The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-18 00:00:00

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. station at Cambridge and of the company's servants
A special general meeting of the Eastern Counties free of cost. That point was also comeeded by
Railway was held yesterday, at the London Tavern, the committee. No .v, it would be perceived
for the purpose of considering, and it approved of, to from the report be-'ere the meeting, that if under
authorise the directors to carry into full effect, an agree- the traffic arrangements the line did not make
tient with the Newmarket Railway Company, for the 3 per cent., then that a sum not exceeding 5.000/. should
working by this company of their railway in conjunc- be appropriated to make the dividends equal to thWt
tion with that of the Newmarket Company; and amount. The conctesions which were made were no
also to consider, and if approved of, to authorise doubt of an important character,
but they would
the directors to carry into effect an agreement take no revenue out of the Eastern Counties
with the Eastern Union company for the construction of Company.—(Hear, heir.) His impression was, that
the branch line of railway from Manningsree to Harwich. with this new tragic arraegement with the New-
Mr. David Waddington, Chairman of the Board of Di-
market Company, the Eastern Counties Company
•
in two
rectors, in the chair.
or three years would not i ave occasion to oontribdte the
The advertisement convening the meeting having been 5,000/., but, on the contrary, that the payment of 5,0001.
• read by Mr. C. P. Roney, the Secretary, would entirely cease.—(Hear, hear.) It was etie
The CHAIRMAN said it was not his intention to offer Pulatet in the event of the line paying more
any remarks previous to the conclusion of the special than 3 per cent. per annum, that the Eastern Counties
business of the meeting. At its close he would address Company should receive all the stlf plus over and above
a few observations to them with reference to the past that amount. The Great Northern Company had fought
policy and present !position of the company, and the and defeated the Eastern Counties Company in Parlia-
course which that' ought to pursue in future. He did meta, on the ground that they would give the most direct
not wish to excite any feeling which would draw the
mind of the meeting from the special business before it, hadcommunicationturnedi
r ton
tt
theennt
ioornt ht
oe r p n
makingarts ol
lateral
t erai England, and
branches theywith
and he would therefore resume his seat with callin the East Anglian district, thus showing what they would
upon Captain Kelly to read the report of the committee do, supposing they had power to extend their influence
of shareholders, in that direction. The committee, therefore, felt it of great
Captain KELLY RN., previous to reading the rep opt
importance to protect their property to the right of Shop-
,
directed the attention of the meeting to a map
reth,and they stipulated that they should have control over
line which was annexed to it, and strongly recommended
the arrival and departure of all trains coming to the stations
of the
of the litastern Counties line, in order to prevent the New-
the .plan for making the branch to Harwich and
extend-
ing the line from Newmarket to Thetford, and concluded market and Chesterford Company working their trains
by moving the adoption of the report, which was as in harmony with the Great Northern Company. In
making this stipulation they were met in a most liberal
follows:
and fair way. He felt that the arrangement he
"Your committee have to report that the negotiations
had mentioned was equitable and just to all
with the Newmarket Company, alluded to in their sup- had
; and that it was of vital importance
ptoetehj, protection and value of their property that the
plemental report adopted by the special general meeting
held on the 18th ultimo, have resulted in the provisional
arrangement of the terms of a working et i. should now sanction it. He hoped it would be
adopted. to-ddy, so that the directors might h
pomwerr
CHRISTEY
to carry it into effect.
agreement be-
are the
tween the two companies, based, in the opinion of your
. would only make a few observations.
committee, upon a due consideration fur the common in-
terests of them both, The Merits of the Newmarket scheme had already been
" The terms so arranged, subject to your approval,
discussed. at very great length, and it had been found
have been referred to the solicitors of the company, to be
by them embodied in a formal agreement, for execution that it would scarcely pay one train a day. Since its
by the two companies reap construction it had been admitted by those who made it
by the New- to have been a mistake; but being made, the question for
"A sketch ma of the country occupiedpectively.
, tkemto consider was, what was the best to be done with
'market Company, in respect of. lines made and. unmade
exhibiting their connexion with the other lines of the it? He agreed that peace with all companies was highly
district, accompanies this report; a study of which will desirable, but this proposed bargain was a bad and dear
illustrate the importance of securing a position which, in one; and, before they proceeded farther, they ought to
company, might be used as be in possession of its terms. The shares of the New-
the command of a competing
the basis of operations seriously detrimental to Eastern market and Chesterford were quoted to-day at 9/., and
he inferred from that fact that there must be something
Counties' interests.
"Indeed, the main object of your committee in recom- in this bargain highly advantageous for that company.
mending the arrangement, is to prevent the diversion of A SHAREHOLDER—Why, a call of 2L 10s. has been
traffic from the lines of the Eastern Counties Company paid since—that's the reason of the rise.
by intrusion on the part of other companies having com- Mr. CHRISTEY thought this company bad nothing to
peeing, if not hostile, interests; care being taken that fear from the Great Northern, and he strongly advised
the desired protection be obtained upon terms at once the shareholders not to sanction any unwise competition.
prudent for the Eastern Counties Company to concede, Mr. BROWN said the value of this bargain was not to
and satisfactory to the Newmarket Company to accept, be narrowed into a mere pounds, shillings, and pence
and calculated, in their practical operation, to „timer" question. He looked upon this bargain as a most im-
the pecuniary interests of both companies, and to main- portant one, and he should give it his decided support.
tain between them constant goodwill and mutual co- Mr. Box admitted that originally the Newmarket line
operation. had been unprofitable, but it should not be forgotten that
"The entire arrangement is based upon the condition directly the extension was made to Cambridge it would
of the speedy completion and opening of their line to assume a very different aspect. One advantage of this
Cambridge by the Newmarket Company, from the date bargain would be to secure to them what they bad now
of which event the proposed agreement will come into in their possession, as well as to avert unwholesome
operation, and not before, competition, and as other companies would step
" The principal financial feature in the arrangement, in and seize the line if they did not secure it to-day, he
is the obligation to be assumed by the Eastern Counties did hope the recommendation of the committee would be
Company to pay to the Newmarket Company such a adopted; then all the lines would be under one system
sum as shill, with the amount of their own net earnings, and a uniform management, which was a consummation
be . sufficient to pay a dividend equal to 3 per cent. devoutly to be wished.—(Herr, hear.)
:Per annum on the amount of their share capital (stated Mr. HELPS objected to the creation of any new
at 350,0001, or thereabouts)—wish this limitation, that in guaranteed stock. He would rather that the amount
no event shall the Eastern Counties Company be called should depend upon the dividend payable to the Eastern
upon to pay a larger sum than .5,0001. in any one year. Counties Company, making a proviso that the sum pay-
"ln reference to this part of the proposed arrange- able should Lever exceed 5 per ceat upon that dividend,
nen flour committee observe, that the deputation from The CHAIRMAN did not think it prudent to re-open
deNewmarket Company, in an early stage of the ne- the Newmarket agreement. No doubt in principle
•gociatione, stated that they estimated the value of their Mr. Helps was right, but still f m the sake of peace
Ices to be equal to three per cent. per annum on the and unanimity, it was highly desirable that 'the agree-
•share capital, and, at the request of your committee, ment should be confirmed to-day. Mr. Chriatey had told
furnished statements of the amount of their share capi- them this was a dear and a bad bargain, but he gave no
tal, and of their. debenture debt, and also, calculations reasons for that opinion, except that the shares of the
showing the grounds on which they so estimated their Newmarket had gone up in price, and he, therefore,
property. trusted the meeting would not be influenced by that gen-
" Upon a careful consideration of the facts and esti- tleman's logic. He contended that the protection which
mates thus submitted to your committee, and having this bargain would give them was cheaply bought.
. especial regard to the importance of the situation occu- Mr. JONES said he missed the name of Mr. M•Lauren
pied by the Newmarket property, which they cannot from the report, and he wished to know if that gentle-
but look upon as the key of a defensive position of man objected to it.
great value to
.the Eastern Counties Company; and The CHAIRMAN was not aware that he did.
also in consideration of the improvement which must Mr. WILSON had listened most attentively to the
necessarily take place in the earnings of the New- speech of the Chairman, anti it appeared to him that all
market Company, by the opening of their line to the data this bargain rested upon was prophecies and
Cambridem, which will have the effect of extending anticipations of what the Newmarket line would ultimately
their traffic to Ely over the Eastern Counties produce. Now he was au old shareholder, and ho had
line, and of increasing it to Chesterford, vid Cambridge, always found that similar anticipations ultimately turned
your committee came to the conclusion that it was expe- out to be splendid fallacies. He meant nothing per-
dient to admit the estimate of 3 per cent. as the basis of sonal, but he regarded everything that came from Mr.
the financial part of the proposed agreement, suhject to Waddington with great suspicion.—(Cries of " Order,
the limitation at 5,0001. as a maximum possible payment order !" .` Shame, shame !")
by the Eastern Counties Company. The meeting appearing to be averse to listening any
"At the same time, your cemmittee stipulated for an longer to Mr. Wilson,
option being reserved to the Eastern Counties Company The CHAIRMAN put it to Mr. Wilson whether it was
of the right to purchase the whole undertaking at twenty right to persist in speaking when the meeting would
years' purchase, on their guaranteeing to the Newmarket not hear him.
Company a dividend of three per cent. per annum on their Mr. Wetmore thought it was; but the meeting would
share capital, being at the rate of 15/. per share for each not hear him, nevertheless, and he was ultimately com-
• paid-up share of 251 each. This stipulation has been pelled to resume his seat.
agreed to by the Newmarket deputation. Mr. NORRIS recommended the meeting not to waste
" The working details of the agreement your com- time upon the past, but to confine its attention to this
mittee would leave to be settled by your board of di- bargain. His advice then was to sanction it, and throw
rectors as your responsible executive. its responsibility upon those who had concluded it.
" With these observations your committee recommend Mr. ROBERTSON wished to know what the terms were?
the adoption of the proposed terms, and that they be re- The CHAIRMAN said they were to work the line with-
ferred to the beard of directors, to carry the same into out loss to themselves.
effect. The amendment was then put and negatived.
" Acting upon the powers granted to them, your com- Mr. HELPS then moved as an amendment that it be an
mittee received a deputation from a publicly convened instruction to the committee to make a proviso that the
meeting of proprietors of the East Anglian Company, held guarantee payable to the Newmarket Company should
at Manchester, from whom they learned that the pend- never exceed 5 per cent. of the Eastern Counties
ing agreement between that company and the Great dividend.
Northern Company is still in abeyance. This amendment, having 'been seconded, was put to
" The deputation expressed a desire for a working ar- the vote and negatived.
rangement with the Eastern Counties Company, in pre- The original resolution was then put, and carried al-
ference to that proposed with the Great Northern Corn- most unanimously, only two or three hands being held
patty: when, after giving the matter due consideration, up against it.
your committee came to the conclusion that the matter A vote of thanks was then passed to the committee, a
could be more fitly dealt with by the board of directors, to compliment which Captain KELLY briefly acknowledged.
whom, therefore, they referred the deputation, and ac- The CHAIRMAN said he wished the meeting clearly to
companied such reference with a strong recommendation understand once for all that he had put his seal on the
to the board to consider the matter, with the view of past, and that any observation whieh might be made
carrying the object iato effect upon equitable terms, with reference to his past conduct, feeling conscientiously
that he was in the right, be should treat with scorn.—
and thereby to promote the policy of securing to the
Eastern Counties Company the control and management (Cheers, and an ironical laugh from a proprietor.)
of the lines and traffic in the eastern districts of England. If any one had not the good taste to take his observe-
" In conclusion, your committee observe, that they
tion in the spirit in which he made it, he pitied him.—
have practically confined their labours to the arrange- (Hear.) It. had been stated to-day, in reference to the
ment of the terms with the Newmarket Company, prospects of the Eastern Counties Company, that they
the negotiations with whom were pending at the were in a position of great difficulty with regard to their
date of their last report to you, and have
dividends. Thero had been various schemes sub-
not thought it prudent or expedient to act upon mined M him since he had the honour of being
the; powers conferred upon them, to enter into chairman as to the mode in which the company
negotiations with all or any of the other companies in might retrieve its position, but in all the commuhica-
the Eastern District, as they have considered that, so tions which he had received all the proprietors
to have dune, would interfere with the free and re- agreed that the liarwich line ought to be cone
SePonsible action of the board of directors, and would structed. As far beck as 1836 a line was contemplated
Have retarded, rather than promoted, the accomplish- to Harwich, and there had been numerous applications
merit of the object you hid in view in conferring those to Parliament, and an enormous expense incurred on
the subject, and the interest of the blue and the other
r`-'wers upon them.
l'e
Bienteate Stetion April 10, 1851." interests of Mr. Bagshawe offered to those who should
have the honour of carrying out the undertaking Every.
absolutely
wiedh;nr.,,etmrt is s'igned, by 13. SI erwoo.d Kelly, David
B e °n, Geo. C. Peuliog, Nathl. Nicholls, Joseph
e‘mx9r!thetkettmi a h Filch er. requisite to bring the port of Harwich to its
position, viz., that of being the great highway
former
attached to the iltih.eP r"espaoi opt in all to the northern portions of Euahletheoutgirlei
lyhisconn
ropa.—(Hear.) In 1845
they had arrived at this point, that one of the directors
that it contained• concurred in not
been thought e He regretted that hitherto it had
of the Eastern Counties Company suggested, on behalf
nPedient to make observations upon the
of the company, an agreement with the Eastern Union
other C,)mpan ,
interest ofall
because he was quite satisfied that the
gat,d
usndede
parties exist- line for opening a communication with Harwich.
ence of a pen,led upon the exist-
Having traced the history of the Harwich lice from its
Welfare
ofrsttai
the company
amongst them-
selves. The origin down to the present time, he proceeded to say
that they should Place confidence in required
that they had power to raise four per cent. of the capital
and although he had concurred in the alynpoitt2litem
ednitreocf directors
neceseary for completing the line. It was estimated that
confidence in the
committee, he should place in) alicititS completion would cost 160,000 L, but in order to
preset: board until he was
convinced
develope the traffic of the line, it would be
that they were
- 6,ri,v, wrOhr.—(Hear, hear.) make, it double, which might
necessary to
Mr. ROBERTSON rose to move an amendment, require 250,000 L, but he was told it would
ment to
would
effect that the report be not received, as it recent' me d the
reach that figure,
an
ofrgtsee and. defensive course of policy with regarded Taking it, however, at that sew, it
to the Netfoik line. He decidedly objected to the New_ require 10,0001 per annum to pay for the con-
struction of the line. Now, what would be the advan-
market proposal.
tages of the liue to the Eastern Counties Company ?
Mr. all RISTEY wished to make a few comments
recomme.ternldbmyethhte
had not been seconded.
upon Why it wruld make their line the highway to Rotter-
the barteain dam, Amsterdam, Hamburgh, and the north of Europe
Mr. Box said
the
'seconded up to the point where the Norwich Company
Mr. Rormwersom sen., the amendment, would come into competition. The Norwich Company
formed the meeting that
Mr. ANLF,RS /N inthe amend- would take most of the traffic north of the Texel; but
by the sonand '
moved seconded by the up to that point it would tall to the lot of the Eastern
went had been
father. he had never seen his Counties, and when he added that to the pleasure traffic,
Mr. ROBERTSON said then father which cue completion of this line was likely to bring upon
—(Roars of laughter.) their railway, he did think it highly important that
in his lit' before. was
amendment had been
The CHAIRMAN said the pro- the works should be entered upon as speedily as possible.
el
perly seconded, though these speared to be some mist The completion of the line, in fact, would bring them
understandme
6: as to the reletionship subsisting between an additional profit of 100/. a week. Besides, this
the mover and in conder. Now, the question before the company had solemnly pledged itself to contribute to
meeting was one cf tonal seeable
ble importance to the this line,. and for the sake of standing well with Par-
enniPanY, and perha 3 it would be the more 'lament it
armed was desirable that the directors should be
convenient coursteth E should take that opportunitywith powers to carry out the ori'
of going into a few details
.e
the matter. He hoped, ment, and he should
effect therefore move a resolutionnal agree-
to that
therefore; that Mr. Christeytalisupon would reserve his remarks
Captain FINLAYSON
and give way ie hit favour.—(Hear,
bear.) ence of 22 years,
that
.f stated, from the practical experie
Mr. CHRISTEY
with much
i proper and efficient
said he would do so made a vast - boats were
pleasure. , portion of the traffic . •
directions to the northern now going in other
The CHAIRMAN then lain his views c •
ountnes of Europe would go
with regard to the plaroceeded to ex lain by Harwich, which ssessed
'1 4 ' the report. port than any other much greater advantages
with
Hon. Gentleman said he
in as a
explain to the meeting certain '' detail con- Mr. Hows considered that, independent
tained in the agreement with thematters of
ties afforded by Harwich as a
port of the facili-
N.ewnearnet and Chas- would be greatly
'terford Company, which the committeeresorted to by Londoners for pleasure,
had submitted to the proprietors,
of shareholders
munication with it were opened, licit a railway com-
them to arrive at a correct c,niruct order to enable
, any shareholder would take the troublewaosf sure that if
ference to the merits of that agree:l:el? wfth -- he would exclaim, as Queen Elizabeth oncevis
ditiding it,
stated in the report that the basis ou which It was
Pretty town—wants nothing." his expression was,' " a
on
t was founded was, that the Newmarke the
agree- . the town .or the first time, " a pretty
Hien t and Ches- seeing town, and
terford Company asserted their line to be worth 1 '1 ‘5
a railway."—(Heen)
committee asked themthree nil Yw"
'
per cent. The
!1
.0
on what ground After some discussion the resolution was carried, and
they based their ca ou au, ns. The result Was the amendment lost.
that the Newmarket and Chesterford Compan
aw hoped the meeting would bear with
m
in, addition to the 5,000 d, per annum ewe e
The CHAIR'
eyn him for moment while he disclosed the policy which in
they sought at the hands of the Eastern Counties future La directors proposed to follow. He might be
1 that they should - the
• Company, they stipulate,. t have certain asked what was his view cf the Eastern Counties, as to
other advantages, provided the Eastern Counties Come
its past difficulties and its future prospects. The ques-
pany did not consider they would result in any less to titan for them to udder was, how far they could best
them. The committee thought that a fair proposition to accommodate the co
hl'e. It was always the best policy
make, because they considered that if the Eastern Colin- to carry as eheapivU as possible; for, having investigated
ties Company gave them facilities for their
Newmarket
ic, and the matter, he found the tit, falling off in their traffic was
allowed them the use of their stations, the not so much owin to the opeeing of' rival lines as to the
and Chesterford line would be well worth 3 per cent, per extravagance of tigwir fares, 'Those farts had been un-
annum, and that the Eastern C4unties Company would_ne questionably tee hk, .
en So high, indeed, that in the case
get traffic which they did not possess at present. T of goods they had lost a -- fn- altegether. Now,
said, "If we the remedy they t portion 0 a ,
Newmarket and Chesterford Company Propos-a this wits, to revise
traffic one the rates, and mitto to atiPIY to '
snake a line to Cambridge, you will give us t e
e travelling: cheap t} tat it would
be dear even to wait. No 6°
way, and we will give you traffic in another way, , .
of traffic would
conceded that be despised, all Weald class
Newmarket and Ely." The committee
be catered for, and
point to them. Then it was said that the Newmarket where they could net
they would be 3 . .get twopence profi t
tad Gheatesiord Company ought to have the use of tie 8 litilied with
a penny. That

policy, he thought, would restore the railway to a com-
parative state of prosperity. With regard to neigh-
in peace and good- fellowship would be
their ultimate cltiratPeanic9
object.s They would do all they could
to make all the companies work harmoniously together;
eouitable terms would be offered to all, and he had no
doubt that eventually this line would be at peace with
all its neighbours and tributaries. Many shareholders
had addressed him on the subject of the East Anglian line.
He had been invited to open a negotiation with that
company, but how could he do that when they were
in the hands of the Great Northern? The Great
Northern, however, would be mistaken if they supposed
when they got that line into their possession the Eastern
Counties Company would be unable to compete with
them, for there would be still the water communication
open to them. Still it was the anxious desire of
the directors to be at peace even with
the Great Northern, and they hoped the Great Northern
line would see that their interest would be found more in
co-operating than in competing with the Eastern Counties,
who were open to offers from all. Having said thus much
he was anxious to state that the directors were ready
to grant tickets extending over periods of 21 years,
to all parties who were disposed to build villas on their
line. This was the policy which the directors intended
to pursue, and with the assistance and confidence of the
proprietors no doubt the line would once more become
profitable.—(Hear, hear.)
Ater a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting
separated.

LOUIS NAPOLEON and ABD-EL-KADER.
A very interesting correspondence between the Mar-
quis of Londonderry and the President of the French
Republic has been published in reference to the capti-
vity of Abd-el-Kader. Tne letters are accompanied by
one from the Marquis to the Earl of Glengall in this
country, describing the circumstances which gave rise to
them.

Feeling a high admiration for the character of the
unfortunate Arab chief, and a deep sympathy for him
in his captivity in the lonely old Chateau d'Amboise, on
the banks of the Loire, Lord Londonderry, with much
trouble, obtained permission from the French Minister of
War to pay his respects to the Emir. After obtaining
the rarely granted permission, he, with much difficulty,
gained the interior of the chateau. He thus describes
the interview:—

" We followed an Algerine slave, who led us through
the winding terraces of the garden, which are clothed
with tall cypress and other trees, to the most elevated
part of the chateau, when passing through an out-
ward ante-ball or guard-chamber we came to a door,
where all shoes, &c., were left. Upon this door
being thrown open the interesting old warrior stood
before us, his burnous as white as the driven snow,
his beard as black as jet, his projecting large
eyebrows of the same hue, with teeth like ivory, and
most expressive dark eyes, showing peculiarly the white
liquid tinge surrounding the pupils. His stature is tall
and commanding, his gesture, softness, and amiability
of expression almost inexplicable. Upon my approaching
him the Emir held out a very large, bony, and deep
brown hand to me, which when I grasped he turned to
lead me to the sofa and the seats prepared at the head of
the room."

The result of the interview was, that the old warrior
made interest with the Marquis, knowing that he had
been on terms of friendship with the President of the
Republic, to obtain an interview with Louis Napoleon;
and that the English soldier promised to " try." The
correspondence itself shows with what tact and good
feeling he made the attempt :

" Tours, March 8.
" Pardon me, my Prince, if I take the liberty to write
to you. Past time emboldens me; the present moment
inspires me with overpowering impulse. With the per-
mission of the Minister of War, I was admitted to an
audience with the interesting captive of France, the
brave Abd-el-Bader. The sympathy of every soldier who
has served during a long life always impels him to honour
illustrious chiefs, even when they are enemies; and I
cannot express the sentiments of admiration and com-
miseration I have felt in a rather long interview with the
ex-Emir.

" In addressing this petition to your Highness, I com-
mence by supplicating you not to accuse me of pre-
sumption, and to be well persuaded that I believe I
have no right to interfere in so grave an affair. I have
the conviction that the Government of the French
'Republic and its President retain the Emir prisoner
tor the interest of the civilized world. It is a
sufficiently remarkable circumstance that the person
who now presents himself before you to obtain some
solace and consideration for this illustrious prisoner
is he who addressed in favour of the President of
the Republic the same demand to the King Louis
Philippe, while the President was a prisoner at Ham.
My prayer is, that the painful and unfortunate life
of Abd-rl-liader should be taken into consideration. Can
it be believed that the liberty accorded to an old man,
bowed down by his misfortunes, his chagrins, and his
losses, can ever injure in the slightest degree the great
and powerful nation that now keeps him captive in a
manner that wounds the hearts of those who honour the
warrior yet more in his adversity than in his prosperity?
Believe, my Prince, that I have the very positive con-
viction, that even if the slightest danger could result
from placing Abd-el-Kader in liberty, it would be more
than a thousand times compensated by the glory that
would be showered on the French nation by this act of
generosity.

At present, my Prince, I shall conclude by giving
you a summary of his position. On the summit of a
mountain on the borders of the Loire, the Cha-
teau crAmboise offers to the Emir no facilities
for carriage or equestrian exercise ; the sadness
of the old edifice, the sole society of the com-
mandant and the guard, can offer him no resource; the
gardens and the ramparts form his sole promenades.
The prisoner offered me a small cup of tea; this offer-
ing and his conversation were full of an inexpressible
grace and grandeur.

"tat last I arrive at his demand—at the promise I
have made to him—and I hope from your goodness the
power to show him that I have not forgotten his com-
mission. He has prayed of me to demand of you,
in the name of the old friendship he knows you
have for me, to grant him an audience when it
will be possible for you. He has also expressed
the desire that I should accompany him to your pre-
sence. a I have, my Prince, fulfilled the duty of an old
soldier of her Britannic Majesty. My aim is to serve
your glory in liberating a great warrior. If I succeed it
will be one of the greatest glories of my life ; if Ido not
succeed, I shall have nothing with which to reproach
myself in having made the attempt.
" I have the honour to be, Monseigneur, your very
humble servant,

" VANE LONDONDERRY."
" Elysee National, March 29.
"My dear Marquis,—l have not sooner replied to
your letter written to me from Tours, because I did not
know where to address my reply, and I hoped soon to
see you in Papas.
" That which you tell me of the Emir Abd-el-Kader
has greatly interested me ; and I find markedly, in
your solicitude for him, the same generous heart that
interceded some years since in favour of the prisoner of
Ham.

" I confess to you that from the first day of my elec-
tion the captivity of Abd-el-Bader has not ceased to
occupy me, and to weigh like a burden upon my heart.
I have also often been occupied in seeking for the means
that would permit me to place him at liberty, without
risking a compromise of the repose of Algeria and the
security of our soldiers and colonists.
"To-day, even, the new ambassador, who is about to
repair to Constantinople, is charged by me to study this
question; and believe me, my dear Marquis, no person
will be more happy than I when it will be permitted to
me to render liberty to Abd-el-Fader.
" I shall be very glad to see the Emir, but I can only
see him to announce good news; I am therefore, until
that period arrives, deprived of the possibility of grant-
ing his request.
" Receive, my dear Marquis, the assurance of my in-
timate and high consideration and friendship.
"Lours NAPOLEON."
"Pau, April 1.
"Allow me, my dear Prince, to assure you that the
letter I have this instant received from your Highness,
from your own hand, has given me so lively a sentiment
of pleasure and gratitude that during all my life the im-
pression will remain ineffaceable. Your expressions
show the honour and uprightness of your character.
The same in prosperity as in adversity—frank, noble,
benevolent, chivalrous, magnanimous, and well resolved
to act according to he great principle of humanity,
' Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.'
"The future of Abd-el-Kader is in your hands and in
those of the nations you govern. For the happy result
of my undertaking I repose in you an unlimited confi-
dence. May the fate of Abd-el-Kader become, through
you, as peaceable as your own will be glorious. Such is
the ardent wish of him who has the honour to assure
you still, as formerly, of his greatest and high considera-
tion, friendship, and personal devotion.
" VANE LONDONDERRY.
"To the President of the French Republic."

(From the Times.)
Lord Londonderry has just contributed another "nar-
rative" to the studies of the curious. On his passage
towards the south of France his Lordship was seized
with the benevolent desire of visiting Abd-el.Kader in
his prison, and of exerting in the captive's favour all
such interest as he might possibly command. Having
procured the necessary passports, he was introduced into
the Chateau d'Amboise, and received by the Moorish
chief with considerable dignity and evident satisfaction.
On quitting the old warrior he wrote immediately to the
President of the Republic, intreating his favourable in-
tervention in behalf of the prisoner. To this application
the President promptly replied, and the correspondence
between the two parties, together with the details of the
interview suggesting it, are now published for the edi-
fication of Englishmen at home.
The story is certainly a curious episode of the times,
and not e. little characteristic of the parties concerned.
Oar readers will recognise tho practised tourist in the
description of the chateau and its approaches—the drive
along the banks of the
Loire,
"more grand than actu-
allythird on the suspension" ptwrioncifipniee,,,stone bridges, and a
objects," with other " striking
presented to the traveller's eye. At length, in
an old French country town, consisting,. as we are in-
formed, " of a collectioLoafhhousea, with narrow streets,"
the prison of the
chief was descried, rising
abruptly from the right bank of the river. The access
to this feudal stronghold s
by which foot passengers arews greatly to resemble that
occasionally content to
reach Windsor Castle instead of
a
e entering at the southern
gateway of the Palace. A s
narrow lane led to
the summit of a terrace, wherends Lordship, after a
fashioa which must have reminded him
his Spanish
campaigning, was ushered into a chapel
n to wait the
arrival of the authorities. As yet there had appeared
no signs of Moorish life about the place, when presently