The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY tz:vr44.11.:,,c1 MARCH 8, 1856. 9

i -escued from pollution. Round and round them
-ehicles may ply for hire their labouring wheels ;
b ut within the sacred precincts of the Gardens
t: hey may not enter. Through Storey's-gate and
tl Trough Buckingham-gate there will be free ad-
Is iission, alike to the cab, the brougham, and the
chariot of the costermonger—not even the dray
will be excluded. Before these exigent locomo-
ttfoes, and their imperious freights, the column of
that immortal Prince, on whom, after his yet
snore illustrious brother, the hardly less immortal
FITZGERALD, was made to implore a celestial
benison, with the united gusto of effervescent
loyalty and bottled pop after this fashion—
"GOD bless the Regent, and the Duke of YORK "
is to bow its head, and be carted away, we
trust, along with the rubbish at its base, to
some chance spot where they may do " the State
'some service," if not meet with some worshippers.
By Marlborough House—that splendid tribute of
a -nation's gratitude—a second entrance is also to
be. made, and a third, making in all five, is some-
WI At obscurely adumbrated in the Report. "As
r sgards an opening from the Park to Charing-
cross," that gratifying document informs us--
"Your committee are not prepared to recom-
mend that such an opening should be made at
present, but they are of opinion that an opening
for carriages should be made from Trafalgar-
square to the Park." Is it meant that an open-
ing should be made in the vicinity of Pall Mall,
and only for the elite in their carriages? We are
quite at a loss. Why not, as has been suggested,
enlarge the entrance at Spring-gardens? But let us
not look tooclosely "a gift horse in the mouth." The
recommendations of the Committee, such at least
a* are intelligible, will, we are persuaded, meet
with general approval, notwithstanding the ex-
pense, which is somewhat heavy. The taking
down of the Duke of YORK'S Column involves a
serious expenditure, but will at once remove an
eyesore, contribute largely to public convenience,
and throw open a pleasing vista to the eye of
taste. Twenty-five thousand pounds, or five
thousand less, is a large sum to secure an entrance
alongside of Marlborough-house, but hardly too
much when the advantages such an entrance
would confer are taken into account. And to
crown all, to add the beautiful to the useful, and
the useful to the beautiful, a bridge of com-
munication for foot-passengers is to be thrown
across the Serpentine a light, ornamental
structure —we trust in perfect keeping
with the beauties of the gardens. The
Committee have done "their spiriting gently"
and featly, and are entitled to the grati-
tude of the population. Would recommendations,
equally potent, were thrown as a mantle of pro-
tection over the wilder. beauties of another place
of recreation, which has long and perseveringly
been besieged by the Vandalism of the capitalist
—we mean Hampstead Heath ! Let not the
lesson here inculcated fail of its effect in relation
to the Heath. The people have but to bestir
themselves in this country, when right is on their
side, to beat back encroachments from whatever 1
quarter they may be threatened.

LATE`'
yiEws•

PARIS, MARCH )7.

Two Aides-de-Camp of the Emperor of Russia,
who ]eft St. Petersburg on Saturday, have just
arrived hero with despatches for Count Orloff.

KONIGSBERG, MARCH 6.

General Luders has telegraphed to St. Peters-
burg, from the Crimea, that a meeting of pleni-
potentiaries from the belligerents took place at the

Bridge of Traktir on the 29th.

Hostilities were suspended in obedience to the
decision of the Paris Conferences.

HAMBURG, MARC G.

Admiral Watson sailed ft mu Kiel. He has
ordered the fleet to assemble off Moer Island, and
announced the renewal of the blockade of the

DESERUGTIi_iX COVENT-GARDE:LI?
Tll 'SATRE.

This morning a number of men, under the direction
of the Messrs. Holland, the builders, commenced erect-
ing scaffolding in Ilart•strect, for the purpose of pulling
down the walls of the theatre, in obedience to the orders
of the Commissioners of Police. The manner in which
the workmen have commenced operations will appear to
the unitiated somewh•it extraordinary. Immense poles
have been laid from the tops of the houses in Hart-street
to the outer walls of the unfortunate building., and
board, have been placed thereon, which has formed a
kind of platform, and on this structure the work of de-
molition has commenced, Tile engines still continue to
discharge large quantities of water on the smoking de-
bris, and even at this- time an immense body of fire
exists under the heaps of ashes, molten glass, and other
refuse. The sulphurous vapour still emitted from the
ruins is in some parts stilt overpowering.
Amongst the ruins early this morning we noticed Mr.
Horton, the musical librarian of the theatre, anxiously
seeking for some of his cherished treasures, but ❑ot a
vestige could he found. In preparing the accounts we
have daily published since the terrible calamity, we feel
it our duty to acknowledge the assi-tance rendered to us
by Mr. F. Perria, the chief engineer in charge, in the
difficult duty. Every facility was readily rendered, and
where explanation was necessary most readily and
clearly given.

The police arrangements of Superintendent Durkin
and Inspector Dodd, from the first breaking out of the
fire to the present moment, have been admirable.
The day for the inquiry into the origin of the fire is
not yet fixed, but it is generally understood that it will
take place on Tuesday nest.
The Duke of Camblidize visited the ruins of the theatre
yesterday morning. His Royal Highne,s Prince Alfred
also came, accompanied by Lord Alfred Paget and CA.
Biddulph. The firemen (Perrier and Swanton) two
officers of the brigade, and Mr. Connorton, of the
West of Eng'and Office, conducte 1 his Royal High-
ness over the ruins. Shortly after Prince Alfred bad
departed his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ar-
rived, in company of Mr. Gibbs, his tutor, and was
received by Sir Richard Mayne, Mr. Superintendent
Durkin, and Mr. Superintendent Braidwood, who con-
ducted him over every part of the building considered
to be safe.

March 8.

Mayers, the conductor of the Royal Society for the
Protection of Life from Fire, was about the first to
arrive with his machine from the Leicester-square sta-
tion, and, with the assistance of Messrs. Baddeley and
Spencer, the inspectors, and other conductors, rescued
a great deal of property belonging to Mr. Anderson.
A. man named Lloyd, commonly called " C nnedy,"
assisted the conductors, and saved a great many other
articles, and Mr. Charlton, a dresser in the wardrobe
department, fetched Mr. Lawrence, the master, and
hr.mght him out on his shoulders. A man named H.
Forster brought down Jane Smith, the forewoman of
the wardrobe, and the accounts belonging to Mr. An-
derson were rescued by Burgess, the bill-sticker of the
,heatre. " C.nnedy,” as he is called, likewise saved
three women at the stage entrance, The fire was not
entirely extinguished at nine o'clock last night.

SPORTING NOTES.

WISEIES ABOUT WARWICK.

So unimportant was the Nottingham Meeting in its
result that space would be unnecessarily occupied by
an el iborate reference to the sport. The fielders had a
hard time of it, for the winners were "spotted" in nearly
every instance with surprising accuracy. The " antici-
pations" which were published in The Sun of Monday
last were verified almost to the letter. Attention is now
directed to the Warwick gathering, which will com-
mence on Monday and terminate on Wednesday. Con-
sideralde curiosity is evinced respecting the appointed
sport, but speculation on the events has not yet been
actively pursued. Fuli.ieck; Little Davie, Veteran,
and The Flatterer have been "talked about"
for the Warwick Handicap, and the first-men-
tioned has been elevated to the premiership. He
seems to be much improved since last year, and his run-
ning at Northampton fairly entitles him to the position
which he occupies in the betting. My "guesmes at
truth," however, shall be merely confined to the races
appointed for decision on Monday, reserving the discus.
sion of the list of sport for Tuesday and Wednesday for
a future communication.

I shall expect Stork to defeat the Fisherman for the
Trial Stakes. Toe Willoughby Handicap may be car-
ried off by Rodo-meli, and the Handicap Rate I shall
assign to Romeo.

Mr. Field, late inspector of the detective police, has
received some important information relative to the
poisoning, of Aurifer. No doubts exist that the scoun-
drels concerned in this villanous affair will be speedily
detected and punished.

A FRESH MAN.

ENGINEERS, MASOVIC, th UNIVERSAL
MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of this society was held
on Tuesday at the Head office, No. 345, Strand, when
the following report of business transacted during the
year was read :
" The directors of the Engineers, Masonic, and Univer-
sal Mutual Life Assurance Society have the pleasure to
present to their members the report of proceedings for the
past year.
"The number of proposals for assurance received has
been 245 ; of these 181, producing an additional annual
income 0f1,8971. 3s. 10d., and assuring the sum of 43,550/.,
have been completed ;. 25, for the sum of 7,5501., have
been declined ; and 35, for the sum of 12,0501., stand over
for further consideration or completion.
"The claims from death have been 6,100/., upon ten as-
sured members ; of this sum, however, the directors had
re-assured 2.5001.
" The directors have uniformly rejected the principle of
taking large amounts proposed to be assured with the sole
view of re-assurances. In one case, which will shortly be
brought before the public, an assurance of 10,000/, was
offered to the directors, who, however, declined to take
more than 1,500/., the amount which they retain upon a
single life. They might, by accepting the proposal for the
whole sum, have swelled their amount of premiums, but
they considered that, by, such means, a fictitious statement
of business would be presented to their members.
"The directors take credit to themselves for having re-
jected proposals which were offered to them upon the lives
of Ann Palmer foie 1,000/. in January, 1851, and of Walter
Palmer for 1,5001. in February, 1855. In the first case,
they considered that sufficient interest was not disc'osed ;
and, in the second, that the fact stated, of Walter Palmer
having been attacked by delirium tremens, was sufficient
to make the life toe hiz o-dous for acceptance at any
amount of increased premium.
"The bonus calculations, made by Mr. Seratchley, the
consulting actuary, have fully realised the directors' antici-
pations as to the status of the society. The directors were
gratified in being enabled to add to the policy of each
member a reversionary sum, averaging about 401. per cent.
of the whole amount of premiums paid.
" By personal exertion among their friends, the mem-
bers have it in their power to assist the directors in ex-
tending the busines. of the society ; they will thus confer
material benefit on themselves or their families by increas-
ing the amount of future bonuses, whether present or
reversionary.
" The directors have given their earnest attention to the
best means of meeting the great competition among insur-
ance societies. They have coma to the conclusion that a
limited share capital would enable theta to extend loan
operations, to purchase rev !rsions, and to transact other
legitimate business, based upon the law of averages,
whereby the interests of all concerned with the society
may be promoted, and its position and prospects materially
improved.
" The issue of shares would be limited, in the first
instance, to the existing members of the society, who
would be permitted to convert the bonus, already declared,
into, paid up shares, and a!so, after a certain term, to con-
vert shares into a provision for old age, or into deferred
annuities on the lives of themselves or their nominees, in-
creasing periodically out of profits.
"This plan will have the effect of retaining to the pre-
sent members their interest in the income now derived
from assurances; and, without interfering with their
power of rendering that interest available as a reversion
whenever they deem fit, it will increase the profits from
income by the extension of the society's operations, and
will enable all the members to participate in the advan-
tages derived from the alteration.
"By order of the directors.
" GERARD HAY ROUERTSON, Secretary.
" London, 315, Strand, March 4, 1856."
The CIIAIRMAN(W F. Dobson, Esq.) in moving the adop-
tion of the report of the directors and auditors, after re-
'erring to the ordinary business of the day, stated the
reasons which had induced the directors, after great con-
sideration and consultation with their actuary ( Mr. Scratch-
ley), to recommend the application of a limited share
capital to the society. The great competition among life
assurance societies rendered extraordinary exertion ne-
cessary to obtain new proposals, and to procure frequent
fresh introductions, The limitation of the society's busi-

ness had been a great impediment t,) progress. Its agent,

had at times been driven to other offices from the more
extended character of their operations, and being
attracted thither for purposes of business which this
society dii not transact, had been in some in-
stan7es retained for those which it did, The
want of capital had compelled the directors to
reject some very availahid loan transactions, and
offers for the purchase of reversionary property; and
though the directors, from their own resources, and
those of their friends, had created a' sort of loan capital,
which bad greatly benefitted the society, yet such ad-
vances were but temporary, and might at any time be
recalled, while the advance.; by the society were neces-
sarily spread over a fixed time. It could not be doubted
that the facility of granting loans in crinnection with
policies was a great means of introduction to the
best aids of a Life Assurance Society, the solici-
tors, and was thereby productive, not only of
immediate, but of prospective benefit. The
purchase of reversionary interests of every descrip-
tion carefully conducted was most lucrative ; and

though an isolated transaction of this character must be
speculative, such a business carried to an extent so as
to he based upon the law of averages could not be other-
wise than productive of great benefit to the society.
The want of share capital had also compelled the direc-
tors to refuse a large accession of business which had
be.-n offered by way of amalgamation. They might
have purchased the life business ; but the parties would
have been willing to take in exchange for their shares
the scrip or shares of thiE. society, and thus the
connection of shareholders as well as the policy
holders would have been secured without any
money payment. The existing members of
the society could not be damnified by the issue of the•ie
shares ; for it would he, of course, expressly provided
that all profits derivable from policies now in force would
remain exclusively to the present members, who would
also participate in the profits to be derived from the ex-
tension of the society's business. The shares too would,
in the first instance, be offered solely to the members of
the society ; and various advantages held out to them,
such as the conversion of the already declared bonuses
into share capital, and the permission to leave a portion
of it unpaid, as a lien upon their policies—anti as to other
parties, the advantages offered would be, that whereas in
the formation and establshment of companies generally is-
suing shares great preliminary expenses had to be incurred,
in this case the company was firm'y and p?.rrnanently
established, all the preliminary expenses had been dis-
charged, not a debt was outstanding, and an income of
above 10,0001 a year was derived from premiums alone.
The motion for the adoption of the report having been
seconded by M. J. TATHAM, Esq., of Doctors'-commons,
one of the auditors of the society, was carried unani-

mously.
The retiring directors (the Rev. J. Watson, M.A.,
Dr. Georg.. Jou nson, J. R. Christie, Esq., F.R.S., and
T. L.
Wilson, Esq.) and the retiring auditor (John Sur-
rage, Esq.) were then unanimously re-elected ; Mr. PIT-
MAN, one of the Birmingham local board, observing that
he was requested to strongly recommend the re-election
of the directors, as the board which he represented felt
highly satisfied with the careful mode in which the af-
fairs of the society were administered by the directors.
The draft proposition for the creation of share
capital and extension of the scope of the society's opera-
tior.s was then read by the solicitor, and a resolution
approving the plan, and authorising the directors to
carry it into effect, was unanimously adopted upon the
motion of F. BIGG, Esq., seconded by G. M. ARNOLD,
E. 1., who observed that he was very pleased to find the
directors disposed to progress with the times. That
standing still in life assurance matters was, in fact, re-
trograding ; and that, when the directors considered a
share capital advantageous to the society, it would have
been as ridiculous for them obstinately to refuse
to avail themselves of the means of extending
their operations, becau4e the mutual principle
was their original basis, as it would have been for any
man who had entered into a particular branch of busi-
ness, and who had all the appliances ready for carrying
on a still more lucrative branch to decline the opportu-
nity and rigidly to confine himself within the original
limits of his undertaking.
Votes of thanks were cordially offered to the chair-
man and directors, the various officers, and the actuary,
A. SCRATOEILET, Esq., who, in a speech of great ability,
recommended the adoption of the share capital proposi-
tiun, and stated that every book and paper in the office
were laid freely before him for the purpose of examina-
tion as to his report upon the bonus.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A PATIENT E.NT ST. THOMAS'S
HOSPITAL —Yestez day morning, shortly after six o'clock,
con9ider.ble 3ensation was created in St. Thomas's Hos-
pital, in consequence of a determined attempt at suicide
by Emma Matthews, in Magdalene ward. She at-
tempted to strangle herself with her garters. Mr. Ord,
the house surgeon, was in instant attendance, and after
half an hour succeeded in restoring animation.