of .5/. To another member, who was reluc-
tantly compelled to allow his policy to lapse, owing
to great distress, we awarded a similar sum of 51.
For the assistance thus given we received the moat
grateful acknowledgments from all the partie-s. I
could go on relating a variety of cases in all of which
relief was granted, but I will content myself with
only mentioning one more, because it shows a degree of
most excellent feeling which cannot be too much ap-
plauded. A member who received Si. under such
circumstances as those I have already stated happily
obtained a situation, and afterwards returned the 51.
with many thanks to the society.—(Cheers.) I have
alluded to all these cases in order to show how im-
portant and useful that assistance is which is given at
the peculiar time when it is moat needed, because it
saves many a one from ruin ; find I could sho w by
letters we ha‘e received from them how grateful they
are, and how useful the timely assistance of the
society has been.— (Hear.) I will not detain the
meeting longer. Those points I thought it essential
to notice, because they are points which the meeting
should understand, and what I have said gives an op.
portunity to members to make any observations upon
them which may occur to their minds. In conclu-
sion, I shall be happy to answer any questions, or to
entertain any recommendations which may come from
individual members in the meeting.—(Cheers.)
In answer to a Member,
The CHAIRMAN said the question with reference
to the proposed alteration of the rules, as to the ap-
propriation of a portion of the profits in the assur-
ance department to the benevolent branch of the in-
stitution, would be maturely and deliberately consi-
dered by the board. He had gone into the subject
at some little trouble, and had consulted the trustees
upon it ; and without expressing any opinion now,
he would press upon the members that no change of
the kind referred to should take place without the
greatest possible care and deliberation.—(Hear ) He
bad, therefore, made up his mind to depre-
cate any discussion on the point to-night,
and he would appeal to the gentlemen present
to postpone what they bad to say upon ,it until the
subject was properly and regularly brought before
a general meeting, called especially for the purpme.
The MEMBER expressed himself perfectly satisfied
with the explanation of the chairman.
The report was then adopted.
Mr. Waiacet, the deputy chairman of the board,
having been called upon by the chairman, said—a
rise with peculiar satisfaction to propose a resolution
which I am certain will give you as much pleasure
as it has given the board in coming to the con-
clusion that they would be enabled to carry
out that which it directs us to do—viz.,
to grant annuities to two widows of members, and to
one distressed member.—(Cheers.) When we know
the unfortunate circumstances of those who become
involved in difficulties and distress, this is always a
pleasing task, and I am satisfied you will feel equally
pleased in cordially agreeing to the resolution.—
(Cheers.) I regret our funds are not in a more pros-
perous state, for it is just possible we may
have a greater number of applicants than we can
grant annuities to. That is one of the distressing
circumstances of this association which we are
anxious to remedy as soon as we possibly can; and
without making any allusion to the proposed altera-
tions, I hope and trust, by our united exertions and
labours, aided; by the assistance of those who
take such a warm and deep interest in the association
—I mean our excellent chairman and trustees, who
have not only promised, but given us their
most active co-operation I hope and trust
we shall place the funds of the association
in such a position as will enable us to do much
more than we have hitherto done.—(Hear, hear.)
It is, I repeat, most gratifying to come before you on
the present occasion, and make the proposition which
I now hold in my hand, because it will be the means of
alleviating the distress of those who have been placed
in a better position, and who now urgently require
the assistance of this excellent institution.
(Hear, hear.) I will not detain you by entering
into any long statement, because Mr. Jones
has already, and at length, alluded to the good
the society does, not only in granting annuities
to distressed clerks and widows of clerks, but also in
enabling clerks who are unfortunately thrown out of
situations to obtain others. But I will just mention
a circumstance which came to my knowledge to-day.
A. gentleman who was in want of a situation applied
to me, and I recommended him to call on our secre-
tary. He happened just at thetime to hear of a vacancy
in a mercantile house. Mr. Byrne gave him a letter
of introduction. He did not succeed in obtaining the
situation, but obtained another, and he came to
me a few days ago and made a proposition to
insure his life with the association—(Cheers)—
telling me that his reason for coming to the institu-
tion was, that he felt it had shown some
sympathy to him when he was anxiously looking
out for employment.--(Cheers.) This is one of the
gratifying circumstances, added to many others, con-
nected with our society.—(Cheers.) Mr. Welch con-
cluded by moving the following resolution :
" That on the 28th May next, or such other day as
the board may appoint, of which due notice shall be
given, a special general meeting be held for the purpose
of electing three additional annuitants duly qualified ac-
cording to the rules. viz.,—one clerk, being a member,
to an annuity of 254, and two widows of members to
annuities of 151. each; and in the event of no qualified
member offering himself, then to elect three widows of
members to annuities of 15/. each."

Mr. PEIcE felt great pleasure in seconding the re-
solution, and in doing so he wished to call upon the
clerks as a body to support the institution, and he felt
himself perfectly justified in doing so when he looked
at the large amount which was granted in annuities.
If the clerks did not do so he feared the day would
come when they would find that the hands of the
institution were tied. But he hoped that it never
would be so, and that the institution would be able
to meet all the demands which might be made upon
it, and hoped to see it placed in that high position to
which the exertions of their officers had been so
indefatigably directed.

The resolution was then put from the chair, and
carried unanimously.
Mr. REYNOLDS rose to move the next resolution,
which was—

"That this meeting tenders its warmest thanks to
Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P., Thomson Bankey, jun.,
Esq., W. G. Prescott, Esq., Baron L. de Rothschild,
M.P., trustees of the association, and to John Abel
Smith, Esq., M.P., treasurer of the benevolent fund, for
their continued patronage and support."
It gave him much pleasure to propose this vote of
thanks where thanks were so greatly due.—(clear,
hear.) Ills only regret was that they could not re-
ward them in the manner which would have been
most gratifying to the feelings of these gentlemen,
by showing to them a more prosperous balance-sheet.
There was one word in the resolution to which he
wished more particularly to advert, and that was that
the meeting thanked these gentlemen for their con-
tinued patronage and support. However grateful
they might feel to those gentlemen for their support
in the first instance, they were under still greater
obligations for continuing it to them so stedfastly in
spite of the indifference and apathy with which this
institution had been received by the clerks as a body.
It was an easy matter for an unpractised speaker to
get up year after year and talk on the same subject,
and say something new on each occasion, and he
himself should be disposed therefore to follow the ex-
ample of the old clergyman who had but a ligl t
stock of sermons, which he showed more pertinacity
in preaching than originality in varying, and who,
on being remonstrated with, answered, " No, no,
gentlemen, no new sermons until you practise the
old ones better." He thought, however, that the
institution had no ground for despondency, particu-
larly when he looked at the great good which it did.
The affording of temporary relief was one of its
most important objects, and he believed that no n!an
could tell of what value the relief was—in some in-
stances it was a salvation from ruin and despair. lle
trusted that no one present would relax in
his efforts,
and he addressed himself more particularlyeirtoguthihoesea
who were in a position to afford to
wasgiveto such more
their
a year to the benevolent fund ;
particularly that he appealed tosupport the institu-
tion, for they were the proper
persons by whom it
it
ought to be supported. IVith regard to poorer men
he had always said be would prefer. seeing them be-
come members of the institution by effecting a small
insurance than by subscribing a guinea. It was fur
this reason that he
addressed his observations more
particularly to them.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. FABIAN seconded the resolution, which was
carried amid loud cheering.
Baron ROTHSCBILD, in rising to return thanks, said
that he held in his hand letters from Mr. Baring and
Mr. Hankey, in which they expressed their regret
that sudden calls of business had prevented their
being present on this occasion, more particu-
larly as it was the first meeting from which either of
them had ever been absent. Under those circum-
stances it devolved upon him to return thanks for
himself and his colleagues for the resolution which
had just been carried in so cordial a manner. It gave
them all great pleasure, he could assure the meeting, to
meet the supporters of the institution year by year, and
particularly on the present occasion, as they had
three opportunities of giving away money to persons
who he was sure merited the donation. It would
have given them still greater pleasure if, instead of

;'three.,- they had thirty—(llear, hear)—but on whom
did the fault rest that it was not so ? Whether it was
the fault of th clerks themselves or of the,public, was
a question which had been so often discussed, that
he really wished he had something new to shy on
the subject.— (Hear, hear.) It seemed as if it
was of no use asking the clerks to support the
institutions. Ile thought the clerks were mere like their
masters and preferred something in the way of busi-
ness, something which brought in money, and F 0 it
-happened that the institution was not what it ought
to be. In the adjoining room to which they were
sitting there was now being held the festival of a
large charity (the German Hospital), which was
chiefly supported by citizene of London, vs hich was
aide to give away large sums of money and do great
good principally amongst forrigners, while this in-
stitution was only able to elett two an-
nuitants. Sorne pr9pot I he thought ought
to be made to alter the establishment, to
make it more of a charitable institution. If a dinner
or a ball were to be given, or some means taken to
et lect sums of money to be given away, he thought
it would meet with support from the public. He had
heard some one saying as he entered the room, that
great exertions ought to be made to increase the
amount of good which the institution was capable of
doing. If the heads of firms were to come forward
to mak+, donations to this institution tilt- sanieas they did
to other chariti,. s, he was sure it would meet v. ith batter

success than it had done for the last few years. For his
-ow-ti-part anything he could do to contribute to such
a happy result would be done with the greatest
alacrity and pleasure. In conclusion, he begged to
thank them very heartily for the manner in which
they had passed and proposed the resolution.
Mr. MAITLAND proposed the adoption of the fol-
lowing resolution
That the best thanks of the meeting arc due, and are
hereby presented, to the auditors, medical officers (both
in town and country), and to the honorary solicitors, for
their valuable services during the past year."
He thought they were much indebted to the three
classes of gentlemen mentioned in the resolution.—
(hear, hear.) With regard to the auditors "their
kindness had been great, but. he sincerely hoped' that
the trouble which they had in examining the accounts
would be increased by the increase of the accounts
themselves. To the medical officers also they were
greatly indebted, and though fortunately they had
not much occasion to trouble the honorary solicitor,
and he hoped they never would have, still whenever
they had had occasion for legal assistance it had been
afforded to them in the kindest manner.—(Hear.)
Mr. DANKAERTS briefly seconded the resolution.

The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. COLEMAN said, that in moving a resolution of
thanks to the geatlemen who constituted the board of
management, and while thanking them for the benefit
which had accrued to the association through their
instrumentality, he trusted, be might say, that the
point on which they were most indebted, and which
was entitled to their warmest thanks, was the care
which they had taken in promoting the Insurance
and Annuitants' Fund.—(Cheers.) In making this
motion, however, he would take care not to occupy
too much of the time of the meeting. He quite agreed
with the Chairman and with Mr. Jones, in the
belief that while the other objects contemplated
by the association had been greatly advanced, that had
not received sufficient consideration from the several
members of the association— (Hear, hear) —and on that
in the end, to a great extent at least, the success of
the association would mainly depend.—(Hear, hear.)
He thought that if the benefits of the society were
sufficiently made known that the several clerks in the
country would gladly respond to the appeal and con-
tribute to their funds, and thus promote the interests
of their association.—(Cheers.) He was quite sure
that they might do more, not only in this way, but in
a variety of ways. It was his belief that the clerks
employed in mercantile and professional offices,
net only in this city but in every other place in the
country, were not to any adequate extent aware
of the advantages. which a union with their associa-
tion would confer. The members themselves, be be.
lieved, were not aware of the benefits which they en-
joyed, for, if they were, they would give to their in-
stitution a more generous and hearty support.—
(Cheers.) He was grateful, as they all had reason to
be, fur the kindness shown by the board of manage•
merit in the conduct of their affairs; but he was es-
pecially grateful for the attention to the matters to
which he had particularly referred.—(Cheers.) He
believed that the members were scarcely able to
judge of the amount of assistance which had been
rendered to those who, by accident or casualty, had
been deprived of their uspal employments. If their
association was depressed it was so from the want of
this knowledge, and he trusted therefore that the in-
formation which its benefits afforded would now be more
generally understood.—(Cheers.) Ile took this no-
tice of the assurance portion of their association on
the part of the directors as an index for the future.
They all knew what an index was, and he trustsd
that that index would point to a greater support of
the institution.—(Hear, hear.) They all knew what
an index was. It had a face or phaze with marks
placed upon it, and a large hand pointing to these
marks. Between the marks there were large spaces ;
these spaces represented their fellow clerks in the
country, and he trusted, therefore, that the hand
would not be disregarded, but that their fellow-
clerks in the country would not hesitate to come for-
ward for the benefit of the association.—(Cheers.) lie
would conclude by putting the resolution, which he
trusted would be carried unanimously. The resolu-
tion was—

" That the best thanks of this meeting be presented to
the board of management for their continued exertions
on behalf of the association."

Mr. HOWELL rose most willingly to second the
motion. He responded cordially to the observations
which had been thrown out from the chair, and by
the worthy Baron, respecting the advantages to be
derived from this department. He believed that
the members of the association were not half
acquainted with them, and that, at any rate, they
ought to be mora generally understood. But the
fault lay with themselves. The clerks must them-
selves do more, and if they did, it was his decided
impression that the principals of the several firms
would readily come forward and help them.—(Hear
hear, and cheers.) He would most cordially second
the resolution.

The resolution was then passed with acclamation.
'Air. R. H. JONES rose to return thanks. He could
assure the gentlemen present that, while thanking
them for this compliment, the seat of a manager
of their society was no sinecure.—(Hear, hear.)
The board of management had always had a single
eye to the benefit of the association. He respect-
fully, on behalf of himself and colleagues, tendered
his thanks to the meeting.—(Loud cheers )
Mr. REYNOLDS wished to ask whether the altera-
tions which had been announced respecting the rules,
as stated by the Chairman, would both be considered
at one meeting.—(Hear.)
Mr. RICHARD H. JONES said that it was one of the
points of their constitution that no alteration could be
made in the laws without being submitted to a general
meeting of the members of the association. The
funds to which Mr. Reynolds alluded were under the
management of different bodies, and must neces-
sarily come under their separate consideration.—
(Hear, hear.) He would now come to the point for
which he rose. It was his pleasing task to propose
the thanks of the meeting to their honourable and
highly-respected Chairman.— (Loud cheers.) To all
the questions which had come before the board he had
always given his best attention. He was quite sure
that their Chairman would not wish him to
say a word more than was absolutely necessary
for the moving of this resolution, and
therefore he should abstain from any ex-
pressions which he should much liked to have used
on that occasion. This much he must say, that no
one could have shown greater ability or greater
kindness in the conduct of their association than their
Chairman had continually evinced, and with this
simple remark, be would move—
" That the grateful thanks of this meeting aro due,
and are hereby tendered, to John Abel smith, Esq.,
m.p., for the increasing interest taken by him in the
affairs of the association, and especially for his kindness
seconded the mo-
tion, n rreing
.siisrpsOlibtrhie present oc e a i on."
cordially
hoping that his fellow provident clerks would
sagTehrelyrerseospolutniodn was carried by acclamation to it.
The CHAIRMAN said that he thanked
them. with his
whole heart for the kind reception which they had
given to the resolution' and for that hearty expresion
of their goodwill, and begged h
to assuret them that he
equal responded to it with(Cheers.)
While making this observation,aehaorwi heartiness.—(Cheers.)
it must be
remembered that the business of the institution could
not be carried on by mere compliment—(Hear)
—and he wished to draw their attention to the ad-
vantages which were offered by it from the plan
proposed for the insurance of their lives. In
several cases of distress this' fund had been of in-
calculable benefit to many individuals. The amount
at their command was small, and ought to be
increased, but if it was increased it must be chiefly
through the instrumentality of the clerks themselves.
He agreed with Baron Rothschild that the principals
of most of the firms in London would readily come
forward to support their institution if they saw their
clerks themselves active, and it must be remembered
that if they wished others to help them they must help
themselves.--(Hear, hear.) The only cause of shame
that he ever had or could have with respect to this
association was that the members failed in their duty
in this respect.—(Hear, hear.) This was the tenth
time he had met them in that room, and he wished
particularly now to impress upon them what he had
just said. If they attended to it he was quite sure
that their association would shortly be equal to any,
perhaps second to none, of the similar institutions in
London.

The Chairman sat down amid loud cheers, and the
meeting broke up.

CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC WOOL

SALES.

The particulars of this interesting series of public
eales may, from the best information, and from personal
attention to their progress, be now summed up.
The wool offered was the last of the clip of 1849, and
the auction, which began on the 13th instant, closed on
the 26th. The quantity put up was 17,042 bales of
Colonial, and 3,738 of Foreign ; viz., 8,031 bales of
Sydney, 2,819 bales of Port Philip, 2,273 bales of Van
Dieman's Land, 390 bales of South Australian, 3,503
hetes of Cape, 10 bales of Swan River, 16 bales of New
Zealand, 373 bales of Odessa, Merino, &c., 680 bales
of Germanized and brooked-washed, 215 bales of Spanish
washed, 3,373 bales of unwashed, 665 bales of East
India, and 1,432 bales of Turkey, Egyptian, &c.
The prices obtained for the foreign were
ODESSA AND METIS.-Merino Odessa, in
classes. Is. 3d. to 25.; superior, 2s. 2d.; Metis, Is. 2d. to
Is. Bd.; superior, Is. 10d.
BROOK-WASHED AND GERMANIZED.-Brook-washed,
Is. to Is. 2d., part withdrawn ; Germanized, is. 20. to
19. 6d.; superior, Is. 7d.
SPANISH.-R. F. and S. round, ls. 60. to Is. 80.;
A., ls. sd. to Is. eil.
SPANISH IN GREASE.-Fleece, middle quality, 50-
to 7d., mostly withdrawn; Limbs, middle quality, sd.
to 7}d., ditto ; Fleece Merino, 103.; common, 40.;
A, Bd. to 9.1.
EAST INDIA.-White, Bd. to 9d.; yellow, sd. to 7d.;
grey mixed, &c., 3d. to sd.
SUNDRIES -Turkey Douskoi, &c., partly withdrawn.
ODEssA. WooL.-For well-bred Merino, washed and
brook-washed, there was a good demand, and they sold
freely at full last Decsmb .1 prices ; some ill-bred and
in'erior quality brook-washed were less saleable.
SPANISH WOOL.-Tae quantity destined for these
sales was unprecedentedly large, about 3,000 bales, and
being of an untried description, " very greasy," buyers
had not confidence to take them unless at low speculative
prices; this becoming more manifest after the first night's
sale, the greater part, upwards of 2,000 bales, were
judiciously bought in and withheld.
Of the whole quantity, about 11,000 bales, Colonial,
eonsisted of Wools not previously in sale; the remainder
being purchases made in the various sales of last year,
and forming so much larger a proportion of the stock
on hand than had been anticipated, has, to a certain ex-
tent, proved prejudicial to theirre-sale, and the result of
the sales generally has not been so satisfactory as was
at one time expected. At the opening of the sales the
attendance of buyers was very numerous, and December
rates were fully maintained, but fur the last few days
they mustered in smaller numbers, and the prices for
nearly ail qualities, excepting Lambs' Wool, gave way
to the extent of Id. per lb., a result not surprising consi-
dering the dulness which has pervaded the manufacturing
districts the last few weeks, caused to some extent by the
mildness of the winter and the consequent reduced con-
sumption of heavy goods, and no doubt considerably
aggravated by the uncertainty as to the future, induced
by the resignation of the Ministry. The present range
of prices may be considered satisfactory both to growers
and manufacturers; and we consider the check given to
any advance in rates as calculated to be beneficial rather
than otherwise. Stocks of manufactured goods are com-
paratively small, and those of the raw material lower
than we have ever known them, more particularly of
wools of home growth.
It is probable that the receipts of the new clip from
all the ports will be earlier this year than usual; and,
with a prospect of a decided increase in production and
import of Colonial Wool, there is no reason to doubt
that there- will be an ample supply for the wants of the
year; and we trust that our market will, in consequence,
be less subjected to fluctuations than has been the case
in the past year.
The following is the amount of business transacted :-
SYDNEY.-Bales, 8,301; fleeces, Is. old. to Is. 11d.;
lambs, Is. 00. to Is. Bd.; scoured and handwashed, Is.
Id. to 2s. Id.; unwashed, 50. to 100.; locks and pieces,
63. to is. 50.; siipe and skin, 100. to Is. 7d.; black and
grey, is. I id. to is. 6d.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.-Bales, 3,446; fleeces, 63. to
ls. 6d.; lambs, is. to Is. 90.; scoured and handwashed,
103. to Is. 70.; unwashed, 6d. to 100.; locks and
pieces, 8)0.1. to Is, 20.; slipe and skin, Is. 2d. to Is. 3d.;
black and grey, eld. to Is. 24d.
PORT PHILIP AND PORTLAND BAY.-Bales, 2,819;
fleeces, Is. to Is. 90.•' lambs, Is. 3d. to is. 91.; scoured
and handwashed, Is. Id. to 23.1 d.; unwashed, 93. to I Id.;
loek3 and pieces, 6d. to Is. 60.; slipo and skin, Is. 3d.
to Is. 5d.; black and grey, 9d. to Is. Cid.
VAN I)IEMAN's LAND.-Bales, 2,273; fleeces, Is. to
Is. 10W; lambs, Is. 30. to 23.; scoured and handwashed,
_ls. 13. to Is. 80.; uuwash,d, 80. to Is. lid.; locks
and pieces, 7id. to Is, lid.; slipe and skin, Is. 2d. to Is.
53.; black and grey, ls.
SOUTH AUSTRALLAN.-Balei, 370; fleeces, Is. lid. to
Is. 50.; lambs, ls. 6d.; scoured and handwashed, Is.
20. to ls. Bd.; unwashed, 73. to 11d.; locks and pieces,
la. 23. to Is. 3id.; black and grey, 7d.
NEW ZEALAND.-Bales, 16; fleeces, Is. 4d. to ls. 40.;
lambs, ls. 3d.

SWAN RIVE R.—Bales, 10; fleeces, is. 31d. to Is. 4d.;
lambs, 15.30.. to 113.7 d.; scoured and handwashed, ls. 3d.
EAST INDlA.—Bales, 665; best white, 7id. to 9d.;
second, qd. to 7id.; inforior, 4.V1. to 6d.; very low, 3d.
to 311; yellow, 4d. to 6d.; black and grey, 3d. to 5-Id.
TOTAL BALES, 23,464—viz., Colonial 17,630; Sun-
dries, 5,834.