The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-27 00:00:00

EXII'IBITION OF INDUSTRY OF

ALL NATIONS.
(From the Times.)
The T2rince Consort can claim the credit of having
project .2d a festival in the appreciation of which all
men wad all nations concur. Such unanimity of ap-
proval has never yet been gained for any object, how-
ever intrinsically laultble, however sincerely pro-
moted, or however enthusiastically desired. There is
scarcely any example of a religious or social or poli-
tical association which is not in some sense exclusive
and in some opinions objectionable; but the Exhibi-
tion of the Industry of all Nations collects on the
same platform prelates and noncomformists, peers and
tradespeople, ambassadors and manufacturers, Whigs
and Tories, Free-traders and Protectionists. Even
Lord Brougham put off his idiosyncrasy and became
an ordinary mortal for the occasion, avowing, like
a great orator of antiquity, that his resolutions of
silence and reserve were unable to withstand so
impressive a call. " Diuturni silentii P. C. quo
cram his temporibus usus finem hic dies attulit." We
were not aware, we confess, that his Lordship had
been living in the observance of any such vows of
taciturnity and retirement. Perhaps, if the peaceful-
ness of our theme did not preclude the remark, we
might question whether his address was apt to pro-
duce the harmony and progress he was advocating.
We will not linger, however, on such points, but will
thankfully acknowledge the accession to 30 noble a
cause. •
For what was the cause in behalf of which such
eloquent appeals were delivered on Thursday ? Ac-
cording to the Bishops of our Church, it was a
cause singularly calculated to promote the progress
of religion, the growth of Christian principles, and
the amelioration of mankind. According to states-
men of high authority, it was calculated to increase,
establish, and perpetuate the peace and harmony
of all nations with each other. According to the
most eminent of our merchants, its infallible ten-
dency was to improve all products of art and
labour, to facilitate every man's industry, to lighten
every man's toil, and to augment the resources of
each for the benefit of all. Such a cause can surely
not fail of success. Its promotion in the present
shape is certainly a novelty, but novelties are not
usually unwelcome. On a similar scale and with
partial effect the experiment of industrial conven-
tions has been already triumphantly tried, but it was
an idea as new as it was felicitous to consider all man-
kind as one people, and to transform the metropolis
of Britain into the hospitable rendezvous of the
world.

"In ancient times," says Gibbon, " the nations
-of the earth were brought together by the pursuits
of piracy or the practices of pilgrimage. The for-
mer of these institutions has certainly been regarded
of late with singular indulgence, but unless it is to
be revived under an elaborate system of reciprocity
and protection, some substitute must be found for
those calls of conquest which for the last three cen-
turies have furnished the peoples of the world with
their opportunities of contact and their means of in-
ternational acquaintanceship. If war is to give place
to commerce, exhibitions of industry supply
the only form which national demonstrations
can take. Our grand reviews must be all
under cover. Our parades must be of manufac-
tures, not of men. We may still compete, en,
champ dos, with our neighbours and our rivals, but
on better conditions and with surer hopes. Nothing
will now be left to chance or fortune. In these con-
tests the race will really be to the swift and the battle
to the strong. The most industrious, the most inge-
nious, and the most patient will infallibly be the con-
querors. And as war, according to the old fashion,
was the only game from which both parties inva-
riably rose losers, so these new lists will exhibit the
only contests in which both parties must necessarily
be winner. Those who gain the day communicate
the means by which they were enabled to excel ;
those who lose it appropriate the excellence in virtue
of which they weresurpassed.

The greatf,stival cif inauguration is already taking
palpable shape. In a speech replete with imaginative
eloquence Lord Carlisle announced some of the dis-
tinctive features of the exhibition. Its two stages are
to be different in their respective characters. Up to a
certain, point the undertaking is to be exclusively Bri-
tish, beyond this it is to be universal. The competi-
tion is to be international—the preliminaries national.
We are to provide accommodation for the works ex-
hibited, and a hospitable welcome for the exhibitors.
As a natural consequence, the arrangements rest with
ourselves alone. When these are once completed
our peculiar functions cease, and the representatives
of all nations step in to share the entertainment we
have prepared. Such a bidding as this must needs
be emphatically public, and our readers are aware
that proposals of private responsibility liberally
made, and at first regarded with approval, have been
now declined in deference to that opinion which a few
days' reflection sufficed to develope. The undertaking
must, in every sens', be national, and though ample
funds will be required, yet the magnitude of the
amount vanishes a:t,gether when compared with the
multitude of the contributors. In the next place
eomes the question of accommodation, and then that
of the classification to he adopted for the multifarious
articles ( f the show. The latter subject is at this
moment under the consideration of the Commis-
sioner, and the results will shortly be submitted to
public discussion. We forbear to give examples of
the form they may take. The talent of classification
is one of the most important connected with science,
and ample scope will be given on the present occasion
to all the ficulties of organization and order.

We have said that the sums required to carry out
the prject, considerable though they may be, are
scarcely appreciable when balanced against the re-
sourc--,s of the people entrusted with the work, and if

. .
it is only remembered what collections have been
made for purposes not only of charity and benevo-
lence, hut for objects of less universal pretensions,
and even for the recompense of private individuals, the
truth of our remark will be evident at once. There
must, how,Aver, be no parsimony in the preparations.
Upon the liberality of the arrangements depend the
whole practical success and utility of the adventure.
It must be an exhibition, not only for show, but
for study. There must be room and oppor-
tunity for the deliberate and leisurely examina-
tion and comparison of every article exhibited,
and these advantages must be at the command of
every visitor, however humble. Every manufacturer
and artisan should have the opportunity of compre-
hending the whole exhibition as readily as he would
examine the museum of a country town, and it is the
ein.rinoui space required for insuring all these facili-
ties which will entail such demands upon the funds.
But the deinar:di must be met. It is the interest of
all alike that there should be no restriction of privi-
Jews, and that one man should enjoy as freely as
another the advantages of so important a chance. All
depends upon the liberality of the details, and, there•
lore, upon the adequacy of the funds. There are a
dozen towns in the kingdom which could subscribe '
the amount in an hour ; but it is far preferable that
the contributions, like the benefit forthcoming, should
be universal, and that all should be sharers alike in
the responsibility and enjoyment of the exhibition.

SAVINGS' B.istis.—lt is another " great fact," that
those officers of savings' harks, who have proved de-
fAult-rs, were persons in excellent stations in life. Trus-
tees and nrinngers of some of those institutions appear
to hare had a special liking in the appointment of such
persons (a sort of favoritism to worldly-minded men) to
the exclusion of competent and upright individuals,
to whom the situations would have been a benefit, ana a
credit to those appointing them. But the appointments,
being not of a personal nature to such trustees and
managers but a public concern, why they could serve
pet men more easily and more conveniently to themselves.
Raving done so, the favoured men were left to the almost
uncontrolled management of the banks (for it would net
do to watch, much more suspect, them) and the result
has been what all the world now knows. So much fur
favoritism and injustice !
STRENGTH Or GUTTA PERCHA. TUBING.—A trial
of the strength of gutta percha tubing took place a
few days ago at Stirling in presence of a Committee
of the Town Council, with a view to its applicability
for extinguishing fires, flushing drains, &e. The
tubing, which was one-and-a-half inch bore, was at-
tached to the water-pioes; and, although the pressure of
th water is perhaps the greatest in the kingdom (being
ab-ut 450 feet), not the slightest effect-could be ter-
seived upon either the tubing. or the joints, whilst the
same amount of pressure upon strong leather hose scat-
tered the rivets in all directions.—Edixburgh Advertiser.
SALVED SPIRITS.—A firm having purchased of the
Admiralty agent, at one of the northern ports, a cask of
rum, which had been picked up at sea, and brought into
the port by a foreign vessel, the cask having on it Eng-
lish marks, and all the appearance of being of British
manufacture, application was made to the authorities of
the revenue to allow them to vat the ram in bond, and
then reduce it to proof strength for exportation as stores.
It will be observed that the cask of rum was picked up
at sea by a foreign vessel, on her voyage from a foreign
port to this country, and had been purchased by the par-
ties from the Receiver of Droits of Admiralty at the
place, and therefore, with regard to this application to
vat it for exportation as ship's stores as of the produce
of a British possession, it was considered that as the cask
of spirits was required to be vatted, or mixed with other
spirits of the same sort, and reduced with water, for
shipment as stores of vessels, and which could not,
therefore, be afterwards cleared for home use, there did
not appear to be any objection to tee request being
allowed.
BELGIAN 1101's.—The importations of hops from
Belgium are on the increase, and are of considerable in-
terest and importance. The steamer Triton, arrived
from Ostend, has brought, as part of a general cargo, 30
bales of hops, consigned to order; the Sir Edward
Banks, from the same part, 9 bales; and the Commerce
de Gand, from Ghent, has brought 60 bales of the ar-
ticle, consigned to commercial firms and to order, the
powth and produce of Belgium. In addition to these
importations, the vessel Albatross, just arrived at the
port of Hull from Antwerp, has brought 76 bales of
hope, which is by far the largest importation of the kind
vt.hitql has taken place at that port from abroad, the
Pr""" krtivalit tan Hull bavieg been of a limited
°tweeter.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY.

The usual half-yearly general meeting of the London
and South-Western Railway Company was held yester-
day at.the Nine Elms Station; William Chaplin, Esq.,
ALP., chairman of the board of directors, in the chair.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, the minutes of the past meeting were confirmed,
and the report of the directors submitted to the share-
holders, from which we make the following extracts:—
" From the accounts that have been for some days
past in the hands of the proprietors, it will be seen
t h at—
The net revenue for the half-year ending
alst December, 1849, amounts, after
deducting interest on loans, and all
other preferential charges, to
The surplus from June, 1849, to 2,687 18 8
The balance applicable to dividend is,
therefore £110,346 13 2
From which the directors recommend
that a dividend for the half-year,
at the rate of 3/ per cent. per
annum, be deducted, amounting on
6,602,4221. 3s. 4d. to 107,289 7 3
Leaving to be carried over to the next
half-year ....
The total working expenses for the half-year
amounted to 109,4151., and of rats and taxes, exclusive
of income-tax, to 19,025/.
It is to be remarked, that although a large amount
of capital is still unproductive, in consequence of the
original intentions of the company not having been
carried out, the whole of the interest on such capital is
charged to revenue.
"From a comparison it appears that the passenger
traffic of the last half-year, although twenty-three more
miles of railway are open, is 3,184/. less than in 1848,
the goods traffic being 6,8371 more; the whole increase
being consequently only 3,6531. It is, however, satis-
factory to perceive, that it has been possible to work
twenty-three more miles of railway with an expenditure
of 8,3541. less. The net revenue is thus 12,0071. more.
" The total expenditure, per mile of railway, 554 L, and
per mile of train, 3s. 34d., will, it is believed, bear com-
parison with any metropolitan railway.
" In October, 1849, they reduced their fares within
short distances of London, with a view of encouraging
traffic to the suburbs, being of opinion that the true po-
licy of of the company is to promote in every way the
daily extending habit of residence out of town ; and
they believe that when the districts this railway tra-
verses, and the central position of the London terminus are
considered, it is able to offer advantages, in regard to re-
sidential traffic, greater than any other railway out of Lon-
don. It is now shown by experience, that every additional
house of the better class, inhabited on the line, brings
with it a certain increase of traffic to the railway. The
directors therefore purpose to establish a low scale of sea-
son tickets for the suburtlit, to be issued for terms vary-
ing from one to twelve months, and to be renewable at
the same rate for seven years ; and they are satisfied,
that by adhering to this policy, a large additional re-
venue will be eventually secured to the railway.
" The maintenance of 207 miles of railway is charged
upon revenue during the half-year, the average cost,
per mile, of maintenance of way and stations, amounting
to 2831. per mile per annum.
" The charge for locomotive power for the last half-
year was (the price of coke being 21s. 101 per ton) per
train per mile, including pilotage, 9•36 d.
"During the last half-year 3,3871. has been expended
on the locomotive stock on renewals, and is included in
the charge of 9.36 d. per mile. It is probable that, in
some years, this charge will exceed the present rate; but
the directors are satisfied that the company is pur-
suing a safe and sound course in meeting these
inequalities out of revenue. The locomotive
st, ck of this company is in excellent condition.
Ic is satisfactory to find that the earnings for the past
year of the steam-packets leased by the company have
sufficed, after paying all expenses, to meet the interest
for that period on the 50,0001. lent to the New South-
Western Steam Navigation Company, and to pay
the 5 per cent. guaranteed dividend on its
paid-up capital ; a balance of 3,180/. is
carried over to the credit of the present half-year.
In November, 1848, it was proposed to confine the opera-
tions of the company to the completion of certain lines
then in progress; these are all open for traffic, and there
remains not a single mile of line now under construc-
tion. The directors have accordingly been anxious to
determine and discharge all liabilities and engagements,
with the view to the final closing of the capital account
at the earliest possible period. It is impracticable sud-
denly to effect this object, some of these engagements
requiring great circumspection in dealing with them;
but it is certain that no creation of new capital can be
necessary in this company."
The CHAIRMAN said the report of the committee ap-
pointed to investigate the charges and statements made
against the integrity of the directors would be read.
It is only necessary, however, to give the concluding
paragraph in the report, which was as follows:
" The committee having reported upon all the charges

affecting the directors, either collectively or individually,
which they think it necessary to bring specifically be-
fore the proprietors, have only to add in conclusion,
that although they have discovered in the course of their
inquiries much tJ blame and to regret, especially in the
fibance department, they are unanimously of opinion
that nothing has come betore them which affects the
integrity' or probity' of the directors."
Mr. CURRIE, tha chairman of the committee, moved
that this report be received and forwarded to each share-
holder.

Mr. MYCROFT took exception to this, because the re-
port did ni,t deal with the charge against the directors
of mystifying and circulating !else accounts.
Mr. MANGLES, M.P., one of the committee said, they
had never before heard of such a charge.
The CHAIRMAN did not agree with all the conclusions
of the report, which he had not seen until he came into
that room; but on the whole he hat no desire to quarrel
with it.—(llear, hear.)
The resolutiun having been seconded, was shortly
deba;ed and agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said the next matter to be disposed
o was the report of the committee which had been ap-
pointed to consider the question of audit.
Mr. MOEI.I3IEII, the deputy-chairman of the com-
mittee, moved the adoption of the report and the ap-
pointment of a committee to confer with the committees
of other companies in procuring an Act of Parliament
for establishing an efficient system of audit.
A SHAREHOLDER suggested that the report should be
read, which was accordingly done; but as it was pub-
lished some weeks ago it is unnecessary to repeat it.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that however desirable it
might be to carry out the recommendations contained in
the. report, it could not be done to the fullest extent
without the sanction of an Act of Parliament, and he
therefore hoped the directors would not be called upon
to carry them into effect now.

Mr. i.ccKE, M.P., said the majority of them could be
carried out under the bye-laws of the company; but he
would suggest that the entire matter should be referred
to the committee to be appointed to-day, to communi-
cate with the committee of other shareholders on the
general subject of audit. That c9mreittee might also
cower with the directors upon the propriety of aecom-
p!ishing some of the recommendxtioas under the bye-
law,.

Mr. SAINSBURY objected to referring the matter back
again to a committee, and suggested that it bal better
be left in the hands of the directors. He moved an
amendment accordingly, that the report be referred to
the board to decide what point of it was compatible with
the existing Acts of the company.
The CHAIRMAN wished to have nothing to do with
the audit question, bat to leave it entirely with the
shareholders.

Mr. fIELP3, a member of the committee, said that both
he and the chairman of the committee, Mr. Thomas J.

flail, the chief metropolitan police magistrate, were fa-
vourable to a Government audit. In the event, there-
fore, of the amendment being rejected, it was his in-
tention to move another, to the effect that the report be
referred to the directors, with instructions to communi-
cate the opinion of this meeting to the Railway Commis-
sioners, that railway accounts ought to be audited by
two auditors appointed by the shareholders, assisted by
a public accountant to be nominated by the Government.
Mr. BAKER, another member of the committee, an-
nounced his determination to support anything in the
shape of a Government atrdit.
Mr. Sergeant GASELEE was favourable to a Govern-
ment audit, but as shareholders were not ripe for that
system, he had no objection to the alternative proposed
by Mr. Locke.
Mr. MooN, of Liverpool, explained the provisions of
the: Bill prepared by the London and North-Western
Company, and reeommended the meeting to appoint a
committee of three gentlemen to assist in carrying it
through Parliament. He proposed that Messrs. Locke,
Hoyes, and Baker. should form that committee.
_ _

Mr. MANGLES, M.P., would second that proposal if ho
could do so with order. They had no right to force
upon the board the wholesale adoption of all that the
report contained.
Mr. MoirrimEn had no objection to withdraw his
resolution in favour of Mr. Moon's proposal.
Mr. kloirEs was opposed to a Government audit. The
shareholders were the best source whence auditors should
emanate.

Eventually all the amendments, including that of Mr.
Helps, were rejected, when the report was received, and
Mr. Moon's proposal, now becoming a substantive reso-
lution, was put and agreed to.
A resolution was then passed, recommending the di-
rectors to adopt the'recommendations of the report as far
as they could possibly do so.
The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the di-
rectors' report, which was agreed to after some discus-
sion, and the dividend declared payable on an early day.
Mr. C M.P., was then re elected as director.
Theothehratpwlion'vacancies which occur at the board this
half-year it was resolved should nut be filled up.
Thanks were than voted the Chairman, and the
meeting terminated after a very lengthened sitting.

EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCKS
BIRMINGHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY.
The general ordinary half yearly meeting, of the pro-
prietors was held yesterday, at the Euston Station; Mr.
John Scott in the chair.
The report stated that the directors had continued to
forward the works upon the line as much as possible, in
order to bring the railway into operation at the earliest
possible period. The land required for the branch to
the Blackwell Railway had been agreed for, and a contract
having been concluded for the construction of the brancb,
no time will be lost in the commencing and completing
it, thus connecting the main line with the Fenchurch-
street terminus. A contract had also been taken for
completing the line of railway to the East and West India
Docks and to Blackwell, at a price below the engineer's
estimate. The efforts of the directors to enforce pay-
ments of arrears of calls :had met with little success.
Those arrears amounted to 27,310/. on 693 shares, upon
which 7,3401. had been paid. The necessary

notices had been given for the forfeiture of
460 of those shares, upon which 3,850/. had been paid.
The Bill now before Parliament would show that the
necessary steps were being taken to obtain legislative
sanction for leasing the line to the London and North-
Western Company. One of the directors, Mr. Robert
Cotesworth having resigned, Mr. Edward Maxwell
Daniell had been elected in his room. The directors
who went out of office by rotation were Mr. Creed, Mr.
/Ebben, Mr. Kelsall, and Mr. Thomas, and, with the ex-
ception of Mr. Kelsall, they offered themselves for re-
election. Mr. Sweetland, the auditor, who also went
out of office, was eligible for re-election."
The total receipts, from the commencement of the
undertaking to the 31st December last, amounted to
627,677/. 19s. 3d., and the expenditure to 622,3681.25. 5d.,
leaving a balance of 5,309/. 16s. 10d. The engineer's
report stated that the portion of the line between the
North-Western Railway and the City might be finished
ready for opening in the present spring. The sites for
the different stations had been fixed, and the buildings
were now in the course of erection. The sudden fall-
ing in of seven of the arches of the viaduct, at Camden-
town, in November last, occasioned much anxiety. The
searching inquiry then made proved that the accident
was to be attributed solely to the peculiar character of
the soil of the district, and could not, by any possibility,
have been guardel against. This conclusion was
confirmed by the opinion of the engineer of the
London and North-Western Railway, who was
requested to examine the works and report on
the subject. He stated that the design was
most judiciously arranged, that the materials were of
every description most excellent, the workmanship un-
exceptionable, and that the occurrence was a casualty
which no foresight could have prevented. In conclu-
sion, he states, that " the loss falls on the contractor,
which is to be regretted, as the works have. evidently
been constructed with much care and honesty."
In reply to a question, the engineer (Mr. MARTIN)
stated that 130,000/. would be required to complete the
works remaining to be executed on the 31st of Decem-
ber last. The company was in the possession of surplus
land, which was valued at between 150,0001. to 170,0001.
After a brief discussion, the report was received and
adopted, and the retiring directors and the retiring
auditor re-elected.

The proprietors then resolved themselves into a spe-
cial general meeting to consider a draft Bill intended to
be promoted in Parliament during the present session.
The SOLICITOR read the heads of the Bill, which is to
enable the company to make and maintain certain branch
lines, to amend the former Act, and to authorise the
leafing of their undertaking to the Nurth-Western
Company, to create additional stock, and for other pur-
poses.
In reply to a suggestion from a PROPRIETOR that the
North-Western Company would be enabled by their
shares to swamp the votes of the other proprietors when
they wished to carry any proposition,
Mr. THOMAS, a director, said it was provided in the
Bill that each proprietor who held no more than twenty
shares was to have a vote for each share, but larger
holders were only to have one vote fur five shares; and
as twenty shares was about the average number gene-
rally held, it was calculated that the proprietors would
have 2,000 votes, whilst the North-Western Company
would only have about 1,600.
The Bill, with the exception of the clause giving gua-
ranteed interest upon the additional stock to be created,
was then agreed to; and after a vote of thanks to the
Chairman, the meeting separated. ,

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
(From the London New Price Current, Feb. 26.)
SUGAR.—To-day the market for West India Sugar
presented a more active appearance, holders were less
disposed to realise, and at former rates a fair business was
concluded. The business amounted to 620 hhds., &c., in-
cluding at auction 133 hhds 8 trcs Barbadoes, which sold
freely at 6d per cwt advance; fine yellow realised 41s to
425, and other sorts 38s to 40s; 25 hhds 75 trcs Deme-
rara, crystalized, went at full terms; ord and mid yellow
38s 6d to 41s 6d, and good brown 37s per cwt.
REFINED.—To-day home dealers made purchases with
more freedom in Refined Sugar, but better prices could
not be obtained. Sales of brown Lumps were made at
48s per cwt, and fair to good grocery 48s 6d to 51s.
The market is still in a dull state for Bonded Crushed
Sugar at 29s 6d to 30s 6d, and there are free sellers.
MAURITIUS.—This afternoon the quantity of Mauri-
tius Sugar submitted to public sale amounted to 6,000
bags. There was a more active demand, and the whole
sold at fully former rates; yellow went at 37s to 39s 6d,
low 36s to 37s 6d, mid to good brown 32s to 345, fine
34s 6d to 35s 6d, inferior 30s to 31s, and ♦ery low 26s
to 27s 6d per cwt.
EAST INDIA.—This afternoon there was a better de-
mand for Bengal Sugar ; the parcels offered at public
sale amounted to 4,620 bags, and nearly all sold at
steady rates ; white Benares at 38s to 40s 6d, fine 41s
to 425, yellow, like Mauritius, 35s 6d to 37s 6d, ord 34s
to 355, and fine strong yellow 44s 6d to 45s 6d. Of
Madras 928 bags were disposed of at the full value of
soft brown at 29a to 30s 6d, and yellow 31s to 33s 6d
per cwt.
FOREIGN.—To-'!ay there was no public sale of foreign
Sugar, but by private treaty rather more business was
concluded at the former value, and holders display
firmness. Of yellow Havannah about. 5,000 chests have
been sold on the spot at 20s 3d to 203 6d, in bond, a
cargo of 5,000 bags brown Pernams 18s 9d, and 400
chests strong white Bahia 23s 3d per cwt.
MoLAsses.—Prices tend downwards for West India,
and operations have been small in all sorts by private
treaty. Of Demerara 150 puns sold at 15s to 15s 6d.
At auction 90 puns Trinidad were taken in at 15s 6d,
and 91 puns Demerara at 16s. East India Treacle is
to be obtained at 134 6d to 14s.
Cocoa—To-day Foreign Cocoa met with little atten-
tion, and at public sale 971 bags Guayaquil ware all
taken in at 30s to 32s for grey, which are lower rates.
TEA. —There has been little desire evince] to operate
in common Congou since our last report, still holders are
firm and require 92d to 10d per lb, whilst several fresh
shipping orders are expected. Ocher sorts have been in
good demand, and prices are folly as high as on this
day week, but middling and middling rather strong
selling at 10id to lid, blackish leaf Is ld to is 3d,
strong blackish leaf is 3d to Is sd, ditto and Pekoe
flavor is 5d to Is 9d per lb. For Hyson and Young
Hyson the market became dull, and prices have fallen
Id to 2d; still other sorts of green have been in good de-
mand at full terms. Twankay met with much attention
for exportation chiefly for Canada, and there are no sel-
lers under 9d. Scented Caper has been purchased with
caution at is 2d to is 7d, but in scented Orange Pekoe
a good deal has been done at lld to is 2d, and good
ls 3d to 3s 3d.
COFFEE.—This afternoon there was no improvement
in the Coffee market, and both shippers and home dealers
operated with much caution, whilst the downward ten-
dency continues. At public sale 53 casks 946 bags
Ceylon were offered. Native was taken in at 59s
64 to 60s for good ord, whilst a few lots damaged sold
at 54s to 56s : of the Plantation a part only found buy-
ers at rather lower rates ; good ord at 57s 6d to 58s
ad, fine and fine fine ordinary 61s to 659, middling
68s, and triage 52s 6d to 58s; the better sorts
were taken in at 70s to 80s. Of Mocha 150 bales
were in part sold, fine at 80s 6d, mid 70s, low mid
663, damaged and triage 37s to 665; but 116 bags Madras
were taken in at 565, and the sound of 305 bass Padang
at 48s; damaged sold at 39s 6d to 40s 6d, which are
lower rates. Of Native Ceylon 2,000 bags were disposed
of for arrival at 58s per cwt for good ordinary.
SPICES.—To-day Cloves met with more attention, and
at public sale 174 bags of Bourbon all sold at lid to 84-(1
for bold; likewise 198 cases Bengal Ginger, at 51s to 53s
for small cultivated sort!.

RlCE.—There has again been much dulness in the
market for East India. At public sale a part only of
4,100 bags found buyers; low and raid white Bengal 9s
to 9s 6d, Madras, Bombay sort, 8s to 8s 6d, and
good pinkey white 9s to 9s 6d; the value
of good and fine white Bengal is 10s to Ils
Cleaned Rice continues in excellent demand, Patna, low
to flue 12s to 18s, broken 10s to lls 6J, town dressed
Carolina 22s to 26., and American 19a 6d to 21s. Of
Sago the quantity offered at public sale has been large,
and amounted to 1,230 cases, but a part only sold at from
21s 6d to 24s 6d for low to fine pearl. To-day at public
sale 150 boxes Pearl Sago were all taken in at 23s 6d to
24s per cwt.

SPlRlTS.—Leeward Island Rum has been sold at is 5d
to is Sid proof, and at is 6d for fine brown. East India
Is 4d to is 5d proof. Of Demerara several parcels have
been sold at from 2s 3d to 2s 7d for 30 to 40 per cent
over proof. Jamaica, 20 to 29 percent over proof, from 2s 4d
to 238 d, 30 to 36 over 2s 9d to 3s sd, fine and choice marks
3s 6d to 4s 3d. In Brandy operations have been upon a
more extended scale. The value of Cognac, best brands
of the vintage of 1848, is 4s 7d to 4s 9d, 1847 do 5s 2d
to 5s 4d, inferior sorts 2s 8d to 4s 2d, and Bordeaux
3s 6d to 2s 8d per gallon. Geneva Is 9d to Is 10d, and
fine 2a 3d to 3s 3d. British made Spirit 9s 6d net cash.
Seta PETRE.—To-day there was a good demand, and
at public sale 821 bags Calcutta sold at full rates, refrac-
tion 51 to 2 per cent. realised 27s 6d to 28s 6d, and 12
to 8k ditto 26s per cwt.
CoCnINEAL.—To-day there was little desire evinced
to operate in Cochineal. At public sale not above half
of 150 bags sold at id to 2d decline. Honduras silvers
went at from 33 10d to 4s sd, Black 4s ld to 4s 9d,
Mexican 3s lld to 45 Id, and silvers 3s 10d to 3s lld
per lb.
OlLS.—There has been a further increase in the de-
mand for Cod Oil, and higher rates have been paid, sales
having been made at 321 103 to 331 per tun. Seal, pale
at 381 to 381 103, straw and tinged 341 to 37/,
yellow and brown 31/ to 331 10s. Whale Oil
met with a more active sale. At auction 30
tuns went at from 32/ 5s to 34/, for middlieg to fine,
and 50 tuna of St a Elephant Oil 32l to 331 10s. Sperm
821 to 82/ lOs for Colonial. Of Ground Nut Oil 34 hhds
were taken in at 41s 9d. There is firmness in the
market for Linseed Oil, whilst the rates paid have been
325 3d to 32s 6d on the spot. A fair quantity
bas been sold for delivery, and the market is
firm at 32s 6d to 335. Rape Oil met with
little attention, and a desire is evinced to sell,
pale at 41s, brown 40s, Foreign Refined 43s to 445, and
brown 425. Palm, sales of good and fine have been
made at 31s 6d to 32s 6d. Cocoa Nut, at auction 200
casks were taken in at 33s t 3 365, and ordinary 31s tid
to 323. Fur Olive there are sellers of Spanish and
Gallipoli at 491. to 50/., Barbary, Levant, and Portugal
471 to 481 per tun.

TALLOW.—The value of fine P.Y. Candle is 363 3d to
36s 9d per cwt. For delivery in the last three months
of the year only limited sales have been made, although
a desire is evinced to accept 38s to 38s 6d. Home
melted has been operated in with caution
and prime melted is to he obtained at 363 to
36s Gd for cash. Of other sorts of Tallow there was
been an abundant supply, and reduced rates are sub-
mitted to. At public sale 70 casks Petersburgh Soap were
taken in at 33s 6d, 50 cks Taganrog at 35s 6d, 183 cks
Odessa 35s to 365, 1,130 casks Sydney only in part
fonnd buyers, good and fine 35s to 36a 6d, low and
middling 33. to 343 9d ; 1,000 pkge South American,

good and fine 34s 6d to 36s 3d, and inferior 31s to
5133 d per cwt. For auction on Friday 2,000 pkgs of
Tallow are declared. Rough Fat i 3 2fd per stone of 81bs.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
_HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 26.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool-
sack at Five o'clock.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from an in-
dividual praying t) be permitted to sue for a divorce
Bill in forma pauperis. He thought that some altera-
tion ought to take place in the present system, so as to
afford to the poor a remedy as well as to the rich.
The NOBLE and LEARNED LORD also presented a
petition from the Chamber of Commerce in some
town in Scotland in favour of the Bill for
amending the Scotch law of distress; also a petition
from Northampton in favour of the extension of the
jurisdiction of the county courts; and a petition from
the tenant-farmers of Tyrone in favour of an alteration
in the grand jury law in Ireland.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.
The Earl of MALMESBURY wished to draw the
attention of the Noble Marquis t ) the stare of the agri-
cultural population of the parish of Leamington, in Wilts.
The farmers had determined to reduce the wages of the
labourers to 6s. a week ; i❑ consequence, the labourers
riotously assembled, one of them was captured and after-
wards rescued, and several riotous proceedings took
place. He could not blame the farmers for making the
reduction of wages to 6s. a week, as it was only inflicting
on the labourer his fair share of the loss accruing from
the reduced price of produce.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had received no in-
formation of the circumstances referred to by the Noble
Earl.

ENCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND) ACT.
Lord BEAUMONT presented a petition from Lady
Jervis White Jervis complaining of the operation of the
Encumbered Estates Act. The estate which she ad-
ministered, and on which she had a jointure, was an im-
provable estate encumbered to the amount of 29,0001.
The solicitor of the petitioner had lent 1,0001.
on it ; he owing to the (setae 5001., the petitioner
sought to set off the 500/. against the 1,0001.
on which the solicitor assigned the judgment of 1,0001.
to a person in London, whereupon he was dismissed
from his office as solicitor, on which the holder of
the judgment petitioned the Commissioners, who
ordered the estate to be sold, unless the en-
cumbrance should be paid off in twenty-eight days.
The petitioner prayed that longer notice should be re-
quired before a sale was ordered, and that jointures
should not be considered as encumbrances.
Lord BROUGHAM said that whatever length of no-
tice had been given, she could not have appeared under
any circumstances.
Lord BEAUMONT considered that the Act gave un-
due facilities to the creditors of persons possessed of
encumbered estates, and opened a door to oppsession.
The whole object of the Act was to sell up and to revo-
lutionize the landed interest.
After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR,
Earl GREY said that if the owner of the property had
chosen to oppose the sale he would have been heard;
but as he did not oppose the sale, surely no other person
had any right to do so.
The Earl of GLENGALL considered that it was un-
just that a junior creditor for a small amount should
have the power of enforcing the sales of an estate.
This was one of the most outrageous and
brutal cases of which he had ever heard,
and he only regretted that the petitioner had not in-
serted in the petition the name of the agent of the
person to whom he bad assigned his interest. The
Encumbered Estates' Commission was not a
court of justice, or of law, or of equity; it was
an auctioneer's court and nothing else, and the Com-
missioners ought to be compelled to take out a licence.—
( A laugh.) By the operation of this Act persons were
robbed of their estates.
Lord CAMPBELL must earnestly request their
Lordships to discountenance petitions such as this,
reviewing the proceedings of a court of judicature,
against the decisions of which their Lordships
had decided when they passed the law there
should be no appeal. These appeals, therefore,
were extra judicial. It was clear that the petitioner had
no interest in the estate, for if she had she would have
had a locus standi in the court and have been heard, and
as the estate was encumbered to more than half its an-
nual value it was clear the Commissioners had jurisdiction,
and yet the Noble Earl thought it proper to hold the
Learned Judges of this Court up to ridicule as auction-
eers, because in their zeal to do the best for the holders
of encumbered estates, they had themselves sold the
estates in this Court.—(Llear, hear.) He had no doubt
but that that Court would exercise their powers
properly.
The Earl of GLENGALL said the Act was an
atrocious and unconstitutional Act, intended to destroy
the gentry of Ireland because they were Conservatives.
The Earl of MOUNTCASIIEL considered that a
more arbitrary Act never
.passed the lionise than that
Act. It was an Act of injustice and confiscation, which
had been forced upon Ireland against the wish of the
majority of both Houses of Parliament.—(Loud laughter.)
A body more oppressed than the Irish landlords never
were—(A laugh)—and when the Bill was extended to
England then Noble Lords would understand its opera-
tion and tyranny.
Lord BEAUMONT explained that he had not
complained of the Commissioners, but of the opera-
tion of the Act, by which estates had been brought
into the Court, which their Lordships, when they passed
the Bill, had never intended to be brought into it. lie
thought the Act was a wise Act as regarded those hope-
lessly encumbered estates to which alone its operations
1 al been confined.
The Earl of GLENGALL explained that he had
meant no reflection on the Commissioners, who were
most respectable men.
The petition was ordered to lie on the tab!e.
RAILWAY BILLS.
Lord MONTEAGLE then rose, according to notice,
to move that the House do resolve " That ten days a:
least before the second reading of any private Bill for
making, improving, abandoning, or in any other way
affecting or varying any railroad, or for erecting, incor-
porating, or affecting the powers vested in any railway
company, or for the amalgamation of any railway com-
pany, or in any other way touching the same, there
shall be delivered at tne office of the Clerk of the Par-
liament for the use of this House copies of the balance-
sheets of every such Company, for the years 1848 and
1849, as required to be kept by the Bth and 9th Vic.,
cap. 16, or by any Act incorporating such company,
together with copies of schemes for dividends, in which
dividends shall have been declared during the years
1848 and 1849, under sections 120 and 121 of the said
Act of the Bth and 9th Vic., cap. 16, or under any other
Act incorporating the company, and a statement of
the amount of dividends declared in pursuance of such
schemes, and the date at which such schemes
were agreed to, and the dividends declared." The
importance of an inquiry conducted on rigid prin-
ciples was amply shown by the returns of the seven
principal railways in the kingdom, amongst which were
the Great Western, the North-Western, the South-
Western, the Manchester and Leeds, the Midland, and
the York and North Midland. In the month of August
1845, 1001. of the average nominal stock of these rail-
s 6.; an
3he 6resd on
.solution which he should
b e
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now move, therefore was, that before they came to the
second reading of Railway Bills in the course of the
present year, they should have before them their finan-
cial condition, with a view of seeing, that if that finan-
cial condition showedonalversation on the part of any of
those companies, their Lordships Should, as trustees for
the public, refuse to confer on them new and increased
powers. The Noble Lord concluded by moving the re-
eelution of which he had given notice, and it was
agreed to.
The Earl of CARLISLE presented petitions from
the West Riding of Yorkshire, directing
the attention
of the House to the evasion, by Brazil and Cuba, of
treaties made for the prevention of the slave-trade, and
praying the House to take steps to enforce them.
EMIGRATION MEDICAL OFFICERS.
The Earl of M.OUNTCASHEL, in moving that there
be laid be fore the House copies of the testimonials, with
the names of the parties subscribed to them, produced
by Thomas Hammond, upon the faith of which he was
last summer appointed surgeon to the emigrant ship
Una, together with the minutes made by the Colonial
Land and Emigration Commissioners on those testimo-
nials, called the attention of the House to the result of
the inquiries which he bad made into the circumstances,
which had led to the appointment of this individual to
the medical charge of the Una, and into his previous
course of life. In his opinion he did not think him a
person at all qualified and fitted for the discharge of so
important a trust, though be did not mean to say that
that was a matter upon which he intended to found any
omoeurrlsye lived
of lf at Eton,ncaemde in a charge against the Colonial-office. This 'gentleman for-
e
some time confined
lunatic asylum, at or near
Norwich. How he got out of it he did not know,_
but he did get out, and was appointed medical
fieaantd length
fromgth following an irregular
deranged, and was for
surgeon on board this emigrant vessel, Which
:ailed for Sydney from one of our ports in the middle i
of July last. There were 313 souls on board this
vessel, and he would admit that in the course of his in-
quiries he received testimonials of the highest character
relating to this person, and he admitted it freely, be.
cause his object really was to point the matter out to the
Noble Earl opposite at the head of the Colonial depart-
ment as a caution for the future. Having referred to
several matters which took place in the course of the
voyage, which were very much to be reprobated, he
concluded by mentioning a number of instances of inca-
pacity on the part of emigrant medical officers, the sum-
mary of which was that ten out of twenty of them had
been declared incompetent by the colonial authorities
upon their arrival in the colonies.
Earl GREY said that as to the general statement of
the Noble Earl, of general misconduct on the part of
colonial medical officers, he could safely refer the House
to the papers before them for information on the subject.
That information would show them, that although in so
large a service, 32,000 emigrants having gone out last
year, some cases of misconduct might well be expected
to occur, yet,
taking the system as a whole, it was
successfully and well conducted. With regard to'
the charge of general inefficiency which the Noble
Earl had made against these officers, he would state
a fact derived by calculation from the papers
before the House, and that was, that notwithstanding
the drawbacks usually incidental to a long sea voyage,
the mortality on board emigrant vessels was less than
the average mortality occurring among. the same class
of persons, and of the same wee,
living in this country.
Without going thrcugh all the cases mentioned by the
Noble Earl, he need only say that it was impossible for
the Emigration Commissioners to know exactly what
kind of man they were employing, until they bad actu-
ally tried him. The emigration which it was most de-
sirable to carry out was the emigration of large families,

and that was the only one which, to a great extent, could
go on with success. Under other circumstances it was
always more difficult to provide against such occurrences
as the Noble Earl had adverted to. He held in his
hand the testimonials which had been presented by
Mr. Hammond on his appointment, which were of
such a description that ho could not believe that the
information which the Noble Earl had received
was correct, and that it must refer to some
other person. When he applied in June last he was
seen by the official person whose duty it was to inves-
tigate the qualifications of the applicants, and was
told that his certificates were of too remote a date to be
perfectly satisfactory, and others of a more recent date
were required; and accordingly, on the 2d of July. he
produced others, as well as the necessary diplomas from
Apothecaries' Hall and the College of Surgeons, where
he had teen admitted a member on the 23d of July,
1820. The certificates of competency and character
which he produced were from Mr. Guthrie, of Berkeley -
street, in which he was described as late of Windsor.
Another was from Mr. Andrews, another from Doctor
Merryman, who testified to his moral character; also a
testimonial from Mr. John Rowley, assistant-surgeon of
the Scots Fusilier Guards, and finally, a certificate
om Dr. Cox, who described him as a married man and
the father of a family, and a person in whom every
confidence might be placed. It was impossible that any
gentleman could have higher testimonials. At the
same time, he agreed with the Noble Earl those who
signed such testimonials did so under great respon-
sibility, and in that view he would not object to the
production of these testimonals, that those who signed
might be made responsible. When the ship's arrival
would be reported, a report of the conduct of the sur-
geon would be transmitted to this country from the co-
lonial authorities, when further information would be
afforded with regard to these transactions.

The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL said he did not be-
lieve he was at all mistaken in the information he had
received; and the fact that he was described in the t3s-
timonial of Mr. Guthrie as late of Windsor went to con-
firm it, where he had resided thirty years, and where
his character mast have been well known. He could re-
fer in corroboration of what he had stated to the Rev
Stirling Marshal of Eton College.
The motion was then agreed to.

Eerl NELSON then brought in a Bill to regulate
the appointment of chaplains at the Foreign Consulates.
He said it was the same as that which had been intro-
duced last session. Ha should move that it now be read
a first time, and ordered to be printed—Agreed to.
Their Lordships adjourned at a Quarter-past Seven
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 26.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
Mr. WILSON PATTEN moved that, in all cases
where notice had not been given in the Private 13111 Office
of the intention of parties to oppose the second reading
of a private Bill, the second reading of such Bill, if op-
posed, be postponed until the day on which the House
shall next sit.

CAMBRIDGE AND SHEPRETH JUNCTION
RAILWAY.
Lord G. MANNERS moved the second reading of
this Bill.
Mr. LAW said that the feeling of the University of
Cambridge was decidedly opposed to this measure. He
should oppose the motion of the Noble Lord on this
ground, and also on the ground that there was
no want of this line, that it had very few share-
holders, that it ran parallel at an average
distance of one mile from another line which ran be-
tween the same termini. He should move that this Bill
be read a second time this day six months.
Mr. P. BENNET supported the reading of the Bill.
Mr. SHAFTO ADAIR also supported the Bill.
Mr. GOULBURN said, if the House would give him
its attention for a short time, he would lay the facts of
the case before the House. The Bill was a Bill for a rail-
way, seven miles long only, between two points which
were already provided for by a line which bad been al-
ready sanctioned by the House, and which line would
be commenced almost immediately; and, besides
this, this very Bill had been rejected by the
House three times already. On grounds totally
independent of the University he opposed the
second reading of the Bill, because he con-
sidered they ought not to allow additional expense to be
incurred by sending the Bill t) a Committee until they
knew whether the other line would or would not be
completed.
Mr. FITZROY said he had a petition, which was
most numerously signed by the inhabitants of New-
market, stating that it was of the greatest public im-
portance that the measure should be passed. The real
parties who opposed that Bill were the Eastern Counties
Company, and the petitioners stated that the New-
market line, which was in the possession of this com-
pany, did not afford the people of Newmarket that con-
venience and facility which Parliament intended it should
give them, and they thought that the present measure
would afford them the accommodation they wanted.
It was not strictly the fact that the Bill had been three
times before Parliament; and he could assure the House
that it was fir the sake of promoting the public accom-
modation that this Bill was introduced. He therefore
protested against the attempt to stop the Bill in limine.
Mr. CAMPBELL supported the Bill.
Mr. WADDING lON said it was all very well for
the inhabitants of Cambridge to say they wanted a
station independent of the Eastern Counties Com-
pany, but he should be glad to know how this
Bill could possibly accomplish that object. The
Eastern Counties Railway Company had a claim
upon the House. He called upon the House to pause
before it sanctioned the second rending of this Bill.
Mr. M. GIBSON said the Committee were of opinion
that fur the purposes of the public business the line be-
tween Shepreth and Cambridge should be constructed,
and that the Eastern Counties Company should make
the link between Shepreth and Cambridge within a
certain time, which had not expired.
After a few words from Lord GEORGE MAN-
NERS, the House divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading ... 98
Against it ... 135
Majority ... --37
The Bill was consequently thrown out.
SECOND READINGS.

The following Bills were then read a second time and
ordered to be committed:—
Copper Miners' Company (England).
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
Manchester Bonding.
Victoria (London) Dock.
Waterford and liiikonny Railway.
MR. FEARGUS O'CONNOR.

A special report trom the Committee of Public Peti-
tions was brought up by Mr. THORNELT, which was
read by the Clerk at the table.
It stated that a petition was presented on the 14th
of February by the Honourable Member for Ox-
fordshire, which was ordered to lie upon the
table. That petition was not seen or heard of for some
days afterwards, which had led to inquiries being insti-
tuted by the Committee, and the result was that the
Committee had discovered that the petition was taken
from the table, and kept for many days by Mr. Feargus
O'Connor the Member for Nottingham.
Mr. THORNLEY thought it right to state that this
report was agreed to yesterday morning, but its presenta-
tion had been delayed till this evening, because the Hon.
and Learned Member fur Nottingham was not in his
place last night.
Mr. F. O'CONNOR said it was entirely through
ignorance of the practice of the House that he had
taken the petition away. The reason for his taking the
petition from the table was to have it published
in his newspaper, but a few days afterwards the
lion. Gentleman the Member for Wolverhampton re-
minded him of his having taken it away, and he at once
directed his secretary to bring it down to the House. If,
however, he had violated any rules or orders of the
House he now begged leave to apologise to the Speaker
fur having done so. When ho took the petition
away he was not aware that he was violating
any of the orders or rules cf the House.
He hoped he had given a sufficient explanation to the
House, and he begged leave to express his regret that ho
had violated any of its rules.—(llear, hear.)
Mr. HENLEY rose to explain. lie said the petition
came from a number of people in his (Mr. Henley's) own
county, and he conceived it was directed against the
scheme, and not against the Hon. Member (Mr. O'Con-
nor) lorsonally. If he (Mr. Henley) had thought other-
wise, he should have adopted the usual course of giving
the lion. Member notice.--(Hear, hear.)
The petition was then ordered to lie upon the table.
THE ALLIED PRINCES OF INDIA.

Sir E. COLEBROOKE gave notice of his intention

to postpone until this day fortnight his motion, which
etood for this evening, to inquire into tho rights of suc-
cession of the allied and dependent princes of India.
CASE OF CHRISNA RAO WITHUL.
Lord DUDLEY STUART postponed until this day
fortnight his motion for a Select Committee to inquire
into the claims of Chrisna Rao Withul, of Baroda.
WINDOW-TAX.

Lord DUNCAN postponed until this day fortnight
his motion on the paper for to-night —" That, whereas
the present mode of assessing, levying, and collecting
taxes on air and light in England and Scotland inter-
feres most prejudicially with the health and sanitary
condition of the inhabitants of Great Britain, therefore it
is expedient that the window-tax should be repealed."
GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND.
Mr. HUME fixed for this day week his motion re-
specting the removal of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.