The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-04 00:00:00

1111 C LLANEOUS NEWS.

TIIE ALBERT ASSURANCE COMPANY.
The decision of the Manchester policy-holders,
demanding the dismissal of Mr. Kirby from the
office of provisional liquidator, meets with the ap-
proval of numerous correspondents, who write ex-
pressing their opinion that no confidence can
be felt in the administration of a gentleman
who has been so intimately connected with the
management of the office. Messrs. Merriman
and Co. announce that they have instructed
Mr. W. J. White to prepare an arrangement, which
will be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor when the
petition for winding-up the company comes before
him. "We confidently expect that the proposal for
an arrangement which Mr. White will then submit
will be such that ti will not only merit his llonour's
approval, but will recommend itself as a satisfactory
basis for the solution of all the complica-
tions of the disastrous affairs of this company.
It is only just to inform the public that the pro-
posed schemes for reconstruction have not yet been
fairly submitted for his honour's consideration."
The whole matter will be discussed before the judge
on the 17th."

N very excited meeting of policy-holders was held
in Liverpool on Thursday. The proceedings opened
with loud approval of the Manchester revolution, de-

flouncing the mismanagement of the company ; and
the uproar thus begun was continued to the end.
One set of speakers fiercely demanded a winding up
in Chancery, others not less vigorously called for a
voluntary winding up, and a third party displayed
much anxiety for some other company to take the
ruined business in hand. One gentleman was par-
ticularly desirous of assuring the meeting that the
whole affair was a swindle, a robbery, a fraud, &c.
Mr. Provis vigorously denounced Mr. Kirby. Mr.
Kirby felt bound to retort at intervals. At last
resolutions condemning the scheme of reconstruction
proposed by the provisional liquidators, and declaring
foracommittee of policy-holders, were passed. It was
explained by Mr. Price that the money was paid day
by day into the Bank of England in the name
of the chief clerk of Vice-Chancellor James,
and the provisional liquidators, and that
no cheque could be paid without the chief clerk's
and their signature. He further stated that there
was perfect safety with regard to the payment
of premiums, for those premiums were vested in the
names of the provisional liquidators and the chief
clerk; that a separate account was kept of them;
and that if before the Ist January next, the holder
decided to discontinue his policy, he could have the
premiums repaid.
THE ELECTION COMMISSIONS

The dark deeds of the Bridgwater Election Com-
missioners are being brought very completely into
the full light of day, and those who have loved the
night of oblivion find their position a very painful
one under the searching inquiry which is being so
Bnccessfully conducted. The bribery has been
proved step by step up to Dr. Kinglake, the brother
of the candidate, said candidate being the writer of
the "History of the Crimean War." A. banker
has very conclusively proved that the doctor came to
him, and arranged to have £l,OOO if he wanted it.
The lawyer, Mr. Lovibond, who describes himself as
"the agent of both candidates, particularly of Mr.
Kinglake," has sworn that Dr. kinglako told him he
was ready to spend £1,500 on the election.
Mr. Lovibond related, on Thursday, how at first he
refused to have anything to do with corrupt prac-
tices ; how he stuck to his determination up to the
time on the polling-clay when it was evident that
Mr. Kinglake would' lose the day unless something
were done; how, hearing that the election might
be won for £5OO, he sent a man to the
bank for the money, and obtained it without
the . slightest difficulty. Other witnesses had pre-
viously detailed the particulars of the destination of
the money. There is only one point more in this
train of cases which wants to be made clear. Was
Dr. Kinglake cognisant of what was going
on ? Mr. Lovibond said he thought not.
The doctor will, doubtless, be able to tell. Ile
however, is not to be examined on oath—that
would necessitate an indemnity. The commissioner
called him up, and told him he was to he given the
opportunity of making a voluntary statement. He
said he would do so. He was told to consider in the
course of the next few days.
At Norwich, the chief instigator of bribery wno
could reveal the whole system being " out of the
way," there is more room for concealment, and some
very hard
.swearing is being done. The commis-
sioners get very angry occasionally. They have
committed a man to prison for contempt of court.
At Beverley the municipal elections are still under
review. The witnesses mostly deny their belief that
payments made in respect of the small contest
influenced the greater.
WELSH LANGUAGE AND AMUSEMENTS.
The Welsh Eisteddfod at Holywell has terminated
with a vigorous defence by Mr. Morgan, M.P., of
that mode of keeping up the Welsh language. The
member for Denbighshire thinks that the
is a "high-penned ditty, sung by it fair lady in a
summer bower," and complains bitterly of the
Sal urdoy Review for calling the tongue an "inarticu-
late growl." It is impossible to uproot the Welsh lan-
guage, and, moreover, says Mr. Morgan, it is unde-
sirable. The attempt has been once made :
" I am old enough to recollect the time—more than
thirty years ago—when people particularly the aristo•
cracy of Wales, said, 'Oh. it's dissent is of Welsh growth
alone. If you ignore the. Welsh language.' and instruct
the people in English, the Welsh Church will be able to hold
its own.' Has that plan succeeded? I say most distinctly
it is a failure, which every true friend of the Church will
deeply and sincerely regret."
Mr. Morgan then claimed that no nation under the
sun could boast of such innocent amusements as the
Welsh. In this respect the English could not bear
comparison with their neighbours. Such a pro-
ceeding as the Dunmow Flitch presentation would
be impossible in Wales. So it is to be hoped ; but
it is ratherlard upon Englishmen to judge them by
the Dunmow model.