The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-20 00:00:00

TH E SUN, LONDON,

On Friday the anniversary festival of this institu-
tion took place at the Freemason's Tavern, Great
Queen•street, Lincoln's lon-fields; Mr. Justice Tal-
fourd in the chair, supported by the Belgian Minister,
the Hon. Edmund Phipps, the Hon. E. H. Stanley,
ALP., the Hon. Charles Hardinge, Sir Edward Ryan,
Sir John Davis, Bart., Sir Thomas Phillips, Sir J.
E. Tennent, Sir R. Paul Jodrell, Bart., I‘.lr. Joseph
Napier, M.P., Mr. James Wyld, M.P., Major Her-
bert Edwardes, C. 8., Major Rawlinson, C. 8., Sir
Henry Ellis, Mr. G. P. R. James, Mr. Robert Bell,
Mr. George Cruikshank, Mr. Erasmus Wilson, Mr.
Davis, secretary of the United States Legation, Dr.
Mackay, Mr. W. Tooke, F.S.A., Mr. John Britton,
F.S.A., Mr. George Godwin, F.R.S., &c.
The usual loyal toasts having been disposed of, the
Chairman proposed " The Church," and the Rev.
Henry Alford returned thanks. The next toast was
that of " The Army and Navy," in proposing which
the Chairman alluded, in very complimentary terms,
to the gallant conduct of Major Edwardes in the wars
of the Punjaub.
Major EDWARDES, in returning thanks, said he
could not claim the honour of bearing her Majesty's
commission, but he had certainly had the high grati-
fication of serving in two desperate campaigns in
India—the first and second Seikh wars; and he was
proud to bear witness, before this great assembly,
that no army in the world could have displayed
greater bravery than was exhibited by her Majesty's
troops in those memorable battles to which he had
alluded. His experience had taught him that, al-
though the armies of many other countries might be
larger in point of numbers, there was no army in the
world which had been brought to such high perfec-
tion as the army of England. He could not help
thinking that those who expressed the opinion
that the standing army of this country was too
large were mistaken, for he thought the numbers
were not more than sufficient to show that En •
gland was well protected against aggression. He said
this, not as a soldier speaking for his cloth, but as a
soldier speaking for his country. Having said thus
much in favour of the British army, he might be al-
lowed to make an observation respecting the army in
which he had the honour of serving. The army of
India was entitled to no small share of the credit due
to the troops whose valour had maintained the British
possessions in the East.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing prosperity to the
Royal Literary Fund, said that two objects were kept
constantly in view by those who administered the
affairs of the charity, viz.—the rigid restriction of its
funds to cases in which adversity was associated with
honest merit, and the desire not to afford mere tem-
porary relief, but, as far as possible, to supply sub-
stantial and permanent comfort. There could be no
doubt that such meritorious objects as these were well
deserving of public support, and he trusted that all
present would exert themselves towards increasing
the funds of this excellent institution. The Learned
Chairman concluded a very eloquent address by an
appeal to the sympathies of those who formed a just
appreciation of the beauties and advantages of lite-
rature.

The toast having been most warmly responded to,
The SECRETARY read a report, setting forth the
object of the society, and the amount of grants
awarded for the relief of authors, their widows and
orphans during the past year.
The chairman's health was then proposed by Mr
G. P. R. JAMES, and was drunk with the utmost en-
thusiasm.

The CHAIRMAN afterwards gave "The Health of the
Belgian Minister," stating that he was happy to in-
form the company that his Excellency had kindly
promised to preside at the next anniversary festival of
the institution.

The BELGIAN MINISTER, in returning thanks, said
he had always felt a pride in identifying himself as
much as possible with the institutions of this great
country; and he felt it a high honour in being re-
quested to fill the position of chairman at the next
meeting of this society.
Various other toasts were then drunk in succession,
amongst which were " The Hon. E. Phipps and the
Biographers," "Mr. Robert Bell and the Dramatists,"
" Mr. Skey and the Writers on Science," "Mr. Na-
pier and the Literature of Ireland," &c. ; and at the
close of the evening it was announced that subscrip-
tions had been received amounting to 7501, including
1001. from her Majesty and 20 guineas from Mr.
Justice Talfourd.

The company did not separate till a late hour.

RAILWAY RETURNS
RAILWAY THAFFIC.—The following are the Total Receipts of Rail-
ways for the past week—that is to say, up to the date to which the
respective returns are made, together with the receipts of the same
wef•k in the previous year:—

A mile of road bad also been laid upon the same
ine, with cast-iron sleepers, adapted to the ordinary
rail, as introduced by Mr. P. W. Barlow, M. Inst.
C.E.; and another mile bad been laid with these cast-
iron sleepers at the joints only, but having interme-
diate sleepers of timber.
The motion of the trains over their several experi-
mental lengths was firm and steady, there being no
perceptible difference between the two latter descrip-
tions.

In the discussion which ensued, in which Messrs.
Hawkshaw, Brunel, Locke, M.P., P. W. and W. H.
Barlow, and Glynn, took part, the relative advan-
tages and disadvantages of the different systems of
permanent way in present use were discussed, and
also in some slight degree compared with that pro-
posed by Mr. W. H. Barlow ; but it appeared to be a
general opinion, that no one system of laying a per-
manent road could at present claim a great superiority
over any other; and that, in reality, much more de-
pended on the good quality of the materials used in
its construction, than in any particular way of
laying it. The objects to be attained were—simpli-
oil of construction, so that there should be as few
parts as possible to get out of order, a perfect joint,
and economy of maintenance ; and though the two
first of these desiderata were admitted to be obtained
in a permanent way with bridge• shaped rails and
longitudinal timber sleepers, it was contended that
they were, to some extent, counterbalanced in a road
laid in the ordinary manner, with double-headed rails,
and cast-iron chairs, as, in some instances, after being
turned, the second table was found to be more durable
than the first.

Whatever might be the result of the discussion, it
was admitted that the subject was one of great im-
portance, and that the introduction of any improve:,
went in so vital a point as the " permanent way
would confer a great boon on railway property.
It was announced from the Chair, that the Presi-
dent's annual Conversazione would be held on Tues-
day evening, May 28th, for which the co-operation
of the members was sought, so that an interesting
collection of models of engineering constructions, and
of specimens of works of art, might be made ; and the
meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next, May 21st,
when the ballot for members would take place, and
the following paper would be read :—" On Printing
Machines ; especially that used in the Printing of the
Times newspaper," by Mr. Edward Cowper.

PRICES OF SHARES

IN BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM.

COMPANIES' STOCK.
From the Official List.

PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND IItIDAY EVENING

LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 17.

JOINT-STOCK MAIM.

Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
____--- --•---- --.,..-•
A.ustralasia .......... 245. 40 0 0 40 0 0 -
Britshlsorth American 51. percent. 50 0 0 30 5 0 -
Ceylon -• • .... •• •• • • 71. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Commercial of London 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 -
Colonial
Gloucestershire •••• • • 151 per cent. - - -
lonian ........ •• •• • • 61. par cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Londn and Westminstr 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 2614
- - 13 0 0 -
London Joint-Stock .• • 61, per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 17%
Provincial of Ireland• • 81. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 42
Ditto, New... -•• •• 8/. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 -
National of Ireland •• Si. per cent. 50 0 0 22 10 0 -
Nat. Provncial of Eng. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 35 0 0 -
Ditto, New. .•••• •• 5/. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 -
South Australia ••• • • • 6/, per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Union of Australia •• 61. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Ditto ........ •••• • • 61. per cent. - 210 0 -
Union cf London .. 61. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 -
Union of Madrid - 40 0 0 40 0 0 -
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price
Annum. Share.
---- -
A s. d. A s. d.
Albion •••••••• • • • • • • 31. 10s. 500 0 0 50 0 0 80
Alliance Brit. and For. 711456 d St bs 100 0 0 11 0 0 21
Ditto Marine. •• •• •• 61. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 5%
Atlas
British Commercial •• 7s. 6d. 50 0 0 50 0 7%
Cleriel,Mcd.& Gen. Life spr ct.& bs. 100 0 0 10 0 0 20
County ••••••• • •• •• • . 31. 100 0 0 10 0 0 62
143. 50 0 0 5 0 0 15
Eagle
European Life •••• • • 4% per cent. 20 0 0 All paid. 15
General •••• • • • • .... _ - 50 0 SU
Gbue - 130
Goardian ...... •• -.. 51. 100 0 0 36 10 0 53%
Imperial Fire -••• • •• 121, per cent. 500 0 0 50 0 0 228
Imperial Life • • ...... 12s. 100 0 0 10 0 0 15%
Indemnity Marine.. •• 11. sh. & bs. 100 0 0 20 5 0 37
Law Fire ............ - 100 0 0 210 0 2%
LAw Life ••••-•• • • •. 11.165. 100 0 0 10 0 0 43
Legal and General Life - 60 0 0 20 0 4%
Licensed Victuallers • • - 5 0 0 1 0 0 -
London Fire ........ 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 17%
London Ship .... - -10 s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 17%
Marine.. ..... •• •• .. 12s.per share 100 0 0 15 0 0 10
Med. Invlid&Gen.Life 4%1. per ct. 50 0 0 2 0 0 2%
National Lean Fund" SI. per cent. 20 0 0 210 0 -
Stational Life -
Palladium Life Si. per cent. SO 0 0 2 0 0 21 Os.
Pelican - .• •• •• •• .. •• - - - -
Pumnix 31. p. sh.lxbs. - - 142
Pi otector Life.... ••• 51. per cent. - - -
Provident Life - ...• •• 11. Ss. &Ss. 100 0 0 10 0 0 26
KOCIC Life ss. 1 0 0 010 0 6
Royal Exchange 6l. per cent. Stock. - 202
Sun Fire - - 210
Ditto Life . - - 48
United Kingdom
Laiversal Life ION pr cut. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
Vie.toria Life.... - . 412 6 4%

DOCKS.

Name of Compaiy.

Diridend
per

Amount
of
Share.

raid.

Annum.

lit and West In4la
East Country ....
London .

Ditto 80nd5........
%t. Katharine ...• ....

Ditto, Scrip ......, .

. _
Ditto 80nd5........
Southampton •• ......

Name of Company.

Charing-cross•• •.....
Southwrk ..........

Ditto Nw of 7% P.C.
Waterloo ............

Dittl Old Ann. of 81.
Ditto Nw ditto of 71.
Vauxhall .... • • • Ay.

61. pr cent.
20s. per sk.
N. pr cent.
41. per cent.
4 per cent.

4341. pr cent.
21. per cent.

BRIDG:

Dividend
per

Annum.

Z s. d.
Stock.
100 0 0
Stock.

Stock.

358. per cent.

11. es. Od.
11. le. Od.

50 0 0I

Amount
•f
Share.

Z. s. d.

leo 0 0
50 0 U
100 0 0

70 10 3

X s. d.

85 0 0

5000

Paid.

Z. I. d.