Star.
London, England, 1827-03-01 00:00:00

LONDON UNIVERSITY.

• The first Annual General Meeting of Proprietors in
the new London University was held yesterday at the
Crown and Anchor Tavern; Lord AUCKLAND in the
Chair. The number of Proprietors amounts to 723, of
whOrit about 16 attended, amongst whom were Mr. T.
Campbell, Lord F. L. Gower, the Hon. J. Abercromby,
Mr. Hume, Dr. Gilchrist, and Mr. Bowring.
Lord AUCKLAND accounted for the paucity of atten-
dance, by declaring, •that the Proprietors had but re-
cently assembled (in October), and as there could not
be much business to come before the Meeting, it was
not attended, perhaps, as numerously as would other-
wise be the case. The Report that day to be submitted
could not contain much additional information, but he
(Lord Auckland) was happy to inform the Proprietors,
that the Council bad been unremitting in their exer-
tions to forward the objects entru'ted to them.
Mr. T. CAMP/SILL apologized for addressing a few
words to the Meeting before they had commenced their
deliberations. He was obliged to attend at another
place within an hour, and as he could not be present
at the grand solemnity of laying the foundation stone
of the building in April, he wished to submit what
might be termed a valedictory advice before he left
town for Scotland. His motive, in doing so, was not
to start a question for the production of debate or dis-
union. It was, that those Proprietors who had not as
yet signed the deed of settlement, should no longer
hesitate to do so. The objects of this great and im•
portant undertaking ought not to be delayed, if pos-
sible, one moment. Wishing that, in his absence, all
might be conducted with harmony, he hopeed to see,
on his return, that a large number of the Proprietors
had signed the deed, and redeemed the pledge which
they bad given the public..
The Noble CHAIRMAN said, a great number had
signed the deed.
The Hon. J. ABERCROMIY had the greatest satisfac-
tion in stating to the Meeting, and he hoped to the
public, that as great progress had been made in this
respect as could have been anticipated, and he had every
reason to assure them that the Council anticipated the
most complete and entire success—(Hear.)
Mr. CAMPBELL again apologised for the introduction
of this topic, but his anxiety for the success of the Uni-
versity, would, he hoped, be his excuse.' If his words
had given offence, he would merely say he had not so
intended.

After the confirmation of the minutes of the last Ge-
neral Meeting, the Secretary read the Report, which
stated, among other matters, that applications for the
intended professorships had been made by persons of
the very first eminence in every department of science
and literature ; and also, that the day already fixed
upon, for laying the foundation stone, was postponed
to April, when his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex
'(who holds some of the shares) would lay the stone in
full masonic style, when it was intended to give a public
dinner in honour of 'the occasion. The financial report
was then read, from which it appeared, that after de-
fraying the purchase (90,0001.) •f a piece of land for a
site whereon to commence the foundation of the Univer-
sity, and some incidental expenses which had •since ac-
crued, the balance at present in hand was about 2 SOW.
Lord F. LIVESON Cowart moved that the Report be
adopted ; and the motion being seconded, was carried'
unanimously.
Dr. GILCHRIST asked what bad been done by the
Council in reference to the intended Professorship of
Hindostanee, and other Oriental language? He asked
this question, as he saw no notice of such a P. ofessorsliip
in the advertisement issued lately by the Council.
The CHAIRMAN said, the Professorship was by no
means lost sight of—and as soon as the arrangements
were completed, a Gentleman should be appointed.
Several Proprietors remarked on the small attend-
ance this day, which they all attributed to the want of
properly advertising the Meeting, and making the Pro•
prietors iccluainted with it by circular; and it was ulti-
mately moved and adopted, that an instruction should
go forth from this Meeting to the Council, that, in fn.'
cure, steps should be taken to apprize all Proprietors of
art intended General Meeting.
Mr. HUME said, as great importance was attach-
, ed to numbers, he hoped that any Proprietor who
could, would not only attend, but endeavour to bring as
many of his friends and acquaintances as he could, to
witness the i..teresting spectacle of laying the founda-
tion stone of the University, in April.
After a vote of thanks to the Noble Chairman, the
Meeting separated.

GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.

Yesterday a most numerous and respectable Meeting
of the Shareholders in this Company took place at the
City of London Tavern. JOLIFYE, Esq. M.P. in
the Chair. Most of the Directors were present.
Mr. BESSILLL. the Secretary, read the Report of the
Board of Controul, appointed at the last half-yearly
meeting. • It stated that the most minute inquiries had
been made into the circumstances of the Company, and
alluded to some differences which had taken place
amongst the Directors, but which were now reconciled.
It concluded with mentioning that the Directors were
zealous in the performance of their duties. This Re-
port was signed.' Daniel Whittle Harvey."
The Halt-yearly Report of the Board of Directors
was then read. This Report represented that all the
details were open to the inspection of the Shareholders,

and gave a general account of the -vessels possessed by
the Company, without going into any formal calcula-
tion upon the subject. Upon the subject of the vessels
called the Duke of York and George the Fourth, there
had been some difference of opinion, but it was defink
tively arranged, that a recommendation should be given.
to the Shareholders, to accept of an offer made by
Nlessrs. Joliffe and Banks, to exchange those vessels
for 3,500 shares in the Company, and the sum of 5,5001.
in money. Circumstances had -rendered some of the•
stations unproductive. A failure had taken place with
respect to some of the contracts, and no mote than one-
third of the ships of the Company had been employed.
(Expre-sions of disapprobation).--The Directors were
most anxious to obviate this evil, and they had good
grounds for expecting that for the year 1827, all the
ships would be employed, and the best stations filled;
and that the labours of the Company would be pro-
ductive to a considerable extent. The Directors with-
out being sanguine, felt no doubt as to the profitable
'result of the year's experiment.—(Applause mingled
with disapprob.tion.)

,

Mr. BA RNET.—H4s not some Gentleman who un-
dertook ihb executive, as it iscalled on that Board, been
4ngaged at a salary to perform slaty ?—(Hear, hear )
The CHAIRMAN.—..Yesi, a lientleman has been to-.