The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-14 00:00:00

EVENING, APRIL 14, 1845.

THE NEWSPAPER PRESS OF
LONDON.
(From the London Journal, April 12.)
NO, V.-BELL'S LIFE IN LONDON.

This journal is almost entirely devoted to matters con
nected with the Sporting World. Its principal features
of attraction are therefore constituted by intelligence re-
specting the Turf; accounts of Regattas, the proceedings
of Yacht Clubs, and narratives of Prize Fights, Pedes-
ian Exploits, and all kinds of information relative to
manly pursuits, Games of Skill or Chance, &c., tec. Its
Notices to Correspondents " settle all disputed points
in reference to the rules or customs of the above
departments. From the regulations of a brutal
prize-fight to the etiquette of a genteel game
of (Tarte is this journal an undoubted autho-
rity. The, result is, that Bells Life has not a class
circulation like many of its weekly Contemporaries—it
is seen on the table of the Peer and in the parlour of the
public-house—it is read alike in the club and the tap-
room. In political principles it is very liberal, and ad-
vocates the popular cause. But then the Tory sports-
man who reads it care a nothing for its politics—all he
regards is the pLculiar information of its special .
depart-
ment. Some years ago Bell's Life was famous for its
wood-cuts, caricaturing the prominent vices or foibles of
the age. The poetical accompaniments to these graphic
designs were of the richest and raciest kind of humour
—indeed, they were remarkably clever, and, we should
conceive, might be resumed with advantage to the
journal.

" Poet's Corner" was also a famous feature in Bell's
Life. The metrical epistles of Scroggins and other sup-
posed characters, were in their class inimitable. They
were humorous and witty, but never ill-natured,—sa-
tirical, but never personal. Tile poetry, that now ap-
pears at times in Bell's Life, is written by a clergyman
residing in the Isle of Wight. This is not, however, the
only instance of clerical talent being employed in the
composition of humorous poetry ; for, en passant, be it
observed, that those amazingly clever legends which
have appeared in Bentley's Miscellany, and Colburn's
New Monthly Magazine, with the signature of "Thomas
lugoldsby" attached to them, emanated from the pen of
a reverend gentleman of the name of Barham.
Mr. Grady is the aquatic reporter for Belts Life; and
with the aid of one of his sons, he collates al:d arranges
the minor sporting intelligence. Mr. Dowling is the
principal editor. This gentleman manages the more im-
portant business connected with the Sporting World.
He is said to be the most graphic and spirited delineator
of a prize-fight that the sporting world can boast of.
His income arising from his situation is upwards of 8001,
per annum. Indeed every one connected with the edi-
torial department of Bell's Life is most liberally paid.
The proprietor of Bell's Life zn London is Mr. Clement,
the late owner of the Morning Chronicle. This gentle-
man spares no expense in obtaining intelligence, or in
maintaining the reputation of his journal as the principal
organ of the Sporting World. Ile was lately offered the
sum of 75,0001. for Bell's Life, but did not feel disposed
to part with so valuable a property. The circulation of
this journal is 25,000 weekly. The profits arising from
the advertisements alone are 801 weekly.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MID-
LAND RAILWAY COMPANY.
LEASE OF THE BIRMINGHAM AND GLOU-
CESTER AND BRISTOL AND GLOUCESTER
LINES.
DERBY, SATURDAY.—This afternoon a special gene-
ral meeting of the shareholders in this railway was
held at the railway station here, for the purpose of con-
sidering the conditional agreement lately entered into by
the Directors, for the lease by the Midland Railway
Company of the recently amalgamated Birmingham and
Gloucester and Bristol and Gloucester Railways. The
meeting was numerously attended.
Mr. GEORGE HUDSON, Chairman of the Board of Di-
rectors, then stated the heads of the agreement entered
into with the above companies, which was that the
amalgamated lines of tke Birmingham and Glouces-
ter and Bristol and Gloucester should be leased in
perpetuity to the Midi .nd Company, at a❑ annual rent
of 6/. per cent. on the share capital of 1,800,000/. ;
the Midland Company to take upon themselves
the liabilities due by the other party to the extent of
450,000/. ; the sto2k of the other companies to become
the property of the Midlands ; these arrangements to
commence on the Ist of July next, and any difference
which might arise to be referred to the arbitration of
the Board of Trade. The Midland Company were also
to have power to purchase these lines at any time
within three years.
Mr. HUDSON then stated that there was a great dis-
inclination on the part of the Directors to enter into any
engagement by which the Company should incur fresh
responsibilities, but at the same time they thought this
better than that any other Company should have the
lines in question.
The Worthy CHAIRMAN then went into a lengthened
statement of the benefits anticipated from the proposed
arrangement, and said that possibly the Act for this
lease might not be obtained this session, but he under-
stood that no legal difficulty stood in the way of enter-
ing upon the agreement at once. He then added that
the Board of Trade had seen the justice of the pro-
ject put forward by their company, and he hoped that
these would ultimately be the source of an increased in-
come to the shareholders. The first of these projects
favourably reported on was the line from Lincoln to
Nottingham, 34 miles in length. The Board had re-
reported also in favour of the line from Swinton to Don-
caster, though a part was left void between Gainsbo-
rough and Doncaster. He hoped, however, that Par-
liament would enable them to extend it to Lincoln,
which would make other 36 miles. Then there was the
line from Syston to Peterborough, 48 miles, so that
altogether the Board of Trade had reported favourably
on 118 miles of railway. The number of shares issuel
for making these was 50,500 to the Midland proprietors,
and 1,500 to the Sheffield and Rotherham, making toge-
ther 52,000. The number authorised to be issued was
60,500. He was thus particular in stating the facts, be-
cause he had seen letters in the newspapers asking where
the shares were. The last time he had the pleasure of
meeting the Proprietors he alluded particularly to the
working of the Midland line. The Directors had since
fully redeemed the promise then made of working the
line efficiently. The Proprietors would find that the
trains were now running with the utmost regularity.—
(Hear, hesr.) The Directors had entered into an
agreement with the London and Birmingham Company
to expedite certain trains fully an hour. By this means
persons would be able to perform the journey from
London to Newcastle, a distance of 303 miles, in the
short space of ten and a half hours. He would just
remind the meeting of one other thing, to guard against
any mistaken views of parties buying shares. This
was in reference to the 31. shares in the Birmingham
and Gloucester. These shares were now exactly in
the same position as before the contemplated amal-
gamation. As doubts had been thrown out in re-
ference to this matter, he deemed it right that this should
now go forth to the public. When the proposed agree-
ment was sanctioned, the Bills now before Parliament
promoted by these companies will probably be with-
drawn. He would just add, further, that it was possible
that the Act for this lease might not be obtained this
session; but he understood from Mr. Carter, the solicitor
to the Company, that no legal difficulty stood in the way
of entering on it at once. This was proposed to be done
on the Ist of July next.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon.
Chairman concluded by moving a resolution, to the effect
that the heads of agreement read should be confirmed,
and the Directors authorised to take the necessary steps
to carry it into execution.—(Cheers.)
Mr. JOHN ELLIS, the Deputy Chairman, after a few
observations eulogistic of the proposed arrangement,
seconded the motion.
This, after some remarks from Dr: O'Brien, Mr.
Mather, Mr. Ellis, and other Proprietors, was carried
amidst loud cheers.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, with
the enthusiasm usually displayed by this company, and
the meeting separated.

COURT CIRCULAR.

Sir Robert Peel had an audience of the Queen on Saturday,
at Buckingham Palace.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked in the Royal
Gardens of Buckingham Palace, on Saturday morning.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the
Queen on Saturday forenoon.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the
Princess Royal left town in a carriage and four, at ten o'clock
on Saturday morning, for Claremont.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice was taken an
airing in the Royal Gardens on Saturday.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert left Buckingham Palace in
an open carriage and four, at a quarter-past twelve o'clock on
Saturday, for Claremont. The Marchioness of Douro, Lady
in Waiting ; Viscount Hawardee, Lord in Waiting; Colonel
Arbuthnot, Equerry in Waiting, and Col. Bouverie, Equerry
to Prince Albert, followed in another carriage and four.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were conducted to
their carriage by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, the Hon.
Misses Stanley and Hamilton, Lord George Lennox, Sir
Frederic Stovin and Captain Francis Seymour.
The royal party were escorted from the Palace by a party
of Light Dragoons.
Yesterday the Queen and Prince Albert, the Royal suite,
and the domestic Household, attended Divine service at
Claremont. The lion. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay
officiated.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited Prince
Alfred and the Princess Alice yesterday at Buckingham
Palace. The Royal infants were taken for pony and walking
exercise in the forenoon.
THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER. —Her Royal Highness
passed an indifferent night on Saturday, night.
The Duke of Cambridge visited the Royal Duchess yester •
day at Gloucester House, and the other members of the
Royal Family sent during the day to make inquiry after the
health of their illustrious relative. _ _ _

Her Majesty the Queen Dowager and her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Kent attended Divine service yesterday
morning in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Prayers
were read by the Rev. Mr. Hall ; the Lessons by the Rev.
Dr. H. Dakius. The Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr.
Dibdin, from St. John, chap. ii, verse 25. The Anthem,
" I was glad" (Purcell), was sung by Messrs. Hobbs, Haw-
kins, and J. B. Sale. Sir George Smart presided at the
Organ. Her Majesty was attended by the Marchioness of
Wellesley, the Hon. Miss Mitchell, and the Hon. William
Ashley. The Duchess of Kent was attended by Lady Anna
Maria Dawson.

The Duke of Cleveland, the Countess of Wilton, Lady
Wharncliffe, Lords Devon, Cawdor, Colville, Cantilupe, Ha-
therton, Polwarth, Norreys, Ingestre, Templemore, and
Ebrington, were among the nobility present.
The Duke of Wellington and Sir Fred. Trench attended
the early service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yester-
day. The Rev. Dr. Wesley officiated, and preached the
sermon.

The Duke of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke
and Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz attended Divine ser-
vice yesterday morning, in Grosvenor Chapel. Baron Knese-
beck and Mr. Edmond Mildmay were in waiting on their
Royal Highnesses.
His Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duke of Meek-
lenburgh Streliz, attended by Baron Knesebeck, honoured
the Earl of Sefton with his company at dinner on Saturday,
at his residence in Beigrave-square.
The Duchess of Kent honoured the Italian Opera with her
presence on Saturday evening. Her Royal Highness was
attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and Colonel Sir
George Couper. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and
the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburgh
Strelitz, also honoured the Italian Opera with their presence
His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Philippstahl
inspected Captain Siborne's new Waterloo Model on Saturday.
Mr. Everett, the American Minister, had an interview with
Sir R. Peel on Saturday.
Mr. Wickham, Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes, had
an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Sa-
turday. _ _

Mr. Lyall, M.P., Mr. Somes, and a Deputation had an in-
terview with Sir R. Peel on Saturday, at his official residence
in Downing-street.
_ __

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a meet-
ing on Saturday, at their office in Whitehall-place. There
were present the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Ban-
gor, the Bishop of Ely, the Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop
of Lichfield, the Lord President of the Council, the Earl of
Devon, the Earl of Besborough, Lord Ashley, and the Right
Hun. Sir George Grey.
Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs, had an interview on
Saturday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir R. Peel had a Parliamentary dinner party on Saturday
at his residence in Whitehall-gardens.

THE LIGHT FOR ALL NATIONS.
DEAR SIR,-I have the satisfaction to inform you that
I and my workmen have taken possession of our resi-
dence in the round house on the summit of the column
for my new light on the Goodwin, and it is my intention
to reside here until I have succeeded in ascertaining the
strata beneath the sand, should the weather continue
favourable. That being done, I shall proceed to com-
plete the lighthouse by fixing the lantern.
I think I may fairly state that another inhabited
island is now added to her Majesty's dominions, in the
bowels of which are embedded great treasures, and which
will form a nucleus for batteries and fortifications, as well
as for a harbour of refuge in Trinity Bay in the Downs,
and when completed, be the key of the British Channel,
and thus form a second Gibraltar.
As so many unfounded reports have been in circula-
tion respecting this undertaking, I will thank you to send
this information to the London journals.—l am, dear
Sir, yours truly, WILLIAM BUSH.
Richard Clay, Esq., at Lloyd's.
P.S. I have commenced boring to ascertain the sub-
strata of the Goodwin and, at fifty feet beneath the plat-
form, have found nothing but hard sand, nearly as solid
as rock itself.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—It is well known, in all
musical circles, that Donizetti composed the opera of
Lucia di Lammermoor, for the express purpose of afford-
ing Duprez an opportunity of creating the character of
Edgar of Ravenswood. It is in that part, rendered by
him so celebrated, that he makes his appearance here
to-night—in addition to which, Madame Eugenie
Garcia will make her debut at this theatre, in Lucia.
This great attraction, with Polin and Gasperini iu the
new ballet, will undoubtedly fill the theatre.
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.—Great progress is making
on this railway between Teignmouth and Newton ; the
wall against the river is raised to its height, in some
places, and in the course of three months it is fully ex-
pected to be completed to the Newton station.— Western
Times.

AMERICAN SLAVERY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Six,—Living in a remote corner of the empire, it was
only this morning that I perused the debates in Parliament
on the Oregon question, which will be hailed with
delight by every Briton who has the honour of his
country at heart.
The present crisis between this country and America
is certainly one of fearful importance, and it is to be
hoped that the new President of the United States will
maturely consider the consequences that may result from
his decision before he involves his own country in a war
with the British ',empire, a war which may shake the
boasted institutions of his Government to their founda-
tion, and plunge a great portion of the citizens of the
United States in utter ruin and desolation.
Mr. Polk, the new President of the United States,
seems giddy with his recent exaltation, and anxious to
signalise the limited period of his brief authority by
making the British Government to crouch to any terms
he may please to impose on it, without dreaming of the
possibility of Britain being able to make any impression
upon the American Union ; and, under this impression,
he sets Britain and all other Governments at defiance,
calling upon their subjects to revolutionise their own
countries, and fraternise with the most virtuous and en-
lightened Government on the face of the earth, careful'
keeping in the back ground that their own Government
is bankrupt, both in credit and reputation, and the
damning tact of the horrid and inhuman system of
slavery which is upheld in their southern states, where
human beings are made to breed like cattle, and their
unhappy progeny are sold like cattle, and sent to the
new countries in the far west, where their lives are not
worth more than from two to three years' purchase.
The virtuous citizens of the United States may sneer at
the idea that the wrath of God will overtake them for
this inhuman traffic, but such they may rely upon it mill
certainly be the case, and I will now unfold to them how
easily it may be accompli,,hed, and how Britain may be
made the instrument of inflicting this vengeance upon
them and their country—the British Empire possessing
more means of aggression against America than all the
rest of the world put together, and America being more
vulnerable to attack from Britain than from any other
nation.

Britain could at once land on the shores of the
southern or slave states of America from thirty to forty
thousand disciplined sepoys, led on by British officers,
in a high state of discipline, and accustomed to victory,
not one of whom would desett, and send along with them
a complete train of artillery, with veteran gunners.
With this force she could send from the West Indies a
few thousand disciplined Africans, commanded by
British officers, to make acquaintance with their slaves;
and with this combined force she could land from twenty
to thirty thousand British bayonets, accompanied with
arms, clothing, and accoutrements for 300,000 emanci-
pated negroes.

Against this overwhelming force, I ask the people of
America what resistance they could make? On the first
proclamation from British head-quarters granting
liberty to the slave, the unhappy African race would
immediately desert their masters, and be formed into
corps for their destruction, and the whole force would
advance into the interior, like the simoom of the desert,
destroying all that opposed them.
The sepoys only require that the promises made to
them should be faithfully kept, and from their attach-
ment to their officers, they will readily follow them.
The writer of this has been with them on foreign ser-
vice oftener than once, and he thinks he sees them now
march three paces to the front, with their military shout,
when volunteering to follow their officers.
I tell the citizens of the slave states that their present
fancied security depends altogether upon the forbearance
of the British Government, and that so long as they con-
tinue to possess a slave population, they will be con-
tinually exposed to destruction from their efforts to free
themselves from their cruel yoke—that the superstruc-
ture of their constitution is built up with the tears and
blood of their hapless slaves, and that when the day of
retribution arrives, great and dreadful will be the ven-
geance they will take upon their inhuman masters.
With the powerful force I have mentioned, Great Bri-
tain could at once settle the question of slavery in
America, and oblige the repudiators of their own bonds,
who are lost to all sense of honesty, to pay up their
bonds with interest to the last farthing, at the same time
that they would bring our dispute about the Oregon ter-
ritory to a speedy termination.

A " SIPAHI SIHDAR"

RAILWAYS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE .SU/V.
Slll,—All secrets are better out respecting railways.
to prevent the knowing ones fleecing the ignorant, and
thinking many will be obliged for the following informa-
tion, you, perhaps, will allude to or allow this a corner
in your paper :—The Leeds and Manchester are nego-
tiating for the lease of the Huddersfield and Manchester,
thus throwing overboard the Leeds and Dewsbury, and
securing the success of the West Riding Junction.
Yours, &c. W. THOMPSON.
York, April 10.