The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-18 00:00:00

fingers into ; but, then, what ignorance on my part to have
boiled it for three minutes and a half, when there was not
a spoon in the establishment to eat it with

I Harry _Hartley, or Social Science for the Workers.
By J. W. Overton. Lea, Warwick-lane.
The object of this little book is to describe the
state of the English workman, and to discuss the
plans which have been made for his improvement.
The author expresses his opinions in a most sensible
manner; after stating that the middle classes are
actuated by the most praiseworthy motives in their
efforts, he truly remarks that they make a mistake
is trying to elevate the lower classes. " I have
ever held that the workers must elevate themselves
—and that our real, true, and good friends of the
middle class must cease to look upon us as automata,
to which they have to give life as well as motion;
rather let them look upon us as the great mis-
directed power we really are." In the exciting
story that is met with in these pages the reader
will find many opinions set forth whose validity he
may question, but there is manifested throughout a
straightforwardness which irresistibly attracts the
attention and commands the esteem. All respect
those who state their opinions with cout age, and
yet with courtesy, and the author of this book is
entitled to the consideration of those who admire
energy and good intentions.

THE PROPOSED CONVERSION OF THE
REGEXT'S CAXAL IX2'O A RAILWAY.

Yesterday a crowded meeting of the proprietors
of the Regent's Canal Company was held at the
Dock-house, City-road, to consider the offer made
by the promoters of the Central London Railway
and Dock Company for a conditional purchase of
of the canal property.
The Marquis of SALISBURY, chairman of the com-
pany, who presided, observed that negotiations had
been going on between the solicitors of the companies
which required the confirmation of the proprietors
or otherwise. Mr. Barnes would read the terms of
the arrangement for the transfer of the Regent's
Canal to the intended Central London Railway and
Dock Company.
The following are the heads of the arrangement:
—That on payment of £lO,OOO the promoters of the
rai'way are to be entitled to a transfer of the Re-
gent's Canal and all its property, subject to all its
liabilities ; that the transfer was to take effect on
the expiration of four months after the passing of
the act, up to which time the canal company are to
receive all their revenue, the railway company to
take the revenue fiom that time, and to discharge
all liabilities chargeable against capital. Then fol-
lows a scale of compensation to officers and servants
of the canal company. The transfer is to be subject
to the payment of £3O per share (amounting to
27,618 shares £815,540) to the canal proprietors, £l5
per share to be paid at the end of four months from
the passing of the act and the remaining £l5 by
three annual instalments in 1861, 1862, and 1863,
with interest at 4i per cent. The unpaid part of
the purchase-money:and interest to be a first charge
on the canal company's property and on the assets
of the railway company. On payment of the last
instalment the railway company to be entitled to a
rebate of £lO,OOO. The railway company to apply
for an act to confirm the arrangement, and for the
winding up and dissolution of the canal company,
and pay all costs and expenses ; and that the ar-
rangement' to be subject to the sanction of Parlia-
ment, and to be at an end, except as to payment of
costs, unless the act be obtained in 1860. Provi-
sion is made for determining matters of detail by
arbitration.

Mr. BARNES next read a correspondence which
had taken place between the solicitors of the two
companies, from which it appeared that there had
been no deposit of £lO,OOO ; and it was stated by
Mr. Parker, deputy chairman, that the promoters
of the railway scheme were Messrs. Gurney,
Donaldson, and M‘lienzie. He had written to the
former gentleman upon the subject, and had received
no letter in reply from him, though he had from
the solicitors of the promoters. Ile concluded by
asking if those gentlemen were present.
It was stated that they were not.
The noble CHAIRMAN remarked that, under the
circumstances, as the arrangement for the deposit
of £lO,OOO had not been fulfilled, there was an end
of the meeting. They were not in a position to
make any proposition.
It was then moved and seconded that the meet-
ing bo dissolved.
Mr. NEWHALL, a Parliamentary agent, on the
part of the promoters, said that the act possibly
might not pass in the next session of Parliament,
and that it might be flung out under rule 150 of the
standing orders. He looked upon it that it would
be an absolute forfeiture of £lO,OOO.
The meeting showed much impatience during
Mr. Newhall's remarks, Eventually the meeting
was dissolved.