The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

of some return upon the capital invested in shares in that
undertaking, and promotes the formation of the Taw
Vale Railway by an independent company, whereby the
noth of Devon will be supplied with railway accommo-.
dation in immediate connexion with your main line.
Your directors have received memorials from
several parties, calling upon this company to
proceed with the construction of the Durston
and Yeovil branch ; and though it is not at present
easy to foretel the exact period when such a step
may be absolutely necessary, yet it cannot be denied that
there are various elements in the question which point
to an early decision, or at least to the desirableness of
your directors being authorised to ascertain with preci-
sion what the construction of the remaining thirteen
miles would cost. The magnitude of the sum already,
expended, and the certainty that by incurring a. com-
paratively moderate outlay it may be made in some de-
gree productive, would, even if there were no other sub-
stantial reasons, render this subject deserving of your
most serious consideration; and if you concur in these
views, your directors would suggest the propriety of
your passing a resolution expressive of your approval of
their taking measures for completing this tivatich, when-
ever the interests of the compary may require it. The
balances now in the bankers' hands, which, including
the amount received for deposits and anticipations on
account of Perpetual Four per Cent. Preference Shares,
amount to 78,6331. Bs. 4d., will be required for paying
off the loan notes falling due on the 21st of March, for
discharging other liabilities, and to provide forthe divi-
dend. The greater part of this sum is bearing interest.
The arrears on ail shares, including those belonging to
this company, and the forfeited shares, areenow reduced
to about 25,9001., nearly 10,0001. having been paid np
since August last; and there is reason to expect that
a further considerable reduction will shortly take place."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said he had been frequently called upon to address the
shareholders of that company, but he had never' addressed
them with greater pleasure than upon that occasion.
They had never on any previous half-year seen so large
an amount of return, and although a considerable por-
tion of that sum he must acknowledge was derived from
the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of last
year, still the receipts were very satisfactory, and he
might also affirm that the prospects of-the future were
most gratifying. Probably some objections might be
raised as to the reserve fund which the directors pro-
posed to set aside. For his own part he thought the
sum extremely moderate, for, in fact, there existed no
necessity for a reserve fund at all.—(Sear, hear.) The
directors would be too happy to give the proprietors a
dividend of a little higher rate, but it would be absurd
in any body of gentlemea to do so, if by proposing such
a resolution they endangered the welfare of a large
company. In reference to the dividend, he was of the
same opinion as Mr. Glyn, of the London and North-
Western Company, that a reserve of adequate amount
was the best security of an average dividend being main-
tained. After some further observations the chairman
moved the usual formal resolution adopting the report
and accounts. _ _

The resolution having been seconded, •
Major GODFREY, in a speech of some length. moved
an amendment to the effect that a dividend of 21. instead
of 11. 16s. be declared, his avowed object being to abolish
the reserve fund.
Mr. LUXMORE seconded the amendment, which was
put, and lost by a large majority; and
The original resolution was carried almost unani-
mously.
In answer to questions,
The-Cmantatax said that the estimated expense of
completing the Yeovil and Dorchester line was about
100,000/. In explanation of that paragraph in the re-
port which refers to the payment of the loan-notes and
debentures, and other liabilities of the company, the
Chairman stated that for this purpose a sum of 60,0001.
represented by 16,000 shares, would be issued, of which
he was at liberty to state that 21,0001. had been already
paid. •
The resolutions authorising these arrangements were
then pot and carried, and the meeting was then made
special, and a resolution for the purpose of securing Par-
liamentary sanction to the financial arrangements deter-
mined upon by the recent special meeting was put and
carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman and directors closed
the business of the day.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. •
Lessee and Manager, Mr, James And son. -
THIS EVENING,
Will be presented. by her Majesty's Si:Tanta
The Petite ComedY entitled •
THE LADY AND TIE DEVIL.
Willlove, Mr. J. Anderson ; Jeremy, Mr, Walter Lacy.; Slgtior
Rafael, Mr. J. NV. Ray; Clan/Ilan, Mr. H. Butler ; Zopbyrina, Mrs.
Nlsbett ; Negambo, Mrs. Griffiths.
Atter which, a new grind Operatic Spectacle; entitled- AZUSL,
THE PRODIGAL. Bettben,.2,lr. Vatrienhoff ;.-Azael,.Nr. J. Ander--
son Ameriophis, Mr. Emery ; Bucharis, Mr. Cooper; Settles. Mr.
Rafter ; Jephtele, Miss r. Vining,;'Vette, Mrs. Walter Lacy ; Lia,
Madlle. Victorine Le rain (Premier Sujet do Opera de Paris), who
has. been expressly engaged .for the • occasion, and will make her
appearance every evening. •
SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY, INCIDENTS, &c.
• ACT I. • -
INTERIOR of REUBEN'S TEN!,
Opening at the Back to the Distant DesdrtlSunset.
The. Travellers—the Evening Repast—the Gift—Departure of Azael
with the Caravan for Meniphis.
• Camels of the Desert'
Acv 11.. I
The GREAT SQUARE of MEM,PIIIS.
.
Arrival of Azael.
Sacred Procession of Apis. The Offerings. • '
Lia, and Troop of Aimee&
Grand Pas de Vascination by Madile. Victorine Legrain. •
:he ensemble by Madame Louise, Maddles. Falser, Julie, and

Coryphees.
le Gamester—False Diee—Azaers Prodigality—the. Love Token

VIEW near MEMPHIS.
Reuben in search of his Son—the False Frier*.
• Interior of the TEMPLE of ISIS.
Orgie.
Grand Pas de Peignards by the Corypheea.

AZael recovers the stolen Scarf—the Secret Spring—Azael surprised
in the Sacred Temple—the " Human Victim."
The Doom of the Prodigal.
ACT III:
TEN' of NEMROUD, the Camel Driver.
rrival of Travellers—Degradation of the Prodigal—the Slave—the
• False Friend—the Gilt Restored—DeSpair of the Prodigal.
The Dream.
The VALE of AZA EL'S BIRTH.
The Harvest Festival—Azael mourned as Dead—Return of the

Prodigal.
Appearance of the Spirit of the Desert.
To conclude with THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER.

tt.Na ritE
Mr. B. Webster, *de Lessee and Manager, Old Brampton.
THIS JIVENING,

Will be performed a r.ew and original Comedy, called PRE-
SENTED AT COURT. Charles the Second, Mr. Stuart ; Captain
Montague, Mr Howe ; Rochester, Mr. Davenport ; 'Marquis de Fla-
mer, Mr. Selby ; Geoffrey, Mr. Buckst,.ne ; Anne Franklyn, Miss
Reynolds, Miss Middleton, Miss A. Vining.
To be followed by a new and original comic drama, called GOOD
FOR NOTHING. Tom Dibbles, Mr. Buckstone ; Harry Collier,
Mr. Howe ; Young Mr. Simpson, Mr. Clara ; Nan, Mrs. Fitzwilliarn.
To conclude with the Nautical Drama of BLACK-EYED SUSAN.
William, Mr. Davenport; Admiral, Mr. Rogers; Cat tain Crosstree,
Mr. Parsee ; Gnatbrain, Mr. Buckstone ; Jacob Twig, Mr. H. Bed
ford ; Susan, Miss A. Vining.

THIUTHE KUYAL, ADELPHI.
Under the direction of Madame Celeste.
THIS EVE.N.M-4,

Will be performed an entirely new grand Drama, 3 acts, entitled
13ELPIIEGOR THE MOUNTEBANK ; or, The Pride of Birth.
Doke de Montbazon, Mr. Hughes ; Count de St. Cyr, Mr. Boyce ;
the Chevalier de Boise, Mr. 0. Smith ; Guillaume, surnamed Bel-
phegor, Mr. B. Webster; Ajax, alias Mr. Merryman, Mr. Wright ;
Captain Pufferes, Mr. Worrell ; Mxdeliene, Madame Celeste ; tilni
Flora Aphrodite Stilz, Miss Woolgar.
After which a new F,,!rce called THE SCHOOL FOR TIGERS ;
or, The Shilling Hop. Captain Kitatlyer, Mr. Boyce; Major Stiff,
)dr. Freeborn : Sir. Panels, Mr. Wri-.;ht : Alexander Panels, Miss
Chaplin ; Mr. Firkins, Mr. C. J. Smith ; Tom Crop, Miss Woolgar.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. C.'Kear. and Mr. Keel.ef.

'f HIS EVENING.
Will be performed THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Shylock,
31r. C. Kean Portia, Miss Phillips.
After vflOcir a new Conde Chrism-laq Pantomime, called ALONZO
71!E BRAVE AND THE FAIR IMOGENE ; or, HarleguLn and the
Baron all covered with Jewels and Gold. Clown, Mr.. Flexmore ;
garlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; and Columbine,
Mlss Carlotta Le Clercq.

ROYAL LYCLLAI THEATI3E.
Under the Alanali;ement of Maclanae Vestra.
Sole Lessee, Mr. Charles Mathew%
THIS EVENING,
Will be performed

A ROMANTIC IDEA.
After which an entirely new and original Fairy Extravaganza,
to be called RING CHARMING ; or, the Blue Bird of Paradise.
Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, Hoznnastle, Suter,
BeLlingham, and Horner; Madame Vestris, Mrs. Frank Matthews,
Mos Ellis, Mrs. C. Horn, Miss St. George, and Miss Martindale.
To conclude with
THE RINGDOVES, in which Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews,
Basil Baker. Mrs. F. Matthews, and Miss M. Oliver will appear.