The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-27 00:00:00

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

A clever adaptation by Mr. John Oxenford of Le
Pont Casse was produced here! last evening under the
title of Make the Best of it. The incidents of the ori-
ginal are followed closely, and the dialogue is full of
smartness and point. Buckstone sustains the character
of the hero (originally written for Arnal), whose mar-
vellous facility for getting into scrapes gives rise to the
" fun" of tho farce with infinite humour and gusto, and
he was well supported by Miss P. Horton, Mrs. Fitzwil-
liam, and Mr. Howe. The piece was perfectly success-
ful, and was announced for repetition. It was preceded
by Hamlet, in which Mr. J. W. Wallack appeared for the
first time as the Prince of Denmark. Ilis reading of
the part was careful and elaborate, and in the picture
scene he was really fine. The success of this scene
must not, however, be ascribed solely to Mr. W. W'al-
lack; Miss Laura Addison, who personated Gertrude,
was to the full as great as he, and indeed throughout the
whole tragedy she completely vindicated her claim to be
considered one of the greatest tragic artistes of the day.
Her Gertrude is perhaps the most truthful that we have
at present on the stage.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
MRS. FANNY KEMBLE'S READINGS OF

SHAKSPERE.
Mrs. Fanny Kemble has recommenced her delightful
Shaksperian readings at the St. James's Theatre, and
fait night she read the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.
Her reading is distinguished by its truthfulness, by the
nice discrimination with which she by her intonation
marks the various shades of character. Juliet was the
part in which she first attained her fame, and in the
delineatiorrof that character she has never been approsohed.
It might naturally be supposed, therefore, that her read-
ing of the part was perfection; and, in her passionate
bursts of tenderness, we were frequently reminded of
the Fanny Kemble who was wont, night After night, to
fill Covent-garden Theatre to the ceiling. But she was
equally great in the character of the Nurse, and indeed
in every other. She was listened to with close atten-
tion, and at the conclusion the applause was enthusiastic.

1848.-
1849.-
1850-.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE

COMPANY.

Yesterday afternoon the fourth annual meeting of the
proprietors and assurers in this company was held at the
offices, 76, Cheapside; Major Stones, the chairman of the
company, presiding.
There was a very numerous attendance of proprietors.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, the report was read by Mr. Baylis, the actuary
and manager, from which we make the following ex-
tracts:—
" The direetcra feel much pleasure in again meeting
their shareholders at this their fourth annual general
meeting, and in announcing to them the continued and
successful progress of the company. The estimation in
which the valuable and important principles of this cor
poration aro held by the public, and the confidence re-
posed by them in its honour and stability, have, since
the last general meeting, been fully evinced, not only
by the increased value of the company's stock, but also
by the rapid and remarkable extension of its business.
" At that time the directors announced that the 40,000
shares, constituting the capital of the company. had
been almost wholly subscribed for; and they have now
the gratification of reporting that a few months from
that date sufficed to accomplish, without reserve, the
final issue of the shares. In the month of July last the
share list was closed,—the shares were actually disposed
of for investment, and they have ever since been ob-
tainable only at a high premium,—the amount of that
premium being, at the present moment, at or above cent.
per cent. on the amount paid per share. This the di-
rectors consider most satisfactory evidence of the sup-
port and approval of the community in behalf of the
advantages peculiar to this office.
" The list of proprietors comprises upwards of 1,400
names of parties who are qualified by their position and
influence to advance the best interests of the institution,
and whose number and respectability have never been
surpassed by the share list of any similar society.
" This great object having been achieved—the shares
having been disposed of to parties resident throughout
the towns and cities of the United Kingdom, and in the
colonies—embracing individuals in almost every rank,
profession, and condition of life—the directors anxiously,
but confidently, anticipated that a short period would
suffice to prove the soundness of their views in esta-
blishing such a numerous and comprehensive proprie-
tary. They felt assured that a large accession of pro-
fitable business could not fail to accompany the united
influence and cooperation of so many parties interested
in the success, of the same object. The result has sur-
passed their expectations. The business transacted
during the last yerir, that is, from the let of January to
the 31st of December, 1850, has nearly equalled the
amount of ad the preceding years together, as is exhi-
bited in the subi eined tabular form:—

"ffo. of New
Years. Policies effected

in each year.

69
161
293
453

Amount Amount of addi-
assured in each tional Premiums
year. in each year.

X 2,166
44,905
87,538
172,292

X s. d.
571 9 2

1,155'J 10 1
3,553 4 8
5,610 16 9

" From the above table, it appears that the number of
policies effected in the year 1850 was 453—that the
amount assured was 172,2921.; producing now premiums
to the amount of 5,6101. 16s. 9d.; while from the Ist of
January last 178 policies have been granted, creating
an annual revenue from new premiums of upwards of
1,6001. Tho total income of the company at the present
time, derived from premiums, after deducting assurances,
lapsed by death and other causes, amounts to upwards of
11,4501.; the total number of policies issued is 1,155, and
the amount assured, 354,513/.
" On reference to the balance-sheet, to the 31st of
December last, as approved and audited, which is this
day laid before you, and to which the directors refer as
part of this their report, it will be found that the losses
by death from the commencement of the company
amount in the aggregate to 6,912/. 19s. I Id., every claim
having been promptly met and satisfied, leaving a large
and increasing credit to the premium account,
" When the directors consider that—independently of
income derivable from annuities and interest on sums
advanced by way of loans by the company—the annual
income from premiums exceeds at present 11,4501. per
annum, they cannot but congratulate their shareholders
on the great and manifest progress of the company.
Yet, with this increasing income, the expenditure re-
mains nearly stationary, the great desire and determina-
tion of the directors being to enforce the utmost economy
compatible with energy and efficiency.
" It has been already stated that 178 policies have
been effected since the Ist of January last. Should the
same ratio of business bo continued throughout the year,
the directors hope, at the next annual meeting, to carry
out the principle which pervades every operation of the
company—the principle of taking care of the living—by
the announcement of a considerable increase of dividend;
but at present they recommend that the dividend for the
past year be after the usual rate of five per cent. per
annum (free from income-tax) on the paid-up capital of
the company; and such dividend is hereby declared ac-
cordingly. The directors beg to remind the share
holders that the amount of the dividend depends upon
the amount of business transacted, and that the amount
of business depends upon the shareholders, and all
parties interested in the corporation, combining their
strenuous efforts to extend the operations of the com-
pany.
" The following gentlemen retire as directors, by ro-
tation, viz.:--Thomas George Williams, Esq.; E. Ga-
maliel Winthrop, Esq.; W. Wellington Cooper, Esq.;
and Andrew Durham, Esq., and, being eligible, offer
themselves for re-election, and are recommended by the
board accordingly.
" The directors consider it advisable that the vacancy
now existing in the direction should be filled sip. Tho
Rev. Henry Hamilton, of Monkstown, near Dublin, and
of Montagu-square, London, a duly qualified share-
holder, has given the requisite notice as a candidate;
and being, by his influence and position, well qualified
to promote the interests of the institution, the directors
have much pleasure in recommending him to the share-
holders for election.

" The auditors who retire by rotation are, George
Bain, Esq., and George Evans, Esq., who, being eligible,
are recommended for re-election."

The CHAIRMAN said that from the arrangements which
had been so well made by their worthy actuary, ho found
himself so bound down by being placed at the bottom
instead of the top of the room, that he was fearful he
should forget many of the pretty things which he desired
to talk about.—(Laughter.) He was reminded of the
advice of an eastern writer," Go to Bukhara, eat me-
lons, and die."—(Laughter.) The application of which
was this—that atter having read this full and very sa-
tisfactory report, and atter moving its adoption, he
should not say a single word more, and, perhaps, it
would be wise on his part to follow this course; but he
felt he must have a little chat on plain facts and figures.
Last year he was too ill to say a word to anybody; on
the present occasion he felt they were deprived, in a
great degree, of anything they might have to say as
to the infancy of this institution. It had attained a
goodly growth. Their vessel had been happily and
skilfully steered by an able pilot out of the
bay of difficulty, and there the institution stood like
a sturdy boy, but more like a boy of fourteen rather
than of four years of age. He did not think they
could possibly have arrived at a greater degree of
prosperity. His old friend Mr. Baylis had been used to
dangle the baby, and could now scarcely recognise the
child of his adoption. Nay, he called out (seeing the
marvellous growth of the infant) with Dominic Sampson,
"Prodigious!"—(Loud laughter)—and he (the Chair-
man) hoped the meeting would respond to that aspira-
tion. But really, in a rational point of view, their pro-
gress had been " prodigious." The youth had been
fostered even by old offices, who were always jealous of
now ones which came to vie with them. He found by
the report that " the list of proprietors comprises up-
wards of 1,400 names of parties who are qualified by
their position and influence to advance the best interests
of the institution, and whose numbers and respectability
have never been surpassed by the share list of
simi-
lar
any
society." To the number and respectability of the
proprietors he could not possibly object, or to their being
qualified from their position and influence to advance
the best interests of the institution. He knew all this
was true; but he objected to that paragraph,
.because
it
year effected
epffraecisteedw4hse3renhifadthine
.thelast
ietw waspolicies, n o t d ew.
share-
holders or body of the proprietors had done their duty
to the extent the oirectors had, and each had brought
whereas if
three policies, they would have effected upwards of 1,400
policies instead of 453. They would then have had
4,000 or 5,000 policies. He hoped these remarks would
not be entirely lost on the
,meeting.—(llear.) He did
not wish any proprietor to go home with his tail between
his legs—(Laughter)—but he hoped that each man would
say I have not done my duty," and that instead of
bringing in the next year three policies to the office,
they would bring three times three. Again, the report
very properly stated that the directors relied upon the
zealous support of the body of proprietors, &c., and this
point he urged upon the meeting. There was every in-
centive to individual exertion in this society. After
some further remarks the gallant officer concluded by
moving the adoption of the report.
Mr. MITCHELL seconded the motion.
Mr. COLBORNE, of Poole, expressed his gratitude to
the directors for the admirable manner in which they
had conducted the business of the institution.—(Hear.)
Mr. WILLIAM HESELTINE said this was indeed a proud
day. They had watched the progress of the society
with almost maternal solicitude. Its power wan now
more maturely developed, and ho congratulated the pro-
prietors on the accomplishment of the object which they
all had in view. He congratulated them on the complete
success—the undeniable success of the peculiar principles
which they had adopted. The result of their early
efforts had proved that they had indulged in no Utopian
schemes, Four years only had elapsed since the
formation of
this society, which was commenced
at a peculiarly inauspicious period commercial
distress prevailed on every side, and yet, in the midst of
every discouragement, the directors pursued their on-
ward course, and the pertinacity with which they clung
to their principles was attributable to the confidence
which they had in the high talent and experience of their
respected actuary.—(llear, hear.) That which they
had predicated had, to, a certain extent, come to pass.
Nay, he would leave teeir case to their enemies, for ho
was happy to say thee- were not without them—because
that wes a distinctive character of success.—(Cheers.)
Ho would refer their enemies to the list of proprietors.
—(Cheers.) Did not the circumstance of their having
1,400 proprietors offer an irrefragable proof that they
had struck deep root in English society? Ilad they not
brought together those classes which constituted the
main stay of a nation's. prosperity—namely, those con-
cerned in professional lite, the middling classes, the
tradesmen, end last, though not the least important
class, the clerks in public companies and private esta-
blishments in the metropolis and elsewhere? He might
also mention another class of men. There was a body
of men in this city whose habits qualified them in a

peculiar degree to test the validity of the claims of any
company which might be put forth—namely, the gen-
tlemen of the Stock Exchange. They had had addi•
tiuns from that body, and he spoke advisedly when he
stated that there were many more who were about to
join them.—(Applause.) Ile urged every proprietor to
use increased exertions to promote the welfare of this
prosperous society. If these were days of advance and
progress, unless they advanced with the spirit of the
times they only retrograded.
Mr. T. TAYLOR suggested that with reference to the
balance-sheet the proprietors ought to have placed before
them a balance-sheet for 1850.
Mr. BAYLIS (the actuary) said there was no hesitation
or indisposition to show everything; but it was not for
him to present an unaudited account.
Mr. TAYLOR alluded to the item for advertisements.
Ho knew that of necessity an immense expense must be
incurred under that head, and the item of 2,000/. or
3,0001. extended over a term of years, and he should not
like to see the society not keeping pace with other offices
in this respect. At the same time he thought there was
room for economy.
Mr. T. WILLIAMS, jun., objected to the suggestion of
printing the balance-sheet with the report, on the ground
of the expense.
The CHAIRMAN explained. As to the printing and
publication of the balance-sheet with the report, it would
entail great expense on the society; but he hoped that
any gentleman who required information on any point,
would always refer to their excellent friend Mr. Baylis,
who would at all times be most happy to give it.—
(Hear, hear.) As to the item of commission, it was
paid only on actual business done. In reference to the
charge for advertisements, he had heard of an office
which had expended 16000/. under this head.
Mr. WALTON, of Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope,
expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the
business of this society had been conducted; but as
agent for the society at the Cape of Good Hope, he
begged especially to congratulate them on their success
in that colony. They had had there to compete with
local officers and agents for London companies, who,
however, had done very little. But he had to inform
the shareholders (who might not know the difficulties
they had to contend with at the Cape) that out of 1,000
shares they had sold 650—(Applause)—in the short
space of thirteen months, and they had effected insur-
ances to the amount of many thousands, and they had
more Dutchmen than Englishmen—though the former
were very cautious—thus indicating the estimation in
which this office was held.
The CHAIRMAN then put the question, that the report
be adopted, which was carried unanimously.
The directors who retired by re tation—namely,
Messrs. Thomas George Williams, E. Gamaliel Win-
throp, and Mr. Wellington Cooper, were severally
elected and returned thanks. The liev.Henry Hamilton,
of Monkatonn, near Dublin, and of Montagu-square,
London, was elected to the vacant directorship.
MT. GEORGE BERMINGHAM moved that the fee or
allowance to the directors for their attendance be in.
creased from one to two guineas, looking to the length
of time that each sitting consumed, and the professional
character of most of the directors.
Mr. THOMAS TAYLOR seconded the motion.
Mr. COLBORNE, of Poole, supported the proposition.
Mr. P.onerer GLADDING opposed the increase of the
allowance to the directors, and after some discussion he
moved as an amendment, that, in the present circum-
stances of the company, it was inexpedient to increase
the allowance to the directors for the present, and that,
therefore, such increase of allowance be deferred.
Mr. THOMAS J. WILLIAMS, jun., seronded the amend-
ment; but on a show of elands the numbers were—For
the amendment, 19; against it, 36; majority against the
amendment, 17.
The original motion was then put,when there appeared
—For the original enoti,m, 38; against it, 15; majority
for the original motion, 23.
Messrs. George Baiu and George Evans were seve-
rally re-elected auditors; and on the motion of Mr. Tay-
lor, seconded by Mr. Crockett, the allowances to those
gentlemen for their services in the past year were raised
from 40 guineas to 50 guineas, there being only one dis-
sentient voice against the proposition.
lir. BAYLIS addressed the meeting at great length on
the past success and future prospects of the society, and
urged iu eloquent terms the principles on which this so-
ciety proceeded—principles which were eminently calcu-
lated to insure an inconceivable amount of benefit to
their fellow-men. One great leading principle on which
the office proceeded was to take care of the living. The
speech was replete with the most interesting facts, which
our limits do not allow us to give in detail.
Votes of thanks wore voted to the medical officers and
to the solicitor of the company, on whose behalf Dr.
Barker, Mr. W. White Cooper, and Mr. Edward M.
Elderton severally returned thanks.
A vote of thanks having been proposed to Mr. Baylis,
the actuary,
Mr. GLADDING begged to know whether it was the
fact that their actuary had formed or originated another
society (the Trafalgar), and was the consulting actuary
of that society at that moment?
Mr. BAYLIS said it was his pride and his glory to be
the consulting actuary of that society—(Cheers)—which
was calculated to render so much service to his fellow-
men. He certainly was not to be debarred from those
facilities which attached, and were always conceded, to
men of his profession. He was delighted to have the
opportunity of answering the question.
The vote of thanks was carried unanimously.
Thanks were voted to the Chairman, who acknow-
ledged the compliment, and the meeting separated, after
a sitting of more than three hours and a half.

BOILER EXPLOSION at MANCHESTER.
The shocking catastrophe at Manchester, on Tuesday
afternoon, by the bursting of a steam-engine boiler, of
which a brief description was given in The Sun of yes-
terday, has resulted, so far as could be ascertained up to
last evening, in the loss of nine lives, besides seven per-
sons being seriously injured. The building destroyed
by the explosion was about forty yards long, bounded
on the east side by North-street, on the west by Riga-
street, with Mayes-street at the north end, and other
buildings close adjoining it to the south. The premises
belonged to Messrs. Hardman, Price, and Sons, calico-
printers, and were let by them to Mr. Thomas William-
son, sawyer by steam power, who occupied a portion of
the lower part of the building, and sublet the remaining
portions of the first and three other floors above to other
parties. Mr. George Parker occupied part of the lower
story, and had a wallowing machine for cotton waste
there. Mr. John Lester, wood-turner, occupied part of
the second story, employing about twenty hands; and
Mr. Percival, rule-maker, Lower Mosley-street, occupied
a part of this story. Mr. Melloy, who bad eight work-
people, occupied pert of the third story, and the upper
part of the building was unoccupied. About three
or four men and women were in Mr. Parker's room
at the time of the explosion, and four men were
in the engine-house, but it is not known
how many were in the saw-mill. As stated yester-
day, the engine bad been stopped for repairs after din-
ner, and had not been started at three o'clock, when
the boiler burst. A man named Thomas Lambert, who
had been promised work by Mr. Williamson, states that
he went into the engine-house a little before three
o'clock, and found three men there, who were grumbling
that the engine could not be started. They had been
lifting at the fly-wheel—the engine having stopped
when the crank attached to the wheel was at the bottom
—with a view to assisting the steam-power by giving the
first impulse, but had not succeeded. He lent them as-
sistance, and while all four were lifting at the wheel the
boiler, which stood in a yard close adjoining that part
of the building, burst and brought down the whole of the
three upper stories of the mill upon the lower one, to-
gether with a tall chimney at the north end. A part of
the boiler forced its way through the wall and chimney
at the north end, and destroyed a large stable on the
opposite side of .Maves-street, besides breaking the win-
dows of the Wilton -Arms Inn, adjoining the stables, and
otherwise damaging the front of that house. Lambert
found his way into Mayes-street without knowing bow,
without injury, though his eEcape from the falling ruins
seems miraculous. Egerton, the engine-driver, who was
in the engine-house at the time, also escaped. Such of
the workpeople as escaped, and numerous other persons
who soon collected round the heap of ruins, rushed
upon the top, as soon as the dust began to clear away,
and liberated all the people who could be found, in-
cluding Mr. Melloy, one of the tenants of the building.
A more regular search then commenced by the fire-
police and labourers employed to assist them, which was
continued till 12 o'clock on Tuesday night, and was re-
sumed at five o'clock yesterday morning. Not half the
ruins, however:, had been removed up to five o'clock last
evening, though it was believed all the bodies (or all but
one of them) had been recovered.
The following are the names of the dead whose bodies
have been found:—
ed
Timothy O'Neal, ag 14 years, 10, Osborne-street.
Elizabeth Brownan, aged 23, 67 Bennett-street. Em-
ployed to pick cotton waste for Mr. Parker.
Mary Ann Dunn, aged 9 years, 11, Hanover-street.
A child who was not employed in the mill, but was in
Mayes-street when it fell.
William Fender, aged 12, Ludlow's-court, Ludlow-
hill, wood-turner.
James Briery, 2, Worthington's-court, Bengal-street,
much scalded, and bruised about the head.
William Whiteley, aged 30, wood-turner.
Daniel M`Cloud, aged 40, wood-turner.
John Holmes, wood-turner.
The bodies of the three men last-named were not reco-
vered from the ruins until twelve o'clock yesterday.
The following is a list of the wounded,at present lying
at the Manchester Royal Infirmary:—
Richard Webster, aged 50, labourer, in the employ of
Mr. Williamson.
Thomas Dimsdale, aged 35, a drover, frcm East Witham,
who was passing the building when the explosion took
place.
John Cross, aged 30, No. 3, Frederick-street.
John Parry, aged 45, Bengal-street, an engraver, in
the employ of Mr. Melloy ; badly.injured about the chest,
and not likely to recover.
Daniel Harrison, Brook-street.
John Holland, 14 years, 95, Back Osborne-street.
James Field, aged 51, wood-turner, :2, Bedford-street.
These make eight killed and seven wouaded by this
shocking accident, and it is expected that the body of a
boy named Fender is still in the ruins,
The inquest commenced yesterday afternoon, before
Mr. Herford, coroner for the borough, and evidence in
identification of the dead bodies was being taken when
our report left. The engine-driver, V was in cus-
tody, and it is expected that it will be shown that be was
intoxicated when the boiler burst. Whether any evi-
dence throwing light on the cause of the boiler bursting
will be adduced is not known.

POLITICAL CHIVALRY.—A. newspaper, that Advo-
cates unreasonable bread, calls Lord Stanley "the noble and
chivalrous leader of the Country party." Chivalrous comes
from cheral, a horse. What Lord Stanley has to do with a
horse, in a political sense, we do not know, except in as far
as, without disrespect, he may be called a clever jockey. As
for Protection, it is merely 1114 hobby,—Punch.