The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-01 00:00:00

B A ILTVAY INTELLIGENCE.

(Front the Times' City Article.)
SOUTH-EASTERN AND EAST KENT
COMPANIES.

The following relates to the question of amalga-
mation between the South-Eastern and East Kent
Companies, which it is understood is again to come
under discussion to-morrow. On one side there is
an endeavour to represent that a satisfactory ar-
rangement is certain. On the other it is alleged
that strong doubts exist. In this state of affairs
the public must be cautious not to allow themselves
to be hastily led into speculation :

" Sir,—L'in common with many others, have read with
great satisfaction the announcement which appeared in
your paper of Thursday last, that the South-Eastern and
London, Chatham, and Dover Companies had resolved to
consider the expediency of arranging terms of amalgama-
tion.

" It has since transpired that the progress made at the
meeting to which you referred was even more satisfactory
than you represented, and that the delegates from the
boards of both companies agreed that it was desirable for
the interests of the two companies and of the public that an
arrangement should be come to.
•4‘ No one who has watched the result of reckless compe-
tition during the last few years can dissent from so reason
able a proposition. If there were any doubt as to the opi-
nion of the public on the subject, the rise which has taken
place in the stock of both companies upon the mere rumour
of an amalgamation would at once dispel it.
" Indeed, the probability is that the stock of the South-
Eastern Company would be most benefitted by the arrange-
ment of fair terms with their rivals.
" Last year, I believe, their dividend was 5 per cent .
next year it will probably be 6 per cent., yet their shares
are at 20 per cent. discount. What explanation can be
given of so strange a position of affairs but the dread of
ruinous competition wi h the London, Chatham, and Dover
Company
" On the other hand, should an arrangement be carried
out, the additional traffic derived from the new district ac-
commodated would amply repay the purchase money of the
London, Chatham, and Dover line, which would not after
all much exceed the cost of the proposed Charing-cross ex-
tension, which, by such an arrangement, would be rendered
unnecessary. _

" For these and many other reasons I consider that the
directors of both companies will deserve the thanks both of
their shareholders and the public if they bring these nego-
tiations to a successful issue.
" There is 014 Q feature in these negotiations whichdeserves

every commendation, and which I trust will be imitated by
all joint-stock companies. I allude to the publicity which
has been given to the proceedings. The old system of con.
cealing the results of all negotiations with the view of en-
abling the directors and their friends to benefit by their
success, to the detriment of the public, cannot be too much
deprecated.
" Looking, however, to the characeer of the noble lord
and hon. gentlemen who preside over the two companies,
we are not surprised, though we are much gratified, by
their straightforward conduct in this matter.—l remain,
Sir, your obedient servant,
"A LARGE SHAREHOLDER IN font COMPANIES."

CALCUTTA AN]) SOUTH-EASTERN.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was
held yesterday, at the office, Gresham-house, Old
Broad-street, Mr. J. Borradaile in the chair.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the
report, said it referred chiefly to preparations for
commencing active operations, and he hoped that
at their next meeting in May he would be able to
tell them that the works were in a state of forward-
ness. Active operations had commenced, and he
had no doubt that by the time he had mentioned a
considerable length of the line would be ready for the
permanent way. They had met with some difficulty
in getting ships to take out the permanent way,
but on the whole they had been tolerably fortunate.
The telegraph stores had arrived at Calcutta, aNd
they would soon place them on the line, which was
so far satisfactory. The authorities were now
giving them every assistance in their power, and
the company had received possession of nearly
the whole of the land. Some delay had occurred
in respect of land near Calcutta, owing to the diffe-
rent tenures by which it was held. The deed of
settlement provided for the presentation of the
accounts once a year, which explained the reason
why they did not present them on that occasion.
About £5,000 more had been received on account of
shares paid up in full since the report had been
issued. With regard to a call, one would be made
in about a month or six weeks. The sums paid in
advance of calls had come in so rapidly at times as
to prevent a call being made. They proposed to
call up £1 17s. per share, which, with the deposit
of £1 35., would make £3 per share called up. He
would be happy to answer any questions they might
deem requisite.

Mr. LONGRIDGE, the engineer, in reply to a
question, stated that he believed the capital of
£250,000 would be quite sufficient for the con-
struction of the railway, including stations and roll-
ing stock.
Mr. MARSIIMAN, a director, in seconding the
adoption of the report, said, their capital was the
smallest of any railway in India, being only about
a quarter of a million ; that seemed to be the greatest
objection to their project when first proposed to the
authorities. They fully expected to open the line
in March, 1861, and therefore they would have but a
small amount of back interest to account for. The
directors had kept the construction of the line in
their own hands, and fully expected to complete it
as a single line, with works for a double line, at
£8,500 per mile, including rolling stock. He had
no doubt the traffic on the line would be exceed-
ingly remunerative. The railway would pass for 20
miles of its length through a population more dense
than in any part of England. It was expected
that vessels, by means of their undertaking at the
Mutlah, would discharge in five days ; whereas, in
the Hooghly they would require two or three weeks
to deliver them. The large ships bound for Calcutta
would find the advantage of discharging their
cargoes at the company's terminus on the Mutlah,
and sending them over their railway to Calcutta.
The native boats from the interior of Bengal would
also, he thought, discharge their cargoes for Cal-
cutta at the Mutlah, and thus send 1,500,000 tons
to Calcutta over their line in the course of the year,
thus saving about two-thirds of the time now re-
quired from a given point. The depth of water in
the Mutlah near their terminus was from seven to
nine fathoms, and there was sufficient space in that
part of the river to allow of the Great Eastern
steamship swinging round. The river was perfectly
clear of shoals from that point to the sea. There
were about 500,000 tons of firewood brought to Cal-
cutta in the course of the year, which would, no
doubt, pass over their line, because they could convey
it at 2s. per ton, while the native boats charged 4s. per
ton. They could also bring fish to Calcutta quicker
and better than by the boats, and deliver it early in
the marning. The line would be a paying one, but
their dividends were limited to 10 per cent. per
annum.

Mr. HAY➢IAN contended that they could not
convey goods over the line at three-farthings per
mile. He did not think the rates they intended to
charge would ever pay them. They must charge
higher rates than they had mentioned.
Mr. LONGRIDGE believed their rates would be

ample.
Mr. DOLLMAN, the solicitor to the company, ex-
plained that when the dividends or profits ex-
ceeded 10 per cent. the authorities had the power
to reduce their tolls, so as to keep the dividends
down to 10 per cent.
The report was then adopted, and a vote of
thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.

AN AMERICAN BRIDAL T.RO USSEA U.

A short time ago an extraordinary marriage
ceremony took place at New York between a Cuban
don and'a young lady of New York. A New York
journal now furnishes the details of the bridal
wardrobe, which is said to have cost 13,400 doll.
Articles of female attire which are not generally
exposed to the vulgar gaze are ostentatiously cata-
logued ; these we will pass over, but the following
particulars will, no doubt, amuse English ladies :
One blue silk, ruffled to the waist ; one green and
white double skirt, trimmed with black lace ; one
light blue silk chintz, flowers down the skirt,
trimmed with deep fringe to match ; one steel-
coloured silk with purple velvet flowers, trimmed
with wide bands of purple velvet, edged with black
lace ' • a surplus waist trimmed to match the skirt ;
one Swiss dress, the skirt formed with clusters of
ruffles and tucks, the waist to match ; one white
Swiss muslin dress, five flounces, edged with nar-
row Valenciennes lace ; one white Swiss dress skirt,
with three flounces, three ruffles on each flounce,
pink riband underneath ; one Swiss dress tucked to
the waist ; six dresses of poplin, merino, and Otto-
man velvet ' • 18 street dresses, of rich, plain, and
figured silk, double skirt and two flounces; also
moire antique, made in the newest and most fashion-
able style ; 12 afternoon dresses, consisting of
grenadines, organdies and tissue, all varied in styles-
of making ; 12 evening dresses, one pink embossed
velvet, trimmed with the richest point de Venise ;
one white silk tunic dress, skirt embroidered and
trimmed with blond lace ; one pearl-coloured silk,
double skirt, with ,bouquets of embossed velvet ;
three white crape dresses, ornamented with buncb es
of raised flowers ; three white tulle dress, with
coloured polka spots of floss silk, to be worn over
white silk skirts ; six dinner dresses, ono white silk
embroidered with gold; one pink moire antique,very
elegant side stripes; one blue silk with lace flonnces ;
one amber silk, with black lace tunic dress ; one
black moire antique, trimmed with velvet and lace;
one white moire antique, with puffings of illusion,
and the sleeves made in Princess Clothilde
style ; 12 muslin dresses, made with flounces
and simple ruffles ; three riding habits, one black
Canton crape, trimmed with velvet buttons ; one
green merino, English style ; one black cloth,
trimmed with velvet ; three opera cloaks, one white
merino double cape, elegantly embroidered and
trimmed with rich tassels; one white cashmere,
trimmed with blue and white plaid plush ; one
grenadine, with riband quilling; 24 pairs of varied
coloured satin slippers, richly embroidered ; 12 pairs
of white satin and kid slippers, trimmed with
riband ; six pairs of mouse-embroidered slippers,
one pair of kid India mouse, embroidered ; one green
and gray chenille, embroidered; one purple and
black silk, embroidered; two pairs of brown Morocco
plain French, all made a la Turque ; six pairs of
slippers, variously embroidered in various colours
for the toilet; 12 pairs of silk and satin Francais,
dress, habit, and walking gaiters ; six pairs of
walking and winter gaiters, double soles ; six street
bonnets, made of the most recherche Swiss straws,
trimmed with handsome riband ; one opera bonnet,
made of white lace and long fancy marabout feathers;
one black and white royal velvet bonnet, trimmed
with clusters of pink roses, intermingled with black
velvet leaves; six rich head dresses, consisting of
chenille, pearl and gold, and other rich materials ;
six sets of hairpins, of coral, turquoise, pearl and
gold ornaments ; six brettcl capes of white tulle,
trimmed in various styles of fancy velvet, chenille,
and riband ; one Bruxelles point applique cape,
trimmed with puffings of illusion and riband ; one
dozen of French embroidered handkerchiefs, with
initials richly embroidered in the corner; one dozen
of real point lace handkerchiefs ; one dozen of gui-
pure lace handkerchiefs; one dozen of pineapple
handkerchiefs, embroidered and trimmed with lace ;
one dozen of fancy illusion sleeves for evening
dresses, made flowing a la favorite; two dozen of
glove tops to match sleeves ; one pair of glove tops
of point d'Alencon, trimmed with orange blossoms;
six sets of fancy wristlets, made of velvet and laces;
six French parasols, made of the most magnifi-
cent embossed velvet, with rich Chinoise carved
handles ; also three coquette parasols, simple and
elegant ; 12 pairs of open-worked and embroi-
dered China silk hose ; 24 pairs plain silk hose; 12
pairs Balmoral hose; 12 pairs of Paris thread hose,
open-worked ; 12 pairs of Paris thread hose, plain ;
24 pairs of rich French embroidered elastics ; 12
pairs of China silk under vests ; 12 dozens of French
kid gloves, of various colours ; 12 pairs of gauntlets,
buckskin and kid ; 12 pairs of travelling gloves,
gauntlet tops. The trousseau lace dress was the
exact pattern of that used by the Princess Clothildo
at the selection of the Empress Eugenie, having

a

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been reproduced in Europe expressly— for this oecL
sion. The lace is point plat, point aiguille, Chap
tilly, and Brussels—in fact, a combination of the
most valuable lace known. Among the handker:
chiefs were two of point d'Alengon lace, valued ra,L
200 dols. each, and one Valenciennes, worth 2ou
dols., the richest ever imported.