The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-31 00:00:00

TIIE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING, DECEM RKR, 31, 1842.

THE NATIONAL MERCANTILE
LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.

The Directors, members, and friends of the Na-
tional Mercantile Lire Assurance. Society, dined to-
gether on Thursday, at Lovegrove's London Coffee-
house, Ludgate-hill. Upwards of one hundred gen-
tlemen sat down to table, that number including gen-
tlemen connected with the most influential mer-
cantile houses of the metropolis and the provinces.
The statements made at the meeting prove that the
Society is in a sound and prosperous condition, and
rapidly taking a high rank among institutions of a
similar kind. From the feeling that pervaded the
gentlemen present, there is a.so no doubt that the be-
nevolent design entertained of establishifig a school
for the education of the orphan children of commercial
travellers will be carried into execution.

ROBERT CURRIE, Esq., the Chairman of the So-
ciety, presided;
_Mr. Stokes, Mr. M'Culloch, and
Mr. Goodall acted as Vice-Presidents. The dinner
was an excellent one, and the supply of wines both
good and abundant. The evening was enlivened by
songs and glees from the professional singers engaged
for the occasion ; the musical arrangements were un-
der the superintendence of Mr. Field. On the re-
moval of the cloth .217 Cm Nobis Domine was sung, and..

The CHAIRMAN gave the -first toast, " The Queen,"
one requiring, he said, no comment, when he was
addressing himself to an assembly of Englishmen.
Drank with four times four. Air—" God save the
Queen."

The CHAIRMAN then gave " His Royal Highness
Prince Albert, and his illustrious son the Prince of
'Wales." Air—" Long life to the Queen and the
Prince."

" The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal
Family" was the next toast; and having been duly
honoured, _ _ _

The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had to pro-
pose was one of the greatest importance to all of them,
it was " The National and Mercantile Life Assu-
rance Association, and success to it."—(Loud cheers,
which continued for several minutes.) . He was de-
lighted with the unanimity and warmth of feeling
which had been displayed by the meeting on the toast
he had proposed. It might naturally be expected that
he should state something of the general views enter-
tained by the Society on this occasion, though there
could hardly be any gentleman present who
would wish him to enter into .any. long
array of figures. In the first place, they
might accept his sincere assurance that their
office was both safe anti prosperous.—(Loud
cheers.) The business done during the past year
had very greatly increased—(Cheers)—and at the
present moment they had arrived at a point at which
thL•y could look forward with great hopes, nay, with
the almost certainty, of success for the future.—
(Cheers.) The• number of policies now actually
opened at the office exceeded one thousand—(Cheers)
—and so cautiously had the business of the office
been conducted by those gentlemen, who had brought
their friends around them, and by their worthy me-
dical officers—(.-Tear, hear)—to whom they were
greatly indebted, as they were also to the
degree of caution exercised by the body of the Di-
rectors, that their losses during the past year had
hardly been worth mentioning.—(Loud cheers.)
There had only been three small claims on them
during the last year—(Hear)--and indeed he might
safely assure them that if the business of the office was
as well done—if as much caution and circumspection
was exercised in the present year as in the last
—their probablb losses curing the same time would
be very small indeed. All this, however, de-
pended on an all-wise Providence ; but under that
Providence if such caution continued to be ex-
ercised he believed their losses would amount
to a very small sum. The Proprietary of the off►ce,
too, had very considerably increased during the past
year ; the amount of money laid by, and invested in
public annuities and other most valid and excellent
securities, had placed a considerable sum to the credit
of the office ; in short, he might say that the office
was now out of every possible risk.—(Cheers.) They
only wanted a continuance of the same exertions in
behalf of the Society, and in another twelvemonth they
should be able to render such a Report as would gratify
them beyond measure. It would ill become him todeliver
them a lecture on the necessity of men looking in time
to the advantage of life assurance. The truth was so
generally known, so generally acted on, and so uni-
versally recognised. throughout the great economic
society of England, that he need not enforce on them
a truth of which they were so well convinced. He
was sure they would all go forth among their friends,
and convince them also of a truth that had entered so
deeply into their own minds.—(Cheers.) He should
now request them to do justice to the toast he had
given—" The National and Mercantile Life Assurance
Association, and success to it."
The toast was drank with loud cheers.

The CHAIRMAN next gave the Shareholders and
Policy-holders of the Society. He trusted all who
were not now Shareholders would soon become so;
and as to the Policy-holders, it was their interest to
wish them all a life reaching to the antediluvian age.
They could not live for ever, but they might wish.
them the age of Methusaleh.—(Laughter and cheers.)
Mr. GILES REDMAYNE acknowledged the toast.—
As a Proprietor of shares in the Society, he felt gra-
tified at the results which had just been stated to them
by the Chairman ; he rejoiced at the prospects of
success which now hung round the Society, which
were most cheering to them all. He felt even more
interested in the Policy-holders than in the Share-
holders.—(Hear, hear.) He felt more for those who,
as widows and orphans, might live to enjoy the benefits
of the Society ; and though it might be painful to
contemplate the fact that they might require such aid,
yet it was also a pleasing thing to reflect that by the
means of the Society, they might be able to soothe
the sorrows, calm thefears, and check the sobs of many
a heart.—(Cheers.) He mentioned a case in which
a widow had received 2,0001. from an insurance made
by the husband only two years before. He rejoiced
to see around him men of such standing, wealth, and
worth of character, united in the same object, and he
amongst the rest should rejoice that he had contri-
buted to the same good end, in promoting the objects
of the Society.—(Cheers.)
Mr. J. R. CUEFLEY rose to propose the next toast,
regretting that it had not fallen into abler hands.
Last year he had proposed the same toast, and they
then had to thank their friend, the Chairman, for the
kind manner in which he had presided over them ;
this year they had a double duty to perform in drink-
ing his health, as their Chairman, and as the Chair-
man of the Association also.—(Loud cheers.) Some
Societies boasted of having an Alderman, or some
titled person at their head, but they boasted of having
at their head a sterling citizen.—(Cheers.) A gen-
tleman who had conducted his own affairs so well that
he had realised a large fortune, gave no bad omen,
now he was made Chairman of the Society, that he
would conduct their affairs in a similar able manner.
When he (Mr. Cuffiey) first joined the Society, he
called on Mr. Currie, who immediately came forward
saying that if he could assist the views of the commer-
cial travellers, he would do so. With great liberality
he guaranteed the first portion of the guarantee: fund.
—(Hear, hear.) He could bear witness to the
Chairman's careful discharge of his duty. He at-
tended the meetings of the Society throughout several
years; and, when difficulties made it doubtful whether
they should be able to go on or not, he was the first
to propose to double what he held on the guarantee
fund.—(Hear, hear.) When he looked at his inte-
grity and his moral worth, he thought they might well
feel proud of such a Chairman.—(Cheers.) It was a
pleasing thing to him to see assembled here this even-
ing gentlemen who, on the first outset of the Society,
were their opponents. Many doubted whether it
would succeed, saying the Travellers would never be
able to get up a Society, they were not united.
He asked them, what did they say now ?—(Cheers.)
He could tell them them that they had got up a
Society, and that a sound one. The Chairman had
told them they had issued a thousand policies ; there
were more; they had issued. 1,008, and they had re-
ceived 13 extra this day, and as there were 16 before
the Board before, he was secure in saying the. policies
were 1,030 in all.—(Hear, hear.) Since the present
Secretary was appointed, they had never has a blank
day. It was evident from the quarters from which
they came, that the Society was rapidly gaining con-
nection. He was now going to make a little appeal
to his brother travellers. In the first days of the
Society very few came forward to asslst it. Himself
and Mr. G. Redmayne were opposed in every com-
mercial-room where they mentioned it. They were
frequently two against ten, yet they persevered, and
fifteen of them procured policies to be taken to the
amount of 100,0001. If this could he done by so few,
what could not the friends he saw around hi'.m
do now ? They ought to double their income duri ag
the next year. He mentioned that the gentleman
who was now their Actuary had left a permanent,
Government situation to come to them, and as that
gentleman's name was attached to different mathe-
matical publications, and knowing that his advice was
asked professionally by the Poor-law Commissioners
at the present time, he would ask if such a man as
Mr. Jones would have come to them if he had not
thought them safe ? He could assure them that the
Scotch offices thought highly of that gentleman, and
if anything would induce in him a good opinion of the
Society, it was that appointment. On behalf of him-
self and his brother travellers, he thanked Mr. Currie
for having on all occasions advocated their .
ests ; and he trusted he would live to see the ;links
that bound the traveller to the present -.Society
fully carried out. He concluded by expressing his
determination, in conjunction with his fellow travel-
lers, and with the assistance of the wealth and influ..
ence of the Directors and Chairman, to establish
school for the education of the orphan children of
commercial travellers.
The health of the Chairman was then drank with
nine times nine.
The CHAIRMAN, in a feeling manner, thanked the

. meeting for the kindness they had displayed towards
him. Whenever they should think it better for the
interests of the Society, that an individual of a higher
station than himself should be placed over it, he woald •
readily resign the office into his hands.—(No, no.)
The best exertions of his life, and' his most ardent en-
deavours upon all occasions, should be devoted to
their service.—(Cheers.) •
Mr. F. STARR proposed the health of the Direc-
tors of the National Mercantile Association, which
was received with loud cheers. He was obliged to
them for the manner in which they had received the
toast, as it took away from him a little of the difficulty
under which he laboured. He read a list of the Di-
rectors, and stated that none of them would be found
with long handles to their names". There was nothing
about the Society being under the protection of his
Royal Highness, or of Dukes, or of Mar-
quises, the dignities coming down fine by
degrees, and beautifully less, till they became plain
Esquires.—(Hear.) Igo, their names presented a
phalanx of sterling industrious mercantile men,
-against whom the finger of scorn or doubt had never
been pointed—(Cheers)—against whom the voice of.
calumny had never been raised. These were -men
whose successful management of their own con •
terns furnished a fair inference that they would
attend to those of the Society. In propos-
ing the health of a body like the present
Directors it would be invidious to make anything
like distinctions, hut one or two. facts had come to his
knowledge, of which he had not been previously
aware. In addition- to policies on their own lives,
some of the Directors had taken out policies on the
lives of their servants, paying the premiums them-
selves, as the reward of honesty.—(Cheers.) This was
an example worthy of imitation, as doing honour,
not only • to their heads, but showing the
kindly character of their hearts.—(Cheers.) After
eulogising the conduct of the Directors in the caution
they had shown in the management of their affairs, he
concluded by proposing the toast.
Mr. J. SPICER returned thanks on behalf of his
colleagues. The duty they had to discharge was a
very onerous one, especially when they had to.decide
on the lives that were to be received or rejected in
the applications for insurances. Many intricate cases
were brought before them which required nice discri-
mination, entailing no small amount-of mental labour;
indeed he did not know but that the affairs of the
Society gave him more anxiety than his own. There
was an impression which lie wished: tacorrect,,which
was that the Society was managed expensively ; he
begged to say that there was no office of its size in
London conducted at less coat. He took this oppor-
tunity of stating this, because a contrary impression
•had gone abroad among commercial gentlemen; Their
exertions had hitherto been attended with great suc-
cess, and they only required union on the part of
commercial men to render their success complete.—
(Cheers.) He begged to impress on the assembly
the great importance of the principles of Life Assur-
ance.—(Cheers.)•
Mr. R. GOODALL proposed the Auditors.--(Cheers.)
Mr. STOKES returned thanks. Nothing could be
more gratifying than to have their healths di anis in
the manner in which the toast hacl.heen received. In
performing their duty the Auditors were uninfluenced
or biassed; they had looked neither to the right
nor the left, but had endeavoured to give
satisfaction to • all, at the same time per-
forming their trust faithfully.--(Loud cheers.)
Many objected to support a Society of this sort, be-
cause they should not themselves receive the benefit of it ;
but were thOy not going to establish a school ? and they
would then'-have the satisfactiOn of benefiting others. •
There were few but who possessed some friend to. '-
whom they would have the power of doing gool.
" Were man but as friendly to mail as his Maker,
The whole earth would ring with the songS of the free." -
(Cheers.) Let them only consider the sentiment con-
tained in those two lines, and there was not a man
but would endeavour to do an act of justice to his
family, or himself, or others, by supporting the ob-
jects of the Society.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN gave, "The Secretary."
Mr. J. JONES returned thanks. • Whatever difficul-
ties the position of Secretary to the Society presented,
he could assure them that he had• found no duty so
arduous or so onerous as that of replying, to the toast
that had just been proposed. He believed he spoke
the truth when he said, he was not accustomed to
flattery at any time, but he endeavoured to speak
openly what he thOught. In as few words
as possible, then, he begged to thank them
cordially and sincerely for the •thatmer in • which
they had proposed his health. Having said thus much
with respect to the toast, they would perhaps expect
him to say something on the subject of Life Assur-
ance ; and on this subject, too, he should• endeavour
to make his observations as short as possible. The
principle of Life Assurance was based on col '=
tion ; that principle was not at all a neW one, although
the principle of life assurance was so. . They were all
aware that the principle of combination was found ne-
cessary even in the earliest ages. In the infancy ofsociety
they, found mankind obliged to unite
_together for
common protection against the beasts of the forest,.
and to defend merchants from robbers, of tribes border-
ing on civilization. The principles of • com-
bination
were then advanced to the protection
from shipwreck at sea and fires on shore,
and last to the grand and noble subject of
life assurance. At the outset of these undertakings,
as might be expected, a great number of visionary
schemes were set on foot, which were productive of
great evils and sufferings. Of 200 of those
undertakings, he believed, only four existed
at the present day; of the life offices at
present existing, he was bound to say they were
founded on sound principles, and, generally speaking,
conducted by honourable men. The only question
existing between the offices engaged in such active
competition was as to the extent of benefit they could
give the assured, charging a sufficient premium to
cover every risk. The question was, whether it was
better to have a proprietary company, giving the
Shareholders a large dividend, or to have capital suffi-
ciently large to cover all responsibility, and
give the Shareholders a share of the pro-
fits, or whether they should endeavour to
walk alone without protection and depend on the
mutual contributions of each other. The plan they
had adopted was formed of the two principles. On
proper principles life offices were the most safe of
modern institutions, and they were a living instance
of the advantages of them.—(Cheers.) He should
endeavour to summarize his obServations on this
subject as much as possible. Life Assurance
was available to every class of society, the
affluent and the needy, the high and the low, the
and
person
navy,n tradeshort,
and
every engaged
class in
of
society
t,
htahte
ca
or
umlydr
be mentioned. He felt it to be a great and glorious
thing to be engaged in such an undertaking; he spoke
most sincerely, when he stated that he felt proud of
the situation he held. He had been appointed with-
out favour or affection on the part of the Directors,
for until he appeared before them he was personally
unacquainted with one of them. After quoting a
strong instance of the benefits of life assurance from
Chambers' Journal, he proceeded to notice some of
the objections brought against insuring.- Some parties
objected on the ground of impiety; with those who held
those opinions it was ofcourse uselessto attempt to argue.
Other persons object on the grounds that they have
always been in good health, and they say why should
they invest capital in an insurance office, giving the
benefit to the Company ? But they should recollect
that to amass 1,0001. it would be necessary to lay by
301. annually for 22 years ; but by insuring, the same
sum became available to the family On the paYinent.of
the same amount of premiinn—not in 22 years, but
within five minutes after the execution of the policy,
if' it should so happen. There were rather more than
100 persons present in the room at that mo.
ment, and, according to the calculations of the
Carlisle tables, of that 100, thirty-three individuals
could not calculate on being in existence at the cud of
twenty-two years. Many of themselves must have
met with some of the difficulties that were urged in
defence of not insuring, such as the pressure of taxa!,
tion. There could be no doubt, that at the present
moment many persons felt that difficulty from the
pressure of the Incomestax.---(Hear, hear.) The
policy, or impolicy, of the tax itself Was not at
all involved in the question; still many persons
of large means declined to avail themselves
of the advantages of life •assurance;; but
every man, immediately he embarked in business,
ought to lay by a turn to provide against every pos
sible emergency. With respect to the advantages of
the National Mercantile Assurance in Particular, they
were very great, in having men of business fbr its
agents and directors, men who devoted themselves
sedulously to its concerns. In addition to this was
an advantage that no other office possessed—that of
their own united and individual exertions in its be-
half; and those exertions had been mainly instru-
mental in placing the Society in the position it at
present occupied. So safe were they, that if not one
more policy should be brought in, they were
in a condition to go on for years without
becoming bankrupt. Since he had been appointed
Secretary, as had been truly observed, he had not had
one blank day ; every day had brought-in proposals
for assurance to the Board. This very day there had
been laid before the Board fourteen proposals,
amounting to 6,000/. He recommended the Society
to go On as• it had begun, and after stating his convic-
tion, that the high character of the Chairman was a
sufficient guarantee against anything improper in the
management, he concluded an able speech by saying
that in this, as in all other cases, honesty would be
found to be the best policy.
Mr. Wir.coxosr gave "The Medical Officers of
the Society," pronouncing a high eulogium on their
skill and attention to their duties.
Mr. G. Cuusuesi, M.D., acknowledged the honour.
in what they had done they had merely acted
strictly up to. • their duty. With respect to
what had been said about no life which hai

been admitted by him having dropped, he believed the
result of his observation would tend to dispel an im-
preasion that the lives of commercial men wire more
uncertain than those of other classes.—(Cheers.)
Tke CHAIRMAN then proposed " The healths of
the Legal Officers of the Institution."
J. S. NEWBON, Esq., returned thanks. He was
particularly gratified at receiving such a tribute of
respect at the hands of such an intelligent company.
It was particularly gratifying to a professional man,
who was exposed to all manner of calumnies and pre-
judices in the minds of the vulgar. The amalgama-
tion that had taken place in the two Societies had
given the National Mercantile Association a solidity
which otherwise it would have taken years to accum-
plish.—(Cheers)
11r. YOUNG felt proud of being able to say that he
was as old a traveller as many of themselves, and as
such he had a toast to propose for their consideration
and approval. That toast was one which was con-
nected with much that redounded to the credit of the
chariwter of this country—" The Mercantile Travel-
lers of Great Britain."—(Cheers) He was sorry that
he-had not been informed at an earlier period of the
day that such a toast was to be allotted to him ; he
had been told on the previous day that his name was
to be associated on the present occasion with the toast
of the Press, and for that he should be happy if
called on to return thanks ; but he had not been
told that he was this evening to propose such
a toast as that of the "Mercantile Travellers of
Great Britain." He might well hesitate in under-
taking such a toast, including, as it did,, all that was
associated with the character of England for com-
mercial .enterprise. But still he did not despair of
doing justice to it, in a straightforward and unam-
bitious manner.—(Cheers.) Enterprise had.ever been
the motto of The Sun—(Cheers)—and "go a-head"
was the motto of the .English commercial traveller.—
(Cheers and laughter.) Animated by such a common
principle, then, they met on equal terms, and as such
he hailed them as fellow-brethren.—(Loud cheers;)
They did the best they could for themselves, and in
so doing, did their best to benefit those friends who
derived advantage from their exertions. That had
always been his motto ; for he would scorn to de-
rive the :benefit of a single farthing, if he hurt his
neighbour to the extent of half that amount.—(Hear,
hear.) The enterprise of English commercial tra-
vellers was proverbial ; it might be expressed in the
words of the poet :
"Far as the breeze can bear the billows' foam;
Survey our empire, and behold our home."

English enterprise winged its way into all corners and
regions of the earth, and the resul* was the prosperity
and glory of the nation.—,(Cheett) That was their
especial honour ; they were there the representatives
of the ingenuity and the enterprise of the calculating,
hardworking, and determined perseverance which en-
abled England to surpass all:other :nations. But
tlse immediate purpose of their assembling was not
for the benefit merely of themselves, but of their
posterity. They represented the intelligence, the
working spirit, the indomitable perseverance and the
knowledge of business—in short, the enterprise, of the
kingdom. The toast he had been asked to propose
was one of immeasurable.interest, as it comprehended
the mercantile interest of England, and that was the
mercantile greatness of the world.-L(Hear, hear, and
cheers.) Within the last few years the Character of
the whole body of travellers was improved. A more
provident feeling had sprung up. They now felt that
they did not live only for themselves, but for their
families and posterity. They now also felt the neces••
sity of a connecting bond, and they had, therefore,
founded a Society based upon genuine principles—
that of mutual assistance.—(Cheers.) Like all pro-
vident meni they looked forward to a rainy day, and,
AO make assurance doubly sure, they provided for the
day to come. It was said by idle people that Providence
took all mankind under its wing; but the true providence
was to take care of themselves, and Providence would be
sure to help them.—(Cheers.) In fact, Providence
left lazy people to take care of themselves—(Laughter)
—but to the man who exerted himself and did
his best, Providence was always at hand.—
(Cheers.) Acting on this principle, they had
founded a Society which was a comfort fur the present,
and- a sure reliance for the future.—(Hear, hear.)
Each of them had gone many a long journey, and re-
turned home to the happy bosom of their fiunilies—
but there was a journey yet to come—

" That undiscovered bourne
From whence no traveller returns—
for which this very praiseworthy Society was es-
tablished.—(Cheers.) This feeling was, in his humble
opinion, enough to insure its complete success.—
(Hear, hear.) In fact, their success was placed
beyond doubt from the number of policies which they
had issued up to the present time—one thousand and
thirty—a number, as their very intelligent Secretary
stated quite sufficient to work with a good profit;
but he had no doubt that in a few years their poli-
cies, instead of one thousand and thirty, would amount
to thirty thousand.—(Cheers.) And the reason was
obvious—men who looked to their own business
were sure to see it well done. Self-interest
was the salt of the world, as self-preservation
was the , first law of nature.—(Cheers.) And they
had gone to the fountain -head--Nature—who taught
us that what is good for one is good for another ; and
so they had made a stock-purse for future demands.
(Hear, hear.) There was another Society similar
to theirs—a very respectable Society indeed—but
there was this remarkable difference between them
that the object of the one waz charity—the other in-
dependence.—(Cheers.) It was said that charity
covered a multitude of sins—but the proud bearing of
independence was to avoid their commission.—(Cheers.)
That was the grand principle of their Association—
thity united to do good, and to encourage each other
it doing all the good in their power. That was truly
a mutual association, founded in virtue—for vice
is not mutual, its very elements are discordant, for no
two vicious people ever agree in the long run.—
(Cheers and laughter.) As to the other Society,
their object )vas good, and he did not see why there
should be any or jealousy between them—the
world was wide enough for them both—and he thought
they would best serve the cause of charity by shaking
hands on the altar of benevolence.—(Cheers.) One
word more, and he would conclude. They were all
men of business, and in their travels kept a
sharp look out for orders. Taking a leaf out
of their book, he, too, would take advan-
tage of a good opportunity, and do a mutual
benefit.--(Hear, hear.) He would not, like many of
their customers, confine himself to one description a
goods, but he would embrace the whole circle of com-
merce—he would give a general commission to them all,
and so prevent jealousy—he would ask every traveller
to become a reporter for The Sun.—(Laughter.) By
that additional duty they would benefit him, and
serve to enlighten the world—by making
" Quick observation, with extensive view,
" Report all news from China to Peru."
—(Cheers and laughter.) He thanked them for their
courtesy, and would conclude by wishing success to
the Mercantile Travellers of the United Kingdom.—
(Cheers.)
_ _ _

The healths of the Stewards and Vice-Presidents
were then given, and acknowledged, and the Chair-
man left the chair, to which Mr. Stokes was unani-
mously called. Several toasts and healths followed,
among which were, the " Liberty of the Press and
Mr. Murdo Young," the healths of Mr. Cuffley,
Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Bailey, and other gentlemen,
.and the hilarity of the evening was kept up till a late
hour. The whole of the proceedings passed off with
the greatest conviviality.

ArPALLING ACCIDENT IN OXFORD-STREET.---ThUrS:
day the- following melancholy accident occurred:—
James *Banfield, a waggoner (who resides at No. 12,
King-street, Golden-square, and has a wife and seven
children), arrived at Mr. Ward's timber-yard, Ox-
ford-street, with a timber-carriage laden with deal
planks. In removing the iron chain by which they
were secured on the carriage it suddenly gave way,
and the deals slipped off, knocking the unfortunate
man down, and falling on him. Assistance was im-
mediately rendered, and the poor sufferer as quickly
as possible extricated—presenting a shocking spec-
tacle, the bones of the left leg and right thigh being
dreadfully fractured. He was imn ediately removed
on a police stretcher to Middlesex Hospital, where, on
his admission, he was instantly attended to; and it
was found necessary immediately to amputate the leg ;
the fractures of the thigh were afterwards reduced.
From the injuries on the head and body, however, but
slight hopes of his recovery are entertained.
The Hon. Thomas Kenyon made his usual gift of a
fine ox to the poor families of the parish of Oswestry.
CARAIARTHENSIIIRE ELECTION. CARMARTHEN,
TUESDAY NIGHT.—The election of a Member for the
county of Carmarthen, in the room of the late John
Jones, Esq., of Ystrad, took place at the Shire Hall,
Llano, this morning."- At eleven o'clock, W. Phil-
lipps, Esq., High Sheriff, look the chair, and after the
customary preliminaries had been gone through, W.
0. Brigstocke, Esq., of Blaenpant, proposed, and E. P.
Lloyd, of Glansevin, seconded D. A S. Davies, Esq., of
Pentre, as a fit and proper person to represent the
county of Carmarthen in Parliament. Mr. Davies
was then 'elected without opposition. He afterwards
addressed the electors at some length. Mr. Davies is,
we believe, a Liberal Conservative ; and,' entering
Parliament unfettered by public pledges. (and private
ones too we understand), he will take his seat as a
perfectly independent Member of the country party.
—The 'Welshman:.

FIRE AT 'WEST BROMWICH.—An alarming fire
broke out last week in the works of Bothell and Co.,
gas distillers, West Bromwich, by which the whole of
the cisterns and offices were destroyed. The fire at'
one period presented an awful appearance ; about
7,000 gallons of creosote and 2,000 gallons of Nr
w ere consumed. The property is said to be wholly
uninsured.—Worcestershire Chronicle.

THOUGH TS on POSTAGE REFORM

• • --(From the• Morning Advertiser.) •
EVENING DU FY.-INLAND-OFFICE.
Precisely at half-past four in the afternoon the
"duty" in the "Inland-office" begins. Before this
hour several mail-carts have taken up letter-bffgs from
the various " receiving-houses," situate in every part
of the metropolis. These collections are consecutively
continued until the closing of the " boxes" in the hall
of the General Post-office. The bags which have been
received prior-to the commencement of business are
"ticked off," as stated by us in our notice of the
"morning duty." They are then emptied of their
contents, and the letters and newspapers are conveyed
in baskets to the inner office, where they are thrown,
en masse, upon a large table, and "faced." This ope-
ration consists in placing the directions so as to face
the person so employed, for the purpose of facilitating
the whole of the subsequent part of the process. As
they are being faced, those which are pre-paid are
laid before the stamper, who impresses each letter
with the evening stamp. While this operation is
being performed upon the- letters collected by the
medium of carts, other arrivals are continually pouring
in. From the " ring-begs" of the letter-carriers, and
the boxes of the office in St. Martin's-le-Grand, a
constant supply is regularly maintained, so that the
different parts of the duty are thus rendered capable of
simultaneou4 performance. After stamping with the
outward date stamp, the label is defaced by what is
called the obliterating stamp. Certainly a misnomer
in this case, as it frequently happens from the rapidity
and carelessness of the stamper:* that the postage frank
is scarcely touched—hardly defaced, not obliterated,
and therefore likely to be used again, to the injury of
the revenue. This being done, the letters are con-
veyed to the " sorters," who separate them into as
many parts as there are mail-coaches or railroads for
their transmission ; they are then' subdivided into
towns, put into pigeon-holes representing those towns,
tied.up.into bundles, and returned into the boxes until
the latest moment preceding the ".making-up" of the
mail.

This notice gives only a general outline of the duty.
Besides this regular course, there are circumstances
which necessarily cause a variation in it. Let it be'
supposed that a letter is posted, subject to the
following • official irregularities or distinctions :
without an address superscribed, but im-
perfectly directed unpaid intended for any
of the Ministers of State or her Majesty, Prince
Albert, or any part of the Royal Family
a specific mode is adopted in these cases, suited to the
peculiarities of the case. A letter finds its way intc
the Post-office without a direction, a circumstanceof
daily occurrence. It is quite clear that the wishes of
the writer, in having it forwarded to his correspond-
ent cannot be complied with; it is therefore treated
as a "blind letter," and forwarded to the Dead Letter-
office to be returned to the writer if he has given his
address; if not, it is treated as waste paper.
Imperfectly directed leaers are very numerous, and
it is no wonder that they are so, as it is impossible for
the public to understand upon what principle they
ought to be addressed so as to prevent the trouble
they occasion. Frequently, in endeavouring to be
explicit, the sender causes difficulty to the Post-office.
As a rule, it is best to direct as simply as possible,
without attempting to instruct the Post-office in their
own. business, for the proper performance of which
they are, or ought to be, held responsible. It is but
justice to state, that in all cases of this kind there is,
on the part of the " blind" clerks of the office, the
utmost diligence and anxiety evinced, in order to
fbrward the unintelligible correspondence to its in-
tended destination.

Unpaid letters impede the evening duty upon the
same principle as they do the duty of the morning,
from the fact of their being unpaid. Taxing, account-
ing for, and debiting, form an amount of surplus
labour, the expense of which is not covered by the
additional rate of charge, while the process itself de-
stroys the power of the Post-office, which power con-
sists in its capability to perform the greatest possible
amount of duty in the most effective manner, and with
the greatest possible dispatch.
Dispatches sent in pouches or cases, intended for
the Queen, Prince Albert, or any other branch of the
Royal Family, or to the Ministers of State, are
specially confided to the charge of the "Inspectors of
Official Correspondence," who personally witness
their being safely deposited in the bag of the post
town to which they are sent. Any neglect on the
part of such officers would subject them to the loss of
their situations. In such cases it is not possible for
the Post-office authorities to do more.

From half-past four to half-past seven the above
process proceeds. As the letters are received, so
they are sent forward through the various stages of
official practice above enumerated. By this time the
supplies of the carts are exhausted, the letter-carriers
have poured out the contents of their bags into the
general stream, and now they are actively engaged in
forwarding the duty. The last drawer from the win-
dows of the hall under the portico of . the office has
been emptied, and nothing now remains but to ply
every energy to assort the few thousand letters still
untouched. Every man is at his post. The
thousand& are divided into hundreds, and subdivided
into much smaller quantities. A few minutes
elapse—the letters, are distributed, and by fif.een
minutes to eight only a few stragglers are left,
which have been accidentally taken to a wrong di-
vision of the office. Another minute, and the last
letter appears, the centre of the office and the assorting
tables are deserted, and completely around the vast
parallelogram of the Inland-office may be seen about
three hundred men, all employed, but no one inter-
fering with the business of the other. The bags are
now filled, then tied and sealed. There stands the
mail-guard, witnessing their being deposited in his
road-sack in such order that he may draw them out
as he reaches the several towns on his route ; another
moment, and the duty is completed. Simultaneously
the sacks are shouldered by the men, and by the
time St. Paul's tolls out eight of the clock, the "mes-
sengers of weal or woe " are on the way to their
destination, to distribute hope, and joy, and fear, and
love, to tens of thousands of the anxious souls who
form the family man.

EVENING DUTY.-NEWSPAPER OFFICE.

Adjoining the Inland-office is situated the News-
paper-office, which extends the whole length of the
front, from the portico to the right wing of the build-
ing. The duty commences at half-past five o'clock
In the evening, except Monday and Saturday, upon
which days it begins three-quarters of an hour ear-
lier, to meet the vastly additional number of newspa-
pers that are posted on those days. The papers, after
being taken from the collected bags in the Tick-
room, are carried through the Inland Sorters'-room
into •the Letter-Carriers'-office. Here they are
" faced" in a similar manner to the letters, with
this difference, that from their bulk they are placed
in trays for the purpose of sorting. The same prin-
ciple is followed up respecting the division of them as
we have previously detailed ; the object being in both
instances the same. Generally the pressure of the
duty in this office is overcome by seven o'clock ; the
great 'glut occurring immediately before six, after
which hour a half- penny is charged for forwarding each
paper., From seven until twenty minutes past that
hour there are not more, upon an average, than three
hundred papers posted ; but during the next ten
minutes, the latest period allowed for posting for that
night's dispatches, there are upwards of two thousand
more. Of these the second editions of the
are received at th esien-
ing papers form the principal part—The San a one
sending daily not less than one-half of the
entire number. The pipes are win-
dow by an officer appointed for the purpose. He
throws them into a basket, whence they are taken by
one of the Assistant.lnspectors of Letter-Carriers
in
nivnpedotnif
e‘n;
evening
the receiver, told." •ir:ceis er, The amount of the tale is then charged
and handed at the close of the
the Inspector to the President on duty
d-cffice, who transfers it with his
other receipts to the Receiver-General. By twenty
minutes to eight the mass of papers are in the
boxes, and in five minutes more the bags are
" made up" and taken to the Inland-office to receive
the letters. Upon no evening in the week are
there less than thirty thousand papers passing through
this office, and on Saturday evening the ayerage num-
ber is not less than one hundred thousand ! Not less
than seventy pounds per month are averaged by the
halfpence taken at the " too late" window; and what
is still more surprising and satisfactory to notice is
the fact, that notwithstanding the enormous. number
constantly passing"through this department, the '
complaints of failure do not average more than
thirty weekly, many of which are made pre-
maturely by parties, who too often act before
they give themselves the trouble to think. That
failures do occur is true, andkbat cause for complaint
respecting them exists is true also ; but it should be
remembered, that if a newspaper does not arrive when
expected, it may be accidentally " mis-sent," and if
so it will reach with the stamp of the town to which
it has been so forwarded, by enclosing which cover
due caution would be exacted in.future from the care •
less author of the mistake. Judging from these facts,
we opine that much credit is due from the public to
the functionaries who have the control and superin-
tendence of this important branch of the service, the
whole business of which is transacted by the inspector
of letter-carriers, his assistants, the sub-sorters, and
letter-carriers of the General Post-office.

VERAX.

There are at present 300 candidates for Church
preferment on the Government books in Ireland.—
Devizes Gazette.

DRAYTON MANOR.—Sir Robert Peel and Lady
Peel and flunily are expected to leave early in the
ensuing month for Whitehall-gardens for the season.
Shortly after their arrival, a series of grand dinners
and official soirees will be given at the Right Hon.
Baronet's mansion ; and on Wednesday, the Ist of
February, the customary grand parliamentary dinner
will take place.