The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-20 00:00:00

THE SET'N, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 2

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—The rainy state of the weather
.prevented the Queen and the Royal Family from leaving the
Castle this morning. From the same cause the Royal
Princes were prevented from going out or. a shooting ex-
cursion.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Royal
Family this•afternoon.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by their
Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prince-1 Augustus of
Saxe Cobourg and Prince George, walked out for some
time in the afternoon in the pleasure-grounds. Lord and Lady Stanley are expected to arrive this evening
at the Castle.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Anna
Maria Dawson, and the Baroness de Speth, will join the
royal circle at dinner.
The band of the. Grenadier Guards will attend during
dinner. Her Majesty's private band will afterwards attend
in the Castle.

A deputation of merchants of the City waited on the Earl
of Aberdeen yesterday at the Foreign- otfice, to present a me.•
morial of British merchants and residents at Buenos Ayres
upon the state of affairs in that country.
The Duke of Wellington visited Sir Robert Peel yesterday.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a
meeting yesterday at the office in Whitehall• place. There
were present the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Bishops of
London, Winchester, Bath and Wells, Ely, Norwich, and
Oxford; the Judge of the Prerogative Court, the Earl of
Devon, and Lord Ashley.

The -Right Honourable Sidney Herbert has arrived in town,

HAYMARKET THEATRE.
The Maiden Auld is the title of a new comedy, from
the nen of Mr. Richard Brinsley Knowles, which was
produced last night with complete success. Mr. R. B.
Knowles is the son of the illustrious author of Vi 7
ginius,
to whom he has dedicated this his first dramatic produc-
tion, and he has proved himself " the worthy son of a
worthy sire." Mr. Knowles, jun., has evidently taken
his father as his model, but there is nothing of servile
imitation about him. It might have been supposed that
he received some assistance from his father in the con-
struction of his comedy, but the play itself bears internal
evidence to the contrary. It is the work of a young
man—none but a young man could have written it—but
the young man is a poet and a dramatist, and is capable
of great things. The comedy is written in blank verse,
which is in general, easy and flowing. Like all young
dramatists, Mr. Brinsley Knowles is rather too fond et'
long speeches, but that is an error which is easy
of correction. He adopts, also, the fashion of
the oldest dramatists in making many of these speeches
conclude with a couplet. The comedy opens with a
scene in a street in London, between' Montague (Mr.
Brindal), and Bevan (Mr. Caulfield), and from that we
learn that their old companion, Percy" Sage, has just
returned to town at the wish of his uncle, Sir Simon,
who believes he has been to Paris, while in reality Percy
has never been further than Dover, having been detained
there by the charms of an unknown lady, who'refuses to
tell him her name, but to whom, nevertheless, he has
plighted his troth. This Sir Simon Sage has been for
years at deadly feud with a certain Peter Wilmot, but
just at this time, out of mere caprice, he chooses to be
reconciled to him. Sir Simon Sage is, in fact, the most
capricious of mortals, as Montague observes of him :
" Mont. Caprice mocks all surmise
Of reason, and in that commodity
Sir Simon passes all! He is one of those
Whose follies years, instead of wearing out,
Have worn in ! Full of his own opinion,
A meddler, nothing thriving that he touches,
Yet doing every thing in Wisdom's name,
Whose special minister he thinks himself!"
Sir Simon himself (Farren), and Peter Wilmot (lll-
bury), now eater, and we find Sir Simon proposing to
cement the reconciliation by a double marriage, he
himself proposing to wed Mistress Sarah (Mrs. Glover)
Wilmot's sister, "love of whom," as he says,
" Hath somewhat turned a sober-minded man
To youthful toys of verse and tender tokens,
And moved to face the priest at sixty years
With vows for life of constancy;"
while Percy, his nephew and heir (Mr. Hudson),
shall wed Wilmot's fair daughter, Catherine (Mrs.
Seymour). Peter consents to this arrangement, al-
though he would much rather secure the whole of
Sir Simon's property by wedding his daughter to
the knight himself. The next scene takes place at
Sir Simon's house, and the uncle telling his nephew
that it's time he were married, is about to dilate upon
the joys of married life, when he is thus interrupted by
the impatient Percy--
"Percy S. Pray, Sir, save yourself;
Whoever would not, I would marry, Sir;
It is my wish ; I think of it by day
And dream by night. And I would marry, not
As doctors do, and clergymen, to gain
Repute for gravity and trust to cure
The sick of soul and body; nor as rakes
To patch bad characters; nor thriftless heirs—
To do what industry lacks heart to do,
To fill the purses folly emptied for them ;
But as Sir Simon's nephew ought to marry—
To set example to society
And benefit the universe at large."
But when Percy discovers that his uncle has bespoke
a wife for him, and will not let him wed the object of
his choice, he at once declares that he will not go to
church to utter vows of love that he can never hope to
pay •, and with this scene concludes the first act, which
was loudly and deservedly applauded throughout, for it
is full of good poetry and vigorous writing. The se-
cond act opens with a scene between Sir Simon and
Peter Wilmot, in which the latter persuades the former
that Catherine is a much more suitable match for him
than Sarah, and the knight consents to become the
suitor of the daughter, and to discard the dater. The
scene then changes to Wilmot's house, and after a short
scene, in which Peter announces to his daughter the
altered intentions of Sir Simon, we find the knight him-
self leading in the maiden aunt Sarah.
"A good-hearted soul,
Who never saw a tear in any eye,
But her own kept it company,"
and announcing to her that his wooing had been merely
in the way of friendship, gallantry, and politeness, and
meant nothing. This scene was admirably acted by
Farren and Mrs. Glover, and drew down shouts of
laughter and applause. Having got rid of the aunt, Sir
Simon proceeds to woo the niece. She is a gay, lively,
rattling girl, well. disposed to quiz the foolish old
bachelor. She completely overpowers him by her
persiflage, telling him he knows not how to
woo, and when she finds he loses heart she
encourages him, until at last the old knight throws him-
self on his knees, pays her the most high-flown compli-
ments, and at length endeavours to snatch a kiss. "On
one condition," says the fair Catherine, " I will give you
leave to kiss me." " Name it," exclaims the amorous
old knight. " Catch me, if you can," is the reply, as
the damsel runs off and throws a chair in his way, over
which he stumbles and breaks his shins ; and with this
scene the second act concludes. The third act opens in
the Mulberry-gardens of St. James's, we presume,
thereby fixing the time of the play in the first half
of the seventeenth century. The aunt and the niece are
together, and we discover, from their conversation, that
Catherine herself is the fair incognita of Dover, who
bath fascinated the heart of Percy Sage, and that, know-
ing of the old feud between Sir Simon and her father,
she had concealed from her lover hE r name. She is,
however, somewhat of a coquette, and will not admit
to her aunt that she loves him. " I'm sure you love
him," says the aunt. " No," declares Catherine ; to
which the aunt replies—
" How came it, then, you met him every day
For a good week and more? Was it by chance?
What an uncommonly strange thing Chance is !
What heaps of sins, like charity, it hides;
Or, rather, altogether blots them out :
For who's to blame for what he had no hand in,
Which was not meant—was never once foreseen—
Which happened—some way—as a thing might drop
Out of the clouds ; tho', very strange to say,
It always falls exactly where we'd have it!
Chance is a scapegrace, who, in all his life,
Did never do a proper action yet.
He puts his hand to nothing but he blunders;
Mistakes his neighbour's pocket for his own;
Ruins good causes without fault in the pleader;
Gives the wrong medicine, and kills the patient;
And, like an awkward knave, makes poor young ladies,
The least designing creatures in the world,
Meet the same man, at the same place and hour,
Day after day, who never for a moment
Dreamt in their walks to meet with anything
But fields and trees, and charming scenery."
This passage was delightfully given by Mrs. Glover,
and drew down repeated rounds of applause. As she is
urging her niece no longer, by keeping up a foolish mas-
querade, to pain a true heart which for her sake was
willing to give up everything, Percy himself appears in
the distance. lie is with two ladies, the one "a pleas-
ing girl"—
"The other, her intriguing artful mother,
Who to the wonder of the world, has married
Within three years seven daughters without portions
• To men of wealth and family."
Poor Catherine wishes to go home, but is thus remon-
strated with and advised by her aunt :
" Home I not a step! What ! see •
Your lover stolen before your very eyes,
With ne'er a better shift to save the spoil,
But run and leave it in the robber's hands?
Are you so tame? Home! home, indeed! Die rather!
Forward at once and claim your property !
And tell him to his face he's no true lover—
Bravely—no tears ; but should you find, as much
I fear you will, they've coaxed him past recall,
Then laugh it off with what good grace you can,
And wish them a good morning !—Now sweet niece,
Love's arrow, this time barbed with jealousy,
Shall teach thy heart what quality's within!
I'll hide and listen !"
Aid accordingly she does hide and listen, and overhears
a tender love scene between Percy and Catherine, which
is interrupted by the appearance of Sir Simon, where-
upon Catherine drops her glove, and, having hurriedly
whispered to Percy to meet her there on the morrow,
rushes off, complaining loudly of his insolence in daring
to accost a lady. Percy's astonishment at this conduct
On her part is still more increased when Sir Simon,
rating him soundly for his insolence, snatches from him
the glove, and, declaring that the lady is his (Sir Simon's)
affianced bride, challenges him to fight for the glove.
Percy cannot believe that the girl will marry his uncle ;
but when Sir Simon says—
" Time was, the lady's hand might have been thine:
But that you slighted now your uncle takes;
And, as a witness of the place I hold
In Mistress Wilmot's heart, here in my cap
I stick her dainty glove—"
Poor Percy knows not whether to laugh or swear, but
concludes by anathematizing all flirts, and vowing all his
life to bide a bachelor. In the opening scene of the
fourth act we find the maiden aunt informing the niece
of what had occurred between Sir Simon and Percy in
the Mulberry-gardens, and of the determination of the
latter to renounce her. She would fain turn the whole
into a jest—she loves him not—she is rejoiced he has
rem-lamed her ; but when her father enters and an-
nounces that she is on the morrow to wed Sir Simon,
she at once declares that wed bim she never will;
and the maiden aunt, having in vain attempted to shake
his resolution, determines to counterplot him, Percy is

I then announced, and he reproaches Catherine, who
confesses her love for loin, with her conduct to his uncle,
believing that she still intends to wed the old man. This
mistake, however, is soon cleared up by the interven-
tion of the maiden aunt, who urges the lovers to instant
Hight ; but just as they are about to obey her injunction
Peter Wihnot enters, and, locking his daughter up in
her room, turns her lover out of his house. Their good
genius, however, is present in the person of the maiden
aunt, whose injunctions Percy promises implicitly to
obey. The fifth act opens with t 4.3 arrival of the guests
to the wedding. Percy arrives with them, and congra-
tulates his uncle on his good fortune, and willingly re-
signs the lady to him. Old Sir Simon is rejoiced at this
sudden change in his nephew's sentiments, but he is
observed to be fidgetty and uneasy. The priest comes
not, and the bride has not yet made her appearance.
Peter goes to seek the priest, the guests withdraw, and
the maiden aunt goes up to Sir Simon, asking him what
is to be done. Now Sir Simon has, the night before,
received a very mysterious letter on the subject of his
marriae, which had given him some uneasiness. Di-
vers strange inuendos had been whispered into his ear
by divers of the guests, and this question from the
aunt puts the poor knight into a regular pucker,
She dram him to question her, and at last, after much

hesitation, she tells him that her niece is mad, and has
vowed to do .him some grievous harm, and raves of
aconite and secret ways .of death, and insists on wearing
deep mourning at the wedding. Catherine herself ap-
proaches him, and attempts to remonstrate with him on
nis folly in insisting on the marriage, while Sir Simon,
who is convinced of her madness, Watches her with fear
and trembling. At length he consents to renounce his
project of marriage with her ; and when she gratefully
endeavouts to seizzthis hand to kiss it, he roars out for •
help, believing himself in the grasp of a madwoman.
Percy and the others enter, and of ccur,,T Percy and

Catherine are made happy, and so are fir SiraoU and
aunt Sarah, but after a different fashion. Sir Sin;on
would fain wed the maiden aunt, but she wisely deter-
mines to remain single, replying to Sir Simon's offer—
" No : you and I shall live
Good friends unmarried—wedded in the wish
And constant care to see these young ones happy!"
The play was well received throughout • but towards
tie conclusion there were some ;light expres-
sions of disapprobation ; they wet.,, however, imme-
diately drowned in most vociferous applause ; the non-
contents gave up the contest, and the play was announced
for repetition every evening without a dissentient voice.
The principals were called for at the conclusion, as was
Mr. Brinsley Knowles himself, who bowed his acknow-
ledgments from what we may be almost justified in
calling the author's box. In the production of this his
maiden effort, Mr. Brinsley Knowles was most efficiently
supported by the artistes and by the management.
Farren and Mrs. Glover were perfection ; Hudson made
a very spirited Percy ; and Mrs. Seymour gave a light,
agreeable, though somewhat sketchy, version of the
spirited and volatile Catherine. The play was put upon
the stage with the greatest attention to the scenery and
decorations ; its mounting was superb. The house was
a bumper.

DICTIONARY if DATES and UNIVERSAL
REFERENCE, RELATING b ALL AGES and
NATIONS. By Joseph Haydn. Third _Edition. To
which is added a copious Index of Leading Nantes.
The author tells us in his preface that his " design has
been to attempt the compression of the greatest body of
general information that has ever appeared, and to pro•
duce a book of reference, whose extensive usefulness may
render its possession material to every individual." In
this design he has completely succeeded. The work
contains fifteen thousand articles, alphabetically ar-
ranged, and is a resume of universal history. There is
not a remarkable occurrence, ancient or modern,
whether relating to arts or arms, to science or literature,
but what is here chronicled, its date given, and its salient
features described. It is the Directory of History. No
house can be said to be properly furnished in which the
" Dictionary of Dates" is not found ; and our advice to
all who are engaged in the pursuit of knowledge is, if
you are so poor that you can only afford to purchase
one book, let that book be the " Dictionary of Dates ;"
for it is a library in itself, and will save the necessity of
purchasing many most expensive works.

THE RAILWAY SHAREHOLDERS' POCKET-
BOOK AND ALMANAC for 1846.
This will be found a convenient book for persons inte-
rested in railway property. In addition to the matter
usually published in almanacs, it contains a list of autho-
rised railways, comprising the names of the chairman,
secretary, and engineer, tables for calculating the value
"of shares and commissions, and a diary for entering the
sale or purchase of railway shares. The tables have
been prepared expressly for the work; they are warranted
by the publisher mathematically correct, and will afford
means of ascertaining with facility the amount of
brokers' commissions en any number of shares, and also
the price of any number of shares at any given rate.
To the work is prefixed a little elegant map of England,
with all the lines of railway completed, and many of
those proposed fur consideration in the ensuing session.
It is to be regretted that those who have the arrange-
ment of minor details in publications of this kind do
not bestow a little more care in order to make them
correct. The following instance in proof we give as a
specimen of the grossest negligence :—ln the list of her
Majesty's Ministers we find the name of Lord Geo.
Somerset, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said
to be "of the Cabinet," and only three lines further
down is Lord G. Somerset, Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster, "not of the Cabinet."

THAMES EMBANKMENT and RAIL-
WAY JUNCTION COMPANY.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
The Provisional Directors, referring to the objects of the Company
as stated in their prospectus, have now to report the result of a de-
putation from the Board, to the Earl of Lincoln, First Commissions
of Woods and Forests, and Chairman of the Commission for Metro?.

politan Improvements.
One of the objects of the Company being to co-operate with the
Government in carrying into execution the plan of her Majesty's
Commissioners for an embankment of the north shore of the Thames,
it became the duty of the Provisional Directors to seek an early in-
terview with the Chief Commissioner, with a view to the immediate
arrangements required for the realisation of this great public Un-
provement ; and an appointment having been obtained (September
26), the following proposal was submitted :
Teat the whole expense of the embankment should be defrayed by
the Company, subject to the stipulation that the Company should be
at liberty to connect with such embankment an atmospheric railway
viaduct, of ornamental construction, and to continue such viaduct
eastward of Blackfriars-bridge to the present Blackwall terminus, in
Fenchurch-street, and also across the river by a railway bridge, or
by one of the existing bridges, to join the Greenwich, Dover, Croy-
don, and Brighton Railways.
In accordance with the usual practice, this proposal was subse-
quently transmitted in writing; to which communication an official
answer has been received, addressed to the Earl of Devon, Chairman
of this Board.

The reply of the Earl of Lincoln, bearing date the 10th of October,
1145, is to the effect that a correct judgment can only be formed upon
the proposal of the Company after a careful examination of the vari-
ous details of construction involved in a river line of railway, as
affecting public and private interests connected with the navigation ;
but it concludes, as will be seen by the following extract, with stat-
ing that his Lordship is ready to enter into such examination, and
that the projected railway shall be the first subject brought under
consideration at the ensuing meetings of the Commission :
"It will also, I have no doubt, be evident both to your Lordship
and the Company, that, at the present period of the year, with many
members of the Commission out of town, and some probably out of
the kingdom, any effort that I might make to have the subject now
taken up and satisfactory disposed of would be unavailing. If, how-
ever, after the statement I have thus frankly submitted to you, the
Company should feel disposed at once to give the usual Parliamentary
notices, such notices having reference to the embankment and rail-
way combined, I can only assure your Lordship and them that I
shall feel it my duty to obtain a meeting of the Commission early in
the ensuing year, and to make the construction of the projected rail-
way the first subject for consideration ; and I have no doubt, that
having reference to the importance of au early decision, the inquiries
of the Commission may be closed in ample time for any necessary
proceedings of the Company in Parliament."
This promised reference to her Majesty's Commissioners, is re-
garded by the Provisional Directors as a most important advantage
to the Company; affording an assurance to the shareholders that
their funds will net be wasted, as in the case of many unsound pro-
jects before the public, in fruitless and expensive Parliamentary con-
tests. Should the report of the Commissioners be favourable, and
the Provisional Directors have strong grounds for anticipating such a
result, the Company will proceed with their Bill under auspices which
must ensure success ; and, in the event of the plan not being recom-
mended to the immediate adoption of Government, the Company
will be placed in a position to meet the views of the Commissioners in
the following session, or to return the deposits, with comparatively
but a trifling deduction for the cost of preliminary surveys.
The interview with the Earl of Lincoln, although confined to points
of explanation, was in the highest degree satisfactory, ftom the ob-
vious interest taken by the Noble Earl in the structural improve-
ment of the metropolis ; and the object of this Company is that of a
greater metropolitan improvement than has hitherto been compre-
hended in any plan based upon available resources ;—one combining
the advantages of railway transit with architectural embellishment,
the means of healthfUl recreation, and the removal of existing im-
pediments to commercial traffic.
The Provisional Directors have only to add, that the necessary
steps have been taken by the Board for compliance with standing
orders; that Mr. Barry has accepted an engagement from the Com-
pany for the architectural elevations connected with the river front
of the embankment, especially in reference to the most effective
mode of passing the Temple gardens ; and that the Board, having
endeavoured with success to cultivate a friendly understanding with
the Companies most interested from their position in a railway em-
bankment of the river, are now assured that no competing line will
be presented to Parliament during the next session.
The deputation above described was accompanied by deputations
front the Central Terminus Company, and the Great Western and
Brextford Company—co-operating with this Board to complete the
connexion of the line with the whole of the metropolitan railways.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—A man named Richard
Sheane, one of the Bath city police, took his place on Mon-
day evening at the Bristol-station of the Great Western
Railway to proceed to Bath by the mail train. Soon after
the train started both he and a boy who accompanied him
fell asleep, and were carried some distance beyond their
destination before either awoke. The rushing noise of the
engine in the Box-tunnel aroused the man from his slumbers,
and he then discovered that he had ridden some miles further

than he wished. His first impression was, that the train would
stop at Corsham, but it was not so. Onwards he was carried
at the rate of 40 or 50 miles an hour. He at last opened the
door of the carriage, alighted on the step, made a spring, and
fortunately he was not dashed to pieces. On the arrival of
the train at Chippenham, the circumstance was made known
through the boy, and immediate search was made for him,
but he could at first nowhere be found. He states that he
recollects nothing but coming in violent contact with some-
thing which he supposes to be a bridge; but how long he lay
he does not know, but on recovering his senses he crawled to
a house close at hand, where he NI as lodged for the night.
The next morning he was well enough to walk into Corsham,
to a medical man, when it was found that, besides being
mush cut and bruised, his shoulder was dislocated. The
man bears a very good character, and it does not appear that
he was the least intoxicated at the time of the rash act. He
had gone from Bath to Bristol in the morning, in search of
a man who had broken into Trinity Church, and the boy in
company with him was taken to identify the thief.—Devizes ,
Gazette.

IMPORTANT RAILWAY MEETING

AT CAMBIUDGE;

CAMBRIDGE, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—TO-day a meeting
of the inhabitants was held at the Town-hall, in pursuance
of a requisition to the Mayor, to take into consideration the
numerous railway projects in immediate connexion with the
town. Mr. Hudson, accompanied by Mr. Waddington, De-
puty-Chairman of the Eastern Counties Company; Mr. R.
W. Kennard, Mr. Routh, Mr. Duncan, the law clerk, and
other gentlemen connected with the Company, arrived by
the train which reached Cambridge at half-past tea, A.M.
The Town-hall was filled, and amongst the gentlemen pre-
sent were many of the members of the University.
Mr. J. J. Deighton, the Mayor, took the chair. He was
accompanied by Mr. Hudson, Mr. Waddington, Mr. Pym,
Mr. Cobbold, and the other gentlemen who attended as de-
putations from the respective Companies.
Mr. Harris, the Town-Clerk, acted as Secretary.
The following gentlemen were present representing the re-
spective Companies : --
EASTERN COUNTIES.-11r. George Hudson, Chairman ;
Mr. David Waddington, Deputy Chairman; Mr. E. Fisher,
Mr. S. Anderson, Mr. R. W. Kennard, Mr. W. Routh, Mr.
Duncan, the law clerk.
LINCOLN AND EASTERN COUNTIES JUNCTION (from Hull
through March to Cambridge).—Lord C. Bentinck, Mr.
Winckworth, Mr. Lyston, Mr. E. Breary, secretary.
WISBEACH, ST. IVES, A-ND CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION.-3fessrs.
J. Fryer, Norton, R. Ward, Coolie, F. Lumsden.
CAMBRIDGE AND OXFORD.—Mr. W. Wiltshire, 31. P., Rev.
H. Arlett, Messrs. E. Forster, C. Cobbold, W. Ekins, Henry
Ilope, secretary.
MIDLAND AND EASTERN COUNTIES (from Cambridge by
St. Neot's and Northampton to Worcester).—Messrs. John.
Chevallier Cobbold, of Ipswich, Chairman of the Eastern
Union Company, and of the Ipswich and Bury St: Edmunds;
Francis Pym, of Biggleswade; Captain Page, of Somerton ;
the Rev. Francis Hall, rector of Fulbourne, near Cambridge;
William Gee, ofl3ishop's Stertford ; John Hill Day, St. Neot's;
John Carrington, St. Neot's; Thomas Elgood, Sr. Neot's;
Marion Welstead, Stonely Hall, Kimbolton ; Cuthbert Cur-
tis, George Abbey, Northampton; and John Allan Ransome,
Ipswich.
BEDFORD AND 'CAMBRIDGE EXTENSION.—Messrs. T. J.
Greene, Mayor of Bedford ; Captain Newland, T. Barnard,
T. A. Greene, J. Elger,_H. Parker, IL Pearson, secretary.
NEWMARKET AND CHESTERFORD, WITH A BRANCH TO
CAMBRIDGE.—Lord George Manners, Messrs. James Fairlie;
Timothy Tyrrell, Francis Fuller, W. P. Isaacson, T. Caldecott.
BURY ST. EDMUNDS AND CAMBRIDGE UNION EXTENSION.
—Messrs. J. Chevallier Cobbold, J. Allen Ransome, J. F.
Saunders, secretary.
CAMBRIDGE AND COLCHESTER JUNCTION.—Lord Sussex
Lennox, Messrs. Halpin, J. S. Christopher, secretary.
On behalf of the London. and York Company there were
present, Mr. Francis Pym and Mr. John Nathaniel Foster.
The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, said only those
lines that have been advertised in the azette, as being
ready to be brought before Parliament at the ensuing session,
will be considered at this meeting. In the next place,,it is
not intended to come to any decision at the present meeting
upon any of those lines, but merely to hear whatever may
be brought forward in favour of or against them, and also
any explanation that may be offered about them ; after
which resolutions will be proposed to form Committees for
various purposes in connexion with these projects, and to
make arrangements for another public meeting, to take place
on some day subsequently to the 30th of this month, by
which time all the companies who purpose going to Parlia-
ment in the ensuing session must have deposited their
plans.
The first group consists of the Eastern Counties, Cambridge
to Lincoln ; Lincolnshire and Eastern Counties Junction
(from Hull, through March to Cambridge); Wisbeach, St.
Ives, and Cambridge Junction. Group IL—Cambridge and
Oxford; Midland and Eastern Counties (from Cambridge, by
St. Neot's and Northampton to Worcester); Bedford and
Cambridge Extension. Group llL—Newmarket and Ches-
terford, with a branch to Cambridge ; Bury St. Edmunds and
Cambridge, Eastern Union • Extension. There is besides a
ninth line, the Cambridge and Colchester Junction.
Mr. PRYME-1 beg to say that the Harwich, Birmingham,
and Central Junction line is not there.
Another Gentleman remarked that the Harwich, Cam-
bridge, and Stour Valley Company did not intend to apply to
Parliament next session.
Mr. SMITH, one of the deputation from the Harwich Docks
and Cambridge Company, complained that although that
Company had been invited to send representatives to the
meeting, there was no mention made of their line in the list
submitted to the meetings-
The MAYOR then referred to a large diagram hung up in
view of the meeting, and on which were delinea.ted the va-
rious projected lines touching at Cambridge.
Mr. ROUTH, as one of the representatives of the Eastern
Counties Company, said the Eastern Counties Company had
already made a line from Cambridge to London.—(Hear,
hear.) He might further state that they were prepared to go
to Parliament for a line through Peterborough and Lincoln
to-York. They had also taken up a line from Bedford to
Cambridge; and further, they had determined on forming a
line from St. Ives to Wisbeach. He need not dilate on the
importance of those branches to Cambridge, they must be
apparent to all parties; at the same time he adulated that
there might be other schemes which might serve the town
better. It was the intention of the Eastern Counties Com-
pany to deposit their plans, and apply to Parliament for a
line between Waltham-cross direct to the town of Bedford.
These were the objects the Eastern Counties Company had
in view; and it would be satisfactory to all parties to know,
that the Company had the means to carry them out, and
that their projects went through districts that might be tra-
versed with dispatch. Within last year they had constructed
nearly one hundred miles of country, and opened them to
the public within twelve months from the time their Bill had
passed. If their line was sanctioned by Parliament, it would
pass through a country affording great facilities, and the
people of Cambridgemight depend on it that the same energy
would be exerted to carry the project into execution that had
been hitherto manifested with respect to similar projects by
the Eastern Counties Company.—(Cheers.)
Mr. FOSTER said if the Eastern Counties line to Hull
was adopted, it would obviate the necessity of making the
proposed line from York to London.
The MAYOR then called upon any gentleman who ap-
peared on behalf of the Lincolnshire and Eastern Counties
Junction (from Hull through March to Cambridge) to state
his views.
Mr. Wistoswortm said he appeared under very unfa-
vourable circumstances, in consequence of the illness of
some of the managing committee, and important engage-
ments of the chairman and deputy chairman. He had re-
ceived so short a notice that he was scarcely prepared to enter
upon the merits of the line he was called upon to represent.
The 'Lincolnshire and Eastern Counties Junction was to
bring by the shortest route the whole traffic of, that im-
portant district; commencing at Hull, and terminating at
the great town of Cambridge. It was scarcely necessary,
in addressing gentlemen of business—well acquainted with
the district—to inform them that the line would be of great
importance to the south. The promoters of the line were
quite aware that agricultural districts were not so suscep-
tible of so great or so paying an amount of traffic as the
commercial and densely-populated districts. He was old
enough to recollect when large ships from the Baltic and
the Continent came to the port of Hull on account of its
proximity to those
.ports. A good deal of that traffic had
subsided ; but it might be shown that this traffic might
be brought back. He had spoken of the saving of dis-
tance, by which he meant the saving of time. The com-
pany which lie represented relied greatly on the passenger
traffic; but on these points he did not think it would be ne-
cessary to trouble them with any details. One of the great
advantages their line possessed was, that it was a very level
one, and would not cost more than 8,0001. or 9,000/. per mile.
That, as they were well aware, was a very small estimate in-
deed ; but still it could be effected for that amount. He had
also to state that the Company were not conscious of any op-
position. They had secured the approval of the landowners,
and not only so, but the most influential amongst them had
spoken in the highest teringof the necessity of the line, and
the immense amount of benefit it would confer on the district
through which it would pass.—(Hear, hear.) It might, in-
deed, be alleged as an objection, that some proposed lines
would intersect that which he advocated. So far from con-
sidering that an objection, he thought it would be highly ad-
vantageous, inasmuch as the lines which might cross it, or
he brought into proximity with it, would act as so many
feeders. This line (the Lincolnshire and Eastern Counties)
would in return prove a very valuable feeder to the Eastern
Counties, which line, next to the one proposed, would profit
most largely if they succeeded in obtaining Parliamentary
sanction, as they confidently anticipated. The line, he
might state, had been very carefully surveyed by a gentle-
man who was well qualified for such a duty. Lord Charles
Beauclerk had also been over the line. The opinion of his
Lordship and the surveyor fully confirmed the views enter-
tained by the Company, and they were now in a position
most positively to state, that they would be quite ready for
the necessary deposits at the proper period, namely, the 30th
of November.
Mr Pavatz said he undeW.ood they were constructing
additional docks at Cambilidallf and it was certainly desirable
that Cambridge sould be t into more immediate com-
munication with that Raet.l3,lll: had nothing to say which
would detract from the ► sof the line which had first
been brought before eeting; on the contrary, lie
thought it was a most e one ; but he just wished to
mention the fact than' pier line which had been proposed,
and which would conn Hull with Cambridge by means of
the Eastern Counties line, would be a little shorter.
He alluded to the line from Hull and Lincoln, crossing the.
Humber, and thus coming to Cambridge.
Mr. E. FOSTER said he had for some years been advocat-
ing, with all the power he could command, communica-
tion with the north, as near the sea-coast as could be effected,
inasmuch as he believed it would be productive Of incal-
culable advantages to Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk,
and the adjacent counties. They were all aware of the
importance of the Fen districts, both in Cambridge and
Lincoln, and they were also aware that they required an
easy and speedy communication with the London markets,
as well as with the western districts. If the Lincolnshire
and Eastern Counties Junction line was adopted, it would
be well calculated to carry out these great and important
results.—(Cheers.) He might, however, state that the
Eastern Counties Company had already a project for a line
to March, and this might be extended to Hull. This line
would give equal facilities for communication with the
London markets. In the line projected to Lincoln he per-
ceived difficulties which appeared to him almost innumerable.
These difficulties arose from the Bedford level, of which he,
as a commissioner, could scarcely fail to be cognisant. He
firmly believed that the projected line from Cambridge to
Lincoln would be totally impracticable. There were several
rivers to be crossed, and marshes which would baffle engi-
neering skill. If attempted it could not fail to be calamitous
to the country, and ruinous to the shareholders who might
embark in such a Quixotic undertaking. The inhabitants
were aware that there was a line projected from Cambridge
to St. Ives, and thence to Wisbeach, and if that were carried
there really could be no occasion to carry out the Cam-
bridge and Lincoln. Some arrangement might, he thought,
be entered into with the London and York Company
for the settlement of that matter. The speaker con-
cluded by again urging the necessity of a line nearer to the
eastern coast.

The MAYOR inquired whether any gentleman appeared on
behalf of the third line in the first group, namely, the Wis-
beach, St. Ives, and Cambridge Junction.
Mr. JOHN FRYER rose, and said he had the honour of re-
presenting the Company projecting that line. He had only
to say, in connexion with it, that it was generally consi-
dered a most important line, and that all the plans were
ready to render it competent for the Company to bring it
before Parliament in theensuing session. It was a line singu-
larly free from engineering difficulties, and would be construct-
ed at a very trifling expense in comparison with other under-
takings.—(Hear, hear.) Wisbeach was one of the largest
corn markets they had, and the cattle traffic in Lincolnshire
was very great. Both these interests would be materially
served by the construction of the projected line. Taken in
connexion with the proposed Hull line, it was the most im-
portant that could be adopted for the town of Cambridge.
It would bring all the traffic of Wisbeach and its neighbour-
hood through Cambridge by the Eastern Counties line.
Mr. F. PY3I, as representing the London and York,
observed that the map which had been prepared for the

guidance of the meeting, and which was hung up in
the room, had dealt somewhat unfairly with a very im-
portant part of the London and York line, known as
the loop." Several material advantages which would
result to Cambridge, Lincoln, and other towns, were thus
throvn into the background, and would render it quite im-
possible for the meeting, without previous information, to
arrive at a proper decision with respect to that project. He
(Mr. Pym) was very well aware that he had undertaken a
bold part in coming into Cambridge to advocate the London
and York line, inasmuch as it had come to his knowledge
that many gentlemen of influence in that town had been
decried as inimical to the interests of Cambridge, simply be- i
cause they had supported that scheme. One word with
respect to the advantages which the town of Cambridge
would derive from the construction of the London and Yerk
line. He thought that the public would admit that in rail-
way speculations competition was desirable, and likely to
conduce to the general interests. The London and York
was a line of that character, and therefore ought to be en-
couraged. It had already obtained the sanction of one
branch of the Legislature. They were aware that a line
had been granted from Cambridge to Huntingdon; if that
line were not carried out by its projectors, the London and
York Company would adopt it in compliance with an
assurance they had made to Parliament towards the close
of the last session--(Cheers)—thus offering the greatest
advantage to Cambridge in this respect. The Cambridge
and Oxford line, if carried out to Hitchin, would there
join the London and York, and would form a shorter route
to London than at present existed. He knew, as he had pre-
viously stated, that the London and York was not a popular
line in Cambridge, and he would not therefore, on the pre-
mot occasion, ask for a vote in its favour. Mr. Pym then
cntered into a long statement to show that the London and
Yi 'rk would be advantageous, in a variety of respects, to
Cambridge. After which he adverted to the speech of Mr.
Hudeon at a late meeting of the Eastern Counties, at Lon-
don, and said that gentleman had stated publicly that there
was not a single individual of experience in our direction.
Surely the Hon. Gentleman had not seen our list; for it con-
tained the names of persons of the greatest experience. But
as he ;had said there was not one in the directory of any ex-
perience, lie would name a gentleman who had worked upon
several lines under Mr. Hudson's own management—he
alluded. to Alderman Meek, of York. He hoped, therefore,
that Mr. Hudson would reconsider his statement. The Lon-
don and York line would be nearer by thirty miles than the
present elistance, and ten nearer than the contemplated Cam-
bridge ar.'d Lincoln. Mr. Hudson at the Eastern Counties
meeting bad said he intended to make an offer to the London
and York Company. He (Mr. Pym) had only to say that he
had not yea. heard of one having been made. Mr. Hudson
had also overrated the expense of carrying out the London
and York. In conclusion Mr. Pym complained that the
cost of forming the line from London to York had been
overrated.
Mr. lltipsoer then rose, and was received with loud cheers.
He said—The Hon. Gentleman who last addressed you began
his observations by saying that in offering this line to the
public he o Efered them a great boon, inasmuch as he offered
them a competing line. Sir, if I thought competition in
railway matters a boon to the public, I would then feel with
him that it would be a great advantage to the public to con-
struct another line from north to south.—(Cheers.) But, as
the Committee of the House of Commons, after a most care-
ful consideration of the subject, have almost unanimously
determined that a competition in itself is not good, but the
contrary, and that the application of such powers as Parlia-
ment possesses, for the regulation of railways and the pro-
tection of the public, is much better than competing lines,
I am of opinion that the circumstance of the Hon. Gentle-
man's project being a competing one will be no recommenda-
tion of it whatever when it comes before Parliament. —.
(Hear, hear.) But if the Hon. Gentleman be consistent in
his advocacy of competing lines, I would, with all due respect
and regard to what be said, ask him why the London and
York Company commenced their proceedings by anni-
hilating competition, by purchasing the Witham and Foss-
dyke Navigation, thus showing that they thought competi-
tion not so very desirable, and not of such great ad-
vantage to those Companies?—(Cheers.) I think that they
were not favourable to competition is a fair inference from
such conduct.—(Cheers.) I have been charged with over-
rating the estimates for the construction of the London
and York line, and, for this purpose the Hon. Gentleman
has referred to an address of mine to the Midland share-
holders at Derby in January last. I did then, on the autho •
rity of one of the most eminent engineers of the day, give a
statement of the probable cost of that line, supposing the
whole line to be of the same character as that part going to
Grantham. If any gentleman has heard or read the evidence
of Mr. Cubitt, I appeal to him whether my statement has not
been borne out by the evidence of that engineer—the engineer
of the London and York. His evidence before Parliament
was that the cost of the line, including the carrying stock
and station, would be 8,500,000/.—(Cheers.) I ask you, then,
as fair and impartial men, whether I have been guilty of any
exaggerated statement ?—(No, no). At the Eastern Come
ties' meeting I said that I knew, from my own knowledge of
those works, and from the information I possessed
from having made large contracts latterly, that since
tho estimates were made there was an advance in the
price of labour, materials, and everything connected with
thel making of railways, of twenty-five per cent. Is not
that so, gentlemen P—(Hear, hear.) The estimate of the
engineer of the London and York for his rails was 10/. a
ton. I can testify that the other day I was obliged to con-
tract for rails at 124 aton—(Hear, hear)—and Lord Woraley
told me that he had contracted for them at 12/. 10s. a ton.
The wages of stonemasons and bricklayers were estimated
at 1/. Is. a week; they are now estimated at 30s.—(Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I should be ashamed of myself if I exaggerated
the probable cost of the London and York line, but my be-
lief is that it will be 12,000,000/. In my career theough life
I have endeavoured that all my statements should be based
on truth, and on truth I am ready to stand in this case.--
(Applause.) Gentlemen, I know the taunt of the Hon.
Gentleman respecting the Board of Trade having adopted a
great part of the observations which I made at Derby. If
the Hon. Gentleman means that I had anything to do with
the report of the Board of Trade, I hurl back the imputa-
tion. The nobleman who presided over that department of
the Board of Trade is incapable of adopting the opinions
of any gentleman without due consideration. But be-
lieving my statements to be founded in truth, surely he
could not be expected to reject them because they fell
from an humble individual like myself. But there *is no
reason for supposing that the Government of the country
adopted those observations because they were mine. Because
there were bad gradients on the London and Brighton Rail-
way, was that a reason why this London and York line
should be constructed ? I appeal to the whole world—l ap-
peal to any person acquainted with railway matters—whether
that was not the most egregious of engineering blunders ever
committed in this country ?—(Cheers. ) I tell the parties
promoting the London and York line that it will be as great
a blunder as ever disgraced a railway management.—
(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman tells you his line will effect
a saving of ten miles ; but he ought to have measured that
ten miles by time, and not by distance. A railway ought
not to be measured by distance, but by the time it takes
in accomplishing that distance.—(Cheers.) Any one know-
ing anything of what railway travelling is must be• fully
aware of what it is to get bad gradients and a large quan
tity of tunnels. There may be a parallel case (but I hope
there are not any) in which there is a tunnel having
gradients of one in a hundred.—(Herr, hear.) I have not
an opportunity of referring to the speech I made at
Derby, in which speech I went more particularly into This
question ; but to the best of my recollection, my belief is
(and I do not believe there is any great passenger line in
this country furnishing a parallel case), eat you have one
tunnel in which the gradients are one in a hundred. Well,
gentlemen, that is an evil which I am sure cannot be over-
rated. I have no interest in any line that may be made be-
tween London and York, except as a citizen of the world, nor
do I care, if the line be advantageous to the public, whether
the line be constructed by the London and York Company, or
by the Lincoln and Cambridge Company.. I hope my sole
object hitherto, and in appearing here in connexion with
1 these railways, is to get a pod line, and one that will prove
advantageous to the country in every respect.—(Cheers.) I
do say it would be unfair for this large district—it would
be unfair for the whole north of England, and not treating
them and Cambridge properly, to put' them on a branch
rather than on the main line.—(Cheers.) As to the dis
tance, I dare any engineer of reputation, or any manager of
experience to deny that we can perform the distance to
London by Cambridge, in conjunction with the Eastern Coun-
ties line, sooner than they can by the London and York.—
(Cheers.) By going in the way we proposed, you avoid
tunnels, and you have a fine, open, plain country ; and if you
wish to get another communication with York, the metropolis
of the north, and Scotland, let us have a line of such gra-
dients that the journey may be performed, under all circum-
stances, and in every description of weather, with perfect
safety and advantage to the public. As to mercenary feelings,
I deny their existence on our parts. I appeal to any gentle-
man if it would not be a vast advantage and honour to the
country to bring distinguished foreigners direct from London
to Cambridge, instead of taking them round by a number of
small branches, as proposed by the London and York Com-
pany. As to the population, 1 believe that the population of
all the towns between Peterborough and London is not so
large as the population of Cambridge. Then what have you
beyond Peterborough ? to which 'we go off as to a
common point. Why, Doncaster becomes the next in extent
of population. Then there is another argument in our favour,
which I think a fair one for the invested capital of the
country, and that is, that by adopting the London and York
line, you put Cambridge and Lincoln at a greater distance
from the Midlands, and all the towns—Grantham, Newark,
and Bedford included—will be only supplied by the lateral
branches, and Bedford by one of the most direct
communications that can possibly be made. Gentle-
men, I thank you for the kind hearing you have
given me. I have only just now been connected with the
Eastern Counties.—(Cheers.) I became connected with that
Company on public grounds, and with an anxiety. I can
assure you, most unfeignedly, to benefit the shareholders of
that Company ; and I feel that, in benefiting them, I can
also benefit the town of Cambridge and the country at large.
—(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Pym) says I said
there was not a gentleman connected with the Board of the
London and York Railway Company; that had any expe-
rience in railway undertakings. Ido not recollect using any
such language., I believe the exact words which fell from
me were, that I scarcely knew a man on that hoard who had
any experience in railway matters. The Hon. Gentleman
referred to my excellent friend Mr. Meek; but if the Hon.
Gentleman had left the decision of the point at issue to my
friend Mr. Meek and me, it would be soon settled that we
should come to Cambridge.—(Cheers.) I know my friend
Meek's sensible views on those matters, and that he cannot
plunge inte;great works that cost such vast sums without
great deliberation. He would not sanction a line which would
occasion a deviation of ten miles to accomplish a distance of
210 miles. According to the statement of the Hon. Gentleman,
the loss in distance was not compensated for by a savingin time
and other advantages. However, we save that time by the po-
sition of our station. Mr. Kennard, who is perfectly well ac-
quainted with these matters, is ready to bear me out by
calculations, that time alone, and not distance, is the way to
measure railways. He says that, measuring by time, there
will be a saving of twelve miles on our line, as compared with
the London and York. I had the honour to see the first
sod turned up of the Trent Valley Railway. On that occa-
sion I listened with pleasure to some observations which fell
from the Right Hon. Baronet, the Premier. These observa-
tions made, as every observation which fell from that distin-
guished individual should make, a deep impression on my
mind. I could not help, when I heard him descant on the
advantages Tamworth would derive from being put in a
direct line, running through it rather than eighteen miles
from it, as the line advocated by the Hon. Gentleman does
from Cambridge—(Cheers)—when I heard him descant—
and,; I wish every gentleman here had heard him—with a
force and a power which it would be impossible for any per-
son here to endeavour to imitate or attain, on the good advan-
tages that would accrue to Tamwor!li from being put on the
main line, I could not, I say, help thinking that the arguments
the Right Hon. Baronet employed in favour ofa direct !me from
Tamworth were peculiarly applicable to our line. Is it not an
advantage to the town of Cambridge to be placed on the di-
rect line?—(Hear, hear.) Are you to be committed to a
branch line eighteen miles from your town, rather than to a
direct line passing through your town ?—(No, no.) Are we
to lose the advantages of tile great communication taking
place between the north and south of England, forsooth, to
please the whim and fancy of the projectors of some imagi-
nary line?—(Hear.) Are we to be taken eighteen miles out
of our way to subserve such a project ?—(No, no.) But the
Honourable Gentleman says he got a decision of the House

of Commons in his favour.—(Laughter) Does the Honour-
able Gentleman think that that decision carries any weight
with the public mind? I think not. Was that deciseen
unanimous, gentlemen ? I : ,e,,ert that it was obtained
the casting vote of the cliaieneia.—(A vorce—"TiTo-ind, jwo
out of four.") Listen, gentlemen. Do you.. imagine ,t,
the House of Lords are the Mere registers of the edicts of
the House of. Commons?. I say what has properly been
said before—" Thank God, there is a House of Lords."—
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, the public sympathies will go :with
the sympathies of Cambridge; and if Cambridge will only
arouse and exert itself, I have no hesitation in saying that
the project of the London and York Company will never pass
into a law, but that a main grand trunk line will pass through
the town of Cambridge.—(Cheers.)
Mr. WILSHIRE, M.P., appeared to point out the merits of
the Cambridge and Oxford line. The line would connect
the two Universities, which was a very important circum-
stance; and it would do more than this, it would connect
the eastern and western coast, an advantage which, in case
of a war, would be incalculable, and it would put Cam-
bridge into immediate connexion with many places of great
trade, traversing also the great malting country, including
Royston, Baldock, and putting those places into immediate
connexion with the London markets. All the directors
were gentlemen connected by property with the line, and
their engineer, Mr. Locke, had paid great attention to sur-
veys, which with the plans and estimates are all most care-
rune- made, and are now ready to be deposited. Two places
bad been named as desirable for the station at Cambridge,
viz., Coe Fen and Mr. Hazard's premises in Mill-lane. One
of these places will probably be selected, but the directors
were anxious in all matters of this kind to consult the wishes
of the inhabitants. After thanking the meeting for the pa-
tience with which he had been beard, the Hon. Gentleman
sat down amidst loud cheers.
Mr. WILKINSON then laid before the meeting the several
bearings of the Midland and Eastern Counties (from Cam-
bridge by St. Neot's and Northampton to Worcester), which,
as a comprehensive line, he argued, was invaluable, espe-
cially as regarded the Rugby and Huntingdon. No line more
than the one he advocated was of easier construction through-
out the country. It was direct from east to west. From the
nature of the produce you get access to the mineral districts
of England. You pay dear for coal, which you would get at
a cheap rate. The manufactured goods also would be gained
with great facility from Birmingham, and such places; salt,
necessary for manure, would be easily accessible from the
Droitwich mines. In fact, this railway gave to Cambridge
the key of England, opening to it most important districts
and places. We shall carry you direct from Cambridge to
Worcester. We have received great local support, and we
supply Cambridge with a nearer central station ; for it must
be allowed that the present one was at too great a distance
from the town, and we seek to give you one more in the heart
of it. He trusted he had sufficiently pointed out the mani-
fold advantages of the line lie advocated, to entitle him to
ask the inhabitants of Cambridge for their warmest support.
Mr. T. J. GREEN appeared to advocate the claims of the
Bedford and Cambridge Extension, No. 6, which was in-
tended to join the line from Bedford to Bletchley, which
latter line was continued to Oxford. The line was a very
easy one, the capital was subscribed, and they had every
reason to hope they should go to Parliament next ression
with success. They would also proceed to Northampton ;
so that they would connect by one line what four and five
proposed to do separately, and which combined the advan-
tages of both; and, if each of their lines paid, the line he
advocated must pay double. The distance was nearly the
same in each case, and being a single line, could be more
economically worked; and, soliciting their patronage for the
line, he begged to thank the meeting for the patience with
which they had heard him.
Mr. PRYNE also spoke in favour of this line, and pointed
out the benefit which must arise by affording an immediate
connexion with the manufactures of the north, and the iron
of Birmingham and Sheffield. It is true it did not go to
Worcester, but he never heard that there was or was not
likely to be any connexion between Cambridge and Worces-
ter, and the only benefit would be to allow learned Cantabs
to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Shakspeare at Strat-
ford-on-Avon. But as to the salt works of Droitwich, this
line would equally put them into communication with the
salt of Cheshire.
Mr. AnLErr complained that the diagram was, from its
omission, more injurious to the Cambridge and Oxford than
any other; and strongly advocated that line as a link con-
necting a great communication. It would be the direct line
for eastern and western communication.
Mr. TYRRELL, as representative of the Newmarket and
Chesterford, with a branch to Cambridge, said that it was not
intended in the first place only to have a line from Newmar-
ket and Chesterford; but it had since been thought expe-
dient to have a branch to Cambridge; and from the surveys
and prospects of traffic, there was every reason to believe that
it would be found a very profitable undertaking, and of great
public utility.
Mr. CORROLD, who represented the Bury St. Edmunds and
Eastern Union Extension line, next addressed the meeting,
and said that the line was intended to be taken south to
Newmarket, and making the distance from Ipswich the same
as it was at present by the turnpike road. He then pointed
out some of the incongruities of the diagram. By this line
any gentleman could breakfast in Cambridge and dine at
either France, Belgium, or Holland. In 1836 a plan was be-
fore the public, and received great support, which was the
same as the one now before them, viz., from Northampton
through Cambridge, Bury, Ipswich, to Harwich. In conclu-
sion, he said in the line he advocated the capital was sub-
scribed for, the Parliamentary deeds were signed, andthe de-
posits paid up.
Mr. Anams Smrrn said he appeared on behalf of the Har-
wich Docks and Birmingham Central England Railway
Company. He stated that although this was their title
their Company having made a friendly arrangement with
the Northampton and Bedford amalgamated lines, the line
of the Harwich Docks Company would not extend beyond
Cambridge. He then proceeded to say that the line of which
he was the humble advocate fulfilled all the conditions which
could be required to claim the support of the public—namely,
cheapness, directness, and existing traffic, traffic that could,
under the circumstances, be confidently anticipated and cal-
culated upon ; for the first, cheapness, they have the word of
their able surveyor, that few, if any, lines could be accom-
plished at a less cost. For the second, directness, the map
before them would show its merits ; for the third, the position
of Harwich with respect to the manufacturing districts of
central Englandand its most important ports in the west, as
they related, in point of distance, to the ports of northern and
central Europe, would establish the claims of the Harwich Com.
pany to the attention and support of that meeting. The Hon.
Gentleman, the representative of the Ipswich and Bury line had
spoken of the advantage that the Ipswich Docks would be
to the line to Cambridge. Mr. Smith, without wishing to
detract from the merits of the Ipswich Docks, would venture
to say, that whatever advantages Ipswich had in this point
of view, Harwich possessed them in a ten-fold degree. Mr.
Smith ;hen read the following extract from Captain Wash-
ington's report to Government upon the harbour of refuge :
"It is well to bear in mind what this port was during the
last war, and what it must again become for another North
Sea fleet. It was from Harwich that the Hollesley Bay fleet
was always watered by transports; it was here that all
vessels, from a frigate downwards, in case of need, came for
a partial refit at the naval-yard still in existence; here no
less than sixty ships of war have been built, fifteen of which
were two deckers, while the tonnage of the vessels em-
ployed in the North Sea fishery belonging to Harwich, a few
years since, was estimated at 3,000 tons, employing five
hundred hardy seamen. These considerations alone would
more than justify any small outlay to preserve this port from
farther damage, but in addition, it should be remembered,
that this may shortly become the packet-station for all our
mail communications with northern and central Europe ;
that as soon as the railroad already open to Colchester is
completed to Harwich, letters dispatched from the General
Post-offiee might be delivered in three hours direct on board
the mail steam-packet lying waiting alongside the pier; that
passengers could walk on board, and in less than a quarter of
an hour he clear out at sea, in all weathers, and at all times of
the tide, and sixty miles ahead, even in fine weather, of those
mailed at the same time in London, which would probably
make the difference of a whole tide in arriving off Ostend or
the Brielle, or other bar harbOurs, while in north-easterly gales
and fogs steamers would often make their passage before
those starting from London would get clear of the shoals and
currents of the deep gulph which forms the estuary of the
Thames; in proof of which, twenty-eight steamers, carry-
ing mails, in spite of strict orders to the contrary, have been
compelled to put into this port for fuel, or to land their
mails, after contending for upwards of twenty-four hours
against strong head-winds, which prevented their making
their voyage. Under these points of view, then, but chiefly as
a packet station for all northern and central Europe, the pre-
servation of this port appears to be of national importance."
On reference to the map it will be seen that the railway,
besides accommodating the important and populous districts
through which it will pass (as yet unprovided with railway
accommodation), opens upon, by means of existing and pro-
jecting lines, direct communication been the port of
Harwich and every part of England ;—by the Eastern
Counties Railway. direct with London ;—by its connexion
at Blisworth with the London and Birmingham Railway,
with all the manufacturing districts of Staffordshire ;—from
the same point, by means of the Northampton; Banbury,
and Cheltenham line, with the West of England ; and
by the South Midland and Midland Counties Railways,
and all the northern and manufacturing towns. It may
not be generally known that Harwich is nearer than Hull
to the Elbe by forty miles, whilst its situation, as re-
gards the opposite ports of Holland, places it in immediate
communication with all the railroads of Germany, being
Hearer, even than London to Rotterdam and the adjacent
ports, :by one hundred miles. Mr. Smith then showed
that their project ought to have the support of the inha-
bitants of Cambridge, as well as of the public, as a whole,
not disjointing the docks from any part of the line,
as was proposed, nay, insisted upon, by another com-
pany, intending to take a line from Manningtree to Harwich.
Other plans might possibly make Cambridge the centre of a
great passenger traffic, but the Harwich Dock project would
not only accomplish this, but would, at no very distant
period, make Harwich the channel, if not the centre, of a
great commercial as well as passenger traffic. Mr. Smith
further stated that no extensive commercial traffic
could be brought into the district of Cambridge without
docks at Harwich, as without these docks the trade north
of Birmingham would go to Hull, whilst that south of
Birmingham would go to London, omitting Cambridge in
both cases. Mr. Smith then instanced Southampton Docks
as a proof of their value to the neighbouring districts, and he
concluded by calling upon the meeting to lend their aid to
the plan which stood singular and alone in the advantages
which it offered both to the shareholders, the districts
through which it passed, and the nation at large.
Mr. J. FAIRLIE, of Cheveley Park, attended on behalf of
the Thetford, Bury St. Edmunds, and Newmarket, which, he
ut ye
r t
so
through it . The
said, though it would not enter the town of Cambridge, yet
btu we ouh
e ul d
dbveu au da
tvead h
n taugde ot uh se tsou
pi
pr
t
r of m ittsh elp raonxdi nwi
whose property it proposed to pass. M the line was a corn-
peting line, he begged it might be put on the notices. He
also said that the line Mr. Cobbold advocated was strongly
opposed by the landowners, and he thought the criterion to
be taken with respect to lines was*the opposition or the sup-
port they met with from the landowners and localities through
surprise, and knew of
which they were proposed to pass.
Mr. Cowmen said he was taken by
no competing line. His object was the advantage of the
nubile ; that, he could say, was the feeling by which the
Company he represented was actuated, and he would mention
the circumstance on his return to the Company, and see if
any arrangement could be entered into with the competing
Company, so that public advantage should be the result.
Mr. FAIR= reciprocated the feelings of Mr. Cobbold, end
also stated that the Company he represented was actuated
solely on public grounds.
Mr. RICHARDSON attended for the Cambridge and Col-
chester Junction, which he said would connect Cambridge
with a great agricultural district. It would not enter the
town of Cambridge but at the Thetford station.
The following resolutions were then proposed, and carried
unanimously :
" That the following gentlemen be a Committee to make
further inquiries respecting the different railway projects in
immediate connexion with the town of Cambridge, and to
report thereon at a future public meeting.
" That the Committee be empowed to take into their con-
sideration the practicability of having; a central station in
the town of Cambridge.
0 That the Committee be requested to apply to the secre-
taries and solicitors, and all other parties connected with the
different railway projects for such information as they may
consider it requisite to give.

(Signed)
HENRY COCKER. W. S. HODNETT.,
J. A. ROBERTSON, Capt. 82d . ED. HOPE.
Regt. W. COCKERCROET.
W. B. WEDGEWOOD. WM. KING.
C. A. CUTHBERT, Lieut. 65th THOS. O'Coxson.
Regt. • CHAS. T Mit:NESS.
J. A. GUNNING, late Hon. GEO. TAMES.
E.I.C.S. D. Witrrucv.
G. F. Oen& J. M'CALL.
H. J. IBBOTSON. J. DAVIS, Lieut. R.N.
We subjoin the log of the Great Britain, some of the ex-
tracts from which bear a prior date to that of her sailing for
Liverpool:—
Oct. 18. Saturday noon, went on Sectional Dock; found
two arms gone close to the boss, and one blade ; shifted the
blade of one remaining arm to the opposite side, and secured
the other blades; the rivets were nearly all loose; came off the dock.
22d. Wednesday afternoon, commenced coaling imme-
diately, and cargo next day; all coals.
26th. Near 1,000 tons in by two o'clock Sunday morning;
cargo all in on Monday night.
28th. Started at two, P.M., Tuesday, with low steam ; cut
off at 13 inches; ship in good trim, 18 feet 8, 17 feet 6 inches;
and going very well until eleven P.M. 30th, when we found
something wrong with the propeller, and striking the stern-
post very hard ; reversed the engines, and, after two or three
good thumps, the arm broke off; went with very low steam ;
cut off at 12 inches; steered by the sails; wind N.E. ; ship
making ver good way, seven to nine knots, until Friday, the.
Ist, about three r.sr., when another of the arms of the pro-
peller broke, leaving only one. I think they repaired one and
the arm of another with a small plate we had put on the end
of it; wind hauled to the S. and S.W. ; made the best of
our sails, and very fair way, just keeping the propeller from.
dragging, at times making ten knots.
Nov. 3. Wind fell to a calm on the evening of the 3d ;
making five knots; and in the course of the nigh, came
ahead a moderate breeze from the eastward and little. swell ;
ship making three and a half knots against it.
4th. Have been economising water and provisions since we
broke first arm off, and estimate we have, at least, thirty days from to-day of everything, without going on short al-
lowance.
sth. Very fine weather, with N.E. swell ; wind veered
round to the N.W., and squally; then to N.E. and E.
Gtb. Made use of her sails whenever there was a chance
within three points-of her course. She feels them immedi-
ately, and has, I think, very superior sailing qualities. Every
appearance of westerly winds the last three days, but have
been disappointed so far; yet we have made, under the cir-
cumstances, very good way indeed. The propeller, or what
is left of it, has done wonders, at times making four kn,,ts
against a moderate easterly wind and N.E. swell ; rather
high wind hauling from eastward to southward this morning,
and I think looks well for a S.E. very soon; making eight-
and-a-half close as she can lay, with fore and aft sails,
reefed topsail and mainsail. This is good, decidedly. About
a quarter past five the remaining arm of the propeller broke,
having only the half arm and the small piece of another,
about two feet from the centre ; cut down steam as low as
possible; going all night with a fine southerly breeze.
Bth. At 1.20 r.sr. stopped the engine, with the half-arm
vertical; moderate S.W. winds; all sail we can carry set;
wind freshened gradually to a gale from the westward;
reefed topsail and off bonnets and spencers; sea rising fast;
increased breezes to fresh gales and hard squalls, and high
sea; mainsail, topsail, and one spencer set; ship scudding
and steering beautifully, taking a spray on larboard quarter
I ev
and
er kbeam occasionally, but as easy, or easier, than any ship
new,
10th. Passed a large ship hove to, with maintopsail and
foresail; dirty ansl rainy weather; dead lights all closed;
scuttles, &c. well seeured.
11th. Wind moderating and hauling to the northward;
made all sail ou her; wind to the N.E. and E.; noon, saw
two ships a•head, and came up with them at the rate of two
miles au hour close-hauled. This is wonderful with our
little spread of canvas, and more than I expected, well as I
thought of her sailing qualities; wind variable and getting
light.

12th. Light breezes, inclined to the N.W. again ; a ship in
sight that we are coming up with as fast as those yesterday.
13th. A light breeze from the S.W., increased to a mode-
rate breeze, and fine weather • a ship astern at daylight; ran
her out of sight at noon ; wind fell light again in the evening.
14th. A breeze sprung up from the S.W.; made all sail ;
noon, increased to a gale ; double-reefed topsails and off bon-
nets and spencers; dirty, rainy weather, and sea rising fast;
moderating and hauling to the N.N.W. in the evening.
15th. Moderate and cloudy; high N.W. swell; made all
sail; half-past eight lighted fires; increased to strong breezes
and squally, southerly; very thick, dirty, rainy weather.
16th. Daylight cleared off, and saw mizenhead ; a fine
breeze all day; running ten and eleven knots.
17th. At half-past one passed the Tinker; eleven, off
Holyhead;. one rat., off Point Lymas ; eight P.M, got a pilot
and.steam-tugs off N.W. light vessel; waiting for. water.—
Liverpool Paper.
------
4b, - h -
WE

.
pouta monti. ago, a farmer at Reigate lost a
IN of hops, through the manoeuvres of a London sharper.
The farkner had sent the hops to a factur in the Borough by
his darter,, an old and trusty servant; who, when near the
Elephant and Castle, was met by an elderly gentleman in
spectacles, and accosted with, " Well, my toan, where are
you going with those hops?" The unsuspicious carter re,
plied to this am.' a few 'other questions, when the gentleman
stated that the hops were intended for him, and inquired with
apparent digpleasure wby'they had not arrived earlier? The
carter scratched his _head, 'and said he couldn't tell, but he
had brought 'em as soon as his master had sent 'em. Follow-.
ing the gentleman, the carter headed his waggorcthrough a
variety of streets to a warehouse, where the hops were un-
loaded and the horses'put up for the night ; and in the morn-
ing he started on his return home. " Well John," said the
farmer, "you have god rid of your hops, I see." " Yes, sir,
no trouble about that," replied the carter; the gentleman
met me in the Borough, and we soon unloaded the hops, and
here I be again." A week (lapsed, and no letter arrived from
the consignee. The farmer thought it strange; but he
waited another week, and still receiving no answer, ques-
tioned John again. Still all appeared to be right; and the
farmer, wondering much at his London dealer's silence,
waited still another seven days. Then he wrote for an answer by return. It came, and of course apprised him that he had
never seen the hops. Forthwith the farmer and his man' proceeded to London ; but the thief, by frequent turnings
and twistings from street to street, had so completely con-
founded John's ideas of locality, that the warehouse where he
had left the hops could not be found; and the farmer re-
turned home lamenting his loss of goods, valued, on ale*
estimate, at nearly 4004—Brighton Gazette.
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.—An examination of
eighteen candidates for admission to study at the Royal Mili- •
tary Academy at Woolwich, to qualify them to become
officers of the Royal Artillery and Engineers, took place at %,
the Academy on the 10th inst., and twelve out of that num-
ner passed their examination in a satisfactory manner. The'
names of the successful candidates have been submitted to
General Sir George Murray, G.C.B. and G.C.H., Master-
General of the Ordnance and Captain of the Cadet Company.
and having been approved, they will join at the Academy
as Gentlemen Cadets on its opening after the approaching
Christmas vacation. The following are the names of the
candidates who passed their examination for admission into
the Royal Academy :-1, Mr. Moutray Anketell; 2, Mr.
Richard George Haudcock ; 3, Mr. Gilmore Burtchaell; 4, •
Mr. Charles Edmund Walcott ; 5, Mr. Reginald Curtis;
6, Mr. Henry Robe Saunders ;7, Mr. Francis Gerald Webber ; '
8, Mr. Frederick Close; 9, Mr. William .French; 10, Mr. E.
Adolphus Seymour; 11, Mr. E. Shake pear Allardyce; 12,
Mr. Thomas Edward Byrne.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE FROM A STEAMEZ.
—On Monday evening, as the steamer Waterman No. 12,
which left Woolwich at half-past four o'clock, was passing
the London Docks, a young female, apparently, about
eighteen years of age, who was in a state of intoxicagell,
attempted to leap overboard. She had got ber,leg over the
railing near the after gangway, when a gentleman, Who
standing by, caught hold of her and dragged her down.
Several times afterwards she attempted to leave the seat and
jump overboard, but the gentleman held her back till she
reached London-bridge, where a passenger accompanied her
and her companion (who was also intoxicated), on shore,
promising to see them safe.