The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-17 00:00:00

THE SIT N, LONDON PRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 17, 1845

ROYAL MAIL STEAM-PACKET
COMPANY.
The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors and share-
holders of this Company took place yesterday, at the Lon-
don Tavern.
puty
ANDREW CoLvitx, Esq., de7chairman, presided, and
upon taking the chair regretted being compelled to do so in
consequence of the indisposition of their worthy chairman, J.
Irving, Esq.. M.P.
The Secretary (E. CHAPPEL, Esq.) having read the adver-
tisement calling the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN said that he supposed every gentleman
had read the statement that had been sent round to all the
proprietors; that statement was not one of the accounts
that would be laid before the proprietors at the annual meet-
ing in March, it was merely a comparative statement of the
working of the ships up to the 30th of June last, giving on
the one side the sums paid by the Government, and the earning
of the vessels, and on the other the whole of the expense
that had been caused by the operations of the Company.
Gentlemen would see from that that there was an increased
surplus of the receipts beyond the expenses, and that it was
so far satisfactory, that it showed that the prosperity of the
Company was on the increase, fur the re :eipts fir the last
half-year were considerably more than the former. He would
now call upon the Secretary to read the report, which he felt
no doubt would meet with the approval of all present.
The SECRETARY then read the following report of the Di-
rectors of the Royal Mail Steam-packet Company :
" The present meeting is convened to exhibit the working
account for the first six months r f the current year, by whicu
it will appear that the Company's affairs are proceeding in a
steady and satisfactory manner.
" As contrasted with the corresponding half of the last
year, there is an increase of expenditure of 3541. 19s. 2d.;
but deducting the proportion applicable to the half-year of
the 2,000/. per annum, voted by the last general meeting as
remuneration to the Directors, there is, in the actual working
of the concern, a saving upon expenditure of 645/. Os. 10d.
" Upon the receipts of the same period there is an increase
of 9,754/. Os. 9d., showing therefore a clear augmentation of
surplus of 9,3991. Is. 7d.
" For the first half of the present year the surplus is shown
to be 75,556/. 16s. 4d., which is applicable to repairs, to re-
placement of capital, to insurance, or to payment of dividend;
and it is satisfactory to add that, up to this period, there has
been no charge upon the insurance fund for the current
year.
" Upon a general review, therefore, of the Company's
operations, the Directors feel warranted in proposing a divi-
dend, payable on and after the 23d inst., for the first half of
this year, of one pound ten shillings per share, free of in-
come-tax, being equivalent to five per cent. per annum on
the paid-up capital.
" The scheme of packet service, as arranged by the se-
cretary, and which came into operation two years and a half
ago, continues to work with perfect regularity; giving, to
all appearance, entire satisfactiou to the various colonies
and countries embraced within the limits of its operations,
as well as to the public at large, and the different depart-
ments of her Majesty's Government.
The effects of the plan in question, and of the economical
measures adopted by the Board of Management, to improve
the condition of the Company's affairs, may be briefly stated
as follows

For thehalfyear, ended in June, 1843, when the last altera-

tion in the routes was made :
Receipts £158,048 14 7
Expenditure
Surplus
For the half-year ended in June, 1545 :
Receipts 184,681 17 5
Expenditure
Surplus

Increase £41,215 0 9

" That this increase has not been the result of any sudden
or fortuitous circumstances, is proved by the fact that it has
been steadily advancing every half•year, and it will be seen
by the working account now presented, that (with one
trifling exception) the augmentation is upon each head of
freight and passage money, outward, homeward, and inter-
colonial.
" With a view to promote economy and insure regularity
in the conduct of the Company's affairs abroad, in the month
of November last the Directors dispatched their colonial
superintendent to inspect the whole of the Colonial depots,
and other fixed establishments; as well as to observe and
report upon the manner in which the service afloat was con-
ducted.
" After an absence of nearly ten months, and the able ful-
filment of all the objects contained in his instructions, this
gentleman has returned to England, and, according to his
report, good order prevails in every department; the steam-
ships of the Company are well conducted, arriving at and
departing from the several places with the utmost punctuality.
' "As stated at the last general meeting, six of the Com-
pany's steam-ships were docked, caulked, and re-coppered in
1844, being one more than was stipulated for in Mr. Pitcher's
contract for their repair.
" During the present year four more have had a similar
complete refit,' and the eleventh and last is now in dock at
Blackwall for the same purpose.
" While, therefore, the utmost attention has been paid to
augment the receipts, and to diminish the expenditure of the
Company, the condition of its ships has not only been effi-
ciently upheld, but in many respects decidedly and materially
improved.
" Finally, the Directors have to state, that they have just
arranged with the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury the terms of an amended contract, confirming the
modifications which bad been made (provisionally only) by
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; and whereby
the affairs of the Company are placed for the future upon a
more secure and satisfactory basis."
On the proposition that the report be received and adopted,
Mr. POYNDER said that he could not but express his gra-
tification atlhearing the report. He had:attended the meetings
of the Company amid storms and tempests, and he had
always prophesied, and that prophecy had turned out to
be true, that their seaworthy vessel would right herself.—
(Cheers.)
Mr. RIDGWAY felt anxious to make a few observations on
the repoit before it was adopted by the meeting. There was
no mention in that document with respect to the manner in
which the comforts of the passengers had been considered by
the Directors. He had heard several complaints from passen-
gers, and those, too, veryrecently. Great complaints were made
of them being transferred three or four times during the
passage from one part to another. He deprecated the course
that was pursued of putting the Proprietors in possession of
the contents of the report at the twelfth hour. He con-
sidered that the Proprietors ought to have the report
at least three days before the meeting took
place, as they would be enabled thereby to
come there prepared to make such statements with
respect to it as they thought it called for. It might by some
be considered a favour to the Shareholders to adopt such a
course, but he, for one, thought the Proprietors had a right
to have it done. There was a large sum put down for
provisions. Now he should like to know how they
were provided, as he had heard great complaints made on
that head. Complaints had also been made of the scarcity
of necessary accommodation on board the vessel. This, in
his opinion, ought to be well looked to by the Directors. Then
as to the stations, something ought to be done, because, looking
at what was going on in the railroad world, it was impossible
to suppose that Southampton could long be considered as the
most eligible station ; indeed, at present, he considered it a
great waste of time to come to Southampton, and when
certain proposed railways were in operation, it would soon
be seen whether Southampton was a proper station or not.
At Milford Haven there was to be a railway, and he con-
sidered that that place would be a most eligible one. He
was glad to see so large a meeting of the Proprietors, be-
cause it showed that great interest was taken in the affairs of
the West Indies.—(Hear.) The regularity of the arrival of
the mails was beyond all praise.
Captain Wmsn could not sit silent after what had been
stated by the Hon. Proprietor who had just sat down. He
had had letters from the West Indies, in all of which the
accommodation of every description on board the packets
was highly praised.—(Hear, hear.) He was surpnsed to see
the Hon. Proprietor continuing at every half-yearly meeting
to cry down a Company in which he had so great an in-
terest.—(Cries'of "No, no," from Mr. Ridgway.) The Ho-
nourable Proprietor denied that he did so, but notwith-
standing that, be must consider that it might most happily
be said after this it was an ill bird that fouled its own nest.—
(A laugh).
The CMAIRIVIAN said, that all had been done by the
Directors for the comfort of the passengers that could be
thought of. Where complaints had been made, they had
been enquired into. and if well founded, their cause removed.
The report was then received, and adopted unanimously.
Mr. RIDGWAY said that he should never be deterred from
performing what he considered to be his duty, by being told
that he was a bird that fouled his own nest.—(Hear, hear,
and laughter.) He should now move, that the report be
printed and circulated among the Proprietors, and in doing
so, he would put it to any person present to say whether lie
had not always interested himself strenuously on behalf of
the Company ?—(Hear, hear.) •
The CRAIRMAN thought it quite unnecessary, considering
that the press had always kindly given publicity to their re-
ports, to print the present one.
Mr. RIDGWAY felt it to be his duty towards the Proprietors
to persist in his motion.
Captain WARREN seconded the motion, which, upon a
show of hands, was declared to be lost.
The meeting then broke up.

THE STAR STEAM-BOAT COM-

PANY.

The general annual meeting of the Shareholders in the
Star Steam-boat Company was held onWednesday, at the Lite-
rary Institution, Gravesend, and was numerously attended,
the fair sex forming a large portion.
The CHAIRMAN ( Cruden, Esq.) said, in meeting the
proprietary he was happy to congratulate them on the fa-
vourable position of the Company. They had combatted
with a variety of difficulties, and it was some considerable
consolation to hitn to find that they had overcome them, and
that their property was in a promising condition. Their old
debt they had greatly diminished, and the Directors had de-
termined, after mature deliberation, now that it was so much
defrayed, to give the Shareholders some portion of the re-
ceipts for the capital they had invested in the Company.—
(Hear.) He bad heard it stated that no dividend should be
paid until their liabilities were entirely disposed of; but the
Directors thought that that would be accomplished, and a
dividend declared also. In adopting that step, however, the
Directors had taken all responsibility—the Shareholders had
paid up all their calls, and further demands could not be made
upon them.
The Secretary, Mr. NBSON, then read the auditors' re-
port, when a dividend of 2s. 6d. a share on the half-year's
account was proposed to be declared.
Mr. Buns, one of the Directors, said he must be per-
mitted to offer his protest to the proposition. He certainly
should be glad to receive the half-crown upon his ~hares, but
when he found, by so doing, the liabilities to the Company
would be considerably increased, it was his bounden duty to
oppose such a course, and he trusted the proprietors would
see the propriety of refusing the dividend, not only for the
purpose of liquidating the demands of the Company, but
also to protect their officers.
Mr. PALLISTER wanted to know by what hocus-pocus
style of business the Directors could free the proprietary of
the liabilities spoken of.
Mr. MATTHEW, the Solicitor to the Company, said, that
in the deed that constitutes the Company, there was an in-
demnity, or covenant, which protected shareholders, after
calls bad been paid up.
Mr. PALLIsTER observed that he had heard much of the
opposition the Diamond Steam-boat Company was said to
have evinced to that of the shareholders, but lie really
thought such was not the case. Here was a company next
to being insolvent from a lengthened contention with a rival
company, when in point of fact it ought not to be mixed up
in it at all. The question in dispute was really not between
the Star and Diamond Steam-boat Companies, but the latter
and the Blackwell Railway Company. To prolong the differ-
ence would promote the non-success of their property, and he
really thought the meeting should express an opinion on the
subject. He hoped every means would be adopted to avoid
the misunderstanding acting to their prejudice.
The CHAIRMAN said he understood the Hon. Shareholder
had also an interest in the Diamond Company, and he was
gtblhea.eidngetoonh teeat,rtis,u,:h conciliatory measures broached by a. pro-
prietor in this L com,:any. When it was said, however, of
existing between the Star and Diamond
caused by the Railway Company, let them both act

in concert—put their u together.—and they would
soon' find that every arrang• ment would be made by the
railway.—(Hear, hear.) It was the non-compliance, or the
unwillingness of the Diamond Company that had led to the
difference.

Mr. Mnaniorr, a Director, begged to say a few words in
answer to Mr. Palliater's assertion of that Company being
in an insolvent state. He had made a careful investigation
into their funds, and he found the bona fide property of the
Company amounted to between 13,0001. and 14,000/. ; its
liabilities did not exceed 9,0001., and he would put it to the
meeting whether a Company having a surplus of property
to the extent of near 5,000/ could be said to be in an insolvent
state ?

After some further discussion, a dividend of 2s. 6d. was de-
cided upon ; and on the Directors being re-elected, they
undertook to reduce the amount allowed for their services to
one-half, as also the balance required to be in hand.
After a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Board of Di-
rectors, the meeting broke up.

-LITERATURE.

A BOOK FOR A RAIIVY DAY ; or, Recollections
of the last Sixty-six Years. By John 7 oras Smith.
Mr. John Thomas Smith is assuredly the in: st in-
quisitive of mortals, and therefore the most talkative.
He seems to have been "everybody's" Boswell, and fortu-
nate is it for us of the present day, that the "- Notabili-
ties" of the last three-quarters of a century did not act
on the old adage—
" Percontatorem fugito nam garrulus ides n est."
Had they done so, we should have been deprived of this
most amusing specimen of auto-biography. Mr. Smith
was born, and bred, and lived in L. didon. He is a
Cockney intus et in cute, and his reminiscences of old
London, of the Marylebone tea-gardens for instance,
and " the Field of the Brothers' Steps," and of Milbank,
when it was the country, in the days when the arrival in
London of some great personage from Chelsea was
thought a thing worthy to be chronicled, are exceedingly
amusing. The follouing entry occurs under the date
1774 :

" I well remember when, in my eighth year, my father's
playfellow, Mr. Joseph Nollekens, leading me by the hand
to toe end of John-street to see the notorious terror of the
king's highways, John Rann, commonly called Sixteen-
string-Jack,' on his way to execution at Tyburn, for robbing
Dr. Bell, chaplain to the Princess Amelia, in Gunnesbury-
lane. Rann was a smart fellow, a great favourite with a
certain description of ladies, and had been coachman to
Lord Sandwich. The malefactor's coat was a bright pea-
green : he had an immense nosegay, which he had received
from the hand of one of the frail sisterhood, whose practice
it was in those days to present flowers to their favourites
from the steps of St. Sepulchre's Church, as the last token
of what they called their attachment to the condemned,
whose worldly accounts were generally brought to a close at
Tyburn, in consequence of their associating with abandoned
characters. On our return home Mr. Nollekens, stooping
close to my ear, assured me that had his father-in-law, Mr.
Justice Welch, been high-constable, we could have walked
all the way to Tyburn by the side of? the cart."
What would be thought at the present day of a Royal
Academician who should take a boy, eight years of age,
the nephew of an admiral, to see an execution, by way
of a treat ? Nous arsons change tout cela, and most as-
suredly the change has been for the better. Mr. Smith,
when drawing in Nollekens' studio, had frequent op-
portunities of seeing Dr. Johnson :
"He was tall, and must have been, when young, a power-
ful man : he stooped, with his head inclined to the right
shoulder: heavy brows, sleepy eyes, nose very narrow be-
tween the eyebrows, but broad at the bottom ; lips en-
ormously thick; chin, wide and double. He wore a stock
and wristbands; his wig was what is called a Busby,' but
often wanted powder. His hat, a three-cornered one; coats,
one a dark mulberry, the other brown, inclining to the
colour of Scotch snuff; large brass, or gilt buttons, black
waistcoat, and small-clothes sometimes the latter were
corduroy; black stockings, large easy shoes, with buckles;
latterly he used a hooked walking stick: his gait was wide
and awkwardly sprawling.
" I once saw him follow a sturdy thief, who had stolen his
handkerchief in Grosvenor-square, seize him by the collar
with both hands, and shake him violently, after which he
quickly let him loose, and then, with his open hand, gave
him so powerful a smack on the face, that sent. him off the
pavement staggering."
This concluding anecdote is very characteristic. This
book contains sundry odd bits of information which we
should look in vain for elsewhere;—for instance, we
learn incidentally that Voltaire, during his stay in Lon-
don, lived in Maiden-lane—that Vandervelde painted the
sea distances in the portraits Of the Hampton-court
Admirals, at present located in the Painted
Hall, Greenwich—that Hugh Honison, the late
keeper of York-terrace, was the original Strap of
“Roderick Random"—that Charles I. was not so liberal
a patron of Vandyke as has been commonly sup-
posed, but that he was in the constant habit of
cutting down Vandyke's charges for pictures frequently
to one-half, and that at Vandyke's death Charles owed
him large sums, which his heirs could never recover. All
these little bits of information are communicated inci-
dentally ; but as there is neither index nor table of con-
tents to the work, the reader will have " to search all
the day ere he find them." Whether, " when found, they
are worth the search," it is for him to determine. Seri-
ously speaking, an index would add greatly to the value
of this book, and we trust, that when it reaches a se-
cond edition, which no doubt it will, ere long, this hint
will not be forgotten. The following, anecdote of the
marriage of Angelica Kauflinann will probably be new
to many of our readers:—
" Angelica Kauffmann was a great coquette, and pre-
tended to be in love with several gentlemen at the same
time. Once she professed to be enamoured of Nathaniel
Dance; to the next visitor she would divulge the great
secret that she was dying for Sir Joshua Reynolds. How-.
ever, she was at last rightly served for her duplicity by
marrying a very handsome fellow personating Count Horn.
With this alliance she was so pleased, that she made her
happy conquest known to her Majesty Queen Charlotte, who
was much astonished that the Count should have been so
long in England without coming to Court. However, the
real Count's arrival was sometime afterwards announced at
Dover; and Angelica Kauffinann's husband turned out to be
no other than his valet de chambre. He was prevailed upon
subsequently to accept a separate maintenance. After this
man's death she married Zucci, and settled in Rome."

In 1803, Mr. Smith saw Belzoni, afterwards so cele-
brated as the Egyptian traveller, exhibiting in Bartho-
lomew fair as " the Young Hercules, or the Patagonian
Sampson." Various stories have been current as to the
early career of Belzoni. Mr. Smith gives tne following
account of him, and, as he was personally acquainted
with that extraordinary man, there is every reason to
believe it is authentic :

"He was a native of Padua, and educated in order to be-
come a profound monk ; but during the frenzy of war, being
noticed by the French army, in consequence of his command-
ing figure, to be admirably well calculated for a fugleman,
prudently avoided seizure for so deadly a service by getting
together what few things time would permit him, and so
left Rome. I should have stated to the reader that, upon his
arrival in London, in the year 1808, he walked into Smith-
field (luring Bartholomew-fair time, when he was seen by
the master of a show, who, it is said, thus questioned his
Merry Andrew Do you see that tall-looking fellow in the
midst of the crowd? he is looking about him over the people
as if he walked upon stilts; go and see if he's worth our
money, and ask him if he wants a job.' Away scrambled
Mr. Merryman down the monkey's post, and, 'as quick as
lightning,' conducted the stranger to his master, who, being
satisfied of his personal attractions, immediately engaged,
plumed, painted, and put him up. The reader will readily
conceive that a man like Belzoni, seriously edtfcated for the
duties of the Church, and accustomed to associate with
people of good manners, could with no little reluctance en-
dure the vulgar society his pecuniary circumstances alone
compelled him to associate with. However, after the expi-
ration of nine years, in the course of which time he had
married and saved money, he and his wife were enabled to
visit Portugal, Spain, and Malta, from which place they
embarked for Egypt. Fortunately for Belzoni, the wife he
bad chosen more than equally shared his numerous dangers,
by spiritedly joining m all his enterprises, which some of my
readers will recollect are most delightfully described by her-
self, in what she styles 'A Trifling Account,' printed at
the end of her husband's ' Travels in Egypt, Nubia,' " &c.
We must now take our leave of Mr. Smith, assuring
him that we consider his very amusing gossip an excel-
lent " book for a rainy day."

MEMOIR of JOHN AUBREY, F.R.S., embracing
his Auto biographical Sketches, and an Account of his
Works. By John B7ittrn, F.S.A.

four • rs
About yea since several noblemen and gentle-
men of Wiltshire established the Wiltshire Topographi-
cal Society. The object of this Society is to illustrate
the history of the county of Wilts, by publishing his-
torical and descriptive accounts of places and things in
the county, and biographical memoirs of celebrated men
natives of Wiltshire. To the institution of this Society
we are indebted for the publication of the very inte-
resting memoir now before us, which rescues from the
obloquy which has been mast undeservedly thrown upon
it the memory of a man who was an honour to his coun-
try, and who was far in advance of the age in which he
flourished (from 1626 to 1697). Unfortunatel;', how-
ever, for Aubrey's fame, he became acquainted with
Anthony a Wood, whom he permitted to have access to
his manuscripts. Anthony a Wood having in the most
barefaced manner plundered Aubrey, having cut out 44
pages bodily from Aubrey's lives of eminent men, and
appropriated them as his own, turned round upon his
benefactor, and actually had the impudence to brand him
whom he had plundered as " a pretender to antiqui-
ties, a shiftless .person, roving and magpttie-headed, and
sometimes little better than crazed. The only pub-
lished work at this time of Aubrey's was his miscella-
nies, in which he had been at pains to collect all sorts
of ghost stories and tales of witchcraft, and in which
he avowed his belief iu judicial astrology—a belief
which he held in common with Dryden, Clarendon, the
witty Duke of Buckingham, King Charles 1., and other
eminent men, his contemporaries. As Aubrey, in con-
sequence of this publication, has become the classical
authority on this matter, and as all subsequent authors,
when treating on the subject, have quoted from him, his
name has become inseparably connected with the follies
of that pseudo-science, and posterity treated him as the
crazed and " maggottie-headed," being that Anthony a
Wood maliciously represents him to have been, solely
because he believed in that which was the prevailing
faith of his time, without taking the pains to inquire into
the real character of the man as developed in his manu-
scripts still existing in the Ashmolean Museum, and
which prove him, on many points, to have been far in
advance of his age.
" He may be regarded," says Mr. Britton, " essentially
an archeologist, and the first person in this country who
fairly deserved that name. Historians, chroniclers, and topo-
graphers there had been before his time, but he was the first
who devoted his studies and abilities to archeology in its
play, numismatics, heraldry, &c. No one before him investi-
gatedvarious ramifications of architecture, genealogy, paleogra-
phy,
or understood any thing of the vast Celtic temple at
Avebury, and other monuments of the same class; and cer-
tainly no person had preceded him in attempting to distin-
guish the successive changes in style and decoration of
ancient ecclesiastical edifices, or to ascertain, by observing
architectural features and details; to what era any particular
building belonged."
His great work on this subject is his " Monurnenta
Britannica," abridgments of which are in the Bodleian
Library, at Stourhead in Wilts, and in Mr. Britton's
collection. The original, however, although known to
have been in existence as late as 1819, in four folio vo-
lumes, of 100 pages each, is now nowhere to be found.
It was then in the library of W. Churchill, Esq., of
Henbury. To Aubrey also is due the honour of having
first demonstrated that Stonehenge was a Druidical mo-
nument, in opposition to the opieion of Inigo Jones, by
whom it was considered as a Roman stork. In early
life Aubrey was a member of Harrington's celebrated
Rota Club. He was one of the original members of the
Royal Society, and the intimate friend and as,ociate ot
Hobbes of Malmesbury (of whom he wrote a most
interesting biographical memoir), Hooke, and Sir W.
Petty, and Evelyn. It is not probable that
these men would have admitted into thtir intimacy " a
maggottie-headed man nearly crazed." But Aubrey
had offended the clergy of the University of Oxford by
a manuscript treatise, entitled " Idea of Education
of Young Gentlemen from Nine to Eighteen," which is
still in existence in the Ashmolean Museum, in which
he not only utterly condemns the beastly practice of
flogging, but proposes that " the education of young
gelid, men should be better conducted and more inde-
pendently of the priesthood than in any academy or college

-then extaht."-* Are we not justified in saying that
-Aubrey was in advance of his age. Here is the very
scheme of priestless education so recently proposed by
the Government. But Aubrey foresaw that the bigots
would be too strong for him, for he thus concludes his
es ay But now, methinks, I see a black squadron, led
up by a crosier staff, (Dr. John Fell, Bishop of Oxford),
marching from Oxford to discomfite this pretty little
flock, and so this my pleasing dream is at an end—
Soli Deo Gloria." The scheme itself is excellent —there
is one point of it, however, which may create a smile.
He recommends the study of astrology "as the best
guide to direct us to what professions or callings children
are by nature most fit or most inclined to ;" but if the
reader will have the goodness to substitute for astrology,
phrenology,or any other ology which may be most in fashion,
as teaching what astrology then professed to teach, he
may perhaps feel inclined to be merciful to poor Aubrey.
The follies of one age bear a marvellous resemblance to
those of its predecesso:s—the names alone are changed.
The " black squadron" of that day, however, were wiser
in their generation than the black squadrons of the pre-
sent. They contented themselves with attacking the
author as a crazy," maggottie-headed" man, without ven-
turing to attract attention to his plan by raising against
it the cry of a " godless scheme of education." Had
Aubrey lived in our day he would have been honoured
and reverenced, and his name would have appeared as
director of some score of joint-stock companies. He was
a most ingenious projector. Here are two of his
schemes—l. " To get a patent to open the passage for
to make it wider for shippes to come to Bristowe, also to
blow up the little island in the key at Bristol." A cen-
tury afterwards this was carried into effect, and the
Bristol docks were formed. 2. "To put somebody
upon the marrying the Thames and Avon, and to get a
share in it." This has also since been done by the
cutting of the Kennet and Avon Canal. We see it is
the intention of the Topographical Society of Wiltshire
to publish his Natural History of that county ; we shall
look forward with great interest to the appearance of
this very curious work. Mr. Britton hal executed his
labour of love—for it has evidently been a labour of
love with him—in a style which makes this a model for
future biographers of literary men. His research has
been unwearied, and he has been enabled to enrich his
memoir with several interesting literary anecdotes ; for
instance, when speaking of Aubrey's MS., entitled,
" Memoirs of Naturall Remarques in Wilts," he says—
"ln chapter 17, which illustrates the grandeur of the
Pembroke family, and describes their splendid seat at Wilton
in the following passage, which is here quoted as a matter of
curiosity, throwing a doubt (as it does) upon the authorship
of one of the most celebrated verses of the seventeenth
century :
"' Underneath this sable hearse
Lies the subject of all verse,
Sidney's sister—Pembroke's mother.
Death, ere thou kill'st such another,
Fair and wise, and leaned as she,
Time will throw a dart at thee.'
" These verses were writ by Sir William Browne, who
wrote the Pastoralls,' and they are inserted there.
"The above lines are almost universally attributed to Ben
Jonson ; it is, therefore, essential to observe that Aubrey is
not alone in stating them to be by Browne, the author of the
'Pastoralls; ' for, in his note upon the subject, he left a blank
for the latter's Christian name, ' William, which was filled
up by Evelyn, when he perused his manuscript. Indeed,
Evelyn not only filled up such blank, but added, as a further
note—' William, Governor to ye now Earl of Oxford.'"
We are now reluctantly compelled to draw this notice
to a close, but we cannot do so without offering our
hearty coneratulations to Mr. Britton on the triumphant
manner in which he has vindi,•ated the fume of one of
Wiltshire's most worthy sons, and at the same 'line
expressing a hope that other ceuoties will follow tto
example of Wiltshire, by instituting Topographical
Societies for the illustration and preservation of those
historical monuments which have been delivered to us
by our forefathers in trust for posterity. We had al-
most omitted, to mention that the memoir is illustrated
by a portrait of Aubrey and a view of Easten Piers, the
place of his birth.

HOP, CHEESE, AND HORSE FAIR.

WEYHILL (NEAR ANDOVER), OCTOBER 13.—The beautiful
morning brought a vast c9ncouri.e of people, on pleaswe as
well as llusiness, to this vast annual fair and carnival. The
roads were literally crowded with people of both sexes ; and
the coache,2, carts, and vehicles of every description, would
lead a Londoner to believe the concourse of people were the
outpourings of London, rather than at a fair 66 miles from the
great metropolis.
HOPS.—FARNITAM Row.—Though on Friday, at twelve
o'clock, not more than 300 pockets had been brought in, yet,
by twelve o'clock this day (Monday), nearly 4,000 have been
placed for sale in that part alone. Twelve guineas per cwt.
is the price demanded for the best Farnham ; but few buyers
at that price, A reduction must be submitted to, or many
will remain unsold. _

LONDON Row.—This is principally occupied by the Lon-
don merchants—T. D. Evans, Gibbons. and Co., Calloway,
and others, principally having Hops consigned to them for
sale.

COUNTRY Row.—This i 9 occupied by partly country
growers and London hop dealers. At least 5,000 pockets and
bags were there for sale. The prices demanded were from
81. to 91. 10s. per cwt., but not many buyers at those prices,
they holding back till to-morrow. A. reduction must be sub-
mitted to.

-------
CHEESE FAIR.—Not more than 150 tons pitched for sale;
very small quantity—one-third less than last year. Prices
as follow :—Somerset best Chedder as high as 70s. per cwt.,
for two or three prime lots; common Somerset Chedder,
from 565. to 635. per cwt. ; ditto, good cheese, up to 565.;
best double Gloucester ditto, from 545. to 58s. per cwt.; ditto
single ditto, 525. to 545. per cwt.; common ditto, 40s.—
from 2s. to 4s. per cwt. cheaper than at Reading large Cheese
Fair.

---
HORSE FAlR.—Though this is the third day fair for the sale
of horses, a crinsiderable quantity are still for sale ; from three
to four hundred of the cart kind, one hundred coach and nag
horses, sixty cobs and ponies.
It is with much pleasure we hear that not one act of
rioting, disorderly conduct, or any other offence has been
committed up to this time at the fair, so as to call for the in-
terference of the police.

THE STATE OF TRADE, PAISLEY.—We are sorry
to have to state, that during the present week our trade has
been rather duller than it has been for some months past—an
occurrence which is generally looked for at the close of the
season, and which, it is to be hoped, will be of short duration.
—Renfrewshire Advertiser.
THE GROWLER STEAMER.—We regret to announce,
on the authority of a Correspondent, that two seamen be-
longing to this vessel, which recently arrived at Woolwich
from the coast of Africa, have died since they were taken
ashore. The cause of death has not been ascertained, .iid
some alarm has been created, from fear that the disease has
been the fever, which has so fearfully raged in the Eclair.
Although no certainty exi is for this fear, the authorities, we
are informed, are taking due precautions to allay the alarm.
The Growler is to be fumigated, and every exertion made to
prevent the possibility of contagion.
The festivity at the opening of Lincoln's Inn Hall,
on the 30th, is to be a morning collation, not a dinner or ban-
quet, as originally proposed; and we understand that the
guests will consist exclusively of her Majesty's Ministers
and immediate attendants. The reason for thus limiting the
invitation is the very large Lumber of members of the Inn
claiming to be present as of right. The Benchers will receive
her Maje-ty in full professional costume. Lords Brougham
and Campbell (both Benchers) are expected to be present,
and walk hand in hand on the occasion.

HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND DISEASES OF
THE CHEST, BnomProx.—lt is the intention of the commit-
tee of management to hold a second bazaar in the spring of
next year, on the occasion of the opening of the west
wing of the new hospital of Brampton. It is stated that the
bazaar held last year at Chelsea, in honour of his Royal
Highness Prince Albert laying the foundation-stone, was
one of the most successful efforts of the kind ever attempted.
Two thousand pounds were raised by its mem s, which,
added to the building fund, enabled the building committ,e
to proceed with so much vigour and rapidity, that arrange-
ments have been entered into for the completion, by next
June, of the west wing and part of the centre, including the
principal entrance. The western wing of this beautiful struc-
ture will be ready for the reception of patients about the
middle of the ensuing spring, and under arrangements of the
committee of management everything has been made con-
ducive to the restoration of health of the patients, and also
to promote the efforts of the medical gentlemen who grapple
with this most fearful malady. When fully completed, the
institution will afford accommodation to upwards of 200 in-
patients.

THE LATE FATAL STEAM-BOAT ACCIDENT OFf
BATTERSEA.—Yesterday morning, about five, the body o
Mr. W. Power, landlord of the Grenadier public-house, ere& f
cent-mews, Grosvenor.place, who it will be recollected was
drowned on the evening of last Sunday week, off the Be!
House, Battersea, in consequence of the boat in which h.,
was crossing the water being run down by the Citizen (
steamer, was found by a dredgerman, named Austin, at the
bottom of the river, off the White House, Chelsea, within
200 yards of the spot where the collision took place. Mi.
Bedford, the Coroner, will hold an inquest upon the body to-
morrow forenoon.

CUSTOMS REVENUE OF LIVERPOOL.—The general
quarterly abstract of revenue for the United Kingdom shows
a decrease, under the head "Customs," of 1,154,4921., attri-
butable to the reduction of various important duties; and it
may be interesting to learn how much of this amount belongs
to this port. From the best information within cur reach,
and which we believe to be accurate, we learn that the gross
receipts at our Custom-house for the quarter just past were
897,9984 against 1,324,906/. for the corresponding period of
last year, showing a decrease of 426,9061. Considering that
the Customs revenue of Liverpool is, on the average of late
years,
_one-fifth of that of the entire kingdom, it may be
thought that the above statement shows somewhat like a
falling off in the trade of our port. It must be borne in mind,
however, that we have this year lost the cotton duty,amount-
ing to 640,000/. per annum, nearly all collected in Liverpool ;
and that the recent reduction in the sugar duties, computed
at 1,700,000/. for the year, has fallen peculiarly upon this
port. Taking these duties into consideration, we have
rather improved our position than otherwise.—Liverpool
Standard.

THE NAPOLEON MUSEUM.—We are glad to find
that the new purchaser of the Napoleon Museum has yielded
to the request of those who were desirous that the very in-
teresting illustrations which it contains of the eventful career
of " the foremost man of all this world," should be per-
mitted to remain among us a short time longer. The Mu-
seum, to which man} interesting relics and curiosities have
been added, is at present exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall,
Piccadilly, previon-:::, e regret to add, to its being removed
by its proprietor to his residence abroad. We had hoped
that there had been public spirit enough among us not to
have suffered the museum to quit this country.
NEW DEVICE BY RAILWAY STAGS.—ThP broken-
down stags, finding their former practices unavailing. have
now resorted to a new practice of raising the wind, though in
a small way. They now make a prrctice of ghing round to
the different railways, and obtaining sever:il prospectuses,
under the plea of coming from some respectable party whom
they name; having obtained a sufficient. number, they then
adjourn to the precincts of Capel-court, where they turn
prospectus venders, and sell them at the t ate of 2d. each to
those railway speculators who cannot lose time by writing for
them.

GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY.—The shares in this line
came out yesterday, and in spite of the bustle of settling, it
seems commanded favourable attention. The directors, it is de-
clared, have allotted More than three-fourths to parties locally
interested in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire,
where the demand extended to nearly half a million of
shares, though only 50,000 were to be issued. One favour-
able circumstance is mentioned, namely, the progres!, which
the surveyors have made, so as to give good chance of the
plans and sections being timely prtpared for Parliament.—
Advertiser.

IMPORTANT A PPLICATION-
BLACK WALL RAILWAY EXTh SION- ACT.

At the Thames Police-court ()lINVedSWSday, Mr. Tycrman, a
solicitor, accompanied by Mr. Wightman, i;e superii.ti.mient
of the London: and Blackwall Railway Cempa v, and John
Stock, Esq., a comity magistrate, came before M-r. Ballantine
for the purpose of obtaining the magistrate's signature to a
declaration that the whole if the isapital of the Blackwall
Extenshn Railway Company had been paid up previous to
the commencement of the fermation of tbe new line.
The SOlicitor, who was provided with sundry forms and
Acts of Parliament, stated that he ..ppeared as the represen-
tative of the Blackwall Railway Extension Company. The
Bth of Victoria,'cap. 18, which was called "An Act for C4.,n-
-solidating in one Act certain provisions usually inserted in
Acts, authorising the taking of lands for undertakings of a
public nature," provided among other things that the certifi-
cate of two justices of the peace, certifying that the whole of
the capital that had been subscribed should be obtained be-
fore any new line of railway should be commenced. He had
now come prepared with the necessary proofs, and requested
the magistrate to take evidence on the subject.
Mr. Ballantine— What do you intend to do when you ob-
tain the certificate?

Mr. Tyerman replied, to commence the new line of rail-
way from Stepney to Old Ford. The Act authorising the
making of the railway was pai.sed last session; and had re-
ceived the royal assent. The company was registered under
the 7th and Bth Victoria, the capital all paid up, and every-
thing was in readiness to commence operations. The Pclice
Act gave any one magistrate of the police-courts the same
power as any other two justices of the peace.
Mr. Ballantine asked the solicitor how he was prepared to
prove the capital was paid up?
Mr. Tyerman said he could do so by his own evidence.
Mr. Ballantine-4n what capacity do you stand?
Mr. Tverman—As the authorised solicitor of the company.

Mr. Ifallantine supposed the company was an incorporated
one, and power was given to them to site and be sued in
their corporate capacity. It struck him that the secretary,
or some other recognised officer of the society, shoUld have
made this application to him.
Mr. Tyerman said the company was incorporated. The
capital was 600,000/., three-fourths of which was required to
be paid up before the Act received the royal assent, and one-
fourth afterwards. He had the Parliamentary contract
with him ; it was signed by several parties, and everything
was prepared in a regular and formal manner.
Mr. Ballantine—But you are not incorporated in the Act.
Mr. Tyerman said he was not, but he submitted that. his
evidence could be taken. He would read the 16th and 17th
clauses of the Land Clauses Consolidation Act. They enacted
" that where the undertaking is to be carried into effect by
means of a capital to be subscribed by the promoters of the
undertaking the whole of the capital or estimated sum for
defraying the expenses of the undertaking shall be sub-
scribed under contract, binding the parties thereto, their
heirs, executors, and administrators, for the payment of the
several sums by them respectively subscribed, before it shall
be lawful to put in force any of the powers of this or the
special Act, or any Act incorpotat,d therewith hi relation
to the compulsory taking of land for the purposes of the
undertaking. A certificate under the hands of two justices,
certifyieg that the whole of the prescribed sum has been
subscribed, shall be sufficient evideece thereof, and on the
application of the promoters of the undertaking, and on the
production.of such evidence as such justices think proper
and sufficient, such justices shall grant such certificate ac-
cordingly." These clauses applied to the purchase and
taking of land otherwise than by agreement.
' Mr. Ballantine looked over several Acts of Parliament
and the one quoted by the solicitor, and said he thought he
ought to have the secretary to prove the capital was paid
up, and he did not like to affix his signature to the certificate
as a mere matter of form. By so doing, he should confer on
the company very extensive powers; and if he did wrong,
might put those persons through whose property the railway
was to pass to great inconwnience.
Mr. Tyerman, in reply to the objections of the worthy
mkastrate, said he had frequentl% done this before. Here
was the Parliamentary contract, evidence in itself that three-
fourths of the capital wt...s p ,id.
Mr. Ballantine—l am to be satisfied it is all subscribed and
paid up.
Mr. Tyerman—l can do that, sir. I produce the c eed,
which is in itself evidence, and I can prove its authenticity.
Mr. Ballantine—You can't prove you saw the money paid.
' Mr. Tyerman said if such evidence as that was required,
every directiar and every shareholder must be produced.
He knew of his own knowledge the whole of the capital was
subscribed and paid up. The company could not have ob-
tained the Act of Parliament unless three-tourths of the esti-
matt d capital was paid up. The Act requires the remaining
fourth bef re the company could put the compulsory clauses
of their Act into effect.

' Mr. Ballantine said he did not think the solicitor was
the party who ought to have come before him. He might
be wrong; indeed, he hoped he was wrong. At present he
had a difficulty; without intending to give offence to the
solicitor, his opinion was, that Mr. Tyerman was not the
proper representative of the company under the circum-
stances.

Mr. Tyerman contended, at some length, that it was a
matter entirely of evidence, and that no one could be better
acquainted with the facts than himself. The secretary of
the co npany allotted the Parliamentary grant, and verified
certain acts, but he believed he was not so well acquainted
with the financial affairs of tl e company as he (Mr. Tyer-
man) was.
Mr. Ballantine said, he must be quite satisfied that all the
necessary forms had been complied with before be received
the evidence of the solicitor. He would consider of the sub-
ject, and Mr. Tyerman could repeat his application in a few
days.

Tyerman—lt is a matter which presses. We want to
commence operations and the new line immediately.
Mr. Ballantine—l am sorry to disappoint you. Come in a
day or two.
Mr. Tverman then took up his papers, and intimated that
he should, if possible, make an application to two of the
county magistrates. He then retired, apparently much dis-
appointed at the result of his application. He had previously
applied at the Sessions House on Clerkenwell-green, but
could not find a county magistrate to act with Mr. Stock,
who, by-the-by, attended for the purpose of acting in concert
with Mr. Ballantine, the forms being made out for " two
justices of the peace," and was informed that the Police Act
did not recognise him as a magistrate in any of the Police-
courts.