The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-08 00:00:00

N° ,
.17875.]
LONDON, TUESDAY E - N 9 JANUARY 8, 1850.

TIM LONDON INDISPUTABLE LIFE
POLICY COMPANY
No. 31. LONIBARD-S MEET. LONDON.
INCORPORATED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
TRUSTEES.
John Campbell Renton, Esq., M.P. I Richard Spooner, Esq., M.P.
Richard Malins, Esq., Q.C. I James Fuller Madox, Esq.
William Wilberforce, Esq.
DIRECTORS.
Robert Ilenry Forman, Esq.
John Hamilton, Esq.
James Fuller Madox, Esq.
John Matthews, Esq.
C. O. Parnell, Esq.
♦UDITORS.

William Adams, Esq.
John Atkins, Esq.
Henry Augustus Bevan, Esq.
J. Thompson Bramwell, Esq.
John Hanged'leld, Esq.

Samuel Field, Esq.
William Ghrimes Kell, Esq.
MEDICAL ADVISEE.
Benjamin Phillips, Esq., F.R.S.
RANKERS.
Messrs. Spooner, Attwoods, and CO.
SECRETARY.
David Alison, Esq.
SOLICITOES.
Messrs. Atkins and Andrew.
MANAGER.
Alexander Robertson. Esq.
The POLICIES are INDEFEASIBLE and INDISPUTABLE,
.he Company being prohibited, by the s4th clause of their Deed of
Constitution, which is duly registered in terms of the Act, from dis=
pitting a Policy upon any ground whatever
The Rates of Premium are calculated upon Carlisle mortality, and
are as low as a due regard to complete security will justify.
HALF PREMIUM SYSTEM. —By this plan only one-half of the
premiums. with interest of the retained halves, is required to be p aid
for the first five years—the retained halves, being payable at the
convenience of the assured. or allowed to continue, to form
a deduction from the claim on the Policy ; and as the As-
surance may he relinquished at any time without payment
of the retained premiums, this scheme enables a party to
assure for the first five years at little more than half the usual rate,
and to discontinue a Policy at about one-half the usual sacrifice.
WHOLE WORLD POLICIES are granted, whereby the security
of a creditor, holder of a Policy, continues unimpaired, although the
assured life should go beyond the prescribed limits.
Sums are assured payable to the parties themselves on attaining a
specified age. or at their death, whichever shall first occur.
PARTNE R .4 HIP POLICIES are granted, whereby *joint assurance
effected by partners, at the charge of the firm, secures the capital in-
vested. On the death of either, the survivor is benefited by retain-
ing the whole capital, and the representatives of the deceased obtain
their share without having to watt until it can be recovered from
outstanding debts.
There is no extra charge for residence beyond 3i degrees of the
equator.
Ne Admission or Entrance Fees are required, nor is any charge
made for the Policy beyond the amount of the Stamp.
Claims are payable within three months after proof of the death of
the assured life
The usual Commission allowed to Solicitors, and also to persons,
approved by the Board, who extend the business of Life Assurance In
connexion with this Company.

George Cumming, Esq.
Janes Turner, Esq.

BRITANNIA LIFE ASSURANCE
'COMPANY.
1, Princes-street, Bank, London.-
Empowered by special Act of Parliament, 4th Viet., cap. 9.
ADVANTAGES OF THIS INSTITUTION.
HIIIITIL ABM:MANCH BRANCH.
Complete security afforded to the Assured by meals of an ample
subscribed capital, and the large fluid accumulated front the pre-
miums en upwards of 9,000 policies.
Half the amount only of the annual premium required during the
first five years, the remaining half premiums being paid out of the
profits, which, after five years, will be annually divided among the
Assured.

NATIONAL PROVIDENT INSTITUTION,
48, Gracechurch-street, London.
For Mutual Assurance on Lives, Annuities, ikc.

_ _ •
Enrolled under the Acts of Parliament relating to Friendly Societies

DIRECTORS.
Chairman—SAMUEL lIAYIIURST LUCAS, Esq.
Deputy-Chairman—CHAßLES LUSHINGTON, Esq., M.P.
John Bradbury, Esq. Robert M. Holborn, Esq.
Thomas Castle, Esq. Robert Ingham, Esq.
William Miller Christy, Esq. Robert Sheppard, Esq.
Edward Crowley. Esq. Charles Whetham, Esq.
John Feltham, Esq. Samuel Wilson, Esq., Alderman.
Charles Gilpin, Esq.

PHYSI,

J. T. Conquest, 111. D., F.L S. j
The following statement shows t
its commencement :

:lANS.
Thomas Hodgkin, M.D.
he progress of the Institution from

No. of Amount
Years ending. Policies Anuual Income. of
issued. Capital.
- -
20th Nov., 1836 G)6 £4,021 12 2 £1'1,736 3 0
91 ~ 1837 435 14,600 0 0 31,592 10 5
~ ~ 1834 459 19,934 19 4 46.855 010
„ „ 18.<9 490 25,457 4 2 64,959 10 10
f 1 /1 1840 494 31,091 10 10 90,545 13 9
OP 9) 1841 357 36.367 1 4 114,993 2 4
f 1 19 1842 364 39,369 9 7 139,806 1 7
f t pf 1843 703 44.219 17 0 167,079 11 2
91 pi, 1844 722 55,037 9 2 202,162 1 0
„ „ 1845 911 70,819 14 5 241,460 13 3
~ „ 1846 10 5 88,940 8 2 299,675 12 4
1847 1234 111,113 13 0 367,172 16 0
~ .. 1848 1423 126,232 7 0 440,028 15 3
„ „ 1849 1736 1e1,976 4 7 517,243 7 1
-.-

Total Number

10,949

Members whose premiums became dire on the Ist instant, are re-
minded that the same must be paid within thirty days from that

date.
Copies attic) last Report, and all other Information may be had on
application.

y 2, 1850.

JOSEPH ➢IARSH, Secretary.

THE GENERAL LIFE AND
FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY•
Established 1837.
Empowered by Special Acts of Parliament.
12, King William-street, London.
And 21, David-street, Edinburgh.
• Capital, One Million.
DIEECTOEJ.
George Ponsfleld, Esq. Charles Hindley, Esq., M.P.
Thomas Challis, Esq., Ald. Thomas Piper, Esq.
Jacob George Cope, Esq. Thomas B. Simpson, Esq.
John Dixon, Esq. Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P.
Joseph Fletcher, Esq. John Wilks, Esq.
Richard Horner. Esq. Edward Wilson, Esq.
The CHRISTMAS Renewal Receipts are now ready, and may be
had on application at the Head Offices of the Company, or of any of
its agents throughout the country.
In the LIFE DEPARTMENT the Company transacts all business
'elating to Life Assurances, Deferred Annuities, or Family Endow-
ments, upon the most liberal terms consistent with sound principles
and public security.
To all Agents, Solicitors, Auctioneers, and Surveyors, liberal al-
lowance is made

THOMAS PRICE, Secretary.

AVI S'S CANDLES, 41d. and sd. per lb.;
wax-wick moulds, 64. ; composite, 714 d., 9d., and 9%4. ;
Botanic wax candles, Is.; German wax, Is 24. ; fine wax, Is. sd. ;
transparent wax, Is. 84. and Is. 10d. ; best wax, 2.. 14.; sperm can-
dles, Is S I. and lr. 104. ; metallic, 7d. and 3d. ; mottled soap 86s.
snd 60s. per 112 lbs. ; yel ew, 448., 50=., and 565. ; Windsor soa^,
Is. 44. per packet ; brown Windsor, Is 94. ; rose, 2.. ; almond,
6d.;s. s. erm oil, 7s. 6d. per gallon ; solar, 3s. 3d. ; argand, 4s, 6d. ;
sealing wax, 4s. 64. per lb., for cash, at DAVIE.I'S old established
warehouse, 63, St. Mart n's.lane. opposite Westminster Cousty
Court (late New Slaughter's Coffee-house).

PUBLICATIONS.

NOTICE!
Now Ready at all the Libraries,
In 3 vols. post Svo..
COUNTRY QUARTER.-S.
A NOVEL.

By the COUNTESS of BLESSINGTON.

With Portrait, and Memoir of her Ladyship, by her Niece,

Miss POWER.

"A Tate of light-hearted Irish girls and light-heeled red-coats
full of inede.it."—Atheneum.

" This novel Is ene of the most lively an I life-like of the Author's
productions."—Literary Gazette.
Wiliam Shoberl, Publisher, 20, Great Marlborough-street, London.

*.* Orders received by all BcokselFers

C 0 LBURN'S NEW MONTHLY
MAGAZWE.

HIGHLAND DESTITUTION.
This day is published, price 6d.,
rfliilßD REPORT for 1849 of the EDIN-
A_ BURGH SECTION of the CENTRAL BOARD for the RE-
LIEF of DESTITUTION in the HIGHLANDS and ISLANDS of
SCOTLAND, containing Documents illustrative of their Relief
Operations.
William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London;
Of whom may be had
THE FOUR REPORTS FOR 1848,
bound in 1 vol., cloth, price 2s, 6d.
THE FIRST AND SECOND ,REPORTS FOR 1849,
Price 6d. each.

Just published,
QPINAL CURVATURE—Its Theory; its Cure;
illustrated by Cases and Coloured Plates. By GEORGE N.
EPPS, Surgeon to llarrison's Spinal Institution, &e., &c.
Sherwood and Co., 23, Paternoster-row ; Balliere, 219, Regent-
street ; James Epps, 112, Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury.

A B B I A a E.
One half the world are desolately single, and the 'the:
,eppoolig them married, questionably contented. Diffidence, or a
Also of right determine the former, and miscalculated hopes em-
-Ater the latter. The solitary one may shield himself ander the plea
caution and worldly prudence, and the indissoluble, regret an-
mnprosing harry ; but the truth lies deeper. Physical incapacity,
n 4 broken health, are the great hindrances to domestic happiness
nd until content. The dowry shoald not be the only marriage set-
'encent. Honour and justicedereand that health shouldform an item
e the cataract; it alone dignifies the alliance. Blighted hopes or
.eglect wound mere sorely than poverty or misfortune. Reader, 11
hese surmises concern you, procure Dr. CULVERWELL'S little
MEMOIRS "On Single and Married Life," pub. in 2 vols., Is.
•ach (by post, in stamps, Is. 6d. each). Let Be imaginatively
efined, or prudish feeling deter you, by their titles, nor be hindered
misinterpretation of their supposed contents, from obtaining
.urn. They are not intended certainly for mere idle cariosity, but
.4lr the closet perusal of those mere deeply interested, to whom
teey are offered as antagonistic to the empyrical trash pat forth on
the above subjects, by unqualified authors, which alone or
~gether, are a disgrace to the age. Furthermore, two other
tale publications claim your attention (same price is. each,
rest Is. 6d.) called " What to Eat, Drink, and
tveid," and " How to be Happy." They are not merely
pit p lets_ but equal in quantity a library volume, nor are they the
mere erhemerel scribblings of the hour, but the study of the author's
ifs who owes his present existence, health, and position to this eb-
.ervaecs of the maxims he would inculcate—to do unto others as ht
w0c...1 be done unto—to live after nittnre's laws—and to keep always
m the "sunny side of the way." The above works may be had of
ilterwoed, 23, r2tolllolTer-TOW ; CRTVAUIO, 147, Fleet-street • Mann,
311, ConthW ; Spokes, 5, Holborn-hill ; or direct (by post or other-
wise) •••t•rs the ember who may be conferred with personally,
mornings t, Arvvli.nll... Reiranit.-kitreet. an, al
Booksellers

TIIIIITT-TIEST EDITION.
Illnstratexl by 26 Anatertucal Coloured Engraving. on Steel.

PNYSICAL DISQUALICATIONS, GENtRATIVE TITCAPA
CITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
. . _

4 Liw 'ditto'', enlarged to 196 pages. Just published, price 2s. 6d., of
-.oat, direct from the Establiahmeat, 38.64. in postage stamps.
FORE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work on
the inarreities mad decay of the generative system, from ea-
:ssive indulgence. infectism, and the inordhiate use of sa .rcury,
,th remarks on Marriage, and the means of obviating ceit sin d:a-
Inalillcatlona. Illustrated by 2 Coloured Engravings. By it. awl
.. PERRY and CO., Consultiag Surgeons, 15, Bernere-street, 05-
,rd-street, London. Published by the Authors: said by Strang,.
11, Paternoster-row ; Hannay, 63, and Sanger,.lso, Oxford-street ;
Itarie.23, Titchborne-street, Haymarket; and Gordon, 146, Leaden-
tali-etroet.

PART T. treats of the anatomy and physiology of the re-products, 0
.nganc, and is illustrated by Six Coloured Engravings.
PAKT 11. treats of the consequences resulting from excessive intl..-
;ance, And their lamentable effects on the system, prodncing mental
tad bodily weakness, nervous excitement, and generative neapacit3
Oluttrated by Three Explanatory Engravings.
PeaT 111. treats of the diseases resulting from Infection, either in
;,e primary or secondary form, and contains !csplicit directions for
their treatmont. This section is illustrated by Seventeen Celonrcd
Engravings.'
raar IV. contains a Prescription for the Prevention of Dlseas,
sy a simple application, by which the danger of infection .s ob-
viated. This important part of the Work should no osc•2o the
eader's notice.
?air V. is devoted to the considen atoll of maresge, and its
int,es. The Cause* of unproductive anion are also ..teasidered. and
the vbele subject critically and philosophicall7 inquired into.
TIIIA,ORDIAL BALM OF STIIACI7II is exeNsi-,,1y employed in treat-
ig nervous anti sexual debility, impotence, £c., 11 s. and Us. per
b -Atte. The Concentrated Deters' re fssence, av anti-syphilitie
remedy, for purifying the blood !- cases ofinfectiou, secondary rymp-
toms, eruptions, and the abuse a ire:cury,and 325. per bottle.
Perry's Purifying Specific Yr. ed., 4e. 6d., and lie. per box, a
certain remedy for gonoritesa, r t, stricture, and chronic infiamma-
len of the bladder. ,orisnltation fee, if by letter 11. A minute
detail of the case is tequi7sd : age, habits, and position in society.
,1 rackets, ori.oi advice, to be had at the Establishment only, by
older, 'he 10°,11.. I^ saved. Messrs. Perry, Surgeons, are in atteo
afire • • - der...lre-strew. Oxford-street, London, tom
yen till T to Wsjr, M0W14,1 ♦r• f,+..

BANK OF FRANCE.
The following is a return of the situation of the Bank
of France on Jan. 3:—

A SSETS.
Cash and ingots ••• • • ••• 1.301.343,427 8
Ditto in branch banks ... . . 131,163.383 0
Bills past due ••• ••• ••• 453,838 57
Bills falling due in Paris, of which
17,095,980 f. 79c. were received from
the Branch Banks ... ... ... 45,896,021 90
Bills in the branch banks ... ... 76,840 681 0
Advances on coins and ingots... ... 4,982,800 0
Ditto by the branch banks ... ..• 539,137 0
Ditto on French public securities ... 18,915,614 40
Ditto by branch banks... ... ... 2,456,959 0
Ditto to the State on Bons du Tresor.„ 50,000;000 0
Ditto on the loan of 150 millions ... 50,000,000 0
Loan of 3,000,0001. to the city of Mar-
seines ... ... ••• ... ... 1,075,000' 0
Rentes of the reserve fund ... ... 10,000,000 0
Rentes, disposable funds ... ... 42,514,988 13
Investments of the new branch banks in
the public funds ... ••• ... 12,826,541 39
Hotel and furniture of the Bank ... 4,000,000 0
Real property of the branch banks ... '2,975,278 ' 0
Interest in National Discount Bank ... 200,000. 0
Ditto branch banks ... ... ••• 230,000 0
Bills protested at Paris ••• ••• 2,226,438 94
Ditto at the branches ... ... 1,637,270 0
Expenses of administration of the Bank 1,835 75
Ditto of the branches ... ... ... 32,997 0
Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... 1,756,488 14

LIABILITIBIL

Capital ' . . ...
Ditto of the Branch Banks ...
Reserve fund ... ...

Ditto of the branch banks
Keaerve•immobiliere

f.762,1i8,699 30

... f. 67,900,000 0
... 23,350,000 0
... 10,000,000 0

2 980 750 14
, , ,
4,000,000 0

Notes to bearer, in circulation ... 378,518,900 0
Ditto of the branch banks ... 71,019,325 0
Ditto to order (post-bills) ... 2.011,977 0
Account-current with Treasury creditor 72,067.120 69
Various accounts currant 78,343,866 21
Ditto in branches 29 657 313 0
Bills payable at sight ... ... 4,704,000 0
Ditto at branches 1,391,607 0
Bills of the branch banks payable by
the Bank ... 6,800,825 0

Ditto of the Bank payable by branches. 3,781,504 0
Dividends payable ... 3,959,308 0
Liquidation of the Algiers Bank ... 151,282 99
Discounts, interest, and expenses ... 551,990 0
Ditto branch banks ... 150,934 0

Re-discounts of the last six months ...
Ditto in branch banks ..
Miscellaneoui ... ••• ...

135,244 27
285,184 0
367,568 0

f. 762,158,699 30
Certified by the Governor of the Bank of France.
D'ARGOUT.

The foregoing account shows that the cash in hand
has increased by 1,500.000 f. The commercial bills dis-
counted have increased by 6,500,000 f. The bank notes
in circulation have increased by 13.250,000 f. The
balance to the credit of the Treasury has decreased by
3,500,000 f, and the sundry accounts by 750,000 f.

PEERS WHO DIED IN THE YEAR 1849.—George,
of Auckland, G.C.B , Charles, Earl Talbot; George
Robert, Earl of Buckinghamlhire; John, Lord Carteret
(title extinct); Archibald, Earl of Gosford; Charles
Joseph, Viscount Monck; John, Earl of Mayo; Wil-
liam Aubrey de Vere, Duke of St. Albans; Joseph
Henry, Earl of Thanet (title
Lord Louth; David, Earl of
;ien; Mason Gerard, Earl of
extinct);Al lierniirey LP onTrudhl
,oWroLanoslrl
dsc nA Oliver,uirett
Aldborough; Richard Wogan, Lord Talbot de Mall-
hide. William Charles, Earl of Albemarle; William,
Lord Alvanley; Henry John George, Earl of Caruar-
von ; John, Lord Colville, of Culross.
BRITISH BENEFICENT INSTITUTION.---ChRS. Dixon
Esq , has recently presented 501. to this valuable charity;
Lord Faversham, 211.; Lord de Mauley, 211.; and Mon-
tague Chambers, Esq., cc., 211.

GENERAL COURT of WARDMOTE.
Yesterday a General Court of Wardmote was held
at the Guildhall, for the purpose of receiving the
returns of the ward inquests. The Lord Mayor
took the chair at twelve o'clock. There were b
few aldermen present, but it is proper to state that
Plough Monday is the day on which the mere routine
businsss of receiving presentments and swearing in
officers is transacted, so that a numerous attendance
of the magistracy is not required for the performance
of the duties. A Court of Aldermen had been ap-
pointed for one o'clock. in order to receive a commu-
nication from the Curt of Assistants of the Honour-
able Artillery Company, on the subject of what is
considered in the City to be a contemplated invasion
of the privileges of the .t body.
The Ward Inquest of Aldgate Ward made a return
to the effect that two, gentlemen who had been re-
turned to serve as Common Councilmen were in-
eligible by the new Corporation Act, which required
that the names of candidates for the office should be
put upon the list of -voters for Members .to serve in
Parliament. The candidates alluded to are, it
appears, qualified in every other respect, and have
been for several years; members of the Court.
The TOWN CLERK stated that the return and peti-
tion should be presented to the next Court of Alder-
men, and that those who were interested should ,be
duly informed of tlae proceedings in the case.
In the presentments of several of the wards returns
were made of non.-freernen, and in some cases the
foremen complained grievously of the obligation they
were under by their oaths to interfere with such
matters.
The Foreman of the Aldgate Ward Inquest said
that he and his brethren were exceedingly desirous
to be released friom so painful- an obligation ; that
they were constantly presenting non-freemen ; but no
notice was taken of the fact, and that they considered
the Court of Aldermen were treated with contumely
in their persons.
The Towx Craux said it was impossible to release
the inquest from, the obligation under the existing
state of the law. He, however, informed the various
inquests that application had been made to the
members of her Majesty's Government, suggesting a
beneficial change, and that although no decision
had been yet announced, a modification of the
present practice would, it was hoped, take place.
Mr. RICIIALTJ TAYLOR, foreman of the inquest of
the district of St. Andrew'►, in Farringdon Without
Ward, in presenting the return, called the attention of
the Court of Wardmote to the large number of non-
freemen on the list, several of whom had declined
to take the freedom, from their sense of the injustice
of compelling retail dealers to incur the expense to
which wholesale dealers were not subjected. There
were 165 persons returned as non-freemen from the
district which he represented, and the inquest com-
plained, not that steps had not been taken to compel
wholesale dealers to become free, but that those to
whom the charge was an object were obliged to sub-
mit to the penalty from which all others were exempted,
and that the right of voting had thus become limited
to the retail dealers. It was also a grievance to which
he had been directed to call the attention of the Court,
that the new Corporation Act aggravated the evils of
which the citizens of London had so much reason to
complain. (Here Mr. Taylor read a resolution to
which Farringdon Ward had agreed at a recent meet-
ing held upon the subject of the vindication of their
corporate rights.)
Several of the Aldermen intimated to Mr. Taylor
that he must be aware the subject could not be dis-
cussed in the Court of Wardmote, and assured him
that due attention should be paid to it at the Court
of Aldermen.
The several returns, with the exception of two,
which were not received in consequence of infor-
mality, were then ordered to be laid before the Court
of Alderman, by whom they will be taken into con-
sideration on the next Court day.
TUB ROYAL ARTILLERY COMPANY.
The Lord Mayor 'was informed that a deputation
of gentlemen from the Court of Assistants of the
Honourable the Artillery Company were in waiting,
and desirous to present a communication upon a
matter of great importance as regarded their rights
and privileges, in connexion with the rights and pri-
vileges of the Corporation of London. There was not
a sufficient number of aldermen to constitute a court,
but his Lordship, as the case was considered urgent
informed the deputation that he would receive their
communication, and introduce it formally at the nex
court.

The deputation, which consisted of the following
gentlemen, Captain Parker, Captain England, Mr. J.
Brittan, jun., Mr. Truman, Mr. Dupree, Mr. Girdler,
and Mr. White, the secretary to the company, then
entered the chamber..
The deputation said they were most anxious to
appear before the Court of Aldermen, in order to
receive the support of that body on the subject of the
contemplated attack upon their privileges. The Court
were aware of the change meditated by the Govern.
ment in the constitution of a corps which had for a
great number of years acted in a military capacity
when called upon at periods of disturbance and peril,
and had performed its duty to the satisfaction of the
presiding authorities. It was hoped and believed that
the Aldermen would not hesitate to come forward in
vindication of rights which had been so clearly esta-
blished, and'' which involved those of the city of
London, for which that body bad always most reso-
Al
lutely
thateect
i s
theoi
ne
apprehensionG odrne c
Government
enant
netn
whichdwceondu p.
e AsecNeinm
ee
dttoo expressedba be
precipitatesurprise
anticipated,
upon such a question, end said he thought it very
improbable that the Secretary of State would act
FARWRoBuRIOdTDR not
Court
te
otfhertillery Company communicated with the
Aldermen.
Alderman
saidbe a
he believedpartyto
a thatsuddenSir
Georgeinterference
Grey
with the privileges of the corps, and that
who
interests had
were everything reasonable
was to be expected from a
uniformlyerac tedw ithcourtesy tyo
likely to be affected
public measure.
The deputation said the Secretary of State had not
gentlemant
those whose
fixed any specific day for an answer, to their petition
upon the question of their privileges, and they wished
for the concurrence of the Court of Aldermen in
their views for the preservation of their independence
as soon as possible.
Sir P. LAURIE said it was difficult to imagine how
the Government could propose to interfere in the
arrangements of a corps of gentlemen who were so
efficient, and so ready at all times to assist in quelling
tumults and insurrections.
Several;Aldermen said they bad hot been given to
understand that a petition had been sent in to the
Government, and declared that the present was the
first intimation they had received upon the subject.
The deputation said they had sent in a petition
fully detailing the particulars of the contemplated
violation of their rights and privileges, and the nature
and foundation of their claims, and they had addressed
the petition to her Majesty.
Alderman WlLsors said the Court of Aldermen had
good reason to know the value of the services of the
Artillery Company, as upon every occasion on which
a riot or disturbance was expected in the city of
London the first military body with which they came
in contact was that company, and there had occurred
no instance in which the thanks of the Government, as
well as of the Corporation, had not been promptly and
warmly rendered to that body.—(Hear.) The re-
cords of the Corporation testified in the most unques-
tionable manner to the correctness of that statement,
and it was quite impossible that the Secretary of
State could come, at all events, to a conclusion unfa-
vourable to the views of the petitioners, without
communicating with the Court of Aldermen upon the
merits of their application.
Alderman FAREBROTHER said in his mayoralty,
when some apprehension was entertained by the Go-
vernment for the safety of the City, Lord Melbourne
sent to him a message to the effect that the Lord
Mayor was expected to adopt means for the preser-
vation of the 'public peace in his jurisdiction, and
upon that occasion the Artillery Company came
forward with an alacrity which showed what reliance
could be placed upon their exertions at all times of
danger.—(Elear, hear.)
The LORD MAYOR said he would feel much plea-
sure in presenting to the Court of Aldermen a docu-
ment containing the substance of the petition to her
Majesty, and he felt satisfied that the Court would
most promptly and unanimously join in the applica-
tion to the Queen.—(Hear, hear.)
The deputation then expressed the gratification
which they felt at their reception, and stated that they
would draw up a document in concurrence with the
suggestions of his Lordship.
The following is the petition to the Queen, which
is now is the hands of the Secretary of State :
" That your petitioners beg leave humbly to ap-
proach your Majesty with the most profund venera-
tion, and the most lively sentiments of steady and
respectful attachment to your Majesty's person and
Government. That the Artillery Company of
London, which is believed to have previously existed
from a very remote period, was revived in the year
1610, as appears from ancient records in its pos-
session.
" That it is composed of citizens of London, and
others engaged in commercial and professional pur- ,
suits in the metropolis.

" That after its arrival in 1612 it was organised as
a military body by authority of an order of council
of his late Majesty James the First, by which order,
after reciting a petition of certain citizens of London
(after example of other states, and the precedent of
other citizens theretofore, exercising is arms), to be
permitted to exercise in arms in the Artillery-
garden, by direction of such officers as they should
mak,. hoice of. It is declared that their Lordships
(the Lords of the Council) do see no inconvenience,
hut that the said company of citizens might train and
practice arms by instructions of Captain Edward
Painter, or such others as should be thought fit, and
might admit any other citizens into the company,
and make choice of such officers as they should think
fit, on approbation or allowance of the Lord Mayor
of every such officer.
" That frpm thence to the present time the com-
pany are under permission from the Crown, united
with its civil privileges a military organization, of
which the right to elect its own officers has always een
a pervading and fundamental principle: In modern
times this permission has been conferred by warrants
under the royal sign manual, and has been free frpm
the veto given to the Lord Mayor by his order, of
council already referred to.
" That the only known exceptions to this elective
principle have been some occasional instances of a
direction from the reigning Sovereign of these king-
doms, that the company should not, at its then,
meaning as usual, election, make any change in the
officers previously elected ; and secondly, the modern
reservations to the Crown of the appointment.. of the
field officers and adjutant.
" That your petitioners humbly conceive that this
tprivilege of election was founded in a just apprecia-
bion of, and was wisety adapted to the difference
s etween a voluntary association of the classes of
ociety composing this company and the regular
troops, and that it has always been exercised with
judgment and discretion, and in such manner as that
it has in practice combined a sufficient independence
in the officers, with an adequate amount of protection
to the privates.
. .

" That to the harmony and mutual good under-
standing subsisting between all parts of the company,
under this system, your petitioners conscientiously
attribute the uninterrupted continuance of the com-
pany as a military body for so long a period, while
numerous other volunteer bodies, not based upon
similar principles, have in the interval risen, flourished
for a short time, and become extinct.
" That from its origin to the present time this
company has always maintained itself in its military
as wall as in its civil capacity at its own cost, and
without any expense to the State, the members
equipping themselves at their own individual cost, and
providing by annual and other subscriptions for .all
other exigencies of the company.
" That in order to better secure its independence,
and to provide a permanent fund for its occasions, a
capital sum of about 10,0001. was, in the beginning
of the present century, raised by the voluntary con-
tributions of members, and invested in the building
of houses upon the estates of the company, which
form the staple of its present revenue.
" That for many years past the company has ex-
pended upon its military establishment an average
amount of upwards of 2,0001. annually. That within
the last ten years it has expended in the maintenance
of its armoury-house, and in rendering it more
defensible and commodious, additional sums of money,
amounting to not less than 4,000/, whereof a large
part has been laid out within the last two years
under the cognizance, and partly according to the
suggestions, of the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Hon. Henry
Fitzroy.

" That the whole of such expenditure has been
incurred and provided for by the company, in the
undoubting confidence that the military constitution
given to them on their petition in 1612, and renewed
to the present time, would be continued to them
without interruption.
" That in addition to the maintenance of its ordi-
nary establishment, the company, in 1798, when the
exigencies of the public service required the pecuniary
assistance of all loyal and well•disposed persons, raised
by an extra-voluntary subscription amongst its
members the sum of 1,0001. in aid of the Government.
" That under such a constitution, and under elected

officers, the company has always been ready, accord.
ing to its opportunities, to do loyal service, and has
on numerous occasions of civil commotion vigorously
and effectively, in a spirit to be expected from a class
deeply interested in upholding the institutions of the
country, assisted the municipal authorities in rector
ing and preserving order, and has frequently received
the thanks of the Secretaries of State and the civic
magistrates for the aid they rendered.
That the members now belonging to the com-
pany joined it and incurred individually all original
and annual expenses consequent on their so doing,
upon the faith that they, like their predecessors, would
continue to enjoy the right of electing the officers by
whom they would be commanded.

" That the understood permanence of that right
received a national confirmation in the addition of
two companies to the regiment in 1848, when the
gentlemen composing those two companies stipulated,
through the Lieutenant-Colonel, as a condition of
their joining, that they should be allowed to form two
separate companies, and to elect their own officers.
" That your Majesty has lately been graciously
pleased to issue your Majesty's royal warrant to thi►
company, whereby thus its ancient right of electing
its officers is annulled, and the appointment of com-
missioned officers is reserved to your Majesty, and
other provision is made for the appointment of non-
commissioned officers.

" That your petitioners are deeply and gratefully
sensible that your Majesty intended this alteration as
a mark of your Majesty's royal fa►our, and they know
how great a reproach must attach to any apparent
insensibility to such an act of your Majesty's royal
condescension, but, believing, as they do, that to the
peculiarity of its original constitution the long and
successful continuance of the military organisation of
this company has been owing ; feeling, as they do,
that it is a loyal body, and believing that it is a useful
one, and that the withdrawal of its ancient privilege
(even though to substitute for it so high an honour as

that graciously intended by your Majesty), will, by
entirely altering its character, endanger, and probably
ere long, destroy its existence, your petitioners would
be failing in their duty if they did not represent this
their humble conviction to your Majesty.
" That your petitioners have been given to under-
stand that the objects of the change intended to be
effected by your Majesty's royal warrant are twaold,
the one being to secure to the officers a greater
independence, by the abolition of the elective prin-
ciple, the other to insure increased military efficiency.
" That although believing that the abolitio❑ of the
right of election will tend to the subversion of the
equality between officers and privates in their civil
stations, and to the establishment of distinctions
which have never hitherto prevailed, and which will
operate prejudicially to the vitality of the company,
your petitioners are nevertheless satisfied that a dif-
ferent adaptation of the elective principle might lead
to military improvement of the company ; and while
they express their conviction that such modification
thereof as is next suggested, would have met, and

will meet, with the ready acquiescence of the whole

corps, they humbly submit to your Majesty that
the objects of independence and efficiency would
be perfectly obtained by the company's enacting
la‘‘s for transferring the election of commissioned
and non commissioned officers from the respective

divisions in the company to the company at large;
for subjecting officers to a preliminary examination;
for requiring them to pass through all successive
gradations of subordinate rank ; for reducing officers
not passing examination ; for establishing a veto
against the re-election of officers so reduced ; and for
extending the term of election to two or three years,
instead of one year, as at present.
"That your petitioners are also convinced of the
entire and cheerful readiness of the company, under
such a modified constitution, to reconsider, with a

view to render them generally acceptable, all laws of
the company in which alterations may be thought
expedient to the security of the two principalobjects
of independence and efficiency lastly alluded to.
" Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your
Majesty that, these premises considered, your Majesty
will be graciously pleased to restore to this company
its ancient right of electing its commissioned and
non-commissioned officers (except the field officers
and adjutant), under such modifications as afore-
said, or such modifications as to your Majesty shall
seem fit.

" And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray, Sze."

PROTECTION MEETING AT H ADDINGTON.— On
Friday a meeting of the East Lothian Agricultuaal Pro-
tection Society was held at the George Inn, Hadding-
ton, at which, according to the Scotsman, about 100
persons were present. The chair was filled by Sir
Robert Houston, Bart. A number of resolutions in
favour of a return to protection were agreed to. The
meeting was then addressed at great length by Mr. W.
B. Ferranti, late M.P. for Knareabovough, who at pre-
sent is residing in East Lothian. The prircipal topics
of his speech attacks upon Mr. Cobden, Sir Robert
Peel, and other free-traders. In conclusion, he chal-
lenged Mr. Cobden to come down to that county and
meet him at a public meeting, and there discuss the
puma= of protection.

THE PASSPORT SYSTEM.
A few weeks ago we had the satisfaction of in-
forming the public upon unimpeachable authority
that the French Government had conclusively deter-
mined upon abandoning the system of passports, and
that, as far at least as English voyagers were con-
cerned, the abolition of so detestable an impost upon
the time and patience of travellers might be considered
un fait accompli. We cannot, of course, doubt the
sincerity of the pledge by which this easy and de-
sirable reform was stipulated, but we are compelled
to state that instances have coma to our kndwledge
which show very plainly that the good intentions of
the President and his Cabinet are as yet made of no
practical account whatever. Relying willingly
upon PO welcome an announcement, travellers have
recently omitted the provisions' formerly customary,
when, to their surprise and annoyance, they have
found themselves subjected to the same inquisition
and detention as before, and compelled to, procure,
under conditions more vexatious than ever, one of
those ridiculous certificates by which nothing what-
ever is certified but the extortion through which it
was 'obtained.
Could we assume these occurrences as fair exam-
ples of the system in future to prevail, they would
evince nothing less than a breach of political good
faith. • As nothing could be clearer upon this point
than the true policy of the French Government. so
nothing could be plainer than its professions. The
system of passports was to be reconsidered with a
view to its abolition, and by way of inaugurating this
most simple of reforms the road from London. to Paris
was to be boldly thrown open at once, that all parties
might see how little was lost and how much was
gained. The effects of the change were visible
even at its first notification. The removal of these
obsolete barriers gave an immediate impulse to traffic.
The intercourse between the two great capitals of
the world was accelerated to a degree which even
twelve months ago would have been thought
incredible, and the triumph of common sense
was symbolized by the actual accomplishment
of a journey which will bear comparison with any
feat of locomotion upon record. In furtherance of
the good work a thorough revision was instituted of
the traffic and tolls of the line which had thus become
a :clear and continuous highway between London-
bridge and Notre Dame, and the terms decided upon
were so remarkable, and so well calculated to promote
the commercial and social advantages of both nations,
that we willingly gave them all the encouragement
which publicity could afford. Under such circum-
stances as these, the retention or renewal of the ex-
ploded system could only be warranted by the dis-
covery either in politics or finance of some notable
reason for a change of opinion—an event almost
beyond the bounds of possibility.
For what is the system of passports ? It is a
system in which every single assumption is contra-
dicted by daily practice. A passport pretends to
certify that the bearer thereof has undergone a
personal examination by the officer whose signature
is attached, and who thereby testifies to his Govern-
ment that the traveller, of whose appearance and
address an elaborate description is added, is proceed-
ing on a lawful errand, and deserves the aid and
comfort of all authorities under whose jurisdiction be
may come. Such a custom as this, even if thoroughly
and effectually carried out, can only presume a con-
dition of things equivalent to a perpetual state of war,
or, if the illustration be more acceptable, a perma-
nent state of siege. But under such circumstances
as actually characterise its operation it is a monstrous
farce, effective for no good, and instrumental solely
in sharpening and pointing those extortions to which
travellers, even under the best of regulations, must
always be partially liable. - The officer who gives
the passport neither sees nor communicates with the

person requiring it, nor does he, directly or indi-
rectly, acquire any information respecting the
traveller's actual business. The whole transaction,
with all its multitudinous appendages, may be
managed by the intervention of any slipshod waiter
or porter, whose agency may be readily purchased
for tenpence, and who procures the desired indul-
gence duly signed and sealed, but with as little
knowledge or care on the part of those whe delivered
it as the Pope of Rome had of the souls which he
released for a similar consideration.

Nor can it be said that though small fishes thus
slip through the meshes of the law, great ones are
secured. It nobody ever travelled from one town of
France to another i❑ spite of the police, there would
he something to be said for a system which at least
kept a curb upon the guilty-minded, though at the
daily co=t of the innocent. But we know well that
the 'cry reverse is the case, and that even whe❑ the
wits of officials have been expressly sharpened the
instrutnentality): the passport system has utterly
failed in tracking or detecting the most conspicuous
fugitives. The Duchess de Berri went whithersoever
she pleased, and after traversing the whole south and
west of France, wasonly discovered by the treachery of a
servant. '1 he Pretender to the Crown of Spain threaded
his way through every bureau and barrier between
Paris and Bayonne; and we should fearlessly ask the
President of the French Republic, whether in his
own adventurous escape from Ilam the question of
a passport ever gave him the smallest apprehension or
trouble. Nor are these facilities confined to single
travellers ; they are equally at the disposal of whole
bodies of men. During the recent political troubles
sworn bands of destructives transferred themselves
from one scene of mischief to another, across any
frontier, and through any town, with as much ease
as they could have walked from the Tuileries to the
Triumphal arch. In fact, the papers of these gentry
are always most scrupulously en regle, and if the
passport system does indeed contain anyone method of
detecting a troublesome subject, it must apply to
those cases where its exactions have been most literally
complied with. We appeal to the candour of the
officials themselves to state whether any person de-
tained for want of proper papers ever proved to be
more thin an unhappy Englishman who hal fallen
a victim either to his obstinacy or to his ignorance.
These are slight troubles, it will be said, and so
perhaps they are, but they are exactly of a kind to
produce a serious effect. No persons know better
tha❑ the present Ministers of the Republic how small
a prohibitory duty will damage a productive corn
merce. A passport is a tax in its very worst form.
It is levied with the maximum of annoyance, and the
minimum of profit. The whole French people are
sufferers by the mischief it works, whereas no cog-
nisable class is a gainer by the produce it yields. We
ould not be misunderstood in this matter. We do
not pretend to any superiority over our neighbours
on the contrary, we frankly admit that if an English-
man in Paris has but his wits about him he gets more
than he gives. Still, the presence and sojourn of
so many of our countrymen in the French capital
is a fair element of its legitimate trade. We fill
its hotels, we patronise its spectacles, we purchase
its trinkets, we drink its wines, and we encourage
its cafes. For a moment, indeed, during the fer-
ment of revolutionary projects, it seemed as if the
preservation of the, tutelary art of Paris was com-
mitted to Englishmen alone. We are not left to
descant on our own merits, for all parties have con-
curred in acknowledging our services, and it has been
the desire of all in turn to retain in the capital so
conspicuous a symbol of internal order and pledge of
civic prosperity. Nothing can tend so surely to the
accomplishment of this end as the abolition of the
absurd system on which we have been remarking,
and the prompt termination of the present state of
suspense and ambiguity is rendered still more impera-
tive by the natural deportment of officials under such
provocative circumstances. They are in their week
of grace. They know that their occupation is gone,
and they derive a malicious gratification from prac-
tising their trade as sharply as possible on the few
occasions which remain. These unexpected oppor-
tunities may be very conducive to their consolation,
but they are not calculated to promote the intercourse
between France and England, from which both coun-
tries will gain so much. Which is the more valuable
of the two objects the French Government can decide
for itself.—Times.

DEATH OF LIEUT.-GENERAL NICOL, C.B.—On
Sunday, the 6th instant, this general officer died at
Clifton, near Bristol. His commissions in the army as
ensign. lieutenant, and captain were all dated in the
year 1795. Having joined the army in the Peninsula,
he became a lieutenant-colonel in 1811, and in 1813
commanded the 66th Regiment at the battles of Vittoria,
the Pyrenees, Nivelle, and Nive. For his services on
the last occasion he received the gold medal, and the
silver one was also conferred upon him for the battles of
Vittoria, the Pyrenees, and Nivelle. Afterwards Lieut.-
Colonel Nicol proceeded to ludia, and in the Nepaul war
of 1814, 181.5, and 1816, he commanded a division of the
army under Sir David Otcherlony's command. In 1831
Colonel Nicol was nominated a Companion of the Bath,
and in 1846, having at! ained the rank of a lieutteantastnih
lte-
igiepngeirmael,nte wrrahsiaspipuocirnatteivde
apptoothinetmcoelnot is againnelcyof the 6
digposal of the Horse Guards, as will as the 6Wont:ley of
the SOth Foot.

FIRE AT MILE.END NEW-TOWN,-yesterday
(Monday) morning, a little be!ore three o'clock, a fire,
nearly attended with disastrous re•ulta, broke out in the
premises occupit-d by Mr, T. .L Pet,rkyn, a bread and
biscuit baker, carrying on business at No. 7, Clarkson-
street, Mile-end Nt.w-town: In spite of the cx,rtions of
the firemen the flames could not be subdued until the
premises were burned down, and the stock in trade, fix-
ture., and wearing apparel of the Inmates consumed.