The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-11 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE ORION.

There are some, indeed, who consider the sentence
severe. Taking into account the high character pre-
viously borne by the master and mate, they allege
that, if they erred, it was purely an error of judgment,
involving danger to their own lives as much as those
of others, and nobly atoned for by the captain, who
was the last individual to leave the sunken vessel.
o.hers, again, falling into an opposite error, and mea-
suring the amount of the criminality by the calamitous
consequences, think the sentence was not severe
enough. It ought to be remembered, however, that
no deliberate intention to injure the life of a single
human being was here evinced. No criminal intention,
which, in the msjority of cases, constitutes the very
existence of the crime, was here entertained. Captain
Henderson had everything to lose—a fine vessel—his
character as a seaman—and nothing whatever to
gain by actually running upon the rocks. The
Orion went down, and with it the earthly
hopes and happiness of those who were
chiefly instrumental in bringing about the cala-
mity. But let their example operate as a warning
to others. Our sympathy is not with them—absorbed
as we are in the terrible calamity which, by their
culpable negligence they entailed on hundreds of
bereaved relatives and still disconsolate friends. The
excellentoprror if thereprietorsof was sufferingthevesselst must
andoustsharlesis, a
in thisni(
sympathy,
painful bereavement in the case—the Messrs. Burns
have experienced more than their own adequate share
of it. To the loss of the noble vessel itself (only par-
tially insured) was added the loss of a brother, vene-
rable by his years, amiable for his virtues, and highly
respected for his scientific acquirements. We are sure
that the public have deeply sympathised with the
Messrs. Burns throughout the whole case. As the pro-
prietors of the vessel they have emerged from the inves-
tigation without a shade of blame, and yet they are dou-
ble sufferers by the calamity. Nothing that could be
done did they spare to make the vessel complete, and to
render the passage secure. The Orion was one of
the noblest and best equipped vessels that ever sailed
on the channel. Officers of high character and skill
for competence were placed in charge of her ; and
this done, she was left, with a commendable liberality,-
entirely to their discretion and management. Captain
Henderson was not trammelled with any particular
rules which might have constrained him to act on
any responsibility but his own. He was left to the
dictates of his own unfettered judgment—not limited
to certain fixed hours, or bound slavishly down to any
prescribed course, but simply expected to discharge
his duty faithfully like an intelligent officer under a
deep sense of unlimited responsibility. This was
true liberality on the part of the proprietors of the
0. ion; and we trust they are now reaping the fruits
of it in the assurance, which cannot fail to afford them
the highest consolation even in the midst of such
calamity as this—the assurance that they have done
their duty.---Scotch Reformer's Gazette.

CITY COIIIIIIISSIONERS OF SEWERS.
Yesterday the commissioners assembled in the
Guildhall, Mr. Deputy Peacock in the chair.
The inspectors reported most favourably of the
state of the various districts. Some compulsory
orders were issued in cases in which there appeared
to be no active disposition to remove certain nuisances.
A complaint was made by a gentleman against the
contractors for the works of the new Central Con-
sumers' Gas Company. He stated that a hole in the
pavement was left open, into which the complainant
was near popping his foot upon returning home one
night. He represented, too, that several persons had
been in the same predicament, but that they had pro-
videntially escaped. The matter was referred to the
Committee of Views. It was at the same time
stated, that during the whole of the extensive opera-
tions nobody had been injured by any accident aris-
ing from the rapid evolution.; of the workmen, except
a poor woman, who had had but little reason to regret
the occurrence.

THE HEALTH OF THE CITY.
Mr. SIMON, the medical officer of health, said he
had no report to make to the Court, but that the
sanitary condition of the city was good, and that
there were no cases of cholera.—(Hear, hear.)
The Court then adjourned.

ROMANCE IN REAL Lim—One of the most cu-
rious instances of the romantic accomplishment of an early
love adventure which it has been our lot to chronicle,
has recently occurred in the neighboirhood of Cardigan.
Twenty-three years ago a young man named David
Evans having paid his addresses to " a maiden fair and
free" in the vicinity of his native town, at the mouth of
the Tivy, was dispatched to attend to his duty as a navigator
"on the raging main.". He started from Cardiff accordingly
in a vessel named the Berkeley, which in about a week atter
her departure was wrecked, #nd all hands on board were
plunged into a watery grave.- For no less than twenty-three
years it was supposed that David Evans had perished with
his comrades, but he la.,t week landed at Sheerness from
Australia, where he bad been quietly but rapidly accumu-
lating cash in the long interval that had elapsed since his
exodus from the country, and it was then ascertained that in
consequence of a quarrel with the captain of the Berkeley
he had left that vessel a few days previous to the fatal dis-
aster which had consigned her and her gallant crew to the
deep. Oa Evans's arrival at Cardigan, his first inquiry was
for his early love, and he learned that, fully believing in his
demise she bad become the wife of a favoured suitor,life
former who
t
had, after begetting two children, tacitly departed 4
and left her free to accept the offer which her form faithful
inamorata now promptly made her, and which we need
scarcely- say was at once accepted and the marital rites in
two short days were celebrated.-- Weishm"
SCARCITY or SALMON.—It is said that
there have
been fewer Salmon in the river Wye this season than for the
last forty yegtm—Atonnumihshirc

BRITISH EMPIRE MUTUAL FIRE
ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
The annual meeting of this society was held on
Thursday, the 29th of August, 1850, at the offices,
No. 37, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London.
James Low, Esq , in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN said—lt was from the confidence
which the directors had in the soundness of the prin-
ciples on which the society was based that they were
induced to establish the society, and consent to take
upon themselves the responsible situation which they
now filled: and they were convinced that the public
would derive, in the progress of the society, large
benefit from its operations ; far, after the expenses
which were unavoidable at the commencement of
such a society were overcome, there would be a
steady and rapid increase, which would give
the members all the benefit of a reduction of
their premiums ; which was the peculiar ad-
vantage of the mutual princip!e : as the profits
formed an accumulating fund for that purpose. The
data of the calculations upon which the society was
formed, showed that a portion of the premiums would
be amply sufficient to meet all the losses. These data
were derived from the experience of half a century;
and now they had the satisfaction to look back upon
the history of the society, and see that their calcula-
tions were verified by the facts which the report
would detail. As the directors knew at the outset
that they were incurring considerable responsibility,
they entered upon their office with a determination
to meet promptly and cheerfully every loss—
and they had so met every loss, and were deter-
mined to continue to do so, even if it were at their
own personal expense. It was gritifying td find that
thirty•four per cent. of the premiums bad been suffi•
cient for that purpose, from the commencement to
the present time. They had, of course, been anxious
to conduct the business on perfectly safe principles.
They had, therefore, refused risks above a certain
amount, and also that business which experience had
proved to be unprofitable; and the result was the
pleasing report they had to present to the members
to-day. Some large fires had taken place during the'
past year, and some offices had suffered considerably
in consequence. In one case a village had been in a
great measure destroyed by reason of the thatched
roofs communicating the fire from house to house.
The directors had, therefore, determined not to take
thatched houses in future; a description of roofing
which, he trusted, would at no distant period be su-
perseded by more substantial and incombustible ma-
terials. Such facts must lead the members to see
that the mutual principle is a sound one, and
induce them to take such an interest in this'
association as to recommend it to their friends
and obtain new assurances. Up to midsummer
last the business of the society had nearly
doubled itself since the last annual meeting, and it
was for the members to carry on the work in the
same ratio :it was their own work. There were only
two ways in which the business could be increased—
by private effort and public advertisement. It was
not the wish of the directors to spend much of the
funds in public announcements, or to attract by high
sounding names. They were themselves men of busi-
ness, of respectable standing in the city of London,
possessing the confidence of all who knew them ; and
this served the society better than titles of noble or
aristocratic pretensions. And they meant to make
the society an important one. It would take a high
standing among such institutions, and command the
respect, if not the admiration, of the country. He
then called upon the secretary to read the report as
follows:
BRITISH EMPIRE MUTUAL FIRE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY.
REPORT.
" The second year of the existence of the British Em-
pire Mutual Fire Assurance Society terminated June
30, 1850. •
" During the period since its formation the sum of
2,4941. Bs. ltd. bas been received as gross premiums,
covering 2,830 policies issued to the amount of
1,163,5111.

" The losses during the same period have amounted
in the gross to 9621. Is 53., of which, however, 1111. 7a.
9d. have been borne by other offices with whom re-assu-
rances had been effected, thus the nett sum paid for fire
losses has been 8501. 13s. Bd., which gives, compared
with the premiums, the proportion of 34 per cent.
" The steady increase day by day, since the forma-
tion of the society, of the business; the number of in-
fluential citizens enrolled as members; the care with
which risks are taken, and the small proportion of losses
in a period in which, owing to the number and alarming
magnitude of conflagrations (among which may be
instanced those of Ashwell, Cottenhato, Cambridge ;
York-road, Lambeth; Gravesend, &c., &c.), acarc2ly any
office in Loudon has escaped heavy damage, evidenc.s
that the application of the mutual principle to fire ae-
surance by this society deserves and enjoys the full tidts;
of public confidence.
The loses of the society would have been still fur-
ther reduced had the assurance of thatched buildings
been I arli,r discontinued. In some instances, as at Great
Ashwell and Cottenham, whole villages roofed mainly
with thatch, have been more than half destroyed.
" The agency of the society has had the attention of
the directors, and probably 200 agents have been visited
during the year by the directors and official staff. In
very many instances inefficient agents have been super-
seded, and more efficient men appointed in their stead.
The directors have likewise been successful in recently
supplying with agents. of the highest respectability and
business talent, a large number of important towns and
cities in the north. Many of those have only just got
to work, but will, during the ensuing year, very largely
increase the business of the office.
" It only remains to add, that the directors have been
able, in common with very many of the membernof the
society, to introduce many of their friends as new mem-
bers; and it every member would, as an important por-
tion are now doing, take every opportunity,' to put the
prospectus of the office into the hands of his friends,
with the advice, ' Do as I do,' the remarkable ratio of
increase witnessed since the foundation would be fully
sustained in time to come."
After the reading of the balance-sheets, Mr. HILL
asked if the details of expenditure could be furnished
to the meeting ?
Tne CHAIRMAN immediately read the various
items, stating that the directors had given, from time
to time, a most vigilant attention to these details,
with a view to their reduction, wherever practicable ;
and he believed they could not be reduced without in-
jury to the society.
The CHAIRMAN then submitted to the meeting the
names of the retiring directors and auditor, when
each of the following gentlemen was unanimously re-
elected, viz. :—Mr. Francis Cuthbertson, Mr. George
S. Freeman, Mr. George Gould, directors; Mr. J.
W. Pewtress, auditor.
Mr. W. H. WATSON asked the number of new
policies issued during the past year, and the amount
of property covered by them, as he thought the second
year, which they had now passed through, presented
a test of the public estimation of the society, inas-
much as it did not comprise, like the first year, the
business produced by the personal influence of the
directors.
In answer to this question, it appeared that the
business had been doubled in the second year, and
was progressing in the same ratio in the few weeks
which had elapsed since the close of the financial year,
the number and amounts being read by the Secretary.
Mr. WATSON observed that there could be no doubt
of the progress of an institution that increased,half a
million every year.
Mr. SANDERS said the explanations given were per-
fectly satisfactory, which sentiment was audibly re-
,sponded to throughout the room.
Mr. BLACKETT said he could not attend such a
meeting without being impressed with the thought
that a new era had commenced in the arrangements
for our public safety. The advantages of mutual life
assurance had been.long established, and had been
found so great,: that it was desirable to apply the
same principle-to fire assurance • but he had not been
preparedjor such a decisive exhibition of the advan-
tage, :in-this department, as the report presented.
It rile a gratifying fact, that, with so much busi-
ness as had been done, so small a proportion of the
premiums should have proved sufficient to meet all
the losses. It was plain that a large profit must
attach to fire insurance ; and if that profit could be
in this way saved to the assurers, it must become
popular. It was to be expected, that at no
distant period this society would be one of the
leading institutions of the metropolis. Considering the
large increase of buildings necessary to provide for
was
our annually•extending population, there plenty
of room for its progress. He could not avoid
complete noticingy
the confidence the directors had is their
success, elicited by the fact that t had voluntarily
members from loss;
subscribed a capital to protect the
it must inspire them
with a like confidence. Ilefa h leaders
and when they had such
out, it
liof.otuhldis society
e
t
were more extensively carried e
persons to insure who had hitherto neglected ; it
would give a greater protection .to property, and a
great public benefit would be achieved. He approved
of the care and vigilance exercised in accepting as-
surances ; even though it might check business in
some directions, it was the safe plan. They must
.
continue their confidence in the directors and o-fficers,
and he bore his testimony to the skill and ability with
which their business was effected. He wished to con-
clude his remarks with a resolution which be would
move. It was to this effect :
" That this meeting is much gratified with the extra-
ordinary success which has marked the progress of the
society, and hails it as a further conflrmatio.n of its
view.; et the seal end ability9l' the c4.Fe°t °ll, 50 it 4