The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-13 00:00:00

GAS IN THE 211ET_ROPOLIS.

A meeting of delegates from the various districts
of the metropolis was held yesterday afternoon in
St. Martin's Vestry Hall, to consider the propriety
of having a deputation to wait on the Home Secre-
tary, to ascertain the views of the Government
with respect to legislating on this important sub-
ject.
The chair was taken by Mr. Godson.

Mr JAMES BEAL (Hon. Sec.), in explaining the
objects of the meeting, said they *ere called to-
gether to consider the position of the various
gas companies throughout the city with respect
to the public. The acts of Parliament granted
to these bodies were given on the express under-
standing that the public should be protected by
competition, but by a combination among them-
selves they had secured the power of charging what
price they pleased. The object of the delegates
assembling there was to obtain the sanction of the
public to a bill to be introduced into Parliament
next session, the object of which was to protect the
consumers of gas. The provisions of that measure
included a fixity in the maximum price of the arti-
cle, which was the only remedy against the injuri-
ous effects of the present combination, and that a
limitation should be put to the dividends which
they now paid. The bill contained, also, a
provision for removing the power now possessed
of cutting off the gas without notice, and of
charging the arrears of former tenants of houses
upon those who might succeed them. There
was another section to prevent improper re-
gistration. The special business of the meeting,
however, was to refer to a former interview which
they had had with the Home Secretary ; and, in
another, to ask the right hon. gentleman if he
were prepared, on the part of the Government,
to state whether, in the ensuing session, they
were prepared to take the question into their
own hands, as they did with the water companies,
and take such further steps as might be deemed'
necessary. The first resolution he had to propose
was, " That the Home Secretary, having promised
the deputation, on the sth of July last, that ho
would consider the proposed Metropolitan Gas
Regulation Bill, with a view of judging how far
it met the alleged grievances, and inform them if
the Government would adopt and bring in the
measure, another interview be now sought for the
purpose."
Mr. WARING seconded the resolution
A DELEGATE asked why it was the bill of last
session was not introduced, and that they were
now in the same position they had been more than
a year ago
Mr. BEAL replied that the dissolution of Parlia-
ment upset the arrangements of the committee, ad
when it met again it was too late to introduce a
bill. Indeed, the Standing Orders Committee
would not permit them to do so, unless there was
a probability of carrying it through. The present
proposed bill was not the same as that of last ses-
sion, but it applied solely to the metropolis, 'whereas
the Sale of Gas Bill concerned the whole country.
The resolution was then passed.
Resolutions were next passed to apply to the Home
Secretary to appoint a day for receiving the depu-
tation, and instructing the hon. secretary to em-
ploy a professional man to serve the usual notice.
After which—
Mr. HuGuEs, the engineer of the delegates, read
a very interesting paper on the price of gas in
London as compared with the provinces, and the
discrepancies existing in the metropolis, to the
disadvantage of the consumer.
Mr. Dow.DoN thought the maximum price of
gas should be 4s. instead of 4s. 6d., and moved a
resolution to that effect.

Mr. FARRER seconded the motion.
After a short discussion, the resolution mas
withdrawn, and the usual vote of thanks being.
given to the chairman, the meeting adjourned to
this day fortnight.

TILE NORTHERN REFORM UNION.

The following address has just been issued by
the council of the Northern Union :

" Fellow Reformers,—According to the late
Chancellor of the Exchequer, - Parliamentary Re-
form has been a popular question in this country
for the last twenty-five years ; for the last sixteen
years it has been a Parliamentary, and for the last
ten years a Ministerial question.. Parliament after
Parliament has been dissolved, and session after
session has been prorogued, but the subject still re-
mains where the Whig Reformers of 1832 left it.
The members of the House of Commons, as a body,
are indifferent, if not hostile, to any legislation on.
the matter ; and if we except fifty members, we
believe the remaining six hundred would rejoice
if it was abandoned altogether. Reform has, how-
ever, so interwoven itself with the leading questions
of the day, that all the parties in the state are com-
mitted to legislate upon it. Eash pretends to be
desirous of carrying a satisfactory measure on this
subject, but they, at the same time, avail them-
selves of every trifling excuse for indefinitely post-
poning it. •

"The Legislature correctly represents the opinions
held by their constituents upon Reform. The elec-
tors, who are in earnest on its behalf, are propor-
tionately not more numerous than are the thorough.
Reformers in Parliament. The middle classes pos-
sess the power, if they choose to exercise it, of
making the House of Commons extend the fran-
chise to their industrial fellow countrymen. The
representation is in their hands. It is needless for
them to talk of aristocratic domination as the chief
obstacle to the extension of the suffrage. Aristo-
cratic influence would be comparatively powerless
in the House of Commons if not for their help.
Truth compels us to say that the present electors,
as a body, are as selfish as ever the constituencies
were before the passing of the Reform Bill; and it
is from their desire to retain possession of exclusive
political power, that deters them from assisting to
raise the working men from the condition of poli-
tical pariahs.

" The indifference and hostility of the electoral
body were never more clearly shown than during
the exertions of Mr. Bright last autumn. In a
series of masterly and eloquent addresses, he pleaded
for. Reform in most of the large towns of the empire.
The support he received from the electors was out
of all proportion to the efforts he made, and the
objects he sought. The local associations that sprung
into existence in the town he visited died out when.
he left, and the agitation he created subsided when.
he became silent.

"We can understand moderate reformers' refus-
ing to support our programme. They can urge it the common-place objections usually raised
against Manhood Suffrage. Such arguments cannot,
however, be advanced against Mr. Bright's pro-
posal, which is extremely moderate. Nor can any
objection be found against him as their leader, as he
is a man of undoubted integrity, and his abilities
and courage have won for him the admiration of men
of all parties.
"We speak it, therefore, more in sorrow than
in anger,' that from the body of those who now
wield political power you can hope for little support.
The unenfranchised must work on the electors, as
the present electors worked on the boroughmongers
of past times.
" Cordially co-operate with all who will support
your demands. Oppose no honest measure of reform,
however moderate ; but still firmly and persistently
put your programme forward as the only sound one ;
and make it manifest, that while you do not oppose s
moderate measure, you only accept it as an instal-
ment of your just rights. That portion of the mid-
dle class who are opposed to you, from false fears of
the revolutionary designs of working men, reason
with, and in a respectful manner endeavour to con-
vince them of the error of their opinions. But to
those who oppose the enfranchisement of the people
from selfishness, and who have forgotten that they
won the suffrage for themselves by your help, under
the promise .that they would enfranchise you when
they were brought within the pale of the constitu-
tion, offer an unbroken and incessant resistance.
Let them know that the means you used to help
them to !gain their political rights, you will use
against them to win your own. Such men yield
only to fear or compulsion. You are strong enough
if you resolutely combine to compel them to listen
to your demands. Those who are not for you are
against you.' Organise and agitate.
" The parliament that granted the Reform Bill
did not do so because of their belief in its justice,
but because the Birmingham and Northern Politi-
cal Unions had created such a public opinion out of
doors, as it was not prudent to oppose further.
The parliament that repealed tke Corn Laws did
not do so because of being converted to free trade
principles; but because they saw that famine in.
Ireland, and the Anti-Corn Law League, were pro-
ducing a commotion that threatened, if not stayed,
to sweep away all exclusive privileges, and to en-
danger the stability of the state. The people will
never be enfranchised till they have, by organisa-
tion and agitation, brought a kindred influence to
bear on the legislature. In all such matters, our
rulers yield only to the force of a public opinion
that will not be trifled with. Next session, and
and perhaps the next, will pass away with results,
so far as reform is concerned, no better than the
two last. Working men—if they want political
power—must. be determined to win it themselves.
" The Northern Reform Union has now been in
existence nearly two years. During that time it
has held 200 public meetings, sent 85 petitions to
parliament, circulated 500,000 tracts and pamphlets,
and organised in the two counties of Durham.
and Northumberland a vigorous and flourishing
association. The work we have marked out for
ourselves, between now, and the reassembling of
Parliament, comprises the holding of upwards of 50
public meetings, the collecting of 100 petitions in
favour of manhood suffrage and the ballot, and the
circulation of a million of tracts and other reform
publications. Our organisation was never so com-
pact and efficient as at present ; and we appeal to
our brother Radicals throughout the country to
organise their respective districts, so that at the
opening of next session we may be able to present
a determined and united front to the opponents of
the people's rights.
" Depend upon it no reform in the fiscal, ecclesi•
astical, or administrative departments of the state
can be complete or permanent unless the people
have a proper control over their representatives.
Reason, arguments, entreaties, the demands of mil•
lions, the material and moral interests of the empire
ifwanol
erlt
tia_htrdheei
the
we ali
welfare
nabn
ryoeetdfho
leoi partyionntnhtaeetorifeosnvtnation. Parliamentary
toe
pfs
aefiara.
eldciaeatdirmoywnetn, hotaoann
irdhyaanrsrooe
.hat
oibrnfagtt
the
haet
form ; free, fair, and full representation. This is
our demand. We must compel the governin
classes to comply with it. Intelligence and morality cannot work out their legitimate ends by the rotten
instrumentality of political favouritism. B declare for right as right. Preach the
greatoldly
prin..
eiples of political equality. Cast yourselves upon
truth, and confidently abide the issue. The work
may be slower than the impatience of our desires;
but it will be sure, safe, and permanent.
" By order of the Council,
"R. B. REED, lion. Sec."

WEYHILL HOP FAIR.—Yesterday (Wesday
this celebrated hop fair was formally opened for n
the sale) of hops. There was a large attendance of factors, growe re,
&c., from every hop county. The number of
pockets of
hops pitched this year exceeds that of last fair, and will
nearly approach 5,000. London was largely represented
by hop factors and merchants, and the chief brewers
sent agents. At the commencement of the fair very few
sales were effected. Hop growers asked an advance on
recent prices made at country markets, &c., and, buyers
being unprepared for this step on the part of hop planters,
business began slowly. Large g-rowths were purchased on
speculation, and will be retailed out. Sussex supplied
some well-grown and well preserved hops. Kent brought
pockets of her choicest gatherings, which' met a good in..
quirt'. Mid and east Kent obtained the highest price.
Wealds commanded a sale at late prices. Worcester and
country hops were in request, although prices asked pre-
vented active business. Farnhams, as usual, formed the
chief attraction of the hop fair, and the eager demand for
this description of hops caused good prices to be made.
The samples were in excellent condition. The annexed
were the prices made :—Sussex, fine growth from choice
plantations, made from £3 to £3 lOs per cwt., and many
growers held over rather than make abatement ; Kent h9pe,
Wealds, sold at from £3 10e to £3 18s and £4 per cwt. Mid
and East Kents realising £4 to £4 lOs and £5 per ditto ;
Worcester and country piekings varied in price from £3 12.
to £1; Farnhams fetched from 1.5 18s to 16 6s, and primest
samples £7 per cwt. In the aggregate a large amount of
business was transacted, although there was no activity
displayed, as business was principally in the purchasing of
and which will subsequently be submitted
r proportions; in fact, the fair cannot be
forwh oslaelegrinowlethssse,
said to be more than formally opened, and hops are still
being brought up. The hop fair will be resumed this day
(Thursday). In the cheese and provision fair there is a
brisk trade. There is a good demand for best cheese and
well-cured bacon, Prime Cheddar cheese made 62s to 70.
and 80s per cwt. Gloucester, good doubles, 54s to 68s, and
single, 44s to 50s per cwt.. choice made tiltons, £4 4s to
45 per cwt.; primest description of old realised is per lb.
Bacon—Flitches of well-cured bacon CAUTION TO MUSHROOM made 7d to 9d per lb.
EAs.—Lt week
an elderly man in in the marshes near MER
idhursta,s who had
been previously in robust health, was suddenly seized with
violent vomiting', &0., which caused his wife to send off
for their medical attendant, who, on arriving and having
made the requisite inquiry, without hesitation pronounced
the symptoms to arise front the man having 30 hours
before, eaten a quantity of large, or what aro commonly
called " horse mushrooms." After a short stay the medi-
cal man left his patient comparatively tranquil; a few
hours after, however, he was again sent for, but before he
reached the house the poor man had breathed his last;
and this in less than 60 hours from the time of eating the
mushrooms. The appearance of the corpse was remark-
able as indicative of the cause of death; inasmuch as be-
sides considerable frothy exudation from the mouth, which
smelt strongly of fungine, advanced decomposition had
taken place within 24 hours. The body was of a dark
purple hue, and so frightfully swollen that not a single
feature of the countenance was discernible.

4

h-

,ArEy VA RA ET AND CITY NE if 8.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
In the absence of further supplies of gold from
Australia and America, the influx of specie at the
Bank of England has been temporarily suspended ;
but owing to the large consignments coming for-
ward from Victoria it is likely to be resumed at an
early date. In consequence of the payment of the
October dividends, the stock of bullion may be
temporarily diminished, owing to the stimulus thus
given to the circulation. Besides the remmittances
expected from Australia the position of the ex-
changes at New York renders it probable that
further shipments of gold will arrive from that
source of supply.
The Athenian, from the West Coast of Africa,
has been announced this morning with £lO,OOO in
specie.

There is rather less activity in the general dis-
count market, owing to the dividend payments
Which have increased the available supplies, and
temporarily diminished the inquiry. As the rates,
however, have ranged as low as 21 per cent. for
some days past no further alteration can be re-
ported, nor is it expected that any material
change will ensue.
The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday closed
steadily, and 8,000 bales were disposed of at former
values. In the Railway Share Market business
continued very quiet, and prices were without any
important change.
The market for Public Securities remains in a
very quiet state, the transactions for money, as
well as the account, having been limited, but the
quotations exhibit little variation. The favourable
position of monetary affairs supports the quota-
tions, notwithstanding the continued paucity of
business. Consols, which closed yesterday at 951 4,
have been 954 96, although the market at one time
appeared rather heavy. A buoyant tone, however,
now prevails, a few purchases having been sufficient
to create an upward tendency. The New Three
per Cents, are rather flatter, at 94* 1, and the Re-
duced at 944 d ; Bank Stock is steady, at 221; India
ditto is firm, at 219 ; ditto New is steady, at 1014
to 102 ; and ditto Scrip at 1011 to 102 ;
the Loan Debentures (1858) have advanced
to 961. ; ditto (1859), remain at 951; and Exche-
quer Bills at 245. to 275. prem.
Only a very small amount of business is recorded
in Foreign Securities, and prices in most instances
show a decline. Turkish 6 per Cents. are 79 to 80 ;
ditto New, 681 to 691 ; and the 4 per Cents, have
receded to 1021 ; Buenos Ayres Deferred, to 191
and 20k ; and Mexican, to 22?-1. Russian 3 per
Cents, are steady, at 671 ; and Portuguese 3 per
Cents, are firm, at 464-.
The last week's Railway receipts, ascertained
11P to this day, are in round numbers as under

' 1859. 1858.
Great Western
North-Western" ' 0 80,944 73,686
South-Western
Llr.ighton 20,361 19,174
'l,„ Idland
Qoutb.-Easte
Great Northern 28,370 28,324
Lux •
, ashire and Yorkshire
Manchester
.
tancheater, Sheffield ,and Lincoln 10,795 10,249
A. orth British 5,884 5,681
,°ol!th Devon ******
Acli,sithurgh and Glasgow 6,431 5,953
I:i.g.ow' and South-Western
Groat a Trunk of Canada ** 10,559 8,847
"l,roat Western of Canada 9,285 11,508
Dinh-Rhenish ..
These returns are exceedingly satisfactory, an
important increase being perceptible on most of
the principal lines. On the North-Western it
amounts to £7,258 ; on the South-Western, to
£2'685;1: on the Brighton, to £1,187 ; on the Mid-
-"nu, to £3,105; on the South-Eastern, to £1,629 ;
Inc' on the Great Northern it only amounted to
"'-'6. The Lancashire and Yorkshire shows 'an
'mprovernent of £4,452; the North Eastern, of
43'128; the Edinburgh and Glasgow, of £478 ;
and the Grand Trunk of Canana, of £1,712. On
the Great Western there is a diminntion of £1,657,
and on the Great Western of Canada of £2,223.
, Business in the Railway Share Market has
been rather dull, and in some instances lower
rates have been current. Caledonian, Eastern
iCe'llaties Lancashire and Yorkshire, and Midland
have declined ss. ; Great Northern improved ss. ;
and London and Blackwall, lOs to 15s.
111 the Foreign and Colonial Markets the deal-
-Ibgli have been extremely limited. Antwerp and
Rotterdam brought 41; East Indian declined to
100; Grand Trunk of Canada to 781 ; and Great
Western of Canada brought 13i.
Joint-stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares
have shown a slight depression. Bank of Egypt
have receded to 20f ; London and County to 301,.
Australian Agricultural brought 301 ; Royal Mail
Steam, 52 to 521 ; and Van Diemen's Land, 13.
!1t

Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 941 1
3 Per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
India Stock
Ditto, 1859, 6 per Cent. -
ditto Loan Scrip, 5 per cent .. 1011 2
Ditto Debentures, 1858 961
Ditto, 1859
Ditto Bonds, £l,OOO
Vitt under £l,000
r ousels for Account (Nov. 8)
fExchequer Bills, £l,OOO, I}d..
itto £50024
PitiaES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Buenos Ayres, 6 per Cent. .........
Ditto Deferred
201 191
4exican 3 per Cent.
poDitto Account
rtuguese, 1853, 3 per Cent.
itto Accot
Russian, 1822,un
St., 5 per Cent —
„ Ditto 2 per Cent 67/
turkivh 6 per Cent — Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan
Ditto Account
691 84 1
Ditto Guaranteed, 4 pdr Cent.
Ditto Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
trench Renter, 3 per Cent. Ex. 25f.
TWO O' CLOCK.

Consolß, Money -
951 6
Ditto Account (Nov.)

MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY.

Was engaged at this time on an expedition
bord,,,even mild judges would consider as closely
Nvith'ng on the piratical. He was deeply laden
I°°tY, to which he had helped himself without
te all through the Spanish main. Yet here we
find him nobly sustaining his men out of God's
001 l
and through life referring his actions habitu-
areYN,ti! the judgment and approval of Christ. What,
tai t° say of his Christianity ? Muscular, cer-
the bold
• It could take in with a good conscience all
end
stormy
and strop handed deeds of a stormy life
es time. Neither the blood of battle nor the
poil s of war came amiss to it, nor stern vengeance,
"r fierce hate of what should be hateful to all good
Ill". And
yet do not confound it with the mum-
-80 ar Christianity of the school which is rising to
%rile strength
among us, which seems to preach
ore Pride of the flesh as one of the central doctrines
.ehrist's Gospel ; and whose creed, if fairly
trtten, out, would apparently be something like
n I*--" I believe in a Christian six foot two, who
,an
dPull stroke in the Oxford Eighth, or bowl in
e 411 England Eleven, or who can fell a London
dCaYman at a blow." Perhaps Drake could have
ille all this ; certainly he did much more ; bnt he
u• not regard these things as specially his God-
Riven vocation. His whole life was muscular,
jl g which he did was forceful, and his re-
iitt—in Rot
.married naturally to athousand strong-
to "aed things which it belonged to the men and
histo , age to do • but it was not specially yoked on
a J?tBc, of proud 'force or daring, and paraded with
fore how muscular my Christianity is !" be-
Lane face of an admiring because feeble and
flaccid
World. I rather fear this homage to the
inpride of the flesh," characteristic of a reign-
ILschnni. Ido not read that the strength of the
Was one of the leading strengths of our Lord.
t6;ve read of it in pagan schools, I have heard
Of- it is throned on Olympus, but not in the school
...,..ist—noong the white-robed in heaven.
2'4,3 Xclectit am for October.

David Brewster has accepted the office of
the
neral of the University of Edinburgh, conferred on him
Tow Council.
b—ii, OTUER TRADE OUTRAGE NEAR SHEFFIELD.—
o 1,1"1"-ICTION OF PROPERTY.—About half-past four o'clock
trehylesday the inhabitants of Eckington were awoke by a
te4dous explosion, shaking the whole of the village.
ofDO -,V„ Inquiring the cause, it was found that the warehouse
had Keeton, scythe, sickle, and hook manufacturer,
beitfpu"ll destroyed by gunpowder, the whole of the place
the a a ruin. The only ground for the outrage is that since
140417.1"le Mr. Keeton's men have not worked ; he having
fre,„ ised them that he would inform them after his return
he au Irish journey in which he is now engaged whether
kl„,Guld give an advance or not ; but it seems that they
aot Wgi
aited his return.