The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-02 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON. TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 1845

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 1.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca-
shire, and Cheshire, 21A p.—British and Irish Unioo, lq n.—
Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, par—Caledonian, 3 p.—Ditto,
Extension, par—Derby an Crewe, 21% p.—Eastern Coun-
ties, 19—Grand Junction, 226—Grand Union, ,6 dis.—Great
Grimsby and Sheffield, Quarter Shares, 2 p.—London and
Birmingham, 205—Ditto, Quarter Shares, 211 p.—Ditto,
Fifth Shares, 17% p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 2 p.—Manches -
ter, Birmingham, and Bury, 76 p.—Manchester, Sheffield,
and Midland, % p.—Manchester and Leeds, Fifth Shares,
9 p.—North Union (A), 205—Ditto (B), 141—North Staf-
fordshire, 60s. 6d. p.—Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhamp-
ton, 21.4 p.—Sheffield and Lincoln, 114 p.—Scottish Central,
61A. p.—Welsh Midland, % dis.—West Riding Union, 2% p.
—Dublin and Drogheda, 5 p.—Dutch Rhenish, p.
MANCHESTER, DEC. 1.

STOCK ExcrtaNcE.,The sales are—Blackburn, Darwen,
and Bolton, 714—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, *—
Caledonian 13—Cambridge and Lincoln, 2% c.—Goole, Don-
caster, Sheffield, &c., 42s.—Huddersfield and Manchester
Railway and Canal, 4%—Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester,
15—Leicester and Birmingham, 19s. 6d.—Liverpool, Grins-
kirk, and Preston, 5 c.—London and Manchester (Rastrick's),
4lA—Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, 77s.—Manchester
and Leeds, Fifths, 10 —North Staffordshire, 2—Nottingham
and Mansfield, 23/4—Nottingham, Erewash, Ambergate. and
Manchester, 2%—Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction,
Sheffield and Manchester, Quarters, No. 3, s%—South Mid-
land, 878.—West Lancashire Coast, 225.--West Riding Union,
5/. 2s.—Whitehaven and Furness, PA.
BRISTOL, Duc. 1.
• STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter,
78—Ditto, New, 43/4—Bristol and South Wales Junction,
23/4—Dutch Rhenish, 6%.
SHEFFIELD, DEC. 1.

STOCK EXCITANGE:—The sales are—East Lincolnshire.
134—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 21. lls. 6d.—Wakefield and
Harrogate, 1%.
HUDDERSFIELD, DEC. 1. _ _ .

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Midland, New, 161/4
—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 23/4—Manchester, Sheffield,
and Midland, 514—Grand Union. 21s.—Huddersfig.W., Hali-
fax, and Bradford Union, 4,6—Leicester and Bilirdighain,
22s.—Nottingham and Boston, 11/4.
YORK, DEC. 1.

S•rocK ExcHANGE.—The sales are—York and North Mid-
land Extension, 211!—Newcastle and Berwick, 8 y2_
Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 4—Nottingham
and Boston, 114.

THE DIRECT LONDON AND
MANCHESTER RAILWAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—The Direct London and Manchester Railway Company
have deposited their plans and sections with the Clerks of
the Peace, in conformity with the standing orders, and the
Shareholders will feel their interests more secure now that
the bold assertion, as well as the quiet insinuation and the
occasionally argued impossibility of their being ready in
time for the next session of Parliament, are all swept away
together.
Accident might have delayed, or prevented entirely, the
accomplishment of their design, but apart from any occur-
rence which could not be guarded against, because it could
not be foreseen, the Shareholders had every reason to be
satisfied with the soundness of judgment and honesty of
purpose of all those in whose hands they had placed them-
selves.

The preliminary arrangements being made, they will natu-
rally now be anxious to learn when their shares will, tech-
nically speaking, be " looking up," and here a few words
may not be considered out of place.
Doubtless, in the Direet London and Manchester, as in most
other railway companies, there are two classes of Share-
holders ; one, embarking their capital in what they think a
desirable investment, prepared to wait a reasonable time, and
to combat with reasonable difficulties. This class can in no
way be dispirited by passing events, the Company having
held on the " even tenor of its way" with fewer obstructions
than the majority of speculations of equal magnitude meet
with, whilst at no former period were its prospects of success
better than at present. The other class being simply spe-
culators, who imagine they shall quickly realise a profit,
and who take their shares without the wish, and too often
without the power, to hold them. The position of the latter
is certainly not an enviable one, the most sanguine amongst
them can scarcely hope to see the shares at a premium for
some time to come; they must make their account to wait a
more favourable moment, one, not very distant, yet not im-
mediate.

The shares being originally allotted to parties who might
be supposed to desire them as an investment of their capital,
in preference to such as were likely only to speculate in
them, it follows that they are not likely to be thrown in any
great numbers suddenly on the market, to depress it ; the
low price, therefore, at which they have been quoted must
be ascribed to causes apart from their own intrinsic value,
which remains the name.

A second grand trunk line is called for by the demand for
increased accommodation ; it has, in fact, become essential to
the interest and comfort of the community; an immense
amount of traffic is ready at any time to be transferred to it,
and the chief promoters of the line will be its steady sup-
porters when made. It will pass through, or near to, twenty
towns of importance, many of them being the seat of manu-
factures, with a population larger than can be found in the
same given:distance in any other part of the United Kingdom,
all of which considerations are of great weight in ascertaining
the ultimate prospects of the Shareholders.
Suppose the Company not to obtain their Bill, and in the
fruitless attempt to expend 50,000/. ; there would still re-
main 450,000/. of the deposit money to be returned, a sum
equal to 4/. 15s. per share. Upon what reasonable showing
is it, therefore, that they have been so low as 31. ss. in the
list ; the cause must be sought elsewhere than in the posi-
tion or prospects of the Company. The anticipated large
importations of foreign grain will require a large export of
bullion ; the withdrawal of so much as may be necessary
for that purpose will seriously affect the monetary affairs of
the trading part of the community ; only first-rate bills will
do in certain quarters, while second and third-rate paper
must be discounted at advanced rates in proportion to the
risk in the, first place, and, secondly, the difficulty of obtaining
it through the usual channels. Moneyed men know this, and
are waiting a higher inducement to draw their purse strings
than any railroad speculation can offer ; hence the general
dullness in share transactions without reference to any lines
in particular. The crisis over, with an advancing spring,
money will flow into its accustomed channels and scrip be
again sought after with increasing avidity ; the more so,
because in the meantime the market will have been cleared
of many schemes which before only obstructed legitimate
business and tended to bring suspicion on plans worthy of
encouragement.

DELAYED MEETING of the COM-
MON COUNCIL.
THE Conte-LAws.—Mr. Ashurst, Mr. Peacock, and
Mr. Johnson, members of the Common Council, waited
upon the Lord Mayor yesterday, and presented to his
Lordship the following requisition, which was signed
by fifty of the representatives of the wards of the City:—
" We, the undersigned members of the Corporation,
respectfully request your Lordship will call a Special
Court of Common Council at your earliest convenience,
to consider the propriety of petitioning her Majesty to
take all such means as she may constitutionally possess
for throwing open the porta of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland for the free importation of
food."
Mr. Ashurst said that if it were thought necessary, the
number of requisitionists could be vastly increased.
The LORD MAYOR said the proposal to call a Court
of Common Council upon such a subject required some
consideration. Did the deputation who waited upon him
think that there was an emergency which demanded
immediate attention ? He thought himself that there
was no occasion at all for haste in the matter.
Mr. Ashurst believed the emergency to be extreme.
He submitted that upon receiving a requisition so nume
rously signed, and upon a question of such importance
a Chief Magistrate had no alternative. The deputation
applied merely for the opportunity of discussing the
subject which occupied the public mind to so great an
exit:Pt
The total MAYOR said he really could not see that
thereo emergency. There was employment for
more hands a" Phati t`,Tuld be procured to do the labour
which the activity o pg44F business required. The
price of bread, notwithstanding p4t that lisfl been said
re
upon the subject, was low, and why any agitation §hould
be encouraged in the City of .T.,0p40n, when the pros-
perity of the country appeared to be of se pheeping a
description, he could not at all coreppehen,d.
Mr, Aeberst said the deputation did cot melto at-
tempt to interfere with his Lordship's opinion upon the
question of throwing open the imp. The propriety of
the measure might or might lick be qii.eatOnablel but the
propriety of discussing it could not at all be"disputed.
The Lotto Alh.volt thought St. Thomas's-day (the day
of Common Council 141eppien) had something to do with
the application.
Mr, Ashurst and the other gentlemen of the deputa-
tion denied that such a thing ever entered into their ima-
gination as the idea of recommending themselves to the
constituency by bringing forward the question. If they
had had time, they would have procured 150 signatures
to the requisition instead of 50.
, The LORD MAYOR observed that a dozen signatures
would be sufficient on an eccasion upon which the neces•
sity of calling a Court was apparent ; but he must say
he could not see any occasion at all for haste. Besides,
if the subject required discussion, why did not their
deputation make application for as public a meeting as
possible ? Why did they not assemble in Common Hall
at once ?
Mr. Peacock said they had very good reasons for not
meeting in Common Hall, inasmuch as the Livery could
not go up with an address to the Throne. If it were
otherwise, there could be no hesitation as to the course
to be adopted.
Mr. Johnson submitted to the Lord Mayor that the
urgency of the case demanded an immediate acqui-
esence upon the part of his Lordship. The winter was at
band, bringing with it its usual concomitants of misery
and distress to the poor, and it was incumbent upon
those who represented so large a portion of the popula-
tion to do all they could to ward off the afflicting con-
' tin,gencies of the period.
The TAPAP MAYAR—T shall consider the matter, and
give you an answer as 5008 as possible,

On Wednesday evening one of thelunatics at Has-
lar in some way made his escape from that establish-
ment, and doubtless perambulated the environs and
entered
ande4 ragged state, with a the castle Tavern,
kept streets of Gosport during the night. The next morning,
atpatbobuy m
teirg.hGt
aroe'c,loi:kl
dhiert
cloth cap and gold band around it. He requested to
have two eggs and half a pound of ham for his break-
fast, and seating himself before the tap-room qre, took
off trousers, that were vcrY Plnen torn, sad said
ho wanted a new pair. The landlord, who was reading
the paper, requested him to put them on, lb
asked for some pins to pin up tattered vtrAwntg,
and remained nearly half an hour. The Ittnti,ciriol thought
him an eccentric c4araptot bnt hga tlo idea he was a
lunatiC, ILM IQaldng the .oastie Tavern, he wended his
way to the beach, and engaged waterman to take him
to Portsmouth, Instead of which—whether through fear
or not we do not know—the boat landed at Blockhouse
Beach, at which place the keepers from Hu,slikr were on
the p...Zt out for the runaway; who, after dodging them
about for soW tima araongit the buildingki and mate-
rials there, was taken without injuring ttuy OW% loci con-
veyed in safety to the asylum from which he had es-
caped.—Hampshire Independent.
In anticipation of the calling out of the Militia the
" Militia Clubs " for providing substitutes have commenced
making arrangements On their re-organisation,

HARBOURS OF REFUGE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I real with much pleasnre the brief, but excel-
lent, letter on " Harbours of Refuge," which appeared
in The Sag of the 27th ultimo, and signed "R. S." I
hope with your correspondent " that the French Govern-
ment report will have its full consideration with our
Government." The very able and lucid document on
this highly important subject by Baron Charles Dupin,
and read by him before the sitting of the Royal Insti-
tute of France on the 17th ult., is of great national inte-
rest both to England and France, and cannot fail to at-
tract the most serious and attentive consideration of the
British Government. M. Dupin appears to possess a
clear and intimate knowledge of our coast and fortifica-
tions, and his remarks respecting the proposed break-
water in Seaford Bay (as suggested in the report of the
English Commissioners) are very striking, and remark-
ably decisive and corroborative of the importance and
commanding situation of that noble bay. " At Seaford,"
observes Baron C. Dupin, " there is a magnificent
anchorage," " which fortunately is at an equal distance.
from fort-mouth to Dover;" and describes the situation
as "formidable" and "aggressive," and which " would
tin eaten, at the same time, all the French ports com-
prised betwe;:n Havre and Botiloefie;" and adds that, by
means of a branch railroad, " there will be no difficulty
in getting from London to Seaford in less than two
hours." The great advantage of the approximate inland
harbour at Newhaven, so near to Seaford, is also ad-
verted to by M. C. Dupin, and which, from its capa-
bilities of improvement, promises to become one of the
most important ports of the English Channel, and, ere
long, a station for steam•vessels running to and from
France. The recent coast visit of his Grace the Duke
of Wellington must have convinced him of the desirable-
ness of carrying out the recommendations of the Har-
bour of Refuge Commissioners during his Grace's stay
at Seaford and Newhaven, and whose testimony of the
eligibility of the site, together with that of Baron Dupin,
will have no small weight with the decision of our Mi-
nistry. The French authorities are fully alive to this
national question ; let us hope that England may prove
so too !—some sudden disaster might unfortunately
plunge us in a war with France; but our southern coast
is iu a sad state of defence, and no intermediate protec-
tion or refuge for merchant-vessels or War•steamers;—
and where such an immense amount of property and the
safety of thousands of sailors, but, above all, the
honour and, security of Great Britain is concerned—
ought not pecuniary considerations to become secondary,
and of inferior moment, when the end sought is of per-
manent consequence, and having for its especial objects
the preservation and security of the lives and property of
our fellow-countrymen, and to repel any attacks which
might at any future period be made upon this favoured
isle ?

I fear I• have trespaisal upon your indulgence, but
having frequently read the earnest entreaties, in your
editorial remarks, directing the attention of the Govern-
ment and Legislature on this momentous subject, and
particularly regarding " Seaford Bay," I doubt not you
will, if convenient, grant insertion to this in your
widely-circulated and excellent journal.
I am, Sir, very obediently yours,
Dec. 1, 1845. AN ENGLISHMAN.

HARBOURS OF REFUGE:

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sin,—The promulgation of important truths, through
the press to an educated people, ultimately produces
more benefit than if submitted to the private considera-
tion of the most enlightened individuals. Under this
impression I now offer through the unbounded circula-
tion of your paper, the following observations, intending
that they shall be considered jointly with the article
which appeared in your paper of the 25th instant, on
the projected " English Harbours of Refuge," by one
of the most distinguished of the talented men of France.
—I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
London, Nov. 29. DUN DONALD.
BRIEF OBSERVATIONS.

Had gunpowder and its adaptation to artillery been dis-
covered and perfected by an individual, and had its won-
derful power been privately tested, indisputably proved, and
reported to a Government, or to a council of military men,
at the period when the battering ram and cross-bow were
chiefimplements in war, it is probable that the civilians
would have treated the author as a wild visionary, and that
the professional council, true to the esprit de corps, would
have spurned the supposed insult to their superior under-
standing.
Science and the arts, both of peace and war, nevertheless,
in despite of all such retarding causes, have advanced, and
probably will advance, until effects and consequences accrue
which the imagination can scarcely contemplate.
It is not, however, my intention to intrude observations of
an ordinary nature, but to endeavour to rectify an erroneous
opinion which appears to prevail, that consequences disastrous
to this country may be anticipated from the introduction of
steam-ships into maritime warfare. lam desirous of show-
ing that the use of steam-ships of war, though at present
available by rival nations, need not necessarily diminish the
security of our commerce, that still less need it necessarily
endanger our national existence, which appears to be appre-
hended by those who allege the necessity of devoting millions
of money to the defence of our coasts.
I contend that there is nothing in the expected new system
of naval warfare, through the employment of steam-vessels,
that can justify such expensive and derogatory precautions,
because there are equally new (and yet secret means of con-
quest, which no devices hitherto used in maritime warfare
could resist or evade.

That the 'like prejudice or incredulity which in all proba-
bility would have scouted the invention of gunpowder, if
offered to notice under the circumstances above supposed,
may exist to a considerable extent in the present case, is
extremely likely; yet 1 do not the loss advisedly affirm,
that with this all-powerful auxiliary invasion may be ren-
dered impossible, and our commerce secure, by the speedy
and effectual destruction of all assemblages of steam ships,
and, if necessary, of all the navies of the whole world, which,
for ever after, might be prevented from inconveniently in-
creasing.
Away, then. with the sinister forebodings which have ori-
ginated the recent devices for protruding thr9ugh the sterns
of sluggish ships of war additional guns for defence in flight
Away with the projected plans of " protective forts and
ports" of cowardly refuge ! Let the manly resolution be taken,
when occasion shall require, vigorously to attack the enemy,
instead of preparing elaborate means of defence. Fictitious
ports on the margin of the Channel cannot be better pro-
tected than those which exist, respecting which I pledge any
professional credit I may possess, that whatever hostile force
might therein be assembled could be destroyed within the
first 24 hours favourable for effective operations, in defiance
of forts and batteries, mounted with the most powerful ord-
nance now in use.

In the capacity of an officer all hope seemed to be pre-
cluded, that in time of peace I could render service to my
country; a new light, however, has beamed through the
cloud, for in the pursuit of my vecation as an amateur engi-
neer, it has become apparent that a plan, which I deemed
available only in war, may contribute to prevent the naval
department from being paralysed by wasteful perversion of
its legitimate support, Protective harbonrs'(save as screens
from wind and sea) may be likened to nets wherein fishes,
seeking to escape, find themselves inextricably entangled ; or
to the guardian care of a shepherd, who should pen his flock
in a fold to secure it from a marching army.
No effective protection could be affurded in such ports
against a superior naval force equipped for purposes of de-
struction ; whilst their utility as places of refuge from steam
privateers is quite diapreportioned to their voat—privateers
could neither tow off merchant vessels from our shore, nor
regain their own, if appropriate measures shall be adopted to
intercept them.
Impressions in favour of so expensive, so despondent, and
so inadequate a scheme, can have no better origin than
specious reports, emanating from delusive opinions derived
from a very limited knowledge of facts. The hasty adoption
of spell measures, and the Voting away the vast sums re-
quired to carry them into execution, are evils seriously to be
deprecated. It is, therefore, greatly to be desired that those
in power should pause before proceeding further in such a
course. It heiryps them to consider in all its bearings, and
in all its consequences, the contemplated system of stationary
maritime defence, subject, as thatsystem may become, tO the
overwhelming influence of the secret plan which I placed in
th9ir h thfft which I pue§entiztd in 1812 to his
ands? Simil4c ,
Reyal Highness he Once 4ege4t; velie (as stated last year
in my memorial to the Houie of Lords) referred its conside-
ration o#ll44PntiallY to Lord Keith, Lord Exmouth, and the
two Congrpres, prOeSSinill and §cientific men, by whom it
was prtgonnce4 to be infal ihre, under the circumstances de-
tailed in my explanatory statement.
Thirty-three years is a long time to retain an important
spcFpt, ppgPiallir as I 91m layp used it with effect in defence
of my character when cruelly assailed (as I have shown at
length in a representation to the Government), and could
have practically employed it on various occasions to my pri-
vate advantago• l lißyo r,f,17; howtveri de,termißell tp solicit
its well-merited consiaeratlon, the hppe, private y, if pos-
sible, to prove the coMparatiVe inexpedience of an expendi-
ture of some 12,000,000/, or ,;:opo,oool. sterling for the con-
structioil ttr f*s 444 jiartiollti, instead Of 'npnink ample
funds at once to remodel and renovate t liairg—protes-
sionally known to be susceptible of immense improvement—
including the removal from itF; swollen 1)4% ctf much that is
cumbrous and nreju~llcial;
However injudicious it might be thought to divulge my
plan, at least until energetically put in execution for an ade-
quate object; yet, if its disclosure is indispensable to enable
a just and general estimate to be formed of the merits of the
mongrel terraqueous scheme of deem* now in contemplation,
as compared with the mighty power and protective übiquity
of the floating bulwarks of Britain, I am satisfied that the
balance would be greatly in favour of publicity. It
would demonstrate that there could be no security in
those defences, and those asylums, on the construction of
which it is proposed to expend so many millions of
the public money ; it might, therefore, have the
effect of preventing such useless expenditure, and
of averting the obviously impending danger of future parsi-
monious naval administration, abandonment of essential-
measures of nautical improvement, and the national disgrace
of maritime degradation*--all Inseparable from an unnatural
hermaphrodite union between a distinguished service (which
might still further be immeasurably exalted) and the most
extravagant, derogatory, inefficient, and preposterous project
that could be devised for the security and protection of an
insular, widely-extended, colonial and commercial State.
DUNDONALD.

* Thus, too, better encouragement might be aftirded to meri
torious officers and seamen who have long and faithfay served
their country. Thus, the 300 Captains lUnposed to be super-
annuated (most of whom • a!ye meriosend 0161 First Lieutenants,
sufficiently unfortunate in their tardy promotion), might be spared
thg aggravation of a parsimonious national reward for the Arial
painful sacrifice of all the ambitious prospects of their earl days,

THE STRITcE 1 eAltatAltnii-•
N EAVERS.—
Meqing4 bqh m4stere and then
• wave been held during the
week ; at one of the
weaver, propo7u
Mr. John Evans, a master
Pen"" giving the men an advance of a half-
..., per yard. This was agreed to by the masters, but
the men stood out for a penny per yard extra. After some
demur and delay, most of the journeymen have returned to
their usual avocations at the advance proposed by the
masters. Numbers of them have, however, taken their de-
parture for Glamorganshire, in hopes to better themselves
either in that county or in England.— Welshman.
OPENING OF THE PORTS.—It will be seen by our
advertising columns that Norwich is joining other leading
cities and towns of the empire in the general movement for
an immediate abolition of the corn-laws. Wednesday, at
twelve o'clock, is the time appointed; and not a word, we
are persuaded, need be said, to rouse the citizens of Norwich
to an effort worthy of the occasion, and worthy of them-
selves.—Norfolk News.
We understand that the indisposition under which
Lord Granville Somerset has been labouring arises from an
attack of gout. His Lordship was sufficiently recovered yes-
terday to attend to his official duties.

THE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL.

'The_annual general court of the Governors of this dimity
was held yesterday, at the Corporation-hall, in Crane-court,
for electing the officers of the ensuing year, and of re-
ceiving the accounts of the charity. The Chisholm, of
Chisholm; presided, and amongst those present were Doctors
Dixon and Webster, Professor Donaldson, the Rev. Doctor
Cumming, &c. From the accounts, which showed the grow-
ing prosperity of the charity, it appeared that no fewer than
300 cases had been relieved per month, in addition to peu-
sions to' 80 infirm and aged persons, natives of Scotland;
thus expending 2,3001: up to ,Michaelmas last. His Grace'
the Duke of Richmond was unanimously elected President,
in the room of. his Grace the Duke of Sutherland, who has
resigned, and to whom a vote of thanks for his past services
was unanimously awarded. The members, friends, and sup-
portet s of the hospital afterwards dined together at the Lon-
don Tavern, to celebrate the festival of " Saint Andrew," ac-;
cording to their annual custom. The Chisholm, of Chisholm,
presiding, supported by Dwarkanauth Tagore and the
Meerza Mohun Lal, the distinguished Indian merchants;
the Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Swallow-street, the Rev. Mr. Wil-
son, of River-terrace, end the following gentlemen in the
highland garb :—George Bain, Esq., Secretary to the High-
land Society, Charles Roderick Mackenzie, Esq., James
Murray, Esq., John Grant, Esq., James Cumming, Esq.,
and James Campbell, Esq., and a numerous assem-
bly, testifying the interest that is felt in the welfare
and prosperity of the charity, which, as the public are
aware, is applicable •to the poor mechanic and artizan,
natives of Scotland, resident in the metropolis and its neigh-
bourhood. There is further, in connexion with this institu-
tion, the charity founded by late Wm. Kinloch, Esq , who
bequeathed the residue of his estate for the relief of five hun •
dred "poor and disabled Scotchmen in distress, who may
have lost their legs or arms, eyesight, or otherwise wounded,
in the army or navy, iu the service of their country."
The dinner was excellent, being in the first .rate style that
characterises all that take place at this tavern, and the
arrangements, under the directions of Messrs. Bathe and
Breach, assisted by the attentive exertions of the stewards,
were complete. -
The Cllistror,sl proposed the health of the Queen and her
Consort the Prince, and that of the Prince of Wales, Lord of
the Isles, and afterwards " the Army and Navy." These
loyal toasts having been duly and enthusiastically re-
sponded to,
The Criesnorzt proposed the health of the distinguished
foreigners who had favoured them with their presence on that
occasion.—(Cheers).
The BABOO DWARKARAUTTI TAGORE returned thanks in
English, and said that he was quite unable adequately to ex-
press the feelings he experienced from the manner in which
his health had been received. When, three years ago, he
was in this country, he had the high honour of having the
freedom of the City of London bestowed upon him. He
was most proud of that honour; and thus, though he was
a stranger to this particular party, he was scarcely so to
this country, nor indeed, he might add to, Scotland and its
people. His connexion with Scotchmen dated from a very
early period of his life. The little instruction he had re-
ceived in English had been at the hands of a Scotchinan.
He had mixed largely in business matters with Scotchmen ;
all his affairs in India were now entrusted, during his ab-
sence, to Scotchmen, for all his partners were Scotchmen.—
(Cheers.) Great benefits, too, had been derived by the
people of India from Scotchmen. Their subscriptions had
established the college at Calcutta, where 1,500 boys were
yearly educated—( Renewed cheers)—and every one who
called himself an Indian should ever feel grateful to them.
Although this was a Scotch meeting, he should not, however,
deny that India had derived immense advantages from the
entire British nation. It had relieved his country from
Mahomedan: tyranny, and now all enjoyed the same pri-
vileges in India that Dnglishmen did in this country.
Having been so kindly requested to come there by their
secretary, he had promised to do so, unless he was turned
out of the country by its climate. He was very glad he
had been enabled to perform his promise on the occasion,
as it was one of such a charitable nature.—(Cheers.) , He
begged again to thank them for the way in which they had
received his health.

The MEERZA MORUN LAL likewise returned thanks, and
said he would not 'detain them further, after what had
been said by his distinguished friend in acknowledging the
toast.

The CHAIRMAN said that he was sorry to announce that
his Grace the Duke of Sutherland was compelled by uncer-
tain health to resign the office of President of their Society;
but he had the pleasure of stating the Duke of Richmond had
agreed to succeed him as their President. He, accordingly,
proposed, " The Duke of Richmond and Lennox, President
of the Scottish Hospital."
111 r. MURRAY, in an excellent speech, called on the com-
pany to pledge a bumper to the health of The Chisholm,
their Chairman, for the able manner in which he exercised
those duties. He was sorry that he was not clothed in the
" garb " that he was sure he loved In his heart, as he pos-
sessed the genuine feeling of a `f Highland chief," and he
begged that the company would give it with Highland
honours."

Mr. Mackay, the Queen's piper, and Mr. Macbeth, the
Duke of Sutherland's piper, played a " Gathering," And the
" Reel of Tullochgorum," around the room.
The Citisnopt having briefly acknowledged the compli-
ment, and apologised for not having appeared in the costume
of his clan,

Various other toasts were drunk, and a large subscription
announced in favour of the charity, including Dwarkanauth
Tagore, 20/. ; Mohun Lal, 10/. ; Carmichael, Esq., of Bel-
fast, 10 guineas; Alexander Grant, Esq, 10 guineas; James
Grant, Esq., 10 guineas; John Grant, Esq., 10 guineas;
William Grant, Esq., 10 guineas; and David Grant, Esq.,
10 guineas, which were hailed with cheers testifying grati-
tude to the generous donors, after which the assembly broke
up, with a highland reel, danced by four gentlemen in High-
land costume,

The musical arrangenients, both vocal and instrumental,
were well conducted. The Misses Fraser sung several fa-
vourite national melodies with great energy aui enthusiasm,
and several popular glees and ballads were successfully
executed.

THE APPREHENDED FAMINE.
Last night Mr. Wakley, M.P , attended at the George-Inn
Coffee-house, Holborn, to meet the overseers of the several
metropolitan parishes, whom he had. invited by advertise-
ment, to discuss the propriety of calling upon the Govern.
ment to throw open the ports, or repeal the corn-laws, and
thereby prevent the evil of a scarcity of food, and the pesti-
lence which is its result.

The meeting was called for eight o'clock, and after waiting
more than half an hour, there were not more than eight or
ten gentlemen present, representing the parishes of Clerken-
well, St. Andrew's Holborn, St. Giles's, and the bolls Liberty.
Mr. W&KLEY, under these circumstances, suggested an
adjournment, in order that the metropolitan parishes should
have fuller notice of the meeting. Considering the very
grave importance of the subject, he was quite astonished
that some effort had not been already made in the metropolis
to avert a calamity so dreadffil as that of a deficiency of
food, which was sure to produce disease. If the gentlemen
present concurred that a borough meeting would have
greater influence. he should do all in his power to promote
one, but his object was to collect the opinions of the over-
seers of the poor as to the expediency of convening meetings
in all the metropolitan parishes for the consideration of that
vitally important subject,
Nearly every one present expressed their concurrence in
Mr. Wakley's suggestion, that an effort should be made to
induce the Government to Issue an Order of Council for
opening the ports, or fbr calling upon the Legislature to re-
peal the corn-law. It was considered that parish meetings
were more appropriate than a borough meeting, which would
probably be regarded as a party movemeut. However, there
seemed to be a general wish that Mr. Wakley should express
his sentiments On tile question, as it would have the effect of
exciting public attention,
Mr. WAKLEY said, that having been called upon for his
opinion, lie had no hesitation In declaring that, with regard
to the importation of fbod, he was an advocate for the repeal
of all prohibitory duties. He had no doubt whatever that,the
present law operated most injuriously to the working classes,
not only as tending to deprive them of a sufficient quantity
of food, but that disease was generated, and to a most fright-
ful extent, by want of sustenance, The tendency, of what
was called the sliding scale had been to serve certain classes,
at the expense of other classes. The repeal of the corn-laws,
even before the publication of Lord John Russell's loiter,
had always been treated as a party question, itis opinion
was, that it should never be fettered, or frittered down into
a mere question of pArtyi and in that sense he, Inc one,
should never engage to any such discussion, it could only
be viewed in thelight of a great national question, which
affected the whele Inikss of the community.—(Cheers.) It
had become now mow than ever important that the Legis-
lature should settle that question, for it had become one of
life or death to thousands. All the accounts received from
the country tended to show that the evil extended over the
length and breadth of the land, It was perfectly notorious
that a diseas9 had prevailed for years amongst cattle in fo-
reign countries, and from animal that disease had extended
to vegetable life. It was obvious to every reflecting mind
that some dreadful calamity was impending. There were,
no doubt, differences of opinion as to the remedy, but that
was not the question. He would ask whether they were to
be content with high duties on food, or on the other hand,
should there be any dut‘e, at aso Joni as the peoplewere ill Nyant ' k
fuod (The klon.
("nt)Silan then
referred tp, ap ertlde puhit,tbad
1-n the Live,pool
Times, showing that 7:
eigium had thrown open
the .ARrt4,
...ions had beeen imported from England). Thus
appeared that food had been sent out to other countries_ a!
avid other prov!"
a time when famine was impending in our own country.
",:a- entities of wheat, rice, peas
evil probably might be not now apparent, but
w...J0 could
ne months? It
pLesdficritgwhhugutl
tNovocuolndtebmepolautre,siatnudation in b
the
tGoverment was respon-
sibe for the consequence. No;danger v;as apprehended, simply
because we did not see men d:;:ing before us ; but, as a
medical man, and as coronet for a county, he knew that
famine produced pestilence,. Re rejoiced to find that Lord
John Russell had come tbrward as an advocate for the un-
conditional repeal of the corn-laws; and, although some dif-
ferences might have existed between the Noblo Lord and his
supporters on that great question, he trusted those differences
would be forgotten. He was certain that the ports, if once
opened, would never be closed again ; but, as Parliament was
not likely to meet bofbre January, if then, he felt that the
people ough to call upon the Government to guard against a
scarcity of food. Sir R. Peel would yield, but not until he felt
the pressure from without.—(Cheers.)
It was ultimately agreed that parish meetings should be
called to petition fbr the opening of the ports for the admis-
sion of grain slaty free, and the meeting separated.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM H.M.S. PENELOPE,
DATED ST. HELENA, OCT. 13.—We left on the 19th Septem-
ber for the coast, and on the 26th a sail ,vas reported ahead,
did
tithait tbtst washto asN they e only one we knew of), were getting
which was soon made out to be E Steamer, and knowing that
none of ours were there, supposed her to be the French Com-
modorerwe
la yd yto
she
ie
i(sda sa
leaded her we could not understand
".; her colours. We fired a blank gun,
when we ewer I:Ter hoist a Brazilian ensign, and throw a parcel
7el4"ar`l-, and we passed papers floating. We stopped and put
tyP., cutter to board her, and when the boat left the ship we
saw another parcel of papers, with a weight attached to
it, thrown from the stern ; and as soon as the Lieutenant
boarded he hailed " No papers, and completely fitted for the
slave-trade." She proved to be the Cacique, from Campos, in
the Brazils, and cruizing off the coast for a cargo of slaves.
She had been to the mouth of the Congo, but as she could not
get the whole of them she was obliged to leave, and intended
to return in a few days, when there was to have been 1,500
slaves ready for her, but as we pinned her we saved her
the trouble. The Cacique is an American-built vessel,_or
with a high pressure engine on the upper deck, octo. isi;
horse power; all the crew live on the upper deck_ I
consisted of twenty-six men, and two stokers ( m .
that her full length is given to the slave deckA•
and two engineers
alpl called
it
sh the
eLLe
ogaani rdi
Loando
We sent one lieutenant, two midibipmem.
lace for condem,
and twenty-eight men to bring her tottusap
daylight,t a sa-
nation ; and on the morning of the.,. 30 1
We sent her also to
with no papers, but a slave deck laid._ .
Vice-Admiralty Court cases, but
le-lraeLancresl)v.
ivadu tiaB St.e
expect
place,them reported,
a s
ht wehreheyi y
c are
ert
e. proved
Itvhe aai bT ri
of light
prevalence winds, we cannot
there has been such a .
and sent two of our boats to cruize for four
w thisa s
they could not get anything, and we left Loando
on 4th.—Demport Telegraph,
days,
naytte
but evening,

COLLISION ON THE GREAT WES

TERN RAILWAY.

In tag course of Saturday night, and up to a late hour on
Sunday evening, no less than ten exztress down trains left
• Paddington, and three 'up express trains arrived at that
station, conveying parties connected with projected lines of
railway, charged with the necessary plans to be deposited at
the office of the Board of Trade, Whitehall. One of these
express trains, consisting of only the engine, tender, and a
iirst•class carriage (in the latter were two or or three gentle-
men proceeding to Exeter with railway plans, &c., to be de-
posited with the clerk of the peace for the county of Devon)
left Paddington on Sunday afternoon at twenty minutes past
five o'clock. As it passed by Slough, Mr. Howell, the
superintendent at that station, observed the burning coke fall-
ing out, apparently through the bars of the furnace in con-
siderable quantities, leading him to suppose that some
of the bars had become displaced. Within ten minutes
after this train had passed, another express train
consisting, in addition to the engine and tender,
of one first and one second-class carriage, was
observed approaching Slough from Paddington. Mr. Howell
immediately made the usual signals for this train to stop,
fearing, from what he had witnessed of the former one, that
it would not be enabled to proceedfarbefore it came to a dead
stop for the wart of feel. In this train were three or fear
gentlemen engaged upon a similar errand to those on the
former one. Mr. Howell having informed the engine-driver
and guard of the circumstances he had observed connected
with the first train, and giving them strict instructions to ex-
ercise the greatest care, suffered them to proceed, after delay-
ing the train fora nearly quarter of an- hour. The first train,
havir', a disabled engine (it having been found that several
of the bars of the furnace had dropped out), was only enabled
to proceed about a mile beyond the Maidenhead station, a
short distance over the bridge which crosses the Thames. At
this time it was quite dark. The guard was then sent back
towards Slough, for the purpose of signalising any train which
might be'proceeding down the line to stop. Observing the
train, which had been detained a short time at Slough, by
Mr. Howell, proceeding towards him, and being unprovided
with a light, an unaccountable omission, .he pulled off his
jacket, in the hope that his white shirt sleeves might attract
the attention of the driver, and made the usual signal, by
holding both his hands up above his head for the train to
stop. The distance between the two trains at this time was
nearly a mile. The engine-driver, however, passed the man
unheeded, and in less than two minutes afterwards a most
fearful collision took place. The last train ran into the one
which was stationary with a dreadful crash, shivering the
only first-class carriage which was attached to it literally
• into a thousand pieces, scattering the fragments over the
line. Fortunately, the engine-driver, stoker, and guard, and
the two or three passengers had left the train, and were
standing by the side of the bank when the crash occurred.
Had the latter remained in the carriage, their lives could not
have been saved. As it was, however, they providentially
escaped, as well as those who were with the other train, with
the exception of some slight bruises of but little importance.
The engine which ran into the carriage sustained no injury,
except to one of the buffers. The whole of the parties who
were travelling by both the special trains then proceeded
with the sound engine (which, after some delay, was shifted
by thd moveable rails on to the other line, as soon as it was
cleared of the wreck) to their place's of destination. It is
stated that the engine attached to the first train was without
a single light, and that it was the intention of those entrusted
with it to 'provide themselves with lamps upon their arrival
at the Reading station.
It was not until nearly midnight that the down line was
cleared of all obstruction, and open for traffic.' Several of
the trains, both up and down, were considerably delayed in
consequence of the accident.
The Oxford train, which started from Paddington at seven
o'clock, did not reach that city until nearly an hour beyond
its usual time; and the last up-train, instead of reaching
Paddington at half-past ten o'clock, did not arrive till nearly
midnight. •
The accident is solely attributed (independently of the
neglected state of the bars of the furnace) to the guard pro-
ceeding up the line to endeavour to cause the down-train to
stop, without being provided, on a dark night, with
of any kind whatever.

THE IRON AGE.
(From the Railway Ehreafh)
The golden age—the Age of 0141
Poets have sung, and historians told
Of the metal, which cast into mortal mould
Singular patterns pprodtuns ;
But alas ! for that very allt,erous time,
No more is it subject for story or rhyme;
For by " Rail" up FACIIO'B temple-crowned gradient we
climb,

And Iron's the theme of the Muses.
Parnassus is tunnelled ; and Castaly's fount,
Is bridged. Even Helicon's turned to account;
All the Muses have shares, and they glide (but not mount)
On a prosy detestable level.
Their lines are worth nothing at all, for 'tis seen
That Chalybeate water's their false Hippocrene,
And Robert Montgomery shows us, I ween,
That Epics are gone to the Devil.
Iron—lron, and nothing beside!
We sit on on it—walk on it—ride •
Pen treaties of peace with it—or by our side
We wear it for purpose of fighting, ;
Ohl England had " Ironsides" once for a King :
Napoleon was crowned with Milan's Iron ring ;
And sulphate of Iron's the principal thing
In the fluid with which I am writing.
'Tis Iron that binds with its terrible chain ;
O'er Iron, in freedom we skim the broad plain ;
And if love should afflict with an ache or a pain
A remedy Iron discovers.
For a wild Iron horse gets a poke in his sides,
And with raging hot ribs off to Gretna he glides,
And distance uniteth, instead of divides,
A couple of runaway lovers.
Iron, they say, may be found in the blood ;
And Iron, we know, often spills life's red flood,
And cold Iron will lop off a man in his bud ;
Even " into the soul" it enters.
Words are iron-ic, and were one to ask
Where 'tis not v—tn reply were as 0.;-^uicult task
As to find out the man in the grange Iron mask,
And who were ht, mystic tormentors.
Iron newspapers to c_llronicle crimes—
Books made of l'i•on—rare " Tracts for the Times ;"
Iron to soun.e, out the gay birthday chimes:
And, when we're Mortality doffing,
Dcath's Iron hand to an Iron couch sends us,
Ferruginous mixtures are made up to mend UP,
And when cold as Iron—still Iron attends us
In the shape of a safe Iron coffin.
Iron, and Iron wherever we go!
'Tis before us—behind us—above and below;
Plutus' tears were of Iron—but rhyme cannot show
The varieties or the amount of it;
Dr. Irons should hunt for that book underground,
Iron clasped (ride Scott), and by Iron, too, bound,
That of this iron age, ages hence, may be found
Ou its pages some written account of it.