The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-24 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1845.

LITERATURE.

_
LAW OF RAILROADS, 6-e. By Leonard She?ford,
Esq., of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law.
A work of this description—properly executed—must
be found of great use to railway companies, directors, &c.,
as well as to the respective shareholders, but at the
present time, when such vast works are in progress, it
becomes indispensable. A few of the subjects on which
the work treats will show the nature of the plan. The
author gives at length the general Acts for the regula-
tions of railways, and especially those of last session,
with explanatory notes. These notes are important in
regard to many of the acts passed before last session, as
they embody the decisions of the Courts of Chancery,
as well as the Law Courts on disputed points. For in-

stance :
" When large powers are entrusted to a company to carry
their works into execution without the consent of the owners
and occupiers of the land, it is reasonable and just that, any
injury to property which can be shown to arise from the
prosecution of such works, should be fairly compensated for 1
to the party sustaining such injury; and where the intention
to give compensation in such a case has been clearly ex-
pressed, every fair intendment ought to be given to effectuate
that intention. (Reg. v. Eastern Counties Railw. Co., 2
Railw. C. 73G., pp. 752, 754.) Lord Cottenham, C., observed,
It is extremely important to watch over the interests of
those whose property is affected by these Companies, to take
care that the company shall not, in any misrepresentation
they may make, if they have made any, be permitted to
exercise powers beyond those which the Act of Parliament
gives them, and to keep them most strictly within the powers
of the Act of Parliament. The powers are so large and so
injurious to the interests of individuals, that I think it is the
duty of every Court to keep them most strictly within
those powers; and if there be any resonable doubt as to the
extent of their powers, they must go elsewhere and get
enlarged powers ; but they will get none from me by way of
construction of their Act of Parliament.' (Webb v. Man-
chester and Leeds Railway Company, 4 My. and Cr. 120; 1
Railw. C. 599 ; Scales v. Pickering, 1 M. and P. 195 ; 4 Bing.
448.) These companies procure ample powers to be
bestowed upon them ; but it not unfrequently happens that
in the course of their works they find that they have not
powers sufficient for perfecting all they contemplated ; when
that is the case, they must either make what bargain they
can with the persons whose rights are adverse to them, or
they must again apply to Parliament to have their powers
enlarged. The Court of Chancery does not sit to enlarge
such powers, but to keep both parties within the limits
which the Legislature has prescribed. (Kemp v. London
and Brighton Railway Company, 1 Railw. C. 508.")
It treats also of " Incorporation of Railway Com-
panies," " Transfer of Shares," " Liability of Railway
Companies as Common Carriers," "Indictments against
Companies," &c., &c., and furnishes a list of cases
which had been decided by the respective Courts, fur-
nishing altogether a very comprehensive and intelligible
book of reference with regard to a new species of pro-
perty which has been created within the last few years,
and in which the whole nation is interested.

PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
THE POTATO DISEASE.-...SITTEIG OF SEPTEMBER 15.
Several communications were received relative to the disease
which has this year manifested itself in the potato. The
writers who treat on this subject scientifically are divided in
opinion as to whether the disease is the result of the invasion
of a parasitical mushroom, or solely attributable to the unfa-
vourable nature of the season. One writer thinks that the pa-
rasitical invasion alluded to is common to the potato, and that
it has been developed more extensively by the coldness and
dampness of the summer. With due deference to the
scientific gentlemen who have turned their attention to the
visitation, we beg to observe that it is comparatively of little
importance whether the disease have one origin or the other.
The great questions to be considered are, first, whether the
diseased potato is, as people suppose generally poisonous, or
in any way injurious to health ; secondly, whether, supposing
this not to be the case, the disease has deprived the tubercle
of its nutritive properties ; and, thirdly, whether these dis-
eased potatoes can be used as seed for the next year's crop
M. Philippon and M. Pouchet say that they have eaten pota-
toes in their diseased state without suffering from them in any
way. This is tranquilising news ; but these gentlemen do
not tell us to what extent the potatoes which they ate were
diseased, or whether, supposing that the diseased potato is
not poisonous, it has not in its affected parts lost all its fari-
naceous character. We have examined diseased potatoes of
the present year in all the stages of the disease, and have
eaten some of those which were least infected, first, how-
ever, removing all the unsound parts with a knife, and cer-
tainly we did not experience any ill effects. This shows that
the malady has only invaded such parts of the tubercle as
give evidence of its existence ; and there cannot be the least
doubt that such parts as remain sound are fit for food, whe-
ther for man or beast. As to the diseased parts, we have no
hesitation in saying that they are wholly unfit for food,
whether they be poisonous or not, for they can have no nutri-
tion
•h
remainate\-r.
sound Astiot whethermae n
nt h
nat diseased
safely used for seed for the next crop, we do not think it re-
quires much science to give an answer. If any part of the
and produce as good
stock as that from a potato that is not diseased, and it is very
improbable that the diseased portion should have the power
of propagation, for it is a mass of putrid matter; but it re-
mains to be seen whether the malady will not continue its
ravages between this time and the period for planting, and
so deprive the tubercle of the power of propagation. A letter
then was read from M. de la Rive, of Geneva, on the pos-
sibility of rendering the electric light available for the use of
the workmen iu mines. This gentleman states that five of
six elements of a pile of copper, and an amalgam of potassium
sufficed to render incandescent two cones of charcoal inclosed
in a small glass globe. Messrs. Ledoyen and Raphaol in.
formed the academy .that.they had obtained a liquid of great
utility for the purpose of disinfection in the emanations from
animal excretions, by dissolving 125 grammes (4 oz.) of ni-
trate of lead in two two pounds of water. This is a valuable
discovery for Paris, half the hour es in which are infected by
these emanations to an extent which is dangerous to health
as well as repugnant to the olfactory organs. There were a
few other chemical and some medical communications read
in this sitting, but they did not possess general interest.

WOOL AND POPULATION.
(From the Sydney Herald.)
Thirty-seven years ago the population of this colony
consisted probably of tween 6,000 and 7,000 souls ;
the increase within that period has been about twenty-
five fold. The quantity of wool then exported (i.e., in
the year 1807), was 2451b5. ; the increase has been up-
wards of fifty-five thousand fold !
The relative increase of population and wool within
certain periods during the last 22 years, has been as fol-
lows : Per Cent.
From 1822 to 1825.—Population increased l7
Wool ditto l3B
From 1625 to 1828—Population increased
Wool ditto
From 1828 to 1833—Population increased
Wool ditto lOB
From 1833 to 1836—Population increased
Wool ditto ll3
From 1836 to 1841—Population increased
Wool ditto 127
From 1841 to 1844—Population increased
Wool ditto
Another and not less interesting point of view in
which the relation between wool and population may be
regarded is, that of the average quantity exported per
head of the community, in successive years.
In 1832, exported 71bs. per head of population
1825, ditto 131bs. ditto ditto
1828, ditto 231bs. ditto ditto
1833, ditto 291bs. ditto ditto
1834, ditto 341bs. ditto ditto
1836, ditto 48ibs. ditto ditto
1841, ditto 561133. ditto ditto
1842, ditto 591bs. ditto ditto
1843, ditto 771bs. ditto ditto
1844, ditto 781bs. ditto ditto
It is thus seen that within the last ten years the ratio
of wool to the population has considerably more than
doubled itself.
The population in 1834 was 66,200 souls ; in 1844 we
estimate it at 172,000 ; being an increase of 105,800, or
about 160 per cent. The quantity of wool exported in
1834 was 2,246,9001b5.; in 1844, it was 13,542,1701b5;
being an increase of 11,295,2701b5, or upwards of 500
per cent.
It is worthy of remark that the export of wool during
1837 to 1840, was less than three-fifths of the quantity
exported during 1841 to 1844. In the first four years,
the export was 26,022,0001b5. ; in the last four,
44,065,000 ; being an increase of 18,043,000, or nearly
70 per cent. Thus, while bankruptcy was stalking
through the land, and the croakers were crying out that
the country was ruined, and would soon become a desert,
the real wealth of the colony was silently advancing
with rapid strides.

THE CARRIAGES OF THE SHERIFFS ELECT.
These very splendid carriages, which have not been out-done
by any former exhibition of the kind, are to be seen at Mr.
Manners' coach establishment, in Oxford. street. The follow-
ing is a description :—Mr. Chaplain's carriage is a beautiful
dress chariot, with side lights hung upon a handsome perch
carriage, the whole painted a pale yellow, relieved with ultra-
marine blue and gold, and highly varnished, the doors and
panels of the body emblazoned with the City arms, richly
ornamented, the front part and quarter panels emblazoned
with the arms of the Innholders' Company, supporters two
white horses en pedestals, the dOor and hind rails ornamented
with the Sheriff's arms within crimson velvet mantles. The
body lined with superfine white cloth and rich figured silk,
white silk radient roof issuing from embroidered silk, City
arms in the centre, the whole trimmed with very handsome
' broad silk lace with scarlet edging. The coachman's box
mounted on richly carved standards and blocks, and covered
with an elegant superfine scarlet cloth hammock trimmed with a
blue fringe and silk hangers of white and yellow. On each
end the City arms chased, chased lamps with the City crest,
and the roof mounted at each corner with the Civic cap. Mr.
Laurie's carriage is equally splendid. The body painted with
bronze green, relieved with lines of white and gold. The
carriage painted a delicate white, relieved with lines of green
and gold, the City arms on the panels, and the arms of the
Saddlers' Company. Supporters two white horses. The Sheriff's
arms on the rails. The body lined with white cloth, white
satin, and white silk lace, scarlet fringe to festoon ; hammock
cloth white, trimmed with green fringe ; silk hangings of
white, green, and scarlet, and chased lamps.
By the New Fishery. Act, all rivers in England
andW ales are to be closed on the 18th of September in each year;
and any person catching or having in his possession any trout mea-
suring in length less than seven inches, from eye to fork, will subject
himself to a penalty not exceeding 101. nor less than 51.
A brisk trade in potatoes is now carried on from
Cork to Plymouth, where this produce of the south of Ireland affords
an abundant supply in the markets.
SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—These grounds
were on Monday enlivened, in addition to the usual attrac-
tions of music, fireworks, pictorial representations, wild
beasts, and birds, &c., by the visit of the boys of the Royal
Hospital School at Greenwich, who arrived at the gates,
where they were received by Mr. Tyler, the proprietor, a little
after six o'clock. The juvenile party was a large one, muster-
ing seven hundred and fifty' strong. They marched into the
gardens in military order, their own band preceding them, and
playing " Here's a health to all good lasses." The band of
the establishment struck up " Rule Britannia" as the boys ad-
Ivanced, which compliment was acknowledged by three hearty cheers.
Between the acts of the concert the juvenile band played several
popular airs in very good style. After the fireworks, which were
exhibited lawaxly after d k, the boys r*Ted4ldghly diatghted with
tbeiziviattrlipi. Mae • 145 ightiftv*Ot tO

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
NORTH KENT (VIGNOLES') LINE.
A very numerous meeting, convened by the Mayor, was
held on Monday at Canterbury, for thepurpese of taking into
consideration the projected line of railway proposed by the
Directors of the Vignoles' North Kent Railway Company.
At half-past one Mr. J. BRENT (the Mayor) was called to
the chair. His Worship having read the requisition, stated
that he had in pursuance of that requisition, which was very
respectably signed, called the meeting together ; but he re-
gretted its having been called for the purpose of taking into
consideration the merits of any particular line, instead of the
consideration of any line which might be brought forward,
regarding only the interests of the city of Canterbury and
the general interests of the country. The great objects
which they had, to consider were the celerity and cheapness
of railway communication between the cities of Canterbury
and London, and they ought to support the line which
offered in the greatest perfection these advantages.— (Hear,
hear.) He hoped the meeting would not decide too hastily
as to the particular line which they should give their sup-
port to,, for it was a very important subject of consideration.
There was sufficient time for considering the various lines
that might be projected between this period and the as-
sembling of Parliament, and he hoped that they would avail
themselves of that time for selecting the best line of commu-
nication.—(Hear, hear.) For his part, he was actuated only
by one object—namely, the establishment of the most eligible
and advantageous line, as regarded the interests of the city of
Canterbury.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. MArrisEws proposed the first resolution, which was
to the effect that it was the opinion of the meeting that a
direct line of railroad along the old post line of communica-
tion with London from Dover, through Canterbury, Was
greatly required by the wealthy and thickly-peopled districts
of North Kent, which would thus be brought into direct
connexion with the metropolis. He said it was unnecessary
for him to dwell at any length upon the very great advan-
tages which must necessarily result to the city of Canter-
bury from the establishment of a direct line from London
to Dover, through Canterbury—the line was called Vig-
noles' North Kent line.—(Cheers.) They were aware that
the prosperity of the city of Canterbury depended in a great
degree on the establishment of a line of railway communica-
tion direct between Canterbury and the metropolis.—(Hear.)
The South-Eastern Railway Company had given an intl.
mation of their intention to propose a line as a substitute for
that line; but he did not see anything, either in their finan-
cial operations, or in the amount of accommodation which
they afforded to the public, which could induce him to forego
the advantages which would result from having the com-
munication direct between the city of Canterbury and the
metropolis, and in the hands of an independent line, the
Directors of which would have the interests of North Kent
close at heart. Mr. Matthews concluded by proposing the
resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Thomas Cooper, and
carried unanimously.
The next resolution was proposed by Mr. W. J. COOPER. It
set forth that, in the opinion of the meeting, the line pro-
jected by Mr. Vignoles, termed the North Kent Railway,
appeared to be best adapted to meet the wants and promote
the interests of the county generally, and of that district
(the neighbourhood of Canterbury) in particular. He was
satisfied that every inhabitant of Canterbury who heard him
approved of that resolution.—(Cheers.) There was, in fact,
so little ground for doubt or question as regarded the advan-
tages to be derived from a direct line to London from Dover
through Canterbury, that the only subject of consideration
was which line they ought to adopt.—(Hear, hear.) Looking
retrospectively at the proceedings of the South-Eastern Rail-
way Company, he should say that he did not consider it ad-
vantageous to the city of Canterbury. It could not be denied
that the effect of a line which did not give an independent
terminus to Canterbury, and establish a direct communi-
cation between that city and London, must be injurious to
the city of Canterbury, no matter however liberal spirit
in which such a railway might be carried out. It was the
duty of the citizens of Canterbury to see that it was made a
main trunk station, for nothing short of that could be suffi-
cient to supply the just claims of the city of Canterbury for
railway accommodation.—( Cheers.) Ile (Mr. Cooper) had
for the last thirteen years enjoyed the opportunity of witness-
ing the condition of the passenger traffic through their city,
that great thoroughfare of traffic to the Continent. lie re-
membered a timewhen the constant passage of carriages-and-
four and stage-coaches was a great source of wealth and
profit to the inhabitants of that city; but that was now alto-
gether changed, so that it was a novelty to see carriages-
and-four pass through on their route to the Continent ; and
it was not until within a recent period that they saw any
examples of such intercourse revived, in consequence of
the misgivings of some timid persons who were thus in-
duced to adopt the old coach road and travel in their car-
riages-and-four. Tbey had seen, too plainly to admit of
doubt, the effects which had been produced in Canterbury
by drawing away the capital which formerly she enjoyed.—
(Hear, hear.) They had seen shops shut up, and a tenant
not to be found for them, in those positions which were the
best calculated for business of any in the city; and he was
sure they must all feel convinced that it was their duty to
make the most strenuous exertions to restore the city of
Canterbury to that prosperity she formerly enjoyed, and
to which her position entitled her.—(Cheers.) They ought to
make the most strenuous and energetic exertions to- secure
for their city her proper share of traffic, founded on a libe-
ral and enlightened basis. They ought to exert themselves
to procure for Canterbury a direct communication with the
metropolis, which was the only communication by railroad
that was capable of conferring real and substantial benefit
upon them. He was not there to oppose the South-Eastern
Railway—be had nothing to do with that line; but he
could not agree to their proposition to make another line
to Dover, in contradistinction to the North Kent line,
which had been projected by Mr. Vignoles, and which
had received the universal support and assent of the
citizens of Canterbury.—(Hear, hear.) The line to which
he alluded, as being proposed by the South-Eastern
Company, would go (if carried) through thinly-
peopled parts of the county of Kent, whilst it would leave
untouched those which were of far more importance from
their greater wealth and population ; and that he looked
upon to be in itself a very serious ojection to it—( Hear,
hear)—whilst it was in opposition to a railway that would
not only go through the most populous and prosperous dis-
tricts in the county. It had been urged as an objection
against the people of Canterbury, that they on a former
occasion opposed a line through their town ; but the truth
was, that they had been always opposed to the principle of
inflicting upon Canterbury the evils which would result to
her from any other but an independent and speedy communi-
cation with the metropolis.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted soon
to see their view carried out, by the establishment of the
North Kent Railroad, which would, perhaps, have the effect
of increasing the prosperity of their city, and of bringing back
a traffic such as they had once before enjoyed.—( Hear, hear.)
He felt that the establishment of a direct line from Canter-
bury to London was the only true mode of increasing their
prosperity.—(Cheers.) He looked upon the North Keut
Railway, as projected by Mr. Vignoles, to be the line which
was best calculated to develop their resources and increase
their prosperity; and therefore had great pleasure in propos-
ing the resolution.—(Cheers.)
It was seconded by Mr. W. H. TRI3LNEI., who expressed
himself dissatisfied with the present state of the railroad
communication between Canterbury and London by the
South- Eastern Railway, and stated that it required to travel
fourteen miles by coach from Canterbury to Ashford, to join
the trains going to London or:Dover. That city, which had
assembled its inhabitants upon that occasion, was one of the
oldest in the empire, and he thought it not only ought to
have a terminus on an independent line, but ought to be the
nucleus from which all the other railways in the neighbour •
hood should radiate.—(Hear, hear.) And the best way to
ensure that was to proceed energetically with the North
Kent line.—(Cheers.) By having such radiating lines
though all the important towns and villages in the neigh-
bourhood, they would be enabled fully to develop all the
resources of the wealthy and fertile district of North Kent.
Mr. BRENT, junior, wished to say a few words before
thought
rethere-
solution was put from the chair.—(Hear, hear.) He
.the requisition calling the meeting restricted them too
closely to Mr. Vignoles' line, instead of allowing them, as
it ought, to select from all the lines which might be brought
forward by different projectors that which they might deem
best calculated to advance the interests of Canterbury, and
secure for them cheap and rapid transit.—(Hear, hear.) He
thought they ought not to be prevented on that occasion from
considering which of the proposed lines would secure to them
the most speedy and the most rapid communication with the
metropolis, for he thought these were the two most important
elements in railway communication.—(Hear, hear.) They
had heard of the South-Eastern Company's intention to pro-
pose a competing line with the North Kent, and he felt it
proper to state to the meeting that there was still in contem-
plation another that had great advantages, he meant the
atmospheric line. It was a line which, in his opinion,
offered more advantages than the North Kent, as
being more speedy and cheaper in its mode of working
than any other, being at the same time re-
markably safe. These were the advantages which the
promoters of the Great North Kent Atmospheric line
offered to the public, and it would, he was sure, be admitted at
once that they were very great advantages : indeed, when
they were told that a velocity of eighty miles an hour could
be attained without risk, or any inconvenience being felt
by the passengers, they would at once perceive the facilities
for speedy communication with the metropolis which
such a power afforded, and when they had such a project
before them, he thought the meeting ought at least to
pause before they decided at once on adopting another line
which did not possess those advantages. There was suffi-
cient time to consider the relative merits of the different
competing lines, and, under the circumstances, and con-
sidering the vast improvements in motive power which were
making every day, he thought they ought to pause before
they determined definitively on one particular line in
preference to all others. The Great North Kent Atmospheric
line had another advantage which he ought to have mentioned,
namely, a power of overcoming gradients which could not
be surmounted by other locomotives, and the effect of this
was to save a great deal of expense to the proprietors in the I
purchase of land, as they were from this cause often enabled
to avoid the necessity of going through' gentlemen's de-
mesnes or such pieces of land, the purchase of which was
very expensive. It would at once be seen that a line upon
the atmospheric principle ceuld be worked with less capital
from this cause, as it could be laid down from Canterbury to
London at considerably less expense than any other de-
scription of line, whilst its scale of fares for passengers
would be very low, thus offering the greater inducement to
travellers to pass frequently on the line, whilst its economic
working would allow a fair profit to the proprietors from
these reduced charges.
Sir LIONEL GOLDSIVID, as a landed 'proprietor in
Kent, and chairman of the projected North Kent Railway,
felt called upon to address a few observations to the meet-
ing, deeply interested as he was in the success of the pro-
posed direct line between Dover, Canterbury, and the me-
tropolis. Such a communication had long occupied his
thoughts, not as a chairman of a railway company, but from
a desire to obtain for his tenants in Kent an opportunity of
more favourably disposing of their produce than they now
enjoy.—(Cheers.) They had been recommended by a gentle-
man opposite to wait for new projects, but they had waited so
many years in vain for a direct railway communication with
the metropolis, that he would advise them to exert them-
ymnaotul°rnedg,er.a—nd(Laughter and cheers.)
it would have been
sTeilivises,panro
jdecwtalivtaspatwieenitll
brought out in 1841 but from an accidental circumstance,
and he thought the time had now come when North Kent
ought not to be any longer deprived of tfie advantages of
such a communication with the metropolis.—(Hear, hear.)
Under such circumstances, he did not see how they were
called on to wait for any longer period, and ho thought
that such a delay would be peculiarly inopportune at the
present moment, when the public mind was so much occu-
pied with the subject of increased facilities.--(Hear, hear.
The promoters of the North Kent Railway had the interest
of that district and of the city of Canterbury at heart ; and
he was of opinion that any line which was brought forward
by parties avowedly for their own views, ought not to bee-f
ferred to it.—(Cheers.) It was, in fact, the projected line o
which called the competing lines
the exist Kent Rd
aihlwhayoned that such an op position would
into cutistencol au- --0 • ..

not be advocated by those who had an interest in the city of'
Canterbury and the district of North Kent. They had
united for ten years without any beneficial result, so far as
regarded the introduction of a direct line through Canterbury
to London, and it was now time to bestir themselves. With
respect to the introduction of the atmospheric principle,
which one gentleman brought forward as an argument for
delay, it ought to be recollected that the atmospheric prin-
ciple could be introduced on the line at any future period, if
its application were found to be desirable.—(Hear, bear.)
He thought the North Kent Railway could not be in better
hands than the present Company, and he thought there
would be infinitely more security with them than with a
Company which was constantly changing its Directors and
engineers. He had looked at the share list of the North
Kent Railway, and he could say that he never saw a better
one.—(Cheers.)
➢ir. WILKINSON, one of the Croydon Atmospheric Railway'
Company, said that, when be saw the requisition at first, he
had some doubts as to the propriety of his, attending, 'inas-
much as it was to be a meeting for the purpose of specially
considering the merits of one partichlat line, namely, the
North Kent Railway. However, as" he belonged to a Com-
pany who had on. that day- brought forward another pro-
jected line, in. .a tangible shape, he thought it would
I hardly have been respectful towards the citizens of Canter-
, bury if he did not avail himself of that occasion to state to
them the views whicn he entertained with respect to the
projected line of railway with which he was connected.
As to the motives for the introduction of particular
lines, there was no doubt that all the projectors had
motives of their own. Sir Lionel Goldsmid had acknow-
-1 ledged that his motive was to serve his tenants, and he
(Mr. Wilkinson) had a desire in the same way to serve his
own constituents; but the great question for the public to
consider was, which line would be most advantageous to
them.—(Hear, hear.) He should not have thought of pro-
posing a line which' was different from the projected line of
the North Kent, if he did not think that he had a better one
than it, and he would ask them if he produced a better plan
than that of the North Kent, and one which was better cal-
culated to secure the sanction of Parliament, would they not
support it? He should be happy to go into details when a
more detailed statement was made on the other side, but
until the citizens of Canterbury had more detailed informa-
tion with respect to the different lines, he hoped they would
not decide in favour of any one in particular. He believed
that the atmospheric system afforded means of carrying pas-
sengers more cheaply than the other system; indeed, such
was the nature of the atmospheric principle, that it almost
compelled any company which applied it, to convey passen-
gers at a cheap rate, as they would be obliged to dispatch
trains very frequently, in order to economise their power.
Mr. POOLE said that the North Kent had been first in the
field, and had long since proposed the line of the old coach-
road to London as the most direct.

A desultory conversation here took place as to the compa-
rative length of the proposed lines of atmospheric and North
Kent, after which
Sir J. M. TILDEN addressed the meeting, and stated his
impression that the atmospheric principle would be generally
adopted on all railways, and he gave the Croydon Company
credit for availing themselves of the experience of that prin-
ciple on the Kingston and Dalkey line, but he did not think
the line they proposed as a competing line with the North
Kent was calculated to be successful. The people of Canter-
bury wanted one direct line to London, and this the North
Kent line proposed to give them.—(Cheers.)
Mr. SLADDEN (solicitor) moved an amendment to the re-
solution, to the effect that it was not expedient for the meet-
ing to come to any definite decision until the details of the
plans of all the projected lines were before the public, and
that a committee of the citizens of Canterbury should be ap-
pointed to decide which of the lines was best deserving of
support.
The amendment was negatived, and the resolution was
carried, with about half-a-dozen dissentients.
Mr. WARD moved a resolution to the effect that the local
interests of Canterbury could not be so efficiently served by
a company in possession of a line already, as by an inde-
pendent and competing company.
The resolution was agreed to.
Another resolution was agreed to, pledging the meeting
to support the North Kent line; after which the meeting
separated.

LONDON AND YORK.
LINCOLN, SATURDAY.—A special meeting of the Town
Council of this city was held in the Guildhall this day, to
take into consideration several matters materially affecting

the interests of the citizens, arising from the intention of pro:
secuting the projected London and York, and other lines.
The TOWN-CLERK read the clauses of the Loudon and
York Bill, as affecting the navigation of the river Witham,
from the high bridge of the city of Lincoln, through the port
of Boston, to the sea, also the Fossdyke navigation from the
city of Lincoln to the river Trent, from which it appeared
that the material provisions are to secure a five foot water-

course in each navigation, and to reduce the present amount
of tonnage by one-third.
Mr. Alderman RUDGARD thought the Railway Company,

who were to derive the profits of the navigatiOu, ought io

rebuild the bridges over that part of the river whiCh connects
the two navigations together. In case of refusal, he should
propose that application be made to the House of Lords for
leave to oppose the London and York Bill, unless clauses for
protecting the public interests as regards the bridges and
navigation were introduced:- fit r.'nved that the Town-
Clerk do attend the Board of Directors, and make the request
of them.

Mr. Alderman WETHERELL, a Director of the London and
York Railway, considered the proposal of Mr. RUdgard as
fair and reasonable, and as he was going to town on Monday
to attend -a meeting of the Board of Directors on Tuesday,
he would take care to represent what were the feelings of the
_ _

citizens of Lincoln on the. subject. He was certain- it was
the wish of the Railway Company to render the navigations
complete, and to aid the-object in view; he requested a
written atement to lay before the board, in order that an
engineer might be appointed to inquire into the matter, as
he expected before anything could be done, Mr. Cubitt, or
some other competent person, would be consulted.

The TowN-Cilunx remarked that the river interests ap-
peared to have been • forced upon the Railway Company by
the alteration of the line-and the adoption of what was called
the loop along the line of the rivers, or he thought the Direc-
tors would have been inclined to have thrown that part of
the scheme overboard altogether, if they could have done so
consistently as men of honour.
Mr. RUDGARD said, if he were a Director, he should urge
on the Railway Company to comply with the request, to pre-
vent the opposition of the citizens ; for as regarded the ma-
jority of the people in Lincoln, they were most decidedly op-
posed to the London .and York scheme.—( Hear, hear.)
At length a resolution was unanimously carried, calling
upon the London and York Railway Company to take upon
themselves the rebuilding of the three bridges.
A ;Committee of seven members of the council was then
appointed to adopt means with a view of carrying out ex-
tensive improvements in the city, . rendered necessary by the
opening of railways.
IMPORTANT RAILWAY MEETING AT DUDLEY.

DUDLEY, MONDAY, Six O'CLOCK.—To-day a numerous and
most respectable meeting of the inhabitants of this borough
was held in the Town-hall, for the purpose of considering the
propriety of supporting the South Staffordshire Junction
Railway.
The meeting was called for twelve o'clock, and shortly after
that hour the chair was taken by Edward Terry, Esq.,
Mayor, who opened the business by observing that he felt
highly pleased at meeting on that occasion so numerous, re-
spectable, and highly influential a body of gentlemen as he
had then the honour of presiding over. On a former occasion
he had the pleasure of introducing to the inhabitants his
friends who were connected with the Oxford, Worcester,
and Wolverhampton Railway, and on that occasion it was
unanimously resolved that they should support that under-
taking, and they all knew the result of that resolution.
They had fought a hard battle, but they fought and won.—
(Applause.) Having won one battle in connexion with the
interest of that distri.A, it now became them to consider
another line which was to act as a feeder to that great and

important line which they had obtained, and that line was
the South Staffordshire Grand Junction. They had then
present a numerous deputation from that company, who
would explain the nature of the undertaking, and lay before
them the claims which that company had to their support.
Of the importance of such a line of communication between
the town of Dudley and Wolverhampton, and all those great
towns into which it would bring them in direct communica-
tion there could not be the least doubt. They had already
secured a communication with the south of England, and by
the proposed line they would gain a connexion with the north
of England and all the great outports. As all these advan-
tages would be more fully and ably set forth than he could
possibly detail them, he should not detain them longer, but
call upon Mr. Mathews.
WM. MATHEWS, Esq., then rose, and in a very powerful
and effective speech pointed out the advantages which
would result from the proposed undertaking. He com-
menced by saying that it was only 12 months ago since the
inhabitants of Dudley met in that place to consider the
propriety of supporting a line of railway which was to
afford that accommodation which their great commercial
transactions entitled them to expect. The opinion of the
inhabitants of that important town, with respect to that
accommodation, was heard, and attended to in the manner
in which it ought to.have been. The town of Dudley was
then not placed upon a level with the surrounding country,
and the general opinion was that it was impossible to afford
the necessary accommodation to the town on account of its
elevated position. Previous to the meeting 12 months ago
he had connected himself with the project of a line through
that district, but according to their plan they were not to
embrace Dudley, but leave it one or two miles out of the
main line. His Hon. Friend, Mr. Badger, with two other
gentlemen connected with the town, expostulated with him
upon the impropriety of leaving Dudley out of the main line,
and he then thought it necessary to communicate with the
engineering department of that line, in order to place Dudley
in its proper position ; and Dudley was accordingly placed
on the main line. He then hazarded an opinion that Dudley
would not only not be placed in a worse position than other
towns in the neighbourhood, but that it only required the
perseverance, diligence, and public spirit which the men of
Dudley always evinced to place it in the best position. He
knew that there were great difficulties in the way of effect-
ing that object. He knew that there were great obstacles
to contend against arising from influential parties, and
he said to the men of Dudley, "Do not make us put
Dudley upon the main line, unless you give us such support
as will enable us to ensure the passing of the Bill for the
making of that line." The gentlemen of Dudley assured
him they would give to the undertaking that support which
it deserved, and the result was that which they were all
well aware of, and he was there that day to say that the
gentlemen of Dudley had redeemed their pledge honour-
ably, nobly, and efficiently, and he had no hesitation in saying
that one of the main ingredients in their triumphant suc-
cess, was the important support which they received from
the inhabitants of this important place. Having gained
that object, he ventured to state it as his opinion, that if
the gentlemen of Dudley continued to make the same de-
monstrations with that prudence and caution and propriety
which they had hitherto manifested, instead of being
placed in a worse position than other towns, they would be
placed in a better position, and he now thought the facts
he had to state would bear out the grounds up which he
came to that conclusion. He thought the animus that guided
the parties who opposed them would fully justify the inhabi-
tants of that town in disclaiming any overtures from that
body in any shape in which it might be presented to them.
He need not say that no demonstration was made upon the
part of that rival body until they were obliged to ally them-
selves with other parties who were opposed to the interest of
the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line. These
ginebnatbleimtaeunte, dibdut nottbeyaffotrbdrewanyevearyccomobmstuodaolteioniutotbtehier
way. They not only denied them their assistance to carry
out their project, but they offered every resistance that
could be given to stop the proposed railway commu-
nication through that town. The inhabitants of Dud-
ley were of necessity compelled to ally themselves with
the important line to which he has already alluded ; and
having now witnessed the accomplishment of that great pro-
ject—tutving seen a victory pined over difficulties unpa.