The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-18 00:00:00

London exercises a strong national influence.
We are well award that there are some professing
friends who are not so very profoundly affected
with distress at the fiery ordeal to which the
British in India have been subjected. We need
not cast our eyes farther than the dominions of
" Uncle LEOPOLD," to see how easily such
croakers—and inward crowers—as the Incle-
pendance Belge may be found to dissemi-
nate ill-omened falsities, throw discredit on
good news, and insinuate tidings of disaster
and dismay. But, on the other side, we find
the hand of fellowship extended us from generous
sympathisers. The Emperor NAPOLEON has been
surpassed by none in the munificence of his con-
tribution to the relief of the Indian sufferers. The
Imperial Guard of France have transmitted
a donation equalling that which has been
found to proceed from any German quarter.
But it is on ourselves that we are to place main
reliance for the double work of duty—of adminis-
tering speedy and competent relief to those whose
wounds of affliction are still bleeding—and of
exacting vengeance for the blood inhumanly shed
by remorseless traitors. Engl Ind has a long purse
and a strong arm, nor need we apprehend the
failure of the one in beneficence, any more than
that the other will be found wanting in the hour
of need.

CHESTER AND HOLY.HE'AD RAILWAY

MEETING THIS DAY-RETIREMENT OF SIR

M. PE CO.

The 27th half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in
this railway was held this afternoon at Easton-square
station, Sir Al.Peto, chairman of the board of directors,
is the chair.

The report and statement of accounts, which have been
Already puhlished in Me Sun, were taken as read.
The CITAIIIIIAN said that he believed the report and
accounts contained everything required in the shape of
information so fully that it left him nothing to say in
elucidation of them, and he expressed his readiness to
answer fully any questions the meeting might be pleased
to put to him, There was, however, one subj •et of im•
porlance to which he might refer, viz., the improved
communication with Ireland by themail contract, which
involved no fresh liability. He had always considered
this a sat jest of great importance, and as the sub-
arrangements with the London and North-Western and
the City of Dublin Railway Company, when car-
ried out, would materially affect their interest, a special
meeting would be called to enable the shareholders to
ixpress their opinion thereon. He announced that the
position of the railway was such that in March next he
should atk them to relieve him from the position he then
occupied. He also stated that Mr. Jackson, who had
been induced by him to remain in the directory till
they were out of their difficulties, would also retire
at the same time. He had made that statement
to give the shareholders an opportunity of ex-
pressing an opinion thereon, and of naming
their successors. Any recemineodation or nomination
by the shareholders would receive the attention of the
redraining members of the board and in all probability
be acted on by them.
Mr. JACKSON, M.P., remarked that the two vacancies
now announced woul I be Jut of the ordinary routine,
and therefore there would be four vacancies to fill up in
HUaroh next, instead of two. He (Mr. Jackson)
had long wished to retire from the Board,
and the line being now in a prosperous state he
thought he could do so withcut injury to the concern.

A di-cussien ensued on the accounts, and the position
of the line, in the course of which
Mr. JACKSON said that no man had don more than
Sir M. Peto for the benefit of the line; His successor,
whoever he may be, would have a much ea-ier post.
Hon. O. STANLEY, M.P., said that he felt certain that
Sir 111. Peto's loss would not be easily supplied. (Hear.)
Mr. Lewis said he regretted to hear it was the inten-
tion of Sir M. Peto to retire, for it was entirely owing to
his name and position that they had been enabled to
overcome their great difficulties. The state of the com-
pany was not satisfactory, but they must conAder their
position when Sir M. Peto took the chair. Ho thought
all must acknov,l4dge that he had greatly improved the
concern, and an a company they ought to feel indebted
to him for the time he hal given t) put the company in
its present improved position. (Cheers.)
Sove.rel sLareholders expressed regret at time proposed
retirement of the chairman, and expressed a hope that
he and Mr. Jeclesen could re-eonsider their decisior s
and remain a short time longer on the directory. The
Board appe Fred to work harinonieuely, which was very
desirable when they considered the important matters
to be considered between the London and North
Western Company and the Chester and Holyhead
Railway.
Mr. BENSON, deputy chairman of the London and
North Western Reiloay said that the interests of the
two lines were identical and that the matters referred
to might be easily arranged.
Hen. 0. STANLEY, M.P., denied that the interest of
the two lines wore identical.
Mr. LEWIS moved a resolution, expressing extreme
regret at the intimation of Sir M. Pete and Mr. Jackson
that they intended to retire from the direetion,in March
next, and earnestly requested them to reconsider those
decisions and continue their valuable services to the
company for a short time longer.
The motion having been seconded, it was carried with
but two dissentients.

Sir M. PETO said that he licit honoured by that addi-
tional mark of respect for him. For a long time ho had
eater'alined an anxious desire to leave the board, but he
felt he could not honourably do so until their affairs
were in such a position that he could leave with honour
and satisfaction to ail. Being able to announce that
their assets exceeded their lialAlities, he thought no dif-
ficulties would arise front his leaving the chair,
and that his successor would be able to c :n-
-duct the aff,Eirs of the company to their entire
satisfaction. When he first took the chair they
were many hundred thousand pounds in debt, and there
were 300,0001. worth of overdue debentures which he
had to give his personal security to the Extent of a quar-
ter of a million to get renewed. (Cheers.) He had
worked hard and had brought the concern not only cut
of its difficulties, but had placid it in a position to ply
a dividend on its preference stock. (Hear.) He thought
therefore that the time had now arrived when he could
leave it with honour and pleasurable feelings. He
should however be at all times ready to give his assist-
ance to the board, but he Lit he could no longer remain
in the directory.

Mr. JACKSON said he had Wished to retire from the
direction, but if the shareholders thought he could con-
tinue to be of assistance to ,them, ho would waive his
own feelings and remain to serve them. (Hear.)
The report was then received and adopted.
A dividend was declared at the rate of 51 per cent.
out of first preference stock, and a payment of 6,3771.
17.. 6d. on account of arrears of dividenCon the second
preference stock.
A. vote of thanks to the chairman and board of
directors terminated the proceedings.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left town
on Tuesday, on a visit to the Emperollsrapoleon at the
camp of Chalons-sur-Marne. Hl3 Royal Highness,
whs was accompanied by Lord B.lrghersh, crossed from
Dover to Ca!ais in the Ondrne steamer, commanded by
Captain Smith& t.
The Grand Duchess Mary IN icolai,vna of Russia, and
her suite, arrived at Bruasele on Tuesday from Ostend.
His Highness the Prince of Treklenburg, accompanied
by Barons Le!indurfr and Perponcher, have arrived at
the Thunswick lintel, Jet myn-street, from Prussia.
His Exlellency the Ambassador of France and the
Countess de Persrpy left Albirt-gate House, yesterday,
for Paris.

The Marinis of Ltusdowne lias left Lansdowte
[lowa, for Norf.)lk.

The Countess of Clarendon arid Lady Constance Vd-
lieri .have arrive,' a Blair Athol!, on a visit to the Duke
~TilDache.Fs of Athol.

Toe EArl of liarrowloy Las left town for his seat in
Giouceswrahire.

The Eirl and CJuntess of Shafteabary are still so-
j.,urr.iug at. Spa, in B,.la,turn, and will not return to
town until early next month.
Vci,,count and VlSCOuLtesa Maynard and family ar-
rived in town yesterday from Easton Lodge, Ristx.
VLcouut and Viseounte,s Midloton have le t their
residence in EAto: -place for their seat in Ireland.
Lcrd and Lady Calthorpe and this Hon. Cal-
thorpo are staying on a visit with the Marquis and
Marchioness of Cholmondeley, at Cholmondeley Castle,
Cheshire.

Lady Ann Beckett has returned to town from a
tour of visit:•.

The lion. Major C.Othorpe is staying on a visit
with Lord and Lady Alfred Churchill, at Brach
Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Sir William Frassr, M.P., is at present on a totr
in Germany.
Mr. W. Dunn has kit Edwards Ilatel for hie seat
near Newcastle-up w.T) ne. Mrs. Gubbina has also
tauten her departure from- the same establishment for
Grendon h all,